This is the 2020 draft, with my picks (based on optimal selection of the “Here Comes the Sun” available selections) and the Oilers choices. Fans and observers (especially me) spend hundreds of hours ranting about the names, what should have been, instead of talking about what is after the fact.
Math said Dawson Mercer, the Oilers decided on Dylan Holloway.
Last night, Holloway had a good night. He performed well and was rewarded with ice time on the No. 4 line. If he can repeat that performance, he won’t be the fourth-line center for long.
When we talk about waiting five years for a draft class to reveal itself, there’s a reason for it. Holloway is a sunk cost, that doesn’t mean he has no value.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: The Edmonton Oilers’ 6 biggest 2023-24 first half surprises
- New DNB: Oilers win 13th straight, most by Canadian team in NHL history
- Lowetide: 5 AHL Oilers prospects with the most value ahead of NHL trade deadline
- DNB: Edmonton Oilers midseason report cards
- Lowetide: Revisiting Oilers’ Dylan Holloway pick at the 2020 NHL Draft
- 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 2-0-0)
- On the road to: CAL (Expected 0-0-1) (Actual 1-0-0)
- 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: 8-0-0, 16 points in 8 games
- Oilers in 2023-24: 26-15-1, 53 points in 42 games
I am old. I remember the 1969-70 season well enough to tell you that it was historically shocking. I won’t get into it now, because it’s a long story (Montreal Canadiens missed the playoffs, Boston Bruins won Stanley for the first time in 29 years).
I’ve never seen anything like this season for the Oilers. Not close. It has everything and all of it shocking. Imagine a movie that included both the climax of The Deer Hunter but also contained the “I’ll have what she’s having” scene from When Harry Met Sally. That is this year’s Oilers. No one would author such a story! It’s ridiculous!
THE NUMBERS
Stuart Skinner is an excellent NHL goaltender. The Oilers don’t have a long history of drafting and developing goaltenders who turn into quality starters, Skinner is just the fourth over 40+ seasons. Music! Since November 24, in 19 games, his five-on-five save percentage (.930) trails only Connor Hellebuyck among NHL starters. His .932 overall ranks third. Skinner was chosen in the 2017 draft, and goalies chosen since then include Olivier Rodrigue (.924 SP in the AHL ranks third), Ilya Konovalov (.921 SP in the KHL), Samuel Jonsson and Nathan Day.
Darnell Nurse was way the hell and gone on the GA, Cody Ceci stone alone defending a well executed two-on-one by Calgary. Nurse has been far more responsible in the last six weeks, so that play stands out. Nurse plays elites (second highest total on the team) and increasingly does it without 97, and his results (53.4 percent) are excellent. By the way, Oilers when Nurse is off the ice are also 53.4 percent. Impressive on both ends. All numbers five-on-five
Evan Bouchard is 28-15 (65 percent) since November 24 at five-on-five. The Oilers with Bouchard off the ice? 61 percent. Stunning numbers. Mattias Ekholm is 66 percent on, Oilers 61 percent without the big man. Jesus Murphy. Vincent Desharnais is at 69 percent on the ice, Oilers are 61 percent.
I have never said this before on the blog, but this team is either optimal or close enough for jazz. If you’re looking for something to worry about, and that is the national sport of Oilers fans, then worry that this bunch is peaking too early.
Connor McDavid couldn’t get the puck to cooperate last night. Several times the damn thing slipped away or (one a two-on-one) stopped unexpected as if the light turned amber. He remains brilliant but did not get a point. Same for Leon Draisaitl, who played a very responsible and physical game.
The Dylan Holloway line was the most interesting. All three men worked hard and smart, Sam Gagner’s goal perfectly defines what he can do on a depth line. He has five goals in 20 games. That’s a 20-goal pace. Impressive. Connor Brown is a punch line now, but I’m getting a little stubborn on him and am fully invested in his being on the team come playoff time. I hope he scores a goal soon.
Holloway had a fine game and one hopes he can play at that level consistently. I worry about the offense, but a fourth-line center can score every eight games and retain his NHL job. Outscoring is the key.
THE CONDORS
A strong effort last night and the team plays again today. The kids contributed (Philip Broberg three assists, Jayden Grubbe and Max Wanner scored goals, Raphael Lavoie, Carter Savoie, Xavier Bourgault and Tyler Tullio had assists and Olivier Rodrigue won the game. It was a good night for the organization).
