As fans, we tend to find young players to cheer for as they come through the system. Kyle Brodziak was an easy player to respect because he kept showing up in good places compared to draft picks with higher pedigree. One of my posts are HFboards was called ‘will Kyle Brodziak enjoy a better career than Marc Pouliot?’ and the answer was yes. Brodziak was chosen 192 spots after Poo in 2003, but would have a much stronger NHL career. Is there a Kyle Brodziak currently in our midst?
WHAT TO EXPECT IN DECEMBER
- At home to: Wild, Kraken, Jets (Expected 2-1-0) 2-1-0
- At home to: Sabres, Red Wings (Expected 1-0-1)
- On the road to: TML, Canadiens, Penguins (Expected 2-1-0)
- On the road to: Bruins, Wild (Expected 1-1-0)
- At home to: VEG, Flames (Expected 1-0-1)
- On the road to: Flames, Jets (Expected 1-0-1)
- At home to: Bruins (Expected 1-0-0)
- Expected Record: 9-3-3, 21 points in 15 games
- Actual Record: 2-1-0, four points in three games
- Season Record: 13-11-5, 31 points in 29 games
I have the Oilers finishing this home stand picking up three of a possible four points. I would have gone four of four, but you know these Sabres often play Edmonton tough, and the DRW are better than in the past. The overriding verbal today is the Oilers are playing well and that should win the day.
So back to our conversation about the next Brodziak. His first full season came at age 23, and the Oilers don’t have many players younger this season. Matt Savoie, Ike Horward, Connor Clattenburg and that’s it. Vasily Podkolzin is 24, but he was a top-10 draft pick so doesn’t fit the Brodziak model. We could use Ty Emberson or Alec Regula, both were third-round selections but have a ‘coming from way back’ vibe to their NHL careers. If we’re honest, the player who could have the biggest impact moving forward compared to what he’s done so far is Trent Frederic. That’s a recovering from injury. Not the same. Plus, he was also a first-round pick.
I think the next Brodziak might be Josh Samanski. He leads Condors players in even strength points (3-11-14 in 21 games) and owns a 55 percent goal share in the metric. He plays everywhere. He has great utility. He is big (6.02, 195) and he is young (23). I’m not certain about his foot speed but it looks good from here and we’ll likely find out in the days gone down.
I wish I could say the new Brodziak was Noah Philp, but Curtis Lazar is playing well with Philp out of the lineup and jobs are scarce this time of year. If we make it through December, with Philp as the No. 4 center, I’d be surprised. If Lazar loses that spot, it might be to Adam Henrique when Nuge moves off the top line (Jack Roslovic return). That doesn’t even factor in that Mattias Janmark sometimes does his work in the middle. And of course, there’s Samanski, who could see some games.
I’ve cheered for all these guys, hell men I was cheering for Rusty Patenaude in 1972. I cheer especially for Philp, for reasons. Jason Gregor was on the Lowdown yesterday saying Philp can come off LTIR this week and we might see him in the next week or so. I hope we do, and that he plays well. The bottom-six is showing signs of life, and a coach should run that nag till it drops. In the words of Blue Rodeo, bad timing, that’s all.
On the Lowdown today, it’s the round table with the young fellows. I’ll be joined by Declan Krueger, Donovan Paulson and Josh Fenwick in a live radio extravaganza. It’s like watching a zebra try to outrun a pack of hyenas, and we don’t cut to commercial when I’ve run out of lungs. It’s quite the show! Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and You Tube.
They sucked me back in to watch after McDavid scored (I’m pathetic).
Fortunate to get a point they simply did not deserve. Interesting the way they lined up for the OT face off. Bouch is not a burner and so he’s not able to get back to get the puck and they never get possession. Maybe it’s me, but it feels like they just did not respect their opponent tonight.
Maybe it’s just the fact that after 2 straight finals appearances, they just feel they can turn it on and off like that, but this was another poor performance in a season of poor performances.
10 with 7 min
88 with 9 min
Bowman looking like he has some big misses here. Headed for more dead cap down the line
Think Frederick might be open to a trade this offseason?
I bet he’d prefer to live in the U.S.
We’d have to take back a stinky contract, but maybe one shorter in length.
Pierre Engvall?
Nobody is taking that contract on. Just add it to the pile
I’ll take the L for this one, ladies and gentlemen.
I, foolishly, said aloud that the way Bouchard was playing over the last few weeks would guarantee him an Olympic spot.
What a game to undo it all.
A point undeserved is a point nonetheless.
Still tracking with Mr. Tide’s December prediction, though I highly doubt he had the Buffalo game as the OT loss.
Pathetic effort really for first two periods. Is there seriously no room for one of the best players in the AHL on this roster?
First two periods were an indictment of the Oilers as a team, and the “Loose Deuce” in particular. Third period was the Oilers the way they should be playing all the time, but it was also an indictment of NHL officiating (the last ten minutes was…..woof). Overtime was…..more Loose Deuce, with an assist from a drifting captain. Skinner may have been sub .900, but he wasn’t the issue tonight.
The fact that they think this is okay so often is a serious indictment of both the coaching staff and the character of the players.
So, next question: how many coaches does it take before it becomes a player issue?
Which players?
If you have to ask the question . . .
