The Edmonton Oilers gave fans an early Christmas present Tuesday night, roaring past the Calgary Flames and reaching the top of the Pacific division. Oh sure, the Golden Knights and Ducks have games in hand, but three teams are at 44 points in the Pacific today and the Oilers are one of them. I predicted a ludicrous 9-3-3 record for the team in December. Today, the Oilers are ahead of that pace. We are living in the days of miracle and wonder.
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) 1-1-0
- At home to: VEG, Flames (Expected 1-0-1) 2-0-0
- 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: 8-3-1, 17 points in 12 games
- Season Record: 19-13-6, 44 points in 38 games
The Oilers are an absolute rocket now, led by Sky Pilot Connor McDavid, Leon Draisiatl, Evan Bouchard, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman. The only downbeat is you wish this run was coming during the final. Then again, this edition of the team is still finding its way. Any road, this has been a fun month to watch this club. How high can they fly? They’ll never reach the ground.
- Mangiapane-Henrique-Savoie 8:43, 5-2 shots, 77X, 1-0 HDSC
The Henrique line is running a reasonable GA-60 (2.61) at five-on-five this season and it’s down to 2.24 -60 in December. The problem is the line has scored 1.1 GF-60, and only 0.45 goals-60 in December. It’s untenable. Not sure there’s a solution on the roster to make a Henrique line go while keeping the integrity of the top two lines. I wouldn’t be against an Ike Howard recall.
- Nuge-McDavid-Hyman 8:28, 7-4 shots, 2-1 goals, 70X, 6-1 HDSC
In the 12 December games, this line (five-on-five) has averaged 5.19 goals-60 and owns a 67 percent goal share. Pure fire. Sit tight. Take hold. Thunder Road. McDavid is majestic in these days, he is inevitable.
- Podkolzin-Draisaitl-Roslovic 8:13, 5-2 shots, 37X, 0-1 HDSC
The line didn’t get much done against Calgary, but Leon scored three on the power play as the impact players kept meeting at the wrecking ball all night. I’m not sure Roslovic is going to stay on this line, Matt Savoie offered a little more. Of course, Roslovic could be moments from another hot streak, so perhaps keeping him with Leon is the answer.
- Jones-Frederic-Janmark 7:13, 3-0 shots, 100X, 2-0 HDSC
This line did some good things, with Frederic drawing two penalties and taking on a fight no rational human would contemplate. Max Jones has done enough to stay in the lineup, but I suspect he’ll be heading to Bakersfield at some point after Christmas. Mattias Janmark remains a staple in the lineup, to the disappointment of many. I remain a fan, he’s the modern version of Jaroslav Pouzar without the steamroller.
- Stastney-Emberson 13:43, 6-1 shots, 94X, 2-0 HDSC
- Ekholm-Bouchard 12:07, 7-4 shots, 1-0 goals, 55X, 3-2 HDSC
- Nurse-Regula 12:19, 7-4 shots, 82X, 5-0 HDSC
- Connor Ingram 18 of 19, .947, stopped both HDSC
Connor Ingram has a .917 save percentage and two wins in two games, so there’s a story building. In those two games, he has faced only 10 HDSC, with just two from the Flames last night. That’s a story too.
The Oilers head to the Christmas break with a full head of steam and some promise. The gales of November began early and had the kind of sustain previously found only in Carlos Santana’s guitar. Christmas arrives tomorrow, and all appears well for the team. I’ll give some credit to Stan Bowman, the team is 5-0-0 with the new goalies and you know that’s damned good. I wrote about Ike Howard today at The Athletic, hope you get a chance to read it. It is here.
New for The Atheltic: Edmonton Oilers prospect Ike Howard is on a historic scoring pace in the AHL
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6915033/2025/12/24/edmonton-oilers-prospect-ike-howard-stats-ahl/
My dream would be if the Oilers would find the balls to use a Kid Line 2.0 like the 1990 Stanley Cup run this year.
An outscoring 3rd line of Hutson-Savoie-Howard might be small but they would be quick all over the ice.
You wouldn’t have to touch the top two sledgehammers and the 4th line could then be Henrique-Blunt Object-Whack a Mole and rotate in Where’s the Beef from time to time.
Lots of runway left – hopefully KK can get there!
It would be something. It would be pretty hard to replicate that though. Joe Murphy some people said was the most talented player on that team. They were all a pretty good size and Graves and Gelinas were gritty players with skill
Most importantly those players said that a big part of that Oilers team winning was the legacy they were following, particularly that of Wayne
I don’t think these youngsters are in the same position to do that. This team needs a MacT type of player to drive a hot 3rd line that outscores
Howard is a waste in the AHL unless they plan on turning him into a Centre or maybe a checker since there’s no room for him at the adult table. I would love to see a Kid line. I would also love to see a deterrent line made up of Frederic-Clattenburg-Jones-Janmark-Kappy
Interesting strategy with no Dmen. All forecheck. Might work.
I don’t think they plan on turning him in to a center but I do think they plan to develop his game in areas that are required for Coach to play him in the top two lines in the NHL.
It would be a waste if they rushed this young talent to the NHL without giving him the opportunity to properly develop so that he can reach potential as a top 6 forward on the Oilers.
I wonder if Jake Guentzel thinks his time in the AHL, as a 22 year old, is a waste (or Brian Rust as as 22 and 23 year old)….
Well he’s not playing on the PP or top 6 maybe he can transform his game into a Sam Bennett type.
Why would you put him on PP1? PP1 is the best PP of all time and on fire.
When recalled, he will likely get PP2 and will have the ability to work up to the top 6, as Savoie did.
Exactly my point why trade away a Ryan Strome type 3-C in 2 years or less for a Dawson Mercer type that needs to be put in a position to score not a 4th line energy player like Clattenburg. I liked O’Reilly he’s my type of player in saying that who doesn’t want the best player in the U.S nation. Down play the Hobey Baker award all you want I would still take the worst forward of the last 10 to win this award Adam Gaudette on my team today. What exactly are they going to do with Howard? Are they going to mold him like Holloway so in 2.5 years some other team finally gives him top 6 minutes. Ice the best team if this includes Howard then do it. I know it’s easy to say bench Mangiapane without me fully understanding the Cap but between Henrique-Mangiapane-Frederic-Janmark and even Savoie K.K needs to start implementing some tough love. Without this Godly PP we are barely a 500 team. The scrubs not only need to hit-fight-forecheck they also need to hit the scoresheet or the press box.
