On what was one of the most enjoyable Saturday night HNIC games involving the Oilers in memory, Stuart Skinner kept reaching for the stars. He has a .955 save percentage, and Oilers fans are talking big things for the young goaltender. Could it be? Edmonton’s history in drafting goalies successfully would best be described as “just once, in a very blue moon” but the evidence supporting Skinner is currently quite fantastic. As for Calgary, I guess not flooding the ice in time for Oilers scheduled practice doesn’t work after all.
Oilers prospect Tyler Tullio is already showing he can play a strong game in Bakersfield. He is tracking with his historical comparable and is a real NHL prospect. https://t.co/B7DKlg4Vt2
At home to: VAN, CGY, BUF, CAR, STL, PIT (Expected 4-1-1) (Actual 3-3-0)
On the road to: STL, CHI, CGY (Expected 1-1-1) (Actual 3-0-0)
Overall expected result: 5-2-2, 12 points in 9 games
Actual October results: 6-3-0, 12 points in 9 games
Oilers in 2022-23: 6-3-0, 12 points in 9 games
The run from the Pittsburgh game through the end of the road trip is the story of October. The Woodcroft-Manson coaching team is MacGyvering the roster again, and you can see the improvements. Now, is the new version of ‘hot as a fire cracker Mike Smith’ the rookie? And can Stuart Skinner force Edmonton to play him in more than 30 games? This is an emerging story. Some have already trumpeted it. Those of us who drive in the more conservative lanes are starting to buy in.
SUMMARY
Stuart Skinner had a terrific night, stopping 40 of 42 and several brilliant chances. His stop of Mikael Backlund just before the first Oilers goal was a game-saver. Is he emerging as the Oilers starter? He’s worthy of the title, but both men will be needed during the season.
Darnell Nurse played heavy minutes against the Lindholm line, lost the shot share (25 percent) but won the goal differential (1-0). At five-on-five, he had 12 defensive zone faceoffs, just two offensive. One SOG, four blocks, three hits, and many miles skated. His passing was not strong in this game.
Cody Ceci had a shot block, an assist on the McDavid goal, and cleared the puck from danger mutliple times. A solid player. He was on the ice for 11-3 defensive versus offensive zone faceoffs, as the coaching staff ran the top pairing hard in terms of real estate as opposed to minutes played. They used to call this player type a ‘heady’ player, implying intelligent play in the heart of the battle. Ceci is that player.
Markus Niemelainen played double the five-on-five minutes he’d seen versus Chicago, and survived. That’s the big news. He did get beat clean off the rush by Mangiapane for a dangerous chance, and coughed up the puck a couple of times. He’s learning on the job and offers the team a very different look.
Tyson Barrie had a shot on goal, drew a penalty, one TK and four blocked shots. He had a difficult time on the Backlund goal, was unable to deal with the pressure and then unable to influence the outcome. Then, he did it again against the same player. Smoked in pretty much every metric, from shot share to HDSC, but survived with a rookie partner. It isn’t ideal, but Edmonton won and that was the point of it all.
Brett Kulak had a takeaway, a shot block, and got involved physically. The numbers were good, reflected in 65 percent expected goals, 1-1 on-ice goals five-on-five, and was part of a successful unit versus the Kadri line. He was beaten on the Ritchie goal, not the only guilty party but needed to have more of an impact on the play.
Evan Bouchard had two shots, one HDSC, drew a penalty, two takeaways, two blocked shots. Sent several forwards on their way, including a fantastic headman pass to 97. 54 percent expected goals. Still some mistakes of youth, but he’s a terrific talent.
Evander Kane had one shot, three HDSC, GV-TK, although he did seem to turn the puck over more than once. Played most of the game versus Hanifin-Andersson at five-on-five and against the Lindholm line. HDSC chances were 3-5 while his line was on the ice, he didn’t impact the game in his usual fashion.
Leon Draisaitl had an assist, two shots, one HDSC, giveaway, two takeaways. He played a strong game, and as is the case in the with the Nurse pairing, there was a lot of noise in the numbers but the HDSC (2-3) were about even. His play without the puck can be stealth, but there’s so much power in his game he can dominate that area, too. He is full throttle now, an absolute monster on the ice.
Kailer Yamamoto’s game seems to be coming around now. On the ice for 4-3 HDSC on the night, he contributed two shots, one HDSC, drew a penalty and saw more touches in a good way during the game.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had four shots, two HDSC, took a penalty and one takeaway. He’s a slick passer, so many subtle passes last night on this line.
Connor McDavid was on another plane of existence last night, going 1-2-3 against a team focused completely on him. Faced Weegar, as we expected, but won the possession numbers and battled to a 1-1 draw goals. It was 2-1 versus Tanev. He is a sublime talent. McDavid did miss the pass through the slot to Ritchie, it tipped a little on the way thtough but that’s his mark.
Zach Hyman had another strong game, scoring two goals on four shots and two HDSC. His strong play near the puck is a delight to watch, absolute determination and dedication to a moment. My goodness I’ll never tire of watching him play.
Warren Foegele had two shots, a giveaway and three hits. The line had 6-6 scoring chances but 0-3 HDSC and I think that reflects what I saw on the night.
Ryan McLeod had one giveaway and a takeaway, to my eye he was effective in forcing desicions with strong forechecking.
Jesse Puljujarvi was the strongest player on the line, and was as physical as I can ever recall. I don’t mean phyiscal reckless, I mean physical effective. Elbowed Huberdeau, bested Lucic, it was quite the happening. Had two shots. I love this line.
Devin Shore had a shot on goal and his line did good things. The puck was headed in a good direction when he was on the ice, it’s a fun thing to pay attention to the folks who acknowledge it. For some reason, Shore is a lightning rod player. Don’t know why, pretty obvious what he is, and he does it well enough to stay in the league. Not much controversy to my eye.
Derek Ryan had two shots, a HDSC and looked good on what what an effective fourth line.
Dylan Holloway had his first good NHL game. I say that without any doubt. He got an assist, but what I liked most was his relentless battle and his quick decisions, including a tackle at the goal mouth and I’m not even kidding. Impressive. They’re going to need to find him a home in the top nine, folks.
BAKERSFIELD
I don’t know what the future holds for Xavier Bourgault, but he was fire in the first period last night. The Condors fizzled in the second, losing so much ground the team was unable to get all the goals back in the third period. I liked Tullio’s game, and thought Philip Broberg played well for his first game back in the AHL.
So when Shanahan decides to save his own neck and fire Dubas should Kenny ring him up and see if he wants to be head of Oilers analytics?
Nah we shouldn’t do that. Given the whole Tavares Jammies plus Captaincy over all the guys he was drafting and developing thing that’ll probably get in the way of us signing Matthews next year.
Odds are he’ll take a discount to play with McD and Leon. I like that centre depth a plenty 😈
Folks shouldn’t take this the wrong way. I actually have a soft spot for the Leafs, their fans (the ones who actually like hockey) are wonderful we’ll intentioned people who’ve suffered just as much if not more than us Oiler fans.
I just can’t for the damn life of me understand why Dubas used his first act as GM to sign Tavares.
That sucked up so much cap space, added to a position of organizational strength and precluded them from addressing defense and goal which has long been TOs weak spot.
The Original Sin if you will. Dubas will land on his fest somewhere but there was sooooo much potential with the group he inherited and it’s been playoff disappoint after playoff disappointment.
