The Edmonton Oilers won a great hockey game at Rogers versus Vegas Golden Knights. It was an intense affair, both sides delivering glorious hockey and baffling errors. Goalie Stuart Skinner was truly brilliant, and Connor McDavid went speedway and that’s all she wrote. As I mentioned yesterday, this game had a little more importance than the normal early season game. Edmonton won a thriller. Fun night.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: 5 Edmonton Oilers trade targets from the AHL
- New DNB:How Oilers star Connor McDavid went from poor to unreal in a pivotal win
- New DNB and Jesse Granger: Is the Connor McDavid vs. Jack Eichel rivalry finally about to become reality?
- Lowetide: How the Oilers can replace Evander Kane’s production on a budget
- Lowetide: Why the Oilers need to trade for an established defenceman
- Lowetide: Five curious Oilers trends that may or may not regress
- Lowetide: What’s Xavier Bourgault’s NHL ETA? Does he get a look this season?
- DNB: Stuart Skinner’s 40 saves lift Oilers over Panthers
- Lowetide: What should the Edmonton Oilers expect from Klim Kostin?
- DNB: Oilers must learn how to cope without Evander Kane
- Lowetide: How close to balanced are the 2022-23 Edmonton Oilers?
- DNB: Oilers’ Evander Kane hospitalized after skate blade cuts his arm
- Lowetide: Oilers top prospect is unclear for the first time in a dozen years
- DNB: Why Oilers’ latest ‘pathetic’ performance from Jack Campbell is a growing issue
- Lowetide: Oilers rookie Stuart Skinner is chasing history
- DNB: Ryan Smyth on Oilers memories, keepsakes and the current team: Q&A
- Lowetide: Making room for Dylan Holloway
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers start October slow but finish month strong
- DNB: The Oilers have a third line that’s settling in
- Jonathan Willis: Jakob Chychrun would look good on the Oilers, but is there a deal to be had?
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers reasonable expectations for every player in 2022-23
- Lowetide: Oilers top-20 prospects, summer 2022
WHAT TO EXPECT IN NOVEMBER
- At home to: NAS, NJD, DAL (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 1-2-0)
- On the road to: WAS, TBY, CAR, FLA (Expected 1-2-1) (Actual 2-2-0)
- At home to: LAK, VEG (Expected 1-0-1) (Actual 1-1-0)
- On the road to: NJD, NYI, NYR (Expected (1-1-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: FLA (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: CHI (Expected (1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- November expected result: 7-4-3, 17 points in 14 games
- Actual November results: 4-5-0, 8 points in 9 games
- October results: 6-3-0, 12 points in 9 games
- Oilers in 2022-23: 10-8-0, 20 points in 18 games
Edmonton needed that win. It resets November and gives the team some momentum for what could be a difficult road trip. So far this month, I predicted a 4-3-2 record (10 points) and the team is 4-5-0 (8 points). That’s not a massive downbeat based on reasonable, and perhaps the team can deliver a strong finish to November.
SUMMARY
Stuart Skinner made several exceptional saves, at least three he had no business making and that’s a fact. I’m not sure he’ll get Calder votes, but he’ll damn sure get consideration for the All-Rookie team. He’s saving this team’s ass right now until they find the range.
Darnell Nurse had two terrific assists on the night and played a strong defensive game. Cody Ceci played his steady if unspectacular game and the pairing’s expected goals reflected their night. Brett Kulak fell down again (he does that a few more times I’m calling him Lonnie Smith) but recovered in time. Evan Bouchard had perhaps his poorest game in the NHL, turned over pucks, made lazy passes, lacked creativity, coverage was late if at all. Ryan Murray was high event, his gapping is a concern and he got in the way of Skinner on the third goal. Tyson Barrie is having a good run, speed is an issue but he’s making heady plays with the puck and is no pushover in a battle.
Mattias Janmark needs to cash the chances that will be given him, but in the first game with 97 I thought he played well. He’s a good two-way winger and that willl benefit the line. Connor McDavid was missing on shots and passes for much of the night, and then he scored a beautiful and important goal and that’s when the Vegas heartache began. What a talent. His goal was the highlight but the pass to Hyman was also incredible. Zach Hyman scored a massive goal to start the third and give Edmonton the needed edge to get to overtime.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins picked up three assists and is now 8-12-20 in 18 games. Is this the season he scores 50 points? Leon Draisaitl scored one of his patented goals, and is now 10-20-30 in 18 games to start the season. I know he passes in dangerous spots and you want that curtailed come playoffs, but he also skated miles in pursuit without the puck. One of my all-time favourite players. Warren Foegele scored an early goal and looks like a natural fit with Leon. He’s a rambunctious player and feeling it right now.
Klim Kostin is taking someone’s job, I’m just not sure whose it is yet. He hits and it hurts, that’s something we can say already. Ryan McLeod is in between right now with the puck on his stick, needs to jam in a goal to get his confidence back. Jesse Puljujarvi has the same issue, although I did like him with this trio and hope we see it on the road.
Derek Ryan played his steady game, I noticed him most on the PK. Devin Shore didn’t play a lot and I wonder if he makes it to the end of the regular season in Edmonton. Dylan Holloway took a penalty and looked like a rookie headed to Bakersfield soon. He needs to play, keeping him under these circumstances is beyond unfair.
SCHEDULE
This November schedule is tough and if you look ahead it doesn’t ease until the new year. It’s easy to say “we’ll get those points against the soft parade in January” but those soft teams might be made of sterner stuff come January. Last night’s win was very important because the Oilers aren’t chasing, they are running with the pack. BIG win. Big win.
TRADE?
Ken Holland doesn’t pull the trigger in November often, but there’s something about this roster that seems off. Kailer Yamamoto may play at some point on the road trip, but there are several forwards who can’t piss a drop offensively. We’re close to 20 games now, and I think this team might need some freshening. Does that mean Philip Broberg gets recalled? It might, he played well again last night to my eye (in Bakersfield). Could it mean a trade? Maybe. There’s plenty of buzz about Zack MacEwen in Philadelphia right now and that team makes more changes than Carter has liver pills. I could see a deal. I also believe that the RW depth chart is receiving an overhaul from management and coaches in real time. The RW’s last night on the top three lines were Hyman, Foegele and Puljujarvi. That’s not the normal.
