Every Friday, three of BTI’s writers get together and share their thoughts on three topics from around the NHL
An impressive list of players has played in their 1000th game Duncan Keith, Jason Pominville, Ron Hainsey, Jason Spezza, Tomas Plekanec, and Ryan Suter.
Keith with 3 Stanley Cups is a lock for the hall of fame, Pominville, Hainsey, Spezza, Plekanec have all had long successful careers but maybe aren’t the best candidates for the hall. Suter, on the other hand, is a curious case as far as HHOF selections go.
For as long as I’ve been alive, the NHL has been a league focused on respecting the traditions of the game, respecting your opponents, and mainly just staying your own lane. I was fine with it, I still am to some degree, but there’s no denying that the NHL has lacked personality for a long time.
Earlier this week, TSN released their annual “Top 50” list and as with most of these lists, it was met with a lot of bitching and complaining from fans on Twitter.
Were there parts of the list that I disagree with? Absolutely. But, instead of just tweeting something like “Claude Giroux is too high” I’m going to make my own list and spoiler, Claude Giroux is much lower on my list.
A few things you’ll notice with my rankings: I favour centres and prefer an elite offensive player over an elite defensive player.
Here is my version of “The Top 50 Players in the NHL”:
Ty Rattie lit it up this preseason, which has Oilers fans excited for what he will bring to the table this year. I must admit it’s hard not to get sucked into the hype with 18 points (7G-11A) through four preseason games and a hat-trick against the Canucks to add to it.
But it’s important not to get too excited over Rattie’s incredible production this September. The question still needs answering: Is Ty Rattie the answer? What can we expect from him this season?
It’s a near impossible question to answer right now with limited play to showcase. When we look at his numbers in the NHL he only has 49 games in the big leagues under his belt. Prior to last year he never scored more than four goals in a season. His career high in points is currently 9, when he scored five goals in 14 games last year.
But Rattie’s stats are irrelevant to why I think it’s too early to jump on the bandwagon. Other than showcasing the limited experience he has; all the numbers show is he’s had some pretty good success in limited action with the Oilers.
Why is he just finding this success now at 25-years-old? Some players develop later than others sure, but could his explosive play have anything to do with playing with Connor McDavid since being called up from Bakersfield late last year?
Having the best player in the world on your team is the best thing any hockey team can ask for. But at times it may create a mirage of other players’ abilities. Let’s not forget that while playing on the top line with McDavid, Patrick Maroon scored 27 goals in 2016-17.
While Maroon was a fan favourite, it was unfair to expect him to replicate his scoring numbers from that magical season, especially since his career-high in goals prior to that year never eclipsed 11.
It would also be extremely unfair to assume that Rattie’s success is a mirage simply because of what another player has done. But using Maroon to realize the “McDavid Factor” is something to solidify being wary over the seven goals for Rattie through four preseason games. When comparing Maroon and Rattie we see two completely different players in style, size and ability.
However, comparing both by looking at corsi ratings for example, Maroon had a CF% of 52.94 through 57 games with the Oilers in 2017-18. In just 14 games with Edmonton to end the year last year, Rattie held a 45.48 CF%.
To put that into perspective Maroon spent 825:55 on the ice for the Oilers last year. Rattie held an ice time of 193:07. That’s not much of a shot difference between two players with a canyon of space between their respective ice time. So Rattie has shown he can add to shot totals with less ice-time.
Ty Rattie has shown he can score on the Oilers top line with Connor McDavid and can be a play-maker. There’s no question about that. I see him having the ability to be an effective part of that top line and I think he has the potential to be one of the team’s best scorers.
My only question is will he be able to do it consistently or is he just showing us a by-product of playing with the best player in the world? I feel it’s too early in his young career to solidify what we’ve seen in limited action as being something we can bank on and pay top dollar for.
Ty Rattie sure looks like the answer right now, but is he the long-term answer? As exciting as it is to believe that he is, Oilers fans should avoid putting weight into that belief until it’s completely tangible. Only time will tell with the season on the horizon.
The Below the Ice crew brings you NHL: 31 for 31.
This year as the clock ticks down towards the NHL season, the writers here at BTI will be bringing you our preview of all 31 NHL teams, in 31 days.
Day 13
From one cowboy state to another we take you through the Central Division today with the Nashville Predators.
