I’m not quite sure what an NHL team can do when both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl slip the surly bonds of earth and dance the skies on 200 feet of ice. Whatever the elements necessary to humble the hockey giants, the Pittsburgh Penguins were not in possession last night. The Oilers, right now, a what the kids call a ‘wagon’ and you should enjoy it.
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) 1-0-1
- On the road to: TML, Canadiens, Penguins (Expected 2-1-0) 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: 5-2-1, 11 points in eight games
- Season Record: 16-12-6, 38 points in 34 games
The Oilers have marched in lock step with my prediction for the month. Getting 20 points from December would represent real progress and the promise of finishing in the top three Pacific. That’s the goal, and of course higher ground would be music.
- Nuge-McDavid-Hyman 10:06, 7-6 shots, 69X, 3-1 HDSC
- Podkolzin-Draisaitl-Savoie 8:52, 5-5 shots, 1-0 goals, 64X, 3-2 HDSC
- Mangiapane-Henrique-Janmark 8:31, no shots, 84X, 2-0 HDSC
- Frederic-Lazar-Hutson 2:33, 1-0 shots, 10X, 0-2 HDSC
There’s a mile of stories in these names, but I’ll start with Leon Draisaitl. He climbed the 1,000-point plateau and kept on going last night. What a fantastic player. He has tremendous natural talent and an incredible work ethic, and what you see is the result. Magic man.
The Oilers scored two five-on-five goals last night, Leon’s wingers Vasily Podkolzin and Matt Savoie getting it done. Podkolzin is now 2.02 points-60 in the discipline, that’s a productive player. Since November 22, Matt Savoie is at 2.00 points-60, while Podkolzin is 3.15 points-60 in that time. Draisaitl? 3.36 points-60.
Connor McDavid is 3.71 points-60 since November 22, and he now ranks second in league scoring. He scored another iconic goal last night, the main leaves gifts in more cities than Santa Claus at this time of year. I know Kris Knoblauch has to break up the Nuge-McDavid-Hyman line if he ever wants to see a goal from the third line again, but my goodness this trio is rocking it all the way to Memphis.
The Mangiapane-Henrique-Janmark line delivered a wth? stat line last night. The trio played 8:31 together, owned a 84 percent expected goal share, delivered two HD’s to zero, and had zero shots on goal. That’s the perfect Knoblauch third line! No shots in 8:31. Oh. My. God.
The fourth line didn’t see much action, Curtis Lazar looked gone for the season then returned, so we’ll see if he can play against Boston. Quinn Hutson made his season debut and played 6:59. In his three NHL games, Knoblauch has used him for 14:27, 12:25 and now 6:59. One suspects he’ll be on the ice for the anthem in Boston and then sit for the rest of the game. Seriously, I’m not surprised he didn’t play much. Knoblauch doesn’t know him, is risk averse, and the top two lines are a locomotive right now. Mattias Janmark has a 1.99 points-60 in the last month, so what are you gonna do? I like Hutson, hope he plays more, but right-wing is not a problem right now with Hyman (2.00 points-60), Savoie and Janmark currently.
- Nurse-Regula 15:12, 4-12 shots, 1-2 goals, 27X, 1-7 HDSC
- Ekholm-Bouchard 12:01, 4-2 shots, 1-0 goals, 73X, 2-1 HDSC
- Stastney-Emberson 10:40, 3-4 shots, 51X, 3-3 HDSC
- Tristan Jarry stopped 26 of 30, .867
Tristan Jarry played well and the Oilers left him out to dry at the end again. The Oilers are a team that doesn’t like to defend and that’s a problem in the regular season, certain disaster in the playoffs. I’d ask ‘is our children learning?’ but these aren’t children anymore. If the Oilers of this era don’t win Stanley, the culprit will be lack of care defensively. You damn well know Knoblauch cares, and he’s the latest of several coaches who wanted to inspire this bunch to do the dirty work. Hasn’t happened. Maybe a third Stanley Cup Final loss will turn on the switch.
Evan Bouchard had a goal and an assist, Mattias Ekholm an assist and young Alec Regula made a heady pass to Savoie and also picked up an apple on that play. Regula also made some mistakes defensively, and Darnell Nurse went WTH City for a time at the end of the first period. I’m not sure what was happening there.
The Oilers are 71-81 at five-on-five. That’s the primary reason I am convinced this team isn’t a strong SC contender this year. However, the team is 21-15 in December, and that’s an encouraging trend. Miles to go. Need a third-line center.
On the Lowdown today, we’ll have Kevin McCurdy as our feature guest and will talk about last night’s game and the Bruins tilt to come. Sports 1440 and You Tube, beginning at noon.
Connor McDavid’s soaring December is leading Edmonton Oilers back up standings
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6893829/2025/12/17/connor-mcdavid-oilers-stat-standings-december-2025/
McDavid with a cool 9 goals and 20 points in 7 games so far. Wow.
As It should be. Glad he’s back. He needs to keep doing it after the Olympics.
It’s amazing to see and I’m here for it forever.
I myself think he came close to calling it a day in Edmonton. He looks way more relaxed then he did preseason where he was he was wound up like a ball of yarn.
Silovs starts a net tonight over Skinner. 4 Goal loss against Ottawa. 0.846 for him
Skinner is back-up Goalie. Edmonton the only team to not relize this. I’ve never seen a Oiler Goalie given as much rope as good ole boy Skinner
Saw this quote from Skinner at Oilers Nation and I thought it was beautiful reflection:
“There’s not a moment that I didn’t try to do my best in Edmonton. I don’t have any regrets the way that I handled things. Perseverance, strength, kind of go down the list of what I tried to do for the organization…I’m very proud of what I was able to do down there. Could I have made an extra save or two? Absolutely. I’ll probably say that here. That’s kind of part of being a goalie and being a person. You keep on growing, keep on learning, but I always did my best and I will never stop doing my best.”
True that. If we had a better tandem he could have had more time to develop. I am not sure he is a career above average starter but he is definitely a capable 1B-backup. Who knows, I don’t think this was a contentious departure and maybe he finds his way home in the future, with less weighty expectations. Maybe in his 30s…
This guy. Talk about character.
