The Oilers reach Tabernac Saturday (afternoon edition) in Boston today, and the script written involves a rocking good time for the home side. Edmonton hasn’t played a complete 60 minutes in weeks, the Bruins are locked, loaded and angry from a series of recent overtime misfortunes. If I’m rating this movie, it’s a horror, not suitable for children. Or the aged.
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, less than two coffees a month offer here.
- New Jonathan Willis: Zack Kassian’s breakout performance presents Oilers GM Ken Holland with a familiar dilemma
- New Lowetide: Ken Holland, the Oilers amateur procurement department and the 2020 draft
- Jonathan Willis: It would be a mistake to write off the Oilers after their December slump
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: From Leon Draisaitl to the penalty kill, the things the Oilers need to improve to get back to the playoffs
- Lowetide: A shift-by-shift analysis of Kailer Yamamoto’s 2019-20 debut in the Oilers’ New Year’s Eve game.
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: James Neal puts on New Year’s Eve show to remember in Oilers’ thriller
- Lowetide: Midseason review of ‘reasonable expectations’ shows Oilers are on track with preseason targets
- Jonathan Willis and Daniel Nugent-Bowman: How are our Oilers predictions holding up at the midseason mark? We decided to find out
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers midseason report card shows an unbalanced team with a lot of replaceable parts
- Lowetide: Oilers recall Kailer Yamamoto and William Lagesson
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: ‘If I have another one in a short time, my career could be over’: Recent head injuries concerning Oilers’ Matt Benning
- Jonathan Willis: The Oilers have actual problems; Connor McDavid’s defensive game is not among them
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: ‘We didn’t come with the mindset to play a hard game’: Poor preparation leaves Oilers coach steaming
- Jonathan Willis: Leon Draisaitl is struggling badly, even as the Oilers’ depth forwards seem to be coming around
- Lowetide: Complete Oilers top 20 prospects list, winter 2019
- Lowetide: Oilers’ No. 5 prospect, Winter 2019 — Raphael Lavoie
- Lowetide: Oilers’ No. 4 prospect winter 2019: Tyler Benson
- Lowetide: Oilers No. 3 prospect winter 2019: Ethan Bear
- Lowetide: Oilers’ No. 2 prospect winter 2019: Philip Broberg
- Lowetide: Oilers’ No. 1 prospect winter 2019: Evan Bouchard
OILERS AFTER 44 GAMES
- Oilers in 2015: 17-23-4, 38 points; goal differential -24
- Oilers in 2016: 22-15-7, 51 points; goal differential +4
- Oilers in 2017: 18-23-3, 39 points; goal differential -25
- Oilers in 2018: 21-20-3, 45 points; goal differential -11
- Oilers in 2019-20: 21-17-5, 47 points; goal differential -7
If this game ends in a loss, this year’s Oilers will have quite a bit in common with last year’s team. Of course, last year’s team finished 14-18-6 to finish 35-38-9, 79 points. I think Edmonton will push close to 90 points this time. Edmonton is 16-17-5 since the five game streak to open the season. If the club repeats that run to end the year, the final point total will be 85.
OILERS IN JANUARY
- Oilers in January 2016: 2-0-0, four points; goal differential +1
- Oilers in January 2017: 1-1-0, two points; goal differential -1
- Oilers in January 2018: 1-1-0, two points; goal differential -4
- Oilers in January 2019: 1-1-0, two points; goal differential -3
- Oilers in January 2020: 0-0-1, one point; goal differential -1
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM JANUARY
- On the road to: BUF, BOS, TOR, MTL, CAL (Expected 2-2-1) (Actual 0-0-1)
- At home to: NAS, ARI, CAL, STL (Expected 1-2-1)
- Overall expected result: 3-4-2, eight points in nine games
- Current results: 0-0-1, one point in one game
I have today as a loss. What you’re looking for today is a strong performance, perhaps the goalie stealing a point, or the power play going off and allowing the road team to earn overtime.
OILERS 2019-20
I’m excited to see that second line again, especially Yamamoto working the corners against Chara. He’s small and quick, Z might not see him.
The Oilers are far from a complete team, but it’s encouraging to look at this depth chart and see the placement of Bear, Lagesson, Jones and Yamamoto. One hopes we see Tyler Benson soon. The future isn’t Tyler Toffoli, the future is Ryan McLeod.
