The Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames will play rookie games on Friday (Edmonton) and Sunday (Calgary) this weekend. It’s a chance to make sure all the kids have 10 fingers and toes, and will (via Jason Gregor) give us the first chance to see Ike Howard in action. The single biggest question I have about Howard is his play away from the puck. I read early on after the trade that he was solid if unspectacular defensively. I’ve since read he is poor in this area. If true, then making the Oilers out of camp becomes less likely, as coach Kris Knoblauch is going to want responsible wingers up and down the line. I know we won’t be able to carry forward anything learned from the rookie games, but want a look at the player and what he can do and this is the first blush.
Matt Savoie is also reportedly part of the group, with (quoting Gregor) Beau Akey, Damien Carfagna, Josh Samanski, Viljami Marjala, Quinn Hutson, Brady Stonehouse, Connor Clattenburg, David Lewandowski, James Stefan, Tommy Lafreniere and goalies Samuel Jonsson and Nathaniel Day (among others).
Among the group beyond Savoie and Howard, I’m most curious about Jonsson, Lafreniere, Lewandowski, Carfagna, Hutson and Marjala. Remember, the older the player, the more impact they should have in these games.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a kid or an old like me, rookie games represent renewal and a chance to pick your favourites. My favourites over the years included Selmar Odelein, Shawn Horcoff, Marc Pouliot, Rob Schremp, Tyler Pitlick, Martin Marincin, Jujhar Khaira, Ethan Bear, Raphael Lavoie. Some made it, some did not, but I cheered like hell for them and for me, that’s the best part of the game. Watching the kids develop and emerge as contributors.
On the Lowdown today, it’s the roundtable with Declan Krueger, Donovan Paulson, Josh Fenwick and Sam (the new guy with ridiculous amounts of hair). They’re all good people with strong opinions and I usually lose control of the show about 2 minutes into the proceedings. Enjoy the chaos! Noon to 2pm on Sports 1440 and You Tube (here).
I have not been paying attention until recently but the McDavid comments about his contract are a tad troubling lol.
Maybe McDavid prefers to play for a team that has a legitimate goalie.
Berezkin held off the scoresheet in a 4-1 win but, from the looks, he again had a very good game (a linemate missed a back-door tap in that he set up). He was +1, 3 SOG, coupld of hits and a takeaway. Had an assist removed from the scoresheet.
Yevseyev, again, leads his team is ice time and had an assist, a couple of hits on a 4-3 SO win.
The full rookie camp roster has been released.
4 of the 7 listed as camp invites on the roster are D-men.
With only Akey and Sundin (latter not participating) as RHD prospects in the system, one wonders whether invitee Parker Von Richter might get a longer look. He and Akey are the only RHD in camp.
Interesting to note that Nicholl appears on the roster despite him being on the shelf likely until the New Year.
Stauff says he thinks Skinner is down 12-15 pounds from last year. I’m sure most reading this also read the comments (not on this blog) about his weight over the last year.
Nuge did indeed join the group on the ice today (per Stauff). Now, show me Jake Walman
Any word out there on where a certain future Oilers star goalie might be getting his game back into shape?
Reports out that Daly says a ruling on the five players currently “ineligible” should come soon.
I’ve read Hart is in Edmonton and looking good.
https://x.com/2MuttsHockeyPod/status/1961074880281264189
Thanks LT. Good stuff. I hope they give him a shot.
2 Mutts is not a source i cannot stress this enough. Kane was their insider, he’s gone, treat it as per Garfield at this point.
That tweet doesn’t say anything other than the classic ‘the athlete locked himself in the gym and is in the best shape of his life’
I miss the good old days hitting the Grinder every game day to a packed house and getting scuttlebut the old fashioned way by word of mouth from the source directly or someone shagging the source.
— Carter hart would certainly change the “dynamic” of the goalie situation for Oilers.
— Kane rehabilitated his career with us.
— I didn’t follow the trial in any detail to have an option Hart and his involvement so might have to brush up on this…
— But as a goalie he’d be a massive opportunity presumably at a low price ….
