This is the 2010 draft. Holy hell I had high hopes for it, but injuries impacted all of the good-to-great players. Taylor Hall’s career included an MVP and plenty of time missed, Tyler Pitlick was derailed so often it was kind of amazing when he finally made it as a fulltime NHLer. Brandon Davidson was injured by Matt Tkachuk and Dustin Byfuglien and that negatively impacted what looked like a quality career.
Several people reached out to me after reading my article about re-signing Adam Henrique the other day. Those folks disagreed with the idea, suggesting a youth movement was badly needed. I think we’ve talked about this before, but it’s worth revisiting. So, let me start by verbalizing my opinion in a single statement. The next rebuild in Edmonton is slated for 2032, or later.
Entering the season, the Oilers had plans for Philip Broberg to play preseason games with Mattias Ekholm in an effort to work him on to the roster. It didn’t happen (Ekholm was hurt) and then Vincent Desharnais played so well there wasn’t an issue on the RH side all year. Sucked for Broberg, but the sacrifice was made (Broberg needs NHL time) for the greater good and now the club is 25 percent of the way to Stanley.
The idea of signing Henrique isn’t a new one, but in the article (here) I framed it as ‘either or’ with Henrique and Warren Foegele as the dilemma.
I think it’s fair to say that the Ken Holland rookie roll out plan will continue unabated no matter who takes over as general manager. This is a team capable of signing useful veterans for $1 million. Corey Perry, Mattias Janmark, Derek Ryan, Sam Carrick, Calvin Pickard and others could or will be back next season and earn around an entry-level cap hit for their troubles. Will the coaching staff prefer Raphael Lavoie to Corey Perry? I know my answer.
In case you’ve forgotten, significant rookies who have arrived during the Holland era include Evan Bouchard, Stuart Skinner, Ryan McLeod, Ethan Bear, Caleb Jones, Dylan Holloway, Philip Broberg. There are others, but that’s the list of prominent rookies. Seven men in five years, or about one per season.
Do you remember the rookie list from 2010-11? Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Devan Dubnyk. Magnus Paajarvi, Linus Omark, Jeff Petry, Chris VandeVelde. Seven in one season as opposed to seven in five seasons.
There will be no rebuild in Edmonton during the Connor McDavid era. The word rookies is defunct. All of the inexpensive contracts are going to be older players looking for Stanley. There’s a chance Holloway and Broberg are the last kids on the bus, much like Geoff Smith (drafted by Edmonton in 1987, won Stanley in 1990) back in the day.
I think the scouting staff has done well with the draft picks used over these last seasons. Bouchard, McLeod, Skinner, Holloway, Broberg, that’s some good drafting. The next player who makes the grade and has an NHL career that starts with this Oilers team? I’ll guess Max Wanner, Jayden Grubbe and Beau Akey. This is a ‘no kids’ flight to glory. Pretty sure.
A busy Friday show on the Lowdown. Noon to 2 on Sports 1440. We’ll talk about the Oilers series win and the TML-Bruins series with Steve Lansky, and about the Oilers next opponent with Tyler Yaremchuk. 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. Question: Would you like to see an updated 2024 Lowetide draft list later this week?
New for The Athletic: Why Edmonton Oilers centre Ryan McLeod is effective in his role
https://theathletic.com/5467121/2024/05/03/ryan-mcleod-oilers-centre/
Boy oh boy did Nashville and Vancouver look pedestrian. Do not want to get over-confident however because karma is a spiteful bitch and nothing would hurt worse than a loss to the Canucks. 97 and 29 won’t stand for it, I can’t imagine.
Let’s go Oilers take it to them!
EDM record vs VAN since McDavid
43 GP, 18 W, 19 L, 6 OTL, 42 Points, .488 P%
115 GF, 117 GA
McDavid vs VAN
40 GP, 23 G, 41 A, 64P, +5, 1.60 P/GP
Demko vs EDM (career)
14 GP, 469 SA, 431 SV, .919 SV%
DeSmith vs EDM (career)
5 GP, 134 SA, 125 SV, .933 SV%
Silvos vs EDM (career)
0 GP
Skinner vs VAN (career)
6 GP, 152 SA, 130 SV, .855 SV%
Pickard
3 GP, 96 SA, 88 SV, .917 SV%
Campbell
5 GP, 131 SA, 115 SV, .878 SV%
Now do their match ups in the playoffs
0s
Oops
Goals in the 6 game Van vs NSH Series.
5×5 – 9-8 NSH
PP – 2-2
EN – 1-1
6v5 – 2-0 Van
This was a low event or no offense series. After watching every game I can’t even tell you who the threat on NSH second line is to score and there wasn’t much threat on the first line either. The heartbeat of Vancouver runs through JT Miller. Boeser is having a career season. Garland, Joshua, Hoglander and Blueger can pose problems. EP40 seems to be feeling the weight of his new contract and the pressure of playoffs or he is hurt. He got knocked around a ton in this series, I have never seen an NHL player fall over more.
