Roster Moves & Training Camp Discussion

[Paralyzer008]

Unfit to play is a super annoying term - keep in mind the NHL is going to specifically tell us who has Covid once the season starts though.

 

[McDNicks17]

The problem is that Nuge and McDavid never seem to click. I know they had high point totals in the play in but it's a pair that never had much symmetry IMO.
Also, Drai and Yamamoto without Nuge have never shown any signs of real chemistry.

Essentially, what Tippett did and seems to be continuing is breaking up the one line that actually worked (a line that was arguably the best in the league mind you) and instead, creating two lines that MIGHT work but haven't proven to and will be question marks until proven otherwise.

When you have one of the best lines in hockey and the other line is driven by the best offensive player in the league, that's a huge weapon. Now it's more of a question mark. Tippett is trying to overthink it and there's no need to.
With that said, I'm intrigued to see what Kahun and Draisaitl can do together.

I think people are overrating the play-in round.

Drai/Yamo weren't bad without RNH. They absolutely dominated possession(62.1 xGF%), but you aren't going to look good with an .807 SV% behind you.

There was way too much bad puck luck in that series to draw any conclusions on lineup changes, IMO.

 

[Fourier]

The thing about faceoff specialists is they're usually worse than other options for the other 99% of the shift.

I have said this before but there is probably better evidence about the actual value of faceoffs with respect to their impact on winning and losing than most other stats and the verdict is consistently that the difference between a 52% FO guy and a 45% face off guy is minimal at best in terms of what really counts. While it is of course better to win more draws if that player is not as good at other aspects of the game you lose in the long run.

People think that they can tell the difference between someone who wins 46% of their draws and someone who wins 52%. If that player is a fourth liner who takes say 1200 draws you are looking at roughly one extra faceoff win every game game. Over the course of a season that converts to about a one goal change in the teams goal differential which means that every third year or so you can expect to get an extra point in the standings from the improvement.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

I think people are overrating the play-in round.

Drai/Yamo weren't bad without RNH. They absolutely dominated possession(62.1 xGF%), but you aren't going to look good with an .807 SV% behind you.

There was way too much bad puck luck in that series to draw any conclusions on lineup changes, IMO.

Every metric showed the oilers dominating play.

 

[Oilers in NS]

Here is my prediction for opening night:

RNH/McDavid/Kassian
Kahun/Draisaitl/Yamamoto
Ennis/Turris/Puljujarvi
Neal/Khaira/Archibald

Nurse/Bear
Jones/Barrie
Russell/Larsson
Koekkoek

Koskinen
Smith

The season hinges on 3 things:
1. Goaltending (Does Smith have enough gas in the tank to even split games? Can Koskinen show that he can be a #1 goalie in the NHL and not have to split games?)
2. Defense (Can players such as Jones and Barrie step up in the absence of Klefbom? Can Bear replicate his great season last year?)
3. Third line (Can Puljujarvi and Turris prove that they can be positive contributors at the NHL level?)

I think if Puljujarvi gets some PP2 time, he is gonna score some goals. I really like what Holland did this off-season . Chiarelli would have traded Puljujarvi for some magic beans. We have to remember, he was a MVP in World Jrs . I predicting a good year from him. How does 35-40 points sound ? It is only a 56 game schedule

 

[ghostnights]

I think if Puljujarvi gets some PP2 time, he is gonna score some goals. I really like what Holland did this off-season . Chiarelli would have traded Puljujarvi for some magic beans. We have to remember, he was a MVP in World Jrs . I predicting a good year from him. How does 35-40 points sound ? It is only a 56 game schedule

I’d be happy with 20 -30 in a shortened season . Readjusting to the NHL game and new line mates .

 

[CupofOil]

I think people are overrating the play-in round.

Drai/Yamo weren't bad without RNH. They absolutely dominated possession(62.1 xGF%), but you aren't going to look good with an .807 SV% behind you.

There was way too much bad puck luck in that series to draw any conclusions on lineup changes, IMO.

I'm saying that Drai and Yamamoto haven't proven enough away from RNH to be labelled as a reliable pairing, not that they've been particularly bad. I do know that the RNH-Draisaitl-Yamamoto was dominant in two months together and were a big reason why the Oilers were as good as they were in January and February.

I agree about putting too much stock into the play ins which is also why I find it odd that people are trashing Smith so extensively but I digress.

 

[Oilers in NS]

I’d be happy with 20 -30 in a shortened season . Readjusting to the NHL game and new line mates .

For sure. I think we can both agree we just want some production from bottom 6

 

[jukon]

I think if Puljujarvi gets some PP2 time, he is gonna score some goals. I really like what Holland did this off-season . Chiarelli would have traded Puljujarvi for some magic beans. We have to remember, he was a MVP in World Jrs . I predicting a good year from him. How does 35-40 points sound ? It is only a 56 game schedule

The thing is that PP1 plays 80-100% of the powerplay. PP2 has virtually no time to gain the zone and control possession, let alone get a scoring opportunity.

