I wrote this on the blog a few years ago (January 2017). It’s interesting for two reasons. First, there are a pile of future Oilers on this list, including Zach Hyman (50 goals!), Connor Brown (not 50 goals!) and Connor (not Sam) Carrick. It also shows you that the Leafs, even during Auston Matthews entry deal, were being guided by a veteran manager who say things a certain way. I was convinced Kyle Dubas would take the Leafs to the promised land, and maybe it happens this year or next and he will have authored much of the roster. Still, Ken Holland besting Dubas in the Hyman wars runs counter to my belief the world will one day be run by the math men. One thing is certain: Edmonton owns the contract of the one forward who was worthy of joining the young trio of brilliance mentioned above.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Who’s the Edmonton Oilers’ best player outside the NHL?
- New DNB: How should the Oilers deploy Cody Ceci? Here are their 4 options
- Lowetide: How have the Oilers’ deadline acquisitions worked out so far?
- Lowetide: The Oilers face a looming cap crunch this summer. How bad will it be?
- Lowetide: If Oilers’ Philip Broberg is next man up, he needs NHL games soon
- DNB: How Adam Henrique is slowly becoming a key player for the Edmonton Oilers
- Lowetide: Edmonton Oilers top 20 prospects ranking, winter 2023
WHAT TO EXPECT IN MARCH
- On the road to: SEA (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- At home to: PIT (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- On the road to: BOS, CBJ, BUF, PIT (Expected 2-1-1) (Actual 2-1-1)
- At home to: WAS, COL, MON, BUF (Expected 2-1-1) (Actual 3-0-1)
- On the road to: TOR, OTT, WPG (Expected 1-2-0) (Actual 0-2-0)
- At home to: LAK, ANA (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 8-5-2, 18 points in 15 games
- Actual March results: 7-3-1, 15 points in 11 games
- Oilers in 2023-24: 42-23-4, 88 points in 69 games
Trouble lurks everywhere this morning for the good ship Oiler. The Los Angeles Kings have won four in a row, and are currently one point back of Edmonton. Vegas Golden Knights are three points back, with the Alberta team having played two fewer games than both clubs. I know the coach wants to see what he has, but losing games while experimenting has a downside. I suspect we’ll get something new again tonight.
LUCK AND CIRCUMSTANCE
I remember when Jari Kurri came to training camp in the fall of 1980. He was joined by Glenn Anderson, and between the two of them blew the previous season’s depth chart out the saloon doors, past the empty horses and on to the streets of Banff. It was a combination of inspired scouting and sheer luck that allowed the club to draft Kurri in the fourth (!!!!) round. Quoting the March 6, 1981 edition of The Hockey News, his agent Don Baizley said “nothing to do with his talent. I just couldn’t honestly tell anybody he’d come to North America. Jari, I was pretty sure, was going to stay in Finland for another two years so he could play in the ’82 world championships in his home town, Helsinki.” Barry Fraser, Edmonton’s scouting director for the first 21 years of team existence, insisted the Oilers pull the trigger in the fourth round. Music!
Fast forward to July of 2021, with Holland and Dubas dueling Dalton over Hyman. Edmonton offered a pick as compensation, Toronto refused it because it was a lower pick. As it turned out, that selection was used on Matvey Petrov, who is playing for the AHL Bakersfield Condors at this time.
When Hyman scored goal No. 50 against Ottawa on Sunday, it drove home the reason teams spend big money on free-agent talent. The build through the draft sometimes needs a finishing burst and Hyman has been kicking at the darkness ’til it bleeds daylight since he landed in the city. I’m a massive fan of this player. He’s gotten better since he arrived and for the Oilers fans are thrilled.
