I’m Waiting for the Man

by Lowetide

The Edmonton Oilers are three games in to a five game road trip and are 0-1-2, good for two standings points. The team is on pace for 97 points. That should be enough to make the playoffs, but falls well shy of expectations.

In the offseason, Ken Holland had real walking around money and spent liberally, sending away cap dollars and trade assets to bring in Zach Hyman, Derek Ryan, Warren Foegele, Duncan Keith, Cody Ceci, plus brought back Tyson Barrie, Mike Smith and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

In the early days of the season, through 20 games (almost 25 percent of the season), the team looked like a strong contender for the Pacific Division title. Since then, things have fallen off badly and fans are extremely angry.

In the last five games, Edmonton is 2-1-2, good for six points. I think that kind of pace, just over a point-per-game, is a reasonable expectation for January. The team needs to figure out the goaltending (can Mike Smith stay in the lineup?) and what the pairings should look like, plus what the hell will they do if Nuge is out for a long time?

Do you agree? Is 2-1-2 good enough for the next five games? Or would you prefer to see the coach fired and hope for a Bruce Boudreau bounce?

THE ATHLETIC!

WHAT TO EXPECT IN JANUARY

  • On the road to: NYI, NYR, TOR (Expected 1-2-0) (Actual 0-0-1)
  • At home to: OTT, CHI, FLA, CGY (Expected 2-2-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • On the road to: VAN (Expected 0-0-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • At home to: NAS (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • On the road to: MTL, OTT (Expected 2-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
  • Overall expected result: 5-5-1, 11 points in 11 games
  • Actual January results: 0-0-1, 1 point in 1 game
  • Oilers in 2021-22: 18-12-2, 38 points in 32 games

I had the Oilers winning the Islanders game and losing in Manhattan and on Bay Street. December saw lots of injuries, the second line lost the goal differential at five-on-five and special teams took a powder. I think this roster can build it back but it’s going to be hard work. I also think getting Mike Smith NHL-ready could cost some January wins. Quite the season we’re having!

Mikko Koskinen stopped 26 of 29, .897 and might have been the best Edmonton player on the ice Saturday. He has a 12-6-1 record in 19 games and owns a .902 save percentage on the year. His GAA (3.14) is high. I believe Koskinen is entering the final months of his Oilers career.

Darnell Nurse played 29 minutes again, the coaching staff really has to find a way not to exhaust the man before spring. Nurse scored a goal, his second of the season, and two shots, two HDSC, two blocks, two PIMs and a fantastic late block on a Zach Parise chance. He also gave Noah Dobson too much real estate on the winner.

Evan Bouchard played 24 minutes, had three shots, four blocks, took a penalty. Bouchard, like most of the roster, is going through a period of dullness offensively. Passes are good not great, don’t click as often. He’ll get back there, bit of a slump right now. I’m irritated that the third pairing (Barrie last night) plays so little and the top pairing plays so much.

Cody Ceci played just shy of 23 minutes, picking up an assist, moved the puck well and created a little, too. Had a helluva time tracking down Barzal, but that’s a big club. Duncan Keith picked up an assist on the Draisaitl goal, he is now 20-20 goal differential at five-on-five this season. I know there’s little room for sunshine, but Keith has played well of late, and hasn’t been even in goal differential five-on-five since 2018-19. He’s having a nice run.

Tyson Barrie took a dangerous looking hit early in the game, and played just 12:35 on Saturday. That’s a major slice out of his normal ice time, although no power plays also contributed. He did get two overtime shifts, which irritated the hell out of people who are mad at Dave Tippett. He was quite poor in coverage on the Beauvillier goal, although his partner was worse. Slater Koekkoek is not a good partner for Barrie because they’re both offensively focused. Barrie didn’t cover Beauvillier on the tying goal, but Koekkoek was beaten so badly out of the corner it’s difficult to get mad at Barrie. He might have been in shock! I blame Samorukov for not making a better impression.

The Oilers coaching staff is going through some things, I think they missed Darnell Nurse and want to make sure they get every ounce of energy out of him. I understand, and the numbers are good, but this can’t last and Nurse would be more effective in fewer minutes. Just my opinion but suspect the pressure is getting to the staff. Koekkoek and Barrie is not a good style match.

Leon Draisaitl scored a goal, played 23:40, won plenty of faceoffs and had one HDSC. I disagree most strongly with the coach choosing Devin Shore as his winger, that’s ‘Craig MacTavish sends out Toby Petersen on the power play’ levels of flummoxing. That was a poor choice. The line didn’t have a tremendous amount of success, there were better options.

Connor McDavid played 22 minutes, had an assist, three shots, three HDSC’s and a few long shifts in the third period and overtime. I think he was gassed, especially considering the New Jersey game on Friday. I get it, 97 is the best player on the planet, but like the defensive deployment I think we’re approaching the limits of the human condition here. A veteran coaching staff should recognize the minutes are too much and back them off. Suspect the GM noticed, some roster help wouldn’t go amiss.

Kailer Yamamoto had one shot, got in the way alot (blocks and hits) and would have scored on the Draisaitl pass if it have gotten to him. Still, he looked a little ragged and fatigued, which is a theme from the game. Devin Shore had one HDSC and a shot block, I didn’t see him good on the line.

Zach Hyman was the best winger for Edmonton, picking up an assist, two shots, HDSC, drove to the net and created some havoc. Nurse’s goal came partly as a result of his good work in front of the net.

Jesse Puljujarvi had two shots and a couple of good looks, plus tracked back and made an effective coverage play a few times. He’s a good NHL player, Edmonton should go long on his next deal.

Colton Sceviour had a couple of good looks and a HDSC, I think he’s passing a few veterans in the bottom six with fine play. Derek Ryan and his line (Benson and Sceviour) did some good things but took a dash one on the Sceviour goal. Benson had a shot (decent look) and three hits, made contact a couple of times and irritating some Islanders veterans. I like the line.

Kyle Turris had a moment, or a semi-moment, when on a line with McDavid. Warren Foegele has had two quieter games in a row after making some noise in previous games, but he skates hard and battles. I’d like Foegele to stay on Ryan McLeod’s line for a time, the speedster didn’t get a lot done in Elmont but looked dangerous doing it. He’s starting to wheel now, if he can post some crooked numbers then this season will have produced a fine center for the future.

One thing I’ll be watching for in January is the Draisaitl line and five-on-five goal differential. The trio went 7-14 in December, would have guessed we’d see that on the 12th of never, but we just witnessed it. I’m looking for a big comeback from Leon, and 1-0 is a nice start. Badly need a better option than Shore on 29’s LW, though. I think the coach is correct to leave the McDavid line alone, and liked Benson’s game on the Ryan line. Foegele-McLeod is a pairing worth keeping, too.

