That was a big win, don’t let anyone tell you different. The Edmonton Oilers are getting the Wood-man bounce (Mancroft lost in a close vote) and have emerged as the No. 3 team in the Pacific division at this time. The season’s stanzas are so bizarre: A 15-5-0 start, a 3-11-2 middle and now a 8-2-1 run that has the team at 26-18-3 after 47 games. This is the strangest season I recall and a lot of things that seem insurmountable have been overcome, with other things counted as in the bag that were wasted away. So, last night was a big win, and the comforting thing is you know it’s true. Whatever may come.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Jay Woodcroft’s early Oilers roster challenges and possible upgrades
- Lowetide: Connor McDavid’s remains a transcendent talent. Here’s why.
- DNB: Jay Woodcroft’s ascension to Oilers head coach is more than a dream come true: ‘Winning is a skill’
- Lowetide: Dylan Holloway’s first games in Bakersfield and what it could mean for his NHL ETA
- DNB: Six signs of positive change surface for the Oilers in Jay Woodcroft’s victorious coaching debut
- Lowetide: 7 Oilers players poised to benefit most from Jay Woodcroft becoming head coach
- DNB: Oilers coaching change clears the way: Ken Holland’s roster construction will now have to stand up to scrutiny
- Lowetide: Oilers pro forward depth chart about to get overhauled
- DNB: Three Oilers questions that will define stretch run
- Lowetide: Hard-target search to address Oilers roster needs before trade deadline
- Lowetide: Four RH defence prospects looking to impress while pushing for the NHL.
- DNB: Why Oilers prospect Xavier Bourgault is ‘a player that everybody wants to play with’
- Lowetide: Oilers’ bizarre January ended on a high note
- DNB: Oilers’ Zach Hyman is compelled to speak up about antisemitism when he sees it
- Lowetide: Revisiting Oilers’ choice to take Kailer Yamamoto in 2017 NHL Draft
- Lowetide: Why prospects stall in the AHL
- Lowetide: Grading the first 3 years of Ken Holland’s Oilers trades
- DNB: Adam Cracknell is now a Canadian Olympian.
- DNB: Dylan Holloway resumes road to Oilers after frustrating injury interruption
- New DNB: Oilers’ flaws can’t be ignored as losing skid goes from bad to worse
- Lowetide: Why can’t the Oilers win a trade in the Connor McDavid era?
- DNB: ‘We’re finding ways to lose’
- Lowetide: Midseason review of Oilers reasonable predictions for 2021-22
- Lowetide: What to expect from Dylan Holloway in Bakersfield and Edmonton this season
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2021
WHAT TO EXPECT IN FEBRUARY
- On the road to: WAS (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 1-0-0)
- At home to: VEG, CHI, NYI (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 1-2-0)
- On the road to: SJS, LAK (Expected 1-0-1) (Actual 2-0-0)
- At home to: ANA (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: WPG (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: MIN (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: TBY, FLA, CAR (Expected 0-2-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 6-4-2, 14 points in 12 games
- Actual February results: 4-2-0, 8 points in 6 games
- Oilers in 2021-22: 26-18-3, 55 points in 47 games
Edmonton is in third place in the Pacific division, are 7-2-1 in its last 10 and on pace for a 96-point season. The team needs to keep pushing, but there’s some nice things happening since the plane from California brought the new coaching staff. I wrote about the defensive pairings and deployment in The Athletic article today, things are settling in but the 7D plan was part of the Condors lineup often, so we may see it at times all year. We need more time to see all of these things over a 20-game period but this is a fascinating wrinkle.
GOALTENDER
Mike Smith stopped 30 of 32, .938. He owns a .904 overall save percentage and is .916 at five-on-five. The first goal against was a direct result of a poor pass by the goalie, and he could fooled on a knuckler. He then played extremely well (including a late barrage that included an off-balance save against a Doughty shot from just left of the slot).
DEFENSE
Darnell Nurse played almost 25 minutes in all three disciplines, I thought he was effective (especially late) for Edmonton. Tyson Barrie had one of his better games, picking up an assist, blocking a couple of shots and playing a more responsible game. He seems to have simplified things recently, that might just me reading things into the overall success of the team. He is 3-1 at five-on-five goal differential since the coaching change (Nurse is 4-0).
William Lagesson and Cody Ceci struggled mightily playing mostly against the Danault (man he’s good) line but it was a case of bend not break. Willy Legs, the Oilers Rasputin (he keeps clawing back up the bank of the river) is 16-12 five-on-five shots with no goals either way since the coaching change. Ceci is 22-19 five-on-five shots and 2-0 goals since Woodcroft was named coach. Edmonton relies heavily on the veteran.
Evan Bouchard is flourishing in the new system, his outlet passing a tape-to-tape feature that has been useful (3-1 goals, 24-13 shots at five-on-five in the last three games) and of course he has two assists in those games. Philip Broberg is 3-1 goals and Markus Niemelainen is 1-1 in these games (at five-on-five). I believe both of these youngsters are going to be Oilers for the rest of the decade or close. Some long-term introductions being made this week.
