I’m fascinated by Ryan Kuffner’s future in the Edmonton Oilers organization. He’s at an age (24) where Tyler Pitlick was wrapping up his Oilers career. Would Pitlick have been retained in a Holland administration? I think so. Let’s have a look at this Kuffner fellow.
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RYAN KUFFNER
2019-20 AHL stats: 36, 6-5-11, 5-3-8 evens; EV GF-GA 13-14
1 Why are you starting with this guy? Holland signed him out of college (multiple teams pursued Kuffner) and then traded for him at the deadline. There’s a new sheriff in town, it behooves us to see how he conducts business.
2 Are you seriously considering him an NHL hopeful? In preparation for the ‘reasonable expectations’ series, I always establish a depth chart by position.
3 Yes? Among signed players who should be under control next season, I have Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Andreas Athanasiou, James Neal, Jujhar Khaira, Joakim Nygard, Tyler Benson, Joe Gambardella, Ryan Kuffner. That’s eight men. If Ostap Safin plays LW he’s in and around Kuffner, who is not close to an NHL spot.
4 What does he have to recommend him? Kuffner was a big scorer in college, at Princeton. During his senior campaign in 2018-19, Kuffner’s 22 goals led the ECAC and ranked fourth in the nation.
5 How expensive is Princeton? If you have to ask the question….
6 So he had one good year? Not at all. Kuffner recorded 152 points (75-77-152) in 132 games with Princeton. He was also a member of the ECAC All-Academic Team in each of his first three seasons (2015-18).
7 What did Holland see in him? Kuffner’s NHLE’s in college were 14.8, 24.3, 33.2, 32.6. You never know with college free agents, some turn into useful players and Kuffner was a bet Holland felt worthwhile. Not Drake Caggiula territory but worth a contract.
8 What did Holland see in him? He had 75 goals on 485 shots in 132 games. That’s a 15.5 shooting percentage and 3.67 shots per game.
9 So he’s a shooter who scored no goals in 10 NHL games and six goals in the AHL? He’s a player with an identifiable skill, meaning there’s a path (however unlikely) to a higher career level.
10 Oh my God you think he’s going to play in the NHL! No, but he’s a better bet than a meh prospect who doesn’t have at least one dominant skill. Plus, Kuffner’s skill has a high degree of difficulty.
11 Okay, his AHL numbers, please. In 32 games with Grand Rapids, he scored 6-3-9 on 44 shots. He posted 1-1-2 on the power play, 5-2-7 at even strength. His shooting percentage was 13.6 and he averaged 1.38 shots per game. In Bakersfield, he played four games, posting two assists, one on the power play and one at evens, seven shots, 2-1 goal differential at even strength.
12 Scouting report? Volume shooter. Mark Hillier from dobber prospects said Kuffner has good size, is smart and quick with a nose for the net and finds the open spots to receive passes.
13 What role will he play in Bakersfield? He didn’t get much power-play time in the AHL during his freshman season, suspect the Condors will see what he can do. I also believe he’ll play on a skill line, possibly behind Benson and ahead of Gambardella.
14 Let’s get back to this ‘dominant skill thing’ and have you explain it. I think the DRW were more likely than Edmonton to draft a player who had an identifiable skill that could be projected as his path to the NHL. A good example came in 2012’s second round. The Oilers drafted Mitchell Moroz No. 32 overall, a player Craig Button described at the time as “a player who enjoys the physical game. He’s a very good skater.” Moroz scored 16 goals and 25 points in 66 WHL games during his draft year. Detroit took Martin Frk 17 selections later, Corey Pronman saying “he has one of the best shots in the draft with a one-timer that rockets off his tape that is equivalent to the shots of elite finishers.” Frk also scored 16 goals and posted 29 points, but in 34 QMJHL games as he lost half a season to injury (he suffered a concussion in the pre-season that kept him out until December).
15. Sure, that’s an example but a one-off right? Actually, there are many examples. In 2009, DRW drafted Tomas Tatar 20 picks after the Oilers picked Anton Lander.
