Hey y’all! Welcome back for another season of Edmonton Oilers hockey! I’m BLH and I’ll be giving you the skinny on today’s game!
If you’re new here and are wondering what 3P2W means, well, it stands for Three Players to Watch and seeing I’m as lazy as I am, I figured we’d shorten it to 3P2W.
So with that out of the way, let’s talk a little bit about what’s been going on lately in the Oilogospehere and then get into the player’s I’ve put under the spotlight for today’s matchup!
I’m writing this on Thursday because I’ll be away for the weekend. It would be nice if everything I say in this post rings true by Saturday 🙂
It’s the hind end of Edmonton’s first b2b of the year. They’re expected to lose and not only because of that but because the Rangers have depth in almost every place that the Oilers do not.
Goaltending? New York
Defense? New York
Forward? New York
Depth Scoring? New York
Defense Scoring? New York
The Christmas break can’t come soon enough, but maybe, just maybe, the Oilers will get a bit of holiday luck and catch the Rangers on a bad day…
The BLH Instagram account is growing like crazy! Three weeks ago when we started to get it back going we were at a shade over 1900 followers and now we’re gunning for 2000. So please, head on over and give us a follow as we’re posting exclusive content over there that won’t be published here or on our Twitter page.
Three Players to Watch for the Bad Guys
#10 Artemi Panarin (17g 26a 43pts) – He’s gonna get Hart votes if McDavid can’t get his shit together and start running away with the scoring race again. A goal and 5 assists in his last half dozen minus one.
#93 Mika Zibanejad (11g 17a 28pts) – How the hell did the Rangers get this guy and a 2nd rounder for Derrick Brassard and a 7th? Sweet Jesus that is highway robbery. He’s been nothing but spectacular in New York. As of recent, five goals and three assists in his last five.
#13 Alexis Lafrenniere (9g 8a 17pts) – The former QMJHL standout has slowed down a bit since his hot start but he’s still on his way to becoming a fine source of secondary scoring for the Rangers.
Three Players to Watch for the Good Guys
#97 Connor McDavid (11g 30a 41pts) – He’s got to take the spotlight in New York and absolutely run with it. Just hope that he doesn’t find his way onto the Trouba Tracks.
#18 Zack Hyman (18g 12a 30pts) – Haven’t heard much from him lately. The Blueshirts’ dmen will give him all he can handle net front. I’d love to see him draw some penalties for all the trouble he’s going to get.
#2 Evan Bouchard (8g 24a 32pts) – Edmonton will really need his playmaking as New York’s forecheck will be heavy. A good counter attack vs. the Rangers might just unravel them.
The King of the North is here! Click the pic and grab a shirt!
Hey y’all! Welcome back for another season of Edmonton Oilers hockey! I’m BLH and I’ll be giving you the skinny on today’s game!
If you’re new here and are wondering what 3P2W means, well, it stands for Three Players to Watch and seeing I’m as lazy as I am, I figured we’d shorten it to 3P2W.
So with that out of the way, let’s talk a little bit about what’s been going on lately in the Oilogospehere and then get into the player’s I’ve put under the spotlight for tonight’s matchup!
Can anybody tell me how Brady Tkachuk got his suspension lifted for fighting in the last five minutes of the Sens game against Buffalo the other night yet Darnell Nurse couldn’t escape it in the playoffs last year even though Nic Hague was asking for it? I mean, how many times is the NHL going to screw the Oilers over like this.
Normally if your team is facing the backup goalie you feel pretty good about your chances but Jonathan Quick (1-0-0, 0.70 GAA, .964 SV%) might be starting tonight as Shesterkin went vs. Calgary in their last game out and he’s got some sizzling stats to start the year.
The Oilers need to get their PK sorted right quick because the Rangers are scoring on 30% of theirs so far this year. Something tells me that they will continue their hot hand with the man advantage tonight. What do you think the over/under is on how many too many men penalties Edmonton will take this evening?
I love the makeup of New Yorks defense. It’s full of some mean sons of bitches like Ryan Lindgren, Jacob Trouba, and Braden Schneider but also there’s K’Andre Miller (who’s already better than Darnell Nurse, IMO) and Adam Fox. Having former Oiler Erik Gustafsson on the third pair and to help out on the PP doesn’t hurt either.
