Post-Game Talk: I’m naming your first born Leon

[Drivesaitl]

He has 27 goals in 67 games played. That's 33 goals over 82 games. Just needs three to get to 30, we will see if he can get there.

Sorry, I thought we were talking about J Skinner. Mybad. I'd talked about both Hyman and Skinner in my post. As far as Hyman, yeah, on pace for 30, but I see it as declining scoring with him and also considering he's been a lock on topline and top unit PP and this year not really getting enough with that spot considering we have a legend combo of McD, Drai, Booch serving up on the PP. Nuge isn't producing sufficiently there either. I guess what I'm saying is the team will have to consider whether other guys get up in that top unit or topline. Hyman with age, I think is going to regress from here. The regression from last season is of course considerable. But I don't see Hyman now being even as good as two seasons ago. He gets an incredible amount of feeds and chances and open spots and not finishing commensurate with that. Could you imagine what a Ryan Smyth could do in his spot. He'd be 40 every year with this kind of usage playing with greats.

 

[K1984]

Sorry, I thought we were talking about J Skinner. Mybad. I'd talked about both Hyman and Skinner in my post. As far as Hyman, yeah, on pace for 30, but I see it as declining scoring with him and also considering he's been a lock on topline and top unit PP and this year not really getting enough with that spot considering we have a legend combo of McD, Drai, Booch serving up on the PP. Nuge isn't producing sufficiently there either. I guess what I'm saying is the team will have to consider whether other guys get up in that top unit or topline. Hyman with age, I think is going to regress from here. The regression from last season is of course considerable. But I don't see Hyman now being even as good as two seasons ago. He gets an incredible amount of feeds and chances and open spots and not finishing commensurate with that. Could you imagine what a Ryan Smyth could do in his spot. He'd be 40 every year with this kind of usage playing with greats.

With Hyman I feel the drop in production is in part fuelled by the inconsistent/poor play from 93 and 97.

~30 goals is about his baseline expectation, and he's hit that. Even with an ice cold streak to start the year. To go to the next level though he needs some assistance, and it hasn't been there the same way from his line mates this year. The passes aren't getting to him the same way.

 

[McShogun99]

I don't know why there is such negativity towards Jake Walman. I mean he has 5-6 points in the 11 games he has played. He has barely any PP time and its not like McDavid and Leon have been in every game with him. He was brought in to be a top 4 Dman and that's what he's doing.

What were you disappointed fans expecting?

I’ve liked Walman so far. He’s been good with whoever he’s been paired with and once fully healthy we’re going to have a really good top 4.

 

[Drivesaitl]

With Hyman I feel the drop in production is in part fuelled by the inconsistent/poor play from 93 and 97.

~30 goals is about his baseline expectation, and he's hit that. Even with an ice cold streak to start the year. To go to the next level though he needs some assistance, and it hasn't been there the same way from his line mates this year. The passes aren't getting to him the same way.

Not convinced this is it because for McD particularly its his scoring game thats been off, his passing has been fine and as good as usual. With Nuge as well still passing the puck pretty decently and playing same top unit PP Drai is knocking it out of the park playing same PP unit.

If anything from a pts POV I look at it as Nuge and Hyman could be getting more pts and more goals than they have, and holding McD back a bit. McD's lack of scoring is his own fault. He's been getting adequate feeds.

Generally with Nuge and Hyman we could be seeing some age effect creep in. Hyman has also taken a beating this year. Been a lot of playing through injuries for Hyman this year but thats also what one receives when one goes to the net a lot. You eat a lot of punishment playing net front guy on a contender club.

 

[McShogun99]

I like Podkolzin with Draisaitl cause he clears him space and is a workhorse and while he doesn’t put up points, Drai is killing it with him.
If only they had a winger that could do something with them.

I think Podz has his breakout moment during the playoffs.

 

[Stoneman89]

Not convinced this is it because for McD particularly its his scoring game thats been off, his passing has been fine and as good as usual. With Nuge as well still passing the puck pretty decently and playing same top unit PP Drai is knocking it out of the park playing same PP unit.

If anything from a pts POV I look at it as Nuge and Hyman could be getting more pts and more goals than they have, and holding McD back a bit. McD's lack of scoring is his own fault. He's been getting adequate feeds.

