“My style of hockey? Simple. Play the game in the other team’s end of the rink.” Detroit coach Ted Garvin, 1973. His team went go 2-8-1 to start the 73-74 season and he was fired.
THE ATHLETIC
I’m proud to be writing for The Athletic, and pleased to be part of a great team with Daniel Nugent-Bowman and Jonathan Willis. Here is our recent work.
- New Lowetide: Oilers’ reasonable expectations for 2020-21: Goals against
- Lowetide: Oilers’ reasonable expectations for 2020-21: The Goals
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers defensive prospects are impressive overseas, but what comes next?
- Lowetide: Oilers pick up an intriguing addition in free agent Dominik Kahun
- Lowetide: How close is Ryan McLeod to an Oilers roster spot?
- Lowetide: Jay Woodcroft oversees a spike in Oilers prospect development
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers’ organizational depth chart: Where does Edmonton stand today?
- Lowetide: Dmitri Samorukov’s KHL impact and what it means to the Oilers
- Lowetide: Oilers extend Kris Russell, solve expansion issue
- Lowetide: Can Kyle Turris centre an outscoring No. 3 line in Edmonton?
- Lowetide: Tyson Barrie’s skills and how Oilers coach Dave Tippett will deploy him
- Jonathan Willis: Can Oilers unlock James Neal’s scoring potential at five on five?
- Lowetide: Why is Ilya Konovalov no longer starting in the KHL?
- Lowetide: Oilers Top 20 prospects, post-draft edition.
COACHES
Fred Shero of the Flyers and Rangers was a great quote, the best of his era: “Boston will play the Esposito line for a 4-minutes shift, while we’ll have three lines against them in that time. Thus, by moving our lines on a one-minute shift, we can create a faster tempo during the game. We always have a fresh player on the ice.“
The Oilers had a great one in Craig MacTavish, who famously said Brad Winchester needed a second opinion and that if you had to ask the question about Devan Dubnyk as a starter you already had your answer.
I like Dave Tippett’s frankness and especially like what he did with young players to help them succeed in the NHL last season. Ethan Bear, Kailer Yamamoto and Caleb Jones all graduated from the AHL and had an impact in the NHL.
It’s the kind of coaching that may help unlock Jesse Puljujarvi. Tippett talked about JP’s season so far this year, saying “He’s just a dominant player in the Finnish League right now. He’s a much more well-rounded player. That happens. That’s just maturity in a player. For him, it’s maturity as a hockey player and maturity as a person. I think we’ll get a much better player coming in here this time.”
RECLAMATION AND REDEMPTION
Don Murdoch left a bad scene in Manhattan and arrived in Edmonton looking for redemption. I think most people look on Murdoch’s time with the Oilers as an unsuccessful experiment but he scored 15 goals in 50 games so the talent was there.
There are two keys to Puljujarvi’s return, the player and the atmosphere he returns to in Edmonton. Whatever the issue last time, it was real to Puljujarvi. I think Tippett showed last year that he could bring in unproven talent of different types (Bear, Jones, Yamamoto, Patrick Russell) and have success, but he could also cut bait (Joel Persson, Thomas Jurco, Markus Granlund) if things weren’t working out.
From an Oilers point of view, you want this to work, to have Jesse flourish from today to 2040 as a winger in Edmonton. The backup plan needs to be creating enough value to make a trade beneficial to the team. The Oilers can’t afford to lose JP and what he represents so zero, they need to get value in return if a trade is the ultimate route.
And it can happen. Edmonton gave up a big power forward (Cam Connor) and a pick for Murdoch, and sent him away for a enforcer defenseman (Don Jackson) and a pick.
The same day Edmonton traded Murdoch to Minnesota, the North Stars dealt him to the Detroit Red Wings for the first-round pick that turned into Brian Bellows. North Stars also traded Greg Smith and their own first-round pick (Murray Craven) in that deal (1982 picks).
Oilers will want Puljujarvi to succeed in Edmonton, or build up enough value to being a valuable trade piece (perhaps at the deadline).
Listen to the words of Tippett during training camp and preseason. If at some point in the the couple of months he slides up to JP and says ‘knock knock’ in the same fashion as he did with Ethan Bear last season? Music!
Adding ANOTHER forward is an interesting idea for sure.
It’s conceivable even if Kassian is A-OK (but would require Klefbom to in fact be headed to LTIR).
