Dylan Holloway had a great game in Bakersfield last night, the Condors begin a playoff series in California against the Abbotsford Canucks this coming week. A guess has Holloway playing in the AHL until the playoff run ends, and if the Oilers are still playing he might get a recall to be one of the HS from the farm. Do you remember the 2006 farmhands who got to hang around all spring and part of the summer?
THE ATHLETIC!
- Lowetide: Oilers’ exceptional April saves a turbulent regular season
- 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
THE USHL AND THE 2022 DRAFT
Many of these kids are playing in the U18’s currently, the gold medal game goes today between the Americans and Sweden. There is some chatter about Logan Cooley going No. 1 overall, ahead of Shane Wright, but that seems unlikely. Isaac Howard was accidentally deleted from this list, he’s a outstanding player in the offensive zone and has an NHLE of 30.3
LOWETIDE 2021 LIST
LD Luke Hughes, USNDTP Terrific skater with complete range of skills.RW Chaz Lucius, USNDTP Great shot, high skill, good speed. He could be a steal.LW Matt Coronato, Chicago Steel Pure scorer, great release, headed to Harvard.LW Ayrton Martino, Omaha Lancers Small speedy winger, September 2002.LC Cole Sillinger, Sioux Falls Stampede Dangerous shooter, fine passer.LW Sasha Pastujov, USNDTP Plus shot, offensive winger. Average speed.LD Sean Behrens, USNDTP. Undersized blue is very skilled and smart.LW Jackson Blake, Chicago Steel. Elusive skill winger with big-league moves.LC Redmond Savage, USNDTP. Solid two-way center with speed.RW Mackie Samoskevich, Chicago (USHL) Speedy skill winger.- RD Jacob Guévin, Muskegon Lumberjacks. Offensive defenseman, fine skater.
LD Shai Buium, Sioux City Musketeers. Big defender plays smart two-way game.LD Jack Peart, Fargo Force. Impressive young player, undersized with range of skills.RD Jack Bar, Chicago Steel. Good size, plus shot, some skill.- LW Jeremy Wilmer, USNDTP. August 2003, great passer, high skill.
LW Tristan Broz, Fargo Force. Nice range of skills, fine passer good skater.LD Aidan Hreschuk, USNDTP. Solid two-way defender, effective in coverage.LC Cameron Berg, Muskegon Lumberjacks. Good speed and skill.- LD Dave Ma, USHL, Chicago Steel. Tremendous skater and very creative.
RD Brent Johnson, Sioux Falls Stampede. Undersized chaos blue with great speed.RD Roman Schmidt, USNDTP. Huge shutdown blue with some offense.LW Matthew Knies, Tri-City Storm. 6.02, 210 PF, might be a little shy on top-9 skill level.RD Ryan Ufko, Chicago Steel. Mobile puck mover can run a power play. Undersized.
I listed 23 men from the USHL last season, and 20 of them were chosen. The disconcerting thing was that 20 I didn’t list were chosen. Now, my list was 125 deep, but several players were chosen before that number a year ago:
- No. 10 overall Tyler Boucher by Ottawa (five points in five games, NHLE 22).
- No. 37 overall Josh Doan by Arizona (29 NHLE, overager).
- No. 70 overall Carter Mazur by Detroit (20.7 NHLE, overager).
- No. 92 overall Andrei Buyalsky by Colorado (20 NHLE, overager).
- No. 101 overall Guillaume Richard by Columbus (8.6 NHLE).
I don’t have the information available to me that finds a USHL player who plays five games worthy of a top-10 overall selection, so that’s either Ottawa being cute or they were on him before the 2020-21 season. Either way, it’s likely we will see this trend (USHL kids with little time in the league) getting drafted because they’re big or some other reason.
BUILDING THE TOP 125
As we pass each hurdle on the way to the 2022 draft, I’m building the list brick by brick. Things will change by the final list, but this is a running look at the board as we consume each league. We’re looking at all of the CHL and USHL, save for goaltenders and wildcards like players who passed through the draft.
- RC Shane Wright (O). Peter Harling (Dobber) compares to Patrice Bergeron.
- LC Logan Cooley (U). Incredible skater, skilled and elusive. Dual threat.
- RC Matt Savoie (W). Scott Wheeler: Inside the offensive zone, he’s lethal.
