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Oilersnation
Monday Mailbag – First impressions of the Battle of Alberta
It’s been 31 years… what’s everyone’s first impression of the playoff Battle of Alberta?
- “Love it. It’s been a long time since these teams were good at the same time like they were in the BOA days.” – Brownlee
What is your take on why this team seems to be back on their heels more often than not at the start of these hockey games?
- “I think it is mental. When they need a good start, games six and seven, they did it and again in game three of the Flames series, so they are capable of it. It has to be a mental block.” – Gregor
Even though it’s been reported that Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse are fighting through pretty heavy injuries, how impressed are you with what they’ve been able to do so far in these playoffs?
- “Draisaitl in particular has just been incredible. He started this series with back-to-back three point games and his two goals have been off the rush. Think about that, the guy playing through a high-ankle sprain is still using his speed to score goals.” – Yaremchuk
I’m a die-hard Nuge fan… I’d love everyone’s thoughts on what needs to change/happen for him to get on the level he needs to be at for playoffs – and silence the haters.
- ” I thought Game 2 was his best of the series so far, and I don’t think it’s surprising that it came when he was moved away from Derek Ryan and Josh Archibald.” – Baggedmilk
BLH’s Thoughts: BoA has been the BoA. The first game was a shocker for both clubs but games two and three have been all Oilers. Before the series started I was pretty sure that Calgary had the ammo to take care of Edmonton but right now I feel like it’s the other way around because I never thought Jacob Markstrom would be getting eaten alive like he is and I thought the Flames would have some sort of defensive response to McDavid, Draisaitl, and Kane. Then came along Zach Hyman, Duncan Keith, and Mike Smith… You never know what’s going to happen on a game-by-game basis, but the momentum is in Edmonton’s corner right now.
I feel less anxious about starting slowly in this series as opposed to the first round vs. LA because Calgary has been unable to hold onto a lead so far.
#LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/VoGnGOhTJ7
— BLH (Edmonton Oilers Enthusiast} (@BeerLeagueHeroe) May 23, 2022
I love that Darnell has settled his game down and kept things simple. Not only is it benefiting him as an individual but it’s helping the team too. It helps that Duncan Keith has stepped up his game and that Cody Ceci is playing fantastic as well though.
As for Leon, I don’t know of there’s a word that comes to mind at the moment that describes my amazement at how he’s battling through the list of injuries he’s got right now. As long as the players he’s passing to keep filling the net, we won’t miss his goal scoring, but I’m glad he’s getting his ginos from time to time.
Game four is going to be a physical one I think. Calgary’s only chance right now is to take out Edmonton’s big boys, so I hope the Oilers are ready.
With Nuge, we’ve got to forget about him producing a lot of points and focus more on his two-way game and playmaking. If you do that, your opinion of how he’s playing will change a bit. With his line, they’ve got Hyman who’s scoring like crazy and the ultimate disruptor in Puljujarvi. They’re going to get in the muck and work the dirty areas to try and grind down Calgary.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cd5rvjZpU0K/
Lowetide
- Will you be completely happy, absolutely thrilled and fulfilled as a fan, if the Oilers win the Stanley Cup with a roster you believe is flawed or could have been constructed more efficiently? Does the journey have to be a certain way in order for you to enjoy it completely?
BLH’s Thoughts: This is peak fanning in Edmonton. There’s an element of the fanbase that can’t enjoy the success of the team unless they win with the team build or tactics approved by said fan and that blows my mind. It’s a massive ego trip for one to only be able to enjoy the success of the team they’re following only if they do it in a manner said individual approves of.
The fact of the matter is, every Stanley Cup winning team is flawed to some degree or else they’d win 16 straight with 16 shutouts and no penalties.
I’ll tell you another fact, it’s no fun to follow a team that always wins because it gets boring. The peaks and valleys that come with cheering for your favorite team are what make it fun.
So, while you may not agree with how your club is built when it eventually wins a championship, you’d best not waste the opportunity to marinate in the happiness and glory that is afforded you when they become champions because you didn’t like a trade four years prior or you think they could’ve signed Player X instead of Player Y. That is called pouting and that’s what children and degenerates do.
Trade Rumors
Spector’s Hockey
- Kristen Shilton previews the Florida Panthers’ potential offseason plans after being swept by the Tampa Bay Lightning… The first will be deciding if Andrew Brunette becomes their full-time head coach or is replaced…
- Shilton also felt the Panthers will have to replace Claude Giroux and Ben Chiarot.
- Shilton expects Zito will spend the summer upgrading the Panthers’ blueline…
- SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barry Trotz could certainly improve the Panthers’ team defense. Food for thought.
Tippett, Smilanic, 2 1sts, a 3rd, & a 4th for 2 months of Giroux and Chiarot has to be an all time horrendous deadline lmao
— Willyston Riellander (@nylanderthews) May 24, 2022
- In his latest mailbag segment, Kevin Kurz was asked about the futures of New York Islanders forwards Oliver Wahlstrom, Anthony Beauvillier and Josh Bailey.
- Kurz felt the Islanders still believe Wahlstrom can develop into a top-six forward despite his struggles this season.
- However, he sees Beauvillier as a possible trade chip to bring in a more consistent winger or a left-shot defenseman to pair with Noah Dobson.
- Clubs with depth issues at forward, such as the Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers or Calgary Flames, could use someone with Bailey’s experience and two-way skills.
- Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson is interested in acquiring a first-round pick in this year’s draft… Someone will have to step up with a big offer for Davidson to consider shopping winger Alex DeBrincat. The only way Patrick Kane gets moves is if he requests a trade.
NHLTradeRumors.me
- According to Jesse Granger, the Vegas Golden Knights are very likely to trade Laurent Brossoit this offseason.
- According to Marco D’Amico, the Montreal Canadiens are expected to target Justin Braun if the defenseman hits the free-agency market.
- Sportsnet hockey analyst Nick Kypreos says that as many as 6-7 teams have reached out to Trotz. Kipper goes on to state that clubs are likely looking at a price tag in the $6M per year range.
BLH’s Thoughts: I do find it interesting that over the hill GM Ken Holland’s team is still in the hunt for a Stanley Cup but Super GM Bill Zito and the Computer Boys are OUT and in a sweep no less… Good thing Florida spent all those future assets on Giroux and Chiarot because next season when he’s not got the advantage of having some superstars on bargain contracts he’ll be able to dip into his minor league roster and graduate a couple young upstarts… Oh wait… He won’t be able to do that at all. Well, on the bright side, he’s got a President’s trophy to show off and a banner to put in the rafters.
As for Andrew Brunette earning the head coaching job, I call BS on that one. Coach Q primed that team for this season and all Brunette had to do is stay afloat and the roster would do the rest (h/t to Zito and the Computer Boys for building a fantastic regular season club). But if ownership wants to take this team to the next level, they hire Trotz and his goaltending guru to do just that.
Tell ya what, if the Oilers could find a way to keep Evander Kane for the next couple of years and add a guy like Anthony Beauvillier, that would be something. Josh Bailey is a fine two-way vet and probably somebody that Ken Holland would pursue if the price was right considering all of the experience he has, but the price isn’t right. Bailey’s contract is way too rich for Edmonton’s blood considering what he brings to the table.
