The day Edmonton drafted Leon Draisaitl was a franchise turning point. It has been obscured by what happened the following year at the draft, but my oh my he solved a lot of problems.
My favourite thing about Leon is he got better each season. I think some of that was hanging around Connor McDavid, playing with, and practicing against, was a little different than the Shawn Horcoff-Sam Gagner era. However, credit where due: the big man has been a difference maker.
Once you acquire an elite talent, it’s vital to keep them. In the coming days, when Connor McDavid signs his extension, the team’s three elite talents (McDavid, Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard) will be in place until the end of the decade or close. That’s an exceptional top tier.
Stan Bowman’s job is to improve the second tier, the quality tier that includes players who can make a difference and play a complementary role alongside the elites. Bowman inherited Zach Hyman, Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Darnell Nurse plus Brett Kulak, and has added Jake Walman and Vasily Podkolzin. We’ll see about Matt Savoie and Ike Howard in the days to come.
Bowman’s next step is to make a decision on players who are in feature roles who may not be on solid footing. I’ll include Stuart Skinner, Trent Frederic and Andrew Mangiapane on this list. If any of those three men can’t make the grade, and the organization has no internal replacement, Bowman will need to deal. The Oilers are in a good spot. Bowman needs to make the right moves and in some cases the path forward is not clear. It’s going to be a fantastic winter in Edmonton.
On the Lowdown today, we’ll talk to Kevin McCurdy about the makeup of the team and I’ll ask him about ideal placement for Savoie, Howard, Mangiapane and Frederic. We’ll also talk to Geoff Robertson about Milky Way Day on the Labour Day Sunday. Lots of Oilers, Jays and Elks talk, noon to 2pm on Sports 1440.
Evan Bouchard is one of three elite talents on the Edmonton Oilers roster. A story about coming to grips with chaos when the results are so very good.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6575252/2025/08/27/oilers-evan-bouchard-chaos-defence/
You don’t mention it in the article, but I liked seeing Bouchard on PK during the playoffs. It wasn’t a big sample size, but by the eye test he looked good. I can’t help but think that PK duty both shows the coach trusts him AND it’s a great way to develop defensive bona fides, and against elites in the most difficult situation.
I’m very interested in the numbers, and in others comments on Bouchard on PK.
ps. The comments about “controller unplugged” were especially appropriate after Bouchard’s head injury. That injury took a long time to iron out of his game. By end of season, and for most of the post, we had Bouchard with “controller” properly plugged.
Bowman mentioned late that Bouchard was injured in Finals. I’ve not heard anything about this, except from Bowman. Insights, anyone?
To be sure, its nothing but speculation that Evan Bouchard was dealing with any sort of head injury at any point during the regular season.
Its believe that his playoff issue was lower body, which also lines up with some of the “mic’d up” video that has come out.
Thanks.
Re head injury (warning, this one of my pet peeves): To anyone who saw the hit (head run into goal post) it was obvious: there was significant impact. His play, for at least two weeks afterwards underlined the injury: a series of “controller unplugged” plays that had many fans howling, and many analysts wondering about this player. To someone familiar with head injury there was no mystery. When the brain gets rattled, even if it’s not called “concussion” (pretty much a judgement call that misses much), it’s no surprise that behaviour and judgement are erratic.
And, I’ve sung this song many times. It’s probably boring for folks who haven’t had their lives turned upside down by a random bonk to the head. For those of us who have, it helps to hear it said: that bonk on the head will have a wide range of effects, from hardly noticeable to life-changing. It’s one of the reasons I get pissed at last season’s mid-season Bouchard ranters. Or the late season/early playoffs Stu Skinner ranters: getting whacked in the head changes things. Not for everyone. But certainly more for those in high-level, high-stress roles. It’s why I think players like Sam Bennett, notorious for taking goalies out with accidental/on purpose hits to the head, should face serious suspension.
I remember the play, I am well aware of your position on it, I understand your history, I disagree with your assessment of change in play and behavior before and after and after.
Maybe you are right, maybe there was a concussion but given all the medical experts and how the Oilers dealt with Skinner and Brown and other vis-a-vis head injuries, well, your diagnosis, even with personal history, is speculation.
With respect.
