As I watched Germanys hockey men defeat France today, it occurred to me that Leon Draisaitl can find chemistry with two garbage holding strips of rebar. The guy is such a good passer he makes everyone around him dangerous. Those backhand dishes are a high form of art on hockey ice, and he clears the track in the offensive zone like that Peterbilt 281 in the movie Duel. He’s Paul Bunyan on skates, with a big brain and a mountain of creativity. Please read this.
Draisaitl makes his linemates better, and traditionally those wingers make shy money. He currently runs with Vasily Podkolzin and Kasperi Kapanen, who between them have $2.3 million of cap next to their names. When we think of players who have failed on Draisaitl’s line, they are often expensive additions who can’t find chem quickly enough, or men whose skills have eroded to the point their skills can’t cash the opportunities made available.
The organization has seen fit to move wingers in and out with 29 over the the last five seasons. Here are the most deployed lines, by season, involving Draisaitl and two wingers (all numbers five-on-five):
- 2021-22 Nuge-Yamamoto: 243 mins, 55 pct Goals, 44X
- 2022-23 Kane-Yamamoto: 166 mins, 63 pct Goals, 45X
- 2023-24 Foegele-McLeod: 145 mins, 75 pct Goals, 55X
- 2024-25 Podkolzin-Arvidsson: 261 mins, 55 pct Goals, 61X
- 2025-26 Podkolzin-Kapanen: 119 mins, 77 pct Goals, 51X
I cheated a little, Roslovic has played more with Draisaitl-Podkolzin than Kapanen this year, but the results are so magnificent for the trio listed above I could not resist posting them. Draisiatl’s lines almost always deliver more actual goal share than the expected number. The man cashes more than the average bear.
Does anyone seriously believe that Samanski-Draisaitl-Kapanen would deliver subpar results in the NHL? If the coaching staff moved Podkolzin to the McDavid line, and Nuge to 3C, could that work? For fun, let’s look at McDavid over the same period.
- 2021-22 Hyman-Puljujarvi: 244 mins, 61 Pct Goals, 65X
- 2022-23 Nuge-Hyman: 209 mins, 62 Pct Goals, 62X
- 2023-24 Nuge-Hyman: 467 mins, 63 Pct Goals, 65X
- 2024-25 Nuge-Hyman: 317 mins, 56 Pct Goals, 60X
- 2024-26 Nuge-Hyman: 299 mins , 55 Pct Goals, 58X
Great consistency for the captain’s trio, and I do think we can agree the best wingers are on McDavid’s line. No argument against it, but among Draisaitl’s other great skills, making complementary wingers into significant contributors is one we should acknowledge often.
On the Lowdown today, we’ll be joined by Jason Gregor at 1:20 and the round table roosters will hold sway for the entire show. I’ll try to get a word in edgewise, a Herculean task. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and You Tube. Talk soon!
Where was Tomasek’s speed when he played for the Oil. He looks fast.
Gernat and Marincin up on Draisaitl, Samanski, Kahun and Reider 1-0 after 1.
Anybody else in here this morning?
Now 5-1 Slovakia. German team is filled with small bodies who get pushed off the puck easily and Slovakia hammering Draisaitl every chance they get. Not sure why Seider gets so much hype about his play as he has been pretty mediocre in the games I’ve watched. Small bodies is also a concern with the Oil too when considering our AHL top performers. They might need to be trade chips if we want to do anything this playoff season.
Now 5-2. 10 minutes left.
Good point about Seider
I’m in Halifax. Left 20 minutes after the game started and by the time I got to the office (2 hours later!!), the game was over. Sorry to see this result.
Some intel that they might be able to call Savoie up on the 25th without removing anyone from the roster due to the accrual during that time creating the required space.
Drance advising that there is no real market for Evander Kane even if the Nucks retain half.
Amazing that Bowman was able to get an asset while divesting of the contract,
Even more amazing that some think it was a bad move and some want to get him back…..
Stauff did confirm that they will be calling Savoie back up prior to the game against Anaheim.
I wonder if they have a trade for Mang ready which is why the don’t want to waive him (or maybe they think the waiving and clearing would make him even harder to trade without too much pain)?
More than anything, for me, this is more evidence of the value they put on Janmark – to me, he’s $500K over-capped (maybe even more, he truly is replacement level) and having another team pluck him off waivers and take on next year’s term would be a great result but the org puts more value on him.
As you say maybe something is in the works and Bowman doesn’t want to tip his hand.
They sent down Savoie because someone told their capologist that they weren’t accruing cap space with Savoie up since they were in LTIR. They sent down Samanski after their last game but gained literally nothing from it because they didn’t also send down Savoie.
They were not permitted to send Savoie down until now.
