The Edmonton Oilers could have drafted a big power winger during the first round in 2019, 2020 or 2021, but chose a defenseman and a couple of impressive forwards. As the 2022 draft arrived, a look at the prospect depth chart showed a lack of size-skill on the wings. General manager Ken Holland added Evander Kane at the NHL level and Reid Schaefer via the first round of the draft. Schaefer is a brand new prospect we don’t really know, and there are many questions.
The Nuge has seen it all in his 11 years with the Oilers. This season, he'll play No. 1 & No. 2 LW plus No. 3 C, with strong competition for playing time in all 3 spots. The PP and PK killing magic are a given, but where should he play at five-on-five? https://t.co/w5bVRVm0Lg
DNB: First-round pick Reid Schaefer can bring ‘big-boy hockey’ to his hometown team
REID SCHAEFER QUESTIONS
Schaefer is signed, why didn’t you include him on the ‘Riesen to Believe’ list? He isn’t a serious candidate to make the team. The only junior on the list is Matvey Petrov, who can play in Bakersfield or go back to junior. He isn’t going to make the Oilers either, but Schaefer is a certainty for junior in 2022-23.
What is Schaefer? Big winger, 6.03, 213, scored 32 goals in his first full WHL season. Impressive. He averaged 3.5 shots per game last season and had a 14.0 shooting percentage. 21 of his goals came at evens, nine on the power play and two shorthanded. He enjoyed an impressive playoff.
Who is his style comparable? Red Line compared his style to Patrick Maroon.
So he’ll play for the Oilers and then win multiple Stanley Cups after he leaves? So angry.
Who is his math comparable? I mentioned Lawson Crouse and Max Jones in an article leading up to the draft. There are also names like Austin Wagner and Keegan Kolesar.
You really know how to sell a player. I think it was a good bet. The scouting report on him is strong and he spiked late offensively. Corey Pronman, who is an excellent evaluator, mentioned Alex Killorn as a comparable. Pronman called him “a big, nasty goal-scoring winger” and that’s likely the reason Edmonton grabbed him.
How long have they needed a power winger? Well, there was a time when everyone said “they should get someone like Milan Lucic” and then they got Milan Lucic except he wasn’t Milan Lucic anymore. So, since Maroon left.
You are more exhausting than you used to be. It’s been almost 20 years since the Oilers drafted Jean-Francois Jacques. We’re all a little askew.
What power wingers should they have drafted in the past? I don’t know that the Oilers should have drafted one previously, but it’s been a need for some time. In 2019 Matthew Boldy was available (Edmonton chose Philip Broberg), in 2020 it was Will Cuylle (he would have been a second rounder, Edmonton didn’t have one). At the 2021 draft, Zachary L’Heureux was available.
Who are the forwards currently on the NHL or AHL roster, or in the system, who qualify as big, nasty goal-scoring wingers? Evander Kane is a perfect fit in this category, and Tyler Wright has added some names in recent drafts.
Well? Who are they? Maxim Berezkin (or Beryozkin) is a big, strong winger who shoots right and plays LW in the KHL and MHL. He’s physical, aggressive and has a shooter’s mentaility with the puck on his stick. Speed is an issue but he is highly regarded as a prospect.
Who else? Shane Lachance has size and some skill (11-12-23 in 55 USHL games) and is headed to Boston University. He’s 6.05, 195 and turns 19 in three weeks. A draft and follow, he was barely eligible for the 2021 draft (Born August 30, 2003) and has lots of development time.
And then Schaefer is the only other one? Yes. That’s right.
Who will be the best one 10 years from now? Draft pedigree says Schaefer, who was chosen No. 32 overall, much earlier than Berezkin (No. 138 in 2020) and Lachance (No. 186 in 2021). A decade from now, all three could be playing in Europe or their careers will be done.
The Oilers can’t draft. The day is ruined. Actually, the Oilers can draft, the day when players chosen outside the first round make it in the NHL has returned. There are five names since 2015 chosen outside the first round who are legit NHL players or headed there. More on the way, too. Very encouraging.
Do any of these men have real offensive ability? For each man, that will be a big part of how high they fly in pro hockey.
How can you measure their offense? I use NHL equivalency, it’s far from perfect but the best available measure currently. For Schaefer, his NHLE (per 82 games) is 12-10-22, that range would project him as a top-nine left winger in the NHL if he continues to develop.
Can you put it into context? Well, among previous Oilers selections this century who were WHL forwards with some physicality, Schaefer’s 22 NHLE looks excellent. Mitch Moroz in 2012 (6-3-9) and Travis Ewanyk in 2011 (also 6-3-9), were somewhat similar players but didn’t have enough offense to make the NHL. I think Schaefer will, and he has interesting wrinkles in his game. Like, he scored 20 goals in his final 36 games of the year.
What about the other two men? Berezkin had an NHLE of 9-14-23 in Russian junior hockey last season, but he turned 20 in October so it changes the equation on his season. He was also used sparingly in 30 KHL games, going 1-1-2, for an NHLE of 2-2-4.
Who uses a guy sparingly for 30 games? I know. Kind of unusual.
What about the other guy? Lachance’s NHL equivalency right now is 4-5-9. It’s far less impressive but he was true 18 in the USHL last season.
What do you mean true? You have to watch the ages closely. Lachance had an NHLE of 4-5-9 at age 18. He was born August 30, 2003. Schaefer had an NHLE of 12-10-22, and he was drafted one full year later despite being just three weeks younger.
