The Edmonton Oilers had a gloomy evening in Winnipeg last night, beaten soundly in all categories by a Jets club that packed most of its opening night roster. These preseason games that feature outmatched visiting teams versus stacked home rosters tend to be less enjoyable for the fans of the road team. I’ll also say that quotes from the coaching staff like “you find out if you’re NHL ready” could be followed by “someone had to play this road game” and maybe there are too many of these tilts each (late summer or) fall. As for the actual action, there are things to discuss.
NOTABLE ITEMS FROM WINNIPEG
Ty Emberson was the player I was most interested in watching, and he played a feature role. I don’t blame him for an early line change and that seemed to get most of the attention. If that wasn’t the top item, some blamed him on the Kyle Connor goal but holy hell he was surely a forward by then and someone should be covering.
What I am concerned about is playing style. He’s an aggressive player and can win battles (Emberson can defend) but to my eye he took some hellacious hits and that’s a worry. Does he get caved often? Some defensemen play with such abandon that safety takes a back seat. We don’t know enough about him but that’s an early furrowed brow. He blocked a shot on a sure goal, moved the puck well, and is a difficult player for an opposition forward to overcome. I wish he was a little bigger, but he makes great use of the gifts God gave him. I like Emberson. I think he was a worthy acquisition.
Emberson with Brett Kulak was the NHL pairing last night, 3-3 shots in 11:58 five-on-five. They did allow a goal, had a 1-3 HDSC score and owned four own-zone faceoffs to one offensive zone FO.
Noel Hoefenmayer and Connor Carrick were another pairing, I noticed both more on offence (Hoefenmayer’s assist on a nice shot and Carrick made a deadly move to the net from the right side below the net off the rush) but their Corgi’s together (35 percent in 10:34) reflected the out-of-balance rosters. I don’t know if either man has an NHL future, but they are good players for the AHL.
Cam Dineen and Max Wanner reprised their time in Bakersfield a year ago. Wanner caught on the first goal, but it was a late change. The pairing was 0-1 goals and got fed (6-11 shots) in 10:10. Wanner needs AHL time and Dineen has enough chaos in his game to be considered a sliver below men like Ben Gleason (who also brings some chaos).
If I were constructing a LH depth chart for the Oilers today, it would be Mattias Ekholm, Darnell Nurse, Brett Kulak, Travis Dermott, Ben Gleason, Cam Dineen and Noel Hoefenmayer. I don’t think there’s any movement since camp began, although Dermott’s chances of making the team/being signed are probably better now.
The RH depth chart would be Evan Bouchard, Ty Emberson, Josh Brown, Troy Stecher, Phil Kemp, Connor Carrick and Max Wanner. I expect some will want Stecher closer to second pair but he has to be 100 percent and it sounds like there’s some lingering effects in recovery. I also wonder about Kemp’s spot on the depth chart, Carrick has performed well and could possibly move up during the season. First recall right now is probably the loser or Brown, Stecher, Dermott battle for the final two spots on the roster defensively. I’d like to see Kemp some more before cutdowns, suspect that may not happen.
Connor Brown scored a goal and to my eye was able to make some things happen offensively on a night when the team was outgunned heavily. He played on a line with Mattias Janmark (also effective, but with marginal offence) and young Sam O’Reilly. It’s the kid I noticed most, probably because he’s so young and looked like he belonged. This is a helluva camp for this young man, the scouts should be pleased with the showing from the first-round selection.
Lane Pederson didn’t help his cause, but his wingers (Ethan de Jong and Seth Griffith) were not at the same level as other centers enjoyed. One wonders if Raphael Lavoie would have made a difference. I take the placing of the wingers last night as an indication that Pederson was behind going in, and I didn’t see much that would help him. Pederson’s speed is impressive in the AHL, but I thought he was average in this area against an NHL unit last night. Just my opinion, your mileage may vary. Seth Griffith, a player I’ve always liked, was challenged by the quality of competition.
James Hamblin and Derek Ryan played with Mike Hoffman and that trio had success (2-0 shots in 6:16) in that the puck was going in a good direction. They didn’t get much done as a trio, although Ryan had four HDSC’s at five-on-five to easily lead the team. If Hamblin was RH he would make the team imo.
The line of Drake Caggiula-Noah Philp-Matt Savoie could be a Condors trio and there was much to like. Philp set up Caggiula twice on an early power play, but Mr. Caggiula was unable to cash. Matt Savoie had some nice moments, I’m expecting great things from him this season. Noah Philp impressed me more than any other forward. I think he has a chance to make the Oilers, probably more likely a November recall. He’s there imo. Rust Never Sleeps, but the year away hasn’t dulled the good things Philp brings.
