I think we have the Oilers (mostly) surrounded after the July 1 activity by general manager Stan Bowman. There were some cool additions that should impact the AHL Bakersfield Condors, too. Here’s a look at the current NHL and AHL depth chart combined, by position. Please read this.
- Frederik Andersen
- Tristan Jarry
- Devon Levi
- Connor Ungar
- Matt Tomkins
- Samuel Jonsson
- Nathan Day
An exceptional bit of business by Bowman gives the Oilers a present and a future in net. I like Devon Levi as the goalie of the future, but Samuel Jonsson is trending in a terrific direction and could be in the NHL in a couple of years. I think the NHL starter is Andersen, AHL starter is Ungar. I also believe there are five goalies on this list who could play NHL games this season.
- Mattias Ekholm
- Ryan Shea
- Jake Walman
- Shakir Mukhamadullin (RFA)
- Spencer Stastney (RFA)
- Riley Stillman
- Damien Carfagna
- Atro Leppanen
- Tomas Cibulka
I like the left side of the defense because it looks like Bowman plans for about 80 combined games missed from Mattias Ekholm and Jake Walman. That is probably a high total, but you can’t be too careful with defensemen. I like the AHL group plenty, and it’s possible Spencer Stastney slips through waivers and plays in Bakersfield. Damien Carfagna remains a player to watch in Bakersfield. I’m convinced he has a fine future.
- Evan Bouchard
- Connor Murphy
- Ty Emberson
- Josh Brown
- Alec Regula
- Beau Akey
The best defenseman on the team lives here, and he is in the prime of his career. Connor Murphy and Ty Emberson are the other NHLers, with Mukhamadullin also able to play RH side. Among callups, Josh Brown and Alec Regula would seem to be the answers, but I remain convinced Beau Akey has an NHL future. Maybe not in Edmonton, and maybe health derails him. I like this depth chart, the Mukhamadullin acquisition looms large at this position.
- Connor McDavid
- Leon Draisaitl
- Jason Dickinson
- Josh Samanski
- Viljami Marjala
- Owen Michaels
- William Nicholl
The strongest single position for any team in hockey. I believe the Nuge will play 2C when the Glimmer Twins are together, and I also believe Bowman will add a RH center at some point over the summer. Owen Michaels is going to have a great year, but I don’t think he could make the jump to the NHL in a single season. Josh Samanski is in a beautiful spot based on the current depth chart. Babcock will love him.
- Matt Savoie
- Vasily Podkolzin
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
- Colton Dach (RFA)
- Mattias Janmark
- Eduards Tralmaks
- Max Jones
- Connor Clattenburg
- Brady Stonehouse
Savoie showed what he can do in the second half of last season, I’m confident Mike Babcock will play him in a prominent position. Vasily Podkolzin is also a key part of the now and the future, so this position looks set for the rest of the decade. Colton Dach also looks to have a future and could see third-line minutes at times this seasm.
The Condors player to watch is Tralmaks. Based on the numbers I’m seeing, he is a big, fast winger with offensive tools that make a difference. High event, but this player could be in the NHL in 2026-27 if Babcock wants an offensive winger on the fourth line. Tralmaks has the skills to be an analytics darling while also looking frightful in a uniform. He’s a goal scorer, folks. Hold on to your ass, Bakersfield.
- Zach Hyman
- Ike Howard
- Kasperi Kapanen
- Trent Frederic
- Mathieu Joseph
- Quinn Hutson
- Roby Jarventie
- Aku Raty
- James Stefan
It’s possible Zach Hyman plays LW for Babcock in Edmonton, but he’s a feature player no matter the position. I don’t know where to put Ike Howard on this list, which means I sure as hell don’t know where to put Quinn Hutson. I will say this: The Condors are going to get some goals from the wing in 2026-27.
Oilers top 20 prospects
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7407406/2026/07/03/edmonton-oilers-prospects-ranking-summer-2026/
Curious LT, was Zack Sharp not on your list intentionally or was it just completed prior to his arrival? If the latter, wondering where you would place him?
By verbal he seems to be an elite skater with similar boxcars this last season, better size but more chaos in his game than Fischer. Will be really interesting to follow he and Tommy Laf at Western Michigan this season.
He was acquired after it was written, and honestly I wouldn’t have had enough time to give it a reasonable assessment. I like him, seems to be another in a line of strong college bets by Bowman and the scouting teams.
Oilers do this every year, btw. I had O’Reilly on the summer 2025 list and they traded him the day my list was published. 🙂
@PuckPedia
Anders Lee 3 year $5.4M contract with #TusksUp does include some creative trade protection:
NMC throughout, converts to M-NTC – 10 team no trade list from June 1, 2028 to July 4, 2028. Then Full NTC for Yr 3 until 1 day before 2029 Trade Deadline
Wow the value deals of Savoie and Howard have to be enticing?
RE: the cap going up so much and some of these contracts we’re seeing already…and I’m not trying to de-value McDavids’s taking a “team friendly” two year deal was not just being gracious but also very calculated for more than just ensuring he’s on a winner long term but also knowing full well he likely could recoup anything he’s left on the table to cash in at alter date.
Elliotte Friedman:
Mavrik Bourque 6 x $5.5M
Nashville
Stan should offer Savoie the Bourque contract.
Indeed he should.
Making the same mistakes others are making is the opposite of what is needed.
Figure out the weakness this is creating, then exploit it.
Allan walsh
@walsha
There are so many younger NHL players right now regretting that they signed last year or during the season. Millions per year were left on the table.
Connor Bedard looking around for $17 million.
https://www.thefourthperiod.com/jul-2026/bedard-looking-for-around-17m-per-season
Strictly hypothetical if Connor talks heart to heart with Bowman next summer and decides on a change of scenery. What would one year remaining at 12.5 fetch you from the team Connor decides on?
I like Savoie with McDavid and Howard with Drai but, due to leftie/nightie, I wouldn’t’ mind:
Howard/McDavid/Hyman
Nuge/Drai/Savoie
Podz/Dickinson/Kap
Frederic/Samanski/Dach
Joseph (Jones)
Janmark and Jones (Joseph) waived and assigned (if clear).
