In the final stanza of the regular season (Feb 1-plus), Matt Savoie posted 2.45 points-60 at five-on-five, second only to Connor McDavid (2.59) in the final 26 games of the year. I think that means Savoie is bona fide and Mike Babcock won’t mess with success (Savoie-97) in the fall.
As for other young players, it’s an interesting conversation. Among Oilers players 24 and under last season (according to hockeydb), Vasily Podkolzin posted 1.67 points-60 (1.93 with Leon Draisaitl) and for me he’s a lock for the top-nine, with 29-line rising. I really like Podkolzin there, he reminds me of an era (mid 1990’s) when the Oilers had so many fun wingers.
Ike Howard played just one game, and 9:55 at five-on-five after Februay 1, so it would be easy to overlook him. I hope Babcock has a long look at Howard this fall, although the new preseason doesn’t lend itself to auditions.
Howard is the latest in a long line of young wingers who arrive in Edmonton looking for a gig on the Connor McDavid line, or Draisaitl trio. That list is long and sorrowful, if we’re honest. Drake Caggiula, Anton Slepyshev, Ty Rattie, Kailer Yamamoto, Jesse Puljujarvi and others arrived, took their best shot, and moved along to other destinations in the hockey world.
Most of the truly successful wingers for the Glimmer Twins were established in the NHL before arriving in Edmonton. These men morphed into something else when placed on a line with McDavid or Draisaitl. Zach Hyman would be the best example, but you could include Patrick Maroon and others.
I think it’s important the Oilers find a way to use Savoie, Podkolzin and Howard in the top-nine this season. I had a long conversation with Donovan Paulson on the Lowdown the other day that involved Howard to St. Louis for Jordan Kyrou. I would love to see Kyrou in Edmonton, and that may happen, but the Oilers would be spending (in Donovan’s scenario) Savoie, a first and most of the team’s cap room in acquiring Kyrou.
I don’t believe the Oilers have the horses to do it. The cap room is a gift, it must be used wisely. Howard is an investment, and close enough to being an NHL regular under a value contract it will be beneficial to the team if Stan Bowman and Mike Babcock see the rest of the story.
I’m convinced this team needs Savoie, Podkolzin and Howard as insurance against injury to Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and the ancient free agents who will sign in Edmonton over the coming weeks. Adding Kyrou would be a grand addition. However, the Oilers are no longer in a position to send two dear assets away for a veteran who will eat up all the cap room.
I can’t see it working. Even with a Darnell Nurse trade. Bleeding assets and adding major cap pieces has been a tradition in this city since Peter Chiarelli signed Milan Lucic. It’s time to build. Starting now. Get Kyrou if you can, but make damn good and sure Howard isn’t in the deal.
On the Lowdown today, Bagged Milk from Oilers Nation will be our feature guest and my spidey senses are tingling so maybe we see some action around the Oilers. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and You Tube.
Babcock is the worst appointment the Oilers could make. He has shown no contrition, that I am aware of. He appears not to have had any counselling to become a normal human being. His coaching record has no play off wins as well as being many years ago
Will the Oilers also suffer with their advertisers for such a hiring ?
I know I will be less enthusiastic about the Oilers because of their lack of moral character if Babcock is hired.
Why are they rewarding a bully with a contending NHL team
Pierre LeBrun
@PierreVLeBrun
Confirming that Toronto and Tampa Bay are finalizing a sign-and-trade involving pending UFA Darren Raddysh.
Hearing that it will be an eight-year deal with an AAV in the 8’s (north of $8 million).
JFresh
@JFreshHockey
Darren Raddysh, acquired and signed 8x$8ishM by TOR, is a top-pair offensive defenceman with an old school clap-bomb from the point, strong puck-moving all over the ice, and solid stick-work defensively.
Also, from an Athletic article published last week: a high risk player. Undrafted and didn’t play his first NHL game until his late 20s. One season above ~35 points. Now that’s a roll of the dice.
He is 30 years old. This is a Walman contract.
Walman’s career high is 12 goals and 32 points.
Raddysh just scored 22 goals and 70 points and is a right shot.
He has 33, 37 and 70 points over the last 3 seasons and is not injury prone like Walman.
While not a bargain by any means, it’s not a bad bet on a potential undervalued asset.
undervalued asset??? He just signed an 8 year deal for 8.5 M. He is in fact highly valued.
He WAS undervalued.
Imagine the points Walman would get if he played #1PP for most of the season due to injuries to Bouchard and Nurse…you know like Raddysh did this past season.
Raddysh scored 12 goals and 44 points +21 at evens.
Walman scored 5 goals and 16 points -17
One of these is not like the others.
An “imagination” is certainly required…
If the defensemen who never get injured, get injured, and if the defenseman who is alway injured stays healthy….
Miracles do happen.
Wow lowetide made it sound like the window closed now. The assets and picks we hold are dire.
Is a Karlsson for Nurse trade too crazy? Probably.
Yes, he got some Norris votes this year haha. He had a great year.
Gerry Johansson with a very public endorsement of Babcock on with Stauff – “zero hesitation” “any team that hires him would be getting a vey good coach”.
We hear insiders and Gregor talk about agents telling him they have players that have issues- no names to these agents/players but we do have two player agents, Millstrein being a top agent, go public fully endorsing Babcock and saying publicly his players have no issues.
Klima’s Lid
@klimaslid
Connor Ungar was an RFA with a Qualifying Offer of $813,750. There was no rush to sign him before July 1st if the Oilers planned to qualify him.
Makes me think there’s a goalie trade on the horizon.
Good call you are on top of things tonight. The Canada smoking of Qatar has all of B.C in a fine mood.
Reports are saying Kapanen is looking for a Connor Brown contract, good luck in Chicago Kaspari.
If it’s just from that Brandon guy on Twitter, he just says anything. Kapanen is not close to Brown in value.
4 X $3MM.
$3MM is on past the upper end of the range I’d be comfortable with and would not give 4 years at that AAV – MAYBE 1 year and, if he wants 3 years, the AAV needs to be around $2MM.
He could probably get that contract on the market….
I definitely think he’ll find that contract with a team looking to get to the cap floor, not on a winner however.
I have a hard time seeing him sign for $2M
Kapanen is not worth signing unless it is under $2 million. I hope he finds what he’s looking for, elsewhere.
He is a toolsy player that is injury prone and wildly inconsistent. All of TML, Pens and Blues found out and moved on.
If SB signs him to $2 million or more, this then this organization is not actually serious about winning.
Is Frank Seravelli really considered an insider? He posted earlier this week that it could take months for the Babcock inquiry to be concluded. It took days. Plus, he kept indicating that the NHLPA had an even more daming issue than the phone pictures saga. Again, no smoking gun. This guy makes Eklund from Hockeybuzz look like a reliable source for breaking news.