Oilers are tied for 6th in the NHL in P% in December.
The Oilers coaching staff determined that Howard did not have the overall game to play in the top 6 at this point and management assigned him to the proper league to work on those areas so that, when he gets called up, he’ll be a more complete player and able to earn the coach’s trust to play him in the top six with the higher quality of comp and bigger minutes.
That would be icing the best team.
What are they doing with Howard? Developing his game so that he has a better chance to reach his potential.
You didn’t answer my question why trade for a developing 2 zone winger for a PP scoring winger if you plan on turning Howard into this mythical 2 way forward. I want Howard to score I want Howard on a skill line. We are not icing the best possible team Howard seems to be a fast learner he should be on the big club the only reason he’s not is because of the inexperience of K.K
Who is planning on turning Howard in to a 2-way forward. I believe they plan on him being a scoring winger but, of course, there is a level of overall play required to play the leverage minutes in the top 6 and he showed he wasn’t there yet.
The Oilers’ best team includes and Issac Howard that is capable of playing higher leverage minutes and he’s working on that right now.
They are developing this player properly, they are doing right by him, putting him in a situation where he has the best chance to reach his ceiling. My goodness, he’s less than 3 months in to a 3 year ELC.
I’m not sure why you are so against developing the kid – both the player and the team will be better for it.
Sam O’Reily has every bit as much of a bust potential than Howard, probably a larger bust potential as he doesn’t have the offensive skill and an good defensive game at the junior level isn’t really all that special or predictive of NHL impact.
samesamesamesamesame
Damn. I came for an Original Pouzar pseudo-blog but ran into other peoples comments as well, ewwww. Maybe Allan should just give him admin passwords so he can filter out all the non-OP noise amirite..
Uh-oh Roslovic hit the bar and failed to bury a cpl of snipes in his first two games back, better pack his bags for Europe and gift those minutes to Janmark..
Merry Christmas everyone!!!
I hope you have a joyful day, surrounded by loved ones.
If not, I hope you are safe and able to find some joy today.
Take care!
The Evyleus family
It’s amazing how Bowman has transformed our farm club so fast. We seen how Clattenburg and now Jones or able to bring a little spice to a bland bottom 6. Once Jones starts petering out I give Sam Poulin a stretch of games. You also have to give Jarventie and if he keeps improving Samanski some games after the Olympics. Mark my words Sam Poulin was the sleeper in the trade ( was he the reason the trade wasn’t done earlier) Poulin will get playoff games and will score a big goal this playoff.
Poulin has underwhelmed as a Condor to this point.
He’s going to contribute and I believe he was the sticking point of the trade taking so long. Jarry already had his pads made up the deal was on hold for weeks in my opinion.
I like to spam literally every comment too bruh
The two NAmateurs in the WJHC won’t wait long to face each other, as Barnett (USA) opposes Lewandowski (GER) on Boxing Day.
I’m not sure if Barnett will dress but here is hoping and I’ll be paying attention!
I like to spam literally every comment too bruh
I’m super excited about the Jarry-Ingram tandem going forward. If Connor can return to form or even better his previous play we are in for a magical Spring. I also hope Pickard continues his good play and he gets a 1 or 2 year deal from someone as a cheap reliable back-up. As for the Oilers I think it’s Jarry-Ingram for the next 3 stabs at the Cup.
4 days ago you were looking for a Pickard heater and re-signing him…..
I mean, I get what you’re saying, moving goalposts for the sake of what’s new and shiny is not OK, but also, a sign of intelligence is being presented with new information and observations and being able to adapt your thoughts and opinions on the fly with new data should not be dismissed.
I cheer for all Oiler goalies whether it’s Pickard or Skinner. I was never a Pickard groupie like some folks around here were with Skinner. Pickard did win 7 playoff games in a row with the boys all really liked playing in front of. I tip my hat to Pickard and I really hope he stays in the league for a couple more years. In saying that I think Ungram definitely has more upside Pickard does not handle traffic the way Ingram big body does.
I like to spam literally every comment too bruh
”How high can they fly? They’ll never reach the ground“.
Is that an Eric Burton reference?
Seen him at the Sidetrack Cafe. I believe it was on a Sunday Night in the late 80’s. I sat in the front row in amazement. I even bought the band a double-round of good Canadian Rye Whiskey. What pipes the man had, what a great time to be alive,
Burden.
Burdon, stupid auto correct.
Me too,
To all the Scandinavians out there, whether you’re in Sweden, Canada or Minnesota, please enjoy that Swedish Christmas treat lute fisk!
Nordmenn også!
Skål!!
Since Dec 4 McDavid has scored 11, 12-19-31 to lead the league. Just for fun I looked up the same time frame in 1985, when Gretzky posted a stat line of 11, 5-33-38.
So even if you set era adjustments aside, McDavid is currently in the same zip code as peak 24-year-old Wayne Gretzky. Nuts.
Another crazy stat: McDavid and Draisaitl have combined for 55 points in their last 11 games.
Gretzky and Kurri combined for 62 in the 11 games between Dec 4 – 24, 1985.
Condensed schedule means more open ice there has been lots of 3 games in 4 nights I believe Seattle has 6 games in 9 night coming up. High danger scoring chances are way up save percentage is way down I’ll take a combined .905 for our goalies the rest of the way.
Part of the drop in save percentage is better puck tracking, many saves aren’t considered shots anymore since they would have missed the net otherwise.
Meanwhile, highest scoring stars on other teams:
Kadri – 37gp: 8-23-31
Pettersson – 28gp: 8-14-22
I hope they continue with Ingram he looks so calm and steady with his side to side movements. He’s returning to his previous form. We have Jarry for 3 playoff runs if Ingram continues his fine play what would it cost to sign Ingram for the next 2 years? Is it realistic that we get him for the same deal he’s coming off 2×2 that’ll give us 3 playoff runs with Jarry-Ingram.
