Peaceful, Easy Feeling

by Lowetide

Coach Dave Tippett played a hunch on Wednesday night, flipping his top three lines and looking for better results. Based on initial returns, we might be seeing the new lines for weeks to come. Zack Kassian was the big winner, getting the ultimate spot for an NHL winger—lining up on a line with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Kassian scored 1-2-3 on five shots and suddenly is on pace for his third 15-goal campaign in the last four seasons.

As for the win, I think it’s wise to grade this current group on a different scale. The defense is beat up and that means no lead is safe. That happened last night and will happen again until Darnell Nurse returns.

THE ATHLETIC!

  • New DNB: Could Leon Draisaitl score 50 goals in 50 games?
  • New Lowetide: How the Oilers most pressing needs have changed since the offseason
  • New DNB: Tales from the days Kailer Yamamoto, Ryan McLeod, Evan Bouchard and Tyler Benson were minor league roommates
  • DNB: For Emily Cave, Colby’s widow, a trip back to Boston is about memories, love and legacy
  • Lowetide: Is the Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl even better than we think? A look at his stunning historic comparables
  • DNB: Philip Broberg’s first NHL game was as special as he’d hoped
  • Lowetide: Philip Broberg is ready for his NHL audition
  • Lowetide: Why Kailer Yamamoto is still on the Oilers’ No. 2 line
  • Lowetide: Three auditioning Oilers who are finding their groove and hope to find their place
  • Lowetide: Should the Oilers move Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to the 3rd line?
  • DNB and Max Bultman: How Hockey Hall of Famer Ken Holland helped create ‘the Harvard of hockey management’
  • Lowetide: How good is Matvey Petrov and is he on an NHL trajectory?
  • Lowetide: Will Ken Holland make an early-season trade to bolster the Oilers?
  • DNB: Oilers lament Connor McDavid not drawing penalties
  • Jonathan Willis: How the Decade of Darkness did — and didn’t — set up the current success
  • Lowetide: Why can’t the Oilers put together an effective third line?

WHAT TO EXPECT IN NOVEMBER

  • At home to: SEA, NAS, NYR (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 3-0-0)
  • On the road to: DET, BOS, BUF, STL, WPG (Expected 3-2-0) (Actual 2-3-0)
  • At home to: WPG, CHI (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 2-0-0)
  • On the road to: DAL, ARI, VEG (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 1-1-0)
  • Overall expected result: 8-5-0, 16 points in 13 games
  • Actual November results: 8-4-0, 16 points in 12 games
  • Oilers in 2021-22: 14-5-0, 28 points in 19 games

I was hesitant to hang the expectations above on this team, and it’s usually a reasonably easy project to project a month. Specific games might not rhyme but overall the expectation kind of presents itself. No matter what happens on Saturday in game 20, Edmonton has covered the bet and on pace for a 120+ point season. Music!

GOALIE

Mikko Koskinen’s songs by period were Thin Lizzy’s Jailbreak, Santo & Johnny’s Sleepwalk and Stevie Nicks’ Rooms on Fire. Interesting evening for the veteran, who stopped 24 of 27, .889. He now owns a .908 SP in 13 games, while going 10-2-0. I don’t put the blame on him for any of the goals.

DEFENSE

Philip Broberg-Cody Ceci played 19:19, going 11-5 shots, 1-1 goals and 4-1 HDSC. This is a terrific line and one wonders if we’re seeing a tandem growing into a useful unit even when everyone returns. Broberg makes it look easy, just a wonderful skater and able to avoid oncoming rushers with his first-step quickness. Ceci picked up an assist and is quickly becoming an important part of the blue.

Kris Russell-Tyson Barrie played 16:46, going 11-9 shots, 1-0 goals, 7-0 HDSC. That’s good work, and the fact the McDavid was out with this duo 80 percent of the time was a positive contributor to success. Russell had three blocks, finished 2-0 goals at even strength, and defended well. Barrie had two assists, is now 3-8-11 in 19 games for the year.

William Lagesson-Evan Bouchard played 9:52, going 6-2 shots, 0-1 goals and 3-1 HDSC. Lagesson played a quiet game, got a couple of shots, it was his NHL debut for this season. Bouchard also had a couple of shots, he played less than we’ve seen all season, probably due to some uneven play in recent days.

First GA: Barrie is down low to take a shot, forward (Kassian?) doesn’t track back to cover. Quick shot and rebound, jailbreak the other way. Broberg almost got back to deflect the pass, no chance for Koskinen.

Second GA: Chychrun’s shot from the point looked covered, but Sceviour was unable to tie up Travis Boyd’s stick and a deft deflection ensued. Goalie had it until the tip.

Third GA: Gostisbehere’s shot deflected off RNH’s stick and quickly past Koskinen. No chance for the goaler.

LINES

Draisaitl-McDavid-Kassian played 14:49, going 12-9 shots, 2-1 goals and 9-1 HDSC. Had an expected goal percentage of 81.4 percent. It’s Dave Tippett’s world and we’re just living in it. Honestly, I don’t believe the Kassian addition to this line will last, No. 44 has real coverage issues and his instincts betray him enough to be labeled inconsistent. That said, he was credited with six HDSC. The big man had a night. Draisaitl has 20 goals in 19 games, he’s superfreak. He was 2-2-4, 8 shots in all disciplines, and could have mur-diddly-urdered the Coyotes all by his lonesome. McDavid got hacked and whacked and still managed to score 2-2-4 with six shots.

Draisaitl is on track to score 86-86-172, McDavid 60-95-145. Beyond the earth and sky.

Hyman-Nuge-Yamamoto played 12:57, 7-4 shots, 0-1 goals and 2-2 HDSC. 59.9 expected goals, five on five. Hyman was exceptional, he was dangerous all the time, absolute ramrod. Nuge had seven shots, turned over some pucks, made smart plays. Yamamoto had a takeaway, a shot and a couple of good looks. I think he’s healthy again, his shot has some torque to it.

Foegele-McLeod-Puljujarvi played 8:21, going 3-1 shots, 0-0 goals and 1-0 HDSC. Trio had 81 percent expected goals five-on-five. This line looked strong to me, controlled the puck, pursued puck carriers and could be trusted. I’ll bet money Puljujarvi spends the majority of this season with McDavid, but he could flourish on a line like this one.

Benson-Sceviour-Turris played 7:40, 5-5 shots, 0-1 goals, 1-1, 54 percent expected goals five on five. Benson is touching the puck more often, if he can get into 40 games and post any kind of offense I expect he’ll eventually find an NHL home. Sceviour played well despite the GA on his watch, I like his aggressive pursuit of the puck. Turris was quiet, as has been the case in the past. He isn’t having a “Wayne Bianchin, Oilers” season like Brendan Perlini, but it’s quiet.

PULJUJARVI

The big man is on the third line, but I don’t feel it will be for a long time. It’s tough to play on a line where two of the three players are elite, and Zack Kassian’s defensive acumen (or lack thereof) will eventually force a trip down the depth chart. Years of blown coverages tell me so, and Kassian, at 30, is what he is. He has value, but isn’t a long-term solution for the No. 1 line.

On the other hand, I’ve been curious to see if JP could drive a line from the wing. It’s rare, recent examples are Taylor Hall, Max Pacioretty, Mark Stone. The Oilers were 5-1 shots at five-on-five when Puljujarvi was on the ice, 1-0 HDSC and he had a fantastic chance on the power play.

Dave Tippett moved Kassian to the top line against the Coyotes and Kassian had a big night. If he can play on the top line without making mistakes Saturday, perhaps the Draisaitl-McDavid-Kassian line has legs. History tells us it is a fleeting thing. It does give us a chance to see what Puljujarvi can bring, and last night was impressive if somewhat overshadowed.

LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE

It’s a busy morning on the Lowdown, we get started at 10, TSN1260. Chris Johnston, TSN Insider and columnist for the Toronto Star will talk Leon’s run, Olympics and the Calgary Flames. John Hendrix from Saints News will preview the Saints-Bills game tonight. We’ll also have plenty of reaction to last night’s Oilers game and talk about the defense and how it performed without Nurse, Keith and Koekkoek. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. See you on the radio!

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jp

It seems there were no calls for replacements from Bakersfield yesterday, so I guess that’s a good indication that Keith won’t be out for long. Hopefully Nurse isn’t too far off either.

OriginalPouzar

The Oilers do have $1.075M of “cap space” so they could call someone up without putting Keith on LTIR, just regular IR (min 7 days I believe).

jp

Exactly. I expect they’d have done that yesterday (so Niemalainen/Samorukov could get a practice in today) if Keith was expected to be out multiple games.

OriginalPouzar

Petrov as a PP assist as North Bay is down 4-1 going in to the thrid.

OriginalPouzar

Petrov adds an assist with about 6 to go as North Bay is trying to battle back.

OriginalPouzar

He adds a second assist as North Bay cuts the lead to 4-3 with 2 minutes to go.

Todd Macallan

Borg with the primary assist on the OT winner tonight as well.

Randle McMurphy

OK. The next 7 game playoff series is upon us.

Oilers play (excluding Seattle)

Vegas
Pittsburgh
Los Angles
Minnesota
Boston
Carolina
Toronto

Do we win the best of 7? (including OT and Shootout wins)

VOTE BELOW

Randle McMurphy

Hit + on this post to vote YES we win the best of 7

Last edited 2 years ago by Randle McMurphy
Randle McMurphy

Hit – on this post to vote NO. We lose the best of 7

jtblack

Why doesnt seattle count?

Redbird62

The chosen 7 are probably based on probably or possible playoff teams. Boston and LA are outside looking in right now, but Boston has 3 games in hand, and LA has been in and out of the top 8 a couple of times so far. Seattle is not looking like a team that even has a chance at the playoffs right now. So I am guessing the ask is can the Oilers win at least 4 of 7 from “playoff caliber teams”.

Ice Sage

That’s a murderer’s row who can mostly play winnipeg-style oiler kryptonite. Sans Nurse, there will be blood

Bank Shot

Nurse might be back by the Boston game if Tippett was being truthful about timelines. That will be three weeks since his injury.

I’m more worried about Keith at this point. Back injuries can be lingering.

Last edited 2 years ago by Bank Shot
OriginalPouzar

I think the speculation is that its a rib, not a back.

T. Gazolla referenced that last night (not official though).

Bank Shot

That seems odd as Keith apparently hurt it while making a pass.

OriginalPouzar

He hobbled off after making the pass, absolutely – could have sustained the issue earlier though….

kgogshig

It all depends on the fracture….they’ll x-ray it every 3 or 4 days…

Orthopedic surgeons are EXTREMELY careful about protecting fractures…realistically, unless Nurse is spending an hour a day inside a hyperbaric chamber it will be 4-5 weeks until the X-ray shows a clean bone.

My bet for Darnell’s return is Anaheim Dec 20th

Bank Shot

Wouldn’t the Oilers have access to a hyperbaric chamber?

Get off your wallet Katz…..

kgogshig

Yes I’m sure they do, Conor did a course of HBOT after his run in with Giordano. Problem is HBOT is criminally underused…if it’s not gangrene, traumatic brain injury or carbon monoxide poisoning very few doctors will recommend it…. broken pinky probably doesn’t qualify….even tho it would almost certainly heal faster (and randomly improve vasculature throughout the body)

innercitysmytty

haha LA isn’t

misfit

I love how Broberg went from being 1LD in Bakersfield to being 1LD in Edmonton in a matter of 2 games.

I’d still prefer a healthy Nurse and Kieth with Broberg in the minors for now, but this experience can only be a positive, no?

I know our host has been comparing him to Klefbom, but when I watch him, I get real Teppo Numminen vibes. Hopefully he has the same kind of career too, but that miiiiiight be asking a lot of a kid with 2 NHL games under his belt.

prefonmich

His skating is so fun to watch. Such a different skater than McDavid, yet, so deceptive. He is sneaky because his skating is so effortless, he can join the rush and make it back to the blueline before you even figure out he’s done it.

prefonmich

Anybody have Tippett’s contact info? I have a great idea to not have the team continue getting scored on first. Every time the Oil score first, the coaches buy the next team meal. Anytime the other team scores first, no matter how it happens, the line on the ice (and/or the guy in the box, if during a penalty kill) buys the meal. The restaurant choice would depend on the salaries of the line on the ice. If McDavid’s line gets scored on, pick the most expensive restaurant you can imagine. The 4th line covers Boston Pizza.

OriginalPouzar

Cody Ceci is a highly valuable player for the Oilers, invaluable right now given the injuries.

Worth every penny of that $3.25MM to this point, in fact, a value contract right now.

He’s also signed for his prime year – he’s just figured out over the last two seasons what type of player he is at the NHL level and will be priming for the next 3-4 years.

meanashell11

I second this.

prefonmich

Agreed, he has been an unexpected pleasant surprise! Perhaps our most consistent dman so far this year with some exceptional games tossed in for good measure.

Shane

It’s nice to finally be on the other side of this type of thing.

Usually we’re the ones developing players for other teams.

Bank Shot

I was in favor of letting Larsson walk to replace with a cheaper alternative.

Turns out the cheaper alternative is better than Larsson.

Sweet.

JimmyV1965

I’m looking at the Vegas forward group and it looks pretty meh to me. Having said that now, we will certainly get crushed.

Pacioretty-Stephenson-Stone
Dadonov-Roy-Smith
Janmark-Brooks-Kolesar
Carrier-Leschyshyn-Rondbjerg

Elgin R

Not certainly! That is why they play the games. My expectation before EVERY Oiler game is that they will win. We have McLeon after all.

Scungilli Slushy

Justin Bourne has a piece up again looking at the Flames And how they play. Basic but he does it well IMO.

I won’t link because it’s from the enemy broadcaster!

It is sad for me. Sutter is so freakin good at analyzing the game and where it is. Talks about how players play now, and his strategy is based on that.

And it is crushing it statistically. Even with Looch.

Meanwhile the Oilers flounder on 5v5 outside of the two geniuses. Whatever it is the Oilers are doing, it isn’t working for the majority of players.

They are as loose as 90s rapper pants, and too many guys aren’t scoring. It’s not all on the players.

I hit up JB on twit asking him to breakdown the Oilers. Maybe we’ll get lucky.

I’m no fan of the current system. It isn’t working. The wins are coming from a few excelling, not team play most games. We hope for the best….

dustrock

Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em

DevilsLettuce

If isn’t working leads to a 14-5 record sign me up for more.

Congrats to the Phlems, you have 3 more losses and 2 less victories with your mastery of the hockeying in more games played.

prefonmich

Yes Connor and Leon alone are dominant enough to have a really strong winning record in the regular season. Come playoffs you need more, and it literally pains me to say this but I fear that Phlegms have a better team system and approach to win the 2-1 games in the playoffs. Until the Oil coaches teach and enforce a team approach, we are going to need Connor and Leon to continue their regular season dominance in the playoffs. I worry it is not likely to occur.

Scungilli Slushy

Yes the record is nice, but it is a bit of an illusion, which is what I’m getting at. Why the article pains me.

Even with Connor and Leon being supernova, if the refs don’t call enough penalties they can be in trouble now not being able to consistently able to outscore 5v5.

As we have seen the last two times, relying on the PP too heavily in the playoffs is disaster in the waiting. The game over time is won or lost at evens.

