If you look past the playoff race, and view the Oilers (correctly) as a non-playoff team in any real division, there are some things that are positive on the ice right now. The department of youth, represented by Vasily Podkolzin, Matt Savoie and Josh Samanski, are impacting every game now. That’s a very good thing. Please read this.
If you watched the game, or listened to Connor McDavid’s post-game comments that were basically an endorsement of Jon Cooper’s coaching, then this is a tough morning. I have a strict policy on not using reporter’s work in the 24-hour window after the actuality, so will link to Ryan Rishaug’s tweet and recommend you read it. That’s a sphincter tightener for every individual in the Oilers organization this morning. The last line, man. Just an absolute dagger.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN MARCH
- At home to: OTT, CAR (Expected 1-1-0) 1-1-0
- On the road to: VEG, COL, DAL, STL (Expected 2-2-0) 2-1-1
- At home to: NAS, SJS, FLA, TBAY (Expected 2-1-1) 2-2-0
- On the road to: UTA, VEG (Expected 1-1-0)
- At home to: ANA, SEA (Expected 1-1-0)
- Expected Record: 7-6-1, 15 points in 14 games
- Actual Record: 5-4-1
- Season Record: 34-28-9, 77 points in 72 games
This is awful. Before the last two games, Edmonton looked like there was something good brewing. The lines were switched for the last two games and we are here. Slippin’ in to darkness is the title of today’s blog post, and this run in March has that feel. Great song by the way, give it a listen if you have a chance.
- Nuge-McDavid-Hyman 14:43, 5-14 shots, 1-2 goals, 33X, 2-7 HDSC
- Podkolzin-Dickinson-Kapanen 10:07, 8-0 shots, 87X, 2-0 HDSC
- Savoie-Samanski-Roslovic 7:52, 2-1 shots, 1-0 goals, 51X
- Jarventie-Henrique-Jones 5:43, 4-1 shots, 63X, 1-0 HDSC
The top line got absolutely cooked by the Lightning, and Cooper just rolled nine guys out there for six minutes or more versus the 97 trio. There was no need to hard match, Tampa Bay is diabolical. Cooper has some guys who don’t have great defensive chops, but those fellows carry the mail offensively. The McDavid line came up against a no-name thrush muffler defense last night. Spanked. Hyman had just one HDSC, that’s breaking news. Nice goal by the captain.
The other lines were solid to excellent. I’ll take a moment to suggest Dickinson with Leon’s wingers is a pretty nice option for a second or third line. I loved the work done by the Samanski line, and am encouraged that Kris Knoblauch has more trust in the rookie. The Henrique line also did some good things, nice to see Roby Jarventie rewarded with a game.
- Ekholm-Bouchard 17:33, 5-12 shots, 1-2 goals, 30X, 2-6 HDSC
- Nurse-Murphy 14:25, 7-2 shots, 63X, 2-0 HDSC
- Walman-Emberson 10:24, 9-1 shots, 1-0 goals, 87X, 1-0 HDSC
- Connor Ingram 22 of 26, .846
- Connor Ingram five-on-five 18 of 20, .900
The top pairing had a tough night. Ekholm went fishing behind the net and left Nikita Kucherov wide open. I don’t think the coach is coaching that kind of coverage. The other two pairings did well, Nurse-Murphy played a solid game. I’d been suggesting the coaching staff should back off the minutes for the duo and it worked like a charm. Good to see Ty Emberson back, the third pair dominated, although Jake Walman’s sortie in front of his own net for kicks was a bad idea. Connor Ingram was hung out to dry time and again, and against high skilled forwards.
I saw some better breakouts last night, Edmonton is not consistent enough for the outlets to be considered a strength. Still playing too much defense, and are incredibly vulnerable to counter strikes. The defense lets opponents get behind them, and then try to recover once the bullet pass finds tape. This is not an effective strategy. Special teams rancid.
I’m not sure about Kris Knoblauch’s future. It’s very late to make a change. It’s also obvious this team has accepted losing. I don’t know what Stan Bowman will do, and maybe more to the point I don’t know what Daryl Katz will do.
Is Edmonton Oilers’ goalie of the future flourishing in obscurity this season?
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7136285/2026/03/22/edmonton-oilers-goalie-samuel-jonsson-stats-2026/
Wow. What an indictment on the organization—and all of Oilerville: only four goalies drafted over 47 years who’ve played over 200 NHL games. Is that 200 games w the Oilers, or 200 games in the NHL, period?
And only two w extended success w the Oilers.
Q: How does that compare to other organizations? I’m guessing poorly.
Since the Skinner/Jarry trade some things are clearer (it wasn’t/isn’t a “goalie problem” so much as a “defensive irresponsibility problem”). Also: Whatever goalie is chosen to stand in the crease behind this team, perhaps as important as his SV% is his “mental toughness” measure, his ability to bounce back and win in the face of a fan base (and punditry) that loves to blame goalies as much as they blame coaches.
I’d love to see a Jonsson or an Ungar get a shot. I remember what a young Ken Dryden. I’ve heard what a young Moog did. I’ve seen what a young Wolf has done. But please, make sure they’re ready to deal with the slings and arrows and pitchforks of Oilerville. Here, goalies are eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s fughly.
ps. I think Ingram is doing a great job, given what he has to deal with. I liked him last night.
Total:
Moog and Fuhr played 200 games here, although the bulk of Moogs career was outside of Edmonton and Fuhr had the back half of his career outside of Edmonton.
Dubnyk played more outside of Edmonton than he ever did in. Skinner was just shy of 200 games before his trade.
Markkanen also deserves an honourable mention for a serviceable NHL career but aside from that? Oilers have been abysmal at drafting goalies since 1981
Thank you.
Most here more than acknowledged team defense was/is poor. But the goaltending was also poor, and continues to be so when Jarry is in net. The trade has yet to work out, and it’s a good question if it ever will, or if SB will try to move on from Jarry in the offseason. Since coming to EDM Jarry has been one of the worst performing goalies in the league – defense aside.
https://x.com/MoneyPuckdotcom/status/2035408167371153602
Thanks. My question is about mental toughness. Jarry certainly gave the D&F group some push back. Then he got pushed back. Maybe they don’t like to be called out? (That would fit w their on- and off-ice irresponsibility, on-ice being poor def play; off-ice being what are widely interpreted as “blame the coach” comments.) The success of position is measured in percentage points. Confidence and the team having your back is critical. I don’t believe the team has Jarry’s back. I don’t believe he has the confidence to battle through that.
I think Skinner had the mental toughness, but I don’t think on-ice leadership had his back. I think Pickard is, as they say, “a battler.” But for all the hoo-hah about the locker room not wanting to lose him, they couldn’t be bothered to play a shot suppression, defensively responsible style that would show they actually had his back.
I would say there are a few things that Jarry is dealing with that have led to his current deployment. One thing about Jarry that I like is that he loves Edmonton.
