Now that everyone is signed on the blue, can we establish a universally agreed upon depth chart? NO silly. Are you new here? Let’s give it a go, anyway, just for giggles.
THE ATHLETIC!
- Lowetide: Is trading Philip Broberg in the Oilers’ future?
- Lowetide: Unpacking Oilers’ decision to hire Rick Pracey, part ways with Tyler Wright
- Lowetide: 9 bold Edmonton Oilers predictions for 2023-24
- Lowetide: The NHL offseason’s 5 most risky moves and what they mean for 2023-24
- Lowetide: USHL has produced some of NHL’s top talent. Is it hockey’s best junior league?
- Lowetide: The Edmonton Oilers and their dilemma at centre
- Lowetide: NHL teams that are best positioned to take advantage of the 2024 free-agent watershed
- Lowetide: New Oilers CEO Jeff Jackson promises innovation. What will it look like?
- Lowetide: For Oilers in 2023-24, a more aggressive in-season approach is likely
- Lowetide: Why skating ability has such an impact on NHL Draft scouting and success
- Lowetide: What Oilers’ Jeff Jackson hire could mean for front-office’s future
- Lowetide: Oilers sign forward Ryan McLeod to 2-year extension: What it means for Edmonton
- Lowetide: Connor McDavid, the Art Ross and challenging Wayne Gretzky’s record
- Lowetide: How Oilers’ pro scouting upgrade helped elevate team in 2022-23
- Lowetide: Projecting Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard’s points for 2023-24
- Lowetide: Oilers’ graduate a strong group of prospects to pro this fall
- Lowetide: How Oilers’ veteran roster, cap issues could impact Raphael Lavoie
- Lowetide: What the Oilers are getting in 2023 NHL Draft pick Beau Akey
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers top 20 prospects, summer 2023
- DNB: 10 questions with director of amateur scouting Tyler Wright
EDMONTON OILERS DEPTH CHART 2023-24
- Mattias Ekholm. He played about the same minutes versus elites at five-on-five as Nurse, and his impact on the team was immediate and severe. I think his aquisition will be remembered as a turning point in Oilers history.
- Darnell Nurse. A vital part of the team, Nurse has been playing big minutes against elites for six years now, some of those seasons without a Klefbom or an Ekholm. I think the relief given by Ekholm’s presence will show in his numbers this season.
- Evan Bouchard. The signing was made official yesterday and one suspects that domino will result in the eventual trade of Nurse on June 1, 2027 (if Edmonton wins Stanley before then, Nurse remains. This is my opinion). I see many saying that not going long with Bouchard is bad form, but the defense position is a different animal and I do think there’s a lesson in the Oscar Klefbom story.
- Cody Ceci. It’s an important year for the veteran. He has two years on his contract and it’s possible he spends most of that time in Anaheim or Columbus. If the Oilers are serious about Stanley, then early struggles by this player would indicate a quick move to upgrade.
- Brett Kulak. He’s the luxury Edmonton may not be able to afford but you can see why the organization would want to keep him. Kulak on the third pair is a rocking chair for the coaching staff and an opportunity to mentor.
- Philip Broberg. This is the most contested spot in the group for me. I think Ekholm-Nurse is so close it’s razor thin, but they’re both going to play. In the case of Broberg, he has to play now, every night. I wrote a piece at The Athletic this week about the idea of trading him. Ken Holland never would, but Jeff Jackson’s opinion could be a very different thing.
- Vincent Desharnais. One of the truly unique development paths has Desharnais looking to establish himself as an NHL regular. His eye-popping goal share was aided by some luck, but make no mistake his length and ruggedness had great value to this team after the recall.
THE RECALLS
This is where things get interesting. My first recall from this list? Markus Niemelainen. His gap in on-off ice goal share and his NHL experience give him the edge over second choice Phil Kemp. It’s likely the decision for first recall will come down to handedness, so those two men are in a virtual tie for first in the recall line at this time.
The shutdown options established, we now move on to players who can move the puck and play a two-way game. Based on last season’s numbers, and his performance while on his left (natural) side, I will pick Noel Hoefenmayer as the first recall from the group. Cam Dineen and Ben Gleason are also in the conversation and will have a chance to push from Bakersfield. I know Dineen gets a lot of negative verbal in the comments section, but his game is not without its charm.
