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The Edmonton Oilers are facing significant decisions as they navigate the offseason. With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl consistently measured in their public statements, speculation is rife about potential changes. General manager Jeff Jackson is reportedly assessing all options, which could include trades of established players like Darnell Nurse, as the team aims to make improvements while their star players are in their prime.
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning appear committed to maintaining their successful core. Reports indicate that head coach Jon Cooper and general manager Julien BriseBois are not expected to go anywhere. The team is also reportedly focused on securing an extension for forward Nikita Kucherov, with word around the league suggesting they intend to finalize the deal. This continuity is seen as a key to their sustained success, although the team may be considering whether prospect Sam O’Reilly is ready to make an impact at the NHL level next season after an impressive OHL playoff performance.
Edmonton Oilers’ Offseason Crossroads
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, speaking on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio, discussed the uncertainty surrounding the Edmonton Oilers’ future. He noted that even though players like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are expressing stability, the team is in a period of evaluation. Friedman suggested that management, including general manager Jeff Jackson, is considering all avenues, such as trading key players like Darnell Nurse, to retool the roster while McDavid and Draisaitl are in their prime years.
Tampa Bay Lightning’s Commitment to Stability
Elliotte Friedman also touched upon the Tampa Bay Lightning, indicating a strong desire from the organization to keep its current leadership in place. Head coach Jon Cooper and general manager Julien BriseBois are reportedly secure in their positions. The focus for Tampa Bay is also on retaining star forward Nikita Kucherov, with expectations that an extension will be agreed upon in July. While the Lightning are known for being cautious with contract terms, Cooper’s new deal is rumored to have more length. The team is also reportedly monitoring the development of Sam O’Reilly, a prospect acquired from Edmonton, and wondering if he could be ready to join the NHL roster next season.
English Translation:
NHL Rumors: Edmonton Oilers and Tampa Bay Lightning
The Edmonton Oilers have decisions to make
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet joined Sirius XM NHL Network Radio on Wednesday morning with Gord Stellick and Scott Laughlin and was asked about what will happen next with the Edmonton Oilers.
Gord Stellick: “We’re just starting the second round, it’s kind of a time for post-mortems, and we’re speculating in a few cases, but boy, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have both been very consistent in their messaging, choosing words carefully, not flying off the handle, emotionally, very, very solid, stable in what they’re saying.
So I don’t know as far as whether it’s players, coaches, or management. I mean, what does it mean? Does it mean you try to trade a piece like Darnell Nurse, for example? Does it mean I know Jeff Jackson, you were my agent, we’re great friends, but everybody’s on notice here.”
Elliotte Friedman: “Yeah, there’s no question about that, and they’re still making decisions. Because when I ask, nobody wants to talk to me. They’re not part of my friendship circle. I don’t know. I’m trying not to take it personally.
But no, I think it’s that there’s always a lot on the line there because McDavid and Draisaitl are in their primes, McDavid’s obviously not signed long term, but they’ve got some hard decisions to make there.”
The Tampa Bay Lightning want to keep Jon Cooper and Nikita Kucherov
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet joined Scott Laughlin and Gord Stellick on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio and was asked whether there could be changes coming for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Scott Laughlin: “All that having been said Friedge, whenever a team like Tampa, a franchise like Tampa, has all this success, of course, when you’re looking to upgrade your own organization, you might want to make some overtures towards Julien BriseBois or even a Jon Cooper. And I was thinking about this the other day, too. I mean, how many guys like, like a John Cooper were able to spend an entire the NHL level with my franchise?
And I guess I thought about Al Arbour is maybe that guy. Even the great Scotty Bowman, Joel Quenneville, Lindy Ruff, and John Tortorella? The list goes on and on. And among the winningest coaches in League history. They’ve all gone to multiple stops along the way. Jon might be in it for Tampa for the long haul, and certainly that was the word we got from the Lightning yesterday, that Cooper was going nowhere, and BriseBois is certainly going nowhere.
So it would appear to be on the surface, Friedge, that everybody wants to be like the Lightning. But in some way, shape or form, the Lightning themselves have done a great job at holding everything together, so to speak, all the while knowing that Kucherov can be extended coming up in July, right?
Elliotte Friedman: “Yeah, and I’ve heard that, sorry, I was looking at a text I just got. I’ve heard that they intend to get that Kucherov extension done. That’s kind of the word around the league, that after BriseBois has shown in the past that they want to get something done, they’ll get it done. And so I think there are a lot of people expecting that Kucherov gets extended.
I’ll tell you. I did hear too that Cooper, like Tampa Bay, is notoriously tight about term of coaching and executive contracts. Cooper, I think this one has some term to it. In the past, I think a couple of them didn’t as much, but this one I heard does so, and I’m not going to accuse Julien BrisBois of lying.
I think the one thing that is going to be really interesting is they were looking for help at center this year. And I don’t know if you’ve watched them, Luke Gazdic, and a couple of the people I know have. But Sam O’Reilly got from Edmonton in the Isaac Howard deal, he’s playing the OHL final with the Kitchener Rangers. I heard he’s been incredible, but as of yesterday, in the playoffs he had 14 goals in 14 games.
And somebody heard me say that on the pod, and they said this guy might be ready. And they’re curious to see Tampa’s history, they’ve never really been in a position where they’ve had to rush guys, but people are wondering if this kid’s ready to play next year.”
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