Edmonton Oilers amateur scouts don’t get much love, many fans view successes like Evan Bouchard and Ryan McLeod as the obvious picks and give no real credit. I don’t envy scouts for the day to day work of finding talent, but on a night like Tuesday when 2018 draft selection Ryan McLeod was shining like a diamond, it has to be a complete blast to be an NHL scout.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Revisiting Oilers’ Dylan Holloway pick at the 2020 NHL Draft
- New DNB: Oilers demolish ‘one-man team’ label in comeback win over Maple Leafs
- Lowetide: Is Oilers forward Warren Foegele earning another contract?
- Lowetide: Where do the Oilers need to improve depth before the NHL trade deadline?
- DNB: Oilers are back as a Western Conference power
- Lowetide: Could this be the ultimate Edmonton Oilers season?
- DNB: Projecting the Oilers’ 2025-26 salary-cap situation with a Leon Draisaitl extension
- Lowetide: Ranking Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland’s 10 biggest moves
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers complete 2023-24 prospects update
- Lowetide: Stuart Skinner, Ryan McLeod and the Oilers’ development system
- Lowetide: Oilers close NHL standings gap during a brilliant December run
- DNB: Connor McDavid marks 600th NHL game by coming to the rescue in pivotal Oilers win
- Lowetide: What can Dylan Holloway bring the Oilers when he returns?
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers top 20 prospects ranking, winter 2023
WHAT TO EXPECT IN JANUARY
- At home to: PHI, OTT (Expected 2-0-0) (Actual 2-0-0)
- On the road to: CHI, DET, MTL (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 3-0-0)
- At home to: TOR, SEA (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- On the road to: CAL (Expected 0-0-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: CBJ, CHI, NAS (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 7-3-1, 15 points in 11 games
- Actual January results: 6-0-0, 12 points in 6 games
- Oilers in 2023-24: 24-15-1, 49 points in 40 games
The Oilers have an 11-game winning streak and the standings have changed in a big way. The Los Angeles Kings collected six standings points in the last 10 games, meaning Edmonton gained 14 points in a single bound! That’s blue rare. The Albertans are a point behind the Juha Widings with a game in hand. Edmonton trails Vegas by six points and have four games in hand. While the Oilers were collecting 20 points from the last 10 games, Veg was pulling eight points from the wreckage. That’s a 12 point gap closed in a Stony Plain minute. Music!
THE NUMBERS
A few words about Stuart Skinner. Since November 24, in 17 games, his five-on-five save percentage is .932. That’s good for No. 4 among NHL regulars. His overall save percentage is .934 during those games, once again fourth in the league. I liked his game last night because he had some brilliant forwards trying to score on most shifts. The two goals were not on him (in my opinion) and the TML barrage was high octane and creative for most of the night. Full marks to Skinner on a night when the defense simply couldn’t cover everything the gifted opponents threw their way. I wrote about his long resume and why the Oilers were smart to keep the powder dry on goaltending, and it has come to pass. As long as Kris Knoblauch doesn’t pull a Todd McLellan and Cam Talbot his starter into a fine white powder, this position has a good answer.
The defensive coverage last night was a little late, not as tight as you’d like it, and TML had some hummer looks. Now, I didn’t notice the old indecision, it seemed to me the defenders (that includes forwards) were beaten by exceptional passing. The Toronto forecheck was lowdown and stifling, and effective. I’ll point to Evan Bouchard and RNH needing to intercept or cover and no one noticed Rielly in time on the second goal. I’ll give credit to the Maple Leafs skill, though. If this was a SCF I’d have to wear a catheter, no way I’d miss any of the live action. One thing I thought about the Leafs during the game: John Tavares isn’t getting to as many plays as he has in the past. Has the tipping point been reached?
The best forward on the Oilers was Ryan McLeod. He used his speed to get the puck and then gain clean air on both the goal and assist. He’s feeling it now, and coach Knoblauch is featuring him. You can be critical of Jay Woodcroft, he didn’t use McLeod this way. However, the young forward was injured to start the year and this version of McLeod feels like a new gear come about due to experience in the world’s best league. The long resume on McLeod indicated some scoring and outscoring success, but this morning he’s 1.94 pts-60 and the owner of a 61 percent goal share (both numbers five-on-five).
So, today, when someone is tearing a strip off the Oilers for passing on Jesper Wellstedt, it might be an idea to reflect on Stuart Skinner’s performance and the belief this organization has in him. When someone hammers the scouting department over Philip Broberg, Dylan Holloway or Xavier Bourgault, think of Ryan McLeod.
Not many days ago, many online rioters were denouncing Skinner and McLeod. Perhaps they were wrong. Perhaps the scouts do get it right often and maybe if there were more picks (or free-agent signings from college and junior) the organization’s prospect depth chart would be finer. Some of these discussions online these days are so narrow, there’s a need to be the expert on all things, we lose the basic human function of conversation, of give and take, of pondering ideas that are not our own. I miss it. Very much.
My friend Bruce McCurdy from the Cult of Hockey at the Edmonton Journal stops by today on the Lowdown (Sports 1440, noon to 2pm). We’ll chat about a fun tilt between the two dominant Canadian teams in the NHL today (I’m saying that as a joke, the Winnipeg Jets and Vancouver Canucks are top of the marquee currently) and we’re looking to talk CFL free agency during the show as well. You can reach me at Lowetide on twitter, in the comments section or on the Sports 1440 text line at 1.833.401.1440 directly.
Holloway with the empty netter from center.
Campbell very good tonight (32 saves on 34 shots with 47 seconds left).
That’s 4 out of 5 quality starts in the last month. Small steps but progress. I continue to think that Campbell is our Skinner insurance if he continues to play well and recovers his game. It costs us nothing but cap space if we eventually recall him – and it does make sense to recall him if he is plays well in the AHL. Not only could he be a very solid backup but it makes sense to reduce his negative trade value. Of course it all depends on him playing well. In some ways this stretch in the minors may be just what he needed. He seemed way too stressed after signing his big UFA contract, and now he should understands that he just needs to relax and play – the rest will sort itself out.
This, of course, would be ideal.
I’ve had enough of buyouts. Or eating shit on trades to dump negative assets.
Still however, need to somehow get rid of his cap to fill other future needs. A $5M backup is not ideal. I for one, Would be willing to trade a 1st to turf it. No high end prospects or other significant sweeteners. Also can’t take any cap dumps back. We will need every penny to resign McD, Drai, Bouch, etc.
