Post-Game Talk: Build The Wal

[Soundwave]

The PK has to be revamped otherwise they're not going to go anywhere.

Getting Arvidsson going needs to be a priority for Knob (if he even thinks about this stuff which I some what doubt). I'd give him some looks even on PP unit 1 here and there (our PP is another thing that needs a shake up). Him scoring is important.

We can cry all we want about what was done last summer, but the fact is, this is the team, you have to work with what you got.

Having some physical play is key for this group, Knob needs to stop neutering that element of team play.

Hopefully this time off does Ekholm good. Was kind of hoping he would have skipped the 4 Nations entirely.

 

[WhiskeyEE]

The PK has to be revamped otherwise they're not going to go anywhere.

Getting Arvidsson going needs to be a priority for Knob (if he even thinks about this stuff which I some what doubt). I'd give him some looks even on PP unit 1 here and there (our PP is another thing that needs a shake up). Him scoring is important.

We can cry all we want about what was done last summer, but the fact is, this is the team, you have to work with what you got.

Having some physical play is key for this group, Knob needs to stop neutering that element of team play.

Hopefully this time off does Ekholm good. Was kind of hoping he would have skipped the 4 Nations entirely.

Why is the PK so bad anyway? Just because of Desharnais? lol. Or did other teams change their PPs or are our players just performing worse?

 

[unicornBLOOD]

Emberson is basically a rookie (only 30 games last season)and has already played double the number of NHL games this season. Rookies tend to fade as the season goes on because they have never experienced the grind of a full NHL 82 game season. Now that Emberson has played enough games to avoid Group 6 free agency, the Oilers can rest him down the stretch, which would also get Stecher and Klingberg some games.

agreed. this fan base is so passionate, but they are hard on their players. Sure, a lot of it is warranted, but that doesn't make it any easier from them to hear.

Emberson is young and doesn't have much experience, he's far from perfect, but, what D at roughly 90 games played in the NHL is a finished product and doesn't have any struggles? There ain't many if there any at all. I wish the fans could back off some and have some patience for young Dmen.

Look at Skinner, Stu is a young goalie, he's had a down year and struggled, and he's still rounding out his game. Stu isn't done developing and he also isn't a superstar goalie, wasn't drafted as one, and isn't paid as one, yet so much of this fan base just hates the guy. The same fans who are angry when a better goalie who is a UFA chooses not to sign here, so that he, and his family don't need to deal with the crazy fan base here. This happens, and if you don't think it does, you're dilusional.

Look at Nurse tonight, he played 27 minutes, on the top pairing, with a new D partner, playing his first game with the team, on his off side, and yet got people in here saying he made "some bozo plays". Nurse was +3, 1 assist, 4 hits, 2 shots on goal. LOL. And that guy was unhappy with Nurse? lol.

Some of the people in here are too much. You can love the team, you can even be unhappy with the players and how they play, you can want upgrades and changes, you can do all this, and not be mean, rude, angry, and condescending.

Stu played great tonight, if you disagree, you're just a Stu hater with an agenda. I'm 100% on board that Stu hasn't been good enough, that this team, at the very least needs someone as good as Stu to push him, if not better. But, when he plays well, admit it, leave him alone, you don't need to sit there and wait for the other shoe to drop.

Nurse was great, when you add in all those factors. He and Walman stepped up as the new makeshift first pairing and got it done.

Emberson had a tough night with some back luck, these games happen, overall, he's been very good this year, and a nice fit, the last thing I want is for this fan base to scare this kid out of town with their negativity.

 

[unicornBLOOD]

I agree.
Rantanen is such a smart and dangerous player. The thought of him on the 2nd line...that would make this team virtually impossible to defend against.

how a person could watch that game last night and come out with "other than the PP, I never noticed Rantanen last night.", is beyond me. He was very noticeable and will only get better with the Stars. I'm super bummed that they apparantley came that close to getting him. They say they had a extrension worked out and everything. So close.

 

[Frank the Tank]

That 3rd period just reminds me of what an epic fail it was for us to not get a decent goaltender. Great, he made one spectacular save. Goalies make multiples of those against us in most games. We got lucky AF that Oettinger laid an egg, otherwise it’s another loss.