So is this good or bad? It isn’t good or bad. It’s something we should keep in mind when projecting these young men.
Who is the most valuable prospect? Schaefer. Then Berezkin. Lachance is a draft and follow who showed a heartbeat one year ago.
Based on where they were drafted, and progress made, who among them was a good draft investment? All three. Not a doubt in my mind.
Can we talk about something else? Sure, what’s on your mind.
What do you think of the two WJ prospects? Luca Munzenberger can skate, very well, so he’ll turn pro and have a career. Defensively he looks good, even better than in the last tournament. He has no fear, is big and strong and you can’t beat him outside. He can pass and transport, I saw him score a goal at one of these tournaments and he was impressive. Sure it was a “holy crap, Terry Harper scored!” goal but he has it in him, just not all the time. Good prospect, he could make it.
And Maatta? He is a shutdown center but isn’t fast, so his window is very small. If he could improve his skating, or blossom offensively, I’d suggest there’s a spark. As it is, you draft players late who have one true thing and Maatta’s is defensive ability. It’s a cruel road for these player-types, ask Anton Lander.
Finally, you seem pleased with Holland and I’m pretty sure he isn’t team building in the way you prefer. What’s up? It’s true I’m a build through the draft believer, and I do think the trades during the 2015 selection had a major negative impact. That said, when it’s time to push, then push, don’t hesitate.
And Holland’s done that? Yes. I think he has the team in position right now. That’s his job. We can quibble (and will!) about the details but this team is quality.
LOWETIDE AND JAMIESON
A busy show, 10-2 today, TSN 1260. John Horn will talk tennis, Patricia Traina from Giants Country.com will preview the NY Giants. We’ll say goodbye to Ben.
Uncle Milte – I’d like to take you up on your offer to talk to my brother regarding his drinking. He has been dry since the incident, but is miserable and agitated right now and is not open to discussion any more.
I will be there on Saturday and hopefully he can manage his anxiety and agitation to have a productive conversation. I believe I have his respect, so he may be open to listening.
He is a genuinely thoughtful and compassionate human, but I am not certain what version of him I will be meeting..
Can you send me your contact info to: zzzypyrskar at “G” male dot calm? Thank you so much!
Might be fruitful to pick up The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous (it’s not that big) and The Steps We Took. Both are good reads when dealing with addiction for all involved and they have been invaluable to me.
My brother also struggled with alcohol addiction most of his adult life. There were a lot of other complex factors involved that made it hard to properly navigate but before the end – after another unfortunate incident of him being embarrassingly drunk at an inappropriate function to even remotely be close to his level – my mother (one if the but unfortunately also one of the softestly accommodating/enabling figures in his whole life finally drew a hard line for him. Her and I were his primary support network and up until that point it was only me who had every really stood up ant point when he was falling too hard and that would work for a time but slowly wear off but he had never before seen my mother truly stand up and demand real accountability with consequences. He refused to go to the rehab she actually had lined up for him and the old childhood neighbour from a troubled home that successfully managed to break pattern of alcohol and abuse had even agreed to be his sponsor. Again my mother too much but finally at least a clear enough was given where none had ever before been clearly reached…
When I was told of all this, I called him and was trying to make sure he didn’t somehow end up writing off the other half of his true support network because I just knew I was not in any shape or form able or willing to pretend I alone could navigate through all his complexities while maintaining some semblance of healthy regard for my own self support.
What he said threw me off.
It was a no to rehab but with a clear fact why. “I understand and I won’t ever again have a drink with the idea that I’m am drinking to get drunk. I’ve always drank with intention of getting really drunk”.
And for what remained of his time here he held to it and for those wonderful remaining years I always got to see the best of my brother without fear of having to deal with the worst of him.
I know that’s maybe not the most helpful share but my intent is to say:
Make sure he dies most of the work not you. He has to want to do the actual work.
Also make sure all those in his immediate support trust circle are committed to same hard line that they cannot continue to remotely overlook will with no doubt fully hold him fully accountable if his actions regress.
1. He has to want to
2. The collective you can’t allow him to continue sliding by real consequences that anyone other than close family would face under similar circumstances.
It’s out of respect for seeing what you are trying to help do for him that I get an oddly familiar vibe and just hope to help you take care not to do more than he’s willing to do for himself or it might likely hurt not just again but more if it doesn’t stick.
Good luck and honestly I’ve helped a lot of people deal with addictions in family or self and would be willing to offer you a bit of support if I could be of use – as you honestly come off as likely in a similar relationship as I had with my late brother
Some notes on Munzenberger last season. He played out the season as one of 7 regularly dressed defensemen, 4 being RHD. I did watch a few of his games and he did play on the left side, while 2 of the RHD played the left side often.
He was by far the youngest at 18 years old, with rest being 23,22,24,23,23 & 21. An 8th and less-used (8 GP out of 35) 23 year old RHD was the only other defender to dress for Vermont.
Its was “meh” season but its tough for an 19-year old d-man to gain traction, in particular on a very poor team – not to mention, his first season away from home and in North America. He was 19 for most of the season.
I look for a more impactful role and, hopefully, an improving team this coming season.
To clarify these are the ages of the players at the beginning of their season, I believe only one had a spring/summer birthday, so you can add a year to all their ages except for the 22 year old.
To clarify these are the ages of the players at the beginning of their season, I believe only one had a summer birthday, so you can add a year to all their ages except for the 22 year old.