Oh yeah Zadorov scored 2 of their 13 goals. And Lindholm also had 2. Both these guys played for the Flames in the 2022 playoffs.
My daschund found a nest with 8-12 newborn bunnies in the back yard. What would you do? If I do nothing, our chickens will find them as soon as they open their eyes. A baby bunny is a nice meal for a chicken. These are an invasive species of bunnies, not like the flashy hares you find in Alberta. These rabbits are tiny little things. Babies about the size of mice.
Dude, you definitely do not want to be overrun with rabbits.
Release the chicken hawks!
I like bunnies just like the next person… but they’re invasive and you have chickens to feed.
They’ll be adorable little snacks, I suppose.
Invasive is accurate, we see way too many in my neighborhood. Easy pickings for prey, yet they keep multiplying. There was a hoard under some shipping containers near by, and the city had to come wipe them out last fall.
I’d let nature run it’s course.
I’d build a hutch for them and multiply your food supply.
Rabbits are delicious.
These Western Conference teams are good defensive teams with good defensive structure but they aren’t the 70’s Canadians – all these low/no scoring games.
The Oilers and Avs are going to show what offensive power to go along with structure can accomplish…..
So when does Round 2 start for the good guys?
If my math is correct we’re taking game 3 next Friday or Saturday no?
The Rangers-Carolina series starts on Sunday so we will likely see some games on Monday.
Tuesday, I think. There’s a concert on Monday at Rogers Arena
They aren’t moving Pearl Jam so the series will start Tuesday (small chance Sunday) – which sets up nicely for Saturday night in Edmonton.
Dallas does a lot of low-percentage stretch passes, looking for breakaways. Surprising how hard they push for those.
The “active boards” advertisement technology the broadcaster uses has some troubles with the Dallas white jerseys. It feels like they’re playing hockey in The Matrix.
Wow, Stone misses an empty net from 5′ away.
Vegas-Dallas is a way more entertaining game than Nashville-Vancouver.
Dallas hasn’t had any sustained pressure yet. . . just as I say that Dallas makes a push.
Not as tight checking.
Which of DAL and VGK do you think has a better chance against Colorado?
Goaltending is the answer to all questions, so ima say Dal.
Either way, I just hope it’s a 7 game triple overtime laden bloodbath
Very interested to see what our game plan will be. LFG!
Make sure the Canucks’ don’t want to get out of bed in the morning.
No need to change. Canucks play more open than LA so Oilers will have more chances. Nashville’s offence is so anemic that the Dy’s could be put on the back foot (skate?) if the Oilers bring it.
Hope the Oilers prep involves them all sitting down to watch G1 of this season.
Play Quinn tight and don’t leave anyone in front with a clean chance. The Dys have some shooters
Also match the pace of a few of their fast and pesky players, done!
Canuck fans are lucky — they get a bonafide local play-by-play team that recognizes that they’re broadcasting to Canuck fans. Imagine that.
Shorthouse is great at play-by-play, but I sure hope he doesn’t call the next round — he’s definitely a Canucks guy. Louie will be obsessed with someone from Vancouver’s fourth line while making it sound like the Oilers barely got past LA.
Ray Ferraro often does colour on Canucks broadcasts when his other gig does’t interfere.
It’s an absolute delight.
Who on earth is Arturs Silovs?
Any update on the Demko injury?
Silovs is a young goalie from Latvia who has been good in the NHL.
He’s also been solid vs the Nashville pop-gun offence.
Oilers catching a break with Demko on the shelf.
3rd string goaltender who was the World Hockey Championship MVP after leading Latvia to its first ever medal.
Looking legit.
Demko is still listed as day to day and travelled with the team and was skating in Nashville
Ray is out east and ESPN-imbedded. Agree he’s excellent, ever since the call on Stefan in ’07
I like Haranarayan fine. But not for play-by-play.
Shortbus is brutal.
The La kings are excited to drop the 1-3-1 is pretty funny.
The only reason the team is dangerous is because of the 1-3-1. The only reason they keep losing is because their opponent every offseason has built themselves on speed and physicality to counter their 1-3-1 and you still gave us a lot of trouble the previous two years.
Drop the 1-3-1 and try to run and gun with the west they probably don’t even make the playoffs
It will be a great second round series between Edmonton & Vancouver.
I know the Nucks had edmontons number all season.
But they really don’t look good.
It’s amazing seeing the difference between a second seed and a 7th seed being razor thin
I really didn’t think they would get anthing past Saros.
I feel like the reason Vancouver did so well this season was that teams didn’t give them any respect. I don’t really see what they have that the Oilers need to worry all that much about. Looking forward to game 1 to see if I’m wrong.
Given that the Oilers rely almost entirely on their PP, the Canucks PK will be a deciding factor.
Their PK is clicking at more than 90%
If Vancouver can manage not to suck.
We’ll see.
Tocchet’s system is based entirely on structure and playing low event hockey.
Given he is likely the Jack Adam’s winner and his team making the final 8, he may be on to something.
