At some point we’ll get some new information on the Edmonton Oilers, and the daily discussion of Josh Samanski will subside on this blog. Maybe. Edmonton usually has some famous rookie to hold our attention, and Ike Howard would qualify but he played too many games last year is now the much less compelling ‘former rookie’ and we tend to grow suspicious of those fellows. Human nature.
I’m writing about rookies this week, and Josh Samanski is the most interesting. Since the comments section has gone from ‘Samanski might not make the roster’ to ‘I think he’s Gretzky!’ let’s have a look at what the young man can bring at this time.
His NHL minutes during the regular season offer a clue (playoff numbers too small a sample) but I’m going to talk mostly about his impressive AHL season.
PROSPECTS EVEN STRENGTH GOAL SHARE 2025-26 (FWDS)
This shows Samanski was the driver at even strength on his line while in Bakersfield. He played on the top unit (often with Ike Howard and Quinn Hutson) and everyone thrived. Samanski wasn’t the most impressive offensive player on his line, but he contributed and was quality in doing the little things that help suppress GA. When he left for Edmonton, his Condors linemates regressed (in the bad way) in goal share. You can’t get a better recommendation than that in my opinion.
That should translate to the NHL and my goodness he showed well with the Oilers using the eye test. As well, the actual numbers (55 percent goal share, 1.75 expected GA-60) were tremendous, the best on the Oilers for players over 21 games. Now, he played less against elites than he will in time, but these are splendid totals (via Puck IQ) considering he was playing in Germany in the spring of 2025:
While I’m at it, just want to mention it’s a damn shame Roby Jarventie wasn’t signed. He was, in my opinion, the Condors best forward in the second half of the season. Ike Howard looks good here, he worked hard and I hope he gets a full chance. Quinn Hutson is in a better spot now due to the Matt Savoie injury; it’s a narrow window, but it’s there all the same. The Viljami Marjala and Connor Clattenburg numbers tell us both men need to work on their 200-foot game, although Clattenburg had a much smaller sample and we’re always mindful of the impact.
PROSPECTS EVEN STRENGTH POINTS 2025-26 (FWDS)
Ike Howard will get his chance, hopefully it comes this fall. He’s a fine young offensive player and learning on the job defensively. Years ago, when a young Tom Poti was struggling, I asked my friend John Short why he was having such a tough time. “When he was in high school, when he wanted the puck Poti would just go and get it. Similar in college. When he got to the NHL, different story.” That’s why God invented the minor leagues, and Howard has learned his lessons. I’m cheering like hell for him.
Samanski does well here, too, but .6 points-game at even strength doesn’t guarantee he’s destined to fill the net in the game state. On the other hand, Dylan Holloway didn’t get close to .6 points-game. In his 63 AHL games, over three seasons, Dylan Holloway scored 16-13-29 (.46 even strength points-game).
Here’s what I think about Samanski: Howard aside, he’s the best young player on the list above and could have a significant NHL career. I don’t think he’s Gretzky, but do believe he’ll score enough to stay in the lineup, he will help his line outscore at five-on-five and he’ll be solid as a PK option. That’s an NHL player.
Dallas Eakins gets credit for finding Samanski, but let’s give this player flowers for becoming more than he was at 20 by working hard and getting better at doing his chores.
You know, Leon Draisaitl improved his skating, endurance, shot and coverage after he was drafted, and became a hockey icon. Samanski has some of that in him, too. He’s a damn good player. I’ll be shocked if he every scores 20 goals in an NHL season. His NHL equivalency is 27 points over 82 games. If he went 12-15-27, with the rest of his tools intact, an NHL team would play him and employ him. That’s a helluva player to procure for nothing but a contract. Mike Babcock will like him. Pretty sure. I projected Samanski at 51 games in the NHL next season, but didn’t give him much for boxcars because I’m uncertain how much they’ll use him.
On the Lowdown today, our feature guest is Kevin McCurdy and we’ll chat about Samanski, Hutson and players who may benefit from the Matt Savoie injury. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and You Tube.
