Together Again

by Lowetide
Photo by Mark Williams

Do you know the song “Together Again”? It was written by Buck Owens and was set as the “B” side for the single “My Heart Skips a Beat” but both landed in the No. 1 spot on the country charts. There are several things about the song that make it notable in country music history: The song is a ballad, the melody would match a heartbreaking story of a man whose wife left him, dog ran away and truck caught fire in the driveway while his house was being repossessed by the bank manager at the exact instant his first wife drove by in a Corvette with his best friend. Instead, over a slow pace, Owens sings about being together again, about the end of the bad times, about things being right. Nothing else matters, we’re together again.

The song also includes a fantastic pedal steel guitar solo by Tom Brumley that so moved Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead he learned to play the instrument because of Brumley. Finally it was covered by many famous artists (Ray Charles, Kenny Rogers and Dottie West, Emmylou Harris).

I mention it because Together Again isn’t what it first appears to be at first blush. It’s more than a “B” side, more than a heartbreak ballad, more than Buck and Don Rich combining in wonderful harmony to sing the song.

That’s kind of what we’re seeing in Bakersfield (home of Buck Owens!) these days. The team struggled this weekend, but there is progress everywhere from the prospects who may see time in Edmonton over the next couple of years. Sad melody, uplifting lyrics!

THE ATHLETIC!

THE POSITIVE

Raphael Lavoie is finally moving his feet. Last year, when the club played him in 19 games (5-5-10) he lacked the kind of consistency he’ll need to play in the NHL. Through his first seven games of the 2021-22 AHL season, he posted just one assist and eight shots on goal. He remained a glider for many shifts, meaning he was rarely in the play at all.

This weekend, he had four shots in two games and had two assists. As well, he narrowly missed scoring on Friday and had another great chance against Ontario Saturday night. After nine games, he has three assists, but this weekend’s games were very encouraging. Lavoie is around the puck often now, if he keeps those feet moving he’ll get bigger minutes and those boxcar numbers will stand out in a good way.

Ryan McLeod is back to being a zone entry and exit asset in the AHL, his speed forces retreat and his offence (1-4-5 in seven games) is quality against players in the minors. I’m not sure Edmonton will consider him a recall option in the short term, he isn’t driving to the net with authority looking for rebounds or battling for pucks (Dino Kambeitz is very good in this area). The bloom may be off the rose a little but McLeod is the best puck carrier among the forwards and an excellent passer.

Philip Broberg is gaining the confidence of the coaching staff by the shift, and is the leading scorer (0-6-6 in nine games) among Condors defenders. His passing on the power play is already a weapon, he has a feel for sending the puck to the open man. His individual rushes haven’t resulted in his scoring yet, but Broberg had a few yesterday against Ontario of the dangerous variety. He is 3-4 even strength on-ice goal differential this season and is moving the puck quickly and effectively. I don’t know that we’ll see him in the NHL this season, but he is a player with NHL talent.

Markus Niemelainen is close to NHL-ready. His play this season has been excellent and he is contributing at both ends of the ice. A rugged defender who gets a piece of everyone in the defensive zone, he’s also moving the puck to the forwards consistently and even scored a goal. His boxcars (9, 1-2-3) are never going to be massive, and his even strength goal differential (4-6) is high event through nine games, but Niemelainen is playing big minutes and getting things done.

Dmitri Samorukov is still catching up after missing most of training camp and preseason, but his progress and physical presence is obvious in each game he’s played in Bakersfield. His even strength goal differential (2-4 in five games) is running about average on the Condors roster, but he’s been a positive addition to the team. Big, strong, a hitter and good in coverage, he’s also scored a goal (1-0-1) in the five games. I would put Broberg and Niemelainen’s performance ahead of Samorukov, while also believing the Russian will be the first recall from the defensive side (unless Edmonton goes with William Lagesson).

Ilya Konovalov has played in four games, had one quality start (.923), one subpar start (.893) and two (.810, .400) that can’t happen. I believe he’s a quality prospect, but Edmonton’s history with placing Russians in Bakersfield (Bogdan Yakimov, Anton Slepyshev, Ziyat Paigin, even Samorukov) tells us success is important and time in the minors is not considered a long-term option for the players or their agents. Konovalov earned the Saturday start but things fell apart early against the Reign. He could be an important piece of the puzzle for Edmonton, important to get him into games.

The rest

Stuart Skinner was the first recall by Edmonton this season, Ryan McLeod the first demotion. Odds are we’ll see more defensemen than goalies and forwards recalled, so Lagesson may see action in the NHL this season due to the difficulty in staying healthy at the defense position. I’ve liked Filip Berglund’s play but suspect an injury to the RH side of the Oilers blue might be filled by another player. Perhaps later in the year he’ll emerge as a stronger recall option.

Seth Griffith has been the most impressive forward, frankly it isn’t close. He has scored 5-7-12 in nine games and much of the offense runs through his line. Veterans Adam Cracknell and Cooper Marody are also off to fine starts, and I’m really impressed with Tim Schaller. Edmonton needs prospect forwards to push Lavoie and they simply don’t have much in this area. That’s a reflection of the late ‘teens drafting (many blue, not many forwards).

I would put the recall order, based on nothing other than merit, at Broberg, Niemelainen, McLeod, Samorukov, Lavoie at this time. Condors play Wednesday versus the Stockton Heat.

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OriginalPouzar

Tulio with an assist and 6 shots on net. Plus 1 in a 4-1 with for Oshawa.

OriginalPouzar

Vegas loses in regulation to Detroit. This keeps them 6 points behind the Oilers with two additional games played and a -5 goal differential (+17 for the Oilers).

Its still early but it becomes, “not so early” in a hurry…..

Munny 2.0

In about 23 days according to the “Friedman Rule” of Dec 1. Although that is just about making the playoffs. But still.