LAST SEASON
1st in the Central, 1st in the West, 53-18-11 (117 points) Lost second round playoffs VS Jets (7 games)
After making the Stanley Cup Final (losing to Pitt) as an 8-seed, a lot of pressure was put on the Nashville Predators to elevate their game and that they did. It would be hard for Nashville to be much more impressive than they were in the regular season, finishing the season as the President trophy winners (awarded to the team with the most points in the league).
The predators started the season how they ended it, strong. Never in doubt, the Preds’ would open the 1st quarter of the season 13-6-2. It was Nashville’s ability to string together wins that saw them finish 1st in the NHL, the team would have two separate win streaks of 5 games and one of 10 games only losing 3 in a row twice.
In the first month of the season, GM David Polie, sprung on the opportunity to be the third man in on a trade between Colorado and Ottawa, through what seems like magic he was able to grab Kyle Turris from Ottawa, for only picks and a prospect defensemen going the other way. Nashville almost immediately signed Turris to a 6-year, 36 million deal.
Center was the one position Nashville was thin on during their previous playoff run and with Turris now in the fold, Nashville was a force to be reckoned with. With 17 points in his first 18 games as a Predator it looked like Turris had found a home.
Not to be forgotten is the heart and soul of the team Pekka Rinne, after an average year prior, Rinne came out hot posting some of the best numbers of his career. His .927SV% ranked second in his career totals, his 2.31GAA 3rd and 8 shutouts was a personal best for the netminder, who would go on to win the Vezina trophy at seasons end.
Unfortunately for the Predators, the stars did not align via a Stanley Cup rematch and they were bounced by the Winnipeg Jets in the second round.
OFFSEASON MOVES
- July 1, Signed Connor Brickley, 1-year contract, Rocco Grimaldi, 1-year contract,
- July 1, Signed Jarred Tinordi, 1-year contract, Zac Rinaldo, 1-year contract
- July 15, Singed RFA Juuse Saros, 3-years $4.5 million, 1.5AAV
- July 24, Signed FA, Dan Hamhuis, 2-years, $1.25 million AAV
- August 13, Extended Ryan Ellis, 8-years, $6.25 million AAV
IN:
Connor Brickley, Dan Hamhuis, Jarred Tinordi, Zac Rinaldo
OUT:
Mike Fisher, Anders Lindback, Scott Hartnell, Alexie Emelin
OFFSEASON GRADE: B+
On paper it might not look like Nashville did much, but honestly they didn’t have too.
Hamhuis is an upgrade from Emelin on the back end making another solid addition to their lineup, with Nashvilles top 5 defensemen being Josi, Subban, Ellis, Ekholm and Hamhuis they can rotate Irwin, Bietto and Weber on the 3rd pairing. The only scarier D core could be San Jose’s after acquiring Erik Karlsson, but thats no diss to the ability of Josi and Subban.
Re-signing Saros, 3-years creates competition in the crease for Nashville, Pekka Rinne is a UFA at the end of the season and is 35 years old, a changing of the guard could be coming soon. For his career Saros has posted a 2.41AAV and .923SV% going 21-14-10 in 48 starts.
Rinaldo and Tinordi will create competition in camp and each bring a physical presence to the team as well, something they felt they were missing in the post-season last year.
As well Eeli Tolvanen, played three games last season for the Predators and is coming into camp to compete full time with
BREAKOUT CANDIDATES:
Kevin Fiala
80GP: 23G, 25A
After breaking out with last year with 48 points, Fiala’s star is still rising.
Fiala had the 2nd best possession numbers on Nashville last season, behind Craig Smith. He is also a volume shooter taking the fifth most shot attempts with 372, 187 were on net for a shooting percentage of 12.3%.
On a juggernaut of a team like the Predators, Fiala could once again dominate playing in the top-6.
2017-18 Projection: 28G, 35A
Ryan Ellis
44GP: 9G, 23A
Ryan Ellis only played in 44 games last year after rehabbing a knee injury that kept him out until the new year.
Despite missing the first half of the season, Ellis did not get off to a sluggish start scoring his first goal of the year in only his second game back with the team. He also finished strong with 19 points in his last 23 games. Given a full year played at his pace Ellis would of been considered in the Norris conversation along with his teammates Roman Josi and PK Subban.
Ellis was also a minute muncher for the Predators averaging 23 and a half minutes a game and would of been even more if not for the first 6 games where he was only logging 17-18 minutes a night.