I know you’re mad, understand the frustration. I’d see how this plays out. Honestly. There are roster difficulties currently, but December included some very bad luck (left side of the defense gone at the same time) and I remember that on November 30 this roster (basically this roster) had a five-on-five goal differential of 43-46. That’s not far from what we should be looking for, especially considering Duncan Keith was still working himself into game shape, Derek Ryan’s line was bleeding and Mike Smith was day-to-day-to-day-to-day-to-day-to-day.

Firing Tippett doesn’t change the roster. I’d find a goalie and a Nuge replacement if he’s gone for long. That’s the play here.

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Randle McMurphy

Being managed by Andy Warhol came with certain perks, and one was the guarantee of a killer album cover. While the artist’s involvement in the music was spotty, the visual art was to be his purview. Bored by mere static images, he devised a peel-away sticker of a pop art banana illustration, under which would be a peeled pink (and slightly phallic) banana. Aside from fine print above the sticker helpfully urging buyers to “peel slowly and see,” the only text on the stark white cover was Warhol’s own name, gracing the lower right corner in stately Coronet Bold – adding his official signature to the Velvet Underground project.

Admiral Ackbar

There are a lot of different types of fans here. I’m definitely in the doom and gloom – “I hate this organization but love the team and it’s history (pre-2008)”. It’s just too much ineptitude and I can’t just stop following them even though it’s clearly looking bleak.

My question to other types of fans:

If we reach the end of McD’s historic contract and the team hasn’t made it to the finals, is there a way for you to be happy cheering for this organization?

If the above is alarming to you, at what point should we be deeply concerned that McD prime-years are being wasted?

We’re a little over 4 years from the end of McD’s contract. He’ll get the league max allowed under the cap from every team. At that time, he’ll probably leave Edmonton. If now isn’t the time to panic, when will it be and how will we know it’s time?

Randle McMurphy

Double Ditto.

Waiting for the Man….Makes me feel like banging on a piano.

while dreaming of “All Tomorrows Parties.”

Last edited 2 years ago by Randle McMurphy
Funny Bissonness

Leave the wine glass out and drink a toast to never.

90s fan

I actually dont need a cup to be happy with my teams. I just like to see my teams outperform. It’s what I loved about 2006, and what frustrates in this slump.

But also, I am ever the optimist. So dont think McDavid will ever leave.

Funny Bissonness

It’s a game! I have fun watching the boys no matter what. I think the decade of darkness helped me take it lightly. Cup or no cup, playoffs or no playoffs, I have fun watching good hockey. Nhl teams play good hockey. Oilers are my team and that won’t
change even if McDavid chases a cup elsewhere.

hunter1909

@Lowetide: Going from Pacific Division and close to Presidents Trophy pace to NHL Playoff stocking filler level inside ten freaking games has left the fanbase reeling.

Oilers fans at this point it no longer matters a jot what anyone wants. Its like as if every single move since the Hall trade has turned out to be a disaster.

On a slightly more rational note: Torts would be my choice. Its time fans had some serious entertainment!

Admiral Ackbar

Not after that crap he said about McDavid. There’s no way they bring him on.

90s fan

Its exactly the crap he said about McDavid that makes me curious. Other than that, He is thoroughly in the shock the system category. And noone can stand him…

Jaxon

Time for a shakeup:

Benson / McDavid / Puljujarvi
Perlini / Draisaitl / Yamamoto
Hyman / Nugent-Hopkins / Kassian
Foegele / MacLeod / Sceviour

Once Holloway arrives, maybe this:

Benson / McDavid / Puljujarvi
Holloway / Draisaitl / Yamamoto
Hyman / Nugent-Hopkins / Perlini
Foegele / MacLeod / Kassian

On D, if they want to play Nurse that much, play him that much with a dominant partner:
Nurse – Ceci – 26 minutes
Keith – Bouchard – 17 minutes
Koekkoek, Lagesson, Nemalainen, Broberg? – Barrie – 17 minutes

flyfish1168

Don’t see why so much love for Benson. He hasn’t earned or shown he is capable of playing top 6. I would try Marody there 1st. He has much more offensive skill

Last edited 2 years ago by flyfish1168
Jaxon

Probably because I love a good story.

But also, because he’s never really been given a chance to play with skill. In all his career, even going back to junior, he’s never been paired with an elite sniper. He’s scouted as an elite passer with great vision who is good at digging pucks out of the corner and no team has given him a sniper to play with. He’s had a couple of decent scorers like Josh Currie and Gambardella. But they were never NHL-level snipers before or after playing with him. Ty Ronning had a great season with him in Junior. But not much before or after. Currie scored well in the Q 6 years prior to playing with Benson and having his best AHL season.

Another reason is to spread the scoring out so the 3rd line can really win the possession and scoring battle.

OriginalPouzar

Small sample sizes but both Nurse/Ceci and Keith/Bouch have positive goal differentials.

Also, for me, Lagesson is the 3LD right now – over Koekkoek.

I’ll be disappointed if Koekkoek is in over Lagesson tomorrow.

Bill

So will Allan Walsh

Jaxon

Yeah, I won’t disagree with you there. Also, Broberg may soon pass them both. And Nemalainen showed really well.

90s fan

There is no shakeup. Will never be a shakeup.

OriginalPouzar

Reign get a PP goal with under 2 minutes to go (and the goalie pulled) to tie it up 2-2. Heading to OT.

So far:

Broberg continues to show he is the team’s top prospect (give or take a Holloway or Bourgault). Just an all-situations minute muncher – continues to remind of of Darnell Nurse with the zone exits.

Laovie continues to play better hockey – getting to places to use his shot more consistently. At the same time, I’d still like to see him impact the play and a more consistent basis.

Marody continues to be the top offensive player with time and space.

Samorukov was solid – great defenisve play, battle, transition pass on the one goal.

Skinner just very very very good. The first goal against was an absolute snipe from the top of the circles. The tying goal, a mad scramble on a 6 on 4. Some plus plus saves by Skinner and his rebound control (and issue at times) seemed fine. So far 36 saves on 38 shots (Condors have 33 shots so far).

Safin – sigh – I’m not sure this player will be qualified for a 2nd contract – just not good with the puck on his stick – passes way off, not even close.

Given the Reign have the best prospects in NHL history with likes of Byfield, Madden, Tkachev, Andersson-Dolan, etc. (none of which have any points), I’m shocked the Condors are not blown out.

Last edited 2 years ago by OriginalPouzar
OriginalPouzar

Byfield ends it on OT on a nice rush and a shot from the top of the circles and the Condors’ 3 give him WAY too much room to walk in.

Paulie

Given an OT loss to the Reign with their prospect pool plus Skinner playing BTB, how many points do the Condors actually earn?

