Post-Game Talk: Four Nations, Three Losses, Two Forwards, One Defenseman, Zero Goalies

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Don't get all the "end of the world" quotes here...to stinkers in a row after a break...nothing new here

They should LTIR McD until the playoffs and buy big guns at the TDL including a goalie.

They've been playing bad for a while now, it's just starting to catch up to them.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

In all fairness, if you’re going to put McLeod in there, you have to count Savoie

Who sadly, is already getting minimal minutes despite showing well. If Knob is going to give him the J Skinner treatment, Bowman should tell Knob Savoie’s gotta go back to the A

This is true.

But its the Oiler way to take a prospect and either set him up for failure or yo-yo him back and forth between the AHL and NHL and when in the NHL play that prospect 8 minutes or less per game. The handling of Broberg and Holloway are examples of gross mismanagement and negligence on the part of Oiler management and anyone involved in player development should have been handed their pink slips when JJ came on board.

That said JJ himself appears to be trending from being "POHO Of The Year" in fans eyes to "Holy f*** Here We Go Again".

 

[FlameChampion]

Knob is completely brain dead at this point. He won’t give J Skinner any ice time no matter how well he plays. He throws Kapanen and Podz on a line with Mcdavid, Podz has shown he can play with Drai but that’s about it. Kapanen is waiver wire fodder. He puts old man Perry with McDrai late in the game as if that’s some nuclear combination. Arvidsson is a failure, never gets healthy scratched. Henrique has been invisible all year, Brown is a turd and then there’s that phony RNH, rip that A off his chest and tell him he’s never getting it back. Then punt him into the sun.
Oh yeah, goalies, f*** both of them.

I wish I was a fly on the wall when it comes to how NHL teams are ran. I'd like to know how much say Jackson, Bowman, Knoblauch, Schwartz etc have a say on how things go down. You would think with 4+ people that it would prevent one person from making bad decisions.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

Don't get all the "end of the world" quotes here...to stinkers in a row after a break...nothing new here

They should LTIR McD until the playoffs and buy big guns at the TDL including a goalie.

I usually would agree Bert my good man, but usually this team plays lights out Jan Feb March. The entire month of February has been a litany of going down 2 or 3 nothing to start games or just complete no shows by most of the team. The only 2 players playing to expectations are Draisaitl and Perry who has vastly exceeded them.

So while I try to remain positive, when a team pulls the chute in 2 games where they didn't even bother to show up, classic October performances, and McDavid is 15 points off the league lead boasting a -11 in his last 4 games with only 2 assists to show for it with goaltending that is statistically near league worst during that time span, with an abysmal record against the leagues top teams, I think the PTSD from past moronic management failures is rearing its ugly head.

Lets see what they can do over the next 3 games on the road trip before fully committing to full on panic mode but I am concerned that we are staring into the abyss here...lol

I wish I was a fly on the wall when it comes to how NHL teams are ran. I'd like to know how much say Jackson, Bowman, Knoblauch, Schwartz etc have a say on how things go down. You would think with 4+ people that it would prevent one person from making bad decisions.

Peter Chiarelli says hi.

 

[FlameChampion]

Don't get all the "end of the world" quotes here...to stinkers in a row after a break...nothing new here

They should LTIR McD until the playoffs and buy big guns at the TDL including a goalie.

I think this teams been full of weak links all year. The only one thats somewhat new is the defense completely falling apart. Goaltending has been a problem all year. Special teams has been a problem all year. Forwards not being productive has been a problem all year.

 

[bobbythebrain]

Ahhh, the Knobby criticism starts. I take it the fire Knobby reteric starts very soon

 

[BertMcDrai]

I usually would agree Bert my good man, but usually this team plays lights out Jan Feb March. The entire month of February has been a litany of going down 2 or 3 nothing to start games or just complete no shows by most of the team. The only 2 players playing to expectations are Draisaitl and Perry who has vastly exceeded them.

So while I try to remain positive, when a team pulls the chute in 2 games where they didn't even bother to show up, classic October performances, and McDavid is 15 points off the league lead boasting a -11 in his last 4 games with only 2 assists to show for it with goaltending that is statistically near league worst during that time span, with an abysmal record against the leagues top teams, I think the PTSD from past moronic management failures is rearing its ugly head.

Lets see what they can do over the next 3 games on the road trip before fully committing to full on panic mode but I am concerned that we are staring into the abyss here...lol



Peter Chiarelli says hi.

Hi my friend, I can hear you...but I will stay positive...it's only been two ugly games...nothing more...They should rest McD for some games, he just needs a break...even MacK has started slow after the four nations...they need some time off, especially a mental break.

I will be back in Edmonton to the game against the flames at the end of March...would be awesome to see you again...I will have three friends with me, with two of them from your generation.
We will do the west coast trip with games in Las Vegas und LA after the BOA.

Hopefully we can meet at the game for a beer and I will stay positive until then because I don't want to have a negative mindset before the BOA game

I think this teams been full of weak links all year. The only one thats somewhat new is the defense completely falling apart. Goaltending has been a problem all year. Special teams has been a problem all year. Forwards not being productive has been a problem all year.

