Bare Trees

by Lowetide

The Edmonton Oilers grabbed a point from the best team in the league despite playing without several of its best players. It was a balls out effort and I give the entire team credit. My player of the game? Ethan Bear. Time and again, it’s the rookie who sends the puck to safety, tape-to-tape and under control. Such a fine player.

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: Oilers lack deadline flexibility due to injuries, few assets and bonuses
  • New Lowetide: Making sense of the Oilers forward depth chart for the summer
  • Lowetide: For Oilers’ Kailer Yamamoto and Leon Draisaitl, first impressions are long forgotten. Why not for Jesse Puljujarvi?
  • Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Next-night masters: How the Oilers beat the Hurricanes and improved to 6-0 in the 2nd half of back-to-backs
  • Lowetide: Oilers reap benefits of Bakersfield Condors’ strong development process, even in a losing season
  • Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Stepping out and up, Leon Draisaitl puts himself in the Hart Trophy mix in Connor McDavid’s absence
  • Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Despite ‘transformation’ with Oilers, Zack Kassian’s on-ice actions come under scrutiny again
  • Jonathan Willis: Why the Oilers are playing their best 5-on-5 hockey of the season
  • Lowetide: Making sense of the Oilers defensive depth chart for the stretch run and the summer
  • Jonathan Willis: 10 overlooked trade targets for the Oilers before the 2020 deadline
  • Lowetide: The Oilers trading their first-round pick is a bad idea
  • Daniel Nugent-Bowman: 15 potential trade targets for the Oilers before the 2020 deadline
  • Lowetide: Drilling down on right-handed centres for the Oilers to target before the trade deadline
  • Lowetide: If fast is the new big, the Oilers are trending in a very good direction
  • Lowetide: Why the Oilers are more likely to trade Adam Larsson than Kris Russell
  • Lowetide: Oilers prospects Evan Bouchard and Tyler Benson deliver best minor league performances in 20 years
  • Jonathan Willis: An updated list of which Oilers are most likely to be traded in 2019-20

OILERS AFTER 60 GAMES

  • Oilers in 2015-16: 22-32-6, 50 points; goal differential -31
  • Oilers in 2016-17: 32-20-8, 72 points; goal differential +12
  • Oilers in 2017-18: 25-31-4, 54 points; goal differential -33
  • Oilers in 2018-19: 25-29-6, 56 points; goal differential -24
  • Oilers in 2019-20: 32-21-7, 71 points; goal differential +4

A strong middle period was the key to getting the Bettman, along with special teams which are a damned dream for Oilers fans who have been watching for the last decade. A slender point behind the 2016-17 season after 60 games. Music!

ON THE TENS

  • First 10 games: 7-2-1
  • Second 10 games: 5-4-1
  • Third 10 games: 5-4-1
  • Fourth 10 games: 3-6-1
  • Fifth 10 games: 6-2-2
  • Sixth 10 games: 6-3-1

That’s a solid number and puts Edmonton in very good position for the stretch run. We’ll see if Ken Holland makes any moves but this team has earned the help.

OILERS IN FEBRUARY

  • Oilers in February 2016: 2-7-0, four points; goal differential -18
  • Oilers in February 2017: 5-4-0, 10 points; goal differential 0
  • Oilers in February 2018: 2-6-1, five points; goal differential -4
  • Oilers in February 2019: 1-5-3, five points; goal differential -12
  • Oilers in February 2020: 5-3-1, 11 points; goal differential +2

Best February in the McDavid era, and a positive goal differential to boot. Oilers are 3-1-1 without 97, which would have been impossible before Tippett.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN FEBRUARY

  • On the road to: CAL, ARI (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 1-1-0)
  • At home to: SJS, NAS, CHI (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 2-1-0)
  • On the road to: TBY, FLA, CAR (Expected 1-1-1) (Actual 2-1-0)
  • At home to: BOS, MIN (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-1)
  • On the road to: LAK, ANA, VEG (Expected 2-1-0)
  • At home to: WPG (Expected 1-0-0)
  • Overall expected result: 8-5-1, 17 points in 14 games
  • Current results: 5-3-1, 11 points in nine games

Oilers need three wins from the final five games in the month to reach my expected results. I like this team’s chances, though Vegas and Winnipeg could be a challenge. Edmonton on pace to finish with 97 points.

