Oilers fans went home frustrated last night, but in preseason you’re looking for answers and they came fast and furious at Rogers Place Thursday. Some Oilers made it clear they were not ready for this level, while others showed capable but didn’t move the needle. A very few men earned another day in main camp.
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 Athletic, we are celebrating our 2-year anniversary this week. To mark the occasion, you can get 40% off subscriptions here.
- New Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Dreadful showing means several Oilers players are on the chopping block with cuts looming
- New Jonathan Willis: How quickly must the Oilers’ top AHL prospects claim NHL jobs before they become suspect?
- New Daniel Nugent-Bowman: McDavid and more: Five thoughts through the first week of Oilers camp
- Lowetide: Why Kailer Yamamoto’s delayed training camp may benefit his Oilers career
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Q&A: Brandon Manning on how his contract is hurting him, proving his worth at camp and being a mentor
- Jonathan Willis: Four players who helped, three who hurt their Oilers hopes in Edmonton’s second preseason game
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: How an offseason adding more pop in his stick and skates has James Neal primed for first Oilers season
- Lowetide: A big night for Oilers defencemen Joel Persson, William Lagesson and Evan Bouchard
- Lowetide: Preseason 2019-20: The Oilers’ journey to respectability begins
- Lowetide: Handicapping Oilers prospect progress: The development of Ethan Bear, Caleb Jones and William Lagesson
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Eight key questions for the Oilers to solve at training camp
- Jonathan Willis: Predicting the winners of the Oilers’ top-six and top-nine forward jobs out of camp
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: In, out or on the bubble: Breaking down positional battles at Oilers camp
- New Lowetide: Evan Bouchard and the Calder Trophy: The Oilers’ pursuit of the elusive rookie award
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Alex Chiasson prepares to return to scoring form for Edmonton Oilers
- Jonathan Willis: Kyle Brodziak defied the odds, and then the Oilers, to carve out a significant NHL career
- Lowetide: Can Mikko Koskinen and Mike Smith stop enough pucks for the Oilers?
- Lowetide: Shutdown success by Darnell Nurse and Adam Larsson is a key for the Oilers in 2019-20.
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Even if he’s unsure about his return, Oilers’ Connor McDavid looks and sounds like his old self
- Lowetide: RE 19-20: How can the Oilers’ bottom six close the gap in goal differential?
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Kailer Yamamoto and Tyler Benson address respective highs and lows as Oilers rookie camp begins
- Jonathan Willis: Riley Sheahan is a prudent signing by the Oilers in more ways than one
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers’ defensive hopes will rest on the new shutdown pair of Darnell Nurse and Adam Larsson
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: With Evan Bouchard as the headliner, here are the players to watch at Oilers rookie camp
- Lowetide: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and the configuration of the Oilers second line
- Lowetide: Connor McDavid’s 2019-20: Pushing for 50 goals while Dave Tippett loads up the Oilers’ top line
- Lowetide: Estimating reasonable expectations for the 2019-20 Edmonton Oilers: A difficult journey
- Jonathan Willis: How much money will Darnell Nurse make on his next NHL contract?
- Corey Pronman: Oilers No. 9 farm system.
- Lowetide: Oilers coach Dave Tippett might have to take drastic action in order to find a second outscoring line in 2019-20
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects summer 2019.
FIVE-ON-FIVE
LINE 1 Joakim Nygard-Ryan McLeod-James Neal. Spent 5:34 together, 3-5 shots, 0-2 goals, 1-0 HDSC. All numbers via NaturalStatTrick.
Joakim Nygard had two shots five-on-five and one HDSC, he also transported the puck well at times. He’s an unusual and interesting player, I hope they keep him around but suspect he remains on the bubble.
Ryan McLeod had two shots five-on-five, one HDSC and six wins versus nine losses in the faceoff circle. I remain doubtful he’ll be a substantial offensive center but he’s smart and fast. There are moments when he looks 29 instead of 19.
James Neal is an enjoyable player to watch. He had three HDSC’s and made some fine passes. He was the best forward Edmonton dressed last night, suspect he would have cashed with better linemates.
LINE 2 Tomas Jurco-Cooper Marody-Alex Chiasson. Spent 4:48 together, 4-0 shots, 1-0 goals, 3-0 HDSC.
Tomas Jurco has made the team or is damn close. He makes good decisions and can pass the puck well, he’s rangy and gives the team both size and speed on the wing.
Cooper Marody was the best bubble player on the ice for Edmonton, I think he is clearly in the lead among the center hopefuls. A goal, two shots, one HDSC and 3-3 on the dot. Edmonton could make a trade for a bottom-six center to pair with Riley Sheahan (who has one of the jobs), but I think Marody owns the other spot this morning.
