The Edmonton Oilers have 98 points in 81 games against the Buffalo Sabres since 1979, but recent years haven’t been kind to the western team. No, I don’t think one generation of players passes slumps on to the new generation, but last night’s forceful win by the home team was a welcome addition to the story of these two teams meeting over the years.
Kailer Yamamoto scored early, I didn’t even have time to yell shoot. The young man has a career shooting percentage of 14.5, but only 235 shots in 165 games. Those of us who notice numbers take one look at 164 in the GP column (hockey-reference hasn’t updated as of this writing) and recognize two full seasons. Per 82 games, Yamamoto is averaging 17.5 goals and 39 points. He could get to 20 this year, the little run he’s currently on is a big help.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Is Oilers winger Warren Foegele doing enough to warrant his contract?
- New DNB: How Jesse Puljujarvi, as a player and person, became perfect fit for Oilers
- 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 4-0-0)
- 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: 5-2-1, 11 points in 8 games
- Oilers in 2021-22: 34-23-4, 72 points in 61 games
This home stand is a major storyline in this season, four straight wins and solid third place. Now you want to get greedy and fly too close to the sun, but I see three wins after this homestand and at this point it’s okay to dream about hitting 80 points by the end of the month. Good times.
GOALTENDER
Mike Smith had a fine game, and looked healthy to my eye. He made a great stop early in the game against Jeff Skinner, and stopped all four HDSC’s sent his way. The goal against was a cross-ice pass and then a good shot, it wasn’t a 10-bell chance and you’d like your goalie to stop it, but it was a fine pass and a strong shot. Smith did save 27 of 28, .964 and owns an .895SP for the season.
DEFENSE
Darnell Nurse scored a goal, recovered well a couple of times and impeded progress for a Sabre (Dahlen?) on a partial breakaway without taking a penalty. Five shots, nine shot attempts, skated miles. Cody Ceci had two assists, a high danger chance and a penalty. I like this tandem, working quickly and getting more support from the forwards help. Nurse is 7-20-27 in 54 games, and there are two defensemen with more points this year on the team. Edmonton has some offense coming from the blue. Cody Ceci is 3-16-19 in 57 games. Quite the season from the defense.
Duncan Keith had three giveaways and wasn’t painting Rembrandt’s on defense, but he played an effective game against a young team that challenged him. One early play saw a Sabres forward deke Keith, who barely got a skate on the puck, which glanced to safety. Evan Bouchard had four shots, a takeaway and several great looks (one HDSC). I’ll be honest, was surprised he didn’t get a point tonight. He seemed all over opportunities. Keith is 1-15-16 in 43 games, Bouchard is 9-23-32 in 60 games. Bouchard will pass 40 points in his first full season.
Kris Russell returned, had a giveaway and a blocked shot. Corsi in the ditch, Fenwick a little better, shot differential under water, 1-0 goals. The man is clockwork. Tyson Barrie scored a terrific PP goal and added an assist. Russell has four assists in 21 games, Barrie has played 52 games and is 4-24-28.
FORWARDS
Zach Hyman had two assists, two shots, one HDSC, and worked tirelessly to get the puck to good places in the offensive zone. I could watch him play hockey all day. Leon Draisaitl didn’t have a big offensive impact until the second period, but went 1-0-1, four shots and four takeaways. He made some great passes that didn’t cash. Jesse Puljujarvi looked like his timing was a little off, but he had one HDSC, a couple of rebounds, blocked a shot and hit a couple of people. His forechecking always surprises defenseman, he forces passes by D at a high rate.
Evander Kane hammered the cross bar so hard, and the sound was so loud, thought I heard War’s Low Rider. He had an assist, seven shot attempts, HDSC and drew a penalty. Connor McDavid set up the first goal early and scored his own goal while the game was in doubt. Three HDSC, drew a penalty (four minute variety) and played with abandon. Got caught a little down in the corner at the end of the first period, I don’t think it had an impact. Kailer Yamamoto scored a nice goal early, set the tone for the night. Added an assist, blocked a couple of shots, played less than 14 minutes. The time on ice totals were a dream, McDavid played 16 minutes (!!) and Leon 19. The result was impressive, the deployment might have been an even better story.
Warren Foegele drove to the net well, had a great assist on a fine pass to Barrie on the power play. Two shots, two hits, two takeaways. Derek Ryan had a giveaway and a takeaway, won six of 10 on the dot. Devin Shore scored a shorthanded goal, and took 11 faceoffs. He had two HDSC at five-on-five, too.
Zack Kassian had four hits, a shot, played a little on both special teams, a giveaway and two high-danger scoring chances. Ryan McLeod had an assist, two shot attempts, won 54 percent of his faceoffs, the guy is really coming on now. He carried the puck in to the Buffalo zone, checked down, turned, paused, found an outlet. So good. Has a couple of Nuge-like mannerisms, included a late shuffle when he’s retrieving pucks. Fine player, drafted and developed outside the first round. Josh Archibald had a shot, five hits and played some on both special teams.