That one decision – to sign Tavares – set in motion a chain of events that eventually crippled the team. It raised the bar of salary expectations for Marner and Matthews. If they didn’t sign Tavares, they might still have Kadri, Hyman and enough cap space to sign a dman.
Of the too young and thus inexperienced GM’s one has already spectacularly flamed out
The remaining one may have the snake oiliness to keep his job, but he has not done a good job at all
At one time scouting Europe had some big advantages. At one time doing any analytics had it’s advantages
In both cases the market advantages are gone
The next frontier is learning to use the massive amounts of data the league is providing teams
To understand specifically in game flows and use that to determine what and who in closer detail is and isn’t working
It still remains if the underlying system the team employs is on the mark with regards to what really drives success, and if the players suit the choice
Dubas makes what are probably good statistical decisions, but adding up good metrics on paper (the roster) doesn’t make a good team necessarily
Human traits are more determinant of success once a certain ability level is reached
I think Holland has a far better handle on that, even if to me he still may have blind spots. Although he may have a different idea of what he wants than what is possible to assemble given cap and availability constraints in the shorter term
ie the D corp is far too ‘nice’ for what I would prefer, and Soupy’s deal was too long given other contracts
OriginalPouzar
October 30, 2022 9:28 pm
So, major news press conference in Vancouver tomorrow afternoon (announced by the org).
This won’t be player transactional.’
I wonder if it has anything to do with what happened with Rachel Doerrie….
During the @EdmontonOilers 4 game winning streak… As per Natural Stat Trick… Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have played a total of just 1:49 TOI together at 5v5
Oilers did it. Line 1 2 3 working, well greased, invert flowing.
At what point does Woodcroft start getting serious consideration for the Jack Adams? What does the team need to achieve for the media to give him his accolades? Or does having the two best players in hockey give him too much of a handicap
The award usually/always? goes to a coach whose team performs above expectations. I don’t see a way Woodcraft can win it as the Oilers are expected to be good.
Sutter just won his first Jack Adams last year which shows how it’s a Goldilocks award rather than an award based on merit. Don’t worry about it.
The award would probably be better if it were voted on by the coaches themselves, or maybe even the players. Insiders would choose the actual best coach, not the one whose team outperformed expectations.
I actually think the Lady Byng should be voted on by the players, and the question would be “which player do you respect the most?” Players could only win it once.
That would be a way of making players respect the Lady Byng, a trophy that a lot of players currently don’t even want to win.
I saw a player poll about 20 years ago on that exact question of respect, and Joe Sakic got 68% of the vote. Nobody else had more than 7%.
Last edited 2 years ago by Lewis Grant
jm363561
October 30, 2022 3:23 pm
A terrific game to watch last night and a magnificent week of results. The Oil are a just a joy to watch; Connor is unreal and Zach Hyman, to my eye, seems a better player than last year. Skinner has rarely been spectacular but has been rock solid, but early days – I recall watching Ben Scrivens 50+ shut out and the clamour to sign him; Barrie / Niemo shot share 4 – 18.Hmmm. I like H Singh as the lead commentator but Louie … so many words to say nothing. Brett Kulak (+6) has the team best +/-. JP the worst. Ryan McLeod shooting 50%. Kane leads the team with 39 hits; Niemo second with 21! The season downer? – the utterly pathetic NHL TV app. Kailer ver. 2019 has gone forever it seems – sigh.
fistycuff
October 30, 2022 3:06 pm
Isn’t Skinner a rookie? What is the line in the sand (games played) for that? I know it’s a bit early, but would he not deserve early season consideration? Not sure if he would get enough games in either way.
It would be an amazing turn of events if SS won the first Calder in Oilers history (and a sign of an excellent team season)
Mind you he would join the illustrious company of Steve Mason and Andrew Raycroft…
Ya, I think he is still eligible as I don’t think the games played criteria is different for a goalie than a skater (less than 25 games total and no more than 6 in any two seasons).
Tarkus
October 30, 2022 2:56 pm
Summarizing!
Petrov finished with the one assist and 2 SOG in North Bay’s comeback win.
Prospecting takes the rest of the month off. Back Tuesday. 😀
New Improved Darkness
October 30, 2022 2:47 pm
Spam filter thinks I used too many short lines. One does not pack Bada Bing! Comedy Central like a common sardine can. Be a pity to lose that one. Ginsu fillet knife of the highest order.
106 and 106
October 30, 2022 2:32 pm
Stu’s come a long way from his first 8-5 win against the Senators.
No one. I think Holloway will have to show more for a consistent period of time before being bumped back into the top nine. That’s fine. I believe players can be developed at the NHL level. Bouchard stayed up a whole season with the Oilers while barely playing in games. It doesn’t appear to have hurt him IMO.
Shore and Ryan are better players than anyone he would be playing with in the AHL and both solid vets to chaperone him on his maiden voyage in the NHL.
There will be injuries in the top 6, and that’s when he’ll get a look there.
Have no idea what the circumstances were but if it was an intentional act there should be something done by the league. Hard to believe crap like that would happen at big money professional sports league. Again have no idea what actually happened.
A knuckle sandwich from Mike Grier would leave a lasting impression.
€√¥£€^$
October 30, 2022 12:07 pm
Way too early NHL Draft post #3.
As mentioned in August and in September, my pre-season mission was to circle a player that the Oilers might be choosing as their 1st round selection in June. My search landed on Koehn Ziemmer, a Whitecourt/Mayerthorpe product who plays for Prince George. Last season he scored 30 goals on 241 shots (12.4%) and started the season with only 4 goals on 60 shots (6.7%) in his first 24 games (2.5 shots per game), which mean he was scoring at a 14.4% shooting rate the rest of the way (4.11 shots per game).
The criteria I used was similar to (what I saw) as what was used for Reid Schaefer, a local/Western Canadian/Canadian, a good finisher, a physical player with good to decent size. Ziemmer was also listed between 30-40 in preseason projections.
Currently he is tied for 2nd in WHL points and goal-scoring behind Connor Bedard with 10 goals and 11 assists in 12 games. Of note, one scout mentioned his shot as one of the best in this draft. He only has 37 shots on net, so 3.08 shots per game and is scoring at 27.0 %; Bedard currently has 11 goals on 152 shots (7.2%), that is 10.9 shots per game.
FWIW, Ziemmer is rated lower in the draft due to skating concerns. Regardless, I believe he will heat up even more as the season progresses, based on last season’s pattern and results. I will check in again at the end of next month!
As we saw with Schaefer, sometimes guys appear out of nowhere, but in this case he is already making noise. He is trending into the range of a 3rd rounder, but will have to see if he keeps it up, or if he takes it up a notch…would like to see more goals, but those will likely come when he becomes less deferential and is more assertive surrounded by all the vets and skill on his team.
Thanks for the update. However, if there are skating concerns with this kid then why a first round pick? Look at Benson – who may have an NHL career but maybe not.
Regarding his “skating concerns”, to be fair he is a more dynamic skater than Schaefer, just does not have high-end speed or agility in a draft full of players who do. He has an elite shot and elite stick handling, plus physicality. Chances are he goes in the top half of the 1st round.
Got to watch him come up through minor hockey every 2nd year. He’s a year younger than my younger nephew. They played together and went to school together. He always stood out. Always head and shoulders better than all the others. Liked the physical play. He’s really worked on his shot and release. Don’t remember it really standing out until one year it was like wow, where did that come from when he was 14/15. Mins you, I only seen him 6/7 times every 2nd year.
leadfarmer
October 30, 2022 11:14 am
Some where claiming that Huberdeau is the same as Gaudreau offensively and better defensively. Which is hilarious
Well, truth be told, Gaudreau/Lindohlm/Tkachuk was indeed the best line in the regular season last season – they were unreal at 5 on 5.
