The last time the Edmonton Oilers won the Stanley Cup (1990) there were five rookies who played for them. Only two reached the 40-game mark, just one (Geoff Smith) would play the entire season for the team. This year’s team does have a new NHL arrival (Noah Philp) and we’ll see about recalls as the season moves along. I got a good look at the Bakersfield Condors last night and have some observations.
The Athletic article today is about the state of Edmonton’s prospect pool. It has been an active and productive 12 months since last winter’s top 20. There are some encouraging trends. The article is here.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN NOVEMBER
- On the road to: CAL (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- At home to: NJD, VEG (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-1-0)
- On the road to: VAN (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: NYI, NAS (Expected 2-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: TOR, MTL, OTT (Expected 1-2-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: MIN, NYR (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: UTA, COL (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 8-5-0, 16 points in 13 games
- November results: 1-1-0, 2 points in 2 games
- Oilers in 2024-25: 6-6-1, 13 points in 13 games
I have the Oilers starting a four-game winning streak tonight, aggressive even if Connor McDavid was in the lineup. Still, there are some good arrows for this team, and they are 6-3-1 in the last 10 games. Much has been made about the lack of offense, and I keep thinking the goals will come in bunches soon as regression occurs. However, the power play is an absolute travesty and that doesn’t appear to be getting fixed. Edmonton needs more power plays and more power-play goals starting any time now.
THE CONDORS
The first thing I always look for is prospects getting plenty of playing time. Max Wanner has received large doses since he arrived a year ago, and that continues through to today. I’m not sure we can call any of the rest of these names pure prospects, but Phil Kemp is getting his usual opportunities that is a fact.
Connor Carrick scores well here, he has played with several partners and had success. Cam Dineen and Phil Kemp have struggled at even-strength goal share, but both men have been productive in the past. I’ve been surprised by the expanded role Noel Hoefenmayer has this season, I see him often. The eye can play tricks, maybe he’s just impacting the play more this year. It’s just my opinon, but Josh Brown has not shown an ability to be Bakersfield’s best defenseman for any extended period this season. Early days.
The trade of Ben Gleason for Ronnie Attard is a good one because it gives the team more room to wheel under the veterans rule the AHL enforces. It does give the group a ‘right-orium’ feel, with all of Carrick, Brown, Wanner, Kemp and now Attard righties. The left side is currently Dineen and Hoefenmayer, Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated. I think we could see Travis Dermott sent down, and Josh Brown sent north (or similar) in the coming days. Righty-Righty pairings are rare for extended periods.
This is a fascinating and encouraging look at Colin Chaulk’s forward group in Bakersfield. Matt Savoie is scoring well (3-3-6) in early days and is also positive by even-strength goal share. He’s being lifted by linemates like Seth Griffith and Roby Jarventie, but the rookie is also lifting the veterans. Music!!! I can’t tell you how happy I am that Savoie is adjusting so quickly.
At the other end, James Stefan is struggling as an AHL rookie. I do think that the role he is playing is less than ideal and of course he’s playing down the depth chart with lesser offensvie talents. Important not to reach any grand conclusions about Stefan or Savoie, but we can observe two very different beginnings to pro careers in this case.
I’ve been impressed by Daniel D’Amato and the numbers (both even strength scoring and the boxcars) indicate he can play with authority at this level. Something of an unknown entering the season, he has emerged quickly.
Jayden Grubbe is rumbling in a good way, kind of like Chris VandeVelde two decades ago. We can all agree he doesn’t bring enough offense, but Grubbe brings other things that matter, just like VandeVelde. I think Grubbe is going to play NHL games in the next two seasons.
Seth Griffith has struggled for a couple of seasons at even strength, but is absolutely pushing the river this season. A very good player despite the advanced age.
A busy afternoon on the Lowdown, we get started at noon on Sports 1440. Bruce McCurdy from the Cult of Hockey at the Edmonton Journal joins us, we’ll also have Cam Lewis from Jays Nation to give us a preview of the Toronto Blue Jays in free agency and what may come at the winter meetings. I’m at Lowetide on twitter, in the comments section here and on the Sports 1440 text line at 1.833.401.1440 directly. We can be heard at sports1440.ca; iHeartRadio; Radioplayer Canada, we tweet out the show after it’s done and you can catch us on Apple and Spotify.