FORWARDS
The McDavid line did well against tough matches (Mikey Anderson and Drew Doughty, the blasted Danault line) and I saw all three forwards good. The thing to remember about this line is that they create chances (3 HDSC at five-on-five last night). McDavid was flying, he’s a free bird these days, flying high and scoring (2-3-5) in all disciplines. He’s 2-2-4 at five-on-five, 4-1 five-on-five goals. What a player. Zach Hyman took an early high stick, scored a late empty netter and was a factor all night. Jesse Puljujarvi played well too, picking up an assist and getting several chances. Keeping this line together is a win.
Evander Kane also scored an empty netter, added an assist, took two penalties (one a punch Oilers fans seemed to enjoy) and also appeared to get benched for a shift (I’m not certain, people were disappearing last night). Leon Draisaitl is 2-0 goals and 23-21 shots five-on-five in the last three games, has two assists five-on-five. Kailer Yamamoto scored a huge goal, the first since forever, it was the winner. A nice feed by Leon on the play.
The Nuge line has been a revelation this week, all three men have two five-on-five points in these three games and Nuge is 3-1 goals five-on-five. Music! Derek Ryan has found a home, Foegele too, and the Nuge’s goal is the one Edmonton never scores and yet I saw it with my own eyes.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
At 10 this morning, TSN1260, we have the best and the brightest. Bruce McCurdy from the Cult of Hockey at the Edmonton Journal will drop truth bombs and give us the lay of the land at 10:20, Joe Osborne from Odds Shark will tell us how long to trust the Woodcroft bounce at 11. 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!
Power play usage has been remarkable, as in, worth remarking on.
It seems they leave 29/97/93 alone and choose one of 75/25/22 to play the point and one of 13/18/91/56 to play the support forward position.
I think Nurse got the top PP minutes in the last game. Didn’t see a trend with the forwards.
I wonder if it’s an audition or a permanent rotation.
I think part of it is auditions. I think the other part of it is carrot. It’s a reward.
“Give me more defense five-on-five Darnell and I’ll give you more offensive opportunity in return.”
Like the sugar minute Woodcroft fed to Kane last game, after he had sat him out for a shift because of the two penalties. Kane smartened up, played hard and clean the rest of the game, and he got an ENer as a reward. Jay didn’t have to put him out in the final minute after all that, but he did.
Carrot and stick. This is how you bring accountability back while building a team that will go through the wall for you.
Max Wanner scored the game-winner last night with a seeing-eye point shot.
His fifth goal of the season, so he now has more goals this season than points last season:
https://mobile.twitter.com/MJWARRIORS/status/1494161373902917635?cxt=HHwWhsC-ic32qbwpAAAA
With his raw tools including size, skating and puck moving ability he is starting to give me Kesselring vibes.
Some random ironies this season:
It’s ironic…
That at the beginning of the season, the powerplay was carrying the 5v5 play. Now even strength is carrying the powerplay.
That neither Bear nor Foegele are having seasons that would establish a clear win in the controversial trade.
That lack of defensive play would sewer Tippett’s tenure.
That Woody was sent to Bako in The Purge… and now he’s the head coach of the Oilers.
That TMac’s coaching really fell part after Woody left and now he’s the head coach of the Oilers.
I note that the Red Wings didn’t win a Cup after Woodcroft left either (everyone thought if anything it was losing TMac). There’s talk too of his out-sized role for the Olympic team.
Congrats to the Canadian women. Especially Captain Clutch, Marie Philip Poulin. She is amazing in big games. Scored the only 2 goals in the 2010 gold medal game; scored the tying and winning OT goal in 2014, scored the only goal in the loss in the 2018 gold medal final; scored the winning goal in OT in the 2021 World Championships and today scored 2 goals including the winner. In total, 3 Olympic gold medal and 1 World Championship winning goals. How many people in any sport have a record like that?
She is amazing. All Canadians should be very proud of her this morning. The story of the countdown clock to keep the team focused is wonderful. Tom Brady used to do the same thing.
2-0 Avs with four to play. Let’s hope it holds.
Condors lost, the game took a sudden turn on a hit by Colton Sceviour on Jack Rathbone, who didn’t move at all for several minutes before being stretchered off. It became a parade to the penalty box afterward and Bakersfield went down to defeat. The only real takeaway is concern for Rathbone, who is a young man with a fine future.
Hear, hear.
Rathbone had just been named the AHL player of the week with 12 points in 5 games (he’s a defenseman).
Lets hope Sceviour gets the book thrown at him.
I don’t know. It looked point of contact is hip to hip. Those kind of plays happen every night in hockey. Did not see anything blatant??
Rathborne stretchered off after 13 minutes, ugh:
https://twitter.com/worldhockeyrpt/status/1494177419665625090
johny yahoo and magpie score in garbage time. Guess they all count
Skinner headed for a rare loss. Letdown after the cherry shutout might have been inevitable. 4-2 Abbotsford
Condor goals:
B. Malone (9)S. Griffith, C. Marody
D. Brosseau (9)L. Esposito, V. Desharnais
First one on the PP. The second one SH. All four goals against were powerplay goals.
