The Edmonton Oilers have reached October. Any player who makes an appearance in a game this month, even preseason, has done something to impress. Based on published reports, Xavier Bourgault will play tonight in Seattle against the Kraken. It’s a big damned deal should it happen.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Do the Edmonton Oilers have a blockbuster trade in their future?
- New DNB: Oilers release Brandon Sutter from tryout offer
- Lowetide: Oilers reaching critical pressure point with prospect Raphael Lavoie
- 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
BRANDON SUTTER
My guess is the Oilers offered him an ATO or contract with the idea of spending time in Bakersfield. Sutter had good moments, with some of the connected media believing he had the job. Based on his early strong play, that idea wasn’t outrageous. My point was always wait until the final few games to make sure he can perform at a high level. As it turned out, the player listened to his body and made the call. It’s a helluva courageous thing to do, I wish him well. The Oilers will have to wait for the next gen Sutters to make an appearance in an NHL game for the local team.
It’s revealing to see the names on this list who are prospects. I see Xavier Bourgault, James Hamblin, Raphael Lavoie, Ben Gleason, Phil Kemp and Cam Dineen.
Bourgault is showing well but you can see he needs to add strength and (I think) have more scoring success in Bakersfield. I’d be shocked if he made the team, but equally surprised if he doesn’t play in the NHL this year. For the record, I have him playing just two games in the reasonable expectations article from August. I’d send that number past 10 based on current information.
James Hamblin is a smart, quick fox but he won’t score enough to hold an NHL job. That’s my guess.
Raphael Lavoie is a volume shooter with a marksman’s touch and a pretty goal against a quality stopper on his very recent resume. He’s scoring 1.73 points-per-60 at five-on-five this preseason playing with sixes and sevens and nines. I think he’s making the team as we speak.
The defensemen are frankly less interesting. Why? I think the top eight blue will handle the season, with perhaps a brief recall for Gleason, Kemp or Dineen. Kemp is the key. If he could fill a role, even as 7D, it would solve a lot of problems as Philip Broberg, Vincent Desharnais and Markus Niemelainen (should he stay) enter new contracts and cost more on the cap.
MY PROJECTED LINEUP
- Draisaitl-McDavid-Hyman
- Holloway-Pederson-Lavoie
- Janmark-Ryan-Griffith
- Erne-Malone-Bourgault
- Kulak-Ceci
- Broberg-Gleason
- Dineen-Kemp
- Pickard (Campbell)
Don’t worry, I’m rarely right on these things. Jay Woodcroft has kept his top-six forwards from the woebegone forwards all camp. I suspect the top line will remain the same. On the other hand, it’s damn near impossible to keep Lavoie on the fourth line. We’ll see. Campbell may start, I’m guessing Pickard. Goaltending will be a huge story all year long.
On the Lowdown today (Sports 1440) we’ll have Jason Gregor swing by to talk about the Brandon Sutter news. We’ll chat with Cam Lewis from Jays Nation about the pitching rotation for the playoffs and with Michael-Shawn Duggar from The Athletic about the MNF. You can leave comments here, @Lowetide on twitter or text us 1.833.401.1440 directly. Connor McDavid plays tonight. That’s a good day.
I thought that Lavoie had a chance to make a statement, but it was Bourgault who did.
I thought Lavoie got more assertive as the game went on, but I wonder if Locutus’s two goals had something to do with that.
This is my only viewing, but from it, TTYTT, I think Lavoie’s still maybe a half season away from being ready. And it might be all confidence, desire, belief related.
From what I’ve seen of Lavoie this preseason, he hasn’t asserted his size. Waiving him is not the best play. I think it’s a bit of a conundrum. He’s close, but is it enough?
I’m not worried about waivers; every team will have seen his pre-season. And he needs to play.
Erne with the Nuge move on the SO, scores. Other than one real good play on the PK I didn’t really like his game tonight.
I thought they might give that shot to Bourg.
May the hand wringing begin…
😉
The classic win-and-a-half
Sick move by Drai. Wow
Stone Hands with the ENer. Gleason with yet another point. Might get one on the 97 goal too if they look at it.
First game I have seen on a full sized screen when Gleason was playing. Very impressed with what I saw tonight.
Me too. A revelation. Stauffer was saying during the broadcast Gleason and Pederson were the two guys the pro scouting team under Brad Holland targeted. When it comes to Gleason I can see why.
Good broadcast if you are a Seattle fan…the Oilers won because they were “opportunistic” , constantly referred to David Deharnais” the color guy was such a homer he was laughable!
