The Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets played what might be the best Game 1 of preseason either team has authored. Fast paced, great chances, hits, saves, it had the flavour of a real NHL game. I’m not sure what that means for tonight’s game, but the clubs showed up and delivered a splendid performance. I’m impressed.
Olivier Rodrigue played well. I was impressed with his composure and calm feet. I don’t know if the Oilers will ever be a goalie factory, but his development so soon after the Stuart Skinner spike is a story worth following this season.
Darnell Nurse played a controlled game and kept danger from entering the chat. He didn’t carry the puck as much as he normally does, and few outlets to forwards. He sent the puck to partner Bouchard, in a style that reminded me of the old Dan Boyle days of the San Jose Sharks teams.
Evan Bouchard was at his impressive best passing the puck, picking up an assist and giving his team a chance on several outlet sorties. He’s quality. Three shots, one takeaway and a couple of blocked shots. I like this pairing.
Philip Broberg had one ghastly giveaway but other than that performed well to my eye. I thought he was good with and without the puck, displaying his terrific mobility and making short and effective passes.
Vincent Desharnais defended well on the night and was a physical presence against an effective group of Jets forwards. He looks behind at the blue line but his wingspan closes gaps in a quick hurry. I thought the pairing played well.
Ben Gleason had at least one sequence where the puck refused to be corralled and it led to a long cycle. He was alone and behind on the breakaway goal, but earned another game to my eye.
Beau Akey is a dynamic young defenseman and most impressive as a passer and shooter. I like his confidence and he seemed right at home playing on a big stage at Rogers. Mistake on the first GA. He has a future. I’m seeing lots of praise for Akey, which is warranted, but some of it is being used as a hammer against Broberg. Both men played well, they are not similar in style and are not applying for the same job. Don’t allow the folks who have an agenda (Broberg=Bad) to influence you. Strong people make up their own minds. Don’t follow the crowd.
Evander Kane looked strong in all facets of his game. He had the shot working (damn near scored on a golden chance), his feet were moving, he was intimidating and the penalty he took thwarted what looked to me like a two-on-one in the making. He had two takeaways, six hits and a HDSC. He looked good.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a night. One assist, five shots, four HDSC and several outstanding passes. The Oilers top line, which is in fact the team’s second line, was unlikely to score just the one time. Many chances for this group. I don’t think Nuge plays center a ton this year, but the opening act was solid.
Zach Hyman scored Edmonton’s only goal from his office net front. He arrives ready to play his game, which is relentless and effective. Six shots, five HDSC. He’s a machine.
Dylan Holloway played an effective game that should be repeatable. He was skating, hitting, checking and had a couple of looks offensively. One shot on goal, another just wide that probably goes in if he can find the range. That will be the key for him. Is he top six? Top nine? The offense will tell us.
Brandon Sutter played well enough to be considered a candidate for the final roster spot. Seriously. I have been hesitant to give much weight to the idea he can make this team. I understand this was the first game of the preseason. It wasn’t a normal preseason game, there was fire in the belly of both teams. Sutter was effective in the parts of the game he’ll need to be, and Ken Holland must be encouraged by the performance. I think the waiver wire will be of interest for the team.
Mattias Janmark looked bigger and faster than a year ago, and I know there was no summer growth spurt. Probably it’s just me forgetting how effective he is in all areas. I thought he was one of the best Oilers last night.
Warren Foegele had three shots, a couple promising chances (although credited with zero HDSC) and drew a penalty. He’s entering the “hey Ethan Moreau is more than just a checker” phase of his career. Pretty sure.
Lane Pederson had four shots, two HDSC and won five of six on the dot. Got some PP time. Woodcroft is smart to look at him in these offensive roles. Pederson repaid him.
Derek Ryan had a couple of takeaways, some good passes and generally plunked himself in useful places and kept his head on a swivel. Rookie forwards should watch his positioning on an isolation camera for a week in summer.
Drake Caggiula is exactly the player I remember. Rambunctious, eager, always in the play, doesn’t finish enough nor provide deft passes enough to be on a skill line consistently. Still it was an impressive return for the veteran. One shot on goal, two takeaways, skated miles.
James Hamblin had a shot, a HDSC and won six of nine faceoffs. A “heady” player in that he makes good decisions and is reliably consistent in this area. You can see why the coaches like him.
Xavier Bourgault was my player of the game. Two shots, two HDSC, created a rebound, had a takeaway in neutral ice when the Jets were jamming. He looked comfortable out there, transported the pass and created time and space several times while holding the puck. I was very impressed.
As for tonight, hope to see Raphael Lavoie and Noel Hoefenmayer in action. We are away!
At noon, we’ll check the waiver wire and more on Sports 1440. We’ll be joined by Alicia Naser, Behavior Analyst specializing in Behavioral Sports Psychology. We’ll talk about preparing for a season and why athletes have to do so much of the work before camp. Jason Gregor will be by to talk Oilers and a wild football weekend. You can leave comments here, @Lowetide on twitter or text us 1.833.401.1440 directly. Talk soon!
Deharnais gave an interview with Rishaug the other day with Ryan aired on his GYB pod. It was quite a good listen on what Deharnais did this summer preparing – his skills lessons as well as lots of his off-ice stuff.
One of the things he talked about was the goal of playing 82 games and referenced being hurt alot the last few years and wanting to stay healthy.
He was supposed to play last night and was pulled late due to being banged up – just precautionary they say but, geez, not a great start to that goal.
€√¥£€^$
September 25, 2023 10:46 pm
I broke down and paid for Oilers+ for one month to watch the exhibition games. I wanted to watch the Sunday game to see how Sutter did and tonight to watch Lavoie.
Oilers+ works great on my phone, but I have a 65” tv so I can actually identify the players. I could get it to cast from my phone and looks like the only way to do it is if I paid for the fubutv app. No thank you.
Tried watch on my laptop in a Sherwood Park hotel late last night and muddled through the 1st period, but it was so laggy. Same with the game tonight. I tried to login on the Oilers site on my smart tv, but the website loaded funny, same as the Jets site.
Also, I had no problem getting it on my phone, but tonight on the laptop I just got a spinning red wheel ☹️. Yesterday’s game had no lags, it came on right away. Argghh.
In previous years that is how I watched games, not sure what gives. So no luck for me, listening to the radio would have saved me a few hours of aggravation and a couple of dollars.
