I remember well the anticipation of the 2016 draft, the trade rumours (Edmonton was trading down with Montreal in order to take Mikhail Sergachev) had the Canadiens drafting Pierre-Luc Dubois inside the top-five overall. On draft morning, I was fairly certain Edmonton would take Matthew Tkachuk at No. 4 overall and Tkachuk would become infamous playing alongside Connor McDacid and Leon Draisaitl. I also remember being shocked by the brilliant luck that allowed Jesse Puljujarvi to land in Edmonton. Time has passed and the prospects grew into NHL players and some of them impact players. The Oilers will be looking for help again at the 2022 draft. Will the team go Finland?
THE ATHLETIC!
- New Lowetide: Inside Oilers’ stats from wild first-round series win over Kings
- Lowetide: Oilers defence prospects, who’s staying and who’s going?
- DNB: Connor McDavid is turning playoff dreams into reality
- DNB: For Edmonton Oilers, Game 7 stakes vs. Kings are simply enormous
- Lowetide: What’s Oilers prospect Dylan Holloway’s future fit on depth chart?
- Lowetide: How Oilers can finally fix salary cap nightmare
- Lowetide: Reasonable expectations for Oilers could not see chaos ahead
- Lowetide: Early look at Oilers’ options for 2022 NHL Draft
- DNB: How Dave Manson is making the Oilers blue line better
- Lowetide: Oilers regular season report card for 2021-22
- Lowetide: Stock up or down for every prospect in the Oilers system
FINLAND AND THE 2022 DRAFT
I’ve been staring at the Finland class for some time, and suspect there’s much value in the top five picks here. The issue is how much offense some of these kids are going to deliver in the NHL. Kemell is a can’t miss, and Slafkovsky could be even better with time. Lambert has everything but an established goal-scoring resume. I like Nyman more than Central based on his math, too. Those four names we can see from here, suspect Kaskimaki makes it on to my final 125 as well.
LOWETIDE 2021 LIST
LC Aatu Raty, Karpat Talented center who struggled in the LiigaLC Oliver Kapanen JYP Smart offensive player who drives offense.RW Samu Tuomaala, Karpat Good shooter, average speed, two-way resume.- LC Sami Päivärinta, Lukko. Small two-way center, fine playmaker.
RD Aleksi Heimosalmi, Assat. Versatile two-way defender.ay.LD Aleksi Malinen, JyP. Fantastic skater, skilled, some chaos.LW Ville Koivunen, Karpat. Smart winger with skill.LC Samuel Helenius, JYP. Huge checking center already in the Liiga.- LC Juuso Mäenpää, Kalpa. Very small but highly skilled playmaker.
- RW Oliver Suni, Lukko Rauma. Strong winger with range of skills.
LC Samu Salminen, Jokerit. 6.03 center with real talent, heavy boots.
I have two goals with my math each year: To identify the best players five years later, and trumpet players who appear to be underrated on various lists. Finland has been tough over recent seasons, but last year’s list covered the top 100 plus a little more.
BUILDING THE TOP 125
- RC Shane Wright (O). Peter Harling (Dobber) compares to Patrice Bergeron.
- LC Logan Cooley (U). Incredible skater, skilled and elusive. Dual threat.
- RC Matt Savoie (W). Scott Wheeler: Inside the offensive zone, he’s lethal.
- RW Joakim Kemell (L). High skill, great shot, 15 goals in Liiga.
- LD Denton Mateychuk (W). Elite skater, complete range, impressive passer.
- LW Juraj Slafkovsky (L). Big skill winger who spiked during the season.
- LW Cutter Gauthier (U). Big W with outstanding shot and sixth sense for goals.
- RW Jagger Firkus (W). Quick, skilled, difficult to contain.
- RW Frank Nazar (U). Fast train, intelligent, creative, impressive offense.
- LD Pavel Mintyukov (O). Top-end skater, puck mover. Some chaos defensively.
- LW Isaac Howard (U). Fast release, creative, emerging.
- RW Jordan Dumais (Q). Undersized skill winger impressive playmaker.
- LW Brad Lambert (L). Outstanding speed, range of skills, where are the goals?
- RC Conor Geekie (W). Best PF at the top end of the draft.
- LC David Goyette (O). Speedy center with skill and two-way ability.
- LC Servac Petrovsky (O). Aug. 2004, slick, skilled, does everything at high speed.
- RW Jimmy Snuggerud (U). Range of skills, scores from a variety of areas.
- LD Kevin Korchinski (W). Two-way defender, mobile and smart.
- LW Luca DelBelBelluz (O). Size, two-way ability, and an offensive spike.
I’m thinking Edmonton might be looking defense this year in the first round, but are likely to deal down again (as was the case last season. The players I have identified as underrated so far include Matt Savoie, Jagger Firkus and Jordan Dumais. Savoie and Firkus likely go off the board before Edmonton chooses, so Dumais is a player to watch.
EDMONTON V. CALGARY
I remember it well, in fact all of the Oilers v. Flames playoff games (and regular season, and preseason) from the era were unforgettable. A sea of heartbreak on the Calgary side, and some of the most difficult moments for Oilers fans to bear came in the BOA.
I expect it goes seven, and the Oilers defense will be run ragged. The Flames have been healthy all season but are taking on issues now, with defense specifically being a problem. The Flames are a strong group and this will be a war.
Edmonton needs those secondary scorers like Warren Foegele and everyone on right wing to chip in. Then again, the Flames scorers at five-on-five include Johnny Gaudreau (2.83 points-per-60), Matthew Tkachuk (2.45), Mikael Backlund (1.86), Elias Lindholm (1.76) and Andrew Mangiapane (1.48), but no one over 1.00 afterward.
Edmonton will enter the series as the underdog. Music!
