Since the late 1960’s I have been watching young hockey players push through from the hopeful prospect to NHL player. At a basic level, the goal is one NHL game. Curtis Hamilton and Tyler Bunz reached it but were denied entry into the more exclusive club. Last night, Dylan Holloway pushed to a new level, as Oilers fans witnessed a young forward break on through to the other side. Holloway is bona fide. What a performance.
Raphael Lavoie's efforts to make the Oilers opening night roster saw him play a good but unspectacular game against the Flames. He'll need to do more tonight. He's the current state of affairs. https://t.co/oie2L1CQj9
Warren Foegele was flying, hitting five shots with three HDSC on evening. Even if he is never more than a third-line winger, he has real value. In the final 27 games of last season, he went 6-10-16, which works out to 18-30-48 over a full 82 games. I think that’s too strong, but he clearly has turned a corner based on those results and his peformance early this season.
Lane Pederson had a shot on goal, took a penalty and had a giveaway. He was 53 percent in the FO circle. I think he’s listing now.
Derek Ryan had a shot on goal, drew a penalty and was always on the right side of the puck. His coaches probably give him an extra slice of pizza at BP after the game.
Dylan Holloway was sensational. Scored a massive late goal to tie, but showed up in a good way right after the anthem. His speed is dynamic and it gets him where he wants to go in a quick hurry. Three shots, three HDSC, four takeaways (and a couple of gives) and I think we’re done with talk of sending him down. What a game.
Brad Malone scored the winner and brought the physical element to the game Edmonton coaches no doubt wanted to see. He’s 100 years old and has been kicking around forever, but in this game performed better than any other center. Impressive game.
Raphael Lavoie had two shots, three blocked shots, had a couple of reasonable looks and showed off his improved two-way game. He did not stand out as he did versus the Jets, but held serve on that last roster spot. If he gets a start tonight, it would be a good idea to take advantage.
Drake Caggiula didn’t play much and didn’t push for more time. He isn’t a factor in the roster decision.
James Hamblin had a HDSC, drew a penalty and was 55 percent in the dot. I am always impressed by his quickness, but his inability to score in 10 NHL games a year ago may mean he doesn’t get much if any action with the Oilers this coming season.
Xavier Bourgault had two shots, a takeaway and a blocked shot for the Oilers. He was more subtle than in the two previous games but remains effective against improved competition. I think he’s showing a level of NHL readiness that few (including me) expected in this preseason.
Carter Savoie has great anticipation and we saw it a couple of times last night. He didn’t get much going offensively, but I’d run him out there again tonight.
Greg McKegg drew a penalty and won 62 percent of the draws. He’s going to play down the depth chart in Bakersfield if Pederson and Hamblin are in the AHL.
Seth Griffith had two assists and not much else, but the assists were important and the setup to Malone perfectly placed .
Brett Kulak had an assist, three shots and blocked four. He was strong along the wall and gave the upstart Oilers a veteran’s savvy on the top pairing.
Cody Ceci had a shot on goal, took a penalty and he was in position but unable to tie up a stick on the Calgary goal. It’s early days and plenty of script is to be written, but you can feel him sliding down the depth chart in the late September air.
Alex Peters had a couple of shots on goal and played well in something of a feature role for the Oilers. I think he would have had consideration for an NHL last spring but didn’t get it.
Vincent Desharnais was impressive again. He’s more confident this year and played a ruffian style to perfection against the veteran Flames. He’s a nasty piece of work.
Markus Niemelainen has enjoyed a strong camp so far and played well last night. I don’t think it’ll be enough to make the team.
Phil Kemp had three shots and two blocks in what might have been his toughest game (in terms of competition) yet. His pairing kept the Lindholm pairing to zero shots in 4:49 at five-on-five.
Jack Campbell had a strong evening, stopping all but one and cleaning up the crease when his rebound control (still an issue) was wobbly. I thought he was impressive.
Ah west coast games. And that was a relatively early Sunday affair. Eastern time zone fans getting into game shape here too – slept right through that third. Happy to wake up to a Lavoie snipe despite a meaningless Oiler loss.
AsiaOil
October 1, 2023 5:36 am
Well he’s not going to scrap like Kostin but Lavoie pretty much has the shot part covered.
Harpers Hair
September 30, 2023 11:41 pm
Kelsie Snow @kelsieswrites
Today we hugged Chris for the last time and said goodbye as he went to give four people the gift of life by donating his kidneys, liver and lungs. We are deeply broken and deeply proud. In life and in death, Chris never stopped giving. We walk forward with his light guiding us.
I haven’t seen Old Man Bouchard this angered since Canada Post lost his pension cheque.
Bank Shot
September 30, 2023 9:31 pm
Nice to see Lavoie pot one.
I think Pederson has had a nice game tonight as well. I don’t get the hate for him. Is it primarily because he’s in direct competion with Lavoie for a job?
Well tonight he was:
11-7 corsis
7-3 shots
4-0 high danger chances
88% xGF
Created a few chances. No notable mistakes.
I don’t feel like he did anything to hurt his chances tonight. Coaching staff must see something in him to give him the opportunities. His passing seems to usually be on the tape.
Some fans seem to want him shot into the sun, but he’s been holding his own so far in my estimation.
I agree he doesn’t fit the usual mold of a 4th line grinder. Not super strong in scrums and isn’t used on the PK. His skating looks a lot better than the other candidates for 4th line C though.
OriginalPouzar
September 30, 2023 9:27 pm
Not a tough play but solid little headman from Broberg to spring Lavoie.
Montreal and Ottawa had a good look at that snipe (Staios already knows) Lavoie will recieve his opportunity with a playmaking Centre sometime this fall.
OriginalPouzar
September 30, 2023 9:25 pm
Lavoie needed that. What a snipe.