TRADE DEADLINE
It’s Ken Holland’s world, so the Mike Smith outing last night is probably the final nail in the idea of upgrading in net. He looked like he was moving well, and did make some tough stops, I wonder if they run him again against the New Jersey Devils just to be sure. Stuart Skinner has emerged as a possible story down the stretch and into the playoffs, that may be Holland’s thinking.
A tough defensemen like Calvin de Haan, rugged fourth-line winger Nicolas Deslauriers and scoring winger Dominik Kubalik all seem to have some buzz around them with Edmonton as a possible destination. Assets out? 2023 draft picks seem to have great appeal, Edmonton has several LH defensemen prospects, and could afford to trade a promising forward prospect like Maxim Berezkin. We wait.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
At 10 this morning, we have a great show on TSN 1260. Steve Lansky will talk about the Oilers at the deadline, plus we’ll have a look at live trade deadline shows and innovations that we should or could see. At 11, I’ll ask Matthew Iwanyk questions about the Oilers, World Cup soccer qualifying and MLB, he’ll be watching March Madness over my shoulder and I may have to repeat the questions. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!
Condors vs Ontario
Thoughts:
Holloway incident was a cross check in the back about 6’ from the boards and he went in head first. It looked absolutely awful, should have been a match penalty. Nope, 2 minutes for INTERFERENCE, if you can believe that. Utterly baffling. Thank god he got up after that horseshit.
Broberg was looking good after the crazy first 10 minutes of the game where every Bako shot was blocked or deflected, it was almost like a forcefield, I think OP was on to something, lol.
It looked like either an Achilles or a high ankle sprain, based on the trainers actions. Not sure, but doesn’t look good.
After the 10-2 shooting blitzkreig by the Reign, the Condors outshot the home team 27-13. Ontario only had 3 shots in the 2nd.
Kesselring looked really good IMO, moved the biscuit well, skated great, was positionally sound and even knocked a couple guys down hard.
Kemp was consistently steady and pulled a Nemo, just hammered a guy just outside the blue line, which was followed up about a minute later with MK doing the same.
Sammy was really good, looked fast and had the puck in the OZ quite a bit. Interesting that he came to the AHL with rep as a rough and tough Dman, but there was no real physicality from him. In fact, I don’t think I’ve seen that from him this season.
Lavoie didn’t do much at all, had some hits, but was by far the least effective player on his line.0 shots, -1 on the night.
Holloway was everywhere, carrying the puck, forechecking hard and was always in the mix. No real dangerous shots, but he had 4. He was none the worse for wear when he returned the ice in the 2nd. For those thinking he is ready, I think right now he’d look much like Foegele does on NHL ice (this is what I said in the summer after Foegele was acquired). I think DH will show superior passing and shooting abilities when he arrives. He’ll be better positioned in TC.
Skinner was solid. Was very good positionally and made two great saves in a row later in the 3rd. I think the statistician shortchanged him on a few saves in the 1st.
Good result, hopefully they hammer Abbotsford tomorrow.
Agreed – but went to bed as the game ended – thank you for the accurate write up.
I would add that Marody made some high end offensive plays and Perlini is a high end player at this level. He has the puck more often than he does in the NHL, very good on the zone entry, and, of course, the shot.
OP,
With the roster short Fs, if the add is internal, they cannot wait till the trade deadline passes, or they will be wasting one of their four call-ups.
Running short has to be for cap space, but I don’t understand the tactic.Three days of cap space doesn’t seem like it’s worth it. Wouldn’t it be simpler and more effective to put Nuge on LTIR?
I have a hard time believing the alternative… the add is external.
I guess it’s not so much three days of cap space but removing an AAV from the accrued limit, but again, Nuge would be more efficient.
You are probably right – I’ve just been saying that SOMETHING has to happen, whether its Perlini, Marody, Holloway or external. As of now, they’d have 11 forwards for Colorado.
I do think a main reason they did it so early (Malone) is that he hadn’t seen his family since Feb and he’s got a new born.
Why do you think it’s so unlikely?
Adding a depth forward wouldn’t surprise me in the least. Guaranteeing that forward is in Colorado for Monday’s game is another thing, but ManWood may be comfortable running 11/7 for one game (might even be a good idea to help manage Colorado’s offense).
I think I’m revising my expectation of the implications surrounding the Malone move. Sure he probably wants to see his family, and I agree with you any cap implications of the move don’t do much of anything.
So, I think his demotion signals there most likely will be an external forward added by Monday. And failing that, that ManWood are comfortable running 11/7 for one game (as they’ve done for the majority of their games to this point).
On the 4 post-deadline call-ups. 1) If no external add materializes, they could call Malone or whoever back up immediately before the deadline passes. 2) IIRC, the Oilers get into their emergency call-ups most years post-deadline anyway, so it’s slightly harder to shuffle players around once the 4 call-ups are used, but it is still possible if/when it’s needed.
