The Montreal Canadiens of my youth were one of the strongest NHL teams in the game’s history. There were Hall of Famers everywhere—veteran HHOFers, young players who were just starting careers that would take them there, and then the Hall of Famers who were in their prime. It was crazy. Jean Beliveau and John Ferguson exit, Guy Lafleur and Rejean Houle enter, with Jacques Lemaire and Yvan Cournoyer in their prime.
Sam Pollock’s Canadiens had all kinds of skill players, and checkers and tough guys. They came in all shapes and sizes. It was rare for Pollock to let go of a great young player unless it was part of a major trade for a veteran. The only player I remember leaving for free was Tony Esposito, who had (at the time) an unusual butterfly style.
Which brings me to Kailer Yamamoto.
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Oilers sign two Condors as procurement window opens.
- Lowetide: Oilers fans still adjusting to Ken Holland’s management style
- DNB: Ken Holland Q&A
- Lowetide: February tests Oilers’ mettle but playoffs are still in sight
- Lowetide: Positive early returns on Oilers’ 2021 draft class, but there are miles to go
- Lowetide: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the Oilers’ quiet man, is making loud noises on a new line
- Jonathan Willis: Salary cap limits Oilers’ options, no excuse not to look for a goalie today
- DNB: Mike Smith keeps showing he’s not the Oilers’ answer in net.
- Lowetide: 3 trade targets that could help Oilers this season and beyond
- DNB: Oilers trade deadline expectations? Mailbag
- Lowetide: Evan Bouchard’s new role with Oilers and the promising early results
- Jonathan Willis: With easy upgrades done, hard work remains for Oilers as trade deadline nears
- DNB: Oilers setting their sights on challenging trip ahead
- Lowetide: Oilers’ Raphael Lavoie has turned the corner as an NHL prospect
- Lowetide: The furious race to land Oilers’ open job on left defence
- DNB: Derek Ryan flourishing under new Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft
- DNB: Oilers picking Philip Broberg over Trevor Zegras is still debated.
- Lowetide: Connor McDavid’s remains a transcendent talent. Here’s why.
- Lowetide: Oilers top 20 prospects, winter 2021
WHAT TO EXPECT IN MARCH
- On the road to: PHI, CHI (Expected 1-0-1) (Actual 1-0-1)
- At home to: MON (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: CAL (Expected 0-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: WAS, TBAY, DET, BUF, NJD (Expected 3-1-1) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: COL, DAL (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: SJS (Expected 1-0-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: CAL (Expected 0-1-0) Actual 0-0-0)
- At home to: ARI, LAK (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 8-5-2, 18 points from 15 games
- Actual March results: 1-0-1, 3 points in 2 game
- Oilers in 2021-22: 30-21-4, 64 points in 55 games
Tonight is a big game, partly because the VGK and LAK won yesterday and partly because the Anaheim Ducks and Nashville Predators are fading a little. There’s separation going on, and Edmonton can’t get left behind. The teams are not yet running out of track, but you can kind of see the end of the line. It’s like when the highway opens up around Leduc when you’re coming into Edmonton. You’re a long way from downtown or WEM, but you begin to recognize the view.
SAM POLLOCK’S ODDITIES
Pollock took over as general manager in May of 1964, and left in September of 1978, winning the Stanley nine times. His rookies, including unusual ones (for one reason or another), included Yvan Cournoyer, an enforcer who could defend in Ted Harris, a checking winger who could play defence all year if you needed Jimmy Roberts; chaos defenseman Carol Vadnais, complete defenseman Serge Savard, sublime winger then center Jacques Lemaire who played a pretty complete game, too.
Mickey Redmond had a bullet shot, Garry Monahan had size and some skill, Danny Grant was another great shooter. Jude Drouin was a brilliant playmaker who needed a sandwich. Bob Berry, two-way player. Guy Lapointe, Hall-of-Fame defenseman with complete skills leaning a little more to the offense. Marc Tardif, a stylish winger with elite passing and shooting skills. Chris Bordeleau, underrated playmaker with a nice range of skills. Bobby Sheehan was an undersized bullet who might have been faster than Cournoyer. Rejean Houle, one of the greatest checking wingers of his generation who also happened to have real skill and Fran Huck, another 5.07 forward who had ability. That takes us to 1970!!!!
