Skyler Brind’Amour got his 2018-19 regular season underway last night, picking up an assist for the Chilliwack Chiefs in BCHL play. Brind’Amour is 19, and was just average a year ago in the BCHL (52, 10-14-24) so will need to score at a rapid clip to establish himself as a bona fide NHL prospect. As a comparable, Jujhar Khaira scored 54, 29-50-79 in the same league in his draft year (age 17).
Brind’Amour is headed for Quinnipiac (NCAA) in 2019-20 and is the latest example of the Oilers drafting a tier two player who will eventually head to college for two to four years. Are the Oilers successful in this area?
THE ATHLETIC!
The Athletic made some big additions this week, including Daniel Nugent-Bowman joining the Edmonton staff. Daniel, Jonathan Willis, Minnia Feng, Pat McLean and me will deliver prose all winter long and there will be tons via the national desk from Tyler Dellow, Corey Pronman and Dom Luszczysyn. Special offer is here, less than $4 a month! Also, don’t forget to join us later this month (September 24, The Rec Room south side) for a get together and general merriment. I’m thrilled to be part of this group, hope you join us.
- New Lowetide: For Oilers young forwards, it’s what you create versus what you leave.
- Lowetide: Ryan Mantha’s injury and uncertain recovery.
- Lowetide: Oilers rookie camp roster offers options and balance.
- Corey Pronman: The most intriguing prospect to watch at camp for every NHL team.
- Jonathan Willis: Three different KHL stars, three different paths to NHL success.
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Bringing something different to the Oilers beat.
- Dom Luszczyszyn: 2018-19 season preview Edmonton Oilers.
- Lowetide: Who will win the McDavid-line lottery?
- Lowetide: The 2018-19 Oilers and what may come.
- The Athletic Cross Canada Tour Will hit Edmonton!
- Lowetide: The 2015 draft and what was lost
- Lowetide: Projecting the 2018-19 Oilers opening night roster
- Lowetide: Where will Tobias Rieder land on the Oilers depth chart?
- Lowetide: No. 1 prospect—Evan Bouchard.
- Lowetide: No. 2 prospect—Kailer Yamamoto.
- Lowetide: No. 3 prospect—Ethan Bear
- Lowetide: No. 4 prospect—Ryan McLeod
- Lowetide: No. 5 prospect—Cooper Marody.
- Lowetide: No. 6 prospect—Kirill Maksimov.
- Lowetide: No. 7 prospect—Tyler Benson.
- Jonathan Willis: No. 8 prospect—Caleb Jones.
- Lowetide: No. 9 prospect—Filip Berglund.
- Jonathan Willis: No. 10 prospect—Dmitri Samorukov.
MCDAVID MUSIC!
What did Connor McDavid learn about himself last year? “How much I hate losing,” he said. “I knew that before, but I know it on a whole new level now.”
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 7, 2018
McDavid: “We came in and just expected stuff to happen. We got a little too excited and eager. We didn’t want to work for it. We forgot that you have to work for those things. We get to go back to two years ago, when no one really [picked] us, and we can do our thing.”
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 7, 2018
Without significant roster changes, McDavid said he looks at the #nhljets for reason to give #Oilers hope. “Two years ago, they were probably worse than we were last year. Then you saw everyone get just a little bit better, and that raises your team game.”
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 7, 2018
There isn’t much news this morning on the Oilers front, but these quotes from the captain are music! Of course there are real reasons for Edmonton’s struggles a year ago, but fans need clarity and a goal. McDavid provides it here. It doesn’t solve the special teams issues, nor the injury worries, not even the lack of proven scoring on the wings. It’s one man showing there’s a light up above, and for a fan base wondering if the Hockey Gods could possibly be cruel enough to tack a lustrum onto the decade of darkness, it is manna from heaven.
The Oilers spent a lot of draft wealth on players from tier two leagues since 2000, and have struck gold more than once. Here’s an overview.
