We return to the scene of the crime, Oilers defense 2014-15. Mark Fayne and Martin Marincin saw tough minutes and started from their own five-yard line. The coaching staff gave Justin Schultz a zone-start push and (often) the best young partner available (Oscar Klefbom). None of it helped of course, but at least they didn’t pay Jeff Petry $5 million. My God, the Oilers made bad decisions in cobbling together this defense.
The current management had some impact on the 2024-25 defense, and of course it’s so much better than a decade ago. Here’s the Puck IQ versus elites graph for last season:
Great possession results for the top four defenders who faced elites most often. Don’t fret about Jake Walman, he and John Klingberg didn’t play much against elites after their arrival, but I wanted to include them on the graph. If you’re looking to replace anyone, then Ty Emberson and Troy Stecher are the targets, but both are useful players.
Oilers defense is quality, people. Can you win the Stanley Cup with this crew? I think you can. Especially if you run Nurse-Walman as second pair.
The most vulnerable name? It’s probably Brett Kulak, although I don’t think anyone wants to see him go. Pushing up from the minors? Alec Regula for sure, maybe Atro Leppanen who is a complete wildcard in a Reijo Ruotsalainen/Marc-Andre Bergeron kind of way.
On the Lowdown today, our feature guest is Jason Gregor and we’ll talk Oilers, Elks and Jays for two solid hours. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440.
Just watching hi-lights of Howard who can bury the biscuit from deep is impressive. In what world does Howard not get at least twenty. The most impressive stat for me is the 2nd leading scorer on Michigan State is over 20 points behind. What I’m trying I’m to say is no one is propping up this kid he’s not gimmicky or a one trick pony.
He very well could score 20, its within reason but, at the same time, countless impress performances by player in other leagues without translating immediately, if ever, to the NHL.
One thing that concerns me is lots of goals from distance that I don’t think have a chance of going in on NHL goalies.
That’s not his only way to score though, as you mention – not a once trick pony.
So, he’s going to knock out our trade deadline goaltender in Game 1 of the SCF?
Yes.
I’ve said it before, I think the odd man out is Kulak. I like what he brings but he’s too vanilla for this vanilla group on d. I don’t know who replaces him but moving him out for RHD is something to consider. Need to upgrade the top four RHD.
ek bouch
walman xxxxx
nurse Regula/emberson/stecher
walman and nurse are interchangeable. Find a partner that fits one of them.
One more trade to get another ek or another walman and we’re cooking. Preferably someone with some size and snarl. Stecher Emberson and kulak or too small or play too small
Kulak had a great playoffs two years ago, I didn’t think this go round was as good for him. He is also an expensive 3rd pair, and in his career hasn’t sustained the level of play to stay top 4, even if he had some decent numbers in the playoffs with Bouch in smaller TOI
I think that if any player is undersized, they should be excellent skaters with great first steps (makes more difference than straight line speed which is a small part of the game) and be top notch skill wise. If not I don’t see the point, add some snarl and hard to play against as you said. That being said I think all players should be at least good skaters and able to make a good pass, it’s the NHL for Pete’s sake
Kulak is an excellent skater, has great edge work, a good first step and has scored at or above 87 percentile in every speed category on NHL edge for at least the last 3 seasons.
He gets back to retrieve pucks well, can skate himself out of trouble and if caught up ice gets back as well or better than any Oiler dman. You can still opine you don’t like him for other reasons (eg. maybe board battles, net from coverage or passing) but you can’t use his skating as a criteria against him.
Now that the junior team Canada players have been cleared, if I was Bowman I would put a contract in front of every one of them.
Even before cleared for NHL, let them know there is a contract waiting.
Im not trying to stir the pot, dead serious.
A couple of them aren’t good enough. The others, yep.
1) most of them were marginal NHL players and after a lengthy period of time off are unlikely to be good enough to play in the NHL now; and
2) The players were not “cleared”. They were found not guilty.
I’m sure the guy who’s most recent job was *checks notes* construction worker in Barrie, Ontario is worthy of a contract on a team with Stanley Cup aspirations.
There is no other option than “not guilty” in a court of law. You either guilty or not guilty.
that being said, the whole ordeal revealed really bad judgement by all the young people involved. Not sure the hockey guys can rise above it, the psychological impact of a highly publicized trial like that would be hard to live down. They might want a less public life going forward.
I’m hoping they all can put it behind them and find success whatever they do
Fyi…in Scotland, there are 3 possible outcomes – guilty, not guilty and not proven. Not proven results in an a acquittal but doesn’t mean they are innocent. Would be interesting if the not proven was an option in Canada for this case.
Vvv BBC
They would be in violation of NHL policy and likely subject to very significant penalties if they made any offers or had any negotiations directly or indirectly with any of these 5 players before the NHL completes its own investigation and issues any findings or ruling. Stan Bowman would be the last GM in the NHL to take that risk.
Bowman traded for Regula in Chicago. I think we see him get a good push and apparently he fits that mold of a puck moving D-man. He’s 6’ 4” 215 if the man can stay healthy he should see NHL time sooner rather than later.
Bowman has been quite good at signing or trading for bargain depth players who have a shot of contributing. Podkolzin and Emberson were the start. The trade for Savoie has a chance of turning out really well. Howard, Tomasek, Regula, Jarventie, Leppanen, Lazar all have a chance to be useful players. Before we restricted ourselves to the pricy veterans (Brown, Skinner, Arvidsson, Henrique, Perry). So Bowman has been a huge upgrade on the Holland era.
Just his activity alone has been a big positive change. Time is a wastin’
It’s hard to get a read on Regula. I’ve read he was one of the best, or the best, defender in the A. Also that he has some puck skill. LT has posted he may have slow boots. Of course I hope for the formers, not a fan of guys that can’t skate well, especially these days
NHL Edge had him below 50 percent in 2022-23: https://edge.nhl.com/en/skater/20222023-regular-8480831
For what it’s worth, I don’t think the Edge data is useful. He has a total of 2 shors and 17 speed bursts (of any speed) recorded. It’s possible he’s slow, but could be anywhere from below average to above average. I doubt his shot tops out at 78 MPH either, for that matter.
He didn’t play much, so that’s a good point. Small sample
I guess this is true but Stetchers numbers with McD and Leon are excellent. His numbers are dragged by the Oilers 3rd and 4th line.
I am not sure the numbers above tell us much other than the Oilers coaches preferred deployment.
The PuckIQ numbers above are versus elites. McDavid-Stecher played 31 minutes together versus elites. That’s not a large sample. They did play well together versus elites, but the coach eschewing Stecher in those moments is a tell.
While this group is “quality” I still see a lack of physicality among them. A Jason Smith/Dave Manson type is desperately needed in the back end. need more nasty in front of net. Maybe at the trade deadline.
Should also have same type player on the 4th line. Our 4th line is fairly meek compared to others.
Radko Gudas is UFA summer ’26.
Feels like he matches your description and would fit perfectly as 3RD.
Gudas will be 36 and does not want to play in Canada.
Doesn’t Nurse fit into the modern Smith/Manson type? One more would be welcomed (at the right price)
At times. Just not consistent. And they need more than just him.
He does, he’s just inconsistent, in everything
Fully agree here. I think kulak is holding that spot. He’s the guy that needs to be replaced by this player type. Preferably right shot and can play top four.