This is a lot of names and many numbers. One name, and one number on the line associated with that name, is the key to our conversation today. Can you see it?
The Athletic article today is about Vasily Podkolzin and keeping your stick on the ice while going to the slot like your life depends on it. Article is here.
AHL FORWARDS (ROOKIES AT 20) LAST 20 SEASONS: EVEN-STRENGTH SCORING
Do you see the key name and number? It’s Leon Draisaitl of course, with the number 6 (games played) also central to the story. We cover this all the time in the Farm Workers post, but the high skill kids don’t spend much time in the AHL, they’re on to a skill line in the NHL before you can say ‘Bob’s your uncle’ and take a breath.
On the Condors broadcast the other night, play-by-play broadcaster Ryan Holt (he calls a great game and is astute in his verbal) mentioned Matthew Savoie and his shy scoring totals on the power play. Holt suggested that Savoie will impact the five-on-four more as the season wears along, and that’s exactly true. Lane Pederson’s return will be a boost too, as Colin Chaulk is currently being forced to cobble together a strange brew with the man advantage.
The reason I wanted to talk about this today (I’ve mentioned it recently) is Matthew Savoie. He’s scoring well at even strength and outscoring at a ridiculous rate in the game state. We can’t know for sure, but based on his performance outside the power play, Savoie should be earning an NHL recall before spring.
High AHL point totals over a full season at 20 usually means you’re not getting an NHL skill job (Tyler Benson). Even strong power-play totals (Rob Schremp had 28 PP points as an AHL rookie) can’t help you if the coaching staff doesn’t believe you have the boots.
If you look at the men above who posted the strongest totals offensively at evens (Teemu Hartikainen, Tyler Benson, Marco Roy) the resume lacked something and the results didn’t matter. Meanwhile, Draisaitl was there for a Bakersfield minute before elevating to his rightful spot on an NHL skill line.
Savoie’s comparable on this list is Kailer Yamamoto. Both men had enough speed and hands, with the worry being size. Yamamoto was 5.08, 153 when playing for the Condors, Savoie is listed at 5.09, 179. That 25 pounds, if true, may make him more durable. We don’t know what we don’t know, but it’s interesting factual information.
As for other youngsters currently matriculating, we know from the Farm Workers series that the real heroes are guys like Kyle Brodziak, who have enough offense and enough two-way acumen to find a role on an NHL No. 3 line and thrive. Ryan McLeod looks like a newer edition of that player.
Even lower on the scoring charts, Jujhar Khaira found a way to make the NHL and that will be the route for Jayden Grubbe should he make it to the show.
If you’re fretting about the lack of goals or power-play goals being scored in Bakersfield, and the impact on individual players, honestly don’t sweat it. Draisaitl didn’t set the world on fire, he played six games. That’s the lesson of 20 years staring at AHL forwards. If Savoie plays all season in Bakersfield, and starts 2025-26 there, he’s the new Tyler Benson. It’s the damndest thing, and I know it seems weird, but in most ways the call has already been made on the prospects playing for the Condors. I believe Savoie makes it as a skill winger, and will say once again we are looking at an outstanding start to his AHL season in even-strength scoring and outscoring. Grubbe makes it as the new Chris VandeVelde and Holloway as the new Jason Chimera. We wait.
Thursday on the Lowdown means Bagged Milk from Oilers Nation and we have much to discuss. From the long layoff to what trades we might see before the deadline, and we’ll check on Frank and how much work is getting done at Nation headquarters with all the football today. We’ll talk NFL, MLB and Declan Krueger will have his beloved NCAA football weekly homily. 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.
Ffs. Mcdavid gliding around not doing anything. Oilers getting what they deserve this period. Just not good enough.
Jezuz. Very poor start. Passive and sloppy. 3 – 2 on 1s already. Heads just not in the game again. This team is damn inconsistent. Way too much gliding around.
Really struggling this period. Boring.