If he can recover his game somebody will take him, even for a 4th or something, there is a goalie problem in the league. New GM just needs to be on it
Jacob Chychrun mentioned as a potential acquisition for the Oilers.
https://ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/ottawa-senators/staios-is-studying-his-options-before-trade-deadline
The Staios connection makes this more interesting.
Once Holland quietly leaves and Jackson-Coffey take the helm we have 3 OBC connections Mikey, Billy and Stevie. Everything we possibly need is on these teams roster and especially in their overcrowded pipelines.
Of course, top 4LD is one of the last places the Oilers need help.
If Ottawa was incented to retain half Chychrun would be great replacement for Kulak who could go the other way to make the money work. Great playoff insurance.
Ottawa also has a significant Francophone audience and the Oilers have a couple they could include.
Not gonna happen
Condors vets with a couple of goals in the 2nd to turn a 2-1 deficit in to the 3-2 lead.
First McKegg with a beauty net drive and finish and then Griffith turning the block back a few years, dangles to the net and set-ups up Caggiula driving perfectly for a tap in.
The rebound of the Caggiula points shot, shoveled home net front by Niemo.
Yes, you read that right.
1-1
Grubbe drilled from behind in to the side boards in the neutral zone and Gleason with no hesitation to jump in and drop em.
Not much of a fight but he dropped em right away.
This should be a 5 min PP (except maybe an instigator).
Grubbe seems Ok.
It is too bad the Oilers did not win last year because this video slaps:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bUKuu9jP1E&ab_channel=Oilersnation
That’s just hot as hell. Credit to the creator.
Video is unreal….someone needs to paint a renaissance style painting of Woody ripping that bench door off its hinges
Here is hoping that Campbell can keep his improved play going tonight.
Hope Savoie is back in (was sick yesterday).
Puck drop in apx an hour.
I hope Jack can find his groove in the A. Even if he does I would have mixed feelings about a recall. In my opinion Jack being recalled might be a negative event. Best outcome would be a recovery then a trade.
Same lineup as last night (but for Campbell) meaning Savoie remains out sick.
Broberg starts with Gleason, not Wanner.
Raptors trade Siakum for magic beans. Can’t see them making the playoffs in the for seeable future.
Glitchy site today
posted Norris trophy candidate Noah Dobson below
https://x.com/jfreshhockey/status/1747739054622318886?s=46&t=VKZ79-9hN-xwMNTBjohq7w
this is Darnell Nurse
https://x.com/dhockey13/status/1747757149097464232?s=46&t=VKZ79-9hN-xwMNTBjohq7w
and this is Bouchard
So why the hell is Dobson getting more votes than Bouchard??? He’s better in every way except PK (only because they don’t play him on the PK)
Having Mcdavid on your team makes it almost impossible to get recognition
because these charts are essentially meaningless and useless?
Huh??
Here’s a crazy stat:
Oilers on their 11 game win streak have a 1.045 PDO.
Canucks over the entire season: 1.050 PDO.
The Oilers boys win streak has been less “lucky” than the Canucks entire season.
Larger sample sizes are more reliable.
PDO doesn’t mean what you think it means
I know exactly what it means and very skilled teams can and have exceeded that arbitrary benchmark.
Demko is a league leader in GSAA which gives the Canucks a huge advantage as a starting point.
Please list all the teams that have had a 1050 PDO all time
No don’t worry. Tocchet has completely reimagined the game of hockey. I hear Colborne and Rafferty are doing some behind-the-scenes consulting work.
Ha ha ha….mike drop……and he disappears as usual.
“Skilled teams” 🤭
This year’s Canucks are basically last year’s Devils. They’ll fade into the night quietly.
The larger sample size is the Canucks over the past 3 years. They’re temporarily punching above their weight.
😂
Lol. You are too much.
Couple of things heard last night…
The first is from Stauff. I can’t remember if he said it on the radio or on TV, but it must’ve been on the radio because no one has mentioned it.
Apparently the Leafs fully recognize the biggest hole on the team is on defense. Bob said last year when they were shopping Sam Lafferty, he believes they called the Oil and offered him, but wanted Desharnais in return. Old Dutch turned them down.
As useful as Lafferty might be, I think we’re starting to see that decision pay off. I commented a few games back after watching Dezzy make a few deft passes and then later slide into the slot with the puck, head up and then smartly dish, that his poise with the pill has come a long way since he started in the Bigs. Someone, Brogan’s Uncle I think, mentioned the same last night.
Gives you an idea of how high the org rates the man mountain. I wonder at what altitude he will top out at. I doubt he’d ever be a 2nd pairing guy on a contender, but contributing from the bottom pair considering the minutes they still get, is valuable. He’s not just an oversized PK Pylon.
The other item comes from Nobby’s post-game when he stated that the plan was to give Skins a substantial number of the starts in January. I was focused on the Oilers’ next start and didn’t think much of it other than his comment was a reflection of the softest part of the sked. But, on reflection, I wonder if there was a little more to it.
Does that comment give us any indication as to the Oilers’ plans at the trade deadline? If they were wondering whether or not Pickard can handle the playoffs, wouldn’t they be planning to keep him in regular rotation? Or does this mean they’re going after another goalie come hell or high water, despite the demand out there and thus the cost? Or does it mean they’re completely comfortable with him and the two guys in Bako and would rather Skins prep for taking a bigger load, like the playoffs will demand?
That’s the problem with parsing the pekoe leaves. Can talk yourself into circles, justifying this, that and the other thing. I just thought a bit unusual they wouldn’t keep going as they had in the past. And I’m wondering the thinking behind it. Oh well. Might just be my overactive imagination…
The Oilers will upgrade in goal for the stretch drive.
I’d like to see Pickard continue to get games against mid-tier competition to prove that he’s more than a reliable 3rd stringer. His last few starts have been against Floriday, New Jersey x 2, and Detroit. I hope he starts against Seattle.
But regardless, they’ll want to have someone who can start a playoff game if Stu isn’t poised to take the reins. Stu is showing that he’s more than capable though.
Agreed about Vinnie. He looks so much better with the puck. His minutes have been pretty limited so its hard to say if he could eventually play in the top-4 but he is knocking it out of the park on third pair.
