I’m not saying it’s right or wrong, but I believe we can all agree that Ken Holland is the only Oilers general manager this century who has the patience to endure that losing streak without making a ‘bold’ move. Hell, one of the previous general managers traded for two defensemen in the same day in a fit of pique!
Again, don’t know if it’s right or wrong, but it’s fitting to acknowledge that the Oilers GM kept his powder dry while the team was on a carousel for six weeks. Now what?
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Have Oilers trade assets changed in light of the Evander Kane signing?
- New DNB/Kevin Kurz: Why the Oilers are taking a chance on Evander Kane
- Lowetide: Grading the first 3 years of Ken Holland’s Oilers trades
- DNB: Adam Cracknell is now a Canadian Olympian.
- Lowetide: Leon Draisaitl’s history of long Decembers and what came after
- Lowetide: Three first-shot scorers in Oilers system in a race to make NHL
- DNB: Dylan Holloway resumes road to Oilers after frustrating injury interruption
- Jonathan Willis: Loss underlines how over-reliant Oilers are on offence from the defence
- Lowetide: Making the waiver call on young Oilers players as the deadline approaches
- New DNB: Oilers’ flaws can’t be ignored as losing skid goes from bad to worse
- Lowetide: Why can’t the Oilers win a trade in the Connor McDavid era?
- DNB: ‘We’re finding ways to lose’
- Lowetide: Midseason review of Oilers reasonable predictions for 2021-22
- DNB: The Oilers aren’t getting a dominant Leon Draisaitl right now
- Lowetide: What to expect from Dylan Holloway in Bakersfield and Edmonton this season
- DNB: Connor McDavid supports Oilers’ pursuit of Evander Kane.
- DNB: Ken Holland speaks
- Lowetide: Forget the Connor McDavid bump, Jesse Puljujarvi is the real deal after all
- Lowetide: Should the Oilers sign Evander Kane and what would it look like?
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers forward lineup isn’t deep or good enough
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2021
WHAT TO EXPECT IN JANUARY
- On the road to: NYI, NYR, TOR (Expected 1-2-0) (Actual 0-2-1)
- At home to: OTT, FLA, CGY (Expected 1-2-0) (Actual 1-2-0)
- On the road to: VAN (Expected 0-0-1) (Actual 1-0-0)
- At home to: NAS (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- On the road to: MTL, OTT (Expected 2-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 4-5-1, 9 points in 10 games
- Actual January results: 3-4-1, 7 points in 8 games
- Oilers in 2021-22: 21-16-2, 44 points in 39 games
The Oilers are on a pace for 91.5 points now, and by percentage points are in a flat-footed tie with Los Angeles and Anaheim for third place. These last three wins have straightened things out in January pretty well, and there’s a chance the club could exceed my projections with two more wins. What a crazy ride. Two more wins to close out January, a dangerous thing to assume, would leave Edmonton at the halfway point with a 23-16-2 record, good for 48 points in 41 games. That’s going to be a playoff team, and chances are it’s Edmonton v. Calgary in the opening round. Music!
- Mikko Koskinen stopped 28 of 30, .933 and stoned some damn good scorers (Matt Duchene late) in the game and in the shootout. He has had some up and down moments recently, but the team has rallied behind him and it’s a feelgood story now. Winning is a helluva drug. McDavid said some very nice things about Mikko postgame. This team appears past bonded, more like welded after the things they’ve seen this season.
- Warren Foegele was physical, had four shots and was hard to play against, drew a penalty and I noticed him in a good way several times. Leon Draisaitl had an active night (a late pass to Zack Kassian was beyond sublime) and Jesse Puljujarvi was running at high speed all night. He had a helluva time hitting the net and seemed a little off (he could have sent Leon in on a clean breakaway but the pass wasn’t quite good enough) at times with the puck, but did have two HDSC’s. The line was a little underwater on the night, albeit against a fine club and eight minutes against Roman Josi.
- Connor McDavid scored a fantastic goal to get the Oilers even in the first period, it’s kind of difficult trying to find fresh words 216 goals into his NHL career. Safe to say it was atemberaubend. His shootout goal made Saros look silly, although that’s more a reflection of the quality of the move than the goalie. A normal goalie would have needed the ‘jaws of life’ to get untangled from that deke. Nuge was solid again, he’s come back renewed from his time on IR. Yamamoto should be nicknamed ping pong, he can be in the play one minute and gone the next. He drew a penalty because of course he did.
- Zach Hyman was noticeable in a good way, all over the ice and shooting (four shots) and working (two takeaways). He should be on a line with more skill, but had three HDSC’s at five-on-five to lead the team. Ryan McLeod is speedy but had a tougher time against the robust Preds than recently opponents. Zack Kassian had four shots, two HDSC, he had a great look late but turned and fired so the Nashville blue easily blocked the shot.
- The fourth line played well, getting a goal for after giving up an early goal. Shore isn’t popular among many in the fan base, but credit to him he is playing with abandon currently.
- Darnell Nurse had an assist, four shots, five hits, a late OT power move and was in a lot of frames over the evening. Nurse’s Oilers dominated Nick Cousins line 1-0 goals and 8-2 shots, but had a tough time with the Duchene line. Bouchard scored a massive goal from the point, he could score 20 goals in his first full season and I’m not even lying. There are times when chaos comes calling for Bouchard, but he’s such a wonderful young player.
- Duncan Keith got caught on the second Nashville goal, he seems to enjoy making risky plays from time to time. You’d think a person would iron that out of their game after 5,000,000 sorties, but Keith has moments where he skates to the chaos. He had three giveaways on the night. Ceci was more reliable with three shots, three hits, a couple of blocked shots and a takeaway. Keith-Ceci are 18-21 on-ice goal differential at five-on-five as a tandem this season.
- Kris Russell blocked a couple of shots, hit some people, played a safe game and watched William Lagesson get flattened eight times. My goodness Willy L. had a time with the Nashville forecheck. He is 5-7 goals five-on-five for the year and has an expected goals percentage of 53.6 so he must be doing something right.
EVANDER KANE
I always view a team through the eyes of the general manager, probably why I’m harder on them than the coach most times. In the case of Ken Holland, his best deal was delivering Jesse Puljujarvi back to the team on a fantastic two-year contract. He also had success with unrestricted (Tyson Barrie and Mike Smith to one-year deals that worked out handsomely) free agents, but the record is less pristine when taking every signing into account.
The Evander Kane signing, as a hockey procurement, reminds me of the Glen Sather years. Time and again Slats would add a top flight veteran for a Stanley run and pay less than 100 cents on the dollar. Mark Napier, Marty McSorley, Craig MacTavish, Kent Nilsson, Reijo Ruotsalainen, all acquired in the 1980’s for less than full price.
Evander Kane is such a player. His acquisition for the current Oilers, at the price paid, is outrageous from a hockey point of view.
Alas, there is more than hockey in this scenario.
The Kane case is not a single event, and there’s so much in his back story the mind labors to keep it all straight. At what point is redemption, forgiveness, denied? I can’t answer that, it’s a personal decision. I have no doubt there are fans who will consider this a bridge too far, and move on from cheering from the team due to this issue.
I think this is an individual decision and you’re going to have to make it on your own. There’s a tremendous amount out there about him, and there’s a great interview at TSN.
I believe in redemption. I believe in hearing the words from the person and I believe in forgiveness for those who are truly sorry for pain caused to others. I will listen and decide, and we’ll all have to respect each other’s decisions on the matter and hope for a better day for everyone involved.
There’s no magic. Only hard work and hopefully a better day. Nothing is guaranteed.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
A busy day on the Lowdown, beginning at 10, TSN1260. We’ll review the press conference at 10, Steve Lansky at 10:20 and Matt Iwanyk in hour two. We also want to hear from you. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Important day.
