I remember Bill Hunter on the Yellowhead in front of the WHA sign, I remember Allan Hamilton’s signing, I remember the Alberta Oilers on television, I remember Rusty Patenaude and Normie Ullman and Jacques Plante and Mike Rogers. I remember the merger, and the glory Oilers and the five Stanleys. I remember 2006. I remember the ifini-build.
I’ve never seen a season like this one. Not close.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Oilers junior and European prospects deliver strong seasons
- Lowetide: Why Oilers star Leon Draisaitl’s value peaks in the playoffs
- DNB: How Connor McDavid’s season is so stellar and why it’s not getting enough attention
- Lowetide: 5 reasons Zach Hyman was a quality free-agent signing for Oilers
- DNB: Oilers’ need for a healthy Darnell Nurse becomes apparent in first game of absence
- Lowetide: Inside Oilers top prospects’ first and second half splits in AHL
- DNB: Evander Kane’s banner Oilers performance was fitting. And there could be more
- 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: Is Ken Holland’s unusual approach to team building close to success for Oilers?
- 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
- 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 1-1-0)
- At home to: SJS, VAN (Expected 2-0-0) (Actual 2-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 7-6-1, 15 points in 14 games
- Actual April results: 11-2-1, 23 points in 14 games
- Oilers in 2021-22: 49-27-6, 104 points in 82 games
Such a great month of hockey by this Oilers team. I wrote about the Oilers emerging as a legit five-on-five group at the beginning of December, and it was too soon. As soon as I hit publish, the money ran out and the engine blew. It took Covid running its course, a new coach, moving Nuge to No. 3 centre, Nurse-Ceci, the signing of Evander Kane and Mike Smith getting healthy, but this team arrives at the playoffs whole. I believe this is a better team than 2017, and remember 2017 had an out of his mind good Cam Talbot. We’ll see.
GOALTENDER
I thought he was Edmonton’s best player. Mikko Koskinen stopped 39 of 41 (.951SP), ends the season with 27 wins and a .903 save percentage. I’m not sure how much he’ll play in the playoffs, he has played four in Edmonton during his career with the Oilers.
DEFENSE
Brett Kulak and Tyson Barrie scored, I thought Kulak-Ceci was the best pairing and both men faced tough opponents. Kris Russell had a HDSC. Evan Bouchard won the scoring race among Oilers blue, scoring 12-31-43 in 81 games. What’s more, he recovered from a tough start to finish 62-59 in five-on-five goal differential. Bouchard recovered with a strong second half, exactly what he did in Bakersfield in his first full season there. Always bet on the deep thinkers. One thing this little run without Darnell Nurse accomplished: The coaching staff should have a better feel for what they have and who can take on more of the load if necessary.
FORWARDS
I don’t have much to say about the forwards last night, they all worked hard and mostly chased, the Brassard and McLeod lines did some nice things. Jesse Puljujarvi needed these warmup games, I’m not sure what the illness was but his timing is off a little.
Connor McDavid 44-79-123 in 80 games. Leon Draisaitl 55-55-110 in 80 games. Yeah.
BAKERSFIELD
Condors play tonight, Philip Broberg is back in Bakersfield and we’ll see if he gets recalled tomorrow. Darnell Nurse hasn’t skated yet, Struddy says if he doesn’t skate tomorrow don’t expect him for Game 1. I hope you read the prospect piece I wrote for The Athletic, if you’re a fan of the AHL team it’s going to be an exciting season in 2022-23.
If Edmonton goes on a run and Smith contributes to it, it will be one of the most impressive managing decisions ever. Holland didnt panic, didnt make any side ways moves for the sake of making a move. He didnt see options he felt were better and even after firing Tippet, probably Smiths biggest fan Id assume, he still rolled with Smith. Holland has patience, balls, and trust. I do not. I hope this works out.
Mike Smith, who is the all time leader in save percentage for the Edmonton Oilers, has been very, very good since returning from injury.
https://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/teams/edmonton-oilers-goalies-career-nhl-stats.html
Older players get hurt more often and that was and continues to be a huge risk.
Older goalies populate the best single season save percentage all time list a lot more than I would have thought.
https://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/records/best-save-percentage-in-one-season-by-nhl-goalies.html
I agree with all of this except the one dur for Keith. JMO but I think you have to give him 2 durs for not getting the cap hit down.
Not that I really know what a dur is. 😉
Apparently trolls can’t count.
Yesterday you know whho figured Preds had clinched WC1.
Today hhe had Abbotsford hosting a series win or lose. After the Abbotsford 0-6 and the Condors 3- 1 games Bakersfield will actually host Abbotsford.
You’ll need to cut the troll some slack. As I understand it, trolls only have two fingers and a thumb on each hand so for numbers greater than six they have to ask a friend for help.
Condors full value for a 3-1 win over the division champs to clinch home ice against Abbotsford.
29 of 30 for Skinner.
Holloway just one assist but he was BY FAR the best skater on the ice – great return.
Great job with 5D plus Schaller.
Griffith sets a new team record while scoring his 30th on the PP for a 3-1 lead. A snap shot from the high circles.
Holloway with the assist on the cross-ice pass (although it was a poor pass a few feet behind Griffith – had to re-set after).
With that said, Holloway was a major part of the PP – essentially caused it as he set up Kambeitz for a beautiful chance net-front.
I think Holloway has 20 shot attempts through two periods – most self-created with power and speed.
What happened to Benson? I’d expect him to dominate at this level, yet he’s hardly is mentioned in your updates. Quick check of his box cars shows well under a ppg. Any thoughts on where he goes from here? Can we throw him in to the Kassian deal to free up some cap space?
He still is a superior player at this level, but his shot is mediocre and his average foot speed prevents him from creating enough separation to create much. Like OP said there has been quite a bit of linemate shuffling, so he isn’t building the chemistry he once had. Also he is on PP2, which hasn’t been that good lately and doesn’t get the same amount of ice time as the top unit.
He is definitely showing the same effort and mixing things up after the whistle as usual and is playing on the 2nd line recently.
He is in the same boat as Marody, lots of skill, but not an NHL-level skater. He would be served best in another organization.
OP please respond to SVR as Benson was considered a “can’t miss” by many posters.
This is not a shot at you personally, but a genuine enquiry.
It seemed to me he really tried to make an impression on the coaching staff and it just goes to show how thin the line is between making the bigs and not.
I hope it all works out for him.
