Edmonton Oilers Trade Talk: Dreger Says Oilers are Looking for a Right Shot Top-Four Dman

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Sportsnet

Oilers finding defensive identity under new coach Jay Woodcroft

After a wobbly 30 minutes in his debut, Woodcroft’s first two games behind the Oilers bench have mostly resulted in a calm, defensive-minded effort — and only one goal against.
Monday’s effort in San Jose was just this side of perfect, with Stuart Skinner needing to make only 20 saves to collect his first NHL shutout.
This is the game you have to replicate. The kind of air-tight hockey that this Edmonton Oilers franchise has struggled to execute — then duplicate — for literally years now.
Nurse was stellar defensively, playing 23:11. When he stays at home and buckles down, it provides a foundation for a defensive game like the one the Oilers accomplished Monday.

BLH’s Thoughts: At the end of the game yesterday I was left wondering, did the Oilers play that good or were the Sharks that shit? Could the answer be both? I mean, I seriously can’t remember a time when the Oilers completely shut down the other team for stretches like Edmonton did to San Jose last night. Was Logan Couture playing? I think I saw Tomas Hertl at one point and the only time Timo Meier was noticeable was when he took that double penalty. Brent Burns looked like a shell of his former self, too.

So with that said, I’m still not making any judgments on this team with Woodcroft and Manson behind the bench yet.

Cult of Hockey

The Edmonton Oilers blank the Sharks with a suffocating 3-0 performance: Cult of Hockey Player Grades

STUART SKINNER. 9. 20 saves for his 1^st career NHL shutout. If it hadn’t been for Stuart Skinner over the first 6 minutes, this evening might have gone a different direction.
CONNOR McDAVID. 8. Skated miles and miles. Scored the 3-0 insurance goal at the end of a dominating shift where he was all over the ice.
RYAN NUGENT-HOPKINS. 8. Earned a primary assist on the 2-0 with a clean win on an attacking zone draw. Had 3 shots of his own and was 55% on draws (albeit mostly on his strong side).
DEREK RYAN. 8. One of Derek Ryan’s better games as an Oiler. Deflected a point shot, which banked off Foegele and in for the 1-0.
TYLER BENSON. 4. A very quiet 7:58, a fair bit of that late and with the outcome not much in question.
LEON DRAISAITL. 5. Leon wasn’t especially sharp on the attack, did have 2 shots and set up Tyson Barrie for a good chance. Had some struggles with draws (37%) too. Part of the problem on the PP as well.
TYSON BARRIE. 5. Tyson Barrie’s game is steadying a bit after an extended rough patch.
KAILER YAMAMOTO. 5. 3^rd Period take-away and a hit from Yamamoto in what was an underwhelming offensive performance. Needs to find the blue paint more frequently.
RYAN McLEOD. 5. A perfect 3:12 on the PK, where the rookie has fit seamlessly into the rotation under Jay Woodcroft.

BLH’s Thoughts: I suppose the thing that bothered me most about last night’s game was Edmonton’s PP. What in Sam’s Hell is going on with this group? They’re having trouble busting into the other team’s zone, they can’t get set up, they piss around with the puck trying to pass it into the net… There’s zero confidence here.

Why not switch things up a tad and go with something more akin to the Capitals? I think you know where I’m going here, right? Click the clip below and the video should start on one of Karpat’s PP goals where Pulju scores on a real nice one-timer.

Why not try “The Ovi”? Get Jess over there on the left flank and let him hammer that puck. If Draisaitl isn’t 100% and it’s an upper body issue, the Oilers have another giant with a helluva one-timer. Use it.

Now, I don’t think the issues with the poor starts have been eliminated either. In the last two games Smith and Skinner have bailed the Oilers out on countless occasions early on.

However, the PK is looking decent and I’m enjoying the work of Hyman and Nuge as a pair there. Derek Ryan is coming back to life and Ryan McLeod is really emerging as a force on the kill too.

So, what I’m thinking is that this team needs a bit more piss and vinegar on the ice from the start of the game. Somebody who’ll lay a hit, crash the net, or just something that gets under the other club’s nerves from the drop of the puck. If Tyler Benson were four inches taller and a better skater, he’d be perfect. I mean, he’d also be Tom Wilson, but that’s beside the point. What about Nic Deslauriers from Anaheim though?

Spector’s Hockey

Adrian Dater yesterday tweeted he was told Claude Giroux has informed Philadelphia Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher he wants to go to the Colorado Avalanche. Failing that, the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues would be acceptable alternatives.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski recently reported the improved performance of Casey DeSmith over his last two games could lessen the need for the Penguins to pursue a reliable backup if he can maintain that level of play.

NHLTradeRumors.me

According to Darren Dreger of TSN, the Oilers are looking for a right-handed defenseman to play in their top four.
New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield could be traded before the deadline passes, according to Frank Seravalli.

BLH’s Thoughts: I’m not saying… I’m just saying.

This is THE guy for the Oilers to acquire in their bid to unlock this team’s ceiling.

If Holland can grab Mayfield and move Barrie before the deadline passes, this team is cooking with… OIL!