Harpers Hair

Unless you’re adding world class players for the stretch run.

leadfarmer

in case you are wondering why the Avs are struggling is because they decided to build their bottom 6 like the Oilers had before this season

Logan O’Connor, 10GP 3Pts
– Tyson Jost, 10GP 2Pts
– Darren Helm, 10GP 1Pts
– Sampo Ranta, 10GP 0Pts
– Jayson Megna, 8GP 0Pts
– Martin Kaut, 6GP 0Pts
– Kurtis MacDermid, 5GP 0Pts

Harpers Hair

Kassian 5 points -3
Foegele 5 points -5
Devin Shore 2 points -2
Ryan 1 point -4
Turris 1 point -2
Perlini 0 points -1

The Oilers bottom 6 continues to get caved….they’re all under water.

Suggesting otherwise is ludicrous.

Last edited 2 years ago by Harpers Hair
OriginalPouzar

Cale Makar -8
Samuel Girard – 7
Mikko Rantanen – 5
Nathan MacKinnon – 3

The Avs top end player continue to get caved…..they’re all under water.

Suggesting otherwise is ludicrous.

maudite

Yeah I was wondering how much of a step back was coming in that area.

godot10

In an ideal world the Oilers and Arizona could construct a Kassian for Kessel deal (modulo stuff).

jp

I know this will be not at all convincing to you…

But aside from making more than twice what Kassian makes, Kessel has the same number of 5v5 points since joining Arizona in 45 more games (1.37 P/60 vs 1.90 for Kassian).

He also has far worse on ice numbers (both raw and relative to team).

Whatever Kassian’s value, Kessel is not a worthwhile addition at this point IMO.

leadfarmer

And we don’t need Kessel on the pp which is pretty much the reason anyone would trade for Kessel

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

I think a C/W would be preferable. Hertl/Forsberg/Rakell for Kassian and a bunch of good stuff. Then Tip has the option to stack the second line or have a boss centring the third line.

godot10

Nobody is taking Kassian in a deal for a good player (without flaws). The only chance of trading Kassian is in a flawed player for a flawed player deal. Kessel is a flawed player, but his contract expires after this season. Which makes him a much more desirable flawed player than Kassian, who has two more years.

hunter1909

The team love him(including McDavid).

Good luck!

TheGreatBigMac

Kassian, Neimelainen, 1st for Mason Appleton

SVR

That would work!
Kessel McDavid JP
Hyman Drai Yamo
Benson RNH Foegle
Perlini Ryan Turris

Scungilli Slushy

The problem with Kessel is the Oilers don’t need more offensive types, they need better two way types bottom 6

The betterment in the team this year is better 2 way play from the F group and guys popping a few

They need a 3/4 C that can outscore more than a one way winger, a goalie better than K, and a LD better than Kooks or Rusty

OriginalPouzar

I think that LD could be found internally in Samorukov (or maybe even Niemelainen) but, of course, we don’t know that.

With a 9-1 record management will almost certainly not be making the change but Russell is looking like he may be done and Koekkoek, well, he is who he is and Tippett/Playfair went to 5D for half of last game.

SwedishPoster

Having surgery on my neck/throat tomorrow, nothing major and a pretty standard procedure with very little risk, wanted to go with a more unconventional method but the Buffalo Sabres said no, but there is such a thing as knowing too much. When you work in medicine long enough you know on one hand that the minor procedures rarely go bad, on the other hand you see all those times when it does actually go bad and obviously those are the ones that stays with you. I’m not afraid that something will go wrong but I’m aware that something might. Either way it’s never fun having someone messing about with a knife less than half an inch from your carotid artery.

So if you don’t hear from me the next week or so wish me well and if I do check in for the next few days remember that I’m probably stoned off my face on opoids…

MADOIL

Wishing all the best for a successful surgery and a quick recovery, SP>

fishman

Wow. Hope all goes well!

DevilsLettuce

You’ll be back in no time!

Bill

Hope it goes well and a fast recovery for you SP.

leadfarmer

Good luck! Get well soon

Melvis

I definitely wish you well!
Still waiting for a specific date on a triple bypass…because critical care rooms are stuffed to the gills with all those unvaxed clowns exercising their “rights”….iow – the right to kill me.
If this disease came with painful suppurating postules all over their stupid faces, they’d be clamouring for third and fourth booster shots no doubt.

Same story…my heart surgeon says not to worry, we’ve done a thousand of these things successfully.Of course I wanted to ask him about the ones that didn’t turn out so well;-)

Admiral Ackbar

Godspeed SP. Enjoy the legal high & recover quickly.

Last edited 2 years ago by Admiral Ackbar
Scungilli Slushy

Thoughts are with you friend! Godspeed!

Victoria Oil

We’ll be thinking of you. Here’s to a quick recovery.

rich tm

Hoping that your surgery goes well SP.

GordieHoweHatTrick

All the best for a healthy and speedy recovery!

jp

All the best SP.

Hoping for some extra-exuberant updates on Lindewall next week!

Foege Foegele Torpe

Best wishes SP
And best of luck to you.
You too Melvis,
Laughter is the best medicine:
I think there is something in here for both of you.
https://youtu.be/M5wDFhLdbow

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Eichel.

Do we know when his surgery is scheduled?

OriginalPouzar

I heard it was supposed to be very quickly after – this coming week I believe but don’t know if that is official.

Redbird62

All the best on the procedure and recovery!!

hunter1909

Wish you well, wish you the very best.

Please come back, you are one of the most valuable posters on Lowetide.

iHockeyWpg

Any news on Bourgault OP?

OriginalPouzar

Not that I can find.

Oil2Oilers

Unconfirmed reports of a bad cut near the eye.

OriginalPouzar

Thank you for this.

May I ask where you found this info?

My sleuthing skills are clearly not where they should be.

