We are still getting to know these Edmonton Oilers, and it will take time to properly assess the entire roster. Hopefully, Mike Babcock figures them out sooner than the local curling team does over beers after the game. Please read this.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN OCTOBER
- At home to: Vancouver (Expected 1-0) Actual 0-0-1
- On the road: Vancouver (Expected 1-0) Actual 1-0-0
- At home to: Seattle (Expected 1-0)
- On the road to: Anaheim, San Jose, Los Angeles (1-1-1)
- At home to: Mammoth (1-0)
- On the road to: Mammoth (0-1)
- At home to: Minnesota, Carolina, Toronto, Detroit, Calgary (3-2)
- On the road to: New York Islanders (1-0)
- Expected Record: 9-4-1, 19 points in 14 games
- Actual Record: 1-0-1, three points in two games
There isn’t much to say about the season so far, beyond three points in two games is a good pace. If the Oilers continue that point frequency, the point total end October will be 21 and that’s a good number.
MAX SPEED
- Connor McDavid 99th
- leon Draisaitl 72nd
- Vasily Podkolzin 64th
This is the top line. Don’t get too excited about Leon Draisaitl’s number, he was 92nd percentile a year ago and probably hasn’t unleashed the hounds yet. We’re two games in and this is ‘max’ foot speed, so that number will climb quickly. Podkolzin was 88th percentile last year. This line is fine, in my opinion. Check daily. NHL Edge updates every day.
- Ike Howard 99th pecentile
- Kasperi Kapanen 99th percentile
- Zach Hyman 96th percentile
- Colton Dach 93rd percentile
- Max Jones 89th percentile
- Trent Frederic 88th percentile
- Alex Formenton 71st percentileI
- Owen Michaels 69th percentile
- Josh Samanski below 50th percentile (33.12 kmh)
- Mathieu Joseph below 50th percentile (33.05 kmh)
There are just two forwards below NHL average and Joseph was 77th percentile a year ago. Josh Samanski was also below 50th percentile last season, so maybe boots are the reason Mike Babcock is fading him. On the other hand, the radar gun could see Samanski good tonight and we have a new assessment on the smart young center.
A player can be fast and ineffective, Max Jones would be an example and Kasperi Kapanen is too when playing away from Leon Draisaitl. I wish they would let Ike Howard loose with Leon and Kapanen, that would give McDavid the big Russian (Podkolzin) full time. Perhaps the coaching staff lands there tonight. I’m impressed by Colton Dach, suspect he’ll be on the wing in due time and should have an impact when he gets there. Owen Michaels also showing well enough to be considered a real prospect. Trent Frederic had the boots in Game 2. More please.
- Connor Murphy 99th percentile
- Shakir Mukhamadullin 89th percentile
- Jake Walman 87th percentile
- Ryan Shea 83rd percentile
- Evan Bouchard 71st percentile
- Mattias Ekholm below 50th percentile (31.32 kmh)
Connor Murphy, whatcha doing????? He was below 50th percentile last season. One always wonders about nagging injuries when defensemen improve markedly. I do think Murphy has looked slow in places, but maybe a better word would be unsure.
Mattias Ekholm was 72nd percentile last season, so his wheels turn just fine. Unless he’s injured, that number will spike in the next few games.
Evan Bouchard is splended at standing up at the blue line and having enough gas for retrieval. He’s fantastic at that aspect of the game. That tells us he has plenty of torque just they way he is.
I have no idea what we can expect tonight. Seriously. Seattle Kraken look like a team with some depth, and that should mean McDavid-Draisaitl are split but Babcock is a stubborn coach with exceptional belief in his own ability to see the game clearly. That can be good and bad. We’ll see.
BAKERSFIELD CONDORS
- Goalies: Matt Tomkins, Connor Ungar
- Left Defense: Damien Carfagna, Riley Stillman, Tomas Cibulka, Samiel Sjolund
- Right Defense: Josh Brown, Beau Akey, Zach BookmanT
- Center: Viljami Marjala, Tucker Robertson, Will Nicholl
- eft Wing: Eduards Tralmaks, Rhett Pitlick, Aku Raty, Connor Clattenburg, Jack Kopacka
- Right Wing Quinn Hutson, Seth Grifith, Daniel D’Amato, Ethan Keppen, Simon Tassy
Things to watch for Game 1 include the four centers (I see only three, bur maybe Pitlick plays in the middle, or Kopacka), and impressive training camp hopefuls like Tomas Cibulka, Damien Carfagna, Viljami Marjala, Eduards Tralmaks. Also looking for strong showing from Quinn Hutson, he needs to push for NHL work this season.
Between OP and Godot.. I kind of miss Fib/HH/etc.
I’ll post as Fib for you:
Kempe had a stellar 2 point night and it appears young Byfield has returned to form and poised to take another leap forward after his 2 point performance.
Not to be outdone, superstar Celebrini with an otherwordly 2 assists as the Sharks put the Kings away with a tidy 5-4 win.
