I love the new threads Edmonton Oilers players rolled out last night. They look like a cooler version of the New York Rangers classics, and my goodness it is a change from the trad look. Impressive.
The team played well, especially after the first period. Darnell Nurse appears to be caught in a tragedy and last night was unbearable. He must be ill. If that first period is what Nurse can bring, the team can’t play him.
Stuart Skinner stopped 20 of 23, including all four HDSC’s (according to NST). He looked poor on one of the early goals, recovered and made some great saves later on. Meanwhile Calvin Pickard is struggling and Connor Ingram looks like he’s miles from ready in the AHL.
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
- On the road to: Seattle, Vancouver (1-1) Actual 0-1-1
- At home to: Mammaoth, Rangers (1-0-1) Actual 1-0-0
- Expected Record: 7-3-2, 16 points in 12 games
- Actual Record: 5-4-2, 12 points in 11 games
A win against the Rangers to close out the month would have the Oilers close to my predicted won-loss record for October. There were some bad times in there, but for me there are encouraging signs on this roster.
Nuge-McDavid-Mangiapane played 13:01, 5-5 shots, 1-0 goals and 53 percent expected goals. They were 3-1 on the HDSC, McDavid scored a five-on-five goal (music!) and this trio has legit smarts and skill. They do not have a rugged edge, so if they’re successful what does that tell us? For me, the song remains the same: PLAY rugged forwards if they can contribute to the offence and outscoring. Having a big winger for the sake of it is hockey’s version of empty calories.
Podkolzin-Draisaitl-Roslovic played 12:28 and went 2-0 goals, 8-3 shots and 67 percent expected goals. Leon had a five-on-five goal and a power-play assist, and I’m liking this line. Roslovic is eating Matt Savoie’s lunch, but there’s some wobble without the puck so not sure the veteran will keep the job. Meanwhile, Podkolzin proves you can have a rugged winger on a high-end skill line. I’m encouraged by his overall game.
Ike Howard didn’t play that much with anyone (David Tomasek aside) but scored another one of those goals from the slot where the puck comes off his stick in a single heartbeat. He has two of those now and I think he’ll get some more playing time as the year continues.
Frederic-Henrique-Savoie played 7:58, 1-1 goals, 2-4 shots and a 46 percent expected goal share. Frederic had a HDSC, but the best story here is Henrique, who had two five-on-five assists and was making smart plays all over the ice. He began the season slowly, but is coming on now. Man the Oilers need him. Savoie isn’t impacting the game like he should, sorry to say. I remember when folks were telling me Howard wasn’t close to Savoie in terms of being NHL-ready, wonder how many of those individuals are having their minds change. Early days, but we should always let players show us what they are.
Ekholm-Bouchard were 10:10, 1-0 goals, 5-3 shots and 62 percent expected goals. I doubt they would have played together at all, but Nurse was struggling badly. Ekholm scored a goal and an assist at five-on-five, Bouchard had three assists, two at five-on-five. I feel this pairing holds the key to the Oilers season and postseason.
Kulak-Emberson played 10:07, 4-2 shots, 47 percent expected goals. Emberson scored, he seems to be taking a step forward.
- Nurse-Walman 6:07, 4-1 shots, 1-1 goals, 96 pct expected goals
- Ekholm-Walman, 4:22, 0-3 shots, 27 pct expected goals
- Nurse-Stecher 4:22, 0-4 shots, 0-1 goals, 13 pct expected goals
- Nurse-Bouchard 3:34, 0-1 shots, nothing expected
- Kulak-Walman 3:33, 1-0 shots and 66 pct expected goals
I remain a believer in the entire group of defencemen, but the wobble this season for Nurse and Bouchard has been difficult to endure. Bouchard is 5-9 goals at five-on-five, that’s out of time with his career. Nurse is 5-7, that’s also lower than one would reasonably expect. Early days. For the record, over the three seasons previous to this one, Bouchard is 56 percent and Nurse was 52 percent goal share five-on-five.
CONDORS
The veterans are moving up the scoring list, led by AHL-only deals Rem Pitlick and Seth Griffith. Along with AHL veterans signed to NHL contracts like James Hamblin, the look of this team has been changing in recent games. You’d like to see some of the youths move up, I’d say Quinn Hutson, and Roby Jarventie are the only prospect forwards getting the full throttle in playing time.
We finally have some good news from the defense. Damien Carfagna is playing a feature role at evens, with Luke Prokop as his partner. The veterans on the team (Josh Brown, Cam Dineen, Riley Stillman) have been challenged by the speed of their opposition. They play some of the toughest minutes, and are not winning. Colin Chaulk might have to fade Atro Leppanen who is absolutely not a gift on the defensive side of the puck.