It pains me not to do so, but out of respect for LT’s rules, I won’t quote anything from this article.
https://theathletic.com/3083083/2022/01/29/how-to-build-an-analytics-department-montreal-canadiens-and-others-prepare-to-join-nhls-push-into-big-data/
Notable quotes are Hughes, Tulsky, Doerrie, Stokes, and the skittles thing.
It’s a must read if you’re a subscriber.
When Tulsky mentions that NHL teams have a hard time competing on salaries in this space, it puts things in perspective.
I just scanned thru Kane’s fight card….Chara….Reaves….Gudbrandson….this guy is nuts
https://youtu.be/nyvvu_tH_wI
3 Fights in one game
Panthers better bring back the RATS for playoff hockey. Panthers – Flyers, what a fuckin series in 95-96
Oilers better bring back the RIG as well. I may be in project management now and not get my white collar dirty, but if it was not for oil field servicing, I would have not been able to pay off my post secondaries without the crude (Wheat N Oil).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn0MnufQcZ0 4:05
The Rangers-Wild game ended similar to Game 6 of the 2017 playoffs against Anaheim with a goal scored in the dying seconds with Talbot goalpads being interferred with. But this time, the goal is disallowed.
haha, man… but.. would it be disallowed in playoff hockey, it hurts to think
Believe that was game Sekera was lost on dirty Getz play, outside the Kesler Talbot pad play.
I was livid after that Getz hit. Clearly he hit to injure and drove his knee into Sek’s. Watching Sek after made me ill. That seriously affected his career.
I watched that game too. Officiating in the NHL has become so inconsistent that it’s hard to believe they allow sports betting. One game, it’s called a good goal, the next it’s disallowed. Same play different result. I thought it was a good goal. What did you think?
The Kane bet is going to pay off. I do think.
More penalties will be called against the oilers; but Kane will help when games get chippy and liberties are taken against our star or smaller players.
I feel like Holland is in one step forward, two steps back territory with his track record however (in general). Need to at least saw it off with acquisitions and terms.
Kane is likely to score more goals than the players he is replacing.
How many?
Well, he has not logged a full season for, well, ever (82 gamer), but pro-rating him to be a 30 goal scorer is not completely off the rocker.
Very curious how the 3rd line is going to establish itself, how fast it can meld. Can RNH and selected individuals start pushing the river in the bottom 6 as a 3rd line and crush opposition.. Time will tell.
Will Kassian excel in his potential staple to the 3rd line, I would like to think so.
Considering he is only replacing one player and I’ll guess that to be say Benson. I’ll say 17.
If Kane scores 17 in half a season, he would far surpass his best NHL season.
And he ain’t replacing Tyler Benson who couldn’t score a goal if there was no one else on the ice.
21-22 43GP 17G 0.395 goals/game (maybe)
20-21 56GP 22G 0.393 goals/game
19-20 64GP 26G 0.406 goals/game
18-19 75GP 30G 0.400 goals/game
etc.
.33
17
@Buzzsaws1990
·
10h
Yoko Ono has threatened to have her music added to Spotify unless Joe Rogan is removed
I think Neil Young did as well…not sure it’s for same reason but I read something about it somewhere.
In a move that sent shock waves through the music industry, streaming giant Spotify removed Neil Young’s songs from its platform at the request of Young’s label, Warner Music/Reprise Records. The iconic Canadian rocker had posted an open letter to his management and his record label asking that his music be scrubbed from Spotify if it continued to carry the controversial podcast The Joe Rogan Experience.
I think you missed the joke. That might have been the best post ever by the old man from Parksville. 🙂
Lol. Nah, I got that part. It was well thought out for sure. Just throwin in a couple pennies and thoughts. Boring night at work.
Joni Mitchell too.
Cancel culture is a plague.
The pendulum always swings back sooner or later.
The age of misinformation is nuclear holocaust of open discourse. We live now in nuclear winter of information exchange.
Joe Rogan is a parasite that feeds off this and perpetuates the vortex of our oblivion.
Good for Neil having the balls to sacrifice part of his lively hood in the name truth.
Doing the right thing.
It’s real . . .
And it’s spectacular.
^^^Someone put the fear in this boy bad.
The Colorado juggernaught keeps rolling.
6-4 win over the Hawks on the road..
Kadri with 1G 2A..now tied for 3rd in league scoring.
Landeskog 2G 1A
Rantanen with 2A
Makar with 1G 1A
The Avalanche now 13-0-1 in January with their next game against Buffalo. 🙂
On pace for 132 points.
Oh, BTW, MacKinnon missed the game due to injury.
Maybe they’ll win the President’s trophy
So a first place team beat a non-playoff team and a d-man and a known top offensive d-man scored an empty net goal.
Great info!
Last night: STL rolled the flames 5-1.
Saad with 2G 1A
Schenn with 2A.
Yeah…whatever.
This has nothing to do with how dominant the Avalanche are…but keep grasping at any straw you can find.
Bitter? Maybe he is, little? I’m not sure you’d say that to OPs face.
Hah! What a hypocritical troll, calling someone else a bitter little man.
I’m so glad Calgary didn’t get Kadri he’s the definition of talent that’s hard to play against. If the Flames had Kadri and Bennett that’s a playoff team I would not want to face. I still can’t believe Sutter couldn’t find the niche for Bennett the way the Panthers have. Panthers and Av’s final sure would showcase the beauty of the game.
Didn’t they trade him before Sutter came?
Yes.
Sutter was I believe hired March 4th but he had to wait to join the team for 4 or 5 days because of Covid. Bennett was traded April 12th so he did have a month to evaluate him. My Calgary buddies were bragging how Sutter was going to unleash the real Bennett that everyone seen glimpses of. They also said Sutter would get the most out of Lucic so they did hit on 1out of 2.
That would be a classic final.
Sure is mellow in here when the kids go to sleepy.
You know what’s super interesting?
First, 132 points would be the best number in more than 40 years.
Second, teams that overachieve in the regular season actually mostly fail to win Cups.
The top 10 teams in points since 79-80 when the Oilers entered the league:
1) 131 1996 Red Wings – Lost conference finals
2) 128 2019 Lightning — Lost 1st round
3) 124 2006 Red Wings – Lost 1st round (to the Oilers!)
4) 121 2010 Capitals — Lost 1st round
5) 120 2016 Capitals —– Lost 2nd round
6) 119 1993 Penguins —- Lost 2nd round
7) 119 1984 Oilers ——– Won Stanley Cup
8) 119 1986 Oilers ——– Lost 2nd round
9) 118 1982 Islanders —- Won Stanley Cup
10) 118 2017 Capitals —- Lost 2nd round
Pretty weird hey?
Shit happens all the time.
What’s the point in posting any of this? You’re taking liberties with the comments section again, please stop.
It’s classic baiting yet he continues to get away with it. I have flagged him a couple of times but nothing ever gets done around here.
I remember when the avs had the craziest team in 03-04 and lost in round 2. I was so sad. Joe Sakic, Tanguay, Hejduk, Forsberg, Kariya, Selanne. Their goalies were pretty good too. It happens. Friggen playoffs Rick
For the last minute, protecting the one-goal lead with the Condors on the PP and the goalie pulled (so, 5 on 5 skaters), Holloway’s linemates, Schaller and Hamlin are out there with Malone, not Holloway.
Holloway was partially responsible for the previous goal with the failed zone entry on the PP but I don’t think it was necessarily egregious and I’d like to think that him not out there was just getting the uber-responsible captain Malone protecting the lead and not the rookie in his fourth game.
Frantic action around Stalock but they hold on for the 5-4 win.
Holloway stopped on the PP zone entry, a lost battle by Marody (a tough one for him), a 2 on 1 the other way, the pass across goes off the skate and in.
