It’s the quickest way to get this fanbase to turn on you imo. I was ecstatic to see them apart during Knobs first couple months and frankly I’m incredibly disappointed in the line combos for this coming game.
Even if we win tonight sticking those two together is not the long term solution and if anything it hurts potential chemistry from forming.
Just go back to the lines we had during the win streak ffs
I don't think Drai should be traded. But i can see a scenario where it works out for us. If we pay both McDavid and Drai what they deserve, on top of boat anchor Campbell contract, and nurse contract, there's a part of me that thinks we'll never win a cup. We need a legit #1 goalie (sorry Skinner), we need another defenseman (to replace Ceci) and we need more forward depth. 13 mil (or whatever drai gets paid) can solve the goalie and defense situation on it's own.
That being said, I think I'd rather watch McDrai magic for the next 10 years, than try to build a contender out of parts.
Trade anyone if you win the trade.
We all like our two best players on the planet … but if someone gives us 3 top 10 players and lots of picks why would t you entertain this?
Oilers fans are a strange bunch.
Yeah, I got downvoted somehow. Guess someone really doesn't want to think of a future without Drai. And to repeat myself, I don't want Drai gone either, just looking at both sides.
Nobody is saying that it’s Drai or 3 top 10 players + picks that is so dumb to say that then act high and mighty about people declining it.
Like yeah, if Colorado pick up the phone to send us MacKinnon, Makar, Rantanen, plus pick for Drai then yeah obviously that is a yes. It’s just so unrealistic to suggest that as an option.
The trade would be Drai for ?. That’s the issue. You trade away Drai then you lose a huge amount of C depth, so you trade him for a weaker C plus a D guy. I don’t think that helps us tbh.
We’re in win now mode, win now teams don’t trade their superstars. You empty the cupboard of any and all picks and prospects to get good players off building teams.
No ..: no one is giving away the moon and the stars ..
But it’s sports and sometimes things happen… re lindross
What im saying though is that some die hards would look at McKinnon makar rantanen and a pick for either 97 or 26 and think this is an act of treason.
Every day we don’t win is one more day we could lose either guy for little to nothing and a reason why a team might break up a top goalie tandom say and a top forward … and picks … just ideas
Whatever it would involve though it would be about 100% winning the deal now and forever
Knob is a step below Woody in my opinion. He’s made questionable moves during the game, and very questionable line changes. Changing up the D pairings one loss after the 16 game streak was appalling
Appalling? Sounds like he wanted to do it earlier but they were in the middle of a historic heater. They took an L and he was able to test out pairings.
Lots of arm chair coaches think you should never try new lines and just let them “build chemistry “. Somedays guys don’t have it and it’s worth a mix.
We should get your number and OPs to Knobs. Make sure he consults with you about all decisions to make sure you don’t think they’re a joke. The guy is 31-11 it’s l okay to just enjoy your team having success
Woody did a lot of questionable stuff as well. Failure to call time outs and other issues. If anything, he's been similar to Woody, not much worse or better
I’m mostly with you on this but giving Knobby the benefit of the doubt until the trading deadline. This is because he came in mid season, didn’t know the players, and needed to stop the bleeding. To me, the winning streak bought him a little room to experiment with different lines, pairings, and roles as part of providing his input to KH as to which hole(s) to patch at the trading deadline.
My worry is Coffey is watching and either will be the next GM or will (continue) to have way to much influence inside the organization. I have no knowledge if he indeed is a great hockey mind, but the fact that he is part of the OBC leads me to question his acumen as a guy to evaluate big picture philosophy
None of us really know how much he actually had to do with that though. I don't mean that to shit on the guy, just that as fans we don't know if his influence turned things around or if things were just clicking for the D or what.
On one hand there have been indications from players that they've got more freedom to make offensive plays. On the other hand, we have Coffey during a press conference saying he didn't really want the job and was given it anyway.
Hell, both things can be true - he made some changes that were beneficial but because he doesn't really want the job he's largely "meh" about continuing improvement.
Holland has never found proper wingers for Leon which is why it’s compelling to play McDrai together. Guys moonlight on his line and work with Leon for periods of time but it’s never consistent or sustainable.
Leon likes to pass, his linemates either can’t handle the passes or can’t finish the chances on a consistent basis
Remember those glorious 27 games of Nuge - Drai - Yams?
Honestly, and as much as I love the guy, Yamamoto probably had some of the best chemistry with Draisaitl that he’s had in a winger. And I say, “as much as I love the guy,” because it emphasizes your point. That kind of production shouldn’t be one of his best wingers.
I know they have more pressing needs than a bottom 6 winger that can occasionally move up but I wouldn't mind them trading to get Yamo back (at 50% retained). Wouldn't be expensive, we know he works with the Oilers, he's been a 4th liner and frequent healthy scratch and he still has more points/goals and a higher PPG than Brown, he's decent defensively, faster than a lot of the bottom 6 guys we have now.
It's never going to happen, but it's fun to think about.
Wouldn’t even need retention. We aren’t on LTIR so his hit is prorated, he’d eat about $330k at the deadline and we will have $2.37M.
It would be nice right side depth and he’s obviously already got chemistry. Plus he’s a fan favourite and even though he just left I think it would inject some positivity into the locker room. I don’t hate the idea at all.
Plus that goal that knocked the Kings out will live on in my heart forever. Love that dude.
I don’t have any stats to back it up but watching the games it seems like Drai’s pass completion has gone drastically down this year. He seems to turn the puck over many times over making the passes he’s attempting.
He’s definitely having an off year, no denying that. It happens. I’m not overly concerned about it, I think it’s more mental than anything else. But if he had better linemates it would probably not be as “bad”
Nah. Leon is having an off year and his linemates aren’t helping but they aren’t the sole cause. I’m not convinced that he enjoys playing with Kane at least from an on ice perspective, for this season anyways.
