The Edmonton Oilers won a wild game at Rogers Place on Friday night in overtime. The home side was loose and attention to detail was lacking, plus the goaltending was an issue again.
On the other hand, the St. Louis Blues made several mistakes and it cost them. First, they started their backup goaltender in a game against a team who is in the chase for a wildcard spot. Flummoxing. Second, the Blues played so poorly in the first period I’m not certain a real NHL team was in those uniforms. I don’t recall a worse St. Louis team in their own zone. Even in expansion, guys like Barclay Plager established some structure.
They were the hockey equal to Spinal Tap’s jazz odyssey.
Finally, after battling all the way back to a tie, and pushing for the win, the Blues played keep away in the OT without pushing for a goal. As often happens, that strategy bit them in the ass, as the hockey Gods in the sky and the hockey Gods on the ice made St. Louis pay with a 6-5 loss.
What a mess. I will never understand Craig Berube’s decision to sit a goalie with a .913 five-on-five save percentage in March, and play the guy with an .898 SP, who has clearly lost the starting role. Blues are damned lucky to get the point. If they play Calgary tonight like they did Edmonton last night, Dominik Hasek himself couldn’t save them.
THE ATHLETIC!
- Lowetide: Strong March puts Oilers in position for top-3 finish in Pacific Division
- DNB: Connor McDavid at 100 points
- Lowetide: Early look at Oilers free-agent targets for 2022 offseason
- DNB: Why Ryan McLeod’s best outing matters so much to the Oilers
- Lowetide: 3 changes Jay Woodcroft could make immediately to improve Oilers
- Lowetide: The legend of Oilers prospect Matvei Petrov continues to grow
- DNB: Oilers’ defensive warts on full display in critical game against hated Flames
- Lowetide: Are Oilers approaching a crossroads with Zack Kassian?
- DNB: Should Oilers budget for Evander Kane beyond this season?
- Lowetide: Oilers’ 2022 draft strategy takes shape after trade deadline
- Lowetide: 7 Condors who could impact Oilers’ fortunes in the playoffs
- DNB: How Jesse Puljujarvi, as a player and person, became perfect fit for Oilers
- Lowetide: Ryan McLeod’s case for a spot on Oilers’ skill lines
- Lowetide: Revisiting the Oilers’ choice of Evan Bouchard in the 2018 draft
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2021
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM APRIL
- At home to: STL (Expected 0-0-1) (Actual 1-0-0)
- On the road to: ANA, SJS, LAK (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: COL (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: MIN, NAS (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: VEG, DAL, COL (Expected 1-2-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: CBJ, PIT (Expected 1-1-0) Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: SJS, VAN (Expected 2-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 7-6-1, 15 points in 14 games
- Actual April results: 1-0-0, 2 points in one game
- Oilers in 2021-22: 39-25-5, 83 points in 69 games
The Oilers are a point behind the Los Angeles Kings for second place in the Pacific with a game in hand, and three points ahead of Vegas for third place in the Pacific with a game in hand. It’s a damn good spot. Edmonton is on pace for 99 points, surely a top-three result in the division by season’s end. Facing the Los Angeles Kings in the first round is an interesting possibility, the devastating 1982 series loss a cruel and temporary derailment all who lived it remember well.
Edmonton would sweep LA in 1985 courtesy a stellar .934 save percentage from Grant Fuhr. The keys to the 1987 opening round win were Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri and Mark Messier. Edmonton would lose to Gretzky and the Kings in 1989. Bill Ranford (and Pokey Reddick!) would stone LA in 1990 on the way to Edmonton’s final Stanley. Edmonton won again against Los Angeles in 1991 and 1992.
GOALTENDING
Mike Smith stopped 31 of 36, .861 on the night. His save percentage for the season, .894, ranks No. 55 among 66 goaltenders who have played 700 or more minutes this season. Mikko Koskinen (.902) is No. 43 overall and Stuart Skinner (.913) is No. 23. Skinner had a tough night in Bakersfield on Friday, but I’d call him up today. In fact, I would have called last night and taken him off the bus to Henderson before it turned a wheel. The first three goals, in my opinion, were at least partially on the goalie.
DEFENSE
Duncan Keith was the last line of defense on the Schenn goal, we all see things in a different way but that goal is on Mike Smith. Evan Bouchard was also on the ice, but not a key part of the play. Keith had four shots on goal, two giveaways and two blocked shots, Bouchard had three blocked shots, a penalty, giveaway, takeaway. He did seem to bring more calm feet than normal even in a chaotic game. Both men had a HDSC, I don’t see the goal-against on their watch as a defense problem.
Darnell Nurse scored a great goal, plus an assist, three shots, four hits, blocked a shot. Cody Ceci had two assists, two shots, two blocked shots and took a penalty. I saw Buchnevich goal as late recognition of the wraparound by both Smith and Ceci, and Ceci also either lost or tied a battle with Robert Thomas in the neutral zone on that play. McDavid was hooked through the neutral zone on the turnover, no call. The keys to the Robert Thomas goal were Nurse being unable to alter the goalmouth pass and Smith being slow to get over. On the Barbashov goal, Nurse blocked out by Saad, O’Reilly gets the puck, nifty pass to the slot, Ceci unable to tie up Barbashov.
Brett Kulak spent much of the night on his backside, but also cleared the puck from danger just before each hit. Tyson Barrie had an assist. This pairing was on for the second Buchnevich goal, Barrie bit on a lovely pass by Thomas and then was unable to identify Buchnevich net front. It was a bit of keystone cops on the play, plenty of blame to go around.
FORWARDS
Evander Kane scored a goal, and added two assists. Four shots, four hits, two HDSC and drew a penalty. He has 16 goals in 30 games with Edmonton. Connor McDavid is at peak brilliance these days, running stats of 2-0-2, 11 shots (!!!) and two takeaways. He had SIX high-danger chances at five-on-five, the Blues had a swim up bar in the first period so their defense could watch him. Wow. Amazing player. Jesse Puljujarvi had one HDSC and a takeaway, he needs a goal to get things rolling again. Zero power-play time, I question the wisdom there. He’s effective and the line (2-0 goals and 63 percent shot share five-on-five) thrives with the big man on the ice.
Zach Hyman helped set the tone early by skating circles around the St. Louis defense. He finished with two goals, three shots, a high-danger scoring chance and did have a giveaway. Leon Draisaitl had two assists, seven shots, two HDSC and two takeaways. He wanted No. 50 and had some good looks early, but the refs shut down the PP and that’s all she wrote. Kailer Yamamoto had two assists, a GV and a TK, he was rambunctious and relentless. Played in all three disciplines.
Derick Brassard had another quiet night, one shot and four hits. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had two takeaways, he played a sound game and the lack of offense went both ways when the line was on the ice. Zack Kassian had seven hits and a takeaway, he was near the Blues net a few times and trying to make things happen. This line needs more cowbell.
Warren Foegele took an unnecessary penalty at a bad time and he’s not irreplaceable, so that’s a good thing to clean up. I like what he brings, but he played 6:34 and if not for the penalty he would have had zero crooked numbers in the game summary. So bring what you bring, young man! Ryan McLeod had one shot and one takeaway, I was surprised he didn’t get time on the Nuge line. Josh Archibald played just 5:25 at evens but did get some PK work. I guess he gets a week off, this situation has his career circling the drain. He needs reps!
