The Bakersfield Condors have been sending a more interesting group of hockey players north this winter. Connor Clattenburg, age 20, skated his way all the way to the show this fall and early winter, merely by being the guy who arrives at the scene of the crime like a full force gale. Quinn Hutson married astute checking with an impact scoring season and found his way to the NHL. Ike Howard went the other way. He started in the NHL, scored twice, and then kicked out the jams in Bakersfield when demoted. I’ll tell you that having followed Oilers minor-league teams since forever, this Bakersfield Condors team might be the most interesting one I’ve ever seen. Seriously.
BAKERSFIELD FORWARDS
Miro Satan scored 24 in 25 age 20, so Ike Howard isn’t the truth and the light as Satan was, but he’s having a helluva start to his pro career. He’s such a good passer! We knew about the shot, but this young man is highly creative and can make things happen with the puck.
Hutson gets half his points on the power play, but hey those count, too! He has speed and two-way ability, plus has had his cup of coffee.
If, as is rumoured, the Oilers recall both men from the AHL today, music! However, you have to play them. Howard took his medicine, went down to Bakersfield and turned Kern County into his own personal proving ground. He was the plane in North by Northwest that almost runs over Cary Grant on a highway not far from Bakersfield. AHL goalies are Cary Grant.
As is the case every year, even-strength goals tell an enormous story. If you just look at the boxcar numbers, Viljami Marjala and Josh Samanski are having similar seasons. However, Samanski leads the Condors in even-strength points and has a far more impressive goal share than Marjala. This stuff matters.
CONDORS BLUE
You couldn’t place these numbers any better if you did it by hand. The two best even-strength outscorers are prospects making their pro debuts. In Beau Akey and Damien Carfagna, the Oilers have two possible NHL defensemen on the Bakersfield roster. Credit also to Atro Leppanen, who is making the scene. In the past decade or so, Edmonton has developed some solid NHL defensemen, and I do believe Akey and Carfagna have a chance.
BAKERSFIELD GOALERING
Connor Ingram is up in the NHL now, he has an .883 save percentage up top. I don’t think Connor Ungar is going to be the next goalie to emerge from the prospect pack, but he looks good in front of a Bakersfield defense with plenty of chaos. Small sample. I wrote about the Oilers in the first half, but much of the first 41 games were attached to someone recalled from the Condors. It’s going to be a helluva second half.
On the Lowdown today, we’ll talk about the Condors recalls and the second half projection for these Oilers. Steve Lansky will be my guest and we’ll have Declanations, NFL and NBA, Bowl talk and more. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and You Tube.
Edmonton Oilers 2025-26 midseason assessment: The good, the bad and the ugly
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6933902/2026/01/02/edmonton-oilers-stats-lines-2025/
The really ugly? Losing $3M on an unnecessary trade, when that $ could (should?) be spent on fixing the real problem, the third line. As I mentioned in my too-long comment on the A, “shades of the Jack Campbell decision.”
That trade upgraded the goaltending as Jarry is an objective upgrade on Skinner and provided cost-certainty at a reasonable cap hit for the next two years. Jarry has been worth a $5.4MM cap hit for 6 of the last 7 years.
Also, the Kulak for Stastey concurrent swap reduced the cap increase by $2M (and provided cap certainty at a low amount when he’s extended for 3LD for the next few years).
As I noted elsewhere, to my eyes (& the numbers), Jarry is an upgrade if he is on LTIR and GM SB can use the full Cap hit to build a third line.
Kulack /Statsney is upside here, I agree, for Cap and longer term D.
In the end, this whole shuffle may have nothing to do with goalies, everything to do with the third line. Because goalies are less important to a good team than most believe. And this is a good team (when they play like they can, as they showed between the Nov shellackings and Xmas).
You definitely seem to have little or no respect for the Goaltending position as in individual performance is always tied into team defence. Your a Habs fan your telling me Patrick Roy or Ken Dryden didn’t win 2 Cups strickly off of their backs. I’ll throw in Billy Ranford as well no way we should of won the Cup in 91 Billy flipped on the switch after game 4 and was a machine. The poor Jets really thought they finally had us. Dale Hawerchuk was one of the finest hockey players I’ve watched over the years. I kinda felt sorry for the Jets.
I understand your opinion and simply push back aggressively against your implied position that that Jarry is not an upgrade as far as on-ice play over Skinner – in an objective way.
Thanks OP. Whether either Jarry/Skinner is “objectively better” (I don’t know if there is a metric for that; it used to be GAA, then SV%, now it’s “adjusted SAxGA” whatever that is; I’m a fan WIN% myself, and especially playoff WIN%) is moot IMO until we see how well/poorly team/goalie play over an extended period. And, how well a playoff run goes. Skinner was desirable to the Penguins because his playoff pedigree was deemed superior to Jarry’s.
As for goalies making a difference (Reja’s point, I think), my point isn’t that goalies can’t win a Cup (we’ve all seen it happen). But the 1971 Habs team were not better than the Bruins. Maybe better than the Hawks. Dryden was indeed the difference. It happens. But this team isn’t the 1971 Habs. I believe it is (and was in 2024 and 2025) a team with a higher ceiling than those Habs. GM SB said it months ago, and I think the evidence is there, w a few outliers like the 1971 Habs: you don’t need elite goaltending to win a Cup. You do need a team (including goalie) playing near or at their ceiling.
Neither 2024 nor 2025 SCF losses are on the goalie (Skinner better than Bob in 2024, by the numbers). 2024 Game 7 was failure by Oilers stars to reach their ceiling (only Janmark scored; Skinner let in only two goals; nada from Glimmer & co). Games 5&6 2025 were ineffective team play (low floor), as often described on this blog.
