It’s been a weird year for the Edmonton Oilers. Late to the gate with a finalized roster, with an uneasy mission statement of “stay healthy” instead of “stomp their guts out!” and the bizarre decisions ran unabated all year. Even lately, when second place in the Pacific was still in doubt, the team decided to flush those dreams in hopes of another morsel of post-season health.
I can’t even say the decision was wrong, because no one really knows how banged up this group is right now. We’ll see soon. I have Edmonton’s playoff expectations well below this time last season, much of it based on the vague injury issues.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN APRIL
On the road to: VEG, SJS, LAK, ANA (Expected 2-2-0) (Actual 2-2-0)
At home to: STL, SJS (Expected 1-0-1) (Actual 2-0-0)
On the road to: WPG (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
At home to: LAK (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-1-0)
On the road to: SJS (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
Overall expected results: 5-3-1, 11 points in 9 games
April result: 5-3-0
Current record: 47-29-5, 99 points in 81 games
The Oilers had some true disasters this season (February was rancid) but they’re a 100-point team and it would be foolish to greatly fade their Staney Cup chances. The team made the final one year ago, after all.
DARNELL NURSE
The NHL 8-ball gave him one game, and that is tonight. A most reasonable decision by the league and credit where due. Nurse can probably use the opportunity to rest a little. What tonight’s blue line looks like is anyone’s guess. Jake Walman playing would delight the eye and charge the imagination.
IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES
Last summer, the Oilers did many unusual things. Edmonton traded in to the first round for what might be the only pick in the top 32 for the rest of the decade. The team also signed several free agents on July 1 to contracts that were not lengthy and included reasonable cap hits. The offer sheets were not matched and so we saw two August trades, which is somewhat unusual. Most of the business of hockey is usually long done by those dog days of summer.
If the Oilers get bumped from the playoffs early, I could see Stan Bowman embracing change in a big way. I think you know what I would do this summer, and many of you have expressed your views on how the 2025 offseason should roll out.
For me, I would prioritize signing Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard, and try to sign Trent Frederic to a shorter term deal and view him as one of the team’s top three left-wingers. I would keep Stuart Skinner but try to acquire a goalie who could push him, and possibly supplant Skinner as the starter. Competition is a good thing. I like a defense that features Evan Bouchard, Mattias Ekholm, Darnell Nurse, Jake Walman and Brett Kulak. I would bring back McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Trent Frederic, Connor Brown, Corey Perry, Viktor Arvidsson, Vasily Podkolzin. I would add Matt Savoie, Noah Philp and David Tomasek. What about you?
On the Lowdown today (Sports 1440, noon to 2pm) we’ll talk Oilers Game 82 and the playoffs to come. We’ll also chat about a strong Calgary Flames season and the possibility of a Canadian Stanley Cup Final. MLB (Jays) and NFL draft, too. 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, it’s available post-show on apple and spotify, and we tweet it out on X.
New for The Athletic: Why signing Trent Frederic before free agency is a risk for Edmonton Oilers
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6280768/2025/04/16/oilers-trent-frederic-stats-contract/
Stu Skinner’s performance in the last couple games (4-1 v Wpg and 3-0 tonight) engenders confidence in this Oilers fan. Goalies are voodoo and the sample size is miniscule but its better than the alternative. If this is a beginning of a run of solid play as the Oilers enter the playoffs, it bodes well for the Oilers.
Least stressed I’ve been watching a game all year.
Connor looked great! Skinner looked cool and had good rebound control.
Bring on the playoffs!
Check
Let’s all spare a thought for the Stuart Skinner haters in these difficult times
Hopefully he takes this as a confidence boost.
He still remains the biggest question mark heading into the playoffs.
Hopefully he is in WCF/SCF Skinner form, not rounds 1-2 form
https://oilersnation.com/news/why-the-oilers-would-be-taking-a-significant-gamble-if-they-stick-with-their-current-goaltending-tandem
Never in doubt.