I think he normally is a legit insider but you are correct in this instance he was not supplying the goods.
It could also be that whoever had the major grievance didnt want to revisit it and declined to participate.
It may have been Patrick Laine who demurred since he’s looking for a new hockey home.
Yeah with everything leaking as it has I can understand not wanting to risk everyone knowing what happened and having your name be everywhere, if that were the case
Mark Spector really tore a strip off Babcock. It’s amazing to see him critique the organization like this.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/oilers-pursuit-of-babcock-raises-more-questions-than-answers/
Good for Spec!
I can’t wait to watch Spec and Gregor with Babcock/Bowman at the press conference and after.
Meh Specs covers the sport like someone needs to be talked down to and disciplined, it’s always negative coverage with him whether in good or bad times.
To say that Babcock is not a good guy/a super jerk/ a _________ is legitimate.
To say the Oilers are stupid for taking this heat on themselves is legitimate.
To say the Oilers are stupid for gambling that Babcock won’t alienate any players or create a circus when he does what he does is legitimate.
But all the stuff beyond that about this being a great moral failing that disgusts people is a bit much.
Yeah, I totally agree.
I’m uneasy overall with the Babcock signing, rather than clutching my pearls in moral outrage. I kind of wish Spec had used his capital on some other issue. There have been plenty in the past.
But it’s newsworthy in itself that Spec is criticizing team management. The Oilers are definitely taking heat on themselves.
We see lots of “why can’t they be ruthless like Vegas” comments here. Hiring Babcock is in that lane – how many folks would still be upset if an asshat is on the bench when they hoist Stanley?
I thought I read Vegas was releasing Bruce, in which case is it too late to pivot back? I mean, who cares if you hurt Babcock’s feelings at the last minute? That would be some sweet irony.
Gonna be tough for old Spec to do his job when he has his press credentials taken away. He’s precariously close.
Good on Canada for romping Qatar. They remind me of the Oilers. Relying on individual talent and very poor attacking structure. It’s why they can’t score with their talent
Yes I know it’s 6-0. Against a weak team down 2
They ran it up after the injury to Kone. Players take on the Coaches personality. Oilers were so passive under K.K no pack of wolves mentality not like the Panthers-Lightning have. I wouldn’t mind the Oilers bullying teams like the good old days.
Phsycial play got players scratched under KK, coach thought NHL meant No Hit League.
Johnathan David hat-trick will be talked about for years. It’s too bad he didn’t get #4. The Kone injury sucks but a fresher Davies for the group win against the Swiss could loom large moving forward.
This might turn out with Babcock. He’s had some time to sort things out in his head and maybe he has something to prove as well. He’s probably gonna bring in his own choice for assistant coach. Who that is remains to be seen. I’ll suck up this choice for now. Oilers always like controversy ….
We all go off of our own experiences. Mine tells me unless he did ‘a lot’ of personal work with professionals, he won’t be able to control his mouth. He’ll try, but the people I’ve met that will say mean things to people to gain perceived dominance or whatever don’t quit that easily
Yes the old saying a leopard never changes his spots might be true here. If the core leaders asked for him then it’s on them. They can only blame themselves….
That is for sure
Oilers aren’t hiring Babcock to be warm and cuddly. Some players like to be driven hard Hyman strikes me as one. Maybe Hyman appreciates that he never becomes the player he has without Babcocks guidance. I didn’t like the hire at first yet it seems to show how bad these players want to win a Cup.
It’s called malignant narcissism and you’re right
Sounds like a certain Poster don’t you think?
😀
Sounds like I nailed it.
Spillies is definitely malignant, don’t you think?
I didn’t know until this day that it was Babzini all along!
I’m thinking Babzilla
If they get rid of Nurse clean and can sign Murphy, there is room to do things. How I see it right now, Murphy at 4.5M, Dach 950K. There may be retention on Nurse and players back but we don’t know yet:
Savoie CMD Hyman
Podz Drai
Howard Nuge Frederic
Dach Samanski Janmark
Ek Bouch
Walman Murphy
Emberson
Jarry
17/23 – 19.315M in cap to work with. Howard probably doesn’t start in the top 6, he needs to prove he can handle two ways and against top players, especially now with Babcock. Frederic will return to his 3rd line quality and add size to the 3rd line, or they will probably have to move him before Babcock eats him alive and crushes what’s left of his confidence
So they need a 3rd pair D and top 6 forward, and another goalie. Bowman should be able to fill out the roster so there is no need to dump assets at the deadline, unless there are injuries etc. To me that is ideal, have a good team and play well through the season, carry it into playoffs
Unless you can add a significant player that is a clear upgrade, don’t do much. I think it’s actually kind of insulting to the players to replace them with someone who isn’t indisputably better
Tippett would be ideal he strikes as a younger Hyman with his dog on a bone mentality. Nurse with Howard no retention going the other way I think both Nurse and Howard thrive under Tocchet and Tippett looks good on McDavid or Leon line. This would be a pure hockey trade win-win for both teams
I would take that deal all day long. I hope it’s there.
As long as there is no chance of Graves coming back, there are some interesting options with PIT (and apparently the teams are talking).
Any chance of getting Novac back or Rust (I think Rakell is more reliant on the PP)? I would think the Oilers would need to add to Nurse or retain to get one of those two, right?
If it is Pittsburgh, the return for Nurse should center around Parker Wotherspoon.
Novack is a 3C. You really want him?
Why wouldn’t I want a 3C?
Scandalous question to ask here!!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLl!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLl!
The Mike Babcock introduction press conference is going to be wild with the Edmonton sports media. I wonder if it will surpass the clown show of Pelley introducing Chayka.
If Jim thought Leon was pissy…
Lol
Leon for GM by 2040.
from hitchcock to Babcock it’s been a wild ride. even tip i could stretch this joke from woody to knob and still find it funny
Now that it’s a go, do we see some signings?
Here you go. Oilers just announced Connor Ungar on a 1 yr, 2 way deal at 850,000.
Minor signing in the grand scheme of things but Im stoked he is back and hope he forms a duo with Jonsson in Bako. Tomkins can get loaned elsewhere, let the young guys cook..
That was a bit of business that I thought mgt would not get done. I am pleased Ungar is back in the fold.
He’ll need to play 28 NHL games (30+ minutes) or he’ll be a Group 6 UFA – unlikely he hits that threshold but we’ll see.
I wasn’t positive they weren’t going to let him walk unqualified – Glad they’ve re-signed him.
The man earned it let’s see if he can parlay the one 1 year into a 2 year deal moving forward.
Babcock it is!!
https://youtube.com/watch?v=CkKJy4UaPHM&si=fMnaFwHdiMDJ3dqE
Play myself out for day. I hope you folks all enjoy what remains of this 1!
I appreciate your directness. World Cup “Go Canada Go” I haven’t seen Vancouver so alive since the Olympics and Expo.
