The Edmonton Oilers are not a strong matchup for the Minnesota Wild. This season, the team’s record against Minnesota is 0-1-0, which is better than last year (0-3-0) and 2020-21 (0-3-0). The last time the Oilers had a winning record was 2018-19, 2-1-0 and a 14-7 edge in goals. Over the most recent seasons, the record is 2-8-0. Sometimes a team has your number. On the other hand, a desperate hockey team (Edmonton has to be hungry for wins) can do miracles.
Jesse Puljujarvi and the Oilers. Where can it go from here? It's time to set him free. https://t.co/WUBKnyDIHs
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 2-1-0)
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: 2-2-0, four points in four 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: 15-12-0, 30 points in 27 games
I’m not sure the Oilers will change a thing tonight, but if they do Brad Malone might be effective in a physical role against a fairly belligerent Wild team. It’s important for Edmonton to win one of these two upcoming games against Minnesota, it would make sense that the home game is the best chance.
Q AND A
Oilers never beat the Wild. It’s true. First was Jacques Lemaire, who focused heavily on shot suppression and now it’s the Wild team with high skill, aggression and a real physical edge.
Oilers need some edge. I do wonder if we see a trade around the deadline bringing in a player who can provide a rugged style for the fourth line.
Like? I wrote about it at The Athletic recently, there are candidates but the good ones are on strong teams or highly regarded by their current club.
What should they do? I think it’s well and good to have size and truculence in a lineup, but the acquisition needs to be able to play.
Like? I think Ivan Barbashev of the St. Louis Blues would be a fine acquisition. He’s a solid two-way forward, turns over pucks, draws penalties. He plays all three forward positions, but isn’t a strong faceoff option.
Anyone else? If there’s a push for a defenseman, I like Radko Gudas. Florida looks a little wobbly, maybe the big man is available at the deadline.
Oilers need belligerent forwards! These big forwards need to be able to play an NHL-level game. Nicolas Deslauriers was pursued by most of the NHL franchises when he was a free agent. He is scoring 1.2 points-per-60 at five-on-five, has a 47 percent shot share, 45 percent goal share and is 46 percent expected goals. Warren Foegele is the current comparable on the Oilers. I’d rather have Foegele.
Is there anyone on the farm? Justin Bailey is big, strong and physical but I don’t believe he’s an answer for need at this time. Maybe as he plays more, but his line is bleeding goals at even strength in Bakersfield.
I see Tyler Benson got waived. Yes, he’s definitely on the shuttle between Edmonton and Bakersfield this season. I like his game more now, but he’s applying for a role that isn’t ideally suited to him. He’s trying to be more physical, but that’s an extremely difficult transition.
Besides, Jesse Puljujarvi is the new transition enforcer! Yes, I wrote about that today at The Athletic. He is more physical, but in doing so has impacted the good things he brings playing his own game. I think the Oilers will come to regard the 2016 draft as a missed opportunity.
Where are the Oilers going to get their physicality? Reid Schaefer eventually. He’ll turn 20 next September, my guess is he turns pro and spends most or all of 2023-24 in the AHL with the Condors. I wouldn’t rule out NHL time next season.
He’ll be too young! Xavier Bourgault is smaller and also 20, with solid results so far in Bakersfield. This team needs inexpensive contracts and the pipeline is producing them.
Like Puljujarvi and Benson? I think the organization has several low-cap bargains on the roster currently. I’ll count Stuart Skinner, Mattias Janmark, Dylan Holloway, Klim Kostin and Evan Bouchard as value deals. Three of those five names are draft picks.
If there’s one thing you could change about this hockey team what would it be? I’d go back to 2015, lock Peter Chiarelli in the bathroom after the McDavid pick and then select Joel Eriksson Ek and Brandon Carlo with the picks sent away for Griffin Reinhart.
What does this team need? Time. Time for Holloway and Philip Broberg to get the lay of the land in the NHL and start contributing. I’m pretty sure we’ll see a trade for blue at the deadline, but there’s a bunch of games before then and the organization can get a good long look at the defenseman. Holloway is emerging now, just have to put him in the lineup and get 10+ minutes a night.
That Jack Campbell deal looks dire. Sure does, but he has time to turn it around and have a hot streak. Jon Willis wrote about his streakiness at The Athletic (above) and if that moment arrives where he’s a big part of a 9-1-0 run, then things might look a little different in sleepy Edmonton. Holland has done some good things in free agency.
The hell he has! I would point to Zach Hyman, Evander Kane, Mattias Janmark, Derek Ryan, Brett Kulak, Cody Ceci, even Tyson Barrie although his skills are duplicated (Evan Bouchard) on the roster.