Holloway spoke to the press in St. Louis today. https://x.com/StLouisBlues/status/1854220226688147885
Poor kid, glad he’s ok. Man does he pick up some weird injuries
Any updates on Brobergs injury and expected timeline?
The Blues said 4-6 weeks on Monday. No specifics. So not any of the worst case scenarios.
The Kniggets have been bad on the road so far, but a lot of them are on PDO heaters, danger Will Rogers
Mostly driven by high On Ice SH%, a few with juicy On Ice SV%. Going to need a solid team effort to support the tender
It’s a Great Day today now let’s play with some emotion and get some retribution on this sleezy Knights organization.
Its been done, re-assigned.
Back up to 12 healthy forwards and over $1MM of annual cap space to accrue on.
There IS a chance that this is simply day to day cap structuring – get him off the roster and cap for the days/games he won’t be playing.
Condors are only 300km away right now.
Fingers crossed he plays in Calgary tonight! I was really looking forward to see him play in person. Happy for him to get the call-up, hope he does get back up soon.
Let’s make it 3 straight Oiler organization wins on Calgary ice in one week!
Drake played last night, the day after assigned – good chance Philp is in – if they didn’t need him in the lineup so badly they may have waited until the weekend.
Prospecterson!
The Neon Knights of London are moving heaven and hell to repeat as OHL champs, with larger roles being granted to Sam O’Reilly and especially William Nicholl. Both are tracking just under a point per game–great for Nicholl, running in place for O’Reilly.
Puck drops at 5 p.m. Beaver Crossing time.
McDavid’s back!
https://youtu.be/qFdzJ0j8lYo?si=hzMDzo-nPLrJljvz
Wow, was not expecting McDavid back tonight – what a great surprise.
Further, the forward lineup is all but perfect for me:
Skinner/McDavid/Hyman
Podz/Drai/Arvidsson
Henrique/Nuge/Brown
Janmark/Ryan/Perry
I’ve been wanting Skinner with McDavid since July. Skinner is a top 6 guy that compliments high end skill and, for me, his skill set could mesh better with McDavid than Drai.
Recently I’ve suggested Nuge down to play with Henrique – given the way each are playing, this makes sense and, further, Nuge has more of a 3rd line skill-set than Skinner, I think – Skinner should be in the top 6.
Janmark pushed to the 4th line is the clear best place and right move.
Philp was just OK the last couple of games – one night off to watch is fine – he may get reassigned.
Perry should be in the Brown spot if things are being done on merit.
Janmark has been out performing Brown, so if he’s in the proper spot on the 4th so should Brown.
Connor Brown has, disappointingly, been playing like a $1MM player this season so far.
When I saw Bobs tweet today my first thought was’ well OP is gonna be happy’.
I’m hopeful for these lineup changes.
I need a lift today. I feel like the Playoff Oilers are coming out tonight. It’s going to be a great game.
You know how this goes when you depend on the Oilers for a pick me up:
“Las Vegas Golden Knights defeat the Edmonton Oilers 8-1. McDavid and Draisaitl brawl eachother on the bench and are both out indefinitely. McDavid has been heard leaving the ice and shouting “I will never re-sign with this team as long as he (Draisaitl) is on it.
In other news the Bobby Nick burger will be returning and will cost $40 CDN or $56 if you get a meal which includes a small fries and a small drink”
“Oilers now only on Amazon Prime. To unlock the game link, please place a bet on any game with DraftKings”
“Your commentators and panelists for this game will be:
Drew Remenda”
You guys are hilarious! 😆
$16 for a small drink and fries is a bargain!
I like that they are willing to use Nuge as 3C. It may not last, but given how players are playing it makes the most sense right now. They give guys some time and chances to do things which is good, but aren’t stuck in a predetermined use of players as it has seemed in the past
I said McDavid would be back in 72 hours as a lark, jesus.
Jesus!
Chelios you need to use your powers for good and not evil!