Unless this is called back its 5-4 Condors with a minute to go.
Its actually called off as over-turned on a kicking motion and now Tuscon is challenging.
Challenge won – the overturned call was overturned.
5-4 with a minute to go but Condors still on the PP.
Massive save by Stalock at the end of a 5 on 3 – going post to post and getting a pad on a cross-ice one timer.
Lavoie with the zone entry on the left side (after gloving down an airborne puck), drop for Esposito who makes a strong play to curl, come up high and dish to Niemelainen driving it to the zone – Niemelainen takes it down low and dishes to the slot for Lavoie who buries his 2nd.
5-2 Condors.
Great plays by all of them.
Tucson gets that one right back off the rush – centering pass went off Malone’s stake right to an attacker for an empty net (matching the luckiness of Lavoie’s first goal0
A pushing match between Kesslering and a Roadrunner turns into a full fight – twice Kesslering knocks the opponent down with a big right.
An easy decision for the rapidly developing d-man.
Samorukov is having a very strong game. Very solid defensively (some plus zone entry defends and shot blocks), some very strong puck transition plays and a couple plays in the offensive zone.
Kane seems intelligent, arrogant, and unapologetic…Honestly he reminds me of me.
Imagine what social media folks would have typed when the Oilers embarked on the McTavish reclamation project. Vehicular manslaughter, drunk driving, death of a 26 year old woman….
McTavish served time in prison for his crime.
Sounds like Virtanen will be too
How is HH so hard down voted on such a straight fact!?!?!
It seems the media (and many others) are looking for him to apologize for allegations that have proven to be false or without corroboration/evidence.
He’s not having it I don’t blame him
Not long ago it was being discussed here that hockey players are too vanilla and boring. No free thinkers like the NBA
The treatment Kane gets is why methinks. Many seem offended he won’t dance on the carpet for them, despite what he is telling them
And nobody can seem to bother to mention his work for racial issues and the foundation he helped start, positive things he has done and is doing
Few are all good or all bad
A gift for Lavoie – a dump in, tender goes out to play it but it takes a bounce off the zamboni entrance out front to Lavoie with an empty cage.
4-2 Condors with 15 to go in the 3rd.
They’re climbing but their spot in the standings doesn’t reflect how good that team has played over the past couple of months. Plenty of games in hand and they’re spitting out wins.
Holloway with his first pro minor – trying to help on an offensive zone faceoff, swings for the puck, misses and takes out the skates – easy call.
Lots don’t like the term “reverse hit” or the play but Holloway just flattened and opponent with one on an offensive zone-battle.
Game is getting a bit fiesty – Stalock seemed to get run from behind behind the net – 10 seconds later Deharnais scraps at center ice.
The Marody/Malone/Griffith line is pretty dominant so far tonight – Marody to with a slick backhand outlet pass to Griffith who leads a 3 on 1 (with Malone and Sammy) after a solid save by Stalock – a great pass to Malone who misses a wide open net.
Puck goes behind the net and the Tuscon player falls as he’s about to make a play, Marody who was following the play arrives and he and Malone kind of both pass it over to Griffith – cross-crease for any easy finish.
Both Marody and Malone will get assists.
Congrats to baby Zibanejad on his first pro goal.
Marody killing some penalties (kind of similar to Benson last year, in a depth role)….. ooop, Tuscon with their second PP goal of the period to tie it up.
Niemelainen/Deharnais beat on a down low play on the PK for the second time this game…..
Hamblin winds faceoff, Holloway helps with the winger-win to get it back to the point, down to Schaller who puts a shot on net, Holloways drives the net, takes the rebound in the slot, goes to the backhand and scores a pretty one for his first pro goal!
Berglund should get the second assist as he was the point player that moved the puck down to Schaller.
Video evidence:
https://mobile.twitter.com/Condors/status/1487259531130245122?cxt=HHwWhMConb2q56MpAAAA
Tuscon ties it up on the PP – a cross-crease pass down low – Deharnais not really covering his man there…
Holloway carries the puck up and in on the right side on a 2 on 2, cuts to the middle and gains a step but slips/is tripped….. not call…… Holloway gets up as he nears the far side boards but kind of slips as he’s getting up and as he’s falling is nailed by a check that looked like it was directly from behind. He looks no worse for where but I’ll be looking for his next shift….
Holloway didn’t miss a shift – no issues.
Condors kill a penalty that then Marody from Griffith and Malone on the PP.
Condors won the draw back to Holloway and had possession for about a minute but the goal came off a puck retrieval that got the puck back to Holloway at the left point, a shot pass to Malone in motion through he middle, cross-ice to Griffth had hit Marody back door who didn’t get all o it but got enough of it.
Nugent-Bowman joins the ranks of the media that seems to think that the press conference should have been the start of the Evander Kane redemption or reclamation tour where he needed to take responsibility for all his past indiscretions, real or alleged.
https://theathletic.com/3099525/2022/01/28/nugent-bowman-oilers-leaders-believe-evander-kane-will-buy-in-and-theyll-have-to-be-accountable-for-that/
It felt like the media wanted Kane to take responsibility for alleged transgressions that Kane continues to deny occurred as being described to the public (and have not been proven).
He’s taken responsibility for gambling issues (and that’s likely part of a disease) and the fake passport.
I kind of like DNB, but he also kind of rubs me the wrong way.
Calling out Koskinen as hard as he did (the team needs to move on) didn’t sit right with me.
I’m a fan of DNB. I like his writing and he asks great questions. The Koskinen call was I believe almost universal and remains a likely scenario imo.
Just to be clear, I am also a fan of Nugent-Bowman – I just feel a bit, hmmm, awkward about what the media seems to be asking for/requiring.
I don’t think a public statement by Kane saying “I’ve been a bad person and a I did bad things and I promise to try and be a better person” is something that should be required.
Most of the “bad things” are alleged and he’s denied and have found to be false or nothing substantial to substantiate the allegations. He has spoken about the gambling and has received professional help.
The vaccine passport faking – yes – maybe he could be a bit more apologetic for that but he dealt with harsh consequences for that.
The recent travel/late report for camp that led to contract termination is under dispute.
I agree on his writing and questions. And you’re right on Koskinen, but I still feel uncomfortable that it was put out there as starkly as that. I’m not sure what purpose it serves.
What DNB dealt with was likely the most important aspect of the whole transaction while others glossed over it.
He wrote about the indisputable fact that players in both Winnipeg and San Jose wanted Kane gone for not being a team mate, ignoring team rules and not showing up for practises on time or at all.
If I had been at the press conference, that is the first question I would have asked Kane since it has the most impact on how the team will deal with him going forward.
If you listened to the press conference, Kane expressly spoke to that matter.
I would also note that two organizations, including the Sharks, thought well enough of the player/person after a stint to sign-him to a long term extension.
It seem pretty unlikely he’ll cause any negative issues over the term of this contract.
Griffith, Marody and Malone dominate an offensive zone shift – no goal (or even a high danger chance) but Marody made this super quick stop and direction change with the puck that totally beat the d-man – it looked like super great and quick edges to me – not something that player has been known for. No, it wasn’t a McDavid or Makar change of direction but impressive nonetheless… to me.
My favourite classic Samorukov play – the step up at the defensive blue defending the rush and the offensive puck carrier stopped in his tracks for a turnover. More please.
Tullio pots his 18th goal of the season to draw Oshawa even at 3 in the third.
Petrov remains out of the North Bay lineup.
Tullio finishes with the one goal as Oshawa falls 4-3 to Kingston. (Shane Wright assisted on all four goals for the Frontenacs.)
Meanwhile, Wanner has an apple for Moose Jaw as they take a 2-1 lead in the second.