That’s what’s interesting about head injuries: it’s *all* speculation, until you’re dead and they take your brain apart to find the incontrovertible evidence of damage. So, until, we’re dead and on the table at the morgue, I’m a fan of being cautious and protective.
The all clear on any player should wait until they demonstrate they can play under the expectations of a massive contract.
What about playing under the expectations and pressure in the Stanley Cup playoffs?
Bouchard has underperformed in both Stanley Cup finals. He is not alone in that on the Oilers.
I honestly can’t remember who did what in 2024 but, this past season, Bouchard carrying around the corspe of Mattias Ekholm and trying to make up for the continuous egregious plays of the forward superstars and he still was 5-6 goals (McDavid, 3-8 goals and full value for it) (Drai 4-9 goals).
Hyman says wrist is coming along.
Still wearing a brace but cast is off.
Will see what docs have to say, on their time line but “it shouldn’t’ be that much longer”.
He’ll need to work that elastic band and stress ball.
I would like to acquire Luukkonen from the Sabres, for draft picks. Big game player and currently is undervalued, plus the Sabres could lose Levi on waivers with Lyon in the picture. It would be a tandem with Stu this season. Love the Oilers depth on defense, although may need to send Kulak for cap reasons
Levi remains waivers exempt so they won’t lose him.
How do you suggest the Oilers fit in UPL and his 4.75MM.
I also note, that UPL had a 0.887 last season and is a career 0.898
Thanks for the correction, I appreciate your attention to detail. I see now that Levi is waivers exempt until he plays 21 more games in the NHL.
I would suggest sending back Kulak, Janmark, and Pickard, to fit UPL’s 4.75m contract. I believe that would leave a 21-man roster and admit I have not looked at the numbers. If you replace Kapanen with a league min contract, you can carry 22 players, including 13 forwards and 7 defencemen. I welcome any input
I am aware that UPL’s statistics do not reflect a strong performance last season, especially in the second half of the season. He also carried an atrocious Sabres team in 2023-2024, and was indispensable in Finland’s 2019 world juniors gold medal victory. I think the Oilers should take advantage of that… in the same way that other seems capitalized when Devan Dubnyk had low value.
OK, lets get in this.
1) Why are the Sabres making that trade, asset wise? Janmark is a negative value player with his cap his (with term) – likely on waivers (and likely to clear but probably available to the Sabres if they want. Kulak is on an expiring contract and I’m going to guess the guy from Western Canada playing on a contending team isn’t likely to re-sign on in the east on a non-contending team
2) Sabres are looking to make the playoffs, a must for the management team one would think – and they are going to trade their starting tender with heir goalie of the future not ready yet?
Doesn’t seem like a feasible trade.
From the Oilers side, moving out Kulak for a $4.75MM goalie that is no lock to be an upgrade on Skinner…. there is some risk there, no?
Thanks for the constructive feedback and for your thoughts here.
When the Sabres are mediocre again, to begin the season, they may need to decide which assets they will keep and which ones they will move out.
I concede that the Sabres may not be prepared to make a trade today, when Levi has not shown that he is ready. If UPL’s numbers are below those of Lyon though, then they will move him. Devon Levi will certainly play in NHL games this season, and soon will no longer be waivers exempt. The Sabres defence is weak and Kulak would offer reliability in a system which has absolutely zero depth. Lyon is on a 2-year deal
Buffalo has a very young and inexperienced forward group, with plenty of cap space. Janmark is a vet depth forward, with speed and experience in long playoff runs. I think the Oilers would prefer not putting him on waivers, even if that’s a possibility.
Yes, there would be risk, but that is true with almost any Oilers trade for a goalie. He is a young goalie entering his prime, possesses a rare skillset, and has demonstrated that he performs well under high pressure. We would not be giving up top premium assets, which is more of a risk. Kevyn Adams and the Sabres management have been floundering and that is opportune timing to pick up an undervalued player
2 1sts, 1 3rd, Henrique, Skinner, Emberson, and Akey for Sorokin.
McDavid signs Max.
Is it Hockey Season YET?
Sooooo close
32 degrees here, and that’s not in Fahrenheit.
Mid and upper here for a while. The novelty is wearing off
Love your take this morning. It’s going to be a fantastic, fascinating winter. We are not entitled to greatness or titles each year. The journey is the thing.
