The Cult of Hockey's "Oilers with another dopamine downer of a loss" podcast

Let's do this! The Cult of Hockey podcast. By the Faithful and for the Faithful, tonight with Bruce McCurdy and David Staples. Tonight they dig into Edmonton's 3-0 loss to the Rangers of New York with their 2 Good Things, 2 Bad Things and 2 Numbers and 1 Conundrum podcast

[@geebster.]

Season isnt over, but might be time to make a move to wake them up.

[@everettwells3812]

See adam fox is a true 9 million dollar type defenceman....(nurse the curse)

[@hopsterbb2571]

Nurse is garbage!

[@filipohman7277]

Nurse should get a Job from The Hospital as an Nurse

[@gonephishing100]

Zone entry for the Rangers was a walk in the park. Can’t say the same for the Oilers. And our passing and puck movement was that of amateur hockey. What gives? 🤷‍♂️

[@tomharrison6607]

poor bruce david said another great day to be alive and bruce just shrugged lol these games are killing poor bruce

[@mrfake675]

Bruce is more heart Staples is all head.

[@user-rl4be4gj3y]

Jay Woodcroft needs to get it together. The Oilers had a pretty good system last year, and while it did have some flaws, they were flaws that could easily be fixed it they tinkered with the set up a little more. But when I say tinker with it a little, that didn’t mean throw the whole thing away and make a new that system that DOESN’T work. That defense was a joke. Skinner, in all honesty, had a pretty decent game. The defense and offense this game blew it.

[@ZabiAnwari]

What was Matisse Yanmark was doing in the first line.

[@rileywulff2010]

Season is over

[@ganesalingamparamasivam3524]

out couching, and bad contacts. get ride Nurse and Bouchard.

[@hopsterbb2571]

They are pathetic! Who ever signed Nurse for $9 MM a season should be visiting a Nurse in a mental hospital!

[@edge8941]

I was all for changing up the systems play after the loss to Vegas in the playoffs. But I think we have to take the L in that maybe we were too hasty. At least the team was watchable last season, and they could usually outscore their defensive woes. I don't think they have the natural talent to play tight defensively, no matter the system. May as well go to what worked relatively well for us last season.

[@kwaty]

I said it in preseason, I’ll say it now. This is a high octane offense (best) in the nhl 😮 that scores off the rush. It’s is against the nature of this team to stifle that in anyway. Even Vegas said the oilers were the toughest out on the way to the cup. By that testimonial we were arguably playing the 2nd best hockey at the end of last year. With that experience, some better goaltending, some puck luck & slightly less unfavourable reffing why couldn’t this team take the next step? But to drastically change what this team is so good at, for something they clearly are not figuring out? Don’t get it!

[@gonephishing100]

@@kwaty Because they didn’t believe it would affect their game in any way. They thought it would be an addition to their game rather than a replacement. This has turned out to be such drastic change that the players simply can’t adjust.

[@kwaty]

@@gonephishing100 Sure as hell seems that way! The goal scoring is has dried up & become maddeningly perimeter, the defensive zone coverage is way worse & whatever the actual F is going in the neutral zone transition D?

[@1ckmaxx]

The season is over…

[@truenorth1355]

This is on the coach! I like the job woody has been doing up until now, this is obviously the change on defence. they gave it a go and served up a shit sandwich! This team can’t play a zone defence.

[@coltsgotluck6518]

Woody has shown a complete and utter inability to coach these guys a new system. Ive never seen a playoff team look so bad before in my life. They look like an AHL team.

[@normmmcamp921]

I like your confidence David, but this is NOT the same team from last year. Kostin, Yamo, and Bjugstad have not been replaced.

[@ceecam4853]

Once again, Oilers were the second quickest team on the ice.

[@BobsUruncle-dl7cs]

System changes make them execute slower.

[@fontainefitness5698]

I would say third, behind both the Rangers and the team of officials.

[@simondaughtry4619]

2nd place is first to lose....

[@ryans413]

How do you go from the best power play the best winning percentage in March to April of last year to this. Last year and years past I could tell the team would be able to fight back and win games when they were down. When the oilers got a power play it was an automatic goal. When Mike Smith was in net it scared me but I knew he make those stops. What the hell is this team right now.

[@gameburn178]

Teams have figured out how to play them a bit better. And this year's team is not as good as last years. Adds up to a different reality -- especially for teams who feel they are playoff hopefuls or need the test. I think the way the team got together in the pre-season -- it put extra pressure on them too. And other teams have begun to develop/improve: and, again, Oilers are probably not quite as good as last year's team.

