The Edmonton Oilers have placed Ben Scrivens on waivers for the purpose of assignment to the Bakersfield Condors. RIP to this photoshop I made of the Oilers goalie tandem from last year. Things have changed, man.
With Anders Nilsson going a perfect 53 for 53 in the saves department I was wondering how or if the Oilers would be able to tell him he didn’t do enough to make the team. He did absolutely everything he could to make the Edmonton Oilers opening night roster and he earned the spot honestly. That’s not to say that Ben Scrivens played poorly during the pre-season. Scrivens stopped 52 of 56 shots for a .929 Save%. I’m sure this decision wasn’t made easily by Todd McLellan’s coaching staff, but a choice had to be made and they went with Nilsson.
To me, the most interesting thing about Scrivens being placed on waivers is the fact that it is another one of Craig MacTavish’s moves being undone by the new management team. Peter Chiarelli and Todd McLellan didn’t have to feel loyal to Ben Scrivens or Nikita Nikitin and they made the decisions they thought would be best for the Edmonton Oilers. As Jonathan Willis wrote yesterday, “This says a lot about the current administration, and a lot about the former regime.” A lot of those old players are being cleared out and that’s an indictment on MacT’s tenure as general manager.
With Ben Scrivens on waivers for the purpose of assignment and Nikita Nikitin clearing waivers this morning, the Oilers will have sent $6.8 million in salary down to the AHL Condors. That’s a lot of bread to have riding the bus. It will be interesting to see how this turns out. Yes, Anders Nilsson did stop every shot he faced but on most nights he wasn’t looking at NHL competition. Can he keep the run going into the regular season? How much is he even going to play? We shall see.
EARLY REACTION
Getting a vision of MacT and Scott Howson gazing out the window at Oiler offices wondering where the guys they thought were good enough went
— Robin Brownlee (@Robin_Brownlee) October 4, 2015
The Oilers put a goaltender who had an .890 sv% on waivers and everybody is like “who could have foreseen this???” because Oilers
— Matt Henderson (@Archaeologuy) October 4, 2015
Nilsson the back up with Scrivens on waivers. Right decision
— Dustin Nielson (@nielsonTSN1260) October 4, 2015
Oil better? Count da ways. Scrivens. Nikitin. Acton. Fasth. Aulie. Hunt. Joensuu. Pinizzatto. Fraser and, who am I missing? Oh yeah. Eakins.
— Terry Jones (@sunterryjones) October 4, 2015
Scrivens two big moments — that monster save game vs San Jose. And chucking back #Oilers sweater thrown on ice by fan. #WeWereScrivens
— David Staples (@dstaples) October 4, 2015
Yes , but $950,000 from each doesn’t count towards cap. So they would count for combined $4.9 mill against cap. https://t.co/JBNlx9SOJA
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) October 4, 2015
Here’s a look at the Oilers cap situation after waiving Nikitin & Scrivens. They’ll save $1.9 million in cap space. http://t.co/bn9ypkuwB8
— NHLnumbers (@NHLnumbers) October 4, 2015
I know Scrivens has critics but he’s an NHL goalie. Maybe not starter but he’s, at worst, an NHL backup who can play 25-30 gms. #EJLive
— Jim Matheson (@NHLbyMatty) October 4, 2015
OPEN LETTER TO BEN SCRIVENS
Dear Ben,
This is a letter that I didn’t want to write. I honestly thought that you were the goalie that was going to lead the Oilers back to the playoffs. Remember the night of the 59 save shutout? I’ll never forget it either. You were great despite not having much help as the San Jose Sharks threw absolutely everything they had at you. I’m sorry that you didn’t get much help in any of the games since.
I never thought it would end this way, but we have to move on. Good luck, Professor. You deserve better than what you got on a lot of nights while playing for your home town.
Best,
Baggedmilk
BEN SCRIVENS’ STATS AS AN OILER
| SEASON | TEAM | GP | W | L | T | OT | SO | GA | SA | SV% | GAA | MIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-2014 | OILERS | 21 | 9 | 11 | – | 0 | 1 | 62 | 741 | .916 | 3.01 | 1,235 |
| 2014-2015 | OILERS | 57 | 15 | 26 | – | 11 | 1 | 170 | 1,542 | .890 | 3.16 | 3,228 |
| NHL TOTALS | 129 | 42 | 56 | 0 | 17 | 7 | 345 | 3,648 | .905 | 2.90 | 7,134 |
Jesus Christ. The same tired posters with the same tired commentary. What a bunch of idiot posters this site has.
pot, kettle, black?
