How Do the Hawks Do It?
I think every hockey fan is wishing they had Stan Bowman as their GM. Every season around this time, the guy comes up with something brilliant. Something that fills the Blackhawks' voids perfectly and gives them that punch in the arm to become a Cup contender. Andrew Ladd is just that. Every team could use a guy like him, but once again, it's Chicago walking away with the loot. Everyone complains about the Oilers taking home the first overall pick, well it's getting tiresome watching Chicago win so many Stanley Cups with that season's hottest tradebait in tow. This is why its so much easier to keep a winning team when you have a winning team: players want to play there. Of course Chicago was at the top of Andrew Ladd's list. It's the Blackhawks, of course they're making a cup run!
Habs and Oilers Are A Match Made In Trade Heaven
It's clear the Oilers will be making big changes moving forward and quite frankly, its about time. Peter Chiarelli is not afraid to make some moves and will likely make many before the puck drops on the 16/17 season. Everyone knows what the Oilers need: defence. The have talent oozing out the eye sockets up front, but just can't seem to find any measure of success against, well, anyone.
The Habs have some good defencemen and aren't oozing anything up front. It's true, right now their blue line has been decimated by injuries, but when everyone is healthy they have a pretty solid and deep blue line that could afford to shed a man or 2 for some offence. Emelin could get you a good return, but he'd have to waive his NTC; however offering up someone like Beauleau would certainly raise Chiarelli's eyebrows. With Mark Barberio emerging, and some good young prospecsts in the system, Beauleau may be expendable for the right price.
In return, reuniting someone like Yakupov with his Junior centre in Galchenyuk could be a worthwhile low-risk maneuver, something BarginBin Bergevin is all about. Yakupov simply has not found his scoring touch with Edmonton, often being reduced to a 3rd line winger with too much 1st line flash. Coincidently the Habs have absolutely no flash. None. In addition, taking on a project like Justin Schultz could be another gamble that might work out for the Habs. Remember, Petry was a healthy scratch with the Oilers too. Yes, Schultz's play has dropped off significantly and it is entirely possible that Dallas Eakins destroyed Justin Schultz completely, but the Oilers are almost begging someone to take him, reportedly willing to take on his salary for the season...that's how bad he's been. But with the right set of players around him, Schultz could become the exciting puck-moving defenceman he was projected to be, not to mention he would fit right in with the Habs quick transitioning blue line (at least when they aren't sucking). With veterans like Markov, Petry and even Subban to support him, the Montreal Canadiens could be Justin Schultz' glass slipper.
But the theorizing isn't done yet. A guy like Ryan Nugent Hopkins could also fit nicely on the Habs roster, as would Eberle. However given that the Oilers are deep at centre, it's more likely RNH gets moved over Eberle. With the Habs shopping Lars Eller, he could be the 3rd line centre the Oilers have been needing. Eller is a Swiss Army Knife (except he's Danish) - he does everything. He can kill penalties, he can play the powerplay, he can defend 5on5 and take faceoffs, plus, when given some good linemates, Eller has definite offensive upside, just ask Galchenyuk and Gallagher. Nugent-Hopkins can give the Habs a whole different look at centre and provide Tomas Plekanek a more suitable assignment: killing penalties and stalking star players.
While this is all speculation, for two teams that are out of it, the Canadiens and the Oilers could be very interesting to watch. Both are in need of big changes.
Two Wing Tips Up For Eddy Encarnacion
A huge slow clap to Edwin Encarnacion's opening day press conference statements. Rather than following up Bautista's act with a bigger one, he took the high road and kept things confidential, assuring fans he wants to retire a Blue Jay rather than brazenly testing their love. While Bautista has bled Blue and White for a while, so has Encarnacion, he's just done it a little more quietly. Bautista does hold slightly more value in that he's a better positional player, but at 36, those days may be limited. Remember those shoulder problems? EE is a little younger and so far, looking a little more reasonable to deal with off the field. Tough decisions are ahead for Shapiro...and oh ya...Ross Atkins. Nevertheless, Edwin seems willing to negotiate and come to terms. That alone seems appealing. While we all want to see more bat flips, I'm not sure they're worth what Jose is asking.
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