Enjoying the Root Sports broadcast. Much better than Sportsnet.
Yeah, I am in Washington State tonight so have been watching the whole game on Root.
Campbell has easily been the most encouraging thing of the night and arguably for the whole preseason.
Campbell makes it look easy. Anticipated where the shot was coming from and was there to make. Nice!
Campbell not accepting 1B.
Borgault is smart.
Yup. He plays the game the way coaches teach it.
The Borg, Part Two
Great pass from Prince Phillip
The Borg from Broberg!
What a play by Broberg – feet and hands.
Woodcroft appeasing the fans with the line juggling but Lavoie looks star struck playing with McDavid, doesn’t know where to go on the ice. I think Draisailt would be a better stylistic fit
Lavoie driving the net, drawing penalties on the forecheck and, yes, Erne gets a couple shifts up with McDavid and Drai.
I think #97 can make this team.
55-97-62
And they get a goal!!
Well McDavid got a goal. 55 and 62 were also in the photo. lol
Woody rolls out 29-21-18 on the next shift
Lavoie should have shot…
Yup. Rookie deferral.
Definitely. I think the captain might have a word with him over that pass back
Can’t be too intense. He’s learning.
Nice little net drive there and creativity to get a one handed shot away.
His stock is rising pretty hard tonight.
Holloway has been the goods.
Soup looking confident. Getting out and challenging, quick up and downs, strong lateral pushes. Looks to be tracking well.
Good to see. Very early but good to see.
I agree with Moon that Hamblin has looked good on the PK. I think there’s a non-zero chance he’s on the roster opening night
This whole going to replay while play is on is a horrible idea.
Well that was an alert save.
So far this preseason, this Oiler team has looked simply bad. In all aspects.
except Holloway
otherwise the story is not Lavoie, it’s this poor play across the board here. This is not shaping up well.
Can’t say I disagree. Lines don’t sing as the coach experiments.
Do have to wonder if the guys are a little bored at this point of the pre-season and are just ready for the real games to start.
Remember how great those DoD teams looked in preseason, often going undefeated.
This powerplay has all the execution of a July CFL game
Missing the Nuge.
Probably. Holloway was doing a lot of good things out there though.
Boosh’s job isn’t in danger but Gleason is having a good game, including as PP QB.
Gleason has done a lot of good things. Kemp has had a nice quiet game. Campbell looks like he is ready to play hockey, Holloway is not as noticeable as in earlier games but still standing out compared to his line mates. McDavid’s skating continues to leave me without words. A lot of meh out there as well. I’ve been trying to isolate on Lavoie. He hasn’t hurt himself but I can’t say he stands out.
The power play is more than the sum of its parts – we’ve seen this before, but PP1’s success is the due to the combined efforts of McDavid, Draisaitl and Nuge all harmonizing together.
I am cautiously optimistic. Campbell looking good for second game in a row, and defensive structure and forecheck looking pretty good also.
and Bob Stauffer’s voice comes out of nowhere….
Hot mic during ad break too.
Damn, they figured that out
What is up with the lack of discipline?
Leon seems unusually cranky this pre-season????
Why so pissy, Leon?
Perhaps his mouth guard supplier is out of his preferred flavor…
what is Drai thinking?
Must still be pissed about losing the pickleball tourney, taking it out on Dumoulin
I heard the org is considering having him do a run as a heel. The redemption story when he reverts back to babyface would really drive Oilers+ sales.
Exactly the kind of goal Yamo never slammed home. Miss him but yeah.
Nevermind lol.
What a play by Ben Gleason to set up that Bourgault goal.
Xavier Bourgoooooooooooaaaaaallllllllllll
the Borg is Johnny on the Spot
First chnce to watch a game… Holloway seems determined to make an impression this pre-season. Good play there on the PK. He been seeing the PK a lot?.
No, only sporadically
Holloway should definitely be worked in to the PK this season, at least in a depth role. He’ll be a mainstay for years.
Nice crisp pass by Broberry to help set up the Oilers first chance of the game.
gotta watch this on a stolen stream since Oilers+ is not working
Oilers+ now showing the Root Sports feed
Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
Following exhibition win tonight, OTT announces some cuts. Most interesting development: Jacob Bernard-Docker and Egor Sokolov on waivers
Bernard-Docker is a 23 year old 6’1” 190 RHD from Canmore who excelled at UND.
I suspect the Canucks will take a very close look at him.
Oh wow. A slender tweener who posts zero offense. Watch the f’ck out, Pacific Divison!
A perfectly adequate third pair D prospect.
Former 1st round pick.
