Skinner!

by Lowetide
Stuart Skinner photo by Mark Williams

Stuart Skinner is having a fine season wherever he plays. In 10 NHL contests, he has a Save Percentage of .916 and in the AHL (six games) he’s at .918. It’s possible he stays in Canada when the Bakersfield bunch head back to California after the team complete a ‘four games in five nights’ old time hockey weekend in Abbotsford.

Skinner may not be the best option in goal for the Edmonton Oilers but he would appear to be the best available based on what we saw from Mikko Koskinen and Mike Smith this week.

Is there anyone else in Bakersfield?

THE ATHLETIC!

CONDORS BLUE

Philip Broberg has two goals and 10 assists in 18 games, and also owns a 13-8 even-strength goal differential in the AHL (61.9 percent). His offense is heavily reliant on the power play, as is to be expected, but the young defender has improved by leaps and bounds during his first pro season. His NHL audition was encouraging but also pointed out there was plenty to work on.

Mike Kesselring, Phil Kemp and Filip Berglund, all young men pushing for NHL time, are at 50 percent in even-strength goal differential. Kemp is 7-7 in 17 games, he scored his first AHL goal of the year last night shorthanded.

Markus Niemelainen is 8-10 in the discipline, Dmitri Samorukov is 11-16 after beginning the season 4-7 in his first six games. So, in his most recent 12 games, the big Russian is 7-9 and playing bigger minutes. His NHL audition is not a reflection of his true ability. Honest. He was over aggressive. It happens.

FORWARDS

Cooper Marody is far and away the best recall forward in the system currently, he showed that last night and pretty much every game outside his injury season. He is 10-11-21 in 22 games and has a point in his only NHL game this season. If there is a coaching change, Marody might be an early recall. For the record, Edmonton’s current right wingers are Jesse Puljujarvi (32, 10-13-23), Kailer Yamamoto (34, 7-5-12), Zack Kassian (26, 4-8-12) and Colton Sceviour (25, 2-2-4).

Seth Griffith (22, 8-17-25) is a terrific performer at the AHL level and drives a lot of power-play success, it would be tough for him to climb the depth chart all the way to NHL work this season.

Two young players who slow starts have been doing well since the Christmas break. In his last five games, Raphael Lavoie has posted 3-3-6 and had games of six and five shots. He’s a volume shooter, so that’s a tell (lots of shots) for this player.

Ostap Safin has never been the same player after suffering a hip injury a few years ago, but he does show glimpses. Last night was such a time, as he scored 1-1-2 and did power-forward things. I view him as a modern version of Doug Lynch, who appeared to be on an NHL trajectory until a wrist injury derailed him. People forget just how many prospects are hit with career altering injuries and then 20 years from now will blame the scouting staff. Nothing a person can do about it, human nature.

THE OTTAWA GAME

Lots of discussion surrounding the Ottawa game, I’m not sure it gets played on Monday. Based on my conversation with Chris Johnston yesterday, expect the season to be extended and I’m not honestly sure the next home game we’ll see. These canceled games can be a benefit, Edmonton needs a break to heal and get its Covid list down, but at some point we’re going to see a team that has had 14 days off get flattened once the schedule resumes. The Canadian NHL teams are not in a good spot at this time.

THE COMMENTS SECTION

I have reached the end of the line with the comments section. It isn’t worth keeping, to be honest. Once the absolute shining light of this blog, it’s been years since we’ve gone a day without rupture. I hear comments like “ban this guy” but it doesn’t take more than a minute to create a new nick and resume posting.

So. Here’s what I’ll do. I will limit comments by individual posters to three a day. At the time of the third post, that person will go into timeout until the following morning. This begins today. I apologize if you believe it’s an unfair policy, but I’ve tried everything else and nothing rhymes.

LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE

At 10 this morning, TSN 1260, we kickstart the weekend with the Lowdown! Steve Lansky, who has been the coaching whisperer this winter, will join us to give us his thoughts on the way forward for the Edmonton Oilers. Matt Iwanyk will pop by with the latest on Canadian soccer stars and Manchester United’s roaring success. Your comments fed the show yesterday, keep them coming! 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. See you on the radio!!

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31saves

Personally I like this method of flagging/downvotes

I browse Reddit a lot and that has a similiar system. Their comments aren’t gone, but the comment is hidden after enough downvotes, so if you feel up to it you can read the comments or let them be.

Weighing in on individuals, I appreciate HH’s take and how he presents information from around the league. When he’s Too cynical about the oilers, I simply ignore it for the most part, but I’ve never thought he should be banned.

I also appreciate OP’s comments, particularly about Bakersfield, since I never watch their games and his updates (and LTs) are the only way I can keep tabs on some of our prospects.

OriginalPouzar

The calls for a Marody re-call are going to get much much louder…..

OriginalPouzar

Marody and Deharnais on a 2 on 2 in OT, Marody cuts to the middle, puts one on net and Deharnais pots the OT winner on the rebound.

Crazy end to this game!

Last edited 2 years ago by OriginalPouzar
northerndancer

Thanks for the play by play OP!

OriginalPouzar

Abbotsford in to the empty net.

Tough luck for the Condors in this one as they had two goals disallowed, both of which should have counted.

Lavoie with a really strong game, somewhat blemished by the turnover on the game winner against.

Broberg struggled for the 2nd night in a row.

OriginalPouzar

Hold on – Condors pull their goalie again and score in apx 15 seconds and with a minute to go still.

Marody takes a cross-crease pass and bangs it in.

OriginalPouzar

Whoa, Hamblin scores with 2 seconds left to tie the game at 3.

Marody on the halfboards, back to the point, Hamblin takes the rebound off the back wall and stuffs it in.

I think it was Broberg with the point shot and the apple.

northerndancer

you are making this shit up now aren’t you?

rich tm

Nope. This is non-fiction.

northerndancer

Epic drama for sure. Perhaps the flood has returned to the Fraser valley.

northerndancer

Sounds like a fun game. I should have watched.