Walter Gretzkys Neighbour
September 30, 2023 9:23 pm
Well here are some non stats non analytical based observations – Skinner looks very very poor, Hamblin, Griffith, Pederson, Malone should have played their last game in the NHL this year. If there is justice in the universe Sutter will not be on the opening night lineup. Lavoie looks uninterested and NHL referees are truly horrible.
I’m not a goalie coach and don’t know how many of the goals you can put on him (maybe the 5-hole), but it seems that Vancouver is deliberately shooting high on Skinner in the PP.
Could be they seem him going down early, or they feel that he’s going to just go down and put it over him. but they’ve been successful at it tonight.
That goal started when Broberg’s stick got ripped out of his hands at the other end of the ice. Add in a no-call on a pick 5 feet from the ref….#preseason4everyone
If Kostin had been in trading camp last year, how much would he have accomplished with the cast of characters that Lavoie has been saddled with. Lavoie is a shooter. Play him with someone who is able to get the puck to him.
Top 6 is set and a 3rd line of Holloway-McLeod-Foegle will be a serious handful. You don’t need Lavoie this year – you need him next year to replace Foegle as he’s UFA and his salary will probably be an issue.
I’m not too concerned about the 4th line. Ryan is a 4th liner by age (not skill) and playing him higher would wear him down needlessly. You want him ready for the playoffs not a worn out shell. Ryan can also take 4th line defensive face-offs on his strong side and still play RW. Would be nice if he could play with Borg for a while this year as they are similar in some ways and he could teach the young guy a trick or two. Janmark-Ryan-Lavoie would be fine to get the kid some minutes.
Peterson down and keep Sutter on PTO to see how he progresses if he shows well enough in the final pre-season games. Nothing is lost or risked – and maybe he can be ready by Christmas. Slow boots though and this is the end of the line for him – but nice he’s gotten a chance to go out on the ice.
Scungilli Slushy
September 30, 2023 4:54 pm
I don’t know if anyone will find this funny but I did so I’ll share
A fella I know and have mentioned here played junior back in the hooligan days. From Ontario, lots of family into hockey. His brother owns some not Panthers team in Florida. Bro was pitching the WHL on something so had Mem Cup tickets and my pal of course went
One set was for the WHL area and he chose that. He noticed Holland and his brother is ‘who’s that?’. Then he’s looking around and sees Tyler Wright whom he knew from hockey in Ontario. Walking by says hi and Tyler remembers him and says want to meet Ken?
Tyler introduces him as a big Oiler fan which he is, and Kenny says ‘what do we need to do to win a Cup?’. My pal is also a Tyler and says ‘get a better goalie and trade Nurse!’. Kenny says ‘you’re hired!’ and they have a chuckle
Holland has a sense of humour and my Tyler is still waiting for the start date
Before reading the comments and player moves I thought Caggiula, Hamblin, Savoie, McKegg and Griffith would be sent down. Liked Desharnais, Peters and Niemelaimen from the D.
Holloway was better looking than any Flame let alone his teammates. Lavoie was “ok”. But not stellar – as he was in Winnipeg.
John Chambers
September 30, 2023 2:41 pm
Have the Oilers announced a lineup for tonight’s game?
I’m deciding whether to spend actual money on pre-season tickets and obviously I’m only willing to do this if I get to watch 97 & 29.
I mean, really? It’s pre‐season…it shouldn’t matter… this post kind of passes me off. Support the the TEAM, not just the stars.
This is the reverse of what is wrong, IMHO, Oilers squeezing every last nickle out of people by charging for Oilers+ , etc… but meanwhile, it’s a preseason game trying to showcase the guys we might never remember, or the future unsung heroes, all of the above deserves a fans support, IMHO.
It’s $70 and has a lot of great content. Geez buddy, it’s a business, sorry you don’t get everything for free. I’m pretty sure my tax dollars are paying for you in some way.
Huh? First of all, I live in the USA, and I can assure you nothing here is “free”… but aside from that, I have no real idea what your actual point is… so, ok. 🤣🤣🤣
I feel like your comment kind of help make my point, if you want to support a team, support it, even if it’s not at it’s apex. 🤣🤣🤣🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️🤗🤗🤗
I’m trying to get my lady into hockey and if I’m going to drag her to a game at the stale old Rogers arena on gorgeous Saturday night in Vancouver I want her to see “the Messi of hockey”. She’s Latin.
I need her to see what all the fuss is about. Suppose I’ll save my dinero and pay to see a regular season game.
Just let her get her eyes on Craig MacTavish. A friend’s soccer-mad Venezuelan wife got into the Oilers in ‘05 just to watch him behind the bench.
wood99
September 30, 2023 1:24 pm
Watching Bourgault,I think we might be seeing our new version of Jere Lehtinen. Very heady player with a great stick. Not quite as strong but I think more sublime than Lehtinen. Sorry if incorrect spelling of J.L.
Let’s stop comparing the youngsters to once in a generation 2-way forwards like Lehtinen. The last guy who got that label (Jesse) never came close to that level of player.
I agree with this. He got his ass benched in the playoffs two years ago and that carried over to start the year. About ten-twelve games into last season he seemed to snap out of it and his play has been trending up since.
He’s in a contract year so I expect a push. Cheering hard for the guy.
DevilsLettuce
September 30, 2023 1:19 pm
Seeing The Borg play.. That’s a fellow who will be used to shut down high skilled forwards for years to come.
It cannot be understated how down the organization was on Lavoie until the second half of last season. Based on his body of work of the first 2 1/2 years of an entry-level contract, it’s very likely the Oilers would have had to think hard about even issuing him a qualifying offer.
But Lavoie exploded in the second half with 21 of his 25 goals scored from January onward. He finally felt healthy after missing summer training and camp because of knee surgery. He was way more engaged physically and committed to playing defensively. He needs to show that in the preseason.
