Confirmed with Link: CBJ acquire Mathieu Olivier from Nashville for a 2022 4th

[Xoggz22]

Makes sense but wouldn't it have been much better to spend a bit of money and get Deslauriers, who is a bona-fide NHL quality player and a better fighter?

It would be funny if Jeannot or someone gets injured in camp and then Nashville claims Olivier off of waivers, pocketing the 4th.

That's not funny... haha

 

[koteka]

Makes sense but wouldn't it have been much better to spend a bit of money and get Deslauriers, who is a bona-fide NHL quality player and a better fighter?

It would be funny if Jeannot or someone gets injured in camp and then Nashville claims Olivier off of waivers, pocketing the 4th.

Maybe we need a tough guy in Cleveland as well as Columbus. And maybe we are not done. Maybe we slow play the tough guy free agents a little so the price drops. I think the wise strategy is let free agency have a few days or longer before you jump if you don’t have a specific target.

 

[CoachWithNoTeam]

I think this fills a short term hole, cheaply, and saves that money that everyone is mad that we didn’t already spend for later. Like for things that are harder to fix or potentially more substantial changes.

I would rather trade a surplus mid-round pick to fix the fighting issue than spend $3-4M for someone in free agency for several years. It’s a good contract and a way to address a team need quickly while preserving one of our biggest assets, cap space. It would be a lot more frustrating if we couldn’t fit a new top pair defenseman on the team because we overspent on an enforcer.

 

[NotCommitted]

I know nothing of this guy, but I don't really get this trade. Then again I really don't get all the grief over the 4th round pick either. I guess it comes down to they see something usable in this guy and think he can be regular NHL player. They had two 4ths and a 4th is throwing the dice anyway and even if you luck out, it likely won't amount to anything for the next 5 years or something.

Throwing away a pick for an AHLer wouldn't make sense, if they wanted some grit for the minors, surely there's a cheaper way to do it than trading a 4th for a guy on 1-way deal.

 

[majormajor]

I think this fills a short term hole, cheaply, and saves that money that everyone is mad that we didn’t already spend for later. Like for things that are harder to fix or potentially more substantial changes.

I would rather trade a surplus mid-round pick to fix the fighting issue than spend $3-4M for someone in free agency for several years. It’s a good contract and a way to address a team need quickly while preserving one of our biggest assets, cap space. It would be a lot more frustrating if we couldn’t fit a new top pair defenseman on the team because we overspent on an enforcer.

I wasn't thinking of a guy you'd have to give a huge contract to. We'll see but my guess is that Deslauriers won't cost that much.

 

[stevo61]

I wasn't thinking of a guy you'd have to give a huge contract to. We'll see but my guess is that Deslauriers won't cost that much.

Hes my target too but with the league starting to value toughness again I could see him having multiple offers so its tough to say where he would prefer to play. Columbus would be a good option as I think he can hold a roster spot

 

[KJ Dangler]

Not sure why this is so upsetting for some . Clearly Jarmo isn’t done . Clearly we have a logjam of forwards and some guys will be moved , probably for picks . Oliver is an insurance policy.. doesn’t mean Jarmo doesn’t bring someone else in . An opportunity presented itself and Jarmo felt the team and the locker room needed his toughness , and maybe the attitude he brings . He would have led the jackets in hits , in blocked shots , he’s still relatively young , honestly it’s a really good pickup.

 

[majormajor]

Not sure why this is so upsetting for some . Clearly Jarmo isn’t done . Clearly we have a logjam of forwards and some guys will be moved , probably for picks . Oliver is an insurance policy.. doesn’t mean Jarmo doesn’t bring someone else in . An opportunity presented itself and Jarmo felt the team and the locker room needed his toughness , and maybe the attitude he brings . He would have led the jackets in hits , in blocked shots , he’s still relatively young , honestly it’s a really good pickup.

Who is deeply upset by this? Some folks wouldn't have made the trade, that's the extent of it.

 

[DougKnowsBest]

From ap’s Sunday gatherings on the athletic





Olivier is the first and only Mississippi-born player to reach the NHL, but that’s a little misleading. He was born there, in February 1997, while his father, Simon, played for the Mississippi Sea Wolves of the ECHL.

The Oliviers left Biloxi, Miss., after the season and Mathieu has never returned. Still, the “Biloxi Bull” moniker has followed him, and on one level it works.

“A good part of my game is the toughness I can bring,” Olivier said. “But the bigger part is the level of intensity and the competitiveness. I like to play on the forecheck, the cycle and get to the front of the net. I’m the guy who likes to get into the dirty areas.”

 

[cslebn]

I seem to recall a guy on the Pens who was destined for the waiver wire that we traded a 4th for. Who was that?

Oh, it was Mark Letestu.

 

[MoeBartoli]

I seem to recall a guy on the Pens who was destined for the waiver wire that we traded a 4th for. Who was that?

Oh, it was Mark Letestu.

And an excellent trade it was!

 

[Viqsi]

I seem to recall a guy on the Pens who was destined for the waiver wire that we traded a 4th for. Who was that?

Oh, it was Mark Letestu.

I would caution against setting expectations that high.

 

[Doggy]

I suspect like some other fans here we have been pleasantly surprised with Olivier’s play this season. And I think he’sa better player now than when he arrived at camp. As an RFA this off season I am interested to see what Jarmo offers. Teams need players like him and we don’t have other players with that skill set (though Dima will help).

The reason for my post today though is the solid article by AP in The Athletic talking about just how hard Olivier works and the extra time he puts in on his skills and improving his game and his aspirations for his game. Boll and McCudden run optional skills sessions for about an hour before each team practice. Says they get 2-5 players each session. Article says Olivier rarely misses a session.

