So.. Edmonton has to be the favorites coming out of the west, right?

[thaman8765678]

Who?
Yamamota, Klefblom, Neal? Who else is a ‘main’ player that is hurt?
That’s not great. But a lot of teams have injuries right now.

For the Flames the comparison would be Hamonic, Lucic and Dube. If those 3 players were out I sure hope it wouldn't affect our chance to win games, they are all secondary players.

 

[The Kingslayer]

Blues aside who get that title due to being the recent champs I guess, but Edmonton looks legit now, and I think there are a few factors.

- Weak pacific division means in theory, they should have one of the easiest 1st and maybe 2nd rounds out of the entire league aside from whoever facing the 3rd spot in the Atlantic.

- Draisatl has come alive and is legit. Yammo has fit like a glove with him, and they have two legit superstars better than any two currently playing (yes better than Sido and Geno in their current form).

- McDavid is back and healthy and finally has wingers. This is the first time the Oilers have a legit top 6 in a decade.

- 1st PP in the league and 2nd best PK. In general, being top 5 in both is an indicator of playoff success.

- Then you look at what Draisatl produces the last time they made the playoffs, and realize McDavid is in his prime now.

I'm not sure there is a team out west that can stop the Oilers. Have to imagine that they should be a lock for at least the WCF, and if they do not make the finals, it will be in a hard fought series deep in the playoffs.

I personally, don't think there is a better team out west and they are likely one of the favorites if they played in the east. Maybe they are only stopped by a more experienced team from the east if they make the finals like Tampa or the Pens.

lol This is so damn cute

 

[EdmOilers76]

Since Trade deadline. Oilers lost 2 games already. I think they will miss playoff. Their chemistry is messed up. Injuries continue piling up for them. I won't be shocked they ll finish 10th in West. Good thing Oilers didnt trade their 1st round draft pick on TDL.

 

[Deen]

 

[hangman005]

To think a month ago I would have laughed if you suggested Vegas was a favorite in the West.... Now I'll be quietly optimistic and hope the ride continues.

 

[HanSolo]

I don't know. Injuries aside, if you manage to lose to Anaheim with their almost league worst goals for by a score of 4-3, I wouldn't be overly confident in their chances. But who knows? Stranger things have happened.

To think a month ago I would have laughed if you suggested Vegas was a favorite in the West.... Now I'll be quietly optimistic and hope the ride continues.

I don't want to get optimistic with how the season has gone but it's really starting to feel like DeBoer understands Gallant's model of success far beyond what Gallant himself seemed to forget about it. So many games where it felt like the team wasn't playing "Vegas" hockey and now on this recent stretch it feels like that inaugural powerhouse is back. Having Lehner to take the load off of Fleury will probably be huge going into the stretch.

 

[Rubi]

With the way Fleury has played this season, I am not convinced he can shut out the duo of McDavid and Drai tbh.

This aged well. Not. LOL.​

 

[The Panther]

Oilers goaltending is pretty terrible compared to Vegas and Vancouver.

The Oilers' team save-percentage is notably higher than Vegas's so far this season (I realize Vegas didn't have a back-up for a long time, but Fleury's .906 is the same as Koskinen and Smith's). It's a little below Vancouver's, but now that Markstrom is down, I'd say the Canucks' goaltending is facing challenges. The Oilers actually have two League-average starting goaltenders, which I don't think is the case of any other Pacific team.

The Oilers aren't playing very well at the moment, but with a rash of injuries hitting them in the last few weeks and being in the midst of a bunch of road games, that's sort of understandable. With blowing an easy point to get yesterday vs. Anaheim, and being bushed and AWOL in today's Vegas game, they now have 2 regulation wins in the past 7 games. At this point, I doubt they're finishing top-3 in the Pacific, but does it matter? They're likely making the playoffs in a Wild-Card position.

