The last time Edmonton won Stanley was 1990. Glen Sather was the general manager, John Mucker the coach. Assistant coaches? Ted Green and Ron Low. It was the least likely of Edmonton’s Stanley teams, but it was a formidable roster. Reijo Ruotsailainen was a fantastic player and he delivered (2-11-13 in 22 games) in the playoffs.
Oilers fans would like to add Erik Karlsson to the current roster and have that represent the spark that brings Stanley No. 6 to Edmonton. It’s a damn good idea, not sure I’ve seen a series of moves that can make it happen. It would be a majestic trade, we’ll know either way by Friday beer time.
WHO SAYS NO? Evaluating your Edmonton Oilers trades for Erik Karlsson, Jakob Chychrun, Mattias Ekholm and more
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Oilers signing Vincent Desharnais, James Hamblin proving innovative, effective one year later
- DNB: Inside Brad Holland’s scouting process
- Lowetide: 5 Oilers prospects with the most value ahead of NHL trade deadline
- DNB: 15 Oilers targets ahead of the NHL trade deadline
- Lowetide: What’s going on with Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl?
- DNB: Oilers captain Connor McDavid surpasses 800 career points
- Lowetide: Revisiting Oilers’ choice of Philip Broberg at the 2019 NHL Draft
- Lowetide: Oilers have an emerging prospect in Noah Philp
- 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
- 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 0-0-1)
- At home to: PHI (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- On the road to: PIT, CBJ (Expected 1-0-1) (Actual 1-1-0)
- 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: 4-2-4, 12 points in 10 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: 32-20-8, 72 points in 60 games
Edmonton’s March schedule is going to be difficult (there are 15 games, 10 are tough outs) and the Columbus game is lost in the supermarket. Edmonton versus Boston looks like a lopsided Bruins win if you watched the Blue Jackets game, but the Penguins game was wildly encouraging. Who knows? I can say, having watched these two teams play for decades, it’s almost always entertaining. One of my favourite memories? The Martin Marincin shootout goal that won it for Edmonton on a night my daughter and I attended the game together.
LOWETIDE TRADE LIST
- RD Erik Karlsson, San Jose Sharks. He’s the best available fit.
- LD Jakob Chychrun, Arizona Coyotes. Fans are divided on him, this blog endorses the acqusition.
- RW Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks. I don’t think it’s realistic, but you never know.
- LD Jake McCabe, Chicago Blackhawks. Edmonton is on his no-fly list but he’s worthy.
- RW Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks. He could soar with Edmonton’s centers.
- RD Radko Gudas, Florida Panthers. He’s tough as nails.
- RD Nick Jensen, Washington Capitals. A solid second-pairing RH blue. Worthy acquisition.
- RC Colton Sissons, Nashville Predators. A nice fit for a team that needs faceoff help.
- LD Shayne Gostisbehere, Arizona Coyotes. Chaos blue, but rel numbers five-on-five are back to black.
RW Ivan Barbashev, St. Louis Blues. Versatile and has enough offense to move up at times.- RC Nick Bjugstad, Arizona Coyotes. Inexpensive RHC having a good year.
- LW Gustav Nyquist, Columbus Blue Jackets. He’s on LTIR, won’t be ready for playoffs. Has appeal.
LW Tanner Jeannot, Nashville Predators. Agitator who can play.- LW Max Domi, Chicago Blackhawks. Suspect he signs with Chicago, but he’s an option.
- LC Lars Eller, Washington Capitals. Veteran center could help on PK and bottom-six suppression.
- RW Taylor Raddysh, Chicago Blackhawks. Big winger emerging.
- LD Dmitri Kulikov, Anaheim Ducks. Veteran offers depth.
- LD Vladislav Gavrikov, Columbus Blue Jackets. He isn’t the defensemen they’re looking for.
- LW Sam Lafferty, Chicago Blackhawks. Bob loves him, good rel numbers. Not worth a 2nd. I’d pass.
POSSIBLE POST-DEADLINE ROSTER
- Erik Karlsson and Evgeny Svechnikov to Edmonton for 2023 first-round pick, 2024 first-round pick, Tyson Barrie, Jesse Puljujarvi, Xavier Bourgault and Dylan Holloway. SJS retains $4.3 million.
- 2023 third-round pick for Nick Bjugstadt.
- Kailer Yamamoto and 2024 second-round pick for Max Domi, Chicago retains $1.5 million.
- Sharks can’t retain $4.3 million. Some of your suggestions are excellent.
