The first general manager in Kansas City Royals history was Cedric Tallis, who believed in finding 10-year solutions to positions of need. It’s all over his expansion draft in 1968, and in the trades that followed. Example: The second player drafted, third baseman Joe Foy, was dispatched after one season to the New York Mets (of course) in exchange for a 10-year solution: Amos Otis.
The Oilers are doing pretty well in the NHL version of 10-year solutions this season. Ethan Bear and Kailer Yamamoto look like they could be multi-year fixes, with Tyler Benson and Evan Bouchard on the way.
All of this progress has obscured some useful players who could be shorter term solutions. You can’t find 10-year solutions to every problem in one summer or winter. What about those mid-20’s AHL players? How can they help?
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 Daniel Nugent-Bowman: ‘Hey, Sparky, can you do that?’: How the Oilers’ AHL video coach got his start as the Islanders’ mascot.
- New Eric Duhatschek: ‘He’s special’: The people who know him best tell the story of how Leon Draisaitl took the NHL by storm
- New Pierre Lebrun: Where all 31 teams stand one month before the trade deadline
- Lowetide: What do Connor McDavid’s best lines tell us about his optimal linemates?
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: I was an AHL coach for a day: Here’s what I learned
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman and Jonathan Willis: Oilers player poll: From the serious to the silly, the players weigh in on best dressed, most superstitious and more
- Thomas Drance: Inside how ‘Okanagan boy’ Ken Holland helped bring back the Penticton Young Stars tournament
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers minor-league defenceman Brandon Manning suspended five games for racial slur
- Jonathan Willis: An updated list of which Oilers are most likely to be traded in 2019-20
- Lowetide: Kailer Yamamoto gives Oilers a midseason spark, one of the best in team history
- Lowetide: With the Oilers’ minor-league goaltending not good enough, Ilya Konovalov might be the answer
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Josh Archibald, Riley Sheahan show the upward trend of Ken Holland’s offseason moves for the Oilers
- Lowetide: Post-Christmas performance spike has Evan Bouchard pushing for an NHL job with the Oilers
- Lowetide: Central Scouting’s midseason list offers Oilers some strong draft options
- Jonathan Willis: The Oilers’ road forward — and perhaps to a Stanley Cup — requires trusting the kids on defence
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers make a smart two-year bet on Caleb Jones, who has done nothing but improve
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: 3 things from the latest Oilers win: A lacrosse goal, Mike Smith’s resurgence and Connor McDavid’s new linemate
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: A defiant Zack Kassian issues his latest salvo against Matthew Tkachuk: ‘He messed with the wrong guy’
- Lowetide: Dave Tippett’s deployment of Oilers defencemen indicates Kris Russell is vulnerable to trade
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers Notebook: Jujhar Khaira’s future, Caleb Jones’ adaptation to NHL speed
- 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: 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.
- Lowetide: Ken Holland’s trade deadline options for the Oilers
- Jonathan Willis: Zack Kassian’s breakout performance presents Oilers GM Ken Holland with a familiar dilemma
- Lowetide: Complete Oilers top 20 prospects list, winter 2019
CONDORS 2019-20
In terms of immediate recalls, many are clamoring for Tyler Benson to be the next man on a plane, but Markus Granlund is performing like a man who would like to see the NHL again soon.
The players I’m talking about today are men like Joe Gambardella, Josh Currie, Colby Cave, Brad Malone, Keegan Lowe (although the Oilers are flush with blue so Lowe’s path is blocked multiple times).
It has to be a difficult road for these men, waiting for the opportunity and hoping the coach sees their skill set as being useful compared to the rest of the crowd. Patrick Russell is this year’s winner among this group, and it’s easy to see why coach Dave Tippett likes him. Works hard in every second of every shift, formidable on the forecheck, pucks deep, makes progress through the neutral zone exactly as difficult as dragging the river.
I’ve always maintained that the NHL has about 150 players in the minors each season who could play in the bigs but are waiting for that lucky opportunity. The NHL at any time employs about 715 players, add another 60 for IR (that’s a guess) and then throw in 25 more for those unusual Puljujarvi situations.
The back portion of those 800 men, say the final 150, are somewhat interchangeable with 150 guys in the AHL who are pushing hard for that recall. Wives at home, maybe with babies, doing everything they can to support their fella and his goal of making the bigs. The entire situation is equal parts majestic, tragic and compelling.
These are the men I’ve always found to be the most interesting. If I ever had the ear of any of them, I’d say you pursue that dream as long as you can, because what comes after just isn’t the same. There’s no sin in being one of the 1,000 best hockey players in North America, and maybe luck will shine on you tomorrow.
Joe Gambardella. Josh Currie. Patrick Russell. Those stories are the ones that speak to me. That’s why Patrick Russell matters, because he’s the current example of a very important player in the game of hockey: The replacement level support player.
