Oilers' Connor McDavid Compared to Gretzky, Lemieux as Playoff Dominance Continues
May 25, 2022
EDMONTON, AB - MAY 24: Edmonton Oilers Center Connor McDavid (97) celebrates a goal in the first period during the Edmonton Oilers versus the Calgary Flames in the Stanley Cup playoffs round 2, game 4 on May 24, 2022 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Connor McDavid will eventually need a Stanley Cup title to join the list of the all-time greats, and he took one step closer to accomplishing that feat with more brilliance Tuesday.
He led the Edmonton Oilers to a 5-3 victory over the Calgary Flames in Game 4 of their second-round playoff series with two more assists. Edmonton now leads the series 3-1 and is one win away from reaching the Western Conference Final for the first time since the 2005-06 season.
Social media didn't hold back the praise of the 25-year-old star:
We want to see Colorado against veterans like Smith or Keith (with all respect to them). Connor McDavid is really on Gretzky/Lemieux level.
I'm a Hab Fan , but watching Connor McDavid doing his magic , made me a fan , you can't help but not cheer for him, it's simple remarkable, he is phenomenal , I wish only great things for him and the Oilers 😊
Connor mcdavid is actually unreal. Just watching him play is just different
— Jared that philly sports fan (@phillyjared313) May 25, 2022
It wasn't a one-man effort, though, as Evander Kane and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins each scored two goals in the win. Nugent-Hopkins' second one with less than five minutes remaining was crucial and broke the 3-3 tie while saving the Oilers from collapse.
They seemed to be in full control with three goals in the first period, but Calgary came storming back behind three straight goals from Elias Lindholm, Mikael Backlund and Rasmus Andersson. Lindholm and Backlund cut the deficit to 3-2 with goals within 40 seconds of each other in the second period, and Andersson's goal was a short-handed one in the third.
Yet Edmonton's star power proved to be too much at the end with Nugent-Hopkins breaking the tie and McDavid assisting on Kane's second goal as insurance. McDavid has now scored two or more points in seven straight games and 10 of Edmonton's 11 postseason contests.
He will look to close out the Flames in Thursday's Game 5.
CALGARY, AB - MAY 18: Evander Kane #91 of the Edmonton Oilers in action against the Calgary Flames during Game One of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome on May 18, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
The Edmonton Oilers once again relied on their explosive offense to propel them to a win over the Calgary Flames, and this time it was Evander Kane who led the way.
Kane recorded a natural hat trick in the the Oilers' four-goal second period as the Oilers went on to win 4-1 to take a 2-1 series lead. It was the 30-year-old's second hat trick of the 2022 playoffs.
In addition to Kane's scoring eruption, Edmonton star centers Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were excellent distributors. Draisaitl had four assists, while McDavid had three. The Oilers displayed a special offensive chemistry that led to a dominant win Sunday.
Fans online enjoyed the show the Oilers put on with Kane leading the way as they cruised to victory.
This Connor McDavid - Evander Kane connection is so damn insane
Kane now has 10 goals and three assists in the 2022 postseason. Edmonton was hoping it would pay off when it signed Kane to a one-year deal in January, and so far he has delivered.
The Oilers did a great job with their offensive pressure Sunday, sending 41 shots at the net. Not to be overshadowed, Edmonton goaltender Mike Smith was a brick wall in the net and made 32 saves.
If the Oilers can continue their high-octane offensive performance, it will be difficult for the Flames to keep up. With Kane, McDavid and Draisaitl clicking on all cylinders, Edmonton looks like a well-oiled machine heading into Tuesday's Game 4.
Connor McDavid's Historic, 'Phenomenal' Effort Praised in Oilers' Game 2 Win
May 21, 2022
CALGARY, AB - MAY 18: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers in action against the Calgary Flames during Game One of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome on May 18, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
Connor McDavid turned in another out-of-this-world performance Friday night to help the Edmonton Oilers even their second-round playoff series against the Calgary Flames at 1-1.
After falling 9-6 in the opening act of the Battle of Alberta and falling behind 1-0 in the series, McDavid put the team on his back in a 5-3 victory in Game 2.
