[WCF] Colorado Avalanche (C1) vs. Edmonton Oilers (P2) | Avalanche win series 4-0

[King Heffy]

53 minutes ago, Gnarcore said:

Once again your judgement on a defenseman is hyperbolic and inaccurate. 

i don't want Barrie but you slot him in on TB or Colorado and he isn't nearly as bad as he would be on Edmonton. 

He was already on Colorado and he was an absolute tire fire.  He has proven himself to be incapable of playing defence at this level.

[higgyfan]

1 hour ago, King Heffy said:

He was already on Colorado and he was an absolute tire fire.  He has proven himself to be incapable of playing defence at this level.

And yet he has just completed his 10th season in the NHL.  So far, he has the 8th highest points overall in

his draft and has earnings over $36M in the NHL and still going strong at 30yrs.

 

Not bad for a 3rd round draft pick.

[King Heffy]

13 minutes ago, higgyfan said:

And yet he has just completed his 10th season in the NHL.  So far, he has the 8th highest points overall in

his draft and has earnings over $36M in the NHL and still going strong at 30yrs.

 

Not bad for a 3rd round draft pick.

I don't care how many points he puts up, his defensive play isn't even close to being acceptable.  Toronto and Edmonton very clearly do not understand what an actual NHL quality blueliner looks like; Barrie would be lucky to make Abbotsford unless he somehow learns how to actually play defence.

[higgyfan]

12 minutes ago, King Heffy said:

I don't care how many points he puts up, his defensive play isn't even close to being acceptable.  Toronto and Edmonton very clearly do not understand what an actual NHL quality blueliner looks like; Barrie would be lucky to make Abbotsford unless he somehow learns how to actually play defence.

I know you don't like his game and that he doesn't play defence, yet he has been in the league for 10 yrs (including

7 with the Avs) and will likely get another contract after next year.  He's not playing in the AHL.  Teams adjust to

his game, but are more interested in his offensive attributes. 

 

Barrie may not have the defensive skills, but he's had a very good career despite his weaknesses.  10 seasons in

the NHL and =$36m in earnings.  For a 3rd rounder, that is outstanding.

 

[King Heffy]

29 minutes ago, higgyfan said:

I know you don't like his game and that he doesn't play defence, yet he has been in the league for 10 yrs (including

7 with the Avs) and will likely get another contract after next year.  He's not playing in the AHL.  Teams adjust to

his game, but are more interested in his offensive attributes. 

 

Barrie may not have the defensive skills, but he's had a very good career despite his weaknesses.  10 seasons in

the NHL and =$36m in earnings.  For a 3rd rounder, that is outstanding.

 

I actually love that he doesn't play defence since he's on a division rival.  He is a massive liability and makes any team he is on worse.

[higgyfan]

11 minutes ago, King Heffy said:

I actually love that he doesn't play defence since he's on a division rival.  He is a massive liability and makes any team he is on worse.

Weren't the Soilers  6W 0L with the Canucks this season?

[4petesake]

3 hours ago, EP Phone Home said:

Not feeling bad for the Oilers but at the same token I find it

quite funny that Sportsnet (under the the ownership of Rogers) would dunk the same team that has its arena named after it. Even more funny that they deleted (and the scores tweet) it. Where was all the dunking on the leafs when they choked eh? Not supporting the Oil one bit but you choose to dunk on the 4th last team playing over the team that has been victory less in almost 20 years is pretty unprofessional hence why they deleted the tweets. With all the outrage with the sports betting ads spam and to alienate a fanbase Rogers PR has their hands full these days.  

 

[Chickenspear]

4 hours ago, EP Phone Home said:

Not feeling bad for the Oilers but at the same token I find it

quite funny that Sportsnet (under the the ownership of Rogers) would dunk the same team that has its arena named after it. Even more funny that they deleted (and the scores tweet) it. Where was all the dunking on the leafs when they choked eh? Not supporting the Oil one bit but you choose to dunk on the 4th last team playing over the team that has been victory less in almost 20 years is pretty unprofessional hence why they deleted the tweets. With all the outrage with the sports betting ads spam and to alienate a fanbase Rogers PR has their hands full these days.  

Charge your phone

[Gurn]

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/sports/nhl/analyzing-the-flaws-that-shaped-the-oilers-conference-final-defeat/ar-AAYc8fG?bk=1&ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=d642ea54112c4a5e831f2876c8388e41

With the Colorado Avalanche completing the sweep, the Edmonton Oilers‘ 2021-22 season has come to an end. Now, they’ll be left asking themselves what went wrong and how they can avoid the same fate next year.