I think more starts is just that. Skinner is getting better week by week, at least to the old eye. Why not keep him on the confident, improvement path? He is not getting overworked and they know what they have in the Captain. I like the Captain. I think he is good insurance for a playoff peaking Skinner. Please Oilers, do not make a lateral goaltending move.
Have to admire Vinny. I won’t be comfortable with him until he is moving the puck well in the playoffs under a lot of pressure. If he can and wants to play at a lower cap hit, a fine 3 RD
Ceci is also playing better, but same thing with him, can he still do it when it counts? Kulak hasn’t been great, but he has a track record of playing well in the playoffs
Interesting that many of us (myself included) the right d have better games and our usual (nurse/ekholm) stuggle.
Curious, anyone think maybe it was due to the TML attack? Did they pressure one side? Product of our breakout? Or am I over thinking it.
I enjoy trying to analize things like this when you see one side stronger that isnt the norm.
I’m thinking it’s more because of their top two RWs (one of which likely top 3 in league) being quite a task to handle. That Marner is a player.
Amazon Prime buys a minority stake in Diamond Sports Group (Bally Sports), acquires 11 NHL teams’ broadcast rights. No word yet as to when games will be available to Prime members.
https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/39327963/amazon-invest-diamond-sports-part-bankruptcy-deal
Those teams are:
When people have to start signing up for multiple streaming services to watch games, there’s going to be some future hiccups. I know there’s been a lot of complaints from fans of the NFL about having to sign on to Peacock simply to watch that one game a week, and that’s the biggest, most loyal fanbase in NA.
I’m not sure how this is going to play out in the long run. Doesn’t help that rights agreements prevent competition and thus there’s no mechanism to drive prices down either. Could get interesting.
The future is streaming. Cable will be a thing of the past. Capitalism
The death of cable is old news. Why do you think NBC is putting some of their rights games on Peacock? You’re completely missing the point.
NFL is selling a product and they sold it to Peacock they made money and so did the NFL.
Sweet Baby Jesus. Peacock is losing over a half a billion dollars a month and people who could be potential subscribers are complaining.
I read that there are 200 million Amazon prime subscribers world wide (I’m one) who of course mostly treat the streaming as a bonus in addition to quick delivery of cheap stuff… this is a good move for NHL in terms of widening availability of product.
For Amazon, the cost of this distressed asset is a drop in their river and I wouldn’t be surprised to see in-game pop-ups for NHL merch, ‘one click’ away
Oh, no doubt it was a good deal for Amazon. That’s part of my point… because when it comes to re-up, what will Bezos be willing to pay? With regional blackouts in place, will it actually provide all the value you’re hoping to get? How many non-home team games do those people actually watch? What about those who couldn’t give two hoots about Amazon Prime but want to see one of those teams listed above regularly… how will they react? Will they sign up just cause?
My original point is that when we see big economic changes like this–disruptions of the status quo–it is difficult to foresee how the cookie will actually crumble. Deflation in terms of league revenue is a material possibility, for example. There could be a decade of muddle is another.
And this all occurring in an environment of shrinking real disposable income isn’t helpful.
https://x.com/jfreshhockey/status/1747739749664657742?s=46&t=VKZ79-9hN-xwMNTBjohq7w
Vezina nominee Noah Dobson
I giggled. Thanks
https://x.com/thelineblender/status/1747512109557260644?s=46&t=VKZ79-9hN-xwMNTBjohq7w
top two lines in the league
So it sounds like Keefe is on shaky ground as TML coach.
If they fire him they will no doubt hire Woody and when he turns the Leafs around we’ll have a Knobby Wood SCF
It’s Treliving running TML though, not Dubas anymore.
Maybe Treliving feels Sutter has some gas left in the ol’ tank to return and whip those Toronto boys into defensive power houses!
Berube. Boook it…..
Keefe: Get off my back its been literally 8 days.
Rest of Hockey Planet Earth: 1967?
Treliving signing a coach to an extension might as well be the kiss of death.
Any fool that follows the draft had Bouchard at #10 and McLeod at #40
Not all of them. Corey Pronman had him 18 and a lot of lists had other players still available higher. http://www.mynhldraft.com/2018-draft/2018-nhl-draft-rankings. I’ve seen Mcleod ranked as low as 46 but you also have to remember 39 other teams passed on him.
39 teams? Gary B’s wet dream!
Your point is well-taken as is LT’s preaching of patience with prospects
Pre-draft rankings: Bouchard / McLeod
LT: 8 / 25
McKenzie: 7 / 22
Button: 9 / 29
Pronman: 17 / 26
Draft Analyst: 15 / 20
Fools! Every last one of them!
All I’m saying I had those picks. The GM’S for the Oilers have been below average
Calder Trophy tracker.
Bouchard with a mention.
https://www.nhl.com/news/norris-trophy-tracker-quinn-hughes-favorite-at-halfway-point#:~:text=Trophy%20Tracker%3A%20Quinn%20Hughes%20unanimous,NHL.com
My vote would go to Bedard
The Calder trophy has an insane jinx surrounding it. No one has ever won it twice.
when they were available at 10 and 40. They were easy picks
I just re-watched McLeod’s winner. Firstly Reilly should have been called for interference on Connor, like five times
Secondly Connor was amazing on that play. After fighting to the net, he boxed out Reilly who decided to move toward McLeod behind the net. Matthews sees this and takes Connor in front as he should do, in a completely half hearted effort
Connor boxes out Matthews (2 inches taller and 20 lbs heavier), and you can see him directing McLeod with his eyes and body position. Kudos to the young guy who was picking up what Connor was putting down
McLeod comes out front as the area was open, Connor is looking at him and moves off the lazy Matthews and out of the way of the far corner, you can see Connor again using body position and eyes to encourage the shot he has set up, and McLeod makes a perfect one
Somethin’ else that Connor
McDavid was pure Crosby on that play. Looking like the world’s most talented grinder himself right there.
Connor did that with Hyman on the DET goal too, to spur Hyman to clear the zone.
To be clear, we’re talking about annual Selke snub, Auston Matthews? 🙂
In the build-up to that goal, Mcleod makes a couple of smart plays to keep the puck, including stealing the puck from Matthews. He’s reading the play well and using he speed to get to where he needs to be at the right time. Great work all around.
Its interesting that Coach Woodcroft used the term “sticktoitness” but its under a new coach that the players actually do it.
