The Edmonton Oilers have been building for exactly one forever. Last night, the team’s depth showed through, but the maturation of the elite talent on the team was also on display. Throw in a management group that decided to keep the powder dry at the deadline on the goalie market (it was not strong) and we are here.
No one knows the future, friends. However, when Connor McDavid turned on the rocket fuel and skated at an impossible speed to help defend a two-on-one last night, I felt I knew. I knew the Oilers would be (as all teams are) vulnerable to a lucky play, but it was clear this team is on a mission.
No ‘they’re exhausted from last year’ and no ‘they can’t win with this goaltending’ and certainly no ‘Vegas has better speed and depth’ from this crew.
I think the most poignant moment last night was Connor McDavid’s post game comments. The man is spitting verbal bullets now, this captain is using the ‘us versus them’ theme with every breath he takes.
If you want to catch a fire, have a lash at McDavid’s post game. Somewhere along the way, someone (was it the B-squad comment?) disrespected the McDavid Oilers and that person is currently burning in the fires of hell behind closed doors.
I don’t believe it’s media, athletes are beyond used to hearing negativity. I doubt it’s the fans, because the online acid verbal about various members of the Oilers is less fandom and more ‘look at me, I’m right’ and I suspect most adults can see past buying in to that conversation.
No. Someone said something and it’s driving this captain, and his team, to show everyone the truth and the light. Oilers fans should thank whoever it is, because the amount of work being done by this Oilers team to make sure critics shut up shutting up is elaborate and grand. My goodness what a hockey game!
THE NUMBERS
It’s a happy day for Oilers fans, with two series victories in the books and plenty of reason to believe. Stuart Skinner supporters can rejoice in recent events, but should not expect detractors to let up. There will be challenges ahead, Stan Bowman is not attached to either goaltender currently considered for playoff work, and it’s extremely unlikely Edmonton management delivers a quiet summer no matter how this plays out. As a Skinner supporter, I’m pleased he has this moment. I doubt it has sustain. We’ll see.
Evan Bouchard is another lightning rod Oilers player with legions of detractors. The recent offer sheet numbers are dire for Edmonton. Bouchard is worth a pile of money and the team may not have budgeted for an $11 million AAV. What makes it especially difficult for Stan Bowman is the lack of room to wheel due to the no-movement clauses.
Speaking of Bowman, he has mostly worked around the edges of this roster but his improvements have given Edmonton more depth, torque and (last night) the overtime winner from Kasperi Kapanen. That’s a massive goal that will pass into Oilers lore, and could earn Kapanen a roster spot for next season. Maybe he’ll have Brad Winchester’s career from here, but my goodness Kris Knoblauch’s decision to insert him into the lineup looks like a fantastic move today.
For today, Oilers fans will celebrate. I expect the Skinner and Bouchard downbeat folks will point out the complete game played in front of Skinner and the Bouchard giveaways (15 now in the postseason) will become a factor at some point.
I think it comes down to how one sees the game. Single events in a single game can have enormous importance, while also being single events in a single game. If you don’t look at the 10,000 feet intel (shot share, expected goals, Dangerous Fenwick versus elites) then the die is cast for both Skinner and Bouchard.
For today at least, Oilers nation is united. It won’t last. If people ask why, tell ’em it’s human nature. Godspeed, Skinner and Bouchard, I believe in you.
On the Lowdown today, we’ll chat about the game last night and the next opponent (looks like it’ll be the Dallas Stars). We’ll also look at the Toronto Maple Leafs, and a terrible night for fans of the team. It all starts at noon, Sports 1440. Bagged Milk from Sports 1440 will be our guest, and we’ll read plenty of your texts. 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.
I feel all nuance has been completely lost re: skinner. I’ve been saying since the Campbell collapse now: get him a 1B (or make him the 1B and get a 1A).
I feel the oilers organization has not put skinner in a position to succeed and I believe that’s the root cause of most of the goaltending issues.
love Calvin Pickard but I’d like to see someone like Jake Allen or cam Talbot in a tandem with skinner.
I think they need at least one goalie that is has their technique down. For stability, it’s hard having two wildcards. Yes the team messes them up, but still. I like Pick too but he’s all over the place
Totally agree. I’ve often said that in fact, Skinner has not failed at all, indeed he’s been a victim of his own success — he bailed the organization out and a more responsible developmental arc never would have put him in his position. But he was forced into 1A, and everyone started to have corresponding expectations but in fact what he’s shown is exactly what anyone would under the same circumstance, in any field. Talent is there, capability also. Drive and determination, check. Sometimes he sucks but he’s working without a mentor. It’s a testament to him and his maturity that despite this, he finds ways to bounce back and develop on his own terms. I have no problem keeping Skinner around.
