The trade deadline is less than two months away, and the Edmonton Oilers are reportedly casting a wide net in order to increase the possible pool of talent on defense. Stan Bowman and his staff are looking for a Lefty or a Righty, and we’ll see how this turns out.
Tonight’s opponents, the Chicago Blackhawks, have no strong trade options on display this evening. Alex Vlasic would be a perfect fit, but he’s young and part of the Chicago future. Last I checked, both Connor Murphy and Alec Martinez are injured, and they would be worthy of consideration if healthy.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN JANUARY
- At home to: ANA (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- On the road to: SEA, BOS, PIT, CHI (Expected 2-1-1) (Actual 2-1-0)
- At home to: LAK (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: MIN, COL, VAN (Expected 1-1-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: WAS, VAN, BUF, SEA, DET (Expected 3-2-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected results: 8-4-2, 18 points in 14 games
- January result: 3-1-0
- Oilers in 2024-25: 25-13-3, 53 points in 41 games
This should be a victory based on available evidence, but this is the area of the schedule I worried about when projecting this road trip. Still, Chicago is 3-7-0 in the last 10 and own a minus-35 goal differential for the year, and Edmonton is 7-2-1 in the last 10, and stand at +21 over 2024-25. The first half was brilliant pretty much roster wide, and this team could land 110 standings points by season’s end.
EVANDER KANE
The news yesterday that Evander Kane added knee surgery to his resume after the abdominal procedure means we’re going to be close to his arriving in time for the playoffs. I mostly stay away from the comments section, mostly because the back and forth is so interesting that I don’t want to spoil it. However, I gleefully stayed away from yesterday’s Kane LTIR banter because it is confusing and it does appear the Oilers cost themselves through the actions taken.
My view on Kane: He is a unique player who, when playing his best, is disruptive as a checker and a bringer of raining blows on punishing checks. We don’t know if he’ll ever be completely the player originally acquired, but if he’s on Kane’s release is exceptional and he can beat goalies clean. If he’s healthy, Kane is one of the two best left-wingers on this team. Pretty sure.
I think it’s best to approach the Kane spring like this: Expect he’ll play the last two weeks of the season, thereby offering no deadline advantage, and expect he will not be the player who played smashmouth hockey brilliantly while scoring many goals during the peak of his career. Kane, like many power forwards, played a style that wore him down and did not adjust as he aged. At this point, you’re hoping for lightning in a bottle and a six-week Cher run (she can turn back time) for Evander Kane.
I don’t understand the thought “The Oilers cost themselves through the actions taken.”
None of us know 100% what his medical issues were/are. And quite frankly it’s none of our business. When he chose his recovery timeline and his surgical procedures that’s his business. Maybe Stan knows exactly when his return will be but then maybe he’s being honest and has no idea. Either way I don’t see how any of us can sit back and criticize or advise what they should do when none of us know all the facts. Just my two bits worth.
I’d be very surprised if he was activated with a handful of games left in the regular season. That is not something that I personally will expect. Its not out of the question but not my expectation at all.
Kane’s words yesterday were that, when he is ready, he “will make himself available”.
I am confident that, if he’s ready to go with 2 weeks left in the season, he’s not going to cause a ruckus if the team chooses to delay activation until after the regular season.
As there appears to be no tactical advantage to holding off playing him, I think the best plan is to get him into game action to see how well he plays. His first game being a post-season contest has dangers of its own.
Disagree. The tactical advantage is being able to bring in a player using the LTIR cushion, then bring in Kane for game one of the playoffs.
The Kucherov/Stone template. Might as well use the loophole before Gary closes it and charges EDM a 3rd for their temerity.
IMO Kane is going to do whatever is best for the team. He says he has a date in mind for when he wants to make himself available to return but he wouldn’t reveal that date. To me being available for the first game of the playoffs is ideal and that is when Kane will make himself available.
That decision will have to have been made 6 weeks before the end of the season to matter. ie before the deadline. All the parties (Kane, his doctors and the team) would have to believe and commit to Kane’s remaining timeline for return is 6 weeks (or more) before they could use any meaningful portion of his LTIR cap space post the deadline. If they don’t use LTIR cap space to add at the deadline (ie leave room for him to be activated) they will have the option to activate him at any time he says he and they agree he is ready.
Hawks played last night in Detroit while the Oilers were likely having a nice dinner somewhere in Chicago.
Win this game from start to finish – coming back home for one game vs. LAK before they finally get 2 days off is going to be a tough one.
Don’t look past tonight but do what needs to be done from puck drop to final buzzer.
Taking a look at the Hawk’s NST from their last game and they had four 3 d-men play I’d never head up (plus Vlasic, Jones and Brodie).