Not a one is worth the money! In the immortal words of Dave Mason, we just disagree.
Is this a playoff team? Yes. I think they can still grab second, although my prediction the team would win the division was dashed early. The Kane injury had a profound impact.
Who will be the better rookie, Holloway or Broberg? Stuart Skinner.
You said earlier in the week Jay Woodcroft could be in danger. Are you prepared to step back? No, I think that’s a completely fair take. If this team misses the playoffs, changes will be made and I doubt Woodcroft remains coach. I expect Edmonton to make the postseason, but it’s possible based on today’s standings.
You also said Leon Draisaitl might be dealt. Prepared to back off that BS? No, I believe it’s a story we’ll be discussing quite a bit in the next year or so. As 29 gets closer to free agency, pressure will build around re-signing him. If Edmonton struggles, or doesn’t enjoy a deep playoff run, decisions will have to be made. I don’t think this idea is terribly controversial.
When do you plan on cutting back on being an asshat? Forecast is uncertain.
LOWETIDE AND JAMIESON
A short but busy show between two World Cup games, TSN 1260 beginning at 10. Steve Lansky will pop in to talk content between periods and just how much is unnecessary. We’ll chat Oilers-Wild and MLB winter meetings. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!
I know. I just enjoy the really fragile often bipolar relationship of oiler fandom.
After years of abuse I understand how it’s kind if a trauma based mechanism but I find it helps to remember to allows “calm your tits”
Kane out is a huge blow but also Kane out in front part of season – might get a huge blessing.
Team might struggle but roster flexibility might ultimately save our asses come spring.
1. Cap space at deadline
2. Maintenance days are possible over no choice but every player play banged up past reasonable
3. Way easier to juggle guys around between.bakersfield and edmonton which gives coach chance to see what players might work best.
As long as we stay in the mix for wildcard in non fake batman close fashion I’m happy.
Almost every thing but very top seeds is possible in conference if they can do that – up to point deadline reinforcements and Kane appears.
I think they’ll win second in the division. Woodcroft-Manson have found Kulak-Barrie and Skinner is their starter. Those are two big questions answered before Christmas.
I’m already anticipating the feverish screams of joy when deadline/kane/butter tail of schedule cause bipoilers to swing over to “cup is coming” mode….
I’ll be elated if they make conference finals again and its a game or two longer.
Last edited 2 years ago by maudite
kgo
December 9, 2022 11:20 pm
Coach’s post game interview no longer behind the paywall….that didn’t last long….Oilers+ is doomed.
While is was live on Oilers Plus it was also live on 630 Ched (and often on SN as well) and also played on TSN 1260 within the hour and on the website within the hour.
alot of “monetize everything” systems are dying with the recession
good riddance
dangilitis
December 9, 2022 11:06 pm
OK, I am going to give my unsolicited two cents on Jesse
He is a decent hockey player. I like to hear there are good analytics for him, and I can see why.
It is also true that his offensive instincts have been weaker for a top 6 forward, outside of a 1/4 season stretch last year. I don’t know how he unlocked it. I think the term confidence gets thrown around a lot in hockey by announcers, but I know sports psychology is a thing and he was playing with all sorts of confidence last year.
I don’t believe his development was mishandled. A top 5 draft pick getting 50 games in the AHL and a season in Finland is not necessarily rushing. Coaches have been patient. He’s played up and down the line-up, and has played with skill. I know the Oilers have earned this narrative in the past, I just don’t buy it with him.
I also believe the player needs to take responsibility to work on his areas for improvement. At any age. I can’t imagine the coaching staff have not been clear with him on this.
I also believe it would be absolutely stupid to trade him at present, unless clearing his cap space helps bring in a better player. He is better than a few bottom 6 forwards in this line up, and as we’ve seen already, we need the depth. He may also improve and get his swagger back.
I’ve been harping for a week so may as well respond
A) yeah, analytics like him and its obvious why. He can play hockey, he is in the right spots both O and D. His positioning is never an issue for me.
B) His production isn’t not only top-6 worthy, it is not bottom-6 worthy when you add in his non usage in spot situations or PK. If he isn’t scoring, he isn’t providing value. It was a contract year, oilers were a team with “gel” last season and I don’t doubt JP rubbed off on that.
C) development is more than which league you spend time playing games in. JP is in a long list of draft picks who never either i) lived up to draft pick ii) outperformed their draft pick. There is no one besides skinner now, that has outperformed their draft pick in almost a decade. That’s a fundamental poison that infesters our team. why? I don’t know. maybe the microscope, maybe mgmt, maybe the history of team. but it is fundamental to our issues, A team can not be this bad at drafting for 15 years, i mean maybe, but still mathematically improbable.