[@BobsUruncle-dl7cs]

Teams have figured out how to play them a bit better ----- Translatiton is that the Oilers System has been figured out and everybody has the Book on it.@@gameburn178

[@robgray7019]

Did the math recently, the top 7 guys are average 30yrs old and consuming nearly 56 $mil.

[@scottcraig2569]

I’ve watched pretty much every game since the late ‘90’s. This is the worst I’ve felt about the team. Start the “Fire Woodcroft” chants.

[@BobsUruncle-dl7cs]

Fellas, all Woody had to do last year against the LVK was change his MvsM D-zone focus from Sphere of Influence Management(stickchecks) to Bodychecking Management protocals....thats all and only in that zone.....now he has changed the Systems D-zone Structure which by proxy forces changes he DID NOT make to the N-zone management and the O-zone management tactics and strategies. Woody only changed D-zone management when he had to change all 3 zone management tactics to re-optimize each. The Oilers cannot simply plough their way out of this rut. The N-zone and O-zone strategies must change TO FIT THE NEW D-ZONE FOCUSES ASAP.

[@Ace96x10]

Good point Bob.

[@gordtulk]

Trading a player at this point in the season is an admission that the plan is a disaster. Swapping out one player to address an issue only creates a hole to plug another

[@dungeree7292]

Pretty much done with this joke of a team at this point

[@DS-hs3qp]

You say the OIlers are getting old..... they said 8 of the 12 Rangers forwards are over 30 and they performed great as you also said.

[@Ace96x10]

Have a contest where anyone who can get Nurse to waive his no trade and get some other team to take his full contract, becomes the new GM. That would be like trying to pull the sword from the stone when your names not Arthur though. I predicted bad goaltending, bad defense, and a loss of secondary scoring, But I was wrong about thinking it wouldn't likely be as bad as it's been. Some disaster can be repaired fairly quick, and some cant. This is now a slow and very hard fix. Lol, But maybe I'm wrong) 🎸

[@geebster.]

No one is taking Nurses full contract at this point. Would have to retain some for sure.

[@Ace96x10]

@@geebster. Lol, ya, about 65%😆

[@hopsterbb2571]

@@Ace96x10like about 90%! He’s a joke! The playoffs last year exposed his lack of skill and hockey IQ!

[@zigfield723]

Coming into this season, the Oilers had the 3rd best goal differential and 2nd best record in the league since mid 21/22 season. Remember, its not specifically about how many goals you score, or let it, its about the DIFFERENTIAL. So Jay Woodcroft's implementation of the box zone 5v5 system (which everyone knew would stiffle their offense and their best player and his best attributes) has been a complete disaster. Predicted by many, now its reality. Fire this clown.

[@JonSnuh]

Fire the coach?? God I think im starting to hate Edm fans. We seem to have the mental stability of children.

[@thenaj1956]

Team still have the same issues they had prior to Holland being GM, can even argue team is worse now. Horrible signings, even worse trades. Out of 7 defensemen Oilers have 1 1/2 good defenders. Draistl and McDavid will not resign in Edmonton. If i was in their shoes and management is telling me "we have a plan", i would just not believe them. Woodcroft is in over his head, no clue what to do at this point. Start blowing up the team now and maybe you can hope to make the playoffs

[@hopsterbb2571]

Which 1 and 1/2? Nurse is a negative 2 with that contact!

[@scottcraig2569]

Woodcroft has ten games to turn things around.

[@DibsEquipped]

Niemelainen in the lineup now!!

[@filipohman7277]

Exactly 👍👍👍

[@cgeescorts1487]

The Tyson Barrie trade did alot of damage. The team had chemistry with Tyson and that was lost. More importantly, the team had a special spirit with Tyson on board. All of the players were against the trade. Now you would think the GM would know better ??? This was the start of the downfall for the oilers.

[@omalleysmith9100]

The whole "Cup or Bust" battle cry isn't aging well. I think they need to come down from buying into their own hype, and they CAN turn it around - for once I actually agree with Staples. lol

[@DibsEquipped]

Hire Jukka Jalonen as their defensive coach now!!

