On a night when the Oilers had flu running through the team, the club’s young wingers (Matt Savoie and Ike Howard) offered a large dollop of hope for this season and the future. Howard picked up an assist on a seeing-eye marker from Darnell Nurse, and then started a nice tic-tac-toe passing play that went Howard-Henrique-Savoie for the second Edmonton goal.
There were other positives in the 4-2 road loss to the Kraken. Darnell Nurse and Alec Regula were a substantial defensive pairing at five-on-five. The tandem were 5-1 shots and 92 percent expected goals. Music! Atro Leppanen and Troy Stecher also did well, with the Brett Kulak-Ty Emberson combo a little bit on the struggle bus at five-on-five (via expected goals).
Josh Samanski had a pretty nice run with Curtis Lazar and Quinn Hutson, the trio led the team’s forward lines in icetime (7:52) and expected goals (68 percent) five-on-five. I don’t know if Samanski or Hutson play NHL games this season, but both have been impressive. Viljami Marjala had two HDSC’s at five-on-five, suspect he’s more than a year away but one never knows.
The Oilers have one more preseason game to go, and hopefully the coaching staff sends a few people to Bakersfield today. I’m looking forward to seeing Vasily Podkolzin, he is one of three young wingers who should populate top nine roles in 2025-26.
On the Lowdown today, we’ll have the dreaded roundtable with Declan Krueger, Donovan Paulson, Matt Fenwick and Sam Willness. Bagged Milk from Oilers Nation will be our feature guest, and we’ll talk wall to wall Oilers, NFL, CFL and more. Noon to 2pm, Sports 1440 and You Tube.
Courtesy of Woodguy’s Twitter.
Bruce Curlock: https://substack.com/inbox/post/174934498?r=ncr00&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true&triedRedirect=true
Pick your poison I guess will cheer for Boston tonight even though they potentially have to face the future Cy Young winning stud Crochet twice be it at home at least.
Id think hard on claiming Rory Kerins
The only problem is that he’ll demand to speak to the manager.
Carter Hart appears to be signing in Vegas.
https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/article/former-flyers-g-hart-almost-certain-to-join-golden-knights-in-coming-days/
They don’t call it Sin City for no reason. Vegas has the most aggressive organization in hockey it’s all about winning.
Great video of Lacombe signing his new contract.
https://x.com/AnaheimDucks/status/1973807600585355376
Raphael Lavoie, also on waivers.
— Players play. Managers Manage.
— it’s been suggested that McD is hot and bothered about losing 2 consecutive Cups I’ve been reading.
— He’s a hockey player and should not conflate his expertise in his vocation with having expertise in another. It’s like movie stars giving opinions on politics : they are not well informed
— Management are also muppets if they believe “well we just need to impress Connor more by making more moves then he will like us and sign”
— I hope it’s not true that McD has decided that he will decide if/when he resigns based on his evaluation of the moves they make. That just is hubris and misguided
— Vlaad signed during the season so I guess McD could too : but that was different. He just wanted them to pay him 500m and ownership came in after it was clear there would be a revolt if management didn’t sign him to that figure.
No Oiler player is larger than the crest Sather-Muckler-Green made damn sure of this. If we lose McDavid so be it but as a organization and a fan we can’t allow McDavid to walk for zippo without a fair return
— it’s either lazy reporting or just saying stuff but if there is truth to the “Connor is going to evaluate the moves before deciding” that’s a toxic power-play. Perhaps good intentions behind it but naive and counter productive
— I’ll save the story of my Mom and the Maple Leafs after they traded Lanny McDonald for another post …
The Lanny OT goal against the Islanders with Palmateer standing on his head was as good as it gets for most Leaf fans that are still alive. I fell in love with the GMC line Callighen was a favourite and poof at 28 he’s done. We were blessed to see the greatest team ever we seen them surgically all leave one by one yet new players became our favourites. In a draft with just Oiler players where does McDavid rank top 3? top 5?. Bowman needs to get this right if we are to win 2-3 Cups in the next 5 years.