Expect Ellis to blow-UP this year, with a new $50 million dollar contract, a lot of expectations will be put on his shoulder, Ellis has stated before that he wants to retire a Predator and I expect him to be a dark horse for the Norris trophy this season.
2017-18 Projection: 21G, 44A
DUE TO REGRESS:
Nashville has such a solid young core it is hard to find a player that is going to regress.
Rinne because of his age could be the best candidate to do so but he’s coming off a season in which he won the Vezina so I don’t see that as being a high likely option. The Predators are going to be s scary team in the West this season, expect everyone to take steps forward.
SEASON PREDICTION
1st in the Central, 1st in the West, 118 points
If you believe in the old adage, “defense wins championships” than you better start putting money on the Predators now. Nashville boasts the best D core in all of the NHL and yes that includes San Jose’s two headed monster of Burns and Karlsson.
From start to finish this year Nashville will be the best team in the West and are my pick to represent the conference in the Stanley Cup final.
If Nashville is going to get it done this is the roster to do it with, goaltender Pekka Rinne isn’t getting any younger and you have to wonder how many good years he has left in him, especially with Saros waiting in the weeds.
Out of the gates Nashville has one of the toughest schedule in the NHL, in their first 21 games they will only play six games against teams that missed the post-season last year. (NYI x 2, NYR, ARZ, DAL)
Comeback tomorrow where we have all your coverage for the St.Louis Blues.
The Below the Ice crew brings you NHL: 31 for 31.
This year as the clock ticks down towards the NHL season, the writers here at BTI will be bringing you our preview of all 31 NHL teams, in 31 days.
Day 11
The trip through the Central Division takes a stop in the lone star state of Texas, as we take a look at the Dallas Stars.
Last Season
The 2017-18 season was supposed to be a bounce back year for the Stars after finishing 11th in the Western Conference with a record of 34-37-11 in 2016-17. While the Stars did improve last season finishing with a record of 42-32-8, the Stars still missed the playoffs by three points finishing sixth in the division and 10th in the conference.
Much of Dallas’ woes came when playing away from the American Airlines Center, posting a record of 16-20-5 away from home, compared to their home record of 26-12-3.
Dallas made some big moves last off-season. They acquired the negotiation rights to goaltender Ben Bishop in exchange for a fourth-round pick and promptly signed him to a six-year deal with a 4.1967 AAV. Dallas also acquired defenseman Marc Methot from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for a second-round pick in 2020 and prospect Dylan Ferguson.
The Stars were lead by the usual suspects of, Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin who had 79 and 78 points respectively. John Klingberg had a career year on defense pitching in 67 points. New comer Alex Radulov had a career year as he had 72 points improving from the 62 he had in Montreal in 2016-17.
Dallas’ two big problems were scoring depth and injuries. Aside from Benn, Seguin, Radulov and Klingberg, no other Stars player had more than 35 points last season. This includes Jason Spezza, who only was able to muster 26 points last year. Martin Hanzel suffered from both a lack of scoring and injuries last season. Hanzel suffered back problems all season, limiting him to 38 games and 10 points. Hanzel underwent spinal fusion surgery back in March and will possibly be back by November. Ben Bishop was also injured on and off throughout the year limiting him to just 53 games last season.
Offseason Moves:
- April 13: Head Coach Ken Hitchcock announces retirement from coaching in the NHL.
- May 4: Stars name Jim Montgomery new head coach.
- May 19: Assistant Coach Rick Wilson announces retirement.
- May 31: Name Todd Nelson Assistant Coach
- June 22: Re-signed Stephen Johns to a three year deal, 2.350 AAV
- July 2: Sign Blake Comeau to a three year deal, 2.40 AAV
- July 2: Sign Valeri Nichushkin (KHL) to a two year deal, 2.950 AAV
- July 2: Signs Anton Khodobin to a two year deal, 2.50 AAV
- July 25: Re-signed Mattias Janmark to a one-year deal, 2.30 AAV
In:
Blake Comeau, Valeri Nichushkin, Anton Khodobin
Out:
Dan Hamhuis, Kari Lehtonen, Antoine Roussel
Offseason Grade C+
Dallas addressed some much needed scoring depth needs this season. Signing Valeri Nichushkin, Dallas’ former first round pick in 2013 looks as if he will slat into the second or third line. Nichushkin spent the last the last two seasons in the KHL honing his game as many labeled him a bust after his first three seasons in the NHL.
