Based on yesterday’s practice, Jesse Puljujarvi is back on the No. 1 line with Connor McDavid again. I am not by nature a braggart, but there’s no sin in returning to a conversation. A few weeks ago I said JP would eventually find the McDavid line because the alternative (at the time Zack Kassian) would have difficulty holding the job.
It has, or will, come to pass. Edmonton could go another route, but if you look at the numbers, the play is to move the big Finn who turns over pucks by the dozen back to the McDavid line. And leave him there. Will it happen? We wait.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Evan Bouchard’s first full NHL season a learning experience
- Lowetide: Analyzing Cody Ceci’s importance to the Edmonton Oilers and future deployment
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2021
- DNB: Brendan Perlini subscriber Q&A
- DNB: Oilers turn to Markus Niemelainen
- Lowetide: The Oilers won often in November, but is their roster built to keep winning this way?
- Lowetide: The Oilers’ prospect pipeline has produced 2 call-ups on defence this season. Who’s next?
- DNB: What I think and what I know about the Oilers through their first 20 games
- Lowetide: How promising is the Oilers’ Russian prospect pool?
- DNB: Could Leon Draisaitl score 50 goals in 50 games?
- Lowetide: How the Oilers most pressing needs have changed since the offseason
- DNB: Tales from the days Kailer Yamamoto, Ryan McLeod, Evan Bouchard and Tyler Benson were minor league roommates
- DNB: For Emily Cave, Colby’s widow, a trip back to Boston is about memories, love and legacy
- Lowetide: Is the Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl even better than we think? A look at his stunning historic comparables
- DNB: Philip Broberg’s first NHL game was as special as he’d hoped
- Lowetide: Philip Broberg is ready for his NHL audition
- Lowetide: Why Kailer Yamamoto is still on the Oilers’ No. 2 line
- Lowetide: Three auditioning Oilers who are finding their groove and hope to find their place
- Lowetide: Should the Oilers move Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to the 3rd line?
WHAT TO EXPECT IN DECEMBER
- At home to: PIT (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- On the road to: SEA (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-1-0)
- At home to: LAK, MIN, BOS, CAR, TOR, CBJ (Expected 3-3-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: SEA (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: ANA (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: LAK, SJS, CAL, STL, NJD (Expected 3-2-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 8-7-0, 16 points in 15 games
- Actual December results: 1-1-0, 2 points in 2 game
- Oilers in 2021-22: 16-6-0, 32 points in 22 games
I have this homestand at 3-3-0 and it’s no waltz across Alberta for the home team. There’s some very good teams coming to town, and the odds of the Oilers flattening opponents are imo low in the next two weeks. The Bruins are coming to town, that’s always a highlight of the year, and of course the Maple Leafs visit for their annual home game in our city.
Oilers can’t look past the Kings, who are a good defensive team. Jonathan Quick has turned back time, as have Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar. Alex Iafollo, Adrian Kempe and Viktor Arvidsson give this year’s LAK more depth and balance, and there are youngster pushing.
As you may know, I was a big fan of Arthur Kaliyev on his draft day, had him very high. Kaliyev went in the second round and I believe that was a mistake. Kaliyev is in the NHL at 20, and is 4-2-6 in 21 games this season. That’s a little low, but his on-ice shot share at five-on-five is solid and he’s having some power-play success. Kings haven’t played since Thursday so will be rested.
MAKING THE CALL ON THE 2000’S
All of the men drafted 2000-09 by the Edmonton Oilers have run their course (well, there are a few stragglers) and we can make the call on the decade’s draft haul. Kevin Prendergast was once quoted as saying a team needed two NHL players per draft to consider it a success. How did the Oilers do during the decade? Depends on your definition of “NHL players” and what value you place on two-way types who played a long time without spending many minutes on a skill line.
These are the 11 best picks from 2000-09, meaning just over one per year. It’s interesting to see how few of these men spent their entire careers as high skill players. In a draft of these men (assuming one acquired the entire career for their team), candidates for top spot are Eberle, Hemsky, Petry and Dubnyk. Anyone else in contention for top spot? Who would you choose?
There are 14 names here. In order for Prendergast’s “two per season” line in the sand to be reached, nine of the 14 would have to be actual NHL players. I think you can make a case for Paajarvi, but after that making a case for anyone is difficult. Agree? So that’s 12 in 20 if you include Paajarvi. Without getting too deeply into the success other teams in the division (Calgary Flames are in the same range) and conference enjoyed, I think we can say the 2000’s were shy of the Prendergast rule.