Totally agree but Connor has a full veto on any trade and will be a UFA after this season. So he controls the entire landscape. So we fans will just have to wait.
Nobody is going to hold it against McDavid if he wants to hit the Eastern market. If he quietly sits down with Bowman gives his list. Bowman then trades him in a fair deal with everyone being happy. Now if McDavid strings along the fans the Oiler faithful will not be as kind as the fairweather fans in Calgary or just recently in Toronto with Marner.
If McDavid has a problem with losing the last 2, he can stare straight into the mirror and sort it out with himself.
I absolutely blame the coaching decisions and Skinner’s goaltending, but neither of those would have mattered if McDavid had played at or near his top end.
This is a flawed take.
Show me a manager who doesn’t seek input from his employees on the floor and I’ll show you a terrible manager.
Our recent history is littered with terrible manager decisions.
I don’t want players making massive decisions (e.g. NBA) but McD should absolutely be consulted for general insights.
— there is a difference between being consulted and what im reading about how McD wants to see the moves then deciding.
— he’s of course free to do as he fits.
— the owner would also be involved massively at this point (as jays were with vlaad)
— too much equity valuation at stake for the owner to be as passive as management appears
There is significant evidence that McDavid is very involved in personnel decisions including the hiring of Jeff Jackson.
It looks to me like Howard is a fast learner. Is it a holiday today where’s the send Howard to the AHL clan today. If Howard is the real deal he will show himself immediately. Somebody made the call to give up our prized prospect in O’Relly and with Hyman hurt the trade happened for immediate help. Bowman has no plans in burying him in the AHL like Holland is famous for.
Where is YOUR criticism of the goaltending after a .765sv% game ? Oh yeah…. Skinner didn’t play…. If he had, this board would be lit up like a Xmas tree and you’d be frothing at the mouth like a rabid dog…
Pot, meet kettle.
I did say Pickard better be looking over his shoulder in a earlier post but I give Pickard more rope because he saved our regular season as well as our playoff season last year.
In addition to the two waiver placements, the recalled Condors have been re-assigned (again) and Hutson, Leppänen and Samanski assigned to the Condors.
Down to the short strokes now.
Great camp for some of the new guys. Bowman having a strong last 12 months.
Jackson Lacombe 8x9M
Really haven’t got used to the new normal of these contracts yet, that’s Darnell Nurse money!
Looks like Verbeek has realized he can’t bully every player coming out of an entry.
Good for his agent, holy lanta what is Makar gonna get.
Matches the AAV Luke Hughes signed for yesterday although Lacombe is a bit older having spent 4 years in the NCAA.
The Makar contract should be breathtaking but Colorado is pretty well positioned to accommodate it.
That’s true, they’re in the exact same scenario with Necas as they were last year with Rantanen.
Except this pricetag will be more dear.
Well positioned indeed when you bleed out the rest of your talent.
Necas is an uncertainty but suggesting they have “bled out the rest of their talent” is ludicrous.
Now that a productive Landeskog is back and Nishuskin seems to have embraced sobriety, their top 6 is formidable and they possess the premiere top pairing in the NHL as well as solid goaltending.
Colorado has nearly $27 million in free cap space next season so would have no difficulty in keeping Necas should they decide to do so.
Their other top 6 forwards are locked up at value deals as is their two top D pairings and goaltender.
Important to remember that moving on from Rantanen allowed them to address their biggest weakness last season…centre depth.
They effectively replaced Casey MIddlestat at 2C with Brock Nelson and were able to add Jack Drury at 3C.
I don’t know if you are following the Athletic countdown of contenders for the upcoming season but they are down to the final 3 which we will see tomorrow. Those 3 teams will include the Oilers, Tampa Bay and Colorado in some order.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6644688/2025/09/22/nhl-season-previews-2025-26/
Betting sites also have Colorado as among the favourites to win the cup.
https://www.espn.com/espn/betting/story/_/id/44686270/2025-nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs-championship-odds-conn-smythe-trophy
“Colorado has nearly $27 million in free cap space next season so would have no difficulty in keeping Necas should they decide to do so.”