One more thing. I think Samanski is lucky he arrived now, with the team set in most areas. When Anton Lander, a similar player, arrived in Edmonton, there was too much chaos. Lander didn’t improve his foot speed, and that will be key for Samanski, but for me the Oilers are a more mature organization now. Here’s what I wrote over a decade ago about Lander:
Anton Lander 13-14
- 5×5 points per 60: 0.21 (16th among forwards)
- 5×4 points per 60: nil
- Qual Comp: 13th toughest competition among regulars (fourth line)
- Qual Team: 9th best competition among regulars (third line)
- Corsi for 5×5 %: 43.9
- Corsi for 5×5 % REL: -.2
- Zone Start: 40% (6th toughest on the team among regular forwards)
- Shots on goal/percentage: nil
- Boxcars: 27, 0-1-1
- Plus Minus: -10 on a team that was -51\
What do these numbers tell us? He can’t score.
He scored in the AHL. Sure, got some power-play time and improved a great deal. OKC Lander EV: 43, 8-14-22 .511; OKC Lander PP: 43, 10-16-26 .605.
So, there’s no hope at all? There’s hope, but he isn’t going to hit a lot, and I don’t know if a center who can’t score is going to have a career in Edmonton. The Oilers aren’t that specialized.
Why can’t the Oilers identify him? They could but, it’s difficult to keep all the balls in the air. It’s like building a house and trying to do 15 things at a time: it’s easy to forget the extra light socket in the basement family room, and that your wife wanted the kitchen island situated so she could see through to the park.
Sounds like you have some experience in the matter. Oh boy.
What is his role for next year? He doesn’t have one in Edmonton.
So he’s GONE!?? Well, let’s see. Gordon is going to be the 4line C, they signed Arcobello to a deal and there are ‘crossroads’ articles in the minor league papers. Yes, I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest he won’t be back in the fall.
Does the coach like him? Eakins: “If (Lander) is going to play here, he has to be able to play centre, he has to play left-wing and he has to play right-wing. He has to be able to step in on the power play and kill penalties. He has to be able to wear a bunch of different hats.”
Sounds promising!?!!!! Here’s a quick item, learned first hand. When your boss says to (or about you) “If Bob’s going to work here…..” you’re already up to your ass in alligators.
What does it mean? They’ve decided on his bat. Now they have to decide if they can live with it, and if they can’t he’s gone.
Which Oilers wingers could step up during Matt Savoie’s early-season absence?
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7554401/2026/09/02/oilers-matt-savoie-injury-winger-replacement/
How about PTO winger Tarasenko??
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
He will get a contract, and I do wonder how much the injuries impact Edmonton’s early season cap plans.
For sure Tarasenko is getting a contract – he’ll do something similar to Roslovic last year (although higher than $1.5MM).
Bowman all but confirmed last night no PTOs and a signing unlikely – in his words “I wouldn’t hold your breath”.
NHL Prospect Tiers 2026-27: Scouts rank and project league’s top 145 young players:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7519279/2026/09/03/nhl-prospect-tiers-rankings-2026/
Misha Donskov was on with Stuff tonight and Stauff actually let him talk.
He talked about having coached with many coaches with different defensive systems – with Cassidy and with Babcock and with DoBoer, for example. There are no bad systems as long as it’s built around personnel and as long as the coach is able to teach and implement it and get the players to play it right. Break it in to component pieces and then build it up and show the players how they can have success within that structure.
The key though is he likes pressure – that is a continuation of what we’ve heard from Babcock and DJ Smith – pressure. Killing plays early in numbers in puck battles, winning races, closing as quickly as possible and taking away time and space – including on the PK.
Donskov also waxed poetic about Bouchard from the World Championships.
A massive massive loss to the team. Every time Bouch hit the ice he had an impact in all three zones. Was very assertive in that tournament. Skated well, moved pucks all, dynamic on the PP He’s big, he’s long, he can close. First time working with him and getting to know him as a man and I was so impressed with him. The loss fundamentally changed the group. His ability to skate, transition, move pucks, open up lanes, etc. Changed our 5 on 5 game, effected our room because of the impact and presence he had with the rest of the group.
