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Edmonton Oilers Changing Complexion Of Team

By Kurt Leavins |
Nov 11, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Patrick Maroon (19) and Edmonton Oilers left wing Luke Gazdic (20) fight in the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Patrick Maroon (19) and Edmonton Oilers left wing Luke Gazdic (20) fight in the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The General Manager of the Edmonton Oilers has had a busy 3 days leading up to the NHL trading deadline. And while that stretch did not deliver in any way on expectations of a blockbuster, what Peter Chiarelli did accomplish in the long run may actually be more important: He changed the complexion of this team, from a mix that certainly has not worked, over the past 6 years. Lets take a closer look.

First, the Additions:

-The biggest immediate change is the add of Patrick Maroon, from the Anaheim Ducks. Chiarelli gave up next to nothing (D-man Marty Gernat, who was buried in Norfolk and on his way out of the organization, and a 4th Round 2016 pick, which typically has a low % chance of turning into a real NHL-er). Maroon comes with a 2-year deal, at $1.5m (The Ducks retained $500k of salary). He is a 27 year old, playoff experienced “Middle 6” forward, adept at keeping offensive cycles alive, with decent mitts, and plays a mean game. That describes almost no one on the Edmonton Oilers over the last half-dozen seasons. You could reasonably forecast Maroon on the flank on your 2nd or 3rd lines, next year. He has produced at a rate comparable to David Perron and Ryan Kesler (5×5/60). A fairly low risk, with significantly high reward.

-Two waiver claims brought in rugged bottom 6 winger Adam Cracknell from Vancouver, and 6-7 D-man Adam Pardy from Winnipeg. Both, to borrow a phrase from Peter Chiarelli, are “test drives”. Their immediate value is as warm bodies, enabling the Edmonton Oilers to send a couple younger guys like Jordan Oesterle and J.J. Khaira down to Bakersfield for an AHL playoff run. Longer term? Whether they re-sign or not, they signal a “heavier” presence alongside the Oilers existing skill. Pardy, by the way, plays the Right Side almost exclusively, despite being a LHS.

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-Chiarelli got a 5th round pick and a minor league goalie for Anders Nilsson. He got a 5th for KHL D-man Phillip Larsen. He secured a 3rd round pick for expiring UFA Teddy Purcell and a 3rd for struggling D-man Justin Schultz. Ammunition for Spring/Summer dealings.

Now, the Subtractions:

-slender D-man Justin Schultz, who has a severe case of the yips while defending.
-slender Marty Gernat, who didn’t develop a lick in a good, long look in the AHL.
-under-sized Philllip Larsen, who looks a bit like my paperboy, good tools.
–Anders Nilsson, an NHL/AHL “tweener” goalie.

Add in some Housekeeping:

-2-year contact extension for Brandon Davidson, who has been a spectacular find for a 6th round over-all. The $1.42m price tag is a steal.

-2-year contract extension for Laurent Brossoit, one of the best goalies in the AHL who was spectacular in his 2 NHL starts, so far.

…and where does that leave the Edmonton Oilers?

Stepping way back and analyzing all of these deals as a whole, the team has taken on a much heavier, much harder-to-play-against complexion than it’s had since 2006. And it does not just mean a “Maroon-type” for a “Purcell-type”, and a “Pardy-type” for a “Schultz/Gernat” type…

These changes in complexion impact the way the Edmonton Oilers skill players go about their business, now. We’ve had a sneak peek, with Zack Kassian on the flank with Taylor Hall and Leon Draisaitl. Suddenly, your “1st Line” is not just skilled and “rush-capable”, it is heavier. I watched these guys control more zone time in the Islanders end Sunday night than I’ve seen all season.

Next, forecast your next two lines: Even without changes, Connor McDavid with Jordan Eberle and Benoit Pouiot (when back & healthy) was already quite good, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins with Nail Yakupov and Patrick sounds good, too. But more importantly, all 3 lines now could have a sense of balance.

And when I say the Edmonton Oilers complexion has changed, each line features a collection of players with different, complimentary skills. They are harder to play against today, than they were yesterday. And with the signing of Laurent Brossoit and the play of Cam Talbot, I feel as if the Oilers goaltending is in good shape.

Yes, the Oilers defence is an issue. But with a few of the above things now ticked off the list, there is less for Chiarelli to do at the draft, now. If you trade for a D-man at the draft, and pick up one other UFA, you are suddenly way closer to a contending model. I’ll bet that 1st Rounder will be in play.

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If I’m grading the job the General Manager did over these past 3 days? Short-term, a B=. Longer term, in the sense of remaking the team’s complexion and feel? I give him an A-.

It sets the Edmonton Oilers up for a pretty interesting Spring and Summer. We shall see.

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