I would expect the Edmonton Oilers to blow the doors off tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets. This is a team that in recent days has blown leads twice and then delivered a terrible performance in front of the home fans on Saturday night. If the Oilers don’t win tonight, then Stan Bowman has some tough decisions to make about this club and the direction of this season. Make no mistake, this is a pressure point for the franchise.
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) Actual 0-1-0
- 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
The Oilers have the talent to mash opponents most nights this month, but the style Kris Knoblauch is asking them to play is a better fit for the wingers who were sent away during the offseason. Matt Savoie is not Corey Perry, Ike Howard is not Evander Kane. The team has more pure skill and speed than a year ago, but the coaching staff isn’t using it.
The primary play for five-on-five outlet passing is either a long stretch to the opposition blue line (inefficient) or Connor McDavid trying to stickhandle through five guys. Also inefficient. I think the coaching staff needs to close the gap between the forwards and defense, find an outlet lane that works, and punish opposition with their significant skill.
I was on with Kevin Karius and Eddie Steele this morning on Sports 1440, and we talked about this very thing. I said, and believe, the Oilers are a boring team right now. It is inconvenient to argue now, today, that five-on-five outlets and five-on-five offense is the real problem. After all the team got caved for nine goals on Saturday. I believe this is a major problem.
Evan Bouchard is a great example. Including the 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 regular seasons, his five-on-five goal share was 56 percent. That is stellar. However, he wasn’t playing extended minutes defending without the puck in those games. Why? The Oilers were an efficient outlet team in those years. They were a confident defensive group, the forwards offered welcoming passing lanes, and the world was good. This year? Bouchard is defending too long and too often, and is 6-14, 30 percent. Darnell Nurse is 9-12, 43 percent. Mattias Ekholm is 8-18, 31 percent. Jake Walman is 11-10, 52 percent, but went 0-3 on Saturday night to ruin a fantastic start.
This isn’t about talent. The Oilers have the talent.
This is a dangerous time for the organization. It’s a time when mistakes are made. The Oilers have a pile of bad roster decisions in the rear-view mirror, and many of those happened at moments like this one. Does anyone remember the Peter Chiarelli “Saturday twofer” trades that brought in Alex Petrovic and Brandon Manning? What a time to be alive.
The Oilers have a team built on skill and passing, and the coach’s game plan at five-on-five involves tip passes at the blue line. The forwards need to chase, engage, outmuscle and win the puck. Some of them are physically capable but not able to reach the battle in time (Trent Frederic, Adam Henrique). Some can get to the battle in time, but are not formidable physically, and you know the names as well as me. The Oilers should win tonight, but the road trip may well be remembered for the gales of November.
On the Lowdown today, we’ll have Rachel Kryshak, Joe Noga from Cleveland.com and Jason Gregor as guests. We’ll chat Oilers, Guardians, CFL playoffs and NFL weekend. Noon to 2pm on Sports 1440 and You Tube.
CONDORS
What would a shake-up trade look like for the Edmonton Oilers?
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6791818/2025/11/10/edmonton-oilers-trade-goalies-skinner-saros/
I believe a shake-up trade would look like a mistake. Just my opinion. They can’t trade Nurse if Nurse doesn’t want to move. The optics would be terrible trying to trade Frederic during year 1 of an 8 year contract. You don’t trade away any of McDrai or Nuge. I don’t know if trading away a 4th liner or bottom pairing defenseman counts as a “shake-up” trade. I also don’t know if you can trade away Skinner right now and bring in a goalie with an equally low cap hit who is ready to play as a starter behind the Oilers.
I think the best the team can do is potentially fire the defensive assistant coach, bring back Paul Coffey, and put KK on notice to “fix this or you’re gone by the winter holidays”.
One final note: A lot of smart people (whom I respect deeply) have asked in the past few days “How can you get rid of the coach when he coached the players to the finals during the past 2 years?” My respectful response to that is “I think the team made it to the finals twice despite the current head coach”. Ekholm was brought in 3 trade deadlines ago, and with him and Bouchard playing like a top defensive pairing, that was enough for McDavid and Drai to will the team into the finals 2 of the previous 3 years. I know the rest of the team played well too, but when McDavid and Drai played as well as they did, I believe it forced the other teams to throw everything and the kitchen sink at McDrai to neutralize them, resulting in some fresh air for the rest of the team.
The Oilers increasing but not ultimate success directly follows the emergence of Connor and Leon’s games maturing and Bouchard emerging as well, topped with Ekholm anchoring an elite top pairing. Everyone else, coaches amd GMs played their roles, but the main factor is the players
I totally agree with your first sentence… I think that’s the basis for their success. I think we disagree in that I feel the “coaches” played their roles only enough to not get in the way of players from making the finals.
