The gales of November hit hard early but the beaver moon late in the month stilled the waters. How in h-e-double-hockey-sticks this Edmonton Oilers club could finish 7-7-0 this month boggles the mind. Holy hell, Batman! You know how old men say “I’ve seen everything”? Well, I’ve never seen this.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New DNB: Is it time the Edmonton Oilers expected more from Ryan McLeod?
- Lowetide: Oilers’ Darnell Nurse impressive in all areas after coaching change
- Lowetide: Oilers’ Philip Broberg reaches crossroads as NHL defenceman
- DNB: Four reasons why the Oilers are very much in the Western Conference playoff race
- Lowetide: How is the Edmonton Oilers top 20 prospects list shaping up?
- Lowetide: Can the Oilers find roster solutions on the NHL fringes?
- DNB: Oilers must address goaltending situation before it’s too late
- Lowetide: Why the Oilers making a productive goalie trade is an expensive proposition
- DNB: Who is new Edmonton Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch? These 3 traits define his approach
- Lowetide: What Oilers management must reckon with in roster construction
- Lowetide: Can Connor McDavid come from behind to win another Art Ross Trophy?
WHAT TO EXPECT IN NOVEMBER
- At home to: DAL, NAS (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-2-0)
- On the road to: VAN, SJS, SEA (Expected 1-1-1) (Actual 1-2-0)
- At home to: NYI, SEA (Expected 2-0-0) (Actual 2-0-0)
- On the road to: TBY, FLA, CAR, WAS (Expected 1-3-0) (Actual 1-3-0)
- At home to: ANA, VEG (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 2-0-0)
- On the road to: WPG (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 7-6-1, 15 points in 14 games
- Actual November results: 6-7-0, 12 points in 13 games
- Oilers in 2023-24: 8-12-1, 17 points in 21 games
I see a lot of blame for Jay Woodcroft’s system, but for me it’s fairly clear the Connor McDavid, Mattias Ekholm and Ryan McLeod injuries, combined with the goalie issue, were the key contributors. So, that’s luck and Ken Holland.
I’m generally positive about the Holland era, Edmonton has had some success compared to the Peter Chiarelli years and the free agent signings have been better. Still, that’s a low bar and there is no Stanley. Holland may or may not be at the helm now (I’m inclined to think it’s Jeff Jackson running the show, with Brad Holland and others key players at this time). Holland and Warren Rychel were in attendance at the Blue Jackets-Canadiens game last night, purpotedly to watch Montreal’s Sam Montembeault and Columbus goalie Elvis Merzlikins. The club has a break after tonight, it’s a natural spot for a roster shuffle.
Jack Campbell is finding his way with the Bakersfield Condors now. After a disastrous start (.819 save percentage in his first three starts) he has improved markedly. Campbell’s last three games include two wins, a shutout and a combined .944 save percentage in the trio of games. I don’t know if the team will make a deal or recall Campbell, but the veteran is playing better.
I mentioned the last couple of days on the radio that the Oilers need three things in order to build this roster to completion. I named players from other organizations to drive home the point. Dan Vladar, Chris Tanev and Ivan Barbashev represent a true upgrade for this roster. Your first reaction is likely to involve the sizeable cap hit these three would require. Edmonton can’t do it.
I’m not saying the Oilers need to trade those players, but rather need to find a match that works for an acceptable cap total. If the names end up being Sam Montembeault, Ethan Bear and James Hamblin, and it works, then that’s good scouting combined with astute management. Michael Parkatti will be rolling out miles and miles of suggestions, and a guy like Brad Holland would be listening. How far does the open communication run up the chain? This is a good time to find out.
It’s a busy day on the Lowdown, noon to 2pm on Sports 1440 today. We’ll be joined by Spruce Grove Saints coach Brennan Menard, Rachel Doerrie from the Staph & Graph podcast, and Bagged Milk from Oilers Nation. You can reach me in the comments section, @Lowetide on twitter, or text us 1.833.401.1440 directly.
Sam montembeault extends for 3 years with Montreal
It might be better having Paul Coffey teaching your defencemen than Dave Manson.
Who knew?
I might get a Nurse jersey, just to help pay for his contract 🥳 you clowns.
Best Oilers D since Klefbom.