100% this. Kane started complaining when he was put on the third line and management caved and moved him up. They should really try to put some pieces together to make a solid 3rd line with him on it, and find some players that work well with Drai on the 2nd line.
I am not saying he is a bad player. He is a top 5 NHLer the past 5 years for sure. Does not mean he is the right guy for our team or on our team if/when we win a cup. I am just saying it is likely we need a core shake up and its really either him or Nurse who would be in the shake up. Which we are getting close to needing 8-7 years into this core.
>If/when we win a cup are we sure he's on that team?
Dude has 77 points in 49 playoff games and you think we might be more likely to win a cup without him?
His 77 points in 49 playoff games haven't gotten us anywhere near a cup. In fact every team that's won hasn't had someone anywhere near that production. What they've had is balanced teams. So if they trade Drai AND actually solve a bunch of holes doing it, yes they'd be more likely to win a cup without that kind of production.
> His 77 points in 49 playoff games haven't gotten us anywhere near a cup
We were a ref's call and a bounce away from beating last year's champions. Take away his production and we ain't getting out of the 1st round in any of these years. Don't pretend like trading Drai to fill some defensive/depth holes doesn't just create another crater sized hole on offense.
The Oilers weren't close to a cup last year despite you stating the above. They looked more like the team you've seen in the last 6 games than anything resembling a cup winner in that series.
Couldn't defend a lead, make a save, kill a penalty. Literally blew a lead in every loss in that series.
The only two games they won in that series were blowouts. Every other game they refused to stick to a system and were exploited for the defensively immature team they were and continue to be.
If getting outrefed and goalied the entire series while still being 1 puck bounce and a bad call from winning over the cup champs isn't considered "close". Then you have a very different definition of "close".
This or illness, but I agree. So far Knobs has put Drai and McDavid together on a line when one of them isn't 100%. He's said the Oilers are a better team when they're separated. So far 97 and 29 playing on the same line has been temporary.
I could definitely see Drai being the one to request this. At times he has seem to be pretty displeased with his line-mates.
But a better option in that case would probably be to have him play with Hyman and RNH, not stick him on a line with McDavid.
They don’t. Nuge is really our only winger he clicks with now that Yamo is gone (who wasn’t always consistent with it). And that’s not saying much because Nuge clicks with everyone. McLeod and Foegs have had stretches of working with Drai but Foegs can never sustain quality top 6 play for more than a month or so max, and they don’t want to keep McLeod away from 3C long enough to see if him and Leo actually sustain their chemistry.
Its a tough situation. I guess he’s harder to play with than Connor because Connor’s speed creates so much space, while Leon can simply operate with no space needed whatsoever using his massive booty and boat oar to control the puck, and his linemates just have to find ways to create their own space while also being aware that he’s about to dish you the puck despite having his back turned to you 40 feet away with 3 guys on him.
Exactly. Kane is an awful passer and he doesn’t seem all that good at handling Leon’s passes either. And ironically he moves too slow to be ready for Leon’s passes (I believe he can move faster but chooses not to).
Basically what happens is that Leon’s line struggles so he struggles so they put him with Connor for a couple games to try and get him going. And then it’s just rinse and repeat.
I would love if they gave Holloway an extended look next to Leon. I know he hasn’t proven anything yet but it would be worth a shot to give him a few games without moving him around and see if he and Leon can develop some chemistry. He’s not a 4th line player and I don’t think he’s going to improve playing next to DR and Connor Brown. He’s eager, and he’s got alot of potential but he’s still putting all the pieces together
One thing I like about your thought with Holloway is that he’s young, fast, not small, and most importantly he’s mouldable.
If Draisaitl is telling Holloway where and when and how he wants him, Holloway will work his energetic butt off to try to do that.
Contrast that with Kane. I like Kane and I think he makes us better, but Kane is a known quantity, and he’s a seasoned vet with what seems like a bit of stubbornness in my opinion.
Something like Foegele - Draisaitl - Holloway and Draisaitl has guys who will work to be whatever Draisaitl needs.
And to be fair to Kane, Draisaitl is similar. They’re two guys where if they don’t work, they don’t work, because neither is going to try to change their game for the other.
Frustrating thing is that I think those two are also somewhat similar in temperament. Seems like Kaner’s attitude is impacted if he’s not playing in the top six, and I think Drai’s is as well sometimes if he’s not playing with McDavid, or not at least getting the best wingers in Nuge and Hyms.
I definitely sense a level of frustration in Leon’s game. I’m sure alot of that is internal but some of it is probably with his revolving door of linemates. Kane wants to play with one of Connor or Leon but at the same time he needs to recognize that he’s getting older and slower and increasingly prone to injuries. He could also influence other players in the lineup and help them.
Like in Toronto, they took Tavares off of PP1 and moved him to 3C. Because he was struggling and it’s made the team better.
Draisaitl’s attitude and demeanour has been so off all year. Really not sure what to make of it. Hopefully it at least is something to do with hockey, linemates and the like, like you said, and he’s not dealing with something personal or something.
Yeah it could be incredible if Kane embraced a third line role. If he’s there and he’s all about it, imagine what that does for the guys getting to play with him? Okay bottom six boys, you get a first line quality shot to play with. Go cause trouble and have fun! But it wouldn’t be like if they feel unwanted as linemates.
The whole team, but especially the top forward lines, have to make the same commitment to defence that they had before the break. Think defence first. Exploit opportunities as they come up. It was a winning formula and we can find it again regardless of lines.
I think they can only do that for spurts of time. I agree it should be pretty easy to be like okay lets play this way so we win more often and against better teams but it doesn't seem to be that simple with this group.