The Condors are not getting great goaltending, but Connor Ingram is really just in preseason now so he’s innocent (with an explanation).
On the Lowdown today, it’s the roundtable with Declan Krueger, Donovan Paulson, Josh Fenwick and Sam Willness. The radio version of Reservoir Dogs, the lot of them. It’s like being in a radio booth with Al Capone! Our feature guest will be Kevin McCurdy and we’ll talk Oilers, Jays and more. Sports 1440 and You Tube.
Evan Bouchard, the Edmonton Oilers and a history of puck moving defencemen
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6756964/2025/10/29/evan-bouchard-edmonton-oilers-stats-history-defencemen/
How can one write an article on offensively inclined defensemen on the Edmonton Oilers without mentioning Reijo Ruotsalainen? A critical piece for two Stanley Cups.
Summarizing!
Soup was not to be had for either Lewandowski or Lafreniere, despite a game-high 6 SOG for the former.
Prospecting takes a break until Freya’s Day.
@barstoolsports
Brad Marchand is taking a leave from the Panthers to spend time in Halifax helping out a friend whose 10 year old daughter died of cancer
He’s coaching a U18 team tonight in his friend’s place
All-Time Human Being
(click for video)
It is very kind.
It is also a luxury that their team can afford after he helped them to a second cup, and is umpteen years old and can use the rest
I’m disappointed to hear that Chaulk is not playing the kids again
Jays win!
27 more outs!
Saw that the Dodgers players are wearing a shoulder patch that says “Fernando 34”. I guess they love Pisani almost as much as we do.
(Yes, I know it’s for Valenzuela.)
Yesavage on fire thru 2 with 4 SO’s! Wow!
There’s a new Sheriff in Canada and his name is Yesavage.
What a great performance by the rookie to get the win and break records! Just Wow!!!!
This team with the Average Joe’s are in the zone and are destined to win. We have Gausmsn-Scherzer-Bassitt these 3 can smell the Dodger blood.
I think Savoie has played excellent hockey without putting up any real counting stats. He seems to be around the puck often (in good position), makes smart plays along the boards (buys himself time) and has been solid on the PK. I think he will always be shy of top line numbers on this team (who isn’t with 97-29-93 in the lineup) but he is going to be a very solid middle 6 player who has a high hockey IQ. Howard on the other hand is going to find a spot in the top 6 as a scorer. I like both bets and over the course of the season these two are going to establish themselves.
Early lead now batten down the hatches for 27 outs.
Back to backs so Keppen in for Jarventie and Tompkins starts.
Go Condors.
OP easy night for you. You only have to watch two screens!
Agreed.
I would still like the Jays to blow this open so I can turn the sound up on the Condors game a pay a bit more attention.
I am looking forward to only the Oiler game tomorrow – its been a while since I could just relax and focus on the TV.
Hyman’s return delayed.
https://dailyhive.com/edmonton/oilers-updated-timeline-zach-hyman-return
Old news. Stauffer said last night it was looking more like mid-November.
I like the quote from Hyms saying that the doctors keep the players from rushing back.
I still go back to players like Souray claiming they were pressured back into play. I don’t necessarily believe all of the stories (no one told Sheldon to try to exact retribution on Iggy in his first game back from injury, BTW), but I do believe that ever since McDavid broke bones and tore things, there has been a clear and obvious effort by the team’s medical staff to both err on side of caution while respecting player decisions. That’s what a medical team should do, it should be player/patient-centered, guided by expertise
Yes.
I can tell you that Souray’s grievance with Lowe was justified.
Long term health of players is much more important than a couple of potential points in the standings both from a personal responsibility and team building perspective.
They needed a healthy Souray with his 25 goals and epic scraps. Slew-foot Iginla cost the Oilers organization years of grief.
Last 3 years we have seen an increase in Reg ssn goal,production.
so looked at last 30 years of Final 4 series GAA winners 4W:
1 3.3% 2.75 gaa
3 10% 2.00
6 20%, 1.75
6 20% 1.50
10 33.3% 1.25
3 10% 1.00
1 .75 gaa
which avg 1.48 gaa & 2/3 1.50 (6) to .75 (3) in 4 wins.
last 3 yrs 1 2.00; 3 1.75; 1 1.50; 4 1.25. Avg 1.47
Knightowns list is fairly accurate:
Broberg #3 Ev Def D 24/25 (find +ve Evga vs 1.47 xAvg river theory 07/08) Part c. Final 4 roster theory.
Mcleod part D top30 +ve Perf vs PKGA xAvg (HD SH area age 4 68/69 Flin flon bombers) & Top 30 Open SH targeting (High SH%) fwd.
we can only afford 1 Dman abandoning their Def side (River theory 07/08) & we have 2. Bouchard has the ability to pass the puck (Sakic wrist sH 80s) into hole planes of Net elevation.