Bank Shot

Xborg’s team tweeted it.

OriginalPouzar

Thank you.

leadfarmer

You know who we could really use in about 4 months?
A healthy Oscar Klefbom
All this talk about injury today and not much mention that we’ve done a 9-1 start without our top pairing defenseman and our starting goalie and we’ve had to ride the backup like a rented mule. Might be time for the SKINNER if Smith isn’t ready soon, which I’d rather take it slow than pull a Mrazek

Harpers Hair

If a wounded defenseman who hasn’t played in 2 years and will likely never play again is your top pairing D, you’re doing it wrong.

Never mind Smith being an unforced error.

The 9-1 start is ALL the result of a PP clicking at 50% and neither Klefbom or Smith would have made a significant difference.

leadfarmer

While the pp is clicking at 50% it has also resulted in refs not calling any penalties on the Oilers so it’s a double edged sword.
The 9-1 start is a result of having the 2 best players in the league on the same team

leadfarmer

Of course the guy complaining about players missing two games doesn’t seem to care about a top player missing two seasons +

meanashell11

Seriously. You are such a piece of crap I cannot understand how there is anyone in your life. You add nothing to the conversation and detract from all. Everyone is worse off having ever interacted with you. You add no value, and epitomize addition by subtraction. I feel so bad for you. You need help.

Melvis

I’m down with that although I got deleted for a similar response after a drive by character assassination attempt. A hairshitrt smegma drooling extreme narcissist bordering on sociopatholgy.

Bill Clinternet

You should take some time to self reflect and ask yourself why someone on the internet, who you’ve never met, can trigger you to get so worked up.

You can scroll by and yet you feed the troll and make yourself more miserable in the process

jp

Why wouldn’t ‘someone on the internet’ likewise take some time to reflect on why they’ve taken it upon themselves to be an antagonist to a group of people on the internet, most of whom they’ve never even met?

And further, why they would then expect those people not to react as menashel11 has, from time to time?

Admiral Ackbar

Rathbone is on pace for zero points this year.

Scungilli Slushy

Outside of cap horror, I’ll take a functioning Klef as my 3LD upgrade all day long. Which is where he would start.

Man would that be a kicker

Ripsadrive

Pull a Tampa and bring him back for the playoffs.

OriginalPouzar

That would be tough gig after not playing since August 2020.

We know there is pretty much no chance of it happening but I do wonder how he’d perform and how long it would take him to get back to close to peak Klef if he was indeed “fixed”.

Ripsadrive

Yeah it was said tongue in cheek, but if he could get some minor league time to get his legs, timing etc back it could be quite the potential upgrade. Can players still go to the minors for a training stint?

OriginalPouzar

Yes, there are still conditioning loans but they are only for short period and there are cap implications. I was looking in to this with Sekera a few years back.

JimmyV1965

Klef coming back to end the season would not end well. An 18-month layoff is simply too much time.

JimmyV1965

I guess you’re saying we wouldn’t be 10-0 with those two players. That is a shame.

OriginalPouzar

After his four point performance to start the weekend, Petrov held off the scoresheet today. 4 shots and even in a 2-1 loss.

OriginalPouzar

Tom Gazzola

@TomGazzola
·
24m

Mike Smith skated for an hour prior to the main group this morning and will make the upcoming trip. Devin Shore is out 4-6 weeks with a lower body injury. Dave Tippett says they will determine if Ryan McLeod will join the group on the road swing.

OriginalPouzar

Swagger:

Reid Wilkins

@ReidWilkins
·
5m

Tyson Barrie says when the Oilers fell behind 4-1 on Friday, Leon Draisaitl skated by one of the Rangers and said something along the lines of “Hold on, it’s coming.”

Side

That’s when the Rangers looked over and saw Jesse on the ice, eyes dialed on the puck like a hawk, tongue wagging and thrusting frenetically and they realized Draisaitl was right.

Bulging Twine

excellent!

OriginalPouzar

Given how good the 2nd line was last game (and generally), I’m not sure what the deal is with the Kass/Yamamoto switch – presumably its about the 3rd line struggling but I would not mess with the best line from last game…..

Draisaitl-McDavid-Puljujarvi 
Hyman-RNH-Kassian
Foegele-Ryan-Yamamoto 
Benson-Turris-Sceviour
Perlini

Nurse-Barrie
Keith-Ceci
Koekkoek-Bouchard 
Russell

Koskinen 
Skinner

OriginalPouzar

Of note, Smith not even on the ice today (nor is Shore) which likely means this “getting close” is no longer the case……

I presume we see Skinner on Thursday against Boston (or maybe Friday against Buffalo).

Scungilli Slushy

The next two games aren’t bad for trying things out.

Also the time to get Skinner in.

I see the logic here.

L1 obvious.

LT 2 Bigger wingers for the smaller skill C, Nuge and Hyman cover Kassian’s D issues. Kassian disrupts allowing Hyman to think more about offense.

L3 Increases the D component and IQ, probably improves the effectiveness of the forecheck, the size is less needed. Yama’s size makes it harder IMO for the coaches to make lines because Nuge is also smaller and non physical.

Unless Yama is playing much more with his smarts and not trying to be Gallagher or some other small forward that still has 20-30 pounds on him. Please depress the minus button now.

L4 Two scrappy wingers that get D with a skilled but lightweight D challenged C. And Benson has game that helps the O.

Perlini must be floating too much for the coaches. He really doesn’t use his tool bag, same issue for McLeod.

I wonder if we end up at

Nurse Barrie
Keith Bouch
XXX Ceci

The right side can change out based on who is playing better.

Fuhrious

Maybe it’s about more about helping Ryan stay above water than about promoting Kassian above Yams

godot10

The deal is that Yamamoto will fix what is wrong with the third line. And they are hoping that Hyman and Nugent-Hopkins can carry and cover up what was wrong with the third line, now that they are saddled with the problem.