Jarry’s comments (what you are calling push back) after a loss (“It’s tough…”) do not appear to have been well received. But Jarry changed his tone and took more responsibility in later pressers. The biggest red flags about Jarry are reports from Stauffer, Rishaug and others that he wasn’t (doesn’t???) working hard in terms of practice and conditioning.
But to be fair, there was also an injury in there, that appears to have affected his positioning as commented by Steve Valiquette – his technical game is off since injury.
Regarding mental toughness, this is not an unidimensional attribute. Ingram went through a lot of tough things mentally, many reportedly not hockey related, but seems to have come out of the player assistance program with tools that he can use to continue his career. Maybe Ingram is not tough. Maybe it’s not about an inherent attribute but rather having the mental tools to deal.
It doesn’t seem like Jarry was prepared for the media heat in this market. He should be able to learn and get some help from others. If he legit has an attitude problem at this point in his career that woulf be disappointing.
Agreed, Ingram seems very level headed and down to earth. Like someone who has done a lot of therapy. Can’t remember what it was but something happened in the crowd or on the ice when he was playing and a reporter asked him about it and he was like “yeah I didn’t notice, Im in my own workd out there”
That’s what I call mental toughness: having the tools, or willing to learn them, and using them. Skinner had that in spades. Ingram’s experience seems to have given him that.
How’s Lord Skinner making out today? I would say there’s less pressure playing in an American market. Jarry has yet to have a playoff in Oilerville for all we know he may love the atmosphere and catch a wave this Spring.
.840.
Gave up 4 goals on 25 shots.
I can’t see Pittsburgh offering him a contract there’s lots of average goaltenders to be had for less.
Yep.
Easily replaceable for peanuts.
Calling up a goalie from the East Coast Hockey League is not a reasonable option.
Connor Ungar gave up 6 goals on 23 shots in the ECHL last night.
I don’t think you think anyone’s saying that. As with the blue, Oil need to develop cost-controlled, in-house replacements on the double.
There are lots of people across the internet calling for Connor Ungar.
Of note, its not just last night – he’s been trounced 3 starts in a row – his top save% in those three games .867.
No one can reasonably suggest Connor Ungar is an option. In fact, I don’t think the Oilers have an obvious recall option based on AHL performance (and the ECHL guys need AHL time).
I agree, 100% but can note for certainty that there are some (and now just a handful) that continue to suggest it – I don’t think its reasonable (nor do you) but they do….
Geez, what an awful goal let in by Vejmelka with two minutes left to let the Kings tie it – lame.
Updating!
London finishes 4th in the OHL Western Conference and will have home ice vs. the Soo in Round 1. London won the reg season series 3-1.
Kamloops finishes 5th in the WHL Western Conference and will face Kelowna in Round 1. Kamloops went 2-4 vs. the Rockets in the reg season,
Saskatoon finishes 6th in the WHL Eastern Conference and will meet Edmonton in Round 1. Saskatoon won only one of their four meetings in the reg season. (This is their first postseason meeting since 1971.)
Michigan, being one of the six conference champs in Div-1, was selected for the Frozen Four.
St. Thomas was not selected as one of the 10 at-large teams for the Frozen Four, so their season is over.
Only five NAmateurs remain whose seasons continue. Prospecting resumes Friday.
And of course, Calgary handles Tampa, as they did Florida.
Can anyone remember a more torturous season that in the grand scheme of things hasn’t actually gone too badly?
Just a bizarre year.
Connor is still Connor, and may end up with a top 3 point producing seasons of his career.
Bouchard has emerged, and will get Norris votes.
Despite a catastrophic injury, Hyman will be a 30 goal scorer again.
And yet…
As I post, Tampa ties it
I suppose a Florida team must play in the finals in the 2020s
Team defense and goaltending.
Substitute this year Walman for last playoff Walman, and have just league average goaltending and the season would look a lot different.
PK was wretched for quite awhile too.
go to natural stattrick and look at defwnsive pairings for last years playoffs.
There’s some interesting stories in there.
Pairing who played overwhelming most minutes 5v5 together in playoffs
Walman klingberg 214 min
Next
Kulak bouchard 155 ish min
For Nurse Walman:
Total reg season 5v5
15 gp 105 min….
Gf 80%….PDO 1.07…OZS 69%
Total playoffs 5v5
12th most minutes combo @ 23:42 min total GF67%(2 for 1 against)…PDO 1.067….OZS 58.3%
So yeah….that’s not a lot to go on
and if the Oilers would have faced the back-up behind a team playing their second of back to backs and 3 in 4 in both games, just like the flames did…..?
Connor is on equal footing or behind Kuch and Mackinnon. Young guys are catching up fast. I’m not sure Connor isn’t in a league of his own anymore.
That’s bad considering the Oilers team is junk outside a couple players.
Gulatzan was not the answer. He has the Stars now playing like the Oilers. Which doesn’t work well enough. Lost to a struggling team. Sounds familiar
Leon was hacked and whacked in Dallas it took Connor having to come to his defence. Two games later the only reason Ozzy takes a run at Leon is because he could. There is no nice guy mercy rule in the NHL teams will continue running at McDavid until he’s injured or they start protecting him. Call up Clattenburg ASAP I could give 2 shits he didn’t get a puck in deep once at band camp all I know is Clattenburg would make a puke like Ozzy pay.
Clattenbug is currently struggling in the AHL and him being in the Oilers lineup would not deter anyone from doing anything. That same hit (which was not a run, but a finished check) would be thrown every time.
Clattenburg may “make him pay” and the opposition would gladly take the power play.
I’m not an old school fan. But I take the players and people immersed in the game at their word. In the larger picture, taking an instigator or roughing penalty is absolutely the move when someone runs one of your players. Even if it is clean. It should be in the opposition’s mind that they will have to answer the bell. And it is what cohesive teams do. They stick up for each other.
Yes, and the Oilers stuck up for Drai after the hit – they took penalties, they fought, they targeted him for the rest of the game. Clattenbrug would not have stopped the hit.
There is also some extent of AHL performance not being an exact metric for NHL performance. Before Clattenburg’s NHL call up had he demonstrated by his AHL play that he was ready for/deserved NHL time? My understanding is not really. But he showed well for a first stint and scored a nice goal.
and he could show well again and score another goal but he’s not going to stop the opposition from finishing checks on Drai.
I don’t think this was mentioned last night. With Samanski’s goal last night, the Oilers have now had 7 different players score their first NHL goal this season. Savoie, Howard, Hutson, Clattenberg, Samanski along with Philp and Tomasek who are no longer on the team.
If I’m counting correctly, it looks like it was 11 in 1979-80 and 7 the following season. I didn’t check any farther, but I can’t imagine any other season would have more.
Quite a milestone just reached in Dallas.
What Johnston scored his 23rd PP goal of the season breaking a record held for decades by Dino Cicerelli.
This season’s runners up:
Dorofeyev 18
Draisaitl 16
Kaprizov 16
Hard to believe that Johnston is still only 22.
