This is a fun time of year for fans of hockey teams in playoff contention. The day-to-day activity of the season holds sway and the first sleepy stretches of the offseason can be heard from a distance.
In the past, Edmonton’s announcements were mostly about distant bells coming over from Europe (“Oilers sign Anton Belov!”) or someone the pro scouts loved at the World Championships and thought they were a solution for the top-four blue (“Oilers sign Anton Belov!”).
This spring there’s some real talent outside the NHL, from the taxi squad in Edmonton to the bonny bonny banks of Pardubice, better known in these parts as a town called Hemsky.
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 DNB: What are the Oilers’ pressing questions ahead of the Seattle Kraken expansion draft?
- New Lowetide: Why Raphael Lavoie could be a perfect fit for the Oilers in 2021-22
- Lowetide: Oilers complete April report card
- DNB and Murat Ates: Edmonton vs. Winnipeg: Five things the season series taught us about how they match up
- Lowetide: What Kris Russell does well and how the Oilers deploy him
- DNB: A 2nd Hart Trophy is firmly in Connor McDavid’s grasp
- Jonathan Willis: Which Oilers need to step up down the stretch?
- DNB: Get ready for Ryan McLeod
- Lowetide: A look at the best value contracts on the 2021 Oilers
- Lowetide: Dominik Kahun’s season of struggle with the Oilers has a silver lining
- Lowetide: An early look at ideal Oilers’ free-agent targets for the offseason
- DNB:McDavid’s latest goal shows why he’s in a class of his own
- Lowetide: Why Oilers fans shouldn’t worry about Philip Broberg’s SHL season
- Lowetide:Let’s make a final call on the Oilers’ 2016 draft class
- DNB: Re-sign Ryan Nugent-Hopkins? Free-agency targets? Oilers mailbag
- DNB: Oilers sign Dylan Holloway to ELC
- Jonathan Willis: Should the Oilers re-sign pending unrestricted free agent Tyson Barrie?
- Lowetide: Five Oilers prospects who deserve NHL tryouts now that the trade deadline has passed
- Lowetide: Are the 2020-21 Oilers better than the 2016-17 team?
- Lowetide: Oilers’ top 20 prospects, trade deadline edition
OILERS AFTER 50 GAMES
- Oilers in 2015-16: 19-26-5, 43 points; goal differential -28
- Oilers in 2016-17: 27-15-8, 62 points; goal differential +14
- Oilers in 2017-18: 22-24-4, 48 points; goal differential -27
- Oilers in 2018-19: 23-24-3, 49 points; goal differential -13
- Oilers in 2019-20: 26-18-6, 57 points; goal differential 0
- Oilers in 2020-21: 30-17-2, 62 points; goal differential +19
Just look at the 2016-17 record and goal differential. That team caught fire around game 47 and are at this point in the season an actual rocket. The 2020-21 team is 27-11-2 in the last 40, that’s damned good.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN MAY
- At home to: Calgary (Expected: 1-0-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- On the road to: Vancouver, Vancouver (Expected: 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: Vancouver, Vancouver (Expected 1-0-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: Montreal, Montreal (Expected 0-1-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: Vancouver (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Expected May record: 4-2-2, 10 points in 8 games
- Actual May record: 1-0-0, 2 points in 1 game
It’s difficult to predict these games, as I assume we’ll begin seeing veterans rested and a caravan of part-timers thrown into the mix. There’s also a big part of the future (Evan Bouchard, Philip Broberg) on the taxi squad and Bouchard is eligible for the playoffs. I imagine the coaching staff will want to make sure he can still skate backwards (he’s excellent at it by the way).
WHERE WILL THEY LAND?
This is one of my favourite times of year because we can begin to jigsaw puzzle the opening night roster together for the fall. Over the next week or so, I’m going to fill in my guess for opening night in Edmonton and Bakersfield. I’ll start with the men who are prospects on my top 20 list and we’ll play things out (RFA, UFA, trades) over the week.
