On the day Bill Torrey invented the trade deadline by trading for Butch Goring, the Edmonton Oilers made three deadline trades (above). Edmonton badly needed a goalie, so Ron Low was they key acquisition. Glen Sather always had time for high-skill players in need of redemption, so Donny Murdoch was an obvious procurement candidate. Jim Corsi was dispatched because the Oilers had employed five goalies before Low’s arrival so someone had to go.
I believe Ken Holland will be busy, but not “1979-80 deadline” busy.
THE ATHLETIC!
- Lowetide: Oilers centre Ryan McLeod’s comparables and career trajectory
- DNB: The Ben Stelter Fund is a legacy his family, Connor McDavid and the Oilers will proudly carry
- Lowetide: Is Edmonton Oilers’ 7-11 alignment here to stay?
- Lowetide: The Oilers’ asset cost in an Erik Karlsson trade and why it’s worth it
- DNB: What I’m hearing about Oilers’ interest in trading for Sharks’ Erik Karlsson
- 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: 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
- Lowetide: Is Edmonton Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft saving another season?
- DNB: Why Ryan Nugent-Hopkins matters more to the Oilers now than ever before
- DNB: Are the Oilers actually good again or are they simply benefitting from an easy schedule?
- Lowetide: 3 trades that could help the Oilers this season and beyond
- 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 2-1-1)
- At home to: DET, NYR (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-2)
- 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: 2-1-3, 7 points in six games
- 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: 30-19-7, 67 points in 56 games
I had the Oilers losing in regulation, so it was a victory of sorts. Giving up a three-goal lead, on a night when Jack Campbell had some exceptional moments, hurts for sure. I think if we’re honest the Oilers have been dull since the All-Star break and nothing I’ve seen suggests the indifferent play is going to give way to brilliance. I think this game should burn for this group, the third period was so poor one would think there will be some jump through all 60 in Denver. Weird week of games for this team. Maybe it’s the flu, but Edmonton is giving back what they earned in January.
I also think the Rangers are damn good, so if you’re walking around in a mood today because of the Oilers, lighten up. Edmonton won’t see the Rangers again until the finals. The Oilers did take three of a possible four points from the Broadway blue shirts this season.
SUMMARY
- Jack Campbell made several excellent stops, I think he gave the team a chance to win. His save percentage in the game, .895, is better than his total for the season, .888. I do think it’s fair to point out that’s not good enough, even on a night when he played well.
- Darnell Nurse had one shot, HDSC, four blocked shots, made some astute defensive plays, had a couple of wayward moments. He was on for 6-8 shots at five-on-five but 6-2 HDSC, which kind of sums up his night perfectly. The penalty called on him was bogus. He plays 20 minutes a night at even strength, owns a 56 percent goal share in the discipline. He’s good. Honest.
- Cody Ceci had a good night five-on-five, not with individual numbers but the team was 8-2 HDSC while he was on the ice. Saved Nurse with a solid defensive play and made good decisions with the puck the few times he had it. Late on the Zibanejad pass to Kreider on the PK, but that was a helluva pass.
- Brett Kulak had a GV, TK, shot block, 7-12 shots, 1-0 goals, 5-3 HDSC. Not effective on the Kreider goal.
- Tyson Barrie scored a goal, had three shots, two HDSC and blocked a shot. Got caved (3-12) in five-on-five shots, especially hideous while playing with Kulak (3-11) and against the Panarin line. Not effective on the SH goal, but he was in the right spot and made a play, some bad luck there.
- Philip Broberg wasn’t strong on the Lafreniere goal, but he wasn’t alone. He had a takeaway, made a couple of good defensive plays, but he’s a rookie and it showed on the third GA. He was 1-1 goals at five-on-five.
- Evan Bouchard had a couple of giveaways and didn’t impact the play at all on the third Rangers goal. One shot, one giveaway, his passing isn’t at the level we saw a season ago.
