The Edmonton Oilers ask a lot of the team’s defensemen, occupational hazard for a team that gives high value to the fast break. The defenseman is expected to hold the blue line until the oncoming puck carrier dumps it in, and then scoot back and retrieve the puck (or have his partner do so), identify the best outlet available, and begin progression out of the zone. Add that to closing gaps, reading plays correctly, winning board battles, tending to the slot and general pushing after the whistle.
I think the Oilers defensemen have been getting solid sleeps since Lee Fogolin pulled that tooth out with a clothes hanger in a Buffalo hotel room 45 years ago. It’s a damned tough job.
OILERS DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS SINCE JANUARY 1 (Five-on-Five)
Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm are used heavily, playing 282 minutes. The goal share is 66 percent, expected 59 percent. The duo plays a lot with McDavid, Draisaitl, or both. Since January 1, Bouchard-McDavid without 29: 159 minutes; Draisaitl-Bouchard sans 97: 43 minutes, all three together 43 minutes. Bouchard has been away from both for 71 minutes, and is 3-5 goals but 61 percent expected. Need some skill on the third and fourth lines. Ekholm-Bouchard have played 92 of 282 minutes (33 percent) versus elites this season. Outstanding pair.
Darnell Nurse and Jake Walman have played 109 minutes together, 4-4 goals and 50 percent expected goals in that time. Puck IQ has 36 of those minutes versus elites, with a 50 percent Dangerous Fenwick and 1-1 goals. You might think that’s of no value, but the tandem hasn’t played a helluva lot together this year and 33 percent of five-on-five time versus elites is no easy chore. I’m not saying this is the answer, but I do believe the team should run it for the rest of the season. I do not believe there is a RH defenseman who is available and affordable who can help this team right now.
Spencer Stastney and Ty Emberson have played 98 minutes together, 5-3 (63 percent) goal share, 49 percent expected. I like the tandem, suspect they’ll grow some more over the rest of the season and have no quarrel if they’re third pair to start the playoffs.
When we discuss the defensemen in Edmonton, important we remember the massive ask from them. This isn’t the New Jersey Devils of the Patrik Elias era, this is a freewheeling bunch determined to punish opponents offensively. When we talk about the blue, or even the goaltending, factoring in the Oilers unique structure should be part of the valuation. Even if it is executed well, the foundation of the plan is jailbreak.
BAKERSFIELD CONDORS
A rare off night for the top line (Ike Howard-James Hamblin-Quinn Hutson) as thej were on the ice for several GA against the Ontario Reign. The line had seven shots, none from Howard. I think that’s less than optimal.
Beau Akey returned, the Condors have done a helluva job with so many defensive injuries. A total of 89 games have been played by AHL-contract players, that’s 33 percent of the man-games so far (45 games, six blue=270 games). This group has done well, kudos to Mason Millman and Luke Prokop especially. Please read this.
If the caps fall off a bit John Carlson would be awesome!
Yes, a likely Hall of Fame would be a great add……. so would Malkin and Jack Hughes…..
Late to the party today,the title referenced the Neil Young song Ambulance Blues off the album On the Beach.Man I wore out Neil’s albums ,especially first 6 or 7.Great music for a young man growing up thinking about life.
Glad Ekholm and Hyman stayed home,both are recently hurt veterans,why take chances.
No cap room,previous bad signings ,going to be great if Bowman can get out of this mess.
Condors continue to be under siege in the third – Fiest with a terrible non-pick up of a dump and the turnover leads to a shot from the circles that beats Ungar far side clean.
4-3 Reign.
Condors do a great job killing of a penalty but then a bad board battle/poor zone exit (Jarventie couldn’t get it off the wall) it squirts to the slot and a Reign is all alone and posts the tying goal 5-hole. Not a “bad goal” on Ungar but you want.a big save there.
Summarizing! (Chapter 1)
Nicholl scored his 6th, lining up at 1RW for the first time this season.
Lewandowski earned a helper.
No gift of soup for the NCAA contingent.
Lafreniere’s match is in progress.
Summarizing! (Chapter Deux)
Lafreniere was not a resoupient, despite recording 7 SOG.
Prospecting takes a break until Tiw’s Day.
Larionov’s chosen Russian Team for the Olympics has Podz on it.
A shot from the point through a screen leads to a mad scramble in front – looked like it was under Ungar but it was banged in for the 3-2 goal.
Tire fire shift by the 1st line of the Condors.
https://x.com/Condors/status/2020324354031251915?s=20
The Ungar games
That save is, how you say, Ungarrific.
Ungbelievable!!
Howard’s rush pass is deflected high in the air, over everyone and drops in front of the net where Carfagna driving the gap arrives first and buries the 3-1 late in the first.
Hutson should get maybe get the 2nd assist.
Hamblin keeps on a SH two on one and snipes the 2-0 goal.