Assuming they make it at any seed position, and if all of Klefbom, Yamamoto, Neal, Russell, and Nygard are all back and in shape to start the playoffs, I do think the Oilers have the best forward depth in the Pacific by some distance. Maybe the best in the western conference. We're talking about the #1 and #2 scorers in the League, RNH (a first-overall who has been heating up lately), Yamamoto (PPG since he was called up and thoroughly impressive), James Neal, Athanasiou, Kassian, etc. They're actually quite stacked now, up front.

They also have the best power-play in the League, and one of the better penalty-kills. They're probably the best team in the NHL just on special teams.

Where the Oilers are less impressive -- but not below average, either -- are in defensive depth and in goal. This season has partly been made by the emergence of Ethan Bear, a total revelation on defence. Klefbom remains a good puck-mover, and this season has mastered the PP-art of moving the puck to the big-two (he still can't hit the net to save his life, however). Nurse continues to both impress and frustrate -- has an amazing toolbox, but no hockey IQ. Russell is okay. Larsson is somewhat resurgent lately, and has been playing his best hockey since 2017. Jones has potential but isn't there yet, and the jury is still out on Lagesson, who likely won't survive the injured guys returning. The addition of Mike Green seems fine so far, but mostly just a depth-addition move. Both Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen have had mostly-good-but-occasionally-crap seasons. Personally, I find Koskinen steadier and more consistent, but Smith can steal a game here and there. The team seems to play with more urgency with Smith in net, I've noticed, for whatever reason. Coach Tippett knows Smith from way back and seems to prefer him.

Anyway, if everybody is healthy, there is no reason the Oilers' chances of winning the Pacific are less than anyone else's. I personally do not think Vegas is better than Edmonton (despite recent results).

Besides average D and goaltending, the Oilers' main issue I think is readiness and consistency. They often aren't ready to go at the start of games, or they seem weirdly satisfied with beating a great team and then pull a no-show when they face a lesser team. It's rather frustrating.

 

[The Kessel Run]

Well, Leon, you are an odd fellow, but you steam a mean ham.

 

[Flameshomer]

Lol!

 

[WetcoastOrca]

The Oilers' team save-percentage is notably higher than Vegas's so far this season (I realize Vegas didn't have a back-up for a long time, but Fleury's .906 is the same as Koskinen and Smith's). It's a little below Vancouver's, but now that Markstrom is down, I'd say the Canucks' goaltending is facing challenges. The Oilers actually have two League-average starting goaltenders, which I don't think is the case of any other Pacific team.

The Oilers aren't playing very well at the moment, but with a rash of injuries hitting them in the last few weeks and being in the midst of a bunch of road games, that's sort of understandable. With blowing an easy point to get yesterday vs. Anaheim, and being bushed and AWOL in today's Vegas game, they now have 2 regulation wins in the past 7 games. At this point, I doubt they're finishing top-3 in the Pacific, but does it matter? They're likely making the playoffs in a Wild-Card position.

Assuming they make it at any seed position, and if all of Klefbom, Yamamoto, Neal, Russell, and Nygard are all back and in shape to start the playoffs, I do think the Oilers have the best forward depth in the Pacific by some distance. Maybe the best in the western conference. We're talking about the #1 and #2 scorers in the League, RNH (a first-overall who has been heating up lately), Yamamoto (PPG since he was called up and thoroughly impressive), James Neal, Athanasiou, Kassian, etc. They're actually quite stacked now, up front.

They also have the best power-play in the League, and one of the better penalty-kills. They're probably the best team in the NHL just on special teams.

Where the Oilers are less impressive -- but not below average, either -- are in defensive depth and in goal. This season has partly been made by the emergence of Ethan Bear, a total revelation on defence. Klefbom remains a good puck-mover, and this season has mastered the PP-art of moving the puck to the big-two (he still can't hit the net to save his life, however). Nurse continues to both impress and frustrate -- has an amazing toolbox, but no hockey IQ. Russell is okay. Larsson is somewhat resurgent lately, and has been playing his best hockey since 2017. Jones has potential but isn't there yet, and the jury is still out on Lagesson, who likely won't survive the injured guys returning. The addition of Mike Green seems fine so far, but mostly just a depth-addition move. Both Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen have had mostly-good-but-occasionally-crap seasons. Personally, I find Koskinen steadier and more consistent, but Smith can steal a game here and there. The team seems to play with more urgency with Smith in net, I've noticed, for whatever reason. Coach Tippett knows Smith from way back and seems to prefer him.