Any free streams for tonight, or is it onhockey.tv again?
On Sportsnet+
Its free on Oilers Plus.
I don’t understand why they are bothering to dress Griffith or Hamblin tonight.
Need to have someone for Lavoie to play with – can’t have actual NHL options for him…..
Is there any commentary from Sutter on exactly why he decided he’s done?
Per his statement – his health isn’t there for NHL hockey.
Stauffer was on the Two Mutts pod and, now, with Sutter out of the picture, he seems to think Lavoie has a good shot to make the team…..
On Saturday night, the shot was heard around the world.
Mike Bossy was smiling looking down on his fellow French Canadian wire that shot past Demko before he even flinched.
Would Lavoie get claimed on waivers?
I think the Oilers want him as call up depth. They keep running him on Bakersfield lines so that appears to be his destination. Or possibly – traded.
I like him as depth and I wouldn’t hesitate to waive him – do it on the last day before rosters get finalized.
I’m not sure they get value in a trade but with Sutter flaming out, I would let him go in a deal for that 4C. But seriously – that isn’t critical right now, at the start of the year. It needs to be figured out by the trade deadline. In the interim, he can play in Bako if they get him through. I think they will, to be honest. His contract is a detriment to other teams close to the cap as well.
He still has time to impress but has he blown the doors off this camp? I don’t think any more than a handful of other guys in his same situation. The Oilers need depth like him to trade or call up as injury cover. I hope he gets through waivers and gets his chance later in the year.
Not surprising you got downvoted to oblivion, but your opinion isn’t outrageous.
I mean Holloway has outperformed Lavoie in preseason and he scored 9 points last year, and might be a 4th line guy again this season.
Would anyone bet $1000 that Lavoie will have a better career than Janmark? I wouldn’t be comfortable making that bet.
I wouldn’t make that bet either, but I’m sure pulling for him to do so.
Janmark is a 3rd round pick, who’s played 486 games (and counting) for some good teams and put up 76 goals and 183 points, along with 66 games and 25 points in the playoffs. That’s a pretty good career so far.
And I agree, Janmark is who he is really competing against for a roster spot.
The cream of the crop rises quickly and their place on an NHL roster is so obvious there is no question that they belong (e.g. Holloway) … the rest have to put an established vet out to pasture.
Well that’s kind of the thing. Lavoie is behind guys like Janmark, Foegele, Holloway, McLeod etc at arriving to the NHL. Doesn’t mean he will have a lower ceiling than them, but its not encouraging either.
The Oilers have to decide what they think Lavoie’s upside is and make a decision on him. If they think his upside is 10 goals, 20 points on the 4th line, it might not be worth the growing pains of developing him at the NHL level.
So far to me he’s looked ok, but not like a guy the Oilers couldn’t replace in free agency next year if he is lost to waivers.
That said, a number of waived players have already been claimed this week. This is NOT a typical preseason with the last vestiges of Ca hell from the Cap freeze, a number of team severely constrained from even claiming on waivers due to cap issues and a number of rebuilding/reloading teams with Cap to use. For example, a team can claim Lavoie at something in the range of 800K cap commit and use him as a 13/14 forward if necessary to not lose him, and waive a more expensive fringe player that the losing team has no room to take. We are not the only team with a less than 23 man roster, so the risk of this is greater than normal I would think.
This is why if it is close between Janmark and Lavoie, I think it’s Janmark that gets sent down. No one is putting in a claim on Janmark’s contract.
Injuries will happen or one of Holloway/Lavoie may prove ineffective and Janmark will get called back up again.
Lavoie’s goal last game was sharp, but the play was single handedly created by Broberg stealing the puck at his red line and creating a two on one with his speed.
It was a great play by Bro,
But, Lavoie received the pass at the Canucks blue line- and did the rest.
And aggressively called for the pass. Confidence!
Good point…
Yup, Broberg made a good defensive play, used his legs to escape danger, showed patience for the lane to open and made a perfect short pass.
It wasn’t some crazy Mark-like play or anything but a solid to very good play that he will make more often when he continues to get comfortable.
Woody specifically mentioned it today which is good.
Gregor sure enjoys dissing Lavoie.
Lavoie has hair! -).
It has to be that he also looks to be vertically challenged as well.
He’s right. Lavoie has 40 good games in the AHL and people are anointing him as a top six forward in the NHL. Crazy
He was recovering from injury 1st half of the year. They should of brought him up last spring and gave him a shot. Big men that can score in bunches are of the highest commodity in the N.H.L and you don’t even want to see what he has in a meaningless preseason game.