[@filipohman7277]

Exactly 👍👍👍

[@tomharrison6607]

they seem complacent and like they are waiting for draisaitl and mcdavid to bail them out

[@epiphany519]

Again, this is a long post with base stats for the game (primarily for the Oilers). They aren't the in-depth stats the Cult of Hockey collects and are provided simply as a reference point. Read, don't read as you wish. Statistics for NY Rangers at Edmonton October 26st, 2023 Edmonton: NY Rangers: Fox 1 Goal (PP), 1 Secondary Assist Schneider 1 Goal, 1 Secondary Assist Lafreniere 1 Goal Panarin 1 Primary Assist, 1 Secondary Assist (PP) Trocheck 1 Primary Assist (PP) Vesey 1 Primary Assist NOTE: All Goals scored in the 2nd period NY Rangers Oilers Shots on Goal 32 29 Hits 16 18 Faceoffs Won 31 22 PP 1/3 0/2 Giveaways 6 9 Takeaways 7 14 Blocked Shots 18 13 Skinner 29 Saves on 32 Shots = .906 Save Percentage 3 Stars: Panarin, Fox, Quick (Goalie, shutout) Player TOI SOG +/- PIM Hits Blocks Giveaways Takeaways Bouchard 20:17 3 0 0 0 2 0 2 Ekholm 19:29 1 0 2 2 2 2 0 Nurse 19:25 2 -2 0 1 4 0 0 Ceci 18:01 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kulak 15:17 2 -2 0 0 0 0 0 Desharnais 12:44 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 Broberg 12:23 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 Draisaitl 21:16 3 0 0 0 0 2 1 Nuge 20:22 1 -1 0 0 0 1 0 Kane 19:17 3 0 2 5 0 0 1 Brown 18:49 2 -1 0 1 0 1 2 Hyman 17:40 3 -1 0 1 0 0 1 Holloway 15:33 1 -1 0 2 0 1 1 Foegele 14:34 3 -1 2 2 0 1 2 McLeod 13:43 1 -1 0 1 0 0 0 Janmark 13:26 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 Ryan 13:01 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 Erne 9:21 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 Faceoffs Won Lost Percent Draisaitl 10 10 50.0 Nuge 5 8 38.5 McLeod 4 9 30.8 Ryan 2 1 66.7 Holloway 1 1 50.0 Janmark 0 1 0.00 Brown 0 1 0.00 So I included some stats for the Rangers as they're the only ones that scored (DOH). Another poor defensive effort. ZERO offence. I mean ZERO from the Oilers. The suckage continues boys and girls, something smells and needs to be taken out. We'll see what happens, take care all.

[@BobsUruncle-dl7cs]

Thanks for the clear view Traditional Stats, they are very revealing. The Oilers outhit em and out took more pucks away than they gave away.Rangers blocked more shots which evened up the shooting numbers showing the game as very close. Rangers won more faceoffs showing they were controlling momentum .Oilers took less penalties showing a push for discipline. The Oilers played with more discipline and they pushed the River last night while taking more controlled shots coming out of more controlled O-zone playactions. Their Physicality matched the Rangers . Looks like they are doing what Woodcraft is asking them to do.

[@normmmcamp921]

...adding an anchor like Janmark with 29 when he already has to carry 91 for a second game in a row provided the same result. Nothing. Putting a fast and aggressive player like Holloway (there aren't many/any other options) would provide energy and puck-hawking that would only help 29/91. And it would give Holloway needed experience with top line talent... That it hasn't already been done is on Woody.

[@everettwells3812]

Do these guys even give a shit? Or is just about collecting those millions and laughing all the way to the bank??

[@gkarenko9593]

I'm tired of the days when the draft lottery is the highlight of the season. There is time to turn this around, but where is our Stanley Cup contender?

[@mcollier007]

How about trading the Nuuge...

[@hopsterbb2571]

@@3ormore660a puck bag

[@filipohman7277]

Hire Some Finns A.S.A.P if Edmonton wanna Win!!!!! Greetings from Helsinki, Finland 🇫🇮🇨🇦

[@fbraakman]

Defensemen waving their sticks at oncoming forwards into the zone. Nobody wants to use the body. New York looked fantastic, as did Minnesota the other night. Oilers were not in the same league.

[@loridamsgard5647]

No comment!

[@Apex1000snow]

why can't they send Bro down for gleason or lavoi? I agree we need some kind of a spark!

[@jayb5071]

This on Holland, nurse and campbell contract are brutal , Salary cap jam , sign ryan and janmark and loose kostin . Connor brown is invisible yamo look better .

[@darrelladams4886]

No way Leon wants to resign here. Gotta move him now and get good returns

[@simondaughtry4619]

"Battle of the Alberta Stooges" coming tom..

[@terryprost2165]

Compassion but no passion / Oilers need to start hitting ! It could spark the team !!!!

[@xenaluck]

Are we missing kostin yet?

[@truenorth1355]

Well maybe we can get him back, he doesn’t have a point yet and is getting decent ice time.

[@mrfake675]

Oilers Lessons. Life lessons. Don't believe the hype.

[@GT-bx1jp]

great song by SNAP

[@OilFan702]

Tell me how it makes sense to put Jammark and Derek Ryan on line 1 instead of Hyman, Foegle or Holloway because that is what Woody did last night.

