The Edmonton Oilers will have Adam Henrique available when the puck drops Wednesday night in Anaheim. The availability of Connor McDavid is unknown, he’s banged up (as is Leon Draisaitl) and that will impact how things play out as we fall into spring. Kasperi Kapanen has some issue that will keep him out of California at least, and so we’re awake but not entirely aware. Please read this.
I think the OIlers make a deal soon. The cap pressure is part of it, but there are two strong reasons to do a deal now. First, the need is clear: a RH defenseman who can play big minutes against top opponents, and a bigger winger on right wing behind Zach Hyman and Kasperi Kapanen.
Second, the closeness of the playoff races may mean the talent pool for procurement doesn’t grow between now and the deadline.
What would the trade(s) look like? I wrote about assets out and the RH defenseman targets, and will talk about the winger later this week. I tried for about 20 minutes to populate four lines with the questions about the roster players mentioned above, but it’s simply too difficult. Good luck, Kris Knoblauch!
I think the club should consider Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for No. 3 center, but the genesis for that argument surrounded lack of offense on 97’s line. After a season of 1.5 points-60 with the top line in 2024-25, he is at 2.01 points-60 currently for the Oilers alongside McDavid. He is 1.00 in first assists on the line. Maybe the team should keep the top two lines intact?
I don’t know. That could work fine but leaves a large group of players who haven’t been able to find the offensive freeway all year long. The scoring for the group that includes Jack Roslovic (1.56 points-60), Ike Howard (1.1), Curtis Lazar (1.08), Andrew Mangiapane (1.03), Matt Savoie (0.99), Mattias Janmark (0.83), Adam Henrique (0.63) and Trent Frederic (0.31) is distressing.
If I were Stan Bowman, I would keep Roslovic, Howard, Lazar, consider trading Savoie and fire the veterans into the sun. He can’t do that, of course, because trading Trent Frederic would require a mash of draft picks. He can trade Mangiapane, move Janmark itno a bench role and pull Henrique out of the lineup if there’s no production. What will he do? I suspect we’ll find out sooner than later.
On the Lowdown today, Rachel Kryshak from Betalytics and Jason Gregor from the JG Show will join us. Olympics takeaways, injury news and the trade deadline will dominate conversation. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and You Tube.
Five takeaways for Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers from the Olympics
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7063829/2026/02/23/connor-mcdavid-olympics-2026-edmonton-oilers-takeaways/
Thanks.
Re motivation (& a few other points you raise):
”McDavid doesn’t need motivation. He’s hard-wired to win. However, the organization may want to work on the overall motivation of the team…”
At what age or career point do men mature into leaders?
I’ve only been watching McD for about three years. The has guy absolutely been leading the team offensively in that time. But what about other leadership skills a Capt needs to bring his team to success? He was, at a young age, anointed “McJesus.” He seems to have embodied sacrifice (in the name of outscoring) as his way. I understand this. But I don’t think it’s enough for this team.
One of the things I’d hoped from the Olympics was for McD to NOT be the Capt. To have his hero Crosby carry that burden, to free him —and to mentor him.
Alas, an injury meant Crosby’s on-ice mantle had to be carried by McD. And his (youthful) habit of leading by scoring was his undoing in his two OT shifts.
MacT has referred to this team’s “impatience.” To my eyes, no one is more impatient than McD. Yet for almost all of the Olympics we saw that impatience turned to good purpose, and not sacrificing defensive responsibility.
I feel for McD. Thrust too early into the saviour role, throughout his development as a player, it seems. Hence the string of championship MVP sans championship cups (outside of Four Nations, where Crosby wore the “C”)?
My wish is that McD, as he steps back into Capt of the Oilers, is the one who motivates this team. Not with his offensive success (though that too), but primarily with whatever may have rubbed off from sitting on the bench with his hero, Crosby.
ps. I leave this comment here rather than at The Athletic as there most comments are unhelpful to me, learning about this team, how they play, win, and lose. Here, much of what I read helps me to better understand. Thank you.
I’ve been watching McDavid since his rookie season, and for the most part, have really enjoyed the ride. There has been heartbreak, but following his career has been a blast.
Prior to McDavid, growing up in Souther Ontario, my favourite player was Steve Yzerman … the early parts of their careers are fairly similar, as both of them peaked as 60 goal scorers in their mid-20’s, and they were very similar in style. In Yzerman’s 20’s, he was an absolute burner, and could stick handle in a phone booth, deceptively strong for his size, with elite offensive instincts, whose attention to his own zone often lapsed as he yearned to fly the zone and get back on offence. Then two things happened to StevieY as he approached his 30’s – he suffered two knee injuries that robbed him of the elite separation gear that he had in his 20’s. And Scotty Bowman got him to change his game and become an elite defensive player, after which team success followed (though to be fair, those Detroit Cup teams were absolutely stacked from astute drafting and no limits on how much their owner could spend on the roster).