DRAFT AND COLLEGE 2000-04
- 2000—D Jason Platt in the 8th round. Drafted out of Omaha (USHL) after 18-year old season. Attended college at Providence and signed with the Oilers after full four years in NCAA. Turned pro at 23, peaked with 109 AHL games.
- 2001—C Eddie Caron in the 2nd round. Drafted out of Phillips-Exeter Academy (USHS) after 18-year old season. Attended college at New Hampshire, transferred but it got derailed or he left Dodge and he turned pro with Greenville Grrrowl at age 22. Peaked with 54 ECHL games.
- 2001—C Jake Brenk in the 5th round. Drafted out of Breck School (USHS) after 18-year old season. Attended Minnesota State-Mankato all four years, turned pro at 23 by signing in Holland.
- 2002—D Matt Greene in the 2nd round. Drafted out of Green Bay (USHL) after 18-year old season. Attended UND for three seasons, turned pro at 22 by signing with the Oilers. Greene would play in the SCF’s that season and enjoyed a long NHL career (615 games).
- 2002—G Glenn Fisher in the 5th round. Drafted out of Ft. Saskatchewan (AJHL) after 18-year old season. Attended U Denver for four years, and turned pro with the Oilers age 24. Peaked with four AHL games.
- 2002—L Patrick Murphy in the 7th round. Drafted out of Newmarket (OPJHL) after 18-year old season. Attended Northern Michigan for four years, and turned pro at age 23 by signing with Laredo (CHL). Played five games at that level.
- 2003—R Colin McDonald in the 2nd round. Drafted out of New England (EJHL) after 17-year old season. Attended Providence College for four years, turned pro at 22 by signing with the Oilers. He played 148 NHL games and is still playing NA pro.
- 2003—R David Rohlfs in the 5th round. Drafted out of Compuware (NAHL) after 18-year old season. Attended Michigan for four years, turned pro at 23 by signing with the Oilers. Peaked with seven AHL games.
- 2004—C Geoff Paukovich in the 2nd round. Drafted out of USNDTP after 17-year old season. Attended U Denver for three years, and turned pro at 21 by signing with the Oilers. Peaked with 109 AHL games. Oilers traded Jason Chimera for the draft pick that was used for Paukovich.
DRAFT AND COLLEGE 2005 TO 2009
- 2005—C Andrew Cogliano in the 1st round. Drafted out of Toronto St. Mike’s (OPJHL) after 17-year old season, he played at Michigan for two years and turned pro at age 20 with the Oilers. Currently at 866 games and counting, he is the class of the group.
- 2005—D Taylor Chorney in the 2nd round. Drafted out of Shattuck-St. Mary’s (USHS) after 17-year old season, he played for UND for three years and turned pro at age 21 with the Oilers. He is at NHL 166 games.
- 2005—C Robby Dee in the 3rd round. Drafted out of Breck (USHS) after 17-year old season, he went to Omaha (USHL) for two years and then college (Maine) for four years before turning pro at age 24 in the ECHL. Peaked with three AHL games.
- 2005—C Chris VandeVelde in the 4th round. Drafted out of Moorhead (USHS) after 17-year old season, he went to Lincoln (USHL) for one year and then college (UND) for four years before turning pro at age 23 by signing with the Oilers. He has played 278 NHL games so far in his career.
- 2005—L Matt Glasser in the 7th round. Drafted out of Fort McMurray (AJHL) after 17-year old season, he stayed another year in the USHL and then hit college (U Denver) for four years before turning pro at age 23 in the CHL. Peaked with 116 CHL games.
- 2006—D Jeff Petry in the 2nd round. Drafted out of Des Moines (USHL) after 17-year old season, he stayed another year in the USHL and then hit college (Michigan State) for three more years before turning pro at age 22 by signing with the Oilers. Currently at 527 games, one of the best in this group.
- 2007—C Riley Nash in the 1st round. Drafted out of Salmon Arm (BCJHL) after 17-year old season, he attended Cornell (NCAA) for three years before turning pro at age 21 by signing with the Carolina Hurricanes. Currently at 399 NHL games.