That call at the end they made on Hutson – just another example of how these clowns can’t ref.
That is holding the stick. It never gets called despite being obvious.
Perry will score goals in the playoffs.
RNH finishes the year with 49 points. Will he ever hit 50?? 🙂
I know you’re joking, but this is his worst offensive production in a (near full season) since 2016-17. It wasn’t good enough at all based on reasonable expectations.
I am really hopeful he can flip the script in the playoffs
BOOM! Perry with the gravy! Found another guy who can hit an open net! Notice how they didn’t put McDavid on? lol
Does Mike Myers even live in Canada?
No. Neither does Neil Young. Both have obtained American citizenship, which requires the Oath of Allegiance, where one pledges to renounce allegiance and fidelity to other countries.
“I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.”
.
Many citizenship ceremonies have thousands of people. Nobody was watching or listening to make sure that they actually said the words.
This is incorrect. Canadian/American dual citizenships are quite common and completely legal in both countries. A simple duckduckgo search will connect you to both country’s info pages on the process of becoming a dual citizen.
Neil maintains a residence in Canada and uses it.
I saw him there last fall and talked with his charming wife, she’s a lovely conversationalist.
Not sold on Deneen in the Dzone but that was a good activation and nearly a highlight. I’d put him in over stone hands and feet Brown, in a pinch, however.
I’m glad he got a couple regular season games in just to get his feet wet, in case we need him during the playoffs. And god help us if we do need him.
Amen
Liking Embers gaining confidence but please don’t try to stickhandle right in fri of your net, ok? Ever. That started that whole debacle, there..,and we looked tired…
Condors give up 2 in the 3rd period and lose 2-1.
Lots of chances but couldn’t bury.
Dagger!
Skinner with the lil smile. Tough deflection that found the birdhouse hole. Bouch has to be better there. Gotta staple that little guy to the boards, dude. That’s not gonna fly, come playoffs.
Decent period if only to watch Connor absolutely frickin flying!
At the game, with Buddy’s Little Girl. Don’t know if you can hear it on the broadcast, but there was a lot of oohing and aahing in the rink from the Sharks fans at McDavid in that period.
Bet you’ve been sitting on this meme for over a month, eh? lol Almost got to use it twice, that period!
I was looking for the same line from Belloc after Jones fights the big mechanic near the airplane, and the fuel depots explode, but this one will have to do
McD is just dancing out there. Love it. Also liking Brown’s game especially on that PK…
BOOM!!! Jonesy finds twine! Smart pass by Rico!
That was a great pass – nice finish by Jones (who sill is very far from the playoff lineup).
Summarizing!
Berry was held soupless but Muskegon rode a four-goal first to a 4-1 win. They will meet Youngstown next round, starting Saturday.
Emberson has matched Janmark in goals this season and:
1) one more against a goalie.
2) one more with the use of his stick
3) two more shot by a a goalie with his stick
Condors grinding to a 2-0 lead through two periods.
Solid pace and energy from what I’ve seen.
Nothing like the Kulak/Eberson PP duo….
Indeed, Jack. If McDavid was available for the other 15 games, and was playing like this, then yes, it’d be an insane season.
Also, I’d change the 9 100 points seasons to 10. He was on pace to lead the league with over 100 points in his rookie season, as well.
Whoa, that Hutson pass was one of the worst misses I can recall – settle down youngster…..
BOOM!!! Embers picks the side through a screen!!! Do that all the time, buddy!!!
100 again, for Connor. Not to shabby.
McDavid to Emberson is becoming a thing…..
Are they trying to give Stu a workout? Sloppy as hell, out there..,
Max Jones with an example of why he will be nowhere near the playoff lineup unless injuries pile up….
Aside from health, biggest thing tonight is a solid performance from Stuart Skinner – at least for me.
Condors up 1-0 on Abbotsford (a top team) after one.
Low event period – D’Amato on a rebound.
Delia is on a 155 plus minute SO streak.