OriginalPouzar
September 30, 2023 12:36 pm
Ekholm and McLeod both going on the west coast trip. Don’t know if either will play but there is some team building plans.
Alex Peters has been released from his PTO & will report to @Condors
Olivier Rodrigue, Carter Savoie, Noel Hoefenmayer have been loaned to Bakersfield.
Drake Caggiula, Greg McKegg have been placed on waivers for the purpose of assignment.
Campbell looked very calm last night. That is nice to see
Fuhr and Lowething in Vegreville
September 30, 2023 11:48 am
When he’s cleared to play, Patrick Kane on Leon’s LW, bump Nuge to 3c and run those bottom two lines equally. Shave some minutes of Connor and Leon’s games so they stay fresher for longer.
Patty Kane is going to want to get paid a lot more than the veteran minimum. Your agents put video packages out showing how well your rehab is going for a reason.
He’s not a realistic target given the cap space we have this season.
He’s definitely not signing for near league min and I’m not sure he’s looking to change positions where he does sign…..
leadfarmer
September 30, 2023 11:25 am
I do hope this team can find some cap space for the trade deadline because this forward corps is absolutely bonafide.
get a Ceci upgrade and you are cooking with fire
leadfarmer
September 30, 2023 11:23 am
It’s good to see the Holloway fan club finally getting some more members
this kid is gonna be a handful for next 10 years
Brendan Batchelor @BatchHockey
Looking like a very experienced roster will play for the #Canucks tonight. Miller, Pettersson, Kuzmenko, Hughes, Boeser, Hronek and Demko all skating in the game group this morning at Rogers Arena
I mean the higher end starters typically play the preseason home games
defmn
September 30, 2023 10:35 am
Xavier Bourgault had two shots, a takeaway and a blocked shot for the Oilers. He was more subtle than in the two previous games but remains effective against improved competition. I think he’s showing a level of NHL readiness that few (including me) expected in this preseason.
=============
I think subtle captures exactly what I was seeing last night from Bourgault. There is a level of maturity in his game that is unusual in a player so young imo. Not dynamic like Holloway but smart, smart player.
Did not know that or I would have given credit Bruce.
He just always seems to make the right little move or always be where he should be to disrupt play and start it back to the other guy’s end. Not seeing the shot yet but most of the rest of the game is pretty darn close imo.
Not to stir the pot but he is almost the anti-Puljujarvi in how he breaks things up in the neutral zone. Jesse as the buffalo 😇 and Bourgault with the rapier.
I like “The Borg”, but the way my mind works with your pencil idea pencil, is like a pen, pen in French is styli, pronounced “steal-o” and viola, there it is.
I think since XB is very good at takeaways, stylo, which won’t really work because people will read it as style-o.
I don’t like pencil, due to the multiple negative connotations that pencil brings to my mind.
I prefer all of, X-man, the Borg, the borgyman steal-o, that’s all I got, lol.
He’s going to have an NHL career as a PK guy if nothing else. To PK in the AHL as a 20-year old rookie, from the start of the season, that was something.
What will he be at evens? A solid middle-six guy or more?
innercitysmytty
September 30, 2023 10:30 am
For those that think Sutter is the answer at 4C, maybe read this:
AsiaOil mentioned last night an extended PTO for Sutter. I like this idea as it allows you to keep Lavoie and still have injury cover. But at best Sutter is injury cover until maybe the deadline. But I’m not sure what the question is, if management and coaching think Sutter is the answer.
I’m not sure who is feeding the ‘Sutter is the solution’ narrative to the media (excluding LT, as he seems the only reasonable one), but it will be terrible asset management to lose a young, potential scorer, for the ghost of 28 year old Sutter.
The question is simple to me:
Are the oilers good enough to be in the playoffs, at the trade deadline with Derek Ryan at 4th line centre?
If the answer is yes, then the solution is a deadline move.
Exactly right on your last question. And the answer is clearly yes. I get the desire for another RH shot and a C at that, but the marginal benefits that provides are far outweighed by Sutter’s poor play overall.
Between running 11/7 sometimes, Ryan, and Holloway there is no need to risk Lavoie on waivers to have Sutter on the roster.
Again – this seems like a lot of hand wringing over the fate of a prospect who’s not exactly ripping the cover off the ball in preseason.
I’m going to go on record and state that if Lavoie gets sent down, no one is going to claim him off waivers. Not when the player hasn’t pissed a drop (so far) of offence in preseason games. No different from Samorukov last year. Every team has players like this at the end of their roster.
Teams are starting early as they mean to go this season. The Oilers fancy themselves contenders. They may have decided that there is only room in the forward lineup for one rookie if they want to get off to a fast start … and Holloway has decidedly pulled away from the pack already.
No but this pre season is an awfully small sample. NHL_Sid looks at a large sample in his article and Sutter sure looks like he’s done as an NHL player. Maybe 2 years off dealing with something that has affected his health and being 2 years older will help, but logic and reason says that’s highly unlikely.
It’s less hand wringing over Lavoie on my part and more about wasting a roster spot on someone that has shown he’s done. Although exposing Lavoie as well just doubles down on a mistake.
It would be sad to lose Lavoie when a player filling the role they are looking for in Sutter could probably be had younger, faster and cheaper if they watch waivers, look for a trade etc. I know money is tight but I just don’t see Sutter bringing anything they can’t find elsewhere. I don’t see much from him or Pederson for that matter.
I’ve been saying since the day the PTO was announced that Sutter was barely hanging on to an NHL career at 31 – he was generally hurt and, when he played, he got shredded.
Management seems to be fantasizing about a 27 year old Brandon Sutter, not a 30-31 year old.
I understand he’d be 4C here, not 3C, but he was so poor his last number of years.