Calvin Pickard has excelled at doing everything a backup goaltender is supposed to do. Why fix what isn’t broken? The Oilers found a reliable inexpensive backup goaltender who does everything that a backup goaltender is supposed to do.
*taps sign*
Please pick Dallas to win the series preferably in 5 games.
Skinner has played 13 games 4-7 (this year and last) and has a 12-1-0 record with a 1.30 GAA and a .946 sv%.
At what point does it stop being a coincidence?
Almost like all he does is win!
I think Stuey will always have his non-believers, no matter what the evidence says…
Do flat-earthers consider the sun rising in the east everyday a coincidence?
Except that the evidence says that he is well down the list of starters at this point in his career
I’m glad he has played so well, but it’s two games, let’s not get carried away
It’s not just two games though. It’s been 13 pivotal games over the last two playoff seasons. He is building a pretty GD impressive ‘pressure games’ resume. That’s the point of this particular thread…
I previously had mentioned how Adin Hill looked like the Michelin man.
Now, both Hill and Skinner are listed at 6’4” tall. Skinner is actually 15 pounds heavier at 230 vs 215. Now you would never suspect that from seeing them shake hands.
Adin Hill is giving Garth Snow a run for his money.
https://x.com/EdmontonOilers/status/1922889100354326660
Not doubting the statement generally but there’s some serious foreshortening in that photo.
I had tried to wager a bottle of shelter point with Harper’s Hair, but he wasn’t around just prior to game 1.
I read that, and can confirm. Do you two hang out?
I remain flabbergasted that the nadir of this series was simply nothing to worry about. They never allowed another goal after .4 of game 3. Who amongst us would have thought , given the supposed life that gave Vegas, that it would indeed be the last goal they score this season. Incredible, this team is incredible.
Oilers have given up two absolute back-breaking, soul-crushing goals in these playoffs.
Except, they didn’t really seem to notice.
I thought the Panthers would win game 6 but now I’m taking the Leafs who are taking abuse like I haven’t seen. Anger can fuel you just as much as momentum. Leafs win game 6 lose game 7 in OT.
Leafs are scared of their own shadow . Press them and they fold. Hopefully Canes take some out of FLA.
I hear this but the Marner question is settled, Leafs fans hate him and want him gone, I don’t think Mitch wants another game in TO either. I say they suck again, and the final game of Core 4 is a forgettable dud. Game 5 was it and it was not there. We’LK see though.
From what I’ve read, fans are turning on Matthews more and more as well.
I even read a comparison of “in the playoffs he’s like Danault but not as good on the defensive side of things and puts up comparable points but costs almost 3 times more than Danault”
I am hearing some copium that Matthews is secretly injured, and some corners of the market seem willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, which is nuts at this point.
I think you have a market read to blow it up, what’s another 5 years over 60? They seem to dislike them as people now, or at least as “stars”. That said I no longer live in Toronto and I am grateful for that but just today I wish I was walking down Spadina with an Oilers Hyman jersey on holy hell or maybe even a Kapanen!
To be fair, 2 goals on 41 shots through 11 playoff games isn’t nearly good enough when you’re the best goal scorer ever to walk the face of the earth.
I was really hoping the Leafs would do the whole league a favour by putting all the league’s primary D-bags on the golf course, especially after the first 2 games, but I will be absolutely shocked if they manage to pull out of their nosedive in FLA’s barn. That is a baby poo soft ‘core 4’…
Florida and Toronto suck for almost entirely opposite reasons.
Let Florida beat Toronto so we can beat Florida and have the best of all worlds.
Quick poll.
Would you rather have Bouchard (and then lesser D) or Walman, Klingberg and Eckholm for another say 3 years?
Top end vs solid depth.
Vote + for Bouchard and – for depth guys.
Keep all players. Although I think we thank Klingberg for his service as he prices himself out.
5 mil forwards is where the trimming will happen
It’s not either / or. The Oilers have room to keep all of Bouchard, Ekholm and Walman.
It takes as little as 6 D and as many as 10.
only Bouch and Klingberg need contracts for next year,
beyond that, I’m hoping Akey develops but a few more prospects would be welcome.
Dumping Arvidsson will have to be an offseason priority
Sam Gagner hired as director of player development for the Sens.
Congrats to Sam and good luck in his post-playing career!
Good for Samwise.
A shame he never got to win a Cup during his three stints in Oiler silks, but he’ll always have this legendary performance–the only 8-point game in the NHL since the 80’s.