Finally, Max Wanner. I believe he will be at least a year from recall. I also believe he has the potential to play more future NHL games than anyone heading for Bakersfield.
- 8. Markus Niemelainen
- 9. Phil Kemp
- 10. Noel Hoefenmayer
- 11. Cam Dineen
- 12. Ben Gleason
- 13. Max Wanner
Why not bring in Tyler Motte on a PTO
Can’t hurt, why motte.
I am approving of this pun.
I also enjoyed our host’s Supertramp wordplay when titling yesterday’s blog post.
The world needs more puns.
“A pun is the lowest form of humour – when you don’t think of it yourself”. (Oscar Levant)
He could join the PTO guys, form a Mottely Crew.
Motte looking for the apple sauce.
https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2023/08/tyler-motte-changes-representation.html
I think we need one more addition. I would like to see Mark Pysyk on a 1 way deal playing in Bakersfield. That would give us some solid veteran depth once injuries come calling. Last year we had almost no injuries in the defense. I have no faith that it happens again.
I’d almost be surprised if he doesn’t come to camp on a PTO.
I wouldn’t give him a contract at this point as I think the org would want to see where he is health wise.
He was on Hello Hockey with Shawn Belle and Gazolla (maybe late June, early July) and, while he sounded optimistic about his recovery he mentioned something like “just started to add small jumping to the routine” – it didn’t sound like he was close to training for an NHL hockey season.
Assuming healthy, ya, I’d be fine with him in Bako, competing with Kemp for the first right side call-up – some real experience there if he’s NHL ready.
At the same time, there are also a ton of veterans in Bako and I think, even without an add, they don’t have room under the max veteran rule to have all the guys playing in the same game……
I’m also not sure what the org things of the likes of Noel H. (and B. Gleason).
No harm in a PTO though.
Nurse- Bouchard
Ekholm – Ceci
Broberg – Kulak
Desharnais
This is the only universal answer.
The Oilers need to see what Bouchard can do as 1RD if he is going to get a Nurse-like contract in two years.
Ekholm and Ceci should provide a solid veteran second pair, it is more like a 1B pairing when both are healthy. I admit, I am higher on Ceci than most.
Personally I do not like the idea of throwing Broberg out against elites full time on his off side (sorry, godot) – I think this would be a very good 3rd pair.
If godot finds some blackmail material on Woodcroft, and Broberg must play on the right side in the top 4, then…
Nurse – Bouchard
Ekholm – Broberg
Kulak – Ceci
Desharnais
(Also, nothing personal godot, I am just poking fun in jest)
I think asking Broberg to play his weak side in the top 4 is lunacy, and not even necessary. Weak side on the third pair for 82 games would be a tall order for the kid. Let’s not let the fact that some folks think he’s been developing slowly be the reason to throw him in way over his head and expect success.
Not sure why you think #6 on depth chart equates to top 4? He’d clearly be behind Bouchard and Ceci on the right side?
Not in the comments recently.
He hasn’t been developing slowly – he’s been developing right on schedule and was excellent for two months last season before the team needed to add Ekholm (for 2LD) and Deharnais (for the PK) cratering his massive up arrow.
Ben Gleason has a more impressive resume than Niemaleinen and is #5 on the LD depth chart.
Anyone who says otherwise is a fool.
His outscoring last season was poor. We’ll see.
Unusual comment from you John. Is there humour I’m missing? Snickers?
Account was hacked by Ben Gleason.
“Now that everyone is signed on the blue, can we establish a universally agreed upon depth chart? NO silly. Are you new here? Let’s give it a go, anyway, just for giggles.”
I was playing along, but folks missed the tongue-in-cheek
That was my fault. 🙂
Just dropping in today to say that I was able to place one Lennart Petrell for an excellent score in Puckdoku today. That is all. Go Oilers!
Given the assets available I would be tempted to shuffle the top two pairs. Despite Bouchard’s incredible performance with Ekholm, Ceci might need his help more.
I don’t think there is many quibbles about the ability of the other 3 to perform at a reasonable level in the top 4. Putting Ceci in the best position to succeed therefore becomes the key.
What was Woodguy’s saying about playing players above their proven abilities? All in all the Oilers are stacking up well by this metric.
I would think that Broberg would be more of a concern than Ceci, who is a seasoned pro. Pairing Ek with Bro even on his offside might pay higher dividends. Then having the Kulak-Ceci for the third pair, makes sense to me.
