The final summary had 19 Oilers giveaways, if you told me it was 30 I’d believe you. A game that looked home and dry early turned into a ‘Marx Brothers meets Keystone Cops’ extravaganza with brains parked and panic around every corner. What a colossal mess! After the game, my wife said “they can never just win. So much drama” and that’s about right.You know what? It’s two points.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci emerging as top pair for Oilers
- Lowetide: Ryan McLeod’s case for a spot on Oilers’ skill lines
- DNB: Oilers’ recent play only underscores that upcoming trade deadline must be a time to act
- Lowetide: Revisiting the Oilers’ choice of Evan Bouchard in the 2018 draft
- DNB: Markus Niemelainen collecting catchy nicknames as his surprise breakout accelerates
- Lowetide: Why Stuart Skinner should be starting games for the Oilers right now
- Lowetide: How much do the Oilers miss Jesse Puljujarvi?
- DNB and Lowetide: Who says no? Evaluating 25 Oilers trades
- Lowetide: Could Philip Broberg be Oilers’ answer for problem defence?
- DNB: Leon Draisaitl postgame Q&A
- Lowetide: Oilers fans still adjusting to Ken Holland’s management style
- DNB: Ken Holland Q&A
- Lowetide: Positive early returns on Oilers’ 2021 draft class, but there are miles to go
- Lowetide: 3 trade targets that could help Oilers this season and beyond
- DNB: Oilers trade deadline expectations? Mailbag
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2021
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM MARCH
- On the road to: PHI, CHI (Expected 1-0-1) (Actual 1-0-1)
- At home to: MON (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-1-0)
- On the road to: CAL (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 0-1-0)
- At home to: WAS, TBAY, DET, BUF, NJD (Expected 3-1-1) (Actual 3-0-0)
- On the road to: COL, DAL (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: SJS (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: CAL (Expected 0-1-0) Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: ARI, LAK (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 8-5-2, 18 points from 15 games
- Actual March results: 4-2-1, 9 points in 7 games
- Oilers in 2021-22: 33-23-4, 70 points in 60 games
Edmonton’s three game winning streak, combined with VGK’s five-game losing streak has things looking up. The Oilers can’t afford to blow games and last night doesn’t exactly instill confidence, but the postseason spot is there and in the team’s control. It’s exactly what was needed for a team badly in need of clean air and some room to breathe. Jay Woodcroft is 10-5-1 through 16 and Ken Holland’s Frankenstein goalie tandem lives to scare the locals another day.
The truth is, and no one really wants to say it, Edmonton could make the postseason by posting just over a point-per-game. The risk? Another prolonged losing streak, a team like Vegas or Vancouver firing off 10 wins in a row, or both. A solid home stand so far, full credit to all involved.
GOALTENDER
Mikko Koskinen stopped 30 of 35 shots, .857. Three of the five goals were judged by NST to be HDSC, and I saw them like this:
- Staal goal: McLeod turns over puck in high DRW slot, jailbreak. Barrie is beaten to the shoot-in at the back wall, Detroit retrieves. A couple of passes, long shot from the point, nice screen, goal.
- Sam Gagner goal: Puck came off Sam’s stick quickly and wasn’t exactly a shot ON net, but Koskinen’s positioning was not strong and he needs to make that save. McLeod turns over puck in a bad spot.
- Filip Zadina goal: I don’t think Koskinen picked up where the puck bounced and was late to recognize where the shot was coming from. I can blame the defense all day, winning ONE battle would have been nice, but the goalie needs to locate the danger. Not sure Mr. Koskinen did there.
- Lucas Raymond goal: A malfunction at the junction, Duncan Keith and Mikko Koskinen were uncertain and Detroit was quite certain. I blame everybody.
- Staal goal: Philip Broberg skates puck to center but doesn’t have a plan, Detroit has a plan. The shot seemed to be screened by Tyson Barrie, that isn’t the best use of his time.
In between, Koskinen made some great stops and the team won. I don’t think it’s especially wise to spend a lot of time on what wasn’t accomplished by the goalie, since he’s the one guy winning hockey games in Northern Alberta this winter. Fantastic pokecheck.
Ken Holland needs a goalie and isn’t shopping for one. Edmonton needs an analytics department to show him how much the goaltending is costing this team. I’m surprised more fans aren’t on this, it seems the Koskinen story has gotten emotional and now the dream is to ride the big man’s goaltending to glory. Okay. Let’s see how that turns out. I have no quarrel with Koskinen as one half of a tandem. This deadline is setting up as the scene of a crime.
DEFENSE
Darnell Nurse picked up an assist on Zach Hyman’s 20th goal of the season, but also had four giveaways. Played in the heart of the game five-on-five, over 10 minutes versus Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider, going 1-0 goals against the top line. Cody Ceci also picked up an assist on the EN goal, and has emerged as one of three (Hyman, Ceci, Kane) free-agent additions who have made a big difference this year. Seven shot blocks between the two men. I wrote about this pairing for The Athletic today, the coaching staff is using them in interesting ways.
