The Edmonton Oilers have four bullets left in the McDavid-Draisaitl-Nurse chamber, more if 29 and 97 re-sign after 2025 and 2026, respectively. It’s been an enjoyable run since 2015, but I think we can all agree that the playoffs have been mostly disappointing. What kind of spring and summer would you like to see from the organization?
THE ATHLETIC!THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Evander Kane’s scoring prowess and what he brings the Oilers
- New DNB: Connor McDavid’s Hart case
- Lowetide: Oilers signing Noah Philp latest connection with Golden Bears
- DNB: Dylan Holloway call-up? Jay Woodcroft extension? Zack Kassian trade? Oilers mailbag
- Lowetide: Stock up or down for every prospect in the Oilers system
- Lowetide: Finding Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ wingers elusive challenge for Oilers
- DNB: Oilers player poll
- Lowetide: Making the final call on the Oilers 2017 draft
- Lowetide: How many more college players will Oilers sign this spring?
- DNB: Oilers fend off Blues but will need to fix defensive woes
- 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: The legend of Oilers prospect Matvei Petrov continues to grow
- 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: 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 3-0-0)
- At home to: COL (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 0-0-1)
- 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: 4-0-1, 9 points in 5 games
- Oilers in 2021-22: 42-25-6, 90 points in 73 games
I have the Oilers going 5-4-0 in the last nine games, that’s 47-29-6, 100 points. I think this is the best Oilers team since 2016-17, and we’ll see if this group can join that team with a postseason win of a playoff round. I’d like to see Connor McDavid get to 120 points and Leon Draisaitl to 111. A 20-goal season for Kailer Yamamoto and 15 for Jesse Puljujarvi would be nice to see, and 40+ points from Evan Bouchard in his first full season. Plenty to look forward to down the stretch.
THINGS TO DO BEFORE OCTOBER
We talked about this on the Lowdown the other day, trying to find a line in the sand for success. One playoff round won seemed not to be enough, the sense was Edmonton had to be competitive in the second round. So, that would work out to a series win versus LAK or VGK, and then a strong showing versus the Calgary Flames. Is that reasonable?
In the summer, getting Denton Mateychuk in the first round, and an additional selection in the top 90 of the draft would be good. In trade, finding a home for Tyson Barrie and a little more wiggle room by trading away an extra forward might be the ticket. The shopping list? A No. 1 goaltender, a third pairing shutdown defenseman, a scoring LW for one of the top two lines and more speed.
Many changes on this roster, and at least one trade that would never happen, but I think all the bases are covered. You might notice there are three goalies, Mike Smith can be sent down to save $1 million or so, but I didn’t buy him out because everyone goes crazy when I do on these next-season rosters. Here are the transactions, you don’t have to tell me you love them I already know you do:
- Signed Jesse Puljujarvi for four seasons.
- Signed Kailer Yamamoto, Ryan McLeod and Tyler Benson for one season.
- Signed UFA Vinnie Hinostroza for one season.
- Traded Tyson Barrie to Montreal for Christian Dvorak.
- Traded Zack Kassian, Dmitri Samorukov and a 2023 second for James Reimer.
- Traded Warren Foegele for Ryan Graves.
You may not like Dvorak but he is a good two-way centre who forechecks well and is a pain in the ass. There’s just not enough money for Evander Kane. Ryan Graves is something of a risk but he’s a shutdown type and young enough to hold value. I didn’t like trading Foegele. Thoughts?
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
A fun show this morning, we’ll get started at 10. Travis Yost from TSN will join us at 10:20 talk about Jay Woodcroft’s offense this article he wrote. Tom Gazzola will pop in at 11:20 to help preview tonight’s game. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. See you on the radio!
I just recently did a oilers cap friendly for next year. I had traded Barrie and kassian for picks so that is about 8m cleared. Cap increases to 82.5m next year. Signed Yamo and Pulj long term. McLeod and Kane short term. Resigned Kulak for 2m (could be any ufa dman signing for around that much). And signed Deslauries to 1m (I still think the oil need a ruffian to compete in the division and he is an actual very good player outside of the toughness. Have Holloway making the team on third line with nuge and Foegele. Team is steady Eddy from top to bottom forward and defence wise but here’s the kicker. I have no more money and smith and Stuart starting the year at goalie (terrifying)
Kane-McD-Pulj
Hyman-Drai-Yamo
Holloway-Nuge-Foegele
Deslauries-McLeod-Ryan
Shore-Benson
Nurse-Ceci
Keith-Bouch
Broberg-Kulak(Ufa signing)
Niemo
Smith
Stuart
Thanks Uncle Kenny for showing all the other GMs how to handcuff a team for years to come. Paying full freight + for a washed up dman in Keith may be the worst trade in the entire NHL during the last year. And signing Smith to a 2-year contract – sheesh.
