The Oilers have an actual talent pipeline now, the Bakersfield Condors are sending good men north in the fall to help with the puck harvest. In order to keep that going, more hires are required every year. Did the Oilers graduate enough men this year?
THE ATHLETIC
I’m proud to be writing for The Athletic, and pleased to be part of a great team with Daniel Nugent-Bowman and Jonathan Willis. Here is our recent work.
- New Lowetide: As Oilers exit the system, the situation is fluid
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: What’s in a name? For NHL players, deciding on pronunciation can be a challenge
- Lowetide: Reconsidering Oilers’ offseason in light of Oscar Klefbom injury news
- Jonathan Willis: Buyer beware: Trade partners for Oliver Ekman-Larsson have to hope he ages well
- Lowetide: Ken Holland’s work week: Get good players, keep good players
- Lowetide: Who will be available if the Oilers pick at No. 14?
- Lowetide: Oilers’ defence prospects are pushing, and changes are coming
- Lowetide: A reasonable trade price for the Oilers to pay in pursuit of OEL
- Jonathan Willis: Could it make sense for the Oilers to trade Oscar Klefbom?
- Lowetide: Why Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl won the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Breaking down my ballot for the 2019-20 NHL awards
- Lowetide: Rising talent, acquiring picks key to Oilers’ success at draft
- Lowetide: European leagues are open, and Oilers prospects are everywhere
- Lowetide: Ken Holland and Dave Tippett’s past players: Can any help the Oilers?
- Lowetide: Roster projections for Oilers, including trade and free agent targets
- Jonathan Willis: Why the Oilers should buy out James Neal
- Lowetide: Oilers approach 2020 draft with increased depth in important positions
- Lowetide: Stock Watch: Hot starts and safe landings for Oilers prospects
- Jonathan Willis: There are no good shortcuts for the Oilers with Jesse Puljujarvi
- Lowetide: Potential trades and partners for the Oilers’ offseason
- Lowetide: The Oilers could find a world-class agitator in the draft
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Should the Oilers select goalie Yaroslav Askarov 14th at the NHL Draft?
- Lowetide: A bold draft strategy for the Oilers in 2020
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers third-line centre search should include other teams’ cap casualties
- Lowetide: Dealing a defenceman? Taking stock of Oilers’ blueline assets
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Q&A: Oilers GM Ken Holland on improving internally, the flat cap and goaltending
- Jonathan Willis: Can the Oilers find value picks among the 2020 NHL Draft’s impressive Russians?
- Lowetide: 10 free agent targets for the Oilers this offseason
- Lowetide: What if the Oilers went scorched earth in front of 2020 free agency?
- Lowetide: Oilers Top 20 Prospects, Summer 2020
- Jonathan Willis: Unqualified RFAs could be top offseason targets for the Oilers
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman: Who stays? Who goes? The most likely players to stay with and l
BAKERSFIELD ROOKIES 2017-18 (4)
This was Gerry Fleming’s last season, the rookie defensemen were Ethan Bear (37 games, 6-12-18), Caleb Jones (58 games, 2-15-17) and Ryan Mantha (41 games, 3-7-10). And we’ve been down this road together, and know that when three men arrive in pro hockey together, chances are one makes it. In Edmonton’s case, looks like two. The only forward of note in 2017-18 was college man Joe Gambardella (50 games, 13-6-19), who was 23.
BAKERSFIELD ROOKIES 2018-19 (6)
This was a good season for new forwards in pro, Jay Woodcroft and Dave Manson and J-F Houle coaching the team. LW Tyler Benson (68, 15-51-66) had a terrific rookie season, RC Cooper Marody (58, 19-45-64) drove results on the line Benson flourished in 2018-19. W Cameron Hebig (64, 11-18-29) started the campaign like a house on fire but hasn’t scored much since. RW Kailer Yamamoto (27, 10-8-18) was a buzzsaw in the AHL but had some injury issues. RC Tyler Vesel (61, 5-13-18) was a college player arrived in Bakersfield and landed a support role on a (mostly) checking line. G Shane Starrett (42, 2.33 .918) had an outstanding debut.