CONDORS NUMBERS VIA ERIC RODGERS
These are up to date estimates from our friend Eric Rodgers. He does time-on-ice estimates and they are based on work that goes back decades and should be considered the best available in terms of estimates.
Mike Kesselring is the star of this group, and I do think another NHL team might ask after him at the deadline.
Phil Kemp is playing more of a depth role, but is getting great results.
This is a terrific group of forward prospects, but three men (in bold) are separating themselves. The estimates are a tell, you can see that Xavier Bourgault receives a push and the outscoring is there but he’s lagging as an offensive contributor. Raphael Lavoie was slow played early due to inconsistency, the team was not quick to put Noah Philp in his best situation (center on a strong line) and Tyler Tullio was healthy scratched for a time and received depth minutes early when he did dress.
My own opinion is that Tullio is eating everyone’s lunch, but Bourgault is the first-round selection and will be first to the NHL among the trio of prospects age 20. Philp could get to the NHL tomorrow and not look out of place in my opinion.
LOWETIDE AND JAMIESON
A big show today, TSN1260, as we look forward to the Bruins game and the week to come, with special emphasis on the trade deadline. Darren Dreger, TSN insider, will give us the latest at noon. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!
Detroit re-signs Jake Walman 3 x $3.4M.
I think Reja’s right. You have to give Soupy the Leafs. Got to give a player a chance to stick a dagger in the back of his former employers. Gord knows it’s been done to our guys enough times.
He can’t be any more motivated than he will be for that game. And maybe not in his own head and focused on kicking ass.
Hilarious how these things play out.
Moral victory
That was pretty close to a fifty-fifty game and it was lost on a fifty-fifty goal.
You could run that game through the casino-verse a 100 times and probably come out 52-48 in wins, and then flip to 48-52 wins on the next 100.
And in those 100 games
Yamamoto would still miss those sitters. Lol
He gets a high price from any West Coast team not Los Angeles.
Seattle would be great and for his service for being a pretty fair Oiler he gets a fond farewell.
Add JP to any deal for Karlsson and Holland gets manager of the century.
Goalie against Toronto?
Tough call. Brown and Reid are discussing it. Brown leaning towards Skinner.
Not tough. Skinner. We likely won’t score 6 against them
You forgot that Campbell has the better GAA since mid-December, lol.
Campbell 17-8-4
Skinner 15-13-4
A couple more Moral victories and we might not be in a Playoff spot.
I don’t give a eff who the Goalie is or his record. You always go with the Guy that’s playing his former team for the 1st time. It’s a no brainer and Woody knows it.
I’m not sure that last point is based in truth – you care ALOT about win/loss record with goalies – it seems its the more important consideration for you.
A loss is a loss.
Need to beat top teams to be successful in the playoffs.
Played well. Needed to be better.
This loss stings, precisely because the Oilers showed they were fully capable of winning the game and beating the Bruins. Finishing your chances is a VERY important skill in the NHL.
I find it amazing Dubas keeps making trades without losing roster players yet Holland says it’s dollar in dollar out. Come on Ken be creative and get it done.
Holland follows the Old Farmers Almanac.
Dubas has no use for futures because he’s done (maybe Matthews too) if the Leafs don’t make real noise this year.
The world does not actually end for Ken Holland and the Edmonton Oilers before July 1st, 2023.
I’m fairly certain Holland will make some substantive moves this week, but ‘win now’ for Kyle Dubas (next 3 months) and ‘win now’ for Ken Holland (next 3 years) are not quite the same thing.
So you’re saying, Toronto, Tampa, Boston, the Rangers, Colorado and Vegas are all foolish for pushing their chips in because Ken Holland will have another shot at it next season.
There is ZERO evidence that those teams won’t be just as powerful next season while Holland may piss away another prime McDavid/Draisaitl season.
Nevermind the surging Devils, Sabres and Kings.
Read again. I said Holland will push his chips in, just not all of them.
The world ends for Kyle Dubas if major progress doesn’t happen this playoff season. Things are not 100% do or die for Ken Holland and the Oilers.
The Leafs have only 1 of 6 picks remaining from rounds 1st/2nd of the next 3 drafts.
Holland will spend a 1st and/or 2nd this year, but he can and should keep picks from future years to spend in future years.
Ken Holland and the Oilers will fight another day, Kyle Dubas and the Leafs very well may not.
Holland was hired to win. Not to build a winner. The time is now no different than Toronto imo.
It is though.