LT has crushed it the last two days. Stu, McLeod, Bouch, Vinny and soon to be Holloway. No straight lines, break hearts, developing consistency is the name of the game. Here is hoping they can keep it up.
I long thought that they were elite as long as they got NHL level goalering. But what happens when they get elite level NHL goaltending? Apparently its one of the best teams we’ve seen iced. Cool.
Not to be outdone the Condors have cranked out their own 10-1-2 run in the last 13. Clawing back into a playoff spot after a bad start when injuries and callups nicked them good. They’ve got seven games in hand on some teams. I for one am giddy that Broberg is the Shining Star in all situations on a team kicking out the jams. He’s playing very well, have patience.
LT is right to be thinking Peaking but I don’t think we should be too concerned. Dominance night in and out is unrealistic. Why play the Ducks like you would Vegas? Its a long season, find a different way to win. We’ve now watched them dial it down and up depending on the competition. It seems risky at first, but once they are comfortable doing it, and they may already be there, it’ll get easier for fans to tolerate.
Anyone remember back in 03-04 when the rumour mill had the Oilers trading Mike Comrie to the Ducks for Corey Perry.
It was not the rumor mill. It was a done deal before Kevin Lowe went into power-tripping idiot mode.
Of course they never should have been there in the first place, but that’s it’s own mile-long alternate history rabbit hole.
I think it’s far more likely that the EIG required that he ask for the money back than he negotiated, closed the deal then asked for the money back on his own.
Some folks are under the impression that Lowe had unlimited money falling from the sky like the Little Ceasars Empire.
I think they should rotate in Gagner, Perry, Ryan and Brown. They each play three of four games. Keeps everyone fresh and in game shape.
Ha!
Did anyone know that Ryan Fanti was activated and played his first game for Ft. Wayne?
He stopped 34 of 37 shots and 6 of 7 in the shootout.
Interesting his stat-line at hockeydb has 1G, 67 minutes…..
A few notes on Fort Wayne:
The scoresheet shows 3 GA for Fanti, so hockeydb got it wrong.
Interesting that Brochu got a shutout on Friday and 2 weeks ago Parks was ECHL Goaltender of the week.
Jake Chiasson scored his second of the season on Friday.
Jack Dugan, a 6’2” LW was a teammate of Vinny at Providence leads the team in scoring and penalty minutes.
Jack Gorniak, a low-scoring speedster, a teammate of Hollywood is also playing in Fort Wayne.
I also noticed that Darren Kielb, a LHD who made some noise in a short span in Bakersfield 2 seasons ago, is now playing for Maine.
The 1G 67 minutes was “one game” not “one goal against”
67 minutes?
Thank you for the news and notes.
I apologize, I wasn’t picking up what you were putting down.
I am used to seeing G = goals & GP = Games Played.
How can people even consider not having Gagner in the top 12? Are you watching?
Seeing the Oilers get Perry and people say “of course they did”…feels good. Not many around here who understand watching a winning team do winning team things. It’s been a long time.
It appeared the Gagner and Kane had really good chemistry earlier in the season under the new coach. Something we might see in the future…
Does Gagner have to play every night?
Does Ryan have to play ever night?
This is exactly the team I was dreaming about, even back in the MacT era. Hilariously I drank the kool aid throughout the Decade of Darkness, the Steve Austins era, and the Chiarelli blatant sabotage;
Now in the Holland era he’s finally delivered what he was hired to do, no mean feat in a 32 team NHL. Plus the march up the standings which with the All Star break coming is remarkable by any metric.
Now we can see the Sabres, struggling to get past 1st or 2nd base toward a contending team despite being gifted many top draft spins at the table.
Now we can see the Leafs who are built like the Steve Austin’s lmao.
These are the best times to be a hockey fan of a specific team. Sorry HH! You must continue your trolling, despite your former team the Oilers now dominating the NHL; having beaten both the Leafs and the Canadiens in their seemingly immortal win streak, that next up to bad presents a winnable game if ever there was one in the NHL today.
Since you called….
You may want to consider the job Jim Rutherford has done in Vancouver,
He has assembled the first place team in the NHL in far less time than the Oilers and without the benefit of former #1 picks.
