Sean Maloughney: G74: Oilers @ Blue Jackets - Lip Service

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One lady point blanked asked Bob Nicholson about “The Plan” that was brought up last summer and if Bob Nicholson could provide any new reason for why fans should trust that things actually will be different this time. Nicholson’s answer in turn was a blatant dodge as he proceeded to talk about Oilers players at random.

He further elaborated that if Tobias Rieder had scored 15 goals this season, the Oilers would have been a playoff team.

his issue was that he was out of position and if he had moved his glove over a bit he would have stopped those shots

Bob Nicholson brought up Matt Hendricks and the importance he had to the locker room
- freelancer

- Wildschwein

Now people want to trade Nuge for a defenceman as well.....I guess people forgot that our forwards are 2 1st liners....a second and the rest are bottom 6 but hey.....if we get that right handed shot all will be solved

Now people want to trade Nuge for a defenceman as well.....I guess people forgot that our forwards are 2 1st liners....a second and the rest are bottom 6 but hey.....if we get that right handed shot all will be solved
- RatedR80

I'd include Nuge in a trade if it made sense for the roster, but to trade him straight up for a defender is (frank)ing ludicrous.

People seem to have forgotten that it was this very same defence that the Oil iced in 2016. While not perfect, it is tolerable.

What the roster IS missing, is Eberle's 20 goals, Maroon's 27 goals, Lucic's 23 goals, Letestu's 16 goals, Klefbom's 12 goals... better known as depth scoring.

I'd include Nuge in a trade if it made sense for the roster, but to trade him straight up for a defender is (frank)ing ludicrous.

People seem to have forgotten that it was this very same defence that the Oil iced in 2016. While not perfect, it is tolerable.

What the roster IS missing, is Eberle's 20 goals, Maroon's 27 goals, Lucic's 23 goals, Letestu's 16 goals, Klefbom's 12 goals... better known as depth scoring.
- Wildschwein

Exactly the point.....this team has no scoring depth so I’m opposed to trading Nuge unless like you said it makes us a better hockey club

Exactly the point.....this team has no scoring depth so I’m opposed to trading Nuge unless like you said it makes us a better hockey club
- RatedR80

Just for fun, IYO what sort of trade scenario would be worth moving Nuge?

Now people want to trade Nuge for a defenceman as well.....I guess people forgot that our forwards are 2 1st liners....a second and the rest are bottom 6 but hey.....if we get that right handed shot all will be solved
- RatedR80

When Nugent-Hopkins was a rookie I thought he was going to be at least a point a game player. Still good but he looked elite to me.

When Nugent-Hopkins was a rookie I thought he was going to be at least a point a game player. Still good but he looked elite to me.
- shack67

I think we all thought that at the time.

Just for fun, IYO what sort of trade scenario would be worth moving Nuge?
- Wildschwein

For fun? To contradict myself in my prior comment I will say I would package him in a deal for a top pairing guy (key phrase top pairing not top 4 that has been suggested) because they don’t grow on trees.....what bothers me is when they say move him straight up for a top 4

Now people want to trade Nuge for a defenceman as well.....I guess people forgot that our forwards are 2 1st liners....a second and the rest are bottom 6 but hey.....if we get that right handed shot all will be solved
- RatedR80

While I don't disagree with the idea that an improvement at 2RD is a necessity, I agree with you that that shouldn't come at the cost of Nuge. A low-cost #4 RD is still a major upgrade on Russell and there'll likely be a couple teams open to moving/not resigning a Dman for a number of reasons.

As for the rest of our roster, I think it's disgraceful to be able to say with confidence that our bottom-6 could've been replaced by our AHL top-6 all year and we'd probably have been better off.

When Nugent-Hopkins was a rookie I thought he was going to be at least a point a game player. Still good but he looked elite to me.
- shack67

Nuge has evolved into a pretty good two way player and the best on this team

Just spitballing here, and maybe I'm overvaluing RNH but here it goes:

With the ACL injury to Koivu, maybe Minnesota would be willing to move Suter for RNH? But he has a 7.5M AAV and is playing in his home state with a NMC. At age 34 with 6 (!) more years signed, unlikely that would happen.

With how mediocre Staal has been in Carolina, perhaps they would be interested in upgrading their 2C? Dougie Hamilton has been traded a million times, why not once more? Similar AAV and length to RNH.

Rasmus Ristolainen's name has been thrown around a few times, and Skinner hasn't singed an extension yet. RNH can play C and W, providing versatility when Rodrigues/Mittelstadt struggle. Buffalo would be weak on D if he moved though, so unlikely.

And for good fun, if Hall gets Larsson, maybe RNH can get us Griffin Reinhart! Overall, I don't see any teams with a decent expendable RHD that would justify moving RNH for.

While I don't disagree with the idea that an improvement at 2RD is a necessity, I agree with you that that shouldn't come at the cost of Nuge. A low-cost #4 RD is still a major upgrade on Russell and there'll likely be a couple teams open to moving/not resigning a Dman for a number of reasons.