The ‘sticking’ to a system that they understand and are setup to succeed in – not some video game d system.
Bizarre comment. And revisionist history.
The team played great under Woody for nearly two seasons.
I love Knobby but I am certain he would not have had an 11 game win streak with Campbell on the roster.
Smoke and mirrors they rode a history making PP and a couple of hot players. This is not sustainable for 4 rounds of teams with different styles. At no time under Woody even when they rode the hot streak did they look dominant. We barely beat a young L.A rebuild team twice This is a team under K.K everyone has been given a opportunity and Coach K.K is giving the players a role accordingly. The balance after 20 years in the desert is finally coming into focus and I’m going to enjoy this ride.
Did Woodcroft have a penchant to stick to his gameplan and lines when the team started slow in a game or were trailing or do he default to McDavid/Drai and playing 8-9 forwards almost every time?
Did Woody’s team’s often play the same structured way and as a game they were down in moved on or did they seem to often change the way they play to try and create offence and take more risks?
Yes. For long stretches Woody kept McD and Drai apart. More than any previous coach.
Woody’s team was also very structured. Subject to some collapses.
But don’t let KK’s team fool you. The results have been great but there were several games that Skinner stole.
I do not think the Oilers early season struggles were primarily coach-centric.
Is Knobby a better coach than Woody? Maybe. I think it’s too soon to say.
I don’t believe that Woody would keep them apart as they headed in to the 2nd half of games down by a goal, let alone multiple goals.
Skinner has been a big part of the winning streak but I would suggest he’s stolen 1 game (maybe 2) – I don’t think he stole last night’s game for example. His good play was key but he wasn’t “the reason they won a game they didn’t deserve” which is a steal. All good teams rely on their goalie being good.
My comment was not to state that Woody isn’t a good coach or that the current coach “is better” but a light-hearted comment on one concept. Alot of talk over the last 3-4 games about “sticking with it” and even using the phrase the noone used before Woody “sticktoitness” – this was talked about a ton by Woody and, to my eye, we are seeing it to a MUCH greater degree under the new coach – for the detailed reasons stated.
Fair enough. Tone is sometimes lost on the internet. Twitter has hurt me.
I’m beginning to think the players had had enough of Woodcroft’s quirkiness.
First off I believe in a potential cat-mouse game by the coaches in a 7 game playoff series, there’s a time and place for this behaviour. Remember when Woody was getting all cheeky with his big secret who the 4th line plug was going to be in the line-up or the starting goaltender for a nothing preseason game. Why do you think old school Tocchet said enough of this Mickey Mouse gamesmanship and he therefore wouldn’t divulge who was on the plane to Edmonton for a nothing Exhibition game. Tocchet schooled Woody 3 times in our first 11 games.
KK or somebody has added an offensive wrinkle to their attack. It’s not like we haven’t seen it, it’s just more players than Connor doing it, and it’s consistent
Players are circling around the slot, and there is a lot of motion. It would be to break down teams that are plugging the net front and slot and being fairly positional and stationary, make them move and hopefully open lanes
I much prefer this to when they would mostly get the puck deep and ring it back and forth around the back of the net, up along the boards, and back down and around again. Occasionally spicing things up with a point attempt with often no net presence
The attack is more direct and more in front now. It has been a bit spotty in some games still. That Ryan and Mcleod got goal scorer type goals was great. I hope the other guys took note and start doing it more as well
A little patience, movement and get the puck up for Highlander, get open in front, get it off fast and also get it up for Ryan
I haven’t watched all the games recently, but one thing I noticed was how the D stepped up several times in the O zone to keep the puck in. There were stretches when Toronto had a really difficult time getting the puck out of their D zone. I’m not sure if that’s been a point of emphasis or just something that worked against the Leafs.
Vinny Desharnais had me smiling ear to ear last night. The way he punished Tavares for example after the Nurse penalty. This defence is blowing me away right now. It’s been so fun to watch.
Who knew one of the greatest D-man in the history of the game who was pitchforked by many before he was even given a opportunity could and would settle Bouchard Nurse and the rest of the gang down. The D is playing to their individual strengths which is making the D unit as a group stronger like we haven’t seen since multiple generations of Racoons.
Upvote Yes Downvote No:
Leave Bro n Hollywood in the minors the rest of the season.
Let them run a long, healthy stretch of games and minutes as they never really have. Let Bro get absolutely bored with that level of competition (he’s probably there but the big league roster is what it is right now). Cement H’s instincts as a C. Now you got Two Black Aces for spring. Maybe call H back a little early to work him in.
All supposing team health permits those luxuries.
I down voted this one.
1.We have 42 games on 90 days with an All-Star break in there. We are going to need bodies in the NHL.
2.If a hockey player has earned be paid $900,000, he shouldn’t be paid $90,000 in the AHL.
3.Holloway and Broberg should be around the NHL team. 42 NHL games and 16 play-off games will need players that have HIGH level trust to win.
I see a stronger argument for Holloway than Broberg based on the minutes the latter received and how he responded the last time he was up. That said, it’s not like Holloway’s logged big time minutes ever, and playing Centre as a pro is just plain difficult. If the emphasis is to build center depth via Holloway, does he progress further/faster in a feature role in the minors? or shift by shift topside?
holloway is a better player than hamblin, erne, and brown. You call him up as soon as he has recovered from injury and gotten up to game speed.
Love me some Rare Earth funk. Hmm… The Kings and Kinniggits seem to be playing in a funk themselves right now. Hopefully soon we’re looking at the standings with those two in the rearview mirror and singing “I know I’m losin’ you” as they eat our dust.
That is the nature of online conversation… in all fields. The only solution is to have more real life conversations.
Hmmm. I like this. So many reasons for more visiting.
I would love to see a “kid line” of Holloway McLeod Lavoie.
Speed, size and skill.
The TSN landing page is a big picture of Matthews and McDavid with the caption PRETENDER AND CONTENDER
Delicious 🥰
It was more about the teams than the players, but it was still “shots fired.”
Leafs only one more year of Tavares at $11m. Thought it was worse than that. I had wondered if they’d trade him with some retention.
Does anybody really think the Leafs are going to go far?
They are very talented. Depends on what their questionable GM can pull off at the deadline
Agreed. They could plug holes, catch fire. Just because it hasn’t happened yet…
Treliving is a Chiarelli level GM. For every few moves he makes, his team downgrades and gets worse.