Last edited 1 year ago by €√¥£€^$
Todd Macallan
August 11, 2022 2:34 pm
Maatta on the ice with under 1 min left in a tie game vs the Czechs. He has looked quite solid, both positionally and physically.
Edit: Also got 2 shifts for the 3 on 3 OT, including in the last 2 mins with Brad Lambert. Probably as the defensive conscience haha.
I see Yamamoto scored… for Japan in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup group stage game against the Netherlands. Sorry, slow news day.
Melman
August 11, 2022 12:15 pm
The spike in goals at the end of the season and strong playoffs is a great arrow for Schaefer. Like many kids of this past draft, his previous season to the last one was completely messed up due to Covid. Hopefully, the late surge was an indicator of what his ceiling really is and the slower start was really to be expected after few games the previous year. It’ll be fun to watch how this season rolls out for him. Are current roster comps for Schaefer and Holloway, Foegle and Hyman? That would be outstanding
Kinger_Oil.redux
August 11, 2022 11:37 am
— just got back from a 3 day 4 round of golf in Pano BC: outstanding courses and 35 degrees hot weather. Picked up a ton of meat from Bon Temps: just an amazing butcher shop. Fun to get away for a bit and drink far too much beer Amd red wine. Side note: I don’t get how my buddies though can start the round with a ceaser then crush 6-8 beer per round. I like drinking and golfing but not at same time! (Well I crack open a beer after drive at 18)
— it’s amazing how this team has evolved. That RNH is a 3rd C or complementary winger with McD and Drai is great in that more talent has moved ahead but man who were they kidding thinking the Steve Austin’s were the core to build around.
As a young lad my friend and I went golfing with 2 old guys and they challenged us 5 bucks a hole and we gladly took them up on the wager and proceeded to play.
After each hole we all drank a shot of whatever demon liquor they were drinking. We won the first 3 holes quite easily and then proceeded to lose the last 15.
I would guess they have surpassed the numbers I saw for the first day. For those coming from out of town that golf there are a number of golf courses within a 30 minute drive. I absolutely love seeing the Oiler jerseys out numbering all the other teams at the games!
Picked up my tickets July 15th. I thought they would have made them available to all at that time but apparently that wasn’t the case. They gave first dibs to the Vees season ticket holders as I was sixth in line on the day they released to the local market and a number of seats we’re already unavailable.
OriginalPouzar
August 11, 2022 11:31 am
And Maatta? He is a shutdown center but isn’t fast, so his window is very small. If he could improve his skating, or blossom offensively, I’d suggest there’s a spark. As it is, you draft players late who have one true thing and Maatta’s is defensive ability. It’s a cruel road for these player-types, ask Anton Lander.
From the shifts I saw in game one, this is an apt description. He was always “on the right side of the puck” – very good positionally – looked “big for his age” as far as body frame and liked to lean on guys.
Skating can be improved…. sometimes – as we’ve seen, many prospects with skating as an identified issue early are not able to improve enough to “make it” – I’m sure the vast majority of the put in the time and effort to try though. Skating is “a skill” – effort isn’t necessarily enough to improve to the required levels, there needs to be “talent” vis-a-vis the blades as well.
I was just coming to post this. So people know, this is:
LIVE | #Oilers captain Connor McDavid, forward Zach Hyman & Head Coach Jay Woodcroft discuss the impact Ben Stelter had on the team & community
OriginalPouzar
August 11, 2022 11:28 am
Luca Munzenberger can skate, very well, so he’ll turn pro and have a career. Defensively he looks good, even better than in the last tournament. He has no fear, is big and strong and you can’t beat him outside. He can pass and transport,
This sounds like Darnell Nurse. Miles to go but its an enticing skill-set – big, great skater, strong, transporter of the puck.
Last edited 1 year ago by OriginalPouzar
OriginalPouzar
August 11, 2022 11:24 am
How long have they needed a power winger? Well, there was a time when everyone said “they should get someone like Milan Lucic” and then they got Milan Lucic except he wasn’t Milan Lucic anymore. So, since Maroon left.
Even before that, they traded Milan Lucic before he was Milan Lucic.
Remember the trade Lowe made to rent Sergei Samsanov in 2006? The Bruins used the second round pick acquired to draft Milan Lucic.
There should be ZERO regrets for that trade – value received in the series clinching game against the Wings alone!
WedgeAntilles
August 11, 2022 10:58 am
Looks like Robin Lehner will require cap relief surgery and will miss the entire 2022-2023 season.
Who didn’t see this one coming? Vegas G.M trades the cult hero Fluery who’s twice the Goalie as Lehrer. Vegas deserves everything they’re about to receive. They were gifted a damn fine team and fuked it all up by trading for Prima Donna’s like Lehner who’s only talent is he’s large.
@CapFriendly
· 30m
With both Lehner and Weber LTIR eligible and out for the entire season, the #VegasBorn can exceed the upper limit by up to $12,857,143.
In other words their new upper limit can be $95.36M (instead of $82.5)
This will give them plenty of roster flexibility throughout the season
Lehner and Weber’s $12.857 million in combined salary count against the $95.36 million cap.
In other words, like every other team, they can only spend $82.5 million on the 23 (or less) players on the active roster.
The only way Vegas is happy about this is if they now believe that signing Lehner to the $5 million 2 seasons ago was a mistake, and they count themselves lucky now that he is injured.
I’m confused, is Skinner now the top goalie option in Edmonton to start the season?
Have the Oilers lost Campbell for the season and some fans citing it as good thing for cap structuring and now talking up inexperienced goalie who has become the team’s most important player?
