I’ve witnessed that game by the Oilers dozens of times over the years and it’s uncertain the club will ever iron out the indifference that clouds the game they play. You’ll hear “they have to show up on time” and “need more toughness” and their give a damn meter is broken” or “Monday nights aren’t good for this team” and all kinds of theories today online and on radio. I don’t think rugged play is the reason Edmonton lost last night, but do think attention to detail is worth discussing. Let’s talk about the first goal against on Monday night.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New DNB: Stuart Skinner has been the Oilers’ saviour — and that’s not a good thing
- New Lowetide: Analyzing Edmonton Oilers defensive pairings deployment
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2022
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers avert disaster with strong finish to November
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers look for rugged forward in a trade
- Lowetide: Oilers’ young players providing a spark after a slow start
- Lowetide: What could Oilers forward Dylan Holloway accomplish in AHL?
- DNB: Oilers’ win over Rangers shows how valuable secondary scoring can be
- DNB: Oilers GM Ken Holland Q&A: Can the team be improved? If so, how?
- Lowetide: Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins into 2nd decade of being misunderstood
- DNB: Oilers have a long way to go as defensive problems persist
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers’ Jack Campbell will be better, but can he be a true No. 1?
- Lowetide: The Edmonton Oilers and early-season trades during road trips
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers’ lack of secondary scoring is a critical situation
- Lowetide: Oilers rookie Stuart Skinner is chasing history
- 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
WHAT TO EXPECT IN DECEMBER
- On the road to: MIN (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 0-1-0)
- At home to: MTL, WAS, ARI, MIN (Expected 3-1-0) (Actual 1-1-0)
- On the road to: MIN, NAS (Expected (1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: STL, ANA (Expected 1-0-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: NAS, DAL (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: VAN (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: CAL, SEA (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: WPG (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- December expected result: 9-5-1, 19 points in 15 games
- December actual result: 1-2-0, two points in three games
- November results: 7-7-0, 14 points in 14 games
- October results: 6-3-0, 12 points in 9 games
- Oilers in 2022-23: 14-12-0, 28 points in 26 games
SUMMARY
THE GOAL
McDavid arrives behind Edmonton’s net with Lars Eller in pursuit. He dishes the puck to the other side (behind the net) to Darnell Nurse. Nurse has Mantha on him, so sends it back to McDavid. Eller gains position on the captain, puck slides back to Nurse. Nurse sends a pass forward toward Leon Draisaitl, but Mantha’s hand-eye is so good he knocks it down. After another attempt, the puck finally gets to Draisaitl along the wall, and 29 sends it into the middle of the ice where it’s intercepted and cashed for the 1-1 goal.
A damnable play to be sure. Your three ‘heart of the order’ players and it’s a goal against a rookie goaltender who has been splendid all game. Jesus, Mary and Joseph the turnovers on this team are enough to choke a horse.
The coaching staff waited until the third period (and an Evan Bouchard misplay) to bench anyone. I wrote about this at The Athletic yesterday and in my opinion there’s a real danger here in regard to this player. Evan Bouchard isn’t the only problem. Full stop. What a foolish thing it would be to move on from him.
OBSERVATIONS
- Stuart Skinner was outstanding last night. He isn’t going to get much Calder Trophy attention but he should be getting some consideration.
- Philip Broberg made some nice plays, specifically one against Anthony Mantha on a dangerous opportunity. I liked Broberg-Bouchard despite the numbers and would like to see it again. The rangy blue is finding his way.
- Evan Bouchard had a tough night, another among many this season. Picking him out of a crowd of underachievers to bench is wrongheaded. This coaching staff was brilliant last season. This year is a completely different story. The bloom is off the rose.
- Mattias Janmark had a good game. Not on every play, but his veteran savvy is worth keeping in the lineup.
- Jesse Puljujarvi plays better on the Nuge line. Maybe not forever, but forever for now.
- Dylan Holloway also played well with Nuge. The one major positive for the coaching staff on the night was moving up Holloway. It could have been done earlier, like opening faceoff earlier. However, credit where due.
- Cody Ceci has regressed. Don’t know what happened but he is playing like he did last December when the wheels came off. He needs a reset.
- Kailer Yamamoto did some good things in his return. Moved up to the top line, he had the remnants of chances but rust never sleeps.
- Zach Hyman was missed. Big time.
WHAT’S GOING ON?
The Oilers have the top wildcard spot in the west based on standings points, but are No. 10 based on winning percentage. Last night’s loss makes things more complicated, and pushes back things like Jack Campbell’s next start. I do have some empathy for the coaching staff, Evander Kane and Zach Hyman out of the lineup is simply too much to overcome. A lot of the team’s swagger is dressed in suits come game time. That’s a big damn deal.
I remain convinced this is a playoff team, although my original call for a Pacific Division crown is a long gone distant bell now. The solution one year ago on defense was Nurse-Ceci playing extraordinary minutes. This year, the duo is 12-14 (46 percent) in five-on-five goals while they’re on the ice. A year ago it was 25-22 (53 percent) and both men have struggled.
The same holds true for McDavid and Draisaitl five-on-five, separate and together. This year McDavid without 29 is 10-13 (44 percent), Leon solo is 13-17 (43 percent) and the two men together are 10-8 (56 percent).
Last year, McDavid solo (56-36, 61 percent), Draisaitl solo (50-43, 54 percent) and the 97-29 combo deal (17-14, 55 percent) were all miles better.
The coaching staff can hammer on Bouchard until the cows come home, but this team follows leaders. That first goal against last night saw McDavid, Nurse and Draisaitl unable to execute a path out of their own zone. This has to change. For the good of the team.
CONDORS
Condors have an early game today (11:30 am start Edmonton time) and I’m looking forward to seeing Xavier Bourgault, Tyler Tullio and Mike Kesselring build on strong performances lately. The recent top-20 prospects showed just how much Bakersfield has on the farm and there are legit NHL prospects in the pro system. These men are going to be Edmonton Oilers in the future, I expect some sooner than later.
The New Jersey Devils are currently first in the NHL (though second in win%).
It’s a hard team to get behind from years of boring hockey or Scott Stevens.
It’s funny I remember Tyler used to marvel about the devils playing a different game in terms of their team shot metrics.
I really enjoyed Tyler’s writing back in the day, so I’m happy for his success.
I was also annoyed that he didn’t seem to have the ear of management (only Eakins) when he worked for the Oilers. If Dellow had a voice, there’s no way they sign that Lucic contract. He was always very smart at valuing player contracts.
Dellow and co traded a 2nd/3rd found picks for Vitek Vanecek (17 gp / .922 this season). 26 [!] years old.
The cap is a tidy sheet devoid of any onerous contracts though they did go long on Dougie. and Bernier is on LTIR.
Certainly a nice youthful age cluster.
https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/devils
Not much to track from the draft since his 2019 hire aside from Dawson Mercer.
https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/teams/dr00007066.html
Hat tip to our old blog friend, Tyler Dellow!
They also signed Palat this summer. They are looking good though.
I said it last month and I’ll beat that drum again … before Holland makes an expensive trade for a mediocre defenseman … I want to see a coaching change first.
I like Jay’s press conferences but there’s not much substance or accountability on the ice. I haven’t been impressed with anything Woodcroft has done this season … it’s time for him to go.
Time to hire Trotz … don’t dither around until February to put Woodcroft out his misery … do it now. We need a defensive coach and there is none better. Make the change now so you can see whether the d-corps is truly problem:
Summarizing!
Chiasson scored with 11 seconds remaining to force OT, but Brandon would lose. It was his 8th goal of the season.
Schaefer had an assist and 4 SOG in a Seattle victory.
Shane Wright with his first NHL goal.
Emerald City Hockey
@EmeraldCityHky
The Gourde-Wright-Bjorkstrand line had the most ice time of any Kraken forward line in the 1st period. Had 98% of xG while on the ice. #SEAKrake
The ghost bear.