McDavid was in Erie, Pennsylvannia last night watching his Jersey be retired. Perhaps a few of his teammates joined him there, like Connor Brown.
Took a look at Marcus Pettersson last game and he lived up to personal expectations (would be a great fit at 3LD given he’s a legit 2LD on a contender) and, tonight, would have taken a look at Connor Murphy with lesser expectations of 2-way ability.
Scott Wheeler has the Oilers’ prospect pool at 29th.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5972113/2025/01/11/oilers-nhl-prospects-rankings-2025/
You rank DFL in quality of commentary
When people say any team in the NHL can win on any night, it is not just idle chat. Yes the Blackhawks are last in the NHL standings and only have 14 wins so, on paper, a win should be almost a foregone conclusion. And Vegas has the Oilers with by far the best odds of any NHL team to win tonight, despite it being a road game. Its really not worth a straight up bet, since placing $100 before puck drop will win around $25.
But beware that among the Blackhawks 14 wins are victories over Florida, Washington, Dallas, LA, Minnesota, Colorado twice, and the Oilers (part of the opening 3 game losing streak). That’s 57% of their wins over top tier teams and the most recent one was just 3 nights ago. They also took the Jets to OT this season, so in total, they are 8-12-1 against playoff teams (and 5-5-0 at home) so their points percentage is actually better against playoff teams than non-playoff teams.
It won’t take the Oilers’ best game to win, but if the Blackhawks bring their A game, the Oilers can’t sleep walk through stretches of the game and expect to win. They also can’t be lax on defense allowing a couple of easy ones for the Blackhawks and just expect to score to make up for their mistakes particularly if the Blackhawk’s goalie, likely Sodorblom, happens to play lights out. The Blackhawks are on a back to back so bringing their A game might be hard.
This is precisely why I don’t get cataclysmic when they lay an egg against the likes of PIT or SJS. It happens.
The key is no prolonged losing streaks, and no trends of low effort against the CBJ of the world.
They should be consistently competitive (even on nights where nothing rhymes), and should have a killer instinct against the dregs on a regular basis.
Rolled out of SF to pick-up my first-time hockey game companion as the fog was rolling in fast across Pacifica. It’s an hour-long 100 km ride down the peninsula on I-280 to take-in Friday night hockey between the Condors and Barracuda.
Walking back into a sold-out Tech CU Arena sparked a few Condors flashbacks. A year ago in January 2024, the Condors visited Tech CU Arena. They proceeded to dominate the Barracuda led by an NHL-ready Philip Broberg. Broberg’s skating was sublime as he puck-handled and out chased and out-processed every other player on the ice. Accompanying Broberg for that game was Dylan Holloway, having just returned to the line-up from injury and very focused on showcasing his incredible edgework, speed and reckless abandon to go to the net and score.
My first Oilers game (and future fandom) began on the January night when Jim Harrison set the club record for most points in a game by scoring 10 points (3G and 7A) in an 11-3 win over the New York Raiders, a team that my eight-year old self believed were cousins of the then powerhouse New York Rangers.
For Oilers fans, enjoying a Condors game in an opponent’s barn provides a unique vantage point to assess is our children learning? And more importantly, which members of this Condors’ roster could make significant contributions on a long Oilers Cup run.
Matt Savoie’s timing, edgework and willingness to let fly was impressive. Yet he played more like a younger version of Seth Griffith and not the second coming of Jonathan Marchessault or Mats Zuccarello. Noah Philip scored the Condors second goal. He was standing right in front of the 6′ 6” Georgi Romanov’s crease. His goal resulted from his ability to corral a fortunate ricochet off of a Dineen shot and quickly bury it. For the rest of the game and especially in the offensive zone, Philp was either knocked to the ice and rag dolled, or muscled off the puck by Barracuda players. I didn’t see much drive in Philp’s game and none that signaled he could or should be an everyday Oiler before the trade deadline.
Disappointing as it was to watch these two high-potential Oiler prospects struggle to impact the game, two forgotten Condor prospects caught my eye in an unexpectedly good way. So much so that I believe they should be the Condors’ next NHL call-ups.
Philip Kemp is the Condors’ best defensemen, full-stop. He still makes bad reads especially on when and how to pinch, however his slow boots are soooo much less noticeable. Kemp’s netfront presence sets him apart from the rest of the Condors D-flock, especially Dineen. Philip Kemp is too legit to quit from becoming the next right-shot Oilers big-body defenseman. He should play 2-3 games (and not on right wing) with Nurse before the deadline. A similar opportunity should be given to Matvey Petrov or the 2024-25 Condors forward most likely to help the Oilers win Stanley in June. Every shift Matvey takes, he drives play which is saying a lot when your regular linemates are Jacob Perreault and Jayden Grubbe. Petrov is in the midst of a breakout season made all the more weird while excelling on first-unit pp then returning to bottom-six or fourth-line duty. The next time Arvidsson goes down, Petrov is my first choice to audition for Leon’s right wing.