Dubas is literally managing for his life. He has this one kick at the can and no more lives if the Leafs go out early. Matthews becomes UFA in 16 months, at age 26 (thanks to Dubas).
Holland, with McDavid and Draisaitl have multiple kicks at the can.
I’m not in any way saying ‘keep your powder dry’. I’m just saying don’t blow 3 years of powder in 1 year.
Does anyone remember the Florida Panthers? They really managed going all in well, didn’t they?
Dubas has been able to make trades because they have enough dollars to work with in LTIR. They’ll need to move out approx. $1.9MM (I think?) in order to activate Matt Murray, who’s close to returning.
Yam with 19:45 TOI
interesting
Maybe being showcased for a trade?
Nashville was interested in him…hope they missed the game tonight.
Yamo was probably flubbing wide-opens on purpose so he could stay. Clever lil bugger.
Jesse with a crisp 6:04
Unbelievable
So… not showcased?
Yamo got 3x the ice time……
How does the schedule maker decide both To and Boston get phlegms on the back half of a back to back? Phelgms has had quite afew of these.
Cassie Campbell wining and dining Bettman.
lol
You are assuming the Oil would actually play better on the 2nd night of a back to back, I don’t think that’s the case, they usually slack off.
Well at least the oilers beat up the Bruins for the Flames game tomorrow with the Nurse skate on Marchand ankle, Krejci with butt end of his own stick, Bergeron with the high stick to his face and Desharnais with the wicked slash on Pastrnak.
The Oilers make lots of mistakes with the puck and, when they do, we often talk about how good teams don’t make mistakes, etc., etc.
The next time it happens (well, every game really), lets remember this game.
The Bruins made their fair share of mistakes with the puck including giving up two odd-man rushes against while protecting a one-goal lead late and on a 5 on 3.
The real difference in the game was missed empty net goals from Yamamoto and Janmark.
that one was on the coach, the idiot.
Oilers play better on the road they grip their sticks way to tight at home. No doubt I want to see them win every game but it want hurt my feelings if they start on the road.
The Bruins also played both odd man’s properly and the Oilers got one half decent shot out of them
The first two Bruins goals were shithouse coverage as always. Then they managed to tighten up
No big screw ups it was winnable for sure. We hoped for the best…
I’m sorry but giving up those odd-man breaks in the first place were due to poor plays with the puck and terrible game management. We’d be LOSING IT if it was the other way around.
Janmark and Yamamoto missed wide open nets with the goalie out of it – I”m pretty sure those weren’t breaking through lock down defence by the Bruins,
The Bruins were lucky that Oilers didn’t take advantage of their mistakes like the normally would
Also that 50/50 Zacha/Skinner puck that got up and over Skinner rather than the other 350 degrees it could as easily have gone.
Yep that was a super flukey goal.
Any time a player scores from the prone position, a certain amount of luck is usually required.
We are magnets for giving these up. It’s weird.
Refs take forever to give a goal on basically the same play they took a goal away from McDavid. I have no idea if there a goal or not but the result should be the same.
While it’s not the main reason tonight in fairness I need to say say
0.893 – Stu
0.917 -Sway
We win the game with 0.905
All I want is 0.905
Uh.. a .905 on 28 shots still rounds to 3GA and a 3-2 loss.
And Sway is the backup.
They are deep, no doubt.
Technically so is Skinner
Two things about the Bruins that struck me this game…
The first is that the pundits are right, this is a team that doesn’t beat themselves. I th9ought the Rangers looked more talented, the bolts more formidable, but the Bruins do not cheat for offense whatsoever and make few mistakes. The slot is a fortress, every damn sortie. We played them well, but have to finish more chances or get another save.
The second is related. One of the ways the Bruins don’t sell the farm is the careful way they play offense. Even Pasta doesn’t really rip shots on his open looks. He was taking something off it and making sure it got on net in a troublesome area instead.
Our boys can learn something from tonight’s game tape and that’s always a good thing when you’re playing a team that does the hockey better than you. We’re faster and more skilled. But we weren’t better. Take the opportunity to learn.
Imagine sitting Matt Grzelcyk.
GF: 50 / GA 19
Montgomery worries about getting all of his D ice time.
I’m not saying they’re not talented or fast. I’m saying they play a tighter more disciplined game than anyone else. Add that to the talent they have and it’s a powerful combo
I agree… I was just fascinated by their D depth.
Did not realize the Orlov trade created this much D depth for them.
