The Edmonton Oilers are spending April playing outstanding hockey and the rewards are coming in fast and furious. The tough six-game portion of the April schedule, the one I suggested Oilers fans should be happy if the team went 2-4-0, is now complete. Edmonton just wrapped ‘two weeks in hell’ with a record of 4-1-1. Truly a season filled with remarkable winning and losing streaks, the club picked a grand time to stand and deliver. Jay Woodcroft is 23-8-3, there’s not a house in this town that wouldn’t invite him in for a home-cooked meal and a glass of their best whisky.
THE ATHLETIC!
- Lowetide: Should Oilers re-sign Brett Kulak based on early results?
- DNB: How Oilers’ Matvey Petrov mastered English and became a promising NHL prospect
- Lowetide: Connor McDavid’s outscoring reaches peak with Jay Woodcroft as Oilers coach
- Lowetide: Is Ken Holland’s unusual approach to team building close to success for Oilers?
- Lowetide: Recent rash of injuries to Oilers prospects a familiar story
- Lowetide: Ryan McLeod’s comparables are encouraging for young Oilers centre
- DNB & Lowetide: Why the Jesse Puljujarvi criticism in Edmonton misses the mark
- Lowetide: Evan Bouchard’s deployment is working, despite play in Wild loss
- Lowetide: Evander Kane’s scoring prowess and what he brings the Oilers
- DNB: Connor McDavid’s Hart case
- 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: Making the final call on the Oilers 2017 draft
- Lowetide: Early look at Oilers free-agent targets for 2022 offseason
- DNB: Should Oilers budget for Evander Kane beyond this season?
- 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 1-1-0)
- At home to: VEG, DAL, COL (Expected 1-2-0) (Actual 3-0-0)
- 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: 8-1-1, 17 points in 10 games
- Oilers in 2021-22: 46-26-6, 98 points in 78 games
The April success has the team on the verge of 100 points, and betting against the Woodcroft-Manson Oilers is unwise. I don’t know where the Oilers rankin the western conference pecking order, but they’re higher than anyone expected now than at any time in recent memory. What a fantastic and exciting run.
GOALTENDER
Mike Smith made some big stops. Overall, he got in front of 34 of 37 shots (.919), including all 11 on the power play. He owns a .913 SP for the season, crawling from the wreckage late in the year. There are many things anxious about having Methuselah in net, but the man is clearly on a run that will salvage his section of the Guide and Record Book. What a run. Big stops, especially on the PK late in first and early in the second.
DEFENSE
Duncan Keith and Evan Bouchard played the most (12:10) as a pairing five-on-five, winning the Corsi (69%), shots (75%) and goals (2-0). Expected goals 73.3 percent. Keith had an assist, two shots and a takeaway at five-on-five, 3:19 clean on the PK. Flat out gorgeous pass to Kane for the third Oilers goal. Bouchard scored again (11-30-41 in 77 games), 1-0-1 five-on-five with three shots and a HDSC. He had a giveaway, a takeaway, a couple of hits, an impressive slash and he challenged an Av to a fight. Bouchard was a rugged name when I was a kid (Pierre) and before (Butch), not sure this Bouchard should be dropping the gloves.
Brett Kulak and Tyson Barrie played 7:31 together at five-on-five, 1-0 goals, 33 percent Corsi but 50 percent shot share. 44.14 percent expected goals five-on-five. Kulak had an assist, took a penalty, three hits and a blocked shot. He’s a smooth skater and gets to pucks. I like him. Two clean minutes on the power play. Tyson Barrie played 12:46 at five-on-five, 1-0 goals, 6-11 Corsi, it was not the style of game that suits him.
Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci played 6:16 together, Nurse had what has been described as a hip flexor but we’ll find out exactly what’s wrong today. Nurse is vital to this team’s success, although many don’t feel that way so the days ahead should be interesting. Nurse took a penalty, blocked a shot, and played less than half of his normal time on ice. Cody Ceci had a strong game, not much offensively but he had a takeaway, a couple of hits, played almost 20 minutes (3:54 on the PK) on a night when his partner was ‘to be announced’ depending on the shift. Kris Russell scored an EN goal, picked up an assist, blocked five shots. He’s handy.
FORWARDS
Evander Kane was the star of the show, absolutely dominated physically and in skills. 3-1-4 with five shots, three HDSC, taking a penalty, ran over people, created rebounds, took every Av possible to task over sins real or imagined. A complete game. Kane is 20-16-36 in 39 games, Holland is no doubt counting and recounting his cap room as we speak. Connor McDavid had three assists, three takeaways, HDSC and made at least one dozen cherry passes to teammates. He is 43-73-116 in 77 games, what a sensational seven years. Kailer Yamamoto scored a nifty goal and picked up an assist, he is now 19-18-37 in 77 games and one hopes he can land on 20 before the end of the regular season. Two HDSC, took a penalty and drew one.
Ryan McLeod-Leon Draisaitl-Zach Hyman had a 60 percent shot share but there wasn’t a lot being accomplished, so Ryan Nugent-Hopkins checked in. McLeod had two shots and two takeaways, he didn’t get much going offensively. Leon Draisaitl turned the game (in my opinion) with his Herculean effort on the 3-on-5 late first, early second. He had an assist. Zach Hyman is more effective on the left-wing, but he was noticeable for pushing back against Colorado on a night when the Avs were a nasty bit of business top to bottom. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins picked up an assist, two penalties (has that ever happened?) and found a way to make himself useful as always.
