Oilers fans may never get used to it, but the Edmonton Oilers exciting brand of hockey means more offense at both ends of the ice. They are a 4-3 team in a 3-2 league. The club has been designed for offense, puck moving, outscoring and hammering opponents at five-on-four, four-on-four and three-on-three if possible. It’s a lot of fun, but it clearly causes anxiety. Are you all ready for this?
The Athletic article today is about the brilliant Connor McDavid and projecting the number of Art Ross trophies in his future. It is here.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN NOVEMBER
- At home to: NJD, VEG (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-2-0)
- On the road to: VAN (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- At home to: NYI, NAS (Expected 2-0-0) (Actual1-0-0)
- 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: 2-2-0, 4 points in 4 games
- Oilers in 2024-25: 7-7-1, 15 points in 15 games
No one has expressed serious doubts about Edmonton making the playoffs, but being in an actual playoff spot is always a good thing. I think this is a 100+ point team, and that means a nice winning streak is on the horizon. Perhaps these Oilers are in that first long winning streak right now.
THE NUMBERS
Connor McDavid had a perfect game. He was super nova and the Islanders were obliging. On nights like these, a smart coach (Kris Knoblauch is a smart coach) lets the horses run, and McDavid scored 1-3-4, with eight shots and six HDSC’s. Music! The Oilers are a 4-3 team, and McDavid pushes the river and drives the results. If he reaches the finals healthy, the Oilers win. Not a shred of doubt in my mind.
I thought most of the top end of the roster had brilliant moments combined with plays they would want back. Evan Bouchard is such a fantastic player, he’s definitely a 4-3 player in a 3-2 league. He’s freaking brilliant. My God. Mattias Ekholm was not effective in 2GA on the night, but when you see his touch passes or his effective play in overtime to tire out the Islanders just before the goal, well, he’s something else.
Darnell Nurse had a strong night on two pairings, Brett Kulak is flourishing under this coaching staff. Whatever Paul Coffey is telling Kulak, it’s absolute money.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins showed some signs of improvement after a struggling fall. I still think he must be ill or some other malaedy, but the pass to McDavid was very nice.
Jeff Skinner made a horrible defensive play that led directly to a goal against. I love this player on the Oilers, so it gives me no great satisfaction to say it, but that play was as poor as we’ve seen in many year. Robert Nilsson level defensive play there. He did it after starting the game on the fourth line! What does the coach do next? Make him get into his gear in the shed out back? My goodness. I know he’s better than this, and I love his game when the puck is on his stick.
Stuart Skinner will receive the acid verbal today online, but the second goal should involve criminal charges for some of the skaters in front of him. The third goal, for me, was great passing, and a case of both defensemen being ‘also in photo’ at the time. In the moment the puck arrvies in the slot and the stick of Anders Lee, the goalie is in a tough spot. It either hits him, or the shooter finds the net. Can’t let anyone shoot from there.
The big story on the night was Connor McDavid. He’s inevitable. He belongs in a higher league. We are so lucky to watch him play hockey in his prime in our city.
A busy day on the Lowdown, noon to 2pm on Sports 1440 radio. Bruce McCurdy from the Cult of Hockey at the Edmonton Journal is our feature guest, and we’ll also talk Grey Cup, NFL, NBA and MLB. 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.
New for The Athletic: How many scoring championships are in Connor McDavid’s future?
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5917278/2024/11/13/oilers-connor-mcdavid-scoring-art-ross/
Hey Mr. Lowetide, we just got a brand-new puppy. He’s a boy and we’re going to call him Stanley for obvious reasons.
Awesome!
Someone tell Louie the Simpson is stealing his bit
Summarizing!
Clattenburg notched a pair of assists.
Wakely registered his sixth goal of the season, earning 2nd star honours.
Stonehouse garnered his first goal of the year.
Akey picked up an assist.
Day got a red-light tan again, allowing six goals on 32 SOG in a loss.
Prospecting takes a break until Friday.
Despite another subpar performance, Day still made the OHL Save of the Night.
I know people like to compare Skinner to Dubnyk. But Dubnyk gave us 3 straight seasons of 914 to 921 save percentage before the wheels fell off that season. And when they fell off he still gave an 894 save percentage. Stu gave us one season in that range, then a season significantly below and no on pace to be even below Dubnyks wheels falling off season.
Year/League/Dubnyk/Diff
10-11 .913 .916 +.003
11-12 .914 .914 +.000
12-13 .912 .921 +.009
13-14 .914 .894 – .020
Year/League/Skinner/Diff
21-22 .907 .913 +.006
22-23 .904 .914 +.010
23-24 .903 .905 +.002
24-25 .900 .881 – .019*
*As of Nov 13th
League average save percentage was quite a bit higher during Dubnyk’s day. These days, it’s down to .900! It hasn’t been that low in 30 years. Ten years ago it was .915.
Dubnyk had 14 goals saved above average in his three good years. Skinner had 14 goals saved above average in 2022-23 alone. (And another 3 GSAA last year, even after his disastrous start.)
Last night was still, surprisingly an above average shooting game for the Oilers this season. I still can’t figure out why no one else is scoring.
PDO would suggest regression is coming (and there are some early glimmers). But to have 5 or so skilled forwards simultaneously shooting blanks is crazy. It’s further frustrating to see Foegele, Holloway, McLeod finding immediate success in their new homes.
The offensive coach? The lack of finishing is weird
3 of the Oilers top 5 shot generators are defensemen which may be a factor and is perhaps a coaching tactic.
By way of comparison, the Jets’ top 5 shooters are all forwards
Bouchard is finishing at above his career average, Ekholm is slightly below his and Nurse is shooting blanks on 41 shots.
If not for Draisaitl shooting 30%, the Skinner, Hyman and Arvidsson would stand out even more never mind Nuge at 3.3%
That fits with what I see as an issue. I think that the forwards should be better below and between the circles. A few are, it needs to be more. They can light teams up and then they can’t get a sniff if the defence takes away what they like to do. So it’s low percentage point shots to try to get the puck in there
Someone wrote about this last season, may have been NHL_SID or Yost. I was actually thinking this morning that the Oilers should be studying what the Jets are doing
So watching some of the Leafs/Caps game. Each team just had a power play. Both teams left their #1 PP unit out for the entire 2 minutes. Ovi”s shift was 2:19 before he came off. I don’t know how common this is but was curious as there are often comments here about our #1 PP unit staying out too long.
.
That’s a good point
..
I vehemently disagree
Wakely ties the game as he sweeps home a rebound for his 6th goal of the year.
Rather than flushing Stuart Skinner, should we not be looking at adding a veteran later in the year?
A touch unfair to Pickard, but if the chance arises to add a Saros or a Varlamov (I know he’s said he won’t come to Edmonton in the past) or similar you’d think we take it. That way if Stu struggles in the playoffs, or heaven forbid gets injured, we have a seasoned vet that can take his place. Or, if Stu picks it up and gets back to where he was last year then it’s all gravy.
I’m still more concerned about the PK and the defence than the goalie at this stage.
The answer isn’t a tear down it’s getting higher end support
Pick has done his part. The question is if he can take the net with authority if needed
I’m not sure
He did in the playoffs, with our season on the line. How soon we forget.
3 games was it? Pick is fine, but I’m not betting the farm on that given his NHL tenure
I don’t want to flush him. I just want him to dig the F in. Right effing now
I’m sure it’s not possible, but man, getting Sorokin would’ve been something. Mind you a lot of games this year have you have the other teams goaler looking good.
iI think the smartest play on the ice all night was Elkholm’s decision to not take a completely open shot on net late in his shift during OT. Proper Dad Brain play that one.
He knew the Isles were dead on their feet, he knew Sororkin likely had it covered and thus knew shooting it was a good chance of allowing a line change. That’s the sort of wisdom that comes from callouses not skill.
To my mind that play contributed just as much as Drai roofing it (with great comedic timing) 10 seconds later and the sort of thing fancy stats were created to capture.
I see it as having game sense. He had a few whacks and then helped create a terrible position for the bad guys. It’s chess like
You don’t necessarily need experience to be smart
No you don’t. But I do think it’s a particular type of game sense that overcomes a very natural instinct. You see an open lane with clear shot to net it takes quite the steady head to ignore that in benefit to the broader game context
In other 2RHD news:
Hearing Oil put in a claim on Fabbro. Columbus had priority.
Kicked tires on the entire league, including Anderson.
We wait.
Not surprised they put in a claim but if they were really serious they could have got him for a low pick which is way more than NAS got for Fabbro (nothing). So they were not really that keen. Big picture is that there is literally nothing out there at RHD which is available or we can afford. Getting a higher end LHD buddy for Emberson might be the better play at the deadline. Columbus seems to be stocking up and maybe we can accrue enough cap for Provorov after Christmas.
I’ve got all the time in the world for Provorov.
I think he’d be dynamite on the back end.
He’s LHD but ticks a number of boxes in terms of availability, age and performance. Cap space an issue but becoming less every day. One option to keep an eye on.
Good luck telling the team that. Thats Brandon Manning levels of character.
How so?
Per Tony B.
Aridsson didn’t practice today and coach says he is 50/50 for tomorrow. If he can’t go they could go 11/7 or make a call up – has to talk to Bowman.
I’m not saying Stuart Skinner is the only problem with this team. The special teams have been awful and may be the biggest issue so far this season.
That being said, Skinner has not been at his best. Looking for that save percentage to get back up to his career average of over 900. How many more wins do we have if he was at 905 now?
In the last 10 games they’ve gone 6-3-1 which is a marked improvement.
Skinner was waaaay slow reacting to the pass on the first goal. It would be interesting to hear an expert analyze his sideways movements. I could not blame him for any of the goals against in Vancouver. Also, if this team had scored even 10 more goals and allowed 5 less on the PK, we would be leading the Pacific division. LT is right. This team plays high event D, so the numbers will make Stu look bad. As long as they are on their game come playoffs……
Not slower than Bouchard. Poor coverage by the forwards and D in front of Skinner and Pickard give them bad signals or confusing signals or misleading signals. If the D is not reacting to the farside forward, he is NOT providing a signal to the goaltender, and if in fact providing a bad signal to the goaltender.
Team defense was and is still the main problem with the McDavid Oilers.
Arguing goal-tending online is a fool’s game really — so, naturally I have to add my voice to the cacophony.
Having a goaltender who can consistently win games in which their team is outplayed is a luxury. They’re expensive and there’s only a handful who are capable of doing so season after season.
It’s not a reasonable expectation to have a goaltender who steals game after game, to concede control over the flow of play and expect to win.
However, it is reasonable to expect to win most games in which you largely control the play — if you out-shoot, and out-chance the opposition you should win consistently. Not always of course, but winning those games should be considered a reasonable expectation.
But, even in games where you do control play you’re never going to be perfect. It’s not a reasonable expectation to go into the third period against Vegas or Colorado and not concede a single scoring chance. In fact, I would argue that if the Knights come out of such a third period with only one or two scoring chances against it should be considered an excellent period of defensive hockey.
It’s unreasonable to expect to not concede a single scoring chance against. A goaltender has to make some saves, even if some of them are difficult. An open winger tapping in a puck is one thing — not every shot is stoppable — but every team needs a difficult save to be made now and then.
It all has to be taken over a significant span of games of course, and our goaltending isn’t the primary reason for the slow start, but even great teams only limit chances against, they don’t eliminate them.
The Oilers can win with Skinner. But he has to get to the point where Edmonton doesn’t hold its collective breath every time a puck is directed at the net. He has been good enough. I’m confident he will be good enough. But he does need to consistently stop pucks, even when a few of them are scoring chances.