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored 1-1-2, two shots, one HDSC, made a fantastic defensive play on Mika Zibanejad, later on Chris Kreider. He’s now on pace for 100 points. Music! He’s always been a favourite, absolutely thrilled with his success. Zero HDSC’s for or against while he was on the ice, including 13 minutes with McDavid. I’m not sure that’s happened, but it can’t happen often.
- Connor McDavid had two assists, four shots, one HDSC, drew a penalty, two takeaways. He flubbed a pass on the PP, but only a spectacular pass and some luck attached (GA) made it memorable. That GA isn’t on 97. It does give us a chance to remember he isn’t perfect, but he’s close enough for jazz. He didn’t get much done five-on-five, and all six Rangers defenders flummoxed him five-on-five while sharing minutes. Imagine that, rolling your pairings and giving up jack diddly against the best player in the game. Rangers=very good.
- Leon Draisaitl had a goal, three shots, GV, 2TK, he was 3-13 shots, 1-3 HDSC at five-on-five. That means both OIlers elite centrers had a helluva time against the NYR. The Oilers top two lines wearing their collective asses for a hat like this is rare. It also just won’t do.
- Zach Hyman had two assists, three shots, three HDSC, drew a penalty. You know, I’ve been writing these post-game notes for years, and Hyman is a delight. He just fills all the good columns like clockwork. He’s like Jonny Greenwood, able to do multiple things very well every game.
- Evander Kane had three shots, one HDSC, he and Leon don’t seem to have chem. Hyman-McDavid is golden this season, so I don’t know. Nuge is playing well on the top line unless the Rangers are in town, so, yeah.
- Ryan McLeod had four shots, four HDSC, 2TK and a GV. I’d love to know if he scores more goals than Dylan Holloway over the next 15 years. He’s a fine young player. Rang iron once, has a very good ‘dammit!’ look when he doesn’t score a goal. I think he’s going to be good.
- Kailer Yamamoto had one shot, one HDSC, hit a post, but was not himself. Yet. I see a lot of people ripping him, but the young man has been a good player (when healthy) since December 2019.
- Mattias Janmark had an assist, took a penalty, and let’s face it he’s only truly effective when Nuge is his center. I don’t make the rules, it’s a fact.
- Warren Foegele had an assist, three shots, two HDSC, he is playing well. If Holland has to trade him, I think the Oilers could get something close to Don Murdoch.
- Derek Ryan scored a goal, he keeps doing that, now has 10 on the year. Took the penalty that put Edmonton down two men, puck-over-glass is just dumb.
- Jesse Puljujarvi picked up an assist, had a shot and a HDSC. He played just 8:24 and earned more, the coaching staff is making a mistake in playing him so little.
THE DEADLINE
I wanted to note the wild final day of 1980’s deadline because sometimes unusual deals happen right then. In his book (well it’s Scott Young’s book) Heaven and Hell in the NHL, Punch Imlach talks about waiting and waiting and waiting on a trade before (I think) the Intra-League draft deadline. He ended up trading (on behalf of the Buffalo Sabres) goalie Joe Daley (who played just 29 games for the DRW after the deal) for center Don Luce (a key player for the terrific Sabres teams of the mid-70’s) and Mike Robitaille (who was a fine defender until suffering a significant injury). I think a last minute deal might benefit Edmonton this year. If nothing rhymes early, fill all the lamps.
NEW for The Athletic: The Oilers have an emerging prospect in Noah Philp
https://theathletic.com/4220013/2023/02/18/lowetide-oilers-have-an-emerging-prospect-in-noah-philp/
.
Knights win , Kings win, Krak win, Flames win. Tabernac Saturday and we didn’t even play.
Yotes tie it up! Minute to play.
Three goal 3rd from the Desert Dogs has TMac looking like a pitbull on an empty meat truck
Coyotes survive the powerplay. This Ingram kid in goal they got off waivers looks small (six foot) but good.