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
At 10 this morning, we’ll dissect the Game 7’s and look forward to the second round. We should get updates from practice this morning and possibly some news on Leon Draisaitl. Travel in this series will be a dream. We’ll have former Seahawk Shaun Alexander on to talk about his career and a new program called Red Zone coming to Edmonton. Jason Gregor from TSN 1260 will join me to help break down the BOA. Your questions for Mr. Alexander and comments on the Oilers welcome @Lowetide on twitter and 10-1260 text. See you on the radio!
The Flames have been very consistent. Steady, repeatable. But no surprises, they are what they are and you know what you face.
The Oilers have been very inconsistent, wildly unpredictable, potential nitrous offense on a switch, no way to know what you are getting and difficult to plan for.
A regular season weakness could turn into a strength.
On TSN, Fanduel said the only prediction they’re comfortable making this round is CAL over EDM.
Screw those guys. Bye-bye phlegms.
Lebrun just posted an article over on the Athletic w/ several anonymous team executives and coaches all predicting a Flames series win. Every single one of them. I just hope Woody gets all his guys a subscription to the Athletic!
Nobody mentioning that Calgary also dealing with injuries – Tkachuk’s hand, Zadorov something, Tanev and apparently Lindholm is a bit banged up.
Sutter has some folks enthralled.
Despite the Oilers crapping the bed for a 3rd of the season the Oilers finished 1 whole win behind the vaunted Flames… Seven points if you want to do it that way but 1 whole win.
I like this matchup and I think over a series the Big Brains of our superstars will pick apart the Flames. Need the 3rd line (is that a thing with Woody’s deployment?) to show up full stop though. That’s the key for me.
I’d hazard a bet that we’re closer to “full Nurse” in this series vs. the first round.
Not against Mikko starting a game in the first two here. He needs to see the puck “just in case.”
This is going to be a fun series. So much fun!
Go Oilers!
Chris (i see nothing) Lee made it to the second round! pfff
I’m very interested to see how the team plays in game 1.
It’s easy to bring your best game when you are in must win situations (games 6 &7). The ‘noise’ gets quiet and it’s do or die and you HAVE to play good or go home.
Re: Woody’s presser today.
He said there were some things the Flames do the same as the Kings, and thus the Oil could use some of the same tactics, and some things they do differently, which will require adjustments.
One of the primary differences to my mind is that the Phlegms will not relinquish possession so easily by shooting from everywhere. They will try to generate scoring chances instead. Will Jay collapse the defence to the slot like the Star’s recent imitation of 70s Habs? I think that’s unlikely. But I am curious to see if he changes anything.
Their D is bigger and more experienced than LA’s. How physical will the Oilers play them, and how effective will hitting them be? Cycle might depend on speed and misdirection over physicality. Or Woody might look for other ways to get the puck to the danger areas.
Against us earlier in the season, the Lames liked using the stretch pass. They’ve got a couple more burners up front than the Kings and their presence will be a constant danger. High forward needs to make sure he is the middle of the ice and not along the boards.
When you have Smith, you want to stand up at the blue line as much as possible, to force a forecheck instead of a possession entry. I expect that to continue. Flames speed might taking some getting used to though. Again they’ve got more burners than LA. Smith will need to be sharp and quick.
Injuries and goaltending could play massive roles in this series. Light a candle for Drai, who needs to own Backlund. Gordspeed Darnell Nurse, and may Mike Smith go full mojo rising.
Summarizing!
Shawinigan heads home with a 2-0 series lead after winning 3-1 tonight. The Bourg finished with the one assist (and 4 SOG), giving him 6+4 in five playoff games.
The Cataractes can complete the three-game sweep on Thursday. Prospecting takes a break until then.
The Bourg picks up une pomme on the PP as Shawinigan extends its lead to 2-0 in the second.
Jason Gregor
@JasonGregor
·
36m
Look for Skinner, Broberg, Niemelainen, Samorukov, Desharnais, Holloway, Malone, Benson and a few more to be recalled to Oilers in coming days. Some flying in, others driving in. #Oilers
I think Gregor mentioned earlier that most will fly directly to Calgary but Skinner and Benson are heading to Edmonton first (where they are from, obviously).
Interesting on Deharnais given his NHL contract doesn’t start until next season.
Good news on Sammy and a bit of “confirmation” on Gretz’s verbal from a few weeks ago that, given he won’t need surgery, there was a chance he could get in games if the Condors won a few rounds.
I do wonder if, after Foegele, they needed/wanted to insert a forward, if Holloway would get the call over Brassard and Shore?
I am somewhat surprised that Shore hasn’t got even a sniff…..
That’s neat that Deharnais gets a call, contract situation aside. Young fella earned it.
Re: Desharnais and injured players, iirc there’s great leeway surrounding recalls once the AHL season is over.
Ya, fair enough, as it relates to the injured players.
I still think Deharnais is an odd one – technically, he’s not even Oilers property until July – he’s Condors property until then – of course, the lines are blurred….
99% the spirit of this is to have a guy who could play for you in the future (next season) around the team. But in Desharnais’ case, I think they legit also want him there for cover.
He’d be I think 10th on the depth chart (NHL 7, Broberg, Niemalainen, Desharnais).
It’s very unlikely he’s needed, and they’d need to quickly sign him to an NHL deal for this year, but you never know. Lots of teams have gotten to their 10th D in a playoff season (and the Oilers already used 8 in round 1).
Nathan Paetsch got called back from the beach by Buffalo Sabres in 2006.
Paetsch was on an ELC, not the same things as Deharnais at all. Nor was he hurt like Dima.
The news headline I just read says “Teammates Marvel at Playoff Performance of McDavid”
They said this because each and every time a player is interviewed, media want them to say how great McDavid is. Frankly you can see its awkward and annoying. Give a man his due, give him his moment and allow him to comment on his game, his thoughts.