If they can find a way to pad the defence they should make the playoffs. How far they get is beyond me.
Yeah I think they have some of the same problems we do. D, need a goalie etc
The Leafs are a very good team – they played the Oilers and lost, but every team does that these days. I actually thought TML gave the Oil a good fight – if they play like that vs Calgary and the Dys, they should win (which helps us)
Admittedly, I am biased against the Leafs, but I don’t think they are a very good team. They have only 13 regulation wins and 17 ROW with 8 Bettman points.
Going by regulation wins, they would be 24th. Same if going by ROW.
If I were a Leafs fan I would be worried. Having that few wins with Matthews tearing it up in goals and Nylander putting up big points (at least before he got his big extension), it seems like their season could go either way. Can they tighten it up defensively? Or are they going to just try to outscore their opposition every night?
People always rag on the Oilers being a 1 man team, but imagine if Matthews gets hurt and what that would do to their season. It would be pretty grim, I think.
— Was fun to drive to work this morning and hear the pundits in the big smoke conclude that the laughs aren’t as good as the Oilers…
— McDrai not together, healthy D has been great
— Last year I didn’t like that the formula was “see McDrai explode for crazy points” and win else lose.
— They are winning different ways since new coach arrived. How much of that is coach vs health vs bad luck vs team just being more accountable and realizing?
— Meeting up with LT alum this afternoon Deardylan…
IIRC the bottom 6 was very good last year.
depends what you mean,:
1) McD playing a minute less a game
2) McDrai now mostly on 2 lines is holy grail
3) way less PP reliance
4) no devin shore pool kailer floaters.
Split McDrai has always been the holy grail. I bet KKs biggest contribution was : “guys you aren’t going to win a cup playing on the same line it’s my way or the highway”
Gawd forbid that the winning streak comes to an end with Picard in net, the crazies will go crazy.
Why? Worse is what Flattop does to his starting goaltender…playing them to exhaustion.
I didn’t get to read the article in the Athletic. But maybe the Oil should look into acquiring Fleury from the Wild to back up Skinner. If somehow it would be doable.
my personal target is mr nedeljkovic. he makes 1.5 mil this yr which can be halved into 750k very nicely. could be a nice player to extend also if the playoff run goes well. young enough to have upside but has a decent amount of experience.
The Pens will be in a 6 team dogfight for a Wildcard or a 5 team dogfight for a playoff spot, past the deadline though
Yes, and their Crosby-Malkin-Letang-Karlsson clock is ticking – they’ll be buyers
He wants to be #1. I am only interested if he understands he is guaranteed nothing.
Season Summary by 10-Game Segments
Segment Pts in Segment Total Points Division League
1-10 5 5 7th 31st
11-20 10 15 7th 29th
21-30 14 29 6th 27th
31-40 20 49 4th 13th
Projection
Team is on pace for 100 pts! The team ONLY has to play 0.600 hockey the rest of the way to reach the 100 point plateau. Barring any significant injuries, this team should be able to play 0.65 which would get them to 104 pts which should be enough to finish in the Pacific top 3! Oilers finish with 106 pts and play the VGK with home ice advantage (it is with KK), then go on to beat the Nucks in 5 on their way to Stanley!
VGK now have 6 regulars on IR.
Catching them should be relatively easy.
The real question is whether the Oilers catch Vancouver. It’s doable, but needs some regression from the Canucks.
The Canucks currently have 62 points.
If they win only 50% of their remaining 38 games, they would have 100 points and if they repeat the 4 OTL from the first half, they would finish with 104.
Considering their laughably easy schedule in March (9 straight at home over 3 weeks) it’s very likely they will exceed that total.
Their home record is 14-4-1.
The Canucks currently have a 0.705% points percentage. Would you like to make a bet on whether they maintain that through 82? If so, I would bet they do not.
No, they will likely regress somewhat but it won’t matter all that much.
Close to 100% to in the division unless they have a complete collapse.
Now a stretch of games that includes the Jets, Stars, Avs and Kings is laughably easy……
Loading up for the big cheat.
Can never have too many players on the LTIR when the playoffs are still a few months away… amirite?
Great game to watch par night. Great win.
As LT said, a little light in the D coverage at times, but also too many turnovers.
Some bad ones, yes, but I’m almost starting to view that as a feature of otherwise dependable team efforts. Or: Stu stole one.
Holy hell – remember when McLeod had like zero goals and 3 points through 20 games?
Yes, yes I do and I was wondering if Samwise would actually make a better center for the team. So glad KK had patience and formed that second line for awhile to give him and 37 some major mojo confidence.
Some of us never lost the faith in McLeod or Skinner.
(Or Holloway or Broberg.)
Since Nov 27th, he’s 19 GP and 8-6-14 in that stretch.
Highlander
Needs to miss another game. He comes back and BOOM: 1-1-2 in 12:38 of ice time! Seriously though it is nice to see this young man improving before our eyes and for OUR team.
Kane
Looking a little faster and that is helping him be in the correct position more. He did play 18:58 but with the light schedule and the break coming up, we may see full-health-nasty Kane at jus the right time of the year.
McDavid
It sure looked like the Captain played with playoff-style intensity last night. I am thinking that his theme song should be ‘No Quarter’ (Led Zeppelin – Housed of the Holy).
Principal Skinner
In charge and dominating other goalies – who would of thought (other than Stu’s mom). Need to lower his workload down the stretch and save this man for the playoffs.
The Rest
It sure seems like there is no panic and that the coach is actually aware of what is happening in real time and adjusting to it. Everyone playing last night for the Oilers was playing smart and giving it their all.
Someone said it here and I agree: never seen the captain look so captain-y – less obvious or lingering frustration, not getting lost in his own solo efforts, and I submit that game-winning screen is exhibit A of McD lifting the whole squad up in new ways.
Agreed. Plays like that screen on he GWG give McDavid a whole additional level of…”what a great player!” Leading by example in more ways than one. Messier-esk type of captaincy.
😉
Another game where the Oilers fell behind, stuck to the game plan and grinded out a win.
The Oil have shown a lack of panic/maturity/stick-to-itiveness recently, and I’m going to give a lot of credit to coach Knoblauch for very rarely breaking the glass on the McDrai line. It’s hard to play a consistent game when the line combos change with 2 minutes left in the 1st period. I think it was also psychologically deflating for the rest of the team when 29 + 97 didn’t score – “if these guys can’t get it done, what chance do we have?”
