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Snapshots: Denmark, Harris, Muzzin

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Denmark is the latest participant to announce an Olympic roster for next month’s event, but their’s is a bit more historic. This will be the first time that Denmark has ever participated in hockey after failing to qualify year after year. Last August, Denmark beat Noway in a winner-goes-to-Beijing game that landed them a spot for the first time in history.

The roster includes some familiar names like Mikkel Boedker, Frans Nielsen, Patrick Russell, and Nicklas Jensen, but they will be in a tough group with the Russian Olympic Committee, Czechia, and Switzerland. The full roster can be found here.

  • One of the most interesting things on Kent Hughes’ to-do list as he takes over as general manager of the Montreal Canadiens is trying to sign Jordan Harris, a top collegiate player, captain of Northeastern, and third-round pick that could become an unrestricted free agent later this year. As Marc Antoine Godin of The Athletic points out though, Hughes seemingly has a few advantages–or at least some familiarity–in that negotiation. Hughes coached Harris for a time with the Boston Jr. Eagles several years ago, and two of the young defenseman’s college teammates at Northeastern happen to be related to the Montreal GM. Riley Hughes, a seventh-round pick of the New York Rangers (when they were run by Canadiens VP of hockey operations Jeff Gorton, no less) is an alternate captain at Northeastern, while Jack Hughes is a freshman with the potential to be a first-round pick this spring. With the Canadiens already tweeting out highlights of Harris, you can bet they’ll put on the full-court press to get him signed in the coming months.
  • The Toronto Maple Leafs will travel to New York to take on the Rangers without Jake Muzzin, as the veteran defenseman suffered a concussion against the St. Louis Blues. Mark Masters of TSN reports that Rasmus Sandin will move up to the second pair in Muzzin’s absence, with Alex Biega re-entering the lineup. Since Justin Holl is still in the COVID protocol, the Maple Leafs will be relying heavily on Sandin and Timothy Liljegren, consecutive first-round picks that haven’t made a huge impact to this point.

Patrick Russell Signs In Sweden

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Another one of the Edmonton Oilers’ unrestricted free agent forwards has found a new home. Patrick Russell has signed a two-year contract with Linkoping HC of the SHL, returning to the program he played for in junior.

Russell, 28, suited up just eight times for the Oilers this season, registering two assists. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of St. Cloud State, the Danish forward ended up playing 59 games over the last three years with Edmonton. Amazingly, he failed to record a single goal despite generating 76 shots on net. If he fails to return to North America, his NHL career will end with zero goals and seven points.

For years now, the Oilers have been trying to find a mix of forwards that can give Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl some help. With the additions of Zach Hyman, Warren Foegele, and Derek Ryan, they’ll try again to make a more balanced attack. Russell, who was a strong player for the Bakersfield Condors when in the minor leagues, will end up back overseas after failing to fill one of those bottom-six roles.

Trade Deadline Primer: Edmonton Oilers

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Although we’re just two months into the season, the trade deadline is already less than a month away.  Where does each team stand and what moves should they be looking to make?  We continue our look around the league with the Edmonton Oilers.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle standing between the Edmonton Oilers and their longest playoff run in the Connor McDavid/Leon Draisaitl era is not their North Division competition, but their lack of cap space. The Oilers are ready to be all-out buyers and compete for a Stanley Cup, but they lack the cap space to do much at all. They are already using Long Term Injured Reserve space and even most of that is already chewed up. Any trade will either have to see salary go the other way or be paired with another transaction to shed salary.

The Oilers have been bold in their waivers decisions this year, placing the likes of James Neal, Alex Chiasson, and Jujhar Khaira among others on the wire. Neal will require waivers again after two more games played, but is not a realistic waiver claim candidate anyhow. Plus, Neal’s off-roster status is currently reflected in their still-lacking cap space. Chiasson and Khaira though would require waivers again to be moved off the roster and there is reason to be believe that the Oilers may not risk it a second time. Could Zack Kassian be the next name they take a chance with? Signed to a long-term contract with a significant amount of salary, Kassian is probably unlikely to be claimed and could open up some space. He appears to have lost his top-six role and may be worth the risk.

The fact that a contender must consider risking their starting players on waivers to open up enough space to add different starting players just shows the dire cap situation in Edmonton. Add in the team’s lack of 2021 draft picks and an organizational philosophy that has been opposed to trading top prospects and it may be difficult for the Oilers to make a big move. With that said, they will find a way to make some sort of addition or two.

