News Oilers Team Notes

[Edmonton Oilers]

Random Thoughts: Leon Draisaitl saves the day, Oilers line combinations, and fighting back when times get tough

What a ride it’s been to be an Edmonton Oilers fan lately, right? With the team spiralling and countless issues to fix, it’s hard to feel hopeful about the direction the team is heading. In today’s edition of Random Thoughts, I want to talk about Leon Draisaitl’s dominance, the lack of fight when times are tough, playing a simple game, line combos, and more.

LEON DRAISAITL SAVES THE DAY​

As much as I’ll spend most of this article complaining about the Oilers’ lack of goal scoring, those issues simply do not apply to Leon Draisaitl. Instead, our man is doing everything he can to single-handedly drag this team out of the mud. Draisaitl picked up goals 48 and 49 of the season against the Islanders on Friday night – he extended his point streak to 17 games (14G, 12A) – and that put him 13 goals ahead of William Nylander for second place. It’s almost like the Hockey Gords assigned him with all of the team’s aura points or something.

Regardless of where Leon is drawing his power from, his success has undoubtedly been the most fun part of the 2024-25 season so far. I wish we could bottle whatever magic he’s got running through his veins and pass some to the rest of his teammates because Gord knows we need some help. Having him perform this well in the season following his monster eight-year extension is so special, and while the rest of the team around him may be in offensive hell, nothing makes me happier than seeing our German king crushing it the way he has. Make it four straight 100-point seasons for Drai.

WHERE’S THE FIGHT?​

No, I’m not talking about actually dropping the mitts – a scrap here and there would be nice, though – but rather the fight in the lack of pushback we’re seeing when something goes wrong. When the Oilers are at their best, they’re a resilient group that can handle basically any challenge thrown at them, but that is simply not the case right now. Instead, if something goes wrong, the group often looks defeated and hopeless, which is tough to watch from a veteran group like this.

From my side of the TV screen, it’s painful and disappointing to see this group look as fragile as they have over the last couple of weeks. And what’s even worse is that no one seems to be overly mad about what’s happening. While I do not doubt that the players are pissed off about this recent run of losing, we haven’t seen any of that emotion come out on the ice. I know they won a scrappy game last night, and I hope that dub is the start of something beautiful, but I don’t think anyone will be hanging the “problem solved” banner until we see it consistently.

KEEP IT SIMPLE, STUPID​

Look, we’ve been talking about how the Oilers can’t score repeatedly since the season started, and it’s almost incredible that nothing has changed as we enter the back half of March. And while the frustration keeps growing around here, what hasn’t changed is the Oilers’ approach to the game, and I think it’s time for a plan B. I think we need to look at what Edmonton’s attack should look like beyond the constant button hooks and shots from the point. At what point are we going to try and mix up the pitches?

Even though I know I’m no NHL coach, and no one at OEG ever asks my opinion, I’d love to see the Oilers take a few steps back and get back to playing a simpler game. I want to see the boys getting more traffic to the front of the net before those shots from the point come in. I want to see some low shots from different angles to try and fish for rebound goals. I guess what I’m saying is that I want the boys to get greasy. I want to see them shift their mentality from looking for the pretty plays to cherishing the garbage goals. I want to see the Oilers play simple, grimy hockey.

If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results, then I think it might be time to pivot. At the very least, playing simpler hockey should be the focus at a time when no one in the lineup outside of Leon Draisaitl is feeling good about their game. Sometimes, you need to take a step backward before moving ahead, and this lack of scoring could be one of those situations. And maybe I’m oversimplifying the problem, but considering that the lack of goals has been an issue all season, it might be time to look for some new solutions.

THE LINE BLENDER​

We’re really spinning the lineups around these days, aren’t we? It seems like we’ve got new trios going over the boards every game (read: every period), and I wonder if those constant changes are preventing the boys from developing some chemistry. On the day Kris Knoblauch was announced as the Oilers’ new head coach, he talked about wanting his players to play freely and not worry about being benched.

“That’s probably the most difficult thing with coaching, holding guys accountable, because as a coach, you don’t want your players playing in fear. You don’t want them, every time they’re over the boards thinking: ‘Is this the shift that I make a mistake and I’m out of the lineup? Is it when I get benched?’ You want your players to feel empowered to make a play and contribute to the team.”

What’s most interesting to me in hindsight is how Knobby’s philosophy seems to have changed in the last year. Take Jeff Skinner, for example. While I’m not suggesting he’s the perfect player – Gord knows he has some warts on the defensive side of his game – what’s confusing is how often he finds himself out of the lineup despite having more goals on the season than some of the guys playing ahead of him. I mean, clearly, Knobby has his reason for the scratches, but I find it interesting that Skinner is always one mistake away from the press box while others don’t face the same levels of accountability. Am I wrong? Am I crazy?

ILYA SOROKIN​

I was watching a replay of the game last night when I got home from Toronto, and all I want to say about Ilya Sorokin’s performance is… could you imagine? *dreams* That said, Calvin Pickard grabbed an assist on the OT winner against the Islanders, so it was fun to see him counter what was a stellar performance at the other end.

NOT VERY EXCITING LAST PLACE HOCKEY​

Oilers have played 10 games since 4 Nations. At 3-7-0 they have posted the worst record of any NHL team for their last 10. Worst goal differential as well (-13).

The 32 teams range from 6-16 points & average exactly 5-4-1 = 11 points.

Not many playoff teams in the bottom 10: pic.twitter.com/BPbbcIVWKO

— Bruce McCurdy (@BruceMcCurdy) March 14, 2025

Sometimes stats can blow your mind, and I have an example for you. Before last night’s game against the Islanders, the Oilers were dead last in the NHL since the 4 Nations break with a putrid record of 3-7-0. It doesn’t take a rocket surgeon to figure out why that’s a problem. Not only are they losing games, but they’re doing so at a rate higher than the teams at the very bottom of the NHL standings.

Courtesy of the Bruce McCurdy from the Edmonton Journal:

“Oilers have played 10 games since 4 Nations. At 3-7-0 they have posted the worst record of any NHL team for their last 10. Worst goal differential as well (-13). The 32 teams range from 6-16 points & average exactly 5-4-1 = 11 points.”

Those are mind-blowing numbers for a team with two of the best players on earth and a stable of other players who have hit 20+ goals on several occasions. And I know I’m ignoring Friday’s win over the Islanders as part of these numbers, but it’s impossible for me to understand how far the team has fallen since coming back from the 4 Nations break. Again, I’m pumped about the win last night, but I think a lot of us are going to stay skeptical until we get more than a game or two of consistent hockey.

PRESENTED BY ODD COMPANY​

We’re beyond excited to announce our latest partnership with Odd Company Brewing to bring you the all-new Nation Beer Everyday Lager! Whether you’re watching the big game, chilling with friends, or just kicking back after a long day, this crisp, refreshing lager is the perfect choice. It’s the brew you can count on anytime, anywhere. So, why not make it your next game-day tradition? Nation Beer Everyday Lager is available now at Odd Company Brewing and through Liquor Connect. Don’t miss out—grab yours today and take your beer game to the next level! Cheers, Nation Citizens!

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/leon-draisaitl-overtime-edmonton-oilers-line-combinations

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Oilers’ Connor McDavid, Connor Brown named to Erie Otters Quarter-Century Team

Two of the top players in Ontario junior hockey in recent memory are being honoured by their former team.

Earlier this week, the Ontario Hockey League announced the quarter-century team for the Erie Otters. Along with current NHLers such as Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly and Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat, Edmonton Oilers forwards Connor McDavid and Connor Brown were on the roster.

The @ErieOtters have developed some real stars ️

Vote on the Midwest Division #OHLQCTeam : https://t.co/x5xKtSzyUP pic.twitter.com/itZvbG77zi

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) March 12, 2025

To no surprise, McDavid was on the first team alongside former teammates Dylan Strome and DeBrincat. Also on the first team are former NHL defenceman Carlo Coliacovo and current Tampa Bay Lightning rearguard Darren Raddysh. Goaltender Devin Williams rounds out the roster.

Brown is on the second team with Stanley Cup champion O’Reilly and former NHLer Brad Boyes. Philadelphia Flyers blueliner Jamie Drysdale, New York Islanders defender Adam Pelech and goaltender Adam Munro were also honoured.

McDavid and Brown were part of a resurgence for the Otters franchise in the early 2010s. Erie had back-to-back losing seasons, leading to the team drafting McDavid as a 14-year-old in 2012. Together, they helped lead the Erie to the Eastern Conference Final in 2014, the season Brown led the Canadian Hockey League with a career-high 128 points. It’s the second-most in a single season in franchise history, only trailing Strome’s 129-point performance the following season. Brown won the 2013-14 Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player.

In 2014-15, McDavid posted a respectable 120 points in 47 games, including missing time to win gold with Canada at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship. He scored another 49 points in 20 playoff games, leading the Otters to the OHL Final, where they lost to the Oshawa Generals in five games. McDavid was named the CHL Player of the Year as a result, leading to him being taken first overall by the Oilers that summer.

McDavid ended up scoring 285 points in just 166 games across three seasons with the Otters, sitting fourth all-time in franchise scoring behind Strome (354), DeBrincat (332) and Boyes (309).

During his tenure in Erie, Brown notched 98 goals and 152 assists for 250 points in 199 games, putting him ninth on the franchise scoring list.

