Oil Spills: A podcast on the Edmonton Oilers

Ya know, defence (and maybe an NHL trade deadline deal) wins championships

Tue, 26 Nov 2019 23:54:47 -0000

Oscar Klefbom is leading the NHL in average time-on-ice and looking more and more like a true No. 1 defenceman, while Ethan Bear has been the surprise of the season on the blue line and has fit right in among the Oilers’ top-four blue-liners.

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What to make of Taylor Hall-to-Oilers trade rumours

Wed, 20 Nov 2019 00:23:37 -0000

The rumour has been persistent since early in this NHL season, that Taylor Hall — former Edmonton Oilers star — would welcome a trade away from the New Jersey Devils, who have faltered on the ice thus far. And his rumoured preferred destination? The Oilers. Host Craig Ellingson talks to hockey beat writer Derek Van Diest about the rumours and what a Taylor Hall trade to Edmonton would mean for the team.

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Oilers turn focus to Western rivals

Tue, 12 Nov 2019 23:06:33 -0000

After playing Eastern Conference teams for more than half of their games through the first third of November, the Edmonton Oilers will face their fellow Western NHL squads exclusively for 10 straight games through the start of December. The stretch includes six road games and seven clashes with their Pacific Division siblings. What it could mean is we’ll see some separation from the pack by the Oilers or find Edmonton jostling with their rivals to stay in the playoff mix.

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What to make of the Oilers' blip

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 20:14:36 -0000

Win some, lose some. Recent games are suggesting the Connor McDavid- and Leon Draisaitl-led Edmonton Oilers are human after all. After a torrid start to the 2019-20 NHL campaign, the Oilers have lost games they probably should have been in on — and have won games they likely should have lost. Considering the team is still getting very good goaltending and scoring from its stars, however, there is reason to believe these aren't last season's Oilers, which saw things go sideways come mid-December.

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Oilers' bottom-six shooters firing blanks

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 17:54:24 -0000

The Edmonton Oilers' so-called 'bottom six' forwards have yet to score a goal — and most have yet to notch even an assist — almost a month into the 2019-20 NHL season. Hockey beat writers Jim Matheson and Rob Tychkowski talk to host Craig Ellingson about the team's secondary-scoring woes.

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McDavid and Draisaitl can’t do it all for the Oilers

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 06:00:00 -0000

The Edmonton Oilers are flying high to start the 2019-20 NHL season, but even teams that touch the top of the standings can see their star players fall off a bit as seen in recent games. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl didn’t crowd the scoresheet in a win over Detroit and in a shutout shootout loss to the Jets, which once again underscores the need for the Oilers to conjure goals from their secondary lines.

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It's early, but Oilers' signs are looking positive

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 23:11:46 -0000

The Edmonton Oilers' strong start to the 2019-20 NHL season is certainly a pleasant surprise to the team's fans. Hockey Hall of Fame writer Jim Matheson talks to host Craig Ellingson about how the Oilers can keep producing at this level, barring setbacks due to injury.

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Whatever % Connor McDavid is at looks mighty fine

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 19:04:56 -0000

We’ll take Connor McDavid at less than 100 per cent if that’s what it looks like given his performance in the Edmonton Oilers’ first two games of the NHL regular season. McDavid and linemates Leon Draisaitl and Zack Kassian were in fine scoring form against the Vancouver Canucks and the Los Angeles Kings as the Oilers start the 2019-20 campaign with a pair of home wins. Also: • goalie Mike Smith’s wandering ways. • the impact of Adam Larsson’s long-term injury to the Oilers' defensive

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Now we’ll see if Oilers’ gambles at forward will pay off

Wed, 02 Oct 2019 17:41:15 -0000

A new season, a whole lot of new faces at forward to play alongside Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins et al. And as usual when new players are added to the Edmonton Oilers’ mix, it remains to be seen if the moves and gambles made by the general manager and the coaching staff will result in more sparks. Hockey beat writers Jim Matheson and Rob Tychkowski join host Craig Ellingson to talk about the start of the 2019-20 NHL season for the Oilers.

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Connor McDavid returns to Oilers game action

Wed, 25 Sep 2019 22:15:33 -0000

Connor McDavid was rusty handling the puck but his knee, injured at the end of last season, looked fine in preseason action against the Arizona Coyotes as the NHL star saw his first action since he tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Hockey beat writers Jim Matheson and Derek Van Diest join host Craig Ellingson to talk about McDavid, and the state of the team in training camp on both offence and defence.

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Joel Persson the latest Oilers It Boy, and carnage if Connor McDavid misses a few games

Wed, 18 Sep 2019 21:55:49 -0000

Joel Persson has some definite offensive skills the Edmonton Oilers could use on the blueline. The Swedish defenceman is one of the brightest of the new faces at training camp this year. Host Craig Ellingson talks to hockey beat writers Rob Tychkowski and Derek Van Diest about the blueline corps, plus they wonder aloud what it would mean to the Oilers if star Connor McDavid missed any time — even a measly half-dozen games, let's say.

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Mike Smith adds different dimensions to Oilers’ goaltending

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 05:00:00 -0000

Goalie Mike Smith will bring a puck-handling savvy, veteran presence and a strong second-half showing with the Calgary Flames last season to the Edmonton Oilers in 2019-20 to split duties with Mikko Koskinen, who was shaky down the stretch. Hockey beat writer Derek Van Diest and host Craig Ellingson discuss how things could play out in Edmonton’s net this year.