Generally with Nuge and Hyman we could be seeing some age effect creep in. Hyman has also taken a beating this year. Been a lot of playing through injuries for Hyman this year but thats also what one receives when one goes to the net a lot. You eat a lot of punishment playing net front guy on a contender club.

I think McDavids passing has been way off this year as well. His decision making for passing, either when making the pass or the timing of it have not been nearly up to his lofty standards. So many poor choices, trying the same things over and over to Draisaitl, trying to go through 4-5 bodies and a whack of sticks. I agree with the other poster that said Hyman's drop is significantly tied to McDavid and Nuge's play, and I'll throw Bouchard in there as well. Hyman feeds off scrambles and rebounds and chaos in front, and when the shots from the point aren't coming, or going wide, that takes it out of the mix.

 

[Drivesaitl]

I think McDavids passing has been way off this year as well. His decision making for passing, either when making the pass or the timing of it have not been nearly up to his lofty standards. So many poor choices, trying the same things over and over to Draisaitl, trying to go through 4-5 bodies and a whack of sticks. I agree with the other poster that said Hyman's drop is significantly tied to McDavid and Nuge's play, and I'll throw Bouchard in there as well. Hyman feeds off scrambles and rebounds and chaos in front, and when the shots from the point aren't coming, or going wide, that takes it out of the mix.

One thing I haven't liked in McD's game this year is when he is shooting more sometimes its been the poor % plays where he tries to knock a puck in off the goalie from a bad angle. Often times he's been a bit tunnel vision into that. Instead of looking for a better play or just holding puck till something opens up. That said he's also guilty this season of skating into coverage, getting picked high, that sort of thing. For sure hasn't been one of his better season and probably his weakest since rookie season. I wonder how much is injury and fatigue. I'm hoping burnout isn't part of it. Its always a possibility for superstars.

Like anybody here I'm just guessing and wondering

But back to Hyman his feeding off net front pucks hasn't been as good this season. He's not cashing as much when he's getting the open chances, and the backdoor stuff is covered more than in previous years. Teams are taking that away more. But Hyman shooting % is back to career average this season, and its 5% less than it was last year. That in itself explains some of the lesser goal totals. That and the PP not being a machine this season.

 

[Stoneman89]

One thing I haven't liked in McD's game this year is when he is shooting more sometimes its been the poor % plays where he tries to knock a puck in off the goalie from a bad angle. Often times he's been a bit tunnel vision into that. Instead of looking for a better play or just holding puck till something opens up. That said he's also guilty this season of skating into coverage, getting picked high, that sort of thing. For sure hasn't been one of his better season and probably his weakest since rookie season. I wonder how much is injury and fatigue. I'm hoping burnout isn't part of it. Its always a possibility for superstars.

Like anybody here I'm just guessing and wondering

But back to Hyman his feeding off net front pucks hasn't been as good this season. He's not cashing as much when he's getting the open chances, and the backdoor stuff is covered more than in previous years. Teams are taking that away more. But Hyman shooting % is back to career average this season, and its 5% less than it was last year. That in itself explains some of the lesser goal totals. That and the PP not being a machine this season.

Yes, as I've said his decision making this year hasn't been as good, and he's trying to force things. I think teams are taking away those options for Hyman because the other things are not happening. Shutting down the cross seam to Drai, knowing Bouch's reluctance to shoot or find a lane, and Nuge relegated to being merely a puck distributer to McDavid or Bouch. For sure Hyman hasn't buried as many chances this year, but I'm convinced his game will pick up when the others pick it up and the PP gets a little more creative and unpredictable..

 

[K1984]

Yes, as I've said his decision making this year hasn't been as good, and he's trying to force things. I think teams are taking away those options for Hyman because the other things are not happening. Shutting down the cross seam to Drai, knowing Bouch's reluctance to shoot or find a lane, and Nuge relegated to being merely a puck distributer to McDavid or Bouch. For sure Hyman hasn't buried as many chances this year, but I'm convinced his game will pick up when the others pick it up and the PP gets a little more creative and unpredictable..