Scungilli Slushy

Enemy link.

Ice Sage

Calgary have had everything go right. When injuries hit and Markstrom swoons and Sutter starts the scapegoat game, well…

Spartacus

I like the cut of your jib.

jm363561

I would tend to agree – defensively the team as a whole is not solid and the tending is not sufficiently elite to compensate. One stat LT did not mention in his (excellent as always) write up is we lost the 5 on 5 yet again (3-2). I think 14-5 flatters us just a little but there is time to tighten things.

Tyson Barrie is 19 3-8-11 (a stat line I have never liked as it shows offensive contribution only) but he is also -3 and eight of his points come from the PP. (I am not sure how the NHL +/- stats are computed – if his PP points are excluded is he 19 1-2-3 -11?). Come playoffs I hope he is not top pair.

Fantastic thread so far today. LoweTide at its very best.

Redbird62

No question the whole team needs to figure out how to tighten up defensively (other than Kris Russell who against all analytics again leads this team in the Oilers not getting scored against while he is on – 1.06 GA/60 albeit – in a smaller sample size than the others).

Barrie has 5 even strength points, and his points per 60 at evens is 1.05, slightly behind Bouchard 1.13 and Ceci 1.11. NHL +/- reflects all even manpower situations including if either team has the goalie pulled, plus players get a minus if they are on for a power play that allows a shorthanded goal. At 5 on 5, most of the Oiler’s D are fairly close ranging from even to -3 except for Russell who is +3. Barrie is -1 in this discipline, (two of his minuses came with the Oilers goalie pulled) so he is in line with all his peers on the team.

In last season’s playoffs, Barrie played better than both Larsson and Bear on the right side. This season, Ceci is currently the Oilers best overall right D. Bouchard started out well, but has not played that well defensively the last several games as pointed out on the Cult of Hockey where in their tabulation he is leading the team in major mistakes against based on committing 33 gaffs in the last 8 games while Barrie has only committed 13 major mistakes in the same time span. Bouchard is very young still, so hopefully he turns this around.

jp

In last season’s playoffs, Barrie played better than both Larsson and Bear on the right side.

And I’ve mentioned before, Barrie has had sparkling playoff on ice results through his career. All told his teams have scored 23 goals and given up 17 at 5v5 (58%GF) when he’s on. I forget the exact numbers, but his teams have been heavily outscored when he’s on the bench.

Not that I’m particularly confident in Barrie for the playoffs, but his history has been strong despite the eye test.

OriginalPouzar

Yes, the Oilers lost the 5 on 5 goal share but, then again their top 3 left shot d-men (to start the season) were out – they Oilers pretty much dominated the game at evens, to my eye – Wedgewood is the only reason the 5 on 5 battle was even close (and a couple minute stretch late in the 3rd in the second night of back to backs on the road).

I do agree that the Oilers are probably not a .750 team but I do think they are a legit top 10 team in the NHL, maybe even top 5 – and that’s with their currently shaky defensive strcuture.

On the plus/minus – traditional plus/minus excludes PPG for and SHG against – they don’t effect the plus/minus (although EN goals for and against do).

jp

 do agree that the Oilers are probably not a .750 team

The Oilers are almost certainly not a .750 team. But that’s because essentially no one is.

5 teams since the Oilers joined the league have had .750 Pts% seasons, and 2 of those were during the lockout shortened season.

So 3 teams in 40+ years have played .750 hockey for a full NHL season. None of them won the cup either, if you can believe it.

Sierra

7 shut outs. That’s really something…even for the bad guys.

winchester

With Leon and Connor puck hogging (kidding) all the time, the third wheel on that line finds himself as the net front presence. Last season I swear this is where Yamamoto got beat down and was injured for the last two months of the season.

Bison King is a better winger, he adds more value on that line until he finds himself standing in front of the net for half a shift. Then his talents while still considerable, are not maximized.

So its really a trade off isn’t it? Where does Jessie add the MOST value to the team? What if he turns that third line into a monster? Very appealing. Where does Kassian add the MOST value to the team? His reads at times look very questionable, and I say this sitting in my chair watching the game with a birds eye view. Can his net front disruptions and screen make up for lapses? Or did Tippett just feel like if he wanted Leon/Connor together he wanted a disruptor thrown in?

If so nobody told Kassian last night as Leon and Connor were throwing enough hits to look after Kassian.

Anyway, I think Tippett is just looking after his roster, giving some Love to Kassian and experimenting a little against the Coyotes.

leadfarmer

That’s why my lineup below has Nuge McLeod and JP murdering the softs below

Munny 2.0

Perhaps Leon and Connor were throwing more hits because Kassian was on the ice?

Last edited 2 years ago by Munny 2.0
winchester

Somebody needs to look after Kassian as well right? He just needed some time and space – bingo – three points! haha. I like Kassian by the way.

prefonmich

Question for all you coaching posters out there… two things I would be working on constantly with this team is 2 on 1’s – mostly defending. Also tip shots- I feel we have the d to create some tip shots but only other teams do this to us. How might coaches teach the importance of creating and defending these 2 plays? When our 2-4 lines are endlessly cycling with no positive result, or even a chance on net, in the Dallas game, in particular, but even last night, perhaps coaches should teach a simpler way to create chances if you are not McDavid and Drai??

LMHF#1

Regarding 2-on-1s – the most important thing is to attack the puck carrier as early as reasonably possible. This creates a situation where likely outcomes change. You are highly likely to steal the puck, stop the skater, or force a bad pass. You also mitigate the worst possible outcome. A goalie has a much better shot at a clear 1-on-1 with back pressure forcing a quick decision than a standard 2-on-1.

One easy visual differentiator that has remained constant throughout the years and separates great defenders from good ones is that all great defenders attack the puck carrier early during a 2-on-1 at about a 95% clip.

prefonmich

Is it just me or does it seem that all Oiler defenders have never been told or practiced this?? Do you see it too, or just me?

Diablo

I’ve always wondered if onnbreakaways, the trailing defender should just blatantly trip the attacking player on the breakaway and force a penalty shot.

I’d love to know what the percentage of goals scored on clear breakaways vs penalty shots is. As a former goalie, I find the shootout style confrontation less stressful, than the guy breaking in on you in the heat of the moment confrontation.

Totally agree that the defender should immediately attack the puck carrier on a 2-on-1. Even if the pass gets through, the goalie still has less to worry about, as the passer is taken out of the play.

Cassandra

This is a strange game to make this point, since this is exactly what Broberg did on Keller’s goal.

LMHF#1

Not all – but there is a passivity in the current style. One nice thing is that there are decidedly fewer 2-on-1s with the current team and especially dangerous ones.

I do wish Nurse and Bouchard would watch some extra tape of Pronger attacking 2-on-1s. An absolute thing of beauty.

OriginalPouzar

I don’t disagree but it has to be very early or else we get what happens last night – Broberg attacked the puck carrier but didn’t get the job done and it led to a breakaway with speed.

winchester

This is the book on how to beat the Oilers. Take away time and space. (interfere, chippy hockey)) Slow them down (hold and interfere) Keep them to the outside (cross check anyone on the inside to the ice) and I absolutely agree Oilers need to say “plan B tonight” when faced with Dallas Stars heavy game plan. That just might be more shot generation from the point and crash the net. Simple goals count too. But break into the defensive shell. similar to their power play, shots or break downs can generate randomness and opportunity.

Scungilli Slushy

As for 2 on 1s, Steve Valiquette former goalie and now running Clear Site Analytics says what needs to happen is the defencemen cannot let a cross seam pass through or let the attacker cross to the middle. Goalie takes the shot.

Basically what LMHF said. Getting NHL goalies moving is where they are most vulnerable.

