bobbythebrain
Registered User
- Jul 30, 2016
- 14,452
- 14,511
Arvidsson and Podz continue to get their balls cupped by Knobby despite Skinner outplaying them by a wide margin.
GDT: Game #58: Oilers @ Bolts - 5:30 PM - SN1
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oXo Cube
Power Play Merchant
I'd actually argue Podkolzin isn't even a good story really.
The idea that Leon freaking Draisaitl needs this plug to be an effective producer has always been much closer to a nonsense narrative created to justify the continued use of a coaches pet player in a role he isn't suited for. I've been a big Knoblach defender and still am but the top 6 has been criminally mismanaged all year pretty much.
Oilslick941611
Registered User
This is hilarious to me. McDavid is over a PPG and yet he looks like he is playing the worst hockey of his career. What an amazing player.
Honestly I think that all three guys are still good bets at their AAV. I just don't get what Knoblauch is doing. He's trying to make Jeff Skinner into a 3rd liner. He's using Henrique as a shutdown center on the 4th line and had Arvidsson stapled to Draisaitl for most of the year.
That Henrique hasn't been tried as a top six winger one time all season is insane to me. Like how hard is it to just try:
Henrique - McDavid - Hyman
Skinner - Draisaitl - Arvidsson
Mix those guys up however you want. But at least give it a shot. The guy is too slow to drive offence from the middle. Can anyone remember the last time he had a scoring chance? Give him a chance to feel the puck.
Henrique is on the 4th line cause he spent half the season on the third and did bad.
Arvidsson is not a good player anymore. And Skinner is still only good offensively and objectively terrifying defensively. We could have done MUCH better with that money.
Duke74
Registered User
- Jan 13, 2018
- 3,159
- 3,891
Kapanen is the one who should be benched. Janmark kills penalties and Skinner can score. Kapanen does...cardio?
McJadeddog
Registered User
Yeah, I haven't complained about coaching decisions this year at all really. But I will complain here. This decision makes no sense and doesn't reward/punish players properly. Skinner should NOT be getting sat over Arvidsson for certain. Podz I can at least understand, as he is such a different player. But there is no excuse for Arvidsson being in over Skinner right now, just none.
Duke74
Registered User
- Jan 13, 2018
- 3,159
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Henrique, I don't mind; he fills a role as a defensive center and PKer. J. Skinner isn't getting the opportunity so it's hard to judge him fairly. But Arvy at $4.5 stands out egregiously, especially considering could have matched Holloway for half of that.
I kind of like these lines. I don't get the hate around here.
Everything looks good with maybe the exception of Arvidsson
Henrique is on the fourth line because they've decided that he's going to be a checking centre based on the playoff run last season, despite him scoring 24 goals last season and having a pretty successful stretch as a top six winger down the stretch.
The way they're running the lines is infuriating. Two of the most productive offensive players from last season barely play (Skinner and Henrique). 48 goals between them and they don't get any minutes, and we're playing guys like Podkolzin and Perry up the lineup instead (Perry's been great this year, no doubt. But would love to see him get soft opposition on the fourth line like he was early in the year).
Like Skinner is bad defensively? Maybe try putting him on a line with your elite defensive stalwart Henrique with McDavid or Draisaitl between them.
It's honestly kind of ridiculous.
FlameChampion
Registered User
- Jul 13, 2011
- 15,320
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They aren’t terrible. People just are tired of Knoblauchs use of Jinner at this point. I don’t think he’s empowering players though. As others have said, trying Henrique on the wing should of happened at one point.
Its also game 60 or whatever and we still don’t know the lines. Woodcroft esque.
Kind of weird Klingberg is sitting for Stetcher. Maybe tweaked something.
Duke74
Registered User
- Jan 13, 2018
- 3,159
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Oilers come out with more energy and actually get the first goal, but Skinner lets in three on eight shots in the first period and the team subsequently folds except for a garbage time goal late in the third to give Kooch an empty net freebie. 5-2 Tampa final score.
Jimmi McJenkins
Sometimes miracles
I don't think so, Stetcher needs games too and, though the team wasn't great, Klingberg had a tough game last night, he could use a break. I believe they're seeing him more and more as depth guy, 6-7, and less as a top-4, Klingberg.
FlameChampion
Registered User
- Jul 13, 2011
- 15,320
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Yeah I like Stecher but he hasn't been as good as I was hoping he would be, thought he might break out a little bit offensively.
Oilers have picked an awful time to slump, with it being right before the deadline. At the moment it looks like we need a top six forward, a top four defenceman, and a goalie. Would've been nice to show some strength in those positions in these games.
Jimmi McJenkins
Sometimes miracles
I've never thought that, Stetcher is just the definition of a depth defenseman, so him playing everyday was tough, he and Klingberg are still better everyday options that Cody Ceci.