BAKERSFIELD ROOKIES 2019-20 (5)
RD Evan Bouchard (54 games, 7-29-36) delivered solid offense and improved markedly on the defensive side. He could be a Calder candidate if the Oilers play him. LD Dmitri Samorukov (47 games, 2-8-10) struggled as a rookie pro but survived and has two entry seasons to go in development. LC Ryan McLeod (56 games, 5-18-23) impressed with his foot speed and two-way acumen. RW Kirill Maksimov (53 games, 5-8-13) brought an unusual skill set (great shot, power play) to a difficult season but he has first-shot scorer talent. G Stuart Skinner (41 games, 3.31 .892) played a larger role than expected and struggled. The organization remains convinced of his future.
BAKERSFIELD CONDORS 2020-21 (3)
RC Raphael Lavoie would be the feature player up front, he would be expected to emerge at some point in the year as a top-six forward. LD Philip Broberg would be a story as well, although the possibility that he’d be in the SHL no matter makes this an unlikely scenario. G Olivier Rodrigue might spend some time in the ECHL.
DRAFT 2020 IMMEDIATE HELP
One thing the Oilers might do this week is draft players who are 20, who could be fast tracked. There are many.
LW Pavel Gogolev (OHL) 63, 45-51-96. Red Line loves him, says all he does is score goals.
RW Yegor Sokolov (QMJHL) 52, 46-46-92. Big, not a great skater but he can score goals like ringing a bell.
LW Maxim Golod (OHL) 63, 25-53-78. Spiked offensively, he’s a good skater.
LD Peetro Seppälä (Liiga) 41, 2-10-12. He was a regular in the Liiga a year ago and is back with KooKoo again this season. Has size and some skill, easy to get lost in the flood of Finnish blue.
LD Adam Wilsby (Allsvenskan) 41, 3-27-30. He is a fine skater and showed real growth a year ago in the Allsvenskan. He fits the speed/passing/retrieval definition of a modern defenseman.
RW Linus Öberg (SHL) 37, 4-4-8. Good size, great shot, not a great skater.
RD Axel Rindell (Liiga) 47, 6-16-22. He’s a good skater, shoots from anywhere and has played wing.
KEN HOLLAND
Ken Holland will speak to the media at 11 this morning, we’ll carry the avail. He will no doubt have news on the RFA’s who are being qualified (Ethan Bear for sure) and perhaps give us an overview of his draft and free agency thoughts. It would be fab if he had a trade to talk about, but Holland has the patience of Job in these matters and no press conference will dictate his timeline.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
At 10 this morning we kick-start a massive week of activity. Dom Cosentino from The Score will talk Week 4 NFL (and what a weekend it was!) and the Covid-19 concerns that could become a crisis. Guy Flaming from The Pipeline Show will pop in at 10:40 to talk about the 2020 NHL draft, best interviews among draft eligibles and who he impressed him at Rogers while watching last year. Ken Holland’s avail will be followed immediately by Jason Gregor and a review of what the general manager passed along. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. See you on the radio!
He or Him?
Wild picking top C available is least shocking thing so far
Quinn gone. See how low his center that outscored by 30 points drops
It seems to me the recent news last week was news to Holland since he has stated it “absolutely changes their approach to the draft and free agency”.
I would have him take a shit or get off the pot
I agree on Benning and AA and have argued the same.
My point was that 1) the players have not signed whatever deals Holland has offered them, so they’re not willing to play for the price he’s set, and 2) they haven’t been dealt, so other teams aren’t willing to pay anything to acquire their RFA rights and QOs.
Holland has 1 more day for either of those things to happen. But if they don’t, I’m not sure what’s achieved by giving these players QOs. The market likely already has spoken on both these players.
And the team went from 28 minutes per game without McDavid or Draisaitl on the ice in 2019 to 21 minutes without them on the ice in 2020. That has HUGE value.
I think it’s clear though that Hall has more often driven better results with middling line mates than Nuge has through his career.
Nuge and Eberle are pretty much the best line mates Hall has had in his career. And he was pushing things with that trio too.
