GDT: Preseason Game 6, Canucks at Oilers beer leager. Sportsnet 7PM

[TB12]

McLeod, Holloway, Broberg were among our better playes in the SC final and produced and contributed more than even Legend Connor Brown in the final. They're all gone. The org valuing old broken players isntead of their own prospects. Who all played well in the SC final.

Seems even like I'm not the only one that has selective opinions. When all 3 of the young players were lost the board collectively goes "on well, little lost" Oddly enough on a board called Hockeyfutures that started out as a prospects leaning board.

Balls of a church mouse, would never get dragged into the battle McLeod????

 

[Drivesaitl]

Balls of a church mouse, would never get dragged into the battle McLeod????

I have a weakness for the player. I seem alone in that regard. You never liked him?

He did score goals in playoffs and last couple rounds. But of the two I thought Holloway was coming. Who knows now. My strange takes aside I think the club has to do much better with raising their own and developing prospects.

 

[Thomas Tatar]

And when Skinner doubles Holloway’s goal totals this season, I’ll laugh at this.

It’s pre-season for a Cup contending team, none of the guys are going full bore, they’re trying to ramp up while avoiding injury in meaningless games.

Doesn’t seem smart to make an assessment of a player on a new team after 2 pre season games.

And as Holloway stock keeps rising and Skinners falls, perhaps I’ll be the one laughing? But since you can predict the future, better get out there and buy a lottery ticket!

 

[CycloneSweep]

I have a weakness for the player. I seem alone in that regard. You never liked him?

He did score goals in playoffs and last couple rounds. But of the two I thought Holloway was coming. Who knows now. My strange takes aside I think the club has to do much better with raising their own and developing prospects.

I absolutely agree we need to do better at development.
Which IMHO is why its smart we sent down Savoie. As someone else mentioned having him learn how to play against adult players and size in an easier league will help him with the longevity part small players can often have.
I get why you are skittish on Arvidssons back because of how many games he will ultimately play but while he is healthy he wil be good. Which...isn't it okay if he gets hurt? Cause then Lavoie or Savoie can just play with Drai anyways with far less pressure cause they are just the "fill in".

I think an issue this club has had for a little bit is until Henrique, we haven't had a 3c with a drop of offense. So when you wanted to bring skilled players in it was either in a offensively inept bottom 6 or thrown right to McDrai which is a lot of pressure for young players and having to play against top shutdown players as a young player is incredibly hard. Now the team has to use Henrique properly to ease guys in but thats another story and you now my thoughts on that one.

And as Holloway stock keeps rising and Skinners falls, perhaps I’ll be the one laughing? But since you can predict the future, better get out there and buy a lottery ticket!

Holloway is at minimum 2-3 years away from being close to what Skinner is offensively. The team is in win NOW mode.

 

[North]

And as Holloway stock keeps rising and Skinners falls, perhaps I’ll be the one laughing? But since you can predict the future, better get out there and buy a lottery ticket!

The point is Holloway may get better but we’re in win now mode and that means providing our top two centres scoring help on the wings.

What Holloway currently provides is of no use to us at double what he should be making.

 

[SupremeTeam16]

And as Holloway stock keeps rising and Skinners falls, perhaps I’ll be the one laughing? But since you can predict the future, better get out there and buy a lottery ticket!

Well you put your money on a penny stock rising and I’ll put my money on a blue chip stock with proven performance. Thats the stock that’s going to bring more returns for a Stanley Cup contender this year.

I’m actually a big Holloway fan. Kid is a bull and I’m sure he’s got more to give but he’s not going to provide the kind of offensive production Skinner can, certainly not in the next 2 years, if ever.

 

[McTonyBrar]

Two back surgeries and hardly played last season and was bad in playoffs. He's not the same player people remember. Better than Skinner but not saying much there.

I would have all kinds of time for Arvy in prime. We got him late.

Back injuries are really difficult to recover from. I'm not faulting Arvy in this, just that in hockey its pretty next to impossible to establish back to peak game with the back conditiosn he has. Credit that he's out there even playing. Tbh I wouldn't be.