I said many times this off-season that, yes sure, Huburdeau did match Gaudreau’s overall production last season but, while not terrible at 5 on 5, of course, he made much of his hey on the PP. He could help the flames PP but losing two of the top 5 on 5 producers in the league from last season was real and it was spectacular…..
In fact, 5 v 5 he did nothing last night. And Toffoli, well, he can’t skate. That’s the first line of a team that’s suposed to challenge for the cup? lol
More on that… Imo, Dallas bitch slapped lil Gaudy around, making that line not as effective, and almost knocking them out in round 1… a first round exit is Calgary’s MO going back 32 years (only 3 times past round 1 since ’89). Round 2 saw Kane make Kapuke his bitch, making that line not as effective.
Yes they were, & it wasn’t close. That’s why Oilers had to jerry rig a temporary power v power line to compete with them in the playoffs. But it sure did end well!
If Oilers had put their 3 best players on one line like Calgary did they would have some nice numbers too. But they (rightly) saved that option for the playoffs.
Against the Oilers, the line had an expected goals for percentage above 80 percent while not allowing any high-danger chances, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Credit where it’s due, that line was excellent last year, taking the title of best line in hockey from the perennial best Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak (on an aside – love him or hate him, it’s hard not to be impressed that Marchand got 3 points in his first game back from double hip surgery).
Huberdeau is not as dynamic a player as Gaudreau is and Kadri is not as accomplished a scorer as Tkachuk is (nor is he as aggravating). The Flames downgraded, got older, and signed both players for what will be the downslope of their careers (and then some). They also improved their defence by adding Weegar, but lost Vallimaki for nothing on waivers. Next year Weegar gets expensive for another 8 more seasons starting at age 29. Yes, they have Lucic’s 5.25 million coming off the cap next season, but they’ve already spent 7.6 million on the Huberdeau and Weegar’s extensions. Even if the cap goes up by 3-5 million, they still won’t have enough cap space to add another difference maker at forward, without trading one of their defensemen
Their moves only delayed the inevitable … they’re 2-3 seasons away from being the Vancouver Canucks depending on how quickly the decline phase for Huberdeau and Kadri comes… and they took themselves out of the Connor Bedard sweepstakes in the process.
His previous contract was lowballed I don’t blame Johnny at all on how it went down with Pizza Boy. Huberdeau peaked out last year on deep deep Panther squad he’ll never see a 100 point season again unless they acquire a pure scorer for Huberdeau to feed on the PP and 5 on 5. I’ll take Johnny to age better than Huberdeau in the next decade.
Brogan Rafferty's Uncle Steve
October 30, 2022 11:00 am
Oilers are third in the league for total points. Sixth for w%. Sixth for goal differential. Very nice.
SoCaloil
October 30, 2022 11:00 am
it’s time to start talking Skinner extension ala Vladar for 3 yrs
Looking at capfriendly this am Treliving got everyone extended
Seems as if he’s learned from the Gaudreau fiasco
2.2 for 2 years of a capable young backup G with more upside than downside potential is not an overpayment imho. I would not bat an eyelash if we resigned skinner for an identical contract. Would prefer 3 yrs tho
Dr.Donkey
October 30, 2022 10:45 am
These last two games against Calgary are the only Oiler games I have ever watched where I did not have very strong negative feelings towards Kadri. Before this season he has been so good at getting under our skins and being a major factor. Now, he did score last game but apart from that…
Is this because Kane acts as a neutralizer or because Kadri has changed his game. Probably a bit of both but it is strange that he is not his usual rambunctious self. Did he learn what makes him most valuable as part of that Avalanche team?
Read this article earlier today, found myself nodding in agreement more than once. The juxtaposition of the finite vs. the infinite was particularly compelling.
Agreed, Holloway is on the fast track for top 6 or top 9….if Jesse keeps up this physical streak and foegle keeps up his play I think kailer finds himself without a chair when the music stops
Yamo is a third liner on a cup contender. He should be playing on the third line with the Oilers. Ergo, the Oilers are a cup contender. He does a lot of useful things and is an aggressive forechecker; he just should not be taking passes from Drai or McD in high danger areas. It won’t work.
I have really liked what I’ve seen from Foegele on the third line. He needs to convert offensively but he’s playing at a much higher level this year than last.
Third liner or third best player on his line. Right now definition #2 applies.
Don’t suppose anybody was too unhappy with Yam on Thursday when he stole the puck off of Jonathan F. Toews in the 60th minute and initiated the game winner. Secondary assist, but hey.
His weak shot is an ongoing problem. However, I woudn’t call a guy witha spanking new 2-year contract as likely to lose a game of musical chairs.
No, not unhappy with Yamo’s late-game heroics. He does contribute, I just don’t think that what he brings warrants soaking up top-6 minutes at this point. Against Chicago, he did have an excellent contribution to the win, but apart from aggressive forechecking throughout the game, he was largely invisible up to that point. And ask yourself if Connor had stolen the puck and passed it to Yamo for the game-winner, whether he would have potted it or not. More likely, I am thinking “not”.
kgo
October 30, 2022 10:36 am
It may not last long, but I get so much joy going to the NHL stats page, the ol guide and record book, and seeing Stuart Skinner’s glorious moustache grinning ear to ear atop the save % rankings!!!!
Well, Kadri has been full value to date. So I’d call Tkatchuk kinda replaced, for now.
was funny listening to the HNIC guys whining about the departure of Kassian and Tkatchuk from the BOA
I will still take Turtle this year over Kadri and I think it gets worse for the Flames going forward.( vomit in mouth at that sentence)
Again, fully concede the spot Treliving was put in but I am pushing back against the Calgary will be *better* narrative. A lot coming from outside Calgary even.
Who knows maybe these guys just need more time to adjust and gel .
Perhaps I will be eating my words in Feb/March.
Treliving was very smart to get Huberdeau signed before Huberdeau met Darryl Sutter. Sure, Huberdeau may be overpaid in the long run. But getting him extended is probably still better (for Calgary) than having him leave for nothing after one year because he plays soft and Sutter hates him for it.
cowboy bill
October 30, 2022 9:54 am
That was a brilliantly played game by the Oilers last night. The Flames didn’t give them much at all, just barely enough to win the game. Skinner was the difference maker, good thing they only needed 3 goals to win the game. Poor Markstrome, makes one bad decision and loses the game.
Markstrom’s bad decision was made two offseasons ago.
Tarkus
October 30, 2022 9:52 am
Prospectland!
The spotlight shines squarely on Matvey Petrov, who leads his Battalion in points with 4-9-13 in 10 games. He started the season with five points in his first two, but then hit a lull. He did get two assists his last game though.
My great Uncle (or actually a cousin of sorts, but I called him an Uncle) was in the Peace River area some 60-70 years ago. He’s a Dutchmen, and making friends with some other Dutch farmers in the area. One of these guys is single, so my relation pulls out a stack of photos, says he has 3 single sisters back in Holland, maybe he’d be interested in one? Well, one does, a few letters are exchanged, and before you know it my Tante Riet is on her way over.
So one day her brother is off playing a Dutch card game (and a bunch of drinks in) with these Dutch guys, and they’re chatting about Riet. My gr. Uncle asks hubby-to-be when Riet is coming? A sudden realization is made that she must already be here! In those days you could still take the train north. She had arrived, with nobody waiting for her, barely knowing any English. She had ended up being housed by a Francophone couple who also spoke limited English, so fun times. Luckily, eventually everyone met up as they should without too much incident, and they were married until his passing a few years ago.