OILERS 2019-20

Not much scoring so the numbers remain mostly untouched. Leon Draisaitl has a 14-point lead on Connor McDavid with 22 games left. McDavid won’t play in all of them. All numbers five on five unless noted and via Natural Stat Trick.

LINE 1 Nuge-Leon Draisaitl-Kailer Yamamoto played 10:55, going 10-6 Corsi, 8-2 shots, 0-1 goals, 5-2 HDSC. Draisaitl played 12 minutes against Chara-McAvoy but there was no hard match among the forwards.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had two shots, HDSC, played well and skated miles. Smart player. Had a power-play assist. Took a silly penalty, suspect he thought everyone was doing it so why not? But the stripes caught him. Leon Draisaitl had three shots, two HDSC, three giveaways, one takeaway, won 12 of 16 in the faceoff circle. My favourite play was a strong back check and interception in the Oilers slot and then jailbreak the other way for a good chance. Great discipline and attention to detail. Kailer Yamamoto spent the evening driving Zdeno Chara crazy. Yamamoto used Chara’s size against him brilliantly in a hummingbird versus 18-wheeler matchup. Best chance in OT. He lost his mark again on the first goal, that’s twice in a week. However, Sebastian Aho and Patrice Bergeron are damned good hockey players so let’s review.

LINE 2 Tyler Benson-Riley Sheahan-Josh Archibald played 6:27, going 2-6 Corsi, 0-2 shots no goals and 1-1 HDSC.

Tyler Benson had a quiet night, getting one or two good looks (great chance on the power play). He does get the puck to good places, that’s going to keep him in the lineup. Bruins were a load for Game No. 5 of his career. Riley Sheahan had a takeaway and won two of four on the dot. Josh Archibald had a HDSC, takeaway and played over six effective PK minutes (as did Sheahan). The special teams impacted this line’s five on five minutes. Important players in getting the Bettman.

LINE 3 Sam Gagner-Gaetan Haas-Alex Chiasson played 5:36, going 9-3 Corsi, 3-1 shots, no goals and 1-1 HDSC.

Sam Gagner scored the power-play goal, and at even strength he had two shots, HDSC and played well five on four. He was the most dangerous shooter on the Edmonton side, adding a crossbar ping to his deflection goal. Gaetan Haas had a shot, drew a penalty and won three of four faceoffs. He’s a player Tippett likes at five on five. Alex Chiasson was very physical and drew the attention of the Bruins a couple of times. One shot, drew a penalty and two giveaways. This line got some traction and Gagner scored the goal. I wonder if they get more time on Friday night.

LINE 4 Jujhar Khaira-Colby Cave-Patrick Russell played 3:04, going 3-1 Corsi, 1-1 shots, no goals and no HDSC.

Jujhar Khaira played 4:34 at five on five and 4:19 on the four on five, had a shot on the PK but nothing shaking elsewhere. Colby Cave blocked a shot and won two of four faceoffs. Doesn’t get PK time, meaning he didn’t play much. Patrick Russell had a shot on net.

PAIRING ONE Caleb Jones and Adam Larsson played 13:25, going 17-8 Corsi, 9-3 shots, no goals and 5-2 HDSC. Pairing spent just one minute against Bergeron line.

Caleb Jones had a giveaway and a takeaway, and confidently moved the puck. That included some smooth moves past forecheckers and taking good risks. I thought he looked right at home in the top-four defense. Adam Larsson also had a solid game, two shots, a giveaway, took a penalty and played 5:21 on the PK. Took a shot off the back (neck? shoulder?) later in the game and seemed dulled for a moment.

PAIRING TWO Darnell Nurse and Ethan Bear played 11:16, going 4-16 Corsi, 0-8 shots, 0-1 goals and 2-8 HDSC. They were supported (7:15) by the Draisaitl line and faced (6:28) the Bergeron line for basically the entirety of that trio’s five on five time.

Darnell Nurse had one HDSC and a giveaway on an enormous night’s work. Including both special teams he played 29:58. Defended Marchand’s progress into the Oilers zone but couldn’t stop the pass to Bergeron (who had a step on Yamamoto) on the first goal. In overtime, he stumbled as he drove to the net, then fell, his mark (Pastrnak) scoring the winner. Took a penalty on the PP when he didn’t feel pressure and turned the puck over in a bad spot. I’ll give him credit, he answered the bell. I’m not inclined to bury a guy for doing his best when injuries force the coach to stretch him to impossible levels. I’ll stand by Darnell Nurse this morning, just as I did for Shawn Horcoff when he had to carry giant boulders up a hill under sniper fire. Context, people. Ethan Bear had a fine night, I want to scream because people apparently don’t notice his cherry passes. Jesus, Mary and Joseph if you haven’t witnessed these pay close attention to how much danger is avoided by Bear’s outlets. Had the assist on the PP goal, I think we may see him more (PP is not Nurse’s strength) as the days go down. Took a penalty, drew a penalty, pissed off Marchand, had a takeaway.