I am sure many of you have no problems with it. Just curious how are y’all watching it (tv, computer, iPad?).
NOT paying for a Sportsnet pass this season which would effectively reward their garbage product. Will be using Onhockey.tv to watch games and the savings there rationalised buying Oilers+, of which I have not yet formed an opinion.
He did many good things tonight. Ahl time needed for sure but he was strong on netfront and positioned well. I saw him better than Hoefenmayer but liked the pairing in general.
What started that scrum? The guy x-checking Holloway into the net. Got told a long time ago – “whatever you do, get the perp”
Bank Shot
September 25, 2023 7:46 pm
Erne is looking good tonight. His possession numbers from Detroit are terrifying though.
OriginalPouzar
September 25, 2023 7:31 pm
Stonehouse with some real skill to set his linemates off on a clear two on one. Bourgault with a nice pass over but wasn’t strong enough to battle through a check for the back door tap in……
OriginalPouzar
September 25, 2023 7:24 pm
Tons of Oiler pressure by the Erne/Lavoie line, Lavoie get off a wicked shot, drives, gets his rebound, almost scores on a wrap and then shows great vision to set up a cross-ice pass but his pass was off, too far ahead, not in wheelhouse.
Lavoie is having a great performance.
OriginalPouzar
September 25, 2023 7:15 pm
Noel H. is very good with the puck on his stick – I’m liking my first viewing.
He’s a smart player for sure. Its pretty neat to see his progression path.
Drafted in the 4th round but went unsigned.
Spent a 20 year old season in junior.
Bounces between ECHL and AHL for a couple of seasons.
Last season full year in AHL with good stats.
Gets in 6 fights last season. Had 8 fights in his 7 years of junior/pro leading up to last season.
Seems like the guy is going to do whatever he can to get noticed.
defmn
September 25, 2023 7:15 pm
Stauffer with some love for Lavoie and Broberg.
OriginalPouzar
September 25, 2023 7:07 pm
Petrov/Bougault with a series of poor defensive zone plays and chaos ensues – for a long time.
OriginalPouzar
September 25, 2023 7:06 pm
Solid puck movement on the PP among Holloway (it ran through him), Dineen, Griffith and Lavoie – Malone also out there. Lavoie in bumper (one long one-timer and one great puck retrieval).
OriginalPouzar
September 25, 2023 6:48 pm
Lavoie and Erne were fantastic in that first period.
Broberg looked like a seasoned vet playing the right side and carrying a tweener!
I thought Lavoie flashed his shot but didn’t look like an NHL ready player. Did you see something in particular? I thought Erne was decent, mostly his forechecking.
OriginalPouzar
September 25, 2023 6:40 pm
Noel H. can pass/move the puck.
McSorley33
September 25, 2023 6:35 pm
Bro with first touch of 2nd pk as well…..no clear
McSorley33
September 25, 2023 6:29 pm
First look at Berglund…..scouting reports are correct.
He Makes Anton Lander look fast….
OriginalPouzar
September 25, 2023 6:27 pm
Lavoie and Erne look good together out there.
Erne very good on the forecheck so far. Lavoie with a great chance from the slot off a turnover.
McSorley33
September 25, 2023 6:21 pm
Bro touched a few times on the PK…..has to ice it
OriginalPouzar
September 25, 2023 6:19 pm
Broberg, right side on the PK, saves an empty net goal with a block.
OriginalPouzar
September 25, 2023 6:14 pm
Broberg playing RD with Dineen early.
OriginalPouzar
September 25, 2023 5:56 pm
How realistic is a spot for Akey on the World Junior team?
He’d be eligible next year as well (February b-day and will be back in the OHL next season, not AHL eligible).
Only one guy returning from last year Korchinski. He was a 7th overall in 2022. Looks like no high picks spent on Canadian defenders in 2023 so it would seem like the door is pretty wide open.
Broberg comes in for Vinny – he’ll play with Noel H.
OriginalPouzar
September 25, 2023 5:48 pm
Listening to Lavoie and Woody pre-game and Lavoie speaks about knowing he won’t be a top 6 player here and needing to ensure he’s great defensively, trustworthy and blocking shots, etc.
Woody asked a ton of questions about Lavoie and pretty much said he needs to change his game.
– Its typical for high end players in junior to be able to command that type of ice in the NHL
– Lavoie will need to adjust his game in order to just find a chair. Lots of players go through the self-realization.
– NHL is literred with former 50 goal scorers in junior that play on the 4th line.
Needs to play well enough to earn his chair and them maybe try and command more.
Harpers Hair
September 25, 2023 2:08 pm
Just learned on the 32 Thoughts podcast that Tyler Tullio’s father is a partner in the new Ottawa ownership group.
Good test for the Oilers depth tonight. Lavoie with his hands full looking at that d
cowboy bill
September 25, 2023 11:26 am
I don’t seem to be able to get into the Official Edmonton Oiler web site. I hope it isn’t because I don’t subscribe to Oilers +? that would be outrageous.
Jeff Jackson had a nice interview with Marek and Friedman that was on the 32 Thoughts Pod from this morning.
Spoke a TON about sports science (often in relation to injury prevention, etc.) and player development (and that its not on the junior or minor league team to develop players – once drafted, the Oilers need to be all over player development prior to them turning pro).
Interesting that Nurse played like 25 minutes last night in the first exhibition game – not sure sports science was involved in that deployment – ha!
OriginalPouzar
September 25, 2023 11:02 am
Beau Akey is a dynamic young defenseman and most impressive as a passer and shooter. I like his confidence and he seemed right at home playing on a big stage at Rogers. Mistake on the first GA. He has a future. I’m seeing lots of praise for Akey, which is warranted, but some of it is being used as a hammer against Broberg. Both men played well, they are not similar in style and are not applying for the same job. Don’t allow the folks who have an agenda (Broberg=Bad) to influence you. Strong people make up their own minds. Don’t follow the crowd.
Akey was dynamic last night but, at the same time, there were many many mistakes. A bad pinch early (didn’t get puck or player) leading to a 2 on 2 rush against that was almost a 2 on 1, a poor outlet pass to the middle that was an inch from a 5-bell chance against and did lead to chaos for 30 seconds, the mistake on the GA, etc.
Don’t get me wrong, he was very dynamic and I love the skating, the skill, the confidence, etc.
Strudy said it best post-game on GYB pod – “he plays a junior game – he’s all over the ice”.