I liked the Jeff Skinner signing, but he has become a problem. He’s now on the 4th line playing less than 9 minutes while not scoring and making atrocious defensive plays. The Oilers didn’t sign Skinner to not play with McDavid or Drai. The Oilers lost other, younger, players partially due to signing Skinner.
Somebody the other day mentioned a Skinner for Trent Frederic swap.
The comment got panned, but that would be a pretty good trade actually.
I’ll give that a thumbs up. LOL
Was that your idea? I rather liked it.
Frederic is like a bowling ball on skates 6’3” 220. Imagine him and Kane lining up at LW for the playoffs.
The guy who’s -11 with 3 points over one bad period…yeah that’s genius…
UGHHHH….
If it was just one bad period, he wouldn’t be relegated to the fourth line.
Skinner will start scoring it’s in his D.N.A. Kris needs to give this player a push starting in the Preds game.
Skinner is really good at scoring for non-playoff teams. He is leading the Oilers at -6 and has fallen through all the top 4 Oilers centres, and is now working on the #5 centre in Derek Ryan.
Maybe he can help Philp and Savoie get NHL ready in Bakersfield.
This is nonsense. Scoring is scoring.
And shouldn’t it be harder to be scoring at his established rates playing on lesser quality teams where presumably his line mates are also lesser quality?
By your argument, does this make Dylan Holloway an example of someone who is really good at scoring for non-playoff teams?
Holloway had 5 goals in the playoffs last year, 3 of which, I think were in the finals. He also has more goals than Skinner this year, and he doesn’t get to play with Draisaitl or McDavid, (or even Henrique) like Skinner.
“He also has more goals than Skinner this year,”
01todog would say that Holloway has more goals than Skinner this year because Holloway is really good at scoring for non-playoff teams.
115 games with the Oilers and just 14 goals.
Compared to 16 games on a non-playoff team and 4 goals.
Hopefully, come trade deadline, his game has recovered. If Kane is back and healthy, he may be bait for a dman at that time.
How about Skinner for Ceci?
I’m not sure who is coaching the offense but it needs some revamping. Is it Gully, trying to have them do the pond hockey at 5v5 he coaches for the PP?
For the level of talent In think we should see at least as many set ups to open players in the slot as we see against. Bruce had the scoring chances far in favour of the Oilers, but a lot of the game didn’t look like the chances were that great
Maybe it’s their seeming fear of shooting where the goalie isn’t, upstairs, weak finishing. I think they should be the most dangerous team in the league attacking the slot. They get their shots, not sure about how dangerous an awful lot of times. So many plays they go to the boards. Cycling is a needed skill, but it’s not the point, it’s to extend zone time
Except Connor, but everyone should be trying to get inside. Perry gets an honourable mention for knowing how to get into scoring positions
I see some level of hesitation in their offensive game still. Like there is always 1 more pass to create the perfect scoring chance. Sometimes, if you get a puck through the center of the ice, just shoot it and create chaos. But they can’t hesitate on that opportunity. Right now I still
see them think twice about shooting, which allows the goalie to get into position and the defence to shift/block that next pass or shot.
I’m not a “shhhhhooooooootttt” fan by any stretch. I like to see the team use their skill and try to get that HQ chance. But I think when it doesn’t work you end up with some sloppy looking play on the ice. Tons of possession with no results.
I do think it’s getting better and better over the last 10 games. But the nature of this team is some nights it won’t work, and inevitably fans will start crowing about “dirty” goals and shooting the puck. I do feel the team could stand to mix it up a little more, sometimes they should look for quick strike plays alongside the possession game they like to play looking for the best opportunity. But shooting the puck 5v5 often means a turnover to the other team. Can they find the balance? When they do I think the offence takes off, and we are already seeing it.