As I’ve argued elsewhere, let’s not make a fetish of the goalie. Key position, no doubt. But consider him like a pitcher, and be mindful of expectations, and need for gentle handling. Sometimes he’ll pitch a shutout. Sometimes, not. Relieve -and support- him (I love how pitchers are met on the mound by manager and field, often given applause when relieved, like they’ve done their best in that moment and have earned relief). Imagine McDavid as Capt, and all on-ice players, escorting an Oilers goalie off the ice with pad taps etc when he’s relieved.
As I’ve said, perhaps the most interesting thing about how GM SB has “fixed” the Oilers goalie-non-issue may be how he uses an often-hurt goalie to free up $5.4+ in Cap space via LTIR to raise the floor of this team. It may not be the plan. It may be the outcome.
ps Scungilli quotes coach saying he thinks goaltending better. Unless he’s an asshat, and he gives no sign of that, he has to say that. Only an idiot behind the bench would say otherwise. Remember, he said supportive things about Skinner and Pickard when the rest of Oilerville was piling on. That’s his job. To help his players, whoever they are, believe in themselves.
Its an objective upgrade by all the stats you mention, this year and year over year (i.e their history over the years), Jarry has been over .900 6 of the last 7 years, materially over in a number of them with two all-star births.
He did have a shit year last year but has recovered this year and was a top 10-12 goalie by the numbers at the time of trade – this was not a distressed asset at his contract.
Pickard was, what, 7-1 last playoffs? He was highly mediocre except for one game and had worse stats than Skinner in the players.
Skinner did not “lose the cup” but he had struggles in both SCF, mores this past season.
Skinner was outplayed by Bob in 4, arguably, 5 of the 2024 SCF games – the overall SCF stats are skewed by one horrible game where the Oilers lit up Bob.
Thanks
Everyone is making valid points on the goalies but it’s too early to compare still. Whether Jarry is an upgrade or not is irrelevant if he’s not healthy enough to be in or stay in the net. The bulk of his injuries have come about in the past few years, so there’s a risk that becomes negative factor in the comparison over the rest of his contract. The AAV is only great if he can play the games.
Also, his playoff experience is much less (and worse statistically) than Skinner’s. Watch the series winning OT goal by Josh Bailey of NYI in 20/21, directly a result of Jarry’s giveaway. Jarry’s playoff ability is where the Oilers will really be asking for an improvement, and again this is a risky move by the Oilers.
I hope for the Oilers sake they have actually improved the goaltending with this move, but it’s way too early to tell.
This is very well thought out. I get where your coming from we were a goalpost away (Bouchard) from taking a 2-1 lead and probably winning game 7.If that happens we probably roll over them the following year. The team Holland constucted was damn good and damn close but this is Bowman team now. Bowman obviously sees a different path to winning the Cup which involves his own Goalie (Jarry) or Goalies (Ingram)
A lot of factors at play for sure. The coach has said he thinks goaltending is better, because it’s more stable at least so far. I agree, the one or more weak plays a game where not helpful, and it isn’t just the goalies that did that, it’s a team thing, these goalies seem better for that
Stastney is at least as good as Kulak, younger and as you said the cap hit works. Can’t pay millions for 3rd pair D when you have two guys at 9M or more
The single metric for ability – is availability
And as of December 21, 2026 Tristan Jarry is not.
Full stop.
Someone tell me how many pucks he stops when he isn’t even at the rink.
Probably still than skinner has been
Max Jones with a nice rush and dish but, holy hell, what a toe drag and lazer shelf by Jarventie to go up 2-0.
Ryan Holt’s call on the Josh Brown fight was classic. “Uncle”!
Summarizing! (Part the First)
Lewandowski opened the scoring with his 1st of these WJ’s, then added two assists as Germany staved off relegation with an 8-4 win. He played 20:20, tops among German forwards, and had a team-high 5 SOG.
Barnett was held soupless in a 4-3 OT loss, ending his tournament. He was once again 4th among the 7 US d-men in TOI.
Nicholl too was denied soup but went 9-of-15 (60.0%) on the dot.
Wakely, Berry and Fischer were also not resoupients.
Lafreniere’s game still in progress.
Summarizing! (Part Deux):
Lafreniere also failed to garner soup.
Griffith chips and chases, lifts the stick of the defender to steal the puck, dishes to Max Jones for an empty netter. WHAT A PLAY BY GIFFITH!
How about Max Jones for not missing the empty netter.
The Tomkins outlet pass to Akey on the half wall is too far ahead, its turned over, 2 quick passes and its 1-0 SJ.
Sam O’Reilly having quite a game tonight.
I was among those disappointed with the trade at the time, and nothing about the WJC has dissuaded me from that position. Although Howard may impact sooner, I think SOR will be the more impactful player from next season onwards.
Howard is absolutely tearing up the second best league in the world. That means a whole lot more than the tournament of small sample sizes.
You aren’t accounting for age and position. This time next year SOR will be Tampa’s 3C and we’ll still be staring at a gaping hole in the Oilers roster.
It highly likely that this time next year SOR is playing in Syracuse
I heard he never made the team.
Interesting lineup for the Condors – I presumed Jarventie and Poulin would move and play with Samanski (Jarventie filled in when Hutson was called up).
Clattenburg/Marjala/Griffith
Jones/Samanski/Jarventie
Poulin/Hamblin/Pitlick
D’Amato/Copponi/Keppn
Carfagna/Akey
Millman/Brown
Inamoto/Feist
Tomkins
Finland beats the USA 4-3 in OT in the WJHC quarter finals.
Canada up 5-0 over Slovakia at the end of the first.
Sam O’Reilly with his first goal of the tournament.
Can’t help but think the kid line is a sweetner showcase for a Mangiapane trade.
That would be brutal.
Can’t help but think the kid line is a dick move by the Knob.
He better not get to cute Bowman still has fire a coach free card in his hip pocket.
I missed the part where they double shift McDavid-Leon in the middle with Howard-Hutson which now makes sense having Savoie in the middle on paper. The Oilers are going full nuclear after Boston tanned our asses.
KK wants to make sure 97/29 have absolutely nothing left in the tank for the playoffs.
Takes courage to have vision.
This is true and I mentioned it on numerous occasions on driving the piss out of Connor-Leon but I actually love this strategy Savoie has been during sweet FA but you use him for penalty killing. Having Connor and Leon with Hutson-Howard matched against the opposition 4th line should be a slaughter. I’m actually getting pumped up to see the Howard-?-Hutson line. Howard is going to get his 20 yet just play the fuking guy it’s not rocket science that he has a wicked shot now find a way for him to use it.
Am with you on the idea of a kid line, I just want to see the coach actually use them more than 6 minutes a night before he sends them down to learn how to play.
My sense for this season is becoming a transition year to get work new (younger) players acclimated. I do think that there is a path to the finals though given that no one in the Pacific is running away with the division. Yes, the Central is very good right now, but Stanley isn’t won in January.
It’s imperative we get the 5 on 5 scoring going on all 4 lines. We definitely do have a good shot at the final now that Jekyll and Hyde has been traded. Howard and Hutson could be the answer maybe even Samanski. Fuk the ball washing of vets like Mangiapane-Henrique-Frederic if Hutson-Samanski-Howard are better harder working then you play them.
Making it all-rookie with Savoie in the middle _could_ be passive aggressive compliance, or an effort at making a point. Whatever form it’s given I hope they crush it.
I don’t think Bowman is moving any of the three in order to get a team to take a bad contract (and there is some scuttlebutt out there that some teams would put a positive value on Mang right now, which I personally don’t believe but the sweetener would be a much less asset I think.
What’s the % numbers we can take on this year and next year to get rid of Mangiapane? Does 25% get it done?
Is Nicholas Roy of interest to Edm as seems to be hinted by Stauffer? Would need retention. So, maybe Savoie + Mangiapane for Roy with retention? If trying to get retention on a player like Roy could be expensive.
Let’s go Finland!!
My wife is literally at the airport now heading to Norway to meet some Norwegian friends she met on her travels to India last year.
She is actually heading to Helsinki for 3 nights first and she’ll be there for their semi-final game on Sunday which may be against Canada. She may head somewhere to watch with the locals!
We are doing a Scandinavian cruise in June with a stop over in Iceland on the way.
I saw the little mermaid in Denmark, but found the Carlsberg brewery more interesting.
I literally like lutefisk.
Interesting 3rd line Stauffer put out
Howard/Savoie/Hutson
Why not just bring up Samanski as well?
They have no cap room for a third – they could waive and send down Mang or Janmark or send down Stilman (leaving them with zero extra D) but no cap space now.
Be a really good time for the Oilers to stay on a roll with Vegas and Anaheim struggling all of a sudden
They have to make up for the games others have in hand, and from the typical inglorious start and so many games played. Yes the sched was tough, but you have to bank wins now
They need to get on a roll (again) in order to stay on it.
Starts tomorrow with an infusion of youthful energy!
Blues score with a minute and a half remaining to go up 4-3 over Vegas.
Completing the win. VGK now with 3 straight regulation losses.
Of note, Carter Hart with 4GA on 19 shots – his save percentage below .880 now.
I agree with Bowman getting as much skill as possible, but it will take time (unfortunately) to balance the forward group. An issue is there are a lot of smaller forwards. MacT often says he likes size for a few reasons. I agree mainly, unless you’re talking elite skill or a freak like Marchand, but they broke that mold
Not big, below NHL average (AI says the forward average ATM is about 6′-6’1 200-205):
Henrique 6’0 195
Nuge 6’1 192
Podz 6’1 190 (folks forget he’s not that heavy for the game he plays)
Kapanen 6’1 194
Small:
Howard 5’10 180
Hutson 5’11 176
Mangi 5’10 183
Savoie 5’10 179
It matters less in the reg season I think, but 25% being small is a lot, none are that assertive, add that 8 out of 12 are below average in size overall, none are elite. Nuge being a solid two way player when he’s at his best, only Podz really has any edge to his game naturally
Most teams balance F lines for size if there is a small player. On pairs they also do that and pair styles, unless you can run Toews Makar but most can’t of course. Things are never set in stone, but there’s a reason average size lands where it does, in any sport, outside of outliers who by definition are rare
The Oilers D is also not balanced as they are right now, at least the 3rd pair. Stastney is 6’0 184, Emberson 6’0 193. They have played together before and are doing ok, I’m not sure they would hold up in playoffs. Ideally you’d change Emberson with Regula for Nurse’s pair and Emberson out when/if Walman can stay in the line up
Not the easiest roster right now for the coaches. One thing Armstrong said about having Sanheim Parayko is that they are hard to get around going to the net because they are tall and rangy. Makes one wonder why that’s not the case with the Oilers’ current top 4 with Bouch being the shortest at 6’3
I very much agree.
I don’t believe the oilers can have Hudson/howard/ Savoie/ mang. On the roster going into the playoffs.
Two is likely ok. I’d say Howard then one of Savoie/husdson.
Yup. Howard if he can be reliable, because he is a scorer and they need more of that. He’s also a pretty sturdy build and pretty self confident, I don’t think he can be easily intimidated
At this point I see Savoie as a better player with more ceiling than Hutson, but we’ll see. Mang if he ends up staying can be gritty, he has to get back to that game
Tangibles (physical attributes, skill) can matter as much as intangibles (attitude, style, motor, etc), so it’s all well and good to say they need to get bigger — because they surely do — but it’s not just a single variable to consider when cheffing up the winning playoff recipe.
For sure. The panthers incorporated players in that weren’t known to play the way that they have, so part is coaching and them creating team identity
Hutson is 2 years old than both Savoie and Howard (2 and a few months older than Howard, exactly 2 years older than Savoie – both Jan 1 b-days.
I do agree with everyone’s sentiments about seeing RNH as 3C with the 2 young kids, could be a fantastic line. That being said, remember 2 points:
There is no way that he is not playing with RNH/Hyman. The only exceptionto break up the line is to play with Drai.
Personally, I wouldn’t mind putting the 2 rookies with a vet like Lazaar on the 4th line, as long as they do get minutes, and they are told that Lazaar is the defensive conscience and they need to go make something happen at the other end of the ice. Not benched immediately for a mistake as long as their motors are going…
Unlikely to happen under Coach K I know…
I agree the team should do it all it can to help McD succeed, but maybe it’s also time for McDavid to ‘Crosby up’ and unlock some new skills or approaches to his game? I hate to burn the heater upon which all recent team success has depended, but it may already have kind of sputtered? Teams just have to be remember to hit the Oilers and back we go.
McDavid shouldn’t need both our best wingers to succeed though. Hyman should be enough. Part of the reason I want RNH centering that third line is that it ensures they get their minutes. I don’t think the coach is going to knock back RNH to less than 7 even minutes like he does with the bottom two lines now
Total agree. It’s been great the oil have been winning since the top 6 has been locked.
I think Draisaitl with rosolvic then Mac d with Hyman could work.
Then Podz/nuge plus? Builds a third line.
Can always go back to the sure thing.
That could work, and rotate an extra shift or two per period with each of Connor and Leon as their centre to see how they do with top skill.
If the Oilers send Mags down, could he ask to have his contract terminated and get released (then go sign with someone else). That would help the cap out.
That would be an ideal scenario.
NHLPA has sat by and let that happen…well, never as far as I’m aware. Not for a vet in the middle of a multi-year contract unconnected to any off-ice issues.
But I am none of historian or researcher or labour lawyer, so please somebody else chime in.
David Kampf did exactly this maybe 2 months ago because he didn’t want to ride the bus in the A.
I believe it has happened a few times but, even if it didn’t, the NHL wouldn’t have any ability to say or do anything I don’t think.
Its a mutual contract termination, available by law unless negotiated out of contractually (or, additionally, in this case, prohibited by the governing CBA) – the CBA does not prohibit this.
If a player is agreeing to give up his guaranteed compensation……
Brandon Saad agreed to void his contract last year with a year and a half remaining on the St. Louis Blues, and he found a new home in Vegas.
Unlikely…that could cost him close to $5 million.
You could make it work for leverage.
Mangiapane would have to spend the next two years riding buses and eating soggy subs. That would be the end of his NHL career.
It happened last week with Tomasek, although as noted already, the financial stakes are much higher (and technically, both parties agreed to terminate and THEN he was waived)
Tomasek walked away from approx $600k, and then promptly signed in Europe( for I’m assuming, less than that)
Mangiapane would be walking away from over $5M, with no guarantee he’d recoup all that money. Some of it, sure(somebody would sign him) but he hasn’t helped his value with his play this year, and last year in Washington
Yeah I put Tomesek in a different box as an import from another league on a one-year with a home team to return to, but perhaps there’s nothing materially different to his situation. Thanks all for the other examples.
He would be signing for MUCH less money than he’s making now.
This has happened but its been rare and I doubt it.
Not bloody likely Mangi walks away from $5 mil. Mangi and Fredrick are the classic examples of why you do not hand out No Move or No Trade contracts to bottom 6 players. I would argue those should be reserved for only your top 2 or 3 players???? Mangi was a 4 th line player last year. Why the F**k would Bowman have to offer $3.6 mil NT for 2 years???? The Frederick contract should be a fireable offence. Oilers biggest problem for the last 20 years has been piss poor management!!!
Give Howard a few games at 11-13 mins / night to get acclimated back to the NHL.
Then put him in the top-6 for a stretch of 15 games. If he can be a contributor it solidifies the top 6 with Nuge, McDavid, Hyman, Howard, Drai, Roslo.
Podz is an ideal 3LW and his crash bang boom should balance nicely with Savoie on the opposite side. Need a 3C.
I like the idea of giving Howard a chance. But Drai and Podz work so well together.
There’s a real dilemma, because the young guys need a good 3C to play with, but Henrique isn’t that guy.
You can play Nuge at 3C with guys like Howard/Hutson/Savoie, and you probably should. But then who is the defensive conscience at 1LW?
Maybe the best move is something like this:
Hyman-McDavid-Savoie
Podz-Drai-Roslovic
Howard-Nuge-Hutson
But that Top 9 doesn’t have a lot of grit. It’s great to see guys like Howard and Hutson develop as scorers. But the team needs grit. Savoie has grit and defensive conscience, but not size.
It would really help if Frederic could be a 50-point 1LW or 3C.
It would help a lot, but if you’re looking for 50 pts from Frederic, you will be disappointed. If he can get back to being the 40 pt guy he was one time in his career and played with some grit, that would be a win. I don’t think it happens but we can hope.
I’d still like to see a dangerous third line given real minutes. I feel Nuge and The Kids could be kicking out the jams by April if Oil can only commit to it.
Something will have to give to activate Kap (and coach said he’s ready for tomorrow but they may want to give him a few more practices before he plays, he’s only had 1).
They have to send someone down in order to activate Kap – its hard to imagine they would call these guys up with the intent of sending one back down after a single game – its not like they don’t have bodies.
Do they plan on sending someone else down (Savoie (yikes), maybe Mang after waivers (that will NOT help the closing on a trade without taking cap back), Janmark (no chance).
