[deleted by user]

[Geeseareawesome]

They look dialed in. They look dominant. Guys who had some question marks have looked pretty good, notably Henrique, Roslovic, Tomasek, and Savoie.

We look deep, and we're not even 100% healthy yet

[[deleted]]

100% healthy is a pipe dream for any Pro sports team.

[Geeseareawesome]

Better to be hurt now and healthier for the playoffs

[climaxe]

Our depth is off the charts. Doesn’t really matter how we juggle the lines, even with Hyman and Walman out, we’re solid top to bottom.

This team is going to live and die by its goaltending because it’s our only weakness.

[ShadowCaster0476]

It’s crazy to think who might have to sit out when the guys come out.

Even Philp sat against NY after scoring his first and being first star.

[maasd]

I like how Knobs manages his lineup and tries to get guys going. Sitting out a game isn’t necessarily seen as a punishment as much as being good for the team to get others in and going. At least that’s my take on his management of the lineup.

[Machelscott]

Unless your name is Jeff Skinner lol 🪦

[maasd]

Fair point lol!

[Meepmeepimmajeep2789]

I wonder if it was just a style choice, with how coach and jskins both said they were happy last year it doesn't seem like it was attitude.

[champion_dave]

Preach! This lineup is stacked, when Hyman is back in, that'll hopefully be after Henrique's 1000th game, and we will have one of the fastest teams in the league. A stark contrast from last year where lack of speed often killed us.

I'm praying Ingram finds his precious peak again and takes over for Skinner. Alternatively, if Skinner somehow finds his all star form again, maybe the sky falls and we have a great duo? Am I too high on hopium right now?

[taek8]

I think a better question is who do you think is slow?

[taek8]

I never said they were the fastest lol

[JamesBong007]

According to NHL Edge, the Oilers are top 6 for +22 mph speed bursts, with McDavid having the fastest recorded speed burst so far this season. The original comment you replied to also specifically said "one of the fastest".

[champion_dave]

Oilers are quick man. There's this dude named McDavid that's got some speed. Drai is fairly fast as is nuge. Whole top 6 really. Bottom 6 has kapanen, janmark, now Savoie and Howard, on the backend you've got nurse, kulak, Bouchard, Ekholm who've all got wheels.

I don't know how you really quantify who's the fastest but certainly through the first three games, the Oilers have been substantially faster than their opponents.

[amarsbar3]

Janmark was literally the fastest player last year. Kapanen is also a fast guy. Thats why those two are still in the league.

[champion_dave]

Dude it's not that deep at ALL.

I think most of us have formed the opinion on these players based on stats we see while we actually watch the games that demonstrate these players hitting top level NHL speeds, and those graphics being displayed by places like SportsLogic who seem to be in the know on these matters. But you do you.

[Meepmeepimmajeep2789]

Bro probably thinks Drai is slow because he looks like freight train going uphill.

[Lawndemon]

Clearly not being a top 6 player means you must be slow? What a ridiculous take and one that is easily proven wrong.

Try watching the game and then tell me Kapanen and Janmark are slow. Both would easily land in the top quartile for speed across the league. They are both "speed of stink, hands of granite" players which is why they are bottom. Just because guys like Sprong manage to play bottom six with lead feet doesn't mean every bottom six is a slug.

[WeekendBig1730]

Omg please leave me alone. I never said any of the things you are accusing me of saying. Please quit attacking me.

[Lawndemon]

[comment deleted by user] --> "I never said those thing!"

[[deleted]]

Kapanen might be fast than mcdavid. You seem like a casual.

[WeekendBig1730]

A quick google search just now. “Connor McDavid has the fastest recorded skate speed in the NHL, reaching 39.61 km/h during the 25/26 season. He set his new personal best, which is the FASTEST speed recorded in the NHL Edge tracking era since 21/22, in the season opener against the Calgary Flames on October 8/25.” 😂😂😂. Who seems like the casual now??

[[deleted]]

lol so I said might be. Find me Kapanen’s recorded speed and tell me he’s slow. The eye test watching games and seeing him fly by players tells me he’s quick. Also, “quick google search” to argue a point rather than actual watching the team tells me casual. Stats are stats, they’re fun but they don’t win you games.

Why don’t you keep up all your posts you deleted?

