Alright, everyone calm the hell down! It’s three games! It’s a very small sample size. Still, maybe you could celebrate a little. Nothing crazy. A six-inch sub or a ceramic elephant. Do not make a big deal out of it. Understated. Subtle. LIKE A FOUR GOAL GAME FROM YOUR OFFSEASON ACQUISITION AMIRITE??!?!?
There. That’s an example of what not to do. Let’s solemnly move on, without even cracking a smile. Well, maybe just a little one. But then right back to hearts of stone, immediately it not sooner. Be British. Dammit.
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, there is a Puck Drop Special offer here.
- New Lowetide: Several unproven players are earning NHL jobs and increasing roster quality and depth. No balance photo, but some traction early.
- New Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Why Riley Sheahan could be a key ingredient the Oilers have been missing
- New Jonathan Willis: Bet on James Neal rebounding with Oilers, just not all the way
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: How Joel Persson went from being a part-time teacher three years ago to patrolling the Oilers blue line (this is exceptional).
- Lowetide: Keeping an eye on Jesse Puljujarvi: Which teams could emerge as potential trade partners?
- Lowetide: Kailer Yamamoto’s fast start in the AHL highlights an active week for Oilers prospects
- Lowetide: A shift-by-shift analysis of Ethan Bear in the Oilers’ season opener
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Looking at how the Oilers can manage on defence without Adam Larsson
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: No need to temper expectations after Connor McDavid’s season debut for Oilers
- Lowetide: Ken Holland has a plan for the Oilers’ top prospects.
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: At home with Ken Holland: Packing away the championship memories and preparing for a new challenge
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Q&A: Oscar Klefbom on being a mentor, his strategy for staying healthy and saying goodbye to a friend.
- Daniel and Jon: Ten bold (and not so bold) predictions for the Oilers this season
- Lowetide: The Oilers are poised to break a 25-year-old franchise record this season
- Lowetide: Jay Woodcroft’s Bakersfield Condors might be bound for glory
- Corey Pronman: Oilers No. 9 farm system.
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects summer 2019.
OILERS IN OCTOBER
- Oilers in October 2015: 0-3-0, goal differential -6
- Oilers in October 2016: 2-1-0, goal differential +1
- Oilers in October 2017: 1-2-0, goal differential -1
- Oilers in October 2018: 1-2-0, goal differential -5
- Oilers in October 2019: 3-0-0, goal differential +5
At five-on-five through three games, Edmonton is 9-7 goal differential overall, 5-3 with McDavid and 4-4 without him. That’s a lot of progress but it’s very early days. Let’s talk when the Oilers are 20 games into the season.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN OCTOBER
- At home to: Vancouver, Los Angeles (Expected: 1-1-0) (Actual 2-0-0)
- On the road to: NYI, NJD, NYR, CHI (Expected 2-1-1) Actual (1-0-0)
- At home to: Philadelphia, Detroit (Expected 1-1-0)
- On the road to: Winnipeg, Minnesota (Expected 1-1-0)
- At home to: Washington, Florida (Expected 1-1-0)
- On the road to: Detroit, Columbus (Expected 1-1-0)
- Overall expected result: 7-6-1, 15 points in 14 games
- Current results: 3-0-0, 6 points after 3 games
Edmonton’s underlying numbers do not match the team’s record. At five-on-five, shot differential is 44.2 and goal differential is 9-7. Expected goals? 49.02 percent, the most encouraging number. Hell they’re 3-0, party on. Everything we discuss below comes from NST.
LINE 1 Leon Draisaitl-Connor McDavid-Zack Kassian played 11:24, going 11-9 Corsi, 6-6 shots, 1-0 goals and 3-1 HDSC.
Leon Draisaitl had another quality game, two assists, sublime passing, five shot attempts. Played 21:52. He got caught stone alone coming out of his zone on the PP, and turned the puck over, but sometimes you have to give the other man his due. Connor McDavid had three assists and is now 3, 2-6-8 on the season. His skating is insane, but the man’s passing is also from another world. Zack Kassian scored another goal and is now 3-1-4. Add in Leon (1-6-7) and the trio has 19 points over the three games.
LINE 2 Tomas Jurco-Ryan Nugent-Hopkins-James Neal played 10:07, 14-13 Corsi (all numbers five-on-five), 6-7 shots, 2-0 goals and 1-0 HDSC.
