Have you ever heard The Girl from Ipanema? It’s gorgeous. Astrid Gilberto has this understated vocal style that’s perfect for the song, and Stan Getz’ playing is just as smooth. I don’t know jazz really at all, can only tell you that Miles Davis’ Summertime is glorious and that I always liked Weather Report. But there’s something cool, precise, pure and sultry about The Girl from Ipanema and it’s there every time I hear it. I imagine it’s how we all feel when we’re most attractive, in control and aware of our surroundings. When you step into the song, you’ve got it together and you know it. Very nice.
Last night’s effort by the Edmonton Oilers was the exact opposite of that classic song. It was like ordering a steak and being served Sloppy Joes. Honestly, it was a terrible game, the Oilers management and coaching staff must have needed hours before their sphincters relaxed.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN OCTOBER
- At home to: Calgary, Vancouver (Expected 2-0) (Actual 1-0-1)
- Road: Rangers, Islanders, Devils, Detroit, Ottawa (Expected 2-2-1) Actual 2-3-0
- At home to: Montreal (1-0) Actual 1-0
- At home to: Calgary, Vancouver (Expected 2-0) (Actual 1-0-1)
- Road: Rangers, Islanders, Devils, Detroit, Ottawa (Expected 2-2-1) Actual 2-3-0
- At home to: Montreal (1-0)
- On the road to: Seattle, Vanouver (1-1)
- At home to: Mammaoth, Rangers (1-0-1)
- Expected Record: 7-3-2, 16 points in 12 games
- Actual Record: 4-3-1, nine points in eight games
I had the Oilers going 5-2-1 and they are 4-3-1, that’s close enough for jazz. You want to see a consistent game and we’re not there yet. Lots of blame for various players, let’s have a look.
Draisaitl-McDavid-Savoie played 7:34, 2-4 shots and 25 percent expected goals. It was disappointing, I was hoping for magic. Then again, it’s the first time the trio performed, perhaps we’ll see more later on. McDavid had three assists, one at five-on-five, Leon scored a goal and Savoie made a key play on the winner but did not get an assist.
Frederic-Philp-Podkolzin went 7:10 (all numbers five-on-five unless noted) and got caved: 0-8 shots, 0-1 goals and zero expected goals. Holy hell. Vasily Podkolzin scored the winner (a wonderful net front move), Philp picked up an assist and Frederic played one second more than Ike Howard, who played the least among forwards.
Mangiapane-Nuge-Roslovic played 6:16, 0-4 shots and zero expected goals. Man what a night! Mangiapane scored a five-on-five goal, Nuge a PP marker, and Roslovic continued to write his autobiography (entitled “The Ghost Who Played Right Wing”) in real time.
- Henrique-Nuge-Roslovic: 4:24, 5-2 shots, 0-1 goals, 61 pct X-goals
- Podkolzin-Draisaitl-Savoie: 4:10, 2-3 shots, 1-1 goals, 24 pct X-goals
- Howard-McDavid-Mangiapane: 4:04, 2-1 shots, 1-1 goals,, 69 pct X-goals
- Howard-Henrique-Tomasek: 3:39, 2-1 shots, 67 pct X-goals
This is mostly the later on lines, I thought Ike Howard showed well no matter where he played. What a complete riot of a hockey game. I’m surprised there wasn’t an arrest.
Nurse-Walman played 16:31 together, 7-9 shots, 2-1 goals and 49 percent expected goals. Darnell Nurse is passing the puck like Mr. Magoo this year, I don’t know what the hell they’re going to do about it.
Kulak-Emberson played 13:49, 8-6 shots, 1-0 goals and 57 percent expected goals. They somehow had a solid game in the middle of a disaster. Kudos to both, my God I think we all died a little during that game.
Ekholm-Bouchard got the wheels, brakes, axle and tailpipe beaten off last night. In 13:43, 3-9 shots, 0-2 goals and 12 percent expected goals, they made baby Jesus cry.
Calvin Pickard had an .815 save percentage, but the game included desertion, friendly fire and two songs by Asleep at The Wheel so I’m not going to bury the guy.
On the Lowdown today, Steve Lansky will be our feature guest and we’ll also welcome Cam Lewis from Jays Nation to talk World Series. Declan Krueger will have Declanations top 5 and we’ll chat about the wildest hockey game in memory. Sports 1440 and You Tube, noon to 2pm.
Is the Edmonton Oilers’ 5-on-5 scoring finally arriving?
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6743786/2025/10/24/edmonton-oilers-stats-montreal-canadiens-game/
Summarizing!
Lafreniere continues to snipe, scoring his 9th of the season with 50 ticks left in regulation to force OT, from which Kamloops would emerge victorious. He also had a game-high 5 SOG.
Wakely scored his 1st in the NCAA, which also stood as the game-winner.
Lewandowski had a helper.
Park, Barnett, Berry and Fischer were denied warming, comforting soup.
Condors pressing early in the third period but then Clattenburg with a horrid play trying to dangle through three guys in his own zone in his own slot, stripped – bailed out by Ingram but the rebound is potted.
Prokop and Clattenburg has gifted goals which is the main difference in this game.