Anyway, if everybody is healthy, there is no reason the Oilers' chances of winning the Pacific are less than anyone else's. I personally do not think Vegas is better than Edmonton (despite recent results).

Besides average D and goaltending, the Oilers' main issue I think is readiness and consistency. They often aren't ready to go at the start of games, or they seem weirdly satisfied with beating a great team and then pull a no-show when they face a lesser team. It's rather frustrating.

Meh. I don’t find their ‘forward depth’ to be that impressive. They have the two best forwards for sure. In fact I’d say they have the worst forward depth of all the playoff contenders in the Pacific. I mean most of the forwards injured aren’t real stars and they still can’t fill their spots. Lots of teams have similar injuries.

I agree that they have two average goalies. In the playoffs you can play one goalie so I’d rather have one really good goalie. The Oilers will be handicapped by goal tending imo compared to the other playoff teams.

Defense I’d rank as below average with poor depth.

Looking at the big picture. They have a goal differential of plus 2 which is the lowest of all of the Western playoff teams except Calgary and way below Vancouver (plus 17) and Vegas (plus 14). The Blues are plus 29.
They are a team that relies heavily on special teams. Their 5vs5 play is not that strong. I actually think the team can easily become a top contender in one or two years with some key moves. But right now they have as many weaknesses as all of the Pacific playoff contending teams except Vegas.

 

[McShogun99]

For the Flames the comparison would be Hamonic, Lucic and Dube. If those 3 players were out I sure hope it wouldn't affect our chance to win games, they are all secondary players.

I think you’re underestimating Klefbom, Neal and Yamamoto missing from the lineup. Klefbom is the teams top Dman that plays all situations, Yamamoto is a PPG player which no one on the Flames currently is and Neal would be one of the top goal scorers on the Flames. It would be more like missing Giordano, Gaudreau and Monahan. All 3 of those players have been key players for Edmonton this season.

 

[Crabapple]

Jinx thread successful. 0-1-1 since it was made

 

[sepHF]

For the Flames the comparison would be Hamonic, Lucic and Dube

Klefbom is the Oilers #1 defenseman... Hamonic? Really?

 

[bucks_oil]

The Oilers' team save-percentage is notably higher than Vegas's so far this season (I realize Vegas didn't have a back-up for a long time, but Fleury's .906 is the same as Koskinen and Smith's). It's a little below Vancouver's, but now that Markstrom is down, I'd say the Canucks' goaltending is facing challenges. The Oilers actually have two League-average starting goaltenders, which I don't think is the case of any other Pacific team.

The Oilers aren't playing very well at the moment, but with a rash of injuries hitting them in the last few weeks and being in the midst of a bunch of road games, that's sort of understandable. With blowing an easy point to get yesterday vs. Anaheim, and being bushed and AWOL in today's Vegas game, they now have 2 regulation wins in the past 7 games. At this point, I doubt they're finishing top-3 in the Pacific, but does it matter? They're likely making the playoffs in a Wild-Card position.

Assuming they make it at any seed position, and if all of Klefbom, Yamamoto, Neal, Russell, and Nygard are all back and in shape to start the playoffs, I do think the Oilers have the best forward depth in the Pacific by some distance. Maybe the best in the western conference. We're talking about the #1 and #2 scorers in the League, RNH (a first-overall who has been heating up lately), Yamamoto (PPG since he was called up and thoroughly impressive), James Neal, Athanasiou, Kassian, etc. They're actually quite stacked now, up front.

They also have the best power-play in the League, and one of the better penalty-kills. They're probably the best team in the NHL just on special teams.