That’s a huge step up in minutes for Broberg, I’m not sure he can handle it.
But if not now then when?
I think you must find out what you have with him. Preseason tells you nothing in my opinion. I would staple him to Ekholm and play top 4 minutes right from the start of the year, against real competition and before games become more “meaningful” (I know 2 points in October is the same as in March). If it doesn’t work out you have a rested Ceci to slide right in. Broberg can be moved down a pair to “find his game” or ship him out as LT considered in his article.
If he flies, we know where we stand, and maybe Ceci becomes a trade chip for help or cap room.
I think once he proves he’s overqualified to play the 3rd pair is the “when”. Asking him to jump straight from the #7 to the #4 d-man is asking for trouble.
The games are meaningful right from the jump. We missed out on the division by 1 point last year. Avoiding playing the Kings and Knights in rounds 1 & 2 is a big deal.
Kulak and Ceci can take more minutes than a normal 3rd pairing.
One has to lower McDavid, Draisaitl, and Nurse ice time.
I’m not sure he can handle it either, but I’m also not sure he can’t…..
He was inching up close to 15 min per game in January through the end of February and killing it with Bouch.
This would be another level and I think the coaching staff may give it a go.
Small sample size, but Broberg’s woodmoney’s do not inspire confidence that he can jump up to the top-4 right out of the box.
Let him walk before forcing him to run.
How many of those top minutes against elites were with Nurse?
Apples oranges.
One has to find out what Broberg is capable of. The only way to do that is to play him with Nurse.
By Nurse, I think you mean Ekholm.
The best place for Ceci is on the 3rd pair with Kulak. Ceci is NOT a top 4 defender on a Stanley Cup champion. It would take a lot of luck to win with Ceci in the top 4.
I agree that a Kulak Ceci third pair would be excellent and able take on more minutes than a normal third pair. I don’t know if Broberg is ready for top 4 minutes yet, especially on his off side. Would it be ideal if he had played more last year so we knew, yes but he didn’t and we don’t. The coach, or any NHL coach, is unlikely to trust a young D over a vet like Ceci in the top 4.
I don’t know if Broberg is ready for top 4 minutes either. There is only one way to find out. What is the point of delaying finding out?
Finding out clarifies what has to be done on the blue.
Procrastination on determining what Broberg is capable of in draft+5 is bad decision.
The OIlers have to determine if he is the solution to the right hand side of the top 4 or not to be able to move forward.
I can see your point that we need to find out, I also thought we should have tried Holloway, Foegle and Lavoie in 2rw before signing brown at the cost of next year’s cap. I just don’t see the coaches doing it. I think that Broberg starting in the ahl is more likely than him with Nurse or Ekholm to start the season.
Unless he gets hurt in camp again, I don’t see any remote chance Broberg starts in the AHL and I think it would be terrible for his development.
Broberg needs to get used to the speed of the NHL game and the strength of the NHL players – he needs 15 NHL minutes per game night. He’s already shown how good he can be (see Jan-Feb 2023).
I agree if development is the goal. If coach is prioritizing winning every night in a 6 man unit who does he replace? Desharnais is the only one but he is there for pk and physicality so tough to take out.
I play Broberg over Deharnais without hesitation.
Broberg will play top 4 minutes this season
It’s about the timing, reason, and situation for why he is.
I don’t see why opening night we need to do anything to prob some point besides give him opportunity and ice time and see what occurs as the season occurs.
Broberg, above Holloway and Bourgault, development should not be stifled nor rushed; with the right massaging and proper timing in his development may well end up a very good #2-#3 D and thats huge for us.
Holland needs to know by early January what he needs to get and what he needs to keep heading into the TD. Anything before that is just fans being impatient – which is what we do.
What happened to all the chatter of Gagner coming in as a PTO?
It was only speculative chatter – pictures on the internet, even of old teammates/current friends hanging out, generally mean nothing as far as organization procurement decisions. I mean, Gagner’s Oilers towel making waves online last summer didn’t…..
Would like to see some exhibition games with Nurse – Bouch, Ek – Broberg.
The third pairing would be prohibitively expensive but already a sunk cost for the time being.
Exhibition games don’t tell one nothing. The star players only play at home. So in terms of evaluation they are useless.