D) JP does need to take ownership for the issues but again how much of that is i) what he’s taught ii) being taught and not listening. no one knows.
E) It is not “absolutely stupid” to trade him. It’s risk management. The odds of JP becoming a fundamental part of this team vs being a useless asset leads IMO to the latter; especially to the value of asset itself. signing JP to a $3m contract lessened his asset value. He is better than “a few bottom 6 forwards in this lineup”. He doesn’t need to be. We can trade JP for assets that are producing NOW, for risk of future production.
Skinner is not the only player they developed, though. Whether they recognized the talent had developed before they were traded is another matter.
I also think you are making two contradictory assumptions. A) That he is not producing now (true) and B) that we can trade him for assets that are producing now. I don’t think that B) is possible because of A), and articles by Spector sure aren’t helping matters. As mentioned, if we can trade for another better player that costs more (likely at the expense of other prospects/picks), then it makes sense to trade Jesse to clear space. But be clear, Edmonton would be lucky to get anything in return at the moment.
He is not presenting us with cap issues at the moment, therefore I see no need to trade him
I just think you are optimistic that we can actually get a roster player back in return. Without kicking in draft picks in a valuable year. Which is a loss in any trade where he’s going the other way.
Don’t we actually have to trade him this year? We’re not qualifying him next year so he either goes on waivers or he moves back to Europe. Maybe I’m wrong about this.
We could also just let him walk, and keep a roster player who may be able to contribute in the playoffs. Again, if they clear his cap space to make way for someone better, I’m listening. But trading him for a 5th round pick because he’s sad is not good management
Jesse may be the most immature player we’ve seen through these parts. It’s not a fault it’s just who he is. He handles adversity like an early teen. His facial expressions tell us everything. The fact that he was a very early pick and is a big man gives us high expectations when in fact it’s obvious by now fans should have no expectations. I wish him the best. He might not bloom until his late 20’s… if ever.
Of course it would help him. But I’m not Jesse’s manager, I’m an Oiler fan and he is a big boy. You can’t just give him away when our forwards have been injured all year. If an actual player is coming back that isn’t a 4th liner then power to Holland.
Last edited 2 years ago by dangilitis
kgo
December 9, 2022 10:22 pm
Broberg and Bouchard looked very good tonight….flashes of the future
Munny 2.0
December 9, 2022 10:22 pm
Nice to hear Janmark get credit from Woody in the post-game. He had a real strong game along the boards tonight.
And then gives Hamblin a nice hat tip too. I knew Woody was happy with him when he threw Jimmy out with McDavid on the latter 3rd period PK.
Then talks about playing with an identity and structure (which I pointed out below)… how they’re starting and finishing games.
prototypical 3rd/4th liner that can produce, albeit with structure
SayItAin'tSo, Gretz, SayItAin'tSo!
December 9, 2022 10:21 pm
And like clockwork the scoreboards adjust and LT followers realize the situation isn’t that dire. Hell it’s almost positive. But sure let’s muse about Leon leaving today 😉
Good stuff, good stuff.
I’ll do the count now: 25-54… I think he closes with 34-70
I just think constantly ragging on Nurse, wondering if the coach is the problem, creating wild trade scenarios and going zero to 100 after every loss is counterproductive is all. Especially if you can take a glance that isn’t doom and gloom and see the shoots poking out of the dirt.
And to danglitis above – no I think that’s what he finishes the calendar year 2022 with.
Liking him a lot better at center, more quiet game than when he was playing wing but he supports play very well in the middle. That line has kept the play in front of them pretty much the entire time since being put together. Hope they keep it up.
teddyturnbuckle
December 9, 2022 10:16 pm
Best game of the year for Bouchard. Nice to see he can play like that if he puts his mind to it.
Scungilli Slushy
December 9, 2022 10:15 pm
If Kane comes back well it’s like a deadline acquisition
Someone to shore up 3C and a better D and watch out!
Could happen internally (Kulak or Bro being solid at 2LD) McLeod getting it solid. Still seems a tougher D with decent ability would be very helpful for playoffs, but I don’t think another third pair depth guy does much to help
The laceration was on his wrist so hopefully he can continue skating safely to maintain fitness. He’s a natural goal scorer, he’ll make the wrist work somehow.
He’s already skating – he was on the ice, in full equipment last week, with stick and puck – even took some light shots.
There is no indiction that the question is “if” Kane comes back.