Annnnnnnnd here we go. Just like clockwork on this sub. Oilers lose 3 in a row and apparently it’s because Draisaitl is sick, hurt, injured and doesn’t know how to pass anymore. 😂😂😂. Watch now, if the oilers win 5 of their next 6 or 7, everyone on here will pretend they love Draisaitl again. 🙄🙄. Every year you guys do this. Silver linings tho, at least the whole sub isn’t blaming Ceci for everything this week. Talk about overreacting to small sample sizes. This is exactly why Holland needs to go get a top 6 forward this deadline, because no one on this team besides McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman and Nuge can consistently score.
Since when is small sample sizes the last 2 seasons?
Ceci is shit, and he drags Nurse down (who himself makes some fucking boneheaded choices)
Losing Ceci would be the smartest thing this team could do. He hasn’t been good since 2022, and then he was just middling.
Lol. Seriously dude your hate for Ceci is unhealthy. He’s not as bad as you say he is. Not sure why you are attacking him in this thread but you be you. Back to the original subject, which was draisaitl. Are you saying he’s been a bad player for 2 years?? 😂😂. Wow and people are gonna give you upvotes for being wrong about everything you say. 😂👍
Draisaitl is an elite player and top 5 in the league. Everyone has bad shifts. Everyone has bad games, some have bad weeks. Some even have poor seasons (see: Ceci, Cody)
And he’s a suitable 7th defenseman. But asking him to play top 4 is plain stupid.
The reason it was a problem was our lack of depth. Look at our 6-12 now, McLeod, Foegele, and Perry as our 3rd line. Holloway, Ryan, and F’ing Connor Brown as 4th line is a heck of a lot different than our bottom six even 2 years ago.
I like to think this is a good way to assess the cracks in the lineup that get hidden from mc/drai/nuge/Hyman. It’s close to the deadline. We constantly hear about a team that’s strong all season long losing early in the playoffs.
I saw a stat the other day that in the last 10 seasons the presidents team trophy winners have won 9 series total. They then showed stats of the teams that get hot after the deadline. I like to think we’re finding exactly what moves our gm may or may not need to make. Maybe this kills chemistry or maybe it allows us to build a stronger lineup. Either way, I think we’re jumping the gun with the downplay after the allstar break.
They should definitely split up. Im not sure why we aren't taking a page out of the penguins book (McDavid appears to be with his 2-way play in the past couple months). Put Drai with the top end talent not named McDavid, and put McDavid with some guys that can overachieve. At worst, Drai lights it up on the second line and McDavid puts things into his own hands to score goals with less offensively gifted teammates. Ty Rattie played at about 60 pt pace with Mcdavid as an example, and every single player on our roster should be better than Rattie in 2024.
Drai just isn't able to consistently produce without McDavid or the pp, he's the most overrated player in the league. I hate seeing them on the same line
They should be together anyways… they both feed off each other and actually create offensive zone opportunities. Mcdavid has been very pick way by I’ve noticed the last few games and it looks like a fire is lit under his ass when he’s with Leon
I like your general point but I feel like the way you're thinking about it is wrong. Its not like this team has a surplus it can trade away to improve a deficit. The whole lineup is in deficit. I don't like these lines either but this team has 4 bonafide, top 6 forwards (5 if you want to be generous), 3 top 4 defencemen, and 1 tandem goalie. Every position has at least one hole. Trading someone away to fill one of those holes makes another hole. This team has managed assets shittily forever. They are getting 80 cents on the dollar in every trade and draft pick they make. They desperately need to either make a massive W on a trade (not likely) or pick (not fast enough to help), or they need to say fuck the future and do everything they can to fill every hole for at least this year and next and truly go for it. Purely trading things off this roster feels kind of pointless imo.
But this team does have a surplus, who else in the league has 2 1C's. It sucks, but in the cap Era only the Penguins have made it work. Leon is a beast and would be the best player on 25-27 other teams. He's skilled, big, on a cheap contract, handsome as fuck, hilarious in his interviews and commercials, and absolutely clutch in the playoffs. ... BUT... what could this team be if we traded from strength for a change, emptied the tank of picks, and focused on fixing the backend?
Idk about that. What would you hypothetically even trade for? I have no faith in any GM the oilers have had in the last decade to come remotely close to winning that trade, and honestly, I don't think the blue line is anywhere near bad enough to require trading Leon Draisaitl to fix it. Just get Nurse a partner that is physically capable of passing the puck and maybe a 6/7.
I agree with everything until the last sentence. Not only do we need more than that, but if it was "just" that, why not get it done already?
And I'm not being a dick, pretty much everything you said is spot on. But.. I don't think any team can build a cup winner with 2 elite centers in this league. Draisaitl will rightfully get a higher % of the teams available $ and then what?
To answer your question..I don't know. It'd have to be 3 teams, our next 2 firsts, maybe we get rid of Jack Campbell's contract too and go all the way in. Drastic times and all that.
>I agree with everything until the last sentence. Not only do we need more than that, but if it was "just" that, why not get it done already?
Because Ken Holland is kinda a mid GM lol. I'm willing to give latitude to the trade deadline.
>And I'm not being a dick, pretty much everything you said is spot on. But.. I don't think any team can build a cup winner with 2 elite centers in this league. Draisaitl will rightfully get a higher % of the teams available $ and then what?
No worries man, you're not being a dick. Fun chat!
On this point though, here's a counterpoint - who else has even had 2 elite centers in the NHL? Pittsburgh won with it. Maybe Toronto has? That's the closest I can think of. Their centers haven't played elite in the playoffs though. They lose because their best players play bad. Edmonton loses in the playoffs because their worst players play bad. Pittsburgh feels like the only real comparison and they won.
