We haven’t had much time to discuss things this spring. The Oilers have been winning and moving on at an impressive clip, and we’re not that far from the draft. I haven’t done much in that area, but do have the top-10 overall for you today, and will update on a regular basis until I hit 125 names. That needs to happen by draft day, so gird your loins if you care about the draft and my numbers. They are based on projections and I’ll have a few surprises based on some of the rankings I’ve seen.
I also want to talk about the Oilers future general manager today. That’s the lead story.
COFFEY TIME?
Back in the late 2010’s, Paul Coffey was a “skills coach” for the Edmonton Oilers. It was a role that lasted just a couple of seasons. New management came in, the thrust of the organization moved in a different direction, and Coffey landed on Team Canada’s Spengler Cup team in 2019-20. After that, crickets until this season.
Jeff Jackson’s arrival as CEO has been followed by several moves that indicate the way forward under new management. Names of note include Coffey, Rick Pracey, Kris Knoblauch, Michael Parkatti plus (recently) Kalle Larsson.
Ken Holland’s time as general manager is ending this summer based on all indicators. That leaves a major office to fill, and there are multiple candidates in hockey ops who will likely be considered. Some of the top candidates:
Brad Holland, whose arrival in Edmonton coincided with some top flight free agent and trade acquisitions. If the Oilers do things in an orderly fashion, he would be the logical choice to take over. Seriously. He has both the hockey background and an understanding of analytics. I don’t know the inner workings of the Oilers front office obviously, but if the elder Holland exits, my guess is most of the betting money would be on his son.
Keith Gretzky is AGM and general manager of the Bakersfield Condors. While on the job in that role, names like Evan Bouchard, Stuart Skinner, Ryan McLeod, Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg have made their way to Edmonton. I think he’s done a fine job, the issue (for me) is lack of draft picks over these years and (until recently) very few undrafted free agent signings. Even there, the club has signed names like Noah Philp, who I believe has an NHL future.
Paul Coffey’s bio and photo is right next to Jeff Jackson’s on the Oilers hockey ops page. It is here. I think he might be the next general manager of the Edmonton Oilers. It’s absolutely an Oilers style hire. If Edmonton wins the Stanley this month, owner Daryl Katz is going to want to reward the people who got them there. Hell, Peter Pocklington bought the entire team black Porsche’s in 1987 (I think it was 1987) when they won it all. I can see Paul Coffey as the next general manager of the Edmonton Oilers.
THE 10 BEST PLAYERS IN THE 2024 DRAFT
There are some fantastic talents here. Celebrini will go No. 1 and I believe Ivan Demidov will be second, but for me there are three elite-level defensemen above him. That doesn’t include Anton Silayev, who I have later on my list (No. 11) but the big 6.07 blue is highly regarded and considered by some to be close to NHL ready. The third forward off the board will be Berkly Catton, a helluva prospect, or Konsta Helenius who is already a regular in the Liiga. Expect defensemen to dominate the top 10 draft selections.
At noon today, the Lowdown hits the air on Sports 1440. Daniel Nugent-Bowman at The Athletic will be one of our guests, and we’ll be heavy on Oilers talk and the Stanley Cup final. Also some Elks and Jays chatter and we’ll make sure to keep you updated on any roster news from Edmonton or Sunrise. 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?
The puck iQ numbers for Barkov, Forsling, Reinhart, and Ekblad are scary.
McDavid is going to have to go super saiyan.
How were you able to post that GIF of McDavid!?
Question for the group: outside of the Fab five, and Skinner, who is your MVP for the Oilers? Al, maybe you can write an article about it!
Sounds like you are asking who the 7th best player is?
I am not even sure who your fab 5 is (maybe I am not paying attention): McD, Drai, Nuge, Bouch, Hyman, Ekholm. Whichever of those players who is NOT in your fab 5, is the the MVP of the rest.
Can someone explain to me what ticket presale before general public tix? Is that season ticket holders?
Just watching analysis of the SCF on the NHL network, it becomes apparent a lot of the slant towards FLA is based on Eastern media’s lack of familiarity with Western teams and subsequent biases.
There’s a fair amount of ignorance flowing in some of their comments. Stuff that doesn’t add up beyond pushing Oilers yesteryear reputations.
Absolutely agree. They have no idea whatβs coming.
Interesting tidbit (I thought) with all the talk about Florida’s physicality and the problems it might pose for the Oilers.
If you can believe it, the Panthers were outhit in each of their three series so far.
Hits/60:
FLA 51.9
TBL 55.7
BOS 47.7
FLA 43.2
NYR 36.9
FLA 34.9
To me it’s obvious FLAs success is based on their aggressive systems play. They’re basically doing what the Oilers adopted under Knoblauch at a consistently elite level.
For some reason the media ignores system play and champions things like depth and hitting.
The depth and hitting doesn’t scare me at all. The finals experience neither. The systems play though, thats a real threat that could pose problems
Yeah but… Tkachuk and Bennett!
How will the Oilers respond to these 2 guys who they have played against within their division for many years?!
HOW?!
Well Greg Cote from the Miami Herald says that the Oilers have no answer for Bennett. So…. I guess we won’t? If only we had some good players…..
Perhaps a function of having the puck more?
I just realized that I’ll be in Edmonton on the 21st… date of game 6. I’ve never felt so conflicted in my life, so I cheer for a sweep or 5 game series win, or get greedy and hope for a 6th game that I can be in the city to bear witness! Ugh!
Also… it’s crazy, the last year I lived in Edmonton before moving to North Carolina, was 2006 and suffering that heartbreak first hand and not having been back home in almost a decade, the serendipitous feeling of being back home for reason that are not hockey related is not being lost upon me. I can’t even. β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
A lot of talk about FLAs depth. Is this a misnomer for them being a solid systems play team? The stats don’t support any significant depth advantage.
Players over 100pts
EDM 2 Fla 0
Players over 60pts
EDM 5 Fla 4
Players over 20 goals
EDM 5 Fla 5
** Oil have two more at 18
Dmen over 30pts
EDM 3 Fla 3
5 on 5 over 30pts
EDM 9 Fla 6
Meghan Chayka
@MeghanChayka
The Panthers and Oilers enter the Cup Final ranked 1st and 2nd in expected goal and scoring chance differential per game since the postseason began..
https://x.com/MeghanChayka/status/1797742286597689771
(click link for graphic)
Thanks for taking the time to post that
xGF means nothing now
Itβs all GF%
Also, Chakykas are horrifically self serving and I wish to never hear of them again in a hockey related manner
Spelled wrong
Actually they disgust me
Did they shoot your dog or something?
Yes
I’m curious how this compares to past years.
Seems kind of intuitive that xG% during the playoffs would correlate quite closely with the teams that won more games than they lost during the playoffs.