Summarizing!
Lafreniere was forbidden the gift of soup. He gets another try when prospecting resumes on Freya’s Day.
You can be pissed about Holloway and Broberg
However, show of hands if you’d rather have kept Connor Brown and Victor Arvidsson (8 mil) in place of Mangiapane and Frederic (7.45 mil)? I wonder if Brown would have taken less for the 4 year term (which is definitely less risk averse than the 8 they gave to Trent).
In truth, I understood Victor a bit (more injuries this year) but like Brown, he was recovering from injury – and then you trade both when your patience with them was finally being rewarded. Brown is still killing penalties and bringing wheels and leadership. Even if they had kept Brown and done the Arvidsson trade and not tied themselves to these new guys, they would have a useful bottom 6 guy and 3.5 in space to use come deadline for a 7 mil/season kind of player. Or a 3C and 1B goalie or middle pair D. Instead, they have 2 players who are only in the bottom 6 due to seniority and no money to wheel. They can’t even dump either of them at the deadline because they have more term.
The only reason Stan should still be clinging to his job is the impressive work he has done to the pipeline. But if it’s not being used as such to fix the mistakes he’s made because of stubbornness, then his worth should be in serious question
Not for me. Even if F and P don’t pan, keep looking
They couldn’t win a Cup in two finals. Is it the core or the goalie/supporting cast?
So keep Brown and don’t put 8 mil into 2 players who can’t contribute on a regular line?
Brown wasn’t part of the problem in either playoff run and he was pretty cheap!
Perhaps its Last Chance Texaco as Petrov, often a healthy scratch, takes Hutson’s spot on the top line
I hope he figures it out. Seems like he has enough tools
I think Hutson will be a player. His skating ability is already better than every other bottom sixer. He was not panicking at all with the puck and made a real nice feed to McDavid. What I liked about that play was how he got on his edges to evade the check and give himself the time and space to take a good look. Impressive.
He’s going to be a good one.
Tompkins starts.
Dineen not quite ready yet (but likely before Christmans).
Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
$1.7B sale price on Penguins from Fenway to Hoffmanns
Frank Seravalli
@frank_seravalli
Sounds like the Hoffmann family hasn’t yet reached out to Mario Lemieux – who will retain his minority share through the transaction – but that Lemieux could be open to a larger presence around the team under new majority ownership.
Does that mean Fenway is completely out? Feels like they just took over but maybe I’m not remembering right.
Dubas better keep sending Christmas cards to Fenway for the 7 year deal they gave him.
No one would have taken the job without a 7 year deal, because the first part is managing the exit/retirement of Crosby, Malkin, and Letang, and getting rid of all the bad contracts.
He should be able to grab some futures by the deadline.
Rust, Rackell, Hayes, Acciari and Matha are all said to be on the table.
Rackell would be a good fit in Edmonton but I don’t think the Oilers have the assets to pull that off.
Rackell just got back from broken hand and hasn’t been looking all that great since return.
Not sure he’s the guy i’d be trying to clear 5 million in cap space to make lineup work (granted come playoffs you can just sit frederic or magpie in place of and t
They’d be under 2 million more to make work.
Mantha at 2.5 mill might be worth a flyer maybe?
I wouldnt mind seeing Alex Tuch and Alex Lyon from Buffalo for Pickard Frederick 20% retained and Henrique 25% retained, even throw in 1 2027 2nd to seal the deal… that would solve a lot of issues for me, and Buffalo might bite according to CapWages GM mode… nearly cap neutral, gives us a nuclear top 6, a reliable and affordable backup G and space to elevate a forward by the time playoffs roll around… thoughts? You could also sub in Mangiapane or some other underperforming forward for Henrique and adjust the retain to get Cap neutral on the trade, if need be.
What are you giving buffalo in the deal?
They rsolve their goalie jam, Get a return on Tuch if his re-signing is problematic and get a draft pick to help thier next rebuild. Plus they have a history of having played against Frederick so may have a stronger opinion of him than what many commenters here have, and may look at him as a good locked in piece to help protect their younger up and coming players.
The game last night was mostly fun to watch, although I felt really bad for Skinner being the goalie scored on while all your close friends and newly former teammates celebrate 1 more point when you had been part of the celebration for the previous 999.
Aside from that, Mcdavids scorching December is only adding to the playoff issues of this team. Florida beat every single opponent last playoffs with the strength of their third line. I’d have to look closely at the numbers of the top two lines but basically sawing off in lines 1 and 2 then having Marchand blow up other teams 3rd lines won them another cup.
When McDavid and Drai are hooked held and molested in the playoffs with little to no repercussions you need to find another way. All the possible solutions are being frittered away by this coaching staff. That is what I’d be spending my time trying to light a fire under in regular season if I were coaching. So far, Henrique Mang and Fred don’t seem to be the answer. Why does Tomasek need to show patience in the press box when others keep getting thrown out there despite poor to terrible results? Every coach knows ice time is their sledgehammer so why not use it on every team member?
I have time for Henry as a 4 th line winger and PK guy. Mangy and Fred should be in the pressbox period.
Agreed. I wonder if it’s an unwritten rule that the bigger/longer signings have unlimited rope compared with the short term trials and rookies? I wish either coach or gm had enough balls to use ice time as a carrot that has to be earned..
At some point contract status shouldn’t matter. Fred’s numbers are crushingly bad and Mangy’s aren’t much better. Team needs to come first over Bowmans ego. Ideally Fred could go on LTIR. If he is fully healthy heaven help us!
The coach can bench either player whenever he wants, nothing to do with the GM’s ego.
Maybe its not SB’s ego .He just wants them both to get good enough that he can get something back for them in a trade
Ha, trade, nobody is touching those contracts.
8 years was totally unnecessary even if 10 was at his expected level of play
It took Savoie some time to get going, he didn’t score his first goal until October 30. From then until now he has scored 7 goals in 23 game, which is an 82 game pace of 25. People told me before the season that there was little chance he could score 20 this year, and while he hasn’t done it yet he’s certainly shown that he’s capable of it.