All WHL games to be streamed free on YouTube.
https://chl.ca/whl-rebels/article/whl-regular-season-games-to-stream-free-on-youtube/
— I’m trying to think of another athlete that climbed to the highest in their sport yet when you look back they didn’t achieve all they could have because of bad choices and lifestyle
— Tiger was an incredible athlete. To think of what he could have done more but was brought down by the life he led.
— Mike Tyson is about as close as I can think of
— I can’t think of other athletes that were dominate for long periods of time recognized as the best, taken down at their peak by poor decisions and bad character.
I would suggest that injuries affected the trajectory of his playing career more than his off course behavior. He changed his swing in the early aughts several times to (attempt to) limit the stress on his knee (with mixed results)
He only won 1 more major (2019 Masters) after the 2008 US Open (on a broken leg)
The off course antics certainly (badly) tarnished his legacy, but he’s got 1 more chapter to write if/when he returns to golf on the senior circuit where he can take a cart. He’ll be welcomed back with open arms.
I would add Phil Mickelson to your list – Phil had it all in front of him had he stepped back from his playing career after the ’21 PGA, and it’s all gone now.
All of it.
Ronaldinho. Easily could have been one of the greatest of all time players if he hadn’t liked to party so hard.
Funnily enough he’s back in pro soccer with Ravenna (Serie C) in Italy at the grand old age of 46… He even scored a couple on his debut.
Guy Lafleur would smoke in-between periods.
Michael Vick. Ben Johnson. Lance Armstrong. Pete Rose.
Imo Bill Burr said it best on Tiger Woods: https://youtu.be/D7hix11FZRs?si=_zBuaEROs2bjyfC8
— none of Vick Ben Johnson Lance Pete meet my definition
Vick was a very good QB not the best.
Lance and Ben took enhancement drugs and wouldn’t have been who they were without them: just plain cheaters but that’s what they all did at the time.
Pete: his gambling never effected his career
Guy : well that’s not even what I’m talking about no scandal and he never undisputed the best
Ronaldhino: don’t know enough but he wasn’t like Messi I don’t believe.
— Mike Tyson was the undisputed undefeated most ferocious boxer until he was jailed
— Tiger at the height of his powers taken down by sure injury but his personal choices and clear addictions brought him done.
— They both were the best and at their peaks had personal scandals that took them down
— Anyway it’s interesting to think.
— I loved Tiger thought he was a complete athlete and was going to change sport
— He’s a caution for why I now separate performance from anything else in their lives and don’t conflate athletic greatness with personality. I now don’t fall into the trap of projecting other things to achievements.
Agreed on the performance not equating to anything else, including competence in other things. Trotz is a good example.
As Kanye West (the good version) so famously said:
“I like some of the Gaga songs, WTF does she know about cameras?”
By any reasonable evaluation metric, Tiger Woods had one of the best careers in golf history. The only reason his career can be criticized at all is because he set such a high standard for himself early on.
It’s a bit like saying Zeppelin had a disappointing career because of Presence through Coda. That later work hardly diminishes the work that came before. And the reality is 80% of the bands in the world would kill to make an album as strong as Presence.
For much of his career, Tiger Woods was only competing against Jack Nicklaus and himself.
True, but this doesn’t discount the point being made. His off-course distractions disrupted his aura/swagger. And his aura/swagger were central to his on-course persona and success.
I tend to agree with Gerta. It was more injuries than swagger or scandal that brought Tiger down. When he was on the course healthy, he was always a tough out but the knee and back injuries compounded over time to significantly compromise his game. And his distance advantage was eroded over time by more heavy hitters joining the tour.
Here’s a great article that showed how Tiger lost his way after his father’s death. In particular, his embrace of Navy Seal weight training put far too much stress on his joints and compromised his natural swing. Imo he never should have changed his initial swing and he changed it twice after that. His natural swing was good enough to win the Masters by 12 strokes at the age of 21!
https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/15278522/how-tiger-woods-life-unraveled-years-father-earl-woods-death
— of course based on where he was to what he ended up his career ended up not fulfilling his potential.
