Monthly Archives: September 2015

NHL, Rob Cooke

Beer League Heroes 15 – 16 Season Primers: San Jose Sharks

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Last season the San Jose Sharks missed the playoff for the first time since 2003. In the aftermath we seen the mutual parting of ways between the team and long-time head coach Todd McLellan. Was last season an anomaly or is the long playoff run over for the one mighty Sharks? The core group of players is aging but there should still be a little left in the tank of Jumbo Joe Thornton and Patty Marleau. Enough to get them back to the playoffs? We will see I guess.

Key Additions: RW Joel Ward, D Paul Martin, D Mark Cundari, G Martin Jones

Key Departures: G Antti Niemi, D Matt Irwin, D Taylor Fedun

Roster Hopefuls: RW Timo Meier, RW Nikolay Goldobin, D Jeremy Roy

Last season was a bit of free fall for the once powerful Sharks. They went from 111 points and a second place finish in the Pacific division to 89 points and a fifth place end. The unfortunate part for Sharks fans is that while they did bring in a few nice players this summer they also lost a couple good ones too. Joel Ward is a great addition to the team as is defenseman Paul Martin but I can’t seem to figure out why they walked away from goaltender Antti Niemi. In my opinion opting for a very much unproven Martin Jones as the new starter when you had a more than capable starter already in the fold is beyond me but that is something you would have to ask GM Doug Wilson.

Timo Meier should bring the team some hope. He has a big frame and has excellent instincts in the offensive zone. He is a very capable player when he has the puck on his stick. He is going to head back to the QMJHL this season but should be in the NHL full-time by next season. If you haven’t had the pleasure of watching this kid play I urge you to do so! You won’t be disappointed. Another player on this team that I absolutely love is big defender/ winger Brent Burns. The guy is a stud defenseman and can really supply the offense from the backend. Last season he finished fourth on the team in scoring with 17 goals and 43 assists. That’s pretty damn special for a defenseman!

Potential Lineup:

Patrick Marleau – Joe Thornton – Joe Pavelski

Melker  Karlsson – Logan Couture – Tomas Hertl

Matt Neito – Chris Tierney – Joel Ward

Raffi Torres – Ben Smith – Tommy Wingels

Brent Burns – Paul Martin

M.E. Vlasic – Justin Braun

Brendon Dillon – Mirco Mueller

Martin Jones

Alex Stalock

The Sharks finished an astounding 11 points out of the playoffs, I know that isn’t “Oilers” astounding but that is pretty huge a change for a perennial playoff team like San Jose. I don’t think last season was an anomaly by any stretch. I think it was a bigger than expected regression but not an unexpected regression. With little in the way of changes from last season I expect the team will regress even further this season and will be in the fifth slot come the end of the season.

Martin Jones is the guy to keep an eye on for this team. He is largely unproven and will be needed to play a hell of a lot more than the fifteen games he played last season. It will be interesting to see if the Sharks guessed right and Jones is in fact ready. Situation sounds very similar to that of the Oilers.

 

Beer League Hero, NHL

Justin Schultz: Goat no more? + Oilers Vs Jets post game thoughts

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Every Oilers fan’s favorite goat from last season had what could be described as his best NHL game since his rookie season. Justin Schultz was spectacular tonight against the Jets, playing in all situations. He played on the power play (notching the Oilers first goal of the game off a wicked shot), played a solid even strength game, and he was particularly effective on the penalty kill, helping the Oilers go 7 for 7 on the PK. Not only was he effective with and without the puck, he was physical, solid with his board play, and even mixed it up in a scrum after a late check on d-pairing partner Oscar Klefbom.

Recently, Schultz had stated his goal in the off season was to get stronger on the puck, and add “explosiveness” to his game. He also stated he had a directive from new coach Todd McLellan to shoot the puck more. He accomplished all of his goals in spades this evening. While it’s important to keep in mind the Jets iced their B squad for this preseason game, Schultz put his money where his mouth is, and made good on all his promises. By my eye, he was the best player of the game. Something we haven’t been able to say about Justin since he lit up the AHL during the last NHL lockout.

While I’ll be the first to admit I love the term “Jultzing”, there was no Jultzing tonight. Schultz looked focused, engaged, poised with the puck, and is demonstrating a willingness to direct more shots on net at every opportunity he is given. After a difficult year last season, I couldn’t be happier for him. I’ve always had a soft spot for Schultz. I like his attitude, I like his enthusiasm, and I like his skill set. He has all the tools to be a great offensive defenseman. He just needs to put them together and utilize them fully.

Unfortunately for the Oilers, this is a contract year for Schultz, and if he can find the consistency required to play the way he did tonight through the regular season, he’ll be due for a raise. This could complicate things capwise for a team that is trying to manage it’s finances carefully so it can pay McDavid when he exits his ELC. For Schultz and his agent, it could be a career changing season. I hope the best for him either way, and I firmly believe he’ll have a career year. Despite his defensive deficiencies, he still led all Oilers defensemen in points last season, and is more than equipped to do so again.