I’d much rather have Klefbom** than another forward (even Granlund). But if Klefbom isn’t playing then another forward (or D for that matter) on a value deal could be real nice.
**fitting a healthy Klefbom under the cap would require a ~$2M salary (like Chiasson’s) to be moved out.
Only problem is the Oilers forward corps is pretty full. I don’t think Holland is ‘looking’ to add another forward. At the same time he wouldn’t be grinding if he wasn’t kicking tires on higher end wingers, as well as centers who are better than Khaira/Haas.
Lotta guys still sitting out there looking for jobs. And the Oilers are now a landing spot for players hoping to build their value. I don’t think anyone expected Kahun to sign for under $1M, I sure didn’t.
If Holland can add a Granlund or Hoffman (with corresponding minor moves)… Or a Soderberg, Haula or Brassard for under $2M then he has to do it.
I don’t think we’ll see AA or similar return at this point, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see one of the above forwards sign before the season starts. (possibly also a D like Vatanen, Hainsey, Koekkoek, Hutton, Chara???).
Guys like Soderberg and Haula would be huge upgrades on Khaira/Haas (maybe even Turris), and also conceivable winger options in the top 6. Presumably Holland would be interested if they were willing to bet on themselves for the upcoming season.
Actually what is tiring is trying to figure out why some stat about a Canuck prospect that was recently demoted by his club team is being posted at all.
I believe most Oiler that read these comments would be interested that Bouchard and Lagesson are 2nd and 5th in their league in scoring – one would think 2nd in the league would be akin to blowing doors but to each their own.
Bouchard’s draft cohorts are Ty Smith and Noah Dobson, neither of which have put any seperation between themselves and Bouchard – nope Dobson, being the most sheltered player in the NHL last season, when he was actually dressed, is a fairly clear indication that his organization would have preferred him in the AHL last year.
Bouchard is not playing junior – not any more than the Canucks top prospect is.
Bouchard turned 21 less than a month ago and is in his 2nd year of pro.
He is not in a Jr league, regardless you repeating it.
And he will not be on an ELC at 25. Only those rarest players following the Rafferty route to pro are on ELC at 25 (NAHL in “draft +1”, USHL in “Draft +2”, beginning college older than Bouchard is now with an AHL season under his belt).
Bouchard’s ELC slid this year because he only played on CHL season post draft. He just turned 21 about 2 weeks ago and will be 23 when his ELC expires, like nearly everyone.
No one is deriding Bouchard. He’s a very good prospect but the constant need to pump his tires…is…well..tiresome.
He’s playing in a Swedish junior league and doing reasonably well but he is hardly blowing the doors off as you would expect for a top ten pick two years ago.
His draft cohort, for the most part, has already posted superior results in the NHL.
As it stands, he may still be on his ELC at the age of 25…not a good sign.
Personally, I love the fact that the Oilers are paying Turris less to play for them (and have a lower cap hit attributed to him) than Nashville is to not play for them.
Even is he simply replicates his disappointing season in Nashville last year, that’s still offensive value for his cap hit, more than value (just don’t leak as much please).
This mix of threaded and flat posting is frustrating to read.
Agreed. Using the links on the ‘Recent Comments’ column to the right helps though.
Agreed also.
I wonder if tho “recent comments” could be expanded to 10 or even 20 rather than 5.
Also I’m unable to see them except at the bottom on the page on my phone (only realized they were at the bottom too, so that is better than not there at all).
I was just going to post the same thing – even an expandable list with more than 5.
I also only have then on the bottom left on my Mac – at least I think.
————
I will often do a search for 4: 5: 6: (to see posts posted in that hour to ensure I haven’t missed).
In Tip’s defence:
– While P. Russel did get alot of rope, eventually he was removed from the lineup and essentially healthy scratched the entire 2nd half of the season.
– Yamamoto essentially missed all of training camp still recovering from the wrist injury.
– Holland/Tippet gave each of the “bottom of the roster” acquisitions a legit shot at the lineup and finding their place on the team but eventually moved on from all of them when it didn’t work (Granlund, Jurco, Cave, Persson, etc.).
The one I give you is Manning over Lagesson – sure, to start, I guess, but Manning was getting worse and worse and Lagesson was healthy scratched for 8 straight games watching it.
As far as this year, I the forward roster is all but set with one decision to be made for re-assignment. P. Russell, Quinte and Cracknell will need to be assigned (waived if applicable) and one of Khaira, Haas, Nygard assigned to start the season (and not recalled right away).