TRACERS
Please read this old passage of mine from 2010 and tell me if any (one or more) current Oilers players resemble this thought.
I think we can learn a couple of things about the current Oilers by having a long look at this player. Hunter became an Oiler during the WHA days, as the team signed him to a free agent contract on June 1, 1978. Hunter was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens two weeks later but would never play for them (that transaction came a year later as the Oilers entered the NHL: Montreal and Edmonton agreed that the Oilers would take Dave Hunter and Ron Carter in June 9, 1979 NHL Reclaim Draft in exchange for a promise that Edmonton would not take Bill Nyrop, Gilles Lupien or Rod Langway off Montreal’s roster in the NHL Expansion Draft on june 13, 1979. Edmonton completed the deal by drafting Cam Connor).
Hunter entered the WHA in the fall of 1978 (he played a half dozen minor league games before getting called up) and was inserted (by Glen Sather) on a line with young phenom Wayne Gretzky and veteran powerwinger Bill Flett. The big scoring line that fall was Stan Weir at center, with Brett Callighen and Blair MacDonald as his wingers. Sather was looking for useful players and felt Hunter could fill a role. Quoting the December 8, 1978 Hockey News:
- The rookie left winger, an accomplished checker despite his inexperience, moved into a position beside Gretzky and Flett and made sound contributions on almost every shift. It was clear that Hunter’s two weeks in Dallas (CHL) had restored his confidence. In that regard, his first pro goal helped too. “I was beginning to think I’d never score,” he said after beating Mike Liut with a high shot. “The longer you go, the harder it seems to get.”
Hunter would score 7 goals that first pro season, and then play an important role on the Stanley teams until he was traded in November 1987 in the Coffey-Simpson deal.
Kane is the Oilers Marion Hossa.
As soon as he returns its going to be pedal to the metal, lights out go forth young men into glory or death etc lol
That was a fun football game to watch.
As a Riders fan, I am pleased with the result. I dislike Winnipeg sports teams almost as much as I do Calgary teams.
As a U of S Huskies football fan, I am doubly pleased they get a chance to take down Laval in the Vanier Cup next weekend.
I usually cheer against all Toronto teams, but did not want to see a 3peat, but am consoled that nobody in the big smoke cares about the Argonauts anyway.
It is really hard for rookies to come onto a team that is playing poorly
If the vets aren’t doing what they should or sure what they are doing there is no pattern to follow
On an organized disciplined team vets can give advice, coaches can be specific
When everyone is out of position a lot of games, chaos rules and learning is stunted
By any chance, are you an Oilers fan?
I’m seeing a lot of similarities between Justin Schultz and Evan Bouchard these days. How do the Oilers avoid making the same mistakes which led to Justin being traded for a 3rd round pick (Filip Berglund) after 4 seasons in Edmonton?
Justin Schultz in EDM at 22 years old 48 gp 8 goals 19 assists 27 points -17
Justin Schultz in EDM at 25 years old 45 gp 3 goals 7 assists 10 points -22
Justin Schultz in PIT at 27 years old 78 gp 12 goals 39 assists 51 points +27
Bouchard is more sheltered than Schultz was playing behind Ceci and Barrie. Schultz had 25 year old Petry and Corey Potter.
Schultz and Klefbom had offensive zone starts to the sky under Dallas Eakins. Eakins used them in a specific role.
The Oilers need to get a partner that can help cover for Bouchard.
Kulak isn’t it.
A new partner will not help much unless the forwards recommit to the backtrack, and not to flying the D-zone at the first opportunity.
Exactly!
Yup, year after year the problem remains the same
If they allow Bouchard to hang out to dry then it’s all on management, shock horror. Maybe Ken Holland has got half of a brain and finally gets the reality that this team is going to struggle mightily without a Duncan Keith level defenceman veteran.
Isofar as forwards go they can just throw various players into the team and hope for the best – the defence has to be more or less stable to function properly.
Every offensive defenceman has needed a straight defensive defenceman to cover his natural propensity for getting caught up ice. Orr had Dallas Smith for example.
Shultz was expected to provide Paul Coffey offence to the Steve Austins in that dream dynasty that Lowe+MacT constructed during the first round of 1st overall picks.
Furthermore he was expected to play hard nosed hockey – something Paul Coffey rarely bothered with if ever. I can’t recall which poor quality head coach was most responsible for Shultz’s collapse.
Bouchard is a sophomore defenceman. If he struggles it’s 100% on the freaking GM.
Paul Coffey, the same fellow who leads the Oilers in Gordie Howe hat tricks?
Perhaps we’re talking about different players.
Coffey I hardly remember taking penalties I was too busy watching his effortless skating.
Benson and Holloway, neither good enough for the NHL. Benson trying to re-invent himself as a shift disturber, is effectively selling his soul for some silver coins, not who he is. He should be waived asap to provide himself and oiler fans some clarity as to his value and purpose. He has no future as an oiler, ship sailed long ago.
Holloway has stumbled away an opportunity but has a chance to redeem himself after further seasoning in the ahl. He knows what to work on, probably has been explained to him clearly.
Kostin and Janmark have stepped up seamlessly on the roster and have delivered solid play the other two fellas have not. KH should take note and continue seeking substantive help.
Typical hyped Oilers rookies who screw up every which way lol it really gets old.
Re: Kane Injury
Kurt Leavins offers this in his Nine Things:
I had heard that Evander Kane has sensation back in the tips of his fingers, on the wrist cut by a skate a few games back. I am no doctor. But if accurate that in itself would have been great news. Kane just as easily could have been gone for the season. But on HNIC Saturday while Kane’s hand was in a cast, he appeared to be moving his fingers freely. He did say his thumb remained numb, but that doctors are optimistic he will make a full recovery. Relief, for the player, his family, his teammates, and for those of us who enjoy watching him play.
There’s more there there, including talk of Sam Lafferty, Phil Kessel and Jesse Puljujarvi:
https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/as-the-edmonton-oilers-try-to-shuffle-amid-cap-constraints-who-is-not-covering-the-bet-9-things
Just finished reading that myself.