As for the anemic cycle, I don’t like the current strategy, if there is one. The point is to create a low high chance. Or a cross seam play.

The Oilers often don’t have a player in place out front, or they’re right in tight against the defender, from where it’s hard to do anything, you’re playing right in coverage.

If the puck is loose in the paint yes you are in tight digging, otherwise looking for space is the thing so you can get a chance away. And he open for a pass.

Scungilli Slushy

Getting goalies moving also is important for shooters.

Few players have enough heat to beat a goalie in position clean.

The best shooters have some art to their shots. They are deceptive. Goalies are surprised. Some have unusual release positions like Matthews and Laine.

Some drag the puck in and release. It changes the angle, I also think it increases velocity on the shot.

The Oilers often just straight up shoot, goalie in position. No deception, pretty easy save most of the time.

I notice that often those shots are over the net, players trying to hit as close the the bar and post as possible, probably because they aren’t confident they can score.

And very often it rims around and out, sometimes creating a break the wrong way.

JP often tries to shoot to create a rebound when he’s at distance. Such a smart player. Usually there is no one going to the net or in front. The cursed system!

prefonmich

I agree about JP! He is underappreciated by his teammates and coach I think. He does all the little things well that would lead to winning if more of his teammates were as committed to he is to the forecheck, backcheck, and sometimes the simple plays that are necessary to not create danger the other way.
On another note, I wonder how much the goalie (ours) and the confidence his players have in him affects how a 2 on 1 gets played. For example, I feel more confident on a 2 on 1 if the dman left an open shot on Skinner vs Koskinen, as the med danger shots sometimes inexplicably go in on the big Finn, and they haven’t seemed to with Skinner (albeit VERY small sample size).

OriginalPouzar

What are we seeing to lead to the opinion that JP is under-appreciated by the coach or the players. Both the players and the coach talk all the time about how important he is on the ice and how much they love the person off the ice.

As far as the coach goes, until last night, he had played over 250 minutes at 5 on 5 with McDavid and 20 minutes without him. Many of those 250 were with both Drai and McDavid.

I don’t think any player that isn’t valued by the coach or McDavid/Drai would get those minutes.

He has also been part of the PP all year long – yes, Hyman often gets the 1st portion but Jesse is involved and, last nigh, when his 5 on 5 minutes were reduced for the first time all year, he started PP1.

prefonmich

For me, it started with subtle body language and then two specific instances of McDavid blowing up at Jesse. I might be sensitive to it because I love Jesse and he is like a big teddy bear with a giant body but he’s a bit awkward- I love an underdog.

I’ve never seen McDavid rip any of his other teammates like that- never. Maybe it’s happened but not in the public eye like those two instances. One in the playoffs when Jesse missed a touch pass to spring McDavid, and one more recently- I can’t remember the context. Anyway, even in the celebrations I see a different reaction when Kass scores, for example, to when JP scores.

I just get the sense that he is not as appreciated for what he brings. His most valuable skills are a little more subtle- the number of pucks he turns over, and the number of times he is the guy most defensively responsible, I cannot count. I don’t think McDavid appreciates these skills as much as the goal scoring- this is purely a sense I get rather than anything I could provide an example of.

Also, if I were coach, I would only put McDavid and Drai together when we are down by a goal or two late in the game, and on the powerplay, otherwise, Jesse would be with McDavid because he is the defensive conscience that McDavid needs. Drai and McDavid tend to try to make the beautiful play and often, they are able to, until they are not, then we have our two best centres stopped on one line.
I also think JP stands in front of the net taking shots a lot on the pp while McDavid skates around the ice looking for Drai’s one timer. Again, often this works because… McDavid and Draisaitl, but this approach ignores with JP brings to the game.

OriginalPouzar

I understand what you are saying and know the two incidents that you are speaking of. I agree, the one in the playoffs is what it is.

The other, I believe, is when Jesse want offside (as McDavid laterally crossed the blueline) and there was an animated “discussion” on the bench. Personally, i think that way entirely overblown and, for all we know, McDavid wasn’t even “ripping” Jesse but they were talking about the play and how to proceed – McDavid is firey.

I still go back to 20 minutes out of 270 – that time on ice Jesse played without McDavid until last game. If McDavid didn’t appreciate Jesse’s attributes, that would never happen I wouldn’t think.

Also, as we know, McDavid is highly intelligent student of the game, I’d be shocked if he didn’t appreciate the puck retrievals, the chaos creation and turnover, the defensive responsibleness, etc. – he’s mentioned the puck retrieval specifically in the past as well.

prefonmich

You’re right about McDavid’s intelligence and likely recognizing some of Jesse’s gifts. I also wonder with how tight some of the core group is, where Jesse fits. Again, it is just a sense I get rather than anything really concrete. I really hope we can keep and sign him to a reasonable deal, and watch him continue to grow into his massive frame and immense talents. He is certainly my favourite Oiler right now!

OriginalPouzar

I’m not sure how Jesse fits in with the group – he’d definitely grown into an adult and matured since he was here as an 18-20 year old (duh) but I think he is still kid of a lone wolf and a bit of an odd-duck coming from remote Finland.

At the same time, he seems very happy – he’s got his g/f and his dog and, while maybe he’s not going to over to Nurse’s to play poker with the boys, he does seem to get along with them and you see them joking around, etc.

Look at the post-game media avail from a few weeks ago with Hyman and Jesse – it was amazing.

Jesse certainly knows the fan-base loves him.

prefonmich

Yes I watched the interview, and forgot about it. Hyman is another loveable guy- he is just a genuinely good guy, and seems to really love JP. Maybe those two can form some chemistry with Nuge in the middle?? I’d love to see that switch, and put Yamo with the two 3rd line bruisers.

Side

Leon Draisaitl – 19 gp, 20 goals, 20 assists, 40 points

Auston Matthews – 18 gp, 8 goals, 9 assists, 17 points

jp

Is that what they call ‘striking distance’?

Side

If Matthews is lucky he will be within striking distance of beating his best season of 80 points.

Meanwhile we will be wondering if Draisaitl can break 150.

Coilers2021

Clearly, players like Matthews and Marner, etc… are wasting their talent in Toronto and the league should force the Leafs to trade them for pennies on the dollar.

innercitysmytty

I listen to Sirius and you’re finally starting to hear some acknowledgement from some of the eastern and US media that Leon is actually damn good and not just benefitting from Connor. Matthews is a damn good goal scorer and he has the highest GPG since entering the league, but he’s not even close overall.

Cassandra

Mathews has been pretty poor by his standards this year, while Draisatl has raised his game to another level.

You are understating how dominant Mathews was last year when healthy, but Mathews has taken a big step back while Draisatl has taken yet another step. They used to be close, but they aren’t anymore.

leadfarmer

Matthews had a wrist injury and likely hasn’t been 100%
but we’ve all known who the best two players on the planet are and have been

Side

I am enjoying reading comments from other teams fans about Draisaitl and McDavid.

Some Capitals fans were happy to see Ovechkin as 2nd in points before the game yesterday and then…

“That didn’t last long. McDavid and Draisaitl both got 2 goals and 2 assists! What the heck!”

Elgin R

Ovi is amazing to be able to do this at his age. No one in the top-10 on the points or goals lists is over the age of 31 and Ovi is 36!

OriginalPouzar

For me, what Ovie is doing to start this season is almost as impressive as what Drai is doing.

Coilers2021

It’s very encouraging to see Broberg do well. Like some of you have mentioned already, these are early days and I’m sure there will be blips where he’s made to look like a pylon. It happens to all D-Men so it shouldn’t come as a surprise. I just hope the collective don’t dump on him en masse when it does occur.