Seen him good? Seen him bad? What’s your 2 cents?
I’ve always seen him good and even as a plus skater. Are my eyes deceiving me?
PuckIQ had him as playing the most toi vs elites on a bad coyotes team last season.
He played 22:11 per night last season with a 47% FF. He played all 82 games BTW.
This season he’s at 21:34 with a 49% FF.
How does an undersized non physical mediocre offensive D help a smallish non physical D group?
The Oilers need gloves not bats
Offense comes from better defensive play. Look at the Oilers numbers 5v5 this season!
I was talking about low-cost acquisition to fix the Kulak minutes.
Don’t mind him but agree is likely not the type of D-Man Holland is looking for (unless his name is Erik Karlsson apparently).
Looking for another sinking ship that may be moving in a different direction and my eyes land back on the Blues:
Could you pry Pareyko and his long contract out of there? Not sure how numbers would work but would surely include Bouchard/JP or Yamo/draft pick? Pareyko now signed to monster contract that won’t be in their next winning window
We need to win now
I think he’s good value for money/asset cost ($2.25M after 50% retention). Can he break a cycle though?
I’ve said before Ghost is the type of player Holland would trade for at the deadline, but I’m not sure he’s the best fit for this group (ie – more of the same).
With Nathan MacKinnon now out….Avs now missing 5 of their top 6 forwards.
Set to play Boston tomorrow so that could be trouble for the Avs
Somehow Avs are 13-9-1
The Process
AHL team plays the same system as the parent
The coach and the leaders on the same page
New players come in and while quality drops things don’t completely fall apart. People know their roles and giver
The Oilers spoke of this a few years ago. Not sure what happened
That would mean the parent team HAS a system in place that the team plays.
What’s the Oilers’ systemic play?
Loose defence and bolting the D-zone forwards?
How does a team have the 2 best players in the world yet has zero identity?
What kind of team are the Oilers?
you mean to say they have an ahl team coach that is looking out for the interests of the big club!!!?!
Those 5, their #3C and their entire second pairing.
They’ve called up emergency replacements and some of those are injured too.
I’ve never seen anything like it.
10 regulars out.
Streakers going head to head in Dallas.
Jason Robertson 18 games.
Mitch Marner 19 games.
Marner….20.
Evgeny Svechnikov, anyone?
Started well in San Jose, but has fallen out of favour. What are the odds Holland puts in a claim for one of his failed 1st rounders from Motown?
Adds some size, some skill and some experience to the roster and perhaps also helps by sending useful pieces back to Bakersfield where the team hasn’t won in a over a week….
Edmundson to the Oilers rumors.
Okay, in my limited viewings I have seen Edmundson pretty good over the years.
Still, the rumored ask is Xavier Bourgault, Jessie Puljujarvi, and a 2nd or 3rd round pick.
Spector suggested the picks wouldn’t be required.
Am I wrong or is that laughably high price to pay for less than two years of a #5 defenseman?
I’d immediately throw in my Oilers Fandom towel forever, and I can assure you I’m the furthest thing from a new or Fairweather fan.
Include Monahan with 50% salary retention and now we could be getting somewhere.
A question of timing IMO.
Bourgault is not likely to be an impact player for at least another two seasons.
Jesse has neutral value at best and likely negative value given his cap hit.
Since the Oilers have to be in win now mode, does Edmundson help with that goal…I think he does.
would love Edmundson but Holland will be attached to Bourgault. Maybe he has no qualms of swaping Bouchard he didnt draft him…
I could follow your argument if Edmundson was the “missing piece” for a serious run at the cup.
Right now, MoneyPuck has us at 30.1% chance of making the playoffs.
I keep reading that Holland hasn’t been afforded as much time as Sakic had to win the cup.
Still, I don’t remember Sakic ever trading two seconds for Athansiou, signing Campbell to a cap killing contract, or missing out on a Zegras and Mercer at the draft. 🙂 (edit–> by veering so far off McKenzie’s list with a reach pick.)
I would suggest Edmundson is an incremental improvement…more would be required.
Is Manson any better than Edmundson?
Seems like a pretty similar player except that Manson is older, more expensive and has a longer contract.
Sakic had lots of time to size that one up.
Comes down to fit.
Manson is a perfect partner for Sam Girard.
Sakic knew he had to increase toughness on the back end and went out and did so.
This sounds identical to what Edmonton would be trying to achieve with Edmundson. Where’s the difference?
Not much except for a somewhat higher cap hit and that Manson provides more offense.
The Avs traded a former second rounder Helleson and 2023 second rounder for Manson. I don’t know much about Helleson other than he’s not putting up much points in the AHL even for a d.
Granted Manson was on an expiring contract.
I like Bourgault a lot, he’s also a former 1st rounder, so I would consider him a much higher price to pay though Edmundson has more term on his contract and is younger.
Manson was a #4/#5 on the Ducks when he was traded.
But yeah, Manson an Edmundson are similar players. They’ve even fought once which ended in a draw.
I brought up Manson because they’re similar players and because you’ve been hammering away at Holland’s cap killing contracts (OP has said most of what I was thinking). Manson’s deal is pretty similar to Campbell’s.
I don’t like Edmundson at that asset price either, though I think he could help the team more generally.
Sakic DID miss out on Zegras and Mercer at the draft and his fourth overall pick can’t stay healthy and in the lineup. A current area of need for the Avs is 2nd line center…..
The Josh Manson contact could be just as bad, if not worse, than Campbell….
Byram was 3rd on Mckenzie’s list and he was selected 4rth. He’s a pretty impactful player when healthy.
Sakic selected Justin Barron 25th in 2020. Coincidentally, he was ranked 25 on Mckenzie’s list.
Holland veered off from Mckenzie’s list with an early 1st round pick. It’s not usually a good idea to do so. It hasn’t worked so far.
I’m not a fan of the Manson contract. We’ll see which one is worse.
Byram has played 59 games in the NHL…Broberg 29 but it seems only one of the players can’t stay healthy. 🙂
Sure but my response remains applicable to the statements made re: Sakic not passing up on Zegras (he did and Zegras is outperforming Sakic’s choice and is a position of greater need than Sakic’s pick) and not singing a cap killing big term contract this off-season (which he may have).
My point was that Sakic didn’t veer from Mckenzie’s list and make a reach pick that skipped over a Zegras, Caufield, and a Boldy.
Byram was the consensus #3 best available player prior to the NHL draft. He was available at #4.
For the same reason, you’ve never heard once me criticize the Puljujarvi selection. Sure he’s been a dud but he was the consensus #3 pick prior to the draft. He was picked fourth.
Byram was a force during last year’s playoffs for the Avs. They lost Girard really early too. Without Girard and Byram, I’m not sure they would have had the depth to win the cup.
Signing Manson to that contract was very unSprigings like. I can’t defend that contract.
He did sign a contract like that once with Eric Johnson, so maybe Sprigings was on vacation with no cell coverage.
That is wayyyyyy too much for a lower pairing defensive D
Manson has more cache and got 2 seconds
These overpays are why Holland doesn’t have bullets. Along with continuing the trend of not getting picks back
Edmundson is an improvement on Kulak. But not a difference maker
They have to keep the in the NHL D youth. The B Bruhvs
A good GM would be looking to move Barrie, also get a defensive RD, and shelter The B’s, using Bouch on PP. Trust him and by season end he’ll be eating Barrie’s sheltered lunch
Is he though? Here are their stats side-by-side from this season and last… Edmundson’s defensive stats are FAR worse. And I’ll note that he’s only played 40 games to Kulak’s 100, that certainly alters his value to me.
https://www.naturalstattrick.com/playercompare.php?fromseason=20212022&thruseason=20222023&stype=2&sit=5v5&score=all&stdoi=oi&rate=r&p1=8476441&p2=8476967&loc=B&gpfilt=none&fd=&td=&tgp=410&lines=single
I’d rather trade Bouchard, Puljujarvi(or Yamamoto), Barrie, and the first for Eric Karlsson.
