The Edmonton Oilers had a good draft in 2021, or at least it’s tracking that way. First-round selection Xavier Bourgault enjoyed a strong finish to his junior career and finished No. 28 in AHL rookie scoring (despite not playing a feature role). The club also drafted impact junior Matvey Petrov who turns pro this fall. There is much anticipation about his future. Both men qualify as positive arrows based on the template I discussed in the book “On the Clock” a year ago.
The Oilers did draft men who don’t fit the criteria. Luca Munzenberger is a shutdown defenseman, a player who will occupy a third-pairing position if the NHL if he gets that far.
Yesterday, the Oilers acquired RHC Jayden Grubbe from the New York Rangers. He’s also a bottom-six prospect, who did score enough to project as a solid pro player. Does he have an NHL future based on his junior numbers?
THE ATHLETIC!
- New DNB: What I’m hearing about Oilers’ offseason plans: Trade candidates, Erik Karlsson interest, more
- Lowetide: 5 Oilers assets that could have value in a trade this summer
- Lowetide: How the Oilers may handle a change in management
- Lowetide: Will the Oilers draft (and keep) a world class agitator in 2023?
- DNB: The Oilers missed a true Stanley Cup chance this year and the contention clock is ticking
- Lowetide: Can Oilers prospect Raphael Lavoie make the team in 2023-24?
- DNB: Oilers 2022-23 predictions revisited
- Lowetide: 10 Edmonton Oilers free-agent targets for this summer
- DNB: Oilers offseason priorities: A 10-step plan for ensuring success next season
- Lowetide: 7 ways the Oilers can create cap room for 2023-24
- Lowetide: Why Oilers winger Klim Kostin could be a key to Oilers summer
- DNB: How the Oilers roster could soon look different
- DNB: Oilers GM Ken Holland focused on ‘unfinished business’ entering final year of his contract
- Lowetide: How Oilers GM Ken Holland built the team and the cost to get this far
- DNB: Oilers digest season that was, know next year is ‘Stanley Cup or it’s a failure’
- Lowetide: Are Oilers prospects’ minor league stats an indication of future NHL success?
- Lowetide: Identifying a 2023 NHL Draft sleeper prospect for the Oilers
- Lowetide: Stock up or down for every Oilers prospect in the system
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2022
TOP SCORING AHL ROOKIE FORWARDS, AGE 20 (OR LESS) IN 2022-23
- LW William Dufour (NYI) 69, 21-27-48
- RC Mavrik Bourque (DAL) 70, 20-27-47
- LC Jiri Kulich (BUF) 62, 24-22-46
- LC Vasily Ponomarev (CAR) 64, 24-22-46
- LW Will Cuylle (NYR) 65, 25-20-45
- LW Danil Gushchin (SJS) 67, 22-23-45
- LW Elliott Desnoyers (PHI) 65, 23-21-44
- LW William Eklund (SJS) 54, 17-24-41
- RW Luke Evangelista (NAS) 49, 9-32-41
- RW Fabien Lysell (BOS) 54, 14-23-37
- RW Isak Rosen (BUF) 56, 14-23-37
- RW Xavier Bourgault (EDM) 62, 13-21-34
- LC Hendrix Lapierre (WAS) 60, 15-15-30
- LC Ridley Greig (OTT) 39, 15-14-29
- LW Martin Chromiak (LAK) 55, 15-13-28
Bourgault got some feature time, but also spent time in a depth role and on the penalty kill. I’m not sure the organization gave him the kind of push we might have expected, it resembled (to me) something similar to the handling of Jesse Puljujarvi and Kailer Yamamoto. Never getting the feature center, riding the rookie when hot, fading him when he was not having an impact. That’s my take. I’m fairly strong on this player, but his range of skills was a surprise and I always favor (Horcoff, Pouliot, Nuge) that type of player.
Jayden Grubbe
There’s plenty of hype after the trade and signing, and the draft day scouting reports are impressive in a narrow view. He’s a big center, two-way type, works hard and is aggressive on the forecheck. Lots of talk about being a leader. RLR had him in the third round, Corey Pronman 119 overall.