In my mind it’s becoming more and more evident that Barrie cannot be a long term player for the Oil. Especially for the playoffs. He doesn’t help defensively…like, at all. And his presence on the PP can be replaced by Bouchard. He’s more a part of the Oiler future than Barrie is. I would invest the time to have him grow with McDavid, Drai, Puljujarvi on that 1st defensive pairing and PP unit.

maudite

There might be a place for barrie as he does add an element that can be more than a saw off if used right.

His salary reflects that.

Bouchard is appearing to come into form as a solid PK option.

That powerplay conversion rate is ungodly.

There is enough ice for both of them.

Nurse Bouchard
Keith/broberg ceci
Samorukov barrie

Pp1 barrie
Pp2 nurse/broberg Bouchard

Pk1 nurse Bouchard
Pk2 Sam ceci

If samorukov and broberg can hit those spots you have a decent depth chart at a reasonable cost structure until Keith then barrie come off books.

Last edited 2 years ago by maudite
jjmclean

Ceci is like getting Petry back. Finally nice to be on the other end of it

DevilsLettuce

Petry is not a safe man in Montreal at the moment.

Coilers2021

Very true. But when your GM is not signed for the foreseeable future and the team is pooping the bed, I don’t think any player is safe. That team is a tire fire.

ArmchairGM

Does anyone want that contract though?

Coilers2021

Petry’s or being the GM of Montreal? Lol.

I’m sure there would be a taker on Petry, perhaps if money was retained the return could be juicy from Montreal’s perspective.

GM of the Habs. I think you need to be a special kind of crazy to want that job.

ArmchairGM

I’m not so sure. $6.25M x 4 is a lot of chedda for a 33-year-old who is having a tough year. I think they’d have to retain just to get ANYTHING back.

Darth Tu

How much of it is down to a) the rest of that team being the tire fire mentioned, and b) his recovery from that freak finger injury?

It’s a decent chunk of change for sure, but someone will take it on. Maybe for a young D on a cheap contract and a 3rd that could turn into a second? Am I right?

Amadeus

Trade Barrie and Turris for Petry. Barrie has 2 more years after this one. Petry has 3 more years. This gives us a more complete top 4 RD and it lets Montreal save some money and start the rebuild.

Elgin R

Watching Barrie on the PP continues to amaze. He is in the right spot just about all the time, distributes well and can hammer it home once in a while. This player has value. The assent of the Oilers PP to historical value coincides with the arrival of Barrie. I would not trade this player. On the other hand, I would drive Turris to the airport and wish him well.

godot10

I’d trade Kassian and Barrie for Petry.

McSorley33

Playing with Leon Draisaitl is like wining Lotto Max.

It is getting to be routine but the Coyotes broadcasters were in awe of McDavid and
Draisaitl.

It is not normal to hear opposition media gush over your players.

Just remarkable how lucky as fans we have been.

Litke 94

I think you captured Broberg’s play wonderfully. Seriously impressive so far. Yeah, yeah the Coyotes are an AHL team but, you still have to win your matchups. And last night, Broberg looked as good, if not better, than established NHLers Russell and Barrie.

You say it all the time, D prospects do not develop in a straight line. There will be dips. But so far, so good. Vegas will be a big test.

Cody Ceci deserves a ton of credit too. I feel a sense of calm when he is on the ice. he very rarely makes a bad mistake. Very happy he is an Oiler.

dustrock

D prospects are all over the place for sure. Ty Smith, who looked outstanding for the Devils last year, is really struggling this season and I think was healthy scratched last game.

Lewis Grant

Noah Dobson was just healthy scratched too. Even though Dobson and Smith got off to fast starts, right now Bouchard is looking better than those two close comparables from the same draft.

Then again, as our host likes to remind us, defensemen do not develop in a straight line. Adam Larsson played well in the NHL at 18, and yet spend half of his 19- and 20-year-old seasons in the AHL. He turned out alright. Bouchard may yet have his ups and downs, but he’ll be alright.

Last edited 2 years ago by Lewis Grant
innercitysmytty

I wonder if the Oilers “analytics” department looks at things like how the team performs on certain nights of the week? The Oilers are 1-3 this year on Tuesday nights (I haven’t checked to see if the result lines up with the possession stats though) and I’m fairly certain they have a history of losing regularly on Tuesday’s dating back at least a few years. The reason I know this is my band jams that night and the Oilers have seemed to lose an inordinate percentage of games when we jam. I wonder if there is a nutrition, rest, or training issue that would lead the team to be less than 100% effective or more sluggish collectively on the same night of the week.

innercitysmytty

I’m going to dig back a few years to see if my memory is correct on this trend.

innercitysmytty

Last year they were 3-2 on Tuesday nights.

innercitysmytty

In 19/20 they were 6-6.

innercitysmytty

In 18/19 they were 6-10.

innercitysmytty

Maybe it’s something, maybe as simple as small sample size.

Randle McMurphy

Please. Can you guys jam on non game nights?!

innercitysmytty

Yeah we should anyway, what kind of Oilers fans are we anyway!

McSorley33

The Coyotes are a truly Terrible team that that 4th line is putrid and should not be in the NHL.

Travis Boyd the 28 year old journeyman ( 4 teams in 3 years ) is their 1C

How bad are they?

Antoine Roussel and Loui Erikkson are on the 3rd line.

Feel real bad for Jakob Chychrun because he is the goods. This will
be Jakob’s 6th season with the Coyotes and that should be wished on no man.

***********************************************************
It is getting awkward to see Ceci play so well. I knew he had some offensive
acumen – but his all around play has been more than solid.

I still don’t believe this team is very good at evens. ( save for when the Gods when they are on the ice)

But this teams gets massive credit for always stopping a losing streak from starting.

We have not lost back to back games so far this year.

Elgin R

Chychrun took the money when he signed his 6-year contract in 2018 when the team sucked. Now has 3 years left after this one. However, he will be set for life and only 26 when he is UFA. He can then pick his team and win a cup.

Oil2Oilers

I would be more comfortable with Kassian on the 4th line than the 1st. But he had a night last night.

Broberg and Ceci “one wonders if we’re seeing a tandem growing into a useful unit even when everyone returns”

Will the Oilers enter the playoffs with;

Nurse – Bouchard
Broberg – Ceci
Keith – Barrie

The limited results of that third pairing have been interesting. But what type of usage would suit them?

Last edited 2 years ago by Oil2Oilers
Durag

I think that’s the blueline opening night 2022, but we’ve learned that Tippet loves his veterans and I don’t think he’ll go to battle in the playoffs with two rookie (or rookie-ish) blue. I think Broberg is going to get an “atta boy” and a trip to California when everyone is healthy, but he’s definitely done a lot to put himself in the NHL team’s future plans.

jimmyneutron

Talk about value on that third pair! All that for $10mill…

pts2pndr

It gets much better quickly!😉

Fuge Udvar

It probably makes more sense for JP to be on the second line and bump Yamo to the 3rd line. But I don’t think Tippett could resist (and neither could I) putting 37-71-13 together. That is an incredible speed to weight ratio.

I have no problem running this setup for 4-5 games. McLeod or Foegele both look capable of going on a heater. And Hyman-Nuge-Yamo is a tough line to score against.

Wolfpack

On the first goal against, that was going to be a two-on-one the other way as soon as Barry did not score. When he pinched, all three Oilers forwards were down near the goal line, there was no time for Zack or anyone to get out to cover the point. Not sure who gets the blame on that one.

The word that comes to mind when I watch Broberg is “composure”. Very unusual for a d-man of that age to be playing his first games in the NHL and really not show any signs of being rattled. Bouchard is the same, though he had a bit more time to ripen ripen on the vine in the AHL.

This game was very chippy, especially early on, and I like that the Oilers pushed back with some authority.