The electric forward ended up with one goal and one assist for two points, putting him in elite company:
Oilers Connor McDavid is the fastest player in the past 30 years to reach the 20-point mark in the postseason pic.twitter.com/oF3OpLWQhG
McDavid nearly had three points, but a second-period goal by Leon Draisaitl that would have yielded him an assist was waved off when it was deemed that McDavid interfered with Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom.
Mere seconds later, McDavid made up for the call by scoring a slick goal of his own off a feed from Duncan Keith:
McDavid made Markstrom look silly on the goal, which resulted in a ton of reaction on social media.
Observers primarily marveled at McDavid's ability, put him head and shoulders above the rest and even openly wondered if there is a more elite league than the NHL for him to dominate as well:
Hart should just be handed to him every year. This oilers team might actually be dead last without McDavid. I really do think he will go down as the most dominate player ever.
The Oilers were down by scores of 2-0 and 3-1 in Game 2, and they appeared to be in dire straits after already dropping Game 1.
McDavid's goal to cut the deficit to 3-2 seemingly energized the Oilers, as it was the first of four consecutive goals they scored, including Zach Hyman's go-ahead shorthanded goal in the third period.
Edmonton is far from out of the woods since it is facing a stacked Flames team in the midst of goalie Mike Smith struggling in between the pipes, but McDavid gave the Oilers new life and a fighting chance to reach the Western Conference Finals.
Fans in Awe as Matthew Tkachuk, Flames Beat Connor McDavid, Oilers in Chaotic Game 1
May 19, 2022
CALGARY, AB - MAY 18: Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Calgary Flames chases the puck against Cody Ceci #5 of the Edmonton Oilers during the first period of Game One of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome on May 18, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
The fifth-highest scoring playoff game in NHL history went down in the Battle of Alberta on Wednesday, as the host Calgary Flames defeated the Edmonton Oilers 9-6 to kickstart their second-round postseason series.
Calgary winger Matthew Tkachuk potted a hat trick, and the Flames scored twice in the first 51 seconds and added a third at 6:05 to chase Oilers goalie Mike Smith.
The Flames held a 6-2 lead at 8:24 of the second period following a Tkachuk power-play goal, but Edmonton responded with four unanswered goals for a 6-6 tie less than two minutes into the third.
However, Rasmus Andersson responded shortly thereafter for the game-winner before Tkachuk scored twice to complete his hat trick.
Naturally, this game served as one of the more chaotic and entertaining hockey games in recent memory.
Oilers center Connor McDavid's four points (one goal, three assists) led all players. Flames center Blake Coleman and Oilers left wing Zach Hyman scored twice apiece. Calgary outshot Edmonton 48-28.
Game 2 will take place in Calgary on Friday at 10:30 p.m. ET.
5 Takeways from Day 1 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs
May 3, 2022
TORONTO, ON - MAY 2: Mitch Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning with teammate Auston Matthews #34 during the second period in Game One of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Scotiabank Arena on May 2, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
Frederik Andersen jumped on to the scene as a young goalie in the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Anaheim Ducks had lost trust in their No. 1 goalie, Jonas Hiller, and instead turned to their rookie netminder.
Fast-forward to 2022, with Andersen now with the Carolina Hurricanes but injured to begin the playoffs, many wondered whether this would be the moment for another rising rookie, 22-year-old Pyotr Kochetkov. Instead, the net went to veteran goalie Antti Raanta, and he delivered in his first-ever playoff start, backstopping Carolina to a 4-1 win over the Boston Bruins in Game 1 of their first-round series.
The Carolina goaltending situation was one of the biggest storylines to come from the first night of the2022 NHL playoffs. The Toronto Maple Leafs' decisive win over the Tampa Bay Lightning was another.
Here are five takeaways from the first night of postseason action.
TORONTO, ON - May 2 Prior to the start of the game, fans begin to gather. Sher (left-no last name) and Stephanie Scott (holding a photo of Auston Matthews) give a cheer in Maple Leaf Square.
The Toronto Maple Leafs took on the Tampa Bay Lightning in NHL hockey action at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. This is the first game of the first round of playoffs
May 2 2022 (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
New Year, New Narratives
It's been nearly 20 years since the Maple Leafs have won a playoff round, but a 5-0 thrashing of the reigning Stanley Cup champs twice over has the Leafs faithful eager for more. If they advance past the first round, you will likely be able to point to the five-minute power play they killed off Monday as a catalyst.