Craig MacTavish once said (about Teemu Hartikainen) that to make the NHL, even in a depth role, you need to provide some offense. Does Grubbe’s resume imply it’s possible? His offensive output is pedestrian. Over half of his points last season came on the power play, it’s unlikely we’ll see him get five-on-four time in the AHL, let alone the NHL.
I’d say the Oilers acquired a player who has a chance to be a solid AHL center, with some NHL time possible. I believe the trade is value for value, there’s no winner or loser in this deal. I understand the organization’s extreme need for prospects in the pipeline, have been writing about it for weeks. I have no quarrel with the trade.
I do find the early hype on him fascinating. It suggests the team believes it has a real one, and that will be important to remember as we track this player. Math is indifferent, the verbal from various connected media is euphoric. That’s a range, people. That’s a range.
- Jayden Grubbe (WHL) (age 19) 64 games, 18-49-67 (1.05) NHLE: 25.9
- Carl Berglund (H-East) (age 22) 36 games, 12-15-27 (.75) NHLE: 24.2
- Noah Philp (AHL) (age 24) 70 games, 19-18-37 (.53) NHLE: 21.1
The NHLE favours him, but I would bet Noah Philp is the better prospect at this time. I do think Grubbe will project into a very similar role.
I think there’s two stories here, frankly. One is the Oilers early hype machine being at 11 (‘it goes to 11’) and the other is Grubbe’s seemingly being blocked by Philp. Of course one of them can move to wing.
One final item: My confidence in the organization has grown since the Kostin, Ekholm and Bjugstad trades, all fine bets. I think we should give this deal time, while also acknowledging his limitations and likely career trajectory.
50-MAN LIST (34)
- Goalies (5): Stuart Skinner, Jack Campbell, Calvin Pickard, Olivier Rodrigue, Ryan Fanti
- Left Defense (6): Darnell Nurse, Mattias Ekholm, Brett Kulak, Philip Broberg, Markus Niemelainen, Cam Dineen
- Right Defense (4): Cody Ceci, Vincent Desharnais, Phil Kemp, Max Wanner
- Center (7): Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, James Hamblin, Brad Malone, Greg McKegg, Carl Berglund, Jayden Grubbe
- Left Wing (5): Evander Kane, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Dylan Holloway, Carter Savoie, Matvey Petrov
- Right Wing (7): Zach Hyman, Kailer Yamamoto, Warren Foegele, Xavier Bourgault, Tyler Tullio, Seth Griffith, Jake Chiasson
- RFA: Ryan McLeod, Klim Kostin, Evan Bouchard, Raphael Lavoie, Noah Philp
I’ve been bitching and moaning for weeks now, so the addition of Grubbe is encouraging. I have no doubt he’ll go to the Bakersfield Condors and have two-way success.
What’s next for the Oilers in procurement? Patrik Puistola news does not appear to be forthcoming, so he likely joins names like Hayden Hawkey who were acquired but never played for the organization. I think that’s better than the tease of Risto Jalo, don’t you?
LOWETIDE AND JAMIESON
A busy show today, as the NBA finals get underway and CFL Week 3 of preseason begins tonight, too. We’ll talk Oilers, NHL final and more. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. See you on the radio!
Sail on Tampere Tiger.
https://oilersnation.com/news/patrik-puistola-the-prospect-the-oilers-received-in-exchange-for-jesse-puljujarvi-is-now-a-free-agent
Ferraro picking Vegas in 5 games in the final.
Who you got?
Florida in 5.
Tkachuk with 2 game winners and Conne Smythe winner.
I’m going with Vegas in 6.
The Knights D is talented, big and deep.
Always go with the Russian Backstop that’s in the zone.
He is indeed the wildcard.
Knights D I dont disagree.
But the right side of Florida is absolute fire. I think its the best right side Dcore in the league, or close to.
Ekblad on the top pairing, who can play all situations, a true number 1 Dman.
