The Edmonton Oilers have an old timey approach to the goalie depth chart at the pro level. Two NHL goalies, a third NHL goalie who is available on recall from the AHL, and then floating prospects they may or may not be paying attention to at any given time.
Over the (almost) 50 year history of the organization, it has been a rare sight to see two legit prospects fighting it out for the future with both playing games in the AHL. Devan Dubnyk and Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers springs to mind, and you could mention (if you’re a nerd like me) Andy Moog and Gord Garbutt but that was over 45 years ago and we were able to declare a winner early on.
The Oilers have a chance to run a tandem in Bakersfield populated by two prospects. Connor Ungar is 24, played brilliantly in the ECHL (for three different teams) and then delivered a .913 save percentage in the AHL for the Bakersfield Condors. Connor Ungar is a real prospect, and the Oilers should give him half the net in Bakersfield this fall.
The other half should go to Samuel Jonsson. Using the Bill James “three years of consistent excellence” rule for prospects, Jonsson is finishing up year two in grand style. Playing for the Fort Wayne Komets of the ECHL, Jonsson is 5-0 with a 1.00 GAA and .968 SP in the postseason. That’s 300 minutes, which is a length of time. He is 22.
I’m sure the Oilers will run back Matt Tomkins because he’s a veteran and he’s signed. Next year, the team with sign another veteran fringe NHLer (we’ll call him Arvid Lutefish for fun). They’ll also continue to audition Nathaniel Day, who is the third prospect in a three-way race. Day is having a playoff run of his own with the Komets, but is not on year two of a three-year Jamesian trek to NHL work.
The Oilers are irrevocably caught in a “we’ve always done it this way” loop, so goalies are like checkers on the checkerboard. One move at a time. It’s a shame.
The first Oilers minor-league team featured Jim Corsi in net. He was destined to become famous for another reason. Over the years, some impressive goalies have slipped through the cracks because the Oilers don’t jump on a trending upstart who is showing his promise is real. Tim Thomas, anyone? Edmonton should run Jonsson-Ungar in Bakersfield this fall. Pretty sure.
Mostly goaltending
Habs with 3 goals on first 3 shots. Not the start you would be hoping for from your net minder if you are a Sabres fan. Go Habs!
Five three Buffalo now. Buffalo is dominating this game.
Oh, Clouder, you are playing low end 4th line minutes at evens and that’s your PK effort.
I was (and am) a fan but this is four playoffs in a row – that’s a thing.
He skates effortlessly and seemingly endlessly during the regular season. Mostly swooping and through clean ice but it is shocking the drop off in playoff tight ice hockey.
I also really like him as a player and hope he can make some adjustments and have a lot of success.
Over 21 minutes tonight on the 2nd line between Doan and Tuch.
Quinn and Zucker, his “normal” linemates until a couple of games ago, just were not finishing in the playoffs, even though they were getting lots of chances.
Quinn, the most snakebit shooter in the playoffs, till tonight.
3:43
9:46
His 5 on 5 TOI the prior two games.
He was deployed the lowest among forwards in both game (THE lower and the third lowest).
Well today, in the biggest game of the season, led Buffalo forwards in TOI.
So he read my post and listened after beeing a massively negative player for the playoffs and being faded materially.
Or he got lots of shifts in garbage time…..
I was mentioning to Fibo below this is probably the last shot at a Cup for the Avs with a roster this deep. They have two upcoming summers with a significant cap crunch, they are going to lose that depth, no way around it
This puts the Oilers in a solid position. They are already dealing with that crunch, and are restocking their roster with younger cheaper players, so have a head start
Of the other established teams, The Stars Wild and Knights are not better teams than the Oilers. The challenge will come from the emerging teams. But as we have seen up close, that progression is not a given just because you have a couple of high end players
Some may nail it, some may see the slumps that happen, some may not build the right roster etc. No wonder Cassidy has them at the top of the list. If things break right could be at least a couple of strong seasons ahead
The Avs of course had three very disappointing playoffs after their cup in ‘22. They suffered from a top-heavy roster, poor goaltending, and one of their former star players defeating them after being traded.
But they’re back. Just like Florida will be back. Vegas missed the playoffs in 2022 and won the cup in ‘23.