Todd Macallan
December 9, 2022 10:14 pm
Each game I’m increasingly impressed with Broberg’s defensive ability and more importantly, stability.
Redbird62
December 9, 2022 10:12 pm
The Coyotes following their 8-2 shellacking by the Oilers return home and beat the Bruins 4-3 with a late goal. Boston had not lost to the Coyotes in Arizona since 2009. The shots were something like 48-16 for the Bruins.
Not to be confused with the sport of Goaltending being played in Qatar right now. Brazil out shoots Croatia 11-1 but the score is tied 1-1 and goes to a shootout and the team with the better goalie won (really the only position they were better at).
Faustkarz
December 9, 2022 10:11 pm
glad the oilers righted the strip after that streak of injuries
watching them I can’t help but miss Kane and appreciate holland going counter-narrative, at a risk of alienating the fan base,
but watching the team win or play without him
is exactly what this team needs
volume shooter, plays with elite talent, has grit and truculence, can PK if you need him to
theDjdj
December 9, 2022 10:00 pm
Good night on the league scoreboard too with Flames and Kraken going down
agreed, and barring a fallout by skinner on monday
give skinner st louis
jp
December 9, 2022 9:57 pm
So for now at least that pulls the Oilers clear of Minnesota, Colorado, LAK and Calgary into 5th in the conference (Points % and actual).
Real glad they pulled that out.
Munny 2.0
December 9, 2022 9:57 pm
Now we’re cooking with Crisco.
This has been a pretty good string of games (with one exception that had the masses piling onto the ledge).
And now the Minnesota Monkey off the Oiler backs, which helps a great deal heading back to their barn.
Early leads lately have really helped the TOI balance too. The whole team looks like they’re in the groove. They’ve found a game they can start with (instead of fumbling around) and play the rest of the way till the final buzzer. Workmanlike.
Plus Stuey’s SV percentage should get a nice little bump tonight.
catching the wild playing 3 games in 4 night’s monday… might wanna get skinner there
Sierra
December 9, 2022 9:54 pm
Pretty good game for the Oilers
Derek
December 9, 2022 9:54 pm
I am pleased to have watched this game between Edmonton and Minnesota. I can’t remember ever having felt this way.
jtblack
December 9, 2022 9:54 pm
I guess Skinner will be the Cup Winning Goalie 😎
Munny 2.0
December 9, 2022 9:54 pm
Nuge deserves the ENer after the game he’s put in tonight. I wish we saw that smae effort more frequently (not the points but the physicality and willingness to engage and battle)
jp
December 9, 2022 9:53 pm
Good for Nuge.
That was a nice win. Pretty strong game, and real nice to get that money off their back vs. Minnesota.
OriginalPouzar
December 9, 2022 9:53 pm
Love to see Nuge with the add-on.
I thought Nurse could have passed that puck BACK to Skinner to shoot – with the two-goal lead – lol
yeah I realised we got Goon Nuge this year after I posted. Good point about the draws though. I hope he can play like this every night. Feel like he’s really elevated his play with the injury to Kane
To my eye he has excelled under Woodcroft tutelage. The point was made at the time but I don’t think we gave it enough credit towards Nuge game: he has played for something ridiculous like 7 coaches in his career.
Presuming Skinner is the current #1, it was a no-brainer start. If they didn’t, with the back to backs coming up, they’d be committing to starting Campbell 2 out of 3 games.
Munny 2.0
December 9, 2022 9:42 pm
I’d like to see double minors and majors for tripping into the boards. They’re always dangerous.
They are straight up feeding him goals now. I really hope Gretsky’s goals record stays intact. But if Ovi keeps getting these garbage time goals, he might just break it.
you need situational players, he is not one. at what point in a game do you say you need JP:
with elite talent (no)
on PK (no)
on PP (I do like him in front of the net; I like kane and hyman more as they can do more just place their ass in a goalie face)
defensive starts (no, except with a strong centre so he can be the secondary pass out of the zone)
to produce secondary scoring in a game (no)
to appeal to fans because he is a lovable guy (yes)
the oiler bureaucracy does not want to admit fault in their development system, there is one
JP is a casualty of the system and got paid off to make it work
it hasn’t
it’s not drafting imo, its development of assets;
our best use of assets in our time is to make astute trades of assets for unappreciated assets (kulak,hyman,kane)
having players there that can be trusted seems to be the big deal
no more babysitting
OriginalPouzar
December 9, 2022 9:24 pm
OriginalPouzar
December 9, 2022 9:20 pm
Both the 3rd and 4th lines are having GREAT nights in the offensive zone – large expected goal differentials. They both need to be kept in the rotation, even in the one-goal game – both lines deserves ice.