They want to see what he has left in the tank, and are using preseason to do so. I have no problem with that. Management and the coaching staff are taking a small gamble on Sutter … but I don’t get the sense that they’ve promised him anything other than a fair chance to show that he can be a positive contributor on a contender.
Sutter is on PTO and Lavoie is the one with a guaranteed contract last time I checked.
I rate the odds of any team claiming Lavoie off waivers as less than 5% if he doesn’t start producing some crooked numbers soon.
I think they’re playing the long game anyways and waiting to see if Johnny Toews decides to come back for another season.
Sutter is on PTO and Lavoie is the one with a guaranteed contract last time I checked.
but, yet, Sutter gets the “better linemates” – they are trying to will a 27-year old Sutter that doesn’t exist.
No risk unless/until they keep him on this thought that a player from 7 years ago comes back from well, basically being out of the league.
teddyturnbuckle
September 30, 2023 9:45 am
I thought Desharnais was impressive last night. He looks like his skating has improved and he is really using his size to win battles to the point where the opposition looks helpless. He made a neat little one touch pass on the breakout when there wasn’t much room. He is going to play more than 3rd pairing minutes if he keeps playing like that all year.
Vinny has himself put together well both mentally and physically. Everyone keeps pencilling him in as the 7th D, but I would not be surprised if he spends most of the season in the top 6. On merit.
Which raises the question of Broberg’s future with this organization. RD is going to be one of the more interesting parts of the roster to monitor this season.
The opening night 7D will likely end up playing many many games – its good to have Vinny there when injuries hit.
Also, given the Oilers are likely carrying only 12F to start the season, any nick/bump/bruise/illness/personal issue for a forward (that isn’t a 10 games and 3 week thing), will force 11/7 (until the Oilers play a game short and then can call up a player on emergency.
They seem committed to rolling Broberg with Ekholm. The verbal from management, coaching and even Ekholm himself seems to indicate that they are going to give that pairing an extended run together see what they have first in Broberg.
I’m all over the Nurse/Bouch and Ekholm/Broberg set-up – been talking about it since the spring!
Here is hoping we actually get to see it and that Woody/Manson will let is breath through some ups and downs.
GordieHoweHatTrick
September 30, 2023 9:40 am
I would run much the same line-up again tonight. I think many earned it. Just a few tweaks. Maybe move 3 forwards out/in, one D pair swap, and Rodrigue in net. THEN make some cuts and get serious about the final positions in the last week of pre-season…full team for the last 2 games
I’m uncertain if any top-tier players will play more than two of the last four games. Additionally, history suggests that the core five players are unlikely to play on Friday.
I’ve been saying all off-season that he will play NHL games this season and his solid camp might have management and the coaching staff thinking the same thing.
We won’t know until he actually plays NHL regular season games but, if he can skate well enough to defend the rush at the NHL level (and have the mobility to defend the shifty/skilled forwards in the d-zone structure game), he could be a 3RD gem.
OriginalPouzar
September 30, 2023 9:31 am
Lane Pederson had a shot on goal, took a penalty and had a giveaway. He was 53 percent in the FO circle. I think he’s listing now.
What does “listing” mean?
For me, he’s showing that he’s simply not an opening night option on this team. Ya, he can come up from Bako and give some minutes when injuries hit but he’s an offensive player that doesn’t produce at this level – he missed that one-timer on the PP, he gave away numerous pucks on the PP – he can produce at the AHL level but I don’t think he can at the NHL level.
At least from what I’m seeing (and, well, his production history as well).
I think calmer heads all believe that Pederson is headed to the AHL this season. But if guys like Malone and Pederson don’t at least get a shot to show what they can do, then they are never going to sign with us. Giving them one extra game in preseason and/or a cup of coffee during the regular season keeps the dream alive for these guys. Then they go back down and are good mentors for our kids, which is important for their development.
With NCAA kicking off next weekend and Chiasson’s status vis-à-vis the Dub uncertain, the OHL gets the spotlight once more.
A-A-A-Akey and the Colts* wrap up a 3-in-3, seeking the sweep. The 2nd-rounder is coming off a 1st-star, 1+1 effort yesternight.
Day got a proper sunburn from the red light going off behind him, getting torched for 6 goals in 25 minutes of work. Will he get a chance at redemption this eve? We wait.
Undoubtedly the most damning nickname in all sports. One of my faves!
OriginalPouzar
September 30, 2023 9:26 am
Last night, Dylan Holloway pushed to a new level, as Oilers fans witnessed a young forward break on through to the other side. Holloway is bona fide. What a performance
Holloway has been the best Oiler forward in all three games he’s played. I’m not sure there is going to be a ton of production this coming season (despite 9 periods of strong play, its one goal and zeros at evens) but, if healthy, I think he can be an impact player with that speed and motor and tenacity and physicality.
He’s earning the 3LW spot (with McLeod and Foegele) in real time.
Actually, what that last line should say is he’s earning an opportunity for that 3LW spot during the regular season in real time. Can’t really prove he’s ready for it until he does it during the regular season, which I’m fully confidant he will.
Ah west coast games. And that was a relatively early Sunday affair. Eastern time zone fans getting into game shape here too – slept right through that third. Happy to wake up to a Lavoie snipe despite a meaningless Oiler loss.
Well he’s not going to scrap like Kostin but Lavoie pretty much has the shot part covered.
Kelsie Snow
@kelsieswrites
Today we hugged Chris for the last time and said goodbye as he went to give four people the gift of life by donating his kidneys, liver and lungs. We are deeply broken and deeply proud. In life and in death, Chris never stopped giving. We walk forward with his light guiding us.
My heart goes out to this family. Thanks for sharing this, HH.
https://x.com/kelsieswrites/status/1708278912739074302?s=20
Ben Gleason is rising up the depth chart….
Tocchet chirping Kane on the bench – this could be an interesting rivalry this year.
