In last night’s Philadelphia-Montreal game, Joel Farabee scored a goal from the slot. He ducked his head as he did it, and my mind instantly snapped back to Ken Linseman, who used to shoot the puck in much the same way. From there, I got thinking about agitators who are skilled, and quickly to the current roster/prospect group. Aside from Zack Kassian, who are the Oilers agitators?
THE ATHLETIC!
Great perspective from a ridiculous group of writers and analysts. I am proud to be part of The Athletic. Here are the most recent Oilers stories.
- New Lowetide: Oilers Top 20 Prospects, Summer 2020
- New Jonathan Willis: Unqualified RFAs could be top offseason targets for the Oilers
- New Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Q&A: Legendary Oilers PA announcer Mark Lewis discusses his temporary comeback
- Lowetide: Ken Holland’s bet on Andreas Athanasiou and how Oilers will proceed
- Lowetide: Lessons learned from the ghosts of Oilers’ draft weekends past
- Lowetide: Oilers’ William Lagesson may benefit from extraordinary circumstances
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: ‘We’ll learn and grow from it’: Connor McDavid’s tune different compared to last year
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Who stays? Who goes? The most likely players to stay with and leave the Oilers
- Lowetide: A rational approach for the Oilers at the 2020 draft
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: What’s holding back the Oilers? Superstars’ defence and team’s depth under focus
- Jonathan Willis: After a play-in round exit, the Oilers need an offseason of change
- Lowetide: Oilers 2020 picks finalized, it’s go time for Jesse Puljujarvi
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Edmonton again? How Oilers would benefit from No. 1 pick and Alexis Lafrenière
- Lowetide: Oilers’ guilty pleasure, the draft lottery, could offer a quick fix
- Lowetide: Ken Holland’s urgent summer as Oilers general manager begins
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: The Oilers have some disappointing lessons to learn — even in season of progress
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Replacing Tyler Ennis: Ranking the best left wing and backfill Oilers options
- Lowetide: Oilers’ Andreas Athanasiou gets a push against ‘Hawks. Is it enough?
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Bang for your buck: Ranking the Oilers based on contract expectations
- Jonathan Willis: Is Philip Broberg on track to be a top-pairing defenceman?
- Lowetide: Ken Holland’s roster construction options over the next five months
AGITATORS
Zack Kassian, Darnell Nurse, Jujhar Khaira, Alex Chiasson and Adam Larsson are (in my opinion) the most likely Oilers to poke the bear on the other side. In the AHL, among prospects, I always see Dmitri Samorukov riding right up to the line. What about the draft? Anyone there? Well, yes!
LW Ridly Greig was compared to Brad Marchand by RLR, RW Zayde Wisdom in the OHL is said to drive opponents to distraction. LW Jake Neighbours has that gear, I wish the Oilers would consider drafting an OK this year. I have been told RW Ozzy Weisblatt has some of those elements.
Question: Would you trade No. 14 for No. 20 and a pick in the third round, in hopes of getting two forwards? One of whom, earlier or later, is an agitator?
HARVEST MOON 2017
As I was preparing the top 20 this week, it struck me how much fortunes can change. Consider the ebb and flow of the 2017 draft in just three years. Here is the original verbal.
No. 22 overall: R Kailer Yamamoto, Spokane Chiefs (WHL). One of the best skill players in the draft, boxcars throughout his WHL career show impressive skill and a great deal of progress. Size is going to be an issue for him as he enters pro hockey in 2018 or 2019 fall, but outstanding speed and skill should take him a long way if Yamamoto can stay healthy. I had him just outside the top 10 overall and consider this pick to be the latest in a string (Leon, 97, JP, Yamamoto) of brilliant/lucky selections.
No. 78 overall: G Stuart Skinner, Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL). In listening to Bob Green in his media avail, it’s pretty clear the club had targeted this goalie and were willing to give up an extra pick to get him. He posted a .905SP in the regular season and .916SP in the playoffs. Skinner had a great .920SP a year ago, and this may be a case of (like Dylan Wells) getting better value due to a goalie’s performance in his draft year. The last time we saw this kind of verbal on an Oilers goalie draft pick was Devan Dubnyk. The numbers don’t imply that kind of player but we’ll see how things turn out.