Instead of the Iceman It looks like Savoie was the right rookie horse to take scoring 20 this year. At least he has a chance anyhow and that’s what it comes down to opportunity and depth at a players position.
Savoie started down the lineup and earned his play up the lineup by playing a very good 2-way game, making strong plays on the boards and with the puck in all three zones and earning the coach’s trust.
Howard is in the AHL working on developing those traits (just as Savoie did last season) and, to my eyes, is busting his ass off.
Presuming he continues to do so (and he will), Howard’s opportunities will come and he’ll be better set-up to reach his ceiling because of it.
savoie is playing with Leon and the emerging Podkolzin. Working up a sweat is one thing and producing is another. Savoie needs to go on a heater any 2nd line with Leon on it should be smoking the 50/50 scoring battle.
and the reasons that Savoie is playing with Drai is as stated in my post and I have no idea what your point is?
In 119 minutes with Draisaitl, Savoie’s goal share five-on-five is 10-3 (77 percent) and he is scoring 1.01 goals-60 and 1.51 points-60 with the big center.
Looking at the Pk minutes, one thing popped out. This is the first year that Bouchard is killing penalties, and not only that, he leads the defense in toi/ game at exactly 2 minutes.
While some may see this a progression, the potential concern is the cost. In this case, we’re losing 1:12 of Bouchard at 5v5 per game.
Bouchard had both an expected and actual goal share of 53% at 5v5.
Another minute at 5v5 per game with Bouchard has significant marginal value.
Sample sizes are small, but Bouchard is one of our best Pk options this season.
Does 2 extra minutes of Bouchard on the Pk offset the loss of 1:12 of Bouchard at 5v5?
EDMONTON OILERS – 5v5 LEAGUE RANKS (32 teams)
Metric Value Rank
————————————–
Goal share (GF%) 46.71% 25th
Goals for /60 (GF/60) 2.50 14th
Goals against /60 (GA/60)2.85 29th
More McDavid, Draisait, and Bouchard at 5v5 please. McDavid and Draisaitl were off the Pk last game, need Bouch off next.
One trick Woodcroft used to do was to double shift 29 and 97 with the bottom six at times.
Everybody hated going 11-7.
But there was a real upside: It enabled you to sensibly play young skill wingers on the 4th line.
It allowed you to make them earn promotions up the lineup for more minutes. But you also gave them opportunities with McDavid or Draisaitl, to discover what they could (or couldn’t) do offensively.
Make the prospects earn it, sure, but give them real opportunities to do so.
If you’re going to give McDrai heavy minutes anyways, why not do it this way?
Last guy to try that as a longer term strategy hasn’t found found a head coaching gig and may never land one in the NHL again . I believe and I’m just guessing but I have never seen a Coach go as long with the 11-7 deployment as Woody did. Woody was previously excellent with the kids then he abandoned what got him to the NHL.I do miss the Oilers offence under Woody and I’ll never understand why he was so stubborn to continue with the D zone structure when it was obvious to most of us fans and his players it wasn’t working in it was getting worse.
Woody was never “good with the kids” – some kids graduated from the AHL but they were high pedigree players. Woody relied on his vets at the AHL level big time
I thought he was good in the AHL and that was a big reason he got the job.
That’s right Reja didn’t Bear-Lagesson-Jones-Yama-McLeod-Benson etc I may be mistaken but didn’t these young fellas play under Woody.
As I mentioned, he relied heavily on his veterans.
Name a coach who doesn’t rely on his veterans this makes 0 sense.This applies to every job known to mankind. This didn’t stop Woody from producing real NHLers from lower number picks in the draft.
it does seem like the only way for a marginal young player like Hutson to gain ice time is to somehow score a hat trick from the fourth line playing eight minutes a night. If you can do THAT, you’re in! But only for a game or so. You have no laurels upon which to repose. Not like 1000 game Rico (whom I like, but who is not currently finding many ways to contribute).
Any “benefit” to the forward deployment based on 11/7 is artificial as Knob can simply deploy his forwards that exact same way even if he had 12 – he 100% has that option and he’s shown no issue with stapling a forward to the bench.
True enough. I’d like to see a lot more of that.
25 should be fed the top PK min, but he’s been sliding in that state for a while now.
2 shouldn’t have to be top pk min
Wonder if they go shopping in the Micheal Bunting terrain.
If only the Oilers had a blossoming 23 year old player that can shoot the puck at NHL levels and is ripping up the AHL scoring and goal share and that is a solid 2-way player……
There is no reason Janmark, a valuable 4th line guy, should play 3rd line over an actual offensive minded player and, given what Mangiapane is bringing, he’s lucky to be in the lineup and should not play ahead of Hutson – easy 4th line demotion for either (Janmark, not really a “demotion” but slotting him properly so he can be more effective).
Fun thought experiment in an alternate universe where we could just cancel the contracts of Nurse, Mangiapane, Frederic and Henrique and hypothetical roster I could come up with using that cap space
Nuge McDavid Hyman
Podz Drai Tage Thompson
Roslovic Boone Jenner Savoie
Janmark Philp Kiefer Sherwood
Ekholm Bouchard
Walman Rasmus Andersson
Stastney Regula
Jarry
Mike DiPietro
That roster is under the cap by ~200K ish.
Just for fun obviously, thoughts? Is that team better, worse, same?
What would ya’ll do with that cap space?
Every team has bad contracts.
Apparently reading comprehension isn’t your strong suit. Thanks for pointing that out. 🤣🤣🤣
I like how people in baseball say that the contract either favours the team, or favours the player, rather than saying bad contract.
That’s all.
Teams without a bad contract:
Colorado
Carolina
Anaheim
Utah
Winnipeg
Islanders
Sam Girard
Jesperi Kotkaniemi
Alex Killorn
Sean Durzi
Jets – I’ll kind of give you half a point, but Toews has been torpedoing his hometown team, and they bought out and are still paying Nate Schmidt
Pierre Engvall
Half those teams have buyouts on the books. Every team has bad contracts. Every team.