Per nst, Vancouver gave up 3 more hdca this season than edmonton. Canucks also put up 178 fewer hdcf.
Yikes.
Happy for Tocchet though.
it all depends how long the oilers are playing with the lead. If they have the lead for almost the entire series again then they don’t have to push
The jokes are endless! I watched every game in both series. If you think the Preds Powerplay is in the same stratosphere as the Oilers you must have emptied a number of Shelter point bottles.
The Oilers PK is clicking in at, let me check, 100%. The Preds had zero attack. Like none. The Canucks had just a hair more. 13-12 total goals.
LOL – the Oilers had the 5th best GF% at 5 on 5 this season and were 50% in the first round despite the Kings scoring over half their goals off of “breaks”.
There is a reason the Oilers got the PP opportunities and didn’t take as many penalties in the 1st round.
I would also note the Nucks 17th ranked PK during the regular season.
I felt really good about playing Vegas in the playoffs last year because of how the games went in the regular season. We know how that turned out.
The one interesting thing about the Canucks is that they shored up their roster by going out and getting guys that were talked about endlessly here previously like Pius Suter and Teddy Blueger.
I wasn’t happy when when we traded a 5th for Grubbe right before they acquired Lafferty (1.15m cap) from Toronto for a 5th.
Even more important was the acquisitions of Carson Soucy (6.5″ 210″), Ian Cole (6’2″ 225) and Nikita Zadorov (6’6″ 225) to stabilize a dreadful D core.
Very big boys who are all hard to play against.
Seeing as they barely scraped by Nashville, they are going to need all the help they can get.
Dumb play by Lindholm in the last minute of the game — he’s lucky it didn’t cost his team a goal. I know the ref’s are hesitant to make any sort of call in the last minute, but a cross check that leads to a change in possession? He put them in a position where he had to make the call.
With 39 seconds left , it’s no biggy.
Vancouver it is.
Nice.
I was really hoping for Nashville. Simple reason. Time zones.
But both of these teams are playing like they deserve to be knocked out of the first round.
Looking forward to seeing Nashville pull out the stops.
Although I’d rather the Oilers play Vancouver I can’t stop hoping for Nashville. Such a nice town.
Sportsnet broadcast actually said Nashville was bending and not breaking? Dudes they are working Vancouver. Just can’t score.
Next time you see Garland with his helmet off, imagine him with a little make up singing Purple Rain
Ryan from the office
I haven’t watched much of the Vancouver-Nashville series but to first glance it appears to be Nashville parrying vs. a not very good offense. Hoping Vancouver makes a mistake and they get an outnumbered rush the other way. Something like that.
Was that Rick Tocchet shaking his head saying ‘idiot’ under his breath?
Preds looking good Tiny Quinn being targeted. Merry Christmas everyone.
Ok like what in the actual hell has happened to the Nucks?
I mean I was the biggest believer in severe regression for a PDO heater but 2-4 shots a period? Huh? What? That’s actually hard to do in a six game series.
Hahahaha that Tocchet playing 5D Chess man.
This is absolutely one of the worst games I have seen this season. I would love to say that some awesome offense was being negated by better defense, but I would be a filthy liar. These is straight up terrible to watch. Can we just play the King’s again?
“Dees iz straight up terrible” I fresh yous wuz from me turf in Staines.
Staines massive!
Brock Faber’s an interesting storyline that no one talks about. Frankly, HH must have lost a step if he hasn’t mentioned him yet.
He’s originally a second round pick from the unfortunate Athanasiou trade. He’s also notable for being from Holloway’s draft year. He had 8 goals and 47 points this past season. Last I heard, he was probably second in Calder voting.
If we keep playing six degrees of a Brock Faber, the Kings had included him with a first round pick to acquire Kevin Fiala.
George way back had posted something about the probability of a second round pick making it to the NHL. Unfortunately if you’re the Oilers, and you make a bad trade, the hockey gods often punish you twice.
I mentioned him quite awhile ago.
I don’t think the Kings knew what they had and moved him too soon but I don’t think anyone knew he would be an impact 1D right out of the box.
He was actually the Kings second 2nd round pick in that draft and many teams passed on him twice.
Shit happens.
Minnesota knew. They weren’t making the trade without him
They had THREE chances to draft him in 2020 but didn’t.
Why is that?
Just ribbing you here. 😆
Dom has his value at $6.2m. That was quite a pick.
The hockey gods sure have a sense of humour.
The Oilers trade a couple of 2nd rounders in a regrettable trade and of course one of those second rebounders turns into a 25 minute per game top pairing defender.
I would think a 21 year old #1 RHD is worth more than that.
Thing is, at the time of the trade, the Kings had a ridiculous collection of RD (still do) and thought they could move both Faber and Durzi for other needs.
Not every plan works out as intended.
“HH must have lost a step if he hasn’t mentioned him yet.”
You underestimate the time commitment it takes to monitor TransLink’s programmable sign usage on their buses.