A very, very high price. Too high a price or some fans. Me, for sure.
I was against it but he was not guilty. Definitely some character failings being involved in that situation but not the horrible crime that was alleged. I’m okay with a second chance but would need some sort of statement of remorse and contrition from the player. The league doesn’t have an ethics code for personal life conduct, so I’m not sure what that would look like. I’m sure everyone will have to make some sort of media statement if/when the re-join the league.
“(e) to conduct himself on and off the rink according to the highest standards of
honesty, morality, fair play and sportsmanship, and to refrain from conduct detrimental to the best interest of the Club, the League or professional hockey generally.
The above clause is in every NHL player contract. I do not know what the NHL or the NHLPA have as other rules (some of which are not published for the public to see) that helps them define honest and morality but it can be fairly broadly interpreted.
Maybe Bowman already has the plan in place Skinner and Pickard can hopefully placeset until Carter is up and running. I think Dubnyk has been helping the kid out in Edmonton both physically and mentally after his ordeal. It’s a contract year for both Skinner and Pickard both need to have the mental game ready from game one. I do hope K.K has the chops to start Pickard in game one if he has a better camp than Skinner. We don’t have the luxury of pissing around and being 1-4 because of the reset button or the recalibration switch is glitched.
You have a source for this or are you just bullshitting like back in the day?
You told me on several occasions with your great wisdom there’s this thing called Google. I read it on Oilers Nation if you type in Oilers Nation you’ll be on the right path to reading about it. I know it’s Summer and it’s hard to keep up with the Oilers news especially for you working folk.
It’s pretty quiet around here you must of found the story with that hot take I gave you.
question: Are the rookie games available online ?
Oilers+
We’re getting to the days where I’ll start expecting some news on extensions for Walman and Podz – Knob as well.
On a 3+ year deal, I’m happy to got up to $2.25MM on Podz and will give his as much term as he’s willing to give at that AAV – right up to 8 years.
I concerned about a 7-8 year term on Walman given he’ll be 30 when the deal kicks in and the AAV could border $7MM. I’m hoping for 4-5 years in the $6.5MM. If it gets up to 7-8 years, that AAV needs to come down closer to $6MM given there will be real regression years.
The Oilers might be waiting to see what McDavid signs for as a 2 year, vs. a 4 year vs. an 8 year deal for McDavid changes the cap charge for the next few years by a few million at least I would think.
Not Skinner or Pickard?
No.
Gotta see what he brings this season.
Why would Podkolzin sign for $2.25 million, rather than rolling the dice? He can get an offer sheet next summer for at least that, whatever the 3rd round draft pick threshold is. For a legit top nine forward, one is looking at two or three years at $4 million.
The Oilers would be doing good to get him for 2 years at $3 million AAV. It might have to be two or three years at $4 million.
He might like his situation more than more money. He’s young he’ll make lots over his career. Pretty sweet getting lots of TOI with a top player
Expecting new extensions that were rumoured to be happening a month ago?
Based on what.
Based on the fact that this is the time of year that type of stuff often gets done.
For RFA’s sure. Extensions for UFA’s are dispersed throughout the year, which Walman and Ekholm are. Podz is the only one that fits that category.
I didn’t mention Ekholm and I think they would like to get Walman does as soon as possible.
Is $6.5 million reasonable for Walman?
Considering his career earnings are just $10 million, he will likely be looking for a major payday.
With Ekholm likely fading at age 36, wouldn’t Walman be the defacto #1LD?
With no reasonable expectation of an internal replacement, Walman will have a lot of leverage.
Market value of $8.4M per Dom’s cards which…sure.
Spread over enough years 6.5 is absolutely reasonable.
Ekholm market value of 9.3 but is aged as you said so there’s your savings.
Leverage only matters if everyone else’s salary’s remain the same, ‘taking’ from Ek to give to Walman makes perfect sense, which you alluded to.
You’ve solved the puzzle, thanks HH, Fox, Fib, etc.
Ike Howard has arrived on ice with the boys today.