After hearing what the Roslovic injury was, I don’t expect him to be the same player for awhile when he gets back. There’s just no way…
Ya. I’m not sure he’ll have the balls to block shots?
It’s definitely a nutty situation.
He may be back to hitting the high notes he lost at puberty.
. . . and he’s off to the rodeo
Patrick Thoresen part 2.
This is one of those injuries where I hope he takes his time before coming back.
Patrick thoresen parted with one
The big question for this team is who they can get at the trade deadline. I think the market for centers is going to be very cost prohibitive. But if they can find a good LW for the Mcdavid line
Good LW. Mcdavid Hyman
Pod Drai Savoie
Hutson Nuge Roslovic
This team could cook
Looking at the Oilers cap situation and contracts, I can’t see many options to move cap other than Henrique.
How do you see the Oilers freeing up cap space to bring in anyone?
Rico may want to go somewhere he can get a contract next year. Mangiapane is working his way to the pressbox and he may want to not Jeff skinner his way through the season. I could also easily see a situation where if we can get some LTIR relief later in the season some of these guys would be cap casualties in the playoffs.
Mangiapane is only 29 he should have 15-18 goals in him this year and next. I’m banking on him showing more come playoff time same goes for Frederic. Without Mangiapane-Frederic-Henrique firing in the playoffs we’re cooked.
That’s why Alex Tuch looks like a good candidate
Four days later, Skinner and Jarry found themselves at opposite ends of the ice, marking the first time in NHL history that goaltenders went head-to-head as starters within a week of being traded for one another.
I think Kinger Oil was looking for this yesterday
https://thehockeywriters.com/5-takeaways-from-oilers-6-4-win-over-penguins/
I would not fathom why anyone would want to break up the top 6 right now or in the future
Everyone in that group is locked up or under team control.
Winning the top 6 minutes usually means a win.
If you swap Roslovic and RNH, you are breaking up what has been one of the best top lines in the last 4 years that has seemingly returned to those levels. Roslovic did most of his damage on the 2nd line, but that would mean moving off one of those productive wingers who have also found their way, and neither of them can be 3C
Do we have evidence that RNH centering a 3rd with Janmark and Henrique will outscore enough to offset the loss of production with RNH off the top line? Or will it be a suppression game and a waste of RNH to plunk him there?
May sound crazy, but you either find a 3C at the deadline, or you be bold and bring up an AHLer to fill that role, and move Roslovic and Henrique/other to wing. Roslovic has real offensive utility on that 3rd line because he can and will shoot it, and may be the new winger to play with McDrai when they need a hammer. Would solve problem now and possibly in the future in terms of not relying on a rental if someone could really take that role. Bako is producing lots of call ups being used as wingers, I get C has more responsibility, but offense flows through there and not coming naturally to the current bottom 6 options (maybe Philp?)
roslovic can play center.
Henrique-Roslovic-Kapanen?
Mangi-Lazar-Janmark.
its an acceptable bottom 6. one offensive line and one defense only cardio line.
Could flip Jan and Mangi, who prefers RW
who’s the offensive line?
8 and a half minutes with no shots on goal. Desperately need a 3C.
I think they could get away with a better 3C, back up and possibly RD, depending on Walman
If he can get another top 6 winger great if Nuge plays 3C, seems like the cost and cap make that very hard
Howard – O’Reilly – Roslovic
That’s a stellar 3rd line
Why trade O’Reilly if there your not going to take advantage of Howard 3 year ELC. O’Reilly will be playing Centre 4-C to start in Tampa by next Christmas and I do think he makes the WJC because all zone 3-C’s do not grow on trees just ask the Oilers. Who have been chasing one since Strome days and previously Jarret Stoll days.
Think he means Ryan O’R
Lol. I have Sam O’Reilly derangement Syndrome.
I just have derangement syndrome
I would note that is 2.5 months in to a 3 year ELC.
SOR playing in the NHL next year is about as reasonable as Howard scoring 30 goals this season in the NHL.
He remains a good prospect who’s offence has regressed this season and who is struggling to “shut down” at the OHL level with the 2nd worst plus/minus on his team – without the star power depth around him……..
I honestly believe that having Howard cook and simmer in the minors is the best way to have him ready as a black ace this spring. If the talent is there it’s there. Didn’t stop Broberg from subbing in late in the postseason.
I guess I’m saying they’re not not taking advantage of that ELC. Not necessarily 🙂
A hockey trivia question for today.
What, other than being NHL executives or coaches, do the following all have in common?
Joel Quennvelle
Pat Verbeek
Brad MaCrimmon
Dave Tippett
Sean Burke
Marc Bergevin
Kevin Dineen
Dean Evason
Paul Coffey
Paul Fenton
Ron Francis
Mark Hunter
Doug Jarvis
Brian Lawton
Don Maloney
James Patrick
Todd Richards
All played for the erstwhile Hartford Whalers.
Ding…ding…ding!
I thought you would get it..
Rather astounding how many players from a team that existed for such a short time produced so many “hockey men”.
My turn:
Who was the last player to lead his team in scoring for three straight seasons…with three different teams?
I once stumped Peter Loubardias with this one.
EDIT: I found the answer using AI. No cheating!
JAGR?
A good guess, but no.
I was trying to figure out who got traded a lot and who won a lot of scoring titles.
gretz?
Vincent Damphousse
Toronto, Edmonton, Montreal, no AI involved.
HF Boards for the win.
Vinny indeed.
Not someone who would be top-of-mind for a question like that.
My first thought was Gordie Howe when he played for the Houston Aeros, New England Whalers and Hartford Whalers but he didn’t lead all those teams in scoring.
That’s astonishing. Quite the list! To think I was proud of Bill Guerin and Mike Grier playing for the Oilers and where they are now.
To be fair…
Both Gretzky and Messier had post-playing hockey jobs as did Lowe, McTavish and Coffey but nowhere near the Whalers list.
Let’s not forget Shawn Horcoff, who is now Detroit’s AGM.
Shanahan? Pronger?
Not sure Pronger should qualify since he had a very short lived “senior advisor” position with the Panthers.
However Shanahan did play 1 season in Hartford.
