|
Holland's Last Trade Deadline - A Snapshot of His Tenure in Edmonton |
|
|
|
|
|
Adding Adam Henrique, Sam Carrick, and Troy Stecher are good moves. Henrique is a versatile player who should help the team in a variety of ways. I think Oilers fans are really going to like this player. Sam Carrick provides a different mix of skills to the fourth line and helps to limit the duties of Derek Ryan (a solid player but one who's age is showing). Troy Stecher is a strong puck moving defender who can help if the team ever wants to run 11/7 or if an injury occurs.
These are all good moves and especially with the salary retained, I think Holland got fair value. I would grade the moves that Holland made in a vacuum as a solid B.
However they are not in a vacuum and while the Oilers marginally improved, their direct competition performed far better.
The Winnipeg Jets added Sean Monahan earlier in February for their first round pick. They pushed further by adding Tyler Toffoli for merely a 3rd round pick in 2024 and a 2nd round pick in 2025 along with the Devils retaining half salary. They also picked up Colin Miller.
The Avalanche added Yakov Trenin, Brandon Duhaime, Casey Mittelstadt, and Sean Walker. They traded Bowen Byram, a 2025 conditional 1st, a 2025 3rd, a 2026 3rd, and dumping Ryan Johansen to do so.
The Stars got Christopher Tanev. They also are getting great value from Wyatt Johnston and Logan Stankoven; two players that were drafted after Xavier Bourgault in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Then you have the Vegas Golden Knights...
Let's all be honest here. As much as fans of other teams hate the Knights, call the organization cheaters that are bending the rules - every single one of you would be ecstatic if it was your team doing this. The Golden Knights management group is smart, easily the smartest, most forward thinking group in the NHL.
Vegas adds Tomas Hertl (1.38 million retained by San Joses) AND 2 3rd round picks for a 2025 1st. Seriously Mike Grier might be the worst GM in the NHL.
They then add Noah Hanifin (1.23 million retained) for Danil Mikomanov, a 2024 3rd, and a 2026 1st round pick. Craig Conroy might be the second worst GM in the NHL.
A few days prior to those moves, they added Anthony Mantha for a 2024 2nd and a 2026 4th round pick.
---
The Edmonton Oilers have not won a game in the Western Conference Final since 2006 and are in Year 9 of McDavid - adding a middle six forward and some depth pieces is Ken Holland's idea of going "all in."
The Vegas Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup last season. They add a top pairing defenseman, top six centre, and a top 6 forward.
This is mercifully Ken Holland's last trade deadline as the Oilers GM and this is a perfect snapshot of his tenure in Edmonton. Holland has made good moves for the Oilers. Zach Hyman was a great UFA add, the Ekholm trade was his ONE example of making a creative, smart trade. The rests of his tenure? A myriad of meh players, overpriced contracts, poor prospect development, and buyouts which will soon become a new GM's problem.
The last two playoffs for the Oilers - the team lost arguably for two reasons:
- The Nurse/Ceci pairing struggled against top opponents
- A lack of scoring in the top six aside from McDavid and Draisaitl.
Here we are another year later. Going into the deadline, the Oilers needed a 2nd pairing RD and a top six forward. They still need those things.
Make no mistake, this is still a good Oilers team and they could still win the Stanley Cup. If they do I will be highly impressed and will give credit where credit is due. That being said, it's undeniable that Holland has made massive mistakes and left quality options on the table. If they lose, the fault falls square on his shoulders.
Jeff Jackson has to re-evaluate how this entire organization runs from top to bottom this summer. Pro scouting, amateur scouting, the general manager, coaching decisions, everything. The best two players the Oilers have had since Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky are set to become Free Agents in the next couple years. They haven't done nearly enough for them.
Thanks for reading.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»