There are two main stories I contemplated writing about today. One is Evan Bouchard, who is 6-5-11 in four games this season and can’t buy a thrill among Norris voters. That’s an easy one, though. Bouchard’s performance in Norris voting says more about the voters than it does Bouchard. Simple. Not a story, barely a paragraph, really.
The other story is Devon Levi, the man who was airlifted into the city where goalie careers go to die, and is thriving. His first-period performance last night was a regular Battle of Kapyong and a key to victory. Levi, now the owner of an .882 save percentage at five-on-five, is emerging as a major acquisition for this team. If he can get some help from the “Monty Python’s race for people with no sense of direction” penalty kill, this train is headed for glory!
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) Actual 1-0-0
- On the road to: Anaheim, San Jose, Los Angeles (1-1-1) Actual 1-0-0
- 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: 3-0-1, seven points in four games
The Oilers scoresheet last night featured three future Hall of Famers and a few who could receive some consideration if they hang around long enough with the unicorns who skated in Orange County last night. The early season points totals remind me of the 1970-71 Boston Bruins, who had a few players in the top-10 early:
- 1 Phil Esposito 4, 5-5-10
- 2 Ken Hodge, 4, 3-5-8
- 2 Johnny McKenzie 3, 2-6-8
- 8 Wayne Cashman 4, 3-4-7
Johnny Bucyk and Bobby Orr were just outside the top-10, would get there by the end of the season. Fred Stanfield. too. Currently, Connor McDavid is No. 1 in the NHL (4, 3-9-12), Bouchard (4, 6-5-11) is second in points and leads in goals. Leon Draisaitl (4, 3-6-9) is fourth in league scoring, and Vasily Podkolzin (4, 4-2-6) is tied for No. 10 in the NHL.
The only difference really is that the Bruins featured players from two separate lines (Cashman-Espo-Hodge all made it, plus Johnny McKenzie from the Bucyk-Stanfield-McKenzie line) and this edition of the Oilers doesn’t have a second line. We wait the arrival of the Savoie-Nuge-Hyman unit in the days to come.
THE NUMBERS
- Draisaitl-McDavid-Podkolzin 10:36, 7-4 shots, 3-0 goals, 79X
- Formenton-Michaels-Joseph 7:18, 1-4 shots, 15X
- Howard-Samanski-Jones 5:31, 0-2 shots, 0X
- Frederic-Dickinson-Kapanen 5:28, 1-2 shots, 38X
The top line rushes and crushes and then hushes the crowd in road games. Simply ridiculous. The young upstart Ducks looked diculous for the final 40 minutes after dominating the first period. I remember thinking after 20 minutes I was going to have to write another of those damnable “if they decide they want to play” items, but the Oilers straightened up and flew right in California last night.
The bottom three lines were toothless but didn’t give up goals and worked hard to suppress progress. Kasperi Kapanen scored a power-play goal, Kapanen and Trent Frederic delivered one HDSC each at five-on-five and that was about it. Quiet tmes.
Leo Carlsson was out most often versus the McDavid line (4:45) and the Michaels unit (4:12) with the rookie giving up the shot share 2-0 but surrendering no goals or high-danger chances. Dickinson’s trio faced Carlsson for one minute; nothing happened.
- Shea-Murphy 12:10, 1-5 shots, 25X
- Walman-Emberson 9:16, 2-5 shots, 13X
- Ekholm-Bouchard 9:10, 6-7 shots, 3-0 goals, 64X
- Shea-Bouchard 2:55. 1-1 shots, 29X
- Ekholm-Murphy 2:52, 0-0 shots, 22X
- Devon Levi 29 of 31 shots, .935SP
A quick second mention of Levi’s excellent performance. He stopped 10 of 12 HDSC’s according to Natural Stat Trick, that’s the reason you see terrible expected goal shares for the second and third pairings, but zero goals against. Music! On the other hand, Babcock is burning daylight on finding a second line and that will have its own regression.
If we want to know the reasons why Ekholm-Bouchard shine above the others, one of the factors is minutes with the top line (all numbers five-on-five). Bouchard 10 minutes, Ekholm nine minutes, Shea just over two minutes and the rest under two minutes.
Max Jones played seven minutes last night, Josh Samanski 10 minutes and Ike Howard 10 as well. One of those men is headed for the pressbox. Edmonton picked up an interesting winger yesterday. Filip Hållander has size, speed, aggressiveness and can penalty kill, plus (and this is important) has an offensive gear. He has scored 1.77 points-60 at five-on-five in limited action over the past two seasons with the Penguins and was delivering plenty in the SweHL a couple of years ago.
