Moon rise over Turtle Lake. Photo by Todd Kirkpatrick
The Edmonton Oilers played a strong game against the Pittsburgh Penguins and have a chance to improve the early season record (currently 3-4-1) with a late afternoon match against the Detroit Red Wings. The coaching staff is still tweaking, but the players are settling in and one hopes we see some roster consistency in the days to come. Today, I’d like to discuss things that I’ve noticed in the first eight games.
The Athletic article today is about the first recall from Bakersfield Condors. There are some interesting candidates, all of them over 22. Among the prospects, there are also some encouraging spikes. The article is here.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN OCTOBER
- At home to: WPG, CHI, CAL, PHI (Expected 3-1-0) (Actual 1-3-0)
- On the road to: NAS, DAL (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 1-1-0)
- At home to: CAR, PIT (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 1-0-1)
- On the road to: DET, CBJ, NAS (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 7-4-0, 14 points in 11 games
- Actual October results: 3-4-1, seven points in eight games
- Oilers in 2024-25: 3-4-1, seven points in eight games
If the Oilers run the table from here, and that’s a tall order, they can finish the month within an eyelash of my pre-October prediction. That’s impressive, and shows you the power of this lineup when enough pistons are firing on time.
THINGS I’VE NOTICED
We’re just eight games in to the season, too early for strong conclusions. The cement isn’t set, so a random dog or bird wandering through is going to change the look of the final product.
I’ve been impressed by the new wingers (Jeff Skinner, Viktor Arvidsson, Vasily Podkolzin) at different times and for different reasons.
Skinner is a thinking man’s skill player and far from a one-trick pony. He has quickly become a favourite of mine, he’s so smart and has terrific puck shooting and passing ability.
Viktor Arvidsson took a little time to get going, but he’s a combination of skill, smarts and determination. I wonder what a Zach Hyman-Leon Draisaitl-Viktor Arvidsson line would look like?
Vasily Podkolzin has some Jason Chimera and or Kent Manderville to him, and by that I mean he’s maybe more brave than the average bear with the puck on his stick. We don’t know if it’s going to result in offense, and maybe he becomes a hometown hero (take ’em wide, Bucky!) whose sorties into the offensive zone are sure to fail every time but are fun all the same.
I like the incumbent wingers too (Hyman, Nuge, Connor Brown, Mattias Janmark, Corey Perry) and even one in the AHL (Matthew Savoie) and that is encouraging. Evander Kane is going to come back eventually, and that will give the club all manner of choices and depth for the top three lines while also saving (say) Janmark and Brown for the fourth line. That’s exceptional depth, the kind of depth championship teams possess.
A year ago, Edmonton’s eight wingers in the early portion of the season were (based on ice time five-on-five) Kane, Hyman, Connor Brown, Warren Foegele, Dylan Holloway, Mattias Janmark, Derek Ryan (who also played some center) and Adam Erne. I think this year’s group is better.
On defense early last season, the big issue was Mattias Ekholm (40 percent goal share through seven games at five-on-five) being less than 100 percent.
The goaltending is markedly better five-on-five this season. Calvin Pickard (who Bob has starting today via twitter) owns a .929 SP and Stuart Skinner sits .912 idling in the driveway. Last year, after a similar number of games, Skinner was .889 and Jack Campbell .884.
I think this team is building a workable structure and improving things like passing and positioning. I also think the ‘give a damn’ meter defensively has improved. Those are all good things. Now, the questions that will be asked are about injury, fatigue, effects of travel and individual struggles connected to or independent of those things. So, normal stuff. This should be a fun season and of course there will be a loud noise at the deadline.
New for The Athletic: Who will be the first Oilers recall from the AHL Bakersfield Condors?
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5874409/2024/10/26/nhl-oilers-recall-ahl-bakersfield-condors/
Oil look hungover from last night….
Not much to like in first 10 minutes of this tilt.
Why was McDavid totally oblivious that the attacker had a step on Ekholm and, you know, engage defensively?
That was strange. My guess is Eks was calling him off. All Connor had to do was step up early and Eks would’ve got back easily. Bad decision there by the two players.
Bad Kulak!
