Trade winds blowing in Alberta updated Dec 9, 2015
Dec 10, 2015 0:34:12 GMT -5
Rob, Beans (BOS), and 5 more like this
Post by Paul on Dec 10, 2015 0:34:12 GMT -5
Trade winds blowing in Alberta
The rumour mill has been spinning fiercely in Edmonton the past week, as the team has welcomed new General Manager Paul Pearson to town to be the team's third GM this season. "Excited to be here, lots of work to do," said Pearson, as he was greeted at the airport by the Edmonton media last Friday.
The rumor floating around various hockey websites and call-in radio shows in Edmonton is new GM Pearson has been receiving interest and more than a few phone calls and emails from his fellow iNHL GM's regarding players Pearson may or may not have made available for trade. "I can't get into that, you guys know that," said Pearson, when asked the identity of the players being discussed. "Let's just say my official comment is 'no comment' ", he smiled.
But Pearson wouldn't confirm or deny the rumour, which has a high-profile player in Edmonton headed out of town, possibly before the NHL's Christmas break, and has the hockey media and team's fans all talking.
"We will always do what we think is best for the Edmonton Oilers franchise and try to put the best team on the ice as possible. But, if there is an offer for one or more of our players which we feel can improve our long-term talent level, as well as the ability to maintain a competitive payroll, then of course we will do our due diligence to determine the best course of action," Pearson finished.
The question being asked by most hockey people in Edmonton, not to mention the iNHL, was "Who exactly is this Paul Pearson? "Never heard of him," said a current Oilers player, who asked not to be identified. "But I guess we'd better start bringing our bags with us to the rink, 'cause I heard he plans to shake things up."
That said, Pearson has lived up to those early assumptions, already making moves to bolster his team's young talent level. Pearson's first move was to pluck goaltender Keith Kincaid off waivers from the New Jersey Devils. Kincaid was immediately assigned to the team's AHL affiliate in Bakersfield. "Keith will be up with the big club at some point," Pearson confided. "We just wanted to let our coaches work with him a little down there before we throw him into the fire."
Oilers backup goaltender Jeff Zatkoff was gracious when asked about Kincaid's arrival, saying "I'm glad he's here, can't enough good goaltending."
Other moves have seen Pearson demote Anton Slepyshev down to Bakersfield, with hard-hitting winger Brandon Bollig called up to Edmonton to replace him. Pearson thinks Slepyshev needed more icetime then he was getting in Edmonton so he sent him down to the iAHL to further aid his development. "Plus, I wanted to get Bollig up here and let him do what he does best, which is hit people," said Pearson, laughing. "Plus, I think Brandon profiles a little better on that fourth line for now," said Pearson. He then added, " this will be a good chance for Brandon to show us what he's got."
Other moves soon followed, including the hiring of five new Assistant Coaches and three new talent scouts. "I wanted to get guys here who could help these kids here at the next level and facilitate their growth, " Pearson explained. "The learning process doesn't end when you get to the iNHL, in fact it probably gets a lot harder! I want to make sure our guys are learning the game the right way."
Next, Pearson wanted to make sure he had the right scouts out there beating the bushes for talent. "I like to build my team through the draft, " he went on to say. "I couldn't be happier with coaches and scouts we have here now in Edmonton. "
There are a couple of Assistants Coaches and Scouts who have contracts which expire at the end of the year and Pearson was asked about them. "Well, we will use the rest of the season to make decisions on them, but I like who we have here now. Peter (Chiarelli) and Todd (McLellan) had good people working for them, and I hope that can continue," Pearson explained.
Of course the biggest move Pearson has made to date was the trade which sent Nick Bonnino, the rights to prospect Evan Campbell, who is currently playing in college for the UMASS Lowell Riverhawks, and the 5th pick in the 2017 NHL for young two-way forward Scott Laughton, veteran defenseman Andy MacDonald, 23 year old two-way winger Brandon Alderson and the 3rd round pick in the 2017 draft.
"Yeah, it might have been too soon to make a move of this magnitude, but I'm quite happy we were able to acquire the players we did. Both Scotty and Brandon will be skating together for the Oilers at some point this season," Pearson said.