One positive from all this lineup consternation is it’s the decisions of the roster being questioned rather than the quality.
This aint your grandpapis Oil. *shakes stick at Iiro Pakarinen
HH said:
“Not what the math says.
Moneypuck has the Mammoth with an 81.4% chance of making the playoffs…the Oilers 77.7”
Moneypuck now has the Oilers at 83.3% chance to make the playoffs and the Mammoth 79.8%.
Small sample sizes are stupid.
Something possesses HH, and walks him around on a leash trying to get all of us to react. HH seems ok with this, somehow.
Imagine having so little of a life that you spend all your time trolling another teams fan website. And then when you get blocked you feel the need to create another user name.
There’s a big world outside of your basement HH, you should check it out.
I don’t mind it at all. Like KK lying to OP, I take joy in seeing someone be that wrong that often and still get off the mat like it never happened.
I’ve seen many with that brazen level of ignorance make it much higher up the ladder than the practical folks so maybe there’s a lesson there.
lol
I don’t get so bothered either and to be fair, are there any other platforms with other teams that have the dialogue that Mr Lowetide has created here? I’d be surprised.
Yes they are.
But I was responding to a poster who claimed that Utah was doomed to failure when the evidence does not support that.
The Mammoth have played 7 games on the road and only 4 at home where they are unbeaten.
They remain tied for 1st place in the WC, have outscored all teams except Colorado and have a solid +10 goal differential.
Sure, they might collapse but their young lineup is much more likely to improve as the season wears on rather than crater.
We’ll see.
Some of Ike’s teammates are hitting it out of the park Cooley 8 goal Snuggerud looks good and the list goes on and on. I don’t know who orchestrated that team but he did a wonderful jump of speed and finish. I ask you a honest question who the hell has a nickname of the Icemsn if he can’t score. Do you think Howard will bust out before game 20?
“doomed to failure” You’re a funny dude.
Context is important.
Anyway, I told you they didn’t have enough and they were soundly beaten.
Jays really need this one badly with the machine Yamamoto starting Friday. Need to get to Snell early and hang on for dear life.
I agree with this line of thinking but also.. counting the Jays out in any scenario has proven a fools errand this postseason. Their resilience is their secret weapon. Love love cheering for this team!
I’ll always be a Expos diehard what a team Valentine-Cromartie-Raines-Parrish-Spier-Dawson-Leflore-Rogers-Perez—Readon-Sanderson-Gullickson-Bill Spaceman Lee-Fryman. I still remember that awful feeling I felt when Blue Monday hit the home run and then in the bottom of the inning we had 1st and 2nd with a chance to tie it up. Same feeling as when Steve Smith scored on himself. Anyhow I loved the 1992 Jays especially Roberto Alomar he was one of my all-time favorites next to The Kid Gary Carter. Jays stun the baseball world winning 3-1 with Yesavage going 6 and 2/3 Go Jays Go
Up 3-1 in the 5th right now. Prediction is looking alright so far.
I’m getting jacked up if the Jays win 3-1 I’ll be able to eat at the same restaurant as OP.
Hyman won’t play on Sat.
At least one more week says coach.
At least a week after Nov 1.
Week to week.
I am not expecting him in November.
Personally, I’d be fine if he didn’t come back until like February.
Played 1/4 or 2/5 of the season, get his game in order and be who he can be in the playoffs.
Oilers should make the playoffs easily without him.
Of course, I’d love to have him back but I’m not going to fret about any of this.
I think he takes great joy in lying to you.
What year…….
That’s a good sign sounds like he hasn’t hit any obstacles in recovery.
I never expected him until after the new year. I’m sure he chomping at the bit to come back to get on Canadas Olympic team but I hope he takes his time
I love the cream colour on the jerseys. The retro font on the front is a nice touch.
I normally hate square shoulder yokes (New Jersey’s have bothered me for 30 years), but somehow these ones manage to look OK.
All in all, B+/A- on the jerseys.
The uniforms are decent – pleased they aren’t bad. The placement and proportions of colours throughout are nice. Good distribution, or “spread”, if we’re talking about a Bill Burr bit.
The cream is a good variation on the colours while keeping along the traditional line.
The logo, could be better. It’s not a logo; it’s a word mark, and those are the least creative, and most boring way to go. I avoid the word “lazy” because that’s 5% meaner than I want to be. The font, which I might call “corporate euro flourish”(??) has nothing to do with the team identity and seems to suit a pop up sports gambling kiosk or maybe the wrapper of a new pizza bun company.
