Jay Woodcroft won his first NHL game as a head coach, and made some interesting and productive decisions that involved roster makeup and style of play. The defense is young and inexperienced, so he dressed seven so he could mix and match (or Manson could, we’ll talk about it in a minute). A win is a win, and there’s lots of work to do, but the pall cast over the team since December 1 may be lifting finally.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New DNB: Six signs of positive change surface for the Oilers in Jay Woodcroft’s victorious coaching debut
- Lowetide: 7 Oilers players poised to benefit most from Jay Woodcroft becoming head coach
- DNB: Oilers coaching change clears the way: Ken Holland’s roster construction will now have to stand up to scrutiny
- Lowetide: Oilers pro forward depth chart about to get overhauled
- DNB: Three Oilers questions that will define stretch run
- Lowetide: Hard-target search to address Oilers roster needs before trade deadline
- Lowetide: Four RH defence prospects looking to impress while pushing for the NHL.
- DNB: Why Oilers prospect Xavier Bourgault is ‘a player that everybody wants to play with’
- 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
- Lowetide: Why prospects stall in the AHL
- Lowetide: Grading the first 3 years of Ken Holland’s Oilers trades
- DNB: Adam Cracknell is now a Canadian Olympian.
- 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
- Lowetide: What to expect from Dylan Holloway in Bakersfield and Edmonton this season
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2021
WHAT TO EXPECT IN FEBRUARY
- On the road to: WAS (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- At home to: VEG, CHI, NYI (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 1-2-0)
- 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: 2-2-0, 4 points in 4 games
- Oilers in 2021-22: 24-18-3, 51 points in 45 games
The Oilers are on pace for 93 points, that’s going to be close to a playoff spot. There’s plenty of time to pass the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks, the next three games are head to head against the California clubs. Two wins during the three games would be a solid run.
Mike Smith was the key Oilers player on the night, stopping 37 of 38 (.974) and all nine high danger scoring chances. His save percentage for the season is back over .900 and we’ll talk about his goals-against average when it’s lower. The one that beat him seemed to change direction slightly off Evan Bouchard, Smith certainly believed it happened.
FORWARDS
The first thing you notice is the ice time for the top three lines, pretty close and the two lines you’d expect to thrive had some success. None of the goals landed on these lines, which is kind of wild.
Evander Kane had three shots, two HDSC, four hits and looked more comfortable to my eye on the Draisaitl line. Took two penalties. Leon Draisaitl had an assist, five shots on goal, made some impressive plays offensively and was a little unlucky a couple of times. I thought it was his best game in weeks. Same can be said for Kailer Yamamoto, whose passing was strong (sent Kane in with a great cross-ice effort in the neutral zone) and he worked hard every shift. Got rocked by King Kong Chara.
Warren Foegele didn’t show up much in the game, he turned over the puck and was unable to settle it another time. He is physical, a hot streak wouldn’t go amiss with this player, as he’s a little shy of expectations offensively. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a GV and a TK, got hit several times (hard twice, the Islanders are among the most punishing teams in the league). Derek Ryan had two TK, but otherwise he was quiet, too. The three men combined for two shots on goal in all game states. Not dynamic as a line, but didn’t leak either.
Zach Hyman scored goal No. 100 for his career, a nice execution of a 2-on-1 that gave Edmonton a two-goal lead. He had three shots, three GV and skated miles. He is far more dangerous than most of the Oilers wingers. Connor McDavid had things going on last night, two assists, three shots, 2 GV and 3 TK, he had his legs going. One HDSC, one penalty drawn. Fantastic player. His positional game was sublime last night. Jesse Puljujarvi scored a power-play goal, he needed it and is back on track for a 20-goal season. He also screened the goaltender on Ceci’s goal. I thought he looked good from the start, but he’s a player who feeds on success and the goal (and the screen) will be soup for the soul.
Tyler Benson hit people, made a couple of nice passes and didn’t make any mistakes. He played more than usual, a good sign. Ryan McLeod almost made one (he couldn’t corral the puck and the NYI had a point blank chance saved by Smith) but to my eye he played well enough to move up the depth chart (and past Derek Ryan).
A new coach means it’s possible to view line matches again, last night McDavid saw a healthy dose of the Barzal line and the Pelech-Mayfield tandem. That’s the top group for Barry Trotz. The Draisaitl line saw the Brock Nelson line and Chara-Dobson most often. The Jean-Gabriel Pageau line is the second unit, wonder if Trotz wanted to run that trio against Nuge (and he did). Anyway, we’ll watch this in the early days to see if there’s a method to the madness.
Cody Ceci scored a goal and played more than any other Oilers player not named Mike Smith. Ceci led with five defensive zone starts, Philip Broberg had four. Ceci led with seven defensive zone faceoffs, Broberg was second with four. Thoughts? I thought it was Ceci’s best game in some time, Broberg had some good and bad moments but hung in there and every sortie contributes to slowing down the game.
Darnell Nurse had four shots, three hits, and he was effective in separating players from pucks. He was exactly the player Edmonton needs him to be, and pushed back often against a physical Islanders team. Evan Bouchard had one giveaway, and I think he tipped (it’s hard to tell, he certainly screened) the goal against. Didn’t like Mike Smith’s reaction, but he had a helluva game. For Bouchard, it’s important that the Oilers help him through the struggles, I think Woodcroft-Manson are a terrific tandem to work with him. They eased him off last night when things got difficult, next game it might be another youngster. William Lagesson played a steady game, he seemed on top of the play more last night, and quicker to loose pucks. Reminded me of Bakersfield Lagesson.