Arvy is very brave to be continuing to play. But I don't know how well this works out for him or the club.

Man you have way too much bias. Maybe wait until the season starts

 

[bucks_oil]

I need more cowbell. Hockey being back, at least regular season will bring some of that cowbell. I was gut punched with how the SC final went. Really to me it was a repeat of 2006 except this time we're still a good team the year after so thats better.

Biking is a good way to go. I can't sit down pedal anymore due to a health condition. So I need a stand up bike like this one.

ElliptiGO® RSUB

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www.elliptigo.com

not being able to bike these past few years has been a major setback for me. Trouble is the above product is not sold or available anywhee in Canada and I can't test ride it anywhere. Have to good faith shell out 2K CAD to get one ordered. Been reading lots of reviews. Being able to bike everyday again would be huge for me. I was a cycling diehard before my condition.

ps I defended Bowman from all the over scrutiny. There were lots of posters here claiming they'd never post again because the Oilers hired.....

I think in cancel culture days Bowman got more criticism than ought to be the case.

A stand-up bike?!?!? OMG that looks like an excruciating experience for the quads and glutes! Have you considered a recumbent? The sit down position might be better for your medical condition (not prying here, just speculating).

This SC (and more to the point the immediate aftermath) was far less heartbreaking for me... the gaps in our team were pretty obvious and we didn't have the cap space to address them.

I am optimistic for this year mostly because of the offensive depth (Henrique, Skinner, Arvidsson and still eventually Kane... in that order) and cap space flexibility for the deadline... will be HUGE.

Next year... I've written that off in advance, too huge a jump in salaries, not yet offset by cap rise... but we should progressively get in stronger position for 2026 and beyond.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

I don't worry much about Jeff Skinner. I think his game will often drift with consistency challenges but he's ultimately a finisher whose game requires finding soft ice to cash. It's not a loud game but rather the instincts of a burglar to find opening and finish.

I'm anticipating 20-25 goals to be pragmatic. Has ability to get more and hope he does. But a daily viewing of this player, versus boxscore readings, likely is going to include critique of tendencies of floating play.

Line 2 needs some runway together to learn one another's tendencies. Lots of skill and good hockey processors notably Draisaitl and Arvy will be interesting to watch as they finally build up some game time together.

 

[Louis Cypher]

Did Hoffman get released?

 

[K1984]

I don't worry much about Jeff Skinner. I think his game will often drift with consistency challenges but he's ultimately a finisher whose game requires finding soft ice to cash. It's not a loud game but rather the instincts of a burglar to find opening and finish.

I'm anticipating 20-25 goals to be pragmatic. Has ability to get more and hope he does. But a daily viewing of this player, versus boxscore readings, likely is going to include critique of tendencies of floating play.

Line 2 needs some runway together to learn one another's tendencies. Lots of skill and good hockey processors notably Draisaitl and Arvy will be interesting to watch as they finally build up some game time together.

From the get go I thought Skinner would be a much better fit with McDavid and Hyman, with RNH joining Draisaitl on the 2nd line.

McDavid is a one man play driving and play making machine. Put two pure finishers like Hyman and Skinner with him and the line will rack up goals. Less reliance on Skinner to actually play a playmaking/puck possession role on this line as well.

Conversely, Leon needs guys he can play off of for him to be at his best. RNH is the definition of that type of player. In the right spot, and can give and go with the best of them. Arvidsson can play the north/south play driving style he is known for, and Leon and RNH can make magic with the space created.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

From the get go I thought Skinner would be a much better fit with McDavid and Hyman, with RNH joining Draisaitl on the 2nd line.

McDavid is a one man play driving and play making machine. Put two pure finishers like Hyman and Skinner with him and the line will rack up goals. Less reliance on Skinner to actually play a playmaking/puck possession role on this line as well.

Conversely, Leon needs guys he can play off of for him to be at his best. RNH is the definition of that type of player. In the right spot, and can give and go with the best of them. Arvidsson can play the north/south play driving style he is known for, and Leon and RNH can make magic with the space created.