On the Lowdown today, we’ll be joined by Bagged Milk from Daily Faceoff Edmonton to discuss last night’s game and the trade yesterday. MLB playoffs, CFL weekend and NFL Thursday night all coming up. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and You Tube.
What a great night Cowboys lose Flames get embarrassed on home ice. Flames didn’t learn from us that you can’t let go of all your veterans. The loser culture takes years to get the stink off. Wait till the prices double in the new arena. They had a good team I don’t know why they panicked.
Flames are so bad the rivalry is suspended. Come on little buddies, you can do it. Get good enough that the team can get some satisfaction from whupping on you
I mean. that was EDM for way too long. Heck I remember latter-days Fleury telling the microphones Ranford the only reason Oil not a complete embarrassment. Of course that mighta been during the Corson Captaincy.
Zero sympathy for The Phlegms. Far as I’m concerned CAL can double fist that darkness.Drink up boys.
Darnell Nurse OT winner
“You’re gonna miss me. Wait and you’ll see”
Holloway and Broberg now share the team lead with -5
Nurse looks good in the San Jose colours.
I think the pressure from the contract hurt Nurse a lot. His best seasons were when he had a solid partner and wasn’t expectedto carry a huge load. At $9m, you can’t pay for a partner and there are massive expectations.
I’m happy for Nurse. I hope he does very well except when we play him!
I love the Dungaree Kid, but I heard that he once gave an Uber driver only 3 stars.
Stauff suggesting that Hallander will replace Jones on the 4th line.
He should already be on the bus to Bako.
Can’t disagree and thought that was the proper play at the end of camp.
This is why they traded for him someone believes in this kid. I hope he makes a difference we need some bottom six goals to appease the analytics gang.
Has Swedish Oiler offered any opinion of Hallander that I missed?
Summarizing!
Soup for all!
Lafreniere scored on the PP for his 1st NCAA goal. He also had an assist.
Fischer scored an EN goal to seal a Notre Dame win.
Sharp picked up an assist.
Lafrenière also played center, second most draws on the team, going 8-7.
Babcock is getting more out of bottom
six by eye IMO- even if the stats don’t back it up. The guys are engaged, and contributing. I thought Kapanen – Dickenson – Frederic had good shifts last night. Michaels has had some timely offence – Frederic got a goal- I think they might pop here in the next 2-3 game. Especially, if you inject nuge – Hyman – Savoie and a whole one of those AHL lines are gone. Everyone moves down. They all have to give up less but I think all lines are a little guilty of poor two way play.
I find myself noticing more of the bottom
6 during the game now mostly. The top guys are thriving too but they always will. I like to see those other lines come out hungry too, in my opinion they have. Especially considering the injuries and QoC everyone is facing.
Can’t find The replay of Frederick’s goal – where would that be?
https://www.nhl.com/oilers/video/topic/highlights/edm-van-frederic-scores-goal-against-kevin-lankinen-6406084262112
I think it was Game 2 against the Canucks. Cleaning up a rebound off Ike Howard’s shot.
I don’t put much weight into the stats from that series v the nucks. Blabs was throwing crap at the wall and seeing what sticks. Turns out it was Levi and Michaels but not Shak.
Canucks getting pounded by the Canes 6-1 end of the 2 nd.
Beware the dreaded 6-1 lead to the Canucks
Would have been nice to see the Canes win that one 9-8 in overtime.
Hopefully Levi can keep it up. Just a matter of time before good tea ms start throwing the kitchen sink ( for sure on the road) against that top line.
The bottom 9 will need to start scoring for sure. Y es it is great if the are not getting scored against , but the better the teams get , 2nd and 3rd lines will be hard on us.
The team looks different for sure and if the can solid 60 minute outings at least every 3/4 games and the goaltending plays well lookout.
Be nice when we get back a 2nd line from the IR.
Hopefully they play a full 60 and take out SJ Sat aft.
Bowman better trade for DeBrincat early because there are not many quality skilled forwards available.
They need to get Howard going. Pump and Dump I can’t see Howard surviving long as an energy forward.
If Howard starts to pump there is no way he gets traded.
I think that should be qualified by usage. Is Howard less of a shooter used the same?
Usage is key. Debrincat had 17 goals at 5v5 last year, the same number as Podkolzin. Trading for a 40-goal scorer makes for a great headline, but is he going to get PP1 time in Edmonton?
