Do you long for her or for the way you were
That summer feeling is gonna haunt you
The rest of your life.
-Jonathan Richman
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Oilers’ Connor Brown and what’s next in his unusual season
- New DNB: Oilers desperate to return to winning ways after dreadful loss to Flames
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers top prospect Xavier Bourgault is stalling in the AHL
- New DNB: The Flames are shopping Chris Tanev. Do the Oilers have what it takes to get him?
- Lowetide: How can Brad Holland and Oilers pro scouts impact trade deadline?
- New DNB: Why the Oilers shouldn’t trade Warren Foegele before the NHL trade deadline
- Lowetide: Why this Oilers-Bruins 4-player trade makes sense for both teams
- Lowetide: Oilers vs. Maple Leafs in the Stanley Cup Final? It’d be a fever dream
- Lowetide: Ranking 5 right-handed defenders the Oilers should target in a trade
- New DNB: Why a scoring winger should be the Oilers’ top trade deadline priority
- Lowetide: Where can the Edmonton Oilers improve their draft strategy in 2024?
- Lowetide: What are the Edmonton Oilers’ 5 biggest trade deadlines ever?
- DNB: Philip Broberg is showing his promise: Will NHL opportunity come with the Oilers or elsewhere?
- Lowetide: Breaking down the Oilers’ 50-man list at the trade deadline
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers top 20 prospects ranking, winter 2023
WHAT TO EXPECT IN FEBRUARY
- On the road to: VEG, ANA, LAK (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 1-2-0)
- At home to: DET (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- On the road to: STL, DAL, ARI (Expected 1-1-1) (Actual 2-1-0)
- At home to: BOS, MIN, CAL, LAK, STL (Expected 3-2-0) (Actual 0-2-1)
- Overall expected result: 7-4-1, 15 points in 12 games
- Actual February results: 4-5-1, 9 points in 10 games
- Oilers in 2023-24: 33-20-2, 68 points in 55 games
THAT SUMMER FEELING
Saturday night was a tough one for Oilers fans, and it is reflected in the comments, here at Lowetide and across the internet social spots. Reasons like “back to back games” or “three games in four nights” and “flu in the room” were deemed lame excuses by apologists and the weak.
The Oilers fan base is a funny thing, populated by all ages but (I think) driven by those who believe a return to the 1980’s glory of the Oilers is not only attainable, but in fact a birthright. Since older Oilers fans are the proverbial oldest child, that makes sense.
However, there’s a reality here. The math of 21 teams pushing versus 32 is obvious, but there’s more. Florida tax laws, players preferring warmer climates and the eastern seaboard, players fading the intensity of Canadian cities and fan bases, all of those things are factors.
Also factors? Ownership and management missteps, time and again. An example: Steve Tambellini fixed the farm system, making sure the team had a designated farm team where prospects could thrive. Craig MacTavish helped fix drafting, targeting Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse as key pieces for the foundation of the future. Peter Chiarelli used the draft assets built by MacT for the 2015 draft to improve immediately, effectively hollowing out what might have been one of the team’s best ever drafts (they had a larger number of picks in an historically fantastic draft season).
Ken Holland is coming up on five years since taking over. The Oilers have been a playoff team in every one of them, and won a few series along the way. I believe they were closest last season, and have a chance to do even more this one. The Oilers have a chance to win the Stanley Cup.
A player like Connor McDavid is so transcendent the impossible becomes reality time and time again. Great NHL players don’t have the same impact as great NBA players, that’s the nature of the game. Still, the captain is a sublime talent and it is galling to see this Oilers team fall short annually.
Holland has added to the group he inherited (eight names already here, including McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Darnell Nurse, Evan Bouchard, Stuart Skinner, Ryan McLeod, Phil Kemp) and has a strong team idling in the driveway this morning. Here are the players he procured and how they arrived in Edmonton:
- Free agency (11): Zach Hyman, Evander Kane, Cody Ceci, Derek Ryan, Sam Gagner, Mattias Janmark, Corey Perry, Connor Brown, Adam Erne, Calvin Pickard, Jack Campbell
- Trade (3): Mattias Ekholm, Warren Foegele, Brett Kulak
- Minor league free agency (2): Vincent Desharnais, James Hamblin
- Draft (3): Dyan Holloway, Philip Broberg, Raphael Lavoie
I think we’ll see two or three names added to the trade list, but as it stands eight names inherited, two via minor league free agency and three courtesy the draft means the “hard and smart work” portion of the masterplan has been badly underutilized. Signing a free agent to solve every problem gives a team confidence the plan will work out, but it isn’t a 100 percent guarantee.
I think Holland has done a good job overall, but there are areas this franchise could improve in. One of them is procurement outside the draft. Desharnais and Hamblin are examples, and Noah Philp was on his way to being another when he retired.
