"Jesse Puljujarvi coming back is a deadline acquisition," RNH coming back is a deadline acquisition, Archibald coming back is a deadline acquisition and Kris Russell coming back is a deadline acquisition." Those are the types of statements we are starting to hear coming out of members of the Oilers Media Machine.
Put another way; Ken Holland spent all of the team's cap space, the holes that existed before still exist, and he lacks the creativity to make any additions to this roster... but let's pretend that players coming back from injury are brand new adds.
Teams like Tampa and Calgary and Florida are right up against the cap and are already dominant teams but they are still finding ways to make adds and improve. For once I would like to see someone in a media scrum ask the question, "how come other teams are able to make these adds but you say that it's impossible." I would love to hear Holland stutter around that one.
More and more it's looking as though Edmonton will not make any adds at the deadline, and if they do it will be a pure depth add; a fourth line forward or third pairing/7th defenseman. Originally I was expecting a Carson Soucy or Justin Braun to try and move the needle but I think it's going to be more like Dean Kukan.
If you aren't familiar with Dean Kukan... check out this beautiful goal he scored a couple nights ago.
Plenty can change but it's looking very likely that Edmonton could be facing off against the LA Kings in the first round of the playoffs. Who gets the edge in this matchup? There will be time to break these things down further but all I will say right now is Edmonton has been the heavy favorite in their last two first round appearances and failed miserably. Until they prove themselves it will be hard to ever give this team an edge in a matchup.
Mike Smith played fine against the Sabres but the numbers don't really tell the full story. Yes Smith made 27 of 28 shots for a 0.964SV% however he was barely tested. Natural Stat Trick had the Oilers dominating the High Danger Chances 16-5. It was one of the best performances of the year for the Oilers defensively and honestly if Smith had allowed even one more goal I would still be livid. The 39 year old netminder played well enough to not get deported to the AHL but no one should be considering Smith as "back to form." Tonight Koskinen will start.
I feel like a broken record saying this but in my defense this team feels like a broken record sometimes; Edmonton is a good enough team to make the playoffs but in year 7 of McDavid that feels like a pathetically low bar to be celebrating.
Quick other news. The Tomas Hertl contract; and 8 year deal worth a hair over 8.1 million should make some stories interesting to follow this summer. How will that effect the Calgary Flames is signing Johnny Gaudreau or the Predators and Filip Forsberg, or Nazem Kadri? Some players are going to get monster contracts and with a flat cap that is going to be difficult.
Enjoy the afternoon game!