Here is hoping we see Nuge and Walman soon. Too players hurt in playoffs!
The Flames taking a huge leap of faith signing starting goaltender Dustin Wolf to a massive 7 year contract with a cap hit of $7.5 million.
Since the start of the 2025 calendar year, six starting goaltenders in the NHL have signed extensions.
Washington – Logan Thompson: 6 years, $5.85M AAV, age: 27 (Jan. 27)
Utah — Karel Vejmelka: 5 years, $4.75M AAV, age: 28 (March 5)
Vegas — Adin Hill: 6 years, $6.25M AAV, age: 28 (March 14)
Vancouver — Thatcher Demko: 3 years, $8.5M AAV, age: 29 (July 1)
Anaheim — Lukas Dostal: 5 years, $6.5M AAV, age: 25 (July 17)
Calgary — Dustin Wolf: 7 years, $7.5M AAV, age: 24 (Sept 9)
Quite a risk considering Wolf only has 71 NHL games ( .906 2.73 GAA ) to his credit although he had a sparkling record in the AHL.
Goaltending is getting expensive.
Starting goaltender for seven years at 65% of the highest goalie AAV, before salary cap inflation. This is going to be one hell of a bargain contract.
Wolf has done nothing but stop pucks all the way along the road from there to here. There has been no wobble along the way.
Yep.
JFresh
@JFreshHockey
The cap rising should be very generous to Dustin Wolf’s 7 x $7.5M extension.
https://x.com/JFreshHockey/status/1965419818435444937
Dustin Wolf has a chance to be a top 5 goaltender in the league. I don’t hate the bet by the flames but, my goodness, is that a risk after only one season. I think he’s legit will be a legit start and consistent in that regard but its only really the true starts that bring it at that position year after year – most goalies outside the top tier seem to swing wildly between seasons.
I see the risk in that players get a free pass first season, but teams get a book on them soon, especially goalies. Connor got a few seasons where they were trying to figure out how to slow him down, but he’s Connor. Wolf could be the next Saros, or he might be the next shorter goalie they figure out
His record to this point indicates he may be in that top tier.
I indicated that but also that we don’t know yet – hence the risk.
Here from NHL.com & Naturalstatrick is a comparison of data from Dustin Wolf’s and Stuart Skinner’s time in the NHL while classified as rookies:
GP GAA SV%* GSAA**
Dustin Wolf 71 2.73 .906 13.56
Stuart Skinner 63 2.72 .913 26.71
*League average SV% has dropped a total of .04 over the past 2 seasons.
**Goals saved above expected per Naturalstattrick
Skinner played his first game in the NHL at the age of 22 and turned 24 – 1 month into what became his official rookie season. Skinner finished 2nd in Calder trophy voting behind Matty Berniers by just over 750 points. Edmonton extended Stuart Skinner at 3 x $2.6 million in December 2022 – 6 months before he won the Calder.
Dustin Wolf played his first NHL game 1 day before his 22nd birthday and was 23 and 5 months at the start of what became his official rookie season. That makes him 6 only months younger entering his rookie season. Dustin finished 2nd in Calder Trophy, a little under 700 points back of winner Lane Hutson. Calgary extended Wolf 3 months after he won the Calder, but his ELC could not be extended until the past June. That’s just luck of the draw.
While Dustin Wolf was awarded more personal awards during his junior and minor league career, for few different reasons, I don’t think Stuart Skinner would trade either his WHL or AHL Pacific Division Championships (no AHL playoffs that season) in which he played a major role, just for a few more individual awards.
From what I can see, those that go on and on about how great Wolf is or could be while at the same time dumping all over the Oilers and Stuart Skinner seems pretty hypocritical. Wolf doesn’t appear to be any more of a sure bet to succeed post rookie season than Skinner. He could face struggles or not and Skinner could just as easily bounce back. But one thing is certain, at $2.6 million times 3, the Oiler cap bet was a lot less risky.
I have never dumped all over Stuart Skinner so, please, don’t write that post to me.