Basically Tippett is trying to find the best place to hide Kassian. 4th line would be the best place, but nobody on the 4th line would be any better than Kassian in the top nine.

Maybe Benson with 40 games might get there.

godot10

A healthy Josh Archibald for #3RW would help the roster. One could push Kassian down to the 4th line.

flyfish1168

Scares to to hell having Turris at center

Bank Shot

Hertl at the deadline will fix that third line.

OriginalPouzar

Hertl would be something else but I’m not sure if I’m on board with a 1st round pick a good to top prospect for a rental. I presume that’s the ball-park of the cost and I can’t see the Oilers re-signing that player.

Its fun to talk and speculate but, really, until we get close to February, its likely too soon to know which holes are the real glaring ones, how many holes there may be and what the cost will be to fix them (and if the cost is worth the potential bump to the team).

Bulging Twine

i hear ya

90s fan

It’s kinda fun to see only 3 teams in the west below the Avalanche.

DevilsLettuce

Worth Noting…

HH blames the virus.

flyfish1168

I believe it is due to the virus. You don’t instantly get your full lung capacity back. That is why some people are long haulers

Harpers Hair

It’s interesting that Dom’s model still has them with the second best chance to win the cup tied with Florida.

As their players return from injury, expect a dramatic turn north.

Their remaining November games are against:

vs. Vancouver
vs. SJS
@ Vancouver
@ Seattle
vs. Ottawa
vs. Anaheim
@ Dallas
vs. Nashville

5 home and 3 road against middling to poor competition.

Looks like 6 wins to me.

Last edited 2 years ago by Harpers Hair
Ripsadrive

No one doubts that the Avs will be good this year. They just like antagonizing you. It’s like kids annoying the kid in the class because they know he’ll say something stupid even if his premise was right.

Like comparing Nurse to Toews or Nuge to Niskuschkin (sp?)

DevilsLettuce

Bing….. O

leadfarmer

They are very quickly realizing that they have poor forward depth and are actively searching for a forward with a pulse. Sure they are second but they were first by a mile very very recently. They are falling off the perfect roster into the excellent but imperfect roster group

Harpers Hair

Amazing what injuries to top players will do.

leadfarmer

If they missed 2 games, whats the excuse for the other 8 games
They have less points than Pens who’ve had actual injury issues

leadfarmer

But how many wins will the teams they are chasing get? Quite a hole they dug themselves into

Harpers Hair

Good grief.

They’re 6 points out of first place with 72 games remaining.

And they don’t have to make it up by the end of the month.

Not much of a hole.

90s fan

My dislike for the Avs has nothing to do with HH. Everything to do with the sakic, Forsberg (especially Forsberg) and the late 90s early 2000’s.

€√¥£€^$

I unsuccessfully tried to embed a tweet here, oh well, maybe one day I’ll have the computer hacking skills akin to Napoleon Dynamite, but for now I will pretend to be focused on working on that…

Last edited 2 years ago by €√¥£€^$
Harpers Hair

Rather than post a link to the Tweet…just copy and paste it.

Like so:

@HabsLinks
·
6h

The Canadiens have score 26 goals in 13 games this year and Nick Suzuki has scored or assisted on half of them. He has officially taken over this role from Carey Price:

Redbird62

First, that stat is incorrect. As a former member of the news media you should know to check multiple sources or at least a source known to be reliable. But twitter is not known for facts anyway. Suzuki has 12 points, so not quite half (12/26 – just to help you with the math). Second, that really doesn’t give a complete picture of Suzuki’s game so far does it? No points in his first 4 games, 2 in his first 7, 5 in his first 10. But he scored 7 points in his last 3 games to bring him back in line with his average. Maybe he has turned it around. Is he streaky or has he found consistency.

Harpers Hair

IT. WAS. A. RANDOM. EXAMPLE.

I didn’t even read it never mind take credit for its content.

But I’m happy it triggered you.

leadfarmer

Somehow you admitting to not actually reading the crap you post is not surprising to anyone

Admiral Ackbar

How can incorrect information be a ‘random example’? Surely even weaseling out of that error is beneath you…

€√¥£€^$
Klam

I know the tweet, and it is spectacular.

SVR

One more top 6 winger solves the bottom six and gets us close balance

Hyman McDavid JP
XX Drai Yamo
Foegle RNH Kassian
Benson Ryan Turris

Dominant 3C is already on the team
Is XX Holloway?

DevilsLettuce

I’d prefer to keep Nuggy playing top 6 minutes with his bestest buddy Leon.

Side

This unrelated to the Oilers but I feel all must see it:

https://twitter.com/DimFilipovic/status/1457147347654221834?s=20

MushedPeas

The act, the reaction, both chuckle worthy.

Admiral Ackbar

If HH actually brought interesting/fun stuff from around the league (like this), this place would be a lot cooler.

yeraslob

Random thought… I wonder if Buck Owens recorded Crying Time and then followed up with Together Again?

I watched Buck in concert soon after he re-recorded Streets of B. A radio station in a little town (village really) in northern Sask flew him up for a show and flew him out right after the performance. He introduced Streets by saying, “Uh, here’s a song I have out right now with my little friend Dwight Yoakam”. lol
He didn’t talk much, just sang his hits, but I do remember that part. He was great, sounded just like his records.

yeraslob

I think Made In Japan is my favorite song of his. Also Think Of Me and I Don’t Care.

OriginalPouzar

I agree with almost the entirety of LT’s analysis.

The piece on Seth Griffith at the end is 100% accurate – without offence to McLeod (or Marody), Griffith has been the best and most dynamic forward by far. I don’t know what the deal with Shore is but, to be honest, if there is a call-up, Griffith has earned it over McLeod but, of course, Griffith does not play center.