Tomas Jurco played well at both ends, the play doesn’t die on his stick often. He’s the one newcomer who has significant NHL experience, he appears to be a real find. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins played well, damn unfair he didn’t get an assist on the first Neal goal. James Neal is THE story today. His four goals propelled the club to a three-game winning streak and he now has six goals in three games. He looks exactly like the player Calgary thought they were getting.
LINE 3 Jujhar Khaira-Riley Sheahan-Patrick Russell played 10:07, 8-10 Corsi, 2-6 shots, no goals and 0-1 HDSC.
Jujhar Khaira had a good night forechecking, he needs to have the puck and shoot more. Riley Sheahan had a good return, successful in the faceoff circle and his line is much better with him. Patrick Russell played a lot on the PK and had a couple of good looks.
LINE 4 Joakim Nygard-Gaetan Haas-Markus Granlund played 7:49, 4-6 Corsi, 2-4 shots, 0-1 goals and 1-1 HDSC.
Joakim Nygard is impressive. Excellent speed gets him chances and allows him to recover defensively. He’s physical. And smart. Gaetan Haas is doing more things, he’s kind of a Swiss (I’m sorry) Army (I can’t stop it) Knife. Markus Granlund is in the Rip Van Winkle phase of his career.
PAIRING 1 Darnell Nurse-Ethan Bear played 14:34, were 19-17 Corsi, 9-9 shots, 0-1 goals and 3-1 HDSC.
Darnell Nurse played 4:10 (Klefbom 7:25) with McDavid, and 6:30 (Klefbom 5:12) against Barzal. He had an assist (now 3, 1-2-3) and flattened Leo Komarov. Ethan Bear doesn’t have any points but passed well and finished over 50 percent Corsi.
PAIRING 2 Oscar Klefbom-Joel Persson played 13:52 together, 6-15 Corsi, 2-7 shots, 2-0 goals and 2-1 HDSC.
Oscar Klefbom is playing big, heavy minutes consistently well. His assist gave him four in three games. Joel Persson struggled early on, not just with the pace but with the physical side. Passing had some wobble but he settled down and the pairing had a positive result overall despite possession totals.
PAIRING 3 Kris Russell-Matt Benning played 12:01 together, 12-10 Corsi, 5-5 shots, 1-0 goals and 1-0 HDSC.
Kris Russell had five shot attempts, defended well and had a nifty scoring chance, plus a takeaway. Matt Benning played well, kept the puck going in a good direction and stood up oncoming traffic. This is a good third pairing.
GOALTENDER Mikko Koskinen was quality on the night, both goals were 10-bell. He stopped 24 of 25 (.960) at five-on-five, that included three of four stops on high danger chances. Overall, he stopped 25 of 27 (.926) and four of six HDSC’s. He was big and calm, and his glove wasn’t exposed. A solid debut.
OILERS 2019-20
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
At 10 this morning, TSN1260. Tom Gazzola from TSN joins us at 10:20 to tell us everything we don’t know about James Neal. Also, how high can these Oilers fly? Kris Abbott from OddsShark will pop in to talk mlb playoff odds (Astros down? Yankees up?), NHL (Oilers chances of making the playoffs has to be up) and NFL after a crazy weekend of upsets and close calls. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!
Ok, once is a joke, but you seem to have genuine beef with British people. Drop it.
Do you know what it’s called when you judge an entire culture based on the perceived actions and stereotypes of a few?
And I also invite you to google the No True Scotsman argument.
I would hope so,
But I’m not a Scotsman nor British(thank gord)
I’m only part horse
Oiler players actually look happy and a happy worker is a productive worker. I think
they continue where they left off in Long Island and Blitzrieg the Devils early and often.
BillyTheKidRanford,
Likewise! Hit me up if so. I never get to talk Oilers down here, ever. Only happened once to demonstrate McJesus’ sublime video highlites to a football (Soccer) fan friend.
That has to be an internal error. I’ve been reading both for years, zero chance they make those mistakes.
Maybe NHL.com needs to hire one of us for their write ups…
Injury Updates:
Devils – Andrej Sekera (knee) is out; Drake Caggiula (undisclosed) is out; Leon Draisaitl (eye/concussion-like symptoms) is out
Oilers – Alex Chiasson (illness) is day-to-day; Josh Archibald (illness) is on IR; Adam Larsson (fractured right fibula) is on IR.
