GDT: Game #34: Sens @ Oilers - 6 PM - SNW

[Mr Positive]

Yeah. You can argue that they shouldn’t have signed him, but that’s a moot point once the ink dries on the contract. They have him on the roster. He’s got a 3m deal with a full no move. Maybe at least try to put him in a position where his skill set isn’t a negative ??

The question then is how do you balance "getting a player going" vs maximizing the chance to win? It's also hard when a big win for the org so far has been Podkolzin, and even Kapanen, and I see value in farming their ability, especially since someone like Podkolzin might be a key piece of the team for many years, vs Skinner who probably won't be here next season

Knoblauch seems all about maximizing wins. Even last year when asked about Broberg he said he was happy with his current D, basically picking Kulak over him (which I don't blame btw). Giving Broberg a push was important to the management, but the coach ultimately decides.

I bet Skinner gets a look once he shows something in the bottom six. He doesn't even have to score. He needs to work on defense and winning puck battles. Podkolzin was in the bottom six too, and went ice cold too, but he just played good defense and some physical play. I wouldn't want Skinner to play physical but he should be better with the puck

 

[TheNumber4]

Strudwick on Got yer back podcast. Perhaps I shouldn't have posted that's since it's the only source.


That's my source. Might not be a good rumor. Should not have posted that. Sorry to start speculation.

Yeh that’s not a rumor. That’s their pure speculation and they noted as such.

 

[OilerTyler]

The question then is how do you balance "getting a player going" vs maximizing the chance to win? It's also hard when a big win for the org so far has been Podkolzin, and even Kapanen, and I see value in farming their ability, especially since someone like Podkolzin might be a key piece of the team for many years, vs Skinner who probably won't be here next season

Knoblauch seems all about maximizing wins. Even last year when asked about Broberg he said he was happy with his current D, basically picking Kulak over him (which I don't blame btw). Giving Broberg a push was important to the management, but the coach ultimately decides.

I bet Skinner gets a look once he shows something in the bottom six. He doesn't even have to score. He needs to work on defense and winning puck battles. Podkolzin was in the bottom six too, and went ice cold too, but he just played good defense and some physical play. I wouldn't want Skinner to play physical but he should be better with the puck

Skinner isn't going to change his game in the bottom six. He is what he is at this point. Krueger thought he could change him in Buffalo and it failed horribly. Like I said in the PGT yesterday, I don't know why we even brought him in if the plan was to bury him in the lineup unless he becomes a completely different player than what he has been his entire career.

I'd be curious to see how much offence Skinner would produce with consistent minutes alongside Draisaitl. There's no doubt it would be more than Podkolzin who really isn't producing much offensively despite being glued to a top 5 player in the league. The question is whether the increase in offensive production would outweigh the loss of physicality/defensive awareness from that line.

The team has been winning so there isn't really reason to start experimenting right now. Even when we were struggling to score goals earlier in the season Knoblauch never seemed to consider removing Podkolzin from the second line despite his inability to score. I don't think Skinner is really ever going to get his chance. Hopefully they can find a solution because I can't imagine him being a bottom six forward on this team in the playoffs.

 

[brentashton]

Yeah. You can argue that they shouldn’t have signed him, but that’s a moot point once the ink dries on the contract. They have him on the roster. He’s got a 3m deal with a full no move. Maybe at least try to put him in a position where his skill set isn’t a negative ??

Bucky

I think that is what they might be doing by having him play down the lineup and in much reduced minutes.

They've already played him in the top 6 without much success (it can be argued that it might not have been enough to build chemistry, but, it’s the pros, this isn’t U12 hockey and others have). They have better options right now in the top 6. They can’t afford another schedule swoon by having players in the wrong spot.

They need to move him out and get something that will be a positive roster add, at this point.

 

[Bring Back Bucky]

Bucky

I think that is what they might be doing by having him play down the lineup and in much reduced minutes.

They've already played him in the top 6 without much success (it can be argued that it might not have been enough to build chemistry, but, it’s the pros, this isn’t U12 hockey and others have). They have better options right now in the top 6. They can’t afford another schedule swoon by having players in the wrong spot.

They need to move him out and get something that will be a positive roster add, at this point.

The NMC makes so little sense. I know they got him cheap but he holds all the cards. I think they needed to push harder for the chemistry of for no other reason than that.

