It was my hope that the Edmonton Oilers would arrive at the final game of the preseason with the roster fairly set. Alas, it was not to be. I believe we know who is going to stay (give or take one or two) but the opening night lineup is some vague and even the lines are late coming into view. At least the defense is set. Probably.
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 Lowetide: Jay Woodcroft’s Bakersfield Condors might be bound for glory
- New Jonathan Willis: Ethan Bear, Tomas Jurco outshine the competition in second-to-last Oilers preseason game
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Joakim Nygard managing his anger as he eyes spot on Oilers.
- Jonathan Willis: Assessing the Oilers’ roster as the final positional battles are sorted out
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers cut Evan Bouchard and Shane Starrett. Is Ethan Bear on the cusp of making the team?
- Lowetide: Oilers’ bottom-six forwards, penalty kill shine in loss to Arizona Coyotes
- Lowetide: Injuries and prospects: A brief Oilers history of devastating derailments
- New Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Connor McDavid’s nearing return and four other things we’ve learned from Oilers camp
- New Daniel Nugent-Bowman: How five months in Kelowna changed Leon Draisaitl’s hockey career
- Lowetide: Matt Benning may be vulnerable to a trade as Ken Holland works to tweak Oilers roster
- Lowetide: Three players who helped their Oilers hopes and three who didn’t do enough to separate in Edmonton’s fourth preseason game
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Dreadful showing means several Oilers players are on the chopping block with cuts looming
- Jonathan Willis: How quickly must the Oilers’ top AHL prospects claim NHL jobs before they become suspect?
- 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: 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
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Alex Chiasson prepares to return to scoring form for Edmonton Oilers
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers’ defensive hopes will rest on the new shutdown pair of Darnell Nurse and Adam Larsson
- Jonathan Willis: How much money will Darnell Nurse make on his next NHL contract?
- Corey Pronman: Oilers No. 9 farm system.
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects summer 2019.
LOWETIDE OPENING NIGHT PROJECTION (SEPT. 10)
- Leon Draisaitl—Connor McDavid—Zack Kassian
- James Neal—Ryan Nugent-Hopkins—Alex Chiasson
- Jujhar Khaira—Riley Sheahan—Josh Archibald
- Markus Granlund—Gaetan Haas—Sam Gagner
- Joakim Nygard, Colby Cave
- Darnell Nurse—Adam Larsson
- Oscar Klefbom—Joel Persson
- Kris Russell—Matt Benning
- Caleb Jones
- Mikko Koskinen (Mike Smith)
I posted these lines before training camp, looks like the lines will be different but most of the roster players are the same. The only one of my picks who won’t be on the opening night roster is Caleb Jones. There are several question marks (Granlund, Haas, Cave, Nygard) and of course Joel Persson is hurt.
POSSIBLE OPENING NIGHT ROSTER
- Leon Draisaitl—Connor McDavid—Zack Kassian
- Tomas Jurco—Ryan Nugent-Hopkins—James Neal
- Jujhar Khaira—Riley Sheahan—Josh Archibald
- Alex Chiasson—Gaetan Haas—Sam Gagner
- Markus Granlund, Joakim Nygard
- Darnell Nurse—Adam Larsson
- Oscar Klefbom—Ethan Bear
- Kris Russell—Matt Benning
- William Lagesson
- Mikko Koskinen (Mike Smith)
- IR: Joel Persson
Coach Dave Tippett was looking at unicorns (centers three) yesterday in practice, I welcome it but also can’t see splitting up 97-29 and giving Nuge the No. 5 and No. 6 wingers in this group and expecting 50 points.
One of the things we should follow this year is the offensive output of Kailer Yamamoto, Tyler Benson and Cooper Marody. Coach Tippett is trying to find goals among the roster players in Edmonton, and maybe he uncovers a gem. The kids on the farm can win the day by filling the nets in California. Kirill Maksimov had a tremendous game, scoring two SH goals. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here but that was a damned exciting start to preseason in the AHL!
KEN HOLLAND AND WAIVERS
I don’t think the Oilers will claim Tristan Jarry or Eric Comrie, but it’s worth considering. Those two names haven’t yet appeared on the waiver wire but something’s gotta give in the coming days.
The Leafs are placing Pontus Aberg, Tyler Gaudet, Ben Harpur and Jordan Schmaltz on waivers today at 10am our time. Schmaltz is a first-round pick by St. Louis in 2012, he’s a bigger man with good offensive and puck moving ability. Oilers don’t need him but he could be plucked off waivers by an NHL team.
I think Holland would love a scoring winger or a RH center, sometimes manna falls from heaven this time of year. Chris Kunitz was on waivers once upon a time, it can happen. Stay tuned.
We know which tenders are on the team but I have zero idea which one starts on Wednesday
I have a feeling Tippett goes with Smith, his man, but, then, again, Koskinen is the incumbent.
Mikko was actually way better in the exhibition season this year than last and recall how hot he started off last season when he got the net, despite being horrible in exhibition.
The defence is pretty easy.
Assuming Persson starts the season on IR, Manning goes down and Lagesson is #7.