Sharing gambling tips perhaps
Well played
I haven’t seen Old Man Bouchard this angered since Canada Post lost his pension cheque.
Nice to see Lavoie pot one.
I think Pederson has had a nice game tonight as well. I don’t get the hate for him. Is it primarily because he’s in direct competion with Lavoie for a job?
I see him as an offensive player that can’t contribute offensively at this level.
He was noticeable tonight as he was in the play – that’s a good thing – but the play died with him many times, as it has in all of his games.
Ton of opportunity – second most PP time by a forward tonight, he got a SO chance, he was on for the 5 on 3 the other night – nothing, nada.
This is not the player the Oilers need at 12F, in my opinion.
Well tonight he was:
11-7 corsis
7-3 shots
4-0 high danger chances
88% xGF
Created a few chances. No notable mistakes.
I don’t feel like he did anything to hurt his chances tonight. Coaching staff must see something in him to give him the opportunities. His passing seems to usually be on the tape.
Some fans seem to want him shot into the sun, but he’s been holding his own so far in my estimation.
I agree he doesn’t fit the usual mold of a 4th line grinder. Not super strong in scrums and isn’t used on the PK. His skating looks a lot better than the other candidates for 4th line C though.
Not a tough play but solid little headman from Broberg to spring Lavoie.
THAT is an impressive shot by Lavoie
On a good NHL starting goaltender.
That shot is more valuable than anything Brandon Sutter brings at this stage of his career. And Peterson is forgettable.
Hyman and Brown are not shooters.
Montreal and Ottawa had a good look at that snipe (Staios already knows) Lavoie will recieve his opportunity with a playmaking Centre sometime this fall.
Lavoie needed that. What a snipe.
Well here are some non stats non analytical based observations – Skinner looks very very poor, Hamblin, Griffith, Pederson, Malone should have played their last game in the NHL this year. If there is justice in the universe Sutter will not be on the opening night lineup. Lavoie looks uninterested and NHL referees are truly horrible.
I’m not a goalie coach and don’t know how many of the goals you can put on him (maybe the 5-hole), but it seems that Vancouver is deliberately shooting high on Skinner in the PP.
Could be they seem him going down early, or they feel that he’s going to just go down and put it over him. but they’ve been successful at it tonight.
There was a goalie coach on Oilers Now during the playoff run last year that said Skinner was elite down low and positionally, but lacked elite hands.
Shooting high on him is definitely the scout. The Canucks know it because they’ve played him a bunch.
Like you said, they maybe just picked their spots tonight, sometimes it won’t work.
I don’t really want to see Brad Malone on NHL ice this season…
Summarizing!
The good news for Day: He managed to last the whole game tonight.
The bad, baaaad news: He got blitzed for eight goals on 31 shots as Flint got spanked again, 8-0 this time.
Without actually watching the games, it’s hard to know whether their D just allows a ton of HDSC’s or if the goalies are just that bad. Or both.
Akey did not incur any soup as Barrie failed to get the sweep.
Prospecting takes a break until Saturday next.
Ben Gleason – have yourself a training camp.
Jays are off to the dance!
Seattle’s loss tonight sews up a wild-card spot for the Jays.
Now Gausman can start Game 1 rather than tomorrow’s match.
Yea not having to start Guasman tomorrow is huge!
That goal started when Broberg’s stick got ripped out of his hands at the other end of the ice. Add in a no-call on a pick 5 feet from the ref….#preseason4everyone
Lavoi draws a penalty driving to the net.
If Kostin had been in trading camp last year, how much would he have accomplished with the cast of characters that Lavoie has been saddled with. Lavoie is a shooter. Play him with someone who is able to get the puck to him.
I think they know he can shoot. They want to see what else he can do.
If Erne’s willing to take the punishment and park it in front for goals like he just did, he’ll see games this season.
Nuge remains a PP witch – that was one of the best non-scoring PPs you’ll see.
A 4 on 4 power play to boot with 19 lost out on the sideboards. Why wouldn’t one give Lavoie a shot there?
Lavoie = Not a center – of course, Pederson is not an effective NHL player but at least he lines up in the right position….
Wow good looking PP. Did everything but score.
It was mostly Pederson. Guy was an invaluable distraction standing off to the side there. 😀
Good shift by Erne-Sutter-Janmark. Followed by a great shift by the Oilers NHL guys.
Bouchard’s vision is intoxicating…..
Nucks are playing very close to their opening night lineup and:
Bob Stauffer
@Bob_Stauffer
·
18m
The @EdmontonOilers at Vancouver:
Kane-RNH-Brown
Erne-Sutter-Janmark
Lavoie-Malone-Griffith
Hamblin-Pederson-Bourgault
Nurse-Ceci
Broberg-Desharnais
Niemelainen-Gleason
Skinner
Sutter, Malone, Pederson down the middle.
Skinner should get lots of work.
So much for that prediction.
Bouchard playing
Top 6 is set and a 3rd line of Holloway-McLeod-Foegle will be a serious handful. You don’t need Lavoie this year – you need him next year to replace Foegle as he’s UFA and his salary will probably be an issue.
I’m not too concerned about the 4th line. Ryan is a 4th liner by age (not skill) and playing him higher would wear him down needlessly. You want him ready for the playoffs not a worn out shell. Ryan can also take 4th line defensive face-offs on his strong side and still play RW. Would be nice if he could play with Borg for a while this year as they are similar in some ways and he could teach the young guy a trick or two. Janmark-Ryan-Lavoie would be fine to get the kid some minutes.
Peterson down and keep Sutter on PTO to see how he progresses if he shows well enough in the final pre-season games. Nothing is lost or risked – and maybe he can be ready by Christmas. Slow boots though and this is the end of the line for him – but nice he’s gotten a chance to go out on the ice.