Hmm. Are you saying WJ is a cherry picker and they will not get to the finals again?
Hardly.
He’s scoring 1.7 PPG in all game states.
That’s not 5v5 and they just lost looking exactly like the Oilers owning the perimeter
Good grief.
He has 38 EVP which is third on the Stars while, in the absence of Rope Hintz, is playing first line C and without the also injured Mikko Rantanen.
Did I mention he is the same age as Matt Savoie?
One minor pet peeve with the goalie situation:
Why did the org prioritize AHL at bats for Tomkins and Pickard over Jonsson and Ungar?
I get it if Jonsson and Ungar are 20. But they are 22 and 24, respectively. Get them playing in the AHL and if they show something they can be a factor.
I don’t want to dwell on the past so I won’t name the examples. To me, it’s another instance of poor planning.
Right now Ungar is struggling in the ECHL – don’t look at his last three starts (best save percentage is .876 and he let in 6 on 23 shots last night).
Pickard is 3G and the clear call-up if an injury happens and Tomkins has earned the right to stay in Bako with a good season.
Jonsson is in his first pro year in North America, I think he’s fine in the ECHL.
For the Knoblauch defenders, 2 questions:
(1) Why is Paul Coffey here?
(2) Could you show me some things that Knoblauch does well as a coach?
I am not so much a knob defender. I am a Oilers throw away the coach as soon as the shine comes off critique.
Management needs to find a good coach and stay with them. Even as it all goes to crap two years in (because it always seems to). Whether that’s knob, I have no clue. But get a coach, and stand by your decision. Period.
They don’t remove too many coaches. They fail to hire the right one. If you can’t win with these elite players… unfortunately time is of the essence
It’s wrapped up into the same problem. Hire the right guy and keep him there.
There will still come a time when we want to fire him though, I think. But don’t! At this point our players have never had to fight through this 2-3 year the coach seems to suck period of time. I believe there is value in pushing through. We’ve not had the opportunity to experience that value.
It’s too late to wait for anything career wise. That was for when Connor was 21
With Nashville winning their 4th straight today and strengthening their hold on WC2, the consolation prize for any Pacific team missing the top 3 in the division could well be golf.
Games Remaining in that race:
SJS – 14
ANA – 13
LAK – 13
SEA – 13
NSH – 12
UTA – 12
VGK – 12
EDM – 11
3 games of import tonight:
VGK @ DAL
BUF @ ANA
LAK @ UTA
The future of the forward group looks good. Podkolzin, Savoie, Samanski, likely Howard, added to McDrai, Hyman, Nuge, and the Frederic we saw post olympics is promising. No more spending assets on Henriques please.
What is the plan with the defense though? The moment Ekholm hits the cliff, an already questionable group looks horrifically bad. Maybe (big unknown) Carfagna and Akey can become bottom 3 defensemen. That’s where Stastney and Emberson are at (at best). Nurse and Walman could recover to give a few years as reasonable second pair defensemen. If they don’t though…
The next goalie that the Oilers acquire to be “the guy” has to be a hit after two big misses in Campbell and Jarry.
Hey Lowetide, why is my most recent comment awaiting for approval? If we need to speak, please let me know……
Like this message to you was not put in the awaiting pile 🙂
There are a bunch of words that will get a post automatically subject to moderation (including the owner’s last night, for example).
Thanks for your kind reply, OP. Much obliged! You guessed it, I used the owner’s last name,
Hey Lowetide: crisis averted…..enjoy the rest of Sunday!
You too!
I’ll check. Katz is a word that gets caught in the filter. Did you use Katz?
Yup sure did, lesson learned! And thanks for checking in with me. OP was also a kind ambassador
Doug Armstrong and Pete DeBoer are probably a package deal. Will the Oilers owner outbid the sponsor of his building and his TV rights holder, who probably wants them for their team in Toronto?
I hope so. I don’t see any other path. This is probably a more desirable job at the moment.
They should have brought in Quenelle last offseason. Preferably without Stan.
Armstrong has skinny arms. He won a Cup last in 1999. Most pundits attribute that to Prince
It’s out there that Chiapet orchestrated the offer sheets. Revenge is best served cold. BoB made his tenure impossible. The calls were coming inside the house
Bowman has been extremely busy and getting good players. That each one isn’t, so what?
Each was a reasonable choice. Skinner was gone and he made the best deal available that could be afforded. Transactions have to be understood in the moment
My time of judgement is this summer. Garlic is clearly not a good fit, despite being a good coach. Get it right and see the Oilers surge as we have all been expecting and waiting for. At least us old guys. When you can’t win bringing a bazooka to a gunfight, you’re not doing it right
This organization has some serious problems with McDavid & Draisaitl.
Limited cap space & almost zero prospects for trade.
Limited draft bullets left to use.
Cap Space is the ultimate killer.
Yes this matters regardless of who the player is.
The only way the Oilers fill spaces is through UFA hunting or worse RFA sheets.
No, AHL players are not moving the needle.
Trades have been suspect.
Oilers need to shed space and will have to include someone nobody wants gone.
Easy Choices for moving are but need to be replaced.
Fredric
Janmark
Walman
Nurse
Jarry
Henrique – UFA
Dickenson – UFA
Murphey – UFA
Roslovic – UFA
Kapanen – UFA
Lazar – UFA
Ingram – UFA
Each on of those is a roster player and need replacing with 20M on the high end in Cap Space.
I’m 100% sceptical that the organization Bowman and company can even complete a third line let alone retooling this team this summer.
Many of the guys that are ufa were Bowman guys to begin with. Some we already have better replacements within our system. Why can’t he put a third line together?
Like Samanski. Savoie, Howard, jarventie, dach, Frederic, some ufa, some resign, some trade. Certainly he can put a third line together.
Henrique coming off is huge. Janmark is the only non core guy that they would probably like to move on from but has a season left at 1.45M
This will be popular. We are at the time now when some of the higher paid incumbents should be getting looked at
Nuge is at 5v5 GF% 43.75 playing mostly with Connor. He’s 8th in 5v5 points. The 1st D pair are above him and Hyman, and so is Pod. Zach is 5v5v GF% 51.72. At least it’s positive, but that is way too low playing with who he does. Connor’s line should be dominant 5v5 like MacKinnon’s
Nuge makes 5.125 and Hyman 5.5. not high per se, but you need that nearly 11M doing a lot for the team. Savoie is chasing them down and is cheaper, meaning more and better depth elsewhere
Nurse as well we all know that his cap is too high for what he does. It will be interesting to see what they do, and how ballsy it is. If they miss or go out early there will leverage
I agree. It’s no shame for Nuge to play 3rd line going forward. With Savoie or some youth pushing him down there. I’d say it’s ideal….. Hymans numbers could improve with that as well. To me Hyman still has a unique skill set and doesn’t look less capable now than previously ( just by eye).
