The Edmonton Oilers brought out the top two lines for their first spin of the 2023-24 preseason last night. For a time the lines looked like one rust bucket followed by another, but Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were both pivotal in victory. Did we learn anything last night?
Stuart Skinner posted a strong game, although not tested a great deal until the final frame. I love his calm feet and ability to see through traffic effectively. I remain convinced he’ll have a long and successful NHL career.
Darnell Nurse had some poor passes and a couple of wandering moments, and took a penalty on a night the entire team seemed to want time in the sin bin. Nurse has simplified his game to my eye, deferring to Bouchard on the outlets more often. I think that’s by design and a wise idea.
Evan Bouchard showed why he should always be deployed with high skill when he sent an inspired pass to McDavid for the winner. The behind the net cam showed everything and it was all split second reaction. What a beautiful play. Jesus. He also took a penalty and had a couple of giveaways.
Ben Gleason is unknown to me, but I saw some things to like. He’s mobile, usually has reasonable position and battles (although it is not his strength). He saw plenty of time on the PK and at five-on-five, some wobble when handling the puck. I’m not sure about recalls but am looking forward to seeing him in Bakersfield.
Vincent Desharnais played a rock solid evening of defense. Not much happened in either end while he was on the ice and that’s a good thing. He seems quicker this year than last, early days and the mind can deceive. I don’t think he’s losing ground in the battle for playing time through the early portion of training camp.
Markus Niemelainen had two shots on goal, three hits and four shots blocked. He was physical and consistent, for me he established himself as the No. 8 defender on the depth chart (and first NHL recall). I think he’ll find his way through waivers and be in the Condors lineup opening night.
Phil Kemp finally got to see the ice and played well to my eye. There was just one HDSC against during his five-on-five time, and just one more during 2:46 on the PK. Woodcroft did trust him with four defensive-zone faceoffs and I thought that was a tell (coach trusts player). Had a shot on goal and a giveaway.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored a nice goal off a pretty feed from 29. I’ll probably write that 30 times this season. He was part of a disconnected power play, rust never sleeps but you know these men will have pistons firing in time soon.
Leon Draisaitl made a great pass for the first goal and did some solid backchecking, too. I noticed fewer of those danger bay passes around the blue line and a concerted effort by the big man to eat the puck when necessary. He took a penalty on a retaliation play and got his money’s worth. I have zero quarrel with the decision to love tap Nils Aman, the high skill guys are allowed to defend themselves and send a message.
Zach Hyman had a quiet offensive night but drew a penalty. I expect he’ll be back with 97 soon.
Evander Kane is one of my favourite early stories of camp. He’s shooting the puck with authority and that means he’s dangerous from (basically) the blue line in. He had three shots, one HDSC, a penalty for being strong and gives Edmonton the kind of swagger that can intimidate just by taking a spin around the rink.
Connor McDavid was flying out there last night, and then scored a gorgeous goal to win it. I don’t really know what to say anymore. His presence in the league has led me to look high and low for words to describe his prowess on the ice. For example, I have contemplated sentences like “he’s so fast last night he made Tyler Myers look like he was wearing winklepickers” in an effort to describe the scene.
Connor Brown made some fine moves last night and I like his wheels. He clearly has defensive awareness and showed some signs of offense too. One shot, one HDSC, drew a penalty and had a takeaway. I think he may have linescores similar to Zach Hyman on his best nights. That’s a compliment.
Warren Foegele had five shots and three HDSC last night. He has been this kind of player since last year’s trade deadline. I think Foegele is going to have a solid year.
Brandon Sutter had a HDSC and drew a penalty. He also had zero offensive zone starts. I know many are upset he’s getting a push and Lavoie isn’t getting one, but as Bruce McCurdy mentioned yesterday on the Lowdown Ryan McLeod’s absence has much to do with that situation. I don’t know if he has the boots.
Mattias Janmark took an early penalty to put the Oilers down by two men. He had a HDSC and some GV and TK, in fact his line was unusually high event, which is code for “Derek Ryan wasn’t playing on the line.”
Adam Erne won two faceoffs but didn’t impact the game physically and that’s his jam.
Lane Pederson had two shots and his sorties look promising but don’t arrive at the destination with enthusiasm. I think the AHL is his future.
Derek Ryan had two shots on goal and a giveaway, just 20 percent on the dot. His line won the shot share 6-3 and gave up just one HDSC at five-on-five.
