This is the projected depth chart for the Oilers forwards in the time leading up to the 2016-17 season. The top three centers remain, the rest are either cast about the NHL or have left the league and or game of hockey. That version of the Oilers was a fine one, with this group added to a defense that included Oscar Klefbom, Adam Larsson, Andrej Sekera and a young Darnell Nurse. I think that 2016-17 team was one of Edmonton’s best teams since 1990. I believe the current one is better.
JUST OUT OF REACH
Along with my love of the Bruins, Seals and later Oilers, I have collected a group of teams that I hold dear as the ‘just out of reach of my two open arms’ teams that could have, should have, won Stanley but were denied.
The early 1970’s Chicago Blackhawks (Stan Mikita, Tony Esposito) and New York Rangers (Jean Ratelle, Brad Park) gave way to what might be my favourite team of all time, the mid-70’s Buffalo Sabres. I wish Don Luce, Craig Ramsay and Danny Gare would have won a Stanley with all of my heart. In the early 1980’s, the Minnesota North Stars (Gilles Meloche, Bobby Smith, Dino Ciccarelli) gave way to the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers of that decade. Brian Propp should have won a championship. If there was an honorary Stanley like there are honorary Oscars he should be first in line.
Those teams will live forever in my memory, as bittersweet evidence that this beautiful game will tear your heart out every spring. Those clubs, those men, were winners with no championships, kings with no crowns. I’ve tried to convince people to get behind pennants, the idea that appearing in a final represents a supreme accomplishment. It will not happen in my lifetime.
The 2006 Oilers belong in that pantheon of vanquished teams. The current Oilers are writing their story as we speak, but have not yet reached the level of the Chris Pronger-Ryan Smyth 2006 group.
Saying that may cause another round of rage about mismanagement and ridiculous signings and trades, and I get it, I understand. That was yesterday, and yesterday’s gone. It’s time to dream baby dream. I just want to see your smile. I just want to see you smile. I just want to see you smile. Come on, dream baby dream.
We are live today, noon to 2pm, at Edmonton Kubota on 156 street. Sports 1440 will be there live all day, and would love to see you pop in. We’ll have Steve Lansky from BigMouthSports and Tyler Yaremchuk from Daily Faceoff to help preview tonight’s huge game. 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?
Great idea!
https://twitter.com/Woodguy55/status/1789163418953683175
Management has to move heaven and earth to keep Draisaitl on his next contract. He is absolutely unreal in the playoffs. My goodness what a special player.
by the bye:
Biggest most obvious stacking of the Glimmers (& Co.) for some time.
LT called it.
Ekholm and Bouchard are just insane….
Lots of hockey left. My wife would prefer I was not at home watching these games… “letting the explitives fly”
KK with interesting comment about why LD on the top line – very candid about putting him on the wing to protect him, then being unable to break them up because of their dominance while realizing that he clearly did not need to be protected.
Makes it seem like he’s going to go back to Drai on line 2 next game. Which is likely a good thing. However, maybe he’ll be less stubborn about that power line. I think we should see them out after 1-2 TV time outs, some key icings, and after a PK. Maybe I’m crazy, but they give such a boost with their O zone presence, either creating chances or wearing down the D
The comments section are so
much more enjoyable after a win.
Winchester out
If you think this place is bad, you should be in the chat with my sons. Non-stop crapping on the Oilers for three hours. I say nothing. Then Bochard scores and I finally post….. “Are you not entertained?”. All good from that point!
In the home games Oilers need to find a way to take the load off the McDrai line. If Drai can handle it, split them up. But the other lines need to do more. If the Oilers play McDrai 30 minutes a game they’ll burn out.
Yep.
HNIC keeps commenting on it…..
Whipping McDrai
Meanwhile…
Janmark 9 mins ice
Ryan 7 minutes
Holloway 6 minutes
Holloway earned more ice time for the next game.
Expect we might see Holloway McLeod and Janmark.
Connor took way to many crosschecks,
but little Huggy got squashed. He wants to just stay home now.
Ekholm’s interview response about Draisaitl tonight was insightful.
I know he said he and his family are moving back to Sweden post retirement but I hope he sticks around and either joins the coaching staff or broadcast booth. He and Jack would be a great listen!
Derrick Ryan plays so well in his few minutes. He wins almost every small battle. He gave up one tip in front and was mad at himself.
