The Edmonton Oilers are days (hours) away from announcing the team’s new general manager. Based on what we know, he is unlikely to have the same sweeping powers as Kevin Lowe 20 years ago, and he’s certainly not going behind Glen Sather’s desk.
People cheer for a specific sports team for just a few simple reasons: it’s the town team, or the team caught our imagination a long time ago with their style of play or personality, or maybe we met one of them when were were kids, or maybe we played the game a little and adopted a team because one or more players had elements in their game we wished to embody.
I enjoy watching teams being built, procurement over a number of years, clusters of young players arriving together and driving the team up the standings into previously unheard of territory. Currently I’m enjoying the work being done by management of the Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Nationals and Kansas City Royals.
I enjoy watching how they go about their business and what they do each summer to improve their team. I can’t follow all teams, but I pay attention to many due to the job I’m gifted by you. I cheer for the San Jose Sharks, because they are the Oakland Seals of my youth with cooler uniforms and better ownership. The Boston Bruins remain in my heart because of Bobby Orr.
I think that right now, this moment, is a tricky one for Daryl Katz. He has taken many years to learn the lessons of ownership, and we see the misfires and offramps of his past and wonder if we’re about to see another. We don’t know what we don’t know, but the build of good-to-great decisions over these last few years has been something else.
If Mr. Katz hires Stan Bowman, as an example, it will tell us many things. If he reaches out for Laurence Gilman, that too will be an indicator. If he hires in-house, again that’s a tell. We’re never certain about just how deep these interview process windows go, and yesterday’s comments section had some great thoughts on the subject.
I think the takeaway for Oilers fans and observers today is this: There’s a lot at stake in this decision and recent events lead us to believe Katz will take the Jeff Jackson recommendation and the candidate will rise to the moment. Taking recent events, since the Zach Hyman signing, I think that’s reasonable.
The distant bells, ghost visions and echoes down the canyon may be sounding the alarm, and that too is real. A leopard doesn’t change its spots, and at some level we’re all holding on to yesterday. We wait.
Today on the Lowdown we’ll talk to Bagged Milk about the trade this week, GM candidates and what things are like mid-summer at Nation headquarters. We’ll chat CFL (Elks play tomorrow night with a new coaching staff), MLB and NHL free agents who could help a team. I’m at Lowetide on twitter, in the comments section here and on the Sports 1440 text line at 1.833.401.1440 directly.
While listening to the show today I was on the Athletic and saw an articleranking the 10 worst contracts in the league. Nurse ($9.3M x6) on the list with Parayko ($6.5M x6) and Seth Jones ($9.5M x6)
Who says no in a 1-for-1 between EDM/CHI and EDM/STL? I don’t think any trade happens this summer. But in terms of value I think the Blackhawks probably say no, but for EDM/STL getting $2.8M in cap for Leon and a 2nd-pairing, defense-first RD to play with Broberg on his natural side doesn’t sound too bad? He’s 31, Nurse is 29. Might be able to squeeze a prospect or some cap retention out of STL?
2024-25 opening night top 6:
Ekholm-Bouchard
Broberg-Parayko
Kulak-Ceci
Stetcher+Brown fighting for the press box in training camp.
Nurse has way more long term upside and Parayko’s a depreciating asset. Really want Nurse to be here for a cup after all he’s been through, but keeping Leon is priority #1-5 this offseason, no?
In reality, Nurse controls all the cards with his NMC.
If he was okay going to St Louis, for example, and Parayko comes over… the LD is looking thin with Ekholm’s age becoming a topic in the next few years. I pray for a long, strong end to his playing days but who knows. That leaves Broberg as our #1LD….
Not to mention, even if trading Nurse was a realistic option, trading him now would be the epitome of selling low – coming off the worst two months of his established career (likely somewhat due to injury – we know he was hurt late in the playoffs and it was probably something he was dealing with for longer that got aggravated badly in the game he only played 3 minutes).
Its highly reasonable that he will have a solid bounce-back come October.
There is no evidence that Nurse was injured before that hit in the corner, or that it prolonged beyond that one game.
Darnell Nurse rarely missed games.
It seems highly unreasonable to think that he’d be so injured one game to only play a couple of shifts (3 minutes) and not be able to continue in a playoff game and then be near 100% two days later – at least to me.