I still believe coaching shortcomings were one of the primary reasons the cup didn’t come to Edmonton either of the past 2 years.
For what it’s worth, I think McTavish as head coach would have helped get the Oilers over the hump. And I think Quenneville could have done it this year (not factoring in – or wanting to discuss – the reason he was temporarily ejected from the NHL). I also think Maurice coaching the Oilers would have helped the team win it all too.
I was being generous to everyone that did something. I have commented many times debating who was being given credit – mostly Holland the coaches or Stu – it is more despite than because, we agree on that
MacT never had the player talent and I’m not sure how he would handle Connor and Leon, but having been with Gretzky I’d say the chances are better than most
Agreed on the other coaches, and I’d add John Cooper, maybe Cassidy. I never liked McLelland’s ways but he had thin rosters, Tipp was a good fella but I think he was already done. Woody was never my cup of tea. My first comment about Knobby was I thought he may be too quiet for a quiet but deeply driven core. And too green for where they were and are at
Thanks for responding and clarifying! I agree with you on Cooper.
One of my biggest concerns with KK is that he didn’t seem to adapt well enough for the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals after losing in 2024 to the same team (I think MacT would have done a masterclass there). While Woody wasn’t perfect, I’m curious if he wouldn’t have done better on year 2 vs the Panthers. But that’s neither here nor there… Woody’s never coming back.
Cheers!
No worries. With Woody I thought he was far too tactical, and treated the players like chess pieces. The 11/7 thing etc
I’m not sure he would have had the answer. Maurice’s plan is pretty simple and apparently easy for the players mentally, even if physically demanding. They don’t have to think too much which is good. They just giver and play fast and pounce fast
Which is what the Oilers don’t do. Even great players don’t benefit from being slowed having to process too much. And the more intense, the more mistakes happen
Think of how damning that sentence is: “assigning Broberg to babysit Nurse.”
In that sense, it kind of exonerates KK. I mean, who rushes to trust a guy with <100 NHL games to babysit a $9M defenseman in the Stanley Cup finals?
A call to Nurses agent, to Nurse himself. Pick 1-7 teams you would play for, if Nurse & his agent say no, then Nurse sits until he requests a trade.
Oilers have
Regula
Emberson
Walman
Kulak
Ekholm
Bouchard
At this point Nurse is bringing anyone he plays with down.
Oilers won’t miss him.
The lines have been a disaster, but I don’t believe a trade is the way to go forward at this time. I want to see lines that make sense over fifteen to twenty games before I decide on who may be a poor fit and needs to go.
The problem is coaching. Let me repeat that. The problem is coaching. KK needs to go now before more damage can be done. If Coffey would come back as the defensive coach if Stan gets down on his knees, then Stan, please practice your kneeling.
Call Garard Gallant. Yes, management often finds him difficult to deal with but he has won everywhere he has been. He’ll get the most out of the roster that we have and give Stan a unbiased assessment of the team and what needs to happen at the deadline. He’s a player’s coach and a tactician in the manner of Maurice. Will he be willing to come to EDM on a favorable contract? Pretty sure as has been banished to the KHL.
Why Gallant? He hasn’t won the Cup and been to one less final than KK.
Read the last paragraph.
Year over year the Oilers have the same issues. Unless Bowman can turn turds in gold it’s only going to get worse as McD and Drai get older and mortal.
Matt Savoie has 3 points in 22 GP.
I was a fan of the trade at the time. As with most things, it’s looking like I was wrong.
How many successful scoring wingers in the NHL scored at 0.14 p/g rate in their first 22 games. My guess is not many. Obviously lots of excuses about deployment but early returns are alarming.
A win. But not a sustainable winning formula. Two hero goals. A shorty late in the game down one.
The Oilers defend so poorly.
No, you’re right, that’s not sustainable. However, if that’s the spark, then it will be a memorable moment.
The fans that stayed really deserved that. So did the fans at home. But I think the crowd needed it.
I think we might have seen the worst game from an Oilers this year; Ty Emberson.
Well no it was Bouchard one a few weeks ago and maybe one of the recent Nurse ones but still, Ty had a doozy.
27 Corsi events in just 15 minutes at evens.
And it wasn’t just outside shot attempts. 0/7 in HIGH DANGER scoring chances. Basically he gave up one high danger every shift.
What an asinine and contrived benching of Bouchard. A benching is done to correct a behaviour. Bouchard has plenty of behaviors that need correction such as lackadaisical defense or carelessness with the puck.