PAIRING THREE William Lagesson and Matt Benning played 6:31, going 5-5 Corsi, 4-2 shots and no threats.

William Lagesson had a good game, you can see why the Oilers like him. Drew a penalty, made some good decisions defensively and received substantial PK time (4:40). That’s a tell, ladies and germs. Coach trusts you against the best team in the league on the PK in your fourth NHL game, coach trusts you. Matt Benning had two shots, took a penalty, drew a penalty, takeaway. I think this pairing may get more minutes moving forward, solid evening’s work.

GOALIE Mike Smith stopped 32 of 34, .941 and both goals against were high danger. I don’t think anyone can blame the goalie this morning. One minor note: He is so aggressive on breakaways, not sure it’s wise to be that consistently aggressive. Shooters wait until he makes his move. Supposed to be the other way.

NURSE AND THE POWER PLAY

One of the things we’ll see in the days to come is an adjustment in power-play usage among defensemen. In the 2019-20 season, lefties have been deployed for 288 minutes (2-19-21, 4.38 points per 60) and righties for 48 minutes (1-1-2, 2.49 points per 60).

Next season, maybe sooner, Evan Bouchard and Ethan Bear are going to change the dynamic. Maybe Edmonton runs two defensemen on each PP or maybe Nurse is dropped and Bear is added (until Bouchard gets used to the rigors of five on five).

Either way, Dave Tippett’s opinion is the one that matters, and he had Nurse out on the power play and in extra time. We know that Nurse, who has a great shot, doesn’t have the passing and offensive instincts of Klefbom. His decision not to reset (but rather drive to the net) is being mentioned online as a mistake, but I’d suggest it was the right call but wrong player. Tippett would rather have had Klefbom there, he’s unavailable. Coach has given his veteran a shot in that spot, maybe we see a different look next time. Perhaps Bear and Benning in extra time.

I’m a little flummoxed this morning by people burying Nurse for giving his best last night. It’s Horcoff all over again. Edmonton booed Paul Coffey, so in a way Nurse should take this as a compliment. I’m wondering why we can’t acknowledge shortcomings without being vicious about it, but then again this is the internet. You know folks, all five men out against Bergeron’s line last night made mistakes. Maybe we can reflect on that for a time.

May I respectfully suggest your concerns are better expressed at the coaching level? I think a more interesting discussion today would involve how long it takes Tippett to move Bear on to the 1PP and Nurse off the 1PP. He’s a damned smart coach, that’s a move he could make today.

LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE

At 10 this morning, we’ll hit the ground running with plenty to talk about. Sounds like a Holland avail will be part of the proceedings, we’ll carry it if available. Frank Seravalli will also join us to chat about trade deadline heating up, Jeff Krushell from Krush Performance will chat Blue Jays and MLB.

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N64

Harpers Hair:
The VGK move into first place in the Pacific despite the Oilers and Canucks having two games in hand.

What may decide this race is the Oilers and Knights have 3 games against each other remaining.

Huge.

By the end of every month ending in r y h or l I’ve fully expected Vegreville to be first in the Pacific.

~ I have it on good authority that they would get ‘er done by the end of November, but that Bettman point is worse than a Heinz commercial. Takes years to ketch up. Without the head to heads this might have taken as long as finding the question for 42. ~

Kinger_Oil.redux

Munny: Let’s say Neal gets back before the playoffs. scores his 20th, has a decent showing in the second season… if he were a UFA this summer I think he earns a similar contract to what Simmonds got.Depends on the number of interested parties and the breadth of the market (it’s not the same every summer), but Simmonds is likely the right ballpark.

He has one point less than Simmonds did when Simmonds signed, in 29 less games, and two more goals.And Neal is a known glue guy.Someone would pay him.GMs love goals and glue.

