Through two games, there are eight “certain Oilers” who have yet to appear in a game this year. Jack Campbell, Cody Ceci, Darnell Nurse, Evander Kane, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman have yet to play. Including tonight, there are three games in five nights ahead, two on the road. The full force gale of this roster is on the way, maybe as soon as tonight.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Are Edmonton Oilers’ recent trades supported by analytics?
- Lowetide: If Ryan McLeod lands on the Connor McDavid line, how much of an offensive boost would it be?
- DNB: Oilers notes: Dylan Holloway impresses vs. Jets
- DNB: How Edmonton Oilers’ salary cap and training camp impacts roster decisions
- Lowetide: 5 obscure Edmonton Oilers prospects pushing for an NHL look
- DNB: Darnell Nurse’s big-money contract with Oilers isn’t going to change who he is or how he plays
- Lowetide: For the Oilers and analytics, how much progress has been made?
- DNB: Oilers sign Ryan McLeod to 1-year contract extension
- DNB: 10 questions to address in training camp
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers’ right wing options on skill lines may be shifting
- Lowetide: The truth about Jesse Puljujarvi and the Edmonton Oilers
- DNB: Jack Campbell is determined to win in Edmonton: ‘I’m ready for this’
- Lowetide: Making the early call on Edmonton Oilers’ 2018 draft haul
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers’ most likely recalls from AHL Bakersfield in 2022-23
- Lowetide: 9 Bold Predictions for the 2022-23 Edmonton Oilers
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers reasonable expectations for every player in 2022-23
- Lowetide: Who will the Oilers trade for cap purposes?
- Lowetide: Oilers top-20 prospects, summer 2022
PLAYERS YET TO PLAY
- Goalie: Jack Campbell
- Left Defence: Darnell Nurse
- Right Defence: Cody Ceci (inj)
- Center: Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
- Left Wing: Evander Kane
- Right Wing: Zach Hyman, Matvey Petrov, Tyler Tullio
SCORING AFTER TWO GAMES
All the young dudes (Dylan Holloway, James Hamblin, Markus Niemelainen, Ryan McLeod) have scored the team’s goals, with assists to prospect Noah Philp and a parade of veterans like Evan Bouchard, Jesse Puljujarvi, Warren Foegele, Brad Malone and Jason Demers. It’s early, and I expect we’ll see some cuts in the coming days. So far, speed has been a theme for this hockey club. I suspect it will be a factor tonight.
THE ROSTER TONIGHT
I would like to see Dylan Holloway in tonight’s game. The Flames should deploy a strong lineup and the Oilers will get a good look at the players who are on the bubble. Holloway has performed well, and earned a long look over these next few games, and if he scores tonight and touches the puck six or seven times I think we can move him up a notch on the opening night depth chart.
I’d like to see Ryan Murray and Jason Demers, as a tandem. If the final seven men include these two, there might be times they are a pair in an NHL game. How much is speed the issue? Tonight might be a good test.
A line of Foegele-Nuge-Puljujarvi would be a great trio to observe tonight. Each brings something to the table, and I think Puljujarvi would flourish in this siutation.
Do we need to see Kane-McDavid-Draisaitl this early? I don’t think so. Perhaps Hyman-Draisaitl-Holloway? Yes, yes I’d like that.
If the oilers sign jake.v, I will laugh.
Coordinaly, future dwight
Currently I have:
Demers @ 50%
Verboten @ 10%
Oilers cant get on the bus fast enough. they didn’t enjoy their Calgary trip much.
To be expected though, they need some reinforcements.
Actually, we learned quite a bit about Calgary tonight.
What did you learn about Calgary?
I like their new players much better than outgoing players. I didn’t think they could win with Turtle and Johnny. Even when first place in the division I didn’t think they could win.
also, I think Calgary won the trade, Weegar and Hooberdoo are better. Plus Kadri. Luckily they still have Sutter, I think players turn on him, and he has an expiration date coming up soon. Last year I think he pushed too hard and they ran out of gas in post season. Only thing I like about Sutter is that if he is the second most handsome coachin the league, then 1/ lord help us and 2/ things are lookin up for me!
It confirmed Calgary is big, strong d men, and good goalie. Its the formula Montreal rode to the cup finals. Forward lines are steady, balanced, can score. They look like a potentially more dangerous team this year – we’ll see
They have very few good young players coming along, but plenty of talent to work with for a few years. Young goalie might be good, but he wasn’t tested tonight.
and – Lucic is faster than Jake V
signed – rambling man at 12:27am
Thanks.