This is what builds teams, this is how the room works. Its not god like love for your star, its support to your weakest link. They need everybody.
Im sure the players would rather give props to a teammate who they know is hurting, or sacrificed for the team. I think the players should just contribute on their own “you know who else was good, Russel made some hell of a blocks…”
Game 7 post game interview with Ceci and McDavid this happened:
“How good was he tonight?”
And Ceci and Connor kind of looked at eachother and the guy asking the question quickly clarified “how good was McDavid”
McDavid laughed but it seemed kind of like an annoyed “just stop” kind of laugh.
I don’t watch too many post or pre game interviews but when I do it always boggles my mind how bad most people are at asking questions.
Everyone is either forcing some question or scenario framed in a way to lead the players or coaching staff to answer how they want them to answer, or they are stumbling over their words, unintelligible, or seem to be trying to wing it and come up with a question on the spot.
It’s painful.
It would have been awesome if McDavid rolled with it and pumped up Ceci “Oh, man Ceece, he got the GWG, great pinch, great seam and vision. We all feel real good for him, going to second round”
I don’t disagree – the constant questions about McDavid to others is annoying, awkward and, somewhat silly.
I would note a few things though:
1) its not really the media’s job help “team build, right?
2) I believe it was McDavid that specifically singled out the likes of Broberg after game 6 – what a leader he’s developed in to. I think Woody mentioned him as well.
I really loved the snarl McD played with against the Kings.
He really did it all last series…but if I could ask for just one more thing:
Replicate that hit on Durzi opening shift of Game 1. Except this time light up Johnny. And I mean…light…him…up.
Whooooooo let’s gooooooooooo!!!!!
Let Yamo drill Johnny Hockey. See if Lucic will rush to protect him.
Picturing Lucic “rushing” is making me giggle.
Makes me think of the tool chest cabinet lumbering down the stairs from Home Alone 2
Well Tim Conway old man rush. Better
Arvidson is heading for surgery for a herniated disk.
Hey guys, how do I find a team comparison for the season?
EDM vs CGY statistical comparison for all games this season.
Thanks in advance.
Like so?
https://www.naturalstattrick.com/teamtable.php?fromseason=20212022&thruseason=20212022&stype=2&sit=5v5&score=all&rate=n&team=EDM&loc=B&gpf=410&fd=&td=
Thanks. I’m fairly new to advanced stats.
Im new to beginner’s stats…
Well I’m off to Game 1 with the wife, who is a big Flames fan.
It’s my first playoff game in person, since I was a little kid in 1990, the year we moved from Edm to Cgy.
I’m incredibly nervous and incredibly thankful for this opportunity. Hopefully I’m still married at the end of this series…
I have found in the past that friendly bedroom wagers can help. 😉
Good idea. Although the same “bedroom effect” that a brilliant McDavid game winning goal might have on Ranford.85 might have the opposite effect on his wife
Hah! That could turn out well… or could backfire like Offside mentioned.
oh man, you are walking a mine field.
Definitely need to tread carefully!
Gregor saying that there will be about 9-10 “Black Aces” arriving soon.
there is a naughty joke here somewhere
That’s a lot. But it makes sense to have even guys like Savoie around I’d think.
Just taking a stab at the 9-10, and it’s not hard to get to that number.
First pass has 11 names, so maybe not Savoie after all. Or Benson’s injury is serious enough not to get the call? Griffith would be the only other I could see not being included here (injury aside). And I didn’t even include Marody.
Turris
Holloway
Scevior
Benson
Perlini
Malone
Griffith
Savoie
/
Broberg
Niemalainen
/
Skinner
Damn shame about Samorukov’s shoulder, and whatever’s up with Koekkoek.
Its pretty much everyone on a current NHL contract, really (except Kemp, Kesselring and badly injured…..)
Savoie is already “on the roster” – once he signed the 2021/22 ELC, his ATO ended and he became ineligible for the AHL.
Koekkoek remains on “personal leave” – no idea what’s going on there.
How’s Leon Draisaitl doing, not that you’ll tell us?
”No, I can tell you, very good” – Jay W.
“Did I say very…?”
Was hoping for “he’s fine”
Going to be a fun 10 – 14 days! I moved down to Calgary last year for work (only home in Edm on the weekends) so this blog has been a saviour. The trash talking at work is approaching legendary levels and it is me against the masses, but fear not for my mental health as I am holding my own. However, WHEN the Oilers win I will be able to eat out for a month (if the Flames fans actually pay up).
I watched quite a bit of the Flames v Stars and while Oettinger did play very well, the Flames were just throwing everything at the net just like Sutter’s Kings used to.
Concern #1 (apart from Mike Smith’s continuing good health) is all the dirty/cheap shots dealt out by the Flames dmen (looking at you Zadorov and Gubranson). Will need Kane etc to put these guys in their place.
It good Kassian shows up this is where he earns his keep
2 slow boats with bad attitudes straight in the cross hairs for some good hard clean hits from a guy that can toss with them
I’m more worried about Kane keeping his cool
I hope Woody is telling them to simply finish checks and if the flames act like goofs ignore them
It would be the best counter, would drive attention seekers like Turtle et al nuts
As for Lucic, his one play is he is fast with a head of steam and looks to rock guys on the forecheck
Smart players roll away from the hit like Wayne used to, let him plaster himself into the boards repeatedly and try to catch up with the play
Heads up for open ice head hunting from Zadorov and Gudranson, just skate around them and in clean
For every cheap shot to one of our players make sure Johnny Cockey pays the bill!
I think starting on the road could help with keeping emotions in check….
I like to blitz the blog, then skip a few days…
Comparing Gretzky to McDavid. You cannot transport players into a different time so you have to compare to their peers.
McDavid is a better two way player. Better now at throwing a hit, skating is in McDavid’s favor by far.