Breakout turnovers… This is what Jay Woodcroft is blaming for all the goals against. His defense’s inability to break the puck out of their own zone is killing them. But is that really a surprise with who’s back there seeing as Evan Bouchard is the only one (out of seven blueliners) who is adept at passing.
The group is chalked full of transporters or stay-at-home dmen though. Nurse, Kulak, Broberg, they could skate the puck out if need be. Ekholm, Desharnais, Ceci, they’re defensive dmen.
So what is the plan here? What about more of a build-up breakout? More short, low-risk passes to get into the opposition’s end. Is the rink big enough to implement that sort of soccer-style zone exit?
I’m just saying, if you don’t have any good passers to pass the puck with, why would you task them with making high-risk passes? Eliminate the risk, FFS! Play smart.
What happens if the Oilers get to November with one win? Could they conceivably turf another coach? Surely they’d make some trades first, wouldn’t they? Or is the draw of having Joel Quenneville simply too much to resist?
The BLH Instagram account is growing like crazy! Three weeks ago when we started to get it back going we were at a shade over 1900 followers and now we’re gunning for 2000. So please, head on over and give us a follow as we’re posting exclusive content over there that won’t be published here or on our Twitter page.
Three Players to Watch for the (team)
#10 Artemi Panarin (3g 5a 8pts) – The Breadman has 17pts in 15 career games vs. the Oilers and I don’t see that stopping tonight.
#20 Chris Kreider (5g 1a 6pt) – In 16 matches vs Edmonton he’s scored a goal in half of those. There’s a chance he could have a field day against the likes of Cody Ceci or Evan Bouchard with the power he brings to the game no less his speed and shot.
#23 Adam Fox (1g 5a 6pts) – No goals in his six games vs. the Oilers so far since he joined the NHL, but he’s racked up 8pts in those half-dozen games. He’ll get his name on the scoresheet tonight I’ll predict.
Three Players to Watch for the Oilers
#29 Leon Draisaitl (4g 7a 11pts) – Edmonton needs the 2nd best player in the world to show up tonight. Spend less time in the penalty box and more time using those frustrations to fill the Rangers’ net and be the defensive stalwart that he’s all hyped up to be. (18pts in 16 games vs. NYR)
#37 Warren Foegele (3g 1a 4pts) – McLovin’ is on one helluva run here. Good for him. I didn’t think he’d thrive in the top-six, so, egg on my face. I think if he’s matched up against Kaapo Kakko or Alexis Lafreniere, there’s a chance he’ll be able to do well against them. (4g in 12 games vs. NYR)
#55 Dylan Holloway (0g 0a 0pts) – Holloway has 11 shots on goal, nearly double that of Mattias Janmark who is on the top line. I don’t know what more this kid has to do to let his coach know that he’s ready for a promotion but Woodcroft has to try him up there at some point, no? Fun fact: Holloway leads all forwards with four blocks and by my eye, not the easy ones either… (1g in 1 game vs. NYR)
The Next Twelve Games (#2-#13)
10/14 vs. Canucks – I think the Oilers will take 2/2 vs. Vancouver to start the year. (W)
(4-3 LOSS)
10/17 @. Predators – The Pred don’t scare me. Their roster is in shambles. Poor Jusse Saros and Roman Josi. (W)
(6-1 WIN)
10/19 @ Flyers – Their forward group looks entertaining but they’ve got nobody on defense. (W)
(4-1 LOSS)
10/21 vs. Winnipeg – The Jets are always a tough out. I like their chances. (L)
(3-2 OTL)
10/24 @ Wild – Minny isn’t as good as they used to be but still very solid. (W)
(7-4 L)
10/26 vs. Rangers – I like NY’s defense and goaltending here. (L)
10/29 vs.Flames – Calgary is going to surprise a few this year. (L)
11/2 vs. Stars – This will be a very tight game. (W)
11/4 vs. Predators – Leon will continue to light the Preds up. (W)
11/6 @ Canucks – I’ll take Edmonton for a third time here, Alex. (W)
11/9 @ Sharks – I don’t even recognize half the names on SJ’s roster… (W)
11/11 @ Kraken – I like Seattle’s roster. Well-rounded. (L)
(predictions made 10/11/2023)
The King of the North is here! Click the pic and grab a shirt!
Earlier today on his radio show Oilers Now, host Bob Stauffer subtly hinted that three Eastern Conference teams could potentially look to trade for Edmonton Oilers winger and functional tough guy, Zack Kassian.