– Yeah, I mean sure he has some significant negatives, but honestly I don’t get how so many believe that he is going to be bought out this summer, or that he ought to. Its just so punitive (on top of the dead salary for Lucic, Sek, Poo, etc, you’d have what $7MM+ in dead space)

– In the history of Hockey, a 20-goal scorer with positive possession #’s don’t get bought out.

– You just don’t terminate people who exceed expectations in any business

– In the absence of another Lucic/Neal type trade in off-season, give him PP time still, drift down the roster, and next year evaluate: if the team continues to be good, he will continue to score goals.

– Anyway it will for sure be one of my questions on the off-season ArmChair GM contest…

frjohnk

Here are the current Dmen ( NHL and AHL) who played majority of their 20 year old season in the AHL and scored near what Bouchard has this year.

Derrick Pouliot 0.774
Justin Faulk 0.774
Mike Green 0.768
Timothy Liljegren 0.763
Shea Theodore 0.76
P.K. Subban 0.688
Brayden McNabb 0.667
Evan Bouchard 0.66
Tyson Barrie 0.653
Yannick Weber 0.647
Kyle Wood 0.632
Adam Clendening 0.63
Jake Bean 0.629
Vince Dunn 0.625
Anthony Deangelo 0.623
Joey Keane 0.612
Kyle Capobianco 0.612
Dylan Coghlan 0.606

Maybe Bouchard ends up being a Dman like Clendening or Wood who score well in the AHL but can not make the jump to the NHL.

Maybe he ends up being a 3rd pairing Dman like Weber.

Maybe he ends up being a Dman who scores like Green, Subban.

Id be worried if a Dman who was drafted for his offense, played in the AHL this year and didnt put up much for offense, but the numbers show Bouchard is in good company.

His story is yet to be told.

frjohnk

OriginalPouzar: considering you equate prospect performance at age 24 to another at age 20

HH just loves reaching into that Joe Colbourne bin.

OriginalPouzar

Harpers Hair: Check the birth dates.

I see you edited out your personal insult – no need to get triggered, its just hockey talk.

Birthdates are indeed important but you were the one that used production in draft plus 1 and draft plus 2 and posted incorrect stats.

You brought up years after draft, not birthdate.

Of course, its odd that you would bring up birthdate now considering you equate prospect performance at age 24 to another at age 20……

OriginalPouzar

Harpers Hair: Oh, I don’t think it’s bad at all.

He needs a chance to see what he can do in the NHL.

But based on his track record he’s likely not going to be more than a second pairing D with defensive issues.

Of course, no two prospects are the same and he could well clear that bar or he could also fail to meet it.

OP would have you believe he’s the next Bobby Orr but I don’t see any evidence that is true.

He was drafted only three spots behind Quinn Hughes so expectations should be high but Dobson and Sandin have already passed him despite being drafted later…very small sample size.

Based on what track record? One prospect that you cite that didn’t live up to his draft day pedigree? Come on.

Draft plus 1 – CHL d-man of the year
Draft plus 2 – AHL all-star who has shown huge development in his game from October through February and is producing at a PPG, playing 25 minutes per game an even on a terrible team in 2020.

He very well may end up being a 2nd pairing/PP guy but he’s trending just fine for his 10th overall draft position.

To say he’s been passed by Dobson and Sandin is dishonest – Bouchard hasn’t played NHL games this year because of depth of NHL quality d-man. There is no chance Sandin would have played NHL games as an Oiler and he’s playing as a function of the Leaf’s lack of depth. Dobson is a very comparable prospect and I have little doubt that Bouchard could produce similar, likely better, boxcars if he had 30 NHL games.

All great prospects – can’t say which of the three will end up with the better careers but Bouchard is potentially top of that list, even right now – time will tell.

ArmchairGM

Bouchard in 2020: 20, 3-14-17 +3

ArmchairGM

Munny:
Another comment in what seems to be a series of late night trade ruminations…

__________________________

I will say one thing about Luke Glendening… his face off stats are the best I’ve seen from a potential trade target.

They are stupid good, AND he’s a rightie.

$1.8M but problem is, his contract has another year to run.And likely Stevie Y doesn’t want to be seen as doing his Old Boss a favour.

Does Samorukov and a 2021 2nd get it done?

Fuck that’s a lot to pay for a good 4C and FO/PK specialist, even with a titch of term.

That’s a ridiculous price to pay. How bad is Glendening? He’s a drag on Athanasiou FFS. He isn’t worth a 2nd alone.