Alex Chiasson picked up an assist and had some good moments in the game. I liked his responsible play in the neutral zone, the Tippett Oilers seem to be more open to a reset before trying a sortie. Chiasson’s contract is dear but he does bring some things.
LINE 3 Tyler Benson-Gaetan Haas-Patrick Russell. Spent 4:43 together, 0-2 shots, 0-0 goals, 0-1 HDSC.
Tyler Benson played well but hasn’t hit the scoresheet in 42 five-on-five minutes. As a comparison, Cooper Marody is 1-2-3 in about 26 minutes five-on-five. Benson had one shot (a quick look on the power play) and worked hard winning battles along the wall. He’s balancing on a bubble on the head of a needle in terms of NHL employment this fall.
Gaetan Haas is not progressing as he needs to, this training camp is getting late early for him. He did have one HDSC and won his faceoff battle 5-4, but I don’t think there’s enough there there.
Patrick Russell is absolute fire in puck pursuit. It’s like his on-off switch is jammed and he can’t stop doing. Had one shot and a mid-level scoring chance, I think he has a real shot at this roster.
LINE 4 Markus Granlund-Brad Malone-Anthony Peluso. Spent 3:40 together, 2-0 shots, 0-0 goals, 0-0 HDSC.
Markus Granlund had a couple of shots, he’s been quiet through preseason so far. His Oilers didn’t get scored on during his 4:36 of four-on-five PK time. Small sample of course, but on a night when Vancouver scored at will with the man advantage, it’s worth noting.
Brad Malone went 3-4 on the dot, turned over the puck in the neutral zone and didn’t move the needle offensively. He was just okay on the PK, but he’ll be off to Bakersfield before opening night (possibly today).
Anthony Peluso can forecheck. He’s a big man and when he’s driving into the zone there’s an audible rumble. I enjoyed his training camp this year.
PAIRING ONE Oscar Klefbom-Joel Persson played 11:31, going 5-6 shots, 1-1 goals and 1-1 HDSC.
Oscar Klefbom was quality, it’s such a treat to watch him play. He’s smart, mobile, anticipates, had an assist and could have had a couple more with a more substantial set of forwards.
Joel Persson took a backwards step last night. Not fatal, but he’s going to need to make quicker, better decisions. Good passer, and his boots are fine. The big issue is moving things along at a higher pace.
PAIRING TWO Dmitri Samorukov-Matt Benning were on the ice together for 11:00, going 5-2 shots, 0-1 goals and 1-1 HDSC.
Dmitri Samorukov punched his ticket to Bakersfield last night. He’s talented, any fool can see it, but against a Canucks team with several more NHLers than the home team he had a difficult time keeping track of all the danger. I remain impressed by his range of skills.
Matt Benning didn’t provide the veteran calm the Oilers needed from this pairing on the night. He had a nice look early, and then lapsed defensively on the PK and later five-on-five in coverage.
PAIRING THREE Keegan Lowe-Caleb Jones played 13:51 together, going 7-9 shots, 0-1 goals and 4-3 HDSC.
Keegan Lowe had a tough night, his dead duck pass never got to Jones and seconds later was in Edmonton’s net. Pairing did take seven defensive faceoffs.
Caleb Jones could have used a more veteran LH on the night he moved over to his off side, and the results were not fabulous. I don’t like the idea that his LH work will suffer because of this outing, and am going to hope that Dave Tippett feels the same way. I had him making the team before last night, see no reason for that to have changed.
GOALIE Mikko Koskinen stopped 14 of 16 (.875) at five-on-five, including all three HDSC’s. His major crime on the evening occurred on the PK, where he was watching as the puck went past him for the first-person shooter and a goal. He was not good enough on his first outing of the preseason.
GOALIE Shane Starrett stopped three of four (.750) at five-on-five, giving up a goal on a HDSC. I have been impressed with his training camp and preseason.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
At 10 this morning, we get rolling with the Friday edition of the Lowdown, TSN1260. Steve Lansky will pop in at 10:20 to discuss late roster editions like Anton Burdasov, and what that can do to a broadcast crew. Matt Iwanyk will tee up the Eskimos-TiCats game tonight and we’ll discuss Ricky Ray’s name going up on the Wall of Honour.
Given Bouchard’s ineligibility for the AHL last year, the circumstances were VERY different and, although I was against keeping Bouchard at the time, it was a defendable and non-egregious decision.
Keeping Yamamoto last October was the silly move.
Nothing like a trip to Atlantic time to have you browsing way too early waiting for the mornings post.