Do we envision Nurse as our #1LD?
It doesn’t matter what we envision, apart from Ekholm, Nurse is the only LD that can be “competent” against Elites.
We can also envision that Broberg’s rise correlates with Ekholm slowing down and we have another Swede as our #1LD.
One can envision all sorts of things. Fact is if Ekholm drops off a cliff (I highly doubt), Nurse is our #1LD and there’s nothing that can be done about it.
It sure does matter, and of course something can be done about it. If the org envisions Nurse as a #1D then they plan accordingly. If the org does, then there needs to be a different plan. No?
Why do you think nothing can be done? Do you think JJ and the org are incompetent?
Everybody deserves a second chance.
There will be people making that claim wherever Bowman is hired. Now think about what that means, and translate it to whatever field you work in.
Then think of the GM position of the Edmonton Oilers in Summer 2024. Is that really a “second chance” for Bowman? To me, Bowman might deserve a second chance in hockey, that’s not for me to say but it would look like an entry administrative position, perhaps not even in the NHL. Work your way back. Prove it. That’s the second chance: the chance to prove it.
Being parachuted into a ready-made seat at the top of the field, a better position than the one you left: this is not getting a second chance this is a total repudiation of accountability. Edmonton had better not dare.
A reminder the Oilers text line is +1 (587) 855-5645
To me it’s not about second chances, it’s about not just cancelling people. If they do what’s required they should be able to re-enter
However, there is nothing I can see that suggests Bowman is the best choice for the job, other than past laurels that may or not be his main doing, and that hasn’t worked out well in the past for us. For the best GM gig in the world to boot
Also, will other general managers respect this person and want to trade fairly with him? I agree, he needs to prove himself at lower levels before he is handed a Stanley Cup contender,
Well many have and will continue to make the “second chances” argument.
Agreed though he’s not the best candidate on merit. It would be a doubly foolish hire. I still don’t imagine it happens.
That said, this is a particular case. I’m not arguing we “cancel” him, but landing arguably the most plumb job in hockey is in no way fair to the real victims of the Hawks organization, nor is it fair to current staff and fans of Edmonton who find it completely unseemly. It’s also not fair to the countless people who are accountable to their own past mistakes and will never be afforded the benefit of the doubt.
Nobody has a responsibility to him. You don’t need to hire a guy just to undermine “cancel culture”. I’m sure there’s an executive somewhere who got fired because they covered up r*pe and they’re working in an entry level job because of it. Were they “cancelled”? Or did they do something that makes them unfit to take up their prior role managing people?
Throw all the ugliness aside, Stan’s earned nothing on his own name. Or, Bowman’s name is all he’s got. Which would make the hire so OBC it eradicates all hope of organizational maturity.
Nurse makes an appearance at number 9.
I was thinking about his contract before Don’s article. With Nurse off the top pairing, it’s hard to maintain cap structure.
If Nurse is on the second pair, and you have him with Ceci, that’s a $12.5 m second pair. At that price, you’d expect a really plus pairing.
At any rate, you can’t really pay his partner more than Ceci. You’re not going to spend $16m on your second d pairing.
For reference, Florida spent apparently the cost of Nurse’s contract last year for both their second and third pairings combined. That’s for 4 players and two d pairings.
NHL_Sid mentioned on Twitter starting Nurse on the third pair next season. If you had to play him there, even with a league minimum player, you have a $10m bottom-pairing.
Nurse Derangement Syndrome on full dispaly here.
Here’s a hint: “____ derangement syndrome” does not exist, no matter what word you put into the blank.
That phrase exists only to short circuit a discussion rather than making arguments for or against.
I can go back to Nurse Haters if you prefer. They haters have been hating since he was drafted.
Did you watch the playoffs?
Yes. Ceci sucked. And Nurse went from like -1 per game with Ceci, a “so-called” NHL defensemen, to +1 a game with Broberg, a “so-called” AHL defensemen.
Broberg looked great by the eye test. The results on the surface were good, but that pairing’s underlying numbers are not likely going to lead to the same results if we’re being honest here.
Broberg + Nurse.
66 minutes. CF 35%; FF: 33%; xGF:30%. gf 66.7%
PDO: 1.21
On ice SH% 17.4%
On ice SV% 94.7%
Those are not sustainable numbers.