But I keep seeing a lot of early StevieY in McDavid, who doesn’t defend with the same vigour that he attacks on offence. “Impatient” is a very good way to describe what we saw on Sunday morning. Canada had control of the puck and they needed to maintain possession and look for a clear opening to beat Hellybuyck, who was channelling his inner Dominic Hasek from the Nagano Olympics. Instead, he chose to attack 1-on-3 not once but twice in the span of minutes, resulting in a turnover that led to a fast break the other way, ultimately costing Canada the gold medal.
I still hope for McDavid to mature into the player that StevieY became in his 30’s (without the devastating knee injuries, of course), by sacrificing some of the offence with an eye towards using his speed, strength and skill to shutting down other teams and becoming impossible to score against. He’s very self aware, and very committed to his craft, so I think that maturity will come very soon, after which Cups and gold medals will follow.
I know you mentioned it but that team was almost as stacked as the 80s oilers. Maybe more if you take out Gretzky.They may have won without Yzerman. Always thought that Yzerman narrative was manufactured by the Canadian media who never liked to give the Russians credit. No knock on Yzerman, he firmly falls into the next tier behind Gretzky, Lemieux and Orr. The only true generational talents in my book.
McDavid will never have that luxury, even if he does change his game and challenge for a selke. I think you could take the top two lines off those Detroit teams and they would still have better depth than the Oilers do now.
The Wings weren’t the only ones who were stacked in that era though – the Avs were just as deep, just as skilled, and just as filthy, and had an owner who readily opened up the pocket book. The Devils had Brodeur and their suffocating trap, and the Flyers had the Legion of Doom. Yzerman-Fedorov, along with Lidstrom on the blue line was the fulcrum of those Cup teams. Yzerman at full strength was a 2 way beast … people want to talk about Bob Gainey, but Yzerman was the 2-way centre that every player aspired to be; unfortunately, his 30’s were beset by injuries to his knees and later his back that sapped his explosiveness.
McDavid is a better talent on offence, but is nowhere near the calibre of 2-way player that Yzerman evolved into.
Lemieux didn’t start winning Cups until the Pens traded for Ron Francis. He needed a young Jaromir Jagr and an old Bryan Trottier to help him get over the hump. Their first Cup team also had Recchi, Coffey, Mullen, and Larry Murphy, along with Barrasso in net … 7 guys that are inducted in the HHOF, with Jagr still to come. Lemieux’s career was of course beset by injuries as well.
I remember it well. I’d still say the Wings were deeper than all those teams. Third lines with Kieth Primeau or Igor Larionov centering. The likes of Kozlov, McCarty and others on the wings Maltby, Draper on the 4th. I’m forgetting good players and this is just the bottom 6.
The Avs had prime-Mike Ricci as their third line centre for their first win, and prime-Chris Drury for their 2nd Cup. They also had some guy named Patrick Roy in net.
BTW Keith Primeau never won a Cup; he made it to the Finals with Detroit which they lost to NJ, then was traded with Paul Coffey for Brendan Shanahan. The Wings won it all the next season.
That’s why I put Larionov, wasn’t sure. Shanahan was an upgrade. looking back their team was even deeper than I remember. Yzerman, Fedorov, Shanahan, Kozlov, Larionov, Mccarty, Lapointe, Maltby, Draper, Holmstrom, Kocur, Sandstrom, Dandenault, Brown and Taylor. Crazy, Their extra forwards were 20 goal scorers. Except Kocur of course. That might be top 3 all time depth. Defence was all time too.
Lemieux did not start winning cups until he played with Gretz and Messier in the 87 cup. He said that is where he learned the leadership he needed to get the Pens there.
How about Dale Hawerchuk who was the same size and was just as gifted as Stevie Y. If Dale gets drafted by Detroit and Stevie gets picked by the Jets we’re all talking about how great Dale was in winning Cups with Detroit. I really think McDavid thought long and hard and made his decision last minute to stay with his buddies and try to win a Cup. Connor needs a Cup and it’s up to Bowman to give Leon-Connor a legit chance. How many times do you hear Marcel Dionne name brought up compared to Trottier-Yzerman-Francis.
Hawerchuk is one of the most under-rated superstars of all time – rarely talked about but he was an absolute superstar.
He was so classy and unlucky not to win a Cup. If you look at the rosters of the Sabres and Flyers when Dale was there first thing you say is holy crap after that you shake your head that neither of these clubs could make it happen.