OriginalPouzar

Don’t forget about the 3 hour bus ride and the 20 hour turn around for the game. Ha.

flyfish1168

I like to see Marody up here. I like to see if there is a player in him at the next level. I believe there is

Decidedly Skeptical Fan

Me too. But he’s behind Benson who’s behind … well, behind the eight ball. So no. Not going to happen.

flyfish1168

Marody probably was why Benson showed some offense

OriginalPouzar

The Rangers played today which hopefully helps the Oilers tomorrow.

Sheshterkin started as well – I presume Georgiev will play tomorrow (although it was a shutout for Sheshterkin…..).

Decidedly Skeptical Fan

Gallant is not on the COVID protocol and Tipp recently got off it, so no, I don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel in NY. If you are seeing a light, I would advise caution. It’s probably an oncoming freight train.

OriginalPouzar

Well, Tippett already coached an Oilers victory over Gallant this season…..

OriginalPouzar

Marody drives the net (without the puck), battles a d-man and pokes in an ugly one that needed to be reviewed.

Decidedly Skeptical Fan

We could use a guy like that. What you described is a skill that translates exceptionally well from the AHL to the NHL.

OriginalPouzar

Samorukov jumps on a Reign attacked bobble in the defensive zone, then a great battle that Sammy wins and a nice outlet up the boards to Schaller – kind of a quick breat 2 on 2 – Lavoie driving the net, Schaller throws it and I think it goes off the d-man and in – Lavoie driving the net causing the chaos leading to the bounce,

OriginalPouzar

Condors PP doing everything but score – crazy pressure there – Broberg makes good plays from the blueline.

Of note, Berglund is IN the lineup today – i was wrong earlier.

OriginalPouzar

Don’t think it was mentioned but Gulutzan is in Covid protocol. No surprise as he we was unexpectedly not on the bench yesterday afternoon.

OriginalPouzar

Skinner starts back to back (with less than 24 hour turn around).

Kaldis playing forward.

Berglund remains out (I’m not sure if this is injury, Covid or coach’s decision) – there are others out as well such as Malone, etc.

hunter1909

What’s your take on Tippett? Do you think he should be fired?

Then, does that guy running the AHL team get his shot? Why even have a farm team if your “big” club doesn’t even use it, on coaches as well as players?

All I ever seem to hear about is these fabulous prospects, that never seem to make much if any impact in the NHL.

Last edited 2 years ago by hunter1909
90s fan

I think guys have come through our ahl no? bouchard, nurse, klef ( our best 3 defense), and soon to be broberg… quite possibly our top 4 men by end of next season….

forwards have been less impactful, but it’s not like our ahl forwards would ever have a chance at being our top 2 or 3 guys with… well you know…

hunter1909

Yeah sorry about the defence. Fixated on the Anton “future captain” Landers and forwards and goalies.

I say goalies because although a few have ended up decent for other teams…

OriginalPouzar

I don’t know the answer on Tippett.

What I do believe is that there is MUCH more that goes in to an NHL coaching job that lines deployment and using timeouts and I don’t have the expertise to really know.

I do know that we see things on the ice that are not coached and go against instructed structure – things like d-men giving too big of a gap – it happens and its not what the d-men are coached to do – its often a lack of confidence (i.e. younger d-men) and lack of forward support (which, to me, is a MAJOR issue) which is not coached.

As far as the AHL team, I think the Oilers have used 10 players that have played in the AHL this year – this includes Perlini and Griffith who really aren’t prospects.

Broberg, Niemelainen, Lagesson, Samorukov all playing in the NHL this year showing good development of the young d-men. Bouchard as well and, previously, Bear and, to some extent, Jones).

The forwards haven’t shown the same development (Benson, Marody, Lavoie) but the top forward prospects are now outside the pro ranks (Bourgault, Holloway, Savoie).

The likes of McLeod, Yamamoto, Puljujarvi have come through the AHL system to some degree.

Not to mention Skinner.

Last edited 2 years ago by OriginalPouzar
hunter1909

I asked you as your outlook is invariably both measured and positive.

Young defencemen should NEVER be stuck in any higher in the batting order than they can handle, ever….it simply screws up their development and permanently at that.

hunter1909

Nice to see Oilers fans back being so positive about the outlook for their team.

JimmyV1965

I have no idea what coaches are good or bad, but Gregor made a good point. Because the dressing room is quiet, especially McDavid and Drai, maybe they need a coach who is more vocal.

PokeCheck

Or some more of that “veteran leadership”™ in the room?

Neal on waivers could be serendipitous.

/s

Decidedly Skeptical Fan

That made me laugh.

tileguy

A good old fashion kick the garbage pail type of coach, Torts anybody?

90s fan

I’d love him for half a season. Just not long term.

90s fan

I tried to minus my own comment. Wouldn’t let me.

Scungilli Slushy

Scungilli Slushy has mentioned this a few times as well

innercitysmytty

When I hear that bringing in a new coach won’t make a difference I look down highway 2 at the Flames and the difference Sutter has made in 50 odd games. Not to mention Boudreau in less than 10 games but that’s a rather small sample and could just as easily be a new coach bounce. This roster is flawed but brining in a coach that deploys his available talent and goalies in a more optimal fashion could still make a big difference. Why wait until the season is toast or at best we spin our wheels and get knocked out in the first round. Pull the trigger now.

innercitysmytty

Longer term, like LT noted below, pro-scouting, talent evaluation and analytics need to be high priority. Katz is willing to spend a fortune on fired coaches and GMs but won’t fix these things. It frankly makes zero sense unless it’s simply driven by him and the boys on the bus being the smartest men in the room.

90s fan

The boys on the bus are not driving things. That ship sailed when Chia was hired.

Eh Team

The succession plan for head coach should be Woodcroft. I doubt Tippett is back next year at any rate and Woodcroft has succeeded in his role. He would likely get more out of his younger players and transition them to the NHL.

It’s really inexcusable that Tippett has played guys like Turris and Shore so much. These guys aren’t helping now and are nearing the end of their NHL careers.

If we go to someone like Babcock it’s just more of the same, hiring based on reputation and past achievements.

OriginalPouzar

I think its important for those advocating for Woodcroft to note that he is HIGHLY reliant on his veterans and he definitely forces younger players to work their way up the lineup.

The only real exception to this has been Broberg (and there aren’t really any veterans on the blueline this year).

He remains highly reliant on the likes of Cracknell, Griffith, Esposito, Malone, etc and they still get offensive opportunities over the likes of Marody, Lavoie, etc.

OriginalPouzar

I agree with this – just trying to guard the many that have the view that Woody is a youngster/rookie/prospect whisperer that will have all the younger players exploding and showing material progress with larger roles right away.