And the little stick he gave to the player formerly known as Garland was sneaky as hell.
It wasn’t sneaky as hell.
he got called for it.
it could have been much much sneakier.
stupid penalty from a fourth liner imo.
I missed that! I was only gone for a minute, I didn’t catch that call dang it.
He blatantly nutted the guy. Wasn’t it Hughes? Two minutes well-spent IMO. Not sure how you make it sneakier though…
Nope Garland.
It was Hoglander. And it was right after Hoglander cross checked Ryan so the penalties kinda cancelled each other out
It was on Hoglander. It was retaliatory and he got nailed for it. At least they both went, because Hoglander wasn’t going without that cup check. It
may have, I really don’t know, opened the eyes to the subtle interference.
All Derek Ryan ever does is everything you ask of him.
I wonder where his instructions to rearrange Garlands testicles came from?
“Just trying to play my best game coach”
lol. point.
Bouchard has been amazing all playoffs so far.
Tocchet oozes smarts. Feel like our d could take that advice too. Skate with it. When our team gets into trouble it is often due to what To Chet is saying. Don’t just flip it out. Skate it out, open up the ice, then pass it.
Yeah The Canucks would not be where they are without him.
Tocc yapping about slew foots after the team systematically mauled 97 all game and had a dangerous trip after his goal.
Maybe tell Z to not flop after you said how much you hate diving.
Kane had one on tiny quinn.
Calling him a hypocrite, not disputing.
Yes, yes, coach, there was a couple slewfoots. I didn’t love them but it wasn’t even enough to cancel out 5,000 punishing crosschecks.
Tocchet is the first coach I’ve heard who seems to realize how bad an idea it is to flip the puck out of the zone instead of controlling the puck.
Good on him.
The last Oiler defenseman to score an overtime playoff goal was Lee Fogolin in 1985.
Wowzers. Thank you CHED.
50 Glenn Anderson goals, the Marc Lamb goal and Todd Marchant inbetween?
Gretzky… Tikkanen…Pisani… Jarret Stoll
But none of these guys are Dmen.
I want to say Gregg and Ruotsalainen both did it.
Randy pretty sure, Reja less sure.
Great win. I’m taking Ceci out next game. He is completely unable to make a play right now. He is literally on for every Vancouver goal.
Agreed. Stecher in for Ceci. See how he handles it.
I thought Vinny struggled the most. Couldn’t make an outlet pass to save his life.
Vinny didn’t break though. Ceci usually breaks.
People were calling the ‘Nucks G1 win “character”. The Oilers showed in G2 what a character win actually looks like.
McDavid’s interview “which rote speech do you want me to give you?”
A lucky bounce to win for the Oil but A LOT has broken right for Vancouver for the first couple games.
The Oilers have only had 4 powerplays, one of which was only few seconds before a soft call on Hyman (still 50%, 2/4). Skinner has given up at least 3 real stinkers. Draisatl misses a substantial part of Game 1, and his not himself in the 3rd.
Getting the split is a backbreaker for Canucks.
Backbreaking
I think this. Weird game one, tight game tonight. But that loss was tough on Vancouver at home. It feels like a difference maker.
Yup. Again I put myself in the shoes of outgunned Oil squads coming up short against The Contenders when first there’d been some daylight.
Checking the fancies, Ekholm is a Viking king. Henrique, shaking off the rust is putting it charitably.
He has been fantastic!
There should be songs written about one-legged playoff Leon.
‘Leon wears his war wounds like a crown.”
First beat of the Canucks this season.
About damn time
Took KK his third game to clear the hill Woody faltered on but he cleared it.
How can we clone Ekholm and Bouchard.
97-29 perfomance to remember for a long time.
Polymerase Chain Reaction? Caution, the quality reduces with each replication, after n iterations may end up with Nurse Ceci.
LOL
This is hilarious!
Is Evan Bouchard the best value contract in the NHL?
Haven’t heard much from Craig Button lately. Would love to hear his take on Bouch now!
Woooooooooooooooooooooo Bouchard haters, already in shambles, now in smithereens! We will take you in, piece you back together, and put you on Oakville’s Finest Bandwagon!
He didn’t closely cover Boeser on his goal/tip.
No. McDavid’s contract will always be the best value contract in the league, regardless of what he gets paid. After that? Yes. I’d also suggest Draisaitl too.