If you’re going to design a whole new uniform, always better to try something new than change the thickness of the stripes on the old unis or suchlike. So at least they did that. Crest notwithstanding, the way everything scans as a whole redeems it somewhat. 7/10
What is it about Philp that this coach seems to discount? Why he isn’t playing is a mystery to me… he contributes in many ways, not the least of which is producing offensively. If I was him, I might be thinking, I just want to play, so if you’re not going to play me, trade me.
Yes I think KK is realistically a part of the problem in keeping some of the younger guys happy. Philp has every right to be confused about his deployment or lack there of. He has been the most consistent performer amongst forwards and the first to come out?!
I said the other day and will repeat.
Nurse refusing the trade goes onto the small pile of critical “moments” in this teams history that MAY cost this team Cups. Some single moments, some domino effects.
1. Jack Campbell signing
2. Great speed-bleed of 2024; loss of Holloway, Broberg, McLeod, Foegele, Kane injury.
3. Unwillingness and now inability to move Nurse. Unplayable in a couple of playoff runs and crushing Cap implications and no sign of a turn around.
The Hawks were able to get rid of Seth Jones retaining I believe 25%. This move by both teams worked out almost perfectly.
I don’t think that is another GM around the league that will rescue us like Holland rescued Chicago with the Keith trade.
Jones wanted out of a bottom feeder organization.
From all accounts, Nurse has no desire to move – taking away the team, Nurse and his wife being great friends with the players and their wives, they have also laid down roots and are raising a young family in Edmonton – presumably their kids have friends, etc.
Nurse contract was horrible the day it was signed and only gotten worse since. But he signed it and doesn’t want to waive it. If we don’t ere Chicago bad when jones was traded I’m sure he would but we’re not so he gets to stick around.
but a very small minority of us did not want to re-sign him as a #1D
Stetcher playing at all last night was ridiculous, he’s cooked imo.
Playing him more then Howard is awful, scratching Philp to play Stetcher is down right criminal.
Oilers won, dispite the coaching staff.
They need to make some decisions regarding D in the very near future. That’s why Stetcher was playing
Disagree, you’re not learning anything you don’t already know icing Stetcher for 10mins.
Kulak/Bouchard
Ekholm/Walman
Nurse/Emberson
That would give you far more in game information on what works then icing Stetcher for 10mins while scratching Philp.
What a brilliant call by the coaching staff going 11/7. We all knew that Nurse and Bouchard needed their minutes cut and/or the ability of the coaching staff to hold them accountable in-game but the challenge was that none of the other 4 were really kicking out the jams demanding more minutes.
Added bonus of never having to see that awful 53-86-22 line again as 97 or 29 or 19 was running shotgun with the rooks.
Woody couldn’t shit or get off the pot with Broberg. So Woody went 11-7 on a nightly basis like he was going to pull a fast one on the Hockey Gods of Coaching the last 100 years. 11-7 should only be used in a pinch not as a full-time strategy just ask Woody.
11-7 is just kicking the can down the road on making a decision on D. It’s ok for a few games but need to decide who stays and who goes soon
There’s no need whatsoever to ice 7 defenders in order to keep kicking the can down the ice road.
That way they can double shift the 2 Mules Leon and Connor. Why have Philp taking up space on the bench.
They can double shift McDavid and Leon any time they want to, even with 12 forwards.
I remain a fan of Skinner. Most of the time, I ignore the comments about how terrible someone thinks he is and how this team can’t/won’t win a Cup with him as their starter because my opinion is different, and I’m not likely to change the opinion of those who choose to be negatively vocal about him. However, I keep hope this audience is an open-minded sort, so, once in a while, I like to provide some context and perspective to goals that are scored on him. This is one of those instances.
In looking at the goals against last night, here is what I saw after watching many replays and pausing to go back a bit many times:
Dumb luck at bad times seems to dog this team and the goaltending a lot when the team play is soft and unfocused. So, should the Oilers bring in someone else? Maybe. (I’ll save the commentary around who may be able to make a difference and is available or has been previously available for another post). Should they pay more attention to the details in order to be the elite team they can be? Yes.
Overall, it seems it was another case of the Hockey Gords trying to teach the Oilers a lesson to pay attention to the details. This time it seems to have worked, so let’s hope the play of the majority of the 2nd and 3rd periods continues indefinitely.
If I could like this post 10 times I would. Thank-you for your time and analysis.
Thank you!
Goalie-hating and goalie/coach-second-guessing is likely an Oiler fan’s default setting (I am only speaking as a rookie fan, having only had to endure the anti-goalie vitriol for about three seasons). But given that Stuart Skinner is now the third-fastest Oilers goalie to 100 wins, I’m guessing Oilers goalies have been getting grief since the golden ages.