Interesting to note that teammates of Tullio and Wanner show up in Button’s list of top 10 draft prospects for 2023.
Ken Holland referenced the guide and record book again! Everyone drinks!
Seriously, he is trolling, right? What the hell is the guide and record book?
I used to buy it every year. I bet I have 12 or more in the house.
He’s got me a shooter mentality!
OriginalPouzar
@coopsie39
·
8h
Do #oilers fans, media and radio personalities know that when Holland mentions the “Guide and Record Book”, he is really just trolling the public who take it at face value and actually don’t think he looks beyond it?
I believe Ken Holland is telling people where he gets his information. My proof is the Duncan Keith trade.
Wholeheartedly agree LT. Does it say anything in there about elderly goalies?
Wasn’t the ‘smart’ information wrong though? Or largely wrong?
I think Holland got (so far at least) exactly what he was expecting.
Keith has played well, although Puck IQ suggests a third pairing deployment would be better than second pair. The issue in the Keith trade was the amount of money coming with no compensation. Edmonton should have received a pick/something for taking on all the money.
I see where you’re coming from on deployment, but don’t really agree. Beyond preferring the whole sample over the smaller one, I wonder whether the wrong partner is being pegged as the problem (the Keith/Ceci WOWYs speak pretty loudly, though also in sss).
In either case, I think the amateur analytics that concluded ‘Keith is a 3LD, at best’ were clearly wrong. I don’t believe you ever claimed quite that, but it was a widespread opinion that’s had a major impact on perceptions of the team (all levels) since.
I can’t claim that Holland won the trade, but I’ve said since the summer I believe Holland wanted 2 things from it: 1) a competent/good 2LD, and 2) experience. He paid in full (and quite possibly over paid), but he’s gotten what he wanted from the on ice part IMO. The other part can only be measured (and then poorly) by how the team does come playoff time.
That’s all fair. I’d like to see an additional LH defenseman added, more of a shutdown type. He might be a good match for Ceci, and perhaps Bouchard can step in with Keith. I think that’s a next year idea, though.
I completely agree with that (and also wonder what a Keith-Larsson Oilers would have looked like). It likely will have to wait, but possibly Holland can find someone who helps before the deadline. It would make a big difference.
I agree whole heartedly with JP on this
Me too. I’d even claim that in terms of players, they clearly won the trade.
I don’t but that’s OK, we don’t need to agree on that.
I’m still not convinced that Broberg isn’t dealing with effects of that head shot (Holt did say prior to last game his absence is NOT related to the head shot) – its probably Covid related but I remain a tiny bit skeptical.
Ryan Holt
@CondorsHolty
·
5m
Alright here we go…
Alex Stalock emerges from a Condors dressing room blasting some Motley Crue. He’ll make his second start.
Brad Malone returns. No Broberg.
Update: Holt just confirmed that Broberg is in protocol – good to hear (weird to type that).
MSM
A few days ago there was a really interesting thread about MSM on this site. I had to look up what MSM stood for, when I realized it was mainstream media – that helped a lot. MSM is one of the reasons I love THIS site. This community has it’s drawbacks of course, nothing is perfect, but at least it feels closer to genuine.
I like following the Oilers, but I don’t do it religiously. I follow MSM for fun and then I visit here. The comments section gets me laughing and the author settles me down. Both make me think.
My experience with MSM recently:
I have seen a player get brutally embarrassed at a press conference. I think it was mentioned that “the fans don’t want him.”
I’ve read that a player would be better off in Seattle because he is handsome.
I have listened to a print reporter say in an interview that all the players on the Edmonton Oilers can’t stand to watch one of their team mates get on the ice.
I have listened to a former player mention that a reporter lied to him in order to get him to beat someone up. Just for laughs.
I have seen articles that are nothing but “hit pieces” on particular athletes.
I have seen multiple authors repeatedly vilify athletes for the same mistake in a day. (on the same website) Nothing like a pack of wolves.
I have now heard media figures make multiple conclusions about multiple athlete’s personal lives.
I have seen media folks question the intelligence of fans repeatedly but never challenge others “who are obviously smarter than the rest of us.”
My two cents:
As for relying on the media to TRY to be genuine, I don’t really look at it that way anymore. I do get entertained by the stunts they attempt and the narratives they put forth. It’s kind of like watching a trashy “B movie.” It’s fun while you’re doing it, but you kind of regret you wasted the time afterward.
With regard to all the conclusions that are made about athletes personal lives or how they “like / hate each other” etc., etc…. Honestly, I can’t even make accurate judgements about people I know well. Isn’t there a saying “you think you know someone?” Well that happens to me all the time in my personal life.
I know we all make judgements about people and their character so I don’t look down on anyone who does. I just try to avoid it, especially on the internet It’s a tough one for me – too soft hearted and not informed enough I guess. On the other hand, I DEFINTITELY will not rely on the MSM to help my judgement, that circus is way too wild for me.
But I’m the type of guy that considers giving money to people on the phone because they are have a great “investment opportunity in Africa” for me. Additionally, when I give strangers money, I assume they are buying “groceries” with it.
Maybe I should just be be a little more judicious about individuals.
I know this is too long, thanks for your patience.
If you looked at the verbal around the league with Calgary doing everything right and Oilers doing all the wrong things you’d be shocked to find out the Oilers are only 2 points behind and just filled their 2nd biggest roster hole in first person shooter and they got here having had to play their 8th LHD on their depth chart
And with our #1 Goalie about to return
The Oilers #1 goalie has a save percentage of .898.
The Flames #1 goalie has a save percentage of .923.
Calgary has played 25 road games and only 14 at home.
The Flames have completed 3 Eastern road trips including the swing through Florida, Tampa and Carolina…that awaits the Oilers.
The Flames schedule in February is ridiculously easy.
OP likes to point out that Calgary has a poor home record but in fact their win percentage is actually .571 and that is very likely going to get much better while. the Flames don’t travel much and are able to sit and wait for tired teams to come to the Saddledome.
as pointed out before the gords are unlikely to remember that Calgary is not allowed to get injured
also the Oilers have been Western conference killers even with the long slump
Rested players are far less likely to get injured.
You are purportedly a medical professional…look it up.
Thing is, the Eastern Conference is where the stone cold killers reside.
Calgary is, for the most part, done with them…the Oilers are not.
Calgary has literally played the same number of games as Edmonton. Where is this rest coming from!!!!
as a medical professional you’re ECHL level trolling needs help
Good grief…the rest comes from not having to travel between games.
While other teams spend multiple days traveling, the Flames can take R&R days or practice.
In February, the Flames play only 4 games against teams currently in the playoffs and all of those games are at home.
The home team on average wins 54% of the time.
Their March schedule is even easier.
I’m sorry to break it to you but if you’re a believer of what you are saying you’ll be interested to learn that Oilers have 3 b2b games left. The flames 9. Oh my!!
The dice have no memory. Every game presents an opportunity to get injured. All it takes is one hit. One slash. Or one puck. Covid is out of the way. Markstrom. Johnny. Tkachuk. Lindholm. Hannifin. Mangiapane. It could land on anyone of them at anytime.
Calgary’s win percentage at home is 6/14 = .429
Calgary’s points percentage at home is .571
Different stats.
One can say that the flames have an easier schedule going forward given they have done a couple tough eastern trips and their remaining schedule is home-weighted. At the same time, they have not been good at home this season and are a much better road team to this point in the season.
I have stated a number of times recently, the fact that flames are barely up on the Oilers despite having essentially no adversity vis-a-vis man games lost (zero material man games lost due to Covid or injury – just the Pitlick’s of the world) and the Oilers have been ravaged is just as, if not more, telling than the schedule.
We’ll see where it goes from here but not the flames not creating separation on a team ravaged over the 6 week stretch is not promising for them.