Maybe Kap agrees to the short conditioning stint? I can’t remember the last time this org actually did that.
I have a feeling they are trending towards a Jarry LTIR placement which will kick this can down the road again.
I believe last conditioning assignment was Matt Benning in Jan 2020
https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-assign-matt-benning-to-ahl-for-conditioning-stint
I was thinking Sekera but that would be more recent.
Thanks.
You bet, cheers : )
With the February break in play it’s a little surprising Oil don’t simply declare Jarry in LTIR off the hop. Be sure. Protect the investment. Ditch the cloak and dagger.
Jarry on LTIR solves a lot of problems. Maybe that was the real reason for the trade? Not solving the non-existent “goalie problem,” but the very real Cap problem? This team can play exceptionally responsible hockey -in front of any number of goalies. They just need a strong third line. Having $5.6M will go a long way… (Perhaps GM SB is truly a 4-D genius!)
My bad. $5.4M. Thanks for the correx (above) OP.
Well, my Friday night Condors’ viewing just got less exciting…..
Big opportunity coming for Poulin – I presume they go:
Poulin/Samanski/Jarventie
Jones/Marlala/????
KK sure making some head-scratching decisions. His tenure as an NHL head coach is being floated by having the Glimmer twins.
I would have Lazar in for Frederic, and Roslovic or RNH as 3C.
Same. No issues w Lazar, tho I prefer Roslo in the top six.
Savoie has center pedigree but he was a full time winger in the AHL last season. He did play a few games a center when the Condors were decimated with injuries, call-ups and personal leave but, for the most part, he’s been a full time winger in this org.
I find it hard to think that Knob will give a rookie like centered by Savoie consistent ice time – three slighter statured rookies with none of the having NHL center experience (or really much pro center experience).
I can see that line faded for the “veteran 4th line” as coach likely only spots in that kid line situationally.
Coach said the top 6 needs Roslovic but maybe either he or Nuge can center 3C and one of these kids plays with McDavid or Drai.
I know McDavid has gone Supernova since reunited with Nuge and Hyman – maybe Ike Howard could benefit from McDavid creating space for a sniper?
I like that the coach leaves Howard and Hutson together as they are familiar with each other and obviously have chemistry. He just isn’t putting them in the optimal situation to succeed. Savoie has struggled with the puck on his stick in the past ten games or so. His confidence seems low. Add to that, he has played next to no center in the NHL. Now you expect him to drive a line? Makes no sense. Give Howard and Hutson RNH to guide them through their early NHL careers, and put Savoie up with McDavid to get him going again.
Here’s hoping I’m wrong and the kid line catches lightning in a bottle and never looks back.
Josh Samanski, their 5 on 5 center, actually leads the Condors in 5 on 5 scoring…..
The quote from Bednar sums it up. Few wingers can drive a line, good centres not only enable the wingers but are also key to supporting the D
I hope Stan figures it out. I’m not sure the coaches will without it being obvious
Lines at practice per Bob:
I’m disappointed that 93 hasn’t been moved to 3C. I like the idea of a kid line, but this team doesn’t have a 3rd line that makes an effective kid line viable imo.
I wonder if 97’s opinion of where 93 should play is in effect here or if its all Knoblauch?
I’d go:
23-97-18
Keep 97-18 together. 23 has the defensive game to play there I think
92-29-28
53-93-22. 93 and 22 should keep this line from bleeding at it could outscore
10-19-20 – 20 has been the most effective 4th liner shouldn’t be scratched. You can put 13 in 10’s spot too.
If that kid line plays more than 1:30 each, I’ll be astounded.
My concern with the kid line is if the Oilers fall behind, the coach will never run them. Slippery slope.
And spot on with Lazar. He needs to play. Gives you another effective PK option and he is an aggressive forechecker. I don’t mind admitting I was wrong about his signing in the summer.
I can’t imagine the kid line stays together, that’s a pretty small line and two are rookies. Or they won’t play them unless the game is in hand
22-23 are two way players. Lots of talent there, if they score a couple I imagine there will be cognitive dissonance in coaches brains
Agreed, drop RNH to 3C and we will have 3 dangerous lines tonight. It would be nice to have the bottom 6 status quo or better at even strength and moving RNH to 3C does just that.
This.
Thanks for posting the practice lines. It’s helpful to see the coach’s thinking over speculation.
I like your thoughts on the lines too. As much as 97 likes his set up, 93 with 22 & Hutson gives them 3 scoring lines, which they badly need more than 97 being solo supernova.
Let’s say we never find out and the result stays the same, with Nuge remaining 1LW.
I’ve had the likes of Jenner, Coyle, Zacha, Haula, and Sundqvist in mind but wonder if the data suggest someone else might be a better fit from a style and/or cost perspective.
Disappointed in the lines from practice this morning but not really surprised. Coach will likely play the kid line 5 – 6 minutes unless it’s a blow out lead in the first period. Then will be scratching his head on why there is no production from the bottom six.
Nelson over Robertson seems criminal.
Trochek over Robertson is also wild.
Nice to know other countries have dysfunctional management too.
Not really.
Nelson is an elite penalty killer and a centre.
Colorado has the best PK in the league.
“The center ice position is such an important position,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “You have to be a four-line team in order to win and your top six has to to be really good. If you’re missing that piece, it almost doesn’t matter how good your wingers are. We’ve got elite wingers on our second line.
“But if you’re missing that middle piece — take (Nathan) McKinnon off the first line, put a different center there — it’s not the same. If you take Nelson off the second line, put a different center there, it’s not the same.
You need the production out of those guys. You need them to be able to play against anybody, and you need them to be able to defend against anybody. Brock does that, and then he touches every aspect of our game — power play, penalty kill — on top of that.”
https://www.denverpost.com/2026/01/02/avalanche-nelson-olympics-united-states-family/
Building a winning team, especially in a short tournament, is about excellence in ALL aspects of the game….not just scoring although he is no slouch there either.
