We know, based on his history, that Dave Tippett is going to shuffle lines and pairings. He’s going to find chemistry, ride that nag till it drops, then shuffle again. We’ll all bitch and moan and recall MacT running broken-hand Mike York as the point man on a five-on-three, and various other impossible sins done to the roster by veteran coaches. It is the way of an Oilers fan.
THE ATHLETIC!
The Athletic Edmonton features a fabulous cluster of stories (some linked below, some on the site). Great perspective from a ridiculous group of writers and analysts. Proud to be part of the group, here’s an incredible Offer!
- New Jonathan Willis: Oilers ease pressure on crowded defensive pipeline by trading John Marino to the Penguins
- New Daniel Nugent-Bowman: What the 2021-22 Oilers might look like after their steady build toward contender status
- New Lowetide: Joel Persson is ideally situated to win an opening night roster spot with the Oilers
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: What the 2019-20 Oilers might look like without trade missteps.
- Lowetide: Finding the best candidates for the final two spots on the Oilers skill lines in 2019-20.
- Jonathan Willis: Projecting the Oilers’ opening night lineup, line combinations and more.
- Lowetide: Does the James Neal acquisition impact Oilers’ prospects in 2019-20?
- Lowetide: Oilers’ acquisition of James Neal could add badly needed scoring to the top two lines.
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Ken Holland puts his stamp on the Oilers with first big move in Lucic-Neal trade
- Jonathan Willis: Ken Holland ends an ugly situation for the Oilers by trading Milan Lucic for James Neal
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Potential free-agent options for the Oilers in 2020
- Jonathan Willis: Which Oilers defencemen can make an outlet pass?
- Lowetide: Looking ahead to Oilers training camp: 35 players for 23 jobs
- Jonathan Willis: Josh Archibald won’t fix the Oilers’ biggest problems, but he’ll help with some key issues.
- Lowetide: Will the 2019-20 Bakersfield Condors be the Oilers’ best minor-league team ever?
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects summer 2019.
OILERS 2018-19 EVEN STRENGTH SCORING
Identifying the six best options slows down after three and explodes after four, so I think it’s reasonable to assume we’ll see a major shuffle this winter. I like Sam Gagner on the No. 4 line, but Tippett ran him with Martin Erat for 435 minutes, Tobias Rieder 336 minutes, Lauri Korpikoski 257 minutes and Martin Hanzal for 210 minutes. There’s skill in there.
I think we’ll see Draisaitl-McDavid-Kassian and Neal-Nuge-Chiasson. I would like to see Neal-McDavid-Kassian, Granlund-Nuge-Archibald, Benson-Draisaitl-Chiasson and Nygard-Khaira-Gagner. I think you could get goals from all four of those lines.
DERICK BRASSARD
I don’t think the Oilers are going to sign another free agent. However, Derick Brassard remains available, and if his price is right, maybe he’ll be an Oiler. He scored .61 goals per 60 at five-on-five a year ago and won 50.7 percent of his faceoffs.
– Jesse, 4rth overall pick, with some sick skills, 3 years in: he wants to play with a skilled C, and get some PP time to use his hammer. If I’m him, he’s totally right. He’s ready
– If new regime doesn’t afford him this, and wants to teach him more lessons he will go elsewhere
– I think sum of the parts is flip side. Load up a top line is compelling. But with constant wingers, they both score evg’s in the 1.4 range, and RNH 1.2 on a line with good winger.
– Then on 3×3 and when need be and PP you load them up.
– Just get to 3×3 should be the game plan each game
– Anyway that’s what I’d do: 3 lines, give wingers a chance with skill: I know they won’t though
Yeah, I’ve had one as well.
Surprisingly long and hard recovery for
something that sounds non-invasive.
Depends on what was repaired, but my hip scope was pretty much the same recovery as my ACL tear.