So where did Edmonton go wrong this post-season?

There were flaws at all three positions.

One of the easiest flaws to point out is back in the blue paint. The Oilers’ decision to run it back with a crease of Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen has been criticized all year, and rightfully so. Teams can get by without elite goaltending, but they can do a lot more when they have support between the pipes.

Edmonton did have support earlier this post-season. While there were quintessential ‘Mike Smith plays’ that were highlighted through each series, going into the Western Conference Final he was around average, having performed very close to expectations to that point with a Goals Saved Above Expected of -.13.

Colorado, however, exploited him when he over-committed or mishandled the puck. They’re an aggressive team that can keep the pressure up, and it became too much for the Oilers to handle. In four games, they generated 14.1 expected goals based on their shot quality (before factoring in shooting talent), and Smith conceded almost five more goals than expected based on that workload.

Defensive woes

The Oilers’ loss isn’t only on goaltending, though. Smith losing his composure in Game 4 certainly plays into it the loss, seeing as that gave Colorado more of an opening to rally in the third period. But series-wide, defence was an area of concern as well.

Of the goaltenders in Round 3, no one’s faced more shot attempts against than Smith in all situations. Pre-shot movement only made those shots all the more dangerous; the Oilers allowed their opponent to move the puck to the slot to improve the quality of those chances.

Focusing in on 5-on-5, the Oilers conceded 3.6 expected goals against per 60, which is the most among teams in the playoffs. It wasn’t just a matter of shot volume, but quality.

The Avalanche were able to skate up the ice with the puck and create offence off the rush, with 32 slot attempts generated at the highest rate among teams in Round 3. Five of those scoring chances ended up in the back of the net. But they’re not one-dimensional in their offensive creation and managed 24 slot shots off the cycle; four of those converted for goals.

Edmonton didn’t break up passes enough, either — allowing a higher rate of east-west passes that connected 85 per cent of the time. And they allowed 27.6 pass attempts to the slot.

Colorado’s offence came in waves, and the Oilers not only weren’t built to withstand it with their blue line but couldn’t contain it either.

Struggling from behind

What hurt the Oilers, who struggled defensively, was that when they were trailing in a game the Avalanche didn’t simply go into a shell to try to maintain a lead. Had Colorado sat back when ahead in score, Edmonton could have focused on how to generate scoring chances. Instead, their opponent wasn’t influenced by score effects and kept pushing the pace of play.

That forced the Oilers to always think about defence and how to battle back against this overwhelming offence. That weighed on Edmonton’s game because they were simply outmatched, and couldn’t play to their strengths. But even their strengths fell short of Colorado’s, especially when it mattered the most.

Losing Evander Kane

There’s no question that Edmonton didn’t have the forward depth to match Colorado. Few teams do, that’s why the Avalanche are such a heavy favourite to win it all. But what really hurt was losing a top-six player who has been productive in the post-season.

On the ice, Kane was productive in the post-season. He was the recipient of incredible passes that he just had to finish, and gave opponents another threat to try and stop while simultaneously trying to limit one of the best offensive talents in the world down the middle of that line.

At 5-on-5, he led the team with his expected goal generation in the playoffs at 1.39 per 60. The winger contributed to his team’s scoring chance generation off the cycle and kicked in some slot shots for the rush.

Sure, the Oilers still had Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid in Game 4. And both players did damage in their last game of the season. But not having Kane — or at least another top-line calibre player — only limited what Edmonton could do against this loaded Avalanche squad. That’s even more true when considering Draisaitl’s injury status.

While Draisaitl was still effective even with extremely limited movement, there was more pressure on him to be great despite that because the team was without one of their top-six threats.

That further emphasizes how poor Kane’s decision-making was in Game 3 on the play that injured Nazem Kadri.

The Oilers needed every ounce of forward depth they could get, and Kane ended his season early — and contributed to his team’s season ending sooner than they could have hoped — by taking himself out of Game 4 entirely.

[JM_]

3 minutes ago, gurn said:

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/sports/nhl/analyzing-the-flaws-that-shaped-the-oilers-conference-final-defeat/ar-AAYc8fG?bk=1&ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=d642ea54112c4a5e831f2876c8388e41

With the Colorado Avalanche completing the sweep, the Edmonton Oilers‘ 2021-22 season has come to an end. Now, they’ll be left asking themselves what went wrong and how they can avoid the same fate next year.

