The Edmonton Oilers have been saying the right things lately. The captain’s practices and the promise of the season are beginning to overtake the unfinished business of summer, but it’s all still there. The procurement department on the prospect side did little beyond the precious and few draft picks collected. Jayden Grubbe was an astute addition and I do think many are underrating him. Other than that? Crickets. Let’s see action.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: How the Edmonton Oilers can boost their AHL prospect wingers
- Lowetide: Why Oilers still need to find inexpensive, effective depth players
- Lowetide: What to expect from Oilers rookies, led by Raphael Lavoie
- Lowetide: Evander Kane, Connor Brown and the Oilers’ aging skill wingers
- Lowetide: Making the early call on the Edmonton Oilers’ 2019 NHL Draft haul
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers 2023-24 complete reasonable expectations
- Lowetide: What should Oilers fans expect from new scouting director Richard Pracey?
- Lowetide: How will Tyler Wright’s time with the Oilers be remembered?
- 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: Edmonton Oilers top 20 prospects, summer 2023
NO ONE CARES
Look, I know the Oilers are a strong team and Stanley could arrive outside Rogers Place in less than a calendar year. I get it. I also understand that signing a junior or Euro or college free agent this late in summer is a ridiculous idea. However, Brady Stonehouse (undersized and skilled), Jake Sloan (big RH center with skill) and Antonin Verreault (winger with high-end passing skills) are all invited to camp. Edmonton should seriously consider signing one or more. There’s room.
Among this group of players, there are a few who enter training camp as obscure alternatives with little resume. A year from now? Things could be different.
Ethan DeJong is a player I’d like to see get at-bats in Bakersfield. He has two-way acumen and could emerge as a player worth signing to an NHL deal. Dino Kambeitz is a player I love watching too, I don’t think he’ll ever score enough to make the NHL but would sign him anyway.
Players I would like to see? Beau Jelsma is an interesting prospect, Pano Fimis too.
OILERS ARE READY
Leon Draisaitl’s media avail yesterday was terrific. He’s funny and engaging, comfortable with questions, insightful. I remember the 2014 draft very well, and luck is always a factor in these things. Stu MacGregor’s final first-round pick had the feel of Craig MacTavish also offering input, but that pick altered the franchise in such a positive way.
JAY WOODCROFT QUOTES
Original Pouzar (Ira!) took the time to transcribe an interview with coach Jay Woodrcroft that aired yesterday on Oilers Now. Inexact verbal but the thrust is true north.
- 1) Lots of study in the off-season – looking at own team and looking at other team.
- 2) Need to remember that we have a really good team. We’ve won lots of games. We do alot of things correctly but we want to add layers. Accentuate on the things we do well and improve in the areas we need to improve and lots of time was spent in the summer in that regard.
- 3) Captain Skates: Speaks to our leaders and not just the two guys. Best part is that the group is together. The longer a group is together, the quicker it comes together.
- 4) McLeod/Bouch: Definite pride in having them in Bako and watching their growth. Important for that push to come from beneath and for those two to become important parts of team. Lots of people factored in to their growth and development. Both those players are poised to have big years and we’ll need them. They stepped up in both the last two playoff runs.
- 5) Holloway/Broberg: Definite opportunity. 2 more players that have come through the system. Coaches have strong believe in both. Both those players see daylight in terms of their opportunity. What they do with that is up to them. They both had good summers. They’ve been messaged and are taking it on.
- 6) Will there be a push for ice time for Broberg? Yes, we played him about 25 minutes per game in the minors. He has the talent and ability. So far he’s tried to establish himself as an NHL player. The newness of the league and the demands of the NHL player are not there. He and Holloways know what it takes. We are seeing the beginning signs of what they can become. They both put in the work in the summer and its up to them to show it to us – the opportunity will be there
- 7) Yes, we have an idea of lines. We just came out of a week of coaches meetings. We have an idea of a starting point. We want certain players to feel certain things when they see the opening lineup. We will adjust based on who is going. Day 1 is not set in stone. We’re here to treat everyone fairly and give them opportunities and they’ll show us where they are in their game.