[@thekiltedzombie8230]

What an inept group without that player 97, even Drai looks lost without the guy who gets him the puck. Janmark and Ryan were both given a shot on the first line tonight...seriously! This is on management and coaching, this club has way to many players who have little to no impact on the game but still garner large chunks of ice time and salary!

[@bocephus124]

Let’s see how you two spin this one , ,

[@Feedback4Utoday]

so unfortunate. perhaps the fans do oddly deserve it in not doing more to somehow remove BobN. if look back, seems he & his Mgrs/GMs tend to be far removed from really understanding the 'current' criteria/skills needed etc, yet all relaxed, happy, security. Keep slotting in people based on old resumes of yrs ago to cover butts. Impression is team gets very bad scouting, development, drafting etc & just outdated but GM just gambles anyway vs systemic building. Looks like heading to a big collapse at feet of fans. Only contracts of value are McD & Drais - & likely should be trading to get some picks etc & start building vs gambling. Go down list of GM's contracts.. start w Bou & McC.

[@CS97660]

Wheres the * it's only pre season* *it's still early* *Skinner is good* people at? Awfully quiet

[@r0ckstarc0p40]

You guys nailed it, finally point out the truth. Holland needs to get over himself and do something. Holland likes his older players, worked so well in the 80’s, 90’s etc. they need a younger more modern GM who is smart and willing to make moves, and smart signing decisions.

[@theodorebelmont7922]

Hollands best days were with the no salary cap Red Wings. He put a great system in place but he's old news now

[@r0ckstarc0p40]

Bingo

[@natehay77]

Contract year Foegel. Same old story. Player needs a new contract and plays his ass off season before.

[@danielhansen9203]

I like and respect Jay Woodcroft...but folks it's over. It's not working...It's time to make a change before the window completely closes. I live in Chicago. It's time to bring in a 3 time Stanley Cup champion. Joel Queeneville

[@theodorebelmont7922]

How many coaches have Edmonton gone through in McDavids career?

[@danielhansen9203]

@@theodorebelmont7922 and not one of them has been the Stanley Cup winning coach. Hitchcock for a couple months doesn't count

[@DibsEquipped]

Fire Woodcroft now!!

[@Thynqikan]

the players are a year older and a year slower and they have been clearly slower in the games they have played this year. You talk trade but if I was a GM on another team you are not offering much that entices me. The players are obviously not buying into the implemented changes, and I think Woodcroft needs to go back to what he had going during the latter part of the season last year.

[@navthunderchild]

Go back to man to man, and trade for another ekholm type defence to be paired with nurse. Ceci and kulak can get us a nice right shot defender to be paired with nurse. Keep ekholm and bouchard together. Broberg and deharnais can be the third pairing along with the other call ups if need

[@hopsterbb2571]

The d is abysmal….Nurse is a pylon, with zero hockey IQ!

[@TheDolfanar]

Or… the « zone defense » was such a catastrophically bad idea that it will soon cost the GM and coach their job plus get Connor Brown outright cut and will lead to Draisaitl never renewing with the team. Fundamental law of Oil hockey… if Staples thinks it’s a good idea, do the exact opposite.

[@WinterWoolies]

David lol yeah he can make a trade. Yeah for a player that aint doing shit. Were going to get such a great return hey lol

[@stefankrieger2596]

Cup contenders?? Forget it!! If they make it to the play-offs i´ll be surprised! This team just isn´t good enough!!!

[@shadowspeedx8585]

Last year’s system wasn’t bad oilers hockey

[@uhoh6334]

I blame pride tape and the NDP

[@pth6060]

It seems that what has been going on in the NHL over the last while, the Oilers are in trouble and doomed as a team. For what its worth, when Connor McDavid mentions that he enjoys the woke ideology lgbtq, rainbow tape and flags. Long time fan but I'm done. It's primarily the love for lgbtq. WHY NOT KEEP IT WITH HOCKEY? HOCKEY IS NOT ABOUT SEXUAL PREFERENCE OR IDENTITY. boycott the Woke Oilers.

[@BobsUruncle-dl7cs]

A lot of people will never forget nor forgive him or Ference nor will they ever speak of it ,that was a big mistake by Connor to take a stance IMHO.

[@alouie001]

Jimmy Vessey is the future of the Rangers. We call him greasy Vessey on how can play like a rat sometimes. NYR power play ranking improved from last season along with face offs. NYR is the #1 team right now in goals allowed in 3rd period. The Metro division this year is super competitive. Even Philly is a showing signs of life.

[@Aaron-kq7rd]

Are these guys always kinda clueless? With all respect , just wondering.