It struck me odd to suggest we didn’t learn much about the Oilers because inexperience, but we did learn about the Flames. Also genuinely curious.
On the Flames, my take is their new players are unlikely to replace what Gaudreau and Tkachuk did last year (and they themselves would have been unlikely to repeat it). I know though that many seem to agree with you that the team has properly replaced them or even gotten better. We’ll have to wait and see how the year plays out.
good shot by Weegar but Skinner will want that one back.
Kemp pulls the string on a slapper turning it over to Looch who was blocking, giving looch a breakway, but Kemp catches from him behind–and Dima is there too–and strips the puck
Kemp fires a laser just outside the far post on an open look from the top of the circle.
Thank you Lowetide. Amazon delivered the package as I headed out to Ringo and all Star Band concert tonight. Tripped over the package, ripped it open like it was Christmas 1979 in Chinougamau again..and it was ON THE CLOCK WITH OILERS AND ALLAN OILERS MITCHELL!!! As Ringo says it don’t come easy but with a little help from my friends it’s a photograph I won’t soon forget brother!!
Playlist from concert tonight followed by 630 ched on TTC home for some reading…
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5MGun9Gc7w8pOnRn0G2fHM?si=nFGXnEsxQBW_jkOPFEffxA&utm_source=copy-link
Ps bibliomancy opened book to…Darcy Martini…haha!
Christmas 1979 in Chibougamau!!
Im not sure Im learning anything this game.
Already knew McLeod, Holloway were good. Foegele has lots of try in him, needs some puck handling.
Barrie is best D in white.
Everybody else? Not touching the puck much.
Petrov will be sent out right away.
Foegele is really struggling with being on the right side he’s had to adjust a few times mid play, but of course too late by that point
Petrov with a nice feed at the blue line to McKegg entering the zone with speed, springing the center for a good chance.
Good shift from Petrov. 2 Corskis, and a smart backpass for a clean breakout. Was puck watching a little at the end of it but all-in-all a strong shift.
Not a great look for Skinner on the Stone goal.
Not much happening for the good guys this game. Probably be some cuts after tonight.
Hopefully next game features a few of the top guys.
Benson might be the Oil’s most involved forward tonight
Always involved. Never impactful
Not sure what McLeod was thinking on that PP zone entry
Nemo caught for checking behind Calgary net, leading to a 2 on 1, totally gassed and poor defending in his own end. He’s got things to learn.
Yup and Samorukov caught again standing up aggressively at the Blue line….Russians have a weird thing about not giving up the offensive blue-line….I remember attending the Can vs Rus quarter final at the 2010 Van Olympics, tons of Russian fans in the stands…every time the offensive zone was lost the fans would jeer….it’s a strange cultural hockey difference that appears strongly imprinted in young Samorukov.
Hasn’t Dima been playing in Canada or the US since he was in the OHL? (Aside from his COVID year in Moscow)
That’s why I chose the word “imprinted” because I think it comes from his days as a young pup in Russia
You mean to say he played Hockey as a kid in Russia before he came to Canada to play Junior Hockey. Who would of thunk that
Holy shite, I mean to say the pattern of behaviour was learned in Russia when he was forming his foundation of hockey knowledge, the pattern was reinforced and ingrained so deep that after nearly a decade playing the North American game it is still prevalent. Is Reja trying on the troll hat (hair)?
I agree the instincts you learn as a kid stick with you your whole life and that counts for many other things besides Hockey. Sammy also played for the Russians in the World Junior’s a couple of times as well.
Petrov draws his second penalty of the game
Maybe Yams is his mentor?
Demers is a hard no for me.
I’d rather have Kowboy back at $750k, he’s still UFA
Safe clear by Petrov but he had more time and space then he thought
I cannot believe this game is blacked out in the US. What a bunch of BS.
on nhl.com?
https://www.nhl.com/video/oilers-at-flames-pre-season/t-277350912/c-42256703
It’s free game so that’s kinda ignorant
It is blacked out here. Everywhere except Canada. I could not even get any of my usual off market feeds to work.
Gawd this League is so parochial
Come on guys. This is because there is no actual TV broadcast for this game. Its not produced except internally by the flames.
The first two games were produced by TV by the Jets/TSN and Seattle/network.