Ryan

Munny:
Another comment in what seems to be a series of late night trade ruminations…

__________________________

I will say one thing about Luke Glendening… his face off stats are the best I’ve seen from a potential trade target.

They are stupid good, AND he’s a rightie.

$1.8M but problem is, his contract has another year to run.And likely Stevie Y doesn’t want to be seen as doing his Old Boss a favour.

Does Samorukov and a 2021 2nd get it done?

Fuck that’s a lot to pay for a good 4C and FO/PK specialist, even with a titch of term.

Term only adds to the acquisition cost if it’s a good contract.

We already have Sheahan as a 4c.

$1.8 m is on the pricier side for a 4c. Combine that with the extra year on the contract, his age (nearly 31) and I’d probably want compensation to take that contract from Detroit.

Trading a second rounder and a good prospect for a $1.8 m 4 c who’s nearly 31 sounds completely bonkers to me.

Never mind that we wouldn’t have money to re-sign Sheahan this summer.

The Kings won a cup with our Colin Fraser as 4c. He was paid near league minimum and they traded us a sixth rounder to acquire his expiring contract.

I wouldn’t trade for a four c at this time of year probably ever unless we were a cup contender, absolutely desperate for a 4c, and the price was cheap.

ArmchairGM

Munny:
I can see it now, the next time Zona and Dallas meet…

Away from the play, with Benn watching the puck, OEL takes a two-handed swing with his stick—like it’s Paul Bunyan’s axe— and connects with the back of Benn’s head right below the helmet, shattering two vertebrae.

DOPS reacts with shock.

“No one could have foreseen such a vicious play coming”

Since it wasn’t a hit to the head, but rather the neck, does it warrant a suspension though? A $5000 fine would probably cover it, no?

RedNed

New Improved Darkness,

Made me laugh big time. Horc the Orc Slayer indeed!

Regarding the game, Boston looked like a pretty slick outfit. Oilers looked like the little engine that thought it could, and did. Very proud of the team.

Noticed Nurse’s oft mentioned misqueues and every time thought, ‘What now? Oh, hang on, he’s playing ridiculous minutes against a ridiculous team, give him a game or two to get up to speed. Bloody good game Nurse.’ Glad to see others thinking similar. Resting him from PP1 a little might be a good thing, also gives the younger guy a bit of a taste.

Really enjoying this season.

Munny

duct tape and foil: That’s crazy for a guy with 9 points. We got a better player, Sheahan, for no assets and less than $1 million in September. Glendening’s worth a 4th or Khaira straight up.

Not with term, judging by this market. Don’t get me wrong… if he costs less, I’m more than happy.

His face-off numbers are through the roof.

We’re not adding offense this TD. Well, except ENNIS! So about 10 goals and 10 assists above replacement with ENNIS, and a couple of each with Glendening.

But the FOs and PK Glendening brings gotta be tempting.

The thing about getting ENNIS and Glendening is that they’re material improvements on Haas and Nygard… both of whom I love, but aren’t core and are in over the heads entering these playoffs. (Nice depth tho.)

Leaves us with:

. . — DRY — . .
Archie – God – Neal
Ennis – Shea – Kass
Khair – Glend – Chase

You know you have it good when God is your 2nd line center, lol.

That’s a stout line-up. Moves the vet needle, adds points, adds FO wins, a RH Center, doesn’t lose speed or PK ability.. and should be able to be had for cheaper than the famous names.

We are shopping in the bargain bin… these adds represent value filling need, and don’t break the bank.

duct tape and foil

A lot to like in Holland’s media avail today. He worries about his own team at the deadline not what others are doing, trying to balance helping now versus the future, stated that he made 6 or 7 bets this summer and was happy that 4 or 5 worked out pretty well. Nice to be going into the deadline with some confidence that a pro is in charge for a change.

duct tape and foil

Munny:

That’s crazy for a guy with 9 points. We got a better player, Sheahan, for no assets and less than $1 million in September. Glendening’s worth a 4th or Khaira straight up.

Munny

Another comment in what seems to be a series of late night trade ruminations…

__________________________

I will say one thing about Luke Glendening… his face off stats are the best I’ve seen from a potential trade target.

They are stupid good, AND he’s a rightie.

$1.8M but problem is, his contract has another year to run. And likely Stevie Y doesn’t want to be seen as doing his Old Boss a favour.

Does Samorukov and a 2021 2nd get it done?