ARTICLE PRESENTED BY bet365​

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/edmon...connor-brown-erie-otters-quarter-century-team

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

GDB 67.0: Oilers face Rangers as they look to string some wins together (5pm MT, SNW)

The Edmonton Oilers will look to wrap up their road trip on a high when they visit Madison Square Garden to face the New York Rangers for the second and final time this season.

I wish I knew the answer to fixing the Oilers’ scoring woes. No matter what year it is or who this team brings in, we can’t quite seem to shake these secondary scoring issues, and it’s one of the most puzzling problems for the team right now. Outside of the herculean powers by Leon Draisaitl that allow him to score most nights, the forward group as a whole isn’t producing much of anything, and it doesn’t take a mathematician to figure out why that’s a problem.

Take this current road trip as the latest example. Leon Draisaitl is the only forward to score a goal in the last three games. That stat is bananas and completely unacceptable. While we all love watching Draisaitl in warlord mode, he can’t do everything by himself, and the Oilers will keep struggling to win games until other guys start chipping in. And that pressure ramps up quite a bit when facing a team as talented as the New York Rangers, even with their challenges as they fight for a playoff spot.

After their 4-0 win last night in Columbus, the Rangers are back in a playoff spot for the first time in a minute. And I think spending time on the outside looking in could lead to increased urgency and desperation in their game. While the Rangers are also having trouble generating offense, there’s little doubt they have players on the roster who can break games if given the chance. And considering that both teams aren’t exactly playing their tightest defensive hockey right now, that could lead to the dam bursting at either end of the rink.

One of the stranger aspects of the Rangers’ season is how Peter Laviolette and General Manager Chris Drury don’t seem to be on the same page. New York has been incredibly inconsistent all season long — sound familiar — and that’s causing many to wonder if they’re good enough to compete or another losing streak away from bottoming out. Take last night’s game against the Blue Jackets, for example: Laviolette didn’t have any of the players acquired at the deadline in the lineup. While it was good news for New York that Adam Fox returned to the lineup, it happened at the expense of the newly acquired Carson Soucy.

Yet, despite the struggles and questions of rifts between coaches and GMS, the Rangers and Oilers have very similar vibes right now. Last night, the L.A. Kings leapt over the Oilers for second place in the Pacific Division standings and have two games in hand, while the Rangers sit in the second Wildcard spot in the East and are teetering on securing a playoff berth or missing out on the big dance for the first time since 2021. Both clubs will want those two points today, and it will be the team that can put together the best 60 minutes that will be the one to secure them.

Given that New York played yesterday, the Oilers need to be ready to go right from puck drop, and they need to keep hammer down for as much of this game as they possibly can. The Rangers are a desperate team, and Edmonton will need to match that energy and find a way to do that without forgetting the smaller details of their game. I’ve been pushing for Edmonton to play a more straightforward brand of hockey throughout their struggles over these past two weeks, and I think a perfect time to do that is against a tired team that will likely be looking to weather an early storm while they get their legs under them.

Crash the crease, shoot from the parking lot, and have bodies around the net ready to clean up the garbage. Simple, greasy hockey should get the job done today, but we’ll have to wait and see whether the Oilers can get that job done.

Let’s see what the numbers say…

THE NUMBERS​

OILERS	RANGERS
RECORD	38-24-4	33-28-6
WIN/LOSS STREAK	W1	W2
LAST 10 GAMES	4-6-0	5-3-2
GOALS FOR	211	203
GOALS AGAINST	193	201
POWER PLAY%	26.1	19.0
PENALTY KILL%	76.1	82.5
AVG. SHOTS/FOR	32.1	28.9
AVG. SHOTS/AGAINST	27.2	30.1
TEAM SAVE%	.904	.911
CORSI FOR%	53.79	48.83
PDO	0.984	2.004
TEAM SHOOTING%	8.00	9.28
EXPECTED GOALS FOR%	54.30	48.53

Numbers courtesy of Natural Stat Trick (Sv%, CF%, PDO, Shooting%, xGF% all at 5×5)

• Sunday’s matchup is the second and final game between the Oilers and Rangers this season. The Oilers picked up a 6-2 win over New York at Rogers Place on November 23rd and earned at least a point in nine of their last 11 meetings. The Oilers have an 8-2-1 record over that stretch and are 4-1-0 in their previous five games at Madison Square Garden.
• Jeff Skinner leads all active Oilers in career games (53) and career points (31) versus the Rangers, which should be no surprise given that he spent most of his career in the Eastern Conference.
• Connor McDavid picked up an assist on Leon Draisaitl’s OT winner against the Islanders, which puts him on a 10-game point streak (2-12-14). Meanwhile, Draisaitl’s two-goal night extended his point streak to 17 games (14G, 12A). Draisaitl’s 49 goals lead the NHL in goals by 12 over William Nylander.
• The Rangers are coming into Sunday’s matchup in the second half of a back-to-back set and have a 6-4-1 record in second games so far this season. The Rangers have also secured a point in each of their last three home games.

LINE COMBINATIONS​

Oilers​

Henrique – McDavid – Hyman
Perry – Draisaitl – Brown
Podkolzin – Nugent-Hopkins – Arvidsson
Skinner – Kapanen – Janmark

Walman – Bouchard
Nurse – Stecher
Kulak – Emberson

Skinner

Outside of Stuart Skinner getting the start, Jack Michaels confirmed via Twitter/X that the Oilers will run back the same line combos they used against the Islanders. With only 17 games left on the schedule, we don’t have much time left for the Oilers to gel, and I’m hopeful that Friday’s win can be the start of an improved run for our boys.

Rangers​

Panarin – Trocheck – Cuylle
Lafreniere – Miller – Zibanejad
Kreider – Carrick – Berard
Othmann – Brodzinski – Rempe

Miller – Fox
Vaakanainen – Schneider
Jones – Borgen

Quick

Since January 2nd, the Rangers rank third in the NHL in goals scored (101) and have scored three or more goals in 21 of their last 31 games, including 15 with four or more tallies. New York scored three or more goals in 13 of its last 19 games, including six of its last eight games. Do you guys see what I’m getting at here? The Rangers have also posted eight shutouts this season, which leads the NHL. Again, do you see what I’m doing here? Just because the Rangers have struggled this season doesn’t mean they won’t be incredibly tough to beat.

TONIGHT…​

Photoshop by Tom Kostiuk from Handmade by Tom

Game Day Prediction: The Oilers get a hot start with two first period goals that set the tone for a 6-2 win.

Obvious Game Day Prediction: Leon Draisaitl extends his goal lead with a power play marker from his office in the circle.

Not-So-Obvious Game Day Prediction: Dammit if this isn’t the day that Ty Emberson gets his first goal as an Oiler. I can feel it in my plums. As a secondary NSOGP, the Oilers get goals from multiple forwards who are not named Leon Draisaitl.

ARTICLE PRESENTED BY bet365​

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/game-preview-edmonton-oilers-new-york-rangers-sportsnet

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Viktor Arvidsson nets game winner, Leon Draisaitl stays hot, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins factors in on every Oilers goal

After getting back in the win column on Friday against the New York Islanders, the Edmonton Oilers were heading to Madison Square Garden for their second and final matchup against the Rangers. With the Rangers playing in the second half of a back-to-back set, the Oilers had the chance to take advantage of a tired team that hasn’t exactly been playing its best hockey, and while it was a tight game through 40 minutes, a third period surge by Edmonton powered our boys to a 3-1 victory.

VIKTOR ARVIDSSON SNIPES THE GAME-WINNER​

Viktor Arvidsson snipes it past Igor Shesterskin, giving the Oilers a 2-1 lead.

: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/QUj2FFGAF0

— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) March 17, 2025

I would do horrible things if it meant lifting the black cloud hanging over Viktor Arvidsson’s offensive abilities through the first chunk of his first season as an Oiler. Arvidsson is a guy who’s always been able to generate offence consistently, but this has not been one of those years for the veteran winger. At least, not yet. But when you see that the guy can shoot the puck the way he did on the game-winner, you can’t help but hope he can find a way to turn the corner.

Over on Twitter, Bruce Curlock tweeted how it would be nice if one of the veterans Jeff Jackson signed would step up and win this game for the Oilers. Arvidsson scored only a few minutes later, and I want to offer Bruce my thanks and praise for finding a way to manifest a depth goal. While I can’t give Bruce all of the credit — no one man should have that much power — what I do know for sure was that many of us felt a lot of relief when Arvidsson’s goal went in. By no means are two goals in the last five games a heater for Arvidsson or anything like that, but I am hopeful it’s a sign that he’s starting to heat up a touch. Gord knows we need the help.

LEON DRAISAITL FOR THE HART TROPHY​

Leon Draisaitl extended his point streak to a career-high 18 games (14-13-27) with the assist he registered on Corey Perry’s power play goal late in the first period. Courtesy of Bob Stauffer, I learned that Draisaitl now holds the longest point streak in the NHL this season, which is another ridiculous fact you can throw on a marvelous campaign. I hope this eastern road trip has been a wake-up call for anyone who doesn’t get to watch No. 29 do his thing because he’s easily been the Oilers’ best player this season.

The incredible thing about Draisaitl’s game is that he’s just as lethal as a passer as he is as a shooter, and his point streak was extended on the back of a nifty feed that got the puck to Nuge, who fed Perry in the slot. Given how many of his teammates are offensively limping their way through the start of the stretch drive, watching Leon Draisaitl do everything humanly possible to carry his team forward is worthy of a Hart Trophy. If the award is indeed “presented to the player deemed most valuable to their team during the regular season,” then how can you not think of Leon?