Warren Foegele skated miles, had two shots and two takeaways. He had a period of struggle this season but overall I like his game and feel he can fill a middle-six LW role. Derek Ryan interrupted sorties a few times but didn’t dent the scoring summary much. Zack Kassian made an effort but couldn’t get into good situations and didn’t touch the puck much. Derrick Brassard isn’t getting noticed much at all.
Kings win 4-2 increasing the chances of a first round meeting. They should be right around 99 percent chance to make the playoffs when they get up tomorrow morning .
All eyes will likely be on Vegas’s net tomorrow I imagine. Will it contain one Robin Lehner?
And the Oil face one of the worst trap games of the year: non-entity Columbus, after an intense win to clinch, at 11 am their bodies’ time… and missing their ace defenceman. No easier game to take a day off.
It will be interesting to see what Oiler squad shows up tomorrow—and, if they only have their B or C game, can it still play smart and extract points? That is tomorrow’s test.
Nash host Minny tomorrow too in a pretty big game.
Looking at how the Phlegms match up… Calgary’s Cows are 2-0-1 against the Stars and 0-0-2 against the Preds so far this season. They travel to Nashville on Tuesday for a game that could have big impact on identifying their first round opponent.
Vegas should still have at least a 20% chance to reach the playoffs after last night’s results as the casino shows the most likely outcomes for their sked, by far, to be 4-0-0, 3-1-0, 3-0-1.
Avs by the way are 1-2-0 vs Dally, 1-1-1 vs the Preds and 2-1-0 vs Vegas. They play Nashville on Thursday but strangely don’t play Dallas again. Nashville has had an absolutely killer schedule this month, but hopefully the standings end up where they are today with Stars taking on Colorado in the first round, and Preds the Flames, playing to both their strengths, results-wise.
Well Vancouver’s done!
Half way through the third, Backlund with a nasty cross check to the numbers of Chiasson and puts him face first into the boards. Only 2 min penalty though…
Summarizing!
Chiasson draws the primary helper (shot taken, rebound converted by linemate) on the OT winner as the Wheaties gain the split on the road.
Petrov also picked up a helper in North Bay’s win as the Battalion takes a 2-0 series lead.
Moose Jaw also won to go up 2-0 in their series, but Wanner was held pointless in spite of his 4 SOG.
Lachance was not in the lineup tonight, but so were a few of Youngstown’s top players. Likely getting rest as the team’s playoff seeding was already decided.
No love for Leon or Nuge in that segment. We know what we have.
I agree that Lindholm should be the top vote-getter for the Selke.
Malone out of the box and picks up the puck behind the Heat net and, from Gretzky’s office, feeds a streaking Benson who one-time’s one that sneaks in for a 3-0 lead half way through the 2nd.
Kesselring with the 2nd apple on the clear while short.
Twice, recently, you’ve called Benson streaking in to score.
I wonder, has he gained some pep to his step or is this more of a coincidence than anything?
He is a smart player and knows how to pick his spots at this level. He has not gained any speed, but he is always hustling, such as on this play.
4-0 ENG when a defender takes his eye off the puck and leaves it for an easy deposit by a non-prospect vet with over 5 minutes left.
Skinner with a 22 save shutout. He made some saves in there, there were probably 4 close-in rebound-type saves he made that were the biggest threats.
Broberg was consistent, but he need to work on his passing, in fact there no proficient 20+ foot passers on the backend of this roster. Even offensive-type Kaldis has his struggles in this Department.
Philp only had 7 shifts and only got 1 shot (on his last shift), Set up Brosseau for a nice slot shot in the 1st period. Not much else really happen on his other shifts, he had a lot more touches in his first game. It would have been good to see him with more skill and give him some PP2 time, where Esposito and Sceviour reside. The PP was a tire fire this game as well.
ECHL fill-in Darien Kielb didn’t get any points, but he had 6 great shots, none of the muffin variety and all were from different spots. He almost scored very early in the game when he found himself alone in front of the net, but fanned on his shot. He isn’t going to knock anyone off the roster, but I think he looks better than Kaldis and I think he is an excellent partner for Kesselring who is playing his best hockey this season (he picked up 2 assists tonight).
Agree on Kesselring, and on Kielb. I saw Broberg better than you did, but he needs to play a lot in these coming games because I expect he’s first recall among the group that is healthy.
How many games has Savoie dressed for? How is he doing?
He just showed up on Thursday – he hasn’t played a game yet.
Ryan Holt, the Condors PBP guy told the story during Friday’s game about introducing himself to Savoie at the team breakfast on Thursday and it began with him knocking out his tray from his hands and his omelet hit the floor, lol.
Apparently Carter likes his ketchup (me too).
Stars win 3-2 after trailing Kraked 0-2 after 1.
Two goals from Hintz. He’s a heckuva player.
More pressure on Vegas.
: p
There is no team I despise more than the shames. I hope the canucks destroy them physically and mentally
Kesselring’s point shot knocked down in front (may have been Benson) and it squirts over to Malone for an empty netter.
If it wasn’t Benson that knocked it down (could have been the Heat defender), then Kelb will get the 2nd apple on the pass to Kesselring.
Nope: assist going to Benson.
Ethan Bear healthy scratched from the Hurricanes 2 games in a row and 3 of the last 6. This in a team the Oilers have out performed in almost every respect since Woodie arrived. Caleb Jones back in the Chicago line up after being healthy scratched 4 of the last 5. Lagesson has been healthy scratched all but one game by Montreal and their defense has been dreadful since the deadline.
Larsson would have been nice to keep around, but overall the team is better on the back end now than entering the playoffs last season.