The crew then goes there. This is the Ingram that came in for Saros against the Avs in the playoffs and made over 45 saves. Coyotes got him on waivers off the Preds.
kings win in the shootout. Ingram did not look anywhere near as good there
Kings given a powerplay with 3 to play in OT after one that should’ve been called the other way. Second one was a penalty, but…
Couple big trades already. Including two of the best centermen available. I don’t blame Dubas. Bruins are their cruse. I’d be loading up on Cs too, with Bergeron to face. Maybe Hischier later. I’m not sure why Holland isn’t thinking that way.
I don’t mind the Karlsson swing for the fences, if it can be done with limited roster turnover and positive cap space, as I outlined earlier this week. But Kane, while I understand the desire for a 2nd line RW and Cup Cachet, I’d much rather have a rightie who can kickass on the dot and help the PK.
Change those two things and goals against will change too. It ain’t all on the defence.
-Frank Seravalli
my underlining and bolding
Summarizing!
The heart of Saturday night’s scoring beat within Skyler Brind’Amour as he rung up 1+2 in a convincing victory. He also had great success on the dot, going 14-for-22 (63.6%).
Schaefer chipped in an assist in Seattle’s rout of hapless Victoria.
Chiasson also had a helper in Sassytoon’s win.
Määttä didn’t hit the scoresheet but did have a quality night on draws, going 16-for-24 (66.7%).
No soup either for Petrov, Mazura, Lachance and Münzenberger, who shall have to content themselves with fig paste instead.
Prospecting takes a break until Monday.
Thanks Tarkus
Rangers tie it up. 7 to play
Lafreniere seems ready to explode into a point machine at any moment. That was his 10th of the year.
Panarin takes a stupid penalty in OT and the Flames cash.
OOTS going to shit. Krak score again, 4-1. Yotes have clawed two goals back against the Kings. Now 5-3, but only 12 to play in the game.
Kings destroying the Coyotes, 5-1 halfway through. Seattle up 2-1 on Detroit. Vegreville up 4-3 on the Bolts five minutes into the 2nd.
Down to 9 forwards, the Condors do hang on for the 3-2 win (CV put it in the net but time had expired) – big win against the top team in the league.
Here is hoping Holloway is just fine – Malone too.
Best intel is that it may be a shoulder for Holloway – he did take a hit in to the sideboards on his last shift – it wasn’t much though – or didn’t seem to be.
Didn’t take long for him to join that Oiler Club.
Well that sucks! Why did he even get on a plane?
Condors hanging on to the 3-2 lead, Benson getting a PIM and then, away from the puck across the blue line he kind of shoes the guy high with his elbow – the guy flops and stays down and Benson is given a major.
Rangers just missed a wide open net for a shortie. Man.
Tarasenko finally gets one back for the Blue Shirts with three minutes to play
Both Malone and Holloway ruled out for the rest of the evening.
Holt has no idea – citing a big hit he gave but can’t think of anything else that may have hurt him.
Flames up 2-0 after one. Rangers have them right where they want them…
😂 I asked Chat GPT why Karlsson is a good hockey player.
Thr Hal 2000 is here.
Stop Dave.
Dave stop.
Holloways hasn’t played in 4-5 minutes and now its noted that he’s not on the bench – no-one knows why at this point.
Most likely an injury of some kind?? Or he needs to fly to Denver immediately for the game tomorrow because a trade was consummated….
As an aside, Malone left the game in the 1st on the play that created the 5 on 3 (by Rafferty) and hasn’t returned – McKegg getting shifts between Holloway and Bourgault.
Dirty play by Rafferty
He’ll never win a Norris playing that way!
Schaefer picks up an assist for his 100th WHL point as Seattle opens up a 6-0 lead.
Noah Philip with a slapper from the point – it goes off Daccord up, off Daccord an in – may have touched Benson but I think its Philp’s 12th.
Right now they’ve given it to Benson.
Kemp will pick up his second assist.
Check that: Officially Benson’s goal for good.
Are Rangers fans on their fanblogs talking about how their team is not a contender and how they need to tighten up defensively?
Yes, they complained their team went down 3-0 and 4-1.
What does this have to do with the Oilers poor team defense?
