Tag Archives: Mark Scheifele

NHL

BLH Edmonton Oilers Weekly Recap December 20th-26th

15 Oct 2015: Edmonton Oilers Goalie Cam Talbot (33) [7933] during pre game warm ups and playing his first home game against the St. Louis Blues at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Photo Credit: Chris LaFrance
15 Oct 2015: Edmonton Oilers Goalie Cam Talbot (33) [7933] during pre game warm ups and playing his first home game against the St. Louis Blues at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Photo Credit: Chris LaFrance
I

n this holiday edition of the Beerleagueheroes.com weekly recap, our Edmonton Oilers had only two games on the docket where they finished 1-0-1 with a win over Winnipeg and an overtime loss against Vancouver.

However, don’t let the record fool you: The Edmonton Oilers did not play great hockey in those two games, especially last night where it was a stinker. Last night’s game in particular was a lifeless effort where they played a solid first period and forgot there was a game going on.

Edmonton Oilers Three Stars: 

3. Teddy Purcell: Right now, he’s the best Right Wing on the Edmonton Oilers. Against Winnipeg, he tallied two goals with help from Taylor Hall and Leon Draisaitl. The one goal included was an awesome one timer. He’s a much better player compared to last year and there’s not many people who are complaining about his play. If it were me who was General Manager, I’d keep Purcell. I said it last year too: I actually like Teddy Purcell. I think he’s playing well enough for a short term contract (2 years, 2.5-3 million per) but that’s just me spit balling.

2. Taylor Hall: The best Edmonton Oiler makes another appearance in the top three list for the week, almost like he’s a permanent fixture for this weekly list. Against Winnipeg, Hall had three helpers. Ho hum. Against Vancouver he was held pointless but he was the most dangerous Edmonton Oiler out there: every time he touched the puck he was creating chances and was the driver of his line. He’s a dangerous forward, which is not a shocker to fans in Edmonton.

1. Cam Talbot: Taking the top spot this week is Cam Talbot who went 1-0-1 this week and was the MVP for the Oilers and the main reason why they got points. Talbot faced 69 shots in those two games combined, including a career high 45 against Winnipeg, and stopped 66 of those shots. While the overtime goal is probably one he would like back, he is rocking a combined save percentage of 0.956. Which is great. I see Talbot slowly moving towards taking the starting goaltender spot, although I doubt he plays tonight against Calgary (back to back games)

Edmonton Oilers Trade Rumours: 

There was an interesting Rumour that has some major smoke to it:

Zack Kassian to Edmonton for Ben Scrivens.

https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/680948402880929792

We had a post breaking down the potential rumor right here which is definitely worth a read.

However, since that post, there have been some updates such as goaltender Eetu Laurikainen coming back from Europe to rejoin the Condors. Signalling the end of Ben Scrivens with the Edmonton Oilers organization, considering he was held out of last night’s game against Stockton.

https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/681171047945654272

I went from “oh HELL NO” to “I’ll consider it” in less than a day. Kassian is a crazy player. Nobody will ever forget the time he taunted Sam Gagner when Kassian broke Gagner’s jaw. He’s despised by Oilers fans since then. He has his demons; he recently completed a stint in rehab.

Now there is a trade freeze that lifts at midnight (or 10 pm EST), so it’ll be interesting to see if it happens.

Another piece of news from the Edmonton Sun has Connor McDavid returning after the All Star Break. Which is too bad, because I miss watching 97 on the ice. Still, better safe than sorry.

Around the League/Hockey World

Toronto Maple Leafs Prospect William Nylander left yesterday’s game against the Swiss after a nasty hit to the head. 

Canada dropped their first game against the USA, 4-2.

Edmonton Oil King Defenceman, Dysin Mayo, signed his Entry Level Contract with the Arizona Coyotes.

Jets lose Mark Scheifele in a weird practice accident where he suffered a concussion.

The Montreal Canadiens have dropped 10 of their last 11.  

 

Highlights

Connor McDavid was featured in TSN’s top ten stories of the 2015 sporting year. He was number three.

 

This heartwarming video is making rounds: A sailor surprises his daughters with a visit on center ice at Tampa Bay

 

Kopitar scored a nice Overtime winner against Arizona last night

 

The Week Ahead

The Oilers have four games this week and it looks like a hell week.

They face The Flames in Calgary tonight.

They kick a six game homestead against the LA Kings on Tuesday, followed by Anaheim on Thursday and Arizona in an afternoon game on Saturday.