Markus Niemelainen impressed with his physical play and moved the puck well. Seven hits (some of them might have been initiated by the Islanders, but Niemelainen got the better of each exchange, I don’t know if that’s hitting or getting hit, but he’s a truck). Could he be the answer at No. 3 LHD? Tyson Barrie played well with Broberg, it was an interesting decision to put them together and the results were good. We may never see it again, but that’s a pairing I never contemplated. Barrie’s game was far more controlled, maybe lending him an inexperienced player is a good idea? Too soon to know. He also played well with Nurse and Lagesson.
NEW for The Athletic: Dylan Holloway’s first games in Bakersfield and what it could mean for his NHL ETA
https://theathletic.com/3126489/2022/02/12/lowetide-dylan-holloways-first-games-in-bakersfield-and-what-it-could-mean-for-his-nhl-eta/
Esposito, Kambietz and Brosseau decide the game is not over as the Condors score two early in the 3rd to make it 5-4 – then a post and then Hamblin robbed on a Grade A.
No quite in these guys.
Check that 4th weak goal on Konovalov and its 6-4 – still 13 minutes t go.
Konovalov and the Condors with a tough first period – give up 4 goals on 9 shots. Some sloppy defensive zone play with both turnovers and cross-crease passes leading to goals but Konovalov also flubbed an easy shot from distance and also had one bank in off him from a bad angle.
Down 4-0 they score two in quick succession in the 2nd – Kambietz with a faceoff win, Kesselring with the shot from the point, the goalie totally misplays it and takes himself out of position and Genaro pounds it an easy one.
Lavoie and company with some great work on the boards – big battles, Lavoie comes off the half boards with the puck and a down low 2 on 1 results and he sets up Brausseau with a great pass for an easy finish.
Henderson gets a quick-strike 2 on 1 and, while the shot was from the faceoff dot, it looked like the 3rd weak one on Konovalov to me.
Too bad as the Condors had dominated the 2nd period and were coming in waves.
I’ve removed a pointless thread clearly designed to get a reaction. It’s Saturday night, if you want to cause a ruckus go downtown and see what’s shaking there. Please and thanks.
Thank you, sir.
It’s not often I smile when the Islanders score.
UMD ended up taking the lead with four and half to play. In the final minute with the goalie pulled Savoie got the last two shot attempts for the Pios but missed the net with both.
And after having provided top of the League special teams.
But what surprised me from Hollands’ presser was the idea that in re-signing Tippett, Woodcroft was not part of the Oilers plans moving forward.
They thought he was too good and would be head coaching somewhere.
Holloway with a power move in the offensive zone, is able to shovel the puck to the slot and Sceviour is stopped on the ensuring high danger chance.
Savoie got another good wrister off during a Pio powerplay. A lot of his game seems to be take two, three steps to a shooting lane and release a hard, quick one. He’s not having a good night on the PP though. Has three giveaways by my count. But this game is quite the battle. Not much space.
Sammy goes over the glass and Malone cheats to the over-load side on the zone entry on the ensuing PK – puck goes to Malone’s abandoned position at the point and the d-man walks in the high slot and buries it.
My goodness, when Lavoie gets his legs moving, he can really get some momentum going and be a load for d-men going back for puck retrievals.
Confirmed that Konovalov will start and the rest of the lineup will be the same.
Missed last nights game and just watched the replay of the NYI goal last night to see about Smith’s reaction (https://www.nhl.com/video/beauvillier-wires-one-in-for-ppg/t-330563512/c-10531755).
From that NHL.com replay of the goal it’s pretty unclear whether Smith is upset with himself or Bouchard (it honestly looks to me more like he’s upset with himself, though the replay cuts off pretty early after the goal).
Was there more to his reaction in real time? Or from a different angle?
On the Sportnet.ca replay Smith yells Fuck. Maybe he gives a slight glance towards EB a few seconds later but that’s all their replay shows. Hardly seems newsworthy to me.
Its only being talked about because it was easily heard on the broadcast. It was a swear yelled on the ice – that’s it – any story about it seems HIGHLY manufactured to me.
Thanks, and no, there certainly didn’t seem to be anything newsworthy from the replay at least.
Yep – pretty much what every goalie says when they let in a goal. It just got picked up by the mic.
Savoie picks up the puck over the center line, bolts into the zone just right of the slot and fires a wicked wrister high glove… and the goaler gets his mitt on it.
Noticed a comment Kane made in his interview today, when asked about the coaching changes, that he’s been through a few coaching changes in his career and was talking with Nuge about it.
Poor Nuge, lol.
Wow penalty shot for the Pios. They’re never called in the NCAA
Savoie gets a good one-timer off from the top of the right circle on the PP but is stopped
Savoie comes out of the UMD right corner with the puck, beelining for the crease, tries to slip a backhand past the UMD keeper but is stopped.
After Stalock got the win last night, sounds like it will be Konovalov with the net tonight – he’s been hot but I think its been a few weeks since he played a game….
I’m just glad the Islanders decided to play Sorokin last night – Varlamov has been better over the past 2.5 months.