Sending Samanski down did save the owner some money
Also of note on this – a guy on Twitter “Klima’s lid” who called the Hutson and Howard (i think) callups a month or so ago is implying that Regula will be sent down. Which makes me think they must have a trade lined up for a RD. Maybe Mang is involved.
I’m hoping for the best but expecting it’ll be Erik Gudbranson (or a reasonable hand-drawn facsimile).
Klima’s Lid is legit as it relates to the comings and goings from Bako – he’s earned respect on this.
Don Cherry appointed to the Order of Ontario.
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1007022/province-honours-2025-order-of-ontario-appointees
I’m reading about Savoie going down for cap purposes. I assume that means Henrique will be activated. Then what? Savoie has to stay in Bakersfield till they can unload Mangy or Janmark? Now Savoie is no world beater, but definitely contributes way more than either of those two. Another decision that is not about winning hockey games if this is the case
Rico is being activated.
Account are that, by Feb 25, they will have accrued enough space to call Savoie back up without any other moves.
Of course, they should be sending down Janmark or Mang and calling up Samanski.
Mangiapane better be gone and Savoie back by the time the Oilers start play in California.
And Henrique in the pressbox.
Give the Iceman who’s earned it the VIP treatment that Savoie has been given.
Why do you continue to ignore the facts?
1) Savoie spent an entire year in the AHL developing a strong 2-way game and working on the PK
2) Both Savoie and Howard started from the same place this season but, given the responsible 2-way play, Savoie earned the coach’s trust and an every night lineup spot and became important on the PK.
3) Howard, as a rookie pro, without the development time in pro was not at the 2-way level of responsibility that the coach requires to play nightly and be trusted.
4) Howard is now in the place Savoie was as a rookie pro developing those skills.
Why do you continue to ignore this?
Previous to this year Howard had been playing amongst men for 3 years while Savoie was playing with teenage boys besides a short stint before last year. If you want me to name the long list of USA college players that went close or directly to the NHL I can do that for you.
Previous to this season, Howard had been playing in college and have zero professional games. He’s played more hockey games this season (and as a pro) than in any of his college seasons, Savoie played a full season, 60+ games against men last year.
Lots of college players go directly to the NHL, lots don’t. Howard did but he needs development time and is currently getting it.
Didn’t Reja say something about how all Hobey Baker winners go straight to the NHL or something insane like 2 days ago – with authority, of course.
Last 15 Hobey Baker winners:
Played at least 1 NHL game in their career
12 of 15
80%
Played 40+ games in first NHL season
8 of 15
~53%
Scored 30+ points in first NHL season
6 of 15
40%
Doesn’t seem like it’s a “for sure” path. Development is required.
Keep in mind of those 6 who had 30+ seasons, 5 were already projected to be difference makers on the ice.
Howard could be a Vesey. Let him stew.
29 went back to the dub. Bouch went overseas.
Not to mention, what’s the general path for those that won it in their 20 year old season? My presumption if the percentages are much lower.
Stauff confirmed that Savoie will be back but either Mang or Janmark need to be gone to get Samanski back up – that is earned.
Sending Savoie down to “not risk Janmark on waivers” is egregious.
“this has been done purely for cap purposes” – robert stauffer
I understand that – there are other players that can go down for cap purposes.
I presume the premise is he gets games in this weekend and then come back up but there are still other such as Janmark and Mang himself that can be waived/assgned.
NOt wanting to risk Janmark on waivers is not a good way of thinking, to me – they should be happy if someone takes his negative value contract with a year of term left – I know the org doesn’t think that but I do so, in my opinion, egregious.
I expect Savoie gets a game or 2 and then comes back next week. Yes, they could waive Janmark & Mangi but if they clear they can’t assign them to the AHL during the roster freeze.
Savoie is not pointing enough only thing keeping in the NHL was the PK. He needs more time in Bakersfield to gain his offensive confidence kinda like Howard has already done.You seemed to have many negative posts about Clattenburg-Howard yet Savoie always escaped any criticism from you and your camp.
Tyler Benson Redux
Bingbong Raspberry Redux
Smaller men most bring either pointing speed-tenacity-tomfoolery-bite. Savoie is offensively noticeable on the PK because he has room to breath whereas 5 on 5 you barely notice him if your not drinking the kool-aid. Smaller centres like Cogliano-Marchant had speed to burn tenacity chipped in with big Goals. Savoie is young so there is still hope but it’s looking more and more like the Sabres pulled a fast one on us.
Oh, I think the Sabres knew exactly what they were doing.
Buffalo used the THREE first round picks they had in the 2022 draft to take 3 centres….
Savoie at #9 was in the range of projections.
Noah Ostlund from Sweden at #16.
Jiri Kulich from the Czech Republic at #28.
They spent one season evaluating the three and decided early on to move Savoie while he still had cachet.
As it turns out the Sabres ended up with a 2C – McLeod, a 3C – Ostlund and a 4C – Kulich from that draft and both Ostalund and Kulich are still developing.