Suntory Hanzo

Just got back from the game. My friend has seasons tickets about 10 rows behind penalty box so was much closer today – although the arena is small so no matter where you are it is solid.

It was much faster today then yesterday. Canucks came out skating better today. Lots of missed sure goals on both sides. When it was 2–1 my buddy says well, Abbotsford normally blows it and we will see OT. Then they score to make it 3-1 and all seems lost. Then boom boom and the crowd goes mild.

Side note, that Bailey guy on Canucks sure can fly. He had a nice pickoff and snipe.

Safin was skating better today. I thought he looked really slow yesterday.

Condors looked the better team overall. Canucks defence is a tire fire a lot of the time. Their keeper made some good stops unlike yesterday. Griffith was one of the best players consistently.

Not going to Sundays game but taking family on Monday.

Enjoy the weekend all!

€√¥£€^$

Thank you, you as well!

OriginalPouzar

Lavoie tries to chip one out up the middle, its batted down and blasted in for a 2-1 deficit.

OriginalPouzar

Marody with the rush through the neutral zone and zone entry, drops to Griffith who goes cross-ice to Kesselring for the shot. Marody bats the rebound out of mid-air and in for the 2-1 lead.

Ooops, check that, being waived off, I presume for a high-stick, although it didn’t look like it.

Woody has an ugly mad face.

OriginalPouzar

Some solid action, Kaldis essentially takes it end to end, drops it to Lavoie who snaps one low and in for the tie near the end of the 2nd.

Lavoie must have 6 or so shots on net – good stuff after a “meh” game last night.

OriginalPouzar

Now Lavoie off the cross-bar on a nice rush down the right side (he’s usually on the left side).

leadfarmer

Why is game against Sens still on when others on either side cancelled?

Harpers Hair

Alberta is much lenient about having fans in the stands.

leadfarmer

then why are games cancelled on Saturday and Wednesday?

Harpers Hair

BCs CMO officer Bonnie Henry advise against 9000 fans in the stands tomorrow night and Tge Canucks decided to punt,

OriginalPouzar

If I’m not mistaken, the Canadian teams have been given the option of having home games postponed due to attendance restrictions.

I know I heard/read that but can’t say 100% its the case.

Harpers Hair

This is true.

Harpers Hair

I’m done!

Harpers Hair

You could always just tell me to piss off.

tileguy

Mob rules, personality contest, say what you think others want to hear, me no likey.

Harpers Hair

This.

Genjutsu

Democracy?

OriginalPouzar

If the group thinks it will solve the issue, then just forbid me from responding to HH.

Frankly, I don’t think the discourse that HH and I have, even when it does get in to “bickering” is really the issue. There are multiple posters that have this type of discourse with HH.

For me, I think the main issue is the multiple isolated posts most nights that are solely personal attacks at HH without any involvement in a conversation of any substance. Some of them are highly off-side, in my opinion.

I am guilty of calling HH a “bad person” in relation to accusing him of only being here to decrease the enjoyment of others, and I shouldn’t do that, but it is always in the context of trying to have a hockey related conversation.

In any event, if the group (or LT) believe the issue will be solved if I cannot correspond with HH at all, end stop, then, so be it – it can be done.

jtblack

I vote the Banter continues.

Just no bullying from any posters

OriginalPouzar

Was it Coop that flubbed the pass back to Broberg on the PP that led to the goal against?

The decision was fine but he just flubbed it – happens.

OriginalPouzar

Skinner gives up the first shot of the game.

With that said, it on a 2 on 0 shorthanded.

A soft/fanned pass from the half wall back to the point (I think it was Marody that flubbed it) but Broberg in a tough spot at the line leading to the break against. He did well to almost get back and break it up but left his feet to dive (like he was trying to beat out an infield single) and missed.

OriginalPouzar

Kemp shows that he can move the puck – a beauty stretch pass to send in Griffith all alone, clear.

He was stopped but Kemp continues to develop – the pro game is slowing down for him. I think he needs to get another step or two still but he’s coming on.

jtblack

Skinner was just practicing for his Oilers recall … gotta give one up quick, may as well be the 1st shot !

SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!

Flames give up 6 against Carolina tonight. Their southern swing has been 0-3 and 16 goals against. Coming off a long break of course.

The back half of the season sees our Oilers playing a lot of Pacific Division hockey. I’m not at all convinced anyone but Vegas has staying power so a playoff spot will be wide open for taking. No matter what happens in the Central.

Too early to give up on the Oilers. Lots of hockey to be played.

Harpers Hair

The Oilers (at the moment) have 4 games scheduled in February.

@ WSH
@ TBL
@ FLA
@ CAR

This is exactly the same road trip the Flames just experienced.

In that same month the Flames schedule is

@DAL
@ARZ
@VAN
vs. MIN

Of note, in March, the Flames have 11 games at home and only 4 on the road.

But, as you say…lots of hockey to be played.

OriginalPouzar

That is noted and, of course, as discussed, the flames have been poor at home this season. Even after 3 straight regulation losses on the road in the last 4 nights, they have made their hay on the road – 4 wins and 7 losses (3 in extras) at home.

Harpers Hair

While past performance can predict future performance to some degree, quality of competition and the built in advantage of playing at home would give any wise punter a distinct advantage.

leadfarmer

Wait until Calgary starts getting injured. They’ve had no significant injuries this season which is unheard of

Harpers Hair

What if they don’t?

OriginalPouzar

Flames lose their third game in four night nights – all in regulation.

leadfarmer

All while having ridiculous injury luck
sure they all got covid but they didn’t lose man games to it either

OriginalPouzar

Skinner starts his fifth straight (back to back nights) and the Condors roll with the same lineup.

Abbotsford will have 15 skaters……

Funnybird

Hey LT, long time creeper, first time poster. My brother clued me into this blog over 10 years ago and I have been pretty loyal to reading your blog and the comments section ever since. The oil has a tendency to bring out the worst in me as a person (and probably a lot of us). Over the years, this blog has helped me rationalize and confirm some of these feelings but more importantly give me hope that better days are ahead. I am sure there are a lot of others like me who don’t post but just read. Keep up the great work to you, and others who post, because F*** this team, we need it!