Unless Bouch blows the doors off and they simply can’t let him start in the AHL (which he may), Lagesson as 7D is pretty easy and apparent – at least to me.
Really, there is only one cut to be determined and, frankly, what are the chances the roster comes out of camp fully healthy without anyone on IR?
Maybe he can work his way back up to the KHL after his demotion to the minors…….
In all seriousness, I agree he is a high-end prospect despite the results in the KHL – its not unusual for teenager to get all but no ice time in that league. He’s going to dominate at the World Juniors this year I’m sure.
At the same time, a primary purpose of this forum is to try and deride and find the negative in all things related to prospects of the Oilers, at least from what I can tell, so I figured I would try and join in on the premise
Obviously any Kassian injury is just a rumour, but Bob S was also speculating about bring in more players. I hope he is not hurt but if Granlund shows up it will be “a tell”.
More speculation, if a responsible center can play on McDavids left side, I wonder what a two way center like Haula could do on his left? (or maybe Soderburg?)
Draft Plus 1: OHL d-man of the year
Draft Plus 2: AHL all-star at 20 years old in his rookie pro season – as you say, after an adjustment period, was a high end AHL d-man in the 2nd half.
Draft Plus 3: Likely NHL ready but not an option – one of the best players in one of the best leagues available to him (SHL and KHL not options as he’d be committed for the season).
His development is right on course as far as timeline and potential.
Reasonable expectation should be to solidify himself as a legit NHL d-man with top 4 offensive upside by the end of draft plus 3 and I anticipate he will do just that!
I don’t think that most are hell bent to have Nuge on Connor’s wing but accept the fact that it seems Coach T. is hell bent on that (and, perhaps, McDavid himself) – it more acceptance than anything else.
From a number of accounts, Kahun was starting to develop quite a good chemistry with Malkin (and Malkin didn’t want him traded) and, of course, we often consider Drai to be “our Malkin” so perhaps there is style match there….
Ya, I read this from Kurt this morning. I would hope that re-signing Kahun would be the plan. Of course, he needs to play well but he’s already proven to be a legit NHL middle-six guy and he’s an RFA was a QO around $1M (although arb rights).
The only reason Buffalo didn’t qualify him was their concern over a large, close to $3M, award in arbitration, I believe.
If Ennis, Turris & Puljujarvi all end up on the same line together I have to think they need to be labelled “The Redemption Line”.
Ennis & Turris both bought out at earlier points in their careers flanked by a 4th overall who left the league for a year to try and find his game.
“My style of hockey? Simple. Play the game in the other team’s end of the rink.” Detroit coach Ted Garvin, 1973. His team went go 2-8-1 to start the 73-74 season and he was fired.
Watched Holloway, and reading about him, since we drafted him and I think his skill-set is a perfect match for McDavid – he’s everything Kassian has the physical attributes to be (size and speed) but simply isn’t. It helps that Holloway is likely more skilled but he’s got that “intangible” from what I’ve seen – he is full effort in all zones, wins the majority of his battles, is able to physically dominate players a few year older than him (as a teenager), understands the 2-way game, etc.
He will go get that puck for McDavid and he has the head and skill to make the right play with the puck when he gets it and = he will help be the defensive conscious of the line – of course, if his development goes as hoped and his skill-set translates.
If note, fine, elite 3C…..
Tip’s quote when asked about McDavid and Leon liking playing together, along the lines of “Connor and Leon like winning”.
Whatever is best for the team will be fine with Leon, I’m sure.
I’m also sure he’ll get plenty of time with Kailer over the years and plenty of time without him.
Here is hoping that Jesse’s more mature game translates – I think most of us expect it to but you never know I guess.
I’m excited to see him skate on the smaller rink without hip issues – speed and power
I was going to post pretty much the same think – I don’t for a second believe that Tippett told his players to reign in the physicality, in particular those two.
I could see a conversation about being smart when engaging, etc. but Kassian was simply off in all aspects of his game.
I am not faulting Tippet at all, he did manage several rookie players to success.
For discussion, he also chose Patrick Russel over several other options. Patrick did not let him down but he also didn’t piss a drop and still can’t.
Last years training camp was swamped with try-outs. Marody and Benson were weeded out early. Gambardella, Currie had no chance. Yamamoto was found to be wanting, but I think bumped for seasoning as they tried to sort out the others. There seemed pressure to see what they had in the new guys and there seemed like opinions were already formed on the old guys.