Same PP, Ungar makes the save on a quick slot shot but the rebound is buried in to an empty net.
Poulin with an incredible backhand pass from the corner to the far side point and Stillman blasts home the 1-0!
Ungar with a massive save coming across on a 2 on 1 – the net was empty!
Apropos of nothing related to the discussion of hockey, I want to just shout out Albertans for being solid folks. I’ve been living in the heart of Dys country for a long time now. My car needed a flat repair while I’m back in my hometown visiting, except it’s a weekend and my town is still rebuilding from the fire.
I get a tow to Hinton, they patch my flat and just tell me to leave. I offered money, and then beer. They wouldn’t have any of it. If being kind to strangers was a thing that Albertans could export, they’d be the richest place on earth.
I got a flat leaving St. Albert last fall, didn’t have time to do much but drive it to OK Tire in the industrial park and take an Uber. I talked to the woman at the desk, told her I’d be back later. When I got there, tire was fixed and they wouldn’t take a dime. I’ve gone there since. Good people for sure.
I also went to an OK Tire. They’ve made a customer for life.
Stop by Gus’ Pizza if you’re still there.
Dry ribs and pizza.
I went to the L&W for nostalgia purposes, but I’m a strong supporters of Gus’.
Many fond experiences at both Gus’ and L&W in Hinton and Jasper.
As anticipated, Ungar with the start tonight.
Ryan Holt
@CondorsHolty
·
8m
Petrov in for Pitlick. Carfagna will wear a bubble too after going face first into the post last night. #Condorstown
The sooner this team realizes it needs a defensive minded Rhd to pair up with Walman in the second pairing so it can put Nurse emberson on the third pairing the better of it will be
NMC eases summer 2027. That’s when the Nurse contract comes off the books.And if the Oilers win Stanley before then? I think he signs here again. I think it’s possible Bowman gets a veteran RH defenseman here for second pair by next summer. I agree Walman might be the better choice for second pair LH side, but the organization has had miles of opportunity and never done it.
I’ve been waiting for a 2RD since they acquired Adam Larsson – the Oilers signed Kris Russell instead. And then re-signed him to a 4 year deal the following summer
I liked the Regula and Emberson acquisitions but they’re not the answer now. Neither is Wallman.
I like Artem Zub as a target but he’s got trade protection and as our host said, the Oilers don’t see 2RD as a pressing need
I was watching the Steve Dangle Podcast on Youtube and they mentioned TOR and EDM would make a good fit for trade partners. The mentioned OEL, Benoit and McMann would be nice additions for EDM with Mangi’s contract a reasonable counter for cap purposes.
Why not make it a one stop shop:
To EDM Woll ($3.67M), OEL ($3.5M), McMann ($1.35M) and Benoit ($1.35M) resulting in $9.87M CAP
To TOR Jarry ($5.375M), Mang ($3.6M), Emberson ($1.3M), Stastney ($0.825M) and EDM’s 2027 1st and other picks/prospects. $11.1M CAP going out (TOR has over $2M in cap room)
A goalie, a forward and two D exchanged and add draft picks to level the transaction.
I honestly don’t think it’ll ever happen because GMs are loathe to admit openly defeat on newly acquired players so quickly (Jarry/Stastney). But this would be Bowman dropping his pants and saying “Okay, I screwed up. Hit me with the medicine.”
Add Nylander and Nurse
Or Toronto could trade Nylander for a first.
Then trade McMann for another one.
OEL might fetch another one at the deadline but a minimum of a second.
Then hang on to Woll and his .910 save percentage.
And end up with another $16 million in offseason cap space binging their total to $3,85 million while gaining at least two first round picks.
Oilers Leon Draisaitl repeated it again at the Olympics.
Everyone in the Oilers organization including himself have to be better after the break.
https://x.com/BleedOilBlue/status/2020179231716880521?s=20
(click for video)
Nothing that radical in either of his comments, it’s obviously true. I was just listening to MacT talking to Bob, and how those old Oiler teams would take what the coaches said about defense seriously in March and April as the playoffs approached, hopefully this team does the same
Nothing radical. But not worthy of someone who’s looked to for team leadership. Say it in the room. Publicly, be the better player, don’t just lump yourself in with the “team” in your words.
Jarry caught some flak for calling out the team in front of him. Next opportunity he had to speak about his play, he “fell on his sword,” as MacT said, even though his play was not the problem. THAT is a leadership move. Drai doubling down on team problem while not owning his failure to play to his own standard is weak. Def not leadership. Very disappointing.
Drai referred to the leadership group needing to be better, that includes him. He even clarified that fact today by explicitly stating that he includes himself there and that he also needs to be better.
Agreed. He’s included himself in both interviews. I’m not sure if the second interview from Italy was something he wanted to get out there to settle people down, or if he was asked about his comments & the Oilers. If it was the latter, leave him be and let him focus on the Olympics and representing his country.