Oilers have been pre scouting both Nashville and Vancouver before round 1 event started. Video guys putting together and going through video of regular season games. All ready for the coaching staff a few days ago. Coaching staff getting ready for both teams but won’t present anything to the players until the opponent is set.
The video coach just gouged out their own eyes watching this one. The tape is going to be destroyed or replacing the copy of The Ring
Video substitution of a dogs breakfast. Barf.
Some substantive intel from coach in some of the PK prep that Stuart put in. Interesting to listen to.
Link/source?
Just his regular post-practice media avail on all the regular places.
https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/1786470876151497018
Did anyone see the article on Draisaitll wanting to sign with Boston if we don’t win one before his contract is up?
https://bostonhockeynow.com/2024/05/01/boston-bruins-report-draisaitl-is-interested-in-playing-for-the-bruins/
He might want to. Thing is they absolutely cannot walk him to UFA. If he doesn’t sign this summer they have to trade him and take the king’s ransom
It would suck, but finding a good and proper deal wouldn’t be the end of the world. If it’s the Bruins – Zacha, Carlo and a 1st/prospect… or something, millions in cap left over. Move Ceci for more assets. Hockey goes on
I wouldn’t believe Laraque if my life depended on it. Full of B.S.
At the risk of tempting fate, I suspect this is true. McDavid and Draisaitl have such chemistry (both on and off the ice) that after the victory over the Kings, I find it hard to imagine that Draisaitl wouldn’t re-sign. Seven (and counting) playoff series in three years is better than most NHL teams, even than Boston (which clearly covets Drai). At this point, few other teams are better year-in-year-out contenders.
This is one of the most gratifying articles I have read in my time as an Oiler fan. Defensive greats from Patrice Bergeron to Guy Carbonneau rave about how the Oilers power play is near-unstoppable:
https://theathletic.com/5461431/2024/05/01/nhl-legends-oilers-power-play/
It’s one of – if not the most – amazing collection of offensive talent in NHL history. And I’m certain it’s the most fun to watch.
We’ve waited a long time for this.
The Bruins may be out in the first round two years in a row. The Oilers haven’t.
Sorry, this was actually in response to Moonlight and the Drai article
Welcome to BC.
@Bzubyk
Peak Eby BC moment.
“In a phone conversation with Daily Hive, a TransLink spokesperson explained that each bus can be programmed with only a limited amount of messages, and that “go Canucks go” wasn’t “inclusive” enough.”
Barf
Not sure why inclusive is in quotes, they specified who they didn’t want to exclude:
” ..and that “go Canucks go” wouldn’t include other local teams, like the Vancouver Whitecaps and BC Lions.”
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canucks-vancouver-translink-buses-go-team-go
It was even absent in 2015.
Would you suggest Edmonton Transit should not place Go Oilers Go on their buses because the Edmonton Elks might be offended?
I would suggest it’s up to whatever Edmonton Transit wants to put on their signs.
Why, are you suggesting transit systems shouldn’t be allowed to post what they want as part of their operational guidelines?
‘They’ aren’t a private enterprise, it’s not up to them. They serve the citizens, so what they want is what should happen
Russell Morgan, writer at Hockey Royalty has this from Kempe:
https://x.com/NHLRussell/status/1786448930559143962
The Kings went from disliking 1-3-1 to convincing themselves that boring hockey is good hockey, to talking about their dislike of 1-3-1 again.
Sounds like they were second, third and fourth guessing themselves. I think Doughty alluded to it and was right – they just didn’t have the horses.
Would rather spend any extra dollars upgrading 2RD than keeping Henrique.
There’s going to be a cheap vet out there who’s available and wants to win. Always is.
There are youngsters pushing.
There will be value trades.
Don’t chase or overspend on anyone based on playoff performance. Not Henrique. Not Desharnais. Not Foegele. No one. That’s the only way to keep things running in a capped league unfortunately.
Post playoff contracts are often among the worst
Smart player, but I would be real afraid of Henrique losing a step going forward. I’d much rather see Holloway in the top 6 next season.
I’d love to see Henrique stay for cheap and be our D.Ryan replacement. Doubtful though.
No Henrique or Kane at practice today.
No surprise with either of those, we know Kane is playing though an injury and Henrique went down the tunnel at least a few times in the last couple of games.
Rest up boys!
I’d like to add Rodrigue to this list. He might not be sure thing yet, goalies and voodoo and all, but he’s trending in the right direction. I could see him getting the backup to Skinner gig by the end of next season depending on how things break for goalie wise with Pickard signing a new contract, or, dare I say it with injuries occurring throughout the year.
with the henrique discussion it begs the question as to his potential to outperform his salary.
this season we had multiple players who played well above their paygrade.
bouchard
ekholm
desharnais
foegele
is henrique really going to take 2.5 or 3 mil to stick around?
I can see the following players exceeding their paygrade next season.
Bouchard.
ekholm.
Broberg.
Holloway.