RIP Hawerchuk – I never got to watch him much in his early career, as we didn’t often get Jets games televised often. Saw him play a bunch once he was traded to the Sabres … by that time he was more of a passer than a scorer, great forechecker, quick but not fast, due to an awkward skating style that earned him the nickname Ducky and also led to hip problems that shortened his career.
I’m not sure there’s a great modern day compatible in the NHL to Hawerchuk … Macklin Celebrini maybe.
Totally forgot that he was traded for MacT at the end of his career, and played games with Wayne in St.Louis before that.
In a vacuum, I agree that the Oilers should do everything possible to win now in the McDavid era. But I have no confidence in the current management group to execute that properly. “Cup or bust” was the justification for the summer of Jeff Jackson, and now the team is poorer for the impatient approach to team building.
I think we beat the Jets 6 times in the playoffs add in regular season being in the same division we seen the Jets and Dale over 10 times a year. He was the leader and he made that club classy. The Jets were the only team I felt sorry they came close to beating us yet we always got the bounces.
Thank you. I’ve read about but didn’t witness what I call the “Yzerman moment.” And I haven’t had the context of McD’s formative years. This all helps (and confirms some of my biases).
McDavid did not show up for the OT, and with the Russians not competing this was not a BEST on BEST tournament
Perhaps I’m misinterpreting, but you seem to be implying that Connor was primarily at fault in the OT. His rush was a strong move to the net at full, brilliant speed that would have likely been graded as high danger. From my perspective, Cale’s inadvisable pinch and Nate’s curious indecision to play the puck aggressively were much more culpable in the goal.
There is nothing high danger about going 1-on-3, even taking. Into account McDavid’s prodigious skill.
All three of those guys were gassed; they’d been out for a long first shift of the OT and then were rotated out there again for the third shift. The mistakes they made were indicative of fatigue. That’s on the coaching staff, of course, but McDavid got impatient and through caution to the wind (so did Makar).
It was the wrong time to try to go for the jugular, especially since it didn’t work in the prior shift.
How often have I watched McD take on 2-3 defenders and win it with his art? How often, willing it rather than creating it, does he lose the puck – and control, possession? More often the former. But the latter often enough to think I recognize impatience. Forcing a situation.
I’ve listened to others (notably Rob Brown on GYB) take apart that OT. I can appreciate that the goal was on all three star players. But there are times when I watch McD do this thing and I cringe at the impatience and the artlessness. He was an artist for all of what I saw these Olympics —except the OT.
I’m seeing lots of worry online about hand injuries for McDavid & Draisaitl. We do know Drai jammed his hand vs Minny and was seen icing it on the bench during the Olympics. Definitely an injury there but he has been able to play and has had 5 days away from hockey so that will have helped.
Buddy taping of 2 fingers is done to keep a sprained or dislocated finger from bending the wrong way and be more stabilized in the hockey glove. So hopefully Connor is just dealing with a sprain or jammed finger that won’t need too much time for recovery. I expect he is more exhausted than anything so I wouldn’t be surprised if he is out of the lineup for at least Wednesday’s game and possibly even Thursday. I’m sure the blizzard we’re dealing with on the East coast hasn’t helped with the travel from Italy either.
The US team got back to the states today so I presume the Candians are back as well.
Team landed in LA today – I presume McDavid meets the group in San Jose on Friday and that would have been the plan, finger issue or not.
What I’m curious about right now is, where is Leon? They played last Wed I believe – Samanski was in the Condors’ lineup on Friday. I havent’ seen Leon at practice (no doubt he would have been interviewed) and I didn’t see him get off the plane today in LA (there were picks of about 10 players).
Drai did have that family matter to tend to earlier in the year, I suspect he is or has been in Germany.
Ya, potentially – never thought about that.
Kap is on the road trip – positives of him getting off the plane. There hasn’t been a Drai sighting – well, at least I haven’t seen him.
Bakersfield demoted Ungar. Kinda sucks for his development .
Ungar exiled to Disney World. https://x.com/Condors/status/2026056018778791976?s=20
That’s goofy
Something something…Mickey Mouse franchise.
Is this to get him more playing time?
Ungar has had the meh to poor games in a row, increasingly worse.
This is not egregious (although I think Pick should play his one game and then head home).
Last season, the undersized (6’ 0”) Brett Brochu, who had an excellent OHL career) was on an AHL deal with the organization and he was trending in a very good direction. I expressed my expectation that he showed enough promise to be signed by the big club. The 6’ 2” Ryan Fanti, who showed worse results over 2 seasons, was allowed to walk last year and was quickly signed by Tampa Bay.
