The Edmonton Oilers preseason got underway, and in doing so gave everyone a chance to see new evidence. We all fancy ourselves as able to see talent and project it into the future, and the truth is Oilers fans who post on this blog are a smart bunch. What did you notice? Here’s my take.
THOUGHTS ON GAME ONE, PRESEASON
I always like to divide prospects into two categories. First, those we expect to do well in these games, due to age and or draft pedigree. The more important group are those who are teenagers and playing against older, more experienced men.
So it is predictable for me to lead with my thoughts on young center Sam O’Reilly. Chosen in the first round of the 2024 draft (No. 32, there’s no guarantee he’ll play 100 NHL games from that spot, let alone 500 or 1,000), O’Reilly showed great skill on his goal. Speed, taking a pass, ligtning quick hands to go back-to-forehand and then a fine shot to cash. He is doing the things without the puck that smart players do out of the box, and I’m encouraged by his on-ice intelligence. He played on a line with Drake Caggiula and Raphael Lavoie, the trio posting a 5-1 HDSC edge in 11 minutes of work. The line was 1-0 goals.
William Nicholl keeps showing up in good ways. I noticed him in Penticton and he did it again last night. Effective on a line with Jayden Grubbe and Cameron Wright, Nicholl’s individual totals included 14:55 playing time at five-on-five, third-most among forwards. He has good speed, can make plays and is aware of the situation in real time. Don’t look past Nicholl no matter how sparse his playing time this week. He’s a player.
Matthew Savoie had a nice chance, created a rebound and showed well in just 12 minutes at even strength. He also had a fine look on the power play and won some faceoffs. He’s quick and in the play often. His line (James Hamblin, Vasily Podkolzin) dominated at five-on-five (13-2 Corsi events five-on-five) and were unlucky to be 0-1 goals.
Among established players, I thought the defense showed well. Ty Emberson and Travis Dermott couldn’t stop a nice sequence that resulted in the first GA (no fault to my eye on the goal for Olivier Rodrigue, it was a late tip) but other than that it was clear sailing. Emberson had one HDSC, two shot blocks and a couple of hits at five-on-five, this pairing had a clean slate in 1:07 on the PK. Dermott looked good, too, played a steady game. I think he has a chance here.
Cam Dineen was the offensive star of the game, the pass to O’Reilly was pure shiv to the defense and thrilled the fan base. I’m sure the men in suits responsible for the procurement of both men were well pleased, too. Dineen has been doing fine work for this organization in helping Max Wanner along, perhaps he gets rewarded with some games during the regular season this year.
Vasily Podkolzin was fast and physical, made a huge play on the winner. I don’t know that he’s going to score a bunch (most of the forwards over 21 are not gifted with a scoere’s touch) but you can see a role for him.
Noah Philp was 9-3 in the dot, drew a penalty, had a HDSC and is absolutely going to push for work in this training camp. I thought he might be a recall this winter, now I’m sure of it.
Raphael Lavoie scored a goal from the high high part of the offensive zone, outside the circle on the left side. He can beat good goalies clean. I thought he was physical but the defensive sense that someone like O’Reilly already shows doesn’t come naturally to this player. I’m cheering for him.
Jayden Grubbe is tough and gritty and smart and does things you know the coach notices. If there’s a young forward on this roster who does more good things away from the puck than Grubbe I can’t see it. I’d like to see him penalty kill in one of these games before he heads to Bakersfield. I like him plenty.
One final note: I think Logan Stanley is at a career crossroads with the Jets. I’d love to see him in the Oilers organization. I suspect he’s going to have a career despite the wobble in Manitoba.
We hit the ground running today at noon, Sports 1440. We’ll discuss last night’s game, preview both tilts tonight, talk NFL and CFL weekend and rave over Shohei Ohtani’s running wild. I’m at Lowetide on twitter, in the comments section here and on the Sports 1440 text line at 1.833.401.1440 directly.
New for The Athletic: Keys for the Edmonton Oilers to achieve an all-important fast start
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5785453/2024/09/23/edmonton-oilers-keys-fast-start/
First round of cuts tomorrow. Probably all of the junior kids except maybe O’Riley!