The Oilers will be division champs again. Maybe even conference champs competing for the cup.
Good teams often have a fallow period then peak again. This is probably Colorado’s apex, but they’ll be competitive for awhile.
Wishful thinking.
Next season Colorado still has the following:
The best centre depth in the league (not even close)
Two 100+ players.
The best #1 D pairing in the league.
A second pairing of big veteran Josh Manson and Sam Malinski who would be on the top pair of many teams.
One of the top goaltending tandems in the league.
Wingers that include big, fast Necas, Landeskog, Nichushkin, Roy (if not at C) and sniper Lehkkonen if not traded.
An outscoring third line featuring a 20+ goal scorer
The following season, they have more that $37 million in cap space to absorb a Makar extension and other adjustments
I see Manson in the same lane as Murphy. Age and style of play. I’m not a fan of either player.
I haven’t seen as much of Manson this year. What do you see that makes him that much better than Murphy?
Malinski is an absolute gem. In my opinion he could absolutely end up as a first pair dman.
Goalies are so random that you need several at any given time.
The problem is that you don’t have enough at-bats for several at any given time.
So you have to put all your eggs in a very small number of baskets, and pray.
It’s crazy.
While goalies may be the core of team defense, i dont believe they are as important as they are often made out to be. This team could and should be able to win with average goaltending.
Most teams don’t have the elite goalies. I think as Oiler fans we see the position as more mysterious than it is. The team D has been good only for shorter periods usually, and is prone to relapsing to disorganized
The teams where the goalies play well almost always have structure that supports their goalies to be able to play well. A perfect example is the Jets. Helle a star reg season, and when the team D fell apart in playoffs so did he
Totally agree
What will it cost to sign Beryozkin? Bowman going back to his Hawks days likes his forwards on the heavy tall and skilled side of things.
Berezkin will need to sign an ELC so, well, not much.
Look for this to happen shortly after the Gagarin Cup wraps up.
Note: Berezkin is producing in the KHL playoffs – he’s back.
Have you watched him is he a power forward like Podkolzin? Does he have a heavy shot?
Only really seen him in highlights – from what I can tell, he’s got some similarities to Podz but perhaps better puck skills – he’s very good in puck protection and as a passer. He’s a power forward in the sense of battling in front and on the boards but not a huge hitter. More of a passer than a shooter – goals net front.
Probably more Hyman like than Podz.
If the Oilers go into next season with
22 – 97 – 18
42 – 29 – 92
— – 93 – 10
34 – 81 – 13
14 – 2
25 – 5
24 – 49
Ingram
This team won’t make the playoffs, If this team doesn’t look identical to the Colorado Avalanche roster then you might as well start trading the top 2 lines.
Even a variation of this team with one or two minor adds or one upgrade (Oilers GM have never made a significant trade) won’t do anything.
although Ekholm trade was a fantastic addition, I don’t consider that a significant trade.
What would Zito or McCrimmon do with this roster?
That’s what the Oilers need, more than anything.
They have one year left.
Set aside the goaltending, this team will absolutely make the playoffs with that lineup. Maybe strengthen the PK. Save cap space for the deadline when they can make meaningful additions that address known weaknesses.
This lineup isn’t much different from the lineup that won 29 playoff games in two years.
Thing is…the teams that they won those playoff games from are better never mind the ascendance of the Ducks, Mammoth and Sharks.
With Colorado fully back in the saddle. Minnesota still adding and Dallas likely remaining strong, the WC is improving.
The cap says that the Avs are heading to another Cup run where the summer after they have no cap to keep everyone. 17 signed 2.979M cap space
Colorado currently has 6 NHL quality centres on their roster
MacKinnon
Nelson
Kadri
Roy
Drury
Kelly
They will likely let Drury walk and move a contract to free up cap space to address the D.
Lehkonen would be a good guess.
Yes still a good team but they will loose the depth they have now, like last time
No.
Remember they ADDED at the deadline.
Roy, Kadri and Kulak improved a team that was already a juggernaut.
With some minor adjustments they can remain dominant.