Montour had 73 points this year!!! Pure offense.
And some soft as a marshmellow guy named Gudas on the 3rd pairing who is a good physical defensive Dman.
For me, you cant ask for a better Dcore on the right side. This is a coaches dream to have these 3 players to role out on the right side.
But, on the left side, they have a past his prime Marc Staal playing in the top 4, so….but hey they are in the finals.
Which makes me think, that a healthy Ceci can play in the top 4 and be fine for the Oilers.
Patrick Kane has hip surgery, out 4-6 months
https://theathletic.com/4572651/2023/06/01/patrick-kane-hip-surgery/
Could well be the end.
John Shannon confirming on the radio that Ray Ferraro will be working 25+ games as colour analyst on Canucks games this season.
I’ll just restate it makes zero sense to trade any dmen this summer. If you trade Kulak in July you will need to replace him in March at a net loss. Maybe you trade Ceci at the deadline for a more expensive pending UFA RD when you can manage the cap hit more easily. We will have way better options in March as compared to July. Run the existing 7 guys with Ceci at 2RD which is his natural place. Lots of options with the existing group
All true, except one runs Broberg at 2RD with Nurse to try to obviate the need of acquiring a right D at the deadline. Ceci is cover for doing that, but one cannot go into the playoffs again with Ceci in the top four expecting different results than last season. One has to see whether Broberg can do the job.
I’m curious why Broberg is consistently listed as a RD. I appreciate he can play the right side but is this really where he is at his best?
The few glaring errors we saw in the playoffs seemed to stem from him being on his off-side and twisting into the boards/ice i.e. the footwork required when facing the wrong way
Yes, he fell down once – Kulak also fell over the blue line twice in a short span earlier in the season – leading to goals against.
I am one that generally is against d-man playing their off-side until proven efficient at it in the NHL – being efficient at it in any other league is not equatable to the NHL.
With that being said, he has succeeded at doing it in other leagues, this team has 3 vet LD that need to play and the 3rd right shot D is a tweener that Broberg should play ahead of.
The regular season seems to be the optimal time to see how he does in the role.
Ceci according to reports was playing with a strained groin for most of the year. I would like to see him start the season and see how he does. I hate how we run people out of town from a few bad games or 1 bad season.
The Avalanche continually turnstiled him the year before. To try to win the Cup with Ceci in the top 4 is already failed bet. Those who fail to learn from history.
One has to change the potential of the team to improve the odds of winning a Cup. That means taking measured risks. Playing Broberg in the top 4 from the start of the season is a necessary measured risk.
Or the Oilers will be gutting more of the future at the tradeline.
The Oiler may have to do it anyways. It is worth it to see if Broberg can solve the problem. Or solve it enough, so one can just swap Ceci out, and somebody else in at the deadline to improve the odds even more.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Broberg may fail, or may not improve enough by the trade deadline, but it is an absoluted necessity to try it and find out.
If only Ceci’s partner in the Avs series didn’t have a torn hip flexor……
ok, ok, we get what you want to see already……
I see that you are relatively new here! -).
I have been beating dead horses since 2007.
Jaja! Did it help the horse or just make you feel better? I think we all can fall prey to that one….
Better than beating a dead parrot (He’s just pining for the Fjords, really….Norwegian Blue-beautiful plumage.)
There are parrots in Norwegia?
Nurse doesn’t play 2nd pairing on this team. He plays first pairing via minutes and TOI vs. elites.
Broberg could/should very well get a chance at 2RD….. with Ekholm who plays 2LD on this team.
All the Nurse haters and the admirers of offensive only D and Sportnet broadcasts already list Ekholm Bouchard as the first pairing.
Anyone can list anything they want. I mean, you list Broberg as top right pairing D, right?
All I know is the coaches deploy Nurse as the top LD at evens on the team.
IF we can go into the playoffs next year with Kulak-Ceci as the 3rd pair we are set. That would mean Broberg/Desharnais can handle heavy defensive minutes or we make a trade for that guy at the deadline.
