News Article: Lander to KHL

McSomnii

why u no change oil
Nov 3, 2012
589
492
Little Houston, AB
I always did like Lander, even if his game didn't translate as well at the NHL level as he (and many others, I'm sure) would have hoped.

From that article, it sounds like he got himself one hell of a pay raise. Good job, and best of luck with your new team, Mr. Lander!
 

McDNicks17

Moderator
Jul 1, 2010
41,674
30,115
Ontario
You can't really blame him.

I think he could handle a 4th line wing spot, but unfortunately for him we actually have some solid depth.

I believe we'll retain his rights(if they give him a qualifying offer in the offseason), so maybe he comes back and gives it another shot.
 

jlockhart89

Humboldt Strong
Jul 16, 2004
2,109
376
Humboldt, SK
My only concern and thought right now, is he staying in Bako for the remainder of the year so he can potentially be a black ace for the playoffs?
 

Draiskull

Registered User
Oct 26, 2005
23,333
2,167
My only concern and thought right now, is he staying in Bako for the remainder of the year so he can potentially be a black ace for the playoffs?

and because he is under contract with the Oilers til the end of the season.

edit: why would that be classified as a "concern" ?
 

jlockhart89

Humboldt Strong
Jul 16, 2004
2,109
376
Humboldt, SK
and because he is under contract with the Oilers til the end of the season.

edit: why would that be classified as a "concern" ?

I'm fully aware he's under contract for the remainder of the year, hasn't stopped others in the past.

And it could be a concern, injuries are fickle in the playoffs, and Lander could legitimately be necessary for a long playoff run even if it's for only a game or two.
 

joestevens29

Registered User
Apr 30, 2009
52,765
15,429
Not really shocked. He had that interview a month ago and you could tell he was probably looking at being closer to family next year.
 

Draiskull

Registered User
Oct 26, 2005
23,333
2,167
I'm fully aware he's under contract for the remainder of the year, hasn't stopped others in the past.

And it could be a concern, injuries are fickle in the playoffs, and Lander could legitimately be necessary for a long playoff run even if it's for only a game or two.

Isnt that a good thing that we have him around just in case? calling it a 'concern' confuses me.

I like the guy and to me he is interchangeable with all of RNH, DD and Letestu. Obviously not many including the Oilers agree with it.
 

Dorian2

Define that balance
Jul 17, 2009
12,250
2,232
Edmonton
Good luck to Lander. He stuck around a hell of a lot longer than many others in his type of situation. Just didn'thave the speed and (possibly) thought process to excel at the next level. But he has the wherewithal and heart.
 

BoldNewLettuce

Esquire
Dec 21, 2008
28,125
6,967
Canada
Good luck to Lander. He stuck around a hell of a lot longer than many others in his type of situation. Just didn'thave the speed and (possibly) thought process to excel at the next level. But he has the wherewithal and heart.

I'm surprised he couldn't fins a job somewhere as a 4th liner. Maybe he just needs a bigger role.

He came as close as humanly possible to making a career under Nelson and at the WC that one year/half year.

Too bad.
 

JarvisFunk

Registered User
Apr 1, 2012
2,141
1,517
Saskatoon
Usually when guys put up massive numbers in the AHL and it doesn't translate to the NHL it's a glaring skating issue, Lander didn't seem like that bad of a skater to me, maybe he wasn't great and I just didn't notice. What's the consensus on why his skills didn't translate beyond a great PK role?
 

jlockhart89

Humboldt Strong
Jul 16, 2004
2,109
376
Humboldt, SK
Isnt that a good thing that we have him around just in case? calling it a 'concern' confuses me.

I like the guy and to me he is interchangeable with all of RNH, DD and Letestu. Obviously not many including the Oilers agree with it.

I meant it would possibly be a concern if he was leaving the Oilers immediately and bailing on Bako
 

A91

Oilers + Real Madrid
May 21, 2011
6,944
2,221
Edmonton
Shocked no other NHL team gave him a shot.
Like what would Arizona have to lose if they acquired him for futures at the deadline to finish out the season?

Best of luck Anton, go rip it up then come back to Etown a new player in a few seasons!
 

McDraekke

5-14-6-1
Jan 19, 2006
2,853
397
Edmonton
Isnt that a good thing that we have him around just in case? calling it a 'concern' confuses me.

I like the guy and to me he is interchangeable with all of RNH, DD and Letestu. Obviously not many including the Oilers agree with it.

I've been arguing with a lot of people lately about things that I find kinda crazy... but this statement is insane to me. Letestu is proving his worth by potting 15 goals to date (6 of which are GWG), being solid on the dot and on the PK, DD has come in and single-handedly righted the ship that is the 3rd line, and although Nuge is having an off year, it's ludicrous to say that Lander is interchangeable with him.