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Why one-time Oilers star Bill Guerin is now a general manager

Thu, 29 Aug 2019 05:00:00 -0000

The Minnesota Wild chose another rookie in Bill Guerin to fill their general manager’s chair less than a month after firing Paul Fenton, who lasted in the job just 14 months as a first-time GM. Guerin ticked off many boxes for Wild owner Craig Leipold, whose team plays in the rabid U.S. ‘State of Hockey.’ But Guerin apparently wasn’t even a finalist, if he really interviewed at all, for the Edmonton Oilers job that went to Ken Holland in early May.

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Oilers face a pivotal move

Tue, 27 Aug 2019 05:00:00 -0000

The Edmonton Oilers don't have a bonafide No. 3 centre heading into September's training camp. Hockey Hall of Fame writer Jim Matheson and host Craig Ellingson talk about what the Oilers could do to address the issue.

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On the Oilers' potentially perfect pickup of James Neal

Wed, 21 Aug 2019 18:18:43 -0000

Yes, James Neal had a forgettable 2018-19 campaign for the Calgary Flames. But in swapping Milan Lucic for him in a July trade, the Edmonton Oilers may have made a masterful move. Host Craig Ellingson and hockey beat writer Derek Van Diest talk about the possibilities of Neal as an Oiler, particularly if the perennial 20-something goal-scorer regains his scoring touch alongside the likes of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins this coming NHL season.

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The confusing Oilers-Puljujarvi trade-me-now stance

Tue, 13 Aug 2019 19:22:25 -0000

What’s with the ongoing drama between the Edmonton Oilers and Jesse Puljujarvi's camp? Hockey beat writer Derek van Diest talks to host Craig Ellingson about the Finnish winger and his trade demands. The fourth-overall pick from the 2016 NHL Draft requires a new contract, but given his paltry pro performance thus far in his career, his market value is relatively low.

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Specific with the Pacific

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 07:30:00 -0000

Hockey Hall of Fame writer Jim Matheson and host Craig Ellingson talk about the Edmonton Oilers’ rivals in the Pacific Division and the moves they’ve made early in the summer and what to expect from them before the start of the 2019-20 NHL season.

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Oilers and forward thinking

Wed, 10 Jul 2019 20:45:11 -0000

Hockey Hall of Fame writer Jim Matheson and host Craig Ellingson talk about what the Edmonton Oilers could do this summer to acquire a winger to play among the NHL team's Top 6 forwards, particularly someone who could pair up on the second line with centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

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The Ghost of Thomas Vanek and other Oilers tales of free agency

Wed, 03 Jul 2019 19:46:45 -0000

Hockey Hall of Fame writer Jim Matheson and host Craig Ellingson talk about the challenges Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland faces this summer in his quest to find a winger who can play among the NHL team’s top six forwards for this coming season.

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Oilers' needs obvious as NHL free agency approaches

Wed, 26 Jun 2019 03:14:56 -0000

An NHL goalie and a forward with some scoring prowess are high on Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland’s shopping list as this summer’s NHL free agency comes closer. Hockey beat writers Jim Matheson and Rob Tychkowski talk to host Craig Ellingson about this and about its bounty from the recent NHL Draft, which saw the Oilers take defenceman Philip Broberg in the first round.

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Call it a convention: Oilers and the NHL trade market at the draft

Wed, 19 Jun 2019 18:13:35 -0000

It’s NHL Draft Week — but let's call it NHL Convention week, with general managers gathering from across North America for the two-day event June 21-22 this year in Vancouver. Not that GMs have waited to see their colleagues in person to make a whole lot of signings ahead of free agency, which is due to start July 1, and make a few trades beforehand. Hockey Hall of Fame writer Jim Matheson joins host Craig Ellingson to talk about the Oilers in the trade market and at the draft.

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Looking for an Oilers bright side in potential Lucic-for-Eriksson deal

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 09:00:00 -0000

Hockey Hall of Fame writer Jim Matheson talks to host Craig Ellingson about the potential of a Milan Lucic-for-Loui Eriksson deal between the Edmonton Oilers and the Vancouver Canucks, about where forward Jesse Puljujarvi stands with the Oilers as the NHL Draft — a.k.a. NHL GMs trading convention — approaches, and about who/what the Oilers might target with the eighth overall pick in the June 21-22 draft.

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New Oilers head coach will make only so much of a difference

Wed, 29 May 2019 22:11:57 -0000

Hockey beat writer Rob Tychkowski joins host Craig Ellingson to talk about the Edmonton Oilers hiring Dave Tippett as the NHL team's head coach.

Specifically:

Tippett will be Ryan Nugent-Hopkins's eighth head coach in nine years. RNH, the Oilers' longest-serving player, was taken first overall by the Oilers in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
How Tippett differs as a coach from immediate Oilers predecessors Ken Hitchcock and Todd McLellan. Hitchcock finished this past season as head man after McLellan was fired 20 games into the 2018-19 NHL campaign.
What 'style' of coaching we might expect to see from Tippett, who had the reputation as a defensive-minded coach in Arizona and Dallas.
The limits of what changes we can expect to see in the Oilers next season based on coaching alone.