+1
I have long felt that line stability is an essential ingredient to winning. When I last tracked it in 20-21 it was almost a better predictor of winning than CF%, while being something a coach can directly effect.
Is it stability provides success or success allows stability? I’m sure it’s a combination of the two.
I fall in the “stability provides success” camp, despite not having tracked it with any type of rigour. Watching the local junior team over the last few years, it seems that there is more success when the players have 1-2 regular linemates vs. a constant blender. I think the trick is having a coach astute enough to find trios or pairs that work well together, and the courage to stick with them and the plan throughout each game.
Keefe keeps mentioning the ‘would be’s’, ‘should be’s’, and ‘could be’s’ of the offense. Marner says they are playing phenomenally. Mathews keeps in the scoring race. Edmonton talks balance. McDavid screens. Oiler’s coach adjusts—obviously a different philosophy at play.
Loser’s lament???
McDavid has taken this team by the throat and said ‘follow me and play hard’ as he is doing. Matthews is very, very good at scoring goals but has not reached ‘leader’ status. The Stevie Y metamorphosis is happening in real time before our eyes with McDavid – it is now win any way you can!
i saw 4 lines and 3 d pairings going out last night and playing hard.
hamblins line (87% xGF) got some minutes against matthews, bertuzzi, and domi and held their own.
this is how you sustainably win hockey games over a long period. no passengers.
trono had a few players that looked terrible, especially on the d.
it appears to me that tj brodies skating has fallen off a cliff, liljegrens defensive awarenes is suspect to my eye, and kneeordano looked nothing like the one we have come to despise and the highly touted matthew knies must have been wearing camo.
A truly wonderful game last night. I was on the edge of my seat for it’s entirety. It’s rare that a game has that intensity and speed and both teams played well. Felt like a playoff game. Had a hard time sleeping afterwards.
Lord have mercy if by some miracle they meet in the finals. Not sure the ticker could take it.
My haiku:
Cloud nourishes water
How a heavy, cloud shines Kane
whilst watching Stu light
-10% The first line has 6 syllables.
I still like it, though.
Cheers.
Spartacus… its the word ‘nourishes’ it can be 2 or 3 syllables. I waivered, but did not break:)
in what world is “nourishes” 2 syllables unless it’s Connery speaking
Hahaha, loved Connery. Great Bond, great submarine commander, but my favourite dialogue of his may have been that time in Outland he called the baddie an ash hole.
On top of all the players who contributed to the win last night and in light of LT pointing out credit towards the scouting staff I’d like to add Couch Knoblauch to the mix. I remember years ago reading “The Game” and Ken Dryden mentions how Bowman would say: “Let’s throw some speed at them.” The great Bowman had a sense of timing for line adjustments depending on situations and how the lineup was performing and KK reminded me of that last night when he saw a tired TML team just before he sent McLoad over the boards for the game winner. I liked Woodcroft plenty, but there’s something about Knoblauch and Coffey that seems…impressive without myself being able to put a finger on it. Koodo’s to the coaching staff too for this tremendous heater!
For me it’s the willingness to try things and trust all of the players
Woody did it for a while, but ended up just like McLellan and Tipp. They had their ideas, and really gave nothing or no one else an actual chance
It’s been a long time since I don’t think about the coaches except in being impressed. I believe they will make good decisions and react to what is happening around them in real time, until proven otherwise
I also think that they are a level above in managing the mental side of things. Guys are calm, enjoying hockey, leaving it all on the ice. They are investing their energy in playing the whole game, not just parts of it. That was not the case before, a lot of the time
I am also noticing a lot less philosophizing, and a lot more getting things done, all around
Ya. 100%. Thanks for putting your finger on it.
Holloway is getting pucks on net. Lots of them.
He will be a welcome addition to the big club. Stay healthy young man! Hopefully Lavoie also called up at some point. Speed and snarl would be nice!
Are we comfortable running Pickard 10 games in a row. Because if you’re not then you haven’t fixed goaltending
The only team that has it is the Boston Bruins. There are question marks all over the league. Edmonton’s starter question is solved. I don’t think the deadline pickup by Holland in goal (I do think he makes a trade) will cover your required 10 games in a row.
I was thinking if Detroit drops out he will go for a Reimer. But the Wings may not drop out. Reimer would be the cheap choice for sure.
what are your thoughts on nedeljkovic?
Well that’s the depth chart if Stu goes down.
Picard, buyout fodder, rookie who’s never played
You planning on rotating goalies in playoffs (if stu goes down). Because otherwise 10 starts in a row is a short playoff run
How many teams have a back up they have comfort in running 10 straight games?? There seems to be goaltending issues league wide.
Said no coach ever
Columbus perhaps. Calgary (artificially) with Wolf in the minors. Backups and also-rans can go on a heater, which may seem that they are a starter, but regression catches up (full oxymoron intended :))
This is why we need to be guarded with what Pickard has done.
Can he keep up this level of play with an increased workload when the Oiler play 9 games in 16 days starting Feb 3?
Not comfortable running any goalie 10 games in a row. That’s not a reasonable bar.
Maybe Hasek? He always seemed to defy the laws of biomechanics.
Grant Fuhr played 75 games plus a astonishing playoff of the ages in the year 1988.
why not? That’s playoff hockey.
question is do you feel comfortable with Pickard for a playoff run if stu goes under.
Why would you need to run Pickard 10 games in a row? Unless you are talking about a Skinner long term injury.
I think that’s exactly what’s being said. Game one of the conference final, for instance.
If Rodrique continues to rock-n-roll in the AHL, one does not have to play Pickard 10 games in a row.
Pickard is playing better than Reimer this year. Name an affordable option who is playing significantly better than Pickard.
Lindgren
Daccord
Lyon
Depending on playoff pictures in March.
When it comes to drafting, I think it’s fair to say that there will be hits (McLeod, Bouchard) and there will be misses (trading down from Wellstedt to Bourgault, Broberg, Holloway). And I’ll qualify these as possible misses. It is important to note that if you want to have a better hockey team than the rest of the league, your hits-to-misses ratio needs to be better than everyone else’s.