Burger Bob, please fire Holland before he screws the team more trying to everyone’s friend.
Keith isn’t washed up. There are issues with the trade but separate the player from the deal respectively.
Kane always sticks up for Yamamoto
We certainly didn’t box out tonight did we?! Sheesh!
JP is a public figure, as such he is not immune to public criticism.
Spector is well known for his hot takes; and that’s all they are, weak judgements. Calling it bullying and xenophobia is searching for a problem when the actual issue is right in front of everyone. IMO, not enough people are calling out Spec for his poor analysis, starting with his editor and down to the audience writ large. He was “bullying” Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle before JP, and it’ll be Borgault, Broberg, and whomever else as time goes on.
Have no problem with the loss. We are not going to win them all here.
However, it is how we lost.
McDavid was fire.
Others absolutely faded into the background.
Some players, ala last two playoffs, fail to get anywhere near the offensive kill zone.
And -which one of the Bouchard / Keith pairing is going to clear the front of the net in playoffs?
So that is what it is like to play a team with no injuries…or few to their key players.
Not sure if this was a great game by Wild or we played poorly but I wish the Oilers could play the way MIN plays. I did not see the whole game (gave up after 4-0), but it seemed our players hardly had any space to make plays – seemed to be a step too slow….Seemed to me like MIN was on a continuous powerplay.
Also, in the pre-game Jay said that they had a ‘good’ practise yesterday – one of the rare occasions when they could have one. Given our recent performances, maybe this practise did more harm than good.
They have to win the NSH game – LA is breathing down their neck…
I definitely thought they has a plan for the mcleod/McDavid run-up zone entries. Might be wrong bur seemed like they were sending 1 forward deep at then.
Geez the Keith-Bouchard pairing was ugly tonight. What’s really scary is Keith was worse than Bouchard.
Yep.
Canucks win in OT!
dang, they gave up a 4-2 lead in the 3rd… a 3-point game is not good..
Summarizing!
The Bourg collected his 31st goal of the year:
https://mobile.twitter.com/Cataractes_Shaw/status/1514040214490124290?cxt=HHwWhMC4hbXj-YIqAAAA
He also added an assist.
Chiasson also had an apple.
Wanner is still out for MJ.
thanks
and I’m here for it. 4-2 nucks nearing the end of the 2nd.
So, tonight, Kass went from 4th line, to 1st line, to 4th line, to the McDavid/Drai winger……. and to press box for next game?
LAK beat CHI 5-2.
Next game is against COL…pretty much a scheduled loss.
Then a run to the end of the season against the dregs.
This is going to be fun.
It puts the comment in the basket or it gets the hose again
Translate: I know you’re all unhappy about tonight. Here’s more reason to be unhappy (on a subject I’ve beaten to death already).
Same as it ever was…
If JP scored 5 goals tonight things would have been a lot different.
Big boy hockey.
Yep.
And the D pairing some have reservations about in playoff type hockey.
Plus, Minny was icing their best players….not a look we have seen for a while.
Somebody else that was badly off their game, Jack Michaels, Mr porpoises laugh.
LT’s boy Lansky who is awesome likes him, I get a lot of Ron Burgundy vibes myself
Hope the showers feel good, game sure didn’t
Good muzak in Minny
Does the Minnesota player get fined for flipping the bird? Andrew ferrence was fined 2500 for it years ago.
Wasn’t that for flipping it to the crowd though?
It was but I’d assume probably more about that gesture appearing on TV then him flipping off the crowd. Wouldn’t players use that gesture more often between players on the ice if it was no different then yelling swear words at each other?
‘prolly
Kass back to the 4th line for this period….. well, except for the shift with McDaivd/Drai – not sure what Woodcroft is seeing.
He’s seeing if anything sticks in a loss.
At least Brass can play the boards and body a guy off the puck, if nothing else
linesman with laser vision on that off-side on Foegle
Keith/Bouchard did NOT get a minus on that PP…..
Well it was nice to see the Wild do a team thing, and Kane rep the Oilers
Wussies
I give them 1 maybe playoff wins, as in games. Nothing has really changed enough, still waaaaayyyyy too vanilla as a team. Fear, want to play pretty and avoid the rough stuff like the Leafs
.773. Single events impact perception. As in Koskinen. Best game of his NHL career last game. Then back to normal. I bet he couldn’t even keep the Condors net, or Smith
Honest question, do you think the Oilers are tough enough?