And looking at Puckedia, the Avs are running heavy in the F group as their D group is pretty low cap. This summer the have the cap issue I mentioned, in the summer of 27 they get to plan for what are currently 5 UFA’s, including Makar and Wedgewood. This may be their last stacked shot at a Cup, the cap comes calling
So the Oilers are stuck in the Rocky Horror Time Warp, and only other teams can improve, and have no issues to contend with
Please make room for the kids in Bako.
With apologies to Konovalov and Rodrique, there’s finally a couple of G prospects worth getting an extended AHL look (Jonsson and Ungar). Blocking both of them again is madness.
Bowman believes in developing whereas Holland had no patience and would trade for or sign aging Vets. I myself prefer Bowman strategy over Holland as it’s meaningless following prospects if you know they’ll never get a real opportunity.
There is really no-one they need to “make room for”.
Samanski is already on the team (and the Henrique replacement).
Howard there is a clear spot for as the Roslovic replacement.
The likes of Marjala, Hutson, Berezkin, Michaels, etc. should be given opportunity but:
1) Hutson is likely a tweener, if he shows great and wins a roster spot, great, but I certainly don’t have him pencilled in to the lineup.
2) Marraja has a chance to play in this league but likely needs another year (at least half) after a good summer of getting stronger.
3) Berezkin is a total wild card – maybe he’s a plug and play middle six but maybe he’s “not an NHLer” – in any event, one can’t hold a spot and pencil him in – he needs to earn it.
4) Michaels – no idea as I’ve never seen him play but he’s likely another Hutson.
On D, I think the likes of Carfagna (and maybe Leppanen) can battle for 7D with Stastney but there is nothing to “make room for” here, right? I would have time to “make room” for Regula at 3RD but that spot is taken and they need the likes of Emberson – they tried him at 2RD last year and he was not ready – can’t hold that spot for him, right?
He’s talking about making room for Ungar and Jonsson in Bakersfield. The idea being that maybe the Oilers can learn from someone’s better mousetrap. I’ve written about the ECHL as a useful league many times.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/435765/2018/07/19/lowetide-a-rational-bridge-league-for-young-prospects-could-help-the-oilers-in-development/
Jonsson and Ungar have established themselves as prospects. Having either in the ECHL for another year isn’t going to help either player’s development. Unless you’re going to go with a three goalie rotation the play is to trade Tompkin.
Does anyone think a deal involving Jarry and Gustavsson could happen?
Minnesota has decided Filip is not the goalie of the future. Having a backup make 6.8 x 5 is probably not what they want. Jarry at lower AAV x 2 may get them out of goalie cap troubles when Wallstedt second contract kicks in for 2027-28, and allow them to further upgrade elsewhere (or bury him and bring up a goalie from the farm)
There would be definite risk in this for Edmonton as well. Filip has had an uneven career despite being on a well playing Minny team. His GSAE/60 this season (Moneypuck) was just below Ingram.
What probably prevents this is that MIN are in no rush to trade, and they can certainly afford the tandem for the next season- more of a deal they would be targeting for next summer.
Convince Nurse to waive his NMC, retain 3 million on Nurse and 2.5 million on Jarry and add a 3rd rounder then you might get Gustavsson.
So, you’re proposing:
Edmonton gets
While Minnesota gets
This would be a very poor decision for Edmonton, and worthy of immediate firing
Kesslering in Buffalo has not worked out and he’s a free agent.
I’m not sure if he’s the right 2RD for this team (or if he’s even a legit 2RD) and would prefer Connor Murphy at a reasonable $4.5MM salary.
He’d be a great 2nd-3rd pair tweener option
I think he’s an RFA but a great offer sheet candidate at the right price point
Yeah I wouldn’t mind him as the 3RD on a value deal, even tho Emberson showed some nice progress this season. (Not nice enough that I wouldn’t rather deal him + Hutson + 2027 2nd for Braden Schneider as the long term 2RD, but I digress.)
Im just banking the NY wants a ripened Emberson back after losing him on waivers to SJ haha.
I love Emberson at 3RD. Of course, not untradable but I’m not looking for a 3RD upgrade (acknowledging the trade suggested is different than a 3RD upgrade).
Kesslering had a good second pairing dman season in Utah. Still unproven in that role but has some track record.
I’d prefer Kesslering because he has a good chance of improving. Murphy is a sure thing but I lean against a player with only downside. Henrique was a sure thing till he wasn’t.