Not sure of the projected status of Brossoit when the season starts, but see he’s listed as injured. That leaves a tandem of Logan Thompson and Michael Hutchinson. Is Thompson any good? Otherwise yikes!
Looks alot like Skinners stats. Personally I am glad not to have to trust a young goalie. In a cut throat organization like Vegas heads will roll if he doesn’t make the bet.
They have to be cap compliant before they can use ltir do they not?
So presently they are like 12.9 million over with a roster of 17 guys…see if they can give away Karlsson to Seattle or something? Then what? Pay through nose to get Reimer out of San Jose?
I’m looking forward to Vegas being a playoff bubble team or worse for a nice stretch quite soon. They are going to end up in like Philadelphia style no man’s land if they don’t start saving some future bullets. Not too mention the shine is off turd as far as FA likely even considering them a desirable location given all their bad handling.
Get on your LA king horse and ride. The Vegas horse is dead.
No, they do not have to be cap compliant before using LTIR – just like the Oilers, they will assign guys to LTIR just before the season opening roster submissions that will attain cap compliance.
The bending over may be provided by Mike Grier – The Sharks need to move a goalie and Reimer seems like a perfect one-year stop gab (similar to how many thought he could be a nice add for the Oilers).
OriginalPouzar
August 11, 2022 10:51 am
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Reid Schaefer play hockey so its tough to have a real opinion on his game but what I like is that the reports indicate targeted improvement in areas of his game – the shot was identified as an area for improvement and the kid put in time, effort and commitment and turned his shot in to a weapon (from accounts).
Robin Lehner, out for the 2022-23 season due to hip surgery, has been one of the better goalies in the NHL in the past three seasons. Advanced metrics suggest he’s unfairly gotten a bad rap lately due to the decline of Vegas’ team defence. #VegasBorn
Once a week for for two months now Ken Holland has been prank calling Patrick Kane’s home in Chi Town, singing this little ditty and then hanging up, “One way, or another, I’m gonna find ya, I’m gonna get ya, get ya, get ya, get ya”
Randle McMurphy
August 11, 2022 10:25 am
“And Holland’s done that? Yes. I think he has the team in position right now. That’s his job. We can quibble (and will!) about the details but this team is quality.”
NO. No quibble from Randle. Ken has delivered Randle’s wish list to a “T”.
Kane
Campbell
Kulak
Schaefer
_______ ?
Next up…..2nd Kane……
As was shouted from the rooftop of the Apple Corps headquarters at 3 Savile Row, on January 30th 1969…Comon Kenny!, “Don’t Let me Down”!
During that famous rooftop concert, it was cold enough that
The microphones were wrapped in women’s pantyhose.
The cold gusts proved to be a problem for the delicate studio microphones recording the drums and guitar amplifiers. In need of a quick shield to minimize wind noise, tape engineer (and future Pink Floyd cohort) Alan Parsons was dispatched that morning to buy women’s pantyhose. “I walked into this department store and said, ‘I need three pairs of pantyhose. It doesn’t matter what size.’” he recalled…“They thought I was either a bank robber or a cross-dresser.”
OriginalPouzar
August 11, 2022 9:48 am
I mentioned the other day the possibility of emergency recalls and even cap relief in connection therewith. I’ve now confirmed with Hart at Puckpedia my interpretation of the CBA provisions.
A team can recall a player on emergency recall if, due to injury and/or illness they fall below the ability to ice 12/6/2. To start, this emergency recall player would count against the cap.
With that said, if a team has less than $850K of cap space (league min plus $100K) and, due to injury/illness is forced to play a game short (i.e. 17 skaters), they can recall a player at $850K or less to fill the roster and that player does not count against the cap.
Not that I think this will be the path forward but I believe the Oilers do have current cap room (after signing McLeod) for a 20 player roster. If they get a non-LTIR injury, they could play one game short a player and then call up $850K or less cap hit player (or sign them) to fill out the roster.
Of course, to get down to 20 on the roster they are waiving some depth players – I don’t think they would be at risk of losing guys like Shore and even Ryan on waivers but possibly Samorukov.
Not a great path forward but its something that’s out there.
Cannot see any team taking Shore Ryan – all teams have there own guys of this ilk. DR is more valuable to this time right now as the team is pretty thin on RW.
Getting to 20 should not be a problem. The issue is minutes played by the top guys during the year – need everyone fresh and ready to go for the cup come playoff time.
Personally, I like the 11 & 7 rotation on game nights.
doritogrande
August 11, 2022 9:43 am
“Sure it was a “holy crap, Terry Harper scored!” goal but he has it in him, just not all the time.”
Complete missed opportunity for a “JFJ gets a stat!” dig. You even mentioned the poor guy in this article.
Oh well, can’t win them all.
Last edited 1 year ago by doritogrande
Todd Macallan
August 11, 2022 9:12 am
A quick report on Munzenberger from last night’s game, seems to echo pretty well with LTs remarks above:
– skating jumps out right away, smooth and mobile in all directions. Quite fun to watch in this regard.
– value is defensively for sure, but can transport the puck well when needed and a solid passer overall despite the occasional missed one yesterday. Showed a solid wrister but not his big slapper previously seen and mentioned on the broadcast.
– some bite to his game, not afraid to use his size and stood up for a teammate who was high sticked. On replay it was accidental but his heart was in the right place as the captain
– played top pair, PP1 and PK routinely, and most interestingly, played the whole game on his off side
– was mentioned on the broadcast many times that he missed game 1 against he US, but a reason was never given. Could it be they rested their top defender on a back to back to keep him fresh for their most important round robin game, like they did by starting their back up G in game 1 which was felt to be a likely L anyway? I have no idea, only postulating.