Was just gonna say the same thing. Guy had gone backwards. Starting to question every possible move or decision he makes. Mind blowing again..
No idea why Skinner sits and Arvidsson plays
Dazed and Confused
Ludicrous speed, GO!
I don't mind Podz in the top 6, but you need a legit goalscorer on the opposite wing to balance him out. Arvidsson, Savoie, and Kap just aren't that. Maybe Hyman, but they've never tried there. Skinner is their one natural fit.
It's also more baffling as Skinner actually looked good in that spot before the break. Why bounce away from that?
Otherwise, I don't hate the forward lines that much. I like Arvidsson's energy and chaos with McDavid and Hyman. Janmark-RNH/Henrique-Brown is a trio that normally preforms well, and Kapanen-Henrique-Perry have given you some decent looks.
Imo Savoie should be in Kapanen's spot and Skinner in the top 6, if that was the case, the lines would make far more sense. Also on Savoie. I'm not getting why he's up? He's just not a need at the moment, and I feel like this audtion is hurting the team (through no fault of his own., They need a mucher far more than another undersized skilled offensive winger.
Arvidsson-McDavid-Hyman
Skinner-Drai-Podz
Henrique-RNH-Perry
Janmark-Philp-Brown
Kap
On defence, I don't mind giving Stecher a game, but it should be at Bouchard's expense vs. Klingberg's. You just can't be the root cause of so many 5 alarm fires against game after game.
It's also more baffling as Skinner actually looked good in that spot before the break. Why bounce away from that?
Otherwise, I don't hate the forward lines that much. I like Arvidsson's energy and chaos with McDavid and Hyman. Janmark-RNH/Henrique-Brown is a trio that normally preforms well, and Kapanen-Henrique-Perry have given you some decent looks.
Imo Savoie should be in Kapanen's spot and Skinner in the top 6, if that was the case, the lines would make far more sense. Also on Savoie. I'm not getting why he's up? He's just not a need at the moment, and I feel like this audtion is hurting the team (through no fault of his own., They need a mucher far more than another undersized skilled offensive winger.
Arvidsson-McDavid-Hyman
Skinner-Drai-Podz
Henrique-RNH-Perry
Janmark-Philp-Brown
Kap
On defence, I don't mind giving Stecher a game, but it should be at Bouchard's expense vs. Klingberg's. You just can't be the root cause of so many 5 alarm fires against game after game.
I think the simplest explanation for Savoie being up is that the team believes they have a hole in the top six, and think that their top prospect could fill it. What makes it make no sense is that he's getting that opportunity over a proven NHL player that has actually been consistently productive offensively for three consecutive seasons, including this one in an extremely limited role.
Savoie should be playing on a third line with RNH right now for his audition, with softer competition. Putting him on Draisaitl's line during a road stretch just makes no sense.
I dunno, coaching staff is getting to me today lol.
Any one know if some how knoblach has the skinners mixed up possibly ???
LeonDraisaitl29
Registered User
Skinner has 11 goals this year while averaging 12 minutes of ice time per game. It's really odd how he's in knoblauch's doghouse, sure he's underachieving overall but he's by far not the worst underachieving forward on the team this year. Especially when you replace him with Janmark who has next to zero offense this year.
brentashton
Registered User
- Jan 21, 2018
- 16,525
- 24,038
I’m all for changing things up when shits not working.
But where in the coaches manual does it say, “make things worse”?
Jimmi McJenkins
Sometimes miracles
My issue is why can J-Skins get more time in the top-6, sure they want to give a longer look to Savoie, totally fine, but put Skinner with McDavid and Hyman then.
Shanahanigans
Registered User
- Jun 16, 2011
- 2,717
- 3,215
Some interesting data from BlueBulletBrad on Twitter about how the Oilers are deferring to the point much more, which means less chances for forwards to create and score in front of the net. We have the most shots taken by defensemen in the NHL, which is why all of our forwards are having down years- they're not getting the puck in front of the net where goals happen. Knob is coaching Tippett hockey this year- coach not to lose, instead of utilizing this team's offensive talent, and elevates Janmark and Podz over Skinner.
Our offensive creation is also down heavily from last year, once again, we aren't getting to the blue paint, because pucks are being funnelled to the point and not the front of the net. That needs to change drastically- we'e an offensive team being coached by a coach who wants to take low percentage shots in the O-zone. It's not working.
Our offensive creation is also down heavily from last year, once again, we aren't getting to the blue paint, because pucks are being funnelled to the point and not the front of the net. That needs to change drastically- we'e an offensive team being coached by a coach who wants to take low percentage shots in the O-zone. It's not working.