And while the Oilers have been depleting its prospect pipeline, Rutherford has taken a dreadful situation to a whole lot
better.
Another factor of course is that the Oilers core is much older so has time limitations that the Canucks don’t.
I’m not sure what particular brilliant moves you are pointing to. We are all impressed by Vancouver’s season, mostly because the team on paper is hot garbage. There’s Demko, Hughes, Miller and Petterson. They were there last year. Credit to their coach and the PDO heater. I don’t expect them to be ready for playoff hockey. I would honestly rather the Oilers face the Canucks than the Golden Knights or the Kings.
So Perry’s first game vs the Blackhawks Thursday? I wonder how that org feels about the Oilers signing?
Go Cheifs!
Nuge – Connor – Hyman
too easy
Foegele – Draisaitl- MacLeod
not easy decision, stealing your third line center again
Kane – Holloway – Perry
Some questions at each position, but what if you can create a third line super line? Shooter, speed, net front.
Hoping for too much?
Penalty taking specialists??
Janmark – Ryan – Brown
Veteran line who own the penalty kill. Gagner on deck. Still room for some size here.
I am not sure what to make of the Perry signing. I like that he’s free, so Holland turning up every rock possible. Just don’t screw up the room.
This looks good …
Even if this isn’t an every game type of lineup, it could be a great way to get opposing D to hear footsteps. Then if they adapt to that throw McLeod onto the top line and ruin them with speed. Holloway arriving and Perry signing provides some very interesting options.
Interesting to think about when to play Picard this week. Skinner certainly gets Nashville before the break. You can make the case that CLB is good for Picard as it would give Skinner 4 days off before CHI. If Picard plays well against CLB – might even give him CHI as well – so Skinner gets a nice rest before the tougher Nashville game. I’d start Picard on Monday and see how it goes. If he does really well – then a 2nd start against CHI might be good. Skinner is critical and this is a chance to give him a good rest mid-season. They should take advantage.
They have 9 days off after this week, I’d be shocked if Skinner doesn’t play 2 of these 3 games.
There will be lots of games for the 2G starting mid-February.
Would be surprised if Skinner didn’t start Tuesday/Saturday.
Sure I know – but if the captain plays well against Columbus then why not give Stu a longer rest at home before the Nashville game. For me it depends on how Picard plays in his game. Skinner is the 3rd most important guy on the team right now and he can’t get worn down. Rest him when the opportunity arises and let’s see what we’ve got with Picard. As you said – we will need to the 2G al lot more after the break – time to see if Picard can handle it.
because I don’t think the one extra day of the rest, right before the 9 day break, is going to have any effect on if he’s run down – of course, the Oilers are the ones that employ the sport scientists and would know better than us on this.
If the “wearing down” is not an issue with this one extra game (with, yet another, T, T, S schedule, all at home, prior to a 9 day break), Skinner is rolling so he would get 2 of 3 in my opinion.
With Holloway now up and playing well at center and Perry on the way (so the rumor goes) the TDL wish list is getting awfully sparse. In the AHL we still have Broberg as a very solid add at defense, Lavoie as a big winger, and Campbell as the backup. Say what you want but getting Jack’s head sorted out down in the minors and then having him be a solid backup is the best/cheapest option. We can make the call at the deadline. Still need to buy him out or trade him in the summer.
What else do we need? I’d still get big rig from Minnesota as it would cost almost nothing and might add Tanev for Kulak if the price was decent and CGY willing. Might even be Tanev for Desharnais if the big guy’s salary desires are above $2 million.
FlamesNation had a recent article on a trade of Tanev to Oilers. Their conclusion it be somewhere around Ceci, Foegele, Holloway and our 1st. No, really, that’s what they said.
Is Tanev a Calgary player?
While that is totally excessive, there will be a very strong market for Tanev.
Both Toronto and Vancouver have interest and I’m sure there are others.
In Calgary’s case, they want to get younger so I can’t see them having much interest in Ceci or Foegele and the Flames already have several Holloway level or better prospects.
Perhaps Broberg and a 1st would get it done.
Name three.
I’ll wait.
LOL, for a 2RD rental……
No thanks to that.
Yup. I’d like a bigger winger to play with two penalty kill specialists on the forth line.
