The Edmonton Oilers begin the day as the No. 18 team in points percentage, and are a single point out of the final wild card spot in the Western Conference. No one I know is worried about the team making the postseason, but there are furrowed brows over what the team might look like on the first day of the playoffs.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN NOVEMBER
- At home to: Chicago (Expected 1-0) Actual 1-0
- Road: Blues, Stars (Expected 1-1-0) Actual 0-1-1
- At home to: Avalanche, Blue Jackets (1-0-1)
- On the road to: Flyers, Blue Jackets, Hurricanes (1-2-0)
- On the road to: Sabres, Capitals, Lightning, Panthers (1-2-1)
- At home to: Stars (1-0-0)
- On the road to: Kraken (0-0-1)
- Expected Record: 6-5-3, 15 points in 14 games
- Actual Record 1-1-1, three points in three games
- Season Record: 6-5-4, 16 points in 15 games
We are getting closer to the 20-game mark of the season, that’s a point where we can begin to make some early arguments about how this team looks and what it might need. I have some opinions already, but want to register the fact we aren’t even at the early distant warning line and things could change before the completion of Game 20 let alone the end of the season.
PROJECTED LINEUP (Via Tony Brar)
RNH – McDavid – Mangiapane
Podkolzin – Draisaitl – Roslovic
Howard – Tomasek – Savoie
Henrique – Philp – Frederic
Janmark – Lazar – Hyman (scratches)
Ekholm – Bouchard
Nurse – Regula
Kulak – Walman
Stecher – Emberson (scratches)
Skinner
Pickard (backup)
Colorado is good, but the Oilers play well against good teams and are strong at home in the early days of this season.
I don’t believe the third line will make it through this game, it will be scrapped for parts. In his most recent five games, Matt Savoie has played 13:22, 10:31, 10:54, 11:42 and 9:34 at five-on-five. In those five games at five-on-five, his line is 2-2 goals and 21-15 shots overall. Ike Howard has played 8:37, 8:49, 9:12, 7:00 and 7:22 at five-on-five. His line is 2-2 goals and 15-17 shots in those games.
Savoie has zero points in those games (and no points all season at five-on-five) while Howard has a goal and an assist and is at 2.72 pts-60 in those five games. Both have shown promise, neither man is getting huge minutes with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.
Savoie has played 9:19 with both 97 and 29 (2-4 shots, zero goals), 14:15 with McDavid (0-1 goals, 10-7 shots) and 15:15 with Draisaitl (1-1 goals, 9-7 shots). No conclusions can be drawn from such a small sample, beyond the fact Kris Knoblauch eschewed Savoie in favour of Trent Frederic and Andrew Mangiapane on the McDavid line.
Howard has played 3:10 with both 97 and 29, they are 1-0 goals and 2-2 shots. He has played 19:04 with McDavid and is 1-0 goals but 5-11 shots. Howard-Draisaitl have played 3:01 and are 1-0 goals 1-1 shots. Again, small small sample.
I think it’s reasonable to argue the Oilers might be wise to send Howard to the minors when Zach Hyman and Mattias Janmark are activated. I would also argue that if Savoie’s playing time is reduced more than his current deployment (11:01 at five-on-five per game so far) it’s reasonable to send Savoie to Bakersfield as well.
Why? He is exempt from waivers and playing a fringe role. This is Holloway-Broberg all over again, but the coach has earned the leeway to deploy the team as he sees fit. I think that’s fair, and it’s also prudent to make sure Savoie and Howard are getting enough playing time. Both are young enough, and talented enough, to take steps forward from where they currently reside in the NHL pantheon.
We are not yet at 20 games, and things could change as soon as tonight. Having said that, my first opinion on the team as it reaches the 20-game mark in 2025-26 is that the Savoie-Howard usage is untenable. Stan Bowman should send both men to Bakersfield if things don’t change in the next week or two. That’s the play here.
What are the odds the Sunday blog post will feature Clifford’s photo once again?
Might also be a photo of an empty bandwagon……
Hopefully it’s a Cat’s Ass.
How are we feeling after last nights beat down?
Still all “don’t worry be happy”?
Oilers 2026 First Round pick is a top 12 protected pick thats how i feel about this group
Howard and Savoie in the top 6 is so damn obvious to me. This team is soft and depressed and after two finals losses maybe that’s to be expected so you need to find something else worth fighting for. Some reason to get out of bed and step on the ice with some pride outside the long slow grind of making it back to the Finals. Staple Howard to McDavid for Howard’s sake but also Connor’s. Same for Savoie and Leon.
