As the Stanley Cup Final loom ever closer, the rumblings of the offseason loom. In a month’s time every team will look different, the Edmonton Oilers included.
Let’s take a look at some of the latest in this week’s rumour roundup.
Still on the hunt for a coach
The coaching search is a hot topic. There is drama between the Vegas Golden Knights and Bruce Cassidy. There are growing reports of interest in Craig Berube. Of course there are even updates on Kris Knoblauch’s every move.
Within it all is speculation that Mike Babcock might be a fit with the Oilers. This is largely fueled by mere speculation by Darren Dreger, perhaps just name dropping a fellow Saskatchewan option. It seems there is no current momentum or interest towards a return to the NHL for Babcock.
After two very interesting hires brought the team its best results of the Connor McDavid era, might the team be looking for some kind of opposite approach? The speculation on Babcock might represent an appetite for more of a name brand behind the bench.
Will the Oilers sign Berezkin?
The Oilers are expected to sign prospect Maxim Berezkin from the KHL. His contract will be short and affordable for the Oilers, while Berezkin will want a clear shot at an NHL spot.
There is a lot to like about Berezkin’s game. The size and speed are evident, as are his puck skills. Berezkin has long excelled as a playmaker off the rush, attacking laterally and finding seams. It will be important for him to have that poise and confidence with the puck in the NHL.
Still, alongside growing production in the KHL, Berezkin has added more elements to his game. He uses his speed to close space on the forecheck. Moreover, he has a heavy stick and can win pucks along the wall. He has the playmaking chops to get the puck off the wall and to dangerous areas. Most importantly, he has shown some wile and guile at the net front. While he is no guarantee to make an impact in the NHL, Berezkin does have a real chance to do so. His age might give him a longer look and more grace than David Tomasek got last season.
The Oilers will be looking for cost effective options to offset their more expensive players. They will also be looking for players who can create an identity deeper in the lineup. Berezkin will need to embrace the dirty work with enthusiasm to win over Oilers coaches and teammates. Berezkin would be one of the wild cards for the Oilers heading into next season, as it would be very beneficial to the Oilers to add a young, talented, middle-six winger.
Big fish to catch
This time of season speculation is free to fester. Eventually bigger names become possibilities for mock rosters. There are a few huge names that have the dreamers of Oil Country circling. There is an obvious reason that Igor Shesterkin would be a goalie Oilers fans desire, but there does not seem to be much of a reason why the New York Rangers would entertain that, particularly from the Oilers.
Much more plausible is Jordan Kyrou of the St. Louis Blues. Kyrou has been in the rumour mill for some time, and seems to have a lower trade price tag than Robert Thomas. While it is unclear if the Oilers can meet the Blues asking price, it does centre an interesting point for the Oilers roster construction.
With Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins getting to the back ends of their careers, the Oilers might need an upgrade on the wings. At the very least they need a couple wingers who can push Hyman and Nugent-Hopkins for minutes. The answer might be on the roster, like Vasily Podkolzin, Matt Savoie, or Isaac Howard.
As a concept the appeal of adding Kyrou does a lot for this lineup. In reality the Oilers might not be able to afford it. The great likely requires a lot of salaries to be shed, the Blues loving Howard as a part of the return, and the Oilers going for discounts in net.
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