NST
Also too small a sample to be of any value, really.
Nurse’s expected goal share was worse with Broberg than with Ceci.
Nurse played poorly through the playoffs, with various partners.
He will assuredly be better come October.
Broberg’s minutes were against Florida. Ceci’s were against lesser teams.
Adjust for quality of competition.
He did, and he blames everyone else expect for Nurse. Nurse can do no wrong.
If you could, would you trade Nurse for Seth Jones?
No. I’m fine playing Broberg with him for two years until Wanner arrives or until they trade for another legit top 4RD
Broberg then slides over to play with Bouchard once Ekholm likely experiences age related decline.
Nurse can play for my team. I would have paid him sooner. The Oilers had two opportunities to do so, and so they shot themselves in the foot.
The cap says if all remains the same as soon as you can you gain some cap space
I’m curious why you are so invested in Nurse Bro when all of the stats except GF% were poor. We know that over time (it was a short sample) unless there was a major turn around it would regress. Bro has never done well at RD anywhere, and in Bakersfield he wasn’t RD on a lefty lefty pair
He also has a lot of development to do at the NHL level other than his skating ability that let’s him retrieve well and skate out of the zone. His board play, net front and consistent outletting have a ways to go. Off hand is a hurdle for him
Broberg as a RHD for his NHL career has been 50% or better in shots (50%), scoring chances (51%), HD scoring chances (52%) and goals (63%). That’s including playoffs.
I have no idea where the idea he’s always been poor as RHD came from.
Maybe from you? I don’t think it’s correct.
Only 28 minutes with Ekholm but 2-0 goals and 67% expected.
About 50% across the board with Nurse in 50 minutes.
Over 80 minutes with Kulak and over 50% across the board (a couple percentage points and 6-5 goals).
Nurse/Bouchard
Ekholm/Ceci
Kulak/Broberg
Or switch the 2/3RD
No other option. Until they are able to create cap space and trade for a better one.
And it would be ill-advised to mess with the current left side. So even if one traded for a better RD to play with Nurse, Kulak Broberg would be the best option for the 3rd pairing.
In my view the simplest way to get value from the Nurse contract is from better coaching, pairing and deployment, not the trade market.
He needs to play better to get close to his contract price, certainly. But no one knows his strengths and weaknesses better than the coaching staff of this team. Unlock him here, even if it needs some fresh thinking on RD.
It’s hard to get a player to change at his age.
Nurse picked up a few bad habits from Kris Russell like the poor gap at the blue line and the starfish.
There’s no reason a player with Nurse’s skating and reach should be so bad at preventing zone entries.
His outlet passing is acceptable during the regular season, but he gets targeted during the playoffs.
The problem is cost. He needs a partner who can defend zone entries, make a good first pass, and defend well in zone. Finding a right-handed player who ticks all of those boxes is expensive.
The problem is cost. He needs a partner who can defend zone entries, make a good first pass, and defend well in zone. Finding a right-handed player who ticks all of those boxes is expensive.
They have that player – Evan Bouchard:
Nurse/Bouchard
Ekholm/Broberg
OR
Nurse/Bouchard
Ekholm/Ceci
Kulak/Bouchard
I’ve thought about that too.
The potential issue with playing Nurse with Bouchard is that now you’re borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. You’re still short a top 4 RD.
If you play Nurse with Bouchard, they’re the McDavid pairing and they have to light the world on fire.
Nurse will default to Bouchard for moving the puck out and smart teams will cheat to Bouchard on the forecheck. (Like when Nurse played with Bear).
I don’t think Ceci is good enough to play 2RD anymore either.
But yeah, we’re locked in with trying Broberg with Nurse or Ekholm barring a blockbuster trade.
His problem isn’t being coached. It’s that he’s never had a defenceman’s approach to hockey. His instincts don’t match the job.
Jim Matheson:
If Sheldon Kennedy gives Bowman a strong recommendation I would say job is Stan’s. He is most qualified. Also Mark Hunter is only seven years younger than Kenny
Jim Matheson giving a blessing is like you endorsing the prospect pool of a franchise: it’s a kiss of death.
Also, Matty throwing shade on someone who is specifically qualified by way of reputation and experience, due only to age, while himself being a dinosaur unable to adapt with the times, is the height of irony.