Benson is still a material offensive player for the Condors but he’s not looking as “dynamic” as he has in the past. He does’t have set line-mates (i.e. does’t generally play with Marody/Griffith) and I’m sure the kid would like a fresh start somewhere.
Savoie is an after-thought for the current coaching staff.
Wonder if they consider bringing in Brad Lauer from the Oil Kings starting next season. Record speaks for itself and they would know him well. With such an influx of young talent coming to Bake it may be helpful to have a guy willing to play and develop them.
Savoie had 5 shifts in this game and had about 30 seconds on PP2. He got a one timer off, but it was along the ice and Wolf had no problem with it.
He is almost invisible out there and he only got 2 or three touches. He got dinged with another minus, but like the previous minus, was no where near the play.
Philp dressed, but only got 2 shifts. 1 each in the first 2 periods.
Tullio picks up two assists as the Generals are making like the Bee Gees and staying alive to force Game 6 back in Oshawa.
Despite the tie score, the Condors have really taken over in the 2nd period.
Hamblin with some solid work on the boards and dishes back to Schaller at the left point. Hamblin goes to the net after the pass is made, Schaller over the Alex Peters at the right point and his shot is tipped in by Hamblin for a 2-1 lead.
No player in the history of the AHL has touched the puck more then Holloway in the first 37 minutes of this game.
Of course, exaggeration, but, my goodness.
Holloway take the pass at the blueline (off some o-zone pressure), walks in to the very high slot and rings one off the post with a snap shot.
Heat tied it up a bit earlier – a d-man was beat wide on a 2 on 2, circled the net and scored on the wrap-around.
Kielb takes a nice Kesselring backhand pass in the defensive zone and does his best Boris Mironov as he swerves up the ice slowly, enters the zone, gets forced wide and puts a centering pass from close to the corner.
Goes off a Heat stick and in.
Interesting rush – ugly goal.
Haven’t thought about BoBo in a long time. I loved that guy as an Oiler.
I met him once at WEM…. I stopped his little 2-3yr old son or nephew from running out of store and into mall traffic. He gave me a bit of a head nod on his way out. True story.
As LT alluded to earlier, Holloway definitely with a “shooting mentality” in this one – in particular on the PP. Its good to see.
Holloway played the left point/half-boards on PP1 and they are getting 90 seconds of each PP.
Savoie NOT on EITHER unit.
Kind of tough to figure out the lines but Savoie just took a shift with Cracknell and Griffith with some offensive zone time – nice to see.
Holloway getting some PK time in his first game back – it was 3 straight kills mind you.
What is a dur?
N’est pas facile.
I have a post jammed in the approval bin but I’m not sure why. Maybe someone’s name?
Has to be, I approved it.
Refs and Linesmen for the Playoffs:
Referees: Jake Brenk, Gord Dwyer, Eric Furlatt, Trevor Hanson, Jean Hebert, Steve Kozari, Frederick L’Ecuyer, Chris Lee, T.J. Luxmore, Wes McCauley, Jon McIsaac, Dan O’Rourke, Brian Pochmara, Kevin Pollock, Garrett Rank, Kyle Rehman, Chris Rooney, Graham Skilliter, Francois St. Laurent, and Kelly Sutherland.
First-Timers: Jake Brenk
Out from 2021: Francis Charron (injured), Marc Joannette (retired), Brad Meier (retired)
Linesmen: Shandor Alphonso, Steve Barton, Devin Berg, David Brisebois, Scott Cherrey, Ryan Daisy, Ryan Galloway, Brandon Gawryletz, Ryan Gibbons, Trent Knorr, Brad Kovachik, Matt MacPherson, Bevan Mills, Kiel Murchison, Jonny Murray, Derek Nansen, Bryan Pancich, Mark Shewchyk, Andrew Smith, and Libor Suchanek.
First-Timers: None
Returning from Prior Seasons: Ryan Galloway and Trent Knorr are back after missing the past few postseasons.
Out from 2021: Michel Cormier, Kory Nagy, Vaughan Rody (retired)
Sutherland and MacAuley both make it.
NHL.com used to announce this, but not so much these past couple years. I suppose the state of league officiating isn’t where one would want to call attention to it. 😉
#Marketing
Well. Holland’s somewhat desultory roster construction was saved by the hockey gords.
To obtain a player of Kane’s caliber for zero acquisition cost in term of assets and a 2.1 million cap mid season, is unprecedented.
Here we are.:)
The Keith decision (the amount of cap for me) was inexcusable.
I can squint and see how other things that should’ve/could’ve been done might have been too costly (not dumping Koskinen somewhere, maybe Reinhart didn’t want to play in Edmonton, perhaps Boston wanted too much for DeBrusk – I think I was the only guy here who wanted him but maybe there were others)
And yet Kane comes in and evens out the Keith decision like manna from heaven. Kane should be the $5.3 mil guy and Keith should be the $2.1 mil guy (yes, I know that isn’t possible) so we do have $7.4 mil worth of hockey players for that amount of cap space but it was a pretty bizarre way to end up there.
I think the question is, how do you find a different Keith and what does that cost you? I think probably a lot more in terms of assets, if by trade, and if the salary cap situation is better… probably not available. On the UFA market last summer, top end left side was real thin and you’re locking into longer term.
For me it wasn’t finding a different Keith – it was holding firm on cap dollars or offloading a bad contract. I believe to this day that Holland folded too soon and that if he had said no Bowman would have done eaten salary.
Could be.
At the time, it was what I wanted to happen and thought should happen. But I’m not privy to the conversations, so I don’t know what went down, I can only speculate that he could’ve done better. The trade request came from Keith. What we don’t know was how long he gave Bowman to make it or what leeway SB had… if anything. Like was this, “I’ll never play another game for the Hawks,” or what was it? Hopefully the full story comes out one day.
He’s also not just doing Bowman a favour (if that’s what he was doing), he’s doing the player and the agent a favour too. What if he re-signs at a significant under-number? (Somebody has to replace Kris Russell, although in my heart I know this is not possible…)
For me the most important thing was the player and solving the problem. And he didn’t half-ass in that regard and that’s a big reason why we are where we are now. Get good players…
Get good players…
….. with good contracts. 😉
I know neither of us is privy to the negotiations but there was a lot of smoke around that trade. I still think he needed to get cap space in that transaction.
I didn’t have a problem with the Keith trade when it was made, and I think he’s come close to covering his cap hit.
