Confirmed with Link: Oilers claim Brandon Davidson off of waivers

[shoop]

Klefbom on IR per NHL.com.

Guess Davidson is safe for now. Wonder how far away Sekera is.

Nurse/Russell
Davidson/Larsson
Auvitu/Benning

D looks like crap again.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Klefbom on IR per NHL.com.

Guess Davidson is safe for now. Wonder how far away Sekera is.

Nurse/Russell
Davidson/Larsson
Auvitu/Benning

D looks like crap again.

Apparently he's very close with to returning with Walker going on waivers.

I would think the Blueline will look like

Nurse - Larsson
Russell - Benning
Auvitu - Davidson

It's not perfect but it's hardly crap.

 

[shoop]

Apparently he's very close with to returning with Walker going on waivers.

I would think the Blueline will look like

Nurse - Larsson
Russell - Benning
Auvitu - Davidson

It's not perfect but it's hardly crap.

Either way one of Benning or Davidson are pay too high up in the lineup.

Auvitu is no good.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Either way one of Benning or Davidson are pay too high up in the lineup.

Auvitu is no good.

Alright then.

 

[shoop]

Alright then.

Glad you see the light.

Meant to write playing instead of pay, but I think everyone can agree on the crapiness that is Auvitu.

 

[nexttothemoon]

Not me... I think Auvitu is underrated.

 

[McFlyingV]

I'm not a big Auvitu fan, but even I think he's played like a serviceable 6/7 this season. Sounds like Sekera could be back next game so you may get your wish with Auvitu out of the lineup.

Nurse-Lars
Sekera-Russell
Davy-Benning

Not a bad looking D group thats for sure. If Klef comes back from his injury playing like he can (and really his play of late has improved) then thats a very solid D group with some quality depth having Benning fight with Davy for a starting spot.

 

[Oilers in NS]

I'm not a big Auvitu fan, but even I think he's played like a serviceable 6/7 this season. Sounds like Sekera could be back next game so you may get your wish with Auvitu out of the lineup.

Nurse-Lars
Sekera-Russell
Davy-Benning

Not a bad looking D group thats for sure. If Klef comes back from his injury playing like he can (and really his play of late has improved) then thats a very solid D group with some quality depth having Benning fight with Davy for a starting spot.

I never heard Sekera back next game. Any info on this?

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

I never heard Sekera back next game. Any info on this?

I've heard rumours he'll be back tomorrow, but I'm not 100% sure.

 

[Oilers in NS]

I've heard rumours he'll be back tomorrow, but I'm not 100% sure.

I'm not doubting ya, I am curious as well. Something has to be up. We are clearing contracts. I believe we are down to 47 now and we have cap space. How does this sound;

Ryan Strome and a 2nd to Ottawa for Mike Hoffman. We might need to throw in a little more but Hoffman could be that canon we need on the PP

 

[joestevens29]

I never heard Sekera back next game. Any info on this?

Heard it on Gregor's show yesterday. They didn't say he is back next game as much as they said there is a good chance he's back. Either way that's good news as he is probably playing soon.

Maybe they end up holding him out until after x-mas. I'd be fine with that as well

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

I'm not doubting ya, I am curious as well. Something has to be up. We are clearing contracts. I believe we are down to 47 now and we have cap space. How does this sound;

Ryan Strome and a 2nd to Ottawa for Mike Hoffman. We might need to throw in a little more but Hoffman could be that canon we need on the PP

Well I was thinking that the being down contracts was to add Hoffman or Hoffman and a other guy, without having to move out to many roster players, but I'm not sure to be honest.

 

[joestevens29]

I'm not doubting ya, I am curious as well. Something has to be up. We are clearing contracts. I believe we are down to 47 now and we have cap space. How does this sound;

Ryan Strome and a 2nd to Ottawa for Mike Hoffman. We might need to throw in a little more but Hoffman could be that canon we need on the PP

I don't think anything has to be up.