Bakersfield win a dominant 6-2 game. Officiating was lopsided, if it wasn’t, Likely score would be an 8-1 game, very chippy, Hendersonvhas a few dirty rotten bastards on their team.
I played it 3 times and it could have been “muck up”, but it sure seemed like Ryan Holt dropped an F-Bomb with just under 2 minutes left in the game.
if anyone else who subscribes to AHLTV could verify, I’d be interested to know if I wasn’t hearing things, lol.
Not much to say about Konovalov , wasn’t challenged too much. First goal was a breakaway due to a sloppy line change and great post and in shot. The second was on deflection while short handed.
No points for Holloway, but he had a few good looks and his had the puck in the Ozone most of the night. The PP was shoddy.
Samorukov looked good, was easily the best of the D Corps. Hope his injury isn’t too serious.
I just went back and listened and didn’t hear anything like that from Holt I didn’t hear the “much it up” either and listened from 2:11 until the end.
OK, now I heard it – at the beginning of the stoppage at 2:11.
Ya, 100% said “muck it up” – to my ears.
I like seeing the shames out on the golf course. Earlier the better
This Announcer is embarrassing.
Samorukov does NOT come out to start the 3rd period.
Samorukov, having a hell of a game, crunched on an outlet after he cleared the puck – has gone down the tunnel holding his wrist.
How is Perlini playing since being sent down? Seems to be getting a point per game rate.
Shooting BOMBS nightly!
He just whacked a rebound in to a yawning game.
Would he probably be the 1st forward to be called back up?
Malone seems to be that, but Perlini is who he is. He is mixing it up a bit more in Bakersfield, but he is also playing on the 2nd line and PP1.
He still is a periphery player, the only difference is, he is carrying the puck more and he gets more shots because of increased TOI. He is the same player and still isn’t great in the DZone. He just isn’t an effective NHL player.
Sceviour is probably #2 and I think #3 could be Holloway. Perhaps Benson, but I watching Holloway hit, get hit, get in the guts of the game. He even got a roughing call standing up for a teammate. He is not long in the AHL once he starts scoring 5v5 goals on the regular. I think that could happen very soon.
He was probably made for playoff hockey, just wish his hand was 100%, still doesn’t have the same accuracy on his shot, but it seems like he has the velocity.
I generally don’t like seeing players get hurt. Crychuck is the exception. He slew foot enough players that got hurt due to his filthy play
Summarizing!
A quiet night for the Oilers’ trio of prospects who played on this side of the pond tonight. They were awarded no points…and may Gord have mercy on their souls.
And the Warriors continue to exist in a state of Wannerlessness.
The latest sports news off the street boppers
The Baseball Furies dropped the ball – made an error
Our friends are on 2nd base and trying to make it all the way home
But the inside word is, that the odds are against them
Stay tuned boppers, stay tuned
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmy1VrHQETU
Can you dig it?
Husso keeping Blues in it tonight.
LT on point – If Husso starts last game Oilers likely lose assuming the same level of defending and goalering from the home team
What it the Oilers started Koskinen, their clear better roster goalie over the while, shit, over the course of the season?
What if the Oilers started a goaltender with a .902 save percentage?
Yeah, that would solve everything.
Chances improve marginally assuming the same interest level in defending from the rest of the roster
I’d rather Woody have started the goalie with the .913, but Kenny’s holding that card
Yup, given level of play over the course of a long stretch of time, it would reasonably be expected that Koskinen would have played much better than Smith last night.
Regardless of who is between the pipes that level of team D for periods 2 and 3 will result in T times by the 2nd week of May.
The D and G limitations are well known (thanks Kenny). The Fs have to provide way better support. Especially the Cs net front and all Fs with back pressure on the rush
I’m simply responding to the broad statement that “if the Blue had started their starter, the result may have been different” with a retort along the same lines if the Oilers had done the same – the Oilers also have a netminder on the roster that is clearly playing better than the one they started last night.
Husso >>> than Koski.
Original point is Husso looks good tonight and by his season stats.
It may be past Kenny’s bedtime but he should be paying attention to tonight’s game
You never stop to really adjust your line of thinking do you. Just keep hammering until someone has to correct you.
You keep suggesting starting Smith is the parallel to starting Bennington and so Woody should be judged if Berube is.
Berube chose to start Binnington in a Big game (3 point?) instead of Calgary (2 point).
Woody actually did have the same decision to make as Mikko needs some rest. The four point game versus LA or the 2/3 point game versus St. Louis. And he chose exactly as LT suggested he should have.
So you’re missing the entire point with your analogy. The more accurate one would have been Smith starting versus La to save Koskinen for St. loo.
No, you are missing my point but I won’t get in to in any further given your condescending beginning to the post.
Finally watched the Jay Beagle temper tantrum.
Dear Jay Beagle,
Get gud.
Beating up a kid because you are a poor sport/suck is embarrassing for the sport. The Arizona commentators with just the worst take ever.
Yes.
Niemelainen and Samorukov crushing Knights all over the defensive zone and Holloway causing offensive zone turnovers like a young Jesse Puljujarvi/Yamamoto mix.
Griffith enters the zone, stops up, find Perlni in the slot and his BOMB is stopped but the goalie, who may be perma-dazed, has no chance as Cracknell pots the rebound.
2-0 Condors, 16 minutes in to a DOMINANT first period.
You generally have a pretty strong basis for the things you claim.
Might I ask if you have any clear data supporting the above claim? Or is it more a corollary of the ‘lack of year over year SV% correlation’ plus ‘starter/backup tend not to have separation’ observations you talk about?
I ask because, at least in terms of available measures of defensive play, team SV% often doesn’t follow better team defense. But maybe it does in large samples, which is basically what I’m asking.
Shesterkin/the Rangers and Seattle goalies are two obvious examples from this year. Seattle has quite strong defensive numbers, while the Rangers are well below average. Their goaltenders SV%s are obviously not following suit though.
I meant all situations SA/60 (4th), SCA/60 (5th) and HDCA/60 (6th) vs GA/60 (27th) and SV% (32nd).
xGA captures some of that (10th all situations) but is also somewhat inflated because of the goals actually going in (I don’t know the weighting, but SCGA and HDCGA seem to also be components of xGA).
It is weird that xG aren’t even mentioned in the NST glossary. I swear there used to be something there, though even then it was vague IIRC.
I think SC/HDSC conversion rates are included in the xG calculation because I’ve often noticed cases (smaller samples like individual games from players or single periods for teams) where xG over/under estimates every one of the shot-derived components (C, F, S, SC, HDSC). These cases involve actual goals being scored on the side of the over/under-estimate (and I think, incorporated into xG via SCGF/A and HDCGF/A).
If xGF (likewise xGA) was simply a weighted average of CF, FF, SF, SCF, HSCF then xGF% should never be the highest of all the rate measures (right?). The 1st period of the EDM-LAK game (5v5) is an example where xGF% is higher than all the others: https://www.naturalstattrick.com/game.php?season=20212022&game=21070. There’s lots of other examples of this (and lots with a bigger gap than this one) but I didn’t want to spend too much time looking.