People are saying the Oilers are not a contender if they can’t beat contending teams like the Rangers. Also a lot of comments about the Oilers not being contender material because of their defense.
Rangers let in 6 first period goals in 2 games. 4 goals against “not a contender” Oilers and 2 goals against “barely in the playoffs” Flames.
If the Rangers are a contending team, I still have hopes for the Oilers.
*NOT in playoffs Flames
You’re right, it’s habit on my part.
The demographic of the crowd in Coachella Valley is a BIT different than that in Bakersfield – ha.
Some mad scramble on the 5 on 3 – Holloway digs it out, shows patience, finds a lane and buries it in to the open net.
2-0.
Condorws on that 5 on 4 PP (a 4 min PP) and CV commits another inflation. For some reason they don’t give the puck up but maintain possession – in any event, Ralph Lavoie is set up at the bottom of the circles, goalie nowhere to be seen, wide open net, and fires it way wide – the puck wasn’t flat but man….. one of the easiest goals you’ll see……
In any even 5 on 3 for a full two minutes coming up
PP1: Holloway, Malone, Griffith, Kesselring, Bailey
Good to see Kesselring keep the PP1 spot over Kaldis (this is 3 games I think).
Holloway with the PP goal.
4 minute PP for Condors late in first period
Now a 5 on 3
Philp gets a quick strike look right on net but stoned by Dacord……I’m watching Philp more than any other player these days.
I had high hopes for him coming out of TC and was expecting a big season. Took some time to adjust, but now that he has, we’ll see if he can take another step forward. I was hoping for an NHLer next season and a cup of Joe this year. Cap will make the latter impossible, barring a Mardi Gras Miracle, but what he can bring would be so useful.
Good zone entry, dump and battle by the vet line (Benson/McKegg/Bailey), puck back to Kemp at the right point, Kaldis activates and gets the feed from Kemp – in to the slot and buries it.
Kaldis has been much better than last little while (I did rip him about a month ago).
Holt says Vinny D. is still out due to illness….. if we take that at face value, he won’t be recalled for tomorrow.
I wonder of the Condors’ will be able to penetrate the Brogran Rafferty led CV defence????
Hollaway starts with Malone and Bourgault – they do mange to ice the puck 13 seconds in and then run around in their own zone for a full minute…..
Holloway-Malone-Bourgault
Hamblin-Philp-Griffith
Benson-McKegg-Bailey
Tullio-Esposito-Lavoie
Kaldis-Kemp
Peters-Kesselring
Niemelainen-Demers
Pickard
Rodrigue
An Oiler leads the LEAGUE in takeaways per 60, 5v5
Foegele
That’s nice.
I’m guessing he also leads the league in bobbles pucks per 60.
Can’t take the puck away when you have possession. 😝
This doesn’t mean what you think it means! -)
Is all your Foegele focus so Broberg doesn’t take blame for that GA?
Okay, he’s over 54% in possession AND leads the LEAGUE in takeaways per 60, 5v5.
Leaders last few seasons:
Mark Stone
Draisaitl, Stone 2nd
Malkin, Stone 2nd
Stone
Skinner
Stone
Stone
Stone
Datsyuk
Datsyuk
Datsyuk
Thornton
Datsyuk
Oilers recall Devon Shore – surprised Deharnais was not recalled at the same time (emergency).
I’ll be interested to see if he’s in the Condors’ lineup which should come out very shortly.
Ryan Holt
@CondorsHolty
·
14m
Condors no longer have a vet problem. Pickard starts, Holloway in for Kambeitz. Niemelainen in for Gildon. Desharnais is not an option tonight.
——-
Not an option because he’s still sick or because he’s still in Edmonton and may play tomorrow……..?
They would never have been able to call up 2 players on emergency recall anyway, would they? (unless the 2nd was Pickard in place of Skinner)
Depends if more players are sick (or hurt) and can’t go tomorrow, right?
I’m not certain. Could they call up multiple players because one (Kostin) missed the last game? Or do they need to play short again to allow for a 2nd emergency call up?