100% – we know that young player excelling in exhibition season means all but nothing as far as NHL readiness – at the same time, I do see some value of Broberg getting reps on the right side, even in exhibition, and playing along side a potential regular season partner, be it Ekholm (most likely) or Nurse.
I don’t consider it prohibitively expensive.
The cap hit for the group of 7D is exactly the same whether Ceci is with Nurse or with Kulak – it doesn’t matter how much cap is allocated to any particular pairing.
Good stuff today LT and posters!
Finally, Max Wanner. I believe he will be at least a year from recall. I also believe he has the potential to play more future NHL games than anyone heading for Bakersfield.
What was the reason he was available in the 7th round? Was that lack of eyes due to Covid?
If the above comes true then Tyler Wright did his job, I would say.
I haven’t seen him play enough to say he has legit top 4 potential as I did with Kesselring who has all the tools but damn if the arrows aren’t straight up on this kid and damn if he can’t make crossing the blueline a non-easy experience (from what I have seen).
Seen him live a couple times. He is OK. I think he is a great hockey player, but I am not sure if he will make the NHL. His offense is limited. Big, rangy kid … I see him as a 5/6 D man at best ….
Thank you.
This is one fact that doesn’t get enough talk – Nurse has been playing top pairing, and for the last few years, among the toughest comp minutes in the world, and he’s never had a partner that can be considered even close to a sure 1st paring guy. He’s played with Sekera on his off side, Larsson, young Bear, Barrie, young Bouchard.
Imagine if he had Makar or Toews to play with – no I’m not saying he’d be as good as either of those guy but I think we can be sure that they help each other on their pairing.
Imagine if he had Philip Broberg. Look at how much Broberg helped Bouchard last year.
I’m not so sure playing 12% TOI vs elites is equatable to 40% TOI vs elites.
Nurse will play less, which is necessary, and Kulak and Ceci should be able to handle more than your typical 3rd pairing.
Hardly any of Broberg’s 12% were with Nurse. Apples, oranges. Think how good Nurse witl be with a defender who can actually defend and that is not challenged by skating or size.
Your post was speaking about how much Broberg would have helped Nurse given how much he helped Bouchard (and that is debatable, could be the other way as well) and I responded with noting how much different those two roles were (minutes with Bouchard on the 3rd pairing vs. minutes with Nurse on the 1st pairing).
What the deployment might be this coming season doesn’t really factor in to the conversation I though we were having.
As you know, I’m all for Broberg playing right side in the top 4 – I don’t think its reasonable to suggest that he’s currently the legit top pairing d-man that Nurse has never had the chance to be partnered with though.
I am not suggesting Broberg is a legit top pairing right D. I am saying he is better than a rookie Bear, a small slow D in Barrie, a mobility challenged Ceci, and a defensively challenged 1st/2n year Bouchard, all who Nurse was able to carry to reasonable success.
And the 2nd and 3rd pairs in this case would be able to carry some of the burden.
Bro will make his own case I think. He’s a more talented player than anyone but Ekholm and Bouch on D
The key will be staying healthy so he can actually play
You think Broberg is more talented than Nurse?!?
I think there are 21 players, 7D and 11F and 2G locked, subject to injuries.
McDavid, Drai, McLeod
Hyman, Brown, Foegele, Ryan
Nuge, Kane, Holloway, Janmark
Nurse, Ekholm, Kulak
Bouchard, Broberg, Ceci, Ceharnia
Skinner, Campbell.
I have legit comp for 12F among Sutter, Pederson, Lavoie
I have the long shots to take that 12F spot as Malone, Hamblin, Caggiula
I have Bourgault and Tulio and Kemp as “real prospects” with a chance to play later in the year.
Niemo will assuradly play but I can’t slot him in to any other group of players – I don’t consider him a “real prospect” going forward, I don’t consider him an AHL vet like Malone and Griffith.
I’m not sure of Noel H. is considered a real prospect but he intrigues me.
~Who’s this Ceharnia fellow? Somebody the pro scouting folks found?~
He plays for Belarus he’s the one that scored top cheddar on Tommy Salo from centre ice in the Olympics.
May as well post in the new thread as well.
