For the Edmonton Oilers, it’s always been a little bit about the center position. Entering the team’s first NHL training camp in the fall of 1979, Wayne Gretzky was slotted as the top center and coach Glen Sather was talking about trying Mark Messier at the position. He would do so five years later, and it led directly to a Stanley Cup victory. 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) Actual 1-0-0
- On the road to: Anaheim, San Jose, Los Angeles (1-1-1) Actual 2-0-0
- At home to: Mammoth (1-0)
- On the road to: Mammoth (0-0-1)
- At home to: Minnesota, Carolina, Toronto, Detroit, Calgary (3-2)
- On the road to: New York Islanders (1-0)
- Expected Record: 9-4-2, 20 points in 15 games
- Actual Record: 4-0-1, nine points in five games
The year the Oilers won the final Stanley in franchise history (1990) the team started training camp with an amazing center depth chart. For kicks, let’s list the entire camp roster:
- Goalies: Grant Fuhr, Bill Ranford, Mike Greenlay, Darren Beals, Darryl Gilmour, John Haley, David Roach
- Defense: Steve Smith, Kevin Lowe, Charlier Huddy, Randy Gregg, Jeff Beukeboom, Craig Muni, Geoff Smith, Jason Soules, Mario Barbe, Collin Bauer, Cam Brauer, Todd Charlesworth, John English, Jim Ennis, Corey Foster, Chris Joseph, Francois Leroux
- Center: Mark Messier, Jimmy Carson, Craig MacTavish, Kevin McCelland, Mark Lamb, Tom Lehmann, Shaun Van Allen, Brian Wilks, Tim Tisdale, Fred Ledlin, Bob Bilton, Steve Graves, Fabien Joseph
- Left Wing: Craig Simpson, Esa Tikkanen, Martin Gelinas, Kelly Buchberger, Dave Hunter, Dan Currie, Peter Eriksson, David Haas, Scott Humeniuk, Nicolas Beaulieu, John Leblanc, Don Martin, Peter Soberlak
- Right Wing: Glenn Anderson, Jari Kurri, Norm Lacombe, Dave Brown, Kim Issel, Trevor Sim, Richard Novak, Ivan Matulik, Mike Glover, Tony Fairfield, Stan Drulia, Richard Borgo
Training camp that season had the usual contract hassles and some exits (I think Darryl Reaugh left via free agency that year, Esa Tikkanen was looking to move on and Grant Fuhr was feuding with Slats), but the center position looked very good.
Coach John Muckler was more of a strategist than Glen Sather. The roles for Mark Messier (impact offense, tear opposition flesh routinely) and Craig MacTavish (exceptional checking center) were well established, but empty carolies like Jimmy Carson made the player less useful. A trade in November 1989 sent Carson (and Kevin McClelland, who was an enforcer-center who could check, a rarity) to the Detroit Red Wings for Adam Graves, Joe Murphy, Petr Klima and Jeff Sharples.
The result? The Kid Line. My recall is Adam Graves played center on the trio (although Mark Lamb did, too) with Murphy and Martin Gelinas on the wings. Adding a complete line to run behind the Messier trio and the MacTavish shutdown line was amazing.
Messier had a field day, running with two of Jari Kurri, Esa Tikkanen, Glenn Anderson and Craig Simpson all year long. MacT and Lamb got in on some of that opportunity too. The Carson trade is long forgotten but was a key to the 1990 victory. It gave the Oilers another line to run wild, and the Kid Line did it from the anthem to the final whistle.
We can’t compare this year’s team to the 1989-90 bunch, but we should be prepared for significant turnover during the season. Mike Babcock is figuring out the roster as we speak, and the center position will be key.
The No. 1 line’s center is Leon Draisaitl, no matter what they tell you on the broadcasts. He’s checking down to make sure things are tidy in the defensive zone. I think Jason Dickinson will have the MacT role from 1989-90, meaning he might play with linemates who can score (certainly once Hyman, Nuge and Savoie all return) but will have a defensive assignment in many games.