The Stars also signed Blake Comeau in free agency. Comeau played the last three seasons with Colorado where he has averaged around 30 points a season. Filling right into the mold of Dallas’ secondary scoring being unable to eclipse 35 points. However Comeau is essentially replacing Antoine Roussel, who signed with Vancouver in free agency. Comeau is more skilled than Roussel so he should be able add more scoring help than Roussel was able to muster.
Dallas’ finished off their signings by bringing in Anton Khodobin on a two-year deal. Khodobin is a very reliable back- up, so if Bishop does happen to get hurt again, Khodobin should fill in nicely. Khodobin played the last two years with the Boston Bruins backing up Tukka Rask.
However Dallas got weaker on the defensive side of the puck by losing Dan Hamhuis to Nashville in free agency. Unless one of the Stars prospects is able to make the jump their will be a hole on defense.
Breakout Candidates
Miro Heiskenen
30 GP 11G, 12A (SM-liiga Helsinki)
With a hole on Dallas’ blue-line, Miro Heiskenen is poised to make a big impact in the Stars line-up this year. Heiskenen was the third overall pick in the 2017 draft and is known for his smooth skating, strong two-way game and puck handling skills.
So far throughout the off-season, Heiskenen has been praised for his maturity on and off of the ice by General Manager Nill. This should see him jump right into a impact role with the Stars this coming season.
Heiskenen should be a lock for first or second paring defeseman along side John Kilingberg. Heiskenen should also see some power-play time this year. With the possibility of Benn, Seguin, Radulov, Klingberg and Heiskenen all on the same power-play unit, it could form one of the more dangerous tandems in the NHL.
The jump to the NHL is usually a little tougher for defenseman, but Heiskenen should fair well this season. The weight will be on his shoulders to produce right away, however he the skill set to live up to the hype.
2018-19 Predictions: 9G, 27A
Radek Faksa
79 GP 17G 16A
The time will never be better for Radek Faksa to prove that he is a second-line center in the NHL. With Martin Hanzel being out for at least the next couple of months and Jason Spezza seemingly regressing to a third/fourth line center role, Faksa’s only real competition for the second line center position would be Mattias Janmark, who out scored Faksa by one point last year.
Faksa was originally drafted back in 2012 with the 13th pick in the first round. It took Faksa a while to make the jump to the NHL, not making his NHL debut until the 2015-16 season. Faksa had a tough time in the AHL as he was often injured, hampering his chances at developing into an NHL player Since getting the chance to play in the NHL Faksa has remained healthy and looked pretty good in his first two full years as a NHL pro.
Should Faksa win the second line center role, he should see playing time Valeri Nichushkin, which would give him the opportunity to enhance his stats with a skilled winger by his side.
2018-19 Prediction 78GP, 22G, 27A
Players to Regress
Jason Spezza
78 GP, 8G, 18A
One could argue the Jason Spezza has already regressed. However it seems he may be in for an even bigger dip in production this season. Spezza is currently 35 years old and has been seeing his production drop off the past couple of years. Spezza hit the 26 point plateau last season, after hitting 50 in 2016-17.
Spezza has slown down since coming to Dallas, and with the game speeding up he simply can’t keep up anymore. With half of his goals and nearly half of his assists coming on the power-play, and with third or fourth line minutes more than likely coming this season for Spezza, he may be reduced to a power-play specialist with his limited ice time.
2018-19 Prediction 71 GP: 6G, 12A
Season Prediction
5th in the Central, 13th in the West (83 points)
Dallas will be one of those close teams again, but will once again fail to make the post season, by 10-12 points. With the Centeral Division being as tough as ever it will be, and a way improved Pacific it will be extremely difficult for Dallas to get in.
Unfourtanlty the Stars with scoring depth still being an issue, a defensive core that has nice peices but is unprooven and a goalie that has a history of injuires, it seems the Stars will be on the outside looking in come playoff time.
The Stars need more identity than just being lead by three or four guys every year. Yes, Seguin and Benn will always produce as long as they are together baring injuries. It is the rest of the team though, the uncertainty of others stepping up in key situations will be Dallas’ downfall this coming season. Dallas has most of the pieces to be a Stanley Cup contender, it will be putting the pieces together that will be the challenge for Dallas going forward.
The Below the Ice crew brings you NHL: 31 for 31.
This year as the clock ticks down towards the NHL season, the writers here at BTI will be bringing you our preview of all 31 NHL teams, in 31 days.
