Oilers culture issues

[Washed Up 29YearOld]

They may have been one goal away but they were also one save away as well.

Gooder goaltending would've got them a ring.

I tried to ignore it the first time I read it lol but NO they were not a goal a way. They were 2 goals away. 1 to tie it.

 

[BHD]

from Jan 9th to feb 4th Vegas went 3-11.

from Jan 30th to March 18th the Oilers went 8-10, if we remove the last 3 games they went 5-10, if we limit the games to from the return they went 6-7 from Feb 22 to March 18th. Vegas lost a 10 point lead over the oilers for the division over this time period.

They've been bad, but really this stretch is no worse than what vegas went through and recovered, and now the Oilers are on a 3 game win streak, its possible the losing rut is over, all in all, not bad. If the streak is over, coming out of a stretch like that only 2 points back of the division is lead is ok in my books.

Why does Vegas a pass, but the Oilers get a thread?

Yes, they're 6-7 since played resume. However, that's because they won three in a row for the first time since Jan 23-27. They also dropped four in a row (being out scored 21-10) after the Four Nations. Furthermore, it's how they're losing that's getting attention.

As for Vegas, I think people give them a pass because they have a veteran group that's been though a number of deep playoff runs. Plus, Bruce Cassidy runs a tight ship. Although, they are struggling right now.

 

[BurnabyJoe7]

All that front office cares about is keeping McDavid and Draisaitl happy so the money train keeps rolling and they can keep chucklef***ing it up on the golf course with their boys.

I don't disagree that management has f***ed up this offseason, but thats just poor use of the golf course joke considering they played until the very end last year.

Oilers management sucks but it could be worse. The flames develop and then trade away any asset of value for pennies on the dollar while remaining in hockey purgatory. They are arguably a league affiliate at this point.

 

[Oilslick941611]

Yes, they're 6-7 since played resume. However, that's because they won three in a row for the first time since Jan 23-27. They also dropped four in a row (being out scored 21-10) after the Four Nations. Furthermore, it's how they're losing that's getting attention.

As for Vegas, I think people give them a pass because they have a veteran group that's been though a number of deep playoff runs. Plus, Bruce Cassidy runs a tight ship. Although, they are struggling right now.

struggling again you mean.

i included the numbers without the last 3 wins as well.

fact is edmonton had a skid, it appears to be over and they were the best team in league from nov 5th to feb 22. Its a minor blip.

They may not win the cup, but it wont be because of a 15 game stretch in feb/march. There are a lot of good team this year.

 

[sanscosm]

If I had to rate the culture, I'd give it a 7.1

 

[Neil Racki]

Winning cures all

Oilers will be hoisting a couple before the window closes

 

[ManofSteel55]

I might disagree with you on this as both Holloway and Broberg had the decision to not sign those offer sheets and remain with the Oilers. I believe both have stated/alluded to wanting out of Edmonton to what the op has stated (not enough playing time or opportunity. It also has been highlighted that McDavid was and is really irked at Holloway for taking the offer sheet (was blindsided by the news and some of the actions in games vs the Blues). No doubt that most coaches and Gm's would ride McDrai as they are top calibre players in the world. That being said, the Oilers lost a lot of speed and offense with those players gone. The Oilers are running out of time to get McDavid a cup and if they do not win it all this year, could McDavid want out (doubt it) but the Oilers window is shrinking and some of their significant players have taken a step back. That being said I would take McDavid over anyone else in the NHL.

I don't think Holloway ever explicity stated that he wanted out of Edmonton. He did say that he wasn't happy that negotiations weren't happening, which is frustrating as a fan. Broberg absolutely wanted out. Holland held him in the minors and scratched him for way too long.

It wouldn't shock me if they didn't match Holloway's offer sheet because they knew McDavid's reaction to the OS was not good. Which sucks.

 

[blundluntman]

Toronto/Buffalo is an example of culture issues, not Edmonton. Management/overhead make questionable decisions, but they're at least competitive and (arguably overachieving). Culture issues would be a situation where you should be competitive (or at least trying to be) but the team just seems to get in their own way or doesn't care.

 

[Sniper99]

Odd thread

HF at its finest.

 

[BHD]

struggling again you mean.

i included the numbers without the last 3 wins as well.

fact is edmonton had a skid, it appears to be over and they were the best team in league from nov 5th to feb 22. Its a minor blip.

They may not win the cup, but it wont be because of a 15 game stretch in feb/march. There are a lot of good team this year.