Cassandra

Calling that a pinch is unfair, it carries the premise that Barrie is the one that has to make a decision there. He doesn’t, on a rush all players are forwards and they all have lanes to fill, it is never the responsibility of the player who gets the puck to cover, it is the responsibility of the high forward (in this case Kassian) to recognize the situation and rotate.

Kassian didn’t recognize the situation which made it look like there was no time to cover.

Wolfpack

I see what you are saying, and after watching the goal again, yes, Kassian was the high forward and instead of peeling back to his right to cover, he goes left hoping for a rebound. However, both McDavid and Draisaitl were inexplicably at a standstill below the goal line. Kassian was the only one who had any chance at a rebound. So he made the wrong call but at the same time the positioning of his linemates was terrible. It was a bad offensive foray all around.

Cassandra

So I just watched it again and I don’t agree. McDavid is behind the net supporting the puck, which is exactly what he is supposed to do. Draisatl is behind the red line havign drawn two defenders with him, which is why Barrie is so open.

Kassian is the only one there on the wrong side of the puck, he’s the one that “pinches” without cover.

This is all on Kassian. McDavid, Draisatl, and Barrie did everything right. I’m not sure what else they were supposed to do. McDavid and Draisatl aren’t so much standing still as trying to see where they should be going based on the rebound. There is no situation where their job is to cover, they aren’t F3 and they aren’t about to be F3. Kassian is F3, if F3 pinches they have to get the puck.

Kassian is bad at being F3, he was goal sucking and the Oilers got burned.

godot10

Barrie and Kassian were on the ice at the same time. Two players whose default is to cheat for offense. No risk-adjusted offensive judgement.

GordieHoweHatTrick

good point. it would be wise to limit their time on the ice together, otherwise = trouble.

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

Broberg is going to be a player. Early days, but his numbers look fantastic.

He is suffering a bit from Derek Ryan syndrome terrible pdo and poor gf%.

Randle McMurphy

Nugey and Warren Foegele in a battle for shooting percentage.

Maybe they should trade sticks or something.

( is it Adam Oates who is the “stick whisperer” )

31saves

Gretzky wrote of a time when he was in a “slump” (I think he had only 5 points in 5 games)
And his dad came to watch him, took his stick and filed off about 2 inches. Gretzky scored 5 Points that night and the issue was resolved

jp

Turris was quiet, as has been the case in the past.

Quiet is definitely better than bleeding out though!

But I do agree he’s not having much impact. I expect he’s on the outside looking in once Ryan and Shore are healthy.

McSorley33

Love him or Loathe him.

A Beautiful site to see Zack grab a mini-golf putter and convert what is a never ending stream of passes from Leon Draisaitl.

A 30 goal season awaits anyone that has a decent shot and average hockey IQ.

Really impressed with Broberg here. Kept his game simple – use his skating and make the easy play up to the forwards.

ArmchairGM

“A 30 goal season awaits anyone that has a decent shot and average hockey IQ.”

Or 40 if your name is Carter Savoie.

Last edited 2 years ago by ArmchairGM
Munny 2.0

Can we let Savoie make the NHL first? That in itself is no lock. Playing with 97 even less so. And then seeing season-long success even harder yet. Keep in mind Yamamoto is a better hockey player. And Bourgeault.

ArmchairGM

We were talking about Leon, not McDavid. And I have no problem projecting high-end prospects 3-4 years down the road – it’s called being a hockey fan.

And Yamamoto’s D+2 NHLe was 10 goals/82, whereas Savoie’s is currently 33/82. Projecting him to 40 goals while playing with the world’s best passer isn’t a stretch at all IMO.

Munny 2.0

Yes, sorry, 29.

But otherwise, cool your jets, you’re fanning pretty hard, lol.

We are posting in the realm of reasonable expectations.

OriginalPouzar

A 30 goal season awaits anyone that has a decent shot and average hockey IQ.

1) Puljujarvi? I think he could score 25G-30G as 1RW – his production does run hot and cold (that is not uncommon).

2) Lavoie? His arrows are pointed straight down right now but development is not a straight line.

3) Savoie? Great arrows and he has the shot and offensive IQ, that’s for sure. Of course, there is along ways to go from NCAA to top 6 NHL scoring winger

4) Petrov? Probably a distant bell here given he was a 6th round pick – lots of guys score lots of goals in their draft plus 1 seasons in junior (see Lavoie. see Maksimov) – then again, he’s not your “normal 6th round pick” – Covid was a reason for that.

ArmchairGM

The quote was “a 30 goal season awaits anyone that has a decent shot and average hockey IQ.”

Savoie has a better-than-decent shot and above average hockey IQ, it’s perfectly reasonable to project 40 goals beside 29 based on what he’s doing in the toughest conference in the NCAA as a sophomore. These aren’t junior numbers… for reference Cole Caufield posted an NHLe of 26 goals in the Big-10 last year and he’s routinely talked about as a future 40-goal scorer. It’s time to face the facts about Savoie.

jp

it’s perfectly reasonable to project 40 goals beside 29 

Savoie is a wonderful prospect who’s trending like a top 6 forward. He has all the attributes you’re describing.

But I agree with Munny, it is absolutely not reasonable to project 40 goals from any non top 5 pick or player who hasn’t already established themselves as a quality NHL scorer.

Last edited 2 years ago by jp
OriginalPouzar

Got to agree, can’t “project” 40 goal seasons from Savoie he is one of the currently drafted prospects that could potentially get there.

We are a LONG ways from there though.

pts2pndr

After the DOD we should be able to kick reasonable in the butt once in awhile! It just feels so good!😉

Randle McMurphy

Leon Draisaitl is the best hockey player in the world and the eastern press is starting to warm to the idea.

#Hart

#ItsComing

Last edited 2 years ago by Randle McMurphy
Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

I loved his second goal. Smash through three defenders. Make puck go in goal.

flyfish1168

eastern press is finally looking pass mathews and mariner

Cassandra

I haven’t like Tippett much as a coach. That said, he did two good things last night.

First, Draisatl and McDavid should play together. The whole with those two is greater than the sum of the parts. Just keep them together. That said, playing them together with Puljujarvi makes him the third wheel, and he’s both too good to be the third wheel, and yet not the pure shooter type that would thrive in that situation (i.e. Pastrnak). Putting Puljujarvi on another line is the key to having three good lines while keeping Draisatl and McDavid together. Tippett has finally seen this and I hope he sticks with it.

Second, while he took Puljujarvi off the first line, he added him to the start of the powerplay. That’s good man management. Puljujarvi loses some minutes, not because he is playing badly but because he is playing well, and so he gets some of those minutes back. That’s smart.

I guess I’ll add a third as well. He played the fourth line more. One of my biggest criticisms of Tippett is that he loses confidence in the bottom half of the roster too fast (see playoffs last year), and can bury guys. Good to see him recognize that the fourth line is playing well and give them minutes.

Now I’d like him to see that Benson is the straw stirring that drink and keep him in the lineup. Anyone who can’t tell that Benson is an NHL player should not be making decisions.

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

Benson looked like a player who is going to do whatever is necessary to survive in the NHL. Let’s hope he starts putting up a few points.

pts2pndr

Benson is easy to cheer for! He’s had to battle through a lot of adversity to get to where he is!

McSorley33

The gap between Leon and most of the league is getting very wide now.

Playing with Leon is like winning Lotto Max.

Yet, oddly, few seem to want to mention what opportunities have been squandered
by some players on this front.

The upper tier teams have layered depth beyond the 1st line.

Boston certainly does not appear to have depth beyond line 1.

Loading up has consequences down the lines.

cowboy bill

Maybe Tip should shift Leon to the right wing and Benson on Connor’s LW to see if Benson is any better than Kassian . Since Benson is such a wonderful NHL player .

jp

First GA: Barrie is down low to take a shot, forward (Kassian?) doesn’t track back to cover.