And that train station arrival was in McLennan AB. Apologies if this was too much of a Norm McDonald-esque ramble, haha, thought I’d share, I only heard this story for the first time a year or so ago.
Loved the story! Thank goodness for kind francophones. I knew a pile of those in eastern Ontario. They helped me learn the language.
leadfarmer
October 30, 2022 9:48 am
Big big win for a tired road tripping team fighting against a very well rested team.
I may be the only one but JP should really have been a defenseman. That would be one elite shut down D (although I do enjoy watching him forecheck in the offensive zone)
I don’t see this even a little. For me, he does his best work in and around the boards and, really, he rarely carries the puck through the neutral zone these days – he had in the past a bit but its been a long time.
The lemon of the preseason has been turned into lemonade.
jtblack
October 30, 2022 9:37 am
Time for Bouch on #1 PP.
Jesse also laid out Dube on a back check …
Connor is a cheat code. He tips the scales so much so, its hard to evaluate the body of work for the team.
Great game by Skinner!! He looks much “calmer” and has waaay bettet rebound control compared to his early NHL games. Lets hope he continues his strong play.
Barrie got made the goat on those SH chances by Backlund … but he was just doing his job trying to hold the puck in the offensive zone. The Oilers forward on the far blueline also failed to recognize the danger and hedge back into the neutral zone to cover behind Barrie if he lost the battle. The PP was not sharp last night.
Barrie is so good at keeping the puck in the O-zone on the PP that the other players took it for granted that that he’d do so again and were cheating for offence.
The alternative would be Barrie surrendering the blue line to Backlund and himself backing up into the neutral zone. I think I would like to have Barrie dial things back a bit and play a bit more conservatively, acknowledging that he’s playing with four forwards on PP1 and that both PP units do not have much trouble re-entering the zone.
I haven’t watched the replay … initially I thought it was 93 on the far point.
Despite the fact that Barrie had to (1) fight the puck in his skates (2) try to obstruct Backlund and (3) turn 180 degrees and chase Backlund … he was still the closest Oiler’s defender to Backlund when he scored. Same thing with the second Backlund rush a few seconds later, which Barrie actually did a pretty decent job back-checking on by using his stick to interfere with Backlund just enough to pester his shot and avoid taking a penalty.
Pinning the SH goal exclusively on Barrie is a bit much … the entire PP1 unit was misfiring last night.
I quite like Barrie on the PP1 still over Bouchard so long as they keep running the umbrella setup … Barrie’s ability to hold the blueline is perfectly suited for the role, where the goal is to get the puck to the shooters down low.
Bouchard works well for the PP2, where they can change the look to a more standard set up and let him crank some clappers from the blueline.
The one thing I’d like them to work on “cleaning up” … I’d like to see the PP1 one unit get back to the bench after the first minute on … after the first minute, they too often stay out there an extra 30-40 seconds, despite no longer being fresh, while the other team often gets a change … and they’re less effective for it. The PP2 unit with Kane, McLeod, Jessa/Yama, Nurse and Bouchard now has plenty of weapons on it, and has no problem entering the O-zone.
McDavid givith and he taketh away last night. I put most of the blame for both GA on his plate.
On the first GA he didn’t provide defensive support from the right point on the PP when the flames made a very aggressive move on Barrie. This made him late on the backcheck and being “also in picture” as the puck went into our net.
On the second GA he over-committed to Lucic behind the net and left home plate entirely to Richie who scored at his leisure.
Sublime offensive talent but he has to play smarter defense.
Offside
October 30, 2022 9:35 am
I think the original plan as to slow play Skinner this year and have him replace Smith once his contract expired. Holland decided not to gamble on a rookie goalie during “win now” mode and signed Campbell for more stability. Even if Skinner takes the #1 spot, our GK position may be a bit overpriced soon but still worth it to have good GK depth
Colorado has better D but I think if our G greatly surpasses theirs, then a Cup should be expected (barring key injuries)
The disappointing thing is HH has the ability to be a quality contributor to the comments. But once you go full contrarian you a) lose credibility and b)lose goodwill
The only thing HH offers is re-tweets of other people’s thoughts (which my phone has already sent to me via official channels). He typically ends up being the butt of his own attempts to gaslight us.
DevilsLettuce
October 30, 2022 9:34 am
In the playoffs, I like Hymans game I just didn’t want him near 29 or 97 as he wasn’t doing anything but a head down bull rush at the net when he got the puck.
He now lifts his head, resulting in everything opening up. Maybe everything is slowing down for him as he gets use to playing with such sublime talents.
Whoever got him on the tape study sorting this out, thank you.
John Chambers
October 30, 2022 9:33 am
We were 2-3 when I read the sporting press last Sunday morning.
4 regulation wins in 4 different cities in 6 days, 3 against playoff teams. That is a hell of a week.
MushedPeas
October 30, 2022 9:21 am
Seeing things from Bouchard now that have me convinced he’s the next big thing for this squad.
dustrock
October 30, 2022 9:10 am
The worry on Huberdeau based on Florida games was (1) 5v5 scoring and (2) he was spoon-fed OZ starts.
Sounds about right so far.
LMHF#1
October 30, 2022 9:10 am
Barrie and a prospect to a team in need of more scoring from then back end would be worth looking for right now. Ideally they have a bigger, more two-way defender to exchange. Might need to include another team though.
That’s the main thing I’d like to see balanced out right now.
Goaltending tandem is what you want – Campbell settling in and giving Skinner both the push and security – excellent.
80 added to the starting 6 means you’ve almost got all the angles covered there.
An extra scorer would be ideal but can wait until later due to the cap situation.
Slight bit more size and goal prevention makes this team very, very difficult to beat.
Savard is brutally slow. He’s not an NHL d’msn anymore
Clarkenstein
October 30, 2022 9:08 am
Calgary plays “nervously” with Connor on the ice it seems. In fact, some players shit themselves you could say. Connor was the goat imo on the Flames 2nd goal. All he has to do is keep his damn stick on the ice and the whole play is benign. He was so pissed at himself he kicked it up a notch after that to make up for it. He took over the game after that.
Given Connor came in last and both D were behind the net, and it’s the C and D that are supposed to defend the net front, he should have been concerned about the front of the net
He and Bouch were both wanting the puck more than worrying about danger, neither minding the store
Bouch probably should have rolled out front given the C that came into support the battle going on behind the net. Connor would have got to a loose puck before anyone else and Bouch would have deferred to him anyway
That may have been what Connor expected but it remains neither were watching
SoCaloil
October 30, 2022 9:01 am
100%
Bouchards headman’s pass was the most sublime thing since 40oz to freedom
oh he’s coming along now
I would add that Ritchie was McDavids marker on the 2nd GA
That 4th line for CGY was strong 💪
Kulaks game has also been much much better, It’s a tall order to ask him to win a board battle against Looch
Woke up with a smile this morning! That hasn’t always happened when Oilers played Sat night HNIC game. Apparently Huberdeau’s bowels have’t adjusted to mountain standard time……
So when Shanahan decides to save his own neck and fire Dubas should Kenny ring him up and see if he wants to be head of Oilers analytics?
Nah we shouldn’t do that. Given the whole Tavares Jammies plus Captaincy over all the guys he was drafting and developing thing that’ll probably get in the way of us signing Matthews next year.