Sam Pollock had fantastic shooters arriving on the double, but he still found time to see what Chuck Lefley could do and it paid dividends when Frank Mahovlich and Marc Tardif left town. He even signed a player the lowly Detroit Red Wings released (Yvon Lambert) who had half the natural talent of guys he ended up winning a job over (Murray Wilson was an exciting player) because he could drag rivers for pucks along the wall in the offensive zone.
So, if Sam Pollock could employ a guy who was slightly better than a chair skater, or give 5.05 Bobby Sheehan a chance, why do so many doubters after Yamamoto?
He is one of four Oilers with 10 or more five-on-five goals this season. He ranks No. 5 on the team in overall goals (11), despite getting just 23 minutes all season on the power play. He can dig for pucks and win pucks. Since 2019-20, he is No. 5 among Oilers regular forwards in goals-per-60 (0.74) and No. 5 in points-per-60 (1.69) at five-on-five.
What would Sam Pollock do with Kailer Yamamoto? Exactly what he did with Lefley: Play the man until Steve Shutt, Yvon Lambert and Bob Gainey took all the playing time away.
There is one worry this year for Yamamoto, and that’s five-on-five goal differential with and without Leon Draisaitl. That pair has always been money, but this year 29-56 are just 18-17 goals (2.45 goals per 60, Leon is 3.58 goals-per-60 at five-on-five without KY). Draisaitl without Yamamoto is 28-19 and Yamamoto without 29 is 10-19.
Like I said last year. And the year before.
This team has to be a seller at the deadline ( barring a deal for a -long term-goalie fix)
Kenny has to pick up the odd piece of rice once in a while….
How about we sell Ken + Nicholson??????
Out of town scoreboard has Oilers fans looking for help from Ottawa, Buffalo and SJ today…… sweet!
lol. What has Dom posted as the odds?
Katz better make a decision quick or this things coming off the tracks & the wreckage will be dear.
First Chicago and now the putrid Habs with an AHL goalie in tow…..
A few defenders will pretend, but even if this team sneaks into the playoffs ……this team is not going anywhere.
It stopped being about Mike Smith – LONG AGO…..
We are just at the humiliation ( Andrew Ference ) stage for Smitty.
Astute bet by Holland to grab Smitty for next year as well.
I was at the game tonight. saw Broberg make a couple of very good plays. Kid can skate. Also liked McLeod. he is coming along fine. Wow on Smith with the two shots from Suzuki. Both were right in front of us. I hope he goes on LTIR.
It’s hard to tell from the angles on TV, but my impression was that he was backed up so far into his net that his ass was behind the goal line on those shots?
That first goal by Caufield was just an AHL level play by Niemelainen.
You can’t blind dump to the blueline like that.
We had this conversation last week. Apparently some believe that is the modern way of playing goal…….
That is a complete misstatement.
Hard to believe that after all that conversation and the attached article and the amount that Gregor has talked about it… that you still don’t understand.
So who gets the call if Bouchard is out?
Lagesson and Broberg both played RD tonight, so they definitely don’t *need* to add a RD.
Samorukov is probably the most likely call, though I wonder if Desharnais gets his name on an NHL deal for this season so they can have 2 RD on the roster. Koekkoek would also be in the conversation but he hasn’t played since Feb 16th, presumably due to injury.
Samorukov and Desharnais were both +4 for the Condors tonight FWIW, Desharnais with 2 assists and Samorukov with 1.
Barrie is day-to-day and according to Woody, won’t be out long, but Monday is coming quick.
I think KK is on personal leave.
Just watching the postgame now. Sounds like Bouchard wasn’t feeling well but isn’t injured. So decent chance he’ll be OK to go for Monday.
I didn’t realize how close Barrie was (not finished watching Woodcroft), and thanks for the update on Koekkoek, wasn’t aware of that (all the best to him, whatever the reason for the leave).
Oh and apparently it was a stomach ailment. They don’t typically last long. i think we’re good.
But you’re correct that they could sign Desharnais at any time. That said, why didn’t they in the first place if the org thinks of him as Next Man Up?
Sammo seems most likely in that light.
True enough they could have signed Desharnais for this year and next already. I guess the only potential change in thinking would be 2/3 Oilers RD are suddenly out (though it sounds like both Barrie and Bouchard will be back sooner than later).