The cost was minimal, and the contract length was ideal for a team looking to transition in guys like Broberg and Samorukov. That’s something very few posters mention. When Keiths contract is done Broberg and Samorukov/Neimaleinin may be able to seamlessly replace him.
Yes, Kane’s availability for a cheap cap hit mid-season was great luck.
Getting the player under contract with the Oilers for the rest of the season was not – that was work by the GM and a transaction that came with great risk (of which many other GMs were not willing to take).
31 teams had access to Kane.
2/3 of them (give or take) took themselves out of the running to start
A number of others took themselves out of the running after initial due diligence and conversations.
A few remained, including some top GMs with some top organizations.
Ken Holland won.
Full credit.
– I think you nailed part of this: his availability was luck.
– That many GMs didn’t need or want to take the risk is true as well. One can imagine the narrative if Oil was humming: “we don’t need the distraction”, “he’s not the kind of guy a top-shelf ethical GM like Holland looks at”.
– Recall Kane was a deal with the devil, Holland had to take the risk. It was a desperate move, by a desperate GM, who wouldn’t go for guys like this. This was Kane’s best landing spot, IMO. Glad it worked out.
– Getting a top-6 winger in a parity league for below market value, given his circumstances, is a far bigger part of the turn-around than I think is understood. Fill yer boots if you want to attribute this to Holland.
– Oil desperate, team poorly constructed (and out of playoffs), he had to take a chance he wouldn’t have normally, it was a no-brainer for Kane, and he was cheap: little GM acumen IMO. We are all glad it worked out.
1) Cool
2) There were MANY teams that could have used him. Many other struggling teams that weren’t willing to take that risk – Holland was. There was also the TBL and FLA “bidding” down to the wire.
3) No, he did not “have to take the risk”. Many GMs of struggling teams were not willing to. Holland did his due diligence and decided to take the risk. This is part of where the credit is due.
4) Yes, getting a top 6 winner for below market value was, and is, huge. Credit to Holland for making that happen.
5) You’ve already made this point in this post and, no, they did not have to. Many struggling teams that could have used Kane did not. This was a choice after putting in the work. Credit to the GM.
Holt suggesting that, yes, with Broberg not there and only 5 healthy D, Tim Schaller will play defence tonight.
Also, Holloway likely to make he return tonight.
Ryan Holt
@CondorsHolty
·
9m
Alright here we go…
Skinner (3-1-1, 1.59, .943) v STK goes between the pipes.
Dylan Holloway is IN after missing eight games.
No Desharnais, no Sceviour, and Schaller is playing D.
Let’s have some fun! Talk to ya in 15 #Condorstown!
How do people respect this guy? If he wants to respond to the substance of the post, he’s got an account on here and could do so but, instead, he screen shots, posts on twitter with a non-substantive “this guy’s an idiot” response so his cool kid followers can fawn over him.
https://twitter.com/DKingBH/status/1520489543866200065
He’s done this with a dozen of my posts over the years.
The man is a coward.
That’s a very strange way to behave.
A good rule of thumb is to not take anyone who has “Social media influencer”in their twitter bio seriously.
I’ve never looked at his profile – have definitely noticed him screen shooting my posts (well, usually parts of them) and posting them “with insult” on his twitter feed many times over the last few years.
He’s done it to others on here as well, including LT.
The internet is a place where people don’t behave. Enter at your own risk, OP.
Gutless. I just lost all respect for Dennis. Reeks of insecurity.
– Do you think Holland is a good GM?
– I think there are 3 things that saved Holland’s bacon, none can be attributed to his acumen:
a) he had no clue how bad and out of touch Tippett was, was going to re up him, and was lucky Woodcroft was there
b) only this desperate team at the time with after 6 years didn’t have a winger for McD was Kane available for a song and any GM in the same situation gets Kane. Not GM acumen IMO
c) there are 3 players in the league that you would trade our 2nd best player for.
Delighted for success of team delighted that there seems to be reluctant understanding that goalies are just proxies for team play delighted Smith got healthy to be that proxy.
if the Oil win a Cup that’s hardly a reflection on Holland. 5 years of deep playoff runs and I’m willing to revaluate my take on Holland. Holland has been GM for many years here now. A better GM would have this team better. But let’s see what the rest of Holland’s contract brings.
GOILERS.
People are rarely all good or bad at their jobs
Its just that at the pinnacle of a job, decent isn’t good enough, especially when you are taking care of an all time great talent, and another one
His weaknesses are at the heart of the matter and very consequential- trades and cap allocation
Drafting is good. Not enough for me. I also worry that like Tipp he’s at the end of the road and has nothing left to prove
No reason to push or change his MO
Woody is striving for every inch, because his destiny lies ahead
I don’t want a reckless type, but a savvy more driven type would be a step up and forward
There will need to be a lot of roster movement over the next decade as players come up. I don’t think he’s active enough and is too sentimental with players
Connor deserves a run at the Cup every season for the next 10 at least
Windows and blown seasons are BS to me. Only injuries should hold them back now, not rosters with holes he can’t fill or under fills
Holland moves up for his ability to create an environment, and someone with a desire to u”hear Holland’s experience and also be cutting edge, but we all a available tools, full of vigour is the key
Bring the red numbers I’m ready!
I already pre-replied to this post this morning and will repeat:
Ken Holland receives enormous criticism online and on various radio shows and podcasts. Much of this seems to be founded as many of his moves this off-season, and over the course of his tenure can be criticized or, at least, debated. Keith was an overpay due to cap hit, Kassian’s contract was not great even at the time of signing (some will debate that), trading Bear, signing Barrie, etc., etc., etc.
At the same time, Ken Holland has made numerous transactions with great success including various in-season transactions that have led to the team we’ve seen over the last two months – a top 5 NHL team. It seems there are some that won’ even give Ken Holland credit for the moves he makes that work but, at the end of the day, Holland worked hard in-season with success:
1) Signing Evander Kane – there are some that like to talk about his “numbers away from McDavid” or various other isolated metrics but there are’t that many that will argue against this signing being a massive plus. Kane has given McDavid an “every day top line winger” and created forward depth.
Some say “Holland got lucky” and he just fell in to his lap, etc., etc. At the end of the day, there were MANY teams that decided they would not take the risk on this player. Credit to Ken Holland for doing the due dilligence and taking the risk. There were also a few other teams “in on Kane” until the end and we are talking TBL and FLA – teams with prominen lauded GMs and LOTS to offer. Ken Holland signed this player and its been huge. Credit!
