Per 82 games in the AHL, Matvey Petrov averages 14 goals. Only three of his 18 goals came on the power play. He is a splendid passer, and owns a 13.6 shooting percentage. What’s his problem? He doesn’t shoot the puck enough to collect boxcar numbers. If he wants to make the Oilers, Petrov has to shoot the damned puck more often.
If we take a look at the last four Condors seasons, and include only prospects, here are the shots-per-game totals:
- Dylan Holloway 3.2 (2023-24)
- Roby Jarventie 3.0 (2024-25)
- Raphael Lavoie 3.0 (2023-24)
- Raphael Lavoie 3.0 (2022-23)
- Dylan Holloway 2.8 (2022-23)
- Raphael Lavoie 2.6 (2021-22)
- Dylan Holloway 2.5 (2021-22)
- Noah Philp 2.4 (2024-25)
- James Hamblin 2.4 (2024-25)
- James Hamblin 2.2 (2022-23)
- Matt Savoie 2.1 (2024-25)
- James Hamblin 2.1 (2023-24)
- James Hamblin 1.9 (2021-22)
- Xavier Bourgault 1.9 (2022-23)
- Noah Philp 1.7 (2022-23)
- Tyler Tullio 1.7 (2023-24)
- Xavier Bourgault 1.6 (2023-24)
- Tyler Tullio 1.5 (2022-23)
- Carter Savoie 1.3 (2023-24)
- Carter Savoie 1.3 (2022-23)
- Matvey Petrov 1.3 (2023-24)
- Matvey Petrov 1.2 (2024-25)
Some of these numbers show young players improving year over year (Hamblin, Holloway, Philp) and of course that’s a nice total for Roby Jarventie in the smallest of sample sizes.
Below Hamblin’s 2022-23 number are a bunch of guys who needed to improve. Philp jumped handsomely, and he’s in the mix for NHL work.
Petrov went the wrong way. Meanwhile his shooting percentage in 2024-25 (14.8) was among the best of Bakersfield’s prospects. I think he touches the puck enough, and also believe there have been chances given, although not much on the power play. Petrov isn’t a disappointment on the level of Bourgault, who was a first-round pick. However, any damn fool can see the young man has talent, but he’s not using that accurate shot near enough to get noticed. Damn shame.
Bakersfield scored 224 goals last season, in 72 games (3.1 goals-per-game). Colin Chaulk often gets ripped for lack of offensive creativity, so I thought it would be interesting to run back the last decade in Bakersfield and see if the Condors are scoring less with Chaulk as coach.
- 2015-16: 3.12 (Gerry Fleming)
- 2016-17: 2.94 (Gerry Fleming)
- 2017-18: 2.76 (Gerry Fleming)
- 2018-19: 3.56 (Jay Woodcroft)
- 2019-20: 2.89 (Jay Woodcroft)
- 2020-21: 3.31 (Jay Woodcroft)
- 2021-22: 3.31 (Woodcroft and Chaulk)
- 2022-23: 2.94 (Colin Chaulk)
- 2023-24: 3.10 (Colin Chaulk)
- 2024-25: 3.11 (Colin Chaulk)
So, the numbers show Jay Woodcroft was more of an offensive coach. The big season (2018-19) was the year Cooper Marody and Tyler Benson stormed the league, while Joe Gambardella and Josh Currie were solid AHL scorers. Kailer Yamamoto delivered bigly too, when he was in the minors that season.
On the Lowdown today, I’ll be joined by Kevin McCurdy and we’ll chat about Oilers training camp and things we’re looking forward to seeing this month. Noon to 2pm on Sports 1440 and You Tube (here).
Can the Edmonton Oilers ice three scoring lines in 2025-26?
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6587829/2025/09/03/edmonton-oilers-lines-2025-26/
I had high expectations for Petrov right from the start. But now he seems to be slipping down the chart. He still might show some heart and make his presence felt, as I believe he has it in him.
Sorry this got caught in spam. It was fine, just an old blog getting grumpy.
Derek Ryan was on Oilers Now yesterday and officially mentioned he is retired – he’s back at their home in Spokane and he’s going to “be a Dad” for the year.
Did speak about wanting to get back in to the game in some respect (more than coaching his son’s team) and mentioned maybe even with the Oilers as he’s got relationships in the room and a voice in that room.
Really sounded like he was a well respected guy in the room and really close with the core of team – talked about tears in the room when he get assigned to the AHL and more tears at Leon’s wedding, etc., etc. Mentioned a few times that he had a voice.
I do think the team lost some big dressing room guys in Ryan, Brown and Perry.
Says Magiapane will be a great fit on the team (and in the room) – played with him in Calgary (Ryan was his center for a season).
Ryan also mentioned, without holding back, how disappointed and frustrated he was with getting sent to the AHL. He didn’t think the management handled it well and doesn’t think it would have happened under the prior management or coaching staff.
I get he was upset, but how many teams cater to 4th line centers who fit in the tweener category? I think the kind thing the team did was bring him back at the start of last season, instead of cutting their loss and elevating higher ceiling guys in October.
I obviously can’t speak to what is or is not done in the room, but from my perspective there is too much “we want to keep guys happy regardless” in the Oilers culture. It does not need to get to a Las Vegas cutthroat approach, but Florida keeps it culture good by being perfectly clear about what matters – winning and your ability to contribute to that goal.
I would of kept the sour grapes on the new management to myself or my drinking buddies. He’s lucky he got in 36 games under the new boss and he should be thankful he recieved that 2nd year from Uncle Kenny.
He wasn’t good. Sports is cruel. Ryan got more out of his career than anyone expected, and I do have time for what must have been an extreme disappointment. Perhaps he should have retired then. The Oilers treated him well, because he was a fringe player for some time.
I applaud what Ryan did not many Wingers join the NHL in there late 20’s and last as long as he did. In saying that if Ryan is going to be management he’s going to have to cut fringe or better players by the bucketfuls
Part of this would be the player getting himself in to spots to shoot the puck (something, say, Matt Savoie, is great at) but also having linemates get the player the puck in those positions.
Petrov generally has played with middle or bottom six AHL players as he hasn’t forced his way up the lineup including PP1. M
With that said, he had a really strong 10 game stretch last season, the offence started to come and he was earning more opportunity. Then, boom, concussion, his season derailed and he never got back on track.
There will be lots of competition in Bako this year for middle and 2nd line forward spots. Lots of 22-25 year old players added that will be competing. Here is hoping he starts the season strong and is able to find an impactful role on the team.
He’s playing for a qualifying offer after this season.
One thing to note is they he’s a very reliable 2-way player. He works hard and competes and does the small things right.
In the five games where he scored six goals, he still had just 11 shots. Hot as a fire cracker and he won’t shoot the puck. Frustrating player.
Was he getting more opportunities and not shooting? I honestly cannot remember
200s shot in 60 games for NB in 2022/23 – around 25th in league shots.