In one of the biggest one-day procurement grabs in team history, Stan Bowman delivered and then some. One would have to drive several miles to find a nit to pick, as the watershed transactions hammered Oilers nation like a pouring rain. Please read this.
The day was not perfect, but it was close enough for jazz. Since I’d like to get to several subjects today, I’m going to give a very brief summary of each acquisition:
- Frederik Andersen is a quality goaltender when healthy. He is 36, but delivered a .910 save percentage in 16 playoff games one year ago. He’s the starter until further notice, in my opinion.
- Devon Levi is the Oilers goalie of the future and he’s ready now. His AHL goals saved above average (GSAA) towered over Sebastian Cossa 16-2.
- Shakir Mukhamadullin is a young defenseman with impressive tools and some chaos in his game. You’ll like him, he’s a fine skater. but there are still some recognition issues 83 games into his NHL career. His story is just beginning. He can play both sides ala Niklas Hjalmarsson.
- Zack Sharp is a 21-year old lefty blue who plays college hockey. We don’t know much, but the Bowman-mobile has done well with college blue (Damien Carfagna, Paul Fischer).
- Ryan Shea is a fine passer and puck retrieval blue, he’s a late bloomer and has improved each season in the NHL. I love this signing and I do believe he’ll fit the Mike Babcock style more easily than Jake Walman. Shea could be second pair this coming season.
- Kasperi Kapanen works well with Leon Draisaitl and is insurance in case Babcock doesn’t see Ike Howard as part of the solution. That’s important you know. You need replacements who are bona fide.
- Eduards Tralmaks is the most obscure addition, but he’s interesting. A big man who scored plenty in the AHL, he could surprise.
- Mathieu Joseph was a late signing who looks like a depth addition, but I think he’s going to have a large part in the play. Great wheels, aggressive, he’s a Babcock type player.
- Max Jones is a player I’ve come to like very much. You know, he’s 28, but there’s a Patrick Maroon vibe about him. He’s a recall but you never know.
I think that’s every player added. It was a wild afternoon. I spent three hours in front of a mic, and we had only the Levi trade to talk about. I guess Stan likes the afternoon soap operas.
Sail on, Darnell Nurse. I’ll never forget the 2015 Orientation Camp, I went to day one and enjoyed his career in Edmonton. Sometimes in life, things don’t work out in one place, and then they do in another. Circumstances thrust him into the spotlight early in his career and I do think more time in Bakersfield could have helped. It worked for Larry Robinson. Doesn’t matter now, but I wish him well and believe he’ll find his place in San Jose and shine like a diamond. There’s a non-zero chance Nurse wins Stanley before the Oilers do, and I’m cheering for him to win it all.
Bowman kept his powder dry until a seam opened up, and he hammered that sliver of daylight like a hammer on a drum. We can’t know the future, but can say that the general manager delivered reasonable bets in all areas. I’m especially impressed by Shea, Joseph and Levi.
Based on a quick look at what is available in free agency, my list is Claude Giroux, Pavol Regenda, David Perron.
The signings and acquisitions mean there is some danger for roster players and for restricted free agents. For me, Ike Howard could get squeezed out if the club adds another skill forward. Colton Dach, who I believe will thrive under Babcock, is already squeezed enough that you could see him dealt. Spencer Stastney, who is a legit NHL defenseman, is going to be on the waiver wire this fall if everyone is healthy. So, I think we’ll see some trades and those three names (plus Mattias Janmark) may be in play.
On the Lowdown today, we’ll have two Oilers guests. Kevin McCurdy will join us at 12:40 and at 1 Bagged Milk from Oilers Nation will pop in. We’ll talk about the massive roster tweaks yesterday and what is left to be done. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and You Tube.
Edmonton Oilers new depth chart.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7411352/2026/07/01/edmonton-oilers-nhl-trades-free-agency-2026/
That was a lot to take in yesterday. I’ve been looking forward to how you (and the readers here, and to a lesser extent at The Athletic) digest it. And I’ll be listening today!
The worst move Bowman has made this offseason has been the Murphy contract. Older player for too much term who has no boots and no ability to make an outlet pass. Add in the NMC and it’s a disaster.
I have time for arguments in favour of Dickinson, but surely no one was offering Murphy what the Oilers offered.
The guy that was excellent for the Oilers despite those deficiencies and signed for less than what Vincent Deharnais signed for?
The NMC lessens mid-way through the contract.
The Murphy contract is a value contract in today’s market despite it being a year or two too long.
Did you see the Desharnais deal?
This is kinda in line with what he’s been making for the last ten years.
There’s every chance he falls off a cliff but he looked good down the stretch and in the playoffs
32 year old Connor Murphy 17 points – $4.1M x 5 years, 30 year old Vinny Desharnais 7 points – $4.2M x 4 years 32 Year old Brett Kulak 12 points – $4.5M x 5 years, 34 year old Trevor Van Riemsdyk 14 points – $4M x 2 years, 37 year old Ian Cole 23 points – $4M x 1 year, 33 year old Jamie Oleksiak – 15 points $5M x 2 years, Michael Kesselring – 2 points $4.5M x 3 years, 29 year old Jeremy Lauzon – 13 points $4M x 6 years
If you want a top four defensive defenseman, it’ll cost you about $4M per year whether they are 22 or 37. Playing defense isn’t really a skill that players lose.
I would take the Murphy contract over the Dickinson contract any day.
AI
I don’t think Murphy is such a big disaster, but I don’t know if I’m sold on him as a 2RD either. He seems a bit too one dimensional as a shutdown defender. That said, I will be curious to see Murphy with a partner who can move the puck better.
Stan also made a point of taking about how the coaches will operate and how they are going to give roles on the team. Thinks it will be huge.
Stan confirms to Bob they are still looking and taking. They had multiple conversations with players today. If this is where they end up he is comfortable. They have depth on D and in net and cap room flexibility. If they add a player it would be a forward but he likes the forward group. Whether they add a player or not they will have cap flexibility in season.
I’ve been a pretty big critic of the Jackson/Bowman duo but yesterday Bowman had his best day as an Oilers GM. And it’s not even close.
Now I’m sure the evolving marketplace played a huge role, but trading Nurse with no retention is a big win for the Oilers. And getting 2 decent prospects is just icing on the cake.
I’m also glad that Bowman didn’t run out and spend all of his cap space on day 1. And I like the bets he made. The only risk he took on was the Shea contract. Don’t know anything about the player so we will see. But everyone else got 1 year deals with very reasonable AAVs.
On balance, the goaltending is better, and deeper. The defense is deeper and, depending on Sheas play, could be slightly better. And the key forwards are all back. Plus the Oilers actually have some cap space to add a scoring forward if one becomes available.
Overall they look like a deeper team, with the power to add. So way to go Stan Bowman.
Ike had a great first year as a pro. Took a big step forward. Became a much more active player perusing the puck. Started off very stationary. We were trying to get some certain habits out of him and he took that to heart. He worked at his fame. He became more involved without the puck but was still able to score a lot of goals. He’s one of those guys that is able to score from distance and does not need a lot of chances to convert to a goal. Those things translate to the NHL and it’s going to be important for is to have someone like that. We don’t have a lot of natural goal scorers. We expect him to contribute that way and put the puck in the net.
Bowman on Howard – to paraphrase.
This is exactly how they should view him. They don’t have an “extra” shooter like him so there is no point in giving him away. However, they do need him to play a certain way. It reminds me of when they told Marian Gaborik that he had to stay inside the blue line in the defensive zone. He doesn’t have to win a Selke but he has to be on the right side of the puck.
Howards ability to thrive in a top 6 is the key to the session for me. I’d he can succeed it really sets this team up for sustained success
I just hope he gets the opportunity to start the season.
There is no time at camp to “compete for spots” – its 4 games and only 2 games for vets.
Bowman says Babcock was instrumental in signing Andersen. Babcock was involved in the others but not directly in recruiting.
Hopefully Babcock load manages Andersen this time. Babcock overplayed Andersen in Toronto resulting in a cycle of unfortunately timed injuries.