I sometimes view events as the beginning of a story and imagine what the ultimate end would look like. Picture if you will (thanks, Rod Serling) the beginning of the story was last Saturday night. The end of the story is a day in June, the heat screaming off the pavement across Toronto. It’s Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. The nation is exhausted due to 10 days of sneering and being day drunk. Suddenly, it’s overtime, and then, a lone soul intercepts a puck as it exits the Toronto zone. All skaters but one going the wrong way. In on goal, all alone, forehand, deke, backhand, shelf. The crowd goes wild with elation or is immediately crestfallen with a life moment that will run through the collective for time eternal.
Should have signed him, Kyle.
A big show today with two fabulous guests. Daniel Nugent-Bowman will give us the latest on the Oilers and discuss his latest article at The Athletic that focuses on Cody Ceci’s possible deployment down the stretch. We’ll chat about the game tonight and the suddenly shifting sands in the Pacific division. That’s at 1:20.
At noon today, Dave Jamieson will join us. I’m thrilled to welcome him to the show, shake his hand and give him a hug. He’s got a brand new gig, it’s with the Edmonton Elks, and it’s a monster. The Elks celebrate 75 years and they’re doing it right (click on the link). We’ll also talk to Dave about what he’s doing now (my guess is lobbying the city for more helicopter pads so he can travel easier), why he never tired of Shea Weber trade rumours, believes teams have a right to suck in afternoon games and I’ll try to get him to do his patented “so YOU say!” at least once. Dave is an absolute gentleman and was incredibly generous with his time and wisdom during the period immediately following my wife’s passing. I’ll love him forever.
I can’t wait for today! 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.
I hope the Oilers bring back Corey Perry for one more season. He’s too weird and smart not to be an Oilers for a little while longer.
I like to think that a few weeks ago a goalless CB was perusing the site and took note of the Chasing Andrej (can’t remember if it was chasing or catching) tally and decided “ok yea I can beat that!” Not only did I give him a goal, I gave him a goal he could reach. You’re welcome Oil Country, you’re welcome.
Chasing/Catching Andrej Race of Lifetime
With last nights snipe I am Pleased as pie to write
AS – 36, 0 – 8 – 8, -15, with 2 PP points – 18.2 ppg
CB – 60, 3 – 6 – 9, -8, with 0 PP Points – 12.3 ppg
CB is now ahead in four of seven categories, including the pinnacle total points category. Can he catch AS in Apples, PP points and the dastardly high PPG mark? Tune in tomorrow night to watch Catching Andrej continue in the words of Jack – “DOWN THE STRETCH!”
If McDavid wins the Art Ross Trophy with all of those assists, the best idea in the playoffs is to return to goal scoring and completely flummox the video strategists.
I thought Kane had a heck of game last night on the 3rd line.
He’s coming close to scoring.
I’m of the opinion that Kane won’t be fully impactful unless in the top 6 (likely on McDavid’s wing) but last night was a good sign.
Veteran Kane understands the playoffs are drawing very close there’s no point in getting injured.
In playoffs he scores on the breakaway 50% of the time.
Looking at the out of town scoreboard tonight, I guess none of the good teams are worthy of winning a cup, if they are held to the same standards Oilers fans hold the Oilers.
No one is good enough until the 3rd round; that’s when I saw Colorado take the Oilers apart and it was no shock to see them win the cup.
Leafs have been on a virtual skid since beating the Oilers.
Every Cup winner since the 1896 Montreal AAA have gone 82-0 that’s just
emotional reactionscienceNurse’s 1st fight since last years series against Vegas.
Was it this past preseason or last that he fought twice – I think it may have been the prior.
Nurse fought twice in the same game against Mitch McLain of the Calgary Flames, pre-season 2022.
https://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/n265517
https://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/n265518
It’s got to the point where I am worried he’s going to get hurt.
McDavid now 4 points back of Kucherov and Mackinnon with 1-2 games in hand (notwithstanding the 2 games he missed early in the season). Quite recently he was 20 pts behind Kucherov.
My prediction is that it’s going to be close, but Connor will take the Art Ross, while media voters will feel the need to reward Mackinnon for an excellent season. Despite the fact that this has been Connor’s best defensive season.
