I have it on DVD and will probably watch it today. 30 years ago the Edmonton Oilers won their 5th Stanley. It was a delightful experience, because (unlike the other 4) it didn’t feel inevitable.
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, check it out here.
- New Daniel Nugent-Bowman: ‘We rallied and regrouped’: How the Oilers won the 1990 Stanley Cup
- New Lowetide: Why Kailer Yamamoto represents ‘Money Puck’ value for NHL teams
- New Lowetide: Exploring hidden-gem draft options for the Edmonton Oilers
- New Daniel Nugent-Bowman: ‘He set his place in history’: On Bill Ranford’s Conn Smythe run, 30 years later
- New Jonathan Willis: Why NHL teams should gamble on defencemen over forwards later in the draft
- New Jonathan Willis: Oilers’ offseason decisions will be influenced by 2021 Seattle expansion draft
- Jonathan Willis: Ken Holland’s likely approach to the Oilers’ offseason goalie question
- Lowetide: Hard target search for Oilers acquisition options among NHL forwards
- Lowetide: Oilers GM Ken Holland should shop for picks at the draft
- Lowetide: Exploring Oilers prospect Ryan McLeod’s possible NHL path
- Jonathan Willis: What does the path to an Oilers Stanley Cup championship in 2023 look like?
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Ales Hemsky on his health, alumni games, tough opponents and the Oilers’ stars
- Lowetide: Swedish export Noel Gunler offers Oilers a worthy draft target
- Scott Wheeler: Why Oilers prospect Raphael Lavoie is the shot creation king.
- Lowetide: How can Andreas Athanasiou — Ken Holland’s big bet — help the Oilers?
- Jonathan Willis and Lowetide: Who are the Oilers’ top 10 prospects and where do they project in the NHL?
The first Stanley was about a young team coming together and using their talent for the greater good. Less 99 driving opponents to madness (although that happened too), and more about positioning and finishing your checks. Call it lessons learned from the Miracle on Manchester.
The second Stanley was about destiny, with the Oilers losing Game 1 and then riding Gretzky, Coffey and Fuhr (stopped two penalty shots) to a 5 game victory. PS1 is here and PS2 is here.
The third one was about really worrying. The Oilers won the Stanley, but Ron Hextall damn near stole the thing and that’s the truth. It took all seven games, and the memory of the 1986 disappointment kept creeping back into my brain like a Poe story, but Glenn Anderson ripped a shot past Ron Hextall late in the third and a joyous summer was secured.
The fourth one was a sweep over Boston. In 5 games. You could look it up.
The fifth one is the one I cherish more than any save the first one. Why? You have to remember this was not the dynasty team. Here are the names on the Stanley from 1990:
Glenn Anderson, Jeff Beukeboom, Dave Brown, Kelly Buchberger, Grant Fuhr, Martin Gelinas, Adam Graves, Randy Gregg, Charlie Huddy, Petr Klima, Jari Kurri, Mark Lamb, Kevin Lowe, Craig MacTavish, Mark Messier CAPTAIN, Craig Muni, Joe Murphy, Bill Ranford, Eldon “Pokey” Reddick, Reijo Ruotsalainen, Craig Simpson, Geoff Smith, Steve Smith, Esa Tikkanen.
Peter Pocklington OWNER, Glen Sather PRESIDENT/GENERAL MANAGER, John Muckler COACH
Gretzky and Coffey aren’t on this team and there are many others who contributed to the dynasty that were long gone. It was an unusual run in that many of the impact players (Ranford, Simpson, in one game Klima) arrived after the first Stanley.
My most vivid memory of 1990 isn’t even part of the finals. It was Mark Messier’s performance in Chicago earlier in the playoffs (he was other worldly on this day, exactly as I’d read Rocket Richard was another glorious time in hockey history–wild eyed, the other side of crazy and possibly not thinking clearly) that sealed the season. From Legends of Hockey:
In the playoffs, with the Oilers down 2-1 in games to the Chicago Blackhawks in the semifinals, Messier took over in the fourth game, scoring two goals and collecting two assists in Edmonton’s 4-2 road win. His one-man display impressed everyone who watched, Chicago players, coaches and fans included, and his all-time performance spurred the Oilers. Edmonton swept the remaining games from Chicago and easily handled Bourque and the Bruins in the finals to give Messier his fifth Stanley Cup ring with Edmonton.
Mike Keenan (Chicago’s coach) said he knew the Blackhawks were up the creek when he saw Messier’s face in the pre-game skate. A lot happened between the 1988 victory and 1990:
August 9, 1988: After the Oilers traded Wayne Gretzky, John Muckler (who would win the 1990 Stanley as head coach) said “thank God I believe in life after death.”
