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.
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.
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.
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.
’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.
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.
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.