Nurse Bouchard (offensive push)
Ekholm xxx (defensive push)
Kulak Ceci (almost 2nd pair quality)
So for me this season is about seeing if Broberg can handle 2nd pair heavy elite minutes with Ekholm. But who knows…..maybe Desharnais can be paired with Ekholm to make a monster defensive pairing? We have all next season to figure this out so no need to make any moves now. If the none of the existing guys can handle 2RD then we make a trade in the new year for a guy who can.
Problem is Oilers D is not good enough to win a cup and neither is the goaltending at the moment.
We should be preparing for game 1 of the final Skinner was a sieve in the 5th and 6th game. Woody should of pulled Skinner after the 3-2 Goal in game 5 and started Jack in game 6. Along with playing Yamo in the top 6 killed the season. For these reasons he should be fired and more aggressive Coach like Gallant brought in. Time’s a ticking Leon will be gone followed by Connor if we don’t win the Cup in 1-2-3 years.
Holland has operated the Oilers like this throughout his tenure. Who knows what will happen in season. Players underperform and get hurt. The deadline is the time to augment the team for the playoff run.
I’m sure they would have loved to get another RD this year after losing Barrie in the Ekholm deal. But there just wasn’t enough space for that.
It wouldn’t shock me to see them move Ceci in a similar deal at the deadline this year. I do think they would do a summer deal if it was there but I’m not sure it is.
Would they move Bouchard++ for Karlsson? If I’m San Jose that would be the ask. They could also sign Bouch long term. I’m not sure the cap works but if Bouch is gone it gets a little easier.
Bouch is under RFA ‘control’ for 4 more seasons, the same as Karlsson.
Not that it’s on the table, but Bouchard vs. Karlsson at the same salary for the next 4 seasons would be an interesting decision.
Lots of arguments on both sides of that one.
A couple of interesting notes from Dubas’ presser:
Marking is in Russia.
Malkin
Malkin’s NMC clause continues for the remaining 3 seasons of his contract. He’s not going anywhere.
LT, after my comment yesterday regarding Grubbe’s signing and the ballooning of the roster all the way up to 34, I wondered if you would make reference to it today.
Too funny! You made me laugh.
I saw your post and liked it immediately. Easy decision.
If Bourgault can’t hit .280 and produce some good contact in his second season of AAA then i will be worried
I compare Lavoie s season this past he might have hit .220 but he knocked in 30 HR; he should get NHL at bats
Reporting that Gallant is “too expensive” for the flames and he’s out as a candidate. Perhaps if flames ownership didn’t have to pay a farmer millions of dollars to not coach the team for 3 years….?
This is kind of too bad as I think Gallant is another “hard-ass” coach, maybe similar to Sutter in some regards (not exactly the same, obviously) and would have been a bit “more of the same” and it seems flames current core don’t like being yelled at and need to be coddled.
I could be wrong on Gallant’s style.
This whole process of finding a new G.M and H.C by the Flames is all a smokescreen. Its always been Conroy as G.M and either Love or Huska as H.C. I could also see a trade between T.O and Calgary happening this off-season.
Really OP, that “Farmer” reference is a low shot….I won’t go into how many rings that “Farmer” has, both as player and coach, or add in his Brothers contributions….or go into how many “farmers” wear rings vs elitists Lawyers behind benches….
Brian Burke is a Lawyer and look how grounded and thoughtful he is towards people that have a difference of opinion on how they conduct their own life.
LOL – really?
A clear joke and clear statement made in jest.
My biggest source of work these days is acting for banks in syndicated debt deals in the Ag space – I’ve been to canola farms, cattle ranches, feedlots, etc.
I have nothing but respect for farmers.
Its going to be a looooonnnnnnggggg off-season if some are taking things so seriously
So Jayden Grubbe.
LT is completely correct that ‘the math’ does not suggest him as a future NHLer. His scoring level certainly doesn’t rule him out as one either though.