I am “asking” for him to play with Janmark and Ryan as a realistic line if he breaks camp with the team.
He hasn’t taken 5 on 5 shift with an established Edmonton Oiler in his 3.
Tonight he gets Erne and Hamblin – two players he will NOT play with in the NHL.
There are FOUR left shot pass first centres on the Oilers, all transporters.
I don’t believe that is the ask, it is pretty clear to most, if not all on this blog recognize that Lavoie is fighting for a spot on the 4th line, same spot that Klim Kostin occupied.
It just seems odd that organization is not giving a first shot scorer, that they have invested in, seemingly not as much consideration as others.
Such as giving Pederson PP time over Lavoie, for example.
It is very possible that a trade is in the works, but it we’ve seen so many other decisions regarding players that from my perspective, something seems off.
I’ve been cheering for and following this player for so long, that this is a let down. And he is one of only a handful of players who I’ve been focused, especially considering this is actually his first NHL training camp where gets to play in real games.
All this we can’t try a homegrown big shoot first draft pick tracking well in the top 6 is outright strange. I instantly think of the Alan Iverson interview about practice when he says it over and over close to a 100 times. It’s preseason this is the time to experiment.
Allen Iverson never won a championship. And he sadly blew away all his money. He might have been a bit misguided.
That is pretty lame Marcel Dionne never won a cup (championship) as of many other greats in sports. They should then bring back Chaisson because he’s a winner.
Yeah, Lavoie’s or Chiasson’s ability to influence hockey Championships can logically be compared to an NBA superstar’s influence on the performance of their team. Not!
This is the Iverson quote you brought up:
“Not the game that I go out there and die for and play every game like it’s my last. Not the game. We talking’ bout practice man.”
When he did that interview he was drunk/high off his a$$ … but he had lost lost his best friend 7 months before and the killer’s murder trial had just started.
I bring this up, because what Allen Iverson said about practice, has absolutely no relevance to Lavoie trying to make the team out of pre-season … no matter how much you try to pump up his tires.
Don’t you get it? Preseason means nothing, zero, zilch especially early on, it’s practice are even below it. Everyone including the players know it’s a joke (too long) but it’s about the dinero. It comes down too getting in game shape and not getting hurt. Our top 6 are not spring chickens and it’s a long gruelling season. If the injury bug hits who’s our cover if I’m the Coach I’m trying to pump Lavoie and Bourgault tires by giving them some shifts with the skilled players and see what happens. It’s preseason, we’re talking about preseason.
Ryan is playing center tonight but, yet, Lavoie is playing with Erne and Hamblin – sigh.
Hamblin….wow
Chris Johnston
@reporterchris
Placed on NHL waivers today: Glenn Gawdin (ANA), Travis Barron (ARI), Cameron Crotty (ARI), Jan Jenik (ARI), Steven Kampfer (ARI), Justin Kirkland (ARI), John Leonard (ARI), Ryan McGregor (ARI), Matt Villata (ARI), Kyle Keyser (BOS), Clark Bishop (CGY), Oscar Dansk (CGY) …
Chris Johnston
@reporterchris
·
1m
Ben Jones (CGY), Colton Poolman (CGY), Wyatt Aamodt (COL), Corey Schueneman (COL), Gavin Bayreuther (DAL), Nick Caamano (DAL), Fredrik Karlstrom (DAL), Derrick Pouliot (DAL), Rasmus Asplund (FLA), Lucas Carlsson (FLA), Gerald Mayhew (FLA), Kyle Criscuolo (NJ) …
Chris Johnston
@reporterchris
·
1m
Louis Belpedio (PHI), Adam Brooks (PHI), Rhett Gardner (PHI), Cooper Marody (PHI) and Victor Mete (PHI).
Jesper Harkins was on waivers yesterday as you had mentioned. Lt had previously suggested him as a potential target for 4c.
I had thought the blog comments were broken yesterday when a former highly drafted failed prospect, Lias Andersson, was placed on waivers and no one suggested claiming him. Perhaps we’re getting old.
I am honestly gob smacked that the Oilers haven’t been able to pick up a viable 4C this offseason.
Even after losing one to Winnipeg in the PLD trade , the Kings still have 6 viable centre options with NHL experience and a few more in the system.
I am honestly gob smacked that you don’t understand this off season isn’t over yet.
Maybe the Kings can play all 6 viable center options at once and win a round against the Oilers this year.
Ideally you would want a roster addition to have time to adjust to new surroundings, new systems and new team mates.
The regular season is only a week away.