Stuart Skinner had a good game to my eye, played well despite being under seige often. I like that he requested this game, playing in front of the Oilers defense this season may well resemble last night at times. I also think most mortals would have stayed in Alberta last night. Who knows why brave men (like Louis Riel) leave safe places (like Montana) in order to take on a hopeless situation? Greater men than me, that’s for certain.
A busy day on the Lowdown, Sports 1440 from noon to 2pm. We’ll be joined by Bagged Milk from Oilers Nation at 1, and we’ll have a blast with Taylor and Katie from Amazing Race Canada during the noon hour. Plenty of Oilers chatter, plus MLB, NFL and CFL. I’m at Lowetide on twitter, in the comments section here and on the Sports 1440 text line at 1.833.401.1440 directly.
So to all who wanted Ceci gone – you have your wish – but who replaces him. It’s not Emberson as he is only a reasonable bet as 3RD at this point. I suggested Risto and got a lot of flack – fair enough – what are the other options? I don’t see any that are not wishful thinking or worse than Risto.
Huh? How do we know it won’t be Emerson? I hope you are not basing this opinion on one preseason game.
The answer isn’t one of the mostly old defensively suspect non physical fellas like Shattenkirk Barrie Schultz or Risto. They will proceed and deal later. There will be more options approaching the deadline. If Stecher can get healthy I think they can platoon and be fine. The D group they lost to in the finals wasn’t legendary either
Ceci is a limited player and affected his partners. Players aren’t all bad and most not all good, but his limitations are directly in where they need something different. I’m glad they pulled the bandaid off, that position needed to be improved
AsiaOil’s point is that, in his/her opinion, the position has not been improved and won’t be without additional moves.
Yes but we don’t know that and pre season isn’t when you find out much. If it was, we are in big trouble
Nick Robertson tried giving Nylander a boost but ended up pushing him into a Habs player causing Nylander to leave the ice.
https://www.reddit.com/r/hockey/s/zFPLW4yeYM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GYcS87WbUAAPBYQ?format=jpg&name=large
When your GM doesn’t listen to your trade request, sometime you have to take matters into your own hands.
Is the bottom 6 really any good?
The new third line was excellent in playoffs but have 82 games ahead of them.
Janmark – big question
Brown – what is he now? Not a hitter or a scorer, has he become an energy guy?
Henrique – should fit perfect, but he’s getting a bit slow. Okay if he has skaters on both flanks
Than the collection of 6’s and 7’d. What have we got to work with here to build a 3B line?
Need some speed, some youth, energy, and roughness. Players who can distract physical play away from top six.
Ryan – they gave him a 2 year contract, just so they could pay him. They love him but it’s not enough
Perry – what we’re you thinking?
Podkolzin – what have to got? Good bet though.
Philip -unknown pure rookie
Pederson – tweener
Hamblin – speed but …
Lavoie – not enough jam
Savoie – not yet
Cagguila – energy
Its not enough.
Add Kane as a real player, things looking up.
They need to at least equal McLeod, Foegele, and that other guy from Bragg Creek.
Uh…
Janmark-Henrique-Brown gave us one of the best third line performances in the SCF in memory. They rivaled Anaheim’s Niedermayer-Pahlsson-Moen line from 2007.
I’m not going to complain about them unless and until they show that they truly can’t carry the mail. Even then, I think they deserve plenty of leash.
They played 52 minutes, their CF was under 40% and their expected goal share was 46% but they were 2-1 goals.
Don’t get me wrong, they were better by the eye test by the legend is becoming folklore…
Also, I’ve expressed my personal opinion that the success of that line was based off style that isn’t sustainable for an 82 game regular – it was a style that was passed on full pressure on every puck mishandle, including up the ice hindering breakouts, etc. I don’t think that style would be sustainable for a threesome of high motor 22 years olds, let alone 3 in their 30s….
They had a heck of a run. Congratulations to them was in order. I don’t see the makings of an entire season third line there. Maybe.
I feel that trio as third line will not be enough. We need somebody else.
This defence is getting worrisome.
I think I might reach out to Tyson Barrie. He played well with Nurse before. Grab him if the price is right, still look hard at the deadline.
If Tyson Barrie (great guy, like the player) is the answer to your defensive questions, perhaps you’re asking the wrong questions.
Who is left?
look how that right side is shaping up. One injury away from Stetcher or Emerson as too pair d man.
I suggest some instant insurance to make sure they arrive at the trade deadline in decent position.
Foegele being mentioned had me go look at his 20 goal 21 assist last season. I didn’t feel he was much other than the recipient of playing with great players, doesn’t have top 6 vision or puck skills. But that is by memory so I looked up each goal, because that is what work is for, right?