That’s it right there – he’s very noticeable but to suggest he is better than, or played better than, Broberg, is not analyzing play deep enough, in my opinion.
Too many mistakes for someone looking to make the team, but for an 18-year-old second round pick, he’s been fantastic. I think he’s had one of the most impressive 18-year-old preseason debuts since I started following.
I’m very excited for this kid, and his rookie camp and preseason have only stoked those fires.
I love that Stonehouse is here despite on paper him not being in camp. I’m thinking he George Constanza’d his way into this one and is currently working on the Penskie file.
No, I merely rhymed Akey with Brakey for absolutely no reason and it is mere coincidence that these two words are essentially 2/3 of “Achy Breaky Heart”, the hit 1992 country western song by Billy Ray Cyrus. I believe HH is shrewdly making reference to that song, by way of my playful rhyme scheme, as a way of suggesting Akey will have a poor career, and thus “break” our “hearts” as Oiler fans. I thank HH for not resorting to the equally obvious dig at my spelling of “brakey”; and instead use his astute comic timing to as he always does, keeping his biting barbs laser-focused on Oilers fandom as a whole, and not me as an individual Oiler fan. Classy.
I thought all you young Cats were into Miley Cyrus.
Durag
September 25, 2023 10:00 am
Nice to hear the positives around Sutter, here and elsewhere. Sutter with something of return to form is the most palatable 4C option on the roster.
Pretendergast
September 25, 2023 9:59 am
To my eye, Holloway and Perfetti looked like they belonged and then some. They were above this level of competition which should be expected of guys who are supposed to take a step this year.
Delia played fantastic, I can’t fathom gleaning anything from this game other than the top line wasn’t typical first preseason game rusty (or were they and they’re just that good?) and the Jets may have done well on the Dubois trade in a meaningless look. Iafallo was solid and he was a secondary piece.
Bro put on 15 pounds this offseason, have a feeling it’ll take a minute to be comfortable at game pace but agreed he was just okay with a brutal turnover. Hockey players make mistakes.
Watching the game tonight, hope to see Lavoie out there, nobody really talks about him so I’m sure I’ll be able to provide something to the conversation. Did you know his contract makes it difficult to keep him on the roster?
cowboy bill
September 25, 2023 9:46 am
If that was the second line that was on display, then the first line will be a super combination of, Draisaitl-McDavid-Brown. I wonder if we see that tonight. I’m not saying that is how they should deploy their top six. But what a terrifying option to have in your arsenal.
IMO the goaltending yesterday was at midseason form on the other side, while Olivier Rodrigue was a lot better than I expected, which is promising. In fact, if the goaltending wasn’t as tremendous as it was, it would have been a higher scoring affair that the Oilers probably would have won.
We’re going to see the wonder twins together this season. Whether it’s 30% of the time or 70% remains to be seen. Only Mr. Woodcroft knows where and when it’ll happen.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see it in game 3, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if it’s back to Connor and Leon on separate lines for games 4 through 9.
If both of them are in a pre-season line up together centering separate lines, it would be great to see them with a skilled pup on the wings with them….like Holloway, Borg, Lavoie types…now is the time to see…and it isn’t “gifting” the space to the pups in pre-season….
teddyturnbuckle
September 25, 2023 9:45 am
I like Nuge better at centre. I think the team is better when he plays that position also. Perhaps more of a 3C role though. He had a great stretch last year with Kostin and Janmark. Maybe the best line for 9 games in a row when Kostin was on a heater. I do believe injuries broke that line up and we never really saw it again. When he moved up to the wing for the playoffs I didn’t love his game so much.
Mike Stephens @mikeystephens81
Sheldon Keefe says he was really impressed with William Nylander’s first game at centre and his chemistry with Max Domi.
Keefe says he was particularly impressed with Domi’s play making ability.
The game is constantly evolving as younger, more skilled players push out the old timey bottom six grinders.
Hell, elsewhere today you’re saying you’re not impressed with the Oilers bottom 6 and for good reason.
If a coach has the option to send out a third line that can kill the dregs, all he has to do to win is ensure that his top 6 can go toe to toe with the opposition top 6.
If he also has a dynamic modern defenseman or two, or three in the case of teams like Colorado, Carolina, New Jersey and Vegas, they’ll be very successful.
Now if you use dobber hockey to break down most common lines you would have found that after RNH-McDavid-Hyman, the second most common trio for RNH was Janmark-RNH-Kostin.
That was third line baby. He played as much third line as Karlsson did. Easy facts to check.
I like finding a way to make more of the 5-on-5 minutes very difficult for the opposition. If a team has that capability, you should do it. Nothing stopping a Coach from collapsing those down at key points if necessary. Otherwise, let it run.
Deploying depth at centre is smart. It also allows more even TOI which over a season helps the top 6 and gets everyone involved
Thank goodness for Jackson who gets it. We heard verbal before about how much Connor and Nurse can play from various folks pre Jackson. Obviously not aware or a fan of sports science
You keep conveniently leaving out the part about how they tried Nylander at 3C before and it didn’t work out so well. He was replaced by Bozak and put on the wing again.
Wrong. RNH played center in the Oilers bottom six last season and scored 37 goals.
Get your facts right.
petertheseal
September 25, 2023 9:34 am
I’m glad I’m not the only one still thinking about TSN1260, Lowetide =P
LMHF#1
September 25, 2023 9:17 am
Live and in person the performance was pretty weak for basically the entire squad.
Holloway stood out a bit. Rodrigue did his job although he looked quite awkward on the GA. The main vets were fine for a first game leg-stretch.
Looking down the order though…not pretty.
All four D not named Nurse or Bouchard were varying degrees of bad.
Broberg was too slow with the puck and had random fumbles.
Desharnais didn’t stand out as a given NHLer. It wouldn’t be shocking for him to drop off – which is something people don’t seem to be considering.
Gleason was pretty terrible – including causing the first GA by not using his positioning properly.
Akey looked so awkward with the puck. It was quite shocking. He had multiple opportunities to make a play and fumbled all of them. Given the verbal I was expecting to see a few “oh yeah, he’s a player” moments. Nothing. Not that expectations are terribly high as he’s quite a ways from the show.
Bourgault was floating around waiting for someone to make something happen for him. Not what I was looking for at all from a first rounder in a game that was so quiet.