Post game thoughts:

-I thought Darnell Nurse had a decent game. He led all Oilers in minutes through the 1st period with 7:21 TOI. He was physical, highly mobile, and made good decisions with the puck for the most part. It was unfortunate that he was pretty much responsible for the Jets first goal, however. He rushed back to the net and didn’t read the play very well which inadvertently led to Cam Talbot being screened on the ensuing shot. Tough break for Nurse, but I think he’ll stay in camp right up until the regular season opens. The other thing I REALLY like about Nurse, is his ability to realize when there isn’t an outlet pass to be made. He has the wheels to skate the puck into the offensive zone himself, and then get back to the blue line effectively. This is something the Oilers have been sorely lacking.

-Cam Talbot looked strong through the 1st. The 2nd Jets goal he let in was incredibly weak, however. Hopefully he gets that out of his system before the regular season starts

-I really liked Oscar Klefbom’s game. It’s only preseason, but he was focused and on the right side of the puck most of the night. He did have one bad turnover in the 2nd period, but it doesn’t appear that his new contract has gone to his head, and that is very good news for the Oilers and their fans. Hopefully he can maintain his solid play through the year.

-Griffin Reinhart was fantastic. Although he was quiet, he was making high percentage plays all evening. Very calm under pressure. He looked like the same defenseman I remember with the Oil Kings. I am cautiously optimistic with Griffin, and enjoying the battle for a roster spot that has developed between him and Darnell Nurse.

-MATT HENDRICKS. MATT HENDRICKS! MATT FREAKING HENDRICKS!!! I just adore this guy. He played his personal brand of hard nosed hockey and seems to be the same reliable warhorse he was last year. He battled all night, drew penalties, and scored an amazing (although somewhat comical) penalty shot goal. Old reliable.

-Jordan Eberle seems to find his regular season form with ease. He was dangerous tonight, and looked like the sniper with the silky smooth mits we all know and love. Eberle’s consistancy on the score sheet will continue into the regular season barring any injury issues *knocks on wood*.

-Nuge had a somewhat quiet game despite notching 2 assists. But for him, that’s not such a bad thing. He seems to be continuing his excellent 2-way play.

-Poor Nail Yakupov! He failed to find the net off a glorious chance from Leon Draisaitl during 3 on 3. I really liked his play throughout the entire game though. People who say he doesn’t backcheck just don’t understand hockey or watch him enough. Speaking of Draisaitl, he was the best player on his line (again). If he keeps it up, he’s a lock to make the team.

-Braden Christoffer was all over the ice. This kid is the feel good story of the preseason. I’m not sure there is room for him to start the year, but he’s earned himself a place in the depth chart and will bolster the Condors if he can continue his play.

-One of the things I really enjoyed tonight, was just how vocal and engaged Todd McLellan was. He was in constant communication with the players on the bench, and went through the process as if he was in a playoff game. What a welcome change!

Thanks for reading. You can follow me on twitter here: @KjellIverson

Corey Mitchell, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, Prospects

Prospects Round-Up Sep 23

With training camp in full swing, the Oilers have already played two split squad games, with another preseason tilt against the Winnipeg Jets looming. Following the split squad games, coach Todd McLellan divided the team up into two groups. This is a bit of a change to Oilers fans, as in previous years, the coaching staff has already begun making cuts to trim the roster down. Be that as it may, there was a number of cuts made prior to the games against Calgary. As well as that, there are a handful of prospects that didn’t attend main camp. Here’s a quick look at were those players not currently in Oilers camp can be found.

Tyler Vesel – University of Nebraska-Omaha (NCAA)

Evan Campbell – UMass-Lowell (NCAA)

Aidan Muir – Western Michigan University (NCAA)

William Lagesson – UMass Amherst (NCAA)

Zack Nagelvoort – University of Michigan (NCAA)

Keven Bouchard – Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)

Eetu Laurikainen – Bakersfield (AHL)

Ben Betker – Bakersfield (AHL)

Caleb Jones – Portland (WHL)

Ethan Bear – Seattle (WHL)

John Marino – Tri-City (USHL)

 

NCAA hockey is scheduled to begin play October 3. QMJHL and WHL hockey seasons both begin on September 24. USHL begins play on September 25.

In addition, teams overseas have already begun their seasons. Here are the players in that category:

Roman Horak – Chekhov Vityaz (KHL) 11 GP, 1 G, 2 A, -3, 6 PIM

Miroslav Svoboda – AZ Havirov (Czech2) 5 GP, 3.84 GAA, 0,876 S%

Ziyat Paigin – AK Bars Kazan (KHL) 8 GP, 0 G, 1 A, +2, 2 PIM  (Paigin has since been assigned to Bars Kazan of the VHL, and has yet to play a game)

 

Former draft pick John McCarron has moved on from the Oilers, and signed an AHL deal with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

 

On an interesting note, forward Daniil Zharkov is not listed anywhere as playing with a club. Myself, as well as the very talented Patrick Conway (@chunkletshockey) are both looking into what Zharkov’s status may be.