My vast majortiy of my post was in support of your point that we don’t know what Wolf will be in comparison to Skinner. My criticism was directed at those who do dump on Skinner of which I am well aware you are not one, so it can reasonably be said I was not criticizing you but following along with the thread.
Why didn’t Skinner start in game 5 the most important game of the series and the year? Honest question do you really think Skinner is here 1 year from now?
That is what one pays the scouts and player development coaches for.
The Oilers management had the truth staring them in the face last summer, where Holloway and Broberg demonstrated their worth in the Stanley Cup finals, and Doug Armstrong ate their lunch, and stole their dessert.
Wolf is the real deal. Conroy is building from the proper starting point that’s what scares me about Calgary. If they land a bona fide 1-C they are going to be a tough team to beat.
Goalies don’t tend to improve. If Wolf has been playing at a top level in the AHL for several years consistently, then why take a chance that he is going to command a higher salary in a few years by signing a bridge? The Oilers demo’d the folly of this approach.
We are seeing a lot more of the long term deals for top talents coming out of their ELC or into their RFA years. This does not feel like a gamble for the Flames (I have been well aware of how they’ve seen him for at least 4 years now).
I am overly excited for these two games.
I know what Savoie brings and am intrigued to get eyes on Howard.
I want to see everyone, including the likes of Clattenburg and the new draft picks but, in particular, Marjala, Samanski and Carfagna – want to see these bets on ice.
My buddies that are Leafs fans are even more unbearable than usual over the McDavid contract situation.
— yeah : was feeling good early this summer with management take, “Oil for life” posts from spouse. The early verbiage
— Now it’s the same bs: “he needs to come to a winner, they wrecked him there, he’s going to come home”. F@ck a duck …
— I can’t think of a worse outcome in sport personally than to see him with a leaf jersey …
— would hurt more than when gretz got traded or Ben Johnson losing his gold : because it would be every day all day “cMd is the best leafs are best”.
— Id need therapy and would cancel hockey in my life !
Yeah, back to back finals but the logical thing to do is jump to the laffs.
Part of me hopes McDavid is trolling and sign 8/97 a la Sid.
Actually, all of me hopes that.
This was my thought too…he’s gonna pull the “Crosby Clause” and sign for his jersey number at max length. Fingers crossed still.
All the hype is ridiculous again but worse because the deadline is much more near now. The hype has a tad bit of gravity to it now. So, why would he be letting this massive thing hang over him still?
If he hasn’t signed by Game 1…then what? Should we bench him till he signs?
I’m sorry to all, very very sorry, but if he doesn’t sign…we need to trade him.
He cannot walk.
He can’t just play it out and “decide later” just cuz he’s McJesus.
He has to bring maximum return in a trade…and everyday closer to Game 1 is less and less leverage in a trade.
That doesn’t work for us…The Edmonton Oilers. Feelings aside…we cannot let 97 walk. Period.
I’m not even getting into trade specifics…I don’t want to trade him. I also think if he’s traded the franchise would never be the same. That would be two legends traded AWAY in our history.
But I would like to know what people are feeling about this.
It’s kind of a big deal….
Taking the kids Sunday down in Calgary. $10 a ticket. Curious to see how quite a few guys look out there. The draft pedigree may not be there for a lot of these guys. It it certainly seems like they’ve got more guys with potential than they’ve had in awhile.
— slotting Howard Savoie as top-6 wingers seems kind of Pool Yak Kailer ish slots back in the day
— granted team is better more capable vets vs these two less touted and pedigree rookies.
— McDrai just need to go off and score fiddy + each and Nuge as 3C gets his 50 points.
— Dominate PP.
— they all be like we don’t need no wingers …
Jesse Puljujarvi’s NHL debut: 18 years, 5 months, 6 days
Kailer Yamamoto’s NHL debut: 19 years, 0 months, 5 days
Matt Savoie’s age today: 21 years, 8 months and 8 days
Ike Howard’s age today: 21 years, 5 months and 10 days
Your point is well taken, and the Oilers may well run with Savoie early and Howard later. However, the age difference should be considered in the conversation. And of course Savoie has a year in the AHL.