Yeah but he’s going to be more expensive than Rantanen and is worse.
This made me laugh: “Now that a productive Landeskog is back and Nishuskin seems to have embraced sobriety…”
“They effectively replaced Casey MIddlestat (BAD) at 2C with Brock Nelson (OLD).”
“Those 3 teams will include the Oilers, Tampa Bay and Colorado in some order.”
Dom already said Oil are 1, glad you hold value in the rankings.
Ironic you quote betting sites when you can’t hold up your end of a wager.
Dom has picked the Oilers #1 for the past 3 seasons.
Oops.
You just countered your own assertion.
Flip flop call you Fishonacci
Oh let’s see.
Colorado “bled out the rest of it’s talent”.
Colorado is a top 5 ranked team in the league by a panel of hockey experts and in the betting markets.
And here’s just one more:
“MacKenzie Blackwood is dealing with an offseason injury and is week to week, but once the Avalanche’s No. 1 goalie is able to play, it’s hard to dispute the talent on this roster.
The ability to re-sign Brock Nelson after acquiring him prior to the NHL Trade Deadline last season makes Colorado incredibly deep down the middle and will continue to alleviate pressure from Nathan MacKinnon.
Gabriel Landeskog is healthy and raring to go. And it doesn’t get much better than the top defense pair of Devon Toews and Cale Makar.”
https://www.nhl.com/news/super-16-nhl-power-rankings-october-2-2025
I would think having Landeskog, Necas, Nelson, and Jack Drury has more value than Rantanen…but you do you.
Landeskog wasn’t a part of any package for Rantanen so….
I never said Colorado was bad. I said:
Bleeding talent (Rantanen, Byram, etc) so they’ll be fine to sign Makar is bad management. The Oilers have bled talent and they’re pretty good. Could’ve been better with competent management.
You of all ppl should hate Nelson:
-Cost of a young blue chip prospect (your favourite thing other than cap space)
-Is 34 in a week after doing nothing in the playoffs (age being your least favourite thing, ironically).
Betting markets are set to make money, not on what is expected to happen. More money on Avs, higher odds in their favour.
I wouldn’t expect someone who doesn’t follow through on wagers to understand.
A “panel of hockey experts” is like an honest politician. Your fav spot the Athletic picked LA, Vegas, and Dallas to beat the Oil last year handily. They won 4 games combined.
Ok this was fun, thanks for making me think through stuff. Let’s circle back on the Necas contract when he blows the doors off because of Nate.
Rantanen is signed for $12 million.
There’s not a chance Necas costs more.
I remember the oil playing Anaheim last year and wondering who the heck is this young Lacombe kid on D, he’s pretty good for never having heard of him before. I guess the signing confirms it. Definitely met the eye test.
This could be a pivotal season for the Anaheim D corp.
With Cam Fowler gone and his $2.5 million retention ending, Trouba’s $8 million and Gudas $4 million expiring after this season, there will be all sorts of flexibility to advance the embarrassment of riches they have ins young D.
LD
Lacombe
Muntyukov – 131 NHL games
Zellwegger – 88 NHL games
Solberg – 1st round 2024
RD
Helleson – 59 NHL games
Tristan Juneau – almost a PPG in the SHL
Quite a young stable.
Yeah a team of young D. What could possibly go wrong
Plenty.
But if you also have $40 million in free cap space you can easily hedge the bet.
They also are very valuable trade chips.
Anaheim already moved one of them for Cutter Gauthier who scored 20 goals last season playing in the Ducks top 6.
Dougie Hamilton is likely available from New Jersey. Anaheim would be a good fit for next season.
Riley Stillman and Cam Dineen on waivers. Phil Kemp (pit) as well.