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On Oilers coaches old, Oilers coaches new

Wed, 22 May 2019 18:48:08 -0000

Hockey beat writer Jim Matheson and host Craig Ellingson talk about coaches and the Edmonton Oilers — old ones such as Craig MacTavish, Ralph Krueger and Duane Sutter. MacT, bench boss in Edmonton from 2000-09, and Sutter, the team's head of pro scouting who once coached Florida, both left the Oilers recently. Krueger, Oilers coach in 2012-13, was hired last week by Buffalo. And this week, the Oilers are expected to hire a new head coach, probably ex-Arizona and ex-Dallas boss Dave Tippett.

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Decisions on coach, personnel dead ahead for new Oilers GM

Tue, 14 May 2019 09:00:00 -0000

Hockey writers Jim Matheson and Derek Van Diest talk to host Craig Ellingson about what lies immediately ahead for new Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland: Hiring a new head coach and assessing his team’s player assets.

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Oilers make right move now hiring Holland as GM

Thu, 09 May 2019 18:00:57 -0000

Hockey beat writers Jim Matheson, Rob Tychkowski and Derek Van Diest talk to host Craig Ellingson about the Edmonton Oilers' hiring of Ken Holland as general manager.

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Oilers' GM hunt remains in focus

Tue, 30 Apr 2019 18:17:55 -0000

Host Craig Ellingson talks to hockey beat writers Rob Tychkowski and Derek Van Diest about the ongoing Edmonton Oilers' search for a new general manager, which is rumoured to have been whittled down to a handful of candidates.

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Oilers and NHL playoffs coulda/shoulda/wouldas

Tue, 23 Apr 2019 22:38:34 -0000

Hockey Hall of Fame writer Jim Matheson talks to host Craig Ellingson about the playoff picture in the NHL’s Western Conference, which has seen three of the top four seeds eliminated — No. 3 seed San Jose Sharks will play a seventh game against the sixth-seeded Vegas Golden Knights — and about ‘what could’ve beens’ if the Edmonton Oilers had somehow, someway made the post-season and scored the chance to play top-ranked Calgary.

They also talk about:

- News that Ralph Krueger, who was once the head coach of the Oilers before being unceremoniously dumped in the 2013 off-season, is not interested in Edmonton's general manager's job.

- One-time Oilers player Marc Habschied, currently head coach of the WHL powerhouse Prince Albert Raiders, and his long career in hockey.

- And former Oilers bench boss Todd McLellan, who was recently hired by the Los Angeles Kings.

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Oilers need to start with a POHO

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 23:33:50 -0000

Hockey beat writers Rob Tychkowski and Jim Matheson join host Craig Ellingson to talk about why the Edmonton Oilers should really start the process of hiring a new general manager by first putting in place a new president of hockey operations.

Also:

- Former Oilers star Jordan Eberle has three goals in his first three playoff games with the New York Islanders. Eberle was traded to the Islanders from Edmonton after his first NHL playoff experience in 2017 with the Oilers, a scoreless 13-game affair for him.

- There's no rule that says an NHL team needs to make public what a player injury might be, but playing coy on Friday about what ails Connor McDavid's leg backfired on the Oilers after they were given the social-media gears about a definite lack of detail in their information delivered to fans and media.

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Oilers need a hockey executive overhaul, Part 2

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 22:22:55 -0000

Hockey Hall of Fame writer Jim Matheson defends his column in which he says the Edmonton Oilers should simply lift the ‘interim’ general manager tag from Keith Gretzky — brother of the Great One, Wayne, who is also an Oilers executive — arguing he knows the players in the organization better than anyone and has developed a solid reputation scouting and plucking talent from the amateur ranks.

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Oilers need a hockey executive overhaul

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey Hall of Fame writer Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal and the Edmonton Sun talks to host Craig Ellingson about the Edmonton Oilers’ search for a general manager and perhaps a president of hockey operations, too. Also: - The Oilers’ goaltending situation as the season draws to a close. - How to grow a professional women’s hockey league in the wake of recent news the Canadian Women’s Hockey League is folding.

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Nicholson a lightning rod for frustrated Oilers fans

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Oilers Entertainment Group chief executive officer Bob Nicholson’s recent comments about Edmonton Oilers forward Tobias Rieder — Nicholson blamed Rieder, who hasn’t scored a goal all season, for the team’s failure to secure a playoff spot — turned Nicholson into a lightning rod among many Oilers fans, a figure onto which they turned their frustrations over yet another losing season — 12 of the last 13 of them out of the NHL playoffs.

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Bright spots among Oilers' fading playoff hopes

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Host Craig Ellingson and hockey beat writer Derek Van Diest focus on the ever-slimmer playoff hopes of the team. They’re pretty much hopeless, practically, but because the NHL’s Western Conference has a lot of mediocre teams this season — the Oilers among them — Edmonton still has hope this late in the campaign. At the same point last year, the Oilers were well back of the playoff pack and out of the race. They also talk about Connor Mcdavid and his Hart Trophy odds — they think they should be

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Oilers chase playoff spot. So you're saying there's a chance?

