The Edmonton Oilers play a road game at home today, as the Original 6 Toronto Maple Leafs come to town. When one of those Original 6 teams plays in the west, the road team is well represented in the stands. Fact. If Mike Babcock can get his team to forecheck to TML defense, it will be a long night for the road team and those fans cheering for the road squad. If it becomes a track meet? Those fans will have a wonderful time. Please read this.
In a 1990 summer edition of The Hockey News, Harry Neale wrote “Not that all of Sather’s moves work out. Vladimir Ruzicka didn’t fit in with the team last year—but blame that circumstance partially on a lingering prejudice against players from Iron Curtain countries. Ruzicka has an outstanding shot and the talent to be No. 2 behind Mark Messier at center.” Ruzicka was a big pivot (6.03) and he was an impressive scorer, but he was one-dimensional and both the Toronto Maple Leafs (who drafted him) and the New York Rangers (who traded for his signing rights, but Phil Esposito didn’t like him) passed on the opportunity to bring him over.
Glen Sather liked talent, and Ruzicka had talent. So, he dealt for his rights and signed the big Czech to a four-year deal in December of 1989. In the January 26, 1990 edition of The Hockey News, team management and coaching were impressed.
“I don’t think you have to worry about him keeping up with the team,” observed GM Glen Sather. “He can skate.” Coach John Muckier was impressed by Ruzicka’s puckhandling ability. “He’s got good hands and he skates exceptionally well. He looks like he’s in pretty good shape, although he got tired towards the end of practice.”
Ruzicka’s defensive play cost him a career with the Oilers. Muckler played him (25 games, 11 goals) but, like Esposito, found better options for the Muckler style. Slats dealt Ruzicka to the Boston Bruins (Sather and Harry Sinden traded often) for Greg Hawgood, who was another project with talent.
The reason I mention this today is the Oilers are enjoying some success with players from “Iron Curtain” countries. Vasily Podkolzin leads the way, his exemplary play has him at the forefront of the ‘new wave’ of Oilers 25-and-under who represent now and the future. Shakir Mukhamadullin is from Russia, too, and although he is not yet established, does have the tools for NHL success.
Podkolzin would have been a Muckler favourite, and the young Russian won a feature role out of the box with new coach Mike Babcock. Podkolzin has offensive ability and is a working man with and without the puck. That gives him extra utility and gives Babcock his top left winger.
Based on history, Stan Bowman will trade for center Ryan O’Reilly or similar at this year’s deadline. I would prefer a trade for left winger Dmitri Voronkov of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Why? Wouldn’t it be nice to have another Russian left winger with range, who could grow with the team?
Moving forward, when all are healthy, the Oilers will have six forwards with enough skill to score goals consistently. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl lead the way, with Podkolzin, Zach Hyman, the currently injured Matt Savoie and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Additionally, Kasperi Kapanen sometimes resembles a scoring winger and Ike Howard is a good bet to turn into a successful scoring winger. So, that’s six plus two maybes. The Oilers need nine who can move the needle.
A player like Voronkov could really help the Oilers. He is big (6.05, 230) has good speed, and averages 22-23-45 per 84 NHL games. He has a nice range of skills, he can win battles and send pucks to creative places.
This is a fine player card from PuckIQ. Voronkov’s possession numbers (DFF%) are strong, and quality relative to his teammates. Let’s compare his totals to Podkolzin from last season:
Podkolzin was on the Draisaitl line one year ago, Voronkov’s most common linemates were Kirill Marchenko and Adam Fantilli. That’s a nice neighbourhood, reflecting ability.
Aaron Portzline at The Athletic recently described the current situation, saying Voronkov “has not lived up to the promise he showed as a power forward with a combative style and soft hands. The Blue Jackets have grumbled for years about his lack of conditioning. So why would another team want him? Voronkov has enormous potential, and at times he’s looked like an NHL impact forward.”
