JR Ewing

Is that since this time last year?

Yeah. It's nice that he's playing well, but I try really hard not to get excited by clips of young offensive players in junior who were really late picks, because it doesn't usually translate. I hope like hell that it does, but in the last two clips, the defending was beyond unpolished (as should be expected at that level). OT goal - I counted 4 Mississippis that the LD didn't move his feet. Jason Allison would have blown by him. last clip - both defensemen backed in past the hashmarks, and let Pautov rip it from the most dangerous scoring area on the ice. Not saying that won't make it; not saying that he can't make it. He's certainly worth tracking, but pros will actually force him to create plays, and that's the thing to watch for.

Get good players, keep good players.

-It's a lot of money, but this should shock nobody. I thought that Leon would probably come in at $13.5M AAV over 8 years, but I guessed a little bit low. -I didn't think that Draisaitl would give the Oilers a big discount because at $8M AAV in his last contract, he was a ridiculous bargain. -Higher than Auston Matthews, but the Oilers also paid for three more seasons, and that costs extra money. Draisaitl is also 5th all-time in playoff PPG, and Matthews isn't among the top 250 players of all-time. -In the 2022 playoffs, with a high ankle sprain and badly struggling to skate, Draisaitl gave us a peek at what type of player he might be in his mid-30s. He scored 32 points in 16 games. -For a franchise which lost every one of its star players in their prime, keeping a future HOFer like this is a big deal. For a hockey crazy city where this sport is literally the only thing that matters, this is a big deal. Having every one of McDavid’s and Draisaitl’s magical moments be with an Oiler sweater, every career highlight with an Oilers crest on their chest, that is truly legendary. -If the contracts of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid are a problem, it's a problem that 31 other GMs wish they had. It's a much bigger issue that Darnell Nurse is making $9.25M. ---edit--- -Had forgotten to note 29's previous bargain contract.

Sounds like you would have fun at my house.

The SUV-is-safer thing is a double-edged sword. They're safer for the driver, but they're more dangerous for everybody else.

Columbus Blue Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau, brother Matthew killed in NJ crash, police say Joe Brandt, Taleisha Newbill, Ben Payne 5–7 minutes By , Taleisha Newbill, Ben Payne Updated on: August 30, 2024 / 8:41 AM EDT / CBS Philadelphia 2 bicyclists killed in crash in Salem County, NJ 2 bicyclists killed in crash in Salem County, NJ 00:23 PEDRICKTOWN, N.J. (CBS) — Columbus Blue Jackets player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother were killed in a crash Thursday night in Salem County, New Jersey, State Police confirmed to CBS News Philadelphia. Gaudreau, 31, and his 29-year-old brother Matthew were riding bicycles on County Route 551 in Oldmans Township, Salem County on Thursday night when they were struck by a man driving a Jeep. Police said the driver, 43-year-old Sean Higgins of Woodstown, New Jersey, attempted to pass a slower vehicle when he hit the Gaudreau brothers, who riding along the right side of the road. The Blue Jackets confirmed the Gaudreaus' deaths in a post on X. "The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy," the Blue Jackets said in a statement. "Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew." A South Jersey native known as "Johnny Hockey" who grew up a fan of the Philadelphia Flyers, Johnny Gaudreau played for the Little Flyers, a youth hockey organization based in Aston, Pennsylvania, starting at the PeeWee level in 2004 and continuing into the 2008-09 season. Both brothers played for Boston College and Johnny won the Heisman Trophy of college hockey, the Hobey Baker Award, in 2014. Johnny was a contributor to BC's NCAA championship win in 2012, as well. Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau at TD Garden on February 10, 2014 in Boston. Richard T Gagnon / Getty Images Gaudreau was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the 2011 NHL Draft. In 2022, he opted for free agency and signed with Columbus. A speedy lefthanded shooter who played on the wing, Gaudreau was nearly a career point-per-game player, notching 743 points — 243 goals and 500 assists — over 763 games in the NHL. He set a career high in goals in the 2021-22 season, his last with the Flames, when he scored 40 goals and 75 assists for 115 points. He was a +64 player that season. Both brothers went to Gloucester Catholic High School in Gloucester City, New Jersey, and both played hockey there. Matthew served as coach of the Gloucester Catholic hockey team after a five-year pro career. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman issued a statement that said in part: "While Johnny's infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping skills on the ice earned him the nickname 'Johnny Hockey,' he was more than just a dazzling hockey player; he was a doting father and beloved husband, son, brother and teammate who endeared himself to every person fortunate enough to have crossed his path. "Gaudreau often told the story of how his father taught him to skate as a child in his home state of New Jersey and he carried that same youthful passion throughout his 11 NHL seasons. A skilled playmaker, Gaudreau participated in the NHL All-Star Game seven times where he was always a fan favorite, particularly while showcasing his talents in the various skills competitions for which he was so well suited." Driver in custody The crash happened at the intersection of Auburn Road and Stumpy Lane in Pedricktown after 8 p.m. Higgins was detained under suspicion he was under the influence of alcohol and charged with two counts of death by auto. He was taken to the Salem County Correctional Facility. A map showing the approximate location of a fatal crash that killed two people riding bicycles in Pedricktown, New Jersey. CBS News Philadelphia

I mean, McDavid's 98th and has been much better than Matthews, so it's not like there's a lot of room for them to squeeze him in at 99 or 100.