This has the added bonus of providing a solid third line with Nuge centring. The power play is hot and could let this 5×5 roster construction find some footing.
I am always hesitant to blame coaches because we don’t know what we don’t know and the coach often wears that. But KK’s decision-making has become as timid as the players in front of him.
This isn’t the same vibe with this team when they fired Woodcroft or when they went on a heater last year.
this team is swagger less, no emotion, and the team is a bandaid of has been’s and AHL players.
Just substitute names like Aberg for Tomasek or Omark for Savoie or Yakupov for Howard.
point is, this is a bad team.
what makes this worse, is the GM’s inability to recognize it.
Too many changes from last year,loss of urgency, and maybe they just are not that good of a team now.Obviously need a goalie maybe two,a tough winger,way more change needed then any of us thought.
Sure, blame the goalies, they were both terrible. But please, we scored ONE goal. ONE. If there was a single issue effecting this team, we aren’t scoring, never mind out-scoring. We are laden with skill and creativity, where the fack is it… seemingly gone.
I, like the coach think philp deserves a benching. I know he didn’t score but he should probably still sit.
Why? Honest question. Is it the non physical play? Lack of offence? If it’s either of those things, a good portion of the team can sit as well.
I was being sarcastic. As he sat him after scoring previously. I actually disagree with pretty much everything KK is doing this season. I don’t even understand what he could be thinking.
Ahhh, sarcasm. I get sarcasm.
I think he has done enough to stay in the line up at the very least. Fredric is most deserving of sitting along with Tomasek in my viewings.
There is a massive deficit of skill.
Nothing much beyond the loaded up 1st line.
They don’t play like a team.
The skaters overall are average at best and this D certainly are a drag on G performance, but these Goalers don’t have the ability to perform at an acceptable NHL level often enough. As the players say: Give us a chance to win
A players floor is a leading indicator. When the floor is that low that’s an indication there’s going to be more games than typical at below average performance. Quality start % should be used ahead of Sv% for G evaluation. The season isn’t 1 long game.
Bad vibes. Has the window been missed? This team is old and soft and the cupboards are more than bare. There is no help on the way.
I would trade Connor straight up for Nate, how’s that for a shakeup? We’re not getting a boatload for Connor even if he wanted out. The crazy part is the Avs would probably say no.
Avs would absolutely say no. Nate’s game is aging much better than Connor’s.
Bieksa nailed it. There is not one player with any push back on this team. And every other team knows it. Replaced these guys with small soft skill and Frederic (what exactly does he bring??):
Kane
Perry
Brown
Foegle
Holloway
Arvidsson
Nobody on our team now has any irritant factor. Nurse has had moments in the past but now where are they? Zero swagger. So easy to play against.
I’ve never seen a a team get pasted like, and not get into one scrap.
They’re absolutely gutless.
I had an open mind on Frederic, people in the know keep saying you will like his game. I do not like his game so far. If he’s hurt, why keep playing him over other players?
Has to be the worst signing in the last while,waiting on Bouchard.
We needed Klim Kostin back. I said it before the season began. Our team as constructed (who constructed this and thought it would work?!) was way too small, tiny, emotion-less, not super skilled, and aside from the stars either lacking experience…OR over the hill. Nothing in between.
Kostin was that rare power forward who was actually young, in his prime. He loved playing in Edmonton as he has stated himself (and let’s be honest here, not many do), loved the fans, the city and playing with the team and stated he wants to die on the ice for the fans. He cares. He gets it! He fights, he protects his teammates, and is a great fit on McDavid’s wing, even though he didn’t play there much. He would be the perfect former 1st round player with the skill to play there and the toughness to protect him, and lead us into the fight.
Just read that because the Oilers wouldn’t sign him he returned to the KHL. This team makes me want to puke. 3 million plus for Mangiapane in the offseason, and they can’t see he’s undersized, doesn’t fight, NOT elite, and over 30. Just what did they think they were accomplishing with that move? Well, you got what you asked for:
Small, not incredibly skilled, too old… or no experience – with no passion or jam at all. Your 2025-26 Oilers, ladies and gentlemen…
Kostin is in the KHL because he is not an NHL level player.
Klim Kostin would not help this team.
So I guess Paul Coffee was actually running the bench, cause KK and Mark Stuart clearly have no idea what they’re doing.
This isn’t a playoff team, Bowman is no better than Chiarelli
McDavid doesn’t have an “opt out” clause in his contract does he?
He can be traded to a team of his choosing.
The goalies will wear this bulk of this loss, especially Skinner since it was his start, but it is also discouraging the team was not able to capitalize after his save on Lehkonen at the beginning of the second period. The score at that point was 2-0, would have been a great change in momentum if the Oilers had been able to score after that save.