- LW Cutter Gauthier (U). Big W with outstanding shot and sixth sense for goals.
- LD Denton Mateychuk (W). Elite skater, complete range, impressive passer.
- RW Jagger Firkus (W). Quick, skilled, difficult to contain.
- RW Frank Nazar (U). Fast train, intelligent, creative, impressive offense.
- LD Pavel Mintyukov (O). Top-end skater, puck mover. Some chaos defensively.
- LW Isaac Howard (U). Fast release, creative, emerging.
- RW Jordan Dumais (Q). Undersized skill winger impressive playmaker.
- RC Conor Geekie (W). Best PF at the top end of the draft.
- LC David Goyette (O). Speedy center with skill and two-way ability.
- LC Servac Petrovsky (O). Aug. 2004, slick, skilled, does everything at high speed.
- RW Jimmy Snuggerud (U). Range of skills, scores from a variety of areas.
- LW Luca DelBelBelluz (O). Size, two-way ability, and an offensive spike.
DYLAN HOLLOWAY
Holloway had plenty of jump last night, he could have scored three but landed with just the lone assist. He finishes 8-14-22 in 33 games, that’s below the totals one hopes for from a first-round selection in their first AHL season. There are considerations, including two wrist surgeries, but scoring will be a concern until it isn’t. How much did those surgeries impact his shooting (2.51 shots per game) and his shot percentage (9.6)? Kailer Yamamoto had a 20.6 shooting percentage in 50 AHL games, 15.2 percent in the NHL. Either way, Holloway is NHL-ready. He touches the puck more than any Oilers prospect I’ve ever seen in his first year. We don’t know if he’ll score 20 goals in an NHL season, but he’s going to have an impact.
NEW for The Athletic: Oilers vs. Kings position by position (including coach): Who has the edge?
https://theathletic.com/3283476/2022/05/01/oilers-kings-playoffs-matchups/
Had a summary look at it yesterday. IT’S CLOSE!
Slight edge to the Oilers imo.
Very interesting the matchups though. And some of the player “types”
I used to measure the Oilers roster vs the Penguins roster. But the Kings might be a better measuring stick now and moving forward.
Of course, they are the darkness and we are the light. 🙂
#OilerInSix
I don’t think it’s that close on paper. The Oilers have a clear advantage at F, on D and in G, plus both special teams.
Coaches have a huge experience gap but McLellan has been found wanting in the past so we’ll see on that one.
Of course there’s a reason they play the games. But I really think the Oilers should be clearly ahead in this matchup.
The oddsmakers agree with you JP.
Of course the oddsmakers factor in the absence of Doughty.
The oddsmakers basically land on the Oilers in 5.
I say Oilers in 6 and if Nurse and Doughty end up cancelling each other out by their absence, Oilers in 7
Well hopefully the odds makers are right this time around! 🙂
YES! and hopefully NURSE IS BACK BABY!
Duplicate
Nurse was at practice today, looked good in the video
Oilers in five! Woodcroft, game plan and the players belief in both make this a short series!
Quick has been on fire down the stretch and has won cups. Not sure who really has the edge in net.
I lack the skull face paint, top hat, snakes and cigars to say anything definitive on the subject.
8 games played over the Kings last 10 games – .915/2.24 – very solid/good but not near Mike Smith levels.
Lets also not forget, the Kings last games were against: CBJ, ANA, CHI, ANA, SEA, VAN – not the goal scoring leaders of the NHL.
I think, overall on the season, the Kings don’t have a sparkling record against playoff teams.
Of course, we are starting from scratch and, of course, Quick could get series-winning hot but, on paper, it seems the Oilers have the legit edge in various categories.
Paper means little.
Paper means little. Unless you’re a rock.
But I have the Kings as paper and the Oilers as scissors.
Here’s hoping we can avoid the rock in future rounds.
The Rock is poor officials who refuse to call the holding clutching grabbing and roughing against the Oiler stars.
We now have the power of the Kane on our side!😂
“I lack the skull face paint, top hat, snakes and cigars to say anything definitive on the subject.”
Truly Great Line. I Love it.
Yes, Quick has won cups, Smith has not. Edge to Quick in ‘experience’.
That aside, I don’t know of a time window where Quick has a better SV% than Smith.
Over the last 2 weeks, last 1, 2, 3 months, the full season, last 2, 3, 4 seasons. Smith is ahead of Quick in every single one of those comparisons.