I’m perplexed as to why you keep reading and commenting on a site you hate so much?? Perhaps you should join Mensa, it might not be beneath you
Do please cite a better site that has better oilers dialogue in the comments section. Because as it stands now barring another site this is the finest oilers fan site in the entire universe.
If the posters at ON step up their game, will they attract more intelligent trolls?
You mad, bro?
So, we are supposed to be civil on this site, and yet this poster cannot make a comment without using the term “idiot”.
Notwithstanding his or her opinion, there is no way we should have to put up with the constant verbal abuse.
What are you going to do about it, baggedmilk, Jeanshorts, Wanye, Willis, Gregor, Brownlee, Lowetide, Arch, ANYONE?
If you don’t make an example, then you may as well flush this site down the toilet with the others before it.
We all deserve a little respect for making this site the best Oiler’s forum there is.
I keep looking for intelligent well thought out commentary.
All I find is herpa derp Mact! Durrr Lowe! Duhhh Eakins. Lolzzzz
For every 2 intelligent posters there is 10 derp stars.
I keep hoping to find intelligent oil fans but they are few and far between.
@”mcjesus take the wheel”,…. really ask yourself, are you that smart or just plain insecure?
You won’t look more intelligent by putting other people down…it’s a fallacious concept.!!
And yet…all the derptards on here do all day long is put down Mact, Lowe, Eakins etc. guys that have paid their dues, are thought of as smart hockey people throughout the world. Take a look in the mirror before calling me out. Every second post here us about how much smarter the poster is than past management. Yet I’ve posted past comments from most of these posters supporting past management moves. Who is looking for attention? Those that just go with the flavour of the month? Or those that have a brain and can think for themselves like me. The vast majority on here are a bunch of yes men. I’ll use my own god given brain thanks.
If you have to tell the world that you are intelligent, then you are likely not ! It is a figment of your own imagination, perhaps.
“Smart hockey people throughout the world”?
Lol
Ditto to that Mcjesus…..
Check Flames Nation and don’t come back …
I think everyone commenting on how Chia and the new coaching staff proved that you are not given a spot and must earn it by cutting Scrivens should check out Talbot’s save%
You don’t look very goddamn hard do you?
There is a lot of intelligent commentary here. You just see what you want to see, and take the opportunity to insult at every turn.
No one has seen anything of substance from you, only insults, insecurity, immaturity, and hypocrisy.
Your act is tired and shallow.
I can only assume by your style, you are a kid. If you are not, then man, you have some growing up to do.
Never have I seen a man so desperately in need of a girlfriend.
Use all that pent up aggression and go out and meet some ladies there guy. The internets are bringing out the worst in you.
Well said!!
Sadly, confident, attractive women seldom find desperation, pent up frustration and a bitter tongue appealing.
Come to think of it, neither do I.
Because the ladies are looking for guys like him?
What seriously goes through your head before posting stuff like this? What does it accomplish? You are the only poster in this current conversation who ISN’T contributing anything. So seriously, what the f’ck do you want? Make a point or go the f’ck away.
Gotcha. Go against the derp equates to contributing nothing.
I no longer have words, and you must have autism.
The empathy I have for Scrivens is 10 fold what it was for Nikitin when he went down
*it’s actually infinite fold
No. It’s not an indictment on MacT so much as an indictment on the goal of the Oilers organization, which guys like MacT were charged with achieving – that goal being collecting high draft picks.
The Oilers have run out of rope as far as tanking goes and now have to operate like a team that considers “winning hockey games” at least somewhat important. We fall into McDavid and pretty much every smart move that we’ve been begging for over the past few years “magically” happens.
MacT was spotted watching the game last night right beside Chiarelli. That doesn’t happen in a Nicholson-run organization if MacT isn’t considered at least somewhat competent.
I’m not a MacT apologist by any stretch but this sucker’s narrative of organizational incompetence has led to the greatest collection of high draft picks in the modern era. You have to be damn good to be that bad and get away with it.
You’re dreaming. It was incompetence supported by cronyism bankrolled by a sycophant. Were talking about Craig McTavish not Oliver North.
Love the Ollie north reference.