RYAN NUGENT-HOPKINS FACTORS IN ON EVERY GOAL​

It’s no secret around here that my man Ryan Nugent-Hopkins isn’t exactly having the best season. In fact, he’s been rough in a few different ways. We’re not getting much for offence, he’s not his usual defensively sound self, and it’s been a battle for him. But there’s also little doubt how valuable he can be for this hockey team when he’s playing well, and that’s why I want to highlight the three-point night he put up against the Rangers. RNH plays in all situations for the Oilers, and if that’s going to keep happening, he has to make good on the opportunity.

If I were going to critique Nuge’s night, it would have to be that he still needs to shoot the puck more than he is. As happy as I am that he finished with three assists and a +2 rating in 19:06 of all-purpose minutes, it’s hard to ignore that he didn’t register a shot on goal. My man has a lethal wrist shot, and I’m dying for him to use it more. Nugent-Hopkins is shooting at 12.5% this season, which is very much in line with his career averages, but he’s also on pace to fire less than 75% as many shots on goal as he did a few seasons ago when he scored 37 times. The goals will come if he shoots the puck more, and I can only hope a three-point night gives him the confidence to start firing a little more.

OTHER THINGS WORTH MENTIONING​

1. I would sacrifice anyone who works at our company if Connor McDavid would shoot the puck like that more often. That shot beat Shesterkin on the glove side before he knew what happened, and I think I speak for every Oilers fan when I politely ask Connor to give us more. I feel like Oliver Twist holding out my bowl right now. Please, Connor. Shoot more. Please.

2. How about the season Corey Perry is having? With Zach Hyman out of the lineup, Perry got the chance to play some power play minutes, giving him the opportunity he needed to bury his 15th goal of the season. Fifteen goals is a fantastic number for Perry, and I’ll be the first to admit that he is blowing my mind right now. The guy has been so good for the Oilers this year, and it is a pleasure to watch.

3. When you’re the goalie in a market like Edmonton, you will take more than your share of heat when things go sideways. And as we all know, Stuart Skinner has been in the crosshairs often lately for a run of lacklustre performances that left many of us wanting. But if we’re going to pile on the guy when he’s down, we have to pump his tires when he plays well, and Skinner was fantastic for the Oilers on Sunday. Not only did he outduel Igor Shesterkin, but he also made steady and sensational saves for the Oilers throughout the game without ever looking overwhelmed by the moment. Skinner’s 21 saves and .955 save percentage were precisely what the doctor ordered to close out the road trip on a high, and I wanted to give him his flowers for a great night in net.

4. Jake Walman did a great job of throwing his body in front of the puck in the third period, and I can think of at least two or three instances where he made a block on what could have easily been a goal. While Walman went pointless in 22:40 of TOI, he also finished the game with six blocks, a shot on goal, and one takeaway. I know it’s only been a few games since the trade, but I’m a big fan of how he’s settling in on the Oilers’ back end.

5. I know the Oilers got a power play goal from Corey Perry late in the first period, but I would have liked to see them get more than one with the four opportunities they had on the man advantage. Edmonton could have ended this game long before they did, had their PP been able to capitalize on the PP time, but instead, they more often looked disjointed than the killers we’ve come to expect. On the bright side, the Oilers’ PK went a perfect 3-for-3 while shorthanded, so it’s hard to complain too much about a special teams sweep.

6. Great game for Jeff Skinner. Skinner drew two penalties for the Oilers, and they both happened with some sneaky veteran wizardry that made “maybe” holds look like waterskiing. Even though Skinner only played 11:45 and registered a single shot on goal, I positively noticed him nearly every time he was on the ice. From my side of the TV screen, Kris Knoblauch needs to find ways to play him more.

7. No Sunday Funday could ever be complete without me telling you that the Oilers won 51.1% of the faceoffs. You’re welcome. And if you’re reading this on Monday, remember how happy you were on the weekend.

PRESENTED BY ODD COMPANY​

We’re beyond excited to announce our latest partnership with Odd Company Brewing to bring you the all-new Nation Beer Everyday Lager! Whether you’re watching the big game, chilling with friends, or just kicking back after a long day, this crisp, refreshing lager is the perfect choice. It’s the brew you can count on anytime, anywhere. So, why not make it your next game-day tradition? Nation Beer Everyday Lager is available now at Odd Company Brewing and through Liquor Connect. Don’t miss out—grab yours today and take your beer game to the next level! Cheers, Nation Citizens!

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/vikto...ent-hopkins-factors-all-edmonton-oilers-goals

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Playoff Race: Kings gaining ground with five-game winning streak

The standings in the Pacific Division seem to change with each passing day. While the Vegas Golden Knights remain on top, the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings have been flip-flopping and are doing everything they can to push them until the end.

Vegas Golden Knights​

Upcoming Schedule: Thursday vs Boston, Saturday vs Detroit

Tomas Hertl had the opportunity to secure two points for the Golden Knights against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday on an empty net. Instead, he opted to pass the puck off to Jack Eichel, who didn’t score, and the Sabres went on to score the game-winner with 16 seconds left. After beating Edmonton earlier in the week, Buffalo did the Oilers a favour by beating Vegas in a shootout. That loss was followed up by a 3-0 defeat to the Detroit Red Wings yesterday.

While the Golden Knights still sit atop of the Pacific Division, they haven’t played up to their standard recently. They went 1-1-2 on last weeks road trip with their lone win coming against the Columbus Blue Jackets. However, while slightly slumping, still grabbing an overtime point in two of those losses is beneficial.

Vegas won’t play now until Thursday, which should give them time to regroup ahead of what’ll be an interesting set of games at home.

Edmonton Oilers​

Upcoming Schedule: Tuesday vs Utah, Thursday vs Winnipeg, Saturday vs Seattle

It was a rocky road trip for Edmonton in New York State, but they managed to balance the ship at the end. After losing the opening two games to the sinking Buffalo Sabres and the injury-riddled New Jersey Devils, they pulled off two wins against the New York Islanders and New York Rangers over the weekend. Leon Draisaitl continued his dominate MVP season extending his point streak to 18 games, which is a season high across the league. Questionable goaltending has plagued the Oilers the majority of the season, but timely saves and better defence kept the goals against to only two in those two wins.

They still hold down second in the Pacific Division on points. However, the LA Kings are creeping up on them now only one point behind and ahead of them on win percentage, with two games in hand. Edmonton returns home for three games this week where currently hold a two-game win streak. Additionally, Kris Knoblauch stated that Mattias Ekholm, who missed the four game road trip, is likely to return against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.

Los Angeles Kings​

Upcoming Schedule: Monday at Minnesota, Thursday at Chicago, Saturday vs Carolina

Before the 4 Nations Face-Off break, it felt as though the Pacific Division was a two-horse race between Edmonton and Vegas. The Los Angeles Kings have thrown themselves into that mix too, now, with five wins in a row. One of those wins game against the Golden Knights in what was a 6-5 regulation win. They’re now ahead of the Oilers in win percentage.

Quinton Byfield is a playing a significant role in the Kings recent success. The former 2nd overall pick has goals in six straight games to take his tally to 17 on the season. Warren Foegele and Anze Kopitar are red hot, too, with five points for the Kings captain and four for the former Oiler in five games.

While the offence has found its rhythm, the goaltending has been great for the Kings too. Darcy Kuemper, who didn’t play in the win over Vegas, has only allowed two goals in his last four starts, which has helped him secure a 0.980SV%.

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/pacific-playoff-race-kings-five-game-streak

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Real Life Podcast: Oilers turnaround, building out Ice District, and the NHL playoffs

Monday afternoon means a new episode of the Real Life podcast is recorded, edited, and ready to kick off your week. On today’s podcast, the guys discussed Jay and Baggedmilk’s trip to Toronto, the Oilers winning their last two games in New York, the new Ice District development, and much more.

The guys started the Monday episode of Real Life by recapping Jay and Baggedmilk’s trips to Toronto. They explained that the trips were mostly filled with meetings and complaints about traffic. While it’s always nice to see fellow staffers in Toronto, it’s also nice to get back to Edmonton and out of the hustle and bustle.

Turning the podcast back to the Oilers, Jay expressed his concerns about the Colorado Avalanche being an absolute wagon. Given that the Avalanche’s Rantanen trade has seemingly worked out well, does that mean all roads in the Western Conference run through Colorado? On the Oilers front, the guys wondered if the boys were back after their win over the Rangers, which was one of their best games since the 4 Nations break.

Changing gears, the guys discussed the new downtown development plan that the city recently greenlit and how the plan to bring more items to the Ice District will transform downtown Edmonton. From the event park to the future housing projects, there’s little doubt that Daryl Katz’s plan to revitalize the arena district is continuing to come to fruition. While we don’t know the dates when the projects will be ready, the squad is still excited about what the city will look like in the near future.

Finally, the guys wrapped up the Monday episode of Real Life with a random collection of topics, including the favour Tyler is doing for Jay, the PGA Players Championship, another rant from Chalmers about youth sports, and anything that popped into everyone’s mind. As always, the Monday episode of Real Life was all over the map, precisely what you’d expect from this podcast.

Listen to the Monday episode of Real Life below:

Subscribe to the Real Life Podcast for FREE on Spotify here, on Apple Podcasts here, on YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/real-life-podcast-edonton-oilers-ice-district-nhl-playoffs

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

GDB 68.0: Oilers look to flex their depth against Utah (7 PM MT, SN1)

From life on the road to returning home, the meals are always better when made in your kitchen.