“I’m going to tell you this right now, for the fans that are down on Zack Kassian, and he’s had a quiet time since signing that 4yr contract extension, it would not surprise me depending on what happens here if Pittsburgh or the Rangers or even Boston, who have extra LWers (especially if they re-sign Taylor Hall) and a short on the right-side. I could see all three of those organizations getting in on Kassian.”
Now, I’m not going to go into the Rangers/Capitals fiasco again and what my feelings are there, but I will say this. Teams have been trying to combat Tom Wilson for YEARS in the Metropolitan Division and have yet to find any success in that regard and as much as I love Zack Kassian, he’s not in Wilson’s weight division. That said, he won’t back down when he feels that a statement needs to be made.
From a team-building perspective, Edmonton could surely use the cap space and Kass has three more seasons left after this one at $3.2M/yr. I think we can all agree that he’s overpaid in this NHL economy and if there are up to three teams that are looking to procure his services that tells me those clubs would be willing to pay close to fair value, if not more than, to acquire him.
The one thing that gives me pause when thinking about Ken Holland moving Kass is that it would leave the Oilers without their own functional tough guy and even though he has indeed been quiet on the scoresheet, we’ve been witness to the peak of his potential. He’s capable of playing anywhere in the lineup and with a plethora of different styles of player and it’s my belief that that is a very rare find.
On the other hand, if the Oilers can put out a third line that does have some size but also some skill, wouldn’t that be more beneficial night in, night out? There’s a chance we could see Tyler Benson or Dylan Holloway, Ryan McLeod, and somebody like Josh Archibald on Coach Tippett’s third line next year.
Also, I see that Brett Ritchie and Kurtis Gabriel are free agents this summer and those gentlemen would be more than able at providing a few minutes a night on the 4th line (or higher in the case of Ritchie).
The King of the North is here! Click the pic and grab a shirt!
So, if we put on our GMs caps and look at an actual trade, what might the Oilers be looking for in return for a Zack Kassian?
Draft Pick(s)?
Backup Goalie?
Grit and Sandpaper?
It’s possible all three or a combination, right? There’s one exception that I’ll speak to further down that might have Oilers fans, like myself, salivating at the possibility.
So getting back to the three teams that Stauffer mentioned, will those organizations be in a position financially to be able to make a trade for Kassian?
Boston Bruins
They’ll have about $32M in space to spend but only 14 roster players signed. They’d like to re-sign Hall and David Krejci and bring back Tuukka Rask and/or Jaro Halak but they also need to do something about their defense. If the plan is to contend again next season they can’t go into it with McAvoy, Clifton, Carlo, Lauzon, Zboril, and Grzelcyk as their six full-timers on the blue line. Lucky for them they are a winning organization and it shouldn’t take too much persuasion to get a free agent or two to sign for reasonable dollars.
Reckon Don Sweeney is looking to add some toughness that was lost when Zdeno Chara was allowed to leave?
What Would the Oilers Want: Jake DeBrusk. If the Bruins re-sign Hall, that means DeBrusk will be on the move and I believe very strongly that the Oilers would have great interest in bringing Jake home. He’s age relevant with Edmonton’s roster and it’s SO apparent that Bruce Cassidy has no more time for Louie’s boy.
New York Rangers
New York has 17 roster players signed through next season and close to $29M in cap room available to work with. Ryan Lindgren, Libor Hajek, Pavel Buchnevich, Filip Chytil, and Igor Shesterkin are their main RFAs that need to be signed.
Who knows what they’ll do in the off-season though if they have their eyes on Jack Eichel…
What Would the Oilers Want: The mandate is in, New York need to get tougher and are willing to pay the price to do so. I imagine Edmonton would go after draft picks in this scenario. The Rangers have two third rounders and three fourth rounders in the upcoming 2021 NHL entry draft and the Oilers are void of picks in the second, third, and fifth. They’ve got more than enough room under the cap to fit Kassian in.
Let’s say Ken Holland wants prospects though. New York have a couple of very good defensemen coming up in Matthew Robertson (Edmonton Oil Kings) and Nils Lundqvist. Robertson, a lefty, is more of a two-way shutdown type whereas Lundqvist, a righty, has some more offensive to his game.
On forward, I reckon players like Karl Henriksson, Leevi Aaltonen, Lauri Pajuniemi, and Brett Berard could be of interest to Edmonton. They are all highly skilled playmakers but are very undersized. Pajuniemi is the “giant” of the trio coming in at six feet tall.