Even with the big save against Rantanen, Stu gave up one goal above expected.

I hope someone makes me eat my words when we hoist the cup, but I don’t see it happening with Stu in net. He’ll allow a stinker that goes through him, just like the Reinhart goal last yr. Of course, that assumes Picks comes in and saves his ass when he becomes a sieve again for a week earlier in the playoffs.

What goal was on Oettinger? Two breakaway goals, McDavid skating him and the defense out of position for a Hyman tap-in, the rocket one-time to the corner by Arvidsson, or a wide open net gimme because his defenseman blocked a pass right back to Brown?

He also saved numerous in close attempts that the Oilers should have cashed in. Edmonton could have had 5-6 goals after the first period alone.

 

[foshizzle]

Why is the PK so bad anyway? Just because of Desharnais? lol. Or did other teams change their PPs or are our players just performing worse?

Oilers are 1st in xGA on the PK and 27 in actual goals against. It’s not the PK- it’s the goaltending

 

[Drivesaitl]

Kap's time here is likely getting close to its end. I don't see how he makes the lineup when Frederic comes back, let alone when Kane does.

Put Kap on waivers, bring up Philp. Then figure out what bottom 6 combo works best.

I think having a complete forward lineup means neither a Kap or a Philp is on a club. That said of the two one is somebody that coudn't even figure out if they wanted a pro opportunity and the other is an NHL vet who is being asked to take on different roles and not complaining, and not being awful either.

The coaching staff would appreciate Kap being adaptable to play Center and pk here. He's a talent thats willing to do anything. Coaches tend to like those kinds of players.

In anycase its a good thing that we can now ponder these variables and who should be in or out of the lineup. Until recently we didn't have even that luxury and we had guys like Ryan still in lineup.

 

[guymez]

agreed. this fan base is so passionate, but they are hard on their players. Sure, a lot of it is warranted, but that doesn't make it any easier from them to hear.

Emberson is young and doesn't have much experience, he's far from perfect, but, what D at roughly 90 games played in the NHL is a finished product and doesn't have any struggles? There ain't many if there any at all. I wish the fans could back off some and have some patience for young Dmen.

Look at Skinner, Stu is a young goalie, he's had a down year and struggled, and he's still rounding out his game. Stu isn't done developing and he also isn't a superstar goalie, wasn't drafted as one, and isn't paid as one, yet so much of this fan base just hates the guy. The same fans who are angry when a better goalie who is a UFA chooses not to sign here, so that he, and his family don't need to deal with the crazy fan base here. This happens, and if you don't think it does, you're dilusional.

Look at Nurse tonight, he played 27 minutes, on the top pairing, with a new D partner, playing his first game with the team, on his off side, and yet got people in here saying he made "some bozo plays". Nurse was +3, 1 assist, 4 hits, 2 shots on goal. LOL. And that guy was unhappy with Nurse? lol.

Some of the people in here are too much. You can love the team, you can even be unhappy with the players and how they play, you can want upgrades and changes, you can do all this, and not be mean, rude, angry, and condescending.

Stu played great tonight, if you disagree, you're just a Stu hater with an agenda. I'm 100% on board that Stu hasn't been good enough, that this team, at the very least needs someone as good as Stu to push him, if not better. But, when he plays well, admit it, leave him alone, you don't need to sit there and wait for the other shoe to drop.

Nurse was great, when you add in all those factors. He and Walman stepped up as the new makeshift first pairing and got it done.

Emberson had a tough night with some back luck, these games happen, overall, he's been very good this year, and a nice fit, the last thing I want is for this fan base to scare this kid out of town with their negativity.

Good post.
You made some points that needed to be made because the noise on here can get way over the top.
Despite some bad luck and poor D reads Skinner out dueled Oettinger in this game.
He deserves credit.

There are only a couple of things I would add....Kulak didnt have his best game last night. Have to give him a break though because he has been so reliably good this season.
The other is that I cant emphasize emotion enough. That more than anything has been the lacking ingredient when this team is slumping.
You cant expect this level of energy/emotion all season either. Its just not realisitc.
April is going to fun because we got a glimpse of what this team is capable of and these new additions are just what the team needed.