The Oilers point totals dropped from 99 in 1987-88 to 84 in 1988-89. The Oilers entered the 89-90 season well outside the NHL’s elite teams.
Major playoff disappointments spring 1989 included Jimmy Carson, Esa Tikkanen, Craig Simpson and Glenn Anderson. Jimmy Carson requested a trade, or he would play out his option and sign as a free agent summer 1990. Esa Tikkanen and his agent (Rich Winter) were rumbling about heading out of town.
Grant Fuhr retired on June 8, saying he would sell cars in Wetaskiwin and citing Sather’s lack of respect for him as a leading cause for the retirement. (Don’t blame Fuhr, it was about salary and the Oilers were badly underpaying him).
Edmonton had a veteran group and they had a terrific goalie tandem (Fuhr and Ranford). Ranford would win the Smythe after starting the playoffs very badly.
And they won. The Boys On The Bus were still the heart of the team, but a major part of the 1990 story comes from names like Ranford, Simpson, Gelinas, Murphy, Reijo Ruotsalainen. Lordy Reijo Ruotsalainen. His playoff totals spring 1990? 22gp, 2-11-13 +13.
I’ll never forget spring 1990.
SCORING, 1990 FINALS
- Craig Simpson 5, 4-4-8
- Jari Kurri 5, 3-5-8
- Glenn Anderson 5, 3-4-7
- Esa Tikkann 5, 3-2-5
- Mark Messier 5, 0-5-5
- Joe Murphy 5, 2-2-4
- Steve Smith 5, 1-2-3
- Mark Lamb 5, 0-3-3
- Adam Graves 5, 2-0-2
- Craig MacTavish 5, 0-2-2
- Reijo Ruotsalainen 5, 0-2-2
- Petr Klima 5, 1-0-1
- Martin Gelinas 5, 0-1-1
- Randy Gregg 5, 0-1-1
- Kevin Lowe 5, 0-0-0
- Craig Muni 5, 0-0-0
- Kelly Buchberger 5, 0-0-0
- Charlie Huddy 5, 0-0-0
- Bill Ranford 5, 1.35 .949
OTTAWA’S PICKS
One of the teams Edmonton may want to do business with in attempts to gather draft picks is the Ottawa Senators. Now that we have confirmation that the league will use winning percentage for the standings, we can safely project the Senators draft picks. Before the lottery, they are: Nos. 2, 3, 21, 33, 48, 52, 55, 64, 74, 95, 151, 158, 184. If the Oilers are shopping Jesse Puljujarvi and Ottawa is interested, perhaps one of these picks will land in Edmonton before draft day.
By the way, Edmonton’s picks are Nos. 20, 82, 144, 175, 206. That pick at No. 82 is the Neal pick so there are no guarantees the NHL will make a decision favoring Edmonton. Assume the worst and you’ll never be disappointed. One player who doesn’t get mentioned much in regard to a Jesse Puljujarvi trade is Dominik Bokk. He has been playing in the SHL for the past two seasons, with NHLE’s of 23.9 and 18.5. Most interesting is his even strength scoring:
- 2018-19: 47 games, 2-11-13 in 10:26 per game (1.59)
- 2019-20: 45 games, 8-4-12 in 11:07 per game (1.44)
Bokk is a fast player and turned 20 in February. The time is right to bring him over. The problem for Ken Holland involves comparing Bokk’s production with that of Puljujarvi in the Liiga. This is even strength:
- 2019-20: 56 games, 16-22-38 in 15:16 per game (2.67)
The SHL is a better league than the Liiga, but NHLE awards Puljujarvi 35.1 compared to Bokk’s much lower totals. Here are some other prospects and their even-strength totals:
- Lias Andersson 2019-20 SHL: 15, 3-4-7 in 12:40 per game (2.21)
- Casey Mittelstadt 2019-20 NHL: 31, 3-4-7 in 10:58 per game (1.23)
LOWETIDE FINAL LIST
On June 1 I’ll have the final 2020 list for you, it’s trending toward 125 in total. There is movement on the final list, very difficult to project European kids. I expect we’ll see some major draft steals in rounds two and three.
I think 7 million would be the absolute highest number Nurse could hope for in a long term deal. I have yet to hear his name in a Norris conversation. I would peg his long term value closer to 6 million. If he wants 7 million, or more, I think you have to trade him.
Either way, I think Klefbom or Nurse gets moved next summer. Too many promising young lefty dmen in the food chain that are cheaper options.
I wasn’t positing an opinion on Nurse vs. Klefbom – the conversation was solely in relation to a proposed Nurse for Domi trade and it wasn’t a valuation of Nurse vs. Klefbom.
With that said, I’m not sure I agree with you on their valuation but that’s an entirely different conversaiton.
As per LeBrun, NHL sending out their 29 phase 2 protocol.