So where did Edmonton go wrong this post-season?

There were flaws at all three positions.

One of the easiest flaws to point out is back in the blue paint. The Oilers’ decision to run it back with a crease of Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen has been criticized all year, and rightfully so. Teams can get by without elite goaltending, but they can do a lot more when they have support between the pipes.

Edmonton did have support earlier this post-season. While there were quintessential ‘Mike Smith plays’ that were highlighted through each series, going into the Western Conference Final he was around average, having performed very close to expectations to that point with a Goals Saved Above Expected of -.13.

Colorado, however, exploited him when he over-committed or mishandled the puck. They’re an aggressive team that can keep the pressure up, and it became too much for the Oilers to handle. In four games, they generated 14.1 expected goals based on their shot quality (before factoring in shooting talent), and Smith conceded almost five more goals than expected based on that workload.

Defensive woes

The Oilers’ loss isn’t only on goaltending, though. Smith losing his composure in Game 4 certainly plays into it the loss, seeing as that gave Colorado more of an opening to rally in the third period. But series-wide, defence was an area of concern as well.

Of the goaltenders in Round 3, no one’s faced more shot attempts against than Smith in all situations. Pre-shot movement only made those shots all the more dangerous; the Oilers allowed their opponent to move the puck to the slot to improve the quality of those chances.

Focusing in on 5-on-5, the Oilers conceded 3.6 expected goals against per 60, which is the most among teams in the playoffs. It wasn’t just a matter of shot volume, but quality.

The Avalanche were able to skate up the ice with the puck and create offence off the rush, with 32 slot attempts generated at the highest rate among teams in Round 3. Five of those scoring chances ended up in the back of the net. But they’re not one-dimensional in their offensive creation and managed 24 slot shots off the cycle; four of those converted for goals.

Edmonton didn’t break up passes enough, either — allowing a higher rate of east-west passes that connected 85 per cent of the time. And they allowed 27.6 pass attempts to the slot.

Colorado’s offence came in waves, and the Oilers not only weren’t built to withstand it with their blue line but couldn’t contain it either.

Struggling from behind

What hurt the Oilers, who struggled defensively, was that when they were trailing in a game the Avalanche didn’t simply go into a shell to try to maintain a lead. Had Colorado sat back when ahead in score, Edmonton could have focused on how to generate scoring chances. Instead, their opponent wasn’t influenced by score effects and kept pushing the pace of play.

That forced the Oilers to always think about defence and how to battle back against this overwhelming offence. That weighed on Edmonton’s game because they were simply outmatched, and couldn’t play to their strengths. But even their strengths fell short of Colorado’s, especially when it mattered the most.

Losing Evander Kane

There’s no question that Edmonton didn’t have the forward depth to match Colorado. Few teams do, that’s why the Avalanche are such a heavy favourite to win it all. But what really hurt was losing a top-six player who has been productive in the post-season.

On the ice, Kane was productive in the post-season. He was the recipient of incredible passes that he just had to finish, and gave opponents another threat to try and stop while simultaneously trying to limit one of the best offensive talents in the world down the middle of that line.

At 5-on-5, he led the team with his expected goal generation in the playoffs at 1.39 per 60. The winger contributed to his team’s scoring chance generation off the cycle and kicked in some slot shots for the rush.

Sure, the Oilers still had Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid in Game 4. And both players did damage in their last game of the season. But not having Kane — or at least another top-line calibre player — only limited what Edmonton could do against this loaded Avalanche squad. That’s even more true when considering Draisaitl’s injury status.

While Draisaitl was still effective even with extremely limited movement, there was more pressure on him to be great despite that because the team was without one of their top-six threats.

That further emphasizes how poor Kane’s decision-making was in Game 3 on the play that injured Nazem Kadri.

The Oilers needed every ounce of forward depth they could get, and Kane ended his season early — and contributed to his team’s season ending sooner than they could have hoped — by taking himself out of Game 4 entirely.

^ this forgot cap space.

 

The Coilers have at least 6 roster spots to fill and 7 mil in cap space. Kane will chase $. Even if they manage to trade Barrie, that still doesn't leave room to re-sign him.

[grumpyone]

help please.

was reading over on Spector's Rumors that if Mike Smith retires his 2.2 comes off Edmonton's cap hit next year.