The rules also seem to indicate that it’s specific to 12F, 6D or 2G. So it doesn’t sound like they could call up a defenseman if they have 6 healthy D but not enough forwards. But I’m not sure of the nuances of how the rules are applied (and as is often the case those details are not spelled out).
Brind’Amour with an apple as Quinnipiac takes an early lead.
And give him another as he leads the breakout on the PK, then dishes off for a snipe that puts Quinnipiac up 3-1 in the second.
Then, tired of subsisting on apples, the hungry Bobcat plucks a goal as he tips home a pass on the PP for a 4-1 lead.
I hope the Rangers lay a spanking on the Godless Flamers tonight.
I can easily see Oilers and Rangers in the final that would be a prime time final.
I don’t see Skinner winning us a Stanley, this year,
but I have crystal clear visions of Soup losing us one.
Defense be damned!
It’s the goalie, stupid.
Soup played good last night they hung him him out to dry on more than one occasion. The P.K for some reason are another sits back and defends in almost a triangle formation allowing some very good looks for the opposition from Broadway.I see Campbell peaking during the Playoffs and I will Gamble with any takers that think otherwise. Campbell is 17-8-3 and is rounding into form it’s not how you start but how you finish.
You take Kostin and Vincent out of the line-up your losing Physicality where the Rangers speed can run rampant. I’ll take Holloway Vincent and Kostin in the line-up over a ineffective Yamo any day of the week and twice on Friday.
Per Chris Johnston:
Oiler have inquire if P. Kane was interest in waiving for Edmonton – it has “peaked his interest”
In recent days, the Oilers have broached the possibility of re-signing Jesse Puljujarvi to a smaller deal. CJ doesn’t think the talks have gone anywhere but he doesn’t know where they stand now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb6BB5voSgg&t=1318s
For me, P, Kane, a Shawn of his. normal self due to the hop injury and a poor defensive forward – just doesn’t make sense even though a legit top 6 RW is a need.
I was hoping Ken Holland would at least broach the idea of re-signing JP to a smaller deal.
JP at 2 x $1.25 is value.
Would love to see JP back. Buy low. He’ll bounce back and IMO has looked much better lately.
Sure, but you can’t believe there’s a world where Puljujarvi re-signs with the Oilers for $1.25M x 2?
Smaller fish better suited to patch holes definitely my preference over trying to fly to Mars with Kane.
Guess we really gonna try to outscore our defensive mistakes
Oilers aren’t one of the top six contenders.
Probably need one more year of experience for Broberg, Bouchard, Holloway, McCleod, and Skinner.
So, I hope Ken Holland avoids high end rentals ( P. Kane etc) Only guys with term ( E Karlsson, etc)
Otherwise, baby steps now, and wait for free agency.
Erik Karlsson is unique in that Norris calibre Dmen just don’t come onto the market every year.
( in a dream world Thatcher Demko)
I agree, Oilers are not one of the top 6, but they are close.
However, its hockey. Playoffs don’t care about your regular season record.
See 2019 Lighting, Maple Leafs for multiple years, Capitals for multiple years.
I’d even wager that no one expected Carolina vs Edmonton in 06.
Once your in, its a goddamn roulette table.
Exactly
Curious which goalie Oilers fans are going to bet the house this playoff run?
Skinner or Campbell?
I’m more interested in which one Woodcroft runs with, to be honest.
I used to LOVE watching Colton Parayko. Used to have Parayko envy.
I haven’t seen him play in a LONG time.
BUYER BEWARE
https://bleedinblue.com/2023/02/12/blues-colton-parayko-wont-live-contract-can-rebound/
perhaps with $2m retained and at less than half the asset cost of Karlsson
Kyle Dubas knows math and then some
Kyle Dubas has constructed one hell of a team
Kyle Dubas is a Great GM
There!…….I said it.
I’ve been saying this for years. I’m a fan.
Kyle Dubas got screwed harder by the flat cap then anyone.