After spending the last week on the road, going 2-2 on a road trip that included visits to Buffalo (3-2 loss), New Jersey (3-2 loss), Long Island (2-1 OT win) and the Big Apple (3-1 win), the Edmonton Oilers kick off a stretch that will see them play five of their remaining six games in March on home ice.

The Oilers host the Utah Hockey Club tonight, the Winnipeg Jets Thursday, the Seattle Kraken Saturday and the Dallas Stars a week from Wednesday. They’ll spend next Thursday on the road with a brief trip to Seattle, before returning home to host the Calgary Flames on the 29th.

They open April with a four-game road trip visiting the Vegas Golden Knights, San Jose Sharks, and Anaheim Ducks, before hosting the St. Louis Blues and San Jose Sharks. The final week of the regular season, beginning on Sunday, April 13th, sees them visit the Jets that night, host the Kings on Monday, and close the regular season against the Sharks on the road on the 16th.

If you were paying attention you’d notice an important trend: each of these 15 games are against other teams in the Western Conference, making this upcoming stretch incredibly important for the Oilers. Heading into Tuesday, just four of those teams are in playoff spots: the Jets, the Stars, the Golden Knights and the Kings, though the Blues (tied), Flames and Utah (two points out) are nibbling at a Wild Card spot.

For the Oilers, the good news is they return to home ice hot, winning back-to-back games against the Islanders and Rangers. Their win over the Islanders saw them grind out a game that went to overtime, while they played one of their better games in a while against the Rangers, with a full sixty-minute effort featuring goals from three lines.

Edmonton is looking to carry that into tonight’s game against the Utah Hockey Club, who also enter Rogers Place feeling good, going 6-2-2 in their last 10.

The Oilers are getting a boost, however, with both Zach Hyman and Mattias Ekholm returning to the lineup. Hyman missed the game against the Rangers with an undisclosed injury or illness, while Ekholm had missed five games dating back to the start of the month dealing with a lingering illness that’s impacted him since January.

Head coach Kris Knoblauch adjusted the blue line with Ekholm returning to his spot alongside Evan Bouchard, putting Darnell Nurse and Jake Walman on the second pair, and Brett Kulak and Ty Emberson on the third pair.

Up front, Jeff Skinner gets a noticeable elevation to the top line alongside Hyman and Connor McDavid. His game has started to come around more as of late, continuing to provide consistent five-on-five offence no matter where he’s been in the lineup.

A big reason for his elevation was his play against the Rangers on Sunday, Knoblauch said.

“Rewind back to the Rangers game, the first period, especially,” he noted. “Had a couple scoring chances, drew two power plays. I think he’s been unfortunate with his goal scoring this year, he’s at a lower rate than he usually is, but he’s a player that when you talk about secondary scoring, and guys who can put the puck in the net, he’s a guy we expect can do that, given the opportunity.

“Tonight is a great opportunity for him playing with Hyman and McDavid, obviously, but we don’t want him to get away from the way he’s been playing. He’s been tenacious. He’s been getting into the opposition low where he’s winning those battles for pucks. Keeping pucks alive, that’s important, I think. He’s been doing a lot of good things.”

The changes in the bottom-nine come solely on the fourth line with Max Jones sliding out, and Adam Henrique going from McDavid’s wing to the fourth line centre spot. That means Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will remain on the third line centring Vasily Podkolzin and Viktor Arvidsson, who were great against the Rangers accounting for a big goal in the third period.

With this upcoming stretch it’s going to be important for the depth to continue to find ways to contribute. There’s been too much reliance on Draisaitl and McDavid carrying the team, and if the team can continue to find offence from this third line, that would be huge for the team.

LINE COMBINATIONS​

Oilers​

J. Skinner – McDavid – Hyman
Perry – Draisaitl – Brown
Podkolzin – Nugent-Hopkins – Arvidsson
Janmark – Henrique – Kapanen

Ekholm – Bouchard
Nurse – Walman
Kulak – Emberson

Pickard

The results haven’t been great for Jeff Skinner on McDavid’s wing, as in 74 five-on-five minutes, they’ve been outscored 8-1. Much of that came earlier this season when Skinner’s game wasn’t where it is today. It’s going to be critical for him to continue to play his game, as Knoblauch spoke highly of where he’s been at as of late.

Utah​

Keller – Kerfoot – Schmaltz
Cooley – Hayton – Guenther
Crouse – McBain – Doan
Carcone – Stenlund – Bjugstad

Sergachev – Marino
Maatta – Durzi
Cole – Kesselring

Vejmelka (Likely)

Utah is rolling with this lineup for the second straight game. The big change here is that Logan Cooley has been centring the top line this season, while Kerfoot has found himself on that second line with Barrett Hayton and Dylan Guenther, both of whom have been red hot as of late.

TONIGHT…​

Photoshop by Tom Kostiuk from Handmade by Tom

Game Day Prediction: Leon Draisaitl gets his 50th goal of the season.

Obvious Game Day Prediction: Edmonton wins their third in a row, beating Utah 5-2.

Not-So-Obvious Game Day Prediction: After putting up his first three point night of the season against the Rangers, he puts up another pair of points tonight.

---

Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s associate editor, senior columnist, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the DFO DFS Report. He can be followed on Twitter, currently known as X, at @zjlaing, or reached by email at [email protected].

---

ARTICLE PRESENTED BY bet365​

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/game-preview-edmonton-oilers-depth-utah-hockey-club

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Instant Reaction: Draisaitl doesn’t get 50th goal, but Oilers roll Utah 7-1

Oh boy, did the Edmonton Oilers ever need that win.

On Tuesday night, the Oilers hosted the Utah Hockey Club, smashing them 7-1 to bring their season record to 40-24-4. Let’s take a look at what happened in this game.

NUGENT-HOPKINS ON THE PK, IT'S 1-0 OILERS TO START THIS HOCKEY GAME

: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/UWCB6r04RE

— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) March 19, 2025

The Oilers had their own power play with just under five minutes left. Shortly after it ended, Nugent-Hopkins saw Zach Hyman all alone in his office, giving him a pass for the easy tap-in and the 2-0 lead.

"Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has now factored in the last five Edmonton goals."

Zach Hyman makes it 2-0 for the Oilers with an assist from Nuge.

: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/dHqLDF6zuY

— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) March 19, 2025

With three seconds left in the first period, Evan Bouchard made a nice drop pass to a streaking Connor McDavid, who tucked it past the Hockey Club netminder on a breakaway for the 3-0 lead.

THAT'S OILERS HOCKEY, BABY!

Connor McDavid finishes off the first-period with a quick goal on Karel Vejmelka.

: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/1fUAxLINJ7

— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) March 19, 2025

Nearly eight minutes into the second period, Mattias Ekholm carried the puck down low looking for a cross-ice pass. He found Hyman as the puck deflected off his body and in.

Zach Hyman is reminding everyone why he is an effective presence in front of the net.

His second of the night, 4-0 Oilers.

: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/sHHfCYh9BF

— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) March 19, 2025

Midway through the second period, Nugent-Hopkins dropped the puck off to Vasily Podkolzin, who ripped it by the Hockey Club’s netminder for his first goal since the middle of January.

You love to see this from Vasily Podkolzin, his first goal in 24 games!

The Oilers now have a 5-0 lead over Utah in the second period.

: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/5RJTSbaaFj

— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) March 19, 2025

Utah scored before the end of the period but who cares? In the first minute of the third period, Ekholm’s shot from the slot beat the Hockey Club’s netminder for the goal. It’s nice to have him back in the lineup and more on him in the takeaways.

Two minutes later, Viktor Arvidsson scored in his second consecutive game, forcing a turnover in front of the Hockey Club’s net and burying it. That’s all the scoring the Oilers had in the game.

Takeaways…​

• Although the Oilers scored seven goals on the Hockey Club, Leon Draisaitl’s 18-game point streak came to an end in this game. More concerningly, he took a tumble in the second period and didn’t look like himself for the rest of the game. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious.
• Draisaitl was unable to extend his point streak, but Connor McDavid’s point streak reached 12 games as he scored a goal and had two assists. Zach Hyman returned to the lineup, scoring twice and also picking up an assist.
• Ryan Nugent-Hopkins should be the Oilers’ third-line centre moving forward. After the first two goals, he had been involved in the Oilers past five goals, picking up four primary assists and a goal of his own. He’s seemingly found chemistry alongside Vasily Podkolzin and Viktor Arvidsson. Podkolzin’s goal was his first since Jan. 15, while Arvidsson scored goals in back-to-back games for the second time as an Oiler.
• When Trent Frederic returns, he should be played alongside Draisaitl and Corey Perry. Yes, the 39-year-old Corey Perry deserves to be in the top six, he’s had an incredible season
• On the fourth line, Kasperi Kapanen had a terrific game, generating by my count four odd-man rushes in this game with his speed. It was also partially due to the Hockey Club having terrible defence in the game but Kapanen was buzzing. Mattias Janmark played alongside him, generating a breakaway on the penalty kill and actually hitting the net this time.
• On the backend, Mattias Ekholm is back. He scored a goal and picked up two assists, finishing with a +3 in this game. Evan Bouchard had an assist and was a +4 while Darnell Nurse was physical and even dropped the mitts with a tough customer in Jack McBain.
• Jake Walman blocked six shots for a second consecutive game. Since joining the team, he has led or tied the Oilers defence in blocks in all but one game. He also played on the right side along with Nurse and looked good.
• Calvin Pickard had a sneaky good game between the pipes, saving 30 of 31 shots for a .968 save percentage. It’s the third consecutive game the Oilers netminder finished with a save percentage of .955 or higher. This is a great development.
• The Oilers return to action on Thursday in a rematch of their season opener where they lost 6-0. With the win tonight, the Oilers have moved to just two points behind the Vegas Golden Knights for the division lead, albeit with an additional game played.

