This is Ziggy when she was maybe 10. Underbite, eyelashes forever, ready for cuddles but working on a searing annual review for me. She was the best. Please read this.
We lost Ziggy yesterday, and our hearts are broken. She was 15. Ziggy came to us at a time when our lives were coming to a crossroads, when the kids were in the process of graduating and finding their way. I thought it would be a good idea to have a puppy to bond all of us, a reason for Mom and Dad to smile and for the kids to come visit. Ziggy was all of those things, and more.
Ziggy was spoiled by all of us, I was probably the main suspect in the spoiling. She had such an attitude, and no natural enemies (she was mauled in a park twice by an off-leash dog) and loved people. Her favourite things to do were go for walks, eat table food of quality, eat snacks, and sleep on the bed with one leg touching a human. I called her ‘baby dog’ and she was waiting for me every time I got home. I made a fuss about her because she was a special lady.
When Jo-Anne died, she suffered terribly. Dogs can’t distract themselves, or throw themselves into work. They just feel. It was over a year after Jo-Anne passed that Ziggy finally stopped waiting at the door for her to come home. That lady suffered.
I did with Ziggy what I’ve done with the kids. Love them as if Jo-Anne were in the room. Ziggy was her dog. Mission accomplished, Jo. It wasn’t difficult. Ziggy had four wonderful years after her passing, made new friends, bit a few people (she bit people), showed attitude when required and generally had a blast. My sincere thanks to the Erin Ridge Veterinary Centre for making a terrible day manageable with kindness, empathy and tender care for my baby dog. If dogs have a heaven, Ziggy has a wonderful home today. Dogs are family. Hug your family.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN OCTOBER
- On the road: NYR, NJD (Expected 1-1-0)
- At home to: ANA, VAN, NYR, PHI (Expected 3-1-0)
- On the road to: TOR, PHI, FLA, TBAY, CAR, STL (2-3-1)
- At home to: VEG, SEA (1-0-1)
- On the road to: SEA (1-0-0)
- Expected Record: 8-5-2, 18 points in 15 games
- Actual Record: 10-2-2, 22 points in 14 games
The Oilers started the game yesterday in a stupor, but ignited in the second period and won easily. All kinds of positives, too. Tristan Jarry the shutout train, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins outstanding start to the season. Mike Babcock’s Oilers are a fine team. Road warriors rocking into Manhattan tonight are an absolute load.
LINES AND PAIRINGS
- Podkolzin-McDavid-Draisiatl: 8:58, 6-3 shots, 1-0 goals, 53X
- Formenton-Dickinson-Joseph 6:19, 1-0 shots, 19X
- Dach-Nuge-Kapanen 5:48, 4-0 shots, 1-0 goals, 100X
The top line just rolls over everything. In 174 minutes, the line is 17-6 goals over 14 games. That’s more than a goal-per-game at five-on-five. The individuals on the line have scored 29 goals in 14 games, including all game states. Connor McDavid came so close to matching the all-time record for points in October. His assist yesterday gave him the longest season-opening assist streak (14 games). This is bizarro world but we are living it.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, age 33, is doing what he has not previously done. He is driving a line at five-on-five. It’s a small sample, but let’s give credit where due. The Dach-Nuge-Kapanen trio has scored 3-0 goaks (65 expected) in 26 minutes to start the season. He will tie Kevin Lowe’s ‘GP as an Oiler’ record today (1037). The fourth line didn’t have much of a chance to impact the game, although Owen Michaels and Trent Frederic both delivered one HDSC each.
- Shea-Murphy 13:40, 5-5 shots, 32X
- Ekholm-Bouchard 11:30, 8-4 shots, 1-0 goals, 53X
- Mukhamadullin-Emberson 9:57, 1-1 shots, 1-0 goals, 49X
The Shea-Murphy tandem isn’t fab, folks. After 194 munutes together, the duo is 4-6 goals and 42 expected. The HDSC’s are 19-31. Shea’s numbers blossom away from Murphy, while Murphy is 1-5 goals away from Shea. I think we might see Ekholm-Murphy and Shea-Bouchard in the coming days.