Overall an impressive single game against his peers, albeit vs the weakest team in the group. Should be fun to see how he holds up playing big mins against stronger teams like the Swedes.
He looked shockingly like an early version of Nurse, down to the skating, simple offensive play (transporting > passing), defensive ability and physical edge. This is a stylistic comparison only, I’m certainly not saying he will be anything close to a top pairing dman, but am excited to see how he progresses.
When we drafted him I went and looked up video and it seems he has always played on his off side, at least when playing for the national team. And he was a great puck carrier.
Very interesting, prior to reading this comment, after reading LT’s description of the player, I referenced a Darnell Nurse comparison – I only saw a few shifts here and there last night so I’m heartened by your stylistic comparison based on on-ice play.
He has a riverboat gambler approach at times! I love his skating and his passing is excellent! He will be a fun prospect to watch moving forward.
Coilers2021
August 11, 2022 9:12 am
As you said the other day, none of us really know the outcome for many of these prospects. So many things can happen between now and when they’re expected to blossom and flourish. Injuries, trades, bad coaching. So many things have to fall into place at just the right time.
What’s encouraging is that lady luck seems to be smiling to a certain degree on the oilers. Let’s hope it continues.
And on a day like today where we digest the passing of a brave little boy, let’s put some perspective on the real important things in life.
Short story but a good one, a number of years ago a bank I worked for hosted a conference in Vegas and after the big dinner we had a concert. The B-52’s opened for Blondie. It was incredible! Debbie Harry was in her early 50’s but was hot as hell! B-52’s opened with Love Shack and when Blondie came on. this tune!
Uncle Milte – I’d like to take you up on your offer to talk to my brother regarding his drinking. He has been dry since the incident, but is miserable and agitated right now and is not open to discussion any more.
I will be there on Saturday and hopefully he can manage his anxiety and agitation to have a productive conversation. I believe I have his respect, so he may be open to listening.
He is a genuinely thoughtful and compassionate human, but I am not certain what version of him I will be meeting..
Can you send me your contact info to: zzzypyrskar at “G” male dot calm? Thank you so much!
Might be fruitful to pick up The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous (it’s not that big) and The Steps We Took. Both are good reads when dealing with addiction for all involved and they have been invaluable to me.
Thank you TGBM!
My brother also struggled with alcohol addiction most of his adult life. There were a lot of other complex factors involved that made it hard to properly navigate but before the end – after another unfortunate incident of him being embarrassingly drunk at an inappropriate function to even remotely be close to his level – my mother (one if the but unfortunately also one of the softestly accommodating/enabling figures in his whole life finally drew a hard line for him. Her and I were his primary support network and up until that point it was only me who had every really stood up ant point when he was falling too hard and that would work for a time but slowly wear off but he had never before seen my mother truly stand up and demand real accountability with consequences. He refused to go to the rehab she actually had lined up for him and the old childhood neighbour from a troubled home that successfully managed to break pattern of alcohol and abuse had even agreed to be his sponsor. Again my mother too much but finally at least a clear enough was given where none had ever before been clearly reached…
When I was told of all this, I called him and was trying to make sure he didn’t somehow end up writing off the other half of his true support network because I just knew I was not in any shape or form able or willing to pretend I alone could navigate through all his complexities while maintaining some semblance of healthy regard for my own self support.
What he said threw me off.
It was a no to rehab but with a clear fact why. “I understand and I won’t ever again have a drink with the idea that I’m am drinking to get drunk. I’ve always drank with intention of getting really drunk”.
And for what remained of his time here he held to it and for those wonderful remaining years I always got to see the best of my brother without fear of having to deal with the worst of him.
I know that’s maybe not the most helpful share but my intent is to say:
Make sure he dies most of the work not you. He has to want to do the actual work.
Also make sure all those in his immediate support trust circle are committed to same hard line that they cannot continue to remotely overlook will with no doubt fully hold him fully accountable if his actions regress.
1. He has to want to
2. The collective you can’t allow him to continue sliding by real consequences that anyone other than close family would face under similar circumstances.
It’s out of respect for seeing what you are trying to help do for him that I get an oddly familiar vibe and just hope to help you take care not to do more than he’s willing to do for himself or it might likely hurt not just again but more if it doesn’t stick.
Good luck and honestly I’ve helped a lot of people deal with addictions in family or self and would be willing to offer you a bit of support if I could be of use – as you honestly come off as likely in a similar relationship as I had with my late brother
They are worth it but so are you.
Thank you maudite!
Some notes on Munzenberger last season. He played out the season as one of 7 regularly dressed defensemen, 4 being RHD. I did watch a few of his games and he did play on the left side, while 2 of the RHD played the left side often.
He was by far the youngest at 18 years old, with rest being 23,22,24,23,23 & 21. An 8th and less-used (8 GP out of 35) 23 year old RHD was the only other defender to dress for Vermont.
Thank you.
Its was “meh” season but its tough for an 19-year old d-man to gain traction, in particular on a very poor team – not to mention, his first season away from home and in North America. He was 19 for most of the season.
I look for a more impactful role and, hopefully, an improving team this coming season.
To clarify these are the ages of the players at the beginning of their season, I believe only one had a spring/summer birthday, so you can add a year to all their ages except for the 22 year old.