Nurse did play mostly with Stecher last game but he also played 6 minutes with Kulak.
The las vegas aces (wnba) are currently under investigation for salary cap circumvention. Guess its just what Vegas does….
It annoys me that Mark Stone is currently leading the NHL in points….
There’s a bathroom on the right.
Haha. What are: mistaken lyrics to CCR.
How about this: Slowww talkin wallllter….
Summarizing!
The good news: Nicholl assisted twice in a 5-2 win and now has 12 points in as many games.
The bad news: O’Reilly was denied soup and shall have to subsist on ghost peppers instead.
Prospecting takes a break until next month.
“Zach Hyman-Leon Draisaitl-Viktor Arvidsson line would look like”
Dogged. At their best, almost any line would despise them. Relentless and strong on pucks. It’d be hell. Strudwick would have alot more company.
Savard from Mtl at deadline?
That Moon rise over Turtle Lake is breath taking.
Knob just confirmed to the media (i.e to Tony B.)
Pickard playing his former organization. He needs to step-up and have a solid game and get the W.
Most impressed by Corey Perry out of that group as he is impactful nightly with limited minutes on the 4th line and PK2. I wonder if he can keep up this level of play through the season and in the playoffs?
Yes, Janmark on the 4th line – 4th line/PK – that’s his role in this league.
Evander Kane back, if he’s anywhere near the top of his game, will be massive. Speculation from Weekes’ tweet that maybe its as early as January? That would be great.
Is there any chance that the 2022 Evander Kane is still in there?
How will an early return by Kane effect the team cap wise?
Unless the Oilers actually start operating in LTIR (which they aren’t), it won’t effect it one iota.
The Oilers could activate Kane tomorrow and the cap situation wouldn’t change (it could get better if they wanted to send a player down but I don’t see who they would).
Lets not forget, a player’s cap hit never disappears from the daily calculation, whether they are on the roster, IR or LTIR.
I’m also thinking with the eventuality of Kane returning to the line up and Philp inevitable appearance. Ryan’s & Perry’s days are numbered.
Asked Janmarks agent if they’d give your lunch money back, they declined.
Corey Perry, does not PK.
Its interesting that you only get triggered when its me that mentions Janmark as being a 4th liner and PK guy at this stage of his career. Its the majority opinion but its my reference to that opinion that triggers you. I apologize that my opinion puts you in feelings.
I doubt he will ever be peak Kane. Regardless, i can’t wait to have him back.
All we need is playoff Kane to neuter the Kadri-Bennett-Tkachuk-Popsicle types we run across on our way to the Cup.
Agreed for the most part.
Podz has been the “most consistent” – playing a solid 2-way game and being aggressive – he’s basically done that since game 1. Looks to be able to play up and down the lineup. I’m not sure he’s a long term fit as Drai’s winger but he might be this season’s Warren Foegele.
Skinner and Arvy have had uneven seasons. Skinner was great early and, while still OK the last few games, hasn’t created as much the last few games – both Henrique and Brown are struggling and that might be part of it.
We finally saw what Arvy can do last game. For the first 3 games, he was all over it but he was also a TERRIBLE 2-way player – directly culpable on 3GA and one taken off the board in the first week. Then, he kind of went invisible for a few games and wasn’t impacting anywhere. Last game, all over the ice, tenacious, creating, shooting, producing.
I’m also more impressed by Skinner than I expected. Never really watched him play much before – the puck sure seems to follow him around the ice. I’m still not fully convinced Arvi’s $ shouldn’t have been spent on D (insert St.L here), but we can see he’s a bulldog. I think Podz will be the new loveable worker bee who can get there all season and finish the year with maaaaybe 7 goals.
Agree on Skinner.
I expected a soft perimeter player that found soft spots on the ice to shoot from. He seems far from that, he plays in front of the net, he’s tenacious and he creates more than I anticipated.
I also expected less “emotional engagement” from him.
Overarching for me is that the Oilers have been MUCH better in the last 4.5 games than the first 3.5 games (half being the comeback win against Philly).