DAY 10:
Home to more than just than just the small quiet mountain town of South Park, Denver is also home to the Colorado Avalanche.
LAST SEASON
Coming off a rough 2016-17 in which Colorado finished last in their division with only 22 wins not many expectations were put on the Avalanches season.
Anticipated to be none contenders Colorado GM Joe Sakic stood firm on his position to move Matt Duchene, but not till the right deal was in place.
Finally on November 5, after what 18 months of trade speculation Duchene, was dealt to the Ottawa Senators, in a 3-way trade that saw the Senators, Kyle Turris, go to Nashville while Sam Girard and Ottawa’s 1st, (2019 deferred) and 3rd, (Justus Anunen, 64th) picks go to the Avalanche, among other pieces.
On December 7, just over a month after trading Duchene, coming off an embarrassing 5-2 loss to the Lightning, the Avalanche had lost 4 straight, with a record of 4-7-2 since his departure. The Av’s sat last in Central, 14 points back of the division leading Blues.
The Avalanche season would not be lost though, as they would rattle off 10 straight victories coming out of the Christmas break, outscoring opponents 41-16. Hart finalist Nathan MacKinnon would pick up 19 points over that stretch (8G, 11A).
After scoring only 53 points the year before, former 1st-overall pick Nathan MacKinnon, would cement himself as a force to be reckoned with. Scoring 97 points, nearly doubling his last years totals, his 39 goals and 58 assists were both career highs as well.
The Avalanche would go on to make the playoffs as the surprise 8-seed, after multiple young players stepped up and had career years, including; JT Compher, Mikko Rantanen, Alexander Kerfoot and Tyson Jost.
OFFSEASON MOVES:
- May 1, Signed KHL Goalie, Pavel Francouz 1-year $690,000
- June 22, Traded a 2018 2nd-round pick for (G) Philipp Grubauer and Brookes Orpik
- July 1, Signed Ian Cole 3-years,$4.25AAV
- July 1, Signed Matt Calvert 3-years, $2.85AAV
- July 4, Signed 2018 First-round pick Martin Kraut to an entry level contract
IN:
Philipp Grubauer, Ian Cole, Matt Calvert, Martin Kraut,
OUT:
Nail Yakupov, Andrew Hammond, Joe Colbourne, Blake Comeau, Jonathon Bernier
OFFSEASON GRADE: C
After losing Semyon Varlamov last year before the post-season, Colorado’s goaltending depth showed. They sured that up by trading for Philipp Grubauer who last arguably the best goalie in the second half of the NHL last year, outplaying Brayden Holtby. They lose Hammond and Bernier but also add a possible hidden gem in goal, Pavel Francouz.
Colorado signing Ian Cole adds a top for defensemen, who is more defensive minded, allowing him to most likely play on the second pairing with Tyson Barrie. The only question with the signing is that Ian Cole plays on the left side and Colorado is now loaded with six left defensemen on their roster and only two righties.
The addition of Matt Calvert gives Colorado a solid option on 3rd-line C, and makes up for the loss of Blake Comeau. The Avalanche have a lot of young players that should take even bigger steps than last year , most of whom need to be re-signed after the season, IE. Kerfoot, Compher, Rantanen, Zadorov.
Best of luck to Nail Yakupov who is now playing with CKSA in the KHL.
BREAKOUT CANDIDATES:
Conor Timmins
36GP: 8G, 33A (OHL Sault Ste. Marie)
I’ve been a huge fan of Conor Timmins since I got my first real look at him during last years under-20 World Junior Championship, he was one of Canada’s best defensemen leading Canada to gold.
The former second-round pick has one of the best shots to make the team in October because of the advantage he has being a right shot.
Back in February, TSN, had Timmins listed as the 34th best prospect outside of the NHL. With a summer to workout and mature expect Timmins to crack the roster out of training camp and most likely start the year on the 3rd pairing with a rotating; Nemeth, Girard and Lindholm.
Timing breaking out means sticking in the NHL, points don’t have to come immediately for Timmins and with a lot of young defensemen, Colorado will give him time to develop.
2018-19 Projection: 50GP 6G, 12A
JT Compher
69GP 13G, 10A
JT Compher while still technically a rookie last season pulled up his socks for the Colorado Avalanche.
Last year Compher started more than 50% of his shifts in the defensive zone, which showed the rookies grit and tenacity, as most are not trusted to have such a grip on the defensive side of the game so early.