I think a lot of the improvement was deployment changes, not just hot goaltending.
I replied to ‘reached average, ‘nothing to celebrate’, ‘ridiculous’. They really did play like a contender for a 3 month stretch. And then of course they didn’t after the break.
Anyway, we agree they need to continue to improve.
Yes, no question that’s the next step. They certainly haven’t done that yet.
JOFA,
Yeah, pass. He’s going to a contender, at any rate.
What would you have him do? According to reports surgery could possibly not work and possibly make it worse.
You’re making it seem as if Klefbom kept this knowledge from the organization. However, it’s quite likely the opposite is true. I’m sure Holland has known about this for awhile now.
“And when you put yourself ahead of the team”. Again, what would you have him do? Just go out and play until his arm falls off before he turns 30??
Sorry, I’m having a hard time understanding your ‘empathy’ here..
Why does your article increase my sense of trepidation about the draft?
NEW for The Athletic: Oilers draft preview — What to expect from Round 1
https://theathletic.com/2116931/2020/10/06/lowetide-oilers-draft-preview-what-to-expect-from-round-1/
I have empathy for Klef and would like him to be an Oiler. He has a hard decision to make about his life and professional career. He has been dealing with this injury for a long time. He could have made a decision on it last year. HE could have made a decision in March. HE could have made a decision in August. Instead, a week before the draft and Free Agency, et – after the GM and group have been planning roster strategy for some time – it comes out that he is thinking about missing the year or retiring. Simply not cool. It is dropping a BOMB on the team. What he is expecting the GM to do? Is this fair to the GM? To his teammates??
It “absolutely” changes their plans and impacts the team. And when you put yourself ahead of the team, whether that is on the ice or off it, I think you have made a decision – willing or not.
Knowing you had to likely trade one of Nurse or Klefbom in the next year or so…who do you trade now?
Yes, that team rode a hot line and 77% goal share for that line is clearly not sustainable.
At the same time, in that period, McDavid was out for 7 or 8 games and, when in the lineup, McDavid was at 50% goal share. That, in my opinion, is unsustainably low.
There should be “regression” both ways from the top two lines 2020 performance.
I think I’m in the minority but I don’t think he needs to walk Benning. Unless he is looking to make some sort of splash on defence over the next few days, I am just fine with bringing Benning back for $2M. At most its a $500K overpay (and I don’t even think it is) and, right now, we have Jones/Russell needed on 2LD/3LD which takes away the right side emergency cover.
Sure, Holland can maybe find a cheaper option to replace Benning but I would anticipate its a drop off in level of play.
I do think that AA could work in the middle six (even the top 6 potentially) on this team and I’m not sure that greater value will be found in the UFA market but I understand the arb risk and the potential need to walk-away – that money may be needed for goalie and/or the defence if Holland is looking to back-fill for Klef.
Recall that, this past season, prior to the roster deployment change, Nuge was with the dregs as Connor and Leon were together. Recall Nuge was hurt early and playing through a hand injury. He get a very very poor start to the year with like one 5 on 5 point through like 20 games (rough numbers, going by estimate).
In the last 2.5 months of the year, he was a top 5 offensive producer in the NHL at 5 on 5 – yes, with Drai, but still.
Linemates matter, obviously, but Nuge hasn’t had great one’s either over the years – he’s been the guy to get the Lucic’s of the world.
I put a lot of stock in Blue Bullet, so my new wish list:
1. Askarov
2. Lundell
3. Jarvis
4. Zary
5. Quinn
Hoping these players go early to increase the odds:
Sanderson could go as high as 5 and is likely gone by 10.
Lapierre could go as high as 7 (very doubtful but his hot start has people talking)
Mercer could go as high as 9
Guhle could go as high as 11
Amirov could go as high as 11
Schneider could go as high as 11
Truth be told, if I really want those top 4 ahead of Quinn, I should probably be going he’s off the board as well or there is a good chance Edmonton picks him over Askarov, Jarvis, Lundell,and Zary.
I suspect things get really interesting starting at #9. The top 8 are pretty set unless Lapierre breaks in or Askarov goes as high as #4 or something.