I dont think anyone is worried
McDavid, Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins, McLeod, Holloway, Ryan
Plus the Oilers don’t value a 4th line centre the way other teams do, as they often run 11-7 with the extra minutes at C going to Connor and Leon. If they can’t find an adequate RHC to fill that spot, I suspect that Ryan will be guy. Not a bad option given that he has played C in the NHL for the past 7 years.
Now subtract the ones who won’t or can’t play C in the NHL.
Wasn’t it last week you were drooling over Nylander as 3C for the Leafs even though they tried him at C before and it didn’t go so well?
Chris Johnston
@reporterchris
Pittsburgh claims Jansen Harkins off waivers from Winnipeg.
Chris Johnston
@reporterchris
Nashville claims Samuel Fagemo off waivers from Los Angeles.
That’s the problem with having too many prospects bubbling under … they all can’t make the show at the same time, and then they become waiver eligible, and end up finding opportunity in other organizations.
Yep.
But the other of that coin is you get to winnow the prospects, keep the best ones and dispose of the rest either through trade or waivers.
I would say 35% of the league players are borderline. Lots of good capable players get washed out of the N.H.L every year. Why do some players get countless pushes while others get zero?
Often it’s luck.
In many other cases, it’s lack of opportunity or incompetent management that doesn’t have the capacity to evaluate talent.
Lots of factors including both mental and physical maturity, fit in a particular organization’s NHL lineup, and the agendas of GMs coaches and player agents. Outside influences including partners, friends and families can also play a role. Personal ones, like diet, avoiding substance use, and other temptations.
I don’t think it’s a simple answer. This is why I’m never impressed when a team makes a trade that sends a useful NHL player away for picks and prospects, unless they absolutely have to. The organizations who collected a bunch of magic beans get lauded by the internet scouts, but a lot of these players never amount to much.
For instance – in both 202 and 2021, Wheeler ranked the Kings as having the top prospect pool in the NHL. here are the players from the 2021 list:
1 – Byfield: rated by Wheeler as a true first line centre … he’s more of a LW now, second on the depth chart to Fiala, but still trending up
2 – Turcotte: more suspect than prospect now
3 – Kaliyev: 2nd/3rd line winger whose arrows are still point up
4 – Vilardi: 2nd line centre/winger, now with the Jets
5 – Tyler Madden: hasn’t played a game in the NHL
6 – Helgen Grans: used to dump Cal Peterson’s contract
7 – Fagemo: lost for nothing on waivers
8 – Bjornfot: depth defenseman
9 – Kupari: 4th liner with Jets
10 – Akil Thomas: minors, passed through waivers
11 – Simontaival: never left Europe
12 – Spence: 3rd pairing RHD
13 – Kale Clague: lost for nothing on waivers; fringe NHLer
14 – Martin Chromiak: AHLer
15 – Cole Hults: no longer an NHL prospect
16 – Dolan: fringe 4th line NHLer
17 – Mikey Anderson: 2nd paired LHD
18 – Brock Faber: 2nd pairing RHD potential; now with Minnesota
19 – Durzi: 2nd pairing RHD; traded to Arizona for more magic beans
20 – Lias Andersson: one of the most over-rated prospects in hockey for years
Some highlights from the 2020 list include:
6 – Carl Grundstrom: 3rd line RW
13 – Aiden Dudas: tiny winger who could produce in the AHL
16 – Bulat Shafigullin: never left Russia
17 – Jacob Ingham: ECHL goalie
18 – Kim Nousiainen: AHLer
I see one potential star forward (Byfield) who also has some bust potential . Two second line forwards, two second pairing D, a really good RHD prospect (Faber), a good 3rd line winger … 6-7 NHLer, none of them franchise altering players yet, and then a bunch of guys who are at best fringe NHLers.
Yes they used some of this prospect capital to get Fiala, and Dubois, but it cost them some of their best prospects (Vilardi, Faber, Durzi) … the Kings certainly winnowed down their prospects … to the point where most of them have no trade value left.
I really wish players didn’t get waiver eligibility so soon – they are barely in your organization long enough to properly marinate. And the NHL is not a developmental league.The AHL has also changed in a way that emphasizes wins and profits over prospect development.
It’s almost like Rob Blake isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed and sorta kinda maybe gutted his team and his system this past offseason.
For PLD… aka Josh Anderson 2.0
*2020
Byfield has already busted in a way. He was projected as a elite #1 C. And is most definitely not a center.
I’m willing to concede that Byfield was very young and raw when he entered the league. But yeah, I thought there was a mistake when I looked up his numbers from last season and realized he only scored 3 (!) goals and 22 points in 53 games, despite playing with Kopitar and Kempe, who do most of the heavy lifting.