Ha! I was just talking to my doctor about this yesterday. He made that point exactly. This is SUPPOSED to be fun! 🙂
I hear you having fun —and giving the gift of laughter— 5x week as you & your merry pranksters serve up the daily “sports word salad!” Thank you! Fun it is 🙂
My kids would argue that sure, it’s fun for me. I have 5 cups. They have jack.
McDavid:
“I said at the end of June I had every intention to take my time with it”.
“I have every intention to win in Edmonton – its my sole focus. My intention is to win there.”
Taking time to go through it, going through it with my family.
When Rishaug asked if it has to be done before the season starts or can they go in to the season, McDavid said all options are on the table. He did go on to say the sole focus of the team will be winning, no distractions.
“Taking my time with it, and that is it.”
We can’t allow another Marner outcome if McDavid wants to move on he has to agree on a trade to a team that he wants and Oilers must get maximum return.
There remains zero indication that he wants to move on.
Sounds a bit cryptic to me. Regardless we can’t have him playing out his contract this year and then moving on like Marner did. Marner intentionally hooped his hometown organization and fan base. I myself wouldn’t want that type of man being my highest paid player.
The Leafs and their fan base helped create that mess with Marner. He earned the right to have some control over his post contract destiny (ie he could pick whichever team was willing to offer him a contract including the Leads).
And hypothetically, if it turns out McDavid really just wants to play out the year and then bolt (super unlikely), then there is nothing the Oilers can do about it.
Marner held all the cards he was entitled to do what he did (maybe it was payback for the Babcock incidents) The fans also have the right after everything said and done to make him one of the most disliked Leafs all-time and rightfully so. Some people care about their legacy others not so much. I wouldn’t be surprised if a few players take a good run at Mitch. The NHL is a very unforgiving league. I also believe McDavid has enough respect for his teammates and the City to make sure the Oilers get well compensated in a trade if he decides to move in a different direction in his life.
McDavid will highly likely to sign before camp – he’s not going to say the to the national media before they are ready to leak it and announce shortly.
It sure would be nice if he said I want to sign the max with my mate Leon and try to win as many Cups as possible with the team that drafted me.
Some people think that folks a long time ago, hundreds or thousands of years ago, were more simple than we are today. Weren’t as smart perhaps. This of course is not supported by the evidence of the great thinkers and discoveries made in science and math. At least once humans became as they are, however that happened. In fact it would be a strong argument to say that they may have been smarter, living as they did coming up with those things
I have always been skeptical about a lot of thought around comparing eras. I get the era adjustments which are usually trying to balance scoring averages between times. There are so many factors involved it is far more complex than that. A typical argument would be that the players are more fit now, the bottom of rosters have better players, the equipment is better, etc
That Wayne and Mario put up gaudy numbers destroying bottom six players that couldn’t skate and weren’t in shape. And bad goalies. Except according to Wayne, that wasn’t the case. Coaches line matched hard, and Wayne said for example with the Islanders, he wasn’t playing the team, he was playing their best five players all of the time. Time against the lessers was not a lot. That doesn’t happen as much these days. It’s rare to see players shadowed like they were back then
And the good teams had good goalies. The Oilers always did for sure. The equipment was smaller, but the sticks were basic unlike today where stick tech gives everyone a faster more accurate shot
The biggest difference if you look at the 70’s and 80’s was the level of violence. Players today do not face what Wayne and Mario did, or anyone playing Messier. If you plopped a top forward from today into a time machine yes he would be more fit, but I bet he would be off his game, and probably hurt until he got used to it
Of course if Wayne played starting in 2015 he would be fit and would have trained as they do now, he’d have a better stick. He’d still be head and shoulders above the rest, maybe less so Connor. In fact today’s game probably suits Wayne better than back then, far less hacking and obstruction
If Connor started in 1979 the opposite would be true. It is logical to me that the best comparison between eras is a player versus his peers. It eliminates the noise. You can compare the greats of different eras by how big that difference is, at least for offense. Of course there is a lot more to being a great player than that. After all it’s Mess that has the 6 Cups. He won a Cup in 25% of his seasons, not bad
The version of Wayne that is transported into an alternate timeline and plays today still outscores everyone by the same crazy percentages he did back then.
The man was the greatest to ever do it, and didn’t even have exceptional physical gifts to make it easier for him.