Gretzky could exploit open ice, always think three steps ahead, incredible passes, and pick apart opposing defensemen. Skating was only adequate but IQ legendary. His scoring rates were head and shoulders above his peers. He will always be the great one, but when he was playing he was not called that, its almost that we can only truly appreciate after the fact.
Incredibly the next one arrives back in Edmonton of all places. I would love to hear other opinions but for me at this time I do believe McDavid is every bit as good as Gretzky. He is still not recognized as that, but I believe he will be.
I think you took a good crack.
Gretzky Hockey IQ: Deity Level. Prescient and All-Surveying.
McDavid IQ: Quantum computer processing speeds w boots and gloves to match.
Connor is already an all time player he’ll end up in a very good place on the list
The most talented player in the modern era is not Wayne, it’s Mario. Wayne is the ‘greatest’ forward, but Mario with his size was unstoppable when healthy
Gretzky was also a next level skater, not fast but no one has ever had his ability to repeatedly dangle an entire team using the whole O zone. The closest I can think of is Datsyuk but he did it in small spaces, not like Wayne did it
Connor is learning but doesn’t really do that even with his skating, but it’s coming it seems
The other thing is Connor is no where near the goal scorer Wayne and Mario were. Gretzky didn’t tail off until year 13 after Suter (spit) gooned him and messed his back up in the Canada Cup
No harm in it, we are very fortunate to have two of the all time greats to watch and have watched
Connor may top Gretzky in the end, but given he’s still adding offensive aspects to his game in his 7th season we’ll see. Gretz started off where Connor is heading, big head start for Gretz
As Brett Hull said about Wayne, and Hull fell off the Tkachuk Roenick tree so his kudos aren’t token, Gretz didn’t break records, he blew them out of the water
Connor will grab a few of them probably, but 50 in 39 and 92 goals is a lot to out do, etc etc
The eternal Wayne-Mario conversation.
Hands down, Mario did more astounding things more often with the puck on his stick, and in his immediate vicinity (so did Jaromir for that matter). Mario also had magic vision, on display at such moments as his playing ‘dummie’ on Iginla’s World Cup winning goal. His passing was Wayne-esque, as in second only to.
I agree with the qualified skating comment – called a “whirling dervish” if I recall. Wayne’s sense of the play as it unfolded, his ability to play off if it, was literally unbelievable. It was hard to credit him.
Someone recently rolled out that hilarious quote I can never get right. Short version: “He’s there. Nothing happens. They score.”
Anyways I love that the odd Oilers record has been equaled or bettered in the Connor era. Couldn’t name a one of them, but it’s been something like a half dozen I’ve heard mentioned and I never thought we’d see even that.
51 game point streak. Think about that one for awhile.
Humm, describing Gretz’s skating as adequate is way off the mark. He may not have been the fastest player on the ice but close. He got to picks quicker and rarely got caught from behind on breakaways. Also, I mentioned to my wife watching McD against the Kings that McD was as agile as Wayne but bigger and stronger. Wayne could turn and reverse directions three times in a phone booth and come out the door with the puck.
This has always been the measure for me.
I’m not old enough to have properly watched Gretzky at his peak, but his scoring just towered over the rest of the league.
When he retired he’d scored fully 1.5 times the points of #2 all time (2857 to 1850). He’d routinely score 200 points in a season with 2nd in the league (usually a teammate) scoring 140-ish points.
No one else in history has ever had that kind of separation from the rest of the league, McDavid included.
Gretzky had the best fundamentals of anyone to ever do it. It was never one thing. It was everything.
What people underrate most about him? His shooting.
Probably the most accurate slapper ever.
That 88 OT goal on Vernon – can’t do it any better than that.
And he slammed more pucks in off of other people’s sticks than anyone I’ve ever seen. Sometimes without them even being ready for it.
The Battle of Alberta.
I don’t know if Im ready. I mean i just got around to believing Calgary was a decent city again only a few years back. And Im sure Calgary was always a fine city but man, I was coming through high school in the early 80’s, playing lots of hockey, growing up, impressionable.. etc.
and these battles were not easy. Its easy now to look at Gretzky an the Stanleys but it was always close, nail biting hockey. And a lot tougher. Everything is relative of course its hard to compare times. But tough hockey. And nobody ever called Gretzky tough but he was. At 181 pounds he showed up every night and took continuous sticks, slashes, hits and shots, but just kept going.
When he went to talk to the refs the crowd would erupt “whiner, whiner, whiner …”
Everywhere you went their seemed to a genuine dislike for the other city, just because of the hockey teams. This is true.
There were fights in the stands, after the games, in the bars and enough slander and insult to last 20 years. Semenko, McClelland and McSorley were just as much hero as Gretzky and Kurri. People talk about friendly banter but no, it was intense.
If we do go through a period here where both Flames and Oilers are very good teams, I might not be comfortable sitting in the City of Calgary for another 20 years.
I loved the game the Oilers played on Saturday. There were some hiccups, but they were not for long stretches. They were unrelenting in the second and I was happy to see that it carried over into the third. They suffocated the Kings and the LA players were barely keeping their heads above water.
The Oilers showed flashes of their ability to play this way in the last month of the regular season, so I’m optimistic that they can continue this style of play, even against a better opponent. In the end, they are going to have to.
I didn’t watch a ton of the Calgary/Dallas series, but my reasons for concern are:
I much would have preferred the Flames ended that series in 5 without having to push their game to another level. They would have been unprepared for the onslaught of a battle tested Oilers team. I think this will be a much tougher test for the Oilers as a result. I guess I would have preferred if they had just lost to Dallas, but alas…
It’s going to be a hell of a series. I hope it is decided by overall play and not some dirty ass play
Supposedly Chucky has a ‘broken’ hand, so let’s hope he drops the gloves at some point 🙂
Was sure nice when the resident troll wasn’t here. The last 2 days have been filled with posts that are intended for one thing and one thing only – trolling.