I guess you could expect the team allowing fewer shots, or fewer scoring chances, to be allowing lower quality shots overall, and promoting better a SV%. But if SV% isn’t correlated to those then I guess that answers my original question.
For sure these shot metrics don’t capture everything that’s happening on the ice, but they do broadly correlate with goals for/against at the team level, don’t they? So it isn’t unreasonable to expect them to bear some signature of good/bad defensive play.
I guess I feel like we’re still at a place where we can’t distinguish how much of a goalies SV% he owns vs how much the team owns. You’re saying that goalies don’t carry SV% with them year over year, but at the same time, the defensive measures we have access to don’t correlate with SV%. I don’t think I can (should) take a position after accepting those things.
I don’t hold a lot of faith in expected goals. Seems tautological. Echoing the chamber. The few stats we have need the exact opposite. External correlation.
Broadly it is an amalgam of the shot based metrics. Certainly the idea is to have something more correlative or predictive.
What’s being added (I think) is some credit/penalty for scoring chances and HD chances actually ending up in the net. Particularly on offense (or more obviously perhaps), some teams are better at converting the chances they have than others (good shooters and/or good movement before the shot).
So you can see an argument for why it could be valuable and legitimate to include some component of that, while that would also result in xG being a little tautological.
There’s been an a priori belief that teams and coaching systems influence goalie save percentage since probably before GeorgeXS was old enough to drive.
Intuitively, it makes perfect sense.
Years ago, smarter people than me tried to provide robust evidence to support this and failed.
(Eats popcorn)
I too look forward to seeing what GeorgeXS has here.
Oh this is interesting.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/how-coaches-can-effect-goalie-statistics/
https://www.arcticicehockey.com/2009/08/defensive-systems-and-their-impact-on.html
It does make intuitive sense, no question. So it’s surprising how resistant it’s been to pinning down.
The articles you liked are definitely suggestive but still not terribly convincing.
I still feel like goalie quality, team play and voodoo are all playing roles, with the exact proportions remaining unknown.
Condor ledgened Dino Dambietz with the first goal in the Silver Knights new arena – hard forecheck with the goalie caught out and Schaller finds him for an empty netter.
Condor coming in waves early.
The Condors have been better in the first two minutes then at any point last night.
Leafs win.
Matthews with 51.
I always liked Todd McLellan as a coach. He was never the problem it was all PC.
McLellan was a dummy vs the Ducks and Oilers got bounced as a result. He was not a good coach.
Yes. Todd was an idiot when he allowed Kesler to cheat AND have the NHL up hold the on ice decision.
lol, I like how you judge the whole with one situation.
The general aversion to using timeouts and especially in that ducks game were are my lasting memory and completely inexcusable imho.
Konovalov with the start.
Marody and Lavoie remain out injured.
Berglund stays in over Kasselring (I think he’s healthy but not positive).
This is good work George. Hockey people including most NHL coaches know this. But you will have a hard time convincing the average fan that save percentage is actually a team stat. Why did my team win or lose? The goalie of course. It’s always the goalie.
Around here, we even see posters talk about hockey being renamed to “mostly goalie”. That is far from the truth. “Mostly defence” or even better “mostly coaching structure” would be more accurate, and the focus should be on the defensive positioning and acumen of the forwards, not just the Dmen.
The GA on this Oilers team is alarming. It’s hard to see them penetrating far into the playoffs with this structure. Unfortunately, we have decided to let yet another rookie coach cut their teeth on our precious superstar roster. Unforgiveable when coaching wizard Paul Maurice was available. I have no doubt Woodcroft and Manson will be decent coaches some day. But for the love of God, we need a veteran presence behind the bench.
This is also why keying on points/60 is folly. Ragging on guys like RNH and JP because their production is off misses the point. These are the kinds of guys you build championship teams around. Keep the puck out of the net first, score second. Guys that can do both are gold in good organizations, but get listed as trade bait in bad ones.
Yeah. When RNH gets traded that’ll show him.
Of course, team has big impact on goalies but its not a one-way street.
Switch Smith for Demko and the Oilers are likely battling Calgary or even Colorado and the Nucks are battling Arizona and the likes.
LAK lead WPG 2-1 at the end of one period in a pivotal game.
Kings outshooting the Jets 19-6.
Road warriors.
3-2 Kings end of the second.
Kings win 3-2.
Likely extinguishes the Jets faint playoff hopes.
Woodguy
@Woodguy55
·
1h
LAK going 2-0-1 in 4 days on the road vs EDM, CGY, WPG with their depleted Dcorps is something.
Who did they lose to?
Posting Woodguy’s opinions…not very random.
Troy Terry after being savagely beaten last night by Jay Beagle for being “too fancy”.
Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) Tweeted:
#HockeyGuy @troyterry1997 https://t.co/owl4rM7h2W
https://twitter.com/spittinchiclets/status/1510349493753069584?s=20&t=ysOFHgmy6y9dSSqGFxf98Q
(Click for pic)
Anyone got a guess on what Nichushkin, Valeri (UFA) may cost on the market this summer?
Can’t imagine Joe wants to let him go.
The most likely scenario is that they let Kadri walk since he’ll be 32 next season and will be looking for a big final payday based on his stellar season.
Newhook moves up to 2C?
Maybe.
But I wouldn’t be surprised if he trades Sam Girard for a 2C.
That would likely depend on the health of Bowen Byram who is currently on a conditioning stint in the AHL.
Avs offseason should be interesting. They have a number of key UFAs and McKinnon’s contract is up the year after. The cap crunch is definitely coming.
Dawson Sprigings is just sitting there identifying the next inefficient contracts available.
They’re also going to need another goalie.
2023 1st and Oskar Olausson for the final year of Tristan Jarry?
Pretty sure Kuemper will stick around.
Francouz has already been extended.
Term for a 32 year old goalie doesn’t fit the MO, but it will be interesting. That route will also cost $6-$7M on the cap which would make bringing back all those UFA forwards even harder.
We can’t afford him
avs can’t afford him
probably goes for the fattest contract he can get
Matty reports that, if Russell passes his test, he’ll join the team in Anaheim.
At this point, with Bouch having a better game, I don’t see who he’s come in for – Kulak has been solid – takes a beating to make plays which some others could stand to learn from.
They might run 7D, it has advantages.
I’d like to see that. Put 71 with 93 and sub in the centres on L4
Ya, given recent play of the bottom six (3rd line struggling for two games and 4th line not playing), I could see that for a game. Good point.
I want them to run 7-11 through the playoffs.
Players talk about throwing pucks into corners and wearing particular Dmen down throughout a game and series. Even if they only create an instant of hesitation, it can be a difference-maker.
We have small D. I’d like Manwood to protect them, control their minutes and match-ups, play the good game guy, and lessen that wear and tear, especially over the long run.
And I think the sooner they do it, the better. So probably will never happen, lol.
Edit: not to mention, actual overtime.