A great start to the season for sure and I agree with all the positivity around Levi – super likeable, a young Moog; Roli; iconic jeans, etc. But I think I will still wait half season before declaring victory – his first outing was dreadful; Jack Cambell’s early performances were equally encouraging; does no one remember Ben Scrivens? Not one comment on the PK which reminded me of the Dallas Eakins era.
We have no indication that Levi has the personal problems of Campbell, or the confidence issues of Scrivens.
At 6 foot I compared him to Moog who was only 5’ 9” but with the aerodynamic sticks today a 4 year-old can go top shelf where grandma keeps the cookies on most any shot today. Thats why you see 6’ 6” lacrosse style big yard apes flooding the market. Remember Lehner he was easily 280 he looked like beached whale. With the restrictions on equipment finally scaled back you’re seeing reflex goalies like Levi-Wolf thankfully making a return to the NHL. It’s way more enjoyable watching talent over bigness. Anyhow Levi got burned high his 1st game but he’s settled now. Teams will start taking runs at him will see if Mike has any pushback on what he allows his players to do. Sometimes a crosscheck to the beak is worth the penalty for your goalie’s sake and moving forward as players don’t like the pain of a broken nose.
We could use some “mean” in the line up. Maybe Clattenburg in a year or two.
Clattenburg will get some games this year. That’s the way Bowman rolls he likes to spread around the cash but more importantly keep a prospect engaged let them have a taste of the good life and it works. Bowman has gone through a lot of role players that go on to cash in elsewhere. Holland on the other crushed a lot of young players that may have been a good role player for some games. You’re telling me Holland couldn’t give a little love for Lavoie at the most critical time of his career while he was developing. He never test drove Kesserling who is easily a NHLer. Anyhow Holland is the G.M that overpays for role players that Bowman develops as they become to experience.
How about a You See Sorrows comparison?
aerodynamic???
Prospectuous!
A trio of NCAA’ers is in action.
Fischer begins his senior season after putting up 1+2 in two exhibition tilts.
The WMU duo of Lafreniere and Sharp were held without soup in their debut.
Notre Dame (Fischer) @ 5 p.m.
Western Michigan (Lafreniere, Sharp) @ 5 p.m.
Both times are the same time and are also Leedale time.
Lots of soup today – I’ll let Tarkus do his thing!
File under “Interesting”, during Hållander’s last season at Timra, he finished second in SHL scoring and set a franchise record for points (53), during his 24 YO season. Hållander was also voted the best SHL forward that season. Anton Lander and Magnus Pääjärvi also played on his team.
The previous franchise record (50) had been set by Henrik Zetterberg in 2002, during his 24 YO season.
Speaking of Anton Lander, Samanski is starting to remind me of him. Euro guy who could score in the AHL, but was just missing that certain j’eune c’est quoi in the NHL, but was hyped endlessly by Oiler fans.
Interesting perspective, I see your point. I am not on social media, so I probably don’t see the Samanski hype as you do. I see a free agent with 4C potential, but clearly he needs more time in the AHL.
Anton stuck it out in North America for 6 seasons, hopefully Samanski develops some offense and grows to become a useful NHL player for at least that long.
je ne sais quoi 😉
If the roster gets squeezed to make space for Hyman, Jones looks to be odd man out.
However, Formenton is still looking to do something noticeable. Hes on PK but really has not been effective yet and might need development time. He might benefit from AHL time – still great signing.
Michaels has done well and an excellent story and contributor, but would not be uncommon for his play to drop off once the new NHL adrenalin drops off. No harm if it happens, – still a great signing.
Frederic is off the danger maybe list right now. Actually, I doubt he was ever on Babcocks maybe list, just mine. Hes playing much better.
Howard is in no mans land, but hes learning, I think Bowman would refuse to send him down
Samanski the red headed step kid. But getting more usage than Jones
So, Jones it is, captain obvious. Now, what will Babcock do?
Having cap space has helped them weather this early roster storm from a body standpoint.
I believe they’re going to try and get rid of Jarry at some point which likely won’t create space in the short term (problem for problem) but opens the door for more upgrades to squeeze more guys (unless goalie for goalie).
Good, keep swapping out bodies as they get hurt/drop off and may the best actual contributor win. Bottom 6 is a tough life if in the NHL.
I agree that Formenton has been a bit underwhelming and I think he’s fairly week a defensive zone reads and getting pucks off the wall but Michales is the one with the expected goal share of 31% with only Howard and Samasnski lower.