Pederson missed a gimme tap in goal because he was too slow/not ready, and missed the net in the SO. Nothing to see here.
Caggiula is still the same player. He looks like he’s trying hard but can’t actually impact the game and still can’t shoot the puck. I sure hope they can do better in terms of depth.
Sutter was fine – but his game will need to ramp up rather than flat or down if he’s going to be who they need.
I expected a lot more than that. The reality that there aren’t too many spots to play for is one thing and a very good thing…but to see a bunch of players without NHL jobs acting like it…quite odd.
I can say without a word of a lie your description of the game does not jive with my eyes or the math. OP, you may have seats but what you see is being viewed through a most negative lens. That was a great game by two impressive teams with plenty of quality across each roster. Being negative doesn’t mean you’re correct, and in this case you have missed the target by so much I’m wondering if this post was done in humour.
I didn’t see anything to write home about. My expectations may have been too high for a preseason game – but in the context of the way Connor and Leon are talking…I thought this crew would come out firing. Especially the young and inspired. Not so much.
1-1 with few chances, almost a no-hitter, barely an ‘ooh’ or ‘ahh’ from the crowd? They can do better than that.
Hi, I never comment here, but I love it (LT, as always, is the best). I was at the game too and I think I see my take as landing somewhere in the middle of this. The game seemed tight and low incident, which is either a testament to sound positional play or it being a tepid pre-season outing. It wasn’t a thrilling game, so the pros and cons are all pretty subtle.
Unsurprisingly, the top line dominated. Probably earned three or four goals in the back half of the game.
Holloway stood out positively. He was in the heart of the play a lot and seemed very confident.
I thought Akey played as if he had house money. Got burnt on the GA, but was a lot of fun on the ice.
Rodrigue was solid throughout.
Broberg looked fine. You’d like him to be demonstrative or carve some kind of specific identity for himself, but there’s a player there.
Sutter was slow, which was to be expected, but didn’t get exposed.
Gleason was maybe exposed a bit.
Pederson got the big opportunities and was disappointing.
I remember Bourgault having a great chance, but didn’t notice him much beyond that.
No offense LT but I have to say I agree with this. I was not really impressed other than the top line/D pair and they should look good here. I was not impressed by anyone fighting for a job.
Sorry. I stand by LMHF#1’s description of the game. Other than Hollywood planting the Jet into the boards I saw nothing from anyone not named Nuge/Kane/Hyman/Nurse/Bouchard.
There’s simply no way to frame this as a bad game for Broberg, Holloway, Akey or Rodrigue. Just isn’t. We can disagree about specific plays, but my goodness the amount of negativity in OP’s post is completely outside reality. I think maybe HH got to him.
That’s funny! HH got to him! He’s not really negative, just not impressed.
For a team that is Cup or Bust, I expect better. And for a squad that has one opening available, none of the bottom six looked to be trying to win that spot. And tonight I am not expecting much from Erne, so I hope Lavoie is on a mission for that spot.
This is a Veteran team the roster has been determined weeks ago. You don’t want Kane or Nurse fighting and breaking a hard or someone going through the middle getting clobbered. The Oilers could lose every preseason game and it doesn’t mean diddly squat.
The job is Sutter’s if he shows a heartbeat it has been all Summer. There’s a reason Stuffer and Spector keep pumping Sutter tires. If he flops it’s either Pederson or the waiver wire. Unless there’s a injury there’s no room for what Lavoie brings and where he should be properly slotted. He should of been given a opportunity last spring when Yamamoto was completely shitting the bed but Sri Holland boxed himself in with the smaller roster because of the cap. Hopefully Jackson next year is better with money so we can ice a full squad and players can be rested or healthy scratched because of poor play.
You keep going off with the Holland dislike because of having the two best players in the league and not having any cap space. Well, don’t you think, maybe, having the two best players in the league aids in the lack of cap space? How can you have them without being up to the cap?
As for your comment the other night about being alive in the 80s, I was. I also recognize the difference in the league between then and now. Maybe looking at those differences may help you understand that winning a cup is much tougher than it was back then.
Holland has built this team into a playoff team for more consecutive years in the expanded league/cap era than any other GM we’ve had. Not sure what your irrational dislike of him is, but he has produced a playoff team every year he’s been here. Only GM we’ve had that has done that.
There were two guys playing last night who are auditioning for that 12F spot. Sutter looked better than I expected – not that I had much in the way of expectations – and Pederson looked pretty much as advertised imo – which is not meant as an endorsement.
I thought Winnipeg dominated the first 10-15 minutes of the game and the Oilers were the better team for the final 45 or so. Sloppy at times as should be expected with those rosters and a 1st game.
I am not excited about the bottom six as it is currently projected but it is about 90 games to when it really matters.
This is Sri Holland last chance he’s going all in including saddling the next G.M with the 3 million Brown hit. Sutter Pederson, Erne,Gagner, Caggiula 4 of these veteran players will be insurance in case of injury. Lavoie either traded or waivers. Broberg either wakes up are traded by deadline. Even Hollaway not safe he may be gone at the deadline as well. Stanley Cup or bust. Holland will be working for the Red Wings next year. Booook it…….
We shall see. You must still be mourning Tyler Wright departure. I’ve never seen the comments you made on how great Wright was age so fast as he was fired the next day. Who could of seen that coming definitely not Grasshopper.
Pipppycock for 3 days in a row you lambasted anyone that didn’t bow at Holland and Wrights feet for their drafting record. As it turned out Wright gets fired the next day after your nonstop ringing endorsement of him.
Hear hear. 09-10, 7-0 with Mike Comrie, Paajarvi, Lander all dominating. Meant jack all. Flames would do well to take note.
Saskie
September 25, 2023 9:06 am
Excellent summary LT. I got to go to my first game of the year yesterday afternoon and didn’t expect much, but got a pleasant surprise as it was a fast paced game .. our vets looked good and Broberg looked like one of the vets out there .. very steady group .. funnest early preseason game I think I’ve seen !
Deharnais gave an interview with Rishaug the other day with Ryan aired on his GYB pod. It was quite a good listen on what Deharnais did this summer preparing – his skills lessons as well as lots of his off-ice stuff.
One of the things he talked about was the goal of playing 82 games and referenced being hurt alot the last few years and wanting to stay healthy.
He was supposed to play last night and was pulled late due to being banged up – just precautionary they say but, geez, not a great start to that goal.