 

[Drivesaitl]

What goal was on Oettinger? Two breakaway goals, McDavid skating him and the defense out of position for a Hyman tap-in, the rocket one-time to the corner by Arvidsson, or a wide open net gimme because his defenseman blocked a pass right back to Brown?

He also saved numerous in close attempts that the Oilers should have cashed in. Edmonton could have had 5-6 goals after the first period alone.

Ott was bad. Two of the goals he creates on his by simply not sealing the post. On one play he turned himself backwards instead of just solid positioning. McD exploited this easily. Hyman banged it in. Puck should never have got through Ott.

Other than that he was waving a frying pan at any of the other goals. he got beat silly by Arvid of all people who hasn't been beating ANY goalies and he practically scored on himself on the Connor Brown play. He made both look like goal scorers. OTT was awful in this one even before giving up a goal, was shaky, and would've been pulled except Dallas has a game today.

Ott can either look like a premium goalie or dogshit. Last night he was nervous from puck drop. Oilers in his head.

Ott let in 4 goals on the Oilers first 9shots. If thats an Oiler goalie he's hearing about it.

 

[brentashton]

Why is the PK so bad anyway? Just because of Desharnais? lol. Or did other teams change their PPs or are our players just performing worse?

The system they are playing seems to look to be the same as last year. However,
Foegle Out.
McLeod Out.
Both represent a loss of speed on the PK.

And RNH is just lost out in the ice this year for some reason, 5 on 5 or otherwise.

 

[Frank the Tank]

Ott was bad. Two of the goals he creates on his by simply not sealing the post. On one play he turned himself backwards instead of just solid positioning. McD exploited this easily. Hyman banged it in. Puck should never have got through Ott.

Other than that he was waving a frying pan at any of the other goals. he got beat silly by Arvid of all people who hasn't been beating ANY goalies and he practically scored on himself on the Connor Brown play. He made both look like goal scorers. OTT was awful in this one even before giving up a goal, was shaky, and would've been pulled except Dallas has a game today.

Ott can either look like a premium goalie or dogshit. Last night he was nervous from puck drop. Oilers in his head.

OR the Oilers created goals because McDavid was skating and making moves at top speed again, Hyman was getting to the net, Arvidsson finally blasted an uncontested one-timer into the corner, and Brown cashed in on a fortunate bounce from a pass that hit the defender.

Just because these Oilers players haven't been doing this lately does not mean that it's the goalies fault on goals when a bunch of guys do play at or near their potential.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Emberson is basically a rookie (only 30 games last season)and has already played double the number of NHL games this season. Rookies tend to fade as the season goes on because they have never experienced the grind of a full NHL 82 game season. Now that Emberson has played enough games to avoid Group 6 free agency, the Oilers can rest him down the stretch, which would also get Stecher and Klingberg some games.

Agreed here. I like Emberson and he's brought some physicality and he takes hits to make plays. He's pretty no nonsense and he's been better than ANYBODY would have expected. But as soon as we get new playthings the incumbent players we have are all chopped liver.

Tons of posts yesterday wherein one game Walman already annointed as "our best D" which, jmo, is disrespecting the contributions of all of Ekholm, Booch, Nurse etc.

I mention Booch specifically because I'm wondering if the acquisition of Walman means Booch won't see next contract here. This would be a mistake but the kind of thing the Oilers do. Booch is a bluechip can't miss offensive D that has already had a +PPG season and a lot of Oilers fans disliking him. D like Booch don't come along often and he made several stellar plays last night too, nobody talking about it.

 

[Drivesaitl]

The system they are playing seems to look to be the same as last year. However,
Foegle Out.
McLeod Out.
Both represent a loss of speed on the PK.

And RNH is just lost out in the ice this year for some reason, 5 on 5 or otherwise.

McLeod particularly was a lot better on pk than given credit for. A lot better player EV as well than given credit for. Finally a player that could move up and down lineup and play different roles and with premium speed and zone exit/entry ability. I often said in the 90's a McLeod would be regarded as much as a Marchant was. But not now because we have sexy players.

 

[Drivesaitl]

OR the Oilers created goals because McDavid was skating and making moves at top speed again, Hyman was getting to the net, Arvidsson finally blasted an uncontested one-timer into the corner, and Brown cashed in on a fortunate bounce from a pass that hit the defender.