CONDORS 2019-20
Tyler Benson had a goal and an assist last night as the Condors continued a nice little run. Josh Currie had a pair of assists, Evan Bouchard scored and Stuart Skinner stopped 29 of 31, .935. Jay Woodcroft and staff seem to have figured some things out, suspect Brandon Manning has been a useful addition.
One final item on Bakersfield (who play again tonight): Jay Woodcroft has been on the job for less than two seasons, and several prospects have popped under his watch. Always credit the prospect for most of the work, but when the parade over 18 months is Ethan Bear, Patrick Russell, Caleb Jones, Kailer Yamamoto and William Lagesson, that’s a lot. Shame the Oilers only gave Jesse Puljujarvi four games with Woodcroft and company. Second half recalls might include Tyler Benson, Evan Bouchard and Josh Currie. Thanks to Wilde for clarity on lines and pairings and his comments in yesterday’s thread are valuable insight.
He’s not UFA until 26 or 27 (not sure which). So 5 or six years?
I’m with HH on this one.
The only people who think Jesse is coming back to Edmonton are fans.
He’s burned bridges, and has to agree to an RFA contract to come back. Takes two parties to sign a contract.
No other GM is going to give us a quality asset since not only can’t he play this season, but then he has to sit down and deal with his agent, and since Chia caved, his agent will expect similar promises.
This is also why he won’t be in a multi-player deal. Other teams can offer assets that are playing and progressing without agent difficulties.
Our only recourse is to trade him (most likely at the draft) or stash him in Finland two more years until he’s a UFA. I’d rather get the pick this summer than try and wait on a higher return.
Broberg is No. 5
What # is Broberg?
Why oh why oh why do we need to put up with this HH bull shit. LT says ignore him if you don’t like what he says but instead it is non-fucking stop. The comment section is full of his bullshit. LT, you need to put a time out on this guy or people will just stop coming by. It distracts from any serious conversation around here. You must see this. You are a smart guy.
As an extremely infrequent poster but constant reader/lurker – this is a horrible thread to follow.
Agreed with above comment that’s it’s gone from trolling (already lame) to spamming (extremely lame).
In effect it is a ploy to disrupt the conversation to the point of uselessness.
HH it’s fine to be a Canucks fan but you are using supposed fandom as cover and weapon. Nothing is in good faith and from what I can tell you don’t spend much time away from the computer so it’s just fucking constant. Would you do this if forced to post under your own name? I’m not saying your true self doesn’t potentially possess the collection of mean spirited semi-truths, but wonder If you would be so shameless if so.
And everyone especially OP why must you always bite?
JP to find new agent or he comes to his sense to come back to Edmonton. jonathan drouin treatment
Pretty much but we’re due for a heater from Connor and Leon as well as the 2 goaltenders. We need 5 out 6 points in the next 3 contests then hopefully Holland will weave his magic and get some reinforcements
Harpers Hair,
Some people clip coupons and drive across town to save pennies per litre on gasoline.
Some of those people may also be NHL GMs.
We’ll see.
I can’t see any team giving up a first round pick for Jesse.
If I was an NHL GM, I would think I could find a better player, without all the baggage, in a multitude of ways.
Harpers Hair,
Yes.
So we’re closer to a first with JP than Yak, and trending upwards.
Glad we agree.
PS
Nice edit. Glad you’re at least engaged.
That ‘conditional pick’ turned into Stuart Skinner and three nothings for three of your hobby horse teams of fancy.
The Oilers got a player now in Denmark and a conditional third round pick for Yak.
A second for Jesse would be an improvement.
Harpers Hair,
His stance isn’t indefensible.
Given how Old Dutch handles this trade we’re going to be able to better measure his gumption going forward.
He already got more from Lucic than ChiaPete ever did, and he did it under duress. I wouldn’t be surprised if he out does the Yakupov return, not to set too high a bar here.
And yet the results are pretty much identical.
Hardest thing to do in hockey is score Neal has 19 on his way to thirty something. At least James is smiling and colourful instead of that god awful close up of Lucic 5 or 6 times stewing on the bench.
It’s entirely possible.
But OP is insisting Jesse has first round value.
Don’t think that’s going to happen.
Harpers Hair,
By the time the draft rolls around, Jesse will have improved his trade value around the league.
I wouldn’t put it past New Holland to trade JPs rights for a Euro of similar skill/potential.