I broke down and paid for Oilers+ for one month to watch the exhibition games. I wanted to watch the Sunday game to see how Sutter did and tonight to watch Lavoie.
Oilers+ works great on my phone, but I have a 65” tv so I can actually identify the players. I could get it to cast from my phone and looks like the only way to do it is if I paid for the fubutv app. No thank you.
Tried watch on my laptop in a Sherwood Park hotel late last night and muddled through the 1st period, but it was so laggy. Same with the game tonight. I tried to login on the Oilers site on my smart tv, but the website loaded funny, same as the Jets site.
Also, I had no problem getting it on my phone, but tonight on the laptop I just got a spinning red wheel ☹️. Yesterday’s game had no lags, it came on right away. Argghh.
In previous years that is how I watched games, not sure what gives. So no luck for me, listening to the radio would have saved me a few hours of aggravation and a couple of dollars.
I am sure many of you have no problems with it. Just curious how are y’all watching it (tv, computer, iPad?).
Thank you
*Edit, dammit*
Could NOT get it to cast on my phone via Air Play or Chrome Cast (just got audio).
Airplay is a bit of a crapshoot for most things. When things get spotty, I plug my iPad into a physical cable to show on the tv.
Though… I did get Airplay working to play some Atari and original Nintendo games emulated on my iPad this week.
Weird to have laptop not work but iOS does, usually it’s the reverse.
ipad for the first two exhibition games on Oilers Plus
Oilers+ has an app that you can download onto a Fire Stick, works seemlessly to stream onto your TV.
Onhockey.tv
NOT paying for a Sportsnet pass this season which would effectively reward their garbage product. Will be using Onhockey.tv to watch games and the savings there rationalised buying Oilers+, of which I have not yet formed an opinion.
On Lavoie
https://sportsnet.ca/
Wanner will fit in well on an Oilers defensive group – not tying up his mark’s stick in front of the net…..
He did many good things tonight. Ahl time needed for sure but he was strong on netfront and positioned well. I saw him better than Hoefenmayer but liked the pairing in general.
I see NHL officiating is still “top-drawer”.
Lavoie PIM was completely made up. 6 guys in a pile. Preseason for everyone i suppose.
What started that scrum? The guy x-checking Holloway into the net. Got told a long time ago – “whatever you do, get the perp”
Erne is looking good tonight. His possession numbers from Detroit are terrifying though.
Stonehouse with some real skill to set his linemates off on a clear two on one. Bourgault with a nice pass over but wasn’t strong enough to battle through a check for the back door tap in……
Tons of Oiler pressure by the Erne/Lavoie line, Lavoie get off a wicked shot, drives, gets his rebound, almost scores on a wrap and then shows great vision to set up a cross-ice pass but his pass was off, too far ahead, not in wheelhouse.
Lavoie is having a great performance.
Noel H. is very good with the puck on his stick – I’m liking my first viewing.
He’s a smart player for sure. Its pretty neat to see his progression path.
Drafted in the 4th round but went unsigned.
Spent a 20 year old season in junior.
Bounces between ECHL and AHL for a couple of seasons.
Last season full year in AHL with good stats.
Gets in 6 fights last season. Had 8 fights in his 7 years of junior/pro leading up to last season.
Seems like the guy is going to do whatever he can to get noticed.
Stauffer with some love for Lavoie and Broberg.
Petrov/Bougault with a series of poor defensive zone plays and chaos ensues – for a long time.
Solid puck movement on the PP among Holloway (it ran through him), Dineen, Griffith and Lavoie – Malone also out there. Lavoie in bumper (one long one-timer and one great puck retrieval).
Lavoie and Erne were fantastic in that first period.
Broberg looked like a seasoned vet playing the right side and carrying a tweener!
Will be huge if Broberg can be effective playing the right side.
Single most important development for the team if he can pull it off.
I thought Lavoie flashed his shot but didn’t look like an NHL ready player. Did you see something in particular? I thought Erne was decent, mostly his forechecking.
Noel H. can pass/move the puck.
Bro with first touch of 2nd pk as well…..no clear
First look at Berglund…..scouting reports are correct.
He Makes Anton Lander look fast….
Lavoie and Erne look good together out there.
Erne very good on the forecheck so far. Lavoie with a great chance from the slot off a turnover.
Bro touched a few times on the PK…..has to ice it
Broberg, right side on the PK, saves an empty net goal with a block.
Broberg playing RD with Dineen early.
How realistic is a spot for Akey on the World Junior team?
He’d be eligible next year as well (February b-day and will be back in the OHL next season, not AHL eligible).
Only one guy returning from last year Korchinski. He was a 7th overall in 2022. Looks like no high picks spent on Canadian defenders in 2023 so it would seem like the door is pretty wide open.
Thanks.
Hope he starts off hot (which I expect).
Broberg comes in for Vinny – he’ll play with Noel H.
Listening to Lavoie and Woody pre-game and Lavoie speaks about knowing he won’t be a top 6 player here and needing to ensure he’s great defensively, trustworthy and blocking shots, etc.
Woody asked a ton of questions about Lavoie and pretty much said he needs to change his game.
– Its typical for high end players in junior to be able to command that type of ice in the NHL
– Lavoie will need to adjust his game in order to just find a chair. Lots of players go through the self-realization.
–
NHL is literred with former 50 goal scorers in junior that play on the 4th line.Needs to play well enough to earn his chair and them maybe try and command more.
Just learned on the 32 Thoughts podcast that Tyler Tullio’s father is a partner in the new Ottawa ownership group.
He also owns the Oshawa Generals.
Up Arrow. When you come from money and you still have a burning passion to succeed its a big advantage.
There are some similarities to Hyman here.
@EdmontonOilers
The Oilers have assigned defenceman Beau Akey to the Barrie Colts
Good luck this season, Beau!
With 3 too many pre-season games, I thought they would keep Mr. Akey around to watch one and play another preseason game.
Probably best for the young man’s development to get up and running back in junior.
His confidence should be soaring after getting into an NHL game.
Holy crap I think the oilers are for real. HH is jumping on the bandwagon.