Who is responsible for covering? Is it always the same side winger (Kassian in this case)? Or is it more fluid with whatever forward is in the best position?

When Barrie took his shot, Kassian was to the left of the net with forward momentum, looking for a rebound/pass. Draisaitl was in the RW corner and stationary. McDavid was behind the net.

We saw McDavid get some flack a few games ago for not covering for a pinching D, but he was neither the closest to the puck nor the same side winger to the pinching D.

I’m not sure how this is coached, but it seems a stretch to single Kassian out on this play IMO (as some did last night, not meaning you specifically LT).

Randle McMurphy

Bravo. Excellent observation.

Cassandra

It was absolutely Kassians job. On a rush there are no positions, everything is F1, F2, F3, and F4.

F1 carries the puck over the blue line, F2 drives the net, F1 and F2 never have responsibility here.

Kassian was F3, filling the wide space created by F2, Barrie was F4 coming in behind F1. It is always the job of F3 to provide high coverage.

Now this can be a hard job because he is also providing the wide space, however he has to recognize what is happening with F4 and rotate. Kassian didn’t recognize the situation.

Woodguy v2.0

That’s exactly it.

godot10

Kassian was supposed to be the high forward because McDavid and Draisaitl were already well below the dots. So when Barrie began sneaking in from the point, its Kassian’s responsibilitiy to go cover.

Diablo

If there was a shot off the goalie leading to a rebound and Kassian was there to cash it in, everyone here would be talking about how “Kassian drove to the net hard”.

I don’t love the decisions Kassian makes some times, but there is no narrative here … it was simply a broken play where all 4 guys were over-committed on the offensive end. They all share some of the blame. The rest is on the hockey Gods.

Cassandra

Except four guys didn’t overcommit. One did.

This is basic stuff. Three guys did what they are supposed to do–there is no blame there.

One guy took a chance and it didn’t work. If it had worked he would get the praise, but when you pinch without cover you have to be right.

There is no debate to be had, this is a pretty black and white situation.

Melman

its a long season and giving different lines a look at different times is useful. If Tipp wants to throw 29-97-44 together in the 3rd period of a playoff game when they need a jolt it helps that they’ve done it before. Agree with LT’s comment on seeing if JP can drive a line from the wing, it would also be interesting to see him and Yammo flip and what that would look like. The little buzz saw with McLeod and Foegle could be good, but makes sense give McLeod the best of the two while he continues to settle into the NHL. Hoping Foegle can start tilting the ice more as the season wears on. A + 3rd line will make huge difference for this team.

Randle McMurphy

 “Kassian… has value, but isn’t a long-term solution for the No. 1 line.”

Thankfully, he doesn’t need to be.

But what a bullet to be able to load in the chamber when you need a power boost.

Hyman McDavid JP … Solidly entrenched as the top line

Kassian McDavid Draisaitl when you need to change the complexion of the game.

#NaturalOrderofThings

.
.
Jig Jig ..Jig Jig

Last edited 2 years ago by Randle McMurphy
Randle McMurphy

In the mean time and in between time

Foegele McLeod Kassian

Last edited 2 years ago by Randle McMurphy
Reja

Ed Whalen Stampede Wrestling.

Randle McMurphy

No Chancy Mr Reja

#MalfunctionAtTheJunction

Last edited 2 years ago by Randle McMurphy
Oilman99

Benson and McLeod had chemistry in the AHL, would like see him have a couple of games on that line.

Cassandra

The Coyotes aren’t good, but the Oilers three LHD were Russell, Broberg, and Lagesson. That makes this a good win.

First, the obvious. That was a badly officiated game. But it shows that if the officials are simply bad, rather than criminal, the Oilers can still win. That’s the goal. And before anyone says the Coyotes had more penalties, that is immaterial. When one team has the puck the whole game, and they have the two best players in the world, the other team should always get more penalties. That’s a simple fact.

On to the good.

The last two games Mcleod has not simply been an “NHL player,” he’s been a good NHL player. That kid can play and should never leave the lineup again.

Benson might not be a “good” NHL player but he is definitely an NHL player. There is no reason, on this roster, for him to sit. He should be in your top 12 for sure, maybe higher.

Broberg isn’t going back to the AHL. He looks hesitant to me, but the tools are massive.

Sceviour is the solid vet you are looking for, though he is stretched at center. I would be looking for an upgrade.

So if this Kassian nonsense is going to last, then this is lineup Tippett should be running out there

Draisatl–McDavid–Kassian
Hyman–RNH–Puljujarvi (this is the line for Puljujarvi to drive)
Foegele–Mcleod–Yamamoto
Benson–Sceviour–rotating cast

The D is a mess until Nurse comes back, and even then finding everyone the right patter is going to be a moving target.

This is what I like

Nurse–Barrie
Keith–Bouchard
Broberg–Ceci

I would run Nurse the heavy minutes and treat the other two pairs the same, depending on how they were playing, and spot Bouchard and Ceci in Barrie’s spot to limit Barrie’s icetime and give the other two a little more ice.

The officiating is the major story of this season, but the emergence of Mcleod, Benson, Broberg, and Skinner cannot really be understated. Graduating four ELC that can actually play in one year is a huge deal. And you still have Samurukov and Holloway behind them.

This team can win multiple Stanley Cups if the goaltending holds up and the game is called straight.

fishman

Hopefully Shore returns and is able to “shore” up 4 the line centre spot allowing Sceviour to move to the wing. Have seen enough of Turris and Perlini.

Cassandra

Shore is much better on the wing, he’s a stopgap as much as Sceviour is. If Ryan can’t hold down the job, they need one more vet who can play center.

So longterm it is:

Benson/Ryan or new guy/Shore or Sceviour

Randle McMurphy

“The Coyotes aren’t good”

The Seattle Kraken aren’t good.

But they beat the Carolina Hurricanes last night.

Last edited 2 years ago by Randle McMurphy
Eh Team

Seattle is much better than you think, the are getting caved by horrendous goaltending so far. I’d expect their goaltending to improve and them to start winning some games

jtblack

First they need to win 1 playoff round.

Then a West Pennant.

Then 1 cup.

As for the lineup ideas, agree 100%.

This is a young core, but play them and let them grow

Side

Thanks for this. I appreciate your player evaluations.

Eh Team

I’ve seen various defensive combinations but the one pair that would absolutely get caved is Keith-Barrie. Neither of those guys are good defensive, especially against the rush.

Crazy Pedestrian

Also, they are both smaller D-man. Need at least one biggish D-man per line to be able to fight corner battles and hold back opposing hard/fast rushes.

OriginalPouzar

Yes, Cassandra, I agree, Ryan McLeod has started doing exactly what he needs to do in order to, not only be a legit bottom 6 NHL center, but to be a high end 3C. He’s not there as a “high end 3C” as, well, he’s still young and developing (on his ELC) but he’s developing in the areas he needs.

I saw him use his body to win open ice puck battles and I’ve seen him battle for puck below the hashmarks in the offensive zone and be in front of the net.

Those are things that were not happening last season or earlier this season.

As hoped/predicted/presumed, he’s engaging in these areas and some offence is resulting.

Love it.

AsiaOil

I’d be looking for a big 4C between now and the deadline. Ryan/Shore are extra forwards and Perlini/Turris waived.

Last edited 2 years ago by AsiaOil
OriginalPouzar

That big C could be Dylan Holloway – of course, he may not be ready for that job and, even if he is ready for that job, he’d be raw.

Randle McMurphy

If Darnell Nurse ( just a wonderful skater ) and Ethan Bear (able to avoid oncoming rushers with his first-step quickness.) had a baby… Philip Broberg

Randle McMurphy

haha …. my taste runs more towards a bare nurse

but hey … a nurse bear!