Connor needs wingers that help him excel. He shouldn’t be scraping by in GF%
Wrote it last night but most probably missed it. The coaching change was due over 20 games ago. Your two top players are publicly saying it, everyone can see it.
mcdavid said it in the finals. Banging your head against a wall trying the same thing over and over again. Here we are the 3rd year banging our heads. It’s too bad we’re waiting for an early exit to change the coach when it’s clearly going to happen. Mcdavid is only going to give us one or two more disappointing runs and he’s out.
Anyone think mcdavid is trying to walk through four guys on his own, not only because he doesn’t trust the team around him but even more he disagrees with the coaches system and has checked him out and is doing his own thing.
Do they replace the coach now or wait until the summer? I mean depending on how you interpret 97’s comments from last night – and in my eyes it was a vote of non-confidence (along with 29’s more subtle pre-Olympic comments) – it seems KK is a sitting duck…..
And if you let KK go now, do you hire an interim….and wait for the summer to decide on a permanent coach. I say permanent loosely, as there has been a few hired and let go in short order
Six months ago, I thought McDavid’s two-year extension was just to keep some pressure on.
Now I’m worried that he might actually bolt.
The Leafs are talking about trading Matthews. You know they’d do anything they could to get McDavid.
I’m not sure that’s true.
It’s entirely possible the Leafs clean house in the offseason and start over although, like the Oilers, they have a raft of NMCs.
I think the 2 year was primarily about the cap. A longer deal meant a higher cap hit. I remain convinced drafted players are very loyal to their first team. Connor has been to a WC series and two finals. It’s not like Nash wanting out of Columbus years ago
He may get to that point. His deal does demand the org be doing everything 100%, and Bowman has been very active. But that should be something they do anyway. We’ve had such a mediocre thing going on in management for such a long time some fans got used to it
I think he’s doing everything he can to not stain his reputation when he leaves. He was always leaving. If not he would have signed an Eichel like deal and still held all the power. That was the path to having the best chance of winning here.
Now he can say he did everything he could and the spinsters will spin it that way.
It would make sense of his commitment to the art ross trophy this year and not playing winning hockey.
More likely McDavid and Matthews head to the Rangers together. Rangers are tearing things down at the right time to make room.
Based on 97’s comments last night, I’d think he’d love to play for Jon Cooper. It’s not realistic, but he sure endorsed him
Wait, I thought he was going to San Jose to play with Celebrni? Maybe the Rangers, Sharks and Lightning will do some sort of time share?
They might have the assets for one of them but two would be very difficult.
Timing isn’t working out on that one. No way he bails on the pressure of winning a cup in Edmonton to that mess they’re creating in Toronto.
Ovechkin scores his 1000th NHL goal.
Caps and Avs 2-2 late third.
MacKinnon held without a point but Landeskog back in the lineup has a goal.
Cole Hutson with an assist to move to 2 points in 3 games played
I’ll say it again, the template is in house. There haven’t been many teams with an all time very unique talent on it so there aren’t many models of how to handle that
I would say only the Oilers and Penguins, and I mean Mario not Sid. Sid is up there, but he’s a different type of player. More like a better MacKinnon. His game is elite traditional NHL
Connor is a freak, like Wayne and Mario. Wildly driven, nobody has a game like theirs. They get frustrated pretty easily. They get bored if things aren’t working, if they can’t dominate and win
I agree with MacT that nobody has found the right thing for this core. All champions have to defend well, but there has to be enough ‘fun’ as well. Which would be bringing a lot of offensive heat, backed up by defending well
Bowman needs to keep working at the type of players to supplement that. I think he is and there are some hurdles with contracts. But the coach needs to get them looking like the 80’s Oilers. High tempo attack that doesn’t stop, can score (finish). Can get through whatever defensive structure with tactics and talent. And for the 4th line some guys that can have an impact in some way
I think this breaks down the psyche of McDavid (and to a lesser extent Drai) very well. I wonder if the team needs to be a bit more proactive in getting someone more motivational or relatable like a Martin St. Louis. I acknowledge these come with their own obvious risks though
The forwards are nearly there.
The D *should* be good, provided Walman can rebound.
The defensive group as a whole it top 10 in the league if Walman and Nurse can get back to near prime play. I’m not sure that’s available for Nurse (prime play was many years ago now) but he can be much better. Walman getting back to last year’s level of play would be simply massive for this team.
I’m highly confident a main issue in Walman’s play is playing through injury but, well, that might always be a thing….
Oilers win 2 in a row, Knoblauch changes all the lines and everyone looks like the worse version of themselves.
The coaching staff is operating below replacement level.
I still marvel that the two most qualified people for the roles of head coach and POHO, out of the 7 billion people on the planet, just happened to be Connor McDavid’s junior coach and his agent.
How lucky is that?
There are junior teams run more professionally than this organization …
Your lips to God’s ear buddy.
JJ was a very odd choice for POHO. He got everybody excited when he hired Parkatti. And Kalle Larsson, etc. but only two years or so as assistant GM of Toronto. Obviously very successful agent. I didn’t really like how he handled the firing of Woodcroft to bring in his guy, Holland’s exit, etc. Would have strongly preferred Gillis, Gilman, someone with lots of management experience.
it definitely had a foul odour didn’t it. This transition was handled so poorly, it turned my stomach…but once an Oilers fan, always an Oilers fan
Anyone catch the moment when Jon Cooper “pounded knuckles” with Pontus Holmberg after he both drilled Bouch from behind and backed it up by fighting Connor Murphy. That screams to me that the coach is “in it” with his guys. They’ve become the biggest bully in the league without having a single tough guy on their team because the coach demands it but more importantly values it.
Although I am intrigued by hiring DeBoer I’m not exactly sure he’s all that different from Knobby. He’s more willing to hold guts accountable but his thing, like Knobby, is structure.
But remember, his Dallas teams were incredibly passive physically.
I wonder if Tocchet might make more sense if we want someone combative from the Maurice/Cooper tree.
I see Tocchet is out of the tough guy line such as Torts, Berube. I think that would back fire pretty quickly
Maurice and Cooper are more like persuadors, lead a team into an identity, and have high interpersonal skill so know when to push and when to back off. Push is needed at times. They also come across as not lacking in self confidence. I think a sports leader has to give off that vibe, so when the guys are down they can feed off the unflappable coach
I think it was daniel who posted the Sather quote yesterday. Slats obviously believed a team’s leadership needed to be super confident and balls out, take no prisoners. It makes sense, that’s how winning players need to be
Naw…Tocchet is very much a players’ coach although he is very demanding about defensive play.
Can’t imagine he would leave Philly though as it was his preferred destination just a year ago.
Yep, and Lillegerg talking smack to McDavid after he pounded him to the ice; and gave him an extra cross check for good measure. That team has so much swagger,
Yes. I saw that. And that’s why, when guys are injured by bad hits, the coach who supports dirty play needs to pay, not just the player he coaches to hurt other players.