I would not be surprised to see
Hyman/McDavid/Savoie
Podz/Drai/Kap
Nuge/Dickinson/Janmark
Dach/Frederic/Joseph
Jones
Samanski/Howard assigned
I don’t know how Howard will fit with mcdavid but that 2nd line is nuge drai yam 2.0 I could see it working. Hard minutes line with scoring. Podz can almost run on any line and he and kap had tremendous chemistry in the playoffs. Podz can pretty much push the river in his own line. That 3rd line would be another hard minutes line with some scoring.
mcdavid line is all offense with Hyman and Howard.
fourth line is responsible while also crash and bang.
i like it. No way it happens
Leave Podz with Drai, this is a proven effective duo. Stop trying to fix things that aren’t broken.
If Podz can run a 3rd line it’s worth exploring. Our 3rd and 4th lines have been broken and need fixing.
That is certainly an option but I think Podz can really help Dickinson on a hard-minutes line, better than Nuge and Nuge has also had plenty of success with Drai.
They can always go back to Podz with Drai but it does not need to be locked. Podz was unreal away from Drai in the 2024 playoffs where he was 0.5 PPG and he’s a better player now.
Its about the lineup as a whole.
I think you’d be crazy not to run
Podz drai kap
Like every minute of that line reg & playoffs is fire. Seems like an easy bake not go smartest man screw around start of season solid bet to lock in. Give it an honest go. Like even it it cools a bit it would still be top line production levels.
Opposing coaches would have to not ignore it possibly alternating 1A/B
Quality. How sustainable underlying statisics all point “deadly” keep it running.
It maybe cost effective locked in line. Give mcdavid some cleaner air to adjust what remains try to find other units with chemistry.
I would love to see howard get 1st crack at an honest audition with mcdavid & hyman. Like mcdavid is anamoly to play with let him try without whip punish as long as he isn’t dogging it on coming back defensiveky or just isn’t handling any puck effective enough.
Give him a shot at being mcdavid’s shooter.
Which means you are tilting ice ozone sheltered to a degree for that line.
Either that or i still think you put mcdavid as a wing and just free him to do what he does anyway. Like let whomever be the defensive concious from right position to be the center. Like his usage needing nuge to cheat back doesn’t neccesarily hage to be the way it is does it?
Like put dickenson or nuge in the middle of him and hyman i’ve always been condused why he has always had to be center frankly.
Down right wing burn ourside and cut in or try to carve 2 plus on 1 through center = RW
Like that mode or as i described a long ways back mayne dach and hyman and just make sure both wingers next to never standing flat footed at offem
nsive blue waiting for mcmagic entry. Like with speed either crashing or quick release ready or getting puck hard forecheck. Everyone in motion mcdavid any resistance no thought more dump it.
Like don’t make it so pattern recognizable default plan in place set pieces.
Like nuge and hyman i frame standing over and over again last season. Even podz savoie and defense has aet positions ready to expect and mitigate forcing him wide right and other d cheating to dusrupt a bit clean cut or bith guys just collapsig up the gut focused on his center of mass disregsrding puck watch mainly. Just choke off if he cuts middle.
The help is delayed. Near always. They aren’t skating when he gains zone.
Pattern bust this!!
.
Like if podz drai kap is correct answer you have some leeway to try different mcdavid line strategies aiming for solid outscoring 5v5 numbers.
I’m an aciari 4th lime center and maybe a deadlime top 6 wing away from happy if goalies stay out of infirmary or don’t blow tires mentally
Top 6 way to small and soft. We will get eaten up by many different teams. We need to make some moves yet.
Besides Savoie, who who can hold his own, who of McDavid, Draisatl, Podkolzin, Hymen, and Kapanen are small? Who is soft?
I agree the second lineup is probable and I think the much better lineup. Samanski will absolutely start the season in the minors baring injury.
if the Pacific was a pillow fight last year, what’s the monicker for next season?
Vegas doesn’t scare me with OKish bottom 6 depth, the loss of Pavel D. and their Flames tandem on D. Maybe they can move Hill, but how much does he bring back? They have 2 firsts in ‘28 to dangle, but they’re also getting long in the tooth and went deep this year.
LA will be buying Metamucil by the caseload, and the Sharks will be fun to watch and score a ton, but lack a stud on D and in the pipes.
If ever there was a season for the Oilers to win the division, this looks to be it.
I would say Nurse has more pep in his step especially if he gets PP time with Smith-Celebrini-Stenberg. Marchment-Trouba are going to lay out an unsuspecting forward if they try messing with Celebrini-Stenberg-Dickinson-Smth. The Sharks will be a fun team to watch as they will try to run and gun in most games. I do think the Sharks make the playoffs
Nurse won’t be running around against the oilers with clattenburg on patrol.
Hopefully Babcock finds Clattenburg unique skills for a handful of games this year. I have his goal on a continuous loop.
The Sharks missed the playoffs by 5 points last season.
With Stenberg, Marchment and a much improved D, they should challenge for the Pacific division crown.
*could
not should.
Are the kings prepping and offer sheet for bedard or fanitili?
they need a center in the worst way. Does old Dutch have it in him to throw an offer sheet?
Henrique and/or Giroux fit the kings plan better….. as does Shawn horcoff.
I guess the guide and record book does have more words devoted to these guys.
Still waiting for Byfield to ‘pop’… HH told us it would happen but Fib doesn’t talk about it much. Weird.
I would like to add Patrick Laine .He could be amazing with McD,or Drai.Jaime oleksiak would make our defense much touchable,
Oleksiak went to VAN, 2 x 5MM.
Laine is someone I’ve wanted for the Oilers ever since he was drafted. He’s obviously fallen off a cliff since his Jets days, but that shot of his is still something else.
I can’t see that player surviving a Babcock regime.
Absolutely no to Laine for me. Oilers PP unit is set. If the addition cant score 5×5, there’s no point.
Laine is completely reliant on the PP to score and a complete liability at 5 on 5.
I wouldn’t want him on the roster for free.
What about going after some possible offer sheet targets without offer sheeting them? Send Mukhamadullin and a 2nd round pick to Anaheim for Mintyukov? Or, send Ungar and 2nd round pick to CBJ for Jett Greaves? Or send Joseph and a 2nd round pick to Montreal for Kirby Dach?
I was hoping the Habs would move on from Kirby but they know the importance of a big centre come playoff time. The only drawback of Kirby is he’s a hypochondriac. Just joking, he does seem to be hurt a lot for a young player. I would fly to Florida to see a Colton-Kirby-Clattenburg line facing the Tkachuks-Bennett line.
I don’t think Columbus take a 2nd for their starting goalie
The premise isn’t the issue, there’s logic in your post/idea.
The examples given don’t properly exemplify your point good sir.
I’m not holding my breath because I’m a realist but I’m still holding out hope for Marchenko.
as far as Giroux goes and the speculation there, i’m assuming Philly is waiting on the offer sheet decision before all of their other plans fall into place…as much as I love the idea on a low AAV for one year with his RHS faceoffs and ability to pitch in on offence I’d much rather get Tippett and let Philly have Giroux. But seriously, I’m mostly kidding about Tippett, obviously he’d be an amazing get, but why are people speculating he might be available? Seems odd to me if they’re going all in on an offer sheet for Carlsson the last thing they’d want to do is move on from a young, skilled winger that has cost certainty?
Anyways, while I’m rambling here, I’d like to know others thoughts on Laine on say a one year, one million show me contract that could easily be buried if it doesn’t work out?
Massive potential reward for both party’s if he stays healthy and finds his 40 goal ability riding shotgun with Drai and Podz…could be a beast of a Laine!<—Gene pun intended.
Stan should sign all next summers RFA’s that he envisions on the team going forward now.
If I were Anaheim i would match the offer sheet and look at trading Carlsson in a year to a team like Seattle who cant attract stars and are desperate. Four mid to late picks is not close to enough. I imagine if they match and let him play there he will just leave to the highest bidder in five years. Mending the relationship and becoming a place he wants to be long term is probably ideal but probably not that likely unless they get a new GM. And I imagine as Hes been through this process once it’s probably very enticing to go to UFA, especially as he will only be 26 and will get another insane contract. What a mess.
are we going to see more star/superstar players intentionally go to RFA unsigned to try to get offer sheets? If you want to maximize your earnings that is the advice an agent would give you isnt it?
I thought they did match and they still have $17M in cap space to sign Cutter and sort out their D. Is that not enough?
They haven’t matched yet but I think if they do match they will have 17 M as you say. They will be fine this year i think but it will make it will probably lead to their other RFAs asking for more. And in general it will be a challenge having an18M player even if he is a star.
They have $18 million in veteran contracts coming off the books next offseason and will have more than $40 million if they so choose.
Nothing dire.
How many 1st rounders gets you Larkin? Dylan all of a sudden is on a cost controlled contract?
I don’t think Larkin is the replacement. It would be a bad idea to blow the picks on him. I’d be looking at Robert Thomas.
As DSF says, they’re in a pretty great position. They ain’t the oilers, so this is a good thing.
The issues both start with Ca. Cap and Cash. A lot of teams don’t have the cash flow to eat a heavily front laden massive contract. Owners may ante up, but it’s a problem. We are very lucky the Oilers now make a lot of money
The Ducks owner is the wealthiest in the NHL with a net worth of more than $27 billion.
Cash is not an issue.
Clearly, they’ve always been a cap spending team.
Clearly rebuilding teams rarely spend to the cap.
Letting Carlsson get offer sheeted is a fireable offense. All the talking heads yapping about how Verbeek is such a tough negotiator are pretty quiet now. Anaheim spent foolishly on fourth line grinders and let all their D go. Now what? 18 million for Carlsson, probably 16 million for Gauthier, and Mintykhov is probably going to get an offer sheet unless you offer him 6-7 million. No more vet D on the market to shelter all their kids on their blueline, and no more cap space even if there were.
Verbeek should have gotten these extensions done in-season, but he dithered like Holland did.
Yeah I don’t know why they traded Zelleweger either if they were losing other D. What a train wreck of an offseason
I don’t know what PV did, but grinding ELC ending star players isn’t going to fly anymore. You have to be in front and if there is no likeable deal to be made trade. Should have happened with Nurse Bro and Holloway. If Connor dithers the same
What about trading a top 6 centre in McTavish?
Great point. I know Verbeek’s rep was to “hold the line” on salaries, but if he matches Carlsson at $18m, the horse is out of the barn, and good luck with holding that line on Gauthier and Sennecke.
Ducks will be capped out in no time. That’s if their internal budget even permits them to spend to the cap.
with Giroux signing (signed?) in Philly – and at 38 he has to hit a cliff at some point no? – I would be quite happy if Stan went to the cabin for the rest of the summer unless Marchenko lands in his lap. Keep the cap space and plan for a late January pre-deadline addition. Let’s us see what the team is, assess player injuries and fit with Babs and aim higher than Tarasenko
edit: sorry Godot, I just repeated your comment
The 3 headed goaltending brings back memories of a somewhat successful strategy by the OBC-MacTavish.
Bored at work, so thinking about how the Oilers could best use their remaining cap space.
Looking at our F group, I would slot them thus:
Savoie – McDavid – Hyman
Podz – Drai – Howard
Nuge – Dick – Kap
Dach – Sam – Fred
Joseph, Jones, Hutson
I have reservations about keeping 2R reserved for Howard in the case he isn’t quite up to the job this year. Kap provides reasonable short term coverage, but if Howard struggles then I think Stan has to add here. I also feel like our third line is a big asterisk, it could succeed if the goal is to “lose less bad” against elites (say to a tune of 45 GF%), but I don’t see them being a strong possession line or being able to push the play against middle or elite comp, bor so they seem primed to score well against the easier comp. It will be interesting to see what Nuge has left in the tank, if he starts to fall off the cliff then this becomes a tricky spot to fix. Frederic is fine but overpaid on the fourth line – hopefully he is healthy and can push Kap down to 4RW, as I think he’d be a better fit on the third line with the expected defensive assignment.
Ekholm – Bouch
Walman – Murphy
Shea – Emberson
Mukh, Regula +/- Stastney
Elite first pairing, possibly “elite” third pairing, but there is potential for both a high ceiling and low floor with the second pairing. Murphy is a bit one dimensional imo, and will require Walman to be at his best (fast feet with good outlets) to make that line work. If Walman hasn’t recovered 100%, then this pairing could get exposed. I like our depth with the variety of 7-8D options we have, it’s awesome having NHL-calibre guys waiting to step up, and all of them at an age where they can continue to improve and with a higher ceiling than third pairing tweener.
Goal is what it is. I feel like our bets are made, without any NHL-level back up options if all 3 of Anderson, Jarry and Levi can’t provide decent tending. That will take most of the NHL season to evaluate, and any fix by trade would be late in the season I would think.
So if I were to add pre-emptively anywhere, it would be a middle 6 winger with a bit more defensive conscience to push Kap down and provide more reliable coverage in case Howard isn’t quite ready (too bad we couldn’t woo Giroux). The other place I could see an addition is at the trade deadline for a goalie. So two holes I guess. I feel like we have the cap room to fix one of those things, so it probably makes the most sense to see how things shake out over the season.
In contrast, I feel good about our D group – if Walman comes back as Good Walman and Ekholm maintains 90% of what he provided last year, then this may be one of the strongest and deepest groups in the NHL. If the wheels completely fall off both guys, I still think we have enough back up options to platoon a serviceable defense.
Keep the cap space until one finds out what the deficiencies in the roster are.
People are counting chickens, you know, before they hatch.
I think that’s the way. Add if something really good comes up in season or wait to the deadline
Yeah, there is a lot of projection/guessing required given all the new additions. Outside of a sure thing like Giroux, I think Bowman is done for the summer.
It’s harder to add in season with a 84 game schedule as every team (my prediction) is going to have more injuries in the first 10-20 games.
LT this is a fantastic post today. Really enjoyed it.
Seeing:
1. Andersson at $1m above Jarry at $5m, and
2. Shea at $4m above Walman at $7m
is a bit of gut punch. Bowman really needed a strong July 1 to unbury himself from his own prior mistakes.
When Walman is healthy and engaged he’s only behind Bouchard and Ekholm.
Last season he sucked, hopefully the good Walman comes back healthy with a chip on his shoulder.
I dont think this coaching staff will have Walman playing physically passive unlike the previous bench.
Disappointing result obviously but I thought Canada played an excellent team/system game today.
Marsh is building something with this team and they did very well in this World Cup given who was out with injuries. A nice hire for Canada after the Herdman video scandal.
Like so many countries, this team is just one elite striker away from being elite. Tons of corners and turnover opportunities today, but they just didn’t have that talisman player who can stick the dagger in.
The ladies have had it with Christine Sinclair. Who is the young lad in Canada that will emerge in that role? I can tell you one thing, when that player emerges, he will be a national hero.
Btw how the hell does Morocco abbreviate to MAR?
To answer your parting question.
Apparently the country is known as Maroc in French- my sister in law asked the same thing about an hour ago so I looked it up
The injuries were unfortunate. They would have pushed Maroc more with the top players being there and fully healthy. They really need to dial in the corners and set pieces
I didn’t see it that way the second half reminded me of game five at home in the second final. Marsch was unprepared for the second half where they laid an egg. They gave-up after the first goal. Marsch substituted too late!! The Davies soap opera was a distraction for the rest of the players. I’ll wait until the real story comes out on Davies-Marsch-Soccer Canada.
No, Team Canada did not give up – they played hard and pressed until the bitter end. And that’s what’s encouraging about the program. As the OP states, that extra level of quality on an elite team won it for MAR. Reminded me of a typical Canada-Switz/Germany/Latvia game in the Olympics where the less-skilled team can hold serve until they can’t. Lots of good learning here.
There may be something with Davies’ situation beyond just a bad injury which he re-aggravated in that short (but critical) stint vs SA. His absence and Kone’s were big.
Has Giroux signed or not yet? Can’t find anything definitive.
Yes
Yes
But also no
PuckPedia
@PuckPedia
The deadline for players to file for arbitration is tomorrow (July 5) at 5pm ET.
If a player files for arbitration, they are no longer eligible for an offer sheet.
With the cap going up, and the number of games increasing to 84, the NHL should increase the number of roster spots to 24. Playing goalie is getting to be like MLB starting pitchers … lots of strain on the lower joints, and less time to recover between games means more chronic injuries. My right hip is still not right after years of reverse VH. teams are going to want to carry three goalies more often.
Agreed, or make it easier to move players up and down. Reverse VH I think is why goalies can’t play as much as they did
What a great first half I think we surprised Morocco with the pressure on the ball. Morocco is trying lots of deep passes. Hopefully we are square for the first 10 minutes then substitute Davies in.
Reverse VH is very hard on the lower body. But the discomfort is something you feel a day later. I do a lot of yoga now, as the ligaments in my pelvis and legs tighten up constantly. You can’t run goalies for 65+ games anymore. Split the starts evenly between the three guys we have to start the season, and make sure each guy is getting work with their preferred goalie coach (the team should look to employ multiple coaches).
It’s crazy that Grant Fuhr started 76 games in a row and 79 in total for the Blues 30 years ago.
LOTs of activity but Where have we landed at this point?
Above Average Players
McDavid, Draisaitl, Bouchard
Average NHL Players
Nuge, Hyman, Podkolzin, Dickenson, Walman, Elkholm, Murphy, Shea, Savoie,Kapanen, Anderson
Below NHL Average
Jarry, Levi, Maukhamadulin, Emberson, Samanski, Dach, Janmark, Howard, Fredrick, Joesph, Capspace doesn’t score or defend enought for me 🙂
Babcock has got to get the best season out of 21 players to compete with the big boys and we seem smaller than the top clubs
If we look at the last 4 years of play the Oilers house 3 of the top 15 goal scorers in the league.
Hyman when healthy is an above average NHL player.
That wraps up my TED talk.
Averages hide things, but… relative to the rest of the league (your “top clubs” may or may not show here)
As per Elite Prospects: current/projected 2026-27 rosters
Height: Oilers #7 (top four tallest: NYR, FLA, DAL, WSH)
Weight: Oilers #15 (top four heaviest: BOS, WSH, ANA, DAL)
Age: Oilers #11 (top four oldest: LAK, FLA, VGK, COL)
2025-26 rosters
Height: Oilers #14 (top four: DAL, VGK, NJD, VAN)
Weight: Oilers #15 (top four: TML, BOS, DAL, OTT)
Age: Oilers #12 (top four: COL, VGK, TML, LAK)
If the third line ends up being Dach – Dickinson – Kapanen it is well below league average.
Cup winners have been deploying scoring third lines and running power vs. power with their top 6.
Sure, and those Cup 3rd lines wouldn’t have been that if their coaches deployed like that. They spread talent. Babcock can as well. Doing that requires strong team system play, the Oilers haven’t stayed there in a few years, hence loading up lines, hence Babcock
They did NOT spread their talent…they just have more of it.
For example, Carolina has Jordan Staal at 3C and he managed to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.
