Edmonton Oilers Talk: The Clock is Ticking on Yamamoto to Start Producing

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The Athletic

Zach Hyman’s buzzsaw style makes him an instant Oilers fan favourite

This is the player Edmonton needs Hyman to be for most of his contract. A high-end player who can slide in at multiple spots and elevate a line.
He scores from in close (Tippett said the “one-inch line” on the weekend). He pursues the puck like a demon, forming a diabolical pressure duo with young Jesse Puljujarvi. He has great passing ability and anticipation and when he is shuffled from one line to another, doesn’t skip a performance beat.
Small sample sizes make drawing conclusions impossible, but the expected goals for Hyman when he’s on the McDavid line or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins line is solid to good.
Fans should expect to see the line Hyman occupies to outscore opponents in the future, checking the numbers after 20 games will give everyone a clearer view.
Hyman’s points per 60 at five-on-five is 0.97; he has one goal (a dandy against the Vegas Golden Knights with McDavid and Puljujarvi involved in the scoring play)…
Expectations for Hyman should be between 1.82 and 2.14 points per 60 at five-on-five based on his most recent four seasons, possibly a little higher if he spends much of the year on the top line with McDavid and Puljujarvi.
Hyman doesn’t resemble Ryan Smyth as a player, and he doesn’t fill all of the roles Edmonton’s star winger of the 1990s and 2000s provided. Hyman does have that “100 percent desire” that Smyth brought to the game, though, and has a great deal of range… His shot is better but Smyth was superior along the wall retrieving pucks.
Edmonton loves and reveres its all-time players (Wayne Gretzky, McDavid) but the city is defined by rugged, intelligent and effective players with “100 percent desire.”

BLH’s Thoughts: So what you’re telling me is that a blue collar city like Edmonton is taking a liking to a blue collar hockey player like Hyman? I. Am. Shocked…

Oilersnation

Monday Mailbag – Let’s Talk Depth Scoring

We saw some interesting adjustments under pressure vs. Anaheim. If I recall correctly, Bouchard, Barrie, Yamamoto, Perlini all had assignment changes. (Were there more?) Do you think this is a sign of things to come? Bouch & Lambo rising, Barrie & Yamo falling?

I expected Bouchard to be in top pair at mid-season. He was there again v. Vegas. I could see that continuing. He and Barrie could switch at various times during the season. Yamamoto played better against Vegas, but he is pointless in five games. At some point, he will need to produce some points to remain in the top six, but if he plays more games like he did against Vegas he should get some points. If he doesn’t, then Turris or Perlini will get a look there. I don’t see Tippett changing up the Ryan line. They’ve been solid and give him exactly what he wants in a third line. – Gregor

BLH’s Thoughts: I also expected Bouch to get a bit more time on the 3rd pairing before getting scooted up the lineup. My feeling is that as long as he’s playing well and not making any major mistakes, he’ll stay there now. Tippett pumped his tires all summer and I’m not sure if he’ll allow himself to walk that back.

As for Yamamoto, it’s clear the coach trusts him and his linemates as well. So where I’d demote him until he starts hitting the scoresheet, Tippett still sees Killer providing value in the top-six and if you watched his performance vs. Vegas, it would be hard to argue with that sentiment because Yamo was fantastic in getting inside the equipment of the bigger and slower Golden Knights defenders. He has the ability to play the role of disruptor very well, but in order to stay in the top-six, he’s got to make plays and score goals too…

Does the injury to Mike Smith punctuate the need for Ken Holland to find help in the crease or is Mikko Koskinen a good enough plan in case he’s out longer than expected?

I have a hard time imagining the team being comfortable with Koskinen having a full workload ala last year when Smith was out. He’s a solid goaltender, but it’s clear he can’t be a workhorse in the NHL. – Laing

BLH’s Thoughts: The coaching staff is saying that Mikko is good to go but I’m still wondering what he was dealing with the game vs. Vegas… On two occasions the cameras showed him in discomfort and I don’t feel like the coaches have confidence in putting Stuart Skinner in between the pipes this week. So we just might see Koskinen play four or five games in a row depending on how long Smith takes to return.

That said, I don’t know if Holland would make a move to get another netminder unless one of Smith or Koski were out long-term.

What do you see or not see in Kailer Yamamoto’s game right now that is contributing to his struggles?

Not seeing the in-and-out quickness and opportunism that allowed him to steal pucks and to get to open ice for scoring chances that he showed when he was at his best. He’s not big enough to get caught up in physical battles. He has to play smarter, not harder — pressure the puck, quick stick, etc. – Brownlee

BLH’s Thoughts: For me, he’s not spending a lot of time around the net. Killer’s noticeable in the exterior muck but I don’t recall him going net-front much or finding the soft ice.

The Oilers third line has scored a handful of goals which already feels like an upgrade over what we’ve had around here over the past few years. What is everyone’s take on how this trio is performing so far?

They have been solid. Kassian and Foegele are excellent bookends and Ryan is the conscience in the middle. They have scored the Oilers’ first goal of the game in three of the five games. They are producing and scoring at key times. The best part for the Oilers is none of their goals have come with 97 or 29 on the ice. Getting production away from those two has been missing for quite some time. – Gregor

BLH’s Thoughts: I’ve been impressed with Derek Ryan the most because he’s still a very spry player despite his age and he’s winning faceoffs like it’s going out of style. It’s too bad Stauffer didn’t have a better rapport with previous management folk or maybe Ryan would’ve been an Oiler sooner.

The Hockey Writers

Larry Brooks of the New York Post has started to ask the question of how long the Blackhawks wait before they begin to consider trading stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. If the team continues to struggle, he wonders if one or both could become available at the March 21 trade deadline.
According to CapFriendly, Max Pacioretty has been moved to long-term injured reserve after first being placed on normal injured reserve, He suffered a lower-body fracture earlier this month and was added to the list of injuries that have been plaguing the Golden Knights.
According to Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now, the San Jose Sharks might look into the option of reaching a settlement with Evander Kane to terminate his contract but the team is unlikely to find a way to do so. A buyout is probably the only real choice the Sharks have if they want to move on.