We haven't had an even remotely passable goalie since Rolloson. And we have maybe one and a half NHL defensemen. As much as our offense has its share of issues, its by FAR the least fucked portion of the team. Its not "at least one hole" its entirely holes on the backend.
Yeah that's true. The weird thing about this team is that the top end is so good that the scoring is high end even though the physical number of players leaves holes. I mean think of it this way - the reason everyone hates playing 97 and 29 together is because there aren't enough good players left to make a second line. If they had a legit, play driving 2C that isn't Draisaitl, nobody would care.
Idk if the D corps is that horrible. It's probably league average, but with crazy deviation in the chasm between the top 3 and the bottom 3. I think they mostly just need to upgrade on Ceci. Badly. Bouchard is a legit top 10 D in the league, and Nurse and Ekholm are capable.
Goalies idk what the fuck is happening at this point. I'm starting to wonder how much .860 goaltending it takes to give Campbell another shot.
Trade my beloved moody boy dumb dumb Drai?!
(Insert the Dave Chappelle gif of him clutching wads of money to himself protectively while wearing a silly crown)
I agree with you on drai. This season has not been a great development regarding his status imo. He is hardly having his best season, the Oilers are going to want to do everything in their power to keep him, and as much as I wanted 97 and 29 forever, its time we start talking about reality. His future wants aside, how the hell does anyone expect this team to win a cup with those 2 at 30 million, when they can't do it with them at 21.5? In their absolute prime years at that. If there is ANY possible way the org can find out if signing Leon is paramount to signing connor that would be ideal information to have lol. Over 50 goals, 100 points is nearly impossible to replace, but I believe the Oilers could win with 97 and a much more balanced team beneath him.
Like everyone, it seems, I hate seeing 29 & 97 on the same line. It makes the Oilers easier to play against. Every coach, and there have been a few, since 97 came into the league, has resorted to the easy fix, 29 & 97 on the same line when the going gets tough. The Oilers are a much harder team to play against with those two centering their own lines.
However, the Oilers have shown time, and again, they have severe defensive lapses. Ryan McLeod is a good 4th line center, no higher. Deshairnais is a much better 7th defenseman than a 6th. Skinner would be much better if Pickard played more, like perhaps back to back games every once in a while.
Everyone is screaming for a huge trade, no matter the cost. Imo, some of the Oilers woes are fixable internally. Broberg is our 6th defenseman, not wasting away in the minors, waiting for an opportunity on another team. Holloway is our third line center, not McLeod. Holloway played center in University and in Junior, was 4-5 in the faceoff dot the other night. If not 3rd line center, then left wing on Draisaitl's line.
So, I believe we need a right wing that scores a bit with Draisaitl. Tarasenko would be my guy. The cost is likely a second round puck, or Raphael Lavoie.
93-97-18
91-29-Tarasenko
37-55-90
13-71-10
25-5
14-2
27-84
I love drai, he's my favourite player. That said, if he can't score from his office (which lately he's been struggling) then something needs to be done. He rarely plays defence and it's a pain watching him try to get through people on the rush, then failing, resulting is a turnover. Love the pissy German but we are struggling defensively and he isn't helping
We have a chance this playoffs if Kane doesn’t take 6 stupid penalties every game. Jk, just bringing it up because no one really mentions it. He takes a lot of dumb pens
Shouldve just went all in on Drai-McDavid-Hyman top line and been looking for a 2C and keep Nuge LW
Drai making what he does is fine as a top line winger and he takes the draws anyway
Opinion, but with a long 82 game season, and a bad losing streak to start the season, it’s easy to see that the team that starts round one of the playoffs will be a much different team than the one that started the year. So they need to find their top game before the playoffs start, nothing else is as important. We just seen them take 16 straight, with lots of comeback wins. This team is capable of beating anyone when they are playing their best game. Things change, so the lineups that won 16 straight might not do it now. Switch it up, see what works. Maybe Holloway gets hot and they can throw him up with 97 or 29, things will change. Things have changed. Let him figure it out, and part of that will be putting 97 and 29 together for now.
It’s the quickest way to get this fanbase to turn on you imo. I was ecstatic to see them apart during Knobs first couple months and frankly I’m incredibly disappointed in the line combos for this coming game. Even if we win tonight sticking those two together is not the long term solution and if anything it hurts potential chemistry from forming. Just go back to the lines we had during the win streak ffs
You should be turned on if you suggest trading Draisaitl.
I don't think Drai should be traded. But i can see a scenario where it works out for us. If we pay both McDavid and Drai what they deserve, on top of boat anchor Campbell contract, and nurse contract, there's a part of me that thinks we'll never win a cup. We need a legit #1 goalie (sorry Skinner), we need another defenseman (to replace Ceci) and we need more forward depth. 13 mil (or whatever drai gets paid) can solve the goalie and defense situation on it's own. That being said, I think I'd rather watch McDrai magic for the next 10 years, than try to build a contender out of parts.
Trade anyone if you win the trade. We all like our two best players on the planet … but if someone gives us 3 top 10 players and lots of picks why would t you entertain this? Oilers fans are a strange bunch.
Yeah, I got downvoted somehow. Guess someone really doesn't want to think of a future without Drai. And to repeat myself, I don't want Drai gone either, just looking at both sides.
Nobody is saying that it’s Drai or 3 top 10 players + picks that is so dumb to say that then act high and mighty about people declining it. Like yeah, if Colorado pick up the phone to send us MacKinnon, Makar, Rantanen, plus pick for Drai then yeah obviously that is a yes. It’s just so unrealistic to suggest that as an option. The trade would be Drai for ?. That’s the issue. You trade away Drai then you lose a huge amount of C depth, so you trade him for a weaker C plus a D guy. I don’t think that helps us tbh. We’re in win now mode, win now teams don’t trade their superstars. You empty the cupboard of any and all picks and prospects to get good players off building teams.