To put that into perspective, Lafreniere put up 16 goals and 39 points despite playing on the Rangers third line and getting little PP time. And people are starting to question whether he’s a bust (relative to other #1 picks).
Stutzle is heads and tails better than both, yet none of the so-called experts seriously rated him above the other two on draft day.
The internet scouts put out stuff that is for entertainment and for clicks. Be careful about taking them too seriously.
No hockey sense at fast speed. Buzzing in head leads to busted pick.
Byfield turned 21 a month ago.
He is significantly younger than Holloway and Lavoie.
Byfield is playing on the first line on an NHL team while the other two are scrambling for bottom six minutes.
So who is a bust?
A bust by comparison to what the internet scouts were praising him to be on the day of his draft and what Wheeler based his 2020 and 2021 prospect rankings on … a bonafide franchise centre.
Byfield put up Jesse Puljujarvi-type numbers playing on the first line in the NHL. The way you brag about him on here, you would think he had scored 20 goals and over 50 points last season. Instead he put up similar numbers to Stutzle’s 18 year old season.
And again, while I think it’s early still to cast judgement on both Lafreniere or Byfield … both the NYR and LA scouts missed big time on Stutzle, who is an actual NHL superstar right now.
Well…that’s quite the narrative but does not reflect reality.
Wheeler…recently.
”8. Quinton Byfield, C, 20 (Los Angeles Kings — No. 2, 2020)
July 2022 rank: No. 15 (change: +7)
Byfield’s young career hasn’t played out exactly like anyone had drawn it up. But he was also one of the youngest players in his draft class, the pandemic necessitated time in the AHL, and then he suffered a couple of fluke injuries. And there just isn’t a young player in the sport quite like him through it all.
I think there’s still reason for optimism that he can tap into his clear potential and become the top-end forward (I know the Kings have tinkered with him on the wing a little) with size that he projected as when he was drafted.
He’s too good a skater and too big and strong and talented for his size not to put it all together. I have minor concerns about his processing and some of the bobbles that happen in his game when pace is ramped up, but there aren’t many 6-foot-5, 220-pound players who can skate and make plays like him. Byfield’s blend of athleticism, speed, power, and finesse is just so rare.”
Byfield suffered a broken ankle last season and then lost 20 pounds due to a viral infection.
Considering he turned 21 just a month ago, I would suggest you hold off on any sweeping conclusions.
All that proves, is just like you HH, Wheeler moves his goal posts.
No.
He is being patient with a very young man who has had a challenging development path thus far.
I expect when we have a conversation about this in April, crow will be on the menu.
“I expect when we have a conversation about this in April, crow will be on the menu.”
i think you have been saying this every year since Byfield was drafted.
You are such a joke. You have never once eaten crow for all of the absurd trolling you do on here.
that’s your favorite dish right 🙂 ?
Meandering..
Lets consult the resident expert on meandering:
“Harpers Hair
August 22, 2020 2:16 pm
Since you seem to be having trouble grasping the concept, I’ll break it down even further for you.
1) Elias Pettersson (21) Broke out at 20 when he won the Calder trophy.
2) Nathan MacKinnon (24) Broke out at 18 when he won the Calder trophy. Supernova at 22.
3) Sebastian Aho (23) More than a PPG when he was 21
4) Miro Heiskanen (21). Do I need to explain this to you?
7) Brayden Point (24) Broke out at 22 (not bad for a third round pick)
9) Pierre- Luc Dubois (22) 20 goal scorer at 19 and better every season
10) Mikko Rantanen (23) Impact player at 21.
None of these players spent time meandering in the AHL…they were quality right out of the box.
As someone here is fond of saying, if you haven’t arrived by the age of 22, it’s likely you have issues.”
According to this, Byfield is in a lot of trouble. He wasn’t quality out of the box, he has spent time meandering in the AHL and he’s turning 22 this year.
Excellent take.
Bob Stauffer
@Bob_Stauffer
The Oilers
in Seattle:
Hyman-McDavid-Draisaitl
Holloway-Ryan-Janmark
Erne-Hamblin-Lavoie
Griffith-Malone-Bourgault
Kulak-Ceci
Gleason-Broberg
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Pickard
Ducks sign Zegras 3X$5.75 million.
https://www.tsn.ca/anaheim-ducks-sign-trevor-zegras-to-three-year-17-25m-contract-1.2015536
As always, LT is far to kind.