- 2009—D Troy Hesketh in the 3rd round. Drafted out of Minnetonka (USHS) after 17-year old season, he did not progress.
- 2009—D Kyle Bigos in the 4th round. Drafted out of Vernon (BCJHL) after 20-year old season, he attended Merrimack College (NCAA) for four years before turning pro at age 24 by signing with the San Jose Sharks. Peaked with eight AHL games.
DRAFT AND COLLEGE 2010 TO 2014
- 2010—F Kellen Jones in the 7th round. Drafted out of Vernon (BCJHL) after 20-year old season, he attended Quinnipiac (NCAA) for four years before turning pro by signing with the Oklahoma City Barons for his 24-year old season. Peaked with 175 AHL games.
- 2012—C Jujhar Khaira in the 3rd round. Drafted out of Prince George (BCJHL) after 17-year old season, he attended Michigan Tech for one year and Everett (WHL) for one year and he turned pro with the Oilers at age 20. Has played in 94 NHL games.
- 2013—F Aidan Muir in the 4th round. Drafted out of Victory Honda Midget (MWEHL) after 17-year old season, he played with Indiana (USHL) for a year before heading to Western Michigan. Muir played four college seasons, Oilers did not sign him to a pro deal.
- 2013—L Evan Campbell in the 5th round. Drafted out of Langley (BCJHL) after 20-year old season, he played with UMass-Lowell (NCAA) 2013-17. Played in one AHL game.
- 2014—D William Lagesson in the 4th round. Drafted out of Frolunda (Swedish Juniors) after his 17-year old year, he played the following season in the USHL before heading to the NCAA UMass-Amherst for two years. Edmonton signed Lagesson last spring and then loaned him for the 2017-18 season to Djugardens (SHL), where he flourished. He’s in rookie camp and his arrows are heading in a good direction.
- 2014—L Liam Coughlin in the 5th round. Drafted out of Vernon (BCJHL) after 19-year old season, he stayed there for an extra year before playing college hockey for Vermont. Now property of the Chicago Blackhawks, he will apparently play his senior year with Vermont.
- 2014—F Tyler Vesel in the 6th round. Drafted out of Omaha (USHL) after 20-year old season, he just finished four seasons with U Nebraska-Omaha. Signed to an NHL-deal, he has two-way acumen.
DRAFT AND COLLEGE 2015 TO 2018
- 2015—Caleb Jones in the 4th round. Drafted out of the US National Development Program (USHL), he changed gears and played for Portland (WHL) for his two post-draft seasons. Quality prospect, he is at 61 AHL games.
- 2015—John Marino in the 6th round. Drafted out of the South Shore Kings (USHL Pr), he moved up to the USHL in draft +1 (won Clark Cup) and then Harvard where he has been solid in two NCAA seasons.
- 2016—Matt Cairns in the 3rd round. Drafted out of Georgetown (OJHL), he couldn’t get into the lineup in the USHL (not a good sign) so played in the BCHL to complete his year. Played sparingly in freshman season with Cornell 2017-18.
- 2016—Graham McPhee in the 5th round. Drafted out of the US National Development Team, he attended Boston College and played a support role. Like Dillon Simpson, McPhee arrived in college very young (he was drafted while 17) and that means he has more room to grow. Stepped up in a big way 2017-18 (36, 12-12-24).
- 2016—Aapeli Rasanen in the 7th round. Drafted out of the Finnish Jr leagues, he played for Sioux City of the USHL. He has run into injury problems since draft day, solid when healthy a year ago for Boston College.
- 2017—Skyler Brind’Amour in the 6th round. Drafted out of the U.S. National Development Team, Brind’Amour went to a lesser league (BCHL). His first season there produced disappointing offense, he needs to have a recovery campaign.
- 2017—Phillip Kemp in the 6th round. Another player drafted out of the U.S. National Development Program, now four in four Chiarelli drafts. Kemp has a defensive reputation, he was effective at Yale and might be a draft steal in the making.