As fate would have it, Shanahan was traded there in exchange for….Chris Pronger.
The Shanahan-Jarrey story reads as good entertainment as you probably already know.
Matt Savoie on a 16 goal pace, killing penalties, making smart plays all over the ice, avoiding heavy checks, and looking great doing so.
With very little PP time I’ll take him and Podkolzin scoring 20 plus the next 2 years on Leon’s wing for 4 mil. I do think Savoie biggest attribute may become the PK he seems to get lost and is able to break free with a complacent opposition PP. I think if they would give Savoie more of a green light his skill will provide breakaways and 1on1 facing forwards. I could easily see 5 plus SH goals in his game if deployed with the go for it at certain times mentality.
The third line center is Nuge.
Howard- Nuge- Roslovic should be a SC contending 3rd line
I think so too, but who is the LW on the McDavid unit. That’s also a vital role.
Assuming Mangi is healthy I’d give him another shot. Failing that and after Walman is back I would then…
try Nurse after forcing him to spend 50 hours with the video coach watching Big Buff. Seriously I think he would love playing on Connor’s wing!
i would argue the 3c is roslovic.
speedy, right-handed shot. 57% in the dot this year, will rip the pill and drive offense 5v5.
With respect, it doesn’t make sense for me when faceoff percentage is equated to center ability – there is ALOT more to the position than taking faceoffs and I think Roslovic has proven to be a winger in his career. I would put him back in to the position where he was one of the best goal scorers in the league for a legit stretch of time.
He (3RW) can help Nuge (3C) with his off side face-offs.
Admittedly, I missed the game last night. Did watch the highlights. Toi tells a story:
FORWARDS – PK TOI (Descending)
1. Matt Savoie (C) 5:22
2. Adam Henrique (C) 4:54
3. Mattias Janmark (C) 4:25
4. Vasily Podkolzin (R) 4:08
5. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (C) 2:27
6. Connor McDavid (C) 0:11
7. Leon Draisaitl (C) 0:09
8. Curtis Lazar (C) 0:08
9. Andrew Mangiapane (L) 0:00
10. Quinn Hutson (R) 0:00
11. Trent Frederic (C) 0:00
12. Zach Hyman (L) 0:00
No PK minutes for 29 and 97, hooray 🎉!
For defense, Nurse has slid down the list. I guess I’d have to check if he were in the box.
DEFENSE – PK TOI (Descending)
1. Evan Bouchard (D) 5:29
2. Mattias Ekholm (D) 4:20
3. Spencer Stastney (D) 3:37
4. Ty Emberson (D) 3:03
5. Darnell Nurse (D) 3:01
6. Alec Regula (D) 2:22
Nurse did spend time in the box. That will take down his PK TOI.
Thanks for info.
Last year, Nurse led the team with 12 goals against per sixty on the PK—that is just a brutal number. That’s an unplayable number.
Hmm, 🤔
I hadn’t noticed that Nurse has been well down in PK toi for awhile now.
I thought it was due to Demidov goal.
https://nhl.com/video/edm-mtl-demidov-scores-ppg-against-calvin-pickard-6386491814112
I had mentioned that goal has happened multiple times this season against Nurse. In any PK scheme, there always has to be pressure on the puck carrier.
This season:
DEFENSE – TOI/GP (Descending)
Player GP TOI TOI/GP
—————————————-
Evan Bouchard 34 63.88 1.88
Mattias Ekholm 34 62.40 1.84
Ty Emberson 29 41.82 1.44
Brett Kulak 31 43.10 1.39
Darnell Nurse 34 42.53 1.25
Spencer Stastney 3 3.62 1.21
Jake Walman 17 20.23 1.19
Alec Regula 20 18.78 0.94
Troy Stecher 6 1.95 0.33
Last year Nurse was down the list, but the gap wasn’t too noticeable. Prior to that Nurse-Ceci led team in PK toi/g.
2024-5 DEFENSE – TOI/GP (Descending)
Player GP TOI TOI/GP
——————————————
Jake Walman 15 32.82 2.19
Mattias Ekholm 65 129.20 1.99
Ty Emberson 76 142.27 1.87
Brett Kulak 82 135.80 1.66
Darnell Nurse 76 125.62 1.65
Joshua Brown 10 13.53 1.35
Cam Dineen 4 3.93 0.98
Troy Stecher 66 45.37 0.69
Travis Dermott 10 3.33 0.33
Evan Bouchard 82 18.70 0.23
John Klingberg 11 1.98 0.18
McD and Drai being around 10 seconds a piece is beautiful to see.
As mentioned, Hutson created a couple of chances on his McDavid shift. He looked good in a couple of other spots as well in limited minutes. Hopefully the coaches noticed and he can get some more opportunity. He looked way more confident than in his two game audition at the end of last season. I find myself hoping for an early lopsided score so Knoblach will roll the lines.
His initial shot created the chaos that led to the Savoie goal.
He knows what he’s doing out there.
Howard did the same thing in a game early in the year – they scored.
I’m sure the coach noticed but it didn’t change anything deploymnet wise.
It would be unreasonable to suggest making any move in the top 6 but there is every reason to play Hutson on the third line over either Mang or Janmark.
The McDavid shift was pretty late in the game so we’ll see next game. I’m not holding my breath, but all Hutson can do is play well in the ice time he’s given. So far he has
Need a third line center! Definitely!
Need Walman back! and a better second pair. Definitely!
Positives:
97, nuff said
Top 2 lines are rolling.
Jarry can handle and pass the puck, very well.
Jarry is athletic and is making the stops at the right moments (mantha stop and another cross ice one timer in the 3rd Rust?)
The 3rd pair seem to be keeping above Water, Statsney is looking ok.
Negatives:
Bottom 6 black hole still lives.
Nurse is himself and Regula is learning and/or isn’t good enough.
I used to be a goalie so I have a soft spot for the position/players.
I am not one to worry about save% in a game last night and or even with this team who plays D only when they feel like it (looking at you forwards coming back and 2nd pair). BUT I feel more comfortable with Jarry and the type of tender he is in the net as opposed to Stu.