 

[jesusbuiltmyhotrod]

The question then is how do you balance "getting a player going" vs maximizing the chance to win? It's also hard when a big win for the org so far has been Podkolzin, and even Kapanen, and I see value in farming their ability, especially since someone like Podkolzin might be a key piece of the team for many years, vs Skinner who probably won't be here next season

Knoblauch seems all about maximizing wins. Even last year when asked about Broberg he said he was happy with his current D, basically picking Kulak over him (which I don't blame btw). Giving Broberg a push was important to the management, but the coach ultimately decides.

I bet Skinner gets a look once he shows something in the bottom six. He doesn't even have to score. He needs to work on defense and winning puck battles. Podkolzin was in the bottom six too, and went ice cold too, but he just played good defense and some physical play. I wouldn't want Skinner to play physical but he should be better with the puck

Skinner has scored 30 goals with lesser players. He was our best forward first few games but then we stopped playing him in the top 6… I just don’t like how he has been used.

Bucky

I think that is what they might be doing by having him play down the lineup and in much reduced minutes.

They've already played him in the top 6 without much success (it can be argued that it might not have been enough to build chemistry, but, it’s the pros, this isn’t U12 hockey and others have). They have better options right now in the top 6. They can’t afford another schedule swoon by having players in the wrong spot.

They need to move him out and get something that will be a positive roster add, at this point.

He barely played in the top 6 though and he was probably our best forward first two weeks of the season. He can score goals he has done it with far less talent around him. Podkolzin isn’t doing anything either playing with drai

 

[GMofOilers]

All I want for Christmas is not my fault to steal us a game.

 

[Mr Positive]

iirc we usually win these games before Christmas

 

[North]

Rumor is apparently the oilers talked with him and they mutually agreed it isn't a good fit so they'll look to trade him

I think it’s the right move.

He needs to be on a scoring line but he just doesn’t work because he is one dimensional.

Strudwick on Got yer back podcast. Perhaps I shouldn't have posted that's since it's the only source.


That's my source. Might not be a good rumor. Should not have posted that. Sorry to start speculation.

Strudwick does have connections to the org so it wouldn’t be odd for him to have that info.

 

[North]

Skinner isn't going to change his game in the bottom six. He is what he is at this point. Krueger thought he could change him in Buffalo and it failed horribly. Like I said in the PGT yesterday, I don't know why we even brought him in if the plan was to bury him in the lineup unless he becomes a completely different player than what he has been his entire career.

I'd be curious to see how much offence Skinner would produce with consistent minutes alongside Draisaitl. There's no doubt it would be more than Podkolzin who really isn't producing much offensively despite being glued to a top 5 player in the league. The question is whether the increase in offensive production would outweigh the loss of physicality/defensive awareness from that line.

The team has been winning so there isn't really reason to start experimenting right now. Even when we were struggling to score goals earlier in the season Knoblauch never seemed to consider removing Podkolzin from the second line despite his inability to score. I don't think Skinner is really ever going to get his chance. Hopefully they can find a solution because I can't imagine him being a bottom six forward on this team in the playoffs.

I would argue they didn’t plan on that.

He was meant to be in the top six. Unfortunately his own play has dictated his usage.

 

[Duke74]

Skinner isn't going to change his game in the bottom six. He is what he is at this point. Krueger thought he could change him in Buffalo and it failed horribly. Like I said in the PGT yesterday, I don't know why we even brought him in if the plan was to bury him in the lineup unless he becomes a completely different player than what he has been his entire career.

I'd be curious to see how much offence Skinner would produce with consistent minutes alongside Draisaitl. There's no doubt it would be more than Podkolzin who really isn't producing much offensively despite being glued to a top 5 player in the league. The question is whether the increase in offensive production would outweigh the loss of physicality/defensive awareness from that line.

The team has been winning so there isn't really reason to start experimenting right now. Even when we were struggling to score goals earlier in the season Knoblauch never seemed to consider removing Podkolzin from the second line despite his inability to score. I don't think Skinner is really ever going to get his chance. Hopefully they can find a solution because I can't imagine him being a bottom six forward on this team in the playoffs.

I agree. I don't understand why they never gave him a sustained run with McDavid and/or Draisaitl. Personally, I think he's a better fit with McDavid, which would allow them to move RNH down to Draisaitl's line. Neither of Draisaitl's linemates are truly top-6 players whereas J. Skinner is. Something like this may work really well:

Hyman-McDavid-Skinner - McDavid with two guys that can score in a bunch of different ways
RNH-Draisaitl-Podkolzin - a setup man for Draisaitl along with a hard worker to win board battles

 

[CanadasTeam99]

Ottawas goalie last night played 2 games prior in his career. We would pump 6 past him if he played tonight.