“He has 13 goals and 25 points in his past 23 contests, in which Colorado has gone 20-1-2.”
Winning.
And why did they leave Adam Fox off the roster?
4 Nations result, some have pointed him as culpable for the McDavid OT winner.
Also, Seth Jones’ size and Cup ring, as well there is a perception that Fox isn’t able to process the game at an elite level when the tempo is faster.
Doesn’t seem to be the 4 Nations as per Guerin:
“Guerin said that last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off, where Fox was on the ice when Connor McDavid scored in overtime, was not the sole reason for leaving the New York Rangers defenseman off the team.
“Well, I think it’s exactly that — it’s perception,” said Guerin. “And you know what? That’s for you guys to wrestle with and talk about. That’s not for us. If you think we made a decision on one play, then you must not think we’re very smart. Other than that, I’m going to keep those conversations private. Our decision was made, and we’re moving forward.””
https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/you-must-not-think-we-re-very-smart-team-usa-gm-bill-guerin-blasts-critics-on-adam-fox-snub
Werenski 6.2 214 Faber 6.1 200
Slavin 6.2 207 McAvoy 6.1 211
Hughes 5.10 180 Jones 6.4 213
Hanifin 6.3 206
The Wild don’t use Hughes on the PK and the Rangers don’t Fox. Looks like they wanted size, as much two way as possible, and not too old. Fox and Hughes compete for the same role, Hughes is considered better. Werenski is also more productive so they didn’t need the offense. Carlson also not called and he’s having a good season
That’s a nice D group. Canada:
Toews 6.1 191 Makar 6.0 187
Sanheim 6.4 222 Theodore 6.2 197
Morrisey 6.0 195 Parayko 6.6 228
Harley 6.3 211 Doughty 6.1 210
I think their group is better
Screw the US team. Let them pick the worst players possible.
2025-26 Goalie Stats:
Goalie #1
GP: 24, 7W/10L/6OT
SV%: 0.869
GAA: 3.56
GSAA: -16.71
GSAx: -16.07
Goalie #2
GP: 23, 11W/8L/4OT
SV%: 0.891
GAA: 2.83
GSAA: -4.98
GSAx: 7.69
Goalie #3
GP: 29, 15W/11L/3OT
SV%: 0.913
GAA: 2.39
GSAA: 12.31
GSAx: 29.8
Goalie #4
GP: 24, 10W/7L/6OT
SV%: 0.913
GAA: 2.27
GSAA: 11.72
GSAx: 15.78
Who do you choose as starter for Team Canada?
Goalie #1: Binnington
Goalie #2: Skinner
Goalie #3: Thompson
Goalie #4: Kuemper
Goalie #3
i like the WIN%
I like the GSAx
Here is my preferred forward line-up:
Howard-McDavid-Hyman
Podz-Drai-Hutson
Henrique-RNH-Roslovic
Janmark-Lazar-Savoie
Howard with a hot McDavid gives him best chance at early success. I think Drai needs someone to help make skilled plays and shoot and Hutson showed lots in his cup of coffee. Veteran 3rd line that should be able to score and defend. 4th line that should at least be defensively responsible. This also keeps everyone on their preferred side of ice.
Preferred *realistic* option:
RNH-McDavid-Hyman
Podz-Drai-Savoie
Howard-Roslovic-Hutson
Fred-Henrique-Janmark
Chaos 3rd line that hopefully outscores opponents 2-1 most games
howard mcd Hyman
hudson drai roslovic
Podz nuge savoie
fred lazar Kap/ Jan
To me the lineup doesn’t work with all of Hudson/savoie/ Howard. Just not enough size to offset them.
But at least give them all a legit chance.
Fred does not move the needle in any part of the game. At least Lazar can PK and has a 55.7 FOW% so can alternate with Henry as required.
Janmark – Henrique – Lazar
Could not agree more. My preferred line-up has Fred in Bakersfield or LTIR but the realistic option has him on the 4th line given KK’s use of him so far.
I also love your pairing of Henrique with a RC for tough D-zone starts which your line listed should be able to thrive in with the right D pairing
I kind of figure they’re going to have to trust Howard & Hutson in the top six to balance out the bottom six. I don’t think the Flyers are as tough as they used to be, so no need for Freddy on the fourth line, not that he’d make a diffence anyway. Can’t see them sitting Savoie.
I know you love this word but Savoie may need a reset it’s his PK keeping him in the line-up. Undersized skilled forwards need to point if they are playing meaningful minutes. Savoie may need a few weeks back in Bakersfield to work on his offence especially his shot. I like the fact that Bowman has the chops to bring players who are playing well and demote the players in a funk. I wish the Coach and the G.M were more on the same page.
Could happen after all , he’s waiver exempt.
A third line given real minutes provides enough air for the rookies to thrive and grow. Can’t see them doing that without Nuge leading it tho. Need a quality vet to lead. One that can still score.
They need Nuge on McDavid’s line otherwise they get scored on too much.
True. I really think for sustainability sake though McDavid needs to find a way to defensively responsible with only 1 of our top 2 wingers
Howard.McDavid.Hyman
Podz.Draisatl.Savoie
Fredrick.????. Hutson
Clattenberg.????. ????
Looking at next season (yes way too early), our depth issue is still the same. 3C and 4C. Someone right handed to take draws.
i post this to wonder if whoever they go hunting for to fill 3C, I expect it’ll be someone with a contract that runs through at least next season as well.
O’Reilly would be great and fits budget and years (not sure if he would agree to come).
Schenn maybe (2 more years at $6.5 a bit steep, but allows you to slide Nuge to 3C if needed)
Boone Jenner as a 1 year would be perfect 3C.