-The optimal thing would have been if Broberg and Holloway had been signed to reasonable contracts, and none of this had happened. The nature of the salary cap means that GMs need to be prepared to shed excess expense and $4.6M and $2.3M are just too much, so take the draft picks. The contracts the Blues have signed them to are outrageous considering what they've done so far in their careers, and would be a terrible match for Edmonton. You can't pay 4th line and 3rd pairing players to that kind of money when you still need to re-sign Draisaitl this summer and then McDavid and Bouchard as well. -People in Edmonton are catastrophizing this, but for all of the hand wringing, we're talking about a winger with 9 career goals who scored at a 16 goal rate stapled to one of the top few players in the NHL and a defenseman who is being paid literally 4x his market value. Last season, Broberg requested a trade, and the Oilers couldn't get a 2nd round pick for him. In the end, it's now worked out as a 2nd, two 3rds and Paul Fischer for Broberg and Holloway and $6.9M in cap space saved on the two players. -Vasiliy Podkolzin is a fair replacement for the speedy winger slot that Holloway occupied, and at an appropriate $900K. I think that Holloway's a bit better, but Podkolzin fits the salary structure far more appropriately. -For a team that came a whisker away and has Cup aspirations still, Cody Ceci just isn't good enough to play 2RD and makes too much for 3RD. Ty Emberson will provide a major defensive upgrade for a low cap hit and I think the Sharks did well, too. -This makes the Oilers cap compliant, and with Kane on LTIR, the team accrues cap space through the season. They can load up to make a mockery of the salary cap at the deadline, ala Vegas and Tampa Bay.

Oilers elect not to match Blues' offer sheets on Broberg, Holloway TSN.ca Staff 5–6 minutes The Edmonton Oilers have elected not to match the offer sheets from the St. Louis Blues on defenceman Philip Broberg and forward Dylan Holloway. The Oilers had until Tuesday morning to match, seven days after the Blues signed the two restricted free agents. Edmonton receives a second-round pick back for Broberg and a third-round pick back for Holloway from the Blues as compensation. Broberg received a two-year offer from the Blues at $4,580,917 per season, while Dylan Holloway's offer was at $2,290,457 per year on a two-year term. In a separate transaction Tuesday, St. Louis traded their 2028 third-round draft pick and unsigned 2023 fifth-round draft selection Paul Fischer to Edmonton for future considerations. Receiving the picks back allows the Oilers to restock after being down to only a sixth- and seventh-round pick in the 2025 draft following their two trades Sunday. The Oilers traded their third-round pick and defenceman Cody Ceci to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenceman Ty Emberson after trading their 2025 fourth-rounder earlier in the day to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for forward Vasily Podkolzin. The decision also helps the Oilers keep cap space free this season and, importantly next year, with Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard both now eligible to sign extensions. "By matching the Oilers would have boxed themselves in with the salary cap quite badly," TSN's Ryan Rishaug wrote on X Tuesday. "Letting them walk will hurt because they are good players, but this was a well calculated play by the Blues. Oilers decided to maintain flexibility and options rather than match. Some big contracts coming soon." With Ceci and Broberg now removed from the Oilers roster, Emberson appears set to hold a role on the blueline this season. The 24-year-old had one goal and nine assists for 10 points in 30 games last season, averaging 18:32 of ice time as a rookie. He is signed at a $950,000 cap hit this season. Adding Podkolzin may have been added as an insurance policy for not matching on Holloway. Selected 10th overall in the 2019 draft, the 23-year-old has struggled to carve out a full-time role as an NHL player. He had two assists in 19 games last season and has 18 goals and 35 points over 137 career games, all with the Canucks. Holloway, Broberg join Blues The two now-former Oilers join a Blues roster that missed the playoffs for a second straight season last spring. St. Louis was largely quiet in the off-season before inking the offer sheets, adding veteran defenceman Ryan Suter among their few moves. The Blues sent a 2025 second-round pick to Pittsburgh Penguins to move Kevin Hayes in exchange for future considerations in late June, but that deal proved costly in their offer-sheet strategy. The Blues needed to re-acquire that selection in order to sign Broberg at the price they did and sent a 2026 second-round pick and a 2025 third-round pick (the Ottawa Senators' selection) to the Penguins to get their pick and a 2026 fifth-rounder back. Broberg, 23, had two assists in 12 games with Edmonton during the regular season in 2023-24 and posted two goals and an assist in 10 games during the postseason, playing in all seven games during the Stanley Cup Final. He averaged 15:47 of ice time in the playoffs. Holloway, selected 14th overall by Edmonton in the 2020 draft, split time between the Oilers and AHL's Bakersfield Condors this past season, posting six goals and nine points in 38 games with the NHL club. The 22-year-old forward appeared in all 25 games during the postseason, posting five goals and two assists. Oilers become cap compliant The Oilers appeared to position themselves to match at least one of the offer sheets upon trading Ceci and clearing cap space. Moving Ceci cleared his $3.25 million cap hit from the Oilers books, and appeared to set a potential path for the Oilers to fit Broberg and Holloway under the salary cap. PuckPedia reported that the Oilers could have fit both contracts under the salary cap if Evander Kane was placed on long-term injured reserve and one player carrying a cap hit of $801,000 or more is sent to the AHL. Shelving Kane on LTIR, though, would likely only be a short-term solution for Edmonton. TSN's Ryan Rishaug reported last this week that he believes surgery is the most likely course of action for Kane, who is not likely to be ready for training camp and could be out several months. The Oilers would eventually need to clear cap space to reinstate him onto the roster should he recover before the end of the regular season. Electing not to match leaves the Oilers as cap compliant without needing to move Kane on long-term injured reserve.