9 b2b games for the Flames left. Tough sailing ahead
Haha- that was a good debate between you two. Have to vote leadfarmer as the winner because b2b trumps road games as a disadvantage in my mind
apparently even HH agrees with this as evidenced by his lack of response haha 🙂
My biggest hope with the Kane signing is that it balances the roster sufficiently so that we finally see the hydra of McDavid, Draisaitl & RNH at C.
Hopefully that thought occurs to Tippett sooner rather than later. He’s very stubborn on Nuge in the Top 6. Wish he was a little more stubborn about building a functional 3L.
Absolutely
there is no better fix to 3c than having Nuge there. And also provides a nice landing pad for Holloway
I don’t understand how posters can watch McLeod skate through the neutral ice and gain the ozone with the puck and still want to replace him with Nuge.
McLeod is bigger, faster and better at faceoffs. Nuge is much better once inside the ozone, but that part of McLeod game is coming on as well.
Let’s face it, the best spot for Nuge on this team is LW with McDavid or Draisaitl.
because I don’t like “kid lines” as they are easy prey for opposition and would like an old pro to mentor Holloway. McLeod is my 4th line Center
If you put Foegele and Hyman with McLeod you avoid the kid line problem.
Roll 4 like the big boys
But it’ll be
Kane McD JP
Nuge Drai Hyman
I think the emergence of McLeod since his poor camp and early struggles (prior to re-assignment and recall) provide a functional 3rd line.
He’s 8-10 goals without McDavid, Drai or Nuge and been coming on much stronger the last 6-8 weeks.
His general defensive responsibility along with his ability to transition the puck through the neutral zone and in to the offensive zone is material and is highly material in making an effective 3rd line – in my opinion.
As an aside, I’m not arguing against Nuge at 3C and McLeod at 4C, just propping up McLeod’s recent work at 3C – and I was very hard on McLeod early..
He had Nuge at 3C in practice recently (earlier this week?). Seems he’s though of it.
Thinking about Oilers forward line combinations has gone from depressing to exhilarating!
What would it take to get one of these two goals
1.Carter Hart (23) – does he need a chance of scenario? He has won 7 and lost 14 games this year and has not won since December 14, 2021
MacKenzie Blackwood (25) – he is 9 wins and 9 losses this year and .894 SV% and 3.18% GAA was he suppose to be a superstar by now?
Would Skinner and high draft pick get it done? This would trade a high valued goalie with 10 games and another asset. for a young goalie with +100 NHL games.
I like the names.
But, I doubt the Devils or Flyers are in a hurry to sell their young starting goalies they have spent years developing.
Also, the cost would be significantly higher than Skinner + a 1st. Skinner has very little trade value. He is not a high pick/famous and has very mediocre numbers in the NHL/AHL.
Plus, Edmonton would likely have to send money back (Koski/Kassian) which would push the cost even higher.
Skinner has a non-zero probability of becoming the best of the three. So why would you do that.
Skinner has gotten better every pro season. Can Hart or Blackwood say that?
Carter Hart’s W/L record is a product of his team and his stats being much better than the records show the level of his play.
I can’t imagine that Skinner and our 1st would even come close for Hart.
Welcome to Edmonton, Evander Kane!
Man, never imagined I would be typing that sentence unironically.
Huge pick up, and I am 100% on board. The press conference was hard to watch. The TMZ reporters took over the question period, which was unfortunate to see, but not unexpected. Just hope these talking heads don’t turn Kane into a distraction for the team, and then write self-prophesizing articles about how Kane is a distraction for the team. He’s here to play hockey.
Prior Narrative: Kassian needs the fans to be fully engaged.
New Narrative: Kassian should play with McDavid and Kane because Kane will “drag Kass in to the fight” and “old Kass” will be back.
Godot Narrative: Kassian really just isn’t any good.
No narrative: Kassian is likely the worst forward on the roster now. Earlier I would have said Shore but Shore has outplayed Zack recently.
January 22, Oilers 5 Flames 3
Oct 16 Oilers 5 Flames 2
Oct 4 Oilers 4 Flames 3
Sept 26 Oilers 4 Flames 0
People can twist whatever stats they like, at the end of the game the Oilers continue to provide more then enough evidence that they are the stronger club. They win, the ultimate stat at the end.
They got a better goalie, and Sutter can coach but they’re not the better squad. Or they’d win.
While I personally think overall the Oilers are a better team than the Flames, the 4 victories thus far are not as persuasive as you’d suggest. The first 2 wins were exhibition so they are really pretty meaningless for the debate. And 2 regular season victories are good, but Edmonton went 7-2 against the Jets in the regular season last year including winning the last 6 before shooting themselves in the foot in the playoffs.
This is true vis-a-vis the flames but one could argue that the Oilers were just as good, if not better, than the Jets and a .950 Hellebuyck and a Mike Smith that was “OK” but not near regular season form was the main difference. Numbers help substantiate that argument.
As an aside, I feel the Jets did “earn” lots of their “puck luck” in the series with “harder” play (i.e. net front, etc.).
I think your response actually helps at least partially prove my point. If you’re saying that the Jets winning 4 in a row in the playoffs does not prove they are the better team than the Oilers, then it can’t be said that the Oilers beating the Flames twice in the regular season proves they are the better team than the Flames.
And trying to exclude goalie performance to determine the better team? Well the whole team includes the goalie and the team’s ability to keep the puck out of the net. The Oilers controlled the general flow of the games against the Jets, but they haven’t shaken that habit of glaring missed assignments or giveaways that result in goals against.
Going further, your argument to say that the Oilers could have been the better team against Winnipeg would also support Calgary possibly being the better team in the 2 games this season despite losing. Calgary has substantially more shots in both games and a clear edge in scoring chances.
Shots on goal should be a lost and forgotten stat. Grade A and grade B-HDSC should have taken over, and made shots on net stats obsolete. Shots on goal should be like +/- . A tool that is mostly irrelevant when in fact, better metrics are available. Similar to the “guide and record book”. Looking at you Holland.
HDSC were 60% for Edmonton. Scoring chances were 58%.
Old stats such as shots on net and +/-, should be ranked in this order of relevance: 1- Dodo bird 2-Cave man 3-Bruce McCurdy 4-Plus/minus 5-Man walks on moon 6-Shots on net 7-dodo bird 8-Stan Weir 9-Woodguy/Dellow 10-Flying cars 11-Man walks on Mars
jk Bruce, Darcy and Tyler. Not joking Stan Weir
Wut?
Just joking around mostly. But no senses of humour… or at least my kind of humour round these parts. I’m Basically saying in a joking manner that shots on net and plus-minus numbers are mostly obsolete stats that have no meaning (to me) anymore, in light of better/newer analytical stats such as HDSC chances. Shots on goal mean nearly nothing. Depends way too much on who is keeping track. eg. Against Calgary, 5 shoot ins from the red line hit the goalie and it’s counted as a shot on net. 3 hit posts don’t count. Then the goalie swats a puck that is clearly going wide and gets counted as a shot. It’s no longer a stat that means a lot to me. Sure, plus-minus and shots on net give indications, but clearly, they cannot be relied on. I value Bruce and Davids Grade A chances for and against way more. As for plus-minus, I also value Bruce and Davids culpability (whose at fault)stats much more. As for save percentages, well, don’t even get me started. The reason I say that is because of the shots on net stat. The stat reminds me of the Russian figure skating judging. Russian Skater falls flat on ice during a triple loop. Russian judge scores the skate as a ten. Same happens with shots on net skewing save percentages.
I did agree with you on the Flames vs. Oilers points and, with respect to EDM/WIN, yes, can’t discount top goaltending as part of the team.
Didn’t realize Tullio is leading the OHL in the shots on goal.