Hopefully, my favorite Chicago Black Hawk and Edmonton Oiler, Jim Harrison will be watching tonight from Bonnyville, Chicago or wherever to see Connor McDavid break his most points in a game record.
+1 for the MC Hammer reference.
Love the report, great read.
However, I disagree that Petrov should be called up to play top-6 (beware small sample sizes). Learn to walk before you run kind of thing. It would be preferable to see him establish a track record of consistent performance at that level before elevating him to the world’s fastest league.
Ditto Kemp. While I think it’s time (last chance Texaco) for a look before the deadline to see if he can earn a spot, top-4 duty to start would be asking a bit much. I see him thriving alongside Kulak on the third pair, especially if Emberson can level up to (or insert deadline acquisition’s name here) play with Nurse.
Putting inconsistent/flawed AHL players into prime time duty is classic DoD management.
The Oilers desperately need Kane to be healthy and physical this playoffs for so many reasons. He’s one of the only guys they have who can counter what the Kings, Gary’s team, and Florida with bring. He also needs a good run to be a moveable asset this summer. If he’s a key part of a playoff run, some other team will want him. Otherwise, we’re looking at another Lucic/Kassian situation.
The Chicago Blackhawks are in a world of hurt. Like the Oilers circa 2010 they have one bona fide star and then a roster full of overwhelmed players.
There is no cavalry, no team to build around, no hope of a sudden rebound. Kyle Davidson has Chelsea Dagger’d his team into the abyss where they shall suffer for the remainder of the decade.
Hyperbole.
Chicago has two 2025 first round picks including what could be first overall.
They had 3 firsts in the 2025 draft.
2nd overall – Artyom Levshunov – Rockford – Big RD
18th overall – Sasha Boisvert – UND – 6’2″ C
27th overall – Marek Vanaker – Brantford – 6’1″ LW
2 firsts in the 2024 draft
First overall – Connor Bedard
19th overall – Oliver Moore – Minnesota – C – 5pts in 7 games WJHC
3 firsts in the 2023 draft
7th overall – Kevin Korchinski – puck moving D – 9 NHL games this season
13th overall – Frank Nazar – Michigan star forward – 13 NHL games this season
2022 draft
32nd overall – Noah Allen – 6’2″ D – 35 NHL games this season
62nd overall – Colton Dach – 6’4″ C – 4 NHL games this season
Lots of cavalry coming and, while not all will make it, there is both quantity and quality in the prospect pool.
Other than Seth Jones, they really don’t have any bad contracts and should have close to $30 million in cap space this offseason.
Davidson has been trying to provide Bedard with some veteran support this season but most of those vets will soon be gone making space as the prospects take over.
You must be bored! Hope you’re well.
As if.
It’s Bedard and then a bunch of B prospects who don’t project as top-line (pair) players. If they do it’ll be a slow roast.
Maybe 2 of the guys you mention manage to hit, but they’re like 7 or 8 players away from being anywhere good.
Oh the irony of you citing “hyperbole” in another post.
It would be nice if Kane held out until game 1 of the playoffs. He could still practice to get ready like Stone did 2 years ago a few weeks prior. Kane was probably 50-70 % of his actual playing ability last year against Vancouver and was a huge difference maker as he pounded Quinn Hughes every chance he got and Hughes was nothing near what he played like in the 1st series. So I think Kane will be a big help.
Trent Frederic is a name that seems to be coming up as well in trade boards now. Frederic would be a good pick up to add some grit to the bottom six. Big guy at 6.3/225 , but is not great on the faceoff dot in %. But could be put on the wing. Jake Evans would be another great get and is having a career year. Not as tough , but is a hard working good skater and a Rightey and over a 50% on the dot .
I have no clue what the Oil will do for a D man, but it sounds like there will be some options for sure . Just don’t bring Savard in please. Petterson looked really good in Pitt last night.
For me I would luv to get Mattheson out of Montreal, but not sure he shakes loose. Guess we see.
As for tonight’s game, let’s just hope the team comes out a lot better than last game and dominates the Hawks .
Matheson AND Evans
I’m watching the Habs a lot lately. They are fun – and quick! If I were Habs mgt I would be wanting big things for either Evans or Matheson. They are a team very close to having an impact, and these two are a big part of that.
My money says the Habs are in the playoffs and surprising people. Cinderella.