I thought Kurt’s most interesting take was his position on playing Holloway more in the top six, instead of assigning him to the AHL.
Definitely. But I think the way forward now is to give him ten games (-ish) with big minutes in the A before giving him similar minutes in the Bigs. Simply just to get him back to handling that level of minutes.
Agreed. Holloway’s play so far hasn’t shown he can succeed against stronger (let alone top six) competition, so he should probably go down for a bit to raise his game. Which is why I found Leavins’ take so curious.
Dyan is on the wrong side of coverage too often and that is why he is taking penalties. AHL time is better than 4th line for him. On a good team, this wouldn’t be a question of where he belongs right now.
3 penalties in 14 games.
1 penalty in his last 9 games…
Somebody has stink eye thank you for the actual stat.
Holloway is 4th on the Oilers for penalties taken per 60 minutes played, so Flyfish isn’t wrong.
Malone, Ryan, and Kane are higher. Kane and Ryan provide things Holloway doesn’t which gives them some leeway with the coach.
Fair enough, I hadn’t noticed that.
Though he has still taken only 1 penalty in his last 10 games (my mistake earlier for saying 1 on his last 9). Even with his limited TOI that’s a very average penalty rate (and it’s not convincing evidence of him chasing).
You can’t tell me you don’t see him losing his position on coverage and causing his line to play defense.
He is still on the wrong side of coverage defensively. Leading to goals against or tire fire.
“Is this the season he scores 50 points?” Very funny, LT!
Jordan Mailata of the Eagles is 6’8” 365 lbs. That is a BIG human.
Whoever down voted this factual statement. You are one sad lame person.
Down voted for whining about votes.
Who could possibly care about this?
Get yer dick straight.
Can he skate?
What does that have to do with anything? This has always been a community that discusses other sports and other topics like the finer things in life (scotch, steak, music, etc.). This diversity of conversation is a feature not a bug. Politics and religion are the taboo topics.
When people are downvoting comments because their little brains can’t tolerate any subject matter outside their preferred silos, that’s sad and lame.
This comes across as a bit angry. Can he skate? Because we could use him!!
Fair enough. If that’s how that particular comment was intended, then the answer is, “I don’t know.”
The sentiment still holds however for those who downvote patently factual information just because it resides outside their perfect silo.
I did not down vote it but sometimes I down vote things just because the poster is a dick!
Your Internet bravery is impressive.
Well, if I post what I think and feel, LT won’t let my post out of jail!
Definitely a little bit of anger. I miss what this community was at its peak. It was diverse, egalitarian, with a ton of intellectual rigour.
What this kind of social media voting propagates is a junior high popularity mindset where pandering to a community with safe conventional opinions is incentivized over more niche opinions and conversations.
The science is proven on this. Social media is increasingly moving people into self selected silos and these kind of simple mechanisms are instrumental in influencing that. So yeah, I absolutely hate them and what they’ve done to the diversity of opinion here.
Come with us Comrade.
Yup. I realized when you started fantasizing about a 17 year old Oscar Klefbom’s abs that this place had taken a turn in the wrong direction.
Thank you, lots of comments about finding truculence. I was not one of the down votes, but now I’m reconsidering. Sounds like someone has some kind of a complex.
Deleted.
How about those Lions, 3 in a row!
Great to see. Dan Campbell is a likable HC.
I just downvoted because its hilarious it could actually bother someone.
Generation of snowflakes imo. Shame this isn’t a “safe space” anymore.
Finally people are standing for there morals and calling these weirdos nonsense.
It’s a joke; you laugh at it.
This type of comment is also a bit of a tradition hereabouts.
Another acceptable reply would have been, “Can he play right D?” after which we would laugh and laugh. Good times.
It’s almost like you’re new here or are you just ultra-sensitive today?
Downvotes? Keep this in mind: Wolves don’t worry about the opinion of sheep.
I like corn fritters with jam.
Downvoted because I don’t like corn fritters
I downvoted not because I don’t like corn fritters, I just don’t like them with jam!
Me too! Burger Baron baby.
Still lots of talk about the Oilers not being good enough as currently constructed, not balanced, need to fix d and wings, etc. I’m not saying any of that is necessarily wrong, but you know how some teams just suck in January, or are always killer in October or whatever? I think this just might be an Oilers thing. For whatever reason it takes this team awhile to truly come together.
Last year the team came out of the gate hot, but there were lots of red flags about regression to come. Regression came, the team was middling for awhile and then finally took off and didn’t look back. Obviously Woodcroft/Manson showed up and played a big role in the turnaround. But it still feels like there’s a team identity aspect to this as well.
I think even with regression this year from bouchard and yamamoto, holloway and broberg not yet breaking through, and even with the injuries this team is better than their record shows (those 4 names are better than their season stats show too).
I think true liftoff is still on the way. I think we’ll get rolling and look like a contender by deadline. By the end of the season the monster will be fully formed, and hungry.
Side note/overly specific prediction: Nurse is just getting going too. Finishes the season 13-39-52 in 80 games played while coming out ahead against top comp. Like Nuge, has his first 50 point season.
hear hear, its the old Original Pouzar optimism resurrected! Great Post!
I wouldn’t be shocked if seasonal depression was part of it. After that time change and dark hitting at 5 pm. Shit feels like garbage for a lot of people for a few weeks.
Lucic complained about it, said he didn’t realize how bad it was and wasn’t prepared.
Lucic also complained about not fitting in because he had husband and father responsibilities and couldn’t go hand out with the bachelor boys.
I give very little credit to his excuses.
I remember him complaining about the guys going Go Karting.
Far be it from me to be the guy going to bat for Lucic’s performance while he was on the team.
I only mention it because SAD affects a lot of people, and many people to different degrees.
I’d think that dealing with winter issues would be a calling card of the organization, from SAD to the annual run of the flu that goes around, but year after year we seem to see the same maladies reappear like clockwork.
November goes in toilet. By December used to it. Especially home games. Like dark by 5 pm and yiu play at 8 pm….by 8 pm, for first few weeks I’m wishing it was closer to 10 so I could call it a day.
Do the flames slump every December? Honest question, I don’t know.