Bouchard is OK. That’s good. I’m glad his teammates responded
But in this past week two other NHL players are out with injury because a coach supports dirty and dangerous play. One was a hit from behind into the boards very similar to the hit on Bouchard. The offending players will be under scrutiny. The coaches who support them will carry on, without scrutiny or consequence. Another fughly aspect of life in the NHL.
Is it just me or is Knoblauch the dog in the meme sitting in the burning cafe sipping his coffee and proclaiming “This is fine”?
This started early in the year when he sat Lazar the game after he scored.
And extended preseason into Nov
Did the same with Philp, and Sjinner in playoffs
Appears head strong and not inspiring….and seems like nice fellow. He will be fine if he’s let go, what with getting paid for not coaching
Agreed. Watching Cooper, Gulutzan, Woodcroft speak, they are inspiring and have charisma. Knoblauch doesnt have it. And it’s not a bad thing. I don’t have it either. It’s just something a head coach should have IMO.
That charisma girl sure does get around
Re McD’s comments
For a couple of years here you, LT, we’re all over Knoblauch’s emphasis on shot suppression. During that time many complained that the coach was stifling McD’s offensive talents. Also during that time: extended winning streaks, two SCFs, Draisaitl becoming interested in Selke, McD bristling when reporters would comment on the team’s “new found” defensive play (he said it wasn’t newly found, they took pride in their defensive play).
This year started with some changes. A host of new players, some rookies. That parade hasn’t ended. Injuries. That hasn’t changed either. The biggest change, to my eyes (and ears) is pride in defensive play. Another change: McD making a hard and entertaining run at Art Ross. And: I’ve not heard a word from you, LT, about this coach and shot suppression.
Cooper has coached his team since forever. He’s has some successful seasons, and some less successful. I doubt he’d have lasted in Oilerville through his first round losses. Not with the talent he’s working with. Nevertheless, here he is, years later, with a well-oiled machine. When McD —and others in Oilerville— make comments about coaching and structure, I suggest starting at home: bear down; rediscover the defensive structure that suppressed shots, cramped your teenage offensive heroics, and got you to two successive SCFs. Don’t blame others (coach, goalie) for your unwillingness to do the work.
ps. I loved last night’s game. Lots of what was missing against FLA – desire to win (if not with goals, than with physicality. I especially loved that McD put on his Capt Aggressor pants and got into the mix. Lots of mistakes (and especially by the big boys), for sure. But maybe after this game the Capt gets it, that what the coach was preaching in previous years (shot suppression) might be worth the work. Maybe he gets it, that the wall he’s been beating his head against (“It’s all up to me, with my dazzling offensive prowess”), is his own stubbornness to the system.
Should read : For a couple years here you, LT, were all over… (not we’re)
The coaching has dramatically changed since the 2025 Finals, both in terms of personnel with Gulutzan leaving and Paul McFarland joining, and Coffey leaving then joining again.
And as noted below by LateNightOilFan:
Many have noticed differences in systems play this season, and in particular breakouts, as mentioned buy LT above:
The wider argument seems to be about whether systemic details have changed or if the observed changes are the results of slippage (execution). Either way, it’s irrelevant: the coaching staff is ultimately responsible for both.
The comments from Draisaitl point to issues with execution. The comments from McDavid suggest disappointment with both systems and execution.
Without a doubt, part of Coffey’s role in the dressing room is to make recommendations to the owner on what course of action to take. There will be coaching changes, and at this point it seems more likely than not that Knoblauch will be gone before next season’s playoffs.
I like this comment.
Can anyone fathom why KK was given a multi year extension a few months ago????? Poor management has been a hallmark of this franchise.
Guessing because he went to 2 finals? Whats changed since then? Significant roster turnover and many miles on the Ferarris in a short time frame.
Maybe he adjusted the systems and style of play to account for those changes? It hasn’t worked and adjustments have been slow and non commital
The extension was a no-brainer and, really, it means nothing as far as who coaches the team going forward.
The owner of this team has shown no hesitation to make massive financial outlays for the betterment of the team – he’s paid for multiple coaches and managers at the same time before and, if his hired hockey people determine that replacing the coach is the best path forward, I have no doubt he would OK that.
I think.a valid point. Finances aren’t an issue and he hasn’t hesitated to spend when and where necessary, suggesting only that he wants success on the ice. So, let’s hope he gets good hockey advice.
At what point do we wonder or ponder if McDavid is a bit of a coach killer ..Do you build a championship team or do you build a team that benefits and showcases Connors talents? Im sure they have been trying to do both but maybe that isn’t doable..Wade into the conversation folks
McDavid’s been cherry-picking and trying to score hero goals all season long, and it cost Canada in OT of the gold medal game. His effort in his own zone has been half-assed and it’s why his line gets scored on so often. Winners lead by example; losers whine about the other teams coach and goalie being better.
That said it’s his own coaches fault … they’ve all tiptoed around this issue, and not a single one has held him accountable. The same goes for the likes of Bouchard and his giveaways, Nurse and his defensive positioning, Leon and his backhanded sauce to no one … KK has been slow to put his foot down all season long, and has let these bad tendencies fester. He’s shown a decided lack trust in the rest of the roster to pick up the slack when the those 4 have not been playing well.
Can’t disagree.
With respect, a counter point. While there is merit to some of your criticism of 97, I lost you when you called him a loser. Calling him a loser doesn’t make your argument more compelling. As for the Olympic comment, have we forgotten how he was the best player in the tournament, and while I agree it was not his best OT performance, he was key to Canada even being in the position it was. But your point that he is not perfect is sound. .
I think Daryl is the “coach killer”. See RNH for reference.
The Oilers have had 2 of the shortest off seasons in their franchise history add to that one of the best players in the league is hurt. McDavid is being run ragged with the Olympic burden-loss to him trying to be the man every single game. K.K needs to send Connor a life preserver and cut his minutes. Also call up Clattenburg he’ll defend his Captain unlike most of our bottom six who don’t know whether too shit or get off the pot.
I read your article Lowtide about Oilers potential with their young goalies. I totally agree. Both the goalies Johnsson and Unger need to be elevated to Bakersfield the sooner the better even if it means that the 2 present goalies in Bakersfield are demoted we need to see what we have just ….look at Carolina Brandon Bassey …. He was undrafted and put on waivers picked up by Carolina and has become their starter only because he was given an opportunity the Oilers need to do something similar. I believe if the two young goalies next year or sooner were in Bakersfield, we would find at least one diamond in the rough Unger already had an outstanding showcase not perfect but lots of potential
on another matter not trying to repeat myself but here I go Peter de Boer needs to be considered as the new oiler coach or someone of similar stature not KK…just look at the comments from Connor McDavid after last night‘s game. The team is starting to give up on KK who seems a bit frustrated himself and not sure how to move forward with the team.
Both Jonsson and Ungar are right where they need to be.
Ungar gave up 6 goals on 23 shots last night and 3 on 23 (for a .867) his prior game.
The next step for Ungar is to split in Bako next season.