Kyle Dubas has put himself in a corner and only has the option of betting on the same team over and over again.
Dubas screwed himself over by signing Tavares before signing Matthews and Marner
Everyone is talking about SJ retain more then their 18% max that they stated as much as they are willing to retain on Karlsson
I think 18% is firm they are not a rich team i beleive. 4 years of retain is alot for any team you wont find many willing to stomach it realistically EK at 9 million would be fine of we didn’t already have 9 million in Nurse
Mike Grief has expressly denied that 18% max if I’m not mistaken. The likes of Seravelli, Friedman, etc. have all advised on that.
I believe SJS’s are one of the top 2-3 richest teams in the league.
Well the current owner is Hasso Plattner, a German Billionaire who made his fortune being one of the founders of SAP, is among the richest owners in the NHL. He resides in Pottsdam, Germany and is rarely seen in San Jose.
The Sharks as a team are the 25th most valuable franchise in the league and are also ranked around 25th in total revenue and have an annual operating income of around $6.7 million.
Hard to say how willing Plattner is to freely spend and how easily he can be convinced big retentions and buyouts are the best and/or quickest way back to on ice success. The Sharks are currently experiencing attendance at 78% capacity, which is second lowest in the league and their average attendance is 2nd lowest as well (ahead of only Arizona who are 100% capacity in a 4,600 seat arena.
I think 18% is minimum palatable to start negotiating actual value of trading for Karlsson and remainder of contract.
He’s entering the buy now pay later end shortly.
Maple Leafs are gonna be sickkkkk
also,
https://twitter.com/andystrickland/status/1626799182068518912?s=20
“Ryan O’Reilly was on the ice with a 5 year-old make-a-wish recipient well after practice today. Literally was giving back to kids until his final day with #stlblue
.”
I agree with OP, we should claim some tits.
Oilers are just one point off of Lowetide’s expected point total for February and can pull even tomorrow with a regulation win. The team hasn’t looked great, but are holding their own and harvesting points while sickness runs through the locker room
A return to health and adding Karlsson, will have us cooking with gas soon. We’ll be challenging for the division lead, and claiming all the tits we can handle!
I claim Sofia Vegara and Kate Upton!!
Wait….. is this legal?
My son and Vegara’s son went to high school together. She’s no spring chicken! She would come to the annual fundraiser. Very nice person.
Once the legality of this is solved, please sign me up for Christina Hendricks.
Foegele gave Kakko a free pass into the corner on the third goal against. Kakko had a shorter distance and a better angle on the puck, and Broberg still almost got there in time.
Foegele lost the game last night with a brain fog on the faceoff.
Foegele made the critical mistake of the game. It was mental mistake. Not bad luck. Not losing a 50-50 battle with good effort. A mental mistake. That means he did not play well.
There are too many players doing this. Thus the poor GA stats and game to game swings in play
Potentially one mental mistake and that means he didn’t play well and the primary reason the Oilers lost the game – a little harsh for one play in the corner of the ice.
And I say potentially because he held up Kakko briefly as he deflected the puck into the corner then deliberately spun off him to go out to cover the point man. Seems like he believed that was his intended assignment. Maybe his error was an execution one, not getting the puck back far enough into the corner when he tipped it. Maybe Broberg over committed going when going after puck which then resulted in MacLeod also going after Kappo and leaving Bouchard now to decide between covering Chytil or Lafrieniere, but he basically stayed in no man’s land between them not helping at all.
Thing is, you don’t actually know what Woody has assigned to each player as their responsibility off that face off result, so while you can have an opinion on whether you believe Foegele made a mental error on that play, you don’t actually know if Woody believes Foegele didn’t attempt to do what Woody would have expected him to.
I will concede I don’t know, but I can see many possibilities equally as plausible besides the one you seem to think is a fact. And there are many reasons why the Oilers lost that game besides the immediate outcome of Foegele deciding to go up the left wall at that point.
Foegele gave a free possesion of the puck in the OIlers corner to Kakko. “Hey, the puck is in our corner. Kappo, you are the guy closest to it. Here have it, while I race off to the point.”
