In the years leading up to Miro Satan’s arrival with the Cape Breton Oilers in 1994-95, no Edmonton minor league (as shown here) came close to his offensive brilliance. Edmonton did produce an incredible talent (Esa Tikkanen) and a future scorer (David Vyborny), none of them a high draft pick.
The Oilers badly need a player like Satan, Tikkanen or even Vyborny to emerge from the minor leagues. There are candidates playing for the Bakersfield Condors. One problem: Despite promise, none of the names pushing appear ready to contribute in the NHL this season.
THE ATHLETIC!
- Lowetide: The Oilers’ asset cost in an Erik Karlsson trade and why it’s worth it
- Lowetide: Will Oilers prospect Phil Kemp have an NHL career?
- Lowetide: Connor McDavid’s top Oilers linemates and what it could mean for trade plans
- 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: Oilers rookies Philip Broberg, Dylan Holloway arriving right on time
- Lowetide: 3 trades that could help the Oilers this season and beyond
- DNB: Oilers’ Zach Hyman subscriber Q&A
- DNB: What I’m hearing on Oilers’ trade deadline plans
- DNB: Oilers must act at the trade deadline
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2022
SOMEDAY NEVER COMES
The Oilers have recalled several forwards from the minors over the last several years, and some (most recently Jesse Puljujarvi and Kailer Yamamoto) have spent time on skill lines in the NHL. None have been able to deliver the Bill James seal of approval: Three NHL seasons at a level good enough to have sustained success. Injuries, slumps, it’s always something. There have been some promising AHL debuts among forwards, but how many have sustain? Here are the Oilers forwards who have posted good-to-great numbers as AHL rookies since 2013-14:
- Cooper Marody 2018-19 (age 21): 58, 19-45-64 (1.10 pts-game)
- Tyler Benson 2018-19 (age 20): 68, 15-51-66 (.97 pts-game)
- Jesse Puljujarvi 2016-17 (age 18): 39, 12-16-28 (.72 pts-game)
- Dylan Holloway 2021-22 (age 20): 33, 8-14-22 (.67 pts-game)
- Kailer Yamamoto 2018-19 (age 19): 27, 10-8-18 (.67 pts-game)
- Andrew Miller 2013-14 (age 24): 52, 8-26-34 (.65 pts-game)
- Bogdan Yakimov 2014-15 (age 20): 57, 12-16-28 (.49 pts-game)
- Tyler Tullio 2022-23 (age 20): 40, 8-11-19 (.48 pts-game)
- Xavier Bourgault 2022-23 (age 20): 45, 10-11-21 (.47 pts-game)
- Raphael Lavoie 2021-22 (age 20): 56, 13-13-26 (.46 pts-game)
- Anton Slepyshev 2015-16 (age 21): 49, 13-8-21 (.43 pts-game)
- Ryan McLeod 2019-20 (age 20): 56, 5-18-23 (.41 pts-game)
Edmonton needs Dylan Holloway to turn into at least Fernando Pisani (quality middle-six winger) and they needed Jesse Puljujarvi to become Jere Lehtinen.
Today he’ll be on waivers, maybe becoming that player for another organization. You will hear various media say it’s on the player. Each time you hear it, I want you to hear my voice rising to say “NO!” and I can back it up times five. Organizations can do whatever they want with 18-year old kids, and they do, but when they bury that same kid six years later, someone has to speak up. That’s me and you, today, now.
There’s a lot of talent here, but in all honesty the only hits so far (Puljujarvi, Kailer Yamamoto, Ryan McLeod) haven’t had the Pisani effect. If you look at the 2005-06 team, and the number of forwards who spent time in the Oilers system, then had an impact on the team’s success, it’s impressive.
The Oilers need a scoring RW today, once they send JP out. It will be a trade, costing more futures. Opportunity missed for a bunch of kids on this list.
MY FUNNY VALENTINE
We met on a Tuesday, had drinks at the Black Knight Inn, Red Deer. A friend introduced us and over beers us three had an awkward conversation in a hotel bar that (as I understand it) is now demolished. I thought she was beautiful and funny, but disagreed with just about everything she said. She was telling my friend (again) why she broke up with him, saying ‘nice guys don’t get the girl until the girl gets sick of the guys who they think they can save’ and I thought she was talking about me. Women are complicated.
One week later, my car wouldn’t start and I called same friend to help me. It was again a Tuesday. He came over that night (it was a cold winter’s evening) and fixed the car, told me to keep his date company in my townhouse. His date was Jo-Anne, and this time, just the two of us, we talked and talked and I discovered she was the most compelling person I’d ever met.
She was fun! Our first date was the movie Neighbours. She brought Vodka. On our first dinner date, we went to the Ranch House and talked for two hours (the girl loved wine) before the waiter told us we had to order because it was getting late. We sat by the fireplace, I requested that table every time after, it was a magical spot for both of us.
I told her I loved her on May long weekend at the Ranch House. She said “that’s nice” and I was devastated. Seriously, felt like I wanted to walk right into that fireplace. It took her 90 seconds to make me feel like a king. She said “I’m a little older than you, and have to be sure you’re the one. You’re pretty young to be commiting to someone and I can’t afford to spend two years finding out you’re not the guy” and then told me about 20 things she loved about me. Jo-Anne’s great gifts were clarity, her goodness, her eyes and a wicked smile. I had no chance.
I’m telling you this because it’s Valentine’s Day. If you have your Jo-Anne, your broken car story, then you know. Today, make that person feel special, tell them you love them even if you’ve been fighting lately, or you’re tired, or he/she is on a business trip and thousands of miles away.
If you don’t have your Jo-Anne, then you find her. You go out on a Tuesday, you make yourself get out of the comfort zone and you engage. Chemistry is a strange thing. On that night at the Black Knight Inn, when Jo-Anne left, I told my friend he was lucky to have her out of his life. I said I felt sorry for the man who married her. I’ve never been more wrong in my life. Find your person. Don’t delay. Do it. Now.
From the far side of the ocean
If I put the wheels in motion
And I stand with my arms behind me
And I’m pushin’ on the door
Could you find me?
Would you kiss my eyes?
To lay me down
In silence easy
To be born again
Summarizing!
Neither Chiasson nor Schaefer could muster points in victories. Thus, no soup for them. They shall have to content themselves with rice and carrots instead.
Prospecting takes a break until Thursday.
Al, you have written many beautiful (and funny) things on this site over the years, but this might be the most wonderful tribute to date. I’ve found myself choked up a few times since you told me about Jo passing and this got me right in the feels.
Stay strong my friend, and don’t ever let go of the Tuesdays.
Seems like there is some smoke on Parayko as well these days. He’s 29 and has 4 more years left at $6.5 million. He’s been very mediocre this year (GF% 36 and negative shot metrics across the board) and has some back issues. Buy low or an emerging lemon?
St Loo stats across the board this year are weird. RoR sporting some horrawful metrics as well. Everyone pouting or did the cliff appear in a real and spectacular fashion?
Would you trade a 1st rd pick for EK @ $7M if he was on an expiring contract?