A quick note on Tristan Jarry. He is having a nice run. His resume from a year ago and earlier this season was not strong in Oilers threads. This could be a turning point. As of this instant, Edmonton’s five-on-fve save percentage is .908, which is No. 11 in the NHL. All strengths SP is .886, good for No. 16.
Babcock’s Oilers are rolling, and some of the bad bets by Bowman are looking better. Is this a turn true north?
BAKERSFIELD CONDORS
The Condors play later today, I wrote about them here and I hope you get a chance to read it. Here are the numbers.
Edmonton Oilers farm report: 4 two-way talents emerging in the minors
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7742596/2026/11/01/edmonton-oilers-ahl-team-robertson-nicholl-carfagna-cibulka/
——
Does Edmonton Oilers rookie Owen Michaels need time in the minors?
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7734123/2026/10/31/edmonton-oilers-owen-michaels-rookie-stats-2026/
Is it too early to get excited about Aku Raty?
Strong scoring record as a pro (Finland and the AHL, last year’s down year notwithstanding). Strong EV player this year and a majority of his offence coming at EV.
Also, it is early but Samanski does not look like the plus player in the AHL he was last season. Is it fitness, is it injury? Whatever it is, Babcock and co appear to have been correct that something was off.
Just checking in and certainly not expecting a day for tears. But here we are. Ziggy gave you family everything and did so unconditionally, as dogs so often do. The loss is great and harkens to even greater loss, but the joy in life has been so much more. Celebrate the joy, my friend.
Expected lines per NHL.com
https://www.nhl.com/news/edmonton-oilers-new-york-rangers-game-preview-november-1-2026
Some stats comparing comparing the Oilers to the top 5 teams by P% (excluding the Oilers), 5v5 except SF/GP and SA/GP, via NHL and NST:
Oilers
PDO – 1.041
P% – .786
SF/GP – 25.9
SA/GP – 26.2
S DIFF/GP – -.3
HDCF – 109
HDCA – 127
HDCF% – 46.19
GF/GP 5V5 – 2.4
GA/GP 5V5 – 1.9
G Diff/GP 5V5 – .50
Average of top 5 teams excluding Oilers:
PDO – 1.023
P% – .721
SF/GP – 29.6
SA/GP – 25.6
S DIFF/GP – 4
HDCF – 142
HDCA – 123
HDCF% – 53.8
GF/GP 5V5 – 2.4
GA/GP 5V5 – 1.6
G Diff/GP 5V5 – .82
Same again taking out the Canucks games:
Oilers
PDO – 1.053
P% – .792
SH% – 12.25
SF/GP – 24.6
SA/GP – 26.8
S DIFF/GP – (-2.2)
HDCF – 93
HDCA – 110
HDCF% – 45.81
GF/GP 5V5 – 1.8
GA/GP 5V5 – 1.3
G Diff/GP 5V5 – .50
Average of top 5 teams excluding Oilers:
PDO – 1.022
P% – .724
SH% – 10.79 (the Wild skew it down their shooting being at least 2% lower at 8.56)
SF/GP – 30.1
SA/GP – 25.8
S DIFF/GP – (4.3)
HDCF – 132.8
HDCA – 109.4
HDCF% – 54.0
GF/GP 5V5 – 2.3
GA/GP 5V5 – 1.5
G Diff/GP 5V5 – .80
The Oilers are tied with the Bruins and Wild for lowest GA/GP 5v5, that will win games reg season. Their SH% is close to sustainable now given it’s in the range of the other better teams, PDO is boosted by SV% mostly (remember the Canucks games are out)
The concern is shooting volume, HDCF and HDCF% being well off the mark of the average, while still giving up more than average in SA/GP and HDCA. That is not a good omen for post season, but it’s early days. O zone time is good, but you have to push for Babs ‘slot passes’ and get goals off of possession. There are signs, but the numbers say the other 5 teams are doing more, they are -8.19 in HDCF%
Three Oiler forwards under 1 EV point / 60.
