Monday Mailbag – Are the Oilers Done for the Summer?

It’s the long weekend edition of the Mailbag and this week’s info sack is dedicated to those of you that had to work today. This Mailbag goes out to each and every one of you that was forced into to work by that tyrant you call a boss. This Mailbag is dedicated to anyone that is currently sitting at their place of work with absolutely no intention of getting anything done today. We’re here for you, brothers and sisters. May the clock hands move quickly for you. 

Yeah, my guess is that they are. If a right-shot defenceman with power play ability not named James Wisniewski were to become available, maybe that changes.

I think the club will be aggressive, but it takes two to tango. There are legit holes in the roster and Peter Chiarelli has already made two major moves. I think a third is more than less likely before training camp.

Today, I don’t see any of the teams close to cap having a RD that fits Oilers needs, that a team would or has to part with. There are still some RFAs who will sign and that will change cap situations of teams so maybe Chiarelli can use that to his advantage closer to the start of the season.

I think at worst Chiarelli will bring in some RD (Wisniewski or others for example) on PTOs to training camp.

The obvious answer is the PP QB that everyone wants. I would roll into the season and see how it looks before breaking off another big chunk like Taylor Hall. It may not be perfect but changing everything over in the summer was never a possible dream.

No, I don’t think Chiarelli is done TRYING to upgrade the roster but it might turn out that way if he can’t find a trading partner who has what he wants and is looking for what he is willing to give up. That — the right match — has more to do with a trading partner than the cap situation.

My gut says the roster is more or less set for training camp right now. Having said that, who knows what will happen with the Tyson Barrie arbitration, as well as the fact that Hampus Lindholm is still without contract and is RIPE for an offer sheet (LOL as if that would ever happen, lest a GM make another GM mad). If they were to add anyone I would think it would be through free agency, rather than via trade.

It feels like this is it. Expecting major changes in August is just setting yourself up for disappointment. I think this team has a PTO or over the hill defender left in it to sign. Edmonton is more likely to be a good partner for someone else than vice versa.

No way Peter Chiarelli is done trying to upgrade the team — especially the defense. It’s a matter of whether or not he can get anything done. I bet he adds another minor piece (bottom six) and a defenseman (third pair).

Connor McDavid was hurt for half the season. Fixed! Beyond that, there’s no obvious point man in the organization and there’s a distinct lack of offensive right-shooting players. Both of those problems could be solved via free agency as of this writing.

I think the Oilers need a righty shooter in the middle, and a big shot from the point. I think the power play has been too predictable forever, perhaps the addition of new pieces will help. I should also mention the PP was fantastic when Connor McDavid was healthy. 

McDavid health was the biggest factor:  21% with him, 14% without. If he plays it will be better. They need one of Klefbom or Davidson to emerge as good PP guy from blueline. If they can get a consistent point shot it will help.

They need a player that can get their shot through from the point. Often I saw the PK cheating to the low plays knowing there was little or no threat from up top.

Biggest problem was the lack of a shot threat from the point. Fixed? Get one — like Tyson Barrie.

A combination of very little shots getting through from the point, as well as no one in front of the net to bang home some garbage goals/put one in off their face A La Smytty. I’m very interested to see if Oscar Klefbom can take a step forward offensively, because if he figures out how to hammer some clappers in from the point that could make a huge difference. Brandon Davidson also has a booming shot, so hopefully he can build off his stellar year last year, and come in with more confidence in his offensive abilities. 

Add in some huge bodies in Lucic, Kassian and Maroon acting as a human eclipses in front of opposing goalies and you’ve got a mix that on paper should help jumpstart the pithy Oilers power play.

There is a distinct lack of production from the point. We can only hope that Klefbom helps there. The lack of right handed shots also affects the efficiency of the power play. If Puljujarvi can be as good as advertised then he might help the second unit a great deal. 

Who the hell shoots the puck from the point? Answer: No one. The Oilers need someone that knows how to take a slap shot from the blue line. Until that happens the power play is always going to struggle when Connor McDavid is not on the ice. That kid is a magician and makes anything seem possible. 

Yes, there are a bunch of players. James Wisniewski is an obvious one on the back end. Offensive, right-shooting forwards like Radim Vrbata and Brad Boyes might fit. Brandon Pirri would be a good fit over potentially both the short- and long-term. Jhonas Enroth has a superior resume to the team’s current backup goaltender.

A few players, Brandon Pirri, maybe James Wisniewski. I like David Rundblad, but that is a player you bring in and have a look at as opposed to someone you can count on. 

I would have no problem re-signing Eric Gryba to a one-year deal. He would come cheap and while he won’t solve the offensive hole on RD, he would be a solid, inexpensive addition. He played well last year.

I would be more inclined to bring in a couple guys on try outs. I would want to look at James Wisniewski and Radim Vrbata. I would like to see how James is moving with his new knee.

Kyle Quincy might be worth a look as a depth guy if Chiarelli can’t get the offensive D-man he really wants.

My top three are Brandon Pirri, Sam Gagner and James Wisniewski. Read all about how horribly wrong I am in the comments of my free agents article! 

Wisniewski is probably the guy. He should be cheap after playing less than a minute all of last year. My guess is he’s added on a PTO.

I like the idea of Brandon Pirri, and I also like the idea of James Wisniewski. If the Oilers can confirm that his leg won’t fall off then I think he would make a solid band-aid for a power play defenseman. Did I mention he’s also right handed? One year deal. Low dollars. Make it happen.

Yes, I think it will be McDavid. I doubt it affects his game much at all. When a player goes first overall and enters the league being called “the best prospect since Sidney Crosby” and then has the season McDavid did, he has to be pretty good at shrugging off distractions.

All signs point to McDavid.

Yes it will be him, and I don’t see it impacting him much, but if it does it likely will be most positive than negative.

I think Connor has been dealing with pressure all his life. The captaincy will happen sooner or later. I would not give it to him to start the season. I would make an announcement after christmas. Nothing big, no fireworks. Just a simple press release. Sometimes less is more.

It will be McDavid and it won’t change anything about his game.

I honestly can’t think of a reason as to why it WOULDN’T be Connor. Face of the franchise, arguably a superstar in the NHL already, has shown he’s mature beyond his years, and there’s already a precedent with teams naming their young superstars captain, with guys like Crosby and Landeskog both being named captain at 19. This is Connor’s team for the next decade at least, and there’s no real reason for them to put it off for a year or two in my opinion. 

I guarantee it will have exactly zero effect on his game.

If it isn’t Connor then whoever it is will be Andrew Ference all over again. And it won’t affect him one bit. He already has to face a million questions everywhere he goes. He’s already an on-ice leader for the club. It’s Connor.

Connor has been ready to be an NHL captain since he was 12-years old. This kid is 19 going on 52. He has the temperament. He’s a hell of a hockey player, and he’s going to lead by example. Connor for captain. 

It’s all tech at this point. My laptop, my phone, my Kindle.

My glasses. Holy hell I am blind as a bat without them.

Toothbrush. Nothing worse than bad breath and rot mouth.

I know I could live without questions like this.

Toilet.

Chris The Intern’s friendship.

Probably my phone, but pretty close second are Q-tips. I know you arent supposed to put anything smaller than your elbow into your ear, but I just have to clean my ears after I shower. It’s like an OCD thing, but not quite.

My house probably. I don’t think I would do well for myself living in the wild. I’ve watched a bunch of survival shows but there’s only so much of that stuff that I can remember, especially in times of crisis. When the apocalypse comes I’m going to have to rely on a much larger human being carrying me in their pocket to survive. The search is on.