The team is meh. The goaltending is awful. This team should not be in the mushy middle. It’s an epic fail. A new GM will arrive in the off-season and do the same thing all the previous GMs have done because they keep hiring from the same pool of washed up good old boys from Hockey Canada.
Extremely low bar to make the playoffs from the Pacific.
Holland might do it though….
One bright spot tonight was Broberg on RD … I don’t watch the Condor’s games but I saw a bit of what people who do have been talking about. I’d like to see him some more there. If they are not in a playoff spot at the trade deadline, then they should keep him up and move Barrie along.
Flames win an emotional one in OT.
Looking forward to the let-down on Monday, and a hungry Oiler team, backed by a tall Finn in net.
There is no way Holland can make a trade for a goalie right now with the team sitting out of the playoffs.
The correct move is to bring up Skinner.
Not that that will fix anything. The team still played like dogshit tonight, abandoning Manwood for old habits. Keep that up and it won’t matter who is in net. Jay has to get them to play his game consistently or the playoffs are a pipe dream. And likely he himself is not brought back next season (unless he accepts a return to Bako).
But if they can get into the playoffs… that is where Skinner shines and has since Juniors.
This is the right move.
Smith should get waived tomorrow and the Oilers should test out Skinner-Koskinen for the remainder of the season.
Play Broberg at RD. Play Benson.
Let the kids seize the day, or at least let them show you what they got.
No need to expend assets. This team either makes it into the playoffs on their own merit, or it was never worth paying the high price to save a mediocre season.
No need to waive Smith, he can be somewhat of an asset on LTIR.
Benson has played 28 games and has 2 points.
How much more evidence do Benson fans require?
Things have been badly disjointed at 5v5, PP and PK since Jesse and then Nuge went down. Kane McDavid and Hyman have been the only forwards with a pulse. McLeod gets zone entries but has no idea what to do once he gets there (e.g. one too many dekes or passes up shots to make an extra pass). Draisaitl should just pitch up a tent on the half wall, cause he’s basically been living there. Yamamoto is playing too much. Ryan has had his moments but Foegele is just running around without a purpose. And there is basically no 4th line right now.
Some of these issues can be fixed, but they are running out of track. Feels like a year where they fall short of the playoffs … just too many things not clicking, which has been compounded by a lack of a steady presence in net.
Holland should be a seller at this deadline.
He definitely can’t be a buyer. I mean maybe grab one piece if they win out from now till the deadline or something crazy, but no, don’t be adding.
Selling? That might send the wrong message too. A hockey trade is a possibility though. Or sell for a pick and use the pick to buy.
The most tradeable player is Kane, but that’s up to him. Be a real slap in the face to the dressing room if he did.
He could still trade for a goalie with term, though that’s very unlikely at this stage. He’s been very clear and consistent that he won’t spend significant assets if the team is at risk of missing the playoffs, so any rental adds look like they’ll be modest.
It didn’t sound (DNB interview) like selling was really an option though, I expect we’d need to see a real losing streak for that to happen.
Skinner is definitely the answer in the short term (and longer if he plays well). And I do think a couple of Ennis/Kulikov for depth pick type trades are likely assuming the team stays in the race over the next couple of weeks.
Sorry, I should have clarified … when I meant be a seller, I meant getting picks to use as ammunition in future trades. Sort of what St. Louis did a few years ago. Ride Skinner and see if he is a Binnington-lite. Move out pricy vets who still have some name brand cache (e.g. Kassian for his gritensity, Barrie for his PP ability, Keith for his leadership) and take on some young guys that other teams may have soured on, and see if you can unearth some diamonds in the rough while clearing the cap-space that they will need to extend Jesse and maybe even Kane, or get a stabilizing force in net for next season.
(As an aside, Kane has been a good fit on this team. I know he’s had his issues at other stops, but sometimes people will turn the corner with age and wisdom. But his play on the ice warrants seriously considering a contract extension.)
Maybe you go on a run like St. Louis did with young players playing by the seat of their pants. It would be more fun than watching Kassian, Barrie, Keith and Smith provide their brand of veteran leadership.
I know some feel that these contracts can’t be moved but I wonder if that’s more because we conditioned to seeing Oiler’s management zealously hang on to these type of players with pipe dreams of making the playoffs and ‘going on a run’. Yet year after year, we see washed up name brand vets get moved at the deadline.
