this is very apparent, and along with the greatly improved breakout I think the largest reason for our resurgence
I thought McLeod was the weakest by far. Good thing Knob noticed it as well, as he put Drai in his spot between Janmark and Foegle several times last night.
Oh don't worry... I know exactly who that poster is.Ok man with 27 posts.
Hello @OILLIO I haven't seen you since long before the old OMB shut down.I’m sorry I don’t live on hf
Both Gagner and Ryan are very smart hockey players, something that is very understated about them. This is holding them in good stead as they age and their physical skills decline. Both of them have never been incredible skaters, so not a big dip there! Hamblin is also a smart player, and it's perfect having him in with two similar players, who realize smarts and hard work are the way to contribute and provide success.How good is the 4th line? Had you told me 5 weeks ago that we were rolling out a 4th of Gagner - Hamblin - Ryan I would have cringed and told you that I hope they don't see any more than about 4 mins of ice.
I still am not completely sure how this combination is so effective, but they just are. Hamblin and Ryan are both effective forecheckers despite their size and Gagner still has the touch to make efficient smart plays with the puck. I keep waiting for the wheels to fall off these guys, but it doesn't seem like it's going to happen.
Also Desharnais is playing very, very good hockey. A lot of the question mark depth have stepped up in a big way over the past few weeks.
Oh yah, I can agree with that. He still needs to get his head in the game sometimes. Reminds me of Bouch when he has his "sleepy games."McLeod at least has the excuse of being young and that there might be upside. just saying
That was a rocket shot between the legs of his defender. I'm not a big Skinner fan but that shot was labeled and most goalies aren't saving that.I wouldn't say weak, but yes I agree saveable
Lol we just leap frogged calgary and have 3 games in hand to boot lolol
Kinda BS that Knob gets the glory here. He even admitted that he didn't change a whole lotView attachment 782824
this is very apparent, and along with the greatly improved breakout I think the largest reason for our resurgence
That was a rocket shot between the legs of his defender. I'm not a big Skinner fan but that shot was labeled and most goalies aren't saving that.
It is something to see Ryan keep the puck from like 3 guys and Gagner knock guys down. No more Sammy snowpants. Finally grew into their man muscles.
Always playing hard no let up.
I do think hes getting overshadowed a bit ny Hughes and Makar who are both having great seasons. But no one talks about him. And when they do, it’s always with “yeah, but”. And I get it because he has his lapses. But most offensive dman do.
Yeah. And look how many goals are from infront of the net. Not bad for a bunch of little guys. I actually think I heard a stat from last year, where Ryan had one of the largest contributions to goals infront of the net. (Think 5 on 5 play).
So a day later and this was pretty much the perfect little debut of a young star player here playing against McD. League got what it wanted, fans got what it wanted.
Bedard got the token goal so hype can continue, Oilers bagged the easy win without extending too much effort and spent the rest of the game clubbing the Hawks like seals.
Could tell several Oilers, and even on down the lineup wanted to redress the fascination on Bedard. Nuge scored a beauty finish at full speed. remarkable goal and perfectly place. Gagner bagged another nice close in finish.
A reminder that at this level of play all kinds of stars exist on ice and every one of these players would be the best player in any lesser rung of the game.
I'll say it again. Bouchard was better than Bedard and not even close. you won't find an NHL story anywhere on what Booch is putting down. Booch in this game was like the big brother stuffing the little bro in a garbage can. A couple of those moments so clear it got a salute from the Rogers Place faithful.
Its interesting how good a player can continue to be when they train like a beast. Sam Gagner is one of the hardest off ice workers there are. he works out tons and its kept him in good playing shape even at age 34. For a bit player on 4th line mostly this is a pretty valuable contribution. Gagner brings the skill play to the bottomsix. its a nice addition to have.7 points in 14 games on his salary feels pretty A+ to me! And clearly not just a passenger too.
Was always a fan and I always get warm fuzzies when he returns to the Oilers hahaha
You're forgetting McDavid looked visibly dangerous almost every game since he came into the league. Bedard is more like a sniper where you don't really notice him until he scores.As far as Bedard goes and comparing him to McDavid, McDavid was just over a point a game with this roster. (or some combination, I didn't look to see who was around when)
Hall Draisaitl Eberle
Pouliot RNH McDavid
Letestu Purcell Maroon
Korpikoski Hendricks Yakupov
Sekera Schultz
Nurse Klefbom
Fayne Gryba
Talbot
Nilsson
Bedard is just under a point a game with this roster...
Foligno Donato Bedard
Guy - Guy - Guy
Guy - Guy - Guy
Guy - Guy - Guy
Jones - Guy
Guy - Guy
Guy - Guy
Mrazek
Guy
What he is doing is pretty special for a rookie. (24 pts in 28 games) Even Fantilli has Jenner, Gaudreau, Provorov, Laine, Werenski and is only .5 ppg.