Keith covering the hole that Klef left, and Ceci covering for Larsson’s departure… two huge moves by Holland. Certainly not half-measures. He did well.
I think we’re going to see Mr. Foegele’s true value in 10 days against the heavy Kings.
This should put to bed the idea that Bear is a 2nd pairing defenseman. Doubtful that Carolina even qualifies him in the off-season.
I’d argue that Edmonton is every bit as deep and good as Carolina now. Bear has no more excuses
Broberg takes won draw, goes down the left boards and beats a man – cuts in a bit near the faceoff circle and passes it towards the Condor crashing the crease but the pass didn’t connect…..it went in.
Lucky but he’ll take it.
Id like to see McDavid Draisaitle and Kane play the entire Columbus game on the same line. Just because.
As long as that line sticks to 14-15 minutes…..
Florida has another comeback (down 2-0 after 1) and another OT win (their 13th, I believe a new NHL record), but Huberdeau only got one assist leaving him 2 points behind McDavid for the Art Ross (technically 3 since McDavid gets the tiebreaker).
Skinner going back to back…… Fanti is back at school but it seems Konovalov is the forgottan man…..
Woodcroft did the same, pretty much all the time, didn’t he?
(perhaps we should be putting more weight on this as it relates to Smith/Koskinen too)
Yes, Woody would run Skinner back to back somewhat regularly.
I think its much more common in the AHL than the NHL, generally (anecdotally).
“I think it’s just (rest and relaxation),” Elliotte Friedman said during the 32 Thoughts segment of Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday. “It doesn’t sound like they are so concerned at all. He will be ready for the playoffs, if not sooner.
“What we understand here is he’s not going on the road trip – they are going on a two-game trip to Columbus and Pittsburgh, they have got four games left in the rest of the season.”
Friedman says Nurse injury not serious, expected back for playoffs. Phew.
Unless it’s scheduled losses like B to B and 3 in 4 we have to stop giving passes for being tired. Even sick.
The teams that win all the time obviously don’t have these problem or they wouldn’t win right? Some even with injuries
Depth is there, next man up, do your job
It’s just a couple of people on this board that keep saying they’re tired all the time especially Mikko like he’s a fragile egg. These are men in their peak years playing 18 minutes a night of intense hockey. I wonder for example if they could keep up to a 50 year-old coal miner working 7 days a week 12 hours a day.
Do you honestly not think that fatigue is a real thing for NHL players?
Its really a shame that the current head coach puts such a major premium on rest, recovery, active recovery, “travelling well”, etc.
I know you don’t like any talk of the Oilers before 2006 but here’s one for you. Grant Fuhr played 54 holes of golf that’s 3 rounds for you non golfing types. This happened the day before he stopped 19 out of 20 shots in game 7 against Flyers In a 3-1 win.
No team wins all the time.
Even sick? Where have you been the last two years! Lol. The Oilers terrible stretch directly correlates to their covid wild fire and ensuing 9th string LD getting embarrassed. I think some people forget the night Russell was our #1 D.
Man up! No excuses!
I am anticipating a tough game tomorrow. After last night, a long flight to the east today, losing two yours and then an early game.
A game against a meh team after another emotional big win the game before.
I foresee some heavy legs and mental errors.
If Woody has this team playing the structured and full commitment game tomorrow, a statue should be procured.
I’m calling it Ryan line scores a goal. I’m really impressed with 1 or 2 of Ryan’s rushes every game. Last game he made a rush and I didn’t know who it was. I thought he was Dale Hawerchuk for a brief moment and with him having the same number sealed it.
It doesn’t mean a lot since the playoffs will all be emotionally charged games but I am interested to see how the Oilers handle a “meaningless game” after getting worked up to take down the best to clinch the playoffs.
It’s less than a four hour flight. What’s with all the long flight talk?
Its 3 hours and 55 minutes from Edmonton to Columbus…..
I dont see a way we sign Kane next year, especially if he has a good playoffs, but thats fine. Both parties got what they wanted from each other. This is the last contract he will probably ever sign and he needs the money. Its nice having a team that vets want to go to up their value. Last year Barrie, this year Kane, next year someone else.
Sadly I agree. I was not a big fan of bringing EK to Edmonton but I have not only enjoyed watching him play, but he also has a certain style and swagger about him.
It’s just a gut feeling, but Burkie will have the cap to make a big push for Evander. Let’s face it, he is truculent enough for a Burke (or any) team. I will be shocked if Pittsburgh isn’t in on him.
One thing I was looking into last night was to compare this team vs others over the history of the organization. This team sits at #13 in terms of goals scored in a season. They are behind all but one of the Smythe Division teams, which is incredible.
They may finish in 12th after 82 games, but they won’t reach that spot in games 79 & 80, as they are 20 Goals behind that club. For those that aren’t aware, teams started playing an 84 game season, from 80 in 1992-93, but only for 2 seasons. After the strike-shortened season in 93-94, they went to 82 games.
It just gets stranger and stranger:
@SinBinVegas
The first question from @BenSGotz asked if anything changed since yesterday when DeBoer said he expected Robin out there today. He pointed to the statement. @DavidSchoenLVRJ asked if DeBoer trusted that they could turn to Lehner if necessary. He pointed to the statement.
@SinBinVegas
DeBoer opened his press conference saying the only info on Lehner today is what was in the press release.
Show this thread
@SinBinVegas
This is the first time in the history of the franchise that a press release has been sent out announcing that a player will not practice on an off day. What was already weird continues to get weirder and weirder and weirder.
