The Edmonton Oilers made the first real cuts of preseason yesterday. The biggest name? Tyler Tullio. He played in one preseason game, getting two shots on goal in 8:37. The Oilers outshot the opponent 6-2 when he was on the ice and his five-on-five expected goal share was 58 percent. In any other year this century, guaranteed he gets a second game. This year? All of the cannons are pointed at Stanley.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Oilers reaching critical pressure point with prospect Raphael Lavoie
- New DNB: A third Edmonton Oilers tenure, no matter the odds, is Sam Gagner’s goal
- Lowetide: Should the Edmonton Oilers alter how Connor McDavid is deployed?
- DNB: Oilers, Flames unveil Heritage Classic jerseys: How do we rate them?
- DNB: Vincent Desharnais Q&A
- Lowetide: Can the Oilers find a useful player on the waiver wire?
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers’ top recall options for 2023-24
- DNB: 6 observations from the first two days
- Lowetide: Can the Edmonton Oilers ice a balanced roster in 2023-24?
- DNB: Inside the Edmonton Oilers hiring Michael Parkatti to run an analytics department
- Lowetide: Were the Edmonton Oilers’ summer moves supported by analytics?
- DNB: 10 pressing Edmonton Oilers questions entering training camp
- Lowetide: The Oilers’ best prospect is Xavier Bourgault. Will he play in the NHL this year?
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers prospects preseason stock watch
- Lowetide: Why Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins remains key to Stanley Cup pursuit
- Lowetide: 5 Oilers assets that could get moved early or late in 2023-24
- Lowetide: What to expect from Oilers rookies, led by Raphael Lavoie
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers 2023-24 complete reasonable expectations
- Lowetide: What should Oilers fans expect from new scouting director Richard Pracey?
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers top 20 prospects, summer 2023
THE DISTANT BELLS
The major cuts yesterday are here. I don’t think there are surprises in the group, although Tullio was a player I thought might hang around. He didn’t play poorly, but there are seven right-wingers still in camp and there needed to be a cull. Of the group still left, Xavier Bourgault is the most impressive this camp. Carter Savoie will get a game in at some point, I’d like to see everyone again at least once among the men still standing.
UNCERTAIN OILERS
From this group, the most impressive names (for me) have been Raphael Lavoie, Brandon Sutter, Lane Pederson and Markus Niemelainen. I think all of them could play in the NHL this season.
CERTAIN OILERS
I keep hearing people talk about this player or that “falling behind” but the truth is that training camp is a dangerously small sample size. If you’re cheering for your favourite team to do something rash based on one or two preseason games, perhaps turn it down to a slow boil. Bubble players based on performance? I cannot name anyone.
IF THE SEASON STARTED TOMORROW
Right now, I’d put Lavoie making the team (or being placed on IR, or someone else going on IR) at about 60 percent, with a trade (20) and waivers (20) running in place and show. I could be wrong, the nature of the Connor Brown contract implies that for Ken Holland it’s 4am at the table in Vegas and sober faces are looking back at him. We’ll see. I don’t think the Oilers are so desperate to win a Stanley that Brandon Sutter is enough to flush a talented goal-scoring prospect, but it’s a new day. Jeff Jackson’s rep will take a hit, because it’s not smart.
THE AGE 20 GROUP IN 2020-21
Raphael Lavoie (turned 20 in September 2020) began with Vasby IK in the Allsvenskan. He led the club in scoring (51 games, 23-22-45, NHLE of 26.1) before coming back to North America and scoring 5-5-10 in 19 AHL games with the Bakersfield Condors (21.0 NHLE). He has a great release and is dangerous on the AHL power-play when he gets a chance.
Matej Blumel (turned 20 end of May 2020) had a strong second season in the Czech league (49 games, 17-15-32, NHLE 29.3) is a speedster who is average in size (6.0, 198). He was one of the more promising wingers in the system at 20.
Maxim Denezhkin (turned 20 December 2020) is a personal favourite based only on his scouting report. He is a lefty center, with great passing skills and an idea about the complete game. Good speed, Pronman likes his ability to play with the puck. There’s every chance we never see him in North America but he owns an interesting resume.