Duh, yeah, that post is in ‘dog bites man’ territory (unshot dog, of course)
Good gord this team looked good in games 4&5. If they play like that, they can beat anyone. Obv key lies with Stu and his new found resilience.
It was quite the breath of fresh air to play Dallas, a team that tries to beat you with skill. That was a very very clean series. Against Fla, itβll be the complete opposite. Bennet & Turtle are scumbags-first kind of players.
Remember when Bennet tried to be a skilled player that did it all between whistles? You donβt, because he was completely irrelevant during that period of his career. I really hope the Oil dress a heavy lineup and take no shit between whistles. Darnel needs to drink a bowl of blood (but not throw hits out of position),
The Oilers need to make them pay early and often on the pp and then the scumbagness should lessen some.. the pp dominance is absolutely the BEST deterrent to playing dirty. Hope we have decent refereeing.. wasnβt bad last series.
This, and the Oilers arenβt overmatched like the PantHers first two series, or not willing to battle like their third
We donβt know health, but Iβm not sure we need to be worried bcs they finish checks and have an A Hole and a psycho. If you want a cup you decide how itβs going to go
Except that first game against Dallas where they had 5 PP to our 1 (a completely obvious ‘too many men’ call on Dallas the refs HAD to call)
I posted this lower and am curious if others agree (or i might be just blowing smoke which is totally possible)
I wonder if the “depth” argument is the counter to the oilers?
You cant hype any team having anything to compare to mcdavid and draisaitl… soooo they go with the “depth” argument.
Additionally. This goes with “balance”. In theory:
Balance would mean no extremes.
That means no exteme at either end. Elite or poor. The most balanced team would have all 2nd liners, all 2nd pair dmen, Zero superstars. I think this is what makes the oilers seem like they dont have depth, or balance…
Foegle looks like a meh on edmonton because of the top end elite talent. When you place a 15 or 20 goal scorer beside the oilers top 5… they seem mundane and “poor”. Call it the hot friend affect…
Do teams like edmonton, colorado, Pittsburgh (previously) have this affect. Teams with generational or top 5 tallents have this perception? Whereas a dallas, vegas, Winnipeg seem to have more depth and balance because they dont?
Just my theory.
Thoughts.?
I think itβs media folks looking for narratives to drive interest
As for Foegele, 20 goals is great but he has low hockey sense and gets scored on
It only matters if you outscore when itβs important
Taylor Baird
@taylordbaird
Dallas Stars forward Joe Pavelski says βthis is it for me.β Says itβs not official official, but said it was known for a long time that this was his last go. βPlan is not to play next season.β
I actually felt a twang of feeling very sad for little Joe as he was sitting on the bench when Oilers were up 2-0 in game 6. I had to navigate that feeling against elation my Oil were up but Pavelski represents the hardworking underdog.. kind of Ryan Smythish. Sad to see his career end.
And always a classy guy.
If only that class would rub off on people that have none. π
Guy brings up dog shooting (see above) and somebody down votes about a lack of class… heard.
Now my comment feels extra good. π€£π€£π€£β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
It was either the semi project Dobson are the good to go Bouchard the point magnet specialist who could walk a tightrope on the PP the way Larry Murphy did do graciously. I called Evan a poor manβs Larry Murphy before the cool kids got a hold of it.
I will be retracting that comparison when Beiska went on and on about how upright Evan plays it finally clicked in βBouchard is Guy Lapointeβ βFinkle is Einhornβ
Larry Murphy never had the big slapper a young Guy Lapointe had a fricking bullet for a slapshot. Murphy was never physical Bouchard has added physicality to his game just as Lapointe was a warrior.
Go back and watch a young Guy Lapointe blast accurate slap shots and tell me Bouchard doesnβt look like him.
I think Bouch looks way better. Lapointe had a pretty big nose and a bad haircut.
I would make a comment about his nose but the refs are sensitive and I donβt want to go to the sin bin this close to glory. Lapointe scored 28 goals in 80 games in 1974-75 with a missile of a shot. I do think Bouchard has 22-25 goal season in him but 28 is going to be hard to reach.
Just before he left the Leafs, the Tor faithful would boo Murphy so hard because he looked way too nonchalant with the puck. They wanted every player to pump their kegs like Dougie or Wendel. Then Larry went to Det and played opposite to Lidstrom. And produced.
Iβm glad that Oilers management stuck with Bouche. Heβs a rare gem.
The Athletic with a series analysis, showing the Oilers better in most ways (like Power Winds does) but still leaning to the PantHers. Perfect.
In reality, both teams are evenly matched. A huge part of hockey is luck, and goalering. So really, who the hell is to say what will happen?
IMO these teams play in such different contexts, there is a high degree of variance. I could see a multiple-OT 7 game series. I could see a blowout.
I honestly see McDavid going cosmic super-nova and willing the first and/or game winning goal every game. He had that look – and the moves early in G6 against Dallas to allow the rest of the team to carry the win. He’s been waiting for this moment since he first put on skates as a little tyke….
Power “winds” you say.
Rough day on the ivories
When asked for an update on Kane today, coach says he doesn’t expect him to skate tomorrow (I don’t believe they skated today) but hopeful he will skate Friday (tomorrow is a long travel day) and play in game 1.
Not much different than the verbal on Henrique when he was out in between series (and he just never started skating….. for a while).
I do anticipate Kane will play on Sat.
I like the Oilers in 5 games.
If the Oilers play their best games, and I know its hard to play at that level all the time, but their best game is way to much for the Panthers to handle.
To note, please Oilers, not that sit back defend the lead type of heart attack game! Id much prefer the clean exits, play in the other teams end, offensive pressure type of game.
I see no reason the Oilers can’t play their best game, they have all the tools, roster, coaching and recipe to win.
Ekholm looked to me like he was fading as the Dallas series went along. If it’s because he’s older, the extra break until the finals (and 3 days between some games) will help him a lot.
Crazy reporter in Miami says McDavid is overrated blah blah blah. I guess he literally never watches him play. One of his reasons is because McDavid never won a cup.
But if the Oilers win a couple cups in his time is he the best ever? Iβve seen Gretzky and Orr. I seen Howe in his last years but not his prime. Iβd have to really give that some thought. I still think I might lean to Gretzky.
Very hard question to answer and not sure what methods that adjust for different eras show, but somewhere recently (maybe here) someone posed this hypothetical: what could McD do against smaller goalies with skimpier gear and much weaker defense systems. If he scored 153 in the modern era, what does he do in the 80s? And what does he do with Messier as the # 2 center. And Kurri as his RW. And with Coffey feeding him passes? 185-200 points? Seems plausible to me.
He would definitely have 200 pts. To Me I look at how much the player is better than there peers. Gretzky would win that I think.