Okay, so let's take their season up this point into consideration. There are reasons to think this team can do something, namely Draisiatl and McDavid (once he picks up his game). However, there are also reasons to think twice (Skinner, lack of depth).

As for the skepticism around the Oilers. I think people are responding to a team that seemingly needs the new coach bump every season. That's the perception around them. Although, Oilers fans would know better.

Anyways, I wouldn't be shocked if Draisaitl carried this team a Stanley Cup - and himself a Conn Smythe - in June. However, I wouldn't rule out him shaking hands with Kopitar in April. That's how up and down the Oilers have been.

 

[Forgot About Drai]

Incompetent team management = culture issues I guess

 

[brentashton]

Will depend on how McDavid does when he leaves

what? Is he leaving with Marner?

 

[brentashton]

View attachment 995309

How’s the veal?

 

[bov]

I might disagree with you on this as both Holloway and Broberg had the decision to not sign those offer sheets and remain with the Oilers. I believe both have stated/alluded to wanting out of Edmonton to what the op has stated (not enough playing time or opportunity. It also has been highlighted that McDavid was and is really irked at Holloway for taking the offer sheet (was blindsided by the news and some of the actions in games vs the Blues). No doubt that most coaches and Gm's would ride McDrai as they are top calibre players in the world. That being said, the Oilers lost a lot of speed and offense with those players gone. The Oilers are running out of time to get McDavid a cup and if they do not win it all this year, could McDavid want out (doubt it) but the Oilers window is shrinking and some of their significant players have taken a step back. That being said I would take McDavid over anyone else in the NHL.

I just don't see how it ties in to a culture issue. First of all, did the Oilers match the offer sheets? I haven't read about it much.

Secondly, all kinds of players want more opportunity, it has nothing to do with the culture stuff OP is alluding to. It's reasonable for Holloway and Broberg to seek greener pastures but no fault of the Oilers for being a cap strapped cup contender to feel like they can't retain them. That's the biggest factor why the Blues did it in the first place, taking advantage of Edmonton's cap situation for players they liked.

 

[tardigrade81]

They were one goal away from a Cup last year and are a contender again this year, it could be a lot worse

Shhhh

The bitter oilers haters that let the Oilers live rent free in their heads don't want to think about this

They would rather spend more time hating the Oilers than cheering for their own team.

I couldnt tell you about a single player leaving an opposing team for another team and how good their stats are. I just simply don't care. But some of these "oilers haters" have stats on every player that plays for the oilers or did play for the oilers, and somehow knows about the culture and everything else oiler related . Some people need a life

Maybe because I have a wife and two kids, I just don't have time to follow opposing teams that close or really care to do so... But damn some of these folks that claim to hate Edmonton sure know a lot about them and their "culture" lol.

 

[bucks_oil]

I mean wow... but ok, let's break it down:

What do Broberg, Holloway, McLeod and Foegele have in common? They all left the Oilers after last season and took a step forward this season.

Broberg, Holloway and McLeod are at ages where players take big jumps, this is hardly a surprising thing. They are also on teams that have LESS depth than Edmonton, so their roles have increased: again, hardly a surprise.

Foegele has seen his ice time go from 12 mins to 16 mins. He's on pace for 46 points vs 45 last year. Is this really a big step forward? He (and McLeod) were both given significant time last year on the 2nd line with Draisaitl... didn't do much with it, and it certainly wasn't due to a lack of "positive mistake culture".

And even if it was, why do we want a contender to tolerate repeated mistakes from guys like McLeod and Feogele who are entering their "trusted vet" years?

The Oilers over-reliance on Draisaitl and McDavid is a big issue in my view. In tight games they often play 24+ minutes. I understand that they are in win now mode but it is important to have young players on cheap contracts that chip in and can take on bigger roles as they develope in good organizations.

The Oilers DID have young players step in to bigger roles. And then they priced themselves out, so they were replaced with still younger players (Savoie, Emberson, Podkolzin). This is the way things work sometimes on a capped out team.

A lack of positive mistake culture for young players and a fanbase that is apparently lacking to appreciate some players by just seeing the bad… when I read comments about Bouchard I am seriously puzzled.

I'm a huge Bouchard fan... there is a fraction of truth here with SOME fans, but if you don't understand the comments, it probably means you are spending too much time reading comments and not enough time watching the games. Bouchard makes some dandy, head-scratching giveaways (sin #1) followed by lazy efforts to recover (sin #2).

Anyway, is this about the fans or the coaching/management? Because the coaching seems to see the positive and trots him out there 26mins a game anyway.