Remember, Ungar is 6’ 0” and was signed by Holland. Two large & much younger draft picks are currently in the ECHL and the older & much larger Tompkins is in year 1 of his 2 year deal he signed with Bowman.
In Ungar’s last 6 AHL games he has a 0.910 Save Percentage and has around a 3.50 GA Average. Over his last 3 games his Save Percentage is 0.879 and he has a 4.33 GA Average.
The team has let him down and now his level of play has degraded. Meanwhile, Tompkins is playing very well (he is in top form) and the highly respected Pickard is waiting his turn.
if you are not a draft pick, you are on the outside looking in, if you are not 6’2” or taller as a goaltender, you cannot have a bad game. Ever. AND still there are no guarantees whatsoever of NHL opportunity. See 6’ 0” Michael Dipietro, who is 80-36-9 in the AHL over his last 5 seasons. In that same period he’s played in exactly 1 NHL game. That game was 5 years ago!
Ungar is an outsider and don’t be surprise if this is his last AHL season. The NHL is like 1,000,000 miles away for undrafted goalies, and for a smaller goaltender, it’s even farther.
So did the NHL GMs all collectively go on vacation for the past two weeks – where is the torrent of trades that were waiting to be announced once the trade freeze ended?
After getting to see the best in the world all in one place I feel pretty comfortable saying that the Oilers 5-man first group doesn’t take a backseat to the Avs 5-man unit.
MacKinnon is wonderful but there’s a gap between McDavid and him that I think even he’d acknowledge. Makar is the best and Toews is an excellent compliment but watching closely they aren’t perfect. Since the scoring gap has flipped between him and Bouchard you can certainly “see” Makar/Toews from Bouchard/Ekholm.
Necas is really good and Lehkonen is solid and complimentary. Hyman is really good and Nuge is solid and complimentary. All Olympic level players even if all didn’t make their respective national teams.
What the Oilers autopsy needs to uncover is why these 5 comparable Avs can be +172 at even strength and the Oilers elite unit is +19.
I don’t believe it’s goaltendERS even as save percentage points in that direction.
I have a theory. I wonder if Bednar pulls Mac’s line away from the toughest of matchups at least some of the time? Coach K doesn’t really play that game.
Well said, I agree this tourney provided me a better perspective of Oiler players. I also found it interesting how much McDavid even makes Allstars seem ordinary. I think McDavid and Draisaital definitely skew my opinion of players on the team.
Makar plays 40% of his TOI vs. elites. MacKinnon 39%, Toews and Necas 38%.
McDavid 37%, Bouchard and Ekholm, 36%.
A lot of it underlines the much weaker supporting cast in Edmonton.
In 549 minutes, MacKinnon has 46 GF and 13 GA vs non-Elites, Makar is at 36 & 15, in 581 minutes.
In 615.5 minutes, McDavid is at 33 & 35, while Bouchard is 38 & 35 in 664.7 minutes.
Overplaying them might also be a factor.
Doesn’t MacKinnon play almost as much as McDavid at 5 on 5 (and overall)?
This and the previous is from PuckIQ:
MacKinnon 900.3 minutes, 53 games; McDavid 981.5 minutes, 58 games.
Is there any other player in professional sports that has been named MVP of 2 critical tournaments in a losing cause?
Also MVP of the OHL cup in a losing cause. This has to mount the pressure and may be the reason his performance in championship clinchers is lacking. Gripping the stick too tight.
There are times when it looks like McDavid carries the burden of not having won the Stanley Cup yet like an 800 lb gorilla on his back.
I loved his first few games at the Olympics, because he clearly didn’t feel that pressure of knowing that he had to do it all.
Then Crosby got hurt, MacKinnon wasn’t 100%, and the “bottom 9” decided it would mostly play like it was waiting for McDavid to get back on the ice.
And judging by how he ran the OT, Cooper clearly also thought that he needed McDavid to win it for everybody.
Crikey.
Yeah, history keeps repeating itself. McDavid may end up winning his when he’s not the centerpiece of a team. Maybe he’ll be the Sharks version of the Penguins Brian Trottier. At least in pedigree.
100%
That’s not a gorilla, but rather the starting lineup for the Panthers.
I watched again that painful goal. Yesterday once it was done, I was also and didn’t want to see anymore
Connor was not at fault. He got on his horse and got back into position. The only comment one could make is he has to not let that pass go through him to Hughes. But that is something the Oilers as a team could all be better at I think
It doesn’t seem to me that they focus on having strong sticks, which is unfortunate because they have the skill for it, and it disrupts so much, saves so much defending, and we often see it used against them successfully
Those other two guys however…..