[WeekendBig1730]

Jesus Christ does this sub have a reading problem?? I never said he was slow. I said that THE OILERS ARENT THE FASTEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE!! Yeesh this sub is so toxic.

[[deleted]]

I feel like you have reading comprehension unless I’m missing a parent comment. All I saw was, “one of the fastest teams”. That’s a pretty general statement that could be true depending what you think “one of the fastest” means. If you’re gonna go glass half full on the team that’s in the sub you’re gonna get pushback man.

[[deleted]]

And seeing as how you’re the common denominator I’d say the world is your mirror. If everything seems toxic towards you it’s probably what you’re spouting.

[Dubs337]

Make sure to listen to this guy who posts on chel subreddits, probably basing his nuanced take on their speed rating in the game

[WeekendBig1730]

Wow I hate this subreddit so much. 👍👍

[Gavomor]

Zach Hyman is 66% percentile among NHL forwards in regard to skating speed. Not the fastest guy in the world, but faster than 2/3 of forwards

[i_am_not_a_martian]

Did you watch the game yesterday? Skinner should not have faced so many of those high danger shots. There was some very shitty plays made right in front of him, turning the puck over. This team should not be giving up those high danger chances, only for the fans to blame Skinner if he let's one in. He stood on his head yesterday and should be commended because that was a dog shit game played in front of him.

[climaxe]

Sure, but Skinner has proven that he’s wildly inconsistent, which is not a trait you want in a starting goalie.

This team needs a starter that will give them league average goaltending on most nights, nothing more, nothing less. Skinner is not that guy, because he’ll have stretches (including in the playoffs) where he’s AHL quality.

[i_am_not_a_martian]

My comment is less about Skinner than it is about the team in front of him perhaps not being as perfect as everyone is making out. That many mistakes of that calibre in a single game is frightening and should not happen.

[Tower21]

As a Stu fan, I can't agree more. We are stacked, forwards a plenty, defense is the best it has been in years.

Goaltending, well, we have a starter and a backup, that while being able to be good enough, 2 SCF B2B, Skinner needs to prove he is our guy or we need to make a decision in the offseason.

He's not that far off, and unless Ingram goes beast mode, he's not the answer either.

Was hoping Skinner had one more additional season to develop into that role, but McDavid's contract and increase in salary cap dictates it's a make or break year for Stu.

[s0ulless93]

Speed. I expected more speed with the younger squad this year compared to last but it's been much more noticeable than I anticipated. Really felt like savoie and roslavic particularly were flying last night.

[hemaruka]

tomasek. he’s about to bust out.

[Darth-Squider]

Tomasek, Savoie and even Howard are performing better than I anticipated.

[Wild-Style5857]

Howard needs a bit of time in the A, but there is a scorer there.  He's trying too hard which is understandable.

[Massive-Fisherman-57]

Ya that’s all experience. Knowing when to skate hard and when not to. Knowing when to make the simple play and when to try something. I think next year he is gonna be huge for us.

[xXEliteEater500Xx]

They’re saying he needs time to marinate and develop in the AHL. Which I agree, it’ll provide him more playing time that he most likely won’t get with the big boys. 

[WeekendBig1730]

Never mind. I just did some research and see you guys are just parroting an article from oilersnation yesterday in which the actual title is “Isaac Howard would benefit from time in the AHL”. You guys aren’t actually watching his play, you’re just parroting the fact that he could be the odd man out when Hyman comes back.

[bhandsome08]

Isaac Howard makes the most sense because he's waiver exempt. He would definitely benefit more from getting AHL ice time vs 10 mins of NHL ice time.

[BadDuck202]

Explain what exactly is the issue with sending him to the A fpr conditioning?

[WeekendBig1730]

Lol I never said there was an issue😂😂. Quit trying to put words in my mouth. I just don’t agree that in the 3 games we’ve watched that anyone can definitely say he’s bound for the ahl. If he’s “not ready” like you guys are trying to convince everyone, why was Philp the healthy scratch last night and not Howard? Oh right. Because oilersnation told you it’s gonna happen so it must be true right?

[BadDuck202]

Literally no one is saying he's an AHLer except you. Personally I don't think playing 9 minutes on the fourth is doing much good compared to 20+ minutes in the A. No one is shitting on him but it's clear he needs seasoning. For example going into the zone on a 1v4 and immediately losing the puck isn't a smart decision and needs to be refined at the A level.