MCAVID WITH OILERS RIGHT WINGERS
Connor McDavid will line up with one or more or Puljujarvi, Kailer Yamamoto or Zack Kassian tonight against the Kings. Who does the captain have more success with at five-on-five?
- 97 with Puljujarvi: 246 minutes; 7-6-13 (2.95 pts-60); 54.9 shot %; 61.5 (16-10) goal %.
- 97 with Kassian: 52 minutes; 0-3-3 (3.46 pts-60); 43.3 shots %; 71.4 (5-2) goal %.
- 97 with Yamamoto: 29 minutes; 1-0-1 (2.05 pts-60); 361. shots %; 33.3 (2-4) goal %.
Small sample size for the other two men, but it’s difficult to be critical of Puljujarvi’s usage on the top line. The McDavid numbers are strong across the board, why not keep on trucking? Puljujarvi is 3-5-8, 1.82 pts-60 with the captain this season.
PUCK IQ and DARNELL NURSE
The beautiful people at Puck IQ have this year’s numbers up and running. My goodness this is a gift. Some of the men responsible for Puck IQ drop by from time to time, sometimes even the smartest ones. 🙂 I want to sincerely thank them, this is extremely valuable information that is worth a pile of money to the hockey industry but is offered free. Genius and mensch are two words that go together well, and in this case fit the description. I’m not sure of all the names involved this year, so will merely do a ‘thanks to all!’ because it would be unfair to leave anyone out.
It is here. Darnell Nurse is the most deployed Oilers defenseman against elites, and he’s the only one over 50 percent Dangerous Fenwick.
I put the loss last night down to weak leadership by so-called leaders in the dressing room. Those leaders need to be stepping up, especially when there are so many young players auditioning on the team. Perhaps McDavid needs to change the artwork in his airy mansion, so that he starts the day with energy and inspiration rather than cold dark walls and endless hallways that lead to multiple patios. Hyman would make a great captain.
Wow! I bet your fun at drama queen parties.
NEW for The Athletic: From developing defencemen to signing college men, coaching turnover and management ascension, the Oilers may find inspiration from 1993-94 Detroit Red Wings.
https://theathletic.com/2998471/2021/12/06/lowetide-oilers-may-find-inspiration-from-1993-94-detroit-red-wings/
Thought experiment:
If former Oilers play better on other teams, repeatedly, and new to the Oilers NHL players largely play worse than before, why does a burger from a concession stand cost 18 bucks?
Who is the scapegoat in the near future?
I vote for pro scouts.
They have been shite.
I hope Holland pulls his finger out.
I don’t care if Archie is a good guy and his friend for 3 decades. Maybe it’s not him.
Maybe it’s time to get a f-;:*^}g modern analytics dept. and use it.
Maybe a fat old guy with a bad coffee ain’t what it used to be, can’t quite keep up with the new fangled fancy guys.
Somebody is making weak decisions repeatedly.
Ryan certaintly has not lived up to expecations, potentially Foegele as well. On the other hand, Hyman, Ceci, Sceviour sure have.
Walsh is ripping Tipps on the Twitter.
Joe?
Not quite the Marc Andre Fleury tweet, but a pretty thorough roasting of Tippett with regards to his handling of Lagesson.
Walsh is a clown. His Fluery tweet especially showed a lack of professionalism. Also his pinned tweet about how if every agent was like him, there would be no salary cap, no escrow, and everyone would get a puppy – is completely out to lunch.
TSN (@TSN_Sports) Tweeted:
.@FarhanLaljiTSN confirms GM Jim Benning has been let go by the Vancouver Canucks. https://t.co/e9r1Daip31
https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/1467696827642298368?s=20
Well, damn.
Here’s hoping they hire Chiarelli.
Thomas Drance (@ThomasDrance) Tweeted:
#Canucks being tight lipped pending an announcement, but sounds like Stan Smyl will have an interim GM title in the wake of Jim Benning’s dismissal.
Expecting Ryan Johnson to have an elevated role too, perhaps interim AGM.
Think the Twins will be more involved day-to-day, also.
https://twitter.com/ThomasDrance/status/1467715468613996545?s=20
Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) Tweeted:
I think, more than anything, Jim Benning’s ultimate downfall as #Canucks GM was his inability to assess and acquire legitimate #NHL defensemen through draft, trades & free agency. There were other issues, sure, but none more so than building a defence corps — over 8 years
https://twitter.com/patersonjeff/status/1467708577796149254?s=20
Nonsense! Paterson is missing a, no, the key fact: Benning introduced the NHL to the sublime talents of Brigdon Roggardy!
You told us all how every move was a genius at work and that the Canucks will finish 2nd in the pacific.