^^^This post is ironically well-placed considering the comments just above it.
Really enjoying the soap boxers today. Lots of vitriol for Kane from the folks that have never erred. What exactly has he done that has been illegal or had a direct impact on anyone other than himself? A-hole, arrogant? Maybe, but not illegal. Gambling addict forced to file for bankruptcy as a result of his addiction? Sure admittedly so but not illegal. Child abuser? Nope. Domestic abuser? Nope. Given sole custody of his kid. Anyone who has ever been in a custody battle over a child knows that there are only 2 ways the father gets sole custody. He certainly doesn’t get it if he is a domestic and child abuser. Covid violation? Yep and was punished. Immoral sure, but not illegal. Covid violator entering Canada? Nope. Investigated by the NHL and Canada Border and Customs and found to be innocent. It’s very unfortunate that the keyboard, cancel culture has adopted the Napoleonic code. You don’t have to like the man, but you definitely have no right to defame or slander the man….Actually….THAT IS ILLEGAL.
A person doesn’t have to do illegal things to be a pain in the ass and a major distraction in the workplace.
50 percent of society falls into that bucket. Many of them post on social media….lol
You sound like Woody Allen explaining that maybe he did once knock up his baby sitter, but just so you know, she was not illegal.
Immoral and Illegal are very different things. I am not painting him as a saint.
The only crime he committed was something that wasn’t even a crime a mere two years ago, by using a fake vaccine passport. He’s a no good hooligan, I tell ya!
Not arguing with what you’re saying here, just wanted to point out that if I’m not mistaken the Napoleonic Code was written for accessible laws replacing the previous feudal codes and is still in use today in France.
Doesn’t seem that’s what you should be referencing in regards to ‘keyboard cancel culture’..
Now, if you were mentioning a certain beheading instrument in the public squares well, you can’t say it didn’t get results..😉
The Napoleonic Code is also utilized widely in Quebec. There are significant differences around the presumption of innocence. Innocent until proven guilty vs. guilty until proven innocent. Cancel culture prefers the latter.
My goodness, sanctimony! Commenting on commenters….
What we seem to have here is an organization that set out to build a better playoff team even if it was likely to take a step back in the regular season. And I don’t mean that subjectively, it can be measured.
They very rarely get outclassed. They can play big against Nashville or they can play fast against Florida (score not withstanding).
Over the past 10 games, the underlying numbers have finally reached an area at 5on5 we were praying for:
Of course, the GF% lags around break even still because they can’t get a save.
If they can get a solid .915 goalie and keep these 5v5s in line, some team in the playoffs is going have to face a top 10 even strength team that can play it any way you want and that has an otherworldly power play if it comes to that. They won’t be an easy out…but they gotta get there first.
Hockey is full of assholes and accidents. Not unlike most industries!
Evander Kane doesn’t make things easy on himself when he’s set up to crawl back with his tail between his legs begging forgiveness and he chooses instead to defend himself. People will clutch their pearls at the incompatibility between how they interpret his demeanor and what their expectations for redemption ought to look like. So if the fanbase was 50/50 before the TSN interview and press conference, he didn’t do anything to significantly help his cause in that regard.
I’m not bothered by that. Evander Kane is who he is. He seems more than a bit conceited, and not the least bit regretful – he may have said just that himself.
I am not concerned with his gambling, anyone who has had a brush with addiction ought to feel the same. I am not concerned with his Covid situation, it’s weird and confusing whatever he did and I can’t figure it out and the NHL cleared him so whatever. His ex-wife – this is a personal affair that seems messy AF but the courts granted him custody of the daughter and that’s more info than I needed already.
Everything in the above paragraph is moot to me. Which (by my count) leaves the past allegation of assault / lawsuit. It would be willful ignorance to suggest that just because the courts left him in the clear, his accusers were lying or that he is innocent. We know that’s not how it works. So I’m struggling with this one. But just as a point of comparison, Patrick Kane’s career rolls along just fine. Lawyers took care of it, just as in Evander’s case. So here’s the thing. I do honestly wonder how much of what has been directed toward Evander Kane is a result of him being a racialized person, one with a bit more swag than makes Mr. and Mrs. Milktoast comfortable. The map is the territory here. “Evander Kane” is produced.
I do think that Evander Kane needs to take personal responsibility for his actions. But the spotlight, the scandal, the high drama, for Evander Kane, is out of his control and has been for a while. However a big, white, Yorkton farm boy might have more shit in his closet than you or I could ever count and we’ll never know because Blackness still needs to prove itself in this sport but whiteness doesn’t.
I’ll probably receive down votes for this, whatever. But for me, it’s just a reminder to be mindful of what is visible and what is made to be invisible and why. Shit do you think Craig McTavish would have cup rings right now if he were Black? So if you hang your own morality on something or someone with only a superficial understanding of the structure within which they’re operating, be prepared to be let down when the curtain is pulled back: Hockey is full of assholes and accidents.
A lot of people here are willing to explain away a lot of things just because they want to win.
The legal issues are one thing. Obviously none of us are in a first hand position to judge them. But it wasn’t one issue, and some of them sound serious to me.
The bankruptcy/gambling issue is another thing. Again, we don’t know the ins and outs of this, but there is more here than simply addiction.
Paying/bribing a girlfriend to have an abortion.
Faking his vaccination status.
Large and significant disputes with teammates on more than one team, covering more than one incident.
None of these things have anything to do with race. They are the track record of someone who is far beyond being an asshole, who has narcissistic tendencies, someone who is beyond merely selfish or self-centered, but who lacks the ability to tell the difference between the world and their desires.
The bankruptcy gambling thing.. That is addiction, there’s not “more there” that is what addiction is.
You should be a profiler for the CIA if you have such an amazing ability to judge and determine through rumors and he says she says drama.
He’s no angel but he’s definitely not what you’re making him out to be either.
If addiction was a black-and-white express ticket to total abrogation of conscience and moral dereliction, it wouldn’t remain legal in any country with enough freedom remaining to tell Dear Leader what you <i>really</i> think of his hair or mustache—not even if you placed a ten-spot at 1000:1 odds that you live to witness the next sunrise.
How many sex addicts cross over into jail bait because addiction has erased their last shred of self-preservation? In actuality, very few.
How many sex addicts with the prospect of available bait have rationalized intensely about not getting caught before finally splashing themselves with cold water in a last-ditch spasm of cold feet from the sane part of their brain? I wouldn’t estimate a small number. Many addicts bear the internal scars of rationalizing the unthinkable until a narrow final escape from a close encounter beyond the pale—but for a final splash of cold water from cold feet, the moral travesties that might have been. House of Cards where the moral boundaries become paper thin, though many times paper surprises with its tenuous durability.
Well said good sir!
I’m not looking to explain away anything in order to win. I’m troubled by the signing, and trying to think through it.
Further, my post isn’t even really about Evanser Kane or the Oilers’ decision to sign him. It’s about spectacle.
To be honest, I am of two minds about it as well. I just watch the games, and a better team is more fun to watch.
But the rationalizations required to make him seem like an ordinary person who made some mistakes are bit much to take. Even more fun than watching a good team, is watching likeable players.
Puljujarvi is likeable. I saw him at the dogpark last weekend. I like him. Kane getting some of his minutes and all of his powerplay time doesn’t make me like the team more, or make the team more fun to watch.
That said, Kane’s story is pretty tragic. Perhaps that elicits some sympathy.
I don’t think the media coverage over Kane’s ‘exploits’ have anything to do with race. Celebrities that behave badly of all races end up in the headlines and there’s a snowball effect that starts when a consistent bad actor is proven to be fodder for controversy.
Kane’s troubles are because of a questionable moral compass. Whether it’s sports, politics, acting, etc. you can find similar drama kings and queens in every realm and of every race.