Maybe a slight increase but it’s sound thinking.
So you are off Pickard taking the team on a heater and them re-signing him?
I like to spam literally every comment too bruh
One of the things I’ll be interested to see in the future surrounds the new goalies. When I was a moderator at hfboards, the Oilers section loved Tommy Salo, then disliked him, that grew to anger towards him, and then it reached a point where comments had to be deleted. Oilers fans are damned hard on goaltenders, I wish Jarry and Ingram good luck. The ebb and flow of hockey suggests they will be targets for angry verbal in the days to come.
Only a matter of time until ppl say Jarry is too adventurous. Being more mobile will mean bigger rebounds sometimes. The memories of tabletop Stu will fade and we’ll hate how our goaltender doesn’t TEND THE GOAL. Calls will come for Ingram to be the starter and the cycle begins anew.
Years and years ago I interviewd Jack Gotta when he coached the SK Roughriders. The starting QB (Joe Paopao) was taking heavy criticism and I asked him about the backup. He told me the most popular guy in a football town was always the backup QB. There’s a lot of truth in there.
If you backstop this team to a Cup you’ll never have to buy a meal or drink in Edmonton. Moog-Fuhr-Ranford still have the keys to the City and it’s been generations since we last won. I know Roloson got ganged up by the mob at the end of his days in Edmonton yet we’re still talking about his unbelievable play in 2006.
Meh. People still rip Talbot and Fuhr was booed heartily as a young goalie. Oilers fans are pretty hard on the goaltenders, and Jarry/Ingram will come under fire. Same as it ever was.
Some players feed off of being booed or heckled. It’s easy on the internet but how many sane folks would give Mike Smith the gears if he was approaching you in a dark alley.
Tommy Salo was a decent goalie … but he was completely washed by the time the Oilers traded him. He was out of the league the same summer after playing 5 more games for Colorado. He then played two very mediocre seasons in the SHL before he was out of pro-hockey all together.
I get the narrative you’re trying to write here LT, but using Salo to defend Skinner, is damning with faint praise. Every single former goalie who has watched Skinner backstop the Oilers felt that we needed to upgrade the position. He just wasn’t good enough. Great guy and feel I bad for him that he didn’t get an extension signed last summer. But he’s a backup goalie who got pressed into the starters position because of circumstance and the incompetence of our former GM.
I think Salo is a perfect goalie to use in this framework. He might have been the weakest starter in Oilers history. I think that’s a fair assessment. However, the negativity over his play was beyond what one heard about other flawed players. Oilers fans are hard on goalies. That’s my narrative in this case.
Calls for McDavid to be traded will commence with his next high speed puck bobble.
Oilers fans don’t seem to have mercy for anyone lol.
I think some folks would like to be able to trade their kids especially if they didn’t pull high 90’s in chem and math 30.
Is there a reputable site for that?
https://x.com/kirkception/status/2003900237774311520?s=46&t=VKZ79-9hN-xwMNTBjohq7w
mcdavid and Bouch are the leagues # 1 forward defenseman combo in scoring goals.
The top 3 sets should all be on Team Canada.
Bouchard is not just a PP specialist.
If I were constructing team Canada my philosophy would be wave after wave after wave of overwhelming attack. None of this scoring top 6 and then suppressing bottom 6. The best option is power vs power and on team Canada you can keep hitting them with overwhelming power.
One line has McDavid
Another has Mackinnon
”Third” line has Crosby
”Fourth” line has Point
One pair has Makar
One pair has Bouchard
One pair has Chychrun
I’m bringing Celebrini, Bedard, Scheifele.
Something like:
Horvat-McDavid-Bedard
Celebrini-MacKinnon-Scheifele
Marchand-Crosby-Marner
Suzuki-Point-Reinhart
Toews-Makar
Morrisey-Bouchard
Chychrun-Doughty
Kuemper is my starter
Thompson the backup.
Foward lines could be rearranged somewhat and I could be talked out of Doughty being a starter.
Matthew Schaefer is an extra on the team.
Penalty killers include Suzuki, Horvat, Reinhart, Marchand, Marner, and honestly pretty much anyone else could fill in as extras.
Haven’t looked hard but you need hagel on this team. I’d also bring Wilson for the tkachuk shenanigans. I don’t know who comes out but without looking I think point is one of them.
Interesting.
The U.S would counter with something like this:
Brady Tkachuk Jack Eichel Matthew Tkachuk
Matthew Knies Auston Matthews Jack Hughes
Matt Boldy Tage Thompson Cole Caufield
Jake Guentzel Dylan Larkin Alex Tuch
Kyle Connor
Quinn Hughes Charlie McAvoy
Zach Werenski Jake Sanderson
Jaccob Slavin Brock Faber
Lane Hutson Adam Fox
Connor Hellebuyck
Jake Oettinger
Thatcher Demko
Your second pairing could get bullied depending on matchups and I don’t think Bedard would fare very well against the Tkachuk brothers..
Also worth noting, there is plenty of speculation Canada may opt to add Scott Wedgewood who is having a spectacular season.
There is exactly zero chance Crosby doesn’t have one of MacKinnon or Celebrini on his line if not ideally both.
Crosby-Celebrini-MacKinnon
RNH-McD-Hyman
That top-six would be literally unstoppable.
Crosby was always ‘the most skilled grinder ever’ and his boots have slightly slowed of course so he ironically gets LW forechecking duties instead of defensive responsibilities at center that would require a bit more speed/agility.
Hunting for elusive McDavid chemistry in a short tournament isn’t ideal so a wholesale import of the best line in hockey makes a ton of sense, even though fans would b*tch and moan at an all-Oilers trio. Crosby, at the height of his powers, successfully petitioned for Chris Kunitz after all, and Nuge/Hyman both have legitimate claims for consideration anyway.
Not sure what that guy is smoking.
MacKinnon/Makar have scored 41 goals while McDavid/Bouchard have scored 29.
In terms of ice time…Makar plays about a minute more per game than Bouchard but McDavid plays almost a minute more per game than McKinnon so per/60 is close to identical.
What exactly are “net” goals?
