Betting on another "question mark" goalie? Just pay for Saros or don't bother IMO.

Not confirmed, but some speculation I've listened to (radio so take it for what it is); have suggested Saros may cost 2 firsts alone.
If youre moving Campbell (required to fit Jusse) thats costing 3+ firsts. Too rich imo.

Blackwood fits many checkboxes.
-Elite potential
-Some actual resume
-If you watch SJS he's been their best player, which EDM saw and many other teams have as well which is why although SJS should keep him his name is being floated.
-hes been unreal in SJS who looks like an ECHL team sometimes, so he's already used to having a poor team infront of him.
- Hes 26 years old and costs 2 m and 2 years

It will cost a kings ransom, but it makes the only sense to me based on how poorly its gone betting on goalies.

Blackwood just feels like the best "available" option.

Might be time to get really creative by getting value and cap space moving Ekholm.

That's real tough to swallow, gotta get D back, maybe look at dealing with the rival's down the road. They've got a bunch of D for sale and will need D back.

I say maybe move Ceci and Kulak and replace with one D from SJS (wont cost much, I say Burroughs, "youngish" and a decent depth 3rd pair guy whos tough) - but Idk where they get their 2nd. They cant move Ekholm (hes too good/ upside), Bouch (obvious) and Nurse (impossible). I think this team I've created looks really good and if Lindholm would consent to a RNH type deal like I've suggested, he can cover alot of defensive lapses.

Can anyone explain why the Oilers let Brown reach his bonus clause when it was this obviously he ain't even worth $1 million bucks, let alone $4 million> ?

I agree it looks good. I guess doing anything is better than nothing. Im just concerned the cupboards are so bare that any move might be the only move they can make.

Ekholms great but I was hearing murmurs that he's looking a bit sluggish out the gate.

Imo cupboards already kinda bare.
Broberg and Holloway have stagnated and soured on many fans - moving on from them is almost best if Calgary here sees value with them getting ice time and commitment while they flip a few other players/ rest of the year.

Only other real notables are Akey and Xavier.

If Leon and McDavid don’t see a management team trying to win with them, and holding onto Xavier and a couple firsts that won’t be helping win till 2027 at the earliest, I don’t see why they stay. Cupboards bare, and the 2024 either early really adds a high end guy, or if they turn it around; Holland probably still makes a dumb call (it’s Holland or the scouring staff doesn’t matter really).

I 100% see the weariness of the empty pool. But you’re already competing with SJS for 1st OA, cupboards barren and if you aren’t rebuilding it won’t get any deeper. Except SJS is loaded in their pool. One could argue Cagoni which isn’t even a top 5 Sharks prospect could be more valuable than everyone in the Oilers system and he was a 4th round pick.

The notion that the cupboards going to get better by 2024 or 2025 basically requires a rebuild. They’re ranked only behind the Isles, Bruins, and Pens as the worst prospect pools. And when you’re ranked that low it’s almost subjective. At this point you could be the 32nd and not the 29th.

Some suggested if they forced him down and kept him there to refuse the bonus; their could be some disgruntled players/ NHLPA/ agents and make an already hard UFA spot being in Canada harder to lure FA.

Get Saros as a message to the room, this year and next. Get value out of Ekholm for Calgarys rentals, maybe resign one them or just go into the UFA market with cap space.

Clear enough cap space in the deals ,if you can, to get Browns bonus on this years books. This year might be lost, at least look like you can be more competitive next year.

Sacrifice Ken Holland to the hockey gods. That Nurse contract is an affront to them. NOBODY ON THE OILERS SHOULD BE MAKING MORE THAN DRAISITIL.

Sorry about that but it's crazy.

Don’t get me started on Holland. He’s literally been the biggest stain on the NHL for what he’s done to the Oilers.

Yeah he’s acquired EKane, signed RNH too a great deal, acquired Ekholm.. but I could write a list larger than a grocery bill of what he’s done wrong.

Why did you pass on Wallstedt who would be your STARTER THIS YEAR WHILE XAVIER IS LIKE AT BEST A 2C/ 3rd liner in 2026.

Why did Nurse get that AAV?

Why did you sign Campbell at all let alone that AAV?

Why did you run it back with the exact same team?

Why did you run it back with the EXACT SAME TEAM?

Why did you allow Woodcroft to be fired?

Why did you trade down to not select Wallstedt… why why why..

I mean I’ve said it a million times I’m like an annoying bird, but the moment Ken Holland refused to select Wallstedt I would have fired him/ called a timeout and redo the pick or whatever man. It imo, is the single worst trade in the last few years.

It’s not exactly a value issue like how many people would “rate trades” and rightly so.

But the consequences of passing on arguably the highest potential player outside of the top 5-10, who was not only the BPA, but your position of need. It’s just astronomical.

Wallstedt being picked inside the top 10, by many experts wouldn’t have been a problematic pick. It would have been controversial cause it’s a goalie - but many people would argue Wallstedt had the franchise potential tag at draft day.

I follow Calgary closest, definitely sees some blunders from the outside but McDavid and Draisitil always out play the problems.

This year, with this start, they are under a microscope and it looks insane.