The Edmonton Oilers are in a much better position today than they were on December 23rd, 2014, but they aren’t the only team who looks at the standings and feels significantly different than last year.
The Oilers enter the Christmas break with 32 points (15-18-2) in their first 35 games, a massive improvement from this time last season when the Oilers had 21 points (7-21-7) in 35 games and were 20 points out of a playoff spot.
The NHL has played 516 games, 42% of the season, and at Christmas break in 2014 they had played 514 games (41.8%). The Oilers are a better team and their positioning in the league mirrors their play.
They are 22 points behind the league-leading Dallas Stars (54 pts). They were 30 points behind the Anaheim (51pts) last season. A 26.7% improvement.
They are three points behind the eighth place Vancouver and Colorado (35 points), Van is third in the Pacific so that is the final playoff spot, and last season Edmonton was 20 points behind the eighth place LA Kings — a stunning 85% improvement.
Many suggest the Oilers are only in the race because the Pacific division is weaker, and while that is true, the parity in the NHL is much more apparent this season compared to last year.
Last year, nine teams had 45+ points at Christmas, five in the East and four in the West.
Ducks: 51 Penguins: 49
Blackhawks: 48 Islanders: 46
Predators: 46 Canadiens: 46
Blues: 45 Lightning: 46
Red Wings: 45
This season only three teams have 46+ points: Stars (54), Capitals (52) and Blues (46).
Chicago and the Rangers have 44, NYI and Montreal have 43, while Minnesota, Boston, Florida and Los Angeles each have 42.
At the other end of the standings, the Ducks (30 )and Blue Jackets (29) are the only teams with 30 points of less compared to 2014 when four teams were under 30: Buffalo (29), Arizona had (28), Carolina (24) and Edmonton (21).
Essentially there are no Hurricanes or Oilers this season, thus the playoff gap is closer.
Here is a comparison from this year to last for all 30 teams on December 23rd.
|
2015 |
GP |
GF |
GA |
P |
|
2014 |
GP |
GF |
GA |
P |
Point difference |
|
|
35 |
124 |
88 |
54 |
33 |
95 |
113 |
33 |
21 |
||||
|
33 |
105 |
71 |
52 |
34 |
99 |
90 |
40 |
12 |
||||
|
35 |
91 |
106 |
32 |
35 |
75 |
121 |
21 |
11 |
||||
|
35 |
83 |
87 |
39 |
36 |
78 |
104 |
31 |
8 |
||||
|
34 |
80 |
101 |
31 |
34 |
70 |
93 |
24 |
7 |
||||
|
33 |
91 |
80 |
42 |
32 |
93 |
89 |
35 |
7 |
||||
|
33 |
90 |
104 |
34 |
34 |
80 |
112 |
28 |
6 |
||||
|
35 |
105 |
104 |
40 |
34 |
90 |
94 |
34 |
6 |
||||
|
35 |
95 |
81 |
42 |
32 |
73 |
82 |
38 |
4 |
||||
|
36 |
104 |
93 |
44 |
32 |
97 |
83 |
40 |
4 |
||||
|
33 |
104 |
85 |
42 |
35 |
91 |
91 |
39 |
3 |
||||
|
34 |
79 |
89 |
32 |
35 |
69 |
115 |
29 |
3 |
||||
|
34 |
74 |
92 |
37 |
34 |
97 |
101 |
34 |
3 |
||||
|
35 |
99 |
97 |
35 |
34 |
90 |
101 |
34 |
1 |
||||
|
33 |
84 |
76 |
42 |
35 |
97 |
88 |
41 |
1 |
||||
|
36 |
92 |
85 |
46 |
34 |
100 |
86 |
45 |
1 |
||||
|
36 |
88 |
112 |
29 |
33 |
80 |
107 |
31 |
-2 |
||||
|
36 |
105 |
89 |
43 |
35 |
95 |
84 |
46 |
-3 |
||||
|
35 |
96 |
82 |
43 |
34 |
105 |
94 |
46 |
-3 |
||||
|
36 |
96 |
87 |
44 |
35 |
107 |
72 |
48 |
-4 |
||||
|
34 |
89 |
89 |
41 |
35 |
100 |
87 |
45 |
-4 |
||||
|
34 |
91 |
113 |
34 |
36 |
104 |
98 |
39 |
-5 |
||||
|
34 |
90 |
86 |
40 |
33 |
95 |
70 |
46 |
-6 |
||||
|
34 |
93 |
94 |
36 |
35 |
99 |
90 |
43 |
-7 |