For me, Voronkov’s potential makes him worth pursuing. There is risk, but also tremendous potential reward. Enjoy the game.
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 3-0-0
- At home to: Mammoth (1-0) Actual 0-1-0
- On the road to: Mammoth (0-0-1) Actual 1-0-0
- At home to: Minnesota, Carolina, Toronto, Detroit, Calgary (3-2) Actual 2-0-0
- On the road to: New York Islanders (1-0)
- Expected Record: 9-3-2, 20 points in 14 games
- Actual Record: 8-1-1, 17 points in 10 games
This will sound rhetorical but it truly isn’t. I would love someone to give me answer.
You have three game states in the sport of hockey with which you can play Connor McDavid. You also have a cap on the total number of minutes he can play and remain so by playing him in one state you can’t play him as much in another.
So Babcock and I agree the McDavid should play as much PP as can handle since he seems to be very good at it.
Why does Babcock think McDavid is better short handed than he is at even strength?
He’s not just “not world class” at it. He’s not “pretty good”. He’s not “average”. He’s flat out bad. How bad?
His PK/60 rates are a near match for his PP/60 rates meaning he effectively turns every other teams PP into playing against himself.
Shakir Mukhamadullin is a bad NHL defenceman, he and Ty Emberson got absolutely caved tonight yet somehow they were the top pairing at least in terms of even strength ice time. Outshot 8-1 shot attempts at 19-3 and Corsi & Fenwick at 13% This is not the
droiddefenceman you’re looking for Stan.Wallyworld -7 in 15min per game in 8 games
1 A
He needs to be way better than this. He’s stumbling around alot defensively, in chase mode too often. His offensive decisions are not intelligent
he is playing with some forwards that should be in the A, but this is a 7M D man. This might be problem number 1 to solve after injuries
Yea that contract could become odorous!
Completely predictable. What do you expect when you pay premium for a player that another team paid to go away not even six months earlier.
Doubled down with a goalie that the Pens couldn’t pay to get rid of six month earlier.
Stan has been wrecking the Oilers since he took over. McDavid keeps the boat circling at least.
13 players with points vs 3 players with points. So many 4th lines. Which one to play?
What was McT’s line? At some point you have to score?
I believe he said you have to be a threat to score ( I think ?)
That still doesn’t apply to lines 2-4
Something like “it can’t be that the best case scenario on a given night is that you are a non factor”
Bakersfield has Day playing tonight and Jonsson as the backup. Any idea what happened with Ungar? Did they flip him and Jonsoon?
Eemil Vinni played tonight for the Komets, backed up by Luke Richardson.
Ungar appeared to get banged up from what I saw from watching highlights from yesterday. Ungar was later pulled & replaced by Day.
Lmk if anyone has a vid of how Draisaitl scored the first goal for the oilers. I can’t tell how it beat Stolarz.
It’s on NHL.com but the video shows nothing really. The animation suggests it ticked off Matthews.
I’ve seen it but you came to the same conclusion.
Terrible effort tonight but these are going to happen over the course of the season. If they come back and beat Detroit and Calgary, all will be forgiven
LT called this
Also, Jarry was not good tonight, especially late, but with great goalerung we still likely lose this game 4-2ish…blaming Jarry is the easy way out of excusing poor roster decisions.
Well, that was embarrassing. Hopefully embarrassing enough that they come back with full team efforts against Detroit and Calgary. That would make really successful home stand
Will it matter?
If they don’t start Tomkins, they’re going to be playing ultra-nervous hockey because they know they can’t count on their tender.
Who’s embarrassed?
Hoping the team is. If they have any pride
They need to get back to how they played earlier (against Seattle, Anaheim, San Jose, LA, and Utah). You have to get pucks deep. You have to change when you have the puck. You have to play with better structure and stop making bad decisions with the puck.