This isn’t the league, this is the teams not having the game produced for TV and there being no broadcast for Center Ice, etc. to pick up.
And that means Nhl.com should block everyone not sitting in Alberta from viewing this on their site? But Albertans are okay?
Like the NHL, your positioning is allowing own-goals.
There’s no doubt in my mind that Benson’s feet are a little fleeter. He still doesn’t have a particularly efficient stride, but what his stride lacks in drive seems to be improved by utilizing shorter, quicker steps.
Sutter beats three men defending the crease to get his stick on the puck and by Pickard.
mclain should have gotten 2 penalties there
Petrov draws a penalty driving the slot
Love that Gilbert Gottfried is still doing Flames games despite passing away.
Oilers are hanging in there. Pickard looks good. flames look discombobulated LOL.
Ryan good period
Holloway always around puck
Virtanen better period
Demers rough period
HR #61 on the board. What a season.
That fan that missed the catch – ouch!
How much was the ball supposedly going for?
I’ve seen anywhere from 250k-500k.
#62 forecast to be a fair bit more than that.
So far, I’d say the Oil look to be playing a pretty pesky game. Lots of good sticks on defense from the forwards from what I see. Very disruptive!
Foegele on right wing is interesting.
I probably shouldn’t read too much into it… right?
It’s possible.
1) Wow, I can’t agree at all that another team claiming Derek Ryan would be doing the Oilers a HUGE favour. Ryan is full value for $1.25MM and the only reason the team might waive him is due to cap reasons – losing any of Janmark, Ryan or Foegele on waivers would hurt the team. The only one that would provide a favour is possibly Foegele as that would open up real cap space. D. Ryan could be buried for $75K cap hit. Losing him would so not be a favour granted.
2) Holloway can play centre and I think that he very well could be a centre for much of his career (and was a full time centre in his draft plus 1 season at Wisconsin, his “pop season”) but it seems as the org has zero intention of playing him as a centre at this point. I mean, James Hamblin isn’t a full time centre, he’s played plenty of wing in the AHL, and he was the centre over Holloway in Penticton – that’s telling, right?
3)
$20MM would be the max at a $100MM cap. While the cap is projected to get there in due course, I’m not positive it will be there for when McDavid re-signs (which will be a year prior even if the contract is not in force for a season). Further, that would be totally unreasonable. Sure, McDavid could “demand the max” but he’d be crippling his team’s ability to compete. No-one has come anywhere close to 20% of the cap and, no, McDavid shouldn’t either.
I see Matthews jumping MacKinnon in the $13.5MM range and that’s were Drai will likely come in with McDavid being in the $15MM range the year after.
4) Murray with Barrie tonight – clearly Broberg/Murray are 6/7D right now and ahead of Niemo. Looking forward to seeing Samorukov on his natural side against a good flame lineup. I do wish he would get that spot with. legit NHL d-man though – oh well.
Projection I heard yesterday was $92M for McDavid’s contract year and about $89M for Drai’s.
Hear me out, what if we tank one more year to get Bedard? Don’t play hard for Bedard?
the slogan is “SUCK HARD FOR BEDARD” …..
And it looks as those CHICAGO & ARIZONA will be the 2 front runners
I prefer “DISHONOUR FOR CONNOR”
I don’t know, I think Arizona has it right, “Play your games in a barnyard for Bedard”
I like this one cause it’s a double entendre. Dishonour for connor Bedard, but at the same time you are dishonoring connor McDavid.
The season is a goner, let’s get Connor.
Enough with the loser mentality.
1) Wow, I can’t agree at all that another team claiming Derek Ryan would be doing the Oilers a HUGE favour. Ryan is full value for $1.25MM and the only reason the team might waive him is due to cap reasons – losing any of Janmark, Ryan or Foegele on waivers would hurt the team. The only one that would provide a favour is possibly Foegele as that would open up real cap space. D. Ryan could be buried for $75K cap hit. Losing him would so not be a favour granted.
2) Holloway can play centre and I think that he very well could be a centre for much of his career (and was a full time centre in his draft plus 1 season at Wisconsin, his “pop season”) but it seems as the org has zero intention of playing him as a centre at this point. I mean, James Hamblin isn’t a full time centre, he’s played plenty of wing in the AHL, and he was the centre over Holloway in Penticton – that’s telling, right?