I don’t know what the guy on X is qouting, but McDavid-Bouchard have been on the ice for 6.70 GF/60 (all strengths) per NST, while MacKinnon-Makar have been on ice for 6.13 GF/60.
I would just like to send out Holiday Greetings to all of the people on this site but especially to Brad Treliving. What a wonderful GM he is and I love the train wreck he has left behind in Calgary as witnessed by that game last night. He has since moved on to Toronto and is really doing a number with the Leafs as well. God Bless you Mr. Treliving you are Christmas angel fallen from the sky!
He did build a Stanley contender in Calgary they were close, the loss to Edmonton pushed them into panic mode. It may take the Flames a decade to be relevant again we all know not all high picks pan out. As for the Leafs if they win game 7 against the Panthers they might of kept rolling.
A contender? Just like the Canucks I guess. The Canucks taking the Oil to 7 games was terrible for them. I don’t believe either of those teams were contenders though .Tkachuk and Jonny Hockey (RIP) refusing to resign in Calgary might have had a part in the demise of the Flames.
All Connor Ingram does is win win win, now 2-0.
Similar to Cal Pickard last season who saw the lighter side of the schedule and thus delivered wins.
Imagine if Stu Skinner had only been asked to be a backup / 1B for this team, his stats would have the world believing he was a perennial all-star.
You don’t know for sure until they face a real barrage..
Skinner had a big lead in game 1 against the Flames, proceeded to crap down his leg and send the team into a tailspin.
Last night was the perfect example of what the Oilers are capable of when their goaltending doesn’t sewer the team.
Ingram provided a game that Skinner struggles with.
I’m so glad to finally see competent goaltending. Skinner could not be trusted every pundit that didn’t have a Oilers tattoo on his arse knew this the players knew this. I wish he would of worked out but once Vegas got to him a few years ago I knew he wasn’t the goalie to get us over the hump.
Early days but I really like Ingrams style for the team. Rebound suppression is something the team hasn’t had for a while. Skinner leaks rebounds and so does Jarry. Ingram really calms down the team as their opponents end with a lot of one and done.
Who needs MAF? Jarry and Ingram looks like it will be a capable tandem. I would not be surprised to see Ingram take over the starters job for stretches. He’s been excellent so far.
Both jarry and ingram appear to extremely higher caliber puckhandling ability and confidence when doing it.
Like there were a few imstances with skijner this year where he seemed to freeze like a deer in headlights behind net with puck when pressure started coming.
I truly think that is an element we have been sorely missing on backend and it is advantagous in playoffs to have a goalie who is better at stabilizing puck possessions behind net as well as get puck going other direction before forecheck even sets in.
Less panic less grind
If the Oilers brass doesn’t extend a sweetheart offer for Mike Smith to come be our goalies “stick handling skills coach” then they’re missing a golden opportunity.
He was, no exaggeration, like having a third defenseman back there. One that passes better than Nurse tbh lol.
There were rebounds the last couple of games but, playing a more complete game, the oilerss got to them first and made the clear. Nobody notices those reboundss as much.
I also like the way Ingram has played.
I’ve been a vicious critic of Darnell going so far as suggesting his unwillingness to waive is among 3-4 key “moments” that may cost the Oilers their Cups.
Even ignoring all of his excellent pugilistic work last night, he played a DYNAMITE game of hockey. He was zipping darts all over the yard and this on the heels of one of his finest assists the other night on the 3 on 2 to Hyman.
Is it possible the game is finally slowing down for him at the age of 30?
Im begging you. Do not raise the specter of Nurse ‘getting it’ until we can see the proof of it on the ice, consistently, for at least two seasons straight (fool me six hundred times, shame on ME).
I saw Nurse very good last night as well. Not trying to do too much. Not chasing.
His own goal was a perfect box out. Took away the player while also giving his goalie a clear lane to see the shot.
He did that several times last night and was a big reason the flames had few grade a chances.
I believe Regula is a factor in Darnell’s play as he gets the puck out effectively and most often to a teammate with a lane up ice. He has a bit of Bouchards patience. As a result the play doesn’t get shoved back down the oilers throat where Darnell tends to get chasing.
Part of it is limiting his ice time and making sure he is not doing too much. When he plays a “stay at home” style with a physical edge, then he can be effective. But when he is relied on to do more, he gets above his head & gets into trouble.
I believe that Nurse is most effective when he’s transitioning the puck out of the zone via skate and joining the rush – yes, less is more in the defensive zone (don’t chase and let others to their jobs) but using his feet for transition and offence is part of his peak game.
I like to spam literally every comment too bruh
The Flames also suck, which made everyone look good last night. Darnell does fine against these teams, but he can’t keep it up against teams that play at a faster pace than he can process.
After years of watching Smith/Skinner & Pickard to an extent, Ingram is absolute peace in the universe. He plays big, sound, smooth, with a game that seems to be easy to replicate.
More please.
A healthy, pissy McDavid is hockey.
Merry Christmas, I hope everyone has a festive few days.
Will this rhetoric continue when Jarry or Ingram actually lose a game?
Ingram doesn’t play a sloppy wild style, so yes.
Don’t believe anyone is under the belief the Oilers aren’t going to lose again.
Cheers.
Time to trade in your Skinner Jammies for a Ingram Teddy Bear.
Didn’t see the game last night (as I was in Vegas watching Cirque du Soleil), but the narrative – i.e. Wolf preventing the game from being a blowout – indicates that this might have been the Oilers best game of the year so far?
You’re supposed to be boycotting US travel
Each person has the right to make their own decisions where to travel.
Well sometimes the wife makes my own decisions.
Are the Oilers aware of this? LOL
If it matters to you, I sold my Tesla, gave up California wine and stopped buying American produce – but my daughter is in the U.S. and I hadn’t seen her for 8 months.
The Anderson slash/slashes on Conners breakaway looked to me to be intent to injure.
I wish that type of play would be eliminated from the game. Clearly Anderson was willing to take a penalty or give up a penalty shot to remove Conners hand.
Then later clearly sticks out his leg to trip Hyman and really thinks he didn’t do anything wrong. That one was likely a reaction and not intended to injure but he had no idea why it was a penalty.