The top line having a tough night is not all that rare these days but combining it with the top D pairing being the worst pairing on the night and, well, that’s a recipe for the disaster that we saw with the “5-man unit”.
I will criticize Knob for not getting the McDavid line away from the Kucherov line and trying to hard match the Dickinson line, which was doing well against the Podz line.
I just don’t understand how that wasn’t a clearly obvious adjustment – the numbers on both match-ups match the eye test.
Knobby was just stunned in his presser. That’s 2 in a row where they put his feet to the fire and he really was stunned. He has lost the room and probably the Brass’s confidence in him. Now both your big guns have tossed him under the bus. This team is a mess right now ( has been most of the year). I think even Bowman hasn’t got a clue what to do right now. I honestly think they are talking to some coaches ( of course I don’t know this for sure) . But maybe no one ( if they have guys in mind) wants to step in this late in the year?
Bruce Boudreau is one guy who would come in for sure. The couple times he came in as interim the teams got new coach bounces. Not sure we fire Knobby, but it’s obvious the players are done with him.
The play was to get Quenville. Of course that ship has sailed.
No clue on that.
Boudrea would be an interesting interim….
As an aside, I always worry he’s going to have a stroke or heart attack as he’s got this intense red face thing going. He’s an interesting sort, liked him when I saw him he do color commentating. He seems like a battler
McDavid and Cooper have a relationship from the Four Nations and the Olympics.
Cooper heaped all the praise in the world on McDavid pre-game last night and McDavid responded in kind last night.
Praising Cooper isn’t a direct criticism of his own coach although I can certainly understand the argument for that interpretation and I acknowledge that most will want to run with that.
When the players heap praise on Kucherov, is that a direct criticism of McDavid (although Kucherov clearly better last night and recently)?
I think that was a full bore cut down of this coach. All McD had to say to return the favour was “Cooper is a great coach, one of the best”. But he basically went into why and somewhat systems ( when he mentioned how players know where to go etc) .
That’s one interpretation – could be his intent or it simply could be what he said on its face.
In praising Cooper, McDavid did make a direct comparison between the way the Bolts play and the way the Oilers play.
That was in response to a follow up question on the Oilers effectiveness within their system and he simply said he they aren’t at the level of the Lightning right now.
That’s not all McDavid said. He specifically responded “ask our coach.”
And I find it irrelevant that McDavid’s comparison was in response to a follow up question on his glowing comments of Cooper and the Bolts
Both can be true no?
Of course, the can be but are they in this case?
Maybe, I understand the interpretation that the words were intended to be a criticism of his own coach but I can also interpret them the other way – we don’t really know, do we? We can simply speculate, which we will, of course.
With respect OP, I am not persuaded of the interpretation you seem to favour, although I agree that is an interpretation. Why? McDavid is one of those people who can’t say shit even if his mouth was full of it. He is amazingly scripted to vanilla type answers. This informs – to my mind – his answers last night. I could be wrong, but it was quite stark
Cutting to the chase, whether it is too late or not, it’s time to replace the coach, even though I think the problem is an organizational one. Who….good question. And, to be clear, this isn’t on 97. There were people who took Gretzky for granted, and they now how amazingly foolish that was. Let’s not do that with 97, or you will regret it. Sure he’s trying too hard. Big whoop. Doesn’t that just mean he wants to win so badly he will lay everything on the line and can’t trust the system he is playing in. And yes, he should know better. But he’s literally begging for structure, something the best athletes in the world crave. Most of us have done the same thing, trying too hard when chaos sets in. You have to trust that the people around you are doing their job or there’s a system to account for scenarios that unfold
When he surrenders his belief that he can do it alone, without playing a responsible game, that’s when he will have laid “everything on the line.” Until then, it’s beautiful fireworks, but no Cup parade.
Nicely said, and would agree, but he is a thoroughbred, and if you have ever worked with these types of horses before, they cannot be managed as such. You need to create the space for them, or they will just froth a the bit and be snarly, and impatient. Not in his nature, I’m afraid. But there is a work around, and it’s systemic. And, there is a coach out there for him, sadly it is not KK. And I get the sentiment to want him to change – as he can be a liability defensively – but my goodness he is a sight to behold so it’s not too much to ask to build around who he is
Josh Samanski:
1.36 EV points per game, xGF 59% and GF%60.
Staple this man to the third line.
He makes smart plays all over the ice, doesn’t he?
I’m getting Horcoff vibes.
Agreed
He’s a perfect fit on this team and only up arrows. Him and Savoie. Speed, work ethic, willingness to battle, willingness to get to d side of pucks even tho most of the leaders don’t.
I like this kid a lot. Be nice if he put 5-10 lbs on that big frame this summer.
Can Samanski score 10 goals over 82 games?
He does yeomans work every night on the suppression side, which is especially important playing for the Oilers.
I love the acquisition, I like the player, hopefully he can become “at least a threat to score” with this partial season under his belt going forward and into 26/27
As a coach, you need the players to buy in. I believe when Knoblauch first arrived, he had this buy in, and you could see this as the 23/24 season progressed, as they went on that 16-game win streak, right up to the buzzer that ended Game 7 SCF. Knob even said when he was hired, he didn’t want to make drastic changes, he wanted to take some pressure off the players so they could just play the game to their strengths. Every move he made to address something that was off, seemed to work out.
I think the team as a whole entered the 24/25 season with a mindset to manage workloads to not burn out during the playoffs. There were a few changes that were inconsistent, but in spite of that, things seemed to be working until the SCF. I remember going into that as a fan feeling there was something positively different about the group compared to ’24 and they would get it done. Then, I think Knob was out-coached by Maurice, and it hasn’t been the same since.
As we entered 25/26, we began to see Knob really trying to make this “his team”, and there’s been some stubbornness to stick with certain things that weren’t working, and inconsistencies throughout the plan, especially with deployment of lines. I’m not absolving the players who have underperformed, but the group as a whole is not quite right this season. There have been some interesting comments from former players, which have provided hints which often come with the freedom to speak after leaving a team. I generally take those with a grain of salt. However, I do start to pay attention when key players still on the team seem to be dropping hints. These guys know the media and the Canadian market. Why would they risk creating drama around the team if everything was ok?
I enjoyed that game.
McDavid with some insane rushes. Wow. It really looks to me that Savoie needs to be on his wing. Nuge, and even Hyman lately, don’t look like they have the wheels.
I don’t take 97’s comments as a death knell, LT. Look, Cooper and his staff are probably top 3 in the NHL, if not the top. They are backed by the smartest organization and development team.
You can replace the coach and you’re probably not getting a top 3 guy. Even if you do get him, the organizational framework behind him isn’t there.
Connor is frustrated, he works so hard at his craft that he has a right to be.
But. This ship is turning. Make no mistake!!
I see the same thing with Nuge and lack of wheels. So I looked it up on NHL edge.
His top speed is very good however his speed bursts are below 50%. His skating distance per 60 is below 50%. His shot power is still excellent but his average shot power is below 50%……. If I’m reading it all correctly.
