The Oilers play in Winnipeg against the Jets tonight. It’s a long day for the players, and we often see some unusual performances in the Winnipeg away game. This year, we’ll get a first blush view of the second line. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins returning to his roots as a two-way center for the second line.
Replacing peak Leon Draisaitl with aging Nugent-Hopkins is similar to punting Mick Taylor and hiring Ron Wood, but if this works Mike Babcock will have the key to the hockey highway in hand. I’m a fan of the Nuge, and Zach Hyman, plus believe playing Ike Howard with skill is the right thing to do. It’s my belief Howard-Draisiatl-Podkolzin would be a better trio, but only tomorrow knows.
LINES AND PAIRINGS (POSSIBLY)
- Howard-Nuge-Hyman
- Frederic-Dickinson-Kapanen
- Jones-Samanski-Hutson
- Tralmaks-Michaels-Griffith
- Walman-Murphy
- Mukhamadullin-Emberson
- Leppanen-Akey
- Levi,Vinni
I’m reasonably confident in the first line and then after that I’m just riffing. Devon Levi is in goal, that’s going to be a talking point tomorrow morning for sure. I hope we get to see guys like Quinn Hutson and Eduards Tralmaks, plus Atro Leppanen who is truly entertaining. In the olden days, the Jets might trade for Leppanen after the second period, the WHA Jets loved the Finns and Swedes. I wouldn’t mind seeing Damien Carfagna.
The Oilers have about one week to get this thing together, and I think Babcock’s showing enough of his hand that we can guess about the lines and pairings opening night.
I’ll suggest Draisaitl-McDavid-Podkolzin, Howard-Nuge-Hyman, Fornenton-Dickinson-Kapanen and Frederic-Dach-Joseph. Ekholm-Bouchard, Walman-Murphy and Shea-Emberson, Jarry starts and Levi backs up.
On the Lowdown today, it’s Shawn Belle as our feature guestand we’ll have the round table with Declan Krueger, Josh Fenwick and Donovan Paulson. We will chat Oilers-Jets, Elks, NFL and the great disappointment that is the Blue Jays. Noon to 2pm on Sports 1440 and You Tube.
Keep putting up zeroes Ungar!
Babcock starts off praising Walman – his first look at him.
PK getting there – good pressure.
Howard – yup, he’s taking steps. Its a growing experience for Howie (talking about learning as a young skilled player how to play when you dont have the puck very much).
Will be a very AHL lineup in Vancouver.
Off-day tomorrow.
No Howard in OT what to make of it?
Must have been slightly shown up by Marjala.
If Marjala doesn’t steal an NHL spot, he might be the first call up.
How many Finns development later and pop
in there mid 20’s.
He has been very noticeable. That he can clear waivers will work against him, but, he’s stood out in a good way each time the coach has tapped him on the shoulder.
Your premise is correct – he can be sent down with no risk but, technically post, its not that he can “clear waivers” its that he remains exempt from waivers.
I like Marjala, I watched him all last season and have called him “Ales Hemsky Light” but we need to remember that exhibition games mean nothing as far as NHL readiness of prospect.
Don’t get me wrong, this showing is important, he’s put himself in Babcock’s mind and will likely play again Thursday but this is not the same as playing a regular season NHL game. He may get that chance this season though – he showed better than Hutson and Raty and Tralmaks.
And Howard.
I guess Howard blocked a shot good for him.
Howard was fine – if Hyman could finish two grade-A set-ups, we’d be talking about how great a game he had. As Babcock says, its the process right now.
I didn’t think Howard was bad. He skated hard, created a couple of chances for Hyman, one on the PP, one at evens. He worked hard to get pucks and forechecked.
Good point – does not need to clear waivers (exempt).
Taj Marjala!
Great OT finish by Marjala!
Was Stauf potentially telegraphiing the Oilers might be showing some interest in Logan Stanley? He’d be way better than Brown and a 3rd pair of him and Shak would be an absolute truckload of redwood logs.
Hard to believe Stanley has never made over 1.25 million. I guess big dumb slow moving D are no longer desirable in today’s NHL. In saying that he’ll be signed by Friday for 1 million per year over 2 years.