Very likely that Skinner will play against Winnipeg.
I wonder if O’Riley gets his ELC on his way to Barrie?
It would slide this season (and next season – presuming he doesn’t play 10 NHL games).
For those that were still hoping the Oilers would give DeAngelo a shot (it might only have been Seravelli), he officially signed in the KHL.
Not surprising; RH offensive only d-men are not rare as anymore. You can hang on for a long time if you are beloved dressing room guy like Barrie. DeAngelo ain’t that.
Now I can get off the Calgary feed. Hopefully my computer didn’t catch anything.
im already worried about Skinner. I don’t know the player much but he looks to be a shooter that depends on two hardworking wingers to get the puck while he floats, tries to find open ice.
But preseason, vets don’t try too hard.
Caggiula brings the speed and energy. Pederson looks to be the man they need the most but once he stopped throwing hits, he didn’t touch the puck much.
Savoie over his head but flashes of talent.
The rest were not getting much done to my eye.
Ryan wearing the A, and he should have had Arvidson, Skinner, Hoffman to help him out, but they left there “A” game somewhere else.
Skinner is very much known as a complimentary winger that is reliant on a skilled center but has a very long history of high end goal production when he does have a skilled center and, well, the likelihood of him having that this year is very high.
He’ll likely be playing with the best passer in the league. Looks promising.
In my opinion, in Calgary, Stetcher, Brown, Dermott not looking so great.
Wanner is raw, patchy, rough.
Gleason the best skating, puck handling dman on the Oilers side. Smooth. Dineen a close second.
On Calgary side guys like Weegar looks good but it is really Barrie who stood out as smooth skating puck handler.
To build a team you need both types.
Highway robbery on Lavoie just after the penalty. What a chance he had and an incredible save.
Lavoie looks like a top 6 winger. I acknowledge it is preseason.
I could not watch the Edmonton game, but scanning the radio I heard Lavoie name the most.
Sounds like Drai did his job setting up the rookie. Lavoie could not cash, that’s unfortunate
That goal by McDavid was the type of goal he was scoring with regularly in his 60 plus goal season that he wasn’t last year – walking in a ripping it past the goalie from the slot.
Cooley has been unreal good night. This game should be tied at 6.
Lavoie must have double digit shot attempts and like 6-7 on net.
Prrry has been playing with Drai and Lavoie the last while. I hope that Podz isn’t hurt. Haven’t noticed him for a while. Pop, there he is, on Philp’s wing.
Lavoie MUCH more effective with Drai than Podz tonight.
Podz still getting shifts with Wakely and Clattenburg.
Noel H.’s centering pass goes off a skate and in. Ugly goal but it came after Lavoie with yet another pick on net off offensive zone time. Lavoie has looked very good on Drai’s wing tonight.
Looks like they are giving the goal to Perry.
If Skinner is playing in Calgary, he’s invisible.
Intel on Skinner is that he is not a driver and is very much reliant on his center but, when he’s with a high skilled center, he’s an elite goal scorer.
Watching the away game, if I had to extend a contract it would be to Tyson Barrie.
I think Hoffman is soon gone. Far past his best before date. Also suspect we will cull the herd on d soon so we can concentrate on those who are realistically battling for a spot so they can get more game reps together and see if there is any chemistry.
Only thing worse than losing to Calgary is losing to Calgary twice in one day…
“I think Hoffman is soon gone. Far past his best before date.”
Based on what? Stecher, Dermott, Dineen and Brown playing like garbage? Or his PP goal? The goal where Hoffman turned it over was on Stecher, who made a terrible play at the line.
Recent years he has not been able to outscore his mistakes, and I don’t see anything so far that tells me different. He is on a downward trajectory career wise, and I propose it is far better to invest the ice time at this juncture in someone with more upside down the line. Lavoie, for one example.
I don’t think the Oilers will offer a contract. But I thought his play was fine and he showed some flashes of elite puck skill, including the lone goal. I liked his PP play and he had good exchanges with Caggiula. He didn’t look slow to me and received top line minutes.