Karlsson and McDavid would be worth the price of admission!
I’m not sure what San Jose would think of that deal. JP and Barrie don’t have a lot of value, if any and they’d have to retain half of Karlsson’s contract.
Retaining half of that contract would likely cost in the range of 2 1st round picks on its own – that’s over $20MM of real (and cap) dollars.
Almost forgot as I was looking earlier.
By PuckIQ %TOI vs. elites Edmundson has never fallen below #4 on his team, ranging from #1 through #4 depending on the year. Total TOI may not always agree (I haven’t checked thoroughly), though even your link shows him #4 rather than #5 on the Canadiens in TOI/game this season.
Beyond those details, I think ‘top 4 D’ would be the most fair description of Edmundson based on how he’s been used. And FWIW he did win a cup, and play in another cup finals. That shouldn’t be any kind of deciding factor, but that type of experience definitely doesn’t hurt.
Fully agree with those that feel the biggest need is another defence man. The question is who? Everyone also says no to the potential targets mentioned: Edmundson, Chychrun etc
So who do you go after? I have occasional dreams of tempting Philly/Torts to covet Nurse (tough/McNabb connection). They were apparently willing to pay price for Seth Jones. Would a change to Provorov or Sanheim help?
In the meantime I would go:
Nurse-Bouchard (caveat: tell Darnell he is the DEFENSIVE partner and stay home!)
Broberg-Ceci (Cody needs lower quality matchups)
Kulak-Barrie (until you move Barrie for something else!)
Darnell rovers because Cody can’t take care of his side of the ice
When was the last time he had a good partner? Larsson ?
I disagree.
He rovers because he feels that he needs to bring the offence and defence as the #1/highest paid defence man on the team. Ceci is supposed to be covering for him but can’t at the quality of competition that Nurse and is partner is sent out against.
I would love him to forget about his contract and concentrate on just playing hard and smart defensive coverage. The contract is already signed, can’t make anymore money scoring goals. Let Bouchard be the offensive force on the top pair instead
In limited viewings, I always seem to see the Ghostbear good.
To my eye, he makes good outlet passes and seems to be a plus skater.
What do you guys think?
He’s on an expiring contract, but not the type of player Holland is probably looking for. He’s not rugged nor big.
Still I think he’d be a better bet at 2 LD if we’re looking for a cheaper addition.
It’s Goatbeard and a hard no.
More weak D?
How much of our team’s current issues are due to drafting?
At the 2019 draft, Holland blundered a massive opportunity in selecting Broberg.
Broberg seems like he’ll make it as a player, but there were better options missed.
Broberg was 15th on Mckenzie’s list and he was selected 8th.
Holland passed over (from Mckenzie’s list)
7- Zegras
9-Caufield
10-Krebs
11-Boldy
12 – Spencer Knight
It’s not even revisionist, everyone was screaming Zegras though Stauffer already telegraphed the Broberg selection.
At the 2020 draft.
Mercer 13th, and Guhle 14th were ranked ahead of Holloway.
If you stray from Mckenzie’s list, you gotta be right.
I was hoping for Seth Jarvis at the 2020 draft, but I sort of thought we’d select Guhle.
I had no idea how good Guhle would be though.
I would have been against another LD, however I didn’t pay much attention to Guhle
If there was much indication of the kid’s complete ability I would have jumped and traded some leftorium for needs
I think barring injury he’s going to be the biggest difference maker. There aren’t many pieces more important than a dominant stud 1D with size, and he’s already on his way at 20
depends on how much of our team’s current issues are due to development
Krebs went 17th to VEGAS …
Remember, Krebs dropped heavily in his draft year due to injury.
Yep.
Zero hindsight about that pick.
Telegraphed for miles as you mention.
I was / am all in on Zegras.
But the Boldy kid with size would be the very tonic this team needs.
He may score 30 goals here
Not only did he skip over 5 players ranked ahead by Mckenzie, all of which would certainly be picked ahead in a redraft (maybe not Krebs?), but he didn’t even manage to get an asset by trading down a few spots.
If he had played Mckenzie’s list and we had Zegras and Guhle or Mercer… man.
Too early for a redraft. Many of the best D of the last 20 years didn’t make it until after where Broberg is in his career. Broberg is in his D+4 season or 21-year-old season (late birthday). Injuries hampered his start this season but he may stick now. He made it into 23 games last season and looked pretty good. With how important reps are for all developing D, they have been at a disadvantage with 2 lockout-affected seasons in a row. I’d give him some more time before making any statements on where he ends up in a redraft.
Victor Hedman – made the NHL right away, but didn’t really have a breakout season until his 23-year-old / D+5 season. (he was 2nd overall). I bet for those first 4 seasons, Tavares, Duchene, and Kane all looked like better picks. Hedman was still learning the game. In the summer of 2013, a redraft of 2009 might have gone #1. Tavares, #2. Duchene, #3. Kane, #4. Hedman. Today, Hedman would be #1 and is widely considered the best D of the post-Lidstrom era.
Roman Josi – didn’t make the NHL until his D+4 season, full-time the next year, and then had an impact in his D+6 season. He’s probably runner-up as the 2nd best D in the post-Lidstrom era.
Giordano didn’t make the NHL until his 26-year-old season. Norris winner.
Shea Weber made the NHL in his D+3 20-year-old season and made an impact as a regular in his D+$ 21 yr old season.
Duncan Keith didn’t make the NHL until his D+4 22-year-old season and didn’t have an impact until the following year at 23. One of the best D of the past 15 years.
Chara made the NHL in his D+2 season but didn’t become a full-time NHLer until his D+4 22-year-old season and didn’t have an impact until the next season at 23. One of the best D of the past 20 years.
As a non-North American like Hedman, Josi, and Chara, I think they also may take a bit more time to adjust to the NHL game.
A lot of the guys you’ve mentioned were second round picks–Keith, Weber, and Josi. Chara was a 3rd rounder. Giordano was never drafted.
Hedman scored 20 points in his draft +1 in the NHL.
Guhle is from the draft year after Broberg and Guhle’s playing 20 minutes per night in Montreal.
Bouchard is only one draft year ahead of Broberg. Bouch played top four minutes last year in his draft +4.
Broberg struggling to play bottom pairing minutes in his draft +4 doesn’t portend an impact defenseman.
yet guhle is playing on a team with zero playoff aspirations and he wasnt injured in camp to start the yr
My point is that they don’t all progress at the same rate, and that their draft position is irrelevant after they are drafted. Big, European players who lost development time to the pandemic may take longer than most and Broberg checks all of those boxes. He could still end up being the best of the bunch. He’s fast, big, and has impressive puck skills. In their draft+3 seasons, Ekman-Larsson outscored Hedman. Cam Fowler outscored Hedman’s D+3 in his draft+2 season that year. Faulk was just 1 pt behind Hedman that year while also in his D+2. It’s too early to tell in those years who will be better. My point is, that D take longer to develop than forwards and big, European D take even longer, so I think we may be jumping the gun a bit by declaring that certain picks are better than others during their D+4 season, especially after a pandemic interrupted development.
Guhle doesn’t have any competition ahead of him in Montreal, so of course, he’s getting big minutes. Nurse, Ceci, and Bouchard are all better than Montreal’s best D (Edmundson?). I think Kulak is comparable to Edmundson, and Barrie has way better puck skills. I’m pretty sure Guhle would be getting 3rd pair minutes in Edmonton behind Ceci and Bouchard. And he’ll probably get bumped down once Savard returns from injury. Is Guhle doing well? Absolutely. But I think how well he is doing is an overstatement. Opening of a recent article from a Montreal site:
“Canadiens rookie Kaiden Guhle is enjoying a solid inaugural season, but his underlying numbers are mess.”