||||
|
36 |
91 |
103 |
35 |
33 |
99 |
91 |
42 |
-7 |
||||
|
35 |
87 |
82 |
37 |
36 |
117 |
96 |
46 |
-9 |
||||
|
34 |
92 |
104 |
32 |
35 |
88 |
81 |
43 |
-9 |
||||
|
33 |
86 |
93 |
31 |
35 |
118 |
102 |
43 |
-12 |
||||
|
33 |
76 |
84 |
35 |
34 |
108 |
80 |
49 |
-14 |
||||
|
33 |
62 |
85 |
30 |
36 |
104 |
98 |
51 |
-21 |
The Stars (+21), Capitals (+12) and Oilers (+11) have improved the most, while the Ducks (-21), Penguins (-14) and Leafs (-12) have lost the most points.
QUICK HITS…
- Twelve of the 13 teams with the biggest drop in points had 42 or more points last season. There is no Buffalo or Edmonton in the league this year and it has created even more parity.
- The Dallas Stars have made improvements everywhere. They were -18 in GF/GA ratio at this time last season, but are now +36. A whopping 54 goal difference. Wow.
- The Oilers were -46 last season, but are now -15. The Flames were +6 last season, but are -22 so far this year, which is why they are only two points apart.
- The Ducks have scored 42 fewer goals. The Penguins’ and Leafs’ offence is struggling, down 32 goals, while the Lightning are 30 goals behind last year’s pace.
- Here are some individuals who have had significant point increases comparing this season to last year prior to December 23rd..
Draisaitl +23 points. He’s only played 25 games thus far but has 9-21-30 compared to 2-5-7 in 34 games last year.
Klingberg +22. He only played 19 games prior to Christmas, 3-7-10, but he has 5-27-32 this season.
Hall +18
(21 to 39, he missed four games last year)
Benn +16
(30 to 46)
Hoffman +16
(16 to 32)
Karlsson +15
(23 to 38)
Kane +14 (36 to 50) - Some of the biggest drop in points come from some of the league’s best.
Voracek -23. He had 46 points last year but only has 23 in 2015.
Getzlaf -19
(20 from 39 and only one goal, an empty netter)
Kessel -18 (20 from 38)
Crosby -15
(22 from 37)
Hudler -14
(19 from 33)
Giroux -13
(28 from 41)
Stamkos -11
(25 from 36)
Foligno -11
(19 from 30)
T.Johnson -26. He’s only played 23 games (4-7-11) this year, but he had 13-24-37 last Christmas. - I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. Thanks for reading the Nation and for always supporting my charitable endeavours.
FINAL DAY: MONTH OF GIVING
A massive thank you to AG for his unreal bid of $9,000 yesterday on the dinner package at Vivo Ristorante with Ryan Smyth and Matt Hendricks. We have raised $79,050 thus far, and we will surpass $80,000 in only 17 days. AWESOME.
Package #1
- Dinner for 8 at Jason Gregor’s home catered by Chop Steakhouse.
- It will be a
five-course dinner with wine pairings as well as special hand crafted
cocktails. We will personalize the menu to the guest’s tastes. - Chef Jonathan Ruby will prepare all of the food.
He has worked at some of the best restaurants in the world. His most recent
is Le Bernardin with Chef Eric Ripert. - Brad German will be doing the wine and cocktails,
- Your party of eight will be picked up and driven home by Blue Sky Limos.
You can bid by calling 780.444.1260
Package #2
I have had many listeners and readers mention they would love to donate, but usually the bidding gets to high. So today we have do a fun draw. I will take fifteen donations of $100. Those 15 people will be in a draw and the winner will win:
- Four gold seats to the Oilers/ Ducks game on New Years Eve. Section 120, row 15.