Jarventie looks off Leppanen on the 2 on 1 and fires, can’t score.
Then Prokop with a HORRIBLE own zone turnover for a quick strike snipe net front. Ingram got a piece but not enough.
3-1 Tuscon late in the 2nd.
Ingram leaks a weak one form the bottom of the circles – 2-1 Tuscon, 3:40 to go in the 2nd.
Condors coming in waves in the 2nd – haven’t been able to bury yet though.
Having played in a jazz band to the tune of a gold medal at the national level, I can say without reservation this piece is not jazz. This is truly a fabulous bit of verve, but it is definitely not jazz.
Without having been around in the ’60s, my best attribution would be bossa nova. Maybe samba.
OP, what channel on Flo Sports is the Condors game on?
Sorry, didn’t see this until now.
I don’t know what channel – I just click on the AHL schedule and it pops up (or I’ve favourite the Condors so I click that icon and it shows up). I didn’t know there were “channels”.
Shout out for Sloppy Joes!
Roadrunner player with all the time in the world from the top of the circles on the PP and snaps one over Ingram’s shoulder – he looked a bit awkward, lunging/falling forward coming out to challenge. It was their 11th shot.
1-1
I think somebody else is going to be looking over their shoulder in a month.
Kirk makes it 11-2!!!!! Take that LA!
Just as Barger breaks it open with an epic Blue Jays moment the Condors score a wonderful PPG – Jarventie finishes off about a 7 player passing play with a goal mouth tap in – Griffith, down low to Pitlick across to Jarvenite.
May have been Hutson not Griffith.
Clement has been clutch! 3-2 Jays!
“Cold coffee” by galt mcdermott
And
“Potrait of mahalia jackson” by duke ellington
Are 2 personal jazz favourites.
Carfagna in (for Millman) and Jarventie back in (won’t play back to backs for a while):
Griffith/Marjala/Hutson
Pitlick/Samanski/Jarvenite
Petrov/Hamblin/Pitlick
Clatternburg/Copponi/Damao
Dineen/Lepannen
Stilman/Brown
Prokop/Carfagna
Ingram
Odds the Kid strikes out 8 of the first 9 batters he faces. We need the baseball Gods to help us manufacture a few runs against the unhittable Snell.
Trey has been just Yesaverage so far tonight.
Flewharty comes in and pitch’s well! Dominates gets Ohtani out.
He battled hard and the team fed off of it. He didn’t let it get out of hand when he couldn’t get the slider over.
Friday:
6pm Blue Jays
8pm Condors (small screen, switch to big after Jays game)
Saturday:
6pm: Blue Jays (switch to 2nd screen when Oilers start)
8pm: Oilers (big screen)
8pm: Condors (third screen, switch to 2nd when Blue Jays over)
Saturday
8pm: Oilers
Full morning/afternoons to work
Going to be a great weekend.
If your able to give updates in your rapid fire continuous style on the Condors game it’ll be much appreciated.
Tonight should be fine – easy to watch while also watching every pitch of the Jays.
Tomorrow the Condors game is at the exact same time as the Oilers game (and the Jays game will still be on for the first period) – that will be tougher in real time. Rewind is good on the platform though.
It’s a dream scenario.
An interesting bit of trivia from Friedman’s latest 32 thoughts:
25. Per Sportsnet Stats, no player in the cap era has signed for more salary than Jack Eichel, who is approaching $200M.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/32-thoughts-flames-in-danger-zone-as-season-begins-to-slip-away/
Agent Pat Brisson.
If Dustin Wolf keeps getting hung out to dry and shelled,
Do we just give all our draft picks to Calgary for him?
Calgary has a problem. Pretty soon they’ll realize that they actually need to tank. But a good goalie is the biggest obstacle to tanking.
The rebuild phase means getting a D corps, then forwards, then goaltending. Calgary’s good fortune at Wolf getting great is actually a misfortune for the rebuild they really need.
Wolf is so young he will be around for the long term so building from the goaltender out is a good solution.
They’ve got a good start on rebuilding their D with Zayne Parekh and Hunter Brzustewicz already in the system.
It’s inevitable they’ll trade Rasmus Andersson by the deadline and could get a first round pick for him.
Also Nazem Kadri’s NMC clause has shifted to a 13 team no trade list and he might fetch another first rounder since Cs are so hard to find and his $7 million cap hit is very digestible for another 3 seasons.
If both those happen, Calgary would end up with 4 first round picks and a total of 10 picks in what is expected to be a very strong draft.
If you’re trying to pump the Flames future by promoting a couple of undersized D, you fully understand the limitation of their talent pool.
Even if one turns out to be the second coming of Lane Hutson, who is a fine player, they’re still tragically short at centre and D. It won’t get fixed in a year.
Calgary is the new Buffalo, circa 2013.
No one suggested it will be fixed in a year.
As for your other assertons:
C
Cole Reschney – 1st round 2025 – UND
Cullen Potter – 1st round 2025 – U of Arizona
Theo Stockselius – 2nd round 2025 – Djurgarden
D
Henry Mews – 3rd round 2024 – U of Michigan – 15G 82P OHL
W
Matvei Gridin – 1st round 2024 – 4 NHL games
Jacob Battaglia – 2nd round 2024 – Kingston OHL – 40 goals and 90 points last season
Still lots of work to do but they have the draft capital and trade assets to accelerate the rebuild.