Beautiful stuff.
People won’t acknowledge this, but Benning and Linden got in a disagreement and the owner sided with Benning. Benning did what he believed to be the right thing to do, but Linden, as it turned out, would have been the better plan.
Benning did what he said he would do.
Yep and the next GM is going to come in with Lindin’s plan … tear it all down and rebuild. Except now they’re saddled OEL’s boat anchor contract.
Welcome to the decade(s) of darkness Canucks fans. Turn the light on when you finally crawl out of the abyss.
OEL has been very good.
Another huge issue with the team is the meddling by ownership.
I think we are seeing some effects of the depleted Dcore.
Yes sir. Can’t have 3 rookies on an NHL blue line (Bouch, Bro, Niem). Especially if the surrounding veterans D men are named Barrie & Russell
Yeah that is the crux of it … losing Nurse, Keith and Ceci would be taxing for any team in the league.
This team has great difficulty playing a greasy game against a greasy team. They don’t have the overall depth/talent to just skate by and around a greasy team (ie. TBay the last 2-3 years). The game they saw tonight is the same game that has bounced them from the playoffs the past 2 years. It’s kind of concerning that this is an obvious weakness and a fast approaching struggle (against a difficult part of the schedule and the playoffs) and things don’t seem to be improving..
The one player that should thrive in a game like this should be Zack Kassian. I don’t see him really going for hits anymore. He should be the guy punishing opposing d-men. I think that last concussion really changed him. He thinks the game slower, makes bad decisions, and telegraphs just about every play he makes. As a human, I hope he’s ok. He may want to hang’em up just to preserve some sort of quality of life.
Precious & Leon need to play a bit of a heavier game – ie. pucks to the point and get to the net. I’m not sure you can hang these kind of losses on individuals though. Sooner or later they need to not only be deployed correctly against their competition, motivation is also a question. I’d look at the captain and above for guidance here.
Also, what’s with this team getting surprised in the first against middling teams? This has happened often in the last 10 games. At what point does the questioning of competence go from players to management? Asking for a friend.
Who is Precious???
The dog in silence of the lambs.
Last year Connor played a markedly physical game, I wonder where that’s gone?
Otherwise agree, we need a couple more roster players who can get greasy when the going gets gruff.
I think he’s stepped up his physicality this year, tbh. I just think he could grease up his game a bit more. He isn’t going to beat a guy in order to score every goal. Mixing things up by playing greasy could actually help out his skill game (teams would then have more scenarios to anticipate and defend).
In my view, McDavid needs to start being a true leader, and he needs to start talking like one. Listening to him being interviewed is like listening to someone who doesn’t have anything interesting to say. A good leader has to be able to ignite his teammates, whether through actions or words. Bland, uninteresting statements are not the stuff of genuine leaders.
I’ve cheered for teams who have won and teams who have lost over the years, and the one thing that is always true of losing teams is that they blame the best players. Now, a fan having this opinion is fine, I understand the disappointment. As long as the Oilers understand how important 97 is, then fans can say what they want. Expos lost Gary Carter because management started thinking this way.
It is irrational to place star players in positions of leadership when/if they are not actually fully developed leaders. One can be a superstar on the ice but a poor leader in the dressing room at the same time.
Lest we forget, McDavid’s questionable leadership style has been revealed from time to time when he calls out teammates, unfairly, on the ice. Does anyone ever call out McDavid for his bloopers–his egregious errors in the defensive zone?
I like and value McDavid as a player, but he is a human being like the rest of us, and, in my view, he does not have the right stuff (yet) to be the captain. But he has been thrust into that role and there is no going back, because it is somehow deemed essential and necessary to make one’s best player the captain.
The captain has to have both the mettle and respect to ensure that the team starts every game on time, not in the second or third period. That is an essential part of the captain’s job.
LT: Here’s something people do that can turn out badly.
Unjust: I’m a gonna keep doin’ it.
So… Will the Minnesota Wild make it three in row? Kind-of unfortunate that the Oilers have to play the best in the west right after two miserable losses (I will NOT acknowledge The Calgary Bettmans). It’s especially unfortunate that they also play two other powerhouses in Toronto (spits) and Carolina within the same week.
Anyone know if Minny still plays the trap? Any time I saw them play the oilers, my love for hockey withered a little more…
They don’t but they are a big, fast deep team.
Pionk received a message tonight
He 100% deserved it. Why? No penalty for kneeing Sandin and Sandin’s career path changed with that hit (looks like a ligament). That should be 5 games min.
That was beautiful. Only way it could have been better is if he ground and pounded him after. Or full weight “fall” him face first into the ice.