Where the Oilers are less impressive -- but not below average, either -- are in defensive depth and in goal. This season has partly been made by the emergence of Ethan Bear, a total revelation on defence. Klefbom remains a good puck-mover, and this season has mastered the PP-art of moving the puck to the big-two (he still can't hit the net to save his life, however). Nurse continues to both impress and frustrate -- has an amazing toolbox, but no hockey IQ. Russell is okay. Larsson is somewhat resurgent lately, and has been playing his best hockey since 2017. Jones has potential but isn't there yet, and the jury is still out on Lagesson, who likely won't survive the injured guys returning. The addition of Mike Green seems fine so far, but mostly just a depth-addition move. Both Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen have had mostly-good-but-occasionally-crap seasons. Personally, I find Koskinen steadier and more consistent, but Smith can steal a game here and there. The team seems to play with more urgency with Smith in net, I've noticed, for whatever reason. Coach Tippett knows Smith from way back and seems to prefer him.

Anyway, if everybody is healthy, there is no reason the Oilers' chances of winning the Pacific are less than anyone else's. I personally do not think Vegas is better than Edmonton (despite recent results).

Besides average D and goaltending, the Oilers' main issue I think is readiness and consistency. They often aren't ready to go at the start of games, or they seem weirdly satisfied with beating a great team and then pull a no-show when they face a lesser team. It's rather frustrating.

I don’t believe you are an Oiler fan, but that is a pretty solid assessment.

I’d only add:

Kassian has also been out and is a useful depth winger with passion and a good PKer. With a healthy lineup, it means tweeters like Khaira, Granlund, PRussell, and Haas/Nygard are riding the pine.

Benning has also been out and is a great utility D... over the past three years he’s by far our best EV D by the numbers and our record is exceptionally positive with him in the lineup, even for his 17mins from the third pairing... lacking a true top pairing, we struggle when our third pairing can’t shoulder some weight and with three rookies in the lineup, the depth is strained presently.

Finally... Koski is the better shot stopper, but Smith is the vocal leader of our (team) defense... he does not accept one-way play and guys respect his vet voice and respond to his battle level.

 

[IceNeophyte]

I think you’re underestimating Klefbom, Neal and Yamamoto missing from the lineup. Klefbom is the teams top Dman that plays all situations, Yamamoto is a PPG player which no one on the Flames currently is and Neal would be one of the top goal scorers on the Flames. It would be more like missing Giordano, Gaudreau and Monahan. All 3 of those players have been key players for Edmonton this season.

Minor point of contention, but it has been proven that Neal would NOT be one of the top goal scorers on the Flames. He was horribly misused by them.

 

[blankall]

I think you’re underestimating Klefbom, Neal and Yamamoto missing from the lineup. Klefbom is the teams top Dman that plays all situations, Yamamoto is a PPG player which no one on the Flames currently is and Neal would be one of the top goal scorers on the Flames. It would be more like missing Giordano, Gaudreau and Monahan. All 3 of those players have been key players for Edmonton this season.

We've been through this many many times. Neal had an incredible start, but for the last 4 months, his contributions have actually been less than Lucic. You can't assume that if he was back in the lineup he'd be playing like anything but the way he has for the last 4 months. Especially since Edmonton just acquired a piece to replace him on the 1st PP unit.

LOL. Compaing Klefbom, Neal, and Yamamoto to all star level players, one of which won the Norris trophy. Oh and by the way that Norris winner is injured, and has missed far more games than Klefbom so far this season.

Backlund has 15 points in his last 10 games. Would losing him be the same as losing McDavid or Draisaitl. Do you see the flaws in your logic. Some players are just objectively better than others, despite short term contributions.

Edit: Also, please put Neal back in. We need him to score 2 more goals, to get the Flames that 3rd, and he's running out of time.

 

[Mr Tadakichi]

Nobody can compare OP's ultimate team curse techniques.

