Game 52 2022-23: Oilers at Flyers

The Edmonton Oilers could occupy the penthouse suite in the Pacific Division upon return from this road trip. Edmonton won its division (Smythe) in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987, winning Stanley in three of those six seasons. The 1986-87 team was my favourite, the roster was incredible and the suspense (because of the 1986 loss) in the final (against the Philadelphia Flyers) was so palpable I can remember the feeling even today. I woke up the morning of Game 7 dreading what a loss might do, while also firmly believing the Oilers were the better team.

Grant Fuhr would finish with a .917 SP in the final. Ron Hextall had a .903 SP. Hextall won the Conn Smythe, Fuhr won the ring. That summer, all was right with the world. It’s a cherished memory.

THE ATHLETIC!

• New DNB: Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland NHL trade deadline Q&A
• Lowetide: Three ways the Oilers could improve without a big trade deadline deal
• Lowetide: How the Oilers finally found the key to five-on-five outscoring
• DNB: With Kailer Yamamoto nearing a return, which Oilers could be salary-cap casualties?
• Lowetide: Oilers prospect Raphael Lavoie turns a corner, now NHL-ready
• Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers are about to start a major makeover at right wing
• New DNB: How Oilers’ Stuart Skinner learned to be a pro — and an NHL All-Star
• Lowetide: Is Edmonton Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft saving another season?
• DNB: Why Ryan Nugent-Hopkins matters more to the Oilers now than ever before
• Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers ride high-flying offence to strong January finish
• DNB: Are the Oilers actually good again or are they simply benefitting from an easy schedule?
• Lowetide: Are the Oilers getting enough out of their AHL prospect pipeline?
• DNB: Oilers give a third-string university goalie the experience of his lifetime
• Lowetide: Oilers rookies Philip Broberg, Dylan Holloway arriving right on time
• DNB: Oilers trade target: Scouting Blue Jackets defenceman Vladislav Gavrikov
• Lowetide: 3 trades that could help the Oilers this season and beyond
• New DNB: Oilers’ Zach Hyman subscriber Q&A
• Lowetide: The 5 biggest reasons for Edmonton Oilers’ recent turnaround
• DNB: What I’m hearing on Oilers’ trade deadline plans
• Lowetide: Is Oilers’ Vincent Desharnais an NHL defenceman?
• DNB: Oilers must act at the trade deadline
• Lowetide: Oilers midseason review of 2022-23 reasonable expectations
• Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2022

WHAT TO EXPECT IN FEBRUARY

• On the road to: DET, PHI, OTT, MTL (Expected 3-1-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
• At home to: DET, NYR (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
• On the road to: COL (Expected 0-0-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
• At home to: PHI (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
• On the road to: PIT, CBJ (Expected 1-0-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
• At home to: BOS (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
• February expected result: 6-3-2, 14 points in 11 games
• February actual result: 1-0-0, 2 points in one game
• January actual result: 8-2-2, 18 points in 12 games
• December results: 7-6-2, 16 points in 15 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: 29-18-4, 62 points in 51 games

Edmonton is in a good spot today, the next three games are winnable and a 4-0-0 road trip could land the team in first place in the division. There’s a sense the Los Angeles Kings and Seattle Kraken (both 5-4-1 in the last 10) are falling, but the Vegas Golden Knights are 3-5-2 in their last 10 and that’s interesting, too. Edmonton is 8-1-1 in the last 10, and lead the division with a +28 goal differential.

END OF THE WHAC-A-MOLE DEADLINES?

Since the 2006 deadline, the Oilers have acquired a mixed bag of talent at the deadline when there was a chance to make the playoffs. This Oilers team is building and some of the moves (specifically Condors recalls) have provided a spark. Edmonton will need to add talent, but it’s becoming difficult to identify the primary area of need. It’s not a wac-a-mole deadline, as the quality in most spots on the roster is strong while being less than abundant.

What to do? Deal for a LHD? That would place Philip Broberg in the pressbox. RHD? There’s simply not much there. Center? You can never have too many, although the Oilers surely are reaching the breaking point. Wingers? If Holland can find someone like Ivan Barbashev that may be the way to go.

The problem is price. Ken Holland’s resume tells us he believes in the draft and the power of value deals. Read Daniel Nugent-Bowman’s excellent interview with the GM and it comes through in loud letters. If you approach the deadline with an idea that value deals and draft picks are extremely valuable, then you have your answer on Philip Broberg, Dylan Holloway, hell even Vincent Desharnais. Those three men will occupy spots next season in Edmonton, and replace the value deals represented this season by Evan Bouchard, Stuart Skinner, Ryan McLeod and Klim Kostin.

If I had to guess, the big deadline piece will be a center. I bet Holland likes Ryan O’Reilly and Jonathan Toews, don’t know if either is realistic with the cap constraints. He MIGHT touch base on Patrick Kane, I’d like Chychrun or Barbashev for it’s unlikely. I also like Jake McCabe, but that gets into the Broberg-Holland conversation. The two things I believe Holland will do: Find a forward who can help the second and third lines if the coach loads up the McDavid line; and find some depth on defense.

LOWETIDE AND JAMIESON

Hell’s a poppin at the NBA deadline and the Raptors are out there making real trades! We’ll talk also Oilers-Flyers, deadline and more with Darren Dreger, our TSN Insider. Teeing up the hockey, getting ready for the Super Bowl, and the damned NBA flattens everyone with this trade deadline! 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter.