Golden Knights at Oilers, G14 2014-15

The last time the Edmonton Oilers won the Stanley Cup (1990) there were five rookies who played for them. Only two reached the 40-game mark, just one (Geoff Smith) would play the entire season for the team. This year’s team does have a new NHL arrival (Noah Philp) and we’ll see about recalls as the season moves along. I got a good look at the Bakersfield Condors last night and have some observations.

The Athletic article today is about the state of Edmonton’s prospect pool. It has been an active and productive 12 months since last winter’s top 20. There are some encouraging trends. The article is here.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN NOVEMBER

• On the road to: CAL (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
• At home to: NJD, VEG (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-1-0)
• On the road to: VAN (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
• At home to: NYI, NAS (Expected 2-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
• On the road to: TOR, MTL, OTT (Expected 1-2-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
• At home to: MIN, NYR (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
• On the road to: UTA, COL (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
• Overall expected result: 8-5-0, 16 points in 13 games
• November results: 1-1-0, 2 points in 2 games
• Oilers in 2024-25: 6-6-1, 13 points in 13 games

I have the Oilers starting a four-game winning streak tonight, aggressive even if Connor McDavid was in the lineup. Still, there are some good arrows for this team, and they are 6-3-1 in the last 10 games. Much has been made about the lack of offense, and I keep thinking the goals will come in bunches soon as regression occurs. However, the power play is an absolute travesty and that doesn’t appear to be getting fixed. Edmonton needs more power plays and more power-play goals starting any time now.

THE CONDORS

The first thing I always look for is prospects getting plenty of playing time. Max Wanner has received large doses since he arrived a year ago, and that continues through to today. I’m not sure we can call any of the rest of these names pure prospects, but Phil Kemp is getting his usual opportunities that is a fact.

Connor Carrick scores well here, he has played with several partners and had success. Cam Dineen and Phil Kemp have struggled at even-strength goal share, but both men have been productive in the past. I’ve been surprised by the expanded role Noel Hoefenmayer has this season, I see him often. The eye can play tricks, maybe he’s just impacting the play more this year. It’s just my opinon, but Josh Brown has not shown an ability to be Bakersfield’s best defenseman for any extended period this season. Early days.

The trade of Ben Gleason for Ronnie Attard is a good one because it gives the team more room to wheel under the veterans rule the AHL enforces. It does give the group a ‘right-orium’ feel, with all of Carrick, Brown, Wanner, Kemp and now Attard righties. The left side is currently Dineen and Hoefenmayer, Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated. I think we could see Travis Dermott sent down, and Josh Brown sent north (or similar) in the coming days. Righty-Righty pairings are rare for extended periods.

This is a fascinating and encouraging look at Colin Chaulk’s forward group in Bakersfield. Matt Savoie is scoring well (3-3-6) in early days and is also positive by even-strength goal share. He’s being lifted by linemates like Seth Griffith and Roby Jarventie, but the rookie is also lifting the veterans. Music!!! I can’t tell you how happy I am that Savoie is adjusting so quickly.

At the other end, James Stefan is struggling as an AHL rookie. I do think that the role he is playing is less than ideal and of course he’s playing down the depth chart with lesser offensvie talents. Important not to reach any grand conclusions about Stefan or Savoie, but we can observe two very different beginnings to pro careers in this case.

I’ve been impressed by Daniel D’Amato and the numbers (both even strength scoring and the boxcars) indicate he can play with authority at this level. Something of an unknown entering the season, he has emerged quickly.

Jayden Grubbe is rumbling in a good way, kind of like Chris VandeVelde two decades ago. We can all agree he doesn’t bring enough offense, but Grubbe brings other things that matter, just like VandeVelde. I think Grubbe is going to play NHL games in the next two seasons.

Seth Griffith has struggled for a couple of seasons at even strength, but is absolutely pushing the river this season. A very good player despite the advanced age.

A busy afternoon on the Lowdown, we get started at noon on Sports 1440. Bruce McCurdy from the Cult of Hockey at the Edmonton Journal joins us, we’ll also have Cam Lewis from Jays Nation to give us a preview of the Toronto Blue Jays in free agency and what may come at the winter meetings. I’m at Lowetide on twitter, in the comments section here and on the Sports 1440 text line at 1.833.401.1440 directly. We can be heard at sports1440.ca; iHeartRadio; Radioplayer Canada, we tweet out the show after it’s done and you can catch us on Apple and Spotify.