I love adding players at the deadline but I hate to losing players at the deadline. Only due to emotional reasons, not logic.
Here is hoping that Deharnais doesn’t pull a Kostin – the grass isn’t always greener….
I hope Vinny will take some term (like 3 years) in the $1.5MM range (if he keeps us current level of play, through playoffs).
Hahaha, so true. But consider that Perry could turn out to be the late replacement for Kostin.
I understood Kostin’s position. He become a fighter to save his NHL career but that’s not what he is. Signing elsewhere as a guy who plays further up the line-up made sense because he would always be expected to drop the gloves if he signed here given his history. It’s a tough way to stay in the league.
The Oilers show one hell of a lot of belief in Vinnie and I hope he appreciates that and takes term over dollars.
We need a backup goalie. Whether it’s Picard or someone acquired at the deadline… I don’t believe Campbell can be trusted in an NHL net.
Have to play Picard more and give Campbell one more run before you spend assets on another backup.
Campbell has been solid 5 out of last 6 starts in the AHL rocking a .939 SP over the last 4 games and .919 over the past 6. Those are elite AHL numbers. It’s simple common sense that you try one last time to rescue the asset and reduce the negative value of his contract. It’s not even 50/50 that he comes back up to the NHL and shines – but if he does – you might actually be able to trade him this summer. You’ve got to try.
Two blowout wins for the Condors in 20 hours.
Campbell stops 27 of 29 – first goal was real bad but he locked it down after that.
The kill of 90 seconds down two men in the 2nd was massive.
Condors win 6-2. 4 powerplay goals. PK was perfect.
Campbell saves 27 out of 29 after giving up an iffy goal early.
Peters point shot is tipped in front, chaos, Bourgault finds the loose puck and puts in the 6-2 goal in to the yawning cage.
Reign have a good PK and they’ve given up 4.
Bourgault was an assist last night and 1G/1A tonight.
Good to hear he’s coming along. I liked his game during preseason, he very much stays in his swim lane though. Not a driver of play but you know where he is and what he’ll be doing.
I liked him as an Eberle type but he’s a mile behind Eberly unfortunately
Gleason with a nice neutral zone pass to Caggiula with full speed at the offensive blue – Drake shoots though a 1 on 3 and buries it.
5-2 late.
How do you think would the Drake would do as a call up?
He’s a high end offensive producer at the AHL level but I continue to have him behind of Erne (soon in the AHL), Hamblin, Lavoie and Pederson.
Condors PP is just rolling in recent times.
Griffith and Pederson basically playing with the opposition, Griffith circling, over to Pederson and then activates and find space, Pederson hits Griffith cross-seam and he wires one shelft.
4-2 Condors.
Caggiula and Griffith score PP goals early in the 3rd. 4-2 Condors.
Broberg, Niemo and Campbell all fantastic killing of 90 seconds of a 5 on 3.
Also, Broberg is having another very strong 2-way game – a defensive zone beast – making all sorts of plays in the defensive slot area and leading transtion.
Pederson feeds Lavoie in the high slot with full speed and he rings one off the cross-bar.
Bad defensive zone turnover by Peters leads to a quick strike back-door tap in to tie the game.
The Corey Perry signing most likely is a nothing burger. I think the downside risk of the signing is slightly larger than the upside potential, but my position is that it is NOT a material move.
Interesting take. And you may be right if as some seem to suggest he’s nothing more than a 4th liner.
Curious to know if you thought the Connor Brown signing was also a nothing burger.
I’m kinda thinking Perry is a do over on Brown.
He is probably a upgrade on Adam Erne, some one to rotate with Sam and keep both fresh for the playoffs.
Anyone playing less than 10 minutes a night should be fresh for the playoffs.
Not a single mention of the Oilers winning 13 in a row on NHL.com’s front page.
Nada.
It’s like they want to keep it a secret.
Quinn’s Flyers had a 35 game unbeaten streak. Wake me up at 30. The Oilers have 3 ties in their 13 game streak.
I imagine that’s how the team sees it as well.
You’re right; not at all newsworthy.
Happens every day.
Tough crowd.
Wake me up when you come here to post something other than negativity disguised as objective critique
Sorry, but I took the red pill.
