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Sportsnet
Beyond their top lines, the Oilers are looking lean on offence
- Two nights after losing 3-0 in Seattle, the Oilers dropped a 4-0 decision to a Calgary Flames roster that sported 14 players who will be NHL regulars this year. Edmonton dressed (by our count) seven NHL regulars — and not a Top 6 forward or Top 3 defenceman among them.
- Calgary had five of their Top 7 defencemen in the game, their Top 3 centres, plus Jonathan Huberdeau, Tyler Toffoli and Blake Coleman on the wings. Starter Jacob Markstrom played the first two periods in goal.
- The final shots on goal were 34-21 Flames, and naturalstattrick.com had the high danger chances at 7-1 for Calgary. The Oilers generated nada. Zilch.
- Ryan McLeod was the best Oilers forward, skating miles Wednesday at the Saddledome in a fruitless effort. He has first-line speed, but is still working on those third-line hands, closing the night with zero shots on net in 21:09 of ice time, tops among Edmonton’s forwards.
- Give Warren Foegele credit. He is well aware that he has to stake a claim to some kind of a greater role on this Oilers team, so he’s set his sights on becoming a go-to penalty killer.
BLH’s Thoughts: So the title of this post is referring to Edmonton’s lack of offense after two games of getting shut out to teams who iced rosters that were loaded with players who’ll probably start opening night for them whereas the Oilers dressed their AHL squad with a sprinkle of NHL players and junior prospects?
Where the f*ck was the offense supposed to come from for Christ’s sake? I’ve got a bold prediction, the 2022/23 Edmonton Oilers will have ZERO problems scoring this year regardless of if their bottom six are burying the biscuit or not. What a dumb title.
Puljujarvi goes out and plays a major role in TWO Oilers goals vs. WPG but because he had a shift or two where the puck wasn’t sitting for him, he’s played poorly, but Foegele, who, to my eye, has done f*ck all so far this preseason, gets a pass. Can anybody tell me how well Yamamoto did vs. Seattle? Was he playing? At least Ryan Rishaug had the balls to go on the record and say Kailer did nothing in that match.
So I’m sitting here wondering when is the criticism going to come for Foegele. Is it on the horizon or will we hear excuses because he’s put on a few pounds of muscle and has publicly proclaimed that he’s hungry to play on the PK?
*Takes a breath*
Okay, rant over.
Let’s come back to Earth here. Jesse could’ve grabbed the bison by the horns and asserted himself more than he did against Winnipeg, but he didn’t. To the sofa fan’s eye, he didn’t look like he did a lot. That’s just how it is with him though. His impact on the game is very subtle nine games out of ten.
Now, with Kailer, you notice him right away because he’s a little jitterbug. He’s got quick hands and he’s physical, but he gets pushed out of games and he can’t drive a line. As with Puljujarvi, he’s complimentary and needs another player on his line who can transport the puck.
Holloway has been really fun to watch though. He’s ready to compete at the NHL level. CGY stifled him with ease it seems but that was to be expected. He should definitely be on the 3rd line ahead of Foegele. I actually wouldn’t mind seeing a line that featured him, McLeod, and Pulju.
I really want to say something to defend Foegele, but I just can’t think of anything so far. He’s been unspectacular at best. That said, I hope it changes because I want to be able to share a positive thought of him with you.
What I will say is that I don’t mind his chances of getting on the PK. He moves quickly for a big man. So we’ll see on that. I did find it funny that both Mark Spector and Bob Stauffer said yesterday that if Foegele and Puljujarvi hit the waiver wire it would be McLovin’ who’d pass through.