Some people call them jags (just a guy) but I never do. I’ve always cheered for them. Del Hall. Marc Habscheid. Mark Arcobello. Patrick Russell. Their lives, their stories, are perhaps even more compelling than this weekend’s All-Stars. They have a lot in common with the rest of the population. I love their stories.
In the next few weeks, Patrick Russell will jump over the boards and play in an NHL game. Music! I guarantee Russell will value that shift more than someone like Sam Gagner could ever value a single 30 seconds. I’ll cheer like hell for Russell, for his wife and for his family. That’s the story. I’ve been watching these players since Larry Mavety and cheer for every one.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
Friday! Weekend on the way, we kickstart things on TSN1260 at 10 this morning. Steve Lansky from BigMouthSports talks All-Star weekend and the McDavid story, Matt Iwanyk rails against the baseball hall of fame, and I’ll tell you some stories. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!
Why in the world would the Oilers sign Peluso to an NHL contract or call him up to the NHL?
In the name of Tkachuk, Gio and “revenge” – that would be an awful decision.
How about play NHL level players in the game with big standings implications and not lose a third game to the flames because of Tkachuk’s actions?
To be honest, IMHO didn’t look like Connor tried his hardest. Which is weird for him he is so competitive. Maybe not worth getting hurt at the ASG
Lowetide,
We are at 48 contracts? I guess that’s a no go considering there might be tasty freebies on the waiver wire soon.
Good Morning, thank you for the info.
It looked like Barzal had done some practising. He was really tight to the inner boundaries in the course in the corners.
Having just watched the fastest skater competition, what I notice is Connor was the faster but not the quicker skater. He has more power, but also covered more distance. Better apexes through the corners and he would have been in the 12s.
He’s on an AHL deal, so the Oilers would need to sign him.
OriginalPouzar,
I don’t think any of those go in for NHL goalies/defense
If you listened to the Don Metz interview on Stauffer’s show, the Oilers were not involved in the making or the production of the documentary. It was Connor’s people and Don Metz, who had become a close family friend, who decided late in the summer to do it.
Is Don Metz the Oilers? Not officially anymore.
Once they decided to do it, they went back through stuff people had collected on their iPhones and such.
The interviews were from late summer early fall.
McDavid and his people were always going to make the decision.
Katz main involvement was providing the private jet.
Anthony Peluso definitely should be the next call up and send back down after the two Calgary games
Anybody else think Katz had this documented just in case things did not go well, so that he could say it wasn’t his decision?
Maybe if Joel Silver (or one of his minions/proteges) was involved in the documentary’s production I’d potentially be inclined to think so, but… nah.
As a parent of a child who has a physical disability and deals with constant physio, the documentary was quite inspiring. Connor’s level of commitment to his rehab was incredible, and he is lucky for the PCL to heal on it’s own. Crazy. I’m not a fan of the “McJesus” name but this doc isn’t gonna do anything to slow it down!
Even though they paint Bob as the bad guy a bit, a decision to withhold information about the injury (in such a critical offseason for ticket sales) comes from above him. Wouldn’t even surprise me if Bob even agreed to fall on the sword. I doubt he’s with the org past this season.
I know right. I even teared up a bit after they showed his first goal of the season. We are super lucky to have him on the Oilers. We as fans should not take that for granted. He busted his balls rehabbing that knee against all odds and beat it. Superhuman indeed.
Whatever it takes is a little unnerving to watch.
I have so much respect and admiration for Connor.
I hope that post was the last significant bump In his career.
Watching that left a lump in my throat. Whatever happens we know how dedicated and special Connor McDavid is as a person.
Also, if this hockey thing doesn’t work out, Connor looks to have a bright future as a medical imaging technician.
Also, those hyperbaric chambers really need LED monitor screens installed in the closed end. Then those 2 hour sessions can be video study sessions while you heal!
Condors hold on for a huge win against a top team on the road.
Will Skinner get the start tomorrow?
Tuned in to the game for the third.
Currie has some skill.
Benson’s acceleration looked alright there last shift
Benning, wow, what a terrible shift to start the 3rd. 3 giveaways and a lost board battle.
And um, wow, I just saw the LARGEST cheerleader I’ve ever seen in my life. XXXXXL
And how character at the top sets the culture for an entire organization.
Lagesson/Bouchard out there killing a 5 on 3 – doing a wonderful job as well.
Tucson gets that PPG right back – a point shot finds its way through the screen and goes in clean.
Matty Benning off the cross-bar.
Bouchard is so good.
Just wonderful confidence carrying the puck through the netural zone for clean zone entires – he was actually foiled on a clean entry on the PP and a clear is made, he picks the puck up behind Skinner, once at the blue line a beauty tape to tape pass to Gralund at the blue line, gets it back at the point and a tape to tape pass down low to Benson – one touch pass to Currie for a quick release goal.
Wonderful shift by Bouch – again.
A beautiful rover.
Not paying 100% attention but the Maksimov/Cave/Esposito line has had a few plus shifts with really solid o-zone pressure – they were just all over the net in a mad scramble – multiple shots.
It builds momentum and Sammy finishes off a lovely 7-8 pass play.