They are 3-1-1 in their last 5 and, in each of the two losses, they played well for a material part of the game against true contending teams. They easily could have got 4 points out of those games in they were re-played. Heck, in Dallas, they were absolutely dominant through 2 periods.
Arrows are pointing up for now.
Hopefully in 33 hours the Oilers have 4 more standings points before two deserved days off.
I saw a tweet that Ty Emberson is 10th in the league in lowest expected goals against.
I know he was on for 2 goals against in each of the first two games but I think his game has been settling in recently. A bit of a bummer that he isn’t ready to just roll with that 2RD but, allowing him to settle in to his new team and structure (and the NHL) with consistent 3RD/PK2 minutes will be beneficial.
I questioned the decision to give Emberson a night off here and there, but it seems to really have helped him settle in.
Detroit played yesterday on the road – yes, the game was early and Buffalo is not a long trip but the Oilers need to take advantage and grab two points (before having to travel for another game tomorrow).
Detroit lost to Buffalo yesterday but had won three straight before.
Not sure if its Lyon or Talbot but both have had great starts to the season.
Lyon played yesterday so expect we see Cam today.
Ex-Oilers goalie vs ex-Wings goalie. Cal vs Cam.
Stop ’em all Calvin!!!
I have no idea what our record is against Cam all-time. I feel like we have a winning record versus Mr.Talbot
I couldn’t imagine a worst start then last year and I am confident they will be strong going into the playoffs.
That said they are an older bunch and have played a lot of hockey. Hopefully they don’t run out of gas just getting there.
Mcdavid is nearing 40, they just celebrated Nuges 50th. Can definitely see why you think that, let’s hope!
Yeah, ok.
Having a 3rd line Centre will payoff in spades as the season goes on. No more double shifting Connor and Leon because of lack of depth. Once Philip arrives and Henrique gets going this team will roll 4 lines like no tomorrow.
Short term I think they’re poised. If they play game sevens on the road and have a long playoff run then attrition like it did last year will have an effect. As a concern I think this is realistic.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Philp replaces Henrique on that third line bumping Henrique to 4c.
He hasn’t played a game in the N.H.L yet I feel like he’ll fit in like a glove once he’s called up, Add In Philp-Kane-top4D-better back-up goalie. This is my Christmas wish list.
The bottom six could look something like this in the new year.
Kane-Philp-Podz
Janmark-Henrique-Brown
Prospectinian!
The
WerewolvesKnights of London have the sched all to themselves today. They conclude a 3-in-3 weekend and aim for the clean sweep.O’Reilly has sniped in both games and has been money on the dot so far this weekend, going a combined 17-for-26 (65.4%). He has 4+4 in nine GP.
With a helper yesternight, Nicholl has 10 points (4+6) in 11 games, already recording half of last year’s production (65 GP, 6-14-20).
Puck drops at noon Haynes time.
Nicholl has 10 points in 11 gp?!
Great to hear. Early days but looking like a very smart bet by Jackson and Co.
To think the Oilers didn’t even have a OHL scout at some point. Now it appears they have at least some leg up on other teams in this area. Very positive.
Broberg Holloway update!
Broberg having scrambled eggs and bacon this morn for breaky.
Holloway is having oatmeal and toast.
Lordy.
Great writing as usual LT. GO OIL! coming around boys, coming around. When Hyman throws the monkey off his back the goals for that line will come in bunches.
Shout out for oatmeal and toast! I like to put cinnamon on my oatmeal, along with butter, pinch of salt, maple syrup, walnuts, blueberries and small sprinkling of cayenne pepper.
It’s good to keep track of Dylan and Bro. So much discussion about should we match, who do we match, who do we let go. It’s good to track and see how they are playing so we can evaluate the move in real time. Oh I forgot, we don’t look back on trades and draft picks on this blog.
I haven’t seen much, if any, discussed on Ceci and, frankly, some seem to making a pretty big deal out of an 8 game sample size.
You deserve HH.
I followed Laurie Boschman everyday activities for years after Sather traded him. I knew he would pop with a different team.
And? Did he?
Walt Poddubny was traded for Laurie Walt a good looking prospect was blocked in Edmonton and he goes on to having almost three 40 goal seasons later in his career.