What’s interesting to me are the reasons the Oilers had for their choices. Did Holland know Klefbom’s career was over and decided to draft his replacement in Broberg (instead of taking a high-skill forward)? Was Holland so sure about Skinner and Rodrigue that he traded down away from Wellstadt? I hope the answers to these questions are revealed sometime in the future within my lifetime.
Given Broberg was drafted in 2019 & Klefbom played the full 2019-20 season, it seems unlikely Holland knew about Klefbom’s longer term future.
Wallstead looked small, looked like trash in his NHL debut last week
Throw him out with the bathwater, then.
~He is obviously a garbage draft pick if he didn’t get a shutout in his first NHL game.~
Holloway is not a miss, he will have an excellent career.
do keep in mind holloway is big, fast, truculent, but has been set back by injury.
if you look under the hood he had fantastic underlying numbers in his earlier stint in the NHL although limited production. we saw how the sexy fancies can translate with mr mcleod thru the last few moonths.
I like the idea of having McL and Holloway making opponents life miserable by taking all of their time and space away
In fact get me another one. There can never be too many super fast players on my team
I think McLeod might be more useful with Draisaitl, in improving zone exits and zone entries.
Let Holloway play 3C.
Broberg and Holloway are NOT misses. Broberg can play. He showed it last year in the two months they actually played him. He has been too good for the AHL a month after his arrival in North America.
Holloway can play too, but keeps on getting injured.
When you play against a talented team desperate for a win you’re going to give up scoring chances — perfection is not a reasonable expectation. That’s why you need a good goaltender. You can’t expect them to steal games for you, but you can expect them to keep the score close for a period where you get outplayed and give up some good chances.
The Oilers are fortunate to have Skinner. To expect a second year goaltender to play this well, this consistently again isn’t reasonable — but he is.
The fancies from last night flatter the Oilers a bit I think, but they’re still full measure for the win overall — they kept it close and then carried the play from late in the second period on.
And that is what’s so amazing about this run — everything looks sustainable. Heck, the most likely bit of regression is the power play improving.
As a former member of the Tough on Stu Crew I’m elated at his performance. There was never belief that he couldn’t play better but frustration with the early play. Young guys, no straight lines, all that. I think you’d like him to get the 2nd but with the stops he made earlier you get one back for him and that is what the team did.
Ryan McLeod attacked last night. He was thinking about scoring. The winner was all his best traits rolled into one. He helped win a board battle, read a point shot properly, retrieved the puck, took it to a power area and with patience hit the bullseye. Helped his boys D-Ry and Janni get off the schnide in earlier in the period. Music, beautiful music.
Evander Kane had his best most high event game in weeks. Connor Brown had a pulse.
About the way they won. The 1st and 2nd last night had snarl. They pounded the Leafs every chance they got. Yea the McCabe hit on Hyman looked cool but go watch the stickwork on Matthews, Tavares, Aberg, Nylander etc in the first 40. By the 3rd you could see the fatigue. The GWG linematch was the culmination of the physicality they deployed earlier.
I was extremely excited last week to see them dial up for Detroit. Last night they played a meaner more aggressive type of hockey while also dialing it up. That was the best team game in a while. Winning in different ways, with different tactics and everyone playing a role. We’re cooking now. Best in the league by a long shot.
Comrade McDavid screening the goalie on the winning goal, contributions everywhere, sacrifices where need be, solid goaltending and team patience with a fluid, crisp attack. Last night was the most the McDavid era Oilers haves looked like the Soviets.
Matthews backing off was a totally natural human instinct reaction to a puck going up near his face.
That sad, he’s a chicken, overpaid diva who doesn’t sacrifice for his team and his moustache is dumb.
Heck the Leafs.
Bruce, please correct me if I don’t have this right but that was just the third time ever the Cult had McDavid on a screen (for a positive contribution to a high danger chance) – third.
That was one of the most in control games Stu has played. He was doing it all, at a high level
Good for him, I hope he’s growing into that being his regular thing. He plays well, but some games is wobbly on something, like his glove. Not this one. He probably won that game for them
Leafs 22-9 blocked shots, Oilers 22-9 in turnovers, even with score effects only 32-27 for the Oilers in shots
Lucky enough to go to the game last night. Was that a fun one or what.
Skinner was unreal. What a great atmosphere. Beating the Leafs is always so much fun. Great team effort. It is unreal how this team plays so calm and composed right now. They stick to the game plan. There were some peaks and valleys but in the end they showed maturity whereas Toronto didn’t. Great win and McLeod looks so confident. Love to see that.
9 games in a row of 2 goals or less with still 5 ticks below league average goaltending. This 11 game win streak is not on our Hasek like goaltending or on a heater P.P. It’s not on Connor or Leon like in the past. This has been a concentrated team effort no gimmicky 11-7 nonsense coach K roles 4 lines he gives minutes to players who are in the zone and not double shifting injured players into the ground. Teams win cups not a scorching P.P we are finally seeing a team coming together in real time.
Yeah, nor are the support players all hitting at the same time in an unsustainable manner. There’s still more to give individually but as a team I don’t know if I can recall them this structured and patient. It is lovely.
This is the best the Oilers have played as a team in decades. I give full marks to the coaching in finally getting the boys to play within the structure of the teams systems. But as KK said last night, beyond that the players on your roster have to execute, and they are.
Exactly everyone’s taking their turn it’s a long gruelling season. Woody dumped everything on Connor and Leon for 2 plus years. This is to much heavy lifting for 2 players, ask Connor and Leon they’ll be the 1st to tell you that coach K spreads out the lifting and they’re thankful. Why do think Connor and Leon have gas in the tank the last 10 minutes with the opposition on their heels.
In the last 25 games this year, Leon and McDavid’s TOI/G is almost exactly the same at their TOI/G in the last 25 games of last year.
When the team was rolling, Woody also played McDavid and Drai less – pretty exactly the same amount as the current coach has played them.
11/7 is neither gimmicky nor nonsense. It’s a different approach, & given the manpower available it made sense for this teem for quite some time.
Our team was in big trouble 2 months ago not only this year but possibly the next 10 years. The continuous deployment of 11-7 is unsustainable as we clearly seen. Its not like Bowman or Sather-Muckler never had this daydream thought. For me in my opinion the experimental 11-7=Swarm.
Jon Cooper had the same thought, & acted on it.
This isn’t true. Woodcroft didn’t even use 11-7 much this year and Knobby’s TOI usage is essentially the same.