I hope Connor doesn’t play until he gets his 100 then take a seat. I wanna see him with Skinner and Brown light it up!
It is a tune up game, after all. Let’s tune up the sharks!
Hat ✅
Jersey ✅
Iced Tea in a Fancy Glass ✅
Let’s Do This!
GO OILERS!!
👊🏽👊🏽👊🏽
Frank Seravalli
@frank_seravalli
Jets Connor Hellebuyck is the first back-to-back lone recipient of the William Jennings Trophy since the award’s inception in 1981-82.
It’s awarded to the goaltenders from the team with the fewest goals against in a regular season, but a goalie must have 25 GP to qualify.
Yawn
Out of all the infinity that is music, whereby anything imaginable can be heard…
Would you as an Oilers fan prefer to have them stop playing that horrible disgusting racket they play after each Oilers goal?
Vote yes: Thumbs Up
Vote no: Thumbs Down
It’s awful. Discount bin cd compilation dance mix track 13 bad.
They could swap out the whole game day juke box.
Habs are in 4-2!
Ole…ole…ole…ole!
Quite a step forward.
Dynamic young players, 12 picks in the upcoming draft including 2 firsts and 2 seconds and close to $10 million in cap space.
Canes rested all their players. They were the beneficiaries of load management, or else CBJ would have made it.
At least they didn’t pull their goalie in a tie game.
Ask Detroit fans about that one last year.
Skyler Brindamour making his nhl debut today. I can’t take away from a kid fulfilling their dream and good for him.
That said, when you score 0.34 ppg and -15 in the AHL at 25, I wonder if some of his teammates believe he earned that callup over them if he doesn’t have the coach connection. Hard to say, heck him cause he didn’t pick the Oil but props to him an Oil scouts for picking him.
Taylor Hall scores to keep pace with Perry! Habs fans over the top with excitement. Cheering for them to beat the Canes and clinch a spot!
I thought he was retired. I’d love to see Hall back on the Oilers, playing with Perry in the playoffs.
In other news Tyler Seguin has miraculously been cured and is fit to play for the Dallas Stars.
I like the rough plan for summer.
I would add to keep fishing in the ponds that produce Poddy and Emberson. Like a 23y old Tomasino, or a 23y old Kaliyev Keep looking for talent that needs a chance and stack them up. One or two will pop. In effect, Oiler have done some of this, we have seen Regula and Jarventine, not all will work out.
And please stop signing the bottom of the roster on day one off season. Keep a couple spots open.
Nurse’s act @1 game suspension is worth it. But I’m left wishing that Josh Brown would have done something worthy of missing the entire playoffs.
This is the way.
Tonight’s game is not totally meaningless.
It could determine home ice in the SCF against Florida or Carolina…….
Really interesting
Also interesting how the verbal is that Oilers have no chance when they are within 3 pts of FLA, CAR, COL, even if you want to discount injuries
Huge to open at home against either nemesis team.
I hesitate to post this, because there will be plenty of discussion around it over the summer, but listening to Stu Skinner’s pre-game interview this afternoon, a few things come to mind. He recognizes it wasn’t his best regular season, and he gives a lot of credit to his teammates for supporting him and big props to Picks for his play. He talked about how the injury may be a blessing in disguise as a full re-set and rest heading into the playoffs.
I think people forget he is only 26. Goalies any age often have down years as part of their development, and to me this has been similar to a sophomore slump for Skinner a year late. Given he started his NHL career earlier than had been planned, it seems about right. He has shown he is the type of goalie who can use any bad game as motivation to be better next game, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he can use this regular season as motivation for the playoffs and for next season.
I do hope he is still an Oiler next season and just want to point out what the Oilers have invested in so far. With the win over the Jets, he now has 3 consecutive 25-win seasons. The last time an Oiler goalie accomplished this was Salo from 2000/01 to 2002/03. Before that it was Fuhr from 1983/84 to 1985/86.