Duncan Keith picked up an early assist by saving a puck at the blue line that was instantly cashed for a goal by Connor McDavid. He picked up a late one on the Warren Foegele goal. In between, he was involved in the Gagner and Raymond goals, both tallies saw Keith unable to impact the plays. The Raymond goal could have been avoided with a hammer shot around the wall, and Gagner’s goal was a little bit of bad luck (Oiler had possession, then did not). Evan Bouchard was at the front end of the Gagner goal, he tied up his man for Ryan McLeod to retrieve the puck, but the puck got away from McLeod heading around the net. Bouchard had an assist and a takeaway on a night when there weren’t many.
Philip Broberg picked up an assist on the Devin Shore goal to open the game, and had a rookie moment in the neutral zone on the first Staal marker. Do not get down on him. He is making great strides and there will be teams when indecision creeps in. I love his mobility and he has some precision in his passing. Learning curve appears to be shorter than most. Tyson Barrie had an assist, three blocked shots, was slow to get back in time to retrieve the puck on the first Staal goal. I don’t think this pairing is bound for glory, and with Keith-Barrie playing well during the game, perhaps we see a shuffle.
FORWARDS
Evander Kane had FOUR high-danger chances at five-on-five, created a rebound, scored twice (10 on the year), five shots overall, and is the best midseason addition in many years. His next contract will cost the moon. Connor McDavid scored his goal so quickly I thought Keith’s shot went directly in, and his pass to Kailer Yamamoto for an assist was all world yet we expect it. Four shots on goal, three HDSC at five-on-five, he is 33-52-85 in 59 games this year. Kailer Yamamoto had a goal and an assist, now up to 14-11-25 in 59 games. He’s on a trajectory that would see him finish just shy of 20 goals, I’d love to see him make it. I think the Yamamoto pick represented a breakthrough for the organization, would love to see him pay back the scouts with a 20-goal season.
Zach Hyman scored goal No. 20 for the Oilers, he is the third man to do it this year and the first non-97/29 to do it since Nuge in 2019-20. The last pure winger to do it? Alex Chiasson, 22 in 2018-19. How soon we forget. He had two HDSC’s, and continues to be a 200-foot turnover machine. Leon Draisaitl took two penalties that weren’t penalties, had two assists, drew a penalty and worked hard all over the ice. He played eight minutes (1-1 goals) against Moritz Seider, who has an incredible future on the way. Ryan McLeod turned over a couple of pucks that began sequences leading to GA, four giveaways in all. He is a smart player, suspect he’ll figure a way around what is now four games without a goal.
Warren Foegele scored a goal, ending a rather long drought. He’s on pace to finish just shy of 30 points and is 10-6 in five-on-five goal differential since Valentine’s Day. Devin Shore scored an early goal, and was among a large group of Oilers who were damn happy Foegele scored. Derek Ryan had an assist, four shots, worked hard on the forecheck and keeping pucks 200 feet from Edmonton’s net. He’s having a solid year.
Zack Kassian had a dangerous giveaway but that was a constant in the game. I think he’s a little vulnerable in terms of playing time, with Jesse Puljujarvi and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins returning soon. Kassian is 31 and has skated many miles. I hope he can stay in the lineup. Brad Malone blocked a shot, stood up for teammates and had a quiet night. Josh Archibald picked up an assist on the Foegele goal.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
At 10 this morning, we crack the mic and steady talk until noon. Bruce McCurdy from the Cult of Hockey at the Edmonton Journal will give his opinion on a win that was also a many splendored thing. Joe Osborne from Odds Shark will discuss the big Jays trade this morning and what it does to Toronto’s pennant chances. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. See you on the radio!
Okay, so we need a cheap big LHD… Searching for LHD UFAs, on non-playoff teams, minimum 6 feet tall, 200 lbs on CF returns the following names:
Zdeno Chara – NYI – 750k
Mason Geertson – NJD – 750k
Jacob Megma – SJS – 750k
Nick Seeler – PHI – 750k
Kevin Connauton – PHI – 875k
Robert Hagg – BUF – 1.60M
Marc Staal – DET – 2.00M *NMC
Hampus Lindholm – ANA – 5.20M
Nick Leddy – DET -5.50M
Mark Giordano – SEA – 6.75M
Geertson and Megma are tweeners, not established NHLers. Seeler has only 142 games under his belt, but he is a credible -2 on a Flyer team that is -58 in GD. Connauton is an Edmonton boy, a 32 yo journeyman on his 6th team, but has spent more time in the minors then the Bigs over the last three years. He is also not good in his own end… by reputation, by eye and by stat. Robert Hagg’s numbers look serviceable, but not great. Staal, sure, but would he waive?
Chara has some ugly numbers but I would never count him out in a short tournament and the experience and ethic he would bring would be invaluable. Plus he brings the lowest cap pain. But who knows what verbal he has in place over his disposition, and even then you’d still have to deal with Lou.
