HOLTY’S BLOG: SABBATICAL UNDERWAY

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It’s been a fairly quiet week and I’m technically on vacation, but the blog does not sleep.

You may want me to enjoy vacation and that’s fine, but as I’ll remind you, it’s my blog and I’ll do what I want.

Now for the blog…

– The Oilers signed three players on the opening day of free agency, with only d-man Kevin Gravel having significant AHL experience in recent years. Gravel will be in the mix for a spot with the big club, but is a player who could potentially play in Bakersfield. I liked his game in Ontario the past few seasons and he’s a good addition to the organization.

– Will there be more signings? Currently, Edmonton is at 41 of their potential 50 contracts. As General Manager Peter Chiarelli mentioned, they’re close to signing extensions for C Ryan Strome and D Darnell Nurse. That would bring them to 43 contracts.

– Based off that, in my opinion, there will still be 2 or 3 players added on NHL contracts. Chiarelli mentioned looking at players who would be depth players in Bakersfield, but who could certainly provide some offense in Bakersfield. So, look for players who would have recent AHL experience, of which could come from this list.

– Some of the unrestricted free agents who spent significant time in Bakersfield found new homes this week. Dillon Simpson (Columbus), Laurent Brossoit (Winnipeg), and Joey LaLeggia (St. Louis) all signed elsewhere. Brossoit has been the face of the franchise since arriving in 2013, but this signing gives him an opportunity in a fresh organization.

– Any Pacific Division teams jump out to you in terms of signings? Hate to admit it, but the team up the 99 added some key pieces to the organization. I’m not sure if Austin Czarnik or Alan Quine end up finding their way to the AHL, but they are two good additions. Arizona/Tucson added Robbie Russo to their blue line. Anaheim/San Diego added Chase De Leo via trade and Calder Cup Champions Ben Street and Jared Coreau to the fold. Long story short, there were a couple moves, but nothing changed too much for any of the Pacific Division foes.

– Tucson hired a new head coach (click here) while both San Jose (click here) and Texas (click here) hired new assistant coaches. Colorado is the only team in the Pacific Division currently without an announced coaching staff. We’ll have news in the coming weeks on a new video coach in Condorstown after Derik Johnson, who joined the staff last season, took a job with the Los Angeles Kings hockey operations department.

– When will we see these teams and on what dates? A #HoltyHunch that you’ll find out sooner rather than later. So, be on the lookout. Six Packs (and other partial plans) are already on sale for the biggest games of the year. I understand full and half memberships aren’t easy to get to for everyone, so the partial plans are great to get to the big games this year.

– The #HoltySabbatical is officially underway, so next week’s blog, and the week after that, will come to you from the east coast. There may even be seafood coverage in the blog as well.

– LOCK OF THE WEEK? Good friend of the blog and Condorstown, Daniel Cormier, goes head to head with heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic on Saturday at UFC 226. Cormier is coming up in weight in the ‘champ v champ’ matchup, but let’s back him. Also, I’m still alive in the World Cup bracket after Belgium’s thrilling comeback. I think they knock off the Brazilians.

Until next time Condorstown…

Ryan Holt aka Holty is the Voice of the Condors and enters his 8th season in 2018-19. He’s a huge fan of vacations. Follow him on Twitter @CondorsHolty for more nonsense or shoot him an e-mail to RHolt@BakesrsfieldCondors.com with questions, comments, or blog ideas.