Edmonton Oilers Player Grades – Games 61-70
By Kurt Leavins
The Edmonton Oilers are just past the 70-game mark of the 2014-15 season. At each interval, I will assign grades to each player who has played at least 1 of those 10 games, using the following key:
A = Exceeding Expectations
B = Meets Expectations
C = Below Expectations
D = Immediate Improvement Required
F = Demotion Imminent
GAMES 61-70
FORWARDS:
Jordan Eberle. Grade: A. Jordan Eberle starting performing at the top of his game, and has been for a second consecutive report card, now. In fact, he has turned it another notch in the last 10 games (4g, 10a, -1). Freed from the constraints of the Dallas Eakins system, he looks like an elite NHL point producer…again. 3rd leading NHL scorer since the All-Star break!
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Grade: A. With 13 points in his last 10 games, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is now matching superlative defensive play with 1C offence. His improved strength along the boards, and his new positioning along the half-wall on the Power Play have become key calling cards of his. Johnathan Toews-like. Emerging as one of the better 2-way pivots in the NHL.
Nail Yakupov. Grade: A-. Nail Yakupov‘s game had already elevated in the previous 10 games, but his ascent has continued since them. He is dangerous practically every shift now, was 2-4-6 in his last 9, and has taken some of the drama out of his defensive game, as well. Earning a healthy bridge contract.
Anton Lander. B+. Wow, wow, was I wrong about this player. He has well convinced me that he is NOT just a very good AHL player. Always solid on defence, Anton Lander has found his offensive range, particularly on the Power Play, where his net-front presence is somewhat reminiscent of Shawn Horcoff.
Derek Roy. Grade: B+. The re-emergence of Nail Yakupov, I believe, has 3 equal parts: Todd Nelson, Yakupov himself, and Derek Roy. The veteran pivot seems to have the effect of a Yak-whisperer, while continuing to be an adequate NHL 2C. On some nights, especially lately, the flashes of his old self have been more frequent.
Boyd Gordon. Grade: B+ As the season has worn on, the brutal physical cost of an NHL season has started to show on Boyd Gordon a little. But he still shoulders crushing minutes under terrible conditions, and keeps coming back for more. I admire him like crazy, a players the Edmonton Oilers are lucky to have.
Matt Hendricks. Grade: B. This guy may play harder than anyone else on the roster, and has a very high percentage when it comes to making good decisions under duress. As much as the Edmonton Oilers may wish they still had Devan Dubnyk, at least the guy the got in that trade brings his lunch kit every single night.
Benoit Pouliot. Grade: B-. The injury for Benoit Pouliot came at a bad time, and he was a bit slow out of the gate coming back. Lately, we have seen “good Benoit” again, where he looks like a good match on that 1st Line. He has also matched his career high for goals. A give Craig MacTavish a passing grade on this signing.
Taylor Hall. Grade: N/A.
Rob Klinkhammer. Grade: B-. Now re-signed for next year, Rob Kinkhammer has proven to be a reliable, complimentary player on the Edmonton Oilers 4th line. Love his physicality and speed. Is willing to go to the tough spots on the ice. Sadly, seems to have no hands at all. A useful NHL role player.
Luke Gazdic. Grade: C+. Luke Gazdic has stepped up his game, essentially out-playing Ryan Hamilton. On one hand, he “is what he is”. But has improved his zone exits, and is using his decent foot-speed to be more effective on the fore check. Have to admire that Gazdic has turned himself into more than just a tough guy.
Teddy Purcell. Grade: C+. Purcell is more than a little frustrating, but I’ve come to believe that our expectations of him may be unrealistic. He has some offensive tools and has been a pleasant surprise on the PK. But Teddy Purcell really is what he is, which is a 3rd line NHL winger.
Matt Fraser. Grade: C. Matt Fraser had just started to play more consistently, both physically on the fore check and on the attack around the goal crease, when he suffered a concussion. On the bubble for next year’s roster, he has some tools but really needed the last dozen games to display them.
Ryan Hamilton. Grade: D+. I am sorry to grade Hamilton this low, as I admire his worth ethic, and in many ways plays the game absolutely the right way. But he’s not overly big, is speed-challenged, and has no hands to speak of. You want guys like that to make it, but he may just not have the talent.
Iiro Pakarinen. D-. A rather harsh grade, as he only played briefly before injuring his knee. Iiro Pakarinen will be back in camp next Fall, but I expect he will be no more than a bubble-player, spending at least part of his season in OKC. Brings some good aspects, but I’m not altogether sold.
DEFENCE
Oscar Klefbom. Grade: A. Practically all defencemen his age will have wobbly nights, until well past the post of 200 NHL games. But precious few play at his level, the rest of the time. Oscar Klefbom likes to shoot and has a gun. He’s strong as a horse and breaks up cycles. He can fly, beating others to pucks, and move the puck up smartly. Sound like a top-pairing D-man to you? Yeah, me too.
Justin Schultz. Grade: B+. On most nights, now, Justin Schultz is back to his old self on offence. He is playing heavy minutes, and is moving the puck smartly. I see progress in his defensive game, but it still has worrisome gaps in it. I really think he needs an extra 10-15 pounds. Will get a new contract soon, and people will complain about it, no matter what the numbers & term.
Mark Fayne. Grade: B-. Mark Fayne seems to have found a steady dance partner in Martin Marincin, and the pair is facing tough competition. Having seen Fayne for most of a season now, up close, I would say that he is a solid 3-4 D-man. The problem is he is being used in situations that call for a 1-2D.
Andrew Ference. Grade: B-. While the grind of a long NHL season is showing on Andrew Ference a little, he is still turning in performances that make him a reliable 5-6D, which is exactly how Todd Nelson is using him. Still gives a hard, gritty performance night-in and night-out, and sets a good example.
Martin Marincin. Grade: C+. Martin Marincin has had an uneven NHL season, but very recently has showed more consistent signs of putting it all together. We see flashes. But he needs to be more agressive and close his gaps faster, in order to elevate his value with the General Manager.
Jordan Oesterle. Grade: D. The kid started out surprisingly strong, but slowly his game eroded as his shortcomings started to show up, most notably his size, and the quality and quickness of his decisions in his own zone. The kid can play, though, and will be in the mix next Fall.
Keith Aulie. F. Keith Aulie simply has not demonstrated that he has what it takes to play defence at the NHL level, or with any consistency. Works hard and has a mean streak, but is shy on the talent leger. An AHL-quality D-man on a 28th place NHL club.
Nikita Nikitin. Grade: N/A/
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GOALTENDERS
Ben Scrivens. Grade: B-. The benefit to the unfortunate injury to Fasth, Ben Scrivens has been getting the call a LOT. But what I ultimately think that Scrivens is proving is that he is an above-average back-up, even on a very good team. But his lack of consistency and low save percentage are worrisome.
Richard Bachman. Grade: D. It is nice to have a professional goalie in your system like Richard Bachman for just such situations. But the few times he has subbed in for Ben Scrivens, with Viktor Fasth on the shelf, he has been mediocre.