CGY record in December, by year.
source: https://www.statmuse.com/
EDM record in December, by year.
source: https://www.statmuse.com/
Well, there is always next year. It’s a famous Oiler fan saying.
The Oilers haven’t been playing well and are wasting McDavids streak of 2 points per game IMO.
By eye and by numbers, this team currently isn’t one that is showing like a strong Stanley contender.
I would like to talk about moves they can make to shore up the roster rather than wait for an epiphany moment. Those rarely come along outside the moving pictures.
I personally think the D needs an upgrade, and they need a PK specialist up front that can also not get buried at 5 on 5.
Apparently that PK specialist is Connor McDavid.
Folks, are there a ways to watch ‘After Hours’?
Both the Kane and Skinner segments are on SN’s home page, just scroll down a bit.
Holloway is the obvious candidate for the reset but I wouldn’t do it yet. I think he needs to have a little success in the show first to get a taste and give him some belief that the hard work in the minors will pay off eventually. Holland would kill any remaining trade value of players like Yamo or JP if he sends them down. They need a pump a dump not a reset.
The thing that gets forgotten about Dave Hunter is he was a dominant checker. One of the strangest things about old timey hockey is coaches didn’t go strength vs strength all the time like they do now. HCs back then would often accept a top line vs checking line matchup and when they did, Dave Hunter excelled in that role. He could literally take a player like Mike Bossy or Guy Lafleur out of a game and that gets forgotten a little bit in the assessment of those dynasty teams. Hunts was a very underrated but valuable contributor to those early Cup teams. If he’d had a little more offensive polish like his brother Dale, he would’ve been a legit Selke candidate.
Those Hunter brothers played like the Sutters. It was all grit, hard work, and physicality. Players like that actually set the tone for work ethic in the room. So, who’s our modern day Hunter? Easy, Zach Hyman.
Love Hyman. Speaking of truculence, he is a bulldog. He plays absolutely fair, but if you run him, he doesn’t fight, but he’ll make you pay. I had no idea what a player they were getting upon his signing.
Every time I saw him with the Leafs, he looked like the Tasmanian Devil out there. Fun player to watch. He doesn’t have a transmission. He has one gear, balls out.
And no fear I might add.
So how do we get 3 more Hymans?
You know, Foegele is trying. Hes got the motor, but not the finish. Doesn’t matter though, a guy like that will find a spot even if not on the top line.
Who else? Yamamoto was on the right path. I used to call his forecheck “jinking” after WWII aircraft. But he did play all-out every shift, and now he seems to have regressed.
Can Holloway become a Hyman?
I don’t honestly know what Holloway is yet. His equivalencies say he should be a good two way producer. But I think we’re still waiting for the game to slow down for him at this level. He seems to be moving to the right spots but he’s not getting their early enough yet to win the majority of the battles.
These things take time. Macleod seemed to be developing on sundial time but he got there eventually.
Yeah I thought we’d have a much more solid read on Holloway by now. Can’t say even that I see his true style emerging, as the physicality of the Bigs seems to be a little much for him as yet. Lots to be determined.
They’re Coaching the moxie right out of him, piss poor handling by Woody. This player can’t continue to play 5 minutes a night. Either send him down, trade him, or play him, it’s not “Rocket Science”. The Coaching staff is killing the kid spirit which is exactly what makes Holloway tick.
I couldn’t disagree more. This player has received his chances all over the lineup, in the top 6, on the 3rd line and on the 4th line. He was permitted to make mistakes without moving down the lineup or losing ice until he started repeating mistakes.
He even got multiple chances up the lineup but continued to make mistakes, and the same mistakes.
He’s been a liability recently not because the coach killed his confidence but because he killed his own confidence by not learning and developing.
Everytime he’s made the jump he’s figured it out rather quickly from the AJHL to U of W next was the AHL. His development has completely stalled no one seen this coming. What do you do? This can’t continue most every other team in the league has pleasant surprises from Rookies maybe we used all our magic on Skinner.
Just turned 21, he has a bright future. There is still some question about his offense but my goodness he looks like a player. I’m not sure he should get sent out but am sure four minutes a night is useless.
What do you do? Easy, send him to the AHL, the league just turned 21 year old prospects with less than 50 pro games get sent to for continued development when they aren’t quite ready for the NHL – as Holloway has proven.
Skinner is a fantastic example of what development in the AHL can lead to.
I would be elated to get a 2 round draft pick for either player. I’m to the point 1 needs to be traded now and the other before the start of next season for sure. Time to cut bait no matter what we get back. Can’t win with either JP or Yamo. Janmark and Kostin have won jobs in my books.
This is the beauty of having generational talents like McDavid and Draisaitl. You can run a W alongside them for 15 games and if they can barely piss a drop with those guys, you know: this is not a legit top 6 W.
Both Yamo and JP had those kind of slumps last season. That should’ve told Ken everything he needed to know THEN.
Dave frickin’ Lumley scored in 12 straight games playing alongside Gretzky while Puljujarvi can barely generate a respectable shot total with McDavid. And still we wait.
That Lumley streak was magical. I really liked the way Lumley played him and Dave Hunter could check the shit out of you then surprise with the odd nice Goal. J.P probably won’t be qualified at this rate and we’re stuck with the ineffective Yamo for another year. If you and me can clearly see that 6 Million should be spent elsewhere why can’t the boss man making 5 million. Maybe Samantha from bewitched could wiggle her nose and Yamo would become Gallagher effective and Jesse will turn into Nichushkin.
3 games, eh?
I think Janmark has always had a job but was being kept out largely for cap reasons.
For sure.
I was referring mostly to anointing Kostin based on 3 games.
Also the burying of Yamamoto and Puljujarvi (regardless of return) based on small samples.
Agreed there. Kostin will at best be on the 4th line with Ryan and Janmark when everyone is healthy and we have the cap space for it. He does look like he has the potential to be a useful player though. And fills a need. But he will have to push his way up the line-up, regardless. There’s too much ahead of him.
Making things happen offensively and not losing defensively.
Kostin’s looked great in 3 games for sure. If he can keep it up he’ll have a job for a long time.
But it’s like you’re forgetting that Puljujarvi looked like a point a game 1RW for 15 or whatever games last fall. And that Yamamoto was a full contributor to the best line in hockey for 30 games a couple of years back.