We'll see for sure. That's a beauty about a player type like Nugent Hopkins who can move between lines to complement the super elites. They might also choose to move up Draisaitl to finishing winger with McDavid as their practice with Nuge into 2C with a shooter and hard net front player.

The thing about Nuge on Line 1 is he provides very valuable defensive cover for McDavid's penetrating game and Hyman's net front play. Skinner adds a quality finishing option but exposure defensively.

Lots of options. Line 1 was among the league's elite for offensive zone time so it seems Knoblauch is somewhat reluctant to move off of his line driver. But there's lots of weapons and smart players who can move around the roster. Will be interesting to see how Knoblauch deploys a varied and diverse high talent top six.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

From the get go I thought Skinner would be a much better fit with McDavid and Hyman, with RNH joining Draisaitl on the 2nd line.

McDavid is a one man play driving and play making machine. Put two pure finishers like Hyman and Skinner with him and the line will rack up goals. Less reliance on Skinner to actually play a playmaking/puck possession role on this line as well.

Conversely, Leon needs guys he can play off of for him to be at his best. RNH is the definition of that type of player. In the right spot, and can give and go with the best of them. Arvidsson can play the north/south play driving style he is known for, and Leon and RNH can make magic with the space created.

This is basically how I see it too. Skinner's an outstanding finisher from any spot of the ice, but doesn't really excel at give and goes. When he's asked to be more "on and around" the puck" he struggles to work with his linemates. He's a bit like Kane in that sense.

His best recent season came off the back of Thompson and Tuch dangling through defences and then finding him in the open ice. That screams more McDavid vs. Drai.

Though when they do go with McDrai on a line, I can see an argument that Skinner could/should supplant Hyman as the 3rd wheel there.

 

[Thomas Tatar]

Well you put your money on a penny stock rising and I’ll put my money on a blue chip stock with proven performance. Thats the stock that’s going to bring more returns for a Stanley Cup contender this year.

I’m actually a big Holloway fan. Kid is a bull and I’m sure he’s got more to give but he’s not going to provide the kind of offensive production Skinner can, certainly not in the next 2 years, if ever.

You may be right, in fact you probably are. But hockey success is not just measured on offence. Maybe there is a reason Skinner has never been on a playoff team, sure the team has a lot to do with it, but the player has to own some of that.

Holloway bring energy, work ethic, speed, and timely goals. I think he has a more positive influence on the teams he plays for and that is more valuable than regular season offence.

I don’t hate Skinner, I was happy we signed him, and I’m not judging his whole season on one pre-season game. I just think the money would have been better spent on Holloway and cap space.

Just my opinion. But to your point, I have lost plenty of money on penny stocks.

 

[Spawn]

This is basically how I see it too. Skinner's an outstanding finisher from any spot of the ice, but doesn't really excel at give and goes. When he's asked to be more "on and around" the puck" he struggles to work with his linemates. He's a bit like Kane in that sense.

His best recent season came off the back of Thompson and Tuch dangling through defences and then finding him in the open ice. That screams more McDavid vs. Drai.

Though when they do go with McDrai on a line, I can see an argument that Skinner could/should supplant Hyman as the 3rd wheel there.

100% agree

It also balances the defensive conscience out a bit better between the two lines.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

You may be right, in fact you probably are. But hockey success is not just measured on offence. Maybe there is a reason Skinner has never been on a playoff team, sure the team has a lot to do with it, but the player has to own some of that.

Holloway bring energy, work ethic, speed, and timely goals. I think he has a more positive influence on the teams he plays for and that is more valuable than regular season offence.

I don’t hate Skinner, I was happy we signed him, and I’m not judging his whole season on one pre-season game. I just think the money would have been better spent on Holloway and cap space.

Just my opinion. But to your point, I have lost plenty of money on penny stocks.

Skinner is probably one of the more temperamental offensive players in the league, but he's still a guy who's capable of scoring at a PPG place in the right situation.

