Post-Game Talk: Oilers beat the odds

[Draiskull]

Walman and Kulak under contract for less than $6.5M combined is amazing for this team for next year.

Also they need klingberg back soon, stetcher is doing all he can, but Emberson is struggling hard

Kulak is sinking a bit but hopefully bounces back when Ekholm returns.
Im liking Stetcher singed for 787K next season more than Kulak. The guy is small but is good enough to be #6 on a regular bases. Emberson has turned into a bust.

 

[Da McBomb]

I just have a feeling that Pickard is going to take over the net early in the playoffs after Stu stinks it up and the team will roll with Pickard as the #1 for the rest of the playoffs.

 

[Kerberos]

-- Nurse (it's rare that he has a good game vs. top clubs)

Straight up gaslighting going on right here.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Kulak is sinking a bit but hopefully bounces back when Ekholm returns.
Im liking Stetcher singed for 787K next season more than Kulak. The guy is small but is good enough to be #6 on a regular bases. Emberson has turned into a bust.

I disagree, Kulak is still playing very well, being saddled with Emberson is having a negative affect on his game, imo. (A similar thing happens to Nurse when they get paired).

I think Emberson is hitting a wall. Things are at a higher level, and he has to figure out a way past it to be an NHL regular or he'll just be a tweener.

This team needs, Ekholm obviously, but Klingberg back to push Emberson down.

 

[bobbythebrain]

I just have a feeling that Pickard is going to take over the net early in the playoffs after Stu stinks it up and the team will roll with Pickard as the #1 for the rest of the playoffs.

He's taken the job now imo. Depleted team and he basically helped steal those games. Now we're back in the hunt for home ice.

While I will always maintain this sub has a massive flaw recognizing blame, especially when a bias is established...

There is no way Stu makes that late save yesterday where Picks had to step out and challenge the shooter. That simply is not mechanic he uses. He plays way to deep in his net

 

[PitkanensGitch]

Good on Picks for doing what he can. If we don't use him game 1 of the playoffs, Knoblauch is a coward.

 

[McFlyingV]

Kulak is sinking a bit but hopefully bounces back when Ekholm returns.
Im liking Stetcher singed for 787K next season more than Kulak. The guy is small but is good enough to be #6 on a regular bases. Emberson has turned into a bust.

Emberson's play falling off a cliff has affected Kulak more than Kulak's play actually falling off imo. I'd still keep Emberson around and see if he can work through it because he's had some really good stretches and is still quite inexperienced. Luckily we have some insurance with Stetcher/Klingberg/Dermott for Emberson's spot.

 

[brentashton]

Sportsnet showed a clip of Knob speaking about Pickard after the game. He started it off saying “what Pickard lacks in technical ability he more than makes up for in effort” (paraphrased). I thought it was an odd statement to make considering his chosen goalie Skinner has no technical ability whatsoever, can’t move around and his entire game is reliant on hoping the puck just hits him and his teammates can clear the rebound before someone puts it in the net. Whatever faint hope I had that Pickard would finish the season as starter over Skinner evaporated after that.

I heard that quote on GYB too. I’d bet hard dollars that statement is simply something Schwartz has mouth breathed and Knob just parroted the same. It’s clear in today’s NHL that HCs are hands off goalies, Brind Amour, Berube, have all said they don’t understand the position. I’m sure it’s the same for others.

I highly doubt it’s some deep analysis and understanding from Knob on Pickard’s ability. It’s actually head shaking, because where he should be pumping tires because he found a way for the team to get a win in a tough barn, he gave him a backhanded compliment instead .

What concerns me more is that Schwartz clearly still has a firm hand on the steering wheel and will not make a turn towards the goalie that gives this team a better chance.

 

[K1984]

Emberson's play falling off a cliff has affected Kulak more than Kulak's play actually falling off imo. I'd still keep Emberson around and see if he can work through it because he's had some really good stretches and is still quite inexperienced. Luckily we have some insurance with Stetcher/Klingberg/Dermott for Emberson's spot.

The problem with Emberson's game cratering is although we have some players to replace him, we don't have any more of that type of player. He's the only bottom pair defensive oriented option with size we really have on the right side.

I feel good about Stecher. He's a competitor and has really met the challenge this year and forced his way in even when players were being acquired left right and centre to replace him. However, size is size, and if he gets pushed out of games we'll have to flip him out. I'd lean Klingberg over Emberson in this instance, but I don't think either is a good thing. If Emberson is going to be as rancid as he is defensively then we may as well have the same thing with Klingberg, except with the ability to make a pass.