Now you’re ready to ‘cut bait no matter what’ with those guys. Apparently in favour of Kostin, who you’ve seen play maybe 30 minutes of hockey.
Doesn’t seem like a well thought out plan to me, but wtf do I know.
The problem comes when you have to qualify JP this summer again.
If Puljujarvi returns to the player he was for the balance of the previous 2 seasons, then there is no problem this summer.
If he doesn’t, I’m not sure how anything related to Kostin could help the team recoup better value.
You’ve already said you think it’s time to cut bait no matter what. Are you also expecting a quality return?
Justin Bailey is big and fast and has some skill and NHL experience.
Not unlike Klim Kostin in that regard.
He’s played two games now back from off-season injury and scored twice last night (one a fluke, terrible goal on Wolf, the other a nice goal in front on the PP).
He’s on an AHL deal but that is easily changed to an NHL deal and I think he may be in line for a call-up next….
Holloway and Malone down and Benson and Bailey up.
Its worth a look. I think I would rather see Hamblin’s speed over Benson, but certainly Benson has earned a look. Lots of folks cheering for him, but although Benson has gotten better, the Oilers depth player are now substantially better. It will be difficult.
I like the edge that Benson plays with … he could be the “asshat” that we need.
When does Bouchard wake up from the slump/sophmore slump? Good thing we didn’t offload Barrie yet ; the old establishment would have dumped him the second they could
Holloway needs the Hunter CHL reset asap. Jesse could use it too- surely there is something he needs to rehab.
COVID hit Justin Bailey right in the sweet spot. A Hunter in wait?
That team we watched last night in the first half of the game was lightning fast. Absolute fantastic hockey to watch, and there are very few teams that can keep up with the pace Oilers had going. Alas, its hard to play that way for full 60min so Oilers made some mistakes and Vegas is still a good team so…
Bouchard was very noticeable bad. He’ll be the one in AHL for confidence boost if he cant turn it around. We know he can, but sheesh
As for Holloway, I think he will be part of the answer. He can play that speed game of last night.
When a player is sent down to the AHL to develop, its not that simple, it can cause more chaos than it solves. First, emotional, its a hit to your confidence. Then new team, new coach, new living arrangements, disruptions to personal life. You are not always as welcome as folks think. Hotshot kid coming down, yeah, I’ll be happy to give up my spot, bend over, disrupt my chances of a recall for this new guy. Coaches have to bend as well, change chemistry. This is real. Now Gretzky has the farm system in order, but its still real.
But I agree Holloway needs a new path ASAP. He moves down or he moves up. I would think he moves up, but right now Janmark and Kostin are getting a look. No room at the Inn.
I think that Dylan Holloway would be welcomed with open arms by almost all in Bakersfield – he gets added but the roster loses someone that was playing top minutes and special teams. An Engras either gains nor loses nor does a Savoie or Tulio – they are behind Benson as is, for example.
Of course you do. But things are never that simple, and people are still people. As a group, we think its only about ice time when in fact what happens off the ice is just as important.
What would the worth be to acquire Zack MacEwen? I believe Holland knows and will add some muscle Klim Is not enough.
Short term I think Malone was brought up and might dress against a heavier team.
If the Oil can play that speed game we witnessed, this need will be lessened. I do believe intimidation is real and there is a place for said players but with all the fringers we have right now, would MacEwen get any playing time at all?
I think if a rugged defenseman could be found, it would be better use of assets out.
“What if” question back at ya. Would you consider Kassian back at 1M or 1.5M?
He has also helped offensively in recent seasons. Not much, but enough to make a roster spot worth it.
Kind of just this season, and that’s such a small sample size.
I think the player would be a worthwhile add, but wonder if Philadelphia will want something legit for him (thinking 3rd round pick). He is playing real minutes and posting quality results for them this season. MacEwan seems like a big time ‘buy high’ right now to me.
Justin Bailey is more likely.
I would not expend a single asset for Zach M. – he’s not league min – almost $200K over.
I just want to say I agree with LT’s statement that Tyson Barrie has been no pushover in battles lately.
Jesse needs an awakening to realize that the best path forward for him is to try to be the best, responsible, 2-way, third line forward that he can be. He’s had enough time with Connor and Leon the past few years and it’s clear that he’s lacking in finishing skills. No shame in being one of the best third liners in the league if that’s what he puts his mind to. Will he accept this here or will it take a trade for him to realize this?
Unfortunately he values himself a top line player and will want a second opinion on a new team. fact of life both team and player will most likely move on
Can we sign a quality defender for 5 million and then bring Kane back come playoff time?
I’m assuming you mean trade and not sign, because there are no UFAs available to sign that could make an impact. As for trades, in theory maybe, but what are we willing to give up to make it happen? The other issue is Kane will likely be back well before the playoffs meaning we’d have to find a way to cut $5 million in salary at that point as well.
Maybe “can we add” was a better way GI phrase the question. Either way, it was mostly a spoof of what past teams have done to load up during the playoffs
There are probably a few players that could be made available as a salary dump that could prove useful.
It’s allowed. Edit;
thinking about this I am more than a little worried this injury is career ending, I mean veins, tendons nerves, and you want things to work like they use to. Godspeed Mr. Kane.
Kane was pretty clear on after hours last night that the doctors said he should make a 100% recovery. Sounds like things are already going well and he also thought he may be back earlier than estimated. I doubt this is a situation where he won’t be back before the playoffs.
There is no indication that he should make anything less then a full recovery.
If there is no extra salary coming back it works, but they were up to the cap pre Kane injury and running a short roster
There’s no cap in the playoffs if you can get there well enough no more problems
For me I don’t see the point in adding fringe players. Use what you already have, and I think they are deep enough to cover a normal amount of injuries with fringe guys now
I do think adding a significant defender, be it a rugged good defensive type to help Bouch out or a high skill guy like Karlsson makes the team much stronger
Ceci is very solid, but as it stands they have one D that separates enemy from puck in Nurse, and for him it’s still not consistent
The others stick check mostly on the boards and don’t win those battles enough, so we see the structural breakdowns and lots of cross seam plays against. The opponents have too much time to see a pass with the puck on their stick cleanly
Its amazing how effective just stopping the player is (as opposed to destroying them) at getting the puck back under control. Finishing checks is massive defensively, not enough Oilers do that
Nuge last night threw a check behind our net and stopped the forward, and the Oilers immediately got the puck back and up ice under control in a nice organized break out
Nope, not practically.