You do have the option to ignore him.
an “ignore user” function would be a Gordsend
People are too eager to put themselves in silos imo. Learning how to navigate, tolerate, and even consider and learn from diverse and difficult opinions can help us grow.
The polarization we’re seeing in society is very much a tribal response to people simply not wanting to be challenged by alternative viewpoints now.
My take is it would be a damn boring world if everyone thought the same.
I’m 100% a science guy and my father-in-law is antivax and we had a wonderful amiable chat about this stuff yesterday cos neither of us is convinced we have to convince the other. It’s enough just to listen. Trolling Archibald is enough of a release valve for me on that front. lol
If you scroll down a couple of pages you see a thread of about 15 posts yapping back and forth with HH – difficult to ignore. I also would like HH to fuck off but it is those posters who insist on feeding the troll that are the problem. I like dustrock’s suggestion below – I wonder if Ryan can help.
P.S. Logging in I was asked to prove my humanity by providing the answer to 6+9. Seems a bit of a low bar!
The bar has been set specifically to keep Calgary fans out.
Calgary finished with the better record and won the last 2 games, but the season series between the 2 was split 2 games a piece and 17-16 goals in favour of Calgary.
Pretty close on the surface. Calgary did have the biggest blowout with their 9-5 win in the final meeting but if you look at each team’s goal output game by game, you can see where the outliers are.
Oilers: 5, 5, 1, 5
Flames: 2, 3, 3, 9
So what I’m saying is, expect a lot of 5-3 wins for the good guys!
Of course, none of this means anything as it’s playoffs. Go Oilers!
Who else has been sitting waiting for a shot?
Is it just Shore?
Foegele and, now, apparently, Turris.
Some real call-ups from Bakersfield should be announced soon but, of course, none will play anytime soon unless injuries occur – even Holloway.
My dog walker keeps showing up to pick up Sky in a Flames sweater. After last night, I am now in the market for a new dog walker……
Lol good choice😃
My dog is a Rottie/Shepherd rescue. He had some behavioural issues from the abuse he suffered at the hands of his original owner. We’ve worked through them with lots of love and he lives for his walks with my wife and I now. Because of his trust issues however, he’d be a challenge if not an outright nightmare for a dog walker.
Can I get this Calgary fan’s number? 😜
Funny!
You should consider getting an Oilers jersey for your dog to wear while being walked and ask the dog walker to put it on Sky for each walk.
This is the answer.
Flames fans need hugs, not pugs
Ramble:
I thought LA got away with plenty of dirty plays, particularly post whistle.
Playing Calgary can be complete thuggery. I don’t know if thuggery is a word but it rymes with buggery so it seems to fit.
Our defence will have to be quicker. Smith will help though I think Mikko may start game 1. But Calgary forwards are much more dangerous than LA.
I see Gudbranson and Zadorov as potential threats due to their ability to injure. HOwever, Im hoping the game is too fast for them. Similar to Lucic, hell get some hits in, but otherwise hes just late to the party.
I thought Sutter rode theses guys much too hard in the season and they would fade. Dallas tired them as much as possible. Good start.
Oilers can beat the flames in playoff hockey if they use steady defensive play and wait for opportunities. Play the patient game. Im not confident we get penalties called, but huge bonus if Oilers get power play advantages.
I think this series sees a surprisingly early exit of the Flames.
I’m curious why you think Mikko will start game 1? Smith is coming off of a shutout and will be on 3 days rest.
I am mostly just bloviating, but I do think they will need Koski eventually and want to get him into a game.
THis point can be countered by the value of Smith’s puck handing on a punishing forecheck. Smith will be rested. Imagine most of our LT world agrees.
Aside from injury, illness or personal leave, I would presume that is all but zero chance Mikko starts on Wed.
The first game is key in a series! I can’t see any scenario where the team is willing to use a game to get their backup goalie into a game. If Smith has a nagging injury maybe otherwise it won’t happen!
I fear Jonny Hacky will undress Keith and Barrie both – the first for puck watching, the second because slow. I also fear Gaudreau threading cross-seams past Nurse & Co. That top line will sorely test the Oil’s blueline. No question.
I would note that Tyson Barrie was on the ice for 2 goals against (5 on 5) against the Kings and was second only to Kulak in GA/60 (1.15 and 1.22).
He’s not prime-Vlasic but Barrie has been quite solid the last few months and has a history of more solid play in the playoffs.
From my eye, biggest issue is not making bad pinches high in the offensive zone or low in the neutral zone without having the proper forward support and, to me, his defensive zone issues are over-stated (his issues are more from poor decisions in the offensive and neutral zones, as per above).
Just my opinion on it.
They have to play him tight. He’s deadly with space and time like most high skill players. He also struggles when it’s gone like many do
Skate with him and give him no time. No need to run him, BUT, if anyone has a go at an Oiler skill player, destroy him and the Swedes
It would be the same for playing the Avs. If you let Makar skate around and freelance he’ll kill you. So don’t give him any time or space
Id task the LW to shadow him like olden times. See what he’s made of. Him and Hockey got to run around and have fun all season. Make it unfun
Johnny won’t be so cockey when the Oilers go Rocky on him.
— Not at all looking ahead but for the winner of this series is in pretty good shape in terms of not much travel mileage. Does anyone know: would the teams fly in day of or do they travel night before? To me the Oil could sleep/practice today tmrw and have had 4 nights at home, fly in mid morning Wednesday.
— interesting Florida teams are 100 miles further apart which surprised me: 290 miles vs 185 miles)
Woody has talked about having good sleep hygiene. For example, the team has stayed overnight after playing the game and flown the next day.
Not sure it really matters in this case, it’s a 45 minute flight.