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 21:56:27 -0000

Postmedia reporter Trevor Robb speaks with hockey writers Derek Van Diest and Rob Tychkowski on the possibility of the Edmonton Oilers making the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs this spring. The Oilers are within five points of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with 13 games left to play. Is there really an opportunity for the Oilers to get into the playoffs? They are playing their best hockey of the season, currently on a 7-2-1 run. The team is starting to turn skeptics into believers. And

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Leon Draisaitl exceeds expectations for Edmonton Oilers

Mon, 04 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Forwards Leon Draisaitl and Zack Kassian have been playing well for the Edmonton Oilers of late, scoring regularly as the team tries to claw its way back into the NHL wild-card playoff spot convsersation as the regular season ticks down. What have they done to elevate their games? Host Craig Ellingson talks to hockey beat writers Jim Matheson and Derek Van Diest about Draisaitl and Kassian, and about the effect Andrej Sekera has had on the Oilers defence since he made his season debut last month.

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Oilers play it safe at trade deadline

Thu, 28 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0000

The Oilers made no deals on trade deadline. Derek Van Diest and Jim Matheson discuss why that may be.

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Trade deadline approaches with Edmonton Oilers in sell mode

Tue, 19 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0000

The Edmonton Oilers are indeed sellers for the 2019 NHL trade deadline coming up on Feb. 25. They dealt goalie Cam Talbot to the Philadelphia Flyers for Anthony Stolarz in order to clear salary cap room for defenceman Andrej Sekera, who returned to the Oilers lineup from injury. But can the Oilers under interim general manager Keith Gretzky reasonably do much else besides give players away for middling draft picks to try to clear salary off the books?

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Head-scratching over Edmonton Oilers' home woes

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0000

The Edmonton Oilers can win games away from home, but over the last bunch of games, they can’t seem to win at their own arena, Rogers Place. The question, of course, is why? Just another thing that’s in the water? Hockey beat writers Jim Matheson and Rob Tychkowski talk to host Craig Ellingson about home-ice challenges plus the prospects of the Oilers getting defenceman Andrej Sekera back in the lineup soon, about the recent success of the AHL Bakersfield Condors and about ex-Oilers coach Dallas

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To trade or not to trade: Edmonton Oilers face tough decisions soon

Tue, 05 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0000

We’ve been watching this dance in slow motion for weeks now, with the Edmonton Oilers on the edge of it — both before and after their extended break during and after the NHL all-star game. It’s the great turtle derby being contested by half the Western Conference. One thing is for sure — at some point, a couple of these teams are going to break away from the pack. And the question in Edmonton is: Do the Oilers have the right team to do it? Host Craig Ellingson talks to Edmonton Journal and Edm

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Playoffs or bust for the Edmonton Oilers?

Tue, 29 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0000

With Peter Chiarelli out and Keith Gretzky in, for the interim, as general manager, the Edmonton Oilers have an existential question to ask of themselves: Are they really all in on making the 2019 NHL playoffs — which would surely mean trading away future prospects in the form of young players or draft picks — or are they willing to ride through the storm, no matter the cost?

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Oilers stall as chorus calling for GM to be fired grows louder

Tue, 22 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0000

The Edmonton Oilers are losing ground in the multi-team race for the wild-card playoff spots in the Western Conference as the NHL heads for the all-star break. A pair of weekend home losses — to the Calgary Flames and the Carolina Hurricanes — saw the Oilers slip a few points behind the pack while their rivals won games. Opportunities to get at the forefront of the wildcard race: Gone. Lost. Considering the Oilers changed coaches just two months ago, and considering they’ve won eight of thei

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Edmonton Oilers search for traction in NHL playoff chase

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Inconsistency has dogged the Edmonton Oilers for the last month — indeed, since the team lost both Oscar Klefbom and Kris Russell to injury from its defensive corps a month go, with Klefbom yet to return — resulting in them sitting on the cusp of a wildcard playoff berth in the Western Conference. And while the Oilers have been stuck in a win one or two, lose one or two type of rut as of late, at least the half dozen other teams also in the wildcard hunt have been plagued by inconsistencies, too. For

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Jekyll & Hyde Edmonton Oilers looking less like an NHL playoff team

Tue, 08 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0000

So, what’s it going to be — the bad Edmonton Oilers we saw play the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night, or the Oilers that shut down the Anaheim Ducks the very next night? Saturday’s wretched shutout loss to the Kings showed the Oilers’ definite lack of motivation — not a playoff attitude, head coach Ken Hitchcock said after the game — while Sunday’s win over Anaheim showed the Oilers can play well when they want to. Podcast host Craig Ellingson talks to NHL beat writers Jim Matheson an

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Good times, bad times: Edmonton Oilers at mid-season, Part 2

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0000

Part 2 (of 2) of our mid-season look at the ongoing hot-button topics surrounding the Edmonton Oilers. Jim Matheson, Derek Van Diest and Craig Ellingson talk about: - the surprising Alex Chiasson - the impact of injuries to defensemen Oscar Klefbom and Kris Russell - the play of forward Jesse Puljujarvi - and the hot seat Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli occupies.

