With the Oilers overseas to wrap up their pre-season and kick off the new one, it was no surprise to see them further trim the roster and they got some more work done on that front this morning. Today, they announced via their Twitter account that Pontus Aberg has been placed on waivers for the purpose of assignment to the Condors and that Jakub Jerabek was released and “awaiting assignment.”
As Peter Chiarelli mentioned Friday, the team is able to carry a few non-roster players, specifically PTO players, with them to Europe which gives them some time to make a few more calls that will surely come, but for now, others needed to be cut so that their AHL (or otherwise) seasons could begin and that’s exactly what happened. Today’s round of cuts sees Pontus Aberg hitting the waiver wire with the intent of assignment to Bakersfield to join the Condors, while Jakub Jerabek’s unimpressive pre-season has him landing in limbo as he awaits assignment.
From where I blog, neither of today’s cuts come as much of a surprise given the storylines we’ve been following throughout the pre-season and using my own eyeballs to watch how they’ve both performed:
- For Pontus Aberg, seeing him getting sent back to Bakersfield makes sense, especially when you consider how he was dry toast throughout the pre-season. In five games played, Aberg registered only a single goal and was widely outplayed by both Ty Rattie, Jesse Puljujarvi, and Kailer Yamamoto which didn’t leave any space on that right side. That said, I think there is still a serviceable player there but he’s going to need to get his head in the game or else he’ll be disappearing under the rock of obscurity in Europe somewhere. Maybe he gets his game back together in the AHL? We’ll have to wait and see how things shake out.
- For Jakub Jerabek, this release has to be disappointing given the fact that he just signed a one-year deal with the team earlier in the summer and was certainly expected to play. That said, he was outplayed by rookies like Bear and Bouchard and Jason Garrison that came in on a PTO so this release isn’t exactly a surprise to anyone that watched how his pre-season went. The question, now, is what does “waiting for assigment” mean? I imagine that’ll put him on waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens. In five pre-season games played, Jerabek didn’t register a point and was +2 with four shots on goal.
With these two cuts out of the way, there is still some work left to do on the roster before the regular season kicks off next Saturday but the bulk of the work appears to be done. As of this moment, the team is still carrying Bear and Bouchard on the back end with Garrison and Chiasson on PTOs, so we know that more news is coming. If I’m guessing, I’d suspect that Bear gets sent down to the AHL in a paper transaction and paves the way for Evan Bouchard’s NHL debut, and that Garrison and Chiasson ink their deals once Andrej Sekera hits the LTIR. That said, I readily admit that I know nothing and am only guessing, but we’ll have to wait and see how close I get. Fortunately, there’s only a week left to wait, my friends. The season countdown is on.
Recent Roster Cuts:
- Ryan McLeod assigned to Mississauga
- September 24th cuts
- September 20th cuts
- September 18th cuts
- September 17th cuts
Source: Edmonton Oilers, Official Twitter Account, 9/30/2018 – 9:32 am MT
Ahahahahahhaha, Chia is such a fantastic assessor of wanna-be NHL talent … certainly among the very best in the league, lolo … 😛
This comment screams, “pay attention to me”
Not really….I think that comment hits the nail right in the head. “Bags” is such a homer lol
Oh weird, an Oilers blogger likes the Oilers. What a concept!
baggedmilk, your talking above their grade level, you have to Flames fan it down a bit.
The truth deserves attention … yes … @baggedmilk
In his short time on the Oilers Chia has made a number of truly horrendous trades that saw premium talent shipped out with only a tiny fraction outgoing value replaced. His cap management skills are non-existent. He’s managed to overpay for personnel in virtually every area on the ice and through unnecessary buyouts, he’s even paying for players not to be on the ice. His arrogance is staggering. He was comfortable to start last season without replacing Sekera, his arguably best defenceman from the prior season and failed to recognize that his goaltender was struggling in season and was unable to shore up the position. Now he’s having to negate NHL contracts signed mere weeks ago …
How he keeps his job is amazing …
Chiarelli is currently employed as an NHL GM and has a Stanley Cup. You are a troll spewing crap on the internet, pretending to know what you are talking about to incite discontent on what is usually a good fan forum. Who’s arrogance is staggering? Chiarelli’s, or the delusional, Dunning-Kruger poster boy Opi? Lastly, I refuse to let you to ruin my enjoyment of this forum, like you have ruined the SN forum, which is the singular goal of all your posts – to incite a visceral reaction from strangers, so you feel intelligent, superior, and in control. You are a bully. Period. In fact, this is the last direct response any post of yours will receive from me. You do not deserve the attention seek.
