I want to mention two players off the top this morning. Last night in Vancouver Ike Howard and Tomas Cibulka played exceptional games.
Great skating, anticipation and skill combined for what was (so far) my highlight of training camp. Howard played with abandon, perhaps confirming what coach Mike Babcock said earlier in the week (the players were thinking too much) and the performance was edgy, skilled and broad in scope. Music!
Cibulka has a nice range of skills, but last night showed he can think the game at a high level. Either he got lucky on every damn decision, or his read and react are far better than average. He had (hopefully has all the time) calm feet and very little wasted effort. Outstanding game.
LINES AND PAIRINGS
- Howard-Samanski-Hutson 9:43, 6-6 shots, 1-0 goals, 25X
- Jones-Michaels-Clattenburg 8:18, 2-6 shots, 12X
- Talmaks-Marjala-Raty 5:49, 1-1 shots, 41X
- Lewandowski-Berzkalns-Nicholl 5:25, 0-5, 0X
The top line showed well, both Howard and Hutson scored goals on the night. Samanski played well, but I don’t know that he’s going to catch Colton Dach for that fourth line job. I think he’s a better player, now and in future, but Babcock is looking for a big punisher at center and is willing to invest in the bigger man. Samanski should make the team, he’s one of the 12 best forwards in camp.
Max Jones and Connor Clattenburg impressed with physical play and forechecking, while both were a little inconsistent in getting the puck to good places. Jones has a history of it, Clattenburg is young and learning on the job. Owen Michaels made several safe plays, but it’s clear he needs a season (or most of it) in Bakersfield to get a feel for pro hockey.
Talmaks is a freight train coming down the tracks. Love him, even with some chaos in his game. Is he in the right spots defensively? I’m not a strategy and positioning expert, but seems to me there’s some wobble there. Marjala has had really had a good camp, I think we can suggest he’ll play NHL games this season. I’m still getting a feel for Raty’s game, but can say he didn’t stand out among this group of wingers.
Lewandowski, Berzkalns and Nicholl all look a little like Michaels to me. They are just getting started and this test (against several Canucks NHL players) exposed their inexperience as opposed to inability. They are just starting to build their story.
- Cibulka-Emberson 4:58, 2-2 shots, 37X
- Cibulka-Carfagna 3:42, 3-0 shots, 1-0 goals 100X
- Cibulka-Stillman 3:22, 1-1 shots, 69X
- Cibulka-Stastney 2:57 no shots
Look at this guy! The Oilers were outshot 21-19 on the night and Cibulka was 13-5 at five-on-five. Everyone’s best shift came with the young Czech alongside. I don’t think this is a fluke and if Cibulka does this on the regular, he will play in the NHL.
- Carfagna-Stastney 7:30, 1-4 shots, 18X
- Carfagna-Leppanen 4:37, 0-1 shots 0X
- Cibulka-Carfagna 3:42, 3-0 shots, 1-0 goals 100X
Carfagna checked down to Spencer Stastney after Atro Leppanen left the game with an apparent upper body injury. He played well, even as the Canucks had their way. I am a big fan of Carfagna and you can see his wheels and smarts make a difference. He’s come some ways since turning pro one year ago.
- Stastney-Emberson 7:21, 3-5 shots, 15X
- Stillman-Emberson 5:19, 0-2 shots, 29X
- Cibulka-Emberson 4:58, 2-2 shots, 37X
I’m a little concerned about Emberson, looks like he has regressed a little since last season. He might just be in search of reps, but in a training camp where his job is being contested, I don’t think he helped himself last night. Stastney gets the same report card.
Tristan Jarry stopped 25 of 26, .962 and eight of nine considered to be high danger. One stop off his shoulder or arm might have been just good luck but it looked brilliant from here. If Jarry can deliver this season as the starter, Stan Bowman’s report card will have higher marks for every subject.
On the Lowdown today, our feature guest is Steve Lansky from Inside the Truck podcast. We’ll talk Mark Messier’s comments, Vladdy Guerrero’s comments and what we see from the Oilers so far this preseason. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and You Tube. See you on the radio.
Breaking down Oilers’ roster decisions: Bubble players, waiver wire, more
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7626165/2026/09/25/edmonton-oilers-roster-waivers-2026-season/
12D locked, 7D locked and 2G locked.