Chase and Fayne are both guys that weren't returning next year. PC found a way to move them and open up a vet roster spot in the AHL as well as another contract spot.

He then put Walker who cost nothing back on waivers.

Many simple things could actually happen with those spots. Gryba to the AHL, Walker who maybe all along they wanted in the AHL clears and gets in to the AHL, and that roster spot is just there.

Nothing big necessarily has to be happening. Just a GM making a move that was coming anyway.

 

[Oilers in NS]

Well I was thinking that the being down contracts was to add Hoffman or Hoffman and a other guy, without having to move out to many roster players, but I'm not sure to be honest.

2 Hoffmans?

I think Chiarelli is up to something though. Hopefully he does not trade Puju

 

[CupofOil]

Glad you see the light.

Meant to write playing instead of pay, but I think everyone can agree on the crapiness that is Auvitu.

Auvitu has been fine, actually pretty darn solid for a bottom pairing guy. The problem all season has been the Klefbom-Benning pairing and recently, it's more due to Benning's issues than Klefbom.

If Benning sits like he should when Klefbom returns, you'll see the D zone play improve. It's a fire drill just about every time he's on the ice.

 

[Aerchon]

2 Hoffmans?

I think Chiarelli is up to something though. Hopefully he does not trade Puju

Chiarelli is typically pretty open to the media when he is actively looking to improve the team through trade. I have not followed him recently but when the Oilers were struggling he was expressing patience and being cautious. Now that the Oilers have strung together 6 straight strong performances and more players coming off IR than going on it would surprise me if he has anything going on.

Talbot, Larsson, and Sekera back plus Davidson acquired and playing well is awesome. Even losing Klefbom that's a huge boost to the team in its weakest areas. People exaggerate the scoring issues and the need for a scoring winger. We are on pace for as many goals as last year basically even after our slow start.

 

[joestevens29]

Chiarelli is typically pretty open to the media when he is actively looking to improve the team through trade. I have not followed him recently but when the Oilers were struggling he was expressing patience and being cautious. Now that the Oilers have strung together 6 straight strong performances and more players coming off IR than going on it would surprise me if he has anything going on.

Talbot, Larsson, and Sekera back plus Davidson acquired and playing well is awesome. Even losing Klefbom that's a huge boost to the team in its weakest areas. People exaggerate the scoring issues and the need for a scoring winger. We are on pace for as many goals as last year basically even after our slow start.

I think once our defense is close to normal the offense should come. Having guys that can get the puck out quickly goes a long way to creating chances/pressure/goals.

Keep in mind last year when we were at our best we weren't always just scoring right out of the gate. This team had consistent pressure that wore teams down throughout the game. Getting back to that will be huge

 

[Oilers in NS]

I don't think anything has to be up.

Chase and Fayne are both guys that weren't returning next year. PC found a way to move them and open up a vet roster spot in the AHL as well as another contract spot.

He then put Walker who cost nothing back on waivers.

Many simple things could actually happen with those spots. Gryba to the AHL, Walker who maybe all along they wanted in the AHL clears and gets in to the AHL, and that roster spot is just there.

Nothing big necessarily has to be happening. Just a GM making a move that was coming anyway.

We r still under the cap by quite a bit. With the cap going up next year (possibly 84mil), we can afford to keep RNH. He has been LIGHTS OUT this

Edmonton Oilers - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

 

[Aerchon]

Auvitu has been fine, actually pretty darn solid for a bottom pairing guy. The problem all season has been the Klefbom-Benning pairing and recently, it's more due to Benning's issues than Klefbom.

If Benning sits like he should when Klefbom returns, you'll see the D zone play improve. It's a fire drill just about every time he's on the ice.

Auvitu has improved significantly as the season has gone on but still gets completely overwhelmed in his own zone at times.

Klefbom has improved as well from dumpster fire to not bad. Benning is a high event player at times but his overall game is significantly better than Auvitu and approximately as good as Klefbom recently.