Savoie can skate, Benson couldn’t. So he will have some role in the NHL.
There are plenty of players who can skate in the AHL.
As luck would have it, the AHL held its All Star competitions last week and the latest skater competition was won by Konsta Helenius yet another C drafted by Buffalo 14th overall in 2024.
Perhaps his penalty killing is enough but those jobs are quite often filled bu players with a physical edge.
We’ll see.
Who won the fastest skater at last year’s AHL all-star comp?
haha, good one !
please tell us more… afterall, you’re such an expert 🙂
Savoie isn’t pointing enough and Janmark is?
Isn’t the only think keeping Janmark in the NHL the PK? Savoie is better on the PK than Janmark.
Howard’s main goal in the AHL was not gaining offensive confidence.
I have nothing negative on Howard and the only criticism I”ve had of Clattenburg is him not working on what he needs to when re-assigned.
Savoie doesn’t need to develop the parts of the game that Howard and Clatt do in order to gain the coach’s trust in the NHL.
Agreed. Zero need or advantage to protecting the Janitor.
Well said. I do hope he’s a 15-17 yearly goal scorer at a cost effective price maybe like a Paul Byron type. Besides a few glimpses I don’t see the wow factor in Savoie. Will he cover his #9 pole position? Howard needs to be given a top 6 opportunity ASAP or traded as this 4th line bullshit is just cratering his value that is holding intact because of his AHL numbers and Hobey Baker pedigree. Clattenburg needs to stay Healthy while working on all facets of his game. He needs to not engage with AHL thugs. I think he tries too hard to be a leader and a force in Bakersfield. Clattenburg showed that he can play a structured and smart game with the Oilers. The opposing teams tried to bait him to no avail.
1) Howard does not need to be traded any time soon – he isn’t even done the first year of a 3 year ELC.
2) Howard will be in the top 6, and will produce, presuming he develops enough responsibility in his game for the NHL coach to trust him – he’s working on that right now.
3) Howard’s “Hobey Baker Pedigree” means very little. Winning it as a 20 year old in your 3rd college season has not meant much as far as immediate NHL success over the years
4) Clattenburg did show he could play a structured games in Edmonton – I praised the shit out of him when he did that. When he returned to the AHL he played goonery and completely ignored hockey and working on the things he needs to. Here is hoping he gets his head on straight when he returns in March.
I hate to break it to you but smallish non aggressive forwards Howard-Savoie-Hutson are not all playing on the big club at the same time. Someone will be traded. Hutson has little value Howard with his AHL stats and Hobey Baker Award has much more value then Savoie does. The refusal of K.K to put Howard in a position to succeed while bending a knee for Savoie is obviously a tell on where he stands. When Howard gets traded and receives gravy minutes with PP1-PP2 time will see him instantly pop on his new team. Meanwhile back in mudville some of us Oiler fans will again be shaking our heads.
I don’t have Hutson as anything more than a tweener.
I would also note that this year’s team had Howard and Savoie on the team same time (plus Mangiapane).
There you go again, completely ignoring how and why Savoie’s ice time has been earned as compared to Howard.
I’ve never seem something as over-rated as you over-rate Howard’s Hobey Baker
How’s it working out having all these non aggressive puny forwards. Here’s a clue on that he’s playing in the Olympic Games with Leon? The Samanski honeymoon has gone into warp speed 5 because size does matter. You keep going on and on and on about Howard needing time in the AHL this is poppycock nobody is scoring in the NHL except Clattenburg getting shit minutes on the 4th line. Bowman needs to either step in or trade Howard because our window is now. Besides Howard we don’t have much of anything else of real value since Holland gutted us out.
Decades of AHL development but Reja was, nope, its poppycock!
OK
Janmark is still riding his reputation from the ‘24 playoffs…actually it looks like he was somehow 63% goal share in the 2025 playoffs as well… alright Janmark, maybe show up before May for once
Savoie heading down to Bakersfield – Bob says for cap reasons he will play at least a game
finding a spot for Savoie for when he gets back:
Podz-Leo-Savoie in ~103 mins:
6 GF-1GA (86%)
xGF – 57%
Would be a perfect spot to develop Savoie while the line should also have success.
Roslovic – McD – Hyman
Podz – Drai – Savoie
Samanski – RNH – Kapanen
Frederic – Lazar – Janmark/Henrique
trade for RHD at deadline
get rid of Mangiapane
cup
Also would love to add my man Sam Carrick or similar at the deadline because this team desperately needs some sandpaper.
They kept the wrong Centre for half the price we should have signed Carrick who will always have his speed. Henrique had the pedigree but the loss of a half-step was all it took. The scratching of Carrick against the Panthers was a blunder in my opinion.
I agree, should’ve kept McLeod and Carrick though that line of JANMARK – Henrique – Brown was amazing. I was happy with it at the time.