Odds are he’ll take a discount to play with McD and Leon. I like that centre depth a plenty 😈
Folks shouldn’t take this the wrong way. I actually have a soft spot for the Leafs, their fans (the ones who actually like hockey) are wonderful we’ll intentioned people who’ve suffered just as much if not more than us Oiler fans.
I just can’t for the damn life of me understand why Dubas used his first act as GM to sign Tavares.
That sucked up so much cap space, added to a position of organizational strength and precluded them from addressing defense and goal which has long been TOs weak spot.
The Original Sin if you will. Dubas will land on his fest somewhere but there was sooooo much potential with the group he inherited and it’s been playoff disappoint after playoff disappointment.
That one decision – to sign Tavares – set in motion a chain of events that eventually crippled the team. It raised the bar of salary expectations for Marner and Matthews. If they didn’t sign Tavares, they might still have Kadri, Hyman and enough cap space to sign a dman.
I haven’t been following the Leafs much this year, and had a chuckle when I looked at the stats and saw a E. Kallgren was in net.
Analytics are a tool, not the answer
Of the too young and thus inexperienced GM’s one has already spectacularly flamed out
The remaining one may have the snake oiliness to keep his job, but he has not done a good job at all
At one time scouting Europe had some big advantages. At one time doing any analytics had it’s advantages
In both cases the market advantages are gone
The next frontier is learning to use the massive amounts of data the league is providing teams
To understand specifically in game flows and use that to determine what and who in closer detail is and isn’t working
It still remains if the underlying system the team employs is on the mark with regards to what really drives success, and if the players suit the choice
Dubas makes what are probably good statistical decisions, but adding up good metrics on paper (the roster) doesn’t make a good team necessarily
Human traits are more determinant of success once a certain ability level is reached
I think Holland has a far better handle on that, even if to me he still may have blind spots. Although he may have a different idea of what he wants than what is possible to assemble given cap and availability constraints in the shorter term
ie the D corp is far too ‘nice’ for what I would prefer, and Soupy’s deal was too long given other contracts
So, major news press conference in Vancouver tomorrow afternoon (announced by the org).
This won’t be player transactional.’
I wonder if it has anything to do with what happened with Rachel Doerrie….
They’re announcing Brogan Rafferty as Chief Defensive Coordinator.
Book it!
I can confirm.
Bob Stauffer
@Bob_Stauffer
·
4h
During the @EdmontonOilers
4 game winning streak…
As per Natural Stat Trick…
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have played a total of just 1:49 TOI together at 5v5
Oilers did it. Line 1 2 3 working, well greased, invert flowing.
Re: McDavid and Drai not playing together much
Not a coincidence….imo
Not a coincidence. But when they do, they play together because they are losing (and trying to score), it is not the reason they are losing.
No one thinks this is a coincidence.
It was needed if Oilers were ever going to grow into a formidable foe.
Reason #1 … Woody
Reason #2 … Woody
Reason #3 … Woody
At what point does Woodcroft start getting serious consideration for the Jack Adams? What does the team need to achieve for the media to give him his accolades? Or does having the two best players in hockey give him too much of a handicap
Why do you hate Woodcroft?
40 games played?
The award usually/always? goes to a coach whose team performs above expectations. I don’t see a way Woodcraft can win it as the Oilers are expected to be good.
Sutter just won his first Jack Adams last year which shows how it’s a Goldilocks award rather than an award based on merit. Don’t worry about it.
The award would probably be better if it were voted on by the coaches themselves, or maybe even the players. Insiders would choose the actual best coach, not the one whose team outperformed expectations.
I actually think the Lady Byng should be voted on by the players, and the question would be “which player do you respect the most?” Players could only win it once.
That would be a way of making players respect the Lady Byng, a trophy that a lot of players currently don’t even want to win.
I saw a player poll about 20 years ago on that exact question of respect, and Joe Sakic got 68% of the vote. Nobody else had more than 7%.
A terrific game to watch last night and a magnificent week of results. The Oil are a just a joy to watch; Connor is unreal and Zach Hyman, to my eye, seems a better player than last year. Skinner has rarely been spectacular but has been rock solid, but early days – I recall watching Ben Scrivens 50+ shut out and the clamour to sign him; Barrie / Niemo shot share 4 – 18.Hmmm. I like H Singh as the lead commentator but Louie … so many words to say nothing. Brett Kulak (+6) has the team best +/-. JP the worst. Ryan McLeod shooting 50%. Kane leads the team with 39 hits; Niemo second with 21! The season downer? – the utterly pathetic NHL TV app. Kailer ver. 2019 has gone forever it seems – sigh.
Isn’t Skinner a rookie? What is the line in the sand (games played) for that? I know it’s a bit early, but would he not deserve early season consideration? Not sure if he would get enough games in either way.
It would be an amazing turn of events if SS won the first Calder in Oilers history (and a sign of an excellent team season)
Mind you he would join the illustrious company of Steve Mason and Andrew Raycroft…
Ya, I think he is still eligible as I don’t think the games played criteria is different for a goalie than a skater (less than 25 games total and no more than 6 in any two seasons).
Summarizing!
Petrov finished with the one assist and 2 SOG in North Bay’s comeback win.
Prospecting takes the rest of the month off. Back Tuesday. 😀
Spam filter thinks I used too many short lines. One does not pack Bada Bing! Comedy Central like a common sardine can. Be a pity to lose that one. Ginsu fillet knife of the highest order.
Stu’s come a long way from his first 8-5 win against the Senators.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vufI5_teU0&ab_channel=SPORTSNET
5-3 after the 1st period. Wow.
Apple-picking season continues for Petrov as he gets the primary here:
https://mobile.twitter.com/OHLBattalion/status/1586804998142275584?cxt=HHwWgMCtoaKvu4UsAAAA
So who would you bump out of the current top 9 to make room for Holloway?
No one. I think Holloway will have to show more for a consistent period of time before being bumped back into the top nine. That’s fine. I believe players can be developed at the NHL level. Bouchard stayed up a whole season with the Oilers while barely playing in games. It doesn’t appear to have hurt him IMO.
Agree.
Shore and Ryan are better players than anyone he would be playing with in the AHL and both solid vets to chaperone him on his maiden voyage in the NHL.
There will be injuries in the top 6, and that’s when he’ll get a look there.
Plus we need PKers. And I know 14 is not in regular rotation but good insurance if a regular is in the box
I could see Foegele getting bumped. Not that he deserves it he’s just the obvious candidate. I think the third line is singing atm
Calgary didn’t flood the ice in time for Edmonton’s practice?
Ha!
Makes me hate em even more.
Have no idea what the circumstances were but if it was an intentional act there should be something done by the league. Hard to believe crap like that would happen at big money professional sports league. Again have no idea what actually happened.
Wah wah lol
That’s part of the game within the game.
Scotty Bowman is famous for having the visitor’s dressing room freshly painted the night before a playoff game. Brilliant move.
It’d be even better to shut off the plumbing… or lights 😉
Guessing the game has evolved a bit since then….
You mean no repeated phone calls at 3:30 in the morning to all the players Hotel rooms.
Or going to the hotel in and waking up several of the 2006 Sharks players by banging on the doors (and almost getting your teeth kicked in).
A knuckle sandwich from Mike Grier would leave a lasting impression.
Way too early NHL Draft post #3.