All it takes is 1 bust like Jesse to derail your team plans.
If Parekh busts that prospect pool is in the bottom 1/3 of the league.
10. Calgary Flames (2024: 15th)
Key Prospects: Zayne Parekh, Cole Reschny, Hunter Brzustewicz
The Flames might not have much going for them in the NHL, but there are some nice pieces coming along throughout the deep pipeline.
There’s a high likelihood that defenseman Zayne Parekh will be in the NHL to start the season, with many believing he’ll stick around for the majority of the year.
The Flames have a ton of depth at center now, using their two recent first-rounders to bet on middlemen with skill to burn.
Cole Reschny is one of the best playmakers outside of the NHL today, while Cullen Potter didn’t let a smaller frame slow him down in college.
It’s a good pool, even after promoting Dustin Wolf and Matt Coronato to the show.
https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/ranking-every-nhl-teams-2025-26-prospect-pool-from-1-32
With at least two first round picks in 2026 they should move up in the prospect pool rankings.
Honzek has a high likelihood of not meeting his draft expectations. Hunter is likely a 3rd pairing 2nd pp guy. Maybe a #4 ceiling.
Other than Zayne, it really is very unimpressive for where the team is
Spillies’ hapless flames…
How magnanimous of you to include the link to the text you’re quoting.
They have one blue chipper. Hunter Brzustewicz is definitely not close to being one. And some older guys that will probably want out.
But I doubt they trade Wolf. If I’m shopping for a goaler Nashville probably realizes how badly their re-tool was mismanaged and I could see Saros shaking loose
Aggh, yes, the annual posts about how every other team is set up to be build a champion in short order or about to shoot up the standings based on strength of schedule.
You have been hyping up Calgary every year now for as long as I can remember now.
And every year it’s hilarious seeing you act like you know what they can do to turn things around.
They don’t know whether to shit or get off the pot. I love seeing Hrudey and Buttons who took so much joy rubbing it in when we were losing squirm now that the shoes on the other foot.
As has been posted, they are splitting the lines up, with combos as noted how they ended the game
These were those lines 5v5 by %xGF, with ~ 4 min per line:
-RNH-Henrique-Roslovic 62% (0-1 actual)
-Howard-McDavid-Mangiapane 58.5% (1-1 actual)
-Savoie-Draisaitl-Podkolzin 24% (1-1)
-Frederic-Philp-Tomasek played 2mins together with an xGF% 1.7 (0-0)
I guess they are banking on Draisaitl’s line getting better together towards the end?
(Moneypuck listed Henrique as C with RNH, was that the case?)
Problem is all the line sample sizes are so small, but also of note
-RNH-Drai-Roslovic are 2-1 goals and xGF% 52.9 in 14.1 mins
-Kap-Fred-Podkolzin are 1-0 goals and xGF% 47.4 in 18.1 mins
-Frederic-Philp-Savoie are 0-1 goals and xGF% 60 in 10 mins
These numbers could also lend themselves to this
-Howard-McDavid-Mangiapane xGF 58.5
-RNH-Drai-Roslovic xGF 52.9
-Tomasek-Henrique-Podkolzin N/A
-Frederic-Philp-Savoie xGF 60
The big qualm with this would be Podkolzin/Savoie moved down
Henrique was on the boards when paired with Nuge last night.
man. I’m sure this is reflected in the comments below (haven’t checked), but every line of this post made me chuckle. It’s the funnies, but also the W I think that lets me laugh.
The Oilers need to learn patience in their attack, as MacT pointed to. Sure it’s fun to play video game hockey, or shinny, or whatever you want to call it, but it doesn’t work except for the odd nice play
Stay on the right side of the puck, keep breaking up plays and getting the puck back, and manage it well up the ice and in the O zone. If they keep doing that they will frustrate the other team and the talent will get them over
They will probably score more, as coaches always say, because things will have more structure which makes it easier for most players to do well, and there is still room to riff when breakdowns happen. Probably draw more penalties as well
Yup. No Oilers teams has understood that since CFP bolted for green pastures.
Well. Maybe the inaugural Knoblach Oilers, but the non-championship seems to have erased faith in that style of play as an answer.
I don’t think Garlic has found the sweet spot. Too sloggy will not keep this groups interest for long. How the panthers play doesn’t look boring, but it does involve that work of fighting for every puck all of the time. But the breakdowns it causes are the fun part
Ugly game. And it’s really too bad that Nurse cannot be traded until summer 2027 (as far as I know that’s when his NMC becomes a modified NMC). And Frederic needs to get going. And McDavid and Draisaitl with 22+ minutes again.