Early on, Kyle Clifford received a five-minute major and a game misconduct penalty for boarding Ross Colton, but Toronto actually generated more scoring chances than it surrendered during seven shorthanded minutes in the first period. David Kampf scored a shorthanded goal in the second period. The vaunted Tampa Bay power play went 0-for-5.
Matthews and Marner faced significant criticism last year when the Maple Leafs were eliminated in seven games by the Montreal Canadiens. Two key team leaders and two major components to the lineup, Matthews scored only a single goal and assisted on five, while Marner scored none, which was the same amount he scored in the 2019-20 postseason.
It's too early to see if the curse has been lifted, but there is such immense pressure on the Maple Leafs to get out of the first round, and yet Toronto thrived under it.
TORONTO, ON - May 2 In third period action, Morgan Rielly (44) of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Jan Rutta (44) of the Tampa Bay Lightning battle it out as part of a full on melee between teams.
The Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-0 in NHL hockey action at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. This is the first game of the first round of playoffs
May 2 2022 (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
Borderline Violence
Prior to the series starting, Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe gave us what could be the quote of the postseason:
"I expect it to be a very physical, borderline violent series in a lot of ways," he told reporters in Toronto. "And our guys will be ready for that."
A total of 122 penalty minutes were doled out in Game 1, so clearly the Leafs were, in fact, ready. A line brawl even broke out midway through the third period involving two longtime NHL tough guys in Corey Perry and Wayne Simmonds.
The ESPN2 cameras cut away for a commercial during the post-whistle scrum, but there were skirmishes in other games as well. A suspension could also be coming from the department of player safety for Clifford's hit from behind on Colton. It would be unfortunate for Toronto, who relies on Clifford, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, to bring energy on the fourth line, but the Leafs proved they could win without him on Monday.
This is the time of year when the levels of intensity and physicality go up a few notches. This is when you hear players say they need to "play between the whistles." The key is making sure the emotions don't boil over to the point that it becomes detrimental.
Speaking of which…
SAINT PAUL, MN - MAY 02: Minnesota Wild Defenceman Jared Spurgeon (46) attempts to bump St. Louis Blues Winger Pavel Buchnevich (89) off the puck during game 1 of the NHL playoffs between the St. Louis Blues and the Minnesota Wild on April May 2nd, 2022, at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Un-Gentlemanly Conduct
The Minnesota Wild clinched home-ice advantage against their Central Division rivals St. Louis, but it didn't help much. David Perron scored a hat trick for the Blues in a 4-0 win, and Ville Husso became the first St. Louis goalie to record a shutout in his playoff debut, but all of that was overshadowed by a late penalty for a crosscheck by Jared Spurgeon.
With 1:34 left in the game, Spurgeon was tied up with Pavel Buchnevich. Frustrated by his inability to connect on the puck with Buchnevich upending him, he crosschecked the back of the Blues forward's legs, slamming his stick down with considerable force. It didn't really matter that the Wild was left shorthanded for the rest of the game—it was lost well before the penalty—but it was a dangerous play that is going to get reviewed by the department of player safety and could land him a suspension.
It was also uncharacteristic and unbecoming of a captain. Spurgeon was a Lady Byng finalist last season and is a perennial candidate for the sportsmanship award given to the most "gentlemanly" player combined with a high standard of playing ability.
A captain goes down with the ship. He doesn't put himself in a position to sit out games.
The Blues are 13-1-1 in their last 15 games against the Wild. Ouch.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 02: Antti Raanta #32 of the Carolina Hurricanes leads his team onto the ice against the Boston Bruins during Game One of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 02, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Storm Surged
The Bruins have a relentless forecheck. Carolina did its best to stop it, but if you look at the underlying numbers, you'll see this was a pretty evenly matched game. Shot attempts at 5-on-5 were 56-48 in favor of Boston, scoring chances were 24-23 and high-danger chances were 11-11. But the power play woes resurfaced for the Bruins. Despite the fact that Boston generated chances on the first two power plays, the third didn't even yield a single shot attempt.