Thank you Flames for suppressing the Ducks and easing the Oilers path to playoffs.
Also hope the Avs hang on to keep Vegas from getting any point.
All coming up roses for the team we cheer for on this blog!
Dadonov stoned by Kurmper on the breakaway
Craig with a lot of help actually
Brosseau? OP?
I’m travelling and had to turn it off after the first to leave for the airport.
Ahh. Gotya.
CDN Ladies leading 3-0 over US
Avs 0 Nis 0 after two.
These powerhouse Avs are absolutely useless when you need them to be all powerhousey.
I know right??
About frickin time, Avs.
Forget the Avs, Canadian women showing what a powerhouse is!
I have no interest in the Olympics. (But fill your boots)
Respect. For me our nation’s women are worth turning a blind eye to all the crap the Olympics have become.
Fake snow.
Who is going to be in the net for the ducks tomorrow? Gibson stunk and now Stolarz is playing
Calgary always has one or two good stretches of wins in a season. This year they also have had the benefit of no injuries. Covid didn’t really affect the team much at all due to most of the team getting Covid at the same time allowing them to postpone their games. Where as the oilers had to play through rotations of Covid-positive players disrupting team cohesion at the exact same time their goaltending went into the toilet.
Oilers were lucky they built up that hot start in the first couple months or we’re talking draft lottery again. Thank the hockey gods Woodcroft and Manson got their shot with the bigs. Their coaching, as short as it has been, has been revolutionary.
Sounds like there has been quite a bit of buy-in from the players too. Smith talked about the room having a “If not now, when?” moment. And there’s no doubt there’s a lot less free-lancing out there and we’re seeing a serious effort to keep a tighter defensive gap all over the ice.
We’ve actually seen them play this game under Tippett last season.
But he was not able to get consistent execution out of the team and that’s on him. He has to create and foster that culture.
It remains to be seen if Jay can get that consistency out of this squad, but arrows are aimed well so far and all the context seems to be coming up roses.
Call a spade a spade Sutter has them playing playoff hockey in unison.
In the last month, the Oilers have played 12 games and have the 6th best P% in the NHL.
In that time, they have the 5th worst PPG/60 in the NHL.
I’ve read so many times about the unsustainable PP being the only reason they were winning early – why are they winning now?
TB Recently:
Losses to Flames, Boston, Anaheim, Vegas, Colorado
Wins over Buffalo, Vancouver, Dallas, LAK, SJS, NJD, SJS, ARI, NJD
So, one of these amazing teams (right with Oilers in P% over the last while) can’t beat a single good team and is solely feasting on bottom feeders…….
To spring board a bit off Bank Shot’s comment below. This team, as presently aligned, really does remind me of the 06 team.
That was a team where we saw the first line saw off, the second saw off, and the third out-score. Some said that this was really the way to build a winner because all good first lines are going to get their goals… But things became a little more balanced when Samsonov was added regardless. And that was their bread and butter. Beat teams with the third line. That Horc line could really suppress chances against too, which helped.
97 doesn’t have to choke offense like Horc did. Other than that this team looks like it could be that kind of team. And more than that kind of team when the top two lines can dominate.
Because if I’m playing a Tampa level opponent, someone who also has a great top six, a third line that can out-score will likely be the key to a game or series. The only answer to it is to change matchups or drop someone down from a higher line, both of which moves can be taken advantage of by your top six.
This is the way forward. May they never stray from the path again.
Now where are we going to find this year’s Roloson?
He just entered the line-up.
Mike Griffith@MikeGriffith54·28mThe @Condors hosting Abbotsford. Lines:
Holloway-Malone-Sceviour
Marody-Hamblin-Griffith
Brosseau-Esposito-Lavoie
Schaller-Gennaro-Kambeitz
Samorukov-Desharnais
Koekkoek-Kesselring
Kaldis-Kemp
Skinner
That’s a lot of K’s
Trends to watch under the new Sheriff.
Bouchard has been a fixture on the PP. Has gone to zero PK time over last two games.
Barrie actually got a little time on the PK. The Bake D have all been getting time on PK.
McLeod has become a top PK presence for Woody.
The Oilers are 8th in SAT % possession stats in the NHL. Is this their best possession numbers 5 on 5 since 05/06?
This looks like a team to be reckoned with if they get healthy and get goaltending going into the playoffs.
After getting goal Two-Two on the season, Tu-Tu-Tullio gets goal Two of the game to make the score…Two-Two.
He pounces on a puck that squirts loose in front of the net and he makes no mistake. PP tally-o:
https://twitter.com/Oshawa_Generals/status/1494133656511787009?cxt=HHwWgsC5tZ6pnbwpAAAA
Too bad this wasn’t Tuesday, when the date is 2/22/2022
Despite the difficulties this team has faced this year and just canning our coach this team will still make the playoffs
I don’t think Nashville repeats their first half which was backed by elite goaltending which they’ve ran into the ground
Dallas. If they’re smart they will realize they are better off getting futures for Klingberg Pavelski Holtby than trying to sneak into the playoffs
Vancouver is really far behind and probably sells
Jets have been terrible defensively ( which everyone thought they fixed in offseason) and Hellebyuck has been very mortal
Ducks must realize they need couple more seasons and are unlikely to spend futures to improve
LA may use a few futures to keep vets happy
Vegas if Lehner is truly out for a long time that will hurt them but they will make it.
