Post-Game Talk: Time to cut the moustache

[russ99]

Bowman had an entire season to address needs.

He didn't address them. The board kept saying "Well just wait and see what he does at the TDL" and he added like... one half-decent player. Is the narrative now "wait until the offseason to see what he does"? He spent all year accruing cap space and then didn't use it.

If the team wins the Stanley Cup then fine, all is forgiven. But if they fail to win it he and Jackson should be fired immediately and the front office should be cleaned out.

Also hamstrung by the cap with the Kane situation, they had to assume that coming back this season was a possibility and everyone would be screaming bloody murder if they had to go over the cap with a healthy player and have an overage roll into next season.

Did we have cap space to bring in Blackwood? Also limited trade assets would mean had we added Blackwood, we couldn’t do as much at the deadline, trade one gaping hole for another.

 

[foshizzle]

What other issues? The team played f***ing fine last night without their two best players and lost because of Skinner being the typical sieve he’s been this season. The team has upped their game ever since McDrai’s been out except Skinner is still being a sieve in net. What does that say? Skinner has been relatively shit the whole season and shit for brains Dustin Schwartz has only made him worse. His weaknesses aren’t even getting improved. Wtf does Schwartz do? Tell me since you’re the wisest poster here.

It’s amazing how much they have wagered on the back of Skinner. McDavid and Draisaitl’s cup dreams, McDavid signing an extension, etc- all so they don’t hurt his feelings. Remember the narrative when Campbell was sent down “Skinner will be better because now he doesn’t have the mental roadblock of Campbell in his way”. lol.

Jack Campbell, the year Skinner took over and Campbell was considered “unplayable” had a .888 save %. Skinner has a .894 and in an untouchable. Make it make sense

 

[Mr Positive]

I didn't think Skinner was bad. If someone like Oettinger had a game like that it wouldn't feel that strange. Basically, one goal against too many. It happens. The problem is that Skinner has a lot of games like this.

I do think defense is an issue. That's not just defensemen but the whole team defense. You'd think that with McDrai gone, the tone would shift to be more boring and defensive hockey but it's been very sloppy

 

[BlackDogg]

California Closet: New logo dropped

 

[bobbythebrain]

@aggressive forecheck what were you saying about being right?

Let's see here in the picture.
Bouchard is stepping up on the winger receiving the puck, at the blueline. That's called gap control

Perry has nobody and there's a player blowing past behind him. In the live version you will see Perry coasting the whole time

There's an Oiler at the bench making a line change. On their breakout I may add. That player also came from the area the puck gets flipped to

Yet not only did you blame this goal on Bouchard, you repeatedly claimed it was a set play designed for Bouchard lolol

 

[Arpeggio]

Well, I guess this is Pickard's chance to take the reins and take us on a run. Maybe he'll catch lightning in a bottle, stranger things have happened.

The team does seem to play well in front of him, it's tough to argue at this point. Whatever you have to say about the quality of goals, Skinner's recent stretch should cost him his starting job. It's an open competition and Pickard is winning it at this point.

 

[K1984]

I didn't think Skinner was bad. If someone like Oettinger had a game like that it wouldn't feel that strange. Basically, one goal against too many. It happens. The problem is that Skinner has a lot of games like this.

I do think defense is an issue. That's not just defensemen but the whole team defense. You'd think that with McDrai gone, the tone would shift to be more boring and defensive hockey but it's been very sloppy

Ironically, with 97 and 29 out I think we've had among the most consistent play through 4 lines this season while understanding it's a small sample. I don't know if I have a bone to pick with any forward at the moment and I don't know if I could have said that at any point this season up until now. They're doing their jobs.

The defence and goaltending are beyond abysmal. The top 2 pairs are taking turns getting embarrassed every other game and Skinner is abysmal. Ultimately this combination is what has destroyed the team since the 4 Nations despite offensive and overall team effort issues sprinkled in between.