The Oilers do not need another left shot d-man.
Is he playing over Ekholkm, Walman or Shea?
Haha, you’re right, total brain fart..I honestly completely forgot about Shea and was still thinking it was Ek, Walman and Stastney, but even then Stastney and his wheels are likely better.
My thinking was if they’re adamant about trying to get Brown into the lineup for size and toughness Stanley might be an upgrade on that and I could see some of their old school thinking talking themselves into that.
Even Stauff said tonight Brown will be in the AHL this year.
He’s never been an option for the NHL roster unless there were 4 injuries.
Very poor offensive zone pass by Frederic with 80 seconds left in a tie game – led to a fast break the other way.
Kap going through the motions tonight….
I think he heard you! Had some spark that last drive to the net.
Some great work by Shakir below the goal line – win a battle, spin move to get free, short transition dish.
Not that I feel this development would make anyone’s job easier, but I’m now at home earnestly trying to manifest a Hutson Hatty. As it was promised: To each generation, a Pisani.
“What… is a Pisani?”
”To each generation, after generation. after generation, a Pisani”
“…”
”When you see it, you will know it.”
whoops.
There you go, per Stauff, like scenario is Ungar and Tomkins splitting in the AHL.
He didn’t say it but suspect Day and Jonsson in the ECHL.
I am not concerned, there will be plenty of opportunity for Samuel J. to get AHL games this season.
Not sure what the plan is with Emil V. – got to find him a place to play.
Among the Condors tonight, I like Carfagna, Atro turf, Trail mix, Marjala. I do like Levi. I’m wishing on Michaels but I think he’s just a guy I’d like to like and that’s different.
Taj Marhala
I have a feeling Trailmix will assert himself fairly quickly to become a top callup from the Bake.
Howard with a great rush and set-up net front that Hyman can’t bury.
A nice pass down low to Hyman from Howard.
I say this with no exaggeration and with some understanding of how irrational it may sound:
Josh Brown is my least favourite Oiler of all time.
He has played 10 games in an Oiler uniform, and 2 minutes of a playoff game. He should be completely inconsequential in Oiler history.
And yet, I seize with rage when I see his name. Just a most hateful hockey player.
Frederic with a solid neutral zone board pick up and very deft pass right on the take to Samanski in stride – he is good at that.
Owen Michaels showing very well so far this game.
Frederic looked no worse than any other vet first, made no mistakes and had 4 hits and is taking shrapnel.
People have their narratives I guess.
Suspect Frederic will need to be productive for some time before many come around. Which is fair, because he has been poor. That said, I don’t think we can take much from a preseason game. He has been active, but had a nice offensive (two-on-one? breakaway?) chance turn into a giant pile of nothing. Doesn’t mean anything, we’re so early.
He’s settled in after a more than tough first year trying to live up to the contract. With the cap skyrocketing Frederic can go about his business quietly while chipping in 12-14 goals a season.
He’s making plays. I’m not seeing the improved quickness.
This is fair. He’s meh.
Anyone watching this between period stuff?
MacTavish and Buchberger…really???
And the spelled Ungar’s name wrong. Unless they’ve signed a new Connor Unger I am unaware of.
He’s the grandson of Felix Unger, and he keeps a clean crease!
Long lost relative of Gary Unger lol
They might of meant Gary Unger.
It was Gary Unger that took the 5 minute major with exactly 5 minutes remaining in the Miracle on Manchester game. The major happened the shift after the Kings made it 5-3. Gary Unger will never be forgiven it’s second only to Steve Smith brain dead pass.
LT hates Ronny Wood.
This game is only on Jerts TSN3 and the oilers subscription? I’m watching tons of games on CI, but nope. Gotta pay Katz to watch this one.
I don’t hate him, but Taylor was in the band from Let it Bleed through Exile and that’s all the best stuff. So, he didn’t get credit for helping on Sway, Moonlight Mile and Winter, but he should have. Would it have killed the Glimmer Twins to give up some royalties? No. Ron Wood is fine. He isn’t Mick Taylor.
Freddy still recovering from the ankle sprain.
