This right here, rotate a few games with VD, but with our D kinda set, It will most likely be next season in the likely hood that that we move on from Ceci and Kulak.
Player Discussion Mattias Ekholm
- Thread starter ChaoticOrange
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joestevens29
Registered User
- Apr 30, 2009
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It's really no different than it was with the forwards most of the year.
Regardless of an individuals play you might find yourself on the outside looking in.
When you do receive your chance you have to seize the moment as who knows when you'll have another chance.
It's a rarity for this team to actually see, but it's finally nice to see guys really have to work hard to earn a chance to play and to keep that chance.
That and VD adds an element this team lacks so he may get a longer leash as his nastiness is something we really lack.
GreeningOil
Yarpmeister
That’s a good point! Ekholm just makes me feel better about the Oilers lol
Fourier
Registered User
There is a workaround here that can help isolate players to a degree. If you use Natural Stats Tricks Line tool you can get match-ups for three year periods free. The kicker is that you need two players on at least one team so I choose Ekholm and Afanasayev who never played together vs McKinnon. The results are pretty significantly in Ekholms favor but as always the devil is in the details. You can refine this more to look at Ekholm with various guys.
GhostfaceWu
Shi Shaw
- Feb 11, 2015
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Trafalgar Sadge Law
Registered User
- Nov 8, 2007
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Thanks. Did not know you could do this. I'll probs be spamming this feature a lot in the future lol.
Off-day content
*trigger warning - contains positive reviews of Bouchard
#1 Goaltender
Top 6 RW
Top 4 RHD
Ideally we would upgrade on Campbell, Yamamoto and Ceci if they cant return to form. Hopefully these guys can bounce back but if we dont have a deep run it's likely because of one or all of those three IMO.
I agree on RHD, I don't agree on RW or 1G.
Not that we couldn't upgrade on both, it's just the Oilers are the third-highest-scoring team since 2000-2001 (and they will probably wind up #2 before the end of the year) largely without Evander Kane. Yamamoto's 3M is useful, but I'd spend it on D. Promote Holloway or Lavoie, or even play a guy like Kostin in that role for 1M, to maximize your cap. As long as Drai gets linemates, McDavid will be fine with one of Hyman or Kane.
As for G, they're just notoriously inconsistent. There's a fantasy where they acquire Soros and ditch Campbell, but then watch Soros put up a .908 behind an extreme polar team like the Oilers and Campbell put up a .915 in some low-pressure market. You can't waste assets here IMO, even to shed Campbell.
Shed some salary in Ceci and Yamamoto and swing for a big one in Karlsson or Parayko IMO. Teams will have interest in Yamamoto at 1YR 3M, and Ceci will have 2x3.25M left. I have to think St Louis or San Jose won't look off that contract to make the money work if the return is right.
Harry Curry
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- Oct 10, 2022
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Has Desharnais struggled that much?
PK continues to be better than it was before he was called up. Desharnais wasn't perfect against Ottawa. He looked bad on the final Ottawa goal, but he was a big factor in Ryan's goal.
As a 3RD PK specialist Desharnais has been decent since Ekholm came to the team. The elevation in playing time hasn't hurt his results all that much. But he is fair value for a bottom pairing guy.
Dazed and Confused
Ludicrous speed, GO!
I don't think Vinny has been bad, but there have been moments of struggling, and with him in the 6-man rotation, they don't have as easy a time giving him a shift off here and there.
I'd be fine giving him a game or two off. Let him see the game from above and re-collect himself; plus it lets you see which if Broberg can play his offside and how he's doing after getting a couple weeks off.
Personally I'd give Broberg the Bouchard treatment, and play him with Ekholm to start; keep Bouchard's minutes elevated and play him with Nurse, and drop Ceci to Vinny's role (where he's a big upgrade) with Kulak.
I think he has. He's had several very notable mishaps with the puck that he didn't have before the Ekholm trade. I think part of that is due to the tougher schedule and part of it is due to him playing heavier minutes more regularly. He's been a great story but I don't feel comfortable with him as the #6 going into a playoff grind with no other depth behind him but another rookie in Broberg and.... Demers?
SwedishFire
Registered User
- Mar 3, 2011
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Why not go for 7D, it gives all forwards more ice time, and less burden on Kulak, VD, Ceci, Broberg, Bouch.
I would like to see
Ekholm Bouchard
Nurse Broberg/VD
Kulak Ceci
Desharnias could be Nurses stay at home guy
oXo Cube
Power Play Merchant
Desharnais is drowning in just a regular role as the #6 and you want to elevate him next to Nurse?
Harry Curry
Registered User
- Oct 10, 2022
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Vinnie is not drowning as a 6D. He isn't ready for top 4 minutes, but that doesn't mean he is drowning.
If Vinnie were drowning at 6D then Broberg should be in the lineup over Vinnie. Hell if any player is drowning at 6D then they should be a black ace or dropped to the AHL.
oXo Cube
Power Play Merchant
Well I agree with your second line that's for sure. VD had a good run considering his talent level but he's been in the minors for 4 years for a reason.
Since Ekholm arrived, VD is at 3.8 GA/60 ES in exclusively bottom pairing heavily sheltered minutes. Personally responsible for a goal against in like 5 straight now. Granted his partner Kulak has also largely sucked but he has absolutely been drowning.
Jimmi McJenkins
Sometimes miracles
Harry Curry
Registered User
- Oct 10, 2022
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No mention of his contribution to the PK, gotcha.
Vinnie responsible for a goal against in five straight? Which goal was Vinnie responsible for against the Bruins?
I get it's fun to criticize, but that's a real exaggeration of Vinnie's play. Honestly, if he were responsible for a goal against in five straight I think Woody would have pulled him by now.
Please don't overrate him yet man. He's a good #6-7 Dman right now. He showed he was tired last game and your suggesting elevating him? Lol He just got into the league!
Harry Curry
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I'm not suggesting elevating Desharnais at all. I never made a comment along those lines.
Vinnie is the 3RD and should stay there. Saying Vinnie hasn't made a mistake in leading to a goal against in each of the last five games is not suggesting he should be elevated.
I have no issue being criticized for stuff I say. We all have different opinions. But I'm not going to defend something I didn't say.
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SwedishFire
Registered User
- Mar 3, 2011
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KeithIsActuallyBad
SPEEN!
We really should send a thank out card to Nashville.
Barrie has 0 PP points in 8 GP with 11.7 minutes of PP time (may not be accurate, using Hockey Ref power play possession metrics)
Since joining the Oilers Ekholm is doing better than his career/season average in terms of Giveaways vs. takeaways. He starts the breakout a lot more than Barrie ever did and his defensive positioning appears to be miles better. Would have expected the Offensive Defenseman to pass more than a guy touted as a defensive specialist.
Since joining the Oilers Ekholm is doing better than his career/season average in terms of Giveaways vs. takeaways. He starts the breakout a lot more than Barrie ever did and his defensive positioning appears to be miles better. Would have expected the Offensive Defenseman to pass more than a guy touted as a defensive specialist.
Jimmi McJenkins
Sometimes miracles
I really think they underestimated the player they had.