Bouchard playing his best fish flopping on the ice, takes neither man nor pass. 2nd shot of game in the net.
Hatty for Berezkin tonight.
That KHL contract is inching closer and closer to expiry
As expected, Caggiula has been re-called to give the team 12 forwards for tomorrow.
Summarizing!
Wakely potted his 9th goal and added two assists in an OT win. He was named 1st star.
Nicholl sniped twice to give him 10 goals on the season. He too was named 1st star.
O’Reilly tallied his 6th. (London won 6-0 and like the Oilers did yesterseason, has now won 16 straight.)
Akey had 6 SOG but his request for soup was denied.
Oilers just called up Drake. Savoie will have to wait
Tyler Ennis on Jeff Skinner. https://x.com/OilersNation/status/1862262695757525487
Man, that’s a tough evaluation from an x-NHL player… but when watching his game closely, it’s hard to disagree. His offensive production has been far below expectations and his 2-way game is not good enough for the Oilers. Time is up, move on.
Who knew?
Buffalo knew. Lots of folks knew, except hopeful Oiler fans.
I thought this was obvious in the summer but got the old downvote.
Oilers didn’t need another shooter, they need a digger. A retriever. A motor. That’s the role Pods stepped into.
Exactly.
Buffalo bought him out and didn’t need or use the cap space.
They just wanted him gone.
Agreed, it was obvious and pointed out. I thought or hoped rather that he’d get the new team bump. The poor start by the team nixed that.
misery loves company.
Four goals have been scored between London and Barrie so far, and they’ve all been scored by NAmateurs (Nicholl x 2, O’Reilly, Wakely).
If I remember correctly, Draisaitl went down in shock for 6 games.
This kid was so serious he never even smiled when he scored a goal. Determination. He knew where he was supposed to be. Feedback was that he was very disappointed, upset to get sent down. Took him a few games lost in a fog before he started playing.
With all the hand wringing about offer sheets, I feel like the trade of McLeod for Savoie gets overlooked. In my opinion, this is the move we could end up regretting the most. His speed and defensive play are elite imo, and are things that don’t get players paid. If he figures out how to piss a srop offensively and hits, say, 0.5 ppg I think he’ll be one of the best value contracts in the league. Kind if like a Kulak type at forward, the sort of player who can solve all sorts of roster problems due to their versatility.
Anyways, none of this matters if Savoie manages to fulfill his potential as a top 6 scoring forward. I’m encouraged most by his +/-, but unfortunately that’s also not a useful stat for individual players, especially in small samples. But I’m hoping that maybe part of his lacklustre play is that Chaulk seems to really like grinding the edges off players and forcing them to play a strong defensive game. I wonder if that’s part of Savoie’s current scoring woes. I think Savoie needs to come up to the NHL in part to be placed in a role where can also learn to use his offensive skills, since he really does not have much to work with down in the AHL
Ryan McLeod is currently .55 ppg with 6G 6A 12P +8
That would place him 3rd in scoring among Oilers forwards.
Hes a fine NHL player, but not a need for the Oilers. GM cannot be afraid to repurpose asset value. In hindsight, Broberg also should have been traded.
Are you suggesting the Oilers don’t need a relatively young, fast elite penalty killing 3C?
That his cap hit is almost $1 million less than soon to be 35 Adam Henrique might give a good GM pause.
Every coin has two sides, you only present one. I already stated McLeod has value, but going into playoffs again with him at 3C would have been a mistake. Very likeable player, hope he does well.
I suggest the Oilers don’t need a nice fella that can’t keep his head together in the second season where he got caved twice. And said to media in the playoffs perimeter play is fine
Buffalo is a good place for him as he can help them and it’s lower key, for now
funny, can’t remember you describing him as fast elite penalty killing3C when he was an Oiler… strange 😉
Come playoff time I’ll take Henrique for the next 2 years whose willing to get his hands dirty unlike McLeod.
There is every possibility that Henrique has fallen off the cliff.
Father Time is undefeated.
Lets have thus discussion again when Henrique gets the best out of the the conference final opposition 3C.
The McLeod trade is a difficult template for a trade. Trading a 24-year-old actual NHL player for a 20-year-old unestablished player is fraught with risk.
Regardless of the eventual outcome, I was not a proponent of this trade.
Teams that are moving on have soured somewhat on the prospect.
I’ve always applauded Joe Sakic’s ability to trade for emerging talent, but Joe used a different template.
In the Kyle Turris trade, he was already over 28 at the time, so there’s far less risk than trading a then 24-year-old. If Gerard hadn’t panned out, Turris was nearly cooked by the time he arrived in Nashville anyways.
Exactly my thinking.
While I understand the Oilers need to bolster their prospect pipeline it is no accident that Buffalo moved on from Savoie while drafting 5 other centres in that and subsequent drafts.
They obviously decided he was the red headed step child of the bunch and it’s worth noting that all of them are playing in the AHL with varying levels of success including Jiri Kulich who has 14 NHL games to his credit despite being drafted 17 spots behind Savoie in 2022.
Of course, the Savoie story still has to be written but that is also somewhat true for McLeod too. His game is likely to mature.
except when they play on other teams right 🙂 ?
Don’t jinx the poor guy!
We all know your track record and he seems to be a good kid.
I would like to post on McLeod here. He certainly looks more valuable at the moment.
To the Oilers, he was out for Henrique, decision made based on playoffs. Once that was established he was fourth line center or trade bait. They felt they had a top first rounder for him, so for the Oilers it adds up.
When McLeod was doing his thing (speed) (puck transport) he shows great value. Defensive he shows up well in the numbers but they are skewed. He played so defensive, even scared. Sometimes he would even leave the offensive zone sweeping back, around our dman and then back into the zone. If he went into the corners or net front he broke out in a rash. He played very high and had great speed so he covered defensively, but this is the Oilers, if you are not bringing offense then just what are you doing here..?
We could certainly use Ryan today, he would be helping. Fill the third line center role, bump him to fourth for playoffs perhaps. Given this, the team still needed to start building for the future and it looks like they have a decent winger coming along. Enjoyed your post
Capped out teams with a geriatric roster don’t normally “build for the future”.
Similar teams most often add or keep players who can help now.
A smart team can do both.
So, Dallas then?
no the team that beat them in the conference final last playoffs 🙂
Thanks, appreciate it! I agree that McLeod had a rough playoffs. I think he still brought value and is a strong depth piece to cover for injuries as an effective middle six forward. What I think a lot of people seem to gloss over is that he is still a young player himself, just coming into his own. Sure, he looked overwhelmed in the playoffs, but I feel he is still early enough in his career that he could use that as a learning experience and potentially come back the next year more prepared and focused on what he needed to accomplish. If he does take that step forward, that’s where I think this trade may become regrettable.
To be clear, I don’t hate the trade, Savoie shows a lot of promise. But I do think people may be greatly underestimating McLeod’s potential to continue improving
Only time will tell it Clouder got ‘Eberle’d or whether he truly does fade in the postseason. Sometimes it’s just lessons learned. Being traded can change one’s perspective on a number of things.
True that time will tell, but a big difference is that Eberle had played 1 playoff season for the Oilers (after being Mr Clutch for Canada at the Jrs 2X, for what that’s worth).
When McLeod was traded he had played 4 playoff seasons and 56 playoff games for the Oilers. Right or wrong, it’s not like the Oilers made a rash decision on McLeod based off a small sample.
Savoie’s played 17 games on a team that can’t score. I wouldn’t be too down on his scoring since he’s not getting any help from his teammates.
Yeah, I think he’s in a tough spot to evaluate. I don’t know much about Chaulk’s style, but nobody seems to flourish offensively under him, and I get the impression the focus is more on 2-way play and suppression. Combine that with poor linemates and he isn’t going to look all that great. But there’s not a lot to tell you that he’s knocking it out of the park either, in fact OP seems to suggest he’s still adjusting to the game.
All to say, I am still hopeful that Savoie will turn into a player. But unless he pans out as a solid top-6 forward then I think you could argue the Oilers lost the trade given McLeod’s many tools and the fact that I suspect he will continue to imorove over the next 1-2 years. Never mind the fact that we could use a player exactly like him on the roster this year
Rishaug asked if there is any update or plan on Kane.
Knob just said “it’s not any more clear and it will be month to month”.
The default position on Kane is that he’s not playing this year and if he is that he’s not going to be a difference maker. Looks like he’s on the last part of his career.
What are you basing that default on?
The team itself certainly doesn’t appear to be approaching the player and season in that way.
Who’s default position?
The timeline provided definitely had a return in-season.
As far as “not being a difference maker”, you can have that as your default position but I think we can agree that its not THE default position, right?
Hyman was on the ice today. Coach said he’s “going through steps” and “there is a chance he plays on the road trip”.
There were 14 forwards selected in the top 20 of the 2022 draft. Only 5 of them selected before Savoie. Of the 14, Savoie is 11th in NHL games played with one for Buffalo. Are all of these players better than Savoie? Altogether, there are 27 players from that draft with more games played so far. Give this kid a shot.
What other players are doing has no impact on Savoie and his readiness.
With respect, your posts seem to imply he should get called up based on draft pedigree alone without regards to where he is on his development path, right?
You ignore the fact that he is playing well and out scoring at even strength with not the greatest team mates. I think they should give him a shot, what’s the worst that could happen? Let him play a few games instead of Caggiula or Ryan and we’ll see
I’m ignoring a stat?
I’m watching the games. I’m watching him play.
I’m not basing my opinion off his draft pedigree.
Well, our host has also written a recent article on Savoie’s outscoring at 5 on 5, and has also commented on it a couple of times on this blog. I use his draft class to show that there are plenty of examples of NHL teams giving his peers a chance. I don’t think the Oilers recent history of over ripening prospects is necessarily working out based on results.
I see this is another topic where we won’t agree so I’ll give you the last word if you want it. I’m moving on
I like it, just another perspective. Part of why they swapped McLeod for him was potential. I really hope he can deliver. And hope scouting pays off here. I was not a fan of McLeod but he had value, and Id like to see us get that value back.
I have been working somewhere I hate since summer 2015. I wanted to leave and find new work as Conner got HIS monkey off his back. We’re in this together. Neither of us fully succeeded but I am confident both of us accomplish our goal in ‘25.
9 years at somewhere you hate?!
One thing I’d like to mention is that its not uncommon for players to be more productive at the NHL level than the AHL level due to quality of teammate. I do think this is concept plays out more for d-man but it does apply to forwards.
A player like Matt Savoie is very skilled but very smart offensively but he’s not a driver per say – he needs other skill and other smart offensive players to compliment.
Maybe I’m grasping here, and no offence to Philp and Caggiula (or Stefan when Caggiula was in the NHL) but Savoie doesn’t have alot to play and make plays with.
At the same time, I would suggest that Savoie is not close and Chaulk mentioned the other day that both he and Philp seem to struggle when games are stacked close together and, truth be told, Savoie was all but a complete non factor the last two games (Philp as well).
Better structure and predictability of play in the NHL help too.
But, I don’t think he has shown the confidence to drive the play against men yet. Sometimes that never comes and sometimes it just takes gaining familiarity with the environment.
I agree, some players need to play with skill to succeed. If Savoie is the high end prospect we think he is, then I would like to see him recalled at the next injury opportunity to show what he has. Even if he starts on the fourth line, there is a good chance with the coach’s tendency to mix things up, he ends up playing some minutes with Draisaitl or Mcdavid. If he pots a couple with them, he could be off to the races.
