Confirmed with Link: Oilers sign Ryan Mantha

[Fourier]

Good tools. Great Character. Could have been traded to a contender in his final year but wanted to stay and help the ice dogs make the playoffs. They may still miss.

That said, I dont see an NHL player here

Are you still a season ticket holder? what do you think the issues are that will keep him from making it?

 

[Staghorn]

Oh they are. I just don't know that guys are going to choose us anymore. If they want to play is Edmonton going to be the place they choose or do they see a log jam and go elsewhere.
X
Also Laleggia is a forward now I believe

I wonder if Chia had to promise X NHL games on the roster to guys like Benning and Caggiula? would explain their rock solid position in the NHL. I'm not saying those guys haven't shined, cause they have and were excellent pickups, but it makes some sense. Can't necessarily do as much of that going forward.

That said, if you can sign a GOOD NCAA FA every year, it's just as good as getting a 1st round draft pick. It's huge.

Also lets not forget Ellis in AHL goal who has also quietly been a STELLAR pickup. I think he passes LB next year.

 

[ujju2]

I wonder if Chia had to promise X NHL games on the roster to guys like Benning and Caggiula? would explain their rock solid position in the NHL. I'm not saying those guys haven't shined, cause they have and were excellent pickups, but it makes some sense. Can't necessarily do as much of that going forward.

That said, if you can sign a GOOD NCAA FA every year, it's just as good as getting a 1st round draft pick. It's huge.

Also lets not forget Ellis in AHL goal who has also quietly been a STELLAR pickup. I think he passes LB next year.

This I doubt. I can see LB really come on strong to end this season, to the point that he secures his spot as the NHL backup for next year. Ellis becomes the AHL starter.

 

[Aceboogie]

I wonder if Chia had to promise X NHL games on the roster to guys like Benning and Caggiula? would explain their rock solid position in the NHL. I'm not saying those guys haven't shined, cause they have and were excellent pickups, but it makes some sense. Can't necessarily do as much of that going forward.

That said, if you can sign a GOOD NCAA FA every year, it's just as good as getting a 1st round draft pick. It's huge.

Also lets not forget Ellis in AHL goal who has also quietly been a STELLAR pickup. I think he passes LB next year.

Ellis appears to be lights out in the AHL. 0.924 as a rookie in the AHL is special. Its not easy feat to do and many blue chip young goalies hover around 0.915-0.925. Even crazier that its 3rd best in the league. I think next year Brossoit will get a full year of back up duty and will get into 15-20 games if not more. Ellis will get a full year in AHL to be the #1 (half year this year was splitting with LB). Then after next year well get a sense of which one of the 2 will be our future goalie or back up. But Ellis could actually be Chiarellis better pick ups

 

[oilers4life5]

This is exciting it is awesome the amount of these signing Chia has been able to accomplish.

Less Chia, more Mac T and gang. Chia said so in his presser.

 

[TheNumber4]

Wow 6'5" RHD with a knack for offense and getting shots on net. I like it! These are the exact type of moves that championship teams are built on. Low risk, high payoff. I like it. Of course it all comes down to his development, but it gives us a chance to find our own Parayko.

 

[Canovin]

Looks like Zach Aston-Reese is the top college free agent this year. Hope Chia could snag him as well

 

[Mr Positive]

Chia strikes again with these UFA prospects. Ellis, Caggiula, Benning. We don't even need draft picks lol

 

[Aceboogie]

Looks like Zach Aston-Reese is the top college free agent this year. Hope Chia could snag him as well

Hed be a good add. 29 goals in 34 games and righty. Have to think we are near a front runner. Had him at our cam IIRC and Bennings teammate

 

[Mr Positive]

Less Chia, more Mac T and gang. Chia said so in his presser.

To me the big factor is how much ice time we give to these guys. We're not afraid to give prominent positions to these top UFA prospects like Caggiula and Benning, and I'm sure Mantha noticed. Chia mentioned that in his presser too.

 

[RandyBobandi]

Moe Mantha Moe Problems

 

[Mcnotloilersfan]

Is it the skating that makes you think that or are there other facets of his game that you think won't translate?

It's hard to explain, but when I watch him, I just don't think he can think the game at the NHL level. He's very dominant in the OHL, but not in the way that Hamilton or Pietro were due to their size/skill/smarts combo. He truly is a man amongst boys with a good skillset for junior.

He may prove me wrong though. Like I said, character seems to be through the roof.

 

[Mcnotloilersfan]

Are you still a season ticket holder? what do you think the issues are that will keep him from making it?

Yup, see post above.

There are things to like though. Character, great shot and physicality. Maybe they can develop him into a #6 powerplay specialist.

Edit: I'll add that I'll watch him a lot closer now. Especially how he handles their final push for a playoff spot. The team has never missed (in Niagara) and it would be nice to keep that streak alive.

 

[Kayen]

Another guy I had in mind as a potential comparable:
Jake Muzzin.

 

[Draiskull]

Phaneuf lite?

 

[McTedi]

Are you still a season ticket holder? what do you think the issues are that will keep him from making it?

delete

 

[Samus44]

Hed be a good add. 29 goals in 34 games and righty. Have to think we are near a front runner. Had him at our cam IIRC and Bennings teammate

He would be a great add however i regret to inform you that he's actually a lefty. Hockeydb is wrong, Eliteprospects has him as a lefty so i looked at pics and yep he shoots left.

 

[Namtsua]

He would be a great add however i regret to inform you that he's actually a lefty. Hockeydb is wrong, Eliteprospects has him as a lefty so i looked at pics and yep he shoots left.

Strange, I just looked up some pics and he clearly shoots right.

Also, NHL.com has him as a RHD as well

 

[McTrashBoat]

Strange, I just looked up some pics and he clearly shoots right.

Also, NHL.com has him as a RHD as well

Zach Aston-Reese is the LHD

 

[Namtsua]

Zach Aston-Reese is the LHD

Whoops

I assumed the comment was about Ryan Mantha.

 

[McMozesmadness]

Looks like Zach Aston-Reese is the top college free agent this year. Hope Chia could snag him as well

Hed be a good add. 29 goals in 34 games and righty. Have to think we are near a front runner. Had him at our cam IIRC and Bennings teammate

He was at our development camp this summer if that counts for anything.

Another guy I had in mind as a potential comparable:
Jake Muzzin.

I like this as a style comparable, however Muzzin is a much better skater.

 

[McMozesmadness]

Zach Aston-Reese is the LHD

Aston-Reese is a forward.

 

[ohheyhemsky]

How are there no highlights of this guy?

 

[McTrashBoat]

Aston-Reese is a forward.

TrashBoat is not available

Please try again later


edit: don't listen to me, I dunno wtf I was reading

 

[Oil Dude]

Low risk , potential high reward pick up. With him , Bear and Jones entering our defense group our prospect pool at that position looks pretty decent.