The Oilers have only made the playoffs 3 times in the McDavid era but when they do, they do it comfortably. They ain't got no time for this bubble shit.
Post-Game Talk: x - KRY line brings back DRY memories
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The Oilers have only made the playoffs 3 times in the McDavid era but when they do, they do it comfortably. They ain't got no time for this bubble shit.
alphahelix
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This is still an interesting area IMO. Teams always have executives devoted to player development and I’m sure the coaching staff likes to think that they have everything under control, while the players want to have control over their own development decisions in the offseason. There is no doubt that Oates had a major effect on some players, especially in areas of specialization. The Oilers DID bring in Paul Coffey, and faced some criticism for his high salary per day of work etc. He was ousted, but he DID spend time with Bouchard. It will be interesting to watch how things play out. Maybe that type of investment/intervention for young players is worth it. Obviously coaching staff will be paying careful attention to development, and it is commonly accepted that we -and most teams- have a skating coach (Pelletier) on staff... but we don’t have a shooting coach, a face off coach, etc. Whatever.
We are developing a bumper crop of D over the past few seasons. Did we just improve our drafting substantially or did an extra layer of coaching/training have an impact?
Here’s another question that I’ve never seen answered elsewhere: Many other professions/employers allow for a personal development/training budget that can be tapped into. Are NHL teams allowed to pay for extracurricular development activities? Is BioSteel paid for by the team? Does that impact the salary cap? Is this an area where a competitive advantage can be gained if players are given substantially better/potentially expensive options for their development and don’t have to pay out of pocket? Can players bill the team for an Adam Oates consultancy?
No. 97 and 29 need to be split in the playoffs if the Oilers want to maximize their potential.
I can't see KRY being effective in a tight checking, physical playoff series.
Kassian was great in the few games before he got injured, I'm not sure what those other posters were seeing. He was channeling that playoff energy, which made me confident that he'll bring it in the playoffs.
joestevens29
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I really don't think he spent that much time with him though. I know he did a couple times, but it wasn't a lot.
Part of the issue with player development is you can't force guys to do it. The other part is you only have x amount of time you can practice nowadays, so it hampers a team from keeping the centers out after practice to practice on faceoffs or what not.
So it becomes do you work on systems or do you work on specific tasks?
The only thing the team really can do is make recommendations for what the players should work on in the summer. I think this partially why you end up with favoritism from coaches across the league. You have a guy that does everything you ask him to in the summer then the coach gains that trust with that player. Flip side you have a guy with clear weaknesses and he does nothing all summer, then he gets the shit end of the stick from the coach
Delicious Pancakes
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alphahelix
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I think the most important consideration here is for developing players, not-yet-roster-regulars etc. Always going to be more motivated, and we have failed as an organization historically, at least until recently. Obviously a strong AHL staff is helping and maybe there is an improvement in drafting. But is it a coincidence that we had that extra layer and now we have all of these guys turning into solid pros?
Ultimately mature NHL professionals on long term deals are going to exercise control over their own development for better or worse. You can only “coach” these guys and nudge them in the direction you want them to go, but offering a league-leading professional development budget and brokering connections to pros like Coffey/Oates/Gretzky might be helpful too.
McShogun99
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I think in the playoffs we’ll see the DRY line and Mcdavid-JP with a rotating winger.
ujju2
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Kahun looked good with McPizza, no reason to rotate wingers on that line unless he falters imo.
Louis Cypher
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Aren't we supposed to be firing the GM and Coach? Just checking if that's still a thing.
NeverForget06
Here we go again !
Imagine being Pulju though.... last year you were out of the league... weren't sure when you would get back and where you were going to play. Now you're on the Oiler's top line playing with the two top scorers in the national hockey league 
CageRage
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Jimmi McJenkins
Sometimes miracles
Hell what might be the best to forwards in the world. And you're put there because the coach sees you as a good fit for these superstars. What a revelation he's been this season.Imagine being Pulju though.... last year you were out of the league... weren't sure when you would get back and where you were going to play. Now you're on the Oiler's top line playing with the two top scorers in the national hockey league
Faelko
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Not sure if anyone beat me to it but I’m pushing Draisaitl for Selke.
That’s reserved for Matthews along with the Norris, Calder and Jack Adam’s.
Faelko
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I forgot his generational puck retrieval per 60 stats, my bad.
McShogun99
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I think it more depends on if we need some size/toughness with Mcdavid during the playoffs.
AddyTheWrath
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Oilers have only allowed 1 goal against in 4 of the last 6 games.
Twice against Winnipeg, once against Calgary, once against Vancouver.
Twice against Winnipeg, once against Calgary, once against Vancouver.
Jimmi McJenkins
Sometimes miracles
This team has breakdowns (but all teams do) however they are so much better defensively this year then in years past. They get the puck more often and more often safely, and they really limit opportunities and repeat opportunities.
joestevens29
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I could be wrong, but I thought Eichel was in for the Jack Adam's and the Jim Gregory award.
joestevens29
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I think part of it is positioning of our forwards. Even if they are just standing around they seem to be getting in lanes way better. So even if there is a bad turnover the offense only has one option. In the past the guy with the puck would have the option of shooting, skating around or passing.
Lot easier on a goalie when he just has to worry about facing a shooter dead on.
My sense is that Halloway will spend a majority of the year in the AHL, so when he comes up, he'll be prepared like RM
LTIR
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I don't agree.
McDrai get the best out of each other and should remain together.
Archibald seems like a good fit with the duo. Only issue with that is his TOI.
McD-Drai-Archi
Kahun-Nuge-Pulju
xx-McLeod-Yama
xx-Khaira-Chiasson
xx being Neal/Shore/Ennis/Kassian
LTIR
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Bouch coming in and playing good is another nail in the coffin for this coach!...
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Kidding
