In the winter of 1971, Boston Bruins coach Tom Johnson had a problem. His monster offensive machine from the previous season wasn’t performing at the same level. The Wayne Cashman-Phil Esposito-Ken Hodge line, who had scored 140 goals in 1970-71 (1.79 goals per game), managed only 33 goals through the first 24 games of the season (1.38 goals per game).
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 Lowetide: Oilers prospect pipeline could deliver below-average group in 2020-21
- New Jonathan Willis: Several factors led to Oilers’ Zack Kassian’s inevitable hearing with NHL Player Safety
- Jonathan Willis: Zack Kassian calls Matthew Tkachuk a ‘p****,’ says he’d go after him again despite Oilers’ loss
- Lowetide: Projecting William Lagesson’s future with the Edmonton Oilers
- Jonathan Willis: Kailer Yamamoto has impressed the Oilers and especially star linemate Leon Draisaitl
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: 10 bold predictions for the Edmonton Oilers in 2020
- Jonathan Willis: Mike Smith stars in Oilers victory, but others’ struggles could prompt changes
- Jonathan Willis: Inside a coach’s impact: How Dave Tippett gets the most out of the Oilers’ players
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Deciding what to do with Darnell Nurse, Mike Smith, Tyler Benson and Evan Bouchard
- Lowetide: Ken Holland’s targets for his first trade deadline with the Oilers.
- Minnia Feng: Zamboni Ursula: What if Oilers fans could change something in the team’s past?
- Lowetide: Ken Holland’s trade deadline options for the Oilers
- Jonathan Willis: ‘That’s the nicest goal I’ve ever seen’: Connor McDavid’s teammates amazed by his latest effort
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers notebook: James Neal’s resurgence, Matt Benning’s injury and the Tyler Benson recall temptation
- Lowetide: Oilers farmhands are pushing hard for NHL jobs
- Jonathan Willis: Zack Kassian’s breakout performance presents Oilers GM Ken Holland with a familiar dilemma
- Lowetide: Ken Holland, the Oilers amateur procurement department and the 2020 draft
- Lowetide: Complete Oilers top 20 prospects list, winter 2019
THOSE BRUINS
The second line (Johnny Bucyk, Fred Stanfield, John McKenzie) were also off the pace. In ’70-71, the trio totaled 106 goals (1.36), and by December 1971 had 23 goals (0.959) between them.
In 1971, a team dressed 11 forwards, three full lines and then (usually) an extra center and a swingman. The swingman might be a rookie, a forward who could play defense, or a veteran who could penalty kill or fill in on a line when the team had a lead late. Montreal’s Jimmy Roberts was such a player, rambunctious rookie Bob Neely started in that spot for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Gerry Odrowski was a defenseman who could effectively PK as a forward for the Oakland Seals. Think “catcher who can play second base and center field. Weird. But true.
Johnson’s solution to the goal-scoring problem was to run five different men on the third line. In 1970-71, the third line (Wayne Carleton-Derek Sanderson-Eddie Westfall) scored 76 goals (0.97 goals per game).
By December ’71, Johnson decided he would run Sanderson at center and then mix and match depending on the opponent. Mike Walton and Ace Bailey were the left wingers, Walton the more talented scorer. Westfall was the checking right winger, with young Reggie Leach the offensive option. After 24 games of the 1971-72 season, Sanderson (3 goals), Walton (9), Westfall (5), Bailey (4) and Leach (4) seemed to benefit from the experience. By the spring Leach was playing for the Golden Seals and by summer the Bruins won the Stanley, but in those days of offensive uncertainty, it was good to have brilliant options at the ready. There’s a lesson there.
OILERS RECALL YAMAMOTO
The recall of Kailer Yamamoto ignited the Oilers No. 2 line offensively at five on five. Here is Nuge with his most common lines so far this season. Notice the goals and expected goals.
Yamamoto’s presence on the line is new (just over an hour) but the skill that has been added is obvious. Now, you want to possession number to follow along and we’ll see, but that’s a nice start. I do wonder if KY eventually gets a chance to run with McDavid. If they switch out again, Neal-Chiasson did good work.
MCDAVID’S LINES 2019-20
McDavid and Yamamoto would seem to be a fit of considerable promise, I’m also fascinated by the 35 minutes Nygard joined the band. Interesting. Have we discussed the idea of acquiring Tyler Ennis?