Compher should be a lock to play on the second line this year giving him more offensive opportunities but also more defensive responsibility having to play most of his minutes against top competition.
The one part of the game I would like to see Compher improve is putting more pucks more pucks towards the net. Last season Compher shot less than 2 shots per game (131 shots in 69GP) while shooting 9.9%. If he can up his production to 2.5 shots from 1.8, less than a shot a game Compher could finish with 20 goals easily playing in a full season.
2018-19 Projection: 23G, 18A
DUE TO REGRESS:
Alexander Kerfoot
79GP, 19G, 24A
Last year Kerfoot had an amazing coming out party as a rookie but I don’t believe that production is sustainable.
Kerfoots 19 goals last season on a shockingly low 81 shots, meaning that last season he shot an outworldly 23.5%. I believe both those numbers are set to take a major hit this season because In order to score in the NHL, you need to shoot.
The average for shooting on any giving season is anywhere from 10-13% so lets say 11.5%, which means Kerfoot essentially doubled the leagues average and that is not maintainable. At just over 1 shot per game, Kerfoot would need to more than double his total shots to maintain his goal pace at the leageus average.
Playing on a young talented Colorado squad Kerfoot will still have an opportunity to collect points, bouncing between the 2nd and 3rd lines.
2018-19 Projection: 13G, 20A
SEASON PREDICTION
4th in the Central, 9th in the West, 96 points
Good, but just not good enough for the Avalanche this season.
Colorado will be a bubble team all season in the West, after an incredible year last year, it will be hard to repeat the individual success of everyone again. MacKinnon was a Hart finalist last year but what should we expect from him this year round? The success of the Avalanche, fair or not, lives and dies with their superstar.
The question for the Avalanche is if they can handle the depth in their own division, Nashville and Winnipeg are essentially locks to make the playoffs and the Blues after shooting themselves in the foot near the end of the season last year will be looking to bounce back.
Even if Colorado fails to make the post-season this year, they will still have many kicks at the can left. They are a young budding team that will also have a chance at the #1 pick in this years draft.
What can we expect from Cam Talbot for the 2018-19 season? That seems to be the question on many Oilers’ fans minds heading into camp. Will we see the all-star caliber play that was an essential piece to the 2017 playoff run or the subpar performance that was apart of the disappointing 2017-18 season?
New York Rangers
Talbot played in a total of 57 games for the New York Rangers before being traded to Edmonton for three draft picks. In those 57 games, all in relief of Henrik Lundqvist, Talbot won 33 games to 15 losses with 8 shutouts.
Edmonton Oilers
In his first season with the Oilers Talbot found himself in a competition with Anders Nilsson and started in 56 games posting a 21-27 record with a 2.55 GAA and a 0.917 SV% before ultimately winning the starting job.
Talbot’s second year as an Oiler was his best of his career by far. He played in an astounding 73 games which some had said was him being over-worked, but none the less had a tremendous year. He finished with 42 wins and 22 losses and a superb 2.39 GAA and 0.919 SV% and 7 shutouts.
Talbot was the backbone to the Oilers coming within one game of the Western Conference Final in 2017. Through 13 playoff games he had a 2.48 GAA and .924 SV% while facing the fifth most shots of any goalie in the playoffs with 437.
The quality of Talbot’s saves was occasionally something to marvel at with it at times seemed like he was the only thing keeping the Oilers’ playoff hopes alive. The Oilers averaged 2.77 goals a game through the playoffs requiring Talbot to be at the top of his game through the postseason, something he found success with.
Going into the 2017-18 season expectations were through the roof and then some for the Oilers. They had arguably the best player in hockey in Connor McDavid, they had great centre depth, and were a team coming off a magical playoff run and had one of the better goalies in the NHL.
Those expectations however, were never even close to being met and while Talbot was not solely to blame for the lack of success he was also not innocent.
Last Year/Down Year
Talbot played in 67 games last year which made some fans happy to see his rest days go up by six but the performances he put on the ice did not translate to a rested goaltender. Talbot gave up 17 more goals than the year before seeing the number jump from 171 to 188.
The Oilers goaltender also saw his win-loss record dwindle from the year prior as well. His league tying and Oilers record 42 wins in 2016-17 shrunk to just 31 in 2018. He broke even on the year with a 31-31 record while putting up a discouraging 3.02 GAA and .908 SV%.