The letter is here:
https://www.respectgroupinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/my-work-with-stan-bowman-sk.pdf
There is zero doubt that Bowman was, at least at some point, in consideration – people in the know on the inside have reported as much.
Will it be him? This letter coming out now may be a signal or maybe its a coincidence.
The letter is strong but I’d still go another direction including due to the fact that I don’t think such a prominent type GM is required or prudent but someone that likely will employ more of a “team approach”.
If this is true via insiders tweeter..Can’t believe oilers hired Stan bowFNman. Sad day for oilers nation
Is this the latest? Who was the source?
2 mutts
Man, I have no idea how to feel about this.
if this is true…surely JJ ran it by McDrai and received their blessing, no?
who?
2 mutts = 2 random dudes with a podcast = insiders?
I’m gonna need a reputable source before I believe this, otherwise….
Clickbait.
Was hoping it was just click bait…. just cant get on board with this hire.
Well, there are no other sources reporting anything at this time. I’m in total agreement with not being on board with hiring Bowman.
Two hours after Friedman posted a link to a Sheldon Kennedy article about how Bowman had worked with his ‘Respect Group’ these two pick up the reference and try and turn it into clickbait.
That would be my read on how it happened.
The 2 Mutts guys are fairly credible – they have quite a few connections in the hockey world and have Stauffer on their pop monthly.
This feels like fake news… even Al Gore can’t find anything to confirm it.
who the heck is 2 mutts?
One of these ‘insiders’ is a journeyman carpenter, according to online profiles. At least if he were an electrician, I could see him being ‘plugged in’….
Too nuts
Or your wired pulled.
Just saying… Jesus was also a journeyman carpenter and also had insider knowledge.
And…he was a goalie.
A journeyman carpenter?
Well, I’m sure he nailed it, then.
Stop.
Hammer time.
The same “Two Mutts” Twitter account that posted “insider info” that Drai, Connor, and Bouchard are all three taking team-friendly eight year deals?
Maybe we should wait for an official announcement before digging out the pitchforks and torches.
Reid Wilkins is leaving 630 ched (on his own accord).
I am saddened by this news. I think Reid is fantastic on air and Overtime Openline is my first listen at the gym after every Oilers game (followed by the Cult of Hockey pod).
I think its been 11 years that he’s been doing the games with Rob Brown and I think they have great chemistry.
Reid mentioned we’ll know later this summer where he’s popping up – I am hopeful its “on air” providing content related to the Oilers and the Edmonton sports scene (maybe even 1440 or EST).
In any event, I wish Reid the best and I anxiously await to hear who his replacement will be on Inside Sports and on the Oilers broadcasts.
Reid and Rob were a great listen.
Saw the job posting somewhere. For positions like this they usually hire from within. Likely someone like Brenden Escott, who produce’s Bob’s show and fills in when he is away. Or whoever comes in the cheapest, since Corus is laying off 25% of its staff in the coming weeks. The company doesn’t have two nickels to rub together.
I would try:
1A line
1B line
Janmark – Henrique – Brown
Power Forward – Holloway – Power Forward
bounce Savoie in there for a look
On defence they need to find a 21 year old Xhekaj
Skinner – McDavid – Hyman
Nuge – Leon – Arvidson
Holloway – Henrique – Brown
Janmark – Ryan – Perry
Ekholm – Bouch
Nurse – Broberg
Kulack – Ceci
This roster line up will not solve the problem as it sits today. Yes, its strong, its the kind the wins you a division title and gets bumped out in the second round.
Add in Kane and Desharnais and it helps, but one, maybe both are off the table
It doesn’t solve the problem and Oilers know it. Out goes McLeod, out goes Borgault.
Oilers want both Leon and Connor to play healthy through the playoffs and success will be theirs.
Ryan, Perry, Ceci need to be moved along or become support players. These positions filled with intense, high compete, physical, hard to play against players.
How about Darnell Nurse traded for Tom Wilson.
One bad contract out and another one in, but with some severe aggression.
Could we find the new Tom Wilson? Faster, can keep up but with a dash of crazy?
Its not popular when we come to watch hockey, but the playoffs become war, and thus you need weapons. Power play success is one, but in a game that has 30 infractions to ten, the refs will still only call 3-1 penalties. The odds favour those breaking the rules.