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

I was laughing out loud throughout reading this post. Well done!

Fuck this team, indeed!

ChupaCabra

My two cents on the comments issue.

Most of us here are true fans. As everyone likely knows, the term ‘fan’ has its roots in ‘fanatics’. Literally: “”mad, enthusiastic, inspired by a god”. (Yes, I do think they had McDavid in mind there). But the key element here is faith – a willingness to suspend disbelief.

The point is this: fans follow the game rigorously – by eye, by numbers, and typically some mix of both. But beyond that, a fan is someone who is willing to suspend disbelief and go beyond the numbers, put the facts aside and just fucking believe. A fan is someone who will put away that nagging insecurity about their obviously flawed team just to say “fuck it, somehow this will work. It has to”. These are fans. It’s about analytics, hope and faith, all mixed up in one crazy stupid shitty mentality. It’s great.

Being a fan is the mark that puts the CLUTCH in Eberle. That saw Patrick Thoresen emerge out of nowhere, grab a roster spot, and sacrifice a testicle in the name of the Oil. Holy crap. Fans know the moments that are meaningful to them. Those moments cut like a razor blade into your memory and are often passed from generation to generation. When push comes to shove, fans say screw the numbers, we’re here, we support, we don’t care. It’s fun. It’s painful. It’s a way of life.

Unfortunately, there are some here who know that there is a gap between objective analysis and what it means to be a fan. These posters prey on this gap day in, day out. They bait it repeatedly. Comment after comment seeking to get a reaction. Some of those comments are solid, some are just stupid. But all measured to quite deliberately to exploit the gap between cold numbers and those who are willing to suspend disbelief and be a fan. 

For some sad reason, exploiting this makes those posters feel superior in a sick way. It apparently justifies whatever sad existence they otherwise have. It is unfortunate. But holy shit is it effective. They love it.

Bait gets a bite. Bite spawns more bait. Sick. But shit.

IMO, fans are generally good to each other. At some point they are all genuine. They recognize they are all foolish idiots waiting for that moment of craziness, togetherness, that instant of ‘holy shit did you see that??!!’. It is what makes it all worthwhile. Even if it takes three fucking decades to roll around and counting… 

But those who want to exploit this? Well, they genuinely get pleasure out at finding a gotcha moment. Their rapacious need to fuel their own ego by exploiting this gap is sad but it sure descends the place into a shithole. It’s seriously boring and god knows how annoying it must be for the gracious and amazing host of this place.

Bait. Reaction. Bait. Reaction.

Can we end the cycle?

JimmyV1965

Excellent, excellent post.

meanashell11

I second this comment. ChupaCabra puts into words my thoughts completely.

NorwegianOiler

A side effect of this identity crisis between “the fan and the analyst”, is that many try to fill the gap with arguments that they are unwilling to accept may be fallacious. We get our answers from the fan part and then work to get there by any means possible. That certainly kills the rational side of any discussion. Is it ever acceptable to simply “feel” that a player is good enough?

Ryan

Folks, I might have a solution.

https://addons.wpdiscuz.com/wpdiscuz-report-and-flagging/

Flagging a comment tells admins that a comment requires moderator attention. This addon comes with complete package of very useful functions and tools, which automatically moderates all comments based on number of flags and down votes (dislikes). In other words, website visitors will help you moderate bad comments. Those will be automatically unapproved or trashed once the maximum number of flags and dislikes is reached.
Last edited 2 years ago by Ryan
OriginalPouzar

May I ask what this means? Is the three post per day rule still in place?

OriginalPouzar

Ok – was asking as the Condors play in an hour……

Frankly, I don’t think the comments being moderated via downvotes by the community is feasible – unless I’m not understanding how that works.

OriginalPouzar

Am I permitted to make multiple posts on the Condors’ game or am I done for the day?

90s fan

Do you mean his above post? Or the one below where he suggests a team of moderators?

If it is the above post, and I am reading it right, it seems too many dislikes removes the comment? I am unsure about this, as unpopular comments may not be antagonistic, but possibly just a bad idea. Bad ideas in my mind are fine, and can still drive conversations.

Also I worry a certain individual would get disliked past the threshold due to who he is, not what he says which is not good either.

ChupaCabra

Thanks for everything you do. It is hugely appreciated. I love your words, your humility, your candour. I’m sorry you have to put up with crap while doing all the amazing things you do. Genuinely. Yeti/Chupa.

Material Elvis

You mean I spent all day making multiple Lowetide accounts for nothing?

Harpers Hair

I added an apostrophe…watch for it. 🙂

Harpers Hair

In other words…a popularity contest.

Watch.

Material Elvis

You do have the option of controlling yourself and being a positive contributor to the blog community.

Harpers Hair

I also have the option of deciding for myself what is “positive”.

If you parse the comments here today you’ll soon find nothing is acceptable unless it is firmly pro-Oiler and no one wants to know anything about other teams in the league especially if success elsewhere would cast the Oilers in anything but the most positive light.

There was a time when many posters here were interested in having objective discussions about the Oilers and their place in the NHL…most are gone.

One poster here today went to great lengths to explain the difference between “fandom” and “objectivity” and how any objective analysis was ruining the experience for true fans.

If that is the consensus, then it is a pretty sad since LT built this site with an eye toward analysis and thoughtful content rather than a mindless echo chamber of popular tropes.

ChupaCabra

Bullshit. I pointed out that you exploit that gap for your own vanity. Big difference.

Harpers Hair

Look in a mirror and you will see things are reversed pretty easily.

greenshifter

So, here’s the deal.

I will voluntarily limit my posts to 3 per day so the rest of you can proceed as normal. 