- 8) The two PTOs and is 4C the one spot? Yes, there is an opportunity to carve out a spot on the team there. Brings Lane Pederson in to the conversation and talks about coaching against him in the AHL and how he put up big numbers last year with some NHL games. Sutter is hockey-sense personified but looking to re-establish himself. Its Gagner’s 3rd time around. They all have the mind-set of making the Oilers. But they aren’t the only one’s – Hamblin played 10 games, Malone played games, Lavoie is looking for the taste at the NHL level.
- 9) How much do you watch other teams to learn – Alot of that work happens in the summer time. I’m not a big fan of giving away information. I study and work in order to pick things up from what other teams due successfully. We do alot of work in the summer and alot of time as coaching staff bandying it about.
- 10) Changes to staff: Ya, we lost Jeremy Coupal who was with us for 8-9 years. Wanted to go home to BC. Gave us the opportunity to change the complexion of our staff. Noah S. has moved up to the big chair as video coach. I’ve know Mike Fanelli for four years – he worked in the analytics department in Tampa and then coaching in the USHL – excited to bring him in.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
It’s Friday!! Noon to 2pm on Sports 1440! Steve Lansky and Tyler Yaremchuk are the guests and we’ll kickstart the weekend with a helluva lot of fun! Text 1.833.401.1440 or drop a note in the comments section or on twitter (@Lowetide). See you on the radio!
New for The Athletic: How the Edmonton Oilers can boost their AHL prospect wingers
https://theathletic.com/4840646/2023/09/08/edmonton-oilers-ahl-prospect-wingers-bourgault/
On Brown. He played on truly dreadful Ottawa teams bottom 5 through 9 during his tenure. That’s really bad. But Ottawa had a decent system in place. Played high energy, Corsi chasing to some extent, so lots of shots, but that’s cause they weren’t beating you with high skill. As a holdover from the Karlsson years, lots of defensemen were active, lots of point shots, lots of offence creation from the blue line.
Dogged, tenacious, good board player, anticipates well and jumps lanes/passes when opposition is hinting. Comparisons to Hyman are apt in this regard. Need to be careful though.He’s better defensively than Hyman. Five SH goals in the Canadian division, six shorthanded points the year after. A handful of empty netters in each. Coaches putting him out to defend and at worst he’s creating offense in that role.
Distributor and finisher. He doesn’t seem to carry that much, though he has the wheels and body positioning to carry if he wants. Passes off and gets open. Reads offensive plays well, especially down low. He’s patented the California flyby, high slot tips are a specialty. Low circle one timers from either side, he’ll play well with Skill who carries behind the net and/or can throw crazy passes across Royal Road.
Hard accurate shot but not a natural shooter. Takes a while to get it off but it’s lethal.Scores a lot of tip, crash and bang, follows up to the net very well.
Who is Connor Brown – He’s not a river pusher but he can play with skill. He reads plays well, is a download specialist, has a nose for the net and has zero fear of going right to the heart of a play. He reads defensive offence well and his high slot tips will create chaos. He’ll be high event defensively, he’ll create odd mans, and get burnt the odd time cheating, more solid than Hyman and probably Kane.
I don’t know if he’ll pop the way Hyman has. But at the absolute worst we’re talking a Cody Ceci level signing which is definitely a net positive player for the oilers.
NHL_Sid floats an interesting idea over at ON. What about the possibility of waiving Janmark whilst keeping Gagner (league min contract) and Lavoie to start the season. This may result in the strongest team to start, with a larger amount of cap space to accrue for the deadline. I don’t believe this has really been talked about and don’t think it’s likely, but it may make the most sense if Gagner is 100% healthy.
Because Gagner and Lavoie are better?