He had a SHG and ENG, one PPG from Kane and Nurse. He had one goal not with a top 6 player. 10 of his goals were with Drai or Connor. He had 6 two goal games, only one against a better team in Boston – who gave up a lot of chances last season. If you see The Wild as a good team then 2 teams
6 of his 1 goal games were the 4th goal or later, 7 of his goals were games they won handily. In 5 games he scored earlier goals, all 2 goal games for him, they lost 3 of them. So it seems if he plays with the right players he can put some in, but a lot of plays die with him so he usually gets moved down, where he doesn’t score
Good on him for his contract, WF remains inconsistent defensively, doesn’t use his size, and really struggles in playoffs. If Arvi is healthy it’s a big upgrade in quality of play and scoring to me for 500K
In playoffs he scored 3 goals in 22 games which is lower than his reg season average. He scored in game 1 against LA getting the 7th goal EN in a 7-4 win. His next goal came in game 3 of the finals, the first goal from Henrique in a 4-3 loss. His last goal was in game 6, the first goal from Drai in a 5-1 win
There’s a reason why this player was benched during the playoffs. Like McLeod their speed will keep them in this league but I wouldn’t depend on either one getting more than 16 in a given year. Foegele owes Leon a fortnight at the chicken ranch and then some.
The LA Kings, with Doughty hurt, are now a candidate to select Phil Kemp off waivers, or any semi-competent right D on waivers before the season start, before the Oilers get a chance.
I’d really like to see Kemp with Kulak for a couple of games.
I expect the Kings will call on a vet like Shultz or Shattenkirk.
I would expect they’d just double Brandt Clarke’s ice time?
More likely they’ll be talking to the Flyers about Rasmus Ristolainen.
Oh Lord please make this happen.
And with Rob Blake still at the helm, it just might come to pass.
By this point, Blake might have passed Kevin Lowe as a Hall of Fame D undermining his own legacy by managing his own team into the ground.
Surely they have 3-4 better RD waiting in the wings with their generational prospect pool.
Surely we weren’t mislead.
Also, when you did this with William Lagesson, at least he was only 23 and coming off a really excellent AHL season.
Lagesson never got claimed on waivers off the Oilers.
No, he wasn’t waivers eligible at that point.
I was referring to Godot calling for Tippett to play the 23-year old Lagesson over Kris Russell back in 2019 (Tippett/Holland’s first TC). Lagesson ended up playing 8 NHL games that season.
I was also calling from the same but, moreso, one of my harshest ever criticisms of Oilers coaching was playing Manning over Lagesson.
100% i want to see Phil Kemp with Kulak – made a post about it earlier.
I think there will be more famous names than Phil Kemp as a similar cap hit exposed to waivers.
I’m not sure any team is looking for a 25 year, right shot d-man, that’s never played an NHL game on defence that was cut from a team with a right shot D issue.
I doubt any RS D put on waivers in a league needing more, or one that doesn’t have a contract, is actually at this point a better overall player than Kemp, experience or not
If Stecher is hobbled for the foreseeable future is it maybe in Bowman’s interest to pluck a RH-D off the Waiver wire. There’s always a lot of talent getting waived to begin the year. If the committee identifies a certain player and takes him how does it work would this player have to be on the active roster for a certain amount of time. Is it better to let this player pass through the waiver wire then obtain him for a low draft pick or a player in the A.H.L. If they obtain a D for. 3rd rounder then there’s no restriction attached like the waiver wire ones. There’s no way Brown is a everyday top 6 he should be used in small spurts. Anyhow if stecher who it looks like is becoming high maintenance then Bowman better start identifying targets in the near future.
If any player, let alone a RHD D, of note or quality makes it to #31 on the waiver wire priority that will be more of a stroke of luck than anything else.
The tie for EDM to hunt the waiver has essentially passed.
At this point, it’s actually better to have a deal in hand and trade a struggling prospect for a guy who clears so they can send him down as needed.
Same template as the Kostin-Samorukov deal with STL a couple years ago.
EDM isn’t 31 in waiver claim order – it goes by final standing inverse – I think maybe 24th.
Good catch. Thanks.
It’s bad luck for Stecher, as it’s bad luck for Lavoie to be injured at this time. However, it’s good luck for others that are pushing to make the roster.
Oh, and it won’t be long until you change your tune about Josh Brown.
I hope Brown uses his physicality smartly and puts a little fear into the opposition.