As mentioned in August and in September, my pre-season mission was to circle a player that the Oilers might be choosing as their 1st round selection in June. My search landed on Koehn Ziemmer, a Whitecourt/Mayerthorpe product who plays for Prince George. Last season he scored 30 goals on 241 shots (12.4%) and started the season with only 4 goals on 60 shots (6.7%) in his first 24 games (2.5 shots per game), which mean he was scoring at a 14.4% shooting rate the rest of the way (4.11 shots per game).
The criteria I used was similar to (what I saw) as what was used for Reid Schaefer, a local/Western Canadian/Canadian, a good finisher, a physical player with good to decent size. Ziemmer was also listed between 30-40 in preseason projections.
Currently he is tied for 2nd in WHL points and goal-scoring behind Connor Bedard with 10 goals and 11 assists in 12 games. Of note, one scout mentioned his shot as one of the best in this draft. He only has 37 shots on net, so 3.08 shots per game and is scoring at 27.0 %; Bedard currently has 11 goals on 152 shots (7.2%), that is 10.9 shots per game.
FWIW, Ziemmer is rated lower in the draft due to skating concerns. Regardless, I believe he will heat up even more as the season progresses, based on last season’s pattern and results. I will check in again at the end of next month!
Be interested to know what you think of Reid’s teammate:
https://seattlethunderbirds.com/players/29134
Could be a steal with a late round pick…
He is a well-known commodity in scouting circles, I understand. Shattuck’s St. Mary’s and the USNDT is heavily scouted.
He will be drafted within the top 96 picks. He is very skilled.
Thanks! Worth a 2nd or 3rd round pick on our part?
Would be nice to see him come home to play in The Show.
As we saw with Schaefer, sometimes guys appear out of nowhere, but in this case he is already making noise. He is trending into the range of a 3rd rounder, but will have to see if he keeps it up, or if he takes it up a notch…would like to see more goals, but those will likely come when he becomes less deferential and is more assertive surrounded by all the vets and skill on his team.
Very impressed with his progress so far!
Thanks for the update. However, if there are skating concerns with this kid then why a first round pick? Look at Benson – who may have an NHL career but maybe not.
Regarding his “skating concerns”, to be fair he is a more dynamic skater than Schaefer, just does not have high-end speed or agility in a draft full of players who do. He has an elite shot and elite stick handling, plus physicality. Chances are he goes in the top half of the 1st round.
I think Bedard has 84 shots in 14 games. Still 6 shots / game which leads the league by a wide margin.
2023 is a deep WHL DRAFT crop.
Currently the Top 5 leading WHL scorers are all draft eligble.
If Edm does pick in round 1, I prefer a quality skater over someone who has skating concerns … the league keeps getting faster IMO …
I would like them to pick the best player available at #32.
…and not have to trade into that spot this time!
Damn ADD! You are correct I was looking at Face Off wins instead of shots…Thank you for pointing that out JT!
Got to watch him come up through minor hockey every 2nd year. He’s a year younger than my younger nephew. They played together and went to school together. He always stood out. Always head and shoulders better than all the others. Liked the physical play. He’s really worked on his shot and release. Don’t remember it really standing out until one year it was like wow, where did that come from when he was 14/15. Mins you, I only seen him 6/7 times every 2nd year.
Some where claiming that Huberdeau is the same as Gaudreau offensively and better defensively. Which is hilarious
Calgary did a good job reloading on the fly especially with the overpayment from Florida. But losing 2/3 of the best line in hockey is gonna hurt
The best line in hockey that got smoked by the Kane-McDavid-Draisaitl line in the playoffs? That best line in hockey? 🤨
I think he meant Flames best line, not THE best line.
Well, truth be told, Gaudreau/Lindohlm/Tkachuk was indeed the best line in the regular season last season – they were unreal at 5 on 5.
I said many times this off-season that, yes sure, Huburdeau did match Gaudreau’s overall production last season but, while not terrible at 5 on 5, of course, he made much of his hey on the PP. He could help the flames PP but losing two of the top 5 on 5 producers in the league from last season was real and it was spectacular…..
In fact, 5 v 5 he did nothing last night. And Toffoli, well, he can’t skate. That’s the first line of a team that’s suposed to challenge for the cup? lol
Toffoli, who apparently can’t skate, is the same guy who pulled away from Bouchard on a breakaway last night, right?
More on that… Imo, Dallas bitch slapped lil Gaudy around, making that line not as effective, and almost knocking them out in round 1… a first round exit is Calgary’s MO going back 32 years (only 3 times past round 1 since ’89). Round 2 saw Kane make Kapuke his bitch, making that line not as effective.
Yup best line in reg season last year. They were unreal.
Yes they were, & it wasn’t close. That’s why Oilers had to jerry rig a temporary power v power line to compete with them in the playoffs. But it sure did end well!
I think you mean jury rig, Sir.
https://www.naturalstattrick.com/playerteams.php?fromseason=20212022&thruseason=20212022&stype=2&sit=5v5&score=all&stdoi=oi&rate=n&team=CGY&pos=S&loc=B&toi=0&gpfilt=none&fd=&td=&tgp=410&lines=single&draftteam=ALL
5v5 GF% of 70% for a season is pretty amazing
I think he was being facetious. They were called that quite often during last season
Yes I was. Mostly.
If Oilers had put their 3 best players on one line like Calgary did they would have some nice numbers too. But they (rightly) saved that option for the playoffs.
I think they saved that option for “mobile-Drai” didn’t they? Happened to occur in the playoffs.
“Best line in hockey?”lol
Against the Oilers, the line had an expected goals for percentage above 80 percent while not allowing any high-danger chances, according to Natural Stat Trick.
https://theathletic.com/3743280/2022/10/30/flames-huberdeau-toffoli-lindholm-sutter/
Bounces.
Bounces huh? Whatever helps you sleep at night.
Credit where it’s due, that line was excellent last year, taking the title of best line in hockey from the perennial best Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak (on an aside – love him or hate him, it’s hard not to be impressed that Marchand got 3 points in his first game back from double hip surgery).
Huberdeau is not as dynamic a player as Gaudreau is and Kadri is not as accomplished a scorer as Tkachuk is (nor is he as aggravating). The Flames downgraded, got older, and signed both players for what will be the downslope of their careers (and then some). They also improved their defence by adding Weegar, but lost Vallimaki for nothing on waivers. Next year Weegar gets expensive for another 8 more seasons starting at age 29. Yes, they have Lucic’s 5.25 million coming off the cap next season, but they’ve already spent 7.6 million on the Huberdeau and Weegar’s extensions. Even if the cap goes up by 3-5 million, they still won’t have enough cap space to add another difference maker at forward, without trading one of their defensemen
Their moves only delayed the inevitable … they’re 2-3 seasons away from being the Vancouver Canucks depending on how quickly the decline phase for Huberdeau and Kadri comes… and they took themselves out of the Connor Bedard sweepstakes in the process.
Spillies, don’t you ever get tired of making excuses for your flames?
Your mom bounces.
Huberdeau missed several golden opportunities. The stats are what the are, but no finish on that line right now.
Huberdeau didn’t want to shit his pants after seeing Connor performance
This is what Huberdeau needed.
He may also need to rethink his rumoured pre-game meal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku42Iszh9KM
That Gaudreau left the flames at the last minute to be on off the worst teams in the league is pretty damming
His previous contract was lowballed I don’t blame Johnny at all on how it went down with Pizza Boy. Huberdeau peaked out last year on deep deep Panther squad he’ll never see a 100 point season again unless they acquire a pure scorer for Huberdeau to feed on the PP and 5 on 5. I’ll take Johnny to age better than Huberdeau in the next decade.
