CBC Radio Active: The Oilers are hot heading in to the playoffs

I joined Min Dhariwal on CBC Radio Active to talk Oilers and their performance heading towards the playoffs. Full segment is here: CBC Radio Active (2023, March 29).

Topics we covered:

  • The Oilers win against Vegas last night.
  • The outstanding play of Leon Draisaitl, and his improvement over the season.
  • Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and the career-year he’s having.
  • Issues around goaltending and why it’s a weak spot heading towards the playoffs.
  • How the Pacific division is shaping up with the Oilers competing against the Golden Knights and Kings for top spot.

Thanks as always to the team at CBC for putting it all together.

CBC Radio Active: Oilers trade deadline activities

I joined Jessica Ng on CBC Radio Active to talk Oilers and the deals they made at the NHL trade deadline. Full segment is here: CBC Radio Active (2023, March 3).

Topics we covered:

  • The acquisition of Mattias Ekholm and Nick Bjugstad, and the key elements that they’ll bring to the roster.
  • Ken Holland’s overall approach with the trade deadline.
  • Fan reaction to the trade deadline and the overall outlook of the Oilers heading towards the playoffs.

Thanks as always to the team at CBC for putting it all together.

CBC Radio Active: Oilers emergency back up gets in the game

I joined Jessica Ng and Min Dhariwal on CBC Radio Active to talk Oilers and the different storylines around the club. Full segment is here: CBC Radio Active (2023, January 30).

Topics we covered:

  • The Oilers playing Matt Berlin, their emergency back up goalie, against Chicago on Hockey Night in Canada and the general excitement around EBUG’s.
  • What makes EBUG’s so unique and compelling, and some of the recent examples of them getting into NHL games.
  • The team’s recent success, and the key drivers. Touched on some of the key items from my recent article.

Thanks as always to the team at CBC for putting it all together.

CBC Radio Active: Oilers rookie camp has wrapped up and main camp is about to begin

I joined Rod Kurtz on CBC Radio Active to discuss some of the Oilers off-season activities ahead of training camp opening this week. Full segment is here: CBC Radio Active (2022, September 20)

Topics we covered:

  • Disappointment with issuing a PTO agreement to Jake Virtanen and why the Oilers can expect a backlash – on and off the ice.
  • Dylan Holloway’s performance at the Young Stars tournament in BC.
  • The positive impact Jay Woodcroft can have on the team this year.
  • What to watch for at training camp, including the defensive prospects like Broberg who will be pushing for a roster spot.

Thanks as always to the great team at CBC for putting it all together!

CBC Radio Active: Re-cap of the Oilers season

I joined Rod Kurtz on CBC Radio Active to recap the Oilers season and what the priorities should be this summer. Full segment is here: CBC Radio Active (2022, June 7)

Topics we covered:

  • The Oilers series against the Avalanche, where the team struggled and what their opponents did well.
  • The impact Jay Woodcroft has had on the team, reasons for their success and why it should be the Oilers top priority to bring him and Dave Manson back full-time.
  • Priorties for the management team this summer, including integrating analytics into their decision-making process, avoiding long term deals with free agents who are likely see a decline in their productivity, fixing defence and goaltending. And uncovering the players who can drive offence and improve the team’s odds of winning games.

Thanks as always to the great team at CBC for putting it all together!

CBC Radio Active: Re-cap of game one between the Oilers and Avalanche

I joined Rod Kurtz on CBC Radio Active to recap game one between the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche. Full segment is here: CBC Radio Active (2022, June 1)

Topics we covered:

  • The Cale Makar goal at the end of the first period of game one and if it should have been offside or not.
  • The Oilers issues with game ones in the playoffs.
  • The Oilers goaltending, Mike Smith’s struggles, and if a change should be made for game two.
  • The areas for concern, what the Avalanche did well and where the Oilers defence struggled.
  • Potential roster tweaks the Oilers could make to find an edge, benefits of playing Dylan Holloway and potentially going with seven defencemen to reduce Nurse’s ice time.

Thanks as always to the great team at CBC for putting it all together!

CBC Radio Active: Previewing game two between the Oilers and Flames

I joined Rod Kurtz on CBC Radio Active to preview game two between the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames. Full segment is here: CBC Radio Active (2022, May 20)

Topics we covered:

  • Why the Oilers struggled in game one, and the adjustments that the coaching staff will need to make.
  • The Oilers results at even-strength (5v5) and areas they’ll need to improve on.
  • With McDavid’s line taking on the Flames top line, the need for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to produce more and the importance of him playing on a line away from Archibald.
  • Mike Smith’s numbers and why he should be able to bounce back from a terrible start in game one.

Thanks as always to the great team at CBC for putting it all together!

CBC Radio Active: Oilers, Kings, goaltending and depth

I joined Rod Kurtz on CBC Radio Active to talk about the Oilers series against the Kings. Full segment is here: CBC Radio Active (2022, May 6)

Topics we covered:

  • What the Oilers did well in game two against the Kings.
  • Mike Smith’s performance over the first two games, and how best to manage his game.
  • The Oilers depth, and how the team has struggled at even-strength so far without McDavid on the ice.
  • Evander Kane, and the risks associated with signing him to a long term contract.
  • What the Oilers will need to do well in games 3 and 4 in Los Angeles.

Thanks as always to the great team at CBC for putting it all together!

CBC Radio Active: Oiler talk is now focusing on the playoffs

I joined Rod Kurtz on CBC Radio Active to talk about the Oilers, the final stretch of the season and the push for a playoff spot. Full segment is here: CBC Radio Active (2022, April 12)

Topics we covered:

  • The incredible results since the coaching change, the reasons for the Oilers success and the tactical adjustments Woodcroft and his staff have made.
  • The Oilers push for second in the Pacific division and the importance of home ice advantage in the playoffs.
  • The positive impact Jesse Puljujärvi has had on the team this season.
  • Goaltending and the risk the Oilers are taking heading into the playoffs.
  • Which teams the Oilers could match up against, and their strengths and weaknesses.

Thanks as always to the great team at CBC for putting it all together!

CBC Radio Active: The Woodcroft Effect

I joined Rod Kurtz on CBC Radio Active to talk about the Oilers and their performance thus far under Jay Woodcroft. Full segment is here: CBC Radio Active (2022, March 7)

Topics we covered:

  • What the Oilers have done well since Jay Woodcroft’s arrival as head coach, and the key underlying numbers. We referenced the article I wrote last week.
  • The deployment of 11 forwards and seven defencemen, and what impact it’s having on the top end players.
  • Goaltending and why Skinner should get some starts soon.
  • Evander Kane’s results and some of the underlying numbers that might be of some concern.

Thanks as always to the great team at CBC for putting it all together!