Oiler Alert@oileralert
When discussing the Pracey hire, Stauffer alluded to:
1. EDM establishing a bigger presence in the OHL market
2. Jeff Jackson putting his first stamp on the team
3. Potential repercussions of Wright’s involvement in the AA deal and drafting Bourgault over Wyatt Johnson?
Oiler Alert@oileralert
Another interesting note: Paul Coffey coached Wyatt Johnston* for 4 years and was consulted by Dallas before they made the pick. We know now that Coffey/Jackson have gained significant pull in the organization. Was Coffey pulling for Pracey as well?
https://x.com/oileralert/status/1694969502214291786?s=46&t=yOjgX7Dc1NV_ZnMv2aFPKQ
OP, not sure if you were aware of this stuff the other day when you suggested Coffey might have led the Oilers to draft Johnston. Apologies for thinking that was crazy.
I had Bourgault 14, Johnston 47. One of the issues in evaluating Johnston is that he didn’t play in 2020-21 (aside from WJ’s).
https://lowetide.ca/2021/07/23/here-comes-the-sun-2021-draft-edition/
Yeah, and if I recall McKenzie had Johnston 40th (Bourgault 20th). Definitely tougher to evaluate Johnston since he didn’t play that year, though he scored at about half the rate of Bourgault in their draft -1 seasons. I do find it quite unreasonable for folks to claim ‘the Oilers should have known’ in this case where Bourgault was the very clear consensus (and math) pick of the two.
Interesting you had Brandt Clarke ranked #3 ahead of both Owen Power and Luke Hughes.
But I promise not to tell anyone.😀
I like Brandt Clarke.
Math does too.
Yes, I had heard it on the radio/a podcast – can’t remember if it was Al May or J. Shannon but someone like that mentioned the connection to Coffey.
No worries – I think I missed your response in any event.
Wow it’s only been a 1 year but this kid has shades of Joe Nieuwendyk in him. What a colossal miss if in fact Coffey knew this kid was a sure fire hit and Holland and his old boys club didn’t consult Coffey about Wyatt.
You’re mad that the Detroit old boys club didn’t consult with an Oilers’ old boy after years of people complaining that the Oilers were run by an Old Boys Club?!
Every G.M in the league hires his buddies. Oilers are not special when it comes to the old boys club. Anyhow it’s quite obvious to me Wright doesn’t have a rapport with any ex Oilers since Coffey is giving trade secrets to the Mike Modano Dallas fricking Stars. This is a gut punch and then magically Jackson is hired and Wright is on the first West Jet out of town. Things are heating up this should be enjoyable to watch the take over.
None of those reasons is particularly convincing imo.
Not saying the decision was wrong; I don’t have that kind of insider knowledge.
Just saying the reasons don’t pass the smell test.
Yes, I agree. If this was the organization’s rationale (and we don’t know how much of it was Stauffer’s opinion) then I’m more concerned than I was before.
The Dallas dynamic in that draft is very interesting.
It seems Dallas did a lot of work in assessing Johnson and were comfortable enough to take him the first round.
Bob MacKenzie had Logan Stankhoven ranked 27th and Dallas got him too in the second round.
And then with the next pick selected Artem Grushnikov a big Russian defenseman who plays…wait for it…the Hamilton Bulldogs.
It seems Staios and Coffey were instrumental in helping Dallas find two, perhaps three NHL players in the 2021 draft,
What would make some sense of Wright’s ouster – and this is total speculation on my part – would be if Coffey and/or Staios pitched those guys to the Oilers and were rebuffed by Wright.
Makes a lot of sense.
I would have drafted Johnston because he’s quite a bit bigger. Junior stuff looks pretty similar and he did make team Canada so at the top of his Canadian peers. Can’t teach size and smaller guys need plus speed for me
Johnston is a bit bigger (6’1″, 185 vs. 5’11”, 185 or 6′,172, depending where you look) but it’s not a huge difference. Neither is a large man.
Prior to the draft there was no comparison in their Junior numbers.
Draft -1 Johnston scored 0.57 points/game, Bourgault 1.13 points/game (ie – double).
Bourgault improved to 1.38 points/game in his draft year while Johnston didn’t play.
Their Draft +1 numbers are similar, Johnston with the edge (1.82 to 1.74).
And Johnston was on the Canada U18 team in his draft year but he didn’t make/play on the U20 team. Bourgault did make the U20 Team Canada in his Draft +1 but got injured and then the tournament was canceled.
Are you just saying now, with hindsight, that you would have drafted Johnston or were you saying that at the time of the draft? Honest question as Johnston was ranked quite a bit lower than Bourgault – was he on your radar back then?