I said years ago we should try Nurse at forward, and it was heartening to see some comments today and yesterday saying the same thing. Proposal…
Nurse-McDavid-Savoie
Howard-Drai-Podkolzin
Frederic-RNH-Roslovic
Mangiapane-Philp-Tomasek
Ekholm-Emberson (Bouchard)
Walman-Stecher
Kulak-Regula
Rationale:
Split up McDrai. Hopefully this causes the coach to start playing them fewer minutes so they’re not worn down by the time playoffs come.Try Nurse at forward. Put him with McDavid so McDavid has one larger player to play with (since Frederic didn’t show much with McDavid and Drai)Put Frederic with RNH, since RNH is quietly the best Oiler so far this season – we need to get Frederic going before he becomes a total boat-anchor for 8 years.Put Drai and Pod back together!Give Savoie and Howard a chance to play with McDavid and Drai, so they can learn how to thrive in the NHL before playoffs (and tolerate occasional rookie moves)Keep Philp in the lineup and as a centre.I moved Mangiapane down to the 4th line but am willing to swap him with Nurse if Nurse doesn’t figure things out fast. If it takes Nurse playing 4th line minutes to wake up, fine.Adjust blue-line for Nurse’s absence. Sit Bouchard as-needed until *he* wakes up. Many talked about pairing Emberson with Ekholm last year and I still hold out hope it could work for a few games until Bouchard comes back and Emberson can be moved down the lineup.Long-term signing of Frederic, extension for coach K, and trade for Roslovic are not looking good to my eye. These sorts of errors are the reason I imagine McDavid re-signed for only 2 years instead of getting locked in for a full 8. GM better have a strong trade deadline!
Roslovic signed as a free agent. No assets were given up. Could easily be put on waivers if club chooses. He obviously has skills but not making a difference so far.
He can’t be put on waivers. He has a NMC until Nov 1, then it becomes a modified NTC with a 4-team trade list.
As odd as it sounds, even with the transition to modified NTC, his NMC continues restricted waiver assignment.
I know he missed training camp but he needs to roof a few to justify his minutes.
Carfagna in the lineup (yay) and Ingram starts.
Go Condors!
The Girl From Ipanema is an awesome tune!! When I was at MacEwan in the Percussion Jazz Performance program we did it as a bossa nova, it was fun to play. A great song that can be played many ways!
Hey I was a Mac’er too. Go Griffins!
I see I commented too soon, before reading, and the gist of my post had already been covered. M’bad.
I watch Howard’s old teammates Cooley-Nazar-Hutson-Gauthier-Leonard-Smith-Snuggerud and the list goes on all be given ice-time with sucess. It’s obvious too me Howard after 8 games can handle the pace. it’s time for K.K to quit listening to the Bakersfield Marination Cult and play Howard with skill as this kid is ready to pop.
Keep up – he finished last night with McDavid, coach said last night they will start how they finished and he practiced with McDavid today.
I know I want this Kid to crush it and wakey the boys up. I would have to think it’s so deflating losing the final physically and mentally. Maybe this Kid can add little juice to Leon and Connor who both know the Olympic’s are going to be so draining to finish out the regular season. The Kid has 74 games to snipe 19 more Goals let’s start with multiple goals this Weekend
19 more? You cited anything less than 30 as a failure…..
Call Derek Ryan, ask him what is going on.
— Jays in 6! Going to be electric at Skydome. Can’t wait. Never been to a World Series
I was at the Skydome the night they won in ’93. Was cool!
Awesome my best was game 7 against the Flyers.
Good comments regarding Fredrick, Nurse and Bouchard… what is common to all 3…. Big fat juicy contracts beyond their perspective abilities ….when players are hungry and play hard in order to win big contract we see the effort and personal drive… now each of these players are set for life … I do believe they all want to win but the drive and focus to details seem to have headed south
I wish Clattenburg was a few years older. This team needs a spark plug at times as they methodically go through the motions of regular season.
Older and further developed one hopes. And recipient of an unlikely level up beyond his draft pedigree. I mean, Mitch Moroz was never gonna be Mac T or KLowe’s “new sheriff” (whichever of them said that).
Clattenburg can Skate and he wasn’t the Captain of a OHL team for no reason. Some posters think leadership means dick but I’ll take a player with heart any day. This Kid will have a meaningful NHL career. Booook in……..
Buchberger has been thrown out there as a common comp and I certainly don’t hate it.
Bouchard’s contract is right in line with his established abilities.
Bouchard has not been good at all to start the season – he was also not good to start last season or the season prior or the season prior.
If he’s proven anything over the last few years, its that he’ll get better as the season goes on and in to the playoffs.
Not excusing his poor play/poor start but I don’t have any concern that his higher end game won’t come out, it always does.
I have to laugh at all the whining from the Montreal side about the refs. It happens to Edmonton so often they don’t even acknowledge it anymore. Complaining about the refs is for losers. Right?
The call on Anderson sounded like a Ref with a touchy feely side to him. We never seem to get this lopsided PP against any pan handle teams.
You realize there are no hockey teams in the panhandle!
Florida and Texas say hi.
Quite frankly I’m glad the refs did it early in the season in a very visible way … NHL players are starting to whine way too much about calls … it starts with the penalized player on the ice, and continues into the penalty box, and then continues to the penalized team’s bench, where the coach will continue playing to the crowd.
One thing that I really like about KK is doesn’t perform the same histrionics that other NHL coaches do.