Is there a chance the coaching staff would run Sceviour or Turris at 4C if Shore is out and call up Griffith – rewarding the best forward on the Condors while allowing McLeod more time the develop what he needs to develop (even though it doesn’t seem to be developing, at the AHL level)?

———————-

Broberg has 4 PP assist so he is doing something right – to me he looks alot like Darnell Nurse on the PP. I wouldn’t say the passing is “dynamic” but he gets the puck to the right places.

I would agree that Broberg has “popped” the most early in the season – he is getting massive ice time and seemingly developing before our eyes.

On one hand, I think they would like to keep him in the AHL for the season (Woodcroft keeps talking about him “being right where he needs to be” and they are taking their time with him).

On the other hand, he seems to be developing and it reminds me of Klefbom…. if I’m not mistaken, he came over in draft plus 3 and played about half a season in the AHL before he hit the NHL……

Then again, Niemelainen and Samorukov are right there and, yes, Lagesson is in the picture.

My goodness that left side.

leadfarmer

Somehow Vancouver gets rewarded with reffing every year.

leadfarmer
leadfarmer

Oilers near bottom of league in penalties drawn which I think is safe to say teams would rather give up a penalty shot than face our PP

Reja

The national broadcast team full of Flames fans laugh at Connor not getting penalty calls it’s a big joke. If someone touches Johnny or is dirty to the great one Tkachuk they blab the whole intermission about the unjust Calgary has to endure.

jp

Somehow Vancouver gets rewarded with reffing every year.

It’s super weird isn’t it? Been a thing for many years though.

leadfarmer

Pettersson routinely gets more pp time every season than Mcdavid and Drai which is pretty ridiculous when you realize that vancouvers second pp unit still gets a lot of ice time

MushedPeas

Just not in the SC finals 😏

JimmyV1965

I watch the Flames play and they’ll draw three penalties in a period. We’re lucky If we get three a game. The two best players in the league, one of the fastest teams in the league, and we’re 24th. Ugh.

jtblack

LT. Peak Gretzky was 83-84.

74 GMS 205 PTS

2.77 PPG

jtblack

Gotcha. Thought you were going for PPG. Anyway, very interesting Article 🙂

Melvis

Dammit LT. Now I’ve got a Tiger By the Tail stuck in my ear.

I played in a polka band when I was 15. It was on the set list. Thirty bucks and all you can eat and drink at a Ukrainian wedding. I’d roll in about 3:00 am and sleep until lunch. The old man laughing:

“You look like a horse that’s been shot twice in the face”.

I don’t know the origin of the comment other than grandpa was a horse whisperer. Probably the result of some botched but necessary put down.

Melvis

There’s a bit of an attendant one. ( Don’t get me started!)

When living in LA, I drove Sunset down to the sea (turned that jungle music down)…turned right at Malibu and took the Pac Coast highway up to Van. One of the great road trips.

Can’t stand heights though, so passed on the right lane back and opted for the #5 down to Sacramento and switched to #99 for giggles and ended up for a pit stop in Bakersfield. Merle and Buck blaring at the pumps and the Denny’s.

I don’t know what it’s like now, but I sure would be motivated to get up in the bigs or traded just about anywhere.

“We’re trading you kid.”

“Where?”

“Tierra del Fuego”

“Great!!! Sooner the better.”

northerndancer

nice to see you posting again Melvis. I always have time for a story…even a true one.

OriginalPouzar

Will be interesting to see if Shore is out on IR and McLeod recalled today.

While McLeod remains a plus AHL player, to my eye, his game is the same as it was last year in the AHL – it’s plus in that league but it’s shown to be lacking at the NHL level.

This may be a case where he won’t develop his physical engagement and willingness and battle at the AHL level because he’s too good at that level. He may need to develop that at the NHL level – if he’s willing to commit to it.

Oz

it matters who you play with, so I would put him between Kass and Foegle and move Ryan to the 4th line. McLeod has the speed for zone entries, is defensively good and with the other two playing as strongly on the puck as they have been, he may feed off their energy. Kass needs a defensive center, not so much Foegle.

Reja

I agree with you maybe McLeod will be able to slow the game down while he’s skating a hundred miles a hour and find a niche with Kassian and especially Foegele who doesn’t take a shift off.

iHockeyWpg

Any news on Xavier Bourgault OP?

Randle McMurphy

Who gets the the net against Detroit ?

OriginalPouzar

Koskinen for sure.

If Skinner starts then he’s probably in line for 2 of 3 worth he back to backs coming up.

Skinner probably gets Boston or Buffalo if Smith isn’t ready.

McNuge93

I remember MY Heart Skips a Beat. My oldest brother bought the 45. Dont remember Together Again, will have to look it up and have a listen. Recently went back and purchased some old Buck Owens stuff. It is really good. He and Dwight on Streets is gold!

Randle McMurphy

It’s interesting that a kid like Lavoie could get through all those layers of coaching without someone forcing the issue on him moving his feet.

Is this something that scouting noticed? Is it the reason he fell to us in the 2nd round?

I noticed a resurgence in Milan Lucic recently… I attributed it to him consistently moving his feet

Last edited 2 years ago by Randle McMurphy
dessert1111

I think it was one of the reasons, yes (“skating”)

Randle McMurphy

Buck Owens pfffft

Merle Haggard !
.
.
.
Just kidding… Buck Owens was one of my Dad’s favorites. (and Chet Akins)

Buck Owens and the Buckaroos…… simpler times 🙂

Last edited 2 years ago by Randle McMurphy
leadfarmer

I think we should note that 10 games in Colorado has half the points that the Oilers have

Harpers Hair

You should also note Colorado players who have missed games due to injury/Covid.