If it’s an honest question, it’s not fighting tough that matters most, it’s players that enjoy mucking it up. A LOT of NHL players like that, they want it. Strudwick talks about this type of stuff a lot, it’s not just me spouting about what I don’t know, although I have always thought such. A lot of players like a good tilt, win or lose
The Wild’s two best forwards, not big guys, engaged, only Kane responded with anything of consequence. The second biggest forward in the melee – McLeod, was frightened to my eye, and avoided it
The Oilers are obsessed with ‘nice guys’. It used to be coke machines. It’s one of the first thing mentioned about a player – good person etc.
Who gives a shit? If they aren’t breaking the law or being abnormally hurtful off the ice, I want cranky pricks who can scoot, and like crashing and banging and winning battles, and will drop with anybody in their face – for honour. That take a stick cut as a sign of a game well played
Backing down in that environment creates shame I think. As Jaro Pouzar said to the guy in the other penalty box whining and yelling at him – ‘hockey is a man’s game, maybe you should play chess’. The guy went apoplectic – I love it, he was right
Kaprizov beat ‘three’ Oilers off the boards on the first Hartman
Hyman plays like a tasmanian devil, which has value, but he’s not intimidating and isn’t rough. I doubt anyone worries about playing him. You can have one or two Hymans, but not a team of them, as we see.
It’s too easy to beat a team of physically submissive personalities simply by banging them up and getting in the way of the pretty passes and uncontested rushes they are trying to do, increasingly forcing things that aren’t working because of frustration, and so giving up too much against – 5-1. We have watched this show before, a couple of hundred times
Go down the list – one forward with any edge carrying impact, that is worth playing. Leon is getting there, but not consistently or often. One defenceman who doesn’t do it anymore
We are still at where they fold against teams that are actually hard to play against, who are not ‘nice guys’. Very, very sadly and frustratingly for me. From the team that perfected the script for generational talent and physical dominance
Holland bought hook line and sinker the false narrative of ‘the modern defenceman’. A puck mover, no concern for size or having a physical game. I’d bet money Hrudey coined that one. It’s so unthinking and wrong
The only thing that has changed since the 70’s is what rules get called, and that young players are almost all academy players now, and come in highly trained and very skills practiced, so much sooner ready to go
There are several very top end small D in the league. But most of the best D are bigger guys that can skate, as it ever was even in the obstruction era, the difference being the linemen sized non skaters are gone now. Same with forwards
It is so obvious what needs to be done, kudos that so many holes were plugged, making it easier to see
I deleted and am re-posting this comment to edit a word in the lyrics that is too insensitive for now:
I think now the Oilers entry song should be ‘Brave Sir Robin’
Bravely bold Sir Robin
Rode forth from Camelot.
He was not afraid to die,
Oh brave Sir Robin.
He was not at all afraid
To be killed in nasty ways.
Brave, brave, brave, brave Sir Robin.
He was not in the least bit scared
To be mashed into a pulp.
Or to have his eyes gouged out,
And his elbows broken.
To have his kneecaps split
And his body burned away,
And his limbs all hacked and mangled
Brave Sir Robin.
His head smashed in
And his heart cut out
And his liver removed
And his bowls unplugged
And his nostrils *****
And his bottom burnt off
And his penis
“That’s, that’s enough music for now lads, there’s dirty work afoot.”
Brave Sir Robin ran away.
(“No!”)
Bravely ran away away.
(“I didn’t!”)
When danger reared it’s ugly head,
He bravely turned his tail and fled.
(“I never!”)
Yes, brave Sir Robin turned about
And gallantly he chickened out.
(“You’re lying!”)
Swiftly taking to his feet,
He beat a very brave retreat.
Bravest of the brave, Sir Robin!
Hopefully you will repost tomorrow as I’m sure lively debate will follow.
Only took a minute
Feel free the copyright has expired!
Also, how did Kaprizov not get a penalty there?
Refs are big Minnesota fans.
Kane was not innocent there but how many players all came in and took a shot at him in that scrum, including what looked like a superman punch, yet he’s the one to get the extra 2.
Funny part about that scrum, everybody drops their sticks and grabs a guy, McLeod and Barrie hold on to theirs like it’s their only one.
That was complete BS. Kane had a right to give Buttnuts a crosscheck back and protect, he had started it against the smallest player in the league, false bravado
there is a 50 lb difference between kaprizov and Yamo.
That linesman almost took out Kane just like the Yakupov Career-Ender.
FIRE!!!
Living the effort! We need this Fire!!! Kaner is a beaut! Now let’s pop a couple just to make em nervous!
What are the giveaway numbers for Keith-Bouchard pair tonight. Not a good game tonight.
They are likely UGLY!
2 giveaways each according to NHL. Keith gave away the first goal directly, but I think they were ‘also in picture’ (as our host would say) on those other 3, especially Keith. Tough game. Hopefully, they can shake this one off as I’ve mostly liked that pairing.