Tylenol? Is all that negativity giving you a headache?
I am really enjoying this run. I keep cheering for Connor Brown too — and picking him on the Tim Horton’s app every chance I get. He’s going to come through one of these days, right??
Condors were a bit sloppy in the first half of the period, but picked it up big time after that.
I was impressed by Gleason’s stick handling and by Savoie’s speed. Also, Bourgault has more jump this afternoon than he did last night.
P.S. Ontario has a nicer and bigger arena than Bakersfield even though ticket prices in Ontario are a tad cheaper.
Amazing PP shift by the PP2 kid until
Petrov the QB on the left side half boards and the play goes through him, down to Bourault low who goes cross crease to Savoie but the pass is stopped and Petrov buries the rebound/loose puck.
2-1 Condors.
So what number will Perry wear on his jersey here in Edmonton?
A quick image search shows him wearing only two different numbers in the NHL:
#10 (already occupied by Ryan) and #94 (Smytty would frown upon anyone considering it).
However, it looks like he’s worn #24 internationally. Since it’s currently vacant on the Oil, that would be a likely choice.
Defensive zone set play for the COndors – a long stretch bounce pass by the Hoeffenmayer off the side boards in the neutral zone sends Savoie in all alone and he buries it.
Grubbe with the 2nd assist on the faceoff win.
Wow.
Cody Ceci is the 2RD on the Edmonton Oilers.
He is fourth in 5 on 5 TOI/G and plays 32% of those minutes against elites.
9-9 goals against elites, 53% goal share overall at 5 on 5 and +9).
In addition he is PK1 on a PK that has been VERY good for a long stretch now – he’s 2nd on PK TOI/G with a bullet over 3rd (close to a minute).
Bouchard is the 1RD on this team.
I’m not sure what the term “Ceci Upgrade” means any longer….
Healthy Ceci vs last year’s injured version.
Or a RHD making twice what healthy Ceci makes.
It’s hard to beat his stats, especially at his price point.
To me, a clear upgrade on Ceci would be Pesce. What would be concerning to me is the acquisition cost for a player who presents a real flight risk as a UFA. It’s really too bad the Oilers weren’t in on Jamie Drysdale (whom I saw as the best fit for an upgrade at 2RD to play with Nurse).
Why would Carolina trade Pesce to us?
Because it’s been in the rumour mill all year (not necessarily to us, but he’s supposedly available).
He’s a UFA at the end of the year … that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s available. And what do we have to offer Carolina that would make them want to trade Pesche to us, when they need that player for their own playoff run?
There is zero chance that Carolina considers this unless you are offering up Bouchard.
I would think Pesce would be more than a flight risk but almost a certain short-term rental. From what I’ve heard/read, I think he will be signing with a US team and, also, I’m presuming his next contract cap hit will be $6MM plus.
I guess you didn’t watch the playoffs the last two years.
2022 playoffs, in 16 games, Ceci played 1RD (2nd most d-minutes on team at 5 on 5 to Nurse) and had a positive goal differential the most common forwards he faced were:
Kopitar
Kempe
Gaudreau
Tkachuk
Lindholm
Iafallo
MacKinnon
Landeskog
He was playing with a Darnell Nurse that had a major injury hampering his skating.
I’ve been pleasantly surprised with Ceci’s tenure with the oilers. For some reason he seems to be able to draw a ton of criticism, but compared to contract I think he’s been full value. He has his warts and causes some frustration at times, but I think we can win with him as our 2RD. Bouchard stepping up this year has been massive for helping to sort out the depth chart
Maybe Tanev is a small upgrade but if you compare the guys they are pretty much mirror images except for HDGF% where Ceci is much worse (56.67% for Tanev and 40% for Ceci). Would be interesting to see the splits on that number as much of it is probably from the start from hell opening 13 games.
So maybe you improve a bit defensively against elites if you swap Tanev for Ceci as Nurse’s partner, but I don’t think you pay much for that. In fact, given that Tanev is a UFA in the summer and Ceci is a RHD value-contract for one more year, I would make CGY retaining on salary to match. If they don’t like it – fine – we’re okay with Ceci. Looking like Broberg coming up from the AHL is our late season defensive add.