A glorified 1yr contract for Babcock? Does Cassidy sit on his thumbs until the contract with Vegas ends and then becomes the Oilers coach?
I’m neither a smart or betting man, but that’s what I see happening.
Dont think so unfortunately. I imagine Vegas is banking on a coach getting fired mid season and hiring Cassidy, and they are probably right
I don’t think they can demote Cassidy unless it’s specifically says this in his contract. Now that Babcock is an Oiler Vegas will lift the ban by the weekend. If this happens fire Babcock and hire Cassidy. It’s time Bowman antes up and gets in this card game Vegas is playing.
Why did the Oilers trade O’Reilly a player they have coveted since Jarret Stoll days? Trying to change the Iceman into a a 4th line energy is beyond stupid. They have never had any intention of trying him on the PP that was evident when Tomasek and Walman received the at bats with shit to show for it. I wish we could do a do over on this trade as we’re going to see Cooper give O’Reilly the minutes and the placement he deserves later this year. Nurse and Howard for a D prospect and Mr.Tippett. Booooook it………….
But i though howard is guaranteed to score 30+ if they didn’t waste him.
Not said cruelly as i appreciate your clear dedicated well intended fandom but:
“Have you taken your bipolar meds today or at least not been drinking too heavily your short to mid term memory is blanked again?”
(Joke)
It’s a valid question put forward to Oiler fans not the OP Clan Club? It’s Oiler talk if you think your statement was clever then why not answer without cheating off of young OP repeated response.
Zero cheating required. Simply pattern recognition in highest end of population distribution and insane clear long memory storage.
Wildly inconsistent takes in way my head spins quite frequently from 1 week to next at what this fan says regarding whatever context. Simply where i am coming from.
Truly no real insult intended and apologies if taken.
But like not going to search back threads and start time stamped “ice man” reja log as evidence. I know what that looks like words are extremely important to me.
Well golly gee. If you haven’t bolted yet are we allowed to talk about the good old days with Sather at the helm or is that name taboo?
You all good. Never feel like you can’t poke holes in my garbage as well!
I’m not an idiot but i’m at best only skightly aboce average intelligent enough to know “in most cases my shit surely stinks in the dumbest senses”
Being an Oiler fan isn’t easily but never a dull moment. I couldn’t stand Babcock in Detroit he strikes me as arrogant. Babcock with that 100 yard stare he could easily buckle a players knees if it’s intended for him.
Its more apt to ask why you’ve asked this exact same question, what 50 times – various opinions and answers are provided to you, even some good discussion among others (which you rarely engage in) which would ignore and ask the exact same question again.
50 times may not be an exaggeration.
This is HIGHLY disrespectful to the other members of this community including, whiteout limitation, those that have taken the time (numerous times) to provide information, facts, thoughts, opinions, etc. – which you just ignore and ask again.
50x is an underestimation.
I myself find it borderline creepy the way you go after Clattenburg a 20 year-old 5th rounder that beat the odds by playing meaningful games and scoring as well. You were dead wrong about a few predictions you kept going on and on and on how Noah Philip was the cats ass.
He didn’t ever go after him.
He just sincerely tried to offer reasonable context…to point in all fairness it made little sense why he kept insisting on attempt.
We all have our ticks reja…i’m an odd mess relative to normal as well.
Why slag him do you actually know what a proud moment this was for him his family and me as an Oiler fan. I love underdog stories. We’re not naive us Oiler fans, we all know Clattenburg needs to work on certain aspects of his game. The man was called up when the team was in the doldrums he added a much needed spark and he did one hell of a job. The man had a very scary injury. If someone is going to go on and on about Clattenburg not getting a puck in deep after the great job this kid did in the process I will pushback everyday of the week and twice on Sundays.
You continue to say that you’d have Clattenburg on the Oilers which essentially means you don’t think he has to work on certain aspects of his game.
One can be happy for Clattenrburg and proud of what he did in his NHL stint (which I was an am) and still cite that, upon his return to the AHL, he did not listen to his coach (and the instructions from the NHL team) and work on this aspects of his game – AT ALL.
I do no go on about “not getting a puck deep”, I go on about and entire half season where he (a) didn’t work on what he needed to, (b) continued to spend more time in the penalty box than on the ice, (c) got himself hurt, multiple times, again and (d) got himself demoted down the lineup behind ECHL call ups not he 4th line and the out of the lineup.
It was a bad second half for this development.
“Go after” Clattenburg? What does that even mean.
I do nothing but cheer for that kid and hope like hell that he realizes he needs to listen to his managers and coaches and commits to dong what THEY SAY he needs to do in order to develop a certain mandatory level of play with the puck and in the defensive/netral zones in order to play in the NHL.
I dont even think it will take longer the 3-4 months and he could be able to impact in the NHL in 7-10 5 on 5 minutes with his currently unique skill set.
I will continue to point out the FACTS that he didn’t do that – based on my watching the games – and my OPINION that he’s doing a detriment to his NHL chances.
Make him the stick boy & a right shot defenceman!
I wasn’t aware the Oilers were trying to turn Howard into a 4th line forward, shocking revelation.
Did you not watch your eyes don’t lie? Where does Howard fit in? Is he even a fit? The Iceman is not Savoie the Iceman needs to be put in the correct slot or why make the trade? Why was K.K fired? I’m an Oiler fan not just a fair weather one I want to see one more Cup. They have the group they need a coach that doesn’t just pound Connor-Leon they need contribution from everyone growning as a group. I would rather see Clattenburg play 4th line and get the shit minutes than Howard. Nurse with Howard could be very tempting for an Eastern team.
Howard will be playing 2nd or 3rd line wing if he’s still in town.
Clattenburg will be in the AHL.
Maybe Clattenburg is a Babcock type of player. Frederic looked a lot better with Clattenburg watching his back. Sign Kirby Dach rotate Colton and Clattenburg. No more having McDavid fight because the opposing team is taking runs at Leon.
Leon took a meh hit from a 5’10/183 pounder and McDavid didn’t fight anyone.
If Clatt has used the 2nd half of last season to develop, he may be an option – now we need to hope he’s had the proper mental flip this off-season so he could be an option in the 2nd half of the season.
There is another way you get HIGHLY frustrating is that you post misinformation for this narrative.
I have let you know, maybe a dozen of times now, that his most common linemates were Savoie and Roslovic (who you thought should be considered for the US olympic team). HE DID NOT PLAY 4TH LINE SHIT MINUTES.
Did he get McDavid/Drai minutes? Nope, he certainly didn’t but, you know what, neither did, say, Matt Savoie for half the season but he showed a certain level of non producing abilities that he earned increased ice time without producing. Abilities that Savoie developed spending a year as a rookie in the AHL.
