Once again, if any more Oilers news breaks today I will update the blog as the day goes on.
If I had to rank the Oilers performance at the Draft yesterday, I would give them a resounding 6/10. Nothing spectacular, but nothing catastrophic.
Dylan Holloway may never win any NHL Awards, or push 40 goals but he does have the tools to be an effective NHL player for many years. He is already a bigger body but he isn't lumbering by any means. Scouts have praised his edge work and athletic ability with the added bonus of being able to force himself physically past defenders.
The biggest question mark right now with Holloway is his point production which took a dip last season playing for the University of Wisconsin but there is certainly reason to be optimistic. Holloway was the second youngest player in the league and was also playing behind the likes of Alex Tucotte and Cole Caufield, two first round talents from last year's draft.
Holloway's season will begin November 13th and it will be fun to watch as he receives more ice-time and starts to put up more points.
Many of the names I hoped Edmonton would have a shot at (Lundell, Jarvis, Quinn) were off the board before the team made their selection. Holloway may not have the same excitement around his name but don't knock this pick Oilers fans. I would not be surprised if this guy is at least competing for a roster spot as early as the 21/22 season.
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ATHANASIOU/BENNING GONE...?
The more contentious news that broke yesterday was that the Edmonton Oilers would not be extending qualifying offers to forward Andreas Athanasiou or defense man Matt Benning. Both players will become free agents.
Let's talk about Matt Benning first because that is the shorter discussion.
I like Matt Benning. He has solid underlying numbers, is physical and has some offensive instincts, everything you want in a third pairing defenseman. His 1.9 million dollar cap hit to qualify him is more of an issue. Especially when the younger and cheaper Evan Bouchard could fill the exact same role.
Benning will now test the free agency waters and if a bigger payday isn't there for him, Holland may still be able to sign him on the cheap.
Now for AA...
I've defended Ken Holland a couple times for the AA deal because of the impossible to have planned for pandemic. When Holland traded two second round picks for Athanasiou, almost no one thought it was a bad idea. A second round draft pick is usually years away from being NHL ready (if at all) and Athanasiou looked like a player who could provide versatility to the Oilers. Sadly it did not happen that way and AA struggled to make an impact, both in the 9 regular season games he played as well as the playoffs.
Now here the Oilers are without a second round pick in the draft this season (or next) and nothing to show for it. I hate connecting the dots on deals (no the trade wasn't Lucic and Larsson for Hall) but the important thing now is what Ken Holland does with the cap space he just freed up.
If Holland uses this space to sign a strong third line centre or pursues a goaltender like Markstrom or heck, even throws his name in the ring for Pietrangelo, I won't be the one saying "technically it was two seconds for Markstrom," but at least it will turn a complete miss into something positive.
I'll update as the Draft Day continues.
Ken Holland decided to make a trade and recoup a couple of extra picks, trading the 76th overall pick to San Jose in exchange for the 100th overall and the 126th overall pick.
Edmonton used the 100th overall pick to select another local boy in left winger Carter Savoie who put up 99 points in 54 games this past year in the AJHL. Interesting to see Holland keep going to the AJHL.
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JESSE PULJUJARVI RETURNS
This might be the best move of the off-season for the Edmonton Oilers.
Jesse Puljujarvi and the Edmonton Oilers have come to a 2 year deal agreement, with an annual cap hit of 1.175 million. This is fantastic value for a player many thought would never step into an Oilers uniform again.
OILERS DRAFT TYLER TULLIO
It's great to see the Oilers really leaning into drafting skilled forwards in this draft. While his size is questionable at 5'10 and 165lbs, he produced at over a ppg pace for the Oshawa Generals, producing 27 goals and 66 points in 62 games. This was a player that many websites and pundits expected to go much higher.
It looks like he is a versatile player who in addition to his offensive instincts, also kills penalties. Trading down has given the Oilers two intriguing options and looks like a good bet so far.