- Includes a parking pass.
At 2 p.m. I will announce on my show on TSN 1260 how people can enter.
Thanks in advance. 100% of donations go to towards The Christmas Bureau and MS Society.
Recently by Jason Gregor:
- Draisaitl’s work in summer pays off in November and December
- GDB 35.0: Home Cooking
- Are three scoring lines realistic
- GDB 33.0: Start another streak?
- Adam Oates: The Skills Coach
- GDB 32.0 Streaking for seven
- GDB 31.0: Klefbom injury creates concern
Here’s wishing the Oilers a Happy Fistivus
Nicely done!!!
Good job Jason, the money you raise is helpful to so many people.
I like the idea of $50-$100 bids, then put names in a draw, Capit at 100 people, or is that too much for Mageau?
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!!!!
Everything’s comin up Milhouse!!
FINALLYYYYYYY!!!!!!!
I have been waiting for this article ever since “Pacific division sucks and that’s why Oilers are in it,” started blasting out over the radio.
However, given you were one of the ones blasting this Gregor, I never thought this piece would come from you. Well done sir.
I listen regularly to Gregor and he was never ripping Oilers or the division. He said it was a lucky for Oilers no teams, other than Kings are great, but Oilers have improved which takes points from others.
Regardless, I’m shocked how bad some star players have been. Didn’t think it was that much for guys like Getzlaf and Kessel. Yikes.
Does anyone know how many points RNH had at this time last year, I think he is ahead. Gregor? Anyone?
I also listen to Gregor every day on my way home from work. And while I admit it’s possible I’m just lumping him in with others on TSN, I feel like the words, “the Oilers are in it because the division is so bad,” have indeed been uttered from him.
But like you say, it’s not that crazy important in the grad scheme; I like you am also shocked at the dip from guys like Getzlaf. A bit surprising Crosby didn’t make that list as he has to be waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down from last year.
Personally, given the Oilers are yet again leading the league in man games lost due to injury, I’m shocked they have the record they do. Especially combined with how many times they’ve played against the central to start the season… on the road. October and November were BRUTAL schedules.
And finally, the best version of this team hasn’t even been iced yet. I.E. Hall, Drai, Purcell, McDavid, Pou, Yak, Nuge, Ebs, Nurse, Sekera, and Klefbom, have yet to all be healthy and playing on the same night together. That is insane.
Didn’t Crosby win NHL player of the year for the 5th straight year on TSN? hahaha
I think Price is better, Benn is better etc.
I don’t think Crosby is even the best player on his team; Malkin is.
I just meant the list of players who are surprisingly behind their totals from last year. Though I think you are referring to the crazy hype Crosby gets. I too think the guy is over hyped. Everything but his backhand shot, which has to be one of the most lethal in the game.
A quick look on hockey reference shows RNH had a stat line of 9-13-22 by the christmas break. That is basically the same stat line he has going this year.
I like to look at this season as a positive so far for the Oilers and I hope most fans do too. They are playing way better than last 2 years and have shown that they can play with some of the better teams in the league.
They have 2 pieces of the puzzles solved offense and goaltending. Once they have a more capable and mature defense then this team will be a playoff contender.
With those numbers and salary cap of 6M RHN wont be traded.
This will be good for all the fans who don’t want to see him traded.
I also contend that the Ducks and Oilers record against the central of 2 – 11 – 0 is a large reason why that division is leading in points. Take those two records away and the parity is even closer.
Hey Gregor,
your point total for Leon should be 30 points not 20. Figured I’d let you know.
‘Draisaitl +23 points. He’s only played 25 games thus far but has 9-21-20 compared to 2-5-7 in 34 games last year. “
Merry Christmas Gregor.
All the best in the New Year.
Oh, and stop banning me ;-‘)
I second the best wishes! Also, thank you for your tireless charitable efforts. You make me proud to be an Edmontonian and life-long Oiler fan!