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Win some, lose some: Edmonton Oilers at mid-season, Part 1

Mon, 24 Dec 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Part 1 of a look back at the Edmonton Oilers’ season so far — a mid-season report of sorts as NHL teams near the halfway mark of the 2018-19 schedule. Jim Matheson, Derek Van Diest and Craig Ellingson talk about three simmering, ongoing subjects surrounding the Oilers, including: - the rise of Mikko Koskinen to become the starting goaltender. - the Nov. 20 coaching change that saw Ken Hitchcock replace Todd McLellan as head coach. - the ongoing saga of Milan Lucic, who has struggled to scor

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Edmonton Oilers need to keep the lulls to a minimum

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey Hall of Fame writer Jim Matheson talks to Oil Spills host Craig Ellingson about the Edmonton Oilers’ successful stretch of games under head coach Ken Hitchcock, taking points in 10 of 13 games — eight of them wins — since he replaced Todd McLellan on Nov. 20, 2018. The team finally looked, shall we say, human in Vancouver on Dec. 16 in a 4-2 loss to the Canucks, a team behind them in the NHL’s Western Conference standings. While it’s important to win such games if you’re a team such as

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Edmonton Oilers click under Hitchcock as past 'atomic bomb' hits

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 00:00:00 -0000

The Edmonton Oilers have enjoyed a successful start to the Ken Hitchcock era, with the adjustments brought in by the legendary NHL coach tightening things up defensively and creating more scoring opportunities. Their play is also being bolstered by the solid goaltending by the tandem of Mikko Koskinen and Cam Talbot, and has led to a flurry of wins. All this success with a bit of a blast from the past as former Oilers captain Andrew Ference recently sounded off on the team’s dressing-room culture of a f

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Oilers minus Connor McDavid equals trouble

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 00:00:00 -0000

We found out what a superstar-less Edmonton Oilers team is like, and it wasn’t pretty when Connor McDavid sat out his team’s game on the road against the Dallas Stars when he fell ill. While it was just one game, short of expecting McDavid to be the ultimate iron-man, illness and injuries do happen, and the Oilers certainly looked like they were running on a lower-octane fuel minus him. What it did was magnify the team’s current lack of depth on the wings. Podcast host Craig Ellingson talks to hock

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Clear view of Oilers challenges for Ken Hitchcock

Mon, 26 Nov 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Ken Hitchcock has had a good glimpse at what ails his new team, what works and what doesn’t early in his tenure behind the Edmonton Oilers bench. With other teams who had gone through a ‘rebuild’ phase at the same time as these Oilers finally realizing success — like the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Buffalo Sabres — is there anything Hitchcock, the third-winningest coach in NHL history, can do to jumpstart flailing Edmonton? Oil Spills podcast host Craig Ellingson talks to Oilers beat writer Rob

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Ken Hitchcock in as Oilers head coach

Tue, 20 Nov 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Todd McLellan is out, Ken Hitchcock is in as the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers. The move comes after the team lost six of its last seven games heading into a road trip to California, sitting a game below .500 and sitting outside the NHL playoff picture. Host Craig Ellingson talks to hockey beat writers Jim Matheson and Derek Van Diest about the coaching change, why it happens now and what we might expect from Hitchcock, an Edmonton native and one of the winningest head coaches in NHL history.

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Oilers' backslide a throwback to last season's disappointing performance

Tue, 13 Nov 2018 00:00:00 -0000

The Edmonton Oilers have come crashing back to earth after a good showing in October, when they posted a 6-4-1 record while beating strong teams such as the Winnipeg Jets, the Nashville Predators and the Washington Capitals, the defending Stanley Cup champions no less, along the way. Heading into their Nov. 13 home game against the Montreal Canadiens, the Oilers had lost four games in a row in rather convincing fashion, harkening back to memories of last season’s adrift squad. Host Craig Ellingson talks

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Oilers now have options on right wing

Mon, 05 Nov 2018 00:00:00 -0000

The carousel at right-wing keeps turning for the Edmonton Oilers, with Drake Caggiula catching fire in back-to-back games and hanging onto a spot on the top line alongside star Connor McDavid, even though Ty Rattie — the regular on McDavid’s right-hand flank — was ready to return to the lineup. So there’s that, and there’s also the strong play of a couple of others on the right side, Alex Chiasson and Zack Kassian, who for the moment are entrenched on the second- and fourth lines, respectively.

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Goaltending gives Oilers chances to win

Tue, 30 Oct 2018 00:00:00 -0000

The goaltending’s been the big thing lately for the Edmonton Oilers. While many things have gone right for the Oilers, particularly in their last four games, to go 6-3-1 in their first 10 games of the season, the play of starting goalie Cam Talbot as well as backup Mikko Koskinen in his single appearance have backstopped the team to its winning record. Remember: many a pundit and average fan on the street weren’t giving the Oilers much of a chance to win games in October, much less come out of it wit

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'Heart of the order' will push Oilers

Tue, 23 Oct 2018 00:00:00 -0000

It’s the heart of the order for the Edmonton Oilers in October — three games in a row against some of the NHL’s heavyweight teams — and the big question is how they will do against them. If last Saturday’s game against the Nashville Predators, a shutout loss, is any indication, the games against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Washington Capitals and the Predators again will prove thought tests for an Oilers squad that has bared its flaws. Oil Spills podcast host Craig Ellingson talks to NHL beat w

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Oilers desperately seeking beast-mode Draisaitl

Mon, 15 Oct 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Leon Draisaitl, the centre of the Oilers’ second line that includes wingers Milan Lucic and Kailer Yamamoto, has failed to muster offence with his even-strength linemates to start the new NHL season. So it comes as little surprise the idea of once again moving Draisaitl onto Connor McDavid’s wing — something the Oilers have done in the past to generate goals — has come up again in the media as an option for head coach Todd McLellan, who has summarily dismissed it. The team wants Draisaitl to be