🤣

Scungilli Slushy

This is the type of comment that is the problem

It is inflammatory (I would say intentionally) because it is false, as it insinuates that CC is similar to you and that isn’t true in any way

90s fan

Maybe we should all agree to a code of conduct.

90s fan

As well LT, I know you hate the bickering, but you have this community in which poeple are more respectful then so many other places. It may come at the price of your own sanity but you are fighting back against what has unfortunately become normal everywhere else.

I cant help but think we are all better for your hard work. I truly appreciate your desire for a respectful community.

Jaxon

Maybe I’m imagining things, but it seems you (and OP?) have been quite civil today. I applaud that. I’ve even up voted you today. Maybe I can change too! Haha.

Ryan

There’s a saying, or rather an idiom, that you live by the sword and die by the sword.

My own views here are far from popular. I’m frequently critical of OEG and Holland.

I’ve been one of your staunchest supporters here as I value critical thinking as well as dissenting views.

We’re live, best of luck to us my friend.

Last edited 2 years ago by Ryan
Harpers Hair

And I have also found you to be an island of reason and openess.

Always look forward to your posts.

danny

Limiting comments instead of ignoring trolls would likely result in a loss of monthly page loads and a loss in revenue for Alan. Just saying.

tileguy

My guess is most readers of this blog would not block HH, I know i wouldn’t, as he adds insight and love his reporting on hockey media. Most HH and OP squabbling is usually contained in a thread and is easily scrolled past, unless it is hysterical as it sometimes is. If LT needs to timeout somebody because of vulgarities and personal attacks let it be for a week first offence, a month for second offence and three strikes you are out. I don’t believe the excellent knowledgeable posters leave because of other peoples squabbles, but because of personal attacks. I have always enjoyed the insight that DSF and HH provide on the incompetence of Oilers management and let’s face it, he is right more often than not.
Thank you HH for giving your honest opinion of what is wrong with this franchise when I asked for it last week. I’d rather read HH criticisms that attaboys, let’s do this.

Harpers Hair

I appreciate this.

danny

Here’s a troll solution that may interest you. I wrote a script where you can create your own personal ‘shadowban’ on whoever you do not want to see. It hides all comments and replies involving any user you specify in the first line of the script. This only hides from you when reading the blog, it doesn’t hide for everyone. It’s easy to add/update new usernames to correct circumvention.

Instructions:

1. Add a javascript extension, I am using Scripty on Chrome.

2. Open Scripty and add new script

3. Add a name (anything really)

4. Paste the code into the Javascript Code box. Code can be found here:

https://pastebin.com/Cw1R9Zfn

5. Use the following settings:
– Run Script if: *URL* *Contains* following input ‘lowetide.ca’
– trigger: Automatically *On Page Load*

6. Click ‘Update Script’

comment image

7. Enjoy troll-free comments

SwedishPoster

There’s talk over here that Tim Söderlund heading back to Sweden and Lagesson’s old club Djurgården is a done deal. Not surprising as he’s struggling to crack Bakersfield’s lineup. I’m not convinced he’ll add much in the SHL although his style is a better fit on the bigger ice. One of those guys who hasn’t really translated his game from juniors to pro hockey. My guess eother ends up a bottom of the lineup SHLer or a top six Allsvenskan player.

Good news about Holloway. Now get him to Bako and hopefully he can be a surprise add later in the year.

KnightRain

In essence we would be getting a younger, faster version of Hyman. Same engine but hopefully with more finish and more aggression. These types of players make everyone better on their line. Having Hyman, Holloway and Foegle each on lines 1,2 and 3 will go a long way towards increasing this team’s work ethic. Might not be this year but it will make a big difference when it happens, imo.

flyfish1168

Thank you very much for providing this space for us Oiler fans LT. I totally understand why you feel you need to do what you do. Wondering if you have thought of making exceptions for a few regular posters to be able to post more than 3 per day. There are about 4 or 5 posters that add lots of value to this site and I find them informative. Just a thought.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

Talk about opening a can of worms.

DevilsLettuce

Holloway joined the big club for today’s skate, woot.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

According to Tippett in his presser today, KY was taken off the ice in practice due to a positive rapid test and it was Holloway who took his place. Says he’s in a non-contact jersey but is getting close. He’s seeing the doctor Monday and that could be when he’s cleared for full practice. Most likely that Holloway will go to BAK to get up and running, especially considering the lack of upcoming games.

Klam

Lowetide,

Thanks again for your persistence and dedication. Love listening in when I can on the Radio but daily come here for a bit of sanity when the Oilers are Oilering.

Lets remember to be Canadian.

Open doors, say sorry, throw hands but shake hands afterwards. Lets disagree kindly on here and keep it to being fans of the Oilers with all the other crumbs from all the other parts of living life.

Thanks again Lowetide!

Oil2Oilers

My favorite 3d line in Oilers history was the Kid Line from the last Cup. It would behove the Oilers to see if they could recreate the magic with Benson McLeod Marody.

As a bonus it would hopefully focus the mind and distil a second bottom six line of trusted veterans.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

I know we’re partial to a kid line as Oilers fans, but is that a tactic other teams ever employ?

leadfarmer

Kid line is typically the opponents wildest dream

Sierra

It is not; just Oiler fan nostalgia.

KnightRain

I remember when they brought up the farms top line of Daniel Cleary, Micheal Reisen and another guy. Also called the kid line. Reisen(later called the Swiss miss) was supposed to be the straw that stirred the drink but it was hard working Cleary that won the day. He was a solid player all around but he got a thrashing from Wade Belak one night(sticking up for another player) and just wasn’t the same after that. Luckily he got picked up by Detroit and had a good career.
I would love to see Benson, McLeod and Marody see if they can recapture some of that ahl magic. What have we got to lose? Besides, as a fan that watched our original Kid Line, I’ve always been on the lookout for another.
If wishes were wings, pigs would fly, eh?