Jurco, Granlund, Cave had to be given a chance. Haas, Archibald, Nygaard, emerged but I think were also prioritized. Russel came out of nowhere.
Jones and Laggeson put on backburner while they looked at Manning and Persson.
Im not sure if this speaks for or against Tippet, just that he had his hands full with so many try-outs. Competition is good, but that is a tremendous amount of try outs happening and its very difficult to get it all right.
Yamamoto didn’t play a preseason game. I recall they kept him off the ice against the regulars. Currie and Gambardella got a game and out, that’s a tell (Oilers don’t consider them NHL level). Jones? Two games. Benson? Three games. Lagesson? Four games.
https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/teams/EDM/edmonton-oilers/stats/preseason/
Russel 6 / Archibald 5 / Cave 6 / Haas 4 / Nygaard 5
I don’t know that this would be considered a push or that Tippet missed anything, just that in regards to managing young players, his hands were full.
That was an incredibly busy training camp. Has there ever been so many roster unknowns for top 6?
Bouchard is now 2nd in HockeyAllsvekskan in d-man scoring (Lagesson is fifth – but out of the league….)
Nice spin.
Bouchard is actually 8th in the league among PPG for defensemen at .69 PPG.
His team has played 16 games while most others have played about 12 and some as few as 10.
The actual leader is Rasmus Bengtsson at 1.31 PPG.
No spin at all – just the facts.
I’m not overly concerned about the 27 year old’s PPG vs. the just turned 21 year old’s.
Does the Art Ross go to the best ppg player?
Is there any news on Kassian?
Yesterday a poster stated that there was a story where he fell out of a tree stand and hurt his back substantially.
I saw that post – don’t anticipate it was legit.
So Dom at the Athletic has the Oilers ranked 9th for team contract efficiency mostly due to Drai and McDavid.
He also has the Canucks ranked 22nd… and that is with Petterson and Hughes on ELC’s lol
“Like last year, each team is graded based on the same methodology in an attempt to measure which teams are most efficient with the money they spend. The contracts being graded are every healthy, non-ELC skater that my model has a projection for, as well as any dead money a team has on their cap via buyouts, salary retention and cap recapture penalties.”
Howie Meeker was so much more than a hockey analyst.
https://www.pentictonwesternnews.com/sports/canadian-hockey-and-broadcasting-legend-howie-meeker-dies-at-age-97/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
Russia goes undefeated to win the Karbala Cup in Finland.
the tournament was controversial because the Russians sent their U20 team to play in a men’s tournament.
Despite objections from the Finnish team, the Russians used the tournament as a warmup for the World Junior tournament.
Russia was led by captain Vasily Podkholzin who also led the tournament scoring with 5 points in 4 games.
I think you are referring to the Karjala Cup, no?
So what you’re saying is, the tournament wasn’t in central Iraq?
Yeah…auto correct.
how the hell do you edit a post?
Bottom right corner of your post. A little icon there will pop up a manage post message and you click on edit.
2020 can go anally f@ck itself.
So Bouchard has excelled at every level of hockey and after an adjustment period, seems like he starts to dominate.
I have no doubt the same will happen at the NHL level.
Trebek was a hero of mine, Jeopardy was likely the show I watched most in my entire life, and how I developed my love of trivia. Actually got a little teary-eyed today. Hardest I’ve been hit by a celebrity death since Bowie.
I guess Trebek could finally rest in peace knowing that he’d no longer be tormented by Sean Connery.
One of my neighbors has passed away.
Bernie Pascall (@berniepascall) Tweeted:
We are saddened with the news that our friend Howie Meeker passed away this morning at the age of 97 at Nanaimo General Hospital. @MapleLeafs @HockeyHallFame.Condolences to his wife Leah and family. #RIP https://t.co/90oVm76Arq
https://twitter.com/berniepascall/status/1325513150574206976?s=20
I met Howie a few times and found him to be warm, friendly and funny.
Older hockey fans will recall he was a pioneer in breaking down the game in a way the average viewer could comprehend.
He brought passion to his TV segment every single time.
RIP Howie – you were one of the good guys.
For those too young to remember this was the height of hockey analysis at the time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOkQ84eHGX4&feature=youtu.be
Alex Trebek and Howie Meeker, on the same day? Geezus…..