How does Dickinson stack up to that?
Stahl had a great playoffs for sure. Reg season both teams had 8 – 18+ goal scorers 5v5. The Canes guys got 197 5v5 goals, the Oilers 213 – with Drai playing 65 games and Hyman 58. Canes lowest was Jarvis at 71, the rest close to 82. I don’t see that they have more talent, definitely not in the D group
One would expect the unequaled top of the roster players on the oilers to at least make up for a below average third line.
For example I’d suggest that Mcdavid will out produce Carolinas best player in Aho.
Irrelevant…hockey is a team game.
Carolina playing in a tougher division and conference had a +56 goal differential.…Oilers +13.
Carolina scored 296 goals while the Oilers scored 282 goals?
How does you think that happened considering the Oilers dominant power play?
Oilers had a poor plan A. And no plan B.
this year should be much better in that regard. Having a much different plan A and likely plans B through H.
In general having three contributing lines and a playable fourth line is critical. I think the oilers have the tools now to do that.
We are finally going to see top 6 goaltending.
All of a sudden the Oilers don’t look top heavy.
Of the oilers decide to they can formulate an above average third line.
For example Nuge/dick/hyman.
Having a recent 100 point player and a 50 goal scorer on a third line is more than what most teams have on the third line.
Three old men, two of whom who have not made it healthy through a full season for two years now.
Whats your ideal third line?
You need young legs for the grind of a 84 game schedule. K.K let the team run themselves Babcock will not.
I like where your head is at.
Maybe this is outdated thinking but I still like to think in pairs.
To me
McDavid + Hyman
Drai + Podz
and if you’re going to have Dickinson show value by playing heavy defensive draws against elites then it’s
Dickinson + Nuge.
I agree with this in general, but so much depends on what’s happening. For the Canes they didn’t have 3 lines scoring, they had two. The 5v5 TOI was very even in the top 9, ranging from 277:52 for Blake to 241:03 for Ehlers. The fourth line around 180
The Stankoven line got the most TOI as they were playing better than the ‘first’ line, which in 19 games produced 5 – 5v5 goals. The fourth line based on TOI got 4
The other two lines: Stankoven’s 23 G, Stahl’s 12 G .Two lines won it for them 5v5
The rub here is that all F except Svechnikov were 50% plus in 5v5 GF – they outscored. PP wasn’t the best one in the playoffs
Today I learned that being a Stanley Cup winning goalie, a 50 goal scorer and a +100 point player makes you an average NHLer.
I bet you a hundred bucks you can’t define average.
Florida Panters average 6’2″ 203 lbs, Edmonton Oilers Average 6’2″ 201 lbs. The Oilers have exactly one skater under 6’1″ in Savoie
You have a top-40 goal scorer as “average”, Two top-90 EVG scorers as “average”, six players in the top 225 of scoring as “average”, A D that was top 30 in scoring among defencemen last year, One that was top 50 last year and one that was top 30 the year before.
If you were right, you wouldn’t have to lie this hard.
My take is:
Generational
Connor Leon
World Class Players
Bouch
Above Average
Ekholm Hyman Andersen
Average
Nuge Podz Dickinson Murphy Walman Shea Savoie Jarry Emberson Kapanen Frederic if he regresses
Bubbles
Janmark Joseph
Emerging NHL
Dach Shaky Samanski
Emerging Rookies
Howard Levi
Cap Space
A chance for better
I mostly agree with your evaluation, but in the average category I would put Nuge, Pods, and Savoie as at least Average-plus, that is, players I really would not want to trade away at this time. The others could go and might result in a good hockey trade or a win for the good guys
That’s fair
You kinda stated this wrong
Minimum 364 forwards in the league (12×32)
Minimum 192 defencemen in the league (6×32)
Minimum 64 goalies in the league (2×32)
Total 620 positions minimum
This doesn’t account for there being 23 roster slots on 32 teams so a maxiumu
of 736 positions (23×32).
There is a total of 32 #1 centres in the league, not every team has one of those 32, there is a total of 64 #1 and 2 centres in the league, most teams have at least one if not all teams.
There are 32 #1 dmen in the league, not every team has one, there are 64 #1 and 2 dmen in the league, almost every team if not every one has at least 1 of those.
The oilers have 2 #1 centres on the roster who are both top 10 players in the league let alone top 10 forwards or centres.
An above average NHL forward is the 180th best forward and above.
Based on 400 minutes minimum played at evens
Thats any of the following
Goals per 60 (.73 at the 180th position Michkov)
Assists per 60 (.95 at the 180th position Martinook)
Points per 60 (1.66 at the 180th position Rossi)
Goals above expected (.1 tied for 180th position)
I’d do Corsi and Fenwick but they are impacted by team play so much and there is a bunch tied for the same position.
This doesn’t include PP where Oilers players eat other teams lunches.
Top 10 NHL players
Mcdavid
Draisaitl
Top 15-20 NHL player
Bouchard
Highend NHL players
Hyman
Ekholm
Average and above NHL players
Podkolzin
Savoie
Dickenson (majorly above average at defensive game)
Murphy (majorly above average at defensive game)
RNH
Walman (if not injured)
Shea (based off what I know about player)
Anderson
Below average but have potential to
be more
Kapanen
Emberson (I like but he’s currently a 3rd pairing dman)
Jarry
Bottom NHL players (includes players we aren’t sure about because of injury or just not enough exposure)
Samanski
Dach
Frederic
Janmark (except playoffs Janmark
is above average)
Mukhamadullin (not enough games played for a real opinion)
Not every player is a top 6 20-40 goal scorer, not every player is a Norris winner but that’s not possible.
This is how every team is mostly built, it’s just hoping you build it slightly better than the next team.
This is a terrible assessment of the Oilers roster.
I’ve been as critical as anyone on Frederic, Jarry, and the general dispassionate play of the team last year, but this is really really harsh.
Mukhamadullin signed – 2 X $1.75MM
Don’t know why but I love it when Puckpedia breaks signings.
Is it just me or does it feel so weird having cap space? Happy to have it, but so unfamiliar, lol.
23 roster players feels like I’m on the moon.
23 legitimate roster players and cap space! Inconceivable!
You must be glad that the Oilers added Mashmakhan to The Family.
Yes! As The Years Go By, I appreciate them more and more. 🙂
Holland and Bowman obviously view cap-roster space differently.