I like the idea of using Bouchard for offensive zone faceoffs, and maybe Russell for the defensive zone FO’s. Not all the time, and you can’t ruin Bouchard’s development but there have been times this season when he was a dear in the headlights.
Bouchard is damned important to this team. He’s an exceptional talent, and his flaws are not fatal. However, a little help in the D-zone for the next six weeks isn’t a bad idea imo.
*deer*
No need to thank me.
God I hope my wife never reads that sentence.
Bouchard is as close to a blue chip defence tweener between prospect and player Oilers have had since the glory days. No one else comes close.
He’s a Serge Savard type player. And as much as I like the idea of keeping Barrie around, the cap issue plaguing the Oilers demands he goes in the off season.
Serge Savard is not a good comparable. In that era, Savard was the only D on the lead lap with Orr, before his two broken legs.
Wouldn’t he most likely just ‘join the team’. Like as the #7D?
Based on last 2 periods any D with even average defending skills should be inserted. Oilers D started the face offs at D but failed to do the defending part once the puck dropped
This is a good post but I don’t think it’s as random as you’re suggesting. There’s no way your eyes tell you “most goalies are equal”. Watch Jussi Saros and watch Mike Smith. They’re as different as McDavid vs Kurtis Gabriel.
I do agree that teams pump or deflate save percentage…absolutely.
I think the issue is that the standard metric of dividing saves by shots on net creates a noisy end number.
I would say close to 80% of shots are total freebies for all NHL goalies. So that leaves the other 20% as the ones that separate the good from the bad. So if Smith stops 10 of those and Saros 15, that’s damned significant (50%) but when all the noisy numbers are added back you get these “small” differences in save percentage that camouflage truth.
Staples’ and Bruces Grade A and now 5-alarm scoring chance numbers will work better with the obvious challenge agreeing on what a scoring chance is.
Excellent post! Goalie save percentage as done now is more of a group stat with total shots being determined by defensive structure both as it relates to coaching systems and quality of team defence. The major qualifier for goalie has to be in the save percentage on high danger shots against. There are teams that track this I would think but as you alluded to the definition of what qualifies as a high danger shot is to my way of thinking subjective at best! Great food for thought!
All players suffer at the hands of team play for sure
Still stats should verify what we observe no? If they don’t we need to determine what is going on- the math is off target or the eyes
It’s a no brainer for the goalies. As Oiler fans we have seen multiple goalies perform above team play
An unstable goalie also destabilizes team play in overcompensating
Smith and Koskinen are not good NHL goalies. Passable one could say
Or for many of us decades of watching and learning mean nothing, or little. Poor technique, weaknesses in basic NHL fundamentals is what I see. I won’t swing at that pitch
Will be very interested to see who gets the net tonight: Skinner, Konovalov, Fanti.
If its Skinner, well, that will kybosh ANY thoughts of a recall to join the team in California (not that “not playing” would mean the opposite, but one can hope).
If its Fanti, that may provide some signals on Konovalov.
Perhaps Rodrigue goes ECHL and Kono Fanti run the Bake
Skinner has to make the bigs next season, right??
Yes, for sure, that’s likely the plan for next season (presuming Konovalov returns to finish his ELC – tonight may be telling on that note).
Stupidity personified if Holland expects a nothing playoffs and expects Skinner to turn up at camp as an AHLer with the likelihood of a new goalie to beat for a job. Play Skinner ffs! There’s nothing to lose at this point!
Smith/Koskinnen as constituted add up to around 1.5 actual goalies.
Oilers can’t develop their own goalies for shit. Oilers can’t attract bona fide star goalies for shit either. As it stands all Oilers can hope to do is enter the UFA market in the summer and HOPE there MIGHT be someone kicking around who doesn’t go somewhere with better travel weather night life etc. All with Skinner literally standing in the wings ready to jump in and possibly star ala 1971 Ken Dryden from Lowetide’s favourite Bruins cup run lol
Who here thinks Smitty should be penciled in for starter next year?
+ = yes
– = no
Seems unlikely considering he doesn’t appear to be the starter right now.
NEW for The Athletic: Goaltender Ryan Fanti signed with the Oilers this week. He’s the first undrafted college man to sign with Edmonton since Ken Holland arrived in 2019. Will there be more college signings? There are many quality names who could fast-track with Edmonton.
https://theathletic.com/3224057/2022/04/02/lowetide-how-many-more-college-players-will-oilers-sign-this-spring/
Well you finally broke me. Off to get my sub for the athletic as I was just wondering about this the other day. Thanks for all the work.
Huzzah!
There is still a bit or runway left in the season, but at this point – my take for the summer moves (procrastinating work on a Saturday):
G. Smith is done. His mobility is extremely limited, injury or age, I don’t see him in the NHL next year. Holland is essentially paying him 4.4 this year, because he can’t play next year. He won’t go to Bake. Too macho. Even if MK takes this team deep into the playoffs, it is difficult to see him playing here again with all the history of the past 4 years. Skinner is defacto back-up because he didn’t get enough reps this year to really see if he could take on a starters role. A very optimistic thought I know, but the shelves are bare. Too much risk now thinking he could without a lot of reps this year (which he could have gotten). So they will need to find a starter for next year. FA options are thin and likely pricey. Which means trading for a legit starting G with at least a year on their contract. I wonder who could possibly fit in the cap…
D. Barrie is duplicative of Bouch and more expensive. He should be traded and it should be easy to find a suitor with a reasonable return. Any D coming in should be hard to play against and more of the defensive D ilk than anything else (we have enough puck movers now and on the horizon).
C. All good. Re-sign McLeod.
W. Kane is an ideal W for McD. Unfortunately I don’t think the Oil can afford him and always concerns for when Mr. Hyde will arrive. Foegele…I think I have seen enough. Overpaid for what he brings here. Maybe he can be traded for a solid Defensive RHD (3rd pair). Sign both JP and KY. I think JP could really pop next year. He isn’t getting as many points as some would like, but man he tilts the ice and he creates so much chaos and turnovers in the O zone. He is also ideal with McD. KY also creates chaos has some finish, can PK and is probably ideally situated for 3RW with some reps in the top 6. Archie will not be back. Kassian should be traded. If both Kass and Kane are gone, they will need some skill/grit. Hopefully Holloway’s hand is fully healed by September and he can start somewhere in the top 9. By 2023 some of the percolating skilled W could also push, so W for the top 9 next year don’t need to be long-term investments.
No more buyouts PLEASE!
X-McD-JP
Hym-Drai-KY
Foegele/Holloway-RNH-X
Foegele/Holloway-McLeod-Ryan
Shore
Nurse-Ceci
Keith-Bouch
Broberg-GrittyDMindedVet
Niemo/Kulak
X
Skinner
I put Foegele in b/c I sincerely doubt KH will move him and he provides cover for Holloway.
Kulak and Brassard may be worth a re-sign, depending on how the season ends up for them.
I think Fanti was signed b/c both Konovalov and Rodrigue have not met hopes/expectations this year and it is good to have 21-24 yr old goalies that are skilled and may find their AAA game.
EDIT: McLeod could play higher up, but it nice to have 4 solid Cs. With some skill on the 4th line, they could bring some offense.