If Yes, would you trade another 1st round pick the following year for Ek @ $7M for an expiring contract?
If Yes…would you pay 4 1st round picks for 4 years of EK @$7M…if you break it down to 4 consecutive rentals..does it make sense?
The fact that the Oilers haven’t committed Jesse to waivers really smells like they’re working on something. Keeping Yams on LTIR is only a short term solution at best, so why not pull the trigger now and get it over with? Unless they need to buy a little time for something.
Spent some family time with the wife and had to catch up on delay.
The 3-1 goal was a snipe by Tulio on a 2 on 1 off some great defensive work.
The 4-1 goal was Bailey using the speed and power to get himself a clear breakaway and go 5-hole.
Solid 4-1 win.
…
He meant “family time”.
LT, what a beautiful and honest tribute. I am sorry for your loss, and glad that you have the writing gifts to tell us your the story of you and Jo-Anne. It’s always hard to comprehend the idea that “’tis better to have loved and lost…,” but your writing somehow makes it ring true. My heart goes out to you today.
Bruce, I questioned at the time whether or not Holland had spoken with Chuck Fletcher about Gostisbehere.
I had mentioned that Holland could have taken the Ghost deal in lieu of signing Barrie and trading for Keith. Holland traded for Keith a few weeks before the Gostisbehere trade.
The Barrie and Gostisbehere cap hits are a wash (though the Ghost’s contract term is far better).
You would have had $5.5m in cap to add a defensive d last year plus other help (instead of the Keith contract).
This year, you’d be in same situation except you’d have Gostisbehere instead of Barrie. The Ghost is a far better player at 5v5.
The other net effect is that you’d have a 2nd, 3rd, and 7th round picks from the 2022 draft (along with Caleb Jones if you didn’t lose him on waivers).
The reporting on Karlsson, and the Oilers interest, really has spanned a huge range.
You’ve got Stauffer floating the ask being three firsts. That happened just before the Grier interview (where he says ‘not totally accurate’).
The folks at the Sharks blog I’ve been perusing thought the three firsts ask was pretty far fetched even before Grier spoke on it (“checking around, none of my sources have heard this”).
https://sanjosehockeynow.com/san-jose-sharks-erik-karlsson-bob-stauffer-trade/
Then the other extreme, where Spector said “I think it’s a 100% guarantee the Oilers aren’t going to trade for Erik Karlsson” back in mid-December, and doubled down on it recently.
Plus Seravalli who said a week earlier something to the effect that ‘the Oilers wouldn’t even trade Puljujarvi for Karlsson with 50% retained’.
The Sharks blog take on the Karlsson/Oilers talk (and links to the quotes) are here.
https://sanjosehockeynow.com/san-jose-sharks-erik-karlsson-trade-edmonton-oilers/
What a massive range of different takes. Clearly someone is getting bad information.
I’m a fan of Karlsson, but it ain’t happening.
The cap gymnastics are too big.
San Jose won’t retain more than 20%.
Carolina paid $4.6m in real cash for Toronto’s first rounder.
20% retention for a third team would cost double that.
Read my lips. It ain’t happening.
You should probably drop Ken Holland a line then, so he and Grier don’t waste any more of each other’s time talking.
You know that Grier and the Sharks retained $8M+ on Brent Burns for next to nothing, right?
Here are the Grier quotes on three firsts for Karlsson that were referenced earlier.
There’s some other stuff about Karlsson in there, but the quote in question is:
Grier, on if he’s asking for three first-round picks for Karlsson:
“I’m not gonna really get into what we’re asking for. But I don’t think that’s totally accurate.”
https://sanjosehockeynow.com/san-jose-sharks-mike-grier-karlsson-meier-trade/
“It’s not totally accurate to say we’re asking for three first-round picks. Four, on the other hand…”
Haha, perhaps!
I keep thinking of what the Canes paid for Burns, which wasn’t a whole heckuva lot. The problem is the amount of salary that will have to be moved and a further thinning of the roster with no cap space to fix it till summer.
And there’s no clock on the Sharks. Why wouldn’t Grier just wait till the off-season?
Unless, of course, Karlsson wants out. But we haven’t heard anything like that.
There’s no clock on the Sharks, but with Karlsson scoring at 2x his career average there’s certainly ample impetus for them to initiate a deal now. He has never scored at these levels before and he never will again, so striking while the iron is hot is the only way they can unload that contract and also get a reasonable return.
Anyone who correctly called the season where we’d ever be having a serious convo about Baby Nuge Cracking 50×2 after his Steve Austin deal please raise your hand? Anyone? Anyone at all make that call?
And lets remember EK is at minimum 3x the offensive force of the Nuge.
Your certain negativity is betraying you here. The possibility of a few 100 point seasons of EK with McLeon cannot be swept under the rug.
Grier talks a bit more about Burns vs. Karlsson in the linked interview. There are a number of factors that would make Karlsson more expensive, though I agree the cost Carolina paid for Burns is heartening.
The only reason he would wait is if he’s confident he can get a better return in the off-season.
There’s some truth to what Armchair is saying. Karlsson can’t perform any better than he has so far this season. So performance dropoff and injury would be factors from Grier’s side (as with any player, but probably more than average in this case).
On the other side, the Oilers and other teams would be motivated to add Karlsson for the playoff run this year.
For sure the logistics are more difficult in-season, but Grier would have no reason to wait unless he really thought he could get more in the off-season.
Eagles tie it up against the flow of play on a scramble off a point shot.
A bit later, an offensive zone draw – Esposito ties up the draw, releases towards the front of the net and the puck comes out of the scramble to him for a quick strike goal – don’t think another Condor tipped it out to him…
Condors absolutely dominate the first period but head to the break up only 1-0.
Eagles should feel VERY fortunate they are only down one.
Looking at a Sharks blog (for Karlsson stuff) and came across this.
First, great picture of some old Oilers (Grier, Weight and Marchant). And second, Marchant and another former Oiler giving Spector the gears on Twitter.
I haven’t seen anything about this mentioned, but appears he was not popular with the players 20 years ago either.
I’d have half a mind to downvote this for not sharing a link. Sounds like gold!
Oops, forgot the link.
https://sanjosehockeynow.com/san-jose-sharks-todd-marchant-edmonton-oilers-mark-spector-chris-pronger/
Great story LT. Met my wife 25 years ago at the local watering hole that we still frequent and she’s been putting up with my nonsense ever since.
Nothing to do about hockey but I was just walking down Collins Ave in Miami Beach and I catch up to a guy in front of me. We start talking as we are walking, talking about the weather, etc. He finally says he’s Canadian. I said, “me too”. He’s from Ft Mac!
Small friggin’ world!
Having regularly during college drove cars down to Florida for old Ontario humans…
I will always have a soft spot in my heart for South Florida.
All of Kesselring’s goals have been even strength – right now, he’s getting a shot on the PP – PP1.
First 80 seconds of the PP is as good as its looked on a long time – whipping it around well, including Kesselring – then Kesselring takes a low percentage wrist shot from the high point and the play ends…. maybe looking for that shot a bit too much after some good work.