The headline on Seravalli and Buccigross’ show right now is “Could Bouchard enter the Hart convo?”. They also raved about him on the fan hockey show with Mike Futa. Bouch is going mainstream!
I love early season numbers:
Connor and Leon on-ice have a PDO of 1.304. 100 sv% and 30.43 sh%.
These guys are on fire to start the year. I love it.
1.MVP-Leon
2.Norris-Bouchard
3.Jack Adams-Babcock
4.Conn Smythe-McDavid
5.Stanley Cup. Oilers
This season will cement the legacy of Babcock-Connor-Leon-Bouchard. Connor will have so much fun and relieve winning the Cup that he signs another 2 year friendly deal. I would say Connor and Crosby had discussions on this very topic of staying with your draft team. If you enjoy the camaraderie of your mates with being treated A-1 by the organization love the fans-city then why go elsewhere.
Shout to Michaels who took the most face-offs on the team and went 11-6 on the dot. He’s fast becoming a certain specialist as our best RHC which is a huge skill set. I don’t care what anyone says if you have a C that can win draws with a minute left in a 1 goal game or even on a regular penalty. Winning draws at certain times obviously wins you games and cups. He’s fast becoming Rem Murray. Also even though Shea made a mess of the first goal I like his quietness in his game. There is very little chaos in his overall game.
— to the extent individual advanced stats matter that are available to plebs like us : in this single game, he was in competition with Jones as the least effective player on either team.
The bat phone is ringing as we speak. Samanski and Jones to the farm. Jones couldn’t even get up against his draft team that dumped him. Hollander looked like a rock star in the Pens-Flyers game. He looks like the typical checking Swede that hones his craft back home. If he can piss a few drops or make his line piss a few drops than he’s going nowhere and he’s found a home.
He was out there taking a 3 on 6 draw – that means something.
There was a 3-goal lead, not a one-goal lead but a step at a time
I wanted a SH goal so bad especially down 3 men that probably happens every 10-15 years
Its interesting to me that Emberson hasn’t been used on the PK at all in his two game – 10 seconds total…..
I’m excited to see where Hallander fits on the roster. He sounds like a player that could slot on a third line and possibly be used higher up in the line up like Kapanen.
We might be calling him “Highlander” before we know it.
Getting fired up to see the new Oiler in our scrubs. Samanski needs to be sent down he’s leaking his line. Hallander will fix the weakest link instantly.
Its either Samanski or Jones out of the lineup and, while Samanski took the penalties, Max Jones was brutal last night – multiple poor puck touches, failed zone clears, etc.
I wonder how close is Hyman? They may decide to look at someone from the farm. The Holland days are gone Bowman likes giving players opportunities. They are near Bakersfield.
He’s with the team on the road trip. I heard he’s skating at practice and might play in LA.
We have seen enough of Jones and Samanski you can’t have bottom sixers taking weak penalties and being the weakest links on their respective lines. If they were a good elbow or standing up for your goalie and teammates that’s different. Lazy penalties get you sent back to lovely Bakersfield.
Hyman is on the trip so he’s close.
If there can only be one, Jones is the one!
Podz-McDavid-Leon
Hallander-Dickinson-Kapanen
Formenton-Mike-Joseph
Howard/Jones-Samanski-Frederic
Good thing Dach is on IR. For Issac Howard, that is.
Seriously though, where will they be ( Howard & Jones) when Hyman returns.
In Philly. If the they continue to lose pounce on them. Howard for some sandpaper that has hands. Howard still has value even though it’s dropping. Hobey Baker winner shoot first gunslinger for their PP make it happen Bowman before we Yak him.
Once Briere finds out his nickname is “iceman”, the deal will be done!
There’s real pressure in Philly a deal for Howard might work out for both teams. Bowman needs to be a vulture and start winning some trades that will be effective playing Babcock Hockey.
I was going to say that The Highlander was a Scottish feller, but after doing some sleuthing, the region where character was from did have a mixing of peoples.
What I learned is that one in 10 people in the region where the character, Connor MacLeod of the clan MacLeod was from (Glennfinan), have Scandinavian ancestors.
So, in some ways it could fit. Although it probably could fit another Oiler much better…..Digging deeper, the McDavid clan originated in the Lochaber region and the village of Glennfinan is as the center of the region.
This information kind of feels like I just found the location of the Holy Grail.
Thanks for this cowboy!