I’m being redundant but I’d love to see a pairing of zellweger/ Kesslering.
I also realize that’s unlikely what a team pushing for a cup is thinking even if it was available.
Kesselring did well filling in for Durzi and Marino when they were injured that year, but he was fifth in average minutes on Utah that year and he didn’t kill penalties.. He’s really taken a step back this year. I like the idea of Kesselring – big guy with some offense to his game, but to date coaches haven’t really trusted him, which is concerning.
Agreed thanks for looking into his usage. I think a team needs to take risks to push the river.
I like risk on upside as opposed to sure downside in the near future. But I don’t have any skin in the game so it’s easy to hope.
Hard pass on Murphy at 4.5.
I felt that way until I read the ON article from NHL_sid. PK work with Edmonton during regular season was solid, too, and probably should not be tainted by the garbage team PK against ANA.
He could stabilize a 2nd pair with a number of different partners, make Nurse expendable for the right return.
Did you watch the playoffs?
Kesselring has been battling a high ankle sprain all season.
His situation is not considered “not worked out”
High ankle sprains don’t really linger into the next season ever. (Sarcasm)
Disagree with the second sentence based on lots of what I’ve read.
Link?
https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nhl/buffalo-sabres/news/sabres-setting-lose-michael-kesselring/40cc38e08069b23efe46c35d
That’s what’s called “producing receipts” – you should try it sometime…
I should?
Obviously replied to the wrong post in the string. Would that have even made logical sense? And when have I ever taken the resident troll’s side?
But he is an RFA, I re-checked. His current contract is 1.4 mil
If the Oilers signed him to a 3 year, 1.5 mil/season deal, it would require no compensation, and perhaps Buffalo wouldn’t want to commit. While giving Kesselring some longer-term security after a down season.
If they signed 1.544-2.34 mil/season, they would give up their 3rd. An upgrade from the 6th it cost to draft him
Thank you for the change of scenery (goalie prospects instead of a crumbling could-have-been crew).
Re goalies – I’ve long thought that, given “confidence” is IMO what the “voodoo” argument is really about, teams should be handling goalies and their stumbles in a way similar to MLB, where the whole team gathers to support their pitcher before he leaves the diamond.
We recently got to see a version of this in Buffalo. After the Habs’ Dobes let in the third goal on five shots, his Capt,
“…Suzuki immediately went over to his goalie.
Not to criticize him. Not to show frustration. Not to blame anyone.
To reassure him.
The Canadiens captain took the time to go speak with his young teammate and tell him the team was behind him. That it wasn’t his fault. That the rest of the game would be different.
That’s exactly the kind of gesture that separates a great captain from an ordinary captain in the NHL.” (from Elias Edmonson, May 15)
Whoever starts for the Oilers next season, it would be great if they had that kind of on-ice leadership supporting them. This team has proven its confidence-busting capacity. Time for some changes. Not just in play, but in how leaders do leadership.
Goalies are a unique breed they beat to a different drum some goalies like Hextall-Billy Smith needed to be physical to be effective. Others like Grant Fuhr was so quiet and shy you would rarely get emotion out of him. There’s no hiding when you’re in net it’s like a starting pitcher in baseball. The one thing all goalies are and that’s competitiveness its their DNA they all go through hot strings and cold snaps. Who thought Torts who seen enough of Hart in Philly would be his guy this Spring.
I don’t think the Oilers have room for two prospects to play goalie at the AHL level. My dream line up would be
NHL: Ingram , New Goalie (Cossa?)
AHL: Jarry (waived), Ungar
ECHL: Jonsson, Day
Give away for free: Tomkins
I think this would be a better deployment and gives some depth (Jarry) in case of injuries. Only downside is that Jonsson is in the ECHL to start the season & that might stop his development.
Waiving Jarry + Campbell’s buyout would be unaffordable
jarry is buyout proof and maybe he regains his form in the AHL (and is better 3-string veteran than tomkins is)
I don’t like the idea of spending that much (or any) cap hit for an AHL goalie but I don’t think the oilers can trade Jarry without attaching a 1st and getting futures back. So I don’t know how you get him off the roster completely.
is Jarry’s salary in the NHL be unaffordable ? I think so. Cause it is going to be on the books anyway
Bro, get your own name. 🤣🤣🤣
Yours is better, I wish I was that clever
Jarry will perform much better next season than he did this season as and Oiler – of that, I am fully confident. Will it be “good enough”? I don’t know but it will be better (in my opinion/expectation).