Boom: 4th line draw a big PP.
This was my opinion with a one-goal lead and now it really is a no-brainer with a 2-goal lead.
3rd most wins in the west, Oilers.
Do we still need to fire everyone or do we wait until they lose again?
No one gets fired unless the team misses the playoffs. That’s an April question.
I know. I just enjoy the really fragile often bipolar relationship of oiler fandom.
After years of abuse I understand how it’s kind if a trauma based mechanism but I find it helps to remember to allows “calm your tits”
Kane out is a huge blow but also Kane out in front part of season – might get a huge blessing.
Team might struggle but roster flexibility might ultimately save our asses come spring.
1. Cap space at deadline
2. Maintenance days are possible over no choice but every player play banged up past reasonable
3. Way easier to juggle guys around between.bakersfield and edmonton which gives coach chance to see what players might work best.
As long as we stay in the mix for wildcard in non fake batman close fashion I’m happy.
Almost every thing but very top seeds is possible in conference if they can do that – up to point deadline reinforcements and Kane appears.
I think they’ll win second in the division. Woodcroft-Manson have found Kulak-Barrie and Skinner is their starter. Those are two big questions answered before Christmas.
I’m already anticipating the feverish screams of joy when deadline/kane/butter tail of schedule cause bipoilers to swing over to “cup is coming” mode….
I’ll be elated if they make conference finals again and its a game or two longer.
Coach’s post game interview no longer behind the paywall….that didn’t last long….Oilers+ is doomed.
The post-game was never behind a paywall.
While is was live on Oilers Plus it was also live on 630 Ched (and often on SN as well) and also played on TSN 1260 within the hour and on the website within the hour.
alot of “monetize everything” systems are dying with the recession
good riddance
OK, I am going to give my unsolicited two cents on Jesse
He is a decent hockey player. I like to hear there are good analytics for him, and I can see why.
It is also true that his offensive instincts have been weaker for a top 6 forward, outside of a 1/4 season stretch last year. I don’t know how he unlocked it. I think the term confidence gets thrown around a lot in hockey by announcers, but I know sports psychology is a thing and he was playing with all sorts of confidence last year.
I don’t believe his development was mishandled. A top 5 draft pick getting 50 games in the AHL and a season in Finland is not necessarily rushing. Coaches have been patient. He’s played up and down the line-up, and has played with skill. I know the Oilers have earned this narrative in the past, I just don’t buy it with him.
I also believe the player needs to take responsibility to work on his areas for improvement. At any age. I can’t imagine the coaching staff have not been clear with him on this.
I also believe it would be absolutely stupid to trade him at present, unless clearing his cap space helps bring in a better player. He is better than a few bottom 6 forwards in this line up, and as we’ve seen already, we need the depth. He may also improve and get his swagger back.
appreciate the reasonable-ness of the post
I’ve been harping for a week so may as well respond
A) yeah, analytics like him and its obvious why. He can play hockey, he is in the right spots both O and D. His positioning is never an issue for me.
B) His production isn’t not only top-6 worthy, it is not bottom-6 worthy when you add in his non usage in spot situations or PK. If he isn’t scoring, he isn’t providing value. It was a contract year, oilers were a team with “gel” last season and I don’t doubt JP rubbed off on that.
C) development is more than which league you spend time playing games in. JP is in a long list of draft picks who never either i) lived up to draft pick ii) outperformed their draft pick. There is no one besides skinner now, that has outperformed their draft pick in almost a decade. That’s a fundamental poison that infesters our team. why? I don’t know. maybe the microscope, maybe mgmt, maybe the history of team. but it is fundamental to our issues, A team can not be this bad at drafting for 15 years, i mean maybe, but still mathematically improbable.
D) JP does need to take ownership for the issues but again how much of that is i) what he’s taught ii) being taught and not listening. no one knows.
E) It is not “absolutely stupid” to trade him. It’s risk management. The odds of JP becoming a fundamental part of this team vs being a useless asset leads IMO to the latter; especially to the value of asset itself. signing JP to a $3m contract lessened his asset value. He is better than “a few bottom 6 forwards in this lineup”. He doesn’t need to be. We can trade JP for assets that are producing NOW, for risk of future production.
Skinner is not the only player they developed, though. Whether they recognized the talent had developed before they were traded is another matter.
I also think you are making two contradictory assumptions. A) That he is not producing now (true) and B) that we can trade him for assets that are producing now. I don’t think that B) is possible because of A), and articles by Spector sure aren’t helping matters. As mentioned, if we can trade for another better player that costs more (likely at the expense of other prospects/picks), then it makes sense to trade Jesse to clear space. But be clear, Edmonton would be lucky to get anything in return at the moment.