KnightRain

Btw, Daniel Cleary had one of my all time favourite interviews on HNiC. He scored his first goal of the year half way through the(his last season) season to win a game in overtime. In his interview with Ron and Don they said it was to bad about the late game as it was after 1am in Newfoundland. Danny said he knew his gramps would be celebrating with a Blue start right now. Ron asked “what’s a Blue Star?”. Danny chuckled and said “It’s beer they drink there. The shining star of the Granite Planet”. lol Sure made me laugh. I tried Blue Star not long after that. Holy man it was crap. I still don’t get it…

kelvjn

The last musketeer was Brian Swanson.

https://oilersnation.com/2010/10/06/horcoff-and-die/

The year was 2000. The writing was on the wall regarding Doug Weight(final year of a 4.3M contract heading to UFA), and the Oilers desperately needed next generation fire power.

Around those years the various incarnations of MGM usually each scores 30~40 points, but enough to rank 4th~7th in team scorng. Rounding out the roster were a bunch of players each score 10~30 points. Line matching dara was difficult to come by, but the low scoring from the rest of the forwards likely had something to do with large drop off in quality in the 3rd pair D, by the way.

Since 2nd line scoring was a thing back in the days, it was with great anticipation (hype) that the former Bulldogs earned a shot from training camp. Alas, it was not meant to be.

As an aside, there was great hype surrounding Comrie when he tried to pull the Van Ryn after his fairly successful first college season. I never understood it as the Oilers had fellow colleague stand outs in Horcoff (Hobby Baker fknalist 00′) and also Brian Swanson(Hobby Baker finalist 99′) and they were nothing special. Weird Comrie turns out ok but Swanson never made it.

TheGreatBigMac

A little levity from happier times…

Just to be clear:
If you go bardownski for a goalski that’s corski AND a a fenski but if the D gets a blocski then it’s a corski but not a fenski. A save by Koski is a corski and a fenski but if you don’t take a shotski you’ll miss out on corskis & fenskis, according to Gretzky. https://t.co/yelKCp7yqw
— WheatNOil (@WheatNOil) October 28, 2021

dynamicdylancoach

LT, Can’t imagine what it is like to moderate the immoderate daily. Praying your new rule will keep the comments section alive. If not, it has been a hell of a ride!

Sunnyboy

LT, thanks for the new 3 strike rule, this should cut down on your time as an umpire. Throttling the few overposters is a welcome upgrade and those who dispense their verbal diarrhea can start their own blog and supervise that.
I would further campaign that Bruce be granted “exceptional skater” status who, as a regular contributor to your radio show, has an expertise that i believe your readers value.

KnightRain

I’m an Oilers fan. Have been since I can remember. I was 5 in 79 and some of my earliest memories are of sitting on my dads lap and him yelling at the screen, nearly dropping me on occasion. I’m now the guy yelling at the tv and roaring when we score. Everybody who knows me knows to plan visits around Oilers games. Friends with babies never visit close to game time, ever. They know that if they come over and a game is on it’s useless to talk to me until a commercial or intermission. I hear nothing but the commentators and the crowds. They know to get their hands up if the Oilers score and they are anywhere near the living room cuz high fives are coming fast and furious. My wife and 5 kids, 7 to 22, will come flying into the living room if they hear me roar, eager for their fivers. 
Why am I saying all this?
Because Lowetide is the only place I go for people talking Oilers. I’ve tried others and it’s way to much crap. On here I find the posters much more knowledgeable and thoughtful. People are people and will always, always have different takes. That is actually the fun part, to me. Other posters takes sometimes changes my opinion in ways I didn’t expect. I think it’s part of this sites charm. From Gadots hate on Kassian to OP’s measured insight to Bruces on point takes. It’s all part of the recipe for a great Oilers Fan dish. Even the occasional HH spice for a little zip. 
That being said, I don’t care one iota about other teams. How they are doing or how their farm systems are doing or whatever. I also detest the post that are only to sow discord. Seems pointless to me. 
My solution is to just ignore that stuff and read the Oilers stuff. 
Imo, limiting posting isn’t the way to go. People who simply come to start arguments on a personal level need to be put on a time out. Argue all you want about Oilers hockey but take shots at other posters and it’s the sin bin. 
If you don’t like what someone posts, ignore it. Angrily responding only adds fuel to the fire. Do not respond and they will eventually fade away. Give them a downvote if it make you feel better. 
Anyways, I hope we can figure this out. Some of us, even though we may not post as much, dearly love this site. It’s nice to have a place to go where passion, knowledge and camaraderie all collide in a cacophony of all thing Oilers. 
In this internet world we live in, this isn’t easy to find. 

unca miltie

well written, I would agree on much of it. my guess is setting up and maintaining a sin bin would be time consuming and LT is too busy writing things that we like either here or the athletic to have time to play school monitor. Is there anyone in sports that is prolific as he is? Thats my 3 for today. All the best to you and others.

Pechetr

I like the new rule LT. I come here for the articles anyway. I left ON 2 yrs ago for the same reason and I get my sports news from TSN rather than SN specifically because of the lack of a comments section. Everyone is an armchair GM and Coach and Player when not one of them could carry even the most average ECHL’ers hockey bag. Its a game folks, we are lucky to have it and lucky to have someone who takes their time to write about it in a mostly impartial manner. (Ethan Bear Taylor Hall) ha ha….

Last edited 2 years ago by Pechetr
Cape Breton Oilers 4EVR

A couple of thoughts that I had:

1) There was a time when the Koskinen/Tippett quotes would result in the goalie being shipped to “Souray Island.” I was kinda expecting that before the Leafs game based on the universal opinion that Koskinen has lost the confidence of pretty much everyone and it was the easiest way to recall Skinner. Believe it or not, the fact that it didn’t happen can be viewed as progress for this organization (albeit with some squinting required).