That’s all for the week that was. Hopefully we see a trade happen! Follow me on Twitter and have a solid week.

 

Lindsay Ryall, NHL

Beer League Heroes 15 – 16 Season Primers: Winnipeg Jets

What started out four years ago as Canadian Hockey’s feel good story has rapidly evolved to a familiar Canadian hockey script. The first few years, the fans were just happy to have a team. After that though the bunsen burner started to rise, and 2014 -15 Jets were feeling the pressure of increased expectations.

Fortunately for the Jet’s they delivered as needed in 2014-15 with a playoff appearance. Initially progress was slow, but under Paul Maurice’s guidance the Jets gained a consistency that buoyed them into their first round appearance i the 2015 playoffs. And while the Jets didn’t get a “W” in a four game sweep by the Anaheim Ducks, it was a goal that was acheived, much to the delight of Jets fans everwhere.

But that was last year, what will this years version of the Winnipeg Jets deliver? Unfortunately, it might be wise for the members of Jets nation to temper their enthusiasm, especially considering the division the Jets play in, and what upgrades their GM has provided. A brief overview of the team:

Key Additions: Alexander Burmistrov

Key Departures: Michael Frolik, Zach Bogosian, Evander Kane, Jiri Tlusty, Lee Stempniak,

Roster Contenders: Nikolaj Ehlers, Josh Morrissey, Connor Hellebuyck, Andrew Copp

 

Projected Lineup:

Andrew Ladd – Bryan Little – Blake Wheeler
Alexander Burmistrov – Mark Scheifele – Drew Stafford
Adam Lowry – Mathieu Perreault – Nikolai Ehlers
Jim Slater – Andrew Copp – Matt Halischuck

Defence

Dustin Byfuglien – Jacob Trouba
Tobias Enstron – Tyler Myers
Mark Stuart – Ben Chariot

Ondrej Pavelec
Michael Hutchinson

The Winnipeg Jets have been the second favorite hockey team for most Canadian hockey fans, and for good reason.There’s not an abundance of raw talent here, but more than a dollop of try, and we like that. Unfortunately for the Jets they will need more substance to go with effort and their GM has failed miserably in providing it.

Last year, the Jets at one point had useful forwards like Michael Frolik, Lee Stempniak, and Jiri Tlusty to solidify a youthful but developing roster. All those players are gone now  with only former player Alexander Burmistrov coming back in return. Not good.

Obviously Kevin Cheveldayoff is putting a lot of trust in his prospect pool. And lucky for him, he has the best prospect depth in the NHL. One thing Cheveldayoff did do was ensure he had among the best scouting staff in the NHL and Chevy will need at least one or two of those recent draft picks to step up.

Tops on the prospect list is future great Dane, Nikolaj Ehlers. Ehlers is the best forward prospect this side of Connor Mcdavid and is a year older. The Jets have no shortage of size so they can surround Ehlers with Gigantic forwards for protection. Based on his other-worldly production in the Q (1.98 ppg during the seasson, 2.21 ppg in the playoffs) Ehlers is an early candidate for the Calder.

Apart from that, Andrew Copp has shown well in camp and is believed to have a shot at the fourth line center spot, but that isn’t exactly game breaker territory. On the back-end Josh Morrissey could push for a spot, but the Jets aren’t desperate on defence, so there won’t be too many changes there.

Now in goal things could get more interesting as the Jets really don’t have a clear-cut #1 goalie. Last year it was done more by committee. Huctchinson carried the ball for most of the first half and when he began to falter, passed it back to Pavelec. My prediction is that one, or both, of Pavelec and Hutchinson could start to suck slough water, at which point the door of opportunity could open for Connor Hellebuyck. Hellebuyck is in my opinion the best goalie not in the NHL and could force his way into some games. That would be a good thing for the Winnipeg Jets organization, but if their goaltending falters for any stretch, that might hurt their chances for a consecutive appearance in the post-season.

So overall, the Jets have a decent top 9. Season highlights to watch for would be Scheifele continuing to take charge of the team, Burmistrov to make a strong return, and Ehlers to push for the Calder. But is it enough? Maybe, but they are in the league’s toughest division and don’t appear to have improved enough to keep pace. It’s hard count out a team coached by Paul Maurice but I would foresee the Jets finishing just outside of the playoff cut in the 93 -95 point range.

A developing subplot to the season will be looming UFA’s Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien. Look for Chevy’s lethargic decision-making to cost the Jets one or possibly both of these players and finally take some real heat from management.