This is how I see it too because Hyman's contribution to offence is primarily acting as a last step after the play has already been created. Any and all of 2, 97 and 93 aren't executing near as often with the play making, even if it wasn't going to Hyman.

A possession thrown away with a dumb pass might have taken away a look that Hyman would normally have later in the sequence had it just not been thrown away.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Yes, as I've said his decision making this year hasn't been as good, and he's trying to force things. I think teams are taking away those options for Hyman because the other things are not happening. Shutting down the cross seam to Drai, knowing Bouch's reluctance to shoot or find a lane, and Nuge relegated to being merely a puck distributer to McDavid or Bouch. For sure Hyman hasn't buried as many chances this year, but I'm convinced his game will pick up when the others pick it up and the PP gets a little more creative and unpredictable..

Just took another look. So this year Hyman shots/GP is 2.9, last season it was 3.625 Shots/G. Combined with 5% lower shooting this season and thats where it lands.
This season I think Oilers have deferred to Drai more and it makes sense he's been on a season long heater. But the PP alone isn't covering all the disparity. EV McD is having a down season as are Hyman and Nuge. It really is the first line that is most where the depreciation in pts and production has occurred. Part of this being McD being more myopic rushing puck, playing more on his own, rather than distributing puck a bit better.

 

[Drivesaitl]

This is how I see it too because Hyman's contribution to offence is primarily acting as a last step after the play has already been created. Any and all of 2, 97 and 93 aren't executing near as often with the play making, even if it wasn't going to Hyman.

A possession thrown away with a dumb pass might have taken away a look that Hyman would normally have later in the sequence had it just not been thrown away.

Agree with this too. Its a bit odd because McD this season does either one or two things on EV entry. He either tries to break contain, go through or around coverage, and take a shot on the rush. The other is he holds and then spends too long (jmo) skating circles and often until he loses puck. I would swear McD has lost a lot more pucks this year, GVA, being stripped, than normal. Even on PP.

 

[CROTT]

Pickard is a reliable AHL goalie. He does not frustrate as much as Skinner, who is up and down so much. Pichard does not have NHL skill at all. I like him thou, for the AHL.

Did you see Olivier play ? He's got a lot to prove, but he's fast...

Don’t worry I’m sure some posters are already working on photoshoping Olivier as a clown.

 

[PositiveCashFlow]

I’d also like to call attention to Hyman taking away Bahl’s(?) stick

 

[Oilhawks]

Don’t worry I’m sure some posters are already working on photoshoping Olivier as a clown.

Personally, I wouldn’t bother unless or until he’s anointed as the starter that “can do no wrong” by the brain trust media and a certain group of fans. If that happens, he falters and continues to be Teflon in those groups eyes, he might be the next Stu

 

[RegDunlop]

Slow start to the game, but got better as it went along. Leon with yet another get on my back I’ll do it all game. Little Wolfie is still looking for that last shot. Nice to see that puke Hacklund get punked. Of course he ends up hiding behind the official.

I'm telling you Corey Perry is today's Gordie Howe. I hope he plays until he's 60. With a dozen fights and 75 elbows per year.
Going to start calling Perry 'Mr. Hockey'

 

[Dieseloil]

Where do these Jabroni's come from that still don't know what Draisaitl is and that he's been arguably around top player in league next to McD these past half dozen seasons.

I know denial runs strong in people, particularly when jealousy is involved but its beyond the pale. Must be people that don't even follow hockey or are just trolls.

To put it frankly Draisaitl is a better player than ANY of the other Canadian clubs have had for say the last 35yrs. To put it into perspective. If not, then who was better?

If Drai was on either Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa, Winnipeg, he would be the best player in the history of those franchises rewriting all their record books. He'd be the best Leafs player in 50yrs. Perspective.

It’s all our fault for winning the draft lottery, the we don’t deserve it crowd. So it goes, Leon just rides Connor’s coattails, he is horrible defensively, lazy blah blah blah. I still read the crap on social media. Leon right now is the best player in the NHL, there I said it.

 

[Juxta Position]

So you think Bouchard is in the top 10, 20, 30, 40 or like me, outside of the top 40? Maybe you think he's top 5. It's subjective. If you don't count on ice awareness.

You know what, take it to the main boards if you think my take is garbage. I double dog dare you.