2) Firing Tippett and hiring Woody/Manson – There are some that won’t give any credit because it should have happened a month earlier or even before the season, etc., etc. Ken Holland hadn’t made an in-season coach change in 3 decades of managing. This was something new to him, he took the risk and made the move.
This was also not a no-brainer as he had two coaches on his bench with NHL head coaching experience. To hire the guy with zero head coaching experience in-season with huge pressure to turn the team around and make the playoffs. That was another risk by Holland.
I hate the argument about “wanting to re-sign Tippett”. Of course the plan was to re-sign Tippett. Going in to the season the plan was to have great regular season success and then win playoff rounds, with Tippett as coach. The plan was for Tippett to coach a successful team. That didn’t happen and Holland changed the plan. This should be credited.
3) Trade Deadline – Holland identified the main hole and made a move to really add to the defensive depth for a fairly nominal cost. Brett Kulak as been a fantastic addition. This is also a player that is starting as a rental for a decent cost but there is also a very solid chance is re-signed and the contract will likely be very reasonable – something like $2.25M for 3 years – this player’s PRIME YEARS.
Credit the GM
4) “We’ve got to get Smitty up and running” – There were very few that didn’t think Holland went way too far with this and waiting way too long. I sure critisized the GM for this. At the end of the day, not making a move for a goalie in-season (given cost and, well, ability of what was out there) and continuing to try and get Smith healthy and in a groove has simply worked out. It just has – Smith was the best goalie in the NHL in April and one of the best for a 2-month stretch now. That’s more that “a heater”.
Very controversial but it worked out.
Credit the GM!
I thought Smith was done! Thrilled with how wrong I was and he’s still got some fight left in him.
Kane signing, his agent has stated publically how crucial Holland was and is in those negotiations.
The drafting has been fantastic, a few of the trades with the draft picks have been unfortunate but the cycle of coke machines and single dimension prospects seem to be a thing of the past.
I hate how long Tippett was kept on, I enjoy Derek Ryan burying him with every chance he gets.
Kulak is a great pick up, Foggy is about to help an extremely good 3rd line apply misery to the opposition, Keith is a conn Smyth winner mentoring a young Bouch Bomb.
104 pt season, 1 less victory then the division leaders with a talented roster and quality pipe line of skilled hockey players being developed.
This summer is where he makes or breaks his legacy as GM of the Edmonton Oilers. Can he bring back what’s he’s assembled, add alil bit more too it through the pipeline while also coming to terms with Jay Even and Big Dave?
He’s nearly got it all set up like Detroit, where he runs Osgood out year after year.. I want to see if I can endure this.
– Or they could win this year, and that makes his legacy…
I don’t think there’s an honest man alive who would claim he knew, or believed, Smith would manage that.
– By order of magnitude, McD + Drai, Woodcroft, and Kane, are the attributes that explain the team’s performance the last 38 and 43 games for most. The rest of OPs points are “noise”. Small ball stuff. But those big 3 have little association with Holland IMO. Kane might have had other suitors, but here’s what my 12 year old son would have said to Kane: “come play with McD, the best player in the league, he doesn’t have a winger, and this is your last chance”. I doubt Holland’s acumen was any greater, and any 12 year old would have accepted that offer.
– Should Holland as GM bring one Cup here, I believe is what many would do given the same opportunity, hardly exceptional. And at great cost. Deep into playoff for the rest of tenure, and I will change my tune.
– For sure Smith has been given every best opportunity: he isn’t better than Koski: they just set him up for sucess, and the team played better and healthier behind him in this excpetional run.
– I believe a better current GM would have hired a “Woodcroft” three years ago, and made much better use of cap space, and analytics, and have built a far more competitive team and we’d have had a few runs already. Holland isn’t terrible, just not very good when looked at the whole.
– No Kane, no Woodcroft, Holland was on his way out IMO: I don’t really care, glad team has both of them, and hope they win, and would be happy for Holland’s part in that championship.
Of course, “OP’s points”, the noise, were referring to in-season decisions made by Holland that have made a material and considerable difference to the team,
The fact that you would have hired a different coach 3-years ago has nothing to do with those noise points.
Your thoughts on what it took to get Kane are just “your thoughts” based on what you think happened – essentially noise based on nothing substantive, correct?
The facts are Kane’s agent speaking towards Hollands impact on this.
Holland took risk that most other GMs determined they wouldn’t and then “beat out” high end organizations.
Mikko Koskinen is NOT just as good as a healthy Mike Smith – the evidence is, well, watching them in short or long periods of sample and, of course, the numbers.
I realize it is not the point of your point, but I am curious who the 3 players your would trade Draisatl for. Taking his contract into consideration I am not sure I would trade him for anyone… although… maybe… still just a big maybe… but maybe Cale Makar
– Its a good question: one of them is already on our team! Matthews? But value for contract, dollar for dollar, you probably can’t trade him for anything other than a huge haul. That’s not on Holland, which is my point…Most of the rest is just noise.
Jack Eichel gets one point in 5-6 critical games – then as soon as the Golden Knights get eliminated he scores 3 points in a single(no pressure) game.
Without the umlat above the “n” in “ano” the title of this blog post goes from:
this crazy year
to…
this crazy anus
😝
It was a tough decision
Matheson implying that Broberg may be sticking around in case Nurse won’t be ready – perhaps that’s why he hasn’t shown up in Bakersfield yet.
Then, I don’t get burning the call-up by loaning him to Bako, if so.
Nor do I.
I’m not positive calling the same player up again will cost another one of the call-ups (although it very well may).
Don’t the call-ups make zero difference at this point? They aren’t bound to those 4 post-deadline call-ups once the playoffs start are they? (and if not, then they had 4 to burn on Broberg since they hadn’t used any of the others prior to that).
As I posted above, I’m not sure the 4 call-up max ends when the regular season ends – I think it ends when the AHL team stops playing (including playoffs).
Not positive though.
I haven’t read most of todays posts so missed that. Looking now it does sound like the 4 call-ups thing remains in place until the AHL team is eliminated. If so, yeah it would be very weird that they used 1 (maybe more) on Broberg when they didn’t need to.
This still strikes me as wrong though. I have no evidence it’s wrong, but do you (or anyone) ever remember a team in the playoffs having to worry on having AHL replacements available if they’re needed? I sure don’t. And the rule would make no sense at all if you had to manage those 4 call-ups over a totally unknown period of time and number of games. It just seems wrong.