We know that Caggiula will never be that player so why not give Savoie the opportunity?
because Savoie is not ready for the NHL.
He’s struggling with the AHL schedule right now – he needs time to develop at the pro level.
Sounds like he’s doing fine at even strength, playing with lesser teammates. Ken Holland’s over ripening strategy left us with a bunch of pissed off prospects that either wanted out, or wanted to be paid in full.
Give the kid a chance to see what he can do. High end prospects spend very little time in the minors, is Savoie high end? Let’s find out
I’m not sure why “over-ripening” continues to be brought up.
This is 20 year old, rookie pro in the 1st year of his ELC who is struggling adapting to pro hockey.
He’s not near over-ripe, he’s not near ripe.
He’s currently is a down-stretch and his coach indicates the grind of pro hockey is something that is a factor, and it shows on the ice.
He’s -2 with 1 shot and 0 points in the last two games.
He’s right where he needs to be, in the AHL as a 20 year old rookie pro.
Did Jarvantie and Savoie have chemistry together? As you mentioned before Savoie needs to play with skill to succeed.
I can’t recall if they had specific chemistry – it was two games, 3 weeks ago (and Jarventie hasn’t been seen since).
I do recall, in the first game. Jarventie showing that he is indeed the real deal – that is an NHL player, 100%….. you know, if he can actually play hockey games night after night.
This is also the excuse I use at my workplace.
I would like to note, that Kailer Yamamoto, before his recall right around the turn of the calendar, was impacting AHL MUCH more materially than Matt Savoie has been. Those 2-3 months in the AHL by Yamamoto is right up there with the most impressive I’ve seen – he was creating scoring chances shift after shift after shift.
Savoie has not been consistently impacting the game and shows up with an express display of skill and/or smarts a few times a game.
One very important factor in that comparison is that Yamamoto was 21 and Savoie is 20 and I think that’s a major difference. I would expect that, if Savoie was in the AHL at 21, he’d impact the game like Yamamoto did – maybe more.
How fast is Savoie?
edit – As i work may back in the comments I see its been discussed.
Looking at players who succeed in the NHL, they are usually big, fast or both. There are outliers but speed and size are the common path to the NHL.
Note: Gretzky was not fast or big physically but had the big brain.
From the top of the AHL scoring list; Benson, Teemu and Kailer all had a significant downside of either size or speed. NHL pts / 60 for these guys; Benson (.54), Teemu (.27) and Kailer (.46).
Ryan Mcleod has both size and speed. He was 0.32 pts/60 in the AHL and improved to a 1.56 / 60 in the NHL. He is signed to a $2.1 mil contract this year and only RFA at the end of it.
If JJ and friends are such adopters to analytics, why would you trade a young player with upside on a good contract (Mcleod – 25) for a player (Savoie) that is significantly deficient in one of the key areas (size) and is in his first year of pro?
Oiler Management’s answer: To have Savoie for the future and keep Adam Henrique. Sure, Henrique is a career 2.14 pts / 60 player. But at 35 is way past prime and is only going to decline.
Conclusion: I do not see this as a win for the Oilers.
The only way it’s a win is if Savoie becomes the best player of the 3 by next year.
I think the Oilers decided Henrique would be better than McLeod for the next 2 years. I think they were wrong.
Having both of Henrique and MacLeod on the roster wouldn’t hurt mostly because they are proven commodities.
McLeod was a perimeter player. If he could have made it a priority to drive the net with that speed he would have been a fixture for a decade.
Mcleod was traded due to being a soft perimeter player in the playoffs. If he had any grit to his game the Oilers would of kept him.
If Wayne Gretzky wasn’t fast, how did he win so many races to the puck?
The Great One was an unconventional skater but a supremely skilled one. Unparalleled first step. Ditto second step. Great edges. Could stop or turn on a dime.
