Sean Maloughney: Athanasiou at Centre Addresses A Big Hole

This would require a complete change in deployment strategy for Tippett, though. One of the other lines would have to become the defensive default line in place of the now absent Sheahan because I certainly wouldn't trust any line with AA or Neal with such. We'd also be relying a lot on AA being able to perform at C. He can say he enjoys it all he wants, but it's another thing to actually do it at the NHL level. This isn't the kind of bet I risk a season on.

That being said, I don't mind the idea of a change in deployment strategy. However, it REQUIRES that the new tertiary scoring line be one I'm confident will outscore it's opposition enough to make up for the goal gap we'll be giving up by spreading the defensive starts to other lines. This is not the case for the one you've posted.

This would require a complete change in deployment strategy for Tippett, though. One of the other lines would have to become the defensive default line in place of the now absent Sheahan because I certainly wouldn't trust any line with AA or Neal with such. We'd also be relying a lot on AA being able to perform at C. He can say he enjoys it all he wants, but it's another thing to actually do it at the NHL level. This isn't the kind of bet I risk a season on.

That being said, I don't mind the idea of a change in deployment strategy. However, it REQUIRES that the new tertiary scoring line be one I'm confident will outscore it's opposition enough to make up for the goal gap we'll be giving up by spreading the defensive starts to other lines. This is not the case for the one you've posted.
- MaximumBone

Correct on all fronts. The lineup I posted is not the one I would want to role into next season with, just using who is currently on the roster. If this was to happen moving forward, I would expect a Haas, Chiasson, and Nygard line to be the defensive line moving forward as they actually outperformed their opposition at evens. Sheahan might have been used as a defensive forward but his numbers at 5 on 5 don't necessarily suggest he was good at it.

What this comes down to is AA will be extended by Holland and when that happens the coach needs to transform him into a different player than he has been thus far in his career, or find a way to put him into a position where he can use his strengths (ie puck carrying ability and speed)

Correct on all fronts. The lineup I posted is not the one I would want to role into next season with, just using who is currently on the roster. If this was to happen moving forward, I would expect a Haas, Chiasson, and Nygard line to be the defensive line moving forward as they actually outperformed their opposition at evens. Sheahan might have been used as a defensive forward but his numbers at 5 on 5 don't necessarily suggest he was good at it.

What this comes down to is AA will be extended by Holland and when that happens the coach needs to transform him into a different player than he has been thus far in his career, or find a way to put him into a position where he can use his strengths (ie puck carrying ability and speed)
- freelancer

While Haas outperformed Sheahan by raw metrics, I don't think he faced even remotely as difficult of minutes as Sheahan did. I wouldn't be prepared to trust his line even though I think both Nygard and Chiasson are quality for that spot.

But I agree. It's about time we start doing to other team's cast-offs as has been done to ours: put them in a place to evolve and thrive.

He’s no good at center... he has the hockey iq of a dog turd.

While Haas outperformed Sheahan by raw metrics, I don't think he faced even remotely as difficult of minutes as Sheahan did. I wouldn't be prepared to trust his line even though I think both Nygard and Chiasson are quality for that spot.

But I agree. It's about time we start doing to other team's cast-offs as has been done to ours: put them in a place to evolve and thrive.
- MaximumBone

In a perfect world, I would like to see the team put AA at center but then sign a guy like Haula who can play center or the wing and have that safety net. Cap wise that could prove difficult.

AA is a North and South hockey player, you need to find his stronger points. He is not an 1st or second line center

AA is a North and South hockey player, you need to find his stronger points. He is not an 1st or second line center
- Tee56

He is not an NHL caliber center on any line.

In a perfect world, I would like to see the team put AA at center but then sign a guy like Haula who can play center or the wing and have that safety net. Cap wise that could prove difficult.
- freelancer

Buyout Neal and it wouldn't be all that difficult

Buyout Neal and it wouldn't be all that difficult
- MaximumBone

I just don't see it happening this season. Tough to ask an owner to buyout another player like that. More feasibly I think we see a Russell move happen, free up 4 million that way and add a roster player that way.