At high noon today on Sports 1440, the real waiver season begins. I’ll put out some snacks and a bottle of Crown Royal, with Ginger Ale for some and Coke for others. Bagged Milk will join us from Oilers Nation to talk about last night’s game and the weekend to come. We’re also looking for NFL and Jays guests, will update. You be good to each other, will you? You can leave comments here, @Lowetide on twitter or text us 1.833.401.1440 directly. Connor McDavid is worth all the monies.
Akey did not earn any soup as he was held off the scoresheet in a 4-3 shootout victory.
Chelios is a Dinosaur
September 28, 2023 4:53 pm
Boy do I hate stupid tacky entitled VGK.
OriginalPouzar
September 28, 2023 3:01 pm
This Ekholm injury is more serious than first indicated. Woody answered “hope so” when asked if he’ll get some exhibition games. Used phrases such as “coming along” and “had a few good days here” and “right direction”.
Chris Johnston @reporterchris
Andrei Vasilevskiy had a microdiscectomy on a lumbar back herniation this morning, per TBL He’s expected to miss the first two months of the regular season.
definitely a big deal. Tampa may have to scratch and claw just to make the playoffs. They are still good, but not near as deep and this really hurts them.
Jackson speaks about sport science and injury prevention in an interview that drops the day Nurse plays apx 25 minutes in the first exhibition game. Two days later, Nurse and Bouch are both at a few seconds under 27 minutes.
Let me guess: Colorado’s smurf corps is high up on the list.
Scungilli Slushy
September 28, 2023 12:19 pm
Mr Curlock has a very interesting piece up. If you drop by here Bruce thanks for your work it is greatly appreciated. Don’t ever stop
It appears Woody has Crazy Coach on speed dial as the Oilers have adopted the Box + 1 D system CC mentioned post playoffs
Also changed up the forecheck back to Woody’s first one he used when he took over. I was very concerned that they wouldn’t do anything, and to me what the used last season wasn’t nearly as good in the playoffs
So props to Woody as his deep dive lead to adaptations. Should be less open players around the net and odd man rushes against, and better breakout support, the main team weaknesses over time for me
A passive zone defense is probably the weirdest tactical choice a squad with this much speed and skill could switch to.
The Author is taking his forecheck reads off a Centre Ice draw and then a full forward line change… The switch to the Box Plus 1? Well its being shown in the Jets games when the Oilers dressed one line of NHL players.
This isn’t to say they won’t play around with tactics and strategy all year depending on lineups and opponent. A good team would switch it up. But I wouldn’t get carried away with anointing new systems at this point. Its early days.
“Harpers Hair
Reply to Faustkarz
March 23, 2021 8:09 pm
Ty Smith..drafted 17th overall in 2018 played 23:30 tonight (2nd among Devils D) in a 4-3 win over the Flyers.
He now has 17 points in 30 games which pro-rates to 45 points in an 82 game season.
He’s 6 months younger than Bouchard.
Do you think the Devils are screwing up his development?”
For what it is worth – Winnipeg broadcasters found 1 player on Monday to be very noticeable.
One
And despite some Herculean tire pumping of a certain Dman ( who was very busy fishing pucks out of his own net in the 3rd period Monday) , it was not an Oiler defensemen.
Playing with 2 red seal certified plumbers against a decent Jets line up
Jets broadcasters found Raphael Lavoie to be very noticeable.
( no skin in the game for them)
God Speed Raphael
McSorley33
September 28, 2023 10:48 am
We have seen this before …..with players being thrust into positions they have no business being in.
Yamamoto playing ( many called it prior year and before last playoffs) cemented to top 6 mins in playoffs?
Woody- “ Hell, yeah”
4th line plumber Bjugstad getting put up to top lines in playoffs?
Woody- “ Hell, yeah”
NHL sure made it clear what it thinks about Kailer Yamamoto.
Lavoie should of been called up last spring when a certain winger had lost his game and was useless for long, long stretches. Lavoie might of been exactly what we needed against Vegas, kinda like Sleppy a few years ago being that big body going through the middle clearing room for the German. No way Lavoie makes it through waivers the Oilers are trying there best to sneak him through by playing him on the Sesame Street line.
I had season tickets to Oilers games for many years when living in Edmonton back when seeing a victory on home ice was as rare as a HH compliment for Oilers management.
Many a night I sat there watching a two goal lead heading into the third period crumble like cookie dough as the visiting team stepped on the gas for a couple of minutes to secure their victory by a goal or maybe a goal and an empty netter.