Archie needs to go out to make cap work. Even moreso if it is a D and a F. Really can’t see them adding two Fs.
Cracknell win the draw, Samorukov with yet another strong play at the offensive blue, down to Marody, strong drive to the net from the side boards and a shot away as he’s tripped – Cracknell bangs home the rebound for the lead – currently 90 seconds to go.
Cam Robinson/
@Hockey_Robinson
·
2m
• Roman Josi is on pace for 100-points.
• Cale Makar is on a 31-goal, 98-point pace.
• Adam Fox is on pace for 74 helpers.
I don’t know what they’re feeding defensemen this year, but it’s obviously working. We haven’t seen metrics like these in 30 years
League scoring (3.10 g/g) is up on average by 5% over last season (2.94). It is up 15% from 15/16 (2.71)- the low point in the cap era, and the highest single season average since 95/96 (3.14 goals per game). Carlson was on pace for 90+ until Covid shut the league down in 2020.
Back in 1969/70 when league average scoring was 2.90 goals per game (compared to the 3.1 now), Bobby Orr scored 120 points in 76 games. And he was 2 years younger than Makar and 3 years younger than Fox are now. Oh my! They are not doing anything earth shattering or materially changing the game. That trail was blazed long ago.
He was a Gord among men.
No surprise but Broberg has NOT returned for the 3rd period….
I’d prefer caution in any case. Concerning though.
Hopefully just precautionary, but from the reports it doesn’t sound good
Going thru the old out-of-town…
Aaron Ekbald also had to be helped off the ice tonight. Collided with Barkov and a Duck. Tried to get up but his right knee would not work.
Oh that’s such a shame how Markstrom fanned on that attempted pass giving up the puck on a silver platter to Thompson for an open netter.
Such. A. Shame. Hopefully that won’t haunt Markstrom’s dreams for the remainder of the season, sewering his play for the rest of his days as a fLame…
Hopefully…
So Oilers pound the Sabres to the tune of 6-1 (which probably should have been 10-1), while the Flames can’t score a single goal and get outplayed by that very same team 24hrs later.
Awesome! 👍
Markstrom whiffed on that puck badly on the OT winner.
Markstom is very poor at playing the puck – Koskinen level.
The late Perlini goal then breakaway in the first must have energized the team as they were much better in the 2nd and probably unlucky to just be tied.
Perlini/Cracknell/Marody are dominant, Perlini the standout tonight.
The Boberg injury is concerning.
Lol Buffalo scores 2 goals in Alberta and leave with 2 points.
Flames lose in OT!
And yet, The Panthers lead 3-0 with Huberdeau scoring twice to take over second place in the scoring race.
That totally fine dude. Them beating a divisional rival is a good thing.
A guy with a history of injuries(leg, concussion and knee) gets hurt and you think it matters what the score is? Give your head a shake man.
The Panthers another favorite of HH’s underdogs.
Oh, no, Broberg taken down on a board battle – it was like his upper body was pulled back and his lower body stayed as it was.
He’s been down for over a minute now…… I think they are looking at his left leg.
He’s being skated off by two teammates – not putting weight on the left leg….
Fully limping down towards the dressing room.
Looks very not good.
Perlini/Cracknell/Marody have been dominating for the better part of a couple games now. Perlini hot as a pistrol….. he may be the call-up if an external forward is not added.
They HAVE to add someone for Monday.
Cracknesll with the nice zone entry, drops to Kesselring who plays it down low, Cracknell/Marody win a battle, Marody finds Perlini wide open in the slot who one-times a lazer to tie the game.
Two bombs from Perlini.
As an aside, the puck came out of the net so fast, it was like a rebound and Cracknell buried that “rebound” – as of now they have given Cracknell the goal but that Perlini shot looked in.
Holloway out to start the 2nd after leaving post crushed from behind (there was only a minute and a bit left and he left fully under his own steam).
Curious once we get RNH back if we will go back to an 11/7 deployment?
I confess I hardly watch any other NHL games besides the Oilers. But because of my interest in seeing other teams challenging the Oil for a playoff spot lose, I thought I’d watch the last few minutes of the Jets-Bruins game, tied 2-2 at the time. I tuned in just in time to see the Bruins score on a late 3rd period powerplay, courtesy of Hallsy. The TSN colour commentator said that the Bruins and Hall had a “shooter’s mentality” on the powerplay. It’s rampant! (The Bruins sealed it with an EN for a 4-2 victory.)
Summarizing!
Tullio’s snipe was the only point earned by Oilers prospects on NA ice this night. He earned 3rd star honors in a 2-1 loss.
The Bourg was held pointless, as were the rest of his teammates. Chiasson, Savoie and Brind’Amour as well.
Holloway drilled from behind – looks to be OK though.
Perlini with a bomb from the right point on the ensuring PP.