As someone who is very interested in the “voodoo” of goaltending, I’m more and more inclined to trust winning percentage as the most important goaltending stat. This is a “team sport.” It is also a struggle sport, made up of chaotic moments. The only constant seems to broken plays. Every player is constantly on the edge of failure in almost every player. Goalies where the goat horns because even knowing fans suffer recency bias, ie. the puck lying in the net behind the goalie who failed to stop it.
Im very much enjoying watching MLB for the first time this year (thanks to you, LT). Players don’t seem to “hate” each other. Pitchers are relieved (not “yanked” or “pulled”) with a ritual that acknowledges both the difficulty of the position, and the almost inevitable “failure” every game involves for even a successful pitcher. What if, when a goalie is relieved, the captain and all the players on the ice met him at the crease, and escorted him to the bench, with taps on the pads for services rendered, and appreciated? The position, we are so often told, depends on confidence and something “between the ears.” A team could, I think, make a difference by attending to this.
Again, thank you for an excellent analysis of those three goals against.
Ps. Goalies with at least seven games played to date (October 29, 2025), with lower SV% than Stuart Skinner. Please note that two of these were Vézina nominees last season.
Darcy Kuemper
Andrei Vasilevskiy
Karel Vejmelka
Filip Gustavsson
Dustin Wolf
Anthony Stolarz
Jeremy Swayman
llya Sorokin
Jordan Binnington
Linus Ullmark
At least a couple of these names kept showing up Oilers fan and pundit wish lists last year.
Goals 1&2 would of been sweet for a save but didn’t happen, team infront lays most of the blame.
Goal 3, Skinner was just as much at fault as the rest of the skaters on ice.
Skinner has been far better at being dialed in, keeping his positioning sound and solid since zombie walking through the Calgary game, imo the goalie coach seems to be helping with this.
Skinner is a 1B, I’d like to see the Oilers add a Saros or something similar but it will mostly likely involve Skinner going the other way.
Oilers can’t go into the post season with the current tandem, Pickard is down trending. I don’t think just replacing him is enough as Skinners back up, Skinner needs to be the back up, I can’t see the Oilers being able to add a starter without Skinner going the other way.
He was VERY solid in his first game but meh in each of the next two.
Last night, while he. made some solid stops, there were 3-4 meh goals and a couple of them looked like real rust.
Lots and lots and lots of runways here – there is a 2026 potential option.
He better get it together soon to justify playing time in front of prospects.
My goodness – perhaps you should think about the human element to this with Connor Ingram.
I have no idea what his story is but I come from the generation that did not bring there personal problems too work. There was other professional spots besides work for this kind of delicate subject matter. I know this sounds cold and callous but is it?
So you’re old and an asshole, essentially – right?
I hope no-one that relies on you for support ever has any personal struggles – geezus.
So you decided to tell the whole world that this man most of us don’t know has personal problems. Remember the Personal part and what that means. Because of his Personal problems that’s why he’s playing bad in your eyes. You can call me names all you want but your not gaslighting me.
“You can call me names all you want but your not gaslighting me.”
Gaslighting is also trying to tell people that their generation never brings their personal problems to work, despite many people like myself experiencing members of that generation doing that in every job, and frequently.
Too each is his own all I can do is voice a honest opinion of the industry I was in. If this offends you there’s save spaces for you to go and I mean that in a nice way.
To be clear your opinion is “leave your personal issues at home and do your job”….?
That’s not my opinion that’s the way it was. You want a paycheque from the man you do your job. We had families to support and yes we did have concern for co-workers going through tough times.
What does “the way it was” have to do with anything?
“Reality” Does that word ring a bell.
You’re the only one who seems offended, here.
You were even offended over the thought of Ingram needing time to adjust to his new situation.
What in the hell are you phishing for I’m here to talk about Hockey and sports in general.
I’m not phishing for anything Reja
“I have no idea what his story is but I come from the generation that did not bring there personal problems too work. There was other professional spots besides work for this kind of delicate subject matter. I know this sounds cold and callous but is it?”
Your post launched the convo away from hockey and sports and right into the arena of “generational differences in behavior”.
And some genuine advice, if you tell someone they may need a “safe space” I know you’re thinking it will “trigger” someone, but all it does is make people think you are someone who believes safe spaces are a thing.
If your that concerned and privileged start a go fund for Ingram. I want to see Ingram do well and get called up and lead us to a Cup because apparently Skinner can’t get the job done and Bowman knows it. I didn’t stir this conversation from performanced based go back and read the thread. I learned a long time ago when I was a Kid thst when 2 people are having a Adult conversation a nosy 3rd wheel is not necessary.
