Rick Tocchet hates this player and the Edmonton Oilers should snag him

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Patrick Frost
November 15, 2024 (4:25 PM)

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Vancouver Canucks forward Nils Hoglander is currently in head coach Rick Tochett's bad books, and the Edmonton Oilers have a prime opportunity to secure some depth scoring.

Nils Hoglander is one of those Vancouver Canucks players recognized for his stable offensive production and his ability to finish.

But this year presents a different story for Hoglander altogether. In 14 games this season, Hoglander has 2 goals and 5 points.

According to sources, he's currently in the Canucks dog-house. Hoglander has experienced decreased minutes - even finding himself benched the past few games.

Head coach Rick Tocchet is definitely a polarizing figure in Vancouver - some fans love him, and so can't stand him.

The reason why some fans aren't partial to him is his old school coaching mentality. Once you're in his bad book, it's almost impossible to change his mind.

According to Liam McCormick of Oilers Daily, still only 23 years old, there's reason to believe Hoglander will be able to find his game again. Just last season, he scored 24 goals in 80 games. Hoglander was selected in the second round of the 2019 draft by the Canucks, so he's still young with draft pedigree.

Cam Lewis of Oilers Nation wrote that Edmonton should consider buying low on Hoglander, but it simply doesn't make much sense. The Oilers have bigger problems than secondary scoring, like defence and goaltending, to be able to spend on Hoglander.

Like Cam Lewis reports the Oilers currently have bigger fish to fry than locking down depth scoring. I think it's also worth mentioning that Jeff Skinner has been under the microscope due to his disappointing start, even being listed as a potential trade asset as per Bob Stauffer

According to Puckpedia, Nils Hoglander is signed to a 3 year, $9,000,000 contract extension with a cap hit of $3,000,000 per season. His contract was signed on October 6, 2024 for the 2025-26 season and expires at the end of the 2027-28 season, when Hoglander will be 27 years

If the Oilers find themselves in a position where they'd like to part ways from Jeff Skinner, Hoglander could be a suitable replacement via trade.