But would it not be more beneficial to take a flyer on a bounce back candidate such as barret hayton who is younger, skates better, plays at a higher pace and had 43 points just a year ago?
A player like Hayton would be a great target, but at what cost? I don’t see Utah trading him for a 2nd rounder and odds n ends.
The Oilers don’t have much in the way of trade chips (that aren’t needed with the big club), and don’t have much cap space to sign free agents. It’s a bit of a mess really. The Oilers have a shortage of draft picks, prospects, cheap NHL players and cap space.
Ideally, Kulak or Ceci will return some kind of asset. They are really the only area of surplus the Oilers have. But I doubt they would get you Hayton.
i could see utah being interested in kulak. if u could work a trade around kulak/hayton with some other ancilliary pieces i can see it being beneficial
this is just me hmmming and hawing but i dont know if they view Derek ryan as part of the team for next season so i wonder if derek ryan would want to complete his career in Utah what with being a LDS member.
I’ll be curious how RFA Broberg is handled.
Considering he and his agent earlier expressed concern about his development path, I wonder if negotiations will be contentious.
You don’t have to hide behind the guise of curiosity.
We all know you want to see a reality where the Oilers lose Broberg for nothing.
That’s impossible since he is an RFA.
It doesn’t matter whether he is an RFA or not, because the only end scenario you want to see happen is that the Oilers, eventually, lose Broberg for nothing.
Just like you weren’t genuinely curious about Bouchard’s development or how he was handled, you simply just wanted to see the Oilers lose him for nothing after using a draft pick on him.
Negotiations will be easy.
Oilers issue the qualifying offer.
Broberg accepts the QO.
For me firstly Holland is gone upstairs somewhere (please) and his way should be gone with him. The argument for what type of players should be solely based on desired traits and hockey ability
Any capable GM should always use a younger player if they are as good or better. The league gets faster each season, and there aren’t a lot of slower teams getting very far in the important season
It’s good to have veteran experience and presence. But this team is not as fast as it should be. You could carry the rare birds Perry and Ryan as an extra for another season. But the top 9 needs more ability to bring pace more often as I see it. Leon needs a fast player with enough of a hockey brain to play with him regularly that isn’t CMD
The Oilers have a weird inability to have enough quality RS players. That is the need up front, still. Especially C. Debate rages about the RS back end
The GMs that have had the most success have a clear vision and actively pursue it. A few commentors here have shown this a few times for the last several Cup winners. I hope the new GM has a new vision and upgrades on some positions. And makes sure the players in the system know exactly what they need to do to have an NHL shot and work with them to get there. If Ralph needs some speed or better fitness get him with strong coaches, the rest is there now
I don’t want to a safe team of old UFA’s, many of whom are likely to under perform as jooks pointed out, or a stale team that struggles with pace and energy. Connor is wildly driven, and I think injecting some passion and creating competition suits the way things are for this team, Sather style. I think they need to up the assertiveness level, there are too many vanilla players. As with smart slow guys that you don’t want too many of, the same for competent unassertive types. It is an aggressive full contact sport
Good management practice hasn’t changed, even if the player types and rules have over the years
I said it from the start I think will see a double headed combo of Jackson-Coffey as our new G.M. No way Holland leaves the cupboards empty along with the likely Campbell and Brown money going straight into the pisser.
Buying out Campbell is a horrible idea. Every dollar is needed now. Spend assets and keep cap. Buying out means you struggle making deals IMO, the absolute easiest and unthinking option
I hate buyouts and believe Campbell is still a N.H.L capable netminder. In saying that once the Edmonton mob wants you out your goose is usually cooked in these parts.
When your favorite player is the back up goalie and the 21 year old ripping it up in the AHL you are always right but always disappointed.
You should poke around the contender rosters and see how few teams run anyone “young.”
Your fave GM in Vegas has nobody of consequence under 25.
Florida, Carolina, Colorado, Boston, not really. in fact only Dallas and maybe the Rangers use anyone under 25.
Meanwhile the Oilers have the 1A goalie, 1RD, 3C and 3LW all 25 and under.
Carolina, as an example, has 6 players 25 and under on their playoff roster including 1RW, 2RW, 3C, 3RW, 4C, and 2G
They also don’t have as many old fellas
I haven’t noticed any of the Oilers’ ‘old fellas’ being a problem.