Kapanen 0.65
Frederic 0.55
Dach 0.47
Kapanen looks much better than his number suggests and he has provided offence shorthanded, so let’s give him a pass.
I don’t think Frederic is an NHLer, at least not on an elite team. He is passing the eye test for some but not for me.
Dach doesn’t look top 6 to me.
The disappointing to some Issac Howard is at 1.2 by the way. Michaels at 1.14.
Heartfelt condolences on your loss of Ziggy.
She was, at times, the best part of this place – I’m going to miss her ‘seriously???’ gaze.
Take care.
Sorry about Ziggy LT. It is always very sad when you lose a family pet who was not just a pet but part of your family and every day life.
Keep it rolling with a big win today
So sorry about Ziggy, LT. Losing furry friends sucks. Ziggy is the cutest.
Ryan Shea this year is averaging 23.5 minutes per game and is 56% Goals for at 5v5. I also love watching his interviews, sounds like he’s loving it here and seems like a great teammate. An insanely good bit of business trading Darnell for assets and replacing him with Shea for 5M less.
How did Dubas let this guy go?
My condolences LT,
”Dogs leave paw prints on our hearts.”
– unknown
Sorry for your loss LT. Thanks for sharing about Ziggy over the years, we all feel like we knew her.
Doggos make life S-Tier, condolences LT.
While Howard is out for tonight’s game, this does sound encouraging.
Oilers’ Isaac Howard out against Rangers, appears to have avoided major injury – Sportsnet.ca
Very sorry to hear about Ziggy LT.
Sorry for your loss of Ziggy, she seemed like a great dog. I think we all adopted a piece of her through your stories.
It’s a brutal day for Father’s around the world when a pup passes. Keeping the family calm (trying), assessing what is actually happening, realizing what happened, transport etc, all while feeling crushed is a real heavy time. I hope you are doing well.
Lost our 15yr old pup two years ago. Like someone already mentioned, best bet is getting another one before you are ready and let the magic restart!
Very sorry for your loss LT. As you already have experienced, with grieving comes healing. May you find peace in the process.
Allan, I hope you and yours can find time to remember all the wonderful moments with Ziggy and reflect on the great life you gave that little one. And maybe leave some diced onions out on the cutting board.
As for the Rags, they have not done well since Shestu… Shister… their goalie went down. 3 – 4 – 1 in 8 games and 22nd in goal diff per game as per Quant. Cheering on Tomkins today!
They say I won’t last too long on Broadway
I’ll catch a Greyhound bus for home, they all say
But they’re dead wrong, I know they are
‘Cause I can play this guitar
And I won’t quit ’til I’m a star on Broadway
— NYR haven’t played since Monday which is a weird break up to early season (they also have a few more unusually long breaks this month)
— maybe they come out flat looking for their game legs and oil can pounce early.
— Plus oilers no doubt staying the week in manhattan for this 3 game road trip so should have their legs. (What a great week to be in NYC)
Remember all of the talk about how the young Ducks and Sharks were going to take the world by storm with their youth, talent and savvy GMing?
At the rate they are going, maybe next year?
Ducks are cooked. Salary cap a mess and lost many good players.
Sharks are ok but finding out how hard it is to move from mid pack to the top. If Greer keeps doing good things they will be a tough out in a few years.
The DSF kiss of death strikes again.
I stand by Verbeek fumbled a guaranteed cup by end of decade playing hard ball.
Sharks are in their Oiler era where its all 1 guy and too much youth. Chicago too.
My condolences to you and your family for the loss of your beloved doggy.
I’m reminded of Connor Ingram’s comment on loss: don’t be sad it’s over, be glad it happened.
May you find peace in the days ahead.
That young man is wise beyond his years.
Early days yet, but I owe Ryan Nugent-Hopkins an apology. This is the best he has looked in a long time.
Shocking no one that both the PP and PK improve upon his return. What is surprising is RNH killing it as 2C. Who knew that a cerebral player looks good with strong system play (sarcasm alert).