Well, that’s nice. Maybe just say publicly, “I need to be better. I told you all I was gunning for Selke. I’ve let you and the team down. I’ll be better when I get back.” And leave it at that. Telling us publicly that everyone else is a problem, and BTW me too, this is NOT what leaders do.
First interview, after loss to Flames, he said ‘We” or “us” 13 times.
“It goes hand in hand,” “We’ve got to defend better, make it easier on (Jarry), and then I’m sure he can be a little bit better too. It’s a two-way street, but it starts with us in front of him, and then the game becomes a little bit easier for him. “But,there are saves that our goalies need to make at some point.”
“We’re not consistent enough. This league is too hard to lollygag through games and trying to get winning streaks going. You need everybody. It starts with coaches. Everybody,”
“You’re never going to win if you have four or five guys going. It starts at the top, we can be better, our leaders can be better. We’ll take the break and regroup.”
“We’re giving up too many goals,” Draisaitl added. “We can’t defend. The penalty kill is not great. There are many things that are part of it. We’re not good enough right now.”
“We’re a different team,” he said. “We’re not the same team. We’re not as good right now. We’re not even close. We need to understand that. It’s time. There is a break now but when we come back we have to get going.”
Second interview, from the Olympics, he clarifies further, using “we” 6 times.
“Obviously, frustration was high after having lost three games in a row,” Draisaitl said on Saturday. “At the end of the day, my message was ‘we all need to be better.’
“I said it in that interview, I said our leadership group needs to be better, and talking about the leadership group – I’m part of that, so I can be a lot better. That goes for our coaches, that goes for everybody in our organization. We all have to step up.”
“It’s been an up-and-down year, but we have to find our game,” Draisaitl reiterated on Saturday. “We want to be a team that wants to win the Stanley Cup, and at the end of the day, we need to have those expectations of ourselves … We all, as a group, have to be better.”
Just my opinion, but I thought Drai demonstrated true leadership in his comments. I’ve listed the quotes in an earlier post. A leader sees the whole picture and his comments were made from that viewpoint.
It’s funny to me that the only things you post about Leon over his entire career are things like this. lol
thats because ” handle of the day” is an idiot.
Why do you find that funny. Harper’s Hair is an Oiler troll. This is very troll like. Matching his MO perfect
Great to see. Freedom of speech is important!!!
Your justice warrior thing is not appropriate here because it’s essentially political, not welcome per the host whose blog it is, on his dime. Start your own if you want to do that sort of thing on a sports site
The fact that Drai *again* called out the *coaches*? That he didn’t walk it back at all, but doubled down on it!? I think you have to fire KK. He’s clearly lost the room.
He called out everyone, including himself. I don’t agree with the above analysis of the above.
Interesting to read your post, LT, and what commentators have to say. I scratch my head. Have they read what you’ve written, based on D measureables, or are they simply here to express opinions?
Aside from that, what do we know?
-D&F play changed during SCF 2025, with obvious results.
-D&F “disconnect” of SCF 2025 persisting through Oct-Nov 25, 2025 (in part due to integrating new faces, persistence of “impatience” by core F group wanting to score the team out of deficits, and/or?), reappearing with a vengeance after Dec 25 (the statistical version of this disconnect seen in Oct-Nov 25 (-16; 10W/15L) and Dec 25-Feb 6 (-3; 9W/11L)
-A version of “connected” appeared with the return of Hyman (Nov 15), then RNH (Nov 29) and Nov 26-Dec 25 is the best we’ve seen the Oilers this season (+20; 9W/4L)
-Despite many in Oilerville determined in their opinion that goaltending was the problem, goalie stats reflect overall team cohesion and play. The two “old goalies” looked terrible in the Oct-Nov 25 period. All four goalies in the Nov 26-Dec 25 period looked OK, good, or great (Skinner at .943 5v5). The “new goalies” looking OK/not-so-good since Dec 26.
-PK: Oct-Nov 25 (78.8%); Nov 26-Dec 25 (77.8%); Dec 26-Feb 6 (73.5%).
-Henrique injured Jan 9. PK Dec 26-Jan 9 (87.5%); Jan 9-Feb 6 (65.7%)
-Your post today shows good to strong underlying numbers for D pairings over an uneven season. (I’d love to see the breakdown for Oct-Nov 25, Nov 26-Dec 25, Dec 26-Jan 9, Jan 10-Feb 6.)
MacT had this to offer on the GYB Calgary postgame podcast: “…“we’re getting back to Charlie Huddy’s famous line about never trust a friggin forward. And that’s sad because, you know, as a forward, you want the defense to support the offensive zone plays by pinching down and sustaining that offensive play. But if you can’t be dependent upon a forward to back up the defense, I mean…
…“Well, hey, when, whenever I was part of a coaching staff where the defensive side of the puck was going south and the goals against was going north, it was a total focus on the third forward being more disciplined and having more responsibility to be on the defensive side.”