OILERS GRADUATES FROM THE FARM
I don’t see a lot of youngsters playing for Edmonton opening night 2021-22. I see the club deploying three men on the roster who are not yet established as NHL players. Bouchard won’t be a rookie, McLeod and Benson will be eligible for the Calder Trophy.
GRADUATES TO THE FARM
I don’t see the Oilers running Holloway on a checking line in the NHL and suspect the No. 2 LW job will go to an expensive free agent. I have Holloway starting the season in Bakersfield.
Samorukov and Broberg start in California because Bouchard is the plug and play defenseman for the first 30 or so games. Konovalov is likely to spend the first season in Bakersfield.
THE POINT AFTER
It started before Holland arrived, but the general manager has changed the pace for prospects to graduate. The slower rate of ascension is galling to many fans, and I understand the frustration over Bouchard’s second half of 2020-21, but overall the benefits are coming into view.
We’re not talking Anton Belov today but rather we’re discussing Samorukov and Broberg. These are (possibly) five and ten year solutions. Same with Benson. People are down on him because he doesn’t project as a top-six winger, but it’s possible he arrives on the third line and moves up as he finds ways to use his skills at the highest level.
My projection has Benson replacing Jesse Puljujarvi from the opening night 2020-21 roster as No. 3 left wing, McLeod replacing Turris, Bouchard replacing one of the current trio as No. 3 RHD.
On the farm, the next group of very talented players are matriculating. This is normal, this is proper. It’s been so long for Oilers fans, they’ve witnessed so many fast-track graduations, normal looks radical.
This is the way.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
At 10 this morning, TSN 1260, we tee up the Canucks-Oilers and talk expansion draft. Daniel Nugent-Bowman from The Athletic will discuss his article on Edmonton’s Kraken decisions and the most likely loss, and Jason Gregor from TSN 1260 will preview tonight’s game at 11. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter.
My father Lead feild designer: Avro Arrow, Appollo, Landsat, First self guided SAM, Sub tracking SAT, …. taught me.
-might be is a direct path to failure.
-less than 100% success in machine design kills ( dreams, people)
“Nurse might be a good def dman.”
then he makes a bottom 5 def play like that!
not good enough for final 4 def.
Amuse-Bouch, right through the trou normand!
Yammo is a playmaker, unlucky to finish
I am sick and tired of seeing players battling it out and then having to account for an official ‘getting out of the way’. Get out of the freaking way, it’s not like you actually see anything down there. 2 linesmen and 4 eyes in the sky with whistle buzzers. Anyone(Wilson) wanting to scrum, can call out the # of games suspended over the loud speakers in real time ?
I made a comment before Calgary game about load management and 97 getting 100 and how that could work. I suggested he could get 5 vs Calgary and a couple of 4 pointers to really set him up to do it and maybe resting him ab it. He doesn’t do exactly that but man, he gets 3 + 4 for 7points in next 2 games. Man – just crazy.
Crazy prediction: In remaining games, Toronto goes 1-3 and the Oilers go 5-1, giving the Oilers (1) the Jets (4) in the opening round anyway.
Flames are 10 points back with 6 games left – are they still a really good bet to make the playoffs? I’m sure I read that somewhere like 2-3 days ago.
Must’ve been written by a dimwit…
This is such a weird feeling? Making the playoffs with 6 games to go? I can’t ever remember…I was a lil kid the last time, I guess…
What do I do now? Do I watch the games? Do I just check the score and highlights? I’m at a loss…
Good game. Really liked our second line. More please. Top line was just having fun out there. Barely broke a sweat.
I know everyone feels for the Nucks and so do I except on the ice. If it was us nobody would give us free wins. Keep up the tempo and don’t get complacent.
Connor…4 points and never really went all “Connor”. Thank you Hockey Gords, again, for the 1758th time, I think.
No one feels for the Canucks. Fuck those guys. Seriously, fuck em.
I wanted Connor to Chris Pronger that ridiculous question about who the MVP should be.
What a dumb question to ask Connor. And there is no debate; what the hell is he talking about?
What’s the reference?
Some will say that this game was sloppy and that Vancouver was hobbled, but I saw some high level execution out there.