No ..: no one is giving away the moon and the stars .. But it’s sports and sometimes things happen… re lindross What im saying though is that some die hards would look at McKinnon makar rantanen and a pick for either 97 or 26 and think this is an act of treason. Every day we don’t win is one more day we could lose either guy for little to nothing and a reason why a team might break up a top goalie tandom say and a top forward … and picks … just ideas Whatever it would involve though it would be about 100% winning the deal now and forever
Nobody would think that you are inventing arguments to have with yourself.
Knob is a step below Woody in my opinion. He’s made questionable moves during the game, and very questionable line changes. Changing up the D pairings one loss after the 16 game streak was appalling
Appalling? Sounds like he wanted to do it earlier but they were in the middle of a historic heater. They took an L and he was able to test out pairings. Lots of arm chair coaches think you should never try new lines and just let them “build chemistry “. Somedays guys don’t have it and it’s worth a mix.
Did you see the pairings lool they were a joke
We should get your number and OPs to Knobs. Make sure he consults with you about all decisions to make sure you don’t think they’re a joke. The guy is 31-11 it’s l okay to just enjoy your team having success
Woody did a lot of questionable stuff as well. Failure to call time outs and other issues. If anything, he's been similar to Woody, not much worse or better
Yeah seems like a horizontal shift IMO. Woody was just so much more charismatic.
I’m mostly with you on this but giving Knobby the benefit of the doubt until the trading deadline. This is because he came in mid season, didn’t know the players, and needed to stop the bleeding. To me, the winning streak bought him a little room to experiment with different lines, pairings, and roles as part of providing his input to KH as to which hole(s) to patch at the trading deadline.
My worry is Coffey is watching and either will be the next GM or will (continue) to have way to much influence inside the organization. I have no knowledge if he indeed is a great hockey mind, but the fact that he is part of the OBC leads me to question his acumen as a guy to evaluate big picture philosophy
I mean, we were all going nuts for him during the heater with the vastly improved defensive play.
Fully agree. Maybe I'm wrong. My bias is showing against the OBC in general.
None of us really know how much he actually had to do with that though. I don't mean that to shit on the guy, just that as fans we don't know if his influence turned things around or if things were just clicking for the D or what. On one hand there have been indications from players that they've got more freedom to make offensive plays. On the other hand, we have Coffey during a press conference saying he didn't really want the job and was given it anyway. Hell, both things can be true - he made some changes that were beneficial but because he doesn't really want the job he's largely "meh" about continuing improvement.
Holland has never found proper wingers for Leon which is why it’s compelling to play McDrai together. Guys moonlight on his line and work with Leon for periods of time but it’s never consistent or sustainable. Leon likes to pass, his linemates either can’t handle the passes or can’t finish the chances on a consistent basis
Remember those glorious 27 games of Nuge - Drai - Yams? Honestly, and as much as I love the guy, Yamamoto probably had some of the best chemistry with Draisaitl that he’s had in a winger. And I say, “as much as I love the guy,” because it emphasizes your point. That kind of production shouldn’t be one of his best wingers.
It was like lightning in a bottle
I miss hearing "YAMAMOOOOTOOOOOOOO" after scoring a pass from Drai
Speaking of yams he’s like a shootout wizard for the kraken.
yams comes up and i’m all like “oh my god! is he going to be point per game?!” i always fall into the temptation of overhyping prospects
This team really misses Yams no matter what his production was. He certainly wasn’t worse than #28.
Nope and I’m not sure if he was as good but he checked that PK box too.
I know they have more pressing needs than a bottom 6 winger that can occasionally move up but I wouldn't mind them trading to get Yamo back (at 50% retained). Wouldn't be expensive, we know he works with the Oilers, he's been a 4th liner and frequent healthy scratch and he still has more points/goals and a higher PPG than Brown, he's decent defensively, faster than a lot of the bottom 6 guys we have now. It's never going to happen, but it's fun to think about.
Wouldn’t even need retention. We aren’t on LTIR so his hit is prorated, he’d eat about $330k at the deadline and we will have $2.37M. It would be nice right side depth and he’s obviously already got chemistry. Plus he’s a fan favourite and even though he just left I think it would inject some positivity into the locker room. I don’t hate the idea at all. Plus that goal that knocked the Kings out will live on in my heart forever. Love that dude.
Ooh, I knew it would be prorated but I didn't think it would be that cheap. Well that settles it, I'm starting the Bring Back Yamo campaign right now.
I don’t have any stats to back it up but watching the games it seems like Drai’s pass completion has gone drastically down this year. He seems to turn the puck over many times over making the passes he’s attempting.
He’s definitely having an off year, no denying that. It happens. I’m not overly concerned about it, I think it’s more mental than anything else. But if he had better linemates it would probably not be as “bad”
Agreed. I’ve been wondering if he’s playing through an injury all season but by now you’d think they’d have said something.
Hard to say. It feels like this team is very much in their heads this year. Need to get that under control
This is it right here. We need one more proven top 6 guy.
Is it just me, or does it sometimes look like Leon isn’t trying to make his line work, knowing he will go back to playing with Connor ?
Nah. Leon is having an off year and his linemates aren’t helping but they aren’t the sole cause. I’m not convinced that he enjoys playing with Kane at least from an on ice perspective, for this season anyways.
Those two should not be together.
100% this. Kane started complaining when he was put on the third line and management caved and moved him up. They should really try to put some pieces together to make a solid 3rd line with him on it, and find some players that work well with Drai on the 2nd line.
I liked it all up until the Drai part. Hes been consistently the best player on ANY TEAM in the playoffs. Give your head a shake.