Only Fuhr, Moog and Salo have more 25-win seasons in total (Fuhr-5, Moog & Salo 4 each). Other Oiler goalies with 25-win seasons are Ranford & Garon with 1 each and Cujo, Roli, Talbot and Koskinen with 2 each.
Skinner ranks 4th behind Fuhr, Ranford and Moog in playoff games played (35) and playoff wins (19). That is an incredible amount of experience to draw from as we head into playoff mode once more. As a team, they have so much to draw from. Last year, playoffs were amazing for the Oilers, I hope this year they are even better, by just one more win.
Well stated. Those stats are fascinating.
I think we are all hoping for a strong return to form. A backup that pushes him hard would be a great addition.
People forget Fleury spent a few years actively sabotaging the Penguins in the first round. He lost the net on a cup winning team.
Still going to the hall of fame. Goalies are voodoo.
I have no issue heading into the season with Skinner and Pickard. I have zero faith in mngt’s ability to pivot mid season if the plan is not working.
I’ve been crunching numbers for the next few seasons, and my feeling is that if they can shed Arvidsson and Henrique to give opportunity for the youts next season, extend Bouchard for max term, they are looking pretty darn good for the future. Even after extending McD the next offseason, we would be seeing some substantial Cap manouverability after that to replace/upgrade aging players of note until 2030. This offseason and next will be the key for setting ourselves up for several seasons and has me quite excited!
Unfortunately the Oilers have no youts ready for the NHL now that Broberg and Holloway are gone.
Savoie & Beroyzkin (provided he signs) will be pushing for NHL jobs out of camp next season.
Additionally, I would imagine we see Hutson with the big club at some point next season.
Sam O’Reilly will turn pro the season after next. He’s the type of player who could make a strong case for NHL employment at a young age. He wins faceoffs, kills penalties, is a right-handed, & scores goals at a solid rate.
I would suggest that Savoie and Berezkin (if he signs) are all but locks for the opening roster next season.
I’m highly confident Savoie if NHL ready (from watching him in both leagues) and everything we read, hear and see about Berezkin trends the same way, potentially even more impactful.
Unless, of course, vets are signed to block but these two will be on ELCs.
Matt Savoie is ready for the NHL.
Maxim Berezkin is more than ready for the NHL (presuming he signs and the indications are positive).
McDavid needs to extend this off season.
Both Henrique and Arvidsson have full NMCs. Convincing either of them to waive the NMC’s, when it is perhaps rarely been done, if ever, in the circumstance they each will be in next season, will be extremely unlikely.
And once those contracts expire, replacing them will be much more expensive as the cap spikes.
Untrue
An Arvidsson buyout is $1,333,333. His 5v5 P60 is basically at a career low. He was brought in as a top-6 scoring winger but the production isn’t there. When I watch him play, I see a lot of perimeter shots and some good forechecking. But I don’t see top-six production.
A Henrique buyout is $1M. Henrique has 6 points in 70 PP minutes, versus Arvidsson’s 3 points in 73 PP minutes. I have more time for Henrique than Arvidsson, and I suspect he would be more productive in terms of points if he received time in the top 6. I have less faith in his ability to forecheck and keep the puck in the O zone.
Both players have no movement clauses and cannot be bought out without their agreement since they would need to be placed on waivers beforehand.
“– An NMC prohibits a team from moving a player by trade, loan or waivers, or assigning that player to the minors without the player’s consent. This keeps the player with the pro team unless that player permits a move by one of these means. An NMC does not restrict a team from buying out or terminating a player’s contract.”
https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/salary-contract-glossary/
Yes once again in his haste to discredit an Oiler’s option and make things seems worse for them, HH displayed his continued ignorance of how things actually work in the CBA.
Per 11.8 (c) of the CBA the team has to notify a player whose contract has an NMC that they intend to terminate via buy out and give him the option to go on unconditional waivers (unlike anyone else’s contract that gets directly put on unconditional waivers without asking). So the team can buy the contract out a) immediately if the player chooses not to go on waivers or b) if he chooses waivers and is not claimed. Of course if he is claimed, that is the best outcome for the team since all the cap hit goes away.