The rest are too expensive.
Obtaining any of these players, of course, requires money out or cap machinations via LTIR.
But that’s it. That’s the whole list. Not exactly heartwarming, is it? Almost goalie ugly. The RH side actually has some better value options, for once.
Man. Teams might have a real tough time getting draft picks back for the high salary guys.
These prices are cray cray. Best to sit out till Monday unless something changes.
The contenders always blink first in this game of chicken. They feel they’re legit and want their target.
Prices will come down. This is going to be a buyer’s market in the long run.
FLA’s move was interesting today. Chiarot can play against soft comp pretty good. He can eat up a lot of minutes if needs be, not well, but he can play a big minute game. His annual ticket is 3.5, MTL is retaining half, so FLA is getting for 1.75 pro-rated. That still seems like a lot for what he brings, although maybe they want the playoff experience and poise he has. Couldn’t they have found the same for less cap and not pay for the retention?
Our problem of course isn’t paying for the player, it’s the cap space.
Perlini assisted on all 3 of Marody’s goals – that last one quite nice as he made the play at the defensive blue to start the 3 on 1 rush and then the perfect pass.
My favorite play was still Sammy’s blue line step up to thwart a PP rush and lead to the Schaler breakaway goal.
Sammy and Deharnais were plus 4.
Holloway did see some more PK time.
Interestingly Flames golden children Valimaki and Zary were -4 & -3 respectively.
Good game for most of the roster, it was great to see Kesselring return, he is the best passer of the group that played. It will be interesting to see if Benson makes it through waivers and where he lines up. He will likely replace Kambeitz who does well as a grinder, but shows the occasional offensive acumen with power moves to the net.
Like OP suggested earlier, Engaras will likely start in Witchita, there doesn’t seem to be an open spot for him at the moment. Unless they want him to practice with the team to gauge where his game is at.
It is great to see another forward prospect get into the mix. He brings a lot of intangibles and underrated skill to the table.
How can one have a legitimate conversation on here when the first response to every attempt is derailed by one man’s drive to shove his narrative down everyone’s throats?
Marody finishes off the hatty – Perlini leads a 3 on 1, over to Marody for the one-timer snap from the slot.
Skinner loses the shutout half way through the third – a nice shot/pass tipped in front. 29 saves in a 5-1 win.
Perlini with what seems like a rare assist.
Sounds like Jesse is back for tomorrow evening’s game
Oh, yes, this was confirmed early this afternoon by the coach and the GM. McLeod is being moved down to center in the bottom six for now.
Samorukov does a great job stepping up at the blue as the Heat try a PP entry – he pops the puck up the middle and Schaller with clear cut breakaway for a 4-0 lead.
What the hell is Sunny Mehta thinking? Ben Chiarot? What do the pro stats show that ours don’t?
Balance.
Waiting for you to post Andrew Berkshire’s tweet on Chiarot.
He’s excited about the 2023 pick and he should be but it’s likely to be near the end of the 1st round.
Florida is in win now mode…not win in 2026 mode.
So they should have used to get Chychrun
not a guy massacred by analytics
That’s nice.
Its a fine acquisition for Florida – they are a run and gun team and a bigger more defensive minded d-man should help (even though he’s not all that good and was exposed in the playoffs last season).
Doesn’t change the fact that, in my opinion, it was a massive over-pay vis-a-vis value.
Summarizing!
Chiasson picks up a 3rd-period aPPle in a 5-2 loss.
Wanner and The Bourg remain out of their respective lineups.
Currently, in the 2022 draft, the flames have a 5th and a 7th round pick.
They also have a cup contending team and a decent prospect pool.
Sutter traded most of his picks 20 years ago, too. When he’s done in Calgary, they might have a Stanley (or two) but they’ll need a rebuild.
I don’t see a Stanley for them this year and, with Gaudreau, Tkachuk, Kylington, Mangiapane in need to new contracts, Treliving has a massive task to in front this summer just to keep his team at the same level.
I’m happy they are skipping the draft.
Dom and Shayna today published an extensive look at the contenders this season and ranked the Flames at or near the top BEFORE they acquired Jarnkrok to play 3C which is exactly what the Flames were missing.
‘https://theathletic.com/3186979/2022/03/16/stanley-cup-contender-checklist-how-does-each-playoff-team-stack-up/
That’s nice (and I already read that earlier) – I can still formulate my own opinion.
You forgot OP, Chucky’s going to resign for less than his brother did in Ottawa! HH’s perspective of other teams is blind from Oilers hatred.
johnny disappearing in the playoff will happen again.
David Pagnotta
@TheFourthPeriod
I wasn’t able to touch on Chychrun on @NHLNetwork
a few moments ago, but further to Craig’s reporting here, I’m told the Coyotes are still very much engaged in trade discussions involving the 23-year-old. LA still in the mix, but so are 2-3 other clubs.
Is it safe to say that this community will essentially be one poster’s twitter feed for the next 5 days
It’s like when people give you their phones to watch something on YouTube then stand there staring with a stupid grin, waiting for you to laugh.