There was also some consternation in the Bruins net. Linus Ullmark made the start for Boston and at one point gave up a goal off his mask. Do the Bruins go with rookie goalie Jeremy Swayman in Game 2? Ullmark started because Swayman struggled down the stretch, going 4-6-0 with an .877 save percentage in the final 10 games.
It's possible he hit a wall and these last few days off have been beneficial for him. But there is no doubt a tandem that once looked strong is suddenly in doubt.
But the story today is Raanta.
"For me, it was obviously the first start in the playoffs in the NHL," Raanta said in his postgame press conference. "I was just trying to focus on the things that have (allowed me) to be successful. It was working nicely. But it's only one game, one win, and now it's just regrouping and getting ready for Wednesday."
EDMONTON, AB - MAY 2: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers stands for the singing of the national anthem prior to Game One of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Los Angeles Kings on May 2, 2022 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
One-Man Rush
Connor McDavid did very Connor McDavid-like things against the Los Angeles Kings. You can call it an odd-man rush because technically one is an odd number, but it was a 1-on-5 with McDavid as the lone man in an orange and blue jersey in the offensive zone.
With the Kings up 2-0 in the final minute of the first period, McDavid picked up the puck in the defensive zone and picked up some serious speed. He went 1-on-everyone and skated coast-to-coast, going down the boards and cutting through two defenders while another two failed to pick up his movement and another watched helplessly as he sniped one past Jonathan Quick from the edge of the right circle.
It was an absurd goal scored by one of the most elite players in the world. He just completely walked the Kings' entire five-man unit.
But when Leon Draisaitl scored around the 10-minute mark of the second period to tie the game at 3-3, it underscored the fact that McDavid and Draisaitl can put a team on their backs and win on their own. The Oilers don't have to be fantastic, but they don't completely roll over, this team will stay in games.
However, staying in games isn't good enough for McDavid, who is desperate for a championship. And that desperation may be needed after the Kings grabbed a late goal to take a 1-0 series lead.
Phillip Danault scored after an incredible sequence that saw Mike Smith turn the puck over off the back of the boards, then dive back to the crease to make a save before Danualt tipped Sean Durzi's point shot into the net.
"I was just trying to make something happen," Smith told reporters in his postgame press conference. "Obviously, just trying to do too much there. In a tight game like that, you can't afford to make mistakes like that. It ended up costing us the game."
Smith has lost his last 10 playoff games, including all six he has played for the Oilers.
Oilers' Connor McDavid Becomes 7th NHL Player to Win Art Ross Trophy 4 Times
May 1, 2022
EDMONTON, AB - APRIL 28: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers warms up prior to the game against the San Jose Sharks on April 28, 2022 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
Edmonton Oilers star center Connor McDavid earned the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL scoring champion for the fourth time in his career, putting him in some elite company.
McDavid is just the seventh player ever to earn the scoring title four or more times, joining the likes of Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe and Mario Lemieux.
Connor McDavid became the seventh player to claim the Art Ross Trophy at least four times, joining Wayne Gretzky (10x), Gordie Howe (6x), Mario Lemieux (6x), Phil Esposito (5x), Jagr (5x) and Stan Mikita (4x). #NHLAwards#NHLStats: https://t.co/7wTdgmQTsBpic.twitter.com/C2bI3Y94PX
It's McDavid's second straight season taking home the Art Ross Trophy. Gretzky and Howe are the only other players to win it four or more times before their 26th birthday. McDavid was joined by Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, who also won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the NHL’s goal-scoring leader for the second consecutive year.
McDavid recorded 44 goals and 79 assists in 80 games to finish with a career-high 123 points. It's the second-highest point total recorded by an NHL player over the last 15 seasons. He finished way ahead of Calgary Flames left wing Johnny Gaudreau and Florida Panthers left wing Jonathan Huberdeau, who both notched 115 points this season.
A two-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner as the league's MVP, McDavid now has compiled 239 goals and 458 assists for 697 points through his first seven NHL seasons. His career average of 1.43 points per game that ranks fourth in league history behind only Gretzky (1.92), Lemieux (1.88) and Mike Bossy (1.50) among players with a minimum of 100 appearances.
With McDavid leading the way, the Oilers finished second in the Pacific Division with a 49-27-6 record. Edmonton will host the Los Angeles Kings in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series Monday.