That leaves us Nugent-Hopkins, Owen Michaels and Josh Samanski for the other two center spots. If Babcock can run Nuge with Hyman and Podkolzin (Savoie taking his place on the top line), the Oilers will have three useful lines with outscoring ability. However, for me the optimal is still McDavid and Draisaitl on different lines:
- Simpson-Messier-Anderson (Savoie-McDavid-Hyman)
- Murphy-Graves-Gelinas (Podkolzin-Draisaitl-Howard/Kapanen)
- Tikkanen-MacTavish-Kurri (Nuge-Dickinson-Formenton/Hallander/Joseph)
- Klima-Lamb-Buchberger (Dach-Samanski/Michaels-Frederic)
Your top two lines are quality and can outscore opponents. The third line is a pure shutdown unit of veterans, and the fourth line is a rambunctious crew.. I know the current top line is running for glory, but Babcock has a tough stretch of games ahead. I suspect we’ll see something close to the playoff alignment against Utah,, Minnesota and Carolina. Don’t worry about Leon’s wingers. That’s where the middling rise to superb.
On the Lowdown today, Shawn Belle will tell us about the hazards of being fed mostly own-zone shift starts and playing in front of a checking line assigned to mark the elites. It’s a roundtable day, so we’ll hammer out the Oilers lineup, talk about the Kings woes and the Flyers dreadful start, plus the Elks, MLB playoffs, NFL and more. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and You Tube.
Well McDavid decided to start the season in God Mode and passed the cheat code along to Podkolzin, Bouchard and (peaks around corner) Lev… no no too early.
It normally takes a month for these guys to reach this level. Kinda frightening and/or titillating if they keep it up.
But in all seriousness. 5-0-1 to start without the 2nd line and a rookie in net with Jarry. Lesson? The Pacific division really sucks.
My eyes may deceive me but I could swear the last 2.5 games have showed a bit of chemistry on the first PP unit.
Now how interesting would it be to run Nuge/Hyman as the nucleus of a 2nd unit? Can always go back to the old way if you “need” a goal. A way to spread the wealth and develop offensive confidence (LA showed what a lack there of is like.)
Good vibes around the team so far. Internal and external. Good vibes.
It’s an interesting concept, but I’d be wary of taking Nuge off the first unit. They traditionally haven’t done nearly as well without him.
Over the past 3 years at 5v4
97+29+2 with 93: 13.32 GF/60 (576:46)
97+29+2 w/o 93: 4.48 GF/60 (53:31)
This year w/o 93: 10.85 GF/60 (22:07)
Zach doesn’t have that kind of affect on the numbers, I think you could have someone like Podkozin fill in his spot effectively with some practice.
I do think they need to develop an effective 2nd unit though, and with Shea, Savoie, Howard, Podkolzin etc I think they’ve got the horses.
Two counterpoints
1) This current setup has scored a PP goal in every game but San Jose. They aren’t exactly lollygagging at 7th in the league.
2) By design we would expect to see PP1’s production rate fall and for PP2 to show a pulse. But that doesn’t have to happen and it might not with four shooters plus McDavid on this new version.
Im not wedded to it but more open to it than I was a year ago.
I have time for Hyman to be faded off PP1 here and there (and they have done so in the past with Perry, for example) but Nuge is 100% locked on PP1 as soon as he’s able.
He is important to its success – we see it via the eye test an the numbers confirm it with a bullet – every single year.
Yup. Nuge is the beating heart of the man advantage.
Meanwhile though they have an opportunity to develop an alternate look to PP1 to deploy as needed.
If the Kings could hit the net, they might have won that game. Another system win, although the system was on its heels quite a bit.
Hyman should come in for Frederic. Run Howard, Samanski, and Hyman till Nuge gets back, and then put Nuge in for Samanski.
I think Howard is accomplishing enough to keep feeding him the at-bats. The Oilers will need him later in the season and in the playoffs.
When all the forwards are healthy Frederic is a press box player.
Then Savoie and Dach battle Formenton, Joseph, Hallender, and Kapanen for spots.
If Howard does not produce with Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman, then maybe Savoie gets that spot.
The Kings finished with 40 shots on goal. They hit the net at an alarming rate.
They missed the net or hit the post on their best opportunities.
Levi gave them nothing to shoot at. I know this is foreign to many Oilers fans going back to Roloson. We finally have a goalie that can hold the fort until Babcock assesses the bottom 6 application resumes.
I bring Hyman in for Hallander – 4th line was better than 2nd or 3rd lines last night.
If McDavid scores another 138 pts in the next 78 games this season (well below his early season pace, ending with 155 pts), he would rise from 45th to 28th on the all-time career points list – surpassing Modano, Lafleur, Shanahan, Iginla, etc. along the way way. Not easy, but well within the realm of possibilities.
