This is your TL/DR (too long, didn’t read) summary post where excerpts are taken from the best of the best when it comes to Edmonton Oilers blogs. BLH gives you his two cents on the latest posts being published in the Oilogosphere! Including those from Lowetide.ca, The Athletic, Oilersnation, The Cult of Hockey, Copper N Blue, Oil on Whyte, and more!
The latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation comes from all of the internet’s top sites like Spector’s Hockey, The Fourth Period, NHL Trade Talk, The Hockey Writers, Sportsnet, and TSN just to name a few!
If you’re short on time but want to keep up with the day’s Oilers news, you’ve come to the right place!
Give us a follow on the socials!
- Youtube: Beer League Heroes Channel
- Twitter: @beerleagueheroe
- Instagram: @beerleagueheroes
- Facebook: Beer League Heroes
Edmonton Sun
OILERS NOTES: Defenceman Samorukov might get his first NHL look in St. Louis
- Samorukov might get the nod over Broberg for the game in St. Louis because of Broberg’s contract/bonus structure in terms of the tight salary cap.
- With the surprising play of Niemelainen and Broberg, maybe teams are circling at the trade deadline too for Samorukov if the Oilers make a move for a veteran forward to play in the top six.
- Duncan Keith passed his last COVID-19 test after being in protocol and was paired with Cody Ceci at Tuesday’s practice before the team flew to St. Louis. So, that will be one regular defensive pair against the Blues.
- Tippett has certainly noticed fourth-line winger Tyler Benson changing his offensive American Hockey League game to one that’s more irritating, in order to make it as an NHLer. Maybe there’s a bit of a rat there.
BLH’s Thoughts: Showcase time!!! Samorukov will be selling his talents to somebody should he get into the St. Louis game, either to his own GM or to another one. I’m looking forward to seeing this guy steamroll the first Blue to come down his wing and for him to provide some snarl in front of the Oilers net.
All the while when Tyler Benson was percolating in Bakersfield, did you happen to notice any other outlets saying that Benson will need to pivot from a skilled forward to something of a more gritty winger in order to make it on the Edmonton Oilers? Just asking for a friend.
The Athletic
The five most effective Oilers midseason recalls since 1979-80
1. Andy Moog, 1980-81
- Moog’s impact, and the reason he is the most impactful recall in Oilers history, is due to his memorable playoff performance for Edmonton in the first-round victory over the Montreal Canadiens. The upstart Oilers won the series in three straight, Moog’s .938 save percentage and 11 points from Wayne Gretzky the keys to victory. Moog’s first recall was the stuff of legends.
2. Kailer Yamamoto, 2019-20
- Between December 31, 2019 and the season’s untimely end in March, this trio posted five-on-five numbers for the ages: In 317 minutes, the trio outscored opponents 28-8 (78 percent goal differential) with a 53 percent shot share.
3. Esa Tikkanen, 1985-86
- Tikkanen played three games for the Oilers in the 1984-85 postseason, making him a member of a Stanley Cup winner. The following season Tikkanen arrived mid-January, and played on almost every line. Tikkanen gathered points on the second and third lines, and in the playoffs moved up to the top line with Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri.
4. Leon Draisaitl, 2015-16
- Draisaitl would score 7-10-17 in his first 10 games that year, and end the season with 51 points in 72 games, while still offering only a hint of what was to come.
5. Charlie Huddy, 1981-82
- After his recall in 1981-82, Huddy helped in all three game disciplines and delivered quality, reliable play. He addressed a massive area of need and calmed the waters defensively for an expansion team desperate to suppress the chaos.
BLH’s Thoughts: I would imagine the club is hoping to add Dylan Holloway to that list, no?
Just quickly, I want to point something out. LT keeps posting that the Draisaitl/RNH/Yamamoto line has been magic and I’m not buying it. Sure, outscoring the opposition 66-42 at 5v5 since they’ve been united is fantastic, but it ignores a handful of other stats and that first year (2019/20) is skewing the numbers massively.
Year GF GA GF% 2019-2021 42 21 66% 2020-2021 14 13 51% 2021 10 8 55% Take out 2019/20’s heater and things get cold… Fast.
Now, let’s look at some other metrics that broaden the story on the line a bit more.
Year SF% xGF% SCF% 2019-2021 48% 49% 49% 2020-2021 42% 42% 43% 2021 40% 42% 41% Do you notice a trend? So while they’ve been scoring goals at a marginally better rate than their opposition, they’re losing the shot game and the scoring chances game. Basically, that line is leaking the rest of the game to the other team when they’re on the ice. I mean, 60% of the shots are going the other way when this group of forwards are deployed this year? How can that be considering the level of talent on the line?
That is not a recipe for success long-term and if three seasons of publicly available stats aren’t enough of a sample size, I don’t know what to tell you. Maybe the private numbers tell a different story and I’m completely off my rocker.
The Daily Goal Horn
- There’s a widespread belief that Holland is going to go-for-it all this season. While he has needs at defense, third-line center, and possibly in goal, adding veteran scoring wing could also be in the cards… Jim Matheson, who covers the Oilers for the Edmonton Journal believes Phil Kessel fits the bill if Arizona eats half his contract.
- A second round pick is a more suitable return to a team that views Georgiev as their future starter. Keep an eye on the Red Wings, Senators, and Coyotes. All three have multiple second round selections in the 2022 draft.
- … the Penguins also have an aging roster and could look to move veterans at the deadline or draft. Dan Kingerski believes the emergence of Evan Rodrigues will impact Kaperi Kapanen and Jason Zucker. Is it possible that GM Ron Hextall sees them as expendable?