---

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Oilersnation, FlamesNation, and Blue Jays Nation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/instant-reaction-edmonton-oilers-beat-utah-hockey-club-7-1

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Adam Henrique, Taylor Hall named to Windsor Spitfires’ Quarter-Century team

As more CHL teams unveil their Quarter Century teams, one current and another former Oiler has landed among the greats of 21st-century Canadian junior hockey.

On Tuesday, the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires unveiled their Quarter Century squad, with current Edmonton Oilers forward Adam Henrique and former Oilers first overall pick Taylor Hall being named to the First Team.

Taking flight with the @SpitsHockey #OHLQCTeam!

Vote for the #OHL West Division Quarter Century Team : https://t.co/g6HhR7m8CY pic.twitter.com/BuIE6SpSXO

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) March 18, 2025

Henrique spent four seasons with the Spitfires from 2006-2010, with 228 points in 238 games played, taking on a leadership role as Windsor took home its first two Memorial Cup championships in 2009 and 2010. Most notably, he scored the OT winner against the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the semi-final in 2009, sending the group to the finals. He also scored the game-opening goal in both finals appearances.

Overall, he had 47 points in 44 OHL playoff appearances with the Spitfires and eight goals and 17 points in 10 Memorial Cup matches. His size and two-way play made him a strong playoff performer, which was also showcased last year in his first post-season appearance with Edmonton where he contributed four goals and seven points as a depth piece at the age of 34.

Through it all, his consistency on the ice, proven leadership qualities, and strong abilities in clutch moments made him a fan favourite in Windsor, and a clear candidate to be named to their Quarter Century First Team. While his offensive prowess may have slowed significantly since those days, the veteran forward still brings those same leadership qualities to today’s Oilers group. The Brantford, Ontario native is currently on the first year of a two-year, $6 million deal that he signed with Oilers last summer after being dealt to Edmonton from the Anaheim Ducks ahead of last season’s trade deadline.

Hall, meanwhile, played three seasons with the Spitfires, including as a part of those two championship winning squads. He had 280 points in 183 games played in Windsor, with his strong play in the OHL earning him the honour of being Edmonton’s first-overall pick in the 2010 NHL entry draft. Hall was also a strong playoff performer in Windsor, but unfortunately never got the opportunity to showcase those talents in Edmonton. Regardless, he played a strong role in turning the tide for the Oilers with 263 points in 381 career games with the franchise.

Other current and former Oilers named to CHL Quarter Century teams…​

• Connor McDavid and Connor Brown – Erie Otters
• Leon Draisaitl and Tyson Barrie – Kelowna Rockets
• Evan Bouchard and Corey Perry – London Knights

ARTICLE PRESENTED BY bet365​

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-adam-henrique-windsor-spitfires-quarter-century-team

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Oilers’ McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman and Ekholm miss practice, some may miss game against Jets

There is some concerning news regarding some of the Edmonton Oilers’ top stars.

Captain Connor McDavid, defenseman Mattias Ekholm, and forwards Zach Hyman and Leon Draisait were absent from team practice on Wednesday.

When speaking to the media, head coach Kris Knoblauch stated that he isn’t sure what the lines would look like with those players off the ice. The second-year bench boss mentioned that the quartet was banged up and might not be able to play on Thursday night when the Oilers host the Western Conference-leading Winnipeg Jets.

Knoblauch said he isn’t sure what his lines will be tomorrow as some of the guys who didn’t skate (97, 29, 18 and 14) are banged up and might not play. #Oilers

— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) March 19, 2025

It wouldn’t be the first time McDavid has missed time this season. The 27-year-old missed three games earlier in the season after sustaining an ankle injury. Then, he had to sit out three contests while serving a suspension for cross-checking Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland.

McDavid is second on the team in scoring behind Draisaitl, having put up 26 goals and 63 assists for 89 points in 62 appearances. Draisaitl, meanwhile, appeared shaken up during Tuesday’s win over the Utah Hockey Club, but was able to finish the game.

Hyman missed a handful of games in November and December due to an undisclosed ailment. The Toronto native also wasn’t in the lineup this past Sunday when Edmonton defeated the New York Rangers by a score of 3-1. He returned to action on Tuesday night, posting two goals and an assist in a 7-1 thrashing of the Utah Hockey Club.

Hyman has scored 24 goals and 16 assists for 40 points in 62 games.

Ekholm also played against Utah, registering a goal and two assists in the victory. It was the Swede’s first game in two weeks as the veteran blueliner had been battling an illness, leading to him missing six games.

Through 62 games, Ekholm has notched nine goals and 21 assists for 30 points, sitting third on the team in defensive scoring behind Evan Bouchard and the recently acquired Jake Walman.

Draisaitl is one of five players who has played in every game so far this season. The scoring sensation has appeared in 68 games, leading the league in goals (49), just one away from becoming the first player to hit the half-century mark in goals this season. With 101 points, Draisaitl is second in the NHL in scoring behind Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon.

The Oilers (40-24-4) are second in the Pacific Division, two points back of the Vegas Golden Knights for first place.

ARTICLE PRESENTED BY bet365​

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/edmon...an-mattias-ekholm-miss-practice-winnipeg-jets

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Better Lait Than Never: Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is NBA Jam style on fire

I may be a day late with the record of this week’s podcast, but none of us should be surprised with a name like Better Lait Than Never. On this week’s podcast, we’re discussing Leon Draisaitl’s 50-goal watch, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ heater, line combinations, and more.

To kick off this week’s podcast, I started with a quick recap of my trip to Toronto from last week, how nice it was to visit that city, and how much I love leaving. There’s just something about having a 30-minute cab ride to go four km that bothers me, you know? It’s not like we were trying to move around in rush hour — a whole other problem entirely — but instead just trying to get to work quickly without walking everywhere. I also touched on how happy I am that my beloved Vikings won’t be touching Aaron Rogers… at least for now.

Getting back to the Oilers, I started with a recap of Tuesday’s game against the Utah Hockey Club after we got some last-minute tickets and wandered in after the first few minutes. Not only did the Oilers need to blow a team out like that, but it was nice to have a stress-free night at the rink where the outcome was never in question. When was the last time you could say that? Not to mention, being at Rogers Place for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ second straight three-point game was the cherry on top.

Finally, I wrapped up this quick episode of BLTN with a Righteous Sack Beating about using your speakerphone in public before wrapping up the show with another round of voicemails that were as entertaining as they were all over the map. The inbox was so funny again this week, and I got plenty of laughs from your ideas, feedback, and voicemails. As always, I sat back and laughed while listening to everything on your mind over the last seven days.

Want to leave a voicemail for next week’s show? Do it here!

Subscribe to Better Lait Than Never for FREE on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts from! Better Lait Than Never is proudly presented by The Audio Department, Star Mechanical, Odd Company, and Trilogy Oilfield Rentals. Without them, this podcast would not be possible.

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/better-lait-than-never-edmonton-oilers-ryan-nugent-hopkins-on-fire

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Instant Reaction: Oilers grind out point in 4-3 overtime loss to Jets despite losing McDavid, Skinner to injury

Despite some tough luck on the injury front, the Edmonton Oilers managed a point against one of the league’s best teams.

On Thursday, the Oilers hosted the Winnipeg Jets, the first time the two teams played against one another since the season-opener back in October. Though things were much closer this time around, the home side still fell 4-3 in overtime in what was a gutsy performance. Let’s take a look at what happened in this game.

Things started off well for the Oilers. Just over five minutes into the first period, Jeff Skinner led a rush chance and ripped it by Connor Hellebuyck for the 1-0 lead.

JEFF SKINNER WHAT A SNIPE! 1-0 Oilers.

: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/LZuqeoKFQk

— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) March 21, 2025

With 6:21 left in the first period, Stuart Skinner stopped the initial shot off the Jets rush, but the round went to Cole Perfetti, who was all alone on the side of the net to tie up the game.

Cole Perfetti scores against Stuart Skinner, tying the game at 1-1.

: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/7ltVv3XxJf

— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) March 21, 2025

Edmonton retook the lead just over five minutes into the second period, as Connor McDavid circled the net and tried to centre it. Jeff Skinner got a touch on it, beating Hellebuyck five-hole for his second of the game.

THE GOAL IS GOOD! Jeff Skinner, with his second of the night

: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/Gtdk6CZgfn

— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) March 21, 2025

The Jets once again had an answer. After the Jets penalty ended (as they challenged the Oilers’ second goal), they had a 2-on-1, with Nino Niederreiter saucing it over to Josh Morrissey who tipped it past Stuart Skinner to tie the game.

Josh Morrissey quickly ties the game, 2-2.

: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/qYK3WU2OYB

— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) March 21, 2025

Fast forward to the third period. About four minutes in, there was a scramble around Stuart Skinner and eventually Brandon Tanev banged in the loose puck to take the lead.