The player won’t/wouldn’t have a choice if the GM decides…… he doesn’t have a NMC so he can be assigned (presuming he clears waivers).
Well, I guess he does have a choice in that he doesn’t have to report but that doesn’t change the $1.125MM of cap relief the Oilers would get (plus roster spot).
Was messing around a bit/being cheeky, but can you clarify what happens if he doesn’t report? Thanks OP.
He would be suspended by the org but he’d still be assigned for purposes of the Oilers cap.
He could end up just retiring at that point (if he’s suspended he’s not getting paid in any event) which would get rid of his $2.2M cap hit completely as the 35 plus contract rules don’t apply to his contract.
If Kane wants 6 or more no they can’t keep him. Or 7 years or something
If he’ll take 6 or less they could keep him. But it would take Zito / Brisebois/ Sakic like active GMing
Which is the job isn’t it? There are good forward prospects but they are 2-4 years away from being solid NHL players. Same at least for the D prospects
They can break in 1-3 youth per year depending on readiness. This helps with the cap until it jumps
What the Oilers lack are, let’s call them HOA types in honour of our host, Hair On Ass
They need not simply vets, but HOA placeholders until the farm can take those jobs. By that I mean NHL players not just bangers.
Who play a hard game, can skate and pass at a good NHL level, the difference being production, the best players do 200 ft but also produce a lot so they get paid a lot
On D sorely lacks a Gator. Or a Staois, Lowe, Fogolin, D first, and you pay to play in our end
For D
Nurse Ceci
HOA Bouch (he’d be better with a proper HOA)
Keith/rookies HOA
Of course they need a goalie. Skinner is ready for one spot. Holland should deal with Smith. I doubt he will, so he’s the other.
Better have a plan to get a goalie in season. Koski cannot be back, they have to do better, if Smith goes LTIR which he might
Up front they should be willing to be aggressive to keep Kane on the right deal. They really need and benefit from his presence
From Bruce’s write up only a fool would move JP, he’s a play driver even if he doesn’t score a ton, not that he’s bad
They still more physical presence bottom 6. That can play a 200 ft NHL game. Archie Kass and Shore bleed. Foegele is decent but perhaps Holloway should be in that spot for cap and style reasons, if his wrist is better he’s ready to go
Ryan is good enough to keep and a RC they sorely lack, if they balance him off with HOA
This is completely possible to do. A couple of mid to minor trades and pitching some lesser cost UFAs that fit better
Sacrificing a young forward maybe, to help the now and the balance. The deals could replenish picks or bring the types needed
they could sign kane for 7 puli for 6 yamo for 3 but they would have to have one of the rfa’s sign after but they would have to have trade or buyout or 2 and bouchard /broberg start in the minors day 1 then called up after Klefbom goes to ltir.
there’s plenty of scenarios that can occur but i think they get all 3 wingers signed for 2022-2023
Foegele for Ethan Bear. A hockey trade. But first we would have to trade Holland to Carolina because no one other than him would do something so stupid.
LOL
Without the Kane addition we’re probably not in a Playoff position. We’ve all seen in real time how Kane not only changes the top 6 he also makes the 3rd and 4th lines better as players are pushed down. What would the addition of Holloway bring? Its becoming quite Obvious that we’re going to have to outscore the opposition 5 on 5 and I believe Holloway’s line will dominate the 5 on 5 percentage.
It’s hard to believe that in spite of having prime years from 29 and 97, Evander Kane falling into our lap, we’re basically fighting for a playoff spot.
It is and it isn’t
Less than inspired roster construction. Not willing to deal with goalies. I buy no excuses. What I’ve heard is ‘nothing fell into our lap and our basic plans, that was a 1 for 1 and/or a cap/pick overpay to make it easy’
I wonder about experience and drive. Maybe guys at the end of their career lack the drive needed as the league gets more competitive upstairs
I believe the experience is vital, but in the Yoda sense. Front lines are for people with vigour and something to prove that want to spend 12 hours x 6 or 7
I don’t think we’re seeing the deep dives into it that’s needed
I still see the impact on the team of Chiarelli’s disastrous reign – the Hall trade has now largely washed away but the Lucic deal is still weighing heavily on the cap (and will for three more years), and the Reinhardt fiasco robbed us of two decent young players. Throw in Klefbom’s injury and Voila!
Thanks for the memories.
No question those are factors… Still Holland has been as much of the problem rather than a solution.
No Kassian contract, that’s $3.2 m right there. Not signing Kassian to that contract was an absolute no-brainer.
No Smith, that’s another $2.2m. Another no-brainer.
Half retained on Keith, that’s $2.75m. Another no-brainer.
That’s $8.15m right there.
That would have been enough for an upgrade in net and Kookoo.
Next, there’s $7.25m for Foggy and Barrie that could have been better spent.
If you kept Bear, you already had $5.25m to upgrade Foggy or spend elsewhere.
Holland has been an absolute disaster at managing the cap.
Not a factor yet, but the Nurse contract will become a major bungle as time passes.
Klefbom AND Sekera – two legit top 4 d-men (arguably top pairing, at least low end) just poooof, gone.
Sekera was arguably the team’s top d-man in the playoffs until Getzlaf….
If Kane played goal Oilers would be leading the Pacific Division.
The rubber road report (assuming 95 points as cutoff):
——
EDM requires 6-7-0 (end with 45 wins)
LA -> 5-6-1 (end w/ 42 wins)
VGK -> 7-4-1 (end w/ 45 wins)
STL -> 5-9-1 (end w/ 42 wins)
NSH -> 6-7-1 (end w/ 45 wins)
DAL -> 8-8-0 (end w/ 46 wins)
WPG -> 9-3-1 (end w/ 42 wins)
Conclusion: 95 pts probably isn’t enough to grab wildcard spot but might be enough to take 3rd in division.
Szymon Szemberg
@Sz1909_Szemberg
·
9m
16-time Swedish champion, 20-time finalist, 2-time European champion Djurgården has been relegated to Sweden’s 2nd-tier Hockeyallsvenskan. Djurgården lost the relegation series in four straight games against Timrå
Now this is obtuse. Well done!
Oilers won with meh 5 on 5 play and special teams being unsustainably good (mainly PP). Fans said this won’t work in the playoffs.
Oilers then won with some improved team defence and meh scoring but supernova McDavid/Drai carrying the load. Fans said this won’t work in the playoffs.
Oilers then won with better structured play and the 5 on 5 being top of the league, goaltending stabalizing and special teams recovering.
Oilers now winning with a leaky defence and goaltending inconsistent (Mikko better than Smith) but outscoring the goals against with a deeply productive forward group (McDavid/Drai being good but getting lots of help).
Maybe this team just “finds a away to win” on many nights even if “that way” isn’t the “playoff way”. Maybe they will just find ways to get the job done in the playoffs as well. Just maybe.
Certainly.
However, we know that the NHL rule book is shredded, doused with highest octane jet fuel and then torched with an Elon Musk X-18 flamethrower the night before post-season puck-drop.
