January 2, 2020 /

2019/20 Edmonton Oilers GM43: Oilers @ Sabres – 3P2W PLUS BLH’s Top Ten Oilers Events of the Decade

The Edmonton Oilers will begin a well-needed 5-game road trip in Buffalo tonight. Rogers Place hasn’t been the easiest place to play for these young Oilers. I think the pressure of the local fanbase can be a bit much for these guys and it can strangle the life out of their game. Hopefully, this little roadie can bring back some of that mojo they had earlier in the season so that they can go back to Edmonton and be greeted by a much happier group of fans.

Regarding the game more specifically, there’s a lot of potential for it to be similar to the last one vs. New York. I mean, Eichel vs. McDavid never really disappoints, does it? One MASSIVE question though is how healthy is Oscar Klefbom. As Oilers fans, we know from the past that when Klef has gone down with injury for any extended amount of time, Edmonton’s season has gone to the shitter and the Oilers are right on that brink as we speak. They’ve got to get the wheels back on the track or the ride is over and we can look forward to doing our research into the 2020 NHL draft prospects.

Holland’s Plan for the 2019/20 Oilers Roster

Losing has only been part of the reason for the increased fickleness in Edmonton. The lack of moves on the part of Ken Holland is another that is creating some tense feelings. I really don’t know what people want. Holland is over in the Czech Republic watching the Oilers prospects who are playing in addition to the 2020 draft eligibles. Is he supposed to be negotiating trades during this time too? Come on. He’ll be back by the end of the week and I think it would be fair to assume he’ll be back to the grindstone roster-wise.

Recently Elliotte Friedman noted in his 31 Thoughts blog and on multiple radio hits that he believes the Oilers are unwilling to move their draft picks and I’m here to say that is what I’m being told as well. Convenient message, I know. But it is what it is. What none of the other pundits have said that I’ve been given permission to disclose is that,

“The hope is to move money out in trades. Get rid of the contracts that are not providing much in terms of dollars per production for contracts that provide production.”

We’re probably thinking the same thing, “How in the Hell is Holland going to do that without including draft picks?” and well, it either means sending out prospects like Cooper Marody, Caleb Jones, or Joe Gambardella with those contracts OR it means someone who’s having a tough season but has a bit more name recognition could leaving to sweeten the pot. Could that be Darnell Nurse, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Oscar Klefbom, or Adam Larsson? Who knows? But the plan is to dump bad deals and give the team as much cap space for next summer as possible.

Three scenarios come to mind,

  • Go after a couple of substantial players like Taylor Hall AND Alex Pietrangelo (if he hits the market?
  • Address the depth by trying to sign a group of less popular players but skaters who’d give more bang for the buck, if you will. Tyler Toffoli, Mike Hoffman, Cody Eakin, Tyson Barrie, and Sami Vatanen might be those who’d fall under this category.
  • Might there be an appetite to make some deals for an RFA or two who might be looking for a contract that is too rich for their current club’s taste? Kevin Labanc, Anthony Cirelli, Radek Faksa are some players I could imagine might be looking for a substantial raise next year.

It’s hilarious. There are a lot of individuals on Oilers Twitter who like to make light of “The Plan”. Most of the time they’re making fun of the fact that they don’t believe there is one to begin with. My feeling is they’re the kind of folk who react to disclusion by making fun of those who don’t want them part of whatever they’re doing or saying. Basically, Ken Holland won’t tell us his plan, so we’ll say he doesn’t have one. It’s sad. Truly.

BLH’s Top-Ten Edmonton Oilers Events of the Decade

  1. April 18th, 2015, the Edmonton Oilers win the 2015 NHL Draft Lottery and the Connor McDavid era begins.
  2. On March 28th, 2017, the Oilers clinch a playoff spot for the first time in ten years.
  3. Leon Draisaitl scores in the last game of the 2018/19 season and hits the 50 goal mark.
  4. Ben Scrivens record-breaking 59-save shutout against the San Jose Sharks on January 29th, 2014
  5. Goodbye Northlands Coliseum and Ryan Smyth. (April 6th, 2014)
  6. The trade is one for one. Taylor Hall is traded for Adam Larsson. (June 29th, 2015)
  7. Sam Gagner destroys the Chicago Blackhawks for 8pts on February 2nd, 2012.
  8. Game 2 against San Jose in the 2016 playoffs when Zack Kassian won that game for the Oilers singlehandedly. (April 21st, 2017)
  9. Heritage Classic game with Winnipeg plus the alumni game w/Gretzky, Selanne, and others. (October 22nd, 2016)
  10. Jordan Eberle’s first career goal. (October 8th, 2010)

Honorable Mentions: Opening of Rogers Place, Hall/Omark/Paajarvi/Eberle, “Beat his Ass” Darnell Nurse/Max McCormick fight, the plethora of Oilers dynasty reunions, Dave Semenko passing