I have little hope that goaltending will improve meaningfully. It is squarely on Ekholm, Bouchard, Nurse and Walman primarily to get it together and stop the incompetence and get in the game. Control what you can control. Nobody is going to make Skinner a better goalie, but Bouchard can bother to exert a little bit of effort defending, ditto for Walman, Ekholm can manage his pinches and puck decisions way better, ditto for Nurse. Skinner is Skinner, but these guys all have way more to give and need to if we're going to win.

 

[K1984]

Well, I guess this is Pickard's chance to take the reins and take us on a run. Maybe he'll catch lightning in a bottle, stranger things have happened.

The team does seem to play well in front of him, it's tough to argue at this point. Whatever you have to say about the quality of goals, Skinner's recent stretch should cost him his starting job. It's an open competition and Pickard is winning it at this point.

This is a blessing in disguise. They were going to play Skinner into the ground no matter how bad it got because he's "the guy." Disgusting that we manage goalies seemingly by superlative, but that's what we do here.

Unlike Skinner, Pickard plays with a degree competitiveness and athleticism that is easy to play in front of. By no means is Pickard a good goalie in a macro sense, but I can 100% see him as a guy that could catch fire for a few months and give us what we need. Skinner's game has been nosediving. If nothing else it gives him time away to maybe get back to his normal below average baseline.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

That’s been the song and dance the whole McDavid era..my job is too hard….offseason….patience

There's been no commitment to hard work from this organization since 2006. They rely on hopes and dreams and the power of friendship to win it all and never figure out why they haven't won anything.

When you can't win a championship with players of McDavid's and Draisatl's calibre, you are a monumental failure. Bowman sucks and I'm already done with him. Why wait for the offseason? We saw his body of work during the regular season, middling trades and waiver wire claims. No real hard work at all.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

For sure, but he was our magic beans, our lottery ticket, the next unknown. He had a solid rookie year in a tough situation, before he was probably ready for it. He even had some good moments in the playoffs, not consistent enough, but some games where he stepped up and played very well. A lot of us were hoping he would find a way to build on the good parts, find some better mobility and movement, find a way find more saves, more consistency, less bad goals. He has not shown that growth this season, in fact, it's been a step back. There are more questions with his game now, than at any point in his past as a pro. If he was a pending UFA this summer, I don't know what kind of deal he'd get out there. Probably a one year deal, and I can't imagine it would be for any team expecting him to be their starting goalie.

Skinner should have been an NHL back-up goalie through the winning window. It's frankly a miracle he didn't melt down when the big money guy flamed out when all the obvious red flags came home to roost. His playing style isn't a good fit for an attacking team that tends to tilt the ice but is also prone to big gaffs when their team structure breaks down. They need an athletic, veteran goaltender who can bail out when required..

Skinner's lack of athleticism is an inherent weakness that was going to place a ceiling on his abilities. Unfortunately that's compounded by poor hockey sense which shows in slow decision making and puck tracking. That's either an inexperience, development component that will improve or a fatal flaw. His technique breakdown follows when his team structure breaks down in front of him and in situations where his poor athleticism and reads require quick reactions like lateral movements. Now if he's a back-up through this precious window phase, as was the plan, there's cover to enable realistic development to see if they have an average starting goaltender after three years. Defaulting him into a starting goalie with no established tandem 1A/1B is poor management.

Off to the next saviour with people talking about Rodrigue saving the day. This organization should have at minimum grabbed a reliable short-term tandem guy like Cam Talbot at the deadline. Use your assets to buy retention for coverage in the game's most important position.

 

[CROTT]

@aggressive forecheck what were you saying about being right?