Besides the r*ping and pillaging that also went on, the Vikings settled in parts of Scotland at different times throughout history. My background is Scottish but there are splashes of Scandinavian mixed in from too far back to have been recorded.
I’m glad I didn’t go with my initial thought which was Highliner, the frozen fish & chips.
You might have had the image of the sea Captain instead. He could be Scandinavian too.
I know this was a super-star led win and they scored all the goals (plus Kap on the PP) but let’s not forget the impact of the lesser players on the huge game winning goal. There was a 5-man bottom 9/bottom 4 unit out there that cycled the crap out of the Ducks and led to a full line change to get the studs on against a straight legged Ducks group for the seemingly inevitable 3rd goal.
That was a great shift, that set up the goal by the line that scores.
Celebrini a game time decision for tonight so I would suspect he’s trending towards playing Sat.
His boxcars this season are absolutely insane.
I’m a huge Bouchard fan.
His lack of respect around the league is comical at this point. He is so good.
If he keeps it up, they may pick him over Parayko or Doughty for the next Olympics.
— I mean he finished 4th in voting for Norris last year, they haven’t started tabulating votes this year, he’s considered one of the elite D in the league. So I don’t get this “lack of respect” narrative
— he’s put up a ton of points this year in 4 games : that doesn’t extrapolate into “see last year he got ripped off”. He plays on an all star line and gets lots of PP1. He’s valued a ton.
— keep it going. This seems like trying to create a chip on shoulder fake narrative “everyone is against us” type thing.
— I like my best and favourite Defensemen to win Cups more than Norris.
I hope Bouch himself takes this fake chip and keeps this play rollin’ ! As Mr. Jordan said (albeit in different words) use what you can whether it is real or not, make it real.
WAIT!?? YOU CALLED MY MAMA WHAT!!??
— sure go for it. Tom Brady too was famous for creating chips even after so many SuperBowls he famously always believed him and his team had no respect.
— I’m just observing that I feel no slight in Bouchard being 4th place last year
— He’s good. Really good. He’s in the mix for Norris. Werenski was a really solid Norris winner. Just not elite PP and same EV points in less games on a worse team. Maker good too. Can only be one winner a year.
— Anyway I’m beating a dead horse. If people want to take it personally that “their guy” didn’t win the Norris and gets no respect have at ‘er
* we haven’t won a cup either and that’s not a voting contest but no one respects us. Babs has been disrespected by the league. No one wanted him. No one likes the Oilers. Only those in the locker room believe in this team – am I doing it right ?!
Relax man, it was just a little bit of commentary
— as was mine hopefully taken in the manner it was meant to be!
Imo Bouchard not being a part of the Olympic team is just as much a point on the disrespect graph as the Norris vote, especially when lined up with the damage he was doing at the world’s before the concussion.
Just observing the Bouchard discussion in whole rather then focusing on Norris votes.
tbo they telegraph the winners early every season, the voting for most awards is a joke, so I can’t take it seriously.
The Lindsay is the one that is real.
Who do you think wins this years’ FIFA Peace Prize?
.
1 – How do you NOT know that EVERYONE is against the Oilers. There is a laundry list of evidence. Does the Lucic trade or the penalties imposed for the hiring Chiarelli & Mclellan ring any bells?
2 – This disrespect started before the Oilers even iced an NHL team.
It all goes back to Sather a 4th liner outsmarting up until then the foxes of the league. Sather in his fuk-you attitude wore off on the whole team either you FI or FO. Many organizations became jealous of the Oilers that’s why so many teams took pleasure in us losing for so long.
Is it time for a trip down memory lane?
Is it time to discuss Evan Bouchard yet?
The Filip Hallander trade looks interesting. Not much chatter here about it. He wasn’t on my radar. What do you folks think?
SP had an always informative writeup yesterday.
From my looks, he’s like if Jarventie went to the net. Uses body, not really physical but goes to the area where goals are scored and pain is endured.
They had their eye on him for a while according to Bowman thinking Pitt wouldn’t bring him over. He played with Sid last year and started well mostly because of Tocchet not having the Flyers Dzone prepared (ahem, I mean Michkov is out of shape grr).
Good trade for a guy who was on your bench and you needed forward help. Probably a nothing trade but you never know.
I haven’t watched him play but I think it’s important tor us to keep in mind he’s a young player who lost most of last season after being diagnosed with a blood clot in his leg. So the Pens brought him over, he got in 13 games and then was on IR. With that type of condition he was probably quite limited in his activity for a few months. So this season is a do-over for him after being cleared from a serious medical condition. His start with the Pens is encouraging but I think Oiler fans will need to be patient.