I mean, he’s in my view the best pure shooter of all time, and doesn’t even get mentioned when it is discussed. Primarily because he chose accuracy over power – yet he could blow it by anyone.
That goal on Vernon in Calgary is the greatest slapper I’ve ever seen. It goes in in any era, on any goalie.
We were blessed to witness the greatest athlete of any sport. All you have to do is look at how much he beat the 2nd place finishers in the scoring race. I remember on one occasion I seen Wayne collect 7 assists against the Capitals his performance was like ho-hum just another day at the office.
It doesn’t get talked about anymore but his gap over his peers is the greatest of any sport all time. IIRC the next was an Aussie cricketer named Bradley or something
Don Bradman – career batting average of 99.94.
Next highest with over 40 innings (at bats) is 60.97.
To North Americanize that: it would be like a baseball player having a career batting average of .700, while Ty cobb is there at .367.
Craziest part of Don Bradman’s story is that he was out for zero in his final innings, which caused his average to drop below 100.
Yes Bradman
In 1920 Babe Ruth ushered in the Live Ball era by more than doubling his own MLB record hitting 59 homers. Second place had 19 homers. None of the other 14 teams in baseball at the time even had 59 homers as a team.
Following Ruth’s lead, several sluggers started swinging for the fences, but over the next decade, Ruth still hit more HRs (467) than the next 2 combined (250+202). He also had sizable leads in total runs, RBIs, walks etc. while still hitting .358. Over a 14 year run, he lead in HRs12 times, and in the other categories several seasons as well.
Not bad for a guy who the Red Sox developed as a pitcher and a pretty good one as he has the 17th lowest era of starters all time (minimum 100 starts) but the Yankees had him focus on hitting starting in 1921. After 9 seasons of not pitching, in 1930 the Yankees had him start a game and he pitched a complete game victory giving up 3 runs.
Hard to argue that Babe Ruth wasn’t at least as dominant relative to his peers. He probably drank and smoked more than his peers too or who knows what he could have accomplished.
I can’t remember the way in which what I read broke it down, but that is impressive
It’s amazing that even with what seemed like a full 360 wind up he could beat guys clean. You don’t score 92 being a punk shooter
I’d argue there’s actually something to that windup, and the shot it produces.
If you watch kids, any kid who can land that haymaker scores goals. There’s clearly a reason it works. The explosiveness off the blade and the lack of a telegraph is so powerful.
The thing that he was most special at was not just moving around the zone and being able to dipsy doodle around defenders, but it was that he tactically broke down defenses. He also was very hard to hit, and that drove them even crazier
I think that would translate very well. I haven’t seen a player be able to play pucks through a guy’s triangle or avoid pursuit consistently since Datsyuk. Clogging the slot would not work against him. Connor skates it around, I wish he got better at drawing guys out of position, although he would need someone to actually get into position to take the puck that would be coming
He and Leon do it, but it’s not as dynamic and far more predictable. McFarland should get the old tape out
Connor and Leon should both watch Gretzky goal scoring videos. My son and I did, and I shared them with his team last year as their coach. There’s so much gold in there it is hard to even describe.
The fractional difference between the fastest men in history and today is miniscule. The main difference in times? Technology. The shoes and track they use are much grippier, allowing for less slip on acceleration.
The human hasn’t evolved significantly past its genetic limits. Diet and nutrition and skill training has helped the NHL’s bottom of rosters, but the finest athletes would still be the finest athletes with all the tech and skills coaching available to them.
Wayne would still be Wayne, Mario would still be Mario given a level playing field.
Exactly. The greatest athletes of their eras are the greatest athletes the world had to offer at whatever time
Part of that plan was, while wanting to keep the likes of Brown and Perry, making the decision to move on as they prices themselves out of his contract structure.
One hopes that Matt Savoie and Issac Howard can join the second tier – I am fully comfortable with, at least, Matt Savoie being a middle six/third tier player come October with definite second tier upside.
Comfort levels are one thing, but proving it for Savoie is still in the future. I think he’s done everything required in earning the spot and do think he’ll succeed. However, if I’m honest, injury worries are a factor for me in regard to Savoie.
I hope he plays with his brain. Small players that are good don’t pretend they can compete physically with much bigger players. And last longer of course. They can still battle just not trying to hit much or getting hit much
He’s short but not small, for his height – stocky.