Absolutely, voodoo, and we don’t know who will be the better goaltender over the next 4-7 games. I still have a really tough time giving the Kings the edge in net, as the Athletic piece does.
If I’m TMac I get my team to run Smith. I expect to see this aLa 2006 vs Carolina. Brutal.
Then you’re begging for Quick to get run in return. I don’t think TMac will be looking to turn this into a match of goaltender attrition.
Nice rundown LT (and Lisa).
I feel bad then for what ever poor Schmuck-King’s player tries to run Smith …And proceeds to gets beaten down by Mike Smith. That’s not hyperbole … on the ice, Smith can be a mean cuss.
Playoffs start tonight, holy shit!
I’ve been crazy busy for most of the last week so it’s kind of snuck up on me.
This Athletic piece polled 5 NHL execs/GM/scouts, who had the Oilers #7 of the 16 playoff teams.
https://theathletic.com/3277606/2022/05/02/stanley-cup-tiers-anonymous-gm-executives-and-scout-rate-every-playoff-team/
I’ll take that, for now!!
Go Oilers! Time to make amends for the last 2 playoff exits, and prove that the progress under Woodcroft is real. It should be fun!!!
7th is good – that’s the “top 8” that Holland says a team needs to be in to win the cup – mission accomplished
Its a bit frustrating that this mantra still lives on from those that don’t watch the team on any sort of consistent basis: “I don’t see this team winning more than a round. McDavid and Draisaitl have not shown the willingness to play two-way hockey in their career yet. “
It is a little frustrating, but winning playoff games will change the narrative.
And more generally on narratives, they change really damn slowly. I’ve been amazed to see some commentary that the Kings with Quick have better goaltending even than the Avs with Kuemper.
Apparently winning the cup 8 years ago and having a .900 flat SV% in the last 4 seasons trumps having a close to league best .922 over the last 4 seasons.
Summarizing!
As mentioned below, Tullio forced OT with a blast with 1.5 seconds left in the third. However, they lost in OT and Oshawa’s season is done. Tullio finishes the postseason with 2-5-7 in six games.
The same fate befell the Kings of Wheat, with Chiasson picking up an assist. He had three assists in six postseason games.
The Bourg was not in Shawinigan’s lineup, likely getting a rest before playoffs. However, he does win the Hemsky Cup (by acclamation) as the top scoring Oilers prospect in the Q. They face Rouyn-Noranda in Round 1 starting Thursday.
Wanner’s Warriors will wage war with Winnipeg in Round 2 starting Friday.
Petrov will try to avenge Tullio (maybe) as North Bay battles Kingston in Round 2, dates unknown just yet.
Prospecting takes a break for a few days.
Legendary updates Tarkus.
Oshawa was knocked out in OT.
I anticipate that Tulio will head to Bakersfield – I’d be shocked if he played a game though…..
Really? With all the injuries I don’t think it’s so unlikely. I’d think Tullio is right in that group with Philp, Savoie, Engras with potential to play. He may not of course, but I don’t think it would be shocking at all.
Even with all the injuries, and Schaller having to play D last night, Savoie get 5 shifts, Philp got two shifts and Engras didn’t play.
I’m not suggesting Tullio will get a feature role or anything, I just don’t see why he’d be in a different category than Philp or Savoie (Engras on an AHL deal should be a step below the 3 NHL deals, IMO). Philp and Savoie have been in the Bakersfield lineup often, why wouldn’t Tullio get into a few games in a similarly limited role?
There is no chance that Tullio would draw in.
This is due to an interim coach trying to win a job next season who absolutely leans heavily on Holloway, Griffith, Cracknell, Malone, Hamblin, Marody, Benson and Esposito (for important draws, ends of periods and PK).
ECHL Kambeitz is getting regular shifts on the 3rd line lately, as well. And if Schaller goes back to forward, there is even less opportunity. On the 4th line Brosseau is a fixture (and gets PK time). As well, if Sceviour and/or Perlini come back, there is even less room at the Inn.
I understand the new coach isn’t using the rookies much.
What I’m failing to see is how Tullio is in a fundamentally different category than Philp, Savoie and Engras. They have all dressed for 2 or more Condors games, yet OP would be ‘shocked’ if Tullio dressed for a game, and you’re telling me there’s ‘no chance’ it happens. Makes no sense to me.