Yegfoundation

Refusing to play Bouchard last season is another excellent example of why roster deployment (who plays, how many minutes they play, and it which situations they play in) does matter.

Eh Team

He didn’t make much difference last year.

What’s different this year? Markstrom s% 929- last year 904

Eh Team

I agree Tippett is not helping, but the main issue with the Oilers is Holland’s off-season ‘work’.

Tippett needs to dial back McDavid and Drai. The game was won yesterday after the 2nd period, but McDavid and Drai had nothing left to give in the 3rd and OT.

But what should have Holland expected with this roster?

The goaltending was projected to be bottom third of the league.  That’s where they are and I doubt a healthy Smith makes much difference. The play here is to run with Skinner but Holland and Tippett are too risk adverse to do that.

The defense also was projected to be below average. Nurse was due for a downturn (at least offensively). Bouchard has been as really good given they should have broken him into the NHL last year. Keith and Ceci was always going to be a marginal second pairing and that’s what they are.  The third pairing is well below average. Barrie is miscast on the third pair and has no skills that Bouchard already is better at.  Barrie is an NHL’er but not on this team and in this role. The 3LD has been a collection of 7D level players.

For forwards, too much ice time for McDavid and Drai. There’s some other talent-  RNH, Hyman, Pujujarvi, Yamo, Foegele, McLeod, Kassian (at times) and the 4th line is still very below par. At any time 1 or 2 guys are hurt and there is no depth to call upon. 
The Oilers are what they are- a marginal playoff team with 2 great players. The die was cast by going into the season with mediocre goaltending and a lousy defense. 

Talent evaluation remains the Oilers downfall and it’s not getting any better.  And the solution in the off-season- Keith, Barrie, Smith turned out to be basically hope as a strategy and it is turning out same as it ever was.

Oil2Oilers

Great synopsis

90s fan

Too many holes, not enough players who are good who are willing to come in to plug them.

OriginalPouzar

Is Kris Russell that important to the PK?

Yukon Jerk

Not for me,
Oilers are struggling in all areas right now.
If you squint, hard, it’s starting to turn a bit.
W in MSG would help get the train back on the track.
At least the “trade Moto” posts are subsiding

Dee Dee

Losing coaches tend to line juggle to find different combinations that work and try to spark something, so I am going to toss out an extreme idea.

Pair McDavid with the two best defensive wingers that the team has, they don’t need to be speedsters, but be tough on the puck.

in the defensive end have McDavid only come back as far as the blue line and let him cover one of the defensemen and be the Cheetah sitting on the blue line.

Any time an Oiler gets the puck in their own zone they push it up and let Connor run the puck down and break out. He’s fast enough to run down pucks that would ordinarily be whistled for icing and all his line mates have to worry about is clearing the puck out.

As Connor heads to the goalie, causing havoc, the wingers move up into the offensive zone staying somewhat back, looking for rebounds but not getting caught out of position if the puck turns over.

This free’s the Oil to load up a second line and go with Draisaitl, Hyman and Puljujärvi who then play a power forward slugging it out style.

Third line of fast guys, Yamamotor and Kassian. Pick a center, Nuge? (when healthy)

I know it’s turning Connor into a cherry picker basically, but a really really fast cherry picker. He’d be playing more like a striker in soccer, and just like a striker he can conserve energy until he gets his chance to pounce.

Diablo

Then Connor should be playing on the wing … that’s where the cherry pickers play. The centre is responsible for coming down low.

Harpers Hair

Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) Tweeted:
James Neal (STL) on waivers

https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1477717914052698121?s=20

Harpers Hair

In related news…Milan Lucic is on pace for 20+ goals.

leadfarmer

In related news… this is an Oilers blog

Harpers Hair

Worth noting…the OILERS are effectively paying $2.6 million for Lucic to score 20 goals in Calgary.

Crazy Pedestrian

We get it dude. It’s your same shtick everyday.

Oilers suck, every other team is good.
Oilers players, management and coaching is terrible, every other teams’ is good.

We appreciate “some” of your NHL updates when their is no anti-oilers bias in them, but you need to know that NOBODY HERE CARES about how every other team and player is better than the Oilers.

Please. Be. Better.

/end rant.

Last edited 2 years ago by Crazy Pedestrian
Offside

The ability to buy out Neal allowed us to get Hyman?

Harpers Hair

Pay Kassian.

Reja

Even when Holland wins a trade he loses. Why did he buy out Sekera? He started out with strange moves. He gifts his adopted son Yzerman 2 seconds and a a third. And not to be outdone he gets his buddy Bowman out of a real pickle with taking Keith of his hands so he could get Seth and sign him to a huge contract that drives up Nurses contract 1.5 million a year extra. He’s had 3 years to get a Goalie that can make a save in tight games and a forward that has hands and is able to finish off Leon’s brilliant passes.

Harpers Hair

The list of unforced errors is getting very long.

leadfarmer

Will you just go get a life already!!

Reja

But Yamamoto actually received a pass from Leon without bobbling it and he didn’t look like a scared deer in the headlights 3 games ago.

OriginalPouzar

Such and odd continuing narrative here on Yamamoto as the above doesn’t describe him in the least, in my opinion.

tsunami

still less than YOUR list buddy…

jtblack

Pitt WInning 6 – 1 after 1 🤣

Randle McMurphy

Love him or Hate him, you have to admit, Tyson Barrie is looking dangerous out there. 🙂

Randle McMurphy

I’ll accept all the calamity that the loosing streak has brought to bear if it means that Yamamoto has found his way back to being a legit top 6 option, McLeod a legit middle 6 option and Niemelainen a legit 3rd pair D.

Yukon Jerk

Niemelainen could really use the rest of the AHL season to work out some kinks. That plus an off-season of skating work.
There is a player in there, plus he adds a dimension instead of duplicating one of several.
Might be time to insert Lagesson and give Koekkoek a night off.

godot10

Lagesson >> Niemelainen >> Koekkook right now.

Lagesson has finally matured into a passable #3LD blueliner who can PK and they are going to dump him for an underripened but more talented Niemalainen, who need the rest of the year in Bakersfield, and a vet who is barely passable.

rich tm

Keep forgetting about Lagesson. Agree that he’s an upgrade on KK and Niemalainen right now. Wonder why the coaches do not trust him?

Harpers Hair

Sideburns…AKA Allan Walsh.

Randle McMurphy

I’m not wearing blinders, but,

I’m curious to see how Duncan Keith performs late season and early playoffs.

Do we see the Kris Russell affect? Old guys who (have the know how?) find a way to “bring it” in the playoffs?