Does anyone deny that Nurse is the Oilers’ best defensman since Klefbom?
So the combination of a very serious former defensive D and a somewhat happy go lucky former offensive D is just what this D group needed?
Icing on the cake baked of healthy McDavid and Ekholm… (Soup free).
I’ll admit that I have little experience watching Connor Brown play in past seasons, and the contract penalty for next season perhaps skews my judgement, but I see absolutely nothing remarkable about this player.
Based on past seasons, it’s obvious that the injury has derailed him, but I see no value in him filling a top 6 role where a player like Lavoie brings an element the team needs, yet he is playing one league too low.
It seems as though he is going to continue to draw into the lineup for 60 more games to “get him going” which seems absurd given the option to place a young player who can score from anywhere to get his career started and who is a long term possibility.
By contract penalty you mean bonus that pays commission into Jackson’s divested portfolio… right?
Goal aside, Nurse has been full value for much of this season, especially after the coaching change.
Watched this game late but a few things stuck out to me.
-Jack Micheals gives a stat about how many shutouts Hellebuyck has in his career at about the 10 min mark of the third- a team player!
-Nuge rode the pine in the third until they tied it( I think?)
-The highlight of Vilardi holding McDavid’s stick like “how did I get this” was hilarious. Reffing wasn’t great but I thought both teams walked the line a bit and nothing egregious was missed.
The Jets played well too, in stretches but the Oilers dominated most of that game. Nice one to get before the break and keep everyone engaged.
This is such a treat, visiting this living-room after a big win. Lots of happiness in the positive comments. Everyone of us just basically wants the same thing, regardless how it’s accomplished… wins. Tonight we saw the true potential of this team, it’s still growing, and still improving.
Props to all participants. Warts included, we have a very good hockey team. I believe.
Yotes and Flames both win in OT.
Other than few fumbles in the Dzone, this was a very good defensive effort by the boys.
Also, strange night tonight with many teams who get badly outshot, actually ending up winning the game.
That last 3 mins was a clinic. Jets didn’t have the puck on their stick longer than 2 touches. Money! That’s confidence and execution. Jets didn’t even get a sniff with the empty net. That was sublime D. Not the collapsing nonsense from the Jets.
Boring hockey got what it deserved tonight. The good guys win!
Eat poop you 95’ Devils Jets!! You got what you deserved. Bunch of plugs.
Man, I was getting down, thinking, “oh boy, here we go again…”
Big win!! Good on Nurse to take that shot. Sometimes you need the stones to take that chance rather than just getting it deep.
PP clutch again. Good gord they needed that. Confidence growing!!!
3 pts back of Nashville with only 60 games left to catch them.
I like our chances lol!
Where is that HarperHair guy, who said Oil will be playing against teams in playoff positions and will be screwed. Well here we go, beat Vegas and then Winnipeg.
You shouldn’t mention UnMe’s name, he’s like the Candyman, but shows up with some random stat about one his favorite 30 other teams to deflect.
Can you imagine being an Oiler fan and not enjoying Evan Bouchard warts and all? His offensive brilliance is remarkable; behind only 97 and 29 on this team.
If he’s turned a corner defensively we’ve got another cornerstone on our hands.
His play with the puck on his stick has gone to another level and part of it is using his feet – he’s very active at the offensive blue these days.
Winnipeg Jets. This decade’s version of the 2000s Minnesota Wild…
Big win!!!
Feels good.
Instead of trying to get my guts into knots over which of the current Oilers team to get shed of, I’ll try to give everyone a fresh start, starting from the opening game with the new coaching staff.
McLeod certainly proved something, like Gagner’s goal the other night.
Like the bottom of the order in baseball, hitting the ball consistently.
Solid goaltending ✅
Solid effort by all skaters ✅
No panic. Stay the course ✅
Nurse and Ceci were terrific tonight. Couldn’t ask for much more outta those two.
Eks is coming around and bringing Bouch with him.
Connors back. Brown is almost. He really looked like a Hyman-lite tonight. Lotta chances.
That goal is gonna do wonders for Drai’s confidence. He was some happy to have scored from his office!
Hope that’s the goal that gets Clouder going. He earned the chance to be out in the final seconds. Very good second half of the game.
Would also add that Janmark has been very good since his return from injury.