Does that mean that Broberg won’t do well? Absolutely not. I also think Broberg’s ‘struggling’ is an overstatement.
Sounds like Hyman does have the flu/is sick – should be back Wed or Friday.
Foegele is close – could be back Friday, if not, on the road trip.
Man it would be nice to get some solid to plus NHL players back over the likes of Shore, Malone, Hamblin, etc.
Its like Oilers have two teams. All the responsibility falls onto few players. Thier need to produce is fatiguing and can actually lead to goals against.
The second tier, they get paid the same for marching or fighting. Easier to just march along.
its like Daddy will do it mentality
Haha Im thinking of shoveling the driveway where my kid just has to “go to the bathroom” before coming out. 30 minutes later…….
that pens game when McDavid went down injured and the secondary cast finally realized they are paid millions to play a game
the team performed at a high level.
That game was indicative of everything wrong and right with the oilers imo.
Can anybody predict the next Oilers game? I bet we can.
Breakout failure under pressure
Goalie weakness
Power Play set up
Penalty Kill weakness
Board battles
Low percentage shots from the point
Lack of intensity net front
giveaways
lack of zone entry denial
Connor and Leon will try to cover, but need at least 4 or 5 goals to win
This was not a single game thing, its become the standard. I don’t need to see the next game to predict these.
Next game is a bye as we play the Coyotes.
Automatic 2 points.
Oh, if there is a will, there is a way.
Calgary barely beat them last night.
Well, flames suck too…..
Last time I looked, the Flames have a better win percentage than the Oilers.
That would be points percentage, not winning percentage.
Oops, I went on too long.
How about Yamamoto? He played well.
How about Holloway. Thats a talent sitting there on the end of the bench. Hes checking out soon.
Well I was going to rant…..but everybody beat me to it! Lots and lots of good observations though. So many that I have to believe coaching can see all the same things……but can’t seem to find a solution.
Soft, soft play. This is not hitting or fighting. Its battling one on one every shift. Give a shit. Have some heart. Actually pick up your man, don’t just stand near them. Its just oh so glaringly obvious when you observe other teams. What is the solution to this softness …again?
You just can’t win with two players.
This is not a skill problem. This is a motivation problem. This is a coaches problem. Most of these players are different an another team.
Leon states “its up to us top guys to score” And while hes a dam fine player, his need to always, always create with the puck becomes predictable, and constant turnovers. Its a pressure and a problem he can’t see.
Why is this a coaching problem? He is the conductor of the orchestra. He wont let the bottom 6 own the penalty kill. Not a soul wants to block a shot. The Oilers are a predictable team and he wont adapt. He is rewarding poor performance. He is rewarding continued mistakes.
He is exclusive, not inclusive. So many have little skin in the game here. They are not performing as well as lesser players on other teams. Yet little accountability. I
Bench Bouchard? Hell yes, I don’t think he knows what end hes in half the time. Kick him out? Hell no. He will learn. Messages must be sent before its too late.
I was embarrassed for our guys last night. If I was playing I would not want to be part of that effort. With effort comes physicality, engagement, battle.
Coach hold the strings here. He needs a team to win. He needs to create a team. Hes not doing it.
It took Jon Cooper (whom I so wanted the Oilers to snag somehow) a few years to get control of the Bolts
Yzerman had his back as he stood up to players such as Drouin. And Stevie Y got busy getting players that did the job better
The tough part for Woody is he doesn’t have 4 years to get his chops down
I suppose they’ve tried vet coaches. I remain concerned they are continually making wrong choices about too many things, can’t get out of their own way, and so progress is by sundial and reverts at will
I have to say Trotz, who took the perennially underachieving Caps and it’s enigma star, and made them all play hard and won them a Cup finally, is looking awfully tempting to this hombre. Same bad patterns emerging
Barry’s words aside, I think 99.9% of coaches would want the McDavid gig
You are on to something.
Who is correct? Woody or Chalk?
Woody is promoting his top players regardless of performance. No accountability, repeated soft play and soft coverage. His only answer is to play McDavid more.
Chalk is asking his guys to earn it, regardless of draft or expectations. If you are a good player, lets see it. Demonstrate.
Would it be so terrible if Woody lined up Holloway, Malone, and Yamo at center ice and gave them 15 minutes well earned minutes? Might lose a game, but Id cheer for these guys.
And if an opposing player cross checked my head into the boards like it was a watermelon, I know at least Yamamoto would show up.
What were they supposed to do. Throw a stick at Edmindson while he went to the dressing room with bhis game misconduct?
I prefer what they did do, score score score on that powerplay.
Bruce, you know the answer.
Trade for him. 🙂
You take a cheap shot on one of our guys, don’t worry, we’re going to acquire you in trade.
How do you like them apples Edmundson?
A tip o’ the hat to this brilliant comment.
Cheers.
Wait for him in the tunnel and give him the old Gillooly.
I’m getting a little worried that the Oilers organization is up to their old tricks and pushing a narrative via the TV and radio broadcasts.
Did anyone catch Anson Carter in the intermission talking about how the Oilers PK is “pure fire”? He showed some super random clips of PK plays. And this is on a night that the Caps went 1-for-3 and I think created 15 Grade A scoring chances. It was one of the worst PK nights in a season of brutal nights.
I’ve got to think he’s not really that dumb and someone, somewhere told him to lay off the PK.
Then you have Jack Michaels “Louie what a beauty of a game” and “the Oilers are coming hard down the stretch” narrative on a night when they produced virtually nothing in the final 10 minutes of the game. Zero whistles between the 9:50 mark and the final 0:01 and correct me if I’m wrong but only the Nuge scoring chance?
Announcers have to walk that line between telling the truth and fostering a demand for their product. Oftentimes, the two aren’t at odds, but telling the viewers/listeners that the game is boring isn’t good for the bottom line
Last shot on net was an outside muffin by Ceci with 7:36 left.
The later the game got the more often Jack tried to convince us it was a “BEAUTY!!” & I guess if you were a Caps fan, it was.
But the Oilers were brutal. Hit the wall hard.
Ha! Based on that stat, they seem to have crossed the line of “promoting the game” to “false advertising”
I noticed Louie and Jack as well.
Ironic to hear others complain of homer broadcast crews…but Jack was over the top last night.
PR machine roars loud in Edmonton and when it goes — it goes.
With the give and take about Woodcroft’s honesty yesterday I must say I was shocked with his post game avail last night. There’s a fine line between being a smooth and positive communicator and a used car salesman.
He was asked numerous times about the Oilers getting outplayed last night and he flat out lied again and said that it was a 2-2 game and that the Caps had a focus on shot volume. The implication (he said it numerous times) was that it was an even game and the Caps shots were not good scoring chances.
CoH had the Grade A’s at 19-5 I believe and our top 4 players in terms of shots on net (and Corsi) were four defensemen. No Oiler forward had more than 2 SOG.
He then went on to lie about the Oilers giving up the first goal more often than not…saying that the reporter would need to look it up but that he thinks they are top 5 in the NHL in goals at the beginning of a period.
So he either truthfully believes the Oilers were in a 50/50 game last night and that the Oilers don’t come out of the gates slowly OR he’s flat out lying. I’m not sure which is worse.
Hes a smart cookie. But I think he carries a small stick.
Re: Woody Honeymoon:
Great post.
OP brought this up as well.
I am not sure what is worse either bald face lying to the fans or he really doesn’t know.
I agree that Woody’s description of the game last night was not really honest and I did “call him out” in here regarding straight up lies to injury/missed skate updates.
With that said, I think that stat that he was mentioning was scoring at the start of ALL periods, not just the first period, so perhaps it is true – the Oilers have scored a ton in 3rd periods this season.