I guess the hope is a Kolesar or Carrier type bottom 6 forward. They’re big, physical, sound 2-way players and can contribute a bit of offense.
Kolesar and Carrier were two of the first guys I though of in that template. Turns out they’re good comps in terms of junior scoring as well.
Grubbe (3rd round pick) scored 1.05 points/game in his last WHL season
Carrier (2nd round pick) scored 0.98 points/game in his final QMJHL season
Kolesar (3rd round pick) scored 1.11 points/game in his final WHL season
(and Vegas traded a 2nd (#45 OV) for Kolesar after that WHL season)
A little closer to home, Ryan McLeod (though a different player type) peaked at 1.03 points/game in the OHL.
Some more semi-random comps from around the league (totally un-systematic, but these are big guys who are NHLers but didn’t score a ton in Jr hockey):
Nick Paul (4th round) 1.14 points/game peak
Kyle Clifford (2nd round) 0.98 points/game peak
Mason Marchment (undrafted) 0.83 points/game peak
Jordan Martinook (2nd round) 0.91 points/game peak (and not that large a man)
Nathan Bastian (2nd round) 0.92 points/game peak
Matt Martin (5th round) 1.05 points/game peak
Barclay Goodrow (undrafted) 1.06 points/game peak
Colton Scissons (2nd round) 1.10 points/game peak
Anyway, I’ll stop there, but there is the template for Grubbe. Let’s hope he can get there in a couple of years.
Nice list. I get that it would be nice if everybody could score well. That also means they have to go or somebody else does in a few years. We like the teams that keep good bottom 6 players. I think that is what Holland is looking for
Helpful rounded players that can form a stable enduring, trustworthy group because they are affordable. For me as long as they can skate and have enough hockey IQ that works for me. Players like Ryan are the key, not perfect but do a lot of the lifting well, and have enough hockey sense to make plays and ability to finish when they get a chance, especially in key times like playoffs
Yeah for sure more guys who can play (and win) some low event minutes wouldn’t be a bad thing.
In slightly more modern terms, the tease of Tony Salmelainen was memorable. Guy was the next big (not literally) Finn in the system. Amounted to didly. He was also part of the wandering AHL team years so that likely affected things.
Toni Rajala was another favourite although drafted. Crucial development years in the wrong era imo.
Most striking thing about Grubbe’s numbers to me is the distinct lack of goals that he scores. Will be curious to follow his development, but this isn’t a player that I’ll expect to see in the NHL. To give credit where it’s due, the organization has definitely gotten noticeably better at developing role players in recent years so maybe this’ll turn out better than I think!
Personally, I’d rather have kept the 5th.
I don’t think this article about Grubbe was posted yesterday (though it was mentioned his coach Brent Sutter thought highly of him was). Keep in mind this is from 2 years ago, but it definitely gives you an understanding of the player.
https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/brent-sutter-jayden-grubbe-is-exceptional/c-325828160
It’s notable that Grubbe lost pretty much an entire year of development due to a knee injury. The Tyler Benson Experience has me feeling a bit hazy in this regard, but no one get the exact same outcomes so it’s not a slam dunk against.
It’s also interesting that Grubbe himself says the two main things he needs to work on are skating and scoring. Which pretty much are the two things guaranteed to ensure one doesn’t make the NHL.
My guess is that the principal attractiveness of this prospect from an NHL club’s POV is his internal drive and character. In that, he has the self-awareness to understand his shortcomings and he has the drive to work on those things while also being eminently coachable. I suspect too, given his role, that his hockey brain is better than his physical skills.I can’t recall his game from the one playoff match I watched this Spring, me eyes were on the other team, but I’d bet he has a motor. That typically comes with young players who have “200 foot games.”
Which, all in all, makes this a pretty good dice roll for a 5th round pick, but by no means a guarantee. The next season, his first pro one, will be important, but, much like Xavier, it will be what he can do in the season after that will likely inform us on whether he can make the bigs.
Hopefully he can develop some fast feet and silky mitts in the meantime.