Being a ref in the faster league in world is a tough job. Message sent to players and coaches … don’t show the refs up.
Once you take the emotion out of the game you might as well go with AI. If a Ref makes a lousy call he should hear about it. Why should his job be any different then the rest of us?
AI is the only thing that makes sense, overseen by biologicals. Maybe when Gary taps out, but I’m sure his chosen successor won’t rock the leaky boat
Do you actually believe it was luck we landed McDavid with a new rink coming? The busting of the NBA players cheating in plain sight is just the tip of the iceberg. Wait till they dig into the National Felons League.
“One thing that I really like about KK is doesn’t perform the same histrionics that other NHL coaches do.”
I believe if KK had done a better job about complaining about the refs (gamesmanship?) and setting the tone for the series, the Oilers wouldn’t have been reffed so poorly in the final couple of games in the Florida series. The Florida coach complained and whined and then started getting the calls (and non-calls) he wanted.
Maurice played the Refs in the final like a fiddle. The calls were even with the Panthers brutes getting away with 80% of the fouls while Kane was targeted.
If a player sarcastically tapping his stick and staring down a ref isn’t unsportsmanlike conduct, what is? Maybe it’s cuz I’m getting old, but I’d like to see it more. Make these professional athletes act like the role models they are supposed to be. Grown men should be able to control their frustration. At least the ones on the ice, I’m going to continue to yell at the TV in the comfort of my own home.
Yeah it’s def a Can on Can thing. Never a sunbelt vs EDM thing.
I think the Habs fans and media have a case…….
Fans of every team, every game have a case. Just the Oilers turn to be on right side for once.
It’s happened to the Oilers more often than I care to consider. So cry me a river.
I’m not crying anyone a river. I’m not apologizing for being on the “right side” of shitty officiating last night – just noting that the Habs fans have a reason to bitch and complain – we certainly would as a fanbase if it was opposite.
I’m also glad they called the penalties for a few other reasons:
The more baseball I watch, the more I realize how the subjectivity of reffing combined with the potential impact of penalties in the NHL prob make the game less appealing to the wider audience, and how it’s just not as enjoyable for me anymore either. It’s a brawl out there where everyone knows what’s allowed, but no one knows what’s going to get called. You have the talented players trying to make poetry and the scrubs trying to stop them within and outside the rules. I’m really appreciating the baseball, there’s a predictability & civility that’s missing from NHL hockey.
I must be in the minority, but Anderson 100% deserved that unsportsmanlike. Skating towards and staring a ref down while tapping your stick is across the line. Unnecessary showmanship with no possible benefit to the team.
As for other calls, meh. Every team gets hosed at some point. The Oilers are more frequently on the negative side of the ledger. Loser mentality to spend time complaining about it.
If that happened to us we would be flipping out. I don’t watch Hockey for the Refs maybe his family member had the Over.
First, I’m not really sure that I would be flipping out. It was blatant disrespect to the ref. Second, we are fans, not handsomely paid professional athletes and coaches. It’s reasonable to expect them to adhere to a level of professionalism. In response to your comment above, my job does not involve me getting screamed at by anyone when I make a mistake. I don’t think that’s uncommon in a professional environment.
Maybe time to try
Ek/ Bouch
Kulak/Walman
Nurse/Emberson or Regula
Perhaps send a message? You could also drop Bouch down to 2 nd pair and move Walman up to play with Ek. Walman to PP1. At some point there has to be consequences for the incredibly poor play of Bouch and Nurse.
Nurse & Regula looked really good together.
Yes they did for a big kid Regula seems to be made of glass.
clearly doesn’t know how to protect himself yet. A vet doesn’t tee themselves up for Kane the way Reg did.
You could here that Train a coming from the Blueline. It’s too bad he doesn’t have any Kassian in him. We need at least 1 D-Man that’s a little unstable. Bowman knows this but I think the Goalie problem is the number 1 agenda.
I keep wondering if the D struggles are due to a systems issue. Are the forwards not supporting breakouts? Is the D zone scheme allowing too much pressure on the D causing fumbles/hurries/mistakes that look like brain cramps? Is the lack of practice the last 2 weeks causing everyone to be playing a little loose?
I don’t have the video or coaching skills to break down what is going on, but I sure could use Meeker saying “hold it right there” to show me what the H is happening to have a good team looking so disconnected.
To me it looks like the Oilers d is constantly trying to slow things down on break outs instead of urgently and efficiently moving the puck up ice. Whether this is coached or there are just no quick up ice options, I’m not sure. Seems like opposing forwards can get on our defense quickly and cause turnovers because our guys are either holding on to it too long, not sensing the danger, or are constantly trying to reset behind the net. Just my opinion on what I see.
Yes with Coffey they pushed the puck up ice quicker.
Teams studied the tape in the off-season, studying the forwards positioning during breakouts when they got hot during the playoffs, and are taking it away.
Paris is a moveable feast. A pitcher needs more than one pitch.
The forwards have to adjust their positioning on breakouts. What worked last year does not work anymore.
That’s on the coaches. The forwards go where they are coached to go.
The forwards don’t support the breakout but I think that is a structural strategy as they seem to love to breakout via the two-zone stretch pass through at least one layer of defenders.