Woody puts a huge emphasis on “rest and recovery” and “travelling right”. I believe teams are generally loathe to travel on game day. I presume that applies to Woody and the Oilers but that’s just a presumption.
Down to Calgary hardly counts as a travel day! I have personally driven down played golf and driven home same day.
I believe the athletes getting ready to play an NHL playoff game think a bit different. There is a reason they almost ever travel on game day and, of course, there are preferred game day schedules they want to keep.
Lol. Golf… well dat’s just like a hockey game.
Well, whaddya shoot?
Were you playing Koepka for skins at least?
😉
— obviously we aren’t NHL players and it’s hard to compare but in business I always prefer flying in the day of for short flights. Too much idle time if arriving the night before. The extra night at home just seems better.
— I know that many professional sports teams take a science driven approach to this: the sleep schedule you allude to, body battery etc. I’d prefer a 10 am private jet: optional skate @ noon, rest at hotel, type thing. It’s not like they are waiting at customs or checking into hotel rooms lineup or anything. Plus dealing with unruly fans etc.
I am hopeful to see the Oilers target Gubrandson and Zadarov with dumps and bangs early and often. I know that pairing has “stepped up” for the flames but they aren’t mobile and, over the course of a series, I think they will be exposed for their lack of quickness and start turning pucks over and, of course, will be less effective defending the speed of McDavid and Co. on the rush.
I hope so. They have played well this year and their bruises per 60 is high. Still, the goal is not too put them through the boards, but to separate from puck. Quick pressure and I think they turn it over.
It’s being reported that Draisaitl has a high ankle sprain – as per Seravalli
ah damn, that’s a bad sprain.
Woody has a tough decision then.
Leon will definitely play, but can he get through a series? Hold him out for 3 more days?
I imagine they just play him, close out the series in 4 games, that would probably be best.
That’s tough. We finally get over the 1st Round hump and Leon is hobbled ffs
Where did you see this because he played 22+mins in Game 7 and did not look like he had a high ankle sprain.
His 22+mins would of looked far far far far far far differently then they did, probably closer to 27+mins like 97 produced.
It was identified before Game 7
https://twitter.com/frank_seravalli/status/1525612621470511104?t=eA6vAECX0fOeO2_iuUOD-g&s=19
I hope that this information is false
Given the abject stupidity of someone associated with the team leaking the details of an injury prior to a playoff series against a team of cheap-shotting pricks, and the fact we haven’t heard a giant cannon go off to fire anyone into the sun, I can only conclude that TD Forss watched Operation Mincemeat on the weekend and got ideas.
I listened to Seravelli on the Daily Faceoff this morning and I don’t think he has “insider info” on the high ankle sprain but speculating and, he’s far from the first – that’s been a general though for a few days now.
Lol, we just watched that over the weekend, no idea it was a true story. On Prime for those that like a good spy/ww2 drama.
Oilers need a reset. Top players performed. Some support players came through. Yamamoto, Ceci, Bouchard, Kulak, Hyman.
Archie really played well and added an element. Kassian contributed. Ryan came through, so did McLeod. Russel came through.
Couple players Id like to see get their A game back. Foegele for one. I thought his battle level in corners and on the boards would pay off. Points I wasn’t too worried about. Honestly I didn’t notice how he slid into the pressbox until he was suddenly there.
Jessie I did notice as he didn’t seem 100% going into playoffs. the tenacity he had going on during the season did not show up. We need his A game back.
Time for the local hero form Finland!
I think the Turris recall is to have him on the ice for some skates to fill out some lines while players are given maintenance and rest days……
Presumably the “black aces” (Holloway, Broberg, Skinner and, potentially the likes of Niemelainen, Malone, Marody, Griffith) will be recalled soon.
Man that Sutter is a real motivation speaker isn’t he.
I like this matchup for the Oilers.
Flames are a good team, no doubt, and were the better regular season team. However, Woodcroft + Kane have been game changers. Nuge has been exceptionally feisty this playoff and I believe he can counter whatever Sutter throws at him.
Outside a couple of games against the Kings, we didn’t see the dominant regular season play we grew accustomed to. Arguably Puljujarvi and Foegele both have a lot to give (may be injury related). The Keith – Bouchard pairing should also be much better goal-differential wise.
Overall, bullish. Go Oilers.
Markstrom against Smith scares the shit of me. Here’s hoping that Smith has some ill feelings towards the Flames organization the way they discarded him a few years back. I notice teabagger Hrudey likes to give Smith little shots every chance he gets. I don’t think the 2 men like each other.
I keep reading flames fans point out that it took the Oilers 7 games to beat the “worst playoff team”.
Of note: the Kings finished ahead of the Stars over 82 games and, correct me if I’m wrong, the Stars took the flames to OT on game 7.
Stars also had the worst regular season GD of any playoff team and were without their best fwd (no Hintz as to who) for the final game.
The Kings were missing a top 6 forward and TWO top 4 D for the entire series.
Doughty would have been a big factor especially on the PP.
If Oettinger had not stood on his head (.954) the Flames would have easily won going away.
The Flames had 129 shot attempts last night and Oettinger stopped 65 actual SOG.
So what you are saying is that Doughty is a big factor as to why the Kings had a 16% powerplay in the regular season?
I am sure that extra 4% boost he would have really decided the series.
You know Doughty missed 43 regular season games, right?
Even then, he scored 13 PPP in only 39 games.
Pro-rated over 82 games that’s 27 PP points which is significantly higher than any Oiler D.
I’d we are talking about Dman who missed the majority of the season we should start that conversation with the Oilers #2 Dman Oscar Klefbom. Oops
So then what you are saying is, in an ideal world where all of the Kings are 100% healthy and producing at their pro-rated and expected amounts against the Oilers at their current state (with key individuals injured or suspended), the Kings would have had a much better chance against the Oilers.