I saw Wayne win a 100 meter sprint
Nothing beats foot speed like anticipation. Gretz had the most elite anticipation of perhaps any athlete in any sport.
Yep, that was a big part of it. Related to comments on first & seconds steps, which always seemed to be in the exact right direction.
But I also have fond memories of him sprinting thru the neutral zone, one hand on his stick which would be flipped over to the backhand side, pushing the puck ahead of him. Never got caught from behind.
Early in his career it seemed like he would get at least 1 breakaway a game and this no exaggeration.
……and crush Björn Borg, Pele and Sugar Ray Leonard in a race (caveat: Pele was 42 at the time).
Apropos of nothing, Blue Bullet Brad tweets out the, since October 14, the Oilers have the 5th best points percentage in the NHL.
I know it has often been less than visually pleasing – there have been bad giveaways and blown leads and inconsistent goaltending and many underperforming players, etc., etc., but, at the same time, after a VERY bad first little bit, the team how played better and they are accumulating points.
WC PTS LAST 10 GAMES
COL 14
MIN 14
CAL 13
WPG 12
DAL 12
VGK 12
SEA 12
EDM 11
ANA 11
VCR 10
LAK 10
STL 10
UTA 8
SJS 9
CHI 9
NSH 9
This indicates that parity is working as intended and also shows how difficult it is to move up in the standings.
Two things that stand out are that COL after a poor start is reaping the benefit of having Nichushkin, Lehkkonen and Drouin back in the top 6 although Drouin was just re-injured.
The other is that WPG appears to be cooling off after a torrid start. I wouldn’t be surprised if MIN passes them in the standings in the near future.
OP is talking about a 19 game sample.
Colorado has played 20 games since the date stated and has gone 13-7-0 for 26pts
Oilers have gone 11-6-2 for 24pts.
The Oilers have had McDavid, Hyman, Arvidsson, and Nurse all miss multiple games during this time.
Way to go troll.
Yes…you can always slice and dice a season to make your team appear better than it is.
But 10 game segments provide a decent sample of recent play that accounts for all teams trends and that is particularly noticeable now that Colorado isn’t playing AHL players in the top 6.
Games missed:
McDavid 3
Nichushkin 17
Hyman 2
Lehkkonen 12
Arvidsson 5
Drouin 19
Nurse 3
Toews 4
Ross Colton (8 goals in 10 games) 13
Miles Wood 7
Not at all the same.
He’s talking about a 19 game sample and not Colorado, just because you wish to twist and turn into something that’s favorable to your troll mind doesn’t mean it’s going to happen lol
Since the date OP mentioned that Avs have 2 more points then the Oilers with the Oilers having 1 game in hand while both teams have had players on the injury mend.
This is where I mention the Oilers have been without top 6 power forward Kane the entire time.
You’re cooked.
Gabriel Landeskog
I like Billy Guerin why did you
have to give him the kiss of death.
He will be just fine…watch.
Next 2 games at home against CHI and NSH.
I think this post is such a good example of how patient and charitable LT is.
OP: “look at how the Oilers are doing since October 14”
HH: “have you considered how Colorado, a team in another division, are doing in their last 10 games? Also Winnipeg?”
It’s really quite remarkable.
The carpet has certainly been soiled each of the last few evenings (also yanked in various directions).
Wrong again. I thought the answer was always Pouliot.
12th Hugh jessman (NYR) – 2 gp
15th Robert Nilsson (NYI) – 252 gp
22nd MA Pouliot (EDM) – 192 gp
25th Anthony Stewart (FLA) – 262 gp
30th Shawn Belle (STL) – 20 gp
I’ve always found it entertaining that 3 of the only 5, 1st round biggest misses have majority of GP in oiler jerseys.
2003 everything oilers touched didnt turn into gold. The reverse midas years!!
Huge Speciman sighting!
Is this a hilarious typo or was that his nickname?
His nickname. Bob McKenzie used to giggle about it.
Huge was listed as 6’6, 231.