- 2018—Michael Kesselring in the 6th round. He’s a big man with raw skills, and we’re just beginning to find out about him. A very interesting player.
THE FACTS
Since the turn of the century, Edmonton has:
- chosen 33 ‘draft and college’ players
- 21 have been chosen after their 17-year old season
- 7 have been chosen after their 18-year old season
- 1 has been chosen after his 19-year old season
- 4 have been chosen after their 20-year old season
- The 19-year old (Coughlin) was chosen in the MacT era
- Two of the four 20-year olds (Campbell and Vesel) came in the MacT era
- All of the 20-year olds were chosen from 2009-2014 (Tambellini, MacT).
- Peter Chiarelli’s choices on this list were all chosen after 17-year old seasons.
- The best players from this group—Matt Greene (18), Andrew Cogliano (17), Jeff Petry (17), Riley Nash (17) were chosen after 17 or 18 year old seasons.
- Only two first-round picks were in the group: Andrew Cogliano and Riley Nash.
CONCLUSION
Since 2000, the Oilers have chosen a tier two junior player headed to college often in the first 75 selections. The club has enjoy considerable success when doing so:
- Eddie Caron No. 52 in 2001 (0 NHL games)
- Matt Greene No. 44 in 2002 (615 NHL games)
- Colin McDonald No. 51 in 2003 (148 NHL games)
- Geoff Paukovich No. 57 in 2004 (0 NHL games)
- Andrew Cogliano No. 25 in 2005 (866 NHL games)
- Taylor Chorney No. 36 in 2005 (166 NHL games)
- Jeff Petry No. 45 in 2006 (527 NHL games)
- Riley Nash No. 21 in 2007 (399 NHL games)
- Troy Hesketh No. 71 in 2009 (0 NHL games)
- Jujhar Khaira No. 63 in 2012 (94 NHL games)
It’s an impressive success rate, seven out of 10 draft picks of this type played over 100 games (Khaira will get there early this season so I’m counting him). Although the Oilers haven’t drafted a tier two player in the top 75 for six years, the club has been drafting talented players all down the line.
I think the key ‘follow’ point is getting these kids drafted at an early age. If you’re looking at 20-year old (Campbell, Vesel) as someone who can blossom, then it’s probably a good idea to go back and examine what the trajectory for kids age 17 looks like compared to those age 20. Chiarelli’s scouting department appears to be shopping in the right areas. There are no extremely early “reach” selections so far in his regime, also a positive. Caleb Jones is probably the strongest bet from the Chiarelli era at this time, although Graham McPhee and Phil Kemp have put themselves in the conversation.
Hoping to see glowing reviews for our top prospects from the rookie games this weekend
The problem with Jets comparison is they are the best drafting team we have seen in a long time. Us, not so much.
Wow, I figure Connor will go supernova this year, he is at the age where superstars turn that dial to 11. Hopefully he has linemates that can cash the cheques that he’ll be signing.
What were the scouts and GM smoking in 2005? Yikes!
LT,
Vincent Desharnais?
Oilers drafted him out of Providence (NCAA). This is a list of tier two players who would have entered college after the draft.
– CMD’s comments are consistent with my take on the team last year. Players play.
– Hopefully the players play this year.
– no sek 2 years in a row is a problem a big hole on d
Lowetide,
If I continue to work at it, it is possible that my reading comprehension improves before I am 70…..reason #73 why for me this blog does more than just inform me about the hockey. Thank you LT, I stand corrected (thanks to you and my orthotics)….
LT, these pieces are always enlightening-thanks for putting in so much time to assemble them!
Drafting under Chiarelli has been above average though, so things are looking up. I live in a non-Oilers market and hockey fans here know names like Safin and Bear, who were mid-round picks.
difference between those jets and these oilers is one drafts and keeps skill, the other one is more interested in face punching
Sadly, for Connor and us; the Jets two years ago were a good team, with a long term plan, just in need of goal tending. The Oilers are an unbalanced team that has pissed away its talent for mediocrity, then locked up the mediocrity, hamstringing their ability to readjust.