Gagner shows better than Janmark by the metrics he’s using. Is Gagner fully recovered though is a question I don’t believe he delves into. Lavoie, absent any NHL playing time is hard to compare to the others. So yes, I think if they show in camp they are ready, they are likely better, but we also have the added benefits of keeping a waiver eligible prospect and saving cap space.
Even if Gagner is fully recovered, Janmark kills penalties. Gagner doesn’t. That is a big deal.
Gagner killed penalties in Detroit and we are also adding Brown who kills penalties. Not sure we badly need Janmark as a PK specialist who doesn’t add anything at 5×5. Janmark’s shot and scoring chance metrics on the PK also don’t shine, so even though he PK’s not sure he’s the best option anyway.
Right. Makes sense as Janmark’s xGF% wasn’t great (NHL_Sid must have not thought much of Kostin?).
I’d note that Janmark was 7th in 5v5 and overall TOI/game for the Oilers last season.
I think he’s a better player than Gagner or Lavoie are likely to be, though not all the numbers support that.
Anyway, I should read the article I guess.
My goodness, with 1440 and Edmonton Sports Talk up and running, there is so much content, I’m struggling to keep up. Anyways, Seravelli on with Stauffer today and in their 12 minute spot, Stauff mentioned 3 things that I thought were notable:
1) Once again, mentioned the possibility of Ekholm and Broberg as a pair
As an aside on that, he also had Ekholm on and tried to bait him for info that management may have spoken to him about playing with Broberg. Ekholm didn’t take it. Bob did ask him how tough it is for a d-man to play their offside and Ekholm was clear that its tough. He did last year (with McDougnah) – its tough – its different. You need consistency, do it over-time, its tough to adjust for just a few games and flip back and forth. Its a challenge.
2) Frank said he thinks Campbell bouncing back is key and Stauff thinks its a lock. He’s “Shaped up” “I’m telling you he looks different than he did last year”. I’m not sure that’s what was needed but, well, Stauff is confidant.
3) Stauff brings up Brett Murray as a guy he thinks the Oilers could claim if waived. Thinks he could be a good 4W – a 25 year old, former fourth rounder with like 21 games. He thinks they would claim this guy (and, while he didn’t mention it, that would be with waiving Lavoie) – some 6’5 career tweener. Again, totally discounting Lavoie as an option on this team without even mentioning him
I think Murray is just a player Bob likes because someone mentioned him 3 years ago and he’s into that whole coke machine concept. Murray showed good offense in his 20 YO USHL season, this AFTER 2 yrs in the NCAA and good offense in his 24 YO AHL season.
In comparison, LaChance showed decent offense in the USHL in his 19 YO season and Lavoie more goals than Murray in fewer games in his 22 YO season.
I can’t see why Lavoie doesn’t get an opportunity, Gregor spoke at length this pm about him at the NHL rookie showcase. He is being groomed, his confidence has to be sky-high coming in to Training Camp.
Lavoie has a lot more to offer and Murray will likely be available on waivers this Fall, let’s see how that goes…
https://sabrenoise.com/2023/07/14/brett-murray-snag-buffalo-sabres/
https://buffalonews.com/sports/sabres/brett-murray-returns-to-sabres-with-one-year-775-000-contract/article_764e7880-2280-11ee-9ddc-33ee6ddaa704.html?mode=comments
The conversation among a few related to Campbell and a potential bounce-back have been going on for a while. Lots of numbers are posted and I respect and thank both for the work and research for an intelligent and educated conversation.
For me, I see the following:
.928
.900/.915
.921
.914
.888
His save percentages by year.
For me, it seems like there is one year that is a clear outlier and, when this is combined with the commonality of goalies struggling in their first year on a new team (and the not uncommon history of goalies just having off-years) and then rebounding, I think its highly reasonable to suggest that Campbell will post numbers much closer to career norms.
No, Campbell is not a young goalie of 25 or 26 but he’s also not an old goalie at all and does not have alot of miles on him. I don’t believe we are dealing with age related regression here.