At least he can’t ruin LT’s radio show as well…
Kill him with numbers and moving goal posts, it’s the only way.
No it’s not.. All he wants is attention. If everybody stopped engaging him he would leave. Nobody is “putting him in his place”. They are just validating his posts.
It is like playing chess against a pigeon. You can make the most thought out, perfect move. He is just going to kick the pieces over, shit on the board and strut around like he won.
Well, he will have won. He will have controlled the conversation. Making it about refuting his narrative yet again rather than engaging people on the original topic of the original post. This moving the goalposts and whataboutism to derail conversations is his favourite tactic. There’s a reason why that sort of thing is heavily frowned upon on sites like Substack that are interested in mature discussion. Here, some days, we get near relentlessly.
He really won’t have if absolutely no one responds
Agreed. But I was riffing off Fuge’s metaphor, which presumed response. And thinking no one will respond to inflammatory tactics is unrealistic.
Condors get a 2nd, kind of jam play scramble in front – Schaller whacks it in.
Then, one of the weirdest goals I’ve ever seen. Marody fans on one, gets it back, takes a weak backhand from the faceoff dot, which is tipped right as he shot it, it goes straight up in the air and somehow bounces off the goalie’s back an in.
Goalie pulled with Condors up 3-0.
David Pagnotta
@TheFourthPeriod
·
1h
Told by two separate sources the acquisition of Ben Chiarot does not impact Florida’s pursuit of Claude Giroux. Montreal is retaining half of Chiarot’s contract
It’s the least they could do 🙂
Better to have him in the East so he doesn’t maim Connor
JFresh
@JFreshHockey
·
6m
thank you colorado and florida for ensuring that if they win the Cup playing high-flying offensive hockey it will have been because they traded for big tough hard to play against stay at home physical defencemen at the deadline
Marody finds Perlini driving to the high slot – he rings the cross-bar, the rebound kicks way out to the left dot and Marody buries it before the goalie can get set.
1-0 Condors less then a minute in.
Why do we always see why can’t we be like one of these “analytics” teams without ever acknowledging these analytics teams do some bat shit stuff that is not supported by analytics?
For example?
Let’s start with Charot for a 2023 first round pick which you’ve told us many times is far more valuable than a 2022. While fit is good he literally has a 0% ranking
Foligno for a 1st round pick last trade deadline was called awful at the time
trading for Jared McCann and than protecting Holl over him
Teams who are in win now mode often make trades that seem exorbitant at the time (see Tampa for years) but result in the ultimate prize.
GM’s who sit on their hands and play it safe rarely win anything.
The key is to recognize when you have a legitimate shot and push your chips into the middle of the table.
Of course, since there is only one cup winner, it’s easy to criticize those who fall short but generally speaking, fortune favours the bold.
The Seattle Kraken. You were lauding their cutting edge analytics team.
How is that going for them so far?
Weoponized cap space…ya know?
Per Ryan Holt:
Skinner starts. Sceviour in for McPhee. Kesselring for Kaldis.
Greg Wyshynski
@wyshynski
·
1m
So Florida is now sans 1st round picks in 2022 and 2023 after the Chiariot trade.
Welcome to the Western Conference, Claude Giroux? https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f914.svg
Nope
And where do you think he’s going?
That’s a great package to Seattle for jarnkrok. More than I expected the going price to be…but I guess cap space being such a mess for most contenders its found to be some funny deals.
I’m starting to hope the rangers get paid picks to take on a few more contracts where player just overpaid for teams wanting to make bigger splashes – but might still be of use to rangers with their cap space as it is. That would be a deadline legendary day.
I’d probably be cheering for them to win if they do. Couldn’t resist cheering for a misfit toy champion winner.
That’s alot of draft picks:
CapFriendly
@CapFriendly
· 9m
TRADE:
To Calgary #Flames:
F Calle Jarnkrok (50% retained)
To Seattle #Kraken:
2022 2nd RD pick (FLA)
2023 3rd RD pick (CGY)
2024 7th RD pick (CGY)
3rd and 7th round picks are pocket lint and Florida’s second is likely going to be near the end of the round.
True
That’s alot of draft picks.
Will remember that when oilers trade some 3rd round pocket lint
They already did and got a soon to be 39 year old defenseman with a $5.5 million cap hit.
Some impressive weaponizing of a million in cap space right there…or likely must have been a lot of suitors.
My god, a 1st next year is a massive overpay for Chiarot even without the 4th or prospect.
2023 is supposed to be a phenomenal draft and, from accounts, teams are valuing 2023 picks more than 2022 in many circumstances.
I’m reminded of the phrase…”go big or go home”.
For sure. That 1st is going to be very late in the 1st round. Chiarot is a tough guy. Was unreal in the playoffs last year. Played mean. Florida is big, fast and are a BIG fav to win it all. Be funny if they get Giroux as well.