This team does not have ogres on the backend that use a combination of Judo, Jui jistu, phantom throat punch-techniques, titty twisters, group tackling and steer rastlin’ manoeuvres to slow down the enemy. Our hometown team has mostly smallish defenders with all their teeth and multiple eye brows. Therein lies what some would say is the problem, that is a severe lack of dirty rotten scoundrels and not much size.
I bleed orange and blue (FWIW more blue than orange) and I always hope for the best, but it’s been over 16 years running where the dirty cheatin bastards always win. This team has some things, but one of them isn’t playoff readiness.
Kind of funny reading you of all people wearing a tinfoil hat.
It is leather lined with lead, if you must know.
Watching the post game interview with Hyman and McDavid and getting the the Specs part… He’s admitting to asking dumb questions, why is it allowed to continue? It’s brutal having to hear it and watch the players struggle through trying to keep their professionalism while responding to someone that just simply isn’t professional. For a hockey mad market, how does this man of all people get to ask questions? Can you win a game 6-1?? He asks.
Earth to Mark, they just did against Phoenix less then a week ago!!!! What an arrogant self absorb human being, this man should be immediately given his walking papers.
I honestly think outdated media is likely capable of doing more damage than any other component in hockey centric canadian markets like edmonton.
Yikes! NJ blows a 6-2 lead in the third and lose 7-6 to Florida in OT.
Interesting that Huberdeau recently set the all time assist record and just added to his total with 72 & 73.
For left wingers
Unless McDavid wins the scoring race by at least double digits or Leon goes crazy and racks up over 60-63 Goals the award will go to Huberdeau Johnny or Matthews.
He won’t win it…but you could make a very strong case for Roman Josi.
Nashville would be nowhere without him.
He’s on pace for 101 points.
I’m going senile and it’s driving me nuts who was the Hab Goalie that won the MVP a few years back?
José Theodore.
Yes, this is an absolutely remarkable accomplishment.
I honestly never expected to ever see another single-season individual offensive record set in my lifetime. This goes to show that Wingers are generally the best goal scorers and Centres are generally the best playmakers.
David Dwork
@DavidDwork
·
44m
Sasha Barkov said Ryan Lomberg was yelling ‘Cats are coming! We’re coming!’ from the Panthers bench when it was still 6-2 in the third period.
The Lomberghini knew…
I hear Hollywood is interested in turning this into a movie
Interesting piece by NHL_SID at ON
His analytics support the eye test with Nurse. Whom he sees as a couple of million too high next contract
His bottom line is Nurse is our best D, but struggles in the D zone and defending the line. He’s a more transporting offensive type who ices the puck too much and has a poor point shot he overuses, but is the most productive PP option over Barrie and Bouch (currently)
He’s not going anywhere of course. Lindholm at 6.5 would be way better for the team defensively and cap wise but such is life
My point is what Holland needs to do. Nurse Keith Bouch Barrie are all puck movers with defensive issues. Bro is coming and he’s another at least at first, maybe he’ll be stronger defensively in time. Neims has a lot to grow defensively as well
Holland needs to be moving to have a strong defender on each pair, preferably a not nice type
This summer he should add at least a rightie to replace Barrie. To offset Keith or a greenhorn. The season after a leftie to replace Keith for Bouch to play with
Ideally both sides this summer to push Keith down and force the rookies to take his job or be the 7th. If winning now matters
Frankly Nurse is one if not the best D one on one. He does not get beat on the outside. He has been playing with numerous different partners that are not of first pairing quality! He should be able to sue for lack of support!😉
I don’t mind the Nurse contract at all. Put me on record as that contract being just fine — particularly as the cap rises in coming years.
I don’t think he is perfect, that said his defensive game has improved markedly over the past few seasons (some recent blips aside). He needs to filter out the harmless shots.
How do we interpret these stats in the context of below average goaltending? Also, Nurse has been playing first pair with guys like Ceci, Barrie, Bouchard, Bear over the past couple seasons. I like all those players — except maybe Barrie 🙂 — but I wouldn’t call them legit first pair D.
My view on the player is his “pro-active defence” — ie stepping up in the neutral zone, defending the line against the rush — is excellent. He has improved significantly on his own zone play, particularly awareness of the back door opportunity.
I think he could stand to flop less on 2 on 1s, but he’s far from the only player that does that. I do believe most (?all) flaws in his game will diminish under Manson.
I disagree with Sid that he won’t improve past age 27. I agree that’s true of many players, but Darnell Nurse has IMO improved markedly in each of his NHL seasons. His physical gifts are outstanding; really the problem is some fine-tuning with decision making.
Apologies if it was discussed yesterday, but the numbers in this article by Bruce raised my eyebrows a notch, especially the WOWYs. Jesse is a bit of a hockey enigma, fascinatingly unique player.
https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/extending-jesse-puljujarvi-should-be-priority-one-for-oilers-gm-ken-holland-heres-why
That’s just a fantastic article.
Based on Bruce’s findings, you have to hope Jesse’s agent isn’t a reader cause he should get paid large.
On the other hand, Yamamoto shouldn’t be buying any green bananas.
Great article. Hopefully we can get the Bison King signed at a reasonable rate as boxcars still are the biggest driver of contracts.
Yup, something in the $4M range for term sounds reasonable.
If Jesse wants a bridge instead, that comes down apx $1M.
Jesse has arbitration but, of course, there are only certain types of data that can be used in arb hearings and I don’t think expected goals W/WO is approved.
Good write up on recent NCAA singings, including a Fanti-stic scouting report on our new tendy.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/ncaa-signings-how-sanderson-abruzzese-harris-fanti-project-in-the-nhl/
Great article, thanks for sharing.
Here is good article that speaks to value of NCAA Free Agents today, you have to subscribe for that detailed content, but what you can read is interesting nonetheless.
https://www.hockeyjournal.com/ncaa-signings-watch-who-else-could-be-on-the-verge-of-heading-to-nhl/
FWIW, Ohio State Goaltender Tommy Nappier, is an interesting study in shiney NCAA objects, as an example. His last NCAA season was behind a very poor team. Compare his pro numbers vs his teammates.
https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=186551
LT, I posted a comment to this a few hours ago and it was sent to purgatory, what did I do wrong?
Let me check. Checking….checking…checking…okay, it is now approved.
You had two links, sometimes the spam filter doesn’t allow two, sometimes it takes four. The blog has its own rules. I know that sounds ridiculous, but it’s true.
It is all par for the course, because Oilers 😀
Prospectorium!
Only
fivethree Oilers prospects are in action on NA ice tonight. Of thefivethree, two toil in the Dub. Of course, Wanner is uncertain to play, but at least we know a little more about his injury–we may safely rule out elephantiasis and goiters, anyway.Lachance also takes to the ice today. In the USHL, the top six teams in each conference make the playoffs. While Youngstown has yet to clinch a playoff spot, they’re in a good spot. As such, it’s quite possible that Lachance and all 5 CHL Oilers prospects could reach the postseason.
Youngstown (Lachance) @ 5 p.m.
Wheat Kings (Chiasson) @ 7 p.m.
Moose Jaw (Wanner) @ 7 p.m.
As always, all times are Irma time.