Howard showed some flashes but, overall, showed he needed some development time and the team DID HIM THE PRIVELLAGE of developing him in the AHL and, well, you know what, both the org, including the Bako coaching staff, and the player did a fantastic job and he showed massive progress in all the right areas.
You ask “where does he fit in”? The answer was he fit in in the AHL last year and this year he’s highly likely to fit in in the NHL, in large part due to the normal development progression.
Savoie averaged 15 minutes Roslovic around 16 and Howard averaged 10 minutes a game and most were garbage minutes. Garbage minutes is when the game is out of hand like against Colorado-Dallas. What is the average time for a forth line energy player? I believe it’s around 10 depending on the score. A forth liner usually get more then 10 minutes when the score is out of hand. In a close game a forth line player receives less than 10 minutes. Again when the score is out of hand either way Howard would receive minutes these are called garbage minutes where I’m from. I explained the meaning of garbage minutes on several occasions.
Holy moly… the interwebs are telling me that Mike Babcock has coached 1465 games in the NHL.
It would be perfect if the Oilers had him coach for 34 games and then fired him right before he hits game 1500.
“Mike, we didn’t bring you here to get 1,500 games, we brought you here to win a cup.”
Bonus if Cassidy is available to coach for the Oilers starting with regular season game #35.
What he did to Modano was playing games trying to motivate the team for the playoffs. Babcock was showing the players who’s boss that anyone could be scratched no matter the name on the back. The Wings should sign Modano and have him tend gate for 1 game. Modano not getting 1500 games played as well as Glenn Anderson not getting to 500 goal mark was sad.
.. Modano played like 40 games that year. lol. what’s 1 more game, at least let him get on the bench. 1,500 is a big deal
Why do we care about Modano all of a sudden now? After all those series against the Stars in 90’s where he tore our hearts out, I could care less whether he got to 1500 games.
In like early season buddy gave me tickets i was just blown away watching how massive a step podzilla had clear taken. Like friemd whose seats they were and i were both just pumped watching him. Friend went out and bought his jersey in the new style as quick as he could. Literally saying “before this clicks too obvious i wamt to be one of first people walking around that arena wearing one”.
Like unbelievable what consistently playing with drai out from under the bottom 6 marching tune of “we will be whipped and sat at earliest covenience” did for him.
I truly do believe that has been a real negative aspect of this experirment throughout.
With that said:
Babcock seems to sort of have a “captain and his favourites” sort of character reference narrative building….if that is truly perceotion -> i don’t care who has to tell the owner’s kid or dad himself to cease and desist -> it is wrong tree to be barling under if actually legitimate.
Arbitrary horse whipped and gifted minutes a given = a undeniably tangible part of root causes.
Murphy and ekholm as 2nd-3rd pair vet options for next 3 years seems pretty decent value if he can be signed in similar range IMO.
Per Rishaug:
Sounds like there’s been some discussion between the Oilers and Connor Murphy’s camp. Today’s Babcock news doesn’t change anything as far as the players willingness to consider a return to the Oilers, but term and dollars will have to make sense based on the market.
Looking for a term longer than Babcocks contract and with no NMC kicking in until after Babcock’s contract ends.
Murphy and kapanen are the 2 i hope return.
Injuries aside unless cost is absurd kapanen made as strong a case you might make for guy who can be cap efficient complimentary top 6 winger.
Dickinson for me as well if the cap works. 3 centres who can play top players would make them much stronger. I’m not convinced Nuge can do it at this point as he was never fast and whoever plays C will be skating a lot more than last season
I don’t disagree just him honestly being high on UFA center options available list with so much excess cap money tunnel effect starting -> he just seems likely one of easiest targets avoided as contract lacking when it happened context ages terribly (nurse says “goodbye!” Here).
The tier under him when i dug through had some likely better cap efficient targets IMO. But yeah if…IF he can be signed reasonable term and cost -> not against…just have a feeling avoid whale class targets and snipe below quick enough is winning strategy i’d be running with.
Like before mob drops down grab those guys rather than “next up in game of overpayment risk”
The last two seasons he’s had 16 and 117 points and under 10 goals. I think it comes down to what he wants at 31. He’s made 23M up to now. He ended up with 22 goals in the 23/24 season in which he signed his last contract, and Davidson has not been shy with his contracts
To get paid more than what he was I think it would have to be on a team like the Hawks with a need for a veteran and has cap to use. But would he rather have a chance to go deep?
What’s your range as far as cap hit and length?
Like 5 mill x 4 seasons….?
What else as far as solid minutes bottom 6 tempered steel reinforced defensive upgrades could i buy close to that?
Scissons at 3.5 and aciari at 2.5 maybe?
Like with that momey how might we best augment bottom 6 center depth over unfortunately dickinson also injured and there being not any real enough backup solutions inhouse when it counts…mcdavid and drai also injure report to the pk please.
That is how my solver program would be iterating solutions.
*rico waan’t terrible and also helped until injured right away on pk end….like deoth of xxxx, xxx, samanski more proven out maybe
Or hoping “what’s the worst that might happen and janmark linimg up to take 3rd like draws or frederic whomwver after next to no time playing their all season with unfamiliar limited minutes played linemates just fir the fun of it!!
Dickinson’s contract very unlikely to not reatrict depth beyond other non unique solutions.
I don’t see how a contender pays 5M or more as some projections are, for a 7 goal 16/17 point centre as he has been the last two seasons. Even if the UFA pool is shallow. If he wants a shot to win, which he said he does, I say 4M max and it should be lower than that because of two seasons of low production
Maybe a team that ‘might’ be a contender would pay him and be appealing. Like LA, Holland would pay him based on scoring 22G three seasons ago
That might have been 17 points not 117
I gotta jet here’s my bottom 6 centre depth wish logic
Poorman’s dickinson next best i can see -> scissons
Poorman’s coyle (as far as brick shat house framed, faceoff killer, high danger tilting positive to some degree 4th line edition) -> acciari
Given minutes and condition of minutes…i think good chance maximizing cap efficiency easily more deep than most shiney.
Money needs to be spent here in priority stratgic way to improve season results.
As for goalies:
1. If good deal can be swung cossa
2. If cheap because missing chair: brossoit or mrazek
3. Maybe worth a 3 yr offer if hit low enough -> ingram or cooley
4. I would run 3 headed goalie roster to start with 3rd one best not yet established waiver eligible teams try to sneak through call it jarry injury or internal combusting insurance hedging/maybe “free candy” style next starting goalie
I surrender any need to repeat amy of this again lol!
Free freeed!!
Take it easy.
Nuge is way better than Dickinson. Dickinson is not better than Samansky. Oilers should save on cap and pass on Dickinson
Is he though?
He definitely comes with PP witch augment chip and more offensive potential threat upside but like 200 ft nuge vs divk -> advantage nuge depending on usage due to offense but faceoff/pk/high danger prevent amd shot blocking -> leaning to advantage dickinson
Hiring Babcock is just so wild haha.