Ok this is more spamming than trolling now. Neither is fun but this thread is unreadable..
It is a summer trade…but his value won’t increase unless he absolutely rips up Liga.
His attitude problems will always follow him.
You develop a past.
Bakersfield Condors vs. San Diego Gulls; January 4th, 2020; game totals:
40CF-67CA
28FF-35FA
1GF-1GA
Top F: Esposito (1.46 Game Score)
2 shot attempts, 0 shot assist
16CF-7CA
1GF-0GA
Top D: Lowe (0.38 Game Score)
6 shot attempts, 2 shot assist
23CF-21CA
1GF-1GA
…
Absolutely dogshit game, it hurts everywhere
Harpers Hair,
Except the trade talks were all reported to have happened prior to the season and in the early parts, let alone at the upcoming TDL.
Think about this logically.
This is a summer trade.
As you yourself have conceded.
Yes.
And now the Oilers are stuck with the ghost of Jesse and the corpse of James Neal.
If Jesse would of hit like Tkachuk or DuBois I think Pete still has a job. Pete bet heavy and went all in on Jesse and Lucic without a backup plan, then Pete panicked badly.
Think about this logically.
No team that has playoffs aspirations will trade a pick for a player who can’t play this year.
Any team without playoffs aspirations won’t trade a lottery pick for a failed first round pick.
You can’t get there from here.
Don’t know what all the fuss is about. It’s theoretically impossible for a Canucks fan to viably troll an Oilers fan.
0 Cups in 50 years vs 5 Cups in their first 11 seasons.
Vancouver has more loser riots than Cups in its entire franchise existence.
You could literally obliterate the entire franchise from the history of the league and it would barely register in the NHL record book.
The Oilers own the greatest player and team in league history, and have the greatest current player. The Canucks have what they’ve always had, complete and utter irrelevance. Nobody cares except Vancouverites and even they’re iffy if the team isn’t winning.
Look…it’s troll vs Anti troll. Hang on…my popcorn is almost ready.
So, nothing…since no one will do it.
As time passes…that value depreciates.
Better than 2nd round value – as per all the reports
Gonna watch that Esposito/Cave goal a million times before I post the game totals
In other news…Nashville wins and is 5 points out of the first wildcard spot with four games in hand.
Danger.
Speculation.
Obviously the trade wasn’t consummated so what exactly would Holland be holding out for?
Not a chance in hell he will get a first round pick.
What do you think he wants?
Posting this on an Oiler blog. What behaviour….
A microcosm of the behaviour I see daily out here on Vancouver Island.
Should be lots happy to discuss in on Lindentide.com
The speculation (from the reuptable MSM) is the offers were apx 2nd round pick value which isn’t even here or there given your statement above is simply wrong.
Canucks win again.
Seven straight.
Maksimov wins it in a SO on a beauty.
What a game – atta boy Skinner
Nice to see McLeod get some OT time, on the third unit with Marody and Day.
Condors get it to OT – thank Stuart Skinner who has been just unreal stopping 34 of 35 and lots of difficult stops in there.
Wait…. is HH actually DSF….? I thought it was just a joke.. ??
A late round pick for a former first round pick is less than nothing since neither will likely be an NHL player.
Jesse is a toxic asset.
Two picks is dreaming.
Too late. He normally has at least somewhat defendable points – right now he’s not even trying and i shouldn’t engage.
You could be right…likely a throw in on a bigger trade.
What does a floundering 27th overall pick from 2014 have to do with this conversation?
There is all but zero chance that Benning (or any other GM) would not be delighted to give up two late picks for Puljujarvi – come on, You aren’t even trying now.
I predict Jesse will be moved on draft day it’ll be interesting to see what he’s worth.
I don’t know exactly what the offers were, why would I.
What I do know is that the likes of Friedman, McKenzie, etc. have reported, as fact, that offers have been made just not good enough for what Holland requires to consummate a trade.
So “worth less than nothing” is a factually incorrect statement.
Currie and Marody on a clear 2 on 1 – Currie with a nice pass over but Stolarz with a big stop on Cooper.
God you’re tedious. Why are you here?!
Don’t bite OP. Starve the troll.
Check that – Cave took the shot at the left point, not Lowe and Esposito tipped it.
Classic Oiler dreaming.
Canucks already have a “Jessie” called Goldobin.
Why would they lift a finger to get another one.
Much bigger fish to fry.