He fit in so well on the Florida pricks where he could get away with both.
Calgary has been icing teams with filthy defensemen since entering the league in 1980.
Neil Sheehy.
Remember Matt Cook???? Hope Anderson gets his ass kicked but pretty sure he won’t drop the gloves with someone like Nurse again.
Vegas as well.
There should be a significant response to anything done to McDavid. Like I mean significant! Look what Montour did to Clattenburg after he embarrassed Fred Gaudreau. A freaking nobody!!!
With McDavid on your team, you HAVE to make sure everyone knows they will pay a price to touch him.
This is a huge failure by this organization for this Era. Klim Kostin was begging to come back. It’s such a shame. You wonder why McDavid only signed 2 more years. When/If he does leave, you watch how his new team will protect him.
Trent Frederic!!! One guy! He thought he came here to score 30 on the top line. It took until last night for him to do what he was really brought in for. After being benched of course.
Merry Christmas everyone!
I think retaliation against Anderson only adds to his effectiveness and proves he’s doing the right thing.(at least to him and his team).
I don’t believe intentionally injuring another player should be the goal.
Calgarys best player last night was wolf. If he got sat on a few times Bennett style that may be a slight deterrent.
Taking a penalty on a clear breakaway is generally acceptable. However there should be a distinction between a hook or hold or a slash on the stick and trying to remove someone’s hand.
That has to come from the league. By league standards Anderson did his job properly.
Yes, its a shame that Klim Kostin is far from being an NHL player and he really only had a couple 2-weak heaters of success in the league.
Kostin has 0 points in 11 KHL games this season and is -6.
Many saying that this is some of the McDavid’s best. To the grinches, naysayers and lawyers here who were silly enough to say he can’t handle to puck at speed anymore: EAT CROW!
To say that he was struggling to handle the puck at speed for an extended period of time, well below his established norms in that area, was simply truth at the time.
To say “he can’t” is not the same as saying “he isn’t” or “hasn’t been” which is where I was at.
Typical lawyer-speak.
All truth and context and interpretation is important.
I myself believe it was contract related. I think Connor was closer to leaving then many think. I believe he’s decided to have fun with the core for the next 3 playoff runs. We are going to see the most complete overall play and now that we have steady goaltending things are going to get even better.
I’ll happily have my plate full. This is the best McDavid’s looked in a year and a half at least. It’s awesome to watch again. I wonder what changed?
Exactly, “the best McDavid’s looked in a year and a half at least”.
To comment on his play earlier in the year, as a continuation of his play last year, was just dealing with reality in real time.
Some had the opinion that he’s declining and past prime. Others, along the lines of what you posted, wondered what is going on.
I was generally in the latter but have to admit that earlier this year it did creep in that maybe we are past pure peak – we are clearly not and I’m very happy.
Pretty hard to be motivated when your big lead erodes to a loss. Everything looks different now.
Jarry and Ingram are both calmer than Skinner in the net, which is ironic given the personalities involved.
The team is also attacking more in line with its character and substance. Hard to get a high danger chance from your own zone.
Yep when Skinner played tight the whole team did. We are going to find out this playoff that we actually did have the core personal for 3-4 Cups but it was the below average in the the important position that killed us.
The Oilers started playing well before the Skinner trade. I think it was time for Skinner to move on, but the change in play came before the trade
This is true, and I posted the same on another platform.
Not only the Oilers were playing better defensively, but Stu was on a solid 4-5 game run behind the better play – as he often did.
You can make up all the expected saves you want. Some goalies make tough saves look easy then there’s Skinner who makes every save look brilliant with his Flopping and flailing. No GM is going to go into next year with Skinner as a starter. Skinner does a nice family friendly interviews but his performance will see him as a back-up or a 3 goalie for the next couple of years before he washes out of the league.
Are you sure you are responding to the right post? This has nothing to do with my post you are responding to.
“In those two games, he has faced only 10 HDSC, with just two from the Flames last night. That’s a story too.”
And Santa returned the defensively responsible play the team had been missing since winning the Western Conference in May 2025. And everyone was happy. And visions of sugar plums danced in their heads. And finally, no one was blaming the goalie. It truly was a Festivus to remember. If only, Santa thought as his sleigh left the Ice District, these boys would remember to look after their toys so they wouldn’t lose them again.
New goalies are 5-0. Skinner is 0-3. I am not laying it all on Skinner, but team swagger matters.
These new goalies are making the defense look better.
I suppose Kulak is gone too. What does that tell you about Stastney?
That he is a better player at this point in their careers. Kulak was struggling mightily. Stastney looks great. Excellent skater and starting to show more confidence.
To me it looks like better goalkeeping is making the defense PLAY better.
Merry Christmas to our wonderful host and to all Lowetidians (even HH). Peace and love going into the New Year.
My biggest problem right now with talking about the offence from the bottom 6 is that the highest offensive zone starts outside Draisaitl (54.5%), Hyman (50%), Nuge (45.5%), Mcdavid (50%), Bouchard (50%) was Ekholm (22%). The rest of the roster from high to low was:
Regula (18.2%)
Emberson (18.2%)
Podkolzin (16.7%)
Mangiapane (16.7%)
Savoie (16.7%)
Henrique (16.7%)
Roslovic (16.7%)
Stastney (15.4%)
Nurse (14.3%)
Janmark (12.5%)
Jones (12.5%)
Frederic (12.5%)
How do you we possibly expect the “depth” players to put up any points if they are constantly having to battle up river 80%+ of the time to get to the other net. If this is the case in a game where the Oilers win 5-1 and out shoot the other team 39-19, what’s it like when they play good teams?
KK may not line match but he certainly treats the bottom 6 like they are all Boyd Gordon of 2013-2015. (Exaggerating, Boyd Gordon was fighting demons in the defensive zone to ever see the other team’s side of the ice.)
I do understand it more so if the team is
chasing to constantly be throwing the main guys out in the offensive zone but when the team is leading, you’d think that maybe you’d give some of the less “gifted” guys some cherry minutes and maybe let 2 of the top 10 players in the game move the puck up the ice a little with their skill versus just starting next to the opponents net immediately.