Record

20-13-0, .606, 3rd in North Division

Deadline Status

Buyer

Deadline Cap Space

$0MM in full-season space (LTIR), 1/3 retention slots used, 48/50 contracts used per CapFriendly

Upcoming Draft Picks

2021: EDM 1st, EDM 4th, EDM 6th, PIT 6th, EDM 7th
2022: EDM 1st, EDM 2nd, EDM 3rd, EDM 4th, EDM 5th, EDM 6th, EDM 7th

Trade Chips

The Oilers’ best chance at adding an impact forward to their roster is by moving out salary to offset the addition. Although the Edmonton blue line may not seem like a top unit in the NHL, they are very deep which could make a roster defenseman expendable. Especially considering the impending Expansion Draft, which could cost the Oilers a young roster defenseman anyhow, there is some added incentive to deal from the blue line. 23-year-old Ethan Bear, who was trending upward heading into this season, has hit a wall in his development instead, recording just three points thus far, seeing a career low in ice time, and even sitting a few games as a healthy scratch. Bear still undoubtedly has value and could be the Oilers’ top trade chip, if they’re willing to move him. Competing for the No. 6 defenseman role for Edmonton this year has been William Lagesson, 25, and Caleb Jones, 23, who like Bear will each be restricted free agents after the 2021-22 season and are eligible for selection in the Expansion Draft. While Jones may have more upside, Lagesson has been the preferred player of the coaching staff due to his superior defense, even recently playing a top-four role. Jones’ contract is also slightly more expensive, which could be considered. Assuming the Oilers use the 7-3 protection scheme in the Expansion Draft and Darnell Nurse and Oscar Klefbom (though not a lock) are protected, only one of these three young defensemen can join them. However, only one can be selected as well. That works out to one of the trio being expendable in a deadline move, especially with top prospects like Evan Bouchard and Philip Broberg pushing up the pipeline as well.

The Oilers don’t have the same depth up front, but as previously mentioned have been willing to take risks on waivers this season to gain cap flexibility. If they feel Chiasson or Kassian are unlikely to clear waivers, they could shop either one to open up space or potentially in a swap. They could also look at moving some of their fringe forward to teams with a greater need for depth beyond their starting group.

Either as a sweetener to move another contract or as part of a return if they’re able to open up cap space, the Oilers will also have to consider moving some of their prospects. Tyler Benson, who has been more talk than walk as a pro prospect for Edmonton, may need a change of scenery after years of being unable to earn a full-time role with the NHL club. Cooper Marody, tearing up the AHL this year and having earned some NHL experience last year, could also be an attractive name. While Bouchard, Broberg, and Dylan Holloway are likely untouchable, would Edmonton consider moving other top prospects like Raphael Lavoie, Ryan McLeod, or Matej Blumel? Would they dip into their deep group of young goaltenders, such as Stuart Skinner, Dylan Wells, Olivier Rodrigue, or Ilya Konovalov?

Others to Watch For: D Dmitri Samorukov ($825K, 2022 RFA), D Markus Niemelainen ($817.5K, 2022 RFA), F Gaetan Haas ($915K, UFA), F Patrick Russell ($700K, UFA)

Team Needs

1) Affordable Top-Six Forward – It may seem strange for the Oilers’ biggest need to be at forward. Edmonton is a top-ten team in goals per game, shots per game, and power play efficiency – arguably a top-five offense in hockey. Yet, that offensive production is heavily skewed towards just two players: McDavid and Draisaitl. A quick look at the depth chart also clearly shows that the team lacks quality top-six wingers, with players who should be above-average bottom-six players instead slotted as below-average top-six forwards. McDavid and Draisaitl deserve to have more talent around them, a need that has plagued the Oilers for years. Additionally, Edmonton faces a path to the NHL’s final four this season that goes through Winnipeg, a team with defensive issues, and Toronto, a team with goaltending issues. In a battle of three elite offenses, the North Division is likely to go to the team that can simply outscore the others. Right now, that isn’t Edmonton, but it wouldn’t take much to shift the scales.

The caveat of course is that without some cap gymnastics, the Oilers cannot be players for any of the high-priced forwards on the rental market (or any market for that matter). The focus must be on bargain buys, adding players who can produce at a high level while being paid at a low level. Among rentals, Bobby Ryan, Erik Haula, Carl Soderberg, or old friend Sam Gagner (yet again) could all fit the bill. Among players with an additional year of term, possibly more attractive anyway, Vladislav Namestnikov, Calle Jarnkrok, Rocco Grimaldi, Curtis Lazar, and Colin Blackwell are all intriguing options. If available, L.A.’s Alex Iafallo is likely the very best value addition.

2) Depth Forward – On the off chance that Edmonton has the cap space and a contract slot left, they could make another move and it should again be up front. Depth is key in the postseason and the Oilers simply don’t have it at forward. They could stand to add some playoff experience, defensive ability, and if possible top-six upside in an established veteran forward. While goaltending continues to be a major long-term need of the Oilers, solving that problem in-season given all of the factors working against such deal make it extremely unlikely.

Patrick Russell Loaned To Rungsted Seier Capital

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The Edmonton Oilers have loaned several prospects overseas, but they won’t stop there. Now Patrick Russell has also been sent to Europe, loaned to Rungsted Seier Capital in Denmark’s professional league. Russell, one of the few Danish players in the NHL, hasn’t played for a club team in his home country since 2009.

