The Edmonton Oilers preseason got underway, and in doing so gave everyone a chance to see new evidence. We all fancy ourselves as able to see talent and project it into the future, and the truth is Oilers fans who post on this blog are a smart bunch. What did you notice? Here’s my take.
THOUGHTS ON GAME ONE, PRESEASON
I always like to divide prospects into two categories. First, those we expect to do well in these games, due to age and or draft pedigree. The more important group are those who are teenagers and playing against older, more experienced men.
So it is predictable for me to lead with my thoughts on young center Sam O’Reilly. Chosen in the first round of the 2024 draft (No. 32, there’s no guarantee he’ll play 100 NHL games from that spot, let alone 500 or 1,000), O’Reilly showed great skill on his goal. Speed, taking a pass, ligtning quick hands to go back-to-forehand and then a fine shot to cash. He is doing the things without the puck that smart players do out of the box, and I’m encouraged by his on-ice intelligence. He played on a line with Drake Caggiula and Raphael Lavoie, the trio posting a 5-1 HDSC edge in 11 minutes of work. The line was 1-0 goals.
William Nicholl keeps showing up in good ways. I noticed him in Penticton and he did it again last night. Effective on a line with Jayden Grubbe and Cameron Wright, Nicholl’s individual totals included 14:55 playing time at five-on-five, third-most among forwards. He has good speed, can make plays and is aware of the situation in real time. Don’t look past Nicholl no matter how sparse his playing time this week. He’s a player.
Matthew Savoie had a nice chance, created a rebound and showed well in just 12 minutes at even strength. He also had a fine look on the power play and won some faceoffs. He’s quick and in the play often. His line (James Hamblin, Vasily Podkolzin) dominated at five-on-five (13-2 Corsi events five-on-five) and were unlucky to be 0-1 goals.
Among established players, I thought the defense showed well. Ty Emberson and Travis Dermott couldn’t stop a nice sequence that resulted in the first GA (no fault to my eye on the goal for Olivier Rodrigue, it was a late tip) but other than that it was clear sailing. Emberson had one HDSC, two shot blocks and a couple of hits at five-on-five, this pairing had a clean slate in 1:07 on the PK. Dermott looked good, too, played a steady game. I think he has a chance here.
Cam Dineen was the offensive star of the game, the pass to O’Reilly was pure shiv to the defense and thrilled the fan base. I’m sure the men in suits responsible for the procurement of both men were well pleased, too. Dineen has been doing fine work for this organization in helping Max Wanner along, perhaps he gets rewarded with some games during the regular season this year.
Vasily Podkolzin was fast and physical, made a huge play on the winner. I don’t know that he’s going to score a bunch (most of the forwards over 21 are not gifted with a scoere’s touch) but you can see a role for him.
Noah Philp was 9-3 in the dot, drew a penalty, had a HDSC and is absolutely going to push for work in this training camp. I thought he might be a recall this winter, now I’m sure of it.
Raphael Lavoie scored a goal from the high high part of the offensive zone, outside the circle on the left side. He can beat good goalies clean. I thought he was physical but the defensive sense that someone like O’Reilly already shows doesn’t come naturally to this player. I’m cheering for him.
Jayden Grubbe is tough and gritty and smart and does things you know the coach notices. If there’s a young forward on this roster who does more good things away from the puck than Grubbe I can’t see it. I’d like to see him penalty kill in one of these games before he heads to Bakersfield. I like him plenty.
One final note: I think Logan Stanley is at a career crossroads with the Jets. I’d love to see him in the Oilers organization. I suspect he’s going to have a career despite the wobble in Manitoba.
We hit the ground running today at noon, Sports 1440. We’ll discuss last night’s game, preview both tilts tonight, talk NFL and CFL weekend and rave over Shohei Ohtani’s running wild. I’m at Lowetide on twitter, in the comments section here and on the Sports 1440 text line at 1.833.401.1440 directly.
New for The Athletic: Keys for the Edmonton Oilers to achieve an all-important fast start
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5785453/2024/09/23/edmonton-oilers-keys-fast-start/
Per Gregor:
Here’s lineup for Oilers home game:
RNH-McDavid-Hyman
Podkolzin-Draisaitl-Lavoie
Petrov-Philp-Perry
Clattenburg-Wakely-Griffith
Ekholm-Bouchard
Hoefenmayer-Kemp
Corcoran & Kannok-Leipert
Rodrigues
Ungar
Knoblauch wants #1 PP unit together.
No S. Skinner or Pickard yet.
——————-
Go Podz and Lavoie!!!!
So does Rodrigues have a twin brother now? Not sure he could play in both games at the same time unless he figured out how to teleport. 😜
I figured I would post this to save you know who the trouble of making it sound like an insignificant booboo. I am definitely no medical expert but chronic knee difficulties doesn’t sound good for a goalie.