Horvat opens the scoring a minute in.
Every minor mistake/ lost battle is costing the Oilers tonight. Hopefully the team just says f-it and moves on
The problem is they are being made by d-men below the top of the defensive circles.
IDK I don’t see the Oilers playing that bad of a game. We have had our chances too but they aren’t going in the net. Not blaming Koskinen on this one and not seeing Talbot that good either. Just a game that isn’t going our way.
Interesting, I don’t see the Oilers getting like any chances (save Kass’ breakaway) at 5 on 5.
NST has expected goals 70%, 70%, 80% for the the Wild in the three periods so far.
Drai had two chances in the second on the PP that he cashes 90% (totally made up number) of the time.
Yes, PP, sure – I said at 5 on 5.
Haha- yup that was a detail I ignored. Still support my original statement, hope the team just says f-it to this game.
BOOM!!! Up your, Wild! No shut out tonight!!! Good shot, Drai! 👊🏽👊🏽👊🏽
This is NOT a nothing PP.
Notwithstanding the last PP looked great (Drai, ugh), its been struggling to score the last few games. Need to get it going with confidence.
Thank you.
So, about time for some goalie changes?
That guy!
Weak play by Barrie, lost battle by Ryan – goal against.
Man. They are getting every bounce tonight…
Taking advantage of weak plays by our d-men isn’t really “bounces” is it?
Oilers look like they are going to CRUSH the score effects in this 3rd period!
At least Kass is back to the 4th line to start this period….. good shift too actually.
That’s better. Let’s make a dent in their confidence!
Great first shift!! Now follow their lead!
Keith just needs to be moved down to the 3rd pairing. His career is late twilight. Bouche needs to understand that you have to be able to play at multiple tempos in the NHL. The calm boots doesn’t work when you have excellent players bearing down on you…
Yeah, people talking Bouchard and rightfully so..but Duncan had a truly awful game
After Two:
4-0 Minnesota (3-0 in the second)
19-19 Shots (11-10 Edmonton in the second)
39-22 Edmonton Corsi five-on-five (20-7 Edmonton in the second)
==
Oilers have done many things well, but holy hell the turnovers were just so many and the Wild took advantage.
Discouraging game, hopefully they’ll push in the third and build back. There’s no time for losing streaks.
Thank goodness the Oilers don’t play in the Central Division
When there’s a new player on a line I sense it instantly rather than see it. It’s almost discordant…something just isn’t right.
The point is, how come two people paid to study this team for their entire job not realize that every line but the third has been changed for that entire period. The reason, clearly, is that they just aren’t paying attention.
Instead we hear about Axel Foley.
Can you imagine that in the NFL?
“It looks like Andy Reid has the blender out. That looks like that’s Chad Henne under centre not Patrick Maholmes. We’ll see if we can find out what’s happening.
You could switch goalies (Mikko for Talbot) in this game and it wouldn’t make a lick of difference
Oilers d is a little leaky but seems a lot of seeing eye shots going in the net for the ugly green.
Left the game to go watch the Jays. They are getting shut out as well. Tough night!
Kraken can save the night
We can hope!
Going to put on my Linden jersey, the Canucks are my team tonight.
It’s a must win for the Canucks and their Playoff hopes. I wish we had Demko.
This is playoff intensity out there. Well, for the Wild, anyways.
Bouch is off. Keith is totally out to lunch. I’d replace him with Russel for a few games. He’s gassed and it shows by his mental mistakes…
Kass is our best forward. Don’t think I’ve ever said that, before…
Hopefully this is the kick in the ass we need to realize how important Every Single Shift IS!!!
Jack Michaels “This has nothing to do with Koskinen”
A guy can watch hockey for 5 years and gain 5 years knowledge,or he can watch 5 years gain 1 years knowledge 5 times
So you are saying Mikko is to blame for Bouch and Keith?
First time I read this it almost made sense. Then I read it 3 more times and each time it made less and less sense…
Not being a jerk, I just don’t get it? lol
It’s a Lowetidian
“A guy can work 5 years and gain 5 year’s experience, or work 5 years and gain 1 year’s experience 5 times”
In other words not learning enough
The entire NHL community (media fans pros) outside of Edmonton consider our tandem the worst in the league
Because players make mistakes doesn’t mean the goalie can’t make a save. It makes no sense coming from Oiler fans who have witnessed several great goalies hold the team up by the bootstraps and steal not games, but series
I feel like Hernan, I have been force fed enough pablum from the Oilers org. I want steak, blue rare, 4 inches thick, Flintstone style
Third time’s the charm?
I’m just glad Drai is finally able to touch passes by McDavid through this unbreathable defence.