Pretty much as some have though all summer long with the difference being Savoie and Andersen out and then being able to carry 21 skaters.
I think it should be Samanski locked at 13F (actually Joseph should be 13 but he’s locked) and the question is Jones and 14F or Stastney at 8D.
Reality is a battle between Jones and Samanski at 13F.
You always say these things and I don’t know if you really believe it or not haha. Dickinson hurt, Babcock says he likes Michaels and apparently it’s Michaels or Samanski if Dickinson is out for a time.
Everything is always subject to injuries.
Yes, I’ve 100% believed what I’ve posted on the “locks” and the forward battling for the last few roster spots and, well, it looks like it has indeed come to fruition. Savoie out and Formenton in was not foreseen but, again, everything is subject to injuries.
Except for the things that have changed, you’ve been right all along! 🙂
As long as a person is above the Mendoza line.
The 7D have been locked and still are.
All the forward I’ve named as locked are or are hurt. I said the last forward spots were a battle among Joseph, Janmark, Jones, Samanski, Howard and that Hutson, Tralmaks, Michaels, Raty, Marjala had no real chance except if there were deep injuries. I even said Howard and Joseph were likely locked and it was among the others.
The only thing that’s changes is adding Fromenton but everything else has been as predicted since July. No surprise additions (that weren’t in the org) and no locks at risk.
I think it doesn’t serve you or the discourse on this blog to routinely state you were correct.
It’s fine, but if a person does make the claim they can be called on it if it is probably incorrect.
I have been correct on this.
Every lock I had is locked.
The “likely locked” (Howard had Joseph) are locked.
The battles are among the stated battles (Jones, Samanski, Janmark).
Those with no shot are gone (save Michaels, currently saved by deep injury but likely gone shortly).
That’s a lot of letters to spell narcissist. 🤣🤣🤣
I’m not going back to look, but I do recall you being vehement (as was I) that Samanski would make the team. Looks less so now. Formenton was added, and that wasn’t anticipated by you. You did say the Oilers wouldn’t add anyone (as did I).
OP, you are right on many things. I do think it’s fair to point out that you, like me, didn’t see the Formenton signing and felt at one time Samanski was a lock. We also have the issue of Emberson, but perhaps he’s on the opening night roster. It’s okay. No one wins or loses, we’re just chatting.
Sorry, not correct.
He was in the group of 5 fighting for, what I thought was 3 spots: Janmark, Jones, Joseph, Howard and Samanski.
I 100% did not foresee the Forenton signing but my lists of (a) locks, (b) who was fighting for the last few forward spots and (c) who is “in the conversation” of many but with no shot was always subject to injuries and unforeseen acquisition – it was based on the organizational pieces.
Its also proven to be correct – swap Savoie for Formenton.
I said the 7D were locked and the question was solely who is 3RD and who is 7D, between Emberson and Shakir.
I’m sorry, but my entire premise of this roster as stated again here was bang on.
Who are you trying to convince of your superiority of prognostication? First of all, no one cares how astute you may or may not be, secondly, it’s not really rocket science, there weren’t a lot of spots available and the spots that were/are the very few players to take those spots were pretty obvious. You continuing to beat the dead horse about how right you are is bordering on being embarrassing for you, or should be anyways.
We all kneel to your superiority, now can you move on and tell us more about your workout schedule and travel plans, we’re all dying to hear about it!?
Better yet, the amount of time you spend and post here, why not start your own blog?
You’re becoming kind of the antithesis of of HH… you bring alot of value with some of your updates and commitment to supplying alot of information and analysis, but man your ego gets involved far too often and has a tendency to be off putting to many.
It’s just a hockey blog for entertainment purposes, positivity and fun…sincerely thank you for lots of your posts…but man, I generally try not to give unsolicited advice but I’m fairly certain that of you took yourself just a bit less seriously you’d find a whole new world of fulfillment.
Hey man, I didn’t start it, LT did.
The post was about the Oilers roster decisions and I posted that its essentially as it looked like it was going to be with the same locks, same group battling for the few forward spots and the same players than never really had a shot.
LT with a subtle chirp implying my prognostication was not right – I’m simply showing that it was including correcting him when he attributed opinions to me that were no true.
Someone created a button that hides posts from certain posters – its there for you to use if you so choose it.