Imagine if the Oilers had been uber aggressive in signing college and junior players outside the draft, maybe a right-winger would have emerged and the Brown signing would have been deemed unnecessary. You know, the Oilers won the Stanley with Charlie Huddy and Randy Gregg as key components on defense. It can be done!
The theme of today’s article surrounds the melancholy of finding way to bask in life as we all did at 21. Impossible of course, and yet it calls us whenever we hear Over My Head by Fleetwood Mac or Oh Well by Fleetwood Mac.
Maybe the rage about Stuart Skinner’s goaltending, Evan Bouchard’s defense, Connor McDavid’s backcheck, Ken Holland’s missteps and the ills of the scouting department is at least a little about us trying to find that summer feeling of youth. Damn those 1980’s Oilers, they ruined our life!
I kid, but only a little. Be well. I wish you peace.
It’s a big show today, noon to 2 on Sports 1440. Rachel Doerrie from Staff & Graph Podcast will talk trade deadline (why is it going so slow??) and Jason Gregor will review the weekend and look forward to tonight’s game. Your input is required, please reach out and let us know what you’re thinking. 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.
“Bouchard’s Blast” (To the tune of Cadillac Ranch)
(Verse 1)
There she gleams, buddy, in the rink under the lights,
Ready to celebrate when Oilers win the fight.
I’ll grab my gear, and I’ll call up my clan,
Heading to the game, with puck in hand.
Eldorado fins, white walls and skirts;
Drives like a zamboni, clearing the ice of dirt.
With McDavid’s speed and Draisaitl’s might,
Hyman’s hustle keeps the Oil’s game alight.
(Chorus)
Bouchard’s blast, Bouchard’s blast
Cannon fired, bomb unsurpassed
Open’s up his engines, and let’s it roar
Tearing through the twine like nobody did before
(Verse 2)
Gretzky’s on the bench, a nod and a grin,
Reminiscing the glory days, ready to begin.
The dynasty team, alive in our hearts,
Their spirit lives on, as the game restarts.
(Bridge)
Hey little Oilers girlie in the blue jeans so tight
Skating all alone in the Oilers’ spotlight
Just like it’s 1990, and Randford’s winning Smythe
It’s another win and it’s starting to feel right.
(Chorus)
Bouchard’s blast, Bouchard’s blast
Cannon fired, bomb unsurpassed
Open’s up his engines, and let’s it roar
Tearing through the twine like nobody did before
(Outro)
With Bouchard’s blast, victory’s in sight,
Guiding Oilers’ dreams, under Rogers’ lights.
In Edmonton’s heart, in every fan’s stance,
Bouchard’s slap echoes, a triumphant dance.
I liked Holloway & Foegele tonight, they forechecked with their lightning speed.
It was really effective, Kings D had trouble & turned the puck over a lot because of it.
More please
I thought Ryan McLeod impacting the game in a big way in the 3rd period.
Very satisfying game overall. Not sure if they were being coached to play those last 2 PPs safely, but the team was far more committed to structure.
As we speak, Zachary Martin Hyman is T3 in goals with Pastarnak and Kucherov. Blocked the sun on the GWG. Best free agent signing that I can recall.
On a related note, my son was supposed to meet Hyman yesterday but he got called away to a team meeting, so there must have been some discussion and learning occurring yesterday
He really wired that puck. It’s too bad that he’s the net front guy cause it would add an interesting wrinkle to the PP if he could flare out to top of the left circle and use that hammer more often.
Big difference tonight since the allstar break? Skinner. When he can win games where his team doesn’t play like Jacques Lemaire’s Devils is critical. Huge effort
True.
If they can play defense like those Devils,
Cup Champions, I’m calling it 🙂
You’re not wrong
Solid, much needed win. Better structure, better defensive play by all and better goaltending. Not perfect, but definitely better and something to build upon.
That was the type of game they played, and won, during the heater.
Not great early, a few mistakes but not that much overly egregious, not generating a ton but “sticking with it”, staying patient and generally structured and some solid saves.
Got better as the game went on and dominated the 3rd.
The Bouchard play on the 2nd GA, well, that was not happening during the streak but that game was MUCH better.
2GA or less!
Eat shit LA! You bunch of dirty cheap whiny plugs!! Hot damn that’s a satisfying victory. LA executed their game plan. Low chance, no room, smother, trap like hell. Didn’t matter. It’s hilarious to watch them chase the game. The Oilers ate their lunch the moment it opened up.
Shots were slow to come, but better compete and better connected. Lotsa excellent back checking, too! Satisfying!!
Hard fought 4 point game. Well done boys!
Huge win! 4 pointer!
Strong game as well by Skinner. He (and the team) needed one.
Massive kudos to Stuart Skinner tonight – very solid throughout this game and some very very tough saves, in particular in the 2nd period.
If he didn’t make those, and the deficit went to two goals……
Zebras will be zeroed in on blue jerseys now
Where was this team when I was watching live?
Looks like Janmark beating up Coleman has paid off lol
Quite a strong game overall, assuming that does it.