@SinBinVegas
Robin Lehner is NOT at practice today. VGK sent out a press release that says “Robin Lehner will not be on the ice today for practice as he takes an additional maintenance day. We are hopeful that he will be available for Sunday night’s game.”
@SinBinVegas
WTF is going on out here?!?
@DannyWebster21
Pete DeBoer says “not to my knowledge” in regarding to the report of Robin Lehner needing surgery. Maintenance day and he expects him to be at practice tomorrow.
@SinBinVegas
Wednesday: “He’s healthy he’s fresh he’s got a lot of energy.”
Thursday: Off Day
Friday: Season-ending surgery
@emilymkaplan
Robin Lehner is getting season ending surgery, sources told ESPN. Lehner had battled back from a major knee injury he sustained in Philadelphia on March 8. He gave it all he could but his body finally gave out.
Sounds like the coach doesn’t even know what’s going on.
This is just my take it sounds like a feud like a certain poster predicted. Lehner is high maintenance I expect some sort of lawsuit. Lehner will be on the trading block soon enough. He has 3 years left at 5 Million Please please Holland stay away from this Prima Donna.
when the season started I put the same question marks on goalering on Vegas as I did the Oilers.
I’m not sure about a feud, lawsuit or trade. But agreed he does seem to be high maintenance.
Stay patient this will all unfold in a theatre near you.
I had a dark premonition this morning. Five minutes after we score the 4-1 insurance goal against the Panthers early in the 3rd period of game six, to all but knot the series, Kane will be called for ten and a game for bleeding onto the ice the wrong way. We hoped for the best, but it turned out like always.
This can (mostly) only happen if Toronto bows out early, because there’s no way on God’s green earth that two Canadian teams are meeting in the final round without three legitimate Conn Smythe candidates on each team. Bettman’s zebras know the score south of the border.
But we hardly even need to worry about that. When it comes to things working out always, Toronto shops wholesale, in the Drapeau-era family aisle.
Never again found anywhere else: his and hers breast pumps, in a family friendly package. When the East German Olympic team caught wind of this, they all went “woah, whatever they’re on here in Canada, it’s sure as hell not what we’re on back home.”
This is Santa’s slyest compliment in NHL postgame history, because everyone knows that penicillin doesn’t treat rabies. Even when Santa is naughty, he’s still nice as ice.
As for having three feasible Conn Smythe candidates, the Oilers don’t even need to count Kane, which is good, because the league doesn’t, either.
Kane is the new Messier presence. I had commented a while back how Mess set the tone for the Oilers back then, he almost always went after whom he saw as in their way to victory
I remember him right in the grill of and threatening to kill Larry Robinson in that fateful series with the Habs that got it all rolling
Edit: Even with Team Canada, poor Russians
Mess wouldn’t drop his stick. The Big Bird would have murdered him.
So glad you’re back posting.
Hope post-vid life finds you and the lemon tree happy and well.
Condors game last night had Broberg back for the first time in a few weeks and it was Noah Philp’s debut.
Broberg: was paired with Berglund and his first 2 shifts were shaky, but by his 3rd shift he looked okay. Got a 5v5 helper, but made an odd decision/bad play later in the game where he was slow to stop the pass at the left boards at the centre line and went after the puck carrier to pin him against the boards resulting in a 2 on one, which became 2 on 0 when Berglund somehow blew a tire. Luckily the attacker had tunnel vision and went into Skinner’s crease with the puck short side. The Principal made a great stop.
It was such an odd play that I rewound it several times to see what happened, he was just slow to react. Broberg clearly needs more playing time to get back to his previous levels. He did play 1PP, but the PP looked very disjointed as a whole.
Philp: 2 shifts in the 1st and second periods, and same in the 3rd + 2 additional in garbage time (8 in total). He played only RW
and even strength with Esposito at C and Brosseau on LW. He is such a smooth player, the way he skates and stick-handles (the stick movement reminds of Paul Coffey; Andy Sutton also had that look to me, it is unique and really Stan’s out to my eye). He looks fast out there, but the gap is narrowed vs USport, where he looked like Patel Bure; in the NHL he’d still be a plus skater, but I never saw him go at top speed. I also think he
needs to improve his fitness level, as by my eye he seems to fade in games. Considering how few games he’s played over the past 2 years, I may be correct. I expect a much more substantial player at training camp.
He is a precise passer and his shot is exceptional, but he did not have a SOG in this game. His covage was good and he wasn’t hesitant to initiate contact and he even stole the puck and won a couple of board battles, which was great to see. Would like to see him have skilled linemates and PP time, we probably won’t see that with this coach. His focus is to win and to win a job. Chaulk really leans on his vets.
Other: Another interesting development, at least for me, is ECHL acquisition and undrafted LHD Darien Kielb. He is 23, 6’ 2” 185 lbs and is a good skater. He played his 4th game last night and is 1-4-5 & +8. He does not look out of place, although some of his long breakout passes were Russell-esque….
Of note this is his 1st AHL season and prior to his ECHL gig (18 GP: 1-6-7, -5) he had played 10 games (1 assist,+3) for Laval. He had never posted a positive +/- prior to this season, his first as a Professional.
Fascinating to follow….
Thank you for this – I was only able to pay cursory attention to the game last night.
Kelb has been something else – he may earn himself an AHL contract if he’s not careful.
Awesome. Thanks for your in depth notes on Philp, very excited to follow his long shot story.