Frank seems convinced. 🥸
Frank Seravalli
With point projections, my pick of 10 players poised to become breakout stars in 2024-25:
TY EMBERSON
Right Defense, Edmonton Oilers
Age: 24
Last Year: 30 GP, 1 G, 9 A, 10 Pts
Seravalli Sees: 71 GP, 8 G, 14 A, 22 Pts
Scoop: If you dig into the numbers, Emberson actually posted a strong rookie season with the Sharks in limited showing. Aside from the shots he’s averaged per game, Emberson makes a good first pass – which should be priority No. 1 for any Edmonton blueliner with the forwards on their roster. Emberson may not be a household name, but he played for Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch two seasons ago in AHL Hartford. This is a player Knoblauch knows and trusts. It’s a tall task to replace Cody Ceci and Philip Broberg in one shot, but Emberson is up to the task.
That’s encouraging.
I like Frank a lot but I am skeptical he is that familiar with the player. His comments strike me as a bit click baity.
Breakout star and 22 points in the same breath.
Okay then.
This is pure comedy. Especially when combined with Stauffer’s in-interview “suggestion” to Bowman that he extend Emberson. Then there’s Stuffer’s take that Justin Schulz is the best option at 3rd I have to wonder if they’re trying to sabotage our team.
We didn’t see this kind of BS with Broberg. Does anyone actually think Emberson is better than Broberg? Why isn’t Broberg a breakout player? Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, that’s why.
You will eat the Mediterranean Chicken and you will like it!
23/24 PuckIQ
Bro
Elite 31.9 Mid 30.9 Grit 37.2
DFF% 47.8, 51, 48.9
CF%RC -8, -3.4, -15.6
DFF%RC -7.1, -4.9, -22.9
GF% 33.3, 50, 100 (1-0)
Emberson
Elite 32 Mid 43.2, Grit 24.8
DFF% 46.8, 36, 48.4
CF%RC 6.5, -5.3, 1.2
DFF%RC 10.6, -4.5, 2
GF% 53.8, 45.5, 33.3
Given how bad the Sharks were and how good the Oilers Emberson seems better in this look, Bro with 81 NHL games to Emberson’s 30. Both guys seem to like getting blown up so it may end up being who can stay healthy
They are not even close when comes to skill set. I saw those stats over 30 games and noticed right away the analytics side. But having dealt with on-ice stats for 15 years, I do not trust those numbers over what was clearly visible to everyone in the playoffs: NO DOUBT BROBERG IS THE BETTER PLAYER (pardon my King). And I don’t think you actually believe them as a player evaluation either.
I see Emberson as probably less skilled and not as fast (although reports say he has good 4 way mobility), but a better defender. The Oilers don’t need more skill that has trouble defending HDGF – Emeberson 50% Bro 37.50 5v5 Reg Season on a better team. Neither are that experienced. All Oiler D had HDCF% over 50%, 3 had HDGF% (Ceci Nurse and Bro) under 50%. To me that speaks to issues defending down low and mistakes
As I have been telling DSF/HH/TGO forever all of these league wide list rankings are all really just fluff/clickbait. There are about 1,000 NHL players, on the verge, in their prime, fading away at any given time.
Anybody who thinks there are commentators out there who can keep track of where they are at at any given time for that many players has a low bar for what they call knowledge.
I just posted it because it is TC, few of us have any real info on this player yet, and how he shows is a big piece for the team this season.
.
I’m not sure why Griffith isn’t part of this group – he’s on an AHL deal and has done nothing I’ve seen in camp to stay longer.
Seems O’Riley has survived for now which is a bit interesting given London starts their season on Friday.
To me that seems like a lot of guys still in camp this close to Game 1.
And for me the entire 4th line should still be up for grabs although I don’t think it is.
Bob Stauffer
The Oilers
are down to 41 players left in camp (5 injured) including:
4 Goalies
13 Defencemen
24 Forwards
4th line Center…. 2nd/3rd Pairing Right D still up for grabs.
I agree – there MAY be chance for Philp or Hamblin to start the season over Ryan but I don’t think there is a realistic chance for Lavoie or Savoie or anyone to start on the team over Perry.
I’m talking about for opening night and presuming 12 healthy forwards (plus Kane).
I think Perry could be at risk in-season, likely after he vests his $150K for 15 games (I don’t think the fact his cap his is right at the maximum amount that can be buried is a coincident) and, for Ryan, well, Philp is coming but there are “easy excuses” for management given he is waivers exempt and didn’t play last year – easy to assign to Bako.
With that said, do we think there is any chance they slide Ryan through waivers in October – they can keep him on the team and it gives them flexibility for a month or so.
Well, there’s always Podkolzin to start over Perry. Hamblin is listed as a LW, Philp is the 4RHC and Podkolzin shoots left but likes it on his opposite side. For me, That’s the fourth line they should start the season with. Some may prefer Lavoie instead of Hamblin, but Hamblin is more reliable, PK’s and is quicker.