Chiarot played big minutes in the playoffs last year (over 20 at 5 on 5 per game) but got caved in those minutes – a minus player, massively negative possession metrics and goal metrics across the board and also negative relative metrics
Aggh, so the a trade shouldn’t be analyzed on its merits if a team is “going big”……. got it.
Does a 2nd pairing d-man constitute “going big”?
Why not Chychrun then
Braun is probably going to go for a lot more than I thought he would.
Flames are making a big deal out of Gadreau’s last year in Calgary
He will be back in the states next season
Be nice to get a big 3rd/ 4th liner that has a small cap hit , like Nick Paul .
Jarnkrok
Flames get Jankrok
Florida gets Chiarot
Jankrok and Elias Lindholm are Cousins.
Micah Blake McCurdy
@IneffectiveMath
·
4m
Ben Chiarot (traded to Florida for a fourth this year, a first next year, and a prospect) is an average defensive defender with a decent shot.
That’s a good job by Montreal.
Yep, it is…but they won’t likely reap the rewards for at least 3 years.
Frank Seravalli
@frank_seravalli
Cousins Calle Jarnkrok and Elias Lindholm are about to be United in Calgary. Jarnkrok is heading to the #Flame
.
Sounds like multiple draft picks going from CGY to #SeaKrake
.
“Jarnkrok, 30, is a right-handed forward who has played much of the 2021–22 season at wing but has also spent significant time at centre during his National Hockey League career.
He’s in the final season of a six-year deal that carries a $2 million cap hit.
In 557 career games with the Kraken and the Nashville Predators, Jarnkrok has 106 goals and 237 points. He scored seven points in 21 games during Nashville’s run to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final.
According to a report by Sportsnet’s Ryan Leslie, the Kraken have agreed to retain half of Jarnkrok’s remaining cap hit in the deal.”
https://flamesnation.ca/2022/03/16/calle-jarnrkok-calgary-flames-seattle-kraken/
Rishaug putting the kibosh on rumours that the Oilers are interested in Kubalik
Seemed a strange rumor, not an area of need, can’t really afford him.
Didn’t see this posted but this source reporting the Oilers are in on Kubalik. Not sure how I feel about this – feels like AA all over again. Please don’t send out Yamo to make room for him.
Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Hearing the Blackhawks are making progress on a Dominik Kubalik trade, with Anaheim and Edmonton being the frontrunners.
https://twitter.com/BenPopeCST/status/1504189995640369153?s=20&t=K87Hq0D9LmcVhav2EJlowA
Remember, Holland saw Kubalik good during the Chicago play-in series.
Kassian going that way basically even salary but I have no idea why Chicago would make that deal short of us adding like our 1st round pick….then I have no idea why we’d make that deal.
Lw as well….I think that is the lowest ranking position of need at this point.
I guess it would be like your Kane replacement next season though. Not saying they are equivalent but that’s why there will likely be a 2-3 million difference in salary once Kane signs next deal.
Makes no sense. About.33 PPG. 3.7M RFA
He’ll get 5+ I’d bet. A tall skinny guy with low PMs. Is another light non physical player with no edge what they need?
Will Holloway not give that production with more heft for cheap?
I’d clear cap and pay 6.5-7 for Kane before I’d pay Kubs 5. It all depends on what a GM values. Cap can be cleared if we will trade our buddies and make up later
Kubalik has scored 30 goals in the NHL.
So did AA.
And since then he’s seen his goal and point total significantly decrease year over year
Remember Andreas Athenasiou was a 30 g scorer too
AA is among the legions of injured Kings but was on pace for 32 goals.
The comparison should be with Yamamoto…do you believe he will ever be a 30 goal scorer in the NHL?
I don’t.
Of course you don’t! Your perspective is horrible skewed due to your hatred of anything Oilers. The good news is that you jinx everything you speak of, so we can look forward to Yamamoto scoring 30 next season haha!
Eventually, if not traded, Yamamoto will be moved down to the 3rd line where he belongs.
Pretty tough to score 30 under those circumstances.
This is correct, Yamamoto is likely to be a 3rd line winger and PK guys in the next few years, even shortly this year – Nuge and Yamamoto on 3rd line? That’s Stanley Cup winning depth.
And yet if you take Yamamoto’s 19-20 season, he scored at a 33 goal rate over 82 games. So you’re already wrong…
Lol. He played 20 games.
LOl…he has the same goal scoring rate as Evander Kane who is apparently a God among men.
He might score 20 if he keeps getting spoon fed by Batman and Robin Interestingly Sam Gagner is only 2 points behind Yamamoto and makes less money.
Of note: At Yamamoto’s age, AA was putting up 17G/33P.
Yamamoto may never score 30 but, even in an uneven year for his with little PP time until recently, he’s on pace for 20 plus and, at his age, it didn’t look like AA would ever put up 30.
2 years ago sound familiar?
If Kubalik is acquired:
Why would Chicago trade a stone cold killer? And if he is traded to the Oilers, does he automatically become a replacement level player that can be picked up in the off-season for nothing?