Kane is expected back 1-2 months prior to the end of the regular season and I’m sure his teammates (and coaches) can’t wait to welcome him back with open arms the moment he is ready.
There’s those rose coloured glasses again.
What coloured glasses should we call “I am more than a little worried this injury is career ending”?
Hope his thumb starts wiggling pretty soon.
It seems you’re misreading movement for numbness, for whatever reason.
You talking about ‘career ending’ is incredibly pessimistic when AFIK all reports suggest a full recovery, and all involved appear to be in good spirits regarding the situation.
Calling another poster out as wearing rose coloured glasses for expecting Kane to return is a whole extra level of weird on top of the ‘career ending’ stuff.
Two blowout losses to Dallas and Carolina were ugly.
Every other loss was one goal with an EN in those that weren’t.
Doesn’t scream pathetic loser roster that the GM needs to take an axe too, to moi but your mileage may vary. And I know from many of you it will vary.
I like the way they’ve played the last two games. Still adjusting the sites offensively but the hustle is there, discombobulation is down, three lines rolling. God I’m cheering hard for Warren Foegele right now. JP needs to start pissing a drop. Fancies be damned if you’re totally useless offensively, can afford that with one defenseman, can’t afford it with 6 forwards.
The NYC road trip should be fun. Oilers matchup style wise well against those teams. Devils riding a heater, Islanders back to earth and Rangers are .500
Need to play well but I don’t see a Hell’s Half Acre here. Lack of actual travel for this one should help, like a mini-road Home stand.
Where do we spot Soup a start? Me thinks the Isles.
I found this interesting us and Jersey were both 7-3 in the standings when we last played, Jersey now owns a 15-3 record while we’re happy to be at 10-8 this morning. We blew a 3-1 3rd period lead against Jersey that started our lacklustre play. We might as well return the favour and end Jerseys unbelievable 12 game win streak come Monday.
I’m not sure I’ve seen anyone happy about the record – I think its a disappointment for most (all). Calm and reasoned assessment and projection forward does not equate to “happiness”.
JP’s fancies are in the gutter. Still an above average defensive impact but near the bottom of the league in terms of contributions to xG
It is just so noticeable. He still swoops and curls, centers can’t find him. When he gets the puck he dumps it as soon as possible. Even with Connor, Jessie just dumps it his way and it ends up Connor working the boards.
Then he plays one very good game just to tantalize the viewer once again!
I cannot see anything obvious to be done with this player, so it’s just cheering for him. He can play the speed game. He can provide a good give and go. I think McLeod is the right partner and they need some more finishing on the left side, or adjust their game to shooting and crashing the net. Maybe that’s where they will find success with Kostin.
yeah. I like the player and the human but I’m not sure if having a member of the staff from the original shit show he endured in Edmonton was the best thing for him. Ditto the constant belittling and trade rumours in the media.
Alas, dealing with adversity is part of being a professional athlete and earning millions of dollars. You have to have thick skin to succeed in Edmonton, and I’m not sure he does. It’s on him to figure it out and I think it’s likely best for both parties to move on.
Oilers have a much softer schedule coming up starting with the Chicago game at the end of the month.
Eight or nine in a row against non-playoff opponents (although 3x against the Wild)
I actually don’t think soft opponents are helpful.
1. I think we have often been more motivated against strong opposition
2. I think strong opposition is where we are going to figure out that next step…
Not that it matters, since you gotta play them all… But to me the points dont matter, if we need soft opponents to make the playoffs then we aren’t going anywhere.
If I could delete some soft teams from the schedule I would.
These are the games I worry about most. I find we play down to the weaker times level. We get behind and then we scramble. We lollygag and then its opps we $hit the bed
I would leave McLeod and Puljujarvi together, and let it work itself out.
They will be a low event line, and at some point, they just might start scoring. (Low event unless they put Holloway on LW).
I would play Holloway. He makes an impact sooner that way…i.e. later this season. But if Woodcroft isn’t going to play him…
Playing in the AHL won’t hurt him, but it doesn’t advance Holloway along, because I think he will dominate at the AHL level, and won’t learn what he has to learn there.
The transition of some players to the NHL will always be an adventure. I think Holloway is one of those players. It will have to be endured sooner or later.
It only needs to be a for a couple of weeks Godot, not the rest of the season.
What they want–ideally– is for him to be at the level of replacing Kane during his LTIR time, next to Drai. But he needs to figure some shit out before that happens.
He needs to go dominate the AHL for twenty games. Not a conditioning stint – he needs to go be the alpha Bakersfield Condor until February.
Holland has built strong depth on the wing. I like that Woody is giving MJ and McLovin a shot in the top-6. Maybe Kostin gets one. Surely one of Yamo or JP will find it.
No need to spend trade assets upgrading the wing. Kane returning and Holloway being ready to play in the NHL for good will be our deadline additions.
You’ve been quite insistent this year that:
a) Broberg needed to be on the NHL roster playing big minutes or else it was a bust of a season and likely a bust of a player.
B) Holloway needs gifted time no matter his on ice results. AHL is a waste of time.
Both seem a bit rigid to me especially with such young players. NHL isn’t a development league, Holloway has had six weeks and I’m still seeing the exact same
mistakes and I’m seeing them lead directly to goals against. Huge fan of the player but it’s not jiving right now. Head down, get your confidence back and come back with a burr in your ass young man.
Ditto with Broberg. The live by and die by attitude by many to start the year with this player is sorta weird considering he’s a young 21. “We’re in win now mode!” seems to be code of reverting to the DoD of shoehorning guys into the NHL results be damned. Waiver exempt guys can be sent down for a bit. When they clearly have the physical tools to excel it’s even more bizarre that some figure it’s all over should they head down. Shattering a fellas confidence at the NHL helps nobody IMO. Trust your minor league system that is handing you a few guys each year to tune them up and spit them back to the Bigs.