This leads me to believe he’s not the right guy for mcdavid. Savoie should be a lock.
Hyman to me still looks good and is a unique player that I believe still fits with Mcdavid. He does always blow the zone early but I believe that’s the game plan. In the ozone I think he’s a near perfect fit.
Nuge has a been a good fit stylistically. As was Maroon who was never a fast train. That said I don’t disagree with this tweak. Savoie can grow and Nuge can be used elsewhere. That said my brain, which finished developing through the Oilers ownership group years, can’t help but think: ‘Staple Savoie to McD and the re-up will be 5-6 shmil.’
Love the take and yet, respectfully disagree. When 97 uses the language he did, you know there is trouble. It was measured and did not appear to be spontaneous
Agreed. Also: Cooper has been through some downs w this team. Two Cups, yes. But lots of disappointment too. Would he have lasted long enough to build a team this year’s TBL if he’d been in Oilerville? Given the history here, I doubt it.
If depends. I think Cooper knew what lacked and management agreed, so he kept going. They changed the roster make up after a couple of playoff outs. He responds to the need, like not getting bullied by a team set up to beat them in the panthers
Knoblauch hasn’t had an answer. Also the last couple of seasons the Bolts had injury issues that made deep runs unlikely. Could be the Oilers this season
We all knew this was a re-tool year. I just don’t get why the brain trust didn’t see it that way. You can’t just do things because you’re too scared of what Mcdavid will say. One may say that the inferiority complex of being potentially left at the altar by Connor is probably the biggest reason Connor hasn’t won a cup
It only became a re-tool year after the free agents failed to move the needle, and Skinner flatlined.
Exactly, JJS.
Not true, many of us including the host had serious doubts about this season before this season started.
And the prospect pool needed an entire year of growth
There are many who thought this was a re-tool, or as I’ve said a “transition year”. We moved or moved on from a number of vets and have worked in or transitioned to a number of younger players to “extend the championship window”.
It is like what Bowman did when he took over from Tallon after he screwed up the on several contracts after Chicago’s first cup.
I think it’s also fair to think that many did not see this coming this season. Many predicted this would be the year this group got over the hump. But then, who saw all the injuries?
I do think they’re window is still open. Savoie, is a top 6 winger. Howard is a year behind him. We’re seeing Samanski get better in real time. Emberson and Podkolzin as well. Goaltending and additional depth at forward and defense will be critical but the plan is coming into focus.
No, we didn’t know.
Embarking on a re-tool when almost all of your impact players are in their 30’s and many are aging out and with your superstar a few steps from the exit is pretty much the definition of win now.
The Oilers are in a similar position as the Leafs with an aging core, numerous players with NMCs, very limited cap space, poor prospect pools and a dearth of draft picks to help.
If the Oilers were in the EC the playoffs would be nothing but a dream.
If fish had thumbs they’d be wet.
Drai started the year at 29, McDavid 28 and Bouchard 25 – the three highest impact players were not in their 30s and only one of them is now.
I would say it’s not too late to make a change. That time is when someone beats you to Pete Deboer
I think he is going to the Leafs
My gut says go interim if you’re letting KK go now, which I’d do, and kick the can to the summer.
For me personally, I’d stay away from Deboer. Call me fussy, but I didn’t like his meltdown on the players in Dallas before he was fired. I’m big on accountability and it may have been frustration, but for me not a good look. And, also not convinced with his body of work overall.
Nobody has rushed to get DeBoer for a year.
Probably because he’s a loser?
The best time to fire Knoblauch was 30 games ago. The second best time to fire him is right now.
I wholeheartedly believe that.
If you look at distance skates this season Mcdavid is almost 10% higher than the next highest skater Q. Hughes who is also almost 10% higher than the next skater. Connor clearly needs a break
so the question becomes why did we go all in on a season that very clearly just needs to end
Why on earth did Knoblach take Savoie off McDavids wing? They showed great chemistry and results for the last three games so he splits them up? Only been looking for a non Hyman winger to play with McDavid forever. It’s like the coach just doesn’t like success. He’ll likely have Samanski scratched next game ala Noah Philp
The Savoie Nuge switch seemed absolutely bizarre to me. Like why?
Nuge has been getting caved everywhere he plays 5v5 lately.
He had a nice two week break and shows wheels on occasion. He’s getting worked over right now. His worst stretch of the season by a mile.
Almost like it might be a stressful idea to have a kid in the middle of the season?
Though Nurse has calmed down lately funnily enough.
Having a baby changes things. It’s different for everyone.
I came to post the same thoughts. 👍
KKs lineup deployment from one game to the next puzzles you, me and everyone else in Oilerland, the players included.
Connor should have a chat with his wingers and their compete level on board battles. Better than chirping the coach but not as sexy.
You could see him crack on that 5v3. He lost his patience after that first sortie rang the bar. He had two bad passes, both resulting in clears, and then the rush to the ice on the Kucherov goal.
It’s good to be intense. But he’s been getting burned all year when he’s impatient. Cant win the Stanley Cup every night.
Interesting that everyone is looking at the coaching quip and missed the sick burn on the Oilers horrific goaltending. Connor Ingram shrank in the big moment the last two games. Of course it’s not his fault though. We can’t expect goalies to not embarrass themselves with sub .850 performances every second game. Lordy knows that’s too much to ever ask in Edmonton without kicking off a Nurse rag fest.
Maybe the owner should ask his handpicked management team why they keep running back inept tenders during a Cup window? That would be one helluva question.
Bouchard should have a chat with his center and his defensive zone awareness – I mean, McDavid (after giving up possession in the offensive zone) simply leaves his man (Hagel) in the high slot to head to the boards covering absolutely no-one, so Bouchard cheats up and is later recovering to the goals scorer down low and the fanbase roasts him for being soft in front.
Maybe he should head over to Hyman who, again, makes zero effort to get in the lane as the puck goes from the point down low to start that off.
Mcdavid has some amazing moments last nite twice walking through most of the lighting team. If those two rushes cash were having a different conversation today.
Connor is such an amazing player I’m always appreciative that we get to see him on the oilers.
Lots of comparisons between him and kuch last nite. Kuch had three brutal giveaways in the offensive zone last nite just in the first period. Several blind passes that didn’t connect. Not one good defensive play that I noticed and always cheated for offense including his shorthand goal.
At the same time Kuch made many great plays that lead to goals.
Does it work for Kuch and not mcdavid because he’s winger not centre? Or because the team all plays better d while he can freelance? Honest question I don’t understand it?
My eyes tell me the Oilers play poor team defense. Their mistakes too often end up being catastrophic because team d is poor.
Thanks. I agree. Then is that coached system or is that individual players not buying in to playing solid d behind a freelance Mcdavid? Mcdavid does come back hard and makes some excellent defensive plays but also bails on the backtrack sometimes to build speed cheating for offense. Probably hard for a linemate to read.