I don’t want to block you, as I stated, you clearly bring a lot of value to the comment section here, and I’m genuinely not trying to be an a-hole and perhaps my take is only me and I’m completely wrong with the perspective I have, so take it for whatever very little it’s worth. 🤷🏽♂️🤷🏽♂️🤷🏽♂️🤗🤗🤗
We disagree. That’s okay. However, I’m going to call you on this when you post it, becuse it is not accurate.
I recall you stating Samanski was a lock.
Classic OP
Guy hi jacked the blog as his own vanity project 10-11 years ago and chased away a lot of the quality posters. Woodguy, Gmoney etc. They went to Twitter and have rarely returned
Not sure why it’s been allowed to continue for so long. Used to be a good place, with meaningful discussion. Not having to be drown with predictions we are supposed to praise as holier than thou, a new post for play by play of every second shift of a Condors game or an itinerary of a workout routine, what was made for dinner and how he’s watching the games while sitting at a restaurant while back packing in Costa Roca or Chile
Finally about time others are seeing this and the tide seems to be starting to turn
Hopefully this means some sanity returns to the way it was from 06-14
A New Hope
I really wouldn’t know what’s going on with the condors if it wasn’t for him..to each there own
It’s been bothering me since the summer when it was first suggested.
A spot of real bother!
Wtf are McDavid and Draisaitl doing on the same line?
There’s been no true explanation. Days turned into weeks…
Babcock is old school. Coral your two stallions for the first couple months, as they go, the Oilers go.
Honestly, it feels like a Sutter brother is coaching. That may not be a bad thing.
Summarizing!
Lewandowski scored the GWG with 88 seconds left and added an aPPle in a 3-2 win. He was named 2nd star.
Cameron allowed four goals on 22 shots in a 5-2 loss.
Berzkalns, Harvey and Robinson did not dress.
I’m glad they are going to keep him in Saskatoon. Should have done it with Hamilton 15 years ago, he was a mid-season birthday, too. I like Lewandowski but another year will make him better.
Me too. He could use more time to gain man-strength as he’s listed at 6’3″, 185 lbs. Not sure how much more he can fill out since he turns 20 in February.
His offense did jump YOY but he went from a +21 to a -6. (Re-)learning how to be a 200-foot player wouldn’t be the worst thing for him to do.
Jonsson saved every shot he faced in the 1st period. 1 shot.
The only Condor I know from the opening lineup, aside from the goalie is Luke Prokop – who’s on a tryout with the Condors…
Watching the Oilers+ interviews from today… Connor Murphy with the ‘swarm’ reference. Does he know how triggering that is for a section of the fanbase? PTSD
Somebody post the Dallas Eakins glare gif, i dont know how
Hahaha thank you
god damn, that is a nice meme. even a gif embed.
yousonofabitch
I hope he was referring to a waiver wire punk like Ozzy taking runs at our Alpha male.
Nice hit from the guy – far from “a run” – fully legal, not dirty at all – bad result for Leon and the Oilers.
You can’t allow punks to run your meal ticket whether you think the hit is legal or not the end result is 30 year old McDavid and Draisaitl missing more time because you don’t believe in protecting your stars.
The Leafs had a couple of really good years under Babcock but his first 10 game results are less than desirable. His first year they go 1-7-2 the second 3-4-3 the third 7-3 the fourth 7-3 and his fifth and final year 5-3-2. I need to put down the kool-aid and stay away from ecstasy after watching last nights game. I was expecting better results from a young but talented Leaf team. We better be at least be 6-3-1 or else the rumbling to fire the madman of Manitouwadge will build fiercely.
Big upset at the President’s Cup. Corey Connors & Nick Taylor beat Sam Burns & Scottie F’ing Scheffler.
What a shot by Taylor on 18. And what a sweep!
Taylor putt to beat Tommie Fleetwood was the greatest putt ever. I actually hit the ceiling when he drained it.
Said it the other day, I think Embersons days in Edmonton are numbered.
Possible but I hope not. When the competition steps up, you have a young LHD (Shak) who is still learning to process the game playing on his wrong side. He struggled last year and he didn’t set the world on fire in the exhibition game he played either.
As the competition steps up, Emberson will be needed. Big difference playing Van in the first two games and the rest of the schedule.