The only problem I have with Smith’s reaction to the goal getting by him is… that it’s about the 158th time we’ve all seen something similar to that come from the lively tender. Unfortunately that shit is going to grow tiresome to the gang he rides with and his biker pass will be revoked.
Yet, we don’t actually know what was said.
People trying to manufacture drama.
Did Niemelainen play for the Pelicans while in Finland?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raKGf6U6rbQ
With all this talk about Niemelainen and comparisons to Adam Larsson and Jason Smith, I thought I would update the Gator Cup (hits + blocks by dmen) standings for last year and this year.
2020-21 Hits + Blocks Combined
1 Gudas 322
2 Hakanpaa 298
3 Larsson 294
4 Zadorov 264
5 Ristolainen 261
11 Kia’s Brother 217
2021-22 Hits + Blocks Combined
1 Gudas 265
2 Trouba 240
3 Romanov 233
4 McNabb 222
5 Ristolainen 217
8 Larsson 206
14 Sarah’s Cousin 192
2021-22 Hits + Blocks Per Game (min. 5 GP)
1 Niemelainen 6.6
2 Gudas 5.9
3 Schenn 5.5
4 Romanov 5.3
5 Ristolainen 5.2
Niemelainen has only played 8 games, so there’s obviously a small sample alert, but nevertheless, this is a promising sign that Niemelainen could become our Larsson replacement.at a lower cap hit.
Nieme loves lainen them up as they cross the blue line so he can leave his Mark!
If they were ever to remake a certain Sly Stallone / Wesley Snipes movie and cast a current Oiler D-man instead, it would be called…
“Niemolition Man”
Or perhaps different a different Snipes mid 90’s action epic: “Moneimo Train”
How quickly can we have his number changed to 57?
Hahaha oh this entire thread has taken a delightful turn. Something something White Men Can’t Jump.
The Nieminator.
Blade was alive in the Terminator universe, ain’t no Robots taking out a vampire.
This incarnation of the Oilers has a very difficult time against teams that muck & grind. The Isles are exactly that though their old-timers appear to be tapping out this year. I consider them a lesser Jets team. Still, the Oilers didn’t just cower to their bigger opponent last night, they fought back. They may not have carried the play but they put themselves in a position to win. Full credit.
Good points
I would say that the Oilers are a pretty good sized forward group overall, and last nights D group was also pretty sizeable outside of Barrie
They also carried a good part of the play for the second half of the game once they woke up!
I’m also very happy The NY Trotzes never had a lead to do more Trotzky-type things.
#unitedfront
Smith’s goals against reactions seem extra a-hole since he’s returned. It might not be his intention, but he always looks like he’s looking for someone to blame. Played great obviously, and yes Bouchard wasn’t ideal on the play, but. It what you’d like to see out of your “leader”.
And he was also not set and moving on the play. And he was not set and moving on the play because that is how he plays. He’s an athlete playing goalie, it works for him obviously, but he’s not the quiet movement type.
Blaming the teammate thing is par for the course for him, he comes off as a total douchebag.
I was not a fan of Smith 1st period puck handling. His passes were off and this created some chaos for us in our own end.
Missing from this is neither you (nor LT) knows why he reacted like he did. A more typical interpretation of Smiths reaction is a frustrated athlete angered at himself for letting one in.
Since he’s never shown a propensity to blame in game or interview anytime over his entire illustrious career, it seems odd to assume that he was blaming on this play.
The oilers only employ one goalie who has openly blamed the team for the game outcome and it’s not Smith.
But none of that would fit with this narrative.
Maybe someone should ask him about the reaction before the character assassination.
I’ll go back and look, but don’t see any character assassination in the original post.
I’ve got “didn’t like his reaction” and “Smith certainly believed” and the second one implies knowledge I don’t have but I think it falls short of assassination. jmo.
Not quite the right words on my part. But what I was trying to say is that it implies a serious character flaw if he is going to openly criticize a teammate on ice.
If you are correct that he is blaming Bouchard there, then I am in complete agreement with you. In fact, I would go further and say that Smith needs to deeply reflect on what it means to be a good teammate, leader, and what it is going to take to win. This is a serious offence and so rare at any level, it’s honestly hard for me to believe he was blaming anyone but himself.
But if he was, it is a major “douchebag” reaction and if I were coach, I would invite him out for a very long walk where I would tell him that if he can’t find a way to be frustrated without blaming teammates, he doesn’t deserve to be part of the team.
“But what I was trying to say is that it implies a serious character flaw if he is going to openly criticize a teammate on ice.”
I don’t think it is a character flaw if a player was to openly criticize a teammate. Words get said in the midst of a competitive contest. Sometimes they are directed at teammates. If this were to occur, I would think adults can process it and move past it quickly. If they can’t, then we should lower expectations for their performance while under duress (which is most of the time for an Oilers player).
I hear you and there’s obviously some question about what he’s reacting to in that situation.
It does remind me of a great moment in Dan Turner’s book Expos Inside out. Steve Rogers, a brilliant young pitcher for Montreal, used to stand on the mount and exhale in frustration when an infielder made an error. Ron Hunt was the Expos second baseman, a man who became famous for accepting 90 mph fastballs in the ribs in exchange for a trip to first base (he was tough).
Anyway, Hunt made an error in a game maybe 1974. Rogers did his thing, I think it was his second season, after a Hunt error. Hunt walked the ball to the mound, walked so close to Rogers he could feel the words and said “do that shit to me again and I’ll kill you.”