I don’t know if anyone will find this funny but I did so I’ll share
A fella I know and have mentioned here played junior back in the hooligan days. From Ontario, lots of family into hockey. His brother owns some not Panthers team in Florida. Bro was pitching the WHL on something so had Mem Cup tickets and my pal of course went
One set was for the WHL area and he chose that. He noticed Holland and his brother is ‘who’s that?’. Then he’s looking around and sees Tyler Wright whom he knew from hockey in Ontario. Walking by says hi and Tyler remembers him and says want to meet Ken?
Tyler introduces him as a big Oiler fan which he is, and Kenny says ‘what do we need to do to win a Cup?’. My pal is also a Tyler and says ‘get a better goalie and trade Nurse!’. Kenny says ‘you’re hired!’ and they have a chuckle
Holland has a sense of humour and my Tyler is still waiting for the start date
I’m not sure what I just read.
Before reading the comments and player moves I thought Caggiula, Hamblin, Savoie, McKegg and Griffith would be sent down. Liked Desharnais, Peters and Niemelaimen from the D.
Holloway was better looking than any Flame let alone his teammates. Lavoie was “ok”. But not stellar – as he was in Winnipeg.
Have the Oilers announced a lineup for tonight’s game?
I’m deciding whether to spend actual money on pre-season tickets and obviously I’m only willing to do this if I get to watch 97 & 29.
Tony Brar
Oilers held an optional skate this morning in Edmonton. Unsure who draws in until warm up. #Oilers
I mean, really? It’s pre‐season…it shouldn’t matter… this post kind of passes me off. Support the the TEAM, not just the stars.
This is the reverse of what is wrong, IMHO, Oilers squeezing every last nickle out of people by charging for Oilers+ , etc… but meanwhile, it’s a preseason game trying to showcase the guys we might never remember, or the future unsung heroes, all of the above deserves a fans support, IMHO.
It’s $70 and has a lot of great content. Geez buddy, it’s a business, sorry you don’t get everything for free. I’m pretty sure my tax dollars are paying for you in some way.
Huh? First of all, I live in the USA, and I can assure you nothing here is “free”… but aside from that, I have no real idea what your actual point is… so, ok. 🤣🤣🤣
I feel like your comment kind of help make my point, if you want to support a team, support it, even if it’s not at it’s apex. 🤣🤣🤣🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️🤗🤗🤗
I’m trying to get my lady into hockey and if I’m going to drag her to a game at the stale old Rogers arena on gorgeous Saturday night in Vancouver I want her to see “the Messi of hockey”. She’s Latin.
I need her to see what all the fuss is about. Suppose I’ll save my dinero and pay to see a regular season game.
Just let her get her eyes on Craig MacTavish. A friend’s soccer-mad Venezuelan wife got into the Oilers in ‘05 just to watch him behind the bench.
Watching Bourgault,I think we might be seeing our new version of Jere Lehtinen. Very heady player with a great stick. Not quite as strong but I think more sublime than Lehtinen. Sorry if incorrect spelling of J.L.
Let’s stop comparing the youngsters to once in a generation 2-way forwards like Lehtinen. The last guy who got that label (Jesse) never came close to that level of player.
Compare Borgault to whoever he reminds you of, wood99.
It won’t affect a thing.
It won’t stunt his development if he reminds you of a good former player.
Compare him to Gretzky, if it pleases you.
Once Foegele stopped pouting all over the ice, bench, TV screens.. He became an instant success story.
Whoever the leader is that pulled him aside and pull his head from his arse, let’s hope they keep that fellow around for as long as possible.
I agree with this. He got his ass benched in the playoffs two years ago and that carried over to start the year. About ten-twelve games into last season he seemed to snap out of it and his play has been trending up since.
He’s in a contract year so I expect a push. Cheering hard for the guy.
Seeing The Borg play.. That’s a fellow who will be used to shut down high skilled forwards for years to come.
https://theathletic.com/4914454/2023/09/30/oilers-raphael-lavoie-contract-cap/
Ekholm and McLeod both going on the west coast trip. Don’t know if either will play but there is some team building plans.
Edmonton Oilers
@EdmontonOilers
·
45m
Alex Peters has been released from his PTO & will report to
@Condors
Olivier Rodrigue, Carter Savoie, Noel Hoefenmayer have been loaned to Bakersfield.
Drake Caggiula, Greg McKegg have been placed on waivers for the purpose of assignment.
Thought Peters was pretty solid last night, surprised he’s sent to Bakersfield. Shouldn’t he have an NHL contract?
He played games in the ECHL last year and just signed his current AHL contract in April.
He’s a good story but he’s not playing NHL games this year and, if they want to, they can always sign him to an NHL deal mid-season.
Thanks!
Campbell looked very calm last night. That is nice to see
When he’s cleared to play, Patrick Kane on Leon’s LW, bump Nuge to 3c and run those bottom two lines equally. Shave some minutes of Connor and Leon’s games so they stay fresher for longer.
Patty Kane is going to want to get paid a lot more than the veteran minimum. Your agents put video packages out showing how well your rehab is going for a reason.
He’s not a realistic target given the cap space we have this season.
He’s definitely not signing for near league min and I’m not sure he’s looking to change positions where he does sign…..
I do hope this team can find some cap space for the trade deadline because this forward corps is absolutely bonafide.
get a Ceci upgrade and you are cooking with fire
It’s good to see the Holloway fan club finally getting some more members
this kid is gonna be a handful for next 10 years
Two questions left imo.
Can he stay healthy and can he finish?
All the rest is settled.
Brendan Batchelor
@BatchHockey
Looking like a very experienced roster will play for the #Canucks tonight. Miller, Pettersson, Kuzmenko, Hughes, Boeser, Hronek and Demko all skating in the game group this morning at Rogers Arena
I mean the higher end starters typically play the preseason home games
Xavier Bourgault had two shots, a takeaway and a blocked shot for the Oilers. He was more subtle than in the two previous games but remains effective against improved competition. I think he’s showing a level of NHL readiness that few (including me) expected in this preseason.