The Oiler's MO over the last few years has been they go as far as McDrai will take them. Even last season's game 7 was more or less all on their backs (outside of a hot streak by the 3rd line).

Holloway is a player I'd love to still have, but they needed Arvidsson and Skinner. Secondary offence is a massive piece to winning the cup;, as 2 guys and their main linemates can't do it alone. Plus I'm happy enough with Janmark and Podz in the role Holloway would have had, had he stayed.


A good comparison is the Avs. The year they won the cup they got big performances and moments out of not just MacK and Rantanen (and their linemates), but also Kadri and Burakovsky, who didn't see a ton of time with their dynamic duo. After they left, the Avs playoff results have gotten a lot more Oiler-ish.

 

[Oilslick941611]

Did Hoffman get released?

Yes, yesterday afternoon.

 

[Duke74]

From the get go I thought Skinner would be a much better fit with McDavid and Hyman, with RNH joining Draisaitl on the 2nd line.

McDavid is a one man play driving and play making machine. Put two pure finishers like Hyman and Skinner with him and the line will rack up goals. Less reliance on Skinner to actually play a playmaking/puck possession role on this line as well.

Conversely, Leon needs guys he can play off of for him to be at his best. RNH is the definition of that type of player. In the right spot, and can give and go with the best of them. Arvidsson can play the north/south play driving style he is known for, and Leon and RNH can make magic with the space created.

Totally agree with all of this. That gives all three lines a forechecker, passer, and shooter. Draisaitl was at his best on a line with RNH and Yamamoto. Arvidsson is a rich man's Yamamoto. Skinner is the type of guy that will excel more with McDavid because he goes the net and McDavid will find him. RNH will allow Draisaitl to use his shot more and will compensate more for Draisaitl's defensive weaknesses, a point echoed from BEL.

 

[McFlash97]

There's going to be a lot of people here that will be crying for guys like McLeod, Holloway and Foegle, Broberg before this season hits the quarter pole mark. We basically lost every single one of our impact young drafted and developed players this offseason all at once. Guys like Skinner who will be invisible and will pop up for a goal here and there riding Draisaitls coattails and be invisible the rest of the night. Guys like Stetcher on this team is laughable.

The young guys we lost proved they were impactful when it mattered. Had speed and youth. Finals experience and fearlessness. I haven't seen anything from Skinner, Emberson, Stetcher in pre season to be excited. Bowman let 2 young guys walk. He now has his work cut out finding the exact players he let walk by March.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

There's going to be a lot of people here that will be crying for guys like McLeod, Holloway and Foegle, Broberg before this season hits the quarter pole mark. We basically lost every single one of our impact young drafted and developed players this offseason all at once. Guys like Skinner who will be invisible and will pop up for a goal here and there riding Draisaitls coattails and be invisible the rest of the night. Guys like Stetcher on this team is laughable.

The young guys we lost proved they were impactful when it mattered. Had speed and youth. Finals experience and fearlessness. I haven't seen anything from Skinner, Emberson, Stetcher in pre season to be excited. Bowman let 2 young guys walk. He now has his work cut out finding the exact players he let walk by March.

You lost me when you said McLeod and Fearlessness in the same sentence.

You clearly dont know how the salary cap works if he just let 2 young guys walk.

 

[McDNicks17]

There's going to be a lot of people here that will be crying for guys like McLeod, Holloway and Foegle, Broberg before this season hits the quarter pole mark. We basically lost every single one of our impact young drafted and developed players this offseason all at once. Guys like Skinner who will be invisible and will pop up for a goal here and there riding Draisaitls coattails and be invisible the rest of the night. Guys like Stetcher on this team is laughable.

The young guys we lost proved they were impactful when it mattered. Had speed and youth. Finals experience and fearlessness. I haven't seen anything from Skinner, Emberson, Stetcher in pre season to be excited. Bowman let 2 young guys walk. He now has his work cut out finding the exact players he let walk by March.

You'd need rose tinted glasses about eight feet thick to see any of those guys as "impact" players.

