Each season that slips away, I become more aware of time passing. I’m now at the age those old World War 2 veterans would have been when I played pool against them at the KV Bowl back in Maidstone. I won enough to play all day, buy a Coke and stay away from real work. Those were the days.
I’ve seen great things in my life as a hockey fan. I saw Bobby Orr win Stanley twice, the Oilers win five times and that beautiful Bruins team win about a decade ago. The NHL used to be a damnable league run by six guys, but Sam Pollock doesn’t live here anymore.
I hope to see the town team win Stanley, for many reasons. I have a friend Dean who was thrilled by the Joseph save and the Marchant breakaway, and when the Jets moved to the desert he adopted the Oilers as a team. Winnipeg has its team back, and Dean’s heart is somewhere between the moon and the Red River Floodway. Still, I think he’d celebrate.
I have two kids who are Flyers and Canucks fans, but I think a Stanley would sway them.
I’ve seen five Stanley visits to Edmonton, so my cup is full. I would like to see this team, the McDavid-Draisaitl-Nurse Oilers, win Stanley this decade. It’s not a crazy dream, either, truth to tell. It’s coming, soon. I think the key for this season, along with the deep run, is that the Colorado series leaves no doubt about areas that need to be cleaned up.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: In defence of Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse
- Lowetide: Oilers’ Warren Foegele may be victim of cap crunch this summer
- DNB: Oilers’ offense quickly devolves from strength to weakness against Avalanche
- Lowetide: WHL’s 2022 defence crop attractive target for Oilers at NHL Draft
- DNB: Oilers on brink of disaster after a crushing 2 minutes in Colorado
- DNB: Why the Oilers should play Dylan Holloway against the Avalanche
- Lowetide: Oilers GM Holland gets how much credit for playoff success?
- DNB: Why Cale Makar’s unquestionable goal did in the Oilers in Game 1
- DNB: Oilers vs. Avalanche is Manson vs. Manson
- Lowetide: Oilers’ Ryan McLeod uses blazing speed to move up depth chart
- DNB and Dan Robson: Connor McDavid is the best skater NHL’s skating greats have ever seen
- Peter Baugh and Lowetide: Breaking down Oilers vs. Avalanche
- Lowetide: Why Jordan Dumais could be NHL Draft steal for Edmonton Oilers
- Lowetide: Oilers future relies on quality coaching replacement in Bakersfield
- Lowetide: Has Oilers goalie Mike Smith earned the net in 2022-23?
- DNB: This is how Connor McDavid wins: ‘He’s like a shark circling the waters’
- DNB: How Dave Manson is making the Oilers blue line better
GAME DAY ITEMS
Evander Kane has been suspended, Kailer Yamamoto is hurt and Jesse Puljujarvi isn’t being used on a skill line by the Edmonton Oilers and coach Jay Woodcroft. The lines on Saturday were all over the place and I expect we’ll see plenty of shuffling this evening, too. Hyman-McDavid-Kassian is probably the most likely No.1 line, although I’d like to see JP on the top trio one final time.
Darnell Nurse had a strong season, and nice run through two rounds and the series against Colorado has been a disaster. I wrote about him today at The Athletic. If you’re betting on one player to be here at the end of the decade, it’ll be Nurse. It won’t be easy, though.
Smith to start? It’s too late to stop now. I had a long look at summer, and this is going to be a small tweak offseason due to cap. Even moving out Barrie and trading Kassian won’t be enough to sign another big name. Smith-Skinner seems likely in goal from this vantage point.
I want to see more of Ryan McLeod, and he seems more noticeable at center. What that means for next season? Nuge could be on left wing, and then it’s getting mighty crowded there. If trading Nuge meant signing Kane, is that a tradeoff you’d consider? Kane is a dynamite player, Nuge more subtle but possessing great utility.
Dylan Holloway could draw in tonight because of suspension and injury, joining a small list of Oilers draft picks who made their NHL debuts in the playoffs. Esa Tikkanen (1985) and Kelly Buchberger (1987) are two famous Oilers draft picks who did it, both in a year Stanley came home. It would be a compelling story line for Game Four.
POSSIBLE OILERS ROSTER 2022-23
If I were king of the world, this would be the summer plan.
Since the cap is a disaster, with no real relief until next summer, the best plan is to go short with the rfa’s, sign just one or two ufa’s who are affordable, and bring back an inexpensive goalie tandem. Ideally, a strong NHL goalie option is signed to play for the Bakersfield Condors, or it’s possible (not ideal) to run with three NHL goaltenders.
Use young forwards until the deadline, keep the successful ones and trade the non-keepers. If Edmonton’s top three left-wingers are Zach Hyman, Dylan Holloway and Warren Foegele, the price point (just over $9 million) is attractive. Sign a utility forward with scoring skills (Dominik Simon?) and then make your Kane move at the deadline. Less than ideal? Yes. Blame the cap mess, but don’t add to it.