I would think more than a few teams would be interested in the affordable journeyman D-man Emberson. He reminds me of Oesterle.
I don’t think they make a move to bump Regula up to #3 on the true right shot depth chart.
Coach confirms that Dickinson has had a set back. Would not confirm that he won’t start the season but it sure sounds like it.
Well isn’t that wonderful.
It is very nice to finally have cap flexibility.
Oilers clearly need to add a forward or two in season and can actually do it without cap gymnastics.
Also, am I crazy or is this teams cap structure finally in a good spot?
They have very little cap flexibility until they get healthy.
With Anderson, Savoie, Janmark and Regula out, they’ll be around $1MM in cap space. If Dickinson joins on IR, they’ll be at near $0.
It should open up as they get healthier (although there will be more injuries).
What the cap flexibility has done is allow them to actually carry a full roster with all the injuries – last year they’d have a 20 player roster and likely be playing short for a game.
Next few years they are in great shape. Amazing to have bouch at 10.5 and Drai at 14. Carlsson at 18 and Gauthier at 13.5! Oh yeah also McDavid at 12.5
Between Dickenson’s injury and the unknown of Dach at C, Samanski would seem to have a strong case for making the team. At the same time, let’s not forget that Draisaitl was sent down to the AHL for a time (6 games) before being called up for good. Samanski is older and a different calibre player but I am confident he will find a place.
Really encouraged by Howard’s game.
I have always liked Hutson’s game — hope he gets a shot somewhere.
One would think they’d play the incumbent 4C, who was quite effective in the NHL playoffs, at one of the center spots but the tea leaves are looking like Samanski won’t even be on the team unless Dickinson joins the other on IR (or they keep 14F – all the intel is they will keep 8D).
I can see Dickinson hitting the IR for a spell.
Could be – that would mean a min of 3 games and 7 days.
They would still have room to carry an active 23 player roster but there cap space would be down to nominal – they’d essentially be having 27 players on the cap plus a bit of Regula (Lee wouldn’t count as he didn’t play any NHL games last season).
It must be more serious than they’re leading on? Jason had to have been pumped after signing a security for life contract in his home city. I would say if he was 75% he would be toughing it out. I guess a month and change. I hope I’m completely reading this wrong and he’s in for the opener.
Moving Frederic to center and Jones up to 3LW – yup, coach really is fading Samanski and has Jones over him.
I don’t like it but I’ll need to accept it.
It’s crazy that Jones and Joseph are higher on the depth chart than Samanski, a fact made possible by putting 2 non-centers at center in the bottom 6. Perhaps Dach has a chance of working out at 4th line C, but Frederic at 3 C? It doesn’t make sense unless Frederic is just a placeholder in practice for a Dickinson near term return.
We’ll just have to be patient for Babcock to recognize the reality. Hopefully it doesn’t cost too many games.
Nuge at 2C, Frederic at 3C, Dach at 4C. Last year their boxcars combined for 207-29-47-76.
It may cost a lot of games.
Remember the noise when likeable Jay Woodcroft started the season 2-9-1? Imagine the noise if pariah Mike Babcock produces similar results.
100%. I know the fan base has largely chugged the Babcock koolaid but there are some challenges with the forward depth.
Why can’t these players step-up to the plate? This is a real opportunity for the bottom six we shall see if the Babcock system will work for them. If last night is an indication of work ethic this team will have players coming in and out of the line-up on more games then we are used to. You say no forward depth? We no longer have burnt out Vets barely having a pulse. Bowman has a suitcase of hungry players chomping at the bit. All they need is an opportunity and Bowman-Babcock-JK will give them this opportunity.
Hey I hope you are right. I have seen this story before. A bunch of fourth line plugs don’t magically learn how to score in the NHL just because Babcock talks to them like men.
Me as well but when’s the last time you seen an Oilers Coach look so intense for a preseason game. Players usually morph into their coaches good or bad. I don’t like Babcock when he was with Detroit found him to be arrogant. It always seemed he had the Refs in his pocket always getting the calls at the right time. Anyhow maybe the Oilers have been so weak structurally that a taskmaster master like Babcock is exactly what they need. I’m going to be the first kool-aid drinker to call the triple crown 1) Oilers winning the division easily. 2) Babcock winning the first Oilers Jack Adam’s award. 3) Oilers winning the Cup with Bouchard getting the Conn Smythe award.