Oh yeah, everyone hates the Oilers and their opinions don't count... because of the hate.

That is correct, sir.


Also, why so angry?

 

[CROTT]

Nurse had a great game last night.

Reading here, you would think the opposite.

Never change HFOil.

Damn predictive spelling on mobile

Nurse has been good this year, has he had his bad games? Yes. But this season he’s really simplified his game, maybe zone defence works better for him as he was getting pulled out of position when he used to chase opponents under Woody/Mansons man on man system.

 

[CROTT]

So you think Bouchard is in the top 10, 20, 30, 40 or like me, outside of the top 40? Maybe you think he's top 5. It's subjective. If you don't count on ice awareness.

You know what, take it to the main boards if you think my take is garbage. I double dog dare you.

Oh yeah, everyone hates the Oilers and their opinions don't count... because of the hate.

For me I’ve been wonder what caused the change in Bouchard this year. True he was never great defensively, but this year has been a decline in that regard. And to go with that an increased amount of turnovers, true some of that is due to teams now focusing on him and pressuring him at the point. Which along with covering the seam pass to Draisaitl has effected the PP.

But his lack of either awareness or effort to cover his check effectively is alarming this close to the the playoffs. Positionally he is often in the right area, but he has almost zero intensity in physically or tying up his checks stick. And the zero effort of coasting after a give away is starting to get annoying, yes he’ll make mistakes with the puck being on his stick probably the third or fourth most per game. But is it too much to ask for him to try and check the player that took the puck from him? Make them hear his foot steps, and maybe rush their chance or atleast get back in time to clear the rebound if there is one.

 

[CROTT]

Aside from the obvious of a dominating game by Leon, Pickard played outstanding.

I'm convinced he should be starting in the 1st playoff game

lol, what about the Kraken game? Or the ducks? One game and a back up/career AHLer is Hasek in the minds of this board again lol.

If Skinner played the Flames game the exact same, there would be pages about his bad rebound control on the first goal and not being able to track the puck in traffic for the second. But because it was Pickard it’s the players fault for not picking up the late man that got the rebound, and screens happen lol.

No bias at all, I’ve never seen a fan base cheer so hard against a player that didn’t clearly deserve it.

 

[K1984]

Nurse has been good this year, has he had his bad games? Yes. But this season he’s really simplified his game, maybe zone defence works better for him as he was getting pulled out of position when he used to chase opponents under Woody/Mansons man on man system.

Nurse being good this year has been massive especially in light of the play from the top pair.

He still has his games and moments, but they are more here and there than pervasive. He's also had as many if not more nights where he's outstanding.

 

[CornKicker]

Not convinced this is it because for McD particularly its his scoring game thats been off, his passing has been fine and as good as usual. With Nuge as well still passing the puck pretty decently and playing same top unit PP Drai is knocking it out of the park playing same PP unit.

If anything from a pts POV I look at it as Nuge and Hyman could be getting more pts and more goals than they have, and holding McD back a bit. McD's lack of scoring is his own fault. He's been getting adequate feeds.

Generally with Nuge and Hyman we could be seeing some age effect creep in. Hyman has also taken a beating this year. Been a lot of playing through injuries for Hyman this year but thats also what one receives when one goes to the net a lot. You eat a lot of punishment playing net front guy on a contender club.

97 should have 15 more assists and hyman 10-12 more goals just on hit posts and missed empty nets alone imo

 

[CornKicker]

Nurse being good this year has been massive especially in light of the play from the top pair.

He still has his games and moments, but they are more here and there than pervasive. He's also had as many if not more nights where he's outstanding.

ever since he got his face bloodied earlier in the season he has been great more than ever. like they knocked the mistakes out of his dome

 

[Stoneman89]

I’d also like to call attention to Hyman taking away Bahl’s(?) stick

That was such a little smart play that would go completely unnoticed given the wonderful shot and timing in the game. But there is a chance Bahl has his stick get a piece of the puck on the shot. Kudos to Zach for showing small things count too.

 

[Stoneman89]

ever since he got his face bloodied earlier in the season he has been great more than ever. like they knocked the mistakes out of his dome

As has been jokingly said a few times, "it knocked the hockey dumb out of him"