Gonna play like a dbag…better be ready to lose some damn teeth AND get your more talented teammates hurt.
These guys are just lucky they don’t play in an era when a cross check to the neck after a play like that would happen while the ref was “looking at the play”. Tkachuk or Pionk wouldn’t survive 5 games playing the way they do.
Do the Oilers need their own 4th line human missile that carries out vigilante justice and can easily endure a suspension?
The refs and rule book just aren’t working so it’s time to get some insurance that our skill guys aren’t mistreated. I wouldn’t mind watching Benson blow up Gaudreau the next time Connor is abused.
Can’t possess the puck much if you’re unable to get in the o zone and just keep shooting the puck in. Also very few board battle wins.
Would ask for a refund if I bought tickets to this game. This was a terrible effort. Arguably the worst one of the season. Need a bag skate after this one.
also, wondering how much of a hit the PK% took in the last 6 minutes.
Our team is should not be one of the favourites to win the SC. We don’t play good 5×5 and our depth scoring is non-existent.
Good on the Kings for running up the score. Oilers need to optics of the lopsided score; maybe it’ll be the kick in the ass they sorely need.
Players flubbed this one tonight. Some more than others. McDavid’s been spotty lately, imo. Sure, he’s gotten his points far more often than not, but overall his game has been on the negative side of things lately. Defensively, shoddy decision-making, etc. Tonight he was one of the players that cost the team the game the most. A rare thing.
I don’t know, he clearly went after Kempe’s shoulder. A major seems excessive for what a 4 min boarding call would be sufficient. That said, this should greatly reduce likelihood of a suspension.
I still think it’s a bad call. 2-4 mins is sufficient.
I agree it should have been a 4 minute penalty.
It was still a dumb penalty to take. That’s the sort of penalty people roast players like Kassian for taking. McDavid should be treated the same; he made a poor decision in his frustration and it killed any chance the team had (slim as it was) to come back, even if the call had been even just 2 minutes. You cannot take that penalty, especially in the o-zone. Dumb play by a frustrated player who has not played overly well the last few games, especially defensively. It is what it is.
He was, however, hardly alone in the sub-par effort/effect tonight. A lot of players wear this one. Mostly the forwards. They were more inclined to pass the puck around ineffectually instead of shooting or driving the puck. They played like a sub-par team and got a sub-par team result.
He drew blood.
While he did not target the head, that doesn’t matter since Kempe went face first into the boards as a result of the hit.
Interesting that the refs got the command centre involved in the call…I’m guessing it was because it was Connor.
Also of note, Kopitar was right there and could have beat the crap out of McDavid had he wished but waited to hear the penalty call.
Imagine if it was McDavid on the receiving end of that hit. Oiler fans would be going apeshit.
Is blood from boarding a criteria for a major? Seems arbitrary. The worst boarding infractions often have no blood….
Drawing blood will always exacerbate a call whether it is boarding or high sticking.
McDavid has never been on the receiving end of a hit like that:
https://twitter.com/ExtraLars/status/1368413301772718083
https://twitter.com/elksherd/status/1082104266020409344
No blood drawn in either example.
Blood is just not a criteria for a major but it may be called that way. That doesn’t make it right. It’s the difference between a minor and a double minor in highsticking. The only time I’ve ever seen blood as an aggravating factor in an ejection was the Pavelski head-smash against the VGK in the playoffs a couple years ago. And that’s why they instituted the ability to call the command centre. Compare that Pavelski hit to McDavid’s, not even the same ballpark. Both drew blood though. But who in their right mind would claim that these two plays are as egregious as one another?
The refs got command centre involved so they could all have a good laugh at Connor’s expense.
Similar to how HH is always on here to troll at our expense
As I understand, in the rule books, drawing blood is secondary to intent to injure.
Unfortunately, over time, intent has morphed to presence of blood drawn as the defining criteria.
I’m willing to be corrected on this, but that’s my understanding.
I think you’ve got it.
Oh boy. From bad to worse. This team has been meh for a few weeks and its look like their luck has run out for the time being.
Shame. I thought they might get at least half way through the season without 2 in a row. That’s a hell of a measuring stick but they looked capable.
Tippett not moving on from the bad call and his team looks just as distracted as him.
#80 can win our undying loyalty by going out there and actually blowing up Kempe now. He can flop – let’s see if he can take a real shot.
Agreed. The Oilers need their own Spezza to do what the refs won’t.
Hmm, Telus isn’t cooperating.
I lose the game, get it back on and it’s 4-1.
The Oilers have hit the skids.
Just in time to meet a murderers’ row in the schedule. We could easily drop 6 straight.
