Edmonton Oilers Sunday Ramblings: McDavid and Rumors
The NHL All Star game is taking place tonight and I’m excited. I’ve always enjoyed the All Star game. It makes me feel like a kid again.
The past week didn’t have much for Edmonton Oilers hockey as they didn’t play a game and I missed the Skills Competition.
That said, Oilers hockey returns and I think the break is beneficial to the Edmonton Oilers. The biggest reason why?
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Injuries
Current Oilers that are on the mend? Connor McDavid, Oscar Klefbom, Brandon Davidson, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Andrew Ference. Nugent-Hopkins broke his hand blocking a shot and was slated to be out 4-6 weeks. Ference is out for the season, with him going for hip surgery.
However, I think it’s without saying that I am most exciting for Connor McDavid‘s return since he broke his clavicle in November against Philadelphia. The real question: is he coming back for February 2nd? For some odd reason, McDavid has been quiet on his return date and it’s definitely puzzling. Considering how there’s been posts where the Edmonton Oilers have been overly cautious and that McDavid has been able to play since early January, it’s weird.
Then again, this is the kid that said “if” he makes the team back when he got drafted. McDavid always seems to downplay himself in the media.
I for one, hope we get to see him against Columbus on Tuesday. I think we all do. I also believe, without any thing other than a hunch, that McDavid hits the ground running and plays a very strong 32 games down the stretch and forces himself into Calder Consideration.
I know, bold claim there especially without any basis. If there’s anyone who can do that though, it’s Connor McDavid. I still don’t think we realize how much of a special talent he is.
Clendening
The Oilers claimed Adam Clendening this week.
After passing on waiver claims like Brandon Gormley, Jakub Kindl and Kevin Connauton (where only Connaunton was claimed by Arizona), I think I see why the Edmonton Oilers claimed Adam Clendening: he’s a right handed shot and the Oilers have a massive glut of Left Handed shooters including Andrej Sekera, Darnell Nurse, Brandon Davidson and Griffin Reinhart.
Adam Clendening is Mark Arcobello 2.0 in that he’s the travelling suitcase: Since his rookie year last year, Clendening has been with Chicago, Vancouver, Pittsburgh, Anaheim and now Edmonton. Clendening is only 23 years old, brings an offensive skill set, but his downsides are speed issues and defensive play.
With Three Right handed shots on the Oilers, I think it’s pretty clear who’s skill set becomes redundant: Justin Schultz. I would not be surprised if Schultz is moved well before the NHL Trade Deadline on February 29th. Clendening is cheaper (final year, makes 761,250, is an RFA that they can walk away from if it doesn’t work).
Kinda feel for the guy: he’s been a throw in for a couple trades (The Brandon Sutter trade and the David Perron for Carl Hagelin Swap). Also, according to his Twitter, he’s going to wear number 27.
The Cost of Hamonic
With the Travis Hamonic trade rumours starting up again after Elliote Friedman mentioned he figured the Oilers would try very hard to get it done, there’s been a debate about the cost of Hamonic.
There’s the first side where the argument is that since Hamonic has requested a trade from the New York Islanders and to an extremely limited location (basically Western Canada), his value should not be too high.
The second side argues that Hamonic has tremendous value due to his play and the value of his contract.
Both sides have some serious claims and you can’t go wrong with either. However, I side with the second side.
The New York Islanders do not need to trade Travis Hamonic right away. They control his contract and can be brutally cold if they chose. He’s a valuable asset: a great long term contract for under 4 million and signed long term. He’s also a top pairing (or second pairing at worst) defenceman.
The Islanders are also in the thick of things competing for a playoff spot. Meaning? I don’t think the allure of draft picks do not really play a factor for them. What’s the point of trading one of their best defenders for magic beans when they are pushing for a playoff spot?
I am a firm believer that if you want to get something of quality, you need to trade something of quality value. This can mean roster players, draft picks or prospects. Since the Islanders are going for the playoffs and are not going for a rebuild here, the logical choice is a roster player. It’s been reported that the Islanders want a defenceman in return and it’s insulting to the Islanders to suggest that Justin Schultz and a second could get the trade done.
I think it would be Jordan Eberle and I wrote that awhile back too. I also still believe that Eberle is part of a very abundant position and that out of the Right Wingers, he has the most value when it comes to trading for someone of Hamonic’s caliber. Nail Yakupov has struggled. Teddy Purcell is a pending UFA (who I also think the Edmonton Oilers should resign).
I also think the Islanders are out to lunch if they expect Peter Chiarelli to move one of Oscar Klefbom and Darnell Nurse for Hamonic. Chiarelli did not budge when Boston wanted Nurse on top of draft picks for Dougie Hamilton and I doubt he would do the same for Hamonic. Klefbom was also signed recently to a long term, cap friendly contract extension.
The actual cost of Hamonic is a mystery to all and all we can do is speculate. However again without any basis other than a hunch, I think Travis Hamonic will end up an Edmonton Oiler. Peter Chiarelli has been discussing with Garth Snow for far too long. The only question for is a matter of when, not if.