All of the expansion drafts from 1970 through 1979 (there were 10 teams added in the decade) saw this blog’s author plotting the demise of Sam Pollock and the Montreal Canadiens. By the time anyone in a suit for the Canadiens paid a price at an expansion draft, Pollock was in Toronto and out of hockey. The main who paid, Scotty Bowman, got flattened by expansion decisions made before his arrival as general manager of the Buffalo Sabres. The powers in place before he took the job neglected to protect Lee Fogolin. Music!
The Washington Capitals arrived in 1974, and the NHL’s establishment had already been bled dry by the raiding WHA teams. One could argue (I would) the 1974-75 Capitals were the worst team in NHL history, certainly my lifetime.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Oilers’ bizarre January ended on a high note
- DNB: Oilers’ Zach Hyman is compelled to speak up about antisemitism when he sees it
- Lowetide: Revisiting Oilers’ choice to take Kailer Yamamoto in 2017 NHL Draft
- DNB: Evander Kane’s presence was felt in his Oilers debut
- Lowetide: Why prospects stall in the AHL
- DNB: Oilers leaders believe Evander Kane will buy in
- Lowetide: Have Oilers trade assets changed in light of the Evander Kane signing?
- 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
- 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
- Lowetide: Forget the Connor McDavid bump, Jesse Puljujarvi is the real deal after all
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2021
WHAT TO EXPECT IN FEBRUARY
- On the road to: WAS (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: VEG, CHI, NYI (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: SJS, LAK (Expected 1-0-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: ANA (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: WPG (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: MIN (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: TBY, FLA, CAR (Expected 0-2-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 6-4-2, 14 points in 12 games
- Actual January results: 0-0-0, 0 points in no games
- Oilers in 2021-22: 22-16-3, 47 points in 41 games
If the Oilers cover the bet (running in place plus a little) they will arrive at the end of February with a record of 28-20-5, 61 points in 53 games. That’s a 94-point pace and should get the Oilers into the postseason. The club badly needs to avoid losing streaks of any length and grab more points than games played.
WHEN THINGS GET NORMAL
If the Oilers get Mike Smith and Tyson Barrie back and healthy, Holland might get a final chance to see his roster (mostly) complete. It’s a good bet Smith gets five or six starts in February, if he can stay healthy. If he gets on a run, Dave Tippett may run him most of the month.
- Evander Kane-Connor McDavid-Jesse Puljujarvi
- Warren Foegele-Leon Draisaitl-Kailer Yamamoto
- Zach Hyman-Nuge-Derek Ryan
- Brendan Perlini-Ryan McLeod-Zack Kassian
- Darnell Nurse-Evan Bouchard
- Duncan Keith-Cody Ceci
- Kris Russell-Tyson Barrie
- Mike Smith (Mikko Koskinen)
- Extras: Tyler Benson, William Lagesson, Stuart Skinner
This won’t be the 23-man roster after the break, but it’s the one I would run. Suspect both Devin Shore and Colton Sceviour are on the fourth line with Derek Ryan, Tippett’s PK obsession informing the fourth line’s population. That means Benson and Perlini get waived, unless Skinner is sent to Bakersfield but Smith’s health dictates extreme caution. Slater Koekkoek got waived yesterday, William Lagesson doing his Rasputin number one more time. Kyle Turris and Olivier Rodrgiue would seem to be Bakersfield bound.
THE CAPS
How bad were the Capitals in the beginning? The team’s first transaction was to purchase 40-year old defenseman Doug Mohns from the Atlanta Flames. He was one of the team’s most consistent defensemen in 1974-75.
The first astute trade by the team, the first one that had a real impact, saw the Caps acquire Denus Maruk from the Minnesota North Stars in 1978. The most famous trade by the team in the first decade came in 1982, a blockbuster that saw Ryan Walter and Rick Green sent to the Montreal Canadiens for Rod Langway, Brian Engblom, Doug Jarvis and Craig Laughlin. In a classic case of a deal that benefitted both teams, it was a franchise-altering move for Washington that in many ways signaled actual arrival as an NHL franchise.