A bold strategy, Cotton! Let’s see if it pays off for’em!
— it was always going to be Babs. They leaked the Cassidy to appease everyone knowing he wasn’t available…
I still don’t believe we leaked the Cassidy stuff unless it was someone lower in the org who slipped up and did it by accident or something. Management is incompetent but they aren’t stupid. Makes no sense to do that before firing Knoblauch.
I think we legitimately wanted Cassidy and then pivoted when we weren’t given permission.
— Perhaps. Stauff mentioned Babs quickly after KK was fired though Before Cassidy iirc
—Seemed weird at the time.
I am increasingly inclined to believe. Otherwise, why would they leak the Cassidy story? It doesn’t make sense.
It is also possible it was not leaked by either Vegas or Edmonton, but engineered by Cassidy or more likely his agent to put pressure on Vegas to capitulate.
Quick prediction:
Everybody hates him because generally everybody hates him
He thoroughly enjoys himself and his return to the game
He makes it about him
Turns out he has no plan to defeat the aggressive forecheck
Oilers players have another obstacle to overcome
Upon failure, Bowman announces that it was the players who really wanted him
DJ Smith emerges as the guy they should have hired
— it just sucks. Bowman was tossed out of league and at best he turned a blind eye to what was going on
— then he seemingly gonna hire another guy who was tossed out of the league who did bad things
(I’ve got too much time in hands: currently on plane to SanFran and with wifi it’s not longer hours of downtime that was part of the joy of flying : no one could get in touch with you.).
I’ll admit to being wrong as I didn’t think Babs would make it to Game 1. I hope they know what they’re doing. This could turn out really bad.
Sorry guys, this might be karma for me making fun of the Flames for hiring Sutter. In defense of the Flames, Sutter had a better coaching record and won more cups.
Yea, but Bab showed leadership by not letting Modano get to 1,500 games and benching Chelios at an outdoor game in his home court.
“We haven’t looked at other options and we are all out of options!”
Kirby Dach could be a target and perhaps a good one; at right price
But he was replaced as second line center by rookie Oliver Kapanen in playoffs who did very well. Two things here, we need to find the Kapanen’s on the market who are ready to make the jump.
And do we have two Kapanen’s on our hands already in Howard and Samanski?
Dach Dach Goose will have you running circles
What about Kapanen? Is he to old or could he still develop into a Kapanen?
If Kapenen could turn back the years he could be a good old Kapenen, or he could be the equivalent of the new Kapenen but at free agent Kapanen cap.
— Spidey senses tingling indeed …
— I read carefully for tells…
Cowan: Canadiens’ bonus strategy generates wealth of team-friendly cap hits – Montreal Gazette
Montreal says their bonus structure significantly helps them manage cap friendly deals.
If it’s in a word, or it’s in a look, you can’t get rid of the Babcockadook.
Winner of thread for me!
Kyrou Is one of those guys that I haven’t looked at his analytics, but you could long see he was a guy who had game breaking skill even before he broke Samorukov’s ankles.
To me, and I think it’s going this way, future Oilers need to be strong skaters and tenacious players. Part because that’s what’s winning, and part because that’s the Oilers DNA. They have changed the way the league rules and plays multiple times, and the original guys played that way
Sounds like the Sideshow is coming to Edmonton. Hold your noses and hope for the best. At least there will something to talk about other than Connor’s contract.
Swiping defeat from the clasp of victory!!!
I once tried to get a “buy high sell low tambo and co!” Chant goimg from nose bleeds….damn hard to do the best kind of british football fan noteriety chants with the just fan killing sound and entertainment system the way NHL teams run things with constant ads.
“This knights powerplay brought to you by ladie’s speed stick! The official deodorant if the vegas knights wives club”
2019 trip me and two buddies took to cwtch insane lineup of slayer’s finak tour and edm vs vgk. Sitting in that stadium i honestly told my buddy i’ve been going to games with since we met 1st yr uni …like were friends and went to games with guy immortalized after dallas ot win just losing his mind with huge self made stanley cup they kept showing in cbc highlights….diehard as they come fans…
“I can see a day coming quite soon where i never again will care to attend a game in person -> this off ice impersonal eveeyone scream when camera points at you and stop when that ends between abrasive disjoimted bad techno remixes and non stop advertisements is not even close to how collectively awesome crowd built noise used to happen”
Big reason i still enjoy games vs LAK -> you can still hear that organ playing. Chicago as well.
Connor’s contract has even started yet and its for multiple years – I see nothing to talk about.
I’m still not positive why/how they decided they had to do THIS but they seem hell bent on doing it so I’m at the acceptance stage and going in to it with a positive outlook. I don’t have my head in the sand, I know how it’s gone and how it could go but it also could turn out to be an epically good move. The man knows hockey, he knows how to implement systems, he knows how to get team buy in, he knows how to coach hockey.
We also don’t know what the hell he’s been up to for the last 3 years as far as developing as a person and as a power figure. We didn’t know what Bowman had been doing until he was being hired.
I know, this will be the minority opinion but, whatever, I’m not here to doom and gloom for the next 3.5 months until the season starts.
— if indeed there is going to be action with oilers best to put in your best guesses before they happen.
— Im bringing back my “what will the Oilers do this off-season” poll: most right get a PayPal contribution to the fine blog:
1) who is the head coach next year?
2) what team is Nurse on next year? (Bonus if you name player(s) returned)
3) what is the opening day goalie tandem?
4) who is the biggest new acquisition/ free agent signing as measured by AAV, excluding Nurse return
5) Murphy, Dickinson. Henrique, Roslovic and Kapenen: which ones are re-signed ?
6) Who is the Oilers first draft?
7) Is Coffey behind the bench again?
best to just answer :
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
so I can tabulate. I’ll run a few times until one of them gets answered
1 – Babcock (bleh)
2 – Philly – Michkov
3 – Jarry/Cossa
4 – Deslauriers
5 – Kapanen, Murphy, Dickinson
6 – Jonah Sivertson
7 – No
1 Babs but he doesn’t last to thanksgiving and Cassidy comes in
2 Philly : Risto comes back and salary retention
3 Anderson-Jarry
4 Laine
5 Murphy Dick Kaps
6 They trade down for more picks get G Brady Knowling
7 He’s back baby.
Will Vegas give the Oilers permission mid-season?
Thanks for doing this…
1) Babcock for 20 games, then Cassidy
2) Edmonton (No return)
3) Jarry / Pickard
4) Dickinson
5) Murphy, Dickinson, Kapenen are re-signed
6) Somebody in the 3rd round
7) Coffey is behind the bench, but only until Cassidy is hired after 20 games.
— interesting: so Dick is the biggest
Yup… I’m guessing he gets a near-RNH cap hit from Stan. Yuck.