I don’t like some of his rebounds and I didn’t like the EK goal either but he is making the stops at the right time so far, there will be times when he doesn’t with this team. The forwards are lazy at times and don’t come back, when they do they shut teams down.
Stu played a Stu game on the other side. I like Stu and think he is a good goalie but I don’t miss the dribblers at the wrong times and the clunkiness of his style.
His style bothered me, couldn’t relax watching on any shot. Jarry looks like a normal NHL goalie. My sphincter thanks Bowman
Stu plays small and opens holes when he needs to play BIG, stay in position, track well. When he was on he did these well.
Last night’s first goal is a great example. Why lunge forward at Hyman and open up, stay in position, paddle down, big butterfly,
make the save. Too tempting to try to go for the puck, I get that.
Small things, he was a good soldier and a good oiler but I agree with being more relaxed with Jarry. We are still going to get scored on! lol
I don’t think he has style he just winged it and in today’s NHL that may work for a year or two until the league figures you out. I can’t see anyone else employing him as a starter or at best a distant 1-B.
Not a lot of chaos between the pipes with Jarry as long as the team in front of him is checked in. Skinner remains awkward & clumsy.
Skinner’s whiff on the Savoie muffin was likely the turning point in the game.
Mercifully we don’t have to hear the word Reset over and over and over. I’ve learned to hate that word.
Love the title of today’s post. IMO, Mott the Hoople have a legit claim as arguably the 70s best underrated band, along with Fanny, Hawkwind, & Roxy Music. No doubt I’m missing many other contenders.
Oh yeah, great game too except for the end when the team stopped playing in garbage time.
Felt more confident with Jarry back there. Early days yet.
Now if the team can get something from the bottom six.
Camel.
For me, Little Feat are the easy winners of that title.
In the late 80’s I used to work at the FM rock station Q100 in Victoria. One of my clients was the Strathcona Hotel which at the time had a club call The Forge in the basement. One fine day I had lunch in the Sticky Wicket lounge with Ian Hunter and Mick Ronson who were playing the venue that evening. Two of the nicest and finest rock stars to hang out with and learn about their David Bowie experiences. What a show they put on that night!
Not sure you’ll get this but thanks for sharing! Lou Reed once said Ronson was an incredibly sweet person. I’ve heard good things about IH too.
Did you also work in Fort Mcmurray before the Q with Dan & John ?
I worked with Dan Mac in Victoria he was the GM. I was hired from K97 in Kamloops which was owned by Hal Yerxa.
Thanks, I knew them from Fort Mac. Stew took us golfing at Olympic view, I knew Dan well from Rotary. Great guy. I thought perhaps your were Brian B. who also was in Fort Mcmurray.
It’s always weird when the Oilers win especially a dominate win and there’s a large portion of the fanbase kicking and screaming on the ground.
Play Frederic in Boston, see what kind of emotion it can stir up.
Leon’s post game tarp was legendary, Oilers are the only team with 5 1000pt players, talk about depth.
Frederic/Janmark/Hutson
Henrique/Lazar/Mangiapane
How the hell was Lazar not on an operating table.
Major Lazar is a tough customer.
He works hard, hits, is defensively responsible, and can pk, he is the type of guy you can win with as your 4c.
now we just need to get rid of the passengers of Mangi and Freddi.
unloading 1 or both of them has to be stans biggest priority. Interesting that in the oilers+ series bowman states repeatedly than mangiapane was their #1 target in free agency.
This player type just does not work here, we have seen it with arvidsson and skinner, perimeter players do not compliment leon or mcd.
I like those bottom lines better. Its worth a shot….Henri has to go.
I think the coaches are worried about defensive play and utility in the wrong way. Henrique is a good smart player, but he’s not a C on this team. The real issue are single moments of failed coverage as opposed to team play
Most teams try to spread ability out, the Oilers seem averse to it, like Connor when he’s in a good rhythm can’t get by with Hyman and whoever, and do something to bolster the 3rd line
Ah please check spam filter LT. I screwed up trying to edit spelling errors but think post worth existing enough to bother asking.
I’m enjoying noticing 3rd pairing in a positive manner in the offensive zone amomg other places.
Seems less of an adventure in treading water well enough to not drown level effective.
I’d rather see regula with an actual defensive defenseman or nurse with one. But i honestly do appreciate some of regula’s outlet passing.
Wish we had walman klingberg ovee this pair quite frankly but i don’t “hate” nurse it’s just you see the good he can do in offensive end pinches and such and just will always be baffled how he can’t see the potential benefit of getting a fresh start in a place that might better align his utilization with his actual skillset.
The way the oilers are designed you don’t need a rover who is good at skating puck out of trouble and into offensive zone with possession.
A team weaker at puck possession centers or an adjustment on 3rd and 4th lines that has center/LW a bit more mindful of covering for him combined with a bit more lisence to gamble given him -> gets you to a better place.
He needs his ekholm or emberson type (aka a younger larson) and that’s rightfully a hard place for a player like regula to steady out his game.
Defensive composition is a thing i hope they take a long look at in the offseason. For nurse’s and the team’s best interest.
I saw the video of Frederic’s “effort” on the 4th goal against last night. I have been more willing than most to cut him some slack and give him time to improve. But that lack of situational awareness, which admittedly was in dog time, was nevertheless so poor I think it warrants a game in the PB. Doing it against Boston would send a double message too. I am not sure who steps in to cover for him (that 4th line is a mess) but he can’t keep playing and hurting the team with indifferent outings.
its popcorn time for the big man.
At this point i would far rather give his minutes to any other player on the team.
I think a guy who relied on hustle skating not awareness to such a degree it’s the difference make in above replacement level player.
Not a winger you sign up for 8 years given aging curves for “power forwards” that’s already weakening.
Is Max Jones still with the team? He’s an ex Boston player too, so if you want the emotional spark of playing ex team and to send a bit of a wake up message to Frederic you slot Max in for him on the 4th line. I’m not the biggest Jones believer but Frederic has been listless so far.