Got it.
It’s just funny watching youself twist into knots, defending your hypothetical situations:
-if Doughty continued to perform on the PP for another 40 games and into the playoffs and if Oettinger hadn’t performed how he did and if and if and if….
What’s the point of this exercise, exactly?
If Markstrom hadn’t played well as he did, the Stars would be playing the Oilers.
The point is to dis the Oilers. That’s it. That’s all he does and he’s back. It was so nice around here not having to see this shite all the time.
The Oilers were playing without their 2C or #1 D. They were giving 2 one legged replacements to cover though, add in that Nurse was also suspended for a elimination game.
Had Quick not stood on his head, every game in the series would of been 8-2 or 6-0 Oilers.
Quick .904
Smith .938
Nurse missed 1 game for stupidity
Draisaitl played all 7 games
Not remotely the same.
You pointing out Quick’s .904 doesn’t at all address DL’s point.
Imagine what Quick’s .904 would be if he wasn’t standing on this head.
So you are back doing douchy things. Can’t wait for you to get run off again.
HH shouldn’t you be on Flames Nation or some other website instead??
Quick was a star with his 904 sp
Smith saved a lot of low level corsi events
This is also why quality starts are important. Quicks numbers dropped because of two blowout games.
anyone who watched the games would say he was rock solid and almost stole one
What a dumb line to argue with. The point that is being made that the LA Kings were a superior team to Dallas based on the 82 game schedule – for half of which Doughty was not available and the other so-called ‘top’ defenceman also missed significant portion of the regular season. Arvidsson was the only player missing just for the playoffs. As such even without these players, LA was a better club.
The Oilers needed 7 games to dispose of the Kings. That is true.
Its also true that the Oilers utterly dominated the Kings in 3 of the wins (games 2, 3 and 7). Quick was the only reason game 7 wasn’t the third Oilers blowout win of the series.
The Kings won two even games and blew the Oilers out in one.
The flames game yesterday was similar to the Oilers game – they dominated and it was only close due to goalie. The other 6 games were close games.
I believe the Oil have been without their #1 defenceman – Oscar Klefbom as well. HH no excuses – just the facts please!
You sound like a leaf fan, if only this thing that didn’t happen had happened it would have been different. Since it did not happen, you can not state what would have happened, cause you don’t know. But you could go to a leafs site today and join in with them.
Thank you for reminding me the Leafs got eliminated again.
Has anyone asked Sid Seixeiro if Auston Matthews will continue to put up with the Leafs?
Awaiting news on the Black Aces, should be a great experience for the young guys to be in this atmosphere and around the team during this intense run.
I’ll guess: Bro, Nemo, Samo (if healthy), Holloway, Malone, Griffiths, Skinner
I think that Perlini, Benson and maybe even Marody could be added to that list.
Perlini and Benson would be pretty high on the list to fill in if there is a need IMO… still below the extras we’re carrying right now and those you listed, but since there is no limit, theres no reason not to have them just in case.
Perlini I forgot about for sure, I think Benson may be injured?
Benson missed the last 3 games – no idea what the injury is.
Kyle Turris has been recalled from the Condors. Kind of odd as I thought he was on LTIR not assigned.
Also, per Reid Wilkins:
Oilers on the ice at Rogers Place. Draisaitl, McDavid, RNH, Nurse, Smith, Keith, Kane among those not skating.
Also, Yamamoto not skating.
That’s it Woody, keep em guessing…..
The last thing I remember was Turris being strangely waived while on LTIR. CF stills has him on LTIR.
Oilers in the final 8.
After the drama of the season, this brings a smile.
I think I need to move to Edmonton for the next 10-14 days. I’m not even remotely kidding.
Or remotely watching. Just remotely working…
How much of a factor is Lucic and who do we have that can physically matchup with the big man if he decides to park in the slot? We really need Nurse’s hip flexor healing stat.
If he parks in the slot just go play in the other end. He might get back in time to help fish the puck out of the net.
Judging by round 1, a non-factor.
I don’t know what it is about Sutter teams but they generally play like demons for the first couple years of his tenure as coach. They’re going to need the blessings of Weir, Jobu and Grace Kelly to withstand this one
At the beginning of the first round there was a story circulating the Calgary airwaves about Wayne betting on the Flames to beat the One True Alberta team in a playoff series this year. Print that shit out and staple it to Connors locker to start game 1.
If that’s true, Wayner is dead to me. lol
Oh, it’s true:
https://calgary.citynews.ca/2022/05/05/gretzky-predicts-calgary-edmonton/
That’s not a bet but it still made me throw up in my mouth.
Wayne’s been Lost in Hollywood for too long.
https://youtu.be/mna8mZP9eSg
It would be great if Wayne did actually bet money on the Oilers and reveals it after the Oilers win.
Maybe this is a little gamesmanship? Upping the pressure on fLames, etc. 99’s been known to do such things
Yup, reverse jinx.
LFG!!!
https://youtu.be/ZNlkEV-mx2M
Anyone watch the Flames post-game media avails last night?
Sutter is Sutter, but both Gaudreau and Tkachuk both looked terrified to show any emotion or even speak to the media yesterday. I can certainly understand keeping even keel and not getting too up and losing focus but these guys looked like abused children. It was uncomfortable to watch.
I’m sure that’s how they’ve been all throughout the playoffs, but it’s the first time I watched any of the Flames’ post games.
As Gregor has pointed out:
McDavid had 14 points in round 1.
Flames scored 15 goals in round 1.
I’ve always believed that McDavid is worth the entire Flames team. Probably more. After all, its the Flames.
This from tsn on how dominant McDavid was this series is worth a read.
https://www.tsn.ca/travis-yost-connor-mcdavid-carries-edmonton-oilers-into-second-round-1.1800287
DeBoer fired in Vegas via TSN
Maybe they’re waiting to see if Gallant shakes loose from NY after this series.