Nicely done by that line. All 3 with finesse plays
Playmaker Brown feeds the Nuge!!!!
That was a really pretty play.
Papa Nuge!
Wow, great give and go between Nuge and Brown – huge goal.
Nice goal. Salty (that should do it).
That give and go got up and went!!!
Looks like the Oilers are have taken some steps to make their PP a little less predictable.
Draisaitl is definitely lacking in saves this evening, bum.
Drai is backchecking like a machine this game.
Very noticeable. He was very motivated.
McLeod has been unreal on the forecheck in the 3rd period – causing multiple turnovers, throwing a couple of hits – creating momentum and entry.
Heck of a rush by Drai! Held off Doughty with one hand and gets a shot away. Power move! Thought A penalty might have been called.
I don’t think I’ve ever tried a 1-handed backhand wrist shot before.
Jagr had this in his toolbox
While brushing aside a big, gritty, Norris trophy winning defenseman with the other arm, no less.
Foegele came alive in the 2nd half of the 2nd period – some bull rushes to the net – and he’s continuing his positive offensive impact in the 3rd period.
Nothing cashing yet though.
I’m not sure Klebom, Nurse or Barrie would have scored from there.
Top cheddar with heat – goal scorer’s goal
I got that. Well played
I can only think of two other Oiler D that could shoot like Bouch – Souray and Coffey
Siltanen had the speed but not the accuracy
Mironov in the Siltanen camp too.
Bergeron when he was in the zone.
Manson.
Mike Green but barely technically an Oiler.
Manson’s shots had a ton of heat.
BouchBombs away!
That was a strong period for the Oilers on special teams.
After two: 2-2 (1-1 in the second)
Shots: 26-21 LAK (15-13 LAK in the second)
Corsi five-on-five 38-35 EDM (38-35 EDM in the second)
HDSC 7-7 (4-4 in the second)
==
It’s a good game, the only downbeat is it’s a pick ’em and you would like the Oilers to have a larger edge at home. Kings are so filthy you could call a penalty on every play, but the referees of course don’t call that many. So, like the mid-70s Flyers, Kings get away with 10 and then they call one. The interference is rife.
Yes, but it’s crazy that until 6 mins left in the game the Kings had the edge in PP time. That just shouldn’t happen as it is truly unjust
Do you want me to tell you again how the Montreal Canadiens always got a power play just when they needed one?
Hyman has been a beast lately. What a great FA signing. Campbell not so much….
What does that literally have to do with the game?
Good for Leon. He looks all business tonight. I wish he played like that more often.
Lol!
Wish the rest of the team played alil bit more like Leon, maybe he wouldn’t be 15 points ahead of the 3rd highest scorer on the team.
What a beautiful player, now at 72 points tied with Marner.
Marner’s playoff success is the stuff of legends
Leon’s is.
I wish Connor wouldn’t try to beat guys on the boards like that. Not going to beat any decent D with no speed yet, just going to get hit
Go the other way and turn on the jets. Break or penalty
How about McLeod as a trade asset? His skating is incredible but his impact on games marginal.
That was a nice change
Bouch is irreplaceable offensively
Klefbom, Nurse, and Barrie have all been relatively similarly successful at the point position on the PP.
And I’m going out on a limb thinking you think Broberg could fill that spot?
I said I wanted to play Broberg with Nurse. I have never said I wanted him to play on the power play.. Criticize me for what I say, not what I never have said.
Well Nurse has never been overly successful or similar to Barrie or Klefbom on the PP or he would still be there. And literally not even close. And sorry for hurting your feelings
Three good offensive defenseman.
All in a lower tier than Bouch.
Only his current D coach has climbed to those nights in Oilers silk.
I hope your just in your cups and being argumentative
If you can’t tell what is different I don’t know what to say
Nice tip by Leon.
That was quick. Good to tie it up.
On replay, that was one hell of a shot-pass by Bouchard. Beauty. And of course the finish by Draisaitl.
It’s all about supporting the puck carrier. Either end give them good options
Holloway has some jump!
Jeezuz this pk is chaotic. Can they bring back Horc to give a pk clinic?
Huge faceoff win and then huge save by Skinner.
Bouchard literally turned and skated out of the LA Kings players way. “Please, be my guest. You have free entry into our D zone.”
I swear a single play by Evan Bouchard is either going to eliminate the Oilers from contention this year . . . or win them the Stanley Cup.
Stupid lazy players.
Bouchard just turns away from the check?? WTF…
October flashbacks.
This is still part of his game. It was suppressed for a long period, but the commitment to defending still waivers occasionally.
Both Ekholm and Bouch – terrible.
Our top 4 D leaking oil badly…….
29 didn’t think it was his job to pick up a man on the back check either
Stars have found another gem in the draft outside of the 1st round Logan Stankoven was picked 47th in the 2021 draft. 2nd NHL and he gets a goal and an assist. 57 Pts in 47 games 1st yr in AHL