Perlini misses a clear cut breakaway next shift (great dish from Marody) with 10 seconds to go.
In Calgary tonight. Not at the game but watching in a sports bar. Just realized last night I was lovin the Oiler dismantle of Buffalo and yet tonight, I am a serious Buffalo fan. I have no control over my despise of the flame but I really hate them. Cheers oilers fans !!
This is another living example of the phrase, “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”!
I don’t understand how the flames can not dominate this Buffalo team and, to my eye, are getting outplayed by then.
Reign with some really really skilled passing on a 4 on 3 and a one-timer from the slot makes it 2-0 – Deharnais/Samorukov/Griffith/Benson running around on that one.
Reign with good pressure – Lavoie with a failed clear then Broberg with a failed clear – more running around and a weak shot from the line is tipped in.
The egregious play was the failed Lavoie clear – the Broberg one was flipped high and I have no idea how it didn’t get out – like a force field or something.
Looks like
Perlini/Cracknell/Maorody
Benson/Schaller/Griffith
Holloway/Hamlin/Sceviour
Lavoie/Esposito/Brosseau
Samorukov/Deharnais
Broberg/Kemp
Kesselring/Kaldis
Skinner
Niemelainen gets the night off given the impending birth of their daughter.
That’s a good AHL lineup
They are getting crushed in the 1st period – shots were 10-2 a few minutes ago….
Broberg and Benson add some spice to the lineup:
Ryan Holt
@CondorsHolty
·
11m
Alright here we go…
Skinner starts. Benson replaces Kambeitz. No Malone, but he should be good to go tomorrow night. Broberg replaces Berglund.
I’m very curious about the advanced stats used to justify a Eichel like return for Hagel
Tampa has a perpetual Cup contention roster right now. They have the Cup contending core signed with some duration. They are attempting to extend their stay at the top of Everest. The operational rationale is entirely different.
The Oilers are not at the last camp at the Death Zone yet. One can begin risking 1st round picks when one has sustainably reached the camp at the Death Zone in sufficiently good position and health to make a attempt at the peak. i.e. when one actually is a contender.
This.
How much is another cup worth to those teams that actually have a realistic chance of winning one ?
Given that Tampa is almost certainly going to be a top contender for a few years, the draft picks they surrendered likely will be near the bottom of the draft and they won’t be contributing much for 3 to 5 years.
In addition, Tampa is among the best teams in the league at finding real players later in the draft so view the draft differently than teams that are desperately trying to hit a home run every season.
The question is even if you win the cup
do you win it because of these trades or were you going to win it anyway.
and nevermind all the teams that threw away a bunch of futures and had nothing to show for it
I think winning back to back cups changes the calculus.
They still have a contender and you keep firing until the last shell now.
It’s probably been stated many times already on the blog but the Kane signing is looking better and better with each of these trades.
Tullio opens the scoring in period 1 with his 32nd tally-o of the campaign.
He gains the zone down the right wing, then uses a defender as a screen as he zips one from the top of the circle:
https://mobile.twitter.com/Oshawa_Generals/status/1504971744469262346?cxt=HHwWlIC5of703eIpAAAA
Am I the only community member not ceding 6 regulation points to the Avs?????
Its Hockey any team can beat another team on any given night.
No, any team in the NHL can win any given game. Yes the Avs are a terrific team but they are not unbeatable in any single game. Having said that I enjoyed Sutter’s line about wasting 8 days in a first round play off series with the Av’s! Ha Ha
It hardly matters.
The most likely scenario is the Oilers finish second or third in the division so only playoff seeding matters.
The Oilers aren’t catching the Flames plus there 1-5 in the last 6 home playoff play-in games. Almost want them to start on the road but can L.A hang on with half a team missing plus Vegas and Canucks probably have one more hot streak in them.
Gaining points in hockey games hardly matters? That’s interesting.
I also believe the Oilers likely finish 3rd (or 2nd) in the Pacific and I’m anticipating some points in the six available vs. the Avs will play a part.
The whole point of the regular season is to make the playoffs and determine playoff seeding.
Unless Vegas goes on a spectacular run with $35 million on injury reserve, this is already over.
If winning a meaningless regular season game makes you feel better, have at it.
Whatever are you talking about?
You spoke about the Knight’s leveraging LTIR to acquire Kane/Debrincat and I spoke about CBA ramifications and the league likely not allowing that to happen.
If you think you have a chance, who cares who the opponent is? You have to beat them all to win a championship
The Oilers haven’t played the Avs much. Some teams have your number. But to my eye, with Woody, enough health, and enough goalering, this group can play with any team
We have the two best forwards
You need Goaltending when you only score first in 21 of 61 games, your not going far in the playoffs if you continue that ratio.
So what happens if one goes on a heater?