The 27-year-old forward was re-signed to a new one-year $700K contract just last month, but will spend at least the first few months of it playing for a different club. Russell will be expected to return to North America in time for NHL training camps, though it is not clear exactly when those will be held at this point.

Though he has failed to score a single goal in 51 NHL matches, Russell still represents a depth option for the Oilers to plug in at the bottom of their lineup next season. His contract carries just a $700K cap hit, but he has shown an ability to score goals at both the NCAA and minor league levels. If that ability surfaces at the NHL level, he’d be quite the bargain in 2020-21.

Patrick Russell Re-Signs With Edmonton Oilers

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The Edmonton Oilers will bring back Patrick Russell for another season, signing the pending free agent Patrick Russell to a one-year contract. The team has not released financial specifics, but Mark Spector of Sportsnet reports that Russell will earn just $750K next season (Elliotte Friedman has it at $700K).

Now 27, Russell is an example of hard work and determination. The undrafted forward out of Denmark played a season in the USHL, two in the NCAA and three in the AHL before really getting a chance at the NHL level, where he spent 45 games this season in Edmonton. A strong goal-scorer at every level, that ability disappeared on Russell when he joined the Oilers. In 45 games he recorded just five assists, failing to score a single time.

Still, bringing him back on an inexpensive deal made sense for the Oilers as they look to retool for next season. Russell can play a depth role for the team, moving in and out of the lineup whenever necessary. Though it’s hard to imagine him providing a ton of offense in the NHL, he has improved tremendously in the second year at every level and could potentially take another step forward with some more experience, even in his late-twenties.

Oilers Hoping To Re-Sign Multiple Impending Free Agents

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Things are going well for the Edmonton Oilers this season. The team is in the thick of the Pacific Division race and the odds of a return to the postseason seem strong. The Oilers’ roster is far from perfect, still very reliant upon stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but the group is getting the job done this season. As a result, the front office is hoping that they can keep much of their team together moving forward. A report has already emerged that Zack Kassian, the team’s top-performing impending free agent, is nearing an extension with Edmonton. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman echoes that sentiment in his recent “31 Thoughts” column, and he adds that the team is hoping to re-sign three fellow forwards: Josh Archibald, Riley Sheahan, and Joakim Nygard.

In many cases, role players such as these, Kassian included in the opinion of many, do not garner in-season contract extensions or even public acknowledgement of extension interest. Archibald, Sheahan, and Nygard have combined for just 31 points on the year and Kassian has recorded 28 points thus far. These are not exactly stunning numbers – in fact they are replacement-level by any definition – but in Edmonton they carry greater weight. Secondary scoring is hard to come by for the Oilers and each of these four players are in fact top-nine scoring forwards for the team this season. Sheahan and Archibald also skate on the team’s top penalty killing unit, while Kassian and Archibald are also two of the Oilers’ most effective physical players and Sheahan is the team’s best player at the face-off dot. Not only are they contributing on offense as much as any other forward not named McDavid or Draisaitl, but they have been key two-way contributors as well.

These four have apparently done enough to prove themselves in Edmonton and the team would like to keep them beyond this season. None of the group stand a great chance of fixing the team’s secondary scoring problem, but Friedman notes that they will not be very expensive to retain. This would seemingly leave the Oilers with some cap space and roster spots to fill this summer. Even if the team does bring back these four impending UFA’s, there could still be plenty of turnover in the off-season. Sam Gagner, the buried contracts of Markus Granlund and Brandon Manning, and the unofficially retired Kyle Brodziak will all come off the books after this season, opening up some cap flexibility for the team, while other forwards like Gaetan Haas and Patrick Russell could also depart as free agents. If the Oilers want to keep these four key role players beyond this season, they can do so without sacrificing their ability to make other changes to broaden their offensive contributions next year.

Edmonton Oilers Re-Sign Patrick Russell

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The Edmonton Oilers are bringing back a pending free agent, signing Patrick Russell to a one-year contract for 2019-20. Russell was scheduled to become a Group VI unrestricted free agent this summer after failing to play in 80 NHL games through his first three professional seasons.

Russell, 26, was signed out of St. Cloud State back in 2016 after impressing through his two seasons there. The Danish forward has then kept working hard to develop his game in the minor leagues, reaching a new career high in points with 40 this season for the Bakersfield Condors. That was enough to earn him a taste of NHL action, which unfortunately ended with zero points through six games. Still, his work ethic and development has been noticed by the team enough for them to extend him a new contract, one that may come with some more NHL playing time.

The Oilers are starved for consistent offensive production at the wing, and though Russell hasn’t yet produced at the highest level he does come with a scoring pedigree. The fact that he turned in a +30 season for the Condors also won’t be overlooked, though part of that is simply playing on a much improved squad. If he can carve himself out a role on the NHL squad at training camp perhaps he can prove that he is more than just a minor league scoring threat.

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