The concern for me isn’t what he’s done in the past or whether he’s contrite about it. My concern is where his head is now specifically in regards to potential entitlement issues. Nothing can kill a team first mentality faster than a me first individual. The Oilers claim they have the leadership core needed to manage this. Time will tell.
If anyone saw Antonio Brown’s last game with the Bucs, that is the cautionary tale on how badly this can turn out. I don’t think we’re going to see a redemption story worthy of Craig McTavish but the very big silver lining here is the term. Kane’s on a very short leash here and that is a good thing given the history.
My post is concerned with what monsters are hidden, and what keeps them hidden.
And which, perhaps, hide in plain site.
I try not to assess people based on their rhetoric. Anyone can spin, dissemble or obfuscate. I can only assess Kane through his actions. That lens demonstrates a consistent pattern of behaviour burning bridges in nearly every phase of his existence.
In short, he’s someone I’d encourage my sons not to hang around (ie the stereotypical bad influence). Hopefully the Oilers can be a positive influence on him. Everyone roots for a redemption. But to quote the mages, Huey Lewis & The News, “Sometimes bad is bad.”
Kane said in his interview race isn’t a part of the issues he’s had. But I totally agree that how he’s judged is different also like the indigenous and people of colour guys that had issues like Toottoo.
Marrying an unstable person and having an addiction caused most of his issues
The other accusations also remain just that so we don’t know what we don’t know
As for the locker room things, my guess is he pushes back when pushed by teammates, and then from what he says is surprised when they breach the code of keeping things internal
Byfuglien was not without his issues. From the private record, and we know from the public record he was not a great team guy in the end.
He bailed on his team. Trouba whined the whole time and bailed as well. They still have problems. I think the Jets issues are deeper than E Kane. Nobody has a problem with the other two.
People bring that up, but Joe Thornton is still pals with Kane, if that is somehow a measure of things in the locker room
These are issues that all teams encounter at times having large people groups (Mike Hoffman and his person had some serious allegations) and a lot of clickbait like the rest.
So be it. Personally I think the team needs a strong personality. The glory Oilers had them. They did some not ok things as well
Guys mellow out a bit with age. Lots of us here were orangutans pre 25 (full brain) and after for some. Some probably still are. Heh heh
And we didn’t have fame and enough bricks of cash to do push ups under
Stupid yes. Do people like that, immature and selfish change, yes. At least can become palatable.
If I’m in a battle, I probably want that orangutan that irritated me, when it’s playoffs and
some meat head like Pionk thinks he’s all that.
It’s human nature, to dislike the prickly and then want them when they are needed. When things are rough and other orangutans are hassling you.
It is also a form of selfishness.
I wouldn’t have given Spector his pound of flesh either, don’t blame him
There is asking tough questions and there is being a dink
It is also completely ok to treat people politely and with respect and also ask the tough questions. Probably get farther
Things are getting a bit wild in the crashing MSM social media age
The Oilers defense is not strong enough against the cycle imo. The eastern team match are going to be difficult. I would consider Niemelainen or Samorukov (one more chance please) to toughen up the back end. Given the number of games in a short number of days will we need 9 defenseman to get through this upcoming stretch?
Nurse-Bouchard
Keith-Barrie
Niemelainen-Ceci
Yes to both thoughts. Niemelainen all day. He brought the nasty with his short audition and that has value. I think Samorukov should get another chance to show what he’s got and play the game we all know he can play. Tippet needs to lengthen the leash on him.
What Niemelainen showed in his stint was very promising. Loved the physical dimension.
Following up on yesterday’s conversation related to the recent NHL investigation in to Kane and how that could go without further discipline given his contract was terminated, etc.
Listening to the new 32 Thoughts podcast this morning and Friedman went through all of this and basically confirmed exactly what I (and a few others) posited yesterday.
The contract termination was related to breaking AHL Covid Protocol and reporting back late to the team after the break. That is what Kane is disputing and what the grievance is in relation to.
The recent investigation by the NHL (through an independent law firm) was related to if Kane’s border crossing in to Canada was in violation of law (and if Kane made any misrepresentations in that regard) – there was not suitable evidence to support violation/misrepresentation.
AHL Covid-protocol does not necessarily equate to government bordering crossing protocols.
Evander Kane has full custody of his daughter. An independent impartial court would have had to decide that, which means the accusations against him by his wife are of dubious merit.
(Hey ODog, Captain Underpants had to write a cheque to get out of his potential legal problem with a woman.)
I don’t think Kane had any problems in Buffalo. He was a UFA that they knew they were not going to re-sign.
He lasted a long time in Atlanta/Winnipeg. It broke down in the end with his teammates when the club couldn’t get over the hump.
And he lasted several years in San Jose. Again a lack of success probably leading to a rupture between the old clique and him.
Gambling is an addiction, which is a disease. A person should be given leave to recover from an addiction. (“Progressives” are for providing hard drugs free to addicts for harm reduction. Well-intended but I am pretty certain that it won’t work in the medium to longer term.)
So has he lived a life with issues. Addiction, failed marriage, are not exactly things one can hold against a person. He is perhaps a high maintenance teammate, but he has been productive as a high maintenance teammate. But in both cases, Winnipeg and San Jose, the rupture with his teammates came after an extended period of time and a lack of team success.
Low maintenance people are highly preferable to dealing with than high mainenance people, but inevitably in life one has to deal with high maintenance people. Long term, as long there there are positive results, the work required to sustain a positive relationship with a high maintenance individual is worth it. Kane falling out of favour in Winnipeg and San Jose arguably has more to do with lack of team success making both sides unwilling to do the work to sustain a cooperative relationship.
Good post, Godot.
Agreed very well said.
I do want to emphasize your comment about addiction. I think the difference between how substance abuse addictions and gambling addictions is concerning. There’s seems to be a lot of people happy to kick Kane when hes down who would also (rightfully so) be appalled to hear negative comments about, for example, Carey Prices substance abuse treatment.
There is substance abuse (drugs, alcohol) and process abuse (gambling, cell phone). There even one – fitness – which can be a mixture of the two.
I fear people here are mistaking behavioral traits with addiction issues with mental health. Whilst they are all linked, they are all not the same.
It’s possible to be a person who is not an addict to have mental health problems. It’s possible for the same person to have anti-social behavior problems.
It’s possible for an addict to have what may be called a normal life with little effect on other people. The same as most people with mental health problems.
When the layperson first dips their toes tentatively in these murky waters, their instinct is try and make sense of it by compartmentalization. It’s natural. This is this, so that MUST be that. That’s not how it is with these issues.
That Carey Price has people that defend him from stigmatization due to substance abuse is a good thing. Same with Kane. But it’s not Kane’s gambling that’s the problem. It’s the persistent reports from many credible sources that he is just a piece of work and people eventually tire of him.
I don’t get the “it broke down in the end”. Well of course it did. If it broke down at the start or middle, that would now be the end. But people are surprisingly amicable. We WANT to get on. I’m sure that everyone here can think of at least one example of a colleague you liked at the start but came to detest.
We all want our sports stars and movie heroes and favorite singers to be model citizens, but 5 minutes on Twitter should disabuse anyone of those notions.
I won’t comment on his custody save to say I know that justice in Family Law isn’t always…served correctly. I hope Kane and his daughter are very happy. I hope Kane gets help for his addiction. And I hope he does this for himself and the people he’s affected along the way.
This is a great post.
I have always agreed with the fact the EK is not a likeable person; he is a shit magnet. Early in the season I posted about the high percentage of of awful teams he’s been on. I strongly believe that the “locker room problems” only became an issue when the teams (Winnipeg and SJ) which had some success were struggling. When this happens a lot of annoying things get more attention and then quickly become insufferable.