I think the key there is “if needed” – if injuries pile up, then can recall on an emergency basis and it seems the league is VERY lax with that – see Bruins with a 29 player roster for their last game while resting, I believe, 6 top regulars.
Well if the rules ‘apply’ into the playoffs but aren’t enforced then they don’t really apply, right?
I believe the emergency rules are that you need to play 1 game short a skater before you can call someone up (though that doesn’t apply to goalies, and there’s no need to play short before an emergency call-up).
I don’t recall a team every being forced to play short in the playoffs because of call-up rules, so I assume they must not apply/be enforced (even though I didn’t find that stated anywhere).
Matheson in his article today says it’s a “leg/core muscle” issue for Nurse.
The best part of this season might be this:
Evander Kane
1st game: 29 January.
28 January Pacific Div Standings: Vegas 1st Place
Edmonton 6th Place
GP: 43
G: 22
A: 17
Pts: 39
PIM: 60
+25
Acquisition Cost:
$2,108,996.00
Edmonton’s Record Since 29 Jan: 28 – 11 – 4 Points: 60
0.718 Win Percentage
Jack Eichel
1st game: 17 February
16 February Pacific Div Standings:
Vegas 2nd Place
Edmonton 5th Place
GP: 34
G: 14
A: 11
Pts: 25
PIM: 10
+3
Acquisition Cost:
$10,000,000
Alex Tuch
Peyton Krebs +
1st Round Pick +
2nd Round Pick
Vegas Record Since 17 Feb:
15 – 14 – 5 Points: 35
0.517 Win Percentage
Kane has been a godsend.
It’s worked out well for himself too.
Eichel… another lost year for his career.
I’m not a huge Eichel fan but don’t hate the guy either. Typically when a player comes in mid season, he starts slow and has below average results. Eichel did come in after having a major surgery. Couldn’t even train in the summer. I’m sure he will bounce back next year and have a great season. Stats do not take that into account and it is a real thing.
Kane on the other hand had personal issues and could stay in shape and had McDavid to play with when he got here. He was awesome for us. I bet his season next year (if its with the Oilers) will be even better too, just not by as much.
I think the real joy in seeing Vegas miss the playoffs is because they clearly tried to pull a TB and circumvent the cap until the playoffs. Nobody likes a cheater, even if technically wasn’t cheating but the letter of the law.
We’ll see how the US younger players go along
Thing is being an ass or a flake with talent isn’t the same thing as what a championship type player is, unless everything happens to go your way. Feeling entitled or ‘special’ is a big hurdle to repeated success. Humility
It’s why character is such a big part of the convo with hall of fame players that win a lot of stuff – sustain and the ability to overcome adversity, and stay within yourself and reality
Big time stick tap to Al for another amazing season. Love you on the radio, however, your gift of timing, writing and turning a phrase is, in hockey parlance, elite. Stories of Ziggy, “the box”, your youth, family, our favourite team sprinkled with magical musical references are a gift to us all. You have opened your heart and created a wonderful, passionate group of fans and followers. Thank you kind sir.
Red Wings fire Jeff Blashill after 7 years.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2022/04/30/detroit-red-wings-fire-coach-jeff-blashill-after-7-seasons/50166519/
Canada wins on home soil.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/article-canadas-wade-white-claims-second-senior-men-curling-title-with-win/
Who’s out of a job right now? Q, hmmmmm
As an Oiler, Kulak is:
1.32 – P/60
GF% – 58%
xGF% – 58%
Playing a combo of 3rd and 1st pairing minutes.
Very nice!
Dom is out with his playoff projections including an adjustment for “heavy (playoff) hockey”.
Oilers at 67% to win in the first round.
https://theathletic.com/3284618/2022/04/30/nhl-stanley-cup-chances-projections-probabilities/
Hunter1909’s Playoff 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
deadline puck drop game 1 etc etc blah blah blah
Do you have this set up on your site, or are you just taking predictions here? If just here, I will go with my wildly optimistic 16 wins and McD 10 , Leon 12
Just here. Only here.
Thank you for your cooperation.
6 wins for the oil
5 goals for cooner
6 goals for leon
i hope i am underestimating them
1.10 wins
2.8 goals
3.7 goals
I’m feeling optimistic the Oilers 2022 playoff run will last longer than the 6-days the 2021 playoff run lasted……
Long enough to grow a proper playoff beard, I hope.
Not for baby Nuge, just not going to happen.
OMB already has his grown though.
People were really, really optimistic about us dispatching the Jets last year….
Drai, then McDavid, led the league in “slot passes” (and the tweet somewhat provides credence for those that think Leon needs better wingers…..):
Mike Kelly
@MikeKellyNHL
·
1h
Replying to
@MikeKellyNHL
Leon Draisaitl led the NHL this season and finished 24th in assists. First time in 5 years the leader in slot pass completions did not also lead the league in assists.
https://twitter.com/MikeKellyNHL/status/1520460040708239362
P.S. it looks like an Oiler was sixth – gotta be Drai, right?
Mike Kelly
@MikeKellyNHL
·
1h
Speed Threat Award – Connor McDavid
Creating offense off-the-rush is key and not surprisingly, Connor McDavid did this better than anyone…
https://twitter.com/MikeKellyNHL/status/1520460315347099648
What a season for Vinny and, yikes as it related to tonight.
I wonder what Broberg’s issue is and why he hasn’t made it – I think it was a real re-assignment – no need to do it for cap reasons and they need him down there.
Ryan Holt
@CondorsHolty
·
1h
Vinny Desharnais doesn’t appear like he will play tonight so finishes the season as the league plus/minus leader depending on Chicago’s game tonight.
Condors without five of their top 6 D-men for Game 68. Yet still over .600 since mid-February. Fairly incredible.
I figured he would sit out, he had a funny fall in the last game and it seem leg/knee related and it was obvious he was in discomfort. He returned on a subsequent shift and soon after blocked a shot and he was done for the night.
Hopefully just doing so to be cautious.
Last day of play in the AHL and a game with direct implications for Bakersfield is just about to get underway.
Abbotsford is playing Manitoba in Winnipeg.
If the Canucks win they will host Colorado in a best of 3.
If they lose Bakersfield will play a .best of 3 in Abbotsford.
Massively important that the Oilers wipe the Kings out fast. 4 or 5 games if they want further success.
Champions dispatch opponents like this and stay fresh.