Whoa, 17 seconds in, miscommunication between goalie and d-man, puck pops to Kambeitz, over to Bourgault with a wide open net for a 1-0 lead.
Joe Snively with 1G 1A for the Capitals.
Yeah TSN already told us that. Why do you bother.
Pickard gets the start tonight and no other changes which means Niemo and Savoie are both still out.
Nimeo was “close” 2 weeks ago – or so they said.
Columbus wants three draft pick or similar value for Gavrikov???? Are they out of their minds
Yeah, 1st, 3rd and 4th according to Lebrun. And apparently Gavrikov won’t discuss an extension with acquiring teams at this point.
Fair enough on his part, but an extended Gavrikov was the way I figured Columbus might get that price.
I feel pretty confident that Holland won’t be the one to pay three picks for a Gavrikov rental.
I’ve been coming to this blog since 2009. Every year it’s always been next year will be the year. CMD and Drai are running out of time on their contracts and we need to get over the top asap. Trading for EK gets us there in my opinion.I knew the minute we traded Pronger that the Ducks were winning the cup. I feel the same way about EK now.
Make it happen Kenney. The only untouchable for me outside of the obvious is Broberg. Bouch and futures are good to go. The time is now to win the cup. I actually believe Skinnner can be the goalie to get there also.
Post of the Season!
I’ve been coming here ever since Rob Schremp was a legit prospect. 2006 was fine and deedy until that runty little player killed the 2006 Cup chances handing it to the Oilers kryptonite Carolina Hurricanes.
You are 100% correct. EK IS the player to target. No roster players aside from JP Yams and either Broberg or Bouchard and then the AHL team can be 50% sent to Mike Grier as he builds a team from scratch. it could turn out to be a win win situation all around.
Karlsson at $7.5M / season or less, and costing two 1st or less … do it.
Karlsson over $7.5M and costing Bouchard + firsts … don’t do it.
I propose this trade:
To Edm: Karlson (35% retained)
To SJ: Barrie, JP (or Yamamoto), 2023 1st, conditional 2nd (would become 2024 1st if Oilers make finals this year)
Too much? Not enough?
Alternatives:
1- SJ only retains 25%, takes Foegele, Conditional 2nd becomes 3rd (2nd if oilers make playoffs)
2- SJ only retains 18%, conditional 3rd (becomes 2nd if oilers make playoffs), trade additional picks to 3rd team to cover additional 18%
San Jose retains 35%, gets 2 contracts they don’t want, a 1st round pick and a low 2nd round pick?
Would you do this if you’re Grier?
I agree. But I do like your optimism that the 2023/24 Oilers will finish strong and have a low pick.
That’s not a bad deal if there isn’t a better one
It depends how bad they want assets
The contract gets easier to trade each season
If we assume the Sharks get 2 1st round picks for Meier, one each 23 and 24, they will be loaded with 11 picks in 23 and 9 in 24.
Barrie on an expiring contract might be worth a 2nd and Yamamoto perhaps the same so I guess the questions is how many 2nd round picks do they want.
Grier is a good old boy Oilers alumnus.
There is a deep dark joke here. Only the most enlightened will ever understand it.
Only 3rd round picks. Oilers have enough trouble getting 2nds to work lol
No 1sts…okay maybe 1 maximum.
When asked about Drai and Kane, Woody said: We’re battling a few bumps and bruises and illnesses and those types of things. I don’t foresee them being anything major, just a maintenance day for both those guys.
Rishaug asked if he expects them to play tomorrow: “I expect that, yes”.
When asked on Yamo: He had a good practice today. When asked if he’s a player for tomorrow “we’ll see what pours out of the gate – we haven’t done anything today in the regard but he had a really good practice today”.
When asked if Kostin could be a player tomorrow “Ya, thought it was a good sign that he practiced today. He practices well. He went in to the boards funny in Ottawa but he’s had a couple of days to rest up and recover – it was a good STEP that he was in practice today -we’ll see”.
———
Gregor advises that Shore was recalled because Kostin isn’t ready.
Player Pts/60WK Pts/60 WOK
Barabanov 2.56 1.54
Svechnikov 2.55 0.96
Leblanc 2.66 1.51
Couture 2.53 1.71
Kunin 2.12 0.75
Bonino 3.26 0.72
Sturm 3.40 1.14
Meier 2.39 1.45
Hertl 2.50 1.35
WK = With Karlsson
WOK= Without Karlsson
All these Sharks players score at 1st line rates at 5 on 5 with Karlsson.
Without Karlsson these players score at 2nd line to replacement level.
Karlsson is zooming everyone on the roster and scoring at 2.57 pts/60 at 5 on 5. Makar, Fox, Josi, Carlson best years, they were all 1.83 pts/60 and under.
Karlsson IPP ( Individual Points Percentage) is 64%
Josi last year was 58%
Carlson was 54% 2 years ago
Makar was 49% 3 years ago
Karlsson wont zoom McDavid/Drai much, as they could have a beer leaguer on D like me and score outscore the competition, but its clear when playing with the Oilers bottom 9, he would definitely help zoom that group.
The issue I have is you’re espousing a five-year decision based on half a season. What happened to meaningful sample sizes?
Sometimes you gotta grab sac and trade!
I would say he is finally healthy.
Karlsson is definitely on a heater.
Acquistion cost would be dear.
Injury history is definitely something to consider.
Also something to consider his age (32) and contract ( 4 yrs remaining) but I do believe he will not decline much in next 4 years as long as he stays healthy.
A part of me wants the Oilers to go for it this year, but I do realise that the assets to get Karlsson means those assets wont be there for the next couple of years to shore up any loose ends for those years.
We dont have the goaltending to steal a game, nevermind a series in the playoffs. Campbell is what he is, maybe Skinner takes another leap forward but we cant really fix the goaltending. Oilers cant be looking to get a mid 6 forward, or a 2nd pairing Dman and think that is good enough.
Maybe Karlsson isnt the big game Holland should be looking at, but this is the year for him to go big game hunting.
The chances of any of the assets going out would have nearly the impact an elite player like Karlsson would is almost zero. The top of the Oiler’s order is locked in, so they don’t need a bunch of top 6 talent anyway. They do need a top 4 talent.
Holland said he needs inexpensive players for cap reasons, but seemed to indicate those should be ELC players. They can be UFA as well, because lower level players are affordable as UFA’s, you just have to choose the right ones. And they will be easier to get the more elite the team becomes. Karlsson helps with that.
The Bruins have two higher paid D in McAvoy and Lindholm. It’s so key to winning now that D can’t just obstruct and hold. The Cap is workable, but not a job for the faint hearted or uncreative. Or those that can’t evaluate well enough to find useful players on low contracts that aren’t your drafted ELC’s.
Really, unless Rosey is unreasonable, it’s a decision as to whether EK is a safe enough health risk. If he is, adding another elite player (rarely possible) is a no brainer. Cup type move.
EK65 was incredible to watch during Ottawa’s run in 2017.