At center, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins can roll or check down to wing, as No. 4 center Ryan McLeod can impact a game and is defensively aware even at this early stage. Around $28 million but the best set of pivots in the league.
Right wing returns youngsters Jesse Puljujarvi and Kailer Yamamoto on short-term deals designed to get team and player to a summer where the money is more available. I would prefer moving Zack Kassian along, not because he’s aging but because the team simply must deploy 12 more defensively responsible players among the forwards. Derek Ryan can play bottom six and help out at center as needed, and the third line job could go to an inexpensive winger (Alex Chiasson?) or perhaps a young forward in an organization overrun with prospects (Samuel Fagemo).
Defense needs work, but Darnell Nurse, Cody Ceci, Duncan Keith and Evan Bouchard will return. I think the Oilers should consider bringing back Brett Kulak, and deal Barrie for a RH with more defensive acumen (is Artem Zub available? Jonas Siegenthaler?). Philip Broberg can play either side, Markus Niemelainen is a Lorry on skates, and Dmitri Samorukov has similar qualities. One of them is likely to make the team, only Samorukov is waiver eligible.
LOWETIDE & JAMIESON
After a decade of the Lowdown running in basically the same style, and the Dave Jamieson Show having been without Dave for about a year, we decided to merge the two shows into one. Unlike Elon Musk and twitter, this is a merger with respect for each other and love for sports radio. Expect a fast paced four hours (10-2) with plenty of Dave and Matthew Iwanyk, plus more of me than you’ll want or need. I’m excited about this new opportunity, hope you’ll tune in and offer feedback. Our guests today include Darren Dreger, Matt Scianitti and Tom Gazzola, as we go wall to wall Game Four with a healthy dose of Canadian Men’s Soccer controversy thrown in. I expect we’ll talk about the Elks and NBA finals, too. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. It’s a new dawn, a new day, a new life, and I’m feeling good!
I think my favorite thing about this season was two fold.
1) the sneaky subtly of Bouchard. My god there is a very very good defenseman there but young guys will break your heart on occasion. This kid is the goods.
2) and really this is number 1 twice over – Ryan McLeod. Talk about a dude who’s game translates better to the NHL than the A and he’s your Oiler poster boy. I hope he puts in a hella lot work this offseason and arrives to camp with the confidence of a Northern AB God. I can see this guy blossoming into a beauty of a player. He’s very fast and can clearly think the game at that speed. Once he gets it into his head that he can drive the play himself and be a selfish cuss the sky is the limit. I loved his season through and through. He might be my next jersey if he sticks around.
Goalies available this off-season… Only three with proven track records:
Kuemper
Campbell
Fleury
With a good season from Husso (on a good team) but only the one.
All three proven goalies are hurt about as much as Smith. At least his injuries have better timing lol. They will all cost far more.
I don’t see a good clear solution out there for Holland. Maybe if Minnie signs Fleury. then they’d be looking to deal Talbot. I could maybe get behind that.
No good solution here and I don’t think it is a position Holland likes to spend a lot of money on to solve.
So do they sign someone cheap like an Anderson they can bury in the minors as a mentor and have him ready in case of injury? Or a more robust backup plan?
This is depressing.
Quite frankly, Kuemper has been not good here in the playoffs.
And Fleury will be 38 next year.
Ugh
The playoff SV%s don’t exactly inspire confidence either, when these guys are going to cost a lot more than the incumbent who had an inconsistent .913 SV%.
Fleury .906
Kuemper .897
Campbell .897
Husso .890
Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse revealed that he was playing with a torn hip flexor for the entire playoffs after his team was eliminated.
After his team was eliminated, Edmonton Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse revealed that he was playing with a torn hip flexor for the entire playoffs.
I just copy/pasted the copy from spurtsnet 😉
We may have seen the last game the Bison King plays. Very good chance Pujo is not an Oiler next year. Jesse is going to be something more–he’s still developing–but can the Oilers wait? Obviously, it’s Mandelbaum time.
Hyman will be come a permanent fixture at right wing. Or they opt out of the Kane sweepstakes (if it goes full Ed McMahon) and sign a cheaper guy like Perron and turn the rest of the money into goalie or big D.
Either way, there’s a chance that was the last game for Jesse, Tyson, and McLovin. Not sure that’s enough, or that it can be done without moving Kass. If I had to guess, they’re leery at trading Kassian. Filth in the line-up is valued and he’s more of a threat to score than say Georges was, which is saying something. But the final number comes down to Kane.
Regardless, clear some cap space and if you can’t sign Kane get one of the other 20+ goal scorers available UFA. They’ll all be second target to him, and then Gaudreau, so there should be a value contract in there.
It’s time for his own good and career to start over somewhere fresh. I say Carolina.
Kane brings more material filth then Kassian does.
Kane brings real truculence.