Oh yeah. I Forgot about Carrick.
I never wanted to re-up Rico. Oh well.
There are several holes in this line-up, Samanski’s emergence is a gift, but he is still a rookie. We all know that this team’s window is now. We all know where the holes are.
The question is, what is Bowman going to do about it. Lucky for those reading this, I will list the moves right here.
Trade for a 3C, trade for a 2 RHD beef up the winger depth. Do some something about the Goaltending.
Targets: RHD —-> Adam Fox
3C ———-> ROR
3/4LW —–> Foegle
3/4LW——->McMann
3/4RW——->Sherwood
4 C ———->Carrick
6/7 D ——-> Robertson
Goaltender? Would New Jersey take Jarry for Markstrom? Jarry is not cutting it, he is not a part of the solution.
Fox + Carrick & Robertson @50%for Nurse + Howard + Frederic + 1st & 2nd
ROR for Henrique + Janmark + Hutson + 1st & 2nd
Foegle for Mangiapane+
McMann @ for Regula + Picks
Sherwood @ 50% for Roslovic +
Jarry + for Markstrom
93 – 97 – 18 = $23.13
92 – 29 – 42 = $16.3
McMann-ROR-Savoie = $7.737
Foegle-Carrick-Sherwood = $5.35
20 = $0.775
14 – 2 = $16.5
Fox – 96 = $12.9
24 – 49 = $2.125
Robertson = $0.3875
Markstrom = $4.13
Ingram = $1.15
Total Cap Used 22 man roster = $90.4845 = $5 million in cap space
This is what a Cup winning roster looks like, with the Avalanche waiting at the Conference Finals.
Let me add, what is Knoblauch going to do about it? A coach cannot really expect the GM to hand him the absolute best roster in the world – can he?
If so, then there is not much talent in regard to coaching position.
Coach has to get everyone going through assignments, value, ice time. He must adjust play to the teams strengths, and ultimately he has to coach up some young or underperforming players to peak.
And in regard to goaltending, I think we have enough evidence that it is the defensive system or structure that needs most improvement, not another goalie try-out.
The Oilers as currently constructed, are simply not a Stanley Cup contender. It is a weaker roster than the past few years.
The entire bottom six cannot piss a drop.
Jarry has gotten worse since joining the Oilers, his play is a massive problem. His numbers in Edmonton are worse than Jack Campbell’s…Skinner & Ingram have better numbers, Pickard’s are Jarry-level bad and he got demoted.
The top 4 is a problem, what is the solution? The players have to player better, right? How is this going to magically happen?
It’s not all on the coaches, Management has had a massive part to play in this.
all very realistic. rolls eyes.
I appreciate the eye roll!
Next caller…
The Sharks already acquired and extended Sherwood. Outside of that unfortunate reality, there are the rest of your proposed moves that also couldn’t happen.
Fun game though!
Thanks for playing 😀
A few things:
Markstrom has a NMC.
Why would NYR swap a 1RD for a 2/3LD AND retain 50%?
Do you really think any value Howard has compensates for the negative value of Frederic?
Where are you getting all these draft picks from? If the 2 firsts are from 27 and 28, and the seconds are from 26 and 27, the Oilers would have no first round picks for 3 seasons and no second round pick until 2028.
As mentioned elsewhere, Sherwood was recently acquired by the Sharks and although not extended yet as Lois claims, he has expressed a great deal of enthusiasm at joining the team.
Pretty sure Nashville can trade O’Reilly without taking back a bunch of worn out junk.
Junk?
Junk??
Junk???
Oilers have the top 2 players in the sport, in their prime, Bowman needs to cook like he never has before.
I just know he’s going to overpay for Bobby McMann and then overpay on extension. Please prove me wrong, Stan
Bowman will not be in position of strength for acquisition, thus if we want, we must pay.
I don’t know I don’t think that is a player you overpay for. Lots of buzz around him. I don’t think it should be more than a second and a mid prospect, i.e., not named Samanski/Hutson/Howard/Jarventie/Akey/Clatty/Ungar/Marjala
Bowman needs to use his markers with a few G.M’s including his old employer.
Samanski is a very exciting prospect because as LT says, he can contribute to the roster in multiple ways AND his size and speed suggest he shouldn’t fade in the playoffs. IF he can be the shadow minister for RNH i.e. play LW when RNH is 3C and vice versa, that is incredible value this year and going forward
Samanski looking good, potential fit with Drai
Now with time to sit back and assess, they have lots of choice in regard to roster deployment.
Love Roslovic’s speed and he has been seemingly kept on the backburner compared to his play up until Christmas.
Third line of Podkolzin – Nuge – Roslovic looks extremely strong on paper. Swap in Samanski perhaps.
That would mean they bring in a burner (McMann) for top line. And then a decent heavy hockey player for the fourth. The Frederic role.
