Habs Fan in Edmonton

That's what I think. A 2nd rounder is likely in the 55-60 range which is not a big incentive to take on Ceci's contract.

I am betting Laine is back with the Blue Jackets https://www.tsn.ca/video/blue-jackets-would-welcome-laine-back-if-there-s-no-deal-to-be-done~2979056

I am sure Nurse is better with an Eckholm (who wouldn't be) or a Bouchard. Not sure that would apply to any other defensemen on the Oilers he would be paired with.

Comparing Ceci to the other Oiler defensemen (not named Eckholm or Bouchard) how would his advanced stats compare? He had a better +/- than all the others (including the overpaid Nurse), Kulak and Desharnais during the regular season. If they are all equally as bad as Ceci than it's amazing the Oilers made to the finals.

I think "this point in the rebuild" is a key consideration here. There are fewer pieces needed to complete the rebuild so Hughes is more likely to package draft picks to acquire that needed piece rather than acquiring more draft picks. However Hughes would likely consider adding another 1st rounder in the right deal as he can always package 1st rounders to move up. He was asked about acquiring another 1st rounder at the 24 draft, he said he was trying hard to move up in the draft (which he did) rather than trying to acquire another 1st rounder.

I understand your point. I just think that for Hughes to use up his last retention spot this early, nothing less than a 1st round pick would have to be involved as there is a reasonable chance of getting a 1st at the deadline. I don't think Hughes is that interested in 2nd and 3rd round picks this early in the year.

I think it does matter unless the reward is really worth it. I am pretty sure Hughes will want to have 1 retention spot available at the trade deadline as that is usually when you get the best deals.

I agree with this, getting the Oilers 1st rounder in 2026 (they traded their 2025 1st rounder) is likely not that big an enticement for Hughes at this point. He needs the young D to play. I think there are a number of other teams who are more likely to take on Ceci's contract for a year.

Giordano could be a good mentor but I think he wants to go to a team where he will get playing time. The Habs need their young D to play. He would just be in the way.

Fair point, it is hard to factor that in and it also rarely happens.

I don't think it's weird, I think it's very strategic. St Louis has an aging defense, Broberg is the guy they really want to help rebuild it. Almost all their defense is 32 +, Leddy, Krug, Faulk, Scandella, Suter, Parayko is 31. A bunch of old timers. I think the signing of Holloway is almost a smoke screen as they know the Oilers will match. They is no way in hell they will accept a 3rd round pick for guy who was drafted 14th overall and looked really good in the playoffs, still only 22. But by forcing them to match on Holloway it will make it harder for the Oilers to match on Broberg. I think the Blues will look to trade some of their veteran D if the Oilers don't match on Broberg. Just when things were getting really boring on the hockey front, the Blues have spiced things up.

You were. Good analysis on the actual money left to pay.

I can think of 10.5 million reasons why he won't retire before the start of the season.

I guess this publication was just a little off on what Broberg would sign for 874K versus 4.5M. You would think there might be some interest in offering Nick Robertson a Holloway type deal, he could easily be a 20 goal plus scorer, Leafs don't have a lot of cap space to match.

I wonder if any teams thought about putting an RFA offer for Arber Xhekaj? Of course the Habs aren't vulnerable and could easily match. I think the Blues did this expecting the Oilers to match one, likely Holloway, but not both. I think Broberg is the guy they really wanted

I didn't think you could trade a player for a year if you matched the offer.

Certainly a top 4 guy with some upside. To lose him for a 2nd rounder would be painful. The Oilers are 7.2M over the cap if they match both. Putting Kane on LTIR would reduce it by 5.1M but he is unlikely to be on LTIR all year. Ceci is the obvious one to move but these are just short term fixes if Kane comes back during the year. I wonder if some GM's are unhappy with the Oilers signing Bowman and were more likely to screw him.

It does, plus Bouchard will be getting a big fat raise after next year. The Oilers better hope the salary cap goes up a lot.

Of course, I expect they will match Holloway, you can't lose a 1st round pick for a 3rd round pick. Broberg is the tough one, a big mobile defensemen who was developing nicely. They were hoping to sign him for under 2M, now it will cost 4.5M. I wonder if Bowman still wants the job. LOL Resigning Draisaitl is the easy part of his job now. This is a messy one.

There is no doubt, teams with cap room will be hearing from the Oilers.

Yes, Ceci is gone to have any hope of matching. That is a big offer for Broberg but he is talented. The Oilers were vulnerable and it cost them

This really messes with the Oilers. If they match they have real serious cap issues. Don't match and they lose their top 2 prospects for not even a 1st. What to do Stan Bowman??

You could see this coming. Tough to match Broberg. Getting only a 2nd round pick for a talented young D really sucks. They might match Holloway. Very interesting

It's a natural evolution, the Leafs need Mathews to be the leader much like the Oilers need McDavid to be the guy. The extra responsibility MIGHT bring his game up to another level. Tavares's play is starting to deteriorate which is to be expected given his age. I don't think he is seen as THE leader anymore in the dressing room. I think it's a logical move, whether it works or not remains to be seen.

He actually regressed as he had better numbers the year before, not a good sign. ECHL fodder is probably correct.