I’m not for just shooting the puck, they get a lot of shots in already usually. I also don’t like the term greasy goals. To me that leads them to trying to hammer and bang away at very low percentage chances that go in by luck. You need some of those for sure, but it isn’t a tactic worth attempting, it’s more a broken play thing to me and being there
Connor does Connor things and Leon can usually score if he gets a lane. But the regular folk I think could be better supporting the puck carrier, giving them an option. It has to be timed well and the puck guy needs to see it coming
Which is why I mentioned Perry, he’s good at it, and has the hands to finish. Definitely they are thinking too much which happens when players are having a hard time, slows things down and gives the D time. I think they need to have plays in mind so they aren’t on the boards looking, they know what the plan is and move the puck more quickly. Maybe they have that and just aren’t great at executing
In the playoffs I heard it several times how Dallas and Florida are purposefully looking for things in the O zone, and I saw it happen. Looking to make a quick pass to a guy sneaking into soft ice with a clear lane. The Oilers managed to thwart a lot of it, left me wondering why we don’t see it from our skilled guys more. If they take smarter shots they won’t necessarily lose possession. Like if they are on the side and the goalie is in position and playing well, shoot low off the pads and it pops far side or out front. But somebody has to be reading that and get there to finish
They can still riff, but to me when things are tight or they aren’t feeling it, they have a fall back to work at and everyone is on the same page and going to the right place to support the play
I see one problem with the powerplay, everyone is too in love with the Bouch bomb. It’s a fantastic weapon but everything else is getting looked off of for a Bouch bomb. Draisaitl, yes has been scouted in his favorite spot, yet he’s been wide open in his favorite spot and looked off in order for another round of Bouch bomb. Too many shots into blocked lanes coming from the point, sort that out and the powerplay will open up.
I get that they want to have a free form style because it’s unpredictable. But there are games when the juice isn’t there or whatever. The problem is you have to win a lot of games to get home ice, which is important for contenders
Having those three weapons they should be able to have some options depending on what is happening. If Bouch’s lane is being taken, or Drai’s, set something else up. But as I said it should be structured for when Jazz turns into Weird Al so thinking is not required, just do it and do it with pace. If it’s a Jazz night riff away
It seems, as a group, we have lost site of this
Nurse has been good for most of the season in my opinion – acknowledging that “good” does not mean perfect or mistake free. His game has generally settled down and he’s doing so much more good than bad, and doing so with multiple partners every game – its a tough task and kudos to Nurse.
Kulak is playing the best hockey of his Oilers career and he’s playing more minutes (materially) than he ever has. It will be very interesting to see if this is a heater or if it has sustain and how he does with these minutes nightly.
Agree LT, when J.Skinner turns on offense his determination and shot are fun to watch. Unfortunately, there is a long history of 20 to 30g, a lot at 5×5, but still finishing minus 10 to 15. The coach/gm next move is either 1) keep him on the 4th line with 8-10min of ice time and hope his play improves. 2) GM looks for trade options. 3) Risk waivers to clear salary and call up someone more suited to a 4th line role. Putting him back up on one of the top two lines is not option at this point in my mind.
In my opinion the signing was a mistake, especially considering the subsequent repercussions to the roster. That said, I hope he proves me wrong, turns it around, and scores a huge playoff goal (may not be for the Oilers).
Another day and another goat sacrificed at the “Please don’t trade for Risto or Savard” altar.
I thought Risto was worth watching this season to see if a deal made sense – turns out – not so much. Savard was done years ago and not even worth discussing.
Jesper Wallstedt rocking an .869 through 7 games this season in triple-A Iowa.
For the record I would’ve drafted him in the Bourgault spot.
I think it is fair to ask the question though: is there an in-season upgrade at goal, perhaps not necessarily for a #1, but for a 1A in case Principal Skinner falters come playoff time?
I’m thinking maybe Alex Lyon or Mac Blackwood, both of whom are UFA at season’s end, and both who are currently .910 or better.
They should have listened to Coffey and drafted Wyatt Johnston.
I thought Podz was absolute fire last night.
His motor was running at 100% – it wasn’t quite “Holloway Motor” but he was all over it shift after shift and I thought he looked faster than normal. He kept a ton of plays alive in the offensive zone with battle and, as usual, is a smart player that is almost always on the “right side of the puck”.