His rels with MTL and SJS were not terrible. I wouldn’t put too much faith in traditional plus minus with those teams, which were well into the negative. The numbers read to me as a player who’s on-ice stats mostly follow the flow (not a driver), His individuals tell the story of a player who still has something left. I could see him as a 3rd line player on a weaker team. Have to wonder if CGY would have interest for him to play with Huberdeau. Maybe there’s still something there. They didn’t offer a PTO, but wouldn’t be the first time a player signs a PTO with EDM and league minimum with CGY.
As daniel says, Hoffman has NOT been a drag on his teams, even in recent years.
Ugly giveaway by Brown on his goal line leads to the flames 5th goal in Calgary.
Tough games, both of them.
Brown is a bruiser, as advertised. He has laid down a few hit/ crosschecks in what is considered a light game.
Brown is slow, as advertised
But slow and out of position
Then again, defensive zone coverage has been poor by all so he’ll fit right in.
Brown is wearing number 44. Scouted by 44. Playing like he’s 44 (y.o.).
Wait…..I liked 44
Teams would come to town, remember Kieth said they come in and go “Oilers got this guy and this guy and don’t forget about Kassian! Big contributor for a couple years then he lost his passion I think.
Goaltending the story of the Edmonton game.
Podkolzin has good offensive instincts and is a good playmaker. Not sure about the finishing capability though.
Clattenburg fan club assemble. There were years in the decade of darkness where he would make the team out of camp (not saying he should make the team, but that he is very noticeable out there almost every shift).
Clattenburg? More like Flatten-burg!
Lavoie must have about 7 or 8 shot attempts so far.
4 iCF at the end of the 2nd according to NST.
Cam Moon is sooooo much better than Jack Michaels.
I like Jack. Like them both actually, we are lucky.
100%. Cam Moon is perfect on the radio.
Jack Michaels is very difficult to listen to on radio because he’d rather spin stories than describe the game – which makes it impossible to follow.
Best way to describe it – Jack would be perfect on radio for baseball because there’s so much time to fill. On hockey, he’s brutal for but fine on TV.
Are Oilers defensemen not taught to take away the pass on a 2 on 1? They routinely drift far too close to the carrier.
Podz and Drai start the PK……
Nuge and McDavid PK2…….
It seems the Play Alberta bought advertising rights on home jerseys only… for both Flames and Oilers.
Bob mentions that Hoffman is scoring goals and turning the puck over for goals against in the other game.
Hoffman turned-over the puck in own right corner when pressured on forecheck by two Flames. Results in Flame possession in Oilers zone. Hoffman covering for Stecher, who tried to take the man at the line, but failed. It wasn’t a good choice by Hoffman, who attempted to play the puck up the boards on his backhand. If in the other corner, probably would have been ok. Could have tried to skate it out. But Stetcher and Dermott looked really bad on that play. Hoffman “trying to help”.
Hoffman in Calgary…impressive puck movement on first PP opportunity then on subsequent PP puts one past Vladar. He still has some elite puck skills. Someone will find room for this player.
Interesting the Grubbe was taking the faceoff over Ryan (defensive zone) – he was kicked out and Ryan came in and won it and on the breakout Drake draws a PP with great speed.
If we didn’t know that Drake was like 18th on the depth chart, he’d be a story through 4 periods.
He still has the motor it seems, I think he’s been noticeable every shift.
I have no idea if Clattenburg will ever make it but he’s an easy player to root for. Always in the middle of it. He’s like a big version of Liam Reddox.
After a real good offensive zone shift by Clattenburg and Griffith, the puck goes the other way and Hoeffenmayer and Kemp all turned around on a 2 on 2 and the second rebound is cashed.
Nice rush by Petrov down he left wing, gets a step wide and able to shovel a puck on net.
Arvidsson/Skinner/Henrique look good on the PP in the other game – Vladar with a good save on an Arvidsson snipe.
Drai sets up Podz for a perfect tip opportunity from the net front (pass from side boars) on the first shift but no cash!