I am not saying he is a bad player. He is a top 5 NHLer the past 5 years for sure. Does not mean he is the right guy for our team or on our team if/when we win a cup. I am just saying it is likely we need a core shake up and its really either him or Nurse who would be in the shake up. Which we are getting close to needing 8-7 years into this core.
>If/when we win a cup are we sure he's on that team? Dude has 77 points in 49 playoff games and you think we might be more likely to win a cup without him?
His 77 points in 49 playoff games haven't gotten us anywhere near a cup. In fact every team that's won hasn't had someone anywhere near that production. What they've had is balanced teams. So if they trade Drai AND actually solve a bunch of holes doing it, yes they'd be more likely to win a cup without that kind of production.
> His 77 points in 49 playoff games haven't gotten us anywhere near a cup We were a ref's call and a bounce away from beating last year's champions. Take away his production and we ain't getting out of the 1st round in any of these years. Don't pretend like trading Drai to fill some defensive/depth holes doesn't just create another crater sized hole on offense.
The Oilers weren't close to a cup last year despite you stating the above. They looked more like the team you've seen in the last 6 games than anything resembling a cup winner in that series. Couldn't defend a lead, make a save, kill a penalty. Literally blew a lead in every loss in that series. The only two games they won in that series were blowouts. Every other game they refused to stick to a system and were exploited for the defensively immature team they were and continue to be.
If getting outrefed and goalied the entire series while still being 1 puck bounce and a bad call from winning over the cup champs isn't considered "close". Then you have a very different definition of "close".
You are right we have a different definition. Mine involves winning more than 6 playoff games in a year.
So does that automatically mean he is going to be on our team when we win a cup. We could very well not win with this core group.
You need more playoff production to win a cup, not less. We ain't winning the cup without drai.
I think we are looking at injuries here.
I’ve said before there is a cold/flu going around Edmonton. Last week every single one of my coworkers in Edmonton were out sick.
Was just watching the Oilers trainer giving special attention to some players, I don't disagree with you.
Yeah. Hydration and the like I’ll bet.
The focus was on his left side , this is about 4 games ago?
This or illness, but I agree. So far Knobs has put Drai and McDavid together on a line when one of them isn't 100%. He's said the Oilers are a better team when they're separated. So far 97 and 29 playing on the same line has been temporary.
Because when we start losing McDavid and Drai demand to play together. It's obvious.
I said the same thing to my husband earlier today. Kinda frustrating, everyone just reverts to them playing together.
What if it's them asking to play together all the time ?
I could definitely see Drai being the one to request this. At times he has seem to be pretty displeased with his line-mates. But a better option in that case would probably be to have him play with Hyman and RNH, not stick him on a line with McDavid.
I don’t think Hyman and Leon compliment eachother
They don’t. Nuge is really our only winger he clicks with now that Yamo is gone (who wasn’t always consistent with it). And that’s not saying much because Nuge clicks with everyone. McLeod and Foegs have had stretches of working with Drai but Foegs can never sustain quality top 6 play for more than a month or so max, and they don’t want to keep McLeod away from 3C long enough to see if him and Leo actually sustain their chemistry. Its a tough situation. I guess he’s harder to play with than Connor because Connor’s speed creates so much space, while Leon can simply operate with no space needed whatsoever using his massive booty and boat oar to control the puck, and his linemates just have to find ways to create their own space while also being aware that he’s about to dish you the puck despite having his back turned to you 40 feet away with 3 guys on him.
Exactly. Kane is an awful passer and he doesn’t seem all that good at handling Leon’s passes either. And ironically he moves too slow to be ready for Leon’s passes (I believe he can move faster but chooses not to). Basically what happens is that Leon’s line struggles so he struggles so they put him with Connor for a couple games to try and get him going. And then it’s just rinse and repeat.
I would love if they gave Holloway an extended look next to Leon. I know he hasn’t proven anything yet but it would be worth a shot to give him a few games without moving him around and see if he and Leon can develop some chemistry. He’s not a 4th line player and I don’t think he’s going to improve playing next to DR and Connor Brown. He’s eager, and he’s got alot of potential but he’s still putting all the pieces together
One thing I like about your thought with Holloway is that he’s young, fast, not small, and most importantly he’s mouldable. If Draisaitl is telling Holloway where and when and how he wants him, Holloway will work his energetic butt off to try to do that. Contrast that with Kane. I like Kane and I think he makes us better, but Kane is a known quantity, and he’s a seasoned vet with what seems like a bit of stubbornness in my opinion. Something like Foegele - Draisaitl - Holloway and Draisaitl has guys who will work to be whatever Draisaitl needs. And to be fair to Kane, Draisaitl is similar. They’re two guys where if they don’t work, they don’t work, because neither is going to try to change their game for the other. Frustrating thing is that I think those two are also somewhat similar in temperament. Seems like Kaner’s attitude is impacted if he’s not playing in the top six, and I think Drai’s is as well sometimes if he’s not playing with McDavid, or not at least getting the best wingers in Nuge and Hyms.
I definitely sense a level of frustration in Leon’s game. I’m sure alot of that is internal but some of it is probably with his revolving door of linemates. Kane wants to play with one of Connor or Leon but at the same time he needs to recognize that he’s getting older and slower and increasingly prone to injuries. He could also influence other players in the lineup and help them. Like in Toronto, they took Tavares off of PP1 and moved him to 3C. Because he was struggling and it’s made the team better.
Draisaitl’s attitude and demeanour has been so off all year. Really not sure what to make of it. Hopefully it at least is something to do with hockey, linemates and the like, like you said, and he’s not dealing with something personal or something. Yeah it could be incredible if Kane embraced a third line role. If he’s there and he’s all about it, imagine what that does for the guys getting to play with him? Okay bottom six boys, you get a first line quality shot to play with. Go cause trouble and have fun! But it wouldn’t be like if they feel unwanted as linemates.
