The unpredictability of the NHL playoffs is what makes it so great. How many people predicted the Columbus Blue Jackets would defeat the Tampa Bay Lighting? Very few, and I suspect none had them winning in four games over the 62-win Lightning. The Blue Jackets trailed 3-0 after the first period of game one, but…
Bob Nicholson has already interviewed a handful of candidates for the vacant GM job, with plans to talk to a few more men this month. Hiring a new GM is an important step for the Oilers, but one person will not fix all that ails them.
In an interview on my radio show three weeks ago Bob Nicholson said he was only looking for a GM at this time. He reiterated that at his end-of-season press conference this past Monday. Earlier today Southampton Football Club announced Ralph Krueger’s contract as Chairman of their club would not be extended, and many in…
For the third consecutive draft lottery, the Edmonton Oilers’ draft position dropped. In 2016 they dropped from second to 4th. In 2018 they dropped from ninth to 10th. And this year they fell from seventh to eighth. The lottery was put in place to eliminate perceived tanking and it does. It is all about luck.
Bob Nicholson didn’t divulge much at his press conference earlier today. There were a few things that grabbed my attention, but what stood out most was he didn’t announce any firings. I thought there was a small chance he might announce some people were no longer with the organization, but instead, he announced that once…
Leon Draisaitl is the first Edmonton Oilers player to score 50 goals in a season since Jari Kurri (54) and Wayne Gretzky (62) did it in 1987. Craig Simpson scored 56 in 1988, but he scored 13 with Pittsburgh and 43 with the Oilers. Draisaitl is the 5th Oilers forward to score 50 and joins…
It is very fitting that the trophy for the NHL’s leading goal scorer is named after Maurice Richard. He was the first player to score 50 goals. He potted 50 goals in 1945 when the season only had 50 games. It was a remarkable achievement. Prior to him reaching 50 only three players prior had…
Great NHL teams do it. So do good teams. Bad teams see it occur the most. What is it? Roster changes. From the end of one season to the beginning of the next. It is inevitable in sports, and while I watch tonight’s game I’ll be wondering how many players will play their final home…
Since Cam Talbot was traded on February 15th, Mikko Koskinen has started 22 games. That is tied for the most in the NHL. I understand playing him a lot, but starting 22 of 23 games is overkill. If he was playing as well as Darcy Kuemper, also 22 starts, then sure, I could see the…
It is official. The Edmonton Oilers will miss the playoffs for the 12th time in 13 years. Terrible, pathetic, vomit-inducing — there are a variety of adjectives and terms you could use, but they all lead to frustration. The Oilers current run of ineptitude isn’t the worst in the NHL, but they are one year…
The good news Oilersnation is the Oilers made it to April without being officially eliminated from the playoffs. The bad news is they’ve been unofficially out of it for a few weeks. If the Colorado Avalanche pick up a point tonight, or in any of their four games this week, the Oilers will be eliminated….
Zack Kassian sat in his stall with a huge grin talking about his baby daughter Ellery. He also spoke with much pride in regards to how much work his wife Cassandra has had to do compared to him since Ellery arrived on March 10th. Kassian’s life on and off the ice in 2019 is so…