Gregor said neither Picks nor Skinner were playing tonight but Picks gets the start in Edmonton.
Official from the team:
UPDATE: #Oilers forward Evander Kane underwent successful abdominal surgery last Friday in New York. Recovery from the procedure is expected to take a minimum of five to six months. His rehabilitation will take place in Edmonton under the supervision of the club’s medical staff.
Should be noted that I don’t think any player in the cap era has missed an entire 82-game season and come back to start the playoffs. Both P. Kane and Stone missed partial seasons and Kucherov as a 56-game season
Perhaps Jeff Jackson is an innovator.
Could be – will find out next year!
Like I said
minimum 6 months and likely out for year
Stauff said 100% Perry and Podz are on the team and 60% for Ryan (25% Hamblin, 10% Pederson and 5% Philp. He was Ryan at 30% for the playoffs and Philp with a good chance.
Stauffer answered in response to Seravalli asking him about the percentage chances of who would be the 4C at…
Opening night:
Ryan 60%
Hamblin 25%
Pederson 10%
Philp 5%
March 1st:
Ryan 30%
Hamblin 15%
Pederson 10%
Philp 45%
Starts at 4:48pm, Sept 23rd Oilers Now. Says this was “just his opinion, not based on insider information.”
That’s an impressively specific answer. It’s the kind of thing you’d expect on Lowetide, not from the MSM.
Yes, as I said……..
No, In fact you did not present all of that information. Your statement doesn’t indicate that Stauffer rates Philp’s chance as being above Ryan’s on March 1st.
LOL – OK then…….
Drai between Podz and Lavoie – that is a heck of a heavy line……
Amazon Prime Video has announced its on air talent for its Monday Night Hockey broadcasts.
John Forslund will handle play by play (he’s the goods) and Mark Messier will be one of the analysts.
https://www.nhl.com/news/prime-video-announces-talent-for-monday-night-hockey-coast-to-coast
4 Oiler games are on the Amazon schedule including a rematch with the Panthers.
Production will be better than SportsNet without a doubt. TSN was and will always be better, until it ceases which can’t be that far away. Maybe Amazon buys TSN. The parts of the production team that Rogers took over from CBC had already shed so much talent through cuts. Maybe it takes an Amazon to reestablish some professionalism in what has to a certain extent become a joke.
When the Sportsnet deal expires, I expect Amazon will become a major player.
Amazon doesn’t have to buy Bell even with its stock now trading just above junk status but it could certainly acquire rights to the Ottawa, Winnipeg and Toronto games now held by TSN.
Assuming the limited rights CBC holds for Saturday night HNIC and playoff games will also expire at the same time, Amazon could increase its footprint substantially with relative ease.
Just a reminder that Amazon is already the Seattle Kraken broadcast partner in Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Idaho.
https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/entertainment/seattle-kraken-games-prime-video-watch-stream
As an Oilers fan in 1984 I never imagined arguing about the intricacies of predictive models, sports hernias, popliteus muscles, drafting and development strategies, and legalized gambling in 2024, let alone arguing about them online in a digital forum 24/7.
Sometimes I miss the simplicity: white boards, white ice, silence after the whistle; the printed program and paper with all the information available. The conversation stopping when the radio show ended at 10pm.
Everyone had a democratic right to be wrong, and we made certain we were wrong all the time: that much has not changed. Difference now is sport is the only forum in which such democracy is socially and politically acceptable.
Elliotte Friedman on 32 thoughts…
Canucks can be patient with Demko as they now have two backstops with Lankinen and Silovs and will likely carry three goalies all season.
He went out of his way to mention Calgary’s two young RHD Zane Parekh and Hunter Brustzewicz suggesting both are going to lights out in the NHL.
Elliotte also saying he is convinced Max Pacioretti already has a contract done with the Leafs despite his PTO status.
He scored 2 goals and an assist last night.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/maple-leafs-takeaways-pacioretty-shines-with-two-goals-assist-as-tryout-continues/
He’ll be great for his 3-5 games
Canucks will be taking a step back and Tocchet is already getting out the excuse book. As for the Flames they are tearing down a top 10-15 team for next 3-5 years so they can be a top 10-15 team when they get their new arena built. As for the Oilers they will be a top 6 team for the next decade.