I’ve thought that Woodcroft might be a better regular season coach than Knoblauch, but the adjustments made during playoffs series the past two years have been impressive. Both the more obvious tweaks (sitting Brown after 1 game, turning to Picked after the first 2 losses), the medium obvious (once Stetcher was healthy, inserting him after the team lost and pairing him with Nurse), and the odd (Kapanen for Arvidsson) have all worked out.
He also has said he doesn’t care too much about matchups, but it looked to me like there was a lot matching going on this series that was well planned (including speed on Draisailt’s wings and a more defensive role).
Aside from all the guys who played last night, assuming Pickard is healthy for next round, there’s guys who you can insert at centre, wing, defense and goalie who I wouldn’t be at all concerned about. You can make some lineup decisions based on matchups or to play a certain role.
When they’re playing well, this team is as deep and well rounded as I’ve seen them.
I don’t know what percent of games Skinner can play well going forward but now that he’s had 2 excellent games that does a lot for everyone’s confidence in him, and if a goalie struggles there’s confidence the other guy can handle it.
My observation of Knoblauch’s midas touch isn’t just with lineup decisions. I also see it in adjustments tactics. I remember in the Dallas series last year, they got caught by Dallas’s long stretch passes a few times. Later in the series, Edmonton was posting a forward up long and were successfully executing the stretch against Dallas.
The last two games vs. Vegas – they kind of beat Vegas at Vegas’s game – at least defensively and in the neutral zone.
The last 2 games the guy who took us to G7 SCF sent a clear message to anyone betting on his goose being cooked: A pair of goose eggs.
Yeah 00 on the old roulette wheel. House Wins. Everybody betting against the guy loses.
Only took an overtime period for Kapanen to outscore Vegas regular season top 5. LOL.
Bagels across the board this series for all of their top 5 regular season scorers:
Dorofeyev 35
Hertl 32
Eichel 28
Barbashev 23
Howden 23
TOTAL: 141
Mmmmmmmm… Them’s some tasty Bagels…
Something to bear in mind when talking about Stuart Skinner: he played 82 games last year as a 25 year old starter – regular season and playoffs combined. No wonder he was out of rhythm this season. Also, keep in mind that his GSAx was only -1.5 for the entire year, so he saved almost exactly as many shots as expected. He wasn’t as bad as his detractors keep saying he was.
I think the bigger issue is games where is barely gets by or doesn’t. I sort of agree with LT’s ‘single moments’, but also with ‘you develop a history’
Like Bouch who has some very visible moments, and in both cases sometimes fans aren’t right about whose fault something is. What is different is Bouch’s fancies are stellar, he floats most boats, Stu’s (and Pick’s) aren’t
Stu isn’t old and he isn’t young, this could be a step forward for him, with the caveat all goalies have ups and downs. Hopefully he can find more stability as he matures. I’m not sure there are really any viable improvements that are going to be around this summer. Stan also doesn’t seem to over react to ‘single moments’
He is young though. Among 27 goalies to appear in the NHL playoffs so far, he’s the 23rd oldest. Only one starter is younger – Jake Oettinger – and he’s only about 6 weeks younger.
The coach needs to keep an eye on #42. Amazing moment for him in OT, but some of the bad started to creep in, especially in the third. Pucks not getting out, etc. And the hitting was turned WAY down.
He can contribute – but he’s not a star. Keep a watchful eye and know when to move him down/out.
Still haven’t heard/seen you give any props to Coach KK for his stellar adjustments and roster construction or to the embodiment of ‘coaching malpractice’, Stu Skinner, for his outstanding turnaround.
Ego is a helluva drug….
See Exhibit A above lol
Insane
There isn’t a single soul that thought the coach would scratch Arvidsson and dress Kapanen.
I don’t think the coach needs advice on what to keep his eyes on, he’s clearly ahead of everyone in that regard.
Could Jasper-Leon-Podkolzin be our new shutdown line. I would try Frederic when he’s up to speed along side Leon give him a taste of what resigning will be. Give Leon 2 bigger bodies that can crash and bang ( forecheck) as well as going to the blue paint this seems to be a good recipe for Leon to do his magic.
Freddy is also very very very good in his own zone.
I don’t see the offer sheet as any risk to the Oilers. We are going to pay Bouchard. All his upside has to be tabled in scenario planning.
Last year we were caught between management team changes. The POHO blew that transfer of leadership, no question. In my mind. This group has it feet under them, is smart and aggressive, they have plan A, B, C, D and have consulted chat GP.
nothing to see here.
Just out of curiosity. Anyone know what a 7×11 offer sheet is worth for picks coming back?
Not advocating that but curious.
I believe new guidelines were released this week. Don’t have them handy but saw an announcement
Two 1sts, 2nd and a 3rd. ~$11.7M AAV is where it turns into four 1sts.