The team missed the playoffs not at the hands of Talbot but again he didn’t do a lot to help the cause either. For as amazing as some of the saves were that Talbot made during the ’17 playoff run, some of the goals he gave up in ’17-’18 were atrocious.
Talbot would be beat on some shots that looked weak, while he would seem to drop to the butterfly too early being beat up high and from sharp angles. The timing of the goals he gave up was always a back-breaker as well.
At times Talbot seemed to give up goals early and in large amounts. Whether it be a goal within the opening seconds or minutes of a game or period or a barrage of goals where he would let in three or four in short amount of time, or even giving one up as quick as seconds after the Oilers were able to score one of their own, the Talbot we saw last year was not the one we were accustomed to.
Who is Cam Talbot?
The question has opened, Which Talbot is the real Talbot? It’s hard to really tell considering he’s only played in 5 seasons as a pro. Two of those years he was a backup to Lundqvist despite getting a decent amount of playing time.
Talbot has played in a total of 253 NHL games in his career. For comparison’s sake, Braden Holtby who came into the league a year before Talbot and is two years younger has played in 361. Talbot hasn’t had a full-time job outside of the last two seasons.
He’s never had a GAA above 2.55 prior to last year nor has had a SV% lower than 0.917 prior to the disappointing .908% last year. Again, this comes from limited game action throughout his career, but it is hard to assume anything other than last year was an anomaly.
Talbot is a bit older for a goaltender with his experience as well at 31-years-old. While he’s not quite at a point where his age should be affecting his game, some have made the argument that perhaps his 2016-17 season was a one-hit wonder before he reached the age of 30.
My opinion on Cam Talbot is that he is a solid starting goaltender for any NHL team. Given that however I don’t think either of the last two seasons are something we can expect from the veteran net-minder.
I believe that his excellent 2016-17 season was one where he outplayed his average ability. I also believe that his bad play last year much like other players on the roster, was just a bad year for him. Being the goaltender on the team made him an outlier of the team’s struggles.
I think the Oilers can expect a solid showing from Talbot where his statistical numbers improve from last year. But if you’re expecting numbers like we saw in 2016-17 don’t hold your breath.
If the Edmonton Oilers want to make the playoffs they can’t expect him to be the backbone that carries them to the promise land.
The biggest question comes to one, Peter Chiarelli as Talbot is entering the last year of his contract and Chiarelli will need to decide if Talbot will get the job done for the Oilers or if it’s time to look elsewhere.
The Below the Ice crew brings you NHL: 31 for 31.
This year as the clock ticks down towards the NHL season, the writers here at BTI will be bringing you our preview of all 31 NHL teams, in 31 days.
DAY 9:
Blowing on into the Central Division we head to the windy city for our preview of the Chicago Blackhawks
LAST SEASON
7th in the Central, 13th in the West 33-39-10 (76 points)
Last year was a season of lows for the Chicago Blackhawks.
After being swept by the 8-seed Nashville Predators in the 1st round of the playoffs the year before, everyone expected Chicago to come back with a vengeance. In the off-season they looked to shake the team up and traded Artemi Panarin for Brandon Saad in what most considered a lopsided win for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Chicago would start the season 17-13-5 before starting goaltender Corey Crawford would go down with an injury that would force him out for the rest of the season. Before going down Crawford had a record of 16-9-2 with a .929SV% and 2.27GAA.
With a massive hole in net, Chicago’s depth on defence would be challenged, Brent Seabrook would be healthy scratched for the first time in his career, Patrick Kane would go under a point-per-game for the first time in 6 seasons.
All in all the Blackhawks would see a 33 point swing in the standings finishing near the basement missing the playoffs for the first time in 10 years.
OFFSEASON MOVES:
- June 26, Traded Jean-Francois Berube for Jordan Schroeder
- June 30, Signed Cam Ward 1-year, 3 million, Chris Kunitz 1-year, 1 million, Brandon Manning 2-year, 2.25AAV
- June 30, signed 1sr-round pick Adam Boqvist to an entry level contract
- Traded Marion Hossa to Arizona for cap relief
- August 27, Signed Brandon Davidson to a PTO
IN:
Jordan Schroeder, Brandon Davidson (PTO), Cam Ward, Chris Kunitz, Marcus Kruger
OUT:
Lance Bouma, Vinnie Hinnostroza, Cody Franson, Jean-Francois Berube, Anthony Duclair, Patrick Sharp
OFFSEASON GRADE: D
With Chicago pushed near the cap ceiling not many moves were an option for Chicago.