I’m not sure he’ll ever be more than a 20 point guy but, on the other hand, maybe he can have a Warren Foegele like development – Foegele was always a possestion monster in Carolina but short on production – he’s been able to pop a bit as he nears his late 20s. I can see that type of progression for Podz.
Stuart Skinner getting eviscerated online and on all the post-game shows.
i get it but I think it might be a bit much and bit unfair. I think he is essentially being compared to Sorokin at the other end. No doubt, 100%, the Oilers got out-goalies, but is it fair to analyze Skinner’s performance via comparison to an elite, top 5 goalie, have a very high end night?
Don’t get me wrong, Skinner didn’t come up with even one “big save” and one would have been appreciate but none of the goals were bad and those were tough saves. Yes, he needs to make tough saves and didn’t – he was just OK last night if not being compared to Sorokin and held to that standard.
If anything, should it not be Ekholm being discussed? I mean he was the main culpable player on the 1st and 3rd goals against and part of the problem on the other.
Imagine if Bouchard or Nurse made that terrible pinch that Ek did on goal one or were swimming on their knees on goal 3.
Because Ekholm normally doesn’t do that so he gets a pass. The issue with Skinner isn’t that he didn’t stop any of the three that got past him. It’s that he continues to not be able to make that crucial save.
We are looking at a good backup goalie. Not someone I’m comfortable starting on a team hoping for the cup
https://x.com/stonyoil/status/1856557523572281831?s=46&t=VKZ79-9hN-xwMNTBjohq7w
what is he doing. Kicks right leg forward as it’s a shot even though the forward is completely telegraphing a pass
Ekholm has been directly culpable on quite a few goals lately, in particular later in games.
Don’t get me wrong, Ekholm is fantastic and a huge positive player on this team but he’s been FAR from mistake free recently.
One game away from hoisting Stanley and Stu only costs 2.6 M. The cap is a big deal and Edmonton can be grateful for the hometown boy which permits others to fit under the cap. Is there anyone on this roster getting paid less than Stu but more important to the season’s outcome ?
Regardless of pay the game is called mostly goalie.
Oilers have one of the least expensive goalie tandems in the league. I guess you get what you pay for.
Skinner was pulled in the L.A then Vegas series a year later he was pulled in the Canuck series. The problem is other top notch goalies fight through not being in the zone with Skinner when he’s bad he’s awful. We need a reliable 1-B in these instances, is it Pickard you tell me? All I know is neither man is a Bowman man and if these numbers do not improve by Christmas a .881 and a .886 Bowman will pull the chute.
The elite top 5 goalie lost his starters job last spring to Varlamov.
Ekholm has been a pillar of strength for this club night in and night out, all his sins were forgiven with the sensational overtime shift.
1) I would suggest that most would consider Sorokin a top 5 goalie in the NHL (or, if not, very close)
2) Yes, he has – he has also been culpable on quite a few goals against recently – both can be, and are, true.
Folks tend to forget the plan had always been that Stu would be a really great backup, at this point, ideally, as he works himself to a stating role while Campbell starts. He’s a victim of his own success, if anything.
Draisaitl on pace for 62 goals, tied for 1st in overall goals and 1st in even strength goals and folks were clamoring that this big beautiful bastard wasn’t meeting expectations lol
Skinner showing exactly why I was against the Skinner signing. He is about Evander Kane level defensively but without the physicality, which will be hard when Kane comes back to have both on the roster
Mcdavid is generational, always has been always will be.
Easily the best watch in the sport.
I’m not sure anyone has ever suggested otherwise.
Colour me a fan who has gotten used to the 4-3 Oilers.
You take the good you take the bad you take the rest and then you have exciting hockey that they win 4/7 more times than hot.
Yes we are very lucky to have McDavid in Edmonton. He is a treat to watch for sure. Drai as well as they are such a great duo.
I think Skinner is a very good goalie, he just isn’t elite. An Elite goalie stops 1 of those 3 goals.
Hopefully McD gets a few points against Nashville next game ( I think he does)
Go Oil
Prospectoco!
Another busy day, another minimal preamble.