The Next Ten Games (41-50)

  • vs. Calgary Flames (19-15-5) – The Oilers should be bitter as hell coming back from the Christmas break and looking for retribution. In terms of gf/ga on the year, the Flames are -12 and Edmonton could feast on that. The Oilers have taken two of the past three contests. (WIN) LOSS
  • vs. New York Rangers (17-15-4) – Edmonton will get its first look at 2019 2nd overall pick Kaapo Kakko and welcome back former Oiler, Ryan Strome. This should be a scheduled win for Edmonton as the Rangers aren’t anything special this year. The Oilers have won three on the trot vs. the Rags. (WIN) WIN
  • @ Buffalo Sabres (17-14-7) – Generally, over the years the Oilers have had pretty good luck in Buffalo, but this year Jack Eichel is a man possessed and last time Rasmus Dahlin was out of the lineup. If Dahlin is back in for this game, he’ll add a significant threat. I like Edmonton’s chances here though. (WIN)
  • @ Boston Bruins (22-7-9) – The Bruins went into the Christmas break on a bit of a slump going 2-4-4 in their previous ten. This is going to be a challenge for the Oilers to win even when Boston is at their worst and there’s no better team to bust a slump against than Edmonton, right? (LOSS)
  • @ Toronto Maple Leafs (20-14-4) – Toronto’s confidence was sky high before baby Jesus’ bday, but guess who comes to play each time he’s back home. That’s right, Connor McDavid. It will take a complete team effort for the Oilers to beat their nemesis, Freddy Andersen, though as he’s really had Edmonton’s number. (OT LOSS)
  • @ Montreal Canadiens (18-13-6) – I really enjoyed Edmonton’s performance against the Habs in their earlier match. If the Oilers can replicate that, I don’t see why a win is out of the question. (WIN)
  • @ Calgary Flames (19-15-5) – Round two! Ding. Ding. In Calgary, I think the Flames might be able to muster up a win here. (LOSS)
  • vs. Nashville Predators (18-12-6) – Is Pekka Rinne in net? If so, I’ll give this one to the Oilers. If it’s Saros, the Preds have a much better chance of success. They’ve been an interesting team to watch this year and are playing in a tough division. Their 42pts at the break had them in 3rd last in the Central… (WIN)
  • vs. Arizona Coyotes (21-14-4) – Hallsy’s back and if the Oilers would like to go that extra mile, they could show him how much of a powerhouse they plan to be next season by wiping the floor with Arizona, but it’ll be a tough game. Arizona is a lot deeper than the Oilers and their netminding has been much better. This needs to be a game where Edmonton’s defense shines. (OT LOSS)
  • vs. Calgary Flames (19-15-5) – Coming off of a 10-day break, Mikko Koskinen and the Oilers will be well-rested. In theory, they should be as ready as they’re ever going to be to take on their inter-province rivals. (WIN)

(Standings as of December 26th, 2019)

Three Players to Watch for the Sabres

  • #26 Rasmus Dahlin – Injuries have slowed down this super Swede in his second season, which is funny to say because he’s still the highest scoring defender on the team with 21pts, but make no mistake about it, he can flip a game on its head with the snap of his fingers.
  • #9 Jack Eichel – He was on an absolute tear before this latest losing streak. Now in his last five games, he’s “only” managed to score three points. He still stirs the drink for Buffalo though and ill be a constant threat every time he’s on the ice.
  • #23 Sam Reinhart – One of the league’s most underrated forwards. He’s a very good two-way skater who is positionally flexible. If there’s one player who’s going to rack up the assists tonight, it’s Reinhart.

Three Players to Watch for the Oilers

  • #56 Kailer Yamamoto – Quite the impressive debut eh? He didn’t play that much thanks to a shat down of penalties getting called, but when he was on the ice, he was effective. I’ll be watching to see if the adrenaline wears off in his second game.
  • #84 William Lagesson – I thought he was solid in his first game. One play against Greg McKegg where he nearly gave up a breakaway might’ve been the only blemish for Wild Bill. What I want to see from this defender is some more tough play in the corners and smart positioning out front of the net.
  • #18 James Neal – He scores in bunches, right? I’m hoping he hasn’t used up his January quota in one go and that there are more to come. What a great net-front presence he’s been this year.

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CategoriesBeer League Hero Edmonton Oilers NHL

TagsBuffalo Sabres Edmonton Oilers NHL

Beer League Hero Written by:

I'm the Beer League Hero! I am from Camrose, Alberta but I make my home in Taipei City, Taiwan. I've been through the ups and downs and the highs and the Lowes, the Bonsignores and the McDavids, the Sathers and the Eakins but I'll never leave my Oilers, no matter what! They're with me until the end and then some. GO OILERS GO!