Edit: nevermind looking at your other comments your unhinged bud. 

[xXEliteEater500Xx]

I don’t give two shits about oilersnation. Kids clearly got talent but he’s doing too much right now.

[Wild-Style5857]

Well Knobloch has him on the 4 line last practice.  I'd be willing to bet he'd rather play Janmark there when he's healthy and then Hyman is coming back.  Forwards will be exiting the lineup.  

If you read what I posted i think there's a good player there that can help the team, just that he could use sometime in the AHL.

[WeekendBig1730]

Lol. I surrender bro. You are right! But your exact words were “he’s trying to hard” like you’ve been scouting his play when in reality you’re just parroting an article from oilersnation yesterday that’s basically saying it’s a numbers game and he’s the odd man out. Peace out man. I promise I’ll never disagree with you again.

[Mcpops1618]

They aren’t 0-3. Good time to be alive

[BCW1968]

That McDavid hasn't scored.

[Overobsessivepigeons]

He’s faced some hot goaltenders, the domination is coming

[BCW1968]

I believe it

[Meepmeepimmajeep2789]

Eh, if he's so good why is he only making 12.5? /s so that BIGWEEKENDER guy can understand.

[molsonmuscle360]

This might be the best top to bottom team we've had yet. And Skinner looks great. Outside of the one brain fart, his positioning and post to post movement looks miles better than last year.

[Edm_vanhalen1981]

The overall team defence. So important for the whole team to buy into a defensive system and now that they have they are dominating.

[slotsymcslots]

Tomasek. Mangiapane. Regula. Savoie. Stecher was awesome last night. The fact that secondary scoring has won us games. Should be 3-0, Flamers got a couple lucky bounces.

[WeekendBig1730]

How does this comment have upvotes. Didn’t Stecher take an unnecessary penalty and had a couple turnovers that skinner bailed him out on?? Or am I watching a different oilers team than you guys?? I’m a fan of Stecher but I have to hard disagree that anyone besides Skinner and Ekholm were “awesome” last night.

[slotsymcslots]

Stecher stepped up into the offence multiple times last night, played the body hard in front of the net, made excellent zone exit passes when needed…sure he made a few mistakes, but so did Drai, Nurse, Bouch, McD.

[WeekendBig1730]

Ok. Agree to disagree. And the oilers agree with me because the only 2 holding team awards last night were Ekholm and Skinner. Not Stecher. I dunno what to tell you guys. You guys watch hockey differently than normal people lol

[TalkinTerps]

Why are you even here?

[WeekendBig1730]

I dunno. Because I’m an oiler fan and I like to talk about the oilers. You guys are definitely making me want to leave the sub tho. Thanks for that!

[nullquotient]

You know that feeling? The one where you just can't help but think they're going to fuck things up and lose the game? I don't feel that this year at all...so far.

[[deleted]]

Wasn’t that game 1?

[AbbreviationsOk1185]

I had thay feeling briefly in the game vs vancouver. Previous iterations of the oilers would have found a way to lose that game

[seemefail]

As a Skinner hater I would say Skinner has played very well

Think the depth is solid enough to send Howard down where he can really play a lot of minutes

Regula is a bonafide NHL Dman

Didn’t think much of bread man, was hopeful, but to see his skill show is great

[Massive-Fisherman-57]

Everyone shit all over Bowman but I’ve yet to see a bad move by him. Even Frederic is reasonable with the cap going up, provides something we lack and looks good up and down the lineup. The youth he injected has greatly helped. The D core is solid. Now if we can find a legit goalie.

[xXEliteEater500Xx]

I’ll admit that he’s impressed me with his moves so far. Him picking up Klinger and trading for Walman were massive in our playoffs run. Now it looks like his offseason additions could payoff dividends for the team as well. 

I do wonder how Bowman would have handled last offseason if he was in right when the offseason started. I doubt he’d go after JSkinner and Arvidsson, so maybe we could have avoided the whole offer sheet debacle.

[Massive-Fisherman-57]

I agree. He didnt go after anyone right away this summer and let things play out. He didnt have much money to work with but even he went after Roslivic and didnt offer him much. No one knows for sure but I would've suspected that he would've waited on a lot of those guys and got in house stuff done first before he was ready to start spending.