Not good enough. That should have been 2 points, and the 3rd period showed it. That was definitely the easiest game on paper, taking on a down and out team on the 2nd of B2B at home. And despite what others are saying, they had won 3 of the last 4 games against Buffalo at home, they most certainly didn’t have our number.
Bouchard was just not gonna let us win that one no way no how
The second Bouch got drawn, McDavid was drifting and Tuch was his man.
Clean face off win and instantly turned over by 2 on a soft play in the corner. Oilers never touched the puck again
2 tops it off with a other special touch on the game. Why would he turn around? Just simply turn your head recognize the netfront guy and back into simple coverage so the pass can be easily intercepted there
Man when Bouchard decides to screw up he goes all the way.
Just play 60 minutes guys my god
Lazy Bouchard in OT. First to puck in the corner and easily muscled off it. Then McDavid puck watching and it’s over.
97 hoping for a fast break that was never there and 2 with the Barbara Ann Scott
Well the Oilers got more points out of this than they deserved. But it was nice they got something out of this game. Could have been a really depressing loss.
What a pathetic effort.
They should be embarrassed top to bottom.
The Sabres haven’t won a road game in regulation since April 1st. What an insane way for that streak to continue.
What a maddening team
Ridiculous.
entertaining, somehow
Whale Oil Beef Hooked! 🚨
Thought it was coming back. G Int
Ruff didn’t realize it was automatic-no-goal Hyman there.
Oilers don’t deserve that, but McDavid has some magic.
Wow… just, wow…
now they need to complete the comeback in OT
You have got to be kidding….. 97!
Ha how is that not called on Lazar
Channelling his inner Sam Bennet
Zero shots from the bottom-6 is unacceptable. Really just need to pepper the goalies, drive the net and hope for rebounds and deflections.
Pretty much every call has been embellished tonight, but Zebras are buying it
What a mess of a 3rd period. Thoroughly all about the referees. Where was this in the SCF!!!?!!
Losing the special teams battle against Buffalo takes a special commitment
Cue a Savoie shortie. Let it happen
That’s pretty impressive willingness to call a 5on3.
Holding the stick.
Eff off Jack and Louie.
Why Hyman and not Vasily?
Coach can’t read the game.
Wasted opportunity. Likely not getting another PP.
If you’re the oilers. If you’re the sabres, plenty left yet apparently
Oiler Wingers have been totally useless in the D zone
I wonder who said what during the intermission. Phew, someone said something with a lot of emotion. My question is why do they always have to wait until their backs are against the wall? Baffling.
I doubt they said anything. They just all looked at Bouchard’s play and realized “oh, we’re doing this again.”
What pisses me off about this hockey team is not the first two periods – it is that they have THIS in them at all times and just can’t be bothered to do it enough.
Could use a Pods style player on every line. Just won position net front. Not enough of that
Podkolzin!! The bang man strikes again.
If Oilers keep up this pace they’ll win 200 to 3.
Well, the 3rd period looks like it could be different.
Holy crap if you look at the shot map pages in tsn scores section -> it’s truly ugly ugly difference
Well when one game plan prioritizes the middle of the ice at both ends of the rink and the other doesn’t….
Bouchtard is not ready to be on the Olympic team this time around. Maybe next time. That was a ridiculous giveaway.
Ha, Olympics – 2 was dead in the water after week 2
Emotionless effort, questions on oilers leadership need to be asked.
Oilers are getting kicked in the pants.
How is this happening?
Cause it’s Buffalo, and they’ve had our number for years
Because they think they can turn it on whenever they need to.
Great job by Buffalo staff in gameplanning. Picking apart known Oiler weaknesses.
Oilers suits appear to have no answer
Lindy Ruff is a successful Albertan NHL coach who may lose his job this year due to Buffalo management’s ineptitude
That same management has collected alot of young talent. Perhaps too young yet? Established vets don’t want to go there?
Don’t pay attention to them enough to know why they can’t put it together consistently.
Their D is running the show tonight. Dahlin especially. Doing well at keeping 97 and 29 to the perimeter. Spending lots of time i Oilers zone. Similar to last game so you’d think Blue suits would have had a better answer
Well we did win two games recently, time to take a night off.
Exactly what it looks like to me.
How do you not show up for this game? Calgary lays a beating on Buffalo the night before and this is the best the oilers can do after 3 days rest. Straw, camel, back for Knoblach. Bring in a coach likeTorts to finish the year and
reboot with someone new next year.
Can’t blame travel or the schedule for this effort.
Maybe they have been home too long and need to get back on the road……
Jebus that’s far far too uncontested for where that guy was standing
Why am I watching this…..?
So you can let me know how it ends. I’ve seen this story before. The give a rip meter of the team tonight is 0. They’d rather pass than skate in straight lines and shoot.
Because they’re going to win it in the third in typical Oiler fashion.
I find it hard to believe that this same Buffalo team is among the worst in the East every year, but somehow still use the Oilers like a punching bag.
There’s alot of talent there. Don’t watch them enough to know why they can’t bring this game consistently.
Mind you their opposition is not opposing much
Oilers looking a little pouty this period. Buffalo wants it way more than the Oilers. Was that an epic Bourchardism.
Oh look, we’ve forgotten how to hockey again. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Summarizing!
Apples aplenty as Lewandowski recorded his second four-assist game of the season in a S’toon rout. He was named 3rd star for his efforts.
This team, man. I can’t watch this shit show anymore tonight