Ottawa should be tired. No excuse to come out slow again.

 

[FlameChampion]

Should be an interesting one.

Ottawa playing better as of late. Ottawa always feels like Nashville lite for us. Just seems like we have their number,

 

[AM]

Skinner on the fourth line. Why sign him if you are going to neuter him ? He has no chance to do anything playing tgere

He has a chance to earn his spot.

 

[FlameChampion]

I agree. I don't understand why they never gave him a sustained run with McDavid and/or Draisaitl. Personally, I think he's a better fit with McDavid, which would allow them to move RNH down to Draisaitl's line. Neither of Draisaitl's linemates are truly top-6 players whereas J. Skinner is. Something like this may work really well:

Hyman-McDavid-Skinner - McDavid with two guys that can score in a bunch of different ways
RNH-Draisaitl-Podkolzin - a setup man for Draisaitl along with a hard worker to win board battles

The whole Jeff Skinner thing has been bizarre to me. No idea why we even signed him.

Despite his faults he hasn’t got much of an opportunity in the top 6.

Have to think that McDavid and Draisaitl have some say in their linemates and neither of them want to play with him.

Could really say the same with Henrique but at least I think he was signed to be the 3C.

If RNH was hitting it out of the park, maybe I would understand it more.

Just bizarre signing and line up choices.

 

[CanadasTeam99]

I think it’s the right move.

He needs to be on a scoring line but he just doesn’t work because he is one dimensional.


Strudwick does have connections to the org so it wouldn’t be odd for him to have that info.

This is 100% not a rumor

It is what Struddy thought they should do

 

[CanadasTeam99]

Well, I don't recognize the refs today lol

One has 10 career games and one has 1043 career games

 

[94 Oil Drops]

Oilers have to stop backing into games. It’s the only flaw in their game right now. Last game with my son who’s in town from Belgium for Christmas, and we’ve been to the last 3 just like old times. Been a lot of fun! Let’s get one more win to close the Christmas home stand out on a positive note.

Reading this warms my cold icy heart. Have a great visit with your son! Christmas time really is one of my favorite things to experience in life. Not just because I'm religious, but also because of that entire family gathering aspect of it. I can't believe that in a few days time I will have lived through 30 of these things! It's spooky how fast time goes.

GL Oilers, may the best team win. Tonight and the WInnipeg game are definitely the two toughest games on this road trip.

Thanks for beating the Schmucks in OT yesterday. While I'm hoping our boys win, it would be nice to see the Sens make the playoffs again and find some success. Never had anything against them. Was rooting for you guys hard in 2007 shortly after Chris Pronger left the Oilers for dead.

 

[FlameChampion]

Well, I don't recognize the refs today lol

One has 10 career games and one has 1043 career games

The one with 10 games will probably call a good game then. But Gary will make sure that it doesn’t last long.

 

[Captain Controversy]

In regards to Jeff Skinner...
You only trade him if it makes sense. What are you trading him for and does it improve the roster?
If it doesn't make sense, then I say Keep Skinner and use him as needed.
I get that he was brought here to be in the top 6 but if he is being outplayed and or the top 6 is gelling...I see no need to change the lines.
Jeff does add the skill element to the bottom six and the oilers are currently rolling.
Now...if there is a top 4 Dman and Jeff needs to be added for cap/sweeten the pot....then do it.

Happy holidays you filthy animals.

 

[Nostradumbass]

All I want for Christmas is not my fault to steal us a game.

You have a long history of supporting shit goalies, so I'll take your condemnation of Stu as a positive.

 

[Mr Kot]

Well, I don't recognize the refs today lol

One has 10 career games and one has 1043 career games

The older one is teaching the new one how to bullshit the Oilers.

 

[SupremeTeam16]

Need a full 60 minutes today, Ottawa is rolling right now so stopping them would be a nice feather in the cap right before the holidays.

They played the late game last night and this one is a bit early so they’ll be less rested, jump on them early and just keep things tight. Ullmark has been playing well lately so they need to keep this thing a tight checking right defensive games because it could be hard to get 3-4 past him.

 

[dssource]

2 teams that are rolling right now. Oilers need to start playing from puck drop today and not play from behind. Let's win this and go into Xmas on a high note.

 

[brentashton]