He went on to add, "I can't thank the Philadelphia Flyers and GM Bjorn enough. He has gone out of his way to help me since I've arrived here in the iNHL. The negotiations were professional and went off without a hitch. I wish Nick and Evan well in Philadelphia. The Flyers are getting one hell of a hockey player in Nick Bonino," Pearson added.
According to Pearson, Laughton was the prize of the deal. "Very happy we got him, looking forward to seeing him on the ice. He's a team-first kind of guy, and will muck it up in the corners with the big boys when he has to. Scotty won't back down or neglect his defensive responsibilities, which is what we expect here now. He's not a very vocal kid, but he has definite leadership qualities about him. I could see him as an Assistant Captain or even a Team Captain at some point," said Pearson.
"As far as Brandon, he's 6'4" and 207 pounds, just a big kid, and we love his potential. He is determined as heck to get up here to Edmonton as soon as possible so we'll have to make sure he's ready before we call him up. Our plan is to put him on a line with Scotty and see what happens."
When asked about defenseman Andy MacDonald, Pearson gave a quizzical look and said, "Who? MacDonald? Andy MacDonald, the center who played for the Ducks and Blues, we got him too?" When informed he had traded for defenseman Andrew MacDonald, Pearson just stood stone-faced, looking as though he was afraid to say something he may later regret.
The Oilers have made a few smaller moves since the new GM's arrival as well, obtaining the rights to RW prospect Hudson Fasching , who is currently playing college hockey in Minnesota, in from the Buffalo Sabres, as well as center Travis Boyd from the Washington Capitals.
"Hated to see Mitch Moroz leave for Buffalo and Eric Gryba leave for DC, but we are pretty happy with the players we added, " admitted Pearson, when asked about the trades. "We wish both players well and thank them for their time and professionalism to the fans, the players and the entire Edmonton Oilers organization."
"As for Travis, I think the fans are really going to like him," Pearson explained. "He's another team-first kind of guy, and very solid defensively."
The Oilers, who currently have a 12-8-4 record and have gone 3-1 on the road in their last four road games, play in Toronto tonight. They are then back home for a 5-game homestand, where they will see Boston, Dallas, Buffalo, San Jose and the New York Rangers all visit Rexall Place.
Tickets are available online and at the box office.
The rumour mill has been spinning fiercely in Edmonton the past week, as the team has welcomed new General Manager Paul Pearson to town to be the team's third GM this season. "Excited to be here, lots of work to do," said Pearson, as he was greeted at the airport by the Edmonton media last Friday.
The rumor floating around various hockey websites and call-in radio shows in Edmonton is new GM Pearson has been receiving interest and more than a few phone calls and emails from his fellow iNHL GM's regarding players Pearson may or may not have made available for trade. "I can't get into that, you guys know that," said Pearson, when asked the identity of the players being discussed. "Let's just say my official comment is 'no comment' ", he smiled.
But Pearson wouldn't confirm or deny the rumour, which has a high-profile player in Edmonton headed out of town, possibly before the NHL's Christmas break, and has the hockey media and team's fans all talking.
"We will always do what we think is best for the Edmonton Oilers franchise and try to put the best team on the ice as possible. But, if there is an offer for one or more of our players which we feel can improve our long-term talent level, as well as the ability to maintain a competitive payroll, then of course we will do our due diligence to determine the best course of action," Pearson finished.
The question being asked by most hockey people in Edmonton, not to mention the iNHL, was "Who exactly is this Paul Pearson? "Never heard of him," said a current Oilers player, who asked not to be identified. "But I guess we'd better start bringing our bags with us to the rink, 'cause I heard he plans to shake things up."
That said, Pearson has lived up to those early assumptions, already making moves to bolster his team's young talent level. Pearson's first move was to pluck goaltender Keith Kincaid off waivers from the New Jersey Devils. Kincaid was immediately assigned to the team's AHL affiliate in Bakersfield. "Keith will be up with the big club at some point," Pearson confided. "We just wanted to let our coaches work with him a little down there before we throw him into the fire."
Oilers backup goaltender Jeff Zatkoff was gracious when asked about Kincaid's arrival, saying "I'm glad he's here, can't enough good goaltending."