Pittsburgh Penguins
I don’t think there’s a match here unless the Oilers were willing to take on money because the Pens have 17 roster players signed through next year and only a shade over $3M to fill their roster.
With that in mind, the Penguins have showed interest in Kassian in the past.
What Would the Oilers Want: It’s a tough call because I think Edmonton would want someone like Bryan Rust who is paid $3.2M for one more year but I can’t see Pittsburgh having any sort of appetite to move him as he’s one of their best players. There’s Brandon Tanev but is that really a contract the Oilers want to take on? Maybe Brian Dumoulin would tickle Ken Holland’s fancy if Oscar Klefbom can’t go next year. He only makes $4.1M for another pair of years after next.
Zach Ashton-Reese is an interesting name to keep in mind. He’s extremely good two-way and plays an old-school brand of hockey to boot… The blue collar fans would really like him.
The cupboards are bare in Pittsburgh so there might be a rare opportunity to win the trade in terms of players involved in exchange for cap room for Edmonton
So there you have it. I’m sure there are many more variable to consider and other players that I haven’t considered but just looking at the whole thing from a general point of view, Mr. Holland might have a golden opportunity to move another contract that was once deemed unmovable…
Cap figures courtesy or capfriendly.com
Just like Kass protects his boys, you can protect yourself with this sweet mask! Click the pic and get yours today!Classic Captain Wendel, taking care of business once more! Click the pic and grab a shirt for yourself!Pick up the NEW “Beat His Ass” shirt right now!!
BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Evgeni Kuznetsov (WAS), Dustin Brown (LA), Niklas Hjalmarsson (ARI), and more!
Is Leon Draisaitl’s excellent two-way presence just a mirage? One Edmonton pundit says they may very well be, BLH says not so fast. Read about it here.
Click the pic and find the NHL94 player from your team!
NHL Rumors and Speculation
Larry Brooks (NY Post) wonders if New Jersey Devils $9M right-shot defender might have some interest from other clubs at this year’s trade deadline or prior,
“The Spirit of 76 has one year with a $9 million cap hit remaining on his deal. If the Devils retain half, contenders with needs on the right side of the blue line could do much worse than acquiring Subban.”
Emily Sadler of Sportsnet: Mattias Ekholm emerging as one of the top defensive trade targets has been established. Now, where could he end up? The Jake Muzzin deal sets the bar but again the where is far from set.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Toronto seems to be involved in everything but they do need defense and/or goaltending insurance. Ekholm would be especially helpful but a deal would have to be done in the next week or so. A pure rental makes more sense but Ekholm gives Toronto three left-handed anchors for defense.
Philadelphia Flyers: Again, when Matt Niskanen retired, it left a huge void on the defensive corps. At first, the Flyers were able to hide their deficiencies but now they cannot. Giving up 25 goals in the last five games makes a deal more likely. Ekholm’s term helps here at a reasonable rate for Philadelphia. The Flyers have enough prospects to sweeten any deal for the Nashville defenseman.
Montreal Canadiens: Montreal’s roller coaster of a season continues at breakneck speed. Marc Bergevin remains unafraid to pull off another bold move or three. With the Ben Chiarot injury, a spot has opened up. Unfortunately, cap space is an issue as it is for most teams. Montreal possesses a wealth of draft picks — 14 in 2021, and seven in 2022. Does Montreal add Artturi Lehkonen as well?
Boston Bruins: Ekholm is one of those defensemen who can boost scoring a little bit while playing mostly excellent defense in a tougher top-four role. The problem for the Bruins is that teams know Boston has one of the worst prospect pools in the NHL. A player may have to go the other way. Jake DeBrusk is the name bandied about as a possible return for Nashville.
Winnipeg Jets: Winnipeg has the pieces to make a Jake Muzzin like deal according to Murat Ates via Adam Vingan of The Athletic. The problem is that other teams could offer a better package for Ekholm. Cap issues are there as well. However, adjustments can be made for the Nashville defenseman.
J.J. Regan of NBC Sports Washington (mailbag): A flat salary cap remains for the next few seasons. The Washington Capitals need a center. It was something Washington did not address during the draft or free agency last year. They have a nice core of four centers with the big club but little or nothing else after that. A dollar-in, dollar-out deal to deliver a depth center seems unlikely.