—- age is good point. More finished and less “magic bean”. That’s the counter to just not as much raw scoring skill.
— McDs observation that he needs to score more might be tell on his take on wingers
Per Naturalstattrick, McDavid had his second lowest shots per 60 (all situations) in his career this past season, and his shooting percentage the past 2 seasons are the 2nd and 3rd worst of his career. this resulted in his lowest goals per 60 since 16/17.
Besides the data, just based on watching him play, he was not taking shots from good positions that he previously was ripping it from. Some of it was defenseman playing him differently because of all the goals he scored in 22/23, which he adapted to by setting up Hyman more. But it seems certainly for 23/24 his shot was weaker (much lower average speed on NHL Edge for his shots). And for 24/25 something else seemed off with his hands as the past 2 seasons combined, his giveaways per 60 are among the worst in his career. His stickhandling appeared off and his passes weren’t quite as clean consistently. Based on who he is and how much he has the puck, I would guess his wrists and hands get whacked more than any other player in the league.
Based on this and on how he actually spoke regarding his desire to get back to scoring, he was focused more on his own play regardless of what the rest of the team does. If everyone else in aggregate scores the same total as last season (which is not an unreasonable expectation), if he scores 20+ more, that would be a big boost to the teams success.
Savoie should of seen more time in the NHL last season but the Oilers had the luxury with there forward depth of hammering him with minutes in Bakersfield. If your a skilled forward who is a projected top 6 and you haven’t made your debut by 22 then your heading for a one-way ticket to Tweener Island. Big forward or projected bottom 6 Centre-Forwards or another story they need more time to develop.
Jake Guentzel was drafted in 2013 in the 3rd round by the Penguins and after 3 full years of College and 33 games in the AHL, he made his debut with the Penguins on November 21, 2016, one month after his 22 birthday.
Zach Hyman was drafted in 2010 in the 5th round by Florida, but his last year of junior after being drafted he scored very well then had 4 year of College again where he was a scoring star his last season with 22 goals and 54 points in 37 games. Despite this, the Leafs, who acquired his rights from Florida, had him play almost a full season in the minors scoring 37 points in 59 games despite the Leafs being a last place team (Austin Matthews come on down!). They called him up in late February shortly before his 24th birthday. Over the next 2 seasons he worked his way up to the top 6 and has been there ever since.
Brett Hull got into 5 games before his 23rd birthday. Martin St. Louis got into the NHL after his 23rd birthday. Detroit let Datsyuk marinate in Russia till he was 23.
None of these guys would be classified as big hockey players though Hyman is solid. There are many many more examples of players known to be scorers that took longer to get to the NHL either because the club with their rights was stacked or there were other flaws in their game to be overcome. No question beyond 22, the odds start to drop, but maybe not as fast as you seem to think since you have it as near zero.
That’s some nice cherry picking over the last 25 or so years. I would classify Hyman as a grunt poor man’s power forward. Hyman is a enigma he kinda does his own thing but like Captain Canada he makes his living on the door step.
Both Smyth became full time NHLer at 19 and was in the Oilers top 6 at 20. Kerr was a full time NHLer and scoring 20 goals at 20. Neither needed any extra time to develop.
Kerr weighed 230 lbs and was tied for the heaviest player in the NHL. Besides the ridiculously obvious absolute and relative weight differences (There are 25 NHL regulars today who outweigh Tim Kerr and over 200 that outweigh Hyam’s 206), Hyman could skate circles around Kerr with Hyman having his laces untied. Both managed 50 goal seasons (Kerr several), a lot of it near the net, but that is the only similarity to how they played the game. And probably like you, I watched Tim Kerr play a lot of games.
Kerr had a much better shot but he and Hyman make there living in tight. I mentioned in-between Smyth and Hyman. I’m strictly talking about their net front ability.
A 9 game audition for Yamamoto isn’t exactly throwing him into the fire. He wasn’t an NHL regular until 20-21, although he came up and stuck in that 19-20 magical run in top 6.