Haha “truculence” always makes me think of Burkiesaurus. “Poise” makes me think of Lowe. Thinking of both of them makes me wish they had rented that barn.
What I’ve learned in the playoffs. Western conference goalies are not so good. Smith was bad again this series, but so was Francouz. Ditto for the Calgary series. St. Louis goaltending wasn’t any better either. Smith is not the reason we lost this series – he certainly didn’t help though – but it will be an eye-opening experience for the Avs to face a real goaltender in the final.
If all goalies are playing bad, and we’re seeing [recent] record goals against this season, I think there has been a shift in play to the shooters. Expansions always seem to lead to increases in goals against. These in particular are two sets of skaters that eat goalies for breakfast. When you play the same teams over and over, rosters are going to get exposed. Kind of similar to baseball like that.
I think all you can do against either of these offenses is survive and they did a much better job of that than we did. Two fastest teams in the League. Would’ve been nice to see how we looked with more health in our player core.
Alternatively maybe find a goalie who isn’t bad and then you win? Smith let in 5 goals in 21 minutes and 19 seconds, I think. It’s a low bar. Rather than race to the bottom maybe find a goalie who can be consistently average.
What a wild season and playoffs! Proud of this team with how far they got and that they never quit.
Thanks for another great season of The Lowetide blog LT. Looking forward to draft, free agency etc coverage!
JP has looked like less than the sum of his parts to me throughout this run.
75/25 he is no longer an Oiler next year
His stock has been so up and down. A shrewd GM would wait to consider any trade until his stock is at a high point again
A smart gm will get him for peanuts this summer.
Oilers finished top 4 in the league, won the BOA, beat the division champs, recovered the mid season blues, had an insane powerplay for the first leg of the season, and had a playoff goalie who faced high-volume amount of shots.
It’s hard to NOT dislike this season, even if there was ups and downs.
I think the goalie saw a high volume of shots because the opponents sensed weakness. I agree the season was a success, and I had so much fun watching this team, but I’d like to see a different goalie lead the way next season.
Both goalies were .857 tonight. One faced more shots.
True story.
I would prefer the Oilers goalie be .910-.915 save percentage rather than ‘prevent more shots’. They had enough shots and enough goals to win.
The other team had more shots and more goals so the Oilers need to either score more or prevent more.
A better goaltending performance prevents more goals.
Maybe we can aspire to winning a goaltending duel? Or having a better than average or even excellent goalie? 5 goals against in 21 minutes and 19 seconds.
The Oilers did have the better goaltender, by far, in each of the first 2 series.
So much respect for Leon for all he accomplished on half a knee. Tough to set franchise records when you play for the Oilers, hell, he set some NHL records. Even suffering through every shift he’s giving full value on the dollar and telling us to keep the change.
A superhero performance. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen better considering the circumstances.
It is fine to appreciate this season’s accomplishments, and also lament all that they left on the table
Which this season is a lot. Given the Cup fell off the expected table
This is correct.
Brown’s analysis of the OT goal.
Malone was 66 percent on the face-off coming into that draw. but lost the face-off.
Oiler winger didn’t get in the shooting lane.
Keith lost his man. If there’s any kind of rebound Laukonen scores. The biggest mistake of the three.
On the replay, Keith got caught puck watching and Lehkonen got all the separation he needed. Not a good look for the veteran.
Show this footage on a loop for the entire summer to him…like text bomb him everyday. Maybe sprinkle in a couple foot races he got dusted on this year too.
Then follow-up texts of “Hang em up”.
I’m sure the Twitter crowd will be all over that one. He did have some good performances this year but he is clearly trending downwards in the defensive zone.
That was not the first time he was beaten clean to the net front
I love Mike Smith, I really do. It’s been a blast cheering for him, a total roller coaster thrill ride. But I am all for them trying to upgrade the goaltending. It’s time.
That said, this team’s inability to keep the puck out of their own net, inability to hold leads and inability to choke down tie games and kill clock in a low event manner has nothing to do with Mike Smith.
47,40,43,42.
Shots on net by Col in the series.
We may have had a chance with Jesus H Christ in the pipes but that’s about it.
The Oilers need to add to their toolbox the ability to slow games down, kill clock, block shots and hold leads.
I am for a new goalie but this is not Mike Smith’s fault alone.
completely agree
And, now this is whacked, Mike Smith leads the playoffs with 2 shutouts.
I said this above, but look where the shots came from. Teams were shooting from everywhere because Smith gets scored on from everywhere. He’ll be OK as a mentor and backup next year, but he is not a pennant winning goalie.
Cheering for Avs to win the cup. Gonna have to pay big time for all the free agents.
More than $30 million in cap space.
No dead cap.
The worst managed teams are the Canadian teams.
Pretty much.
Well. I’m sad. Colorado was definitely the deeper and better team. But the gap wasn’t a 4 games to 0 series. This was basically the opposite of the Calgary series. I think the oilers were the better team in that series, but not 4 to 1.