🙂
That’s a great story, LT, whether it’s applicable or not.
Yes, easy to imagine Bouch standing face to face in the crease saying that to Smith.
Do I need to use sarcasm fonts here?
This has to be out there but I haven’t seen it even when looking for it so . . .
Has anybody asked how it came about that Manson came up with Woodcroft?
Did Holland decide that both Tippett & Playfair had to be replaced or did he phone Woodcroft to tell him he was coming up and he told Holland he wanted Manson as his defensive coach?
Thanks to anybody who knows.
Good question!
Total speculation, I think it has to do with the treatment of Samorukov a few weeks ago. When asked about it after the game, Tippett made it very clear without hesitation that benching Samy was Playfair’s call and he didn’t seem to approve of it. Further, I heard Bob on the radio aggressively stating how you can’t treat kids that way these days, breaking them down to build and building them back up with tough love.
What he did to Sami wasn’t tough love it’s called breaking someone maybe the pressure was getting to playfair. This will not happen to Manson he’s a huge reason why all our late round D picks are surprising and developing so well.
Thanks. That sheds some light on it.
Manson developed all the young guys. Bouchard, Lagesson, Broberg, Niemelainen, Samorukov (Kemp and Kesselring 1.5 seasons)
The critical path for success for the Oilers and for Holland is transitioning most of these young D into NHL defensemen.
Bouchard was taking a step back. Lagesson had asked for a trade. Tippett and Playfair has already scrapped Bear and Jones). Earlier in the season, the callups of Broberg, NIemelainen, and Samorukov were not handled particularly well by Tippett and Playfair.
These young D ARE the critical path in the medium term. The McDraivid era is doomed without transitioning three of these D to be impact D.
Totally agree. I was just wondering if it was Holland noticing or Woodcroft insisting. I remember early on here Holland said he believed the head coach should get to chose his assistants and wondered if that was followed this time.
I would speculate that perhaps Holland asked, but even so plopping Woody in with 2/3 of the failing staff and asking him to change it up, as an experienced NHL coach, but rookie HC, would have put extra pressure and restraints on him
Playfair was D coach and D everything was or became brutal
It was the correct decision as manager
Gully is there to aid and wasn’t Tipp’s guy like Playfair was, although he wasn’t looking too good either with what happened to the power play
Also somebody had to run the Condors, and it would be really hard to find another NHL AC in season. Bringing Charlie built in back up for Woody
Tipp may have asked Gully if he wanted out when he didn’t get the gig. Gully seems pretty chill and must not have such an ego he’d rather be unemployed
Also he knows the opportunity there, if they and Kenny can get it together it’s careers making. Easier for Gully to get another HC gig with a ring on his finger and resume (not this year) Getting canned from a Connor team not as easy
I don’t think there was really much of a decision/discussion here
Playfair was “Tippett’s guy” and Manson is “Woody’s guy”.
I would presume that Holland asked Woody if he wanted to keep Playfair and Woody responded that he’d prefer to bring Manson with him – honestly, I could see Woody insisting on that.
I believe that Tippett and Playfair are essentially a package deal. Playfair is Tip’s guy in a way that Gully isn’t.
~ Damn. Kenny caught sleeping ~
The Montreal Canadiens trade for goaltender Andrew Hammond
Would’ve been in favor of that move. Talked about it on here about a month ago I think. Hammond has excellent numbers at the top level. And cost was basically nothing.
I don’t see a clear upgrade on Koski. Hasn’t played in years in the bigs and mediocre A numbers
hence the sarcasm tildes
Is that was that is? In that case, good sarcasm.
Guess who else is asleep!
I didn’t see the whole game, but in the part I watched Foegle played like shit.
Niemo a fun guy to watch. Annoyed how they gave him a penalty for being the stronger one in the shoving match.
Getting run over by Niemaleinen should henceforth be referred to as “Finding Niemo”. What a mass of a man!
That’s really good.
It’s interesting. Niemelainen might best be described as ‘lanky”
He is 6’6″ tall and 20 lbs lighter than Zach Hyman.
Wow! Hyman weighs 225 lbs. Who knew?
Niemalainen is listed at 190 on the Oilers website and in Wikipedia. Only on hockeydb, is he listed at 205. My eye tells me the latter but who knows.
May have been confused with his moon weight😉
Everybody’s favorite Oiler #16 weighs 190 lbs for reference too😉
Oilerbait, Ooh Ha Ha!
Great to see Woodcroft get his first W. He’s been exactly what the Oilers management team has needed in the AHL.
What struck me most about the last 72 hours of coaching shuffle was the roster decisions that came. Needed to replace a top-4 LHD? no problem bring the next guy up. However they…brought 2…and passed over who we would have thought at the start of the year to be the first recall.
Injuries play a factor, however the fall of Samorukov this year has been real and spectacular. I’m incredibly worried that he’s going to be a flight risk back to Russia next year and we’ll lose a (depreciating) asset for nothing. IMO, best to trade him for a rental if he’s been passed by both Neimaleinen and Broberg in-season.
Samorukov is having a solid year in Bakersfield and has played well since he was re-assigned. If anything, his (very) short NHL experience should show him some things he needs to work on (i.e. his timing regarding stepping up to defend the gap – a huge skill of his).