If Persson is healthy, he starts as #7D and both Manning and Lagesson go down.
Both Larsson and Nurse struggled last night but that pair is a go. The regular season is simply different and that was two veterans getting ready for the regular season. Do we think Adam Larsson’s game would shine in exhibition? His game predicated on high battle level, being an ass to play against in the defensive zone, etc. – these are not things you see from veterans in the exhibition season. He’ll be ready to go on Wed.
Nurse/Larsson
Klef/Bear
Russell/Benning
Lagesson (Persson)
That is set for game 1 and, well, we’ll see how each of Bear and Benning fair over the first few games and perhaps adjustments are made.
You should take better care of yourself sir. Seek medical help immediately when you’re in that kind of pain.
Pain is our bodies way of telling us something is wrong
I wish you a speedy recovery. .
Opening night lineup guess:
Drai-McDavid-Kassian
Jurco-Nuge-Neal
Gagner-Sheahan-Archibald
Nygard-Haas-Chiasson
Khaira-Granlund
Klefbom-Bear
Nurse-Larsson
Russell-Benning
Lagesson
Persson(IR)
Smith
Koskinen
Guessing this won’t even be close to the lineup come Christmas time. Expect Jones, and one of Benson, Marody, Yamamoto to grab an opportunity by then, plus a trade.
Until Sheahan showed something last night, they still might have been.
Have been fighting pain this week: ( even with phentanol patch).
Worse than when 2 vertebrae collapsed and nerves along chest made false heart attack affect.
Last night was 8-9 day since fracture of wrist.
In short splint since Monday.
Needed tramadol & morphine ( never worked before with bone leasion pain) in hospital last night.
“Turns out broke my arm both sides 3 inch down from wrist”
Edge of Splint has been pressing directly on fracture for 6 days with zero support.
“Fuck that has hurt”
Really wanted to see the game last night.
Have missed most of last three!
Final 3 usually builds an expectation for me.
The autistic in me allways makes me direct and latch on to Analytics.
Allways think after but never say.
“ hope all of you are healthy”
I’m late to the party, but best Led Zep cover? This one takes things to a whole parallel universe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HrZqtrQvcs
Led Zeppelin is the greatest cover band ever. Too bad they didn’t have any original material.
Thanks to you, LT, Bruce & others for the education.
I’ve always said that without blues, there would be no rock. Here is proof of what Led Zep has done:
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/led-zeppelins-10-boldest-rip-offs-223419/
Jim Matheson @NHLbyMatty · 1h1 hour
Tippett on Haas game in Calg. “Best game by a mile.” Nygard didn’t think he was good until third period. Tippett thought he was good all game. Coach has final say
(In that Matheson didn’t think Nygard was good till the 3rd, not Tippett)
New for The Athletic: Joakim Nygard and Gaetan Haas bid for final Oilers spots during a strange game in Calgary
https://theathletic.com/1249294/2019/09/29/joakim-nygard-and-gaetan-haas-bid-for-final-oilers-spots-during-a-strange-game-in-calgary/
All I got to say is thank god they signed Sheahan just before camp. Imagine we were looking at Haas and Cave as our 3rd and 4th line C now… yikes.
Here’s my go at a lineup:
Jurco-McDavid-Neal
Draisaitl-Nuge-Kassian
Khaira-Sheahan-Archibald
Nygard-Haas-Chiasson
Cave-Granlund
Klefbom-Bear
Nurse-Benning
Russell-Larsson
Persson
Smith
Koskinen
This team is at LEAST two top 6 wingers, one top pairing D, and one starting goalie away from being competitive, in my opinion at least. the skill gap between our third best forward (Nuge) and fouth best forward (Neal?) is larger than the gap between our fourth best forward (Neal?) and fifteenth best forward (Gagner?). A couple more forwards close to bridge the gap between Nuge and Neal would go a really long way.
If Drouin continues to struggle, I wonder if we could package Russell and Puljujarvi together as two parts of a three-for-one.
This won’t happen but I’d like to see
Jurco – McDavid – Neal
Nygard – Nuge – Draisaitl
Khaira – Haas – Chiasson/Kassian
Granlund – Sheahan – Archibald
Or a funner 4th line of
Benson – Marody – Russell
Give the kids easy minutes and have them grow together. Maybe have them play together in the AHL for half a season
Thanks
Looks like there will be one hard call or they send down a Euro to buy time as they are waiver exempt.
I think you’ve got to put Nyggard and Haas in the lineup. Team is simply better.
Since the third line KHa, She, ARch, is so good… I don’t think we need another ‘checking’ line..
Cave is a good call up maybe, but not quite on squad. waiver.
Is chaisson more valuable than P Russell? Probably is. Russell send down
that leaves gagne V Granland.. for last LW spot.. … .. . . I’m changing my vote… I would waive gagne as redundant at this point ( with the emergence of Turco) … Granland hasn’t shown much but I’d keep him as that hustle defender PK … tough call…
waive gagne Cave… send down Russell … or keep Russell and gagne as your 13 14
pts2pndr,
Probably more likely as Granlund was signed by Holland and has had more success in the league.