With respect to all the talk about how they played last year under Woodcroft and it looking totally different so far this season there is something that I thought of and mentioned like a month ago.
I wonder if maybe the main lesson they learned in the playoffs was how damn hard it is to play the way needed to win the Cup – how much of a grind it is and how taxing it is. I wonder if they think the they need to “save it” a bit and they can’t play that way through 82 games plus 2 months?
Do they think they can flip the switch?
Do they think they are good enough to “get in” and they can ramp it up later in the year?
I’m not sure if I really want this to be true or if I’m horrified this might be true.
Can it be true?
That is an interesting thought. It still leaves me wondering how a few players have not produced a drop in offence and certain players are looking so poor defensively. Not trying and only doing enough to win should not show up with such a discrepancy in offensive production and hockey IQ when it comes to defence. JC and JP especially should want to shine and both are part of the negative narrative so far.
I don’t think so. Most top teams play well all season long. Is it easier to be constantly embarrassed and frustrated, or play well and feel good about the team? Especially given expectations? Having the Dynamic Duo?
If a millionaire pro athlete in the world’s best league can’t play at a high level most of the time, they don’t really belong there do they?
Life is hard. You work hard, I work hard, LT works hard
I think it’s more like grow up time for the players, and get a better GM if coach after coach can’t use the players given past the top 5-6 guys
I liked what Nurse said, after complaining about Drai constantly waxing poetic about it
Basically Nurse says they talk and talk, time to do it on the ice. Piss or get off…
They need to do avails, but it would be best IMO to not. Until it’s about how they show up to play game in and out, play their system, and win a lot of games as they should
Me complaining about Drai, not Nurse
Excellent question. My uninformed thought is that it might be like a bit like a powerlifting cycle. Ramp up a bit, go heavy week over week, deload a week, then go heavier. Maybe the boys take too long ramping up?
Colin chaulk deploys a pp1 with 2 dmen. gets scored on.
Benches lavoie in favor of echl hero and hotshot prospect graham mcphee (rolls eyes)
one highlight from this game is max gildon… could see oilers taking a flyer on him with a pro contract. he has some nice puck skills
ugh. and now mcphee scores. that should mean lavoie sets next game too. this coach is the farthest thing from a development coach. has no respect for the main teams goals.
Interesting to listen to him get rainroaded by Stauffer. He was talking about accountability with Bourgault (and others like Lavoie and Savoie and Philp) and Bob cut him off and basically said “there’s no way you’re going to healthy scratch a first round asset like Xavier Bourgault”. Chaulk kind of stammered and said something like “no, no I wouldn’t go that far but I might play him 7 -10 minutes if he doesn’t dump it in like I ask”.
I’d imagine he’s not long for the organization.
he is not the right guy for the job AT ALL.
Bailey, Griffith, Esposito, Mckegg, Demers, and Kesselring were just deployed for an empty net push.
Whilst first shot scorer lavoie sits in the press box, oiler top prospect bourgault rides pine, and first shot scorer and power play sauvant savoie sits in the bench.
Riding the vets this hard is getting AMAZING wins colin.
With respect, that is not quite how the conversation went.
I did copy type much of that interaction in yesterday’s thread.
Can you clarify? I was driving and certainly not taking notes by my take home was that Bob kind of browbeat him into saying in front of thousands that there’s no chance Borg gets healthy scratched because he’s a first rounder (I remember Bob saying something about it being different than with a 6th rounder like Philp maybe?)
Without quoting exactly what would you say the message you heard was?
Dump ins are the future of the increasingly fast and skilled NHL and younger players
Possession is overrated
Glad to see the Oiler org again pushing the envelope and changing the game for the better
That is interesting….
Gildon is in the last year of his ELC with Florida and then is an RFA.
The Oilers would need to trade for him – I could see something like a Gildon for Lavoie type swap.
it might make sense for both teams. if chaulk wont play lavoie we may as well get something for him.
Absolutely. The Oilers fizzle out prospects and get nothing too often
When they check out on a guy make a move and get picks or something
The problen is the Right side D are to similiar! Gotta move on From Barrie even tho he has been ok 👍
I keep getting this niggling feeling in the back of my brain that all these heavy minutes 97, 29 and 25 get, and all the important minutes, even when there are exhausted do not make for team harmony. You would think some of the players are resentful about the Playing time they get.I wonder if the boys ever linger in the dressing room with a beer once in a while, or do they all go there own way.
Any thoughts on who might be resentful of their ice time?
puljujarvi, ryan, janmark, holloway, broberg etc
I’m curious to hear if the poster who raised the narrative has thoughts.
To your list of players, do you actually think those players feel resentful? And if so, do you think that would be reasonable?
Since ‘W’ is only giving us feelings, how about your list of possibly resentful players. I guess I have 2 issues with it.
First is these players are not performing at a high level. No outside observer would suggest these players should be getting more minutes than they’re getting. The 5 players you’ve listed have collective boxcars of 82GP 5-11-16. Not a single one of them has a shot share of 50% and Janmark’s GF% of 44 is the high water mark among the group.
Second, they aren’t playing that few minutes. Janmark is at 15 minutes/game. Puljujarvi at 14. Ryan at 10:30. Broberg is at 12 and Holloway is at 8:15. I don’t buy that rookie Holloway with 1 career goal and a 30% goal differential is looking at McDavid and Draisaitl out there saying “I should be playing more”. Likewise Broberg with Nurse.
In terms of the veterans, no way Janmark is upset about playing 1 minute more than last season with Vegas. Puljujarvi is a minute off what he played under Woodcroft/Manson last year, but he’s also done close to nothing. And since McDavid/Draisaitl’s ice time has gone up with the other injuries, so has Puljujarvi’s (a little more per game than last year). Maybe Ryan could complain since he’s lost 1:30/game from WoodMan last season, but I’m not sure that would be reasonable either.
So really, I think something is being made out of nothing. Every damn other forward on the team (McDavid and Draisaitl included) has played more per game with Kane, Yamamoto, McLeod and Foegele out. Pretty sure TOI isn’t the place where anyone’s going to find the answers to why the Oilers have struggled this fall vs. the end of last year.
Me. I’d be pissed. Then I’d lose interest. Then I’d just take my shift and float.
Oh wait, I suck.
I think there is something to your point for sure. It’s been years of the same thing, under several different coaches, so it makes one wonder about the overall motivations from the ENTIRE team.
Too many guys waiting to be carried. Too many guys waiting for someone on their line to lead them out. Too many followers.
In some ways I wonder if the team learned anything from last year’s playoffs and what was required to win. I certainly don’t think the sky is falling with these guys but Holland should have the knowledge and experience to know when the team is lacking something. And gentlemen, I would submit to you that they are lacking. A veteran? A warrior who has been through the trenches? I don’t know what it is but it’s not there. Keith was a presence for awhile. But that’s in the past now.
I for one am done with the Jesse Puljujarvi experiment. He has had ample time over the years to gel with McJesus and Co. It’s not working. If his role is to be a 3rd liner, then staple his ass there and let him know that’s the best it’s going to be for him on this club.
That was a winnable game IMO, and the Oilers did their damndest (sp?) to go out of their way to not win. It’s utterly mind boggling.
They were doing more of that after Woody came
Now they are in the typical Oiler conundrum of can’t lose much anymore and over compensating
Even though what they did last year got them into the playoffs just as under the gun
Team building is everything because I am sure going further than last year is the goal, and 5 guys and 18 passengers doesn’t get that done
Bouchard on the benching.
https://twitter.com/tsnryanrishaug/status/1600206814335094784?s=61&t=n2g6EOYM3MlsZUGh6HM9pQ
I think a step back may be in order here in some cases.
Now, I agree that benching Bouchard may not have been the “right call” by the coach. The particular play by Bouch, and the aggregate of mistakes made by Bouch over the course of a few games or a few years, are not more egregious than those made by many others, to my eye.
