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Morning, folks!
Big day yesterday. I’ll save my bloviating about the Draft as I’ve got a Day 2 review in the... drafts... that I’ll be posting around noon today.
Today marks the calm before the UFA storm, with one day’s reprieve before the weirdest Free Agent Frenzy of our lifetime kicks off tomorrow. Here are the biggest rumors I’m seeing so far:
In addition to the OEL scoop from Elliotte, he also mentions EDM as a team that could take a long look at Jacob Markstrom if he doesn't sign w/ the #Canucks#Oilers GM Ken Holland did say his team would look to free agency to address their goaltending yesterday. https://t.co/oFobOGQp9a
— Randip Janda (@RandipJanda) October 7, 2020
Ken Holland did mention in his availability this week that the Oilers will look to Free Agency to address their goaltending. Markstrom is probably the biggest name — and perhaps the best goalie available — but local smart guy Darcy McLeod (@Woodguy55) ran the numbers and came up with this:
Re: Koskinen vs Markstrom. There's an argument that Koskinen was better last year is you use Goals Saved Above Expected from evolving-hockey. I think Kevin Woodley had the two close this year as well. pic.twitter.com/FoXXobDJSN
— Woodguy (@Woodguy55) October 7, 2020
Quite honestly? I agree with him. I don’t think targeting a big UFA goalie makes sense. I was hoping Holland would be trying to identify a 1B in Free Agency that could capably deputize Koskinen, one that could deputize Koskinen like Mike Smith did, only better, and for about half the money (or less). If they grab Markstrom, they probably have to trade Koskinen. Anything approaching $10MM spent on their goaltenders is far too much, IMO.
Of course, there are differing opinions:
@csahockey had Markstrom as the top goalie in the league last year
— Eddy Jarbeau (@eddyjarbeau) October 7, 2020
Then, there’s this:
Dave Reid thinks Taylor Hall should return to the team that drafted him. #NHLTonight pic.twitter.com/0MTVLCjcQu
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) October 8, 2020
Imagine?
But, before we get too excited:
Dreger says CBJ, NSH & MTL frontrunners for Tayor Hall; doesn't expect it to occur on day 1 (TSN1260)
— SHoKTee (@akaRCN) October 8, 2020
Something to pay attention to over the next 24-48 hours, for sure.
Also, in case you missed it, the Oilers brought back Jesse Puljujarvi into the fold yesterday:
Welcome back, Jesse!
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 7, 2020
The #Oilers have signed forward Jesse Puljujarvi to a two-year contract through the 2021-22 season.#LetsGoOilers https://t.co/tk8oiaaD3R
A two-year deal at $1.175MM AAV represents a pretty nice piece of business for Ken Holland, and the two-year term is icing on the cake. Really hard to see any downside to this one. Even Puljujarvi seems excited:
"I'll come back with open mind. I'm ready to fight for the spot. Nothing has been promised. I want to give my best every night and have possibility to play night after night with hard work ethic. When I was younger I searched reasons for everything. Now I'm glad to go to work".
— Pirjo Tepsa (@Tusen_bitar) October 8, 2020
LFG.
2020 Copper & Blue Live Draft Thread (Copper and Blue)
Oilers Sign Jesse Puljujarvi Through 2022 (Copper and Blue)
NHL Draft 2020: Oilers Trade Down, Draft Carter Savoie At Pick 100 (Copper and Blue)
Oilers Make Qualifying Offers To Ethan Bear, William Lagesson (Copper and Blue)
Hot Links: Wednesday, October 7 (Copper and Blue)
Harvest Moon 2020 (Lowetide)
2020 NHL UFA Top 30: Torey Krug And Alex Pietrangelo (Oilersnation)
JONES: Empty Rink Aside, Oilers Owner Katz Proud Of Profile Raised On Rogers Place (Sun)
Rumours: Edmonton Oilers Interested In Taylor Hall, Tyson Barrie On Short-Term Deals; Will Jacob Markstrom Sign In Edmonton? (Oilersnation)
Finished With Finland: Puljujarvi Returning To Oilers, Likely As Third-Line Winger (Sun)
Jesse Puljujarvi Returns To Oilers With Second Chance To Make Impact (Sportsnet)
Report: Flames, Oilers Interested In Jacob Markstrom (Score)
Shopping For A D-Man (Oilersnation)
No deal: Analyzing 9 intriguing players who weren’t tendered qualifying offers (Athletic)
Lowetide: Jesse Puljujarvi Signing Overshadows A Strong Day For Oilers At Draft (Athletic)
Grading The Oilers’ 2020 NHL Draft: What We Know About Edmonton’s Class (Athletic)
Dylan Holloway could be a ‘difference-maker’ for the Oilers (Athletic)