OP mentioned Holloway earlier, he isn’t Mr Snowpants lately and is seeing a lot of TOI. Just like Broberg, a majority of his points are of the PP type, can’t find the breakdown, 4 of his 8 goals are on the PP.
His hand still isn’t back to pre-injury shape, as I have not seen the zip or accuracy that he had at Madison. However, he is now consistently flashing high end skill, as his confidence grows with more experience.
The important question is, is 3rd or possibly 4th line deployment (I don’t bring him up for anything less than 3rd line minutes) going to:
a. Positively impact team results; and
b. Positively impact his development
I think he is better that Foegele today, Foegele seems a half step too late or in the wrong position and is also apparently hated equally by the hockey gods and the NHL referees association.
So, what to do? Please vote
(+) for bringing him up and staple him to RNH’s LW (and IMO with Ryan on RW)
or
(-) Keep him in Cali to get 1st line minutes on a playoff run, while dominating the flow of play and getting big minutes and many touches on the 1st PP unit?
I have trouble with blaming Binnington
I don’t think they could have played worse in the first if they wanted him to get pulled
really could have been 7-1
Oilers played incredibly well in the first. Not many people seem to know that.
My guess is Monohan won’t play next season and they’ll have LTIR relief to help signing all their guys. That’ll help keep the team together but, as we know, being an LTIR team sucks during the season.
How so?
Didn’t stop Holland from adding Kane, and if he wanted to add a bigger-ticket for player (eg Fleury) he could’ve done the gymnastics to move out salary.
How is LTIR limiting?
If that’s the question, I will go in to more detail but will start with the total lack of accumulation of any cap space and the inability to pro-rate cap in.
For example, a team that is in LTIR and has, say, $1M of cap space at the deadline, can acquire $1M of cap. A team that has, say, $1M of actual real cap space can acquire apx $5M of cap at the deadline.
The gymnastics you speak of generally adds up costing the team in cap and or futures such as draft choices and or good prospects in the organization. It’s a case or mortgaging the future for possibly winning now! Risky and a short cut to long term pain in my opinion!
I’m going to go so far as to say I “saw Mike Smith good” … at least in the first period of last night’s game.
It’s where the team needed to button-down with the lead where Smith’s up-tempo advantages are negated.
It got me thinking: What if Smith started games to give the Oilers a boost – like shooting them out of a cannon to gain a lead, then turned it over to Koski, the better pick-stopper to close.
Its more of a baseball pitcher strategy with a starter who can throw fire, then a middle reliever to manage the heart of the game.
Alternatively: start Smith so he can stop the first shot of the game and then immediately sub in Koskinen.
Or just ice six skaters and see if we can’t win games 12-10
The first goal was an example of why Mike Smith is done for at least this year if not forever. You can time him moving across the crease by sundial. Either he’s still feeling the injuries from earlier in the season, or he’s permanently lost 3 or 4 steps.
this is my take too. Smith can stop pucks if he does not have to move. I am of the opinion that he either has a groin issue or the lovely high angle sprain that inhibits his mobility. As a warrior, he is still battling instead of going on LTIR and letting the team call up skinner.
Yeah full credit to him, my god that’s a physically demanding position to play at 40 years old and coming off long term injuries. I don’t blame Smith for wanting the crease every night, but someone needs to make the tough call to sideline him.
Some interesting news out of Calgary.
Pat Steinberg (@Fan960Steinberg) Tweeted:
Sean Monahan has been placed on LTIR and will be undergoing season ending surgery on his other hip, per GM Brad Treliving. #Flames
https://twitter.com/Fan960Steinberg/status/1510290162772717574?s=20&t=3zzLw7lpkvkiEkdjVglFgw
One has to wonder why this didn’t happen ahead of the deadline so the Flames could have used the cap space.
This might also complicate things if Calgary wants to buy him out in the offseason since you cannot buy out a player who is not 100% healthy.
Perhaps retirement.
Wow. I hate the Flames but this is sad to read. Always liked Monahan. A shame when injuries derail careers. He is only 27.
As someone who has recently had two hip operations, I can tell you how debilitating it can be.
That he played at all this season took a lot of courage.
Courage or realization that this if it for his career?
He got paid either way but didn’t choose the easy way out.
I respect that.
Yet if an article comes out tomorrow saying Mike Smith is done for the year, having hip surgery, you will post “his playing through it all year shows how selfish he is and what a detriment to the Oilers. I can’t respect that”.
No, but I certainly would question Holland’s decision to do nothing about it all season.
As it stands, Monahan was trying to play 4C which a far less critical position than starting goaltender.
LOL, we can all tell what HH is gonna say on any Oiler issue.
That being said, at least Sutter recognized and demoted the struggling Monohan. Easier for a forward, especially with Calgary’s depth there, but Oilers are slow-footing the inevitable with Smith.
JP had Bilateral hip surgery. Probably not as serious
He has not been a factor in a very long time. Since the Nuge beat the crap out of him
Hopefully Skinner gets a least 2 games with the big club before the playoffs start. Oilers don’t know what they have in him at this point and they need to find out. If he plays great then play him the next game. See if he can handle the pressure.
Skinner has proven he can thrive in pressure filled Playoff games. Call him up let’s see what we have he could be our secret weapon in the Playoffs as teams don’t have the book on his weaknesses.
Skinner has proven he can do that in the WHL and the AHL.
Mikko proved he could do that in the KHL.
Was that the last game of Arch as an Oiler, God I hope so.
It’s kind of pucked up that early in the 2nd you could tell the Blues could murder someone and not get a call against them for the rest of the evening. This isn’t playoffs so the whistles shouldn’t of been swallowed, they weren’t for one team.
Bush league but the good guys prevailed.
Tie Arch and Smith together and shoot them both into the sun.
Absolutely loved the between periods story by MacT on the pre-fight negotiation between Kassian and Goertsen. For us greybeards that do remember a time when hockey was still a Viking warrior sport, that throwback was manna from heaven.
One of the things I find interesting when fans compare scorers of different eras is they appreciate the things that have made it tougher for current era players to score (e.g. bigger goalies, lighter equipment, better conditioning, etc.) but they rarely consider the factors that made it tougher for players in previous eras. The two most obvious for me is those players didn’t have composite sticks and the physicality of the game was far more challenging. To sit in the slot back then, you had to be an honest to God masochist.
As as an example, check out these two clips that show absolutely hellacious hits from two different sports. As you can see, these hits were allowed during the normal course of play and in the football example, that type of hit has since been legislated out of the game. The hit on Gretzky could still occur today but would definitely prompt a suspension. If memory serves, it didn’t even merit a major penalty in that particular game.
https://youtu.be/XQabzWSfm64
https://youtu.be/3WqZ1hcs1y8
For younger Oiler fans, I encourage you to fully appreciate the contributions of players like Semenko, McSorley, Jackson, and McLelland to that historic dynasty. Those warriors waded through shit so the stars could shine in an era of brutal physicality compared to today’s era where body checking during the regular season is greatly diminished. Semenko in particular rode shotgun as Gretz’s W a ton in those early seasons. The Great One was greyhound thin in those days and there’s no doubt he would’ve paid a higher price if not for the presence of one of the best bodyguards to ever lace them up.