Although I’ve started to gloss over the details of the conversation recently, I think one points is about bouncing back over 30 as a starter. Well, I’m not sure that is overly-relevant – we aren’t looking for Campbell to be a true starter. Sure, he may end up as the 1A, depending on how the season goes, but we are talking about a 1A/1B tandem here not a 55 plus game guy.
Jack saved 912/1027 shots – letting in 115 goals in 36 GP.
If he had posted his career average .914 he would have saved around 939 shots against, or a difference of 27 G.
That’s fairly significant – around 0.75G/game difference. I think even if he can split the difference and let in 0.5 less goals a game that would be impactful. FWIW his record of 21-9-4 is pretty good but the oilers need fewer games where McDrai runs for 25 min to make up for 3or4 GA.
JP is an awesome poster here. I enjoy our discussions.
Whatever angle people think I look at topics seems to be misconstrued. Really, I just want the Oilers using best practices in terms of making decisions and bets.
For years, we’d watch teams sign that 30 plus goalie and get burned in dead cap. I didn’t follow Dallas very closely, but my recollection is of the early Seguin years being sandbagged by two bad goalie contracts.
Smart people started to realize that goalies actually start to decline before age 30. (Here) and here).
Having watched Salic masterfully stick handle around the Grubauer contract, I’d hoped we’d follow suit an avoid this pitfall.
You are both great posters.
I think that Campbell will likely bounce back.
I also pretty much agree with everything you’ve said here. It was a bad contract on Day 1.
I wonder how much influence McDavid had on it. It was very interesting that the team always seemed to play so well in front of Campbell, like they were pulling for him or something.
And he did it again with Kuemper.
Rather than pay a 30+ goaltender, he identified a blocked player and brought him in at a reasonable contract.
Campbell’s Goals Saved Above Expected are better previous years but not as nice a picture. The last 5 years:
7.8
-1.5
7.3
-3.2
-18.1
Skinner was 13.1 last year.
I was compiling data on 56 goalies until late last night and Jack is clearly an anomaly.
I still have a bunch of work to do with it, but I plan to post my findings on Sunday. I wanted to trade him in March, but it was clear to me by his last 2 regular season starts and his playoff performance that he had recovered.
I still hold the very strong belief that the Oilers would have won the Cup, had Woody started Campbell in game 6.
Jack has been back for awhile.
Skinner was tired he had lost his edge. Campbell had played great in relief in the previous Playoff games in which Skinner was pulled. I’ll never forgive Woody for not having the balls to start Campbell in game 6 and onwards as Campbell was ripe to pull a Billy Ranford.
I agree with this and would have actually put Campbell in after game 3. Although we won game 4 anyway, it was clear by game 3 that Skinner was struggling a bit. Hope Woody learns from this because I think he bungled the goalie decisions in the playoffs, and to your point it likely cost us the cup.
Is there any chance that we, Oilers’ fans as a group, are over-stating Connor Brown’s two-way/defensive abilities? I can’t say I’m overly-familiar with his game but, from a quick look yesterday:
1) His GA/60 over the years has not been stellar – over 3GA/60 the last three season (two full seasons) and negative goal shares each of those seasons.
2) Yes, he’s often played alot of minutes against elites but he’s generally got killed in those minutes – including 15% goals share (3-17 goals) in his last full season in Ottawa.
3) I haven’t dug in to his PK stats at all but, from what I’ve read from others, while he has played a ton of PK minutes in his career, the metrics and results have been middling.
Now, of course, who you play with matters alot and Ottawa was a poor team during most of his time there but his numbers against top comp were, well, awful in Ottawa.
I wonder if there is some “Zack Hyman” bias in here where hard work is thought of as responsible and good defensively. Hyman has a motor and many seem to call him a good defensive player but he really isn’t to me eye.
Brown’s numbers over the last little while, at least on their surface, are not encouraging.
Caveat: I’m not an expert at digging in to this stuff and the above is a fairly cursory analysis.