Last edited 2 years ago by Randle McMurphy
TruthHurts98

Playoffs? How do you expect they get there? They are 25th in the league behind the lowly Sabres for 5v5 expected goals. One of the worst goaltending tandems in the league and bottom ten for defense. Unless Tippett resigns, this 0-8-2 stretch he’s on probably is a sign at how badly this team needs real depth and an overhaul in their front offices. Connor and Leon are getting worn down while the bottom 6 warms the bench. Not a recipe for success, if they do squeeze into a wildcard spot they’ll be swept again. It’s pathetic and depressing how poorly managed this franchise is.

Reja

They have no identity they’re easy to play against the opposition double teams Connor and Leon. It’s to bad Holloway lost a year and a half we need some fresh blood in the top 6.

DevilsLettuce

The 5×5 stats for anyone on this club is due to how the coach rolls them out there. They play to settle, then when the other team turns the puck over their pace results in having none themselves.

There’s no puck on stick identity with this club, they can’t cycle or stop a cycle with some insanely talented puck possession players. They can roll out a few different sets of D with above average puck skills to pair with 2 different lines of above average puck skills. And what they do with it you see… Is they sit on their heals and watch the other team toss the frozen lump around waiting and waiting for a turnover in some form. Waiting.

They’ve needed a new goalie for years, Smith was very courageous for the battle but he’s always been slotted above his position while Holland took a gamble with his tenure keeping Koskinen around.

Somehow landing a tender and a new play book, I think there’s some opportunity with the troops that are here. But it’s every player doing the same thing over and over and always being in 2nd place when it comes to simple on ice structure and game play. Always settling to hoooooooold.

You got the biggest dogs in the game and haven’t won a thing, you attack until its all yours. Then you hold the yard.

LMHF#1

Russell has been horrid in the playoffs. What are you talking about??

jp

What the heck are you talking about?

Russell is 9GF-9GA in 18 career playoff games for the Oilers, and was 22GF-22GA in 36 games with Columbus, St Louis, Calgary and Dallas before that.

OriginalPouzar

He tipped a puck in to the Oilers’ net……

Whaler Slamamoto

The team has lost a lot of confidence. I’m typically quite optimistic about things but I’m feeling the DOD mentality creeping in. Tippett and Holland have brought very good regular seasons since they joined. That’s a huge step from where we were. Yes, the playoffs have sucked, but I wouldn’t call them normal playoffs. The first bubble with no fans and bringing in fringe teams with nothing to lose after a huge break, that is what it is. Then a short season followed by a tough matchup and hot goalie…that’s playoffs for ya.
Here we are. A great start, and a rough month. I don’t think it’s the time to judge anyone, including the stars and coaching staff. I recall not long ago that Russell was playing top 2 minutes. There’s no stability, and tons of missed games due to covid and injury. We are getting beat with the covid stick, and it seems every team eventually takes their lashes. Bottom line, this is a top 10 team and coaching staff when not being whipped by covid and injury.

Brewha Ha

Wow you are burning the Kush. Puff puff pass. Not puff puff puff puff puff….DOD hockey. Unless something changes the playoffs are not in this teams future. Covid or none. This is exactly the time to judge. You don’t judge when everything is going perfectly. A team gets judged by how it deals with adversity. This team does not do well with adversity. Obviously.

Randle McMurphy

Conner and Leo looked gassed last night.

I think the January Covid break could be another blessing in disguise for the Oilers.

A re-set of sorts. Lots of practice time and injury convalescence time.

Bondo11

The boys had a week off at Christmas, then 3 days of practice before starting this road trip. They all said that they were refreshed and ready to go? If Tippett managed 97 & 29’s shift lengths more efficiently, we wouldn’t see them dragging their butts around in the 3rd period or OT’s.

Some have said that they’re tuning out Tippett? I tend to agree with this.

Time for a new voice in the room imo.

Brewha Ha

Exactly. Something needs to shake this team up. Too many have become too comfortable. A fire needs to be lit and it is obvious by looking at the stat: down by a goal before most fans have even taken their seat.

Bling

There is simply no trade out of this. Too many things to fix in season.

It’s a critically weak 5v5 team, the D is weak, and the goaltending needs improvement. Sadly, a lot of amateur scouting work has been thrown out the window by Holland/Tippett. Credit to Wright for the Holloway/Savoie/Broberg picks; those might save the day, but it’ll be next season at the earliest. Maybe Stuart/Konovalov are the answer, but again that’s for next season.

I see where you are coming from LT but I think the right move is to clean house, conduct a real POHO search, and then have a team in place to hit the ground running this off-season.

Even if you keep Holland, I would gently tell him no more trades. Let’s not have a repeat of Chiarelli’s last few months.

If you wait until the end of the season, that puts the new management team behind the eight ball.

dustrock

Tweet from @walsha: Oilers William Lagesson current analytics ranking among Club defenseman-

CF%: 1st
XGF%: 1st
SCF%: 2nd
HDCF%: 1st
Hits/60: 4th

Ha ha ha ha love Walsh

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Now do it again with /60 rates for everything, QoC, and Rels.

Last edited 2 years ago by BornInAGretzkyJersey
Sierra

Exactly

Harpers Hair

Many may have missed it late last night but Treena’s Oil tweeted that Lagesson has requested a trade.

OriginalPouzar

Garfield is not real source.

Bondo11

LT mentioned that Koekkoek isn’t the right fit with Barrie on the 3rd pairing – I agree.

Lagesson has played pretty well defensively in his limited minutes this year. Give him a try w/ Barrie

I think he’d bring more stability and less chaos vs KK…

GordieHoweHatTrick

Yes. This is the obvious move to put Lags in for KK to get better balanced pairings.

Coaches and management are dinosaurs. expect to see more foolish decisions for the “vets” in roster construction and deployment. It is the definition of insanity.

norm2015

#FreeWilly

godot10

Lagesson >> Niemelainen >> Koekkoek in the present.

Niemelainen has higher potential than Lagesson but isn’t ready.

Randle McMurphy

The Bruce Boudreau Bounce??

Or the Dallas Eakins Dip?

Or the Todd McLellan Meander?

Or the Tom Renney Revolution** ??

Or the Pat Quinn Just Can’t Win (when you play like Barbara Ann Scott)?

Or the Ken Hitchcock Hitch* ?

Or, the Ralph Krueger Stewart Smalley approach *** ?

Or,

Or,

Or, …

*from Merriam Webster: Hitch “to move (something) into a different position with a jerk.”

**Revolution “where you sit there spinning until the entire team revolts”

***I’m Good Enough, I’m Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!

Last edited 2 years ago by Randle McMurphy
Brewha Ha

Sucking the hind banana!

Professor Q

Whatever goalie trade scenarios sprout up in the next few days and weeks, Holland certainly needs to navigate them tenderly.