Check back regularly, as I intend to be posting weekly stats for these players, and any other prospects as they are assigned following training camp.

Edmonton Oilers, NHL

The McLellan Effect


As we move through the preseason with two split squad games already under the Oilers belt, something has been impressing me more than the play of any particular player on the ice, Todd McLellan.

While the veteran coach was a welcome addition for most Oilers fans, he hasn’t coached a single regular season game for his new club and Oilers fans are eager to see what he will bring to the table. While the sample size is small thus far, the results are already telling.

McLellan’s comments in media scrums are indicative of a veteran coach coming from a veteran system which he helped establish. Following the split squad game against Calgary, the Oilers announced that the training camp roster had been split into two teams. These two teams are essentially an NHL roster, and a rookie roster. McLellan went on to explain his logic after being asked if he was sending a message to the rookies:

“There is no message. It’s basically what they read into it. If I’m a player, I’m looking and saying, ‘jeez, this group is full of veteran NHL players and this group doesn’t have any in there.’ If that’s how you’re looking at it, you think that you’ve divided NHL and American League. It can look that way, it can come across that way, but I do know there will be some players from the other group that are going to play on our team at some point and it could be as early as this year.” 

What impresses me most about Todd McLellan’s approach to his first training camp as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers? He already has a plan, one day into preseason. This is a far cry from the last two training camps run by former Oilers coach Dallas Eakins, which saw AHL players on the roster right up until the regular season (and beyond), without any clear direction. McLellan has already stated that he wants to finalize his roster and give the team a couple games together before the regular season even opens, and that is music to my ears. By splitting the pre-season roster up into two squads and icing the best of both, McLellan has maintained a consistent message: only the best of the two will play the season opener.

Who could forget the Oilers entering the regular season without an established 2nd line center, or with Grebeshkov being counted on to play defense for his former team? In both years Dallas Eakins was featured as the “solution” in Edmonton, he hadn’t figured out his roster until the season had already began. Todd McLellan already has a process, and he intends to make sure he enters the 2015-2016 NHL season with the right troops. One split squad game into the preseason and he is already miles ahead of his predecessor. His language is precise, his systems are proven, and his experience is not in question.
While we can’t draw comparisons via wins and losses for both coaches (given the fact that they iced completely different rosters), we can draw one simple conclusion: The Oilers finally have a veteran coach with a plan, and the players are buying in.

Additionally, the intensity level of practices seems to have picked up. How many times have we seen ex Oilers such as Ladislav Smid get traded to new teams, only to hear them comment on how much more intensive the practices were on their new teams compared to the Oilers’? From the start of the process, McLellan seems to have addressed this issue, and still commands the respect of his young players.

After watching Dallas Eakins construct a miserable record of 36 wins, 63 losses, and 14 OT losses through 113 games, Oilers fans were justifiably excited when interim AHL coach Todd Nelson stepped in and seemed to turn the team around. While Nelson went 17-25-9, the team played a much improved game, and many players flourished after the coaching change. We can only speculate how much of a difference McLellan can make over Nelson, but one thing I’m sure we can all agree on is that the former is already out of the gate with a bang. Given McLellans pedigree, winning record, and special teams, Oilers fans have much to be optimistic about. We can’t quantify how many more wins McLellan alone will factor into this season, but I think it’s a safe gamble to state his guidance will be good for at least a moderate climb in the standings, to say nothing of McDavid or any of the other young players that could make the team out of camp.

While it’s only 2 split squad preseason games, the underlying stats seem to suggest that McLellan is already coaching the Oilers towards better possession numbers, despite the fact their previous bench boss claimed to be a possession driven coach. There are good signs that the young guns are finally in the right hands (however early in the year), and that Todd McLellan is the rudder that could very well steer the goodship Oilers out of troubled waters.

I hope you enjoyed this guest post from Kjell Iverson. He’s a bright guy with a great passion for the Oilers! Not only that but he’s a great graphic artist as well. Expect to see more of what you seen at the beginning of the post from Kjell in the future!

You can follow Kjell on Twitter @KjellIverson.

Take Care!

BLH

Beer League Hero, Breaking News, NHL

Darnell Nurse Fights Hunter Smith!

I just watched the Calgary Flames Hunter Smith (6’7″ 215lbs) exact revenge on Darnell Nurse for his beating of teammate Rasmus Andersson at the Young Stars Tournament in Penticton. If you don’t remember that fight, it went something like this:

Nurse certainly didn’t shy away and good on him too. He sure took some big shots there and Nurse sent Smith to the dressing room to get patched up despite Smith keeping his lid on throughout the duration of the fight. I was wondering why Hunter Smith didn’t do anything at the tournament and I guess I know why now. Smith was biding his time…

Check it out and pass it on!

A pretty good tilt I say! I’m looking forward to more of these over the next decade or so! Finally the Oilers have a player that can play AND drop the mitts!