What was the first franchise-altering trade in Oilers history? I bet that question will bring more than one answer, and if you include draft pick trades then multiple answers are possible. For me, the first truly loud noise was a 1982 deal that sent away one of my all-time favourites (Risto Siltanen) to the Hartford Whalers. Glen Sather picked up Ken Linseman, who would be a dynamite center for the team (behind Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier by the time Stanley arrived in 1984) in August 1982.
He was a shockingly good fit for Edmonton, in the 1983-84 season Linesman was often found in the middle of Messier and Glenn Anderson (especially early in the year) or late in the postseason with Jaroslav Pouzar and Dave Lumley. He was a filthy rat, so sayeth the nickname, but one of the signs the Oilers were true came when Linseman came over from Philly.
Here’s your question for the day: When was the last “Rod Langway” or “Ken Linseman” trade for Edmonton? I think Ken Holland believes the Duncan Keith trade was such an acquisition, maybe you do too. I’ll pick the Cam Talbot trade in the summer of 2015, it addressed a weakness and solved the problem until the overwork consumed the player. That was a trade that made a loud noise. Oilers need another, ironically at the same position.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
A busy show on TSN 1260 beginning at 10 this morning. Bruce McCurdy from the Cult of Hockey at the Edmonton Journal. He’ll help us tee up the game and look at a curious January. Joe Osborne from Odds Shark will pop in to talk about the NBA, the Oilers up and down results and some fun prop bets for the Super Bowl. We also have another edition of Crossfire! (pew pew) this morning. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. I love doing the show, Hernan is a blast. Hope you can listen!
What do we make of the TOI last night?
Foegele (‘benched’ again), Shore and Kassian played under 10 min (6:48, 8:40 and 9:12 respectively). The other 9 forwards were over 12 minutes.
BUT McDavid played 21:32 (22:40 season ave), Draisaitl 18:40 (22:53) and Nurse 26:17 (26:32).
McDavid and Draisaitl definitely got a bit more rest than they’ve been accustomed to at least.
It is interesting and notable (to me at least) that Tip has NOT gone with McDavid/Drai load up in 3rd period of games where they are down or tied recently (maybe the odd shift) and has generally kept the three lines together late (sometimes cutting off the fourth line or a couple members thereof).
Yup, definitely notable.
Oilers now 5-0-1 in their last 6. A nice little recovery after the brutal 7 week stretch.
The Flames and Kings also won so they remain 4th in the Pacific and 8th in the conference (though as LT said LA, EDM and ANA are essentially tied with each other).
Was looking at the standings/goal differentials and noticed the Pacific isn’t actually getting tromped by the rest of the league (which seems the consensus opinion).
If you total up goal differential for each division you get:
Central +22
Metro +13
Pacific +2
Atlantic -38
Not at all how I’ve been used to thinking about the league and QoC.
Swagger. They had it tonight. Had plenty of opportunity to tire fire and didn’t. Stood up for their superstar. Played physical and took hits to make plays, including Kass. Koski played with some intensity and focus. And they’re a threat to score up and down the line-up.
Kane changes everything.
If they can add a healthy, competent Smith and some depth physicality…
Canada 12 Switzerland 1. Shots 70-15.
What were the HDSCs?
Saw the highlight of the hit on McDavid. Was there a brutal and vicious response to it (missed the game)? Isn’t that what’s needed? We can’t have teams taking runs at him without consequences…..no?
Yano was first did two cross checks into Hathaway’s back (penalty) then Kane went after him a few seconds later, but nothing much. Kassian got into a shoving match with him behind the Oilers net a few minutes later, seemed like he was trying to start a fight, but each of those two scuffles were broken up by the linesmen fairly quickly.
That’s a start. I would prefer an instigation penalty plus a beat down instead of a cross check from a small winger.
Taxi squad is now abolished for the Oil so they did some roster cleanup/shuffling:
Daniel Nugent-Bowman
@DNBsports
·
7m
Oilers moves ahead of the all-star wkend:
– Skinner, Lagesson, Sceviour (taxi squad) sent to AHL
– Turris, Rodrigue recalled from the TS
There will need to be more moves before next Tuesday’s game. Good chance Mike Smith comes off LTIR and there are only six D-men on the roster.
Interesting moves.
Skinner makes sense to get some more games in the short term, plus if Smith is back after the break.