Yes. Anyone that doesn’t many moves under MacT and that other guy weren’t being guided by a team-tanking-draft-pick philosophy are blind.
Tambelini (he’s that other guy) or Lowe had announced at some point they felt they had to build through the draft.
The contracts up this year were tied to that plan. Connor threw a wrench into it and here we are trying to become competitive.
Lots of MacT head-scratcher moves but many were tied to this plan. I’m not a MacT as GM supporter but he gets a lot credit around here than he deserves.
I do hope he and PC work out well as a team.
Chiarelli keeps taking out the trash and every bag has Lowe’s name written all over it.
Accountability is back. Roster spots are now earned not gifted. The new coach refuses to let players get away with being lazy and soft.
Things are looking up. Go Oilers!
It’s irrelevant how much salary is on the farm. That comes off next year for Ben and NN. Better to pay them in the minors than in the press box or on bench.
Another “glass full, glass empty” item is not to think of Ben and NN as bad signings, but that better signings turned each into excess assets, to be used in an emergency.
Great message. The better player stays.
The message has been sent and is loud and clear. Chiarelli is the Oiler laxative—-Everyone on the team is starting to $h!t themselves with his no nonsense. Good on him for trying to ice the best roster. I really like the Professor and wish him well. Hopefully another team scoops him. Let the games begin.
Down to 24, plus Ebs on the injured list. Last to go will be either Slepyshev, Davidson or Gadzik. Should be Gadzik, most likely will be Davidson. I think Slepyshev will stay – until Eberle returns anyway. Fantasy conclusion? Ference, knowing he is costing another player a spot, retires and takes a job working for the Oilers in some capacity for $4 million a year. Yeah, I know. I said it was a fantasy.
Nicholson,Chiarelli and Mclellan are giving the old regime (Lowe,Mactavish ,Howsen and Eakins)a lesson on how to properly manage and run a hockey team.
Ok, changes in management where made but this be management hasn’t even played a game yet and they’re teaching the old boys how it’s done?
Let’s all relax and wait until the end of November and see how the team looks. Could be another brutal first few months like last year.
Good on Chia for making the call and avoiding the three headed monster.
I’m not worried that Scrivens will be claimed. Not with the 2nd worst sv% in the league last year. If the injury bug strikes, he’s only a call away.
What were Talbot’s pre season stats?
Personally I am a fan of MacT & Lowe getting a front row seat for their dismantling. Well earned. That said, this is year one of a PROPER rebuild for the Oil. They have a plan it seems and have started on the journey. The plan, for once, is not to stockpile 1st overalls. Goals for this season should be to assess the players under the new system, leaders will emerge and moves will be made. My one and only beef is the coronation of the latest 1st overall before he even plays game one. Smacks of the past regime and their reliance on 18 year olds to get it done (right McJesus Take The Wheel?). The media sure isn’t helping.
Just an off topic note.
It’s crazy how good McDavid is. Yes, as badly as I wanted him to score a bunch of goals and prove all the haters wrong. I stepped back and realized he put up 5 points in 5 preseason games. How can you not be happy with that? Keep on truckin, kid.
Crazy! Its almost as if we dont hand out spots anymore based on how much someone makes.
Jesus Christ. The same tired posters with the same tired commentary. What a bunch of idiot posters this site has.
Your like the hypocrite who writes “only losers write on bathroom stall walls” on a bathroom stall.
Sorry to see the professor demoted but if it’s in the best interest of the team I’m fully on board. I trust Chiarelli/McLellan/Nicholson to make the right decisions for our beloved Oilers.
Scrivens is Edmonton’s version of Tim Thomas. Unorthodox style, and had a never give up attitude. Unlike Thomas though the Professor was not that flakey .. . .thank goodness.
However that unorthodox style was coupled with poor rebound control and he created complete chaos when handling the puck. Last year he seemed to let in the untimely goal or the “first shot goal” – when the team needed some momentum.
I’ve seen Nilsson play – big, athletic and does not overplay the puck. What’s not to like here and a lot less riskier with the puck than Scrivens – that will translate to +5 to +10 GAA alone.
Good Luck Ben.
Despite Thomas’ “quirky” political views, the only thing he shared with Scivens is an unorthodox style. Thomas did it the hard way, I mean he spent 10 years in the minors and in Europe before he made a comeback, I give credit where it’s due, he battled and not too many players did it his way. He also was a pretty good goalie as winning the awards treble (Conn Smythe, Vezina, and Stanley Cup) in one season (no one has done that since Parent) and another Vezina, and a 4 time all star. Add to that my geeky favourite of seemingly making his own mask and not caring about pad colours. If Scrivens can accomplish any of that in his career, I will be impressed.