Ok here it is my trade with the Maple Leafs. Savoie, Howard, Mangiapane and a first rounder to the Leafs for Bobby McMann, Steven Lorentz & Simon Benoit.
McMann-McDavid-Hyman
Samanski-Leon-Kapanen
Podz-Nuge-Roslovic
Lorentz-Lazar-Frederic
Janmark-Henrique
Ekholm-Bouchard
Nurse-Emberson
Walman-Benoit
Stastny-Regula
Jarry & Ingram
Love it or leaf it.
How do Lorentz and Benoit improve the Oilers?
They both make $1.35M Benoit for one more year & Lorentz for two. They both have size & grit, as well can contribute to the PK. Benoit is probably an up grade on Stastney and plays both sides.
I like Benoit and the money/term is great, I think he would help but the solution would only be someone (Benoit isnt that) to push an underperforming Nurse or Walman completely off the second pair. Look what a healing Klingberg added. OR to create a 2nd pair that mimics the first pair. I do understand what/why you did with those adds because we are cap strapped and screwed.
Also we NEED better coaching especially/mostly the overall D conscious.
Green leaf couldn’t make this palatable.
Are you a closet Leaf’s fan?
What I shipped them three puny forwards and replaced them with a couple vets with size & speed that better fit into the roster & a vet bottom pair D that fits in well too.I see a stronger playoff type roster. Reality is, whatever they do will never satisfy everyone. This is just my rendition of what could happen, be leaf it or not .
i would rather crap on my hands and clap.
Savoie and Howard are valuable young players, trading them for a middle-6 winger rental and a couple of bottom of the roster types would be one of the worst trades in the history of the franchise. And that’s without even considering the 1st round pick.
On the bright side they get out of Mangiapanes contract, have three competent scoring lines, a good checking fourth line that can play. That’s four lines the coach can run with & three solid D pairs. An all around better team with reasonable depth and plenty of good young players on the horizon. A team nobody would want to meet in the playoffs and could go all the way..
you sure you don’t want to slip mcdavid in there, you know we would be getting Lorentz in the deal.
this is shockingly bad cowboy
Do you even realize how foolish you sound?
Your trade proposal was Savoie, a former 1st rounder, Howard, a 1st rounder traded for our former 1st round pick, Sam O’Reily Mangi and a 2027 1st rounder.
Even if you consider Savoie’s trade value to be only a 2nd rounder that’s TWO 1st round picks and a 2nd for two middle 6 forwards and a tough #7 D. Even taking into account Mangiapane is a cap dump, for those assets, you’d better be getting a top 3 forward, a top 2 D or a star goalie in return.
As a result of the Czechs winning 3-2 over the Danes, it’s Canada vs. Czechia, Part Deux tomorrow at 8:40 a.m. Dunmore time.
Looking at the mens’ playoff, the Swedes have the most difficult path to the gold medal. We all assume they’ll win against Latvia but after this, they have to beat the Americans in the Quarterfinals.
IF they make it past the U.S., the re-seeding of the last 4 Semi-final teams puts Sweden in the #4 slot and needing to beat CAN to get to the final.
What is very intriguing to me: Say CAN, FIN and US win their quarters as expected (though of course the Swedes besting the US would be so grand), and the Germans beat Slovakia (which I see as entirely possible). This would then set the semis as US – FIN and….. McDavid vs. Drai.
Wouldn’t that be something.
Might Samanski be one of those guys that can play with skill and gels with high end players? His success with Hutson and Howard in the AHL, and now with Draisaitl at the olympics are huge arrows up. I definitely wouldn’t be throwing this kid into any deadline trade deals as a sweetener. Would have to be for a guaranteed difference maker if at all. Use Hutson and maybe even Savoie or Howard before Samanski.
It’s nice to hope that Samanski can be a fit in the top six. I can see Samanski replacing Janmark on the fourth line or playing with Nuge on a third line. Maybe he develops chemistry with Leon over in Italy. Who knows? But I still prefer Bobby McMann.
I know there’s talk of a shift to acquiring a defenceman. It might end up being a shutdown LHD to play with Emberson. Though a second pair RHD would be ideal.
I just watched a big chunk of the Germany v France game. Draisaitl and Samanski looks like a real thing. Two very nice PP goals between the two of them. Samanski cross seam pass to Drai waiting in his office for the first, Samanski positioned front of net with nice feet, stick to corral the Drai pass then flip it into the net on his goal.
How GM SB figures out the post-Olympics roster is a puzzle. I do not want to see Samanski anywhere but on the Oilers. Is it possible? I wait.
Roster immediately post break is easy.
Presuming no Mang trade, waive and send down one of Janmark or Mang, activate Henrique, call up Samanski.