My thoughts:
-This team may miss Henrique on PK and as a “forward with conscience” more than many of us imagine (just as the team missed RNH)
-This team misses last year’s Draisaitl, the one who played like a Selke candidate
Nurse and Walman both have terrible individual shares since January 1.
As a pairing since January 1st – they are the only pair NOT to exceed their without. Even though they are “even” in goals, the team has been better when they are not on the ice.
Even Stastney and Emberson are outperforming by goal share, although not flow of play. Which given their minutes with the bottom six is admirable.
Now, take McDavid and Draisaitl away from all defensemen and see what happens.
Since Jan 1, away from both 97 and 29, Nurse at five-on-five is 6-5 goals with a 50pct goal share. That’s in 153 minutes.
Bouchard, since Jan 1 away from 97 and 29? 3-5 goals, but an impressive 61 pct x-goal share in 71 minutes.
Not certain what you are saying. Maybe I am too thick to understand.
Check out Nurse with Draisaitl, without McDavid…. -7, 11 percent. That’s what jumps out to me. Doesn’t that show Nurse to excel at third-pairing role? He’s having issues playing with the second line.
Walman’s individual GF% to me suggests he’s struggling on the right side. Probably would do better on the left.
Here’s Walman struggling with Draisaitl without McDavid at -2, 0GF%
Doesn’t this show that without McDavid the Nurse-Walman pairing has been struggling in the second pairing role? This during McDavid’s heater?
Nurse-Walman with Draisailt, wihthout McDavid since Jan 1. Small sample, -1.
Your final frame shows the expected share for Draisaitl with Nurse and Walman is 57 percent. Now,that’s a small sample, 35 minutes, but it does dovetail with what I said above (“I’m not saying this is the answer, but I do believe the team should run it for the rest of the season”),
2025-2026 (entire season to date) Defender On-Ice GF% WITHOUT McDavid. It’s similar to the shares by player since January 1st. Nurse, Walman, Statsney again with poor shares.
The problem is a lack of organizational alignment from top to bottom. When one looks at the Bolts, the Panthers, or the Canes, there is clear organizational alignment.
The Oilers need everyone to start rowing in the same direction. Rotating GMs and coaches have made the Oilers predicament complex, and it requires all the “silos” coordinating, compromising, and adapting outside of their comfort zones.
I agree with this, but also think the coach is out of his element, or just wrong in his hockey thinking, so must be changed. As opposed to getting the best from his roster, he is getting less each season
Usually a team takes on the personality of the Coach and G.M. Just as the Flames did in the Eighties of building a team to specifically beat the Oilers the Bolts and Panthers have been making moves to beat one another. Either K.K is a quiet genius or just quiet. When it comes to Bowman I think he’s still walking on eggshells after falling on a sword for his bosses in Chi-Town. Tell me what personality our team has? It sure looks likes they’re mimicking K.K
Churn begets churn.
Fans and pundits love the drama. Maybe it helps to sell tickets? Maybe that’s more important than going through the slow and awkward process of building a dynasty-worthy club?
The revolving door of coaches and goalies doesn’t seem to have helped this franchise in recent decades. Though it has helped make it an incredibly profitable business.
McDavid and Drai make this a profitable business. “Drama” has nothing to do with it.
Thanks.
I agree that McDrai are an important part of Oilers business success. No question. They may never bring a Cup to Edmonton (though I hope they do), but they certainly are bringing $M to ownership, and the city.
But drama certainly is part of the entertainment business mix. The media (all forms, from coast to coast) are now alive with interest in Oilers doings apres Drai’s undisciplined public words. (Not just “bad body language” now; it’s bad word language.) In a season that’s less than expected, this drama keeps fans engaged, buying tickets, merch.
You said yesterday that the ownership did not align with management who does not align with the coaching staff which does not align with the players.
I asked you for some details on the misalignment but you ignored that.
If you feel so strongly on this that you are going to bring it up daily perhaps some detail would be nice so we can discuss?
So I asked the internet about De Boers coaching style and I’m sold. First is Matt Duchesne talking about him to Ryan Whitney, the second is De Boer teaching an O zone coaching seminar:
https://www.tiktok.com/@spittinchiclets/video/7449760709036100907
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqUEoySMxLE
De Boer said things I have been going on about for a while here in terms of strategy, which I came to think from listening to or reading folks like Adam Oates and even Struddy
I say do it now, there’s nothing to lose, but if not this summer for sure. His ideas are exactly what this core needs. An offensive approach based on creating space and letting the players do their thing after that. How to attack the slot. The other thing that sold me was not playing spread out (he explains why which is what Oates also said) and playing closer together – puck support and options
The part about not trying to pass through 3 or 4 sticks and how that rarely works out, and rimming the puck around the perimeter pointlessly was music to my ears. Knoblauch’s ideas are not working, won’t work, and that is what is hurting the offense, season over season. Not to mention how frustrated Connor and Leon are getting
Stauff was saying they might bring in someone to help. De Boer maybe? That might be too disruptive as KK would know he’s toast at season end
This team is close yet they’re missing something. Only having one 3 game W streak this far into the season tells me enough. Teams always get a bump after firing the Coach as players try to impress new Coach for valuable ice-time.