I still think it's some sort of mental problems....goaltending I am with you, I would love to change that.

They've been playing bad for a while now, it's just starting to catch up to them.

Yeah maybe...but let's pretend it's the usual December/January hole and they will get out of it soon.

 

[FlameChampion]

Ahhh, the Knobby criticism starts. I take it the fire Knobby reteric starts very soon

Eh I think him and Coffey have done a pretty great job with the defense.

But his work with the forwards isn’t inspiring. Gulutzan hasn’t done a good job with the PP this year. Jackson is bringing in players that Knoblauch doesn’t want to use like JSkinner.

But its hard to say what the team would look like with competent goaltending.

Bowman/Jackson need to get to work.

 

[FlameChampion]

Hi my friend, I can hear you...but I will stay positive...it's only been two ugly games...nothing more...They should rest McD for some games, he just needs a break...even MacK has started slow after the four nations...they need some time off, especially a mental break.

I will be back in Edmonton to the game against the flames at the end of March...would be awesome to see you again...I will have three friends with me, with wie of them from your generation.
We will do the west coast trip with games in Las Vegas und LA after the BOA.

Hopefully we can meet at the game for a beer and I will stay positive until then because I don't want to have a negative mindset before the BOA game


I still think it's some sort of mental problems....goaltending I am with you, I would love to change that.


Yeah maybe...but let's pretend it's the usual December/January hole and they will get out of it soon.

In regards to the mental problems. It does feel like something is off with the team. The organization is general feels too complacent. Feels like its lacking something that pulls everything and everyone together.

 

[CrazyJoeDavola]

Your front office has to do their home work to get those kinds of results, ours doesn't so we don't deserve to have that kind of season.

All this shit about "dur hur! Colorado 2022 won after Kuemper got hurt!". Yeah that team was also a wagon that season, demolishing everyone in the regular season and playoffs (hence Sutter's infamous "waste of 8 days if you have to play them" comment).

Their GM made like no less than 7 or 8 great moves to bring in different players to that team and many of them all had career best years (to that point) or close. The situation here ... certainly is not that.

Another year where we have zero scoring outside of McDrai. Old washed slow bums on every line up and down the roster. Why is RNH on this team. The most overrated backpacked pp merchant in the league, eating up cap space

 

[Stoneman89]

We have the exact same players and same coach for our PP this year as the years before. Record breaking performances for 2 years in a row. Teams tried to adapt and we just blew it by them. This year, it's looked rather pedestrian. That has been a huge issue for this team, and the one constant that just baffles.

 

[Stoneman89]

On another note, I can't believe how good Jeff Chychryn looked. I know his stats have jumped out this year, and of course he's a big part of a successful team, but his confidence is through the roof.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

Hi my friend, I can hear you...but I will stay positive...it's only been two ugly games...nothing more...They should rest McD for some games, he just needs a break...even MacK has started slow after the four nations...they need some time off, especially a mental break.

I will be back in Edmonton to the game against the flames at the end of March...would be awesome to see you again...I will have three friends with me, with wie of them from your generation.
We will do the west coast trip with games in Las Vegas und LA after the BOA.

Hopefully we can meet at the game for a beer and I will stay positive until then because I don't want to have a negative mindset before the BOA game


I still think it's some sort of mental problems....goaltending I am with you, I would love to change that.

Awesome! Yeah for sure I will be around then, and am going to the game as well! Shoot me an email and we can figure something out!

Yes - stay positive!!

 

[Lacaar]

Like nobody saw this coming.

This team has not and never will deal with well with any sort of a break.
It's an emotional and Psychological reset and some teams can get into it quick.. and some can't.
The Oilers are perhaps the worst team in the league at this. They don't do well with breaks between seasons. Breaks between playoff series. Etc.

This team needs a punch to the face before they realize the fight is back on.
I'm not concerned about this over this season. They'll come out of this like Rocky Balboa just like they did earlier in the year.

I am deeply concerned come playoff time. Come back kid hockey while entertaining hasn't really shown to be an effective way to actually win the cup. Win a playoff series with it? yup. Win a couple.. yup.. Win all 4 with the come back kid mentality. Well they haven't shown they can do it yet despite coming awfully close last year.

Is the glass half full or half empty haha.

When the going gets tough the tough get going. Full glass.
The Oilers don't get going until the going gets tough. Empty glass.

This team lacks the Wisdom to find their best game early. It's a shame because their best game from game 1 would be awfully hard to beat in 7 games.

 

[bobbythebrain]

Team came back 3 games against FLA and now after two regular season losses ppl acting like they have no fight and suck..

Give your head some shakes...you be trippin

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

Team came back 3 games against FLA and now after two regular season losses ppl acting like they have no fight and suck..

Give your head some shakes...you be trippin

You have to judge this team on its own merits. Last year’s team was last year. You must agree that they weren’t the lifeless corpses in the Final that they have been this weekend and in much of February played to a much lesser standard than a year ago.

 

[oXo Cube]

You have to judge this team on its own merits. Last year’s team was last year. You must agree that they weren’t the lifeless corpses in the Final that they have been this weekend and in much of February played to a much lesser standard than a year ago.

