Foegele was out of CAR by all reports. They went to arbitration last offseason and it was common knowledge that he was looking for a change of scenery for better opportunity. From all indications he seems happy to be an Oiler and is already training with McDavid, Hyman and Nurse.
I think Tippett clearly loved him. In fact I think the plan was to keep him until Larsson left but after he did the D was too small. Keith, Barrie, Bear, Russell was simply too small of a group especially since 3 of the 4 would be key players in defensive matchups. By signing Barrie to play with Nurse and moving him the team felt they could have just as good a player overall, better offensively but worse defensively, and turn Bear into a much needed 3LW. Good asset management if you think of it. It's important to remember they traded him for a quality young player, it wasn't like they were dumping him per say. I really liked Bear and I'm not sure I love it but I get it. I think the veteran angle is a bonus and was a consideration but I see it well down the list of reasons they made the move.
The roster has a lot of flexibility with him in the fold. I wouldn't even mind seeing a 3rd line of Holloway-Hopkins-Yamamoto if he blows the doors off and putting Hyman on the RW. So many options with the versatility of Draisaitl, Nuge and Hyman. Although in saying that I kind of hope they develop Holloway as a center, that would be even more flexibility too. 4 impact two way forwards would be huge and could create matchup nightmares. Holloway in particular could easily become the big strong matchup C who wins draws and scores. McLeod could in theory too but he's got to nut up and play a grittier game if he's going to produce in the NHL as he doesn't have the talent to score or make plays from the outside consistently enough.
Holland had no money, if he doesn't play hardball Barrie isn't here. I think it's just the reality of the personnel here and asset management. I think Holland liked him just fine, he traded him for a quality young player.
They like smart players too. That's why Nuge is here still. Bear was a smart player.
If we can keep the number low and term long on Foegele our forward group could be set for the next 5 yrs.
With quality pushing up in Lavoie, Savoie, Bordeaux to add to Holloway and McLeod too it could be a great future. The high skill the big 3 have is the hardest thing to find and I suspect Puljujarvi makes it a big 4 even. The D has a lot of great pieces too with Broberg, Samorukov, and the underrated Kesselring who looked strong in the AHL. The Tampa model is what I genuinely think is the plan and although they've been trading 2nd and 3rd round picks to balance the roster now and compete there's a reason they've been keeping their 1sts to draft physical specimens and drafting high skill in the later rounds. It means they need to hit on who they got, or move them for quality, and it seems like that's happening or will happen for the most part. Hopefully a goalie pans out as a starter, that would really be huge.
The brass ring is there for Bouchard to grab now. If Chiarelli left us with a stud right shooting defenceman from the 2018 draft his name could be mentioned once more without preceding or following curse words.
Theres some truth in that but they did resign Barrie. And based on that observation I thunk thats why they didnt keep both. I agree with your general premise i just think they liked Bear fine but no so much they were willing to have 2 players that didn't fit the mold you are describing.
Yep. And they chose to keep the guy who had elite offensive abilities. It makes sense
I wholeheartedly believe Tippett really did like Bear who had a terrific rookie campaign. Tippett propped him up and went out of his way to compliment the player at every opportunity. Then, like you said, the 2019-20 playoffs saw Chicago specifically target Bear. They leaned on him hard and he fell apart. Bear never regained his confidence at all last year and the concussion didn't help matters.
I'm a big Bear fan, and always have been.