The way they are asked to play doesn’t work for them, probably nobody else either. A team with 3 offensive all time greats should be hammering teams. The reason the bottom 6 can’t do squat I think is also directly related
I keep mentioning Oates, but what he said was that the spread out tactics some teams use make it so that only the high end players can produce, regular players can’t. Seems to be what’s happening
“The way they are asked to play doesn’t work for them…”
The way they are asked to play got them to two consecutive SCFs. But in that last one, the Fs decided to get impatient and… here we are.
Draisaitl volunteered to play Selke-worthy hockey last year. It got him a Rocket, and Selke murmurings. This year he said he was all-in for Selke, but his play only occasionally reflects this early season sentiment. Indeed, his inappropriate public airing of his opinions does more to undermine what it takes to win Selke: team-first leadership.
The is team’s leadership is being asked to step up and lead a team worthy of a cup aspirations. Sadly, outside of chasing offence at the expense of team results, something I’d hoped they’d get out of their systems by mid-20s, they’re playing like immature players. In one case, they’re sounding that way too. Very disappointing.
Very difficult for Draisaitl to be Barkov when Knoblauch played him on the wing with McDavid all of October.
Draisaitl had one plan. Knoblauch had another. i.e. lack of alignment.
Drai played lots w McD last year. There were constant complaints on every forum I pay attention to, including this one. His 200-foot game was outstanding (Rocket, plus Selke murmurings).
I’m not sure how playing with a gifted centre limits his talents. But I may be missing something.
They got to two finals, but that always has to be taken with a grain of salt because they have three elite playoff performers that broke records
Them getting there is a result of everyone for sure, but I see it as primarily about the talent. That the F got impatient I think had to do with not being able to score at 5v5 as they should, Connor and Leon will try to force things when that happens
Which goes to what I said about tactics, and that the system has players spread out and leads to perimeter cycling, and point shots without traffic. At times it seems forwards around the net are looking to head to the corners more than to the net or getting out front, that’s the coach’s system. It seems more focused on maintaining possession than on scoring and attacking the net aggressively
I liked what De Boer said about teaching what to do in the O zone, while not stifling the player’s creativity and instincts. I’ve mentioned it many times because I see the other team tactically creating chances, and I don’t see that enough from the Oilers
It’s hard for me to watch the Oilers with no space and time when they get possession, or stuck on the outside trying to pass or walk through a maze of players, and the other guys getting clean looks and making plays to open players
When they are allowed to play how they want to they can romp teams and control games, but when they aren’t given it they can struggle to score and every goalie seems like Tretiak. And without trying to find stats, when they struggle 5v5 it seems to affect the PP. Against the panthers they couldn’t always find the timely PP goals they needed
Take an ease pill on Leon he’s just frustrated like the rest of the faithful. Would you prefer the standard boring robot answers or do you want a little of the truth?
Some more info from someone on Stars Reddit:
“Pete DeBoer is known for employing an aggressive, structured style of play. His teams typically focus on a strong forecheck, defensive responsibility, and a fast transition game. DeBoer emphasizes a competitive and disciplined approach, adapting strategies based on the strengths of his roster. He also likes to roll 4 lines as equally as possible.”
sounds pretty good to me.
Gerard Gallant, special coaching consultant.
Who is the head of Pro Scouting?
seems like the batting average on bringing in players is not good.
Some wins for sure. But …
J Skinner
Arvidsson
Mangiapane
Frederic ….
These are big misses ….
Savoie for McLeod ???
it is Warren Rychel. Tough to say how much it is him and how much is Stan and the assistants. I remember Brad Holland was very involved with pro scouting when he was here. I always thought he was bright and didnt like that the team parted ways with him after Ken wasn’t renewed.
Makes one wonder about the analytics group too. What are they contributing to player acquisition, usage and systems?
I would not include Arvidsson or Savoie for McLeod in this.
Arvidsson is past his point totals for last year with 22 less games. I’d suggest this was a mixture of usage and injuries.
And for Savoie for McLeod. There was a reason the trade was made. 1. To clear up cap space and provide a younger player on an ELC. 2. Just about everyone agreed McLeod was being too much of a perimeter player at that point. (Haven’t watched him with Buffalo but do know his stats), the team knew they weren’t giving away a useless player.