Well look at that… HH is wrong again. Shocker.
This is factually incorrect.
Jeff Skinner had a full NMC in force when he was bought out.
What’s a yout?
two youths
While I am not overly optimistic about the Oilers chances this year, I am very excited to watch playoff games.
Regular season does not hit quite the same after watching a deep playoff run.
Video of Drai mashing faceoff drills with full torque – heartening.
That’s a great sign considering that’s when he left after last game
12F and 5D tonight as, with McDavid inserted, Carrick can’t play (do to his emergency recall with cap relief due to playing short – don’t have cap space to convert him to regular).
From morning skate, McDavid will play but no one else returning at least up front.
Skinner/McDavid/Brown
Podz/Nuge/Arvidsson
Kap/Rico/Perry
Jones/Janmark/Hutson
Just thinking out loud …………. maybe this could be fear that SJS play such a unstructured and scrabbly style of play?
With fear on reinjury, mgmt appears to not want to take a chance
Expect 100th point from 97 and then the absolute bare minimum.
Not a chance. With playoffs nigh, McDavid will play his best, hopefully without mucking it up.
Agreed. By bare minimum I meant playing time. Save him from himself
If I ran the team Hyman would automatically go to the bottom 6 preferably the 4th line where he can star along with interesting players. I always like 4th lines that produce.
I wonder if Sather would have jettisoned Hyman after last season’s outburst.
Hyman would have really fetched a big return.
For the right defender or a star goalie, yeah, he would have.
Not a must-sell by any stretch, but an opportunity.
Zack Hyman has a full NMC.
This player chose Edmonton, loves Edmonton, has put down roots in Edmonton, is raising kids in Edmonton and is a part of the community in Edmonton, Jewish and other.
I’m guessing the number of teams he would be wiling to go to would be very small, if any.
He’s my King Clancy nominee as well.
He’s this generation’s Ryan Smyth. He makes your team better until he physically can’t, and he hasn’t proven that to me, even with. this season’s dip. You don’t trade those players away, and not just from a personal side.
I subscribe to Warren buffet style of asset management. If it’s a valuable asset you keep it. Don’t sell because of a down year, but don’t sell because they are doing well either. The whole point is to get guys who can play!
The problem here is that 1. Hyman produces well above his potential replacements and 2. Trading a player who was basically stapled to McDavid at evens and on the PP isn’t going to get you a huge return as the other team will assume it’s “the McDavid Effect” and not Hyman suddenly becoming an unstoppable goal-scoring machine at 31. Also, he’s currently second on the team in goals.
Yes second in team goals, and tied for 57th in league goals with a salary cap hit 187th in the league. Last season he was a super bargain, this season he is still at least worth his cap hit. Throw on top 30 goals in his last 53 playoff games including 16 in 25 last year he is not the best candidate to swap out for other parts.
Throw on top of all that his NMC through the end of next season and he isn’t going anywhere for a while.
I have still yet to see from anyone who says NMC’s can be dealt with by a good GM come up with any meaningful examples of a GM who has actually been able to trade a player with full NMC from of a cup contending team when there has been any term left in the contract.
The only one that even remotely comes close is Ron Hextall used his Ron Hextall personality on Scott Hartnell in the summer of 2014. Hextall told him his style of play didn’t fit what the team needed going forward, when Hartnell still have 5 seasons left on his contract with a full NMC given by Paul Holmgren who preceded Hextall. With Hextall continuing to press him, Hartnell finally waived to leave one border line playoff team to go to another border line playoff team in Columbus. Both teams missed the playoffs after the trade. Phllly only made the playoffs 2 of the 5 seasons after the trade and lost out in the first round both times.