Baby steps let’s just win the first game and get the Gorilla off of Smith’s back whose lost 9 in a row in the playoffs.
Have you watched the Oilers this season? 🥸
1st round games played for Cup champions for the last 15 years:
TBL 2021 6
TBL 2020 5
STL 2019 6
WSH 2018 6
PIT 2017 5
PIT 2016 5
CHI 2015 6
LAK 2014 7
CHI 2013 5
LAK 2012 5
BOS 2011 7
CHI 2010 6
PIT 2009 6
DET 2008 6
ANA 2007 5
0/15 years the Cup winner swept round 1
6/15 years it took 5 games
7/15 years it took 6 games
2/15 years it took 7 games
The average is 5.73 games for the cup winner to get out of round 1.
So yeah, not really.
Randle’s 7 Story Lines for the Series:
1) Should the Oilers have targeted Danault instead of Hyman?
2) Should the Oilers have drafted Kaliyev?
3) This should be easy now that Dustin Brown is retired.
4) Who will take less dumb penalties, Lemieux or Kass?
5) Which team’s no name D is more no name?
6) Which team has the better 3rd line?
7) In Bill Belichick fashion, which LA asset should Woody most concern himself with shutting down/neutralizing?
Dustin Brown’s retirement is not effective until after the playoffs.
I expect he will want to go out with a “bang”.
1) Not sure Danault wanted to be a winger or 3C. Don’t see a fit
2) Would have had to trade down and pass on Bro. Bro will be a far bigger impact player in the end IMO
3) Not likely he’s a gamer puke
4) Kass, Woody’s on it
5) LA LA LA for sure. We have 3 time cup champ etc etc Keith and Doc, no Dough Boy over there
6) Nuggy will make them pay. Who could possibly be hungrier?
7) Quick. A goalie truly stealing a series is rare. If that seems to be happening, the flip side is if you aren’t getting traffic any goalie playing well is hard to beat. Can’t see the puck, it’s not coming in clean, can’t stop it.
That means more than being in too close and banging away. Screens, cross seam plays, tips and bodies in the scoring area
I’m really liking the wraparound tactic by Kane and especially Hyman this causes chaos where it can bounce off the Goalie skate fluke it off a D-man skate. There’s many good things that can happen with the wraparound. I’m going to keep track of how many Goals were the cause of a wraparound being involved.
Kane, McDavid, and Puljujarvi HAVE to cycle, and wear down the Kings defense. Danaullt is just another guy against a heavy cycle.
Ditto Hyman and Drai. And Foegele. These guys have to be heavy on the LA D.
“Pounding the body”, should free up McDavid and Drai for knockout blows.
I don’t think the rush game can be successful against Kopitar and Danault, until the Kings D is worn down.
The cycle game also takes the pressure off of the Oilers D. We essentially have to play the Kings game against the Kings. Their weakness is our weakness…i.e. the defense. So who can dominate offensive zone time with the cycle wins.
Glad Oilers have an inventive coach.
Come out hard cycle and pop one first and the Kings are in trouble
Actually every team. Having to open up against the Oilers if they are staying organized would not be fun
Interesting to see this. Given its even strength, I presume that includes OT goals:
Bob Stauffer
@Bob_Stauffer
·
5m
Oilers EVS Goals:
Connor McDavid: 34
Leon Draisaitl: 30
Zack Hyman: 21
Evander Kane: 17
Kailer Yamamoto: 16
Derek Ryan: 10
Warren Foegele:10
Evan Bouchard:10
Jesse Puljujarvi: 10
Ryan Holt mentioning that Broberg hasn’t made it to Bakersfield – Tim Schaller taking reps on defence (they’ve only got 5).
Can the Oilers beat the LAK in a 7-game series without Nurse?
Yes, I think they can but it becomes more of a coin-flip.
Can the Oilers make a long playoff run without Nurse? No, i don’t think that’s reasonable unless they get game-stealing tending for a stretch – a true heater.
I think Nurse will play game 1 but the real question will be how healthy is he?
For me, if he’s like 70%, I would sit him for the first game or two to give him more time. If the Oilers win a couple without him, maybe even more time.
A 70% Nurse isn’t good enough for Stanley.
Its very encouraging to see Kulak/Ceci have a strong game with high minutes. It was “just the Canucks”, I get that, but if Nurse is unavailable for any playoff games, this paring is likely to receive lots of elite comp minutes.
The Canucks have been very, very good since Bruce arrived.
I would assume they where very motivated to play last night, and I’d say they’re a better team than a Doughty-less LA Kings team.
The thing with the Kings is that two weeks ago they had 8 regulars on IR but now all but Doughty are back including two top 4 D.
I would imagine they will play a tight, grinding style with Danault checking McDavid and Kopitar on Draisaitl.
If Quick is on his game, they could be a tough out IF they can score enough.
Nope, the Canucks are not a push-over – they did finish with over 90 points.
At the same time, they were without Horvat and I’m not sure the motivation was THAT high in their last game of the season which meant zero.
I believe the Kings just won 5 straight before their OTL and, frankly, no I don’t think last night tested a top pairing in the same manner that playoff teams (in the playoffs) would/will.
Ken Holland receives enormous criticism online and on various radio shows and podcasts. Much of this seems to be founded as many of his moves this off-season, and over the course of his tenure can be criticized or, at least, debated. Keith was an overpay due to cap hit, Kassian’s contract was not great even at the time of signing (some will debate that), trading Bear, signing Barrie, etc., etc., etc.
At the same time, Ken Holland has made numerous transactions with great success including various in-season transactions that have led to the team we’ve seen over the last two months – a top 5 NHL team. It seems there are some that won’ even give Ken Holland credit for the moves he makes that work but, at the end of the day, Holland worked hard in-season with success:
1) Signing Evander Kane – there are some that like to talk about his “numbers away from McDavid” or various other isolated metrics but there are’t that many that will argue against this signing being a massive plus. Kane has given McDavid an “every day top line winger” and created forward depth.
Some say “Holland got lucky” and he just fell in to his lap, etc., etc. At the end of the day, there were MANY teams that decided they would not take the risk on this player. Credit to Ken Holland for doing the due dilligence and taking the risk. There were also a few other teams “in on Kane” until the end and we are talking TBL and FLA – teams with prominen lauded GMs and LOTS to offer. Ken Holland signed this player and its been huge. Credit!