I think Kane is a major issue on a shitty team, I don’t believe he is a locker room cancer on a decent team.
Let’s hope I am correct 😀
Good post by Godot and important follow-up quoted above.
There is no difference between “substance abuse addiction” and gambling addiction”. In fact, those aren’t even real things. There is the disease of addiction which can manifest itself in various abuses – alcohol and/or other drugs being common. Gambling abuse is another. Of course, there is also abuse of sex, relationships, food, process, etc. – all part of the same disease and simply different manifestations of the disease.
Coming up on my 10-year “birthday” this August, I do have some thoughts/knowledge on the subject.
An aside. Trolls are high maintenance posters. I am a troll. Trolling is an addiction. It is a form of addiction in role-playing games.. I am glad Lowetide allows space for high maintenance trolls, within limits, of course. Trolling is one coping mechanism I use for my Aspergers. i.e. I think of it as microdosing for some of the symptoms of Aspergers..
Any addiction taken too far can be destructive.
I will never forget when you first shared that with us. And while I give you a rough ride often on this site, you are the one “troll” whose “right to post” I would defend till kingdom come. I couldn’t imagine this site without you and despite our disagreements i look forward to your comments.
Your insanity and brilliance contributes a wealth to this community.
Excellent posts Godot, as per usual.
You are a shitty troll as your overall goodness shines through! I personally enjoy your posts and being part of the community.
Friedman points out that while Kane is known for his goal-scoring touch he is an elite forechecker.
Also he tells Westcott he thinks Oil are still looking for a goalie.
WSH, TBL, CAR, FLA and CGY all mentioned as suitors by Friedman.
Like the add or not, kinda cool the Oilers won out. That’s some quality competition to come out ahead of.
I don’t disagree about him playing with more skill but, at the same time, when we signed him, one of the benefits was that, while he can play with skill in a top 6 role, he’s also able to move down the lineup and help “drive” a 3rd line.
That’s a role he played to perfection against the Oilers last season and did last night.
I’m not sure how the lines will shake out with Kane (and when Holloway arrives, although its not a sure-thing that is this season) but Hyman can play in the top 6 or drive that 3rd line – that is fantastic.
Holloway should have similar attributes once he arrives and gets comfortable (ie. really arrives) with the additional skill of being able to play center.
Right on.
When Toronto swept Edmonton 3 straight by a combined 13-1 last year, the best line on either team was Mikheyev-Engvall-Hyman & it wasn’t close. Hyman’s versatility to play either wing & to shift from top to bottom 6 as needed was a big thing in Toronto, not so much in Edmonton where iirc he has played 1 game at RW and 1 game on the 3rd line.
I guess maybe that’s easier to do on a $2.25 mil contract than a $5.5 one, but to me it’s best to play to a player’s strengths & one of Hyman’s biggest ones is adaptatility. But here in Edmonton the play always seems to be to stack the top 6 as much as possible and to essentially run two 1st lines & two 4th lines whether that strategy is actually working or not.
It is becoming tradition unhampered by progress by our current coaching staff. I am hopeful that this will change with Holland giving Coach Tippett more to work with.
I think the team may need to “wait for Holloway” in order to try that true “unicorns” with Nuge at 3C. While it could be an option now with Kane, for me, Foegele should not be a top 6 player on a nightly basis – he’s a fill in player when injuries hit and slumps arise. WIth the current depth, while it would be nice to have Nuge/McLeod as 3C/4C, I’d prefer to keep Foegele on the 3rd line.
If we’re waiting for yet another rookie to become a viable contender, the last 15 years and all the changes have been a complete waste of time.
This time for sure! 😉
Of course different context from 2007-2020. Add Kane now there has to be enough quality in the forward corps for a Holloway type to just chip in and grow where he can.
While technically a rookie, Holloway’s pedigree and playing college hockey changes that whole scenario as I see it. It would also have him playing a support role in a middle six scenario and not as a saviour!
Nuge playing left wing with McLeod on the third line is the ultimate lineup in that McLeod has a mentor who understands both offence and defence as well as game management. It gives the Oilers two thirds of a shut down line that can also bring some offence. Add a right winger with defensive acumen and you have a line that you can play in all situations! This is something the Oilers haven’t had since their ( dynasty). It will make whoever coaches the team a much better coach! In PK situations you can play any two of the three as number one PK or at worst number two group given their line takes the penalty. Being overly concerned with who is the centre on the fourth line is in my opinion a fools errand given the amount of time they play.
Holloway is more likely to be the 3rd centre than Nugent-Hopkins. Holloway is a transporter.
With McDavid, Draisaitl, McLeod, and Holloway, Nugent-Hopkins looks better suited to the wing in the medium term.
Once Holloway is up to speed and if he continues to have dominating shifts in Bakersfield as well as Goals and Assists he’s coming to Edmonton wether you like it are not. The idea of a Coach and organization is to win so you dress your best possible team which in my opinion will have Holloway on it.
Why do you imply I wouldn’t like it?
I’m very much cheering for the kid – shit, I spent the time to watch about 20 of his 23 games in college last season, I’m rooting for him.
I take a guarded position on what a 19-20 year old prospect is ready for and what he will do at the NHL level – not agreeing with statements that he would 100% crush it on McDavid’s line in the playoffs at 19 in the playoff (and he and Bouchard would have won the Jets series) and you continue to take personal offence to it.
I never ever even statement that he couldn’t or wouldn’t make an immediate impact as teenager, simply provided some guarded thoughts on it.
Every time you fanboy that the treatment of Bouchard was more than fair last year I’ll post that it wasn’t. The same goes for Holloway not making the team later this year, if he’s ready he’s ready. If you think a 20 year-old winger can’t impact a NHL team in good ways well it just makes you look clueless.
1) “Fanboy” – is that intended to denote some sort of negative connotation regarding “how I fan”?
2) I have been very clear and consistent that I think Tip should have worked to get Bouchard in more games last year even though I understand why he wouldn’t take any of Barrie, Larsson or Bear out of the lineup on any given night given how they played last year.
3) 100%, if Holloways is ready he’s ready and should play – I’ve never disagreed with that or opined otherwise. The key word there is “if” (and the other key word phrase is “later this year”) which is massively different than your prior positions telling us to “book it” relating to Holloway being a difference maker in the top six in the playoffs last season.
1.I know Holland didn’t draft Bouchard but he went 10th overall in very talented deep Defenceman draft. I said many times that Bouchard was our future and you break in your future properly. I also said the day Barrie was signed he would block Bouchard development and you disagreed with me on this many times. It’s not even a year later answer me who you would choose 1st in a draft Bear, Larsson, Barrie or Bouchard.
2.How do know that if Holloway didn’t get hurt and if he had killed it in Bakersfield that he wouldn’t have been called up for the last few games like Caulfield and could of been a factor along with Bouchard against half a Jet team. I know you don’t care about the Oilers history before 2006 but I’m going to fill you in anyhow they used to have this line called the Kid line. I believe Graves and Murphy were 21, 22 and Gelinas 19 years young they were relentless on the forecheck and a real joy to watch The line was Blue Collar workers that never took a shift off. I believe if you goggle Kid Line you can see for yourself on U-Tube what I’m talking about.
Mikko was solid again last night.
I don’t disagree with Jimmy that he didn’t look great at times – scrambling on some plays, etc. but, at the same time, he made all the saves that he should and a few others at important times, again.
Timing is important for tenders and that’s two games in a row that he didn’t give up that extra goal when the team was down 1 in the 2nd/3rd periods – that’s key.
Now, its imperative that Skinner starts one of the next two games. I think it should be Saturday, just to give Mikko the few days break now, but I presume that Tip will ride him on Saturday as the hot goalie even though that hasn’t been a great idea in the past.