Teams have won including Holland’s Detriots with what seemed a meh goalie
Chances are of course wee
Osgood was steady eddy would of gotten more praise if the team wasn’t so loaded. Vernon could carry a team when he was hot made some big saves at the right time. Hasek doesn’t count. As of today do you see Mikko or Smith out duelling Quick, Markstrom, Kuemper. Let’s say we break even on the Goaltending it’s going to come down to more than a couple of OT games. Mikko would scare the shit out of me in OT one gaffe could lose you a series faster than you can say Fuk…..
The Avs forward depth is among the best in the league and their D with the addition of Josh Manson IS the best in the league.
Their goaltending is also above average.
Task one accomplished
Next is winning and that isn’t guaranteed
Goalies are both injury prone, both Johnsons as well, at least one is
Luck is a huge factor. Kadri is a proven playoff wildcard
We’ll see. Like the Oilers a lot of talent but that doesn’t mean success is in the bag
Not at all like the Oilers.
Their D is now so deep, likely only Nurse could even make their team.
The last suggested lineup I saw for them had Erik Johnson as #7D.
They also possess two elite wingers…the Oilers have zero.
Are you suggesting Mike Smith isn’t injury prone?
Mike Smith is gaming the cap, he’s a gamer, trying to help, he’s a helper
So in response I’d first like to say that because of your Hairian response I looked at the team differences in point production by players
Well!
The Avs have a nice selection of players and I have said that if it were possible for me to have a second team it would be them
But not so much anymore
If you look at Capfriendly and select Depth Chart OMG
The Avs show two forward lines scoring and one D pair that is very skilled and very small. What could go wrong?
The Oilers show scoring through all players, lines and pairings
Nearly fell off my high horse
Give the Oilers goalering and a mean LD and they have as good a Cup shot as any as I see it
They have outplayed every good team and remove the balance issues and it’s on
The Avalanche have a goal differential of +66.
They have scored 30 more goals than the Oilers this season and have given up 23 fewer.
After 61 games, this is not an accident.
They are much better at every aspect of the game.
Remember those fun conversations last offseason about how Vegas goalering isn’t any safer bet than the Oilers and your answer was “Nonsense”
well that aged well
If Kane were on any other team you would be calling him an elite winger.
You mean Patrick Kane?
Yes I would.
If you mean Evander Kane, no I wouldn’t.
His .82 PPG is 25th in the league among LW.
He is borderline 1st line…far from elite.
There are 15 LW who are scoring at1 PPG or better.
They are elite.
LA doesn’t have a Center that fits this description of elite.
Kopitar says hi from the borderlines
Why is Neuman responding to Neumann. Is Neumann to new DSF?
He must be Neu
Brian Lawton (@brianlawton9) Tweeted:
In speaking with a few clubs clear they are watching Patrick Kane situation closely to see if the trade of Hagel changes the equation. If Kane goes expect DeBrincat to go or if DeBrincat goes expect Kane to follow! Things are getting interesting! https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/svg/1f525.svghttps://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/svg/1f92f.svg @NHLNetwork
https://twitter.com/brianlawton9/status/1504945790430572545?s=20&t=irgj6tisnmt8MObuQ5fRrA
The new boss is blowing it up. Keith got out at the right time when Bowman was still running the show.
If I were running the Hawks, I would trade both and insist on 2 first round picks for each in 22 and 23.
Take it right down to studs, clear maximum cap space and start over.
This would almost certainly be in the off-season if it happens.
Why?
There are teams that could acquire one or the other at the deadline and Vegas could actually acquire both if they leverage LTIR properly.
Haha!!!
and then just get destroyed in the offseason when everyone knows they have to dump 20 mil cap
Yeah…it’s not like elite teams face that issue almost every season.
Oh wait…Tampa does it all the time.
20 mil over??? Ha!!
also teams already don’t like Vegas and would be more than happy to stick it to them
Adding $17M in salary while already being $11M over the cap would be some impressive leveraging.
All parties healthy by May 1st of course.
This would almost certainly be in the off-season if it happens.
The Knights are already over the projected 2022/23 cap with 15 committed players and, of course, there are off-season cap rules (can only go over by 10%, for starters).
The league would probably step in an shut down any such transaction.
Clearly the key is to buy out players and then trade their cap hits
That’s a big deal that would take time to finesse. More summer, one would think.
The return would likely be less because the acquiring teams would getting one fewer playoff run out of the players.
At the same time, the market buyers for Kane would me much broader in the off-season.
I will give you an example.
The Rangers have ample cap space to re-unite Kane with Panarin, have their own picks as well as a deep prospect pool to bring into play.
They have an impatient owner and they love to showcase stars on Broadway.
At the same time, LAK could acquire DeBrincat without breaking a sweat.
I think their G.M will want more time to auction off Kane and Debrincat, maybe like you say he gets more in a fast deal.
Yeah…it may take more time but with the prices being paid this deadline I’m pretty sure Chicago is open for business.
But they don’t.
they have one center signed for next season
thats where they need to shop not another winger
They have 4 centres signed for next season and only an Oilers fan would be suggesting next season is the holy grail.