Edmonton Oilers' Firing of Dave Tippett Might Be Too Little Too Late
Feb 11, 2022
EDMONTON, AB - OCTOBER 06: President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Ken Holland of the Edmonton Oilers speaks at the podium during the first round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft at Rogers Place on October 06, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The 2020 NHL Draft was held virtually due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Michael Bobroff/NHLI via Getty Images)
There were some absolute blockbuster trades completed Thursday ahead of the NBA trade deadline, and it begged the question: Why doesn't this happen in the NHL?
Hopefully, there will be a day when a superstar like Connor McDavid is traded for another one of his caliber. That day is not today, but it should be because McDavid is left to languish on yet another mediocre Edmonton Oilers team unlikely to make the playoffs.
On Thursday, McDavid's head coach was fired. Dave Tippett is the third head coach McDavid has played for, and he was replaced by Jay Woodcroft, a very good, up-and-coming coach who still can't fix the goaltending situation or turn back the clock on defenseman Duncan Keith.
Tippett wasn't the problem. Ken Holland, the Oilers general manager, and his poorly constructed roster are the problems.
Holland decided to go all-in over the summer by spending up to the salary cap, opening up the checkbook for goalie Mike Smith and Keith, who are 39 and 38 years old, respectively.
Smith was coming off of one of the best seasons of his career when he was extended for $2.2 million. He even received Vezina Trophy votes last year after putting up a .923 save percentage. But it was a shortened season, and Smith faced the same few opponents because of the temporary divisional realignments.
That's not to diminish the impact he had on the Oilers, but at his age, it wouldn't have been difficult to predict a decline in his performance or health—both of which we've seen this season as he's battled leg, upper-body and thumb injuries while registering an .890 save percentage.
It's not that his salary-cap hit is so outrageous, but when coupled with Mikko Koskinen's contract, it's obvious how hamstrung the Oilers truly are. The duo accounts for 8.2 percent of the team's cap money, and they have a combined .898 save percentage, better than only the Arizona Coyotes, the league-worst Montreal Canadiens, the New Jersey Devils and the Seattle Kraken. Koskinen's -3.95 goals saved above average is one of the worst in the league.
You can't fault Koskinen for the most recent losses since he entered COVID-19 protocols Monday. Coming out of the All-Star break, Edmonton has been outscored a combined 8-1 by the Vegas Golden Knights and Chicago Blackhawks.
You might be inclined to give the Oilers a break against the Golden Knights, but this is a team that was supposed to compete with Vegas for the Pacific Division title. Instead, they're trailing the Golden Knights and the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames in the standings. They have a 39.7 percent chance of making the playoffs, according to MoneyPuck.com, and they have some ground to make up to catch those aforementioned division rivals. However, it's a steep uphill climb even for a team that has two of the best players in the world in McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Edmonton is a prime example of just how crucial it is to have good goaltending. The club has been unable to develop any itself. They ran Cam Talbot and Devan Dubnyk out of town, and both were better elsewhere. Talbot is in the midst of an All-Star campaign with the Minnesota Wild.
Trying to predict a player's career arc is an inexact science, especially when it comes to goaltending. But the ability to scout, draft and develop is a large part of being a general manager. It's not always wheeling, dealing and making trades; it's taking the scouting information and using your own discerning eye to say, "This is a goalie who is capable of winning 30 games a year for the next five years."
Holland has not demonstrated an eye for the future in his recent dealings. The addition of Zach Hyman was a very good move, but he's put together a blue line that can't move the puck up to the forwards and a forward lineup that can't generate offense without McDavid and Draisaitl on the ice. Holland brought in Evander Kane, which was not the most popular choice given his history of problems on and off the ice.
Kane, like Woodcroft, can't stop the puck. The best thing Holland could have done to set this team up for success would have been to acquire a true No. 1 goaltender over the summer. And it's worth noting he hasn't done anything to address the issue since the season started, except acquiring Alex Stalock, who is unable to play because of a heart condition.
The luster has worn off of the general manager who was once lauded for winning three Stanley Cup championships with the Detroit Red Wings. It's possible the game has passed him by. Holland himself seems flummoxed as he continues to say, "This is how we did things in Detroit."
