GDT: Game #58: Oilers @ Bolts - 5:30 PM - SN1

[McShogun99]

To me it seems like Skinner is getting this treatment to coerce him into waiving his NMC to go to another playoff team.

 

[K1984]

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 O zone system is terrible and flawed. It's predicated completely on moving the puck high immediately on zone entry and then either shooting or starting a cycle.

Problem is the D men aren't doing much with the shooting (they take too long, shot is either blocked or misses), nobody goes to the net because they're flaring out looking to give the D man a passing option, and the cycle usually just ends in a turnover or a low % point shot anyways. This is all without mentioning the insanely risky passes we sift all over the blue line east/west as a result of this strategy, and what should be a surprise to nobody we give up insane amounts of odd man rushes as a result.

The stop, pivot, look for trailer/d man when we get no deeper than the hash marks move is a cancer on our game at the moment. Puck needs to go all the way low before we swing high, but we don't. Reduces turnover risk, puts more guys on the right side of the puck, forces simplicity, etc, etc. Who cares about that though when you can just rip one across the blue line and pray it doesn't result in a breakaway the other way?

 

[Zerotonine]

To me it seems like Skinner is getting this treatment to coerce him into waiving his NMC to go to another playoff team.

Yeah they they should be unloading Arvidsson perhaps the dressing room has become to clicky. Had the same issue didn't want to trace ceci because he was so well liked in the room.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Knoblauch continuing to Rubik's cube this roster attempting to fix holes. Eye opening to be playing a younger average age Lightnings team. High volume shooting team with underperforming actual finishing results is a concern. As such his handling of J. Skinner is absolutely baffling. Second pair RD is a crapshoot and not good enough.

Ticking closer to trade deadline and this team has serious questions across all three position areas.

 

[Pip]

Arvidsson’s even strength production is pretty on pace with what he did two seasons ago in LA but I think a lot of us were hoping for a “Draisaitl bump”. Hopefully he shows more chemistry with McDavid.

Podkolzin is the one that’s really struggling. He has 21, 14 and 13 (and counting) game goalless streaks this season despite being stapled into the top six. It’s not good enough.

If they really wanted to get Janmark back in, my pick would have been Podkolzin to come out. The lack of production has plagued him all year but early on I thought he was managing the puck well and making plays. Last however many games he is killing plays and making poor giveaways.

 

[elmeroil]

Game plan needs to be simple plays and good D. They need to get back to allowing low shots so all of the Skinner lovers can tell us how awesome he is!

 

[FlameChampion]

Earlier in year, fine, Skinner had to adjust some things, but this is dumb now.



Ugh, just win please or something.

Regardless of Knoblauch, kind of surprised the team has went down this route.

Isnt Jackson supposed to be into analytics? Hes also a former agent and he signed Skinner.

Guess its hard to believe the way Jeff Skinner has been played is solely a Knoblauch decision.

Roster decisions have been pretty baffling this year though.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

How much better this team would be if we spent the $10mill for Henrique, Arvidsson and Skinner differently.

Honestly I think all 3 would look better next to some legitimate size. All of them rely on their smarts vs. physically dominating a game. But without Kane's size to open up ice from them or someone with McLeod's speed to retrieve pucks, it just doesn't work. That's why most of them have look better when playing with a waiver claim in Kapanen, who does provide that McLeod-like speed.

Kane will help, but they also need someone like Fredric, Armia, Bjugstad, ect to give them a 2nd heavy option upfront. Hell, give me Kostin whom I can stick with RNH and Janmark again, and I'd be happy (or at least, happier)


Arvidsson-McDavid-Hyman
Skinner-Drai-Podz
Janmark-RNH-Kostin
Kapanen/Brown-Henrique-Perry/Brown

Add Kane to that mix, and you're able to roll Kane, Kostin, and Podz out there shift after shift. Suddenly they wouldn't be as easy a team to play against.

 

[Shanahanigans]

Knoblauch continuing to Rubik's cube this roster attempting to fix holes. Eye opening to be playing a younger average age Lightnings team. High volume shooting team with underperforming actual finishing results is a concern. As such his handling of J. Skinner is absolutely baffling. Second pair RD is a crapshoot and not good enough.

Ticking closer to trade deadline and this team has serious questions across all three position areas.

A team that emphasizes winning vs a team that is content to give retirement contracts to old guys that want to hop on for a cup run. Tampa got rid of Stamkos lol. Florida got rid of Huberdeau and Weegar to change the look of their franchise. Vegas got rid of Marchessault and Smith. Colorado moved on from Rantanen. Winning teams win because they prioritize winning. If you're not helping them win, see ya.

Contrast that with the "good local boy" talk from media about Skinner, or the Oilers babying players like Janmark, Henrique, Klingberg and Arvidsson who offer next to nothing. Look at how cup winners operate, and then look at the Oilers- you have your answer.

 

[McDoused]

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.

This is actually a common misconception that players are bad because they haven't been putting up offensive numbers.

Henrique is actually our 4th best forward 5v5 in terms of GF% with 57.5%. He has been on the ice for 23 goals for and 17 goals against. He's done his job in that shutdown role. It's not like were matching him up against other teams bottom 6 and asking him to produce.

Arvidsson is actually our 5th best forward in terms of GF% with 57.1%. He has been on then ice got 24 goals for 5v5 but only 18 goals against.