Elite teams worry about next season next season.
What in God’s name are you talking about? Elite teams do what the Lightning did today, trade uncertain future assets for cost and talent certainty that can play now and for the next several years. Honestly, HH.
How about a daily post limit for this disruptive belligerent individual??
I will look into it, but it would apply to all posters.
If at all possible a mute button would be nice, like on Twitter.
I believe we’ve looked into it and it isn’t available. Will check, though.
Thanks.
I think trading Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews is going to require some plug-and-play help as part of the return. Both LAK and NYR can offer picks and prospects, but last I heard the ‘Hawks still had to sell tickets.
Why does HH insist on soiling this beautiful blog experience for all of us? Rant over. Love you Lowetide
His happiness comes from being insufferable to others.
He hates the Oilers, yet has no where else to go because no one else will have him
Kinda funny when you think about it
Hawks management has already said they’re going into full rebuild mode.
Obviously they will need some young talent to give the faithful some hope but the Rangers and Kings, for example, both have that in spades.
Hanging on to Kane and Toews doesn’t get you anywhere and certainly won’t sell tickets if the team continues to be a bottom feeder.
I think there off ice problems are the main reason for the total rebuild. The new Boss not only wants to get rid of the stink but he also has time to build the team in his image. He probably gets a 5 year window that seems to be the going rate.
With apologies to Elton John:
The Bourg is back!
https://mobile.twitter.com/Cataractes_Shaw/status/1504940711900241926?cxt=HHwWjICzzdPmz-IpAAAA
Yay! I’ve missed the updates of him filling the net!
Hopefully he can stay healthy. I wonder if he makes the jump to Bakersfield next season?
Kenny doesn’t want to spend assets unless it’s for something with term. But we don’t have any money next year. It’s going to be a quiet deadline for the Oilers. Maybe a cheap depth rental. https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/3134060
22-23 is a long way out to be worrying over…
Anyway, agree any rentals are likely to be the low cost variety. And as the comment on there says, with the money you cleared out things don’t look so bad for next season.
Was really hoping to see some Woodguy numbers today, had to go to Twitter.. Enjoyed his Kane and JP breakdown, I would never risk losing JP to keep Kane, but I’d definitely move out money elsewhere to try and keep them both.
Chara’s numbers don’t look good but if the cost is minimal, I’d enjoy seeing the giant Senior for the playoff drive on the back end. He can smack Milan around when he tries to Murder someone.
Kane has almost 800 games under his belt turns 31 in August. He does do the hardest thing in Hockey he scores. Under the definition of power forward Kane’s photo is there.
Perfect third pair. That is exactly what they need, a mean big dude that has some hockey abilities
Paul Byron put it perfectly about Chiarot and why he was coveted. The playoffs are a war, and he exacts such a toll on the enemy it charges their play
The Oilers have good players, but a lot of mellow nice guys that aren’t mean. We saw what happened to them against the Jets. The Oilers were there, but the constant thuggery got to them (along with chaotic goalering and team D)
Connor and Leon have to play through it, but it shouldn’t be up to them to deal with it for the team. That is what the team is there for – to support them
Kane will make a difference. There will be less ‘running around’ when he’s on the ice because he is nasty and a bit unpredictable, and can kick butt, what Kassian is supposed to bring
Ceci, Barrie, Bouch, Russell, Bro, Lags don’t bring that. Niems isn’t quite there yet and isn’t ‘nasty’ really yet. Keith is nasty but too small to be a banger and past it anyway
Nothing is apparently happening in the nets, Russell is iffy for a long run health wise. The rooks are too green to rely upon for stability
They have lots of forwards and Malone has shown he can fill the physical bottom half forward role and can play C
Ideally the get is 2 D men, but for me given Barrie and Bouch will play, LD is first. If a RD gets hurt they’ll have to figure it out. But given none are very physical their chances of staying healthy are higher
some of you’ll like this:
https://www.nhl.com/oilers/video/pre-raw–woodcroft-031822/t-277437406/c-10983617
some of you have said some of these same things (like in regards to timeouts)
The Oilers should just alternate goaltender till the Calgary game. I havent’ looked further than that.
Mikko NJ
Mikey COL
Mikko DAL
Mikey SJ
Mikko CAL
Mikey ARI
Mikko LA
Mikey STL
MIkko ANA
Mikey SJ
Mikko LA
Are you assuming Colorado is a loss either way and want Mikko to improve the odds against Dallas? Or is it that a loss to Colorado and win over Dallas is better than a win over Colorado and loss to Dallas (since Colorado getting points is inconsequential to the Oilers right now, but preventing Dallas from getting points is not). Maybe you have another reason.
Dallas is the more important game. I think alternating is best (there are a lot of games) is best until one of the goaltenders demonstrates they are not up to the challenge.