I think he will be a significant bottom of the roster player on a roster full of bottom of the roster players.
Not many of his new teammates have scored like he recently has, so I think he’s just scratched the surface. I think he has 15-20 goal potential in a sea of 7-8 goal players.
Don’t you mean Biggous Diculous?
My hope for Evan’s stat line this year: 84, 32-77-109 +57
Among defensemen this century:
Most goals – Mike Green (31 in 08-09)
Most assists – Erik Karlsson (76 in 22-23)
Most points – Erik Karlsson (101 in 22-23)*
Most +/- – Gustav Forsling (+56 in 23-24)
*No defenseman in the history of the league not named Coffey or Orr has scored more than 103 in a season.
That would be the ultimate STFU season of all time. But he’ll only be the runner-up in Norris voting because “McDrai”.
had to look it up. MacInnis 103 pts. That’s the goal for Bouch. Take out an ex-Flame and give voters no choice but to hand him the Norris.
Top 10 seasons all time is a tell.
ORR – 139
COFFEY – 138
ORR – 135
COFFEY – 126
ORR – 122
COFFEY – 121
ORR – 120
ORR – 117
COFFEY – 113
COFFEY – 103
Did they win the Norris all of those years?
Not sure !!!
Orr did. Coffey only won the Norris twice out of those 5 seasons.
In 83-84 he scored 80, 40-86-126 +52 but the Norris was given to Rod Langway, a repeat winner who finished 43rd in scoring with 80, 9-24-33 +14 boxcars. This was the year Coffey became the 2nd defenseman ever to record a 40 goal season. Orr did it once in 1975 (46 goals). Coffey did it again (48 goals) in 85-86 (a Norris winning year). Coffey and Orr remain the only D-men to score 40 in a single season.
In 88-89 Coffey led the league for the Penguins with a 75, 30-83-113 -10 stat line (a 38 point gap vs 2nd place Duchesne) but the Norris was awarded to Montreal’s Chris Chelios who finished 4th in scoring with 73 points.
In 89-90 Coffey again led the league at 80, 29-74-103 -25 but the Norris went to Boston’s Ray Bourque (his 3rd of 5) who finished 3rd in scoring with 84 points.
The voters gave Coffey his 3rd Norris in ’95 after a 58-points-in-45-games lockout season.
Coffey was always called a 4th forward until he made the play against the Russians (2 on 1) in the super series. If you’re bored watch the 3 games in entirety you won’t be after. It’s the best collection of 3 games series ever.
Seemed to always be Coffey or Coffey
If he scores 30 goals and over a 100 points he wins the Norris. One of Bouchard best attributes is he doesn’t get injured he also gets 2 more games on the regular season. This is crazy yet I think I’m lowballing his numbers.
The talk around Makar when he scored 30 was that his goal scoring alone made him a shoe-in. However Coffey didn’t win the Norris after scoring 40, so…
There is concern about being a one line team and the bottom 9 pissing no drops. It’s valid for sure.
At the same time, that bottom 9 has had no drops pissed on them either. No 5 on 5 goals against for this entire team two games in a row.
If the bottom 9 saws off, this team will win both nights.
Of course, an entire 2nd line of players is out so add that in and then everyone below gets to move a ring down making everyone more effective.
The arrows on this team are indeed up. Best record in the NHL though 4 – with legit impactful adversity and poor tending in 50% of the games.
The bottom -9 is sawing off in gf/ga. Which is great. The obvious concerns are (1) they can’t score and (2) shot metrics / eye test indicate they are playing quite poor and that current results will revert.
Getting Hyman, Nuge, and Savoie back will obviously help, although temper expectations because returning from injury usually impacts performance for an extended period (see: Frederic).
They can’t score but they aren’t getting scored on – I will take that from a depleted bottom 9 (when loaded up) each and every day. For sure, the metrics are poor and it will likely catch up with them a bit but, at the same time, they will likely start to piss more drops as well.
Even of those players take a bit of time to get up to speed (and Hyman and Nuge participated fully in camp and got hurt late so they won’t be far behind), it still makes the 2nd line MUCH better and it makes each of the bottom two lines better with players getting knocked down and out.
I mean, Owen Michaels at 4C, as opposed to 3C with leverage minutes – for an example.
Will they piss more drops? Few of our current bottom 9 are consistent scorers at the NHL level.