3)
$20MM would be the max at a $100MM cap. While the cap is projected to get there in due course, I’m not positive it will be there for when McDavid re-signs (which will be a year prior even if the contract is not in force for a season). Further, that would be totally unreasonable. Sure, McDavid could “demand the max” but he’d be crippling his team’s ability to compete. No-one has come anywhere close to 20% of the cap and, no, McDavid shouldn’t either.
I see Matthews jumping MacKinnon in the $13.5MM range and that’s were Drai will likely come in with McDavid being in the $15MM range the year after.
4) Murray with Barrie tonight – clearly Broberg/Murray are 6/7D right now and ahead of Niemo. Looking forward to seeing Samorukov on his natural side against a good flame lineup. I do wish he would get that spot with. legit NHL d-man though – oh well.
With the lineups tonight- this is the time for Ryan Murray and Jason Demers to showcase themselves. I suspect there will be a lot of defending.
Just by my eye-Jason seems to have lost a step.
Agreed, he looked a bit gassed, a bit desperate battling in the corner in his first outing.
Demers quote about asking his D-partner with “the young legs” to hit the opposition, in a pre-season tilt doesn’t bode well for foot speed improvements. 🥾
Jeremias Lindewall went pointless in his second game of the season, 1 sog and -1 so maybe not his greatest night but his team won 6-2 against AIK(the club Philip Broberg played for in his draft year btw). His team has started the season with two straight wins which is nice to see from a team everyone and their mother assume will finish last. Newcomers tend to come out strong and then fade but let’s hope they can keep it up and Lindewall can have a strong third showing. So far he’s had a good first game and so so second.
I think Woodie should pull the ultimate power move. When he comes out for the game, he should fling open the bench gate, step on the ice, place hand on hip and stare down Sutter 🙂
What are “moments that I will remember for a long time” for 500.
Timing is everything. The Oilers really got screwed by COVID and the flat cap that came with it. These were to be the prime years for filling in around Draisaitl, McDavid, and Nurse. As their contracts progressed they were supposed to take up less percentage of the overall cap making their cap hits into bargains in the final years. In a way, McDavid and Draisaitl are still bargains but imagine what kind of bargain they’d be if the cap was around $90M this season instead of $82.5M. Holland has done really well, all things considered.
The Littlest Hobo, that name is going to stick, no?
Holloway, McLeod, and I bet Benson have good games. Benson is a smart player. He seems to have gained a step this season and isn’t afraid to mix it up a bit. That may be needed against a Flames lineup who are probably still in a bad mood over last season. This is where Virtanen might show his value, but it might also expose his liabilities in stupid penalties. I, myself, am not a fan. I’d like to see Petrov get a chance with a bit more skill, even swapping spots with Virtanen would be a better showcase for him. It’ll be a tough night for the bottom half of the roster. The Flames roster looks pretty damn good. It will be tough for Edmonton to win the division. I think the Flames may have gotten better this year. The Oilers will still win, I think, but it will be close. LA will be close behind, too.
Career years from Johnny and the turtle, very few injuries, Lindholm will be less effective, Huberdeau is a great player but his quality of linemates goes down this year. Kadri will never touch what he accomplished last year and is a huge downgrade on production from the turtle. Weegar is good, but that roster just lost 2/3s of the most productive line in the league. They’ll make the playoffs, but Markstrom will need to post another 9 SO season and fill the holes in his swiss cheese goalering against the Oilers.
I have been watching Virtanen. I thought if he took a two way deal he would be signed for certain.
So far he has been mediocre. But as a secondary player he needs others to play with. Several veteran players have not stood out yet either, though it is true they are generally playing less than 100 during pre-season. Jake doesn’t have that luxury.
At stated 230lbs he looks too heavy. His straight line speed is okay but his first steps and agility are not as quick as they could be. Hes not really using his size to his advantage, though the nets and corners have not been highly contested in preseason
He has been lost the last few seasons and looks that way. Uncertain and unsure. He needs a center that can find him in front, he spends a lot of time cruising the net but no pucks are coming through. Looks to me like he needs several more games just to get comfortable, Im not sure he gets them.
If he does get them, veterans players show up, pace picks up, some heavy teams come to town, will what he brings allow him to beat out McKegg, Shore, Malone, Benson, Griff, Hamblin? All of these players have played well but it will likely come down to the one who brings the most of a missing element the team needs.
Virtanen has been playing himself out of the league for awhile now. No reason to think it will be otherwise.