 

[FlameChampion]

Just watching the GYB podcast, it amazes me how they are all aboard the Skinner train lol

 

[McFlyingV]

The problem with Emberson's game cratering is although we have some players to replace him, we don't have any more of that type of player. He's the only bottom pair defensive oriented option with size we really have on the right side.

I feel good about Stecher. He's a competitor and has really met the challenge this year and forced his way in even when players were being acquired left right and centre to replace him. However, size is size, and if he gets pushed out of games we'll have to flip him out. I'd lean Klingberg over Emberson in this instance, but I don't think either is a good thing. If Emberson is going to be as rancid as he is defensively then we may as well have the same thing with Klingberg, except with the ability to make a pass.

Fair point. I think you'll notice it less when Ekholm's back. I think with the addition of Walman and his surprisingly good shot blocking you have enough defensive play/size/physicality with Ekholm, Nurse, Kulak and Walman. I think their physicality will ramp up in the playoffs like it has in the past. Even Bouchard plays fairly physical in the playoffs.

Rolling out Stetcher isn't a huge concern of mine. His puck moving is valuable. His skating is valuable defending speed off the rush. And as you mentioned he competes. I think we'll probably see a top 5 rotation on D come playoff time with limited minutes to our #6.

 

[brentashton]

Just watching the GYB podcast, it amazes me how they are all aboard the Skinner train lol

Brown and Strudwick (who,both, I respect and enjoy in their media roles) make a living by training Edmonton-based amateur hockey players, who aspire to play pro.

Nothing worse for their brand but to shit all over a born, raised and trained Edmonton pro hockey player. I realize they don’t train goalies, but in general terms I can’t see them crapping on someone from that background.

 

[Satoru Gojo]

Has there been a single game where Jack and Louie aren’t the broadcast team?

 

[K1984]

Fair point. I think you'll notice it less when Ekholm's back. I think with the addition of Walman and his surprisingly good shot blocking you have enough defensive play/size/physicality with Ekholm, Nurse, Kulak and Walman. I think their physicality will ramp up in the playoffs like it has in the past. Even Bouchard plays fairly physical in the playoffs.

Rolling out Stetcher isn't a huge concern of mine. His puck moving is valuable. His skating is valuable defending speed off the rush. And as you mentioned he competes. I think we'll probably see a top 5 rotation on D come playoff time with limited minutes to our #6.

One thing I think is possible this year that wasn't in years past is the ability to spread some minutes among the pairs. In the past it was Ekholm/Bouch playing 25-30 mins, then a split between a second pair that was usually a mess and a third pair that was good in their role, but not with significantly more minutes.

I'd think about something like this in no particular order:

Walman - Bouchard (O-zone starts, play with either 97/29)
Ekholm - Kulak (Primary Shutdown)
Nurse - Stecher (Secondary Shutdown)

I feel like any of these pairs could play in the range of 20 mins and do fine with it if they're used right. If we find traction in the playoffs this could pay major dividends later on.

 

[FlameChampion]

Brown and Strudwick (who,both, I respect and enjoy in their media roles) make a living by training Edmonton-based amateur hockey players, who aspire to play pro.

Nothing worse for their brand but to shit all over a born, raised and trained Edmonton pro hockey player. I realize they don’t train goalies, but in general terms I can’t see them crapping on someone from that background.

They don’t have to shit on him but I don’t know… but its a crazy amount of blind support

 

[tardigrade81]

Yeah, but without you in net, how much longer can they win? We need you for the playoffs, we will go 16-0.

Im fresh for the playoffs at least.

As long as they are supplying me with A andd W on the bench. Im good to compete!!!

 

[McFlyingV]

One thing I think is possible this year that wasn't in years past is the ability to spread some minutes among the pairs. In the past it was Ekholm/Bouch playing 25-30 mins, then a split between a second pair that was usually a mess and a third pair that was good in their role, but not with significantly more minutes.

I'd think about something like this in no particular order:

Walman - Bouchard (O-zone starts, play with either 97/29)
Ekholm - Kulak (Primary Shutdown)
Nurse - Stecher (Secondary Shutdown)

I feel like any of these pairs could play in the range of 20 mins and do fine with it if they're used right. If we find traction in the playoffs this could pay major dividends later on.

Yeah for sure. I think you could shuffle the minutes around the top 5 a bit at certain parts of the game. If you're defending a lead maybe you give Kulak some extra shifts and cut some of Bouchard's minutes back. If there's a lot of PP time you maybe do the same and skip Bouchard in a rotation. Same goes for if you're on the PK a lot maybe you give Ekholm or Kulak or Nurse a rotation off and run a Walman-Bouchard coming off the PK.