Elite offensive d are really hard to shut down during the playoffs.
During some series, you run into absolute crap like the Jets Oilers series where the refs put away their whistles and you watch McDavid literally getting obstructed and tackled with impunity.
Guys like Makar or EK65 or Heiskanen, you can’t really defend those guys. There’s nothing in the playbook to shut them down because they have the time and space playing at the back to create plays.
EK65 led his team with 13 even strength points (5v5) in 19 games during the 2017 playoffs.
Cale Makar led his team with 16 5v5 points in 20 games played last year’s playoffs.
Heiskanen led his team with 17 5v5 points in 26 games played during the 2020 playoffs.
You can say “finally healthy” but when he’s scoring at TWICE his 10-year average that doesn’t jive.
His best season in the past 10 was 1.55 P/60, this year he’s at 2.57 P/60. Wont decline much? That’s silly.
I also acknowledged he was on a heater. Elite Dmen having a career year are anywhere from 1.5 to 1.83 pts/60 in the last few years. He is at 2.57.
his skills won’t erode, points yes. As he is on a heater.
To further your point, his ‘erosion’ will be offset by a healthy dose of Connor and Leon. Those numbers will continue to be above his career average for the next 2-3 years.
Yes, he will clearly decline from 2.57. But he’s only had 1 season in his past 8 below 1.35 5v5/60. That’s insane from a Dman.
I would hope that management isn’t trying to acquire Karlsson on the premise that he’s going to be a 100-point d-man for the next 4 seasons.
If the cap hit gets down to the $7MM range, the Oilers don’t need him to be a 100 point player or even a 90 or 80 point player.
I would think a 70 point player would be quite feasible given his history and who he will be playing with.
Lets not forget, even in the recent down 5 seasons, there was only one really poor season, in the other “down seasons” he was still producing at around a .75 P/G pace – cleary not 100% and not playing with elite talent (generally).
Wow
Beautiful story and words today LT.
On the topic of Erik Karlsson. If healthy and happy he’s well worth the massive investment it would take. He’s an incredible player, both efficient and entertaining as hell. And when committed a better defensive player than he’s getting credit for.
The concern is health of course. And happiness. He’s very much a player who needs to enjoy life to play well. If I’m Ken Holland I make sure both the player and his family are truly on board with moving from California. They’ve had some tough years off the ice. I have no doubt he’d be a fantastic addition for this season but if a move is made that not everyone is happy with things could end badly and the contract an anchor.
But the thought of a fully healthy and committed Erik Karlsson with McDavid is pretty damn enticing. Mindblowing really.
Some numbers for context:
Over the past 10 years (not including this one) Karlsson has 270 points at 5v5. With 12,108:41 minutes played, that translates into a scoring rate of 1.3379 P/60. This year his scoring rate is nearly double that, at 2.57 P/60. Sustainable? Not in the least. There’s no guarantee that his torrid scoring pace even makes the trip from NorCal to NorAl if the trade were to happen today. This seasons scoring rates are unprecedented in his own career by a large margin.
There weren’t a lot of ups and downs, either. Other than the 20-21 outlier (0.70 P/60), every season was between 1.16 and 1.55 P/60.
More context: Bouchard posted a 1.42 P/60 last year. Only 3 of the past 10 Karlsson seasons were better than that. And Bouchard is nowhere near his prime and likely costs $4M or less for the next 3 seasons, if Dobson’s contract is the comp. Probably less, as Bouchard isn’t having a 50+ point season like Dobson did last year.
More numbers: in each of the past 4 seasons, Karlsson played fewer than 1000 minutes at 5v5. Nurse played between 1200 and 1560 minutes in those seasons. And Nurse has more actual 5v5 points over those seasons than Karlsson, 96 to 79. How much is availability worth on a 32-year-old player who has a massive cap hit for the next 4 years?
He’s always been a good player, but… Caveat Emptor.
That shooting percentage…
“He’s always been a good player, but”. A tad understated.
2 time Norris trophy winner – twice runner up,
4 time 1st team all star,
4 times leading D in points,
Most points by a defenseman since entering the league
2nd in career points for active defenseman behind Burns
4th in active career PPG behind Makar
In terms of comparing his younger years to defenseman of today, he spent the first 8 seasons of his career playing when league average scoring was around 2.72 goals per game every season. In Makar’s rookie season, it was 3 gpg and for the last 2 seasons it is 3.15 goals per game. And Ottawa wasn’t the offensive juggernaut that Colorado has been either.
Yes that was a few years ago, and he has suffered through a lot of injuries, which are certainly not impacting him this season, plus he was splitting RD duties with Burns. Not saying his long term fitness for NHL hockey might not be an issue, but it is no accident now that he is fully healthy that this guy is on track for another Norris. He is getting an invite to the ceremony at the very least. Elite players, if healthy maintain their higher level of play often well into their mid thirties.
Having said all that, I still think the cost to make the cap work combined with the cost for the player himself is probably a bridge too far for the Kenny. If he does some how make it work though, its because he believes on balance, it makes the team better for at least a couple of seasons.
The thing is though when EK is happy and healthy he’s a point a game player.
I don’t quibble with your 5v5 numbers but EKs overall scoring numbers place him in very elite territory. Lets say he plays another six seasons, plays 70% of those games (344) and he scores at his SJS rate (0.81ppg), assuming 25 more games this season at a ppg pace so 98 points, he’ll end his career with 1,033 points just ahead of Brian Leetch and 8th all time. Something tells me if he gets that close though he’ll take a run at Lidstrom.
Plenty of older players with injury histories are kicking out the OJams this year – Crosby, Karlsson, Stamkos, Malkin, Ovie, Marchand, Giroux, Pavelski are all old Foggies at or above a ppg. Scoring into your elder 30s is getting a lot easier.
Two close together talent diluting expansions and a lost year of development for about six years worth of North American prospects will keep weighing on things for a while.
Needs to stay healthy but also his injuries aren’t recurring. And he’s been quite durable in the past.
Your 5v5 numbers for Bouch tell us a wonderful story. One that means he’s not leaving in an EK deal. Nor is Broberg because well.. the thought of EK mentoring him is just too enticing. A top four of Nurse/EK/Bouch/Broberg makes you a contender.
I don’t think you mess with the Feng Shui of the PP right now and we know Barrie is loved by those around. Plus he’s part of the parental dynamic needed to keep EK happy. So he stays.
Clear and obvious RHD to leave is Ceci. And once you consider Ceci being the key piece heading away it all starts to make sense.
Much along the lines of what others have posted..
You’ve made a strong argument that his scoring this season isn’t sustainable. Obviously 2.57 P/60 for a Dman isn’t sustainable.
But you’ve also made a pretty strong argument for how good Karlsson is. Sustaining 1.34 P/60 for a decade, as a Dman, is extremely impressive. And no, there weren’t a lot of ups and downs.
If not the actual best rate over a span of years then it’s among the top 2 or 3. And that’s not including this season.