No. It’s all calculated based on 5 year (max) term, so an $11M x 7 offer would be four 1sts. On a 7 year term, any AAV over $8,357,280 results in four 1sts.
NHL Announces 2025-2026 Offer Sheet Tiers | Puckpedia
I didn’t see the max term thing, thanks.
A team could sign Bouchard to a 5 X $11.7 million contract and only need to give up 2 firsts, 1 second and 1 third.
Bouchard might be tempted if the contract was heavily front loaded with signing bonuses.
He also might prefer to just stay in Edmonton.
Entirely possible…depends how much he values financial considerations.
Important to remember he is tens of millions behind accrued salary compared to his draft cohort.
1st Round D draft order Est Career Earnings US Million
Ras Dahlin (1 OV) 33.775
Quinn Hughes 31.350
Adam Boqvist 11.257
Bouchard 10.575
Noah Dobson 14.6825
Ty Smith 4.325 (not in league)
Ryan Merkley (Europe)
K’Andre Miller 10.519
Filip Johansson (Europe)
J Bernard Docker 4.385
Nicolas Beaudin (Europe)
Nils Lundkvist 4.025
Rasmus Sandin 10.4825
Alex Alexeyev 4.425
The guys that have made a lot more established earlier and were better early. A lot or most of the ‘modern defensemen’ – smaller – haven’t established or are gone
There are a couple of things here. I have noticed that drafted players are usually very loyal to their drafting team. Human nature, they identify with the team strongly, the business side comes our after they have been traded
Holloway and Broberg had their paths blocked and were not promoted when ready. Bouchard is the feature D on the team, even if he was also held back by Most Excellent GM. He’s going to get paid, if he’s the type (I don’t think he is) to want an extra million or two, it almost certainly means he’s going somewhere bad, that has the cap
I have always pushed back on money being so important in these things. There are a few players like that, and I do not want them on the Oilers. Rich Winter confirmed it, a lot of players value opportunity most, especially when they already have or are getting life changing set up for life bank
Gregor debunked the state tax thing yesterday, another one who gets it’s a moot point unless someone was really all about every dollar. It doesn’t make a lot of difference because they pay tax to where they play, so 41 games at home. And if you’re living and playing in Canada for US dollars, no bit of no state tax would be even close to the exchange rate your getting
Unless Bowman goes full Avs and won’t commit the cap space (how did that work out, and Bowman isn’t like that he was in on Rantanen) Bouchard is going nowhere. I don’t think he would sign a sheet if one was offered
Why would he leave Connor and Leo? He seems to love hockey, and he’s got the best D job in the league on the most talented team, with one all time and one generational forward. and usually an outstanding partner. And his GM went out and got more quality LD back up
There actually is “some” validity to this. Holland held him back so is he going to look to make up money here. This is why he has an agent and this is why Bowman will need to work hard to avoid what happened last summer w/Broberg/Holloway repeating itself.
But, the other side of this – and Friedman said this (and if you’re interested in a complete story), GM’s may be reluctant to go the offer sheet route because who wants to be the GM who loses a shot at Gavin McKenna next year because they did an offer sheet.
That is a real concern.
Take the comp, trade for someone amazing with it, sign another. Laugh all the way to a trophy.
Don’t think it happens – but it is work-out-able.
Who though? Who is realistically available for 2 1st, a 2nd and a 3rd, can replace Bouchard and is cheap enough fit another substantial Dman with the savings?
It’s easy to say it’s possible
Wasn’t paying attention to who wrote this post until I got to the end then it became quite clear.
Four 1sts from the next 5 drafts (starting in 2026).
28 teams have the requisite picks.
Thank you for enabling my lazy day and the info. That’s alot of picks if he could be replaced. (HARD TO REPLACE)
That gets divided by the max 5 years, So 15.4M for compensation calculations.
Even a 7×8.5 offer sheet would pass 11.7M and return 4 first rounders.
If anyone is attempting to offer sheet Bouch, unless they have a butt-load of 1st rounders saved up, they would likely offer 5x $11.6M (or $1 less than whatever the limit was) so as not to have to pay 4x 1st Rounders.
The amount of teams with the draft capital AND open cap space to offer longer/bigger contracts are limited. Also, unless he has some beef with the team/management (like Broberg did), he’s likely not signing unless the team has legit cup aspirations.
.
I mean the Oilers are likely going to offer him 8 x $10 – 10.5M so why would he even entertain the idea of 5 x $11.7?
The seven years instead of five years makes it 4 first round picks.
5 x $11.7 is 2 firsts, one 2nd, and a 3rd
7 x $11 is 4 firsts.