“ I learned a long time ago when I was a Kid thst when 2 people are having a Adult conversation a nosy 3rd wheel is not necessary.”
And as an adult you can learn that a public forum is not a conversation just between 2 people.
Thanks for the words of wisdom.
I didn’t tell anyone that he has personal problems, that information was disclosed publicly and you know – also, they are “mental health issues”, not personal problems, I mean unless you are trying to be an insensitive asshole.
I just happen to be in contact with some that are located in Bako and have some more information, which I have NEVER disclosed but simply stated how the org is treating him, and supporting him, on and off the ice.
Great games by Ekholm and Bouchard last night and Walman continues just be a solid plus 2nd pairing guy.
Bouchard is coming on – that’s two strong games in a row. The offensive plays are starting to come and the defensive/pinch blunders decreasing.
This is actually early for the Bouchard turnaround, if its real.
Two really poor plays by Nurse in the first, turnovers at each blue line. A bit unlucky on the 2nd with the official but he has all sorts of places he could have put that puck.
Maybe this year will be opposite from last where Nurse will be poor in the regular season but good in the playoffs?
First line looks good – Nuge is having a strong start to the season and McDavid has started to come back in the 3 of the last 6 periods. When Hyman is there, Mangiapane moves down and strengthens the bottoms six.
Really liking the building chemistry between Drai and Roslovic and I think this second line has some real staying power – Roslovic looks dynamic, he and Drai seem to work together and I don’t seen anything egregious in his play without the puck.
I have no idea what will happen with the bottom 6 when Hyman comes back and Mangi moves down (presumably).
There are a lot of “good players” that are up and down on what they are bringing – doing good things but not separating with any consistency. Howard, Savoie, Tomasek, Frederic, even Henrique. I don’t put Philp in this group as it seems the coaching staff has him one tier below, even though his on-ice player doesn’t seem to line up with that.
Henrique and Savoie are both relied on PK guys
Will they put both Janmark and Kap on LTIR to save at lest one job?
If the first and second line combinations as they are continue to do well, I’d suggest that Hyman be used in the bottom six along with some powerplay time, at least until he is up to speed and able to provide more than Mangiapane.
Could Hyman be a driver for the third line?
A couple of big signings.
Thomas Harley 8 X 10.587 in Dallas.
Deal expires when he is 32.
Logan Cooley 8 X $10 million in Utah.
Deal expires when he is 30.
Teams locking in star players entering their prime.
“Teams locking in star players entering their prime.”
Yes, welcome to the sport of hockey and the NHL.
Darnell Nurse,Evan Bouchard and Trent Frederic would like a word.
And all 3 players you have stated, many, many times over are not “star players” which is what your post is talking about.
The funny part is, I knew you were writing this post to try to take a jab at the Oilers for Nurse, Bouchard and Frederick. I also knew that you repeatedly called players like Bouchard “not an NHL quality player”, let alone a star player.
So with that in mind, it looks like you are just posting about other teams signing their star players which is not a surprise to anyone and not related to the Oilers at all.
You’re hilariously predictable and your initial post + this exchange just shows your identity is just trying to make fun of the Oilers, while forgetting your many posts in the past which betray the premise of your current posts.
So which one is it, FibonaHHi?
Is Bouchard a star player who should have been locked up long term and for cheap before his prime, coincidentally around the time you were saying the Oilers wasted a pick on him because he is not an NHL player?
And don’t worry, I am not expecting a response from you because I know you won’t reply to this.
Savoie and Podkolizin and Howard all first round picks acquired to find depth. Not all tickets will punch but the bets are good!
Quite the tone switch!
I like that Bowman likes options i like having options
Exciting game last night; loved the jerseys and hated the track suits.
Having both Nurse and Bouchard with their struggles is painful to watch. Something has to give.
Gotta keep playing both Savoie and Howard. Neither are costing the team wins so give them their at bats and success should follow.
Bouchard didn’t struggle last night, right?
Is it still too early to get a new jersey with the Iceman on the back? Loved his goal celly kid seems to be a fast learner. It looks like the marination cult was fingering the wrong player as Savoie play is starting to concern me as I loved the trade at the time.
Howard definitely has offensive talent and progressing in real time. I still feel Savoie will be the more “complete” player in the long run and patience will be required.
Yes I agree but Howard has more flair in my opinion. If he continues to be able to find the soft areas with his knack of hitting mesh in behind NHL goaltending then Bob is our uncle. I say the Goals will come I would love to see him PP1 if we have the lead as it looks like Tomasek is holding down the front until Hyman returns.
Different players but I really like both!
Tell me you didn’t watch the game without telling me you didn’t watch the game.