Fuck that’s a lot to pay for a good 4C and FO/PK specialist, even with a titch of term.

Munny

Undrafted player from Grand Rapids, Michigan. You know this guy will play for Holly, even if it isn’t his hometown team.

#givenalife

DevilsLettuce

Who’s gonna break Bruborg Rotterly’s heart and tell him that’s he’s be dump for Darush Poopley

Munny

who: I disagree.
But I guess we’ll never know. Cause it’s a 3 year contract. I would be real curious to see what he would get on a 1 year deal.

Let’s say Neal gets back before the playoffs. scores his 20th, has a decent showing in the second season… if he were a UFA this summer I think he earns a similar contract to what Simmonds got. Depends on the number of interested parties and the breadth of the market (it’s not the same every summer), but Simmonds is likely the right ballpark.

He has one point less than Simmonds did when Simmonds signed, in 29 less games, and two more goals. And Neal is a known glue guy. Someone would pay him. GMs love goals and glue.

who

JimmyV1965: Simmonds got a $5 mill deal this summer and he hasn’t scored in years. I’m sure Neal would get more than $2 mill as a free agent this summer.

I disagree.
But I guess we’ll never know. Cause it’s a 3 year contract. I would be real curious to see what he would get on a 1 year deal.

Munny

Harpers Hair: What may decide this race is the Oilers and Knights have 3 games against each other remaining.
Huge.

The schedule-makers should get a friggin bonus for this level of drama. That’s pretty much the fate of the division right there.

Bag of Pucks

leadfarmer:
I went to NHL shop.com to look for a Brogan Rafferty jersey but they don’t have any
I assume they must be sold out already

His number has already been retired and fans are forbidden from wearing his jersey.

It’s like a Shroud of Turin thing.

ArmchairGM

So… a complete fabrication? Sounds about right.

Munny

What do we know about Neal?

Sweet hands, good size and reach, effective net front presence, can shoot from distance, wins cycle battles, smart but cheats for O, old legs and heavy feet.

And about as perfect a dressing room fit as is humanly possible.

Has been a lock for 20 goals every year but one, and barring injury should do it again this year.

Okay.

So before trading Neal, really we need a 20 goal guy with good size and shot, who can battle as well but add the speed and agility that Neal lacks. Be a better defender and give up less.

Or at the very least some guy who can get you 20 and not get scored on in bunches. Maksi might be that guy… some day, not today. Lavoie, same.

Okay, so we gotta go get that guy then… what does a 20 goaler with decent speed and two way go for on the open market as the winning bid?

Now add in the buyout component. I have difficulty believing there’s a total savings there.

So yeah, we could replace him, maybe save money, most likely not, but aren’t there a lot more pressing issues to fill before replacing Neal? I mean if you’re not going to save money anyways.

I think they wait one more year on Neal till the cap springs forward. Inflation paints over a lot of mistakes. Because then the Oil have options. For one his salary will be eminently more trade-able, especially with retained.

I think the play is to divest Chiasson at some point before next October, which should be easier. They’re too similar; we don’t need to be paying over $7M for two of them. Want a secondary net front presence on PP2? Try Khaira out, or Kass.

And, of course ride KRusty into the sunset too, for some cap savings… although when you look at the friggin prices paid this deadline, you have to wonder whether it would behoove us to wait till TD 2021.

Bag of Pucks

godot10: Clearly a newbie to the blog.Welcome.The dumping on Kassian will continue until he provides value for money or is traded.

The Nurse haters are wrong.

Well, theoretically if you’re always right, then anyone who disagrees with you is always wrong. Right?

Harpers Hair

The VGK move into first place in the Pacific despite the Oilers and Canucks having two games in hand.

What may decide this race is the Oilers and Knights have 3 games against each other remaining.

Huge.

v4ance

Woodguy v2.0:
Bag of Pucks,

I don’t agree with Horcoff as a direct comparison. Horcoff was respected by most fans. I don’t agree with Horcoff as a direct comparison. Horcoff was respected by most fans. I don’t agree with Horcoff as a direct comparison. Horcoff was respected by most fans. I don’t agree with Horcoff as a direct comparison. Horcoff was respected by most fans.

Imma hafta disagree with you here Normie.

Twitter didn’t exist back then, but this blog did, as did hfboards and fishwraps.

Hfboards hated him.

The fishwraps (esp Matheson) would also mention how Horcoff “wasn’t a 7MM player” when his cap hit was 5.5 and he only got 7 in his first year.