Kevin Woodley:
“I can clear up one thing here. There’s no longer uncertainty about what Demko’s injury actually is. Get your WebMD out and look up…’Popliteus’.”
Now you’ve done it.
Get ready for him to post a goal by Bedard from a year ago now.
I can clear up one thing here.
Woodley was on Sportsnet 650 this morning and spoke at length about this rare malady.
It is a very small muscle located behind the knee which is overlain by several other muscles making it difficult to treat.
While the muscle itself does not have significant impact on movement, it is such a rare condition, little is known about treatment.
Just a small muscle behind the knee. No big deal. It’s not like goalies have to use their knees a lot anyway.
“the key of the knee”
“as it is a primary internal rotator of the tibia in a non weight-bearing position”
Stick to goal posts, your webMD is broken.
“The good news is that most cases of popliteus muscle strains will heal with simple home conservative treatments within 6 weeks. Prolonged healing time, if you improperly treated or re-injured, re-ocurring symptoms is a sign that you have a chronic condition.“
If Demko’s injury proves to be chronic, his career may be in jeopardy but he has been saying it is improving.
“but he has been saying it is improving.”
I recall him saying he was feeling better since he exited the playoffs, and yet he is not confident on giving a timeline on his return.
Playoffs were a lot longer than 6 weeks ago.
Gregor:
Oilers road game roster: (2nd-4th lines and D pairs not a lock but these players are playing).
J. Skinner-Henrique-Arvidsson
Savoie-O’Reilly-Caggiula
Hoffman-Pederson-Ryan
Stefan-Grubbe-Weatherby
Dermott-Brown
Dineen-Stecher
Gleason-Wanner
Rodrigues
Day
Playing Dermott and Brown together and then Dineen – Stetcher as a pair is an interesting choice on the part of the coaches. The first two will have to show they can move the puck and the 2nd pair are going to get to show how well they can defend – especially in front of the net.
This is how it was in pre-game practices as well and, for me, it shows they have Brown penciled in to opening night 3RD with Stecher watching – to start.
Hey LT – Mr. Woodguy’s machine called and said Mr. Stanley hates Corgis. We’re dog lovers around here
Oh yeah, it isn’t attractive since 2020-21 when he was above average rel including all game states (and even then poor versus elites).
Last season’s sample is small across the board for Mr. Stanley. He can’t play versus elites and is inconsistent against mid-levels but in most seasons does well versus less opponents.
Third pair for sure, and Josh Brown is RH, but I’m not sure one can claim one is better than the other.
I’d take the more mobile giant whichever that is
To be honest, I see alot of Jesse Puljujarvi in this player…..
Which is just fine for what his cap hit is. As long as he doesn’t think he’s a first line superstar the way Jesse did when he was with the Oilers, and accepts his role as a grinder on the 3rd and 4th lines, he’s going to be a useful player for us, and maybe stick in the NHL long enough to move up the depth chart in time.
I don’t think that analysis of Jesse rings true at all, I don’t think he ever thought of himself as a first line superstar – at least to my eyes and ears.
Jesse sure looks different in a Pens uniform he looks taller and more fit. If he stays healthy and the light switch stays on then the Pens have a beyond cheap 3rd liner.
Sure, but it was also one exhibition game, right?
He also had some big exhibition games as an Oiler.
In any event, I think he’s now back to 100% with his hips after surgery. That happened once before and he was a very effective player for the Oilers after but I think the hips started to cause problems again. Hopefully for Jesse they are “fixed” for good and he doesn’t need work on them every couple of seasons.
This is true about the meaningless exhibition we all seen the Ty Rattie go off in the preseason. Last year Bourgault earned the praises of everyone when he concluded the preseason. He then heads to the A.H.L on a high note then has a terrible season. what happened to him was it little injuries, playing time and linemates or was it a case of being in a rut where you lose your confidence and never gaining it back.
He is a very quick skater and seems to have a good head for the game. Draft and watch on this kid – love the fact that he’s on the London Knights.
Trying to watch two online feeds at the same time tonight is going to be something else.
Would be nice if they started one game a half hour after the other. A quarter hour, even.
From Matheson
Helsinki IFK has loaned Oilers 2024 second-round draft pick goalie Eemil Vinni, 18 to the second-tier Mestis team JokP because there’s no playing room for teenager on the Elite League club.
Same team/league where he played last season. Main thing is he needs to play rather than sit.
This is good. He needs to play and Mestis is a good league. Not Allsvenskan level but he’ll be challenged.
I was pleased to see Drake play well. I know he is in later stages of his professional hockey days, he did exceptionally well carving himself out a career as a smaller player
Cam Wright could easily be one of these guys that finally makes it around 29 and has a couple decent years.