Dec 31, 2019 when he was called up for good he would have been 21 years, 3 months and 2 days.
By that metric Savoie’s debut was technically 19 years, 10 months and 9 days.
Picking a nit.
— its actually not a nit IMO
— that’s my main point which was that those wingers were the “top choice” for the oilers at the time and the depth just not there
— same same : if Savoie and Howard don’t work and Hyman not ready it’s muddy for skill wingers IMO
and Yamaoto had 26 points and was +17 in 27 games playing with Drai upon call-up…….
I don’t know what that has to do with anything i said but fill your boots…………………………………………………………………………
Its in relation to what Yamamoto did when he got called up to the NHL around the age of what Howard is now – he killed it!
I think the confusion comes from his draft year and shortly after where he wasn’t great defensively. Story seems consistent that over the past two years he became much better defensively. Many people focus on draft and make their conclusions there but don’t focus much on follow up.
Since he was in college, Tampa couldn’t do a lot with him, but they very likely had conversations with him about what they believed he should work on to improve his chances of making their team once he left college. Tampa strikes me as a team that if they believed that his defensive game at the time of his draft was lacking, they would emphasize that he work to improve his 2-way game with his college team.
Whether Tampa believed he had improved on that as much as they would have hoped over his three subsequent years post draft we don’t really know. The public knowledge on why he is no longer a Lightning prospect it that is was driven by Howard due to them not signing him to an ELC in the spring after his season at Michigan State ended due to cap constraints as opposed to any dissatisfaction they had over his development post draft.
He won the Hobey Baker award and Tampa was still trying to nickel and dime him on a year of ELC. By no means do I think Howard is a prima donna by optioning out of Tampa and directly into our top 6-9. We see Cutter-Snuggerud amoung many to have success from that fantastic World Junior team they iced a few years ago. This is a dream scenario for Howard no way he doesn’t score 20 unless he gets the cursed Oiler shoulder injury.
This is not true accurate at all. There are no accounts that the terms of the ELC being of issue and, practically, we are talking about how many performance bonuses he is eligible for – really the only ELC terms to negotiate.
From accounts, when Michigan was eliminated this season and it was time to sign his ELC, Tampa didn’t have cap room for him on the NHL roster and wanted him to start in the AHL – Howard thought he should be in the NHL right away just like most of his peer group – Snuggerud, Leonard, etc.
The relationship soured at that point and, as far as I know, had zero to do with Howard’s development or ELC terms.
One should look at Ryan Leonard if they want to temper expectations – a higher touted prospect than Howard that struggled for the Caps this past season and in the playoffs.
Snuggerud is the other side as he’s more of a comparable draft pedigree and he started well for the Blues.
Gauthier was a top 5 pick and not a comparable.
Off the top of my head Hudson Cooley Nazar Will Smith Hagwns Perrault look like they are going to light up the NHL if they haven’t already. I’m not sure but I believe they all burned a ELC year which means they are 1 year closer to the life altering payday. If you don’t think 1 year matters tell that to these guys
It had nothing to do with burning a year of Howard’s ELC – it would have been burned immediately upon signing.
I don’t get what your saying Howard coming off a Hobey Baker should of jumped immediately on the roster to end the season and then the playoff roster. Thus being a year closer to the Set for Life contract. Howard and his agent had options kinda like Hollywood and Broberg. Sometimes you give sometimes you recieve. I have a tidy sum with Howard scoring more goals than Hollywood as you know it wasn’t hard finding a mark for this bet. Ooh if they push the underdog Howard wins the bet for moi.
Again, no, you are not understanding.
He would have been “a year closer to the set for life contract” even if he never played a game in the NHL in the last year – it would have burnt the first year of his ELC.
So tell me why he didn’t stay in Tampa if they were willing to burn a year of his ELC.
I told you, in my first response – good grief.
I’m attending the game on Sunday. I’ll provide an update afterwards. Anything in particular you want circled?
General thoughts on all the impresses you good and bad. I find in watching these games that going in looking for things tends to skew what is actually happening. And thanks!
Thanks! Looking forward to your update.