Then hope you can get Seattle to take Neal in expansion.

I just don't see it happening this season. Tough to ask an owner to buyout another player like that. More feasibly I think we see a Russell move happen, free up 4 million that way and add a roster player that way.

Then hope you can get Seattle to take Neal in expansion.
- freelancer

Depends on the financial state of Katz' business ventures, I guess.

I fail to see how how a Russell trade is more feasible. Trading him without taking back a comparable cap hit is unlikely. Only cases I can see working are Ottawa (cash Vs cap hit) or LA (Todd loves his boy and they need D). In both cases we'll have to attach a sweetener to get the thing done because cap space is gonna be such a commodity the next year or two.

On the other hand, a Neal buyout requires nothing but willingness from the owner and a decision from the GM.

Depends on the financial state of Katz' business ventures, I guess.

I fail to see how how a Russell trade is more feasible. Trading him without taking back a comparable cap hit is unlikely. Only cases I can see working are Ottawa (cash Vs cap hit) or LA (Todd loves his boy and they need D). In both cases we'll have to attach a sweetener to get the thing done because cap space is gonna be such a commodity the next year or two.

On the other hand, a Neal buyout requires nothing but willingness from the owner and a decision from the GM.
- MaximumBone

This is why I don't see a buyout happening, while it does free up nearly 4 million, it's another essentially 2 million of dead space once again. If you buy out Neal this year the Oilers have 5.75 million in dead space next season. Think this next season as a whole will involve a number of teams sitting on their existing rosters.

This is why I don't see a buyout happening, while it does free up nearly 4 million, it's another essentially 2 million of dead space once again. If you buy out Neal this year the Oilers have 5.75 million in dead space next season. Think this next season as a whole will involve a number of teams sitting on their existing rosters.
- freelancer

But the total amount of dead cap space shouldn't play into the decision in my opinion.

I think our main conceptual difference is as follows: by keeping Neal on, I view his entire 5.75mil as effectively dead cap space because of how limited he is as a player. As such, the only downside I weigh against the buyout is the 2mil x 3 years penalty. By then, all current dead cap expenditures will be gone so it doesn't weigh too heavily on my decision.

It's a simple equation of "does buying out Neal now improve our chances to win currently?" and "does that improved chance to win cost us too much in the future?". For me, the answers are yes and no respectively so it's an easy decision.

Or... we could trade Russell AND buyout Neal.

I just don't see it happening this season. Tough to ask an owner to buyout another player like that. More feasibly I think we see a Russell move happen, free up 4 million that way and add a roster player that way.

Then hope you can get Seattle to take Neal in expansion.
- freelancer

Or... we could trade Russell AND buyout Neal.
- Wildschwein

This

This
- MaximumBone

I fondle myself nightly to that exact scenario.

Poor Jamjar Carebear, he can hand out water to people in skyboxes

Good news outta Bob's latest draft rankings; both of my primary targets, Lukas Riechel (ranked 20th) and Mavrik Bourque (ranked 26th), are ranked in the range of where Edmonton will likely be picking (barring a play-in loss)

Or... we could trade Russell AND buyout Neal.
- Wildschwein

Would love to see it, just not anticipating it. Basically it's going to come down to evaluating what holes need to be addressed this summer and how much it will cost to do so. Buying out Neal could make sense if some UFA options are going to be looking to take lower term low cost deals and freeing up that space can capitalize on that.

My understanding of the situation is Holland will be looking to move out Russell this summer, aim to make a deal with Seattle the following year for Neal or buy him out then.

Good news outta Bob's latest draft rankings; both of my primary targets, Lukas Riechel (ranked 20th) and Mavrik Bourque (ranked 26th), are ranked in the range of where Edmonton will likely be picking (barring a play-in loss)
- MaximumBone

We’re winning the cup in Edmonton bra!

We’re winning the cup in Edmonton bra!
- Ihatebrianburke

Then Jan Mysak 🤙