I don’t get it but it seems to be the structure.
This could be part of it. I often see that stretch pass to a forward that is standing still at the opposing blue line. Seems like a terrible strategy as the forward inevitably turns the puck over or is forced to dump it.
I think the premise has to do with backing off the first layer of defence but it doesn’t seem to be effective – its not new for this team though – its been a while to my pedestrian eye.
It is a way to break the neutral zone & offensive zone forecheck, but it can get predictable. I like when you have the forwards down low, outlet to either the middle or weak side D to activate up while in motion. I can’t see them doing that much, but I can’t figure out what the strategy is out of their zone(2-2-1, 2-1-2).
Do I need to start a daily “Darnell Nurse is a forward” campaign now?
Maybe Freddie can play defense?
Burns is still going strong at 40 years old. It would be interesting to turn Nurse loose as a forward. He would cause chaos with the big bodied smooth skating style he is blessed with.
The issue with the ‘sit Nurse and Bouch’ strategy is who do you elevate? Kulak is a good player because his is on the third pairing. Ember is just finding his footing again. Stecher is very average and his short comings well known.
We don’t have much choice at the moment – particularly with Regula’s injury. Maybe play Nurse and Bouch together – at least their minutes can be collectively managed? Sounds like a terrible idea but we have two d-pairs we can’t rely on/trust.
Ek-Walman
Nurse-Bouch
Kulak-Regula/Ember
Nah.
Didn’t see your post before I did mine. Along the same lines. The quote of “Doing the same things and expecting different results” comes to mind!
Yes! It is a terrible idea so bound to work!
My eight-year-old daughter would request The Girl From Ipenema as breakfast music. Maybe she was getting that “I’ve got it together and I’m ready for school” feeling?
Cal Pickard has a .722 win % this calendar year, including playoffs.
What would this team look like with Ilya Sorokin in net?
Or Saros.
Or Mr. Magoo.
I wonder what the plan is for Ingram? If he starts 15-20 before Christmas in Bakersfield and shows well do you bring him up in the New Year? Ingram strikes me as a solid netminder. I believe he’ll be better than Pickard on the long shots with front net presence and I definitely think he’s better than Skinner athletically side to side coverage. If Ingram can give us 910 save percentage where he doesn’t have to give us 3 shutouts in a row to get to the 910 mark will then be cooking with gasoline.
I would suggest they are going to to take it really slow with Ingram.
He’s played one game and figure he’ll play one of the two this weekend.
Condors finally start playing more often now but I think they will be very careful with him and he’ll play 50% of the games, max, for a while.
In addition, I think they are going to give him every bit of support that he needs in his continued battle with OCD and related struggles – its not a minor thing and its not a curable thing – its on onion battle and its will be part of the “hockey decision making” going forward I’m sure.
Maybe the best thing for him is Hockey. I have no idea but I do hope he crushes it in Bakersfield and forces his way up sooner rather than later.
Sorokin has been awful this year.
Pickard has also not been good this year and his traditional numbers (except for wins/losses) and his advanced numbers are near bottom of the league.
Stuart Skinner, on the other hand, is around top 15-20 this season.
Historically, putting McDavid and Draisaitl together would spark the team, now, splitting them up mid game sparks the team…..
Suspect it’s more “and now for something completely different”
McDavid’s been that bad/not playing like himself.
It’s incredibly weird to watch.
Whatever works. One way or another.
coach isn’t sure if Regula would be ready for the weekend and said he wasn’t sure – he was meeting with the doc just before the game – he doesn’t know but he is very close.
With Kap on IR they can activate Regula without any deletion – until Hyman is ready.
But with KK’s record, Regula could be missing a leg and he’d say the same thing.
Factually correct!
Coach says at least another week if not two for Janmark. I took His verbal after the prior game of “not close” to mean longer than that. I mean “expected back next game” really means week to week…….
The coach is an optimist!
Kind of like his defensive slot coverage.
Prospectricity!
It’s a Full House Friday as all seven healthy NAmateurs are in action.
Lafreniere is riding a four-game goal streak.
Lewandowski is coming off a 1+1, 1st star performance.
Michigan (Park, Barnett) @ 5 p.m.
UMass-Lowell (Wakely) @ 5 p.m.
Notre Dame (Fischer) @ 5 p.m.
St. Thomas (Berry) @ 6 p.m.
Kamloops (Lafreniere) @ 8 p.m.
Saskatoon (Lewandowski) @ 8 p.m.
All times, at all times, are Federal time.
I think the coaching staff needs to take some responsibility here for this clubs performances of late. Bouchard has been horrendous this year as has Nurse. It seems they are not held accountable ever. Sit them down a few shifts for god Sakes. Bouchard especially. Maybe sit him. Game as Stetcher can come in and Walman can run the pp. He is more than Qualified.
Put the freakin blender away . It is getting old now . Maybe run some lines for several games together so they can actually gel. 8 games in and X games if you don’t know your players and what they can do, maybe you are in the wrong profession .
Montreal are fast and young and a lot of fun to watch. They remind me of the Oilers 6-7 years ago when they were young, hungry and fast.