It’s worth noting that both teams are in the pacific, and Kiefer Sherwood is a towering 6’0 and imposing 195 lb ace up the Sharks sleeve.
Brilliant hahaha 😛
I’ve been away awhile, can one still say that name?
I never see the name again. Brilliant button.
Marjala to Carfagna cross-ice to Hutson who dusts it off but snaps it home low outside from the circles on the 6 on 4 to, once again, pull the Condors within one.
Condors give that goal right back but, not long after, Brown hits Nicholl who uses his speed to split the D for breakaway – he’s stopped but Clattenburg bangs home the rebound to get the Condors back within one.
Josh Brown with a nice rush – transition through the natural zone, entry and dish to Pitlick wide – Pitlick put the puck sloppily towards the middle and D’Amanto bangs home the Condors’ first goal of the season. They trail 2-1 half was through the third.
Babcock said he played the big guys 10 minutes in the first due to the PPs and said that was ridiculous (calling himself out). He said they should be up 3 with the PPs.
He raved about Frederic.
Babcock starts the media avail with “Didn’t give up a touchdown!” and a fist bump!
Lol – that’s that dry sarcastic Saskatchewan wit shining through.
The faint of heart are going to be clutching their pearls soon, but I completely agree with giving the guys the gears instead of showering them with flowers.
Apropos of nothing, Holloway and Borberg a combined -7 through 2 periods tonight.
St. Louis beat Dallas in Dallas last night 4-0. Back-to-back at altitude in Denver is a scheduled loss.
Colorado and MacKinnon have started the season taking no prisoners, after being swept last year by Vegas.
Colorado and MacKinnon took no prisoners all of last season before they were swept by Vegas.
and…..?
Must’ve cried yourself to sleep at night.
Just rub your prized Blues bobblehead for comfort.
Grubauer looked surprisingly sharp. Definitely could have been a more lopsided outcome.
Nice shot by Michaels to beat Grubauer clean,
Nice to get the W with a depleted lineup.
Glad to see Levi play well. Dennis King is back on X. He has opined that the metrics the Canes had liked him plenty.
Nice player card for Michaels.
https://x.com/hockeystatcards/status/2106564081981485486/photo/1
Played a hair under 14 minutes.
The rookie’s got 2 goals in 3 games.
I’m pulling for him … a defensively competent RHC with a little pop in his bat is the biggest unicorn in pro hockey right now.
Ryan Holt with a note (as the Condors are playing Henderson) – Lavoie made the Knights out of camp – he’s been a healthy scratch but on the NHL roster.
I know, I know there doesn’t seem to be enough depth to go around with the lineup depleted but Podz/McDavid/Drai have played 25:25 together and are 4-0 goals.
Honestly that game couldn’t go any better for Levi. Has a good game in a close one, makes a big save that will be on the highlight reel. Real confidence booster
Both Friedman and Stauffer hinting at a trade tonight for Edmonton, with Friedman calling it a “lateral move” of a defender for a forward. Stauffer suggesting it could happen in the break before the game on Wednesday.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/saturday-headlines-latest-on-edvinsson-barkov-oilers/
Will we be entertained?
Its got to be Stastney.
I can’t see them moving Emberson in a minor “lateral move” given he’s the 3rd right shot on the depth chart.
The Stastney for a depth forward has been rumoured for months now.
I hope it’s Statsney. MTL desperately needs RD, especially after an injury tonight to Carrier. Edmonton apparently wants Kirby Dach. Emberson would be very attractive to them. Cap doesn’t work without retention.
Trading Emberson for Kirby Dach would be an egregious move by Bowman – I can’t imagine he’d consider that.
I could see the trade happening. I agree it would be an overpay. But these retention trades always seem expensive. I also think it would leave the team in a tough spot, with Shaq not looking good on the right side and Regula not working out. But maybe Bowman still believes in Shaq and Regula.
I say Stastney for an underperforming mucker.
Canadiens rallying back.
Who fookin’ cares?
Summarizing!
Fischer scored the OT winner on the PP and added a helper.
Barnett, Berzkalns, Harvey and Robinson each drew an assist.
Lafreniere, Park and Sharp were denied soup.
Cameron allowed four goals on 19 shots (78.9%) in a loss.
Prospecting takes a break until Thor’s Day.
Oilers can win without giving up a lot of goals..Who knew?
They came to life halfway through the third.
Levi was the right call tonight. Start Jarry in Anaheim let the boys know if they win that game they get the next 2 days off with nothing but Surfing and golfing.
I would go right back with Levi. Let the kid play and develop his confidence. Jarry is not going to change from what he has been. Focus on developing the guy who has potential to be a true starter.
Grubauer played very well, this game easily could have been a regular 4-1 or 5-1 beat down of the Kraken.
Down at the other end, Devon Levi makes a save of the year candidate versus Eberle. The whole team played a very engaged game tonight, good shifts from most of the lines. Samanski I saw a little slow on a couple shifts. But just a solid game. When it stopped going for them, they simplified. McDavid and Drai are peeling off late in shifts now versus trying to extend. Some great signs tonight but they need to keep it going.