Yes Jarry looked good until
he was injured. It’s Jarry job to lose as I don’t think Ingram will be resigned.
Fasth and Fuhrious
My father’s name is Arvid. He is a good man, who’s one true character flaw is cooking lutefisk on the holidays. We all love him, despite the smell.
Then you must be Viktor, Arvid’s son.
Wow. This is awesome!!
I think you are the victor here
Lutefisk?
Did someone here say lutefisk?
Greetings from Aachen Germany.
Just crossed into Belgium.
Supposedly the Belgians have good beer.
Make sure to try the mussels!
Vasily Podkolzin is such an interesting academic exercise.
I’m going to circle back to this when I have a keyboard and more time, but the short answer is “hockey guys” and the obsession with looking quick on skates.
Hockey is a power sport, and everyone needs to remember that.
Maybe that explains Podz being under valued but how do you explain Freddy being over valued when you have a direct comparable in Podz lined up next to him.
Hockey guys think the Bruins put something special in the water and spawn these guys other teams should have. Their depth players are constantly overvalued.
Hockey guys over-value perceived personality.
Hockey guys fixate on filling out the bottom end of the roster so they “don’t have to worry about it” rather than using it as incentive and a testing ground for talent.
Hockey guys see somebody fight Tom Wilson and think he’ll just keep doing it even after you give him term and $$$s. Despite lessons like the Nurse contract.
I could go on.
No one would have given Frederic 8 years if he was Russian or Slovak or a few other nationalities either.
The fact is, Tom Wilson got significantly better after the contract that I thought was a huge overpay. I thought he acquitted himself well on the Canadian Olympic team. He almost led the Caps in scoring this year despite missing 10 games.
No, Frederic used to fight guys like Tom Wilson with decent success.
Now he’s an overpaid “tough” softie. Just like Nurse.
This is completely unfair – he’s had 5 fights as an Oiler:
Nick Roy – 6’4, 210
Logan Stanley – 6’7, 231
Kevin Bahl – 6’6, 2020
Matthieu Olivier – 6’1, 232 (undistubpted heavyweight champion of the league)
Nic Haugue – 6’6 245
Frederic had two really solid seasons. Decent offense getting third line minutes and no powerplay time, playing mostly on Charlie Coyle’s wing. I think part of the reason he succeeded in Boston and didn’t here is because, until the last month of the season, he was never given a role by the coaching staff. He was center, LW, RW, first line, fourth line and everything in between. In Boston, his role was simple.
An even shorter answer is that they don’t see them as comparable.
A simple look at their shooting and hands would’ve told you all you need to know if this were the case…but they often ignore that, which is insanity.
They aren’t comparable and their contract signings (one as an RFA and one as a UFA) are not comparable.
I do think feeding Frederic to Olivier was when K.K lost me.
I’m confident Frederic made that decision all on his own.
If anything, the heat from the fan-base and media drove him to that fight.
Frederic was one year removed from scoring 38 even-strength points at age 25, and was known as a tough, hard-working player.
If you squint just right, you can see how it made sense to somebody at the time.
Yes and in that year removed he was on pace for 20 points and in the minus column before he was injured, which was a better representation of what the player was. The narrative that he was on a bad Bruins team is false, one of his productive years (he had 2) was on a historic heater season for Boston. The Bruins seemed to know he had peaked and sold high to a buyer that agreed to over pay. Then the follow up contract happened.
Bouch with a bomb on the PP for a 5-0 lead.
Nurse with his 3rd assist in a game and a half a bit earlier.
Bouch’s passing and Nurse’s skating strengths are fun to watch on this big ice for sure.
Nurse is having quite the run … after this showcase, the Oilers need to tell him to hit the road and trade him while his value is high.
If NHL GMs put value on individual performances in this tournament, look for Puljujarvi’s return to the league.
They often do tend to overrate the performance is small tournaments … why do you think Bouchard is over there? He wants to showcase himself to Hockey CAnada brass, most of whom are NHL GMs.