Heβs be up there. Thing is if weβre comparing eras weβre not using a Time Machine and plunking 2024 Connor into the 80βs or vice versa. Era adjustments make comparison more even for sure
I think if Connor had the equivalent modern era help that Gretzky had heβd be pushing for 200 now. Bouch has taken the Coffey role fully now. But Hyman as good as he is is not a Kurri equivalent or close to and Nuge is nowhere near Tikk
Hyman has scored a lot this season, but Connor less. What is missing is players that get theirs and also contribute to the C also scoring more. Hyman and Nuge also arenβt in the same defensive echelon, even if Nuge has improved each series this playoffs
If “never winning the cup” is the bar, then most of the Panthers are overrated.
That guy now has zero credibility, if indeed they ever had any. The real hockey fans in Florida won’t be looking forward to McDavid bearing down on their slow D corps or on the PP.
That’s perfect – underestimate these Oilers at your peril, Florida men!
For all the earlier talk of McDavid not looking like himself, I thought he looked better as the Dallas series went on. His goal in game 6 makes me think he is back to top form. This week off should be helpful for Leonβs finger too.
Game 6 is the first time he looked like his old self to me.
You have to keep in mind too that during the entire playoffs every team’s strategy is to play on top of McD from as far back in the defensive zone as possible and then gap-limit him as much as possible. Same thing with offensive cycles and he is always matched up against players who can defend tight to him. Basically ‘not looking like himself’ isn’t what we think it is. There is just way less space for McD to do the big crazy McD things… and yet he still pulls them off every once in awhile.
Is the photo at the top of today’s blog a close-up of a coffee cup because Paul Coffey may be the next GM?
Or is it a close-up of a cup because the Oilers will win the Cup?
Trying to guess its meaning is a mug’s game.
I think it’s a cry for help! LT needs some new material – any photographers in the crowd? Come on down!
I half-glanced at it when I opened today’s posting, and thought it was a Guinness.
So I thought “Good idea” and poured myself one, while wondering why LT had never once mentioned Guinness as far as I know.
A case of mistaken identity, apparently.
But it’s not too early to drink it!
I was sure he was going to give us a talk about over-drinkingβ¦ thatβs def a Guinness.
What to do with 4 days until SCF puck drop? Rewatch the 12 Oilers wins that have brought them to the precipice of immortalization, that’s what!
Where do you get full game replays? Or did you record them yourself?
All PVR’d… As an alternative, I just checked youtube. Search for ‘vanga31’ in the youtube search bar, go to their main profile page and look at their selection of vids. This user appears to have all the games up on their channel.
NHL24 simulations.
Ffs… Sorry aboot that, eh!
Game 4 win vs Kings looked a whole lot like Game 6 vs Stars. Oilers outshot 33-13 with Stuey telling the boys ‘I got this’ by pitching a shutout.
This team can win any way they have to.
I was watching a segment of the Pat McAfee show featuring PK Subban. PK was labeled and an NHL analyst and it was pretty rudinentry stuff, mostly pumping Florida’s tires. As the segment went on it was pretty clear he hasn’t watch many Oilers playoffs games or even looked at any data. He said Florida has the best powerplay in the playoffs. I turned it off at that moment. All you have to do is head to the NHL site and see the Oilers PP sitting at 37.3% and Florida at 23.3%. Yikes.
unfortunately he sucks
He’s a shameless self-promoter with little substance.
Kinda felt this way about his playing career too… So very happy he didn’t end up playing for the Oil.
I tried to watch it as well, but man if that is what is considered ‘analysis’ in the US they are being sorely shortchanged.
I find a lot of current analysis is like this. Was reading the NHL predictions article and it just becomes the same old, Skip Baylee’s style fluff.
I must have read, “The Panthers are on a mission” about 5 different times from 5 different people. What does that even mean? Are the Oilers themselves not “on a mission”. Do McDavid and Draisaitl not consider it a mission of theirs to win the Cup? It’s just nonsense that gets repeated and spat out.
The Dallas series was such a great example. “Edmonton can’t match Dallas’ depth”. I’m sorry, but even from jump this narrative should have been smashed to bits. Dallas had Alex Petrovic – no offence to him – in their starting 6 – who could barely crack the Oilers blue line from the 2018-19 team. Really? As soon as Tanev was banged up and there was a fear he was gone, they were looking at starting someone who had 0 games of NHL experience.
On what planet is that considered depth? Even on the forwards side, sure Dallas had Bourque, AHL MVP, waiting in the wings. But the Oilers started the series with Corey friggin Perry as a healthy scratch, and ultimately had Foegele sitting on the sidelines, and McLeod. All who were replaced with other NHLers.
How does a narrative like that – which was so evidently wrong from jump – get repeated ad nauseum by professionals?
Now it’s they can’t match Florida’s depth as well
Great though, I like being the underdog, I think it changes the team’s psyche from stress to having a point to prove, which is when they play best
Completely agree … the Oilers have been at their best this season with their backs against the wall.
McAfee is a US football guy. If they are talking hockey on a football oriented podcast amidst NFL OTA’s that is not a bad thing. ESPN is doing cross platform promotion.
Itβs definitely a good thing. Biz is on frequently and wow is he a more knowledgeable analyst than PK. I was just surprised at how poorly prepared he was.
Biz and Hank on TNT very insightful on a consistent basis. Hank pulling for Skinner throughout the last 2 series, like he hates to see a goalie struggle and had some empathy for him during the Nux series.
I wonder if the “depth” argument is the counter to the oilers?
You cant hype any team having anything to compare to mcdavid and draisaitl… soooo they go with the “depth” argument.
Additionally. This goes with “balance”. In theory:
Balance would mean no extremes.
That means no exteme at either end. Elite or poor. The most balanced team would have all 2nd liners, all 2nd pair dmen, Zero superstars. I think this is what makes the oilers seem like they dont have depth, or balance…
Foegle looks like a meh on edmonton because of the top end elite talent. When you place a 15 or 20 goal scorer beside the pilers top 5… hey seem mundane and “poor”. Call it the hot friend affect…
Just my theory.
Can I respect Florida for being one of the best teams in the NHL? Yes. Am I scared of them? No. Florida is dirty. They take penalties. I honestly think, all things being equal, we’re the better hockey team.
What this series depends on, more than anything, is the reffing. If they allow Florida to sacrifice pawns, then we may be in trouble.
I wonder what conversations are being had at NHL HQ? Gary finally has the world’s best player in the final. Be an awful shame for Sam Bennet to take him out the first game for a two game suspension, if anything.
A page from Daryl’s book may serve – won’t have to deal with Florida’s vaunted forecheck when we’re in their zone.
So far the reffing has been ……decent. Perhaps being almost too stringent at times. Or is that short term memory?