That is something
Patel Bure is the greatest Indian hockey player that never got his chance in the NHL 🙂
Damn Autocorrect! Changing words and names on me again, it’s almost as bad as Woodguy’s phone…
Thank you, I am glad someone picked that up, in fact Paavan Bedi is the Tony Hand of Indian Ice Hockey (my Google skills are strong 😀).
*Paavan Bedi is fictional
I’ll take Chelios and Messier teasing each other and their knowledge of the game over the threesome of dipshit Hrudey, Cassie and Beiska.
We are so ‘shafted’ in Canada
I watch sports for gambling and more importantly entertainment. CBC and Sportsnet continue to ram their narratives that have nothing to do with the game down a persons throat. We went from the pleasure of listening to Danny Gallivan and Dick Irvin announcing to this collection of misfits.
I have to disagree only on Bieksa. No one hated him as a player more than I did but as an analyst I think he’s hilarious and super knowledgeable about the game.
Agree but he’s so arrogant it makes me gag listening to him
Kudos he’s toned it down a bit but still
Freidman is the only one that can barely keep up to his banter. No one is allowed to tease Miss Queen Bee whose husband works for the Flames.
Rewatched the winter classic last night because I was drunk…. Hrudey literally said the fans are boing Mess after he scored.
think it was Hrudey (was drunk)
Short of Keith calling it quits or trading him to buy out his cap hit and re-signing him I don’t see how we keep these forward corp intact
but he’s only making 1.5 mil so maybe if you give him an extra million he’ll play along with a trade buyout and sign for 2.5 mil
Since it’s ok to cheat in Bettman’s world like Vegas, LA, New Jersey and Tampa. What is stopping Keith from retiring and after a couple of weeks deciding to come out of retirement and signing with the Oilers for 2×2.
You can’t
But if you want to improve hard decisions need to be made and solid negotiating done
I did a roster earlier today for fun and the changes to me still made a better group
The can has to get kicked down the road a bit by bridging but the time is now. I think it’s possible to do this:
Kane CMD Yama
Holloway Drai Hyman
Kuzmenko Nuge JP
Deslauriers McLeod Ryan
Shore Archie
Nurse Ceci
Keith Rutta
Bro Bouch
Rusty
Smith
Skinner
Deslauriers because he PKs and is a beast, can’t have too much and it spreads the ruffian work out. He also seems to be able to score a bit. Woody and Manson will help him get a bit better I believe
Rutta isn’t set for me but he might shake loose and is a harder type that is able to play with Hedman, so I think he can move around as required.
Maybe Woodguy can find a better fit, I just checked UFAs but a trade could be done with one of the guys going out instead of a pick coming back. I see the need as a physical capable 2/3 type that can maybe spot in top pair in an emergency
And still have a tiny bit of cap. For deadline dealing I traded for picks and will use Oskar’s LTIR at that time, trying to accumulate cap in season as well
You can most definitely trade a player for them to get bought out and then re-sign that player. It’s already been done
I think it might be possible, what do you think Kane goes for? I am hoping 5 x 4 would work, we could afford that. Surely not the highest bid but decent money, fan base and team will love him, play with Conner and Leon, chance for a championship, close to home (Vancity).
Here’s my attempt
https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/3201093
I think 4 years is max. About 5m looks good. Doubt anyone goes 6m given his past
If I’m Holland I offer 4×4.5 and see where that gets me
I thought this was well done – would note that Kuzmenko is 26 and not subject to the ELC parameters. I’m not sure $925K gets it done.
Also, did you account for the $850K cap penalty for the Bouchard bonuses?
Yes there is 1M extra cap which covers the bonuses. I read in some news report that Kuzmenko is subject to an ELC. If not then $925 doesn’t work. Kuzmenko sounds like a backup then if Kane falls through.
He’s not subject to the ELC requirements – Section 9.1 of the CBA.
Great stretch by the Oilers and wonderful their playoff birth is achieved. The entire team appears to have bought into JW’s system and playing fully committed hockey. The goalies continue up to do their jobs. They aren’t good enough to carry the team when the team isn’t fully committed to the system, but they just might be good enough when the team is fully committed.
hoping for a couple more wins and getting some rest for a few players before starting a winning streak in May.
Wasn’t it not to long ago that DeAngelo was a terrible person who was toxic poison. Well the Canes sure scored on that bet just like the Oilers on Kane. I wonder if Holland had any skin in the game for DeAngelo.
What?!?
And block Bouchard AGAIN?!
I keep hearing on this board how the Oilers (Holland) marinated Bouchard to perfection. With him sitting in the Hotel room most of the year and during the Playoffs was part of the process. What a load of shit we lost 3 games in OT would Bouchard have made a difference you damn right he would have.
Nobody has posted that on this boards.
You constantly take opinions that are not in line with your and stretch them to opinion conclusions that are out of line with reality.
Its highly immature and childish.
But then you are just repeating what you are doing with Barrie and Bouchard this year but Deangelo will be more expensive
Your misunderstanding me I’m trying to say that the Oilers and the Canes gambled correctly and both hit home runs on supposedly a couple of bad boys.
6 of the top 10 cap teams on Capfriendly are outside of the playoff race right now.
and
2 are in the last wild card spot.
Miguel Cabrera joins 32 other players who have 3000 hits.
TMI NOC
The Av’s had some key players out plus they’re in relax mode so I wouldn’t start planning the parade just yet. Kane is rounding into mid-season form after missing half a year. It all comes down to goaltending Smith and the team need to take care of business and win both home games against L.A once the real season starts.
Nobody is planning anything based on last night but it was yet another step in a long line of steps being taken.