Opposites in many ways
They will need to cut players, not because of cap but because of roster spots – when there are injuries, they have cap room to call players up and run a full roster. They have the ability to take advantage of opportunities to acquire players and also to fill holes during the season.
It feels great and it should make a material difference.
It’s been amazing what Bowman has achieved to start the month of July. I think there’s more to come. Too bad Claude Giroux decided to return to the Flyers, he would have been the perfect fit in Edmonton. The name out there that might be possible via trade for me is Kirill Marchenko. He would be my #1, then of course there’s Jake DeBrusk but I really don’t like dealing with the Canucks, though Stan has had some success in that regard. If those options don’t pan out there’s Tarasenko as a last resort who will probably want too much money to play in Edmonton. Although they could just head into the season as is and be perfectly fine but for me, Marchenko woud be tantilizing somewhere in the top six.
Giroux would probably fit well but that likely means Samanski is in the minors. I prefer giving samanski nhl minutes.
Debrusk is pp specialist. The oilers don’t need that at all. Howard would likely produce more while playing a better five on five game.
I Don’t get the love for tarasenko. Old slow and unlikely to get close to his 23 goals from last year while taking whose roster spot? And likely to be injured.
Marcenko is a gem of a player absolutely top notch.
Giroux would have played in the top six without doubt. He could have also slotted in with Nuge & Dickinson on the third line. They wouldn’t have used him on the fourth line.
I’m not crazy about DeBrusk or Tarasenko but they’re both good players that shouldn’t be underestimated..
I would put together a nice package for Marchenko and Edmonton could certainly do that, especially now.
The issue with Marchenko is the next contract. He’s going to want at least 12M, they can probably make that work. But it’s at the sacrifice of depth, and depth is winning at the moment, more than higher skill. I would say that’s the case for the last 3 Cup winners
This is a great point SS. Depth and flexibility to add more depth is important.
Even if its that high of an ask, the Oilers have the room to do it.
Yeah, with the salary cap going up and the craziness going on with the offer sheets , who knows? He might even be worth it for one season at $3.85M. Maybe they can trade him or possibly they get sheeted. The NHL is wild & wacky. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
He will thrive under Babcock hockey.
A third line of Nuge – Dickinson – Giroux would have been something. A lot of old man ass hair on that line and that’s even with baby Nuge.
But seriously, I’ve called Dickinson “an offensive black hole”, but that third line might actually outscore.
There are bodies in the positions. One can at least say that.
There are, and they constitute the deepest and most balanced team in Connor and Leon’s career to me
And no Nurse
which you consistently fail to acknowledge as the greatest value addition for the Oilers over last 2 months
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9e157Ner90
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAkY5m00rpY
Now they have Shea and the other Irish kid, McAmadulin for close to half the cost of one Nurse. And they can both play their off sides.
I’d have to take the time to do the math here, but my immediate concern would be where are the goals going to come from?
You lose Roslo who potted 21 goals despite a groin injury and missing games.
I’m not sure you can count on 51 goals again between Nuge and Hyman.
With Dickinson at 3c, it’s hard to imagine that line producing much.
Really, you’re going to need a breakout year from Howard.
If one expects Howard to replace Roz goal production and Savoie and Nuge to add up to their totals from last year(Savoie gaining anything that Nuge drops)
Then is it as simple as Hyman scoring say 20-25 and the rest of the roster squeezing out a bit more. Fred for example. Samanski? Likely, Dach likely.
Howard could potentially score 21 goals—if he gets significant time in the top six and some power play minutes. He also might not make the team.
Even if he does score 21 goals, it’s not really replacing Roslo who did it at 5v5 and several without 29 and 97.
Only 4 of Roslo’s 21 goals came from the power play.
Last year, Roslo had 15 goals at 5v5, which was one fewer than Draisaitl.
I’m hoping that a better structure and more engagement will result in more goals down the roster. The way they ran things before overall offence was declining season to season, and the average players weren’t put in a position to do much
An example being really mid work at the net. Rarely a screen, often no one even there, point shots straight at a goalie with eyes on it. Another being spread out so much there wasn’t great puck support, hence Leon’s through 5 sticks across the zone passes, and Connor bull rushing whole teams. They usually can’t pull that off, the other guys had no chance
Savoie managed 18 without significant PP time and little top 6 time until the last 1/3 of the season and Howard was a more substantial offensive player in the AHL at the same age as Savoie…..
They will be winning a lot of 2-1 games.
I hope it goes like Curlock said: try to win 2-1 and end up winning 4-1 or 4-2
A lot of MT net goals.
Roslovic was -9 in the regular season. The big boys have promised à tighter ship. That should obviate the need for his scoring.
This. Players that get outscored leads to bad outcomes. I think there is also a difference between reg season and playoff performance
The top 6 5v5 playoff goal scorers: Kap, Podz, Dickinson, Drai, Murphy. Showing up when it counts most means more than regular season production, as long as you make it in
— Jarry Freddy would be by far the worst goalie tandem in the league as measured by save % over a few seasons.
— Levi hasn’t played a game.
— I don’t think people have done a dive into how bad Freddy has been and how injured and unreliable he’s been for many years. He’s been a bad goalie full stop.
— He was awesome in the playoffs, Jarry had a stretch where he was decent. Levi was a highly touted G
— Having a bunch of guys with bad track records and no track records : not a guaranteed success
I like the Freddy signing just as a safety. Your points are realistic. I’d probably look at the half full view however.
Jarry was injured and may never be able to stay healthy. But he might.
When healthy his style lines up with the more successful goalies more recently (athletic, side to side, lower net quickness)
Levi is a question but again athleticism is becoming more of a positive factor than the previous puck blocking styled giant goalies.(skinner)
Most importantly will be the team play will be far far better in front of them.
— sure. But it’s really projecting a lot to go right.
— having three outs instead of two when Jarry and Freddie are full stop amongst the worse goalies who still get regular starts in the NHL for more than a year or two.
— we have a by numbers historical bad starting tandem with injuries with formerly highly touted goalie who hasn’t played in NHL in case the tandem continues to be who they have been.
— what could go wrong ? Just hasn’t been any critical analysis of this or a truthful examination of the goalie situation using math. : only “yeah next year is better”
By save percentage, he was bad last year in the regular season and very good in the playoffs. He was one point below league average the year before and over 900 ever over year than his last with the Leafs.
He has been hurt a lot.