He signed that while over 35 years old. Doesn't that mean something? I thought that any contract signed after 35 had to be honored, therefore stays on the cap. 

[MystifyNCrucify]

@grumpyone

https://www.capfriendly.com/faq#thirtyfive_plus

 

*edit

A contract is designated a 35+ contract if the players age on the first year of the contract is 35 or older (as of June 30 prior to the year of the effective contract).

35+ contracts that are two years in length or longer and:
1. Have a signing bonus in the 2nd or later year, OR
2. Are front-loaded  
Will not benefit from a reduced cap hit regardless of the players location of play, termination, retired status, or a buyout. This rule was introduced by the NHL to prevent teams from backloading contracts past when the player was expected to retire. An exception to this rule is that a team will receive a $100,000 cap hit reduction if the player is on the 2nd or later year of the contract and assigned to the minors

 

 

Edited June 8, 2022 by MystifyNCrucify

[Alflives]

3 minutes ago, MystifyNCrucify said:

@grumpyone

https://www.capfriendly.com/faq#thirtyfive_plus

 

So?

Smith retires and gives up his extra millions?  Doubtful.

Smith goes to LTIR and collects his coin, and the Soilers have that in extra cap?  Maybe.

Smith plays his last year in Coilerville?  Likely.

[-Vintage Canuck-]

 

[DeNiro]

20 minutes ago, -Vintage Canuck- said:

 

Might be out of his control if it’s determined he’s still under contract with the Sharks.

 

That and I don’t think the Oilers should be committing 6-7 mil to forward. But hey let them keep making the same mistakes. It’s hilariously entertaining!

[JM_]

14 minutes ago, DeNiro said:

Might be out of his control if it’s determined he’s still under contract with the Sharks.

 

That and I don’t think the Oilers should be committing 6-7 mil to forward. But hey let them keep making the same mistakes. It’s hilariously entertaining!

the problem was clearly in the net, so sure, go sign another F 

 

Not sure where Holland thinks he's going to get the money from, but EDM deserves a long term deal with Kane. 

[Gnarcore]

Looking forward to the game tonight..oh nevermind....

[Coconuts]

19 hours ago, JM_ said:

6/7 years of playoffs with two cups. 

 

I don't mind people talking about McBaby's offensive talents, just don't blow smoke up someone's wazoo and pretend he's as complete a player as Crosby, because he isn't. 

Even if he manages to win even one cup he'll never have the legacy Sid will leave behind. He's legitimately in the conversation for top 5 all-time imo. 

 

18 hours ago, Mustard Tiger said:

I would trade mcdiver and build around drysaddle. 32 points in 16 games on 1 leg. What!

Man, if Edmonton offered up Draisaitl to us I'm not sure there's anyone not named Hughes I wouldn't trade for him. And if they were both the same age and at the levels they are now, it'd be a tough choice. He's that good. He blows every forward we've got on our team out of the water and it's not close. 

 

If Edmonton had any sense that's exactly what they'd do, McDavid is an offensive dynamo but they sacrifice so much depth to have him on their roster. They'd be better off with Draisaitl and even an average 2C behind him. 

[Chickenspear]

https://www.tsn.ca/NHL/video/i-dont-think-we-have-a-number-one-goalie-oilers-unsure-of-goalie~2460313

 

Video Summary:

-We don't have a #1 (no s***)

-I don't have a plan

-I don't know what I'm doing

-I haven't done my job and checked with other teams on goalie availability

-Smith's jumping ship

-Have I said I don't know what I'm doing?

 

 

I'm pretty content with this guy steering the tanker into an iceberg.

[Mustard Tiger]

42 minutes ago, Coconuts said:

Even if he manages to win even one cup he'll never have the legacy Sid will leave behind. He's legitimately in the conversation for top 5 all-time imo. 

 

Man, if Edmonton offered up Draisaitl to us I'm not sure there's anyone not named Hughes I wouldn't trade for him. And if they were both the same age and at the levels they are now, it'd be a tough choice. He's that good. He blows every forward we've got on our team out of the water and it's not close. 

 

If Edmonton had any sense that's exactly what they'd do, McDavid is an offensive dynamo but they sacrifice so much depth to have him on their roster. They'd be better off with Draisaitl and even an average 2C behind him. 

Well nuge would be an okay 2c. Would have more depth on the wing for him. I hate poolparty and yams. Just the faces they make when the camera pans to them really rustle my jimmies lmao