They wouldn’t have gone in if there wasn’t something material to fix…
Traditionally, yes. But I’d like to know why coaches don’t roll 3 good lines and reserve the 4th for PK duty +3-5 minutes of 5v5 per game. If you’re dividing 50 minutes of 5v5 thus: 17 / 15 / 15 / 3. The 4th liners get lots of PK time and the best 4 out of the top-9 get as much PP time as possible.
Unicorns can be done, it just needs a shift in thinking from the coaching staff.
Welcome to DSF world.
I don’t believe there’s any sort of consensus on this around these parts.
At last report, Holland couldn’t find a deal and has maybe given up for now. He gave the agent the ok to go ahead and try and find a team on his own. That usually means no team is interested enough to give a decent return and the agent is being told to go and sell JPs attributes on his own.
Benson is a skilled forward he’s 21 his time is now he will be on the opening day roster. Jesse doesn’t want to play here either Holland finds a deal which I think will happen or it’s off to Europe.
Having had arthroscopic hip surgery I disagree with your post.
Last year
Mcdavid 24 evg – Draisaitl 24 evg 888 EVTOI
That is 1.62 evg/60 each
As I have shown before.
Playing them apart with others drags down their evg/60 to 1.25 and 1.27
Without
Draisaitl 595 EVTOI 7 evg
.71 evg/60
Mcdavid 577 EVTOI 7 evg
.73 evg/60
What world do you not play them like a Top Dpair. 1200+ min a season.
I believe Jesse will be traded with a draft pick or a D prospect or maybe Holland hits the daily double (Lucic) and gets rid of the Russell contract with Jesse. This happening after the 2nd buy-out window and once the shoe drops on some of Jesse’s draft class juicy signings. I could be wrong and Jesse could sign a Friendly 2 year contract and turn into a 15-20 goal semi-power forward. I just can’t see it happening in a Oiler jersey after he went public that he doesn’t want to play for Edmonton.
Reja,
You missed my point entirely regarding Souray.
I have nothing but empathy for Puljujarvi and I concur with most folks in these parts that his career development path has been handled horribly by the Oilers. I also believe that there is no better opportunity for Jesse Puljujarvi to develop as an NHL payer than in a top six role with the Oilers to start the 2019 NHL season.
Frankly, the Oilers current depth at wing is so lacking that there is no evident reason why Jesse should not be one of their top options for a skill line.
My point in raising Souray, is that he was a disgruntled player – that is all he has in common with Puljujarvi. Rather than find a path to reconciliation with Souray or build up his value as an asset so that they could trade him for something of value, the Oilers management thought it was more important to take the vindictive path of burying him in the minors, on someone else’s farm team, while paying his substantial salary.
In the Souray Affair, Oilers Management were so malfeasant that they placed the importance of their hurt feelings over putting the best line-up on the ice or returning the best value for an asset. Just because it sounds insane doesn’t mean that it isn’t true.
You and some other’s here seem to be hurt that Jesse and his team have the gall to object to how the Oiler’s have handled his career to date. I compare Souray to Puljujarvi only to point out that being vindictive to Jesse and his agent will ultimately hurt the Oilers more than it helps.
If Holland can engineer a reconciliation with Team Jesse he should be applauded. And, if a healthy and happy Jesse Puljujarvi laces up his skates for the Edmonton Oilers this year and earns an opportunity to play in the top six he will most certainly be a better option than Benson.
With that said, I’m cheering like hell for Benson. I hope that Benson has a long and productive career with our Oilers. I also hope that the Oilers do not rush him and end up yo-yo-ing him between the NHL, the press box and Bakersfield like they’ve done to Yamamoto. Let Benson tear the cover off the ball in Bakersfield before you bring him up, it’s his best development route to the NHL.
In Holland we trust.
My understanding as well. I believe that is why our host tends to list Neal on the left wing.
Going to be an interesting camp and fall. I am looking forward to watching Holland’s moves up close.
I believe Archibald plays both wings but is a right shot. His speed makes him a better choice than Chiasson for bottom two lines and he is reputed to be a good penalty killer.