No. 84 overall: LD Dmitri Samorukov, Guelph Storm (OHL). A big mobile defender who struggled to find consistency this year, he is regarded as a solid two-way prospect. Samorukov turned a corner mid-year and appears to be a more substantial player than his numbers imply. Brock Otten spent some time with me today discussing him and believes he has second-round talent.
No. 115 overall: R Ostap Safin, Sparta Praha (Czech). I’m a fan of this selection and had him in my second round (No. 52) for the 2017 draft. One of three picks today that I think fans can be genuinely pleased over. Corey Pronman: At 6-foot-5, he has very good feet for a big man, with an easy first few steps. He handles the puck fine, can make the occasional creative play or distribution, possesses an accurate wrist shot and is able to finish chances well. However, he’s not going to be a primary playmaker on his line as a pro. His physical play is inconsistent.
No. 146 overall: L Kirill Maksimov, Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL). Name is also spelled Maximov so don’t be fooled in that regard. Like Safin, this is a player who should be considered as a legit offensive prospect. An “honorable mention” on Bob McKenzie’s list, the industry seems to think he is among the 100 best prospects in this draft. Size, speed, skill. The only LW chosen on the day, perhaps giving us a clue about Tyler Benson’s health. Maksimov scored 19 goals in his final 33 games this season, perhaps he spiked in a timely fashion.
No. 177 overall: C Skyler Brind’Amour, U.S. National Development Team (USHL). The only center taken this weekend by Edmonton, he has a nice range of skills. In a draft that keeps me reminding me of last year, I would say his skills are comparable to Aapeli Rasanen. Steve Kournianos: Skyler is a strong-skating forward who is competent in all three zones. Brind’amour is a cerebral player who hustles, competes and displays occasional periods of dominance. He doesn’t have breakaway speed but is difficult to slow down once he reaches top speed.”
No. 208 overall: RHD Phil Kemp, U.S. National Development Team (USHL). When in doubt about a draft, never a bad idea to take kids out of this program and Peter Chiarelli does it frequently. He is a young (1999) man with a defensive skill set, 6.03 and 201. Good skater, defense first, blocks a lot of shots. I’ve learned from Caleb Jones not to trust boxcars from the USHL, numbers are dependent on usage and this fellow could have some offense we don’t know about at this time.
ROBIN LEHNER
Pierre Lebrun has an item up that talks about free agent goalies and Edmonton. Two possible targets mentioned by Pierre, both outstanding options. The Oilers would need to move some money to make it happen.
TAYLOR HALL
He won’t be coming to the Oilers, but I would inquire anyway. Edmonton’s top-six already features Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Kailer Yamamoto. A third scoring line would come into view. I don’t see it happening but would endorse.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
At 10 this morning, TSN1260, we have a great show planned for you. At 10:20 Julien Edlow from Draft Kings will talk NBA playoffs. At 11 Frank Seravalli from TSN comes to visit and talks NHL playoffs and free agency. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!
Yeah he did well this year, despite not scoring. If he can carry a little more load (more difficult QoC and hopefully some PK responsibility) while maintaining this seasons goal differential it definitely would solve a lot of problems.
Nygard loaned to Farjestad – great stuff.
EXACTLY!!! IF an effective 3rd line can be cobbled together around Haas for the next season (AA and JP!?!?), it would solve a lot of problems and buy time. I like his game. He does a lot of things well.
Sure, we don’t know what we don’t know. Koskinen could also win next years Vezina with Russell playing 2RD in front of him. We don’t know.
We definitely can’t expect 30 points from Haas and IMO it’s exceedingly unlikely from a mature player who was never even that close to a point per game in Switzerland.
No it isn’t. And I completely agree. For the price point, playing 10 minutes at 5v5 and not getting killed would be a huge win. The other stuff would be gravy.
SwedishPoster,
Great arrows and the updates are much appreciated!!
Well, it may happen, we don’t know what we don’t know and he has some skills that should translate to some production. Of course, we absolutely cannot rely on that happening or think that its going – it more likely not to happen than to happen.
There is a massive difference between points shots as a strategy 5 on 5 and on the PP.
He actually committed suicide – back in spring/summer 2015 I believe.