@Sizzay
There is always that one kid in class that raises their arm to let the teacher know they made a very apparent mistake, one that would be better off going unaddressed. Your that guy.
* you’re. ?
Hey Jason, any thoughts on having a day next year in the month of giving where you could accept 100$ or 200$ from say 50-60 guys (prob even more) and have a draw for the prize being given……Just a thought great way to raise money for the charities and allows maybe some people (like myself who can’t afford the big ticket bids). Im sure logistically this may be a night mare and not feasible……so just a thought
anyways always like the month of giving and the help given to people who need it
and p.s. I do realize there are lots of charities who need people and could use the 100$, Definitely other ways to donate.
Thanks Shaun
Just think if the Oilers can win their next 5 games, they will have just as many wins as losses. Currently 15 wins and 20 losses in 35 games.
Good improvement but will need to win more than half their games to make the playoffs.
But don’t forget McDavid and Yakupov are still coming.
Loving the year over yer GF/GA comparison and that it seems we’re the 3rd most improved team in the league this year. Some may say, “well when you’re at the bottom there’s really only one way to go” but considering how many man-games we’ve lost to injuries as well I’m lovin it. And when Connor is back, I’ll be McLovin it even more.
Thanks for all your hard work and time in support of The Christmas Bureau and MS, Jason. You sir are my favorite read on this site, and an even better citizen and human. All the best to you and yours over the holidays.
Merry X-Mas to all! (Yes, even Flames fans).
Last year I watched part of the games but by the third period I was switching to Modern Family reruns, This year I have been watching the whole game because even if we are up by 1 or down by 1,we are stlll in it. To me, this is a sign we have turned the corner. Merry Christmas to Oiler fans wherever they are.
Connor Mcdavid
Wow, Toronto is 12 points behind their pace from last year. They should fire their coach, whoever that is… ;p
Regardless what people think the oilers are in a race during the Xmas break and the fans and players deserve it. It’s no fun for any team or the fans when they are out by Halloween.
I still don’t think they make the playoffs but I think they make a crazy push towards the end and will make this summer much more palatable then previous off seasons.
Now time to enjoy some world class hockey in the world juniors! These kids play hockey like its suppose to be played. Awesome hockey!
Regardless what people think the oilers are in a race during the Xmas break and the fans and players deserve it. It’s no fun for any team or the fans when they are out by Halloween.
I still don’t think they make the playoffs but I think they make a crazy push towards the end and will make this summer much more palatable then previous off seasons.
Now time to enjoy some world class hockey in the world juniors! These kids play hockey like its suppose to be played. Awesome hockey!
Your kidding, time to watch bowl games!
Double post
@Devolution
I purposefully planted that for a nerd to pick up on, congrats, your that nerd!
Oopsie, YER****** YER that nerd****
It’s awesome the Oil are third most improved overall and with that schedule in the first few months is even better. Still a long way to go, Happy holidays nation.?
Interesting Fact from the 2015 draft that I think people need to be aware of:
The Griffin Reinhart trade may pan out (always liked the player not the trade to acquire him), still to early to tell….. But when I see that 6 players drafted from the16th to 34th range are playing for team Canada at the World Juniors and Reinhart is in the minors and our farm team with no real notables, this may be a bad sign.
We traded the 16th and 33rd pick for Reinhart in the 2015 draft. The Players below are representing team Canada at the World Juniors.
16th- Matthew Barzal (C), 18th -Thomas Chabot (D), 24th – Travis Konecny (C), 28th – Anthony Beauvillier (LW), 33rd – Mitchell Stephens (C),
34th – Travis Dermott (D)
Last Cuts – 26th – Noah Juulsen (D) and 30th – Nick Merkley (RW)
Who knows if any of these kids will enjoy an NHL career or what will happen with Reinhart but i can’t help but think, what if the oilers would of used they’re draft picks, or added more to this range.
Reinhart played at WJC as well. Playing there doesn’t guarantee NHL success.
He played twice in the WJC and won a memorial cup with the Oil Kings. My comment clearly stated that I didn’t think it guaranteed success. I think the Oilers may have been wise to use there draft picks instead of trading them for Reinhart.