Sammy has essentially played his entire career in North America (except for the one-year in the KHL solely due to Covid reasons). He came over as a teenager and played a full Major Junior career.
I think he’s committed to trying to make the NHL.
Woodcroft’s post game media avail was one of the best I’ve ever heard from a Oilers coach.
Ceci the unsung!
I wonder if we will hear from all those complaining yesterday about Woodcroft choosing to start Smith?
“Says who? Let’s stop looking for drama where there is none.”
Skinner will get his chance. Smith-Skinner will be the tandem moving forward, barring injuries.
Skinner is Woody’s boy and when given the opportunity I think he’ll respond there’s nothing like a Coach believing in you. Mikko is done in my opinion.
😀
Lol, mature.
Smith was incredible last night, I don’t think anybody would dispute that. I saw some people jokingly (I assume) saying he played like shit during the back to back games to get Tippett fired. Which makes no sense, because those two are basically best friends for life, ride or die homies.
Instead, I think Tippett played him in those games to “get him going” again, knowing full well it would be universally scrutinized (especially after the Vegas performance) and likely be the end of his job behind the bench. He gave up 4pts in the short term for long term gain. He was playing 69420-D chess the whole time. He died a hero after living long enough to become the villain.
The team played like crap, probably a bigger issue than Smith
Team defensive structure was better. Smith looked more calm in the net. The two are not mutually exclusive.
Smith played a solid NHL game. As NHL goaltenders are supposed to.
The lack of this normal state has led to altered perception around here.
Koskinen did the same recently. It looked much better than just normal because he’d been in the dumps so long.
I concur with this. Smith does bring an added bonus of great puck handling potential which shouldn’t be underrated. But his super engaged, athletic style and tendency to ‘sell’ his body of work often has me fooled into thinking he is making spectacular saves when they are often good saves, ones we should expect from a good NHL tender.
Off topic…
We used to have some savvy financial gurus amongst us. NYCOIL, for one.
KingerOil I think is another and he still drops in from time to time.
With inflation estimates at 7.5% this year (highest since 1982).
What are some investment strategies to mitigate this?
REITs, bank stocks, high dividend ETFs, energy ETFs?
Any specifics?
Gold and other commodities plus inflation linked bonds should do well, at least theoretically.
Higher interest rates will increase the discount rate for stocks with high growth expectations and thereby hurt their values (this has already been happening over the last few weeks).
I’ve never invested in gold… outside of the investments I’ve made in my wife, lol.
I just looked at gold prices in the early 80’s and it dropped most of the time.
People think of gold as a classic inflation hedge, but it doesn’t seem to be anymore. It’s price is also quite volatile.
Rental real estate is a very good bet. Rents naturally increase during inflationary periods while the debt used to purchase the asset is based on the pre-inflated dollar at the time of purchase. You are basically using inflated dollars to pay off your pre-inflation debt. Win-win. On top of that, the asset class is appreciating as a result of a supply/demand imbalance that is likely to remain in place for quite some time.
In terms of the stock market, I like to run counter to the herd. Growth is out of favor and has been punished severely. There are some very good growth companies selling at quite the discount. Time to load up.
Which growth stocks did you purchase?
Where’s a good place to buy rental properties on the island, keeping in mind I’m not Daryl Katz?
Victoria would we way out of my price range. I don’t think I’d buy any rental properties in Edmonton as we’re a terrible market, prices have been in decline for years.
Put a business plan together. It can be very crude to start but it should paint a picture of where you want to be in 5, 10 and 20 years. Basically where you want to be financially and how you think you might get there. If you have a significant other, make sure they are part of the process and are on board with the plan. You are signing up for a 20 year trip and it can be tough at the beginning.
If real estate is your chosen path as it was mine, hook up with a veteran real estate agent/broker who deals with investors and is an investor themselves. They should be able to help you with a cash flow analysis or point you towards someone who can. They can also advise you on whether single family housing, duplexes, apartments or commercial offers the best opportunities in your area. Personally, I never factored asset price appreciation into my calculations … every decision was based on maximizing cash flow. If the property appreciates, and it will eventually, it’s icing on the cake.
Regarding stocks, they are a good place to diversify once you have established your business and have sufficient disposable income. Before that I would recommend only a small investment in stocks, just enough to learn the ins and outs without putting a lot of money at risk. Start with index funds and get as much financial education as you can. Invest in yourself. Books, seminars, investing clubs. The stock market can be a very expensive education if you have little experience and jump in with everything you have.
Having said that, you did ask about which stocks I purchased recently. AMZN, MELI, SE, SHOP, SOFI, PYPL, SQ, DOCU, FB, UPST and RSKD. You can see a pattern there, all growth with emphasis on e-commerce and fintech with a little AI sprinkled in.
Just for context, if all of these names went to zero, it would have no impact on my lifestyle. If ALL of my stock holdings went to zero, it would have no impact on my current or future lifestyle.
The problem most people in the stock market have is they invest money they need in products they don’t understand and make poor decisions because of this. The more affluent invest money they don’t need and rely on financial advisors if they lack interest in doing due diligence so are less likely to panic when things don’t go as expected. Think about that. It makes all the difference in the world.
Hope this helps. The best advice I can give is to start now with your business plan. Take that first step. Overcoming inertia is the hardest thing to do. But don’t delay. Most people put it off and nothing ever happens for them.