Calgary looks like they make it
Calgary will win the division…it won’t be close.
Vegas, with Jack Eichel, on the team will finish second.
So that raises the question of how many spots are available for other Pacific Division teams.
Colorado, Minnesota and St. Louis are pretty much locks.
So 3rd in the Pacific and the two wild card spots would seem to be up for grabs.
The contenders, based on points percentage are:
NSH .612
EDM .585
DAL .574
LAK .573
ANA .561
WPG .522
Then, we need to look at the strength of the remaining schedule.
Of those teams in contention for the 8 playoffs spots in the WC ranked by easiest to hardest:
VGK 3
STL 6
LAK 7
CAL 8
DAL 11
ANA 13
WPG 14
MIN 15
EDM 21
COL 24 (doesn’t matter)
NSH 30 (this will be tough)
Things will look much different for the Oilers after their extended road trip which takes them through Tampa, Florida and Carolina.
Based on strength of schedule, there is a very good chance that LA moves into the 3rd spot in the Pacific by the end of the month.
They have 2 against Arizona, 1 against Anaheim and a home game against the Islanders.
Dallas also has a relatively easy schedule.
I don’t know what you are using for strength of schedule. Guessing just opponent and not timing of games.
Oilers have two b2b game the rest of the way and that includes an end of season home stand against San Jose and Vancouver next day.
LA has 7!!
Dallas has 6
calgary has 8 including tonight
so when you look at the schedule even though the Oil face harder opponents they really have the advantage of a every other night game rhythm which is what everyone wants at this stage in the season
and like I said above. Nashville likely to fall out and if I was Stars GM I would sell for futures and build around their youth department
Doms model gives the Oil a 36% edge on the LA kings
Tu-Tu-Tullio scores goal number Two-Two on the season to get Oshawa on the board in period 2.
Meanwhile, The Bourg is still out of the Shawinigan lineup.
Tullio unleashes a wicked wrister from the top of the circle for the GTG:
https://mobile.twitter.com/Oshawa_Generals/status/1494117244267335680?cxt=HHwWgMC41fXtlbwpAAAA
Tu, there always is.
“Tu-Tu-Tullio “
YOUUUUUUU
It sure seems coaching makes a big difference
Early and there are still issues, but players playing better is obvious, and that is really a huge part of the job
A good coach has the sum greater than the parts and can have the group weather storms
Like your best performing D out extended being covered by rookies
how about looking at eric staal for our 4th line centre?…similar to a spezza in dot…doubt he would be too costly…another vet voice?…
I’m not sure he helps on the ice
The don’t need more old guys with an opinion they have lots
The core needs to step up and lead, it can’t truly be imported
They are all veterans now. Time to take the next step, it’s their team, they’re all signed and paid
I like Ryan McLeod as 4C.
Yes – more centers. One of he and McLeod can play wing. Better than Shore. Depth is good.
Believe I heard he wants to stay in the USA, although time is running out on season, so may open up his mind
Yamamoto had an exceptional game. He enters this physical game last night at 150lbs and he is not one bit intimidated. He is targeted at times. Never quits. He continues to be a first class forechecking pest.
I thought he earned every bit of that goal.
If he got intimidated because of his size he would have never made it to the NHL. No doubt he has a motor. Just think if he was 50 lbs heavier and 6″ taller. I would want that guy!!!! Yes he played well last night!
It was a big goal from stone hands watch the replay he whiffed on it.
Stone hands has 8 goals at 5 on 5 (2 more than Puljujarvi, 3 more than Nuge).
Pretty low bar.
Well he outfoxed your boy Anze on that play, so ?
….. and here we go – the standard nightly BS starts….
P.S. Its more 5 on 5 goals than…… Nathan MacKinnon, Alex Newhook, etc.
You mean players who have missed multiple games due to injury?
I’m gobsmacked.
Nathan MacKinnon G/60 – 0.81
Kailer Yamamoto G/60 – 0.71
Conversation was related to “stone hands” and not being able to score.
Don’t say Short he’ll run and cry to Mr. Lowtide.
That just as many as Pettersson
You do realize that some people think Connor and Leon are the 2 best players in the league that continuously spoon feed Yamo. How many goals would mangiapane have playing with these 2 stars.
You do realize that the other players I’ve mentioned also have played most of their minutes with those two, right.
I would argue that based on the eye test, Puljujarvi has been spoon fed for WAY more high end chances than Yamamoto.
Does stone hands only apply to those that don’t meet your physical stature requirements?
Again…a very low bar.
G/60 – the extremely lauded in the off-season Victor Arvidson – 0.66 G/60 (Yamamoto 0.71 G/60).