We had two tic-tac-toe goals, one 97 supernova rush, and a heads up garbage goal from Barrie.
The first line was stupefying and could have had another couple of goals.
Connor has 20 points in the last 7 games. That’s 2.86 points per game. Would translate to 235 points over 82 games. There are no words.
Who gets the rest for Bouchard’s lineup spot tomorrow night?
Barrie?
I bet Bear.
Doesn’t matter. Just get him in there. Sit Barrie one night and Bear the next. Kid needs to get a few games in.
Rotate sitting Bear and Barrie and play Bouch every game til the end.
This is the way.
TOI:
Leon: 19:30
McDavid: 18:40
Love it!
Nurse: 23:31 – doesn’t seem that low but, for Nurse, that’s a light night.
Nice clinch of a play off spot! Not really looking forward to another 3 games against a seriously under manned Canucks team though.
After the DOD, Eakins, and everything else. I hope they absolutely smash Vancouver every minute available.
Well since you put it that way….. Go Oil!
Why would anybody feel sorry for the Canucks unless their hiding in the closet.
Man, tbh the Oil didn’t play a great game there. That was a beat up opponent. I wouldn’t be surprised if we found out that there were a few Covid long-haulers in that dressing room.
Still, I’ll take those 4 pts Mr. McDiety!
Oilers won, but it wasn’t exactly a good game for them. Vancouver looks like an empty shell.
The games this week are going to be a slog for the Oilers – they are just trying to get through them healthy and without losing their competitive edge.
Neither Leon nor McDavid were even close to full intensity – McDavid has 3 or 4 more gears – he didn’t reamp it up even once.
That is playoffs – show me the X
X Marks the Spot!
Guess I can’t complain about another McDavid point, but…??♂️ you’ll get another chance, McLeod. ??
We should get another goalie pull here…
*edit-nope
No chance that Archie or Drai were going to make an attempt at the net without McDavid first touching that puck.
Moar McPoints
Louie said, “No chance for Koskinen there”. What is he watching? Koskinen missed it blocker side.
Wicked shot. Looks like the goalie is gonna get pulled. Time for the McLeod confidence builder
All that good work by the 2nd line and a lost draw is in the net.
A snipe.
93 lost 2 in n a row clean
Very nice backcheck by Khaira there – he’s really settled in after a tough first period.
If the Nucks pull the goalie I hope they put McLeods line on. Empty netter will be top shelf breakaway to his grandkids. ??
So Wilson pummelled one defenseless Rangers’ head into the ice. And pile drived Panarin’s helmetless head into the ice, and then continued to rag doll him. And then brought the game into disrespect with his taunting in the penalty box.
Time for him to be kicked out of the NHL permanently.
Despicable
That’s why we have Kassian
For what?
Can’t win a cup with a team full of hobbits and sisters you need some blue collar workers to stifle the Reeves and Wilson’s of the league.
sisters?
Worst comment I’ve read since forever.
I keep saying this. Be better.
I just saw it. Wilson is out of control. Piece of shit going after a couple of small, skilled Russians who don’t fight.
Geesh, James Neal. Always a day late or a buck short on the half-boards. Stick a fork in this guy….
Broberg>Brogan
That 3rd line looks better but would Kass over Archie, some more offensive skill, make a difference?
Ennis/McLeod/Kass
Archie/Khaira/Chiasson
Depends which Kassian you get. Archibald is fairly consistently better than what Kassian has brought this season. But Kassian has a higher level that hopefully isn’t only in the past.
Archie stays in the lineup though and its Neal (likely) that comes out.
We got the 2nd line goal. This period, I would like to see:
3rd line get a goal
Jones make a stop and stretch pass to set up an odd-man break
I wanna see a point by Highlander
That’s the plan – at some point, if he continues to go pointless, no matter how much praise he gets from the coaches and media, his confidence will start to drop.
Great tenacity by Kahun and Yamamoto and Nuge with a quick break strike – nice move but no cash – great stuff though.
Geez watching McLeod replays he can really skate with the puck. If he finds a scoring touch he is going to be a monster addition over the next few years!