Didn’t watch, sounds like Bouchard could justifiably be sent down to work on D and that Manning is an adventure. I’d rather see 2 young D split 50% (and only when all healthy at that) then have Manning be press box fodder. I see no developmental harm in playing 50%, especially Persson who would presumably benefit from lots of off-game time and Bear who is now somewhat older…Bouchard, too young for that treatment imo.
And I don’t know what to do with Lagesson. I guess he’s Russell injury cover, which isn’t a bad place to be, he won’t play 80 games.
I wonder if they’re being cautious with sending Manning down because it’s likely to be an NHL career ender when they do.
Looks like you got your wish.
New for The Athletic: Three players who helped their Oilers hopes and three who didn’t do enough to separate from each other in Edmonton’s fourth preseason game
https://theathletic.com/1229209/2019/09/21/three-players-who-helped-their-oilers-hopes-and-three-who-didnt-do-enough-in-edmontons-fourth-preseason-game/
That’s what I expect as well.
I was very surprised how little I noticed of him tonight.
That’s what I thought, I didn’t think it went in. Great for Nygard!
Bear was better than Bouchard last year in camp also. They stupidly kept Bouchard. Bear gets sent down, and has that freak accident. Doesn’t get back on track till the 2nd half of the season.
Overhead view of nurse shot.
Nurse hit the post:
Giles pinched it and it came out front.
Nygard Burried it going hard to the net.
He is listed as the Goal scorer at NHL.com, TSN, Sportsnet.
Nurse, Drai assists.
Just in from wandering around outside looking at stars, wondering about bears in the fruit trees…not that kind of bear….skimming the blog tonight. Reading the comments I thought the oilers must have gotten a serious beat down and all was done. And then I found out that they won. And some good things happened, maybe, perhaps, ok, they did. Thanks to all you happy guys at the end of the game. really.
Cheers.
15 goals:
What do you mean?
Their are 3 phases.
Evg
Ppg
SHG
Last yr unless indicated.
Drai (23) 50g – 31 evg, 16 ppg, 3 shg; 1 evg every 2.65 gm
Mcdavid (22) 41g – 31 evg, 9 ppg, 1 shg; 1 evg every 2.52 gm
RNH (26) 28g – 19 evg, 8 ppg, 1 shg; 17/18 & 18/19 1 evg every 3.9 gm
Neal (31) 16/17 & 17/18 24g – 19 evg, 5 ppg; 1 evg every 3.74 gm
Chaisson (28) 22g – 13 evg, 8 ppg, 1 shg; 1 evg every 5.62 gm
Kassian (28) 15g – 14 evg, 1 shg; 1 evg every 5.65 gm
Archibald (26) 68gm 12g – 12 evg; 1 evg every 5.65 gm
Granlund (26) 12g – 10 evg, 2 ppg; 1 evg every 7.7 gm
Sheahan (28) 9g – 8 evg, 1 shg; 17/18 & 18/19 1 evg every 8.6 gm with 33.95% Off FO ZS
Gagner (30) 25gm 5 evg, 1 every 5 gm
Jurco (26)17/18 29gm 6 evg, 1every 5 gm with 39.02 Off FO ZS.
Khaira (24)
Nygard (26) edit 1 evg tonight!
Cave (24)
Haas (27)
Burdasov (28)
Lucic 4 evg, 2 ppg; 1 evg every 19.75gm, Neal should be a heck of +ve GD
Khaira 2 evg, 1 shg; 1 evg every 30 gm
Caggulia 6 evg, 1shg, 1 evg every 5 gm, Jurco is a saw off.
Rattie 4 evg; 1 evg every 12.5gm, take Granlund over him
Reider 67gm 0 evg, take Archibald over him
Brodziak 5 evg, 1 shg; 1 evg every 12gm, take Sheahan over him
IT’S BACK!!
FOR ANOTHER EXCITING, INCREDIBLE SEASON
Hunter1909’s Official 2019-20 Death March™
Entries welcome between now and the first puck drop of the 2019-20 season(October 2)
Here’s how you play: Guess how many points the Oilers get in the regular season.
That’s it!
Tie break: How many regular season goals does JP score for his new Finnish team?
Burdasov was doing a lot of floating early waiting for stretch passes.
He doe seem to have a decent skill level. Good shot, accurate passing. Not afraid to hold the puck until a play develops.
If he is coachable there might be a player there. They should probably hire a full time translator for him if he earns a contract.
Lots to like in this win.
Burdasov is a much better skater than I expected. I think he’s earned a few more looks in camp at the very least. I like Nygard’s speed, too, something the Oilers have lacked for years. Wish he could score, bit like Marchand that way.
And Patrick Russell just seems to do everything right.
my take on the D.. Bouchard goes down.