It was no secret that Holloway was talented but he never got a fair extended chance to play in the top six. The coaching staff only realized in the playoffs that it may be wiser to play Broberg over Desharnais.

Holloway was injured for most of last season.

Desharnais was a role player, playing a #6 bottom pairing role. Broberg was playing top pairing minutes in the AHL, which appeared to have paid off come playoffs. Each of his previous auditions he clearly was not ready... it wasn't mistakes that sent him down, it was nerves... he'd get the puck and IMMEDIATELY defer and pass to whoever, even if they weren't open. He needed time to build his confidence in the pro game. He was night and day better when recalled for the playoffs. To me this is a pretty standard case of POSITIVE player development... good on Holland as far as I am concerned.

Also worth noting that Broberg COULD NOT be called up until toward the end of the season, as it would have put Edmonton over the cap. The only moves that they could make were league-min in and league-min out.

To top it off mgt also didn‘t value those players and prioritized to sign older players in Arvy and Skinner which falls in line of a culmination of mistakes in prior seasons (Nurse, Campbell, Lucic contracts, Hall trade, etc)

The prioritization of Arvidsson and Skinner was a mistake in hindsight. I partially agree with you here. Management was trying to improve depth, had a blindspot to the offer sheets and ended up with the worst possible outcome. If Arvidsson and Skinner had each scored 25 as MOST on this board and MOST pro scouts would have predicted, well we certainly wouldn't be having this conversation...

... in this case the "sure thing" veteran bets did not work out.

 

[sbhnur]

Not understanding the point of this thread.

The Oilers are currently Western Conference champions (better position than any club in the NHL except one) and are 10th overall in the standings, still coming out of about a six-week slump. From November 1st, they're the 5th best team in the NHL, despite their top guy having an off year, and another four or five guys having offensive regression seasons.

Foegele was kind of a write-off unless they wanted to pay a third-line guy $3.5 million a year, which they understandably didn't. I would rather have kept him on the team, but with his contract expectation, he was expendable.

Broberg had wanted out of Edmonton from a year before he signed the offer sheet simply because he wasn't playing in the NHL. The team obviously felt Brett Kulak was more valuable as a left-D while the team is in a "win-now" mentality. Whether that's correct or not is debatable, but Kulak has had a great season. Would I rather have him right now or have Broberg for a playoff run? I'd probably rather have Kulak, who's had a great season (except for the past month when, as with the team as a whole, he's struggled a bit).

(By the way, remember the first 15 games of the regular season, when Broberg looked amazing? Everyone on here was losing their minds, and I was saying, "Okay, just wait the rest of the year to see how he does." Of course, some people just couldn't accept that 15 games in October/November weren't the final arbiter of whether a player acquisition was highly successful or not. Since then, Broberg is scoring at a pace for 18 points in a full season. Which is not to say that Broberg isn't a good player...)

Ryan McLeod... It's hard to call at this point. He was a valuable third-liner for Edmonton, and is (predictably) scoring a bit more in a bigger role on a bad team this season. Would I rather the Oilers had kept him? Probably, yes. But it seems they decided to go with the veteran, Adam Henrique, instead. So far this has not paid dividends, but the tale will told in the playoffs (which McLeod won't participate in), when we'll see if Henrique's veteran poise helps the team out. (He was good last spring.)

The only player loss that really bothers me is Dylan Holloway. It was clear that he was ready for prime-time duty heading into this season, and he even played well (sporadically) in the playoffs last spring. In my mind, he had certainly earned his chance to get a top-six role and see how it went from there. He was also young and speedy, two things they're getting in short supply of. Instead, outgoing GM Ken Holland left him to sit all summer, and interim guy Jeff Jackson (seemingly in an effort to placate Draisaitl by acquiring talented wingers before Drai agreed to a new contract) went after established (if somewhat one-dimensional) players in J. Skinner and Arvidsson. This move in itself seemed unnecessary as Holloway was a pretty safe bet to develop well with some guaranteed minutes... and then Jackson seemed not to have conferenced with head coach Knoblach, who clearly doesn't trust Skinner and healthy-scratches him regularly. So, the whole thing about Holloway was botched, as I see it.

Anyway, the tale will be told in this year, and maybe next year's playoffs. How well the team is doing in the regular season is neither here nor there, as a veteran-laden team isn't highly motivated by regular season opportunities to shine (as a Holloway or a Broberg is when getting real minutes for the first time).

In any case, a very pointless thread.

Great post!

The discussion here should be about management, roster design, cap space and so on. And not about culture.