My pleasure Moneyball … it’s always & only about the facts for me, glad you enjoyed it, yes … 😛
Something tells me he won’t be able to read what you wrote, let alone understand it. I can’t how much of his weekend he’s spending on an Oiler forum. It’s actually pretty sad.
*can’t believe
Seriously this guy single handily ruined the sportsnet comments. How a person can be globally recognized by all 31 NHL teams fan bases on sports sites is embarrassing. If he continues to post and make dumb comments like he has been the past couple days I am done with this site. I don’t mind back and fourth bantering between rival teams and fans but this guy is just stupid and spews so much toxins and garbage I cannot handle it. I do not come on to this site to read comments about how stupid and brainless our management is and how bad of a franchise we are.
Great post. Thanks for taking the time to type it up.
Which is exactly why i dont waste my time reading any of the drivel he’s barfed onto the screen. I see the name, hit trash and move on to someone important.
If we’re requesting features, an ignore button would be great. Hit ignore and all comments from that IP are hidden from your view for a week or two. It would be far and away the best way to deal with trolls since they’re in it for the attention.
@BM – You think so? 20 comments yesterday on the GDBs and none relating to the game. Nothing but inciting crap. Throw in dozens of comments replying to his dribble and the comment boards yesterday were a mess.
The clicks this generates might be good for business but it makes these boards unreadable. Just read the hockey comments at Sportsnet to see what I mean. If you don’t ban him he’ll ruin this and other nation sites. It’s already starting
Are you the drama queen in your family, Kev … ? Hmm … 😛
Boo hoo. I’m tired of people complaining about the edit button. Get over it. 1st world problems…
Boo hoo. I’m tired of people complaining about complaining . Get over it. 1st world problems…
Once again the Oilers rush in their #1 pick Bouchard. They either never learn or have that pathetic of a defense.
9 games dude….these are promises that get made to get them to sign quick; earn a few weeks big league salary and get a feel.
It’s only rushing if he’s not ready or he’s expected to play above his level. 9 games on the third pairing that he earned in preseason is neither. If he struggles and they don’t send him down then I would agree.
I always advocate for Bouchard to be sent down, but I want to see him get a few NHL games to have a look. If he legitimatly looks good enough to stay thats fine. I just want to avoid playing him 30 games before sending him down and thus burning a year of his ELC. The emergence of Bear should mean they don’t have to rely on Bouchard past 9 games.
If there is any chance of expansion being delayed by a year (and it seems there definitely is), they need to be very very careful about burning a year of his ELC and vesting a year of pro – doing so would result in him no longer being exempt from the expansion draft which would have really negative implications (with current roster construction, would lead to at least one of Puljujarvi, Yamamoto, Nuge being exposed). They need to be sure that he’s pushing the needle forward materially prior to burning that year.
Expansion must be a factor in management’s decision here.
wise words
Chaisson has all the tools but showed little hockey sense maybe I am wrong here but that is what I see. Aberg just did not want it bad enough.
He’s also not going to carve out a role as a fourth liner, he does not hit, block pucks, or muck hard enough in the defensive zone. Not every player is capable of transitioning their style to hold on to a grinder spot.
Aberg has consistency issues, shows flashes but not sustainable.
NOW WHAT DO I DO WITH MY JEREBEK JERSEY!!? FIRE PC…..
I can’t help but think we are making another very Oiler mistake. Instead of having some experience on the blueline, we are putting our young dmen in a difficult position. I’m probably just a little jaded from past experience, and I hope that Bear and Bouchard prove me wrong.