For comparison
22 year old seasons and both first full years
McLeod
71gp
Total Time On Ice Per Game 12:46
PP per game :47
PK per game 1:07
82 shots 1.15 per game shooting 11%
9g 12a 21p .3ppg
2pp goals 3pp assists
FO % 47.2%
Blocks 25 .35 per game
Hits 28 .39 per game
Take away 39
Give away 41
Total Take Away minus Give Away -2
Corsi
Even 53.4%
Fenwick
Even 52.3%
Zone Starts
Evens 51.9% o zone
Savoie
58gp
Total Time On Ice Per Game 13:50
PP per game :31
PK per game 1:33
79 shots 1.36 per game shooting 11.4%
9g 9a 18p .31ppg
2pp goals 2pp assists
FO % 46.2%
Blocks 28 .48 per game
Hits 10 .17 per game
Take away 19
Give away 43
Total Take Away minus Give Away -24
Corsi
Even 49.4%
Fenwick
Even 50.2%
Zone Starts
Evens 58.5% o zone
In most ways they are very similar players. Some things skew the numbers like the more PP time and less PK time for McLeod.
McLeod is .44 mph faster at top speed.
All history before their 22 year old season shows that Savoie, if put in an offensive role is going to be a more
dominant offensive threat.
There is not a ton of difference between their first seasons and comparing Savie to a player that is 5 seasons into their nhl career today is an unfair comparison.
Play on a level playing field to be able to actually compare what they are doing.
The more I look at this trade the more upset I am by it. He had a 56% goal share and xGF% on the 3line in 23-24. Had great speed and was an excellent penalty killer and was just coming into his own. He was only being paid 2M in 24-25 and we could have made the money work when he was an RFA or trade him then.
there was no good reason for that trade – Jeff Jackson overreacted to a mediocre playoff just like Chia did with Eberle.
Thanks for the breakdown. Do you have numbers on TOI v elites?
If there was no option and it was Cap related so be it. I was not comparing their same age seasons. I am saying when you draft and develop and player who is very useful, you do your best to keep him. McLeod is excelling now.
Edm needs good players now. They have blown most of their draft capital to WIN NOW. So getting potentially good young players vs keeping proving players entering their prime seems misguided at best.
Roslovic, Podz, Kapanen, Emberson.
There is talk in the media that the reason that Coffey is not on the bench is because him and KK don’t see eye to eye and because of that we have a less then optimum coaching staff.
If this is true and because of egos our SC window is in jeopardy we should all be very upset. If true and I was ownership I would be sitting some folks down and it would be a very brief and pointed meeting. Get in a room and work it out boys or I will sort it out and you wont like the process.
Well, Drai was calling out the coaching just before the break….. Special teams have been good. But the GM brings in young talent and KK refuses to play them. Frederick and Mangiapane can sit in the PB for the rest of the season as far as I care. My third line would be Samanski/Savoie/Howard and let the play the rest of the season there.
Coffey never wanted to coach to begin with. He went above and beyond coaching for nearly two seasons.
^^^ This is well known. Not sure where this “Coffey left coaching because he doesn’t agree with KK” comes from.
It was mentioned by Gazzola as well Kurt Leavins I believe. Here is a Reddit post with the link to what Leavins said about it on the Cult of Hockey podcast
https://www.reddit.com/r/EdmontonOilers/s/R8buWXsI7F
It was reported that Coffey butted heads with some other coaching staff:
https://oilersnation.com/news/oilers-lose-noah-philp-and-curtis-lazar-for-remainder-of-road-trip-with-upper-body-injuries
Coffey was a reluctant coach but it doesn’t read like he walked away from it. Sounds like the Oilers gave KK the freedom to bring in who he wanted and may have decided to not bring Coffey back.
I don’t see Coffey as the type to quit because he butted heads with someone.
I went to bed with 10 minutes left so missed it but the Condors, who struggled to produce all night long, pulled an Oilers and scored two 6 on 5 goals (Hamblin and Marjala) – unofrutantly the Reign popped one in between and they lost by a goal
Nurse and Walman need to play better (be it as a pairing or separate).
Wlaman IS better than he’s shown this season – it would be great to find a way to keep him on his left side but, even on the right side, we’ve seen him much better than this. Is it slump? Coming back from injury? Still injured?
Nurse CAN be much better than this. Yes, we know that periods of great play are more the heater than the exception but he needs to find a bit more of that higher level he has in him.
Walman is on his 4th NHL team. Is he better? The Frederic contract may have some competition soon.
What does the number of teams he has been on have to do with anything?
Yea, I don’t understand that take as well.
I’m of similar opinion to OPs question and was going to post the same question today – is Walman still injured, or only at 70%.