Just looking at 21/22 for the Senators. Among forwards who played more than 300 minutes 5v5 Connor Brown was:
1st in Corsi against/60
1st in Fenwick against/60
1st in shots against/60
13th in goals against/60
10th in expected goals against/60
8th in scoring chances against/60
6th in high danger chances against/60
14th (last) in on-ice save percentage/60
Is that his fault?
He will be much better supported and the Oilers have some many more options than the Sens ever did. He should have the bugs out of his game by the time his bonuses kick in.
He is certainly not going to be the first player over the boards, but is simply another quality depth piece that should have a positive overall impact.
As a top forward for the Sens he never played a single playoff game, so he is in a really good spot for the first time in his career, really
Woah, I just looked at the ages of the core players from the Stanley Cup winning (and HHs new pet project) Vegas Golden Knights. Almost every one of them are between 28-36 years old..
Yet we’re told you can’t win with players in their 30s….
There are a couple of massive differences.
One is that VGK has already won a cup.
Another is they don’t have even one contract that extends beyond 5 remaining years and only 1 extends beyond 35 ….Pietrangelo 36.
If the Oilers are to retain Draisaitl on a max term deal, it would take him to 38 and doing the same with McDavid would see what are likely the two most expensive contracts in the league extend well into their late 30’s
I am reminded of Eric Tuskly explaining why the Hurricanes let Dougie Hamilton walk when he was at his peak…it had everything to do with aging curves.
The Oilers could certainly try to limit term of those deals but that would likely push the AAV into the stratosphere.
Would you F off with your fudged counting?
Pietrangelo turns 34 this season and will be 37 (not 36) when his deal ends.
Draisaitl turns 28 early this season and would also be 37 (not 38) at the end of another 8 year deal.
McDavid would likewise be 37 at the end of his next 8 year deal.
I guess you’ll also try to tell us that Vegas will balk at re-sign Eichel at the end of his current deal since paying him to age his ‘late 30’s’ (he’d also be 37) would be folly?
Pietrangelo will play a large chunk of his final season as a 36 year old.
BTW, his 7 year contract is structured in such a fashion (no signing bonuses) to facilitate a buyout should that be required).
Draisaitl would turn 30 a few days after an 8 year extension kicks in.
What Vegas will do with Eichel is unpredictable since they have always done whatever it takes to win and I’m sure they would move him if it furthers that end,
Interestingly, there is debate raging about what Colorado will do with Devon Toews since he will be UFA at the end of this season. He certainly has earned a huge raise but I think there’s a pretty good chance they move him rather than give him a massive retirement contract.
You clearly don’t understand people’s comments, or you lack the integrity to defend your own, moving the goal posts to cover your tracks. I’m beginning to think it’s both.
Same old HH.
You mean the same Colorado who signed MacKinnon, Landeskog and Nichushkin to massive retirement contracts?
An aging curve for a good player like Pietro or Hamilton isn’t even close to what it is for elite players. If you want to look at how Draisaitl and McDavid are going to age, you should be limiting the comparison to elite players like Malkin, Ovi, Crosby, Jagr, etc. Connor and Leon will age just fine and be worth every penny right through the end of their contracts. Not to mention it’s possible that one or both take a bit of a discount on their contracts.
Call me crazy, but I am fine with the depth of this roster going into the season. What they really need is for Woodcroft and Manson to get the most out of this group. Play players to their strengths, play young players who are outplaying veterans, make adjustments when needed. Not doing all of these things was partly what cost this team the Vegas series.
A mere few months ago this team was up there with Toronto as favourites to win the cup. And while some might dismiss this as excuses, there were other factors out of their control in the Vegas series that aided the outcome.
I’m okay with the depth too. Add at the deadline to the weak spots when we can afford it.
Reffing, DoPS and Aidin Hill were the differences in the Vegas series.
Depth and out coaching were the deciding factors.