2) Why not just recall Marody and run him with Benson and Macleod. MacLeod and Benson have seemed to gain a bit of traction lately to my eye, and Marody really has nothing to prove in the minors. I know it would be a big departure for Tippett, but it’s worth a shot.

thebiggestmanintheworld

one of a long list of Oiler problems…

RNH is a good player, but an absolute bust of a first overall pick…

Bryan

A bust would be if they passed up on an absolute gem by taking Nuge instead. Similar to the Yakupov year there weren’t many other realistic options at the time.

leadfarmer

Is he though?
Sure hes good on pp but more of a good 3rd line EV guy

Sierra

And his GF% looks pretty good facing elites, save for last season. That’s a bit of an eye opener for me.

thebiggestmanintheworld

Bust is too harsh. I’m not saying I don’t want or like him, either.

I guess I just think he could be DRY line heater Nuge all the time.

Remember his rookie year? Hat-trick right away, a five point game, he looked impactful every shift…tripped over the blue line in the United center, wrecked his shoulder, and it wasn’t strong enough through the DOD, he just seemed to “stall”. Good player, but should have elevated himself to great by now, IMO.

I think it’s in there, I find it a little frustrating watching him with McDrai and not being impact, just okay.

I may have been led to believe he was the next Dave Keon, so my expectation may not be reasonable though lol 🙂

31saves

Was he really though? In comparison to the other 1st overall picks since the 2005 draft, I would rank them all like this:

Extra Top Tier (Generational Talent)

2005 – Crosby
2015- McDavid

Top Tier (Elite/Superstar)

2007- Kane
2008- Stamkos
2009- Tavares
2010- Hall
2013- MacKinnon
2014- Ekblad
2016- Matthews

Middling Tier (Above Average/ Star)
2006- Erik Johnson
2011- Nugent-Hopkins
2017- Hischier
2018- Dahlin

Busts (Not a good player)
2012- Yakupov

Unknown:
Power- 2021
2019- Hughes
2020- Lafreniere

These are just my opinions and YMMV, but to me, McDavid and Crosby are above them all, the Superstars are all players I would have gladly traded Nuge for in their primes, and that leaves Nugent Hopkins as about a lower-middle first overall pick.

In his draft it came down to Landeskog or Larsson besides Nuge, and maybe Landeskog is marginally better, but that would have meant our top line center would have been Mark Arcobello for some time.

And its fair to remember that while I believe Kane, Stamkos, Tavares and all of them are more dynamic than Nugent-Hopkins, and perhaps some are all around better, they were supported with much better teams that were shaped to them. Nugent-Hopkins was not given he same luxury, and often given too much, too early, which obscured his offensive talent and forced him into ill-suited defensive roles. Imagine trying to shut down the Sedins at age 19, or receive passes from Andrew Ference at age 22. I doubt even Kane or Stamkos could have succeeded the same way here, especially competing with everyone else.

The point is, Nugent-Hopkins might not be the best first overall pick in history, and the Oilers may have been a bit unlucky to have finished last that year, he is still a very good player even by First overall pick standards.

thebiggestmanintheworld

I dunno about First overall standards, but he is a very good player.

I’m not saying he was the wrong pick. All your points are valid, the position, the quality of class, etc.

I just think he should be more of an impactful player, wish a first overall wasn’t just ‘solid’.

Mind you, with the drafting then, it probably was a miracle we didn’t screw it up somehow, so I probably shouldn’t complain at all…

JOFA

4th post

Testing testing😉

JOFA

Woo-hoo! Shhhhhh…..don’t tell Al😉

JOFA

Do replies = posts? There may be a glitch in the Matrix

JOFA

Everybody storm the gates! Al is still in the car😉

Reja

A few crybabies throw a tantrum and they get their way.

hickey99

LT, I come here every day to read and skim the comments. I’m actually not sure what the deal is with the comment section because I don’t waste my time on people who don’t have enough to say to make their own site. If these people were so knowledgeable as they claim to be, make their own site and if what your saying has merit, people will read it- like we do here. but I read that’s it’s slowly crushing you as you just want to have a place where we can discuss oilers like adults. People disagree here and some seem overly aggressive, I just pass those by. That said none us get to see what needs to be moderated but don’t let the bad seeds make you forget that most of us still love it and for those that can’t tell reality from enjoying a sport, that’s on them. Keep up the great work LT and maybe taking a break from reading every comments, they’re not all worth the read.

OriginalPouzar

On some of the prospects written about above:

Broberg – I mentioned the other day that, for me, the Oilers defence is playing slow as a group – slow on puck retreival, moving the puck, etc. – I wondered if Broberg could change the dynamic of the group. With that said, I did want to note that, last night, his ice time seemed to be cut back a bit – he wasn’t on PP1 as much and he wasn’t as noticeable as he usually is. Perhaps an off-night but, with his ice cut, I wonder if he’s banged up a bit.

Laovie – Definitely playing his best hockey of the season but I thought he was just kind of “meh” again last night.

Marody – He’s the one to recall if they are going to make a move. He really is playing a strong game in the AHL this year and looked find in his 5:30 in the NHL. He is playing a depth PK role now for the Condors but so did Benson and that is VERY far from killing penalties at the NHL level.

Safin – He was strong last night – noticeable quite a bit. He has these games every once in a while but they are so few and far between. The previous game he was AWFUL – couldn’t even make a 5 foot transition pass with accuracy. For me, he’s 50/50 to be qualified right now. The player last night is worth another 2-way contract but that player shows up once ever 7 games so far.

JOFA

Make your 3rd post count OP. This must be killing you😄

Bruce McCurdy

I followed the Condors game on the other monitor while writing my CoH post last night. Heard the call, watched bits & pieces.

Broberg: didn’t see him good, it wasn’t a game he seized by the throat & he looked kinda weak on the first Abbotsford goal. Maybe as you suggest he’s banged up or was a bit under the weather, as he has appeared dominant at other times.

Lavoie: barely noticed him.

Marody: is looking better and better with each viewing. May be the prototypical “4A” player but he is real good at this level. Broke the game open with a splendid swoop, steal & setup of Griffith for the 3-1 goal in the dying seconds of the middle frame. Then put it away by scoring the 4-1 himself on the PP early in the third.