Oh I agree, I have loved Babcock so far. Great verbal and intensity. I have just been hurt before by the Oilers, ha!
For what it’s worth, I think they win the Cup this year.
Connor-Leon-Bouchard for the most part take awhile to get into groove. With the long offseason I think they shoot-out of the gate like a greyhound chasing a real rabbit. Add-in Babcock jabbering away on the bench with that beat red face with the veins bulging out like someone is in serious shit. Who’s going to be the first Oiler to feel the wrath of Babcock. I think they win the division easily easy because they’re as a group scared shitless of Babcock-Connor going postal on them.
Two fourth line wingers at 3C and 4C would be a tough way to start the season.
The speed on the 4th line is crazy.
They can always split up McDavid & Draisaitl with Dickinson’s absence. See how Nuge looks at 3c, he’s got to be better than Freddy, and I would say Leon is a better 2c than Nuge.
They could split them up, and that’s likely/reasonably likely the plan on the road for game 2 but I don’t think Babcock is going to pivot away from game 1.
Need a couple early goals to settle in.
Is this bottom six the fastest in the league?
I hope Babcock can get this team to play uptempo all season.
It’s weird that the McD Oilers have never been a consistently aggressive team, especially with the skating abilities of the top players. I guess the Woodcroft teams were fairly aggressive.
Woodcraft teams had sufficient more goals as in offence. K.K’s trappy style had us in 2 Cups.
We made two cup finals because McD, Drai, and Bouch had all time great playoff runs.
I think the Oilers going 24-11 goals in one run with McDavid and Drai off the ice helped.
I did mention Bouch too.
In the 2025 playoffs the Oilers went 25-14 goals with McDavid and Drai off and 17-9 with McDavid/Drai/Bouchard all off.
I still believe that we went to two SCFs in spite of not because of KK. That’s just my two cents.
I think it’s partly personnel related. Poor puck moving from the back end and a mostly pop gun bottom six.
It will be tough on the boys but they can do it.
Taylor Hall talked about how he was simply not in shape enough to play in Carolina’s system – not that he wasn’t in good shape but it takes another level to play like they do night in and night out.
It’ll be tough on them but not as tough as chasing the damn season like they have the last number of years.
I have no worries we’re winning the Division quite easily. My worry is the Playoffs something about the Babcock system has lead to some astronomical upsets.
As expected, more cuts made.
The four NAmateurs listed below were returned to junior.
Brown, Stillman and Tralmaks on waivers for re-assignment to the A.
There was never any worry about Josh Brown being on this roster, even when Stauff created conversation back in July. None.
Josh Brown shouldn’t be near the Bakersfield roster, either.
He’s a fine Condor – was a good leader last year.
The Condors always get decimated with injuries and combined with call-ups are half ECHL call-ups for part of the year. The amount of games with the way they travel and the chaos of the league.
Fan Duel has the Oilers with the fourth best odds to win the cup at +1000.
Nice try Davis Sanchez
Jonsson and Day will split for the Condors tonight. Sounds like Keppen and D’Amato may be the top forwards…….
55 minutes until today’s waivers conformation.
If they only keep 13F and 8D, I presume Jones is on waivers – probably not today though. He (or Stanley) likely stays until the last cut down day.
Tralmaks, Raty, Ungar, Brown, Stilman will get the waive in the next few days.
Michaels, Nicholls, Carfagna, Cibulka, Marjala will get the assignment to Bako – the latter 3 with big pats on the back, we may see them all this year.
Barzalkns should be assigned to dominate the USHL
I hope they shorten the preseason to 2 games next year. I cannot believe it was 8 games for so long.
4 games seems like the perfect amount. That’s essentially one week. Gives just enough reps to the vets while letting the young’uns and unknowns get their feet wet.
The long preseason was for the smokers drinkers etc to get in adequate shape for the first game. I don’t like they added 2 games it effs around with records. Esposito-played in a 78 game season until his last couple of limited minute years when it went up to 80 games on the schedule. I think it was the expansion year Bruce would know exactly what year without looking it up.
The 84 games is egregious.
Nice to see, although I didn’t actually see the game just the high lights, Ike Howard finally got something done on the ice. I guess he has some familiarity with his Condor team mates. Maybe soon his NHL team mates will let him have the puck.