Happy Turkey Day, Yankee Dixie Dandies! May your drumsticks be juicy and your hockey sticks groovy.
Some rest, some practice… hopefully this squad comes back with fire in their boots. I wonder if that’s part of the problem. The level of desire after playing essentially EIGHT months of playoff hockey last year just isn’t there yet. Plus, after dragging themselves up off that cellar floor, they feel like they can make the playoffs from anywhere. Damn, now that I say that… might take another month or two of mediocre before we see the pedal smashed to the metal.
Was hoping Philp’s cup of coffee would see the game slow down a bit for him in the A. Sometimes that happens and the player takes a step, but it hasn’t happened yet. Still, the young man is coming from a year off. Some early patience is justified.
Savoie’s tale of the tape will come, I think, when we take a look at the season splits. They’ve been a big tell in the past when it comes to first pro year. Hopefully, we see the same again.
This is what the Rangers game indicated. They are, to put it loosely, a bit depressed. But the talent and pride is there. The prior game was such a poor showing that they had no choice but to lay a whooping. As the playoff race actually starts to emerge, I think it will reset the club.
Prospectos!
Twice the OHL representation tonight with the Colts and Knights in play.
London has reeled off 15 straight wins and has taken over top spot in the CHL rankings. They are playing a Peterborough team that is dead last in the O. Will O’Reilly and Nicholl feast? We wait.
Barrie hasn’t been too shabby either with a 15-7 that leads the Central Division.
Akey & Wakely, Attorneys at Law, and the Knights take the ice at 5 p.m. Condor time.
Love the title of the post today. Go ders
Good morning LT, is there a site that has AHL EV boxcars broken out?
The AHL site, but you have to do it manually.
Thanks
I always have to remind myself to click over from “Standard” to “Expanded”. Lots of useful data in there.
Noticed that thx Bruce
How does Noah Philp rate on this list? I’m a bit surprised he isn’t already suiting up in Edmonton. Derek Ryan seems to be fading; he isn’t even a regular on the PK. He used to be the #1 unit with Nuge now it’s Henrique. The time is now for Philp IMO.
Related to this topic of PK is a fantastic article and analysis by Mr McCurdy …
https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/did-one-coaching-wrinkle-turn-around-edmonton-oilers-flagging-penalty-kill-knoblauch-emberson-nurse-ekholm-hugent-hopkins-skinner-janmark-brown-henrique
Thank you!
Thank you kindly, GHHT!
Philp is at 14, 4-3-8 /.5 PPG this season taking out his 1 PP Goal. 2nd behind Benson and Leon doesn’t count
Philp is 26, Savoie is 20. That alone makes them poor comps. However, Philp is a far more capable player in most areas at this time imo. That shouldn’t be a surprise.
Right forgot the age. I wonder how much offense transfers for him
remember the balance photo ? We have a large need for players like Philp…he will never score 20 goals…he will however contribute….solid checking, faceoff wins, and a smart, durable dude to play against. He is a perfect 4th line centre,
I think we can include Grubbe in any trade.
On another note….has everyone forgot about what a great young goalie Spence Knight was 3 years ago….I know he has crashed and burned…however, If he`s a free agent which I believe he is…maybe it might be worth a phone call.
Philp isn’t a rookie, either.
If players still take half their AHL scoring to the NHL which I believe it once was, that would make Philp a significant addition to the bottom 6 at .25 5v5 PPG
Last season for players that played a lot and saw bottom 6 Brown and Janmark got .17 5v5 PPG, Perry in 38 games .29 5v5 PPG
Noah Philp’s role would be as a fourth line center, scoring isn’t necessarily an overly important factor in that role. What is important is that he can win draws, play solid defensively and play significant minutes on the PK. He has the size & speed and has already shown he is capable in that role. He’s ready. Why waste his time in the AHL?
With the Oilers injury woes, I am a bit disappointed we didn’t see Savoie in the show for at least a few games already. Philp could have seen more time as well.