Expected to start in early June but not official date and its subject to change.
Player will be allowed to use their team facilities with up to 6 players on ice. Other safety protocols to be followed – no coaches.
No player forced to participate and teams cannot force players to come back to home cities to start local quarantines and ensure they are ready for phase 2.
I’d always assumed that they’d keep Klefbom’s value contract for the duration, but yours is an interesting suggestion. If Nurse can be re-signed to a reasonable long-term contract and Klefbom replaced by an even lower cap player (Jones at $850k then Broberg at $925k), Klefbom’s trade value would be well worth exploring. As you say, Nurse is a far better bet from a longevity perspective. If Nuge signs (say) 7 x $7M next summer, can Nurse really ask for more? Would we be comfortable paying Nurse that much? I think it’s near the top of the range of reasonable in my estimation.
https://www.thestar.com/amp/sports/hockey/2014/09/22/maple_leafs_couldnt_veto_nhl_expansion_to_gta_bettman_says.html
Oh sure if Sam Pollock’s drafting the players.
After Lowe+MacT arrived at the draft one past year and with 3 1st round picks managed to turn them into next to nothing I’ll never buy the hype attached to terrible teams drafting, ever.
And what in your opinion did my previous post say? Did I call Domi magic beans? Do I think an established player is magic beans? Is that what you think I think? Is that what this is all about?
Sorry I didn’t read the balance of the blog before I replied to OP and I am in agreement with your thinking. The key is the timing.
For the most part we are in agreement. When the timing is correct the major difference is in who we believe should be first to go Nurse or Klefbom. I believe Nurse is the better bet long term.
If Nurse agrees to a long term extension next summer, and Jones, Samarukov and Broberg continue to progress, I can totally see the Oilers trading Klefbom.
He will still have 2 years left on that value contract. You gotta think he would bring back a significant asset.
Sure but I’d rather draft enmass and get to point in development path where fork is clear than trade very uncertain potential talents at this phase.
10 players first 3 rounds
2 very high in basically near can barely miss
So 8 in mixer….could you possibly hit one more high end and a couple depth this go round?
Stagger timelines as you see fit. Not rush anything sign depth forwards on 1 year deals to force some hurdles…
I get the “well what could happen is this bad thing if managed poorly” but like is everyone too used to oilers low bar?
It’s a factor if you font have a clear plan sure. But if you strip it down to frame as senators have and set reasonable timelines it shouldnt be much of a problem.
Generally though it’s a head scratcher how these sports organizations run things. For scale of operation they sue run pretty haywire.
If you cant figure out how to optimize a flood of talent with enough options to cover margin of error at key positions and proactively convert assets you might be over supplied in prior to reaching inevitable bottlenecks…
Should ti7 really be running an organization of ths cost level?
Up to a point I agree. And that has been the case for years now. But things do change. Personally I think it is way to soon for the league to expand but I expect a 2nd market in the GTA will be front and centre the next time it is on the agenda.
DSF put both feet in the Dys muck this year. Pointed this out multiple times in October and November that he was stuck with his purchase. No buyers remorse. He traded in the rest of the field and now gets to wear his DysDom for better or worse.
You last sentence is agreeing with what I posted.
No, i would think not but, as we know, not all “Board of Governor” votes are created equal and I’m guessing that Gary and the league enjoy keeping MLSE happy……
Given klefbom is injury prone in my opinion he is the player you move while his value is high and his cost will soar. Moving either or of the above before you have a reasonable replacement and a back up plan the risk is too high.
I’m pretty sure MLSE which is jointly owned by Bell (TSN) and Rogers (SN) could be convinced if the broadcast pie was much, much larger.
Paul Allen, while alive, always resisted bringing the NHL to Portland.
Now that’s he is gone. perhaps his family who own the Trailblazers, the arena and the Seahawks would take another look at it.
But not a veto as far as I know.
This idea has been floated many times over the years.
Leafs’ ownership have a view I believe.
A second franchise in the GTA is the NHL’s version of an empty lot in downtown Vancouver. It just sits there getting more valuable every year waiting to be cashed in when wanted or needed.
I think Portland can work as well as Houston.
I never said that Caleb Jones is or will be as good as Darnell Nurse but that doesn’t mean that Nurse can’t be traded if Jones shows he can be an every day 2LD. It may be a downgrade in some respects at 2LD but the trade haul would, presumably, be a huge upgrade at another position.
A bit of a downgrade for a season or so at 2LD to massively upgrade at a position of need, with Samorukov and Broberg both bubbling under as cover – that could be explored. As of right now, the risk of material downgrade at 2LD in the immediate is too great but it may not be in a year.
Yes, that is what others have said. That is not what your previous post said.
Ron Hainsey, Andrej Sekera, Anton Stralman – all signed.