And so I would prepare myself for the inevitable monologue from my brother that lasted all the way to the LRT station and then the ride to where we had parked our cars about how Sather had traded Satan for nothing and how much different things would have turned out with him on the team. I must have heard that story close to a hundred times.
No idea why that just popped into my head but I thought you might enjoy the story. 🥸
I do enjoy the passion your brother had the loss of Satan hurt bad. In Sather defence the Oilers were on the brink, smashing and raiding there kids piggy banks to keep afloat. We are so lucky we didn’t lose our team like the Jets. Could you imagine the heathen Flames as the only team in Alberta.
OriginalPouzar
September 28, 2023 9:54 am
Adam Erne won two faceoffs but didn’t impact the game physically and that’s his jam.
Lane Pederson had two shots and his sorties look promising but don’t arrive at the destination with enthusiasm. I think the AHL is his future.
These two are falling below Lavoie and Sutter based on on-ice results/impact so far – to my eye.
OriginalPouzar
September 28, 2023 9:51 am
Markus Niemelainen had two shots on goal, three hits and four shots blocked. He was physical and consistent, for me he established himself as the No. 8 defender on the depth chart (and first NHL recall). I think he’ll find his way through waivers and be in the Condors lineup opening night.
I’ve been critical of Niemo at times – I love how he “hunts players” but it often takes him out of position and can lead to chances against. Last night, he hunted a few people but the timing was right and he had supports – I’m not sure if that is a sign of him learning to pick his spots a bit better or a conicidance but it was noticeable to me.
He also made a couple quick edge moves and puck outlets that were more skilled than I believe I’ve seen in the past.
Summary: Great game from Niemo last night.
OriginalPouzar
September 28, 2023 9:48 am
Evan Bouchard showed why he should always be deployed with high skill when he sent an inspired pass to McDavid for the winner
100% agree and I mentioned this last night and its a reason I’ve been citing for Bouchard to play with Nurse (as oppossed to Broberg playing with Nurse) given we know that Nurse will be deployed with McDavid:
It’s noticeable that Nurse is deferring to Bouchard more and not trying to do too much on his own. Which can only be a good thing, Nurse can concentrate more on being solid defensively. He may even be more of a shutdown guy paired with Bouchard. I see no reason for this pair not to be successful once it jells.
And of course, Ekholm’s influence on Broberg will be epic.
Revolved
September 28, 2023 9:13 am
In case anyone else was wondering, from Wikipedia: Winklepickers or winkle pickers are a style of shoe or boot worn from the 1950s onward, especially popular with British rock and roll fans such as teddy boys.
Melman
September 28, 2023 9:05 am
My my, how many folks will be googling “winklepickers” only to say hey, hey I remember those
Tarkus
September 28, 2023 8:53 am
Prospectorizing!
The 2023-24 prospecting season commences this day with the Oilers’ shiny new 2nd-rounder Beau Akey. He is part of the NA amateur septet (or octet if Jake Chiasson plays his overage season in the Dub as rumored) to be tracked the next several moons. The others being:
Nathan Day (Flint – G – OHL)
Luca Münzenberger (Vermont – D – Hockey East)
Joel Määttä (Vermont – F – Hockey East)
Matt Copponi (Merrimack – F – Hockey East)
Shane Lachance (Boston University – F – Hockey East)
Tomas Mazura (St. Lawrence – F – ECAC)
Programming note: Highlights of said prospects henceforth will be few and far between (if at all) because Intercourse Elon Musk.
Akey and his Colts of Barrie battle Petrov’s former mates from North Bay. Puck drop @ 5 p.m. Ferrier time.
Absolutely love this and have missed it. I used to work with a guy who was the muni king of finance and he had no finance degree. His degree was in geography. When he asked the first bank who hired him why, they said he was the only guy who knew where these towns were!
Staios officially joins the Sens as POHO.
For all that, he looks quite bright-eyed and bushy-tailed:
https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=123394
Blackhawks 2-1 in OT over the Blues.
Connor Bedard with 2A in his NHL debut.
Kraken 3-1 in regulation over the Canucks.
Devin Shore with 1A in his home debut.
Summarizing!
Akey did not earn any soup as he was held off the scoresheet in a 4-3 shootout victory.
Boy do I hate stupid tacky entitled VGK.