The point was that the best teams don’t have many players under 25
To me following any narrative is a closed minded way to build. Holland likes proven regardless of age, there have been many out there over the last few years. Hockey teams that have the right coaches win because of the quality of the roster, the depth they can build under the cap, and the balance and environment they are able to create. Same as always
The cap going up doesn’t actually change cap pressure ‘over time’ because salaries escalate. You can get some real value like Drai’s contract, but that almost always happens on the first post ELC deal like his or MacKinnon’s
This is why I thought bridging Bouch was a very poor idea because it was obvious he would get a lot of points, and points are what get paid. A young offensive RD with size is always moveable if that was a concern. That is going to cost millions more that could have been used for depth. The cap is only a problem if you let it be or can’t make the needed transactions, which is another problem
Signing guys 27-29 includes the risk of decline (lowering relative cap value) for almost all players as that is past prime for F and D with goalies not far behind. Win now sure, but if keeping Ceci Foegele and Kulak in whatever combination was the only way that they thought they could win a Cup, so they had to bridge Bouch, I just don’t agree with that. All replaceable talent wise
You also have to take into account how top heavy you are. Colorado and the Oilers will be top heavy teams, so by definition they need depth players that are less on the cap. Vegas has 2 contracts over 9M and many with term left, and I don’t see anyone coming up for them that warrants more than that, so they can use more in prime players that are making ~3M or more
As I said having some low cost vets is good, but I’m not sure being amongst the oldest teams in the league is a good plan long term. I’d prefer to find and develop guys hitting their peak which is after a few years experience unless they aren’t actually that talented, which is not what you are trying to do
How do you get those young players? First develop everyone you have, run the farm well, draft well, trading players getting too expensive, finding undervalued players, players in the some coach’s doghouse, trading AHL players you don’t like before you completely devalue them and trying someone else, college, Europe – ear to the ground all the time. The Oilers haven’t done this all at one time in a long time. But they should, they have the money to
The win now narrative doesn’t work for the Oilers because of their top talent and having the human cheat code that other teams don’t have. Given relative health they should be pushing for many years more. It doesn’t even fit Holland’s narrative which is that you just put your hat in the ring as many times as possible and see what happens
Fully implying you can’t win it on demand. So changing a few non core and replaceable for less players up to keep the ongoing core as inexpensive as possible was equally as important as trying to win this year or next. Just not their way at the moment
Still a Holland basher. He’s made mistakes, name a GM that hasn’t. But, he’s still batting 1.000 in making the playoffs during his tenure. Get in the playoffs and you have a chance. What he’s built up to this year, his 5th, which most people say a GM deserves to see what he builds, is a Stanley Cup contender.
You point out things you think he did wrong, but offer up no reasonable alternatives that would make this team even better. Hindsight always improves our decision making.
Criticism is all well and good, and can be deserved. But, without knowing alternative directions, you still may be lost.
You might have missed the dozens of times I did. I also have given Holland his props. I hope and we all hope that he gets a nice big shiny parting gift from the boys
For a few names I thought Carrier, Dowd, Guentzel although he was of course a long shot. Addressing the areas needing help (RD, bottom 6 C, RW) widely written about here and all over the place
I find it hilarious when people choose Vancouver over Nashville as an opponent because of “motivation” or “revenge”. The same people wanted Vegas over LA.
Give me the easier opponent every time.
Is it ok to want Vancouver because Quinn Hughes is the mini-boss you train on before defeating the big-boss Makar?
Are Nashville the easier opponent though?
NHL Team Stats (moneypuck.com) – use this how you will, but both Nashville and Van seem to land in the “boring” quadrant in pretty much identical spots for all team metrics. Even goalie wise if it’s Demko for Round 2, he and Saros are similar levels of “good”.
Count me in the camp of considering both teams as worthy second round opponents and one not being any easier, or harder to play against, than the other. We need to beat whichever one wins that series.
The team that wins that series is the harder opponent by definition. The only worthwhile wish energy here is for the series to go to 7, with several long OT’s
Summer of Leon!
There’s no money for Henrique. Or Foegele. No money to go after Matt Roy or Alex Carrier. No money for a winger like Arvidsson or Marchessault or Toffoli.
The money is going to go to Connor Brown’s bonues next year, and will be reserved for the extension Leon is signing this summer.
I mean, you look at Leon excel in the playoffs, playing give-and-go with McDavid as they vanquish their enemies. You think he wants to sign for big money in Anaheim or Salt Lake?
The Oilers can’t sign non-core player to term because the money is committed to 29 & 97 & 2. Draisaitl will sign this summer and the framework will be in place for the others.
Laraque was running his yap out on the east coast that if the Oilers don’t make a deep run Draisaitl is looking at taking his talents to Boston.
I agree in not signing any of these middling players and giving Draisaitl his worth. Hope it all plays out that way.
George has denied and followed up saying his comments were taken out of context – for what it’s worth.
I’ve always liked Big Georges, but his track record in prognostication seems to have a negative correlation with actual results. When it comes to future roster predictions, I am definitely going “opposite Georges”…
Brown bonus – $3.45M
Campbell buyout – $1.1M
Neal buyout – $1.9M
That’s $6.45M in dead cap.
It adds up fast and makes it important not to repeat those errors.
PLD the savoir.
If, as expected, PLD is bought out his cap hit next season would be $1.6M.
Combined with Ivan Provorov cap retention of $2M and the never ending Mike Richards payout of $600K, the Kings would have dead cap of $4.2M.
Coincidentally, Victor Arvidsson is on a expiring contract of $4.2M and given his injury history it’s highly probable the Kings don’t re-sign him.