The Winnipeg Jets make it 3-2.

: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/AwzOk2tpmm

— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) March 21, 2025

It was the Oilers’ turn to find an answer. With just under six minutes left in the third period, Zach Hyman tipped a shot from the point not allowing Hellebuyck to field it cleanly. He banged in his own rebound to tie the game up at three.

ZACHARY MARTIN HYMAN, IT'S A TIE GAME! THE OILERS ARE STILL IN THIS ONE!

: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/gFT6X7OOh5

— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) March 21, 2025

Just over a minute into the extra frame, Kyle Connor snapped a shot past Calvin Pickard to win it for the Western Conference-leading team.

Kyle Connor wins it in overtime for the Winnipeg Jets.

: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/WGJ2MNW9y7

— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) March 21, 2025

Takeaways​

Let’s start with the good. Without Leon Draisaitl to start the game and Connor McDavid for the third period, the Oilers were gutsy by picking up a point against one of the best teams in the league. First, they killed off an early 5 on 3 in the third period, then managed to tie the game at three late in the third period, and then killed off a late penalty in regulation to earn a point.

Jeff Skinner also had a good game, scoring two goals. It was his first multi-goal game as an Oiler and he and Connor McDavid have formed some chemistry. Another positive was Adam Henrique. He may not have scored this game but he was all around the puck.

Now, the bad. Stuart Skinner saved 13 of 16 shots for an .813 save percentage, much better than his first game against the Jets this season. He was pulled from the game late in the third period as Troy Stecher pushed a Jet (a player, not a plane) into him, hitting his head.

Stuart Skinner is removed from the game following this collision.

: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/2H49o5jUkT

— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) March 21, 2025

More concerning though is the fact that Connor McDavid didn’t play the entirety of the third period after a slash from Josh Morrissey late in the second period. Without McDavid or Leon Draisaitl in overtime, the team looked lost. If there’s any positive to take away from this, McDavid extended his point streak to 13 games. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious.

Josh Morrissey gets a little bit of Connor McDavid, which causes McDavid some discomfort.

: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/neHzE6vcl8

— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) March 21, 2025

The Oilers return to action on Saturday at 8:00 PM MT to take on the Seattle Kraken. As of now, the status of McDavid, Draisaitl, and Skinner is unknown. If the Oilers lose any of those players for a significant period, it’ll hurt.

---

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Oilersnation, Flames Nation, and Blue Jays Nation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/oilers-grind-out-point-against-jets-mcdavid-skinner-injury

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

NHL Notebook: League not considering change to playoff format

There aren’t going to be changes to the NHL’s playoff format any time soon.

Commissioner Gary Bettman spoke to the media at the league’s general managers meetings on Wednesday, taking questions on a variety of topics. Among them was about whether the league would consider changing how its playoffs are structured.

Starting in the 2013-14 season, the NHL changed from a 1-vs-8 playoff format with reseeding to a division-based bracket style for the playoffs. The criticism about the current format is that elite teams have to go up against each other in the first two rounds, which is something Bettman doesn’t view as a problem.

“The best team to win the Stanley Cup has got to get through the best teams,” Bettman said. “Having great matchups in the first round, that’s terrific. That’s not a problem. That’s a great thing.”

The Central Division appears to be the toughest gauntlet this season. The Winnipeg Jets are tied for the NHL lead in points with 100, the Dallas Stars are in third in the league with 90 points, and the Colorado Avalanche are up to 87 points after going 8-1-1 in their last ten games. The Stars and Avs could feasibly finish in the top five of the league standings and play each other in the first round.

Bettman also poured water on the idea of the NHL having a play-in tournament before the start of the playoffs. The NBA introduced a change to its playoff format in 2019-20 that sees four teams per conference battle for the seventh and eighth seeds with a series of elimination games. Bettman noted that competitive games in March and April are the NHL’s play-in tournament.

“You guys know I’m pretty dug-in on this,” Bettman said. “I like exactly what we have and if you look at the races that we’re having for the regular season, playoffs have started already. We’re in our play-in tournament and I think it’s terrific. What can be more compelling and exciting and entertaining than that?”

The 2025-26 NHL season will start on October 7 and the Stanley Cup will be awarded in late June because the league will go on a three-week break in February for the Milan-Cortina Olympics.

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/nhl-not-considering-change-playoff-format

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Oilersnation Radio: Oilers life without Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl

It’s Friday afternoon, the trade deadline has passed, and now it’s time to recap everything the Edmonton Oilers got done or didn’t get done at the NHL’s annual swap ‘n shop. On today’s show, we discussed the Oilers losing Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, their loss to the Winnipeg Jets, and what comes next for the team.

We kicked off the podcast with a delicious debate about what the Oilers will do with their line combinations with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl out of the lineup for the next three games. Needless to say, losing your two best players is a massive issue regardless of the team, and now it will be up to the rest of the roster to do what they can to fill the void. As you’ll hear, the boys pulled out their best mental gymnastics to put some new line combos together based on the players who are currently available.

Changing gears, we looked back at last night’s loss to the Winnipeg Jets and how it was still a positive that the Oilers managed to grind out a point against a very good team under what were strange circumstances. While some Oilers fans are understandably upset about the loss, the boys on the podcast tried to reframe the result with a positive tone. We also discussed what was Jeff Skinner’s best game as an Oiler, and how it was great to see him get some success in the top six.

Finally, we wrapped up the episode with another round of betting talk, Ask the Idiots questions, and our Hot and Cold Performers. Even though the topics were all over the map, the conversation ended up getting a little bit spicier than you’d imagine from our usual Friday segments.

Listen to the Friday episode of Oilersnation Radio below:

Subscribe to Oilersnation Radio for FREE on Soundcloud here, on Apple Podcasts, or wherever else you get your podcasts from!

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/oiler...rs-life-without-connor-mcdavid-leon-draisaitl

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Here’s how the Oilers lines will look against the Kraken without their superstars

The sun has risen in Edmonton without their two superstar centres scheduled to be in the lineup Saturday night as the Oilers host the Seattle Kraken.

While it hasn’t been common for one of Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl to be out of the lineup, it’s even rarer that both miss the same game. The last time it happened was in last year’s regular-season finale against the Colorado Avalanche when both sat to rest.

Without them able to go with various injuries expected to keep them out for a week or so, the Oilers have put three of their four lines in a blender.

The new top-line will be Ryan Nugent-Hopkins centring Vasily Podkolzin and Viktor Arvidsson, who now play their third consecutive game together. Adam Henrique will take the middle of the ice on the second line alongside Corey Perry and Zach Hyman, while Mattias Janmark will be the third-line centre alongside Jeff Skinner and Connor Brown. The fourth line will see Derek Ryan play his first game with the Oilers since January 11th, with Max Jones and Kasperi Kapanen on his flanks.

Edmonton’s blue line is expected to remain the same: Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard on the top pairing, Darnell Nurse and Jake Walman on the second, and Brett Kulak and Troy Stecher on the third.

Stuart Skinner will start in goal.

It will be curious to see how the Oilers will fare without the Dynamic Duo. In five-on-five this year, the Oilers have been outscored when neither McDavid or Draisatil are on the ice 62-57, controlling 47.9 percent of the goal share, which is a number better than it has been in recent years. In the five years preceding this season, the Oilers had been outscored 333-270 without them on the ice, controlling just 44.78 percent of the goals.

Edmonton’s depth has managed to fare better this season than recent years, and Saturday night will a true test.

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Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s associate editor, senior columnist, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the DFO DFS Report. He can be followed on Twitter, currently known as X, at @zjlaing, or reached by email at [email protected].

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Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/heres...k-against-the-kraken-without-their-superstars

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins hat trick, Jeff Skinner keeps scoring, and Adam Henrique’s first power play goal with the Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers squared off against the Seattle Kraken Saturday without Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in the lineup, and the question everyone had on their mind was how the rest of the team would step up in their absence. Kris Knoblauch may have been confident, but the rest of us were cautiously optimistic. Up for the challenge, the Ryan Nugent-Hopkins-led Oilers came through with a hard-fought 5-4 victory for their ninth-straight win over Seattle.

RYAN NUGENT-HOPKINS STAYS HOT​

With the big dogs out for a week or so due to injury, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was locked in as the Oilers’ first line centre for the first time in years. My guy hasn’t filled that slot in more than a minute, but since he’s the resident Swiss Army Knife around here, it was no surprise to see him slide up there in a time of need. What I didn’t necessarily suspect was that he’d go out and produce like a first line centre, popping his 4th career hat trick on five shots in 23:02 of TOI. Everyone around here knows how much I love RNH, but even I wouldn’t have seen this heater coming.

With two points against the Kraken, Nugent-Hopkins has nine points (4G, 5A) in his last four games and is unquestionably playing his best hockey of the season. There’s been a lot of talk throughout the season about needing Nuge to pick things up on the offensive side of his game, and it’s been fantastic to see that part of his game come to life over the last few nights. Even better is how he’s making it happen on the newly formed line with Viktor Arvidsson and Vasily Podkolzin.

JEFF SKINNER KEEPS SCORING​

Jeff Skinner was one of the primary beneficiaries of the open minutes left by McDavid and Draitil, and the veteran winger did not waste the opportunity. Skinner sniped his third goal in his last two games with a beautifully placed wrister from the slot at 12:31 of the second period when Connor Brown found him wide-open with all kinds of time to make a play. Even with all the time in the world, Skinner had that puck off his stick before Daccord could even figure out what was happening.