Worst loss in the McDavid era. Only 5 equivalent or worse losses in club history.
Just once I’d like a boring, competent season, that’s playoff pace start to finish. Many teams have done it for years. Carolina. Vegas. Winnipeg.
Time for the annual “I’m not watching for five games so you can prove it to me” phase of the year.
I would say this team looks very mediocre but I thinks that’s a stretch.
Mediocre left town a few weeks back.
McDavid and Draisaitl have wall-papered over a lot of problems on this team over recent years. Made bad goalies look acceptable. Bad defensemen look like Bobby Orr. Bad coaches look like Scotty Bowman.The chickens have come home to roost.
Now it looks like they’re tired of wallpaper.
Have to wonder if this causes Bowman to pull the trigger on something
It should but what’s he gonna do?
After tonight he might be tempted to pull the trigger 20 times…….
You know you’re going to have a couple of nights like this during a season. You would sure hope that it wound against one of your biggest western conference rivals. The Oilers have had a mediocre start to the season at best. Let’s see how they come out next game. Is this embarrassment enough to snap them out of it?
There are those nights that you are just going to have but I’m fairly confident they don’t often look like this tonight.
Losing two Cup finals in a row has just broken this team. They are old and soft, with bad goaltending.
It’s going to be a painful season.
Jarventie with the ENG as the Condors sweep the Knights!
Credit Matt Tomkins who allowed the Condors to stay in a game they shouldn’t have been in.
Florida and Edmonton both not in the playoff picture at this moment.
If that’s any consolation…
Im trying to recall if there has been any snarl in our team this year. Any face washes? Anybody seemingly with a high give a crap meter?zero push back. Frederic is soft as butter. Who do we have with any push back?
Clattenburg and Brown down at the farm.
Brown has been the Condors best d-man, and it hasn’t been close.
Dropped the gloves in the first minute tonight.
You would think Podz, Frederick or Nurse might do something but apparently not. I am befuddled.
Umm… we want 10?
You can’t stop Parker Kelley, you can only contain him
Riley Stilman with a nice step up to step the rush, transition, Griffith enter the zone, hold up, delays, goes far cross-ice and Hutson with the on-timer bomb for his second of the game and a Condors lead with 3 minutes to go!
Maybe I need to start watching Condors over Oilers. This team is so depressing to watch after two crushing SCF losses. Don’t think we are getting anywhere close this season.
Apparently game management only works against Edmonton. Cheap call then the add on for diving motion. Give me a break.
Daws and DiPietro both doing their thing in the AHL – putting up elite numbers as always (and Daws with one stud game in the NHL).
I mean, what could one possibly cost in a trade?
Both were available for free; Bowman passed in favour of keeping Pickard … good in the room, bad on the ice.
Trading for after clearing waivers is a much different scenario than claiming on waivers.
Hey Stan, I know this may not be a good time for you. Just want to let you know I have Gerard Gallant’s number if you need it. Pretty sure he can get out of his KHL coaching gig. Think about it.
Bring Scotty back!
McDavid’s hands caught up with his feet on that wonderful net drive – couldn’t finish though but not due to bobbles at hight speed.
Might as well make it 10.
Almost. Game not over yet. You would think someone might get their knuckles bloodied but not sure anyone on this team seems to care that much….
Put the ebug in!
Knob playing the 4th line now in the 3rd period – of course.
Of course, THIS is a game he keeps the lines generally together – hey, how about giving these kids an opportunity with a high end center in this game?
The high end centers aren’t really playing like high end centers tonight.
I was thinking the same thing. I can’t remember a game this year where he didn’t pull out the blender, winning or losing, but today he liked what he saw apparently. He also thought they would come back until about 5 mins left in the 3rd when he started double shifting the kids.
Being a Canada Scholar at NAIT I hand picked every job based on trying to Create enviro equip & work w/ elite indv. Redlow mfg was a fabricationshop were I learned welding, machining, & Fab process. Worked w/ Pete (Excavaror tree harvest or creator) on Chick blade ( The forest scatty excavator tool & Don Nelson Lab & shop based cskil certify sheets to speed learning working ondevelopment battery pwr underground mine equip.
Bought out by Al Owen (Cretir OSB) 5 Shares oiler group,Coast hotels, Varber yachts, Weldco Beatles flips. 2 conversation made realize to look 4 +ve perf. S my xAvg (NAIt94)/$. 3D (Team, comp, ZS) situation graphs 07/08 here.
this lead to being asked to do Equip/bid design for Nat Oilwell (Dreco office 75 th street near Sheckeys) client Gasprom, RUS vs Haliburton (Chenney). Mgmt is putting money in wrong areas counter to what wins final 4s. Same mantra since 07/08.