Tomas Cibulka was the best D man on the ice for Edmonton they certainly found something there and Tristen Jarry kept them in the game all game, as they say Music.
One more warm up to go, I expect it to be a douzer against the Flamers to get the blood flowing for the regular season. Yippee-I-O-Ca- Yeah!!!
Howard did set up two grade A scoring chances his his prior game while his vet linemates when through the motions.
Howard did more than “actually get something done” last night, he was the best player on either team, bar none.
Well it’s only pre-season and he looked good with his AHL team mates for a change.
I hope Clattenburg is in. Pospisal and Klapka are dirty players especially that weasel Pospital who doesn’t fight since Colby Cave laid him out in the AHL. Utube the highlight if you haven’t seen it make sure those no children in the room.
I doubt any of the guys assigned today are in – we’ll find out soon though.
Keep us posted. Especially any words or crumbs on Dickinson.
I hope we make a claim on Joshua Roy. He would be a nice addition to the under 25 talent pool.
He’s a different kind of player than we have. I would like him. I’m not sure they are going to clear a spot for him though.
A better question would be why aren’t the Canucks, Flames, Jets or another struggling team rolling the dice on him.
If they claim him, they can’t send him to the AHL without re-exposing him to waivers and I don’t see him on this roster to start the season.
That’s why more teams don’t claim players.
Could you imagine 2-3-4 years ago us icing our B-Team. First off we wouldn’t have enough players second off we would have been shellacked. I don’t know and still can’t believe how Bowman found players without having any early-mid draft picks. He looked under every nook and cranny on this globe and has found some youngish individuals that may make an impact in the future. Whereas not 1 single player is a Holland draft pick or pick-up on our squad today. Akey is the last of the last for Holland who left just a few short years ago. I like the Bowman etc effort on finding some possible hidden gems. The best part about Bowman is he’ll actually give games to players playing well in the AHL he doesn’t seem to box himself in on reduced roster cap.
Reja on the aircraft carrier declaring “Mission Accomplished”.
At least there’s hope take Cibulka for example I never heard of this 22 year-old puck moving D-Man. At least we have a scouting staff that knows Wright from wrong. Also whoever went out of his way to voice that O’Reilly was a a steal will deserve a raise the entirety of O’Reilly 15 year career
Lightening has struck.
It’s nice to see Cibulka has some weight to him. Maybe he can get to a level like Forsling and have an impact as a shorter not high offense D
I believe in Slavic his name Cibulka means “Little onion”.
Love the Bab’s interview on how Clattenburg will be back in the show at some point. There must be a lot of closet Clattenburg fans for the woman reporter to ask about him in particular.
He very likely is back if he plays the type of game he did last night in the AHL which will allow him to develop in the areas that Babcock mentioned.
Will they give him the start against the dirty Flames?
Who knows when he may get called up, if he does this season – won’t be soon.
Last year I wanted Max Jones to make the team as I felt we were missing a big, fast forechecking winger. (we were) This year the team has many options to choose from for that role and others.
Finding potential wingers for McDavid and Draisaitl. To my eye, Marjala would do excellent playing with McDavid. Lots of movement to his game, he covers a lot of ice, fast enough, skilled enough.
Hutson is a player. Im wondering what holds him back. I think all of Babcocks comments towards Howard also apply to Hutson. Hutson. sees the ice well, he hunts open ice and opportunity, hes confident. He does not play well to get the puck back – this is what Babcock was mentioning about Howard. Hutson can skate fast enough on the backcheck, but doesn’t play fast. Still, I think Hutson would score 20 playing with Draisaitl.
There is two more middle six wingers here if they play with a really good center. Impressive
Babcock’s system was also on display. We seen a hardworking organized team beat a much more talented team. I know, pre-season, but still well done.
Speed is all that is holding Hutson back.
I agree with this, and I don’t really know how fast/not fast he is. In the AHL last season when I watched him, he could get to plays. In his NHL games, he was also in photo. Might be a matter of reps at NHL level.
The man finds out of the blue spots to score from. Sooner or later he’s going to get a fair opportunity if it’s not the Oilers I hope it’s the Habs or Washington. Later season trade watch Kirby Dach 25>50% retention for Hutson.