To clarify these are the ages of the players at the beginning of their season, I believe only one had a summer birthday, so you can add a year to all their ages except for the 22 year old.
Maatta on the ice with under 1 min left in a tie game vs the Czechs. He has looked quite solid, both positionally and physically.
Edit: Also got 2 shifts for the 3 on 3 OT, including in the last 2 mins with Brad Lambert. Probably as the defensive conscience haha.
That you Todd.
He did not shoot in the shootout (5 shooters).
I see Yamamoto scored… for Japan in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup group stage game against the Netherlands. Sorry, slow news day.
The spike in goals at the end of the season and strong playoffs is a great arrow for Schaefer. Like many kids of this past draft, his previous season to the last one was completely messed up due to Covid. Hopefully, the late surge was an indicator of what his ceiling really is and the slower start was really to be expected after few games the previous year. It’ll be fun to watch how this season rolls out for him. Are current roster comps for Schaefer and Holloway, Foegle and Hyman? That would be outstanding
— just got back from a 3 day 4 round of golf in Pano BC: outstanding courses and 35 degrees hot weather. Picked up a ton of meat from Bon Temps: just an amazing butcher shop. Fun to get away for a bit and drink far too much beer Amd red wine. Side note: I don’t get how my buddies though can start the round with a ceaser then crush 6-8 beer per round. I like drinking and golfing but not at same time! (Well I crack open a beer after drive at 18)
— it’s amazing how this team has evolved. That RNH is a 3rd C or complementary winger with McD and Drai is great in that more talent has moved ahead but man who were they kidding thinking the Steve Austin’s were the core to build around.
Liquor is aiming juice!
As a young lad my friend and I went golfing with 2 old guys and they challenged us 5 bucks a hole and we gladly took them up on the wager and proceeded to play.
After each hole we all drank a shot of whatever demon liquor they were drinking. We won the first 3 holes quite easily and then proceeded to lose the last 15.
Awesome story. There may be a message there.
Yeah, practice drinking!
You drink enough beers to find that sweet spot do not go over. Also works for shooting pool, throwing darts and pitching horseshoes.
FYI: Tickets for the Young Stars Tournament in Penticton go on sale tomorrow morning.
Looking forward to this year’s tournament- we bought our flights, car and hotel a month ago. I like the Oilers’s projected roster this year.
Probably will get more fans there than the World Juniors right now. Crazy times.
I would guess they have surpassed the numbers I saw for the first day. For those coming from out of town that golf there are a number of golf courses within a 30 minute drive. I absolutely love seeing the Oiler jerseys out numbering all the other teams at the games!
Picked up my tickets July 15th. I thought they would have made them available to all at that time but apparently that wasn’t the case. They gave first dibs to the Vees season ticket holders as I was sixth in line on the day they released to the local market and a number of seats we’re already unavailable.
From the shifts I saw in game one, this is an apt description. He was always “on the right side of the puck” – very good positionally – looked “big for his age” as far as body frame and liked to lean on guys.
Skating can be improved…. sometimes – as we’ve seen, many prospects with skating as an identified issue early are not able to improve enough to “make it” – I’m sure the vast majority of the put in the time and effort to try though. Skating is “a skill” – effort isn’t necessarily enough to improve to the required levels, there needs to be “talent” vis-a-vis the blades as well.
https://mobile.twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/1557766458838437888
I was just coming to post this. So people know, this is:
LIVE | #Oilers captain Connor McDavid, forward Zach Hyman & Head Coach Jay Woodcroft discuss the impact Ben Stelter had on the team & community
This sounds like Darnell Nurse. Miles to go but its an enticing skill-set – big, great skater, strong, transporter of the puck.
Even before that, they traded Milan Lucic before he was Milan Lucic.
Remember the trade Lowe made to rent Sergei Samsanov in 2006? The Bruins used the second round pick acquired to draft Milan Lucic.
There should be ZERO regrets for that trade – value received in the series clinching game against the Wings alone!
Looks like Robin Lehner will require cap relief surgery and will miss the entire 2022-2023 season.
Who didn’t see this one coming? Vegas G.M trades the cult hero Fluery who’s twice the Goalie as Lehrer. Vegas deserves everything they’re about to receive. They were gifted a damn fine team and fuked it all up by trading for Prima Donna’s like Lehner who’s only talent is he’s large.
CapFriendly
@CapFriendly
· 30m
With both Lehner and Weber LTIR eligible and out for the entire season, the #VegasBorn can exceed the upper limit by up to $12,857,143.
In other words their new upper limit can be $95.36M (instead of $82.5)
This will give them plenty of roster flexibility throughout the season
Vegas did it again. Brilliant cap strategy. Just like Eichel Stone last year.
I’m not sure if Laurent Brossoit (also potentially on IR to start the season) and Logan Thompson as the tending duo is a brilliant strategy.
This would be almost identical to the Oilers putting Jack Campbell on full-season LTIR – it would sure solve our cap issues but……
They are weaponizing injuries.
Lehner and Weber’s $12.857 million in combined salary count against the $95.36 million cap.
In other words, like every other team, they can only spend $82.5 million on the 23 (or less) players on the active roster.
The only way Vegas is happy about this is if they now believe that signing Lehner to the $5 million 2 seasons ago was a mistake, and they count themselves lucky now that he is injured.
Very likely they go with Logan Thomson in net.
Last season – 19GP 2.68 .914 Cap hit $775K
There is somer chatter they will also pursue James Reimer from SJS as backup.