Thanks. Looks like you’re sort of a momentum investor, that strategy can work at times. A lot of those stocks look like good bets to rebound.
I generally don’t buy stocks. When it comes to stock picking, I’m the dumb money at the table that active managers are looking to exploit.
Not many stock pickers can outperform the S&P 500. Something like 85% don’t.
I still have half of my money with an advisor, but the fees are high and the odds that they outperform the benchmark indices over the next 10 years are low.
I did much better than my advisor last year.
I have a mix of ETF’s that I invest in including VOO / VFV. I buy VFV and sell it when it’s up and buy back into VOO to avoid forex fees.
I also own some VEQT which is a set it and forget type of investment.
This year, I’m trying to hedge some bets against inflation.
I’ve looked at VDY along with some REITs like HCRE and ZRE. There’s also the Reddit darling SCHD.
I don’t know much about REITs.
I still have half of my money with an advisor, but the fees are high and the odds that they outperform the benchmark indices over the next 10 years are low.
If this is true, then a S&P index fund would seem to make more sense for you.
I did much better than my advisor last year.
Last year was easy money … most people did very well. I was up over 80%. Let’s see how you compare this year after all the low hanging fruit has been picked. I am down 15% this year so far. If you are still outperforming at the end of the year in this market, then congratulations. It may be time for you to take more control over all your investments.
The current yield curve is already priced in to most assets. You’d have to forecast that specifically in order to generate an expectation on higher or lower than expected inflation and then observe the universe of assets for potential undervaluation or primed for outperformance.
At this point, I’d say that real return bonds have been bought up and yields will be tiny. REITS may be a consideration because they have a real-asset and inflation-pass through cashflows. Low duration floating rate bonds may be an option although those yields may have been bought down already.
One thing’s for sure, growth equities are a big bet right now. Energy, financials, and consumer non-discretionary is where value may be but everyone else already knows this too. 🤷♀️
Concur with all of this.
Bought energy value plays (DVN, FANG, EOG and EPD) as well as miners (RIO, BHP) before it was in vogue and am selling portions of these positions as they hit price targets. Wish I had bought even more.
Spend your money before it is not worth anything. Buy a nice dinner. Maybe a shiny new pair of shoes.
I’m certainly not opposed to spending money. I’d just rather spend other people’s money.
How about those blue jerseys? Coincidence? The team played in the Orange jersey’s in their 2 losses this week. Their home win against Nashville was in the Blues as well, and most of the rest of that 6 game point streak was on the road. Their win over Calgary was in the Orange, but they were very badly outshot. All the other home losses in January were in Orange too.
I say bring back the classic jersys and while we’re at it can we go back to wearing white at home?
I work with colour, and orange is not a colour most people choose to wear or decorate with. If we’re talking psychology, subconsciously not feeling good because the team uniform is to a lot of people not cool, even garish, I think it has an effect.
They may not like them either, not their choice. I think they may have asked the players about them, but what are they going to say, or are they even aware of such things? It ‘seems’ they play better in the other uniforms.
The white reverse retro isn’t as bad, I think it’s pretty sharp, but a lot less orange. It looks energetic and fresh, the full orange is just too much for me. I liked it at first, and as a 3rd or something ok, but not 42 + games.
I think it’s time to go back to a more traditional Oiler kit.
I recall the Fullers chain of restaurants in edmonton had a very garish colour scheme (bright purples and yellow and orange) which was the brain child of a psychologist that determined folks would only stay so long to eat and the turnover would be higher because of said colours (also being a 24 hour setup they wanted people to eat and leave)…I have never liked the newer uniforms and wish we could have our dynasty ones back for good!
The orange jerseys are terrible. I refuse to buy one. The reverse blues aren’t great either. Go back to the classic colours.
If I was made high lord emperor of the Oilers the #1 item on my agenda would be making our regular uniforms the early 2000’s jerseys. So beautiful. The original blue and orange would be our third jersey. (And the reverse retros could be an away alternate)
The Ntruck is clearly a fan favorite. Hammer down and hair slicked straight back.
Of Note, Bakersfield win with a new coach as well.
Anyone written about the new coaching situation in Bake? I have no idea what’s going on there now. I mean I could quickly find names but…
I knew Manson would dress Nieme you have to have at least one D with the threat to throw a big hit. I miss Benning for that he could hurt you with a on the tracks hit every blue moon and players knew that. Now call up Holloway since Kassian done and get a little muscle in the top 6 besides Kane.
If I could clone one defenseman based purely on style it would be Matt Benning. Loved his game. He could do a little bit of everything with no glaring weakness and every now and then he absolutely crushed someone.
I’d probably pick one of Nik Lidstrom or Chris Pronger, but hey, you do you lol.
I’ll see your Nik Lidstrom or Pronger and raise it with an Orr or Robinson. Robinson was like Pronger – the full package for any kind of game the team wanted to play. Orr wasn’t big like Robinson or Pronger in terms of playing a heavy game, but the man had 38 major penalties in his short career. On top of being the best at everything else, he got involved in the nasty.
Let Holloway develop while he gets his development back on track in a league that won’t suffocate him before he’s ready.
His wrist is healed but it isn’t fully rehabbed
I would be concerned about re-injury if he’s trying to compensate for it in a far tougher league, and it does limit him and that’s not a good way to start, it’s hard enough already
I agree. Let him continue to learn and rehab in a lower pressure situation complete with AHL midweek schedule breaks. Do not throw him into the thresher that is the remainder of the 2021-22 NHL season.