1. Babcock
2. Philly, Foester
3. Cossa, Jarry
4. McMann
5. Murphy, Kap
6. Brek Liske
7. Yes, Bouchard will break 100 points and finish outside the top 3 for Norris again.
There’s essentially 1 Free Agent available this offseason in Tuch, and Buffalo might keep with the Kesselring move.
The only route to improve really is trade.
Now is probably the best time to get a return for Nurse. Given this market he’d probably get $9M in a bidding war in FA. Not surprised to hear the non-retention rumours. It’d be a Slats play to sell at the opportune time.
Not saying he’d fetch a ransom, but I think people will be surprised at the return if Nurse opens up his destination list and makes a bidding war. Not as confident Bowman is the man to make that trade.
Call Kenny. To LA for Clarke or Byfield. What is gonna get him for free? 🙂
Re byfield:
https://www.naturalstattrick.com/playercompare.php?fromseason=20232024&thruseason=20252026&stype=2&sit=5v5&score=all&stdoi=oi&rate=n&p1=8482124&p2=8479400&loc=B&gpfilt=none&fd=&td=&tgp=410&lines=single
Immediately my brain went to this comparitive. And i think it seems like pretty solidly checks out…
So 1st trade (LA gave):
->Alex Iaffalo
-> Vilardi (underrated player was pumped he was dealt after that last playoff series he was 2nd feels like this cat can “own the chiefs 2nd best after kempe threat”
-> rasmus kupari
-> 2nd round pick
Signed a 8×8.5 million deal
If not mistaken jets were near top of league with this trade in my mind having impact that would register 6-7 points on scale of backwards to “lindrosian from quebec” registering reason that happened.
2nd trade (the dump):
Straight up for keumper (fan of him he is in 1st tier of goalies worth betting on beyomd 2-3 year contract for over 4.5 million…but that isn’t much to get.
Thing is byfield has 3 more seasons at 6.5 million and last 3 years over 20 goals & basically 50 pts…seems clear he’s in the can’t cut it at center…but maybe that’s premature with 1st ballot HOF anzi finally done. He’s pretty key part of “if LAK aren’t soon heading for desert with not enough gas to likely cross it” no way i’m trading thar contract. No GM is unless insane package coming back and decision made to at least retool if not rebuild.
If they were smart i think that honestly is right path to “when might LAK win a stanley ever again?”
But like they just sigmed kempe and panarin and holland is a win now not rebilding GM.
Desert surely ahead they will blow by last offramp before they realize it happened 75%.
Vancouver, LA…even like kraken just because of an absurd PDO heater they’ve never recovered from after his infatuation led to laughably blessing them with his praise insistently…who might be next victim of the
Harper hair lip kiss of death?
Iccanobif or “pacific division assasin” should really start sending fired GM’s flowers if this permature self destruction sequence trend happens again.
I agree with much of this post except that Nurse would get close to $9MM on the open market – I still think that’s a good $1.5MM aggressive.
On that note, while I guess he may be tradable without pain and zero retainment (although I’ll still believe it when I see it – he’s created a very limited market remember) and I’m open to the possibility, I presume, in that case, the return will be literally noting but maybe a depth reserve list name.
A million or two of retainment and maybe there a legit player that helps this team plus the cap space – my mind is still there.
I could be wrong of course.
It is the buyerest market possibly of all time OP.
Id like to see the Oilers target an impact winger, a youthful center to battle it out with Samanski on who’s 3C/4C, sign Murphy, bring in a meaty 3rd pairing defender, and a prospect goaltending just needing a shot.
McDavid – Savoie/Hyman
Draisaitl – Podkolzin/Impact Addition
Nuge – Howard/Kapanen
Samanski – Dach/Frederic
Youngish C/Kane
Ekholm/Bouch
Walman/Murphy
Stastney/Emberson
Vinny
You can probably get away with paying Kane near minimum to ride the sky box half the season, flip in and out with whoever is ineffective.
Cossa
Jarry
Draft picks and Ungar for Cossa.
I have zero time for Dickinson at his price, spend it on game changer.
Basically I want Bowman and company to find a winger McDavid and Draisaitl fight over.
I like Vinny on the back end, and we need a big monster sized impact forward up front.
Howard and 2 1st’s for Wilson.
Too much “defensive dman on RH side” for my taste and statsney not exactly strongest LHD to hope pans out. Like his ceiling i don’t see as that high to essentially insulate him and develop…but there is ways to more easily find LH propsect or cusp bets so maybe this works.
There is zero reason kapanen not given full shot with drai and podz. Like circumstances robbed them in reg season because inuries but playoffs they just resumed exact same dominant it seems crazy not to roll dice on this.
Center depth maybe guy who can play up lineup or anchor 4th lime supression pk or maybe mcdavid line improvement.
1. Scissons & acciari (both would be amazing)
2. Kuzmenko/tarasenko if they gets stuck looking for a place to excel on short reasonanle cap hit style contract
Kuzmenko with asterix for me ->What can mcdavid do with an actual sniper offensively over drai just morphimg into one to best compliment? Can we have 2 dangerous near equal minute split PP units?
Or our faceoff winning bottom 6 even has sensible depth to maybe even outscore or at least close to saw off while top 5-10 pk effective without minutes by elite players needed.
I like Kapanen alot, I will not be surprised when the spring season comes that the top 9 are:
McD – Savoie/Hyman
Drai – Howard/Impact acquirement
Nuge – Podz/Kap
I have full faith in Kap being a top 9 player for the Oilers, but Id like to see if the Oilers can truly go all in and slap a impact top 6 winger into the midst of talent.
Legit fair.
I just have unfortunately have like ptsd level infatuation of:
“Where are all your solid vet preferably RH faceoff pk dynamo bottom.6 centermen depth at on good to great shorter term length contracts that don’t extend in real risk of wheels starting or clearly already fallinf off before even picking up pen ”
Also as much as i like him -> i wouldn’t mind early audition of a higher end shooting threat mcdavid upgrade. Like savoie and kap comfortably decent cap effective mid 6 forward depth….
Hyman mcdavid kuzmenko
Nuge bouch
Podz drai kap/savy
Ekholm walman
Dual unit both solid reps. Like maybe iceman fits this. Just if they are going to upgrade offense top 6 like they nedd to get head wrapped around maybe mximizing value of add with these options providing enough special team minute powerplay weighted minutes.
Like as long as they ignore an obvious, to me at least seeming, innefficient 1 trick pony over riding distances…team as whole is not properly optimized from a greater good entire roster benefit
Two PP units that can hit above 20-25% in 1 minute or less rotations or maybe the odd ride whatever hot hand when on fire felt against different opponents no more easy game plan bs on repeat nonsense.
Two pk units that don’t require drai or mcdavid regular reps.