If O’Reilly is the future than he must be treated with encouragement. He’s raw but a possible 3-C that is a threat to score is huge for this organization. Will this kid be ready when Henrique contract is done. I might be asking way to much he’ll get more playing time and responsibility in London. We are so overdue for a extra base hit from our own drafting pool.
Will this kid be ready when Henrique contract is done.
Probably not as he’s not eligible for the AHL next season – he’ll be back in junior again for 2025/26 (unless he’s on the NHL roster which is unlikely) and likely will start 2026/27 in the AHL – likely – nothing is set in stone, of course.
As far as encouragement, I think we might see him sign his ELC on his way back to London – it will slide this year (and be subject to a second slide next season).
Thank-you I thought he was A.H.L eligible after this year. So he has 2 years to rip it up in London as well as becoming a 2 way Centre then probably a full year in the A.H.L. So realistically best case scenario 2.5-3 years away.
Good information here. Thanks. 👍
My bubble guy scorecard so far,
very good – Lavoie, Philp
good – Emberson
meh – Podzolzin, Savoie, Brown, Stecher, Dermott
From this list I think consensus is that Podkolzin will be in the lineup. I don’t think he’s a bubble player. They won’t waive him, for the same reason that Vancouver traded him, and the same reason Edmonton is likely trading Lavoie.
Interesting note from Staples last night post-game (CoH pod) – he said that he heard on another pod (he thinks it was Jordan Schmaltz) that Stecher’s ankle got re-infected this summer and its only been somewhat recently that he’s been able to skate fully, etc.
May be an indication of why they are pumping Brown so hard for 3RD at this point – perhaps Stecher is still getting up to speed and will be for a bit?
Of course, I acknowledge the “skill-set” that Brown has – i.e. big, touch, facepunching, PK and the somewhat stylistic Deharnais replacement.
Thanks for that I had no idea Stecher wasn’t 100%.
How did stecher hurt his ankle was he hobbled when we acquired him. I hope he gets up to speed they signed him for another year with the idea of playing him in a possible key role.
He had a cyst on his ankle which grew progressively difficult to deal with. He played with the condition until he couldn’t.
Sounds Chonic to me but what the eff do I know. At least we got 5 more games out of him then the Mike Green famous 2 games that we recieved.
Somehow it got infected. Not sure how that happens. I mean he had surgery to remove the syst during the third round of the playoffs. Or was it during the SCF? It should have been completely healed by now. It’s strange. If it wasn’t for that he probably would have been in instead of Broberg. Lucky for Broberg.
Broberg owes Stecher about $8M for having that cyst!
Do you think they would have put Broberg in if Stecher was 100% healthy? I don’t. So yeah. It funny how things work out.
It’s possible they’d still have worked their way down to Broberg, but I do think Stecher would have gotten the first shot if he were healthy.
Stecher was never considered for #3RD in a healthy lineup. It was always Brown. For some reason you refuse to accept this. Nobody is saying that’s the way its supposed to be. Only that it is the way that it is.
You stating that as a fact doesn’t make it one.
No to mention, when Brown was signed, the team had:
Bouchard
Broberg (thought to the opening night 2RD)
Ceci
Its tough to think he was signed to be 3RD – Stecher was also signed on the same date and played ahead of Josh Brown in Arizona last season.
It wasn’t me stating it to start with. It was Lowetide. And as it turns out, it is a fact, that they will go into the season with Brown as 3RD.
Fact?
If you are ranking the defensive depth chart as LT above, where would you rank Cody Ceci?
Where would you rank Tyson Barrie?
I would rank the two of them alongside Kulak. In other words, they would be in Brown & Stecher’s spots in the defensive depth chart. If Emberson wasn’t on the roster they would still be searching for someone to play alongside Nurse. I wonder if they might be better off with Ceci & Barrie. Not sure? Certainly Brown & Stecher are less costly.
Ekholm-Bouchard
Nurse-(Emberson)
Kulak-Ceci/ Barrie
Dermott
Interesting development in Los Angeles.
The Kings now have Quinton Byfield now centering his own line between Kevin Fiala and Warren Foegele.
Foegele with a goal and assist last night.
https://www.nhl.com/video/lak-vgk-foegele-scores-goal-against-ilya-samsonov-6362471456112
In the game, Drew Doughty fractured his ankle.
https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/initial-x-ray-shows-kings-drew-doughty-has-fractured-ankle
and maybe more damage known after MRI….looked terrible….achilles possibly
Yeah…could be very serious.
A big opportunity for Brandt Clarke.