Let's see here in the picture.
Bouchard is stepping up on the winger receiving the puck, at the blueline. That's called gap control

Perry has nobody and there's a player blowing past behind him. In the live version you will see Perry coasting the whole time

There's an Oiler at the bench making a line change. On their breakout I may add. That player also came from the area the puck gets flipped to

Yet not only did you blame this goal on Bouchard, you repeatedly claimed it was a set play designed for Bouchard lolol

After watching it a few times that is a set breakout by the Stars, I agree Bouchard played it correctly, and it was Perry and Ekholm puck watching in the neutral zone that resulted in the scoring chance.

 

[Arpeggio]

This is a blessing in disguise. They were going to play Skinner into the ground no matter how bad it got because he's "the guy." Disgusting that we manage goalies seemingly by superlative, but that's what we do here.

Unlike Skinner, Pickard plays with a degree competitiveness and athleticism that is easy to play in front of. By no means is Pickard a good goalie in a macro sense, but I can 100% see him as a guy that could catch fire for a few months and give us what we need. Skinner's game has been nosediving. If nothing else it gives him time away to maybe get back to his normal below average baseline.

This is where I'm at. I was fine with giving Skinner first crack after 3-4 bad games coming out of the break, because I still think he can get it done when he's on his game, but he's lost this job imo.

Hopefully Pickard has a really strong game tonight, I actually like the way the team is playing. This has been a good showing without the two best players on the team, I think it might benefit them in the long run.

 

[Dieseloil]

When Askerov was available, that’s the move they should have made, and at the time for less than some of the deals they ended up making. The kid is miles better than Skinner. And he’s a competitor.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

Also hamstrung by the cap with the Kane situation, they had to assume that coming back this season was a possibility and everyone would be screaming bloody murder if they had to go over the cap with a healthy player and have an overage roll into next season.

Did we have cap space to bring in Blackwood? Also limited trade assets would mean had we added Blackwood, we couldn’t do as much at the deadline, trade one gaping hole for another.

He also added Klingberg and Kapanen both who suck ass. Neither of these players addressed a need. They were just added to make it look like the GM was busy. Podz is also another player who just offers very little that was an addition.

He didn't put in the work. He did the bare minimum and expected to be rewarded for it. That's nothing new. That's been the org's MO for over a decade now. Enough excuses. If you can't build a winning team around McDavid and Draisatl then get the hell out of the way.

 

[K1984]

This is where I'm at. I was fine with giving Skinner first crack after 3-4 bad games coming out of the break, because I still think he can get it done when he's on his game, but he's lost this job imo.

Hopefully Pickard has a really strong game tonight, I actually like the way the team is playing. This has been a good showing without the two best players on the team, I think it might benefit them in the long run.

The overall effort, engagement and energy level the last two games is among the best it's been all year. If this continues, hold 29 and 97 out as long as it makes sense to. If them being out is what it takes to build a workman culture, then let them build it a bit more then inject the two of them when it's established itself.

The most encouraging thing for me is the fact that it looks like the playoff bottom 6 lines are establishing themselves. Podkolzin, RNH and Arvidsson look like completely new players since being put together, and Janmark - Henrique - Brown are a bad third line, but are going to win their minutes easily against other team's 4th lines. Get the big dogs healthy and going in the top 6 and things might randomly come together at the right time in a season where nothing has seemed to come together at any point.

 

[Canovin]

When Askerov was available, that’s the move they should have made, and at the time for less than some of the deals they ended up making. The kid is miles better than Skinner. And he’s a competitor.

There's still Blomqvist who I think will be the next Dostal

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

It’s amazing how much they have wagered on the back of Skinner. McDavid and Draisaitl’s cup dreams, McDavid signing an extension, etc- all so they don’t hurt his feelings. Remember the narrative when Campbell was sent down “Skinner will be better because now he doesn’t have the mental roadblock of Campbell in his way”. lol.