They knew they needed a more reliable back-up for Crawford and found that in Cam Ward but one might wonder whether a team with cap issues couldn’t of found a more cost effective back-up and used parts of that 3 million to address other holes on the roster.
The defence is what really got exposed for Chicago last year, other than Duncan Keith, no one really stood out of did anything for the Blackhawks. Brandon Davidson and Brandon Manning are good depth pieces but are closer to the bottom pair than they’re the top.
Offence was also a problem last year for Chicago, as their leading scorer Kane, had trouble finding chemistry with teammates the same way he had it with Artemi Panarin. Chris Kunitz is a 4 time Stanley Cup champion and a good locker room guy but at 38, his best playing days in Pittsburgh and Anaheim are behind him.
BREAKOUT CANDIDATES:
Erik Gustafsson
35GP: 5G, 11A
Erik Gustafson along with Alex Debrincat were one of the only real bright spots for the Blackhawks last season.
Gustafsson made his way up the depth chart, as others played their way off it. Eventually he would make his season debut, in January, after Chicago sent struggling defensemen Cody Franson, down to the AHL. At the time of his call up Gustafsson had 17 points in 25 AHL games.
The offensive side of his game is here and now at 26, Gustafsson must wonder if he’s here to stay in the NHL. Defence is what the Blackhawks had asked Gustafsson to work on and if his possession numbers are any indication of progress, than he can bring confidence into Chicago’s camp this year as well.
2018-19 Projection: 10G, 23A
DUE TO REGRESS:
Nick Schmaltz
78GP: 21G, 31A
Last season, Nick Schmaltz, started the season centering a line with Patrick Kane and with 16 points in just 21 games Schmaltz, was on fire, or so it seemed. In those 21 games, Schmaltz, only registered points in 8 of those contests, scoring 3 points, 3 times. During that span he also had pointless droughts of 4 and 5 games.
Last year on 118 shots Schmaltz scored 21 goals, thats a a whopping 17.8% shooting, way above the league average. 21 goals is an impressive feat in todays NHL, especially for a player who never scored 20 goals in a season dating back to 2011 in junior. Schmaltz is more of a playmaker and playing with Patrick Kane means finding him the puck, last year Kane’s shot attempts (496) were more than double Schmaltz (218).
The good news for Schmaltz is last season was a down season for his linemate Kane, which i expect him to bounce back from and re-enter the over a point a game category. So what Schmaltz loses in goals this year I believe he can slightly make up in assists.
2018-19 Projection: 14G, 33A
SEASON PREDICTION
6th in the Central, 12th in the West, 83 points
For a second straight year the Chicago Blackhawks will fail to make the post season.
The torch has been passed from Chicago, now the likes of Nashville and Winnipeg sit atop the throne in the Central.
In an uber tight West where so many teams got better it must of been hard to watch for Blackhawks fans as the only real excitement has been depth signings. Kunitz, Manning, Kruger and Ward are good adds to a team that is only a few pieces away but the Blackhawks are more than a few pieces away.
The defence will be the first thing exposed in Chicago this year. Duncan Keith is one of the best defensemen in the NHL and will continue to do so but outside of him its pretty bare bones in Chicago. Seabrook took major steps back last year and I don’t see it getting any better for him from here. Murphy, Rutta and Manning are all good 4-5 defensemen but none of them truly have a top 2-3 potential. This is a team who hasn’t had a good defensemen to either keep up with Keith, or keep Seabrook’s head above water since Niklas Hjalmarsson was traded for Connor Murphy to get younger on D. While do have Brandon Davidson on a PTO his addition still doesn’t turn the corner for me on this being a playoff team.
I expect Artem Anisimov to be moved during the regular season as well. His NTC starting this year requires him to submit a 10 team list he can be traded too. To a playoff team this season, Anisimov, might be able to entice a team to give up their 1st-round pick which are very coveted this year. Anisimov has 20 goals in 4 of his last 5 campaigns shooting over 15% in each of his last 3 seasons.
A poor season by Chicago will most likely cost Joel Quenneville his job at the end of the year and in the offseason Chicago will have to make some hard decisions regarding their roster going forward.
Comeback tomorrow where NHL 31 for 31 turns 10 ( days) and we celebrate the Colorado Avalanche.
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