My hope for the Oilers this summer was that they would stay the course (not piss away any more talent) and find a way to get out of one of the two big anchor contracts. My guess it will be also my hope for next summer. But at least no more talent left this summer.
Hi LT and Friends,
Update on Job Search: Great news! After 4 months and 4 days since arriving back in Toronto I secured a dream job at a non profit helping others find their dream job.
During this journey met two Lowetiders in person in Toronto and a few others through emails who encouraged me, gave me some helpful feedforward on my resume and even hooked me up with a few of their golden contacts that are now becoming friends.
This blog really did make a difference to my online AND offline life! Hope to meet more of you in person at the upcoming Athletic Gathering in Toronto soon.
PS. Yesterday I was volunteering for the Toronto International Film Festival. Met a journalism student who was also volunteering and paired up with me. I ended up telling him how I scored my dream job and about the connections through this gathering and lo and behold, he was also a big fan of LT and his forum.
Instant connection right away. Small world.
Thanks again for all those who reached out and if you are ever in Toronto reach out and say hi. I am working in Greektown and will take you out to some incredible greek feast.
Yamas!!
I get your point but just wanted to say I happen to like good old face punching once in a while. Lol and use this as an excuse to tell a little story.
Ken Hitchcock back in Sherwood Park.
The game is going to sh*t. Hitch is down by two goals. Chippy, chippy game with fights and pushing matches at every whistle. Game misconducts, major penalties the whole game. Hitch is fuming.
The dressing room is quiet between the second and third period just waiting. And in walks Hitch cussing and kicking over garbage cans as expected. “What the muck is wrong with you guys?” “Fighting, fighting, fighting” “Why?” “Just tell why you gotta do this sh*t!!!”
The room falls silent as Hitch paces.
Finally a kid in the corner puts up his hand…sheepishly. “What is it?”
Kid says “well coach, it’s because we can”
“I’m not allowed to fight at home, I’m not allowed to fight at school, and I’m not allowed to fight at soccer” “but here I’m allowed to fight, so I do”
Hitch walks to the door kicks it open and walks out.
Funny little story but also the reason I still like a good punch up in hockey. Because they can.
deardylan,
congratulations. happy for you
The Khaira pick is a success – He was an early third rounder so there was a bit of trepidation regarding the pick and the draft league but he established himself as an every day NHLer last year, at least in my mind. What we don’t know if if he’s a (a) fourth line winger, (b) a fourth line center or (c) a middle six player.
Khaira is a prime candidate to provide a value contract this year at $675K, even if his shooting percentage does come down as its likely to do.
Brindamour, on the other hand, is very much a distant bell – his offence is well short of Khaira’s and there are question’s about Khaira’s offence.
Years to go but Skyler will need to take giant steps over the next few years.
No worries. I once wrote this item (which I do annually) and included Zach Nagelvoort as a draftee from tier two even though he had played at Michigan in his draft year. It happens.
Solid quotes for McDavid but they are just that, quotes. I’m quite certain we get excited by quotes of various players every year at this time. Even Lucic gave an exciteable quote yesterday.
1) Special Teams: PK may already be solved looking at the last two months of last year – adding two plus PKers (but losing one in Pak) and, presumably, receiving better goaltending. PP will be better just b/c 97, 93, 29, 77 simply cannot be worse and, also, Manny Viverios.
2) lack of proving scoring on the wing. Well, that’s only true until one of the wingers starts to score – Puljujarvi will be that guy this year – possibly Kailer.
Awesome news and a great post! I’m thrilled it worked out and impressed as always by the goodness of this group.
I agree with Phil Kemp maybe being a steal. He’s got a real good shot at the US World Junior Team this year – that would be excellent.
In my family this is code for kickback from the Greektown establishment.
Yeah that Connor McDavid draft pick sure depresses me, too.
Fine writing.
I like Padre’s take on the RW situation at the end of yesterday’s post. The position is likely to be akin to musical chairs.