Don’t get me wrong, I like Karlsson and would love him on the Oilers roster… but only at the right price and cap hit. Some (most?) of the trade ideas being thrown around by Oilers fans and media are an overreaction to the phenomenal, once-in-a-lifetime season Karlsson is having so far, which simply isn’t sustainable in any sense.
My point is simply to introduce a dose of reality to the discussion to combat those going gaga over Karlsson’s heater. That contract has 4 more years on it, Karlsson will be 37 at the end of it. There’s a significant amount of risk attached, especially considering Karlsson’s recent history (the past 4 years), and any trade talk must take that risk into consideration.
Fair enough to try and temper the unbridled enthusiasm, and for sure there is significant risk here.
This is also an elite player though. And yes he’s on a heater, but this is a career 82 GP 16-51-67 player who’s clearly still capable of playing 25 min a night and producing numbers like that.
IMO that is worth a couple of 1st round picks and $7M or $7.5M in salary.
The only way he’ll play a game of his current contract at age 37 is if he plays in the Finals in the last year of his deal btw. I’m OK with the age risk too if the price is in range of 2 1sts and $7M.
Tyson Barrie is a career 82, 11-41-52 player if we’re looking at scoring rates. Is the upgrade to Karlsson worth $3M and a couple of 1st round picks? Because we wouldn’t be adding Karlsson, only the difference between Karlsson and Barrie.
And if we take injuries into account (and we should) the average season for both players since becoming full-time NHLers, presuming they play all 82 this year, looks more like this:
EK: 66, 13-42-55
TB: 72, 10-32-42
So you’re only getting 3 additional goals and 10 additional assists for 2 first round picks + (likely) Barrie + Puljujarvi. I get that Karlsson is also better defensively, but he’s no CFP in his own end either.
It just doesn’t seem like an efficient use of assets to me.
The difference between Barrie and Karlsson at 5 on 5 is immense.
Its like the different between Dillon Dube and McDavid at 5 on 5……..
Karlsson leads the NHL in scoring at 5 on 5 – he’s got like 10 more points than McDavid (note: that’s by memory and I haven’t checked in a few days).
Small sample size, one player on a heater and the other one cold. I thought you knew better than that.
Look at them over a longer period and you’ll see that their 5v5 scoring isn’t as different as you seem to think.
In the 9 years prior to this season, Barrie has scored 1.171 P/60 at 5v5. Karlsson has scored 1.338 P/60 at 5v5 over the last 10 years. The difference, 0.167 P/60, works out to about 3 points per season.
Either Karlsson’s incredible season has made everyone else go crazy or my calculator is on the fritz again.
FYI, I used 9 seasons for Barrie as that reflects when he became a full-time NHL player. His 5v5 numbers over that period are 10,968:28 TOI with 214 points.
I like Barrie more than most, and have defended lots since he’s been an Oiler. He’s a quality player and I’ll be happy if the Oilers keep him.
We should acknowledge what he is these days though. He’s been under 1.0 P/60 the past 2 seasons, and he’s played around 15 minutes a night at 5v5 the last 2 years.
Karlsson has dipped under 18 minutes a few times (never below 17:39) but he’s back to being a 20 minute a night 5v5 player this year.
Karlsson has also scored better than 1.35 P/60 in 7 of the last 8 seasons. Barrie had sessons of 1.38 and 1.38 in the last 5 years, but no others over 1.20 in his last 8 (0.83 and 0.93 in his last two).
This is just not the same thing at all.
Tyson Barrie has had the benefit of playing with MacKinnon/Rantanen, Matthews/ Marner or McDavid/Draisaitl throughout his career. Karlsson hasn’t had anyone close to that level of offensive talent to play with his entire career. The elite player on Karlsson’s team has been Karlsson.
I like Barrie, but he is not in the same category of defenseman as Karlsson, a first ballet hall of famer who is playing like it right now.
Yes, I do think the upgrade from Barrie to Karlsson is probably worth $3M and a couple of 1st round picks.
The biggest benefit is at 5v5, as OP and others have mentioned, but Karlsson is just a much better player, who’s capable of playing more minutes and higher in the lineup.
Seriously, $7M-$7.5M for a player of that caliber has a chance to be a massive value deal. There’s risk too, but it’s a risk I would take (assuming those are the parameters).
The 5v5 argument fell flat already. See my response to OP.
Well we disagree.
No, you disagree with math. That’s not the same thing.
Haha, are you seriously trying to linearly equate player points with player salary?
The argument OP presented was that Karlsson is much more valuable than Barrie due to his 5v5 scoring rates. Which, as I demonstrated, amounts to just 3 measly points per season on average. And I didn’t make any reference to salary in my response to OP.
So the argument fell flat. It’s just math… unless you think Karlsson’s current pace is the new normal for him. If that’s the case I can’t help you.
That kind of math would tell you Connor McDavid was the 366th best (or most cap efficient) player in the NHL last season. Is that what the math is telling you?
He has also been a decent PK defenseman most of his career. San Jose just hasn’t used him on it this season.
Yup, pretty sure he would be PKing again if he were to become an Oiler.
This is fun (I think).
Breaking down Karlsson’s career into 3 year segments in terms of 5v5/60 (because NST):
Last 3 seasons——: 1.60 P/60 1st (Makar 2nd) (that’s including this season)
Previous 3 seasons: 1.45 P/60 2nd (Carlson 1st)
Previous 3 seasons: 1.37 P/60 2nd (Burns 1st)
Previous 3 seasons: 1.53 P/60 2nd (Burns 1st)
Not bad, right? His career average drops a little because his first 2 seasons not included were under 1.0 P/60.
Some of that early Burns would’ve been due to playing some wing.
Beautiful story about your Jo-Anne. As always thank you for sharing!
It was 2004 and I was refereeing a rec league Volleyball game at Osborne Centre at UBC. The teams I was supposed to be officiating didn’t show up so I went over to chat with the Rec Volleyball Supervisor because well, HOT DAMN. She wanted nothing to do with me and she put her nose back in her books.
Fast forward a year we run into each other at a mutual friend’s birthday. We exchange a few smiles as we try to remember where we had met before. Later at the bar she was looking for her friend and I grabbed her by the hand and guided her. Sparks flew.
At the time I was now working at Osborne centre and she had requested to have all of her Rec Volleyball supervising shifts on the same nights I worked. We spent a semester chatting and finished out time at UBC as a couple.
In 2013 I secretly organized a meeting for her at Osborne centre via my old boss. And when she walked in I proposed to her. A year later we got married at the UBC farm and had a raging party at the Pit afterward (one of the last events at the legendary bar).
We have two daughters now and are enjoying a life together!
Does anyone know about this Karlsson rumour?
Asking for a friend.
All I want to know is: what has treenasoil tweeted on the subject?
Who’s baby is that? What’s your angle? I’ll buy that!
Nice!
You had to grow up watching The Flintstones at lunchtime to get this reference.
Wanna bet? Bet? Bet-bet-bet-bet-bet?
Bob is pretty sure the lack of a move indicates they will hold Yams on LTIR for at least another game.