Henrique has been more impressive playing away from McDrai while Arvidssons numbers in part look good because he's been in a top 6 role most of the season.

Skinner has been much better defensively. Since January 19th, he has been on the ice for 5 goals for 5v5 and only 2 goals against 5v5. The Oilers were caved against Washington while he was +1 with a goal.

 

[brentashton]

The stop, pivot, look for trailer/d man when we get no deeper than the hash marks move is a cancer on our game at the moment. Puck needs to go all the way low before we swing high, but we don't. Reduces turnover risk, puts more guys on the right side of the puck, forces simplicity, etc, etc. Who cares about that though when you can just rip one across the blue line and pray it doesn't result in a breakaway the other way?

Amen brother.

 

[MoontoScott]

Kapanen is the one who should be benched. Janmark kills penalties and Skinner can score. Kapanen does...cardio?

In watching J. Skinner over the last 10 games, I certainly don't see him as much worse defensively than the rest of the gang. All kinds of defensive breakdowns including 2 on zeros.

And he can score. As so many posters have asked--why would you sign a goal scorer for that price only to assign him to the bottom 6 where he clearly is not suited? In his waning years you are trying to turn him into a defensive specialist? I guess that Knob has some insights that we don't.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

The only thing I can think about J-Skins is they see Janmark as faster and want more foot speed, but that's a bit of reach imo.

 

[MoontoScott]

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.

And in watching him, he is often a threat to score which is more than we can say for a lot of other guys on the team.

As you mentioned above--what has happened to Janmark's offensive abilities? He was never a scoring machine but the new 3 year contract seems to have been the breaking point.

 

[Mr Kot]

good ol jeffy being shafted again.

 

[sepHF]

Skinner is getting screwed around

Knoblauch has been driving me nuts lately

 

[brentashton]

I hope the Oilers toy with the Bolts tonite.

(This one’s for you @Mr Kot ).

 

[MoontoScott]

A team that emphasizes winning vs a team that is content to give retirement contracts to old guys that want to hop on for a cup run. Tampa got rid of Stamkos lol. Florida got rid of Huberdeau and Weegar to change the look of their franchise. Vegas got rid of Marchessault and Smith. Colorado moved on from Rantanen. Winning teams win because they prioritize winning. If you're not helping them win, see ya.

Contrast that with the "good local boy" talk from media about Skinner, or the Oilers babying players like Janmark, Henrique, Klingberg and Arvidsson who offer next to nothing. Look at how cup winners operate, and then look at the Oilers- you have your answer.

Probably before your day but Sam Pollock, the legendary manager of the Canadiens back in the 1960s-70's often said, when your services are no longer required then they are no longer required.

 

[guymez]

Deer Oilers,

The area inside the black line needs to be defended. Don't let their best players shoot from there.

Completely agree except I would change it slightly.
Dont let players shoot uncontested shots from inside the black line.

 

[Mr Kot]

I hope the Oilers toy with the Bolts tonite.

(This one’s for you @Mr Kot ).

View attachment 982688

 

[guymez]

I havent seen this as an actual stat but it would be very useful to be able to see contested and uncontested shots from the slot.
That would provide a lot more useful information compared to the faulty (and often misleading) HDSC stat.

 

[FlameChampion]

And in watching him, he is often a threat to score which is more than we can say for a lot of other guys on the team.

As you mentioned above--what has happened to Janmark's offensive abilities? He was never a scoring machine but the new 3 year contract seems to have been the breaking point.

I’m a fan of Janmark. He was pretty good at the beginning of the season. He was at least putting up some apples. But he’s been pretty bad for awhile. And I’m not talking 5-10 games.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

The stop, pivot, look for trailer/d man when we get no deeper than the hash marks move is a cancer on our game at the moment. Puck needs to go all the way low before we swing high, but we don't. Reduces turnover risk, puts more guys on the right side of the puck, forces simplicity, etc, etc. Who cares about that though when you can just rip one across the blue line and pray it doesn't result in a breakaway the other way?

I saw Team Canada doing that buttonhook nonsense too and wondered if it was some sort of Canadian disease. Just go for the net.

 

[Stoneman89]

Can hardly wait to see what li'l Arvy does tonight, other than fire some shots from the boards 60 feet out, or get creamed along the wall.

 

[guymez]

Honestly I think all 3 would look better next to some legitimate size. All of them rely on their smarts vs. physically dominating a game. But without Kane's size to open up ice from them or someone with McLeod's speed to retrieve pucks, it just doesn't work. That's why most of them have look better when playing with a waiver claim in Kapanen, who does provide that McLeod-like speed.

Kane will help, but they also need someone like Fredric, Armia, Bjugstad, ect to give them a 2nd heavy option upfront. Hell, give me Kostin whom I can stick with RNH and Janmark again, and I'd be happy (or at least, happier)


Arvidsson-McDavid-Hyman
Skinner-Drai-Podz
Janmark-RNH-Kostin
Kapanen/Brown-Henrique-Perry/Brown

Add Kane to that mix, and you're able to roll Kane, Kostin, and Podz out there shift after shift. Suddenly they wouldn't be as easy a team to play against.

You had me until you included Kostin.
I completely agree with your premise but I think that adding a very limited player in Kostin (he cant even PK) with that contract he becomes more of a liability.
If Kostin could PK then I would be all in.

This team absolutely needs more functional heaviness and/or speed in the lineup.
Holloway, McLeod, and Foegele have not been properly replaced.