That’s very interesting
“We are going to have a 3 goalie system next season” – Bowman on with Reid Wilkins straight up.
Buf and Carolina did it this past year and Bowman thinks it will be more common.
Don’t want to overload Levi as he gets his NHL career going and don’t want to put too much on Freddie with his injury history.
I don’t see why not . Does it really matter if we have 2F and 1D or 1F, 1D, 1G in the press box?
I wonder who gets the first start though – Jarry and see if he can get his confidence back? Will be interesting to see the plan for the rotation
Well, yes, because its one less player on the roster, 1 instead of 2 of: Janmark, Jones, Joseph, Howard and Samanski get cut (the first three require waivers so they could take the “easy route” and demote a prospect that has earned a stay based on last year).
ahh yes fair. I would guess they start Samanski in the minors and have a vet as the extra forward. Actually, they might need to keep Samanski up. Otherwise I don’t think they have a 4C. Signing Joseph instead of Lazar is probably a tell.
It means less roster space for an extra forward, but provides extra roster depth in goal. I think having a 3rd NHL calibre goalie is generally more valuable than having a 14th forward. Even more so if you have injury or performance consistency concerns in goal like the oilers or a lot of other teams do. Harder to have a good waiver exempt goalie in the minors, and risky to plan for a good non-exempt one to get through. Easier to have depth forwards slip through waivers or exempt prospects to recall, and their impact on the game is negligible compared to a goalie if you need one. I would lean to keeping Samanski and Howard and cutting Jones and Janmark right now if it comes to it. And as our host suggests, perhaps we see something with Janmark and/or Stasney moved this offseason if there is any market for them. Will get interesting if another piece or two are still added, as that would led to some tougher decisions.
I understand that, I’m just going off the reality of the season that carrying three goalies means moving 2 of the stated forwards off this roster (plus Stastney and Regula) unless there is an IR placement (or two).
As far as pure asset management, well, Jarry could be stashed in the AHL with no fear of claim to save a forward from waivers.
Of course, there are two forwards that remain exempt: Howard and Samanski
I’ve been saying for a long time that teams need to carry 3G. Goalies are way too random, way too streaky, and way too important to depend on only two.
Now that starters are only playing 50 games a year, IMO that logic becomes even stronger.
I’ve never been on board with 3 goalies but its happening and will get on board.
They didn’t have the ability to do it in recent years, right up (or over) the cap – often carryin as little as a 21 player roster and even playing games short due to the cap.
According to Pagnotta a Nurse to Boston trade fell apart because Zadorov refused to waive his NMC. I wouldn’t have hated that trade (cheaper Nurse), although I’m only basing that off of salary and how much a menace he was in the Vancouver series.
He was also a pylon playing for Calgary so probably for the best.
His main value is hurting people
That would have sucked
I would have been royally choked if that was the outcome.
Guys who can skate and play the hockey are my preferred targets.
IMO, Pagnotta made this up.
I think the oilers did amazing by trading nurse and not retaining any salary. The new signings all seem positive. I still think the coaching hiring is going to be something they will regret.
While I think they could and should’ve done a lot better in this area – they did give themselves an escape hatch.
If it goes sideways, I’d put large $$$s on Babcock resigning and Smith taking over. I’m assuming he’s already essentially Associate (rather than Assistant) Coach.
He is associate. I posted a talk Babcock gave a few days ago and he talked about the importance of having a succession plan and also having the smartest possible people around you. Says you can’t be the smartest person in the room. I’d imagine DJ Smith has been discussed among management and coaching as the succession plan.
Going to give them even more flexibility when Hutson surprises and makes the team.
Always handy having extra forwards that aren’t on NMCs. Just a rotten shame they can’t unload Frederic.
Based on performance last season, he is very much a tier below Howard.
With 2 of: Janmark, Jones, Joseph, Howard, Samanski needing to get cut (pending IR placements), Hutson will be a non-factor and continue his tweener status.
Lets not forget, not actual time to compete for jobs via performance in exhibition.
Bowman was on the Reid Wilkins show today – I haven’t listened in full (will in a bit) but he reiterated the same message as yesterday – they may go get a forward but they certainly do not feel the need to spend all their available cap space.
For me, unless a great fit and contract presents itself, I hold off from now and adjust in-season as needed.
As of right now, without anyone added and presuming 3G to start the season:
1) 2 forwards will need to be cut (or players on IR kicking that can down the road) to get them to 13 forwards – two of, presumably: Janmark/Jones/Josef/Samanski/Howard
2) in addition to Regula, a d-man will need to be cut, likely Stastey as no way they waive Shakir
I don’t know what they do with that forward group but the “easy play” is to assign the waiver exempt Howard and Samanski.
I hope they don’t go that route (sorry Janny and Jones) – Howard, for example, is a high pedigree and potential prospect who has now put in the work and is blasting the door down from the AHL – putting bottom six vets to block him is indeed how they can lose him. There is not the at camp to compete for jobs, he needs the opportunity – he’s earned it.
Samanski similar – his work in the regular season, playoffs, Olympics, World Championship – he’s an NHL player.
Its got to be Jones and Janmark unless someone (or a couple) are on IR saving some waivers, right?
Janmark has apparently been playing with a shoulder injury the last couple years that he is getting fixed. Honestly he seems like the exact type of player Babcock would love when he was playing his game in the last two playoffs that he played.
I would say Jones goes down for sure. Joseph stays because he PKs, fights and DJ likes him. Howard should absolutely start in the top 6. And then between Janmark and Samanski I have no idea. I personally don’t think it’s the end of the world to have Samanski starting in the AHL if that’s what they decide. Hed be the first call up
We should probably brace ourselves – Bob was alluding to them doing just this on his show last night.
I expect Jones’ $850,000 salary in the AHL will help protect waiver claims. Sending Jones and Samanski could work but that may leave Janmark 4th line centre if he shows up ready to roll.
Have we not learned that Janmark is a winger?
— Anderson (who was my bet for goalie tandem in the off season pool I ran) is a good get at that price point
—. Still we are paying over $10mm for goalies : Jarry and Campbell’s cap hurt a lot …ouch
I worked with a lot of bosses that had a reputation from others that this person was an asshole-Jerk all of the above. Once you meet them you say hey I like this man. I think some players that enjoyed Mikes coaching are coming out of the woodwork. It’s amazing how fast social media can have mob mentality to the point of doxing someone. I think Connor-Leon-Nuge-Hyman are no nonsense people I believe when Hyman speaks people listen. Mike no nonsense style of coaching may be the perfect tonic for our club.
To clarify, you think it was “social media” that got Babcock fired from Columbus?
Yes I do. These are million dollar coaches coaching tens of millions of dollar players. Nobody is forcing any of these players to play. Every coach is different but in the end once they can’t motivate the players it’s tits up for them. Every coach has their own tactics and NHL coaches are the best of the best. I hated Babcock in Detroit he looked like a smug prick but he’s no criminal because he hurt a few millionaires feelings.
I can’t speak for anyone else, particularly people being written off as a “mob,” but I personally would have been willing to give Babcock the benefit of the doubt if he’d shown even an ounce of contrition for his past actions. Being an ahole at work is one thing. Being absolutely unrepentant about it is quite another. The latter normalizes this kind of behaviour and just encourages more aholes that the rest of us have to deal with.
Btw. The French Revolution. The British Suffragettes. The Civil Rights movement. Sometimes “the mob” gets it right.
It’s sports bro. Not world history. I don’t like the hiring either, but the stench of your politics is worse to me. Foul
It’s “politics” to be against bullying in the workplace. Mmkay.
I thought we were here to talk hockey, not unfairly denigrate fellow posters.
Babcock is not going to change he’s just not going to trust anyone that’s for sure. Babcock is old school that’s learned how the new school plays the game (social media) Babcock won’t allow himself to be suckered in again.