You have a real hang-up with height it seems to be a trigger word for you. There’s way to many short players that have been stars of Hockey to name all of them. From Valeri Kharlamov one of the most electrifying players ever he played for the CCCP teams. There’s also Theoren Fleury who played mostly for the Flames. I know your not into any Hockey history but these two were absolute studs.You have real hang-up with height it seems to be a trigger word for you. There’s way to many short players that have been stars of Hockey to name all of them. From Valeri Kharlamov one of the most electrifying players ever he played for the CCCP teams. There’s also Theoren Fleury who played mostly for the Flames. I know your not into any Hockey history but these two were absolute studs.
a You have real hang-up with height it seems to be a trigger word for you. There’s way to many short players that have been stars of Hockey to name all of them. From Valeri Kharlamov one of the most electrifying players ever he played for the CCCP teams. There’s also Theoren Fleury who played mostly for the Flames. I know your not into any Hockey history but these two were absolute studs.
You are the one that has the issue with Yamamoto’s stature, not me and speaking about his stone hands even though he has more goals at 5 on 5than many others I know you value.
These are peak years for Leon and Connor I just don’t see our first 2 lines dominant the way other top teams do. I do think Kane and Leon have the possibility of getting hot if they continue to play together.
Why are you so against Yamamoto? He is only 23 years old, makes just over 1 million, is best described as fearless/tenacious, forechecks hard and creates turn-overs, solid skater, McDavid and Draisaitl like playing with him, and he is on pace for 15 goals. I wish we could clone him.
He’s too high in the batting order for what he brings 15 goals from a so called offensive threat is not enough when your playing with Connor and Leon. The play dies on his stick way to often take off the rise coloured glasses and you’ll see it as well.
Agreed – similar to the Isles game (I though he was even better in that game).
Lucic and Yamamoto battling it out with 9 goals apiece but Lucic has 1 more point. That $750000 we’re paying for Lucic could of kept Sam Gagner here who interestingly has 18 points as well. Lucic and Sam play a lot less minutes than Yamamoto.
If the write it without sarcasm, #BoyWonderCroft still works.
What about the obvious. #WoodcroftGuy?
Woody & Son.
Dave & Buster’s?
HFB calls him Steelcroft
I saw two things in the last two games that I thought was interesting. They both include McDavid interestingly enough.
Firstly, in LA, it was a small thing, but early in the game I saw McDavid down low behind our own net battling for a puck, coming away with it and skating out of the zone. He is clearly very good at skating the puck away, but aside from when there is a reset and the team has the puck under control, I have rarely seen him play that deep in our zone. A small thing, but interesting change I think coming under Woodcroft is our Centerman playing much further down low in our own zone helping the D.
Secondly was the sublime play leading to McDavid’s goal against San Jose. He was buzzing all night, and couldn’t buy one against Reimer. An extended shift in the offensive zone and a bunch of chances but nothing went in. The Sharks took the puck and, clearly tired, the winger tried to chip it up the boards out of the zone for a breakout. He was stood up by Niemalainen at the offensive blue line on a good read ( the other Shark was too tired and deep to retrieve the puck). The other D-man gathered the puck, took a look and fired a blue to blue pass right on the tape of McDavid who did his magic to score.
A really nice read by Nemo and a great short pass by the D-man that I am unsure could be attributed to Woodcroft, but indicative of a team playing with a bit more confidence and swagger leading to good things happening on the ice.
The other d-man was Bouchard.
Ryan Nugent Hopkins is up the for team MVP in calendar year 2022.
His return to the lineup has been material in the 8-2-1 stretch.
He leads the team in P/60 at 5 on 5 in 2022 at 2.84 (and is up to 1.74 P.60 on the season) plus incredible PK work.
He is DRIVING a 3rd line with “meh” with a 3rd line and a 4th liner.
Go Nuge.
“With Woody there’s a lot of detail and direction and it makes a huge difference when everyone knows what we’re doing”. Foggy, the meh 3rd liner.
This is a bit of a damning statement on Tippett’s coaching to be honest, and actually explains the bottom 6 troubles.
Tipp seems like he was coaching more of the emotional side of the game, letting the players do what they wanted without a lot of direction. It works for big guns like Drai and McDavid (who had some of their best offensive seasons under Tipp’s leadership) But the bottom six needs some direction. Foegele has looked like a new player since the switch.
Details + no hesitation = a dangerous Oilers team.
When’s the last time our 3rd line had Chemistry and received valuable minutes as well. Foggy and Nuge are a thing.
Truth be told, the bottom six had been doing MUCH better over the last little while, well before Tip was let go, no?
Yes everybody thought it was great if they merely sawed off! Expectations were to put it bluntly, very low!
Yes, and we cannot overlook the effect of adding Kane on the bottom six. Tipp had Nuge there from the get-go too.
ChupaCabra asks a good question: is Koskinen tradeable?
Eg, would Buffalo take Koskinen for futures (ie nothing) knowing that they could trade him with 50% retained for a mid-round pick to a team looking to upgrade their backup?
Because if he is tradeable, it makes the cost of acquiring Fleury from the Hawks much much less.