Trade upcoming while he retains 2nd line status on a fair to middling team like the Sharks.
Come to think about it, getting JP as a throw in bonus just might be that diamond in the rough that San Jose would like to get back if Karlsson flies away to the great White North.
If you agree that both at least are potentially attractive to San Jose: press Thumbs Up.
If you disagree: press Thumbs Down.
Eagles lose both their OC and DC as HCs in Indy and Arizona respectively. Talk about adding insult to injury.
So, without anyone on waivers today:
1) Yamo stays deactivated on LtIR which seems iffy given his level of practice (and he seems to have been ready for a while).
2) An actual trade with dollars out.
3) Another LTIR placement (and Kane and Drai were the only guy not practicing)
4) Send down Shore, Holloway AND Deharnais and run a 20 player roster – seems highly unlikely even if Kane and Drai both practiced and were fine.
5) Kailer to Condors on a 13.9 “fit to play determination” loan which is a max of 3 games and 6 days (subject to league authorized extension) and would require Yamamoto’s consent.
Thanks for laying these out. Holland has mentioned also running a 21 person roster, but that would mean having to do the gymnastics they did at the start of the season to get compliant and waive Ryan or Janmark – or if I’m not mistaken Puljajarvi because only so much of his cap hit would count.
Correct: There is no option for a 21 player roster without a trade out (or a player waived and down/claimed).
Someone making $1.125MM or more needs to be out in order for the 21 player roster to be compliant.
The solution to salary cap issues is almost always LTIR.
There is no LTIR option though unless Kane or Drai, who didn’t practice today, go on LTIR and, if that’s the case, even after Woody said maintenance day for both, well, we’ve got bigger issues, right?
Yamo is the obvious one.
Ummm, OK – I thought we were discussing methods to activate Yamamoto and be cap compliant. Keeping Yamamoto deactivated was (1) on my options list above.
Of note, teams are obligated, pursuant to the terms of the CBA, to activate players from LTIR once they are healthy and deemed ready. Of course, teams play with this a bit and are a bit “loose/goosey” but they can’t just keep players that are ready on LTIR indefinitely. Eventually the league will “take an interest” and NHLPA could as well if we got to that point. I’ve also gleamed from Yamo’s interviews, as early as prior to the break when he practiced fully but wasn’t eligible to come off LTIR, that he wasn’t quite 100% happy with being placed on LTIR to start with.
I am encouraged by the sheer amount of media coverage and buzz I am seeing around this Karlsson trade speculation.
Sometimes these things can take on a life of their own. Let’s hope Holland and Grier have some momentum.
I’d still prefer Nurse in the deal as opposed to gutting the prospects pool. That said the latter likely gives you the best chance to win the Cup before Leon reaches free agency.
Nurse is an untouchable.
The day Nurse leaves the Oilers I might cry.
Nurse is the glue that will keep Leon than Connor for a run and gun of 3 Cups over the next decade.
There is no way they let Leon get to free agency. Either he re-signs or they trade him a year before.
Agreed. I could have been more precise with the language. What I’m referencing here is a deadline for which the clock is ticking.
I actually think it’s likely they keep him as an expensive rental, even if he won’t re-sign the previous summer.
I think that would be a dumb move.
Could be. You don’t often see contending teams trade away elite players though.
I’m actually having a hard time thinking of any examples.
FWIW I think he will re-sign, btw.
Springsteen to play Edmonton Nov 6. Been a time.
My wife and I are seeing the Boss tonight in Houston.
https://fortune.com/2023/02/07/bruce-springsteen-high-ticket-prices-magazine-website-backstreets-closes-43-years/
This is going to be an issue until/if the Ticketmaster monopoly is broken up in an antitrust suit. Ticketmaster and its aftermarket sites are legalized scalping.
Most over-rated musician on the planet.
Insightful analysis. You should have a podcast.
More than Ed Sheeran?!
Wait till you see the price of tickies. Down here Springsteen tickets start at $600.
I saw him in the 80s and I am not a huge fan. I won’t go as far as Ran above and say he’s the most over-rated musician on the planet, especially live, but I don’t think Ran is far off. But he does put on a good live show.
No one has to like him, and he may not be your cup of tea nor Ran’s. I myself enjoy a lot of his music, though for me personally, he is well down my list of favorite music artists. But just because he is not our favorite though, to effectively be dismissive of the fans and the critics who clearly do support him is not reasonable either. He has enjoyed both very strong critical and commercial success in his career. 150 million albums sold, to go with along with all his awards including having 8 albums on Rolling Stones top 500 of all time, its pretty hard to be over rated at all, and to call him the most over rated of all time or close to it is pure hyperbole.
My experience has been that the people who traffic in this sort of hot take tend to be non-musicians. Folks who can write, play, or produce music respect how hard it is to do it professionally over a long career (even if they don’t like a particular artist’s music which is 100% subjective).
A non-musician will assess it in the same way they might a particular kind of food they don’t like. That sucks! – full stop – end of story.
I just read an excellent book about how our musical tastes are hard wired in our brain over our lives. It’s called ‘This is What it Sounds Like’ and is well worth the read if you’re interested in how your musical tastes developed and what they reveal about you.
Bag of Pucks
I actually have played guitar for nearly 50 years, and have run a Design / Illustration company for 35 years, so I’m well versed on how hard it is to make a living in a creative/subjective environment.
Perhaps I should have clarified: To ME, Springsteen is extremely over-rated. He is one of those artists that I am “supposed” to like, but can only tolerate 3 or 4 songs in a row before I’ve had enough. Same (to me) with Petty, U2, Emmylou Harris & The Tragically Hip. Like drinking Caesars. The first one or two are really, really good. After than . . . not so much.
Now Deep Purple’s Machine Head . . . I can play that album back to back all day long.
Ok as a creative person then, surely you appreciate that opinions on artistic merit are almost wholly subjective.
There’s definitely a commonality to the music you’ve named here in that they all group loosely under the Americana/Canadiana umbrella.
I get. I don’t much like hip hop as a genre so it would be easy for me to state that Kanye is the most overrated musician on the planet. But that’s just like my opinion man (picturing The Dude here). Entirely subjective.
Love Machine Head too btw
I like some of his stuff, don’t like others. And I’ve paid to watch him in the past. I don’t think you and I are all that far apart on Springsteen. I think Ran is speaking to the amount of hype that surrounds The Boss, which is/was annoying. And that’s likely not Bruce’s fault so much as it is his burden.
With today’s information access, it’s much more difficult to separate the artist from the art. Some artists like Taylor Swift take advantage of this by melding the two to create ‘easter eggs’ pr buzz. It’s probably not the ideal environment for more intropective artists like Dylan and Springsteen. They’re not selling a cult of personality or individual song streams. They want you to listen to an entire album in one sitting with no preconceptions, ideally on a turntable.
I saw him live at the 25th anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was incredible. But he is such a diva. Well known that he does not start his how until after 10pm, no questions. Basically he made everyone else open for him. Here is the rest of the lineup that night.