An awful lot.
I have all the gear on. “Go Canada Go”
Ooh! Ah!
Canada!
Say ooh ah Canada!
Have the game of your lives fellas!
I predict looking at the bracket that we will see Argentina or Brazil vs France (possibly Spain) in the final
🇨🇦 👏
Great first half performance. They just need to cash!
Mukhamadullin extends, 2 x 1.75 MM.
Should have signed him for a longer term.
The game has changed.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/how-the-leo-carlsson-offer-sheet-changes-everything-in-the-nhl/
A likely norris candidate at that price point? Massive win for the Oilers.
I think he’s going to have to have a solid season defensively or Bowman will deal him. Chaos as LT described him as having isn’t going to work for where they are heading as a team, demonstrated by the player types he’s gathering. They don’t know him yet so no term for Shaky
Shaky.
I like the nickname. Here’s hoping it’s ironic, not descriptive.
For sure
One more year at that price would have been nice
No, one more year would have walked him to UFA status – would have been a horrible term.
Tell is all about how great Anaheim’s cap situation is again.
Knock, knock – that’s a couple of 20 million dollar extensions for Bédard and Cellebrini at the door.
I believe this is where all of us who thought we know something about Cap mgt have our comeuppance. $40M (thereabouts) looked like a lot of Cap. By the time Bedard and a few others are Offer-Sheeted…
GMs, lock up your young talent now, while you still have a chance…
ps. I thought I knew very little. Now I know even less.
The problem with locking up young talent it’s risky. It’s a dice roll who’s going to break out or shit the bed. Opportunity-confidence-linemates-injuries-pedigree vs late picks.
The Two-pac Shakir!
Not my finest work but very pleased with the deal.
No room for the Iceman. I wonder if his name was brought up with the other possible Nurse destinations? Bowman needs to strike while the iron is hot. Howard has to be of great interest for other American based G.M’s.
They are at 23 including Ike. They seem willing to run 3 goalies, obviously Babcock is a part of these decisions, I expect that they will rotate Ike, Dach, Joseph, possibly Kap and Samanski, and Fred if he can’t get it together
The players want to play, but for the team having 13 F that feel a part of the team and have had a chance to get Bab’s system down, is great playoff insurance. The D will all get a chance as/if injuries happen
Holland ran a shorthanded squad tight against the cap boxing himself in. Bowman likes his options including Bakersfield. Energy players will be brought up and sent down that includes my man Clattenburg. The Panthers-Lightning road trip needs to be circled on Bowman list. The Panthers are filthy the Lightning will not be far behind. All hands on deck will be needed. Bowman-Babcock have to respond to the scrubs of the league taking runs at Connor-Leon-Evan. No more putting our heads in the sand. No more allowing shift after shift Lomberg to embarrass us. It’s going to be a glorious day for all of Canada.
It will be interesting to see how Babs approaches the ass hats in the east
Hopefully he’s got the gravitas with the refs. The Pacifist didn’t seem to
I know Bob liked this word, but it doesn’t mean what a lot of people think it means. Oilers had a coach with gravitas. They now may have one with hubris.
Certainly one with a reputation for drama.
Depends on which definition you use
What definition has Bob created for gravitas that fits what we know about coach MB (that wouldn’t also fit the previous coach)?
To my eye, the whole “gravitas = a quality we want in our next coach” thing is just more “marketing by Bob.”
Ps. I continue to be amazed/perplexed by Oilerville’s obsession what looks to me like an owner/Charlie McCarthy act. Is this a thing in other teams? Or is it unique to Oilerville?
He was referring to a coach with enough games coached and rep that the players would respect enough to take seriously and listen to. Knoblauch is a fine man, but they lost interest in what was happening, and he doesn’t have the big personality to effect change with other very confident and assertive people, at this point at least
With a coach like Cassidy, Maurice, Cooper, Rod and Babcock, there is stronger more decisive leadership and enforcement of concepts. The other thing they share is high confidence, which goes down to the players
Bob should just say that, IMO. The “gravitas” wordplay obscures the critical piece: star players are, more and more, doing what they want, tuning out when they want
Cassidy lost his team’s ear last year in a similar fashion to Knoblauch.
This selective hearing disorder may indicate something else percolating in the NHL, something that, along with yesterday’s Offer Sheet, suggests it’s going to be even harder to build long term team success.
Cassidy didn’t read the room. He mentioned it, and I imagine learned that you have to know when to push and when to not. That’s why there are so few at the top, there are a lot of pressures to handle
They are at 26 including Ike (along with Stastney and Dach who will both sign) – with 3 goalies 2 forwards will need to be cut (or saved with an IR placement).
It could be Howard and Samanski. It could be Janmark and Jones.
I don’t see Howard moved unless he is needed for a legit impact player with term to be traded for.
Yes. Jones I think is AHL, I think Janitor gets his shot (respect) and unless he wants to play in the A they will move him. Bowman shows in incumbent players respect. It’s the best way to build a culture but slows the process. Although he’s already revamped the entire roster, all of them except those vets staying for another campaign that they should keep
For the love of all things holy, PLEASE STOP!
psst: there is a “mute” button.
Trades can make or break a season there’s a reason why the trade deadline is so popular.
You don’t like a good trade? I think will see more this season has Brière has busted this off season wide open.
I would hope another trade is imminent.
No room?
He did everything the org asked for him in development (as expressed in detail by Bowman) while continuing to score and being a top player in the AHL.
The Oilers have added exactly zero top six forwards and zero new top 9 wingers and have lost Jack Roslovic.
There is vey much a spot for him.
Howard needs PP time to be effective and gain confidence. He’s learning how to find room 5 on 5.
You say this like it’s a fact and it’s not. He can certainly be effective and gain confidence playing on McDavid or Drai’s wing and seeing PP2 time.
For all we know, he’s the first PP1 fill in.
Concerning yesterday’s news…
Was the 2 year deal from McDavid a show-me deal or a very smart deal by his team? They foresaw the salary cap inflation, and saw he could cash, even by resigning with the Oilers. This will press our cap, but management ould prepare for a 20M contract in 2 years.