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Pressure already on Oilers in return to North America

Wed, 10 Oct 2018 00:00:00 -0000

NHL beat writer Jim Matheson has been on the road with the Edmonton Oilers for the last week and a half, starting in Germany, where the team played an exhibition game in centre Leon Draisaitl’s home town of Cologne, followed by their regular-season debut in Gothenburg, Sweden, against the New Jersey Devils, a 5-2 loss. And now, the Oilers will make their debut on North American ice on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018, facing the host Boston Bruins — a potentially tough matchup as are most of their games at the

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Oilers finalize roster as they hit Europe

Tue, 02 Oct 2018 19:41:08 -0000

They’ve made the big jump across the pond, and now the Edmonton Oilers are preparing for a big challenge to start the N-H-L season — four games on the road, with the first one in Sweden, all against what should prove to be stiff competition. That’s this backdrop for the Oilers as they continue to make final adjustments to the lineup, such as waiving players such as Pontus Aberg, who was claimed by the Anaheim Ducks on Monday, and trading defenceman Jakub Jerabek, who they had waived on Sunday to send

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Yamamoto making Oilers’ forward decisions tough again

Tue, 25 Sep 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Decisions, decisions. The Edmonton Oilers are about halfway through training camp, and while the NHL team has made a number of roster cuts already — sending players in bunches back to junior clubs and to the minor league in Bakersfield for the AHL team camp — the hard work deciding who stays and who goes starts now. The Oilers have three pre-season games left before they depart for Europe, where they’ll play an exhibition in Cologne, Germany, before starting the 2018-19 season in Gothenburg, Swede

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Sizing up the Oilers defence

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Darnell Nurse has finally signed a new contract with the Edmonton Oilers. It’ll be a big boost for the N-H-L team’s blue-line as Nurse played some important minutes for the club last season. He’ll slot into the team’s top four and take some pressure off prospects such as Ethan Bear, Caleb Jones and recent first-round draft pick Evan Bouchard. Host Craig Ellingson talks to hockey writers Jim Matheson and Derek Van Diest all about the Oilers’ defence and the challenges the players face as they

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Oilers prospects in first for training camp

Tue, 11 Sep 2018 00:00:00 -0000

The gang’s almost all here! Edmonton Oilers prospects have reported to rookie camp ahead of the opening of main camp later this week. It features the likes of Evan Bouchard, the Oilers’ first-round draft pick this past June, as well as other hopefuls who have an opportunity to make an impact and get a longer look as the team readies for the season. Tyler Benson, the Oilers’ second-round pick two years ago, is playing in his first pre-season games after missing action the past couple of Septembers beca

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Oilers plug a hole as Sekera injury strikes

Tue, 28 Aug 2018 00:00:00 -0000

With Andrej Sekera lost for a few months after tearing his Achilles tendon this summer, the Edmonton Oilershave signed free-agent defenceman Jakub Jerabek to fill his spot — at least at training camp, where the NHL team will see ho stands out and deserves that sixth spot on the blue line. Prospects Ethan Bear, Caleb Jones and the oilers’ most-recent first-round pick, Evan Bouchard, will also likely be in the mix. Is adding Jerabek the right move? Podcast host Craig Ellingson talks to Edmonton Journal an

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Hockey in August puts spotlight on deep 2019 NHL Draft pool

Tue, 14 Aug 2018 00:00:00 -0000

It’s officially been summer going on two months now, but almost 10,000 people packed the lower bowl of Edmonton’s Rogers Place this past week for an international hockey tournament featuring a bounty of 17-year-old top prospects. The Hlinka Gretzky Cup, under a variety of names including the Air Canada Pacific Cup, the Nations Cup and the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, is a major pre-season showcase of under-18 prospects. A big question surrounding the tournament was whether fans would turn up in the

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Studying Evan Bouchard

Tue, 24 Jul 2018 00:00:00 -0000

As we enter what·s typically a quiet period of the year for the Edmonton Oilers and the NHL · it is summer, after all · we are coming off recent news of the team signing their first-round pick last month, Evan Bouchard, to a three-year entry level contract. As has been the case with the franchise particularly over the last dozen years, such high picks have been getting long looks at training camp and in exhibition and have seen NHL playing time right away. Can we expect Bouchard to get the same kind of l

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Waiting on that Darnell Nurse bridge contract

Fri, 06 Jul 2018 00:00:00 -0000

There’s still one major fish for the Edmonton Oilers to sign, and that’s restricted free agent Darnell Nurse, the defenceman who has shown much promise on the back end and who could very well blossom into a top-pairing NHL blueliner. But right now, the Oilers aren’t in a position to sign Nurse to a long-term deal, so look for them to come to terms on a bridge contract — something shorter-term, like two years, and worth say 3 to 4 million per season. And what else can the Oilers do to add to their li

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Little for Oilers to spend heading into NHL free agency

Fri, 29 Jun 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Host Derek Van Diest talks to Edmonton Oilers beat reporters Jim Matheson and Rob Tychkowski about the NHL’s free agency period, which starts Sunday, July 1, 2018. Not that Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli is licking his chops, pen and chequebook in hand, to give out some fat contracts this time around. No, the Oilers will be looking way, way down the list of available free agents in search of forward depth, to the likes of Kyle Brodziak, Jason Chimera and Tobias Rieder — all former Oilers, as it

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Oilers at 10th, what should they do with their pick at the NHL Draft?