My main thoughts:
All right. I’m done.
Thanks to LT and this entire community for a place to discuss all things Oilers and hockey. It’s amazing.
Cheers
RE:Smith’s post-goal antics in general – I really don’t think this is good form for goaltenders. If you team doesn’t like you, a ‘serves him right’ attitude can set in and you can get less battle from your teammates on D. If your team likes you they might start to feel bad, which can lead to them trying to do too much. When your D man tries to take the pass and the shot at the same time, he doesn’t really take either.
I think goalies should strive to react to great saves and terrible blunders alike with complete, unflappable calm. Believing their goalie has himself sorted out helps the team keep themselves sorted out.
Teams are supposed to focus on beating the opposition, not playing goalie headcase with mikethealbertagoaliesmith.
Goalies are supposed to make big saves and hold their team in it, not allow howler after howler then blame everyone on the team for not being perfect enough for mikesmiththealbertagoalie.
My quick run through of the other games shows that no team who scored 5 goals or more in a playoff game lost.
Except the Oilers.
Three times.
Issues
Is this any different then what you post about the coach?
Wish that Woody was asked about his defence since he had 6 goals pumped into his net in his own barn.
He was asked that. He said they can do a lot better defensively. They scored 5 goals tonight and that should be enough to win the game.
I see some goals as being scored by players (holy crap lookit what Connor did), some goals being scored by teams (watching footage of the old CCCP team passing the puck into the net), and some goals are scored on goalies (insert Mike Smith blooper reel here at double tempo with Benny Hill music playing).
To my eye, both sides had about as many goals scored on their goalies, but worth keeping in mind that Smith faced more shots and (I think) of higher quality. I think Edmonton got more goals scored by players, but I think Colorado got more goals scored by teams, and at the NHL level, I think most goals are usually scored by teams. All JMO
Team defense, it’s a thing. Someday the Oilers will learn it.
Maybe, maybe not
Then a Cup is unlikely.
LOL
Thanks!
solution: NHL above average under 35 y/o goalie
Bold ideas Hunter. Will take radical new thinking to implement.
Thanks for your entertaining companionship this season as always good sir.
Fun Fact – Mike Smith still has the most shutouts in the playoffs this year. 2nd fun fact Mike Smith faced more rubber than Jenna Jameson in her prime these playoffs!
Calgary’s Vezina nominee got beaten like a rented mule when it was on the line. Let down his Jack Adam’s winning coach, five career years from his forwards and defense and wilted when all he had to do was make a save behind the best defensive team in the NHL this year! What! A! Loser! Can’t believe Treliving signed such a waste of skin for that money and term! Regular Season hero, playoff bum!
Now for some Dark Facts about Mike Smith
I heard Mike Smith was the 2nd gunman in Dallas, was the deal maker that set up Ollie North in Nicaragua, was the guy who helped Iran smuggle oil and was the guy who shaved Chuck Norris’ mustache when he was sleeping! What a piece of work.
Between you blaming Smith for everything and Sierra playing devils advocate for all Oilers goalies no matter how much they crapped the bed I think we’re almost at the point where we can say the TEAM fell slightly short.
helluva run, beyond expectations (the Jekyll and Hyde of the team extends to the fan base lol), but a helluva run.
My next favorite thing behind all this is HH saying how he put 3 units on the most favored team to win the Cup and manages to punk this blog into thinking he’s a seer.
This is all for the best gents. Gotta go through hell before you get to the promised land.
Tough not to like and respect Makar. I despise Landeskog and Mackinnon for their dirty plays this series but man Makar is so good all around.
Makar and Byram make it very hard to actually possess the puck…..
Haha a younger version of me would be firing up EA NHL right now and trading 3 Sam Gagners and 2 2nd rounders for Makar.
Woody ended his presser by saying ‘we’ve got to do more, and we’re going to’. I’m assuming that means his deal is all but signed.
Woody speaks in large themes
And seems like he might be a bit cocky
If a serious coach pops up I wouldn’t bet on it
This round was poor coaching as I saw it
Babcock Trotz and Q are out there
And Holland I think owing to his experience is completely fine sitting on failed seasons
He has no sense of urgency
Well to be fair, he’s old enough to be dead.
-1
We’ll see
Holland usually doesn’t try too hard
He likes the guide book and Woody is a footnote there
Sniff sniff – smells like a troll.
The round was shoddy goaltending and poor defense, especially in transition. Oiler D is nowhere near a top 4 team D.
Babcock? You mean the guy that bullies teenagers and screws over a Hall of Famer who played 1499 games just so he could flex?
I hope that toxic piece of trash never sees the inside of a dressing room again unless he’s sweeping up after beer league games.
Gifted nothing but All Star teams he fooled everyone into thinking he was a savant.
Its interesting that a bunch of the most well respected coaches of a certain era ended up bullying their players, literally kicking them, or abetted the worst sorts of abuse.