If risky play and mistakes are why Bouch wasn’t invited, Makar opened the door. Wide
Makar was ground down to a nub in the game. There was no one else they could rely on to pass the puck effectively. He did his best to get back, but he was gassed.
If Morrissey had been available, then maybe there would not have been such a need for Makar, but the other 4 D were not going to help in 3 on 3.
Harley and Theodore have skill even if not Makar
Fair enough. But Makar was overused out of necessity. He was definitely most culpable on the goal against, but not because he was not trying.
True, the point I was making is that Connor was the one player doing what he should be doing in OT on that play. Some today are criticizing his defensive play, and on that play and overall in fact he lead the tournament in offensive (points) and defensive play (+/-) for a forward. Best player in the tournament, as awarded
Honestly I was so surprised when McKinnon didn’t go for the puck on that fateful play, he was tentative.. lost the initiative on that play.
makar was culpable on both goals against and his lack of hustle on the winning goal was bouchard on a thursday night in october esque.
Critical to find a good RHD to play effectively with nurse. Whether that’s 2nd or 3rd pair it doesn’t matter. We need snarl on the team as well. Emberson numbers suggest he can be effective now as well, I’d pair him with Walman?
I’d love to see what Coffey can do for Regula’s game.
The Henrique triangle is a cruel way to welcome back NHL hockey, truly awful stuff.
Regula might be the answer to a question next year
I don’t like to be too hasty in my judgements on players, but I am very concerned that Regula has zero snarl and is not durable.
I do not see much of a future for him in E-Town.
It would be foolish to not have Coffey see what he can do with Regula, could be a revelation.
More than anything, I empathize and wish the best for Connor and Leon. There is so much crap about serial disappointments being thrown around and it sucks. Connor has performed super-human feats for more than a decade and a half (including junior) and deserves better. He has frequently played through injury without complaint or offering excuse.
Life is inherently unfair, and the best don’t often win. Often, the loudest talkers (Matt Tkachuk) stand on the shoulders of others claiming victory. Godspeed and thank you Connor and Leon, I appreciate everything you’ve done for the Oilers and wish you better days and outcomes
all that matters is everyone knows these guys are still the best we have ever seen in this generation and their story’s are not yet complete!
To me, one’s assessment of McDavid as a player based on his team’s results is a litmus test of your analysis and understanding of the game of hockey. It is fair to say that sometimes he shoulders too much and may try to do too much by himself in big games. It is also fair to say he often is left to try to do so because of the huge expectations he and the hockey world have imposed on him, and because in these situations the rest of the team have not gotten the job done. It is unfair and uneducated to overlook his exceptional performance in many, many critical games over his career.
One’s assessment of McDavid as a human being based on team results is even more flawed, and I will not even go there
I agree wholeheartedly with your comments, he does try to do too much by himself when things get tight. Often to his own detriment, and that is fair field for criticism. But I admire his persistence in trying to meet the moment.
I wonder how great he could be if he won a gold or Stanley and could play freely, without all of the pressure. In that circumstance, I think Connor and Leon would be amazing.
Not sure who that’s directed at but who is questioning him as a human being?
Not liking some of the things he says or does as it relates to hockey has little to do with him as a human being. I would assume it is the same for most of his detractors, especially here.
In these huge games the refs also put the whistles away and they are always low scoring games. It’s not the type of game where he excels necessarily.
in Sid’s three cups. In the clenching game he had 0 points twice and 2 assists in one.
In the cup clenching games, goal scorers were:
2009 – Talbot x 2
2016 – Dumoulin, Letang
2017 – Hornqvist, Hagelin
i think you need depth that can score in these games. The last time I remember having confidence in a line possibly scoring a big goal at evens (or SH) with McDavid off the ice was JANMARK, Henrique, Brown in 2024.
And you also need to score first otherwise the other team locks it down and they don’t call any penalties. PITT scored first in all three of these games.
that being said obviously McD and Drai can both be better in these games, but having them be the only threat to score at evens is not a winning strategy.
I had a meeting with some Chicago based clients this morning. I didn’t bring up the hockey game – and neither did they. It’s a casual relationship too, I meet with these people all the time.
My point is the game is way more amplified in Canada than the US. Even for a guy like Tkachuk, he gets more run for his quotes and shit talking in Canada than the US.
Hockey is life up here. It’s too bad Connor and friends couldn’t get it done, considering they were the better team by far in that game. But they didn’t get it done. But the disappointment of that resides almost exclusively in our great country, a majority of Americans don’t really care what happened yesterday. Just some of my perspective on this game.
LGO! Channel that rage Connor into an unlikely cup run this year!