Don’t forget Archibald.
With Benson being a natural left wing and JP a right wing they should for all purposes not be competing for the same position. My point is that it is imperative in my opinion that the coach should play whichever player makes the team better. I am a Benson fan and believe if he makes the team he will be arguably the third best passer on the team.
Can’t disagree with that.
Chiasson’s contract price point is such that playing him on the fourth line and moving him to fill in as required on the right side re slumps or injury would not be egregious.
I know that would work but my concern is our pro scouting has been less than stellar.
Kinger_Oil.redux,
Do we know if either Kassian or JP can effectively play LW? That would really open up line combo options.
Right now, I have it in my head that Neal, Kassian, and Chiasson have the top 3 RW spots… this could leave JP on the 4th line (assuming he returns to Edmonton)
I don’t think so Benson has elite passing skills which a lot of posters don’t seem to value. He also has high hockey IQ knows how to play with his line mates and is a darn good fore-checker. I watched him with the Giants and a bit with Bakersfield if it wasn’t for losing a year and half of development he would be a established top 6 forward on our team.
As in that’s the issue they have had in the past. The Stars with Seguin and Benn on one line have struggled with secondary scoring. JFC I honestly thought that was fairly easy to figure out.
As I said, though, I would only move Nuge if a true 1st line winger with term came available with Nuge going the other way. Add and subtract as required.
It’s an arthroscopic surgery and fairly minor. Recovery shouldn’t be an issue.
We need to hope if JP comes back that he isn’t now a chronically hampered player. Pretty weird surgery for a young guy, I’m not a doctor but would imagine his hips will remain an issue for him. Poor kid.
I believe you are both correct to a degree. It is incumbent on the Oilers to assure they have a top six forward to play with Connor to replace Drai prior to moving him to second line centre. To move Nuge prematurely is in my opinion very foolish.
Thank You! I should have read through the entire thread before my post.
JP’s overall skill package is better than Benson’s. Benson has earned a shot and the big question is, is his skating NHL level. I want them both to succeed but bottom line to me, as an Oiler fan I want the coach to do what is best for the team. Short answer the player that best helps the team plays. This isn’t or shouldn’t be political.
HT Joe,
– Your lines are close to mine. I strongly suspect they will start Neal with CMD though on his RW which is his preference and most success. They trained together and if they can get Neal some goals it looks good in management
– If Pool comes back surely one of he and Neal will work out with one of the C non? 20 goals from either one would be huge.
– I get that Drai and CMD are elite together and winning the first line battle means a lot but I think you have to develop wingers and they need Cs to do so.
As crazy as Unicorns may seem, I’m still hoping the coach tries it… it’s apparently the best way to reduce McDavid’s and Draisatl’s minutes logged, while still giving RNH a meaningful role.
I would keep Kassian with McDavid. Good success.
I would keep Chiasson with Draisatl. Past success.
I would play the new RW with RNH –> Neal (goal scorer to RNH’s playmaker).
Based on friendship and offseason training, play Khaira with RNH (chemistry?)
Try Granlund to fill in the Reider role on 2nd line.
Try Benson with McDavid… looked really good last year in the AHL.
Benson – McDavid – Kassian –> 1 line
Granlund – Draisatl – Chiasson –> 2a line
Khaira – RNH – Neal –> 2b line
Maybe??
Khaira is a bonafide NHL player. Various coaches have used him as a Swiss army knife. His only true stint as a centre was for one year in the AHL. Not even JP has been jerked around more than Khaira. The difference in the two is expectation due to draft pedigree. JJ is one of the best value players on the team!
Pavelski scored 38 goals last season.
Radulov scored 29.
Klingberg is good for 60 points.
That is secondary scoring.
Reja,
– Expecting anything more than 40 games and minimal point production this year is not reasonable for Benson:
https://bluebulletreport.com/
– The only path for Benson to be an impactful player this year is on a 3C roster and he gets zoomed with CMD like Crosby does with young wingers.