16. Can you turn the tables? Yes, the Oilers had a fabulous 2015 draft while Detroit’s was poor.
17 What is the last great Detroit draft? It looks like Holland-Wright left the DRW with a fantastic 2018 draft. First four players are trending well.
18 Happy Canada Day, you jerk. You too. We’ll get through this together. I’ve never been happier to be a Canadian. Blessed.
Kuffner Projected 2020-21 AHL stats: 50 games, 14-14-28 .56 points per game
My niece does as well. I’m not exactly sure of what Reja was getting at, but tried to answer the question.
We had had quite a bit of chat earlier about the potential for amnesty buyouts for next season.
Some thought that both the owners and players want them and others thought no way the owners agree to them if they are de-linking the cap from HRR the next few years and artificially increasing it – the players will be “in debt” to the owners over a few years and the owners wouldn’t want, as a group, more money leaving the system.
McKenzie confirms the RTP/CBA do NOT contain amnesty buyouts – as predicted.
As an aside, November 1 will be free agency day!
The NHL is not committed to using either hub. Pair of teams for a single series is far more portable and would not need an NHL arena. Lots of time for a lower Covid option acceptable to the PA to emerge stateside. The reasons they wanted a US hub may still apply for the SCF. Also takes away home hub advantage with one team more settled in.
I don’t think they’ve made that determination and I think they will wait for a while to make it. See what the situation is at that time.
Shit, in October they may be able to get some fans in there – unlikely but you never know.
In any case, if all things are equal, of course they would go with Toronto and, as biased as I am, totally makes sense.
Note: Chiasson was scratched for the entire cup finals with the Caps (I think).
I think coach starts with that “heavy, forechecking, aggressive” fourth line – he’s mentioned it a few times during the pause and 3-0 in goals is a real thing.
The PP was interesting – Neal scored at better rates than Chiasson but the team scored at better rates with Chiasson than Neal.
Gulutzan was on Oilers Now (or Gregor, can’t remember) during the pause and there was some great intel in there about the different strategies the team uses with each guy on the ice.
Nygard and Haas will get their games, I’m sure, but I do think coach starts both the vets as you suggest.
New for The Athletic: How Oilers winger Kailer Yamamoto can increase his value
https://theathletic.com/1902873/2020/07/02/lowetide-how-oilers-winger-kailer-yamamoto-can-increase-his-value/
I work at the pulp mill. So does the mayor of Peace River as the head of the environmental department.
Excellent point.
Curious that the one link returning a 404 error on the site is the link to the economics of the process. I guess we will never know the EIEO equation either.
Also no comment on the emissions resulting from oxidation and subsequent heating of hydrocarbons prior to reaching the optimum temp for Hydrogen production.
And then there is the production itself.
I mean if H2 is what is being produced the other byproduct pretty much has to be carbon monoxide. Switching from a byproduct that is absolutely essential to plant life (CO2) to one that is truly toxic would make complete green logic though.
I have not seen mention of which hub city gets the final round, but if the oilers win the Cup, McDavid will be hoisting it either in his home rink or his hometown. I wouldn’t bet against a rested and refocused McDavid. Oh, plus that other guy we got. Let’s Go Oilers. 2020 Cup Champions.
I can see the appeal of Neal-Khaira-Chiasson. I’m not convinced it will work, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if it did.
IMO those guys are all decently skilled (passing wise). They look ugly doing it but they get it done a lot of times. Haas has more quickness for sure but I haven’t seen much to suggest he’s a better passer or scorer than Neal-Kharia-Chiasson (I know many disagree).
I do agree the bottom 6 will probably be quite fluid beyond the Sheahan-Archibald pair.
On Chiasson vs. Haas, they scored similarly at 5v5 on the year. Chiasson was much better after January though (1.21/60 vs 0.57/60). They both had great on ice results (and underlying numbers) on the season, though IIRC Chiasson’s were slightly better. (Acknowledging that Chiasson probably had better linemates on average than Haas)
I’m pretty sure keys for Tippett and Holland (to start at least) will be role and experience. Khaira is an important penalty killer. Neal and Chiasson split time on PP1 and both had good on ice numbers. But FWIW Chiasson’s were quite a bit better (Neal ~10.0 GFon/60, Chiasson ~13.5 GFon/60 with Nuge).