 

[SupremeTeam16]

There's going to be a lot of people here that will be crying for guys like McLeod, Holloway and Foegle, Broberg before this season hits the quarter pole mark. We basically lost every single one of our impact young drafted and developed players this offseason all at once. Guys like Skinner who will be invisible and will pop up for a goal here and there riding Draisaitls coattails and be invisible the rest of the night. Guys like Stetcher on this team is laughable.

The young guys we lost proved they were impactful when it mattered. Had speed and youth. Finals experience and fearlessness. I haven't seen anything from Skinner, Emberson, Stetcher in pre season to be excited. Bowman let 2 young guys walk. He now has his work cut out finding the exact players he let walk by March.

So a dozen decent games each for a couple guys who otherwise couldn’t establish themselves as nhl players is enough for you to declare them very impactful but yet you are willing to disregard a decade of Skinner filing the net with pucks because you don’t like what you’ve seen from the guy in two pre season games.

Thats a solid evaluation. Are you a scout for the Oilers and were you featured in a clip earlier?

 

[ConnorNova0929]

There's going to be a lot of people here that will be crying for guys like McLeod, Holloway and Foegle, Broberg before this season hits the quarter pole mark. We basically lost every single one of our impact young drafted and developed players this offseason all at once. Guys like Skinner who will be invisible and will pop up for a goal here and there riding Draisaitls coattails and be invisible the rest of the night. Guys like Stetcher on this team is laughable.

The young guys we lost proved they were impactful when it mattered. Had speed and youth. Finals experience and fearlessness. I haven't seen anything from Skinner, Emberson, Stetcher in pre season to be excited. Bowman let 2 young guys walk. He now has his work cut out finding the exact players he let walk by March.

This is a peak mid season HFOilers post. Well job!

 

[Senor Catface]

There's going to be a lot of people here that will be crying for guys like McLeod, Holloway and Foegle, Broberg before this season hits the quarter pole mark. We basically lost every single one of our impact young drafted and developed players this offseason all at once. Guys like Skinner who will be invisible and will pop up for a goal here and there riding Draisaitls coattails and be invisible the rest of the night. Guys like Stetcher on this team is laughable.

The young guys we lost proved they were impactful when it mattered. Had speed and youth. Finals experience and fearlessness. I haven't seen anything from Skinner, Emberson, Stetcher in pre season to be excited. Bowman let 2 young guys walk. He now has his work cut out finding the exact players he let walk by March.

You think Hoffman is fast. You have no idea what you're talking about.

 

[McDoused]

There's going to be a lot of people here that will be crying for guys like McLeod, Holloway and Foegle, Broberg before this season hits the quarter pole mark. We basically lost every single one of our impact young drafted and developed players this offseason all at once. Guys like Skinner who will be invisible and will pop up for a goal here and there riding Draisaitls coattails and be invisible the rest of the night. Guys like Stetcher on this team is laughable.

The young guys we lost proved they were impactful when it mattered. Had speed and youth. Finals experience and fearlessness. I haven't seen anything from Skinner, Emberson, Stetcher in pre season to be excited. Bowman let 2 young guys walk. He now has his work cut out finding the exact players he let walk by March.

Bowman let them walk? That would be like getting robbed at gun point and saying that you "let the robber get away". They were offer sheeted. It's like not like walked them to free agency or waive them.

Dude was on the job for like 2 weeks. No reason for either guy to sign a contract if they thought offer sheets were a possibility.

This team went all the way to the SCF and youre already crapping on them... in the pre-season... after a win. Not sure what you are trying to prove here.

Also Stetcher is an NHL regular. Hes played almost 500 games in this league. You're kind of a dick for saying that it's "laughable that he's on the team". I actually think hes a pretty good 6-7 dman. He moves the puck well, has some jump to his game and coming off injury. Like did stetcher kick your dog or something?

Oh I also forgot to mention how you just seemed to forget about Arvidsson, who is basically our foegele upgrade. Was that because he won the game in the shootout and looked good already?