Band Line-up Jerry Lee Lewis Crosby, Stills & Nash
Bonnie Raitt
Jackson Browne James Taylor
Paul Simon
Dion
Little Anthony And The Imperials Simon & Garfunkel
Stevie Wonder
Smokey Robin J B.B. King
Sting
Jeff Beck
Bruce Spingsteen & The E Street Band
Bruce Springsteen
John Fogerty Darlene Love
Billy Joel
They are a fraction of that in Houston. Front seat section (behind the standing mosh pit) on the floor going for ~$300 each right now. I enjoy his music, but I wouldn’t have even paid that to go see him so we’re a little further away.
Pre-COVID he did these small shows in NYC. $5000 per ticket…..
I had something typed and ready to send but I decided not to offend anyone.
You offended me by withholding your offensive reply. 😛
Do you guys remember when Pete The Rocker was getting a petition signed to try to get “The Boss” to play in Edmonton in the ’80’s?
He’d be on K-97 all the time, all excited about the thought of a Springsteen concert.
I signed his petition on the Yellowhead at a traffic light. He got out of his vehicle and ran to a bunch of cars to collect signatures.
Has he played Edmonton before this? I can’t recall a show.
Way to go, Pete The Rocker; all your hard work has finally paid off.
LeBrun on Rishaug’s pod with a few tidbits on Karlsson I found intriguing:
1) he’s tried to find out if Karlsson is willing to waive for Edmonton but hasn’t been able to find out.
2) Grier denied to The Athletic that tThe express ask is 3 first round picks.
The rumour on (1) is that EK will not evaluate his NMC till a deal is put in front of him, per Spectors Rumors.
I would say that if EK is not the driver on this trade, the chance of it happening is miniscule.
Beach>Anonymity>No pressure
Blizzard>Rock Star>Stanley Cup
Say what?
I was flown to San Jose for a job offer about five years ago. I was surprised and disappointed that it’s actually quite a drive to the beach.
The city itself is okay, but disappointing if you’re expecting anything like San Diego or San Francisco. The city sort of looks like something you’d expect if you commissioned the 2004 Starbucks store designer.
The weather is great though.
Sadly my job offer wasn’t for eleven and a half million per…
The city is crazy expensive. One of the admin staff at the company told me that he was renting a 600 sq ft bachelor for $3900 usd per month. Two and a half or three million usd might get you a 2800 sq foot house.
House prices not a problem on EK’s salary.
Hopefully he’s looking for a chance for a cup ring.
I’m always amazed by Canadians who think these players are going to Xanadu. Maybe some players think the same. But the majority of American cities are…really not much of anything. The get a lower tax rate. Sometimes warmer weather. But it’s mostly mini malls and parking lots.
Those who play in SoCal often live in Huntington Beach or Newport Beach.
Mini malls and parking lots are not feature attractions.
I’m gonna go out on a limb and guess that Erik Karlsson doesn’t commute 6 and a half hours to practice every day from Huntington Beach or Newport Beach..
Goodness, Newport Beach is even a 1:20 drive south of Staples Center where the Kings play.
I didn’t mention Karlsson.
Im fully aware than San Jose is not in SoCal as I specifically mentioned It.
Do you think Kings and Ducks players live in downtown LA?
Have you ever been there?
Sorry to assume you were talking about Karlsson in a thread about Karlsson.
And yes, I’ve been to downtown LA. Clearly the players do not live there. I am skeptical many Kings players live in Huntington or Newport Beach though (Ducks, sure).
Chelios said most American cities are not all that attractive and full of mini malls and parking lots.
Be sceptical if you like…they do.
What are you even talking about?
A 30 second google search tells me that no, most Kings players (at least as of a few years ago) do not in fact live ~1.5 hours away from the arena in Huntington/Newport Beach.
They live on the beach, but much closer (duh) in the South Bay area.
https://theathletic.com/505249/2018/09/07/why-the-kings-all-live-in-the-south-bay-and-what-the-area-means-to-them/
How on earth did we get talking about Kings players anyway?
Been there many times, LA, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach. It’s gated communities and Route 1. Beaches are fine, ocean is cold. Best restaurant for sunset drink is Las Brisas in Laguna. Does not compare to Miami. Not even close.
As have I.
My most enduring memory of Miami is being dumped at the airport at 3 am after a very delayed flight from Toronto while on a business trip.
My car rental was scrubbed since the counter was closed.
I had to jump in a cab with a driver who did not speak English and headed in the opposite direction from my hotel.
Much hilarity ensued.
12:03, now what happens?
A pending trade? I’m no expert on the matter, but we won’t be cap compliant soon. Using JP to get an asset seems smarter than him walking at the end of the year – even though I still think he can help us win games now
Beautiful write up LT, I hope you do another book with these anecdotes one day. I took your advice.
Per Rishaug:
Yamamoto just drilled Kulak in practice. Boards thundering. Team and coach cheered. Yamamoto skated over to him after the drill ended, both guys smiling and gave him half a hug. Yamamoto looks ready to go, and has for a while.
Maybe he’ll start going to the paint where Goals happen.
Is the implication that Yamamoto doesn’t go to the hard areas?
Kailer needs to score or else he’s no use while Jesse doesn’t need to score goals to prove he has value. That’s what I have been reading for the past couple years.
He has 4 Goals for the year why? Kempe scored that many in 1/2 a game. Yamo makes 3.1 million for what being a nice guy. As soon as he has the puck it’s a hot potatoe why’s that? I do hope he turns it around and can be a positive player in the top 6 but I just don’t see it happening.
Hot potato that was mere moments prior the opposition’s possession.
That doesn’t address the question that arose due to your “go to the paint” post…..
The only time he goes near the front of the net if the opposition D is the finger painting type hence the 4 Goals. If he doesn’t start producing he’s either getting bought out or traded.
Ya, I’m going to disagree vehemently with the first sentence the implies he doesn’t go to the hard areas.
Also, from all accounts, the player is valued very highly by the players and the coaching staff – I presume that extends to management notwithstanding he’s underperformed his contract this season. Given his age, a buyout actually isn’t all that bad penalty wise but I can’t imagine that happens this off-season.
Traded, sure, that’s a potential option.
The good guy routine only last for so long he needs to start producing. Why do you think he hasn’t been activated because they’re winning with hungry choices in his spot.
1) I have no idea what that “good guy” comment means or has to do with anything. I’m still flummoxed at the implication that Yamamoto isn’t willing to go to hard areas to succeed. I think I know why responses avoid the topic….
2) I vehemently disagree that they aren’t activating Yamamoto because they prefer the “hungry choices” in his spot.
You keep mentioning how he is so loved by his teammates well Chaisson was also loved by his teammates for less money. Yamo has 4 Goals if I had to garner a guess that would be 4th line or below scoring. Your boy better start producing and soon are he’s as good as gone along with J.P.
In honor of LT’s story here is mine:
Went through a rocky break-up with my now Baby-mama, we have an amazing son together. With these things no one person is ever at fault but it took a good friend on a car ride from RD to an Oilers game to shoot me straight on my BS and help me to realize this. Did some work on myself for a year or so.