I don’t know about the rest of the folks here, but I don’t know how I’d get through the day without being kept abreast of all of the nuances of Demko’s knee injury and Vancouver’s other goalie options.
You don’t lay in bed at night as an Oilers fan wondering how Hunter Brzustewicz will do on a rebuilding Flames team based on his pre-season performance?! How can you even call yourself an Oilers fan?!
I remember Jet Woo really impressed the Canucks in the pre season a few years ago and some HH guy was very high on him.
I wonder what Jet is up to nowadays?
He’s a middle six player for the Canucks….. the Abbotsford Canucks!
They will have to be very patient, because he will be injured again this season. It’s a shame for him, perfect for us
The home fans get to see Clattenburg in a battle of Alberta preseason. He will be absolutely pumped.
I’m loving the Jackson era so far.
Popsicle will be ducking Clattenburg all evening this could get interesting.
Jim Matheson:
Early feeling is Evander Kane will be out 4 to 6 months after his surgery (two sports hernias, four muscle tears) in New York last Friday which is fairly loose timeline. Six months is past March 7 trade deadline, But still waiting for Oiler announcement after talking to doctors
Wouldn’t it be interesting if Kane is on IR until just before deadline, then swapped to LTIR. Friedman says EDM doesn’t think he’ll be out all season. What if that’s what Friedman is supposed to think. If they can accrue 3-4M then swap Kane to LTIR, that’s $8-$9M in deadline adds. Plus a healthy Kane in the playoffs. No. That could never happen. No way that Kane stretches his recovery into month 7. Milstein wouldn’t hear of it.
Doesn’t the accrued cap space vanish the moment LTIR is invoked?
They can accrue the cap space, spend it, place Kane on LTIR and get LTIR reserves to spend more.
i believe that you are correct.
Effectively, any accrued cap space disappears if Kane is placed on LTIR prior to the deadline.
The accrued cap space is a hedge against Kane returning prior to the deadline.
Practically speaking, any GM approaching deadline with $4M in accrued space and who cancels it by going onto LTIR prematurely is a complete idiot. Spend it, put Kane on LTIR, then spend that. Dead simple.
Not if they make an acquisition using accrued and available cap space and then place Kane on LTIR setting an LTIR salary pool which they can use for another acquisition (presuming Kane isn’t coming back during the regular season – Big If!)/
Lots of uncertainty after that much surgery. I believe leadfarmer said ‘happy to do sit ups after 6 months’
Also, if they go into LTIR they can’t use accrued cap, so perhaps they use what they have and then go LTIR
@EdmontonOilers
UPDATE: #Oilers forward Evander Kane underwent successful abdominal surgery last Friday in New York. Recovery from the procedure is expected to take a minimum of five to six months. His rehabilitation will take place in Edmonton under the supervision of the club’s medical staff.
Per Gregor:
Here’s lineup for Oilers home game:
RNH-McDavid-Hyman
Podkolzin-Draisaitl-Lavoie
Petrov-Philp-Perry
Clattenburg-Wakely-Griffith
Ekholm-Bouchard
Hoefenmayer-Kemp
Corcoran & Kannok-Leipert
Rodrigues
Ungar
Knoblauch wants #1 PP unit together.
No S. Skinner or Pickard yet.
——————-
Go Podz and Lavoie!!!!
So does Rodrigues have a twin brother now? Not sure he could play in both games at the same time unless he figured out how to teleport. 😜
Big push for Lavoie. It’s now or never, boy!
I figured I would post this to save you know who the trouble of making it sound like an insignificant booboo. I am definitely no medical expert but chronic knee difficulties doesn’t sound good for a goalie.
Kevin Woodley:
“I can clear up one thing here. There’s no longer uncertainty about what Demko’s injury actually is. Get your WebMD out and look up…’Popliteus’.”
Now you’ve done it.
Get ready for him to post a goal by Bedard from a year ago now.
I can clear up one thing here.