— Marc Ciampa, NewJerseyDevils.com & Paul Gazzola, EdmontonOilers.com
https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/preview-devils-vs-oilers/c-309937010
Peters and Neal didn’t get along and that’s putting it mildly. No way Flames organization was buying him out they took what they could get. I also really believe Lucic sold his toughness and experience to the Flames organization. Lucic already has become a distraction In Calgary that’s all they talk about it could get messy. Neal on the other hand has got his mojo back which makes our PP deadly which leads to teams scared to take a penalty which in turn opens up 5on5 ice.
Loved those Doug Weight Oilers… those games were so fun to watch playing against those stacked Colorado and Dallas teams in the playoffs.
NJ is off to a poor start and we owe them for opening night last year.
GOILERS!
Schnieder played last night so I assume Blackwood is in net tonight. He’s been lit up twice so far this year.
Trap game – hopefully a Tippett coached team isn’t one to fall in to traps.
I didn’t get the trade from a Flames perspective. They got Lucic to play as he rarely did in Edmonton.
They needed the players they already have to get tougher. That’s easier than getting a tough player to be skillful.
I thought Lucic was going to step up and will us to a win in game 7 like he did for the Bruins on a few occasions but there was nothing but crickets.
Its a couple of days old, but it opens with a fantastic picture of Jesse:
https://www.championshockeyleague.com/en/recaps/skelleftea-karpat
This reminds me of the Lucic giveaway on the boards to Getzlaf leading to an OT winner. It was a soft play at high pace and Lucic made it obvious that he’s declining. It wasn’t a stupid play by him, it was just a plan on par with his ability. If this is what the Phlegms are looking for, I’m very satisfied that they bought it from us at the marketvalue they did 😉
No true Scotsman would ever confuse the two.
But as Wellington said, just because one was born in a barn doesn’t make one a horse.
Correct, and only those that were for more than 6 years. Luongo had a 12-year contract.
Cap recapture penalties only apply to contracts signed under the previous CBA for more than a 6-year term. If Lucic retires Edmonton will not be hit with a recapture penalty.
I’m not sure I’m worried about Neal and Lucic this year.
They both have something to prove. There will be competition between the two also. Don’t think they aren’t aware of how the other is doing.
And despite his notoriety 😉 for starting nova and white dwarfing, what Neal will do on his prove-it side of things is far more valuable than what Lucic can bring. And The Deal seems revitalized. Like he’s got goals… so to speak.
But the Fleghms didn’t get Looch for the regular season, they got him for the playoffs. They’ve proven they can get there without him, given the same goaltending they’ll likely get there with him. All bets should be considered off till then.
Damn we winnin that one right now though.
I don’t see Lucic sustaining the enforcer life at his age while his skill side fades away. If Neal shows the same commitment next summer as he did this past, we might have a Mark Recchi on our hands.
Recchi went from 32 goals as a 29 year old to 16 at 30. If you had bet against him then due to age and fall off, you would miss seven straight 20+ goal seasons.
I can use me some Mark Recchi. These are long contracts. I can’t imagine how horrified the Flames fans are going to feel in two years.
Oh wait, sorry, yes I can.
Whomever the coach chooses between Archie and Chaser next game will likely come down to which is feeling better after the flu. Assuming there’s a choice.
But if all things are equal, I fully expect it to be Chiasson. Archibald didn’t have the best game his last outing.
That said, I think Tippett will want to keep all legs fresh, all players pushing to get into the line-up, and no reliance on “having a spot” when it comes to the bottom 6. And by no means was that a perfect game from the bottom 6.
Thus it would not surprise me to see both players play against the NJ Mudflatters, assuming they’ve recovered.
We’ll see how superstitious Tipps is, but I’d bet it’s not at all.
Your transmogrified crow. Sorry… my vermin alarm went off.
You’re a superlative writer. Top class. Like a sciencey Tom Robbins, despite your skinny legs and all. And I’ve read a lot. …Hofstadter maybe.
Stop being another roadside attraction here. Writing should be what you’re doing with your still life, would pecker.
Good morning to you, sorry I was conflating being British with being English.
I love Scotland & all things Scottish, especially the Ale.
Me da was born in Aberdeen.
But ya England can suck it, except for Liverpool
Good morning from London. I have lived in seven countries including two years in Edmonton. You are entitled to your opinion of we Brit’s, and I respect that. From my time in Canada I would say that IMHO this comment is not “Canadian”.