Mon, 18 Jun 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Host Derek Van Diest talks to Edmonton Oilers beat reporters Jim Matheson and Rob Tychkowski about the Edmonton Oilers at this year's NHL Draft in Dallas, particuarly what the team should do with their first-round, 10th overall draft pick. Should they keep it or trade it? If they keep it, what sort of player should they target? They also talk about the possibility of the Oilers trading forward Milan Lucic, who is coming off a disappointing season with plenty of time left on his expensive contract.

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Those Amazing Vegas Golden Knights

Fri, 01 Jun 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Host Derek Van Diest talks to Edmonton Oilers beat reporters Jim Matheson and Rob Tychkowski about the Vegas Golden Knights, the NHL expansion team that is in the Stanley Cup final in its first year of play against the Washington Capitals. They talk about the construction of the Golden Knights roster, how the team’s success might change the way other teams assemble theirs and how they look at salary structures, and about the entertaining home-ice production at Las vegas’s T-Mobile Arena. The trio also t

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Oilers' spring hunt for defence

Fri, 18 May 2018 00:00:00 -0000

The Edmonton Oilers signed Swedish defenceman Joel Persson, who played for the Vaxjo Lakers in the Swedish Elite League last season. Will Persson help the Oilers in their quest for an offensive, puck-moving right-shot defenceman, or will he be another European who struggles to make an impact at the NHL level? The Oilers have gone down this road before with the likes of Yohann Auvitu, Anton Belov and Philip Larsen.

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Oilers' big deal for new backup goalie

Thu, 03 May 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey writers Jim Matheson and Robert Tychkowski talk to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the biggest news this week in Oilersland, the signing of Mikko Koskinen, a Finnish goalie who has spent the past six years in the KHL and who will be 30 years old by the time training camp rolls around in September. Who is the guy and why sign him to be the backup to push starter Cam Talbot?

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Oilers and the NHL Draft Lottery: What are the chances?

Wed, 25 Apr 2018 00:00:00 -0000

No. 1 overall. Could it happen to the Edmonton Oilers again? Yes it could. Three years ago, the Oilers won the 2015 NHL draft lottery with 11.5% odds of gaining the right to choose Connor McDavid first overall. This year, the Oilers head into the 2018 lottery holding the ninth overall pick. They have a five per cent chance of winning the first overall pick, and shots at moving up to second or third overall — or dropping back to 10th, 11th or 12th. If the Oilers win one of the lotteries, they will certainl

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Oilers coaching future uncertain

Fri, 13 Apr 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Questions about the Edmonton Oilers’ coaching staff linger following season-ending media conferences held by the team’s brass. Head coach Todd McLellan and his staff weren’t declared safe in their jobs — not that anyone thought they were given the Oilers finished well back of the NHL playoff pack this year after last year’s promising campaign.

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Which Oilers season is the aberration?

Thu, 05 Apr 2018 00:00:00 -0000

The end of the Edmonton Oilers’ season is here and the questions that have been dogging the team all season remain. Why did the Oilers stumble this year and finish almost 30 points behind last season and out of the playoffs? Is this season or last season’s run into the post-season an anomaly? Is this the most disappointing season in the Oilers’ NHL history? Should anyone be fired as a result?

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Connor McDavid for NHL MVP?

Thu, 29 Mar 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey Hall of Fame writer Jim Matheson talks to sports editor Craig Ellingson about Connor McDavid, the Edmonton Oilers captain who has been scoring at a torrid rate for more than a month, averaging almost two points a game in the month of March alone, and has vaulted into the NHL scoring lead. But how far should that scoring prowess, among his other qualities as a leader, teammate and ultra-skilled hockey player take him when it comes to voting for the league's most-valuable player award, the Hart Trophy

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Feast or famine for Leon Draisaitl

Thu, 22 Mar 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Beat writer Rob Tychkowski talks to sports editor Craig Ellingson about streaky Edmonton Oilers Leon Draisaitl, and why he's been hot and cold on the NHL scoring charts all season. For stretches, Draisaitl can score a point or better each game. That would be followed by strings of games in which he fails to put up any points.

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Oilers' trade targets and what to use as bait

Thu, 15 Mar 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey writers Jim Matheson and Derek Van Diest talk to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the unclear course ahead for Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli when it comes to making decisions on personnel this coming off-season — namely who to trade and who to keep and develop in the wake of Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion’s attendance at two recent Oilers games.

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Oilers in evaluation mode as they play out the string

Thu, 08 Mar 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey Hall of Fame writer Jim Matheson talks to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the Edmonton Oilers playing out the string on the rest of the 2017-18 NHL season, with the team out of the playoff picture.

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Post NHL trade deadline show

Thu, 01 Mar 2018 22:16:53 -0000

Edmonton Journal and Edmonton Oilers beat writers Jim Matheson and Rob Tychkowski join host Trevor Robb to discuss the moves Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli made prior to Monday’s NHL Trade Deadline and this period of evaluation the team has now entered as they wind down the season — a season that will not involve a trip to the playoffs.

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NHL trade deadline hot stove

Thu, 22 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0000

A special edition of Oil Spills at this year's NHL trade deadline: Host Paul Chapman talks with Postmedia hockey writers Jim Matheson, Ed Willes and Michael Traikos about the upcoming NHL trade deadline.