Savoie played smart defensive hockey several times and made a timely play on the forecheck for the 4-3 goal. Getting the 3rd assist isn’t a crooked number but he’s contributing. It’s not as flashy as Howard I’ll give you that.
You’d like more but he’s not a drag which should keep him in the lineup long enough to get some boxcars.
I know it’s early on but he’s not in the line-up for his mucking ability. Savoie was a very high pick because of his skill and scoring ability. When do you start worrying about him? His original team gave up on him mind you it was for a good player in McLeod. As a Oiler fan I do have bust syndrome watching Jesse-Yak-Paajarvi and countless others not cover their draft number pick.
Buffalo picked 3 centres in quick succession at the 2022 draft.
Savoie at 9
Noah Ostlund at 16
Jiri Kulich at 28
After a couple of seasons, they decided to thin the herd and opted to keep Kulich and Ostlund while moving Savoie for a more developed centre in McLeod.
Early returns would suggest they made the right call as Kulich has 18 goals and 29 points in 73 NHL games while McLeod has contributed 23 goals and 60 points in Buffalo.
Savoie has 2 assists in 11 NHL games.
Worth noting that while Savoie scored 21 goals in the AHL, Kulich scored 53
We’ve all seen co-workers running around working there ass off and then when you check on there work you find they didn’t accomplish as much as another co-worker who looked invisible but accomplished more with him still having plenty in the tank. What I’m trying to say is I hope Savoie figures it out quickly because the NHL is a dog eat dog league.
Perhaps you have been watching or listening to what the coach wants from him.
They did not “give up” – they traded from a position of strength for value.
Your required timelines for prospects to pop are unreasonable and unfair.
As wise man once said most good players show early. All I know is if Howard can start scoring from distance like a Brock Boeser he’s not going for any marination training.
Young players need to know their role, and consistent stability in it.
They’re simply not being provided any of that.
It’s on the coaches.
Yes I agree I don’t get why K.K with a new contract makes what seems like short range decisions. We should be building up slowly where Howard-Savoie are actual threats to score come Playoff time. The last time we won we had a Kid line. I would have it where both these Kids are put in all circumstances. PK Savoie PP-2 Howard-Walman give them actual minutes. Have them in critical spots late game open net give them some confidence. We need Savoie and Howard to get going if we’re to win the Cup. We also need a improvement in-between the pipes.
I would assume Howard is here to score. I would hope the Coach would put him in a position to succeed. Kurri scored 32 Anderson 30 in the same year with us making the playoffs. We need to see that Howard one-timer from the Kurri spot this Kid could be the real deal.
Agreed, you should let players show you who the are. Management too, when you trade for a player and he shows you nothing, don’t double down and sign him to an 8 year extension. These are window closing moves.
he has been starting to look more effective. he does not appear to be hard nosed, physical, or poop stirring in nature which is odd. these were features that were noticable in boston.
I can understand it. If I was making an average living digging ditches and someone came along and gave me ridiculous raise and locked it in for many years, my shovel might hit the ground a little softer and my coffee breaks might be a little longer.
That works for you.
Some others have more pride.
Was nice to see the team bounce back in the 2 nd and take control of the game. Bouch looking more like Bouch and Ek having a nice rebound game. Nurse on the other hand is regressing. Assuming he is not sick or has an undisclosed injury he is approaching being a 7D territory. Skinner continues to look shaky and Oilers clearly have an ongoing goalie problem with no real solution in sight. Reports on Ingram (yes small sample size) have not been all that encouraging. Where does Stan find a goalie????
Wasn’t thrilled with the new uniforms but they quickly grew on me!!
Oh yea, Go Blue Jays!!!!
I liked the Jerseys from the get-go, but they look even better on the Ice. Beautiful and retro
They actually look good and we’re undefeated donning them so far.
Howard hustles all the time. Kid needs to play with either McD or Drai and leave him on whichever line for a dozen games. The kid will score goals. He should even get some 1st pp unit. Top six I do believe he gets 20 plus goals. Bottom six 10-15.
Skinner let in 2 crap goals IMO. The one he left the net on was a typical lack of concentration or smarts in general. He is what he is and is absolutely terrible side to side.
Nurse. WOW. No clue what is wrong with him defensively. I honestly would like to see him put up as a forward a few shifts. Why not? He could be great in front.
On the bright side the oils O took flight In The 2nd and it was fun to watch.
McD was popping as was Drai. Henrique, Pods, Howard, Savoie , Nuge and especially Roslovic all played well. Even Frederic had a well rounded game.
Bouchard offensively had a game which was nice to see.
Roslovic seems to be on the verge of putting up points which would be a great help. Hyman returning will also be big.