Jason, do you think PC might want this one back, with Davidson stepping up and Reinhart needing more time to develop?
Too early to tell. His plan wasn’t for this year. Didn’t need Reinhart to play now, because those picks, in best case scenario won’t help team for at least three years.
Reinhart is still much closer to helping Oilers than the picks… We will see if it works out, but no reason to think he has changed his mind now. It wasn’t about a quick fix.
Thanks, nice work on the month of giving.
Yeah, but how about we file that away. If PC does the job he was brought in to do and makes the Oilers relevant then we can look at the trade in that light. Maybe GR will be a regularly contributing Oiler by the, maybe not. If on the other hand the Oilers just stay the same (evidence suggests they aren’t) we can bring this up on the FIRE PETER CHIARELLI facebook pages we’ll create as proof that he was bad from the start. Either way, the deal is done and there is no point beating a dead horse. Let’s just see how it plays out.
Team has to start winning more road games if they have any hope of coming close to a play off spot.
Playing 500 hockey the rest of the way won’t get you there. Big hill ahead … lets hope they can somehow do it.!
Hearing lots of chatter about RNH for Seth Jones. Wonder how much truth there is to that. Would you do that trade?
Prop = yes
Trash = No
RNH for Josi.
Nothing less.
I would do it for Jones or Josi straight up. Its a tough trade to make but you have to give to get
You don’t trade a first line center for a second line defenseman. Josi or nothing. IMO
Obviously you haven’t come to the realization that Nuge is NOT a first line center.
I like Nuge but come on and you honestly think Jones is a second pairing D?
Again, give your head a shake. He plays 2D because of Weber & Josi.
It’s not complicated
On the Predators RNH is their first line center.
So!
He’s the third line Center on the Oilers when #97 gets back.
#97, #29, #93
We need a bonfied first pairing D worse than we need Nuge. Tough to swallow? Sorry, that’s professional sports
Trading Nuge would be a silly move at this point! THe Oilers are blessed to have all this talent down the middle & everybody wants to give it away. Also, stop & think why the Preds would want to move Jones if he’s so great? It’s because he hasn’t met expectations! Nuge & Draisaitl are centers who can play anywhere on a forward line & be totally competent. I think eventually Nuge might be moved to the wing (Yak has a lot to prove yet)anyway so I would never trade Nuge, not now! I would only trade players I don’t want on the team, you figure who that is! Jones isn’t going to give the Oilers what they don’t already have! Nuge would be a big upgrade for the PReds though.
I don’t think anyone is advocating ‘giving away’ RNH. We are looking at a return like Ellis or Jones from Nashville. Either would instantly be on our top D pairing and would impact games far more than an average second line center could ever do.
Comment #64 is intriguing. Is Hall enough to get Josi? It allows us to retain strength at center position and get a true #1 defenceman.
I cant believe people are this out to lunch. Hall is a home grown top 5 scorer and the best LW in the NHL. Hes carries this team on his back this season and is playing the best hockey of his career. If Edm sneaks into the postseason he’ll get plenty of Hart trophy votes.
Just how good do you see the Oilers being without Hall?
DO NOT TRADE TAYLOR HALL unless Doughty or Karlson is coming back
IMHO no d-man in the NHL is worth Hall straight across.NO ONE.
I firmly believe that ANY NHL Team can bring in a winning Process with dilligent management and win the Stanley Cup IN ANY GIVEN YEAR…..I believe Process trumps personell every time.
I believe this superior type of process produces immediate winning results and they manifest in weeks not years…..I believe the NHL is full of bull-spitters who make excuses for sub-par management results en-masse.
The Oilers arent moving their Javelin…no way Jose….Hallsy is in protective custody and will remain so for a long long time….lol.
I agree. I wouldnt trade our first line center (Draisaitl) for Jones. I would however trade our current 2nd line center for Jones.