My recollection of this team at this time last year is that they looked like complete garbage last Februrary too.

The team dogs it in the dog days of the season. We may not like it but they have a history.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

My recollection of this team at this time last year is that they looked like complete garbage last Februrary too.

The team dogs it in the dog days of the season. We may not like it but they have a history.

Well they already saw what happened when they have to go on the road to Vegas in round 2. Don't need to see that movie again, the ending will be the same.

 

[oXo Cube]

Well they already saw what happened when they have to go on the road to Vegas in round 2. Don't need to see that movie again, the ending will be the same.

For sure, I'd much rather the team actually played hard and secured a division title for once. Especially given our deeply concerning record against the leagues other top teams.

But I have no control over them. They are what they are.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

My recollection of this team at this time last year is that they looked like complete garbage last Februrary too.

The team dogs it in the dog days of the season. We may not like it but they have a history.

It’s possible, I honestly can’t recall but if memory serves me correct they were pretty good Jan - March.

That said last year was last year. But as you say they have a history, starting the season slow, starting slow after breaks, starting games slow, and starting series slow.

Not sure why but they are consistent lol.

 

[ToeMcDrag83]

McDavid is really bad this year. By his standards especially, but even against a normal measuring stick. Doesn't help the Hyman and Nuge are having off years too, but 97 is supposed to be the straw and there isn't much stirring. Doesn't help that Arvidsson and J. Skinner have been underwhelming either, even though I think the latter is doing fine in limited minutes.

I maintain the G7 Cup Final loss last year took the wind out of him. He likely thought ahead to playoffs this year and can't get his head/heart around bringing it in the regular season with the same intensity. Going from the Canada moment to regular season probably has a similar "high to low crash" effect. But until there's a "x" clinched symbol next to our name, we need him to raise his game. Especially with our sieves back there, and the porous defense we've witnessed in the last month.

My biggest worry since the start of the season is we've played the most extra hockey the last 3 years in the NHL, each year with real chances at Cups. And this off-season we got older, slower and (now with a good sample of data) added pieces that have not taken the weight off McDavid or Draisaitl (and arguably lost pieces that made us worse). The exhaustion is apparent with much of the lineup - the lack of youth/energy/speed is noticeable. Our goaltending is inconsistent and incompetent still. A first round exit is not exactly something I'm having trouble picturing this year.

 

[Soundwave]

McDavid is really bad this year. By his standards especially, but even against a normal measuring stick. Doesn't help the Hyman and Nuge are having off years too, but 97 is supposed to be the straw and there isn't much stirring. Doesn't help that Arvidsson and J. Skinner have been underwhelming either, even though I think the latter is doing fine in limited minutes.

I maintain the G7 Cup Final loss last year took the wind out of him. He likely thought ahead to playoffs this year and can't get his head/heart around bringing it in the regular season with the same intensity. Going from the Canada moment to regular season probably has a similar "high to low crash" effect. But until there's a "x" clinched symbol next to our name, we need him to raise his game. Especially with our sieves back there, and the porous defense we've witnessed in the last month.

My biggest worry since the start of the season is we've played the most extra hockey the last 3 years in the NHL, each year with real chances at Cups. And this off-season we got older, slower and (now with a good sample of data) added pieces that have not taken the weight off McDavid or Draisaitl (and arguably lost pieces that made us worse). The exhaustion is apparent with much of the lineup - the lack of youth/energy/speed is noticeable. Our goaltending is inconsistent and incompetent still. A first round exit is not exactly something I'm having trouble picturing this year.

Pacing yourself when your team can't do shit without you is smart on Connor's part. He knows how hard last year was and he knows he was out of gas by game 7 last year, the expectation that he would grind himself down this year in the regular season was dumb to begin with.

Team has the same holes as every f***ing year, this year is no different. The only amazing thing is how stupid the management here is that they manage to address virtually no needs at any position year after year.

You would think at some point you could point to one position, be it forwards, defence, or goaltending and say "yeah that area at least is pretty much figured out" but nope. Year 10 with McDavid and every aspect of the team has glaring holes in it.

 

[oobga]

My recollection of this team at this time last year is that they looked like complete garbage last Februrary too.

The team dogs it in the dog days of the season. We may not like it but they have a history.

Think the setup for last Feb was we had the 16 game win streak that went to the end of Jan. Then we were off for over a week. We came back and the streak died vs Vegas and the team bounced back and forth the rest of the month after the letdown. 6-5-1 Feb overall. 13-4-3 run after that, but then we totally pooped the bed once we got an inch away from taking the division. Finished the year 1-3-1.

2-4-0 so far this Feb with 2 games to go.

Skinner had a big lull last Feb, 26 GA in 6 games, in a 6 game streak of under 0.900 performances, after going 13 straight over 0.910 in the win streak. But he bounced back after that and was better to finish the year. 12/17 of his remaining games he was over 0.900. Maybe we do mirror last year, guess a lot of that is up to our goalies, or maybe Bowman tosses another guy in there to try to not leave it all to chance.