100%. There are good hockey players throughout the lineup. I don’t see anyone (outside of the PTOs maybe) with what I see as big issues blocking their success. No roster is perfect. That some teams get contributions from the larger group is to me more about coaching
I have come to this opinion after seeing players struggle on one team and do well on another. Or teams that play far better when the coaches change. Usage and appropriate systems for the roster that’s provided is paramount
And also the psychological side. I think most coaches that teach the NHL are good in some way or they wouldn’t have made it. But X’s and O’s are easier than keeping players motivated and knowing when to use carrots or sticks, when to praise and when to challenge. And what individuals respond to. The mental side is key to ultimate success
Cooper and Cassidy are very good at it, Bednar likely, that’s why they have Cups. Also based on their teams mostly surviving adversity. Not always but the Oilers haven’t yet shown the ability lose many man games from multiple and get by. Lots to do with the weak rosters before, but could they do it now?
Dennis Grebeshkov joins the flames as an amateur scout……..
Seems to fit the Flames MO of bringing aboard ex-Oilers at some point in their career.
And vice versa. Definitely a two way street.
We know that Lavoie was skating the last few days as he was in the states for the Rookie showcase which, from what I’ve heard, is for “prominent rookies” and others that may be on the verge of making the NHL.
Gregor mentioned yesterday that the NHL asks for certain players and, in other case, the team send certain players.
I wonder which one applies to Lavoie.
I tried to do a bit of research and read about the NHLPA Rookie Showcase and I think that’s what this is but Bourgault is listed as attending, not Lavoie:
https://www.nhlpa.com/news/1-22539/34-rookies-and-prospects-take-part-in-13th-annual-nhlpa-rookie-showcase
That’s 100% Bourgault in the photo.
This will be the best version of the Edmonton Oilers since at least 1990.
I am amazed hairball has not posted this actual Oilers story.
https://www.hockeyfeed.com/nhl-news/major-update-from-elliotte-friedman-on-draisaitl-s-future-in-edmonton
From Friedman on Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer:
“I think Draisaitl is going to stay…I’m saying that right now. I think Draisaitl is going to stay. If things stay the same, I don’t think he’ll go anywhere.”
– Elliotte Friedman
I don’t know meanashell11.
The Oilers could be as concerned about ranking 32nd for cap management as HH seems to be and decide to move up that important totem pole by trading Draisaitl for a couple of 1sts and some ELC contracts.
Just think, if they traded McDavid as well their cap management ranking could skyrocket them into the top ten for next year’s list.
Of course that would also probably precipitate a plunge in their ranking for wins and points.
You know, the ranking that actually matters as opposed to summer time click bait speculation. 😎
I don’t know either.
Signing 30 year old players to 8 year contracts always seems to work out.
So let me get this straight. If we sign him we are losers. And if he leaves, we are losers. I see you have it all mapped out. With the Oilers, it’s always lose/lose.
If/when Draisaitl is extended, the Oilers will have 6 players over the age of 30 on the roster.
I’ll just leave this “click bait” here for you.
https://hockeyviz.com/txt/age22
Good point. 36 year old Crosby and 35 year old Malkin only had 93 and 83 points respectively. Gotta really worry when 26%(!) of the roster is over 30….wait…..what does that mean for the other 74%….
The Penguins last won a cup when Crosby was 30, Malkin 31 and Letang 30.
Since then they’ve been trying to win another but haven’t got past the first round as younger, faster teams eat their lunch.
What do you think the Oilers should do with Draisaitl? Trade him? Sign him? If sign him, then for how long? Thanks,
Let me ask you a question. How old are you? I just want to get an idea of how much longer we need to put up with this.
Is this that thing you do where you post someone elses work without knowing how to interpret or understand it, and when someone points something out they think may be wrong with it, or challenge it, you reply with something to the effect of “why don’t you show your data models, then!”
Guess you can’t talk about Dallas anymore……
Leon will age better than McDavid kinda like the Messier and Gretzky comparable.
I’d be very surprised if this happened. Connor plays with more speed and is bigger than Wayne. I think they both age very well but think Connor will stay elite longer than any previous player.
And don’t forget about weaponized cap space!