I think you’re missing RNH in this lineup who hopefully could fill that role! But I’d love to also acquire another 3C to either play 4th line or provide versatility through the lineup
oops yep. Nuge at 3C solves a lot. lol.
We were talking about 3C as Nuge’s eventual landing place when he first signed his extension. Then he goes on to score 100+ points and, fast forward to this season, helps McD unlock a record December. But I maintain he’s the 3C Oilers are looking for, at least now that the picks used to acquire Walman etc are spent and gone.
Give Nuge smart, young, speedy scorers and watch them tear up the black up and balance out the attack.
What are the odds that the “reward” Howard and Hutson get is having to drag around the wildly overpaid long term boat anchor wearing #10?
That would be criminal. Freddy is a poor centre (also a pretty crappy winger these days!)
Roslovic/McDavid/Hyman
Podkolzin/Draisaitl/Kapanen
Howard/Nuge/Hutson
Janmark/Frederic/Savoie
If Coach doesn’t play the two call ups legitimate minutes with a skilled C, imo he’ll be fired during the Olympic break.
It really depends. When the team falls behind, the coach overplays McDavid, Drai running them 23-26 minutes, and Hyman/Nuge (19-22 minutes). The other forwards get 6-12 minutes (although Roslo got 16 vs. Boston). But that’s he general pattern.
It seems the coach has no patience to stick with a plan and run 2 effective lines – let alone build a 3rd line. In fairness, right now they have 2 x 1st lines and 2 x 4th lines, but you have to commit if you want to succeed.
“Most impatient team I’ve ever seen.”
Mac T
Ice your best possible team the coach is the boss not the players. Most of Howard’s playmates who he out pointed on the USA development team are crushing it in the NHL. Enough with the bullshit turn Howard loose like they should of from game 10 give him a Centre and some real minutes. Despite the number they were drafted at Savoie is project whereas Howard will give you a instant return if he gets a meaningful opportunity.
One thing to note, if Kap is going to be activated next week, one of these guys (or someone else) needs to go down – or the Mang trade or Jarry on LTIR.
Guessing Jarry LTIR. Give him the Olympic break to recover
I’m guessing it’s Jarry on LTIR or Kap on a conditioning stint (although I think Sekera is the last time the Oilers did that). Its tough to see Bowman calling up both if one is getting sent down after a single game.
With that said Jarry on LTIR does not preclude his activation well before the Olympic break.
Anxiously awaiting the announcement of the German Olympic hockey team as I require confirmation that Josh Samanski will be on the team.
OP what do you feel his odds are of making the team?
I show 7 active AHL German born players and 8 active NHL players. This would also disregard German born players playing in the German pro league or elsewhere in Europe.
Would a 75/25 in favor of Samanski making it be overly optimistic?
NHL.com has projected him to make the team.
https://www.nhl.com/news/2026-olympics-germany-hockey-roster-projections-october-30-2025
Nice, it would be awesome to see Samanski against higher level competition to see if he can elevate his game.
Its tough for me to say as I don’t really know any German players outside the NHL (and the Oilers’ German prospects) but all 3-4 lists I’ve seen has him on it and those were all months ago, he’s done nothing but increase value since then I would think.
I expect him to be on the team but that’s solely based on the above.
Klima’s Lid nailed these call-ups early evening yesterday and he also had the Max Jones call up earlier well before it was out there.
He’s legit.
They don’t have a 3C on the roster to play them as an winger paid unless Savoie goes up to play with McDavid and Nuge centers the call ups. I’d prefer Samanski to Rico right now, lol.
is there a potential to play one of them right on the top 6?
Quite honestly I’m shocked both where called up. IMO they might as well call up Samanski as well and play the trio as the third line unit and play Janmark-Rico-Kapanen or maybe Freddy if Kapanen isn’t available yet as the fourth. Unless there’s already a trade that hasn’t been announced yet.
The Holland train is gonzo. No more Lavoie’s dying on a vine. We are in a new era where minor leaguers know if they play well they’ll get called up. Benson-Marody eat your heart out I would love to hear stories from these borderlines that may of had some quality NHL games in them yet they got the shaft from Holland.
They’re thinking outsude the box to figure out a way to fix the bottom six.
It will be interesting to see what they come up with against the Flyers.
Yeah – Broberg says hello averaging over 23 minutes a night in all 41 Blues games this season.
12 hours ago you said that Howard was dying on the vine and they were turning him in to a 4th line energy player,
It really bugs me that we lost a big, young cost effective Center in Philp whom I believe is also an upgrade on Rico and will only get better. Eff NMC’s.
I think the beef about Philp was he doesn’t use his size effectively. Hopefully that doesn’t change in Carolina.
Yep if Philp would of laid a couple of nice body checks I think he world of started getting more minutes. He didn’t have to run around nailing people but he needed to make it harder on the opposition. Maybe Rod can get Philp to play with just a bit of a edge as he does seem to have a nice shot that Goalies don’t expect.
Coaching staff was choosing to play Curtis Lazar over Philp.
Its too bad we lost him but, at the same time, Josh Samanski is already a higher ceiling prospect that is close to ready – he’s accomplished more, 2-way, in under 3 months in the AHL than Philp did in his career, he’s about to head to the Olympics to play on a team with Drai and Stubble and company (I think), he’s played 4 years of pro in Germany.
The loss sucks but its hugely mitigated in the here and now.
Philp has yet to play for Carolina.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but if Philip is waived by Carolina the Oilers get first dibs on reclaiming him and then Philip can subsequently be sent to the minors.
The Oilers don’t get ‘first dibs’ – they have to put in a claim like everyone else – but if Philp falls to them, yes, they can assign him directly to the AHL without exposing him to waivers again
True but only if no other team lower in the claim order also puts in a claim. Oilers can only send him down without waivers if they were the ONLY team to put a claim in.