Can’t watch. How is Levi looking in net?
Pretty good, you can definitely tell he’s quick. Not a lot of hard saves for him so far, his GA was off an egregious turnover by Brown, not much chance for him.
I like him.
Stauffer saying Frederic looks faster. Not sure I’m buying that.
Marjala has a motor and he’s really moves, forechecks hard.
Bob is pumping tires. Frederic isn’t moving fast enough to get to the hits.
He had four hits in the first period.
Good Grief.
Every Oiler fan has their own whipping boy.
Great shift Eduards…
He is a load.
I’m pulling for him. Would be a good news story
Yeah, he seems to be a beast on the boards, to my eye, he’s had several good shifts keeping the play alive on the o-zone.
Good board work in the o-zone by Tralmaks – good to see as I way him slow and late on his first few shifts….
Someone tell Bobby that there’s no point in pumping Frederic’s tires all game. They’re clearly not fully patched.
Frederic looked as good as any vet forward in the 1st.
“Replacing peak Leon Draisaitl with aging Nugent-Hopkins is similar to punting Mick Taylor and hiring Ron Wood”. A line for the ages!
A Leppanen seeing eye shot ties the game, subject to review.
A Nuge face-off win.
Likely coming back on goalie interference.
No challenge tie game.
Nuge driving offence.
How much longer must we suffer under the tyranny of Josh Brown?
He’s only permitted 2 exhibition games and this is his 2nd.
He should be in the Condors lineup for their first exhibition game on Friday.
Babcock hates to lose. Not long.
A Josh Brown horrendous giveaway in the defensive zone and its 1-0 Jets.
That was a brutal turnover. Why is he even playing? At least it’s his last preseason game.
He should be in the Condors lineup for their first exhibition game on Friday.
That will be great news.
Mike Babcock is still figuring out the roster. I’ve said it before, but there’s every chance he has an older book on some of these fellows. Brown would certainly be known to him from the before time.
What a terrible signing. We all knew it from Day 1. Agreed on Babcock getting to know the team though.
I assumed from Go it was a farm signing to protect the yutes, with unfounded aspirations of big t league depth or callups. Since it’s the owner’s money Inwas and am fine w it. Provided Brown isn’t REsigned and the NEXT coach doesn’t have to learn this all over again…
Mukhamadullin could have maybe played that better too.
Levi with a nice and calm leg save on an dangerous Iafallo wraparound – went by Brown like a 3rd pairing AHL d-man that can’t skate.
Nuge/Kap on PK1.
Samanski/Hyman as PK2.
Slushy— I know you have been pro-good systems. Florida and Carolina being good examples. Are we at all worried about how long it took Florida and Carolina to establish their systems and have success. If we think Babcock is a good systems guy, how much time is he going to need?
hey guys…how to watch the game tonite…
onhockey.tv If you’re in Eastern Canada you won’t be able to watch the TSN3 feed. It’s also on Sportsnet+ if you’re a millionaire 😏
I’m watching on Oilers+ under the free trial. I’m in North Carolina.
Sweet
Nice close by Shakir on Yager.
Anyone else hear Yager’s name and have to think twice?
Anybody have the latest on Bruce Cassidy?
I have not seen anything new. I am sure Vegas will let him interview with an Eastern conference team mid season
I think we are still waiting to hear back
Freddie gets a good rest – he got married, won the cup and he had a couple of surgeries……
Babcock confirms some surgeries for Andersen.
Did they indicate if it was multiple injuries, or if the first surgery didn’t work and it had to be done over again? In either case, not the best of news.
I expect to see him either 20 games remaining in our season either game 1 or game 3 starter.
Any of the 3 goalies could be the start for game 1 of the playoffs.
To be honest, the hope is its not Andersen and one of the other two have earned that on merit.
Bowman never met an injured player he didn’t love.
Babcock said yesterday he didn’t like their practice. Today he said skate was outstanding – they had good tempo, they got up and down the rink, they competed – it “looked like the national hockey league”.
The 80’s team practiced hard, and sometimes violently
Frederic-Dach-Formenton-Joseph-Podkolzin-Kapanen. These players will cause turnovers with our Babcock-pressure.