Just because these Oilers players haven't been doing this lately does not mean that it's the goalies fault on goals when a bunch of guys do play at or near their potential.

Lool at the first goal. Whats OTT even doing there. All he has to do is position to seal the net. He's swimming around instead. This is in addition to other plays we didn't score on where OTT is going in circles and losing his position. It was lol play there on the first goal. So bad you wonder what he's thinking. It was panic. We're in his head. Before the Oilers even scored Ott was shitting his pants.

Ott took himself right out of the goal there on first goal and no reason to do it. On bad nights Ott is like the bad version of Quick. Goalies are similar. Sometimes overthinking, overreacting and both with a tendency to swim right out of net when they are off.

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[guymez]

OR the Oilers created goals because McDavid was skating and making moves at top speed again, Hyman was getting to the net, Arvidsson finally blasted an uncontested one-timer into the corner, and Brown cashed in on a fortunate bounce from a pass that hit the defender.

Just because these Oilers players haven't been doing this lately does not mean that it's the goalies fault on goals when a bunch of guys do play at or near their potential.

The other thing with Browns goal is that he created the turnover along the boards to start the play.
Full credit on that goal.

 

[Soundwave]

Lool at the first goal. Whats OTT even doing there. All he has to do is position to seal the net. He's swimming around instead. This is in addition to other plays we didn't score on where OTT is going in circles and losing his position. It was lol play there on the first goal. So bad you wonder what he's thinking. It was panic. We're in his head. Before the Oilers even scored Ott was shitting his pants.

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NHL Gamecenter - Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers, Mar 8, 2025 - summary, stats, boxscore, play by play, recap and more.

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It's the best player in the world coming downhill on a goalie, that's gonna cause a lot of goalies to scramble.

 

[Drivesaitl]

It's the best player in the world coming downhill on a goalie, that's gonna cause a lot of goalies to scramble.

Its fair but almost every NHL goalie has been playing McD pretty solid all year. Like I say we're in Otts head. I think in a series he's gonna have problems against us unless he sorts it out. He took himself right out of the play.

Last night Skinner was far better than Ott, again, and thats been a pretty weird thing in this matchup. I'm the least likely person to mention it.

 

[Soundwave]

Why is the PK so bad anyway? Just because of Desharnais? lol. Or did other teams change their PPs or are our players just performing worse?

Could be partially due to that. Could be that it's being scouted much more closely after last year's playoff run. Need more saves from the goalies on the PK too.

 

[Drivesaitl]

agreed. this fan base is so passionate, but they are hard on their players. Sure, a lot of it is warranted, but that doesn't make it any easier from them to hear.

Emberson is young and doesn't have much experience, he's far from perfect, but, what D at roughly 90 games played in the NHL is a finished product and doesn't have any struggles? There ain't many if there any at all. I wish the fans could back off some and have some patience for young Dmen.

Look at Skinner, Stu is a young goalie, he's had a down year and struggled, and he's still rounding out his game. Stu isn't done developing and he also isn't a superstar goalie, wasn't drafted as one, and isn't paid as one, yet so much of this fan base just hates the guy. The same fans who are angry when a better goalie who is a UFA chooses not to sign here, so that he, and his family don't need to deal with the crazy fan base here. This happens, and if you don't think it does, you're dilusional.

Look at Nurse tonight, he played 27 minutes, on the top pairing, with a new D partner, playing his first game with the team, on his off side, and yet got people in here saying he made "some bozo plays". Nurse was +3, 1 assist, 4 hits, 2 shots on goal. LOL. And that guy was unhappy with Nurse? lol.

Some of the people in here are too much. You can love the team, you can even be unhappy with the players and how they play, you can want upgrades and changes, you can do all this, and not be mean, rude, angry, and condescending.

Stu played great tonight, if you disagree, you're just a Stu hater with an agenda. I'm 100% on board that Stu hasn't been good enough, that this team, at the very least needs someone as good as Stu to push him, if not better. But, when he plays well, admit it, leave him alone, you don't need to sit there and wait for the other shoe to drop.

Nurse was great, when you add in all those factors. He and Walman stepped up as the new makeshift first pairing and got it done.