Lavoie has been playing with AHL players and showing glimpses of why many considered him a first round talent.
His laser beam against real NHL players and a real NHL goalie was why he was thought to be first round material.
Nobody on the Oilers coaching staff is intellectually curious to see what Lavoie ( and his laser beam shot) might do with the best passer in the NHL?
It’s preseason.
The irony of this staff ( maybe) pigeon holing Lavoie into the bottom 6 role after watching Kailer Yamamoto bolt gunned to the top 6 in the Western conference playoffs is comical.
To be clear, I have no idea if Lavoie would succeed in a top 6 role.
( or top 9 either) But, neither do our coaches.
Can we at least give Lavoie a real NHL C to play with?
Just once?
I think of the success Pat Maroon had with 97 and I think Lavoie, who has more offense, could cash. But this is a much different team than when Big Rig arrive in Oiltown.
Exactly.
Sometimes, you never know….chemistry can be a funny thing.
You guys act like they are purposely holding down Lavoie, when rather his place in the lineup is a function of several other lineup decisions that they seem to prefer at this time.
The coaching staff has shown a clear preference to keep RNH at 2LW … I think this is a bench management issue, in that when they want to go the nuclear option with McDavid-Draisaitl on the same line, they only have to shift Leon with one of McDavid’s wingers, and RNH shifts to 2C. Lines 3 and 4 don’t have to change. While on paper the idea of unicorns seems great, RNH at 3C is logistically more complicated for them when the blender needs to come out.
They also want to keep the Foegele-McLeod-Ryan line together, I guess based on play together in the playoffs.
Brown replaces Yamamoto this year, so all four top 6 winger positions are basically accounted for. Last year, they tried to bust out of the gate with Holloway next to Draisaitl and that went sideways quickly and Yamamoto moved up and for lack of a better option was a placeholder there the rest of the season, again for lack of a better option.
Holloway likely deserves a chance again in the top 6 more than Lavoie does. But both players will have to bide their time now. This is a deep lineup and both Lavoie and Holloway will be starting out on the 4th line.
I actually don’t mind having both of those guys on the 4th line … provided they go 11-7 both Holloway and Lavoie WILL get time with McDavid or Draisaitl. If they show well, then maybe we’ll get to see this later in the season:
Holloway-McLeod-Lavoie
Right now I see the training camp battle as between Holloway, Lavoie and Janmark. And I would not be surprised to see Janmark sent down to start the season again, as there is very little chance of anyone claiming him, and then being called up when injuries occur.
Pederson is a placeholder 4C until Johnny Toews decides whether he’s coming back this season or not. If not, then they will likely target a better 4C at the deadline.
I agree it’s not a problem, Woodcroft is playing each player tonight with the players they are likely to play with – except Broberg and Lavoie. Preseason is not a time to pump players up, It’s a free look at what the players you are expecting more out of look like in challenging situations.
good point. If the plan is to start RNH, Kane, Hyman & Brown as your top 6 wingers, then I see the logic in making Lavoie audition playing with bottom 6 type players – those are the guys he will be playing with if he makes the team to start the season.
Having him line up on 29, 93 or 97s wing does what? Improve his stats and visibility on the waiver wire. How does that help assess his ability to do the job he is applying for? A team with Stanley aspirations and Edm’s roster doesn’t start the season with a dude with 0 NHL games in the top 6. Sorry Brown, thanks for signing but we have this raw kid with a nice shot…
How about slot him correctly and see if his play dictates he’s one of the team’s best bottom 6 options. Let’s start at step 1.
It seems odd that the young, top AHL goal scorer who led that category by a decent margin (he was the only player with 20+ goals in Bakersfield) is lining up with players who are closer to the bottom of the depth chart. Or is this normal?
I guess considering the chances Rattie & Perlini & even Virtanen received in past recent Training Camps this is a tough pill to swallow. Perhaps it is a strategy to not showcase him, so he can be tucked away in the A as some conspiracy theorists suggest, lol.
Rattie had already played decently after being called up late in the prior season. They wanted to see if that success could continue.
Perlini was a 25 year old former first round pick who had 46 goals on his NHL resume before coming to Edmonton. Still almost all his preseason time was with Devon Shore and Kyle Turris. Not a big push.
Virtanen got a total of less than 3 minutes with any of McDavid, Draisaitl or Nuge. He played mostly with Brad Malone. He received no push either.
You guys act like playing a high draft pick with *actual* NHL centre – in pre season – is some sort of heresy. ( 38th overall in 2019)
By the way, we saw Holloway catapulted to top lines in the regular season last year, ( not criticizing it as I was one wanting it)
So, again, kind of interesting to see the contrast here.