The House of Stone has his first of the season in a school day game.
Flint and Barrie are in action at 5 p.m. Nobleford time.
Video evidence of the tally:
https://x.com/Ottawa67sHockey/status/1856733401660661871
A typical game for Stu imo. Plays ok for most of the game, but inevitably gives up a goal or two you’d want back. I understand the goals were the result of defensive breakdowns, but all teams have breakdowns. Top end NHL goalies bail the team out more often than not. Sorokin faced many great chances last night and stopped most of them.
Too many nights, the Oilers have the second best goalie on the ice. Last night was no exception. Skinner’s save percentage on the year doesn’t lie and the sample is getting larger. He needs to be better.
Luckily the team can overcome mediocre to poor goaltending many nights with superior offense and possession game
ilya Sorokin, $8.25 million.
Stu Skinner, $2.6 million.
The Islanders had the better goalie? Shocking.
If you read the post I say too many nights. Last night was just the latest example. Why can’t we have an objective conversation about our goaltender that has an 881 save percentage without you getting pissy?
Bowman always had above average goaltending in Chicago besides Crawford many fine goaltenders were his partner. I do think Bowman will bring in another goaltender especially if our starter continues batting .881. With the Campbell buyout and Skinner making 2.6 for another year Bowman is in tough but I mean let’s face it when your expectations of your goalie is to be at best level with the opposition your Cup hopes go down significantly.
It’s probably because comparing a goalie that is paid tied for 38th in the league compared to #4. Skinner has 31% cap hit of Sorokina.
For example centres comparison would be #4 is Pettersson and a centre that is 31% of his cap hit is Alex Kerfoot or Thomas Novak.
It’s just worlds apart on expectations versus salary.
Does Skinner need to play better than he has? Yes, but above is why I assume Bruce has an issue with the comment. Your statement about most nights the other goalie is better, accurate statement.
Stating facts = getting pissy now?
Is it also pissy to point out the Oilers have a low budget in their Dept. of Goaltending?
The Skinner rage was epic across all channels yesterday. Based on the trending on the Oilers roster, I expect the team to trade Stuart Skinner and hire Cam Talbot for the job at the deadline. I suspect many fans would prefer it. Strange days indeed.
Oh Bruce, care to speculate how much his next contract will be?
That’s true but the fact is that both goalies (Skinner and Pickard) have been subpar. Oilers PK woes are simply that the goalies have been extremely poor in PK situations. Oilers lead the league in xG’s on the PK and are last in PK%.
https://x.com/travisyost/status/1856732719348367416
Oh God that’s not true. The Oilers skaters have been rancid on both special teams. Skinner hasn’t been good enough, but good Christ let’s not give the skaters a free pass here.
The skaters on the PK would look alot better if the tenders could make some routine saves most nights. It’s not highlight reel goals getting past these guys, it’s the basics. Guys are going to get open, make the save.
The Oilers pp would look alot better if their opponents mostly goalie weren’t making routine saves. Hopkins was robbed in the Vancouver game in the 3rd on a save the Oilers haven’t had in their end, Nucks skaters were looking ugly but the mostly goalie made a highlight. That save has happened a dozen times against them so far this season.
So, regression is OBVIOUS for the skaters on the power play but Skinner receives no such grace? Skinner has been money through the last two regular seasons and was top drawer against the Stars. Game 7 SCF was a loss, but the skaters were also in that game, too, and they came up short as well. It’s lazy to blame Skinner for the SCF loss imo, and I do think that is what is driving this narrative.
Skinner is not Dom Hasek, we know this. Tearing him apart and blaming him won’t get much done. A year from now the same people will be ripping the new guy. The Oilers have built-in chaos, they are not devoted to a shutdown approach. The degree of difficulty for Edmonton’s goalies is greater because of it.
I personally don’t blame Skinner for the Stanley cup loss, he was sensational. So we know he can be, which is all I’m hoping for.
Growing up watching Grant, Ranford, Cujo, Salo (pre comrie), has conditioned me to crave the spectacular. It’s not fair to Skinner but he can get there.