From all indications, MAF has no interest in coming to the Oilers and his trade protection makes it a non-starter.
courtesy of HFB
Pretty obvious dive by Le Moo
Loved Darnell’s glance. Like, someone was chirping them from the bench and Darnell thinks “now this is how we get things done, too bad we have to kill a penalty. Oh well” Perhaps I am reading a bit into things. lol
BTW, the replay of this last night showed Lemieux spearing Kane in the back, from around the linesmans side, as Kane was being held in place.
I love this. Lemieux is the worst.
I would disagree. He is close but the little rat Marchand is the worst. Although we splitting hairs here – they are both douch bags.
I like Kane the hockey player.
At the end of their conversation today, Bob and Brian Lawton discussed the possiblity of a trade for Ross Johnston of the Isles.
Personally I don’t see it happening.
Is it too early to get the Re-Sign Kanemobile up and running?
I like everything he’s brought to the team.
Re-sign him for what? What the contract would look like is everything. I imagine he will want too much for too long like all good players looking to re-sign at 30.
Anyone with a coach’s eye want to chime in on the differences in systems?
We’re certainly seeing an overall more mature looking game. It feels more like watching other good teams play each other (like the Pens vs the Caps a few years ago) where there’s a lot of back and forth, but not a ton of high danger chances on both sides.
There’s more structure in the neutral zone, more back pressure, standing up to defend zone entries at the blue line. We’re not seeing d backup to the hash marks then stop and get walked as opposing forwards have no back pressure on them.
I’m not seeing those crazy overload or swarm coverage break downs with players wide open in the slot getting great looks on our goalie.
Disclosure: the extent of my coaching experience is playing table hockey.
That being said, I have noticed way fewer stretch passes to stationary forwards. The team is making more short passes to breakout as a unit.
I would love to chime in. I don’t have a coaches eye, but I have been waiting for a strategic change with the Oilers for over a year. I have been biting my lip out of respect for the coaching staff that have departed and I also would like to see how the new folks evolve a bit. My first impressions:
It’s nice to be able to even talk about defensive structure.
It’s nice to see the centre position playing low and protecting the slot.
It’s nice to see the centre position taken seriously.
It’s nice to see some consistency with player deployment. It will be really nice to see some guys develop some chemistry with each other.
It’s nice to be able to line match.
It’s nice look at defense as a team concept rather than focusing on individual players that play defensive positions.
As for platooning defensemen, I don’t think ANYONE saw that coming. I think platooning (sorry, more of baseball reference) is much different than blending. Well done to the new folks involved with that.
I think every positional player on the team just got better because of the new organizational structure. (and for a variety of other reasons) For me, organization is huge.
I couldn’t understand the old structures and systems. That doesn’t mean they were bad or that the people implementing or executing them were bad. It means I just didn’t get it. Maybe the players didn’t either, but I definitely don’t know about that for sure.
I can’t say that the new systems and structures are any better or worse that the departed ones yet, they are just more my style I guess.
Someone mentioned that Tippett had the F1 forward play the role of centre vs Woodcroftguy, who has the actual centre play the role of centre down low.
I agree that Tippett’s system was harder to follow at least for me. What they’re doing now seems simpler.
I agree that using the 7 d seems to be a clever strategy with 4 rookie d and injuries.
I think that defining the centre down low as the centre position was needed. I know it’s simpleminded on my behalf, but possibly Tippett overthought the structure a little too much. When Ethan Bear left, he said that the Carolina system was simpler, easier for his style. That had me a little worried, sometimes smart guys overestimate simple folks like me. 🙂
It really depends on who is on the team
Overloading is about taking the puck back quickly and heavy pressure on the attacking team, taking their time away to make plays
But it relies on winning battles quickly and good sticks to stop the seam passes out of the melee
None of which Oiler players have shown to be strong at, as we saw
If the players can’t execute the system it’s the wrong one
Lord knows what the plan was on attack. I don’t think the players knew
Whoa, didn’t think of overloading. It reminds me of gegenpressing in soccer which requires high levels of organization and is enhanced by player speed and advanced analytics. That’s enough inquiry for me, thanks to everyone who commented on this thread, I really appreciate it. I’m going to watch the games a little game differently now. I’ll also lower the the pretentiousness level on my behalf and say that I CAN’T WAIT for 91 to have his first fight for the Oilers, the guy looks pretty intimidating out there. Funny, I also haven’t heard any personal comments about Mr. Kane from “O-Dog” lately either.
Oilers landed at 4:30 am at Edm Int’l last night. Be an hour before they were in bed.
That said Flames are finally on a B2B and we get their opponent on a B2B rather than the other way around.
I find it curious that, over the last two games, Draisaitl is averaging 2m30 more ice time than McDavid. Some, but not all, of those minutes reflect PK usage.
Is Drai’s greater role a reflection on McDavid having slightly compromised fitness (a niggle)? Or an attempt to keep McDavid fresh and use him in select but highly effective moments? Or just a blip over two games?
Draisaitl is a more complete player so his usage reflects his range of skills.
Might be trying to get Drai going like he can
He hasn’t been great to my eye for a while
His not great is the envy of most players but he’s not playing to his own level ATM
Against LA, I’d say the primary reason was Face-offs.
On the surface, sending Skinner down looks not so great. But it does makes sense.