MacKinnon 2
Landeskog 2
Rantanen 3
Makar 2
Girard 2
Toews 9
Nichushkin 9
Burakovsky 1

Do you think that may have had some effect on their record?

meanashell11

There is one player there of any consequence that has missed a lot of games. Missing 2-3 games out of 10. Should not be an excuse for suckage.

Harpers Hair

Really?

Look at it this way.

How do you think the Oilers record would look if comparable games missed were:

McDavid 2
Draisaitl 2
Jesse 3
Nuge 9
Nurse 9
Bouchard 2
Keith 2
Foegele 1

You could argue the loss of McDavid and Draisaitl would have a larger relative impact than the loss of MacKinnon and Rantanen but the flip side is that Colorado has lost 13 man games from 3 of the best D in the league.

Suggesting it shouldn’t matter because it’s only 10 games is ridiculous. Missing even 2 games is 20% while others are a much larger.

I would suggest had the Oilers had similar injuries they would be somewhere around .500 on the season.

meanashell11

You are comparing Nuge to Nishushkin? Are you fucking nuts?

Harpers Hair

They play the same role…although they are different players.

meanashell11

They are not playing the same role. Not even close.

Harpers Hair

They both are second line wingers who are expected to be the defensive conscience of their line…exactly the same role.

Nuge has more offensive skill but Makar, Toews and Girard are far more skilled than any comparable Oiler defenseman.

There isn’t a GM alive who wouldn’t trade Nurse for Makar…Bouchard for Toews or Girard for any of the flotsam and jetsam of the Oilers D.

meanashell11

Offensively they are not in the same league dipshit. Flotsam and jetsam. Wow. I guess you just cursed the Avs again!

Scungilli Slushy

I guarantee that Joe will not keep 4 D 190 and under

It doesn’t work. Especially playoffs.

The current reigning champs learned the lesson before becoming champs. The Avs are a smaller team than them at the moment

Goalies are torpedoing the Avs. Again. Might happen to the Oilers as well.

Might get Joe moved off the GM chair this time

OriginalPouzar

When has Joe done anything that has worked in the playoffs (as a manager)?

pts2pndr

Seems to me when Connor went out last year Draisaitl grabbed the ball and the team kept rolling! You cherry pick at will just to piss people off! Is being a jerk a natural talent or do you work at it?

Kert

How many times have you posted about Colorado’s injury woes?
Do you have a quiet mode?

leadfarmer

No it has everything to do with lack of forward depth losing Saad Doonkoi and bad bets on Jost And thinking Newhook was ready. Everyone has injuries. Our top pairing D is out (klefbom) and have been running a backup out there every game. Good teams with depth overcome adversity

pts2pndr

Injuries happen! Good teams don’t seem to be all that affected! Once again you come with excuses. Goes to prove you really can’t fix stupid!

Munny 2.0

You know for someone who claims to hate the troll posting, you really seem to enjoy inciting the troll to post.

leadfarmer

Host has no interest in controlling the trolling so I just troll the troll

defmn

I don’t think “trolling the troll” means what you think it means. 😉

Munny 2.0

So more troll posts for everyone?

Wow are we lucky to have you both.

leadfarmer

You must be new around here

who

My theory is that anyone who responds to HH with comments like “fuck off” and “get a life” secretly enjoys his posts. And enjoys the kindergarten level verbal banter that ensues.
It’s the only theory that explains why a poster would complain about HH posting and in there next post would try and incite him to post again.

Munny 2.0

And please allow me to apologize on behalf of Lowetide for not giving up his life to monitor this free site he provides for us 24/7. smh… Grow up.

leadfarmer

Feel free to post what you want and I’ll post what I want.

jm363561

Ok. I’ll post that I think you are an idiot.

Last edited 2 years ago by jm363561
pts2pndr

To not condemn is to condone! Old saying but holds a lot of truth and wisdom!

Reja

I’m more worried about Calgary who’s our main rival in our division and seems to be running on all cylinders. Markstrom scares me if he stays healthy.

leadfarmer

Markstrom is a top notch goalie and their best player. I still think Vegas if they get healthy is stronger but Calgary has been impressive

pts2pndr

The message Sutter is selling has a short shelf life! We wait!

defmn

The message Sutter sells lasts as long as the winning continues.

Harpers Hair

And it continues for a very long time based on past results.

Harpers Hair

It may be much longer than you think.

Other than his record in Calgary he coached the LAK for 6 seasons.

W 225 L 147 53 OTL .609

4 playoff appearances

2 Stanley Cups

Prior to that he coached the SJS for 51/2 seasons

W 192 L 167 T 60 OTL

5 playoff appearances.

No one wins a cup in SJ.

Overall his teams have gone:

G 1317 W 650 L 483 T 101 OTL 83

14 playoff appearances

3 missed playoffs

2 Stanley Cups.

The notion that he has a short shelf life is nothing but a myth.

So is the idea that players don’t like playing for him.

Jarret Stoll:

https://flamesnation.ca/2021/03/08/jarrett-stoll-talks-about-what-kind-of-game-darryl-sutter-will-bring-to-the-calgary-flames/

A bunch of other former players:

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/can-darryl-sutter-succeed-flames-former-players-weigh/

OriginalPouzar

Perhaps Joe Sakic should look in to building his team with players that have a history of consistently being in the lineup.

Durability is a trait.

Harpers Hair

Games missed due to injury since 2015/16

Nathan MacKinnon 25

Connor McDavid 48

Perhaps the Oilers should consider trading the injury prone player.

Side

I seem to recall you reneging on the bet you lost because Mackinnon didn’t play as many games that season as McDavid, even though McDavid led him in scoring in every category, especially points per game.

And here you are, making a silly comment like this.

Last edited 2 years ago by Side
OriginalPouzar

Perhaps, then again, the Oilers aren’t the team that are using injuries as an excuse, yet again (i.e. goaltending in the past, etc.).

