I get its not the point of the gm but why does yamo and puju get the same? Puju has been far better on both sides of the ice compared to yamo and should be paid accordingly

On another note they should play samorukov next year

niemelainen has been much better this year though. Samorukov looked very good until he broke his jaw.

Good point but hes gonna have time to recover the rest of they year and has a higher ceiling imo

Niemelainen likely has a 3rd pairing ceiling. Samorukov still has top 4 potential. You give Niemalainen the call-up now in the short term for the safer bet based on recent play but long term Samorukov is the guy you're betting on.

With Broberg and Nurse looking pretty good on the left side for a long time, I'd honestly be open to trading either Nemo or Samo if the fit was there (once the D is healthy again with Nurse and Keith back). However, I'd expect Samo to get a higher return. It just depends on what the target is and what cost is needed, really.

The nice thing is, both guys are not likely to play any higher than 3LD (in a healthy lineup) over the next couple of seasons. I think Nemo and Samo will both be competent to do that. So, in a way, if Samo is worth a lot more to help somewhere else in a trade (i.e. getting a bonafide starter), and Nemo can be a competent 3LD/7D option starting next season (playing interchangeably with Keith and Broberg behind Nurse on that left side), then maybe that is the best overall move.

I don't think Nemo turns much of a needle value wise getting close to acquiring a true, younger starting goalie. But Samo might.

Young starting goalies are likely not for sale though. Guys like Saros, Demko, Shesterkin etc. are essentially untouchable. Samo is not near the level it takes to even start one of those conversations. There's UFA goalie options next year but without Keith retiring it'll be tough for the Oilers to get too aggressive. Skinner is also no longer waiver exempt next year and Smith is under contract which complicates the situation further.

Samorukov is still wearing a full face shield. Nobody should read anything into the fact he wasn't called up.

Which D prospects do they keep next year?

All of them!

That'd be my thoughts. I don't like the idea of trading higher end prospects for rentals. Only way you do it is if the player you're acquiring has term on the contract.

The problem is unless you are sending broberg down one or more guys will have to clear waivers.

Haha, this why I said young"er", compared to Smith lol. Thinking more of a Varlamov, with hopefully a short extension.

I wouldn't touch Varlamov right now. He is expensive for a goalie that is worse than koskinen.

Fair. He's been bad. Was good up until his outings this season haha. So who knows, true the options are few. I feel there was a window to get Jarry out of Pit last season...but now he's been pretty amazing (save for last night, thanks for that Jarry).

Are there any goalies other than Anderson still playing that are older than Smith lol? I generally think of 25 and under as young, 25-30 as veteran, and 30+ as old in terms of NHL just for rough age brackets.

Nah Goalies usually play till they are older. Under 30 is young for a goalie.

I meant for players, but yeah goalies are probably 3-5 years behind those brackets.