THE BRUINS CONNECTION
Back to my Bruins story. Tom Johnson had a team of scorers who were struggling, and some of them (hello, Ken Hodge) wouldn’t recover all season. So he gathered up all of the possibles (Walton, Bailey, Westfall and Leach), including a couple who spent time in the minors (Bailey and Leach) in 1970-71, and auditioned them in real time, with regular shifts.
Dave Tippett has been doing that all season, except the quality of the talent is far poorer. There is no Bucyk, there is no McKenzie, Hodge or even Cashman (who was kind of like Ryan Smyth). McDavid is unique in this conversation and Draisaitl is similar in ways to Phil Esposito but it’s not an easy connection.
Kailer Yamamoto represents the ‘Reggie Leach’ in my story, and Tyler Benson is the Garnet Bailey. I think the time has come to add another element. Yamamoto is now six games in, with 2-3-5 boxcars and some success in each game. Time to recall Tyler Benson.
A MODERN JASON CHIMERA
Fans of a certain age may remember the days around the turn of the century, when it seemed Jason Chimera would break camp with the big club each fall. He finally did make the club, after playing almost the entirety of his entry deal in the AHL. Fans were mad when Chimera was sent out each fall by Craig MacTavish, but math told us it was the right thing to do.
Chimera’s teams averaged 2.81, 2.84 and 3.09 goals per game. For his AHL career, his Hamilton Bulldogs would average 2.91 goals per game. Now, it’s easy to see why Chimera was left behind at 20, and he was still a little shy the following year. By the final year of his entry deal, he was ready. Now, let’s see about Benson.
Benson’s Bakersfield Condors averaged 3.56 goals per game in 2018-19, 3.09 goals per game this year and 3.40 overall. Comparing the two men (Chimera and Benson) is impossible, the two eras are almost 20 years apart. That said, at age 21 Chimera delivered .692 points-per-game for a team that scored 2.84 goals per game. Benson, age 21, is posting .914 points-per-game for a team that is scoring 3.09 goals per game. Even considering the team scoring gap, Benson should be considered a superior offensive player, age 21.
Chimera was bullet fast, Benson is rapier smart. Chimera played 1,107 NHL games, Benson hasn’t play one. I expect that to change and right soon.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
After an enjoyable week away, we’re back this morning for the Lowdown at 10, TSN1260. The show is still percolating, but Jason Gregor will be around at 11 to talk Oilers and NFL weekend, and we’ll probably have an NFL guest at 10:20. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Join me won’t you?
This is not true – its “3rd man in to an altercation” – gloves dropped is not a prerequisite.
Bank Shot,
He’s a classic Tkachuk, knows there is no physical price to pay being a dick on the internet so mouths off constantly. Then switches to his alter ego, DSF to make it look like he has friends.
Russell is the ideal dman to trade. No question.
The most likely to get traded? That’s a whole nuther story.
When you combine his partial NTC with his 4 million dollar salary, it makes it tough to find a willing trade partner.
Seems to me it’s going to require some salary retention, or an added sweetener, or a bad contract coming back, or some combination of the the first 3, to get him moved.
Milan Lucic is a good comparable in this situation. To get rid of his contract we had to do all 3.
1. Retained 750k
2. Added 3rd round pick as sweetener.
3. Took Neals contract back.
A Russell trade shouldn’t require as many concessions, but it’s certainly not a slam dunk.
Well – the 3rd round pick was kind of dependent on Neal still being a player and not being completely over the falls as a player. Turns out that was a reasonable assumption.
New for The Athletic: Dave Tippett’s deployment of Oilers defencemen indicates Kris Russell is vulnerable to trade
https://theathletic.com/1531521/2020/01/14/lowetide-dave-tippetts-deployment-of-oilers-defencemen-indicates-kris-russell-is-vulnerable-to-trade/
Lol, Classic.
Remember when you threatened to contact your lawyer because someone made a joke about you?
Good times.
That would be my recollection, although I believe Marchment was infamous for going for knees.
That’s only when two players have dropped the gloves so no.
Tkachuk got the better of Kass lined him up 3 times and drew a big 4 minute PP. In the process Tkachuk running away like a little girl school will not be forgotten by the tougher players in the league. Like I mentioned earlier somebody is going to line him up hard in the near future.
Yes Bring up Benson. Look we’re gonna have Gagner with McDavid probably, .. surely nows the time.
everytime I see that replay and zacks horizontal head being bounced like a punching bag, I wince. Dear lord you could have broken his neck.