Olivier Rodrigue (turned 20 in July 2020) is one of several goaltender prospects matriculating in the Oilers system. He started the season in Austria (23, 3.11 .908) and was backup for the Condors (11, 2.99 .894) when the Bakersfield season got underway. Had a .930 SP in his final four appearances with the Condors age 20.
Mike Kesselring (turned 20 in January 2020) and is a big defenseman with an unusual skating style (he’s effective) and raw offensive skills. At Northeastern in 2020-21 (20, 5-3-8, NHLE 12.9) he impacted the offensive game much more than his freshman year in Hockey-East. Once signed and graduated to Bakersfield, he was used in a depth role (21, 1-2-3 NHLE: 5.7). At 20, he had shown real potential.
Summary: There were some promising players here, led by Lavoie who I rated as a first-round pick in his draft season. He scored goals at about the same rate as Pouliot, but didn’t play the same feature role during all of his Bakersfield games. Lavoie was on track as an NHL player based on his 20-year-old season. The others were farther away and we know from history it’s possible none of them makes it, impossible to identify anyone from the rest of the pack at age 20.
THE AGE 20 GROUP IN 2021-22
Dylan Holloway (turned 20 in September 2021) is a perfect fit for the current Oilers. In the fall of 2021, he was 6.01, 203 and coming off a breakout season with Wisconsin (11-24-35 in 23 games, NHLE 41.6). His rookie NHL season had fits and starts, but his arrows are pointed in a good direction now.
Philip Broberg (turned 20 in June 2021) was one of several lefthanded blue who in the mix for NHL work in 2021-22. His SHL season (44, 3-10-13 NHLE 14.4) included a power-play spike and an injury that contributed to his moving down the depth chart (third pair). Lots of Oilers fans remain down on this player, but his comparable all down the line is a good one. Oscar Klefbom had an NHLE of 13.3 at the same age. Broberg’s story is not over.
Maxim Berezkin (turned 20 in October 2021) is 6.02, 201 and is big, strong, wins board battles and is a good skater. He is a KHL regular and would be a substantial AHL player if he were in North America.
Summary: A shorter list with stronger candidates. Holloway has arrived. Broberg has too, but we still don’t know where he’ll land on the depth chart as a mature player. Berezkin is a fascinating player who delivers in an area of need should he ever play for the Oilers.
Tomorrow: Last year’s group and what to look for in 2023-24.
At noon, on Sports 1440, we’ll kickstart the weekend and talk about the Oilers training camp progress, the CFL and NFL weekend and the waiver wire. Guests include Steve Lansky, Tyler Yaremchuk and (hopefully) Ryan Pike from Flames Nation. You can leave comments here, @Lowetide on twitter or text us 1.833.401.1440 directly.
Highlights of last night’s Barrie win in which Akey sets up the first goal with a nifty pass and scores the dagger into an empty net from long-range:
https://chl.ca/ohl/video/ohl-highlights-sep-29-23-bar-3-nb-1
Nice game summary by Bruce McCurdy but I was also watching on Oilers+ and my feed didn’t cut out before the Malone goal, for what its worth.
It was obvious Woody was giving Pederson a huge push tonight no matter how much he sucked. It’s now old man Sutter job to lose, if he can’t keep up than its a C on the waiver wire or more likely a trade for one.
Give Griffith and Malone a few games over the course of the year. Nothing wrong with doing that for the AHL leaders.
If Sutter looks like he has some game left – I’d keep him on a PTO past the deadline – and activate him with the first injury. I don’t believe there is any issue keeping him on a PTO after the rosters are set.
I’d like RNH on the 3rd line in the playoffs with McLeod and Foegle. That is depth you win with. Holloway is hopefully ready to play with Hyman and Drai by then
Niemo looking like our #8 for now but we will see how the AHL guys play the rest of the way.
Campbell will be fine. He looked very much in control of his crease today.
I watched a good chunk of the third, Oilers were playing great. But when I saw the Calgary 2-0 go in I shut it off. Kids had to go to bed and I assumed it was over. Just checked the score and was shocked to see the result!