Hi LT, apologies for the dinosaur (and public) element – is there a best way to reach you directly? I’m unable to use my tickets to opening night against the Flames and wondered if you might like them as a thanks for many years of wonderful prose, Oilers insights, and the many smiles you’ve given. Happy to go through 1440 if that’s the best. Cheers
That’s so kind. I’m already covered but thanks for much for thinking of me. You can use “contact” on this blog to send me a message any time.
curious what the long term plan with Kulak is? There’s been discussion about extensions with Ekholm and Walman but crickets with Kulak. Wonder if they let him walk or try to flip him mid season for a forward
Doesn’t seem like a player they would want to move heading into to the playoffs – especially at his value cap hit.
They definitely value him and his skill set very much so. Gonna have a bit of a logjam at D this year and may need a higher impact forward before playoffs and don’t have much for tradeable assets or cap
That’s my belief as well, they will lose him for peanuts and he will get signed for north of 3.5/4 which the oil probably wouldn’t have matched/offered anyways, but he deserves it. Me and my older brothers played with a bunch of the Kulak’s out in Stony growing up, he’s probably the kid/cousin of one of our teammates.
My guess is they see how Ekholm fares this season. If Ek is clearly fading out they probably keep him. If Ek is solid health wise they probably can’t afford him. If Ek gets a higher deal they probably can’t afford him unless he really wants to stay around home
I’d prefer they get Walman on the left side. But if he can get Nurse going… So many things that aren’t clear yet
Well, they better not trade him, I have been wearing his jersey to games the last couple years and figure that i can get a couple more seasons out of it yet …
$5M/year for Niko Mikkola, through age 38? Jiminy Cricket! The guy has 62 career points in 5 seasons.
It makes $9M for Luke Hughes look like a steal.
How much will Walman get?
Hoping 6×5.75mil but more likely 7×7
The Mikkola contract is a great contract for Florida. Florida will be rebuilding/retooling in the 2nd half of it and it will not matter.
Mikkola is a legit 2nd pairing D. A $5 million AAV number on a contending cap constrained team is fantastic since 2nd pairing D are now going between $7 and $8.5.
Yes.
$5 million for Mikkola screams “value”.
And the final 3 years only pay him $3.9 million/year which will be a pittance by then…easy to move.
He was also one of few Panthers underwater in the finals. But the way they are built it’s more of a group effort less about individuals
Philp and Tomasek on the ice for the optional today. Must be feeling better. Jones too which is important to be able to send him down.
McDavid, Drai, Bouch, Nuge, Ek also taking the optional.
Podz too!
I think Samanski is going to have a whale of a season. 6’ 5” Centres don’t grow on trees. He seems to have a nose for the net and he looks to have a hard wrist shot. It won’t take Chaulk long before he’s his go to Centre on both sides of the puck. Samanski scores 20 and has a really good Olympics for my dark horse German squad who will surprise many with the MVP of the league Leon leading them.
From all accounts, he’s not near 6’5 – closer to 6’2 but, yes, long body who has skill and sense and drive. Good arrows for this one.
All I can do you is go by what they list him at. Jujhar Khaira and Bogdan Yakimov were also both listed at 6’5” yet Yakimov seemed a lot taller. Big Centres with hands come around very rarely this kid actually on early viewing has the potential to become that big cheap 3rd line Centre every G.M in the league dreams about.
Actually, you can do more and go by the intel from the multiple persons that are at and around the rink saying that he’s not 6’5 but closer to 6’2 (and there are other data-bases having him in that range).
It doesn’t really matter thought – the premise is there and agreed – a big body center with skill and smarts – good arrows so far.
TBF to OP, the Oilers do have Sammy listed at 6’2″. He does seem a little bigger to me; that’s a good sign.
I don’t know if Samanski will play C at the NHL level.
For me, I think of his upside him as the Dan Cleary on those late 2000s Red Wings teams, where if he’s the team’s 7th best forward, the team is in very good shape.
— I meant to ask the stunning Northern Lights photo from yesterday was attributed to a “Mitchell” : was thet taken by one of the Mitchell family members
— Taking my 3 and 6 year olds to 4:00 Jays “practice” tixs are 10 bucks.