There is no reason to think that Rusty doesn’t want to play and won’t be offered a contract by various teams.
Gardiner had to wait because of contract demands.
If Rusty demands $4M, he won’t get signed.
If Rusty is willing to take 1 year at $2MM, he’ll get signed.
Of course they’re carrying dead contracts for Ryan Callaghan, Marian Gaborik, Clarke McArthur , and Mark Boroweicki who will all fade away in the next couple of seasons.
Lots of room.
Maybe – not at his current level though – I’m confident in his game for the next 5-6 years but, as one approaches his mid-30s……
Just saw a tweet online from TSN host Matt Sekeres.
If the NHL wants to raise a billion dollars, sell an expansion franchise in Toronto.
It’s the largest hockey market in the world and is under served.
There are two teams in Southern California and three in the NYC region.
You could balance the league by selling another expansion team to Houston.
Thoughts?
Not really – they’ll need to add the requisite contract and, except for one player drafted (likely), none will come from the influx in to the organization.
This isn’t a problem for next year but in the few years after – potential problem.
There is in my opinion no way now or ever that you can ever have Nurse and Jones in the same conversation. There only sameness is left shot hockey players. To think otherwise is looking at Jones with rose coloured glasses.
Domi is a good player but cap issues considered there’s no way he goes to the Oilers, who need young players who don’t need to get paid so much. That’s reality when you’re running 2 players who collectively cost you 20 million bucks.
Jake Gardiner had specific places in mind and wanted to get paid.
The chance that Kris Russell will get a 16 mil contract is 0
The chance that someone will say hey I need a vet defenseman in training camp is pretty good
The same time can pose a problem at the AHL level when you have a large group ready but limited places to play them. They need veteran leadership and mentoring to flourish. Sounds great in theory but would have some logistical hurdles.
I would say he’s going to try and continue playing. Career earnings are almost meaningless. Very few millionaires say no thanks to another million
The game is getting younger every year.
29 year old Jake Gardiner had to wait months to get a new contract.
The Oilers were 8-5-1 in October.
The Canucks were 8-3-1.
Domination…heh.
I would be very surprised if he retired unless he couldn’t get an NHL contract (which I would also be surprised with).
While I am not in favor of a Nurse for Domi trade, Domi is far from “magic beans” and trading a player for “other players” – well, that’s kind of important for team building – trading from depth (Left D) to fill a hole (scoring forward).
Caleb Jones may be able to be an every day 2LD but, right now, we don’t know that so Darnell Nurse is too important to short term team success.
Good intel on Currie – where did you hear that?
That’s too bad if true – he is a fan favorite in Bakersfield and a very good AHL player that plays hard every shift.
With that said, I don’t think the UFA rights to a career minor-leaguer (handful of games but not even a tweener) has any trade value.
Yup, everyone will pretty much be healthy and fresh.
If I recall correctly, the last time all teams were essentially healthy and fresh, the Oilers were dominating the league in October…….
Hmmmmm, law of averages says 2 more years for a SCF appearance (one every 16) and also 2 more years of a title win (last win in 1990, 30 years ago).
Oh ya – its coming baby!
The way RNH plays he’s got another 10 years left in him easily.
Not at all. You live on Vancouver island, and as a result of reading the local news have morphed, whether you know it or not into a bandwagon Canucks fan. Ask anyone who has been reading you going on endlessly on Lowetide about the Canucks this, or the Canucks that, which definitely puts you into the bandwagon Canucks fan slot.
Of course, as a kind of Oilers hater you have a better team chosen to talk about in the Avs, you hope one that will go further than the perpetually shitty Vancouver Canucks which in turn should allow you the opportunity to continue to feel superior to us plebs(Oilers fans).
It’s no problem. Nothing to be ashamed about.
Pretty easy to manage that if you only have 9 players signed for next season
Scary to think how good they’ll be when Byram Timmons and Newhook join the team.
One potential issue with that approach is flooding the system with too many guys at once which could have issues with the reserve list max and, eventually, the 50 contract max.
I haven’t been on any bandwagon for a dozen years.
Just s hockey fan.
100% agreed and Nuge is just now starting his prime as a 2-way winger – he’ll get paid UFA money soon but I don’t think his game will regress for a good 4-5 years – not his overall game. He’s a “young UFA”.
Not just Drai in the playoffs but a rested Drai in the playoffs – that player is such a dominant beast when not warn down – excited to see a fresh Drai (and McDavid, of course).
I responded to the earlier post re: cap issue as oppossed to acquisition cost issue (and $7MM is even more than I was thinking). I don’t think this player will be value for his cap hit on his next contract and I don’t think the Oilers could fit it in (well, they could but the moves wouldn’t make sense for this player, in my opinion).