At the same time, the coach benching Bouchard for half a period in a single game is so far from the GM and the organization moving on from the player.
Yeah, I would be pretty amazed if Holland were to trade Bouchard.
I refer you to experiences of Paul Coffey, Tom Poti, Justin Schultz and (a little) Ethan Bear. Once fans and media see blood in the water, things can go south in a hurry.
I agree with this. It’s a crazy double standard.
Bouchard has put up an 80% GF with 97. The benching is egregious, but also, why isn’t he playing higher up? Are his mistakes really more egregious than those of others?
What is the real gap between Ceci and Bouch, right now? I don’t think it’s much.
Coaching staff could do itself some favours by breaking up Nurse-Ceci. Bouch is the best outlet passer on the team and he plays on the third pair. Why?
Where did you get this tidbit?
This season the Oilers have 4GF and 7GA with McDavid and Bouchard on the ice together.
Because Barrie is tooooooo good for that!
I don’t believe Ken Holland was part of the Oilers’ organization for any of those player but for Ethan Bear and I don’t think the fans/media turned on Ethan Bear.
Many of the fans and MUCH of the media seem to have indeed turned on Jesse Puljujarvi but yet Ken Holland has refused to move him for anything less than what he consider value – for a few years now.
I don’t see Ken Holland making any sort of rushed or panicked disposition of Evan Bouchard – if anything Ken Holland knows the various and lengthy development path of d-man.
In my opinion.
Especially egregious because Holland didn’t find him a suitable partner. I’m sure he’d still be brain farting, but would be tons better with the right guy portside
I wonder why we are always looking for a guy who can cover for Bouchard?
Most guys aren’t Makar or Fox or McDavid
Most guys need capable players to succeed with. Even Leon needs appropriate help or he flounders
Jeff Petry
Perhaps it’s time.
I would look at Chychrun for Bouchard, a 1st and Jesse to make the cap work.
Chychrun has been on fire since getting back in the lineup…3G 6P +3….5 of those points at evens. He’s averaging 22:25 and has 31 SOG in 7 games.
Chychrun – Ceci
Nurse-Barrie
Kulak-Luke Schenn
Broberg
You should be able to pry Schenn out of Vancouver for a late pick and one of the Condors wingers.
Schenn is second in the league in hits, protects his teammates and is on a league minimum deal and will drag the team into the fight.
Honestly, I am not sure of JP’s value now.
Virtually nothing but Arizona would likely take the expiring cap hit to get their hands on another first round pick.
The Oilers might have to throw in another piece from the Condors but the win now click is ticking,
Understandably lots of discussion about D pairings. Nurse-Bouchard was suggested, and I’m pleasantly surprised to see Nurse they do actually have nice results together this season.
How have Oilers D done with each other this season?
Nurse with:
Ceci — 344min 46%SF 46%GF (12-14) 49%SCF 51%HDCF
Barrie —- 70min 55%SF 40%GF (4-6) 52%SCF 50%HDCF
Bouchard 51min 60%SF 60%GF (3-2) 65%SCF 75%HDCF
Kulak with:
Bouchard 163min 47%SF 40%GF (6-9) 52%SCF 54%HDCF
Barrie —- 147min 43%SF 58%GF (7-5) 44%SCF 50%HDCF
Ceci ——- 56min 43%SF 67%GF (2-1) 43%SCF 43%HDCF
Broberg with:
Bouchard 60min 46%SF 20%GF (1-4) 40%SCF 35%HDCF
Murray with:
Bouchard 63min 54%SF 0%GF (0-5) 55%SCF 55%HDCF
Barrie — 47min 44%SF 67%GF (2-1) 46%SCF 52%HDCF
Niemalainen with:
Barrie —- 84min 41%SF 56%GF (5-6) 49%SCF 49%HDCF
Bouchard 20min 68%SF –%GF (0-0) 61%SCF 80%HDCF
Broberg-Bouchard really have been quite bad. Gotta stick with Broberg over Murray or Niemalainen, but a different partner might be an idea.
Nurse-Bouchard have quality underlying and actual numbers this season. Last year looked good too except for the acutal (525min 56%SF 43%GF [17-23] 55%SCF 53%HDCF), with the main culprit being on ice SH% (5.2%). Their GA/60 was 2.63, so no issue there. I’d be interested to see them together again.
So what does that leave? Maybe
Nurse-Bouchard
Kulak-Barrie
Broberg-Ceci
And run the pairs reasonably evenly? Worth a shot I think.
Fantastic work Jp.
Hyman was ON the ice for practice today.
Prospectiprocity!
The Dub is in the spotlight tonight with two players trying to rediscover their early-season form. Chiasson will be in action for the Kings of Wheat, while Schaefer will likely get a little more T-bird action in before he goes to Canada’s WJHC camp which begins Friday.
Brandon (Chiasson) @ 6 p.m.
Seattle (Schaefer) @ 8 p.m.
Both times, as usual, are Grouard time.
It’s amazing how many Oilers are underachieving relative to expectations so far this year. Injuries aside, I would say Pulju, Yamamoto, Kulak, Ceci, Nurse, Holloway, McLeod and most notably Campbell, are all heavily underperforming.
This team should be better regardless of the significant injuries, and they are looking more and more like a pretender. I’m concerned that every game they play it feels like a toss up whether they will win. Although parity is a thing now, a true contender should be leaving little to no doubt most nights.
Holloway has not been given much of a chance to do anything really
11 minutes with McDavid: under water in shots and 0-1 goals
17 minutes with Drai: under wanter in shots but near 50% expected goals – 0-2 goals
17 minutes with Nuge: Near even in possession but caved in scoring chances – 0-2 goals
This was a very, very long honeymoon for Woody.
Finally. To be sure, there are lots of issues, but coaching has been one of them.
But, coaching has played a role here.
You can blame goaltending if you want as well. But Skinner has been real good for the most part.
Each goalie is facing a Good Year Factory worth of rubber most nights.
As has been pointed out so many times, the most baffling part is they look like a completely different from last year. If Woodcroft was starting out Game 1 this season, it could be seen as another Eakins hire: a good idea in theory.
But he came in to a team that was in a huge slump and they ran what, like a .750 winning percentage the rest of the regular season, destroyed Backstrom’s confidence, and lost to the eventual Cup Winners in the Conference Final?
I’m less worried about special teams problems because that’s mostly systems play and tinkering.
The 5v5 play is the huge concern here, and injuries are a factor, and Campbell has been horrid, but to use a soccer term, they are not keeping their “shape” as a team.
I hear you on the 5 on 5 play for sure.
Regarding the PK – he did tinker. But we are almost done a 1/3 of the season.
His solution to the PK seems to be – wait for it- play McDavid there.
Brutal PK – is nullifying our one **golden advantage** – our PP.
Scored 27 PP goals. Given up 30 PK goals.
That is one comparative advantage out the window.
Lavoie healthy scratched for Graham McPhee this morning….. again.
Oh good, let’s get Graham McPhee minutes, that will help this franchise
he has sucha good chance of developing into a scoring winger for the main club! great work by colin chaulk yet again
If Lavoie is healthy, that is simply unacceptable on Chaulk’s part.
Lavoie was a very inconsistent player in junior and it was a big reason he dropped in the draft , that and his interviews were not great. Lots of talk that he was not much of a team guy as well. He had a few good stints and playing periods thus far in his time in Bakersfield, but has nowhere shown consistency over a long period of time. Be nice to trade him in some type of package , but he really isn’t helping himself out that much when he cannot stay in the lineup.
Really do not see him in the long term plans in this organization.
Question is , will anyone even want him in a trade as part of a package.
He is a healthy scratch.
I don’t agree with it as there are ECHL call-ups in the lineup but I will say that Lavoie has been a complete non-factor in games since the first few weeks of the season….