Maximize value of their minutes. Have some confidently secure familar lines in place by trade deadline which will only slightly require adjustments or unknown linemate downsides
Note: two above 20-25% 1 minute per averagish units = much higher effective powerplay cummulative than at present
The only thing worse than waiting to hear news is the news itself.
So Babs is happening. well, we can never complain the Oilers aren’t interesting. lol
“Are you not entertained!”
Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
·
6s
NHL is clearing is Mike Babcock to coach the Edmonton Oilers.
They are free to hire him
I was fearful of some unfathomable weirdness, but it seems Babcock’s social indiscretions are limited to invading players’ personal spaces.
He’s also an a-hole. So are many hockey coaches.
I can live with this.
I thought the phone thing was overblown. Weird for sure, not every player was bothered. The being unnecessarily mean to some players and staff bothers me, can’t happen again
@BleedOilBlue
Former Carolina Hurricane Aaron Ward didn’t hold back, calling the Edmonton Oilers organization “idiots” for pursuing Mike Babcock as their next head coach.
https://x.com/BleedOilBlue/status/2067451620007538990?s=20
(click for Ward video)
Thank you for the news. So the Oilers feel they are getting a coach to push the top players. That would imply that the problem(s) can be fixed simply by playing better, playing harder. I don’t know that that is true.
If this is the belief, it rings of the leadership group still insisting its up to them to win. That is admirable, but the if true the lessons have not been absorbed.
What I would like to see is a coach who builds his entire team through involvement, role assignment, inclusion and they need everybody to win. A McDavid super shift is just icing on the cake, it is not the entire game plan.
I don’t think that’s what hiring Babcock means at all.
IMO, the team’s lack of defensive play this past season started with McD and Drai.
They do need to be pushed to play harder defensively, as well as play less minutes.
It starts with them, it finishes with Frederic sitting on the bench eating popcorn because hes not involved, given a solid role, and is simply allowed to sit on the bench and eat popcorn.
Hard to disagree and, of course, McDavid and Drai acknowledged that themselves.
Now, for them to follow up on the words and change behaviour/play.
What I would like to see is a coach who builds his entire team through involvement, role assignment, inclusion and they need everybody to win. A McDavid super shift is just icing on the cake, it is not the entire game plan.
This is exactly what Babcock is known for. He even publicly criticized the Oilers for playing McDavid and Drai too much.
As for the beginning of the post, how do we know this is just about the top guys playing harder? I think this is about implementing a team wide structure and getting team wide buy in.
Hopefully the damage is limited to a one year contract
I doubt he would sign a one year contract. Would you? My guess is three years
He’s not dealing from a position of strength other than Cassidy can’t go to the Oilers. He owes the team for going through what they had to. He also doesn’t need money
Hyman/McDavid/Savoie
Howard/Drai/Podz
Nuge at 3C – Kap, Frederic, free agent hire
If Howard at 2W to start is aggressive, I think Nuge on a skilled third line could excel and outscore – likely need a bigger second winger – Frederic or maybe Kap is good enough
I like this. I think it’d be interesting to challenge McDavid to be the ultimate 2 way Center between Howard and Savoie. He seems to be in the ultimate growth mindset wanting to be pushed and this could unlock a lot of value down the line up putting Hyman on RNHs wing to drive it and Drai with Podz and float a Kapanen style player
Honestly I like the players and see lots of talent in your lines but I think this team gets eaten up by the big dogs in the playoffs; especially teams like Florida. This team is tiny with no teeth. We need dome size with speed. More Hyman’s, Podz type players. Trade for Tippett not Kyru. Add Mcmann or Marchment or both.
Absolutely agree. We have been here before, and talent has taken the team a long, long ways but just not quite enough. We lose talent to injury, a lot of it they should not be exposed to.
The recent formula for success is some size and physicality forechecking with speed.
Trade for K Dach and Tippet. Sign Mcmann. Lines could be:
Savoie. McD. Hyman
Podz Drai. Tippit
Nuge. K.Dach Mcmann
C. Dach Samanski Freddie
That’s speed, skill and beef with some snarl.
Not sure how the money would work, but those three names definitely fit the bill. Hell, I’d take one of those three and then a better defence.
Dach qualify offer is 4 million. Tippet is 6. Mcmann most likely 5ish. Nurse out is 9.25 + 14.5 in current cap space.
Would be shocking to see Kirby qualified.
Yeah this is road paved to cap hellaciously misaligned with cost value relative to minutes available to realize value added.
The Oilers have apx $16MM of cap space with Nurse on the roster.
Zero chance they trade for Kirby Dach as he would come with a $4MM qualifying offer or become a UFA and they can sign him as a UFA when the Habs don’t qualify him.
I also don’t think he can play center any more with injuries changing how he is as a player.
There are the bottom six player with size and speed: Kap, Dach, Frederic, potentially Jone
Spending to the cap is not necessary. Bowman seems to want to keep some cap space so that’s hopeful
You can’t buy good team play, and that is the key determinant of success, more than talent. The Oilers have enough top end talent. They need good well rounded players, Babcock needs to get the entire team on the same page and build the group
Every playoffs we see the role players rise. We have seen it with the Oilers. The team lacks a definite 3C and 2RD and a goalie, but that’s it, the rest are good enough. Howard is good enough, just needs good coaching and some time
Im on the same page as you.
Agree 100%.
With the rule changes about playoff now cap complient -> mentality of cap strung conpletely in season often running paper thin roster depth unless high priced LTIR happens -> absolutely ingnorant to not adapt to new conditions.
Getting into playoffs using deadline to possibly augment 1 key position that requires cap gymnastics if right option at right cost happens (because pretty small GR in season might be justifiable to run skinny) but also like layer depth in so imevitanle injuries have NHL above replacement understudies
= increased chance to win.
Things break maximizing quality of spares will clearly become more prevalent part of winning over the now thankfully disregarded bs of what should be called “the mark stone” rule….but of course nothing seens as problem until “because oilers” version of it.
———-
I would note that Issac Howard was a more substantial offensive player in the AHL this past season than Savoie was the year before (at about the same age). Howard had a bit more help, but lots of that went away when Samanski got recalled.
Howard is not at Savoie’s level of battle or 2-way play BUT he came a LONG ways this past season in many many areas. He IS a hard worker, a coachable kid and he is a smart hockey player – he can play in the NHL and he should be able to have good enough 2-way game and ability to win battles not the defensive boards, etc. that a coach will trust him.
He’s not lock but there is every chance he has a Savoie like season or potentially even better offensively – if he gets a chance with, say, Leon, early – he could run with it – he is highly skilled.
I like Howard w Draisaitl. He seems to have a way to mentor young players (and he has a 200-ft game, when he chooses to play it; I want my rookie hotshot to learn that, and he will not find that elsewhere in the top six).