I’m okay with an overpay for a good target that fills a need. If a deal isn’t there don’t force it. The team has lots of needs, we aren’t close at this time. We can’t afford to bleed assets on a dice roll.
LT, do you think trading Savoie is a good idea or is it just what you think they will do?
Personally I can’t see him having much value at this point – I think he has more value as a middle six guy here developing his game. I think Howard probably has more value and I don’t think he has any better chance than Savoie at having an NHL career.
I think there are teams out there who would project him on to a skill line next year. If I had my druthers, I would keep him. However, as Ive said for decades now, if the current GM didn’t trade for a player, then he’s vulnerable if a need arises.
Thanks. I hate that you are always right about the last sentence 😔
I’m hoping Savoie doesn’t get traded. It was a pretty farsighted trade to move on from an established player for a future, and pretty consistent with what Bowman is trying to acquire (cheap bottom end roster players)- Howard, Jarventie, Samanski, the other guys on the AHL team on the verge. The plan should be to commit to these guys, and I would do it right now. We know Henrique, Janmark, etc, have been found lacking and aren’t the solution. Stop being so risk adverse, and enjoy the rewards of accumulating these guys.
Exactly. If they can turn him into Todd Marchant that is perfect. Good two way forward, 40 points a year, won’t ever cost too much.
Sigh – the player that Savoie was traded for has turned into that “Todd Marchant”-type player.
I know but I didn’t want to say that because I already talk about McLeod too much
Funny how people can only see what a player isn’t when he’s on their team.
He is too afraid to go to the net.
He doesn’t hit.
He plays on the outside.
Then he gets traded and “I wish we had him on our team” is what gets said.
Not saying that’s you, just a common thing across this fan base.
I hope and pray the coaching staff sat down to really think about best plan from here to playoffs.
If they come out with some simple line changes, its simple not enough.
They really need to assess this roster. Who’s who. who is doing what, no nonsense. Find out what the rookies can do. If they can’t deliver they might be part of a package going out. Same with vets, lets get serious. Who is going to deliver? And Im not just talking about putting up points.
They absolutely have to find a deal at the deadline. Someone who will be a difference maker in some way. Position doesn’t matter as much as getting the best player possible.
Some type of new stategy that addresses the problems they have been having this year. That may be breakouts or defensive play.
Coffey has been watching evaluating, biting his tongue.
Whatever they do, they need to come out unified and with a plan.
I wonder if the Oil are looking at Ristolainen at all? I haven’t seen him play much this year but in that game against Canada he was surprisingly good. He hasn’t played much this year and has Ayer left at 5.1. Big guy and it that Canada/Finland game he was good.
No clue what the cost would be and if he is even on the Oilers radar
Was it him that reverse hit Wilson? I could get used to seeing more of that!
Absolute heartbreak yesterday morning, and Im still not over it.
The country wanted the win so bad. The players deserved the win. My heart goes to specifically to McDavid who has come so close and keeps getting denied. He wants to win so badly.
They played excellent, they deserve our full support. It was an awesome hockey tourney full of tension and edge of your seat entertainment.
Please let this be the Stanley Cup playoffs where every bounce goes the Oilers way.
To start with it would be so nice to see Frederick come out in some resemblance of his Boston days on Wed night. Can he? No clue, but here is hoping he can at least get to a very serviceable 3rd liner adding grit.
Thinking McD won’t play Wed night and maybe not even Thur. a few heads were talking about his 2 fingers being taped up . Is he hurt? No clue, but his timetable will be off as well and that usually takes a few days at least. To get that straight. Guess we see.
Kappanen is a worry as the 2nd line winger. He has been hurt too much and I think they need to be thinking this may be an issue and plan for him not being someone reliable.
I would try Samanski on Drai’s wing on Wed night. This is the perfect opportunity to do just that.
I agree dropping RNH to the 3rd dot slot. The last 4-5 games before the break that McD line was not producing much 5 on 5. He is a good option and can drive a 3rd line I think.
As for trades and moves, 1) Mangiapanne and Janmark need to go. It would also be nice if they could get Henrique out of here as well. Doubtful all 3 will go, And probably just Magpie. I also think they will lose Regula either in a trade or on Waivers.
As for trading Savoie, what deal type would you see him going in LT? I like Savoie as he can skate, very good pk guy, but his finishing on offense seems to be a bit off. Coukd he be traded in a deal that would help bring in a top 6 forward or top 4 D man with some term?
you would hope if they are moving him.
tIf they use Nuge at #3 Dot, this team needs a top 6 winger.
They for sure need a #3/ 4 R handed D
Probably could use a bottom 6 grinder/Pk type of player that can skate and hit.