Looks like Canada was in the group of death with Morocco and Croatia moving on to the Quarterfinals
Group of Life, amirite?
What ageing defenceman can we sign this offseason with the Campbell buyout money???
Harold Snepsts he can teach the boys especially Nurse on how to be on the proper side of the opposition in front of your own Goal.
I know the majority on here love Pulujarvi, but let’s remove all feeling and just look at raw numbers in the last 12 months ….
0 Goals in last 19 games.
8 Goals in last 68 games. (reg season)
He had 2 Goals in 16 playoff games.
He’s always average between 12 mins & 16 mins of ice time. This season is 13:50, close to career norm.
My question is: Is Pulu a 20 – 25 Goal NHL player as he has shown in a couple of shortened seasons; or is he a 10 Goal NHL player, which he has been over the last calendar year ??
He might be a 5-goal player, and his goofy grin and $3M cap hit probably gets traded for an impact player in two months.
He’s not getting traded for an impact player. They might use his salary to make a deal work but he’s not getting traded for anything of value.
It will take the addition of real assets (ie, a 1st round pick), but my point is that his $3M salary is what’s needed to go the other way to bring back a player in the $3 – $6M range.
There’s no way anyone qualifies him at $3M+, so he’ll be a UFA next summer and will learn his real value the way Athanasiou did.
We’re saying the same thing
I would trade Yamo but it’ll take a sweetener to dispose of his 3M contract that ends after next year.
I like the guy and the fact that he’s had ample time to show what he is. That being said he reminds me of a roller guy just starting out on ice. I’ve seen him play live multiple times. My opinion from the hinterlands: move on.
There is a reason he is untraceable for what Holland wants back. Jesse is not a top 6 player, but could be a very good 3rd line checking type that scores 10 and a bit. I have no idea why this kid with that wingspan is not used on the Pk.
Honestly, I would be surprised to see Yamo or JP on this team next year.
The team has too many issues at D and G to spend 6 million on inconsistent wingers.
I would say it’s closer to Duds then inconsistency. They have 1 Goal between them with all kinds of gravy minutes. Meanwhile Holloway gets 4th line minutes with AHLers
I’m going to give Yamo a bit of slack. He was hurt to start the year, never looked right when he came into the lineup following the first injury, then has just came back from more time out. We’ll see where we are at the end of the season with him.
JP I full on love. I want nothing more than for it to work out for him, but right now it’s looking like it might be best to package him up and send him off for a hairy d man. I’d wait until Hyman is back at the very least though seeing as we’re kind of short on warm bodies for the forward lines.
He is presently our resident tough guy. Yup.
This team is lazy defensively. From the top down they simply don’t consistently work hard enough. It needs to change from the top down.
im not looking at the numbers but besides the top guys the oilers have 2 or less goals from most of their forwards. If those guys all had just one more goal the record would be different.
The oilers have 4 trade pieces: 1st rounder, Broberg, bouch, the borg. They need a top 4 dman and a 3c. Get it done.
Harsh but true!! Might even add that fourth liner Holloway.
Holloway needs more touches 10 minutes is not enough, the Kid creates chances. Woody continues to pound Connor and Leon into the ground it’s a 82 game marathon Woody needs to share the minutes more.
We need a big, physical defenseman who prioritizes defense, is solid on the PK, routinely breaks up cycles, extracts a pound a flesh in front of the net, and blocks shots — a left-handed version of Adam Larsson.
Luke Schenn? He’s relatively cheap and likely available.
Very nasty when he needs to be and brings a brings a defence first approach to his game. Little slow in the boots but….
Yep…mentioned him in another post.
Our closest skill set to this is Niemo. But he won’t play as we are still trying to turn Bouchard and Broberg into NHL defencemen.
Trust me, I see Bouchard as a player, and I see Tyson Barrie. That has value, but it is not the present need on this team at this date.
Broberg / Bouchard is a good 3rd pairing. Kulak / Barrie is a good 3rd pairing. Broberg / Bouchard is a better 3rd pairing because it costs $5.5m (!) less. Without trade protection on either Kulak or Barrie, KH will need to do some GM things in short order. Waiting for the deadline has its perils, and if Nurse or Ceci or another top6 F goes down to injury for any extended period….
Good points . Nurse and Ceci right now would be a very good 2nd pairing, if we actually had 2 D men that were good enough to put ahead of them. We don’t. So they get way too many minutes and it shows in how poor they are right now. The rest of the D are 5/6 D at this point but 2 are pushed up and that hurts. Is what it is. Don’t see any help coming unless Holland wants to get in on Chykrun to start with. Really don’t think he wants to trade One of Holloway or X man, plus Broberg and our 1st.
I was at the game last night at the Oilers end of the rink which means I saw lots of action!
What stood out was how often Washington won battles along the boards down low. They continually ringed the puck and seemed to recover it with ease. Eventually, the Oil would tire and the Caps would get 2 or 3 quick chances.
Next shift, rinse and repeat.
It appears we can’t break cycles and, when we do, can’t connect an outlet pass. Barrie, Bouch and Ceci were always on the back hip of the Cap. Never able to close them off.
It was glaring from where we were sitting.
Are we not breaking cycles because they play 5×5 in their own end like a PK?… a collapsing zone defense, less man to man , always seem to be chasing because they are too far from any opposition player to intercept passes or apply immediate pressure…don’t know but sure is frustrating.
I think this is where the team really misses Mike Smith. Like him or hate him ( and yes he coughed up a couple bad ones) . He would get a ton of those dumped in pucks out or up to wingers. Our D can’t do that it seems
That’s what I see on the tv
They are really weak on the puck and lose battles and positioning
Also have trouble developing plays to the net in the O zone just ring the puck around the outside like the Laraque Oilers used to
We need another Keith move to help balance out the defence. Bouchard took giant steps last year and seems to be a lot more up and down this year in his play, Keith in retrospect was a great player to pair with Evan. Kulak and Barrie seems to work out alright so sticking with that seems to be the best option.
Nurse-Ceci. There’s something up there with at least one of them, it’s just not the same as it was last season, or even earlier this year. The issue is seeing as Bouchard hasn’t taken another step forward again it’s not like we can move Ceci down a pair or two until he gets his game back again.
I’m at a loss, I’m not sure who is out there for the grabbing that could impact this D-Corps in the same way Keith did last year. Heck, Keith might have been one of those “voices in the room” that actually helped them show up on time at least half the time last season. We seem to have reverted to the Oilers of the previous years of McDavid’s career where we’re never ready to start games.
– I will say that not having Kane and Hyman in the lineup would be a huge loss for any team in the league.
– Yamo being back can only be a good thing in helping out with the PK and giving another option to fill one of the top 6 slots. He looked better than his first stint this year – clearly whatever ailed him was impeding his play a lot, look for more improvements in the coming games as he gets up to full match speed.
– Holloway looked better last night too, but what’s with him not getting a push? Surely now when everyone’s injured and we’re not in imminent danger of missing the playoffs is the time to do it? Anyhoo the positive is that he’s playing better.
– Skinner is good.
That’s my morning coffee stream of consciousness on the matter.
I would run Nurse-Bouchard for a few games to be honest.
True, it might be worth it. Maybe it settles Ceci down a bit, and Bouch has a partner that can give him some more direction.
That pairing would be a nightmare. We need to get Bouchard’s time to 15 minutes or less. If Sutter was coaching this team…..Bouchard would be in the pressbox. The 12 minutes he sat at the end of the game would be a regular occurrence. You don’t learn how to defend while playing in the NHL. I don’t understand what the logic is to take your best defenseman and pair him with the guy with the worst goal differential and then play him additional minutes against the other teams top lines. I guess it’s the same logic as having Puljujarvi on McDavid’s line. Is it really Woodcroft’s coaching that’s the issue when we have to utilize players like Bouchard and Puljujarvi in the roles they currently have. They are setup to fail. That was the same with Petry and Schultz and they are doing it again with these individuals. Bouchard should be on the third pairing playing 15 minutes. Puljujarvi 12-15 minutes on the third line. I understand that the injuries are a big factor in having to play them more, but you elevate the players that run with the opportunity. Time on the first pairing or on the first line are killing these kids confidence.