Like that Ref who piped in today ( “stewart”?) Just because a hit was technically legal does not mean it was not reckless and dangerous and not warranting suspension.
Alex T,
outstanding!
It was mentioned and you see it in the videos, how the flames players are not jumping to MT’s defense either.
No, not if you have to qualify him at over $3 million dollars to retain his rights.
Athanasiou is Justin Schultz. Fair value in a trade for someone who has had an awful season and is broken on his current team and needs to be qualified at an absurd number is a 3Rd draft pick.
oilersfan,
Ennis could score well enough. He has among the fewest defensive zone starts on the Senators though.
You may disagree, but I think that McDavid would be better served by a guy that can really carry the load defensively and also score some.
The Oilers have guys that are committed defensively, but unfortunately none of them have the type of scoring ability that lets them hang on the top line.
Is Toffoli strong on D?
I don’t think that’s the case – Tippett wanted to win the hockey game and the play hurt his team’s ability to do that.
Please save the pretentious opening – nothing you said needed to be “explained to me”.
All Kassian’s response has “shown” is that an emotional response can be elicited from him giving his team a major disadvantage. Matthew Tkachuk has elicited that response twice – both times turning games in his team’s favor (previously a game his team was getting dominated in and ended up winning most likely because of his ability to elicit said response from Kassian),
Kassian did nothing to deter “open season” and may have shown how valuable “open season” on him is – it can win teams hockey games.
Haven’t played a video game in 15 years but don’t let anything stop you from being so sure you know everything about who I am and how I am.
Seems like it does need explaining cause you’re just not getting it.
It actually sounds like you are condoning Tkacuks play, cause he did draw the penalty that led to the game winning goal. So it must have been a good play to cheap shot Kassian several times. Right?
And I think most posters on here have a pretty good idea who you are.
Because you seem to feel the need to post your entire life story on this blog.
I would say his response was lip service after the Bertuzzi incident coaches have to be extra careful what they say. I was surprised when he even said take a number for later.
I would consider an RFA and a young player with term, akin – the premise is the player is not a short term acquisition that can leave for nothing.
Bank Shot,
Tyler Ennis?
I suspect unfortunately is a poor choice of words on your part.
Let me explain it to you.
If there was no response to the Tkacuk hits, every Calgary player, that was so inclined, would consider it open season on Kassian and every other Oiler.
Kassian responded.
I know this doesn’t fit in your perfect hockey world but that’s just the way it is.
But then again, I think you’re one of those Xbox players that Scotty Upshall was talking about.
Loved that quote.
I’m sure I read somewhere that the ask is a prospect and 2nd rounder. I guess it’s all speculation. I’m perfectly willing to give up a first rounder, but if has to be for someone with term. Is an RFA considered someone with term?
The key to the Oilers season now will be finding another player to click with McDavid.
The Oilers have the second line of Drai-RNH-Moto rolling pretty well.
They need someone to fill the role on the top line with McDavid and Kassian. I don’t think Neal fits. They have tried mostly everyone on the team so far.
Does Benson work? I would be reluctant to try a rookie there. I think the key to getting that line zooming better is adding a two-way winger that can do the dirty work in the Oilers end.
Not sure who that guy is….. Maybe Craig Smith out of Nashville?
It seems there are many speculating on what his teammates think based off of not being in that situation.
I know the coach wasn’t fine with it because he said so right after the game.
So that’s a “yes” ?
Let me get this straight. Kassian is a loser and Tkachuk is a sociopath. Good to know. I guess this is why they tell players to stay away from social media. How can someone who makes so many good comments also be an ass hat? It’s mystifying really.
Yeah its boring.
You can count on old HH taking the anti-Oiler opinion every time.
All his opinions are moderately defendable, but you always know he will take the side against the Oilers. What’s the point in even responding to someone like that?
It’s debating a caricature. Why give a clown the attention he seeks?
Linesman was more a hook to the nuts hence the rat. Marchment was a knee lover. Tikk was kinda like Linseman but in a gibberish language no one understood but they weren’t headhunters Tkachuk fuked up with his after game response somebody’s going to square him up good.
Tip said directly and expressly that he wish he would have “taken a number”.
On the second point – there is TONS of trash talk out there about players being 4th liners and in the minors recently, etc. Its VERY common.
Harpers Hair,
QED
Marchment did have almost 100 NHL fights, 15 as an Oiler.
Do you need a safe space?
Reja,
Interesting thing is Bryan Marchment had 85 fights in his career.
Any chance we get an member ignore feature on here?