Source:https://theathletic.com/5217234/2024/01/21/oilers-corey-perry-contract/
I won’t profess to know how Tikkanen/Linseman/McClelland were in the room, but having bonafide rat with hands, who’s good in the room shouldn’t hurt. With his resume, Perry can add an element nobody else in the room (save one noteworthy assistant coach) can speak to: winning the Stanley Cup.
Tulio blocks a shot near the blueline and looks like he might be hurt but the next shot a TERRIBLE goal on Campbell – basically a sifter from distance that dribbles through him clear.
Haven’t seen that for a while.
Jack going full Jack. No way he comes up anytime soon. I have much more trust in the starship captain.
Looks like 2 GA on 29 shots in the end (.931) for his 4th straight win, so not exactly full Jack.
How bout them Lions.
No surprise at all but Jack Campbell gets the net today.
Any potential performance bonuses in the Cory Perry contract, as speculated by Chris Johnston is a problem – even real performance bonuses based on production and real targets.
Next year is going to be a nightmare for whomever is at the helm.
My guess is if performance bonuses are included they’ll be along the lines of ‘if the Oilers reach the final” or ‘if the Oilers win the cup” – just a guess
And Perry can’t be expecting a windfall here – he already cashed a substantial bonus from Chicago
At this point, Perry actually owes the Hawks back part of the signing bonus he received as he’s entitled to 16/82 of the year’s comp.
I will still be shocked if this isn’t grieved by the NHLPA.
Means soupy buyout, dump Kane, move Kulak
I think that’s reasonable
I think 2 of those 3 things happen Perry/no Perry
Kane has a NMC that lifts at next year’s deadline
If Edmonton was to let Fogel walk, and say replace him with Holloway and then replaced kulak with Broberg, put Campbell in the minors and signed a million doller goalie to back up. They would actually have a bit more money to spend on depth players then they currently have.
It will be interesting to see what Holland gave Perry. Before the Hawks went berserk signing him, he hasn’t been over 1M in 3 seasons. He’s made boatloads of money already
I’m not against the signing, but if it’s very much over minimum, it will confirm Holland pays players more than they might even want. I don’t see why 1M or less would be out of the question to join Connor’s hottest team in the league. Dallas another reported suitor is not in the same category as the Oilers
Holloway could’ve had three helpers last night if his two excellent set ups hadn’t been aimed at the Oilers two vortices of never scoring again in Ceci and Brown(though to be fair to the latter Vladar made one hell of a save on his attempt but such is life on dry spell).
Center looks good on Holloway.
Perry in is interesting and adds another dimension to a bottom six that already added a new dimension with the insertion of Holloway and Gagner. Not obvious who comes out considering all of the bottom forwards are either key PKers or needed to guve the bottom six a little offensive creativity but my guess is we’ll see Janmark, Brown and Gagner rotate in and out of the lineup with Ryan getting some games off to rest at times considering the beating he takes most nights. Think Holloway will grab his spot now and hold on hard. This assumes everyone healthy ofc, having better depth makes resting guys with nagging stuff easier.
Brown’s shot was missing the net, it hit the out of position Vladar.
Yep, the highlights on nhl.com show it pretty clear. Stunning that he missed not to the side of the net the goalie was moving over to, but to the side where the goalie started from. It was enough to make you miss Puljujarvi’s finishing ability.
In honour of The Streak hitting a baker’s dozen, I give you this classic from Ray Stevens.
Boogity boogity!
Perry an Oiler
Do I now cheer for the Nucks?
Crying in my beer!
Why cry in your beer?
The Oilers got extra grit
Need grit for playoffs
Signing Perry is an excellent move. The NHL playoffs reward thuggery and Perry is one of the all time best.
It is also a zero downside move. No picks lost. No prospects lost.
Also, Perry has always been slow. He has built a hall of fame career being smart enough to compensate for his lack of speed.
Parking your ass in front of the net, creating chaos and taking the beating that comes with it, is a skill that very few players master.
Summarizing!
The bad news: Copponi’s goal streak is over.
The good news: He picked up primary helpers on both Merrimack goals and now has a five-game point streak (4+4).
The House of Stone continues to have Hands of Stone, but did garner an apple and 4 SOG.
Prospecting takes a break until Thor’s Day.
Why are so many posters posting lineups with Perry as 4RW?
Holland did not sign Perry to play 10min a game on the 4th line.
