GDB 1.0: Let’s Get Started

7 years ago

The rink McDavid built officially opens tonight as the Oilers unveil their brand new downtown arena to the NHL. Wayne Gretzky, who was front and centre for many spectacular moments at the old Northlands Coliseum, will be attendance, as will Mark Messier and a host of other special guests. Their will be a 30-minute pre-game ceremony and the official puck drop won’t occur until around 8:45 p.m. Alberta time.

The new arena has generated a lot of nearby construction and in two years, when phase one is complete, downtown will be bustling and much more vibrant. Oilers fans are hoping a new captain, along with thirteen new players from last year’s opening night game roster, will equal a more competitive on-ice product than they’ve endured for the past decade.

Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Benoit Pouliot, Mark Letestu, Oscar Klefbom, Andrej Sekera and Cam Talbot are the only players who were in last year’s opening game.

One was injured (Jordan Eberle), three were in the minors (Darnell Nurse, Leon Draisaitl, Tyler Pitlick), two in the pressbox (Brandon Davidson and Anton Slepyshev), three acquired via trade (Patrick Maroon, Zack Kassian and Adam Larsson), three free agents (Milan Lucic, Kris Russell and Jonas Gustavsson), while Jesse Puljujarvi was drafted.

The Oilers have had a major facelift again, and this time the organization and their fans are hopeful it will lead to actual improvement in the standings.

LINEUP

Drake Caggiula’s injury means Todd McLellan will have to wait before moving Draisaitl to right wing on the second line. It also illustrates the coach has very little faith in Anton Lander, otherwise they could have slid him into that spot for one game. Lander did not improve his foot speed enough over the summer and I don’t see him playing a game with the Oilers unless they have a lengthy string of injuries.

Oilers lineup provided by DailyFaceoff.com

Flames

Some interesting D pairs from the Flames. I wonder how long before Brodie and Hamilton are paired together.

Flames lineup provided by DailyFaceoff.com

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING…

From FlamesNation.ca

Just one day after Kris Versteeg decided he’d rather play for Calgary, the Oilers will spend the better part of an hour with ceremonies to cut the ribbon on their new building. And then they’ll try to win a hockey game, something that’s been a challenge for them over the last decade.

QUICK HITS

I like Slepyshev on the second line. He had a strong camp and it gives some balance throughout. It also means if McLellan wants to give RNH a tougher assigment the 18-year-old Puljujarvi won’t be put in a tough spot in his first NHL game. Wise decision by McLellan.
McLellan said he wants to get everyone involved early and won’t go out of his way for specific line match ups, but I’m sure he will have Klefbom/Larsson out against Gaudreau’s line as much as possible.
The Oilers play the Flames in their season opener for only the time eighth time in franchise history. They won 7-5 at home in October of 1982, 3-1 in 2006 and 4-0 in 2010, and they lost 9-2 at Calgary in 1991, 1-0 at Calgary in 2001, and at home 4-3 in 2009 and 5-2 in 2014 when Mason Raymond scored a hat-trick.
Milan Lucic has one career goal in 49 preseason games. It is way too early to worry about his production, especially considering how many scoring chances his line produced in the preseason. There was one main thing lacking from his game in the preseason, but you will see it tonight. Read here.
The Flames have a line where all three players have the same first name, but each is spelled differently. Mikael Backlund, Michael Frolik and Micheal Ferland. That has to be a first in NHL history.
I’d guess Matt Benning is still here as a reward for a great camp. The AHL regular season hasn’t started yet, and Benning is an Edmonton kid. He will get a few practices in and he’ll be able to soak up the atmosphere tonight. I don’t see him being here long-term as a spectator in the pressbox. Bakersfield’s season begins next Tuesday against the Manitoba Moose.
Jesse Puljujarvi will wear #98. He is the second player in NHL history to wear the number. Brian Lawton, the first overall pick in 1983 wore it early in his career, but changed to #11 and #7 later on.
A reminder you can enter our free NHL Fantasy hockey draft at draftkings.com/gregor1260. You need to enter before 5 p.m MDT today. It is free and the winner wins cash. And if you want to win part of the $100,000 Opening night pool you can register for only $3. You can enter a team here. Good luck in both.

TONIGHT

GAME DAY PREDICTION: Oscar Klefbom will have both his grandmothers in attendance tonight. It is their first time in Canada. The grandson picks up a point for them in an Oilers 4-2 victory. (If you see a lovely grandma proudly wearing a Klefbom jersey at the rink be sure you welcome her nicely to Canada).

OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: McDavid picks up two points. I have him scoring 103 points this season and he carries over his hot play fro the preseaon.

NOT-SO-OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: Maroon scores. The past three years when he began the season in the NHL it took him until game six, 13 and 11 of each year to score. Maroon scored two goals in the final game at Rexall and afterwards he was overwhelmed after the hearing the fans chant “Marooooonn”. He will score and the fans will serenade him with another chant.

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