Foegele will have a bounce cat with a fresh contract and new team his speed will be welcomed in L.A. In saying that the man has cement hands and goes MIA for long stretches. Warren will wear out is welcome in the top 6 and will never repeat his 20 goal milestone again. I’ll take Arvidsson any day of the week.
Arvidsson’s dreadful injury history is a concern,
Probably true. Still, Foegele scored a huge goal (and a beauty one) in the SCF. For that, I wish him well.
Size, speed, skill; Could be a dangerous line. Especially if Byfield takes another big step forward. At the same time, I could see that line disappearing for weeks at a time.
Not sure why you would think that.
Fiala is very consistent…85, 72, 73 points in his last three seasons.
Byfield just turned 22 last month and would seem primed for a leap forward.
Foegele is a wild card but his speed should complement that line nicely.
Fiala is good, consistent and the best player on the line. He’ll be fine.
I’m not as down on Byfield as a lot of folks around here. But didn’t he finish the season with a bit of a whimper? 2 goals is March and April including 5 playoff games? Like you say; still young. His “high ceiling” from his draft report is coming at him as fast as he’s improving. He’ll also be fine, but expectations need to be adjusted.
Foegele shows flashes of being a second liner, but he also shows flashes of not even being an NHLer. He does well when he doesn’t have to think. Get in quick, muck it up, cause some turnovers. His athletics is enough to keep him in the NHL, but his lack of hockey sense keeps pushing him down the lineup. I don’t think he uses his linemates well enough to stay in the top six. He’s got something to prove, just like he did when he came to Edmonton.
You’re not sure why I’d say the line could go quiet, yet the nicest thing you can say about Foegele is he is a wild card with speed.
Can Fiala and Byfield uplift Foegele for a season? Maybe. Anecdotally Drai and Nuge did it with Yamamoto for 27 games. I just don’t think it is a good bet for them to do it for a full season.
Who knows, sometimes lines are gestalt; I’m sure you’ll keep us informed if they are.
It’s an interesting bet.
Foegele had the same number of even strength points as Nuge last season and actually outscored Nuge by 18-14 in goals at evens.
They had very nearly the same shooting percentage.
Of course Nuge feasted on PP points and I have no idea if Foegele will get any PP time in LA (certainly not PP1).
All else being equal, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to think Foegele might hit 25 goals and 50+ points if the early chemistry with Byfield and Fiala sticks,
25 Goals good golly miss molly. Anytime you want to go the superstar Foegele against the often injured Arvidsson for final goal tally I’m more than game.
Arvidsson has exceeded, barely, 25 goals once in the past 5 seasons
We shall keep track of Warren vs Viktor during the season and no exhibition goals don’t count.
WF kills a lot of plays. If he plays the puck hound role and can get it to the other guys it might work. It will be interesting to see if he can keep a top 6 role there
Both Byfield and Fiala are very skilled with the puck in the O zone and Fiala is a volume shooter.
Might work.
Foegele has never shown any ability to feast on points in any game form, he can thank Draisaitl for the career year and overpayment in LA.
Yeah, it’s cool that you’re excited about Foegele in the top 6. He’s having a MPS-esq preseason. Not quiet Ty Rattie-esq. But still pretty good.
You have been saying Byfield is primed to take a leap forward every year for the last 4 years now.
No hockey sense and his hands aren’t the greatest. He seeems to have the injury bug. I wouldn’t rest my hopes on him for a full season.
Interesting indeed. Warren Foegele is likely the top acquisition by any team this summer.
He’s the reincarnation of John Tonelli.
quite possibly the most interesting development in the nhl currently. Imagine this guys take if foegle was penciled into the oilers 2nd line this year?
Do we think management/coaching are giving Kemp a real chance to compete with Stecher/Brown? I’m not positive but we’ll find out over the next week.
Coach said the higher end guys will each play 4 exhibition games which means 3 of the next 4 for most – Kemp will get icetime with legit NHL forwards more in the coming games.
I would like to see Kemp with Kulak in a game that has at least 2 legit NHL lines including one top 6 line. Will we?
Maybe they should be showcasing Kemp to other teams. But how much value does he have? Could they throw him in on a trade?
Zero value – he’s going to slide right through waivers.
After waivers he might have an iota of value, similar to Samorukov (remember, both Sammy and Kostin had cleared waivers when that trade went down).
I’m not even sure the coach’s quote rings true – I mean, its really tough for any sort of tweener or bubble player to show well when he doesn’t have legit NHL players on the bench with him, let alone on the ice with him.
Philp did well to show well early – he made mistakes but he also made a number or really good plays in both ends.
Savoie had a great third period.
Emberson was really solid and smart defensively, except for the couple of time he wasn’t but the bad pinch and chase is not likely something he does if he’s not on the team’s top pairing like he normally would not be.