Might be a nice place for Jeff Skinner to land.
I liked the first Kane signing. Did not like the second. Too many miles on that power forward. He’s gonna be dead weight for the rest of his contract. Which is too bad cause we desperately need a healthy Kane
He’s going to make himself available when he’s 100%. Funny thing is he may never be 100% again.
If Vegas can come to an understanding with Stone every year I don’t understand why Oilers can’t come to one with Kane. He needs the offseason to recover from all of his surgeries. The likelihood that he comes back and offers healthy scratch level play in the last few weeks of the regular season is just too high
Kane’s words yesterday were that, when he is ready, he “will make himself available”.
I am confident that, if he’s ready to go with 2 weeks left in the season, he’s not going to cause a ruckus if the team chooses to delay activation until after the regular season.
Prospecture!
It’s a Saturation Saturday as the full tredectet of NAmateurs will be deployed today (with one possible exception, see below).
Nicholl is in a mini-slump with just one point his last four GP and has seven games goalless gone.
On the other hand, O’Reilly is heating up with a 4-game goal streak and 8-game point streak in which he has 7+7.
Lachance no longer leads BU in scoring but is only one point off with 19 points (7+12) in 18 GP. Copponi is not far behind with 16 points (4+12) in 18 GP. BU once again battles the Vermonters.
Day has been touched up for five GA in each of his past two GP.
Stonehouse will play his 2nd game as a Pete. He posted no crookedness in his debut.
As a result of a match penalty for a check to the head last night, Clattenburg will likely earn a suspension. He’s a repeat offender as he was suspended two games for a similar infraction in November.
Barrie’s match tonight will be available on TSN+.
Boston University (Lachance, Copponi) @ 3 p.m.
Vermont (Määttä, Münzenberger) @ 3 p.m.
Notre Dame (Fischer) @ 4 p.m.
Muskegon (Berry) @ 4 p.m.
Flint (Day, Clattenburg) @ 5 p.m.
London (O’Reilly, Nicholl) @ 5 p.m.
Peterborough (Stonehouse) @ 5 p.m.
Barrie (Akey, Wakely) @ 5:30 p.m.
All times, at all times, are Valleyview time.
And there it is: Clattenburg has been suspended pending review.
I see Connor Murphy as a very good target for the Oilers to improve on their defense.
1.+700 NHL games
2.Skates well enough (Edge Stats)
3.Plays 20 minutes a night behind Jones
4.6’4”, 212 lbs
5.More starts in the defensive zone
6.One more year on a reasonable contract
7.Nurse/Murphy would be a bitch to play against
What would you pay to acquire him?
As a 2RD he would likely have numerous suitors.
He also has a 10 no trade clause and, as an American, might have the Canadian teams on it.
It took Barrie, Shafier, a 1st round and a fourth to get Ekholm, which was a steal for the Oilers.
Would Akey and a second work for Chicago?
I am not sure on the contract, but playing on a cup contender is a powerful draw for a 31 year old NHLer on a last place rebuilding team?
Not sure Akey would move the needle.
Chicago has 2024 second overall pick Artyom Levshunov playing in Rockford.
He’s a 6’2″ 210 right shot D.
Dallas is also after a veteran RD and has a full complement of draft picks as well as RD Tristan Bertucci who is Akey’s team mate on the Barrie Colts and is outscoring him by a considerable margin.
Of course, you never know which players are being targeted by which team and, yes, playing for a contender does have cache.
I looked through last season’s deadline deals. Not many first round picks moved, and only for top players except in Monahan’s case
Defensive defenseman went for less than a 2nd most times. Would depend on how many were interested. Hopefully the days of the Oilers overpaying are done. I did hear Rich Winter talking about with one of his clients Stan offered double what they would have signed for, hopefully he has learned since then
Didn’t the Oilers give up a 1st for Henrique? I wouldn’t call him a top player.
I thought it was an overpay at the time, I think the Rangers got Alex Wennberg for a 2nd. I would consider them similar players.
That deal was for a 3C and a part-time 4C in Carrick.
The Oilers got 2 NHL players for their draft picks (1st, 4th and 5th), but got the AAV on the cap hits reduced from ~6.8 million combined down to $1.9 million. The Rangers for their 2nd and 4th got just Wennberg with his AAV reduced 50% to $2.25 million.
Carrick had value too as he played 16 games down the stretch and 10 games in the playoffs. He is a full time regular with the Rangers this season. Adam Henrique is the more accomplished offensive player compared to Wennberg over their careers (7-20 goal seasons to none) including recent years. And he helped the Oilers a lot more than Wennberg helped the Rangers in the playoffs.