That is correct, and his correct assignment
to narrow the loss last night to Foegele is unfair. They gave up two three goal leads and never gave the sense they would win.
No waivers today.
I am presuming an emergency recall (or two) prior to tomorrow’s game.
I doubt Deharnais plays (if he even got on the plane) tonight and maybe Pickard is on a plane.
This is a great story from my corner of SK.
The Battle of the Little Big Puck is taking place tonight. It’s an annual charity hockey game between the local cowboys and the nearby Nekaneet First Nation, raising money for various causes..and it has done so for four decades already.
With a good chance the cap is going nowhere next year, let’s claim our tits about adding $11M players. Cap is king next year.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradadgate/2023/02/15/sinclairs-bally-sports-is-on-the-verge-of-bankruptcy-upending-local-sports-revenue-model/?sh=bd2617b25dfd
I think if we wait until the off-season Grier will realize that Karlsson can only be traded if San Jose retains 50%.
As good as he is, nobody will trade for that contract unless it’s significantly de-risked.
I don’t think anyone is talking about adding an $11MM (or $11.5MM) cap hit but structuring a trade to pay additional assets to get that cap hit down to the $7MM range and likely moving on from the $4.5MM Barrie cap hit in the process, right?
Don’t get me wrong, it will still add to the “crunch” for next season but there won’t be an $11MM cap hit added.
Geeze thanks.
Ummm, your welcome.
I hate to bitch about it but what is up with Jack M and Louie D from SN telling us what a great, thrilling, entertaining etc. game we are watching. You would need to be blind to not see how the Oilers let a 4-1 lead slip away and be happy about it. Post game they were both smiling and enjoying an Oil loss. All I can say to them is grow some balls and call the game from an Oilers point of view…put on the homer hat like all fans watching and be honest! Rooting for a close one goal game and enjoying home team losses instead of hoping we score more goals and blow out the other team will only lead to your finally being replaced.
How’s Mexico lindo?
Sunny, warm and relaxing….living the life!
They were certainly correct in telling us the game was not over even at 3-0 and 4-1.
Mind readers and fortune tellers could have said that LOL!!
Yeah, you’re right, ROTFLMAO
Agreed, I didn’t understand why Jack was screaming about how great the game was every 2 minutes … you don’t need to sell to people already watching the game. Jack is the real life Cocaine Bear some nights.
I agree. I gave up when Jack Michaels screamed “And that’s why the NHL is the best league in the world!”
I wasn’t happy with losing the lead and not getting the extra point but the game was certainly entertaining and provided me, as an Oiler fan, with lots of thrills.
If Derek Ryan puts his shootout chance a few inches higher the Oilers win in the shootout and you, as an Oiler fan, are likely happy. Nothing in the prior 2:45 changes but it appears it would turn from non entertaining to entertaining for you…
OP makes a good point. If we won the skills competition, the narrative around here would be a lot different.
We lost a three goal lead, the announcers should have recognized that. Instead when ever NY scored we were told how exciting and entertaining the game was WTF.
Not sure about you but I always root for the Oilers to win by three or four every game, that my young friend is entertainment. Losing a three goal lead in the last 30 minutes of the game less so and Jack M can scream as much as he wants still sucks.
What you want, got the much hated Remenda fired.
But I agree with you, it would be nice to have someone “tell it like it is.”
Why was the reverse engineer who has a tattoo of a Shark on his ass doing Colour for the Oilers during the Dark Ages.
Nearly every game…..it’s getting really bad.
Constant defending of players- Campbell etc
The skill/depth difference was shocking when the shootout started getting deep.
Meh – not really.
The Rags used a bunch of “high skill” players that have not been good in shootouts in their career – the Oilers could have matched that with Kane and Hyman (was was 0-1 in his career).
The difference in goalie sure showed. Why the Rangers were shooting instead of deke was baffling to me. Everyone in the league should know that Campbell can easily be deked out. 2 for 2 when they did.