If ~120 pt seasons follow x 2, we would be talking about a 33-year-old passing Bourque and Esposito and closing in on Ovi’s final rung among the top 10. 100 pt seasons x 3 and it’s 36-year-old McDavid becoming the 2nd to hit 2K. Would be predicated on good health, but not really on unsustainable production.
I don’t see how McDavid could leave Leon and now Bouchard next year. I’m glad Mike has them together with a young forechecking Pod. Babcock will split them Leon-Connor off and on as the season goes on and very likely playoffs as teams will obviously key that line. Until then I’m going to enjoy the best line we’ve have had since Kurri-Gretzky-Tikannen. You would have to be psycho to split this line. This line if it continues needs a name for it so future generations will talk about it like the French
Connection-KLM line.
So, based on no real evidence at all, the Oilers should be losing the next game because of “winning games you shouldn’t be at the end of a winning streak” logic.
It’s awesome that they’ve been winning even with the equivalent of their whole 2nd line out due to injuries. Our Goaltending in the last 4 games has been incredible! Don’t know how long they can keep this up with 90% of the scoring being done by the 1st line + Bouchard.
Oilers were full value for the 3-0 lead.
After that, any game flow was highly score induced.
Stat Muse has Oilers at a PDO heater of 107.8 so far this year.
Collect the wins as much as you can, adjust before the reaper comes.
Adjustment will include the addition of a 2nd line over the course of the next month.
Nurse fought Zadarov tonight – lost cleanly.
Pods on pace for 98 goals.
Who dares to suggest he doesn’t get there
Really happy it’s not us looking for the moral victories.
Babcock can coach. Pretty sure the narrative about him not being a good coach was more from the “reasons other than winning hockey games” pile.
LOVE that late pad save by Levi!
Who the heck is going to overlook Levi in this game?
Lol. I said the same thing. I’m like – dude made like 40 saves. Hahaha.
Doesn’t matter what the shots were, that game was never in question once the Oilers got the lead early, never.
Oilers with 5 regulation wins (and no regulation losses) in 6 games. Its not just 5 wins but 5 regulation wins, and that matters (in and away from the standings).
.917 P% to lead the league with a bullet!
I mean, it doesn’t matter the shots against in this game. I don’t love the shots for in the last 2 games. I also need to remind myself that lines 2-3 are each being asked to punch a line above their weight class.
A little too sloppy in their own zone as well.
Levi and the Jackson 5 have led this team to a great start. Honourable mention to the coaching with a shortened roster. But Lord, the Oilers have been overdue for some goalie manna, hoping Levi is that and Jarry’s play returns to prior levels
The second wasn’t pretty but they buttoned things down in the third, allowing just 2 high danger chances in the final frame.
Byfield dirty play, bad player, and definitely out of his element in 1st line C role. Just doesn’t have the skill or IQ or consistent effort. Kempe must be regretting his choice big time
The LA feed had a comparison of the top centres from both teams. Byfield with a 0.5ppg expected.
Ouch. Kopitar was such a great player. Byfield was being overextended at times as a 2nd liner. A chilling reminder of how valuable centers are, as per LTs theme for today
I mean, score effects were expected, but damn that was ugly. If not for Levi and a touch of McDavid magic, this game was no contest. LA was 100% the better team.
They appear to have been getting caved-in every night by top-tier teams. They’ll probably recover once they’ve had a few games against lesser teams.
I stopped watching games last year because of terrible defensive coverage and effort. They may have not been the better team tonight but this years team hasn’t seemed to be ‘shut the TV off’ level. Early days but I’m enjoying them this year.
Podzilla puts this thing away
Assists from the usual suspects
Proper EN snipe from Podkolzin there. Finally someone who just fires it in.
Levi – angles, aggression, anticipation. Beautiful.
Podz with 7G in 6 games.
McDavid and Bouchard with more points on that empty netter.
If LA had a smidge more confidence Oilers would be losing by now.
I know nobody else is pissing a drop but feels like top line still seeing too much ice.
And could we try a PP2? How about tiring out the opposition w a B squad before unleashing a _rested_ McDrai?*
* difficult to do on the road I realise
McDavid played 21:27 – Bouchard, Murphy and Shea played more.
Drai played 20:10.
PP2 has played much more this season – that will be more effective when they have Kap and either Hyman or Podz. PP2 didn’t get much tonight but it was one late PP where they had a chance (PP1 scored early on their first PP and changed 1:30 in to the 2nd.
I’ve really liked Joseph. Reminds me of Janny in his Oilers prime.
I take out Hallander for Hyman.