Oilers are third in the league for total points. Sixth for w%. Sixth for goal differential. Very nice.
it’s time to start talking Skinner extension ala Vladar for 3 yrs
Looking at capfriendly this am Treliving got everyone extended
Seems as if he’s learned from the Gaudreau fiasco
Treliving is overpaying all of his players. Did anyone see their new additions be impactful last night? lol
2.2 for 2 years of a capable young backup G with more upside than downside potential is not an overpayment imho. I would not bat an eyelash if we resigned skinner for an identical contract. Would prefer 3 yrs tho
These last two games against Calgary are the only Oiler games I have ever watched where I did not have very strong negative feelings towards Kadri. Before this season he has been so good at getting under our skins and being a major factor. Now, he did score last game but apart from that…
Is this because Kane acts as a neutralizer or because Kadri has changed his game. Probably a bit of both but it is strange that he is not his usual rambunctious self. Did he learn what makes him most valuable as part of that Avalanche team?
Anyway, what a great game.
Kane dialled things back last night too. Not sure I would read too much into it – both teams seemed very focused on playing a tight defensive game.
I was going to apply attribution to some Torts snark, but, Torts is not this eloquent. I feel this, in a way, if for no other reason than the arguments for and against “math” have become ever more binary through the years and by extension my love of the game more finite: sadly. McDavid and Darryl Sutter notwithstanding. :)) https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2022/10/sabermetrics-analytics-ruined-baseball-sports-music-film/671924/
Read this article earlier today, found myself nodding in agreement more than once. The juxtaposition of the finite vs. the infinite was particularly compelling.
I feel like this supports the idea of supporting a traditional approach to officiating?
I agree with our fine host on nearly every word about last night.
Slight disagreement regarding Yamamoto.
Was he more noticeable? Yes.
But for me the play died on his stick again and again last night.
In that kind of almost playoff type hockey, with tight D and bigger D, it is just tough for Kailer. Period.
Effort is there, no question.
Agreed, Holloway is on the fast track for top 6 or top 9….if Jesse keeps up this physical streak and foegle keeps up his play I think kailer finds himself without a chair when the music stops
Yamo is a third liner on a cup contender. He should be playing on the third line with the Oilers. Ergo, the Oilers are a cup contender. He does a lot of useful things and is an aggressive forechecker; he just should not be taking passes from Drai or McD in high danger areas. It won’t work.
I have really liked what I’ve seen from Foegele on the third line. He needs to convert offensively but he’s playing at a much higher level this year than last.
Third liner or third best player on his line. Right now definition #2 applies.
Don’t suppose anybody was too unhappy with Yam on Thursday when he stole the puck off of Jonathan F. Toews in the 60th minute and initiated the game winner. Secondary assist, but hey.
His weak shot is an ongoing problem. However, I woudn’t call a guy witha spanking new 2-year contract as likely to lose a game of musical chairs.
No, not unhappy with Yamo’s late-game heroics. He does contribute, I just don’t think that what he brings warrants soaking up top-6 minutes at this point. Against Chicago, he did have an excellent contribution to the win, but apart from aggressive forechecking throughout the game, he was largely invisible up to that point. And ask yourself if Connor had stolen the puck and passed it to Yamo for the game-winner, whether he would have potted it or not. More likely, I am thinking “not”.
It may not last long, but I get so much joy going to the NHL stats page, the ol guide and record book, and seeing Stuart Skinner’s glorious moustache grinning ear to ear atop the save % rankings!!!!
At through the end of Movember would be fitting.
I never understood why people thought Calgary would be better without Little Johnny and Turtle.
Just lost way too much offensive fire.
Maybe Huberdeau is nursing an injury?
Huberdeau has 1 point
Lindholm has 0
Yes, it is early…..
Well, Kadri has been full value to date. So I’d call Tkatchuk kinda replaced, for now.
was funny listening to the HNIC guys whining about the departure of Kassian and Tkatchuk from the BOA
Kadri has been good but he is 32. Mathew is 24.
I will still take Turtle this year over Kadri and I think it gets worse for the Flames going forward.( vomit in mouth at that sentence)
Again, fully concede the spot Treliving was put in but I am pushing back against the Calgary will be *better* narrative. A lot coming from outside Calgary even.
Who knows maybe these guys just need more time to adjust and gel .
Perhaps I will be eating my words in Feb/March.
Oh yeah, the “for now” is a key part of my point re: Kadri. Or alternatively, for how long?
Didn’t sound like Sutter liked Huberdeau’s game. Trouble-a-brewin’ in cowtown.
Treliving was very smart to get Huberdeau signed before Huberdeau met Darryl Sutter. Sure, Huberdeau may be overpaid in the long run. But getting him extended is probably still better (for Calgary) than having him leave for nothing after one year because he plays soft and Sutter hates him for it.
That was a brilliantly played game by the Oilers last night. The Flames didn’t give them much at all, just barely enough to win the game. Skinner was the difference maker, good thing they only needed 3 goals to win the game. Poor Markstrome, makes one bad decision and loses the game.
Markstrom’s bad decision was made two offseasons ago.
Prospectland!
The spotlight shines squarely on Matvey Petrov, who leads his Battalion in points with 4-9-13 in 10 games. He started the season with five points in his first two, but then hit a lull. He did get two assists his last game though.
Puck drop is at noon McLennan time.
Funny story about McLennan.
My great Uncle (or actually a cousin of sorts, but I called him an Uncle) was in the Peace River area some 60-70 years ago. He’s a Dutchmen, and making friends with some other Dutch farmers in the area. One of these guys is single, so my relation pulls out a stack of photos, says he has 3 single sisters back in Holland, maybe he’d be interested in one? Well, one does, a few letters are exchanged, and before you know it my Tante Riet is on her way over.
So one day her brother is off playing a Dutch card game (and a bunch of drinks in) with these Dutch guys, and they’re chatting about Riet. My gr. Uncle asks hubby-to-be when Riet is coming? A sudden realization is made that she must already be here! In those days you could still take the train north. She had arrived, with nobody waiting for her, barely knowing any English. She had ended up being housed by a Francophone couple who also spoke limited English, so fun times. Luckily, eventually everyone met up as they should without too much incident, and they were married until his passing a few years ago.
And that train station arrival was in McLennan AB. Apologies if this was too much of a Norm McDonald-esque ramble, haha, thought I’d share, I only heard this story for the first time a year or so ago.
That’s an awesome story! Thanks for sharing.
I should add that “train station” is probably a very generous description.
To be a Norm McDonald-esque ramble it would need to end with your Great Uncle marrying, you guessed it, Frank Stallone.
At least then it would have served a youthful porpoise
Loved the story! Thank goodness for kind francophones. I knew a pile of those in eastern Ontario. They helped me learn the language.
Big big win for a tired road tripping team fighting against a very well rested team.
I may be the only one but JP should really have been a defenseman. That would be one elite shut down D (although I do enjoy watching him forecheck in the offensive zone)
I still think he’s a natural centre
Defense first, likes to roam the ice by nature and has the speed
Likes to carry up ice, likes to pass, and shoots better off the rush more in the middle
Although there’s no room at the inn at the moment
I don’t see this even a little. For me, he does his best work in and around the boards and, really, he rarely carries the puck through the neutral zone these days – he had in the past a bit but its been a long time.
Because he’s a winger and who he plays with!
The lemon of the preseason has been turned into lemonade.
Time for Bouch on #1 PP.