— Heard a neat interview this morning with Bautista: he gave some insight as to why the practice then and it’s to get accustomed to the different light pattern and shade that will be there for the 4:00 games that are different as it’s later I. Season so shade will change. Was interesting…
Photo was taken by my daughter. She takes many of the photos that appear on this site. 🙂
to start it would be interesting to see the wonder twins with old man Henrique.
Drai-McDavid-Fredrick
Pods-Nuge-mangiapane
Howard-Henrique-Savoie
Janmark-Philp-Kapanen
Nuge line plays hard minutes. Soft parade for Henrique line, 4th line saws off at 50% and we are good? Maybe??
Tomasek starts in the AHL or as 13th F?
Hard to argue with your lineup.
I think they want to keep Regula, so Tomasek is the one to get sent down. no waivers. Seems to make sense, so they don’t risk losing anyone for nothing. Once everyone is healthy, then they’ll have tougher decisions to make.
Tomasek seems to be having down arrows, if this is the conversation. SHL scoring leader, you would have hoped for a solid middle-six guy.
Thankfully Savoie looks ready and Philp is trending in the right direction. But if Tomasek doesn’t have NHL boots, we may be relying more on Howard. Not sure if Howard is ready for that.
The D is looking good with Regula and Leppanen being up arrows. Having Stecher/Emberson as 7/8 D is real depth. (But if Ekholm doesn’t get back to his old self, that’s a massive down arrow…)
Regula-Howard-Tomasek-Savoie will all make the team. If I’m Janmark I would start worrying as so should Pickard-Skinner in another 6 weeks.
You can keep Tomasek, if you waive Stecher (and keep Regula). Stecher likely clears anyway.
Tomasek will make the team he’s not here to marinate in the AHL. Either he makes the team or gets traded to a team that wants him.
I think Tomasek makes the team over Janmark, otherwise this is a reasonable lineup.
It will look better when Hyman is back and Draisaitl is at 2C
I saw the mention of Pike Place on your twitter post, and mistakenly thought you were talking Pike’s Peak today – and I honestly didn’t think the game went *that* badly. I was glad to see I was incorrect.
The development of Regula is a heartening thing. Big guys who can skate, retrieve under pressure and outlet the puck are always a good thing. If you haven’t yet, I recommend everyone check out Curlock’s review/video of the game last night for the other encouraging points he shares about number 75 (is he really going to keep that number??).
Thanks – where can I find BC’s review?
https://bcurlock.substack.com/p/oilers-v-kraken-a-prospect-review
Thanks for adding that Gaz. I would also add that Curlock is a great follow on substack as he will be doing video breakdown of games and prospects, which has helped my understanding of the game overall, and not just of the Oilers.
I really love Bruce’s insights. His reviews on Savoie confirm a lot of what I believe is very noticeable about him: he is dogged on the puck and does not give his opponent an inch.
Additionally, IMO, Samanski should really have a crack at the opening night roster. A big, versatile, 200′ player like him is a perfect fit for this lineup.
Mid-November I would love to see a lineup of:
Mangi-97-Savoie
Podz-Drai-Howard
Fred-Nuge-Hyman
Samanski-Lazar-Philp
X: Tomasek, Kapanen
Lol, I forgot about Henrique. Hmmm.
I seem to recall that Bouchard switched from 75 to a normal number, and his career took flight.
Hopefully the same happens for Regula.
Regula and Bouchard go way back to London Knights pairing. Buckle-up we are about to see the pop and climb of Regula in real time this year.
LT,
Alice and Chains and Sarah MacLachlan this week… good gravy! Toss in a George Jones or Waylon Jennings and you’ll have covered the majority of my favourite artists.
AIC
I think the question is becoming less “will they keep Regula and not risk him on waivers” (answer: yes) and more will they keep 8D or put Stech (or Emberson) on waivers?
Still got a ways to go but, well, thank you Dallas Eakins for giving the org a call on Samanski. This kid looks like he will play in this league and, from his interviews and behind the scenes stuff, I LOVE his personality.