I don’t know obviously, but I’m guessing the skating work is because everyone needs to get faster and stronger to take the next step (rather than his skating being poor). The Rangers/NHL.com article I just posted mentions skating as a positive.
I don’t disagree, and as I mentioned, I suspect he has a motor and poor skaters don’t usually, because of their inefficient stride. But to put this in front of scoring was a bit weird, and I suspect someone important has told him he can get more out of his boots. Which is pretty cool if he’s already a strong skater.
Also, he simply said “skating.” That could mean a lot things. Four-way lateral movement, edge work or other agility aspects might be the focus and not speed or efficiency. It might also be a reference to his knee injury.
Yes, for whatever reason(s) it’s clearly been identified as an area that can be improved. And it’s true ‘improve skating’ can mean a lot of different things, as well as literally never being a bad thing no matter where he’s starting from.
A question about Xavier Bourgault?
How will he fit in the LT’s maxim Players that spend significant time in the AHL past the age of 20 have flaws in their game.
Am I getting the maxim wrong and the age is 22?
Are we expecting Bourgault to get any NHL playing time this year?
Does the organizations current over-percolate strategy distort the maxim?
I ask because I found his game in the AHL more well rounded than I expected.
Bourgault struggled with the rigours of a long AHL season, playing nightly against big and strong men (many of which are playing for the livelihoods as career AHLers).
He was good early but faded as the season went on, with some small peaks here and there – struggled with some injuries as well.
It was his first year pro and he was a fairly late first round pick. While I would say that his overall season was definitely a bit disappointing, a later first round pick isn’t expected to play in the NHL in his first year of AHL eligibility. Now, we should expect he learned alot, will train in the right ways (and very hard) and come in to his second pro season ready to establish himself as a top 6/PP1 2-way forward and put himself in the conversation for a call-up this season.
His game is well-rounded – he was on the PK early (faded late) but the AHL is a tough league and he was 20.
I think it’s too soon to know. I like him very much, but I liked Marc Pouliot, too. We’ll see.
Lots of stuff on what he’s hearing about the Oilers plans from DNB this morning.
https://theathletic.com/4568602/2023/06/01/oilers-trades-karlsson-bouchard-holland/
I’m not sure why Bouchard would sign anything BUT a bridge deal. I’d think you’d have to throw a Brinks truck at him to get his agent to agree to something long term. I hope people keep this in mind (they won’t, lol).
Yeah the situation seems to pretty clearly dictate: bridge contract for Bouchard.
But yeah, many do not seem to agree.
He mentions the buyout of Yamamoto and then the Oilers potentially re-signing him at a lower cap hit once he hits free agency. I don’t think that is allowed under the CBA (unless they updated something in an MOU during the pandemic)
The closest comp I found was the Orpik buyout/re-sign in 2018, but Orpik had been traded to COL(who bought him out) prior to re-signing with WSH, and even THAT was investigated by the NHL(and subsequently cleared)
Calgary bought out Michael Stone and promptly re-signed him.
The Flames bought out Michael Stone a few years ago and then resigned him at a lower number.
Michael Stone?
Bought out by Calgary Aug. 1st 2019 (1 x $3.5M left on his deal), then signed with Calgary Sept. 11th 2019 for $700k.
In any case, the buyout/re-sign scenario sounds pretty unlikely even aside from it’s legality.
ah, yes,…thanks all.
I thought there was another example but I got stuck on Orpik
Reja will be thrilled
*edit- it was the compliance buyouts that had the 1 year restriction
The joke would be on me having to watch another year of Leon (possibly his last) placing the puck throughout the year on a tee 40 different times 3 feet in front of the net and stone hands missing a wide open cage 37 out of 40. For a player whose main attribute is his skill he’s by far has the distinction of having the worst concrete hands in Oiler History.
Nice bet on Grubbe
I can’t speak to the hype from connected media (Stauffer?), but are you sure the linked article is a tell? It seems pretty standard to have a future watch write up on a newly acquired/signed prospect. They had a similar one about Phil Kemp the previous day after he re-signed.