Well, this isn't Detroit, and this isn't 2008.
When Holland took the Red Wings reins from Scotty Bowman in 1997, he inherited a winning culture. It was a seamless transition for a young assistant GM like Holland who had already been with the organization.
This is a much different challenge. This is an organization that has not seen a whole lot of stability since 2006, when Edmonton last reached the Stanley Cup Final. The Oilers are synonymous with chaos, and switching things up with another head coach isn't exactly helping. The best thing Holland can do now is give Woodcroft time by keeping him in place through next season to establish some semblance of consistency.
To be fair, this isn't how Holland always operates. Tippett is the first coach he has ever fired midseason. But in other ways, he's still operating the same, handing out bad contracts and failing to properly project talent.
Coaches are hired to be fired, and Tippett was no different. Something had to change because the Oilers cannot keep wasting the best years of McDavid and Draisaitl, but Edmonton is no closer to contending with Woodcroft than it was with Tippett.
Holland had a chance to right the ship months ago, and he didn't. This move is too little, too late.
Dave Tippett Reportedly Fired as Oilers HC After 2-Plus Seasons with Team
Feb 10, 2022
VANCOUVER, BC - JANUARY 25: Head coach Dave Tippett of the Edmonton Oilers looks on from the bench during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena January 25, 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)"n
The Edmonton Oilers reportedly fired
head coach Dave Tippett on Thursday following back-to-back lopsided
losses to the Vegas Golden Knights and Chicago Blackhawks.
TSN's Darren Dreger reported Tippett,
who compiled a 95-62-14 record across two-plus seasons, and assistant
Jim Playfair were both dismissed.
Jay Woodcroft and Dave Manson, who were
part of the coaching staff of the team's AHL affiliate, the
Bakersfield Condors, will take over on an interim basis, per Dreger.
The Oilers came out firing on all
cylinders to open the 2021-22 season. They started 9-1-0 and stood at
16-5-0 following a win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 1.
They've gone just 7-13-3 since that
point, however, and it appears the losses to the Golden Knights and
Hawks by a combined score of 8-1 were the final straw. They now sit five points behind the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
While Tippett's regular-season record
with the Oilers was well over .500, the team was eliminated in the
first round of the playoffs each of the past two years. Their odds
to reach the 2022 postseason had dipped 61 percent amid the recent
cold spell, per Dom Luszczyszyn of The Athletic.
So Edmonton is betting on a coaching
change will provide a spark to get the club trending back in the right
direction before those playoff chances fade any more.
Woodcroft and Manson inherit a roster
led by two of the NHL's best players, Connor McDavid and Leon
Draisaitl, but also a group that features limited depth. McDavid and
Draisaitl are both over 60 points (125 combined), but only one other
player (Ryan Nugent-Hopkins) has over 30.
Trying to generate more production
outside that dynamic duo will be crucial if the Oilers are going to
turn things around and make a serious push toward the Stanley Cup.
The front office will likely be active
leading up to the March 21 trade deadline in pursuit of a couple
top-six forwards to bolster the scoring depth.
Edmonton can't wait another six weeks
for its play to improve, though. So a coaching change was the
short-term solution, and JFresh of EP Rinkside noted the team is due
for some positive regression following some miserable puck luck:
Some fresh ideas from the coaching
staff, a few more lucky bounces, modestly improved goaltending and a
key acquisition could put the Oilers back on the path toward
contention.
NHL Rumors: Evander Kane Could Sign Oilers Contract If He Avoids Suspension
Jan 20, 2022
San Jose Barracuda's Evander Kane speaks at a news conference after a hockey practice in San Jose, Calif., Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. The Barracudas are the minor league affiliate of the San Jose Sharks. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Evander Kane has not played an NHL game this season, but he reportedly could be returning to the ice for a new team pending the outcome of a league investigation.
Darren Dreger of TSN reported there remains "a decent chance" the left-winger will sign with the Edmonton Oilers if he avoids a significant suspension. He also said the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning "remain in the mix," although things could change if the NHL gives him a lengthy penalty.
In November ESPN's Greg Wyshynski wrote about Kane's 2021, including his 21-game suspension for violating the NHL's COVID-19 protocols because he submitted a fake vaccination card.