Benson-CMD-Neal
Holland Pickup-Drai-Chiasson
Jar-RNH-Pool
* and if Neal is done Kassian plays with CMD
Has had in the past *
I wonder how much of Jesse’s resolute disgruntlement with the Oilers was with Lucic more than anybody. It’s hard to imagine things could have been so bad with Connor and Draisaitl to make Jesse so obstinate.
I hope that’s it, because if so, trading Lucic will gain us back Jesse in addition to Neal (and his better buyout).
Wow your bringing up Souray is totally from left field no compassion. Jesse is not holding out for money he doesn’t want to play for the Oilers. Why would you gift a 4 goal scorer top line are you trying to piss off Leon and Mcdavid on purpose not going to happen. Your selling Benson on the short I believe he will end up with more Career points and be a valuable leader on my beloved Oilers.
I know we heard that Connor had phoned Jesse when this all blew up a few weeks ago. I wonder if anybody else on the team did the same thing.
Indeed, and yet the Flames have managed to pull off a double unicorn. I was looking through their roster and wondering how they manage to pay for all that talent. Some of it is kids bubbling up to establish themselves – the ELC value contracts. But the rest of it is just amazing high value contracts almost across the board. Except Lucic (ha!). How did they manage to get so many players to play for less than they are worth? Was it good timing, good negotation, or maybe both? Something else?
Looking at the Evolving contract projections, all the big name Flames players are underpaid.
Consequently, they can run 4 scoring lines. No wonder they were so dominant last year. I don’t buy the narrative that they are a mediocre team because they last to COL in the first round. COL is good too, and they got some breaks vs the Flames in a short series.
My final thought is where does Lucic fit on that roster? He’s not even better than the guys that will be in the PB. What are they going to do with him?
I can see why Neal looked bad on that roster. Relatively speaking, he kind of was. The good news for him is that he will look good on our roster. Relatively speaking.
Part of Hall’s reaction was the optimism of drafting McDavid and thinking they would play together on a winning team imo.
Not sure Nuge will feel the same way when he gets to UFA given that this season is not exactly a slam dunk for playoffs. I know I am guessing but most athletes want to win more than anything else. Not sure this team can convince Nuge after all these years that the future will be different than the past even though we, as fans, hope it will be.
And I say this as a fan of Nuge.
Brother Reja,
Tippet refusing to play Puljujarvi in the top six because he and his agent “hurt the feelings” of the Oilers organization would be… so Oilers.
Incidentally, I am pleased to report that is not how Holland dealt with Andreas Athanasiou when he returned from his hold out with the Red Wing.
I am hopeful that the Oilers have moved past the “Sheldon Souray Approach to Dispute Resolution” which in it’s simplest form translates to – it is significantly more important to the Oilers Management to screw a disgruntled player over than it is to ice the best possible line-up to win NHL Hockey games.
How the Oilers resolve the “Jesse Situation” will be very revealing about the new Management Team and if in fact, management is changing for the better. The fact that Puljujarvi has not been traded for pennies on the dollar and the fact that Holland is being patient and leaving the door open for a Puljujarvi return to the Oilers is a very promising sign of positive change.
I am huge Benson fan, and I hope he eventually materializes as a useful NHL top nine option for the Oilers. But Reja my friend, you have been drinking a bit too much of the Old School Oilers Kool-aid if you believe that Benson is a better NHL player today than Puljujavi:)
Top 6 players don’t play in the bottom 6 because of the TOI as Woodguy pointed out. No unicorns I’m afraid.
The only issue getting wingers the Oilers have is a lack of cap, and that Holland doesn’t want to burn his assets at this point or so he says. They aren’t as hard to sign or acquired as the other positions and are available frequently such as Kessel every 3-4 years it seems.
Even without those conditions I’m confident that a healthy JP is a top-9 NHL winger.
Players are more loyal to their drafting team than after they’ve been traded. Look at how Hall reacted to his trade, he was crushed even with all the knives out for him before hand from the org etc.