I actually do think that despite Florida’s tactics, they will fear taking penalties. Also, I would not expect the reffing to change much in regards to evening up penalties just to “be fair”.
Tkachuk is a public enemy but itβs Bennett Iβm most worried about. Bennett is a predator and he hits to hurt. Kris canβt allow Bennett to continuously launch missiles at our skill players especially Leon and Hyman. We need a angry Kane or Nurse to settle this prick down. I also hope Carrick is healthy enough to play as I think he has the smarts to goad Bennett and Tkachuk into doing something idiotic.
The Panthers wore down the skilled Rangers with a very heavy forecheck and I assume they will try and do the same to the Oilers.
Florida is averaging 43 hits/GP while Edmonton is at 31.
As you mentioned, Bennett leads all still active players at 4.42/GP while Carrick is next at 3.22 in limited action but the chance of them being on the ice at the same time is remote.
Worth noting, Barkov is also in the top 10.
I think Edmonton is a little quicker on the puck then the Rags when under pressure from the forecheck.
Also worth noting; You are on your 4th ‘these guys will beat the Oilers’ team during these playoffs…
We all very much appreciate you preemptively giving the Harpers Herpes ‘Kiss of Death’ to each opponent. You’re doing God’s work…
Oh how true! And ‘How Sweet It is’ when HH picks another loser to beat the Oilers.
I knew nothing of Carrick when we obtained him. First thing I noticed was 7 years with the same Ducks organization. If healthy I believe Sam has gained the trust of Kris to play him and his line in all situations especially face-offs. I know Maurice has last change but Carrick Yanmark and Brown have quietly worn down the opposition facing them.
Bennet is listed at 195lbs! Oilers top 6 forwards over 200 lbs can include any of the following players: Holloway, Drai, Kane, Hyman (maybe even some Foegele). Bennet will not get away with the ……. he pulled against other opponents this playoff year!
Bennet is the 2nd line center and is rocking a 0.833 this year in the playoffs.
Comparison: Oilers 2nd line center (#29) is going off at 1.556 this playoff year!
Please Bennet, go ahead and run around. The Oilers can take care of themselves and love the PP!
Bennett with the Flames used to try to throw his weight around, and then got injured a bunch cause he’s a lightweight. With Florida, he has evolved to become a major cheap shot artist. They also have Nick Cousins who is another player noted by other players in the NHL this season to be dirty.
All that hitting, over a spring of hockey, has no doubt wore down the Panthers. Now, add two full seasons of hockey, and two runs to the finals. I would question the ability of Florida to keep at pace with the Oilers, physically. After all they’ve been at pace with the Oilers, physically. After all they’ve been at pace with the Oilers, physically. After all they’ve been throug h.
this is why Kane being healthy ish is key. They get get back at TkaCooke and Bennett with Kane Perry Nurse
I donβt believe Maurice will try the feeling out process. I think Bennett and company will try to set the tone early on being nasty and physical. Itβll be interesting how Kris plays it do we rope-a-dope or do we fight fire with fire.
Don’t forget the big Viking, he will take no quarter. All four a fair bit bigger than those two. There is a reason fighting has weight classes. They will bark and that’s about it, no bite, little doggies dressed up as cats
Just read the Stanley Cup predictions on The Athletic. Oilers not getting a lot of love there.
Same as it ever was.
That’s the Maple Leafs disease talking. Bigger market, more empty hype.
The NHL website gave their staff picks for this series and of course, FLA has the majority of the votes.
One staff member mentioned Forsling and Babrovsky shutting down McDavid and Drai.
Really?? I was more worried about Heiskenen and Ottenger.
You can shut down McDavid and Drai for exactly as long as it takes for them to figure you out. Maybe for one game, if you’re lucky. A couple of shifts if you’re not.
Dallas had Heiskanen, Lindell, Harley, Tanev and then a bunch of scrubs that they didn’t trust to play more than 10 minutes per game
Florida has Ekblad, Forsling Montour and then a bunch of scrubs (Mikkola, Ekman-Larsson, Kulikov … OEL got bought out by Vancouver cause his game had fallen off a cliff and Kulikov was long ago not deemed good enough to play in the Oilers top 6).
Up until this season, Mikkola has been a scrub, and he’s playing top 4 minutes) … he’s no Tanev.
Florida’s defense is not nearly as good as Dallas’ was.
That’s encouraging but then why didn’t the Rags, with all their firepower,decimate them?
To my eye OEL is improved from his Vcr days, better suited to a 4-6 D role than 1-2.
Fla’s stinginess seems to come from better team defense, coached by Maurice and led by Barkov, of course.
It’s gonna be a slog.
After watching the Rangers, they absolutely refused to change their tactics of the soft dump-in. They gave the Florida D time to turn and the faster forwards to get back into shooting lanes. The Oilers have changed their tactics a few times this playoffs. First was the short passing two player attack up the wing against LA. Against the Canucks, it was high pressure on the Canuck D when the Canucks were in our zone. No time for Hughes and co. Then Dallas was negating the cherry picker and a two player punch straight up the gut on zone entries, similar to the wing play against LA.
On top of this, the Oilers had exceptional special teams. That’s a recipe for a cup.
For me, the trick against Florida is fast break outs exposing that slow D. Slip out from under that Florida forecheck and we could make hay.
6 Games. 19 Periods. Edmonton wins the series 4-2 with TWO POWER WINs.
5v5 Goals. 12-11 Dal.
PP Goals. 4-0 Edm (14-11 Opportunities Dal).
EN Goals. 2-1 Dal.
SH Goals. 1-0 Edm.
Dal 5v5 Goal scorers: Robertson (3), Seguin (2), Benn (1), Marchment (2), Johnston (3), Lindell (1).
Edm 5v5 Goal scorers: McDavid (2), Hyman (2), Brown (1), Draisaitl (2), Henrique (1), McLeod (1), Bouchard (1), Broberg (1).
Edm PP Goal scorers: RNH (2), Hyman (1), McDavid (1).
Edm SH Goal scorer: Janmark (1)
Dal EN Goals: Lindell (1), Heiskanen (1).
Edm EN Goal: Ekholm (1).
Forward goal scoreers: 8-5 Edm.
DMen goal scorers (not including EN): 2-1 Edm.
Dallas Forward 5v5 TOI going from most to least according to NST
Johnston (3g in 98mins)
Robertson (3g in 94mins)
Duchesne (94mins)
Marchment (2g in 91mins)
Stankoven (88mins)
Seguin (2g in 86mins)
Pavelski (85mins)
Benn (1g in 76mins)
Dadonov (75mins)
Steel (59mins)
Hintz (52mins in 4 games)
Smith (34mins)
Faksa (24mins)
Dellandrea (14mins)
Bourque (8mins)
Edm Forward 5v5 TOI going from most to least according to NST
McDavid (2g in 118mins)
Hyman (2g in 112mins)
Draisaitl (2g in 111mins)
RNH (89mins)
Kane (86mins and barely played in game 6)
Holloway (85mins)
McLeod (1g in 64mins and missed a game)
Brown (1g in 63mins)
Janmark (60mins)
Henrique (1g in 47mins in 4 games)
Ryan (37mins)
Carrick (36mins)
Perry (36mins)
Foegele (32mins)
According to TOI Dal top 6 outscored Edm top 6 10-6 at 5v5 and Edm bottom 6 outscored Dal 3-1.