2) Firing Tippett and hiring Woody/Manson – There are some that won’t give any credit because it should have happened a month earlier or even before the season, etc., etc. Ken Holland hadn’t made an in-season coach change in 3 decades of managing. This was something new to him, he took the risk and made the move.
This was also not a no-brainer as he had two coaches on his bench with NHL head coaching experience. To hire the guy with zero head coaching experience in-season with huge pressure to turn the team around and make the playoffs. That was another risk by Holland.
I hate the argument about “wanting to re-sign Tippett”. Of course the plan was to re-sign Tippett. Going in to the season the plan was to have great regular season success and then win playoff rounds, with Tippett as coach. The plan was for Tippett to coach a successful team. That didn’t happen and Holland changed the plan. This should be credited.
3) Trade Deadline – Holland identified the main hole and made a move to really add to the defensive depth for a fairly nominal cost. Brett Kulak as been a fantastic addition. This is also a player that is starting as a rental for a decent cost but there is also a very solid chance is re-signed and the contract will likely be very reasonable – something like $2.25M for 3 years – this player’s PRIME YEARS.
Credit the GM
4) “We’ve got to get Smitty up and running” – There were very few that didn’t think Holland went way too far with this and waiting way too long. I sure critisized the GM for this. At the end of the day, not making a move for a goalie in-season (given cost and, well, ability of what was out there) and continuing to try and get Smith healthy and in a groove has simply worked out. It just has – Smith was the best goalie in the NHL in April and one of the best for a 2-month stretch now. That’s more that “a heater”.
Very controversial but it worked out.
Credit the GM!
How dare you counter set narratives with reasoned arguments and facts!
Here, here. Well said. Thanks for taking the time to rationally explain your position without reverting to any of the previous tropes. We can question some of his moves, but in the next breath we have to acknowledge where he made the right moves … many of which went against the group think of the fanbase.
Holland has been on a real strong run during 2022.
“many of which went against the group think of the fanbase”
The devil you say!.
For a very long time I was on the fence with Holland. That changed in season. Not addressing the goaltending issue was a massive fail. Staggering actually. Things worked out and Smith got healthy. Now he’s a stud. That can still change in a heartbeat. And if it does, the fan base will turn on Holland bigtime.
That is more a reflection on we the fan base, rather than Holland, no? Given available options and costs, it was a prudent decision. No sense emptying your wallet for what could easily have been a sideways move.
I disagree. We needed to get another goalie and we still do. If something happens to Smith, any playoff hopes are crushed. And we’re not talking about a 28-year-old goalie with no history of injury.
Skinner is that goalie imo. I have no idea if that is the right decision but I am pretty sure it is the decision Holland has made unless something exceptional drops in his lap.
If you want a ‘name’ goalie who are you trading to get him because there is no money in without money out.
There wasn’t any goalie reasonably available that was reasonably that certain to be better than Mikko or even Skinner.
A fail would have been paying assets to acquire Jones or Korpisalo (or similar), no?
Most teams would be somewhat effed if they lost their starter – look at Nashville.
The Oilers have a back-up that went 27-12-4 this year – that’s actually better tender depth than many teams (and a 3G that could potentially win games as well).
This is just it – you had (have) an opinion that Holland effed up by relying on Smith and hoping he’d regain health and form. It was a big bet by Holland but, for 2 months, he’s won HUGE but, yet, still an “massive fail” – facts show otherwise, don’t they?
In my mind a fan base is like the stock market. It overreacts to news, then eventually corrects.
Can’t agree with point 2.
For many it was obvious Tipp wasn’t getting enough done. He had them playing as less than the sum.
Most teams have holes and injuries.
Woody has done the opposite, which coaches in their groove do.
There’s bounce, and there’s better, tactically and motivationally. We see the same with Boudreau and even St Louis. Players feeling good and giving their best always.
More than the sum.
Tippett not only change course (major change) and made a coaching change, but he didn’t make the safe and easy move to promote one of the two guys on the bench with NHL head coaching experience.
He took a risk on a rookie NHL head coach when the org was under immense pressure to turn the season around.
Sweden Vs. Finland Under 18 on today, has 2 potential picks for the Oilers in my opinion.
Noah Ostlund or Liam Ohgren.
Hunter1909 2021-22 Death March™ Final Standings
Oilers finish with 104 points
McDavid, Draisaitl, JP score 113 goals total
1 – KGB (113!!)
2 – Atari (115)
3 – 106 and
106 (119)
4 – Someone (105)
Congrats to all of these incredible winners
Oilers should be a lot more battle tested this playoffs after a strong push to get in. I’m a big Broberg fan but if he and Bouchard are both dressed that’s a lot of rookies on the back end. Broberg is going to be great someday but right now he is definitely a weak link on the team as the puck seems to find the back of his net when he is on the ice.
As long as Nurse is out, I think the Oilers go 7-11,
(he blurts out with excitement unprompted)
I’ve been up since 4 am Vancouver time with butterfly stomach excitement..Fly into Edmonton tomorrow afternoon – meet up with my two childhood buddies, spend Sunday and Monday touring around our old hometown AND We’re going to Game 1 on Monday night!! I’m getting close to 40 years along now the Stanleys have eluded my fanatic fandom – am with LT have never seen a season quite like this one..this is a special kind of rollercoaster absolutely cannot wait for the boys to put on a show for us all starting Monday night! And Away We Go!
Congrats Old School G. Have a blast.
Try and keep it between the lines! Oh, who am I kidding
I at least hope you’re near a bathroom when you set those butterflies free. 🙂
Thanks very much, Mr. McMurphy!
I as well remember the 1972 Alberta Oilers. The Blue Pucks. Al McCann calling games and him nicknaming Len Lunde “Lightning “ which is a far from the truth you could get. Meeting Bill Hunter and calling him Bill. He immediately informed me it was Mr. Hunter. The man commanded respect. Seeing things in the WHA you’d never see again. I agree LT after seeing every year since this has been the craziest.
That was a great and crazy year. Loved the WHA. Lots of seat of the pants scams going on (Ottawa Nationals for example) but tons of fun. And eventually got us into the NHL. Would never have happened without the WHA
Watching the games in the Ol Edmonton Gardens from the top row end zone looking down through the light fixtures was the best. Oh how arenas have changed
The WHA would not have happened if not for ‘ Mr. Hunter ‘. Hunter was a one of a kind, a showman, a super salesman, a champion for Western Canada like we haven’t seen since, a guy who hated the Toronto dominated NHL, and many times put Harold Ballard in his place.