 

[bucks_oil]

Meh. I don’t find their ‘forward depth’ to be that impressive. They have the two best forwards for sure. In fact I’d say they have the worst forward depth of all the playoff contenders in the Pacific. I mean most of the forwards injured aren’t real stars and they still can’t fill their spots. Lots of teams have similar injuries.

I agree that they have two average goalies. In the playoffs you can play one goalie so I’d rather have one really good goalie. The Oilers will be handicapped by goal tending imo compared to the other playoff teams.

Defense I’d rank as below average with poor depth.

Looking at the big picture. They have a goal differential of plus 2 which is the lowest of all of the Western playoff teams except Calgary and way below Vancouver (plus 17) and Vegas (plus 14). The Blues are plus 29.
They are a team that relies heavily on special teams. Their 5vs5 play is not that strong. I actually think the team can easily become a top contender in one or two years with some key moves. But right now they have as many weaknesses as all of the Pacific playoff contending teams except Vegas.

I agree with you about the goaltending... passable but not a strength. We also lack a heavy lifting 3c, which will need an upgrade this summer unless we put Nuge there, in which case we need a 20-20 two winger on his side.

but you are underestimating the injuries... team played well with McD gone but is on fumes at present and needs to get healthy.

At F: Yama, Kassian, Neal, (not to mention AA now... will get worse before better) is 50% of our middle six, 67% if you include Nygard... AND prevents us from having a 15min a night 4th line.

At D: Klef is our #1 and Russel and Benning are an effective bottom pairing that PK’s. That’s 50% of our starting Dcore preGreen... it’s significant.

We are going to be fine in a week, but may fall to WC before finishing off in the top 3 of our div (my prediction).

 

[Kranix]

I do think the Oilers have the best forward depth in the Pacific by some distance. Maybe the best in the western conference. We're talking about the #1 and #2 scorers in the League, RNH (a first-overall who has been heating up lately), Yamamoto (PPG since he was called up and thoroughly impressive), James Neal, Athanasiou, Kassian, etc. They're actually quite stacked now, up front.

By some distance.
The etc. after those three bums is a bunch of AHL fodder.
McDrai doesn't magically bring their depth up like it's an average.

 

[FreeMcdavid]

Drai and MCdavid is this generations Sid and Geno.

Anything short of cups would be disappointing for this duo starting this year all the way to the duration of their stay in Edmonton.

 

[bucks_oil]

We've been through this many many times. Neal had an incredible start, but for the last 4 months, his contributions have actually been less than Lucic. You can't assume that if he was back in the lineup he'd be playing like anything but the way he has for the last 4 months. Especially since Edmonton just acquired a piece to replace him on the 1st PP unit.

LOL. Compaing Klefbom, Neal, and Yamamoto to all star level players, one of which won the Norris trophy. Oh and by the way that Norris winner is injured, and has missed far more games than Klefbom so far this season.

Backlund has 15 points in his last 10 games. Would losing him be the same as losing McDavid or Draisaitl. Do you see the flaws in your logic. Some players are just objectively better than others, despite short term contributions.

Edit: Also, please put Neal back in. We need him to score 2 more goals, to get the Flames that 3rd, and he's running out of time.

it’s relative roles... and your flame counterpart did not make an accurate analogy.

For better or worse, Klef is our #1D, Yama is a ppg rookie who completely changed our depth, energy and consequently our record... since his call up we are something like 10 games over 500. And Neal is our third leading goal scorer and will be back on the 1stPP, he certainly won’t be replaced by a north-south AA from what ive seen so far.

and that’s not mentioning Kassian, Nygard, Russell, Benning... all of whom contribute to whatever depth we have... hint... it’s not always about you.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

I agree with you about the goaltending... passable but not a strength. We also lack a heavy lifting 3c, which will need an upgrade this summer unless we put Nuge there, in which case we need a 20-20 two winger on his side.

but you are underestimating the injuries... team played well with McD gone but is on fumes at present and needs to get healthy.