Walman started the regular season out of the lineup for the first 2 weeks (6 games) plus whatever time he missed from training camp, then played for a month (17 games), then was out for 2 months (23 games). He’s been back for 3 weeks (12 games) and now there’s a 3-week break.
I don’t believe he came back too early or is still injured, but he’s had 2 injuries this season and that kind of stop-start-stop-start-stop can mess with a d-man’s timing for game play. Plus, while he was out for 2 months, his goalies get switched up completely. Hopefully this break helps him in that he can use it to rest and won’t be spending it rehabbing an injury.
I posted last evening that I’m more concerned about the Walman contract than the Frederic contract.
I’m concerned that Walman starts off quite strong with his new team and then his play falls off and he is traded away. I hope I’m wrong.
Frederic’s contract is low enough and the buy out is palatable (I don’t agree with them though) it’s not a problem. Walman is high enough that if he doesn’t play well it is a problem
His play with SJS was strong and didn’t fall off.
Bowman targeted him from the fall and was only able to get the player when the offer was upped to 1st round pick plus. Grier did not trade him away due to deficiency in play.
Yes he is.
It is obvious the Oilers D is not working in this current system they employ. They definitely do not battle nearly hard enough in front of the net and in the corners it seems way too many times the other D man goes toward that corner as well and doesn’t stay right in front , or they are there but can’t move the opposing team member or rebounds. Put it this way, they lose too manny battles. The breakouts fail way too many times as well. The short ones that end up in the high slot or even closer to the goalie get turned over a fair bit as well. They are actually lucky the goaltenders bail ThexD out on those turnovers a lot.
So what’s the Fix?
They definitely need some size and Snarl in front, regardless if they change the breakout or not. They can mix the breakout up with some passes up the boards or the C man coming around and taking it up the boards and making that 1st pass in between the blue lines or dump and chase. I know the want to be a possession team, but that is a bit of an issue as well when they getting the offensive zone as way to often they make too many passes and give up a lot of good shot chances . Shoot and go for rebounds could be helpful, but do they have the right players that re big enough to do that. They definitely have a few.
So they have lots of internal options to change up some coaching tactics.. The team is not as fast as it used to in the last 2 years, especially that team from 2 years ago.
As for trades? Sure a Bobby McMahon would help. He is big , super fast and would do a good net front presence and speed. Ryan O’reilly is another that could drive a 3rd line, excellent on draws, good penalty killer, he is also big at 6.1/ 210’s not fast but smart.
On D, no clue who they would look at. Big R handlers Murphy from Chicago. Chicago is pretty much out of it. Someone mentioned OEL last night. Don’t need another Lefty. I think if we got a Righty that could play #4,Walman could play his Left side and would be much better.
Lots of options and I am very interested to see what they actually do from coaching to pickups,
This team is definitely not guaranteed a playoff spot.
Look at these standings
Kraken, Ducks both have 2 games in hand and are 1 point back
Kings are 4 back and have 2 in hand and LA are 5 back with 3 in hand
We reopen with Ducks, Kings then Sharks. You would hope for at least 4 points if not 5 or all 6. But Dang if they drop all 3. They will be in trouble .
And god forbid this team were to miss the playoffs. Do they fire everyone From Bowman down to Knobby and his asst’s. ?
Nice. Ken Daneyko said that Larry Robinson (as coach) asked him why are you chasing guys around, they have to come to the net to score?
I don’t think hockey changes much unless there are significant rule changes, like putting in a red line or starting to call the blatant obstruction there was pre cap
I take assessments largely from established outcomes. Stats are fun, trying to figure out systems etc, but at the end of the day is it working? Are they creating a new way, or are they attempting something that doesn’t work reliably enough?
There aren’t many teams that won’t defend the slot and net front. Because you have to if you don’t want to get scored on. That continually play disjointed as a 5 man unit, making the most basic parts of hockey look like herculean tasks
When I catch other teams playing I often think that they don’t seem to have trouble getting up the ice with control. It doesn’t always work out of course or hockey would have basketball scores, but consistent pressure to advance is there
It’s frustrating because this isn’t the DoD Oilers icing half a roster of expired or AHL level players. Such a waste. I hope Bowman gets assertive this summer, he has to know what works and what doesn’t, having won 3 Cups fairly recently in the cap era. Everyone has had time to get their deal together under his tenure
Prospecth!
A Saturation Saturday beckons.
Barnett has experienced a post-WJHC uptick with all three of his goals (plus two helpers) coming in the seven games since the tourney. Interesting to note that he’s been listed at 3RD the past 3-4 games after playing the left side all season prior.
Lafreniere reached the 30-goal mark last night in a losing effort. He still has at least one SOG every game this season.
Nicholl was named 3rd star after scoring the OT winner last night.
Michigan (Park, Barnett) @ 4:30 p.m.
London (Nicholl) @ 5 p.m.
St. Thomas (Berry) @ 5 p.m.