Woodley was on Sportsnet 650 this morning and spoke at length about this rare malady.
It is a very small muscle located behind the knee which is overlain by several other muscles making it difficult to treat.
While the muscle itself does not have significant impact on movement, it is such a rare condition, little is known about treatment.
Just a small muscle behind the knee. No big deal. It’s not like goalies have to use their knees a lot anyway.
“the key of the knee”
“as it is a primary internal rotator of the tibia in a non weight-bearing position”
Stick to goal posts, your webMD is broken.
“The good news is that most cases of popliteus muscle strains will heal with simple home conservative treatments within 6 weeks. Prolonged healing time, if you improperly treated or re-injured, re-ocurring symptoms is a sign that you have a chronic condition.“
If Demko’s injury proves to be chronic, his career may be in jeopardy but he has been saying it is improving.
“but he has been saying it is improving.”
I recall him saying he was feeling better since he exited the playoffs, and yet he is not confident on giving a timeline on his return.
Playoffs were a lot longer than 6 weeks ago.
This injury was suffered during offseason training.
It is not the same one that kept him out in the playoffs.
https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/thatcher-demko-status
Are you sure?
“More information has emerged about Thatcher Demko’s lower-body injury. According to Kevin Woodley of InGoal Magazine and NHL.com, Demko is recovering from a Popliteus muscle injury. Demko last played on April 21 in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs but missed the rest of the postseason with the injury. ”
https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks/latest-news/report-canucks-demko-recovering-from-a-popliteus-muscle-injury
“That said, the caution he expressed Thursday was about how things went in July and August after taking a break to rest. He had a minor procedure on his knee (and let’s be clear, it was very minor) during that break. That was no problem ad it wasn’t the injury he’s working back from now.”
I see CBS confirms it:
https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/canucks-thatcher-demko-no-timetable-for-return-533187/
So Demko has had multiple knee procedures to date and now has a unique knee injury that cannot be treated via surgery. If he returns to play and aggravates it again, then it’s looking like potentially another 6 week recovery period? And possibly for every time it reoccurs? He also seems to be the only goalie who has this issue, so there is no reference on the likelihood of the injury occuring again and ways to avoid it?
Doesn’t seem like something to be optimistic about.
Given that Demko now has recurring injuries it’s likely the reason Vancouver has been busy acquiring a raft of free agent goaltenders.
Nikita Tolopini, Ty Young and Jiri Pateri are all recent acquisitions.
Silly Canucks. Not sure why they bothered signing Demko for 5×5 when they could have just replaced him with a sea of Tolopinis
It doesn’t matter. Arturs Silovs is a Vezina-caliber goaltender in his own right, and if not him then the Canucks can play Rafferty in goal.
They have like 8 or 9 Vezina trophy candidates in the organization so injuries aren’t a risk like they would be to other teams …
Or something to that effect?
Kevin Lankinen is a pretty good insurance policy.
Mine took 5 years to heal.
and that small muscle is really really important for knee stability and I’m not a professional or even amateur goalie
Popliteus [1] muscle injuries are rarely isolated injuries and are mostly associated with other injuries of the posterolateral corner of the knee such as lateral collateral ligament injury, anterior cruciate ligament injury , posterior cruciate ligament injury or meniscal tear.
[1] Also known as Demko’s Knee. See also Klefbom’s Shoulder and Jesse’s Hips
Well, its been a hell of lot longer than 6 weeks and there is no return in sight as he’d not starting the season.
In layman’s term I believe this is referred to as a Trick Knee.
Gregor:
Oilers road game roster: (2nd-4th lines and D pairs not a lock but these players are playing).
J. Skinner-Henrique-Arvidsson
Savoie-O’Reilly-Caggiula
Hoffman-Pederson-Ryan
Stefan-Grubbe-Weatherby
Dermott-Brown
Dineen-Stecher
Gleason-Wanner
Rodrigues
Day
Playing Dermott and Brown together and then Dineen – Stetcher as a pair is an interesting choice on the part of the coaches. The first two will have to show they can move the puck and the 2nd pair are going to get to show how well they can defend – especially in front of the net.