I’m trying to enjoy the win today and not think about next season.
Having said that, it may be true that Bouch’s salary and the desire to resign Klingberg forces managements hand in staying pat on G – due to salary cap constraints and lack of roster flexibility.
also of note, soup is on the books, meaning $5.9 total for G
Leppänen picked up his first point of the Worlds, an assist in a 9-1 romp.
Samanski incurred no soupski in a losski.
97 is measured rage at the moment. This team is legit. This mini rest is huge.
I agree that someone has said something but I do also think the noise from the media is part of it. It is not only 97 saying things, most of them are, listen to nurse about Stu, they have heard the detractors from different areas of the peanut gallery. Even some of the questions from the scrums are meant to prod and poke them, after a HUGE win they still get the stupid questions like that.
Nice write up LT. Skinner seems to have regained some confidence and health, his positional play, tracking and composure has been stellar the last couple, that is his style. I would keep him definitely, it was his 2nd year this season, a lot of players go through the 2nd yr lulls. I would add a substantial 1B vet if possible to push, though pickard has been great.
Bouch, you keep. KEEP, KEEP, KEEP…it is a no brainer for me.
100%
Bouch is getting better and more composed especially under pressure.
After next year, you have Nurse and Emberson on a bridge.
I’m not counting Josh Brown. He’ll be drilling for oil in Bakersfield.
ie, sign him long term.
LT, well put regarding McD.
McD is full on John Wick right now.
Baba Yaga….
https://youtube.com/shorts/o9nNGuD1iAg?si=tqUvMAwhakxwjhje
So if we meet Carolina or Florida in the final we would then have home ice. I can’t recall a team being on the road to start all 3 series in conference and then recieving home ice for the final.
Do not despair – your recall is fine. That has not occurred since current playoff format was implemented.
I have to give full marks to Skinner. Although I don’t recall bashing him on here a whole lot, in my mind he was done. Good on him to battle back and put on those 2 performances. And LT was expecting nothing less the entire time.
“Skinner now has a 5-1 record in series close-out games. He also has a .926 save percentage, a 1.97 goals against average, and one shutout.”
That’s a money tendy, right there.
#neverindoubt
Is Pickard the starter, and then Skinner the closer? The Mariano Rivera of NHL playoff series?
It looks like the Oilers have TWO starting goaltenders.
“Ten minutes to go here in the third period, Louie, and it looks like Knoblauch is on the phone to the bullpen…”
Skinner has played 13 games 4-7 (this year and last) and has a 12-1-0 record with a 1.30 GAA and a .946 sv%.
At what point does it stop being a coincidence?
“A diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure.” – Henry Kissinger
Kissinger was misinformed. Coal does not transform to diamonds.
Sorry to ruin the moment.
Fair enough, but the quote was his and you get the point!
No Dallas players are atop the +/- leaderboard.
So I decided to check it out, understanding the limitations of the stat
Rantanen is their leader, +3 despite 19 points (6 PP points)
Wyatt Johnston is -11 and has 8 pts (4 PP points)
Only 5 players have a + goal differential at even strength
Dallas’ special teams PP 32.4% + PK 89.5% = 121.9%
Oilers’ special teams: PP 25% + PK 66.7% = 91.7%
Hopefully they are going to be spending a lot of time analyzing Dallas’ special teams and practicing a plan of attack, because neutralizing them could very well be the key to the series
Meanwhile, Oilers have 6 in the top 10 of teams still alive (when counting several players tied with others at +6, +5).
Just wait until the Oilers PP gets going, and it will.
I think that the elephant in the room that nobody is addressing is the bold move by Al to steer away from the leaf picture for every game day. I’ll be the first to admit that I was calling for his head when he first came up with this hairbrained scheme. However, much like coach Knoblauch, Al’s insight and courageous maneuvering has payed off gloriously.
Not enough credit is given for this heads up decision.
Haha. I read this post several times thinking A-I had done something. FINALLY clicked in. Wow. My brain is not strong today. 🙂
— funny I read it too as A-I and only when I read LTs comment did I understand…
A true wunderkind, our Lowetide is.
I have become quite fond of that picture. It brings back the memories and even the smells of Alberta after a spring/summer rain. I’ve been on the Island in BC for 40 yrs, but I still miss Alberta
It rained in E-town overnight. Smells absolutely amazing outside today!
Watching the 3rd period I had a moment of “this feels like a game that will end because of a lucky break. Eh, if the Oilers lose they’ll win the next one”.
Team is playing very calm, cool, collected and dominant. Just felt like a matter of time they would win this series.
I was concerned Draisaitl would score the game winner for VGK again, like he did in game three for their only win of the series.