He needs to play, period. No point keeping him up and having him split time with two other goalies. And the Oilers need to see (or showcase) what they have in Koskinen for the trade deadline. There might be some team out there interested in him, I assume he is on the trade block and Skinner will be back by the trade deadline.
Would a team looking for a backup claim Koskinen were he waived? If that’s even a remote possibility, you don’t send him down because it could leave you one tug on Smith’s aging groin away from disaster.
Montreal are onto their 6th goalie or something. I could see them claim Koskinen if their cap space allows it. Surely they must be close to their 50 contracts though?
I also agree that as much as we’re “over” Koskinen, however if Smith goes down we’re left with Skinner/Konovalov as the goalies and I don’t think we’re ready for that at the NHL level.
The whole not having to pass through waivers for Skinner also adds another side to this situation.
Not sure you got downvoted, this is true. Though trading Koskinen would open the team up to the same potential issue down the line.
Is his cap hit enough to deter teams from claiming him?
If Smith was not incredibly injury prone I would pack Koskinen’s bags for him and drive him to the airport! But every indication is that Smith at this point represents a high injury risk. So, yes, even if the cap hit is a deterrent, you simply can’t risk losing Koskinen.
Given that what we really need to know what we have in Skinner sending him down is counterproductive. Koskinen’s contract is up at the end of the year and the team will not likely resign him.Playing him to build his value to move him at the deadline and not confirming what we have in Skinner is foolish at best. It would seem prudent to keep Koskinen until the end of his contract as cheap insurance for the playoffs and give the NHL playing time as backup to Skinner.
Okay, so let’s say all three stay. Smith is 1G, Skinner 2G. Smith goes down, and Skinner struggles. So in the playoffs we are relying on a rusty Koskinen to save us?
Or, you send Skinner down. Sure, he isn’t playing against NHL teams, but he is still playing. Again, Smith goes down, and Koskinen struggles. So in the playoffs we are relying on a fresh and hungry Skinner to save us.
I would prefer scenario B at the end of the day. And I’m very big on Skinner.
Stalock? :0
My thinking is that with the exception of one game Skinner has not given up a softy. I also believe that Koskinen might thrive under the new coaching system. I was still looking long term and trying to find a solution to a goal tending tandem that we can afford while still keeping both Connor and Leon.
Tough trade to make and the team needs 3 goalies that can play if they make the playoffs
Koski not overworked is decent and upgrades not clear or too expensive for a non Cup run
He’s not going anywhere as I see it
Just out of interest, how many people here do you think have received an NHL pay check?
(Sorry, Scungilli, this question was meant for Reja)
I have. But then realized that Canada Post accidentally delivered it to the wrong address.
stop blaming the posties. Admit it, you pissed it away.
Holland must be concerned with Smith’s health going further. I see no other reasoning for not keeping possibly our future Goalie up in the bigs where he belongs. For those that say It’s no big deal for Skinner getting set down that he’ll get playing time blah blah blah have never received a NHL paycheque compared to AHL cheque.
Imagine if Price has been the secret target all along…
Anyone else surprised that the balance photo might end up involving 11 forwards and 7 d men?
What we’re witnessing is akin to Anakin Skywalker getting his podracer up and running the day before the Boonta Eve Classic. Are the Oilers fast? Yes. Reliable? Eh…. Possibly not, but it worked for Anakin so let’s let it roll.
I’ll leave you all to decide who the Sebulba, Ben Quadinaros and Aldar Beedo are in this scenario.
“IT’S WORKING! IT’S WORKING!”
He had to do a repair from the cockpit mid race too..
HA. Perfect 😀
For the record, Ben Quadinaros is Montreal btw. Power couplings failed on the start line.
If Manson’s first name was Guy, the Oilers would have Woodguy behind the bench.
If my aunt had a loaf I’m her pants she’d be my uncle. How is this comment upvoted?
woodmanny
Sir, do you know who THE Woodguy is?
woodguy
gmoney
dave Manson isn’t Guy. Not sure the connection
“If my aunt had a loaf I’m her pants she’d be my uncle”
If you were her pants, that wouldn’t make her your uncle. She would just be a poor woman with her nephew hanging onto her legs whilst holding a bread loaf.
Har sir!
I was disappointed Kane was not the first star.
I normally do not condone violence, but there are different rules when dealing with rats. Punching Lemieux in the face was a thing of beauty.
Kane was lucky he was able to pull his hand away from Lemiuex’s mouth with his fingers intact.
I like that Kane is setting the tone now
Come playoffs it’s too late and risky
He’s letting everyone know he’s down if you’re stupid, with ill intent
Been a while!
Stuart Skinner being ineligible for waivers is a competitive advantage. One that I’m glad the Oilers are putting to use.
It’s better for Skinner’s development to go get 75% of the starts in BAK instead of 25% of the starts while Smith finds his groove.
Plus he’ll inevitably get called up again in a month when an Oiler goalie gets re-injured.
This makes a lot of sense – let Skinner get some games in while they ride Smith for the next few games. I’d expect to see Skinner back against the Wild on Sunday if that’s the case, after Smith gets the game against the divisional opponent Anaheim on tomorrow and the Jets on Saturday.