Well, that is a nice goal from Beryozkin….
https://x.com/bcurlock/status/1706375334554476697?s=46
Jets Lineup:
Connor-Scheifele-Vilardi
Barron-Kupari-Namestnikov
Ford-Gustafsson-Viel
Torgersson-Lucius-Reichel
Morrissey-Salomonsson
Samberg-Pionk
Stanley-Capobianco
Brossoit
DiVincentiis
Should be a fairly even game. 😇
Good test for the Oilers depth tonight. Lavoie with his hands full looking at that d
I don’t seem to be able to get into the Official Edmonton Oiler web site. I hope it isn’t because I don’t subscribe to Oilers +? that would be outrageous.
I noticed this the other day as well that something is wrong. You can easily get in through this link though.
https://www.nhl.com/oilers/
Yeah thanks. I rectified the problem.
Jeff Jackson had a nice interview with Marek and Friedman that was on the 32 Thoughts Pod from this morning.
Spoke a TON about sports science (often in relation to injury prevention, etc.) and player development (and that its not on the junior or minor league team to develop players – once drafted, the Oilers need to be all over player development prior to them turning pro).
Interesting that Nurse played like 25 minutes last night in the first exhibition game – not sure sports science was involved in that deployment – ha!
Akey was dynamic last night but, at the same time, there were many many mistakes. A bad pinch early (didn’t get puck or player) leading to a 2 on 2 rush against that was almost a 2 on 1, a poor outlet pass to the middle that was an inch from a 5-bell chance against and did lead to chaos for 30 seconds, the mistake on the GA, etc.
Don’t get me wrong, he was very dynamic and I love the skating, the skill, the confidence, etc.
Strudy said it best post-game on GYB pod – “he plays a junior game – he’s all over the ice”.
That’s it right there – he’s very noticeable but to suggest he is better than, or played better than, Broberg, is not analyzing play deep enough, in my opinion.
Not bad for an eighteen-year-old in his first NHL preseason game.
Too many mistakes for someone looking to make the team, but for an 18-year-old second round pick, he’s been fantastic. I think he’s had one of the most impressive 18-year-old preseason debuts since I started following.
I’m very excited for this kid, and his rookie camp and preseason have only stoked those fires.
Oilers content on puckdoku.com today.
|From Gazzola:
Erne-Malone-Lavoie
Holloway-McKegg-Griffith
Stonehouse-Grubbe-Bourgault
Petrov-Berglund-Tullio
Kulak-Ceci
Hoefenmayer-Desharnais
Dineen-Wanner
Pickard
Rodrigue
“Goin’ to Winnipeg!” 🛫
Team grind is going to Winnipeg.
I love that Stonehouse is here despite on paper him not being in camp. I’m thinking he George Constanza’d his way into this one and is currently working on the Penskie file.
Isn’t it Horpensky?
Or perhaps just the Hemsky file.
How does that roster satisfy the rule for a minimum number of NHL players in pre-season games?
What’s the required GP number?
Ernie, Malone, McKegg are all over 200 career games IIRC, and Griffith has something like 100.
For some reason I thought ‘games played’ had to be from the previous season but I guess that is wrong. Thanks.
I see seven possible, Erne, Malone, Griffith, McKegg, Kulak, Ceci,and maybe, Pickard ?
Oh my…..
Stauffer adds Kemp and Kambietz to the list of those travelling to Winnipeg.
B2B for Holloway, Desharnais and Bourgault. Clearly some sort of method to the madness.
I’m on the Akey train. Composed, fluid, patient, precise.
Fall 2027 can’t come soon enough for Akey Brakey
Gene is gonna have a field day if he makes it.
Akey Breaky your heart comes immediately to mind.
You mean the thing Chelios said in this very comment thread?
No, I merely rhymed Akey with Brakey for absolutely no reason and it is mere coincidence that these two words are essentially 2/3 of “Achy Breaky Heart”, the hit 1992 country western song by Billy Ray Cyrus. I believe HH is shrewdly making reference to that song, by way of my playful rhyme scheme, as a way of suggesting Akey will have a poor career, and thus “break” our “hearts” as Oiler fans. I thank HH for not resorting to the equally obvious dig at my spelling of “brakey”; and instead use his astute comic timing to as he always does, keeping his biting barbs laser-focused on Oilers fandom as a whole, and not me as an individual Oiler fan. Classy.
I thought all you young Cats were into Miley Cyrus.
Nice to hear the positives around Sutter, here and elsewhere. Sutter with something of return to form is the most palatable 4C option on the roster.
To my eye, Holloway and Perfetti looked like they belonged and then some. They were above this level of competition which should be expected of guys who are supposed to take a step this year.
Delia played fantastic, I can’t fathom gleaning anything from this game other than the top line wasn’t typical first preseason game rusty (or were they and they’re just that good?) and the Jets may have done well on the Dubois trade in a meaningless look. Iafallo was solid and he was a secondary piece.
Bro put on 15 pounds this offseason, have a feeling it’ll take a minute to be comfortable at game pace but agreed he was just okay with a brutal turnover. Hockey players make mistakes.
Watching the game tonight, hope to see Lavoie out there, nobody really talks about him so I’m sure I’ll be able to provide something to the conversation. Did you know his contract makes it difficult to keep him on the roster?
If that was the second line that was on display, then the first line will be a super combination of, Draisaitl-McDavid-Brown. I wonder if we see that tonight. I’m not saying that is how they should deploy their top six. But what a terrifying option to have in your arsenal.
IMO the goaltending yesterday was at midseason form on the other side, while Olivier Rodrigue was a lot better than I expected, which is promising. In fact, if the goaltending wasn’t as tremendous as it was, it would have been a higher scoring affair that the Oilers probably would have won.
I think we see the McDavid line in the third game.
We’re going to see the wonder twins together this season. Whether it’s 30% of the time or 70% remains to be seen. Only Mr. Woodcroft knows where and when it’ll happen.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see it in game 3, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if it’s back to Connor and Leon on separate lines for games 4 through 9.
I’d make the case that Woodcroft doesn’t know, he just knows it’s an option. As did McLellan, Quinn & Tippett before him.
Could be 30% or 70% asyou suggest, but it won’t be 0% or 100%.
The chances of McDavid &/or Draisaitl playing in the preseason @WPG game may be the closest thing I’ve seen to mathematical zero.
LOL.
If both of them are in a pre-season line up together centering separate lines, it would be great to see them with a skilled pup on the wings with them….like Holloway, Borg, Lavoie types…now is the time to see…and it isn’t “gifting” the space to the pups in pre-season….