And Bouch’s assist on the GWG included a bomb…..
https://twitter.com/antonj85/status/1325512874777866243?s=21
So, Bouchard’s goal wasn’t ugly…..
https://twitter.com/antonj85/status/1325491211709411336?s=21
The most frustrating thing IMO about Puljujarvi is that many – hell, most – of us non-Stanley Cup winning GMs and non-NHL HCs were saying on 2016 Jesse should be sent back to Finland for a year.
But our Stanley Cup winning NHL GM and veteran NHL HC decided to keep him in North America, bouncing him between two leagues for a few years because that’s a healthy way to develop an 18 year old hockey player who can barely speak English.
If they just sent him back in 16-17, who knows how different things would turned out.
Please correct me if I’m wrong but it sure sounded like him and his agent wouldn’t stand for that kind of talk.
Could very well be right, but if that was the case you send him back to Finland anyway and if there’s still a disconnect between player and organization, trade him while his value is high. The Oilers had all the power in this situation.
He and his agent also said they won’t play for the Oilers again, and yet here we are.
Bouchard with his second PP assist of the game (to go with his goal) on the winner with apx 4 minutes to go.
He finished 1G/2A, plus 1 with 3 shots on net in 20:20 of ice – led the D-men.
https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/a-glimpse-behind-how-dominik-kahun-became-an-edmonton-oiler-9-things
Further, I do not believe that the negotiation between Edmonton and Kahun started off as a discussion over a 1-year contract. I am led to believe that there were talks over a multi-year deal. And that both the club and the player are more than willing to entertain an extension part-way through 2020-21.
Something to watch for, as Kahun tries to find his niche in his new team.
Kahun brings many of the same attributes that Nuge has. Seeing as how everybody it seems, except a select few are hell bent on Nuge on Connors left wing he would be a great fit with Draisaitl and Yamamoto.
Bouchard with a second period goal ties it up for Sodertalje (1-1).
Rodrigue getting his 3rd start of the year – he’s about to get 3-0 as a pro as late in the 3rd and they are up 4-1.
Very nice. Updates appreciated.
I completely agree that with Jesse in particular, but also all players that significant assets have been used on, the base goal is to at least keep the value of that asset as best as possible.
The key piece is development and proper usage. Also in being able to assess how that player fits, and moving them if it’s not a fit while they still have value.
Obviously it’s a hard thing to do, but not impossible, it’s how a few teams stay competitive over time. That said it is also usually based on the bedrock of having a high end core.
I also appreciate Holland’s approach in having stability and treating players well even at the cost of the team. Constant churn works against team building as trust is at the heart of it.
Still he does move things forward with the roster. So he’s flexible and still will out pressure on the roster to perform.
it has been a deep breath of fresh air having him at the helm. The results of a solid strategy, good assessment and stability haven’t taken long to show results.
We’ll see if he can pull off the final piece of moving assets and players astutely as the strong prospects start forcing the issue in the next few seasons, can’t play them all and getting a return to keep the org deep and strong is the key to staying in the hunt.
The true test for Holland and Tippett in the very near future will be making the right calls/evaluations of the number of young D moving forward. We could end up with one of the finest group of young cost effective D or meh! Interesting times!
Here is the opening night roster for 2019-2020 from the Oilers site. Sheahan was injured.
EDMONTON OILERS OPENING DAY ROSTER
Goaltenders (2): Mikko Koskinen, Mike Smith
Defencemen (7): Ethan Bear, Matt Benning, Oscar Klefbom, Adam Larsson, Brandon Manning, Darnell Nurse, Kris Russell
Forwards (14): Josh Archibald, Colby Cave, Alex Chiasson, Leon Draisaitl, Markus Granlund, Gaetan Haas, Tomas Jurco, Zack Kassian, Jujhar Khaira, Connor McDavid, James Neal, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Joakim Nygard, Patrick Russell
Benning, Manning are gone.
Barrie, Jones & Lagesson added. I see big improvement.
Grandlund, Jurco, Russell gone as well as Colby (RIP).
In their place Yamomoto, Kahun, Turris, Ennis & Puljujarvi. I see big improvement.
Benson could surprise as could Bouchard or Broberg but they would all be regarded as improvements as well if they bumped any of these other guys out.
In goal no change. Nobody is thrilled with the Smith re-sign but everything negative you could say about a 39 year old back up was already said and true about signing a 38 year old back up and we still won the same share of games as we did with Koskinen. At some point the drop off will be precipitous but that could have happened in any of the last 5 years for Smith. We cross our fingers and toes on this one.