Jack Campbell, the year Skinner took over and Campbell was considered “unplayable” had a .888 save %. Skinner has a .894 and in an untouchable. Make it make sense

It's a nice narrative. Unfortunately Jack Campbell isn't an NHL goaltender. Airlifting Manny Legace to fix him didn't help. And he's currently an anchor on the Wings farm team that has Cossa at 2.38 GAA .930 SV%; Husso 2.70 and .920; while nice guy Jack is 3.01 GAA .882 SV%. The only goalie of 5 Griffen goalies this season with similar terrible results is their rookie ECHL goalie in 3 games as a call-up.

Schwartz and Toronto based head pro scout Holland JR walked this organization into a disastrous signing. The organization has doubled down on this crippling issue by flying the window years without a parachute with Skinner and no contingency. Add that Jackson has proclaimed his organization is an information based approach and one wonders what magic analytics supporting information could possibly have backed up this high risk reality.

 

[foshizzle]

It's a nice narrative. Unfortunately Jack Campbell isn't an NHL goaltender. Airlifting Manny Legace to fix him didn't help. And he's currently an anchor on the Wings farm team that has Cossa at 2.38 GAA .930 SV%; Husso 2.70 and .920; while nice guy Jack is 3.01 GAA .882 SV%. The only goalie of 5 Griffen goalies this season with similar terrible results is their rookie ECHL goalie in 3 games as a call-up.

Schwartz and Toronto based head pro scout Holland JR walked this organization into a disastrous signing. The organization has doubled down on this crippling issue by flying the window years without a parachute with Skinner and no contingency. Add that Jackson has proclaimed his organization is an information based approach and one wonders what magic analytics supporting information could possibly have backed up this high risk reality.

My whole point is that how can Campbell be seen as unplayable and Stuart is not when they have similar save %. How does the narrative shift so massively when they both suck. They can’t quit Stu for some reason

 

[Mez]

Maybe this head trauma will help him like it helped Nurse? or maybe Pickard or Rodrigue comes up and takes his spot.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

My whole point is that how can Campbell be seen as unplayable and Stuart is not when they have similar save %. How does the narrative shift so massively when they both suck. They can’t quit Stu for some reason

Because that would involve them admitting that they f***ed up big time with the goaltending and we can't have that.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

My whole point is that how can Campbell be seen as unplayable and Stuart is not when they have similar save %. How does the narrative shift so massively when they both suck. They can’t quit Stu for some reason

Appreciate your clarification. I speculate the organization and players came to the conclusion that Campbell wasn't up to the mental requirement of being the big paid final piece answer for a long overdue window team and cut bait to roll with the younger homegrown guy that they knew better. They hoped to reset Campbell away from reality even airlifting his mental crutch Legace to try to reset him. Quite obviously the mental issues are significantly deeper than some superficial cheerleading and external confidence boosting.

The management fatal flaws followed by not investing in a proven NHL goaltender to mitigate against a development phase goaltender with obvious limitations. They have had a long runway to budget in a critical contingency plan and blew their load on bulking up other position areas.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

Maybe this head trauma will help him like it helped Nurse? or maybe Pickard or Rodrigue comes up and takes his spot.

Nurse atleast has elite athleticism.

Skinner has the opposite of that

 

[CupofOil]

Credit to the Oilers for not giving up but they still put up offense only when the game was out of reach. I can't remember the last time Janmark, Podz, Kapenan or Ryan scored. RNH was also back to being mostly invisible too. Perry being more effective than half our forwards is great for him but deeply concerning for the team.

The Oilers were creating offense all game, it just so happened that the opposing goalie made more big saves, as per normal.

 

[McShogun99]

I find the team plays more loose with Pickard in net. There's no way they almost come back during yesterdays game with Skinner in net. It's like they hold their sticks tighter when he's in net out of fear that every mistake is going in.

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

The Oilers were creating offense all game, it just so happened that the opposing goalie made more big saves, as per normal.

There's a point where it's not a lack of finish and more that the team just sucks at scoring goals outside of a few select players. You and I have had this discussion all year. This inability to finish scoring chances also cost them in the Finals last year.