The Kings have several cheap options to replace him including Alex Turcotte, Akil Thomas and Samuel Fagemo who scored 43 goals in 50 AHL games this season.
Their only major contract renewal this offseason is RFA Quinton Byfield and of course they need to find a better solution in goal but have close to $20M in cap space to solve that and deal with a number of lower end RFAs
ummm HH. what about matt roy? is he not notable?
what about the goaltending position.
with byfield being so good as you often claim i assume he is getting 6+
a goaltending tandem should run about 6-8 mil.
Roy Is about to turn 30 so him returning will depend on his ask.
I imagine, since Byfield is just 21, they will bridge him…say at $4M.
Not a chance they need to spend that much on goaltending.
There are more than 70 free agent goalies available and the Kings have a built in back up option in Eric Portillo in Ontario.
2024 NHL Free Agents (spotrac.com)
Sort by goalies. 72 if you include the RFA goalies. (in which case Swayman is in the list, he’s the best option available but will want paid).
If it’s UFA only you get 36. Of the 36, taking a quick scan through the best options who aren’t injured to death are:
Samsonov (will want paid more than $3.55 mill most likely)
Cam Talbot (why wouldn’t they bring him back?)
Brossoit (excellent backup, but never really ran as a starter)
Martin Jones
Nedeljkovic
Reimer
Stolarz
Rittich (again, his numbers are better than most on this list, why not bring him back?)
Pickard
The RFA goalies have the issue of being RFAs. The UFA pool, maybe not quite as deep as they would like.
I’d seriously consider running back Talbot and Rittich if I was them.
Side note, I asked AI to tell me who the best free agent goalies are and it provided me with this:
Matt Murray – yes.
Driedger – I liked him a lot, shame about the injuries.
Swayman – surely Boston try and keep him.
Hart – ehhhhhh.
Kahkonen – decent in Minny, bad times in San Jose (how much was the Sharks), decent in NJ, but surely they’re signing him seeing as they traded for him?
Why are we discussing the Kings; go take it to a Kings fan board.
This is an Oilers fan board and we could not care less about the salary structure of the team our guys just beat in the first round of the playoffs.
That’s very impressive, but remember he’s 24 and still in the AHL. Players still in the AHL at 24 who put up that many points generally have some issues in their game. He might not be quite as plug and play as you think. Remember Tyler Benson here.
Yes, he must have defensive issues since he hasn’t been called up but comparing him to Benson is a stretch.
Benson’s best goal scoring season was 15 goals.
The point with Benson is he’s a near point a game player with the Condors, that did not translate to the NHL. Fagemo has shown nothing so far in his NHL stints with the Preds and Kings.
I would take Ekholm’s best friend Victor Arvidsson off L.A’s hands for a cool 1.2 million next year, Foegele problem solved.
Heck of a player when healthy but has had back surgery twice in the last two seasons but might be worth a gamble.
It can work, I’ve done it several times at CF. Holland wouldn’t do it because he is not aggressive enough and over pays regardless, and doesn’t like changing players, he said as much
But it would take shaking things up. I prefer that to not improving, every time, and there are places to improve, there are many good and supported pieces out there saying where and why. Especially in sports if you’re not moving forwards you are moving backwards, there is no stasis point
You did it on CF, so it works. Great. Oh, Holland won’t because he’s not aggressive enough. Real world GM’ing isn’t anything like doing it on CF.
I see pros and cons for playing each of Vancouver or Nashville.
Pros to Nashville – Oilers have owned them over the years, Oilers are simply a better team (this is a similar type matchup to LA), Oilers would have home ice advantage, start time for the game might be a bit earlier
Pros to Vancouver – easier travel for the team, I think the Oilers remember the beginning of the year and would love the opportunity to crush them and would come out very strong (i.e. remember Drai at the all-star game talking about wanting to beat the Nucks because “they slapped us around?) and I think their top end players are super banged up (Hughes and Petersson).
In any event, I would LOVE this to go 7 games.
If the Nucks finish it tonight, the series likely starts Tuesday but if it goes 7, with game 7 being on Sunday, it might still start Tuesday but Wed at the latest and that won’t be much rest for either team.
tho speaking of ‘ownership,’ Canuckles kinda have powned the Oil this season.
I put little stock in regular season matchups having meaning for the playoffs. Exhibit A: Avs vs Jets.
Agreed. Exhibit B was our resident troll saying how great LA was doing at home in the last 10 games of the regular season (9-1 in last 10) prior to Game 3. Lot of good it did in the post-season.
That’s why you play the games.
POW.
Jack Adams finalists announced and no Knoblauch!
KK guided the Oilers to 46 wins and 97 pts in 69 game. #1 in the entire NHL over that span (84.1% of the season).
Brunette (NSH) had a full 82-game season to get 47 wins and 99 pts.
KK should have at least been nominated!
Squeaking your team in to a WC with a Norris candidate on the team is a little disingenuous. After the start the Oilers had, and the very clear change in how the Oilers played after he took over. Though that may have more to do with Coffey.