What am I missing?
I suppose Holland didn’t sign Brown to play on the 4th line either, but here we are.
Still, I can’t see Perry playing lower than 2nd line to start and given that chance.
Kane Drai Perry = who in this league is taking the puck from them?
I think Perry has serious foot speed issues and is a bottom 6 forward at this point in his career.
Maybe so. I don’t disagree. Still the Oilers need someone to play RW in the top 6. That spot is open and inadequately filled by the incumbents. In my opinion.
Foegele/Drai are scoring 4.27G/60 in 237 minutes together. Drai is 2.67 G/60 in 400 minutes with Foegele.
The duo is 17-13 goals and over 60% expected goals.
I would challenge the opinion the Foegele is inadequately filling the 2RD slot.
Foegele shoots left. He should be slotted as 2LW. For the same reasons that Broberg is to play LHD not RHD.
Why – he played a ton or RW in Carolina with success and the coach, who coached this player in junior, has stated he likes him better on the right side and noted that over the course of his career he’s created more offence on the right side.
The numbers are VERY prominent and your retort is “he shoots left”
Actually someplace somewhere Kk looked at Past Foegle metrics and deduced that he has better metrics playing RW.
I’m sure Perry is well aware of this taking this role. If he can pop 15G before the end of the season he might earn another contract, not that he needs to.
He could potentially thrive with Draisaitl. Kane -Drai – Perry .
15 goals, in half a season?
I think expectations or potential are becoming a little bit exaggerated, no?
I think there is much of a chance at all that Perry starts anywhere but the bottom six.
I can’t imagine them moving Foegele off of Drai’s right wing for Perry.
After the news broke I read a response out of Calgary that I’m still laughing at…
”Calgary Flames fan site The Win Column @wincolumnCGY
Corey Perry is insufferable
Evander Kane is insufferable
Perry and Kane on the same team is beyond insufferable
Perry and Kane on the Oilers together is quite possibly the worst combination in human history”
I imagine Perry would play up and down the lineup given various situations. But he is also 38 years old and hasn’t played since November 19.
I assume a natural starting point for him would to be on the 4th to get his legs back, and will move up the lines depending on his performance on the team.
He was playing 14 minutes on the basement dwelling Hawks. Are you expecting him to play 14 minutes as well on a superior Oilers team?
Very fair point about starting on the 4th line to get the legs going.
Having said that Brown got plenty of rope to fail on the top two lines before being punted down. I suspect the same opportunity will be afforded to Perry at some point.
I have no expectations for Perry at this point beyond being more productive than Brown.
He played 3/4th line minutes with Tampa last year. Seems reasonable to expect the same this year. Slightly less considering all the time off.
Two experienced RWers in Perry and Samwise. You can platoon them, and move them onto various lines as required. And of course Perry gives you some extra arseholery/60
He was playing 9:45 per game at 5 on 5 for the Hawks – the 20th highest TOI/G among their forwards.
One would think his TOI/G would not go up on a stronger roster.
On a contender with no depth, that is his position.
Fixing the pk makes the Perry signing possible. Cause he’s gonna give the pkers some ice time.
It’s obvious to me that this Corey Perry signing was made for Zach Hyman alone. He won’t have another goal called back for the rest of the season! 😆
Corey Perry’s playoff stat line is ABSURD!
196 GP 53G 71A 124P 271PIMs
He Ranks 1st among active players for Games played and PIMs, Tied for 5th for Playoff Goals, 8th for Points.
One wants the next Corey Perry, not the last Corey Perry.
True, if he was signed beyond this season. For now, he is competition and depth for the bottom six and didn’t cost anything but a smallish amount of money. A freebie, largely, who we now get to test drive before the playoffs before deciding on his best role.
Oilers lost the cup final in 06, then Pronger went and won it the next year with the ducks. I have no idea why, but it’s weird to me that the Oilers could win a cup this year with the only player still active from the 06/07 ducks.
Now we are really getting ahead of ourselves.
Might as well sign Eric Staal, too, with that logic
I think Mr Holland may be in line for a contract extension. To my mind he is the best GM we have had since Glen Sather.
Yes … but that’s a Lowe bar. Best case scenario is he gets to retire from hockey with another Cup ring, and the Oilers turn things over to someone with a more analytics-based approach to cap management and roster building.