I am liking the low event games this team is playing so far in the preseason- not many goals for either side. I honestly have not watched enough to comment but hoping this means the team is playing with structure and patience first. You’ve got all season to run ragged, better learn to win ugly too.
Very very nice game for Jack Campbell tonight.
New equipment, team, city, expectations and terrible start last year. With the addition of Ekholm I believe our goaltending will be silky smooth this year,
That’s too funny.
Homer Flames broadcast crew wanted Backlund the new captain to get a goal so bad that they were blind to the obvious interference in the crease by the Flames player. After a few replays, they relented a little but come on, don’t let your homerism make you look like idiots.
Stupid Falmes broadcast. We barely got a look at Jack’s new mask.
Great shot of the new lid here:
Another Dave Gunnarsson beauty
That is a great picture!
Am glad I managed to sync to 630 Ched broadcast. Last game the Winnipeg homers were driving me crazy.
Breaks
Their
Hearts!!! Malone goes Boom.
hahahaha………..future Oilers hall of famer Brad Malone wins it in OT
Suck it, Falmes!
Griffith to Malone to beat Vladar looked alot like Drai to McDavid to beak Markstrom.
That was a fantastic OT goal.
I’m not sure what Pederson has done to deserve all these offensive opportunities – every PP, starting the OT, etc.
I agree. They should have went with McDavid on a few of the PPs. 😛
Feel it is more a matter that McLeod is not playing that Pederson is getting more looks.
Pedersen & Malone are McDavid & Draisaitl on this night. Against a stacked Flames team in preseason. Guess what? The Flames truly are pathetic.
Griffith and Malone – not Pederson.
hahaha…
A 2-0 goal by Calgary gets called back and the ensuing PP Holloway buries it to tie the game at 1
It even feels good in pre-season
Holloway certainly earned that tying PP Goal tonight – best Oilers all night long, all night (for his 3rd straight game). Good job working to find the soft space so Foegele could feed him for that one-timer.
Totally agree.
It’s only preseason of course and the Oilers have not iced a full lineup, but still would like to see more than a total of 2 Oiler regulation goals in 4 games.
Saving the offense for the regular season.
A cunning stratagem indeed.
Offence is going to be the least of their worries.
Lane Pederson cannot be the 12F on this team – he just can’t be. He has killed pretty much all offensive sorties that have occurred while he’s been on the ice.
Woody gave him so many opportunities. He just couldn’t rise to the challenge.
Bourgault is having a nice game.
In the 2nd period, Stauff talks about Broberg will be playing with Ekholm when he’s in the lineup.
Now, in the 3rd period, Stauff is talking about how neither Broberg or Deharnais are locks for the team.
OK!
What’s with all of the zoom ins on Blake Coleman’s face?
Hey is Lavoie playing tonight?
Gettin Corsi’ed. 5-11.
Watching the cute brunette lip sinc Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi was classic.
Campbell feelin’ it. Looks confident.
How is Oesterle this effective?
Summarizing!
Akey turned in a 1st star performance with 1+1 as Barrie won 3-1.
Day had a night to forget, getting the mercy pull five mins into the 2nd after allowing 6 GA on 28 shots as Flint got trounced 11-3.
Jack was quick, Jack was nimble, and Jack is keeping us in the game.
He’s been looking very poised and square to the shots. OMG starting goalie controversy!
Sticking to the facts Jack was already back and his game was on track but the coach gave him no slack for the Vegas attack and Ack!!! Stanley we lack.
Well, at least 4 people have no appreciation for creativity. Must be fLame fans.
😀😀
Lavoie and Malone opening up ice for Holloway.
Lavoie out there on the 1PP.
He made some good passes to Pederson who flubbed the puck 3 times. Pederson probably hasn’t been on a PP since Mighty Mights.
A lot of time defending and small sample size and all, but I thought Campbell looked decent that period
Campbell very solid that 1st period – calm and compact.
Holloway, by far, the most impactful Oilers – he was the best Oilers in the first two games he played and the best Oiler in the 1st period tonight.
Yea liking Campbell’s play tonight. Holloway has that extra gear and is noticeable tonight for sure.