In short your selling Benning short a bit and exaggerating Klefbom and Auvitu a bit.

Just out of curiosity do you conceded that Russell overall has been a bit better than all of those others? I would guess you have a preference for "puck movers" versus "grit".

Gryba has been a very solid 6/7 for us and been more bad than good.

We have a very solid and versatile group of defenseman. Until Klefbom comes back in don't see any changes to the group. Just reshuffling to keep competition good.

My preference will be:

Nurse Larsson
Sekera Russell
Davidson Benning

With Gryba and Auvitu rotated in periodically to keep everyone on thier toes.

 

[joestevens29]

Really think now would be the time to try Auvitu as a PP specialist.

I do agree that he gets overwhelmed more than he should, but lets lay it all out there and see if the tools he has can translate.

Once Klef gets back and Sekera there isn't going to be a lot of space for that type of role.

 

[Aerchon]

Really think now would be the time to try Auvitu as a PP specialist.

I do agree that he gets overwhelmed more than he should, but lets lay it all out there and see if the tools he has can translate.

Once Klef gets back and Sekera there isn't going to be a lot of space for that type of role.

Sekera gets mocked for hitting shin pads but he is an effective PP guy. He will improve the top unit since Klefbom was struggling in that spot.

On the second unit I'd really like to see Larsson tried out. Auvitu is basically like having 5 forwards, which personally I hate. You want at least one defenseman out there who can play defense. Especially one that can handle defending two on one's.

I would think Davidson might even get a chance on the PP before Auvitu. Only way Auvitu should get a spot is if Oilers move to a 2 defense PP and I don't think that will happen either.

I am curious what Chiarelli is going to do once everyone is healthy. Moving forward with Nurse raise we will have a bit too much salary tied up on defense and effectively 5 top 4 defenders. Plus hopefully some guys on the farm banging on the door for depth roles.

Because he plays right I imagine Gryba stays and Auvitu moves on. Davidson will be really have to play well, like he has previously, to stay on the team.

 

[joestevens29]

If Auvitu doesn't get the shot on the PP, why even keep him?

We need to see what he can do while there is a chance.

As for Sekera the one thing he did was force someone to play closer to the point which opened up space for the rest. So while the shin pad assassin is frustrating. He adds some value.

 

[Aerchon]

If Auvitu doesn't get the shot on the PP, why even keep him?

We need to see what he can do while there is a chance.

As for Sekera the one thing he did was force someone to play closer to the point which opened up space for the rest. So while the shin pad assassin is frustrating. He adds some value.

Auvitu has played himself onto the team/conversation imo but the blue line is crowded with bottom 3 defenders even with injuries. For the reasons in my previous post as well as just flat out not playing well enough to force his way onto the PP is why he most likely not even get an opportunity. He is a depth guy that needs to show more.

I personally have not seen his offense be so good to overcome his defensive issues even on the PP.

McLellan had a great interview about why Jessie was not on the PP yet. There is a lot more than just scoring goals involved in a running a PP. Positioning, zone entries, defending etc... I, like everyone else, was frustrated JP was not on the PP just because he can score. But the players on the PP need to work as a unit. I don't see Auvitu being any better anyways than any of our other regular defenders in that role.

Davidson used to have a great shot perfect for the PP but somehow lost it. I like to see him rekindle that talent.

 

[Aceboogie]

Not me... I think Auvitu is underrated.

I agree. He constantly gets the puck moving the right way. The only issue is that hes chaotic in his own end so I doubt many fans or the coaching staff will be able to see past that into the big benefits he brings in other areas. Id actually really like an Avuvitu/Davidson pairing

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

I agree. He constantly gets the puck moving the right way. The only issue is that hes chaotic in his own end so I doubt many fans or the coaching staff will be able to see past that into the big benefits he brings in other areas. Id actually really like an Avuvitu/Davidson pairing

I didn't mind it either, but if there's no space for Davidson when everyone is healthy, there's definitely no space for Auvitu.