Report: Edmonton Oilers exploring Cody Ceci, Brett Kulak trades to clear cap space for offer sheets | TSN TSN.ca Staff 3–4 minutes The Edmonton Oilers are exploring the possibility of moving defencemen Cody Ceci and Brett Kulak to help clear cap space, Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch reports.(opens in a new tab) The Oilers are searching for space to fit Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway under the cap after the two restricted free agents signed offer sheets with the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. Edmonton was already $350,000 over the cap before Broberg inked a two-year offer the Blues at $4,580,917 per year and Holloway signed at an average annual value of $2,290,457 on his two-year offer sheet. Under the public eye and seven-day countdown from Tuesday to match the offer sheets, Garrioch reports interested teams have a set a high price on taking back a contract from the Oilers. He notes the price to move either Ceci's $3.25 million cap hit or Kulak's $2.75 million salary could be a first- or second-round pick as teams feel they have the Oilers front office cornered. The Oilers could receive $5.125 million if forward Evander Kane is placed on long-term injured reserve, though that would prove to be only a short-term solution if Kane returns during the campaign. TSN's Ryan Rishaug reported earlier this week that he believes surgery is the most likely course of action for Kane, who is not likely to be ready for training camp and could be out several months. Ceci is entering the last year of his deal and is coming off posting five goals and 25 points in 79 games last season. He added two goals and five points in 24 games during Edmonton's run to the Stanley Cup Final. The 30-year-old blueliner averaged 20:01 of ice time in the regular season and 19:21 in the postseason, which was the third-highest mark among defencemen. Kulak is under contract through the 2025-26 and posted three goals and 16 points in 82 games last season, his third with the Oilers. Also 30, Kulak had one goal and eight points in 25 playoff games while averaging 16:29 of ice time. St. Louis also paid a price in order to complete to dual offer sheets, completing a trade(opens in a new tab) with the Pittsburgh Penguins just before inking the deals Tuesday to re-acquire their own 2025 second-round pick. The Blues acquired the second-rounder and a 2026 fifth-rounder, sending a 2026 second-round pick and a 2025 third-round pick (the Ottawa Senators' selection) to Pittsburgh. If the Oilers elect not to match the offer sheets, the team will receive a second-round pick back for Broberg and a third-round pick back for Holloway. Broberg was involved in trade rumours earlier this year after being demoted to the AHL, but returned to the Oilers roster to contribute in the playoffs. The 23-year-old blueliner had two assists in 12 games with Edmonton during the regular season and posted two goals and an assist in 10 games during the postseason, playing in all seven games during the Stanley Cup Final. He carried a cap hit of $863,334 last season. Holloway also split time between the Oilers and AHL's Bakersfield Condors this past season, posting six goals and nine points in 38 games with the NHL club. The 22-year-old forward appeared in all 25 games during the postseason, posting five goals and two assists. Selected 14th overall by Edmonton in the 2020 draft, Holloway is coming off his entry-level contract.

With McLeod, Broberg and Holloway gone, the roster would get a lot of speed deleted from the lineup in one fell swoop, and I don't like that at all. The thing is, the Oilers would be paying Holloway $2.4M to play on the fourth line, because they're deep at LW. The current LW depth chart: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Jeff Skinner Evander Kane Dylan Holloway / Mattias Janmark He played centre in college, and was also given minutes at pivot in the AHL this year, but the Oilers have a stacked centre group: Connor McDavid Leon Draisaitl Adam Henrique Derek Ryan / Dylan Holloway Either way, Holloway would play as a fourth-liner, and you just can't give a guy that low in the batting order $2.4M. They may match, and then make moves to make the money work, but I'm not sure that would be a good idea.

As said by @GratefulFlyers, it all depends on a person's definition of "sooner". If it means being ready to make the playoffs in the #12 thru #16 slot, getting bounced in the first round a few times, peaking with a second round exit, the Flyers will be ready sooner than later. If their honest assessment of the roster and futures is telling them that they will soon be ready to compete for the Stanley Cup, then I truly worry about their ability to accurately look at what they have in comparison to the top teams in the league.