In fact, I might call the McDavid line Musical Chairs Line this season if he is subject to rotating right wingers.
As in…
Music! (McDavid)
…and chairs.
Thanks Hunter.
In my family we call it a kickforward! Frappes on me.
PS. When is Hunters guessing the final points challenge starting this year? I am still down for the same point total I guessed from last year = 97 Baby!
Your creation really does bring great minds and hearts together. Thank LT!
Thanks Unca Miltie. Plan is to continue to do everything I can to pass it fwd to others looking for jobs. (learned that from Kinger!)
deardylan,
Awesome news!
We’ve forgotten that is actually pretty standard for teams to have interesting prospects drafted outside of top 60.
I like Bear and Safin and especially Maksimov but these guys have a long way before they make it
Another nice interview with Woodcroft up talking about rookie camp.
Didn’t really say too much of substance but did have some glowing things to say about Marody near the end and his maturity and preparation, not only physically, but mentally – said he’s been very impressive.
Also Jones mentioned that there have a been quite a few system changes from the past few years that he needs to learn. I’m assuming, in particular now that Woodcroft is in Bakersfield, the systems will be aligned as between the NHL and AHL team so this, to me, is some confirmation that there will be systematic changes – my guess is this involves transitioning the puck first and foremost.
+1 Agreed,
This blog is so great,
there’s even a place for the simple minded, black hearts like myself
Thank you Lowetide!
Much debate on the wisdom of placing Rattie at 1Rw, have to wait & see imo.
Should he falter, does this look like a suitable in house solution?
RnH. McD, Strome. [OriginalPouzar]
Lucic. 29, Rieder.
Aberg. Khaira, JPulj.
Cag. Brodz, Kass.
Strome is a better hockey player then Rattie at this point.
Lucic is probably better suited for third line duty. [Lowetide]. But i also agree with R.Rishaug that he should get the start at 2Lw and see what happens. WoWY’s will have a story to tell I’m guessing by January
Hard to know how long Aberg’s sideburns will be when he shows up for camp.
Also hard to see a playoff roster,
Talbot
For The Athletic: For Oilers young forwards, it’s what you create versus what you leave
https://theathletic.com/511765/2018/09/08/for-oilers-young-forwards-its-a-game-of-what-you-create-versus-what-you-leave/
If you stacked the top 2 lines and brought in a decent 3rd line C you may look decent
Nuge Mcdavid Strome
Lucic Draisatl JP
Khaira #3c Rieder
Aberg/cags Brodziak Kassian
JP needs skill to play with. Need Lucic to recover value.
Rieder is not a top 6 option. With a decent 3rd line C all lines may have shot at 50% gf or higher.
And we don’t saddle Mcdavid with boat anchor Rattie who drops his GF to near 50%
Kill em with your top 2 lines and pray your bottom 2 lines hang tough. Yamamoto is your injury replacement
leadfarmer,
Caggiula was the Oilers 3c the year they made the playoffs.
Woodcroft spoke about Marody’s off-ice preparation and I think this quote from Cooper shows that he’s dedicated to doing what he can to excel on the ice:
“I watched and clipped every one of the Oilers goals from last season, power play and even strength. I broke them down and really tried to learn the structure and learn about each player on the team. I learned about the style of game the Oilers like to play and tendencies I could pick up on”.
At this point, all we can go on is their arrows since draft and all three listed above have outperformed their draft position so far. Miles to go, as we like to say, however the arrows are pointing up on those three and many many others.
I’d have to switch Khaira and Brodziak to start unless Khaira is taking another couple big steps forward.
Right now he’s established himself as an every day bottom six winger, actually 4th line winger. He played much better at wing than center last year so I think 3C is asking a bit much at this point.
At the same time, Brodziak had a fantastic 16 game run after the deadline last year up the lineup and has proven he can play that position, at least for shortish stretches of time.
I’m curious to know if either of you gents view Khaira as a legit options at 3C?
Am i on an island?