Bowman is clearly building a team that will play a certain style of hockey, and prefers skill and skating. We assume Babcock agrees
It seems that taking people out is a playoff tactic some teams are persuing. Will the Oilers also do that? Should they? Certainly happened enough to us
I believe deployment with specific orders by the coach along with match-ups and cover from the coach is what Mike brings that K.K didn’t. It’s nothing against KK but the inexperience got him fired in the end. The Oilers are no longer good enough to make teams look silly they need the coach and the goalies to steal some games. When I can count on both hands no exaggeration the number of games our goalie pulled a Dobes and stole a game in the last 3 years is sad.
I think you need that option, but more of a deterrent to keep the opponent honest than as a plan A. We all know and love the menace wrought upon our guys by the likes of Slasha Barkov, Pietrangelo, Bennett, Mikey Anderson, et al.
Thing is, there were players who could, should, have exacted retribution for misdeeds… but didn’t. To me, the difference is twofold: mindset, and leeway. Need to know when to pick your spots and let the other team know you’re not a soft target. But you’d prefer to play hockey.
–Conn Smythe
I am also intrigued with the 3 goalie approach it is looking like they will take. Through a historical lens, it’s often been regarded as a waste of roster spot and cap to carry 3, and also messy to manage dynamic wise. The notion of a starter-backup tandem is fading now though, and a committee or 1A/1B is almost becoming the new norm – having a 2 vs 3 member committee is not that much of a stretch.
This is something Carolina seems to have been doing the last few seasons actually… some or most of that may be Andersen injury risk related, but it raises an interesting premise. And given the volatility in the position across the league right now and more demanding schedules, having more bets/options provides some benefits – better chance to ‘hit’ as well as provide real cover against injury. With Jarry and Andersen in the fold, the injury cover is especially important and great, and with Levi and Andersen the cap ‘waste’ is also minimal. Finally, it provides an opportunity to ease Levi into the league as opposed to throw him in like Skinner.
Running 13 instead of 14 forwards does not seem like that big a deal either (been a common practice lately anyway for cap reasons). Whether or not all of the above was part of the strategic consideration here, I like the outcome and will be curious to see if it plays out and if so, how it works as a potential blueprint going forward if you don’t have a bonafide starter.
Especially in an Olympic year with a compressed schedule. Levi is the cover when Anderson or Jarry pull a groin. Levi could be our full time starter in 2 years or less. This is a real opportunity to have Anderson and Jarry mentor him. At this level all the goalies are good it comes down to between the ears that makes or breaks a goalie. This is why a lot of goalies are eccentric they beat to a different drum then regular players.
I really like the Levi bet. Good value shot at potential long term solution. Pedigree and potential is exciting, but goaltenders are voodoo so will remain cautiously optimistic. I am a bit hesitant about his size though. Based on recent trends, curious if analytics support the premise that certain size tenders generally correlates to better results? Also curious with the recent downturn in league-wide SV% if any new trends are emerging about goalie style or height better suited to direction game is going?
My sense is height really does not matter on case by case basis. Recent history has shown great goalies span the height spectrum, with the likes of Quick, Shesterkin, Saros and now Wolf showing results can come from goalies between 5’11-6’1. Might not be the norm, but certainly not disqualifying and capable of producing league leading results.
Actually, given the oilers style historically, I wonder if a very athletic goaltender like Levi is better suited to the demands of the role? Maybe that premise changes with the much discussed and desired better structure coming next year, but even with improvement in that area I expect the oilers will still remain on the more chaotic/high danger side of the spectrum. Interesting that Jarry was acquired and now Levi – both categorized as more athletic style goalies. Coincidence or a strategic procurement direction?
I asked AI a few months ago about the correlation between height and performance for goaltenders. The result was that there was very minimal correlation.
Woodley says he has done intensive research into the prime goaltender attributes and suggests a 6’3: 200 lb. goalie is the ultimate.
It’s crazy when they show the photo of Patrick Roy in net in his first year compared to when he finished he’s twice the size literally. If I was running the NHL the Equipment would be chopped by 25% especially the football shoulder pads and lacrosse chest pads. It’s 2026 they have safe equipment that isn’t as bulky. Goalies like Robin Lehner were just big he had reflexes like a three-toed sloth. Watch Bernie Parent now thats a real goalie with real reflexes.
Ryan Shea tells Gregor that he excelled on the Pk because everyone bought in and the killers were “given that role” and he got excited for the role and getting out there to fill it.
Babcock will definitely tell each player what he expects. I’m starting to warm up to Mike as coach. Our PK let us down at the worst times last year. I’m super excited to see the grunts on the PK. No more chance of Leon or Connor accidentally breaking bones in their feet. Also let’s face it for Connor and Leon to be most effective not having hard miles on them as a result of PKing. It sounds weird but by playing Connor and Leon less will result in more meaningful goals including the OT where Leon and Connor took way too long of shifts and got burned for it.
Looking at how much space we could potentially have at the deadline, naturally you have to look at who the pending UFAs are. DeBrincat is mentioned a lot, but I dare to dream for Crosby. Probably a zero percent chance he leaves the Penguins at this stage, especially mid-season, but man if things go south in Pittsburgh, I would love to try and pry him out of Pittsburgh, to come to Canada and try to win a Cup for a Canadian team.
How much more Captain Canada does that get? Of course, Montreal may be pretty enticing for him as well.
All of this is to say, it is imperative for the Oilers to get off to a good start and stay there. The Pacific is still very weak. Need to put themselves in a position to not only be buyers at the deadline, but to also be a strong attraction for any of the “choose your own adventure UFAs” that seem to emerge every year. They need to finally win a division in the regular season and carry that momentum into a run again.
Maybe I’m undervaluing the potential of Mathieu Joseph – the following is from Michael Menzies at OilersNation:
Interesting contract scenario happened with Mathieu Joseph this past season, where he and the Blues mutually agreed to terminate his deal.
He was given a 4yr/$2.95M AAV contract with Ottawa in 2022. After a career-high 35 points in 23-24, he was a cap dump to STL so they could sign Shane Pinto.
After 2-9–11 in 39 GP, they terminated the deal. LA signed him in March.
He’s twice put up 30p and has strong defensive metrics. One of those depth gambles. Perhaps he can find his game again
He was a very annoying and physical pest in Tampa. If he brings that to the fourth line, it’s a win.
Someone posted yesterday that DJ Smith probably had a say in this signing as well, I 100% agree.
Everywhere Joseph has played, he’s caught my eye being a pest.
Ryan Shea, less AAV than Vinny D., Cody Ceci and, now, Jamie Oleksiak.
You don’t have to worry, ’cause takin’ care of business is his name
ZZ Top singin’ about how
JesusBowman Just Left Chicago.‘Bowman has left the building’
Eduardo Tralmaks is buddies with Jaromir Jagr
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOBhdBtEaT6/?igsh=MWZyNDV2dWtiNWozNg==
Tralmaks played for Jagr’s Czech league team in 23-24 and 24-25.
also I watched some highlights this guy is extremely fast
Trailmix seems like a great guy.
Canadians need to amp up their support for the Moroccan game Saturday. This is the World Cup this could be the moment like game 8 in 72.
Morocco is #6 in FIFA ‘s world rankings, Canada #30.
As Canadians, we should absolutely dare to dream but it’s not reasonable imo to expect Canada to win this game.
Does this tournament have another Paraguay vs Germany caliber upset in it? We can certainly hope so.
Canada’s offensive game is on par with the Moroccan’s, just based on FIFA’s stats page from this year’s tournament. Rankings take a long time to fully update, with Canada being a relatively young team with little international success they won’t be overly reliable on their own. Looking at expected goals and other offensive stats, Canada is among the top teams in the tournament this year.
Canada had a favorable draw with no powerhouse teams to face in the Group Stage.
They did get a favorable draw, but you can only beat the teams you’re scheduled to face. And their offensive stats in those games indicate that they’ve done what has been asked of them. But how favorable was it? Lets take the top-5 teams for expected goals and have a look at their opponents.