This Ekholm injury is more serious than first indicated. Woody answered “hope so” when asked if he’ll get some exhibition games. Used phrases such as “coming along” and “had a few good days here” and “right direction”.
more important he gets 100% healthy, even if it takes a little time … We NEED a Good Ekholm this season.
Cuts:
Grubbe, Tulio, Petrov, Berglund, Chiasson assigned to the Condors.
I think there camp gets going in the next day or two.
I didn’t see Savoie – I hope he plays tomorrow before he gets assigned.
Bourgault still here – he’ll be a later cut – probably a couple of more games.
Sports smorts… What do you think of that Sweet Sound of Heaven?
“Calling occupants of interplanetary craft”
Chris Johnston
@reporterchris
Andrei Vasilevskiy had a microdiscectomy on a lumbar back herniation this morning, per TBL He’s expected to miss the first two months of the regular season.
First to report: Kevin Weekes
definitely a big deal. Tampa may have to scratch and claw just to make the playoffs. They are still good, but not near as deep and this really hurts them.
Back surgery always sets off alarm bells for me.
Jackson speaks about sport science and injury prevention in an interview that drops the day Nurse plays apx 25 minutes in the first exhibition game. Two days later, Nurse and Bouch are both at a few seconds under 27 minutes.
Defense corps ranked.
https://theathletic.com/4899566/2023/09/28/nhl-rankings-defense-tiers-2023/?source=user_shared_article
Let me guess: Colorado’s smurf corps is high up on the list.
Mr Curlock has a very interesting piece up. If you drop by here Bruce thanks for your work it is greatly appreciated. Don’t ever stop
It appears Woody has Crazy Coach on speed dial as the Oilers have adopted the Box + 1 D system CC mentioned post playoffs
Also changed up the forecheck back to Woody’s first one he used when he took over. I was very concerned that they wouldn’t do anything, and to me what the used last season wasn’t nearly as good in the playoffs
So props to Woody as his deep dive lead to adaptations. Should be less open players around the net and odd man rushes against, and better breakout support, the main team weaknesses over time for me
A passive zone defense is probably the weirdest tactical choice a squad with this much speed and skill could switch to.
The Author is taking his forecheck reads off a Centre Ice draw and then a full forward line change… The switch to the Box Plus 1? Well its being shown in the Jets games when the Oilers dressed one line of NHL players.
This isn’t to say they won’t play around with tactics and strategy all year depending on lineups and opponent. A good team would switch it up. But I wouldn’t get carried away with anointing new systems at this point. Its early days.
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Is that the “better than Bouchard” Ty Smith?
Alas the young man’s career seems off the rails.
Poor bastard had no chance once you declared him better than Bouchard. The kiss of death.
I believe it is.
Yet another example of how difficult scouting kids can be and why you don’t really know until years later.
You can use every tool in the box and still end up with the 1st round bust or the 7th round 1st liner.
Obligatory reminder:
“Harpers Hair
Reply to Faustkarz
March 23, 2021 8:09 pm
Ty Smith..drafted 17th overall in 2018 played 23:30 tonight (2nd among Devils D) in a 4-3 win over the Flyers.
He now has 17 points in 30 games which pro-rates to 45 points in an 82 game season.
He’s 6 months younger than Bouchard.
Do you think the Devils are screwing up his development?”
I remember that one. Nice find. I do wish there was a better way to search for old comments.
HH really does have the kiss of death when it comes to defensemen.
Like Makar?
Broggannnn
Raffertttyyyy!
Future Calder trophy nominee Juuss Valamaki – who has bounced back last year after being waived.
I had McDavid pegged to be good. Exceptional talent scouting in both cases by us.
Just defencemen?
Hoglander and Podolzkin say hello 👋
And possibly offenseman as well:
“Harpers Hair
March 24, 2020 9:17 pm
You can’t win em all..although Colborne’s career was severely hampered by injury. 🙂”
The question is now, did HH give Colborne his kiss of death before his injury or after?
Or perhaps… comparing Draisaitl to him was terrible to begin with.
You could write a book.
For what it is worth – Winnipeg broadcasters found 1 player on Monday to be very noticeable.
One
And despite some Herculean tire pumping of a certain Dman ( who was very busy fishing pucks out of his own net in the 3rd period Monday) , it was not an Oiler defensemen.
Playing with 2 red seal certified plumbers against a decent Jets line up
Jets broadcasters found Raphael Lavoie to be very noticeable.