What am i missing?
deardylan,
That’s just great stuff Dan.
Good to hear.
Not yet and especially not if Caggula is his winger. Would much rather have Khaira percolate for another year in a easier position and have a more developed center
Let’s start by having me say that I’m a huge Khaira fan. Prior to you, I’d consider myself to be his second biggest fan here after the LT poster, Lynn. I’ve even wondered if that poster is his mom.
All that being said, I’d like Khaira on the 3LW per Leadfarmer more than 3c.
First, there was an article at the Athletic… Khaira is terrible at weak sided faceoffs.
Second, my initial reaction to your post was that it would give the Oilers two fourth lines.
However, Leadfarmer is cheating a bit because his line deployment relies on acquiring a mystery 3c.
Oh ya, I should note: I’m pretty pumped to watch an Oilers game tomorrow, as meaningless as it is.
Very excited to see guys like Benson, Marody, Lagesson, Samorukov.
I think Khaira has some potential to become a 3C but he’s far from ready for that role. At this point, he’s shown to move prolific as a winger so 3C is a bit out of reasonable expectation.
Brodziak, on the other hand, could be an option, at least for smallish samples.
At the 2018 trade deadline in late February, the St. Louis Blues traded Paul Stastny to the Winnipeg Jets. Up and till the point of the trade, Brodziak’s most common linemate was Scottie Upshall with whom he played 423 of his 620 5 on 5 minutes with. Other common linemates were Chris Thorburn (195 minutes), Dmitrij Jaskin (194 minutes) and Robert Bortuzzo (176 minutes). To that point in the season, Brodziak only played 74 minutes at 5 on 5 with Alex Steen and 102 minutes with Patrick Berglund and was clearly playing with bottom 6 linemates and mainly 4th line linemates.
All that changed after Stastny was traded away and, for the last 16 games of the season, Brodziak was used up the lineup and played mainly on a line with Alex Steen and Patrick Berglund. In the last 16 games of the season, Brodziak played 155 minutes with Berglund and Steen at 5 on 5 and another 90 minutes with at least one of those two. The results were stunning and sparkling. In those 16 games, Brodziak’s TOI/G at 5 on 5 was increased to over 15 minutes, he had positive possession metrics, a 57% goal share, produced 11 points (8 primary) and scored at a massive team-leading rate of 2.74 P/60 including 1.99 primary P/60. Brodziak had a fantastic end to the 2017/18 season, was a material part of the success the Blues had down the stretch and almost helped the team make the playoffs despite being sellers at the trade deadline and trading away one of their top players. The Blues ended up one point out of a wild card spot.
Ryan,
So if Khaira is terrible at weak sided faceoffs, how is he at strong sided faceoffs? Which Center would that help the most?
Rattie is a better choice at 1r position, Strome has shown through his career in NYI ,and here that he is more useful and productive as a centre, not sure why everybody wants to put on the wing all the time.
The article was by Willis iirc. I don’t have it handy. Khaira was good at strong side faceoffs. He’d therefore do okay on a line with Strome.
Where is the game tomorrow…as in, is it online or Sportsnet ??
Ryan,
Thank You.
The original data was cited in a Dellow article.
Dellow is shrouded in all of the mystery of Keyser Soze.
I’m not sure this is true at all:
Draisaitl and Strome had a 60% goal share together in just under 200 minutes which was the best goal share that Drai had with any forward other than Maroon (and, of course, almost all of Maroon’s time with Drai was also with McDavid).
Strome’s sample size with McDavid is only 56 minutes and thus too small to form valid conclusions, however, the duo had a 56% Corsi and a 75% goal share, for McDavid both metrics his highest with any current Oiler forward.
Digging back, Stome’s best year in the NHL, in 2014/15 when he had 50 points, he did so as predominantly as a right winger on the Isles second line – his most common linemates that year were Anders Lee, a left winger, and two centers, Brock Nelson and Frans Nielsen.
Streamed on edmontonoilers.com as well as the Oilers twitter, facebook and youtube pages.