Brown looked mobile like in the playoffs.
Wanner was overwhelmed and shows that, yup, more time is needed – at the same time, to my initial statement, how is he supposed to show well with an AHL partner, and generally AHL forwards against an NHL team? Impossible for a defence only prospect to show well in that situation, right?
I would suggest that the place they can still show well in one on one battles. Determination, intensity, desire
These can be noticed even in a losing effort
And have we really seen any of those things? Seems to me there is a lot of fly by, stick waving, running around. But very little determination, even less intensity and no desire. No one has “stood out” in a way that suggests they are really fighting to be on an NHL team.
That’s what will allow you to make this team.
I agree, I’m not seeing it much. A little bit here and there.
I saw Pederson well while agreeing his wingers were not helpful. He gained the zone consistently, won some battles on the boards, and layed out Lowry at a time when he had wrecked several Oilers.
You could tell the skill disparity from an Ehlers rush and the isolation of i believe Wanner of the give and go. Keith Gretzky is right about him, he needs alot more seasoning.
Savoie made some high skill plays but I figure he will be a winger in the end.
Small sample sizes and preseason caveat. I think Savoie ends up on the big squad quickly, he needs to play with skill to really pop.
My bias is showing; When Lavoie generates a million shot attempts from dangerous areas against Calgary I think “getting open and evading your check on the cycle is a valuable skill, the goals will come.” When Caggiula did it last night I think “That’s why you’re not in the NHL full time, you bum! You can’t finish!” …I easily become unjust when I’m frustrated.
Last night felt like the 09-10 team. Gagner, Cog, Brule, POS, Potulny, Nilsson, Comrie. They needed a league with weight-classes.
*Side note, I’m equating Caggiula being dangerous on the PP with Lavoie playing with 5v5 Drai. It’s wild that 5v5 Drai time is roughly equal to last nights PP time in my mind. Anyone else relieved he signed that contract?
Caggiula is 30ish. We know what he is. Thiat was Lavoie’s first legitimate shot with either Draisaitl or McDavid. He probably deserves a chance to strike out…i.e. 3 legitimate opportunities.
Ceci for Emberson and Cap Space was without doubt the riskiest move of the offseason for Stan the Man and Action Jackson.
The single biggest issue that befell the Leafs was Dubas’ criminal inability to address the defense. With all the ties to the Leafs and the GTA in our management group I’m more than a bit worried that this gamble was too cute by half.
Early days though, early days.
The status quo was untenable.
The riskiest move was not getting Broberg and Holloway signed at fair salaries based on their playoff performance.
I would have paid Vinny the $2 million. Broberg $2 million, and Holloway $1.5, and passed on Jeff Skinner. And done the Emberson Ceci trade.
One could opine that that signing players based on small sample playoff performances is high risk – without even taking in to account that the playoff performance of both those players has been quite over-rated.
The above is in favor of signing Holloway to almost double what Tomasino received – a player that has outproduced Holloway’s entire career in each of this three ELC seasons.
You’re right that there is risk in the move. But as Godot says below, keeping Ceci was not the long-term answer. Much as I like his intangibles, Ceci was not going to get better and when paired with Nurse, they were being exposed.
Exhibition season. Keep it in perspective.
I would suggest the single biggest issue for the Leafs has been its inability to score in the playoffs. They’ve been great regular season team.
I made a similar comment the other day including the same language “too cute”.
I like the trade and I even like the bet, but I don’t like that we haven’t mitigated the risk very well if we gamble and lose. If we had a RH Kulak, or (still) had a young player showing the potential, I’d feel better about it all.
Considering the starts to the last two seasons, I wouldn’t be so content to go into an important year with one roster gamble being the difference between a passable 2nd pairing that still needs addressing – and not having a passable 2nd pairing.
The logical thing that crosses most GM’s mind after losing their #4 and #7 Stanley Cup finals tested defenders is: “let’s trade our #5.” What could go wrong? Let’s not forget who he will be paired with and the injury struggles he’s having. 3-9-1. That’s what could go wrong.
Ceci in playoffs isn’t #5. If Stecher was healthy I would not have been surprised if neither Des or Ceci played, they struggled so much with the pace
The risk was re-doing what Holland did, and betting on Ceci a third time
The Weakerthans are fantastic. One Great City indeed. I Hate Winnipeg. 😀
Hamblin played C over Ryan last night (based on FOs), did he not?
I’m not sure anyone thinks Ryan should be a full time C any more, but this might be an indication the coaching staff would also prefer not to see it.
How would you populate the fourth line jp?
Gosh, I don’t know.