It hasn’t been the easiest season for Jeff Skinner. The guy has been in and out of the lineup probably for the first time in his entire career, but he seems to be taking it all in stride despite the challenges. While there’s obviously something in his game that rubs Kris Knoblauch the wrong way, there’s no denying that Skinner has been productive when he’s had the chance to play. The 18:38 he played was a season-high by a sizeable margin and over six minutes more than his 12:28 season average. After Thursday’s game against the Jets, I wondered if Skinner’s knack for scoring goals can make him an irreplaceable depth option in the lineup, and with goals in back-to-back games, you’d have to think he’s taking steps in that direction.

ADAM HENRIQUE STEPS UP​

In Saturday’s GDB and every game-day preview you could find, there was a line or two about how the rest of the Oilers’ lineup needed to step up with their superstars on the shelf. The Pacific Division standings are getting tighter by the day, and the only way for the Oilers to stay in the mix for first place and avoid slipping into third was to find a way to win despite being shorthanded. One of the guys who stepped up was Adam Henrique. Like many of his teammates, Henrique is having a slower-than-expected season offensively, but you wouldn’t have known it with the laser beam of a shot he roofed up and over Joey Daccord.

Henrique got an opportunity on the first power play unit due to the absence of McDavid and Draisaitl, and he made good on the chance late in the first period with a shot that very few goaltenders can stop. Henrique got a good chunk of his goals in Anaheim playing on the man advantage, and I appreciate how he wasted no time before ripping his shot, as if he’s been scoring those kinds of goals all year. Despite having nine goals this season, there is more offence in Adam Henrique that we haven’t seen enough of yet. I hope having additional opportunities over the next few games will be the key to unlocking consistency. He’ll have a chance for more minutes, and I hope he keeps finding ways to be productive with these extra minutes.

OTHER THINGS WORTH MENTIONING​

1. How about Paul Bissonnette getting “assless chaps” and “lubed up deaf guy” on the Hockey Night in Canada panel? I’m sure there will be some folk in northern Saskatchewan who were watching who had never heard such words before.

2. On Thursday night against Winnipeg, I complained about Darnell Nurse’s giveaway at the blue line, which resulted in an odd-man rush and eventual goal. Evan Bouchard made the same mistake on Saturday on Kappo’s second goal. Instead of making a simpler play toward the boards, Bouchard tried to put the puck in the middle of the ice, where it was intercepted and turned into a breakaway.

3. Speaking of Darnell Nurse, his two-assist night gives him four helpers in his last two games.

4. If the Oilers are going to survive this stretch without their two biggest stars, we’re going to need better from Stuart Skinner than a .871 save percentage on 31 shots. To be fair, that save percentage was better than the .857 by Daccord at the other end. I know Stan Bowman defended the goaltending on After Hours, but I think it’s going to be a conversation until the two guys we have can consistently prove that it’s not.

5. Looking at the special teams, the Oilers got a pair of goals from their newly formed PP1 unit on five opportunities with the man advantage. At the other end of the rink, the penalty kill had a disappointing night after allowing two goals on three shorthanded situations.

6. The NHL box score has the Oilers’ giveaway number at three. That number seems light to me unless my eyeballs lied to me on more than a few occasions.

7. Kasperi Kapanen registered his first point since February 7th against the Colorado Avalanche.

8. Without two of our centres in the lineup, how would the Oilers fare in the faceoff dot? I feared the worst, and the Oilers squashed those fears with a monstrous 55.8% win rate on the dot. The boys were digging in on draws, and you know how much I love to see them start plays with possession.

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Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/ryan-...ck-jeff-skinner-adam-henrique-edmonton-oilers

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

‘We’re going to make it happen’: Oilers GM Stan Bowman confident Connor McDavid will sign extension

There’s no doubt in Oilers general manager Stan Bowman’s mind that Connor McDavid will be in Edmonton well into the future.

With the franchise cornerstone and one of the best players of all time eligible for a contract extension when July 1st strikes this summer, many have speculated about what a potential extension would look like. McDavid, 28, is undoubtedly due for a raise from the $12.5-million he’s made annually since his current deal came into effect in 2019-20.

But that’s not what Bowman is concerned about right now — and for that fact, he doesn’t seem concerned at all.

“We have a great relationship with Judd Moldaver, his agent,” said Bowman on Sportsnet’s After Hours program Saturday night. “I’ve known Jed for a long time and he does a great job for his clients.

“I’m getting to know Connor right now really well too, and everything I said about Leon you can probably repeat that for Connor. He’s an incredible leader, incredible person, a great teammate. He loves to cheer for the guys and pump everyone up and be very supportive as a leader.

“He’s the most important player we have here, so that is priority number one. We’ll get to that this summer. Now’s probably not the time to be talking about that, but we all know Connor is going to be here and that we’re going to make it happen.”

That’s some strong words from Bowman, who much like everyone else in the organization, surely feels good about McDavid’s chances of staying in Edmonton for the long-term. The Oilers finally made it to the Stanley Cup Finals last year, albeit seeing it end in disappointing fashion, and the fact that Draisaitl inked his long-term extension last summer only solidified the fact that McDavid wasn’t going anywhere. No. 29’s public lobbying only reaffirmed that.

Edmonton saw a quick turnaround of literal days between the end of their Cup run and the start of free agency, and Draisaitl’s extension somewhat fell on the back burner. The team, of course, didn’t have a general manager in place until late July, when Bowman was named the full-time man on July 24th.

His first order of business was to deal with the offer sheets to Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg, before getting deep into the negotiations around Draisaitl’s eight-year, $14-million AAV deal that was made official on Sept. 3.

“Jed and I will have to get going on that on time there, but I’m confident we will,” Bowman said with a smile.

The Oilers would surely like to have an idea of where their salary cap will sit in the coming years when his extension would kick in, given that next season will be the last of McDavid’s aforementioned eight year deal. His current deal accounted for 15.72 percent of the salary cap when it was signed, and with the NHL appearing to have a $104-million upper limit when the 2026-27 season rolls around, that same percentage would see him earn $16.35-million per year, a nearly $4-million raise — and a well deserving one at that.

You can listen to Bowman’s full After Hours appearance below.

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Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s associate editor, senior columnist, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the DFO DFS Report. He can be followed on Twitter, currently known as X, at @zjlaing, or reached by email at [email protected].

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Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/were-...-confident-connor-mcdavid-will-sign-extension

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Oilers’ 3 Stars of the Week: Nugent-Hopkins steps up in style with hat trick heroics

The Edmonton Oilers went 2-0-1 in the three games played last week. Still, one of the biggest storylines during that stretch was captain Connor McDavid leaving the game against the Winnipeg Jets on March 20, which led to him joining his pal Leon Draisaitl on the sidelines. Of course, this created a huge void and raised questions about which Oilers would step up.

With that said, three players stood out above the rest last week, particularly in the absence of their captain. We highlight that trio below, along with an honourable mention to the Oilers’ steady Swede on the blue line, who was solid in his return to the lineup.

Oilers’ 3rd Star: Jeff Skinner​

Last Week’s Stats – 3 GP – 3 G – 0 A – 3 Pts
Season Stats – 60 GP – 14 G – 10 A – 24 Pts

Jeff Skinner’s season has been frustrating, but he continues to do his part to contribute to the club. That said, his play over the last three games was his best while donning the orange and blue, and his three goals earned him the Oilers’ Third Star of the Week.

The 32-year-old was finally given his long-awaited opportunity to play on the first line, and while he didn’t officially record a point in the 7-1 win over the Utah Hockey Club on March 18, he factored in on two plays by forcing turnovers that led to goals.

JEFF SKINNER WHAT A SNIPE! 1-0 Oilers.

: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/LZuqeoKFQk

— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) March 21, 2025

Two nights later against the Winnipeg Jets, he brought his A-game in what was easily his best outing of the season. He ripped a wrist shot past Connor Hellebuyck, and what I especially liked about that goal was that he didn’t defer to his linemates, McDavid and Zach Hyman. Instead, he saw an open area, took the puck to the net, and fired it—a sign of his heightened confidence. He was credited with another goal in the OT loss to the Jets and played 17:06 minutes—the most he had played in a game all season at that point.

Additionally, with McDavid slated to be out of the lineup after suffering an injury against the Jets, and after Skinner’s two-goal performance, surely, logic would dictate that he’d be playing in the top six in the next game against the Seattle Kraken? Of course not. Instead, he was placed on the third line with Connor Brown and Mattias Janmark, but that didn’t stop his momentum.

He dialled in another solid effort against the Kraken, setting a season-high in minutes played for the second straight game (18:38). Skinner created chances all night, played the second-most minutes among forwards behind Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and wired a wrister past Joey Daccord, for his 14th of the season.

Jeff Skinner means business. He makes it 3-2 Oilers.

: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/EN0x6qKQs1

— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) March 23, 2025

Skinner’s latest goal was the 371st of his career, moving him into 139th all-time on the regular-season goal scorers list. If he scores another, he’ll tie Jonathan Toews, Dany Heatley, and Eric Lindros—some pretty incredible company. Despite a down season in Oil Country, let’s not forget that this is a player who knows how to put the puck in the back of the net. While it’s taken him most of the season to dial it in, he has a chance to redeem himself down the stretch and into the playoffs, to become the player the Oilers thought they were getting when they first signed him. That is, of course, if the coaching staff gives him the opportunity.