LT was a supporter as were many of the commenters, but there were plenty of people with disdain for My Kaptain in LT’s comment section too.

My memory of those years is that those who like Horcov were in the minority and by a significant margin.

I agree with this recollection.

The entire reason I started posting here at Lowetide was because the group at Oilfans.com had an almost unanimous disapproval for Horcoff. I came here and saw people posting about his and Hemsky’s underlying metrics. The numbers showed MacTavish and Renney used Horcoff to take on the toughs while Gagner Hall and Eberle got easier matchups in their early seasons. The Horcoff supporters were a minority but I felt they made good arguments in his support using corsi and some of the early metrics.

At Oilfans, there was mostly gritensity discussions and how Hemsky was too soft and Horcoff was too overpaid with little room for nuance or opposition. The Oilfans.com crowd were mostly repeating the talk radio party line and rejecting anything beyond the “seen him bad” or too overpaid mantras.

Munny

Dead on. We were both on OilFans back then, and there’s still a nice-sized contingent here that largely moved on from there for the same reason… I’ve quaffed many a pint with the owner of that site over the years, but don’t regret migrating this direction. And to be fair, I only knew about LT, MC79, RiversQ, etc because they had posted on OilFans before here. Stats was the game changer for me and this was the place the smart kids hung out..

godot10

Johnny skid: this reminds me of your constant dumping on of Kassian.

Clearly a newbie to the blog. Welcome. The dumping on Kassian will continue until he provides value for money or is traded.

The Nurse haters are wrong.

Munny

YKOil: Trading Neal is doable.

I’m not sure they’re planning to do so.

Munny

Harpers Hair,

Thank you, sir.

YKOil

Would be pretty okay with passing along a 4th for Ennis.

Here’s another hypothetical trade for Neal, nudge, nudge, wink type, and completed in the off-season

Neal and a 2022 3rd to Ottawa for Bobby Ryan

Edmonton buys-out Ryan and he heads back to Ottawa on a more affordable contract

Cap savings for Edmonton in year 1 and 2 = $2.17m /yr and in years 3 and 4 = $3.92m /yr

Full Cap savings in years 5 and 6 (as there would be with Neal)

Trading Neal is doable.

PennersPancakes

Neal is only 3 years so year 4 would add 1.833 compared to riding out Neals contracts

Munny

Bolts lose. I’d be curious to know how many times the Lightning have pulled their goalie this year, but they never said.

Munny

Bolts get one back on the PP 5-3, but there’s only two mins left. Kucherov cross-ice to Stammer and that one-timer you’ve seen him hit a hundred times before.

Johnny skid

godot10: One of the constants in the decade plus of darkness is the majority of Oiler fans dumping on the teams’ best defensemen.The way to identify the OIlers best defensemen is to listen to who the fans are booing.

this reminds me of your constant dumping on of Kassian.

Munny

Jim Matheson‏ @NHLbyMatty ·

If Oilers are kicking tires on Sens’ Tyler Ennis for his speed and offence in a bottom six role (14 goals, 33 points) as a rental, it should be pointed out that Bob Green, who has a fair bit of sway as assistant director of amateur scouting, had Ennis in junior in Medicine Hat.

Did someone say, “ENNIS?”

Matty is the kiss of death on trade predictions though.

Bag of Pucks

Brokedown Ranchero won the Indy 500 once on a moped with Ann Wilson on the back and sugar in the gas tank.

Halfwise

Beercan Raftergate can play on my team any time. I hear he is pretty good.

It’s actually quite puzzling why he has yet to play. He must be ripe by now.

If there are any knowledgeable fans around, please chime in.

Harpers Hair

5-2 Vegas

Munny

Coburn, the guilty Dman above, grabs a stick like 20 secs later, goes to the box and Pysankas score again, Pacioretty, 7 secs after the faceoff.

Two goals for VEG in 47 seconds of third period.

Bank Shot

Harpers Hair: Check the birth dates bonehead.

Awwwww. Our little troll must be up past his bedtime throwing around insults. How cute.

Munny

TBL win the opening face off the 3rd period, goes back to the Dman, Reaves muscles him off the puck, shoots and it’s 4-2.

Harpers Hair

OriginalPouzar: You are comparing Pouliot’s draft plus 2 in the CHL to Bouchard’s draft plus 1.

Your information is factually incorrect.

Check the birth dates.