Last edited 2 years ago by Randle McMurphy
pts2pndr

👏👏👏

Woodguy v2.0

EDM Goal Share after 19 gp (14-5-0)

Even strength(5v5,4v4,3v3)
97 w/o 29(7-6) 54%
29 w/o 97(11-5) 69%
97&29 On(12-7) 63%
93 w/o either(3-4) 43%
Ryan (3-14) 18%
Other(5-8) 38%
Net EV -3

Special Teams:26-8
Net ST +18

Empty Net:5-5
Net EN 0

SO/PS 2-0
Net SO/PS +2

Goal Diff +17

Munny 2.0

Might be time to add your firstborn… McLeod of the Clan McLeod… soon there, Mr. McLeod.

Woodguy v2.0

Its a cut and paste from twitter and I’m out of characters.

I’ve had enough requests that I’ll figure something out that will fit on twitter for after the Vegas game.

Randle McMurphy

Things are shaping up to be

Nurse Barrie
Broberg Ceci
Keith/Russell Bouchard

And if all goes according to plan Nurse Bouchard come playoff time.

fishman

Pretty high expectation for Bouch. He has been very shaky defensively for a number of games. Hopefully there is a bounce back soon but rookies gonna rook.

innercitysmytty

But, but, but….the NHL says he’s not a rookie.

Randle McMurphy

Well… not compared to a 26 year old Russian who’s played 5 years in the KHL. 🙂

Last edited 2 years ago by Randle McMurphy
31saves

I would guess playoffs might look like:

Nurse-Bouchard/Barrie 30 minutes

Broberg – Ceci (15 minutes)

Keith – Bouchard/Barrie ( 15 minutes)

With Bouchard and Barrie switching to play with either Nurse or Keith, keeping their minutes around 20-24 a night between them, while Keith plays 15 and Nurse plays 30.

Keith with Barrie and Keith with Bouchard have both shown well in extremely small samples…

leadfarmer

With the injuries to D and the decimation of the leftorium, I mean Nurse Klefbom Keith Kookoo is a ridiculous amount of injury to one position I would spread out the wealth on the forward lines
Hyman Mcdavid Kassian. Mcdavid is gonna Mcdavid. 2 guys that go to the garbage goal areas where Mcdavid is gonna take the puck and 2 guys to get puck back to Mcdavid
Foggy Drai Yamo. This line needs a meat and potatoes player to get the puck back to Drai.
Nuge McLeod JP. Finally a 3rd line we can be proud off. Nuge and Jp can take a few shifts with top 6 as needed.
Ryan and rotating band of misfit toys

MushedPeas

Last night further persuades me Oil have the pieces they need to establish three solid, solid lines, if they can just cobble them and develop the chem.

Were it to come together that way, Oil forward corps would be absolutely, consistently monster for exactly this season (then it’s contract re-ups).

Last edited 2 years ago by MushedPeas
jp

Last night further persuades me Oil have the pieces they need to establish three solid, solid lines, 

Didn’t they have 3 very solid lines last night, even if one was more equal than the others?

MushedPeas

small sample 🙂

Randle McMurphy

Hey, I recognize your voice from the fertility clinic.

McSorley33

Gold

jp

Haha, definitely.

I’m just not sure there’s any evidence that things are actually better when Connor and Leon play apart. So I have no issue with the load-up line and am glad to see lines 2 and 3 looking viable without an MVP on them.

Durag

That’s one of the exciting thing about this team – they’re 14-5-0 while still figuring out their best configuration.

OriginalPouzar

Perhaps the “best configuration” in a combination of a “load up games” and “Leon/McDavid separation games”?

€√¥£€^$

I can get behind this, good ideas!

N64

With some chewing gum and baling wire the leftovertorium.scraped through their first game.

Bettman .500 Butterball Turkey Leaderboard *

+9 EDMONTON, CALGARY

+6 minnesota
+5 colorado
+4 VEGAS
+3 st louis, winnipeg, ANAHEIM

+2 nashville, SAN JOSE
+1 dallas
0 LOS ANGELES

-5 chicago
-6 VANCOUVER, SEATTLE
-10 arizona

*sub-ordering by P% and NHL standings

Ice Sage

leftovertorium – brilliant! keep up the good work sir

MushedPeas

me I liked Butterball Turkey Leaderboard

Randle McMurphy

ALBERTA’s Back Baby!

Randle McMurphy

Calgary goal differential +30

#It’SutterNonesense

Jethro Tull

Liked Koskinen’s game. I still think he plays too deep in the net for a big guy. You watch Skinner and Smith, they are very aggressive coming across and out to the shot.

Defense was actually okay, the ‘yotes can score. Forwards needed to tie up sticks more. Scevior knew, you could see by his reaction. This is good, as he seems the type to learn through this. Pleasant pick up.

If not for Wedgewood, that was a beat down. He played well. Chic and Keller are good players.

I watched the home feed. They had nothing but good things to say about the Oilers.

Reja

That’s why he lets in so many deflected goals the puck has time to move down or up.

Randle McMurphy

“Mikko Koskinen’s songs by period were Thin Lizzy’s Jailbreak, Santo & Johnny’s Sleepwalk and Stevie Nicks’ Rooms on Fire.”

Brilliant.

John Chambers

This isn’t what Godot wants to hear but …

Draisaitl and McDavid really like Zack Kassian and want him to succeed. When 44 scored last night Drai had a huge smile when he came over to congratulate him. Nothing like feeding your buddy for a tuck.

McSorley33

Few people in here want to hear it.

Zack converting passes into goals from the best player in the game is so good to see.

Because the league MVP has been creating 10 alarm looks for wingers for a long, long time now.

To quote from Zack himself on Leon: ” He is the human apple tree”

Refreshing to see one of Leon’s wingers pick up and bite into one of the many apples lying around the ice.

godot10

It “worked” for one game against one of the worst teams in the league, and still was 100% responsible for the early bad goal against.

The Kassian crowd lives off those/these infrequent right tail events.

Chelios is a Dinosaur

The part you gotta square, though, is that 29 & 97 are also part of the Kassian crowd. Teams are made of more than can be counted, or even seen.

OriginalPouzar

He wasn’t quite 100% responsible.

He was definitely culpable in creating the 2 on 1 break against by not recognizing the need to cover for Barrie.

Of course, although in a tough spot, Broberg didn’t play the 2 on 1 properly – you don’t take the puck carrier while defending a 2 on 1 unless you are certain you can stop the pass across.

godot10

Broberg played that play correctly. One can play a play correctly and not get a good result.

OriginalPouzar

I disagree 100%.

GordieHoweHatTrick

Looking forward to more Broberg-Ceci. CC is Bro’s ideal partner on this team to bring him into the league.

Bouch’s reduced TOI may be part “re-set” and sheltering Lags in his first game this year. I can’t imagine the prospect of Lags-Barrie pairing brought a lot of warm fuzzy thoughts to Tipp.

VGK will be a good test…

Last edited 2 years ago by GordieHoweHatTrick
jp

I’ve actually liked how Tippett gave Bouchard a run a 1RD then backed off.

I expect he’ll be beside Nurse come playoff time, but rotating he and Barrie through the season is the right play IMO.

Broberg-Ceci. Yeah, that looks like something that could last. Wonderfully quiet first few games for the young man.

OriginalPouzar

Yes, 82 games is a long and gruelling and Bouchard hasn’t been through it before.

There will be lots of ups and downs. He’ll have his games with 23 minutes and his games with 17.

I think the coaches (including Playfair) have done a pretty good job with D deployment, including in the last few games without Nurse and Koekkoek (and Keith)