Oilers’ 2nd Star: Zach Hyman​

Last Week’s Stats – 3 GP – 3 G – 2 A – 5 Pts
Season Stats – 64 GP – 25 G – 17 A – 42 Pts

Zach Hyman made his return to the lineup against Utah to kick off the week after sitting out a game and the relentless forward showed signs of his usual self, mainly by being a nuisance in front of the net, and took home the Oilers’ Second Star of the Week with a stellar five-point effort in three games.

The 32-year-old scored two goals against Utah in the most Ryan Smyth-esque style, by parking his 206-pound frame in the blue paint, redirecting the puck into the net on two occasions, while also picking up an assist in the 7-1 win.

Against the Jets, the Oilers as a whole stepped up after McDavid went down with an injury, and Hyman was huge with just over five minutes remaining in the game. He read Nurse’s point shot, pounced on the rebound, and whacked home the tying goal, helping secure a point for the Oilers. Also, he nearly potted the winner in overtime, but the Oilers eventually lost 4-3 in OT.

ZACHARY MARTIN HYMAN, IT'S A TIE GAME! THE OILERS ARE STILL IN THIS ONE!

: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/gFT6X7OOh5

— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) March 21, 2025

His latest goal brings him to 25 for the season, and on an individual level, the question now is whether he can score five more in the remaining 12 games to reach the 30-goal mark. With McDavid and Leon Draisaitl sidelined, Hyman will be given more opportunity, and with the bounces seemingly going his way, I’d wager he hits that mark.

Oilers’ 1st Star: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins​

Last Week’s Stats – 3 GP – 4 G – 3 A – 6 Pts
Season Stats – 69 GP – 20 G – 28 A – 48 Pts

With McDavid and Draisaitl out of the lineup, the Oilers were in desperate need of a hero. As head coach Kris Knoblauch likely nervously scanned his roster, it almost seemed like Nugent-Hopkins raised his hand and said, “I’ll take it from here, coach.” He was spectacular last week, registering six points in three games and stepping up the most in the absence of the Oilers’ two superstars, earning the Oilers’ First Star of the Week.

He scored four goals last week, one being a beauty shorthanded backhander, barreling down on the PK and picking a tiny spot top shelf against Utah. He then scored the Oilers’ first hat trick of the season against Seattle—the hats rained down at Rogers Place on his third of the night when he nailed a 180-foot shot into an empty net, which stood as the game-winner. Additionally, he played the most minutes of any forward (23:01) against the Kraken and won 53% of his faceoffs.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins with his fourth career hat trick!

: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/znZGJfuGoX

— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) March 23, 2025

He was also very defensively responsible—he didn’t get any points against the Jets but was instrumental on the PK, making several big clears, especially one when the Oilers were killing a 5-on-3 in the third period. On top of that, he also almost set up the winner in OT with a feathery pass to Hyman in the extra session.

Nugent-Hopkins has been playing down the middle over the last few games, and I thought the 31-year-old’s best days as a centerman were behind him, but he seems to be aging like fine wine—both in his on-ice play and with that babyface of his and this is likely the most confident he has felt since his 100-point season.

Moreover, his linemates lately, Vasily Podkolzin and Viktor Arvidsson, seem much more comfortable playing their style of game with him as their centerman. With McDavid and Draisaitl out, they’ll be relied upon as the top line, but when the superstars return, that trio will likely drop to the third. If they continue producing, the Oilers will have a strong, deep top nine heading into the playoffs, which could feature a third line that’s not only dependable defensively but also a consistent scoring threat—something they’ve lacked in previous postseasons.

Honourable Mention: Mattias Ekholm​

Last Week’s Stats – 3 GP – 1 G – 4 A – 5 Pts
Season Stats – 63 GP – 9 G – 23 A – 32 Pts

Oilers defenceman Mattias Ekholm deserves an honourable mention for tallying five points in three games last week, all while averaging 20:44 of ice time.

The Swedish D-man missed six games due to illness and an undisclosed injury but made a strong return against Utah, recording three points, one of which was a goal from a rocket-of-a wrist shot. He also made four blocks against the Jets and finished off the week by earning two assists against the Kraken.

Welcome back, Mattias Ekholm! He adds to the plethora of goals for the Oilers to make it 6-1.

: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/SZPiok4hVz

— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) March 19, 2025

That said, before taking some time off, Ekholm’s game seemed a little out of sync, but since returning, he’s looked much more refreshed and back to his usual self.

On that note, it’s a shame that McDavid and Draisaitl are out of the lineup for the foreseeable future; however, Ekholm’s elevated play since returning shows just how much of a difference a little rest can make in one’s game. Hopefully, the superstar duo won’t be out for long, but if they need the rest, they should take it—as they and many Oilers fans expect a lengthy playoff run.

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/oilers-3-stars-nugent-hopkins-steps-up

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Real Life Podcast: Coffee vs. Energy Drinks, McDavid and Draisaitl, and dinner with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Monday afternoon means a new episode of the Real Life podcast is recorded, edited, and ready to kick off your week. On today’s podcast, the guys discussed coffee vs. energy drinks, the Moose Jaw Warriors, Succession’s TV takeover, and much more.

Tyler wanted to start the Monday episode of Real Life with a conversation about Jay reusing his coffee cup for water. Somehow, Jay’s reusing his coffee cup led to a lengthy discussion about coffee vs. energy drinks and how Nation HQ has a pretty equal split of employees who consume one or the other.

Wanye shifted the conversation to the Moose Jaw Warriors after the team’s season is already winding down after winning the league championship last season. If anything, seeing Moose Jaw struggle the season after spending all of their draft capital for the change to build a one-year winner should be a reminder of what can happen when you go all-in so aggressively.

Turning the podcast to the Oilers, Tyler recapped the charity event he was at last night that featured Ryan Nugent-Hopkins the night after his hat trick. As you’ll hear, it was fun for Tyler to experience a night with the Nuge and also included an interesting observation that you’ll love to hear about city’s favourite son. As it turns, out Nugent-Hopkins is as nice as you’d ever hope he is and Tyler was all to happy to confirm it.

Finally, the guys wrapped up the Monday episode of Real Life with a random collection of topics, including Tyler’s big betting wins, the Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl injury timelines, Trent Frederic’s giant hands. As always, the Monday episode of Real Life was all over the map, precisely what you’d expect from this podcast.

Listen to the Monday episode of Real Life below:

Subscribe to the Real Life Podcast for FREE on Spotify here, on Apple Podcasts here, on YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/real-...d-leon-draisaitl-injuries-ryan-nugent-hopkins

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

‘We wouldn’t have been able to field a team’: No regrets on declining Holloway and Broberg offer sheets, says Oilers GM Stan Bowman

It was no surprise that the St. Louis Blues’ offer sheets of Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg were designed in a way to make the Edmonton Oilers uncomfortable.

Both were right on the threshold of compensatory value, with Broberg accepting a two-year, $4,580,917-million per year offer, and Holloway a two-year, $2,290,457-million per year offer. Edmonton got their compensation — a second-round pick for Broberg which was used to acquire Trent Frederic and Max Jones, and a third-round pick for Holloway.

Holloway and Broberg have both had breakout seasons in St. Louis. Holloway has racked up 23 goals and 58 points in 72 games, including 19 goals and 50 points in 50 games since Jim Montgomery took over behind the bench, while Broberg has scored seven goals and 23 points in 59 games.

Oilers general manager Stan Bowman was asked during his appearance on Sportsnet’s After Hours program last Saturday about how he looks back on declining those offers, saying the team would’ve be able to field the roster they have today if they accepted.

“I think they both have had good years in St. Louis, so that’s got a lot of attention saying, ‘Well why wouldn’t we have matched?’, but it really came down to a fundamental salary cap challenge for us,” said Bowman. “We wouldn’t have the team we have now if we would’ve matched either one of those offers. We would’ve had to have gotten rid of a pretty core player. Simply, the math didn’t work. It’s not like we didn’t like the players or didn’t think they could be good players for us, but when you look at the salary cap, that was what we’re studying, was ‘Is there any possible way to match either or both?’

“And as I recounted back at the time when we decided not to, we wouldn’t have been able to field a team if we matched either of those offer sheets. We would’ve had to move out a very important player on our team. We didn’t have the flexibility.

“I think we pivoted pretty good. We brought in Podkolzin and Emberson, and they’ve played really well for us. Low-priced players that came in and found a role on our team. I think we made it work and we like where we’re at.”

Both Holloway and Broberg have become very effective players in St. Louis. While Holloway’s driven play offensively at a league average rate, according to HockeyViz, his defensive contributions have come at an eight percent rate above league average, with his overall impact that of a border-line first-line player. Broberg, meanwhile, has been impactful on both ends of the ice, driving offence at a five percent rate above league average and defence at a four percent rate above league average. HockeyViz has his impacts slightly above a first-pairing rate.

Looking back, Holloway is the one that the Oilers should regret the most, as he’s played very effective top-six minutes for the Blues this season, after a playoff run where he was showing great signs of development alongside Leon Draisaitl. The issue for the Oilers with both players, though, is the team didn’t do a good job developing either player.

You can listen to Bowman’s full appearance on After Hours below.

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Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s associate editor, senior columnist, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the DFO DFS Report. He can be followed on Twitter, currently known as X, at @zjlaing, or reached by email at [email protected].

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ARTICLE PRESENTED BY bet365​

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/we-wo...berg-offer-sheets-edmonton-oilers-stan-bowman