I don’t see how he could be in NHL shape at that weight. He is listed at 226 on Tye league site with the Canucks jersey on
At 6’1
If he is fit at that height that’s a linebacker build not an NHL hockey player build. Too much bulk to be NHL quick
He only makes it as a ruffian with ‘some kind of hands and puck ability’ like that. If they even want a player like that again. Doesn’t really fit the ‘speed skill rangy’ mantra Holland espouses
No harm in the PTO
Mike Grier was 6’1’, 230 was he not?
Though he was also one of a kind.
Yes, and built like a linebacker / short heavyweight!
I have not managed to post many observations on pre-season so far, but just some thoughts for today.
Puljujarvi VS Bourgualt
Jessie is an NHL player. His style is powerful skating, forechecking, big bodied, somewhat physical. Limited puck control in tight. good sense, not great. he can carry the puck for zone entries when he puts his mind to it. Covers a lot of ice in sweeps and curls, but doesn’t touch the puck more for it.
Xavier is not yet an NHL player. He is not as big or fast. He has good hands, good in tight spaces. He plays a quiet, efficient, game in a lot of ways. He sticks to his side, his corners. Good give and go player, good passes. Forechecks well, good hockey sense. Hes reliable and predictable in his positioning. Tracks his linemates well.
Im not getting at best man for the job here, but recognizing different styles. if these styles are correct then they should be deployed with centers who would compliment their strengths.
I wonder what kind of mentorship happens, what kind of friendship building happens. I think that we have such a well balanced team that young kids should all be able to fit under someone’s wing. Is there this kind of intentionality in team building?
I always thought if hall came into the league with appropriate mentorship that he would have made much more of his development years, and would have been an even greater beast.
Absolutely agree on Hall! Who was this guy to learn from as a rookie?? Hard to believe there was virtually no talent left on the team.
And intimidation? It exists. You can feel it on a bench. I always felt Hall lacked support.
The biggest problem with Jessie is that when he gets the puck his first instinct is to get rid of it, ala hot potato…works like hell to get the biscuit and then wants to get rid of it to anywhere…man, I hate passing to and playing with wingers like that and just want to ignore him and move it to a player that will do something positive offensively.
Hello Lowetidians, I am a first time season ticket holder this year and I know I wont’ be able to make all the games. When it comes to reselling tickets have folks had better luck/prefer the Oilers ticketmaster resale vs. Stubhub? Just wondering if one is more effective than the other.
Thanks
I’d suggest FansFirst.ca
Offering them here would also probably sell quickly.
I second this motion….skip the middle man.
StubHub is listed in USD and their transaction fees are pretty steep. I usually try to avoid them if possible. The Oilers Ticketmaster exchange is the most popular.
Tonight in Calgary
Holloway-McLeod-Foegele
Janmark-Shore-Ryan
Benson-Malone-themanwithnoname
Esposito-McKegg-Petrov/Kambietz
Murray-Barrie
Niemelainen-Demers
Samorukov-Kemp
Pickard
Skinner
According to Gregor.
Eeek. Well good to give the kids a BOA game…maybe Calgary is planning a similar line-up tonight with a plan for both teams to lace up some of the top-6 for the 2nd game…
Unfortunately, it looks like the Flames are starting 3/4 of their starting lineup. The big guns will be there tonight. Yikes.
Huberdeau-Lindholm-Toffoli
Backlund-Kadri-Coleman
Lucic-Rooney-Lewis
Sutter-Bishop-McLain
Hanifin-Andersson
Zadorov-Weegar
Solovyov-Stone
Markstrom
Wolf
and I was looking forward to watching this game. Thank Gord it is not a 10pm start!
That top line will be fun to watch.
Then Samorukov. For you guys that watch Sammy a lot; he seems a slow starter. Like he needs adjustment time or settle down time before he performs. Each time he moves up a league he seems to wilt, then get comfortable, then excel. Is this what we are seeing?
This is exactly why you can’t read anything into pre season records of a team. Edm is sending an AHL lineup against Calgary’s full NHL lineup. I am sure the Flames will return the favor Friday 🙂
Is it not a tacit agreement among teams in preseason that the home team will ice a more veteran lineup than the visitors? Seems like it’s been that way since time out of mind.
I doubt it is an agreement. If teams are only going to play their top players for half of the preseason games or less, they owe it to their own fans to play them at home (to make the preseason tickets worthwhile).