=============
I think subtle captures exactly what I was seeing last night from Bourgault. There is a level of maturity in his game that is unusual in a player so young imo. Not dynamic like Holloway but smart, smart player.
I’ve been using that word consistently to describe this guy. He does a lot of small things well.
I like “Pencil” as a nickname for XB. What say you, my fellow Lowetideians? Too subtle?? 🤓
It’ll work well when he’s erased on the boards!
(like I might be with such snark)
Haha I enjoy that very much but this Trekkie nerd will always have a soft spot for the Borg, and they are anything but subtle.
Did not know that or I would have given credit Bruce.
He just always seems to make the right little move or always be where he should be to disrupt play and start it back to the other guy’s end. Not seeing the shot yet but most of the rest of the game is pretty darn close imo.
Not to stir the pot but he is almost the anti-Puljujarvi in how he breaks things up in the neutral zone. Jesse as the buffalo 😇 and Bourgault with the rapier.
I like “The Borg”, but the way my mind works with your pencil idea pencil, is like a pen, pen in French is styli, pronounced “steal-o” and viola, there it is.
I think since XB is very good at takeaways, stylo, which won’t really work because people will read it as style-o.
I don’t like pencil, due to the multiple negative connotations that pencil brings to my mind.
I prefer all of, X-man, the Borg, the borgyman steal-o, that’s all I got, lol.
Shades of the Nuge in his game.
You could say he’s Staedtler as a rock, with or with out the puck.
He’s going to have an NHL career as a PK guy if nothing else. To PK in the AHL as a 20-year old rookie, from the start of the season, that was something.
What will he be at evens? A solid middle-six guy or more?
For those that think Sutter is the answer at 4C, maybe read this:
https://oilersnation.com/news/what-is-the-solution-to-the-hole-at-fourth-line-center-for-edmonton-oilers
Spec and Stauffer should give it a read.
AsiaOil mentioned last night an extended PTO for Sutter. I like this idea as it allows you to keep Lavoie and still have injury cover. But at best Sutter is injury cover until maybe the deadline. But I’m not sure what the question is, if management and coaching think Sutter is the answer.
Gregor needs to give it a read too,
I’m not sure who is feeding the ‘Sutter is the solution’ narrative to the media (excluding LT, as he seems the only reasonable one), but it will be terrible asset management to lose a young, potential scorer, for the ghost of 28 year old Sutter.
The question is simple to me:
Are the oilers good enough to be in the playoffs, at the trade deadline with Derek Ryan at 4th line centre?
If the answer is yes, then the solution is a deadline move.
Exactly right on your last question. And the answer is clearly yes. I get the desire for another RH shot and a C at that, but the marginal benefits that provides are far outweighed by Sutter’s poor play overall.
Between running 11/7 sometimes, Ryan, and Holloway there is no need to risk Lavoie on waivers to have Sutter on the roster.
Has Sutter played poorly?
Again – this seems like a lot of hand wringing over the fate of a prospect who’s not exactly ripping the cover off the ball in preseason.
I’m going to go on record and state that if Lavoie gets sent down, no one is going to claim him off waivers. Not when the player hasn’t pissed a drop (so far) of offence in preseason games. No different from Samorukov last year. Every team has players like this at the end of their roster.
Teams are starting early as they mean to go this season. The Oilers fancy themselves contenders. They may have decided that there is only room in the forward lineup for one rookie if they want to get off to a fast start … and Holloway has decidedly pulled away from the pack already.
Let’s be fair here Diablo, who exactly has been ripping the cover off in pre-season?
The team has scored 5 goals in 4 games.
Here are some basic stats for players who have played 2 or more games following this pattern: GP-GP-G-A-Pts-Shots
Ryan 3-0-0-0-3
Janmark 2-0-0-0-2
Pedersen 3-0-0-0-7
Sutter 2-0-0-0-5
Foegele 3-0-1-1-13
Bourgault 3-0-0-0-5
Holloway. 3-1-0-1-8
Erne. 2-0-0-0-0
Lavoie. 2-0-0-0-6
……………………….
Kane. 2-0-0-0-6
RNH. 2-1-0-1-6
Hyman. 2-1-0-1-6
To me he looks pretty good from here…
No but this pre season is an awfully small sample. NHL_Sid looks at a large sample in his article and Sutter sure looks like he’s done as an NHL player. Maybe 2 years off dealing with something that has affected his health and being 2 years older will help, but logic and reason says that’s highly unlikely.
It’s less hand wringing over Lavoie on my part and more about wasting a roster spot on someone that has shown he’s done. Although exposing Lavoie as well just doubles down on a mistake.
It would be sad to lose Lavoie when a player filling the role they are looking for in Sutter could probably be had younger, faster and cheaper if they watch waivers, look for a trade etc. I know money is tight but I just don’t see Sutter bringing anything they can’t find elsewhere. I don’t see much from him or Pederson for that matter.
I’ve been saying since the day the PTO was announced that Sutter was barely hanging on to an NHL career at 31 – he was generally hurt and, when he played, he got shredded.
Management seems to be fantasizing about a 27 year old Brandon Sutter, not a 30-31 year old.
I understand he’d be 4C here, not 3C, but he was so poor his last number of years.
I think its pretty much just Holland and, maybe, Woody that think this……
They want to see what he has left in the tank, and are using preseason to do so. I have no problem with that. Management and the coaching staff are taking a small gamble on Sutter … but I don’t get the sense that they’ve promised him anything other than a fair chance to show that he can be a positive contributor on a contender.