I would 100% be against Kirby Dach at $1.9MM to $3MM.
He may not make this team.
Habs are tired of him, management and fans.
Bowman believed in him. Bowman and Babcock believe in his brother. Buy low. The Dach-Dach-Clattenburg line up against the Tkachuk-Marchand-Tkachuk line.
Of course he believed in him, he was once a top prospect in hockey and started off great early in his career. An absolute load as a rookie against the Oilers.
He’s not even close to that player any more.
St. Louis called out his effort today/yesterday.
Goal scorers learn to float so they arrive in the right spot at the right time and I think Hutson has become good at this. He presently does not show enough puck retrieval to his game, or winning of the one-on-one battles. Plus speed, always the speed.
Could Draisatl find him for 20 goals? I think he might. I know Draisaitl can find Howard for 20 goals.
It is a good sign that both Hutson and Marjala while not bonafide; look like available options particularly when you have such above average centres.
Hutson has made poor puck plays and turnovers in each game – I’m not sure Howard has made any.
This mantra that Hutson can play a bottom six role and Howard can’t is not really true.
Howard is a more well-rounded player than Quinn Hutson. We know Colin Chaulk thinks so (who spoke this summer about Hutson now working as hard in the defensive zone as offensive zone).
Good 50% retained.
Would still be an egregiously bad addition at 50% retained.
Oilers don’t have cap space for that with all the injuries in any event – not if they want to play with a full 23 player roster.
“If Jarry can deliver this season as the starter, Stan Bowman’s report card will have higher marks for every subject.”
If Jarry doesn’t have me thinking he belongs on my beer league team Stan Bowman’s report card will have higher marks for every subject. Seriously hope he gets it/has it together.
Booyah!!!
Prospectsh!
Even though five NAmateurs are on the slate for tonight, only one is certain to play. That’d be Ryan Cameron, who allowed a goal on 26 shots in a winning effort to begin his regular season.
While Berzkalns, Lewandowski, Harvey and Robinson will likely be sent out today, it might not be in time for them to suit up for their junior squadrons. Or in Lewandowski’s case, whether there’s even a home for him as the Blades seem not to expect him back unless they do some wheeling and / or dealing. (UPDATE: He’s now listed on the Blades roster. A move forthcoming?) They will be included on the sched if only for the sake of completeness.
Muskegon (Berzkalns) @ 5 p.m.
Windsor (Harvey, Robinson) @ 5 p.m.
Sioux Falls (Cameron) @ 6 p.m.
Saskatoon (Lewandowski) @ 7 p.m.
All times, at all times, are Nanton time.
Nanton! Home of Bomber Command Canada, good ice cream & great small town burgers. And it you like Heartland, lots of it is filmed there.
I drive through it every day, and it’s a lovely town.
Looked it up. I see there is a museum for Bomber Command. Anybody seen it? I should at it to my list for my next AB trip
Sorry I missed it. Yes, it is definitely worth a stop. The museum is free, has a lot of neat items to see and is working on restoring both a Lancaster and Mosquito bomber.
Don’t forget the Nanton candy store! Lots of stuff hard to find elsewhere.
Lewandowski is expected to dress for the Blades tonight.
Not sure about Berzkalns and the Spitfires since (a) their games begin earlier and (2) they have farther to travel. I suppose they could have been en route prior to today’s announcement, possibly as early as after last night’s game already.
Who then does he replace? Frederic? Kapanen? Dickinson? I doubt any of those are going to happen.
Maybe Joseph?
I would argue he doesn’t need to be 12th best. 13th or 14th depending how they handle spares. I can see no logical way to send him down as long as Janmark and Savoie remain on IR. He’ll get games.
Probably Frederic, but it will take till Christmas.
Frederic has played one exhibition game this year (as a locked in roster vet) and was quite good. He was quick, he had 4 hits in the first period, he made multiple daft neutral zone transition passes, etc.
I would be surprised if he wasn’t between 12-15 goals this season.
Howard?
Turns out my question was answered very quickly by injury. Dickinson it is.
Even if Samanski continues to cheat for defense, he might outscore what Dickinson would have given us.
Judging by practice today, its Frederic as the 3C replacement, Jones moves to 3LW and Samanski remains on the outside.
I don’t think that sets Frederic up for success. Frederic and Samanski played well together in a short stint last year.