Fighting hurts you. And inexperienced fighter who fight out of frustration usually hurt you as well.
I just don’t have an answer of who, but Im pretty sure Oilers are looking hard. Now and at the deadline.
Aren’t Perry and Ryan support players by definition? Neither will likely play all games, depending on emerging players and health
Ceci definitely need to be replaced preferably with the player type you described. He had decent playoff results with exactly one partner, he needs too much sheltering to stay at that cap hit. I think a healthy Kane is very helpful. For me Des is a tweener, his results in two playoffs weren’t good enough. I like players that can skate and handle a puck and play with some tempo
Perry and Ryan have peaked 2 years ago, this should be recognized. Still, they are not hurting us, but easily you can see spots available for Savoie if he can grab it.
We all like those players who can skate and basically good at hockey. Its not enough. Not for this team with this problem.
For sure. I’ve been commenting for years that the team was too vanilla. And lacked deeper balance. We got LT’s balance photo, but that really meant they finally had 23 NHL calibre players. Even if we like certain players, having Nuge and Hyman as Connor’s wingers isn’t a good mix
Nuge is talented and Hyman forechecks and goes to where Connor can set him up, but both are far too nice on the ice, so Connor gets full attention and often nobody sees much response when they go at Connor as we saw against Florida
Which is why I floated Kane and Skinner as a possibility for Connor. Hyman got 50 goals but I put numbers up a while ago, and the line didn’t produce more goals over the previous season, just traded them around
For me a better balanced line for Connor is having a Tikkanen like distraction that can score (Kane) and a more skilled 5v5 finisher than Nuge (Skinner) to hopefully increase the line’s production. I think Connor with the right help if healthy can get into numbers we haven’t seen in a long time, but the wingers have to be a part of that, not just recipients of playing with him
Kane when healthy is a major distraction. He plays a style few do anymore, the other team has to know where he is for health and safety reasons and that means the focus isn’t all just on Connor. And you know if liberties are taken he will make them answer the bell one way or another, even just getting into their heads like he did to Tkachuk. Players take him seriously still
You hit the nail on the head. I like words like distractions, vanilla, being too nice.
I remember the peak Sharks a few years back, I called them a very gentleman team. Then Kassian ran them right over, they didn’t know what hit them.
I think the Oilers are quite a gentleman team. Mom would be proud.
Panthers are not. And I certainly don’t want to be the Panthers. But I want some distractions, some intensity, some threat to back off the pressure on McDavid.
By almost every metric, the RNH – McD – Hyman line was one of the most dominant lines in the league. The top line is not a priority area for improvement lol. They were amazing.
In the finals Zach and Nuge combined for 1 G and 4 pts in 7 games 5v5 and Connor got mauled
Along the lines of what Winchester is saying what should be done is what works deep in the playoffs. The PP being great is good, but they only get a couple of goes a game, even less
You have to win the series 5v5. It seems Jackson recognized that because he signed two strong 5v5 producers, one is also aggressive and nasty. Essentially this all comes down to what the league has the refs call and how many
If they won’t reign in the dirty play, you give back in kind. I think a healthy Kane on ice with Connor would have changed the dynamic with Bennett and Tkachuk. Kane affected Tkachuk once before. And a couple of mean D looking to catch Barkov hard for all of his slashing
That’s how Gary wants it played so give the coaches and best players the right tools, increase the odds, instead of hoping the best players can survive long enough to get it done
I don’t like any of it, but I don’t want to watch teams doing that to the Oilers without paying a price physically and on the score board
In the SCF GF-GA:
McD: 7-2
Hyman: 5-1
RNH: 1-4
If you have to win 5v5 then how did Florida win the cup? The teams were tied 14-14 5v5. McD was +5 5v5 in the series. The Oilers already dumped one of their worst 5v5 performers in the finals, McLeod.
When you make decisions in hockey with very strict views about roster construction you limit your options.