Emberson had a tough night with some back luck, these games happen, overall, he's been very good this year, and a nice fit, the last thing I want is for this fan base to scare this kid out of town with their negativity.

Good post. Nurse was solid last night and the Nurse-Walman pair looked good. But Nurse suffers from the usual here with fans having seen too much of the player for years and people get tired of the players we have. Theres always a bias here in favor of the incoming players and thus the Walman was great and Nurse is chopped liver theme, Walman "holding him up" and those kinds of comments being made.

The reality being Walman would be thrilled to be here and playing with a bluechip like Nurse and would be the first to talk about how good Nurse is. The strongest D he's ever played with and including Seider.

The bias here is quickly denounce the players that are incumbent in favor of the players that are new. I'm sure in the next week we'll be hearing how Booch is now nothing because we have Walman. Would be the wrong view.

Walman looks capable but its early. Statistically it seems he was on the best unit with Detroit and with SJ. A lot has been made about his numbers there. But it also means that he was able to swim on a bad club but against opponents that could fill the net anytime Walman or Ceci weren't on the ice. Point being teams didn't have to beat Walman or Ceci, they just had to beat any other D pair on the club and still win 7-2.

We need more window on what Walman looks like on contender and we'll get it. Nice that we have a couple of set D pairs now.

 

[Drivesaitl]

it was his first game with a brand new team, I thought he looked great when you consider that fact. I'm so bummed that they didn't have the assets to make that trade happen. Rantanen would of been amazing on Draisaitl's wing for the next 8 years.

Rantanen is being dissed basically because of the kind of money he was asking for. For 2025 and on, and wanting huge money longterm.

This is 96M. 8x12. Any team doing this contract is paying premium money on the back half of a players career.

Sure the Oilers did that with Drai but he's an absolute physical beast that seems to eat punishment. Rants was getting nailed multiple times last night and seemed an easy target.

Sure he's good. Is he so good at age 32 or 34 in this contract? Will he survive all the punishment as he ages?

Even Colorado who had Rantanen for years wasn't going to pony up and make this contract.

For most forwards the decline starts around Age 27-29 and is pronounced by age 30 and beyond.

The AV's are laughing all the way to the bank. In the trade they get Necas, who covers the same pts and is a faster stronger player. They get him for half the price instead.

Easily I would have the Necas contract instead of signing Rantanen. Carolina botched this so bad the GM should be fired.

 

[Mr Positive]

Agreed here. I like Emberson and he's brought some physicality and he takes hits to make plays. He's pretty no nonsense and he's been better than ANYBODY would have expected. But as soon as we get new playthings the incumbent players we have are all chopped liver.

Tons of posts yesterday wherein one game Walman already annointed as "our best D" which, jmo, is disrespecting the contributions of all of Ekholm, Booch, Nurse etc.

I mention Booch specifically because I'm wondering if the acquisition of Walman means Booch won't see next contract here. This would be a mistake but the kind of thing the Oilers do. Booch is a bluechip can't miss offensive D that has already had a +PPG season and a lot of Oilers fans disliking him. D like Booch don't come along often and he made several stellar plays last night too, nobody talking about it.

I don't see Walman as a Bouchard type. I'm going to guess that the short term purpose with Walman is fill out the top 4 wherever that is, probably on the right side. If there is an optimistic long term plan it's probably to take Ekholm's spot, not Bouchard's. Ekholm's almost 35

Although I do find it odd that we didn't sign Bouchard yet. He is impending RFA so maybe Bowman feels okay flexing some of our leverage there.

 

[rboomercat90]

I was told Walman wasn’t very good defensively and wasn’t physical enough.

Game 1 with the Oilers he’s immediately the best defensive presence on the ice and throws the biggest hit by an Oiler defenseman all season.

It was fun watching him make that hit on Rantanen after years of watching Bouchard jump out of the way and let guys walk him when he has someone lined up. I’m curious to see if this is just a normal part of his game or if what we saw last night was just the adrenaline of playing his first game with a new team. I sure hope it’s the former and not the latter because that’s exactly what this team needs.