— that doesn’t take away from how great he was. But he had the potential to double his wins majors etc.
I believe what you’re saying is someone that “did” hit the highest level in their sport but their own poor decisions (as opposed to age or injury) pre-maturely and spectacularly ended their dominance.
Mike Tyson might be the better example (going to prison ended that run) and Tiger does have some of that as well.
Soccer players George Best and Ronaldiho would fit the “partied too hard”
NFLer Lawrence Taylor was a 10-time Pro Bowler, NFL MVP and 2-time champ but he had a severe crack cocaine addiction that ended his run.
In the NBA, Allen Iverson, Ron Artest and Dennis Rodman all have claims to “incredibly good” and “bad decisions destroyed their career” but I don’t know that we could say any of them were “the best”
I think that’s kind of what you were looking for as opposed to the “Alexander Daigle should have practised” or “Buster Douglas beat Tyson and then decided to never train again” type of careers.
For those interested in Tiger Woods, I highly recommend the biography written by Armen Keteyian and Jeff Benedict. The book was impeccably researched from hundreds of interviews.
One of my key takeaways is it’s much less easy judging Tiger’s behaviour once you learn how he was raised. Earl Woods was a serial cheater who literally parked a Winnebago course adjacent to have sex with various women while Tiger was on course as a child and then teen with his coaches.
Tiger had a very dysfunctional relationship with his father. He worshipped the man and at the same time, Earl put massive pressure on Tiger to excel while often treating Tiger’s mother like garbage.
Remember this quote from Earl? “Tiger will do more than any other man in history to change the course of humanity….he is the Chosen One. He’ll have the power to impact nations. Not people. Nations.” No pressure there.
Combine Tiger’s “role model” with the obvious and constant temptation afforded the world’s richest and most famous athlete and the question wasn’t “Why would Tiger fall from his pedestal but when?”
Being great at golf doesn’t assume being great at life, and unfortunately Earl taught his son all the right lessons of the former while forgetting some of the key lessons of the latter. Personally, I admire and forgive Tiger because he owned his mistakes. You can’t say the same thing about Earl Woods.
Is that understanding and forgiveness only reserved for sport greats? Because you just described everyone. You’re what you’re taught and a combination of your experiences, and that’s about it. Honest question, if he was a serial adulterer, an addict who endangers others by deciding (selfishly) to drive impaired often….. And was not an all time great golfer, would he have your forgiveness still?
Yes, I think we should endeavour to forgive all people if they admit their mistakes and are sincerely contrite.
These are the athletes that come to mind for me:
Babe Ruth
Diego Maradonna
Dwight Gooden
Darryl Strawberry
— yeah your missing my point.
— All those guys worked hard played hard like many athletes who managed coke alcohol and drug addictions with careers.
— we can’t point to a peak of career for any of those that took them down when they were peak and the best and then something happened that stunted their career and they finished their career not achieving what they were projected to from their prime at the time of their “fall”
— anyway some people got what I was trying to articulate
— Shoeless Joe Jackson also comes to mind, although he just got out right banned and didn’t continue and he is still one of the greatest batters of all time. So not exactly the same
— Athletes at their peak trending to be all time great that got knocked down considerably after personal failings and should have had even greater careers. Tiger could have been hands down to greatest golfer of all time. Tyson could have been the greatest boxer ever. They both got knocked out before their prime because of failings.
It seems like the next time you’re thinking out loud we should leave you to it.
Broberg and Holloway named alternate captains in STL today.
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Funny looking horse! Head like a camel.
Speaking of distant bells, here is a podcast from Grand Rapids that incoming Eduards Tralmaks appeared on several days ago. Based on what he was saying about a 3v3 tourney, this conversation likely took place in mid to late July.
He is an entertaining fellow, he has loads of personality.
The Oilers are brought up at the 1 hour mark, it has some interesting tidbits:
https://youtu.be/An-ddwoHRmw?si=Z6SgiYnRGt65_LV2
Thanks for posting the link. He seems like a great character and cool to hear how analytics were involved in the Oilers assessment of him leading up to free agency.