Jesse also laid out Dube on a back check …
Connor is a cheat code. He tips the scales so much so, its hard to evaluate the body of work for the team.
Great game by Skinner!! He looks much “calmer” and has waaay bettet rebound control compared to his early NHL games. Lets hope he continues his strong play.
This… just a little more emphasis on Jesse’s brilliant game!
Barrie got made the goat on those SH chances by Backlund … but he was just doing his job trying to hold the puck in the offensive zone. The Oilers forward on the far blueline also failed to recognize the danger and hedge back into the neutral zone to cover behind Barrie if he lost the battle. The PP was not sharp last night.
Barrie is so good at keeping the puck in the O-zone on the PP that the other players took it for granted that that he’d do so again and were cheating for offence.
The alternative would be Barrie surrendering the blue line to Backlund and himself backing up into the neutral zone. I think I would like to have Barrie dial things back a bit and play a bit more conservatively, acknowledging that he’s playing with four forwards on PP1 and that both PP units do not have much trouble re-entering the zone.
Things to clean up as Woody says.
A very unusual game on special teams in which both teams powerplays got outshot.
Oilers PP, 3 SF, 4 SA
Flames PP, 1 SF, 3 SA
That was McDavid on the far point who was a split second slow in recognizing Barrie was in trouble on the Flames’ shorthanded goal.
I haven’t watched the replay … initially I thought it was 93 on the far point.
Despite the fact that Barrie had to (1) fight the puck in his skates (2) try to obstruct Backlund and (3) turn 180 degrees and chase Backlund … he was still the closest Oiler’s defender to Backlund when he scored. Same thing with the second Backlund rush a few seconds later, which Barrie actually did a pretty decent job back-checking on by using his stick to interfere with Backlund just enough to pester his shot and avoid taking a penalty.
Pinning the SH goal exclusively on Barrie is a bit much … the entire PP1 unit was misfiring last night.
I quite like Barrie on the PP1 still over Bouchard so long as they keep running the umbrella setup … Barrie’s ability to hold the blueline is perfectly suited for the role, where the goal is to get the puck to the shooters down low.
Bouchard works well for the PP2, where they can change the look to a more standard set up and let him crank some clappers from the blueline.
The one thing I’d like them to work on “cleaning up” … I’d like to see the PP1 one unit get back to the bench after the first minute on … after the first minute, they too often stay out there an extra 30-40 seconds, despite no longer being fresh, while the other team often gets a change … and they’re less effective for it. The PP2 unit with Kane, McLeod, Jessa/Yama, Nurse and Bouchard now has plenty of weapons on it, and has no problem entering the O-zone.
It was Nuge with the hand grenade that put Barrie in trouble.
McDavid givith and he taketh away last night. I put most of the blame for both GA on his plate.
On the first GA he didn’t provide defensive support from the right point on the PP when the flames made a very aggressive move on Barrie. This made him late on the backcheck and being “also in picture” as the puck went into our net.
On the second GA he over-committed to Lucic behind the net and left home plate entirely to Richie who scored at his leisure.
Sublime offensive talent but he has to play smarter defense.
I think the original plan as to slow play Skinner this year and have him replace Smith once his contract expired. Holland decided not to gamble on a rookie goalie during “win now” mode and signed Campbell for more stability. Even if Skinner takes the #1 spot, our GK position may be a bit overpriced soon but still worth it to have good GK depth
Colorado has better D but I think if our G greatly surpasses theirs, then a Cup should be expected (barring key injuries)
According to HH’s experts, Skinner is a mirage.
I spent half the summer trying to explain it to him but he prefers numbers to visuals. 😎
From DNB. I think I read that somewhere else recently.
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“He’s given us a sense of calm,” McDavid said of Skinner. “He’s just stable and solid, making the saves that he should.”
The disappointing thing is HH has the ability to be a quality contributor to the comments. But once you go full contrarian you a) lose credibility and b)lose goodwill
The only thing HH offers is re-tweets of other people’s thoughts (which my phone has already sent to me via official channels). He typically ends up being the butt of his own attempts to gaslight us.
In the playoffs, I like Hymans game I just didn’t want him near 29 or 97 as he wasn’t doing anything but a head down bull rush at the net when he got the puck.
He now lifts his head, resulting in everything opening up. Maybe everything is slowing down for him as he gets use to playing with such sublime talents.
Whoever got him on the tape study sorting this out, thank you.
We were 2-3 when I read the sporting press last Sunday morning.
Four exciting wins. What a week!
4 regulation wins in 4 different cities in 6 days, 3 against playoff teams. That is a hell of a week.
Seeing things from Bouchard now that have me convinced he’s the next big thing for this squad.
The worry on Huberdeau based on Florida games was (1) 5v5 scoring and (2) he was spoon-fed OZ starts.
Sounds about right so far.
Barrie and a prospect to a team in need of more scoring from then back end would be worth looking for right now. Ideally they have a bigger, more two-way defender to exchange. Might need to include another team though.
That’s the main thing I’d like to see balanced out right now.
Goaltending tandem is what you want – Campbell settling in and giving Skinner both the push and security – excellent.
80 added to the starting 6 means you’ve almost got all the angles covered there.
An extra scorer would be ideal but can wait until later due to the cap situation.
Slight bit more size and goal prevention makes this team very, very difficult to beat.
Be amazing if, in addition to a solid blue, they could both keep all the forwards and fully deploy them. If Ken can square that circle watch out.
Leavins was mentioning Savard as a target in his 9 Things article at CoH this morning. That lines up for me, but not with Niemo as a partner.
Savard is brutally slow. He’s not an NHL d’msn anymore
Calgary plays “nervously” with Connor on the ice it seems. In fact, some players shit themselves you could say. Connor was the goat imo on the Flames 2nd goal. All he has to do is keep his damn stick on the ice and the whole play is benign. He was so pissed at himself he kicked it up a notch after that to make up for it. He took over the game after that.
True. But It was his positioning. He was too high and Ritchie came in goal side
Given Connor came in last and both D were behind the net, and it’s the C and D that are supposed to defend the net front, he should have been concerned about the front of the net
He and Bouch were both wanting the puck more than worrying about danger, neither minding the store
Bouch probably should have rolled out front given the C that came into support the battle going on behind the net. Connor would have got to a loose puck before anyone else and Bouch would have deferred to him anyway
That may have been what Connor expected but it remains neither were watching
100%
Bouchards headman’s pass was the most sublime thing since 40oz to freedom
oh he’s coming along now
I would add that Ritchie was McDavids marker on the 2nd GA
That 4th line for CGY was strong 💪
Kulaks game has also been much much better, It’s a tall order to ask him to win a board battle against Looch
Bouchard didn’t rub out Lucic.
That’s his wife’s job 😉
Not sure sure where you are coming from with this comment, but Bouch actually was leaning into Looch a couple of times last night.
Not on the goal against. Was disinterested.
This is inarguable.
Pretty good game by Bouchard otherwise.
Woke up with a smile this morning! That hasn’t always happened when Oilers played Sat night HNIC game. Apparently Huberdeau’s bowels have’t adjusted to mountain standard time……
Loved seeing Jesse’s hit on Lucic.
I literally gasped! Awesome hit!
Anyone have a link to a clip of this?
Here is a twofer. His hit on Looch is right at the very beginning.
https://youtu.be/3f2XbwedqmM
Thanks!
It was Backlund not huby who embarrassed Barrie, and it was Lindholm who got elbowed by Jessie not huby….huby on your mind LT?
Lol. I watched the game, promise!! Corrected and I thank you.