Savoie is very smart – he was able to use his stature to get on this inside and battle without taking huge punishment.
Sure, injuries are always a concern, and I guess more for a “smaller player” – although, he’s more “short” than “small” and I note that he survived a full AHL season when pretty much everyone else got hurt.
Clattenburg couldn’t even survive one game without serious injury.
The beauty of what we’re looking at is in the contrast. Remember when the coach was trying to shoehorn Dustin Penner or Ryan Smyth into the middle, because they literally didn’t have anyone who could play? That era would have been advertising Tomasek as the new 2C, hyping him up beyond reason the way the TSN guys fawn over every random Jays player who doesn’t need that pressure and who’s never going to amount to much.
Let the good times roll. Just hang some damn banners while we’re at it.
and, in my opinion, he keeps getting better. He signed an 8 X $14MM contract and, before it even started, had his best season ever.
Dominant goal scorer last season with a rotating cast of middle/bottom six wingers playing with him.
Sixth in Selke voting, on merit.
Traditional plus 32 (McDavid plus 20) and 59% goal share.
They should just cap the max salary for NHL players at $14M because nobody should make more than Leon and I’m pretty sure Connor would agree with that.
Adam Oates doesn’t like how many teams structure their offense these days. He feels it reduces the effectiveness and thus production for regular players, who make up most of a team. Only the elites can do it
He didn’t go into detail when I heard him talking, but mentioned being too spread out. That happens a lot to the Oilers, the forwards get disconnected from the defense. At times we see the C coming down low to support the break outs, but it never seems to last. Then we get the stretch passes and jail breaks, and if it’s against a well structured team a lot of defensive zone time ensues
I don’t think Florida’s roster is better than the Oilers, but they play better, and I fear have a coach that has a better system. Perhaps the Oilers were too old up front to keep pace with the PEDs Cats. But it’s not like the DoD where the team didn’t have 23 proper NHL players
Bowman will keep changing the team to suit the style he and Knoblauch want, and to players types he likes better than maybe some of the roster. But I think at this point it’s more on the coaching staff who have two players at their disposal that are clearly better than anyone on Florida, and maybe three if Leon is better than Sasha, and haven’t had the answer, twice
Game 7 will get mentioned as a rebuttal, but in those playoffs the Oilers went to 7 games in two series, which doesn’t happen often with Cup teams. They were down in games won twice to the Canucks, and of course down 3-0 to the Panthers. That they came back is great, and that is largely because of having those elite players
But it isn’t what you see from championship teams. They have to change something to be what they should be. There is something off in how they attack, I don’t know specifically what. They can light up teams that let them do what they want, but still have a very hard time with teams that don’t, and this is the key to taking the next step. Just getting some different players may not be enough as I see it
And having a offensive D isn’t going to put them over unless they are getting the puck to the forwards in the scoring areas. Using the point too much kills production because the scoring and SH% percentages drop so much, this has been well documented. I think you need all aspects in your game (being good at screens and tips, it’s like spreading the D out in football), but the focus has to be creating the best scoring chances consistently closer to the net. I don’t see that in tough games enough
I believe this is precisely what the article is about – we need players who can complement the elites to spread out the scoring chances. Last year, the Oil had Kapanen and Perry in the top 6 for game 6. Add to that an ineffective Kane/Frederic/Henri/Brown/Janmark and that is a poor match for Florida regardless of systems.
I was getting at that if the system isn’t right it won’t matter who they get. Florida lead both offense and defense these playoffs, and while Marchand was a big help, it was more about the big picture and being able to execute it. The Oilers had trouble breaking out even with a bunch of puck movers. To me that seems like more than the players
I’m excited to see what Paul McFarland will implement.
This was clearly a targeted add based on some knowledge of him as a coach.
Since the hire, I have learned that he’s given talks at coaching seminars over the years – teach offensive strategies. One was on how to create off the rush and the integral nuances in connection therewith.
I didn’t know that he was a “teacher of offence”.
Me too
That is a very hopeful/helpful skill set. Offence stagnated a bit last year, and it would be good to have someone who can see how playing offensively can help the defensive side of things (get the puck up and out, while keeping possession).
There is no excuse why our line-up can’t score 300 goals.