If there’s a more disturbing trend among Oiler fans and media than downplaying the contributions of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins then I must have missed it.
Over the last couple of weeks he’s been called “Soft… by Mark Spector and has been speculated as trade bait by Ryan Rishaug and Jim Matheson. That’s the lead Edmonton Oiler contributors for TSN, Sportsnet, and the Edmonton Journal. It’s a disturbing trend for what should be the most plugged in members of the local hockey media. Even this morning Craig Custance of ESPN mused about an RNH for Seth Jones deal.
These articles could be pure speculation or they could be a sign that something is brewing on the RNH front but nothing that can be confirmed. It is pretty common practice for lots of sports journalists to float ideas out to the public when they know something is happening behind the scenes. With so many high profile Edmonton media guys talking we have to start to wonder.
Then again, there is a healthy sized list of players I would move well ahead of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Edmonton hasn’t enjoyed a single game with all three of McDavid, Nugent-Hopkins, and Draisaitl down the middle. Not one. I think this supposed depth that they have has to be proven/enjoyed for at least 60 minutes of NHL action before we can start calling it a position of strength.
Maybe that’s just me.
The demise of RNH has been greatly over-exaggerated. There are even Oiler fans who are upset with his lack of scoring.
He’s 3rd on team scoring with 17 points in 23 games. He is on pace for a career high in points. This isn’t a down year for him.
He once again leads the Oiler forwards in Time on Ice per game and plays the toughest competition available. RNH should not be on the list of people the club is trying to trade. Not even if it could land them a good defenseman. Not when there are wingers on the team with the cache that Jordan Eberle has.
This trend of discussing his contributions like they are wholly replaceable is disturbing. The Oilers are absolutely on the verge of having center depth that could be the envy of the other teams. Just like the Penguins had it when they ran out Crosby, Malkin, and Staal. Except the Penguins won their 1 Cup in the Crosby era with that depth and Edmonton hasn’t even played a game with theirs.
The Oilers have the opportunity to make that depth part of their core identity. They will be able to choose it as who they are. It is very rare for clubs to be able to make that choice. I would not be in a hurry to rob myself of the chance to make that decision.
LINEUP
Khaira plays on the 4th and Schultz stays on the 3rd pairing. I’m expecting Nilsson to start.
Hall Draisaitl Purcell Pouliot RNH Eberle Korpikoski Letestu Pakarinen Khaira Lander Hendricks
Klefbom Fayne Nurse Sekera Davidson Schultz
Nilsson
OILERS KEYS TO THE GAME
1) Khaira Stepping Up. He played his first game and by golly he looked pretty good. He has a big body that he wasn’t afraid to use and even made a couple plays. The best play was when he used that long reach to pick off a would-be breakout pass for a point blank chance on net. He chose to go with a backhand shot even though the Oiler (Nuge?) coming in looked like he could have had an even better chance, but it’s game 1 and he must have been running on pure adrenaline. Overall it was a great way to start for a guy whose career will be in the bottom 6.
2) Better Exits. Oscar Klefbom struggled greatly to get the puck out of his zone. In fact, it was a problem for the Oilers all night. The staff (and Klefbom) needs to address this quickly. Every time Klefbom tried to come up along the left wall he was sealed off completely. On multiple occasions all he could do to fend off the forecheck was to send the puck up the boards like he was trying to clear on the PK. It wasn’t pretty.
3) Sparks Flying. AHL hotshot goaltender Garrett Sparks is making his NHL debut with the Leafs tonight against the Oilers. Like a lot of goalies he was relatively unheralded at the Draft (190th overall in 2011), but he’s worked his way up through the system with great performances at every level. Last year in the ECHL he had a .936 save percentage in 36 games. This year in the AHL he’s had a .938 sv% in 11 games with the Marlies. He has decent size at 6’3… and 205 pounds, he’s 22, and he’s going to be jacked for this game. The Oilers have to ruin his day.
Puck drops tonight at 5:30 PM Mountain Time on Sportsnet. Get Better, Connor!
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