There are way too many pre-season games. It’s just a way for the owners to sell a bunch of extra tickets. You want to play your established players as little as possible but just enough for them to get ready for the regular season.
Skinner-Pickard tandem between the #Oilers pipes tonight in Calgary. Same duo combined for a 29-save shutout vs. Winnipeg on Sunday.
From DNB:
Per Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft, D Vincent Desharnais is out week to week following surgery. Sounds like a hand injury that was sustained during a captains’ skate.
Such a big year for him. One Fedun is too many. Heal quick Vincent.
50 years ago today… I was attending Westbrook Elementary school. The third period of the game was played during lunch time, so we had to listen on the radio. When Henderson scored, I remember all the kids jumping up and down on the field. So many details of that day have been stuck in my head forever.
Hey fellow Westbrook alum!
Cool. I lived in Aspen Gardens on 39A Ave.
I grew up in Royal Gardens but frequented Aspen and Westbrook.
We were the 2nd family to move into Royal Gardens when my father got transferred to Edmonton from Calgary. Lived there until they bought a house a few blocks south of Harry Ainlay where I went to school.
Now that was a long time ago.
were you around Aspen in 68 or 69 ?…..
Silver Streak, I was in Grade 1 at Westbrook in 68-69.
Westbrook and Vernon Barford baby!
I remember getting the Lion King speech in elementary school.
“What’s that dark part of the field over there?”
“That’s the Junior High field. You must never go there.”
We lived in Lansdowne, & I went to Harry Ainlay High School in 1972 where a TV was set up in the rotunda for Game 8. My physics teacher, Mr. Sprysak, scheduled an exam during Block 2, then told us at the start of class it was a ploy to get us to attend the class. Still wish I had simply stood up & walked out. Instead, by the time I did get out of there — learning nothing — it was 2-2 late in the first.
Watched the second & third at my friend’s house nearby & we walked into our afternoon band class halfway through smiling & laughing & got absolutely no pushback whatsoever from Mr. Bogner, who knew just how invested we were in the hockey.
Guess which teacher is more fondly remembered today?
What an absolute asshole.
Lol. This made me laugh. Trying to figure out the sincerity of this comment.
Bruce, I had Mr Sprysak for Physics as well (a few years later). He was my favourite teacher in high school. Funny guy.
I also had Sprysak in Physics – graduated in ’93 – absolutely loved that class with him. He got me so interested in Physics that I enrolled in the UofA to major in that subject that Fall. I transferred Arts the next year; that was on me, not him!
I actually liked him, but… he had his Steve Smith moment, except it was deliberate.
Lol, thought he was gonna say it was a ploy to get you to class, then promptly roll the tv in. Now that would be a hero.
Sprysak was the best. A big poster of Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman on the wall. We spent the year proving that her bracelets could not deflect bullets – maybe other parts could.
Watched the game in the gym at Malmo Elementary – great principle to set that up (just cannot remember his name).
Small world. I live in that neighborhood and my kids go to Westbrook and VB currently. The neighborhood has changed a lot in the past few years with all the infill construction.
I had just had my tonsils out and watched from home eating ice cream!
I can’t really remember watching Janmark. Is he the defensively conscious player on the line? Does he have any edge to his game? Is he a soft 205 pounder or does he use his body effectively on the cycle?
Haven’t watched him a lot the last few seasons but from what I recall; hard working player, solid defensively but Jere Lehtinen he ain’t, not very physical, pretty good hands and playmaking, average finish, was a skill player before coming over but hasn’t really translated to the NHL, always look good for Sweden in the World Championships, he’s a better player on the bigger ice but still a fine bottom sixer in the NHL I’m a little concerned that he’s fading a bit at the NHL level, not based on my own viewings but just that his type of “skill in europe depth in the NHL” player tend to start fading at his age because the heart to do depth duty isn’t there and eventually they return to home to be a top line guy instead since it’s more fun. Also I’m getting mixed reviews from guys who’ve seen him the last few years. Let’s hope he finds some spark in Edmonton!
Without cheating can anyone name the last 2 Swedes to score 15 Goals in a season for the Oil??
Puljujarvi and Paajarvi?
We’ve never had luck with the Swedes. I thought for sure Kent Nillison who wasn’t even close to getting 15 because he was a trade deadline deal. Kent had such a great playoff that’s probably why I thought of him. Nillison Messier and Anderson what a second line.