Avs were missing some key players. Well, the Oilers played without their top line RW for the game and their 1D workhorse for half the game.
MacKinnon’s mannerisms sure didn’t scream “relaxed” or “going through the motions” to me.
He needs to chill out or he’s going to become an issue I think
Angry and temper tantrums doesn’t work anymore
Oilers need a player to exploit this, if you can get under Nathan’s skin where he becomes a 10 year-old crybaby the series is over.
Bravo Oilers! If you take out that bizarre stretch mid season, this is an elite team. I think our play against the Avs proves this. You never know what happens in the playoffs, but this team could make some noise. Exciting.
Per Spector, Nurse not on the trip to Columbus and Pit.
No other intel at this point.
For me, I don’t care if he doesn’t play for the rest of the regular season as long as he’s good to go for game 1.
Yeah, best case scenario is he sits out the road-trip to rest but is ready to go for the playoffs.
Exactly. It is April 23rd today.
Should not see the ice again until game 1.
Well, I don’t know if I can agree with that suggestion given we have zero intel on the injury. If he’s good to go for next weekend, he’s good to go for next weekend.
Initial team Canada impressions thru 2 periods at the U-18s:
-Goalie Reid Dyck looks great despite giving up 6 goals, no chance on any of them and has already faced 43 shots!
-Great fundamentals, lateral movement and athleticism, several terrific saves. Would be pleased to see him drafted by us in round 5 or 6 to add goalie depth. May go later despite a strong showing at the Top Prospects game and being the starter for Canada, due to not great numbers playing for a weak Swift Current team
-Bedard is too good for this level, like McDavid good. He should probably make the men’s WHC team as a depth fwd.
One thing I rarely see mentioned when talking about a Kane re-sign.
He’ll be 31 to start next season and, even taking away all the other “unique to Kane risk”, going 3 years or longer is a risk to start with.
This is a tough one.
I think he’ll age OK for the next 2-4 years but its no surety.
Yep.
And at 31, as a realist, I have to think Kane is going to go wherever the highest
bidder is….
Agree, 3 years would probably be optimal. It will be interesting what kind of offers he may get from other teams if he goes to free agency.
I would like Holland to do one of two things; resign Kane or make a major move to solve the goaltending once and for all. I don’t think both can be done.
The defence could be improved but I think we ride with it, resigning Kulak and running with Broberg, and/or Neimalen Sammie, and maybe Russel or other vet as 7D at $1 mil or so. That could be the area you try and add to at the deadline if necessary next year.
If Barrie is indeed moved for cap structuring:
Nure/Ceci
Keith/Bouchard
Kulak/Broberg
Matt Benning/Samourkov
Astute Benning pickup for 7D, I’d be all for it.
Neimelainen
Yeah, I’d have Benning back in a vacuum, but Niemelainen/Samorukov as 7D is the way to go I think.
We need a big, physical dman who punishes forwards.
Nobody called up at this point.
Nobody pulled from the Condors’ lineup it seems (although I think the only active d-men on NHL contracts are Broberg, just back from injury, and Kesselring).
I know I’m waiting for the plan to land and the Oilers to tweet out pics of the boys coming off the plane – see if I can find a Nurse pick to see if he’s on the trip.
Spec just tweeted the Nurse is not on the road trip and he isn’t sure if that means the LBI is serious or they’re just resting him, having clinched last night. Says Woody will address tomorrow.
Also, I normally am not the one to post possible hearsay but a poster on that other site who is apparently fairly connected (correctly called the Nurse broken finger and Kane signing well before they were reported), just posted from the same source that holding out Nurse is precautionary and that he will be good to go for round 1.
Of course take with the most massivist grain of salt but maybe reassuring until we hear more from Woody.
No lineup changes for the Condors tonight so no Savoie (and Broberg plays back to back).
I think Kane must of felt a good vibe or received good information when he was down east pertaining to the San Jose termination. I truly believe Kane will resign with a home town discount after winning his case with the Sharks. Kane was smiling from ear to ear last night probably the first time in months. Edmonton loves their hard working blue collar players and if Kane knocks it out of the park this playoff he’ll be a cult hero in this city.
Or Sharks were dinks in NYC and he’s taking it out on NHL Goalers everywhere.
Kane wins his case 💰and resigns with the team that took him in from the cold fed him a meal and a hot bath when nobody else would. Book it!!!
Or maybe he had bad vibes so he realized he better play his ass off to cash in??????
His agent did tweet out a bunch of money-bad emojies after the game.
A happy worker is a productive worker.
We dare to hope!
To-do list for the next 7-10 days (in no particular order):
– clinch home ice for the first round
– make sure Connor wins the Art Ross
– get Nurse healthy in time for the playoffs
– keep everyone else healthy
Nothing else really matters, although a bonus item might be to ‘pray and make whatever sacrifices to the hockey gods are required so that we don’t play Minnesota in the playoffs’. I feel pretty good about our chances against everybody else.
I put 3 and 4 at the top of the list with a bullet.
Not sure this tweet from Kane’s agent is a great sign….
Dan Milstein-Hockey
@HockeyAgent1
·
13h
Bob 💰💰💰 😂
Quote Tweet
Bob Stauffer
@Bob_Stauffer
· 14h
4th career Hat-Trick for Evander Kane.
Now has 20 goals in 39 GP with the @EdmontonOilers
Relax. Next year is next year. Oilers win the cup this year with Kane.
From the outside, it’s hilarious. As an Oiler fan, it’s crushing 🤣😭
To me this would have been a good broadcaster or blogger tweet. Seems unprofessional to come from an agent. Like I’d expect that from someone who hired their buddy who needed a job as their agent.