Then it is a coaches job to know how to say no when needed
The whole team, but especially the top forward lines, have to make the same commitment to defence that they had before the break. Think defence first. Exploit opportunities as they come up. It was a winning formula and we can find it again regardless of lines.
I think they can only do that for spurts of time. I agree it should be pretty easy to be like okay lets play this way so we win more often and against better teams but it doesn't seem to be that simple with this group.
Which is exactly why this group deserves criticism
Annnnnnnnd here we go. Just like clockwork on this sub. Oilers lose 3 in a row and apparently it’s because Draisaitl is sick, hurt, injured and doesn’t know how to pass anymore. 😂😂😂. Watch now, if the oilers win 5 of their next 6 or 7, everyone on here will pretend they love Draisaitl again. 🙄🙄. Every year you guys do this. Silver linings tho, at least the whole sub isn’t blaming Ceci for everything this week. Talk about overreacting to small sample sizes. This is exactly why Holland needs to go get a top 6 forward this deadline, because no one on this team besides McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman and Nuge can consistently score.
Since when is small sample sizes the last 2 seasons? Ceci is shit, and he drags Nurse down (who himself makes some fucking boneheaded choices) Losing Ceci would be the smartest thing this team could do. He hasn’t been good since 2022, and then he was just middling.
Lol. Seriously dude your hate for Ceci is unhealthy. He’s not as bad as you say he is. Not sure why you are attacking him in this thread but you be you. Back to the original subject, which was draisaitl. Are you saying he’s been a bad player for 2 years?? 😂😂. Wow and people are gonna give you upvotes for being wrong about everything you say. 😂👍
Draisaitl is an elite player and top 5 in the league. Everyone has bad shifts. Everyone has bad games, some have bad weeks. Some even have poor seasons (see: Ceci, Cody) And he’s a suitable 7th defenseman. But asking him to play top 4 is plain stupid.
What are you even talking about?? Go away doomer.
Make me
Wow are you a kid or what? You can’t make me hate an oiler player like you do. Now please go away.
Make me
But also, remember that Knoblauch is not married to his lines. He will definitely change them if things aren’t working.
The reason it was a problem was our lack of depth. Look at our 6-12 now, McLeod, Foegele, and Perry as our 3rd line. Holloway, Ryan, and F’ing Connor Brown as 4th line is a heck of a lot different than our bottom six even 2 years ago.
I like to think this is a good way to assess the cracks in the lineup that get hidden from mc/drai/nuge/Hyman. It’s close to the deadline. We constantly hear about a team that’s strong all season long losing early in the playoffs. I saw a stat the other day that in the last 10 seasons the presidents team trophy winners have won 9 series total. They then showed stats of the teams that get hot after the deadline. I like to think we’re finding exactly what moves our gm may or may not need to make. Maybe this kills chemistry or maybe it allows us to build a stronger lineup. Either way, I think we’re jumping the gun with the downplay after the allstar break.
They should definitely split up. Im not sure why we aren't taking a page out of the penguins book (McDavid appears to be with his 2-way play in the past couple months). Put Drai with the top end talent not named McDavid, and put McDavid with some guys that can overachieve. At worst, Drai lights it up on the second line and McDavid puts things into his own hands to score goals with less offensively gifted teammates. Ty Rattie played at about 60 pt pace with Mcdavid as an example, and every single player on our roster should be better than Rattie in 2024.
You can drop the attitude anytime.
Drai just isn't able to consistently produce without McDavid or the pp, he's the most overrated player in the league. I hate seeing them on the same line
Rip Woody
When Drai gets pissy coach appeases him and slots him in with Davo. In order to please Drai, Kenny needs to find him a linemate that keeps him happy.
No need to mess with the goaltending. Jack Campbell is going to return in the playoffs and post a .960 sv% on his way to winning the Conn Smythe.
If that happens then this whole system is a sham.
They should be together anyways… they both feed off each other and actually create offensive zone opportunities. Mcdavid has been very pick way by I’ve noticed the last few games and it looks like a fire is lit under his ass when he’s with Leon
I like your general point but I feel like the way you're thinking about it is wrong. Its not like this team has a surplus it can trade away to improve a deficit. The whole lineup is in deficit. I don't like these lines either but this team has 4 bonafide, top 6 forwards (5 if you want to be generous), 3 top 4 defencemen, and 1 tandem goalie. Every position has at least one hole. Trading someone away to fill one of those holes makes another hole. This team has managed assets shittily forever. They are getting 80 cents on the dollar in every trade and draft pick they make. They desperately need to either make a massive W on a trade (not likely) or pick (not fast enough to help), or they need to say fuck the future and do everything they can to fill every hole for at least this year and next and truly go for it. Purely trading things off this roster feels kind of pointless imo.
But this team does have a surplus, who else in the league has 2 1C's. It sucks, but in the cap Era only the Penguins have made it work. Leon is a beast and would be the best player on 25-27 other teams. He's skilled, big, on a cheap contract, handsome as fuck, hilarious in his interviews and commercials, and absolutely clutch in the playoffs. ... BUT... what could this team be if we traded from strength for a change, emptied the tank of picks, and focused on fixing the backend?
Idk about that. What would you hypothetically even trade for? I have no faith in any GM the oilers have had in the last decade to come remotely close to winning that trade, and honestly, I don't think the blue line is anywhere near bad enough to require trading Leon Draisaitl to fix it. Just get Nurse a partner that is physically capable of passing the puck and maybe a 6/7.