 

[Duke74]

So, 4 points for the club in the past 2 games. I'm thinking if Draisaitl hadn't come back, it would be 0 points (or at most 1) and our team would have Calgary breathing down its neck. Vielen Dank, Herr Draisaitl!

The Positive right now:
-- Drai
-- Arvidsson finally doing some stuff lately
-- Walman
-- Nurse (it's rare that he has a good game vs. top clubs)
-- Pickard

The Negative right now:
-- Emberson (what the hell happened to his game? -10 in the past ten games)
-- Kulak (likewise, what the hell happened? Was having a brilliant season, but now -9 the past fourteen games and has looked lost)
-- Podkolzin, Janmark, Kapanen --- a combined 14 goals in 195 games. Not that I expect one of them to win the Rocket, but holy hell that's crappy!
-- Coffey still tends to pick his nose and look like he's passing a kidney stone on the bench

The BIG QUESTIONS
-- McDavid's health (I have a good feeling, though.... like with Gretzky in 1987-88, Connor just needs some rest)
-- Ekholm's age and health (team only goes as far as he and Connor go)
-- Will Knoblach finally give in to reality and start treating Pickard as the club's "#1" (using the term loosely) goalie?

Podkolzin's lack of scoring is especially egregious due to being stapled to Draisaitl all year.

 

[Draiskull]

I disagree, Kulak is still playing very well, being saddled with Emberson is having a negative affect on his game, imo. (A similar thing happens to Nurse when they get paired).

I think Emberson is hitting a wall. Things are at a higher level, and he has to figure out a way past it to be an NHL regular or he'll just be a tweener.

This team needs, Ekholm obviously, but Klingberg back to push Emberson down.

Dont see much disagreement here. I am just higher on Stecher than Klingberg or Emberson.

Had you said Klingberg back to push Emberson OUT then we would be on the exact same page.

Nurse, Ek, Bouch, Walman and Kulak are our top 5.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Dont see much disagreement here. I am just higher on Stecher than Klingberg or Emberson.

Had you said Klingberg back to push Emberson OUT then we would be on the exact same page.

Nurse, Ek, Bouch, Walman and Kulak are our top 5.

Solid and I agree, I think, for this team, they should rest Ekholm until the playoffs and try to manage with Klingberg and Stetcher as 5/6. It's not ideal, but they should still be good enough, then the Viking can come back "healthier" for the playoffs.

 

[Drivesaitl]

So, 4 points for the club in the past 2 games. I'm thinking if Draisaitl hadn't come back, it would be 0 points (or at most 1) and our team would have Calgary breathing down its neck. Vielen Dank, Herr Draisaitl!

The Positive right now:
-- Drai
-- Arvidsson finally doing some stuff lately
-- Walman
-- Nurse (it's rare that he has a good game vs. top clubs)
-- Pickard

The Negative right now:
-- Emberson (what the hell happened to his game? -10 in the past ten games)
-- Kulak (likewise, what the hell happened? Was having a brilliant season, but now -9 the past fourteen games and has looked lost)
-- Podkolzin, Janmark, Kapanen --- a combined 14 goals in 195 games. Not that I expect one of them to win the Rocket, but holy hell that's crappy!
-- Coffey still tends to pick his nose and look like he's passing a kidney stone on the bench

The BIG QUESTIONS
-- McDavid's health (I have a good feeling, though.... like with Gretzky in 1987-88, Connor just needs some rest)
-- Ekholm's age and health (team only goes as far as he and Connor go)
-- Will Knoblach finally give in to reality and start treating Pickard as the club's "#1" (using the term loosely) goalie?

Kapanen had an assist on the Arvid goal making a very nice pass, made other plays and saved a GA on a wide open pass across early in third period. Podz has played well of late despite not scoring.

I don't know that Nurse has stuggled against good clubs.

 

[Draiskull]

Podkolzin's lack of scoring is especially egregious due to being stapled to Draisaitl all year.

meh, Podkolzin cost us a 4th rd pick and is the lowest paid Oilers forward this season.
I'll take his 7 goals, 23pts ,189 hits ,45 blocks and 2game winners at that cost.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Like you mentioned quality of opposition, the vast majority of his games as an Oiler are bottom 10 teams. It’s easier to have quality starts against teams that are competing for the lottery.

What a strange and odd thing to be grasping onto as Pickards latest W is against the first place Vegas club and several of his Win's this season have been against good clubs.

 

[LemmyUlanov55]

A sweet W against Vegas always feels good.

 

[Stoneman89]

It’ll be Jones and Kapanen out.

And Bumberson.