True. I have opinions as we all do, formed after many years of watching and deciding what I see as right. It all hinges on who the core is in how you best augment it, I’m not stuck on a particular way, except I agree with Winchester that a team needs to have a range of players, but definitely enough assertiveness and competitiveness as a group. To win cups it takes every player pushing hard, but also winning their TOI in the details
This playoffs there were a lot of players giving that, raising their battle levels, but too many that didn’t or couldn’t. To me it’s amazing they got to where they did given those issues, but that’s what happens when you have a player like Connor
Also what is at the heart of this thread, there are certain things that work better when it matters most. Florida was built that way – I think the Oilers are a better team, but drive the Panther’s had is hard to compete with. Our core reminds me a lot of the 80’s team. World’s best player and an all time great player, already. A big highly skilled #2, an elite offensive D
Sather knew what was going to happen when Wayne came into the league, and it did. He built the most highly skilled team, and they were as mean and tough as any team, maybe moreso. Nobody got a free ride when they went at Gretzky. They still did, but it toned down over time from the push back because offenders paid for it. You couldn’t try to run them out of the rink to win, or attack their star. Sather also worked to find the right wingers for his centres
Zach had a great season and playoffs except the finals, and he said he was healthy. Nuge was similar although struggled a times and in the finals. Given who they mostly played with I think it could be better. Should be better. I like both players but both are limited in range in their own ways
I think that holds Connor back, and when I looked at 22/23 and last season, Zach’s great scoring didn’t increase the line’s production. I would like to see players that help him keep raising to where I think he can be. Especially against teams Nuge and Zach struggle against. Why not at least have another option especially if it can be without Leon?
When you take out the 8-1 game even goals are Florida 14 Oilers 9. Take out the 5-1 game as well and it’s Florida 13 Oilers 6 in the five other games, which they lost 4 of. They almost were able to win even with the injuries and a fair few players struggling. I think with a few tweaks they can take it up another level, but the tweaks are necessary, some have been made
With a better D group (hopefully more to come) and the players that were losing personal battles removed and more 5v5 offense added I don’t think anyone can keep up with them if healthy enough and they don’t beat themselves
I largely agree with a lot of what you post; your gist is grist for my mill.
But you lose me when you say things like take out this game or that game, where EDM ground FLA into a find powder. Why take out those results? If you’re going to take out the two best games, then take out the two worst games as well. Which, to me, is equally flawed/disingenuous. The results are what they are.
To me that’s not much different than trying to pump up your favourite player by using prorated scoring to make a favourable point. Doesn’t hold water in a serious discussion. IMO.
I suggested seeing if a deal could be made for Gudas. He said he doesn’t want to play in Canada but things change. He still plays pretty well, maybe could reinvigorate Nurse’s agro game. That would be a fearsome pair. If Brown is better than many think he would be a great partner for Bro, who I think needs a physical partner to compliment his style
If we want a harder team to play against, Ekholm Nurse Gudas Brown and two skill guys that aren’t small isn’t far off. Almost glory Oilers style. And I think better than the Canucks’ orcs from last season and this coming one’s
Wait what is the “problem” with this team?
The Oilers could add Tom Wilson and Matt Rempe and Dave Semenko to the lineup and it wouldn’t lead to McDavid and Drai taking less abuse.
Matt can’t play top 6 so no, but Wilson playing by Connor would definitely stop most of the cheap stuff. What it can’t stop are big injuries. I know this because I watched the 80’s Oilers protect Gretzky. He was attacked very seriously when he came in, Messier and Semenko and others changed that tune in a season or two
Suter still did an egregious hit but that was not an NHL game, and it affected Wayne’s career. And he was a psycho, also messed up Kariya. But the silly stuff toned down a lot because players had to take the onslaught and it was real. And often delayed in Messier’s case
I would argue that Wilson playing with Connor would not stop most of the cheap stuff.
I am not a fan of hiring Bowman because I think his moves in Chicago were a dog’s breakfast.
After reading more, I am glad to see Bowman has taken an active role in educating himself about abuse in hockey and seems to have made a genuine effort to make hockey safer for young players. Good on him. It is very easy to deflect and refuse to take accountability. It seems like Bowman has made a real effort to improve himself and the game.
Im going to play devils advocate today
First, I think many are missing the story here. Leon Draisaitl received broken ribs. Connor McDavid requires surgery for undisclosed injury? Both along with teammates have a multitude of more minor injuries. This is not okay, it is infuriating.
Both players have been hurt in every playoffs so far.