To me the question is what are we running next year. Seems like Skinner should be in the mix but if we go Smith/Skinner and Smith goes down again, I’d like a few more NHL reps for Skinner before declaring him the new #1 in waiting. Alternatively we could jettison Smith next year and try to bring in someone a little more durable. Then I’m fine sending Skinner down, he’s a good bet but not a sure thing.
Y’all are banging your heads against a wall. How many years do we need to see Smith/Kosk? Skinner has proven all he needs at the AHL level. Rarely does a young goalie start right away in the NHL. Having him playing a backup role in a compressed schedule is the next step of progression for him.
plus he’s the oilers best goalie.
Matty made a good point this morning, if the Oilers are going to trade a prospect d-man for some help, the emergence of Niemelainen massively helps mitigate the potential loss of Samorukov (not that I think they need to move him or that he isn’t potentially part of the future).
I wouldn’t give up on Dima yet. His ceiling is much higher.
“Much” is probably a stretch. No one know of course on Dima but I’d say right now the bell curve is centered right about on Laggy. but there are the rest of the season’s arrows to come and due to the call-ups he will have first pairing time to make his case.
There is a big delta between “giving up on” and “trading for value” via a position of depth.
So just wondering who makes the decision to send Skinner down and activate Koski? Is it Woodcroft or Holland? A joint decision perhaps? We know Koski will not be back next year. It would seem that it is pretty important to find out what Skinner is over a longer stretch prior to the end of this season no????
The GM makes the final decision. I am sure there is some discussion with the coach.
Sure sure, or just sure?
I am confused… I am sure that there is some discussion with the coach since that is the default of a responsible organization. Would be pretty underhanded to make personnel decisions as the owner of a business without discussing it with the manager. Obviously nobody but those close to the situation are sure sure, but… it would be surprising to find out otherwise.
Did anyone else notice Nuge wearing the wrong wind-breaker last night in the post game avail?? He and Ryan must be locker room neighbors..
Yes lol it had a 10 on it
Sharing is caring.
If they got married, Nuge could change his name to Ryan Ryan
*Hyman disliked this*
C’mon, you think the guy who took the time to hyphenate his name once would suddenly change his spots? No way, man.
He’d of course go by Ryan Nugent Hopkins Ryan, and his hubs would go by Derek Ryan Nugent Hopkins.
Now isn’t that much simpler?
I am a bit disappointed to see Skinner sent down, but not necessarily surprised. I suspect that Koskinen’s leash will be quite short, however. I fully expect to see Skinner back up with the main club in the not too distant future.
Maybe want to showcase Kosko for a trade to LV?
50% retained for a late round pick?
ManWood sawed off his mentor last night.
So is Skinner possibly the first Goaltender to lead his team in save% and GAA, register a shutout, and get demoted to the minors shortly after?
The Oilers had a goalie on the roster with a shutout to his name for approximately 33 hours.
Zachary Fucale
Just to harsh everyone’s buzz…
Edmonton Oilers@EdmontonOilers #Oilers roster moves
Mikko Koskinen removed from COVID protocol
Stuart Skinner loaned to the @Condors
#LetsGoOilers
This was not properly flushed
~ That is just SO Mancroft ~
No buzz harshed – this almost certainly going to happen.
Skinner is only a phone call away if and when needed.
Goaltending Save % since Woody;
Smith vs. Islanders .974%
Skinner vs SJS 1.00%
Smith LAK .938%
apparently the coaching improves as the the goaltending improves
OR
apparently the goaltending improves as the coaching improves
Game 1 was option A – lots of high danger chances against and Smith was the team’s best player.
Games 2 and, in particular 3 was option B. A handful of high danger chances against last night and how many were 5-alarm? Not many.
Over his last ten games (since the win over Vancouver, where the Oilers have gone 7-2-1), Nugent-Hopkins has been an even-strength witch, scoring well over 2 points-per-60 at 5v5.
It seems deploying three excellent centres at their natural position IS the formula for this team.
– See below!: For years a few of us have advocated this, and never bought the arguments against. Wingers score more when they play with good Cs. We have three good Cs: if they play on seperate lines, collectively those wingers will score more than a superline and 3 lines of meh.
– People forget that for a time, Drai and McD were on different lines, and Tipp said something about “they liked winning more than playing together”. But it never lasts, as the first slump, coaching panics, and/or McD and Drai tell coach to play them together. Then the rest of the team sucks because they have no one to play with, and Drai and McD get over played, and teams adjust. Then a new coach comes in and tries to play them apart, then the circle continues.
– We haven’t done anything with them on same line: why not give the “spine” the rest of season together
Lots of love for
babyNuge lately…“Our little baby’s all grows up. You know what?… Our little baby’s all grows up… Our little boy is all grows up tonight. You know what big boy? You’re grown up. You’re grown up! Cuz you’re growns up and you’re growns up and you’re growns up! I’m the asshole in the bar place is that right? I’m the asshole? I’m outta here.”
As long as he doesn’t grow sideburns.
He’s a far better C than W