So it was on the coaches then?
I think RNH has been dealing with an injury for a few years and this year there was finally time to really heal it up. Having a defined role from Coach helps too.
My condolences Allan.
We always have two. They journey with us and later on go to dog heaven where there’s always chew sticks and running water, those orange Chuck-It balls and plenty of companions. I never forget any of them. My wife tends to suggest getting a new one before I think I’m ready but she is right as usual.
Ziggy’s memory will be eternal and I’m glad you were able to share her with us over the years.
So sorry for your loss Alan. I still remember the loss of our beloved Peppy when I was 5 (56 yrs ago). My dad bawled his eyes out – the only time I remember. Ziggy sounds like a great dog who had a wonderful life with you and your family. Ziggy will always be there in your hearts.
I’m sorry for your loss. I know you’ve talked about it being on the horizon, but knowing it’s coming doesn’t make it any easier. It’s the worst. Every time.
But we keep doing it because it’s also the best. She was lucky to have you too. Not just the other way around.
Once an Oiler, always an Oiler!
If we can win the cup this year, Mike Grier’s name would not look out of place on it.
https://x.com/jfreshhockey/status/2116945108566167557/photo/1?s=46
Box war leaders. 3 of top 4 are Oilers.
https://x.com/jfreshhockey/status/2116942852227772846/photo/1?s=46
Some really big names at the bottom (sid, Karlsson, kane, Nylander. What does it all mean?
Sorry, it’s a bit confusing. The first link is Box WAR on ice defense and the second is the overall Box WAR rating.
Karlsson, Kane, and Nylander aren’t known for their defensive abilities.
Karlsson, Kane, and Sid are also getting pretty old.
Sid himself hasn’t shown well this season on conventional WAR ratings. I saw one where he was around the 50% percentile.
Box WAR is another new metric. I’m still wrapping my head around it.
Poor Grier, with the Nurse trade, is going to show up on the top 10 worst NHL trades for the foreseeable future.
Sorry to hear about Ziggy LT. They’re family, and losing them is awfully hard. Thinking of you and your family.
I stopped reading after the Ziggy part. My head and heart are full contemplating the unconditional love of dogs, and losing them. My condolences. You were a good boy Zig ❤️
Sorry to hear about Ziggy. Glad you and your family had so many good memories, LT. The prose was excellent today — as it always is when you lean into your own life.
At what point do you throw in the towel on Frederic?
I will confess my bias that I was never a huge fan of the player based on what I have seen of his game in Edmonton. I think he looked better the final third of last season. He has looked okay this year but doesn’t seem to get a lot done. I don’t feel he can be an impact fourth liner, never mind play on the third line.
I really do not see him as a C.
At this point I wonder if having him in the lineup is a double hindrance — A) he is taking away a roster spot from a strongly credentialed younger player who could pop (Hutson, Raty) and B) he is arguably a drag on developing young players on the fourth line (Howard, Michaels).
It is possible for the fourth line to thrive — look at Carolina.
I think if you are a rebuilding or mid tier team you can more easily accommodate a Frederic type — the Howards of the world will get a shot in the top 9 anyways.
One argument I hear for Frederic is he will be good in the playoffs. You can’t be good if you can’t keep up, and I saw the opposite against the Ducks last year, a player who disappeared. Well it only gets harder after the first round.
For me, the time to get Frederic out of the lineup is now. Get Hutson or Raty in there and start building an Impact Fourth Line.
I see him making intelligent plays in the defensive zone while under pressure. The contract is definitely too long, but within about 2 years is will be well beliw average cost.
He might be Michaels’ bodyguard. That kid seems to irritate people.
I think he’s playing better this year. Oilers have solved some problems but not all. Perhaps Frederic finds his way to the pressbox and the team plays better. Certainly possible.
xGF of 41 and EV P/60 of 0.55. The actual goal share is 50%.
In a 7 game series against a top 8 team, he will be either exploited by the opposition or sat.