Last but not least, Neal and Chiasson are the only 2 Oilers (I think) to have played in the cup finals. I’d be very surprised if they weren’t in the lineup to start the play-in round. That said, I do agree their lineup spots are vulnerable if that line isn’t effective right away.
Well, that’s the most I’ve ever seen our town spend on fireworks.
The original Camping Box.
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/history-of-recreational-vehicles?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=article
OriginalPouzar,
Kettle, meet pot.
Unnecessary cross check? Stay out of the crease.
It’s like he thinks people don’t know who he is/how he played, and what playoff hockey looks like.
I’d like to find a way to get some speed and passing on that line.
If Khaira and Sheahan are the bottom two Cs. I’d be tempted to replace Chiasser with Haas.
Don’t know what Tipp’s plan of attack for the playoffs will be… but I’d expect a bit of a revolving door in the bottom 6.
Possession numbers were poor but 3-0 in goals in 35 minutes – about even defensive zone and offensive zone starts (one extra defensive zone).
The mill benefits the town sure. Shutdown workers come from a range of areas, including the town, and often stay in town. Even though the mill isn’t in town, nor would a nuke plant have been.
My bias, for reference (everybody has one) is often against the town. It has an outsized opinion of itself relative to both its size and the surrounding counties. That’s why I’m dismissive of the pork politics that Hunter is not so subtly alluding to, but I remember quite well the way opinion shifted, which was quite related to the original location imo (I don’t think many people change their opinion based on an official’s junkets to Ontario, but maybe.)
I agree Chris Osgood is the best known player, but I don’t think he really “grew up” here, but not totally sure.
This.
Especially since three of the forward lines aren’t exactly locked in.
It’s conceivable, if Tippett tries it and likes it in the warm-ups. Realistically that’s more a start of the season or down the stretch if they’d have time to try things alignment though (IMO). I don’t think Tippett or Holland believe there’s enough time to try new things at this stage. It will be interesting to see though.
Neal, Khaira, Chiasson. So happy (I hope) to get to see this combination in the playoffs. They will be a forceful, shit disturbing, point producing line. Gold!
Agreed on all of that. I’m generally agree with this lineup but it’s more my take on what Tippett will do than necessarily what I’d do. I let Koskinen over Smith (my opinion) slip in there but agree Smith is very likely.
Perhaps, but given how good Larsson was in 2020, I think he’ll face the toughs, in particular in the playoffs.
Oscar/Larsson were almost 56% GF in 2020 and they essentially shares the TOI vs. Elites with the Bear Nurse pairing – Oscar was the highest in 2020 at almost 39%.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see that either.
I think we might see.
Nurse Bear
Klefbom Green
Jones Larsson.
That is exactly how I see Tip and Playfair starting game 1 (subject to injury or something unexpected at camp like an out of shape player), except:
1) I think Tip will start Smith unless there is separation during camp putting Mikko clearly ahead.
2) I could see Jones getting the start over Rusty given usage in 2020 but do think Rusty will get the start.
On point 1, to be clear, I believe Mikko was the better goalie this year and deserves the start (and Kevin Woodly had some great numbers putting Mikko near the top 10 in GSAA and even higher in 2020) but, of course, we know Smith is “Tippett’s guy”.
If the rest of Canada and the world continue to landlock Alberta energy, we have the option to become a crypto mining superpower. Stranded energy can now be transformed into “money” directly. i.e. It disintermediates the need for a “consumer” of energy, in the transformation of energy into money.
The world needs hash power in a safe jurisdictions.
Hash power in the crypto networks will be a matter of national security, to make sure Canada has a seat at the table to secure the crypto assets of Canadian financial institutions and citizens in the not to distant future.
Ennis-McDavid-Kassian
Nuge-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Athanasiou-Sheahan-Archibald
Neal-Khaira-Chiasson
Nygard-Haas-Russell
(Benson-Granlund-Marody)
(McLeod)
Nurse-Bear
Klefbom-Larsson
Russell-Green
Jones-Benning
(Lagesson-Bouchard)
(Broberg)
Koskinen-Smith
(Skinner-Rodrigue)
That team could do some damage.