I won’t be surprised if he takes 14 or 15M. He said last time he has more than enough money, he wants to win more than anything
What’s interesting is that league revenues are outstripping a lot of team’s revenues, so the cap is rising more than a lot of teams have the cash to spend to: there will be more and more teams spending closer to the floor than the ceiling
This means that the cap was the great equalizer since it came in, but moving forward we are going back to a more have and have not situation, the 16 or however many teams that can spend to the cap will have an advantage. This presents a strategic opportunity to Connor
The Oilers have to trade him if he won’t commit. Any team trading for him will lose a lot in getting him, be weaker. Because Leon is on a value contract and I expect Connor to be as well, likely Bouch won’t go full pop, and they don’t have any other high cap contracts in the foreseeable future, and the team has money to spend, the Oilers are positioned to be a very deep team
Bowman is showing that he can make deals, sign team friendly contracts, and is building toward being a different team than they have been, that couldn’t quite get there. He also works hard, the team now has a different roster other than the core players. The best chance at winning a Cup for Connor is in Edmonton
Respect to McD for
a) acknowledging he has more than enough money,
b) recognizing that in a Cap league, and given what you’ve laid out, taking more money limits your team’s ability to build a Cup contending roster.
To go back to one of my broken records (leadership = service, sacrifice), and to own that when it comes to money, Capt McD is showing a rare kind of NHL leadership.
I feel for Ducks fans who were beginning to have Cup dreams. And Flyers fans, too. As we’ve seen in Oilerville with the Nurse contract, an overpay hobbles the GM, frustrates the fans, weighs heavy on the player.
ps. I have little or no opinion on GMSB’s July 1, except this: it doesn’t look like he’s squandered the future for “win now.” There seems to be a vision for what this team might look like in two-five years. Again, respect to Capt McD for not tying the GM’s hands.
What’s interesting is that league revenues are outstripping a lot of team’s revenues, so the cap is rising more than a lot of teams have the cash to spend to: there will be more and more teams spending closer to the floor than the ceiling.
This is the most underappreciated narrative right now and will be a major talking point going forward. I cant ever recall in the salary cap era this many teams having this much cap space with so little talent available to spend on.
I opined yesterday that I could see McDavid taking far less than he could get (yet again) on a long term deal. I suspect the Oilers will have a couple good years and, cup or no cup in those years, I do expect it to be with the Oilers and winning will remain top priority for him and taking 1, 2, 4, 6 million less per season helps the team in that regard.
Of course, he could max out but I don’t anticipate it (based on nothing other than history and feeling).
Shea plays a lot at RD as well. Bowman double covered a RD injury. Although SM playing RD on a contender might not work as well as on the Sharks
It’s definitely nice to have guys who are comfortable with flexible deployment. I’m never sold on any player billed as “can play both sides” though. Just because Mukh broke in on his off-side doesn’t mean this is a particular skillset of his – it’s more that the Sharks had a dismal group on defense and there weren’t better options available.
All to say, great if SM or Shea are comfortable spotting over when needed, but definitely optimal to keep Dmen aligned properly. All to say, I hope Regula clears waivers, because our depth at RD is still pretty thin We will be an injury away from potential disaster, imo, if Regula does get picked off waivers.
Shea popped when he was moved to LD. He performs better on that side.
Yeah multiple observers have noted this
I’m also not a fan of D off hand. Everyone’s performance takes a hit, even if they can get by. But for cover it’s a big help unless you have a very good righty in the minors
No idea on the forward plan but, even without an add, unless there are IR placements and given we’ve been told they will carry 3 goalies, two of Janmark, Jones, Joseph, Howard, Samanski need to be cut.
I think Samanski should be 4C and Howard on the wing in the top six to start but would not be surprised if either or both are re-assigned – both remain exempt from waivers and it’s the “easy play”.
i think most would want them over Janmark and Jones but how do Babcock and Bowman see it heading in to camp? Does Howard have to “steal a job”. With the 4 game exhibition season there is no real ability to steal a job, they need to use the games to set the lineup.
Truth be told, there will be a couple IR placements that make this decision. Maybe even Anderson, saving a forward cut and allowing Levi an opportunity to show us what he can do and give Jarry and early opt to re-establish himself.
It appears they have their bases covered with or without Howard. Samanski is in a good position as the teams 4c, Janmark , Jones & Joseph are capable bottom six fowards. If Howard can’t crack the top six, I don’t like his odds of making the team, he might end up being a valuable asset at Bowman’s disposal..
Stauff was speculating Samamski in the minors and Dach or Frederic at 4C……..
Let’s also not forget, the coaching staff (in addition to Stauff) have talked about McDavid/Drai together, in particular at home – we ARE going to see it – could same Samanski’s roster spot out of camp.
There’s lot’s of things to work out. Dach at 4c might be interesting. But Frederic?
I suppose anything is possible Samanski could also be on the wing. Not sure how effective Dach is at center?
Ekholm played all 82 games last season, had 41 points, was 12th in the NHL for 5 on 5 points, played 36% time on ice versus elites and was 56% goal share (and 56% expected goal share). He does seem to be slowing down a bit and can be beat to the inside but reports of his demise and injuries are over-stated. The cliff, or at least the other side, can come at any second but he remains left with Bouchard (and available).
Agree though, the added depth while moving Nurse out was excellent, and important, work.
There could be a trade out but, for now, Stastney gets signed and we see if Stastney and Regula both clear waivers (unless there is an IR placement).
Shakir will steal some playing time from Emberson and/or there is real cover for Walman to NOT play through injury and recover when he’s hurt – hopefully he stays healthy but, well, we love in reality. Shea is real 2LD cover unless he regresses.
Also, Shea played a lot with Letang who is, well, not the Letang of old and chaos – he did great and there may be a pairing with Bouchard that could work.
Stastney/Regula/Carfagna/Brown/Leppanen/Stilman – that is real and substantial.
“we love in reality”
Indeed. And our hearts are broken here, too.
I expect the AHL starter, at very least 50% tandem guy, to be Matt Tomkins.
I expect Matt Tomkins to be in another AHL city by October.
I sure hope he at least loaned out to a different AHL org if not moved along altogether to make room for the Ungar Jonsson duo.
Could be, I know many fans would like the prospects carrying the Condors, an Ungar/Jonsson tandem but this org has always liked a vet goalie down in the AHL (well, at least the last few management teams) – Bowman is fairly knew to the org still so maybe he wants the kids taking the net but no indication of that yet that I’ve seen.
The Oilers like a No. 3 NHL goalie. He will BE in the NHL this season, as the GM has already said they’ll carry three.
Sure, but they also love a vet in Bako it seems to me.