I don’t think it’s as extreme as I am saying it is consistently but some of the offensive guys like Henrique are playing near the lowest they’ve ever played in the offensive zone and are struggling to put up points, just wonder if it correlates.
These values appear to include all game states including the PP. I do not know where to find the ES one starts – can you provide?
This. Typing when you posted. Slow typer/thinker.
Per Natural Statrick for the season, Off. Zone Start%, this is 5v5 over 100 min TOI. The calculation is Off. Zone Faceoffs*100/(Off. Zone Faceoffs+Def. Zone Faceoffs). So this is not including Neutral Zone Starts, it’s the % ratio between how many starts OZ vs DZ directly. I’ll out their 5v5 GF/GA as well
CMD 65.00% / 35/33 – 51.47%
Hyman 63.16% / 18/13 – 58.06%
Mangi 62.02% / 16/30 – 34.78%
Savoie 60.80% / 19/21 – 47.50%
Howard 60.53% / 5/8 – 38.46%
Tomasek 60.00% / 6/10 – 37.50%
Frederic 57.94% / 8/17 – 32.00%
Nuge 57.43% / 15/18 – 45.45%
Drai 56.80% / 37/25 – 59.68%
Podz 55.47% / 29/18 – 61.70%
Ros 48.57% / 18/15 – 54.55%
Janmark 42.62% / 6/10 – 37.50%
Henri 40.14% / 8/19 – 29.63%
Philp 36.84% / 3/10 – 23.08%
Lazar 35.42% / 3/6 – 33.33%
The same since Nov 20:
Tomasek 60.00% / 3/2 – 60.00%
Hyman 59.52% / 16/10 – 61.54%
CMD 55.56% / 18/14 – 56.25%
Savoie 54.00% / 11/5 – 68.75%
Drai 47.83% / 16/13 – 55.17%
Fred 46.15% / 3/4 – 42.86%
Nuge 45.16% / 10/7 – 58.82%
Mangi 43.90% / 7/7 – 50.00%
Janmark 43.18% / 5/6 – 45.45%
Podz 40.35% / 12/3 – 80.00% (Wow)
Henri 35.00% / 2/6 – 25.00%
Ros 33.33% / 3/4 – 42.86%
Lazar 33.33% / 2/2 – 50.00%
Less forwards being used now. You can see which guys are pegged as defensive. I think Podz gets even more DZ starts because he is absolutely wailing on the opposition. You can also see a few guys recover
I have a meeting so that’s it for trying to suss it out for me
Thanks for this. I see Podz over-and-over again getting back into the dzone and breaking up plays and these numbers confirm the eye test. Henrique needs to be replaced; the question is with whom?
The high percentage seems to be the power play first (and only) unit. See the large difference between Bouchard and Ek.
The play starts in the O zone each power play and most face-offs are in the O zone during the pp.
With the number of face-offs in a game that is significant vida vis zone starts.
Still a very good observation as the percentages for non pp personnel are stark.
This team ranks right up there with the best in the entire league. The depth behind the depth is looking up too. They’re sitting pretty right now.
To me it’s more important to have some positive impact on the game at least a few times a game. Not just survive.
Games like last nite it’s not as important but in dull games when the top guys just aren’t clicking the 3-4 lines need to provide something.
A big hit, a fight, a cycle shift, a great defensive play to shut down the other teams top guys. Cycle shifts are often very impactful even without a goal.
The oilers of the past have had many versions of lines 3-4 to that could provide a momentum shift to get the team going.
Recently the fourth line has been able to do that some. Credit to Jones. The third line is just too vanilla in its current form. Savoie has value but needs give and go types to play with.
Dustin Wolf was the second best player on the ice last night – that was a 10-1 game.
I know that McDavid is driving most of the offence (and the PP) but the Oilers gave up so very little.
NST had the high danger attempt at 20-5.
That was dominance.
This is true. Wolf literally never gets beat post to post. I’m astonished by his quickness.
Kudos to Max Jones for earning his current spot, not only on the roster, but in the lineup.
He had one great game last year, followed by an OK game followed by 18 completely ineffective games followed by being a marginal middle six AHL player (good on the PK though). He’s provided some positive impact on the 4th line – of course, he has a 10 year history that tells us he can’t do this night over night over night. Maybe all of a sudden he can find that consistency, seems unlikely though. We can hope.
The Oilers have $600K of LTIR reserves which means, when Walman is activated, they’ll need to clear about $2.8MM (and another $1.3 for Kap).
I have to imagine that Clattenburg goes straight to the AHL (but he’s also on LTIR so that doesn’t help the above-referenced cap space). Philp might need to get waived and assigned (if not claimed) – they’d need to find the cap space to activate him from LTIR and moving him off the roster doesn’t help the need to open up the cap space.
Jones will need to go, Stilman too, of course, but there will need to be more “cuts” or subsequent LTIR placements.
It would appear that the players are starting to understand their different roles on the team.
From Max Jones all the way up to Connor McDavid.
I’ll be curious to see how they plan to accomplish that? Moving Kulak seemed to be an option but that’s gone. Rico Mangi Frederic have trade protection
There must be ways around trade protection. Aren’t there?
Just pointing out:
Frederic has an No Move Clause on his $3.85M hit cap. Henrique also has and NMC on his $3.0M.
Mangiapane has an No Trade Clause on his $3.6M so he could be waived to the AHL or claimed…
Tomasek’s $1.2M traded for a pick, and Jones $1.0M and Stillman $0.775M sent down would clear $2.975M to get Walman back but Kapanen would require more drastic cap surgery.
Demoting Mangiapane has to be on the board.
By demoting, do you mean waivers and AHL?
That would save $1.15MM on the cap.
Our 5th round pick Asher Barnett made US world junior team. Very young 18 yo. Not very impressive counting stats but anyone have a scouting report?
Future Oiler TJ Hughes is tied for the team scoring lead
Really hoping he is the college fa Stauff was hinting at before the season.
For Barnett, I recall the draft day scouting reports overall similarly to BCurlocks update so far this season, where he has very strong defensively playing regular 3rd pair and PK mins.