Be nice to see the Oilers play a full 60 or close to it (like that Vancouver game) in these next 2 against Seattle and Vancouver.
Some questionable reffing as usual last night, Montreal fans were pissed. Oilers fans are used to it.
I agree. The amount of line shuffling of the forwards is ridiculous at this point. Other good teams don’t do this
To my eye, the Oilers looked great in the first two games against the Canucks and Flames. Then the wheels came of, they look terrible, and are lucky to have won as much as they have.
What changed? One big thing is the lines. With Roslovic added for game 3, they changed up all 4 lines and it has been a constant revolving door since. Not saying that is the sole reason but it sure seems like a reasonable thing that could be adding to how disjointed they look.
Coach singles out Howard for praise post-game. Loves the way his game is progressing, he’s figuring out in real time.
Confirmed they will start next game how they ended tonight.
I love this and definitely worth mentioning here. I hate to also be a cynic but it should not be noteworthy that a coach will stick with lines and stop the line blender – I think Coach K needs to learn to sit on his hands at times
Howard has a top 5 maybe top 3 shot on the team.
The kid seems to be a fast learner most of his teammates from that wonderful USA Devrlopment Team are hitting it out of the park. Unlike Howard they’ve been given a honest opportunity. K.K has had a threat to score playing on shit detail. Give this Kid a chance and he will score.
Howard’s career is 7 games into a season that is 8 games long – a little early for the “he hasn’t gotten any opportunity” no?
I loved Sather anytime he got a new player in a trade he would pump him immediately and see what he had. Howard’s been through the preseason and practices and now 7 games stapling him unjustly to the 4th line is zapping his scoring ability. If you didn’t see how he called for it from Leon then your not paying attention. This Kid is not a mucker or grinder he’s a goal scorer as well as skilled. How many Coaches have started the Hobey Baker skilled forward on the fourth line?
Aghhh, the bi-weekly reminiscing about what Glen Sather did 40 years ago……..
That’s right Sather orchestrated the greatest team ever. I have a feeling when you get old you’ll be talking about how Bowman quietly and precision like gathered 5 Cups himself between 2 franchises.
Has he gotten an opportunity?
Who is “hitting it out of the park”. Not Jimmy S. or Ryan Leonard. I mean they are doing just fine but their starts to the season would be a massive fail as it it relates to you pre-season requirements from Howard.
Very early days but both are on pace for 30 goal seasons.
And both have found regular spots on their teams’ third lines.
Lane Hutson-Cooley-Nazar there’s a list 10 deep of teammates of Howard’s off the National Development Team that I take tomorrow. What a odd comment for someone that knows Hockey.
Expecting Howard to perform the same as the 13th overall, let alone the 3rd overall, pick in the same draft year is unfair but feel free.
Check your messages because Hobey Baker has been trying to get a hold of you.
Come on man – be real here.
Logan Cooley was drafted 3rd. Issac Howard was drafted 32nd.
Then Coolely went straight to the NHL and scored 20G/44P as a teenager and Howard spend two more years in college. These are not comparable tiered players.
Good Grief.
By playing strong hockey? Scoring on every PP? Podz finding the net? I liked how they ended the night.
A short while ago I was excited that our D core would be one of the best in the league. I did not anticipate Bouch and Nurse going completely awol. Was expected Ekholm might be slow coming back. Walman has looked pretty good. Kulak has been OK while Emberson has struggled (did look better last night). Hard to fathom how bad Bouch and Nurse looked last night. This team will flounder until those two wake the f**k up!
They needed to steal a goal high scoring game maybe this will get the O going. If your going to give Savoie a look on the top line you might as well give Howard a go.
What’s the deal with Trent Frederic. I hadn’t followed his career before he came to Edmonton, though he made an impression the one game that he fought Cory Perry. The verbal and career stats show a player that should be a valuable middle six player that’s physical and can score a bit.
I didn’t like the trade last year as to me they wasted assets on an injured player that didn’t help them at all in the regular season. I could argue he didn’t help much in the playoffs either. He looked slow and out of sync, which was understandable for a player coming to a new team and likely coming back to soon from an ankle injury.
Fast forward to this season and after signing the long term extension and presumably training all summer, he doesn’t really look any better. Still slow, not physical, and not really making much of an impact out there. Still lots of time for him to settle in and show something but would sure be nice to see even a few glimpses soon.
No clue. He is a totally different player than with the Bruins. Until last year ( The whole year even before his injury) he was not playing like he had in the past several years. Maybe there or that was the reason Boston didn’t make a pitch to resign him and instead flipped him
He does have the skill set the Oilers really need. For what ever reason those traits that make him valuable have not shown up since the trade. Hopefully he will revert back to previous style of play or we will have another long term boat anchor contract!
He’s the exact sort of overrated plug that “hockey coach man” and “hockey scout man” get enamored with.
And franchises pay the price via ridiculous contracts.
Frederic does not look like an NHL player at this point and I thought the same of Howard and Tomasek. But with each passing game Frederic seems to look more out of place.
I think he resides in Management’s blindspot. Can he even recover and be the player LT was looking forward to seeing? At this point, IMO, he should be behind Jones on the Bakersfield roster.