 

[belair]

McLeod and Foegele don't belong in the same conversation as Holloway and Broberg. If anything McLeod was a success story in the presence of this 'lack of mistake culture'. He established himself as a favorable young depth forward and was parlayed into a high pedigree prospect.

I would argue that the team's unwillingness to give the latter two the necessary rope to establish themselves as NHLers is ultimately what invited the offersheets. But it could also be argued that a contending team isn't the most favorable situation for a young player to be making those 'mistakes' with regularity.

It's a bit of a double edged sword. We could be sitting here today with both Holloway and Broberg, but we may also be sitting here without Walman. Or maybe Kulak doesn't get to take the step he has this season.

Ultimately what you hope to see moving forward is the current prospects eased into depth roles with veterans that aide in development. Savoie, O'Reilly and Akey are all guys who could find roles within the next 12-18 months.

 

[North]

I don't think Holloway ever explicity stated that he wanted out of Edmonton. He did say that he wasn't happy that negotiations weren't happening, which is frustrating as a fan. Broberg absolutely wanted out. Holland held him in the minors and scratched him for way too long.

It wouldn't shock me if they didn't match Holloway's offer sheet because they knew McDavid's reaction to the OS was not good. Which sucks.

To be clear Broberg was given several opportunities to grab a spot and the best they could say about his performance is that he looked good in practice. He only started to show something in the playoffs.

The one thing the Oilers should have done was send him to Bakersfield sooner than they did last year.

Holloway I thought they were going to match but it was a crap shoot too because he only showed flashes nothing sustained. I’d argue Holloway should have signed a one year deal, found himself stapled to Drai and parlayed that into a huge deal.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Not sure what 2 offer sheets has to do with culture lol.

 

[Bank Shot]

As for Vegas, I think people give them a pass because they have a veteran group that's been though a number of deep playoff runs. Plus, Bruce Cassidy runs a tight ship. Although, they are struggling right now.

Nah, that's not it. Vegas just gets a pass for the same reason many players have the Canadian team on their no trade lists.

Fans pay more attention to the sport in Canada so you have a large group of haters for every Canadian team that are going to jump on any real or perceived flaw.

Oilers probably get an extra amount of hate than even other Canadian fanbases because a percentage of Flames fans for some reason have made hating the Oilers their entire personality.

You don't really see that level of obsession in any other fan base that I am aware of.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

The Edmonton Oilers GMs with McDavid in the organization have been: Chiarelli > K. Gretzky (interm for 1/2 a season) > Holland > Bowman

Which of those have been related to McDavid in some capacity?

Anyways, on the topic of the op. This isn't a culture issue for the Oilers. This is a combo of poor development, poor professional scouting and a case of players going from less opportunity on a good team to more opportunity on ones that aren't as good.

Foegele had 41 points last year and is on pace for 46 this year.
McLeod had 30 as a 3C on a good team last year to on pace for ~48 as a 2C on a garbage team.
Broberg couldn't crack a left side that had Ekholm, Nurse and Kulak.

Holloway is the big loss. Crazy the Oilers didn't match that offer sheet after the playoffs he had. The rest meh. Not really missed. McLeod is a good player who I liked. And I'd gladly take him back as our 3C this season. But the team also needed an injection into their prospect pool and Savoie has had a fantastic first pro season in the AHL.

46 points on the LA Kings is approximately 134 points on another team, though.

 

[Sky04]

Sid and Geno only won a cup together before Matt Murray and Kessel came along showing that even the best two players in the game can only do so much together and they had Letang/MAF to help them before that.

Go look at the D/goalies Edmonton has had, atrocious.

Even this year, they should've went all in on Binnington, at the minimum get Gibson who has shown the capacity to be excellent, they do very little.

Ultimately they should've been more aggressive in getting a goalie/1D, totally inexcusable.

Yeah cause a 54 goal Zach Hyman, 100 point RNH, 80+ point Bouchard isn't support lmao

 

[Bank Shot]

Yeah cause a 54 goal Zach Hyman, 100 point RNH, 80+ point Bouchard isn't support lmao

And they made the finals the year Bouchard was a 80 point D-man and Hyman scored 50 goals.

You are proving the point. The Oilers had more success when their depth improved.

 

[NotAVacuumSalesman]

If there’s ever a team this season that had culture issues, wouldn’t that be the Canucks?

The entire JT Miller and Pettersson drama they had going on. Their management and PR wasn’t even hiding it either.

Weird thread and the timing is kinda baffling considering where the Oilers are in the standings.