Up front, I expect Brendan Brisson $925K and Pavel Dorofeyev $925K are likely additions.
Brisson – AHL 7GP 3G 8P
Dorofeyev – AHL 63GP 27G 52P
That would still leave room for a couple of veteran adds.
No one has ever played well for 20 games and then fallen off a cliff before in a high pressure situation. Nope. Never
You mean Skinner?
Reverting to mean little troll are we?
I’m confused, is Skinner now the top goalie option in Edmonton to start the season?
Have the Oilers lost Campbell for the season and some fans citing it as good thing for cap structuring and now talking up inexperienced goalie who has become the team’s most important player?
Well that’s why Skinner is paired with a starter
this is gonna be quite a year with Colorado Toronto and Vegas fighting for a goalie at TD
Campbell gets injured often and has stretches of poor play.
I remember when you claimed over and over and over that Colorado couldn’t win a cup because their goaltending was poor.
So forgive me when I ignore your thoughts on NHL goaltending.
Not sure of the projected status of Brossoit when the season starts, but see he’s listed as injured. That leaves a tandem of Logan Thompson and Michael Hutchinson. Is Thompson any good? Otherwise yikes!
Thompson was .914 in the NHL and .920 in the AHL.
Looks alot like Skinners stats. Personally I am glad not to have to trust a young goalie. In a cut throat organization like Vegas heads will roll if he doesn’t make the bet.
Yeah…was just thinking that he resembled Skinner.
Not so alike when you look at quality of competition. Only 2 games Skinner played were playoff bound where Logan played 10 of his vs playoff teams.
Yeah…we should also remember that Vegas was decimated by injury last season so perhaps that should also be a factor.
Except being “decimated” by injury was the only way they could ice a roster
Frankly who cares about Vegas! Oh yes, Vegas fans!
I care about Vegas – they could be a contender in the Pacific.
How many games did skinner play on back to back days or the dreaded 3 games in 4 nights on the road.
Any comparison of Thompson and Skinner should probably also factor in Thompson being two years older than Skinner.
VGK goaltending options.
https://theathletic.com/3498493/2022/08/11/robin-lehner-golden-knights-replacement-candidates/?source=user_shared_article
They have to be cap compliant before they can use ltir do they not?
So presently they are like 12.9 million over with a roster of 17 guys…see if they can give away Karlsson to Seattle or something? Then what? Pay through nose to get Reimer out of San Jose?
I’m looking forward to Vegas being a playoff bubble team or worse for a nice stretch quite soon. They are going to end up in like Philadelphia style no man’s land if they don’t start saving some future bullets. Not too mention the shine is off turd as far as FA likely even considering them a desirable location given all their bad handling.
Get on your LA king horse and ride. The Vegas horse is dead.
No, they do not have to be cap compliant before using LTIR – just like the Oilers, they will assign guys to LTIR just before the season opening roster submissions that will attain cap compliance.
Those options are bleak – unproven rookies vs. bunch of guys more washed than Mike Smith vs. getting bent over by Lou for 1 year of Varlamov.
They were built to win now … If they get off to a slow start due to bad goaltending, that organization will implode in a hurry.
The bending over may be provided by Mike Grier – The Sharks need to move a goalie and Reimer seems like a perfect one-year stop gab (similar to how many thought he could be a nice add for the Oilers).
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Reid Schaefer play hockey so its tough to have a real opinion on his game but what I like is that the reports indicate targeted improvement in areas of his game – the shot was identified as an area for improvement and the kid put in time, effort and commitment and turned his shot in to a weapon (from accounts).
Next up: skating.
JFresh
@JFreshHockey
Robin Lehner, out for the 2022-23 season due to hip surgery, has been one of the better goalies in the NHL in the past three seasons. Advanced metrics suggest he’s unfairly gotten a bad rap lately due to the decline of Vegas’ team defence. #VegasBorn
That’s probably end of being good goaler for him
And the end of Vegas being a good team.
.
I always thought Randle and Andy were the same person…??
RNH is singed long term now. No need to have him pilling up points on the wing.
3C with talent on LW and JP on RW. An outscoring defensively reliable 3rd line.
Could these ^ guys become one of the leagues best shutdown 3rd lines?
.
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Pfffft…Randle McMurphy is a knob. A fictional construct. That dude has serious mental issues.
I on the other hand orchestrated my own escape and sent the Warden and the Bull Screw to an untimely demise.
Einhorn is Finkle! Finkle is Einhorn!….
Randle’s 2nd Fun Fact O’ the Day:
Once a week for for two months now Ken Holland has been prank calling Patrick Kane’s home in Chi Town, singing this little ditty and then hanging up, “One way, or another, I’m gonna find ya, I’m gonna get ya, get ya, get ya, get ya”
“And Holland’s done that? Yes. I think he has the team in position right now. That’s his job. We can quibble (and will!) about the details but this team is quality.”
NO. No quibble from Randle. Ken has delivered Randle’s wish list to a “T”.
Kane
Campbell
Kulak
Schaefer
_______ ?
Next up…..2nd Kane……
As was shouted from the rooftop of the Apple Corps headquarters at 3 Savile Row, on January 30th 1969…Comon Kenny!, “Don’t Let me Down”!
Randle’s Fun Fact O’ the Day
During that famous rooftop concert, it was cold enough that
The microphones were wrapped in women’s pantyhose.