Safin: I see him the same way as you. Which is to say, “good… once in a long while”. With his size and speed he always tantalizes at camp, but has relatively little impact on actual games. Got some Toronto-class bounces to score the 5-1 & 6-1 goals, so didn’t really have that big an impact on this one.

Kemp: the timing of his burst up the wing to join the rush on the penalty kill was exquisite. Sucked his potential checker into thinking he wasn’t going anywhere, then the instant buddy looked away Kemp turned on the jets, took the pass, broke in alone & barely squeezed the puck past the goalie. He’s not the most physically gifted player but he’s a very smart one.

Still can’t believe that Esposito got 5 and a game for “charging” on a devastating but nonetheless textbook open ice hit; glided in, elbows down, stick down, just a total body wallop right in his opponent’s chest. 2 minutes at most, & not sure for what. His mates rose to the occasion with an outstanding PK to basically seal the deal at 4-1, early in the third.

€√¥£€^$

Thank you for this Bruce, very cool to read this unexpected and excellent summary!

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

As I recall, Broberg blocked a shot with his rib-cage in the previous game. It could be that he is very sore but still playing.

Jaxon

Inconceivable!

OriginalPouzar

Its great to see Holloway skating at practice.

Of course, as we know, this doesn’t have any impact on the Oilers lineup in the near future.

This is the projected and expected timeline as per the GM. Skating and “doing more” in January, assigned to Condors mid-January, playing games in the AHL starting in early February – that has been the hopeful timeline as per the GM.

The GM was pretty clear within the last few weeks that there is no plan for Holloway to play in the NHL this season. He is likely to spend the entirety of the season with the Condors. Of course, plans can always change, they have with Broberg as the plan did not include NHL games so early in his North American career, but, as of now, Broberg is a 2022/23 option.

teddyturnbuckle

Its not just this site its everywhere. I actually think this site is tame compared to most. Twitter is a cesspool and I feel bad for all sports writers as its just constant personal insults out there. Just look at Stauffers tweets lol. I don’t blame anyone for wanting to shut down the comments section as it can be too much of a negative vortex. LT doesn’t want to be a platform for angry people spewing hate. If you were on here belittling other peoples ideas 50 times a day maybe its time you started your own site instead of highjacking someone else’s site and ruining the interaction.

As for the Oilers I think there is so much uncertainty in the schedule right now I think its best to wait on a trade. Every GM in the league knows Holland needs a goaltender and they can see him coming 10 miles away. If you want to see a bad trade happen then hope for a trade this week. I would play skinner and Smith till the deadline and hopefully circle back on a goalie after a stretch of healthy roster wins.

Jaxon

That’s a very good point. Lowetide is a refuge of tame on the internet. I guess that’s why the negative comments stand out so much. They interrupt the spirit of site. Lowetide is such a calm, reasonable and empathetic writer and commenter.

fistycuff

I’m out of posts now so I guess I’m moving over to Oilers Now. What time does the 3 posts limit reset?

fistycuff

See you then!

Woodguy v2.0

This will be my 3rd post today, so my last today.

*clear throat*

Ken Holland’s work on the defense is worse than Chiarelli’s.

I partially blame Playfair (and Tippett) as they don’t seem to value good youth over meh vets.

Laggesson has some of the best results of the whole Dcorps this year and can’t get in games unless they’re scraping the bottom of the barrel while Koekkoek continues to be poor.

I have no doubt that Playfair’s opinion of Bear played a major factor in trading him and they are certainly worse for that move.

That is all I have today.

LMHF#1

As I too am hitting my limit and you spent one of yours on my ramblings below – I will do the same here. Well said WG. I’m less bullish on Bear than most, but there was no true vision for the D as a group and that has shown through in where things are now. I had a more radical form of solution than most – but the important part was a vision period.

I already missed the longer form back and forth discussions you, I and others would have in this place and now that’s not only rare, but seemingly impossible. That’s too bad. Perhaps another venue will emerge. That is usually the nature of these things.

Mayan Oil

I am deeply saddened that the actions of a few have come to affect the enjoyment for the rest of us. I understand LT’s frustration with this and applaud his efforts to avoid this solution in the past. It has become something akin to an unruly and unmanageable child upsetting the grownup’s table and disrupting a nice dinner party.

I am unaware of the logistics involved, but what if we created a “grownups table” and a kids table” comments section? New posters start on the kids table per se and after a specified period of good behavior can move to the “grownups table”? Misbehaving to a certain degree at the grownups table gets you sent down to the kids table until behavior improves? Basically two comment sections, one as a sandbox to protect the other from disruption?

Just a thought. I look forward to an education from those on this site who know a lot more than me on how this blog thing can work…

Additionally, a new poster could move directly to the grownup table if someone is willing to vouch for them or they have passed some other form of acceptable vetting…

Jethro Tull

Two Tier Posters? Is this you, Kevin?

JOFA

You’re grounded!

Brewha Ha

How many posts could a poster post if a poster could post posts? 3 No exceptions. None. People post posts by the posters post to get a poster to post more. N/m. Just wasting posts.

Woodguy v2.0

Thinking that a private blog owner can’t do whatever he wants and thinking that JP is the “fundamental flaw of the OIlers” is the “Steve Tambellni re-signing Lennart Petrell” of lowetide blog commenter opinions.

Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve

I theorize that ziggy1397 is actually LT’s own troll account.

BornInAGretzkyJersey

I tend to think it’s another burner account for Verdud.

The writing style and hot takes are too similar to be someone else.

YYCOil

How is this community going to keep the legend of Stan Weir alive with these new rules?

Woodguy v2.0

Stan doesn’t need help.

We need Stan’s help.

Tarkus

Covid-19 has now been put in Stan Weir protocol.

unca miltie

i am a long time follower and infrequent poster.I absoluting love LT’s take on the oilers and life in general, but generally just skim the comments. Some of you may know that I am tight with another Oilers radio show in town but probably dont know that the host often teases me about my enjoyment of this site.