I like Nuge better at centre. I think the team is better when he plays that position also. Perhaps more of a 3C role though. He had a great stretch last year with Kostin and Janmark. Maybe the best line for 9 games in a row when Kostin was on a heater. I do believe injuries broke that line up and we never really saw it again. When he moved up to the wing for the playoffs I didn’t love his game so much.
He’s definitely better 5-on-5 at C. Especially because of where they can put him in the batting order.
So many teams…the Leafs being the latest…are moving to three scoring lines in order to create matchup headaches for the opposition.
The Oilers could do this with Nuge at 3C along with a couple of the youngsters should they warrant it.
Heck Oilers could have 4 scoring lines if they wanted.
The entire Oiler bottom 6 (subject to change this season) scored 53 goals last season. Nylander scored 40 by himself.
Let’s see how much he scores as a #3 center playing with bottom six wingers. Has he ever even played center?
Mike Stephens
@mikeystephens81
Sheldon Keefe says he was really impressed with William Nylander’s first game at centre and his chemistry with Max Domi.
Keefe says he was particularly impressed with Domi’s play making ability.
Impressive in the preseason.
I say the Oilers just go with the 2022 model of winning the Cup with a 30 point 3rd line center, and an old washed up Darren Helm as 4th.
Done.
Yup. Not sure how often some need to be reminded but there are many different ways to win the Cup.
Last year’s model is just one of the exhibits.
The game is constantly evolving as younger, more skilled players push out the old timey bottom six grinders.
Hell, elsewhere today you’re saying you’re not impressed with the Oilers bottom 6 and for good reason.
If a coach has the option to send out a third line that can kill the dregs, all he has to do to win is ensure that his top 6 can go toe to toe with the opposition top 6.
If he also has a dynamic modern defenseman or two, or three in the case of teams like Colorado, Carolina, New Jersey and Vegas, they’ll be very successful.
Who won their respective divisions last season?
Wrong. RNH played in the bottom six last year and had 37 goals.
LOL….right.
4th highest TOI/GP at 19:08
3C Ryan McLeod 14:11
Look it up. You are wrong as usual.
https://www.capfriendly.com/depth-charts/oilers
https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/teams/EDM/edmonton-oilers/depth-chart/
https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/61/edmonton-oilers/depth-chart
https://frozenpool.dobbersports.com/frozenpool_depthchart.php?team=EDM
Now if you use dobber hockey to break down most common lines you would have found that after RNH-McDavid-Hyman, the second most common trio for RNH was Janmark-RNH-Kostin.
That was third line baby. He played as much third line as Karlsson did. Easy facts to check.
And now you know the rest of the story…
https://puckpedia.com/team/edmonton-oilers
Do better research. You can’t even get basic stuff right like RNH played in the bottom six last season. If you watched the games you would know this.
By that Logic, Karlsson who was 5th in icetime also wasn’t 3C. Guess you need to rework your story. LOL
There are FOUR lines!
I like finding a way to make more of the 5-on-5 minutes very difficult for the opposition. If a team has that capability, you should do it. Nothing stopping a Coach from collapsing those down at key points if necessary. Otherwise, let it run.
Vegas does this with William Karlsson to great effect.
Deploying depth at centre is smart. It also allows more even TOI which over a season helps the top 6 and gets everyone involved
Thank goodness for Jackson who gets it. We heard verbal before about how much Connor and Nurse can play from various folks pre Jackson. Obviously not aware or a fan of sports science
But yet Nurse played over 25 minutes in the first exhibition game…..
I don’t think everything is in place yet for future plans
That isn’t unreasonable for a top D though. I would like to see the 3rd pair get good TOI in season so they are up to snuff
Jonas Siegel
@jonassiegel
The Leafs will start camp with the following look at centre, according to Sheldon Keefe:
1. Auston Matthews
2. John Tavares
3. William Nylander
4. David Kämpf
Doesn’t Nylander play RW?
He was drafted as a centre and says he’s very happy to play there.
A line of Max Domi – Nylander – Calle Jarnkrok collectively scored 80 goals last season and could be a massive headache for opposing coaches.
That alignment could put some pressure on the Tavares line but the Leafs are counting on top prospect Matthew Knies popping there.
You keep conveniently leaving out the part about how they tried Nylander at 3C before and it didn’t work out so well. He was replaced by Bozak and put on the wing again.
Put Jarnkrok in the middle and you may have something.
Maybe Holloway pops this season? Or how about Lavoie?
Inconsisten
Washed Up
Never Played the Position
Who?
Treliving is a fool and the only bigger fool is Shanny for hiring him.
Oh and Rob Blake… That guy doesn’t know a quality centre from his navel these days.
And how did it go for the Leafs the last time they had Nylander playing 3C?
Which would you prefer?
McDavid, Draisaitl, Nuge & Macleod
or
Matthews, Tavares, the RWer & Kampf
Nuge has been playing 2LW for a long time, is poor at faceoffs and cannot carry his own line.
Wrong. RNH played center in the Oilers bottom six last season and scored 37 goals.
Get your facts right.
I’m glad I’m not the only one still thinking about TSN1260, Lowetide =P
Live and in person the performance was pretty weak for basically the entire squad.
Holloway stood out a bit. Rodrigue did his job although he looked quite awkward on the GA. The main vets were fine for a first game leg-stretch.
Looking down the order though…not pretty.
All four D not named Nurse or Bouchard were varying degrees of bad.
Broberg was too slow with the puck and had random fumbles.
Desharnais didn’t stand out as a given NHLer. It wouldn’t be shocking for him to drop off – which is something people don’t seem to be considering.
Gleason was pretty terrible – including causing the first GA by not using his positioning properly.
Akey looked so awkward with the puck. It was quite shocking. He had multiple opportunities to make a play and fumbled all of them. Given the verbal I was expecting to see a few “oh yeah, he’s a player” moments. Nothing. Not that expectations are terribly high as he’s quite a ways from the show.
Bourgault was floating around waiting for someone to make something happen for him. Not what I was looking for at all from a first rounder in a game that was so quiet.
Pederson missed a gimme tap in goal because he was too slow/not ready, and missed the net in the SO. Nothing to see here.
Caggiula is still the same player. He looks like he’s trying hard but can’t actually impact the game and still can’t shoot the puck. I sure hope they can do better in terms of depth.
Sutter was fine – but his game will need to ramp up rather than flat or down if he’s going to be who they need.