Tells you what you need to know about a certain vintage of “hockey men” who could do know wrong.
Ill take Woody ten days out of ten because I don’t think he’s preying on the young men he coaches.
Babcock? get out of here with that asinine crap.
Babcock is well known as being hated by his players, and Q literally allowed a player to be sexually assaulted and did nothing about it. I’ll take Woodcroft.
Molson three stars
Woody sounding pretty confident he will back for more. I think he’s earned that chance.
He and Holland must’ve discussed something by now.
I’ve been saying since before the playoffs that I presume they have agreed that Woody and Manson will be back and they’ll bang out the terms in the off-season.
Last week Holland all but confirmed it – said something along the lines of it being one of the things he needs to deal with in the off-season.
Great season. So much fun being along for the ride.
This is incredibly valuable experience for the Oilers.
Rishaug asks Woody if he considered backing off Nurse’s minutes – Woody states they did play 7 D, and says other team has good players and can’t look at just one guy.
Woodcroft:
“There’s a lot more [injuries] that hasn’t been made public.”
Maybe he shouldn’t have been on board with his skill players going full Messier
What???????)
They got banged up??????)???
After never having played that way ever before ever ever?????
Not that any non beast skill player ever should????
And Connor being 190 and a smidge pounds ??????????)???
No time for Woody right now
What are you talking about?
None of that makes sense haha
Coaches all in on Connor hitting
Idiotic
Leon started his reverse hits and etc
Injuries soon after that
Players that haven’t come up doing that don’t have the skills to not get hurt
Finishing checks vs hits
Its not a new thing that it happens
Reverse hits are an essential part of Drai’s game. It’s what he is as a player. Playing with his back turned to his opponent is a fundamental part of his game.
Connor wasn’t injured…
Leon’s injury was cause he got tackled in an after whistle scrum and his leg ended up enderneath him (no call) not cause of reverse hits…
Nurse hurt his hip in the regular season on an unfortunate but routine check behind the net. Yamo got blindsided on a hit (no call) and Kane got suspended cause Kadri is a loser.
No need to make shit up when the truth is easier to make sense of haha
Are you, or have you ever been, a member of the Mysterians…
Yes
No
On the bright side, Puljujarvi led the playoffs in “3rd assists.”
Yea… yea… I really really want JP to tune into something but man. Clueless offensively is the only way I can put it. On occuassion he’ll find himself in the right spot (usually on a rush) but I dunno.
One years experience five times in the O-Zone.
Itll ensure that next contract is a cheapie though so that helps in a way?
JP needs a new home. He needs a fresh start elsewhere. No use in keeping a player that the coach and management do not believe in.
Playoff chokers need not apply.
JP was completely useless all playoffs and I’m sick of hearing of how good his fancy stats are. Bottom line the guy did absolutely nothing in the last 4 months of the season. Could careless if he was back next year.
I agree. The reasons as to why he basically shutdown we may never know. He will be shipped out for picks.
If you’ve decided your trading him isn’t he the perfect pump and dump player?
Get him on the cheap, play him with 97 for a few months then cash him for a better return than his value will get you now.
You make too much sense. They had him on the cheap and had him with 97. Then Woodt dropped him from that line and pp and now he will be gifted away. Fans should pray once he is moved that he is Yakupov 2.0 because if he blossoms elsewhere the team will look awfully bad once again…
Well, that was quite a ride!
Proud of the boys for what they accomplished this season.
This team is legit, with a goalie…damn near outscored it too, with Nurse and Drai held together with bail twine and duct tape.
I’m rooting for my second team, the broadway blueshirts, now (got the feels after Messier beat the Nucks…I was just a kid, but my Grandma loved Messier, and was all over the Rangers that year. Good memories watching that run with her), but I think Tampa might be the only team that can fight through the refs love affair with the Avs.
Hat tip to LT for a fantastic venue to watch the game with. Love hitting refresh during games.
While I do hope Kulak is re-signed at a good price, we really need a very mean big defenseman who can skate to help balance things out.
Darnell Nurse?
He’s not nearly enough on his own. Other than him, the rest are kind of similar player types.
I think they could use 2 Kulaks and 1 less Kieth next season
Nurse confirms torn hip flexor throughout playoffs.
Ouch. Thanks
How long does it take to heal a torn hip flexor?
Recovery time for minor tears to hip flexors takes around two or three weeks. More significant tears can take up to six weeks. Severe hip injuries and tears can take closer to eight weeks to heal.
Anywhere from 3-6 weeks. Amazing that he played through it as long as he did.
He could be good to go by pre season.
Tough player. Hope he gets a speedy recovery with no complications.
Speaking from experience, that’s one disabling injury.
SMITH hurt most of the year, Koski Got team to playoffs. You would think Koski would have got a game or more given the way Smith was playing
We now have a Big Save Dave!