Quite the burn on the Vegans. They could not manage a GWG in the series without help.
Petitioning to have the “The Numbers” section updated to include that wonderful (1-0) next to Kapanen’s line. They earned as much.
NST had it 0-0. I wish I could!
My money is on Warren Foegele chirping behind the scenes. He’s definitely said some triggering comments in the group chats.
Coach K and his playoff lineup decisions are generational at this point. He’s beaten two system coaches like rented mules.
Bowman’s roster management has been sensational, I imagine he resigns Bouchard without hesitation.
What group chats are you referring to?
Players on most teams have group chats, every podcast talks about Marchand chirping everyone in Florida’s when he was traded to the team.
With Foegele being Bouchard’s friend, at McDavid’s wedding and crying about the Oilers not offering him a contract and how he’s adamant the Kings are the better team.. I don’t think it’s far fetched there’s a group chat.
Also, I was talking out the side of my mouth taking a friendly dig at Foegele.
I was as annoyed as anyone with the decisions that led to the St. Louis offer sheets. I will eat some crow and say I never expected it was 4D chess to force Kasperi Kapanen off the roster and onto the waiver wire.
Playoff series winning goals:
Kapanen – 1
Holloway + Broberg – 0
😉
Wow. That is deep chess.
It’s like that space-chess game R2D2 and Chewbacca were playing.
St. Louis has no regrets. Zac Bolduc, in his first full NHL season at 21, scored almost all of his 19 goals after Kapanen was put on waivers, because the Blues decided to play him full time.
Cassidy talking about how hard it was for his team to get to the net and to the inside.
Against the Ehkolm-less Edmonton Oilers??
Can you imagine!
Yes, when the puck was in oilers end for extended periods the Oilers mostly kept the puck on the perimeter. Same with Vegas. That was a clinic on defensive play by both teams.
The Oilers aggressiveness in the box is what forced/made those toe drag moves by Vegas possible. Fortunately Stu was up to the task, overall fantastic effort from the Oilers
How come NY and Vegas have no problem getting rid of NMC players? I think their management is ruthless. Let us move you or you will sit up in the rafters regardless of what you make. You have to be willing to play hardball. Im sure Arverdson didn’t sign for two years to be healthy scratched. A good manager will be able to move him. I think you could move Nurse as well. I don’t know if we have the money for both Nurse or Bouch. We shall see
Yeah he’s gonna need a new contract next year and will not sit well with him if he spends the year eating popcorn
Rich Winter said this to Gregor, that movement clauses don’t mean no deals, just player involvement. Bowman said they weren’t what stopped him around the deadline. Trouba moved and he didn’t want to
Trouba had a no trade, not NMC
The Oilers have done this kind of thing with Jeff Skinner, and he’s still here. I understand the appeal of trading Viktor Arvidsson, but if he signed for Stanley then he’s going to want to hang around.
PuckPedia has the Oilers with $9.4 million in cap room with 22 players signed for next year.
Kane is $5 million and his NMC has eased, but do you want to deal him? Hyman and Nurse have NMC’s that ease one season from now. I’m not sure how many want to trade either, I would keep both.
Mattias Ekholm makes $6 million and has no protection from trade.
Honestly, I hate all of these options. I’m with you, trade Arvidsson. I think there’s a non-zero chance he does what Jeff Skinner did this year.
In NBA, superstar players bet on themselves and take 1-2 year deals, knowing cap is constantly rising.
I wish the Oilers could take advantage of that with a player like Bouch (and McDavid, for that matter). The next 1-2 years is the trouble spot, and 9 for a couple of years followed by 12+ thereafter would work wonders. its just never been in NHL’s nature to do this and agents are always trying to maximize term.
NHL hockey is a sport where one Giordano knee check can end your career in a heartbeat. Why would any player bet on themselves for a 1-2 year deal if they have a choice?
Injures derail so many NHLers careers. Eight years of guaranteed money you would be crazy to turn that down especially being the captain on the PP with Leon-Connor for the next 9 years.
Klingberg tried this and he missed on a pile of moolah. Then again, if he was on a $7M deal he likely wouldn’t have had the opportunity to come back after his injuries.
Bouchard could file for Arb and get in the $11MM range for 1-2 years.
I think the Bouch contract needs to be figured out before July 1.
The earlier the better but I don’t think that is a must at all.
Again, for me, based on the facts, I don’t see an offer sheet as a reasonable fear and the Oilers will have a general idea of the cap hit he’s going to come in at – they can plan for free agency.