At least, not yet.
Jay dressed 8 defensemen if you count the stickhandling of Mike Smith.
For future reference Jay, if your forwards are unwilling to shoot at an empty net in the final minute of the game, get Smiddy to do it!!!
Another reason Woody may have gone with 7D is that the forwards HAVE to take shorter shifts.
Why would that shorten forward shifts?
Last night Smith played a excellent game. Made key saves at key times. I don’t think he stole the game I think that’s the goaltending you need to be a top team. We’re just not use to seeing it every night. If he can deliver that most nights the Oilers will be just fine.
This is such a great observation and comment. 100%
“Smith might have been the reason they won the game. He was tremendous, especially in the first period when he made 18 of his 37 saves. Natural Stat Trick had the high-danger chances at 5-0 in the Islanders’ favour heading into the intermission.
“Mike Smith turned in a performance that allowed us a chance to work our way into the game,” Woodcroft said.
The Islanders had 3.55 expected goals against and scored just once thanks to Smith.”
https://theathletic.com/3126282/2022/02/12/six-signs-of-positive-change-surface-for-the-oilers-in-jay-woodcrofts-victorious-coaching-debut/
Smith did indeed steal the game.
Per NST, expected goals for the game at 5 on 5were almost 50/50.
Isles dominated the first and, as we’ve discussed, Smith was massive.
Oilers dominated the 2nd and 3rd periods.
http://naturalstattrick.com/game.php?season=20212022&game=20623
Woody’s coaching decisions won the game after Smith’s stellar 1st period performance.
Woodcroft’s energy is infectious. Exactly what the team needs. Tippett appeared tired and the team seemed to play that way . Mike Smith played the way he has to play , or else he can always retire . That’s all the motivation he needs. Being fiery obviously helps him . But it shouldn’t be directed at his teammates.
There are days in here where 90% of the posts are Fiery comments being directed at team mates.
We aren’t teammates , we are just an eclectic group of individuals with things to get off our chests .
91%
I like the way that Woodcroft and Manson are constantly coaching during the game. As Paul Maurice was saying, the new generation of players have grown up with click baits of news, so giving them bits of information immediately is very effective.
A renewed energy was very obvious with the coaches and team. This is fairly common with a coaching change, but was certainly nice to see. Hopefully it can be sustained.
Mike Smith certainly bailed them out early before the team settled down. The game should have given the coaches plenty to address over the weekend.
I think a lot of old coaches have this issue of how to reach players. Getting belittled, yelled at and pounded from above was great back in the good old days, I miss it, doesn’t work to well anymore.
Holland lost the team 6 weeks ago if Holland wasn’t such a good. ole boy Tippett would have been let go.
I got the sense that Smith was yelling more to or at himself not Bouchard. Either way his competitiveness is something the team could use more of.
Being a dick is not competitiveness.
If it is, I’m the most competitive person in the world.
I’ll take a Marchand or a Tom Wilson on my team anytime.
They’re dicks to the other team, not their own.
MacKinnon?
I am not a supporter of the alleged way he behaves. If you are going to be that harsh and extreme about things, you better be doing some pretty amazing things and never mess up.
I think unless they win a lot and big, rifts will start because people get sick of others being a dick. I appreciate myself being a dick, others don’t seem to I find.
And they have been doing a lot of not winning big for a few years. Book it, if they get bounced again pre their expectations, we’ll start hearing about issues. Like the Jets, something is off in their house.
Agreed on MacKinnon.
And agreed the Avs will need to change some things up if they can’t find post season success.
Though their hand is forced a bit too, MacKinnon has only 1 year after this one on that sweet deal, plus Kadri, Burakovsky and Nichushkin (making a combined $11.9M) are UFA this summer.
They won’t be able to keep all of them even if they want to.
Edit: Kuemper is UFA this summer too. This season is their last best chance.
Not always that’s for sure.
As a goalie myself, that reaction by Smith looked like the way I would get mad at myself for letting one by that probably could have been stopped if only I’d been more squared up to the shot. I didn’t think that was directed at Bouchard.
Smith is a competitive guy – I imagine he’s his own harshest critic.
I didn’t think it was directed at Bouchard. If it hit him, it was negligible. I think he was more angry that if he’d had the angle down properly, it would have been a save, deflection or not.
The litmus test of competitiveness would be if Smith could take it in return. Skate past him after a bad goal and say, “jeez, ya gonna stop one for us, Smiddy?”
For me, the veteran leadership you’d expect of Smith should, should mind you, talk to Bouchard during video session or intermission and tell him, “hey Bouch, you’re doing some good things, but remember to either block the shot or let me see it.”
I agree with this
The Oilers forever have been asking players to invest in blocking shots
Through various regimes. I see it as a hangover from OBC machoism
I think it is important but like anything in life in context and balance
What I’m getting at is the directive has been top down to me and what OMB might’ve done Smitty couldn’t correct
Thus my previous comment about Charlie getting that crap sorted out
I realize players were overcompensating for weak goalering
But to fix the schmozzle everyone needs to do their jobs ‘first’ and allow everyone else to do their jobs because it works out a lot better
This is where the team building piece comes in. You will not always succeed, but you will almost certainly not succeed if you don’t work as a team
Part of Tipp’s issue. I wonder if he was put under pressure like the others before and couldn’t/ wouldn’t let ‘er rip like he wanted
Because the dysfunctional dynamics are still in place I would not be surprised. And that has to end starting asap
Every industry has to modernize or keep pace or die out
And that is low hanging fruit in the NHL
I thought the forwards were far more engaged coming back to help the defence. Way less hesitation and more of a direct game from the whole team, which matches Woody’s pregame verbal. The team also seemed to be communicating better on the ice.