Joined Match emailed and chatted with a lady who would become the love of my life. We met for lunch and realized we had gone to school together from middle school, to High, to post secondary but never really got to know each other. She is my person and I am darn lucky we found each other and I thank match everyday. She is so understanding and caring beautiful inside and out.
We got married 4 years ago in Sept. About 3 years ago finished the process of adopting her children. Been a super happy Dad of 3 and husband ever since. Happy Valentines day I hope you all find your person.
The Oilers could just re-(re)-assign Shore plus Desharnais/Holloway to get compliant for tomorrow’s game.
They wouldn’t have any extra bodies, and they wouldn’t reasonably be able to continue with 18 skaters for too long… But they don’t need to waive anyone they don’t want to right now.
Could of course also be another injury (or trade) leading to the Shore shenanigans.
Kostin is on the ice for practice – that is something.
Drai and Kane not on the ice for practice.
Ughhhh…..!
Gazzola just tweeted that Woody says maintenance day for both, expects them to be available for tomorrow night. Serenity now!
https://twitter.com/TomGazzola/status/1625573065785749504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1625573065785749504%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=
I do take that at face value in this case but will, again, cite Woody stating McLeod was having a maintenance day and he was on LTIR later that aft…..
Both play hard nosed hockey.
No worries when both need some time for recovery.
I heard a rumor that they’re being held off due to a pending trade with San Jose…
Man LT, I am late to the party on this but your story brought a tear to my eye today.
I’m marrying my Jo-Anne in 109 days and it’s only because I am that I can really appreciate how much your story means. I had a previous engagement that never made it across the goal line, and I wake up every morning thanking god that it didn’t because I wouldn’t be marrying The One if it had. I know what it’s like now to have that person who is that missing puzzle piece to your soul. I can only hope that decades from now I can recall our little stories with the kind of vivid detail you do, although I won’t be able to express them so eloquently.
You’re a lucky man to have shared what you shared with Jo-Anne and I know you don’t need me or anyone else to tell you that.
Definitely a bit odd to send down Shore and then recall him the next day but let’s not forget, he’s already cleared and they can just re-assign him again tomorrow before game time.
There were also too many vets in Bakersfield and one of Shore, Malone, McKegg, Bailey, Demers would have had to be scratched tonight.
Cluld be as simple as a player or two banged up or sick and iffy for tomorrow.
“I had no chance.”
I was off the board for several months and just recently learned of your loss LT.
As somebody lucky enough to have my own “broken car story” that changed my life for the better in every possible way I needed to tell you how sorry I am for your pain while knowing how fortunate you were to have found such a person to share your life with for so many years. As I am sure you know, it doesn’t happen for everyone.
And thank you for the reminder.
The Black Knight Inn is indeed gone now. COVID was brutal for them as they hosted a lot of events there (dinner theatre, etc) that I think helped their occupancy.
I played a mini music festival there maybe 2 weeks before COVID came to Alberta and that was it. They had a huge auction of all the items inside before they pulled it down, some of my acquaintances bought paintings and other memorabilia from there. It was a popular spot for many reasons in Red Deer.
Apparently it was riddled with asbestos so couldn’t be saved/repurposed after the owners went into receivership. It’s a huge piece of land in a marquee area of south Red Deer, it will be interesting to see what gets built there. (Please not a gas station)
Yes it is gone. I am from RD here it was going down regardless of COVID it was a very old building (45 years I think) and just removing the asbestos would cost too much.
Black Knight did have arguably the best Sunday Brunch in AB in its time. I will fondly remember Xmas work parties there they had a fantastic set-up. It was purchased by anonymous investors that have relayed through Solomon Commercial realty that they are completely re-developing the land.
The original owners the Mandrusiak’s did a lot of good for this town over the years. The new fancy brunch spot is the Holiday Inn on Gasoline Alley.
The hockey is why I tune in. The Valentines type stories is why I stay.
Flames:
https://thewincolumn.ca/2023/02/14/the-calgary-flames-are-cursed-a-thorough-analytical-totally-made-up-deep-dive/
Cursed! I guess the writer hasn’t heard of regression. He’s surprised that Huberdeau is having a down year after his personal best outlier of a season. Lol. Most of the items that he mentioned boils down to bad management if you ask me.
Just made me think of ‘something in the water’.
In fairness to the Flames, (and I still think the contract Treliving gave him was a substantial overpay), Huberdeau is scoring 5 on 5 at a rate of 1.84 points per 60 this season, his lowest since 13/14 and well below his previous 4 seasons, not just last year. Yes, thinking he would score like he did last season would not be realistic, but even before last season, in the previous 3 seasons, which he was fully healthy for, he scored at an 82 game rate of 92 points. While some major regression from 115 could be projected, that he would be on pace for only 58 points, would not have been reasonably anticipated.
And while some would suggest it was Barkov who propped up Huberdeau, Barkov’s scoring rate is also down significantly this season without Huberdeau, though not as much as Huberdeau’s is.
He needs to play with finishers. This contract as well as Kadri’s could sink the organization for 10 years. Kadri drills unsuspecting players aka Raffi Torres style more than every so often, the entire league knows this. Somebody is really going to get him good Kane style or worse on the railway tracks mid-ice. It’s only a matter of time before Kadri gets what’s coming to him.
Ummm…spell check is a thing. That would be my guidance to the author. 😉
That is awesome.
But but but but, hairball assured us the Flames would be better this season because of the incredible moves made by management. Basically got a Norris candidate as a throw in. How can this be? Oh, right. Doesn’t know $hit about hockey!
I did enjoy your write up LT, right down to the part about “don’t delay” “Find your person”
Its great advice, however in todays dating market, I think Id rather spend the evening slamming may hand in the car door.
There definitely is a higher degree of searching for what is wrong with anyone over appreciating what is right.
60 years ago premarital sex was a no fly zone and you could wind up with a cold fish for the rest of your life. I think it’s good that people have more and more ways to gauge compatibility now. Life is too short to drink bad wine. It’s definitely a decision that you want to get right. Nothing worse than being around a bickering couple who are clearly lacking basic compatability traits.
You know who’s probably got it tough on the dating front these days? Women named Karen.
https://twitter.com/dimfilipovic/status/1623735261992714240?s=61&t=8_2ZrsJ-MKSn8xWSejs6KA
If you haven’t seen this compilation of EK65s best passes this year watch it now.
In terms of the Pisani effect, it seems like he captured lightning in a bottle for that playoff run (he was 30). I watched Foegele in Carolina do something similar. My money is on McLeod who has shown clear progression every year and whose stats this season are on par with Pisani’s in the 05-06 regular season, but he’s only 23. At the very least, I see really important set of wheels when things get fast.
I have always thought Vincent Desharnais as the Pisani reincarnation (as a defenseman, obviously).
Late round picks who made NHL ~26 of age. With that kind of resume nobody expect anything of them but they both turn out ok, being entrustedf for penalty killing what not.
Both went to Providence.
Pisani was drafted in ’96; Desharnais was born in ’96.