Well, there is a chance if injuries and call-ups affect the availability of forwards. Before Tullio there is also McPhee and Engaras who this coach would dress ahead of a recently graduated junior player.
I know this absolutely flies in the face of what we’ve all seen in the past, but it is painfully clear to me that this how it will be.
It is also quite possible that ECHL call-up and former Jet draft pick Matteo Genaro gets in ahead of Tullio, as he has 91 AHL games under his belt; 25 games were played with Bakersfield this season.
This really doesn’t matter, so we can drop it, but I just don’t see why if Philp and Savoie played in the Condors most recent game why we should be surprised if Tullio also got into a game or two going forward.
So for people like me in the US, the first three games of the series are scheduled for 10 pm eastern. The problem with that is the first three games of the Toronto-Tampa Bay series are scheduled for 7.30 pm eastern. On the same channel (ESPN2). This is a common thing in the first round – NBC did the same thing every year, with the Canadian teams most often getting stiffed by being scheduled for the same channel. NBC handled it (sometimes) when there was inevitable overlap (most obviously for OT, but even without it, you have to have a pretty brisk game to squeak into a 2.5 hour slot) by showing the beginning of the late game on NHL Network.
My question: has anyone seen any information on how ESPN will cover things (if at all) if the earlier Toronto games go long?
Re Flames vs Stars:
Stars vs Flames matches Canada’s cowboy team vs Americas cowboy team.
I think every team in the playoffs in 2022 is a legit team. Gone forever are the days of patsies playing juggernauts in round 1.
Stars in 6 lol
There are a lot of potential upsets. Florida and Avs the favourites but she’s wide open
flames get a lucky break with Saros out (Preds would have stayed ahead of Stars if so). Could have been kryptonite
I can’t change the thought the Avs are vulnerable. I suppose everyone thinks that about the Oilers elsewhere
Woah, Ty scores with a howitzer one timer off a clean faceoff win with under Tullio seconds left in the 3rd to tie the game with Kingston. Off to OT.
https://twitter.com/Oshawa_Generals/status/1520925374531751936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1520925374531751936%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=
To all the mouth breathing, negative, stupid, disloyal fans who cried and whined that there needed to be a coaching change. You were likely told about the “coaching carousel,” the lack of experience you have, how you don’t have the information others have, how someone with more hockey experience would surely know better than you do, how Oilers fans are ridiculously obsessed lunatics on the internet.
Well I have one thing to say to you…
YOU WERE RIGHT.
Love it.
(I also love our previous coach, no hard feelings at all – a good coach and human being, wish him the best in retirement)
I wanted a Laviolette style coach. The kind that talks smart not wooden platitudes; the kind that the players will work harder for than anyone else because they know he has their back. Woody is that coach.
Looking forward to Woody out coaching Todd McLellan in the playoffs. It won’t be too hard.
Rodrigue re-called:
Daniel Nugent-Bowman
@DNBsports
·
23m
There was a crowded crease in Bakersfield. This gives players a body to shoot at during lightly attended practices — and gives Rodrigue a little experience, too.
Alrighty then. Was a headscratcher at first glance.
Is the ECHL season done?
Dynamo Moscow has obtained the KHL rights to Konovalov.
It could mean nothing but I think it likely means he’s heading back next season. I think they’d need to agree to terminate his contract as he has another season (presuming the KHL is still honouring their non-binding agreement in that regard).
He’s hardly played over the last few months and, with Fanti being signed……
Can’t say Konovalov heading back would be a surprise.
I was hoping for a Konovalov/Fanti tandem next season, there’d be lots of net for both of them.
If the Oilers plan to run Smith/Skinner next year, that #3 job will be important to the organization and need to be a Stalock level of goaltender(a tweener type with some NHL games)
Smith/Skinner might work out(and provide some much needed cap breathing room), but if/when – and it’s more when – Smith gets injured, a Skinner/X combo in your NHL net is an enormous risk
The goaltending will be an interesting storyline over the summer
Great point, totally fair.
What about Rodrigue-Fanti?
Rodrigue has really struggled to progress so I see him as a big tier below the other two.
Gerta’s point is also an excellent one. If Smith/Skinner are the NHL tandem there HAS to be quality cover on the farm, not question marks.
Noah Ostlund and Liam Ohgren looked great in the U18’s hopefully they will be around when the Oilers pick in the 1st rd.