Dallas D 5v5 TOI going from most to least according to NST
Heiskanen (142mins)
Lindell (1g in136mins)
Harley (118mins)
Tanev (102mins – missed most of game 4)
Suter (88mins)
Petrovic (68mins)
Oilers D 5v5 TOI going from most to least according to NST
Bouchard (1g in 129mins)
Ekholm (121mins)
Nurse (110mins)
Ceci (105mins)
Kulak (104mins)
Deshairnais (46mins in 3 games)
Broberg (1g in 38mins in 3 games)
Kris Knoblauch looks like Lloyd Braun in his official photo.
https://www.nhl.com/oilers/team/kris-knoblauch
you’re not giving away our Waterpik!!
Pavelski is a no for the HOF correct?
55th in all-time goals (476) he played in a lower scoring era than most ahead of him. One of the best tippers of the puck the game has ever seen.
I think he’ll bumble around on the list and maybe make it in a weak year. Good to great stats, well-respected but no hardware. Damn fine career for a 7th round pick!
Yeah I don’t mean to down play a great career but I don’t know if there’s enough hardware there. The reason I ask is my long-standing Nuge HOF watch. I think Nuge could easily end with very Pavelski-esque boxcars. If Pavelski is in I’m not sure you can keep RNH out, if his career continues at pace.
What gets RNH in is his body of work and the ring(s) starting this year!
Agreed! I think heβll be at 1300 games, and 1000 points with the same franchise. A couple cups gets him in imo. Maybe not until a couple ballots down, but in.
It the Hall of very good players now … with the right person/influencer backing your HOF candidacy anything is possible.
Let’s remember that there are hockey “fans” out there that believe McDavid shouldn’t in the HoF if he doesn’t win a cup…
Those fans should be extras in Deliverance Part 2.
Here we are again with the expert NARRATORS saying the goaltending differences are too much for the Oilers.
Here are the 2024 playoff save % for the final 4:
Shesterkin .927
Oettinger .915
Bobrovsky .908
Skinner .897
Notice which 2 aren’t playing in the final.
But wait a minute. We often hear how goalie stats are in part a team stat. When sv% percentage move up and down during the playoff it should have a lot to do with which team’s structure is handling the ever increasing intensity of the playoffs.
Here are the round 3 save %.
Shesterkin .930
Skinner .922
Bobrovsky .921
Oettinger .901
Not a lot of difference between Stu and Bob in round 3. But of course that’s a small sample size. So here’s the regular season:
Bobrovsky .915
Skinner .905
But how much of that regular season gap is Florida’s vaunted structure and Edmonton’s lack?
Models can only point you to areas to dig into, but INGOAL Magazine has Stu and Bob ranked 19th and 20th in expected save % diff:
https://ingoalmag.com/2024/05/06/2024-vezina-trophy-did-nhl-gms-get-it-right
What do our eyes and experience tell us about the gap closing? That the narrators are basing their options on a fixed past and not seeing that the structure gap and the goalie gap eroded in parallel as the Oilers went from dumpster truck fire to a team that can win every which way.
Gonna be a wild series. But as usual whatever save stat the goalers wear at the end is going to be heavily influenced by what the rest of each teams does.
My pick for the new GM is Laurence Gilman.
Lawyer
28 years of NHL Executive experience
Worked closely with some of the innovators of the GM role – Dubas, Pridham, Gillies
I don’t want any of the Leaf’s management stench anywhere near the Oilers.
If mortgaging draft picks and not being able to get your star players to sign on more team friendly terms is innovation, then Dubas has that nailed.
Need to forge their own path, no more retreads. The Oilers can change the league, again
I worked on the other side of the pond for close to 10 years. A very good friend of mine from that time has made me promise him that should England make the World Cup Final, I’ll head on over to celebrate with him. Part of his pitch was, “The birds will be getting their kit off in the street!”
Given the lovely jubblies that were trending in the socials yesterday, I had to send him the clip and tell him. “Our Edmonton birds don’t even wait until they’re out of the arena!”
ο»Ώ
Will it be enough to get him to book a flight to good old our town? Knowing this scallywag’s fondness for civic shenanigans, it just might.
If Coffey was the GM back in 2021, Wyatt Johnson would’ve been an Oiler! π
Itβs quite amazing that he was their target guy, and they were so incredibly confident that he was off everyoneβs radar that they traded down and got a second rounder to draft Stankoven
Dallas actually used their own second rounder to draft Stankoven.
Detroit used the pick for Sebastian Cossa. Cossa was behind Walkstedt on McKenzieβs list. Quite a trade for Detroit.
Have the Oilers? I mean, we are 3 weeks from the draft and less than 4 weeks from free agency and, even before all that, is the QO deadline and the buyout window is in there.
I mean, who is going to be the GM? I presume that is known to Jeff Jackson and that person is hard at work, be it Ken Holland, Brad Holland, Mark Hunter, Brian Lawton or Jeff Jackson himself.
I mean, if Jack Campbell is being bought out, that decision comes prior to month’s end.
That’s a big decision and the person that will be general managing the team for the next 5-10-15 years should be making it, right?
Jeff Jackson will be making that call – not his choice for GM.
Could also be that, if the call for the new GM is coming from inside the house (i.e. Brad Holland), then the decision-making apparatus is all there outside of bestowing the formal title of GM, which can happen at any time after the playoffs.
I suppose if Jeff Jackson is planning on acting as GM temporarily, then the same logic would apply. But as OP says, it doesn’t make sense to make all of these big decisions and THEN hire the new guy on
Presumably, the person that will be the GM for the foreseeable future is making that decision, right?
Perhaps a trade is already in place. After the playoffs and before the draft.
Could be that the Oilers already have an agreement in principal to offload Campbell, but have him in reserve as the #3 for the playoffs.
Sure, anything is possible but I suspect that is unlikely.
Also, to the point, shouldn’t any trade of Campbell at this point be made by the person that will be the GM going forward? Its going to be a complicated and expensive transaction that will somewhat guide the future.
I have to presume that that GM is, officially or unofficially, working for the team as I type.