He really looks like Todd Marchant 2.0 out there. Killer wheels.
Starting to like that second line. They’re playing to their strength by farting in and out and making quick little plays. Up two I hope we see the bottom six take a bigger share of ice time. They’re playing decent and it’s a good time to give them reps to build their chemistry and confidence.
Mikko is solid tonight.
haha!
They look good ina no hitter, not so sure how good they will be against Montreal.
i Would wanna see how they match up. Quick players who can make players miss and take penalties.
I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but I thought that was going to be a good line when a lot of people thought it didn’t pass the smell test. They’re really cooking with gas tonight
Pure gold Jerry! golden cheese
After Two:
4-2 Edmonton (3-1 in the second)
21-15 Edmonton shots (11-5 Edmonton in the second)
46-26 Edmonton Corsi five on five (18-5 Edmonton in the second)
==
McDavid is pure fire and that line is stunning. Six points for the trio on the night and the Nuge line has played well too. Canucks are battling but this isnt a fair fight.
Vancouver is lucky that Edmonton isn’t even playing their A game tonight. The skill mismatch is very obvious out there.
I still don’t think McDavid has even kicked it in to 2nd gear yet.
Agreed. He looks like he’s at public skating….by his standards. And still destroying the Canucks.
I’m not so sure Adam Larsson isn’t the best player on the team.
Ok, well, no, but damn, Adam Larsson.
Barrie sounds like he has the resigning contract sitting on the coffee table at home ready to signed.
Top 6: +4
Bottom 6: -2
Fix that bottom six!!!!
McLeod with a rookie mistake – still getting stronger physically and he’ll learn.
It was more Archibald’s fault than McLeod. Chaos after Barrie screwed up in the neutral zone.
Barrie’s play stepping up aggressively was just fine – got the man, and had plenty of cover.
He didn’t touch his man. He waved at him.
He stepped up on Hoglander who never moved past him and was not part of the play – please!
Barrie didn’t check him. And let Hoglander pass the puck forward sending the Oilers defenders scrambling. Barrie pinch was useless. He did nothing except put himself out of position, and his teammates at a disadvantage.
Nobody needed to scramble – it was essentially a 2 on 3 after that puck got past Barrie but McLeod made a rookie mistake and didn’t recognize anything and Archie stopped skating.
There was no danger – the centerman was back and the center – he just didn’t do his job.
I hate when defensemen pinch in the neutral zone. You don’t gain much if you stop the opposing forward, but a miss often creates odd man chances against and Dzone breakdowns.
Bad pass tho
Young yessa has gone from puppy dog to hound dog in one hell of a hurry.
Kahun, what a bust! On pace for ~14 goals/82, no PP time, 2 penalty minutes all year, ~900k cap hit.
Nuge has looked great. Engaged stick and making all kinds of plays. I’ve liked that second line quite a bit.
The best I’ve seen Nuge this season.
Sweden eliminates US at U18. Will play Canada next
What a GOAL from line 2. Was not expecting anything like that. Shame Yamo did not get an assist.
Line two and the 2nd pairing – Kulkikov with a great pass!
Amazing pass by Kulikov. At first glance, I actually thought it was Draisaitl.
That 2nd line was fantastic in the 2nd period – my goodness.
Other than the goal, I haven’t been too impressed with Kahun to be honest, but Nuge and Yams have been great
Edler is going to have nightmares of Jesse’s big butt. Nailed him twice with a reverse hit.
I like big butts, and I cannot lie.
Yam fry did some fine work on that but will get nothing to show for his troubles
Kahun from Nugget and a nice pass from Kulikov
Yup that was stellar work.
Larsson absolutely erased a Canucks player in the corner to kick start that play as well.
Yes, a fine pass by Kulikov
That goal was gorgeous!
BOOM!!! Lil Kahuna with the finish!!! Liking the skill on that line!!!
There’s your second line goal, OP. ??
Lovely goal by Kahun, after elaborate setup.
What a pass by Kulikov and great finish by Kahun.
There is that middle six goal requested.
Kahun Baby!!!