For me, we got Good Mike Smith often enough that Bad Mike Smith was worth putting up with, even though he cost us a couple games over the course of the run.
Both goalies are far too inconsistent – they both let in softies cause their technique is poor. For those advocating for Koskinen … remember that this is the goalie that holds the record for most goals without any saves … 4 goals in 4 shots. Koskinen was decidedly not the answer.
Smith is better than Koskinen by virtue of his stick-handling ability. Koskinen should simply never leave the net … he’s that bad at handling the puck. Smith tries to do too much, which gets him into trouble. Smith also plays too deep in his net and relies solely on his reflexes now, rather than sound positioning. He looks punch-drunk in net now.
Neither goalie is good enough to win a Cup, but they can get you to the playoffs. So that’s the play for next season … let Smith-Skinner start the season. Gives you a chance to evaluate Skinner properly. If he can’t take over the number 1 role from Smith, then you spend a 1st at next year’s deadline to get a goalie good enough to put Smith in the press box.
I think if we had their goaltenders and they had Smith and Koskinen, they still would have won. JMO
Smith at the mic on Sportsnet – no responsibility taken. Collectivized all of it.
Not one ‘Me’ or ‘I’. Which is what leaders use when they let their teammates down. You own it. Especially when you’re a goalie/catcher/pitcher/QB/captain. That’s the sort of person you need in that position.
This stuff matters.
For the team. With personal, individual accountability. That’s how you win.
It’s just such a damn shame.
This is not accurate. He clearly admitted to not making enough saves.
Hate is not healthy.
“We didn’t get saves” is not the same as “I didn’t stop the pucks my team needed me to”.
He collectivized it.
It’s fairly obvious the goaltender is the one who has to make the saves. You’re literally obsessing over pronoun usage when the guy’s facing the media 5 minutes after his childhood dream crashed and burned.
Could he have been better? Absolutely? But it was a sweep. It didn’t come down to one player or one play.
If you want to get mad at something that dramatically impacted the outcome of this series, blame the refs.
Seriously? There is only one person responsible for making saves.
My god – narratives – be better.
Remember the arms waiving forward when he let in the shot from the other D zone
It’s just you Mike
Yep.
I sincerely wonder about his vision.
A Josh Hamilton situation would explain the wild swings in performance and also the lack of ability to track the puck that leads to awkward saves and the chest-drops.
(For those who don’t baseball – Hamilton was big into fitness and taking too much caffeine – gave him blurry vision and his hitting went completely in the toilet. He corrected it after finally figuring it out and came back strong again)
I don’t think it was caffeine that he was taking…..
That was the first go-round you’re thinking of.
After that he dealt with too much caff leading to dry eye and blurring. He was taking an absurd amount and no one told him it would mess him up (not a genius apparently).
Body language can have very differ Meaning for different ppl.
I think Smith gave the Oilers 3 winnable starts out of 4 against one of the four best teams in the league. I think it’s important to stand behind good work, and I think it’s a shame that NHL culture often punishes people for that.
Maybe game 3 was a decent game for him. Games 1 and 4 were poor. Game 2 was okay but he should have stopped the Manson goal.
Mike Smith needs to join professional wrestling at this point.
Was listening to a Flames podcast and the way they described him from the perspective of ex fans forced to rely on Smith when he played on the Flames was sadly true.
“Never know which Smith shows up” Calgary fans
“As a fan with Smith in goal you get too stressed out” Calgary fans
One negative comment and then I promise no more, and I will begin realizing how special this run truly was:
I had liked and respected Mackinnon as a player prior to this series but after the slew foot, knee and complete lack of humility in his post game interview I have completely lost both for him as a player and person. I sincerely hope he never wins a cup and will be pulling hard for the Rags or Bolts to upset them.
Having said that now, the boys likely deserved one or both of those home games and I know “deserve” means nothing on the scoreboard, but I could not be more proud of the effort they put forward nor more proud to be a fan of this team.
Now let’s take tomorrow off and watch Bourg rip it up on TSN on his way to the Mem Cup. Go Oilers!!
Not a word out of place.
What did he say in the post-game? I had turned off the TV before that.
Paraphrasing but essentially how they dominated the game and should’ve won before OT. Seemed oddly out of place. Maybe just rubbed me the wrong way due to my rage at the time, but I stand my it haha.
Yeah, that’s a really odd take on his end. Showing off some insecurity perhaps.
Agreed
Dirty team no props
MacKinnon is a Prima Donna with a bad temper unlike Woody I would of had Kane exploit this.
I now dislike their team, players, and fans in the same way I dislike the Flames and Kings. It’s ridiculous and I’m cheering the Rangers on like heck.
To add to this: I will have a LOT of Schadenfreude once they don’t win the Cup and have to somehow finally pay their players.
Bottom 6 All Star?
Warren Foegele tonight
0GF/ 2 GA
1 assist in – 14 playoff games.