I would probably be risk averse like the organization appears to be being. That is, start with Podkolzin-Ryan-Perry unless someone else blows the doors off (ie – very soundly outplays a veteran).
Sending Philp for some more AHL time (even if he looks ready) would be easy since he’s waivers eligible.
If it were Lavoie or someone who could be a waiver worry (heaven forbid, even Hoffman), then perhaps I’d keep an extra forward for a time to extend the tryout (but to the detriment of cap space).
I don’t have strong feelings on what the best way forward is though.
If Philp is the clear cut best 4C at the end of camp then maybe you do keep him.
Philp may very well be soundly outplaying Ryan. So might Hamblin for that matter.
If Hamblin was RH we would absolutely see Ryan used primarily on RW, which was most often the case anyhow. But that doesn’t matter if Hamblin is lefthanded, they have Philp, who fit nicely with Janmark & Brown. When it comes right down to it, I don’t believe Ryan & Perry should be blocking any deserving up and comers at this stage of their careers.
Savoie is the only real ‘up and comer’ though. Philp to an extent too because of his situation, but he’s 26 years old. Hamblin is 25 and I don’t think there’s a lot of upside there, though he is good depth and maybe he could actually be an every day player. Pederson is 27. Lavoie is 24 now and maybe he can be an NHLer. I don’t think a lot of upside is being blocked though.
Ok maybe I didn’t phrase it right. I don’t believe Ryan & Perry should not play before some younger players that prove themselves to be NHL ready.
That sounds about right so far.Four more games to figure it out but I think Ryan is done as a regular and this team doesn’t look like they want to carry a 13th forward.
I’m not so sure, but you could well be right.
I don’t think I indicated in the prose above, but did regard Hamblin as the center. For the record, Hamblin took seven FO’s and Ryan three, but Ryan was along the boards often iirc so we could safely regard him as the RW.
I think Ryan is a better C than he is a winger. I think he thrives when a winger is able to apply pressure on the forecheck (like Foegele last year) then he’s able to use his bonkers hockey sense to intercept breakout passes and create offense from very little. It’s one of the few remaining things he does better than his peers.
However, I also think he shouldn’t be a a full time 4C anymore, and I also think he shouldn’t be a full time 4RW either.
I’d rather a 4th line of Pods – Philp – Lavoie. Ryan and Perry can provide injury cover from the pressbox and maybe get into 30 games each.
Maybe Ryan & Perry should be part of the coaching staff.
Haha, yeah, first act Reggie Dunlop (Ryan) and second act Reggie Dunlop (Perry).
I thought most of Ryan’s time with Foegele was with McLeod at C and Foegele on LW.
Anyway, a Podkolzin-Philp-Lavoie does look pretty interesting as well. Maybe we’ll see it at some point, whether that’s sooner or later in the season.
Yes, Ryan played RW last night but I think it was more because they know what they have in Ryan and wanted each of O’Riley, Hamblin, Pederson and Philp at center (the last 3, at least figuratively, in competition with Ryan for a center spot).
That’s quite possible. You are right that there’s not really any need to see Ryan playing C in order to see what you have (though xx-Hamblin-Ryan IS something we could see during the season).
Podz or just let Philp play 4c or better yet let them both play ahead of Ryan. It’s tough to have a well-liked vet pushed aside… but it happens.
Sure, it’s a conversation worth having if they’re actually better than options Ryan. It’s not something you do simply because Ryan is older though, at least not IMO.
Also, the likes of Philp and Hamblin “showing better” than Ryan isn’t directly correlated to them being the better play come the regular season.
We know that vets use the exhibition season to do what they need to do to be ready for game 1 – they aren’t necessarily “playing their top game” or using their top attributes like they would come game 1.
For sure. It’s comparing the camp performance of Philp/Hamblin etc. to what you know the previously established level is for the veterans involved.
We’re also only half way through the pre-season schedule. We know that pre-season performance often doesn’t translate to the regular season. That’s doubly true (or more) for the early pre-season.
You might be right. But Hamblin isn’t a rookie and has NHL experience . Philp is an older player and might have an advantage.
That’s a polite way to say they’re looking at different options to replace Ryan as a fourth line center.
Typo or am I missing something?
It clearly says RH.
😇
Emberson’s ability to hold that 2RD spot has to be the focus of management this TC.
Philp’s play has me optimistic that a 4th line is in sight.
Haha. You’re too quick for me, defmn. I swear I edited about 40 seconds after publish! 🙂
As for Emberson, agreed. I think he has NHL skill, but that second pair is going to see some high heat from elites. Health is also a concern, I think it was Lowry who lowered the boom last night but he took some other hits, too.
As for Philp, agree again. He gets to pucks and has nice passing skills.