What's more, the league investigated after his estranged wife, Anna Kane, made allegations of domestic violence and that he bet on NHL games. The NHL said the allegations of assault "could not be substantiated" and determined there was no evidence he bet on hockey games.
The Sharks placed Kane on waivers, which he cleared, and then reassigned him to their AHL affiliate, the Barracuda.
San Jose then announced on Jan. 8 it placed him on unconditional waivers and would terminate his contract, citing a "breach of his NHL Standard Player Contract and for violation of the AHL COVID-19 protocols."
The NHL's ongoing investigation into Kane is related to this breach of protocols. Per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the league is looking into a border crossing made by Kane from the U.S. into Canada in December.
Still, ESPN's Kevin Weekes reported "most" teams that are realistically in contention for the Stanley Cup gauged interest from Kane's camp.
Pierre LeBrun of TSN said the left-winger's agent, Dan Milstein, said the plan is to sign a one-year deal for the rest of the 2021-22 campaign.
Kane played for the Atlanta Thrashers, Buffalo Sabres and Sharks from the 2009-10 season. He appeared in 56 games for San Jose in 2020-21 and finished with 49 points on 22 goals and 27 assists.
The Oilers are 18-15-2 on the season for 38 points, which is good enough for seventh place in the Pacific Division.
Making Sense of the Evander Kane Situation
Jan 14, 2022
SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 28: Evander Kane #9 of the San Jose Sharks takes the ice for warmups against the Arizona Coyotes at SAP Center on April 28, 2021 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/NHLI via Getty Images)
It's been a wild week in the NHL with the Evander Kane situation changing seemingly by the hour. Let's review.
- The San Jose Sharks announced on Jan. 8 that they had placed the 30-year-old winger on unconditional waivers for his second violation of COVID-19 protocols this season as a member of the club's AHL affiliate, the Barracuda. His contract was officially terminated on Jan. 9. Kane was originally suspended in October for reportedly using a fake vaccine card.
- The NHLPA immediately stated its intention that it would file a grievance on Kane's behalf, challenging the Sharks' decision to terminate Kane's contract.
We are aware of the San Jose Sharks’ stated intent to terminate Evander Kane’s contract. The NHLPA intends to challenge any such action by filing a grievance.
- According to Sportnet's Elliotte Friedman on Jan. 11, the Edmonton Oilers were in serious contention to sign Kane as an unrestricted free agent.
- When asked directly about signing Kane, Oilers general manager Ken Holland said, "I believe in second chances." Oilers captain Connor McDavid was also open to having him join in Edmonton.
- On Jan. 12, Friedman reported that Kane was under league investigation for the process of crossing the U.S.-Canadian border in December. The investigation would likely delay any team from signing Kane in the near term.
So where does this leave Kane and Sharks? How did we get into this situation in the first place? And what will happen next?
Let's take a closer look at the entire situation.
Why was a former 30-goal scorer in the prime of his career playing in the AHL in the first place?
After being suspended in October for reportedly having a fake vaccine card, Kane was playing in the AHL for the first time in his career as the Sharks sought a trade partner that never materialized. Kane had worn out his welcome in the Sharks locker room, with several teammates saying they didn't want him back for the 2021-22 campaign.
Trading him also would have required them to retain much of his $7 million yearly salary, since Kane is in the fourth year of a seven-year, $49 million contract. His time in the AHL wasn't without controversy either, as the club questioned his commitment to the Barracuda after he missed practices with what he called a sore shoulder and food poisoning, according to The Athletic.
What caused the Sharks to release Kane?
The Sharks said they terminated Kane's contract "for breach of his NHL standard player contract and for violation of the AHL COVID-19 protocols. It's important to note that the club probably could not have terminated his contract had the league not agreed that there was a breach of contract terms.
The NHLPA did not see the situation the same way, but that was to be expected.
Just a few months after being named the Sharks' player of the year, the team decided it was better off without the distraction, even if that meant losing his prolific offensive production.
Has Kane been involved in other troubling incidents?
Kane has long had a history of on- and off-ice issues that range from clashes with his own teammates to conflicts with officials to arrests.