106 and 106

A 1st and a 2nd and a Broberg gets you a Fleury right now.

DevilsLettuce

For that I want a 26yr old Fleury

leadfarmer

Very highly doubt that is the price
maybe a first and 2nd

yeraslob

That still leaves you with half the forward group not too interested in back-checking or team defense.

Randle McMurphy

This sounds like Bob Stauffer setting us up so that we’re all relieved when it ~only~ costs us Samorukov and the 2022 1st.

flyfish1168

I would NOT pay this much for a 37 yr old UFA goalie. You are actually willing to give up 3 assets that you can control for 8 yrs for a UFA that can walk away in a few months. LOL

GordieHoweHatTrick

Fully agree. Fleury comes at a bargain or not at all.

Diablo

lol – replace the name Fleury with Keith, and these posts are basically identical to what was being said in the summer.

Holland has zero leverage in a goalie trade … everyone knows that this teams needs a goalie, and no one is going to throw Holland a life jacket.

RonnieB

I’m curious how you see the Oilers taking on a $7 million Cap hit, or do you see the Hawks doing us another solid like they did with Keith by taking back Koskinen and Kassian to even out the dollars?

DevilsLettuce

The Oilers have scored 1st what 3 or 4 times since the start of November?

1 of those games came with Tipps not on the bench.

Tipps has had his team come out and score 1st 3 times in 2 months lol.

Brewha Ha

That single stat is a tell.

DevilsLettuce

All the players that are brought in by the GM, do they look like the player they thought they were getting or do they end up looking somehow exactly like the player that was replaced or worse?

If the new players and the replaced players all look the same in the end… It’s not the GM, it’s the coach.

I’m not defending Holland, but why is Kulikov succeeding when he should of been successful here?

Why are the Bensons stuck as a pinch in 5min 4th liner while off the street Perlini’s with no organizational stock are getting prime time showcases.

Why is Foegele looking up at the sky mouthing words to himself after he gets a 18 second shift after sitting for 6 minutes only to be shifted off for another 5 mins.

If I’m Holland I relieve Dave and promote either Glen or Jim for the remainder of the season. It wouldn’t be any worse then what’s going on but it could definitely end up much better.

Elgin R

The team had better results when Tippet was out with COVID and GG was running the bench. Save the season – fire Tippet now.

yeraslob

Yes. Too bad only two games were played and the rest postponed. Could have been a bigger indictment on Tipp’s coaching ability or lack thereof.

Bruce McCurdy

3 games played: a 5-1 loss to TOR, a 5-2 win over CBJ & a 5-3 win over SEA.

jp

So:
2-1-0 without Tippett
16-11-2 with Tippett

Sierra

Are wins over CBJ and SK really the smoking gun when they are the only wins?

Last edited 2 years ago by Sierra
jp

Umm. Definitely yes?

TruthHurts98

Holland is too obtuse and stuck in his ways to see that I fear. Maybe Tippett can pull a Maurice a step into an early retirement on his own terms:)

leadfarmer

Zach Hyman has been awful lately
probably not fully recovered from injury

theres a huge gap between the forwards and D with neither supporting the other.
forwards pass back to the defensemen that are sitting on the blue line and not in any position to break down the D

one of Hyman Jp needs to move off Mcdavid line and replaced with a shooter
one of Nuge or Yamo needs to be moved off Drais line and replaced with Someone that goes to the net like Hyman or JP or Foggy
bottom 6 just needs to be fired into the sun

Bouchard and Barrie is just way too much chaos for a blue line. Nurse is way too much chaos to play half a game

Minutes need to be managed better. You don’t have energy to back check you should not be on the ice

Bondo11

I think the majority of us agree that the problem lies with Tippett’s lack of ability to deploy a tighter, more defensive system, along with slotting his players properly.
We had success in the the 5-3 win against the Kraken on Dec.18th because a tighter, defensive game was employed, with 93,13,18, 71, & 2 out of the lineup and Benson, Marody, Perlini, & Griffith in. We only gave up 17 shots and 97 had 23min and 29 had 24min. Why is it so difficult for Tippett to deploy this type of game on a consistent basis?

Tippett has no confidence in his bottom 6 forwards and is burning out 97 & 29. He lacks the vision required to deploy his players properly and manage their minutes.

I feel it would be a terrible mistake to trade our 1st for a goalie now. We have the players who can play a tighter, defensive system. We need a new conductor to make it happen, however.

TruthHurts98

Yes. 100% this! ^

Sierra

We need a new conductor to make it happen, however.

how many “conductors” in a row have tried to get the Oilers to play a sound defensive system? Is one more really the answer?

Diablo

Are making trades when your team is in free fall the answer? Even the Canucks didn’t do that.

jp

Are making trades when your team is in free fall the answer? 

Are the Oilers in free fall?

They had a 6 game losing streak, and are 2-1-2 since (.600 hockey).

Harpers Hair

Points in last 10 games:

VCR 17
NSH 17
STL 16
VGK 15
COL 15
LAK 13
CAL 11
ANA 11
MIN 11
WPG 11
DAL 10
CHI 10
SJS 8
SEA 6
EDM 6
ARZ 5

Looks like a free fall to me.

Losses to the NYR and TOR would exacerbate this.

jp

Yes, 2W + 2 OTL in the last 5 = 6 points.

Before that was the losing streak.

And yes, more losses would be bad. More wins would be good.

jp

Lol, .600 winning % on the last 5 is ‘below average performance’.

I know you’re enjoying the state of the Oilers tremendously in the last month. And that you’re doing your best to stoke the fires of everything anti-Oiler (from fire the coach, McDavid isn’t a good leader, McDavid will want out, Nurse isn’t a 1st pair D, Bouchard can’t skate, Oiler prospects are inferior and much much more).

But just like I didn’t think the Oilers were the best team in the world after their 9-1 or 16-5 starts, I don’t think they’re doomed after they went 2-7-2 when missing the left side of their D corps.

They’ve been back to putting points in the bank since they’ve gotten players back, and I expect that to continue.

knighttown

Do you agree? Is 2-1-2 good enough for the next five games? Or would you prefer to see the coach fired and hope for a Bruce Boudreau bounce?

Process driven fans…

What you have to remember is that many of us were antsy even when the record was good. And we were roundly mocked as “not being able to enjoy the good times”. The results were good but the process wasn’t. Phenomenal special teams and terrific goaltending with below average 5v5 play.

You took a top 12 team and spent every bit of equity you have over the summer to jump into the category of true contender with Carolina, Colorado, Toronto, Vegas, Tampa and Florida.

And yes I specifically include Toronto and Colorado. Process-driven fans understand 82 game regular season dominance is the objective for an organization not Montréal style flukes.