Hard to listen to the Flames broadcasters. Expect the homer comments, but the excuses for their boys are unending. Huberdeau is good but where is the creativity, and he doesn’t seem to want to shoot… high pay for a passer.
It’s a treat not having to hear Hrudey voice.
Haha, so true. Sadly I fully expect to hear his (ill) informed comments on HNIC… volume muted.
You listen to the American broadcast with Gretzky the wealth of information. Bissonnette and Tocchet with fire in their bellies and the clever Anson Carter. Now with Tocchet out they bring in the Man Henrik Lundqvist with the goalie slant. These men are a pleasure to watch and listen to they talk Hockey not virtue signal about the new flavour of the week.
Well looks like Jack going to get lots of work tonight…
Tom Gazzola
For those who would like to watch the Oilers vs Flames game tonight but don’t have an Oilers+ account, you can watch the game on Flames TV. (Restricted to Canada only)
https://www.nhl.com/flames/video/calgary-flames-live-stream-6336966459112
Holloway/Malone/Lavoie is a line.
There we go, Lavoie does NOT get to play with the two established NHL players in the lineup – Foegele and/or Ryan. Playing with Ryan would make alot of sense as, if Lavoie is on the team, Ryan would probably be his center.
Foegele/Pederson/Ryan
There ya go – Pederson with the push over Lavoie – no surprises here.
All this hand wringing over a player who has yet to score in an NHL pre-season game.
Same thing happened last year with Samorukov.
Rookies need to push the vets out the lineup. If Lavoie is ready, he’ll go out there tonight and earn more pre-season ice time.
What vet has been in the lineup that he needs to push out? Lane Pederson and Brandon Sutter are not vets that need to be pushed out of the lineup – one doesn’t even have a contract.
Further, Lavoie made more of a noticeable impact in his one game than Sutter or Pederson in either of those yet, once again, he’s not moved up the lineup and Pederson given the higher start than Lavoie.
Chill OP – let the game play out and we’ll see which line gets more ice tonight.
I trust that Woody will give everyone a fair shake.
Looking at the lineup tonight, I’m not sure Woody is really doing Pederson a favour having him centre the only returning two returning forwards from last year’s team …. that looks like a line that’s going to get fed to wolves (aka – sent out to shut down Lindholm’s line).
Definitely no surprise, especially when you consider Ryan is not a center.
On one hand you’re saying he’s not getting a “push” and get he’s lining up with Holloway whom you said has been the best Oiler player.
I know what you mean, but letting him wheel with Holloway isn’t exactly playing him with scrubs. Maybe they want to see how he does with the speed Holloway brings?
Seems like the coaching staff has decided Ryan is no longer a center.
Lavoie probably makes/or doesn’t make the team based on his play away from the puck so games like this playing with scrubs gives a player the best chance to separate himself from the pack.
Woody said yesterday that he will play Ryan at center in exhibition.
If he won’t play Ryan at center, then he’s locking in Sutter or Pederson as the 12F.
Jays giving it to the Rays 7-0 bottom of the 4 th!
8-4 now top of the 6th with two on and one out. Hope the Jays don’t blow it.
Jays get out of the 6th and promptly score 2 more runs.
SIlly thought. If they think SKinner will hold the net and either Rodrique or Pickard are good enough for backup or 1B, is there a deal to be had to send Campbell to Tampa for a 4c middle 6 winger/ upgrade on Ceci? They are in a world of hurt in goal with Vasilevski out.
Just blue skying – could be interesting if there was a fit…
Noone is taking on 4 X $5MM right now – that’s a massive negative value contract and the Oilers would have to retain and pay to get rid of it.
If Campbell rebounds, like we anticipate he will, then in a year’s time, he could be moveable without too much pain but certainly not now.
Also, no, I don’t think that management would want to go in to this season with Skinner and a journeyman 3G (or a rookie that isn’t ready).
Fair enough. Perhaps by mid November if Tampa is desperate, and Campbell starts to rebound there is room to explore? Nothing against Campbell as I HOPE he rbounds, but I can envision an opportunity to flip him for an appropriately price 1B/2 goalie in some combination of moves to allow either expanding the roster or improving another position…
I’m sure TB would find some shady way of making Campbell’s contract disappear to Robidas Island the same day that Vasielevskiy was ready to return, and the NHL would totally look the other way.