Forget the eye test,
The advanced analytics tell me the Oilers play terrible team defense
Lest we forget Leon appeared to call out the coach pre-olympics. Even the most creative players in the world want structure, discipline and consistency throughout the lineup.
It looks at the moment that McD and Drais are cheating but the truth is the team is so loose that they feel the need to take more chances. And it has been enabled.
Well both the top dogs have cut the feet out from under the coach in 2 interviews now. Drai just prior to the Olympics and McD last night. Daggers to the back is right LT. IS it too late to fire him? I really don’t know. Who would replace him. Coffee ( I don’t think he would be any better.). Chaulk? Don’t think he would either as he employs the Oiler breakouts. Definately not any of the other asst’s. Knobbie is a very stubborn guy and it is going to cost him his job sooner rather than later I think. But when that will be is anyone’s guess. This team just isn’t that good right now overall. Injuries are obviously hurting them. Losing Drai was bad. The Goaltending is not great either or the D. It’s a bit of a mess.
Who would they try and get as a coach right now? DeBoer? ( I think he is going to Toronto). But who else. Lots of older coaches out there, but most have been fired a few times.
Will they make the playoffs? They are lucky the Pacific is so bad I guess and that definitely gives them a chance still. I am sure they are off today, but Tom at practise they better practise the pp A LOT! It sucks right now and they need some goals.
A question to everyone. Would you fire Knobby today and if yes who would you replace him with?
Chalk?
I thonk they run the same system and I think we could use some new systems
Yes I would and I’d replace with DeBoer if he wanted the job. I think this team needs a veteran coach with a history of recent success so the top players will respect him and buy in to a system they can be confident will work.
I make that move in heartbeat. Notwithstanding the optics, the owner’s money, or the possibility you’re setting up the new hire to fail by tossing him in last minute.
DeBoer. Like right now.
My guess is Knob gets the season. If a decision has been made you’d imagine they have been talking to the best guy available
Connor’s comments hit the nail on the head in that they aren’t tight with their assignments as the best teams are. And that’s what you need to get through injuries or whatever, rock solid team play
Yes because I believe the team doesn’t believe in its coach and that’s automatic failure going into another McDrai playoffs. If they still owned their first for the upcoming draft, or had kept much of anything for this draft, I would run KK through to the end, let the chips fall where they may, and accept this season as a reset. As COL had done. Now there’s almost no benefit to doing that. Knoblach is imo very clearly cooked, and there’s nothing to be gained in drawing things out.
Who would come ….with this dogs breakfast, where player discipline is nonexistent. We have 18 games remaining thank God no more. Any grade A coach will want a 3 to 5 year contract and a full summer with Bowman to fill holes and replace deadwood.
This group needs a huge redo…both roster, coaching staff and structure & systems.
I said this 3 months ago….its time to let McD move to a team with a shot at the cup..chose his new location and we move on with several new faces in holes that need fixing.
Once again I’d recommend reading Bruce Curlock’s substack about the D Zone coverage. Ekholm acted the way he did bc he panicked & didn’t trust the 2 guys back there, which led to the goal.
The PP and PK need some creative thinking in order to improve while missing key personnel too.
Well that kind of puts the coach debate to rest, doesn’t it
I was annoyed watching Kucherov score that 3rd goal after the awful pass Connor tried to force. Then I watched the 3rd from a different perspective. The Lightning are a 1st class, championship organization and well coached team. The Oilers are the complete opposite, I agree with McDavid’s comments. He’s a great talent, but forcing the game. Kuch is eating is lunch by letting the game come to him. Connor is trying to do way too much with very little support. I’m not a fan of Knobby. Look what Gulutzen is doing in Dallas! From my narrow and limited outside view I think this organization is disjointed, 2nd class and needs an upgrade in a lot of areas or Connor is gone. The writing is on the wall, we just don’t want to admit until reality punches us in the face.
The last 2 games I can officially say the season is DOD. I shut both games after the 2nd period. Played video games instead. Coach needs to go. Captain called him out last night is how took McDavid statement on Tampa.
Sounds like somebody is spending too much time on there phone. Connor says go out and play some street hockey instead.
Hahaha okay buddy if you say so 🤣. Im deaf but im pretty sure I heard what I heard.
😂
I see Connor is calling out the coaching .I might suggest that for all his “all worldly” talent his penchant for trying to do it all himself by trying to skate through the whole opposition team and his habit of cheating on defence makes him part of the problem. Captains look in the mirror first before they start blaming everyone else . Ego ??
Maybe. It’s just as likely nobody has talked to him and sold a better plan. When Leon talks about being paid to produce, he should hear from inside the org no, you’re paid to win. Whatever that winning looks like. I think Connor and Leo need a mentor. Or a better one
That was alot of the reasons for the Keith and Worm acquisitions. Holland prioritized that. Don’t see that guy on the roster this season
I don’t think a player can do what I think is lacking. It has to be a coach or the HC. Somebody needs to present a different plan, the right one, and give Connor and Leon some hope and something to work on
Connor seems to be saying there isn’t enough direction. The banging our heads comment post playoffs to me ties into this
A buddy not an Oiler fan and played competitive hockey thinks Connor needs to be challenged by the coach. Maybe and not every coach has the chops to do that right
Well if you look up John Cooper’s and Paul Maurice resumes it’s not surprising to see how the Oilers would fare in the coaching and tactics part of the last 2 games.
Just not enough top people without skates on for this team and that’s on Batman
I disagree. It gets to point in a game ( 3rd period) where no one is helping him period. Also the breakout and zone entry are designed for him to carry it in when he gets the puck.
I agree BCOil. This isn’t to say McDavid is to blame or the only one to blame, but him and Drai aren’t innocent in this mess either.
Coach KK is done, maybe not right now but I don’t see how he is back next season. Sad state in Oilerville.
McDavid does say that the Oilers are rehearsed and organized, but not on the level of the Bolts. How are we so sure that it’s not on the players? We often talk about how easy it is for the Oilers to breakdown or deviate from the system. Ironically, McDavid is quite guilty of this.
The bolts have a whole lot more vets at this point in time .
This is true, but there is no way we can put this year’s struggles on the shoulders of rookies and young players.
Bravo.
On-ice leadership calling out anyone publicly when they’re not doing their part (playing the shot-suppression system that was very successful in 2023-2025) is teenager behaviour. It’s not adult leadership.
If that’s what they’re doing. Oilerville is gas leak looking for a match. The goalies are toast. The coach is next.
I’m hoping these “I blame-the-coach because I won’t play his shot-suppression system” are wrong. It’s a terrible look on McD and Drai if they’re right. And, it’s a terrible moment for all of us in Oilerville who expect more from these talented players we’ve anointed w our hopes & dreams.
But it’s kinda chicken and egg. If Knob can’t rein in McDrai (e.g. Slats lock horns with Messier) then he’s simply not the guy.
If that’s the case, and I say ‘if’, neither could any of the preceding coaches and hypothetically maybe it’s not a coaching problem.