I want to believe there’s a player in there, but he needs rest or something to get going again. I was very much on the happy about the trade and the long term signing of Trent, I hope he works out, but my goodness he’s shown nothing so far.
Yeah, I was all against playing Jones, but he would be an improvement over 10 at this point. But Jones, Hutson, Mangipane is a black hole of suckitude too. I’d hate to do that to Hutson.
I don’t think Jones would be an improvement at all over Frederic.
Jones was a middle six player in the AHL, at best, this season and has shown absolutely zero in all his games as an Oiler since the first.
Don’t get me wrong, Fred isn’t bringing much, but Jones won’t bring more, he’s had his chances to be that player and isn’t.
I’m fine with the swap for a game to send a stronger message to Fred but it wouldn’t “improve” in my opinion.
Fred would be a middle 6 winger on the Condors as well. Seriously, I doubt Chaulk would play him ahead of Howard and Jarventie.
A high ankle sprain does not excuse his complete indifference towards defending.
Bench him for two games. Should have happened last month. His response determines next steps
They’re scoring. And playing a style more suited to scoring. Fin.
Attacking team, ffs.
Maybe they’ve never needed a smart hockey man behind the bench.
Someone they respect in the game who can yell “go score again” a few times a game.
You’re not going to shut them down when they open the taps and say “good effing luck” to the other team.
And when the Colorado and Dallas teams come calling?
just keep rolling.
you mean the dallas team that we have handily beat consistently in the playoffs?
They’ll score more than those teams head to head unless they’re drawn into a defensive game.
They’ve kicked Dallas’ ass. And could clearly do so again.
Does Colorado even make it to them? If they do, have a track meet with them. You win that exchange.
Dallas has never been a issue when it mattered. They are Heiskanen (huge fan) and WJ on the PP. Stu Skinner outdueled Oetter twice which is a pretty damning indictment.
Not a problem.
As for the other, doesn’t look like anybody is in their class anyway. Hope someone else takes them down. I’m sure Fib will add something repetitive you can chew on.
Or Montreal or Tampa, apparently. Or Buffalo.
They shouldn’t try to be a shut down team, actually nobody should it doesn’t go deep in playoffs anymore
But a coach that can convince them to be more aware, that’s possible. HIt your basic assignments. Not sure who that is though. If Sather could reign in the 80’s crew, it’s possible
Call back to an LT comment earlier: I’d kinda like to see what a line-matching coach could do with this squad. Like Vigneault. or Jay there a little before he got canned. I think Oil could benefit from stabbing McDrai into the tender underbelly of this or that opponent. Even the titans of this league can get demoralized by 3-4 goal bursts against.
I will never be a fan of matching forward lines.
Having played both positions extensively, I’m in a far better position to beat a forward on a given night if I’m a defenceman. He is my matchup.
If you’re dealing with real trouble, add a specific center to assist – but it is the D-pair first.
You sick Pronger on someone – not a rando winger who should be focused on scoring 20 and forechecking like a demon so that there’s less defending to be done.
They’re a possession team. That has deemed to be their identity. It’s funny how they’re puck hounds in the offensive zone, but backoff from retrievable pucks in the defensive zone. Their goal needs to be, get hold of the puck and keep hold of the puck in all three zones for a full 60 minutes.
I think the defensive system requires too much thinking. The constant coverage issues and playing too slow. Something isn’t clicking. You’d think they would be rabid to correct it, the players know it’s their downfall when it counts
I read it being called a hybrid zone but or something. I think more straightforward would be better, and possibly as I’ve said finding someone else to play C for Connor in the D zone. Like Bouch he’s so wired for going the other way he blows it too often
I can seethe allure, to KK, of wanting to be a shutdown team simply to teach the defensive awareness so many are lacking.
We need a better bottom 6 is the obvious answer, the Panthers 3rd line ate us for supper last year, we are worse in the bottom 6 this year.
Even if we only had a scorcher for a 3rd line this team is dangerous, as of now we are too weak there (3,4), it will kill us in the playoffs.
This is true but Drai and Connor also check in and out defensively
I thought that 3rd line stunk at 5 on 5. Magpie and Janmark add absolutely no offense with Henrique.
Hutson got 1 shift with McDavid and Frederic and it was a very good shift. He sent a smart beauty pass to McDavid and he hit the post, several seconds later he got a shot off I guess when you play a smart player with the worlds best you can see the difference.
I am not saying plug him in the top 6 ( As that and the pp are working fine ) but Magpie could use a pressbox accountability or 4th line stint just like Frederic. Janmark really should not be on the 3rd line either, but with injuries that can’t be helped.
But at least play that kid on that 3rd or send him back down in time for Bakersfield’s Friday and Saturday games. Play Jones then , of he is still here or call up a Griffith or Hamblin.
I just don’t think this does anything for that kid besides his paycheck.
i question why you think janmark should not be on the 3rd line? He gives you little offense but he works hard, scrums, is a general pain in the ass, and is fairly defensively responsible.
he has positive expected goal shares and positive high danger chance shares which is more than freddi, mangi, philp, or tomasek can claim.
That description of Janmark is accurate. Also the description of a good fourth liner.
Problem is there’s no player now that can push him down. Maybe that comes soon with kappy or Rosey coming back.
If the coach would 4 lines like some of the top teams do, he would be more suited for the 4th line. He adds. Absolutely no offense at all and your 3rd line needs to produce some. He is a checker and pk specialist. With injuries he has to play up. But that line isn’t producing anything lately. But take ur pick either him or Magpie could come off that line right now.
I love Janmark – he’s a bit filthy, which is my kind of player. You will never watch him play and question his heart and hustle.
BUT … his hands are bricks, and he can not finish.
He’s a vital part of the PK and he belongs on the everyday roster, but on the 4th line please.
Magpie just seems futile out there
I see the combination of Mangiapane, Lazar & Frederic being a reasonably sound fourth line. I will maintain that until Roslovic makes his return young Hutson should play third line minutes with Janmark & Henrique. Decisions will have to be made whether Nuge plays 3c or they play Roslovic somewhere on the third line, I believe he also plays center, but might be better on the wing. Kapanen & Philp , if they ever get off LTIR will eventually bolster the fourth line, in the mean time they should give Mangiapane, Lazar & Frederic steady minutes on that fourth unit. In my humble opinion.