Shit, send both Mang and Janmark down and call-up Howard or Jarventie.
this. ruthless decisions need to be made if they wish to have success post olympics.
janmark, frederic, and mangiapane and largely henrique have been a huge part of the problem 5v5.
That’s an interesting look at Drai vs McDavid. I think the assumption of many is that McDavid would be that player who can elevate two pylons into 50 goal scorers, but it hasn’t worked out that way. Either it’s McDavid’s speed, or maybe unpredictability, or something else, but it does not seem like just anyone can step in and play on his wing.
Meanwhile I think Drai gets overlooked precisely because he makes the game look easier for everyone around him. imo, he deserves to be talked about as a generational player up there with McDavid, Kuch and MacKinnon, especially given the bits of loose thread and duct tape that he’s been given to work with throughout his career.
The problem with this statement, and you had me nodding along with the rest, is that McDavid is generational. The others aren’t. Crosby and Ovechkin are generational. Malkin and Backstrom are not, and neither was Jumbo Joe or any other number of truly great players from their era.
Generational players are the one player (sometimes two, as with Wayne and Mario) who stands heads and shoulders above his peers. Draisaitl will go down as an all time great, a surefire HoF player, but he’s in the conversation with the likes of MacKinnon, Kucherov, Matthews and a handful of others. Connor stands alone.
I was going to comment the same, not just finn_fann mentioning it, but generational gets thrown around a lot these days. When they were saying Bedard was before he even played in the NHL, I was thinking the word has no meaning in that way anymore
Connor was not in the same realm as Bedard or such players pre NHL, a different level above altogether. Stamkos in his prime said before Connor played in the NHL that he was already better than him, as a junior
As you said, there are the best players currently in the league, and then there are the rare generational players above them
To think that other than Harry Watson, Connor will likely break the record for points in a single Olympics, and is almost there after 3 games, is unreal. That’s a lot of great players he’ll pass, and they got to play the weaker countries as well
To build on the conversation; generational to me is not measured in points, championships, we know hockey is a team sport with so many factors that you cannot use those measurements. And it is not “how they are remembered of viewed”
It is the difference they make. Who actually affected or changed the sport.
With McDavid it has been blistering speed, and that speed married to IQ, hands, finishing …ect.
When McDavid first joined the league, he was going so dam fast, defencemen like Zdeno Chara were going back to pee wee where they turned and skated forward towards their own net to get up speed before turning backwards to face McDavid.
He was going so fast he busted bones and knees and literally has had to take 5mph off his top end game just to survive the long haul in the league.
This top end speed has driven the need for speed across the league and down to minor league hockey for the past 10 years. Midget, junior, my lord they are fast. Younger NHL players are showing up faster than ever. All the speed in the NHL today, that was driven by McDavid.
The move away from open ice bit hits because you cant line up these speed demons.
Another thing that has failed to keep up in the NHL but is also adapting in real time is the reffing. McDavid’s speed is so much that infractions to stop him are endless, and the refs cannot keep up with what should or should not be called, if they can even see the infraction in real time.
All the other McDavid skills are high as well, but many elements can be matched by others. What makes McDavid different is the speed in which he delivers these skills.
I think the NHL is so fast now, the ice surface should be expanded to allow these players more room. No different than in minor hockey, the more you grow, the better you get, the more ice surface you use up.
Anyway, I think the key to generational talent is they make a difference. People copy them. The game changes slightly around them.
I’m not sure McDavid’s slight edge in scoring stats puts him at a whole other tier than MacKinnon and Kucherov.
McDavid – 1178 (395 goals)
MacKinnon – 1108 (407 goals)
Kucherov – 1085 (386 goals)
McDavid is a bit younger than both so perhaps will stretch that lead but it’s very difficult to handicap aging curves.
That the latter two also have won a Stanley Cup will likely also factor into how they are remembered.
McDavid has played 155 games less than MacKinnon and 84 less than Kucherov.
points per game
McDavid – 1.52
MacKinnon – 1.19
Kucherov – 1.27
Heads and shoulders above the rest.
Not to mention all of the various things he has beaten or been close to on the all time lists. Lately breaking or near to Olympic records
People still argue Wayne wasn’t the best (forward at least), despite that as Brett Hull said, he didn’t break records, he blew them out of the water
Ovi has scored the most goals, but that doesn’t mean he is generational to me, or the best goal scorer. He was able to score a lot over a long time, which is a remarkable feat, but there were players that were better at it statistically
For me generational players are more than one dimensional, they are great in many ways. Bobby Orr and Wayne significantly changed the game, forces of nature
This season:
Kucherov – 1.78 (He seems to getting better with age)
MacKinnon 1.69
McDavid – 1.66
Stanley Cup Playoffs (when it counts)
McDavid 96GP 44G 106A 150P
McKinnon 95GP 55G 70A 125P
Kucherov 152GP 53G 118A 171P
It will be interesting to see if the other two will ever catch up to Kucherov.