There’s a Fox News approach to and level of bad faith argumentation on here lately, makes for a lot of noise.
As the kids say now, “It ruins the vibe.” (Aside: any concern that ruining the community is the end goal?)
That’s an absolute load of shit.
‘They were all headhunters.
You have no idea what his teammates wanted because you’ve never been in that situation.
And his coach really wanted his team to kill the penalty. He made a point of stressing that today.
Having a contrary opinion is boring?
He’s not wrong and his position is entirely defendable.
I agree with everything he said except I think the first hit was more than just a charge given where contact was made (and targeted), the neck.
He is wrong. The players he listed didn’t turtle and only Marchment was really dirty by the definition of the day I never liked the way he hit when hip checking. Tikk just would shove and wouldn’t shut the hell up, he wasn’t really dirty. Odjick, Edler some times, and Burrows Kesler and Glass. … don’t get me started DSF … the list if truly dirty Dy’s is VERY long!
None of these players were head hunters. Tkachuk was trying to take out Kassian I still can’t believe he was able to clock Kassian three times.
Judging by practice today, his updrage in winger will be Josh Archibald.
Do you suggest breaking up the current 2nd line?
Or a fan of a team that wants them to win huge implication hockey games.
I think his teammates would have been happy if he would have kept it under control and found a way to get bangs in on Tkachuk or Lindholm or Gaudrea or waited until a better time.
We know his coach would have and I’m certain he knows about playing in a competitive hockey game.
Did I say I wanted a snowflake league?
What happened you guaranteed the Simpletons would lose to your new favourite team whose leader pissed on the hockey gods porch. Karma’s a bitch for theTkachuk posse.
Well that’s quite a response. Lol.
Very convincing arguement.
Andy Dufresne,
You’re welcome. It was me trying to get MT out of my head. It was hard to keep name calling and cheap shots out of the piece. But I put my (imaginary) Lowetide bobble head doll by my keyboard and every time I started to type in a cheap shot, I pictured LT saying “keep it classy”.
I gotta admit I was pretty happy to hear Leon voice similar sentiments today about not wanting to play with Monsieur Turtle. Oops. I think I just lowered myself to name calling.
So we agree they were both cheap shots.
And I will agree that Kassian has thrown his share of cheap shots over the years.
I will say that he has turned himself into a hockey player in the last couple of years, so good on him. I was pretty critical of him his first few years with the Oilers. I didn’t like all the stupid penalties and attempts to agitate. Most of that is out of his game now.
The difference in the 2 players is that Kassian will stand up for himself. Tkachuk will turtle.
The big picture issue here is this:
By penalizing and suspending Kassian, and letting Tkachuk walk, the NHL has just encouraged Tkachuk like behavior.
So let’s encourage guys to take runs at other players, that you have conceded were cheap shots, then let’s encourage them to turtle to draw the penalty. I can’t believe how many non hockey players were applauding Tkacuk for suckering in Kassian.
Is this the kind of NHL you want to watch?
Of course, none of this matters.
If want a Snowflake League neither Kassian of Tkachuk will be in it.
Tippet stated twice – after the game and today – that things would have been ok if they had killed the penalties to Kassian. That is how to build a team. He not only doesn’t throw Kassian under the bus he twice implies that Kassian’s actions were OK.
I suspect that one thing that would bother current and former players, on any team, is MK insinuating that it was beneath him to fight with or defend himself from someone he considers a lesser player, a “fourth liner” In a team sport that sort of arrogance and entitlement will not go unnoticed by the brotherhood and sisterhood. On any team.
Nonsense.
Linesman, Tikkanen and Marchment never answered the bell.
Linesman was called the Rat for a reason.
Ive watched the videos repeatedly.
Yes, both were “cheap shots”.
Unfortunately “cheap shots, are not a penalty.
In fact, Kassian has been issuing “cheap shots” for years.
See Sam Gagner for reference.
Your defence of a repeat offender is odious.
Harpers Hair,
First off Tchuck and Kass are about the same size. Second, those old Oilers would answer the bell if challenged to a fight. So no, not the same thing at all.
Great to see Calgary shutout.
The fact that the league only suspended Kassian for 2 games is a tacit admission that they were okay with Tkachuk eating some punches to the face.
Kassian is back for the next game against the Flames. Hopefully this galvanizes the squad to bring a huge effort and they wipe the Flames out in both of their next contests.
Oilers need to win these division matches if they are to grab a playoff spot.