I think Nuge stays If they want him and have cap, no worries.
LT: I recognize that list of your.
It is even scoring not pointing.
But saying their is a drop off after Mcdavid & Nug is not unusual.
You can say that about every fwd in the league but Tavares, Ovechkin, guetzel, Skinner.
Evg total rank
1-31 1st line
32-62 2nd line
63-93 3rd line
94-124 4th line
18-19
Mcdavid #2 C 31 evg, Tavares #1 37
Draisaitl #1 RW 31 evg
RNH #31 C 19 evg, same as Bergeron, Couture, Kopitar, Giroux, Backlund
Kassian #38 RW 14 evg, same as j. Williams, Hayes, Buchnevich, R. Smith, Frolik
Chaisson #44 RW 13 evg same as Bailey, Keller, Donskoi, Panik, Hinistroza, virtanen, Joseph
Archibald #52 RW 12 evg same as Eberle, Simmonds, Hornquist, D. brown, Sprong, Hartman, Wagner
Granlund #62 RW 10 evg same as Toffoli, Armia, Kate, Ennis
Gagner #83 RW 5 evg same as Backes, Clutterbuck, Grimaldi, Grunstrom
Neal #94 LW 5 evg same as Boedker, Kunitz, Hagelin, Raffl, Erne, Seney
Seven 2nd line fwds by evg
2 1st line C by evg.
Goal scorers generate points.
Passers recieve assists ( points).
The choice of who/ were they pass to ( strong open HD SH players) is critical to what efficiency ( per pocession) they receive assists.
How many great passes fail cause the passer chooses to pass to a poor open shot forward in a less than ideal HD area position.
But is not about options for the passer cause most on here do not think accurate direct targeting open HD Shot fwds are a priority. ( top 2 lines evg production)
Based on roster selection most on here think is better to get high eva (recieving) passers with slightly better than average open HD shooting.
EVA:
Mcdavid #1 C 50 eva
Draisaitl #4 42 eva behind Kucherov, Marner, Kane
RNH #53 C 21 Eva same as E. Stall, Little, Gourde
Khaira #50 LW 14 eva same as pacioretty, Zucker, Byron, Iafallo, Taney, Crouse, Hagelin
Kassian #59 RW 11 Eva same as Okposo, Goldobin, Joseph, Reeves
Chaisson, Granlund #74 RW 8 Eva same as Backes, Grimaldi, Sikorsky, Hathaway
Neal #91 LW 8 eva same as Balcers, M. Martin
Gagner #79 RW 7 Eva same as Stafford, Fisher, Wagner
It is quite simple to opine about a teams off quality.
It is much more simple to check evg generation, PPG generation, PKG reduction.
Which I have posted many times on here.
Inaccurate opinion is delusion!
I don’t think we would ever see all three as centres. I just think that it is time for Draisaitl to play centre since I don’t see Nuge as a long term Oiler and it is time to “start as you mean to go” to quote our host.
Add Puljujarvi to the lineup and with him and Neal in the mix, there is the potential to run the three centres.
With some consistent minutes and linemates, I’m confident Jesse is a top 9 NHL winger.
If you run Drai at C, you are then running RNH on the wing. Shuffling deck chairs. You can blow me over with a feather if any coach would run McDavid, Drai and RNH as three centres, given our situation at wing. It simply won’t happen.
So funny I had buddies from the Hat and Wainwright always crying about the brits stealing their women. It was the accent that got em eh. We used to laugh and bug the hell out of them.
Andy Dufresne,
Hana is on Maui, not the Big Island.
Jesse’s camp went Public even with the organizational changes he still doesn’t want to play for the city of Edmonton. If he and his mouthpiece change there stance and sign a friendly contract for Holland I can’t see old school Tippett gifting him first line minutes. Benson has been working his ass off and if he’s ready for top 6 which I believe he is By George Tippett will slot him in.