So Bouchard gets (marginally) a little too aggressive with is stick check and he sits a period. I guess the coach wants him to play a little softer because that’s the lesson he’s teaching. So obvious that now he’s trying to save his job so doing what the media or perhaps 97 demand he should do.
It’s been a long time coming … the straw that breaks the camels back often is not the most glaring sin, but rather the culmination of a many prior screwups. My only question is … what took so long?
97 isn’t the only one who’s been demanding that Bouchard get benched.
I guess you missed the slow, cross-ice grenade he threw at the blueline a couple shifts before that was easy pickings and forced Draisaitl to haul ass to cover for him.
His game in the first was incredibly poor, but the half-period benching seemed to have worked. He tightened up and made a much harder pass to Connor for his second goal.
Interesting that the best value contract the Oilers have so far is a 1 year deal.
I’m a believer that you need a certain percentage of your roster playing for their next contract. These long term deals come with some risk, especially if they all have NMC!
My wife made me turn the game back on before the 4-3 goal (I can’t quit this damn team).
What I will say is that there was definitely heart, but it shouldn’t have taken that kind of effort to beat the Blue Jackets if they didn’t give up freebies.
Also, to those complaining about Skinner, the Corsis, Fenwicks, HDSCs, etc. were all barking the wrong direction, yet again. But, yet again, the expected GA were less than what he gave up. So the problem isn’t just with goaltending, but even a replacement level goaltending performance would have made the score favourable
never a dull moment with this team
Big props for McDavid tonight. And not just for his goals, but also for his post-game interview pumping up Frederic setting the tone fighting Olivier, after the coach calls him out earlier in the week.
We didn’t deserve to win that one, but we’ll take it.
I believe that may be his first player call out in the media. He’s under some pressure. Not sure he has the support he needs to handle it.
Put the bat signal up for Coffey
They didn’t blow the doors off, but they won.
You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!
There just aren’t enough Michael Caine/Italian Job references in hockey.
Kudos.
Great result. Needed that in the worst way. That’s a win that could kickstart the season
They did, now the question is how they follow it up. They were gifted a win against Montreal, but instead of using it as a springboard to putting some wins together if anything they started playing even worse afterwards
Yeah 97 is definitely ill. Sniffles and pale skin.
Impressive to drag them to OT anytime, but especially given that.
Many pretty goals in a very ugly hockey game, but 2 points after 97 willed it. First time this year for that. About time.
Big save by Skinner. Good for him.
Which? The shot from Coyle was going wide. He shouldn’t have even shot that puck from
there.
Regardless, regained puck possession which lead to goal. Hope Skinner gets an apple for it.
We commend and want the Oilers to take shots from that close in all the time, and love when a guy like Drai scores from the goal line. So, of course Coyle should take that shot. I just watched it a few times basically frame by frame and IMO it was too close in the speed of the moment for Skinner to not try to save it. There’s a point just before the save when the puck has a direct line into the net except Skinner got there. Even if it did go wide, it could have bounced off the back boards and the whole other side of the net would have been empty. Big clutch & timely save when it was needed.
Go back and watch it again in slow motion- it was not going wide.
Never in doubt!
Unbelievable! I’ll take it
Lordy, Jack R from goat to hero in 3 min
Roslovic is a talented hockey player.
He’s more what I thought MangyP would be
Loved that ultra aggressive PK. IMO should do that more often regardless of game state. Throws off opposition PP timing.
Jeezuz 29 almost won it to!
We need more players like Walman.
Walman, Hyman. Get Swayman to complete the set.
Walman with the 60 degree wedge off the porta-crapper top shelf.
That was one magic lugi! May have saved some jobs
Way to go Walman!
You’re down 1, and the other team just wants to hold the puck, so you sit back and wait…
This team is so broken.
That wasn’t a high stick unless there’s another camera angle that shows it wasn’t a glove.
Vintage McDavid play, but if he hadn’t taken that dumb penalty we’d be at least tied by now
McDavid might score 50 in the next 50, seems he’s pissed off enough to fuel it.
He has a muffin for a shot. He finesses goals. 60 was a mirage. Fans should be happy with 30 because you know he’ll get 100 assists.
Mangiapane right back out there. Turnover at the blue line. Gets it back……ices it.
Should sit for the rest of this game and maybe another.
He has stood out this game, nit picking his man up, passing into the middle, making bouchy plays yet still getting icetime. They have to sit guys
I saw Frederic real bad during the playoffs. I just didn’t think he had any skill. People said he was affected by injuries so I held out hope.