I’m just relaying the stats. We did start the year off with 5 shots on the PK and 5 goals. And I agree that the skaters should be better.
But here’s another-
https://x.com/JFreshHockey/status/1855654197406101722
Skinner in the bottom 10, allowing 5 more goals than expected so far this year.
I think Skinner is a decent goalie, but his play to start the year has been subpar.
At what point do we trust the sample size for PK? Surely this isn’t it
We can expect both the PP and the PK to be much better. But the narrative around the PK is that the PK (skaters) suck, but the reality is that it’s mostly that the team hasn’t been getting the saves. And that’s not to give the skaters a pass, but if you are wondering why they are last in the PK, most of the reason is the goalies.
LT, I’m not entirely following. Which sample size are you suggesting should be trusted? The lights out one from last playoffs? Last season with different players – Ceci, Vinny, McLeod? Not sure we can trust either as an expected result for this season if that’s what you are getting at.
If Jackson and Bowman had not broken down a team that without injuries would have won the cup,we would be leading the league.Skinner is not the problem….Ceci,McLeod,Desjarnais,Fogele,Broberg ,and Holloway all contributed to the Stanley Cup Run.Defence,speed,Pk,all are missing.We are older,slower,and older.
Great point!
What’s Skinner next contract look like?
The 8.25 mostly goalie lost his job last spring, got it back this fall but still lost his job last spring.
No wonder they lost game seven of the SCF. Goalie Bob makes $10Million. Amazing it was so close.
Wow did you get that from your analytics department?
As long as we have Drai at 14.5 million,and McDavid at probably 16 or 17 million,we will never have a 10 million dollar goalie.That is the problem with having the two best players in the league.In the future,the Oilers will return to the decade of darkness.Notnenough money to fill up,the roster with good players when two,are paid so much!
Sorokin most certainly stole the Islanders a point last night and gave them a chance for two. That being said, I wonder what we would have said about his goals against if Stu let in those same goals.
1) Slow to get across to cover the post in time.
2) Beat by a good wrist shot, but there was no screen.
3) Should a backhand with not a ton of zip on it beat an NHL goalie from there?
4) Lost his net and left the post open.
I’m sure we’ll be having the discussion about Stu’s mediocre goaltending until he’s the goalie of record in a Stanley Cup victory – this year I hope!
Hazzard a guess of what the score might have been if the Oilers had Sorokin in goal and the Islanders had Skinner.
My guess would have been 6-2 Oilers, based on save %. Whatever Oilers won in OT and Sorokin deservedly stole a point for his team.
Get him a decent PK unit,and he will be fine!
One thing to consider that I feel gets overlooked too often when considering the goaltending Skinner gives the Oilers is that he wasn’t supposed to be the starter yet. Campbell was brought in to be the starter while Skinner eased his way in. (I didn’t like the Campbell signing at the time mostly because of small sample size as a successful NHL starter… thought spending a small amount on Ilya Samsonov would have been a better choice since some of the top UFA and trade options were off the board, but that’s a topic for another time or not at all anymore). Sorokin was drafted in a similar spot as Skinner, but was able to spend more time in pro hockey (KHL) and spend more time with a seasoned top level goalie all while under a better defensively structured team (at the time) at the NHL level.
Having said that, Skinner seems to run hot and cold and goaltending is voodoo. Would it be less stressful if he didn’t let in a softie as often as it seems he does… absolutely. Is he going through development/growing pains…. could be. Should we recognize that he was the goalie who, with a bit of help from Pickard, got us to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup… definitely. Is there still time for him to grow and improve… should be.
I’m more concerned that the offence struggles to score in many games allowing the opponent to hang around. However, I do see signs of overall improvement from the G to the D to the O. If Nuge, Henrique, and J. Skinner could get some traction, that would help immensely.
A great write up and no mention of Drais – shows how lucky we are! They both played well.
I will never tire of watching Drais shield the puck against the boards while driving past a handful of defenders. He is such a beast when he is at the top of his game.
Fun