Of course not, he’s pretty much the definition of a one shot scorer.
Him and Yamamoto right? Deadly scorers
Which one had a bloated 25% shooting percentage in his best season?
It’s the Schroedinger player
Chychrun for example is both an amazing defenseman if LA acquires him and an overpriced bum if Oilers trade for him
Dreger saying LAK and Boston the front runners for Chychrun and he expects him to get traded.
It’s gonna be Bs
Why do you think that?
LA can absorb his cap hit without blinking and have a vast prospect pool.
Boston would have to move out cap to make the trade and are much poorer in prospects and young players.
Wanner is also out of the lineup for the Moose Javians:
https://mobile.twitter.com/MJWARRIORS/status/1504225353161605122?cxt=HHwWhICs1aW_iuApAAAA
Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) Tweeted:
Panthers trade today cleared $2.5M of cap space. I think Florida is still a possible landing spot for Claude Giroux while I believe the Panthers still looking at top LHD options such as Lindholm, Chiarot or Giordano…
Bottom line, the Cup contending Panthers far from done.
https://twitter.com/PierreVLeBrun/status/1504192466194518026?s=20&t=OjUUozQ-jIDGB4qwUeyI6g
”Easy to be Hard”
-Brought to you by Viagra
Also a song from “Hair” and a hit single by Three Dog Night.
That’s a band that gets very little love in the modern times. Not sure why.
Great songs. All three sang lead on different songs, too.
Eli’s Coming is a Classic.
This will be Woodcroft/Manson’s first time to see Russell live from the bench this season.
I think they will enjoy his general ability to get the puck out (even if often comes right back) – recall the last few minutes of last night’s game.
I also think they will enjoy his work on the PK.
I see legit 3rd pairing minutes plus PK and that’s good role for him.
Rusty generally has some solid games when he comes off IR – he can’t play every night any more but he can help here and there.
Based on Nill’s comments earlier today, Holtby won’t be available at the trade deadline, (nor does he intend to trade Klingberg). He might have been waffling on this before, but with Khudobin having surgery and Heiskanen out with mono, he needs these guys to stay in the hunt. Now maybe he changes his tune if Dallas loses its next 3 games before the deadline and the teams they are fighting with win. The situation is probably iffy enough that Dallas might not be a buyer or seller at the deadline.
Still no Bourg to be had:
https://mobile.twitter.com/Cataractes_Shaw/status/1504215941097431053?cxt=HHwWmoC9qbibhuApAAAA
Are we supposed to be happy Russell is coming back?
Yes.
Why would you be unhappy that he is back? I don’t think anyone is thinking, “Wow with Russell back, the team is sure to make the playoffs now.” He simply provides Woodcroft/Manson another option to put in the line up. If he plays many games while healthy, that would indicate that Woodcroft/Manson think he provides the team a better chance to win (even if only slight) compared to the other available alternatives. If he doesn’t, he won’t stay in the line up. Holland did indicate today that the mostly likely position he would try to add by the deadline would be defense, but until then, more healthy NHL quality defenseman never hurts even if it is at the 5/6/7 level.
The PK unit likely is…..
The PK has been the team’s single biggest issue for months now.
Woody knows the Condors roster. If Malone or Benson could help the team they would be in Edmonton. Instead he chose Malone. Nobody in Edmonton could see this and it looks like Woody was right.
Tippet took a TON of heat for playing guys like Shore over Benson.
Benson was a high end performer for Woody for years, a player who’s work ethic and commitment to get better Woody praised for years.
Woody played Shore over Benson.
This is telling (both vis-a-vis Benson and bit vis-a-vis Shore as well) – at least to me it is.
People around here give too little credit to Shore.
61st pick jn 2012, All Hockey East First Team in his 2nd college season, scored >30 points in rookie year and 2nd year in the NHL league (D+5 seasons), and defensively responsible. The guy is a NHL player.
Looks like Sanheim could be available from Philadelphia. The 6’3 25 year old LHD has another year left on his deal at $4.675M. Reportedly the ask is similar to what the Flyers paid for Ristolainen: roster player (Hagg) + 1st + 3rd.
Thoughts?
Like the player, but we’d be paying the left side of our defence almost $20M next year. Have to go cheap on the 3rd pairing next year.
I don’t know much about Sanheim but Kassian would look great in a Flyers uniform
I’d move a lot to rid ourselves of that contract
Kassian and Turris is essentially money in/out
I wouldn’t worry about too much money on LD at the moment, you can sort that out in the summer
You could trade Sanheim in the summer if it came to that
Regardless of whether he’s a good player or not, I’m not sure adding a lot of cap in a spot you have 3 prospects at the cusp makes sense building the roster to compete
Bro is going to make the team next season he’s ready, and with a full NHL season he’ll be seasoned enough to cover 3rd pair come playoffs, with his obvious ability
What they need is a RD that can partner the LD. Holland has to trade Barrie or Bouch to balance the D. I know who I’d deal. Sanheim is also listed as 6’3 181 pounds. They need a cycle busting crease clearer, the young D have the tall skinny thing covered
I’d pencil Broberg in on the right side next year. Niemelainen will be waiver exempt so he can play in the minors, with Samorukov getting reps as the 7th defenseman. I don’t think the Oilers prospect pool stands in the way of acquiring a legit LHD.