No idea but our horse is a many times champion winner in these matters and no doubt chasing the Art Ross gives him something to occupy his mind while playoffs lurk.
60% Corskies and Matty Fenwicks. 60% of the high dangers. 65% of the shots and 57% of the scoring chances.
Victory tonight was key. Playing a second game in shot suppression heaven while giving up points really would have rhymed with October. And not many good things rhyme with October.
Against a team that is known for commitment to system and D for its success, I’m very happy although we deserved the win in reg. Sixty minutes of taking care of the details was so close.
On to the Kings, against whom we might well need that sixty minutes.
It doesn’t matter what other teams do
What matters is what the Oilers do
They want to win it. This type of play makes it less likely than it could be
I agree.
Play your game and let the chips fall where they may.
There aren’t any easy opponents in any round.
All 4 forward lines played well as a unit. There was chemistry there. I especially liked Perry & Kane with Highlander. Speed, size dirtiness.
Perry must have balls of steel to take on a 6’7″ behemoth who also was 12 years younger,
Perry was a wily veteran he avoided almost everything from the giant Jet.
Eat shit Jets! Nothing but a bunch of plugs + Kyle Connor.
I absolutely can’t stand these teams that play messy, close, plug hockey. Sure, they’re good but it’s bloody boring to watch. Their 2 third period goals were pure barf.
McD bottled up all game and still gets 2 Apples. Nuge with a great bounce back. Kane was sniffing all game, throwing the body.
D needs to get better with coverage. It sure looks like opposing teams really have our coverage scheme figured out. KK made a solid 2nd period adjustment to marry a fwd to their last defender to open up the neutral zone. Great adjustment. Bowness is a modern Lemaire. Scumbag.
I see where you’re coming from but the Jets play their system so well it becomes an artistic statement.
Wait, was Vegas up 3-0 and 4-1 and then actually lost?
The list of true contenders is shrinking fast. Are there any contenders left?
I’m sure our resident troll is screaming at his screen his latest cherry-pick. Thankfully, he’s been muted.
Bah, I miss that scratched itch… for old times sake, since the cherry pick changed monthly:
‘Don’t sleep on the Preds, 18 games with a point, they’re making sweet country music on that there ice in the natural hockey state of ol’ Tenessee, more Rubber (meets) Road than Rubber Soul, mind you…”
A lot of teams are looking ahead to the playoffs. Vegas and Edmonton are two teams with this mentality.
Trust the process. Don’t get frustrated by lucky or unfortunate goals against. Kept pushing and working hard. Talent will prevail when talent works its ass off!!! Just ask Hyman!!!!
I remember him burning the Oil when he was a Leaf and wishing we had a guy like that…
He’s all bull horns.
That was a helluva goal, he never gives up or puck watches. Special.
Preds got the win against Vegas.
Vegas blew two different three goal leads.
Not true contenders.
As they’re defending champions they’re already ahead of that dream.
Number fifty-one on the season, and number one in our hearts. #PlayLaBambaBaby
Bottom Six had the best 5v5 numbers on the evening.
Sparkling actually.
Run them again.
and lets not forget that CB sniped one.
The way we played that last pk is exactly the playoff level we need to sustain at. Constant determination.
Guess the Jets aren’t true contenders.
True contenders don’t lose 4 in a row.
True contender don’t lose to teams playing their 4th game in a different arena in 6 nights.
The Jets aren’t true contenders. They’ve got popgun scoring yes but look at their offensive stats against playoff teams.
Closer to bubble more than division winner.
Excuses are for losers
Almost lost this one ahead 3-1
If you consider yourself a contender you don’t do that, repeatedly
In a very tight race
True contenders don’t almost lose?
Is that what you’re saying?
What?
Game in hand almost gave it away
True contenders don’t almost give away a game in hand?
Surely you don’t have anything to substantiate your belief, do you?