The only reason hes on the second pairing is because NSH is stacked with Josi and Weber. Jones Klef and Nurse!? Are you kidding me? Thats an amazing blueline we can all get behind
I like Nugent-Hopkins but no way you get Jones straight up for him and definitely not Josi. RNH is a very good second line centre. Someone who produces probably around 55 – 65 points a year in his prime. A good defensively reliable centre. Josi is looking like a monster. Already better than Weber. Jones is a young defenseman who should be at least a good number 2 in his prime.
Josi you would probably need at least Hall. Jones for RNH and 2nd? RNH and Pouliet?
I disagree. Jones is just as if not more unproven than RNH. At the very most a 3rd rounder should be enough of a sweetener.
The list of centers that play 20+ minutes in every situation, are under 22 and put up 60 points is a very short one. RNH wont hit his prome for at least 3 more seasons. He has 70+ point seasons in him
when has RNH had a 60 point season?
I agree hoe might peak at a 70 point season in the right circumstance, but it won’t happen if he is playing behind McD and LD.
I agree with your trade assessment, [with the exception of Josi being better than Webber). I think there’s a potential trade here with a few things holding it up.
Poile won’t do RNH for Jones straight up, but he realizes he’s a number one Center away from challenging for the cup and he’ll to have to move one of his big three to get that piece.
I’m not sure even sure Chiarelli would do RNH for Jones straight up right now. I think he wants to have a full season of experience for McDavid and Draisytl before he abandons them. In the off-season, he can insulate them by picking up a defensive minded third line center who can play some of the hard minutes that RNH plays now.
Good luck with that.
Nuge & Eberle doesn’t get that deal done.
I don’t think Nuge alone gets Jones. I think that may be the stumbling block preventing a deal getting done.
If I’m David Poile, Nuge + Yak or a high pick for Jones.
Please don’t over value Nuge when you reach for the trash button.
Jones / Nurse would be awesome for many years.
I think your forgetting that Jones is way more unproven than RNH.
Edmonton takes on way more risk than Nashville in that trade. More risk but I would be willing to take it for a 6’4″ right shot dman who is only 21
I think your forgetting that Jones is way more unproven than RNH.
Edmonton takes on way more risk than Nashville in that trade. More risk but I would be willing to take it for a 6’4″ right shot dman who is only 21
So? Gotta give to get and top pairing D don’t grow on trees
Unproven, hmmm. I like Nuge, but…
What has Nuge proven?
He’s below average in size, strength, face-offs and is sub par defensively. I’m not saying he hasn’t improved but if he can get us a top pairing D then I’m definitely on board.
We were built backwards and this needs to be corrected.
Nothing personal at all.
Im not sure what your agrument is? I agree if Nuge gets you Jones Chiarelli should do it. And in my opinion thats a fair trade for both teams.
Honestly, I misread your post before commenting.
I think we are on the same page
This comment is so nonsensical and completely ignorant of almost all facts possible.
This is nothing more than some guy talking the loudest in a room.
First, RNH is one of the only centres to ever have 5 consecutive 50 point plus seasons and he’s ONLY 22.
Let’s take Datsyuk, considered to be one of the best two way forwards in the game at a whopping 5’10 190lbs HIS first season was 36 or so points HE was 23….
RNH plays 20+ minutes a game and regularly takes on elite players at 22.
So, I’m guessing you know something T-Mac and the rest of the coaching staff don’t, you should probably go tell him.
Of course you missed that presser where T-Mac explained how much the Oilers depend on this player.
Also, last game RNH was better than Ladd in the F/O circle, and is running at 47% while playing 20 minutes a game.
So building backwards eh…….championship teams are built down the middle then defence and goalie, and you want to take the teams BEST centre out and replace him with two players who’ve played a grand total 70 games between the two players (who have yet to complete there first NHL season)…….
Ya, that’s amazingly brilliant…..
As for size…
Gretzky 5’11 185
Yzerman 5’11 185
Sakic 5’11 190
Crosby 5’11 205
Datsyuk 5’11 190
Henrik Sedin 6’1 185
who by the way was 22 and only scored 39 points, his 23 years old season scored only 42 points.
RNH is 5’11 to 6’0 & 190lbs and will grow into a man, he’s still young.