Holloway lost the puck for no reason so many times last night. This man needs a reset. Confidence is a thing.
I hope Drai has a little talk with him about going down and then coming back up. Would be lovely is history repeats.
I would suggest the better comparable is Yamamoto in the fall of 2019 – couple months in the AHL and then, boom, impactful 2nd line winger as soon as he was recalled on NYE.
All I can think of is the JP treatment in his rookie season with Woodcroft on the staff. I look at Holloways ice time and it makes me shudder
How can the coach play him more? In 4:40 of ice, he took an earned minor penalty, fumbled and lost the puck on the PP for a clear and made an egregious line change that directly led to a breakaway against and a goal.
This isn’t isolated either.
He’s been a liability.
The coach has tried – he’s tried him on the 2nd line, the 3rd line and the 4th line – the results have been the same- bad mistakes, made repeatedly without learning from them, that have hurt the team.
Its time.
where did I say the coach should play him more? Take a look at the comment I replied tok
If you move Holloway there, where do you move Kostin?
I understand your position re: not learning at the AHL level because he can get away with the things that are hurting him at the NHL level. At the same time, he’s not “stupid” and neither are Holland, Gretzky, Woody and Chaulk. Holloway can go down with the knowledge of what he needs to work on and with the help of his coaches.
He doesn’t necessarily need months in the NHL to be an impactful NHL player. Kailer Yamamoto dominated the AHL (yes, he did, despite lower boxcars playing with middle 6 AHLers, he DOMINATED the puck and was a scoring chance creation machine) and was PPG though 26 games in the NHL, right away.
Well, he was a complementary player on a dominant line.
…That wasn’t hurting the team as regularly as Holloway has been doing.
OP, he’s going to make mistakes in the NHL. Remember when Tippett refused to play Evan Bouchard because he worried about mistakes? YOUNG PLAYERS MAKE MISTAKES. We can pretend they’re not worthy, or as most of us do pick the guys we like and look past them, but rookies lack experience and are going to make their coach grey.
Of course he is going to make mistakes and, as I’ve opined, making mistakes is just fine as long as the player is learning from them. The issue here isn’t that Holloway is making mistakes its just that he’s making the same types of mistakes, over and over again, with regularity, and they are actively hurting the team. He’s done this from the 2nd line, 4th line, 2nd line (again) and 3rd line.
Holloway’s game last night was Samorukov-like – the difference being he’s a winger, not a d-man.
The team is at the point where a re-set in the AHL is required, be it 5, 15 or 30 games as the player has had LOTS of rope and hasn’t really shown much, if any, development or growth.
I’m not sure the issue with a just turned 21 year old, that missed almost a full year of hockey and only played 33 AHL games, from being re-assigned to the AHL for some additional development time – the waiver, and waiver exemption system, was set up for this.
Holloway is going to the farm, so this conversation is kind of past its due date. He will make those mistakes when he returns as well. You can’t replace experience in the NHL with anything but experience in the NHL.
Sure, but that doesn’t mean that a player can’t further develop in the AHL nor that he’s ready to learn from those experiences in the NHL.
From everything that’s happened on ice, it seems Holloways isn’t ready for the NHL development stage. He was tried on 3 seperate lines and given rope to make mistakes on each of them – he didn’t show growth after making the mistakes.
Kailer Yamamoto spent 3 months in the AHL in the fall of 2019 and came up NHL ready.
This seems the logical path forward for a similar pedigree prospect in Holloway.
He has played 100 five-on-five minutes. 100. You’re just miles too hard on him. And Yamamoto played IN THE NHL in two seasons before this appearance you mention. I agree Yamamoto was fire when recalled late 2019 (iirc) but Holloway just doesn’t have the minutes yet. Your criticism of him, imo, is too harsh and too early.
That said, he’s going to Bakersfield so the point is moot.
Dylan has been on the wrong side of coverage against opposition players and that is why he has been taking so many penalties. Time he sits and watches upstairs and goes down to the A. It has been said before the NHL is not a developmental place for players.
What the hell is going on with Bouchard?
Hypothesis. He doesn’t have to look Keith in the eyes or sit next to Keith on the bench. Keith’s intensity was a burr in Bouchard’s giddy-up.
I agree. Have to give Keith credit here
The dreaded sophmore slump is real
Ya, I mentioned last night that I’m starting to get concerned this is more than just an in-season slump but potentially a regression year from the kid, which isn’t unusual at this age.
For me, this, in no way, limits his upside or likelihood to reach it, he’s going to be a top offensive d-man in this league for years, but it may not pop this season like I expected.
Of course, then again, may be he comes out of it as soon as Monday….
Its a tertiary concern right now but this could save some cap dollars on his next contract (or potentially make a long term “Klefbom-deal” amenable) and maybe he doesn’t hit 4 Sched B bonuses for $850K (which would be a penalty next season). I hope he does, I want the player this season.
Agree. HGe is really starting to concern me. Thank gord we did not trade Barrie.
His confidence is broken IMO. His inability to get his shot through is a big tell. When he fist came up, he would make a little fake shot, change position and then get it through. He rarely does that now.
I noticed that as well.
Bouchard possesses a lot of weapons to get puck on net: flick shot, wrist shot, shot-pass, Bouch-Bomb (aka la Bombe Royale)
None of them are working for him atm.
One of the tactics for the 3rd and 4th lines’ in the O-zone should be Forecheck – Cycle – Bouch. The Bouch is currently (and shockingly) the weak link in that sequence.
Once Benson is up-to-speed, I think the org will swap him and Holloway. They will want Bennie to find his legs first, but if he’s good-to-go after the weekend games, maybe that could happen as early as today. Bako plays next on Tuesday at home, then Saturday at home, then the Tuesday after in Abbotsford.
I don’t think the Butler will be there past the first Tuesday game. That will make him available for the Isles on Wednesday which should be a more grindy-type game.
Sure, but how does this help win games? Benson is a tweener and I guess you can give him Holloway’s 6 or 7 minutes, but he’s shown next to no offence at the NHL level. Frankly, I’d be more interested in seeing Hamblin up than Benson if one of them is going to dress.
No one knows what Benson is yet, especially since he improved his foot speed over the off-season. As soon as he is healthy, it is time for a look-see.