I agree with LT in yesterday’s article that I really doubt skinner will be the starting goalie for the Playoffs and will be traded at some point this or next year after January. Skinner has now played 181 regular season games and 50 in the playoffs for over 200 plus games. He has always had issues going side to side and that plus concentration for an entire game are huge issues. He lost some wt this past offseason with hopes he would get better and faster side to side. He hasn’t.
No clue who the Oilers bring in, but I am sure they will bring in someone from out of the organization.
2 winnable games in the next 2, so let’s hope they do.
Go Oilers.
What a great baseball game last night
Go Blue Jays
Ingram is not a project if he doesn’t get it together soon Bowman will be forced to go down to the Manpower office and find another low wage Goalie.
Ingram will be months away from being in the NHL if he is this season.
You are disregarding a large human element to this – thankfully the organization is not and are supporting him on all levels.
Well then they better trade or sign another goalie that’s capable and ready. Call up Fluery he might be bored.
Prospectagogo!
Lew and Laf (a lost Welsh prog-rock group from the 70’s*) were both stymied last time out, the latter losing a six-game point streak. The former continues his odyssey south of the 49th with a visit to Spokane, while the latter and the Blazers host juggernaut Everett.
The Kamloops-Everett match will be shown on TSN+. Check your local listings**.
Puck drop for both is 8 p.m. Compeer*** time.
*The best decade for prog (and music in general IMO).
**After the Jays-Dodgers, natch. Priorities!
***Not actually the subject for Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compeers 2 U”.
Yeah, I gotta get me one of those jerseys. I have most, but I don’t have a standard blue home jersey (from any era) and this might have been the season I got it. Going to have to go with this one instead, maybe next year I’ll finally get the classic.
Each of Nurse and Frederic need to sit a game. It sends the message that the best players play despite salary or pedigree
While I don’t completely disagree/agree, this could be applied to McD and Bouch and, and, and…
Sometimes you need to let them play it out. Especially when we don’t have talent bubbling under.
Frederic isn’t as tough to replace as we have Philip/Lazar. But the lineup without Nurse (with Ragula’s injury) is really weak. And Walman is just getting up to speed as well.
And let’s not forget, it’s Oilers preseason till November!
That Frederic contract still boggles the mind. EIGHT YEARS. You simply do not sign depth players to lengthy contracts.
Frederic was better than any game this year. Defensively he was actually good
Yes I thought he played well he seems to be getting in on the forecheck quicker the last few games. It takes awhile to get over a high ankle sprain especially for a big fella like Frederic where that split second means everything. It’s way too early to get in on this player especially with the Cap rising so quickly he’ll be the equivalent of Chaisson percentage in a few years.
I only tuned in as Skinner made one of those classic Mike Smith errors for the 2-3 goal, but I saw Ike Howard incoming out of his own zone make a sublime cross-ice, bounced off the board breakout pass to his opposite winger at the opposing blue line.
I had to blink a few times to make sure it was 53 on the jersey and not 2 at first. This kid is raw, but he has me convinced that he was worth the cost. If he can play with a little more systematic discipline while maintaining and growing his offensive instinct, he may score 30 some day.
My only quibble with the alternate Jersey is that I wish the lettering spelled out Edmonton rather than Oilers. Would be more in the spirit of that style. And then you’re not irking folks with ideas about the sanctity (or whatever) of the logo.
I would rather the white be brighter. The off-white makes it look like they’ve been hanging in grandma’s closet too long (with moth balls)
Then it would just look like a regular road jersey.
Nicotine-stained white
lol, it does but it looks kinda cool
I’m encouraged by this process honestly. They’re beating all the dents out of this thing’s fenders, and kinda keeping their heads above water. Again, I can’t wait for Hyman to get back.
Mang – McDavid – Hyman
Podz – Drai – Roslovic
Henrique – Nuge – Savoie
Howard – Philp – Frederic
Would love to see Howard with McD and Hyman instead of Mgpis.
I like the fact that both those wingers are puck-hounds. It seems like 2-3 times a game, Mangiapane comes up with a puck from some sequence he had no business coming away with the puck from. He’s really smart and effective on the ice.
I keep Nuge in the top 6.
He’s having himself a season offensively (and all game states as usual).
I would still love to move Nurse to the wing.
Ekholm – Bouchard
Walman – Emberson
Kulak – Stecher / Regula
I would love to see the coach playing with this D-corps, while also being mindful that if there is a catastrophic injury on the backend in the playoffs, Nurse can always slot back there again.
I think Nurse up front could be a great thing to try out. Burns played both WingvanddD his first 3-4 years in the NHL.
Dustin Byfuglien too.
Steve Staios.
I wonder if we see more 11-7
Hopefully with More Regula and less Stetcher/Nurse
Nurse has been God-Awful and unless his play improves, this team is in dire straits.