I think you are close but after the game tonight, I believe Cave, Manning waved. Persson to IR with 13 and 14 th forwards being Gagner and Granlund. Lagesson on the team as seventh D until Persson off IR.
Bob StaufferVerified account @Bob_Stauffer · 49m49 minutes ago
Kassian and Nygard were the best of the Oilers in Calgary.
Nygard creates turnovers with speed.
EDM was too slow last season.
Haas has a good final 4 periods in Pre-Season.
Jurco is a crafty player.
Some interesting decisions coming up front.
Some of my favourite covers are by Post Modern Jukebox. If you don’t know him/them, they’re worth checking out on YouTube.
I wouldn’t count on this. A quick review of last season’s game day threads should confirm that we talk about them every game. Apologies if we’re irritating you, 😉
Lol… this didn’t age well
My game 1 lineup (hope not prediction)
Jurco – McDavid – Kassian
Nuge – Draisaitl – Neal
Khaira – Sheahan – Archibald
Nygaard/Gagner – Haas/Cave – Chiasson
Gagner/Nygaard, Cave/Haas, waive Granlund, Russell
Nurse, Larsson
Klefbom, Bear
Russell, Persson (Benning if Persson is injured)
Benning (Lagesson if Persson is on IR)
Smith
Koskinen
I assume the final cuts will happen tomorrow, they won’t make us wait, will they?
I substitute Jurco in for Granlund and Russell to the AHL.
Jurco is the most skilled of all the “bubble forwards” and I think he’s earned that top 6 winger spot to start the season.
Think Haas had a good game. Appears to be getting better each day. I thought Bear looked really good tonight. He looked bad on the one play by Bennett, but it was a good play by Bennett. Am I seeing things through rose-coloured glasses, but I just don’t recall Bear making any real bad plays. He lost the puck at the offensive blueline but he hustled back.
Oof that second line. You must hate Nuge :). I’d rather see: Drai-McDavid-Kassian; Jurco-Nuge-Neal. I agree with you on Gagner though.
+1000
Although IMO the feed tonight was A+
So….1st Game Line-up Prediction:
Draisaitl – McDavid – Neal
Granlund – Nuge – Chiasson
Nygard – Haas – Kassian
Khaira – Sheahan – Archibald
I think Gagner is waived……did he show anything? I liked Burdasov better than Gags (or Chiasson) this preseason.
Cave – Is a Center and can PK, a coache’s favourite kind of player
Russell – has done everything right and should make this feam
Nurse – Larsson
Klef – Bear
Russell – Benning
Lagesson – he is the 7th best Dman
Manning, to my eye he is the slowest Dman by a wide margin, sure he could be 7th man and doesn’t block and yutes crom playing on the farm.
We wait…
I’d take Gagner at this point. Granlund’s skillset seems redundant with Khaira, Sheahan, Archibald, Haas, Cave etc. Gagner adds a different element, as long as he can limit the defensive liability element.
The salary is irrelevant. Either way, the team will get a $1.075M cap savings. Gagner has shown a few flashes of skill. Granlund has been quiet.
Best part of exhibition being over, we don’t have to talk about streams anymore….
The players who needed to improve over the course of preseason did manage to improve over the course of the preseason.
Feeling mildly positive with how things have played out, with the possible exception of the goaltending.
This is the sort of team that will have to continually improve over the course of the season to have a playoff hope. They do have players with that kind of potential for growth. With the exception of the goaltenders.
The preseason has been mediocre. The goaltending is really difficult to have faith in right now though.
I did not see Granland good, or basically at all, tonight… ( though I think others did and the Calgary announcer seemed to think he was good) … Gagne basically got no ice until the last minute.. so hard to say..
Good top line. Better depth than last year. Goaltending a major question mark. No doubt in my mind that Mike Smith will be opening night starter. They are a bubble playoff team if they avoid injuries to key players.
3 more games and roster should be clear… Oh.
I’m fine with that effort by a weaker lineup.
I only caught the last couple of minutes. Who was better, Gagne or Granlund? I could see one of those two being a late cut. Gagne due to his salary.
well…. what did we learn….
I’m not sure I have an answer for that just now…
Kassian was good, … Benning was good actually… good for him. Solid game.
Haas has pushed Cave out I think..
Nyggard is too valuable not to have the squad. He does change the complexion of the team.
Bear and Lagesson… need minutes against real NHL competition at this point..
Lucic Reider and another Tabernac Saturday LoL
Joe Cocker did pretty well with A little help from my friends
So all… preseason is over. What do we all think of the team?
Need a goalie to crack 900 at some point
Finally we have losing pre season record….is that good omen?
Nurse something something only exhibition something something
Didn’t get the win but I thought Edmonton outplayed them with a weaker lineup.
Yes, Heart played Led Zep at the Kennedy Center Honours in 2012 with Bonham’s son on drums.
Brilliant performance but just one of many times Heart has covered Zep.
Haas took that beating behind the Flames net well. Good sign.
These goal line turnovers need to stop.
gosh haven’t seen gagne since forever
I think the oil defence has been much better than Calgary’s tonight. Except of course the horrible miscue by Nurse.