Would love to know what Babs said to Louie before heading down the tunnel after the game.
When Ekholm was getting his misconduct penalty apparently they were waiting on Louie to open the gate, or he was in the way or something. He was laughing about it on the broadcast. So maybe Babs was chirping him for that. Just a guess.
What a win!! Also I think I saw skills coach Connor Allen leaving the bench at the end. Anyone know if he’s on the bench now?
He has been for all the games so far.
And all is right in the Oiler world again. Really happy Levi had a solid bounce back game.
Drove my Chevy to the Levi…but the goal scorer was Drai.
I’m glad the phone call to Mike had enough sway to start Levi.
Screw that wave-off.
Chop Montour, or if he’s off the ice a teammate gets it.
No need for the extra on McDavid there.
“The Oilers can’t win a 2-1 or 3-1 game!”.
Lies!
Can everyone settle down now and can we have some positive vibes before they head out to destroy Cali?
5 points outs of 6 – two regulation wins!
Im not sure if you’re aware of this, but these types of posts are basically the bizarro version of our resident troll. Nuance.
This was a mature hockey game from the boys. Well done.
When’s the last time we had a coach communicating so animatedly with the boys?
Drai gets an Oiler bounce!
I just checked the Moneypuck game report and Leon had 13 shot attempts, he definitely deserved a bounce!
Everyone in the right place – Leon with no mistake.
I’ll take that bounce – thanks Shea and Drai!
Way too much hanging around outside and passing backward.
Joseph on one play showing exactly why some coaches really like him – then why all coaches shouldn’t.
Clean breakaway and you take the easiest possible shot to stop…UGH.
Im at a social thing. So not watching closely. The Oilers had 12 shots at some point in the first, and early in the third they were at 15. Nobody is mad in the comments. What’s happening
Sjolund with a terrible neutral zone pinch, odd man rush, Condors down 1-0.
Walman posterized again
I wonder if Walkman gets moved for a forward. I’ll just say it wouldn’t surprise me.
Maybe they can get a 2c for him.
Sensational save by Levi.
Eberle needs to fix his teeth.
Levi bails out Walman – I’m starting to like this kid. Assuming we don’t get burned on the video review
Great work by Shea.
Two games in a row Jones give the officials an opportunity to make a call – it was weak but there was no need to get the officials the option.
Max Jones does not belong in the NHL. He’s the Oilers’ worst forward and it’s not even close.
Classic player where they’re all hoping he‘ll magically be more than he is.
He’ll score a beautiful goal in Anaheim against his draft team. There’s a reason he’s still in the league he’ll do squat for 4 games then it’s a highlight reel play in the 5th game that you’ll have to look at the jersey number and name on replay 3 times. Boooook it…….
I don’t like how they look to be getting out worked by the Kraken.
Ungar with the start in the season opener:
Raty/Marjala/Hutson
Tralmaks/Robertson/Griffiths
Kopaka/Pitlick/Tassy
Clattenburg/Nicholl/D’Amato
Carfagna/Cibulka
Sjolund/Brown
Stilman/Akey
Ungar
Tomkins
I miss the Witch.
Met some folks from Seattle bartop. They like the team, but dont really get it. They learned 3 players are from my neck, Saskatchewan! Including their captain.
Fun folks. Went out of their way to say they didn’t like what’s going on. I don’t talk politics with a pint, but they were lovely.
We’re still friends, Americans are lovely, proud people.
Babs essentially used the first 2 vs the Nucks as 2 more preseason games, and I guess that was the team to do it against. He got 3 points and a new RH center out of it. Dach’s line tonight looking like 3rd line ice time while posting good Corsiers. Michael’s line not so much a stats darling but when you’re +1 after two periods, giddy up.
They should have plenty in the tank in the third after taking the second period off.
Low energy 2nd period from the Oilers. On the positive side Levi has calmed down. Walman is also less scramble without Makhadullin.
Isn’t that what most wanted a 2-1 game?
Frederic is being positively impactful in his minutes.
Babcock needs to find a way to get him more minutes.
I took a quick after-work nap and woke up mid-way through the 2nd period, amazed only two goals have been scored!
Levi has been alright.
Kapanen will never score again.
Oilers have had trouble in the 2nd period with the long change all season long – every exhibition game and now 2 out of 3 regular season games…..
It’s interesting how their first periods last season were bad and their second was good.
Watching the game in the South Arm of Lake Opeongo in Algonquin Park. Great setting for a big win.
How’s the fishin’ out that way?
A few bass, came up mostly empty today.
Both goals the PK has given up this year were with a killer without a stick.
Michaels did not recognize the danger on that one – mistake.
Speedy teams always get more PP opportunities?
They just need to score.
Not good news for the league if other teams are going to start employing the “hack away boys, because they won’t call us for everything, it would be unfair for the other team to be on the pp for 40 minutes a game” like the Panthers have been doing for the last few years.
Sometimes you need to pull up your pants tighten your belt and take care of business yourself.
They really miss Nuge on the powerplay.