The cold gusts proved to be a problem for the delicate studio microphones recording the drums and guitar amplifiers. In need of a quick shield to minimize wind noise, tape engineer (and future Pink Floyd cohort) Alan Parsons was dispatched that morning to buy women’s pantyhose. “I walked into this department store and said, ‘I need three pairs of pantyhose. It doesn’t matter what size.’” he recalled…“They thought I was either a bank robber or a cross-dresser.”
I mentioned the other day the possibility of emergency recalls and even cap relief in connection therewith. I’ve now confirmed with Hart at Puckpedia my interpretation of the CBA provisions.
A team can recall a player on emergency recall if, due to injury and/or illness they fall below the ability to ice 12/6/2. To start, this emergency recall player would count against the cap.
With that said, if a team has less than $850K of cap space (league min plus $100K) and, due to injury/illness is forced to play a game short (i.e. 17 skaters), they can recall a player at $850K or less to fill the roster and that player does not count against the cap.
Not that I think this will be the path forward but I believe the Oilers do have current cap room (after signing McLeod) for a 20 player roster. If they get a non-LTIR injury, they could play one game short a player and then call up $850K or less cap hit player (or sign them) to fill out the roster.
Of course, to get down to 20 on the roster they are waiving some depth players – I don’t think they would be at risk of losing guys like Shore and even Ryan on waivers but possibly Samorukov.
Not a great path forward but its something that’s out there.
Thanks for digging.
Cannot see any team taking Shore Ryan – all teams have there own guys of this ilk. DR is more valuable to this time right now as the team is pretty thin on RW.
Getting to 20 should not be a problem. The issue is minutes played by the top guys during the year – need everyone fresh and ready to go for the cup come playoff time.
Forwards (11): EK, CM, JP, ZH, LD, KY, DH, RNH, DR, MJ, RM
Defence (7): DN, CC, BK, EB, PB, TB, DS
Goal (2): JC, SS
Note: the above has Foegele traded.
Personally, I like the 11 & 7 rotation on game nights.
“Sure it was a “holy crap, Terry Harper scored!” goal but he has it in him, just not all the time.”
Complete missed opportunity for a “JFJ gets a stat!” dig. You even mentioned the poor guy in this article.
Oh well, can’t win them all.
A quick report on Munzenberger from last night’s game, seems to echo pretty well with LTs remarks above:
– skating jumps out right away, smooth and mobile in all directions. Quite fun to watch in this regard.
– value is defensively for sure, but can transport the puck well when needed and a solid passer overall despite the occasional missed one yesterday. Showed a solid wrister but not his big slapper previously seen and mentioned on the broadcast.
– some bite to his game, not afraid to use his size and stood up for a teammate who was high sticked. On replay it was accidental but his heart was in the right place as the captain
– played top pair, PP1 and PK routinely, and most interestingly, played the whole game on his off side
– was mentioned on the broadcast many times that he missed game 1 against he US, but a reason was never given. Could it be they rested their top defender on a back to back to keep him fresh for their most important round robin game, like they did by starting their back up G in game 1 which was felt to be a likely L anyway? I have no idea, only postulating.
Overall an impressive single game against his peers, albeit vs the weakest team in the group. Should be fun to see how he holds up playing big mins against stronger teams like the Swedes.
He looked shockingly like an early version of Nurse, down to the skating, simple offensive play (transporting > passing), defensive ability and physical edge. This is a stylistic comparison only, I’m certainly not saying he will be anything close to a top pairing dman, but am excited to see how he progresses.
When we drafted him I went and looked up video and it seems he has always played on his off side, at least when playing for the national team. And he was a great puck carrier.
I’m finding that D-men playing their off side is very common in Europe (wingers playing their off-wing as well).
This often doesn’t translate easily to the North America, let alone the NHL, but sometimes it surely does.
Curious if he played any off-side at Vermont last season (and will be watching for it this coming season now for sure).
Thank for this Todd – nice write-up.
Very interesting, prior to reading this comment, after reading LT’s description of the player, I referenced a Darnell Nurse comparison – I only saw a few shifts here and there last night so I’m heartened by your stylistic comparison based on on-ice play.
He has a riverboat gambler approach at times! I love his skating and his passing is excellent! He will be a fun prospect to watch moving forward.
As you said the other day, none of us really know the outcome for many of these prospects. So many things can happen between now and when they’re expected to blossom and flourish. Injuries, trades, bad coaching. So many things have to fall into place at just the right time.
What’s encouraging is that lady luck seems to be smiling to a certain degree on the oilers. Let’s hope it continues.
And on a day like today where we digest the passing of a brave little boy, let’s put some perspective on the real important things in life.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_nOpJMQ3-VE
“one way or another, this darkness got to give”
not sure if this song was where your lyrical inspiration was coming from for today’s post, but it felt appropriate.
For whatever reason, given we are searching for a power forward, this song is where I thought LT is coming from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kg9LasvLFE
yours probably makes more sense, but I’m sure you can see where I was going with this one, too.
Great track. Haven’t heard it in ages!
I can see where you were going!
Short story but a good one, a number of years ago a bank I worked for hosted a conference in Vegas and after the big dinner we had a concert. The B-52’s opened for Blondie. It was incredible! Debbie Harry was in her early 50’s but was hot as hell! B-52’s opened with Love Shack and when Blondie came on. this tune!
That’s amazing. What a show that must have been! The B-52’s are a criminally underrated band.
Yup. They just announced their retirement tour. Unfortunately they are not coming to Miami but will be in Atlanta, might head up for that!
The male vocals in “love shack” make me literally cover my ears.