Edit: note, this was posted before LT made the same joke on air haha.
Brutal decision.
I believe they lost over 600 man games to injury, McCrimmon shit the bed with roster and cap decisions and the coach eats it?
Weird.
Decisive organizations operate very differently than this one. And it is a better method.
Missing the playoffs with that squad in any circumstance is unacceptable. Also no idea what was going on behind the scenes.
Normally I would agree but with all of those injuries they never fielded that squad’s full roster.
The owner (Foley?) was critical of managements decision making, stating that they were more, “ready, fire, aim” and that he was going to be more involved in the decision making going forward.
There hasn’t been enough meaningful hockey in the BoA in recent history to generate any real trash talk from Flames fans. It has however amped up on the football side where the Stamps have had a better go of it recently.
My go to when a Flames fan starts beaking excessively is usually “5 to 1.” Immediately shuts down fans who appreciate the history of the rivalry and the actual endgame in this league. Seems to work less well with younger fans who look at me like I’m quoting some arcane score from some controversial but long since forgotten contest.
What does “5 to 1” mean? It means we can’t lose. Even if we lose, we’re still so far ahead in the ultimate race it should be frankly embarrassing for those that live in Cowtown.
But I suspect our boys will push in the dagger and twist it. Aside from one accursed night when the Hockey God’s demonic brethren possessed Steve Smith (on his birthday ffs!), this is what the Oilers do when their competition is the Atlanta defectors.
PS I hope this guide to effective trash talking helps to prepare you for this upcoming WAR. Read it carefully and you should recognize at least three serious burns that you can wield as you see fit.
The thrill of hockey is living in the moment. Sure, we can appeal to the 5 to 1 history but I would find that to be little consolation if the BOA does not go our way this round
If it does, the all-time scoreline of Battles of Alberta playoff series will also be 5-1. That would be pretty sweet.
Almost sounds like fate.
Sweet is the right word. Like icing on a cake!
I think it’s quite fitting that Jesse’s name pop up given the nature of this article.
I really want to see this kid flourish. He checks off so many boxes and he could be a handful for the flames defense if he wants to be. I’m crossing every finger and toe hoping this kid finds his mojo again. It’s been too long..
LA was a good training-wheels test for the series with CAL. Both play an aggressive puck pursuit style that has caused havoc for the Oilers this season.
One extra layer of complexity is CAL plays a short-distance easy outlet puck possession offense. Similar to MIN. EDM has struggled a little against that, so will need to be sharp the entire series.
The keys will be gap control on entries, forwards backchecking, and no neutral/shallow zone turnovers.
If EDM can handle the aggression and keep their system intact it’s going to be a good series. Unlike LMHF below, I think COL is less problematic than CAL because styles make matchups.
The core of both teams is very similar over the last few years so we know what this matchup is. The Oilers held the edge for a couple of years on the backs of Leon and Connor going supernova. Sutter pushing Gaudreau, Lindholm and Tkachuk to become even strength Gods was, let’s say, not handled maturely by 97 and 29 (and Nurse) who refused to check their egos and/or check that line. And the end result was the 9-5 embarrassment.
But here’s the thing. Much like Winnipeg getting killed by Edmonton all year last year, that beat down is exactly what was needed to convince the entire group to play ManWood hockey.
If Sutter matches up Gaudreau with McDavid and Draisaitl and Leon is feeling decent, I think Connors newfound 200 foot game wins us that matchup.
Therefore I expect Sutter to move to Backlund, Coleman and BreadBoy vs the 97/29 matchup.
But here’s the thing, with 11/7 Sutter can’t chase that matchup or Gaudreau’s line will sit too much.
11/7 is the key. Full stop.
That was also just 1 game.
Lesson learned, hopefully, as you say, but the Oilers were 2-2 vs the Flames this season, 16GF-17GA.
Folks remember that last game, but the season series was quite even. I expect both teams will step it up a notch starting Wednesday.
Solid post. I just don’t think we can have a forward (even McDavid) play over 27 minutes a night for an entire series. And Leon needs a lightened load with his ankle(?). At least early series, I like 12-6 with McDavid getting a cameo or two per period on a lower line.
McDavid only played 21:41 on average vs LA (less than he averaged in the regular season). He also averaged over 30 min vs Winnipeg last year.
I think he’s in pretty good shape, rest-wise, at this stage.
That average includes being rested in the 2 blowouts. I can’t see that happening in this series. He is an incredible athlete, though, so regular fatigue may not apply!?
His TOI by game:
25:33
16:52
16:18
21:46
19:55
24:01
27:22
He did get rest at other times as well.
I think he can do it short-term, but the body can only take so much stress without rest (even McDavid’s). I’d rather him play 21:00 and be active and energetic, than slowly lose his pace and effectiveness playing heavier minutes.
PS Citing last year does not strengthen your argument.
Agreed keeping his minutes down would be best. Just noting that 27 minutes was not the norm in the 1st round, and that he’s pretty well rested at this point.
That’s definitely fair! 🙂
I am not sure it was an ego thing. I’m guessing the Flames just got us off our game plan in the heat of action It happens and like you said, the lessons were hopefully well learned
Updated cup winning odds.
Avalanche +190
Panthers +380
Hurricanes +600
Flames +600
Lightning +650
Oilers +1200
Rangers +1300
Blues +1700
I would put some money on the blues if I was a gambling man
Yes, they were outstanding vs Minnie and know how to dig deep. That’s a good potential payoff, lots of halo effect with the Avalanche these days.
The Blues forward depth is scary…nine 20 goal scorers but Colorado should be able to exploit their depleted D especially if Krug can’t play.
I expect the series might hinge on Bennington.