Recall, Oilers could not send Lavoie down because another team put in a claim for him (which team, mysteriously, did NOT put in a claim a few days later when Vegas claimed him back hence why Vegas was able to assign him to Henderson).
Not, not first dips – Oilers get a claim in order.
If the Oilers are the only team to put a claim in, then they can send hi down without waivers.
I would put them with Nuge in the 3rd line to eat the softs. I’m guessing what will happen is one on the 3rd line with Rico and one on the 4th line.
I both agree and am afraid you’re right.
So do the call ups get the vet in Henrique? Or maybe it’s Fredrick with them trying to get him going. They’ll play 8 minutes night but that is the role.
Nuge.Mcdavid.Hyman
Podz. Draisatl. Roslovic
Janmark. Henrique.Savoie
Howard. Fredrick.Hutson
I hope the GM tells the Knobby that those 2 kids will not be playing 4th line minutes
I bet we see Nuge to 3rd line C
Hutson or Howard/McD/Hyman
Pods/Drai/Roslovic
Howard or Hutson/Nuge/Savoie
whoever on 4th
Howard=McDavid-Hyman
Podz-Leon-Hutson
Henrique-Nuge-Roslovic
Janmark-Lazar-Savoie
Bowman bringing in that culture from the Blackhawks of not taking no for an answer.
Bowman turnstiled dozens of players from AHL to NHL some for a brief look others lasted some good years. Bowman does like his bottom 6 forwards 200 plus that have skill. Iook no further than Samanski and Poulin who fit the Bowman mold.
It’s gotta be with RNH on a new third line. We already know Henrique, Frederic, etc are black holes. Why continue to beat our head against the wall. Try something new
I do not disagree, but painfully I doubt it happens. Would it be fun to see Howard with McDavid?????
Howard. McDavid. Hyman
Hutson. Nuge. Savoie
Let’s hope
They’ll be on the search for a capable 3c and it won’t be Nuge or anyone on the current roster.
Might as well just put Samanski in as the 4c. Kapanen is back too. I can’t see both Howard & Hutsom getting the call together, it’s one or the other. The bottom six has to be a major concern while the top six is set in stone.
Im guessing flip Janmark with one of them. You don’t want two rookies on the ice at the same time for their 6-8 minutes of ice time they are going to get
Did the Oilers just call up Hutson and Howard
Indeedly-doodly, neighborino.
Prospectized!
All but one of the NAmateurs toils this day.
Barnett’s WJHC experience could end today as the Yanks face the pesky Finns in QF action.
Lewandowski’s WJHC will definitely conclude today–all that remains to be decided is whether he and the other Germans will be in the top group next year as Deutschland battles Denmark in a single-game relegation match. Winner stays in the top division next year while the loser gets relegated to I-A (and replaced by Norway, who will be promoted for next year’s WJHC).
Nicholl makes his second appearance of the season, and will likely be 1C for London again while O’Reilly is at the WJ’s.
Lafreniere was held off the scoresheet last time out but has already matched last season’s 24 goals. He is currently on pace for 46 before he heads off to Western Michigan in the fall.
Germany (Lewandowski) @ 10:30 a.m.
USA (Barnett) @ 4 p.m.
UMass-Lowell (Wakely) @ 4:30 p.m.
London (Nicholl) @ 5 p.m.
Notre Dame (Fischer) @ 5 p.m.
St. Thomas (Berry) @ 6 p.m.
Kamloops (Lafreniere) @ 8 p.m.
All times, at all times, are Metiskow time.
Lewandowski with 1 G 2 A as Germany easily avoids relegation. Liking this kid….
No Ekholm on Team Sweden for the Olympics.
Just as well–let the Glimmers be the only Olympians whilst the other Oilers get a fortnight’s rest for the grind to come.
Not horribly surprising. They lack right shot right side options. They only have Andersson and Karlsson and Dahlin playing his offside.
Ekholm cannot play the right side, and they have Hedman, Forsling, and Brodin in ink on the left side.
Ekman-Larsson and Broberg are left shot D who can play the right side, and both have had exceptional seasons.
Broberg over Edvinsson probably because Broberg can play the right side.
Lindholm has never really played the right side either, and also left off.
Agree – Ekholm getting some rest during the Olympics is going to benefit him before another playoff grind. Same thing for Hyman and Bouchard. Our top pairing D can use the “snub” as motivation to prove the doubters wrong come this playoffs.
Surprised a bit that they didn’t select Klingberg for their right side D.
Gutted for the player but obviously fine with it from an Oilers perspective.
Him playing in the Four Nations, banged up and sick, had long lasting implications last season.
Some weird stuff went on with him at the end of that tournament as well – there was talk of a healthy scratch but he ended up playing – I think there may be some head-butting going on with Ek and the team management (I presume some continuity between Four Nations and Olympic management).
Now I hope they play Howard and Hutson more than 6 minutes and give them good linemates. I hate breaking up the top line but Nuge between the two of them to mop up the soft parade would be good. And give them some power play time and not just 20 seconds after the top unit failed to score
The Oilers don’t have a centre to play them with.
Over half the teams in the NHL are looking for middle six centres, and the Oilers cast one away into the deep blue sea for basically nothing.
The mistake every Oilers GM post 2006 makes over and over again…sending out players entering their prime for one dumb reason or another.
RNH. McDavid is the best player in the world. Surely he doesn’t need both of our best wingers to succeed.
We have a decade of experience with how the McDavid Oilers roll.
You are expecting a change now?
No coach has let Draisaitl and Nugent-Hopkins be centres at the same time for an extended period of time.
And how has that worked out? How many cups? Time to try something new
Yes. I am.
/manifesting