Yes when everyone is healthy you will have lots of different options.
Oilers do need to get a legite rambunctious player before or at the deadline , that can play 2nd if need be but more so 3rd line . I think the top 6 is great and you have Roslovic that should be in the top 6 when he comes back. Would they break up that top line and put Nuge to the 3rd Dot? No clue.
I still think ( not many talking about this guy in trade talk yet) if Seattle keeps sliding, the Oilers have to trade for UFA Marchmant. The guy is big, hits, can skate, can score, and is a jerk to play against . If Frederic ever could get going ( not sure what happened to him or if he will get going) both he and a guy like Marchmant with Nuge on the dot could be a force. You could go with
Roslovic/McD/Hyman
Pods/Drai/Savoie
Marchmant/Nuge/ Frederic ( if he gets going) or Magpie if he gets going or Kappanen
Make a 4th out of
Henrique, whoever isn’t on that 3rd out of Kappanen, Magpie or Frederic , Janmark, Lazar , Philp.
some great depth when healthy, but they do need that middle 6 guy like Marchmant
I’m just now thinking if Matt Savoie can play 3c?
I mean if they want Nuge & Roslovic in the top six than maybe they could consider Savoie @ 3c.
Prospectloops!
Tommy Lafreniere had best stock up on sunscreen, for he will be the sole occupant of the spotlight (with one exception) for the rest of 2025.
Opposing goalies are similarly advised to seek skin protection with all the red lights being turned on behind them by Lafreniere, he of 22 goals (and 10 in his last 10 GP, along with 7 apples in that span). Two more goals will equal last season’s output in 68 GP–tonight is game 31.
Puck drops @ 8 p.m. Antler Lake time.
So with Roslovic and kapanen coming back. Is our only real need 2RD if Walman is 3LD? Or is Walman enough at 2 RD, run Stastney at 3LD, and they focus on an upgrade at 3C?
They need one of walman or nurse and the money of either of them spent on a RHD.
I honestly think walman would be a better fit with regula and honestly would not touch the newly formed young 3rd pairing.
It is the elephant in the back end.
If it weren’t for movement clauses it would be
Ek Bouch
Walman Regula
Stastney Emberson
And whoever else he brought in. Hilariously Bowman has to deal with the nasty contract he helped create
It would appear that when Walman returns he will play with Nurse, and Regula will be regulated to 7th D. There’s no rush for Walman to return until he’s 100%.
Walman is enough if healthy (imo). Be nice to add another Dman and better balance things out but Oil might be stuck with what they have. Vets who need to be stars, yutes who need to firm up and become vets. Then again Stan has an almost Slats-like ability to find defenders…
Most pressing need is 3C.
Jarry .867 > Skinner .773
Thanks for the over the glass apple Kukak
Frederic 7:42, 1 hit, 100% in the dot… hell of a player
Can we not all agree that we won these trades now… and remember, be kind to each other
LT, a 3rd Cup loss… that one hurt. Sadly the majority of players on this team don’t get it.
If dubas ends up missing playoffs and skinner is a noted part of the sewering and the jarry backstopped oilers do well again -> do you think he gets fired?
Not the best landing spot for stu. I think he still has value in a place with big nasty defenseman where they collapse in front of him like a vegas.
Aa an aside: holy crap am i excited to have a goalie with better than average puckhandling. Hopefully rhe rebound control is juat a pad/new team adjustment.
IMO… Penguins surprised early and were never serious contenders. I see both of them being flipped at the deadline for picks and money out. Malkin is done, and if they can move an expensive defenseman out they might try one more rapid retool before Crosby retires. If Crosby wants out, then add more picks and prospects for a major overhaul. If Stu wants to stay backup, they ‘might’ keep him. I don’t feel Dubas is in trouble yet. Again, my 2 cents. In some ways the Pens could get interesting if they can hold onto a playoff spot with the new salary cap rules.
Excellent point new pads may be to alive-bouncy until broken in.
WHAT????
i had posited earlier in the week that perhaps stan had a team in place to empower players who had struggled with mental health and then has been able to buy low on targets like ingram, stastney, and poulin as a result.
it turns out i was right! i did some research of my own, called a few people who have some level of access through family to the organization etc, and it turns out stan hired a guy last september called vincent Malts.
From the press release at that time. Vincent Malts, 45, joins the organization after working as a Mental Performance Coach with the North American Hockey League’s Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. Prior to that, he served in the same capacity with the ECHL’s Indy Fuel for two seasons.
The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania product had a 10-year professional playing career before becoming a scout in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League with the Victoriaville Tigres from 2011 to 2017.
“I’m excited about the additions of Tobias, Andreas and Vincent,” said Oilers Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations & General Manager Stan Bowman. “Player development is critical to our long-term success and this kind of investment is an important step.”
an interesting development for a team that has historically been shy to invest in player development, mental health, and analytics.
Great find. Thank you for sharing that.
In a league not far removed from the likes of lou lamorello or brisn burke in charge of things -> this is a very exploitable avenue.
I was wondering about this as well and to me it makes sense.
It’s also a credit to bowman. Like he surely learned and grew from his efforts in those support groups for players and probably also might have undergone his own therapuetic version of soul searching after the fallout in chicago.
Smart enough to adapt and see the persons behind the nameplates through a lens eith emotional intelligence zoomed clearer.
Can’t see “old school” leaning coaches or gms like dave babcock or the likes of brad trevelling overly equipped to extract optimal value out of some kid who seems like a “P U S S % with daddy issues” or whatever.
I’ve probably been as hard (or harder) on Bowman than most here, but this sounds like a good move and good strategy. Credit where due.
Cool! Thanks for this.
The mind is a terrible thing to waste.
You are a perfect example. Lol
This is amazing info.
Am I at liberty to share that info on other public platforms (cut and paste) and provide user name credit for it?
I think it would be great info for the larger fan base to have.
absolutely. im also on x as @yegoilbaron