Evgeni Kuznetsov trade possibilities rise a little but not until after the season. During the season makes little sense for the Washington Capitals. As for the expansion draft, stay tuned as Washington will try to steer certain deals to Seattle. A Vegas-like sequel will not happen again.
Rick Carpiniello of The Athletic: The New York Rangers would definitely be interested in Jack Eichel if he becomes available. That would be more of an offseason move, if at all. They will likely be sellers, but do have some assets/draft picks they could move for the right player.
Chris Johnston of Sportsnet, feels the Toronto Maple Leafs are talking trade for a defenseman to fill out their d-core and provide them some more insurance as they head into the playoffs. Candidates include: Nik Hjalmarsson (ARI), Marc Staal (DET), Jari Hakanpaa (ANA), and David Savard (CBJ).
“One team is an obvious landing spot for Brown – the New York Islanders, who were on the wrong end of a body blow when captain Anders Lee’s season ended with an ACL injury. Brown isn’t Lee, but what he is, is the most affordable and likely gettable player on the market. He’s not the only option for the Islanders (Kyle Palmieri, Mikael Granlund, Taylor Hall), but is having the best season of any options. “
The other player who has drawn attention is at the other end of the spectrum, goaltender Jonathan Quick. Though the Los Angeles net has not been handed over to Cal Petersen by Todd McLellan, the younger netminder is clearly the better goaltender. Some say that Quick is done and isn’t close to the Conn Smythe winner he once was and they’re right. “
BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Jack Eichel (BUF), Frederik Andersen (TOR), Dylan Strome (CHI), and more!
Is Leon Draisaitl’s excellent two-way presence just a mirage? One Edmonton pundit says they may very well be, BLH says not so fast. Read about it here.
Click the pic and find the NHL94 player from your team!
NHL Rumors and Speculation
Renaud Lavoie (TVA Sports) is reporting that the ask for Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel is at least four first round draft picks be they players that were once selected in the first round of the NHL draft or are future selections.
David Pagnotta (The Fourth Period) says the LA Kings have spoken to the Toronto Maple Leafs about goalie Jonathan Quick but nothing is imminent on that front. The belief is that Buds netminder Frederik Andersen would go the other way if a trade is finalized.
Elliotte Friedman (Sportsnet) counters the Quick to Toronto claims by saying that he doesn’t think it’s happening because he believes the Maple Leafs don’t think it’s viable.
The Vancouver Canucks have been taking calls on Travis Hamonic, Jordie Benn, Tanner Pearson (before injury), and Brandon Sutter. They’re gauging the market but in wait-and-see mode with their playoff status
Things have changed in Columbus as they’ve caught Chicago for the fourth and final playoff spot in their division which probably means David Savard and Nick Foligno might not get dealt. If Columbus stays in it and hold their UFAs, that changes the market.
TSN1200: Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving on his club’s potential trade deadline plans,
“I’m certainly not looking to spend high draft or prospect capital for rental players, but if there’s a way to help our team, that’s what we’ll continue to do. I’m not in a position where I need to be spending those types of assets on a rental.”
Daily Faceoff Podcast: Carolina Hurricanes GM Don Waddell on what his club might be looking for ahead of the trade deadline,
“A right-shot defender would be something I’ve asked around about and another top-nine forward potentially. We’re also looking at all our positions from a depth standpoint.”
Andrew Gross (Newsday) has speculated recently on whether or not the the New York Islanders will pursue New Jersey Devils winger Kyle Palmieri before the trade deadline.
Larry Brooks (NY Post) has suggested that the New York Rangers keep Russian winger Pavel Buchnevich at $5.5M AAV for 4-5 years.
John Hoven (Mayor’s Manor) expects the LA Kings to retain Alex Iafallo’s services and sees him staying in LA. To date, not serious contract talks have taken place and nothing is imminent. Most signs point to a deal being announced later down the road.
Kevin Kurz (The Athletic) Patrick Marleau would definitely consider a trade to a contender if the opportunity arises but he’s not actively looking for it. His goal is still to win a Stanley Cup.
The Athletic says a league source has informed them that the Chicago Blackhawks aren’t shopping center Dylan Strome but they are willing to entertain offers for Connor McDavid’s former junior linemate.
Max Bultman (The Athletic) says if healthy, forward Tyler Bertuzzi will have a ton of appeal for buyers at the trade deadline.