McDavid is Gandalf. Leon is The King of Men. Nuge is Legolas. Hyman is Gimli. Bouchard is Frodo. Ekholm is Samwise. Kane is Gollum, y’all hate him and he’s a menace but he’s part of the story too 🙂
We just saw The Battle at Helm’s Deep, McDavid/Gandalf at the top of the mountain at dawn, everyone’s heads turning, and then it’s all white flashing lights and a bunch of dead orcas.
GO OILERS
I see what you did there with the orcs. Nice. McDavid: “You have my quick hands.” Leon: “You have my one good leg.” Nuge: “You have my pubescent strength.” Hyman: “You have my dogged determination.” Bouchard: “You have my Bouch bomb.” Ekholm: “You have my
regular seasonplayoff beard.” Kane: “You have my fists.” Skinner: “You have my…um…er…um…I’m trying my best, man!”But…who is Sam if not Samwise?
Ek’s gotta be a Rider or Faramir or something.
Mushed Peas and Our Edmonton Operation getting deep into the lore and I am here for it!
Rob Brown:
Finally in the 3rd the bottom 9 won a period (and continued in OT)
The fortitude to stick with it and find another gear in the third and overttime was Amazing!!
Totally dominated with the high pressure attack!
That has to be our game plan against these guys!
Great to get the win, if only to shut up all the crap I’ve seen on the internet.
Can’t wait to hear the crowd on home ice!!!
Slay that dragon!!!
Great game by Drai. Great shift by Holloway right before the GWG.
They should start Pickard Sunday.
They won’t. But they should.
Absolute last thing they should do. That would be near-on a firing offense I’d say. Keenan level of playing with the goalie’s heads.
Can’t imagine that will happen.
Oil have found out how to rely on Skins. Don’t let the other team get any shots!!!
Yeah.
Broke a five game losing streak…
When the Spell is Broken
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dk2G0yCvR8
The team scoring first in the LA series won every game.
The team scoring first in this series has lost both games so far.
Four shots allowed after the Zadorov goal
We saw the fourth gear fro our guys tonight
Not a pretty split, but will.take it. Surely Skinner is done with softies? Time to refresh the bottom six. Maybe swap in stretcher for Vinny or ceci
Go home and burn the tape, baby!!!
WOOOOOOOOOTTTT!!!!!!
Why would you burn the tape of the 3rd and OT? That’s exactly how I want the team to play.
Draisaitl is an all time great, Playoff Leon is once upon a time stuff.
“Fourth in a Lifetime..! “
Gretz Mario Leon McD
fewest games to whatever number. doesn’t matter. there’s more coming.
It’s a scramble, everybody buzzing. Leon gets possession and just holds it, looking for a play.
The collective Vancouver says “oh f*ck”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWv-9AIW7eE
Excellent
Two shaky games by Skinner but the Oilers got the slit and fully deserved the win tonight – dominated the entire third and OT.
Skinner just has to get better.
It’s in his head. He looks nervous and jittery in high pressure situations. Can tell by his movements early in the game if we are getting Good Skinner or Bad Skinner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wO7wpIkTSnQ
Bieksa talking about 97-29’s rest… I was going to post before Boosh’s goal but it happened too fast, how proud I was of Holloway for staying out there once they got the puck back to the OZone. That’s where a big chunk of the break come from. I wasn’t thinking about that but Holloway’s confidence in an OT situation. Either way, worked out well.
The Power Line won this game. F off Lotto line.
What did Bieksa say?
That they had sat for over two and half minutes and had jump as soon as they got on the ice.
1-3-4 for #29.
The legend grows.
Just think if he was healthy!
Great win, just not an encouraging one. Need way more from the rest of the roster. Fully expect K to retool. Glad to see Stu stick out the W.
Thing is every coach since and until the end of time is going to go with money guys together when a win is necessary. Can’t win long term that way but can go back to more even ice time and lines next game. Needed this one.
Oh my god I never want to watch that hockey game again holy shit
hUge win.
Great pressure Oilers. Got a lucky one from continuous pressure
What an awful play by Cole…..
Yeah, he’s having a tough series.
He’s been noticeably bad around his net both games
More please.
Amazing what happens when you just get it to net!
Never in doubt. Dominant 3rd period and OT. We deserved this.
It’s not only Vancouver that can get a lucky bounce.