I think, of all the skilled Oilers players, the two deep playoff runs were the hardest on Nuge. He looked gassed last year. I think he is a proud player and knows last year wasn’t up to snuff. I believe he’ll come back this year rested and absolutely ready to go. He will age out soon, but it wont be this year.
On a side note, I was bowhunting elk this morning and had a giant sow grizzly with two cubs come past us at less than 50 yards. The wind was in our favour and she kept going. Pretty damn intense. Everyone kept cool heads and no one worse for wear. I’m sure Babs has been in the same situation, hearing about his love of hunting. Here’s hoping he keeps a cool head with the team this year.
Everybody needs the big predators out there to keep us on our toes. Keeps you paying attention, doing things right.
Oilers do not have a big predator as such, but look to be built at least a little bit more rugged this year.
I like your share.
To be fair to #93, they put him in a position to fail playing with the injury he had.
Should he have also said no to playing – yes – but hockey hasn’t figured that part out yet.
The fresh, skilled professionals in the press box are most valuable at the end – yet treated like crap.
Morning skate per Stauff:
Great opportunity for Samanski here.
I asked that Babcock gives him an opportunity and he’s getting it.
Two full AHL lines.
Man, tough spot for Shakir, Brown was god-awful last game.
Look forward to getting eyes on Levi – very fast and athletic from what we hear.
I would guess that Dickinson isn’t ready for action. Although Babcock could have given the opportunity to Dach so that says something. Excited to see Tralmaks and Tassy looked real good in the rookie game. I like the looks of that bottom six.
Of course we’ll see how Howard performs with Nuge & Hyms.
You have a good pulse on the team Cowboy.
LOL.Thanks.
I expect that’s the last we see of Brown for a while. He can only play 2 preseason games and unlikely for regular season games.
Brown is in to keep a few of those scrub Jet players honest.
Brown has to be 10th on the D-man depth chart and the likes of Carfagna and Leppanen may pass him as early as tonight.
Somebody is still a supporter of Brown obviously. He asked for Brown to get a chance and hes getting it.
Meh – he’s a body.
This Marjala fellow I only know mostly from OP’s or other posters observations. Briefly this season, he seems to have a presence on the ice. He seems noticeable. His positioning, puck carries, skating. He looks big down the middle. Can he score with some talent to work with?
I’ve described Marjala as “a poor mans’ Alex Hemsky” – he really is skilled with the puck on his stick. This year in the AHL I look for him to produce more away from the power play and continue to increase his impact 2-way.
Marjala is a center.
Yes, I know, I watched him play 50 games last season.
My opinion on his skill-set and comparison to Hemsky’s skill set stands
Everytime I’ve seen Levi he was making 2-3 saves that we haven’t seen in Edmonton for a while. If he can learn to see through traffic better he’s going to be a fan favourite. I love this very low cost gamble and with the security blanket of Andersen>booyah.
Does it appear that even though Samanski might be presently behind Dach for that 4c role, he is replacement 3C for required shutdown role?
Perhaps – whether Dickinson is 100% to start the season or not, injuries have been a thing for him over his career so I think the org knows he’s not playing 82 games.
Lots of players on this team where injuries have been a thing recently: Hyman, Walman, Drai, Kap, Dickinson, Murphy, Dach, etc.
2 long seasons Murphy-Dickinson playing toughs Walman has never really been healthy with us except that short stretch where he played well. Hyman Dai Kap deep runs having to face ass-hole teams. The Savoie and possibly Dickinson injuries are kinda hard to swallow to start the year. Do you think the Savoie injury played into wait and see before going long on a contract. I have no idea what is injury was?
As the Condors season wore on last year, after returning from injury #44’s play improved to where he was regularly using his massive frame and long reach to steer opponents to corners/boards and deliver more than his share of subtle jabs and cross-checks. I thought I was hallucinating until #44 launched an off the glass and out versus a perfect 90-foot breakout pass.
I watched most of the Condors’ games last season and found the exact opposite. He started off the season very strong and his game fell off down he stretch. The team was led by Carfagna and Regula down the stretch.