As for the rest of our roster, I think it's disgraceful to be able to say with confidence that our bottom-6 could've been replaced by our AHL top-6 all year and we'd probably have been better off.
- MaximumBone

I don’t know if you caught any notes on the seat holder meetings but Bobby did say they were going after a defenceman this off season.....he also said not a lot of guys will get resigned (I’m guessing bye bye Chiasson and Reider for starts)......if we can get a top 4 RHD then yes do it but it shouldn’t cost Nuge to do so which was why I was bothered to begin with.....like Nuge for Risto? Are people nuts?

Just for fun, IYO what sort of trade scenario would be worth moving Nuge?
- Wildschwein

I'm not convinced I couldn't get him without giving up Nuge, but a guy like Spurgeon fits the bill for me- assuming he has an extension. Given what seems to be a desire to retool, I think we could feasibly package a bunch of assets together to grab both Spurgeon and Zucker and address a huge part of our talent-deficit. Something like Nurse, Puljujarvi, Bear and a 2020 1st could get some traction.

I don’t know if you caught any notes on the seat holder meetings but Bobby did say they were going after a defenceman this off season.....he also said not a lot of guys will get resigned (I’m guessing bye bye Chiasson and Reider for starts)......if we can get a top 4 RHD then yes do it but it shouldn’t cost Nuge to do so which was why I was bothered to begin with.....like Nuge for Risto? Are people nuts?
- RatedR80

I hope it means not resigning Chiasson and Rieder. I hope they commit their efforts to freeing up cap space with a focus on the year after the expansion draft and adding experienced talent (25-30 age group). We need to support our up-and-coming talent with players that'll keep the youth out of the tough minutes.

I know Sean touched on some of this earlier but we might need a new POHO before we even worry about a new GM

I hope it means not resigning Chiasson and Rieder. I hope they commit their efforts to freeing up cap space with a focus on the year after the expansion draft and adding experienced talent (25-30 age group). We need to support our up-and-coming talent with players that'll keep the youth out of the tough minutes.
- MaximumBone

He totally poop on Reider today he will not be back for sure and maybe moving on from Russell and Sekera would help (I know Sekera is good but as of now he is a 3rd pair LHD making 5.5)

I'm not convinced I couldn't get him without giving up Nuge, but a guy like Spurgeon fits the bill for me- assuming he has an extension. Given what seems to be a desire to retool, I think we could feasibly package a bunch of assets together to grab both Spurgeon and Zucker and address a huge part of our talent-deficit. Something like Nurse, Puljujarvi, Bear and a 2020 1st could get some traction.
- MaximumBone

Fenton seems pretty high on Spurgeon from what I’ve read, but I agree that he’s exactly the sort of defender we need.

I’m guessing he’ll be asking 6.5/7 mill for his next deal. That might be tricky to squeeze in.

I hope it means not resigning Chiasson and Rieder. I hope they commit their efforts to freeing up cap space with a focus on the year after the expansion draft and adding experienced talent (25-30 age group). We need to support our up-and-coming talent with players that'll keep the youth out of the tough minutes.
- MaximumBone

Stauffer has been fawning all over Chiasson the last little while. I fear the Oilers are looking to keep him.

Stauffer has been fawning all over Chiasson the last little while. I fear the Oilers are looking to keep him.
- Wildschwein

He was also fawning over that U of A kid and they didn’t even bother looking at him and the Flames signed him....I’m hoping they don’t listen to him on this either

He totally poop on Reider today he will not be back for sure and maybe moving on from Russell and Sekera would help (I know Sekera is good but as of now he is a 3rd pair LHD making 5.5)
- RatedR80

I’d still keep Sekera for now. If worse comes to worse, he’s an affordable buyout.

I’d move Russell if possible. Ottawa maybe?

He was also fawning over that U of A kid and they didn’t even bother looking at him and the Flames signed him....I’m hoping they don’t listen to him on this either
- RatedR80

This is true.

I’d still keep Sekera for now. If worse comes to worse, he’s an affordable buyout.

I’d move Russell if possible. Ottawa maybe?
- Wildschwein

I’m only saying Sekera because the two together make 9.5 mil and we need to clear cap.....be easier to move those two then it is to move Lucic and his 6 mil.....Ottawa could bite on Russell as they will be trying to hit the cap floor in the off season and if (frank)face didn’t have a NMC he could have been moved there possibly

He totally poop on Reider today he will not be back for sure and maybe moving on from Russell and Sekera would help (I know Sekera is good but as of now he is a 3rd pair LHD making 5.5)
- RatedR80

I'd keep Sekera as he's a dominant 3LD and could still step back up and become strong 2LD option in the likely event of injuries. His 5.5 is a big pill, but at least he's a positive influence on the team. Lucic is priority #1 with Russell as #2 in my opinion.