All this and there is still more on RNH that you clearly lacking knowledge about but I’m board trying to explain how trading your teams best centre for another teams 2nd PARING defensman WHEN you can OFFER sheet that same defensmen this summer at literally no loss to your own roster and you’re trying to tell us HOW to build a team………..good grief.
Hot dam….I am on your side pal….whoopin hot dam….well put and concise.
RNH should already have the “C” on him to correct the marketplace perceptions about who is available and where we are building from…..lol…..picking Leon who has turned out to be McDavids antithesis was a SHEER STROKE OF GENIUS….crystal ball stuff….lol.
RNH-Draisaitl-McDavid….wow.
RNH has unnatural stamina…..seriously unnatural.He cannot IMHO be out-worked….lol….let him set up behind the net like Wayne did and lets see some fireworks.
We were built backwards and this needs to be corrected.
MMMMMmmmm.
We were building from Taylor Hall a #1 overall LW playaction driver,and Ebbs a hotshot RW,sorry Mac-L Hallsy never was a “catalyst” he may evolve into one in a few more years.
We were building from the LW/RW wing in.
Then a year later we aquired Nuge.A true blood natural Centerman in the mmost traditional sense.
Now we were building from the forward position in a more balanced manner with a top notch LW-C-RW.But still from the Wings in.
Then we aquired Yakupov,a top notch RW. This solidified our Forward group beyond our wildest dreams without Management having to parlay jack squat into anything substantial,now with no doubt we were still building from the Wings in.
Then we got Draisaitl who was something of an unknown and who flew under most peoples Radar.Suddenly we were building from a top heavy forward direction but now BALANCE was coming.Now we were building from the Forward position to defense ,not Wings in.
Then we got McDavid…..and the balance we had found turned into equilibrium.Now we were building from the Center position out to Wings then to defense.
Scultz and Nurse…..I left them out chronologiclly because the valuation process for young d-men is to skewed to be usefull,process impacts override their inputs to often to use conventional valutions IMHO,so I dont use them .Schultz is an awsome asset and so is Nurse,both were brought in by different visionaries at different points in organistional evolution.
Hall-Nuge-Ebbs
—-Draisaitl—Yakupov
—-McDavid —
—-..Nurse
Schultz..—-
The idea of “pairs” has been bantered around a lot,but in non-traditional ways,lets get olde school and define them as pairs of “wingers” matching up to centermen……WE COULDNT DO THIS BEFORE…….now we can….. now we can begin building “pairs” of complimenary wingers because we are FAR FAR from were we were when we drafted Hallsy.
What we need now is to decide whats next…..do we continue building from the middle or do we jump the gun and go for defense now,early .
You see we DO NOT have the support Wingers we need .Its not that we are behind but we were bombarded with riches in a most unusual way and havent had time to sort things out yet.
Personally I think we should sit tight,BUY players we need,and Draft another skilled LW/RW.Buy the d-man or be the escape outlet for a stud caught in a career dead-end who is say 27-28 and mature enough to see his horizon line curving downwards in 4-5 years.
Personally the commitment level I expect from d-men excludes them from long term huge contacts….their shelf life CANNOT match this dynamic if they are giving what I want…..120%….I will PAY THEM WELL but not ever long term because if they arent being broken up I am not using them right.
I want the 4-5 good years from d-men and that is all.
No huge trades,no bold moves,just build from the middle out….and we are now on track, far from done but ON TRACK…..and in a most traditional way by some twist of fate.
IMHO this is now a Twilight Zone period of time….I expect to wake up one morning and read that Crosby is coming to Edmonton or something like this….Players NOW KNOW the Oilers have turned the corner,they are now carving ice deep with every stride they take,elite Players are looking in through the window now to see if they can fit in.
I dont know if we have been building bass-akwards but i do know I have never witnessed such an embarrasment of riches in my life on one NHL Team….and I lived every single game of the Dynasty Oilers Rule with a front row seat.