Good artical LT
However I’m of the beleif that it really matters little who, or what the name of or the past ability of the Tender in net for the Edmonton Oilers is. The fact remains until the five guys on the ice in front of him are going to play defence first hockey for the entire season we will continue to complain about our lack of quality tenders – we could have a 3/4′ peice of plywood to start the season and come playoff time it wood be paper thin
Bingo, dead center.
Andy Moog belongs in the Ring of Honour.
I mean, he’s statistically the best goalie in Oiler history, and it’s not especially close.
Not sure what stat line you’re considering? Wins?
(Roloson was over .900 SP all 3 years}
Although Moog did gift the Oilers some nice moments when he played for Boston and Dallas…
I agree, Matt Tomkins will be back in Bako as the org likely wants a vet 3G, even if his NHL experience is slight.
Tomkins was very solid to great last year.
Im not positive they are going to re-sign Ungar. I know fans are in love but I’ve just got a feeling the org may not see a future.
Samuel Jonsson killing the ECHL playoffs, 42 saves in 45 shots last night.
6’5 vs 6’0. I think you might be right. I hope Ungar can find a gig, he’s too good for the ECHL
Does your comment mean you don’t think the Oilers should prioritize playing time for their 22 year old and 24 year old prospect goaltenders in the American hockey league next year?
No, it doesn’t. My post speaks to what I think the org will do, not what I think it should do.
Here a few names I would explore to help fill in the roster.
Michael McLeod RHC played in Russia last year, fast, right shot, good on faceoff – come with some baggage.
Calle Foote – Plays in the minors- big rangy defensemen, these guys take a minute to develop, worth a swing, but comes with some baggage.
Max Berzoykin – Playing in Russia, big rangy winger, he is more than complete enough to play 3rd line in the NHL every nights.
Desharnais about the same as Murphy
Gustavsson better than DiPietro better than Cossa
Howard-McDavid-Savoie
Podkolzin -Driasaitl- Berzoykin
Hopkins-McLeod- Hyman
Dach – Samanski-Fredrick
Jones
Ekholm – Bouchard
Nurse – Desharnais
Walman – Emberson
Foote
Gustavsson
DiPierro
Desharnais is a very poor man’s Murphy. If he’s on your second pair, then you’re not a making the playoffs.
God I hope McDavid isn’t saddled with Howard & Savoie as his wingers. I’d be OK seeing Howard playing on the third line with Nuge & Hyman. Those Russian wingers with Leon depending on Berezkin’s NHL readiness might be a thing. The other thing is I can’t see Bowman not resigning all three of those players he got from Chicago. I give Gustavsson a thumbs up with Ingram as his backup.
Nurse with his 3rd point of the tourney in 4 periods. 2 were against Sweden, not just feasting on Italy.
While he is undoubtedly overpaid, and hopefully the tourney will help his trade value, a good management group could have still accepted the ~2-3 mil/yr bonus while making solid choices elsewhere to maximize roster construction. Ekholm was definitely one of them. Lucic, Frederic, and the goalie carousel were not on that list, and the difference here is that these players weren’t just overpaid, they have been unplayable/dispensable. Unlike Nurse, who has brought value for good stretches. Always easier to dump on the guy with the large contract, like Horcoff.
I worry that this team is not going to recognize that Nurse, even at 7-9/season, holds value, and further, that the cost of bringing in another player who can comfortably play top 4 minutes in the playoffs is going to be high (both assets out and contract length and AAV). Many similarities between him and Jones, who was unlocked in Florida.
I like LTs idea of a Nurse for Kyrou (if the additional assets attached aren’t too dear), in bringing a forward back, provided Murphy returns and they can sign another bottom 4 D who can comfortably play 2nd pair if needed- you know, kind of like Kulak or Stecher…
But if a reasonable deal doesn’t materialize, trading him for another James Neal would be the final nail in the coffin
The fact that nurse isn’t a zone entry prevention monster is a travesty. With his size, speed, and arm length he should be causing turnovers at the blue line galore. Next coach needs to bring some aggression back into his game and some swagger
Nurse has been I. The league for over a decade and has numerous coaches try to fix him. There is half a decade worth of evidence that Nurse’s game deteriorates in high pressure, faster paced games.