He’s already on the NHL roster using up cap space. Not playing him and not knowing is, frankly, foolish. Bringing up Hamblin would mean sending Benson down and subjecting him to waivers. Hamblin has yet to display the level of offense that Benson did at the AHL level, so what exactly do you think he is? Benson has been basically PPG twice. Hamblin runs at about 0.5.
“Help win games” doesn’t happen at the top of the roster. Vegas’s fourth line was owning us last night. Jay will be wanting strong depth throughout his line-up. The improvements to the 3rd line allowed by the Kane injury is a start.
And the long term plan for Holloway isn’t the 4th line. Putting Benson there is no tragedy.
Benson is also only one year older than Hamblin.
Justin Bailey could be in this conversation – in fact, I could see Bailey signed to an NHL deal for league min and both he and Benson activated and Malone and Holloway assigned.
Malone would need to re-clear waivers I believe- which he would, of course.
Bailey could certainly be in the conversation an NHL deal and some Oiler games.
Just a guess, but I wouldn’t think he’d be in that conversation quite yet. I think they’d want him to play for a while longer/more game before considering a call-up since he’s played just the two games all year (while Benson at least got a normal training camp and pre-season games before getting injured).
Who knows though, and I definitely agree Bailey is likely to see Oiler games at some point.
Good thing Connor was being Connor in the 3rd and OT last night. Usually we piss and moan after a loss but we’re virtually at the quarter pole and there is a good chance this team will come home from NY at or below .500 by this time next week. It’s still a VERY unbalanced roster. With Kane out the team is down to a “Big 4” and they won the game last night. Holland is smart enough to know that this isn’t even close to a Championship roster. IMO they’ve regressed from last years playoff team with so many forwards contributing nothing and Bouchard has become such a liability in his own end that he may be the team leader in regression. The cavalry isn’t coming.
You’re predicting an 0-2-1 or 0-3-0 trip? Huh. OK then.
Agreed! It seems our recipe for a win involves heroic feats by 97 or 29. It is fantastic when it happens but doesn’t seem sustainable. Our team play is simply not good enough and it shows by constantly being outshot by 10-20 margin. Other than Broberg I don’t see any immediate help from the farm. There are some good signs but not ripe enough yet. Love Stuart!
Oilers got a big goal to open the scoring with zero points from McDavid/Drai.
I disagree with how Holland is likely looking at this roster. I’m sure he is disappointed in the record, he said as much last week.
He also knows that this roster, with this coaching staff, can play a much better structural games – the hard detailed game that Woody talks about and mentioned many times last season.
This team may not be able to just “flip a switch” but perhaps this roster isn’t quite good enough to play it for 82 games plus 2 months but can do so when the intensity ramps up – they did last season.
I think Holland knows (1) Kane is coming back and (2) there are more players under-performing than over-performing and that’s likely to provide better play going forward.
There is one player coming from the farm that could make a material impact (Broberg) and I’m fairly certain Holland will continue to be patient, evaluate this team for a few more months, including the potential impact of Broberg, and add at the deadline.
Any material in-season move needs to clear as much cap out as comes in. Adding extra pieces to have cap retained and to ship cap out makes this very expensive.
Realistically, there is only one material acquisition. Holland will acquire a d-man as spring approaches. There may be a depth move on top but that is realistically it.
This team, with Kane and d-man of substance (plus Broberg) very well could want the Stanley Cup. They could also lose in the first round.
I’m enjoying the ride, as always.
Lots of early season verbal re: “why did they waste cap on Janmark”.
As we are seeing in real time, history shows he’ll be a big value contract at $1.25MM.
Yup, only 4:40 for Holloway and that’s not good but, in that time, he took a penalty (ticky tack but earned), fumbled and gave it away on the PP and made an awful line change for a breakaway against (and a goal).
Cant blame the coach – he’s a net negative out there. Pretty soon the GM will make the needed move.
I felt the last few games Dylan did not have many positive touches with the puck or play. Eye tests saw more negatives than positives.
My belief is that Broberg needs to be brought up to play in place of Murray/Niemelainen. As far as RW goes, much depends on how long Janmark plays on the first line. Hyman is much better when on Left Wing. The important thing is to improve team defensive play. You can’t expect Skinner to be exceptional every game he plays. Enjoyed the third line last night.
GM said plan is early December for Broberg. He’s playing well.
I would say that Skinner was solid last night but not exceptional. He was important, as goalies always are, but didn’t steal the game. Made saves he was expected to make and some plus saves.
Play the B2B against Abbotsford then join the Oil in Edmonton for the four game homestand beginning with the Habs on Tabernac Saturday looks like a likely scenario.
There’s a stretch from Dec 12 to Dec 15 where the Condors don’t play but it doesn’t match up with the Oilers sked (B2Bs on Dec 12 & 13).
Re skinner: That’s new around here. Solid, expected, no more no less.
Seemed our previous duo was anything but expected and solid. (On both sides of the margin – minute to minute)
Tracers has me feeling Ryan McLeod. He needed a confidence push and we’ve heard that some of the core really like him playing on their wing. He’s versratile and could be a long-term piece despite some humble beginnings and middling draft pedigree.
Interesting, I was thinking Klim Kostin.
Arrived by trade, checker, could score some goals, could play higher up in lineup.
McLeod is certainly a long term piece unless there is some kind of drastic trade. The kid has been manna from heaven. I wouldn’t lose much sleep over a scoring drought with him.
Agreed that McLeod is indeed a long-term piece for this team. This team has needed a “true 3C” since the Jarett Stoll days and McLeod is becoming one the team drafted (outside the first round) and developed.
I feel like he needs to continue to work on being willing to engage physically as he’s regressed big time in that area. He’s willing to go to some hard areas more than when he first started but, in battle, he NEVER initiates with his body and he never finishes checks.
After Whitecloud crushed Kostin last night, he had a perfect opportunity to give him a hard knock, legally, and turned away.
We don’t need him to be a banger but, if he’s going to be a high end 3C, he’s going to need to use that big body to battle and he’s going to need to finish some checks.
In any event, I do think he can fill in as wing in the top 6 but I’d prefer to have him maintain his 3C position and just continue to develop – that’s his long term role on this team.