The very fact that many fans now mock the contributions of physicality first players show how much the game has changed to encourage finesse and minimize intent to injure.
Consider Bob Boughner, Wade Belak, Joe Murphy when you bemoan the lack of intent to injure in the modern game. These guys shouldn’t have to literally put their lives on the line for our amusement and the owner’s pocketbook.
I’m not ‘bemoaning’ rules evolving in step with concussion science improving. For the league not to adjust would have been amoral. Though I would say Sidney Crosby and Marc Savard played a far bigger part in that evolution than the fighters. The NHL has never particularly cared about the men in the trenches.
What I’m emphasizing is the game today is far less perilous and that should be factored in when we bemoan the scoring exploits of players from past eras.
This is the problem with so much Internet discourse. People are so focused on scoring with talking points that they talk at each other as opposed to with each other. I can see why LT is getting tired of it. It’s not really community when folks are so inclined to immediately polarize the discussion.
I went back and reread your post and I think I did misinterpret your point, sorry about that. I was primed up for this argument watching the Arizona broadcasters comment on Terry and Zegras getting gooned and saying “well that’s what you get for making fancy plays!”
Plus I’m constipated and Man U played another stinker. Tough morning.
Good on ya for revisiting your perspective. Unfortunately, as a Gunners fan, I can offer you no condolences on the footie result ; )
You want to know tough and finesse, two words; Craig Simpson. That dude got beat to death every night and scored like crazy. He took to wearing a flak jacket like quarterbacks to protect his spine.
Agreed. Still can’t fathom how Simpson maintained his talking head good looks given the way he played the game.
Smytty was very much cut from the same cloth and his face shows it. The ‘hard areas’ were a meat grinder back then. The cross checking was legal assault.
He was a true Warrior loved his never give up greasy goals in front of the opponent’s net. The man was traded for Paul Coffey the pressure was enormous yet he came through. Anderson Messier and Simpson one of my favourite lines all-time.
Gotta love the instigator rule!😉
“The Edmonton Oilers won a wild game at Rogers Place on Friday night in overtime. The home side was loose and attention to detail was lacking, plus the goaltending was an issue again.”
But we’ve been through that a hundred times or more…
haha…was just dying to fit this line in somewhere 🙂
For those who aren’t aware of Sunil Agnihotri and his work, he is a beauty:
https://thesuperfan.ca/2022/04/02/tracking-the-western-conference-as-of-april-1-2022/
Very telling as to what ails this team (hint: it is what we know). 14 th in the conference in save percentage in the last 25 games. when all the other numbers are fire. We gotta get Smitty going, yes, that is correct …on the next bus out of town.
I mentioned it last night, but the 2018-2019 San Jose Sharks team is our template for success. They rode sub-.900 goaltending (regular season and playoffs) to the conference finals.
Bonus, Evander Kane was on the team so he might have some tips for overcoming terrible goaltending in the playoffs.
It tough to be a goalie on a team with two guys trying to be elite scorers in the NHL.
It feels like when the Oilers get up 2/3/4 goals – it is an opportunity to add to McDavid and Driasaitl’s numbers.
In Calgary it is BORING hockey and Sutter insists on this style – even from the first line and there are no defenseman joining the rush. They want the puck their sticks even it is not in a dangerous place on the ice.
The goalie is going to be better in the second system.
This is true. Look at the difference in Freddy Anderson’s numbers in Toronto and Carolina. But Koskinnen and Smith are still terrible. At one point midway through the season, Koskinnen led the league in goals allowed on Low Danger Scoring Chances. Look at the first goal Smith gave up last night. He committed way too early, was flopping all over the place and had no idea where the puck was, giving up the open net.
Every goalie in the league gives up bad goals.
Last year’s focus on McDavid’s 100 points in 50 games cemented how the team’s identity is tied up in 97 and 29 being see as elite NHL scoring stars for me.
At this point, in this league, you either want elite scoring or you are happy with a 2-1 game.
You should look up the phrase false dichotomy.
Also, the Flames have only won three games all season by a score of 2-1 or less. Literally, no team in the league consistently wins games by a score of 2-1.
Would you be shocked to learn the Flames generate the second most SF/G in the league?
Sutter’s system is based on puck possession not lock down boring hockey.
Exactly. They are the seventh highest scoring team in the league. The Flames are not a boring hockey team.
Don’t the Kings have the highest shots per game in the league and are a low scoring team.
Referencing simple shot rates is somewhat meaningless, is it not?
The Kings lack high end finishers…been that way for a long time.
I expect that will be addressed in the offseason with Filip Forsberg or similar.
OK – but that doesn’t speak to the point which is that team shots for doesn’t mean, well, anything in isolation and without context.
This is nonsense. Calgary does not play boring hockey. They have one of the most electric lines in hockey.
Calgary’s dmen join the rush all the time. The difference between Edmonton and Calgary is a) they play way better team defence, i.e., forwards cover; and b) they have a fucking goalie.
Also, are you trying to frame McD and Drai being scoring leaders as a negative??? You are aware that they both outscore the opposition at 5v5 by a significant margin?
Since January there have been 6 games
1-0
2-1
or
3-1
I sit in the arena for these games – these are boring games. When you drop $1500 for parking, food and tickets and the client talks about the atom in between period game, you notice.
The Flames have scored 3.46 G/GP…tied for 6th in the league with the Edmonton Oilers.
I am not framing 97/29 as negative. As Oiler fans it is fantastic we are being entertained – fans and the team are very lucky to have these guys in their prime.
yes they outscore the other team when then are on ice they should. 26% of the payroll is in 2 players, the ROI on that money is working. But since every play-off team is basically a cap team. Winning with two lines might mean you are losing elsewhere in you line-up.
% of cap on top 2 forward
Florida 15%
TBL 22%
Carolina 20%
Colorado 20%
Flames 17%
Don’t have time to read, but the Oilers do not have the #14 SV% in the WC over the last 25 games.
Last 25 games all of LAK, STL, CHI, MIN, ANA, and SEA have a worse SV% than Edmonton. So I guess that means they’ve had basically average goaltending over the last 25, right?
LT, you don’t reference 10cc enough. Why do you hate Godley and Creme?
Sorry, after that game, I had “Rubber Bullets” going through my mind.
🎶Load up, load up, load up 🎶
Have we seen enough of Kulak to determine if he is an upgrade on Laggs?
Fair question.
I haven’t keyed in on him that much, but from what I’ve seen I do think he is an upgrade. Certainly more physical.
(Nice stats line in LT’s game chart above.)
As an Oiler:
5gp TOI 17.29 +2
1 penalty 8 hits.
54.9 CF% +4 CF% Rel
53.8 FF% +2.5 FF% Rel
62.5% dZS%
No. It takes players a while to adjust to a new team. Plus, his partner is chaos inc.
Tyson Barrie has probably been the Oilers most consistently good d-man over the last month or so (Ceci with some wobble recently, likely due to increased minutes/responsibility catching up).
Consistently not absolutely horrible is a better description.
during the pleyoffs when the rules don’t count i hope Kulak proves his worth