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True, but until Kesselring shows he can be 2nd pairing Timmins keeps the job. Currently Byram and Power are 2nd pairing skill and pay but they can’t play together well and are not good on the right hand side.

That seems to be the consensus of the beat reporters: A rest day. (There were 2 skaters also not present. Samuelsson being one?)

Bo is a much better player. I don't think Power is tradeable with the contract. Power is what he is. Tyler Myers part Deux. He will not become more physical or better defensively. Timmins is a 3rd pairing guy. Nothing in his history nor his play this year changes that. we have been watching different games. He is not physical even a little bit.

This, in a way, epitomizes the team. In full games or parts of games, the effort or want isn't there. I've been thinking about this regarding tomorrow's game--will they play down to the competition again?

Sounds like Norris is slated for 2nd line C duty as long as Thompson continues his play. I would put Benson with Norris but might put Zucker with TNT and move Doan to that Norris line as well. Zucker - Tage - Tuch Benson - Norris - Doan

far more often than not, the unknown is worse than the known. Local buyers are nonexistent. The Rink needs hundreds of millions in renovations. A person buying the team would be more likely to do so to move the team.

Ellis is not at practice today. Speculate away. (it is most likely a rest day after last night since they have 3 goalies around)

Did you see Skinner last night? That’s the best the Oilers have while making runs to the Cup finals. They could be talked into UPL being a young, improving goalie who needs a change of scenery.

With 3 goalies and him having played 2 games in the past 3 days, could see them giving him a day off which gives him some much needed rest and also gives both of the other guys a full practice rather than swapping in for each other. Hoping it's as simple as that for why he wasn't on the ice this morning.

The extra help on breakouts matters. The team seems way more confident with him, not gripping their sticks tight waiting for a UPL softie.

Then there is Beck Malenstyn who is in the 99th percentile. https://www.nhl.com/nhl-edge/skaters/beck-malenstyn-8479359/20252026/2

They'll look better if/when they get RNH and Kapanen back in the lineup. But it may not matter unless they trade all the goodz for Luukkonen. They need a goalie.

Get rid of the other one so there is no controversy. Some side benefits to this move as well.

Keep Doan-TNT-Tuch together for a few games, even if Norris returns to the lineup. With the way Thompson is playing the last 5 periods of hockey, you'll get some point production out of Doan.

The thing about McDavid is you have to be able to catch him to hit him. Not many can. One reason why Kozak is good is he is very fast up and down the ice. Had a speed burst last night that put him in the 98th percentile. https://www.nhl.com/nhl-edge/skaters/tyson-kozak-8482896/20252026/2/skating-speed

I hope we can establish a pecking order by the trade deadline because I feel one of these two has to go. Power’s size and reach are an advantage that he doesn’t use enough. He has been a smidge more physical than in the past but needs a lot of work defensively. He needs to focus on this since he will not be relied upon for offense, except for some spot PP duty. Byram requires an extension if Power is traded, so money will factor into the decision. If he is willing to stay as the 2nd pairing guy on a reasonable wage I would keep him. Your Mrtka arrival makes me wonder who he would be a better fit for, Byram or Power. The idea of twin towers is appealing but I feel like Power could bring more in a trade than Byram. I could get talked into keeping whichever one plays better with Timmins, to form a solid 2nd pairing, while trading the high priced 3rd pairing guy.

fwiw - Ellis is not on the ice this morning.

I agree. But we do have a 3rd goalie, a 7th defenseman, and a Geertsen on the roster. If everyone's healthy and you need ALL 3 of them... Danforth is my next to go as he's the grownup version of Kozak. But you never know.

Kozak is a Sabre now.

Any ideas on other new additions to the roster this year? I believe I've heard Doan referred to (predictably) as "Doaner." Who else merits an update for this edition? Kesselring? Timmins? King? https://kslsports.com/nhl/utah-mammoth/michael-kesselring-opens-surprise-christmas-gift-from-utah-hockey-club-teammates/533805#:~:text=“On social media they called,his new crown for Christmas.

Didn’t realize Rosen has 6 points in 8 games. Hope he keeps producing. He has the tools to be a JJ type. Him and Östlund play well together.

I still need to see Kozak stay healthy, but I'm on the train of him taking Krebs' role by New Year's. However, that just puts Krebs in his right spot -- he becomes the 13th F. He can mostly move up and down the lineup for spot duty. He won't wow you, but he won't be a terrible drain you and he brings energy. If someone is out long-term, then you've got Östlund & Rosén ready in the wings.

He's just more poised. Power is still trying to catch up to the game; Byram is up to speed. Maybe Power gets there, but right now I like Byram better.

Watching them last night reminded me of the Sabres after Ryan O'Reilly was traded. They've got McD and Draisaitl, similar to Eichel/Reinhart and then.... nothing. It's just not sustainable. I said upthread: all you need to do is hit McD every opportunity. Because of their lack of quality forwards, if EDM gets behind they play him more and more and if he's beat up he's not gonna have anything left in the tank at the end of the game. There were only two or three moments where he looked dangerous; the rest of the time he looked tired.