Harpers Hair

Scungilli Slushy: So do what with him?

Maybe see if he can play in the NHL. Trade him for Thornton? How bad is it?

Oh, I don’t think it’s bad at all.

He needs a chance to see what he can do in the NHL.

But based on his track record he’s likely not going to be more than a second pairing D with defensive issues.

Of course, no two prospects are the same and he could well clear that bar or he could also fail to meet it.

OP would have you believe he’s the next Bobby Orr but I don’t see any evidence that is true.

He was drafted only three spots behind Quinn Hughes so expectations should be high but Dobson and Sandin have already passed him despite being drafted later…very small sample size.

Bank Shot

Oh no. Facts got in the way of a good Hairlip story again.

Don’t worry. Sergei Shirokov and Breegan Ramenty will lead the Canucks to the promised land. Just you wait.

In Dim Benning we blindly support! never made a bad move that man.

Scungilli Slushy

Harpers Hair: He was sent back to junior one year after he was drafted.

So was Bouchard.

So do what with him?

Maybe see if he can play in the NHL. Trade him for Thornton? How bad is it?

OriginalPouzar

Harpers Hair: Evan Bouchard was drafted 10th overall.
In the season after the draft, he scored 53 points in 45games in the OHL.
He spent the following year in the AHL where he scored 33 points in 50 games and was -9

Derek Pouliot was drafted 8th overall.
In the season after the draft, he scored 70 points in 58 games in the WHL.
He spent the following season split between the Pittsburgh Penguins (7 points in 34 games) and the AHL where he scored 24 points in 31 games and was +2.

Given that Bouchard has inferior numbers to Pouliot and that Pouliot is in the AHL at the age of 26, please tell me why you think Bouchard is a better prospect.

Show your work.

You are comparing Pouliot’s draft plus 2 in the CHL to Bouchard’s draft plus 1.

Your information is factually incorrect.

Munny
Harpers Hair

Munny: Pouliot scored 9-3-2 in 44 gp the season after the draft.

He scored 70 for Portland his SECOND season after the draft.

And his split season was his THIRD season after the draft.

He was sent back to junior one year after he was drafted.

So was Bouchard.

Harpers Hair

Scungilli Slushy: LT told us there was baseball scout who said he didn’t like a prospect because his girlfriend wasn’t pretty,

Brogan Rafferty is so Scottish and hairy kilt wearing he doesn’t have one.

Bouchard’s is prettier than you.

Mike drop.

Mic

Scungilli Slushy

He he

Munny

Harpers Hair: Derek Pouliot was drafted 8th overall.
In the season after the draft, he scored 70 points in 58 games in the WHL.
He spent the following season split between the Pittsburgh Penguins (7 points in 34 games) and the AHL where he scored 24 points in 31 games and was +2.

Pouliot scored 9-36-45 in 44 gp the season after the draft.

He scored 70 for Portland his SECOND season after the draft.

And his split season was his THIRD season after the draft.

Harpers Hair

N64:
Tied up.

3-2 Vegas

N64

~ Going to rely on you to update the scoreboard in either direction ~

Scungilli Slushy

Harpers Hair: Evan Bouchard was drafted 10th overall.
In the season after the draft, he scored 53 points in 45games in the OHL.
He spent the following year in the AHL where he scored 33 points in 50 games and was -9

Derek Pouliot was drafted 8th overall.
In the season after the draft, he scored 70 points in 58 games in the WHL.
He spent the following season split between the Pittsburgh Penguins (7 points in 34 games) and the AHL where he scored 24 points in 31 games and was +2.

Given that Bouchard has inferior numbers to Pouliot and that Pouliot is in the AHL at the age of 26, please tell me why you think Bouchard is a better prospect.

Show your work.

LT told us there was baseball scout who said he didn’t like a prospect because his girlfriend wasn’t pretty,

Brogan Rafferty is so Scottish and hairy kilt wearing he doesn’t have one.

Bouchard’s is prettier than you.

Mike drop.

PennersPancakes

Harpers Hair: Derek Pouliot was drafted 8th overall.
In the season after the draft, he scored 70 points in 58 games in the WHL.
He spent the following season split between the Pittsburgh Penguins (7 points in 34 games) and the AHL where he scored 24 points in 31 games and was +2.

Draft +1 Pouliot did 45 points in 44 games***

Harpers Hair

Vegas up 2-1

N64

Tied up.