Do they have enough sweetener to add if we sent Keith that way?
Keith has a full NMC that he won’t waive for Philadelphia.
I think is good Benson was sent down. He received lots of exposure to the NHL game. As it sits today I don’t see him up next year. However if he can get playing again in the AHL and sort out his skating over the summer he has a chance.
I don’t understand why i am hearing so much talk about Koskinen today in regards to trade/no trade. (radio)
Koskinen is coming through right now, thats a good thing and will hopefully secure his role as the number 2 goalie with a 9.10 save percentage.
The story should be about Smith, Skinner, and Holland. How will he secure another goalie that can deliver.
Or how will he find a top 4 defenceman that will make enough of a difference to improve goaltending. We are stacked with depth d men. Adding another will not be enough. BUT – if he could find a partner for Darnell nurse it would be extremely helpful and bump everyone into better position.
Given they have no cap, a lower cost physical LD to babysit Barrie is what’s needed
I don’t see how they add a top pairing RD (the most expensive type of D) and Ceci is a good cover for Nurse
Bouch and Barrie can switch 2/3 depending, if the have vet cover. The young guys are great, but the rookie mistakes aren’t helping right now and Holland isn’t going to trade Barrie in season to get a RD that can cover Bro
Whoa, looking like $8M X 8 for Hertl (per all the regular insiders).
Seems like somewhat of an overpay. Or RNH is a substantial bargain. Not saying that Hertl wouldn’t fetch more on the open market, but he is not worth a 60% higher salary. Over their careers, RNH is .73 ppg vs Hertl .66. Even the past 3 seasons, they are neck and neck in total points and points per game. Hertl is ahead on 5 on 5 points, while RNH makes up the difference on the PP. Both are decent penalty killers. RNH has a 54% on ice goal share 5 on 5, while Hertl is slightly below 50%. And its not like Hertl is any more or less durable, they have played about the same number of games over time.
Clearly RNH was worth a lot more on the open market than he is on a team with McDavid and Draisaitl ahead of him on the depth chart. I am glad he took the lower salary to stay.
Broberg assigned to the Condors – likely just the precursor to Russell being activated.
Broberg sent down to make room for Krusty
Middleton from San Jose is an interesting name. The trouble is, the price is too high right now – the ask is something along the lines of what Colorado paid for Manson. If the price comes down to reasonable, that might be a decent move.
The amount of Koski and Smith apologists that still exist is fascinating to me.
Koski is a goalie with a career sv% of .907.
Smith is ancient, injured, played awful when available this season, and has done sweet fuck all in the playoffs over his entire career.
I will cheer like hell for both of them this season but in no universe is it reasonable for the GM to trot these two out in the playoffs if there is any serious interest in winning.
I know. All the evidence is there. Analytics may help, but this is as obvious as a shovel to the face.
Because Fleury doesn’t want to be traded. Varlamov doesn’t want to go to Canada. Stars won’t move Holtby so there’s no replacements available
This may or may not be true. I see the real problem is that Holland is not even looking.
How do you know he hasn’t been looking?
Koski is serviceable but is a known quantity, average at best overall and his weaknesses are playoff series killers
Smith has been caught by Father Time. He’ll keep pushing but I expect tomorrow the gig is up. He might be not awful but stellar I doubt, and for me that’s what is required to keep playing him
If the Sens would move Forsberg I am very confident he’s an upgrade on anyone but possibly Skinner. They just need normal even predictable goalering, just basic stable play.
Decent technique and expected saves. All goalies get scored on, it’s the how that matters IMO. He’s playing well and it’s only for the season
And he shouldn’t cost a lot given he has no track record and isn’t a hot prospect
LTIR Smith and get Forsberg. If Koski craps out it’s to the farm and it’s F and The Principal
From what I’ve heard, they aren’t willing to move him.
According to Gregor, Smith will start tomorrow against the Sabres. Gregor does go through some of Smith’s troubles and that he wasn’t good in 3 of his last 4 starts:
https://oilersnation.com/2022/03/16/mike-smith-will-start-vs-buffalo-sabres/
One thing people might overlook in regards to the Montreal game is that after the game, Smith was diagnosed with a non-Covid related illness (probably flu). This is the same game where Bouchard left the game in the second, also with possibly the same non-Covid related illness. Hard to say how much of his play in that game might have been impacted by it but he stayed in the training room after the game and they recalled Skinner on an emergency basis the next day.
A thing to possibly be concerned about with Smith is, while he he often lauded for his “warrior” spirit, he may not always be as forthcoming as he should be with coaches/staff, about non-obvious injuries or illnesses that could be bad enough to affect his play. Most players I believe do this to different degrees, but Smith could be cast in the role of Monty Python’s Black Knight:
“Tis but a scratch.”