Awful.
Reja,
I don’t think the Finns appreciate being called a gulag…
Exactly this. Don’t bet against luck and small sample sizes. Regression to the mean works both ways and is strongly underweighted around here.
jp,
Is 30 points from a 3C a requirement though? If he saws off or better and draws more penalties than he takes, and does well on the PK isn’t that a win? Especially at the price point, I’m not looking for much more than an improvement in 5v5 goal share and quality work on the PK.
I think the removal of the edit button is LTs way to expose us as the idiots we are.
Don’t go too heavy on the rum Phil! Please don’t!
Nice early arrow for Broberg. https://mobile.twitter.com/home
Had an assist, played on PP2(PP1 was all forwards) and started the 3on3 ot.
Getting a good chance in early exhibition is one thing, the next step is hanging on to that opportunity, SHL coaches are notoriously hard on young D once the real games get going, especially if the team is losing and he will see his ice time fade for stretches but it’s clear they see him as a top 4 option going in. I wouldn’t count on him being top 2 in ice time going forward but if he manages to hold that spot and establish himself as a top pairing SHL D that would be quite impressive. Run with it Phil, rum with it!
Filip Berglund has also been on the top pairing for Linköping to start. And Lennström scored yesterday. Now we just need Lavoie to force himself into Rögle’s top six and PP1 and we’re cooking over here!
(Ftr I’d be very happy if Lavoie could take hold of a top 9 spot and get the occasional shot on PP2, major major difference between the Q and the SHL, if he can make a somewhat smooth transition that’ll tell us a lot about his hockey IQ and coachability)
I won’t proclaim he’s winning the next NHL scoring race, but those are damn impressive numbers.
I’m more and more convinced he doesn’t actually watch the games. Lucic was full value tonight. Two bad penalties that cost two goals. Lucic is slow, but his game is bad because he has hands of stone. One of the biggest guys in the league continually loses board battles because he simply can’t control the puck. He is not a good player – at al
Those were against teams in the league below SM Liiga. Would be like ECHL level.
Reider does nothing. Lucic in the box for 2 PPGs against. Talbot pulled only to have Rittich pulled too. Tkachuk drops his head in shame.
Today is like Christmas.
Jesse doesn’t want to play in Edmonton hopefully Carolina or say Columbus bites and gives Holland what he’s asking for or else it’s another year in the gulag league for Jesse.
Holy crap. Those are unbelievable numbers, even for exhibition games.
I wonder if he has any connections with Klefbom, Larsson, Nygard or any other Swedes associated with the Oilers? He did play with Larsson at the U18 and U20 tournaments a decade ago. Also, McDavid/Draisaitl… You never know.
I suppose AA could recover. His PDO in Detroit was 89.4 this season so that screams rebound. But in Edmonton it was 98.6 so that is concerning. Small sample size in Edmonton so it is possible he can recapture his previous form. Walking away might be a tad rash. I’m torn because of recency bias.
Flames lose. And there is much rejoicing!
The world is a little bit better place now.
When you started with the +9 bit I really felt like this post was going somewhere different than where it ended up.
Sure that’s the hope, but it’s not going to happen, right? He never managed any better than 0.85 points per game in the Swiss league. He may be the 3C though.
Collective Oiler fans watching the Flames:
https://youtu.be/JxR7RYuF2fU
Gurianov is stone cold killing it tonight.
Even if you include the shit show of a season Athanasiou just had, he’s 50th in the NHL in 5 on 5 goal scoring rates (past 3 seasons).
43) Kane
43T) DeBrincat
45) Laine
45T) Beauvillier
47) Monahan
47T) Kreider
47T) E. Staal
50) Benn
50T) Athanasiou
50T) Silfverberg
50T) Palmeri
54) Panarin
54T) Gaudreau
Most of those guys will make over $6M next season.
Don’t need Shea Webber on the point to generate chances with plays that start from the point directed at the net. Shot passes count too in this regard. It’s good to have a few different plays in the play book. Most teams have used this tactic with success this playoffs.
Mercer is a Newfie so I don’t think he’d hold a lot of allure for les Canadiens.
Beyond that the Canadiens have drafted surprisingly few Q players in recent drafts (only 2 players in the last 4, and neither before the 5th round).