What the heck, why not go?
Howard-McDavid-Hyman
Podz-Leon-Kapanen
Formenton-Nuge-Joseph
Dach-Samanski-Freddy ( If Babs wants Dach at 4c, play Samanski on LW)
Big opportunity for Howard to start the season.
Babcock wants to play McDavid/Drai togehter at home for game 1.
He seems fine with taking two centers (Drai and Samanski) and playing one at wing and scratching the other and taking two fourth line wingers from last year and playing them 3C/4C (plus Nuge, who many think should be a winger at 2C).
I don’t get it but the man has run a good camp and is getting these guys to play with pace and structure so, well, we’ll see.
The Bakersfield Condors have a lot of exciting players to watch this season, including this years’ Euro additions Cibulka, Tralmaks & Raty. Hopefully Atro L is only banged up, as he is such a good puck mover in all the zones.
GM Bowman has done excellent work to bolster one of the NHL’s weakest prospect puols.
For sure , things might not be as bad as they appear with regard to the prospect pool.
Raty will be 24 in a few weeks….
Don’t think he came close to making a very light bottom 6 group here in Edmonton
I don’t think the NHL is in his future.
NHL Salary Cap set for $127.5MM for 2028/29.
Plenty to re-sign McDavid and Hyman and have Savoie, etc. on the books.
Word of the regional TV issues in the states leading to salary cap demise don’t seem to be live for the NHL.
One of the smartest things the owners did in the lockout year was ironically play in front of empty seats.
Artificially held the cap down despite a huge revenue rebound post-covid. For players signing in that window, massive piece of the pie they should have had access to wasn’t there. It was owner risk and has become astronomical owner reward.
It’s catching up now but the coup of high-end players signed to relative sweetheart deals will define the decade of successful teams who got business done before that.
While I don’t agree witch Dach over Jones for 4C (although I have them both in lineup and Joseph as 13F), I think the coach really does which begs the question Jones or Samanski on the roster and, for me, tIts 100% got to be Samanski over Jones – like its all but a no-brainer.
It doesn’t seem like Babcock is a big Samanski fan at this point but Jones has been extremely meh this exhibition season, has cleared waivers many times and will again. Keep the natural center who is better defensively, better with making plays in the defensive zone (great at taking a beat with the puck and waiting for the lane to open to make the transition pass), etc.
———
Great game for Clattnburg last night. THIS is the type of game he needs to play in the AHL. He can impact physically and agitate while also staying on the ice and playing the game and not hunting for it. The big hit will get d-men to rush their exits as a game goes on and he found a way to get Oleksiak, and others, focused on him.
At the same time the things he needs to work on were clearly evident. One really bad natural zone battle that he lost, ended up on the wrong side of the duck and a rush went the other way. Another play had a neutral zone transition pass hit him in the back of the skates as he had his back to the play with no awareness.
All good – the exact things he needs to work on in Bako and, if he does, if he plays THAT game in Bako and touches the puck a bit more and makes some plays, he’ll be back in Edmonton.
Play that game, sure with the odd game here or there where he goes “pure Clattnburg” – I am excited to watch THAT player in Bako – come on Connor!
Jones is probably the 13th forward & Emberson & Stastney are probably the 7th & 8th D.
Jarry & Levi goaltenders.
The 7D, with Shak and Emberson as 6/7D were always locked – the question since July 1 was which will be 6 and which will be 7.
Jones and Samanski were always two of those in the battle for the last few forward spots (with Janmark, Howard and Joseph – the latter tow suspected to be close to locks).
These are the two to mention for sure.
Ike did what we all wanted him to do. Found a loose puck and quick released and accurate shot for a goal. He was all over the puck in retrieval, winning battles in mutliple zone and setting up guys in the offensive zone. One great steal on a back check – the best player on the ice.
Thoma Cibulka had a fantastic game in all zones. Really liked his stick in the defensive zone and he stood up a few times in neutral zone to thwart rushes.
I’m going to be keeping an active eye on Cibulka in the AHL.
He’s only 22 (until April), has played 2 full years of pro in Czechia and do “grow up” playing junior in the Q.
He was the best d-man on the ice tonight, both sides.
He MAY not be far away.
Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself, and we need to see him at the AHL level first, but hell of a game and camp.