Howard and Drai could mesh very well offensively. Howard just needs to find a sliver of room, or open up a sliver of a passing lane, and Drai will find him for that shot.
on to the need to fill 3LD after Nurse is dealt. What do people think of Mike Reilly? He never seems to get a lot of playing time. The athletic mentioned him, he has great under the hood analytic numbers. Is 6’2 and can move the puck. Kind of a cheap but solid 3rd pairing dman who can skate and pass the puck and should come out around $1 mill.
That’s a great example of “seeing them good”…might look like a nice pint of Guinness with a proper head on it.
Not sure what that is on top of the glass?
I’m guessing a lid on a coffee cup, but the mini pic on the top right of your screen looks like a beer.
You’re So Vain.
I like the Faster Pussycat lyrics…
You had one eye in the mirror and,
You think you’re so damn hot.
I don’t see either Mick or Warren Beatty doing a Gavotte.
LT, you seem obsessed with Kyrou.
Aren’t there any other players in the entire league that might be a better fit?
A high priced contract – $8 Million Dollars Per Year – for 5 more years for another player who doesn’t play defense?
Spend the Nurse money on an actual skilled defenceman, not yet another shiny forward.
Maybe look at more than just one player?
Personally, I would NEVER, EVER do another deal with the Blues.
Because, fook those guys.
Seriously.
Faster pussycat!!!
Thank you for go work on shit in yard soundtrack.
The Edmonton Oilers can score – period end of story. They need to improve defence. While Jordan Kyrou would be nice, the team doesn’t need another gifted offensive player who is weak along the boards and can be physically outmatched. Get better defensively and add cheaper wingers who can skate and keep the play alive in the o-zone with aggressive forechecking. Keep the young guys on cheap deals. I’m baffled by this team’s seemingly endless love affair with players like Roslovic and Mangiapane. Kyrou is better than both those guys, but he plays the same style and is much more expensive.
Last year at five-on-five:
2.55 GF-60 (ranked No. 15)
2.76 GA-60 (ranked No. 26)
I’d say both areas need improvement. Kyrou is younger and can transport while also being near career peak (last season was a falloff for sure).
If you’re looking for a winger, I think Owen Tippett might be a better target. Better 5v5 scoring, younger, faster and cheaper, much more physical and goes to the net more often. He might cost less in a trade too… and the Flyers are rumoured to be looking for a center or top-4 defenseman in return. Nurse with retention might be a good place to start…
I am all about Tippett over Kyrou as a target – his contract is lovely, he’s younger, he’s not coming off a down season, etc.
I think he’ll be too expensive – can’t imagine Phlly trading that contract without a great return.
Agreed. They do have trouble scoring at evens though for a team so talented. They need more battle and better tactics to fix that. Soft perimeter players won’t help the issue
It wasn’t their GA that lost them two finals. Or why they lost to Vegas way back when. It was that their attack wasn’t deep enough.
Unless Chris Pronger is suddenly 30 again and you can acquire him, lean in to your strength.
Injuries cost the Oilers the Cup in 2024.
Arguably, in 2025 too. Taking Hyman’s out of the top six changed everything.
Waiting till game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals to put Broberg on the right side with Nurse cost the OIlers the Cup in 2024. (Three wins and two losses with Nurse Broberg).
I told them to do it the previous October.
You mean the pairing that, while going 4-2 actual goals (which does matter) got absolutely crushed to a tune of 30% expected goals and, unless something changed, were likely going to start leaking more goals than were scored for while on the ice?
Oilers were 25-14 goals with McDavid and Drai off the ice in the 2025 playoffs…..
1) The Oilers were mid in 5 on 5 scoring. I don’t discount PP goals, but there is definite room to increase 5 on 5 scoring – takin some pressure off the PP would be great.
2) 100% preventing goals against is a primary change focus and I believe that this will be largely due to the incumbent players committing to a structure in that regard.
3) I think Kyrou has evolved – I know he got at least one or two Selke votes as my eyebrows raised when I saw it. Of course Landekog and Wedgewood also got Hart votes so the Selke votes could me nothing.
4) I’m not in to Kyrou at his cap hit. I don’t want $8MM plus forever of a player coming off a down year unless the acquisition cost is too great to pass up
Darren Dreger
@DarrenDreger
Multiple teams exploring a trade with the Buffalo Sabres involving Dman, Bo Byram. Byram has 1 yr left on his contract before becoming an unrestricted Free Agent. Agent, Darren Ferris has some history with marching players to the open market. Motivation for trade consideration.
Buffalo would be an ideal landing spot for Nurse if he would accept a trade there.
The Oilers might want a sign and trade since 25 year old Byram has only 1 season left until he hits free agency.
Byram would be a great target.
Love the idea of Kyrou. two way 25 plus goal player. No way they get him without Howard going the other way. I’d rather Howard then Savoie.
And looking more and more like Babcock is a done deal, maybe DJ Smith joining him plus the incumbents. So who fits a Babcock team? Dickenson sure does. So i expect him to be signed right after they announce Babcock. Murphy would be a perfect fit, but wonder if he is one of those worried about Babcock style of coaching.
Here’s hoping McDavid, Draisatl and Hyman can convince the others and the possible UFAs to come here with Babcock.
Last question. How is Babcock on his goalies?? Rides one or wants a platoon?
Babcock has had excellent goaltenders during his NHL coaching career. Whether it’s a product of luck (J-S Gigure, Chris Osgood, Dom Hasek, Jimmy Howard, Fredrik Andersen) is open to debate.
In Detroit, he had Legace play 55 to Osgood’s 32 in year 1. Legace had a .915 save percentage to Osgood’s .897. Hasek played 55 to Osgood’s 22 the year following, and then an even 50-50 split between the two in 2007-08 and then Osgood and Conklin split equal games the following year.
He’s not afraid to give a rookie the reigns, as Howard played 64 games in his rookie season with the Wings the year after they went to the finals. He played at least 51 games (except for the lockout season when he played 42/56) every year, slowly allowing Mrazek to play more frequently
In Anaheim, Giguere played 65 games in 02-03, and then 56 the next year (could have been some fatigue there).
In Toronto, Bernier, Reimer and Sparks split the season around 30-30-20, and then all of them were gone the following season and Andersen came in to play 66, 66 and then 60 games while Babcock was coach.
Seems that when Babcock has a clear number one, like Giguere, Andersen, he rides them for 65+ if possible. If he has one goalie that is better than the other, but marginally so based on results or reputation, then he tries to aim for 55-25 splits. When he has two goalies that are about equal (or equally flawed), then he splits them equally and rides the hot hand into the playoffs (Conklin/Osgood, Bernier/Reimer/Sparks). He’s not afraid to try things out, or play a rookie, if he thinks it will give the team the best chance to win. He’s also not afraid to sit a veteran if he thinks they’re not performing wll (Osgood, Hasek, Reimer etc..)