Doing so little in advance of the draft suggests to me that they are looking at Brad Holland to take the reins. Otherwise the draft happens without any input from the incoming GM. That seems like a really bad idea.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5538366/2024/06/03/nhl-rumblings-oilers-panthers-marner-guentzel?source=user-shared-article
A few Jackson quotes in LeBrun’s latest
‘it’s a good problem to have’
There was a recap of the LeBrun article at ON last night for those without a sub to The Athletic
Thanks for the article. I think that confirms a succession plan is in place and we shouldn’t expect an out of the blue signing.
How much effort do you need to put into a draft where your first pick is #63 or #64 with the next pick in the 5th round?
Even more effort. Need to make it count.
On top of that, watching who falls through the cracks and can be signed as a minor league free agent as a project.
Exactly hopefully Coffey has another Wyatt Johnston type up his sleeve.
We stand alone in our belief that the Oilers will win the cup – well not quite but pretty close. NHL Network personnel have predicting 10 to 5 for the Panthers (shoutout to DVD for his correct Oiler pick). Watched TSN last night and did not hear one person pick the Oilers (filthy Bruce, .
Remember that these are the same ‘experts’ who said that Dallas’s depth would crush the Oilers! Now the media mob (non-meat) are saying it again and that the Panthers are tougher, with better D, better in net, etc, etc etc. And also that the Panthers some how deserve the cup as they lost it last year – what a load of ……
I don’t think that the Eastern media actually watched much of the LA or VAN series, because those were both physical and at times nasty. Oh yeah, they watched the DAL series which was very tame and so they believe that the Oilers can not play in a dark alley.
Well, I am here to tell the majority of the media that they are wrong! Oilers are going to win this. Maybe in 6, at home on Friday June 21, 2024.
GOG
Its been a consistent: Edmonton has never faced this level of opponent.
But never: Florida has never faced this level of opponent.
Fine by me.
Nothing wrong with being the underdog, and really, we fans probably care much more about these narratives…assuming the players care at all.
I haven’t watched enough of Florida to have a firm opinion on who should be favoured.
Here are their records against playoff teams.
Florida – 22 W 15 L or 97 pt pace.
In essence, Florida was a playoff team against only playoff level opponents. That is very impressive.
Edm – 18 W 19 L or 17 W 14 L after the disastrous start.
Interestingly, many of Florida’s losses came against skilled and physical teams (4x Boston, 2x Winnipeg, 2x Vancouver).
I am considering flying to Florida from the maritimes for Saturday’s game. Found a way to do it without missing Friday or Monday work days. Unfortunately my better half will not be able to make the trip with me.
I know there are at least a couple fellow Oilers fans in the maritimes. Is anyone else considering this? I’d love to hear from you.
Are you asking for someone to be your wife for the weekend?
… or to be with your wife for the weekend?
Great responses. Thank you!
Sounds exciting. MIght want to keep in mind hurricane season started.
Some real opinions out there on lineup adjustments for game 1 based on Panthers style of play.
Luke Gazdic, for example, is adamant that Deharnais needs to be in – called in a “non-negotiable for him”.
I understand the Florida forwards are aggressive and physical but I’m not so sure that our coach should be, or needs to be, making pre-emptive lineup changes based on the other team.
Also, even if we was of that mind-set, while Vinny is of course a more physical player than Broberg, I’m not sure making a move to get to, and move, the puck slower on retrieval would be the way to go.
Broberg is also 6’3 2 hundo….
It is Broberg for me unless he faulters. His skating is just so good that he will be able to get to pucks faster and then do something other than just ‘off-the-glass-and-out’. As you mentioned he is listed as 6′-4″ / 212, and should have lost less (may have actually gained) muscle as he has only played 66 games total this year.
Panthers have exactly 1-player per line in the top 9 who are even close to the same size as Broberg and only 1 RW (Vlad). The entire 4th line is big, but really if they could skate at the level of Broberg they would not be 4th liners.
Advantage Broberg!
Broberg is, sooner or later, going to get plastered by the Panthers forecheck. It is a certainty for me. Doesn’t mean hes not in, but maybe get some nonsense out of the way in game one, then start him game two.
Ultimately it will be speed that beats Florida and Broberg can be a part of that.
I would suggest that, if one watched Broberg play nightly in Bakersfield, this is something that he clearly worked on and has developed in leaps and bounds (and he didn’t get plastered in any of the 5 subsequent NHL games, which includes 3 playoff games).
Perhaps he will but this was a known issue and he has worked on it and it may no longer be an issue.
Everyone focusing on the dirty aspects of the game, but I think the way Florida actually plays the game matters more. My understanding is that they are fast, skilled, and tenacious on the puck all over the ice. Speed and puck moving is going to be the key to winning the actual game. Pre-emptively planning on gooning it up is just handicapping our own speed and skill, which is likely exactly what Florida wants.
None of our guys are shrinking violets. Physically speaking, this is a solidly built team from top to bottom. The goal should be to play their own game, and try to dictate the game on their terms, not Florida’s. Given the way the Oilers held their composure against A-hole teams like LA and the Canucks, I think that’s KK’s game plan too.
I think they’ll ice essentially the same lineup and tweak if Broberg or Kulak struggle
Kris canβt allow the Panthers and Maurice to dictate to the Refs their style of debauchery that may possibly set the tone for the entire series.
I did the Tale of the Tape thing yesterday to check into this
They are not a big team. Their D are small outside of Ekblad. Yes they like to play a physical game, have at it. Our guys won’t back down and they will get the worst of it. If we have enough healthy guys to play that way I suppose
Unlike Vancouver, its Florida’s forwards that are physical – and aggressive on the forecheck.
They are but at least they aren’t heavy – it hurts more and does more damage
FWIW Gazdic said Broberg was not the answer on a podcast even before he was inserted into the lineup last round.
I thought Broberg should have played more in Game 6 against Dallas. I doubt he gets taken out of the lineup, and I would not be shocked to see Nurse’s minutes faded if Broberg continues to move the puck as smartly as he was against Dallas.
Where is it written that Desharnais would have to come in for Broberg? He could come in for the worst of the seven D, i.e. Ceci.
Anything is possible but I do not see the org healthy scratching Ceci heading in to game 1 and, of course, labelling Ceci as the worst defenceman is likely something the coaching staff and players do not agree with.
Broberg has a lot of history playing with Desharnais.
Are you kidding? Broberg is already playing like a 2nd pairing defenseman and has room to grow rapidly, even on a game by game basis. I love me Des, but he is what he is. A physical, defensive bottom pairing d-man. He used size and reach to his advantage, but can be badly turnstiles against a fast, forechecking team
No, I’m not kidding you – this is a common discussion over the last 48 hours.
There is zero chance that I personally would want to take Broberg out for Deharnais but it seems there are some that do have that opinion – its a discussion point for some.