He is not presenting us with cap issues at the moment, therefore I see no need to trade him
No,
the reason the oilers paid him, was based A) on potential B) he was showing signs of production
B) has vanished
you can sell potential, the same potential YOU see in the player for a player that has no growth left
ie a player like Ryan
not that I want a player like Ryan back; but that level of game in/ game out, you know what you are getting
plus cap space
is what makes JP heavily expendable
its not contradictory to say
this asset is not working for our team, it may work as an asset for another aka a growth team.
I just think you are optimistic that we can actually get a roster player back in return. Without kicking in draft picks in a valuable year. Which is a loss in any trade where he’s going the other way.
Don’t we actually have to trade him this year? We’re not qualifying him next year so he either goes on waivers or he moves back to Europe. Maybe I’m wrong about this.
it was a test drive contract
now the car is in a ditch with the engine light on
and people still want to call a tow truck to finish the drive
ill take a 2004 honda civic instead
We could also just let him walk, and keep a roster player who may be able to contribute in the playoffs. Again, if they clear his cap space to make way for someone better, I’m listening. But trading him for a 5th round pick because he’s sad is not good management
I think the okay is to trade him for cap space
Jesse may be the most immature player we’ve seen through these parts. It’s not a fault it’s just who he is. He handles adversity like an early teen. His facial expressions tell us everything. The fact that he was a very early pick and is a big man gives us high expectations when in fact it’s obvious by now fans should have no expectations. I wish him the best. He might not bloom until his late 20’s… if ever.
I think a fresh start elsewhere will help him.
Of course it would help him. But I’m not Jesse’s manager, I’m an Oiler fan and he is a big boy. You can’t just give him away when our forwards have been injured all year. If an actual player is coming back that isn’t a 4th liner then power to Holland.
Broberg and Bouchard looked very good tonight….flashes of the future
Nice to hear Janmark get credit from Woody in the post-game. He had a real strong game along the boards tonight.
And then gives Hamblin a nice hat tip too. I knew Woody was happy with him when he threw Jimmy out with McDavid on the latter 3rd period PK.
Then talks about playing with an identity and structure (which I pointed out below)… how they’re starting and finishing games.
love janmarks game
prototypical 3rd/4th liner that can produce, albeit with structure
And like clockwork the scoreboards adjust and LT followers realize the situation isn’t that dire. Hell it’s almost positive. But sure let’s muse about Leon leaving today 😉
Good stuff, good stuff.
I’ll do the count now: 25-54… I think he closes with 34-70
You only have him finishing with 124 points? That’s boldly conservative!
I don’t think 60 G 80 A is out of the question
Oh, piss off.
Every fan has to react the same as you or they’re not good fans?
LT brought up a Draisaitl trade; now we’re all terrible fans for having read and commented on that?
You seem to think everything is rosy and perfect and Oilers fans should just keep paying their money and quit complaining.
Is that it? Is that how you fan in your world?
Piss off? That’s rude.
Hehehe nah not like that.
I just think constantly ragging on Nurse, wondering if the coach is the problem, creating wild trade scenarios and going zero to 100 after every loss is counterproductive is all. Especially if you can take a glance that isn’t doom and gloom and see the shoots poking out of the dirt.
And to danglitis above – no I think that’s what he finishes the calendar year 2022 with.
Your opinions are always welcome, even if they run counter to others. That’s what makes the blog interesting.
3rd and 4th lines accomplished ALOT in 7-9 minutes.
Rob Brown now saying the exact same thing
Hamblin has passed Shore in my mind on the depth chart. See lots of good in his game and he can win draws.
such a great story
Tyler Benson may not love it as much…
who cares what Benson thinks
we are in the business of winning
Liking him a lot better at center, more quiet game than when he was playing wing but he supports play very well in the middle. That line has kept the play in front of them pretty much the entire time since being put together. Hope they keep it up.
Best game of the year for Bouchard. Nice to see he can play like that if he puts his mind to it.
If Kane comes back well it’s like a deadline acquisition
Someone to shore up 3C and a better D and watch out!
Could happen internally (Kulak or Bro being solid at 2LD) McLeod getting it solid. Still seems a tougher D with decent ability would be very helpful for playoffs, but I don’t think another third pair depth guy does much to help
We hope
The next step will be realizing that the window is open for a long time and there’s no reason to sacrifice for today’s run.
It’s a very good team. Have some faith
The laceration was on his wrist so hopefully he can continue skating safely to maintain fitness. He’s a natural goal scorer, he’ll make the wrist work somehow.