Lagesson.. still steady enough to keep in the mix..
and I liked bears game. I’m keeping him over bouchard. ..
Ultimately this is quite a wise strategy by Ken. He knows the team isn’t in the position to make the big trade to address top 6 deficiencies so you pack your deck in the bottom 6 using market inefficiencies hope they can hold their own/outscore their opponents. Bank on top like winning games
Younger Oil,
After seeing Neal last night, I’d take the over on him hitting 15 goals.
I’m saying keep burdasov! We don’t have a guy like this. I like this guy alot.
Made a really nice play along the RW boards in the last minute to gather a pass off the boards and move it to a breaking teammate who cleared the defensive zone. The kind of play we saw Lucic screw up 10 out of 10 times last year. Good first impression.
OriginalPouzar,
I think you’ve got to keep him on the squad.
He’s got skill…which means thx for coming out kid.
Kassian looked great tonight. I was not impressed with Khaira Archibold and Shehan.. ..
Say what you want about Gagner but I believe he now has 5 points in 2 games.
He’s not fast, he’s not great defensively, he doesn’t have a great shot but he is a smart offensive hockey player and adds a skill level.
Jurco has chutzpah. His doggedness combined with Neal’s finishing could work in the same dynamic as Drai, McJesus, Maroon
Pretty dominating second half of the game for the Oilers.
Bad goaltending can turn a game around – 180.
Gotta say, say Burdasov good tonight – seemed to skate fine, crazy shot and likes to shoot. Saw him on the good side of pucks and bodies.
As of now, my lineup would be:
Drai-McDavid-Kassian
Jurco-Nuge-Neal
Khaira-Cave-Burdasov
Nygard-Sheahan-Chiasson
Gagner/Granlund
Klefbom-Larsson
Nurse-Persson
Russell-Benning
Manning
That is a bizzare forward group. Outside of Nuge/Drai/McDavid, I’d be shocked if any of the other eleven got more than 15 goals in the season, but don’t see any of them getting less than 5.
He seems more comfortable this period
I think they have something with Burdasov. Skating better than expected and a couple of times I thought “who is that guy?” on plays in the offensive zone. Might be a player there once he figures out the system and it’s a good sign he’s showing something right away.
no
nice D by bear…
I am.
nyggard showing more desire this period.
Joakim Gelinas
nice goal! gotta admit damn nice return from gagne, big league. Nice confident break out passing from Bear… gotta say he’s looked better this period.
Wow what a Boss move by Drai on that entry.
That was a beauty give and go – Drai to Gagner to Drai and its 5 -2.
Oilers need that.
Pleasantly surprised by his skating.
Burdasov shooting from everywhere.
I was really hoping we’d get to see Burdasov unleash from the point on that PP, I cursed Darnell when he took the shot instead of passing it over.
nyggard kind of soft on the boards there.. like to see better puck retrieval and hounding.
Liking Burdasov?!!!
bear with and assist there… .. hmm they had burdasov out on the point.. they noticed his shot.
Gillies is not very good right now.
Bear picks up an assist on a weak goal let in by Gillies on a Kassian shot.
Gagner with the secondary assist.
Top 6 hands in the SHL are often bottom 6 hands in the NHL.
Remember, from accounts, he wasn’t a great finishes in Sweden, just a high volume of opportunities created.
I think he may be an NHL player but a bottom 6 NHL player with the potential to be a really effective bottom 6 player.
Yup, Burdasov can shoot.
Nurse is a huge part of this team. Trade will be a mistake.
Besides isn’t this what the Oil always do? Draft develop and then trade away for others benefit?
If they get a few more shots than in the 2nd they’ll score 3 this period. If Burdsaov figures out where to go to get get open for a pass he’ll score. But looked like Chiasson took his spot.
This morning on 960 Calgary they were saying Gillies looks done in the Flames org and thinks he should be traded to get a fresh start elsewhere.
bear needs a big period to stay..
I give the edge to lagesson at this point…
Bouchard not moving needle.
I’d like to see that, but no one is pushing the play. Maybe Khaira or Russell with their hustle or Nygard or Sheahan with their speed, otherwise no one else is doing much.
Indeed. His hands haven’t looked good, but that could be rust i suppose.
After Two:
3-2 Edmonton (2-0 Edmonton in the second)
17-15 shots Calgary (9-8 Edmonton in the second)
29-24 Corsi five on five Edmonton (16-6 Edmonton in the second)
—
Nygard is getting the corner on those sorties down the Gareth Bale, and Cave is showing well. The blue are all tied imo. Good and bad that period from the youngsters on defense.
I’ve been watching him closely, unfortunately he seems to have below average hands ?