Stauff did mention last night that the big cut down day will be Friday.
I presume some cuts trickle in over the next few days as well.
Condors have an exhibition game on Friday and currently have 4 d-men and 8 forwards.
I love preseason. This year reminds me of when Magnus scored a hat trick.
This year we have RNH “Second Line Centre”.
Formenton “Top Six Winger”
and Dach “An NHL Player”
I love it. Hope abounds.
Just remember, everyone has a plan until they get hit for the first time. In this case, hit by the regular season.
For those of a certain vintage, preseason is also when Peter White and Ralph Intranuovo would lead the Oilers in scoring, only to next appear on milk cartons.
Dach is an NHL player, he was perfectly fine when the Oilers acquired him and hasn’t played above the 4th line.
Formenton isnt being slotted above the 4th line.
Nugent probably isnt a 2C, but with the right wingers, a Podz/Hyman forecheck, a progressive step by Howard. The second line can be very valuable.
Everyone has a plan until Dach hits them back, science.
I don’t know Formenton with McDavid & Leon might be an interesting fit..
Even Formenton with Nuge & Hyman. I’d like to see that.
Id like to see Howard given all top 6 at bats while Formenton provides bottom 6 speed if he’s able to still play regular season NHL hockey on a contender.
Howard will get plenty of looks. It’s just if he takes advantage. I don’t think you should underestimate Formenton’s abilities, he’s motivated to prove himself and he’s in his prime.
Formenton was well on his way at a young age to becoming an everyday top 6-9 years ago. He has speed-mitts-hands he also sticks up for his players. Cowboy we have an important piece not many players can bring the skillset of what Formenton brings. Let him get used to the pace Babcock no dummy he’s not going to hold back a player that deserves more ice-time and responsibility. The Savoie injury hurts but did we sign Formenton for the PK because of the Savoie injury?
It seems like there aren’t very many roster players that aren’t able to work on the PK.
I would bet D.J wanted Formenton who I believe he obviously trusts. This is going to be the best signing in Oilerville in a raccoon age.
D.J’s PK will be speed going the other way constant pressure will lead to this happening. The ability for the Oilers to score SH will lead teams to some teams abandon 4 forward because of the fear of a SH goal. Our P.K sang us last year they were dreadful we would’ve limped past Anhiem if we indeed did have a PK. Pressure-speed-pressure-speed=10 plus Shorties this year.
I assume Babcock is focused on team culture, and that’s fair enough.
Still, if McDrai are on the same line after 20 games, I’ll expect a lost season.
I dunno. The Nugh Hyman line has got this if Ike can pot 50…
I’ll let myself out.
Hyman a literal 50 goal man..
The sky is falling group is wilding out.
Yes. Nothing is guaranteed, but some aren’t putting the whole picture together. The last time they had an established coach the roster wasn’t NHL calibre throughout and the stars were young and not following the plan. They didn’t have nearly the D group they have now. I think more players will contribute if Babcock can get them playing the system and going to the right places, and guys have a role and are getting enough TOI to get engaged
The panthers and Canes show this. They are good teams but their system play and full engagement makes them more than the sum of their parts to me
I think him coming off injury scoring 31 goals while missing 24 games is one of the quiet stories that I find very impressive.
It’s time the bottom 9 quit being coddled Babcock knows it takes 12 forwards and 6 D on any given night for his system to work. Go back and watch Wings-Leafs games once Babcock established which players play his system he’s instructed they become like a basketball team putting on half-court pressure for 60 minutes a game-old school Louisville. This style works if you have the speed hence Frederic-Dach-Formenton-Dickinsen-Jones-Joseph. Speed can create so many turnovers as the great Coach Sutter told the sharp Rickibear at a truck stop near Hanna that whoever has the puck more often usually wins.
They are going to play a lot together and they are going to play alot apart – both before and after the 20 games mark – of that I am confident.
I’m not sure why many seem to think its black and white, the are either together or apart. This is going to go back and forth, even within most games, I would think.
The initial thought was that they would play together for home games? Because they can get better match-ups with the last change, that they don’t get on the road. Of course that means having them together on the road isn’t too good of an idea.