Mhmmm wesponized cap space🤤🤤
Truth be told, I would prefer a 6 year contract for Drai than an 8 year.
8 years for McDavid all day long, of course.
Don’t get me wrong, Leon will still be a stud in to his late 30s and he’s already proven that he doesn’t need to be able to skate in order to put up record setting production (2022 playoffs) but I’d be OK with a few years short of max term on Leon.
That would show disrespect and defeat the entire purpose.
Do you think its realistic that Draisaitl would sign a less than max year contract on his next deal (assuming reasonable cap hit in light of the rising cap)?
I never provided any sort of position on what I think might happen or how negotiations would go or what is realistic, just a preference for a bit of a shorter term than max on that one.
I never suggested that management should dig in for less term or to give less than current market AAV for an 8-year term – just a preference.
I didn’t accuse you of anything. I asked a question.
This is by far the strangest comment you have ever posted. Leon and his agent aren’t morons either he signs max 8 years here or he signs max 7 years for a feeding frenzy of multiple teams salivating for his services.
I simply stipulated a preference for bit of a shorter term, didn’t suggest that it was something the organization would dig in on or even suggest.
I’m not blind to the fact that Leon will be more value for a $14MM cap hit (apx) at 32 than 36-37 and I’m not afraid to say it.
I’m glad the organization doesn’t have this train of thought and if they do this will probably be Leon’s last year. Leon seems like straight shooter and you don’t play foolish games with these types of individuals are else he’ll leave, it’s as simple as that.
As per usual, you are taking posts to a place they were never intended. I never suggested playing any sort of games just posited a position that a 6-year term would be better. I’m not sure that regressing in his 36 and 37 year old seasons is a hot take.
Well if we’re playing the wouldn’t mind Oiler games. I wouldn’t of minded RNH contract 2 less years same goes for Hyman. I wouldn’t of minded if they signed Kane 1 less year. I surely wouldn’t of minded signing Nurse earlier and for less money.
IF I COULD VOTE TWICE FOR THIS, I WOULD!
I agree that he was an astute addition, in particular given the departure of Noah Philp (sigh).
I don’t think I’m “underrating” him, per se, but he’s a former 3rd round pick, just trading for a 5th round pick, that is just finishing junior and turning pro as a 20 year old.
I don’t think he’s anywhere close to being in the conversation for an NHL job, likely 2 years away, right?
I think he’s progressed better than Jake Chiasson in the last year but isn’t that the stage that he’s at?
Mid-level prospect, coming out of junior as a rookie pro?
Likely we won’t see him for at least 2 years, but his resume speaks to defensive acumen, grit, and perseverance.
He is not competing with the Lavoies, Bourgaults or Tullios, he is competing with the Ryans, Pedersons, Sutters,
I agree with LT that he is positioned to make an earlier NHL appearance than scheduled. He is essentially only 1 or 2 injuries away, if he makes a good impression. All his junior career he has been impressing experienced gritty hockey men.
After all, s we are reminded on the daily around here, the Oilers talent pool is extremely shallow.
It was an excellent media avail with Drai yeterday – he’s such a personable person, professional and says all the right things.
Of course, words and just words and actions are what matter.
Its been 2-3 years now that we’ve heard “I don’t care at all about individual awards, its all about the team and winning” and, of course, I truly believe McDavid/Drai when they say those things but, at the same time, while their on-ice games have matured over the years there is more to do.
McDavid has turned in to a dynamite 2-way player but he’s prone to the odd missed assigned for HD chance against.
Leon lost the goal share when away from McDavid last season – that’s not all on him, Campbell was a part of it, Kane was a part of it but Leon was also a part of it.
As far as learning not to lose, well, Leon is prone to having his focus diverted as we’ve seen in the playoffs – chops to ankles, fake slashes, etc., etc. That’s part of it and we’ll see if it changes this coming season.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not bashing Leon – he’s likely my “favorite player” on and off the ice but he is prone to some of these things that I think he’s talking about, right?