The fourth overall pick in the 2009 draft by the Atlanta Thrashers, Kane was sued for assault damages in 2014 as a member of the Winnipeg Jets. He was scratched after an incident with his teammates. He publicly stated that he felt the team didn't have his back and traded away its problem.
In July 2016 as a member of the Buffalo Sabres, he was sued by a 21-year-old woman who claimed he invited her to a party in the Buffalo hotel room where he was living and attacked her. Later that month he was arrested after allegedly harassing three women at a Buffalo bar. He was later cleared of all charges.
Kane has also missed practices—once to go to the NBA All-Star Game in Toronto—he was scratched for violating the Jets' dress code, he's been late to practices, and teammates and coaches have found him to be unaccountable. Former Sabres general manager Tim Murray said Kane's involvement in highly publicized incidents like bar fights brought negative attention to the organization.
Last year, his estranged wife, Anna Kane, posted a series of Instagram stories accusing her husband of domestic abuse, gambling on NHL games and even throwing games. While Kane does have a history of gambling, as is evidenced by his bankruptcy that stemmed from gambling debts, the league cleared him of any wrongdoing, and he and his wife dropped their domestic violence restraining orders against one another
Who is interested in signing Kane?
Frank Seravalli of DailyFaceoff.com reported on Jan. 12 that as many as 16 teams have shown interest in Kane. The Oilers appeared to be the most interested in him. However, there is a chance that Kane probably would not be able to help a team in need of him for a playoff push.
Kane and his agent, Dan Milstein, were interviewing with teams before deputy commissioner Bill Daly sent out a memo saying the league was opening an investigation into his cross-border travel.
The Canadian government does not allow people to board a "public flight" within 15 days of receiving a positive COVID-19 test. Failure to comply with the Canadian federal Quarantine Act could result in "fines, imprisonment or both." Kane allegedly tested positive on Dec. 21 and traveled on Dec. 29.
Aside from the legal ramifications, Kane could be subjected to disciplinary action by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, which could mean that any team that signs him wouldn't be able to use him right away. Kane was already suspended for 21 games for the first COVID-19 infraction, so if he's suspended again it could be in the range of 30-40 games, which would bring him right about to the start of the postseason.
Why do so many teams seem willing to sign Kane?
Kane is capable of scoring 20-30 goals per season, and scorers like that will always be coveted. There is no question Kane is a talented winger who could boost the offensive production of any lineup.
Financially, it's a low-risk move since a team could negotiate a short-term contract.
"I'm not really here to discuss optic issues," he said. "If fans don't like it or the media doesn't like it, I think, whatever. It is what it is. There are a lot of things that go on on the ice that fans don't like and we don't necessarily have to discuss those up here with you guys.
"The public opinion is something that matters a lot, but we're here to try and win games and put a good team on the ice."
McDavid and his teammate, Leon Draisaitl, badly need help. The team has shown a remarkable inability to produce offense without those two on the ice, and goaltenders Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen have struggled. The roster has had several COVID-19-related absences and the team is right up against the cap, so Kane would be a way to bring in offense for cheap.
If the captain says it's not a big deal, then the rest of the locker room will have to take the same approach, at least publicly. But privately, it's a different story.
There will always be players who place a high value on team chemistry and accountability. There will always be young, impressionable players on their entry-level contracts because this is a salary-cap league. Can the Oilers afford to keep Kane around emerging young defenseman Evan Bouchard? Can any team afford to have a player known for being late or skipping practices around its top prospects?
It's possible that Kane is, in fact, a better teammate than we are seeing on Twitter. Along with Akim Aliu, Kane was a co-founder of the Hockey Diversity Alliance. However, he took a "voluntary leave" from the organization in August after Anna Kane's allegations became public.
But one could also argue that continually putting organizations in positions to defend his actions and leaving teams short-handed because of things like suspensions makes him a poor teammate.
There are some executives who have decided against signing Kane, even at a fraction of the cost. But if a team is that desperate for offensive production and it feels as though it has the structure and leadership to keep him on track, or that a playoff run would motivate him, then it may think otherwise.
It all depends on the outcome of the league's investigation and then what an independent arbitrator decides regarding his contract with the Sharks. For now, everything is on hold, which adds yet another layer to an already complicated situation.