Erne Hamblin got 7 minutes each, 97 29 got 23 and 21 minutes.
Usage hasn’t changed, the team is playing better and the goalie hasn’t been losing them games.
and Erne and Hamblin were both a 6, 6 and under 5 minutes the prior 3 games.
McDavid and Drai are playing almost identical minutes under this coach as they did in the last 25 games last season when the team was rolling.
What is seems this coach does differently is he doesn’t put Leon and McDavid together when down as a default.
With all that said, lets see what coach does when the team has lost a couple and things aren’t going well.
Hard minutes are a totally different kettle of fish ask any NHLer
As soon as Woody’s contract is over he’ll be chopping wood and carrying water with Eakins in Europe. Boook it…….
You are correct that the 11 games hasn’t been reliant on any aspect throughout but each of those have had big parts in various parts of the streak. Skinner as a key part to most wins and THE key part to a few. McDavid supernova for a few. Second line for a few.
At the same time, no, the coach does NOT roll 4 lines. Hamblin and Erne got apx 8 minutes last night but the prior 3 games was 6, 6 and under 5 minutes for both of them.
I’m glad you can see a difference in deployment has happened not only concerning Leon. K.K is spreading out the hard minutes all the way down to the 4th line. Apparently this matters as we have gone from the outhouse to the penthouse in record time.
What you suggest isn’t what is actually happening and we know you won’t listen to the data if provided so, well, we are where we are.
That’s your take ask the players they won’t hang Woody but you need to read between the lines.
I’m pretty sure I don’t need to talk to any players to know that:
1) this coach is not rolling 4 lines and giving the 4th line more – 6, 6, 5, 8 are the minutes for Erne and Hamblin the last 4 games.
2) Leon and McDavid are playing almost the exact same amount of minutes under the new coach as in the last 25 games of last season when they were rolling
Unlike the beginning of the year when we were getting smoked 8-1 by the Nucks amoung other games where our 4th line was getting garbage useless minutes. Again they are getting real minutes in tight games. Also K.K didn’t force Brown and Kane on the 2nd line his moving up of McLeod and Foegele was brilliant. In my opinion I know K.K and Coffey are not Holland hires they owe him nothing. Coaches come and go again Woody rode a hot powerplay. I’ll take 5 on 5 goals when it counts over 3PP goals in a 7-2 blowout of Anaheim.
Just thought this quote was crazy relevant to this thread of discussion.
It’s only a Hockey blog with many differences of opinions that’s what makes it interesting. If you don’t agree put it in a post. My suggestion for some of the above sheltered individuals is leave the safe bubble and talk to people that came from Communist Countries about the importance of free speech.
I agree, differences of opinions are important, and the freedom to voice them. Equally important for intelligent discourse is to weigh other opinions and facts then think about your own opinions and beliefs and see if they stand.
The most blatant disregard in this thread is that people have posted the 4th line minutes and you refuse to stray from your narrative of rolling 4 lines when it has been proven to be untrue.
I’m talking hard minutes there’s a difference between analytic filler nothing minutes and when you see the 4th line on the ice with 3 minutes to go in a tie game. This equates to the Coach trusting everyone and not just half the team. Haven’t you noticed the boys have more in the tank to end games. Anyhow this is just my opinion but thank heavens Jackson stepped in and relieved Woody of his job. Could you imagine the rebuilding or retooling heathen Flames way ahead of us in the standings when we were the Cup favourites to win it all.
Oil now 3rd in Pacific Division by pts%
Oil .613
Kings .610
Also 3rd in the Canadian Division
Laffs .585
4 games in hand on both Seattle and Calgary to push ahead. Both big 4 point games against them Thur and Sat.
I have no idea what might happen with the goalies.
It would be interesting to not play Skinner in the BoA on HNIC (I think Hockey Day in Canada) but the Kraken game on Thursday seems to be a bigger game.
Then again, with SEA now losing two in a more, I think Calgary could be the “hotter team”.
They could run Skinner both – the schedule allows that.
AT the same time, I think it makes sense to give Pickard the start on Thursday even with Skinner being a huge part of most wins lately (even the Chicago game, he was huge and I’m not sure they win against the Habs without a plus tending performance).
We were all over the Habs for the last 2 periods we could of scored 6 easily and were unlucky not to. I thought Skinner made some nice saves on the odd counter attach but by no means did he out goalie Montembeault who played a great game and almost stole it.
With the Oilers winning the xG battle most nights, Skinner’s job is less to steal games than to not let the other goalie steal it.
e.g. Last night the expected goals were rought EDM 5 TOR 3.25, but the Oilers only scored 3*. Skinner only allowed 2.
At night’s end, Jones was 2 GSAx, Skinner “only” 1.25, but nonetheless a huge inflouencer on the outcome.
The way this team has been playing lately, he doesn’t have to be Patrick Roy. He has to be Ken Dryden.
Bang on My Good Sir.
Hasn’t Pickard been in on three of the 11 straight wins? I’m not saying they shouldn’t upgrade on Pickard. But he’s contributed admirably. It also helps that the team is making things noticeably easier on the goaltenders.
Yes, he’s been fine, which is why I’m comfortable starting him in a big game on Thursday even with no current fatigue issues for Stu.
I was just pointing out that Skinner has been a main reason, if not THE main reason, for a number of wins lately and he’s clearly the tender that would give the team the better chance to win both nights.
I have no issues with Pickard starting any particular game right now. What’s more up in the air is how PIckard would/will perform come mid-February where the schedule gets very hectic and he’d need to play ALOT more.
You keep saying February will see Pickard playing A LOT more, but looking at the schedule I see two clear cut games where he should draw in, reasonably a third.
In March, again, there looks like three clear cut games for Pickard: one of each back to back game:
Considering the spread between games (both travel and days between), that doesn’t seem like an overly gruelling string of games for Stuart to manage.
By my count Pickard would be up for 9-10 games if he’s the backup to the end of the season. That would bring Stuart to 60 games, which is at the high end of what I’d want to see for a starting goaltender, ideally ~55 games.
Starting February 13, they play 9 games in 16 days….. In March, its pretty much every second night with the odd 2 days between.
Its alot of games and I presume they do not want to run Skinner ragged like last season.
It’s literally two or three games a week for Skinner to finish the season if they follow the split I posted.
Perhaps I’m channeling my inner Mike Keenan here, but I don’t see that as an egregious workload for Skinner.