Spain: 8.83Germany: 8.64Switzerland: 8.57England: 8.47Canada: 8.33Spain: Cabo Verde (64), Saudi Arabia (58), Uruguay (19), Austria (23) – median rank of 41.5
Germany: Curacao (82), Cote d’Ivore (31), Equador (24), Paraguay (34) – median rank of 53
Switzerland: Qatar (59), Bosnia (61), Canada (30), Algeria (29) – median rank of 45
England: Croatia (13), Ghana (65), Panama (44), DR Congo (41) – median rank of 39
Canada: Bosnia (61), Qatar (59), Switzerland (15), South Africa (54) – median rank of 38
So Canada has actually faced better opponents on average than the teams ahead of them in expected goals. Which powerhouse team did Germany have to face? Which has Spain faced?
France’s top opponent (Senegal, 18) is ranked lower than Canada’s top opponent (Switzerland, 15). Argentina’s top opponent (Austria, 23), Belgium’s (Senegal, 18) and Mexico’s (Ecuador, 24) are all ranked lower too. So why aren’t these teams WAY ahead of Canada offensively?
Canada is
7th for goals scored
6th for Attempts at goal
2nd for Attempts on target
3rd for Attempts inside penalty area
2nd for Headed attempts at goal
1st for Crosses
Look, I’m not saying that Canada is a top-5 team in the world, but they can go toe-to-toe with anyone and not come away embarrassed.
Team Stats | FIFA World Cup 2026™
https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/statistics/team-statistics
Agree with the first. Disagree with the second.
Canada has made tremendous strides as a soccer nation in the last decade. If they could beat Morocco, that certainly takes them to another level amongst the top teams in the world. We should know within the first 10 mins how competitive the match will be.
Canada starts off slow in each half for 10 minutes. If they can can keep it level for those 20 minutes then Bob’s our Uncle. The one thing I’m worried about is the goaltending does Maxime have another level than he’s shown so far. Marsch needs to get Alphonso to sign on the dotted line if he expects more minutes. This will insure Davies agent won’t be coming after Soccer Canada or Marsch if Davies blows a tire during the match.
For Canada to win, they have to be the masters of the opportunistic counterstrike imo. Morocco WILL dominate possession. Their passing was superb vs the Netherlands. Canada will have to play a patient defensive game and hope like hell they can cash when those rare turnovers occur. They’ll need to be really strong on set pieces too.
Another thing they absolutely should do is play Canadian. Be physical and a little chippy, while avoiding the red cards. If they can get inside the opposition’s heads and get them off their game, that’s a good thing for the underdog. A couple yellow cards early against Morocco would be huge.
Richie Laryea was a hockey player in another life. Plays with an edge.
— at the beginning of the school year we do our annual invite a bunch of parents over for a get together from our son’s school whose starting grade 1. The Dads all congregated and we do the typical : hi I’m the dad of billy, nice to meet you, what do you do, who is your kid type thing.
— I put my hand out to greet a dad I don’t know ask him in our circle with a bunch of dads hi I’m the dad of Alexander whose your son, where do you work blah blah. A few Dads laugh. Guy says : “I work for MLSE”. A few chuckle more loudly. I say :”oh what do you do for them”
— Dad says “I play for TFC”! It was Richie !
— Fast forward to World Cup his wife whose a big personality Texas gal and our families now good play date friends : we send out invites for our Sons birthday.
— she sends her regrets and does this hilarious “thanks for the invite but our son has something more important : watching his dad play in World Cup hope you will understand ha ha!
— I respond : “ok that’s a legit excuse will save you a price of cake”
— their son plays three years up in soccer and just dominates vs 10 year olds …
This gets me even more fired up. If Canada manages to slay the Moroccans please report back for duty before the France game. If Laryea scores the winner your post will be inducted into the HOF of posts
Lots of passing, but not much in the way of attack. Morocco has completed 2627 passes so far but that’s resulted in just 77 crosses and 35 attempts from inside the penalty area for 7 goals. Canada’s more direct approach mean that they have converted 1730 passes into 131 crosses and 51 attempts inside the penalty area for 9 goals. It’s not like Canada’s just been getting lucky either as they’ve put up 8.33 expected goals to Morocco’s 5.55.
For the first time in a long time, the Oilers have options as a result of cap space.
Imagine life without Jarry’s contract and Frederic at his actual value of 1.5m ish and being free of the Campbell buyout.
I’d maybe wait on Fredrick after this season and compare his production to other big physical players.
I don’t have a scouting book on any of the players we added yesterday, but I do like to see how these guys were deployed and with who to see if it’s reasonable to expect similar results here.
For example, we know powerplay time isn’t going to be available for any new adds. Our PP has been a huge strength and is pretty much set as far as who is on the first unit. We may give more time to a PP2, but I’m not even sure that’s a good idea either. If we add a 60 point player, but 45 of them came on the powerplay, then I don’t think it’s wise to expect him to put up 60 as an Oiler.
Ryan Shea:
Most common 25/26 partner: Kris Letang (45%)
PP TOI/G: 9 seconds
PK TOI/G: 2:08
-His usage seems like it should be repeatable here.
-Will he have a partner who is as effective as Letang? Is Letang still Letang at 39? Tough to say.
-Letang did have better numbers at ES when he was paired with Kulak (20%) than when he was with Shea
-When Shea was with Clifton (24%), his possession numbers were about the same.
Shakir Mukhamadullin:
Most common 25/26 partner: Mario Ferraro (61%)
PP TOI/G: 4 seconds
PK TOI/G: 1:23
-Also should be able to play a similar role as far as ES/PK/PP splits go.
-I would guess Ferraro/Mukh were the 2nd pair behind Orlov/Klingberg
-His possession numbers were better when he was paired with his 2nd most common partner in Orlov (14%), and he really struggled with Desharnais (7%), but that could be the role those pairings paired more than anything, I would guess.
Mathieu Joseph:
Most common 24/25 linemates: Sundqvist and Bolduc (26%)
PP TOI/G: 2 seconds (same in 24/25)
PK TOI/G: 44 seconds (55 seconds in 24/25)
-His time last year was split between LA and STL, so I used his previous season instead. 4th line ES role and minimal special teams time in 24/25. That should be about what we can expect of him here as well. His results on the 4th line were pretty good from a possession standpoint in 24/25. They were pretty awful last year in STL but quite good in LA after the trade despite not registering a point as a King, so who knows.
-He was a pretty regular penalty killer in Ottawa the years prior to his time in St.Louis.
-Seems like a pretty good 4LW, but is he better than what we already have? I guess that’s why they have training camp. $1M for 1 year can be buried in the minors if he doesn’t win a job.
-Zero risk signing IMO.
SM having to be paired with Ferraro and Desharnais… this may be even more of a hidden gem. Give him a legit partner and he may shine.
To answer the first question – from accounts, nope Letang is a shadow of “Letang” – that’s the one vet they hope hangs them up soon and it not living up to contract.
One good season and playoff for Dobes got him 3 X $5.357MM….
Signed a year in advance – starts in 2027/28.
How on earth did we get Andersen so cheap? Is there something we don’t know? (I mean, I’m sure he’s missing his former agent.)
I think Babcock had a lot to do with it – Bowman confirmed to Wilkins today that coach was involved in that recruiting.
He’ll likely be the starter on very good Montreal team. I’d he plays well and takes them deep into the playoffs he might cost twice that much next summer.
Ottawa Senators
@Senators
Out with the old and in with the new.
From July 3-7 at Ottawa Team Threads you can trade in your officially licensed Fanatics Brady Tkachuk stitched jersey and you can save 40% on regularly priced merch!
Ekholm last season:
1) played all 82 games
2) had 41 points
3) was 12th in the league in 5 on 5 points
4) played 36% TOI vs elites
5) was 56% goal share (and 56% expected goal share)
No doubt he is slowly down a bit and can be neat to the inside off the rush more and his minutes will need to be faded over the course of this new three year deal but last year he was a legit top pairing dman pair with Bouchard (who does float all boats).
I didn’t see the need to sign the extension a year in advance but his play last year was well above value for what $4MM buys today.
I hope they do some load management on him this regular season.
One thing that’s nice about the Levi acquisition in conjunction with Andersen is Freddy”s injury history makes the need for load management a given.