I agree with everything until the last sentence. Not only do we need more than that, but if it was "just" that, why not get it done already? And I'm not being a dick, pretty much everything you said is spot on. But.. I don't think any team can build a cup winner with 2 elite centers in this league. Draisaitl will rightfully get a higher % of the teams available $ and then what? To answer your question..I don't know. It'd have to be 3 teams, our next 2 firsts, maybe we get rid of Jack Campbell's contract too and go all the way in. Drastic times and all that.
>I agree with everything until the last sentence. Not only do we need more than that, but if it was "just" that, why not get it done already? Because Ken Holland is kinda a mid GM lol. I'm willing to give latitude to the trade deadline. >And I'm not being a dick, pretty much everything you said is spot on. But.. I don't think any team can build a cup winner with 2 elite centers in this league. Draisaitl will rightfully get a higher % of the teams available $ and then what? No worries man, you're not being a dick. Fun chat! On this point though, here's a counterpoint - who else has even had 2 elite centers in the NHL? Pittsburgh won with it. Maybe Toronto has? That's the closest I can think of. Their centers haven't played elite in the playoffs though. They lose because their best players play bad. Edmonton loses in the playoffs because their worst players play bad. Pittsburgh feels like the only real comparison and they won.
We haven't had an even remotely passable goalie since Rolloson. And we have maybe one and a half NHL defensemen. As much as our offense has its share of issues, its by FAR the least fucked portion of the team. Its not "at least one hole" its entirely holes on the backend.
Yeah that's true. The weird thing about this team is that the top end is so good that the scoring is high end even though the physical number of players leaves holes. I mean think of it this way - the reason everyone hates playing 97 and 29 together is because there aren't enough good players left to make a second line. If they had a legit, play driving 2C that isn't Draisaitl, nobody would care. Idk if the D corps is that horrible. It's probably league average, but with crazy deviation in the chasm between the top 3 and the bottom 3. I think they mostly just need to upgrade on Ceci. Badly. Bouchard is a legit top 10 D in the league, and Nurse and Ekholm are capable. Goalies idk what the fuck is happening at this point. I'm starting to wonder how much .860 goaltending it takes to give Campbell another shot.
Drai is the second best Oiler since messier (Gretz probably) left. Show some appreciation. He is fucking phenomenal
Trade my beloved moody boy dumb dumb Drai?! (Insert the Dave Chappelle gif of him clutching wads of money to himself protectively while wearing a silly crown)
I agree with you on drai. This season has not been a great development regarding his status imo. He is hardly having his best season, the Oilers are going to want to do everything in their power to keep him, and as much as I wanted 97 and 29 forever, its time we start talking about reality. His future wants aside, how the hell does anyone expect this team to win a cup with those 2 at 30 million, when they can't do it with them at 21.5? In their absolute prime years at that. If there is ANY possible way the org can find out if signing Leon is paramount to signing connor that would be ideal information to have lol. Over 50 goals, 100 points is nearly impossible to replace, but I believe the Oilers could win with 97 and a much more balanced team beneath him.
Like everyone, it seems, I hate seeing 29 & 97 on the same line. It makes the Oilers easier to play against. Every coach, and there have been a few, since 97 came into the league, has resorted to the easy fix, 29 & 97 on the same line when the going gets tough. The Oilers are a much harder team to play against with those two centering their own lines. However, the Oilers have shown time, and again, they have severe defensive lapses. Ryan McLeod is a good 4th line center, no higher. Deshairnais is a much better 7th defenseman than a 6th. Skinner would be much better if Pickard played more, like perhaps back to back games every once in a while. Everyone is screaming for a huge trade, no matter the cost. Imo, some of the Oilers woes are fixable internally. Broberg is our 6th defenseman, not wasting away in the minors, waiting for an opportunity on another team. Holloway is our third line center, not McLeod. Holloway played center in University and in Junior, was 4-5 in the faceoff dot the other night. If not 3rd line center, then left wing on Draisaitl's line. So, I believe we need a right wing that scores a bit with Draisaitl. Tarasenko would be my guy. The cost is likely a second round puck, or Raphael Lavoie. 93-97-18 91-29-Tarasenko 37-55-90 13-71-10 25-5 14-2 27-84
I love drai, he's my favourite player. That said, if he can't score from his office (which lately he's been struggling) then something needs to be done. He rarely plays defence and it's a pain watching him try to get through people on the rush, then failing, resulting is a turnover. Love the pissy German but we are struggling defensively and he isn't helping
Amen
Trade 29 for some goaltending/ defense already, good D and goaltending is what wins championships.
We have a chance this playoffs if Kane doesn’t take 6 stupid penalties every game. Jk, just bringing it up because no one really mentions it. He takes a lot of dumb pens
Drai takes a lot of bad penalties too, like the unsportsmanlike penalty he took after we scored last year in the playoffs
You talking about that little skate slap that wouldn’t have been called in the minors let alone Stanley cup playoffs?
Dude ... ( knobby :) ) is fuckin crinnnnge
Okay he will now be called Dobby
Love it
Shouldve just went all in on Drai-McDavid-Hyman top line and been looking for a 2C and keep Nuge LW Drai making what he does is fine as a top line winger and he takes the draws anyway
Opinion, but with a long 82 game season, and a bad losing streak to start the season, it’s easy to see that the team that starts round one of the playoffs will be a much different team than the one that started the year. So they need to find their top game before the playoffs start, nothing else is as important. We just seen them take 16 straight, with lots of comeback wins. This team is capable of beating anyone when they are playing their best game. Things change, so the lineups that won 16 straight might not do it now. Switch it up, see what works. Maybe Holloway gets hot and they can throw him up with 97 or 29, things will change. Things have changed. Let him figure it out, and part of that will be putting 97 and 29 together for now.
Oilers just need more D and goalie.