If Smith is ‘back’ to decent Smith I’m not sure it matters
They both have their strengths, they both have their weaknesses, and game to game it’s a crap shoot with those two
I agree with godot10 today (er, right now at least).
If I had to choose between giving up a 3rd or Samorukov, I’d give up the 3rd.
Yea based on our second round draft success rate 3 rd pick is pocket change!
Khaira was a 3rd rounder (2012) who has carved out an ok NHL career so far. Otherwise you have to go all the way back to Tom Poti (1997) to find an Oiler 3rd rounder who had an NHL career. Maybe Niemelainen, Samorukov or Konovalov can change that track record.
Skinner is the one that is of greatest interest atm
Don’t forget Skinner!
Agreed
He has a lot of potential, and the time investment, he’s close and could fill out the roster when Keith is off the books with Bro and Neims, all home grown and cheap for a while
They have enough bubbling under right now (because of good drafting) they can invest the picks
Successful teams don’t trade first round picks. Or so I’m told.
Anyhoo, it’s crazy prices out there. Must be supply line problems.
By whom have you been told this?
Top men.
Useful. I assume one of them wasn’t Holland then, since between 1997 and 2012, he traded Detroit’s first round pick 9 times.
Lol, there’s a lot to unpack here.
1) “Top men” is an Indiana Jones reference.
https://youtu.be/yoy4_h7Pb3M
2) You may assume what you like and you are correct. Though don’t be too pleased with yourself; it’s low hanging fruit to assume Holland doesn’t talk through his hockey trades with me.
3) Trading away (or not) the first round pick has been a meme on this site for years.
And one of those 1st rounders was for Hasek…
Missed the Indiana Jones reference, it rings a bell now. Those against on site would then have incorrectly advised Pittsburgh, Chicago, Los Angeles St. Louis, Boston and Tampa as well, since all of them won at least one cup in the same season they dealt a first round pick, and Washington dealt its first in 2017, but didn’t win the cup until the next season.
If the team is close, it can make sense to place the big bet. Don’t always win, but it can be worth the risk. Boston has dealt away its first 3 more times since 2011, with no more cups, though their window as a contender could be closing soon now. Many other teams in this time period also dealt a first and have no cups to show for it, but maybe had longer playoff runs and at least had a shot at it. I am not saying here whether Holland should or shouldn’t be trading the first this season, just pointing out that Holland clearly believes it is a worthwhile strategy in the right circumstances.
And the question is: Are the trading of first round picks and the closing window as a contender linked?
Pittsburgh traded away 8 out of their 14 first round picks since 2008. Their window seems to defy closing. In that time, their worst season was a .598 points %. Every year they have been in the playoffs and usually among the top 8 (they are 7th in the league right now), and they will have another shot this season. Eventually the brilliance of Crosby, Malkin and Letang will fade. Meanwhile Chicago didn’t trade a first till 2015 and again in 2016 and their window slammed shut in 207/18. There is no guaranteed recipe.
The later the pick the lower the risk.
Although Joe and Jules are looking at bare systems in the future. Although, unlike the Oilers, they make deals to replenish picks.
The Oilers choose to bleed their minor league talent out
Knowing Marody and Benson were iffy to them, why not try to cash when they were a bit younger and leading scorers? Or any player that grows a bit of cache and isn’t really in the plans. I
And only once did he trade a 1st for a rental… and he re-signed that rental.
No cap for the first 8 seasons of that stretch, contract lengths were much longer, so who was available was different and he had no constraint on the size or the term of a contract he could take on.
It’s insane prices!!
I think that there will be good deals on Monday to be had for the buyers. Seems like a lot of players available.
Sounds like some wood is about to get extended
3years
Woodguy? Thought he owned his business. Nice of them to keep him around.
I don’t think Spector suggesting it means its an imminent thing.
Not 4 days ago, Holland was expressly asked if he’d think about extending Woodcroft in the season and, with no hesitation, Holland responded no and that would be an off-season decision.
These prices are bonkers. The one team that wins the cup will feel ok about this. Everyone else is gonna regret these prices
Happens ( nearly ) every year at the deadline.
The Hagel deal is ballsy. That could be a job losing move. I can’t see how Mr H is worth that haul
I suppose it is patio weather in Florida, the mojitos could be flowing
Holland should take note what a hockey deal that is good for your own team can look like
Yep,
A Wood extension x3 seems just about right. thank goodness for that
The same people who hold Holland accountable for trading two 2nd round picks for Athanasiou are also upset he hasn’t made a trade in a market where Ben Chiarot costs a 1st round pick, and Robert Hagel costs two fromer 2nd rounders and two future 1st rounders.
You have proof they’re the same people?
The difference being is that TBL are jonesing for a third cup…
Deadline prices. If you’re all in for a cup, then that’s the price you pay.
Holland traded a litany of picks at the deadline when the team had all sorts of roster issues, including subpar goaltending.
Holland would have done better to trade those picks at a different time when they were worth more like at the draft or before players become RFAs.