When I fired up the blog today I thought the post was titled ‘Let’s see ACTON’ and it gave me a little shudder.
A shudder and perhaps a little whiff of something?
Chris Chelios, who is 61, will have his number retired by Chicago. Not that it matters. When I made this handle he was still playing.
I hate to point out your errors LT because you’re such a fantastic writer and everyone makes mistakes. But I have to nitpick here. Leon was drafted in 2014 and not 2013. Unless you did really mean that drafting Nurse altered the franchise in such a positive way!
That isn’t a nitpick, it’s saving the author from embarrassment and I thank you. 🙂
Thank-you, you’re also a good example of how we should strive to treat others!
I remember being at a preseason game heading into the 2014-15 season and watching Drai. I thought he looked horribly clunky and too slow, I honestly thought we’d blown that pick. Buddy I was with said that he looked a bit like Pronger in his skating style and I should just wait and see, reckoned he’d get the pace of the game figured out and be a dominant player.
I have happily consumed humble pie for years since. This is why I’m not a NHL scout.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. Scouting is really just a bunch of best guesses and luck which is why 1000 game NHLers are selected next to 10 game ones at the draft. I’d love for someone to make a list of each team’s 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. choices in past drafts to see who was always close and who was supremely lucky.
Yeah it was tough to see exactly how good he’d become at that point. I was at the Habs game in early 2015 when Leon scored 2 goals and was quite dominant. i believe that may have been the first game he was back up in the NHL after a short stint in the AHL to start the season. Although he didn’t consistently dominate in those first couple of years, you could really start to see what he may become at that point.
I was at that game as well. You are correct he had just been called back up. And put on a line with Hall. They were fantastic that night together.
This was pretty much the exact game that started the humble pie consumption.
He’d clearly taken on board what he needed to do to make in the NHL and worked on it.
That is a lot of players!
I know it serves as a warm-up for the Bakersfield staff and players as well, but I wonder how much it limits the opportunities that might be available.
With coaching staffs prepping for their seasons and Euro and Juniors leagues starting their seasons, etc ahead of the NHL teams starting just wondering if Oilers Pro Scouting staff are actually watching the non-NHLers in camp, or is that on the coaches to monitor/make recommendations?
Of the under-the-radar players, de Jong will be a player to watch this season, he can score and he has Utility. Sloan (listed as a C in junior, but not an effective FO man) probably has a lot of interest, due to his size, but unlike de Jong and Verreault (who is very skilled, but small) who were noticeable in Development Camp. I thought we might have seen ECHL signee huge RHD Noah Ganske in camp, since it is an under-served position.
I am loving the training camp chatter and the new radio station, a renewed energy is in the air in E-Town!
The edit feature hasn’t worked for me in a few weeks and I have to use it frequently. When I try to edit a red box appears and says I am posting too quickly, regardless I am unable to save my attempted edits.
Sorry for the gobbledegook.
I am working on a lengthy goalie post related to the ongoing discussion between Ryan & JP and also tied a recent CoH post by Staples on a Calder-worthy goalie’s second season. I will be using a laptop to post this info, so there should be far fewer errors…
I think it’s fair to assume that while everyone is kind of “being watched” that the reality is like you said. The coaching staff has 25-30 players they know are in NHL contention and they are actively aware of where they are at. The rest of the players can get noticed but will have to play really well over an extended period of time. That’s where the scouts and their information systems come into play. The Oilers (and all teams) will have pages and pages of notes and reports on basically every hockey player that could get drafted, has been drafted, has played in or near the NHL or has a reasonable chance of doing so someday. Even with all that, they’ll still need to do something to “get noticed” whether that be one great game in camp or 25 goals in the AHL.
I’m tickled pink every time I finish one of your posts and see the little Lowedown preview at the bottom. Man it’s good to have radio back!
Same. I managed to tune in to the new Gregor show for the first time yesterday. I’ve missed him as well – surprising how much a part of your life radio can actually be if you do a lot of driving.