 

[Drivesaitl]

I don't see Walman as a Bouchard type. I'm going to guess that the short term purpose with Walman is fill out the top 4 wherever that is, probably on the right side. If there is an optimistic long term plan it's probably to take Ekholm's spot, not Bouchard's. Ekholm's almost 35

Although I do find it odd that we didn't sign Bouchard yet. He is impending RFA so maybe Bowman feels okay flexing some of our leverage there.

Its the way the media frame things here and the tendency of the org. The Oilers devalue their own. This seen as a tendency for decades. Booch has been getting negative attention from media, pundits, fans, for sometime and despite him having a superstar year just last season. Been an Oilers fan long enough and followed the org to know how little they think of their incumbent players.

Of course we lose Ekholm, father time says that. But my take is we lose Booch too. Walman from what I gather is mostly an offensive D. He isn't known to handle opponent rush well. Ekholm is a stud, a shutdown D.

 

[MessierThanThou]

Rantanen is being dissed basically because of the kind of money he was asking for. For 2025 and on, and wanting huge money longterm.

This is 96M. 8x12. Any team doing this contract is paying premium money on the back half of a players career.

Sure the Oilers did that with Drai but he's an absolute physical beast that seems to eat punishment. Rants was getting nailed multiple times last night and seemed an easy target.

Sure he's good. Is he so good at age 32 or 34 in this contract? Will he survive all the punishment as he ages?

Even Colorado who had Rantanen for years wasn't going to pony up and make this contract.

For most forwards the decline starts around Age 27-29 and is pronounced by age 30 and beyond.

The AV's are laughing all the way to the bank. In the trade they get Necas, who covers the same pts and is a faster stronger player. They get him for half the price instead.

Easily I would have the Necas contract instead of signing Rantanen. Carolina botched this so bad the GM should be fired.

Colorado's GM is infinitely wiser than anyone we've had in that role since Sather. The Necas move is looking brilliant, younger guy who makes less money but can still produce at or above PPG, allowing the team to afford depth, as was getting Blackwood, and they fixed their centre depth problem in a massive way (Nelson and Coyle). Too bad Stan didn't spend that time trying to get us a goalie instead of losing out on the Rantonen sweepstakes...

And before anyone says anything stupid again: just because some goalies weren't traded doesn't mean none were available. Just because certain goalies weren't rumored to be traded doesn't mean they weren't available, as absolutely no one predicted Spencer Knight moving. Goaltending was not prioritized and that was made clear to us by the Oiler-friendly media. So, no, we don't know if anyone was actually available because Bowman didn't even try.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Colorado's GM is infinitely wiser than anyone we've had in that role since Sather. The Necas move is looking brilliant, younger guy who makes less money but can still produce at or above PPG, as was getting Blackwood, and they fixed their centre depth in a big way. Too bad Stan didn't spend that time trying to get us a goalie instead of losing out on the Rantonen sweepstakes...

And I will say this for the mentally less fortunate in the audience: just because some goalies weren't traded doesn't mean none were available. Just because certain goalies weren't rumored to be traded doesn't mean they weren't available, as absolutely no one predicted Spencer Knight moving. Goaltending was not prioritized and that was made clear to us by the Oiler-friendly media. So, no, we don't know if anyone was actually available because he didn't even try.

For the right price theres lots thats available. But for goaltending we're talking 3yrs now of standpat and longer than that if one doesn't consider the Campbell hire. So many good to decent goalies have been available in that time frame that re better than what we have. But the Org have wanted Skinner to be the guy for longtime now and figure he's some kind of fan favorite. This is all on the Oilers for not improving on one of the most important spots in team sports.

Yeah, I like Necas going forward mroe than I like Rantanen. just look at all the hits Rants was eating last night. He doesn't seem to be good at spotting incoming. Doesn't survive contact that well either. Hard to score when you're on your pants.

Thing with Rants is he had a plum spot in Colorado. he may not even be PPG away from there. Another consideration is dropoff in EV goals. This is crucial because playoffs is all about EV scoring. Rantanen has 18EV goals. 33rd in league. Even last night he completely buggered about scoring chances and on another shot right into glove on an open net, on skinner, lol

I don't think Rants is some kind of 40 goal scorer anymore away from Colorado where he got all the prime spots. Some decline in scoring has already occurred. Post peak? I think so.