And didn’t move failed prospects until their value was sewered.
TBL don’t fall in love with their draft picks and move them anytime they can. upgrade their skill level.
They’ve been doing it for many years.
Seems to work 🙂
I think instability of management is a big factor in failing to execute any type of decisions on prospects.
The oilers, fans included, definitely are far too galacial in maximizing any trade value on what might be faltering prospects before bloom is off the rose though.
I expect you’re right but Tampa made the transition from Yzerman to Brisebois without any glitches .
They were very early adopters of analytics and you can bet their GM is always up to date on fading blooms like Raddysh and Katchouk.
Here’s a great article on their analytics approach.
https://theathletic.com/2213294/2020/11/24/tampa-bay-lightning-nhl-analytics-michael-peterson-stanley-cup/
Tampa Bay another one of your favorite underdogs 👍👍👍
It is a good article and pretty relevant. Tampa has been doing an ungodly good job of shuffling pieces in and out to keep the train rolling for quite some time. A lot of it directly due to integrating snalytics fully into all facets of operation.
I’m not sure they’re fading blooms so much as not jumping in straight away which is what Tampa needs to get where they want to go
Also I remember calling the decline of the Bolts a while back and someone saying those two were going to put their thumbs in the dike
I enjoyed it when the Oilers solidly beat them last weekend.
Hugely enjoyable, my favourite game of the season.
That and the next game where they let Detroit back in the game was the Oilers organization summarized is 80mins of hockey.
Able to spank the champs, who played well themselves, seemingly assassinate a bottom feeder in the first 10 mins, then start the circus music.
But they held on, tweaked their game on the day off and looked ruthless against Buffalo.
Now consistency is the key. A chance to destroy another poor team and get two valuable points.
Yeah, if Holland had added Samorukov and 2 firsts to package centered around Benson, he could have gotten back a 2nd line forward on a cheap deal. Definite opportunity missed.
Bob: Bourgault expected back in the next week or so.
Chicago made out like bandits
Raddysh, Katchouk, Two 1sts for Hagel and two 4ths
Yeah, especially considering that they got him for free initially. He was drafted by the Buffalonians, then Chicago signed his ELC without apparently trading for him.
I haven’t looked at his fancies, (no time), but you wonder about his shooting percentage (22.3 this season) and if he’s been zoomed.
Sure seems like a lot, agreed. Kyle Davidson’s first trade as CHI GM was a doozy.
Huh, they’re really not great. Raw numbers are bad playing for Chicago obviously, but even his rels are only OK (SF, GF, SCF are positive, xGF and HDCF are negative).
2 plus years at $1.5M for a top 6 forward is a big deal, but that’s still a shocking price to pay for Hagel.
It seems insane
wild. Part of the allure, and also with Goodrow and Coleman, is the good contract. But yeesh
I was wondering if the Bolts would keep Katchouk and Raddysh for the playoffs. I guess they deemed them expendable.
Hagel is a perfect Cooper player though, and they are in an extended contending window. The Tampa Way is awfully like The Patriot Way.
Played under Sutter in Red Deer knows how to play D.
Two first round picks and two Tyler Bensons……
Mikko in the starters’ net at practice.
How it should be as he’s earned it.
Bob and Elliotte talking about the possibility of Chara
i liked this idea until I took a look at Chara’s advanced stats. Oiy. I know NYI has been bad this year, but even with fairly sheltered deployment and relative to the rest of the team – bad.
Apparently none of that matters in the playoffs. I mean, Chiarot just returned way more than he’s worth.
He’s like Keith. Not what he was. But on the third pair with Barrie it would change the dynamic of the team in the playoffs when the deal changes
There would be no ‘Pionks’ doing shit outside the lines to Connor between him and Kane. Off the table, Maroon said he didn’t want to fight Chara
Not that there is a lot of fighting in the playoffs. It’s the fact you have to face the possibility, and Chara is whacked and does what he wants and it’s going to hurt. Maroon said it hurt
He’s no worse than Cowboy Lags Bro or Neims. And brings the monster on skates thing
Cup! No but at least the fLames et al would have to reconsider trying to run the Good Guys out of the rink because they can’t play hockey with them.
Remove the easiest tactic that worked in the past
Neimelainen ++ (20 years)
He may be too young for Holland
Frank Seravalli
@frank_seravalli
Still awaiting confirmation, but sounds like #GoBolts are sending multiple first-round picks to #Blackhawks for Hagel. They’ve got their 2022 version of Coleman/Goodrow. Except Hagel signed for two more years.
Koski in starters net at practice today
Tampa gets Hagel per Friedge
Lindholm on the move…as per Honest Bob’s Trade Certainties.
Lindholm also traded. But again no details yet
(per Stauffer ON)
Seems like a Leafs kind of target.
Sekera clears.
Sekera has a hard time clearing.
Good thing cause he still is skating off the ice