Anyway, I agree with your take on the the player and trade. The math is not recommending Grubbe, but the price was not dear and that player type can have some value.
They signed him and had the article out within hours. I’m not suggesting it’s fake hype, I’m suggesting they really believe in this player and the numbers don’t reflect the same zeal.
If the Oilers are right, the organization should be rewarded with praise. That’s why I framed it that way. The article coming so close after the announcement is a tell, imo.
Fair enough I guess. And yes, presumably the organization sees Grubbe as a guy who could play in the NHL at some point.
I find it a bit of a stretch too. Slow news month. Nothing better to do, what are they going to do, wait a day?
The writer could’ve spent an extra whole minute looking up “heyday” though. That made me grimace.
Dubas hired in Pittsburgh as POHO.
https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-name-kyle-dubas-president-of-hockey-operations/c-344675402?partnerId=pit-twt-penguins
Interesting that Pittsburgh has $20 million in cap space.
Looking forward to seeing how Dubas and his new GM (Tulsky?) use it.
Nylander?
Not sure Pittsburgh has the assets to pull that off but you never know.
It looks like Pittsburgh will need to add a starting goalie, a top 4 Dman and almost an entire bottom 6 with that $20M.
Seems unlikely they’ll have money to be throwing around for an addition like Nylander.
— Just imagine LT: assuming they get to 50 yiu have 16 more posts to go…
— Would most teams have 16 more slots to fill at this point of “off-season”
Off today’s topic, but often lamented otherwise.
Seems that quite a lot of people enjoy Jack and Louie.
https://theathletic.com/4562811/2023/05/31/nhl-broadcast-rankings-tv-2023/
Did someone here even say ‘worst in the league’ recently?
Personal taste is personal taste.
I don’t mind Louie but find Jack and especially Gene to be irritating.
YMMV.
If the bar is “someone I’d want to have a beer with” Louie is the only one to clear it. I just wish he had more to say during the game than “He should have shot on that odd-man rush.”
All three have a hard job. I’m not the target audience for Gene and his silliness, and I’m not the target audience for Jack and his excitement. So I usually watch the out of town feed.
It’s like the mascots, they aren’t there for me, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be there.
I’m not fans of either Jack or Louie — but I doubt they’d be anywhere near the worst in the league. Some of the US broadcasts especially have all out cheerleaders on their broadcasts — remember Tyson Nash defending players who “skill it up” getting cross-checked in the face? Embarrassing.
A colour commentator should accomplish two things:
The first is reflect the emotion of the game. If the game is competitive, well-played and exciting — then some level of that should be implemented into their commentary, tone, cadence. Don’t monotone your way through the third period of a playoff game, but don’t get excited for the sixth goal in a 7 – 0 romp either.
The second is to teach those watching / listening something. Be able to identify when a coach changes a team’s forechecking tactics. Point out when an underachieving player has had their ice-time reduced. And then outline how that player is underachieving. If a team is carrying the play, but down 2 – 0 identify that, and then outline just how they found themselves down in the score.
All too often, Louie especially, everything comes down to confidence and a teams willingness to skate north / south and hit things. The team in the lead is always playing better. A team doesn’t gain more success because they changed their breakout strategy between periods — they gain success because some fourth liner hit a guy and inspired the rest of the team to become more confident in themselves.
It’s a simple, boring narrative that we hear almost every single game.
You just described what Ray Ferraro brings to a broadcast.
Darryl Reaugh in Dallas is much the same.
That’s partly because of how Canadian broadcasters view how a hockey game should be produced.
It’s almost like a union shop… color guys provide color during game play which means providing information on the other team’s players and playing style. The assumption being that the viewing audience knows a lot less about the other team. Not to mention they’re often covering two Canadian teams. And that type of color is all they are to do.
Analysis is mostly reserved for the intermission, where they have, well, analysts… and big ass TVs… and telestrators.
Don’t be steppin on anyone’s turf or the shop steward will be having a word.