Edmonton does not do a deal like that, cause it would leave us one Skinner injury away from being in the same situation that TB finds themselves in right now.
Very true. I will shelve the fantasy until the offseason, where Cap issues may make it more likely as a type of move.
Akey draws the primary helper as Barrie opens the scoring in period 1.
Day is getting shelled, allowing 4 goals on 14 shots with eight minutes left in the first.
Billy Guerin must’ve been drunk when he signed that Foligno contract.
Whole damn thing is negative value.
Woof – that is a bad deal. His older brother’s game started going off a cliff around the same age that Marcus is now, and Nick had more skill in his game.
Agreed. I thought Guerin did well to ice a very competitive team considering the Suter & Parise buyouts. And then he goes and blows a sizeable chunk of his future cap space on this deal.
Many are asking – what will Bedard do this year?
Here are the last 17 forwards drafted #1 OV and their PPG in year 1.
BEDARD – ???
SLAFKOVSKY – .26
LAFRENIERE – .37
J. HUGHES- .34
HIRSCHIER – .63
MATTHEWS – .84
MCDAVID – 1.06
MACKINNON – .77
YAKUPOV – .65
R.N.H. – .84
HALL – .65
TAVARES – .65
STAMKOS – .58
P. KANE – .88
CROSBY – 1.26
OVECHKIN – 1.31
R. NASH – .53
KOVALCHUK – .78
I have only watched the extended highlights of Bedard’s game vs St.Louis, but he looked like the goods. I would bet on better than .7 ppg for Bedard especially given the scoring level in the NHL last season.
Is Peters the only AHL contract left in camp and the only one who’s going to be playing a game? I thought his name was missing from the training camp roster and thought that was odd. If he is getting a game tonight and has stuck around I wonder if they’re contemplating adding an NHL component to his contract, if not now perhaps mid season like they did with Malone and Desharnais previously.
do you guys think Rodrigue will get some games in with the Oilers this year?
Decent chance perhaps.
I think it would be reasonable to presume that we’ll need an injury call up at some point – both goalies were healthy all year last year but two years in a row seems like a bit much.
First exhibition games aside, Pickard would be the go to call-up – that’s what he’s signed for but, if Rodrigue is performing better as the year goes on, maybe he does get the call?
Of course, our management and coaching staff does like to default to experience and vets and Pickard has played NHL games.
Ty Smith, once part of a draft cohort that was leaving Bouchard behind – now cleared waivers.
Pittsburgh didn’t want to lose him on waivers, so they waived him early.
Ty Smith has been on the wrong teams at the wrong time. Clearing waivers early also means teams with need can consider trading for him. Maybe that is what Dubas is planning, so they tried clearing him early.
Some slick work by Dubas Ty Smith is going to be in the N.H.L for many years just needs to find his niche.
Doesn’t it also mean that he hasn’t played well enough to earn a regular roster spot?
Not necessarily.
Pittsburgh added Erik Karlsson in the offseason and both Marcus Petterson and PO Joesph are older and a bit more established.
Should add…Ryan Graves was also acquired.
Which implies they thought they needed an upgrade on Smith on defense.
How many cuts will be announced after the game or tomorrow morning from tonight’s roster.
My guess is 6.
Peters
Hoefenmayer
McKegg
Griffith
Savoie
Hamblin
Dineen and Gleason are also probably on the list for a total of 8.
Game 5 is when the real competition for NHL jobs gets started.
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Placed on Waivers
Riley Nash C/RW NYR
Did the Jackets claim Martin so that the Lightning couldn’t?
Nah, they needed a proper 3rd option as neither of Greaves or Dell (PTO) inspire a lot of confidence.
They are going to carry a third goalie on their NHL roster?
Totally worth it if it handicaps TB. Someone in the East was going claim Martin; in the NHL when you’re drowning, the other GMs throw you an anvil.
It would do my heart good to see Broberg, Holloway, and Lavoie all make the team and play 15 minutes a night
No doubt Holloway and Broberg are on the team and I do think the org wants to give Broberg a chance for a bigger role.