What about them looked noteworthy? You usually have a good eye for prospects, so I’m curious why you mentioned them specifically.
The Techno Viking….nevermind
Hunter1909’s Playoff Death March for 2022…
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
-6 wins
-McDavid 5
-Leon 6
I’m still augering goat entrails.
Wins – 3
McDavid – 3
Leon – 4
Trying not to be over zealous and will be thrilled when they prove me wrong.
Please do not feel too bad.
Last year with 100 odd entries not a single one predicted Oilers getting “0” wins.
That does not make me feel any better.
-13 Wins
-McDavid 8 Goals
-Leon 11 Goals
7 wins
McDavid 5
Draisaitl 6
Would like to see our goaltending get us past the second round, but I don’t think it will. Will enjoy being wrong.
Eff it…
Wins 16
McDavid 9
Draisaitl 10
I will really just be happy if Ryan Whitney is piercing-free at the end of this
6 wins
McD…9
Leon 6
What does ‘we’ll see’ mean?
There’s still ambiguity around the diagnosis they’re waiting on?
a pain/mobility thing and hesitant to be a liability in a game?
Hopefully the latter. As suggested below I doubt he’d be at a media avail if there were a potential bombshell incoming.
LA would be a tough matchup for Tippett’s oilers. They rely on possession, neutral zone turnovers, and capitalizing on mistakes. Woodcroft’s Oilers calmed those waters. EDM is a really bad matchup for LA.
Gamesmanship aside, there’s still the ‘how does it feel when he wakes up’ aspect of the recovery.
It sure sounds like he’s going to play, but it’s also possible they could be hedging in case he’s more sore than expected after his 1st practice.
Jason Gregor
@JasonGregor
·
5m
“We’ll see,” Nurse when asked if he will play tomorrow.
Watching him in the 2-on-2 drills he looked mobile and without any limitations. If I was betting I’d expect Nurse in lineup tomorrow. #Oilers #Kings
I would add that I think it would be unusual to make him available to the media post-practice if he wasn’t likely to play.
Injured (and out) players rarely speak post-practice.
Probably just some mild mind games being had. It is that time of year where we could see someone’s finger being severed live on tv only for it to be labelled as “upper body injury – day to day”.
Oilers also just posted a 40 second clip of Nurse skating and practicing with ease on their official Twitter. He’s playing or this is next level gamesmanship haha
Anyone surprised that Archibald is not in the lineup?
No. He chose his path and is nominally part of the team. Play the lines that you hope continue. Archie will maybe get in due to injuries.
Also no. We’re likely going to play 11 forwards, and even in the games he’s eligible for he’s the 14th forward on the depth chart.
Nobody likes to change things up when they’re working. But Woodcroft would be forced to for the LA games if the Oilers take the first two with Archie.
so not surprised
The other day someone mentioned about being a Nashville season ticket holder or going to lots of their games or something like that. We saw them play Friday here in Glendale and my Roman Josi is good and it was not his best game. His shot is so smooth and powerful. Nothing like watching NHL hockey live and up close. We have been blessed and will miss the time spent at Gila River Arena.
Jason Gregor
@JasonGregor
·
15m
Kane-McDavid-Pujujarvi
Hyman-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Foegele-RNH-Ryan
Brassard-McLeod-Kassian
Nurse-Ceci
Keith-Bouchard
Russell-Barrie
Kulak-Broberg
I could see Oilers going 11-7 with Brassard and Broberg not playing.
There is essentially no chance that Kulak is a healthy scratch so i do think they will go 11/7 if Nurse plays – makes sense on a few levels to me (1) Russell has been good recently, he helps “defend” and on the PK and both he and Kulak help and (2) of course, if Nurse plays but aggravates or something, they’ll still have 6.
That’s what I think works best considering the overall age and health of the left side of the defense.
Plus there’s a few nice options for double shifts amongst the forward group.
Kulak has really never played or practiced with Broberg. So I expect that pairing is just to get them some familiarity with each other.
Russell over Kulak in this scenario frightens me. Russell has been more than fine since coming back in a 6/7 role, but Kulak has been great.
Kulak has bumped up to legit 1LD in that last two games without Nurse.
He’s over 1.3 P/60 as an Oiler and is among the leaders for both GF% and eGF% as an Oiler.
There is almost zero chance he’s healthy scratched.