I think the OIlers want McDavid, Draisaitl, and Nugent-Hopkins shooting, not Nurse, Larsson, and Russell. Klefbom learned to be a power play asset by realizing that he should be passing the puck to the three guys listed above, rather than shooting the puck from the point.
The Oilers forwards didn’t get into lanes or challenge the points very well.
Point shots…actually more shot passes… should be used tactically to break down a collapsing box.
This post didn’t age well.
OIler’s Cam decides to make an appearance, and disappearance.
Oiler’s Lucic also makes and appearance.
Yes, that was a blunder. A very satisfying blunder.
I agree.
Should have just called the T/O and left Cam in. He didn’t have a sniff on the 2nd & 3rd goals.
Hope Team Oil is seeing how many goals are scored from point shots in the play-offs….
Didn’t Milan’s father die? Play falling off, taking it to heart, father dies…a lot of tumblers break at same time right there no?
It’s like when dubnyk supposedly “fell off” he lost like what an inch on each side of his pads in 5 hole with goalie equipment changes because he had like 1/2 inch on tenders like ben bishop?
I don’t mind the team. I cheer for them. I’ve had a lot of issues with management but one of the biggest things that is driving me away from caring is watching rabid fans rush to burn everything at the stake. It’s tired and ridiculous always finding a fall guy. Management was brutal under lowe for setting these up but fans have really went one further on their own.
Good season. Weird things happened and without looking too far into it are there any real buyers at deadline that seem like larger adds are seemless? Or are more of those teams falling by wayside?
I don’t know but it wouldn’t surprise me that trading for temp bump unfortunately look exploding pen in pocket on more than a few GM’s. I hope they qualify AA and I hope there is a deal for Russel just due to hating idea we don’t set up to see what Lag/Jones are for LD.
Larson/Bear/benning/bouchard
Klef/Nurse/jones/lag
Hope Benson or JP or AA find a home….hit goalie lacking a seat when music stops for 1 year deal.
5th in the west. Something to build on. No homes need to be burnt.
Ward should not have pulled Talbs…oh well, see ya later
Flames are done!
Hopefully not the case, CC is the far superior play by play man. Hughson should retire or go back to calling Canuck games. He doesn’t breath any life into the game anymore.
Looch’s leadership skills are going to lead Phlegms right out of the playoffs
What massive difference? I see Nuge, AA, and Nygaard ahead of Benson on the depth chart. Possibly Ennis as well.
So you are saying that Bouchard should be given every opportunity to earn a spot in the top 4?
oh my, Dallas
*edit
4-3 Dallas LoL
that’s a shame
Loooch!
LoL
3-3 and Lucic just stubbed one into the crowd for a Dallas PP
Eeek. I jinxed him.
Guess which goalie this is?
Year/GP/GAA/SV%
2010-11 35 2.71 0.916
2011-12 47 2.67 0.914
2012-13 38 2.57 0.920
2013-14 32 3.36 0.894 | 2 4.36 0.850 |
2014-15 19 2.72 0.916 | 39 1.78 0.936 |
2015-16 67 2.33 0.918
2016-17 65 2.25 0.923
2017-18 60 2.52 0.918
2018-19 67 2.54 0.913
2019-20 30 3.35 0.890
Honestly, I believe Hall was riding out the year trying to stay healthy.
I don’t believe his skill has faded even one bit.
Paired with Draisaitl would be a dominant line.
Other than that i’m with you, if the Oilers can get him at 7.5 on a short term contact it would be a win.
Oilers IMO in order have to concentrate on.
Goalie
Top 4 D
3rd line RHC
CAP space is a bitch
The Oilers have a hole at LW and LW in the top 6.
The Oilers do not have hole on the right side of the defence with three incumbents.
I have advocated against trading one of the three incumbents to open up a slot for Bouchard who would be the only option. I have also been clear that if he vastly outplays Benning at camp, he gets a roster/lineup spot.
I advocate for Benson to get an opportunity to win a top 6 LW spot just like Bouchard will have the opportunity.
Alot different than agreeing to move an incumbent top 6 LW to force Benson in to that spot.
I know you can understand the massive difference.