Last night, during the game, Peter Chiarelli kicked off his Trade Deadline moves with a deal that sent Brandon Davidson to the Montreal Canadiens in return for David Desharnais. We wait to see if other moves are made. The team could still stand to use a top 6 winger, a backup goaltender, or more help on the right side of the defense.
Brandon Davidson, 25, was one of the best stories to follow for Oiler fans through the Gory Years. He was an underdog in junior who willed himself to become not just a CHL player, but a Captain in the CHL. He wasn’t supposed to make it to that level, but he did. He wasn’t supposed to get himself drafted, but he did. He wasn’t supposed to become a pro, but he did. He wasn’t supposed to become an NHL player, but he did. And that’s all before we ever start to mention the C word.
Davidson’s story isn’t complete without mentioning his battle with Cancer. He’s a survivor of testicular cancer, something that robbed him of many games during his first AHL season. Davidson’s growth as a player at every level was unexpected. He surpassed every and all expectations right up until he became a solid 3rd pairing player who might even be able to spot into the top 4.
I think Davidson would still be an Oiler if not for the expansion draft, but the thought of losing him for nothing wasn’t very palatable. Chiarelli had the choice of keeping him until Vegas took him or move him for a player who might be more impactful over the next few months. Moving Davidson forces Las Vegas to take someone else, someone less enticing. It might even be possible now for the Oilers to give Vegas something else to convince them to take a player like Pouliot or Fayne in a move that clears Cap space.
What the Oil get in return for Davidson is David Desharnais, 30, who has 31GP, 4-6-10 this season. Desharnais is 2 years removed from a 48 point season and the Oilers shope there’s still some magic left in his hands that can be rekindled for at least the next few months.
Desharnais had fallen out of favor with the Habs coaching staff, neither Therrien nor Julien were keen to use him. Ray Ferraro openly questions how much left in the tank Desharnais has left. It’s a valid question at this point. Desharnais is near the bottom of the list for Habs forwards in terms of Corsi For and Corsi For Relative to Teammates. He’s dead last among regulars and semi-regulars in terms of Fenwick percentage. He isn’t quietly putting up decent numbers.
The Oilers are hoping that a change of scenery brings back the Desharnais of 2014-2015 who was near the top of Canadiens possession and a solid offensive contributor. What he adds is a veteran center/winger to the 4th line who *maybe* can bring more for a short while. I’m trying not to judge Desharnais without seeing him first, but a first look at the numbers shows that the Oilers shouldn’t count on much.
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Trade deadline is quiet so far, but it sounds like the Oilers want to move Ference’s cap hit, as per Eliotte Friedman. He’s on LTIR which means the Oilers can use that space to go over the Cap, but not for Bonus Overages. It’s the Bonus Overages that the Oilers are worried about since both McDavid and Draisaitl are on ELCs.
Vanek was moved and that’s disappointing. I would have loved to add some secondary scoring.
Vrbata is still available
Will the Oilers go after Halak or a less expensive goaltender?
UPDATE: Oilers trade AHL F Taylor Beck for AHL F Justin Fontaine.
Fontaine has 50GP, 9-21-30 with the Hartford Wolf Pack. He's a smaller forward, so the Condors may be interested in upgrading some foot speed.
FINAL UPDATE: The Oilers stand pat.
The Oilers did not add a backup goaltender or another 3C or another middle 6 winger. Chiarelli does nothing to help this team right now. Nor did he move out expiring contracts, no doubt he'll spin it like Russell and Hendricks are basically our own rentals.
What the Oilers DID do was sign RHD Ryan Mantha to an ELC.
Mantha is a 20 year old playing in the OHL and serving as Captain for the Niagara IceDogs. He is 6'5", 225 pounds and has 58GP, 14-37-51 this year. 20 year olds in the CHL generally shouldnt excite anyone. The real question will be how well he transitions to the professional game next year.
Any news coming forward will be updated here.