And coach needs to decide how long he can continue to have just one line producing offense. It’s easier when you only give up 1 goal. Harder if you’re giving up 2 or more.
what’s a full team effort? lines 2-4 are lucky to score … do you mean a 4 pt game from Connor?
lol, I get what you’re saying. Lines 2-4 are just bad right now. They need to show up. Jones might actually be the worst player in the NHL though
Stauffer making excuses on the post-game. It’s more than the bottom six. The team made poor line changes, poor decisions. You can’t just wait until you get healthy.
TML 7, Connor and Leon 2.
I hope somone gets their head out of their asses soon. Savoie getting healthy isn’t going to change the lineup decisions if getting back Hyms and Nuge haven’t.
This has been completely unsustainable and we’re 1/8 into the season and are already talking about the top line being tired with McDavid also PKing…
Frustrating for me because I feel like this iteration of the Oilers has more talent than ever in the McD era if utilized correctly.
The great start was a mirage based on PDO and historical numbers being put up, but, again…unsustainable.
/rant over
how does this lineup have more talent than 2024?
Not sure to be honest, but I feel like we’re just as good but can’t say because other than the big boys I don’t feel like the rest are being put in the batting order to optimize the lineup.
So, do you feel like the deployment thus far this season has been optimal for long term success?
They’ve decided as a group to go into the season without a 2nd line center. I figure they’ll ride McDrai until a trade at the deadline
while hoping the rest of the group will figure out how to be even on the night.
I understand that thought process, but I don’t agree with it.
Can’t wait for the presser
Nice gift to the Leafs fans who make their one appearance a year at Roger’s on a Saturday night.
The Oilers have a big, big Tristan Jarry problem.
Crazy!!! They start the season with three goalies but we’re still in October and Jarry is the only option.
Waive him. Holy crap he’s got zero ability to weather a storm…
Can we send both Walman and Doolan back to the Sharks??
Jarry quits competing. That’s why the leaders don’t like him
Summarizing!
Fischer and Harvey each had a pair of assists.
Berzkalns scored his 2nd of the season.
Wakely had a helper whilst winning 9 of 15 draws (60.0%).
Lafreniere, Sharp (which tandem I didn’t know was playing!) and Berry were held soupless.
Robinson did not dress.
Jarry is not good tonight that was bad
Oh dear.
Several interesting lineup choices tonite. Does this piss poor performance mean we see Carfagna on Monday? And what about Quinn Hutson? And where’s Frederic? And why is Jones still on this team? He’s incapable of making passes in the AHL?
They did not call up a d-man for this game. Will they between now and Monday?
If Babcock went with a gut feeling switching out Howard and Frederic for Jones and Hallander, it was the wrong one.
He’s got gut rot
One wonders if the Babcock interview went something like this?
McDavid and Draisaitl. “We want to play on the same line and win the Cup.”
Babcock. “I’m your man.”
Can’t leave Neon Leon free on your goalie’s flank.
Alrighty, just need a goal a minute to get to OT
Wallyworld hasn’t had his A game for a long while now. Injuries have piled up I think
Walman is 30 and has had his A-game (the game the Oilers paid for) for maybe 80-odd games of his career. He’s lost his game now for longer than he ever really had it. Committing to 7×7 for that brief of a track record was always a bad idea.
Tonight was a good reminder of how this team played defensively before Holland acquired Ekholm.
I tried a few different streams to see if the Oilers were doing any better in those. No luck!
Sky is falling crew sharpening their knives…..
With good reason.
how’s our depth scoring doing?
In terms of Babcock fixing the bottom 6, are we there yet?
Brutal goal flukey but brutal.
Embarrassing.
Who’s embarrassed? You? Them? It’s one game dude.
I’m sure they are very happy with their effort tonight.
Shite game all around but again, special teams playing a factor.
The Oilers should be able to kill one penalty.
The Oilers should also score on one of two power plays, at their current rate.