This is setting up for an 11/7 deployment.
Looks to me like Kulak is in a placeholder position awaiting the decision on Nurse come game time.
As per Rishaug (paraphrasing): Nurse looks pretty good out there skating and shooting.
He is reportedly practicing with Ceci also, which can’t be a bad sign.
Darnell Nurse is on the ice for practice.
That’s great news.
Oilers in 5. 😉
Broberg has been recalled to the Oilers.
Kind of odd they sent him down, he didn’t make it for the game, and they called him up.
Not a “great sign” for Nurse’s health but could be nothing. They may want to ensure he’s around and ready for Monday just in case.
The Oilers told him to be late for his flight out of Edmonton, I expect.
or just not make checkout at the Marriott
He probably went to the Muni instead of the International, by mistake of course. 😉
Also, as LT references Yamamoto’s AHL time – its a great comparison because, just like Yamamoto in 2019, Holloway’s box-cars severely under-represent his play in the AHL – probably even more than Kailer’s did.
I have full confidence that, if 100% healthy, when Holloway does get in to NHL games, many of his skills will translate and, given he’ll be playing with better players, there is a chance for more production.
Its uncertain if he’ll top out as a high end middle six guy or if he’ll “score enough” to play in the Oilers’ top 6.
Years and years for this story to fully unfold.
Last night was fantastic to watch though.
That was about as dominant a one-point performance one can have. My goodness was he all over the puck, every shift.
He was also shooting, and looking to shoot, a ton – something that wasn’t really the case prior to the injury. I wonder if the month off gave his hand/wrist/thumb a bit of extra rest that helped.
I’ll be a bit guarded by that ridiculous performance remembering that his first 3-4 games of the season he was shot out of a cannon and then settled in the “normality”.
He should be a major factor in the playoffs.
Its going to be a tough sled for the Condors against Abbotsford. Condors are super banged up, might not have Broberg (Nurse watch) and Abbotsford are getting a bunch of reinforcements from Vancouver.
I’ll admit that I don’t know who the Canucks would be re-assigning, but I can’t imagine it’s going to be enough to get through Bakersfield. Abbotsford got pumped by a combined score of 13-1 over the last two games against Manitoba. I happened to be at yesterday’s 6-0 result and they only chance the Canucks had was to thug it up which they did early and often. They were beat soundly by noted c-level prospects Mikey Eissemont, Mikhail Berdin and Leon Gawanke. I completely enjoyed chirping DiPietro.
6 players:
Vasili Podkholzin
Spencer Martin
Nic Petan
Jack Rathbone
Will Lockwood
Sheldon Dries
All but Podkholzin were regulars with Abbotsford most of the season but had been called up to the NHL due to various injury.
Wasn’t signing Petan an example of an astute GM plying his trade? How’d that work out?
And I thought Rathbone was the next can’t miss prospect from the Harvard defenceman factory? Would have thought he’d be spending less time meandering between failed cups of coffee and weak showings in the AHL.
Not sure how to break this to you…but Rathbone scored 40 points in the AHL…..in only 39 games.
His season was derailed somewhat by injury and illness.
He would have been the Condors highest scoring D…by a mile.
Also, ‘inability to play defense’
Why is he meandering so much if he’s so talented? His cups of coffee in the two years post draft are unspectacular. At best. In fact, he’s going backwards in the NHL: from 1-2-3 in 8 GP last season to 0-0-0 -5 in 9 GP this year. You’d think he would have been able to seize the opportunity.
Certainly not showing himself to be elite, as previously hinted.
Another Smurf D! Size says he would be better served playing forward! You believe what you need to and totally disregard the obvious! ( senility )
Ryan Rishaug
@TSNRyanRishaug
·
7m
We have a nurse water bottle sighting on the bench.. not a guarantee he skates.. but it’s something.
Probability wise, I would guess Nurse skates today wearing a yellow jersey, but does not start in game 1.
Prospectatious!
Two Oilers CHL prospects try to keep their seasons alive today as Tullio’s Generals and Chiasson’s Kings of Wheat* strive to force a Game 7 in their respective series with wins today.
Meanwhile, the Q’s regular season wraps up today. The playoffs begin Thursday, and Shawinigan will indeed face Rouyn-Noranda in the first round, a best-of-5. The Bourg’s outburst (3+3) last game gave him new season bests for goals and assists, surpassing his draft-1 season (in 20 fewer games).