His reports read similarly to Paul Fischer (before his bigger offensive breakout this season), in being average height but strong, very good skater and primarily defensive in nature.
Barnett excelled as the U18 tourney captain last year so not too surprised he made the team. Excited to see him against top comp, even tho will likely get 3rd pairing mins and may sit as the 7th D at times.
Wonderful game last night for the good guys! Hopefully the short break doesn’t cool them off too much. Always a concern with these guys.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone! Hope everyone gets their blue and orange jammies from Santa 🎅
Merry Christmas everyone!
It’s quite something that Connor has found another level. It’s truly amazing, I’m not sure anyone else at his stage of career has actually become faster in play and speed
What I will be interested to see is how he and Leon respond to those few teams that are able to make hard what they love to do
When teams don’t and let them romp when they are healthy the Duo will dominate that team. I have liked the additions Bowman has brought, because how the Duo will dominate teams that clog things up and basically cheat, which they often get away with mostly, is to use their linemates, do things that aren’t expected
Not that they will do what they’re doing now, even Wayne didn’t always put up points as he could in tough playoff series or games, but can they change tactics and not fall back on to what teams expect, which for me they often have, draw players out of position and set somebody up. I think the finishing ability is better in the top 6 than it has been
That still leaves the other lines especially the third line to contribute. Hopefully Bowman and Knoblauch can figure that out as well. From a start that had many wondering if they were too gassed and there were too many changes to compete seriously again, it looks like they can
Might not get to the finals this year, but then they might with enough health and good fortune. As things settle out around the league there really are only a couple of teams that have remained really strong
The Wild got stronger but need a C, the Avs are a thing but can they sustain and are they too top heavy, the Stars are always good but do they have enough depth on D? Should be a crazy second half given the weird Olympics season
And only one of those 3 can emerge to play in the conference final too. The Oilers can take advantage of the foolish playoff format to make their way to the conference final playing against Anaheim, VGK, and LA, a much lower hill to climb than against the central.
If the hockey gods have a sense of humour (and most days they do), the Oilers will play the Kings in RD1 and knock them out for the 5th straight year! Then on to winning the cup.
Yup they will probably blow what little they have left of that “generational” prospect pool trying to just make the playoffs
Never put it past the vacuum-cleaner salesman to overpay for some players out of the guide and record book. Could see him trying to get MAF just because.
The one thing said last night by announcers that i found really interesting was that the oilers have no more eastern away games.
That’s huge.
The AVs are NOT top heavy.
They have 8 players with 20+ points and another 2 sitting at 19….the Oilers have 4.
The 3rd line has contributed 17 goals…the Oilers 3rd line 10.
The Oilers 4th line, such as it is, has contributed all of 10 points but is a collective -11 while the Colorado 4th line has put up 27 points and is a collective +21.
The Avs D has scored 113 points…the Oilers D 88.
Every single Colorado roster player is above par in plus/minus…the Oilers have 10 players underwater.
No need to say much about goaltending except both Blackwood and Wedgewood are at .924 with a GAA slightly above 2.00…only Jesper Wallstedt better at .933
One of these teams is top heavy and it ain’t Colorado.
That top line is a monster. We need Nuge on the 3rd line but there’s no way you break that top line up
His next post will be him speculating how every team but the Oilers will have a gajillion dollars in cap and they will all sign Auston Matthews. Oilers beware!
Remember when there were those suggesting Mathews was better than Connor????
True. Just about any team with a gajillion (or more) of cap space does not have an elite number 1 center. I will take the team with 2 true superstar centers thank you very much.
That line is dynamite. What’s needed is a legit 3rd line center and keep nuge where he is.
That was one of those games that you know you won’t hear from HH for a couple of days.
it is not that, his mom forgot to pay for the second phone line so the dial up in the basement is down.
I don’t know how you come up with these lines – Bravo, Sir, and a Merry Christmas to you, the familly and the LT community…
Merry Christmas to our amazing host and the wonderful commenters who make this community what it is!
Happy Holidays to all!! In my opinion, we’re only content with Frederic when he fights someone. I have to ask the question, was he aware that was a job requirement when he signed? Although he’s been sort of willing, I don’t see a guy who relishes this. And he’s not a heavyweight.
I wonder if he was aware that playing hockey was part of the job requirement?
I getcha. But I’ve been under the belief that he’s still suffering the effects of the high ankle sprain. He’s basically here for the next decade, and I’m hoping the speed returns eventually when he’s 100%. But if his options are either getting scratched or fighting guys out of his weight class, this is not going to go well.
If its his injury still why is he slower this season than last playoffs?
Max speed
24/25 playoffs 22.33 mph
25/26 season 21.72 mph
I’m all ears if you know some other reason.
If he’s still feeling the effects of the high ankle sprain, then why have the doctors cleared him to play?? Maybe the best thing for him and the team is to get injured again so he can go back on LTIR and recover all over again to 100% this time.
That’s my opinion too. If he’s gonna fight guys to stay in the lineup, then sit out until you prove you can play. $3.85M is a huge price tag for the role he’s currently occupying.
Yeah I was actually not happy to see Fred having to resort performative staged fights to prove he’s contributing. Oilers need him to be hockeying, dammit, and hockeying good. How does last night do anything to show his worth, or do anything to help him recover his game?
I’m more like sit him three months with mandatory yoga and speed/mobility training, rink and gym, and three sessions weekly w the Pelletiers.
Trent Frederic has 17 fighting majors as a Bruin during the regular season, when he’s feeling confident and on top of his game, he’s 100% a willing combatant.
He’s generally had 6-7 fights per year in the NHL
44 games left and 97 needs 88 to tie Yzerman’s 155.
Loving Ingram. Oilers obviously playing well in front but he looks calm and ready. Eminem reference intended.
IMO MAF should stay retired. Maybe take up pickleball LOL.
Skinner might be playing in your league around this time in 2 years.
He’s too young.
I have been super glad that both jarry and ingram appear to be ++ puckhandling tenders.
I think it is a bigger dynamic impact change than most might realize and compliments this teams style of play so to a significant degree.