Making yourself a dominant regular season team for 5-10 years should be the only goal because it’s the only measurable goal. There’s too much noise in playoff success or failure.

Sakic believes that. Dubas believes that. Tulsky believes that.

I don’t think Holland thinks like this and I don’t think many fans do either and that’s ok…I may be wrong.

The equity is spent. And you spent all the equity you have for the next few years. The bank account is empty. Trading the first for Varlamov doesn’t fix the 5v5. Trading the first Miller doesn’t fix the goaltending.

Fire the coach and pray to God it’s a systems problem because if it’s not, the book is closed on this ever being a Tampa 5-10 year window and we’re left trying to catch lightning in a bottle like the Habs and Dallas.

Elgin R

Well said.

jtblack

Holland clearly said the goal is to make the playoffs each season and become a true Top 8 contender. Giving themselves the 5 – 10 chances at Lord Stanley

Bling

Well put.

I want Tipp fired because I think he buggered the D and, increasingly, it’s looking like he doesn’t have a plan for the forwards. Should Holland be out with him? Yes. Get rid of both in-season and start looking for replacements so you have new people in place for the off-season.

I’m not totally pessimistic because I think Holloway and Broberg will be difference makers. Help is coming. The guys in charge keep trading away the help away or not playing them, though, and that’s a problem.

jp

The guys in charge keep trading away the help away

The complete list here is Bear, Jones.
Correct?

rich tm

Two things stand out in your article LT:

“…suspect the pressure is getting to the staff”. This makes a lot of sense. Questionable deployments, over-playing your 3 best players, under-playing guys who can help more long-term. And while the PP is still good, it’s gone stale the last month. Let’s not forget, this is Tippett’s first time coaching in Canada and so he’s learning too.

“Firing the coach doesn’t change the roster”. This is a fact. It wouldn’t change the December results when you entire left side defense is out and you’re playing Barrie too much. The defense now is what it is. Keith is playing better, Nurse needs to play less, I wouldn’t mind seeing Niemelainen play when comes back but that means growing pains w/him and Bouch (who’s going to be good, but is going to make mistakes).

Given this, if you’re going to make a move, it needs to be a goalie who can steal you some wins and take some pressure off the coach. JMO.

Last edited 2 years ago by rich tm
ithinkiknowsomethingaboutwinning

Whatever system(s) Tippet is wanting to employ are failing miserably. Definitely overplaying too many guys and that clearly showed in the OT yesterday; Draistl was a steaming pile of a tired mess, could barely skate off. Tipp has to give the bottom 6 and 3rd pairing more time, to make mistakes, and be better, and take workload off the overworked players on the team. Lets say they get this ironed out somewhat, and still get 6th, 7th, or 8th PO spot. At current pace and style of coaching the Top 3 will will be so overplayed that it’ll be a clean 1st round exit yet again. Tippet is coaching so badly right now, predictable, and desperate, not smart or calculated whatsoever. Its embarrassing and frustrating to watch.

rich tm

Team is definitely struggling and the coach is gripping the stick a little too tight right now, going to what he trusts instead of looking at this as an 82 game marathon.

He needs to make some adjustments, no question. And the GM needs to send him some help.

Diablo

These are the coaches adjustments though … we saw the same thing in the last playoffs … when the chips are down, Tippett goes all in early by overplaying McDrai and Nurse.

GB&Q

“… the coaching staff really has to find a way not to exhaust the man before spring”
“… The Oilers coaching staff is going through some things”
“… the third pairing (Barrie last night) plays so little and the top pairing plays so much.”
“… A veteran coaching staff should recognize the minutes are too much and back them off.”

7 D dressed vs. NJ, Lagesson plays 2:45. Samorukov not stapled to Ceci/Keith for his first game. Shore’s ice time.

I acknowledge there are some roster issues, but i still think the call is coming from inside the house.

Crazy Pedestrian

Has Benson ever played any significant time with McDavid or Draisaitl? Why isn’t it happening? WTF is Shore doing in the top 6? Benson likely plays best with more skilled players. Shouldn’t they at least give it try for a couple games? Nothing else is rhyming, why not go with the player who at one point was given “Exceptional Status”? Can’t build him back up when you play him with the dreads.

DevilsLettuce

Sir, Shore played well in an elimination game once.

Sierra

Don’t all players play best with more skilled players?

jtblack

Benson wasn’t given Exceptional?

The prob playing Benson in the Top 6 is he will be half a zone behind all game. He is a slow boat against the replaceables.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Benson gets to the play fine.

This is a tired trope that needs to die.

jtblack

BENSON has played 22 NHL Games.

He has 1 assist and 14 shots. Not sure he is getting to the play fine.

flyfish1168

Exactly why he needs a new team to try his luck. He doesn’t fit with us. He would not make aTop 5 teams and maybe the 4th line on a top 10. Time for us to move on. Many players in his draft class have passed him now.

LMHF#1

Why not?

Because Tyler Benson isn’t even an NHL hockey player…much less one with any business being within 50 feet of 97.

Come on…

jtblack

If we agree it’s Mostly Goalie and Edm is rocking a .903 SV% (21st in the League).

I know SV% is a combination of things but with a Legit Goaler; all of the numbers would look adequate and Edm would prob have 3 or 4 more wins.

Only 2 Playoff teams have a lower SV%.
VGS – .901%
AVS – .890%

and we can all agree they have superior rosters.

But maybe LT is right Get a Goalie and see what happens

Bryan

A good reliable goalie never hurts for sure. The trick is identifying the right one in a deal that is doable.

jtblack

Yes and that won’t be easy.

I would guess MAF is best option (mikko going the other way). But if it costs a 1st rounder, you hope MAF can be Good for 3 years and he is OLD like Smith (but not injured near as much over his career)

OriginalPouzar

Panarin added to COVID-protocol today which is a break for the Oilers.

flyfish1168

Is Fox added to Covid protocol?

flyfish1168

Won’t be an easy game tomorrow. They look fast and pretty good all around. Good goaltending helped too

Elgin R

Great article and a great young lady. My favourite part was when she said she had dumped the Canucks for a better option.

dustrock

2 playoff appearances since the Finals run in 2006. 1 series win against the Sharks in 2016.

Play-in loss against the Hawks. Swept by the Jets.

Now barely holding on to a wild card spot, in Year 7 (!!!) of having the best player since Mario.

Yeah, can’t imagine why anyone would be upset with this franchise.

innercitysmytty

I think it’s fair to say they haven’t gotten as much done in the past 7 years as they should. Does 2007-2015 really matter at this point? They’ve also made the playoffs the past two years and three of the past five. The 19/20 playoffs were a joke, so it’s pretty hard to get on the team for what happened in that series, and the series against the Jets last year we had the better analytics and got unlucky and beat by a better goalie. I’m as pissed about where things are at as the next person, but mostly about the fact that successive management and coaching staffs have reduced our window and our ceiling more than anything.