I am sadden by the need to limit posts and hope that will have some impact on the conversations. I noticed a significant change in the tone of the comments section when LT got involved with ON.Pretty traffic increased but negativity of posts went up. Of course the decade of darkness has had some effect as well. It would be interesting to know what some of the people who used to post here and have left have to say about why they left.
In any event, I will continue to visit on a daily basis and support the site financially from time to time.

stephen sheps

 It would be interesting to know what some of the people who used to post here and have left have to say about why they left

Interesting question:

My first comments on the blog date back to some time in 2007, maybe 2008, so I’ve been here a long time, from my late 20s into my 40s. I’ve been fortunate to make some good friends along the way from this place, folks I’ve spent really high quality time with in conversations here and in some cases in real life as well. My first academic article in the sport sociology subfield was directly connected to this place. This blog (and our host) mean the world to me, and I owe a lot of my professional success to the conversations I’ve had with some old-timey posters – Bruce, Dellow, Woodguy, G Money & Blackdog Pat to name a few.

I never really left, but I certainly don’t post as often as I used to and I can pinpoint the exact situation that resulted in my decision to scale back. I won’t get into details and won’t name names, but there were a few posters who were mean-spirited and cruel to me for no apparent reason (it was not HH – to be clear. In fact despite having very different perspectives on the world, he and I have an excellent relationship off-blog, and he’s proven to be a great friend and excellent sounding board for me now that I am teaching in a sport media program on top of my sociology classes). The point is that this incident two summers ago was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. It made me realize that the community I spent so much time in was not that community anymore and that it was time to move on. Sure I’d make an occasional Yak report (42GP, 9-16-25, go Yak go!) and leave the annual music list every holiday season, but posting on GDTs and chiming in with the occasional sociological insight or two just didn’t seem worth it anymore. For a while I was sad about it, but gradually that sadness faded. I know I can check in with LT on Twitter every now and again, read the blog in the morning and be satisfied.

Interestingly enough, my passion for the team has declined pretty significantly since I scaled back as well. Perhaps the fading sadness of the loss of community was connected to my loss of interest in the team; the same old disappointment combined with the same old arguments both got…well… old. I find myself much more interested in other sports and leagues (NBA, EPL and La Liga, NFL, F1 racing) and watching other teams more closely. I just don’t love hockey as much as I used to. Sometimes you have to let go of the things you love when they no longer bring you joy, and that’s ok.

Last edited 2 years ago by stephen sheps
unca miltie

Thanks for this. I have always enjoyed your take on things. Gentleman backpacker, Dorito Grande are a couple others I miss. Gentleman Backpacker and I were both at a game in Phoenix a few years ago and I regret that we were not able to meet. I do follow most of the guys you mention on twitter as well. So thanks for the post and I look forward to more updates on our boys in Europe.

ChupaCabra

Ahem.
Belov, Anton (Dynamo Moscow) GP: 21 G: 2 A: 5 Pts: 7 +/-: 11

greenshifter

Thank You LT.

Harpers Hair

So, here’s the deal.

I will voluntarily limit my posts to 3 per day so the rest of you can proceed as normal.

I expect some of those 3 posts will be voluminous since there is such a paucity of league news and perspective here normally.

As such, there’s word this morning that the game between Ottawa and Vancouver tomorrow will be postponed due to capacity limits in the area.

It will be interesting to see if the Senators travel east to play the Oilers and Flames or just postpone the road trip.

There is also speculation, the 3 weekend games between the Condors and Canucks in Abbotsford may get called off but there has been no final decision taken yet.

Last edited 2 years ago by Harpers Hair
Offside

I get why you might rub some people the wrong way even as I do not share their level of anger. That being said, I do appreciate your knowledge and info despite coming across as anti-oiler. Your occasional posts about your personal life seem sincere and maybe help people see the human being behind the writings. I think thats a lesson all internet commentators can use regardless of the forum (in fact, twitter seems to have adopted language to that effect)

€√¥£€^$

Thank your for your pillow case coverage, it’s been so considerate of you to so. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I could go to my favourite place on the internet to talk Oilers, but instead get too much information about teams I don’t care about.

It’s s like having a radio that only has the Polka music station. It is annoying, you try to adjust, but quickly realize it will always be annoying. Soon you just throw the radio away and get a new one.

Why do you want to do this to such a kind-hearted fellow as LT? You have trashed this place, and that is utterly disrespectful IMO. We are lucky to have this generous man adding to the quality of our lives.

What has LT ever done to you?

Last edited 2 years ago by €√¥£€^$
Johnny skid

i couldn’t agree more.

greenshifter

Voluntarily left the building already.

Decidedly Skeptical Fan

Very adult response to a difficult situation. Just want you to know your offer is appreciated by me and, I suspect, a good many others. Looking forward to your posts and to a healthy, dynamic and vibrant blog where disparate points of view can be presented for consideration.

meanashell11

Is that you Sybil?

Melvis

HA. I rarely post so nfts’ available here at smeltis.con.lol

Bill

Hope you’re doing well Melvis!

Melvis

Doing fine! The surgery had been postponed until Dec.22. And the triple bypass turned into a six way…so 6 days at RUH through Xmas until release on Dec. 28. But I can’t complain. It’s the start of a new life, basically. And I’m really looking forward to that! Thanks for your post!

Spartacus

Less HairyHasshole and PedanticPouzar?

Where do I sign up?

Jethro Tull

HFBoards.

Diablo

First post of the day …

I then went back and hit the edit button … once
… twice
… 3x
… 4x
… 5x

etc … you guys get the idea.
The edit button allows for a loop hole in the three post limit … not sure there’s anything that can be done about that.

It’s too bad that the site can’t allow for certain posters to be “timed-out”.
Though, really I do find the comments section to be mostly respectful, without any intrusive discourse that is not about hockey.

LT – been reading your site for over 15 years … probably the only reason why I continue to be an Oiler’s fan.

Keep doing your thing and by whatever rules you feel are necessary.

Last edited 2 years ago by Diablo