I thought Hutson struggled last night – lots of plays dying on his stick. He could get getting a bit tired, he’s played a ton of games including the 2 in rookie camp, and he’s used to the short college schedule.
In any event, he’s exceeded my expectations over the last 3 weeks and he and Samanski should play big roles in Bako this year….
Trade one for Reichel, you’re going to lose one anyway.
Taking aside the fact that Reichel doesn’t make this team, how are we going to lose one anyway?
Samanski is signed for 2 years and then RFA – not close to waivers eligible.
Hutson is RFA after this year – not close to waivers eligible
Probably means lose one of Stecher/Emberson, should they run 7D
He’s talking about the defenders no?
I was speaking to the 2 defenders. Holding 8D is just going to piss off a player.
Taking aside that we’re going to lose one anyway because RHD don’t grow on trees (Emberson young and useful PK, Stetcher a good vet, highly likely candidates), adding another young forward that the GM is very familiar with would be an endorsement of said player. It would signal they feel a change of scenery could be beneficial from the suck that is the Hawks.
Assuming management knows one will be claimed, adding any player on the outs with upside and pedigree, Reichel being my example, is a no lose scenario.
Worst case scenario he doesn’t fit the bill and you lose Reichel on waivers; right back where you started anyway.
Why not imo, Hutson and Samanski aren’t ready, Reichel has more clout than either at this moment. Keep swinging the bat.
The Oilers are already looking at putting a forward or two on waivers that they don’t necessarily want and I can’t see them adding one to that list to keep Reichel on their roster at a cap increase ($1.2MM).
I don’t see where this player fits on their roster.
You can retain salary on trades.
Reichel’s upside is higher than Mattias Janmarks or Kasperi Kapanens.
I clarified Reichel is the example, not necessarily the target. If SBGM trades for him, I trust that more than checking hockeydb. If he doesn’t, then he probably has a good read that he is what he is, the upside isn’t there.
If he doesn’t fit on the roster, you’ve lost nothing anyway, as explained.
Trade one for a LD version to balance out
I thought Howard looked dynamic and dangerous offensively last night.
I particularly liked his work on the PP and Knob did mention post game that, while it was too bad they didn’t have their top guys in the game given all the PP time, they did have “their second unit together”.
Some intel that Savoie/Howard/Rico/Nurse/Frederic will form PP2 (probably not Frederic until Hyman is back though).
Of course, Howard did turn the puck over at the offensive blueline trying to beat a few Kraken – hopefully he doesn’t do it too often as making that mistake over and over will reduce opportunity.
I agree on Howard offensively but I also saw him dogging it on the way back to our zone and has an irritating habit of floating around high and flying the zone early .His board work still is soft .Im sure the coaches and vets will get these issues out of his game over the first two months or he will be watching a few games He should watch Savoie if he wants a good example on how to play the game the right way .
Floating around high and flying the zone early? There are no current veteran Oilers that would ever do such a thing repeatedly.
Not if you are a rookie playing in the bottom 6
People don’t seem to get that it’s easier to teach the defensive side of the game over the hardest thing to do in hockey (score). I believe Bowman and company have a plan with Howard and it’s not to thankfully turn him into a checker. With Hyman out Howard has floated into the perfect storm.
This is a typical characteristic of an offensive player. They must find a way to disappear (floating high) and then showing up in open space to create opportunity.
These players, and Oilers as a team need several high offense players but I they absolutely need demon forecheckers and puck retrievers.
On a similar note, I thought McDavids game has been less effective when he is the retriever and puck cycler. I remember Hyman previously much busier in the corners whereas the past two seasons I see McDavid busier in the corner while Hyman takes the automatic netfront.
With Drai and Connor playing together the net front automatically becomes Frederic’s home base. Im not sure how I feel about Frederic being deployed there.
Our goal count keeps going down and down if K.K keeps stifling our offense because our goaltending is so fragile then Bowmsn needs to cut the head of the snake once and for all. Ingram is a start