Babcock can use this.Tough to get complete buy in when you keep winning. Short pain long term gain. But why does it have to be vs the leafs 🖕
All the odd man rushes and the poor play in their zone were eventually going to catch up with them.
Be interested to see what changes on Monday, and not just roster and who is playing where – which was all KK was able to do. How they play has to change. Last year hockey crept back into their game.
Where did the right system go?
And top line trying too hard now.
Not near as fast a game as Carolina.
Oilers still have a chance, need some bounces, but poor showing tonight to my eye.
Top line looks a bit tired to me. Little late to pucks.
Ekholm and Levi injured in same game didn’t help. Defence a bit scrambly. Also think Howard should not have been sat. Even though he wasn’t producing much, He’s a puck hound and brings some semblance of a threat in the bottom six.
2 showing some fatigue with increased minutes.
Coach is stubborn on 1st 2 lines
Lines 3 and 4 just not enough talent there
I was not a fan of the Babcock hiring, then I warmed up to it, still like alot of things he’s doing, but if continues to remain stubborn regarding deployment of his stars it’s not going to end well for him, IMHO.
Stars wanted to play together.
Irrelevant, especially because part of the company line was that they wanted to be coached and do what’s best for the team.
Also, if two of the best Centers in the world don’t want to drive their own lines then what the eff? It’s odd to me.
Great they can. They won’t win the big prize but they can play together.
It ain’t about the regular season. You can always split them up later in the season but you need to teach the role players how to win without the big 3.
Batman veto card been getting played more often since 25
This is where the Oilers rebuild their “cheat for offense” habits that feeds the McDavid+Draisaitl addiction.
Mcdavid has been on the ice or screwed up the change for three against tonight.
I think he’s been on for seven in the last three games.
That line is leaking more than it’s getting right now.
I had little confidence Jarry could hold the Leafs to 3.
There’s no reason at all to put any of this on Jarry.
— to the extent the publicly available statistics are a proxy he’s more than 2 goals worse than expected for the game so far …
I stand corrected. Lol
Hard to win with 1 goal.
I would suggest Stolarz has been the better goalie with more big saves.
True. To date Oilers have had the better goalie in at least 8 of 10 games.
With Jarry’s history in Edm that is likely to swing back the other way
It’s uphill from here
gonna need a goal from lines 2 thru 4 to have a chance
Oilers will never get another goal from lines 2-4.
Ha, they are lucky to have any O zone time. Bunch of 4A talent there
Wow Stolarz is so good he’s playing at both ends now according to Chris Cuthbert.
Friedman saying Miroshnichenko in WSH is available
20 OV in 2022
6’1″ 194lbs right shot winger
Says WSH is not going to waive him but is willing to listen to offers- apparently they can’t find him ice time
We have no shortage of bottom 6 players?? We could use a top 6 shooter
I know nothing about the kid, but are we sure what he is after 55 NHL games..?
Who said BOuch doesn’t go low? – he was in the Chara position – luv it!
Anyone know where Drai scored. I saw 2
replays and can’t tell
how he scored a wrister from the point.
2026 and we can’t get an angle to see the goal within replay time. I feel like hockey is still in the era of the immaculate reception.
Replays with the panel and I literally don’t get an angle of where he beat stolarz.
Roger’s doesn’t set the bar real high
So, 20 minutes later and have we seen the puck travel into the goal? Was high blocker? Medium glove? Top corner.
Am I taking crazy pills?
Goal visualizer at NHL.com seems to think it went off Matthews. Agree the angles given on replay were useless.
I know I’m being obtuse but the nhl wants to be a top 4 sport yet the people viewing cannot determine how the hardest thing to do in the sport actually happened.
The oil bottom 6 have trouble making that hard thing happen.
Maybe that will open the floodgates.
at least now, if the Oilers lose, it won’t be a shutout. Silver lining
Goin’ in Drai…
Can someone tell Jarry that funny glove on his left hand is for catching the puck?
Jeez…
We have a sign of life.