One never wants your teams coach nominated for the Adams or winning it.
No surprise here – its almost impossible for a coach of a team with high expectations to win this award (even one that took over for an underperforming team).
This award isn’t really for a coach but for the team that most exceeds pre-season expectations.
I think I may have been the first one to comment on that story.
I like Henrique, I think his versatility, veteran presence and calm and responsible play has really helped the team and, of course, created depth.
I would like to have Henrique back but, of course, that decision can’t be made in isolation and ALL contract decisions need to be made with a view to their cap impact going forward, mainly starting in the 2025/26 season when the extension for both Drai (apx $13.5MM) and Bouchard (apx $9.5MM) kick in.
A youth movement isn’t in the name of a rebuild for me but in the name of sustaining the current window and having it be open during the course of the next contracts for McDavid and Drai.
A youth movement equates to young players making impacts and outperforming their cap hits which is going to be key to keeping that cup window open of years.
Henrique at 36 years old in a season and a half at, say $4MM, is no conducive, in my opinion – as much as I like the player and person.
I think I may have been the first one to comment on that story.
Congrats!
Thank you – I appreciate your supports and your logging in just to provide it.
I don’t think the Oilers are in any position to sign Henrique or Foegele for 3 or 4 million. Unless they are willing to sign a 1 year deal.
In the summer of 25 Draisaitl and Bouchard will need new contracts. In the summer of 26 it’s McDavid and Skinner. If the Oilers are keeping all these guys they need to save their pennies.
Also, Henrique is slow and getting slower. I think the footspeed of some Oilers forwards is going to be challenged as the playoffs move along.
As for Foegele, I think we’ve seen his peak, and there are still some glaring warts in his game. Big guy, good straight away speed with a great shot (when he doesn’t fan on it). But he still has stone hands, poor edges, and makes some really bad decisions with the puck in neutral ice. For 3 or 4 million the Oilers should look for an upgrade.
I know I’m getting way, way ahead of myself here, but if the Oil meet the Avs in the conference final, I don’t think Henrique can play on the top line. He’s too slow. I would put McLeod there. He’s good defensively and fast. I’m sure they will load up with Drai though.
The resigning of Foegele depends highly on the play of Dylan Holloway. As for Henrique, they should sign him to a 1-year deal somewhere between 1 & 2 M.
when the smoke clears I doubt Foegs is still an Oiler, and I say that both with an appreciation of what he brings to the ice and an understanding of how welcome he is in that dressing room.
Agreed and I would like player upgrades whenever possible. There are a few players that aren’t quite good enough for the expectations now
Almost all NHL players are ‘fast’ if you give them enough ice. With Drai Nuge and Kane in the top 6 that’s enough players without a strong first step for me. Get more strong skaters, it would make a difference
Connor McDavid: ‘Rest is a weapon at this time of year’.
Flight Times
Edm – Nashville: 4:01
Edm – Van: 1:31
Den – Dal: 1:36
Den – Vegas: 1:52
I believe that the Oilers will beat either VAN or NSH is a 7-game series. However, to be in the best shape for the 3rd round, VAN is the choice for a few reasons.
Shortest commute time
No customs
Goalie issues
Pettersson 2024 Regular Season: 0.42 goals per game / 1.09 pts per game vs 2024 Playoffs: 0.00 goals per game / 0.40 pts per game
Probably better ice (due to temp and humidity issues)
Therefore: GO VAN GO
While I fully agree with all of your sound points in principle, I cannot and will not ever find it in my heart to cheer for Van for any reason other than a game vs the Flames. Go Preds go!
Your point is valid and accepted!
However, if NSH wins G6, you will have to decide if your love for the Oilers is greater than your hatred for the Canucks. Good luck and let us know.
Oilers will probably be more motivated to defeat the Kanucks, after their embarrassing performances against them during the regular season. I’d rather watch that, than a series against the Preds.
I would guess drinking the sweet taste of champagne from the greatest trophy in professional sports, is quite enough motivation.
Is the journey not part of it?
It’s all of it.
Short or long flight hops are for both teams. Van/ Nash on extended first round, so rest advantage is to Oilers. This year Oilers have more success with Nash, so that would be my choice.
Yes, the travel and all that is the same for both teams in the series but the less travel., etc. the better for the next series, right?
Could be – variables are hard to predict. One might play harder than the other which also may be a factor. Or as Devils Lettuce states below.
Of course, the opponent is the primary factor but, talking purely with respect travel, my point was that while there is no advantage within a series, the less/easier the travel the better going in to the next round.
Draisaitl walks around like he’s packing Klim Kostin when he plays the Nashville Predators.
25 goals 17 assists in 26 games.
Give me Draisaitl with 13 points in 5 games eliminating the Predators.
Draisailt is the real Mayor of Nashville. Selfishly would love to see that match up as I’ll be able to get to the games.
But regardless of who we play, I’d like to see Van v Nash go 7 games. Let them each beat on each other and take another long flight. It accumulates over time.