Lander, while having his strengths, is in no way interchangeable with any of our bottom 9 centers currently. If we could add one player to our on-ice lineup (ie, have 13 forwards and 6 dmen on the bench), Lander would be that guy for his FO and PK ability. But he has nothing else. And that's not good enough anymore.
 
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Perfect_Drug

Registered User
Mar 24, 2006
15,543
11,851
Montreal
Yup,

Definitely reminds of me Patrick Thoreson.

Was never really given a fair shake, although is skating did look mediocre to below-average. I always thought he was an NHLer.

Then again I've been wrong about Yakupov, MPS and Omark.
 

rboomercat90

Registered User
Mar 24, 2013
14,765
9,028
Edmonton
Gotta admit I was a little surprised he didn't get a better shot here this year considering the team has struggled so badly with face offs. I don't think he was that much of a drop off from some of the bottom six guys that were playing. Made me wonder if there was some other issue the organization had with him that we didn't know about. Oh well, best of luck to him.
 

PKSpecialist

Registered User
Feb 6, 2010
1,750
838
I really thought he would be the kind of guy that would draw interest from Vegas. Has potential offensively that is untapped, but if he found it, with his PK and face off abilities, would be an extremely valuable asset for an expansion team. Oh well, Best of luck.
 

KarmaPolice

Snack enthusiast
Oct 5, 2007
19,117
10,604
In Limbo
Lander is probably a bit ahead of where Cagguila is right NOW. But in a year or two, Cagguila will be the much better player, IMO. Lander is definitely better than Hendricks. But I guess the team likes what Hendricks brings to the locker room. Must be something like that which is keeping him with the big team, although I think his days are numbered, and this season will either be his last or 2nd last (hopefully last). I still think Lander could've been a very valuable 4th line C who can win draws and be very good on the PK. But Letestu has been scoring on the PP and doing pretty well on the PK this year (after being pretty awful last year). So I guess Lander just wasn't in the long term plans. Too bad, because again, I think he's a good depth player to keep over Hendricks, who is basically finished. But then again, we also have guys like Khaira, Pitlick (if he can ever stay healthy), and guys that will be coming up soon that will need roster spots, like Benson -- who probably starts in the AHL next season, but I think makes his way on the team sooner than later -- and especially Puljujarvi. We have a lot of guys, and only so many roster spots. There's just no room for him on the team long-term. A shame. I always thought he was a good pick and would work out.
 

Perfect_Drug

Registered User
Mar 24, 2006
15,543
11,851
Montreal
I really thought he would be the kind of guy that would draw interest from Vegas. Has potential offensively that is untapped, but if he found it, with his PK and face off abilities, would be an extremely valuable asset for an expansion team. Oh well, Best of luck.

Yeah,

With 30 NHL roster spots opening up, I totally realized he would most definitely fit in there.

Bad year for him to give up, but I guess he likely has other concerns like proximity to his family, and not living out of a hotel room for another year.
 

Digger12

Gold Fever
Feb 27, 2002
18,313
990
Back o' beyond
Yeah,

With 30 NHL roster spots opening up, I totally realized he would most definitely fit in there.

Bad year for him to give up, but I guess he likely has other concerns like proximity to his family, and not living out of a hotel room for another year.

Yep, and not to mention the reality that players only have a limited time in their lives to make a living playing hockey. It may be a hobby and pastime for us, but for them ultimately it's a job...and if he can find a job that'll offer a large pay raise and better work conditions than what the AHL can offer, AND be closer to friends and family at the same time, why wouldn't he take that offer? I know I would.

Best of luck to him.
 

MessierII

Registered User
Aug 10, 2011
27,761
16,395
Good for him it's where he belongs. Too good for the American League not good enough to be a top 9 regular in the show. Probably a middle six forward in Russia. I bet he thrives.
 

Tw0Shoes

Registered User
Mar 15, 2007
1,485
270
Big pay raise while playing less games, in a less physical league.
Life changing, he'll be healthier in his later years for it, and still enjoy the money.
No one in their right mind would choose differently, especially when you have a family.
 

Diamondillium

DO YOU WANT ANTS!?
Aug 22, 2011
5,704
66
Edmonton, AB
Very understandable, athletes have to take whatever opportunity possible to monetize their careers when they can due to short length, and it doesn't look like he'll be getting that opportunity here. He'll likely be a perfect fit for the KHL, so if he can carve out a successful career there, then by all means do so.

All the best to him! His villanous resting face will be missed.
 

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