This is how it was in pre-game practices as well and, for me, it shows they have Brown penciled in to opening night 3RD with Stecher watching – to start.
Hmm. That was not my take but we will see how it plays out. Another interesting battle down the line up.
Stauff has been alluding, well, more than alluding, essentially advising that Brown is current opening night 3RD – current – its September 23 and I think there is a real competition here.
Hey LT – Mr. Woodguy’s machine called and said Mr. Stanley hates Corgis. We’re dog lovers around here
Oh yeah, it isn’t attractive since 2020-21 when he was above average rel including all game states (and even then poor versus elites).
Last season’s sample is small across the board for Mr. Stanley. He can’t play versus elites and is inconsistent against mid-levels but in most seasons does well versus less opponents.
Third pair for sure, and Josh Brown is RH, but I’m not sure one can claim one is better than the other.
I’d take the more mobile giant whichever that is
To be honest, I see alot of Jesse Puljujarvi in this player…..
Which is just fine for what his cap hit is. As long as he doesn’t think he’s a first line superstar the way Jesse did when he was with the Oilers, and accepts his role as a grinder on the 3rd and 4th lines, he’s going to be a useful player for us, and maybe stick in the NHL long enough to move up the depth chart in time.
I don’t think that analysis of Jesse rings true at all, I don’t think he ever thought of himself as a first line superstar – at least to my eyes and ears.
Jesse sure looks different in a Pens uniform he looks taller and more fit. If he stays healthy and the light switch stays on then the Pens have a beyond cheap 3rd liner.
Sure, but it was also one exhibition game, right?
He also had some big exhibition games as an Oiler.
In any event, I think he’s now back to 100% with his hips after surgery. That happened once before and he was a very effective player for the Oilers after but I think the hips started to cause problems again. Hopefully for Jesse they are “fixed” for good and he doesn’t need work on them every couple of seasons.
This is true about the meaningless exhibition we all seen the Ty Rattie go off in the preseason. Last year Bourgault earned the praises of everyone when he concluded the preseason. He then heads to the A.H.L on a high note then has a terrible season. what happened to him was it little injuries, playing time and linemates or was it a case of being in a rut where you lose your confidence and never gaining it back.
Jesse will be fine until his hips start to grind again. it’s a vicious circle.
He is a very quick skater and seems to have a good head for the game. Draft and watch on this kid – love the fact that he’s on the London Knights.
Trying to watch two online feeds at the same time tonight is going to be something else.
Would be nice if they started one game a half hour after the other. A quarter hour, even.
From Matheson
Helsinki IFK has loaned Oilers 2024 second-round draft pick goalie Eemil Vinni, 18 to the second-tier Mestis team JokP because there’s no playing room for teenager on the Elite League club.
Same team/league where he played last season. Main thing is he needs to play rather than sit.
This is good. He needs to play and Mestis is a good league. Not Allsvenskan level but he’ll be challenged.
I was pleased to see Drake play well. I know he is in later stages of his professional hockey days, he did exceptionally well carving himself out a career as a smaller player
Cam Wright could easily be one of these guys that finally makes it around 29 and has a couple decent years.
Lavoie desperately needs to realize he can’t wait a period or two to get into the game. Big guy with a big shot needs to show up from shift one.
Lavoie has scored a lot of goals from that spot high on the right circle. If he can put in the effort, he can have a career. Unfortunately for him, his best skill is that shot on the PP but it’s not what is needed in Edmonton.
I keep hearing that he’ll never play on the PP in Edmonton and my question is, why not?
No, of course, I’m not suggesting he replace Nuge on PP1 but, if he’s on the team, why can’t he be in that spot on PP2?
He can be a weapon from that spot.
I know that PP2 doesn’t see a ton of ice but they do see some and, if Lavoie is in the lineup, i would like to see him in that spot on PP2.
In place of who though?
Currently PP2 would presumably be Skinner-Henrique-Arvidsson with Ekholm-Nurse at the points.
I guess they could run 4 forwards on PP2 as well, though less likely since they’ll mostly be seeing minutes when the PP will be ending.