I’m sure they will play togehter and they will play apart both at home and on the road – perhaps in every single game they are both in the lineup.
I suspect they will play together more often at home.
Can Mike Babcock get more compete and as a result better performance from Ryan Nugent Hopkins, then previous coaches?
I’m interested to observe whether Mike Babcock puts the screws to 93 if he isn’t delivering to the Coaches expectations at 2C.
I fear he may become the whipping boy for Babs … time will tell
Every coach ever has loved Nuge.
Nuge may want the challenge of running his own line. He still get’s PP-1 time if his line can win the battle of 50% goal share then Booyah. Pod or Formenton-Nuge-Hyman if I was Babcock I envision this line taking off.
’Bobblehead’ Nuge? Never.
So… replacing a brilliant guitarist who can play some pretty sick licks with a more low-key hyper-professional guitarist that blends with his ‘mates so perfectly you can’t tell who is playing what?
And does so with nary a word or complaint, no controversy, no drama… just rock ‘n’ roll, baby?
Yeah, that sounds like Nuge.
Nice.
Sure hope they make music.
If he can make a beast of burden out of ol’ Nugey, Babcock’s a thief in the night.
It’s so corny it’s kinda funny.
At the same time, is it not replacing aging Nugent-Hopkins with peak Draisaitl on the top line…..?
I would be quite enthused with Podz with Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman – that could very well be a plus 2nd line. Maybe we see that when Savoie is back?
In the interim, if Nuge and Hyman can play near top levels, a level that has excelled in the NHL playoffs for multiple seasons, Howard could, well, thrive on that line.
We’ll find out.
I think Podz to the second line is the first adjustment we might see. Savoie return might make that possible too. I’d like Podz-Nuge-Hyman on the second line.
100% agree with that second line having promise. Here’s hoping Howard can show something in the meantime.
I am also not discounting the possibility that Howard can be part of a strong second line with Nuge and Hyman.
Ask yourself why McDavid needs Drasisaitl and vide versa. I have all kinds of time if you want to blame management for not getting four top flight wingers to play with 97 and 29, but playing them together isn’t a great idea.
I’d posit that Leon doesn’t need Connor. His style is more complete and adaptable.
I don’t think McDavid needs Drai nor do I think Babcock thinks he needs Drai.
I understand your opinion that it isn’t a great idea. Babcock disagrees.
In any event, you posted about a downgrade in 2C and I responded with a corresponding upgrade in 1W.
The Pod-Leon-Connor line does give me a bit of flashback of Tikkanen-Gretzky-Kurri or Krushelnyski Gretzky-Kurri
Looking forward to seeing the likely 2nd line tonight and, hopefully, Shakir – need to get eyes on him.
Shitty that the Jets played a bunch of their top players last night so, presumably, its another AHL lineup tonight.
Stauff mentioned that Thursday’s game will likely be a skeleton lineup (figuring the last game will be pretty close to the roster).
Jets still have 46 players in camp and basically split the squad for these B2B’s. The predicted roster & lines are here: Winnipeg Jets pre-season game 3 roster and projected lines vs Oilers – Illegal Curve Hockey
Good morning all. I’ll be cheering for Howard tonight.
Me too. As important as a goal might be, hauling ass and grabbing a turnover in the Winnipeg zone probably gets Babcock more excited about him. Howard can fly, and we know he gives effort, so it’s a matter of identifying opportunity and then executing. The young man is a key component.
It’s not do or die quite yet but he better get going or else he might get left out.
It gets late early. Especially this year.
Yeah Savoie out + loading up McDrai gives him a better chance than he might have had. He’s gotta start showing well.
It’s his play without the puck, that is the thing . But I suppose it’s the thing with the entire roster.
From accounts, he’s showed well during camp – Babcock has been very complimentary of his camp outside of the one game where the combo of Jones, Brown and Stilman worked to crater Howard and Samanski.
Sounds like an energy player description. Howard in my opinion needs to find open air and Mike needs on several occasions including PP-1 see this shot that we seen on the Leon pass to him against the Devils.