I’ve noticed Bouch and Ek down low in the ozone a lot more since Coffey took over. Bouch in particular is starting to dangle. Looks good on him.
And after ALL that, for a brief moment the Edmonton Oilers sit only 3 points out of a playoff spot.
Sports, amirite?
Zona currently in 8th with 22 points, and currently leading Colorado 3-2 early in the third. Booo…
Could still be 5 points out by end of night.
6-3 in their first games since getting Paul Coffey to coach the defence.
I still want to give them 20 games.
So far, its been very, very good.
Well played game. Their structure – and patience in their own zone was very good tonight. Skinner looked composed in net and they didn’t panic when behind. Impressive.
I like it when this team isn’t fun to play against.
Well done McLeod well done.
That was a beat down. Got spread out a bit in the 2nd, long passes, weak 1v1 outlet battles, very few zone exits or entries with control. Tightened up in 3rd, back pressure was everywhere, got tight down low, shot, simple passes, everyone gaining speed on the exit. Good stuff, fun to watch.
If you made me count I think there has been six Vinny GA this year where he loses his man to the far post. He’s missed the cutoff, bailed on the guy, failed to tie up and he’s scored on himself twice.
Bouchard with an eight game point streak.
At some point this gets untenable. Devon Shore-esque appearances maybe but no more. His normals are bad, his fancies are bad, his fancy Rels are worst on the team by a mile. The PK was hot. But he’s clearly a drag. It’ll be addition by subtraction and the 3rd pair should get immediately better. Unfortunately, Broberg has worse Rels and as LT noted per 60 GAs are worse. It’s not a high bar and Phil tripped before leaping. Frustrating but it’s early and the bar is not that high.
^ very unclear, this is in reference Vinny, not Bouchard.
Broberg should be able to steal Vinny’s job.
I notice Vinny out there. Sometimes for the bad . . . often for the good.
Broberg is generally “also in the picture.”
Desharnais appears to be a “glue” player. Plus he’ll take punches to the face for his teammates. I know those things don’t show up in your fancy-dancy stats, but they are a thing.
Elliotte Friedman was commenting this week how much improved he thought Desharnais was under Coffey. And was mentioning that Toronto tried to trade for him but was unsuccessful. There are some better RELs under Coffey if you filter for that.
Over his 56 games he does post positive shot and goal shares 5v5 and the lowest GA60 of all EDM defenders.
Like a Kris Russel type, his shares suffer from lower “for” production. But this is what one generally looks for in a shut down type.
Looking purely at the spreadsheet what’s collapsed to a greater extent this season is Kulak. In the past Kulak’s excellent analytics have bolstered Desharnais. This season it seems to be the opposite in that Kulak is dragging down Vinny. The WOWYs lean that way.
Oilers won 71% of the faceoffs in that game. Can’t remember the last time Oilers dominated that much in the dot.
Probably not since Jarret Stoll was taking draws for them.
Boyd Gordon is shedding a tear of joy.
McDavid went 16 – 2.
Leon nailed it: very mature win.
Very well coached game I would say!
Classy move by Knoblauch to put McLeod out there with the empty net.
Coaching was average to my eye – perhaps biased by the win. A seasoned coach would know that WPG is going to be hard to score on and make sure they are tight defensively. Putting a struggling third pair out early on the PK with four decent defenders well rested on the bench is a rookie mistake and it cost him.
Ekholm is a brilliant defender. So smart. Did I mention how much I like old guys? Give me a D corps of 32+ year old guys any day and you can have all the 22-25 year olds to salivate over their potential. One of my favourite ever Oilers trades.
Nurse is not as sharp hockey sense wise as Ekholm, but he is an absolute beast out there. An athletic specimen unmatched in athleticism by almost anyone in the league. I don’t understand how we can ever be down on a guy like him.He makes good decisions most of the time now. His salary looks better and better each year.
Nice to get the win.
Thank the NHL for the Winnipeg Jets.
Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets have both given Edmonton Oilers years and years of punchbag teams to practice on.
Because we can now be nice to them, Winnipeg fans you have to pity for braving a Winnipeg night to go out and sit through 2 and a half periods of 1-0 shutout hockey only for the Dallas vs Edmonton result that followed.