In coming here, Levi HAS to feel that there’s a viable path to getting starts that he was denied in Buffalo. I suspect Babcock will name Andersen his presumptive starter early on to reduce pressure on the other two. But internally, the messaging should be whoever plays the best in their starts will get the majority of them.
A true goalie meritocracy. I’m here for it.
Ingram should of taken the deal he’s going to get Patty Marooned.
Guessing he’d love getting 3 Stanley Cups!
If he’s in the league that long. Sometimes if you miss the bus your hooped. It would be interesting to hear what Bowman offered.
Any one of the three goalies set for the roster could start game one of the playoffs – I have no idea at this stage.
Will Anderson even be ready for training camp? He’s made enough money not to jeopardize his health just to hit these relatively small bonuses. I would think Babcock was the reason Anderson signed?
He might not be, but that’s almost a bonus for the oilers. Let Jarry and Levi split the starts and see what you’re working with there before Freddy comes back into the depth chart.
I dont’ think there are any issues with his health from the playoffs.
BrindAmour mentioned his knee, after the series was over. Its possible I misheard too. It was an on ice interview with a lot of background noise.
One of the trickle down effects of SB’s work yesterday is the team will be able to carry 13 Fs and have competition for the bottom 3/4roster spots up front. This means our friend Trent will have to earn his ice time or be relegated to popcorn row come game night, all while having a “kinder gentler” Babs riding his a$$ morning, noon and night.
Barring a summer injury, this season we may well see the Boston Fredric Stan thought he was trading for.
I think Frederic will shine under Babcock. Frederic didn’t know if he was coming or going last year. Babcock will make it crystal clear what he wants from Trent.
Either that or Babcock will destroy what’s left of Frederic’s confidence. I hope your prediction comes to pass.
Frederic had zero confidence last year under K.K. He’s 28 years old if healthy he’s in his prime
I don’t know much about Shakir Mukhamadullin. His Hockeydb page shows he’s from Ufa, Russia. It’s an interesting part of the country, maybe four or five hours of driving from Nail Yakupov’s hometown of Nizhnekamsk. Ufa is in the Bashkortostan Republic, which is nominally independent from Moscow but let’s face it not really.
I haven’t been to Ufa itself, but I’ve been as far as nearby Kazan, and it’s a really different vibe compared to Moscow or St. Pete; lots of Sunni worshipers & minarets, different food (you can eat horse if you really want to show how you feel about the Calgary Stampeders), and one of the best examples of crossroads of civilizations’ happy outcomes, shockingly attractive people.
Shakir has been in North America long enough hopefully he is past most of the culture shock that must have accompanied his first week in New Jersey and if we are being honest his first year in California. I will cheer for the kid, here’s an older story with him wearing a cool hat from his region:
https://m.sport.business-gazeta.ru/article/282257
Interesting thanks. I have the same concern as I had with Yak. Team sports are a lot about the group vibe, and it’s easy to be on the outside when you have almost nothing in common with your mates, even Podz. Even JP had a hard time; odd duck and language issues
For what it’s worth since Yak the language phone translation app has come a long way.
The language thing was JP. Yak was a stone alone hanging with his parents, wandering around on his own, remember the stories? SM I’m sure speaks Russian, as does Podz of course, but culturally SM is eastern Turkic and Podz Euro. We don’t know SM yet, maybe he’s acclimated to the west at this point
It’s amazing how many ethnic groups there was in CCCP during the golden age of communism.
I’m just trying to figure out how his name is pronounced
mook -ah -muh -DOO -lihn, sha -KEER
https://media.nhl.com/site/asset/public/ext/2025-26/2025-26Pronunciations.pdf
Easier than it looks.
Totally fair. The problem with Russian is that it’s not always pronounced the way it’s written due to a diabolical linguistic practice I have wrestled with and lost every time called vowel devoicing, which is a reduction of unstressed vowels.
So, take Ovechkin, in Cyrillic it’s Овечкин, you can see the O right there like a Ty Conklin wide open net, but because the name gets stressed on final vowel turning “in” to an “een” sound, the O then sounds more like an A, so the whole Ovy nickname is low bridged like a Marchment dirty hit, it really should be Avy. Ridiculous!
Next we turn to Turkic names like Mukhamadullin, which are transliterated from another language entirely complicating what was already a headache and everything makes you feel like reaching for a drink.
To conclude, can we call him Shak?
Makes we want to laugh and cry at the same time
Or shaky muzzle?
Don’t worry, before you know it his teammates will just call him “Mucky”.
The Flames will be hoping for a new arena bounce because Conroy seems to be building a team for the mushy middle. The Flames goaltending will steal them enough points not to be top 3 unless Bettman gifts them number one like he did for us.
You’re only allowed to rebuild as much as your owner will let you.
I don’t believe Craig will be there to see the fruits of his teardown.
i would say by year 2 of the new building playoffs will be expected. Tickets will skyrocket and with that comes expectations. If not for their goaltenders last year they either have McKenna or Stenberg. Skinner would have been the perfect goalie for the tank without looking like you’re tanking.
Not sure it was touched on because of all the stuff happening.
The Hayton contract is a bit devious because it is a 1 year deal. Devils had a deal for him with Utah at the draft floor that fell through.
Hayton is 1 year from UFA. You can’t sign a 2nd contract for a player until 1 calendar year after you signed the last contract. So either Utah walks Hayton right to UFA or take a 2nd.
Mehta telling everyone class is in session.
The Devils also left $666 off the contract from maxing out the 2nd round pick compensation tier.
Nice to see them having some fun with it!
If I’m Utah, I match that if only to show other teams it won’t work on me 🤣🤣
It is a brilliant move with the exception that it puts NJ in the same position. Give up a 2nd rounder for a player that has to become a UFA. It probably all comes down to whether Hayton actually wants to re-sign in Utah or NJ after this year although I don’t really see him wanting to stay in Utah after they tried to trade him.
Yeah I would match. It’s not even a bad contract – it’s probably a 1M overpay considering it’s an RFA year. Hes a good player.
Now that I know the circumstances behind the offer sheet no one should feel sorry for Utah.
Oilers get top projected UFA skater surplus contract value added on July 1st.
Next highest:
Philly
Stars
Jets
Buffalo
Islanders
Bruins
Calgary
Rangers
Lowest:
SJS
https://x.com/OTRHockey/status/2072664364432458222
If only team construction was completed on Jul 1…it isn’t.
How much surplus value do you think Ivar Stenberg, Keaton Verhoff and Ryan Lin will provide?
I see your surplus and raise you McDavid’s surplus out pacing all of your stated players.
Not much this year. Maybe Stenberg a little.
Fibonacci, do you notice how your posting and your interpretation of others posting tends in the direction of being narcissistic, i.e. treating someone else as incredibly stupid for the sake of one’s own self-promotion?
I sometimes struggle with it as well, but this was not posted with ulterior motives in that way. It was simply reporting exactly what it looks like. On this particular metric, the Oilers did well and SJS not well. It doesn’t mean SJS shouldn’t have done what they did, nor that they are stupid, nor that they do not have an amazing pipeline of prospects, and in the long run may win the war of which this was one small battle.
I personally will be cheering for them and think overall they will do well.
What exactly does this mean?
Great day. Unless a top 6 guys falls in your lap save those dollars and give Howard top 6 minutes . Lets see what the kid can do in-that position till xmas.
I do wonder if they run Anderson and Levi and send Jarry down. I dont like a 3 goalie rotation, and Levi would probably get claimed if they try and send him down. If Anderson gets hurt and they actually do send Jarry down, he would be motivated coming back.
Yes.
Play the youth
Not playing the youth has two consequences.
Wearing out the vets and not getting the kids ready to step up the line up.
Not playing the kids is a plan to fail
Play the youth.
Ask Patty Kane if he wants to Corey Perry this. He knows Stan.
Bowman is being back Sharp.
Things the Oilers were not very good at last year.
1) Transitioning the puck out of our own end and relying too much on the stretch pass and being predictable.
2) PK
3) Giving up HDSC”s and leaving our goalers out to dry, which lead to them losing all kinds of confidence.
4) Relying too much on the top guys with the support/role players having zero direction or identity in order to gain any sort of rhythm or traction.
Things the Oilers will be much better at this season.
1) All of the above.
awesome handle Fuhrsie
Of all the great ones I’ve seen on this blog, that one might be the best.
These are the promises being made. Plus, “I will play better, because otherwise I’ll get a whuppin’,” by the big boys in the classroom.
We shall see.
Lots want a top six winger added and Stauff has suggested it has been and still could be an option for the Oilers. At the same time, Bowman has said he is comfortable heading in to the season with some cap space to adjust and take advantage of available players in season.
Someone like Giroux would fit well (compete and faceoffs as well) but it’s tough to see him coming out west.
Let’s not forget, if they keep 3 goalies, and they likely will, if everyone is healthy to star the season, two forwards need to be moved off, without any additions. Two of Janmark, Josef, Jones, Samanski, Howard I would presume.
Thats for roster spot reasons, not cap space (can you imagine?). A short term injury and IR out of camp opens up a roster spot.
Including RFA Dach I only see 14 guys with Lazar and Rico gone. So you probably just waive Janmark which saves over 1 million or an injury happens to get 13. Nice to have cap space for a change. Same on defense – Muk and Emberson probably 6/7 with Stastny odd guy out as #8 unless an injury happens. Would not mind getting a 3rd or 4th back if possible if we can deal him. Regula probably clears. Then the 3 goalies.
McDavid
Drai
Hyman
Nuge
Podz
Savoie
Kap
Dickinson
Frederic
Dach
Samanski
Howard
Jones
Josef
Frederic
15 forwards and only 13 spots presuming 3 goalies on the roster.
Likely someone on IR to start the season to save a waive.
I think they still need a RHC (Giroux and K.Dach are out there) but they may settle for a Lazar/other return and using Hyman/Savoie/Kap/Hutson to fill in the gaps where they can.
Bowman said in his presser yesterday a RHC was something they wanted but every available option was some type of compromise.
“We’re talked a lot about this. You’d love to find that guy. You’d love to find the right-shot centre who can win faces, is big, can skate… That player doesn’t really exist on the market. There’s players who have elements of that, but it’s a series of trade offs.” -Bowman on a right-handed centre
With a bit of cap space and lineup flexibility if that player comes available in season bowman can act.
Also bowman could be in position at the deadline to add as needed.
Barely watched last season as you could see the team’s mental/emotional exhaustion early on. They were a spent force after 2 long runs and this long summer was very much needed. Bowman had a good day and the Nurse deal qualifies as a hockey trade. SJS needs defense in the worst way and Nurse needed a change of scenery in the worst way. He’ll be the 1LD for SJS, be able to eat a ton of minutes, get PP time again, and I bet he has a pretty good year. I never got the hate for Nurse, and even though he obviously needed to go, it’s a shame he was never able to take the next step in EDM.
As for the rest……some good low cost bets in net and D, lots of depth, and we finally have cap space which I would hoard until the deadline. Play the young wingers to see if they can step up and grab a job in the top 6.
He did everything right (played like top pair in contract year, took bridges because management couldn’t balance the books) and got lucky.
Not his fault Chicago blew up the market because Kenny Holland gave them a lifeline taking Keith with no retention (AND giving them a pick and young dman).
So much pain can be traced back to 1 move and then the world shutting down creating flat cap era.
I really like the pickup and the acquisition cost. I’d way rather have Levi for a third than Cossa for a first.
Nonetheless, Cossa has consistently saved between .911 and .915 over the past three years. Levi has gone from .927 to .919 to .904. That’s the wrong direction. I’d say the overall AHL GSAA comparison between the two is a little misleading.
Those Sv% comparisons are misleading as well, as Cossa hasn’t played in the NHL yet.
Also, GSAA is less team-dependent. SV% is so much determined by the defensive environment.
Why did Dobes get paid for reaching the semifinals when Skinner didn’t after being the guy in two finals? Why did Pittsburgh not resign Skinner after being the guy in the playoffs? The Habs beat the Lightning-Buffalo because of Dobes. The Oilers made it to the final twice in
spite of Skinner. Bowman values the goaltending position more than Kenny did or ever will. Bowman got caught with his pants down last year that’s not the case this year.
As you’ve said before, Habs and playoff goalies. Dryden. Roy. Price. Dobes doing it right was a beautiful thing. As we’ve seen with goalies and cost, if you think you’ve got something better than average, buy when it’s cheap. Because paying $$$$ for “elite” goalies is no guarantee.
As for Skinner, cheap and effective (but no, not in the way Dobes was this playoffs). In Pittsburg he did well, but was only there for the season. Penguins already had two guys filling their future goalie needs. They had a goalie plan, and UFA Skinner was part of it (the trade allowed them to get out of the Jarry contract, with no commitment at end of series). From all accounts, team, fans, and pundits appreciated his play. But at the end of the season, his role was finished.
Bowman was clear on goalies: average is good enough to win the Cup. His bet on Jarry was that analytics showed he’s a better fit for the defensively erratic Oilers, and that his Cap hit will not be a significant factor. With health, maybe he’s right about fit. In any case, he’s added another average goalie for cheap (an average goalie who just won a Cup). And an unproven prospect who may be better than average. We’ll see.
Goalies aren’t voodoo. They thrive when they’re confident, when team is defensively responsible in front of them. They get lucky and hot. They get unlucky and cold. Some are more positional, some more athletic/reflexive. Very few have the kind of moment we saw in Dobes this spring. Again, buy when it’s cheap. Don’t get too excited about a hot streak, or too alarmed at a cold one. Above all, build a team that doesn’t depend on elite goaltending.
ps.Not sure if you noticed, but Habs were in a very “Oilers-like” goalie situation mid-season. Neither Dobes nor Montembeault seizing the day. Young Fowler brought in to save the day.
Day started off with Nurse not expanding his list and Stauff saying it could be a quiet day. I was fine with “quiet day” given my opinion the incumbent roster is much better than they played last year combined with prices, etc. Then everything started happening and none of it was bad and some of it good or very good.
1) Levi acquired for a 3rd. Similar type proposition to Cossa, high pedigree young goalie that has put in his time in the AHL, is NHL ready in a deep system. Love the bet and loved how much cheaper he is than Cossa. My premise to the season is a better structure in front of the players and that any of the goalies in the mushy middle tier would be fine (so don’t spend assets and commit $5MM cap to a UPL or Binnington or Bob or Merzlikins). A risk given lack of experience and not established but a young goalie with legit upside to tandem behind a stronger structure.
2) The Nurse trade – 2 months ago pretty much no-one (including myself) thought they could move that contract without a poison pill (attaching assets, retaining or taking bad cap back) let alone get positive assets. Well, here we are and great work by Stan not giving in to what the eastern teams would trade for and waiting out Nurse. Shakira M. is still developing himself and establishing himself but, once Shea was acquired, he slots in perfectly as the 6D/7D that can play both sides and has legit upside – he is a Darnell Nurse lite in some respects and he’ll get to grow in a depth role to start.
3) Ryan Shea- I was talking about him as the “Stastney Upgrade” and that contact is lovely in the context of the new market (less AAV than Vinny for example). There is some risk given he’s only had the one very good year but it was very good and it’s exactly what we need in that spot. A solid 2-way 3LD that can (and has) played up the lineup when injuries hit. He is great at puck retrievals and zone exits and doesn’t turn the puck over. He has sneaky good offence (14th in the NHL in 5 on 5 points for d-man) and is a plus PK guy – right as he is entering his prime and there is little wear and tear – lovely.
4) A month ago, $2.75MM was the very high end of what I’d do Kap for but, as the market moved, I figured he was going to get $4MM for term (look at AJ Greer, among others) and I was shocked when they got him at the number they did and for only one year. Great bring-back, I love his attitude if nothing else and a guy that steps up yearly in the playoffs. I like him on the 3rd line but we know he works with Drai and Drai transforms him in to a pseudo-top 6 winger for a stretch. Versatile plus depth PK minutes. Stay healthy Kap.