I think I would play Broberg in game one and see how the chips fall after game one. He is a big boy who can skate. He has also become tougher in a Lidstrom sort of way. It’s not as though we are choosing between Marc Andre Bergeron and Vinny Desharnais. Broberg is a blue-chip prospect who is already one of the Oilers top three defencemen. How can you not play him? If you want to win the Cup, then I think you have to play him.
The coach must do what he needs to do to win. That means playing those who are playing well. Keep Broberg in for the first game, and then potentially replace “someone” who does not play well in game one will the guy who sits out. Broberg is not likely to be the one who needs to be replaced. Just saying.
To state the Broberg is one of the team’s top 3 d-men is, a little, well agressive and, while you are entitled to that opinion, I would suggest the coaching staff (and the players) don’t share it.
You may be right about the players, if not the coaching staff. However, one of the things I like about the coach is that he is able to try new things and shake things up when established players are underperforming. Those little adjustments reveal new information about players who have been on the outside looking in, but also motivate underperforming regulars by forcing them to keep their place on the team. Introducing Broberg in the playoffs was a gutsy thing to do. But using him enabled the coach to shuffle the defense, move beyond existing assumptions and defensive formations, and respond to the other team’s tactics.
A problem with no skill hockey boxers becoming analysts. Pretty much always the same Schtick. I don’t think Luke understands the game very well. I think Bieksa is so much a narcissist I often don’t like watching him – the Tom Cruise of Canadian hockey TV – but at least he learned something being in the league. Oh, and isn’t the theme socks thing about 20 years out of date?
Bieksa just won a Canadian Screen Award as the best TV hockey analyst in Canada.
While he is somewhat smug at times, the content is top rate.
Friedman with expressly going to bat for Gazdic and calls him a rising start in the industry.
Random question for you Edmontonians. Out here in the West Coast theyβre discussing if they should cheer for the Oilers. Many Canucks fans say they wonβt cheer for the Oilers because they were Canucks fans living in Edmonton and were treated like crap. I find that hard to believe. Would you all say thatβs true?
I havenβt been to games since the 90βs and that was definitely not the case back then.
I remember once I took a cab in Edmonton during the 2011 Canucks playoff run and the topic of the playoffs came up. The cab driver said he wasn’t that big of a hockey fan but was cheering for Boston. Reason being, he said he was working during the Oilers 2006 run and encountered some Vancouver fans who said they didn’t want Edmonton to win.
He seemed to hold a grudge about that.
Little did the cab driver know, the Vancouver fan he picked up in 2006 was probably HH who was still mad that Messier gave him a wedgie in a bar once.
I always feel that if you are a die-hard fan of a team you can never cheer for their rivals. I would consider Vancouver and Calgary the main rivals of Edmonton and could never cheer for them. I would expect nothing less from a diehard Canuck fan. Fair weather fans will jump on whatever bandwagon and don’t really matter to me.
I also would never cheer for the Flames or Canucks. I wouldnβt throw stones but definitely wouldnβt cheer for them
I would never cheer for another team period. Once the Oilers get knocked out of contention, the NHL season is effectively over for me.
That being said, there’s lots of room on the bandwagon for the fair weather fans who want to cheer on our team to glory.
The same, except all those who laughed at the Oil during the DoD can piss off!
I definitely get the rivalry angle Darryl mentioned, but I canβt box myself in so that all teams are perpetually off-limits. While I couldnβt ever cheer for some (see the Falmes, Dys, Laughs, etc.), take me back and I was cheering for other teams:
The list goes on (e.g. Smyth going for a Cup; I was cheering for Hemsky in Ottawa or even Dallas; Dubnyk with βYotes or Wild) and onβ¦
Iβm not saying I watched every game or anything, but I definitely had a rooting interest for former Oilers many times over the years. Especially when against certain teams.
This. You can be happy for a rival fanbase without jumping onto their bandwagon.
For instance, I would be happy for my Sabres-fan-friends if their team went deep. But I wouldn’t start waving their flag on the streets.
Canucks fans in Edmonton are the worst of all the other teams to deal with. They earn the tough ride.
I am an Oilers fan living in Vancouver for the last 30 years. I had a great time during the 2011 Cup run… it was like a continuation of the 2010 Olympic fun. I sure as hell wasn’t cheering for the Canucks and boy did I take a lot of good natured ribbing from my buddies during the run. The game 7 loss was sweet for me and I kept my mouth shut. For a few weeks. Haven’t let them forget it since. I don’t expect them to cheer for the Oilers and respect them for it.
Vancouver fan in Penticton went so far as to attack all Edmonton fans living in the province and attempted to get our local Boston Pizza franchise boycotted because of a sign cheering on the Oilers!
Oh it’s definitely true.
Every day there were pictures published in newspapers of Canucks fans who were banned from public transportation, bars and restaurants. We publicly mocked them and threw rotten fish at them as they walked past the fully loaded patios as we enjoyed our delicious potato skins. We had an effigy of Tony Tanti hanging from the bell tower at City hall that every passer by hit with a stick.
I can’t believe they still hold a grudge.
Nonsense!
I was shocked to discover Vancouver had been admitted into the NHL. Must have been a new development? They’re doing alright for such a new team.
Interesting that on the Hockey Operations page, Coffee is slotted with management but not with coaching, in fact it doesn’t make any mention he is a on the coaching staff at all, despite the rest of the coaching staff also being on the page…
Stuipid question but IS Coffey, actually, formally, a coach of the Edmonton Oilers?
I also always forget David Pelletier is their skating coach and wonder how much he’s learned from McDavid and vice versa.
For the purposes of at least his pension, Coffey is a coach.
Odd how he is listed internally to the Oilers.
I think his taking on assistant coach duties was seen as an interim decision for the balance of this season. Perhaps that’s why. With the job he’s doing would be nice it became permanent.
I really hope Coffey stays on as D coach … he’s been a revelation in the role.
Really all of the assistant coaches now bring something to the table, which is not something that you could say about the staff in the past.
It’s very impressive that coach KK was able to come in and meld a bunch of assistant coaches that he had no say in picking into such an effective coaching staff.
I did not know the Porsche story, huh.
Anyone know which model – if they were 911’s then they could be worth a fortune if any are still kicking around. 968s and 924s … not so much.
Interesting GM list LT! Although I would not discount Mark Hunter as the possible candidate given his history with Jackson. I’m not suggesting he is the best move, and I do wonder if Coffey is the next to get his hands on the title. Paul obviously did the organization a solid by stepping into his current role, reluctantly I might add, and it may have some weight moving forward with the success he’s had.
There has been some smoke around Mark Hunter for sure.
Beyond Celebrini this does not appear to be a very strong draft.
Some solid defensemen for sure, but a serious lack of impact forwards.
Mike Grier has had a quietly successful run at GM – heβs gotten 1st round picks and prospects for several of his over-30 players, and did what was most important: finishing DFL to draft #1.
