November 11, 2023 /

2023/24 Edmonton Oilers GM13: Oilers @ Kraken – 3P2W – Rumors Swirling that Woody and Dutch are OUT and Gallant is the Favorite to Take Over

Hey y’all! Welcome back for another season of Edmonton Oilers hockey! I’m BLH and I’ll be giving you the skinny on today’s game!

If you’re new here and are wondering what 3P2W means, well, it stands for Three Players to Watch and seeing I’m as lazy as I am, I figured we’d shorten it to 3P2W.

So with that out of the way, let’s talk a little bit about what’s been going on lately in the Oilogospehere and then get into the player’s I’ve put under the spotlight for today’s matchup!

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Random Pontifications

  • You know, I have a couple of theories about this year and I’m going to share them with you.
  • One, the early captain’s skate f*cked some things up. Maybe planted some seeds of mistrust with the coaches and players and possibly also between players and leadership. Hence why nobody is playing like they give a shit.
  • The whole moving to a passive d-zone setup like the Kings, does anybody else think that only works for teams that have players who’re willing to block the puck? I mean, essentially the plan is to keep shape, not let passes go through or into the royal road, and wait for the other team to make a mistake in order to hit them on the counter, right?
  • Correct me if I’m wrong, a team overflowing with skill… They’re not going to be aching to get into the shooting lanes.

  • So if the housecleaning does take place after the game tonight. What’s the holdup on Gerard Gallant?
  • I’ve heard they’ve been talking to him for more than a week if not longer. So that’ll give you some idea of how long Woodcroft’s head has been on the chopping block.
  • We’ve all heard Gallant’s the front-runner to take over and I think he’s willing to come in but personally, I wonder if he’s more interested in a short-term gig with the Oilers. I mean, there were rumors last year that he was going to take over in Calgary but that didn’t come to fruition. Perhaps we can take that as a sign that Alberta doesn’t scare him off.
  • That said, there’s a contract waiting for him to sign. I’m very certain of that.
  • And can somebody tell me how Glen Gulutzan might escape another round of coach firings in Edmonton? If that happens and he’s named interim, I’ll be calling him Teflon going forward because he seems to slide out of every sticky situation.

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Three Players to Watch for the (team)

  • Seattle’s 3rd Line of Tolvanen/Gourde/Bjorkstrand – This trio has combined for seven goals and eight assists over their last five games. They are on an absolute tear right now. Gourde is especially going to make his presence noted against an easily annoyed Oilers team.
  • #17 Jaden Schwartz (7g 6a 13pts) – six goals and six assists in his last 10 games and 31 shots to boot. He’s firing on all cylinders for this Kraken team.
  • #29 Vince Dunn (2g 10a 12pts) – He’s ticking along at a point-per-game pace on Seattle’s top pairing. Him and former Oiler Adam Larsson have incredible chemistry.

Three Players to Watch for the Oilers

  • To be honest, there’s not even one player on this roster I’m invested in keeping an eye on in this game. I think maybe Sam Gagner, Dylan Holloway, and Zach Hyman are the only ones who’re still giving it their all until a new coaching staff is hired.
  • Is Pickard starting? If so, I think he’d be a guy I’d probably watch closer just to see if somebody can get this team a save.

The Next Twelve Games (#2-#13)

  • 10/14 vs. Canucks – I think the Oilers will take 2/2 vs. Vancouver to start the year. (W)
    • (4-3 LOSS)
  • 10/17 @. Predators – The Preds don’t scare me. Their roster is in shambles. Poor Jusse Saros and Roman Josi. (W)
    • (6-1 WIN)
  • 10/19 @ Flyers – Their forward group looks entertaining but they’ve got nobody on defense. (W)
    • (4-1 LOSS)
  • 10/21 vs. Winnipeg – The Jets are always a tough out. I like their chances. (L)
    • (3-2 OTL)
  • 10/24 @ Wild – Minny isn’t as good as they used to be but still very solid. (W)
    • (7-4 LOSS)
  • 10/26 vs. Rangers – I like NY’s defense and goaltending here. (L)
    • (3-0 LOSS)
  • 10/29 vs.Flames – Calgary is going to surprise a few this year. (L)
    • (5-2 WIN)
  • 11/2 vs. Stars – This will be a very tight game. (W)
    • (4-3 LOSS)
  • 11/4 vs. Predators – Leon will continue to light the Preds up. (W)
    • (5-2 LOSS)
  • 11/6 @ Canucks – I’ll take Edmonton for a third time here, Alex. (W)
    • (6-2 LOSS)
  • 11/9 @ Sharks – I don’t even recognize half the names on SJ’s roster… (W)
    • (3-2 LOSS)
  • 11/11 @ Kraken – I like Seattle’s roster. Well-rounded. (L)

(predictions made 10/11/2023)

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CategoriesArmchair GM Beer League Hero Edmonton Oilers NHL Rumors

TagsEdmonton Oilers Edmonton Oilers Game day Edmonton Oilers News Edmonton Oilers Rumors Gerard Gallant Jay Woodcroft Ken Holland NHL NHL News NHL Rumors Seattle Kraken

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!