TSN: The Oilers are attempting to find a taker for Andreas Athanasiou and/or Matt Benning

bucks_oil

Registered User
Aug 25, 2005
8,328
4,513
As a Sens fan, I'd do Matt Benning for Jayce Hawryluk. He was good with us, still seems to be finding his role (skill, grit, defense, offense) but I think he can be a good, gritty bottom 6er who chips in offensively. Good hands and plays with a definite edge. RFA with a sub-900k salary.

Seems like a reasonable offer. I'd discuss this with my pro scouts. ;)
 

WingsMJN2965

Registered User
Oct 13, 2017
18,106
17,699
I don't understand why they would give up two 2nds for a player they don't think is worth 3 million, especially when that's already what he was making.

To be fair, they probably weren't expecting the season to be stopped and the cap to be held flat for the next three years.
 

GrandmaSlices51631

Registered User
Dec 12, 2013
10,398
5,033
Long Beach
AA is like the antithesis of how the Isles got successful under Lou Lam and Trotz. I'd like to see them add some more skill but AA is not the way to go. Although you could stick him on a line with Ho-Sang and create a combo loaded with speed and skill and short on everything else (desire, work ethic, adaptability, growth, etc) needed to be a consistently successful NHL player. In other words, Trotz's nightmare.

He's not skilled enough to be a top line player and he's not defensively responsible in any situation.

Appreciate the insight from both of you. I think it is a matter of determining whether AA could be taught to play "the right way". Not every Islander was a defensive juggernaut before Trotz took over. He's transformed Nelson into a really good player and for many of the criticisms on AA, the same could have been said about Nelson before Trotz took over. As of now we have Pageau as the 3rd line center with a revolving door of wingers, that have limited offensive upside.

Improving the 1st line seems too tall an order, especially with cap issues, but there is certainly opportunity for Lou to get creative and put good players on Pageau's wings.
 

Ishad

Registered User
Jun 2, 2010
2,597
1,871
Appreciate the insight from both of you. I think it is a matter of determining whether AA could be taught to play "the right way". Not every Islander was a defensive juggernaut before Trotz took over. He's transformed Nelson into a really good player and for many of the criticisms on AA, the same could have been said about Nelson before Trotz took over. As of now we have Pageau as the 3rd line center with a revolving door of wingers, that have limited offensive upside.

Improving the 1st line seems too tall an order, especially with cap issues, but there is certainly opportunity for Lou to get creative and put good players on Pageau's wings.

If you're relying on AA to be coachable I would stay far away.
 

bucks_oil

Registered User
Aug 25, 2005
8,328
4,513
We have 11 million to play with right now and honestly not much in the way of major signings. I'm convinced we could rehome Russell for a comparable forward in the Sutter or Perreault mold.

Bear needs a deal but he will be bridged around 2.5 mil IMO. We're not going to spend 8 mil on a 1B goalie and a 3C. I guess I just don't really understand the desperation for cap space, it's not like we're hunting big fish this offseason anyway.

True but if we are bringing Pulju back, or upgrading on Chaisson/Ennis, we're going to need every $$$ we can get.

Though I do agree with you. I'd keep AA as my $3M unidimensional 3rd line winger. Get the best two-way 3C I can find, part ways with Chaisson and have Pulju on our third line until he can challenge for a top-6 role.

Then I'd spend the rest on a 1B goalie and have Neal/a revolving door on McDrai's left wing. That sucks in the short term, but it can be addressed at the TDL.

XXX McD Kassian
Nuge Drai Yamo
AA UFA (Haula?) Pulju
Khaira Haas Archibald

XXX = Neal, Benson, Nygard

Trade: Russell, Chaisson, and sure... maybe Benning. Use whatever money we gain to upgrade the D.
 
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GrandmaSlices51631

Registered User
Dec 12, 2013
10,398
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Long Beach
If you're relying on AA to be coachable I would stay far away.

Appreciate your two cents. I wouldn't rely on it, I think Lou will discuss any potential roster additions with Trotz and get his opinion before pulling the trigger. As much as Ho-Sang has become a folklore legend (for all the wrong reasons) , it sounds like we'll still be tending him a qualifying offer. But the last thing we need is someone who is not coachable.
 

Burnt Biscuits

Registered User
May 2, 2010
9,164
3,179
Maybe I'll get condemned by other Isles fans but I'll take AA for the 3rd line. What's everyones criticism of him?

We have Dal Colle, EDM can take him. He shows up to practice every day.
Think of prime Michael Grabner and take away his ability to PK/defend. He's essentially a big, fast, skilled breakaway specialist and doesn't do or contribute much outside of that.

Going to say Benning would be a smart pick-up for a lot of teams, doesn't look super impressive visually, but the numbers across multiple years really support that he quietly excelled in his 3rd pairing role.
 