You canβt understate the importance of drafting #1 or top-three β¦ itβs the only tried and tested way to acquire truly elite talent.
…like Nail Yakupov
I’m just joking of course, because I’m still sad about having nothing to show for that particular year of awful hockey that led to the Yakupov selection.
Impact defenseman are more valuable than impact forwards … they just take longer to develop (e.g. see Broberg).
Out here in BC the bandwagon is getting full….
In the canucks series all the horrible dys fans were insufferable and arrogant…
Most were chirping that dallas would thump us…
Now many are jumping on the bandwagon, “I was always cherring for them after the canucks lost blah blah”.
Maybe its just me. But I love Gazdics chirp. Because it’s true.
I also would far rather NOT have them climbing on the bandwagon… go sulk with your broken heartless fanchise that always thinks they are the greatest until reality hits… you and your poisonous attitude is not welcome on the oiler train!
No poisonous attitude in Oilers nation, oh wait, you mean against other teams.
I’m fine with it … if our team winning a Cup would bring fans of our rivals some positive vibes into their lives, then the more the merrier. Lord knows that everyone one in Canada could use something positive.
That being said, I’d never jump on another team’s bandwagon.
I feel your painβ¦ I even had a Dy fan exclaim this morning “cuz we took the Oilers to 7 games that means we’re second best in the West!!!!”
LT, there was lots of good buzz about Kalle Larsson, but beyond his background and the name of his role, I haven’t heard much. Why is he such a good hire for the Oilers (according to 32 Thoughts, they said people have been after him for years) and what value will he bring to the team? I’m hoping that can be flushed out a little for us all.
This is a very good listen.
https://x.com/chrismpeters/status/1572241987075555329
I appreciate this. I will listen to it on my drive home today
A week or two ago one poster drew attention to Bruce Curlockβs tactical analyses at Oilersnation, which I have really enjoyed reading. I subsequently found a YouTube site, Hockey Psychology, that has similar, maybe even better, analyses including a, well, for me, fascinating explanation of how Dallas shredded the Oilers for three second period goals in game 3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L6z3hWETrU
If I remember right, Rick Bowness was outlining and describing those tactics when he was on the panel between periods as early as Game 1. Something along the lines of: Dallas game plan is to clear the zone strong side (left wing), and as soon as they look like they have possession, Dallas forwards will fly the zone (if right wing, itβll be a cross ice pass to the far blue line). Sometimes it cost Dallas (they didnβt have full possession, leading to odd-man for Oilers down-low in Game 1). Anyway, I thought Bowness was great, and what he described gave something to watch the rest of the series.
Interesting theory on Coffey.
I’m most familiar with the world of politics – the role he lives in exists in just about every high end political office as well. You don’t make that person your Chief of Staff…or Executive Director…or whatever the title may be.
They’re exactly where they should be…wear 16 different hats depending on the day…have the flexibility to move around and make things happen…and are valued most for their unique experiences that can be shared. They are problem solvers and what I’ll call ‘values leaders’ most of all. They remind you why you’re really there and what you need to do, then help you do it.
You can see Coffey doing that on the bench. I’m sure he does that behind the scenes in the org as well. Perhaps he is the one from the ‘A’ group who absorbed the most from Sather.
Doesn’t need to be the GM. In fact, probably shouldn’t be the GM. Likely could be the GM if they’re in a pinch – but they’re not in a pinch.
Go get someone who wants that one hat. Let Coffey roam, just as he did on the ice, making things happen.
Perfect post. Excellently written and very well put.
I find it extremely interesting that this could be true with respect to Sather, as Coffey was the first of the HOFers to draw his ire and get traded. Some 35+ years later seemingly every other boy on the bus has circled through without attaining the success that Coffey himself now seems poised for.
Couldn’t agree more. I certainly appreciate what Coff has done this year, and I’ll admit I was skeptical of him in that role when he came on. But there is no denying his success in improving the D to, well, Stanley Cup final calibre.
That being said, there is no way I would want him as GM. We are going to need someone with at least some experience, craftiness, analytics aware to get us through the next few years with McDrai contracts (or not) and positioning us for either multiple runs with limited cap space, or retooling on the fly. Can’t see Coffey being that guy
On a similar note, the Old Boy that had seemed most primed, and groomed for a GM seat was Mess. He ultimately didn’t get the NYR job, but has he totally given up?
I figured Holland was a lame-duck G.M as soon as Jackson was hired. No way Holland leaves the Brown bonus if his kid is taking over. The firing of Woody and hiring of Kris Iβm being nice here looks like a collective management choice. When Coffey jumped in I immediately got a sense he was evaluating from ground zero. Coffey has been a business man for many years and obviously has respect with his peers around the league. Going all the way back to November I seen a Co-G.M tandem of Coffey-Jackson
It certainly could come to pass this way, however, specifically to your points:
I disagree with this 100%.
From everything we’ve seen and heard, Holland has continued to manage this team this season with the primary goal of winning the cup but also with the require eye to the future, including next season – this also lines up with everything we know about the integrity of the man.
“Leaving Brown’s bonus” was a decision made based on knowledge that it was going to take the player more than 10 games and he needed to continue to play NHL games.
Having had some experience at Coffey’s eponymous car dealership, I would concur. It’s not a well managed dealership.
First draft post in June. Lordy.
I think you mean Hallelujah π
What is this “draft” you speak of?
That video circulating twitter with those fans touching McDavid and violating his personal space is so gross. I wish people were more respectful…
I know right. God bless the young man. Other athletes might have handled that very differently. What a player and what a wonderful person.
It is the ugly side of celebrity. Celebrities are people like us in a basic sense. They have a life away from their personal stage and deserve the same we respect for their time of the stage, doing everyday life. They have a job, just like most of us. Granted, it is darn cool job, but that doesn’t negate their right to a normal life that we take for granted. I have encountered many well known people in my day, and have often discretely “run interference” to help afford them some normalcy in their day to day functioning when the situation presented itself. They give us so much, and deserve the same zone of normalcy we take for granted.
Respect. It’s a thing.
One time I asked Goldie Hawn if there was a grocery store nearby just to give her a little treat.
I think majority of people are more respectful.
During the β06 Final run, I was out at a lounge for supper. 2 tables over was Roloson and his wife. The whole time I was there, not one single person interrupted his supper. When he was leaving, quite a few said good luck. But, nobody hounded him, or ruined his dinner date with his wife.
Lindstrom was injured this season, but still put up decent numbers. However, we know injury affects output.
LT, do you fade Lindstrom because of injury worry or bump him up as an uninjured player would perform better? What’s the right play/math with players injured in their draft year?
I did neither. His physical attributes may land him higher, but the math says he’s just a little shy of the top forward in the group.