My long winded way of saying so far so good with Holland. No steps back.
Ah, released from purgatory. 😉
My long winded reply is awaiting moderation for some reason but, yes, there are some important decisions coming on defence. I think Bouchard & Broberg are no brainers to make this team & I am a big fan of Samorukov. I also think Barrie is in the plans past this year so finding the right mix is going to be a big test for Holland & Tippett.
Bouchard with a second period goal ties it up for Sodertalje (1-1).
Rodrigue getting his 3rd start of the year – he’s about to get 3-0 as a pro as late in the 3rd and they are up 4-1.
I hope Puljujarvi isn’t traded out at the deadline – playoff teams don’t generally trade legit lineup players (even with a “futures add” to get a more material rental).
Here is hoping that Jesse is a material piece of the roster come the deadline – that could be 3RW, that could be 1RW – there are options.
I don’t really know what to expect of Jesse this season but I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do without hip issues and more mature as a player.
I’m a bit skeptical that Coach T. will give him the top of the lineup opportunity that Bear and Yamamoto got early in their tenures last year but here is hoping he does (if Jesse looks like he’s ready for it).
Jesse coming back more rounded and developed is great, the past is the past.
The opportunity is really here for him.
Kassian, Chiasson are good veterans but if they play consistently above the third lines they are slotted wrong.
Save 30 NHL games Yamamoto’s story is Jesse’s just in a much smaller frame.
Longer Term the Right wing might be
Lavoie – scorer with 97
Puljujarvi – transporter with 29
Yamamoto – solid third line with McLeod
You may have an issue with Leon on that idea. He loves playing with Yamamoto.
Playing with Yamamoto without Nugent-Hopkins may turn it into a loveless marriage though.
Methinks it is the threesome that he loves! -).
Haha, Can’t blame a man for that!
I would hope & think Leon loves winning more than he cares about line mates. As I recall the same thing was being said about him playing with McDavid at this time last year.
As some of us were insisting, this team would never start winning until they were each running their own line.
Tippett has some decisions to make leading up to and during TC this time around. The choices are more intriguing imo.
True enough, I think we have quite a ways to go before Lavoie is #1 RW but we shall see
Given the quality of our top two centres we are on our way to two first lines, a one A and a one B. Holloway and Lavoie may just be an abundance of riches and or icing on the cake so to speak a year or two down the road.
I have some reservations about Lavoie unfortunately. Just a few comments here and there about being a bit lazy. Hopefully nothing that cannot be overcome. Wonder if he rests on the ice.
Don’t know but he is 6’4″. Big men often get accused of looking lazy since they move differently on the ice than smaller players.
I have been impressed by Tippett’s temperament towards young NHLers.
Thus far, he has been positive towards them, encouraging, and put them in positions to succeed.
Outside of Nelson, have we had a coach in the last 20 years who would have elevated Yamamoto so quickly?
Tipp was also quick to recognize the readiness of Bear and Jones.
In contrast to MacT, he has refrained from stinging public criticisms of players.
All this bodes very well for JP.
I like Tippett I fully understood why he started his man Smith in game one. I’ll never get why he was so stubborn with reuniting Nuge with Leon and Yamo which was arguably the best line in hockey. Another beef was as some posters around these parts mentioned he might of put the harnesses on the physicality of Nurse, Kass and others in fear of the call everything Refs. By turning Nurse, Kass etc into fairy pumpkins allowed Toews, Dach etc to set up for summer vacation in the slot which resulted in us kicking rocks down the road in 4 games.
Is there anything besides pure speculation that Tipppet “put the harnesses” on these players? I haven’t seen anything myself.
Maybe I’m just buying into what’s been posted if the case was that Nurse and Kass just couldn’t turn the switch on and get it going physically I can semi understand especially with no fans but that’s their jobs.
I would hope that you buy in to your own posts…..
How do you explain the difference in the way they played Calgary versus Chicago.
There were other tells as well. I also believe that Edmonton was far more beat up for the first game against Chicago than any of us realized. Playoff hockey and all it entails is to a degree a learning process. Tippett will have them better prepared next time and will also have a stronger roster. I think he is the right coach at the right time for this team. There also seems to be a very good relationship between him and Holland unlike the disconnect we used to see between previous coaches and GM’s.