( no skin in the game for them)
God Speed Raphael
We have seen this before …..with players being thrust into positions they have no business being in.
Yamamoto playing ( many called it prior year and before last playoffs) cemented to top 6 mins in playoffs?
Woody- “ Hell, yeah”
4th line plumber Bjugstad getting put up to top lines in playoffs?
Woody- “ Hell, yeah”
NHL sure made it clear what it thinks about Kailer Yamamoto.
God Speed Raphael
Lavoie should of been called up last spring when a certain winger had lost his game and was useless for long, long stretches. Lavoie might of been exactly what we needed against Vegas, kinda like Sleppy a few years ago being that big body going through the middle clearing room for the German. No way Lavoie makes it through waivers the Oilers are trying there best to sneak him through by playing him on the Sesame Street line.
I had season tickets to Oilers games for many years when living in Edmonton back when seeing a victory on home ice was as rare as a HH compliment for Oilers management.
Many a night I sat there watching a two goal lead heading into the third period crumble like cookie dough as the visiting team stepped on the gas for a couple of minutes to secure their victory by a goal or maybe a goal and an empty netter.
And so I would prepare myself for the inevitable monologue from my brother that lasted all the way to the LRT station and then the ride to where we had parked our cars about how Sather had traded Satan for nothing and how much different things would have turned out with him on the team. I must have heard that story close to a hundred times.
No idea why that just popped into my head but I thought you might enjoy the story. 🥸
Ken Holland wears nice suits.
I do enjoy the passion your brother had the loss of Satan hurt bad. In Sather defence the Oilers were on the brink, smashing and raiding there kids piggy banks to keep afloat. We are so lucky we didn’t lose our team like the Jets. Could you imagine the heathen Flames as the only team in Alberta.
These two are falling below Lavoie and Sutter based on on-ice results/impact so far – to my eye.
I’ve been critical of Niemo at times – I love how he “hunts players” but it often takes him out of position and can lead to chances against. Last night, he hunted a few people but the timing was right and he had supports – I’m not sure if that is a sign of him learning to pick his spots a bit better or a conicidance but it was noticeable to me.
He also made a couple quick edge moves and puck outlets that were more skilled than I believe I’ve seen in the past.
Summary: Great game from Niemo last night.
100% agree and I mentioned this last night and its a reason I’ve been citing for Bouchard to play with Nurse (as oppossed to Broberg playing with Nurse) given we know that Nurse will be deployed with McDavid:
Nurse/Bouchard – McDavid
Ekholm/Broberg – Drai
It’s noticeable that Nurse is deferring to Bouchard more and not trying to do too much on his own. Which can only be a good thing, Nurse can concentrate more on being solid defensively. He may even be more of a shutdown guy paired with Bouchard. I see no reason for this pair not to be successful once it jells.
And of course, Ekholm’s influence on Broberg will be epic.
In case anyone else was wondering, from Wikipedia: Winklepickers or winkle pickers are a style of shoe or boot worn from the 1950s onward, especially popular with British rock and roll fans such as teddy boys.
My my, how many folks will be googling “winklepickers” only to say hey, hey I remember those
Prospectorizing!
The 2023-24 prospecting season commences this day with the Oilers’ shiny new 2nd-rounder Beau Akey. He is part of the NA amateur septet (or octet if Jake Chiasson plays his overage season in the Dub as rumored) to be tracked the next several moons. The others being:
Nathan Day (Flint – G – OHL)
Luca Münzenberger (Vermont – D – Hockey East)
Joel Määttä (Vermont – F – Hockey East)
Matt Copponi (Merrimack – F – Hockey East)
Shane Lachance (Boston University – F – Hockey East)
Tomas Mazura (St. Lawrence – F – ECAC)
Programming note: Highlights of said prospects henceforth will be few and far between (if at all) because Intercourse Elon Musk.
Akey and his Colts of Barrie battle Petrov’s former mates from North Bay. Puck drop @ 5 p.m. Ferrier time.
To add: If someone actually has an account on The Website Formerly Known As Twitter, feel free to add highlight links appropriately.
I’ll bite. Were you mean to poor Elon and get yourself declared persona non grata over there? 😎
5 p.m. Ferrier time
Absolutely love this and have missed it. I used to work with a guy who was the muni king of finance and he had no finance degree. His degree was in geography. When he asked the first bank who hired him why, they said he was the only guy who knew where these towns were!
Thanks again for these.
A highlight for me.