Bless you and your family, to be touched by the life of such an incredible dog. It’s a gift a lot people don’t get to experience.
I wish you and your family the very best moving forward. As you’ve said in the past, I hope it doesn’t take long for your memories of Ziggy not to hurt.
Selfishly, I have a couple days left with my old girl and in some semblance, I understand your pain. I think about my kids well being, but I’m going to be a mess.
Condolences on the loss of Ziggy Lowetide. Always loved the Ziggy photos
Very sorry to hear the news, LT. The Ziggy posts and stories were always a joy to read.
RIP Ziggy. Sorry to hear about the loss of your fur baby LT.
My deepest sincerest condolences to you and yours LT.
I so sorry Alan. Terrible news & I feel so badly for you today.
So sorry for your loss.
Nooo, not Ziggy! RIP noble companion. I never even got a chance to rub your belly, which I would have done even if you bit me on my first try.
My condolences Alan. Losing a family member is always crushing. You gave her a good life, something I am sure she communicated to any dog that enters that house, both present and future.
Would heaven really be heaven without dogs? No. If there is a heaven, it would, by definition of being heaven, include our pawed ones too.
Heartfelt thoughts are with you and yours LT.
So sorry about your loss of Ziggy. No doubt that dog an important member of your family. We also share in the pain. My wife had a traject loss of her pup a month ago and my Chloe is in heart failure and we will lose her her
Shortly.
I’m so sorry, Miltie. It’s just an awful moment after many moments of wonder. Dogs are such good people.
Sorry for your loss LT and thank you for sharing all your wonderful stories of her over the years.
I’m so sorry to read your news today, LT. I know this is a hard loss for you. I hope the thoughts and memories you and your loved ones have shared with Ziggy can be some comfort to each of you.
Sorry to hear about Ziggy LT. She was clearly a special dog. Dogs are family.
My condolences LT. Our pets are family.
We lost our first dog very suddenly just after our second child was born. Thought we were going to get more years together to watch him look over the girls in his own indifferent way (buddy seriously thought he was an only child). We were devastated. Took me over a year to get over it and work up the courage to finally tattoo his paw on my leg in memory and so he’d always be there walking with me.
I’ll make sure Theo, the 80-pound horse-who-thinks-he’s-lapdog get extra head scratches today for you.
Dogs make our hearts bigger, our lives better.
So sorry to hear about Ziggy, LT.
Very sorry to hear about Ziggy LT. Loved reading your stories about her.
— family pets are are often ties that bind families
— I can think of a few families who even today when we get together we reminisce about the family dog or cat.
— I’m sorry for the loss. Pets love us unconditionally. I still think of my family dog Bounder and cat Snowball (who lived to be 21!)
— Ziggy will always be part of the LT household
LFGOILERS!!
Sorry to hear about Ziggy, Allan. My cat died when I was on my honeymoon, my friend who was looking after him called sobbing. 3 of my staff members helped her out and got him cremated. It’s tough losing a pet, especially when you see how many people they inspire. Best of luck.
On a separate note, Mehta apparently has 14 different expected goal models when he evaluates the position. As an analytics guy, that seems like noise and I’m curious if he has 2-3 metrics that are spit out of that data.
I wonder if we’ll see gradual progress in shot share, and how long that might take. Babs said the process was learn the system and play in the system, then find your game within the system
It seems to suit some of the guys already like Mighty Nuge. If it doesn’t improve I’ll be concerned about the deeper end of playoffs. Most of the better teams out east are pretty strong in that department
LT, I am so sorry to read about Ziggy’s passing. She sounds like a wonderful lady and for all the joy and love she gave to you, please take comfort in the fact that she passed knowing nothing but love and caring from her family. She was a blessing which will stay with you forever.
Thank you for sharing your stories of Ziggy with us over the years. Many of us understand the quietness that is in your house right now. Those pawprints are imprinted on your hearts forever.
Sorry to hear that LT. We lost one of our ankle biters this summer to a sudden medical problem fairly young. Condolences to your family