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IranCondraAffair

Registered User
Mar 10, 2006
9,258
3,956
This is likely what is being pursued. An example would be a guy like Chris Tierney. I'm not saying the Sens would do it, but you've got an identical situation (26yo, QO is the same amount) where maybe the GM says "not sure I want to qualify my guy, but I would qualify their guy because I think he brings an element we're missing."
Yeah, it was discussed on the board. Tierney is a much higher chance of being qualified, IMO. Tierney is just a better fit, etc.. He gets all his points at EV and PK and doesn't need good line mates. If you're going to spend 3M, might as well be on the guy with a higher floor.

Right idea, just wrong player.
 

ManofSteel55

Registered User
Aug 15, 2013
31,864
11,992
Sylvan Lake, Alberta
While I agree that Benning is a solid bottom pairing or replacement guy, I think the issue is whether you want to qualify his 2 mil cap hit. In your opinion is he worth that much? Or do you not qualify him and try to lock him up at a cheaper rate.
If I'm Holland I offer Benning a longer deal at lower salary. 2 million is a tough fit for him but 1.5 is fine. Give him an extra year or two.
 
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nbwingsfan

Registered User
Dec 13, 2009
20,862
14,578
He’s played for a garbage coach on a garbage team his entire career. I think he’s salvageable but the money might prevent the Oilers from trying it out. I could see him signing somewhere and turning into a competent player over the course of a season or two.
How come other players on Detroit have been able to work on their issues? Watch him play and youll know this is on the player. They've tried everything with him but he refuses to change or put in the effort
 

Dr Quincy

Registered User
Jun 19, 2005
28,685
10,519
As a Sens fan, I'd do Matt Benning for Jayce Hawryluk. He was good with us, still seems to be finding his role (skill, grit, defense, offense) but I think he can be a good, gritty bottom 6er who chips in offensively. Good hands and plays with a definite edge. RFA with a sub-900k salary.
Fair deal for both teams.
 

SupremeTeam16

5-14-6-1
May 31, 2013
8,034
7,012
Baker’s Bay
How come other players on Detroit have been able to work on their issues? Watch him play and youll know this is on the player. They've tried everything with him but he refuses to change or put in the effort

I understand that it's on the player but let's not act like being on a poor team that lacks structure and accountability hasn't helped to form him into the player he is. He's been on one bad team with one coach and there's no reason to believe that in a better situation he couldn't improve or evolve a bit. He's still youngish and has great tools but he definitely needs a change in philosophy. He still has time to adjust how he plays the game to become a more effective player and I think he's a good gamble for a team like Edmonton and a coach like Tippett. It's unfortunate that covid has thrown a wrench in things because I think he can be a useful player but cap constraints and who is agent is may prevent them from finding out.
 

qwerty

Registered User
Feb 4, 2007
3,001
994
Calgary
Corona bent Holland over there. Without Corona, there is no flat cap. With no flat cap, AA is qualified.
Feel like if Athanasiou had 5 goals and 5 assists in the games he played with McDavid, he would be easily QO, but because he had 1 goal and 1 assist and looked lost virtually every game he played with the Oilers, maybe Holland thinks the fit isn't right and he sees the cap space being better spent somewhere else.
 
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nbwingsfan

Registered User
Dec 13, 2009
20,862
14,578
I understand that it's on the player but let's not act like being on a poor team that lacks structure and accountability hasn't helped to form him into the player he is. He's been on one bad team with one coach and there's no reason to believe that in a better situation he couldn't improve or evolve a bit. He's still youngish and has great tools but he definitely needs a change in philosophy. He still has time to adjust how he plays the game to become a more effective player and I think he's a good gamble for a team like Edmonton and a coach like Tippett. It's unfortunate that covid has thrown a wrench in things because I think he can be a useful player but cap constraints and who is agent is may prevent them from finding out.
There is still plenty of accountability on the Wings. Vets have been scratched or sent down. He himself has been scratched and demoted but nothing changed. Some players hsve it and others just dont.

I hope he does change but I just dont see it happening. Hes the exact same player he was in his rookie year and not in a good way.
 

capttim

Registered User
Nov 11, 2014
47
5
Hopefully Holland will salvage something here.

On AA; I would be impressed if he has some magic beans to make this work. (he did manage to trade Lucic)

On Benning; he is a capable third line D for sure. Sign him with no trade protection. I cannot see him asking for high dollars.
 

Tetsuo

Boss of a Pile of Rubble
Apr 11, 2018
1,491
1,337
Michigan
AA is a prototypical empty calorie player. He's got the hands and the speed of a high end goal scorer but he's unashamed cherry picker and has already had tense contract negotiations in the past. He pretty much can only score when he's on the rush and is allergic to playing tough. He only wants highlight reel plays and to make a fat stack. Which is understandable, we are only human, but he's someone who I don't want on my team.

Edmonton should give him no more than $2M a year or let him walk. If Holland qualifies him Oilers fans should be irate because it pretty much means AA will be going to arbitration.
 

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