Also, I don’t imagine the Oilers will be big players in free agency. Of course, they’ll think and deal with potential re-signs to Klingberg and Frederic but, other than that, and getting Brown back, they will likely look to supplement the open spots with the likes of Savoie and Berezkin and maybe Tomasec.
I think they may look to move out an Arvidsson.
The team has won 8 of 9 playoff games and is the first team to punch their ticket to the final 4 – at this moment, I’m not thinking about moving any player off this team.
I’d say Henrique may be asked to move on in the off season, or he may ask to himself if they win it all and he doesn’t want to grind away on a bottom pairing line for the last breathes of his career.
Who are the NMC players that NY and Vegas got rid of? If you’re referring to Trouba/Goodrow, they had NTCs, not NMCs, so they could be threatened with being sent to the minors if they didn’t waive
Plays with NMCs can’t be sent to the minors
16-10 Total Goals EDM
14-7 5v5 Goals EDM (!!!!!!!)
1-0 4v4 Goals EDM
3-1 PP Goals VGK
13-11 PP Opportunities VGK
Its kinda nuts right? Winning a playoff series with only 1 PP goal on 11 attempts.
Super pleased (impressed) with the even strength scoring, but we’ll need to improve our PP stats in the next series.
8 wins and a last second loss in the last 9 playoff games?
Wow!
Everybody say it with me now: Take ’em to seven games Jets!!!
Would be nice!! But I also don’t like the idea of our boys sitting for a week.
Agreed, the Oil tends to to take a while to get their jump back after a layoff.
It’s not how you start; it’s how you finish.
I’ll take a week off with the Stars/Jets having two days max off after having battled for 7 games.
Even if that series finishes tonight, the next one won’t start until close to mid-next week – in particular if the Caps or Leafs can extend.
What a amazing game, series and post season so far. The team has found so many different unexpected ways in which to be able to win and compete in all types of styles of games. Which is new to see for me.
I don’t post often felt i had to this morning as this site is usually one of my first stops every morning around 830 when the daily post drops.
Anyway it FINALLY happened LOWETIDE you broke the internet this morning… literally
Lol can’t figure out to add the screen shot i took but when I tryed to log onto the site this morning the browers said
SERVICE UNAVAILABLE
“The server is currently unable to process your request do to maintenance or capacity problems. Please try again later.
It’s too good not to share!
I seen that too, there may have been some words that would be unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman fired off but all’s well, Go Oilers!
*Stu Skinner, you gave ‘em both barrels and then some! Damn proud of you young man.
This team’s ability to transition the puck, particularly starting from the d, is truly impressive. It brings the 3rd and 4rth lines to life. It’s hard to even imagine what the d will look like when Ekholm returns.
No kidding. Vegas would gain the zone, Oilers dman would make a quick smart play to create a turnover, and the puck would go rifling back to an Oilers forward in the NZ. Repeat again and again.
Great point. I remember this being mentioned last playoffs. The adds Bowman made have been consequential. I far prefer what he likes in players to what Holland does. Walman and Kling have dramatically altered the D group in a good way. It is a massive upgrade on Ceci and Des, no disrespect to them but it’s true. I also think the D group is helping drive depth scoring
Also Pod and Frederic. Even if Pod was a bit shy offensively like The Janitor he has stepped up when it counts. His solid two way game, fearlessness and motor have been big. Frederic’s well rounded game also makes a difference even if he’s not producing a lot
I think this team is the best we’ve seen in Connor’s time. I hope they keep it rolling
I’m sure they will be able to fit Ekholm in somewhere, when he’s ready. The good thing is, the Oilers D has stepped up big time in his absence.
John Klingberg has made a massive difference in this regard (in my opinion).
What a story – legit 2RD puck-moving d-man out of nowhere.
Kudos to Stan Bowman for this signing – even if it didn’t look good for a while.
And of course, Walman a legit 2LD/RD.
I don’t think the offer sheet comp tiers are an issue at all.
They essentially limit an offer to a 5-year term to stay below the top level.
Not time to mention, Bouchard has a massive arb case and it would be shocking if he didn’t file for arb if not signed before (and an arb filing means he’s not eligible for an offer sheet).
$11MM per for term is likely, and he’s worth it – this is for his pure prime years in a rising cap environment.
I’d love to see it closer to $10MM but $11MM is just fine. He’s a 2-way monster when it matters most – every single season.
Dave Gagner is his agent so that’s good (I don’t think he’s one of the difficult agents and of course has ties to the Oilers through Sam). Bouch will get paid, but he may take less than max, as Leo did. It helps them win, and also possibly lower the vitriol when he’s in his foggy times
Yeah his contract is pretty straightforward. 9.5 to 11 mil a year. Hope it’s closer to 10. Need to dump Arvidsson
Hopefully they can find middle ground.