Definitely cheering for him and hope he can get a least a few games in!
“What was your favourite place to hang out in the city?”
”Im not sure I can say out loud.” 😂
i didnt expect his English to be so good but I guess he did go to college in the US (played with Swayman). I love this guy. Sounds like the Oilers are very high on him too and he will get a chance. Thanks for sharing
Thanks, I will listen to this later today,
I hope he gets NHL games this year – it means he’s filled the net for the Condors.
Whoa, this is over an hour – this will be morning gym content and I look forward to it.
What will you be wearing?
Go to the 1 hour mark for the 10 or so minutes of Oilers content.
I hope Babcock has some more realistic expectations for Samanski than Eakins had for Lander. I don’t see him playing all 3 forwards positions, PP and PK.
I’ve always liked checking C’s Lander should have had a Rem Murray career or even Backland type one. If and when O’Reilly hits in Tampa whoever okayed that trade better hope Howard starts scoring asap.
Lander needed to skate better to do that at the NHL level.
Samanski’s skating is just fine, in my opinion.
Todd Nelson would have given Lander enough opportunity to find his footing in the league.
I like Samanski, have been drinking from the OP Koolaid “since last December,” like how you’ve framed his possible futures. But, as with most everything in recent months, we’re waiting on what the new coach thinks.
In the meantime, the most interesting hockey related question was nicely debated on the Lowdown yesterday: Who should be on the SportsNet panel? Rather than re-hashing our well known opinions on lineups, prospects, goalies, coaches, etc how about full-on discussion on this topic?
I like your suggestion of McLean (recently rehired) adding Brarr. I also like the Whitney, Bisonette idea. Now, who’s the former coach who’ll teach us what we don’t know, aren’t seeing?
Stauff throws out:
Howard/McDavid/Drai
Podz/Nuge/Hyman
Frederic/Dickinson/Kap
Dach/Samanski/Joseph
Jones
He thinks that both Podz and Hyman can help drive from the wing and Nuge will be fine as a center between.
I keep going back to not so distant domination of Kane/Nuge/Hyman in playoff games and believe that Podz for Kane works here.
Samanski and Joseph are both plus defensive players and Joseph and Dach are very physical – that line could certainly be an effective 4th line.
GF%
Joseph – 38.9%
Dach – 35.7%
Samanski had a 55% GF but it was fuelled by a 22.2% shooting percentage.
In 24 regular season GP Samanski generated only 9 SOG.
In 5 playoff games, Samanski generated only 2 SOG and happened to score on 1 of them for a shooting percentage of 50%.
What part of this do you see as sustainable?
All of it, he’s going to have a 45% shooting percentage going forward, a 72% goal share, grow another 6 inches, add 30 lbs, and maybe even bring home a Grammy with his cover Soundgardens Black Hole Sun.
This is the all-time best comment ever on here! Also, his dick doubled in size and he’s gonna F#@% everyone’s moms.
If Samanski’s GF% isn’t warranted due to high on-ice SH% then is it the same story for Dach who had a low on-ice SH%? Or for his quality of team in CHI? Or maybe just your first ever disingenuous comment
Colton Dach had a 57% goal share for the Oilers (and 50% in the playoffs).
Why would anyone put anything it to their goal shares on the Hawks and Blues? Oh right, Oiler hating narratives!
Good Grief.
SAMPLE. SIZES. MATTER.
Then I guess he should note Connor Bedard and his 44% goal share – bigger sample size than Dach.
TEAM. MATTERS. MORE
Stauff is probably just spit-balling.
This lineup isn’t good enough. It is easy enough to see. I think it is decent for sure but its not there yet. I feel we are another top 3 forward (possibly get at the deadline) and another top 4 D from cooking with gas and that is with some steps taken by Howard, Samanski, Dach and possibly Jones stepping up.
The lineup above has 1 legit scoring line. I like the second line but they won’t score enough.
As is they will be a good team and should be ok to get to the 2nd season. Work is needed and will be done I believe via additions eventually and the system that the coaching staff builds in.
That third line is a peach.
