GM protects Kassian from Kraken draft
Holland protects rugged forward, leaves Benson exposed for Kraken draft
Trying to figure out NHL protected lists for the expansion draft is often tricky business; who knew Carolina would leave Nino Niederreiter available? But there was little suspense here with the guys the Edmonton Oilers valued most.
“Pretty cut and dried,” said Oilers GM Ken Holland.
The only internal debate was Zack Kassian vs. top farmhand Tyler Benson at forward, but Holland is in business to win now, and Benson has seven games of NHL experience and hasn't proven he can make the team as one of the 12 forwards.
Kassian is the Oilers' only ill-humoured forward who can be a night watchman for Connor Mcdavid and Leon Draisaitl, so he has value even if he has to look in the mirror after last year's poor season (two goals, seven points) complicated by two injuries (hand and leg).
From the management standpoint, Kassian has to get back to being a contributor at his $3.2-million salary, the way he was before signing his four-year deal when he had a career scoring season and also shooed the flies away from the stars.
So, here was the Oilers' 7-3-1 (forwards-defence-goalie) protected list before Seattle picks its team Wednesday:
Forwards: Mcdavid, Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-hopkins, Jesse Puljujarvi, Josh Archibald, Kailer Yamamoto and Kassian.
Defence: Darnell Nurse, Duncan
Keith and Ethan Bear.
Goal: Stuart Skinner.
Available: Tyler Benson, Jujhar Khaira, Mikko Koskinen, Alex Stalock, William Lagesson, Kris Russell, Kyle Turris, James Neal, Devin Shore, Cooper Marody and UFAS Adam Larsson, Mike Smith, Alex Chiasson, Tyson Barrie, Tyler Ennis and Patrick Russell.
“Kassian didn't have a great year, but certainly he's a presence and he's got skill ... he got 15 goals, all five-on-five, the year before signing his (long-term contract),” said Holland. “This was a strange year with the pandemic. No pre-season and if you got off to a tough start it was difficult with a shortened season and no training camp to get it back. Then he got hurt (broken hand in a fight with Erik Gudbranson early).”
Archibald is the team's Swiss army knife. His stats (seven goals) are only the tip of the iceberg with what he brings the coaches, and Holland.
“The last two years our penalty kill has been top 10 in the league and Josh is a fixture there. He provides energy, he punches above his weight,” said Holland.
They didn't protect any unrestricted free agents like goalie Mike Smith or Adam Larsson — in Larsson's case, because that would have meant going four D and four forwards and leaving Puljujarvi and Yamamoto available to Seattle.
In Smith's case, it's because they feel the Kraken already has a deal to sign Florida UFA Chris Driedger for US$3.5 million and there's lots of younger alternatives than Smith, 39.
Is Holland worried Seattle, with an exclusive 72-hour window now before the Wednesday expansion draft, will sign Larsson? He's ticketed to be Keith's
partner, but it's a fluid situation. The Oilers have reportedly offered a four-year deal in the $4million to $4.5-million range.
“I've been talking to his agent J.P. Barry since February. It takes two to tango. I certainly want to re-sign him. But what I've been told is Adam, whatever his decision, wants to take time, so he feels good about it. He wants to explore the market,” said Holland.
The Oilers were not on the precipice of signing Larsson, even with multiple offers, so protecting four defencemen and four forwards instead of 7-3, was fantasy. Larsson's teammates have likely talked to him about how much they value him, but he wants to know what his options are. Holland hopes Larsson realizes Edmonton is his best one.
“I'm hoping to get him back, but I'm prepared to go another way if he decides to move on (Seattle or any other team starting July 28),” said Holland, who continues to have discussions with another UFA right-shot D Barrie, who doesn't play the same shutdown role, obviously, but led the NHL in defence points.
Dallas UFA Jamie Oleksiak shoots left but played right defence with Miro Heiskanen, so he would be another signing alternative, more in the Larsson mould. Holland did sniff around at adding another forward in a trade for his protected list, but his interest was lukewarm.
“I looked but you have to pay assets,” said Holland, who saw Toronto trade a good prospect in forward Filip Hallander and a seventh-round draft pick for Jared Mccann in Pittsburgh.
They're leaving goalie Mikko Koskinen exposed, but Seattle's not taking on his $4.5-million cap hit.
Kris Russell and Lagesson are available, but Russell, who will likely be the team's seventh blueliner, is 34. Lagesson might be a No. 8.
“I don't know who Seattle will take. When I was in Detroit, we lost Tomas Nosek to Vegas. Seattle is paying $650 million to get in (the NHL) and they'll take a player from us and we'll get on with it, we'll move on,” said Holland. “Benson right now is what I'd still call a prospect, not established at the NHL level. We're trying to be the very best team we can be now.”