He’s already skating – he was on the ice, in full equipment last week, with stick and puck – even took some light shots.
There is no indiction that the question is “if” Kane comes back.
Each game I’m increasingly impressed with Broberg’s defensive ability and more importantly, stability.
The Coyotes following their 8-2 shellacking by the Oilers return home and beat the Bruins 4-3 with a late goal. Boston had not lost to the Coyotes in Arizona since 2009. The shots were something like 48-16 for the Bruins.
went looked at game stats thinking maybe phx PP just won
but nah BOS got 2 PP goals
all of PHX goals were even strength
solid showing by them haha
They don’t call this sport “Goaltending’ for nothing. 😀
Oh that is so well-turned.
Mostly
Not to be confused with the sport of Goaltending being played in Qatar right now. Brazil out shoots Croatia 11-1 but the score is tied 1-1 and goes to a shootout and the team with the better goalie won (really the only position they were better at).
glad the oilers righted the strip after that streak of injuries
watching them I can’t help but miss Kane and appreciate holland going counter-narrative, at a risk of alienating the fan base,
but watching the team win or play without him
is exactly what this team needs
volume shooter, plays with elite talent, has grit and truculence, can PK if you need him to
Good night on the league scoreboard too with Flames and Kraken going down
Ha, I just noticed that the Coyotes also knocked off the Bruins.
So much for easy beats
Give Campbell Nashville now I’m thinking.
agreed, and barring a fallout by skinner on monday
give skinner st louis
So for now at least that pulls the Oilers clear of Minnesota, Colorado, LAK and Calgary into 5th in the conference (Points % and actual).
Real glad they pulled that out.
Now we’re cooking with Crisco.
This has been a pretty good string of games (with one exception that had the masses piling onto the ledge).
And now the Minnesota Monkey off the Oiler backs, which helps a great deal heading back to their barn.
Early leads lately have really helped the TOI balance too. The whole team looks like they’re in the groove. They’ve found a game they can start with (instead of fumbling around) and play the rest of the way till the final buzzer. Workmanlike.
Plus Stuey’s SV percentage should get a nice little bump tonight.
Big, big win
That gives Woody a litlle house money to start Campbell on Monday and a loss isn’t fatal, a win would be big,big, bigger
catching the wild playing 3 games in 4 night’s monday… might wanna get skinner there
Pretty good game for the Oilers
I am pleased to have watched this game between Edmonton and Minnesota. I can’t remember ever having felt this way.
I guess Skinner will be the Cup Winning Goalie 😎
Nuge deserves the ENer after the game he’s put in tonight. I wish we saw that smae effort more frequently (not the points but the physicality and willingness to engage and battle)
Good for Nuge.
That was a nice win. Pretty strong game, and real nice to get that money off their back vs. Minnesota.
Love to see Nuge with the add-on.
I thought Nurse could have passed that puck BACK to Skinner to shoot – with the two-goal lead – lol
woooooooooooooooooooooooooot!
What would Nuge have to do to start being considered for the Lady Bing/Selke
Hit 50 points one year
He’ll hit 50 goals
For the Byng, stop taking penalties, he’s on pace for 54 minutes this season.
For the Selke, win more faceoffs, and play like tonight every single game, but against the vaunt, like Bergeron does. 🙂
I love Nuge. He’s a sweet player and when he puts his mind to it, one of the best in the world, but he’s not that world-good player every game.
yeah I realised we got Goon Nuge this year after I posted. Good point about the draws though. I hope he can play like this every night. Feel like he’s really elevated his play with the injury to Kane
They almost never lose a game where Nuge has his battle mask on. Stauffer talks about it. That he knows when the Oil are likely to win. If Nuge is on…
He’s really their third best forward, but he doesn’t always play an assertive game.
If JAy can get that out of him, then the future bodes very well for Team Oil.
To my eye he has excelled under Woodcroft tutelage. The point was made at the time but I don’t think we gave it enough credit towards Nuge game: he has played for something ridiculous like 7 coaches in his career.
8 minutes in penalties in a single game last week.
The Lady Byng has left the building.
I was surprised .. a little to see coaches start Skinner tonight but you can see why.
its not 1A-1B anymore
we found our binnington
cant blame mgmt really for paying what is now just assurance
Presuming Skinner is the current #1, it was a no-brainer start. If they didn’t, with the back to backs coming up, they’d be committing to starting Campbell 2 out of 3 games.
I’d like to see double minors and majors for tripping into the boards. They’re always dangerous.
in some ways worse than boarding. Player in such a vulnerable position
Yikes. Yamo’s head bounced off the boards.