Goals last season:
Frederic – 4
Dickinson -7
Kapanen – 8
Kapanen, who some here see as a top 6 option, hasn’t hit double digits in goals in the past 6 seasons.
He hit 20 with Babcock as the coach. Opportunity does affect half the players in the league.
I think he’s Gretzky
Stauff still pumping an Alex Formenton signing. Cites PK and free player.
Yesterday Bowman said not to hold your breath for any adds prior to camp – PTO or signing.
Stauff wouldn’t be surprised if McDavid and Dari play more than 50% of their 5 on 5 TOI this season.
He played the Babcock clip about it’s tough to find enough minutes to make everyone important if they are on separate lines and getting their full minutes (and where he said maybe the set up is different than at home). The Babcock quote (this is from day after the hire) talked about looking for ways to maximize everyone on the team.
Im a fan of Samanski as well. He may not have the offence yet but he has the tools and is on the right trajectory. Possible Rem Murray type career? Id say Brodziak but man that guy had 900+ NHL games. That would be a high end outcome.
LT what did you think of RE the Evangelista trade? The type of deal the Oilers shoulda got in on?
David Pagnotta
@TheFourthPeriod
Big news for 6 fanbases, as Prime Video announced a multi-year agreement with the NHL to be the exclusive local streaming home for six NHL teams, starting this season: Carolina Hurricanes, Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues
If only.
Instead – Sportsnet hell.
Yeah…but at least we still have Ron McLean.
I wouldn’t be at all shocked if Amazon poaches Friedman and Bieksa.
Developing:
Insider on Insider reporting. Hearing 56 year old Toronto Native and former University of Western Ontario scholar, Elliotte Friedman is gaining interest from Amazon as he enters day 2 of free agency.
The longtime Rogers Media employee is seeking term and an AAV that exceeds the 7 figure plateau. “Friedge” as colleagues call him first bust (no diddy) onto the scene in 1994 on local Toronto radio, 590 The Fan and has worked in various roles over the past 3 decades.
Is Elliotte the biggest free agent in hockey media ever? I’ll hang up and listen.
-John Lu, TSN, WPG
“The partnership adds to Prime Video’s extensive offerings of local sports team coverage, including deals to distribute the Seattle Kraken, MSG Networks, CHSN, NESN, Peacock NBC Sports Network RSN’s in Boston, Philadelphia and Bay Area, SNY, YES Network, and Marquee Sports Network, with more to be announced as agreements are finalized.
This agreement with the NHL also broadens Prime Video’s relationship with the league, following the 12-year deal announced earlier this summer to exclusively broadcast Wednesday night national regular season NHL games in Canada in both English and French, as well as present significant postseason coverage.”
https://press.amazonmgmstudios.com/us/en/press-release/prime-video-reaches-exclusive-agreement-with-natio
Jarventie obviously didn’t feel he had fair shake in Edmonton especially after his injury incidents. If Howard isn’t a fit for a new coach in Babcock and he banishes him to the AHL then Bowman better cut bait and get what he can for Howard before his agent makes a stink like Broberg and I suspect Holloway agent as well.
Why do you hate Issac Howard?
I noticed you chose to ignore that fact that MANY forwards that just won gold at the Olympics of the US spent their first year post-college in the AHL.
I have no idea why you think Howard spending 2/3 of his rookie pro season in the AHL means the organization is cratering him – its wild.
I would say the Oilers are a better team , not necessarily more mature, less chaos anyway, than in Landers day. This years team will look to specialise more defensively and on the PK which should benefit Samanski who does have a lot of similarities to Lander.
I don’t know how each line will be formed. But I do think each line will be better rounded in all aspects of 200 ft hockey. So there will be more time for players like Samanski who has demonstrated he has a defensive conscience. It may have been his intention to focus more
on that side of his game, knowing that offensive opportunities will come eventually with patience. Maybe a little birdie explained it to him.
I’ve been posting about Samanski since last December and sing his praises and upside yesterday. I think I stopped well short of calling him a Gretzky but I think he’s earned his spot on the roster and in the lineup and can be a very helpful player and somewhat important come playoff time.