Shawinigan (The Bourg) @ 1 p.m.
Oshawa (Tullio) @ 4 p.m.
Wheat Kings (Chiasson) @ 4 p.m.
At all times, even prime time, all times are Bruderheim time.
* Fun fact: The Wheat Kings are based in Manitoba, even though it actually has less farmland than Alberta’s Peace region.
That IS a fun fact.
I guess Wheat Dukes just didn’t have the right ring to it.
And all along the answer was SOO obvious. Just look at the Flag of Manitoba!
F’ing Bison ate all the wheat!
#BisonKings
“Do you remember the 2006 farmhands who got to hang around all spring and part of the summer?”
No. No I do not. (nor do I remember last year or the year before that) Do an old man a favour…Pray tell.
#Memento
Matt Greene and Brad Winchester
Thank You! Can I draw you a beer Norm?!
I wasn’t going to list them if people weren’t interested, I love these kinds of things but am never sure others care.
HS for Game 1 SCF:
No. 13, Todd Harvey
No. 15, Kyle Brodziak
No. 23, Dick Tarnstrom
No. 26, Brad Winchester
No. 30, Jussi Markkanen
No. 41, Jean-Francois Jacques
No. 45, Toby Petersen
No. 55, Igor Ulanov
Marc Pouliot was injured but also with the group iirc.
http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20052006/RO030411.HTM
Who healthy scratches their 2nd best goaltender for game 1 of the SCF?
Someone who was visited by a ghost in the night and knows that Ty Conklin has been ordained for infamy.
What a team. Mac-T and Kevin Lowe, so close to making it happen as managers…
I had Matt trial-by-fire / hazed-by-refs Greene and Brad Winchester. Sad I didn’t get Ulanov. A lot of LT-famous names on that list I’d forgotten were at all in the picture
Speaking of prospects….
26 year old AHL Gulls Dman had 24 points in 65 games. He was a minus player on the year, his name? Brosephine Cumberbafferty
He’s in the “various states of arriving in the NHL” category.
In hindsight, he was meh to begin with and never had a chance once “it” happened.
#cursedbyatroll
So what you’re saying is…..
He is better than Bouchard and marinating to perfection in the AHL.
He’s playing 5d chess while the rest of the Ahl is playing checkers
LT, I’m interested to know how you have the Defensemen on your list ranked.
I think the Oilers should be targeting RD (biggest organizational need IMO). Ryan Chesley looks like a good target. Decent offence 6’0” ~200.
You have rack-of-bones Seamus Casey 5’10” 162, and super-sprite Lane Hutson 5’8”148!!! ranked ahead of him.
Hutson must be the second coming of Quinn Hughes (27 6-26-32 +27) and I see why he gets ranked so high based on NHLe, but size matters. Even Hughes and Makar are 5’10 and 5’11.
Without a growth spurt I don’t see how Lane Hutson can size up against burly NHL’ers.
Size matters on LT’s list also; Just not how you might imagine.
Correct me if I’m wrong but I believe LT’s list fades larger defensemen (at least in relation to other Analysts lists.)
Not saying it’s intentional: Just a result of the methodology/criteria
#Differentiator
I wouldn’t say that his list necessarily fades big D.
It’s math based, his rankings, and there isn’t a lot of math to identify shutdown D.
Most shutdown D tend to be bigger guys so there is that to it.
Hutson is a substantial prospect. Offense aside he is still an extremely effective defender.
Jared Spurgeon says hi.
If I was Holland I would 100% pick him in the first round if he is available. He is a gem.
I think Hutson is a better player than most believe, and am comfortable with these rankings.
I love the idea of Ryan Greene if we are able to get a late 2nd/early 3rd, and not just because he’s a good NL boy. Listed as 6’2″, 175 lbs. RC on EP and reportedly a terrific skater with great hands, passing and very defensively responsible. We could also keep tabs on he and Lachance playing together at BU next year.
Will be interesting to see if geopolitics affects the selection of Russian born players in this years draft. It was a thing in the distant past albeit for entirely different reasons.
It may be a somewhat distasteful thought, but it might also be “real and significant” and worthy of consideration in any draft analysis.
“We choose to do it not because it is easy, but because it is hard* ”
*pronounced “hawwd”
#KenHollandsWheelHouse
There is a good chance that current events make signing Russian born players easier.