Honestly giving it everything I have.
McDavidspheric rivers of chest hair and puck yeas raising all boats this evening.
On the third day, McJesus rose.
Nuge centering Henrique & Brown, McDavid centering Skinner & Hyman. Philp out, Ryan is 4c.
I like the lines. Philp looked a bit overwhelmed in game 2. Watching a game should help.
Finally Skinner will get a bounce. Hopefully Nuge and Henrique can get out of this funk and get it going both are snakebit but you can say that about the entire forward group.
Nuge’s game logs from this point last season compared to this season are nearly identical.
and he finished last season with 22 points in 25 playoff games.
McDavid back in tonight. What a beast
Be nice to start getting some really solid goaltending all around . Consistency is needed.
Bouchard, Nuge and that 3rd line are all needed to start producing more offense.
The D is what it is. Lacking a bit of toughness in front and in most of the losses just poor overall coverage in the D zone .
No clue why the pp and pk are hurting this bad. The pp wasn’t doing good with McD but you can see it is just way worse without him. The offensive zone control is not there at all without him nor is the fast and quick passing.
The team is 2-1 without the captain and that is a very good record. Hopefully they come out on fire tonight and like LT says they start a winning streak.
97 is back!
I think Carrick has been the team’s best d-man all year, by eye – he’s a considerable 2-way player at the AHL level.
On Noel H., I found him “in the picture” quite bit last year – he’s generally noticeable – lots of chaos both ways.
I keep saying Brown has been “meh” relative to expectations – him not being an elite and dominating shut down guy at the AHL level is meaningful, right? I’m surprised his goal share is where it is.
To be fair, Brown has been playing the left side for the last 3-4 games.
That’s interesting that Brown has been playing on the left side.
Interesting to me anyway.
The Brown signing was bizarre not money wise but the length for a journeyman NHL-AHLer. With the loss of Desi they must of thought Brown could play 30-4O games a year. If Brown never sees another game with the Oilers you could probably make a case excluding the dollar amount as top 3 worst signing in Oilers history.
Except the signing has essentially zero effect on the NHL team unless at some point they don’t have room on the 50-contract list to add a player.
Zero impact on the NHL cap.
I presume zero impact on the owners willingness to spend.
I’m not talking about money I’m talking term for talent. Brown is 30 years old he’s not a project. Whoever seen him good in Arizona and pushed for a 3 year deal needs to answer. Brown will be taking a spot on the 50 man roster for 3 years that is bad asset management. If he doesn’t play a game in Edmonton this is a Mikko-Ference bad signing again excluding the money.
I don’t disagree on the signing in general but “excluding the money” changes the entire conversation regarding one of the worst signings in history of the franchise.
Its meh but it has all but zero effect on the team.
Bradey Stonehouse and Patrick Berglund and James Stefan also take up a contract on the 50 for three years and have less of a chance of playing on the Oilers.
The signing was/is tough to understand but its of all but no consequence.
The Canes signed Sklyer Brind’Amour who is barely an AHL player and will take up a place on their 50 for three years.
You’ve forgotten Lucic and Campbell?
Top 3 worst signings, in Oilers history?
I know you’re prone to hot takes, but that just takes the cake.
Excluding the money it’s starting to look like a non NHLer hit the paydirt. Brown will recieve not a 1 or 2 but a 3 year deal. There’s only a handful of Oilers that are signed as long as Brown will be.
Campbell, Belanger… Kent Nilsson 94/95 and Josh Brown is top 3? I never had that one in the book!
For tonight’s game, my biggest concern is not the PP but the PK – Knights come in over 32% on the PP…………………..
Noone can argue with that.
Go away from the 2D on PP1 – its awful. Put Skinner out there are, for crying out loud, get back to using motion – Leon is too stagnant on the PP (including when McDavid is in the lineup), in my opinion.
The coaching staff has made some curious decisions this year. Based on TOI and PP deployment, they do not appear super confident in Skinner yet.
Actually, I lied. Skinner’s 5v5 time is now 5th among forwards.
But his deployment suggests your initial observation is correct.
If they got more power plays, they might have a greater opportunity to score more PP goals.