Check out Jp’s stellar work above regarding on ice numbers and the Nurse-Bouchard pairing. It’s eye opening.
There is no way Nurse-Ceci is the top pairing on a Stanley Cup winning team.
If they’re 2nd pair, we’re golden.
Bouchard has hugely regressed and I think he knows very well the coaching staff doesn’t trust him.
Can you think of a player besides Skinner who has taken a step forward this year?
When you start your D core with Nurse @ $9 Mil+, it’s always going to be a challenge to have 6 quality D …
Agree. Nurse has been terrible this year on most knights
Woody PR crew will have some work to do.
Great question.
Which young player is blossoming here?
We will have success once outside UFA’s wingers Kane and Hyman return.
But the internal development of our prospects …is interesting.
The league is a grind. Over reactions are a thing in our outpost.
like the 2017’18 over reaction …oh wait, they missed that year after a glorious playoff run the prior year ….
sound familiar?
Its been a rough decade or so…..
X2…….decades that is.
It’s a bit bewildering watching this years version of Woodcroft’s team. They look nothing like the disciplined and defensively sound team that went on a run to the playoffs last season. It’s a bit like waiting for the sequel to a beloved movie and then being supremely disappointed when it finally arrives.
I’m not very concerned about the team making the playoffs, as there is too much talent not to. Considering Campbell’s play it is quite amazing that they are as well off as they are. I do think that the injuries are certainly playing a part in the team’s lethargic showing lately. The big three look mentally and physically fatigued and it leads to errors and lack of attention to detail.
The lineup misses Kane and certainly couldn’t overcome an extended absence of Hyman. Mcleod and Foegele are also badly needed for their speed and ability to take minutes on the penalty kill.
At times like this a few defencemen that can play the game in a rocking chair are needed. Nothing flashy, just calm the waters and get the puck out of harms way without the heart attack moments that have been so common this year. Ceci played this way last season but is currently struggling. It feels like the coach is panicking now and losing his way a bit. It’s time for the GM to help the team and coaches.
W/r/t 97 taking charge. On the PP goal, it looked to me that Barrie was understandably concerned about Ovi in his typical position at the left circle, so Barrie drifted out a bit to provide some coverage, leaving Kulak and McDavid to potentially cover Oshie. Kulak has to take the Kuznetsov there to disrupt a potential shot and contend with a potential pass to Strome on the goal line, so it falls to McDavid to mark Oshie. As Kuznetsov holds the puck, McDavid either gets fooled into thinking a cross seam pass to Ovi is coming or simply jumps the gun. He moves toward center ice, leaving Oshie to get a point blank shot on goal and score. While Barrie and Kulak might have played that better, I think McDavid gets a healthy share of the blame there. If he’s cheating for defense, he might get a body or stick on Oshie and disrupt the shot.
This is accurate.
I called it as it happened during the game last night… 97 was faked up high.
That’s how we scored it at CoH: missed assignments by Barrie & McDavid, while Kulak allowed the pass.
Sad fact is that all 4 Oilers were above the shooter, despite the fact the pass came from below the icing line. Not much sign of defensive fundamentals when that is allowed to happen.
Above the shooter and largely facing away from the puckholder.
I did as well and looked at the video this morning to take a closer look.
McDavid, despite his ability to singlehandedly score short-handed, has no business on the penalty kill. Lets see a blocked shot and broken hand, great move.
For me, I’m not really concerned about injury on the PK but its the addition of even more minutes to his aggregate total.
I know Nuge broke a hand half a decade or so ago but I can’t really think of another material injury on the PK in recent times.
Sure, he can get hurt on the PK but he can just as easily get hurt on any other shift (in particular given how much they tend to run around in the defensive zone at evens….).
How many breakaways is too many breakaways?
Goalie gave steal a game worthy performance…gun went “pop pop” instead of “bang bang”.
Apparently, there is no limit to the amount of breakaways and odd man rushes. Otherwise the coaches would implement a system to prevent them. Saying that this version of the Oiler team does not understand defence might be the understatement of 2022. The whole idea and concept of defensemen is to ensure that there is always someone between the goalie and opposition under any and all circumstances. Otherwise the game would have only forwards. The Oilers do not employ this system. They run the five forward system and try to outscore.
To win a team needs to ‘outwork’ the other team. Last night Washington clearly outworked the Oilers. 50+ shots… Edmonton needs to win races to pucks, win puck battles, closely check and ‘tie-up’ opposition forwards near their net, squeeze out opposition players who have the puck along the boards, etc. Against the Capitals last night the Oilers did not appear like a team ‘wanting’ to win and doing the things it takes to win which is hardwork in addition to playing attention to detail. I feel bad for Skinner who played brilliantly.
Completely agree mister Rocket
McDavid misses Hyman. He needs that defensive conscience. Draisatl needs the same.
Hope the top 6 next game is
Hyman. McDavid. Yamamoto
Nuge. Draisatl. Puljujarvi
Figuring out our bottom 6 is clearly the issue. What is clear however is that this team healthy will be very good up front. I expect the Holland mandate will be survive until healthy and he will keep the powder dry (as LT is often saying).
Biggest need is solid D man in our own zone. Too many mistakes. Too many times out muscled. And our players are slotted Too high. No idea on who to go get. But that’s the delay they need. Not up front.
Hyman is a lot of things, most of them good, but “defensive conscience” isn’t one of those things IMO.
i will say.
3 bright spots from last nights game was
Stuart skinner showing he has the goods. This guy is legit.
Holloway looked…. more holloway ish? this version looked a lot more like preseason and ahl holloway with plenty of puck touches and a lot more willingness to enter the middle of the ice. very encouraging sign.
Broberg, although the shot shares were not great in this game, appears to be coming on, he made several plays to erase players on the boards with agressive pins, had some very crisp passes, and overall looked a lot more comfortable. lets hope its a sign!
this has to be considered:
What if Edmonton misses the playoffs this year? What does mean for the Franchise, the GM, the coach, etc?
The nuclear option would likely need to come into play. Wasting a full year of 97/29 would be deemed unacceptable.
Initiate firethemall
It’s not too early to ask this question, given the backsliding we’ve witnessed this year.
If they lose to Arizona tomorrow (a real possibility now) it will be Defcon 4.
McDavid has a defensive play in his own end that he pulls out once in a while and it usually leads to bad things. He blindly reverses the puck up the boards and peels away in the opposite direction. It’s a lazy I don’t want to get hit, fly the zone play. Instead he should be stopping on the puck, looking and making a hard smart play. It’s the same play he made in overtime against Winnipeg and the same play led to the first goal last night. It’s hard to criticize McDavid because he saves the Oilers most nights but his poor defensive play was on full display last night. Other than the shorthanded goal last night he was hot garbage.
I was also a little concerned about the lack of recognition in the post game comments by the coach and players that they got their asses kicked last night. They kept saying “they got some volume outside shots”. Cult of Hockey had grade A shots 20 to 5.
To criticize McDavid comes with the “so its Mcdavids fault??” accusation. Which is not true. In order to win, McDavid can do better, the game is about outscoring, not simply scoring.
I brought this up a good month ago.
Most were talking about “depth scoring” and I countered with, not necessarily McDavid and Drai’s 5 on 5 scoring rates being very pedestrian, but the fact that both were getting outscored at 5 on 5, being a major issue.
This team likely goes nowhere without those two being material outscores at 5 on 5 and its not been happening.