These 3 games on this west coast swing are huge. All 3 teams are on there ass with games in hand. We all know the Oil seem to come out slow after breaks, and if McD and Drai miss 1 or 2 or more, yikes.
These next 2 weeks are going to very interesting in which way the Oilers will be going for the rest of the year.
I think trade is best for Regula. He needs to play and probably won’t pass through waivers and no spot for him with the NHL team.
Only way to get Samanski on the roster (presuming they recall Savoie, which they will) is to move Mang or Janmark off the roster (or someone else) and it doesn’t seem like that is about to happen.
I would put Savoi up with Drai and Samanski back at 3C.
They’ve never done it for more than a shift or two the McDavid/Drai era – do we think they start now?
Get Samanski on this team, play him 3C or with Leon – lets go.
There’s every reason to think it would work, and the third line is garbage currently.
Exactly. Probably would have helped to have done it for 3-4 full games before the Olympics. To see if it even could work.
I like Samanski, but would rather see him on Drai’s wing for the next 3-4 games. With Kapoy out it is the perfect opportunity.
No it wouldn’t. Nuge is not a centre who can drive offense on his own anymore.
Watching Jon Cooper deploy his lines for Team Canada, it’s clear that you have to have one line that is capable of driving offense to be able to compete. The Oilers have that in RNH-McDavid-Hyman. I would do the same for the second line with Podz-Leon-Roslovic. Keep these lines together for the rest of the season and put the blender back into the cupboard.
I agree with OP … use Samanski at 3C, Henrique at 4C and jettison the useless vets either completely off the team (Mangiapane, Janmark) or to the oressbox (Frederic). Samanski is fresh off the role of 3C at the Olympics; he was also trusted as PKer by the German team, and has been PKing all season long at the Bake. It’s not like our PK is any good, so maybe it’s time to try something new and roll with it until the end of the season.
Kapanen, when healthy, is better than Roslovic with Draisaitl.
I would just go Howard, Samanski, Roslovic as the 3rd line.
And if Kapanen cannot go, slot Savoie with Draisaitl and Podkolzin until he is healthy.
Nuge was 2C in the WCF against Dallas and was the best player in the series.
He was 6-1 goals at 5 on 5 (and 56% expected)
I don’t disagree, I’m just noting they’ve never really done it.
Nuge has played plenty of center over the years but almost always 2C when McDavid/Drai are loaded up or one is out of the lineup.
I think they started Nuge at 3C in one of the games right before the break but it lasted like 2 shifts.
I looked it up and Nuge is 40% goals since 2024-25 without McDrai. Thats kind of eye opening. I would still try it, but he might need a really good winger.
That is almost exclusively at 2C with McDavid/Drai loaded up or one out of the lineup – he’s never really played 3C in the McDavid/Drai era.
So he should have easier comp as 3C I guess?
Presumably.
He also did crush it in last year’s WCF as 2C, played some of his best hockey of his career, and carried that in to this season where he was very good until his 1000th game and he’s slumped since.
In any event, as long as he has reasonable wingers, I have little doubt he could succeed at 3C and lead an outscoring line.
They should absolutely be trying it until the trade deadline.
Perhaps – I’d prefer they let Samanski run with 3C for the four games before the deadline – real 3rd line minutes and give him some PK.
This kid has all the attributes required to fill that position for term and he just needs experience and reps – and he’s not a normal rookie, having played pro in Germany for several years.
Not to mention, he’s likely sky high with confidence.
I think Roslovic – McDavid – Hyman could work as a line. I would like to see Nuge at 3C for an extended period.
Samanski – Nuge – KAPANEN/Savoie possibly. They don’t really need to score, just be responsible defensively and chip in once in a while.
They literally have almost exactly $0 of cap space when Savoie is recalled.
Trade freeze is lifted and Mang hasn’t been traded – if Bowman couldn’t find a deal over the break…….. rumour has it they need to attach a 3rd – is Bowman not willing?
I think a legit 2RD has to be the primary need (and I’m find with Samanski getting a run at 3C to see if he can continue – he’s been the best option the last few months). The following is fire:
Ekholm/Bouchard
Walman(Nurse)/Legit 2RD
Nurse (Walman)/Emberson
Stastney
If it costs a 3rd rounder to get rid of Magpie’s contract completely and to free up that $$$, DO IT. ( be nice if it was a 4th) It is obvious that it will cost something to move him or he would have been moved already. Especially since his agent was told he could explore trade options for him. That said we only have a 2nd and 3rd , 6th and 7th. That 2nd is probably as good as gone so maybe he feels he needs to keep that 3rd. Next year they don’t have a 3rd or 4th.
literally noone should care about a 3rd rounder at this point of the game. use it to dump mangi. get the cap space and sign some more college free agents.