Edmnton has an expected GA-60 of 2.57, ranking No. 17. Actual GA-60 is 2.96. The offense is fire, 4.16 GF-60, second in the league. Expected GF-60 is 2.6. Regression is coming. The goals against SHOULD go down based on results, and the GF should go down, too. Need a second line. This is untenable.
Agreed. It is amazing start on the backs of the stars for scoring and for LEVI who I think looks really good so far, he was great in the first period. The bottom 9 is not very good at all, due to most playing above 1-2 lines where they should be. They can be dispersed more appropriately when the whole 2nd line comes back and gets rolling.
I really like this Hallander move, if he can become a legit 3rd line guy that will be a monster move.
2 adds at the deadline… top 5 D and legit 2nd line forward
this team will be a load
I LOVE that the Stu and the jets are doing well (to a point, lol) also sit Hellboy, Sit
Of course, there is an entire 2nd line of players out injured – all will be back, two of them quicker than one other.
Babcock also, as recent as earlier this week, re-affirmed that, when they have more bodies, he will likely be splitting McDavid and Drai more often on the road so there is that as well.
Given the circumstances, to have the best record in the entire NHL, well, kudos to players and kudos to the coaching staff.
You told me Samanski was a drop pisser.
Samanski has struggled to start the season for sure – not at the level he was at last season, in particular in the playoffs.
I think he can, and will, be much better but, again, just my opinion on the player.
Like Howard and Dach, I don’t’ think he’s been deployed in an optimal way for his success which is part of it but he also hasn’t forced the coach to deploy him differently.
As an aside, what’s your point? Just to call out someone’s past opinion on a player? I’m happy that all your player projections are bang on – superstar.
I think it’s much to do with the arrival of Owen Micheals.
Why so sensitive? You trample other posters opinions on here on a daily basis. Can certainly dish it without issue.
You routinely talk me and others down from their opinions and i barely dished it back.
If you can’t stand the super mild heat stay out of the kitchen.
I’ll be more concerned if we have nothing beyond our version of the Lebron Miami Heat when the whole second line gets healthy. With all of Savoie, Nuge and Hyman down arguably the team is over achieving.
Take away the points, Bouchard is 11-1 goals at 5 on 5 (12-1 at even strength) and the one against was a terrible o-zone turnover by McDavid with Bouchard up on the rush.
Like, holy hell!
Spec on Gazzola’s show says Hyman is on the road trip and will practice with the team tomorrow in SJ. He’s not sure if he plays against SJ but when they start practicing with the team they are close. So could play on Saturday or Tuesday against LA.
What about Nuge?
Both Hyman and Nuge cant get here soon enough.
They DESPERATLEY need a second line that is at least a threat to score!!!! Not sure just Hyman accomplishes that but it’s a start.
I’m not so sure the word desperate is the correct word. I know I’m not one for loading up the top line but it’s working so successfully maybe they should keep it going until it stops working. Once they get Nuge & Hyms back I’m still not sure they should break up that top line. It’s no longer just Connor & Leon but Podzilla might be the special glue in the trio.
LOL The Glitter Twins and Podzilla.
Babcock mentioned the other day that, once he has more options, he will be back to the original plan that will likely have them broken up depending on match-ups and venue (road vs. home) and other factors.
I dont think they will ever “be split up” as a way forward but there will be more “switching I up”
I could see (Kapanen-Nuge-Hyman) being a thing.
That’s good news – I was wondering.
I sent a tweet out to almost all the guys with a press pass (Spec, Rishaug, Wilkins, Gregor, Janson, Stauff, Michaels) asking if either Hyman or Nuge were on the plane the other day – didn’t get a response.
Thanks for posting.
It is funny how results color perception of the team.
Oilers are a one line team riding god-like performances of McDraiBouch. They are playing very heavy minutes. Which has been very fun to watch.
Bottom- 9 is a black hole.
Hopefully they can keep winning until RNH and Hyman return and the team can ice an NHL calibre second line.
McDraiBouch were not joking about being better. Unreal to start the year.
You’ve just described the Oilers 2006-present day. People aren’t deceived, but rather unmoved by situation normal.
Ha, that is fair.
For me, ATOI is a concern wrt McDraiBouch.
Up by 3 with 2 minutes left and 97 is on the ice to kill a penalty (or 2)? 97 leads all forwards so far in ATOI (23:55) – Babcock needs to get this number down (way down in my opinion). Note: Leon is 13th at 21:15.