As far as Bedard goes and comparing him to McDavid, McDavid was just over a point a game with this roster. (or some combination, I didn't look to see who was around when)
Hall Draisaitl Eberle
Pouliot RNH McDavid
Letestu Purcell Maroon
Korpikoski Hendricks Yakupov
Sekera Schultz
Nurse Klefbom
Fayne Gryba
Talbot
Nilsson
Bedard is just under a point a game with this roster...
Foligno Donato Bedard
Guy - Guy - Guy
Guy - Guy - Guy
Guy - Guy - Guy
Jones - Guy
Guy - Guy
Guy - Guy
Mrazek
Guy
What he is doing is pretty special for a rookie. (24 pts in 28 games) Even Fantilli has Jenner, Gaudreau, Provorov, Laine, Werenski and is only .5 ppg.
McDavid was 3rd in the league that season in points per game. Bedard isn’t even in the top 50.As far as Bedard goes and comparing him to McDavid, McDavid was just over a point a game with this roster. (or some combination, I didn't look to see who was around when)
Hall Draisaitl Eberle
Pouliot RNH McDavid
Letestu Purcell Maroon
Korpikoski Hendricks Yakupov
Sekera Schultz
Nurse Klefbom
Fayne Gryba
Talbot
Nilsson
Bedard is just under a point a game with this roster...
Foligno Donato Bedard
Guy - Guy - Guy
Guy - Guy - Guy
Guy - Guy - Guy
Jones - Guy
Guy - Guy
Guy - Guy
Mrazek
Guy
What he is doing is pretty special for a rookie. (24 pts in 28 games) Even Fantilli has Jenner, Gaudreau, Provorov, Laine, Werenski and is only .5 ppg.
I think he needs to fill in a bit before he really starts dominating. He’s tiny.
I've watched a few Chicago games and you normally don't notice Bedard except for couple times he gets a nice scoring chance per game. The team around him is absolute garbage right now and he needs his Marner/Draisaitl?Backstrom on the team as well as better players before he starts standing out more.
I don't really expect much more to be honest. Not until he gets stronger or faster.
I know its really early... but Chicago needs to find Bedard his Draisaitl, his Malkin, his Jagr, his Forsberg, his Kurri... you know what I'm saying.
I think there may be some real validity to Manson having a difficult time with the role after the passing of his wife (which is fair).
The D and PK has improved to such a level it's almost unrecognizable. The breakout is so much better it makes my head spin. Coffey and Stuart have made some excellent changes.
We also can't understate the importance of that ricochet puck off Darnell's forehead seemingly turning his brain back on.
Bedard is awesome. Love him....but he's not Crosby or McDavid level.
A combination of being on Chi and US media trying to make him bigger than he is.
We worry about losing McD but this Beatlemania going on wiith Bedard hopefully opens McDavids eyes as how bad it could be for him. McD is definitely the type that shys away from the hype
There is a much much bigger sample size suggesting that Nurse isnt a #1.I’ve said it since 2020. Nurse is a #1 dman. Not a Norris contender but still a #1
That last statement is nuts. The talent delta between the two is significant. Name two guys on the Hawks that would be anywhere near Hall, Eberle, Nuge, Drai. The Oilers lost over 30 games by 2 goals or less, 24 by one goal or OT/SOL. Chicago is on pace to lose 21 games by 3 or more.McDavid was 3rd in the league that season in points per game. Bedard isn’t even in the top 50.
And that Oilers team was 2nd or 3rd worst in the team. It was no better than this Chicago team.
I know, but I at least know who they are. Letestu was a pretty good "guy". The D was quite suspect, but what surrounded McDavid was far superior to the bucket of anchors Bedard is carrying around. (Like 4 guys on D with a combined 100 NHL games.)Theres of Guy players on that Oilers roster too.
Well they do have himThat last statement is nuts. The talent delta between the two is significant. Name two guys on the Hawks that would be anywhere near Hall, Eberle, Nuge, Drai. The Oilers lost over 30 games by 2 goals or less, 24 by one goal or OT/SOL. Chicago is on pace to lose 21 games by 3 or more.
To be fair though that was a rookie Drai and a Nuge that was closer to being a 50 point guy than what he is today.That last statement is nuts. The talent delta between the two is significant. Name two guys on the Hawks that would be anywhere near Hall, Eberle, Nuge, Drai. The Oilers lost over 30 games by 2 goals or less, 24 by one goal or OT/SOL. Chicago is on pace to lose 21 games by 3 or more.
I know, but I at least know who they are. Letestu was a pretty good "guy". The D was quite suspect, but what surrounded McDavid was far superior to the bucket of anchors Bedard is carrying around. (Like 4 guys on D with a combined 100 NHL games.)
McDavid was 3rd in the league that season in points per game. Bedard isn’t even in the top 50.
And that Oilers team was 2nd or 3rd worst in the team. It was no better than this Chicago team.