Other moves have seen Pearson demote Anton Slepyshev down to Bakersfield, with hard-hitting winger Brandon Bollig called up to Edmonton to replace him. Pearson thinks Slepyshev needed more icetime then he was getting in Edmonton so he sent him down to the iAHL to further aid his development. "Plus, I wanted to get Bollig up here and let him do what he does best, which is hit people," said Pearson, laughing. "Plus, I think Brandon profiles a little better on that fourth line for now," said Pearson. He then added, " this will be a good chance for Brandon to show us what he's got."
Other moves soon followed, including the hiring of five new Assistant Coaches and three new talent scouts. "I wanted to get guys here who could help these kids here at the next level and facilitate their growth, " Pearson explained. "The learning process doesn't end when you get to the iNHL, in fact it probably gets a lot harder! I want to make sure our guys are learning the game the right way."
Next, Pearson wanted to make sure he had the right scouts out there beating the bushes for talent. "I like to build my team through the draft, " he went on to say. "I couldn't be happier with coaches and scouts we have here now in Edmonton. "
There are a couple of Assistants Coaches and Scouts who have contracts which expire at the end of the year and Pearson was asked about them. "Well, we will use the rest of the season to make decisions on them, but I like who we have here now. Peter (Chiarelli) and Todd (McLellan) had good people working for them, and I hope that can continue," Pearson explained.
Of course the biggest move Pearson has made to date was the trade which sent Nick Bonnino, the rights to prospect Evan Campbell, who is currently playing in college for the UMASS Lowell Riverhawks, and the 5th pick in the 2017 NHL for young two-way forward Scott Laughton, veteran defenseman Andy MacDonald, 23 year old two-way winger Brandon Alderson and the 3rd round pick in the 2017 draft.
"Yeah, it might have been too soon to make a move of this magnitude, but I'm quite happy we were able to acquire the players we did. Both Scotty and Brandon will be skating together for the Oilers at some point this season," Pearson said.
He went on to add, "I can't thank the Philadelphia Flyers and GM Bjorn enough. He has gone out of his way to help me since I've arrived here in the iNHL. The negotiations were professional and went off without a hitch. I wish Nick and Evan well in Philadelphia. The Flyers are getting one hell of a hockey player in Nick Bonino," Pearson added.
According to Pearson, Laughton was the prize of the deal. "Very happy we got him, looking forward to seeing him on the ice. He's a team-first kind of guy, and will muck it up in the corners with the big boys when he has to. Scotty won't back down or neglect his defensive responsibilities, which is what we expect here now. He's not a very vocal kid, but he has definite leadership qualities about him. I could see him as an Assistant Captain or even a Team Captain at some point," said Pearson.
"As far as Brandon, he's 6'4" and 207 pounds, just a big kid, and we love his potential. He is determined as heck to get up here to Edmonton as soon as possible so we'll have to make sure he's ready before we call him up. Our plan is to put him on a line with Scotty and see what happens."
When asked about defenseman Andy MacDonald, Pearson gave a quizzical look and said, "Who? MacDonald? Andy MacDonald, the center who played for the Ducks and Blues, we got him too?" When informed he had traded for defenseman Andrew MacDonald, Pearson just stood stone-faced, looking as though he was afraid to say something he may later regret.
The Oilers have made a few smaller moves since the new GM's arrival as well, obtaining the rights to RW prospect Hudson Fasching , who is currently playing college hockey in Minnesota, in from the Buffalo Sabres, as well as center Travis Boyd from the Washington Capitals.
"Hated to see Mitch Moroz leave for Buffalo and Eric Gryba leave for DC, but we are pretty happy with the players we added, " admitted Pearson, when asked about the trades. "We wish both players well and thank them for their time and professionalism to the fans, the players and the entire Edmonton Oilers organization."
"As for Travis, I think the fans are really going to like him," Pearson explained. "He's another team-first kind of guy, and very solid defensively."
The Oilers, who currently have a 12-8-4 record and have gone 3-1 on the road in their last four road games, play in Toronto tonight. They are then back home for a 5-game homestand, where they will see Boston, Dallas, Buffalo, San Jose and the New York Rangers all visit Rexall Place.
Tickets are available online and at the box office.