This year, more so than other seasons, there is clear lack of disparity between the contenders and pretenders. The Oilers are at a level below the pretenders right now … pretending like it isn’t so, is not going to help this organization win a cup with the current core of McDavid, Draisaitl, Nuge and Nurse … its not all doom and gloom though, cause that’s a pretty damn good core.
Rask and Bishop had enough respect for their teammates to retire when their bodies couldn’t hold up after injury
Smith keeps costing his teammates because he can’t let go
Why would Holland sign him for 2 years?
#kennythegrinder
Rask had worse numbers than Smith. I don’t think you’ll see Smith back this season.
I hope you are right.
Summarizing!
Savoie finished a fine sophomore regular season with 2+1 tonight, giving him 20-20-40 in 32 games.
Tullio got an assist to run his point streak to 11 games.
Lachance, Munzenberger, Engaras, Chiasson, and Wanner all held off the scoresheet.
I wasn’t in the fire Holland group earlier this season, owing to a number of things that were not under his control (e.g. Klefbom’s injury, Larsson’s last minute decision to seek a fresh start on another team). Ceci was a great pickup. Barrie was signed to deal that can be traded.
But he has been dithering too much since the season started – he took too long to replace Tippett. And he’s refused to bite the bullet and trade futures for the upgrade in goal that it was clear this team needed since last year’s playoffs. He’s forced this Smith-Koskinen tandem on his new coach, when there is clearly a better option riding buses in the AHL. He keeps bringing up Turris, when it has been clear since last season that he contributes nothing. Keith hasn’t been bad, but he’s not worth his cap hit for the next two seasons and is going to handcuff us from making other moves to address the problems on this team.
This team is not making the playoffs … and that should be enough to get any GM in the league fired.
The play over the last number of weeks, since Mikko came out of his slump and started to provide some consistent solid tending, has not been to acquire a goaltender externally, but to call-up Skinner and play him as a tandem with Mikko.
This remains the play and, after recent events, its all but a no-brainer – Holland even seems to have an out now so that he doesn’t have to waive and assign Smith – it looks like a real injury (or continued injury).
This organization is so dysfunctional … who sends down a goalie after a shutout. I think Holland has done a lot of good … but the goaltending has been completely mismanaged.
Haven’t watched the Shames in a while. If Zadorov, Gudbranson and crew are permitted to play like that unpenalized they are the favorites in the west.
The Flames win because they are really, really good.
Penalties to their bottom pair D have nothing to do with that.
Tuscon gets on back early in the 2nd – a snap shot from the point beats Konovalov – he may have not seen it via a screen but he needs to battle around that – weak one.
The only person in the organization who was dialed in tonight was the video coach. Maybe we can put him in net cause right now I trust him more than either of the two goalies.
Lavoie scored a 4th 1st period goal but the feed was down so that’s all I know.
Do the players have confidence in Smith?
97 sounded displeased with Smith in the post-game presser. I’m reading between the lines, and speculating, so don’t take that as gospel.
That said, I don’t think Mike Smith has confidence in himself right now. Didn’t look like it tonight. holland has to make a move. He could hold off till Smith backs up on Monday but something has to happen before Koski needs another break.
Either Skinner up or make a trade.
Which move Holland makes might indicate how much in jeopardy his job is.
What did McDavid say?
They certainly don’t play like they do.
It’s not that hard. IR him. Should be easy to find something wrong with him
Of note, Stalock lets in 6 on 28 shots in his first NHL start in a few years.
awww
Daniel Nugent-Bowman
@DNBsports
·
3m
Because it was announced Oilers goalie Mike Smith would speak postgame, here’s an update. Team PR said he didn’t come out because he was getting treatment from the medical staff.
Sunburn?
Actually… good one!
I don’t understand why they didn’t pull him when was obvious that he tweeked something?
5 weeks ago?
Seriously he probably shouldn’t have been in the lineup for any of the games he’s played since January 1.
Because his playing style always looks like he’s tweaked something?
LoL
Maybe one of the defencemen finally just up and clocked him.
tweaked his ego and it got bruised
Draisaitl, Yamamoto, and Smith for Aho and Anderson
Lol, you really think Carolina is even giving that a few seconds worth thought
Savoie pots his 2nd goal of the night, an ES tally this time as Denver goes up 4-0 late in period 2.
The more ES the better. We know he can shoot on the powerplay
From Brink and Guttman, so he was on with the first line.