Might I suggest both Carolina and Edmonton lost that Bear/ Foegele trade
Foegele was supposed to be a 3rd liner.
That’s probably the best take on the Bear-Foegele trade – both teams tried to address depth issues in their lineups. Both players failed to deliver this season and are now on the bubble with their respective teams.
I’ve seen a lot of people shitting on Bear, but it’s important to note that it was long covid that derailed his season more than anything else.
Am curious to get official info on Nurse and Drai injuries.. and others. Very proud of this team. Truly great run. I am confident they will be back.
All in all it was a fun season and postseason. In the depths of the Tippet slump I doubt anyone saw the team making it to the WCF.
As of this moment Edmonton is the best team in the Pacific, the best team in Alberta and the best team in Canada, hopefully next year they’re the best team in the league.
Thanks for another great season LT.
With Smithkkinen as the goalies – Oilers were as good as guaranteed not to win the cup.
Brad Malone loses the draw on the winning goal.
Brad was OK but, really, he should not have been in the lineup – really.
Agreed. It was a bit of a Toby/Liam decision.
MALONE loses draw.
KEITH is right beside Lehkonen, somehow 10ft gap is created.
M SMITH swims to the corner.
Season Over.
Yes, I have to agree.
Can’t complain great run. We were beaten by (swept) a much better team.
The issues are the same as the last few years.
Goaltending and bottom 6 forwards on the roster.
Don’t forget a poorly balanced D
I don’t believe that’s accurate if Nurse was healthy. The addition of Kulak balanced it nicely.
I doubt Keith gets any better year over year. He was pretty exposed against Colorado. Lehkonnen beat him to the front of the net because he got caught watching the play. Had a lot of trouble with outside speed. I think they need to consider moving on from him and upgrading.
The Avalanche have FOUR D that are better than any D on the Oilers.
They will always be in the way of any route to the cup.
Just when I think you couldn’t stoop any lower, you choose this time to show up and rant. Not only are you void of integrity and social skills, but this clearly shows you lack a soul. This is the lowest of your lows.
The issue last year was not having enough depth scoring beyond McDrai – if they can get Kane resigned, then the depth at the top of the roster will trickle down to rest of the forwards corps:
Kane-McDavid-Puljujarvi
Hyman-Draisaitl-Yamomoto
Holloway-RNH-Ryan
Foegele-McLeod-??
That’s not so bad – Shore and Kassian are signed, but Kassian almost certainly gets bought out.
Defence is pretty solid – a healthy Nurse is paramount. Keith was played way too much against the Avs. Kulak has been a great pickup, and can move in the 2nd pairing position. Keith’s cap number brings with it some pain though … he needs to retire.
Goaltending is the bigger pickle – what’s available is not that inspiring and there’s not enough cap space available to sign Kane and a UFA goalie, unless Keith retires.
You have JP, Yamamoto and Kane in there.
Something needs to give cap wise to have that happen
Derek Ryan had 1 goal in 15 playoff games here and turns 36 next year.
But I agree in general with a RNH/ Holloway combo can create some scoring….
Incredible season, even with the bitter taste after this series. Coming back against LA, taking out Cgy in 5 and seeing Drai/McD go super nova… I’ll remember this run for certain.
Hopefully another big step towards hoisting the cup in the next couple years. Like LT mentioned, it’ll be an interesting summer and hopefully Woody has some input because we all know him and Manson earned a contract.
Lots to complain about, lots to celebrate. Thanks to the host as always.
Our guys were hurt. The refs were a joke. We need to find lightning in a bottle with a new goalie. I really hope this isn’t the closest the McDavid Oilers ever get.
That was a damn blast! What a run.
Injuries and a really dumb suspension caught up with em.
Too bad.
The reffing from these playoffs will in fact cause a conversation this offseason. I’ll put a unit on the Avs losing their five year streak of drawing the most penalties haha.
After this series I can all but guarantee nobody but Connor McDavid will win a Hart or Art Ross in the next 5ish years.
This is the sorta thing that leaves a nice sour taste in your mouth. And that’ll be for the better.
The Avs are prisses, they made a deal with Devil. This is their only shot.
The Decade of Dominance begins next year.
Helluva year, helluva year! Heal up boys, their are balls to bust next year.
Woody shouldn’t have been so cocky last round
It had little to do with him as I saw it. A lot of luck and whatever
He was absolutely schooled this round. Disturbingly so. Zero work arounds
We can only hope it had to do with things we don’t know. Because what we saw was plainly stupid
No good adjustments. Lost the series quick. As bad as Old Schoolers
So
Time to hit Capfriendly
Here we go. Minutes after. You’ve been saving that since the LA series.
There are so many minor adjustments made in-game (and between games) by the coaches that have nothing to do with deployment – its so pretentious to think that one knows what the coach is, or isn’t doing and to make statements regarding “no adjustment”
I will preface this by acknowledging that I’m frustrated right now, and I know the Oilers had a great year overall, and I’m proud to cheer for them.
