This is the “McDavid cluster” from seven years ago. I was convinced there would be four or five young players in the cluster who would grow with 97 and emerge as a veteran sledgehammer in the 2020’s. As it turned out, only Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse from this list remain, and you could make a case for Stuart Skinner, Warren Foegele and Vincent Desharnais joining the cluster mid-movie. Either way, the big part of this roster is older than McDavid and is likely to remain so for the next two seasons. Edmonton doesn’t have that much bubbling under so free agency is the truth and the way ..read more

You and I will be a witness to history, some sweet day. Maybe I’m not on the planet when the Oilers win the sixth Stanley, but I hope so and hope it is this spring. A giant walks among us, you know. In a game, in a sport, in a world that requires everything to stand out in a crowd, Connor McDavid can do magic on demand. The young man has been touched by God, and Stanley is his destiny. Will it be now? It’s Game One of the journey. We begin. THE ATHLETIC! New Lowetide: What the Oilers’ minor league history tells us about the 2023-24 AHL Condors Lowetide: How did Oilers stack up to 2023-24 pre ..read more

Whenever the Oilers play a big game in Los Angeles, it feels to me as though both sides are returning to the scene of the crime. I know many of you who are younger look at this series and think losing would be the worst possible outcome, but I’m here to tell you 1982 spring remains searing pain for those who witnessed the Miracle on Manchester. After a full season of fading youth over veterans, Dylan Holloway's two-goal outburst signals a change in the weather for Oilers youngsters. https://t.co/rQG1NMK3DQ — Lowetide (@Lowetide) April 26, 2024 Daryl Evans made a career out of the goal, Gra ..read more

It was there, ladies and men. A 2-0 lead in the first series of spring was out there, available, it was in the cards. Vegas Golden Knights grabbed it, the Edmonton Oilers were also in photo. You can lay blame, and I know you will, but the bottom line is the bottom line. Opportunity missed on a night when all the heavens and earth were there for the taking. McDavid-to-Hyman is the Oilers electric company, has been all year. If you're looking for signs of hope, look to the No. 1 line and a trio that makes five-on-five into its own personal power play. https://t.co/UQjfsnx9Ql — Lowetide (@Lowe ..read more

It could be nothing, and I don’t want to oversell it, but the tumblers could be clicking in a nice direction for the Edmonton Oilers this spring. Both western conference series with games last night resulted in 1-1 ties entering game 3. That suggests a long and grueling series for the Colorado Avalanche, Winnipeg Jets, Nashville Predators and Vancouver Canucks. If the Dallas Stars defeat Vegas Golden Knights this evening, and the Oilers win over the Los Angeles Kings, it would leave Edmonton as the lone western conference team with the clean air of a 2-0 series lead. These things are importan ..read more

The game tried very hard to be a Van Gogh, perhaps The Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum, but inspector Closeau kept ruining it with clumsy moments. I thought Stuart Skinner had a terrific night, but two pucks off friendly skates and a wooden heart hockey stick made for three savage GA the young goalie did not earn. Doesn’t matter. 16W is all that counts and last night was the first step in the long journey to hockey’s promised land. THE ATHLETIC! The Nuge scored last night, had 3 high-danger chances, blocked a couple of shots and showed great utility. He's a very valuable member of the Oi ..read more

The Oilers once again begin the postseason versus the Los Angeles Kings. I’m picking Edmonton to win this series, but LAK are built to beat them. Expect strong forechecking, heavy hitting, pressure on the Oilers blue and Kings taking a run at every opponent before, during and after the whistle. The Kings can’t outskill so they are going to be a hornet’s nest to play against over the next week or so. New for @TheAthleticNHL Why Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is more impactful for Oilers as a winger. With Evander Kane uncertain, it's a major positive for the team. https://t.co/8H1tLF0z96 — Lowetide (@Lo ..read more

This is the Bakersfield Condors scoring summary from last night’s win over the Henderson Silver Knights. Xavier Bourgault looked exactly like the player Edmonton envisioned when drafting him in the first round 2021. He played a strong game, but wasn’t alone among the skill prospects. Carter Savoie also cashed on a night when the organization seemed to flip the switch and let the young forwards run free. The most impressive showing belonged to Philip Broberg, but that happens often. Through the first 87 games of his career, he has scored 11-54-65. It was a good night for the kids. New for @T ..read more

This is a 2017 summer comparison of Oilers versus Flames AHL prospects using primary points-game. Over the years I’ve tried every wrench in the toolbox to draw a predictive drop from AHL forwards offensive performance. The future NHL players on this list? Garnet Hathaway, Jujhar Khaira, Andrew Mangiapane, Ryan Lomberg. What does this tell us about the current Bakersfield Condors? New for @TheAthleticNHL A trip to reasonable. How did Oilers stack up to 2023-24 preseason predictions?https://t.co/k0CxFij2OB — Lowetide (@Lowetide) April 20, 2024 THE ATHLETIC! New Lowetide: How did Oilers stac ..read more

Swallow the frog, people! Oilers v. Vegas is going to happen! Book it!!! Jump in, the water's fine! I am absolutely calling it right now! BOOK. IT! VEG-EDM oh my gentle lord I can feel the earth tremble even now!! — Lowetide (@Lowetide) April 19, 2024 What I am about to say is completely true. Somewhere in this blog’s history, I began pretending I had magic powers to change or decide events. I would say “Oilers will take Tyler Seguin, book it!” and act cock of the walk. Funny thing happened on the way to becoming Kreskin: I was wrong. Every. Single. Time. It’s uncanny. No one can possibly ..read more