Can you imagine a gm doing the opposite when a player was in a slump? Posting emojis of a stick with a little red bag tied to the end?
Could just mean he’s not in the 2M range anymore
Woodcroft is actually 23-8-3 (a 118 point pace), not 28-8-3. Tippett was 23-18-3, so Woody has the same number of wins and OTL’s in 10 fewer games.
Besides the success that he has brought to the team, Mr. Woodcroft is a gem of a coach and a gem of a person. As LT said, he is welcome to dinner at my house at any time and I would offer him the very best of my liquor cabinet.
For me, he’s just as important as Drai or McDavid – this guys plays 50% of TOI vs. elites, leads the PK and CAN play half the game.
Not only can he not be replaced but, attempting to do so simply moves many other d-men out of their current slots where they are best suited.
Tampa without a healthy Hedman got swept by CBJ. Health of Nurse, Smith, 97, 29, 93 is the key to Stanley. Oilers 16 wins in the playoffs.
I’ve been noticing and begging the players to use the wraparound play for a couple of weeks now. I’m glad they read this blog not only did Kane and Hyman try it with success for Kane last night but they have Leon in on the act as well.
We know Mike Smith runs hot and cold but I laugh at the narrative driven tweets like “its just a 3-week heater” from the likes of Kinger and the cool kid gang.
Of course, its been much longer than 3 weeks.
The question is really, is this just a heater and, in due course, Smith will come back down and perform somewhat between early season and late season performances or if this is healthy Mike Smith?
I mean, this seems a bit much but healthy Mike Smith had a .923 last season.
I think this is healthy Mike Smith with an organized balanced D. He just doesn’t stay healthy for long, so fingers crossed!
The nice thing in the playoffs is no back to backs which makes it easier to keep a rhythm going.
Actually, I’ve heard rumblings that there are two arenas where they are quite booked up and there may need to be some back to back – Crypto.com being one of them (MLG being the other).
We should cross fingers he’s got another season in him and that Holland gets a solid 3rd option
I’ll be shocked if it’s not Smith and The Principal manning the nets next season, unless…. I can’t type it out
He’s really turned around his season around, tremendous kudos to Mike Smith.
A healthy Smith with a balanced D core and team fully committed to sounds defensive structure. Who knew….
Now to keep Smith healthy, the D healthy and the entire team committed the JW’s structure.
Hunter1909’s Playoff 2022 Death March …
1 – Predict how many playoff wins Oilers get
2 – Predict how many goals McDavid gets
3 – Predict how many goals Draisaitl gets
eg: Wins 11; McD 7; Leon 9
Its easy!
note: Make sure to keep the McDavid/Draisaitl(tie break) predictions separate
Wins 16, McD 12, Drai 15. Thanks!
Finally, I can unclench and offer:
Wins: 10 (lose to Min in WC final)
McD: 8 goals
Drai: 9 goals
Thanks, hunter!
Strapping Jocks prediction:
Wins 16; McD 8; Leon 14
Oilers 7 wins, McDavid with 4 goals and Leon with 6 goals.
Happy to be wrong.
Yes, yes, they made the playoffs. But the real news is that there’s a new Monkey Island game coming this year!
Use drugged meat on deadly piranha poodles!
I think its clear that Holland must do what he can to re up kane if he’s willing to stay. Staple what you need to kassian to move him along. Kane brings what Maroon did for mcdavid, what lucic was meant to bring. I can’t wait to see him in the playoffs.
McDavid and Draisaitl have had some stunning individual nights, but there hasn’t been a performance like Kane’s from an Oiler in some damn time. I can’t remember another one like it.
He had the crowd buzzing from the moment he tried to get Kadri to drop the gloves and everyone in the arena was willing him on every shift from there on. Kane is singlehandedly trying to reshape this team’s identity and he was an absolute joy to watch last night.
This is such a good point.
It’s a different game when the nastiest guy on the ice is on your side
It’s been a while as Lucic wasn’t interested when an Oiler
Also takes pressure off Nurse and Kassian to be that, and so we are starting to see them step it up a bit, and everyone else
Looch’s boots failed him and he could no longer perform at the level needed of him by the oilers. I don’t think it was a lack of interest. He said he felt an enormous amount of pressure while he was here. For a guy who took a lot of heat from the Oiler fans he stayed pretty classy about it all. I like Looch the person and professional even if I didn’t enjoy watching Looch the Oiler.
“Looch’s boots failed him”
I disagree as his boots were always lacking. His hands are what failed him in EDM. Bloke couldn’t make or take an NHL pass to save his life most of the time.
So true. I loved Lucic in Boston, he was a fantastic passer. His five-on-five passing in the offensive zone was a help for years in Boston. Of all the players who have come to Edmonton from the Bruins, Lucic was the most anticipated and the most disappointing. It was his passing.
What was more disappointing, his passing or his ability to accept a pass?
No one will believe me, but Lucic could find a lane and make a pass, not always for a shot, but a high percentage pass with some touch. More than a shot, or PP ability, Lucic’s passing (for me) allowed him to play with skill all those years. He had 31 EV assists one year, that’s a solid total.
I agree, I was saying his interest in being a thug as he always had been wasn’t really evident for us, or nearly enough
Kane loves it and it emboldens the group. He is calling out anybody who wants to chirp or think about running around
That is why Lucic was brought in, it wasn’t for offense, it was the hope was he could do enough of that
Are Ceci and Kulak evidence of our Pro Scouts being influenced by Analytics?