The idea that another coach is going to fix Nurse is wishful thinking.
Trade him while his value is high.
I fundamentally agree that a tourney like this could help his value (as well as not getting too excited about performances like this – otherwise we’d be bringing Jesse back pronto).
However, you don’t see any similarities between what Seth Jones was asked to do in Chicago (and failed at) and what has been expected of Nurse? Both are not “defensive experts” who have been exposed, but Jones was put in a better spot in Florida and was a bit part of a SC champ team.
Jones was struggling on a bad team – lots of good d-men look poor on bad teams.
Nurse struggled on a good team.
Its not the same, in my opinion.
Connor Murphy wasn’t struggling on that same bad team.
The same fundamental weaknesses were being exposed in Jones’/Nurse’s cases. Jones simply didn’t take off because he was on a juggernaut. He had a defined role, had a partner that complemented him, and had less responsibility. Nurse has arguably not had all 3 occur simultaneously (and when all 3 had occurred, he tended to do better).
If the coach is Cassidy it might help Nurse a lot. As you said pace, or decision making, messes him up. If coach can instill structure there will be less decision making
Coffey pushed the D to make plays, but there was little support. Nurse isn’t a quick thinker, so he couldn’t find the long outlets like Bouch and iced the puck a lot. If support is there and a plan that has to be followed he might look better. I think there will be more emphasis on the N zone and gaps as well
A coach who demands accountability is a double-edged sword.
Cassidy will not hesitate to banish Nurse to the pressbox if he has another season like last one … good luck getting rid of him then.
Trade him now before the shine is off the rose.
I really feel like Cassidy could help there. And you’re totally right, that would massively help his game and style. Along with a partner like Murphy who could help him out after zone entry.
100% agree – Nurse has real value especially if bringing in a coach with a real defined structured way to play. He’d be really hard to replace so only trade him if you’re getting real value back like a Kyrou, Gustavsson, young SJ forward etc.
The real question is why is it this way? The GM keeps changing. The Prez has been changed. Even the long-standing goalie coach has been changed out. Is Bowman plotting his course by checking the decades old notebook left behind by “who-knows” GM?
Or do most teams handle their minor league goalie situations the same as the Oilers do?
The water maybe?
The owner needs to hire people and then let them do their job. Same as it ever was.
After the Freedman “news” (is it news, really? Or just speculation in a nice suit?) that the owner of the restaurant we eat at was changing the menu à la “coach firing,” I started to wonder about other things.
GMSB was firm on a three year extension for KK.
GMSB was firm that there were no clear goalie upgrades, that there wouldn’t be a trade for the sake of change.
Things taste different here this week.
I don’t doubt that the owner meddles, but I don’t for a second believe that he is meddling to the point of influencing the development paths of goalies, who the goalies are on the AHL and ECHL teams. YMMV.
I’ll take this owner over the threat of being moved every year and having to do bi-weekly bottle drives just to keep the team afloat. Usually a G.M has 2 coaching changes before he himself is in the pokey line. I like the fact that Bowman is on notice the hockey world is not all balloons and rainbows.This is Bowman’s team now he’s gotten bigger younger and finally some R&R for Leon-Connor.
Incredible interview on the Lowedown yesterday, with Michael Soroka from the Diamondbacks. Thoroughly enjoyed such a technical discussion with an active MLB pitcher, and hearing about their journey. Will be rooting for the player, encourage any baseball fans to give it a listen!
Thanks! I had two sets of questions, but he was so open about his pitches and the process I just kept going. He was terrific.
Kevin Woodley had a great hit with Seravali’s show this week where he said he couldn’t understand why the Oilers still don’t have a “goalie department” unlike Calgary, Florida, and others. He also mentioned goalie coaches typically get a 1/3 of the salary of other assistant coaches and you could get all the best ones if you paid salaries more typical of an assistant coach. Hopefully this is something the Oilers look to build out this off-season
I heard him say that to Gregor as well. It’s hard to believe any team would cheap out on such an important position. Defies logic
Lots of teams don’t have goalie departments.
This is not to say the Oilers shouldn’t but its half the league I believe.
I was going to leave a cynical and useless comment here. But I deleted it. It’s been a very disappointing week here in the Ville for this fan.