At F: Yama, Kassian, Neal, (not to mention AA now... will get worse before better) is 50% of our middle six, 67% if you include Nygard... AND prevents us from having a 15min a night 4th line.

At D: Klef is our #1 and Russel and Benning are an effective bottom pairing that PK’s. That’s 50% of our starting Dcore preGreen... it’s significant.

We are going to be fine in a week, but may fall to WC before finishing off in the top 3 of our div (my prediction).

I agree that Yama is a key injury for sure. But Kassian isn’t an injury. That’s his own fault. So forwards injuries are not that different than most teams imo. Vancouver, for example is missing Boeser (two months) Leivo (3 months) and Ferland (the season). (And their starting goalie for a month) Most of the Oiler forward injuries are fairly short term.

Defense I will give you though. That’s an area they couldn’t really afford that many injuries and Klef is the top guy and a huge loss.

My main point though was to respond to the poster. I see pretty much all of the Pacific teams outside of Vegas as having their weaknesses. For sure Edmonton has been hit by the injury bug and should be better when they start to get players back. But I think a lot of teams are going through similar injury woes and some are missing their top players as well. This is the time where depth becomes really important. Edmonton has the best high end players in the West but ultimately I think goaltending and depth could be their Achilles heel.
Who knows? I can find similar weaknesses in pretty much all of the West teams except maybe St. Louis and Vegas and a healthy Colorado.

 

[snipes]

I agree that Yama is a key injury for sure. But Kassian isn’t an injury. That’s his own fault. So forwards injuries are not that different than most teams imo. Vancouver, for example is missing Boeser (two months) Leivo (3 months) and Ferland (the season). (And their starting goalie for a month) Most of the Oiler forward injuries are fairly short term.

Defense I will give you though. That’s an area they couldn’t really afford that many injuries and Klef is the top guy and a huge loss.

My main point though was to respond to the poster. I see pretty much all of the Pacific teams outside of Vegas as having their weaknesses. For sure Edmonton has been hit by the injury bug and should be better when they start to get players back. But I think a lot of teams are going through similar injury woes and some are missing their top players as well. This is the time where depth becomes really important. Edmonton has the best high end players in the West but ultimately I think goaltending and depth could be their Achilles heel.
Who knows? I can find similar weaknesses in pretty much all of the West teams except maybe St. Louis and Vegas and a healthy Colorado.

Good post as usual. All teams deal with injuries, it’s part of being an NHL team. We’re going through a bad case of the injury bug right now, sounds like Yamo might be back who I know you’re a fan of. Yamo going down has completely neutralized that Nuge-Drai-Yamo line.

Outside of perhaps Vegas, all the Pacific playoff teams or bubble teams have some issues, I agree.

Honestly, the Oilers losing Klefbom is even worse than losing McDavid as crazy as that sounds. Last time I looked I believe he was top 5 in minutes per game in the NHL. He is no doubt our #1 D man.

Klefbom does so much heavy lifting for us in all situations. When he goes down, our record substantially gets worse every time.

 

[blankall]

it’s relative roles... and your flame counterpart did not make an accurate analogy.

For better or worse, Klef is our #1D, Yama is a ppg rookie who completely changed our depth, energy and consequently our record... since his call up we are something like 10 games over 500. And Neal is our third leading goal scorer and will be back on the 1stPP, he certainly won’t be replaced by a north-south AA from what ive seen so far.

and that’s not mentioning Kassian, Nygard, Russell, Benning... all of whom contribute to whatever depth we have... hint... it’s not always about you.

Even if Klefbom is your #1 d-man, it's not the same.

For example, let's use an NHL video game analogy. If you rate Klefbom a 78, and he gets injured, and you replace him with a player who is rated a 74, then it's not nearly as big of a blow as taking a player rated 90 and replacing him with a player rated 74. Do you get what I'm saying?

And you are the one with the "me" complex. Only a person infatuated with themselves would compare Yamamoto, Neal, and Klefbom to Gaudreau, Monahan, and Giordano. You've lost all ability to look beyond yourself and see things objectively.