Probably yes, but good problem to have.
Refreshing that effective players are coming out for much better players.
Oilers trying to get LA’s hopes up? They took my oxygen comment too seriously.
Coach best be calling out this effort.
Stauffer was not pleased in the 2nd intermission
Damn sloppy
Casual play creeping back in to their game
Drai needs to manage the puck better with relation to game situation…….
Not to pile on, because my favorite current Oiler but between that and managing his shifts and not being lackadaisacal when he is headed off van be so frustrating with him. Until he can fix those things I will continue to be skeptical as to his claims and desire to be in the running for Selke contention. He’s such a smart hockey player I don’t get it.
Brandt Clarke is an exceedingly dumb hockey player.
The late hit may have evened up the calls here – and I’d be somewhat OK with that if its ends up that way.
If the Oilers do get the PP, I wonder if the d-men coming in will result in the opening face-off coming outside….?
um, that should have been a coincidental at minimum at the scrum, but really an opportunity for a 5 on 3 that they overlooked
Faceoff was outside.
Nice rush by Joseph.
Noone’s 5 on 5 flow of play numbers look good tonight but, to my eye, the fourth line has been better than either the 2nd or 3rd lines, and its not really close.
If Hyman is back for Thursday, I would suggest that, while Michaels and Dickinson are safe as center, the middle six wingers should all be up for a healthy scratch for Hyman – Hallander, Kap, Joseph and Formenton – should be in the conversation with Howard and snatched over the centre in Samanski – for the next game.
Flames finish it off and beat ANA in regulation in Orange County!
Does Drai get sat for the 1st top line shift?
I doubt it.
I bet ya the first thing that happened in the intermission was Drai apologizing to his teammates and coach.
They somehow got out of that period with only 1 goal against. Levi bailing them out right now. They did get some life back after the goal against. Hopefully they flip the momentum in the third.
Calm, predictable goaltending – It’s been a while
LA had lots of possession but zero danger until Drai’s double-mistake shift. Tire fire for the last 5 minutes after that – in my opinion.
Flames take the lead on a very weak goal allowed by Dostal.
Then 2 puts it in park for last 5 sec of the period. Cant give them that from there.
Leviathan!!!!
Like.
And 29 breaks the ice – he just cant help himself sometimes. It’s like he gets bored. Situational play
Super impressed by Hallender again, to step into a new team, not knowing anyone, no training camp, etc, he’s looked pretty good.
2 plays by Drai that need to be cut out up 3-0 late in the 2nd period.
Bad pass at the offensive blue, backwards with a d-man up. Then the weak zone exit.
Drai – not good.
Emberson is good – he should play every game he’s healthy.
Not liking 2 nd period so far. Levi facing too many shots. Let’s spend more time in Kings end.
I know the oilers are winning, but only 1 shot on net in the 2nd not a great look. Kings almost tripling Oilers in shots
Does that matter?
I think it is starting to matter….
Not really if Drai didn’t make two terrible decisions.
Ike. stick down but eyes up
Would like the 4th line to bang another one in tonight….
Michaels 2 of 7 FOs.
McDavid only played 7 minutes in the first, Muphy over 8 (second to Bouchard, Ekholkm 3rd).
Formenton led the forward in ice over 8 minutes.
McDavid has to earn his ice time. I think he’s only getting 100% of the Oilers offense in this game.
Man Doughty triggers my disdain, easily my least favorite player not named Tkachuk.
Him over Bouchard for the Olympics was an egregious choice from the day it was made – that doesn’t not help any liking of Doughty.
LA is a fragile team looking for win number one. They have no other option but to open it up. Does Mike go for the juggler or does he back off so to speak? I do believe the Formenton line gets a goal for the good guys.
Gene’s been enjoying the Cali sun!
Gene’s been enjoying Capri Sun’s while lounging in the tanning bed.
FiFY. Lol
Gene LOVES the sun – I worry about that.
Sun=Health. You’ve been lied to😉
Some sun.
Frying yourself, maybe not so much…
It seems hard to believe that the Kings have more shots that period. The Oilers were definitely the dominant team, in speed, in control of play and most importantly, goals. Great road period by the Oil.
2 more goals chasing Kuemper than back off have a few fights and call it a good road trip.
I’ve lost track of the Kings. I thought they were looking pretty good this season. Is this game more about the Oilers getting things together early in the season, or has LA lost the plot?
…
It looks like LA just hasn’t really established their game this season, getting shelled by better teams most nights.