Whelp, that’s the game. Oilers struggling to get shots/chances, and also struggling to score in more than one way in games. We either get goals on the power play, short handed or at even strength, but rarely a combination thereof these days.
Fully deserved the loss tonight. This one is on the forwards, imo.
Kempe suddenly perfectly fine
The one junior league I worked a game in this season has a rule that the injured player on a 5+GM has to sit out the entire 5 min PP. Can’t remember what the penalty is for a violation, but it’s an idea.
Ya good idea. Not sure what the point of the review is. Never seen a review for that before. Regardless, oil better wake up. From coaches all the way to goalies. Not playing as a team at all. 5 individuals out there.
Bad hit by Connor. What is frustrating is how many Connor has taken and not called.
He’s taken far worse that haven’t been called. We weren’t winning this game anyway with the horrible effort. They’re full marks for the loss.
Mcdavid clearly frustrated and off his game tonight. Clear the book on Oil is come out guns a blazing score first then stop the rush game and frustrate the top rush guys. We need to fix the starts or not going anywhere this season.
So, in a game where the Oilers started slow with 6 shots in the 1st, the Oilers are on pace for 4-5 shots in the 3rd, down by 1.
What is wrong with the team? Losing is one thing, it happens. This? This is just depressing, especially after the Seattle game; they should have come out hard and firing anything and everything at the net.
Disappointing game from the players.
There are score effects when someone is chasing the oilers but not the other way around.
Niemelainen wins alil more of my adoration with every passing shift.
Oilers looking exactly like when Todd coached them.
Down by one in the last frame and we’ve yet to register a shot in the third in more than seven minutes.
Edit: Took just over nine minutes to get our first shot in the third.
Good zone time but Kings are keeping pucks on the wall and their wingers are good at getting in the D shooting lanes.
Oiler wingers should be taking notes
.
You passed!
And I didn’t even study!
The clock ran for a good 2 seconds after that whistle.
Nice play by Zack H. Unfortunately he is no Connor
Someone could make a fortune if they could apply for a patent on Mclellan’s hairline DNA.
Herman Munster.
The Todd Mclellan hairline home Crispr kit would put the Hairclub for men out of business.
Just past 700. I guess they didn’t know it was a 600 start time
Jesse with a grade A chance/shot and the rebound goes off the post.
and you just know who is coming out at the end of the LA PP
Tipp goes with the Highlander’s line and they do well. Then 97 & 29 come out\.
Beauty SH goal by Nurse, best thing being he roofed it with Doughty’s stick all up in his business.
Oh man did we need that
Jesus H
The Doctor with the cure. Surgical snipe.
One rule change I’d like to see…
If you score a shortie, it should kill the penalty.
Big goal Nurse – apples for Nuge.
See. Tell Katz he should pay me to watch. I swear they play better when I’m watching. 🙂
Just what the Doctor ordered
Nurse scores. First of the year is a beauty.
*I* have the 5v5 HDSC’s
12-0 Kings thus far
What a pathetic effort
That’s the discouraging part. You’re going to lose games and even to bad teams. There’s no excuse for getting dominated.
Just tuned in. Kids in bed.
2-0 Kings.
Other than a dead corgi, what else I miss?
What did you miss. 10 3 Kansas City at the half. I switched at the 12 minute mark of the first. The team the reffing, I was getting to angry. So nfl it is instead.
The Ryan buyout is $416,667 for the following 2 seasons, so it seems sending him to minors is the play. Sooner the better.
Huh…
oilers lookin like they’ll lose 2 in a row for first time this year. Both against teams not in playoff spots.
meanwhile, Calgary seems to have found their lucky clovers, and will probably win in OT/shootout again to go 5 points up on the oilers.
why has this supposedly “good” team had such a problem with game starts and falling behind early in the last couple weeks? I mean a couple losses isn’t going to kill them, but they just haven’t seem to have “it” in their recent games. (even the ones they were winning)
Agreed. The slow starts are really strange. I’m not sure why they can’t seem to address that?
Shame that Benson whiffed on the puck in the slot – situation goes from a grade A chance to score to 30s of pressure in the Oilers zone.
That Eberle dust-off didn’t help.
Is a real shame, because there was real opportunity to be had at that moment.
Haha, wow Edler…
Good dig by the Butler leads to a great rush by McLeod and he draws a penalty with his speed along the boards
That is a bad goal on Koskinen.
Bad goals against become irrelevant if the team can’t score (which they can’t if they aren’t capable of generating shots or chances in sufficient quantity).
That one went through Koskinen. Not a good goal.
well that was not awesome