I expected a lot more than that. The reality that there aren’t too many spots to play for is one thing and a very good thing…but to see a bunch of players without NHL jobs acting like it…quite odd.
I can say without a word of a lie your description of the game does not jive with my eyes or the math. OP, you may have seats but what you see is being viewed through a most negative lens. That was a great game by two impressive teams with plenty of quality across each roster. Being negative doesn’t mean you’re correct, and in this case you have missed the target by so much I’m wondering if this post was done in humour.
OP? I’m most certainly not OP.
I didn’t see anything to write home about. My expectations may have been too high for a preseason game – but in the context of the way Connor and Leon are talking…I thought this crew would come out firing. Especially the young and inspired. Not so much.
1-1 with few chances, almost a no-hitter, barely an ‘ooh’ or ‘ahh’ from the crowd? They can do better than that.
Hi, I never comment here, but I love it (LT, as always, is the best). I was at the game too and I think I see my take as landing somewhere in the middle of this. The game seemed tight and low incident, which is either a testament to sound positional play or it being a tepid pre-season outing. It wasn’t a thrilling game, so the pros and cons are all pretty subtle.
Unsurprisingly, the top line dominated. Probably earned three or four goals in the back half of the game.
Holloway stood out positively. He was in the heart of the play a lot and seemed very confident.
I thought Akey played as if he had house money. Got burnt on the GA, but was a lot of fun on the ice.
Rodrigue was solid throughout.
Broberg looked fine. You’d like him to be demonstrative or carve some kind of specific identity for himself, but there’s a player there.
Sutter was slow, which was to be expected, but didn’t get exposed.
Gleason was maybe exposed a bit.
Pederson got the big opportunities and was disappointing.
I remember Bourgault having a great chance, but didn’t notice him much beyond that.
OP?????? Does he not live in Calgary?
No offense LT but I have to say I agree with this. I was not really impressed other than the top line/D pair and they should look good here. I was not impressed by anyone fighting for a job.
Good God man it was the first preseason game.
Sorry. I stand by LMHF#1’s description of the game. Other than Hollywood planting the Jet into the boards I saw nothing from anyone not named Nuge/Kane/Hyman/Nurse/Bouchard.
I get it. There wasn’t much scoring because it was a tight checking affair. You like goal scoring, so you weren’t impressed.
There’s simply no way to frame this as a bad game for Broberg, Holloway, Akey or Rodrigue. Just isn’t. We can disagree about specific plays, but my goodness the amount of negativity in OP’s post is completely outside reality. I think maybe HH got to him.
I noted Holloway as having some moments and Rodrigue doing his job. How is that a ‘bad game’?
As for Broberg and Akey – yep – they weren’t good. Akey understandably so. Broberg not.
That’s funny! HH got to him! He’s not really negative, just not impressed.
For a team that is Cup or Bust, I expect better. And for a squad that has one opening available, none of the bottom six looked to be trying to win that spot. And tonight I am not expecting much from Erne, so I hope Lavoie is on a mission for that spot.
This is a Veteran team the roster has been determined weeks ago. You don’t want Kane or Nurse fighting and breaking a hard or someone going through the middle getting clobbered. The Oilers could lose every preseason game and it doesn’t mean diddly squat.
But you might hope those fighting for 12F might showed a bit of determination?
The job is Sutter’s if he shows a heartbeat it has been all Summer. There’s a reason Stuffer and Spector keep pumping Sutter tires. If he flops it’s either Pederson or the waiver wire. Unless there’s a injury there’s no room for what Lavoie brings and where he should be properly slotted. He should of been given a opportunity last spring when Yamamoto was completely shitting the bed but Sri Holland boxed himself in with the smaller roster because of the cap. Hopefully Jackson next year is better with money so we can ice a full squad and players can be rested or healthy scratched because of poor play.
You keep going off with the Holland dislike because of having the two best players in the league and not having any cap space. Well, don’t you think, maybe, having the two best players in the league aids in the lack of cap space? How can you have them without being up to the cap?
As for your comment the other night about being alive in the 80s, I was. I also recognize the difference in the league between then and now. Maybe looking at those differences may help you understand that winning a cup is much tougher than it was back then.
Holland has built this team into a playoff team for more consecutive years in the expanded league/cap era than any other GM we’ve had. Not sure what your irrational dislike of him is, but he has produced a playoff team every year he’s been here. Only GM we’ve had that has done that.
There were two guys playing last night who are auditioning for that 12F spot. Sutter looked better than I expected – not that I had much in the way of expectations – and Pederson looked pretty much as advertised imo – which is not meant as an endorsement.
I thought Winnipeg dominated the first 10-15 minutes of the game and the Oilers were the better team for the final 45 or so. Sloppy at times as should be expected with those rosters and a 1st game.
I am not excited about the bottom six as it is currently projected but it is about 90 games to when it really matters.
This is Sri Holland last chance he’s going all in including saddling the next G.M with the 3 million Brown hit. Sutter Pederson, Erne,Gagner, Caggiula 4 of these veteran players will be insurance in case of injury. Lavoie either traded or waivers. Broberg either wakes up are traded by deadline. Even Hollaway not safe he may be gone at the deadline as well. Stanley Cup or bust. Holland will be working for the Red Wings next year. Booook it…….
If I had a dollar for every time you said book it and were wrong, I’d have a mortgage payment.
We shall see. You must still be mourning Tyler Wright departure. I’ve never seen the comments you made on how great Wright was age so fast as he was fired the next day. Who could of seen that coming definitely not Grasshopper.
As our host wisely says, one must wait five years to begin making determinations about prospects.
I never explicitly endorsed Wright, just said that he’s been doing better than the DoD-era drafting.
This schtick of yours where you put words in people’s mouths is tiresome.
Pipppycock for 3 days in a row you lambasted anyone that didn’t bow at Holland and Wrights feet for their drafting record. As it turned out Wright gets fired the next day after your nonstop ringing endorsement of him.
Hear hear. 09-10, 7-0 with Mike Comrie, Paajarvi, Lander all dominating. Meant jack all. Flames would do well to take note.
Excellent summary LT. I got to go to my first game of the year yesterday afternoon and didn’t expect much, but got a pleasant surprise as it was a fast paced game .. our vets looked good and Broberg looked like one of the vets out there .. very steady group .. funnest early preseason game I think I’ve seen !