Sutter is on PTO and Lavoie is the one with a guaranteed contract last time I checked.
I rate the odds of any team claiming Lavoie off waivers as less than 5% if he doesn’t start producing some crooked numbers soon.
I think they’re playing the long game anyways and waiting to see if Johnny Toews decides to come back for another season.
but, yet, Sutter gets the “better linemates” – they are trying to will a 27-year old Sutter that doesn’t exist.
No risk unless/until they keep him on this thought that a player from 7 years ago comes back from well, basically being out of the league.
I thought Desharnais was impressive last night. He looks like his skating has improved and he is really using his size to win battles to the point where the opposition looks helpless. He made a neat little one touch pass on the breakout when there wasn’t much room. He is going to play more than 3rd pairing minutes if he keeps playing like that all year.
The pace will no doubtedly pick-up once the season begins. If he can keep it going he’ll be a pleasant surprise as a real force on the back end.
Vinny has himself put together well both mentally and physically. Everyone keeps pencilling him in as the 7th D, but I would not be surprised if he spends most of the season in the top 6. On merit.
Which raises the question of Broberg’s future with this organization. RD is going to be one of the more interesting parts of the roster to monitor this season.
Even though we haven’t seen it yet given Ekholm hasn’t played, Woody has essentially confirmed that they are looking to run the Ekholm/Broberg pair.
We hope it works and Broberg is able to handle it – if he can’t, it’ll be interesting to see what the shuffle is.
Is is 7D?
Is it back to last year’s default: Nurse/Ceci, Ekholm/Bouch and either Kulak/Broberg or Kulak/Deharnais?
The opening night 7D will likely end up playing many many games – its good to have Vinny there when injuries hit.
Also, given the Oilers are likely carrying only 12F to start the season, any nick/bump/bruise/illness/personal issue for a forward (that isn’t a 10 games and 3 week thing), will force 11/7 (until the Oilers play a game short and then can call up a player on emergency.
They seem committed to rolling Broberg with Ekholm. The verbal from management, coaching and even Ekholm himself seems to indicate that they are going to give that pairing an extended run together see what they have first in Broberg.
Of course we make plans and God laughs.
I’m all over the Nurse/Bouch and Ekholm/Broberg set-up – been talking about it since the spring!
Here is hoping we actually get to see it and that Woody/Manson will let is breath through some ups and downs.
I would run much the same line-up again tonight. I think many earned it. Just a few tweaks. Maybe move 3 forwards out/in, one D pair swap, and Rodrigue in net. THEN make some cuts and get serious about the final positions in the last week of pre-season…full team for the last 2 games
I’m uncertain if any top-tier players will play more than two of the last four games. Additionally, history suggests that the core five players are unlikely to play on Friday.
I am so happy Phil Kemp had a solid game.
The faster Kemp rises, the sooner the Oilers can trade Ceci to free up cap space.
If Broberg and Desharnais start the season well, and Niemelainen and Kemp provide rocking chair time for the coaches in the AHL…
I’ve been saying all off-season that he will play NHL games this season and his solid camp might have management and the coaching staff thinking the same thing.
We won’t know until he actually plays NHL regular season games but, if he can skate well enough to defend the rush at the NHL level (and have the mobility to defend the shifty/skilled forwards in the d-zone structure game), he could be a 3RD gem.
What does “listing” mean?
For me, he’s showing that he’s simply not an opening night option on this team. Ya, he can come up from Bako and give some minutes when injuries hit but he’s an offensive player that doesn’t produce at this level – he missed that one-timer on the PP, he gave away numerous pucks on the PP – he can produce at the AHL level but I don’t think he can at the NHL level.
At least from what I’m seeing (and, well, his production history as well).
I think listing is the perfect word. He’s taking on water and starting to sink!
LT’s creative license had me for a second too!
“Listing” is a nautical term to describe when a vessel takes on water and tilts to one side.
https://pearlharbor.org/blog/what-does-it-mean-when-a-ship-is-listing/#:~:text=%22Listing%22%20is%20a%20nautical%20term,she%20tips%20forward%20or%20backward.
I think he means his chances of making the opening night roster are sinking…
He’s clearly not A-listing, so I took the nautical meaning as well.
In which case we are talking below C-level?
Kind of a sinking feeling.
These are all great!
I think calmer heads all believe that Pederson is headed to the AHL this season. But if guys like Malone and Pederson don’t at least get a shot to show what they can do, then they are never going to sign with us. Giving them one extra game in preseason and/or a cup of coffee during the regular season keeps the dream alive for these guys. Then they go back down and are good mentors for our kids, which is important for their development.
Water you tanking about?
Prospectrality!
With NCAA kicking off next weekend and Chiasson’s status vis-à-vis the Dub uncertain, the OHL gets the spotlight once more.
A-A-A-Akey and the Colts* wrap up a 3-in-3, seeking the sweep. The 2nd-rounder is coming off a 1st-star, 1+1 effort yesternight.
Day got a proper sunburn from the red light going off behind him, getting torched for 6 goals in 25 minutes of work. Will he get a chance at redemption this eve? We wait.
Both pucks drop at 5 p.m. Tees time.
*Doesn’t quite have the same ring, does it?
Red Light Day doesn’t have quite the same ring as Red Light Racicot. 😀
Undoubtedly the most damning nickname in all sports. One of my faves!
Holloway has been the best Oiler forward in all three games he’s played. I’m not sure there is going to be a ton of production this coming season (despite 9 periods of strong play, its one goal and zeros at evens) but, if healthy, I think he can be an impact player with that speed and motor and tenacity and physicality.
He’s earning the 3LW spot (with McLeod and Foegele) in real time.
Actually, what that last line should say is he’s earning an opportunity for that 3LW spot during the regular season in real time. Can’t really prove he’s ready for it until he does it during the regular season, which I’m fully confidant he will.