Also, 82, 82, 82, 78, 64 (out of 70), 56 (out of 56).

Admiral Ackbar

You’re really on the defensive here….

pts2pndr

The man is essentially a bully! For every player that you list above are others that disagree vehemently with your crap. He was fired after two Stanley Cups in three years because his team quote “quit on him”. He is not even close to the coach you claim him to be! As always you cherry pick comments and twist facts to suit your narrative! Given that one period of his coaching career he was actually coach and GM which gives him security as a coach. Given his time around the game he may have mellowed but there are instances on record of temper tantrum’s etc! A number of coaches with far fewer years as coach have won more Cups than Sutter. Many of his teams that made the playoffs have failed to get out of the first and or second round! You peddle your crap as always it is always mostly just that!

Harpers Hair

Calgary is indeed scary based on early results.

Shots/GP – 35.7 (2nd)

Shots against/GP 28.5 (5th)

Shot Diff/GP +7.2 (2nd)

GF/GP 3.64 (5th)

GA/GP 2.00 (1st)

PP 26.3% (7th)

PK 85.3% (8th)

They’re top 10 in the league in every category .

As you mentioned, Markstrom is killing it.

Goaltenders with at least 5 starts:

Bobrovsky .948

Reimer .946

Markstrom .942

Elvis .940

Andersson/Sorokin .939

Markstrom has 4 shutouts while Sorokin has 3, Allen has 2 and a few others have one.

So not only are the Flames arguably, based on actual goals against, the best defensive team in the league, but they’re also a top five offensive team, based on shot share and actual goals scored.

And they’re doing it without an ungodly PP percentage.

Side

Small sample size, as you say.

Sorry you wasted your time digging that information up since it means nothing based on your previous posts.

Jethro Tull

Sorry LT, I have this one stuck in my head.

https://youtu.be/FpRap-zHZHY

Tarkus

Was getting concerned that something happened with LT because the new post was so late in coming. Then realized the time change was this weekend. Breathed a sigh of relief, and then breathed another.

Having always lived in Sask, I’ve never had to fall back or spring ahead timewise. So I gotta ask, is there much benefit to Daylight Savings Time?

Ivan

It sucketh. Mightily.

Kert

No. It is dumb.

Reja

Extra hour in the fart sack for you old-timer.

pts2pndr

You say that like it’s a bad thing!😉

dessert1111

Ontario and BC both voted to abolish if and when the nearby States do. Some disagreement of whether to stay on standard or daylight time. But it seems like the time changes will stop sometime this decade.

Scungilli Slushy

I sure hope they get it right

I heard a scientist who studies circadian rhythm, and if they pick the wrong one es no bueno

Circadian rhythm shifts and light keeps us balanced

pts2pndr

In my humble opinion it is years of tradition unhampered by progress and did hold value before the computer era!

Ripsadrive

It is useful for the people who work outside as they don’t need to wait for 9 for daylight. For everyone else it’s useless IMO.

geowal

I like it. For softball (for instance) you’d need lights to get after work games in most of the summer…most fields in Alberta don’t have lights.

meanashell11

The cover by Dwight Yoakam is pretty good as well!

buck yoakam

yes and also from 1973 the flying burrito brothers with sneaky pete kleinow on pedal steel …

Woodguy v2.0

Posted this late yesterday so re-posting today:

EDM Goal Share after 10 gp (9-1-0)

Even strength(5v5,4v4,3v3)
97 w/o 29(2-4) 33%
29 w/o 97(4-0) 100%
97&29 On(10-4) 71%
93 w/o either(3-2) 60%
Ryan (3-7) 30%
Other(2-4) 33%
Net EV +3

Special Teams:16-4
Net ST +12

Empty Net:4-3
Net EN +1

SO/PS 1-0
Net SO/PS +1

Goal Diff +17

For the record I think EDM should look to acquire Johan Larsson from ARI for 3C and move Ryan to 4C where he’s always done well.

2 of the last 3 years Larsson has played the toughest comp on his team and done much better than his team against them.

The fact that he has played on incredibly shitty team disguises his ability and results as a defensive C.

The offense goes to die when he’s on the ice, but its for both side and EDM needs help defending the tougher comp, esp on the road.

Woodguy v2.0

Ryan’s line started like a house on fire the first 4 games, but since it hasn’t been good.

They’ve been getting PDO’d and we have to be wary of reading too much into goal diff after 10 games, after all 97 without 29 has the same goal diff.

Since the 4th game here is what has happened:

Ryan (only with Kassian so its only 3rd line minutes)
CF% 50
GF% 17% (1-5)
xGF% 28.5%

Interestingly, in the 27 minutes Kassian played without Ryan the fancies are:
CF% 43
GF% 33 (1-2)
xGF% 29

Perhaps an upgrade on 3RW is more needed than 3C?

Also,

McDavid without Drai since the 4th game just for comparison as 97 w/o 29 has the same goal diff at 10 at this time:

CF% 56
GF% 50
xGF% 62

leadfarmer

Watching that Foegele and Kass forecheck I can’t imagine a coach going Nah I don’t want that

Kert

Foegele forecheck is excellent and leads to Oiler possession. Kassian’s forecheck shows up on the Richter scale, but doesn’t lead to a change in possession.

I wouldn’t put those two players in the same category when it comes to forechecking effectiveness.

godot10

Randomly skating around and looking for little guys to hit is NOT forechecking**

**This comment doe not apply to Warren Foegel.

Woodguy v2.0

Kassian has been awful since game 4.

maudite

Thanks for looking at this closer!

innercitysmytty

My take is when a team is 9-1 and not in a position of weakness, it’s the exact right time to make these moves. Do you think Holland feels the same and would pull the trigger on something like this soon rather than waiting until closer to the deadline?

jp

Perhaps an upgrade on 3RW is more needed than 3C?