Now I’m not all on hating Scrivens, he came off as a pretty nice guy and I wish him the best with whatever happens to him, but I guess the part that irked me was that he had some seriously glaring issues in his game, and he had a chance to fix them and be a number one in his hometown, I don’t know what happened but he didn’t seem to address the issues as he still has them.
He hasn’t shown me that he can be a number one, and maybe he will be a career backup, but I just thought he had an opportunity and didn’t take it. Maybe a Bakersfield or Norfolk (as his wife is playing near there) could be a chance to address his issues and come back at some point.
I feel bad for the guy. There is no way anyone can say he was set up to succeed last season. Crack T and the clown parade iced the worst defence in the history of hockey and let Scrivens get lambasted every night. I hope Scrivens can turn it around like Dubnyk. I don’t like to see the Oilers lose but I have to admit I enjoyed seeing Dubnyk give to Crack T prison style last year.
Comments regardling Dubnyk, he was actually a soild starter for 3 years with over .910 save% in Edmonton. He struggled for one season (under first year of Eakins reign) then MacT quickly gave up on him and ship him out of town. I don’t know if Scrivens can be like Dubnyk becasue he was only a solid backup, not a starter.
Agree 100%…Dubey posted a .920 the year prior. Two months of tough hockey was a poor excuse to give up on your starting goalie
The sad part is, everyone was basically want Dubby to be gone. Fans are not helping in the case of keeping Dubby, that 2 months made everyone forgot about the good solid 3 years that he had by playing for the worst team in the league.
I was one of those glad to see Dubie go – at the time.
He was playing terrible and it’s very frustrating for a team when the goalie is consistently letting in soft goals.
That being said, I’m not an NHL scout, coach or GM. These professional hockey minds should be held to a higher expectation.
So why was he let go from Nashville, Montreal and Arizona before any of these other “professional scouts, gms and coaches” sent him to Minny where he came around?
Duby himself has talked about it. He lost his focus for a while when they had their first child and were going through issues at home. It was on him. So people need to stop blaming Mact for somehow “ruining” him.
The head count is rising. Not only is Mact a colossal screw-up on drafting and signing players he blew the development of Schultz, Dubnyk and Lander and heaven knows how many others? Thank goodness no other gm had the foresight to see Lander’s character and potential.
What is the tragic difference between the Oil under Lowe/Mact and the Titanic? The Oil got to fire the skipper before the Good Ship Oil sank out of sight forever.
With all those players listed above no reasoable observer should expect Nicholson and Chiarelli to turn this around in one season.
This will get me booed right off the planet but I don’t think either Hall or Eberle are the answer. They both say they are buying in but I have warched Hall make lazy Jr. B mistakes all the way through training camp. That is not a function of regime change. He should know how to change lines by now. Eberle is just plain soft. Turn up the physical pressure on him anywhere on the ice and he vanishes. That ain’t what is needed here.
Nicholson and Chiarelli need to muster some gumption and flush the corporate toilet at least two more times. Might I suggest the two turds are Mact and Howson. Their record of bad decisions and team record should speak for itself. Hopefully their contracts are not renewed. I couldn’t believe my eyes whem Mact was front and centre on the stage at the McDavid draft. What naked hubris!
This may be the least intelligent piece I have ever read on Oil Nation. Congratulations Elvis for taking this site to a new low.
Hear hear! Stupid stuff right there.
We are all impressed with your pithy retort. But come now ‘fess up, you had to have someone read it for you.
What a bunch of derp. Have a nice ride on your short bus tomorrow morning.
That’s good…make fun of handicapped and mentally challenged people. You put the ass in class buddy. You are the worst kind of idiot because you don’t even realize it.
To date : What have new regime and coaching proved in results ? Nothing as yet . It would be hard to imagine this years club being as bad/performing as last years club if only McDavid were added . If we still remain in last two spots in West then little has been accomplished even with a few extra points . I think we are better off but results might prove otherwise in October . Club personnel might still be major issue . I like coaching changes but am reluctant on Chia .
We seriously still talking about Dubnyk? Get over it already!!He is gone and never coming back.