Bouchard is 12th at 25:03 with 4:34 of PP time. This does not appear to be egregious, but his 1:32 of PK time could, and should, be reduced.
They were all rested up. I would think the numbers will come down as the schedule increases. Babcock knows the importance of getting out of the gate. Once we have a cushion in our division I do think both Bowman (call-ups) and Babcock will than give other players more responsibilities.
This is lots of truth to this but I am not concerned at this point:
1) Babcock has been express and direct regarding wanting the same thing – down to apx 21 minutes on average
2) Current deployment is largely due to personnel not available (that will be back)
3) 3 games in 10 days is likely playing a large factor – I suspect Babcock is willing to play them a bit more due to the stretch they are in
4) I have no concern over Bouchard’s minutes – he’s tireless out there and I’m fine if he averages 25-26
I would suggest that the bottom 9 playing the minutes they have to and not getting scored on is positively impactful.
I would also suggest that the shift before the third goal, non top line or top pairing guys out there was a massive part of that huge goal.
Happy learned how to get league average goaltending. Uh ohhhhh.
I’ve never in my near 50 years seen a player they can struggle so hard and play so poorly and just rack up points like Leon Draisaitl can and does.
To his credit, last night he turned his game around and got his points while playing much better (sometimes he continues to struggle and ends up with 3-4 points) but he struggled hard in the first period.
What a talent.
I also see Leon’s game as one that will remain highly productive in to his late 30s.
Helps when he can flub passes to Bouch and he rips it anyway.
I almost made this type of post at that point as he was struggling hard in the game and that pass was terrible. Of course, the pass to Podz was a bit higher skill – if only he did that on his back-hand…
Ekholm/Murphy
Shea/Bouchard
To me, this makes zero sense to do on the PK. Keep the 5×5 pairings, maybe find room for Emberson.
Oilers leading the league in offense while missing half their top 6 is good stuff.
I’m very surprised that Smith isn’t using Emberson on the PK. 10 seconds total in his two games. I don’t get it, I find Emberson to be a very effective PK guy – if its pressure the Smith is worried about, I don’t see him being less “able to get there” than Murphy, Shea or Ek…..
Also dare I say Levi has reminded me of one Dwayne Roloson the last couple of games.
Roloson was at least 10 years older when he arrived in Edmonton.
Levi looks like a young Andy Moog.
3 Future Hall of Famers, LT? McDavid, Drai…and Kapanen?
BOUCHARD or FREDERIC
That’ll be a tough decision for the voters.
Bouchard? Please, he could cure cancer and it wouldn’t matter 😀
He has a plausible chance at 1000 points if he stays healthy (which he has to this point).
Most Oiler fans moved Stuart Skinner the person – seemed like a great dude.
Take away all the on-ice play and they seem to have just another gem of a guy in Devon Levi. Just so happy and confident and encouraging and humble in all his media – one of those guys where it’s impossible not to cheer for him. What a great kid.
He certainly didn’t steal the game last night but his play in the first 30 minutes was massive. Kept his team in it early when they were getting throttled, allowed them to adjust, get back in the game and take over. Splendid.
That is what good goalies do they keep your team hanging around.
Three game win streak so early in the season, shocking. It has been awhile since the Oilers have been banking points to start the season instead of digging a hole.
— for sure full value
— that’s one of those games that statistically pretty even probability outcome
— goalie shined and a few exceptional individual performances: thats how we’re are going to win and see what it looks like when more roster back more healthy
— a whole bunch of jones Micheal’s formenton Howard samanski: they are not NhLers but saved by goalie and stuff. The numbers I use cast them very poorly
— that was essentially a 50/50 chance win and we were right side of coin flip. Well done.
— onto next one and McD over 24 mins again would be only not so great long term. Maybe with full roster his ice time reduces ideally
McD was only 13 minutes 5v5. Weird game with lots of special teams. No idea why he is playing 2+ mins on the PK when half the forwards on this roster can PK.
Michaels and Howard might be players. I’m hesitate to judge a rookie too harshly until we’ve seen them for 25-30 games. 2 goals in 4 games for an unheralded rookier is a nice start to the year. Samaski has not looked great this year and Formenton has been pretty invisible to me aside from the odd time you see him flying down the ice.
Only took them until January 30th to do that last season.
Did anyone else notice the Ducks’ goal song is “Dancing Queen”?
Puke
Seriously?? OMG that’s so bad.
So is it safe to say you aren’t “Digging the dancing queen?
They should give “Disco Duck” a trial run.