UMass-Lowell (Wakely) @ 5:30 p.m.
Notre Dame (Fischer) @ 6 p.m.
Saskatoon (Lewandowski) @ 6 p.m.
Kamloops (Lafreniere) @ 8 p.m.
All times, at all times, are De Winton time.
Still unwilling to apologize after your racist commentary Tarkus? Do the right thing and learn from your mistake.
I have no idea what this is about as I have not spent a lot time here the past 10 days, but Tarkus has a long history of posting here and I have always respected his content.
Agreed. Things changed on February 4th at 7:00 pm where Tarkus’ comments were deleted by our host within 15 minutes. No ban. No apology. Radio silence. Tarkus knows what he did, but he’s afraid of taking responsibility. It will all go away once he apologizes.
If LT did not require this, then I think you can drop your self appointed police officer role. I’m not aware of the comment, nor do I need to be. It is not part of a pattern of behaviour, so it is not worthy of a public penance, which you likely would not accept anyway.
Time to let it go, imo.
I appreciate your opinion, but that won’t be happening. This has never been tolerated in the past. All Tarkus needs to do is remove himself or apologize. Public penance will be accepted 100%. I’m not a SJW…but fair is fair.
The fact LT allows him to still comment says everything i need to hear. Stand down buddy.
I agree. It definitely says something.
As Rambo famously said ‘Let it go”
Lol no Sir. I will continue to make it known until the rules are upheld for everyone. Tarkus or the host have a decision to make. Why not let my post see the light of day? We wait!
Disgruntled banned member?
No, in actuality, neither of them have to make any decision. My anticipation is, if LT chooses to decide anything related to this, it might be towards yourself and your posting…..
The host has made his decision OP. I would love to hear your thoughts now that LT has allowed my answer to pass through the filter.
Thoughts on what? Answer to what? I’m so confused.
Thankfully the Pendulum is swinging back.
Agreed!
Since February 4, 7pm, I have seen multiple posts by you daily, all of them simply responding to Tarkus and demanding this apology.
I have zero idea what this is about but it seems you are only posting to get what you believe is owed to you in an apology and not to add to the discussion or the community, no?
Missed you OP. He needs to take ownership for his words. We all know what is off limits on this blog. For some reason the comments were deleted. That’s a tell. Normally you would be the one reminding us of what’s tolerated no?
I thought racist/political comments on this blog would not be tolerated in any form? Am I mistaken? I support Tarkus’ freedom to say whatever the hell he wants, however, we were told it wouldn’t be tolerated HERE. I’ve seen people get banned for a lot less.
The question is will I be banned for calling out the truth and asking him to be held accountable? I’m sure Tarkus is a great guy, but he made a mistake and owes an apology, or deserves to be banned. I prefer the former and would rather see him stay. We ALL know if he substituted the race for anyone other than a WHITE person, he would have be banned for life. Anyone care to play the game? Would you like me to repost his comments and substitute WHITE for BLACK? I’m confident you would all be calling for his ban, but I guess it doesn’t matter when a white person is targeted because that’s ok right? This is a social experiment that we are currently failing. Either what they wrote was racist OR they suffer from extreme self-hatred. Neither of them are a good look. This is a challenge for anyone that wants to ask themselves why that’s ok these days. Quite frankly it’s tiring. Either the rules are for everyone or they’re not. I’m happy it happened, and I hope it allows for dialogue and reflection. But if I get banned for posting the truth, you will have your answer. But I have a similar constitution to DSF, and I won’t be going anywhere lol. We wait!
You bring up interesting points. I did delete the comments because it was going in a bad direction. I didn’t ban anyone involved in the conversation because it didn’t meet what might be called malicious behaviour. I invite you to continue posting on the subject, while also asking you to be respectful and keep it from derailing what is a hockey blog. all the best.
-LT
Thank you for allowing the dialogue LT. I know it’s a slippery slope. But we all know it’s more than a hockey blog.
The key is to avoid derailing conversation. I have zero doubt that conversation would have become toxic, that’s why I deleted it. There are times when people get banned because I haven’t been around to catch and delete and that’s probably not fair to the folks who were banned. But I do think we have done a pretty good job of being respectful and I’m not a madman for banning. Hope not, anyway.
Agreed. Fortunately, in the past many of the posters admit they’ve made a mistake and promptly apologize. It appears Tarkus has a different constitution.
My reply to you OP was either held up in the filter, or I will be banned for speaking the truth. You’ll have your answer soon if LT allows for it. We wait!
OP, it appears you might not get your answer as it may have been deleted.
I had to look up De Winton! Had never heard of the place.
It’s a tiny hamlet slowly being engulfed by Calgary which is just to north of it. I lived there {or adjacent) with my parents in the 90s, and they still live there with the latest tiny white terrier.
im from Olds!
Olds is an incredible community.