Kulevich down, cross-zone to Malone, out in front to Sammy and he buries it.
One of the lovelier goals of the year.
Lavoie held off the scoresheet, -1 with 3 shots in a 4-1 loss.
The Boston College due also held off in a 4-3 Boston College comeback win.
Yeah it is very telling.
He wants people to know about Bob’s character.
Jesse’s Liiga highlights:
https://youtu.be/oylXAWd3OK0
Default resolution was horrible (480P) but you can use the settings button to select 1080P for some pretty nice video.
Pretty much everything was halfcourt or PP. I was hoping to see some nifty stick handling and/or skating but no such luck. Lots of uncontested wide open shots … does anyone play defense in Liiga? I really didn’t see any improvement in play from when he was in EDM. Looks like the same player we remember. What was your opinion OP?
I really wish you’d quit comparing Kassian to Maroon. Kassian can skate. Maroon never could. It really is that simple.
I have hated paying 30-year olds for a long time since forever. It isn’t personal. It is just business.
~ You heard it here first. Ken was doing Bobby a solid. The IIHF was concerned Bobby might be too transparent. Fixed. ~
Tucson wins a draw, a very weak point shot is blocked/deflected right to the guy at the side of the crease – very little chance for Skinner.
Game tied at 1.
McLeod cycled behind the net to Malone who finds Hebig cutting through the very high slot and he buries it for a 1-0 lead.
Bob guessing or does he know something?
Bob Stauffer
@Bob_Stauffer
·
2h
Now that we have established that Kailer Yamamoto is more than a serviceable option as a middle-six W…
IMO post All-Star break time to bring up Tyler Benson.
Benson is strong on the wall, can pass, smart and understands gamesmanship.
Oilers could use an internal push .
Holland will have to trade Nurse in the off-season so he can pay Mama Kass.
This is probably not going to end well. I imagine Godot is going to blow a fucking gasket … maybe two. I would really prefer to have Godot with all his gaskets operating at peak efficiency.
After break call up Benson and let’s see what we have if not make a trade for a forward that can move the needle and let’s have four lines going on any giving night.
@ AAV of $5M.
Granlund centering Currie and Benson.
Lagesson paired with Benning (who has been engaged physically in both games including take punches to the head).
This will be a tough two games against Tuscon on the road – they are elite.
Wait till he takes down Tkachuk, Gio and Lucic on the same shift Tippett immediately puts a A on his sweater and the club announces a 7 year deal.
godot10,
You’ve really got it in for Kassian. Are you Sam Gagner?
I tell people the truth.
The truth about Petry, about the Dementor, about #ThoroughlyMediocreCoach, about Cody Franson, about Yamamoto (and Bouchard) needing AHL time.
i.e. In September, I was saying just forget about Yamamoto till January.
I was just as hard on Maroon in his contract year as I am being on Kassian, when all the Maroon fan boys wanted to sign him to a similarly outrageous contract that they now want the OIlers to sign Kassian to. Where have all the Maroon fanboys gone? When will they ever learn.
I have been opposed to retirement contracts for 30-somethings for the longest time. I’ve railed against the doughnut hole in the roster from 25-29 for a decade.
lol…GOD ot10
The Light, The Truth and the Way.
Skinner starts tonight.
Samorukov back in – wonder if he’s still wearing the full cage.
Very nice reception for Wayne in St. Louis.
Just remembered that the Condors game is live on Facebook Watch tonight. That is awesome.
OriginalPouzar,
thz for sharing.
In Great Falls, MT for Hockey Tourney. Wont see the special on McD
Good catch. That would make a lot of sense.
Tkachuk still stupid. Lucic still picking spots, that was his gig.
thx Bruce. ppl forget Kass tried to lay out Tkachuk, he just spun him around.
Loved Kass response. He’s OK with Big Boy Hockey
You are nothing if not consistent when you pick someone in the organization to grind on.
When Kassian has to be bought out in two years from his front-loaded 4-year $14 million dollar contract, one just wants to set a marker down that it was obvious before the contract was signed.
Welcome, to the internet.
Lol, yes welcome! If it’s any consolation I don’t think this is how Al Gore intended it to work.
Hmm. That doesn’t sound like us.
This gave me a good chuckle!
It’s definitely tougher to see knowing that might have been the last chance.
Seems to be a lot of conclusions being drawn (and accusations being made) based on limited and incomplete information.
Kassian took two runs at Giordano & one at Tkachuk on the same shift, my internal chronometer says late in the first so after the first time Tkachuk ran him but before the second (and third).
Woodguy v2.0,
“Remember that bus that Bob backed over me the week I arrived? Well, I’m at the wheel now. Hahaha.”
New for The Athletic: Oilers prospects Evan Bouchard and Tyler Benson deliver best minor league performances in 20 years
https://theathletic.com/1560041/2020/01/24/lowetide-oilers-prospects-evan-bouchard-and-tyler-benson-deliver-best-minor-league-performances-in-20-years/