I’m pretty damn excited. Hard to believe it’s that soon. Sure hope things go smoothly!
Nice. Alberta Hydrogen Sands (leaving carbon in the ground) has nice ring to it.
Another step along the in situ path. First mines were strip mines for Shallow deposits which fueled the current tech that leaves sand in the ground
The United States has been the largest producer of nuclear energy since the early 50’s and has recorded 11 fatalities related to the industry.
Name any other industry with a lower rate of work place fatalities than that.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_reactor_accidents_in_the_United_States
They still have no permanent site built for their most dangerous nuclear waste, which is piling up.
They have a plan. The United States has a plan. Even Canada has a plan. But nothing ever gets built, and the pile of stuff gets bigger.
JimmyV1965,
No, no incidents that I’ve heard of either.
They have however had issues with waste disposal. They were burying it for awhile I believe.
But I also had read about a facility in Cap de la Hague where they’ve been recycling it.
N64,
They’ve developed a filter to leave the bitumen in the ground.
See Norms link above ^
Any in situ tech that extracts hydrogen from hydrocarbons where they sit will be of great interest. Would be great if there’s also an angle to leave the bitumen in the ground and pull the hydrogen from our Hydrocarbon Sands.
Norm Hallman,
Yup. That’s the one. Thanks
France gets 72% of its power from nuclear. Never heard of an incident there.
Very. We can all use a good distraction these days.
We would not have our shiny new toy had the old “Muni” airport not been removed….land values with the increased height allowance made the project viable.
Training camp is 12 days away, how effing exciting is that?
Osgood is the correct answer, but Kelly Kisio was a fine player.
I’m highly confidant the players will vote “yes” even though many have concerns (healthy, family, logistics, etc.) and some just don’t want to play, however, in the end, the Return to Play is tied to the CBA extension that, from everything I know about it (high level) is a pretty big win for the players – huge for them financially over the next couple years, provides labor peace for over half a decade and guarantees the Olympic participation they want (s/t IOC approval).
The virus may end it at any point in time but they keep taking steps forward and those in Edmonton will start building that wall soon – yes, a literal wall will be going up around the bubble (or parts thereof).
Yup – one of my favorite tidbits in all of sports.
He’ll be getting that yearly cheque until he’s 72……
In my opinion, all players should be effectively quarantining in any event. Less than two weeks before camp, they should all be very particular about going anywhere and doing everything they can to ensure they are Covid free entering camp:
Per eric engels
Sources informing me NHL training camps, as speculated, will begin July 13. Also, any player arriving back to their playing city via commercial flight will have to immediately quarantine for seven days.
Agree that it is difficult to get credible sources particularly when the incident occurred in opaque jurisdictions.
Also agree there were impacts of radiation as you sat.
But let’s remember those 230,000 Cihiense dam collapse victims didn’t wait to die.
Also worth noting the the WHO estimates 7 million people die each year from air pollution primarily from the burning of coal, oil and gas.
Replace those power plants with nuclear and those deaths would drop dramatically.
Shane,
Hygienic Earth Energy
http://proton.energy/
Who’s the biggest Hockey star to come out of Peace River area is it Chris Osgood or am l missing someone?
The Netflix mini-series on Bill Gates had an episode on his plans for a safer form of nuclear energy. Worth seeing.
Question for you without trying to be bias does the pulp mill and especially during shutdowns help benefit the majority of townies?
In other words this uber conscientious for profit nuke company with its private jet made available for the then Peace River mayor to fly around in, didn’t even have the intelligence to site their “death machine” in a reasonable location? Yet, because they have lots of “scientists” to “prove” their argument they deserve a fair hearing. Yikes.
Bruce power (not the Alberta government) completely botched first location selection by putting it on Lac Cardinal (and the Grimshaw gravels aquifer to boot). By the time they moved to a relatively more reasonable location north of Peace River (not on a provincial park, better Geology, etc) their credibility was shot and never recovered. Just so happens I’m about a 15 minute drive from that spot right now.
The politics of the Town of Peace River were relatively inconsequential to me.