Skinner, Arvidsson and Kane are all legit top 6 players but none of them are great PP players.
Arivdsson has one season in his career with more than 9 PP points.
Evander Kane has one season out of 13 seasons with more than 9 points on the PP.
Of course, Lavoie does not make the team ahead of any of those guys, that was never a suggestion.
The suggestion is that, if he is on the team, why not use his very top skill – his best attribute is his shot from the Ovi spot on the PP.
Lavoie can be on with all of Henrique, Kane, Skinner and a d-man and, in my opinion, he could be on over any one of those forwards.
There have been lots of shootout specialist’s over the year – bottom six players that are good in shootouts and get in the shootout over more legit players – this is no different
I understand it may not happen, but I’m not worried about Jeff Skinner’s feelings, for example, as he’s playing with Drai for 17-18 5 on 5 minutes per night.
Fair enough if you think Lavoie is legitimately better than those guys.
I think your numbers are off here.
Kane has seasons of 18 and 11 PP points, though it’s true he hasn’t been terribly productive there overall.
Arvidsson though scored 10-15-25 on the PP in 22-23 and 1-5-6 in just 17 games last season. He’s been an extremely productive PP player in recent years.
He is noticeable pretty much every game in the AHL.
Who knows if he can translate to the next level but he’s a solid Condor.
Yes I would grab Logan Stanley if the opportunity presents. He is an absolute tank, and you know I am about rounding out the roster with more rough players.
I like the roster plenty. But I do think they need to add in order to deflect physical attention off our top players. Podkolzin showed well.
I seem to recall Stanley being a touch slow and weak link for the Jets in the playoffs no?
I still laugh at the hit Archie layed on the hack Stanley whose almost a foot taller and 60 pounds heavier. Logan flopped like he was hit by Rhinoceros.
Stupid dirty suspendable hit with the Oilers leading comfortably in the third period that turned that game, & ult8mately the series, in Winnipeg’s favour?
absolutely hilarious. 😡🤬🤯
Should of only been a 2 minute call the result turned out bad. Logan was taking liberties all series and little Archie stepped up to the plate. Logan should of recieved a academy award for best supporting Actress. Our team was to fragile to kill off a 5 minute call with I believe a 3 goal lead with half a period left was never going the distance that’s for sure.
I’m with you here Reja.
Nobody would tackle Stanley, and even a step slow he had major impact in that series. He bullied every single Oiler until he had all the time in the world to get puck out of the corner.
Arch goes low, is it dirty?
If Stanley hits him, it’s an elbow to head to to size difference, is that intentional elbow?
whatever happened to the old hip check anyway? I guess it got dirty.
But Arch hitting low was only “too low” due to size discrepancy.
Oilers should have been able to survive it. It certainly turned out highly disappointing, mostly because Stanley bested them twice.
Similar with Zadorov. That kid is an impact player in the playoffs.
You can’t allow a bully to control the series. Kane did this to Kadri and Tkachuk a few years back they were both scared shitless of Kane wrath. With a hobbled Kane Zadorov in a vital contract year hobbled half our team in last years series. Jackson-Bowman have all regular season to bulk up before the real season starts.
a minor is all that was called (& a suspension). But juts ike that a 4-1 game was 4-2 & the whole vibe changed from a game under control to one out of control.
i thought it unnecessary & selfish, & ultimately very costly. Your mileage obviously varies
I wasn’t able to watch so thanks for the game observations, LT.
I did see some mentions last night of Josh Brown playing well, and he is in direct competition with Dermott (and arguably also Emberson I suppose).
Just curious if you also saw Brown decent/good, and any early impressions on the competition for 3RD/7D.
I saw him good, more mobile than I thought. For me, all of the blue played well.
Thanks, much appreciated.
After the slog that was Penticton, it was a delight to see a blueline group that could move the puck. Makes a huge difference.
I thought Brown was good last night. He consistently made the 7-10 foot pass, tape to tape. Of course, he didn’t have NHL players pressuring him or battling with him so one step at a time but he showed well for me.