The Bruins play such a fantastically structured game. No room given in their own zone, everybody consistently where they are supposed to be.
I disagree. We were the more talented team tonight and played the hockey much better than the Bruins. The old farts on the other end of the ice got lucky to get out of Rogers with 2 points.
I hate when people are satisfied with a loss like tonight just because BOS has the best record in the league. We heavily outplayed them and should have won that game.
Just from watching the games this year…no chance BOS gets out of the East. TB would take them, TOR would take them, and CAR would definitely take them. I am shocked they have that record after watching tonight’s game. Is Ullmark that good this year???
That’s a lot to base on watching one game, which they won.
Again I disagree. I view it more like we choked out a loss instead of them winning the game.
Do you actually think BOS was the better team tonight? Not even close.
If you are saying we were the more talented team tonight, then you’re agreeing, lol. We didn’t heavily outplay anyone, the metrics are largely even, with Oilers having a slight edge in possession and the Bruins a slight edge on scoring chances and high danger.
Lol – Boston is the Leafs playoff kryptonite.
Bruins didn’t really play their A game either.
They have beaten all the teams you have mentioned this year.
On the first point, I thought the Bruins were quite sloppy with the puck at times and the Oilers were “unlucky” not to score a few more.
The Bruins gave up two odd man rushes while on a 5 on 3 protecting a lead late in the 3rd……… they almost beat themselves tonight, in my opinion.
I will sleep tonight dreaming of these two teams in a SC Final matchup….
What a disgrace it takes 7 minutes for the idiots in Toronto to read the rule book on offsides in the game winning Goal OT in Dallas.
I recall earlier this season, the Oilers making an exact replica of that play (momentary loss of possession crossing the line), and the ruling went against Edmonton. We were super pissed then … tonight proves what utter idiots those reviewers in Toronto truly are.
The Makar Goal wrecked the outcome of the series, that Goal deflated us to a point of no return. I know Woody’s a Rookie but he needs to start giving it to these Refs. It’s Bullshit these Refs know we hit on almost 1of 3 PP so tackling McDavid and especially Leon is Legal unless we’re behind by 3.
Didn’t hate that game. Would have been acceptable if not in the shadow of the CBJ loss. On to Toronto, gonna need to maintain the physical and the pace for the next 2 weeks, they’ll be ok.
Overall pretty good game. The Bruins for all the accolades didn’t look that special to me against the Oilers.
I still think the Oilers are missing the dirty, scrappy goals in their game. The bruins got a few tonight. It was the difference in this one. I like that they play with skill, and try to create goals that way, but they also have to take what’s being given to them at least sometimes and direct pucks towards the net with a bit more urgency.
Why did Kostin get a 4 minute penalty there was no blood.
Bettman was watching on house today and made it so? I truly didn’t get that either.
So if the great hall of famer sells the high stick it a instant 4 minute penalty.
He was cut.
He was. He didn’t bleed much, but the Bruins feed showed a clear cut.
I didn’t see any on the Sportsnet feed now Krejci on the other hand was bleeding like a stuck pig.
Yup. The irony was that the Bruins feed showed Krejci bleeding but did NOT show that it was his own stick until the review was almost done. They sure were on top of Bergeron being cut in real time though.
(and while they’re shameless homers, if I’m being honest, the NESN crews do call an enjoyable game)
Being saying it for years we have such a polite and nuetral almost to a fault home broadcasting crew trying too hard that it works against us. These Refs are human if you don’t think they don’t sway to the mob rules crowd then so be it but I happen to think otherwise.
I don’t think the words of the regional broadcast crew made one iota of difference to the decision making of the on-ice officials.
Great game. Evenly played. Too bad Oilers couldn’t get a point out of it. OT without a doubt would have been spectacular.
Good game, thought we might have gotten an even up call on the trip right before the mostly hilarious slash to Pasta’s spine.
Would have been a heck of a time to get one from Yamo or JP…
Great effort though, heartening indeed.
I think I counted 3 golden chances for Yamo that weren’t finished. His finishing “touch” seems to have dwindled. If there’s a choice between him or Pujo on who to sit or trade, I say trade/sit Yamo.
Vinny’s going to have a long career in the NHL. He blocked 3-4 shots on that PK and doled out some legit punishment before being sent to the sin bin.
Dallas-Vancouver game may be about to rewrite the offside rules yet again
I was just scratching my head about this debating if it’s worth even a saying anything.