Holland Tunnel

The McDavid/Draisaitl Oilers are starting to remind me of Marcel Dionne’s Kings.

Art Ross worthy production from the ‘Triple Crown’ with sweet fa to show for it in the playoffs.

In a cap system designed to ensure competitive parity, the Oilers managed to turn 6 lottery picks into 2 superstars and a roster full of question marks. While Oilers management is busy making plans, the Hockey Gods laugh.

hunter1909

Meanwhile McDavid/Draisaitl will be free to leave in less than 5 years…

Imagine the season ticket pitch after that.

leadfarmer

Every game will still be a sellout

Bruce McCurdy

There has been one sellout so far this season.

Randle McMurphy

Harpers Hair?

jtblack

That’s not good.

Sierra

Covid effect more than losing?

OriginalPouzar

Definitely given the winning that was occuring without the sellouts.

DevilsLettuce

Paul Maurice had more wins in December then Dave Tippett.

OriginalPouzar

Condors play this aft – if Skinner starts, I presume that means that Smith is not likely to be out for any length of time but who knows.

jtblack

Ryan McLeod. (5-6) 45% @ EV. – as per WG.

21 GMS. 3-2-5.
ATOI – 10:45 (whats his P/60?)

We know he can skate well. He is obviously holding his own @ EV.

He is on pace for 20 pt season playing 10 mins a night, all at EV.

THIS IS A PLAYER !!!

This is the 2022 version of Todd Marchant.

McLeod can be 3C for a decade. He just needs a coach to give him some rope and some more ice time.

Last edited 2 years ago by jtblack
Reja

Todd went to the net Ryan doesn’t I think he’s afraid to make a mistake.

jp

He did hit someone in the corner last night to take them off the puck.

Yukon Jerk

It wouldn’t hurt to have a better player Kassian as his right winger either.
F- i sound like Godot

Whaler Slamamoto

I see McLeod as possibly another Nuge if he can find his offensive confidence.

McSorley33

Stealing from Uncle Steve yesterday…

Oilers are 2-6-2 in their last 10.

”Oilers record Bro!” Crowd has gone quiet.

-40 year old goalie
Derek Ryan
Bottom 6 worse than previous years

We can add in Dave Tippett trying to wear out his stars as well.

We all agreed it was a big summer for Holland. I think some fans ( though certainly not all) are only now coming to a realization that this team is just as flawed as previous years.

Bryan

Inserting Shore on the second line was one of those beyond belief moments. Foegele could have been put back with McDavid and move Hyman to Leon’s line. Or get Perlini out of the press box to play there. Or put McLeod there and let the bottom lines muck it up. Just about any forward on the team would be a better option than Shore in that spot.

I know that being the head coach of an NHL job is a terribly stressful job. Anyone who watched the Paul Maurice press conference could see that clearly. Tippet has run out of ideas and just seems to be hanging on now. Not sure if he tells 97 and 29 to just stay put on the ice in ot until they fall over but that’s what it looked like.

For having such a horrid month of December, the team is still in a reasonable spot in the standings that a decent winning streak would improve a lot. It’s usually wise to not make a lot of rash decisions when things are going badly, but there has been nothing in the team’s play to suggest any significant change is around the corner.

I think the team desperately needs a fresh voice and outlook. Obviously the roster has issues but that can’t all be fixed right now. The Babcock rumours are worrying. That definitely isn’t the direction to go. Give Woodcroft a chance for the rest of the year. He knows the roster as well as anyone.

Perhaps there is a solid goalie that can be brought in on a reasonable deal. A veteran d or a scoring forward would be nice too but not sure if Holland is up to that task. It’s time for Kenny to do something.

DevilsLettuce

You have Shore putting up a few points in the bottom 6 so the coach immediately yanks him out, plays him top 6, well above his ability level.

His scoring vanishes, his former bottom 6 line scoring vanishes.

Seems like a well thought out, analytic move if I’ve ever seen one.

Professor Q

We started the season with really good luck, and had our usual Bad Luck December. Perhaps Medium Mediocre Luck for the rest of the season will be okay? It all depends on how the roster shakeup happens. It might seem like a revolving door of always getting the least optimal result from decisions, in true Oilers fashion, but something just has to click eventually (after 20 years…).

Happy New Year and best thoughts to everyone!

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Happy New Year to you and yours, been too long. Pop in when you can.

Oil2Oilers

2-1-2 is entirely reasonable, the coach surviving is highly likely.

Two out right loses in the next two games and things could get spicy. Embarrassing yourself infront of the New York and Toronto media markets tends to focus minds.

Bruce McCurdy

Except when you break down the 5 games:

2-0-0 without the coach behind the bench
0-1-2 after the coach returned

Not sure that sequence of events solidifies his position.

Oil2Oilers

I was forecasting the next 5 games, not the last. The loser points and the Tippetless wins hide all kinds of ugly in the last 5. The coach and the team seem lost, and Smith won’t save them. The bright lights of Broadway and the center of the Hockey Universe in Hog town will amplify the next two games – beyond what is already evident.

Bruce McCurdy

Gotcha. Misread by me.

Oil2Oilers

No worries, unclear by me

Ryan

Leavins wrote a recent article suggesting a “hockey trade” for a goalie.

I’m confused because I would see Holland more the type to trade a first for a goalie, probably Holtby. “Hockey trade” generally implies a trade involving players on both sides not just a single pick on one side, right?

Holtby’s the obvious Holland target because he’s an expiring contract, having what appears to be a decent year, and most importantly is in the guide a record book with a cup ring. To trade for Fleury, there’s a lot more moving parts and cap challenges.

I think that Holtby for our first would be another ghastly trade for a variety of reasons including that I don’t trust that Holtby is any good.

Would Holland risk trading his first with a fair amount of uncertainty that we’ll even see the playoffs?

jp

I agree that would be a bad trade.

I don’t think it really fits the ‘hockey trade’ description even if Koskinen is included.And I’d be surprised if that’s the cost of an expiring, extremely questionable, Holtby.

Harpers Hair

Pretty sure the Stars will be hanging on to Holtby as long as they remain in the playoff race.

Ben Bishop is officially done but you might get a used up Khudobin for a bag of chips.

DevilsLettuce

The Oilers may be 2-1-2 but Tipps is 0-9-2. Let’s frame this a bit bigger.

Bruce McCurdy

Tippett behind the bench is 0-6-2 since his last win on Dec 01. He missed 3 games, & the Oilers had 4 postponed, but it’s now been a full calendar month since Tippett was able to smile at a post game avail.

Brewha Ha

Man! that really does frame it well!