There is also a good chance that current events make it more difficult for Russian born players to get out of the country.
It will definitely be an interesting aspect of the draft to watch as different GM’s make their call on how they see it playing out.
In the case of Ivan Miroshnichenko, he also has Hodgkin’s lymphoma to contend with. Under normal circumstances, he would be a likely top-10 (or even top-5) pick.
If he lasts to where the Oilers pick, do you make a safer selection or do you swing for the fences?
EDIT: My take–given how few picks the Oilers have, I’d make the safer selection.
The Russian Five was the nickname given to the unit of five Russian ice hockey players from the Soviet Union that played for the Detroit Red Wings in the 1990s. The five players were Sergei Fedorov, Vladimir Konstantinov, Slava Kozlov, Slava Fetisov, and Igor Larionov.
Three of the players were drafted by the Red Wings in 1989 and 1990, and their defections from the Soviet Union were aided by the Wings.
Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman played the five together as a unit at times from October 1995 to June 1997, but also mixed and matched them with other teammates.
The Russian Five were major contributors in the Red Wings’ Stanley Cup-winning run of the 1996–97 NHL season.
The Russian Five left a lasting impact on the way ice hockey was played and taught in North America, and had contributed to a major change in how European players were viewed in the NHL
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!
Hunter1909’s Playoff Death March for 2022…
Hunter1909’s Playoff Death March for 2022…
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
Hey hunter, put me down for 16 wins (for the cup!), 12 McD goals, and 12 Leon goals
thanks for doing this!
Tyler Boucher – in 24 games with the Ottawa 67’s this year 7-7-14 -7
What was Pierre Dorion thinking?
It was such a weird pick.
Jimmy Mann
Not sure, but rumour has it that he had just enjoyed a delicious Beef Bourguignon and a bottle of Château Pierre de Montignac, Médoc with his good friend Peter Chiarelli.
*Chiarelli is rumoured to have slipped out before the bill arrived.
Dylan Holloway might be Ethan Moreau? i hope the offense comes 🙂
Good Moreau presumably not Captain Moreau. Moreau’s right up there with Billy Guerin as a player whose initial acquisition had me cracking a celebratory beer #RightOn
Holloway’s offense is undoubtedly being effected by his recovery from wrist surgery. Mostly his shot.
He was shooting almost every shift last night, lots of missed nets, but he probably had 20 shot attempts. This was the first game he’s come anywhere close to that.
Ha – basically just typed that myself (and for the 5th/6th time since last night). I think I made a joke last night that he must have 20 shot attempts. It was something to behold.
Last night was a revelation – he was firing it all night long – a totally different “mentality” than before this most recent injury.
A great sign.
Ethan Moreau was a FANTASTIC player in his prime.
I don’t disagree that I’d like more offence but, from a high level, that is a great result.
Rod Brind’Amour.
He had over 85 points three times. That’s probably about 75 today and Holloway would also probably need the help of an elite talent, like Lindros was to get there. We have two so the possibility exists.
I think he’s likely to top out at a second line player, but you never know. Some of these guys put a lot of work into improving from year-to-year and Holloway could be one of those guys. And we really have no idea what his shot his like, pain-free and well-practiced, against pro net-minding.
I like the style comp though.
Right now, to me, I’d say at minimum, he looks to be at least a more talented Foegele. He might end up like one of your other comps… John Tonelli.
Practice today – also known as Darnell Nurse Watch.
I doubt we’ll see him skate today and will be looking at morning skate tomorrow but that’s just my feeling – also known as “absolutely meaningless”.
Well Fellow Lowetidians! The time has FINALLY arrived.
The time for us all to put aside petty differences and come together under the banner that unites us; For the love of the game and for the love of all things Oily,
I offer you this one small and futile gesture; This rallying cry that will once and for all put an end to the remnant’s of the decade of darkness
To a run so deep IT SPANS DECADES!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7vtWB4owdE
LET”S GOOOOOOOO! OILERS!
*Disclaimer (This clip is in no way intended as an endorsement for the use of drugs or alcohol or anything else resembling “the good life” )
LETS DO IT !!!!!!!!!!
Simple . But effective .
lol
I’m surprised Reebok or Adidas didn’t copyright it to compete with Nike’s “Just Win Baby!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OencLhL4UPc