No idea, but Foegele and Ryan also had excellent fancies before joining the Oilers.
Do we even need “evidence” at this point? The last two have specifically mentioned using in house metrics.
On the other hand, the degree to which analytics influence the decisions is certainly debatable.
*last two GMs
If Holland lands Kuzmenko, backs the trucks of cash up to Kane’s house, and signs the Bison King, who is gone next year? Foegele and Yamo?
I’m assuming Kassian and Barrie are gone.
Well how much cash is in those trucks?!?
Depending on the Kane number (mostly) it could be possible to keep everyone else (Barrie/Kass aside).
Which would look just wonderful:
Kane-McDavid-Puljujarvi
Hyman-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Kuzmenko-Nuge-Foegele
Holloway-McLeod-Ryan
Kane would need to sign for $5Mish, with JP and Yamamoto on 1 year bridges, plus Kuzmenko under $2M (something like that). Not easy unfortunately.
Pretty sure Kuzmenko can only sign up to a max ELC, not sure the term.
OP said the other day he’s no longer subject to ELC due to age. So I think he can sign for what he wants??
Ahhh, thanks. I missed that post.
He’s already 26 and not subject to the ELC parameters.
Just had a proper look.
With Kassian and Barrie moved for picks (2nd in/2nd out?), and accounting for the cap overage from Bouchard, the Oilers would have about $14M to sign/re-sign Kane, Puljujarvi, Yamamoto, Kuzmenko and Kulak.
That could look something like:
Kane $5M
Puljujarvi $3M
Yamamoto $2M
Kuzmenko $2M (even if he’s subject to ELC, his bonuses could get him near $2M)
Kulak $2M
This would also require returning Smith and Skinner as the goalies, having Holloway, Shore and another <$1M forward to complete the 14Fs, plus 2 of Broberg, Samorukov and Niemalainen as part of the D corps (3LD and 7D).
Returning all those forwards and adding Kuzmenko is *possible*, if the players are willing to sign at something like the numbers above.
Those are apx the cap hits I’ve been thinking about – it may take a 4th year or 5th year to get Kane to that AAV given production.
I’m hopeful for those AAVs on Jesse and Yamamoto but they both seem a smidge light, even on bridges.
Kulak a smidge light as well (I’ve been thinking $2.5MM).
What do you have McLeod at?
While there seems to be high reward with Kuzmenko, there is also a risk that he’s essentially a bust. Given interest, less than $2MM probably does’t get it done but I think I let him walk.
Me too on Kuzmenko. I don’t really want to pay free agency auction rates on a career year.
Yeah, I gave Kane $5M x 4 yrs.
I had McLeod at $1.25M, forgot to include him.
Kuzmenko could be a bit high. Good if he’s lower obviously (or if Holland isn’t the highest bidder). Didn’t Holland offer Slepyshev $1.5M to return to the NHL though? And Kuzmenko’s current season is superior to any Slepyshev has had (Kuzmenko’s previous 3 seasons were pretty comparable to what Slepyshev has done in the KHL, adding this one puts him in a bit higher spot I think).
Kuzmenko aside, agreed that these are all basically best case numbers, and may be a bit low. Was just saying ‘it’s possible’.
Why are we signing Kuzmenko? I don’t know enough about the player and I’m not seeing a fit here. He’s not big. Is he fast? He scored 20 in the KHL, but will that translate in the NHL? I’m not sure we need another small guy who can score.
Kuzmenko isn’t a burner, no.
He was the 2nd leading scorer in the 2nd best league in the world this year, so I think his main assets is ‘good at hockey’, without a specific standout like ‘big’ or ‘fast’.
Teams around the league are interested in the guy, so it seems like there’s a decent chance his game translates to the NHL.
And while he’s definitely not big, it doesn’t sound like he’s so small either. Mostly listed as 5’11”, 194 lbs, but sometimes also at 203 lbs.
I’m intrigued by him but would not be in favor of anything too substantial on the contract.
He could be great but then, on the other hand, 3rd in KHL scoring was legendary AHL veteran Corban Knight (and prolific apx 0.66 P/G AHL player……).
It seems like you think $2M is ‘too substantial’, so what kind of number are you hoping for?
‘Corban Knight’ is well taken. It’s true you can’t just look at the KHL boxcars and predict who’s going to make it. At the same time, these sought after guys (I think Kuzmenko is one) often do have a big impact.
So I agree there’s some risk of giving Kuzmenko too much money, but I think there’s also significant upside in the kind of deal he’s likely to sign. Guys who score well over 1 point per game in the KHL do often end up being quality top 6 NHL forwards, and if you sign one of those for $2M x 2 that’s a huge value deal.
$2M would likely be my line in the sand.
Yes, I have agreed there is substantial reward potential but there is also pure bust potential and its not like this team is flush with cap space and, really, is this the player to risk potential dead cap on – is this the player we need?
Valid questions. I guess I feel like if you can get a guy who’s got a decent chance of being top 6 forward for $2M, that’s probably a player you want even if it’s not the player you need.
“ran over people, created rebounds, took every Av possible to task over sins real or imagined.”
As I read this, a feeling of pure joy washed over me and an irrepressible giggle escaped through my larynx.
#Giddy
#Up.
Kadri backed down so fast it was hilarious! Then he sat at his bench barking like a small dog. Would love to see Kane rag doll him.
I love how Kane doesn’t play the game with the wannabes
Calls them right out. Back it up if that’s what you’re trash talking
Kadri played last night?
yes
Enjoy John Tonelli while we have him.