And in last two cup runs, these players could not deliver top performance.
Looking forward, there will be 4 coaches and 80+ players that have the same plans for these players. Its the only way to stop them and frankly, it works.
This is the story and this is the problem.
Jackson has changed the type of players they want in the system to more aggressive bigger players outside of Savoie being small. I agree with you and it seems the CEO does
I have so many questions:
1) what was the second point?
2) Connor won the Conn Smythe and had an all time great playoffs, does that not count as “top performance”?
3) How do thugs prevent injuries to Connor or Drai? The season before with a healthy Kane, Drai still got injured.
4) Hitting Connor and Drai did not work. The Oilers made the SCF and lost by a goal in game seven. You make it sound like they got swept in the first round.
5) How was this post “devils advocate”? What are you advocating for?
Im going against the grain by not condoning the roster building to date. I think its out of balance and does not contain the elements required.
Connor and Leon were severely injured, is this okay with you? If they were at 100% performance the Oilers would have 2 Stanley Cups. Hitting, slashing, cross checking them absolutely worked.
As we sit on the couch as fans, we feel no pain. They did and played through. To simply say hey were close, just a bounce away, lets get more scorers, that is an inability to evaluate and see the problem. Next year perhaps they are taken out completely.
There is a big difference between thugs and players with high compete.
Oilers skill (injured) ran up against Florida’s physical, high compete. The higher skill team lost.
I dont think running back with the exact same game plan is a good idea.
You realize Florida’s “high compete” team got injured the year before and lost.
I am not clear how “high compete” teams are less likely to be injured?
It is also not clear to me how high compete and skill are mutually exclusive categories?
And to be clear, I think the roster needs/needed an upgrade. One cannot reasonably expect Boosh, McD, and the PK to be that good again.
I just do not think you have identified the correct roster issues.
Kevin Lowe battled through serious injuries in the playoffs.
Mark Messier did as well.
If those two players can’t avoid playoff injuries, with all kinds of half skilled cold blooded axe murderers around them… how are Connor and Leon going to escape injury with a platoon of Evander Kane, Tom Wilson and Radko Gudas (for example) surrounding them?
Lucic and Maroon couldn’t stop Manning injuring Connor in the regular season, nor did Kassian stop Kneeordano’s predatory hit in the last minute of the regular season — Gagner, of all players, was the only one to step in.
I get what you’re saying but it’s up to the individual on-ice awareness of Connor and Leon, et al, and luck.
This is exactly right.
The only way to limit the effects of injury is to assemble strong depth.
Sam Bennett did not protect Barkov. You have to get past the idea of protection.
What Sam Bennett does is give the opposition a whole lot of something else to handle. Hes not even that good. Hes good enough, and his distraction, his running defencemen or his antagonizing other players, takes focus off Barkov.
Oilers have to get more rugged. Do that and still keep the skill up, this is the repeatable formula.
So what you’re saying is we need a modern Tikkanen.
That’s something I completely agree with.
Now, who is it that fits the bill?
I’d actually wager Bennett is a pretty close analogue…
Adding bigger or tougher or thuggier players to the roster is not going lead to McDavid and Drai taking less abuse.
Oilers Management has to lobby the league to protect star players. That is only route to any sort of tangible effort to reduce the likelihood of any preventable injuries to 29 & 97.
Things like headlocks and slewfoots and obvious intent to injure actions need to be what the focus is on.
Willard Reave’s progeny or Tom Wilson or Matt Rempe are not deterrents to douche baggery.
In the playoffs, referees actually doing their job could be, hard to say though, since I’ve never seen that strategy employed over 50 decades of looking for exactly that. That is the obvious solution, not upsizing the calibre of armament.
Is there “alot at stake” in this GM decision?
I guess, yes, there is, I mean its the GM but, at the same time, the general consensus seems to be that Jeff Jackson is fully trusted in “GM like decisions” as they related to player decisions and procurement and he will continue to be “involved in the day to day”.
Unless it is Stan Bowman, creating all sorts of controversy with large negative downside, I’m not sure its as important as prior GM hires, maybe less?