I hope a few of you feel some shame about the way you have talked about Klefbom. Expecting someone to just opt for invasive surgery without a clear outcome is out of line in my opinion.
The last 25 games they rose above average riding the hot Line.
They may have looked like a contender but turned out they were not. They are not rubbish, they as a group are on the cusp. We all want to see themget to the next level without selling the farm. This week is a time for improvement.
This is time for Holland and his scouting department to drive for results. Having a good 25 game stretch last year is not a reason to sit back. I’m not down on them, I just want them to nail the draft and win this off season.
jp,
I agree with the sentiment of your post.
But the next step is to play that way for the full season. No more month long streaks where the bottom falls out from underneath the team. Or when the season is on the line.
I don’t know Digger. The team was 11th out of 31 teams at 5v5. That’s closer to top third than average.
And they were elite on special teams. Overall the team was +18 GF in 2020. 5th in the league. They were tied for 6th in Points%. That *looks* like a contender.
For sure they need try to keep improving. But if they can just keep being the team they were January through March they’ll be in a really good spot.
I’ve also thought that Holland would qualify or trade both players.
But it sounds clear he hasn’t been able to reach a deal with either guy (and it didn’t seem like he was close). Presumably he’s also explored the trade market for both guys.
If there’s no contract and no trade offer for either one of these guys he kinda does need to walk them.
We’ll see, but it definitely seems more real that these guys will be cut loose than it did a few weeks or a month ago.
I’ll give you the 30 games with Drasiaitl and Yamamoto.
Under Nelson… First, it’s funny that Lander’s 2nd most common line mate that season was Hall.
And Nuge, he was alright under Nelson. 43% 5v5 GF%. 42-19-19-33 boxcars in Nelson’s 46 games. (Hall was 55%GF, 23-4-13-17 under Nelson for what it’s worth. You’re right he missed half the time though).
In the games Hall was injured, Eberle, Nuge and Yakupov carried the scoring load. They all still got outscored though. I’m not sure “elite” is a good description for that part season. And carried the team. Well the team had the 4th worst PTS% in the league and the 2nd worst 5v5 GF% in the league during that span.
So yeah, we do have the 30 games this year where Nuge was elite.
Recall though that no one is trashing Nuge here. He’s great. Love the guy. I hope Holland re-signs him for many years.
But when we start talking about Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as a comparable actual hockey player to Taylor Hall, well I think we’ve lost the script a little.
I dunno, I just don’t see it.
The first time, the dementor came along and screwed everything up, and in August, Tippett lost his mind breaking up Nugent-Hopkins and Draisaitl.
I wouldn’t be worried about his boots. Actually, the verbal I’m reading is that he’s a strong skater and video seems to support that. He does have a bit of big man, long stride makes him look less “speedy” syndrome just as Draisaitl did. He’s also so good down low and is a great passer and great shooter and great on the dot. So much to like about his game. He could be an instant 3C and eventual 2C, which would really change the team make-up.
Nugent-Hopkins was elite during Nelson’s 50ish-games as coach, and last year with Draisaitl and Yamamoto.
When Nelson was coach, Hall was injured for about half the time, and Petry was gone for the last third after being traded. Nugent-Hopkins drove the entire team…him and Lander…so him.
Nuge has never been elite though. At any point.
And Hall’s off year (52 points, with Dvorak, Palmeri, Garland as his most common line mates) stacks up pretty well vs arguably Nuge’s best season, with Draisaitl and Yamamoto, and McDavid on the PP.
Two heart winning players on the roster. There is no excuse not to get better. You are kind to view the positives, but I do that once the season starts. Right now it’s see the holes time and do not accept average.
Oscar’s shoulder problems have been going on for a while. If by lady luck one of Sanderson or Drysdale falls to 14th I would jump all over it.
OriginalPouzar,
ADD Hall
SIGN JP
instant contender.
RNH-MCD-JP
HALL-DRAI-YAMO
ENNIS-???-KASS
XXXX-XXX-XXXX
Good stable.young d.
KOSKI
CHEAP back up
Thanks!
He’s semi-pro now…..