“Everyone thinks skill work is puckhandling and shooting,” Larsen said. “It’s not that. It’s peeling pucks off the wall. It’s puck protection. It’s making plays under pressure.

When asked why he [Olivier] shows up for every skills sessions, he said: 'to get better'. Guy has a great attitude and don’t see why he can’t be a productive fit on our fourth line for many years if he keeps improving. He’s easy to root for.

When Jarmo traded for him I think I questioned the value in it. I was wrong. He seems to be worth the fourth rounder we spent.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

When Jarmo traded for him I think I questioned the value in it. I was wrong. He seems to be worth the fourth rounder we spent.

Me too

 

[Doggy]

Me too

It was fun reading back through this thread.

 

[Halberdier]

For tanking purposes, Olivier and the rest of the checking line has been doing excellent job, but going forward I think we need a stronger and defensively better checking line.

As they are anyway missing the scoring touch, they should aim to be much better defensively than eg. Gaudreau.

5-on-5 stats, rates and relative.

 

[cslebn]

Just thought I'd add this

 

[CBJx614]

For tanking purposes, Olivier and the rest of the checking line has been doing excellent job, but going forward I think we need a stronger and defensively better checking line.

As they are anyway missing the scoring touch, they should aim to be much better defensively than eg. Gaudreau.

5-on-5 stats, rates and relative.

View attachment 668834View attachment 668835View attachment 668836

I'm not putting much stock into any of the numbers this year. The D is a shell of what it should have been (which isn't saying much) but this team was built on quick puck moving D and for most of the season that D has had Gudbranson leading the charge. It's not surprising to see everyone with shit numbers.

 

[Doggy]

I'm not putting much stock into any of the numbers this year. The D is a shell of what it should have been (which isn't saying much) but this team was built on quick puck moving D and for most of the season that D has had Gudbranson leading the charge. It's not surprising to see everyone with shit numbers.

I was just typing: These stats might actually have some value if the team had competent defensive and goalie play.

 

[CBJx614]

I was just typing: These stats might actually have some value if the team had competent defensive and goalie play.

I would agree with that.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

For tanking purposes, Olivier and the rest of the checking line has been doing excellent job, but going forward I think we need a stronger and defensively better checking line.

As they are anyway missing the scoring touch, they should aim to be much better defensively than eg. Gaudreau.

5-on-5 stats, rates and relative.

I think the fourth line, especially olivier, took their time to get accustomed to each other and Larsen stopped playing the Torts line blender. But recently, the fourth line of Robinson-Kuraly-Olivier has been one of our best (which is why we are in last place). Pederson has stepped into Kuralys role and has been fine too.

I would not be surprised to see Robinson and Olivier move on. We have so many bodies. And although I’m cool with both players, we will be getting Voronkov here as well as Texier (I think), and the numbers just might not make sense for them to stick around.

It was funny reliving people being up in arms about the fourth round pick though. Good times

 

[CBJx614]

I think the fourth line, especially olivier, took their time to get accustomed to each other and Larsen stopped playing the Torts line blender. But recently, the fourth line of Robinson-Kuraly-Olivier has been one of our best (which is why we are in last place). Pederson has stepped into Kuralys role and has been fine too.

I would not be surprised to see Robinson and Olivier move on. We have so many bodies. And although I’m cool with both players, we will be getting Voronkov here as well as Texier (I think), and the numbers just might not make sense for them to stick around.

It was funny reliving people being up in arms about the fourth round pick though. Good times

I think guys like Foudy and Bemstrom will be forced out before guys like Olivier and Robinson. At least Robinson and Olivier have defined roles in the lineup.

 

[stevo61]

The team sucks but one think we arent complaining about that we did last year and protection for the kids. That in itself is huge. Cant really think of anyone takes major runs at the kids or taking shots at guys. We can debate his skill to death or pretend Gaudreau is better defensively because hes generally starting in the offensive zone vs our matchup line but what cant be debated is the security to the team he and Gudbranson provide.

 

[NotCommitted]

Aside for "team stuff" I think part of the problem with the 4th line is it seems they are used like they were an accomplished shutdown specialist line. At least that's my impression and I think at least when I checked the numbers last it kinda fit that, but it was a while ago.

 

[majormajor]

For tanking purposes, Olivier and the rest of the checking line has been doing excellent job, but going forward I think we need a stronger and defensively better checking line.

As they are anyway missing the scoring touch, they should aim to be much better defensively than eg. Gaudreau.

5-on-5 stats, rates and relative.

View attachment 668834View attachment 668835View attachment 668836

Aside for "team stuff" I think part of the problem with the 4th line is it seems they are used like they were an accomplished shutdown specialist line. At least that's my impression and I think at least when I checked the numbers last it kinda fit that, but it was a while ago.

They literally have the hardest zone start assignment of any line in the NHL.

From the xG's you can see they actually get the puck out of our zone pretty well. And the goals against isn't bad considering the zone starts. Their problem is putting the puck in the net. They get it in the right area and just don't finish. Last I checked they were shooting at like 5%, about half of where you want them.

Olivier hasn't been bad. He's a great fit in some ways. But the engine of the line is still Eric Robinson. He led the team in plus minus playing hard minutes for two straight years prior to this one. And Olivier is taking too many minor penalties. Those add up to extra goals against.

The line could use Alex Texier again. That trio was great. I hope Olivier finds a way to break through in the future, he's strong on the puck and could improve his finishing and stop taking so many minors. Maybe he'll find a better role mixed with skilled guys on a different unit.

Kind of funny that he's taking skill lessons from Boll, as most of my memories of Boll are him checking the glass or losing control of the puck. No offense Boller, maybe he knows what he couldn't do but needed to do, good teachers can be like that sometimes.