I’m still shocked at the contract. I just don’t know what they see.
His career year was also the Bruins career season. I think that colored the perception of the player. I hope he can come close to living up to that contract, but I’m in it confident.
Good point on the Bruins. How do they rate him if he played with Columbus for 5 years? He looks to be the least skilled player on the roster. Skates ok in a straight line, but agility and first step is poor
Philp on a 2 on 1 with Draisaitl. Switches to his backhand and turns it over. WTF!
Mangiapane doing his best to make the day before Remembrance Day a day to forget.
Oh WTF Noah…
If you can’t take that shot…you can’t be at this level.
They’re all so damn deferential.
More shots up top for Connor.
Interesting note: he’s wearing a nasal strip and looks fairly pale. Bit of a flu game going on maybe?
and McDavid scores one of the highlight goals of the year to this point.
That was a great goal.
And then they got scored again a few minutes later.
Not a playoff calibre team.
I think we seen a trade and a fired coach within the next two weeks.
From the Stanley Cup Finals to the unemployment line for KK in less than six months?
Trade has to be Skinner…..gone!
Agreed, all coaching staff gone!
The good news is, EDM is one of the oldest teams in the league …… 🙂
Just a bad period of hockey against a mediocre opponent. Couldn’t keep up the “ momentum “ from the first. This is just a bad hockey team right now
These Oilers don’t care.
They are mostly a periphery team, no net crashing, no rebound hounds.
Howard & Savoie should be sent to the AHL. Get them to recapture their love of the game.
The remainder of the roster is not a playoff team.
This will end 5-1 or 6-1.
This is accurate but i would keep savoie and howard up and play the heck out of them
Too bad Pronger wouldn’t want to coach.
Pronger coaching Bouchard, I’d pay money to see that.
Lauren wouldn’t let him coach in Edmonton.
I think he’d be fabulous. Can you imagine that career arc?
I’d offer him the Kevin Brown private jet contract incentive…but that’s just me.
Instant respect when he walks into the dressing room.
Respect as a player sure, respect as a person would be questionable. I would have assumed this hockey player and the rumors around his behavior would be distateful to you.
This game is going to be the game that gets someone fired. Disgraceful. I turned off after the 2-1 goal because I have seen this script before.
I will be pleasantly surprised if anyone is fired for this.
Curious, this comment was downvoted. Do you disagree with the disgraceful comment or the getting someone fired part.
A boring, error prone, badly coached team with poor goaltending. Just awful.
The crazy thing is – this team has been in this spot often before, before pulling out of the wreckage. But usually came with a coaching change… not sure that will be in the cards this year after a 3 year extension.
As I’ve stated before, it’s coming down to needing a new coach bounce. US thanksgiving looms…
The problem is the coach and players. 97 is not a good leader, sorry, love player but the results speak. That said, get him some character support who would do anything to win. Mangiapane looks like a 4th line player.
Sorry but this team is cooked. Have to be some changes but no idea what they might be. Hands tied with all the long tern no move contracts. Coach just got a 3 year extension. No joy in Mudville. Fans are booing.
Yep – the Oilers are a terrible hockey team.
Crazy how slow this team plays. Second to every puck.
12 shots against the Columbus BJs after 2 periods. In a game at home following a loss.
Coaching is the problem. Even a truly inept team can do better than this
They managed one period of mildly intense hockey before reverting.
Boo the hell out of these clowns.
Is the audio 2 seconds ahead of the video for anyone else?
Don’t know about the audio but the puck appears to be a half second ahead of Skinner.
Same for me.. It is awful.
Yep, even during the commercials.
Looks like they fixed it between periods.
I wonder what the ideal winger for McDavid looks like. Aside from Draisaitl,there really has been no one that he’s looked comfortable with. Maroon for a season? What attributes do the wingers need in order to play with him? Mangiapane looks done, but Savoie is doing some good things yet McDavid can’t seem to find him
Hyman and Nuge were pretty solid. Kempe?
Yeah, Hymans been good for sure, but a lot of the damage they do together is on the power play. RNH in spurts but not consistent.
Whoever is closest to modern Bill Guerin.
They have the ideal winger in Nuge. He doesnt mind being dropped down for Leon all the time
The Oilers should be taking the boots to Columbus; instead they’re behind against a team that hasn’t won a game in their road trip.
The Oilers are not a playoff calibre team this year.
This goalie is shaky. 9 shots half way through the game isn’t going to get it done though. The Columbus goalie I mean. lol
Every shot is an adventure both ways!
Hey we finally got a shot this period….