Let’s not forget Lindstrom had 22
Wow I completely forgot about Willy and his 3 years with the Oil. The Oilers had 8 20 Goal scorers in 83-84 when Willy popped his 22, what a time to be a Oiler fan.
One of several times during Slats time as GM when a player I wanted the Oilers to acquire landed here. He was a fun player.
Ulf Nillison, Andres Hedberg, Bobby hull, Kent Nilisson and Willy Lindstrom the Jets were loaded. I wonder where the Hull, Hedberg and Ulf Nilisson line stacks up in the top 10 greatest lines ever that’s including the CCCP teams and the Stastny Clan.
Lindstrom and Paajarvi are the only 2 to ever score 15 for the Oilers, right (unless you include the Finnish Swede Puljujarvi).
(I had to cheat looking it up)
That’s it. I thought Anton Lander would get there, still don’t get why he didn’t pan out.
Same reason(s) as Benson I think.
I thought Nilsson would be on the list too, but that was kinda before my time.
I wondered if Freddy Olausson had done it, but he only scored 9 in his best Oiler season.
#3 on the list after Lindstrom/Paajarvi is Mats Lindgren with 13.
Like Lander I thought he’d be a fixture at 3C for a decade. Oh well.
Ha, and I’m remembering now that Lindgren was traded to the Oilers for current coach Dave Manson.
The expected big increase in the salary cap will take place in the same season that Leon is due for a new contract. If it happens that will work out quite well for the Oilers. We’ll have a number of players locked in beyond that already, so getting Leon inked to a deal in the $12-13 million range and Connor in the $15+ range the next season should be doable.
IMO Edmonton won’t be able to sign both players. I think McDavid will be pushing $20 Mil / per by then. and yes Leon $12 – $15 Mil …. If they do sign both, it will be a real challenge to put a quality supporting cast around them …
McDavid will have enough off ice income that he will Tom Brady Sidney Crosby it and take less for more Cups.and not attempt to max his NHL AAV.
They’ll both likely sign to a specific percentage of the salary cap. Should be very doable for the Oilers.
1) So, Jay Woodcroft was in the fist episode of The Littlest Hobo? This is a real thing?
2) I think the McDavid and Drai lines will play Friday in Edmonton, one of the Vancouver games and the last game. I think its good to play them in the same game for PP work.
3) I would like to see some “tweeners” like Holloway get a game up there but, at the same time, given those guys are only likely to play. few games, they need ice with their likely linemtes (i.e. Jesse with Drai and Yamamoto with McDavid).
4) I wonder if we see Petrov in the name tonight? If not I would suspect either (a) he’s hurt or (b) he will be starting the season in the AHL as opposed to CHL.
5) Of of curiosity, does anyone watch/listen to the OilStream with Dusty and Tommy G? They are “on location” at The Hamptons Boston Pizza Friday at noon. I’m actually in town and am right by there so may pop by and watch them live.
What?!
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0633260/characters/nm0940223
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0940223/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
Looks like it’s him!
He played Bobby Moore in a Ski Vacation movie as the son of David Naughton & Jennifer Dale characters when he was 9 or 10 years old. His Littlest Hobo appearance was when he was only 2 or 3.
His brother, Todd (head coach at U of Vermont), was in the Littlest Hobo too about 6 years later!
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0940224/?ref_=nmbio_bio_nm
OMG, it’s not even a little bit part, he’s the main storyline in the first episode!
Cute little Davey! Poor little guy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-d-dA3E25Q
If you don’t have patience to watch the whole episode, start at the 8:30 mark.
I realize it’s the preseason, but at least the second-most handsome coach, Sutter, has 1400 games behind the bench. He can’t have a lineup ready for lowetide.ca at 8:20 am?
man…not sure who were the judges on this one but Sutter?…ha!…gotta love the guy but…reminds me more of Muskeg the Moose than a contestant on the bachelor!
It was an app.
To elaborate on my post the other day re: a Hyman-Drai-Holloway line as it’s now one of the central topics, I like the concept for the following reasons.
First, I’ve watched Holloway make a surprising number of small, deft puck-touch plays that I believe would mesh well with Drai’s game. For all the mention of his powerful stride or his balls-to-the-wall rushes, this wasn’t something I expected from his game. As has been mentioned a few times on these boards, Drai thrives with someone who can think creatively and fast enough to make such small touch passes. Further, Hyman’s presence on the line helps define its identity and the nature of its attacks (board dominance > slot play) which mesh well with what I’ve described of Holloway’s game so far.