Not at all surprised about these decisions. Interesting how this trip to Europe affords the team extra time to make player decisions. I can remember the last time a team played their last Pre-season game on the same day the NHL season starts.
As an aside I heard that Upshall is going to Bakersfield for conditioning (interesting phrasing) so it looks like there is more to written there too.
Yet another brilliant signing by Chia I suppose you have to roll the dice sometimes but his rolls are shouting out replace me!
In his short time on the Oilers Chia has made a number of truly horrendous trades that saw premium talent shipped out with only a tiny fraction outgoing value replaced. His cap management skills are non-existent. He’s managed to overpay for personnel in virtually every area on the ice and through unnecessary buyouts, he’s even paying for players not to be on the ice. His arrogance is staggering. He was comfortable to start last season without replacing Sekera, his arguably best defenceman from the prior season and failed to recognize that his goaltender was struggling in season and was unable to shore up the position.
How he keeps his job is amazing … can you see any other fan base putting up with this … ??
I’m rooting for Scottie Upshall. He’s too useful of a player to not keep around. If that’s the case, then he might be called up when he’s ready for full time NHL Duty
Jakub’s contract must of had a stipulation that he had to make the team first? How else could the Oiler’s just terminate it?
That’s what I’m waiting to see. Their tweets says, “Jakub Jerabek has been released & is awaiting assignment.” What’s the assignment?!
Bouchard will probably get his 9 games in sheltered minutes. Bear will get the nod, so do they put him on the farm or outright release him…… ? What are the options?
Whichever way you look at the hapless Oiler blueline … it’s shore not a purty sight, is it … ?
Be honest … even for a millisecond … you would LOVE to ice this Dm wouldn’t you, lolo … ?
Mark Giordano-TJ Brodie
Noah Hanifin-Travis Hamonic
Juuso Valimaki-Michael Stone
Haha. Flames fans love to blather on about their stellar defense. Sure worked out last year. This year, it’s undeniably worse….so, ya. At least you have little Jenny G.
Your thoughts when it comes to defence and goaltending are completely irrelevant. For years you’ve been saying the Flames have the best D in the league and they never are. You also claim the Flames bring in the “best goalie available” but since Kiprusoff retired, none have made it past 2 seasons. To be perfectly blunt, you don’t know what you’re talking about.
Correction: will Jerabek be outright released or moved to the farm. Bear will be brought back after Bouchard gets his 9 games.
Hopefully that’s the case, if so it free’s up an extra million, and we all know every dollar counts at this stage.
Right future boy, actually having cap space is more important than having D-men that can play in the National Hockey League … listen to yourself, lolo …
You’re the kinda guy that is still butthurt we have McDavid three years later I just know it
I would guess that means they have released him to go sign in Europe. If he gets picked they mutually terminate his contract. If he doesn’t, he gets assigned to Bakersfield.
That was supposed to read….I cant remember the last time a team played their last game on the same day the NHL season starts.
Is an edit button on the drawing table…this is kind of ridiculous.
…the NHL Pre-season starts.
Aw…f*** it.
For the love of Gawd…get an edit button…lol
Edit button is on the wishlist but it’s admittedly a low priority. Right now, we’re re-writing Hockey Fights, All Wrestling, and Corsica Hockey right now and those have to come first before we can readjust dev time and spend.
Why would it be a low priority? The people who come to this sight want it. They drive the clicks that drive the ads. that makes money for this sight. It should be top priority. I don’t even know what All Wrestling or Corsica Hockey is.
Current commenting system is CREATE / READ only for comments, clearly. To add an edit feature, that would require the additional additions of UPDATE and DELETE.
Based on the dev quality (lack of) with this new design, I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Well said. Why would you want to make all of us happy right? Hockey Fights, All Wrestling, and Corsica Hockey, that’s what we all come here for yes…. Lets make sure those are top priorities lol. I am actually a little surprised you guys have something that dozens of people complain about daily on this site as your lowest priority..
With all due respect BM the EDIT issue has been an issue since the site was constructed. Thats a long time. It appears as if the EDIT button has been left out by design.