RIP Mr. Hunter
Saskatoon was ooh so close and here we are 40 something years later and still no team for the die-hard Saskatchewan population.
“Connor McDavid 44-79-123 in 80 games. Leon Draisaitl 55-55-110 in 80 games. Yeah.”
The best part of this for me is the
80 games 80 games
Agreed. Team’s key players are well rested and were not run into the ground once Woody took over. Just hope Nurse is back Monday.
The entire Kings squad had Friday night off. The Oilers did not, but there was zero reason to play their stars, whose absence gave the likes of Josh Archibald & Devin Shore a chance to shine. Worked out famously.
Seems like a good time to look back, and ahead to next year, before we get totally immersed in the playoffs.
What were the biggest success stories of the regular season?
For me Ryan McLeod is #1. At his current level he is a solid top 9 forward at the NHL level. If he takes another step and starts to drive the net more, and finish more chances, the sky’s the limit. He is literally dripping with talent and you can see the confidence growing every game. His speed is world class and allows him to gain the zone with the puck regularly. Dmen have no choice but to respect that speed and they end up conceding the blueline to him. A lot! He could easily become the teams 3rd best forward in the next few years
Other good news stories were the resurgence of Mike Smith, the contributions of Evander Kane, and the emergence of Ceci/Nurse as a true shutdown pairing.
There are some interesting dilemmas for the summer.
Goaltending. Do you go with Smith/Skinner? Huge cap savings at that position if you do, but what happens if Smith is hurt or bad for over half the year again?
Scoring wingers. Can, and should, they extend Kane? And how do you keep JP and Yamamoto if they do sign Kane?
Those are the 2 biggest question marks this off season.
I see McLeod as a Brayden Point type candidate in the same way that he could emerge as a leader and star over time.
McLeod imitates McDavid. Similar rushing the defence.
This is exactly what makes McDavid so great – once other players on the team practice and learn how to incorporate some of his infinite technique.
There are other instances of this phenomena across the team but I can’t think of anyone who does it more glaringly than “Sparky” McLeod.
I was just gonna say I see McCleod soaking up a number of things stylistically from McDrai.
Unsure of McLeod becoming a star level forward. I don’t think he has the hands. If he can add more grind to his game he could be an elite third line center though. Not sure where that would leave Nuge? Maybe he swings back to wing.
Ideally the Oilers keep all of Kane, JP, and Yamamoto. If they can get rid of Barrie and Kassian this offseason is that enough dollars for all of them?
JP has an Individual Points Percentage of 49.04 and Yamamoto has 53.70. They aren’t contributing much to scoring plays, but both provide defensive value on the scoring lines.
Perhaps the best way to go is bridge them both again.
I think we share the same thoughts, with the exception of McLeod hands.
McLeod seems to navigate through, and around, opponents with the puck just fine. He also seems to see the ice well and completes most of his pass attempts. How many guys did he set up last night? To my eye the only thing missing is the goal scoring. He’s alresdy a more dynamic player than Nuge or Hyman.
Goaltending. Do you go with Smith/Skinner? Huge cap savings at that position if you do, but what happens if Smith is hurt or bad for over half the year again?
=================================
The concern is real but imo it is of less concern than this year. From listening to Holland talk about it I am pretty sure that he expects Skinner to be the starter not long into the season so from his perspective the problem with a Smith injury would be finding a backup to play behind Skinner.
Rookie goalies are a risk, of course, but I am pretty sure that is how Holland is looking at the situation.
================================
Love McLeod’s zone entries. Sometimes when I have the volume down and am just half watching I see him and think it is McDavid until I catch the number. Watching him finishing checks against SJ brought a huge smile to my face.
===============================
Holland takes a lot of flack on this board for what are perceived to be overpays but when I look at them they are UFA contracts where those arguments are mostly made and last I looked UFA means that if the player doesn’t like the contract he walks.
Then the GM has to scour the league to find a similar UFA who he will have to overpay.
On RFA’s I see Holland holding firm and coming in under what many predict for pay. I expect Jesse & Yamo to have that experience again this summer if Kane wants to re-sign with Edmonton.
Holland will throw out the promise of increases the following year when he gets some Cap relief and because he has a reputation for keeping his word that may work.
No doubt it will be tight but there is a crop of young wingers who will be turning pro in September. Pretty sure Holland has that in mind as well. Just next year to get through first.
Presuming Smith has a solid to plus playoffs, yes, I do think that Smith/Skinner is the tandem going in to next season.
There is zero doubt there is risk in that combo but also very high reward potential.
In my opinion, its pretty much a lock that Skinner is a legit 25-30 game NHL back-up, right now, today.
The question is if he is more, right now, today? We need him to be a 40G guy (at least) if we have Smith as the other guy.
I think he can do it and, shit, he may even be a legit 55G 1A for all we know.
We just don’t know.
What we do know is, in addition to having WAY better numbers than Husso at every stage of development (while being younger), Skinner had better numbers this year in the NHL than Husso did in his 17 NHL games last year.
My point is simply that Skinner my be something real last year. We don’t know but he may be.
I agree on McLeod, in particular how poor he was in camp and early in the season prior to re-assignment – at that point, it looked like zero progression from last season in the “noted areas” of his game and maybe even regression.
His play upon recall was a revelation. In addition to his continued development in his zone exit/transition/zone entry game, he showed marked improvement in his willingness to engage, to battle on the boards, to finish the odd check, etc., etc. In addition, surprising to me, he showed the ability to fill in at top 6 wing – some solid games with Leon.
I’m not sure about 3rd best forward in the next few seasons, however, with McDavid/Drai/Nuge/McLeod/Holloway all as natural centers, his versatility to play up and down the lineup and both positions will be huge going forward I think.
———
Kane’s contract is a tough one as its really tough to asses market value and what type of AAV with what type of term is market and what the player things.
Lets not forget, even taking away all the unique risk with this player, there is massive age-regression risk with a term contract given he’ll be 31 to start next season.
If there is an AAV around $5M (which i think might be reasonable if they give him a 4th year), the can definitely be fit in with simply moving out Kassian and Barrie. Kassian will require a poison pill (say a 2nd rounder) that can be recouped by the positive value of moving Barrie (for a 2nd).
What a season! Glad the ride has stopped and we only have a few piles of puke at the side.
This team can push deep into the playoffs, IF they can stay healthy and continue to get the great goaltending they have had the past 2 months. These are the same contingencies as any other team hitting the dance floor this week…