Listen, I grasp the coaches an org has a clear idea on what they want the lines to look like.
Thats the thing with auditions – you don’t know what you have until you try it. ( WR Puka Nacua was a 5th round pick in LA)
It’s pre season.
I had to look up ‘Puka Nacua’ … I thought this was some sort of typo for a 5th round Kings prospect. That’s such a great name.
Sorry, I should have made referenced the NFL.
I jump around in my sports too much.
It is a great name! Although my favourite recent prospect name is Nando Eggenberger — sounds like a breakfast menu item at Timmy’s….
This is an excellent post.
It’s also a key reason why “they should have just played McLeod more” in the playoffs wasn’t a slam dunk solution. It would have opened another kink in the roster with the injuries to Kane, Hyman and Foegele.
For me this pre-season is about ‘start as you mean to go’ … the biggest improvement that the Oilers need to make is at 5v5. They want to come out of the gates and lead the pack in that regard right from game 1.
That Lavoie has an NHL-calibre shot is a known fact – it doesn’t take a genius to understand that he might score some playing next to McDavid or Draisaitl. That along with his size are the attributes that have him on the fringes of making the opening night roster.
But the top 6 winger spots are set … there’s no point auditioning Lavoie (or Holloway) there right now because the players occupying those positions in the lineup are simply better, more experienced players.
The coaches want to know whether Lavoie brings enough in the other facets of the game to be a difference maker at 5v5 on the 3rd or 4th lines in limited minutes, and in the absence of much PK experience. Tonight they want to see what he does away from Holloway and by comparison to Janmark … can he drive possession on his line?
They are taking a good long look at Lavoie. If he keeps playing well, then I think he makes the team.
I agree with the Lavoie portion.
But hear me out here.
The single biggest area of improvement should and will be on the PK…take that from bottom 3rd to top 3rd and you’re looking at 12-16 goals against improvement at the low end.
That’s enough to yank down the GA to 244, and top 10-12 among teams all of whom made the playoffs. Top Tier cutoff is <230, but even at 244 and say last years scoring the differential blows out to +81. >80 has only been hit by five teams (Bruins twice) in the last ten years.
So if just the PK improves to top 1/3 level, we’re talking about a juggernaut. If it drops to the 230 plateau, we’re talking +95.
Going to be a fun year.
I see it this way as well. There is some sort of odd stubbornness. I get that of course they have whatever demands on performance, and maybe Ralph has some areas they don’t like
Where the weirdness for me comes in is that their solutions are often worse than the green bananas. With no upside
I wish Brandon S all the best, admire his clear thinking. However there was almost no chance he could resume an NHL career simply from the casual reading I did over the summer. BS said then that while he felt stronger and better, he hadn’t resumed full training, and not that long before camp – nuff said, wasn’t happening
So what were they thinking? I am concerned that they end up with Sutter and Pederson as 4C options, maybe they think Gagner who hasn’t been a regular C in yonks. Don’t like Ryan at C
Run the pants off the Duo again? I don’t like that they value marginal wingers more than proper C depth. Lesser wingers can play ok with a better C. Better wingers can’t play well with a lesser C, as we’ve seen for years bottom 6
I agree the mere invitations to players like Brandon Sutter and Sam Gagner was a troubling sign….
Why does my beer league team start playing games before the NHL regular season starts? 2 weeks too late to start , 2 weeks too long into summer.
3 weeks less competition against the NFL.
The NFL has nothing to do with it. The NHL has been starting their season in mid to early October since WWII. The current timing of around the 2nd week of October through early April (except if adjustments are required for Olympics participation etc.) has been around since the early 60s.
If anything the NHL was originally probably waiting till the World Series was done before ramping up their season, and wrapping up before Baseball really got going in the spring. Baseball was the dominant sport in America until the early seventies shortly after the start of the Super Bowl era.
A sport that is played almost every night by every team is more competition for eyeballs/fans than one played mostly on a Sunday afternoon once a week.
It was probably also weather dependent as it’s gets easier/cheaper to keep an arena cold in October as opposed to September. A lot of early NHLers would also have been farmers as well and October is a better time to leave the fields.
Those are also possibly/probably a lot more likely than being influenced by the NFL. Certainly back in the day energy was relatively more expensive and insulation not as good. Look at the Boston Gardens even when the Oilers were playing them in the finals in late Spring in ‘88. They had fog and trouble getting the ice to freeze (Buffalo in ‘75 as well).
If your looking for a 4th line centre Sutter is available.