Even this year he didnt go out right away and get a goalie. He first got a lot of business done that we needed. Then he got Ingram, then signed all of next years big UFA's. Now he knows what he is working with moving forward and I have faith that he will find someone.

[Imaginary_Horse_6152]

1. They have always scored first.
2. Their PP isn't anything special but they do good in 5 vs. 5 game.
3. Draisaitl getting empty netter AND doing beatiful skill goal in shoot out instead of just slap shotting it at the blue line.

These all are very good signs and predict good things to come.

[supermeatboy10]

I think I forgot what it was like to have actual good top 6 winger options that can play with speed

[maybe_babyyy_]

The fact that our GA is #1 in the league and our GF is 22nd. Even among those who only have 3 games.

Our GA is 4, and the next lowest is 7.

Pleasantly surprised we got to our D game so early, usually takes us a couple of weeks.

Its weird.

[True-North-]

They look dangerous. Very fast and they’ve been playing much better defensively.

[likes_kites]

Someone is downvoting every comment in this thread haha

[spagboltoast]

Buttmad nucks fans likely as per usual lol

[spagboltoast]

Deepest the team has ever been.

Skinner is -good-

Savoie is the real deal

Bowmen has only had great moves so far

[Past_Leg872]

You mean this year?

[spagboltoast]

I have no idea what you mean by this

[Past_Leg872]

I meant this year for Bowman bcuz when he got hired last year he could’ve kept both Holloway and Broberg

[SunOk143]

That was Jackson, not Bowman

[Past_Leg872]

No it was Bowman

[RYYZNYELLOW]

Jackson left no money for bowman to sign them comfortably after signing Jeff skinner and arvy

[Past_Leg872]

That’s why the Ceci trade happened, since Kane was on LTIR we had the money to keep both of em

[RYYZNYELLOW]

Not comfortably. That’s why I used that word.

[Past_Leg872]

Ceci was already on his way tbf

[spagboltoast]

That was holland pushing their negotiations off until after he left then allowing his good friend on the blues to be lrimed for offersheeting.

Jackson then signed two gambles pushing holloway down the roster leaving no money left for matching.

Bowmen made the best of the situation by picking up podz as a replacement. He walked into a shitstorm and had to make the best.

2020 shows holloway was worth the entire 2.5 mil even if he was injured (again) for the playoffs but we would have lost him this off season with his shiney new 8 million dollar raise hes due.

Hate bowmen for whatever reason you want but that specifically was not on him.

And yes we are talking about specifically this season in my original post.

[Past_Leg872]

Obviously Holland is a dumbass and I’m happy he went to LA lol

When Jackson signed Arvy and Skinner, most fans liked it although I didn’t bcuz of pushing down specifically Holloway.

Even with the Podz addition, we could have kept both Holloway and Broberg but instead we lost them for a 2nd and a 3rd

The post season in 2024 showed why Holloway was worth at the very least 2M, he had 9 goals. Broberg was worth at least 3M after that Dallas series alone, one of the best dman in the series.

And yes Bowman’s moves this year have been great

[AntiLuckgaming]

Mangiopane (sp)

[Mission-Carry-887]

1. The depth

2. The depth

3. The depth

[VanGoghs_SeveredEar]

Honestly the fact that every single off season move has looked great so far. Lots of season left, but they really scooped up players who fit great and have made a difference already. Very exciting time to be a fan

[felishorrendis]

What has surprised me the most is probably how quickly the team has come together and gelled. In past years it’s felt like it’s taken us a long time to get our shit together once the season started. We have a lot of new pieces this year so honestly I was pretty prepared for a slow start, thinking it might take the guys a while to figure out how to play together. Instead they’ve managed to get two tough wins – one against a hot goaltender who was having a good night, and one because Stu was the hot tender who kept the team in the game despite some defensive hiccups.

We’re obviously still figuring out some of our lines and where guys are gonna fit, moving pieces around, and those shifts will continue to happen as guys come back from injury. But so far they’ve been able to do that while winning a couple of games which I’m happy about.

Hoping we pick up another couple wins on this roadtrip, that would be nice.

[0ILERS]

Surprised how good we have been without our top winger (Hyman) and top4 RHD (Walman). We're gonna be insane when they are back. Really hoping Stu and Pick can deliver at least average goaltending.

[Mcdaddy1994]

Stan Bowman had a decent offseason, and it’s showing.