Lol….if I think about it I see a 7 year old Katz hiding around the corner trying to stuff 100 marbles he stumbled on into all of his little pockets as fast as he can before everyone sees, without spilling to many….lol…not knowing what the hell he will do with them all….but going with the flow….lol.
Nashville will never make that trade.
Than RNH remains an Oiler. I’m OK with that.
Not during this season, in the off season, after yet again under-performing in the play offs, because they cannot score any goals
Biggest reason for the Oilers success is the emergence of Hall-Draisitl-Purcell as an elite number one line. Plus a goalie tandem that, while not wholly consistent, at least has the potential to steal a game. All this despite key injuries and a defence that is still a tire fire.
What a revelation Draisitl has been! I posted this late on Gregor’s last bit on Leon, but it bears repeating, just because I think English soccer fans are hilarious, and Oiler fans nearly rose to their level with the “Connor’s better” chant against Buffalo.
This is what Arsenal fans chanted to their star German international, Per Mertesacker a few years ago after the defender had another great game. They still refer to him as the BFG:
https://youtu.be/UQlmRET_e7E
I wonder if Oiler fans could adapt this for Rexall Place when Leon works his magic. Probably get us thrown out, but it would be fun while it lasted.
People need to get there heads away from getting josi a number 1 signed for 4 and a bit isn’t getting traded
I would think weber would be easier to get with his boat anchor contract.
Looking at the % increase in points (almost 50%) the Oil are the second most improved team this year. Similarly, goal difference. However, Talbot and Nilsson have stolen several games already whereas Ben and Victor hardly stole a game all last year. By eye we seem a much better team than last year but the goal tending has really helped.
If you where Nashville would you trade josi. Signed for 4 million a year till 2020 or weber signed at 7.5 when they are arguably both equally as important to your team.
Neither.
Poile wants to keep the big three and trade Ellis.
Jone might be available but only at his price, not ours.
Nuge + for Jones seems to be hard to swallow for most of the keep everybody group on ON.
Too used to the draft parties I guess. Sarcasm, sort of
Theres no way NSH trades Josi and that glorious contract.
First off, us oiler fans tend to HIGHLY OVERVALUE our players, even being bottom 3 for 10 years. It’s smart to trade RNH now, while he still has the glimmer of being a top line center. You guys want to trade him in the summer or years down the line after hes been buried into the 3LC role? I think Chiarelli now realizes that if he doesnt trade our overpaid RNH soon, his value will plummet and we’ll have to retain salary just to get rid of him. Trade him for Weber, Jones or Josi. Not sure why people are so against Webers contract, the term sucks but if you think we get a dustin byfuglien type for under 8M you’re out to lunch.
A voice of reason in the crowd.
Thank-you
Love this analysis Gregor. I’d be interested in how these numbers (for teams and players) weight against the total goals scored at this time versus last season…
i.e. Is scoring up or down?
Oilers Nation has raked Lowe, Tambellini, MacT and Katz over the coals and back (rightly so) for being incompetent, dithering, puppets, dumb, etc.
These are the guys that drafted Eberle, Nuge, Yak, Lander Klefbom & Hall.
Two out of five isn’t bad. .0400. Hall is far and away their best accomplishment in drafting. Klefbom is coming around nicely.
I leave Nurse, Draisaitl & McDavid out of this analogy because they are going to lead us out of this mess, I hope
If they are seen as such idiots, how does Oilers Nation constantly not want to trade some of these guys to get over the hump?
Sorry, I just don’t get this love fest for our assets because that is what they are, assets.
Come on people
Hall to Nashville for Roman Josi….
Number 1 D under a perfect contract long term for Oilers…Nashville gets Superstar forward they’ve been looking for since they traded for Forsberg.
Win Win.
Don’t tell me this team wouldn’t be better with a stud like Josi.
Hall and Drai have great chemistry but I think we can survive offensively with combinations of Nuge, Drai, Eberle, Mcdavid, Yak, Pouliout and occasionally bumping up big bodies like slepyshov, khaira etc…
Why is everyone thinking about Nuge for weber(almost past his prime) or Jones (still unproven).
Go big or go home…
Edit: Peter* Forsberg not Philip