They can sign all the college free agents they want, with or without Mang and his cap hit.
Here is hoping Henrique can re-set here and do more than help on the PK. I think Janmark or Mang should be waived and assigned in order to bring up Samanski (along with Savoie) and have Samanski play 3C while Henrique plays 4C but I’m sure they don’t do it and give Henrique the 3C shot.
Great comment, likely means will never happen
It will be nice to have some regular season NHL to watch as a way to calm down following the Olympics. I do wonder what transactions occur in the next hours/days as teams get back into it.
As far as Canada and our teams go, we have had a long run with pretty good results, and at some point we weren’t going to win. Getting stone cold stopped by Hellebucyk, who really needed to prove he was a big game winner, was not the worst thing. And, if there is a little self-examination by Hockey Canada on ways they can make improvements going forward, then so much the better.
Here’s hoping Connor is only banged up, and not badly injured. I wish the same for Draisaitl too.
If McD and Drai are injured, Bowman should seriously consider selling at the deadline/ now.
The price tag for players that can raise the ceiling of this team is going to be astronomical. We don’t really have the assets in picks and prospects to get those players, unless something specifically lines up for us (e.g. similar to Panarin telling NYR that he was only going to waive his NMC to go the Kings).
Be very interesting to see if both or even one are injured enough to keep out.
I hear you. The default is “go for it” every year 97 is on the team, but if you know you don’t have the team this year do you nibble instead so you have more bullets for next year when you really can push?
There is no chance. He cannot go tell McDavid they are selling.
That to.
Sell what? Roslovic, Kap and Lazar?
Lots off chatter today that the U.S. may have finally passed Canada in both men’s and women’s hockey given the relative population and economic factors.
Prophetic?
Craig Custance
@CraigCustance
Look out 2026 Olympics
USA Hockey’s 8 & under membership has reached 100,000 for the first time ever.
7:33 AM · Jan 24, 2011
Also lots of chatter on the internet about how the government is run by lizard people.
In the 80’s….the vast majority of NHL players, over 75%, were Canadian.
That number is rapidly declining and is roughly 40% in 2026.
Given how expensive it is to have a kid in hockey, and the growing disparity in relative incomes, Canadian families are at a distinct disdavantage.
And, as NHL expansion talks heat up, its worth noting that ALL of the potential additions are American which will only grow the game further south of the border.
The whooshing sound is my point flying over your head.
Can you go back to rah rah’ing the Canucks? Hell, engross us with tales of Brogan Rafferty!
I for one, find a good portion of your posting to be informative on subjects relating to the various teams you regularly spout off about. You know your hockey. But when you go off the rails just to piss off other posters, it is sad.
Come on man, not everyday has to be a full blown case of pissing in the collective bowl of cornflakes.
We had two bags of grass, seventy-five pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high powered blotter acid, a salt shaker half full of cocaine, and a whole galaxy of multi-colored uppers, downers, screamers, laughers… and also a quart of tequila, a quart of rum, a case of Budweiser, a pint of raw ether and two dozen amyls.
Not that we needed all that for the trip, but once you get locked into a serious drug collection, the tendency is to push it as far as you can…
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eekl1wwBsXM
Heart.
Thank you!
Most families under the Lizard people transfer of wealth which has been taking place for years can’t afford the expense of hockey
Well that didn’t take long:
“Side
Reply to Fibonacci
February 18, 2026 12:28 pm
Almost as annoying as you will be if the US beats Canada in the final.”
Finland population 5.7 Million
And?
It will be increasingly difficult for smaller nations to compete in the Olympics as long as NHL players participate.
The last time that happened was in 2006 when Sweden won gold.
With the explosive growth of the game in the U.S. (and winning Olympic gold should accelerate that) hockey opens up to whole new demographics.
And now that the NCAA has invaded the Major Junior Hockey space, it will likely snowball even further.
Meanwhile, in Canada, things are in reverse.
“The financial barrier to hockey is staggering. According to Statistics Canada, participation in youth hockey has declined by 25% over the past decade — and a major factor is cost.
The average rep hockey season now costs families between $3,000, depending on the level of play. This doesn’t include equipment, off-season training, travel, or camps. It’s no longer a game for everyone; it’s a game for wealthy families.
Newcomer families are hit even harder. According to Statistics Canada, children from immigrant families are 30% less likely to play organized sports like hockey due to financial, cultural, and accessibility barriers. Without built-in networks or familiarity with the sport, many newcomer kids never get a shot on the ice.”
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ugly-truth-youth-hockey-canada-why-were-failing-our-kids-benchetrit–qrhec/
without the russians this was not a BEST on BEST tournament