Not the greatest highlight clip, but it’ll have to do:
https://twitter.com/DU_Hockey/status/1500316713874644993?cxt=HHwWgoCj0cWGmdIpAAAA
deleted before I get into trouble.
Draisaitl, Yamamoto, and a third for Demco an Boeser
That 3rd is the clincher.
Kaldis with great defence stepping up in the d-zone, takes the puck and outlets to Safin who sends Kaldis away on a 3 on 2 – Kaldis to Perlini on the left side, drops to Esposito, to the right side for Kaldis and its 3-0 7 minutes in.
What’s more concerning to me then the goalie play is the lack of urgency. They clearly don’t think the playoffs are in jeopardy.
Kenny apparently isn’t worried.
That was a shocking return to habits past tonight.
The only two guys that could help Fleury and Varlamov have no trade protection
Deharnais with 2 assists, and now a fight (with Boko Imama) in the first 5 minutes….
May be a consideration for a callup with Barrie and Bouch being injured? Seems rushed…
not under contract till Jul 1
Thank you gentlemen! Contract aside, I’ve heard nothing but positives from the “late bloomer” but would one say he deserves a look in the big leagues?
Deserves got nuthin to do with it.
😉
His NHL contract does not start until next season – can’t be called up unless he signs an NHL contract for this season.
But he could do that at any time.
– it used to drive me nuts when 15% of blog comments were that Koski wasn’t an NHL goalie so at least there is that.
– I don’t get the discrepancy between who we are and the comments generally: 2 of our top 6 forwards are out, 4 of our D combined for 20 total games in NHL before this year, and we have a goalie that for sure wouldn’t be signed up for 2 years for any other team
– yet we are almost playoffs, with a GM who gave up two 2nds for AA and we need help this trade deadline. Like what more can we objectively expect?
– Such a slap to Koski to not give him the prestige start Saturday night hockey vs Habs. Team played like they were like “fuck it”.
– Had a sick meal in Miami tonight so there is that : Palat. Service so great in USA and any Italian restaurant that serves Cowboy Steaks is doing something right. Now going to pay price with 4am 5 month old wake up call!
Holy dramatic.
– My bad : it was too bad that the organization chose not to start the goalie that hasn’t lost a regular start in his last 11. That they chose smith must not have been very pleasing to Koski or his teammates. Is that better?
No
Bistecca alla Florentina has been around for a very long time.
Koski just played 2 in a row (and 3 of the last 4), he’s been better on the road and Monday is a road game against a division opponent and the “tougher opponent”.
I don’t see any slaps.
What restaurant in Miami did you visit?
Draisaitl for Hellybuck, Copp and a second
This is not the way.
How could you possibly lose any trade when you get rid of a perennial Art Ross, Maurice Richard, Hart trophy contender for lesser players? Dealing from the top of the deck is a sure fire path to success….
Give it a rest Leon is the last player you trade on this team.
Holloway with the zone entry and dump, Hamblin back to Deharnais at the point – shot tipped in by Holloway for an early 2-0 lead.
I think it was off-side but I don’t think they review at the AHL.
Draisaitl and Kassian for Sarros and Forsberg
Condors score 14 second in. Deharnais dumps one in, Holloway with some chaos creation, Kambeitz with a shot, Hamblin takes the rebound and wraps it in.
Deharnais with the 2nd assist on the dump in.
Is McD injured? He looks like he doesn’t have that outside speed that keeps Dmen honest.
Yes the dead cat bounce is gone… but how many games in how many days? With how many days of travel? With how many actual practices?
Let’s not forget the Habs also beat a much better Cgy team two night ago.
Rid this team of Smith and atleast we stand a fighting chance.
Funny what a few weeks can do. The same was said about Koskinen then.
Koski isn’t reliable in the long term either. That has been proven alteady as well. Most have a short memory
What were we talking about?
Eternal sunshine.
Ahhh, that’s better.
Few months but yes, so very true.
Two more games coming for 14 straight with travel in between.
Your generation with excuses all the time sometimes you have to man up like Sutter’s generation.
LOL – your resentment of those that are really effing old is something.
Don’t fret about it wouldn’t want you to chip one of your manicured fingernails.
and the fact that my getting manicures frightens you is also telling…..
Draisaitl and Barrie for Jarry, Marino, and Guentzal
Whomever decided to start Smith needs to take some heat.