I don’t know. An upgrade on Shore to split time with Ryan would be nice. Agree Larsson would be a good add in that role.

Re: Foegele-Ryan-Kassian, I’d bet more on the larger sample size where the underlying numbers are uniformly good.

As a line they’ve still just played 78 minutes on the year: 54%CF, 54%SF, 52%SCF, 54%HDCF, 51%xGF, but 33%GF. You’d have to work hard with tiny samples to show Kassian as the problem.

godot10

We have years of sample size with Kassian. He is a useless hockey player on a net basis. Arguably worse than useless on a net basis.

The majority look at the rare outlier events with Kassian (hey those look pretty good), instead of the events in the meat of the distribution.

jp

We have years of sample size with Kassian. He is a useless hockey player on a net basis. 

Yeah, that is not an objective assessment.

It’s clear that your standing opinion on certain players clouds any reasonable judgement.

Woodguy v2.0

Its clear you’re ignoring his history as well.

jp

I’m not ignoring history. Kassian’s useful/uselessness has been a subject of debate for years and we’ve never really agreed on it.

Woodguy v2.0

That’s exactly it

Munny 2.0

Those numbers just scream PDO and patience.

Woodguy is making his annual appeal for Larsson. Unfortunately he’s a LH shot and shit at faceoffs (well, 45%).Now that’s not the whole story, but if we’re giving up an asset to solve a PDO problem and that asset also doesn’t tick all the boxes…

jp

Agree on the PDO/patience.

And this may be the annual appeal for Larsson, but I think he’s a worthy target that should help and wouldn’t cost a lot.

That said, I see Larsson more as a Shore than Ryan replacement. I think he’d and Ryan would be nice complements to each other as bottom 6 Cs with different skill sets.

Last edited 2 years ago by jp
defmn

3C remains a position in need of a long term upgrade. It is a position at least as second line wingers and I would argue more important than 2nd line wingers.

When the 3C position is properly filled the forward component of this team is of cup contending quality.

jp

What do you think of Larsson?

defmn

I don’t know anything about him other than what I read here.

I know this is difficult because of the cap but at some point when they are on the road I still think Tippett should put Nuge in there between Kassian & Foegele and see how it looks.

Nuge gets lots of TOI with the PP and PK. I know it isn’t ideal but that is what I was hoping they would take a look at in TC. Ryan to 4th line. Benson or Perlini 2LW and see if there is anything there that works.

jp

I still don’t really like Nuge at 3C. I agree though that there should be some sort of bottom 6 C add (upgrade on Shore at minimum) at or before the trade deadline. It’s a relatively easy (assets, salary) position to address, and conceivably it even comes internally.

defmn

I understand the resistance but the 3rd line role isn’t what it used to be. With PP and PK he would get lots of TOI. I repeat my belief that 3C is more important to team success than 2W.

jp

I get all that and I don’t disagree. But I still don’t like Nuge at 3C 🙂

Woodguy v2.0

These games are not PDO, its xGF%:

VGK 17%
PHI 36%
VAN 48%
SEA 4% (not a typo 4%)
NSH 26%

Woodguy v2.0

Ryan’s xGF% per game:
VAN 65%
CGY 58%
ANA 89%
ARI 73%
VGK 17%
PHI 36%
VAN 48%
SEA 4% (not a typo 4%)
NSH 26%
Then Tippett moves him to the 4th line:
NYR 100%

After the first 4 games they crashed and crashed hard.

The season sample is so small so far that the overall numbers look ok.

Tippett sees it.

Kassian has been shit in his own zone for his career. The sample is pretty big.

jp

I’ve got a couple of issues here.

The first is xGF. I use it myself since it’s so convenient, but it’s not representing reality here.

The most recent 6 games in question (4.5 games I guess since Ryan was moved to 4C for the last 1.5) Ryan-Kassian have 50%CF, 45%SF, 41%SF, 33%HDCF, 28%xGF. Those numbers aren’t good at all, but they’re not 28%xGF bad, or 16% actual GF bad.

The second is this.

After the first 4 games they crashed and crashed hard.

The season sample is so small so far that the overall numbers look ok.

Tippett sees it.

Kassian has been shit in his own zone for his career. The sample is pretty big.

They crashed hard… Kassian has been shit for his career.

The line did cool off. Kassian isn’t great in his own zone and never has been. Ergo the line falling off is Kassian’s fault.

Yet Ryan is the guy that got moved off the line (and Kassian apparently up to the 2nd line today).

Tippett is seeing something, but it doesn’t appear what he’s seeing is that Kassian’s useless, or the problem.

Last edited 2 years ago by jp
pts2pndr

While I have no doubt your thinking has merit what do you think the acquisition cost would be in the way of assets?

Woodguy v2.0

Very little. 4th? 2023 3rd? (Holland has tied up this year’s 2nd AND 3rd in those idiotic conditions on the Keith trade) meh-prospect?

DevilsLettuce

Cody Eakin, would be cheap, no long term commitment solution. Much better on the face off, has a better history of bringing some offense, which would be a better suit for Foegele and whoever the RW ends up being imo.

OriginalPouzar

Woodguy v2.0

 Reply to Woodguy v2.0

Perhaps an upgrade on 3RW is more needed than 3C?

If practice today is any indication, 3RW is getting that upgrade (Kailer Yamamoto) but I’m not too sure the 2nd line will be as dominant as they were on Friday night……..

Woodguy v2.0

I tweet thing when I saw the lines:

Woodguy

@Woodguy55

Tippet moves the better defensive player to help Ryan and worse defensive player with 2 good defensive players. Reasonable to help stop the bleeding on the 3rd line imo.

Woodguy v2.0

Cody Eakin isn’t an NHL player anymore. He was, but not for at least 3 years.

pts2pndr

Thanks I always value your thinking!