NHL Free Agent Frenzy

Well it was an exciting and confusing day for some hockey fans today.

I'm still trying to figure out how Dallas thought reconnecting Ales Hemsky and Shawn Horcoff in the Western Conference was anything but a brain dead move. And then paying Hemsky 12 million over 3 years? I do not understand. This is the same Ales Hemsky that couldn't handle the western conference as a Oiler and was oft injured. And the West has only gotten bigger and tougher since then.

And while were speaking of baffling moves. The Toronto Maple Leafs, fresh off drafting the Swedish version of Kadri (Potential with a bad attitude and no understanding of team play) they sign a ex leaf who played in KHL last season as couldn't find a job in NHL and then trade for a another ex leaf. And then they top it off signing a player who is still injured with his 2nd broken leg of the season and has a history of injuries over last few years.

LOL, its like they are trying to lose this upcoming season intentionally. Just completely baffling moves. I understand Toronto has a really hard time attracting free agents (contrary to their fans and media claims) and J. Georges flat out wouldn't take Toronto off his NO TRADE list this day (Georges ended up going to Buffalo today) but bring back a player who couldn't make any other NHL team, WOW.




But that's the negatives and head scratches. I don't think anyone truly expects Dallas or Toronto to be play off teams this up coming season.

The big questionable signing today was the Canucks and Ryan Miller. I know the Canuck fans will claim this is awesome and amazing and blah blah blah. Truth is Miller has a rep for having a bad attitude if hes not winning (very similar attitude to Ryan Kessler they just traded away) so guess which Ryan Miller shows up depends on how quickly the Canucks can get outta the gate. Time will tell but I do not foresee this being a happy marriage over next 3 seasons for Vancouver.

Now as for my Oiler's.

I really like the moves they have made since Draft.

Drafting Leon Draisaitl was a much needed big body center man. How soon he can play is anyone's guess but over the long term he will play a important role with Oilers.

Trading Sam Gagner had to happen and probably should have happened couple few years ago when his value was higher.

Getting Teddy Purcell for Sam Gagner was a great trade for the Oilers because it brings in a legitimate to 4 winger WITH SIZE.

All the Oiler moves this season have been done with size in matter.

Keith Aulie was a low cost 1 year signing but I really like this signing. Now maybe I'm still looking at Aulie from when he was in World Jrs and dominate on Canada's Blue line but I have seen this kid at his best and the upside is so huge if Eakins can get him to step up. But Aulie is 6'6" 228 lbs so even if he just becomes a 5-6 stay at home guy. Hes got the size, which Oilers have been lacking for years now.

Mark Fayne I don't know much about being hes played his whole career for New Jersy Devils. Hes 6'3" 210 lbs so while not monster Aulie size hes not small either. But for me its that Fayne came from the New Jersy defensive system is his biggest upside. New Jersy is a defense first team and its defensemen understand how to protect their goalies. This couldn't be more important on the Oilers. So just on that I expect good things from Fayne.

Beniot Pouliot comes to us from the Rangers. Hes got very decent stats and at 6'3" 197 lbs hes got the size to get gritty and battle for pucks. He was apart of the Rangers team that went to Stanley Cup Final this year for the East. But that might be his biggest drawback, the point production he had in last season as a Ranger will be much harder to accomplish now hes in the west. Still a solid step up for Oilers and a great to 4 winger.

Oilers also resigned Luke Gazdic which is a great resigning imo as Luke was a much needed heart and soul type player added to roster last year. Oilers finally had a player who could stick up for his team mates but could also play the game with out being a huge disadvantage on the ice.

All in all it would seem the Oilers are FINALLY ready to start making moves upwards. Will they be a play off team? Hard to say as the west is so insanely talented and stacked. At one point last year for numerous weeks the first top 8 teams of the top 10 NHL list were all western conference teams. And I beleive it was something silly like 13 out of the top 16 list were western conference teams. And the West only got even stronger today in Free Agent Frenzy.

So its hard to say if the Oilers will make a play off spot in the west. If they were in the East I would have them soundly in a play off spot and possibly even having home ice advantage in the east.

But at least they will compete this season and that's going to make for good exciting hockey.

Just a PS: Last year was a devastating season for Devon Dubnyk. He was just outside top 5 goalies in the shortened season with his stats but last year he crashed and burned badly and never could recover. Many have "theories" about this on why. Personally I think he lost all confidence when MacTavish very publicly threw him under the bus at the 2013 draft when MacT went after (and failed) Schneider. Combine that with Oilers non existent defense and back checking last season and Dubnyk panicked and could never get his game back.

Well Devon Dubnyks wildest dreams just came true. The PERFECT TEAM to help him rebound just signed him as a back up for the upcoming season. The Arizona Coyotes. The team that made much lesser goalies like Bryzgalov into bonified NHL starters (even if only for short term). This is the perfect team and perfect place for Dubnyk to regain not only his game but his confidence behind quite possibly the best goalie coach (Sean Burke) currently in the NHL.

Congrats devon, you didn't deserve what Edmonton Oiler's did to you. Now you can relax, work on game and get it all back. I have no doubt you will be signed as a starter again by someone in a couple seasons.