As LT shows, there is more offence to come from this player. He led the Condors at 5 on 5 scoring at the time of call up. When he was called up, he clearly “cheated for defence” and that was just fine as his primary attributes are on the defensive side of the puck. He should now be more comfortable and, if given minutes night after night, will be able to chip in.
We saw him be effective 2-ways in the playoffs.
He has the size/length along with smarts and commitment to continue being a strong defensive player and should be used nightly at center to start the season and get at least a minute of PK per game.
The playoff roster will reap the rewards of his NHL development this season.
Also, what a great kid!
I had him No. 5 in December 2025, writing He’s playing centre on the team’s top line (with Hutson and, at times, Howard) and posting enough offence (3-12-15 in 20 games) to be considered a real NHL prospect. He leads the Condors in even-strength scoring (3-10-13) and has a 53 percent goal share (fourth among forwards at evens).
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6860320/2025/12/07/edmonton-oilers-top-20-prospects-ranking-winter-2025/
I remember the hype for big fella Walt Puddubny was off the charts. The oilers drafting the first couple of years will never be matched. Walt took a few years to fit into his body but he managed a 40 goal season and two 38 goal seasons later in his career with other teams.
I see Tolvanen signed a 1 yr/1.5 mill contract with the Rangers. That is a very good deal.
Be nice to see Samanski come into camp with a bit more weight and muscle. That 6.2 frame and 195 lbs could easily handle another 8-10 lbs of muscle. He got knocked off the puck a bit too much in the corners last season albeit battling hard . Like this player a lot as he definitely gives it his all every shift. So guess we see if he put on some muscle over the Summer.
Well Evander Kane’s post playing career seems to be going well so far. 🙄
Jordan Schmaltz
@J_Swish24
Good morning folks. What did I miss? Who is currently winning the Evander Kane vs Kurt Gabriel cyberwar?
Sounds like Kurt dropped two nukes on Evander Kane’s chin and Kane came back late last night with an air strike of receipts.
The type of receipts you submit to your corporate company 22 months late trying to expense a dinner for $128 bucks at a Cooper’s Hawk in Troy Michigan.
We may need more evidence for this to pass. Storyline has everything a heated rivalry season 2 could ask for. I’ll hang up and listen.
-Swish
Just. Put. The. Phone. Down.
Sounds like Kane plans on writing a book to silence his critics. But who really cares?
I would like to hear Kane speak freely on his coach not allowing him to do his Job. This cost us a Cup.
As i recall Kane was spending a lot of time in the penalty box. How does that reflect on his coach?
I recall being a very good Oiler, turning the tide in a Kings series, bringing a much needed swagger to the dressing room.
Taking shots at Kane is weirdo stuff.
Kane got some stupid penalites sure, BUT he also got targeted unfairly for some reputation bullbrown penalties by the terrible officiating that was that series. Was one of the worst officiated series I have ever seen.
In Kane’s own words ‘They get away with more’
no sh!t
I would love to have an effective, healthy younger Kane back… him and Dach together… hopefully Dach can bring some of that intimidation and effective crazy to the team.
So did Bennett how did that work out for Maurice and Company. I’m going to tell you a little secret Kane would have easily goaded Bennett into a major effectively taking him out of play 1/2 a period. As for Tkachuk he was scared shitless of Kane. Do people not listen to ex NHLers the league is a dog eat dog fraternity club. Babcock looks like a school girl compared to the real Iron Mike as for Maurice he’s a prick that conducts business in more subtle manner.
Kane couldn’t keep his stick down while making a hit – he kept getting earned minor penalties.
Yep. Even rookie Kane knew how to handle business and who didn’t deserve to do anything but lay on the ice dazed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLqpw_uKyds
oh boy, that was cookie monster that got knocked out… hmmm just desserts.
That could have been that dirty fuk Bennett but K.K didn’t want to win bad enough even with better personal. He thinks he’ll have other chances down the road because he’s young life doesn’t work that way.
I feel for the guy. His ex is completely batshit, but you can’t argue this stuff in the court of public opinion. Baby mama drama needs to stay in-house.