Lagesson is surprising. He didn’t need waivers to go down. Are they stashing him so he doesn’t need to pass through waivers letter? Maybe giving Niemelainen or Broberg another spin? Lags could be back up after the break too, but he’s been playing so it’s not like he needs head to Bakersfield to get some games in.
Presumably Turris, Perlini or Benson is sent down after the break since they have 15 forwards right now.
Assuming Turris down, Niemelainen up after the break, they’re going to have some real depth in Bakersfield.
Turris and Sceviour (plus Marody + Griffith) up front.
Lagesson and Koekkoek (plus Broberg/ Niemelainen) on the back end.
Skinner and Stalock (and Konovalov) in goal.
Maybe that’s not what’s cooking, but it would be my guess.
I like the commentator in the soccer game.
“It had to be 2-nil, and it had to be on a breakaway; It’s ground hog day after all”
Evan Kane on an 82pt pace as an Oiler.
Agent wants to sign a new contract tonight. 🙂
Without looking at any of the comments first… Even before the SH goal, I thought Nugent-Hopkins was utterly splendid on the PK tonight.
Along with Hyman. Don’t mind having those two saavy vets on this team long term.
Bouch and Barrie 0 pts
Keith and Ceci 2 pts each
Varlamov looked no better than / not as good as Mikko, in a 3-0 loss to the Kraken.
And Varlamov is playing behind a team whose focus is more defense
Varlamov is currently .916. Mikko is .900. But yeah.
Mikko 16-8
Varlamov 3-9
I’ve seen post/heard opinions that Varlamov would cost a first.
I think the acquisition cost should/would be close to nominal as the Isles and Lou would love to get rid of his $5MM for next season.
Except it’s Lou.
What does nominal mean? 2nd? 3rd? 4th?
Not saying Varlomov should cost a 1st necessarily, but he doesn’t look like a negative value contract so I’m not sure why the cost should be nominal.
I’m just happy Justin Schultz didn’t score the game winner.
Canada 2 El Salvador 0!
Is that you Clouseau?
Does your dog bite?
That is not my dog.
LT is so mean he’s probably not going to count Nuges two 3rd period goals in the 5v5 stats. 🙂
Refs called that game like it was the playoffs.
Mikko made a number of 10 bell saves in this game several late in the 3rd.
Although I expect Smith to start against Vegas, it’s not out of the question the Mikko starts against Vegas to give Smith the Hawks so as to get him reacclimatized after such a long absence
100% Smith will start (in my opinion) assuming no setback.
Yes, he did, and he often does.
Late in the 2nd as well (or is that what you meant)?
Anyone else sh*t themselves when Kane left the ice holding his shoulder?
Capitals lost but manhandled us in the 2nd 1/2 and showed us what we will be up against in the playoffs. Until the Nuge/Hyman shorty, the Oilers could not match the Caps intensity, and it was not score effects.
Mikko held us in the game.
You can be sure that Holland is looking for a way to beef up the middle/bottom six.
Would love Crouse from the Coyotes but expect he’d cost a lot.
Paul, Crouse and a third dude I can’t remember keep coming up. They are all big and at least somewhat skilled.
Hollands going to have to overpay.
Nick Paul, 6’3″ 219 Age 26/27 AVV $1.35 this year and next. That player on that contract will be costly.
Paul would be amazing too. Like LT said, gotta find that next guy who’s big, strong and skilled but just hasn’t popped yet. Maybe Holland thought that was Feogle
I thought it could be Foegele. Now I’ll just be happy if he’s a solid bottom sixer who can get 20-25 points.
Having said that, some players take the better part of a season to acclimatize to their new team. And Foegele is on pace for 30pts in year one.
Also interested to see what he looks like in the playoffs. I mean, if anyone’s going to score us some ugly goals…
You guys know Foegele has more points each of the last 3 seasons than Paul, right?
And while Crouse has more points this season (21 to 15) Foegele had more the previous 2 years.
Those players would nice adds, but I think you’re overvaluing other teams gritty toys here.
Drai showed a little dirty pushback – turning point?
And chatted about it with Wilson after.
Nuge and Hyman are a thing!
Ya, that is a number of games in a row – some of the best games of the season for both players – Hyman showing some passing ability we haven’t seen all year – Nuge finding lanes and being in certain spots likely something to do with that.