Another strng shift from Nuge
Great kill. I know they have up the goal right at the end of the 5 on 3 but they killed 90 seconds of that 5 on 3 and have been very good, to my eye.
Agreed, they are battling hard out there and less chasing it seems
another great kill
Stuuuuu
What’s the record for consecutive goals scored by one player in to an empty net.
That’s three straight for Ovie….
They are straight up feeding him goals now. I really hope Gretsky’s goals record stays intact. But if Ovi keeps getting these garbage time goals, he might just break it.
Well he has had 750 good goals. Dont be fooled, and dont diminish Greatness, 99 had many empty netters
56 empty netters for Gretz.
52 empty netters for Ovie.
scoring stats in sports for “GOAT” status is flawed
it’s about dominance in an era not statistics
Man if Draisaitl and McDavid got the whistle on the hooks that have been called tonight we’d be on the power play for a period a game
toss JP, keep KY
what assets you get from JP, use that in tandem with draft picks to get a bottom 6 producer and a lower end but consistent defenseman
hope campbell regains form to challenge skinner, and 1 of 2 becomes an elite stopper by EOY
as holloway and bougault grow into (hopefully top 6 form)
you trade KY for missing draft capital
again love the guy,
but not a goal since october 26th
he’s being gifted opportunity and doing dick all
his value if he has any is to get a CONSISTENT producer
that’s what this team needs
there’s 30+ guys in this league that play with edge, are opportunistic scorers, play with full effort each game
get one
people hated on zack kassians scoring style (streaky)
JP did the same thing last year, its dead weight
via moneypuck
17 PK shifts in his career
for 1 goal >25% of a season
thats horrible lol
you need situational players, he is not one. at what point in a game do you say you need JP:
with elite talent (no)
on PK (no)
on PP (I do like him in front of the net; I like kane and hyman more as they can do more just place their ass in a goalie face)
defensive starts (no, except with a strong centre so he can be the secondary pass out of the zone)
to produce secondary scoring in a game (no)
to appeal to fans because he is a lovable guy (yes)
the oiler bureaucracy does not want to admit fault in their development system, there is one
JP is a casualty of the system and got paid off to make it work
it hasn’t
it’s not drafting imo, its development of assets;
our best use of assets in our time is to make astute trades of assets for unappreciated assets (kulak,hyman,kane)
not draft and develop because frankly
there is 0 evidence of it being viable
(skinner exclude 🙂 )
Did not realize Spector posted here.
Kulak again with just a lazy and boneheaded penalty taken! Hyman was there. Why was Kulak standing in cement?
Kulak has been poor overall this year for sure.
A kill here would go a long ways to a regulation victory with little stress and rolling lines….
Louie and his canopeners
The wave has never left the Oiler home crowd, don’t know what Jack s talking about there.
I found out last year that Oiler fans invented the wave. Do people know this?
Nice pissy game going from Drai
Angry Drai is good Drai
I can’t tell if the Oilers are playing better or they’re just playing against the Western Conference.
yes
As the Rock once yelled repeatedly at Wyclef, “it doesn’t matter!”
McDavid has 54 points at the 28 game mark…
wow. Just… wow.
Two quick steps by Boosh before he releases and looky! the puck gets through.
Amazing what a difference when you can trust and play bottom 6.
having players there that can be trusted seems to be the big deal
no more babysitting
This was my opinion with a one-goal lead and now it really is a no-brainer with a 2-goal lead.
Keep both bottom lines engaged!
no offense but don’t you want to toss like 4/6 of the bottom 6 to the AHL?
I don’t “want to toss” anyone anywhere but, yes, I would send each of Shore, Hamblin and Malone to the minors over Jesse.
right but thats just asset management no?
not “in the interest of winning games”]
actual quote was:
“Off the current roster, I would assign Hambiln, Malone, Shore, Ryan before Puljujarvi –
Holloway and Foegele in the conversation on any given day.”
take the names off the jerseys, take the contracts and asset value out of the equation
JP imo is doing the least when it comes to do with this team winning games
Nope, 100% about wining games.
Nuge a different animal this year
Nugent-Hopkins exorcised all his demons and dementors and doubts accumulated in the decade of darkness in the playoffs last year.
He made big plays and scored big goals. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nkAJogQioc
So true he’s the player we always knew he was since the playoffs
I think he is also completely healthy for the first time in a long time.
Great play at the line by Barrie and backhand chip low.
Great puck retrieval effort by Hyman
Great pass by McDavid to pop it out to Nuge
Great pass by Nuge
Great finish by Drai
Nuge central to the PP tonight.