I don’t think there is another instance where the criteria have come anywhere close to being met where a suggestion that someone like Hyman could be convinced to waive. Nothing is impossible, but contant suggestions to trade players with NMC are generally futile suggestions and chastising management for not being creative enough to get it done is unfair.
Y’all make such strong arguments.
Hunter1909’s 16 game mini season to end the 2024-25 season has one more game left.
Oilers have got 19 points from their first 15, and need only 1 point tonight to reach the vaunted 20 point mark. This means they enter the playoffs on a decent regular season note.
If you think Oilers will get at least 1 point press thumbs up
if not, press thumbs down
thank you for your cooperation.
I agree mostly with LT. However this team needs another forward with grit and a dman in the mold of Jason Smith/Dave Manson.
Evander Kane returning at 80% would be enormous.
Ekholm returning anywhere would be a semi miracle from what have read online. How true is this?
Can you imagine a return in the finals? That would be unreal.
So, you’re saying you don’t like Josh Brown? 🤣🤣
Ryan Holt
@CondorsHolty
It appears Derek Ryan, who was re-assigned at the same time as Philp, missed the plane again……
Why are you so fixated on Derek Ryan?
In the grand scheme of things, it makes little difference whether he reports to Bakersfield or not. Looks like the Oilers are doing him a solid by letting him stay with his family. Let it go already.
Sure, the organization are letting him stay.
He can make the choice to be a good vet and a leader and play some games to help Bakersfield. They have been extremely depleted and are in a fight for a playoff spot. Derek Ryan could very much help that team win and make the playoffs – that would be good for the likes of Matt Savoie, etc. – to play professional playoff games.
With respect, I don’t have to let anything go because you have a different opinion on it.
I don’t have Derek Ryan, I love Derek Ryan – I just wish he was making another choice to help his organization.
Derek Ryan nearing 40 years old on the clear last breathe of his career has no obligation to go play 15mins in the minors while blocking someone else beginning their career to instead get those 15mins.
Leave Derek Ryan alone, focus on McDavid being just a guy.
Blocking? My goodness, the team has been 2/5 ECHL call-ups and CIAU players signed to ATOs.
He wouldn’t be blocking anyone, he’d be helping the team and helping the likes of Savoie and Grubbe.
Actually, yes, he does have the obligation to report to the Condors – the org is allowing him not too, and that’s fine.
He still could have made a choice to help the organization out – he has chosen not to.
Fair for you to be disappointed, but your prior expression of bitterness (your words not mine) over his choices is over the top. You have no idea about his personal circumstances or what was discussed between him and the team to arrive at the decision.
That is your opinion that “its over the top” – you are free to have it.
I don’t know what’s going on in Ryan’s personal life but there is no indication of any issues (of course, that is not conclusive). What I do know is that he has no problem travelling away to play in Oilers games as he did when he was recalled to play in Winnipeg.
I’m highly confident that, if he was on the team, he’s be in San Jose now, coincidentally, quite close to Bakersfield.
I’m confident that he’ll travel with the Oilers in the playoffs (no cap reason for him not to be on the roster).
I don’t really care what was discussed with the organization. As I’ve said, I’m sure he has the blessing of the org to not report and collect his paycheque to sit at home. That does not mean he couldn’t have made another choice – a choice to be good vet, to show loyalty and leadership and help the AHL affiliate when they could very much use him as they grind nightly to try and make the playoffs – something that would be beneficial for the organization and its prospects.
Would not Ryan be taking one of the six veteran spots in the lineup, forcing someone else to the press box?
They have not been anywhere near icing a full set of veterans over the time he has been assigned to the Condors.
Its shocking that you did not know this given your comments about the coaching down there – one would think you were paying some sort of attention given the comments.
If Ryan wants to be paid he should absolutely be down on the farm helping a depleted squad. Ryan isn’t entitled to say Bakersfield is beneath me I’ll just phone it in. What kind of example is Bowman showing the rest of the organization.
…..like you and your comment miss the boat……again. See Stan Bowman