Meanwhile, we missed out on useful, cheaper, bigger UFA Justin Brazeau, who was a favourite summer target of mine.
As of right now, ya, Frederic is earning a healthy scratch.
He is a play killer and isn’t adding any special teams, any physicality, etc., etc.
I am FAR from giving up on him through the term of his contract but it’s been a poor start.
Of course, we know that bad high ankle sprains can take a LONG time to fully recover from – we saw Drai being less than 100% the season after he played through his sprain in the playoffs. Not an “excuse” for Fred but potential reality of the current situation.
I want to cheer for him, seems like a great dude, but he’s not brining any value right now.
He can. He will.
Agreed on the recovery time for his ankle, we may not be seeing full speed Freddy until after Xmas.
I, like everyone else understandably, have been underwhelmed by his season to date to say the least, but am reserving full judgment until the new year.
Agreed that overall this was another lackluster performance by this team. Much of the game they just looked slow and disinterested. That being said, there is hope that the better play and luck in the last part of the game just might be what’s needed to kick start these guys.
I really hope so cause the games have been hard to watch so far and baseball is almost over.
Hat tip to Podz for his Malkin-esque game winner, and post game interview… what a game! Back to coffee and Restoralax…
That post game interview was fantastic and cutting onions worthy. Last that came close to my old memory was Maroon on the road in STL yrs ago.
Terrible game of hockey last night. Some guys look completely disinterested.
I’m surprised there wasn’t an arrest.
A good team wins ugly with a Goaltender that can make the last save.
That was an LT quote. It made me laugh.
Oilers did end up looking miles better when they put their best 4 centers at center, where wingers slot will be an endless debate but hopefully McDavid, Draisaitl, Nuge, Philp all centering their own lines is signed into law.
Feels like Coffey knew what he was doing with the rear guard.
Pickard won, again.. Don’t think he saved his job with that performance however.
Well, we like to load up the top line. And when it doesn’t work, we just need to keep trying it again. And again. And again. And again. Maybe it will work next time, right?
Seriously though, why don’t they stick to loading up 29 and 97 after Pk, TV time out, and selective icings?
We load them up during the PK now, big brain activities lol
When a career back-up at best Wins all the time for you what does it say about the other guy?
I’ve been disappointed with the Skinner development but he has been pretty good this season, the Calgary game was absolutely horrendous.
Watching is technique, attention to detail, being dialed in.. Has been light years better since that 1st game. He’s had a couple of gaffs but I’d be comfortable with him as 1B. I’d like to see a Saros or Soroykin as 1A however.
We can’t afford to have a back-up making the kind of money Skinner will want going forward. As for this year Ingram needs to be test driven if he shows we’ll sign him to a 2 year deal on the cheap. If Ingram flops Bowman will have to make a tough decision as a traded Goalie excluding Rollie rarely make a big splash for their new team when coming over at the deadline. It’ll probably be Pickard going down when Ingram comes up which will sad to see.
I’m comfortable with Skinner as 1B, never said I’d want to pay much for that service.
I’m manifesting a 1A coming to town with a Doug Weight winner and a group hug at center ice at the end of the 1st game for the new 1A.
Both Skinner & Pickard are 1B’s. Somehow it seems to work.
Do you see any rings on their fingers?
Perhaps:
1) Look at the context of those wins – 3rd easiest defensive environment last season (middle of the pack for Skinner) – per Woodley
2) Look at how the other guys has played this season.
Pickard’s numbers this season are bottom of the league, Skinner is top 20.
Yes we all now Skinner is average at best. Even though he’s a good ol’ hometown boy I believe Bowman is striving for something better then average
Yes, you may right, Skinner may be average at best but I am also confident in my opinion that he’s a better option for 1A than Pickard.
Does that mean the GM shouldn’t look for “better”? Of course not but, at the same time, its unlikely this team is look to use cap resources and assets for a legit external upgrade on goalie in-season unless the current tandem (plus Ingram) fall apart.
Ingram may be an option this season. He has the legit ability to get just as good, perhaps better, than Skinner.
At the same time, per my previously post, I am highly confident the org is going to be looking to do right by Ingram and ensure he’s treated with what he needs with the support he needs, personally and on the ice.
Maybe the can include the NHL in next few months, perhaps after the turn of the calendar year, perhaps not this year, I don’t know. I have heard he has ALL the supports necessary in place in Bako right now.
How long until we see Connor Ingram? I’d reckon, before 2026 for sure.
Who knows. I would expect they play Ingram a lot . They have six games in the next 10 days , all back to back games so for sure he will get 3 but hopefully they play him at least 1 back to back.
It will probably take an injury to one of Skinner or Pickard.
Holland is gone.
I would suggest a LONG time.
He’s played one game and figure he’ll play one of the two this weekend.
Condors finally start playing more often now but I think they will be very careful with him and he’ll play 50% of the games, max, for a while.
In addition, I think they are going to give him every bit of support that he needs in his continued battle with OCD and related struggles – its not a minor thing and its not a curable thing – its on onion battle and its will be part of the “hockey decision making” going forward I’m sure.