Second, that balls-to-the-wall attacking style emulates Hall’s style and, therefore, brings something that Drai finds success with: a speedy linemate that pushes the D back. While Hyman isn’t incapable of carrying the puck into the O-zone, his speed isn’t quite on the level of those others and, as such, his rushes don’t buy Drai as much time to create. Adding Holloway not only adds this speed, but also diversifies the rush attack options for this line.
Third, it puts Holloway in a position to succeed. It’s important that the team get a real sense for whether his skill level is that of a bonafide top-6 forward or one better suited to a middle-6 role. While some concern over a 2nd contract would be justified, I’m not worried about it given his likely lack of PP time. He would have to absolutely blow the doors off at EV in order to warrant an unmanageable cap hit and, if he does that, I don’t feel like that would be bad news for the team.
Lastly, it facilitates what I think would be a killer, defensive gem of a 3rd line of Nuge-McLeod-Puljujarvi. Even if Puljujarvi moves up with McDavid and Kane at times, Nuge-McLeod-Yamo still inspires plenty of confidence as a 3rd line.
It’s clear the Oilers top six is interchangeable. There is an infinite number of different combinations to make any fan drool.
Other than McDavid, Draisaitl and maybe Kane, I’d say the Oilers top-9 are completely interchangeable.
I could see any of these guys playing 1st, 2nd or 3rd line for extended stretches: Nugent-Hopkins, Hyman, Puljujarvi, Yamamoto, Holloway and McLeod. That’s depth…
Pardon me the top 9 is interchangeable
This is good folks are starting to internalize the Copper and Blue Wave that is about to burst upon the NHL.
Once Bouchard starts chugging along at a ppg pace and everyone gets to see Broberg get his feet wet then the real warm fuzzies will hit.
Combine all of that with the Salary Cap pop and our little Oilers just might hit a spot that allows them to keep their entire team intact (if everyone so chooses to stay) for a decade instead of five years.
A Decade of Dominance is starting to round into view. Its going to be oh so much fun.
It’s going to be a huge boon to any decade of dominance to come that we’ve retained our first round picks for exactly forever. With the exception of the Great Yakuflop of 2012, our 2011-2020 1st rounders should all be in the lineup making contributions this year, with Bouchard, and hopefully Broberg and Holloway on contracts that represent massive value. Bourgault should do the same next year and there’s no reason to think Schaeffer won’t be far behind.
You’ve nailed it here yup. Add into that crop of players one or <1st rounders rounding into a player or maybe snagging an NCAA fella and you’re talking about a wonderful pipeline. Props to both Chia and Kenny on this one.
Served Tampa well the last few years even if they playoff underperformed a chunk of their middle years of their ass kicking window. Huh upon inspection they’ve made the SCF four times in the last eight seasons. That’s damn good for a league that talks parity.
Is there any way to see the game?
Last time it was like being a ghost watching living people doing stuff.
That’s because the AHL talent on the ice matched the AHL quality feed. Although it was superior to my television viewing experiences circa 1983…
There is info here:
https://dailyhive.com/edmonton/how-to-watch-oilers-preseason-games
Thank you
Easiest way is YouTube. Search ‘Oilers Flames’, then click the gray ‘Live’ button at the top of the page.
Debating taking the kids to the game tonight as a regular season BOA has gotten too pricey for this family, even up in the depths of the ‘Dome. Will definitely be hitting the Condors game here later this year though. Waiting to see a line-up before I grab tickets. Would like to see Holloway and Campbell.
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Hyman is definitely better on the LW, I like how you think with the Hyman-Drai-Hollywood line. I was thinking the same thing the past couple of days and won’t be the least surprised if we see it before Christmas.
McLeod is better at draws and I think Nuge will play more wing this year. Regardless, Woody is a Wizard and I’m confident he’ll find the right combos.
RW depth is still an issue, I suspect that’ll be addressed before the trade deadline.
Interesting how you’d rather play a rookie on his off wing before playing a veteran on his natural wing. If truly there is a lack of depth on RW, which is debatable, it’s a non-issue.
I hear this all the time that Hyman is better on the left side. Is there anywhere public with those splits? I would be very curious to see the difference.
Hyman started playing on his off wing in Toronto because they had a ton of depth on the RW. He will play RW or LW, wherever the team needs him to play. I suspect it’s the same with Foegele.