The Maple Leafs, Oilers and Jets all found themselves in the spotlight in Monday’s NHL trade chatter, with each situation carrying its own kind of pressure.
In Toronto, John Chayka is pushing back on the idea that Sergei Bobrovsky’s uneven start is anything close to a red flag. Bobrovsky is expected to start in Calgary tonight, and his first eight games with the Maple Leafs have produced a 3.10 GAA and a .895 save percentage.
Chayka’s view is simple: Bobrovsky has always taken a little time to settle in, and Toronto brought him in to be “a rock” when the pressure ramps up in the playoffs. The Leafs are also leaving themselves room to adjust how they divide starts with Anthony Stolarz, while Artur Akhtyamov is available with the Marlies if needed.
That said, the confidence isn’t universal. Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne both believe Stolarz has been the better goalie so far, which could leave Toronto with a tricky call when the postseason picture comes into focus. For now, though, the Leafs are in a decent spot if the team keeps stacking wins while Bobrovsky builds his game and Stolarz stays sharp.
Edmonton’s situation is different, but no less fascinating. The Oilers sit at 8-2-1, their best opening stretch in years, yet the deeper numbers are raising eyebrows.
When Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are off the ice, Edmonton has managed just seven goals while allowing 18. Add in a 105.1 PDO, and the warning light starts flashing pretty fast.
Injuries to Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Derek Ryan and Mattias Ekholm have only made life harder, and Toronto’s game laid bare how thin the bottom six can look.
That’s why the conversation has shifted toward separating McDavid and Draisaitl. The argument is that keeping the two top centers on the same line leaves the rest of the lineup exposed, while splitting them would spread out the elite talent and give the depth players more support.
It would dial back some of the sheer force of Edmonton’s top unit, but the tradeoff could make the whole group tougher to handle. The writer’s view is that the Oilers shouldn’t drag their feet on making the move.
Then there’s Winnipeg, where Elliotte Friedman believes the Jets moved Connor Hellebuyck before things could get messier in public. Hellebuyck’s suspension ended Friday, and he was headed to Winnipeg for a physical, a trip that likely would have put him in front of the media. Friedman’s read is that if Hellebuyck had spoken, the situation would have escalated quickly and the Jets would have responded, something nobody involved - especially the players - wanted.
Hellebuyck is now with the Devils, and he’s already made it clear he has plenty to say, even if he’s holding it in for now. New Jersey may try to keep him from stirring things up, but that doesn’t mean he’ll listen. His debut could come Tuesday in Dallas or Wednesday in Colorado, and the date everyone will circle is November 10, when he returns to Winnipeg.
In Other News...
Oilers Suddenly Face A Goaltending Question They Cant Ignore
The Oilers are having to manage the kind of goaltending shuffle that can quietly change a stretch of the schedule. Devon Levi has gone on injured reserve, forcing Edmonton to bring back Matt Tomkins on emergency depth as it tries to keep the crease stable while other clubs around the league work through their own injury issues, from Taylor Halls expected return in Carolina to Rasmus Ristolainens absence in Philadelphia.
What makes the move more awkward is that Levis injury has not been disclosed, and the short-term outlook only adds to the uncertainty. Edmonton now has to navigate at least the next week without a clear timeline for one of its goalies, a reminder that depth charts can get tested fast in the NHL, especially when the margins between a normal week and a problem are so thin. [Read more 🡒]
Oilers Just Sent Trent Frederic A Message He Cant Ignore
Trent Frederic found himself on the outside looking in against the Carolina Hurricanes after Mike Babcock chose to send a message to Edmontons bottom six. The Oilers coach made it clear the standard for those depth forwards goes beyond simply being around the puck, with a heavier emphasis on work rate, winning battles and creating more pressure in the offensive zone.
Babcock also acknowledged Frederics willingness to mix it up, but said the physical side alone is not enough to secure a regular spot. Frederic appeared to take the decision in stride, saying he understood the move and was focused on improving his game and earning his way back into the lineup. [Read more 🡒]
Oilers Secondary Scoring Problem Could Push Them Toward A Familiar Fix
A familiar issue surfaced again in Edmontons loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs: too much of the offense still runs through Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. When the top of the lineup is driving the attack but the rest of the group is quiet, the Oilers are left searching for a way to create more pressure without having to reshuffle the roster.
One possible answer sitting outside the organization is Vladimir Tarasenko, a proven scorer who remains available and could add a different layer to Edmontons forward group. He would give the Oilers another offensive threat without forcing them into a trade market that would cost draft picks or prospects, which is exactly the kind of low-drama fix teams start weighing when the scoring depth is not holding up. [Read more 🡒]