You have shooters mentality 😀
Lol…. Are they even allowed to say that in the intermissions?
Jack is reaching the stratosphere, I’m honestly not sure how long he will be doing strictly Oilers broadcasts. Louie can repeat, but as someone who talks for a living it’s difficult to stay out of cliches.
One thing that (for me) will be interesting. Does Cam Moon move into a larger role? Does Bob do PBP (he’s very good at it)?
We’ll see.
Moon is very, very good.
I think Jack will have a full time national gig in the US in fairly short order.
Yeah I don’t mind them at all. They aren’t perfect, but as you say it’s a tough job.
I just thought it was funny (and I was surprised) to see them ranked 8th of 32 teams given the consistent criticism they receive here (and I know it’s not from all posters, but it is something that gets talked about negatively basically every game).
I think Jack Michaels is unique and sometimes unique takes time. HOWEVER, public opinion has changed on him in a big way. Which is good because hockey pbp needs people to push things forward. The pbp men I most enjoy are older and I thought Jim Hughson was about to settle in for a long run.
Now? After Cuthbert and Miller remain my favourites, but there needs to be young blood. Michaels could be on your tv screen for decades unless he moves stateside and becomes the next Doc Emrick.
Yes it seems like opinions on Michaels (and DeBrusk) have swung considerably. You can see how he rubs some people the wrong way because he’s over the top, but really it’s good energy and good entertainment. Thanks for the reminder of how unique it is.
However things play out on Oiler broadcasts, you’re right that Michaels should be calling games for a long time.
Again, l tend to agree.
I’ve seen suggestions on this player competing with Philp for a roster spot – that’s wild to be. This is a B prospect that is just turning pro – We likely have a few AHL development years to see where we are as a prospect.
Philp is 3-4 years older and with a full year of pro behind him – and he has shown plenty at the AHL level already – If Grubbe can show what Philp did this year, in the 2024/25 year, it will be a great trade.
I do wonder if this acquisition might signal the org thinks Philp has a real shot at NHL time, and lots of it, this coming season.
I think the coolest part of this trade is we traded an upcoming pck at #152 for a prior #65 who is projecting reasonably at his draft position. He is more likely to make some impact than a #152 pick and is two years closer to doing so than the upcoming #152 pick. No guarantees but it is a “Red Paperclip” style of trade. Not a sure thing by any means, but improving the odds on the bullet hitting the target in the end. Do similar with the 6 7 picks and I will be intrigued yet again.
Agreed. People aren’t excited about watching Grubbe take a shift on the fourth line two years from now. Their excited because the Oilers turned a fifth round pick into a legitimate prospect far more likely to contribute to the organization in the short term.
That contribution may be as a solid two-way centre on the AHL team, but that’s a legitimate contribution to an organization. Improving organizational depth over the short term is well worth a fifth round pick.
The Oilers used to pay too much for assets with little chance to contribute. That changing is no small thing — later picks and AHL players or not.
TO use investment parlance, they got an organizational asset with more certainty (although still not completely certain to contribute) with a better time value adjusted value to boot. Nice, tidy housekeeping move but not likely to carry a lot f freight in the portfolio. Still a well thought out exchange.
Why didn’t they wait one more day and sign the young man without spending the pick? Seems like a waste of a pick to me.
Because he wouldn’t have been a free agent. He would have gone back into the draft…and perhaps the Oilers felt he wouldn’t have been available with their 5th-rounder.
Clearly they thought there was a good chance he wouldn’t still be available when that 5th round pick came around.
There may also have been other trade offers for him that the Oilers needed to beat.
I think I would agree with most of this except his “pump” over the other kids is that he never did get healthy scratched like the others did (I don’t think).
Both Puljujarvi and Yamamoto made much more of an impact in the AHL than Bourgault di – Jesse’s production as an 18-year old was stunning and Yamamoto was elite at the AHL level, creating scoring chances shift after shift. Correct though, they never did play these high pedigree kids on feature offensive lines.