Further to my above post (sorry, can’t edit), I think the season can be cut in to two evaluation zones:
– pre Yamamoto and McDavid/Drai split (where the team was awful 5 on 5, Nuge had like nominal 5 on 5 points, the team was reliant on the PP and McDavid/Drai at evens)
– post Yamamoto and McDavid/Drai split where, while the team was largely reliant on one dominant line at 5 on 5, when McDavid was in the lineup, they have two dangerous lines to deploy and a bottom 6 that was deeper and performing better at 5 on 5 (less caving).
Just catching up (have a 1 month old).
VERY informative thread today. Thanks OP and all others.
Listened to Trevling earlier today. Expect some movement as some teams have to lower salary as owners have not had revenue since March, are not sure when they will have meaningful revenue again AND some owners (groups) have had other businesses impacted by Covid
I think that fairly significant changes to the roster (add Jones and Yamamoto) and deployment (split Connor and Drai, play Jones more that Russell) that, seemingly, directly led to a very substantial improvement in 5 on 5 play is something to celebrate.
It does show that, even one more good player among the forwards, can provide a signifigant help – maybe its Jesse, maybe its Benson, maybe its _____.
Woodguy v2.0,
That’s fair. You’re not an advanced stats answer monkey for the blog. I’m sure we all appreciate your diligence.
Is it possible to get a Cole’s Notes on some of the best of the rest?
Turris
Strome
Etc
Similar to how you posted about Stepan and Sutter?
I wonder if Quinn goes higher than expected and Holtz falls. The fact Button dropped him lower on his list could be a tell on that. I still prefer Jarvis assuming draft plays out as expected, but if Holtz is there he’s got to merit consideration.
Overall at 5×5 they reached league average, it’s nothing to celebrate OP. It’s rediculous, and that is after Yamo arrived.
But Yamo arriving does tell us something, they need better players. Better players, better results.
I would not trade the first this year but I would trade next years. I still think the club is close. Holland has the right approach, says the right things. I’m looking for some improvements though, even if incremental . There is enough talent out there to do it
Thanks. (I was under the impression that any player signed before 25 could be bought out at 1/3 at any time.) In any case, it gives Buffalo two years to buy out Thompson cheaply, and would presumably give us three for Puljujarvi.
I also agree that Holland should keep Benning around, even moreso now that Klefbom’s short- and long-term future is so uncertain. Hopefully his tough talk is just a negotiating ploy, and hopefully it works.
I think Lundel will fall. Should we be worried? Slow boots?
I wonder when we’ll get the world on who has recieved their qualifying offers.
The deadline is on Wed, during day 2 of the draft.
Obviously the likes of Bear and Lagesson will get their QOs (in addition to Kuffner and, maybe Day) but the question remains on Benning and AA.
Holland says he knows what he is doing and the rampant speculation is that neither will be qualified. I suspect that Holland is still trying to either (a) sign them for lower AAVs or (b) move them for some sort of asset.
I still hold out hope that he qualifies Benning if he can’t make a deal – I don’t think one will be able to find more value for $2M but I may be in the minority. I think he’d qualify AA at $3M if it wasn’t for the arb risk.
That is correct (and its the player’s age at the time of the buyout).
An anagram of CONNOR MCDAVID is DAMN COVID CORN.
Someone tell him to quit eating corn!
Usually McDavid doesn’t get violently sick until November – getting it out of the way early this year.
So, McDavid has Covid……
https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/1313301239749255169
If I’m not mistaken, contracts of under-25 players can be bought out at only 1/3 the cost, rather than 2/3. That helps to reduce the risk of long-term contracts for young players.
1) Don’t need to put in an e-mail, just the math answer. LT has advised that, since it was implemented, there have been no hacks. Its also not every time.
2) I am generally in the same boat about Hall as you but I think the increased chatter (at least for me) stems from Chris Johnston’s report yesterday that Hall is open to signing any time contract, even 1-2 years. Hall on a reasonable deal for 1 year is a much different conversation that Hall sign for term. I don’t see it happening either.
1.Askarov
2.Quinn
3.Jarvis
4.Lapierre
5.Holloway