Oilers got something special brewing god I wish we had Rod Phillips from Calmar in our corner instead we get doorknob Drew. I always watch the away feeds I feel dirty doing it but I just can’t stand Mr. San Jose. Oh well you can pick your friends you can pick your nose but you can’t pick your Oiler announcer.
loving this October! Oil have burst out of the gates and with the world cup there is a lot of fantastic rugby on right now. Wales vs Fiji was a real fun game to watch!
Screw the flaky Canucks fans they booed team Canada of the ice in 1972. They cursed themselves till the end of eternity dumb dumb’s
+1
Russell – Benning
looking not bad slotted in the spots where they always should have been with far less mins
Shocking
Are you really talking about the “Oilers powerplay”,
Or are you just bragging?
MoogerFuhger,
Love the handle. Might be heading your direction for a visa trip in the next few months.
Larry Parrish, Tim Wallach, Ellis Valentine, Steve Rogers, Tim Raines; Andre Dawson, Gary Carter,Tim Gullickson etc etc
I think it means believing that you’re better than everyone else regardless of reality,
Either that or possibly this:
https://youtu.be/PDBjsFAyiwA
Blue Jays having a pretty good post season
Twins
The Blue Jays have at least one former player on all ten postseason bound teams except the Minnesota Twins, the AL Central champions do not have one former player on their active roster. I guess if you want to get technical, Ronald Torreyes was a member of the Jays organization for less than a month in 2015 but never played at the big league level. As it is Torreyes only play seven games with the Twins in 2019.
Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers have a familiar face in Eric Thames on their squad. Thames hit .247 with 25 homers in 149 games for Milwaukee this season, however, last played for the Blue Jays in 2012.
Dodgers
The only former player on the Dodgers is catcher Russell Martin who has a knack for latching on with playoff-contending teams throughout his career. The 36-year old Canadian hit .220 with six home runs in 83 games with Los Angeles this season. Martin also made four relief appearances on the mound without surrendering a run.
Rays
The division rival Tampa Bay Rays acquired Eric Sogard at the trade deadline for two minor league prospects. Sogard has hit only .266 since the trade and is nursing a bone bruise on his right foot so his availability for the postseason is currently uncertain.
The Rays also have backstop Travis d’Arnaud who they purchased from the Dodgers in May. d’Arnaud is a constant reminder of the Noah Syndergaard/ R.A. Dickey trade with the Mets although he only played in the minors for the Jays.
A’s
The Athletic have former pitchers Brett Anderson and Liam Hendriks on their playoff roster. Anderson made seven appearances for the Jays in 2017 while Hendriks last pitched in 2015 before the playoff-bound Jays being traded him for Jesse Chavez.
Nationals
The Washington Nationals acquired Daniel Hudson at the trade deadline and the reliever has paid dividends. In 24 appearances, Hudson sports an impressive 1.44 earned run average with six saves solidifying the backend of the Nationals bullpen.
Former catcher Yan Gomes also makes his home in Washington, Gomes last played for the Blue Jays in his rookie season in 2012. Gomes was dealt with Mike Aviles to the Indians in exchange for Esmil Rogers.
Braves
Josh Donaldson had a comeback player of the year campaign for the playoff-bound Braves hitting .259 with 37 homers and 100 walks. The third baseman resembled him former MVP self in 2019 as Atlanta looks to do some damage in the postseason.
Former shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria is also a member of the Braves along with General Manager Alex Anthopoulos. It will be kind of hard not to root for the Braves to come out of the National League.
Cardinals
Former bullpen arms Dominic Leone and Brett Cecil are members of the Cardinals, however, Cecil has not pitched at all in 2019 and is currently sidelined with carpal tunnel syndrome in his left hand.
Yankees
The Yankees have a trio of former players highlighted by fan-favourite Edwin Encarnacion on their roster. Encarnacion is currently nursing an oblique injury but is expected to play in the postseason.
Pitcher J.A. Happ and Gio Urshela who had a breakout season both have ties to the Blue Jays as well.
Astros
The Houston Astros have the most players with Blue Jays ties headed to the postseason. The likes of closer Roberto Osuna, Aaron Sanchez, Jake Marisnick, Aledmys Diaz, Joe Smith, and Joe Biagini have all spent time north of the border.
Sanchez is done for the season with a shoulder capsule injury that required surgery.
Expo’s Win! Expo’s Win! Expo’s Win!