Like there was a relatively significant amount of instances with skinner where he seemed like he went near deer in headlights in instances where aggressive forecheckers closed space unexpetedly. And most of these are in the simplest variety of puck handling scenarios just simply stopping dumpins from ringing around back of net. Just a combination of neither the confidence, awareness or puckhandling skill that it made pressure “scary” seeming reaction as result.
In 2 games i’ve seen a lot more aggressive and active with ingram and same goes for jarry.
I’ve said it before but the year after they shifted from koskinen/smith our defense paid a huge toll and was just getting pasted in the corner. Bouchard i especially noticed. He has since adapted quite a bit and is better for it. Still though having the type of tenders who kill forechecks by stopping puck behind net so defense can be retrieving more often head up with speed in positive direction with goalie’s that are a threat to do more than just stop puck and wait to defense to come get it but also send it with accuracy other direction. Huge.
I woukdn’t be shocked if it was already showing up in underlying numbers (in average time spent per game in defensive end, number of breakaways and outnumbered rush chances type improvements) quite noticably and that trend will continue.
Oh man too much snow shovelling today see i did actually put same comment in twice
I only watched the last half of the game, but it was delightful watching the Oilers manhandle the Flames like they used to do to us back in the DOD. I also realize how lucky we are to have Connor and Leon in their prime, these days won’t last forever. But I will enjoy them, every brilliant moment! On another note, I think Henrique is better suited on the 4th line. Not sure who they find for a 3rd center replacement. Maybe he’s in the Bake or maybe a trade. The 1st line is too good for Nuge at 3C in my humble opinion.
Josh Samanski is the internal option – I presume the org was planning on maybe next year but he’s smashing the AHL with his 2-way game and playing 1C and PK. Let’s see where he is when he gets back from the Olympics. 3C on a cup contender seems like a stretch but you never know.
I wonder how Noah Philp’s game would look at the AHL level.
I’m sure he’d be great.
Of course, Philp never produced at anywhere near the pace that Samanski is and never transported the puck like Samanski does.
Merry Christmas! I’ll admit that I’ve been a fair-weather visitor to this blog, but things are looking up!
My two sons and I will be making the trip from Halifax to Edmonton in the New Year to see the game against the Wild on Jan. 31. It’ll be our first visit to Edmonton. I was a bit concerned after I booked the trip, wondering if the Oilers would be still struggling at the end of January. But things are looking a lot better now. Hopefully they continue to roll and finally get a win against the Wild.
I am also in Halifax and have never seen the Oilers play in person or been to Edmonton. Sounds like an amazing trip and I hope they can get a big W for you and your sons!
Thanks! I sometimes wonder as I wander through town if I ever come across Oiler fans I interact with online.
Another one here. I know at least a handful more hardcore Oiler fans from NS that frequent this place. As you know, the Maritimes have perhaps the most eclectic group of NHL fans in North America. No other location is 1000km from a handful of NHL with none really grabbing the region. Tons of Toronto, Boston and Montreal fans. Lots of Pens fans among the Crosby-aged crowd. But I can say I know a hardcore fan of nearly every NHL team which I think is pretty unique.
Probably should have scrapped the moniker Knighttown. Lived in London during the HFBoards era and it’s stayed with me.
On March Andre Fleurry. Do the Oilers really want him? I would run Ingram in Calgary, for sure and if he wins I would keep riding him until a bad outing or a back to back. Why not. Yup pretty much know what Pickard offers , so let’s see if Ingram puts an end to thoughts of Fleury here.
💯
We don’t need no Fleury.
I think they need to take it slow with Ingram. So far so good but they’ve played really well in front of him. I’d do a 50/50 split while Jarry is off then figure it out – last chance for Pickard, whether it’s Ingram or someone else, he needs to be solid to keep an NHL job, and I’m personally willing to give a game-to-game level of rope from this point on.
Merry Christmas to all!
That was a beatdowns. McD and Drai are unstoppable playing like this.
Top 6 are solid for sure. Give Roslovic another game or two and look out. You can see it coming.
PP is insane.
This team does need a legite 3rd line C man. Stauffer hinted at this last night.
Solid game by Ingram. He seems so calm and I like it. Let’s hope he gets the start Saturday, and has another solid game.
4 th line was fun to watch. That was possibly the best game we have seen out of Frederic. ( Good for him) and if we get that Frederic night in and out. Great. If Jones could play with that much speed and intensity every game he would be here full time. Not sure he can.
Saturdays game could be a real rough and tough must watch game. Be nice to add Clattenburg in for that one . He must have a concussion? , to be out this long or some sight issues out of that eye? No clue, but something is up that they are not divulging.
Gregor provided this update on Clattenburg earlier in Dec. What Really Happened to Clatterburg’s Eye? and the Oilers have also reported he was experiencing vision issues in the days following the injury. You can’t fool around with this stuff, he’s basically been shut down. I’m sure it’s super frustrating to him if he is feeling physically ok, but if there’s internal swelling it’s probably increasing his IOC (intraocular pressure/eye pressure), which can lead to a lot of issues for him in the future if they can’t get it lowered.
I’ve had eye issues in recent years (retina & glaucoma surgeries) and all of this makes sense to me based on instructions I’ve received from Dr’s for my own experience, i.e. no lifting, no physical exertion, no bending down, etc.
No fights
Clatt has been skating – from accounts, he’s close but he’ll be assigned to Bako once off LTIR.
Crazy injury
When Clattenburg is activated from LTIR, he will be sent down to the AHL. They don’t have cap room to keep him.
I would also 100% NOT insert him and change the lineup that just crushed Calgary from start to finish and did just fine with the physicality.
I would suggest the Oilers do no need to change their lineup based on Kutsnetsov or Rasmus Andersson or Kevin fracking Bahl, right?
Thought Roslovic played well last night for his second game back after missing almost 1 month. His speed gets the opposing d moving back opening up space. I would give him until the end of the year with Drai and Podz and reevaluate then.
He was night and day from his 1st game back to last night even. He will just get better I am thinking. He has a hard shot.
Agreed. He can score from any area with that shot. The one over Wolf’s shoulder was a laser
Roslovic has something in common with the flames.
They each have a Bahl
I think he has more upside than Savoie, I hope he goes on another heater.
Way better shot.