This Oilers team is firing on all cylinders and is absolutely peaking at the right time.
Hey Vegas:
https://youtu.be/0obbOH5keR4?si=G-jWju82YlPn1GAO
Send in the next victim …
13 hits for Zack Hyman – rest that body Zack!
I am going to need a bigger phone booth (for my Stuart Skinner fan club meetings).
It was getting a little awkward being in that phone booth, me and you!
They talk about not hearing or listening to the outside noise but, from their post-games, it’s very clear they have heard the fans, the local media and the outside media not believe in this team and/or certain individuals or aspects of this team – and they have internalized it.
Nurse and McDavid with clear punches pack tonight.
What. A. Game.
Clark Kent had more room in a phone booth than the players on the ice last night. Truth be told, that’s my favourite style game and I find them highly entertaining. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Gagner 8 point nights and McDavid’s 5’s but those lock down games are a thing of beauty. It is clear this team is on a mission, and I’m fully on board. If Ekholm is back and healthy next series I feel sorry for the Stars. Yes, one game at a time but with the Leafs annual collapse, it looks like we’ll most likely get a true Stanley Cup revenge match up. “We owe them a good series”!
VENGEANCE FOR 2006!
It was a thing of beauty, but after so many years of losing and heartache, I much prefer a game where the Oilers score early, build on the lead, and make it clear that the other team is just not playing at the same level… a 3-0, 4-1 type of game.
Is the sun shining a little brighter today? Does the air seem fresher and cleaner?
Is it just me??
My only concern right now is that longer layoffs(though they do help with bumps and bruises) don’t seem to agree with this team and, for whatever reason, they typically struggle to get their game going.
Other than that, its a freaking fantastic day to be an Oiler fan.
I know the team loves playing for Cal Pickard, no doubt. The narrative that they don’t play as hard for Skinner, or don’t have full confidence in him or anything like that is, in my opinion, categorically false.
Just listen to both Nurse and McDavid protect Skinner in their post-game.
Players praising Stu does not equate to anything negative with respect to Skinner.
I respectfully disagree. They are standing up for him now but very few players said much about Stu in his defense when they played so terribly in front of him for games 1-2 against LA and for Stus first game back.
Happy to see it turn and players now defending him but McDavid, in particular had very negative body language about Stus goaltending in the 3 losses.
It’s water under the bridge now and hopefully the team realizes what Stu is capable of when the team in front of him plays like they are also capable of.
That said, Skinners resilience is only matched by the resilience of this team as a whole.
The narrative from the players has always been they have confidence in both goaltenders.
McDavid has gone out of his way to protect Stu during rough stretches in the past.
There was “bad body language” when Pickard let in that horrid goal against in game 3 LA at the worst possible time.
I think you’ve missed the “very negative body language” McDavid has had after pretty much every goal against and especially the ones he was on the ice for, and even more especially the ones in which he was part of the defensive breakdown leading up to the goal against. I think it’s McDavid’s drive to win and hate to lose that is on display.
It also has been said that Stu CAUSES bad defense. Can we put that one to rest?
Draisaitl was a total beast from the middle of the 3rd period on.
Draisaitl with McDavid is pretty Draisaitl.
Draisaitl with two big fast up and down wingers is beastly Draisaitl.
Literally Beauty and the Beast.
Knoblauch decided after game 3 that he needed the Beast, and not the Beauty.
Thrilled to wake up this morning and see the score (though I kept dreaming I got up in the middle of the night to look at my phone to see the Oilers had won – weird dreams).
This team is crushing my pessimism and I am thrilled to be so wrong on the Kapanen insertion. KK is proving he is an exceptional coach and I am over the moon with the way the team has played the last 10 games.
GOilers!!
…last 9 games 🙂
Just wait until the PP gets going, and it will.
Team is a wagon.
After Walman’s great outlet pass I thought he would be a ridiculous +14. Must of got off the ice right after
If Monday’s game was the most complete Oilers game in memory, then last night had to have been the most professional. I thought we could have been a little more cavalier on the forecheck – there were chances for an extra guy, but the D and covering winger were already stifling the neutral zone and negating the breakout pass.
What may be driving McDavid and crew is despite the fact it’s our 3rd Conference final in 4 years, every team we beat seems to think they should have won and we got lucky. They then blow their teams up. We are legit, we know we are. We also know as Oilers fans, we’re also our own harshest critics. Very few homers.
I really don’t care if we get Dallas or the Jets. But I would like that series to go to seven. We win in different ways. This is a good thing.
I hope the boys got a private room and enjoyed the night in Vegas. To a man, they should feel proud – each and every player who dressed contributed to this.