But…
I feel this series was partially lost through a number of unforced errors. Yes, the Avs are definitely a good team, however:
-If we had even average goaltending, I think the Oilers would have won games 1,3, and 4. Especially games 1 and 4. Mike Smith cost them this series. I never want to see this walking hurricane play another game in Oiler silks, nor do I want to see any more of his tantrums or stick throwing displays (as an aside, losing your cool like that over his own mistake in this game was just idiotic – what message are you sending to your bench??)
-Nurse should have had his minutes drastically cut after game 1, and Woodcroft not doing so is a major mistake by the coach, imo. Feelings don’t matter, I’m sure all these guys just want the best chance of winning.
-I was surprised by some of Woodcroft’s deployment decisions like Archibald, Nurse, never playing Koskinen (after saying we would need both guys in the playoffs) even as Smith clearly waned as the playoffs wore on. Having said that, I hope we sign Woody and Manson to stay on as coaches.
As for other random thoughts:
-The Refs are actual garbage. Missed calls on MacKinnon (who was dirty as hell and I lost all respect for him, that Zucchini eating psycho), Landeskog and handing the game to the Avs with the terrible call on Ryan to name just a few.
-I hate the Sportsnet Panel, man is it bad. You would never know the Oilers are in the final four and the last Canadian team remaining. Also, there is very little intelligent analysis going on there, especially from Kelly Hrudey. Ron lost his luster without Don by his side.
-I have no respect for MacKinnon and Landeskog. They are great players, but holy smokes if Kane did the stuff they pulled in this series, all the online mensa reddit topminds would be crying until they are blue in the face.
-McDavid and Draisaitl were epic all playoffs long, I sincerely hope they win a cup with the Oilers and I can watch it happen.
-Clap clap – Let’s Go Oilers! GG boys.
You nailed it
If mike have any self respect…he should retire.
The Smith tantrum you’re referring to was about Landeskog using his stick to shove him into the net and uncover the puck. It was goalie interference, but there was no chance a challenge would have gone the Oilers’ way.
Whether there was a missed call or not, I knew damn well as a goaltender at 14 to not throw a team confidence-sapping tantrum. This is a 40-year-old man for Pete’s sake. When Keith got mad about something he went stealth lumberjack on some unfortunate’s legs the next shift, like a proper veteran.
Bob prognosticating on the off-season…
–100% McLeod and Yamamoto will be re-signed [Bisone notably missing]
–Kane’s most important three words… Winning, Lifestyle, and Money. If Oilers can convince him, good chance he signs here.
–Expects Kulak to be re-signed
–Nurse likely to miss the beginning of the season after surgery.
–Expects something creative to happen surrounding Barrie, Foegele and Kassian to make space for Kane.
Yama wasn’t playing when it counted
Normal check
He’s not fast or productive enough to warrant any more time
I’m done. He is too small for a feature roll on a contender
Did he say anything about the goaltending? The rest is just window dressing if we do nothing there.
No he didn’t but in his discussion with Spec this afternoon they were discussing an upgrade. Spec would do that instead of signing Kane.
With few draft picks, would love to eavesdrop on the calls with Kenny trying to unload Foggy and Kass
JP is done. The writing has been on the wall for a long time….
I’m not normally a glass half full type of person.
But this deep playoff run, following the turnaround after the coaching change…
I’ll take it.
There’s work to do, but this experience was golden for this franchise, and given the circumstances I feel like they achieved everything they realistically could have this year.
This game and series stings, but there was way more good than bad in this stretch run and post-season.
Super disappointing result. This game should of been won. That said it’s been a terrific year. It’s not easy getting this far.
Obviously we need a goalie. Smith is a battler for sure but that doesn’t win games. Most of the pieces are there for a big run next year. This series has lessons learned. Bring on next year
and thanks everyone for all the comments this year good and bad
Draisaitl is a warrior. Played on one leg half the playoffs and might still finish second in points when its over.
What a ride…
Thanks guys for getting me through the highs and these lows this season. Been a great year with an ending that left me wanting just a couple more games. Pretty damn good though.
And thanks to you LT for this space…us Oiler fans really need it. You are the man.
Man. If they could’ve just closed this one out. Kane back. Kadri out. Woulda. Coulda. Shoulda.
I love hockey, but damn is the NHL a bush league.
The Keith trade is officially done: the Oilers will give Chicago their 3rd this year.
Montreal gets our 2nd for Kulak.
Barring trades, Oilers have one pick each in rounds 1, 5, 6 and 7 this summer.
Oilers will have all their picks next year except for round 4 (Brassard).
Thankfully, we have lots of cap room…..oh, wait.
I expect a massive spike in Draisatl jersey sales this offseason. I might be one, if they will deliver to Mexico.
I’ve never been more proud to have a Draisaitl jersey. What. A. Player.