Just keep playing Mikko and then complain non stop that he sucks because he’s tired?
Not at all – Mikko needed the night off after playing 2 in a row and 3 of 4 prior to the road game in Calgary on Monday.
The only potential culpability here is on the GM for not having the better 2nd goalie on the roster.
They’re really missing Nuge & bison king
The Habs were been missing Price and Webber … didn’t prevent them from spanking the Oilers tonight
Need a goalie. Draisaitl for Shesterkin and Kaako
Wtf? 🙂
I’m all for enjoying a bevy or edible on a Saturday night, but damn…
I’d do it
They have to add a bit given established rep
Rangers wouldn’t do it.
Sheshterkin may win both the Vezina and the Hart this season.
Yep.
At this point he should…just an unbelievable season.
Can we fire Tippett now?
Who do you want to fire?
Anyone who is abject. Start with them.
Lol
If we could fire the injury bug….
And the travel agent…
Oilers have lost the improved structure that we initially saw with Woodcroft. Is the dead cat done bouncing? Team still tired? Or just not that good.
I liked Kane’s game tonight…and to see him “jawing” on the bench.
Smith can’t play again. Even if it’s Mikko and Skinner, Mike Smith cannot play another game.
If he plays again this Org isnt really committed to winning.
Actually if they don’t call up Skinner or get another G they’re not really committed to winning
Cat firmly stuck to the floor. Smith has to be done. Guessing there will be an injury announced tomorrow. If team basically has to play a game every second night when will they not be tired? Hopefully Woody can right the ship but it’s pretty hard to be optimistic after the last 3 games. Flames have to be licking their chops…..
Tired is no excuse. Good teams may occasionally lose one to legs, that’s it
Go to bed earlier, play less X Box, get off SM, etc
Grow up. They play still like young players, the core, and they aren’t anymore
The org needs to stop parachuting ‘experience’ in and call out the core to play to their experience level and be the leaders they are paid to be
Good teams can win with their B game. This team rarely can. Need reliable goaltending for that
Come on, you make it sound like it’s sleep tiredness like they are teenagers staying up to late. It’s also physical tiredness.
I question if all who say a road trip like this is no excuse for being physically tired has truly travelled, traveled across the continent and back.
So the new coach bounce is pretty much done. Also Ecstatic we have another year of Mike Smith. He was simply brilliant tonight. 6 goals against.
3 games in a row of just awful hockey being played. 3 points from 3 of the worst teams in the league.
Pathetic.
Absolutely kills that positive three game stretch against the best in the East.
I’ve had a lot of opportunities to come up and watch an Oilers game in the past few years since I moved to Calgary and I’ve always passed it up. Games like this are the reason. There is a chance you may see brilliance on ice, but there’s almost an equal chance you’ll make the drive up just to watch the home team lay a pile of steaming s*** on the ice.
Edited because of the recent cussing rules***
So…
what kind of team is going to show up on Monday when they play this season’s luckiest team? Sure feels like it won’t matter.
when was the last time a team let in 3 SHGs in the same game??? The Oilers special teams has definitely gone into the toilet…
Has to be a record
Good thing they kept the PP coach
Going to the game with the wife (Flames fan) and I’m worried! Could get ugly whether they play Smith or not.
What a terrible outing tonight. Wodman has his work cut out for him……
Woody needs to spend all his time fixing the special teams. That’s what’s costing them games and has been since December.
No more Smith, wasn’t fun to watch tonight
Embarrassing performance. Woody not going to sleep well tonight.
hahaha wow that goalie pull sure worked out
Just checked in – they dressed Turris again!?!
I wonder how old I’ll be before the Oilers figure out the reason all goalies look like hasek in his prime is because they refuse to screen the goalie, go hard to the net, tips etc. they need another Ryan smyth
they do miss Pujo there
Some players are perimeter players and we seem to have quite a few of them. Call up Holloway at least he’s not chicken to go to the net fire Yamo down to the 3rd line where he belongs.
It’s not going to the net
Its setting up players with clear lanes in the slot and having players in front when the point shot comes
Like other teams do at will many games against us
Oilers go hamfisted to the net no playmaking or space to score, shoot straight into the D, wide, crest, or sharp angle miss the net and out, often creating an odd man
True scorers have a lethal shot, deception, shoot for rebounds or all