This was the game i was expecting to see against Vegas. tight, low scoring, heart in throat play. So good to see it happen this game, learning to keep the other team shut down in a tight game, not losing their patience or smarts, despite all the opps they couldn’t cash. The track meet might finally have been beat out of them. For this season.
I wonder if Woodcroft had been given more time could they have gotten out of their funk. Is this team the result of Knobloch or just finally being in sync? Is Coffey’s vision better than Manson’s?
I really liked Woodcroft, being so young I really thought he could be here a good long time. I definitely miss his pressers, Knobloch is so milquetoast but I think part of that is just being so new at this.
I’m thrilled that they’re playing like we knew that they could I just hope it’s not fleeting. Like you said hopefully some stuff has been beaten out of them.
Here’s hoping this is the turnaround and they shut everyone up by hoisting the Cup in June.
Woodcroft gets the blame 100% for them being in that funk.
Other than that, your argument is perfect.
I think the coaching change likely actually cost them a couple of wins. They were already coming out of their funk and then had to restart with their world shook all over again. Rookie GMs, what can you do?
So far, little harm has come of it. But it could effect playoff seeding down the road. And another playoffs with a rookie coach at the helm.
Nothin against Nobby. He’s done very well with the situation he was thrown into.
Ekholm, McDavid, came online after injury and they removed the Campbell uncertainty from the equation.
Knoblauch seems to live by KISS (keep it simple stupid) and that seems to have helped a bit in a difficult time.
But Woody absolutely wasn’t the problem.
The slump was just an excuse for Jackson to appoint his man. And his man is green. That has shown already and will continue to show.
Skinner beats Hellybuyk. Love it!!!!!
2 pts in regulation
Goal & an assist for McLeod
Skinner was excellent
The worm has f-ing turned!!
Enjoy a frosty beverage on that bus ride back to Etown, boys!
Despite the cold temperatures, the Trans-Canada and Yellowhead should be clear tonight.
They should get back to E-town around 9:30 a.m. MST if they shower quick and only gas up one time just east of Saskatoon.
Hm. I did not expect Hellebuyck to have the second best goaltending performance this game. Strange times.
Skinner stole his first game. I expect the haters are still going to hate.
He’s fine, but it’s bad if he plays 72 games this year.
Not downplaying that Skinner played well, he did. But, he definitely didn’t “steal” the game for us… from my viewing angle we outplayed, outclassed and out shot(38-26) and were by far the better team, and thusly we should have won.
IMHO, when a goaler “steals” a game it’s when they win despite the other team outplaying them…
Anyways, the outcome was ideal.🥰🥰🥰🙁❤️❤️❤️
Absolutely agree.
Skinner was fantastic and a definite big part of the victory but the Oilers were the clear better team on the ice, deserved the victory and were full value for it. Skinner stopped Connor H. from stealing the victory.
How much mess(ier)caline are you on? (I joke, I joke).
HUGE
That was a NICE win 👏
A+ for overcoming 2+ periods with effort but no execution. They stuck with it.
Off the schneid!!!!!
McLeod had a FANTASTIC game.
McLeod is revived under the new management.
Come to think of it, so is the rest of the team.
In the 3rd with 1-1 and less than 4 minutes left the Jets coughed the puck up in the Oilers zone and instead of playing every man for himself typical crap defence – everyone in the Oilers blueline to goal kind of went “Aha!” together, before effortlessly retrieving the puck.
Great ego stroking there from Knoblauch to put him out for the empty net goal.
Love to see that.
I was screaming at KK to let McLeod on the ice too. Happy to see he was thinking the same way.
That’s my favourite win of the season.
BOOM!!! You knew damn rights McLeod wasn’t gonna pass that off!!!
1st Star – Stu
2nd Star – Highlander
3rd Star – Helly
The Schneid Buster!!!
OMG! Clouder with the clincher to get off the schneid! Sweet 2 pts!!
Actually it was an unclincher, my butt is now relaxed.
Lady Karma has smiled on this team
edit-suck it Jets!!!!
That is one hell of a comeback!
1st of the year for McLeod too 🙂
There can be only one…
THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!!!
Highlander!
OH MYSAITL!!
WOW!
Deserved!
BOOM!!! Drai finds his executioner shot and gets redemption for the non call!!!
The Leon King!!!! From his throne!