Jackson already has the ball rolling with off ice programs. There is strong player support for the families, they are given as much as is possible such as extending travel (more expense) and buying tickets for the guys to do things they want to do, there is an actual analytics team, he hired a Kalle Larsson – which may end up being the most valuable piece, developing the players you have to the best level possible
There is a chef so the less inclined aren’t eating 7 Eleven after games etc and they aren’t just dumping a bunch of Costco burritos etc on a table as apparently Columbus has done
To me what is most important is keeping the activity level and quality of the deals Jackson has done to this level. It is what has hampered the team’s growth for many, many years. I don’t know of the names out there who has that mentality and the skills to execute it
I do know that it would be very ill advised and tone deaf to hire Bowman in a hockey mad, probably the most hockey mad market there is. When they have finally gotten to a place where Oiler fans were surveyed to be the happiest hockey fans in the league, why sully it in any way?
Also, I don’t see what is on Bowman’s resume to suggest he is so good the rest can be overlooked. I think it is valid to question his ethics in that we know he was aware of what was happening, and chose to be a part of what happened instead of pushing back and quitting
And I say quitting because if he did push back it wasn’t enacted, and it was of a serious enough nature that quitting would be the appropriate reaction. He wasn’t going to end up in line at a food bank. It probably in the end would have put him in a better personal and career place than he’s in now. Choose another candidate. Hockey Canada and old boy connections hiring is what put the brakes on the first half of Connor’s career
I think it’s Gilman, and I’m hopeful he keeps Brad Holland around.
One of the under-rated aspects of hiring Gilman is that if he errs, it will be easy to curse him out, a la Jerry Seinfeld…
Gilman!
Not an expert in this space. Im relying a lot on an article or 2 and have no insights.
Id like to see an emphasis on player development, sports science and analytics. Edmonton will always have taxes and weather working against them – and Connor McDavid for now offsets that all. Better late than never to build a world class org.
If anything, Jeff Jackson is putting a huge emphasis on player development. He and Dave Gagner were pioneers in player development from the agency side (i.e. pre-draft, etc.).
He continues to speak about the important of player development and hired a new director of player development and just this week continued to talk about building that group out.
PMABB (Pretty Much Anyone But Bowman)
Who downvoted this???? Hiring Bowman loses all respect anyone has for this team.
good morning LowTide
Going to try and call it
GM will be announced before noon on Friday July 26
Mark Hunter will get the job
But I’m hoping for Brian Lawton
Gordoil
Have always been very impressed with Lawton when he does radio spots. Very articulate and knowledgeable. I agree he would be a great choice. I hope they stay from Bowman if for no other reason than the optics.
I don’t understand the love for Lawton.
Be interested to know what recommends him as a potential GM for the Oilers.
Lawton is extremely likeable. Over the years of him on ON people have really gotten to know him. He often shares his experiences as a previous GM. He has been an adviser to teams, which he has also talked about. Combine his experience as a player agent and NHL player as well.22
Having been a regular listener myself I completely understand why many would feel Lawton is a potential candidate.
Lawton is also a very positive voice for Edmonton and the Oilers. Hard not to like that.
Likeable to a radio audience is nearly the last qualification I have in mind for the next GM of this team.
From what I’ve seen, that it’s pretty much only the media (IE John Shannon) pumping Lawton’s tires is a major tell. He’s doing a buddy a solid. Just like when Darren Dreger tried to insinuate Dave Nonis was in the running here before Holland was chosen. Nonis, a complete disaster at the helm in VAN then TOR as he rode Brian Burke’s coattails, had no business being mentioned in that vein. But Dreger was using his “Insider” status to pump the profile of someone close to him.
Honest question: what about Lawton’s track record inspires any confidence?
Certainly not his drafting. A potato could have made the successful picks at the top of the draft that he did in Stamkos and Hedman. Probably would have done better in the later rounds too. To be fair, Killorn was a solid depth pick.
Definitely wasn’t his trades. Milquetoast is a generous descriptor; addled might be more apt. Three to four decent trades aside, Lawton regularly sent away more for less.
Lawton is exactly the kind of GM we’re tired of around here. Jackson had better be aiming higher than a dusty retread like Lawton.
EDIT: forgot to link his trades. I really miss CapFriendly, their GM section was unrivalled.
https://www.nhltradetracker.com/user/trade_list_by_GM/Brian_Lawton/112/1
I’m hoping for Brian Lawton as well. I think he would be great.