By my eye, whatever happens with the trade dedline, Barrie isn’t going anywhere this season. AND I expect Desharnais will be a good contributor in the pplayoffs. Simple game, but he does it well. LOVE his physical prescence and willingness to block shots.
Mi nuevo favorito!
Offseason might be interesting for moves though. Especially if they are still pursing Ekholm or Karlsson, which I think they should.
That’s the type of game that makes me love hockey and cheer for this team. Not perfect, shit happens/happened but the effort was on point. I look forward to the rematch on the road, hopefully with a new player or two. The team has to build on this with the Leafs and Jets on the horizon.
If we play that well moving forward we’re going to win a lot more games than we lose.
Question: when do we get the ref’s to start looking the other way as consistently as they do for the Bruins? That starts next year right?
If they make the call when Janmark gets taken down, there’s no Vinnie Lumberjack later.
If that was us against LA in last years playoffs:
They definitely would make that call…
Is it not bizarre when edmonton leading you know a penalty is coming against even if weak call?
There was a couple non calls against boston that I’m pretty certain wouldn’t have passed if situation reversed as far as lead.
Damn good game all the same.
Absolutely great hockey game. Best of the year. No blame going anywhere from me. Sometimes you gotta give the other guy there due.
I just hope Holland didn’t watch and think we’re good enough and stands pat on the deadline.
I think Holland looks at tonight’s game and thinks that this team plays their best against the best teams. They just need a little push … like the kind that a puck-moving defenseman could provide.
Solid game by the Oilers.
Jury is still out on whether they can score enough when playing a solid defensive game.
Very solid.
i contend this game should have finished 2-1 for us.
3 GA on 26 shots for Skinner
PS – NHL.COM now saying 3 goals on 30 shots
Young men play very undisciplined hockey when that game was in the balance.
Not good enough boys, not good enough
That was the best 3-5 I’ve ever seen.
No reason to hang your heads, fellas.
In a seven game series we win 4-2.
I’ve been waiting for this type of effort all year!!!
In a series no way the Oilers win as is. The barely hung in because they reduced mistakes, but like the Avs last playoffs if they had time to counter what we do, we wouldn’t be able to respond
The team is still basically only able to play one style well and it’s not a tight defensive, play through the clogged ice game, and still get quality SC. Connor aside
Also a missed interference call on McDavid, Bruin impeded his progress in returning to other end to create odd man advantage
A nice game by the lads. Pretty tight and tidy. A little more finish and they could have won it
Hell of a hockey game – great job by the Oilers.
Frustrating the winning goal was that weird one at the end of the 2nd.
Frustrating the main reason they lost was they missed glorious empty net chances.
Frustrating the elite guys couldn’t score on those late SH chances.
That’s a heaterning performance.
What is the deal with Draisaitl and that spinning back pass to nowhere?
Yeah – Leon just doesn’t have that killer instinct at 5v5. Always looking pass.
McDavid should’ve shot the puck on the SH 2-on-1.
That’s too bad. Yamamoto and Janmark’s missed chances come back to haunt them.
The 2 best chances of the period came with the Oilers down 2 players 3 v 5
Should be a fun radio show tomorrow LT!!
You can’t hope for more than a 2-1 with McDavid and Drai
Drai you can’t fucking do that
Why is Yamo on the ice to end the game
Blind behind the back pass to no one instead of getting it to the net. Fitting end.
How in the world are they getting these chances down 5 on 3?
How in the world did they not score….?
If you don’t shoot the puck on net ……
Nurse get that fgn puck out ffs
He used up all his puck luck up in the contract year.
Scoring Gods not with the Oilers tonight.
Not even a shot on goal?
Straight up, the oilers don’t get calls because of how good their power play is.
Mostly geography, I’d say.
So close to game not being ruined by the refs. 4mins for Kostin with no blood and no call on the haul down on Janmark.
That Vinny chop was wild and was definitely a penalty haha.
Bergeron was cut above the eye.
My bad, thanks for the correction.
Yeah it wasn’t obvious originally but noticeable when Bergeron was taking a draw against Draisaitl to the left of Skinner. Kostin managed to give both of Boston’s top two centres shiners without dropping his gloves. Both plays were kinda flukey. Oilers just didn’t have good puck luck tonight.
If I’m Woodcroft the young guys that drew you down to a 5v3 with 4 left are in a wee bit of shit.
Horrible disciple for guys who don’t have a guaranteed spot in the lineup.
Refs sour about the 5 minute major, take their pound of flesh.
Just simply some great efforts tonight.