They were great on the PK tonight, my brain/eye says they’ve been good on the PK most of the year but I haven’t looked at actual numbers.
Mikko Koskinen leads the Oilers to their first regulation win in Washington in 13 years!
You know the league dislikes the Oilers when their website reads “Oilers blow three goal lead, top Capitals”
yeah, that’s a backhanded headline
Goooal…,
Hah! Wild one
phlegms only got 2 goals on 26 shots on Jejmelka. What bums
LOL the post game feed from the Oilers’ YouTube account suspended mid-stream, again, due to “policy violations.”
WTF YouTube?
Things go better with Nuge & Hyman. And by ‘things’, I mean penalty killing.
Nuge gets hurt…team falls off a cliff.
Nuge comes back from injury…we get points in 6 straight.
Coincidence?
And he took a team friendly deal.
God bless him.
Nuge has been terrific since coming back. He was definitely missed.
Was late so just watching the first two periods now…
So let me get this straight—we scored the first TWO goals??
There was a great disturbance in the force…
Dear Gord, first three. Who are these players…
Just finished the 1st–lots of good stuff, only a little bad–but my favourite non-scoring shift might be the one where Laggy throws two big hits in his corner, popping the puck free… it goes up the ice and then to Nuge for the play in the right slot where his toe drag was stuffed. Good physical play by Laggy.
So what’s the goalie gameplan for Holland? Wait for Smith to get back and cross your fingers? Then what happens when he gets hurt again? Failing to address this issue is a real and spectacular threat to making the playoffs.
MA Fluery, to even out the Keith trade.
how do you fix this in season? Not many options out there. Holland made his bed
At this point a waiver wire pickup has a 50-50 shot at being better than our current tending.
If I were Holland I would pick up anyone that is cheap and available and hope for a hot streak to tide them over until the deadline.
Smith should be back next game and, yes, I think Holland will want to see what things look like with a more healthy roster (overall) and this tending duo that he had going in to the season. There is some runway through to the trade deadline and I think he’ll hold until closer thereto.
There are not sure upgrades except with high acquisition costs that will also include cap maneuvering (making them more expensive).
Nuge was incredible. Also: super sneaky stealth move to avoid a dirty Wilson hit with the latter going into the end board shoulder first.
The best Nuge is sneaky Nuge.
First Star: The PK!
Nugent-HoPKins
What does Dave Tippet do with this timeout? I’m guessing stare into space and chew his gum.
Why would he have called a TO?
Washington called the timeout, there’s still a pause in the game for Tippet to address his troops, and/or gnaw on his hubba bubba.
We knew what you meant.
Pondering if he should go with his gut and put Shore out.
Shore was 5-1 on the dot.
Loved that Nuge stopped at the net rather than the fly by. That shift by Bouch at the end of the penalty was so good.
Nice to hear the fans booing the power play.
Good job, Nuge. It’s easy to miss those
Sometimes being selfish is the right play.
This Hershey Power play is god awful….
Nuuuuuge with the EN!!
Missed most of the game but nice to see them get the win after letting the Caps get back even.
Same, I picked a helluva game to be away from home.
Did manage to catch the bulk of the game on CHED, where the call seems improved with Moon over Jack.
2 goal game by Nuge.
What a game by Nuge – PK and 5 on 5.
Nuge 4-3 on the dot. Good game all around by Nuge
He’s been real good and noticeable lately.
Superb!
I will add he was also great on the 97 power play goal. Gathered the puck in the slot with two Caps on him and kicked it out to Draisaitl in a split second.
Vintage Nuge.
An EN goal is technically 6v5, no?
Nugie! Seals the deal!
Nuge is a Cap-killer!
Impressive killing time shift by 18-97-29.
What a post-PK shift.
Boosh’s popeye forearms…
Actually Jack, Copley became the goalie of record once the Caps tied it.
Win the special teams – win the game. GOG now finish it.
Biggest Goal of the year. I love how aggressive Hyman is on the shortie it’s been many years since we’ve had that type of player.
Hyman and Nuge have great chemistry.
Couple big PK plays be Ceci!
That Nuge is a smart smart hockey player
Unbelievable play by Hyman! He’s good!
Crazy pinching by the d. Not sure what Barrie is doing there. Even if he doesn’t draw penalty, there are 3 forwards behind him.