5) Joseph – Meh, I see the pluses but not sure he makes the team with all the bottom six depth
6) Jones – league min – perfect add-back – he’ll compete with Joseph and Janmark for 12F/13F I would suspect. If he brings the game he did last year in the NHL, which was somewhat consistent as well, think he’s on the team most of the year – hopefully the competition keeps him consistent.
7) Andersen – I didn’t understand this move when it broke and when I saw the $1MM I figured there were performance bonuses which are just fine as they have zero effect on this season and are not huge. They won’t waive Levi so I was like, are they really going to waive Jarry? Seems no and the plan is to carry 3G, at least to start. I don’t love that but it’s fine. Andersen cannot be waived (NMC) and they won’t risk Levi so, at some point, if Jarry is strugling……
That’s a HUGE day and a great day in my opinion.
They still have a bunch of cap space and will have $4MM-$5MM when they sign the RFAs (Stastney/Shakir/Dach). One of Shakir/Stastney will ultimately not be on the roster if all D are healthy (the other 7D competing either Emberson) – like Stastney gone and, while Dach will be on the roster, there will be two that need to go to get down to 23 bodies (Janmark, Jones, Josef, Samanski, Howard).
I wonder if they tried to get Mike Dipeitro for the same price as Levi. His AHL numbers have been great.
DiPietro is 27, Levi is 24 – I like the bet on the younger kid.
Jarry was waived by the Pens the same thing could happen in Edmonton. As of yesterday along with the signing of Babcock the Oilers are done being nice guys.
Stauff believes they will have 3 goalies on the roster to start the season.
I don’t see that going all year. Andersen has a NMC and can’t be waived and I don’t see them waiving Levi unless he struggles hard in his opportunities.
Could happen at some point.
Or Jarry could be excellent.
There’s a new mandate about EBUGs where they have to pay a 3rd goalie to travel with them or carry 3 goalies. It’s ~250k expected for that job. A team of means like Edmonton can choose to carry 3.
Yes, this is true and a good point but it doesn’t really change the analysis.
If they carried the traditional 2 (plus EBUG) there would only be two roster spots taken and 2 goalies on the cap. Carrying the EBUG does not count as a roster spot or on the cap.
I believe they decided they’d rather spend the money on a proven option given they are required to have someone.
The delta of 250k for a rando and $1M for Freddy makes good sense when your other goalie is making ~league min.
No brainer considering DK doesn’t penny pinch.
The issue is the roster spot (and could be the cap but, shockingly, that’s not an issue) and, presuming full health, needing to cut down to 13 forwards.
Bowman is doing what we have been talking about around here for 20 years. It seems pretty clear that the analytics department’s fingerprints are on these moves. Holland went by rep, these adds are targeted to things they want to improve, like the PK and compete level
The players have specific strengths they wanted to add. The deals have been value as we see now with JD and CM, Andersen, Kappy. Things may not work out, but we are finally seeing an analytics driven approach, and good deal making
The thought of Holland doing anything made me cringe, he bled out on every deal and contract, and let the cap and clauses hamstring him. I don’t worry about that anymore, if something needs help they are capable of finding it and not selling the farm to get it. That works for me
Andersen (was over)played for Babcock in Toronto. Joseph played for DJ Smith in Ottawa and LA.
Bowman drafted Shea. Sharp is a player from Chicago that Bowman has known since he was a kid.
“analytics” decisions…yeah, right.
Yawn.
You think Bouchard is bad. Based on this, it is hard to believe that you take analytics seriously.
It actually seems more and more that you don’t cheer for the Oilers, and now you’re taking pot shots because they are finally taking a smart approach to roster building for the first time in 20 years.
So these things are mutually exclusive? Show your work
Knowing someone personally doesn’t have to conflict with analytics. Analytics can be positive on the player and then the personal connection helps convince the player to come over.
No more playing shorthanded against the Cap. Holland never believed in development. Bowman is the opposite. Since we don’t have many picks Bowman is getting young talent in every trade Dach-Poulin-Shakir-Jarventie-Stastny-Levi-Howard-Sharp. With the trade of Nurse this is finely Bowman’s team. Bowman in Chicago loved calling up players that were playing well. Bowman went through dozens upon dozens of players that did well in the A or were extras on the big team. Some ended up getting traded or becoming free agents and getting paid thanks to Bowman giving them a chance to play and produce in the show. Remember Holland wouldn’t even give Lavoie his pick an opportunity instead bringing in Sutter and giving him ice-time in preseason. Holland couldn’t even fit Broberg because he was so tight against the Cap.
I cannot recall the last time I was this satisfied with Management. What a tremendous day. All good to great bets and no excessively long contracts. And there’s still wiggle room for a bigger named addition when the deadline approaches.
Will all the bets hit? Probably not, but they aren’t bound into having to take a bath on any of the moves that don’t work out as planned. Even if Shea, Whom I don’t know much about, doesn’t work as planned , it’s not an egregious contract and shouldn’t be a problem to get out from under the deal, especially considering what dollar amounts other teams in the league are throwing around for lesser players.
A big, fat whopping A grade
If they could somehow bring in Giroux too, it would be the greatest off-season the organization has had since the Pronger addition.
It feels strange writing a complimentary post about management!!!!!
Other than ’06 the last time things were run well was probably Sather
I was one of the people hoping we did absolutely squat yesterday other than maybe move Nurse out. Years of day 1 of free agency delivering overpriced vets that don’t fit the system or the coaches plans had soured me.
I now have to say I am completely blown away and surprised by how well Bowman navigated Canada Day frenzy – there was nothing frenetic about it. I see the logic in every move, sure it means nothing until the rubber hits the road and we’re halfway to Lethbridge, but I like what I see. I’d poopooed the rumoured Freddie/Jarry tandem but the Levi move provides a great option if either Jarry falters again or Freddie breaks down at some point, and crucially it adds a quality tender that can develop into the number 1 of the future (Ungar and Jonsson percolating along nicely too).
The Nurse deal is fantastic for the Oilers and it gives him a fresh start. I hope he does well and finds happiness out on the coast. Sail on Dr 25.
Kap not coming in over $3 mill is fantastic too, I like him a lot. Great insurance for injury as he’s shown he can play up the lineup a bit, but even if he doesn’t that deal isn’t killer in the bottom 6.
What a great day.
After this season Campbell goes down to 1.5M. The Oilers will finally be a cap efficient team. Unless something bad happens. I like that Bowman doesn’t try to get right to the cap. Having some room allows them to move more easily if something good comes up
Yeah, it’s a weird feeling… I’m not sure what to do with my hands.
2024: Summer of Stan
2025: Summer of Uncertainty
2026: Summer of Babcock is turning into Summer of Stan’s Redemption.
Looking at the remaining UFAs, I hope we stay far away. We aren’t getting bonus points for being well under the cap, but I just think any signings with term will do more to hurt us than help. Maybe 1 or 2 names on 1-year deals could be good, but Howard is ready for the NHL and getting him reps is valuable too. If he isn’t cutting it, a deadline rental might be better anyway.
Another thing I would do (which I’m usually against) is run a 3-headed goalie monster in net. With 2 injury prone starters and Levi needing waivers, I would keep them all in the lineup. Yes, we could send Jarry to the minors but I’m no more comfortable with Andersen/Levi than I am with Jarry/Levi.
I mean, we might not get bonus points, but if we’re under the cap we do accrue space to potentially use at the deadline. If we end up needing to add a bigger fish to the roster at that point we won’t be hamstrung by having to pay more to move money out for once.
I’m 100% with you on that. But when the captain signs to a sweetheart deal in order to make the team more competitive, the urge or impulse would be to use all of it. I would just as well keep it available as there are always teams willing to sell players for pennies on the dollar to unload salaries. Weaponizing cap space, if you will.
There are some bury-able contracts I wouldn’t mind giving out. Pavol Regenda and Arthur Kaliyev are two guys I would consider making small bets on.