Woody has so much more energy on the bench and last night it translated to the team. I think Tipp is a good coach but he is more of a calm, measured old man frankly. Old man energy!
While the Islanders had some good chances, they also were a pretty damn good team last night. That was no pushover opponent. Go beat those godless flames, Trotz!
Tipp would be a great match for a high strung team. The Oilers are intense but more brooding, quiet in the room apparently. They need a coach with some gumption and positivity.
The C men were coming way back into the low slot which was really noticeable on getting a few rebounds
Oilers have had a quiet team for years that’s why players like Maroon and Hendricks were so loved by the rest of the gang. When Mr. Lowtide says balance that also includes personalities.
Broberg Barrie
Historically speaking, is there any voodoo associated with D pairings?
#Chemistry
#Alchemy
#Bromium&Barium
If Broberg could babysit Barrie that would be great.
I thought Barrie has a solid defensive game last night – playing about half his time with Nurse (tough comp) and the other half with a revolving door of rookie (or non-established) D.
So LT, of your “Athletic 7” that may be affected by Jay.
How many so far?
Five. The other two didn’t play, but will.
I think steamin Niemin is what this team needs for 3LD right now. I can take the wobble and a few mistakes if he can keep bringing the physicality.
generally not a fan of the 7D approach but under the circumstances this was an astute decision and well managed throughout the game.
Only 1 game in, but I get the sense Woody and Manson know what to do with this team. Looking forward to seeing what additional changes they will make once they get some more time with the team. Course it didn’t hurt that Smith had an excellent game!
If Foegele continues to struggle, I wonder how long it will be before Benson gets some at bats higher up the lineup ….
Foegele has lost his mojo like a lot of them.
He came from a light hearted disciplined team with a fiery coach. It suited him. He’s not a freelancer or a finisher.
He came to a team that tanked and gets uptight and moody. The coach looked depressed. Not his best situation. I think he’ll start to recover now and be what he is.
Benson has more talent but Foegele’s size, speed and assertiveness are pretty hard to replace when he’s on.
I agree, Slamming Nemo brings the truculence we need.
Absolutely shocking! Oilers get better than 0.900 goal wrong and they win the game.
Kenny – Do not spend assets on a LHD. Team has some that can play and it looks like the new coach (non- 🦕) will do exactly that.
If things keep going like that Kenny won’t do anything, book it! Probably still should but because Kenny.
Opposite. Winning will be the only thing that makes him wanna do something.
But if they’re winning he’ll not want to step on anybody’s toes
Its why he needs to become only POHO or better president and there be some folks better at what’s missing below
Holland is good peeps and brings a lot of value
It seems to me that people at the end of careers aren’t the best fit in day to day active roles in developing and progressing situations because they have done the driving hard part
As mentors absolutely, that is the way of humans
But a guy like Woody is super juiced, has paid his dues, and will bring a different energy and level.
Not that Tipp and Play (heh heh) didn’t work very hard and do everything they thought and could
It’s different though. I’ve been there many of you have
So, that needs to happen in the GM seat
If Holland is POHO no problem, Pres makes me think he’s a further step back, but he has to be on board with modernization and getting super cap effective in a win win way
It’s the last step
Everybody is happy after a win, but if it weren’t for Smith that game would have been out of reach after the 1st.
Oilers were better after that, but man they need to tighten up in their own end. And that’s going to be tough to do with the current available defensemen.
Woodcroft dressed 7 dmen. 4 were basically rookies and Barrie makes as many mistakes defensively as most rookies. That leaves 2 dmen you can really count on, Nurse and Ceci. It’s no coincidence that these 2 guys each played over 25 minutes.
I don’t mind Smith getting pissed at his dmen once in a while. Bouchard looked like a 2 legged flamingo in no man’s land on the Islander goal. Block the shot or get out of the way already.
Smith was channeling his inner Yoda: “Block. Or Block not, there is no try.”
I hope Manson cleans that part of the D game up, drives me bonkers, always has.
Blocking shots means in the lane in front of the puck so it hits you in the pads (like Barrie’s GA) or the shot isn’t taken because there is no lane (Barrie’s better option that time).
Getting sticks in which deflects the shot, even Cherry didn’t like that. Getting your stick right to the puck while they shoot because you are close enough is good, if not let the goalie do his job. Deflections are what the other team is trying to do, don’t help them!
‘Playing goalie’ is too dangerous unless it’s game 7. Guys dropping down and sticking legs/hands out etc. It’s too late, let the goalie do their job. Sergachev took one to the head a few weeks ago doing just that. We’ve seen lots of injuries related to that, season changing injuries.
I’m sure Cooper would rather have him playing, than ‘making the save’ and going on IR. Especially with his head.
I think you may want to re-write this.
Keeping with the theme
And you may ask yourself, “How do I re-work this?”