You are getting mixed up with point production as the only factor in deciding generational. It is only part of the equation.
Ignoring the fact hockey is a team sport and winning the Cup is not achieved alone, I suppose we’ll have to revisit this after their careers conclude.
One could also compare p/gm in the regular season.
Kucherov: 1.27MacKinnon: 1.2McDavid: 1.53Or playoffs p/gm if clutch performance is your thing:
Kucherov: 1.13 (152 games)MacKinnon: 1.32 (95 games)McDavid: 1.56 (96 games)
Individual hardware isn’t even a comparison worth entertaining, considering Connor is lapping the field (especially with four Lester Pearson trophies, as voted by his peers as the best player in the league, compared to Kucherov: one, and MacKinnon: two, both of whom have accrued several more seasons).
EDIT: p/gm stats courtesy statsmuse.com
I expect Joe Thornton would be viewed more favourably if he had won a couple of cups. His leadership, longevity and scoring prowess are legendary.
You seem to be making the argument that McDavid is the best player in the league..no argument from me..but you claimed he is is the only one in he “generational tier”
That both MacKinnon and Kucherov have won the Ted Lindsay (hasn’t been Lester Pearson since 2009) in the past 2 seasons would seem to indicate his peers agree that they belong in that tier as well.
Lapping the field?
MacKinnon:
Memorial Cup 2013
Stafford Smyth Trophy MVP 2013
Calder Trophy 2014
Lady Byng Trophy 2020
Stanley Cup Champion 2022
Ted Lyndsay Trophy 2024
Hart Memorial Trophy 2024
4 Nations Cup MVP 2025
Not sure what a player would have to accomplish to be considered generational.
Since the Avalanche are favourites to win the cup this season, perhaps some additional hardware will be decisive.
When was the last time MacKinnon ate a donut?
Huh. I think having more than 1 year where he won hardware that said he was the best in the NHL would help
MacKinnon is excellent, but for debate.
He came from a long way back. He was nowhere near as good as Sid when he emerged from minor hockey. Yet he came on strong. Won the Calder in 2013 with 64 points. Not bad, still very young at the time. Then idled along as good but not great.
Then he broke out in 2017-18
I would suggest that he got so much better once he emulated Connors speed game, and has done so ever since. Nathan is bigger and more dangerous as he crashes the net, but hes not going as fast as McDavid, though you won’t convince a defenceman of that due to his “charging” attack method.
From NHL Edge speed burst and top speed tracking Connor is still way out front. And he was just as, or more so, dangerous than Nathan when driving the net until he had to back off the kamikaze attacks to save his career. Now he must pick and choose his spots, where Nate is able to bulldoze through.
Draisaitl another supremely talented player who learned so quickly beside McDavid. He was good, but he got so much better. Drai, lacking the power and stride he has today. skated straight legged when he arrived. He did not have the speed and it limited him. Now he does, though he doesn’t use it the same as McDavid.
I have my doubts that all of Coffee, Messier, Anderson, Kurri, Lowe all make is to the HHOF without the influence of Gretzky. Great players make those around them even better.
Finally, Championships are hard to win, regardless of who holds the best player. And voter awards also like change and fresh faces. They find a narrative to get behind so they can crown the new king.
MacT said as much about the influence of Gretzky, a huge part of them winning their last Cup without him. Every actual generational player floats the boats. I believe because of example, but also because of making things possible that wouldn’t have been otherwise – confidence, belief, and how to do it
Gretzky – too many to list, some of them aren’t HOF guys without his influence
Lemieux – So many guys got the boost
Crosby – would Malkin and Letang become as good in prime without, and some others?
Connor – elevating Drai, Bouch, Hyman etc
‘Maybe’ Macklin next, or Schaefer, we’ll see. No other young/younger guys are in their tier right now, even if really good
Tiresome schtick
“Slight edge”
It’s a wonder how your blog failed.
There’s Orr-Gretzky-Lemieux as generational. For me Crosby is in the same vein as prime Lafleur-Francis. Overchin is Messier-Esposito-Lindros-Hull. McDavid and McKinnion are slightly better than prime Bure-Kharlov-Jagr-Leon. To be considered generational you have to smoke the remaining field in the yearly scoring races excluding Orr who was a D-man.
I lean this way as well in how you see the players. Except for Connor, his pace is on historic levels, and I believe if they had found him the wingers and made the team better he would be smoking the field. Even in this era. I love MacK, not in the same league as Connor. The Olympics is also showing that Connor is at a different level
Orr lead the 69-70 season with 120 pts, next was Esposito with 99. Given he was a D that is smoking the field. Also after that season he was 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, 1st. Incredible
I’ve questioned Draisaitl’s public words, but I will never question what he brings as an on-ice mentor. I haven’t watched enough hockey in my life to know, but is star-as-real-time-mentor something that’s ever happened as we’re watching it happen with Drai? It’s as if he enjoys teaching as much as he loves scoring. The guy will be a hell of a coach one day. Then Team Germany will be a hockey superpower.