And I like Mantha if he somehow ends up seatless at the end of free agent musical chairs.
Looking at UFAs left, would a guy like Giroux make sense for the oilers? Decent offense, solid on the dot, able to play a 200 foot game. Would he fit in a 4C role who can play up and down the lineup when injuries hit?
Sometimes those player types don’t work out playing down the lineup. Henrique was a legit top 6 player for many years.
Henrique played an effective bottom 6 role for a short time before falling way off.
Asking a player like Giroux to play 4C is more risky than playing Samanski as 4C in my opinion.
I was lobbying for him yesterday, I think he’d be a perfect ad for 3rd line RW for lousy next to Dicky and Nuge on LW, all three can play C, Nuge and Giroux have some offensive chops to Dickinsons dearth of it, and both can play up the lineup as necessary while also being responsible at both ends of the ice. Good RH’d face-off prowess is elite as well, so another need checked off the list there!
Stauff was going on and on about Giroux yesterday early after – in a top 6 role and face-off guy.
I don’t see him signing in the west – he’s never played in the west.
The Nurse trade should, arguably, garner SB a Nobel nomination…..no question.
But, I am not sure I understand all the love for all the other signings.
I think it’s the bar has been set so low in Edmonton…
Fredrick Anderson ….not sure, really. Will be 37 when season starts.
Ryan Shea. Maybe ? Were we short 3rd pairing D?
( fully concede I don’t know enough about him)
Mathieu Joseph? No
I like the Levi trade.
I dunno…
Anderson
Shea
Kapanen
Jones
Tralmaks ( assuming an AHL)
Solid, sure. I just don’t get the adulation.
Again, maybe Shea is a dominant 3rd pairing D and I am missing something..
Like Leadfarmer- I think we needed a top 6 forward vs adding to the 3rd pairing D collection.
Probably wasn’t critical to add a third pair dman but to have a player like Shea that can move up when the inevitable injury to Walman happens or ekholm needs less minutes was an important add.
Shea may end up playing more minutes than expected and likely not be underwater doing it. Kinda like have the safety of kulak the last few years.
I really like stashney but shea is more of a sure thing.
Very fair….
Someone posted yesterday that Shea was top 20 in points by defensemen last year, just below Ekholm, most of thise coming at 5 on 5. He played as 2LD for half the year and held his own in terms of scoring and shot metrics, and he was +30 on the year. Last year was his first full year in the NHL at the age of 29, but he is good value for his contract even if the offense falls off. If he continues to score at last year’s rate, then we just added a solid 2LD/possible low end 1LD for 4M a year.
Excellent- thank you.
Appreciate the intel.
I would suggest that most of the adulation is the result of dumping a $9.25m (aav) contract without retention.
Agreed
Chayka seems to be the AntiTulsky.
A maxim of analytics is “garbage in equals garbage out” and I think it’s absolutely fair to wonder exactly what data is driving these highly questionable decisions in the Big Smoke?
Money. Their CEO made that very clear. The floor is higher for his team now. Ceiling is playoffs. Winning is irrelevant.
Between a 35 year old Kawhi for the Raptors and a 37 year Bobrovsky for the Leafs, it certainly appears that Rogers is prioritizing getting better asap over a long-term strategy.
This short-term thinking may well be the new normal in pro sports but it’s interesting in light of what I’ve read about the Rogers family. At the start, the family very much viewed sports teams as content engines that they could leverage as media anchors on their network. It is only very recently, particularly from the Jays run last season, that the family finally understood how the monetization of these sports brands grows exponentially when the team is actually vying for a title.
They knew the teams needed to be competitive but like many bean counters, they didn’t understand the true value of a championship team and brand. There may be better days ahead for Toronto sports fans now if their corporate owners stay focused on winning championships as opposed to simply hitting the bottom line.
As a Jays and Raptors fan, I celebrate this. As a Leafs hater, I’m more than happy for them to wander in the wilderness some more.
There is a feeling of dopamine going through Oiler fans.
But I might be in a small group but I am really not sure on yesterday making the team better.
Nurse might be $2M over paid, but with the prices yesterday he might be only $1M overpaid. He has a unique skill set, tough, PK team leader, never hurt….That Wallman nor any other defenseman can replicate. Our 1LHF is 36 and slowing down in real time, Wallman has been injured and frankly just a little better than ok. Was the better play to reduce the cap stress to down shift on Wallman with a $5M replacement?
Anderson (consistency? , Shea, (short NHL track record) Mukhamdullin (two teams have move a #20 along), Levi (No NHL record and Sabres #3), Kapanen (often injured), Joseph/Jones (every team has this guys) all have some level of question mark next to their name.
very busy shouldn’t be accepted as effective.
The best player in this group is Nurse and he is gone.
Nurse may be one of the most over-rated Oiler players ever …. and that’s saying a lot, given the likes of Yakupov, Puljujarvi, MAP, etc.
Fans only see his tools – the size, and skating.
And never want to talk about the lack of defensive awareness, how he was almost unplayable against Florida in back-to-back finals, the dumb penalties, the own goals, and fact that he was becoming less physical and easier to play against.
So many excuses made for this guy over the years – he needs a better RHD partner, its the system, its not his fault that he held the Oilers over a barrel for too much money (at a time when Klefbom’s career was over, and preceding that the career-changing injury to Sekera).
Last year, Ryan Shea was a statistically and analytically a better NHL defensemen that Darnell Nurse. And he costs less than half of what Nurse is making.
And sorry, Ekholm is slowing down in real time … show me the data that supports that position.
No retention. He waived his NMC. He’s gone … get over it.
I have not read many Nurse supporters on this blog
2023-24 12 Norris votes zero since then
not selected to Swedish Olympic team
5th defensemen in 4 Nations Cup (15:05 TOI)
TOI decline vs PY with Wallman hurt and Kulak traded.
are some of the signals I am watching
Norris voting is notoriously fickle – look at this year … Werenski did not have a better season than Bouchard, was on a non-playoff team, and still won, because … it was his year.
Sweden decided to take OEL and Hampus Lindholm … and finished 7th in the olympics. I wouldn’t trade Ekholm for either of those guys.
He got injured in the 4 Nations Cup.
At his age, he should not be playing heavy minutes … I think the LD is finally deep enough to do some load management.
Nurse is the best? Based on what? Nurse is a defensive nightmare, especially on the PK and he has progressively gotten worse each of the last 3 seasons. It doesn’t matter that Nurse plays a lot of minutes if they aren’t effective minutes.
Would anyone be surprised if Nurse is the 1LHD on a team that finishes above the Oilers next year????
Just because Chicago, Washington, and San Jose issued eye-watering, dumb contracts does not change the fact that Nurse is highly overpaid. Most models have his level of production worth about 5 million. So his contract, at this point of his career, was about double his actual worth. Add in that even on the intangibles side, he was no longer providing hits, grit, fights, blocks like he used to, and it was just impossible to justify keeping that contract.
What the Oilers did was classic moneyball. They rebuilt him in the aggregate. Shea and SM combined, for still about 3 million less than Nurse, provide essentially the same items. Health is my only concern on this front, but in terms of munching up minutes, providing sound defensive hockey and offensive production, this looks to be at worst par, at best much better. Shea is super intriguing, put up more points and a 42 better goal differential in plus minus compared to Nurse. For half the price.
PK team leader?
Check Darnell’s GA/60 on the PK.
Essentially he was the worst penalty killer in the NHL last season.
And for the most part, he wasn’t much better in other seasons.
He might score more goals for the oilers this year when they play sanJ than he would if he had remained an oiler.
Andersen and Levi additions were astute. The expectations of tighter defence this year, one of these goalies are going to shine, shine like a diamond.
Let’s jump ahead to next spring and play the panthers in the finals…again. Because they’re going to dummy the hurricanes. Florida is the filthiest team in the last couple of decades.The assholes ratio on that team is over the top. So, this team could beat skilled teams like the canes, Avs, or leafs ! but Savoie and Howard are going to be sat on by the tkachuk bros. We need three more Evander kanes.
One Corey Perry for $1M would have been a fine start.