Makes total sense to me.
Is that you Latka?
Condors are being outshot 39-17 and the game is tied at 3. Tomkins just stopped a breakaway.
Really curious to see interviews after this one..
Same old same old you can book it.
Playing the oilers seems like a good way to pad your stats now a days…
Out of the 8 goals (9 if you count the one called back), I think the only “no-chancer” was the deflection from the high slot.
Lots of great shots and only a couple weak but most stoppable and pucks goalie’s stop apx 75% of the time – I’m making that percentage up, of course.
whos backing up for the Avs? They should see if he wants to give it a try
Someone should give Matt Berlin a call.
How embarrassing does this loss need to be to bring change? 10-1? 12-1?
This team has no heart or pride. Getting run out of their own rink.
“San Jose will receive Edmonton’s first-round pick in 2026 if the pick is outside of the top twelve selections or Edmonton if has traded their first-round pick in 2027 before the 2026 NHL trade deadline”
I guess I have to start listening to scouting reports again?
Great response by the Condors.
Hutson stops a breakout at the blue line, give and go with Griffith and Hutson buries it to tie the game.
Wonderful goal and much needed for Hutson.
Nobody in front of the net for the Bouchard blast. Clear path for their goalie to see it
That penalty by Mackinnon a perfect example of what is wrong with Oilers. It was a battle to get to the net. It is rarely a battle to get to the net in the Oilers d zone.
We miss Perry and Kane. Nobody to drag the team into it. Need some gloves to faces, a little gamesmanship
That guy was supposed to be Frederic. He is just a total ghost out there. Terrible trade, and terrible signing.
Nurse is also supposed to be that guy … he’s just not interested anymore.
Walman is the only one who can be prick to play against.
Bouch now epitomizes how soft this team has become.
Henderson with a couple quick goal in the 3rd and its all of a sudden 3-2 Knights.
Now Pickard needs a mercy pull
No goalie and 6 attackers for 19 minutes? Hmm.. Couldn’t be worse than the Swarm™
Just double shift McDrai, it will be fine
you know kk was tempted to put mcdavid in the net
Interesting that the expected goals were COL 1.2 EDM 0.9 by the time the score was 5-0.
Certainly does point to shitty goaltending, although that was not what the eye test said
After the PP goal made it 5-1, expected goals were 1.2 to 1.2
Currently, the expected goals are 4.8 to 1.2.
Proving that a) the Oilers coaching and player GAF meter did not adjust one iota after being utterly embarrassed to the tune of 5-0 on home ice, and b) those claiming Pickard is worse must somehow not understand that his GSAA tonight is +1.75 compared to Skinner’s -2.87. In other words, if Pickard had not come in, it was going to be at least 8-1 by end of period 2…
I think both goalies were terrible but that’s just me
They had lots of company
Is that NST? I’m seeing 2.75 to 1.69 under the All situations. I’m just curious if I’m looking at it incorrectly.
Marchand doing his darndest to keep the cats in the mix… 10 goals in 14 games.
I think he wants to play on Team Canada.
Just finished cleaning the house and it looks great so I thought I would check in. What do I find? Everyone here sounds just like me. Well, welcome to the club one and all.
My house could use a clean if you want to swing by quickly.
Me too and I’m within driving distance of Parksville.
Hey, me too.
Ooo, I used to live on the island. Parksville is a beautiful place.
Small world.
There’s not many times a person truly gets to say “I told you so.” Hope you’re enjoying it, ha!
There is no joy in any of this. I’d rather the score be reversed and be wrong as wrong can be. Unfortunately, we have a problem here.
HD SH area was age 4 watching Clarke, leach, stoughtins 68/69 Flin flon bombers. Was’nt till Mike Aubishon: Reliability centeree Maintenance, & Boeing, bombardier jets Maint list told me he created MTL minor hockey stat sites & Asked me to Create heat maps 4 3D maint design flaw flagging sys 4 Trans Alta Wabamun power complex 3 plants did i first relate stats & mechanics.
Then found Lowetide site 05 at night as a single dad after massaging my1 yr old sons head to get him to sleep. Reading & drinking tea.
Every penetration sport has a compressed score area & a Def component to largest win affects.
Edmonton best championship Def D & F roster structure was 16/17.
Larson, Russell, several, Benning, & Nurse playing the HD SH area Def we saw in WJHC.