So he wins the cup with a roster he has built over five years and you think someone else can do better…not sure I follow that logic.
I think he brought respectability back to the organization after the clown show that came before. But his mistakes with respect to roster building and cap management are well known. He’s going to be leaving the organization in a much better state than he found it, regardless of whether the Oilers win or lose the Cup this year. He’s absolutely the best GM since Sather.
But they didn’t bring in Jackson just to have a Shanahan-Dubas situation. There’s a clear succession plan in place:
Lowe came within 1 Pisani post and a OT goal away from winning a Cup with a ragtag group. Closest Holland has been in 5 years is 8 wins away. Holland was gifted the moon Connor, Leon, Nurse, Bouchard etc Lowe was gifted a paperclip.
The Oilers were on a shoestring budget during the Lowe years. Then the lockout happened, the cap happened and the Oilers got Pronger, Peca, Samsonov, Roloson and Spacek for a song cause no one else had cap space. The next season, he panic traded Pronger, and lost all of Peca, Samsonov, and Spacek to free agency, then overpaid Horcoff and Moreau and traded Stoll and Greene for Visnovsky who didn’t want to be in Edmonton. And eventually hired a checked out Pat Quinn to oversee the whole mess. Then put his buddy MacTavish in charge, when he had no management experience to speak of.
Let’s not romanticize Lowe’s ability as a GM. I give him full marks for keeping the organization together during its darkest days. He loves the Oilers more than any fan does. But outside 1 magical playoff run, his record as GM was decidedly mediocre, ad-mixed with some truly bush league moments.
Holland stabilized the franchise I’ll give him his due. Comparing the dollars and assets each man started with is just slightly in favour of Hollland. Leon Draisaitl >Jarret Stoll-Rem Murray. I personally know the coordinator running the show on the Holland statue erection project. He told me that Jackson has put the project on hold until further notice.
You able to back this up with something credible, or did you make it up for another one of your famous hot takes/exaggerations?
If Sather didn’t get a statue, why on earth would Old Dutch?
Ya. Like the dick measuring contest he had with Smitty that sent him to Long Island and the Penner feud with Burke
Lowe GM’d outta his mind for exactly one season and then… Darkness.
“Lowe bar.” Well played, my friend.
Lowe up to the 2006 Stanley Cups finals is the best GM we have had since Glen Sather. The trauma from the loss ruined both him and MacT.
I loved that team as much as anyone else here, but if they played those playoffs 9 more times, the Oilers would not have advanced to a Cup in nine of them. That team wasn’t built for sustain, and what happened after was more consistent with Lowe and MacT’s overall body of work as GM and coach.
If Pronger’s wife did not want out, that team was built for sustain.
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
Are you going to say the same thing if Leon and Connor walk unexpectedly.
I took a peek outside to check if hell had indeed frozen over, but to my chagrin the driveway is still a sloppy mess from the 10cm we recieved on Friday
If I got past the Mike Smith signing, I can adjust to Corey Perry on this club
I think this team could use a little piss and vinegar
Not sure what the contract terms are but I presume its 1 year with an AAV of $775K.
For those wondering about pro-rating, that only applies if there is a signing bonus and a signing bonus portion would be pro-rated.
As we are right around half way, if the contract includes, say, a $100K signing bonus, that would count $200K against the cap.
I presume this is a non-factor but we’ll see.
Rumors of some performance bonuses, which really means more cap hell next year. But of course all is forgiven if you win
Nuge MCD Hyman
Kane Drai Foegs
Brown McLeod Perry
Janmark Holloway Gags
Erne/Ryan
I would still try and add a rhc like Monohan for 3c.bumps gags to 13 and erne to ahl.
Jake Evans is the far superior RHC to target out of MTL.
Monahan is made of glass, soft as butter, and skates in quicksand.
What’s weird is, Perry on the Oilers makes perfect sense yet Perry on the Leafs seems like a disaster waiting to happen.
Can one of the more intelligent posters explain this?
Leadership – the Oilers have it and the Leafs don’t.
The Oilers have defense. Jesus Murphy I never thought I would ever type that sentence.
That too – no wonder the Leafs wanted Desharnais for Lafferty … he’d be on their second pairing.