No edit buttin. Just be sure to poof read.
Just like the Oilers. Priorities misplaced. If they ever get to it, add another so we know who we are replying to. Old format was fine.
By releasing Jerabek that opens up a spot for a late waiver wire pickup on defence,right? There was to better opens available than Garrison not only in age but in ability as well.
My guess is that “awaiting assignment.” is waiting for a team in Europe to sign him.
I thought Garrison played well, not a standout but very steady and composed. Very physical along the boards too. One game he lead the team with 6 hits.
I don’t feel Chiasson did anything to earn a spot on the roster. I think we could do better from the waiver wire.
On a side note he’s could get a contract since the Oilers are going to Sweden and if Chiasson was a viking his name would mean son of Chia.
Barring a catastrophe of injuries, I imagine we never see Aberg again in an Oiler jersey.
But what about the amazing Nashville Predators development system? Thought they “do it right”, and everything Oiler sucks? Aberg was 37th overall pick and still hasn’t found his sea legs in the show.
Lots of chatter about making material acquisitions after Sekera is put on LTIR.
The Oilers currently have $2.1M in cap space with 21 players (12F, 7D, 2G).
This includes Sekera and Jarabek but not Bouchard or Bear.
When Jarabek gets replaced by Bouchard, that will add $75K in cap space so lets say we have $2.2M with 21 players (including Sekera).
Lets add Ethan Bear ($720K) and Yamamoto ($900K) which takes us to a 23 man roster with cap space of $580,000 (give or take).
Sekera can then be put on LTIR on day 1 which opens up 1 roster spot and allows the team to go over the cap by $4,920,000 to a toal of $84,4200,000
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Lets not forget though that going over the initial $79.5M cap by using any of that LTIR cushion is fraught with risk and ineffectiveness:
1) importantly, the LTIR cushion does not provide any cushion for performance bonuses. If we use the LTIR cushion and are over the initial cap then any performance bonuses vested by Puljujarvi, Yamamoto or Bouchard will result in a cap penalty for next season and reduce our cap limit.
2) generally, when a team is below the cap, the cap space is calculated daily and cap space is accrued to use later in the season – this is why a team with say $2M in cap space for the season can acquire an apx $10M player at the deadline. If we are using the LTIR cushion, we do not accrue any cap space even if we are under the artificially increased cap – this minimizes the ability to add later in the season
3) if Sekera is to come off LTIR at any point during the year, the LTIR cushion immediately disappears and we need to fit the remainder of his cap hit in – this could lead to an immediate need to dispose of players and their cap.
——————————
I’m not saying that we should not use LTIR relief but it needs to be done with great diligence and any material acquisition needs to make sense. To me, acquiring a guy like Faulk who is trending down and currently underperforming his cap hit is a massive risk in particular given he is signed for next year at close to $5M.
Maybe the best post I have ever read on this site.
Great post! Thank you for crunching the numbers. Also, I agree with you on Faulk, in particular. I am not against spending on a D-man, just not that player. I don’t get the media’s infatuation with him as a fit on the Oilers. His #s scream stay away.
I have a funny feeling Sekera won’t be coming off LTIR this season
Faulk is definitely not the answer. Both as a player and his term.
Funny guy.
I don’t understand the Jerabek thing. Maybe they’re looking for a Euro team to loan him to? OR maybe another NHL team has expressed interest in trading a 2022 7th round pick for him or plug contract for him?
Not surprised about Aberg at all. and the Bear/Bouchard thing is playing out how I thought it would, 9 games for Bouchard then Bear gets his spot. Garrison as the 7th guy but only signed to a one year minimum contract once Sekera goes onto LTIR.
Biggest surprise for me is that each one of the RW’s has managed to play their way onto the team. I know that TM likes Strome and Puljujarvi together but I think Yamamoto is better off being a driver of a line against softer competition and Puljujarvi is more capable on the second line with Draisaitl.
That leaves Caggulia and Chiasson as the extra two forwards.
Sadly Lucic still appears to be an anchor. Here’s hoping he picks it up!!
Lucic is on his way to Germany.