His requirements for what the Oilers need to bring and what top teams in the NHL do nightly is not based in reality – with respect to the poster – the expectation is not reasonable.
Florida blew a late lead, Toronto got blown up the Devils, Carlina got worked by the Pens, Vegas blew up in the 3rd and the Rags gave up 6 against Philly.
And that’s just tonight lol
Game in hand almost gave it away
Best time of the season!
I keep reading things that contenders don’t do but ALL teams in the NHL do all those things.
All teams lose games when up 3-1 in this era of the NHL and, yes, some true contenders blow 2-goal leads as repeatedly as the Oilers do.
The standard of true contenders by some leads to their being no true contenders.
Game in hand almost gave it away
Close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades.
They don’t ask how, they ask how many.
Hyman is unstoppable.
Inevitable
If the Oilers played this well in their previous two games they’d likely be on a good winning streak. I hope they learn to keep the intensity up. Other teams aren’t going to back off.
What a relief.
BOOM!!! 51 is a game winner!!! No quit in Hyman!!!
Oilers deserved those two points.
That is 5 of 6 possible points against the Jets this season. Happy with that!
Saved by Mr. 50. What a player.
What a game.
Mr. 51
I like that this years team is really tempering expectations going into the playoffs lol.
The Jets really know the right style to use to oppose the Oilers. I’ll give them that.
Hymes rhymes with good times!
Hyman with the OT winner from Nuge is some sweet justice IMO!
Rhymin’ Hyman!!!! Woot!
Nice win. I loved Drai coming off there, fresh legs Hyman puts it home.
Oh sweeeeeeeeet victory! Suck it Jets!
Great kill! Nice try, refs. Payback is gonna be sweet!
If the refs realize their mistake there should be a soft penalty against the Jets early in the OT.
3rd in 4 nights – 4th different arena in 6 nights – great effort tonight to gut out this first point.
Out of all the things you can challenge for, A bad call in critical portions of the game should be able to be reviewed.
Oilers almost get screwed because the player didn’t get high stocked hard enough
makes sense
Well that was a justice served kill. Horseshit officiating. On to OT for the 2 nd point.
One of the cardinal rules of officiating – don’t guess
Each team has a man in the stands to review every play, particularly offsides. Why don’t the refs have their man who can review the replay
My dislike for the Jets seems to be growing…
Mental note for the playoffs – high stick teammates in the face.
Horseshit call. High stick was friendly fire.
Is that two actual genuine phantom penalties on the Oilers in the same game? Jeez.
I watched the replay twice, and did not see a penalty.
For the second game in a row
That’s Demelo’s stick
Terrible call
need to bear down here and play tight for the last 5mins. Laziness usually kills us by giving too much space at the end of shifts.
Brown is becoming an offensive threat. This is a mental adjustment.
Confidence. Took forever but he’s starting to believe he can still play.
Getting one top shelf is a big thing instead of a tap in or fluke
He’s been put in a position to succeed on the 4th line.
It’s time some hot shots became embarrassed at getting scored on
Leon with his teeth guard hanging cocky to the side screens Stu and is no where near the block
Total arrogant crap
This is what is killing them
Competitors are on hit streaks, we’re back to can’t do the job
I can hear the clouds being yelled at. Don’t let the onion fall from your belt.
Not sure what you’re watching
Yeah Scheifele and Connor, eesh.
Trust the process. Don’t let up! Don’t cheat! Backcheck, Forecheck, Paycheque!!! Get’er done!!!
Nice.
A tip o’ the hat.
Brown or Perry for the winner?
Ryan on a tip.
“Hey guys, you know what would be fun? Not letting Stuart see the puck…hahaha”
Morons…
You must be such fun at parties…
Watching an important hockey game not at a party
I’m an excellent cook, able to readily converse on many topics and am very selective with my company – so yes, I am in fact.
Further – I don’t screen goalies because I’m neither dumb nor lacking in awareness.