In this special edition of NHL Rumours, Last Word on Hockey will focus on the host of rumours surrounding the Edmonton Oilers. Relatively new general manager Ken Holland is, apparently, ready to make a big splash in his second off-season as the head of the Oilers. There has been an absolute plethora of recent Edmonton Oilers Rumours. The reports that could transform the current lineup if they come to fruition. While what will and what won’t occur is still up in the air, one thing is certain: Edmonton fans should strap in. The off-season is going to be very exciting for them.
Edmonton Oilers Rumours
Qualifying Offers
Rumour: In a recent Twitter thread, TSN’s Ruan Rishaug reported that he doesn’t envision pending-free agent Andreas Athanasiou receiving a qualifying offer. He adds that the same could be said about Matt Benning.
Don't see Athanasiou being qualified, and Benning is a major question mark as well at this point. Caleb Jones is developing nicely and can play either side. May be given increased role with Klefbom potentially out.
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) October 1, 2020
Analysis: The news of Athanasiou’s departure isn’t a surprise to many Oilers fans but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t sting. The Oilers acquired Athanasiou in a Trade Deadline deal that sent Sam Gagner‘s contract and two second-round picks to the Detroit Red Wings. The Oilers received Athanasiou and AHL-mainstay Ryan Kuffner in return.
While they didn’t give up any substantial, the Oilers are still losing two valuable draft picks — one of which is the 45th overall selection this year — in this deal. In return, Athanasiou graced them with nine games and two points. So to see him walk away, after such a disappointingly short tenure in Edmonton, isn’t ideal.
For the Oilers, this lack of qualifying offers helps show that they’ll be very serious about bringing in new additions this off-season. Benning’s departure means the Oilers only have four NHL defencemen contracted. While Ethan Bear will surely receive a new deal, and Evan Bouchard and Philip Broberg could easily earn a roster spot themselves, some reports are claiming that the Oilers may be looking towards external, more-expensive options to fill up their defence. Athanasiou’s move spells a similar situation, with the Oilers capable of filling his role internally but sure to search externally; especially with the prowess of the upcoming free agency class. The team has $11.3 million in cap space as it stands right now.
Bringing Back Puljujarvi
Rumour: TSN’s Frank Seravalli recently reported that talks with Jesse Puljujarvi are moving along nicely, with the winger poised to sign a team-friendly trial run.
Sounds like #Oilers have made progress in talks to bring Jesse Puljujarvi back into the fold. Discussion still mostly centered on the hockey 'fit' part of it, but my guess if/when he returns is that it's eventually on a one-year deal in the $1.2-$1.5 million range.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 30, 2020
Analysis: This is incredibly great news for the Oilers. Puljujarvi is one of the most underappreciated prospects in hockey right now, even despite his cloudy performance with Edmonton. But all signs point towards Puljujarvi being an incredibly capable NHL player. This sentiment is backed by his performance in the SM-Liiga over the last calendar year. Puljujarvi recorded a team-leading 53 points in 56 games during the 2019-20 season. He topped that with five points in six games on Finland’s international team, again tied for the team lead. This is terrific production but he’s somehow managed to top it headed into 2020-21. He managed to record over a point-per-game pace during Finland’s preseason and netted a point in his first regular-season game.
Oilers fans are skeptical of Puljujarvi, and rightfully so, but his ability as an offensive dynamo is something that Edmonton could seriously benefit off of. He’d boost a power-play that could benefit heavily from a revamp — turning it from league-best into a truly historical special-teams unit.
Putting that much faith into Puljujarvi might be a bit optimistic but the price of finding out what he can accomplish is apparently only $1 million to $1.5 million, and a one-year commitment. It’s a low-risk, high-reward situation and one that Oilers fans should welcome.
Extending the Core
Rumour: Seravalli also reported that the Oilers are churning along in contract negotiations with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. He mentions that talks still have a way to go but are looking positive.
Talks continue to progress between #Oilers and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on a long-term extension. Not done, and not close, but positive developments in last 24 hrs.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) October 1, 2020
Analysis: To see that positives are already coming from these negotiations is very promising. Nugent-Hopkins still has one year on his deal but figuring out what his new contract will look like could help the Oilers decide how to approach the upcoming free agency period. This is just more evidence that they plan to be very active with their cap space.
Such positives already showing through also bodes well for the relationship between Nugent-Hopkins and Edmonton. The forward was originally drafted by the team first-overall in 2011. He quickly became a core member, recording 18 goals and 52 points in 62 games as a rookie the following season. This put him on pace for 24 goals and 69 points had he appeared in all 82 games. That’s great scoring for a rookie and spoke of what’s to come. While Nugent-Hopkins hasn’t yet broken the 60-point mark — excluding pace- — he has served as an admirable second-line center. Keeping him around is paramount for Edmonton and it seems the front office agrees.
The team has all the time in the world to negotiate a new contract, especially since the start of the 2021 free agency period is still cloudy. But with recent developments looking promising, it might not be too long before a new deal is inked. Nugent-Hopkins currently checks in at a $6 million cap hit, a number that’s surely going to top $7 million, at least, on his next deal. He’s also 27 years old, meaning his next deal will likely carry him to the end of his career. RNH is one at least six players that will need new contracts following the 2020-21 season but none are as important — or will be as pricey — as his.
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