Is this an organizational blind spot when it comes to goalies? Like, we all get goalies are voodoo, but surely someone in a nearly $2B company can see a path to developing a historically important part of a hockey team?
Running Ingar & Jonsson now as your AHL pair makes so much sense, it seems hard to believe they’ll do it differently.
I dunno.
It’s possible they start changing things up. As much heat as Jackson is taking in these parts, he has done a lot to grow the org and improve things at all levels. A big focus on player development at every level
Maybe Larsson sees it’s better to play to excellent young players than a guy who may have more experience in case of callup to the NHL, but probably wouldn’t play any better. Montreal is providing a very good example of this for the Oilers. Greenhorns Dobes and Fowler have their net, pushing for the conference finals
Jackson has been in charge three years, and Bakersfield is still not a competitive AHL team. Prospects do not develop in a losing envirnoment.
Yes, sh$t happens and an AHL season can be derailed by injuries in the NHL and AHL, but Bakersfield has not been competitive since Woodcroft was there.
Because they have traded away so many picks chasing the Cup for the last 3 years.
What’s your solution?
The prospect development in Bakersfield this season was absolutely sensational.
Here’s some more negativity. I absolutely HATE that they lost Holloway.
Also, Connor Brown for that matter.
Don’t forget the Comrie trade failure.
Spilled milk & crying, etc.
It sucks the way it went down. On the other hand looking for a positive, I looked at DH’s games played with the Blues. He missed the playoffs 24/25 when they made them, last season played 59 games
I think that may be why Bowman passed, knowing the contract would mean his pay would jump on the second deal more than they were planning, and he has been very injury prone. Replaced by Podz who probably won’t produce a much, but may be a better overall player – and healthier
Savoie replaces Brown, is 10 years younger and also a healthier player at least so far, and may have a higher offensive ceiling. In his 23 YO season Brown scored 36 pts, Savoie at 22 got 37. Brown’s highest season was 43 pts, I think Matt beats that
Yeah, I tend to look more at the positive too, at least I try to haha.
As much as having both Podz and Holloway would’ve been ideal, that was never going to happen, one was clearly intended to be the replacement for the other.
Comparing them directly with the option to only have one, I take Podz every time with contract value and durability being two big factors in his favour.
Why would you assume that we couldn’t have had both players? Good organizations have this thing called depth.
If the cap was managed better then feasibly we could have had both, and as I mentioned both would be ideal of course.
My point was that, unfortunately, they were only on the look out for a Podz type because they were seeking a replacement for Holloway. Had they matched I dont think they would’ve given any thought to Podz, even though they should always be looking for value depth, so I agree with you.
Holloway and Podkolzin was not an either/or. It could/should have been both.
Ate you being paid to come on here and defend Bowman?
Bowman could’ve had BOTH Podkolzin and Holloway.
Savoie was traded for McLeod. If Savoie replaces Brown, then who is replacing McLeod?
That water you’re carrying for Bowman must be getting real heavy.
Samanski is replacing McLeod. Hopefully
Originally Henrique was to replace McLeod but was unable to do it.
And the fact that they dumped Kulak a year and a half later probably makes part of Broberg fiasco Bowman’s fault. People forget he didn’t just not match but he traded the fact that he didn’t match so St. Louis obviously thought that they could match
Kulak is UFA. Maybe he signs back with Edmonton. Wishful thinking I’m sure he might get more money elsewhere. But maybe he wants to play at home? I’d prefer him over Nurse.
Ekholm-Bouchard
Walman-Murphy
Kulak-Emberson
Works for me.
There may be a chance Nurse is moved but I would suggest it remains much more likely that he’s an Oiler in October.
Kulak is likely to to get apx $5MM in free agency, in my opinion.
It’s tough to say. I’d love to see Kulak back. But of course he would never get $5M to play on the third pair in Edmonton. Maybe with Cassidy coaching and if he wants to be close to home money might not factor in too much.
Like most goals scored against there’s more than one mistake.
Not getting the puck deep, forwards not backtracking, a dman over playing a two on one, a goaltender too deep in his net. And the ref. Always the ref.
In Brobergs case there were many mistakes over a couple years by managers, coaches and himself that lead to him leaving.