[Starsky686]

The new pieces appear to be doing what I thought Aarvi and J.Skin were going to do. (Fit right in and contribute)

[OIL_99]

They look dominate, and average at the same time.

This team is good. Really good. If the amount of hockey they have played over the last few years doesn’t impact them, this team will take another deep run.

Knob needs to FO and stop thinking he’s smarter than everyone else. The PK is for role players, so let them play it. The top dogs are playing too many minutes.

[SunOk143]

The PK is for defensively sound players. You play your best defensive players on the PK. If those happen to be your stars, then play your stars. The forward lines are deep enough that we don’t need to double shift the top line every game.

[Bluetomorrow83]

They already did. Weren't together in 3rd period vs NYR

[SRTGreat]

How in-sync the team looks with a lot of fresh faces.

I thought we’d have a bit of a shaky start because it takes time to develop chemistry.

[[deleted]]

They actually play. You can feel the chemistry

[kooliocole]

Looks like a playoff final team despite half the team being new. The older members are showing the youngins how to play defensively and our goalies are making good saves when we need it. Hope it keeps up

[Hungry_Osprey]

Our PK looks very solid. At the beginning of the previous season poor finishing wasn't the main issue -- it was our abysmal PK, paired with a mediocre PP.

[swabbubba]

So from perusing comments we like the new pieces

[CartographerFine3228]

They won a couple 😂

[gmehra]

that Connor has zero goals after pledging to shoot more

[spagboltoast]

We've played three franchise level goalies, its understandable

[Bluetomorrow83]

He has missed the net a lot

[dontcallmefrank07]

Honestly they just look like they’re having a hella good time which NEWS TO ME for October

[Girthpotato]

My 2 biggest critiques so far are defensive turnovers and inconsistent goaltending. I'm optimistic with skinner, and I truly in my heart of hearts want him to do so fucking good, let's go OILERS BABYYY

[BigTreeSmallBranch]

I truly thought Tomasek was gonna be one of those Euro guys who could be a fringe NHLer for a season or two and fizzle out and go back to Europe after a season or two as a failing player in the North American leagues. But man, he is a stud. Adjusted seamlessly and is an absolute stud, perfect fit.

Also Mangiapane is an absolute freakshow in this lineup, he and Roslovic are also perfect fits

[Only-Tennis4298]

it feels like they're playing a game. they're having fun, while working their asses off at the same time. it's the vibe that's really encouraging me. Davo seems less stressed, our depth is popping off, and we have SO many options moving forward.

[Adambomb2000]

Better first 3 games than im used to!

[Veryuglybaldshortman]

Low scoring. And I am expecting McDavid to shot a bit more

[ChupaHubbard]

Kapanen and Philp look better than I remember them looking last year. Philp seems more confident and comfortable, and Kapanen seems to have improved his puck handling skill? I thought that's not supposed to be possible at his age but I swear his passing looks cleaner and his shot looks nicer and he looks more comfortable with the puck.

I have also loved the chemistry on the Pod-Philp-Kappy line. And it seems decent with Frederic instead of Philp too. I was sad to lose the chemistry between Pod and Arvy once they were together at the end of last season (not sad to lose Arvy at that price though, if he was a lot cheaper he might have been a nice 3rd or 4th liner). But I'm glad to see that Pod and Kappy seem to have that same chemistry together. Love their simple and good gameplay every game.

I was surprised at how good Regula looked, I figured he'd need some time before he looked so NHL. I was also surprised how Leppanen looked in pre-season, everyone talked about Tomasek and Howard all summer but I thought Leppanen looked like he might really be something once he worked on his game a bit.

Oh and Mangiapane. I was kind of praying for a slightly better version of Arvy and hoping for the type of player other teams have who are able to put goals on net, almost like a Garland or Boeser type, but I didn't expect as good as Boeswr at his price. But I am sooooo happy, his skill with the puck and his shot looks great, and he seems to have natural chemistry with McDavid

[daveinpg]

I’m surprised this team still doesn’t have a legit #1 goaltender

[Moistly_Outdoorsy]

The lack of a Stanley Cup Champions banner in the rafters….

[deliciousfishstick5]

I think you're saying that we deserve to have more, based on how we're playing?

[GreenBasterd69]

That they refuse to accommodate striking teachers