Kinger_Oil.redux,
Perhaps I was a bit harsh, and for that I apologize. However when your opening line is “ Not a conspiracy theory: just factual, with my opinion on Koski’s chances to succeed going forward,” it truly is confusing if you are claiming to be purporting facts or opinions. They clearly are all opinions. Which is fine. Since you are unlikely to read it at this hour I won’t belabour it too much, and I’ll just say I disagreed with most of your bullets. It really does read like you’re creating a conspiracy theory out of nothing. Smith has played 2 games, Koskinen 1. I don’t think Smith has been “anointed” anything, and if Koskinen wins games he will play plenty. Last season I think he was garbage well before you could claim he was overworked-that was just clear by the end.
Anyways, enough of that. I’m definitely hoping Koskinen does well, for everybody’s sake. Enjoy the game at MSG!
holy S…t ! go Nats! / expos! … poor dodgers… all that money…
Hmm some ‘bing search’ for tomorrows game randomly said “NJ favored to win’ … ?
I think not.. but I remember how last years.s.s.s.s.s team would play poorly against ‘easy’ teams.. , so i’d like our guys to be hungry and greedy and dig down to beat the devils.
I hear Cory Schneider is looking really good again, and I’ve always had huge respect for Palmieri. To me, He’s a James Neal type of scorer.. and someone I really hope we keep an eye on ( for a 1-2 year deal once he’s done in NJ… unlikely, but he’s a sniper.
drglen,
Not anymore. Kendrick with. Grand Slam in the 10th to go up 7-4.
Go Nats!
I’m not trying to drag on an argument here, which you obviously don’t want, but I heard on a podcast that Smith had real issues with the new equipment early in the season last year, the chest protector I think. Once he figured out a solution he was much better in the later part of the season and was very good in the playoffs. Having said that, I hope both goalies are good this year.
Koskinen can get hot. and he’s ‘seeing’ puck through traffic right now… there were many ‘hold your breath’ shots in that islander game.
And there is less pressure on each guy in the sense that you come out, sit until the other guy has a bad game, back you go.. you don’t have to carry the mental load as much as last year.
I’m pretty optimistic about our keepers right now too. Smith still seems pretty quick to me. ..
really liked Russels D rush late in the game..
How was I wrong about Koskinen?
I’ve also been one of the more optimistic posters on here about our tending tandem over the last few months.
another in a long list of Canucks Legends……a modern day Stan Smyl.
You’ve been nothing but wrong about Koskinen from the beginning and this season will prove that imo.
I’m with Strudz on radio today… all praise to 3rd line and the cycling/possession abilities of Shehan and Khaira and Russell ( Russell was on that line pretty much right?) .. .. but a shot on the net would be just a sweet added bonus. We’re 3-0.. !!!!!!!! … but .. at least hit the goalie and perhaps a rebound.
I’m wondering if Archie Draws in.
Granland actually made a couple clever checks and keeps… not sure I would pull him for Chaisson just yet. There is something there.
are nats and dodge actually tied in the 9th?
He sure did. The possibility that Nashville could get hit with a 2 X $12M or 1 X $24M recapture penalty for Weber if he retires down the line is truly absurd. Thanks for clarifying.
Yup. Lucic was signed after Sept. 15, 2012 so the CARP (Contract Advantage Recapture Penalty) does not apply to him. That was really just Bettman being peeved because managers found a loophole in the cap that he didn’t anticipate and so he took his pound of flesh from those who made him look silly.
Hall for Neal looks great so far.
Be British means ride up to work on your horse that sounds like two clacking coconuts right? I did today.
So you’re saying he’s gone… it’s over… like, he’s really gone.. right?
Sorry, you are right, the recapture penalty doesn’t apply to the Lucic contract because it was signed under the new CBA where the league put in limits in to how much the comp can decrease year by year.
It still has nothing to do with not being a 35 plus contract.
The only real differences with a 35 plus contact is that it can have performance bonuses and the cap hit stays if the player retires (player still doesn’t get paid any longer, just like a retiree under a non plus 35 contract.)
Yes, second coming of Trevor Linden with all his mediocrity, please
https://slappersandstats.com/2016/02/09/the-cap-advantage-recapture-penalty-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters/
The best understanding of the nuances around the CARP can be found in the 2013 CBA (linked to in the first paragraph), specifically in Section 50.5(d)(ii)(A)-(B). This document also goes into a lot of detail about other aspects of the player contracts and cap system if you’re ever adventurous to dive into the text. But for those with better things to do, here is an overview of things to know about the CARP:
It can only be triggered by contracts signed prior to 9/15/12.
It can only be triggered by contracts that are 6+ years long.
The only early termination of a contract that will not trigger the CARP is by death of the player.