We have seen the results of slow playing these kids that have earned a chance. Hopefully Savoie and Philp are called up soon and are here to stay
Part of the issue is the Oilers have so much management and coaching turnover. Savoie isn’t well known to Bowman, I don’t think. So the reports coming from Bakersfield are his guide. Philp is another story. Bowman saw him in preseason, suspect he gets called up for good sometime in 2024-25.
I think the waiver pickup of Kapanen may have something to do with not calling up Savoie.
But I no longer see Derek Ryan blocking Noah Philp from playing with the big club in Edmonton.
Agree, It’s time to see Philp instead of Ryan. Savoie could have been recalled instead of Drake. Caggiula has played pretty well, but he can’t be in the long term plans.
Philp will replace Ryan but it isn’t necessary to make this adjustment at the 22 game mark. Let Philp play 20+ minutes a night in the Bake and let him come up to The Show for good once he’s at full stride in mid- to late January.
Ryan then goes down to mentor in the AHL until he re-joins the Oilers as a Black Ace in May.
Why is it so important for Philp to play 20+ minutes a night in the Bake in a role he won’t be playing in Edmonton? When he could be gaining useful experience in Edmonton right now, in the role that he has shown to be more than capable of, at the NHL level.
Caggiula is more suitable to play LW on the fourth line and has more NHL experience than Savoie.
I don’t disagree, but Savoie should get a shot for several reasons. He is our top prospect so giving him a look and an NHL pay check shows the Oilers value the player. Our coach blends the lines often when the team struggles which has been a lot so far this year. A player with Savoie’s skill may start on the fourth line, but end upon the first or second in a hurry. Then if he pots a couple, who knows, he may never look back.
With respect, have you been watching the games in Bako?
I’m just wondering the reasoning that Savoie should have been called up over Drake.
I agree that Drake is not in the long term plans but, if we want Savoie to be in the long term plans, they need to let him develop.
He’s barely 20 and he’s not killing the AHL, in fact, he’s struggling to consistently make an impact.
I would suggest he’s right where he needs to be for now.
Caggilua is a much more material player at the AHL level.
I would suggest that neither of these players are currently being slow-played.
Both of them are currently in somewhat prolonged slumps at the AHL level, in my opinion, and are not near ready – in particular Savoie – he’s not close.
Per you last sentence, yes, I think that would be the plan – when they get called up, they are up to stay and not bouncing up and down = a reason in itself why Savoie should not be called up at this point.
I have to agree. I try to get to one or two Condors games every year when I venture south. Went to one of the Tucson games last month. IMO, Savoie has a ways to go. Drake was definately the right call up. Now if he get the second half push that LT always talks about they he has a chance. Reminds me a bit of early Bouchard, shows some skill once in a while but not much motor. I was impressed with Philp, thought he showed well and might have lead the team in ice time.
I plan to go to the games in Coachella in January, will be interested to see how much progress has been made.
Bouchard is a decent example for what he can hope for from Savoie.
I recall (just going by memory here) Bouchard having a pedestrian start to his rookie season in the AHL and then was apx point per game through the last 25 or so games with a great goal differential.
The jump for the CHL to the AHL is hard.
I’ve been underwhelmed by Savoie, I though his sheer talent may be able to help him transition more smoothly but he’s struggling with the grind of pro hockey that most 20 years olds do (of course, excluding legit elite stars).
I suspect Savoie isn’t, if at all lighter than Nuge on draft day. Think Nuge had 2, perhaps 3 more inches in height so I don’t believe Savoie will be as frail as Yamamoto.
That’s fair. Yamamoto was quicker in the AHL, got to more pucks, but Savoie uses his body more to separate player from puck. So your point is taken.
Do you have any idea what his tap out submission hold is like. Lagesson’s is apparently pretty good
I saw that, was amazed. He did play in Dubuque, though. 🙂