Lavoie desperately needs to realize he can’t wait a period or two to get into the game. Big guy with a big shot needs to show up from shift one.
Lavoie has scored a lot of goals from that spot high on the right circle. If he can put in the effort, he can have a career. Unfortunately for him, his best skill is that shot on the PP but it’s not what is needed in Edmonton.
Yes I would grab Logan Stanley if the opportunity presents. He is an absolute tank, and you know I am about rounding out the roster with more rough players.
I like the roster plenty. But I do think they need to add in order to deflect physical attention off our top players. Podkolzin showed well.
I seem to recall Stanley being a touch slow and weak link for the Jets in the playoffs no?
I still laugh at the hit Archie layed on the hack Stanley whose almost a foot taller and 60 pounds heavier. Logan flopped like he was hit by Rhinoceros.
Stupid dirty suspendable hit with the Oilers leading comfortably in the third period that turned that game, & ult8mately the series, in Winnipeg’s favour?
absolutely hilarious. 😡🤬🤯
Should of only been a 2 minute call the result turned out bad. Logan was taking liberties all series and little Archie stepped up to the plate. Logan should of recieved a academy award for best supporting Actress. Our team was to fragile to kill off a 5 minute call with I believe a 3 goal lead with half a period left was never going the distance that’s for sure.
I wasn’t able to watch so thanks for the game observations, LT.
I did see some mentions last night of Josh Brown playing well, and he is in direct competition with Dermott (and arguably also Emberson I suppose).
Just curious if you also saw Brown decent/good, and any early impressions on the competition for 3RD/7D.
I saw him good, more mobile than I thought. For me, all of the blue played well.
Thanks, much appreciated.
After the slog that was Penticton, it was a delight to see a blueline group that could move the puck. Makes a huge difference.
Podz showed why he’s likely a lock for 12F.
Philp showed why he is very likely to play NHL games this season. Took 2 periods to earn the coach’s trust and higher leverage minutes.
So you’re saying one minor trade with WPG would bring Stanley to Edmonton?
Dare to dream!
Bowman wasn’t enough for you?
Fun fact: He actually was named after the Cup.
Young Logan, on the other hand, was clearly named AFTER the Cup.
Say what you will about the man himself, but I say Stan Bowman has the best “hockey name” in the sport.
Stanley: after the Cup itself, that his dad had just won for the first time when he was born (1973)
Glenn: after legendary netminder Glenn Hall, “Mr. Goalie”, Scotty’s main man in St. Louis
Bowman: after his dad of course, the most accomplished coach in NHL history
I’m partial to Cleon Daskalakis myself.
Per Gregor:
Veterans who won’t play in either of Oilers’ preseason games tonight: S. Skinner, Nurse, Kulak, C. Brown, Janmark and Emberson.
Oilers top lines in EDM will be:
RNH-McDavid-Hyman
J. Skinner-Henrique-Arvidsson
Draisaitl will play with a few offensive prospects.
Same old story for Drai.
He gets saddled with Dominik Kahun and Tyler Ennis as his wingers for another season.
Not likely. I think Skinner and Arvidsson are already pencilled in on Drai’s line.
But now that the team has given him his $14M, making it harder to pay talent around him…I think he can play with whomever increases our chances of winning.
Kahun was his buddy from DEL days anyways. And had scored at 0.6 PPG the previous year. Hardly chopped liver.
I’m not looking to take Draisaitl’s newfound winger quality away, but I do wonder about Savoie quickly becoming top 6 quality.
If he could become a new and slightly better Yamamoto it would open up even more options.
Just as a for instance:
Hyman-McDavid-Arvidsson
Skinner-Draisaitl-Savoie
Nuge-Henrique-Brown
That’s not accounting for Kane either.
I’m getting ahead of myself here, but Savoie becoming a legitimate offensive contributor sooner than later is within the realm of possibility. And it does seem that he has a head for the game that may allow him to complement high end skill.
I would go a little further based upon limited viewings of him in Penticton and say that he has to play with high end skill or re-invent his game.
He likes to do everything fast. That requires line mates who can keep up.
For the season or for the split squad game on September 23?
They gave him the choice: young linemates, or day trip to Calgary.
he chose well.
It’s pretty clear that the coaching staff wants Drai with McDavid and the rest of PP1 to get some reps in but are putting his “starting wingers” in the other lineup to give it a semblance of legit NHL top 6 talent.
At least to me.
Id love to see Drai feeding pucks to Savoie, Lavoie, whoever. See what they can do.
Though Draisaitl doesn’t often get out of second gear in the preseason.
What ever is the under on Leon assist projection is I’m going over. Leon will average over 1 assist per game this year.