It seems Holloway is pencilled in to a 4th line role to start but I would hope he earns that 3rd line LW spot and depth PK role that he’s a perfect fit for at this stage.
Lavoie, well, I just hope he can get an exhibition game shift with a more established player than Adam Erne or Brad Malone – we a far cry from the coaching giving him anything it seem.
The plan is in my opinion for the Oilers is to keep playing Lavoie with the dregs slide him through waivers then make a Kostin & Sammy type of deal where both players had cleared waivers. Staios obviously knows this player and I still can’t see him making it through either Ottawa are the smaller Habs.
That would not shock me.
Lavoie or his agent soured the wrong person. I’ve never seen a legit Oiler prospect get treated verbally so uninviting. I would say the Oilers organization told him and his agent to keep their mouths shut and that they’ll accommodate him with a trade or he”ll get picked off the waiver wire.
I don’t think the Oilers are so desperate to win a Stanley that Brandon Sutter is enough to flush a talented goal-scoring prospect, but it’s a new day
I hope this is true but I’m not seeing signs that it is.
When Woody spoke about Lavoie after the one game he played (where he showed well playing with Erne and Malone), Woody did speak about him doing some good things but also expressly mentioned some things to work on (i.e. teaching moments) – haven’t heard him say that about any other player through three games.
If Ryan McLeod was healthy, Sutter wouldn’t be getting these minutes. Lavoie has to keep doing good things, as he did against Winnipeg. He’s auditioning for the Oilers but if he plays well Lavoie will get noticed by other teams, too.
Maybe on Sutter but I think he’d still get games with real NHL players as he has been. It will be interesting to see if Lavoie plays with Foegele and Ryan tonight – test Ryan at center with Lavoie – makes sense to me.
Sure, Lavoie is auditioning for a waiver claim but that’s the situation where they are willing to flush the young player for the vet, right?
As fans we are so jaded by past stupidity that it seems like this is another mistake waiting to happen. Woody, Jackson, Holland & co. collectively seem past the “we’re smarter than everyone one in the room” BS of yesteryear. We also don’t know what happens in the room. Is the low key verbal intended to keep a fire under Ralph’s ass? Does he get schlep linemates so there’s a better chance of letting him slide through waivers? Keeping him over Sutter (or Holloway) to start the season seems pretty obvious. Maybe he kicks out the jams and all of a sudden McLovin – who had one foot out the door in Feb. – gets dealt and voila Raphy stays along with the cheaper Foegy return and suddenly the roster starts at 22 players.
Best of all we are agonizing over the 12th forward spot on the roster. Thanks be to fresh air
Its a good post and we don’t know what we don’t know – we’re not in the room or know what the org is thinking – I can only go on what I see and what I hear the coaches and managers say and what I see (and hear) is the vast desire to have the 34 year old make the team and being put in a better spot to succeed than the younger player.
I was hoping for more from Tulio through rookie camp and main camp. That’s OK though, it means very little but here is hoping he starts strong in Bako.
Wouldn’t have thought that Savoie would last longer at main camp but its a function of him being banged up and not getting a game yet – he’s playing tonight.
Savoie did look better than Tulio (to my eye) in Penticton – it will be tough to get much done tonight as I’m sure he’ll be playing with AHL vets against a strong flames lineup but excited to see him – he was hurt for camp last season, like Lavoie.
Savoie seems to be one of those players often getting hit hard. If he can’t somehow change his game to limit the pounding he may be one of those guys who doesn’t reach his potential due to always being “banged up”!
Sutter and Pederson each with two games playing with some established NHL players – bottom six guys but at least guys that will be on the team.
Lavoie one game with Malone and Erne so far – what are the chances he gets to play with two of Holloway, Ryan or Foegele tonight? That would be the best linemates he’s ever had in a game.
In light of today’s match-up with our provincial rivals who are going through some tough times internally with the Chris Snow news, please consider signing up as an organ donor today in your jurisdiction, if you haven’t already and your area doesn’t have an automatic opt-in clause. You can do a lot of good to honour a good man and family.
More on Staios landing the POHO job in Ottawa.
https://ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/ottawa-senators/senators-name-staios-president-of-hockey-operations