Denis Godla was also MVP of the world juniors. He's a good NHL player right? He wasn't even drafted.

 

[YakDavid]

Well this isn’t a good start. 4 guys either failed fitness testing, are hurt already or have Covid.

The Benson, McLeod, Russell line will be interesting. I think those would be the next three to push. I think a bigger squad will invite more competition

 

[AddyTheWrath]

Well this isn’t a good start. 4 guys either failed fitness testing, are hurt already or have Covid.

I think Koekkoek- Bouchard has the potential to be better than one of the other pairs to be honest.

also I suspect that when Kahun is available, Archie gets pushed to the fourth line where he rotates with Neal/Chiasson for the season.

 

[yegoldboysclub]

Anyone know why Neal is unfit to play, any chance it's travel related, perhaps he has been put on Robidas Island??

 

[Delicious Pancakes]

Neal, Kahun, Shore and Haas are "unfit to play" to start camp.

Speculate away. We know Haas is dealing with Covid/Travel issues.

Haas we knew about. Sucks for Shore who's on a PTO, and for Kahun who needs to build chemistry with his teammates.

Hopefully if any of them have Covid they tested positive upon arrival in Edmonton and have been quarantining since then. Then maybe they'll be able to participate in camp before the season starts.

 

[Oilers in NS]

The thing is that PP1 plays 80-100% of the powerplay. PP2 has virtually no time to gain the zone and control possession, let alone get a scoring opportunity.

Denis Godla was also MVP of the world juniors. He's a good NHL player right? He wasn't even drafted.

Puju was an MVP on a stacked World Jr team of Finland. Very stupid comparison you are putting out there but sounds like you are type of fella that is a Debbie Downer and just wanna crap on someone's post.

 

[McJadeddog]

Well this isn’t a good start. 4 guys either failed fitness testing, are hurt already or have Covid.

Literally none of those lines/pairings are surprising in the least, lol. It's almost strange how "expected" it is.

 

[McDNicks17]

I'm saying that Drai and Yamamoto haven't proven enough away from RNH to be labelled as a reliable pairing, not that they've been particularly bad. I do know that the RNH-Draisaitl-Yamamoto was dominant in two months together and were a big reason why the Oilers were as good as they were in January and February.

I agree about putting too much stock into the play ins which is also why I find it odd that people are trashing Smith so extensively but I digress.

I think it's like the McDavid/Drai separation. You just have to rip off the band-aid and make it work.

As good as the DRY line was, McDavid was stuck with Archibald/Chiasson and it showed.


edit: I also think part of it is coming from the stress on improved 5v5 defense we've heard from the guys. McDavid can likely produce offensively with whatever bum you put with him, but it'll be tough to play actual good structured defense if he's doing everything on the line.

 

[Paralyzer008]

Haas we knew about. Sucks for Shore who's on a PTO, and for Kahun who needs to build chemistry with his teammates.

Hopefully if any of them have Covid they tested positive upon arrival in Edmonton and have been quarantining since then. Then maybe they'll be able to participate in camp before the season starts.

Yeah out of those guys above, the most important to me is Kahun. He has built-in chemistry with Draisaitl but I'd like him to have time before the season to feel comfortable.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

"unfit to play" can mean anything
hopefully some of the local media "insiders" can figure it out

Gregor is on it!

 

[brentashton]

Hoping against hope that Puljujarvi pushes Kassian down.

I wholeheartedly agree. If Kassian is the best option for first line Rightside winger, then that could be a carnival all year for McDavid and RNH.
Step up kids, it’s opportunity time!

 

[brentashton]

Gregor is on it!

yep.Unfounded comment by Jason incoming in 5,4,3...

 

[ChaoticOrange]

Every metric showed the oilers dominating play.

Edmonton wins that Chicago series 9 times out of 10.

The beauty - or annoying - part of sports is luck is always a huge factor. That and garbage goaltending can sink any hockey team at any time.

We were a good team last year, and even missing Klefbom, we should be better than we were.

 

[Snipes45]

Anyone know why Neal is unfit to play, any chance it's travel related, perhaps he has been put on Robidas Island??

Honestly, Neal being unfit to play doesn't bother me at all lol. I hope Kahun gets ready to go. We have the worst luck with injuries though.

 

[Jumptheshark]

My guess Neal and his foot problem again. A few twitter tweet wananbees are suggesting it

 

[ToeMcDrag83]

Don't like the DRY line split up. Should build around that proven chemistry as the foundation of the forward group and trust McDavid will produce regardless.

I get spreading the talent around, but there's a few more pieces there to try with McDavid that won't leave him empty-handed (Kahun, Ennis, Puljujarvi etc. and moreover, there isn't a single player in the NHL who needs less help to be effective still.

Hope we see a few different looks even with the compressed camp.
Sucks that Kahun isn't able to go today.

 

[CycloneSweep]

yep.Unfounded comment by Jason incoming in 5,4,3...

He was right about Klefbom.