“Just a flesh wound”
“I am invincible.”
“I’ve had worse.”
Sometimes a respectable quality, but doesn’t always lead to the best outcomes for everyone. I am not in the room, so know way to now for sure so just a theory.
If that was the case during the Montreal game, then Smith’s behavior is borderline narcissistic and certainly disrespectful of his teammates (especially the other goalies).
Part of me hopes that Smith has a real bad game so that Holland replaces him with Skinner. My concern is that bad game or not, Holland will stick with Smith to the detriment of the team. One wonders if Holland told Smith that he would stay in Edmonton for the duration of his contract.
Fire Holland and send Smith to Bakersfield today!
A Professional NHL Hockey player that believes in his own abilities this is unheard of.
Belief is one thing. I would say this is more about being disillusioned.
lol I liked a Smith a few years back as a steadying influence for the team and a mentor for Mikko. I don’t know what Holland was thinking in the off season when he signed him for 2 years never mind one year. Maybe Holland was on a 2 week bender when he signed Smith and made the Keith trade.
Disillusioned or self-deceptive is a long ways away from borderline narcissistic.
Or run a forward less until the cap goes away
Holland on Oilers Now:
1) Puljujarvi activated for tomorrow. Jay and Ken discussed Benson. He’s averaging 7-8 minutes and its been a tough go. His role has been different at the NHL level. In other levels he’s top 6 playing lots of minutes but he’s been playing fewer minutes in the NHL and doesn’t kill penalties. They need to make room to activate Jesse and plan for Nuge down the road. If he gets claimed, I’ll be disappointed but happy for him to get the opportunity elsewhere.
2) Nuge – within the next couple of weeks – that’s the outside date but hoping its closer to 10 day. Some time between he 24th and 28th if things keep progressing.
3) On Woody – 10-5-1 is a really good record. Other than a couple of games, like last night being a crazy game and crazy night, I feel the players have responded to him. Checking well, played better defensively. Watch him on the bench, I like the way he interacts with players. During games he makes adjustments that need to be made to get the team going. He’s a details guy – that’s being a video coach, and working under Babcock and McLellan and running his own bench at the AHL level – its all helped lead him to this point and he’s doing a great job.
4) Evander Kane for no assets and is it like an acquisition – Bob, the trade deadline is on Monday. I was talking to JK, the video coach and we were talking about when was the last time we’ve had a full lineup – its been 4 months since we’ve put out a full roster. Tomorrow Russell and Jesse will be ready and soon Nuge.
I need to work the phones and if we keep winning see if i can make something happen between now and Monday. Josh Archibald, Evander Kane and having only 1-2 people injured as opposed to 5 or 6 will make a difference. The growth in Yamamoto and Bouch and McLeod, who played 19 minutes against TB and has become a really important and useful player – he goes up and down the lineup, he can kill penalties, he can play LW in the top 6 or center in the bottom part of the lineup….. the evolution, getting players back, getting Kane – I’ll see what will happen between now and Monday.
5) Tending market must be tough and reality is Mikko is better than guys that might be in play – if you were to target a position what would it be? Ideally probably defence. I think this time of the year. We talked about forwards and we’ve added Kane and Archie (although he can only play home games and we’ll have cap space for him when we travel) and Kassian back and getting going – feel good about depth up front. With Koekkoek being on personal leave and we can’t count on him, ideally we probably target defence. Talking about goalie, since the Calgary game, we’ve played better defence and our goaltending has been good. We got to get Smitty up and running. Skinner has been a great story at the AHL level and played well when he’s come up. If we need to put Stu in we’d feel good about that so ideally on defence.
We are tight on the cap and one of the reason we are making some of these moves with Sceviour and Benson are related to what we’ll possibly do.
6) Proper program in Bakersfield with defence prospects and now rushing Holloway – I credit Keith Gretzky and Jay Woodcroft. Keith has been exclusively down there. We’ve got a core of veterans that he focussed on to be competitive. Good group of veterans and we’ve drafted some big and rangy d-men who are coming along. Team is competitive but hats off to Gretz and Woodcroft and, now, Colin Chaulk.
Over the summer looking to move 3 or 4 more kids in there. In a cap world, need to have draft picks and develop them.
Thanks OP.
I read #4 and #5 and I think Holland is on his own page and he is just not with it.
“Got to get Smith up and going” and at end of the season “If only we got Smith up and going”
His job is GM to manage this risk. Highest paid GM that just wants to keep hoping.
You got lucky already Ken, you just might have one 915 Goaltender available. You need another. Gambling on Smith might work but its foolish. Gambling that Skinner can save you when all goes wrong; also might work but extremely foolish.
This is not a good plan. And not a plan that a strategic GM should make in my opinion.
Thank you sir.
thanks mang
Giroux wants to play in Florida.
The one team that really doesnt need him
Gio to FLA?
not saying just speculating due to the Vatrano trade.