In the meantime, Gold Canada Gold!
He’s been very active on the bench with his German teammates soaking up his advice.
Tomorrow, two of my favourites, head to head: Slafkovsky v Draisaitl. Will Draisaitl have taught his benchmates enough? Will Slafkovsky continue to be a dominating force in these Olympics?
As for post-Olympics: I’d like to see what happens if Howard gets the Drai-as-mentor treatment for an extended period.
Samanski looks better on the wing in the Olympics than he does on the dot in Edmonton thus far. Getting pp time on the 1st unit is also great for his confidence. When they get back to Edmonton I would luv to see this coach rearrange the lines for a few games to see if Samansky can play with Drai and Pods. Why not give that a whirl if they can fit him in and recall him. I think it would be a waste of that confidence to put him back to the minors. Make Nuge the 3rd line C man. Ideally Frederic shows us what and why he was traded for after this break and could play 3rd line minutes as well with Nuge and Kappanen which could be a very good and tougher 3rd line.
I don’t know how they are going to wrangle the cap and I really doubt that Henrique will waive unless he is going back to Anaheim or LA ( wife’s home area) . So ?
Also one of the heads mentioned yesterday that Florida could trade AJ Greer at the deadline if they keep falling. He is at league minimum and a UFA. He has 11 goals and 21 points this year and is huge and a pest and tough as nails. He would be the perfect add for cheap in the bottom 6 if they feel the need for a playoff beast.
Try these lines out if they can move $$ and magpie, Henrique and possibly Janmark. Lots of movement there.
Sounds like the main piece they want is a R handed D man , but I do think if they even get that they will add a forward as well.
Going to be a fun trade deadline and I do think the Oil could add and subtract a couple pieces that could make them a legite contender again. But I am no GM so no clue what Bowman has going on. I also hope he manages to keep Samanski up and the coach try’s him out on Drai’s wing. Seems like a no brainer when they start back up.
I’d take a step back before moving Samanski, a career center, to top 6 left wing.
Firstly, I thought he looked fine-great at 3C (sheltered minutes) and playing LW with Drai agains teams full of non-NHLers (except the US) isn’t quite the same as the NHL.
I’m not adverse to him getting shifts up there but, given the need for a 3C, well, I’m not looking to move him off there – he could may fill that role for years and year for all we know, right?
It will be egregious if Samanski is not back on the roster immediately post break.
If they are activating Henrique and there is no other LTIR placement, then someone needs to go – if they don’t have a Mang trade then either Mang or Janmark need to be waived and assigned (presuming its not Savoie nor Lazar) and that $1.15MM of cap space will be enough to bring Samanski back up.
Its a must.
Honestly I see Samanski’s skill set a better fit on this Oilers roster than Savoie or Howard.
Perhaps, at least the way that they’ve used Howard to this point.
Savoie is PK1 and responsible 2-ways – the offence will come in due time, in particular when he moves up the lineup, and he will – I think he stays.
Samanski looks good in that #44. Perhaps he should stick with that number.
Does Samanski’s net front PP skill make Hyman redundant?
No, but it allows the team a transiiton component for Hyman’s injury time and erosion.
Valid point.
Just to be clear for the group, my comment was made in jest!
But, given today’s game, must be taken seriously, too.
Ah. oh. let me pick up that downvote. not sure how it got there…
Depends on his disallowed goals per 60.
Just like with the Oilers, Drai gets the secondary wingers for Germany.
McDavid gets Hyman and Nuge while Drai gets Podz and Kap.
Stuzle gets Paterka while Drai gets Samanski and his BFF Tiff’s.
Maybe the rest of the hockey world will now accept that Drai is NOT a function of McDavid.
It is amazing what Drai does with wingers that would be bottom 6 on most teams. I think there’s a lot of evidence that Drai might be the better 5v5 player.
The last couple years
Drai and McDavid – 59% goals
McDavid without Drai – 51% goals
Drai without McDavid – 57% goals
Drai without Mcdavid is likely not playing the best of the best any given night. Quality of team matters tho, so this may have merit depending on 1st D pair minutes.
That would make sense. Puck IQ has them as being very close in terms of quality of competition – McD slightly better comp. https://puckiq.com/woodmoney?season=20252026&tier=Elite&positions=c&team=edm&group_by=player_season_team&sort=gfpct&sort_direction=desc
but intuitively it does make sense that other teams would put their top pair against McD most of the time.
So I believe what you’re saying LT is that Draisaitl floats all U-Boats?
Das Boost!
Yes! 🙂
😂
I suppose that makes his line the Wolfpack.
Ja, just have to get Stutzle to go with that strudel