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Oilers' attention turns to trades, changes

Thu, 15 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey writers Jim Matheson and Derek Van Diest talk to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the trading landscape ahead for the Edmonton Oilers, who are effectively out of the National Hockey League playoff race. Before the summer hits, there's the upcoming NHL trade deadline on Feb. 26, which will almost certainly see Oilers forwards Patrick Maroon and Mark Letestu, both set to become unrestricted free agents in July, peddled to other teams. But it's not as though the Oilers don't need such players — tak

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End of Oilers' season is certainly near

Tue, 06 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey writer Robert Tychkowski talks to sports editor Craig Ellingson about what is looking to be the final stretch of meaningful games for the Edmonton Oilers as, while they have been playing better lately, the NHL team can't move up the standings in the quest for a playoff spot. With the NHL trade deadline less than three weeks away, the team will have to make decisions on who they might trade to best manage assets, moves that would effective signal the season, as far as chasing the post-season is concer

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Usual suspects continue to smother Oliers' slim hopes

Fri, 02 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey writer Robert Tychkowski talks to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the ailments that have been plaguing the Edmonton Oilers this season: their substandard special teams, both the power play and their weak penalty-killing efforts on home ice. Also: Goal-review glitches and the aftermath of backup goalie Al Montoya's refusal to speak to media before a game.

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Are the Oilers at a tipping point?

Mon, 22 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey writers Jim Matheson and Robert Tychkowski talk to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the struggles the Edmonton Oilers have on home ice and whether their poor performance against a lowly Buffalo Sabres squad could segue to immediate staff changes.

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Oilers' bye-week boon or blues?

Wed, 17 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey writer Jim Matheson talks to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the Edmonton Oilers coming out of their NHL bye week and how the club can try to build off momentum of their previous trio of games.

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Is the Edmonton Oilers' spotty play just plain shoddy or is it necessary?

Wed, 10 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey writer Robert Tychkowski talks to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the on-again, off-again performance of the Edmonton Oilers as they continue to show signs of improvement one game only to play horribly the next.

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Oilers' playoff hopes barely flickering

Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey writers Jim Matheson, Robert Tychkowski and Derek Van Diest talk to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the faint playoff hopes left for the Edmonton Oilers and where the blame should be cast for the failure of the team many were calling probable Stanley Cup contenders this year.

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West-heavy schedule should make or break Oilers' playoff hopes

Wed, 20 Dec 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey writer Jim Matheson talks to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the playoff hopes of the Edmonton Oilers being very much pinned to pivotal games against Western Conference opponents between now and mid-January.

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Playing better but Oilers' crisis mounting

Wed, 13 Dec 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey writers Jim Matheson and Robert Tychkowski talk to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the better play by the Edmonton Oilers, who face a strong lineup of teams after a promising three-game road trip, in which they collected four of a possible six points.

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Sputtering Oilers broken-record edition

Wed, 06 Dec 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey writer Jim Matheson talks to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the continuing inconsistencies of the Edmonton Oilers, who can't gain enough traction to win enough games to claw back into the 2017-18 NHL playoff race.

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Situation more critical as Talbot goes down

Tue, 28 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey writers Jim Matheson, Robert Tychkowski and Derek Van Diest talk to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the injury to Edmonton Oilers goalie Cam Talbot and how the team needs to rally behind backup Laurent Brossoit and win games in early December to stay relevant in the NHL playoff chase.

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Sputtering at the point of unlikely return

Tue, 21 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey Hall of Fame writer Jim Matheson talks to Craig Ellingson about the sputtering ways of the Edmonton Oilers a quarter of the way through the 2017-18 NHL season, which finds them five points out of a playoff spot at U.S. Thanksgiving.

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A turnaround?

Tue, 14 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal and Edmonton Sun hockey writers Jim Matheson, Robert Tychkowski and Derek Van Diest talk to sports editor Craig Ellingson on Nov. 16, 2017, about the better play by the Edmonton Oilers following a four-game road trip.

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Gimme 2

Mon, 06 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey writer Jim Matheson talks about the Edmonton Oilers' struggles at the beginning of the 2017-18 NHL season.

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Crunching Connor's contract

Wed, 05 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey writers Jim Matheson and Robert Tychkowski, and sports columnist Dan Barnes, join host Craig Ellingson to talk about Connor McDavid's $100-million contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers, its effect on the team, and how it could impact contract negotiations with Leon Draisaitl.

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McDavid pay day

Mon, 26 Jun 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey writers Jim Matheson and Robert Tychkowski join host Craig Ellingson to talk about the contract extension being negotiated between the Edmonton Oilers and star Connor McDavid, what moves the team might make during free agency and the prognosis of its 2017 NHL Draft crop of prospects.

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The road to Vegas

Sat, 17 Jun 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey writers Jim Matheson and Robert Tychkowski join host Craig Ellingson to talk about the NHL's Vegas expansion draft, the process of stocking the Golden Knights team and what it means for the Edmonton Oilers.

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Bumps on the road in back-to-back games

Tue, 21 Mar 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey Hall of Fame writer Jim Matheson talks to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the Edmonton Oilers' play over back-to-back games on the road in Anaheim and Denver, where the Oilers lost one in a playoff-style clash (in Anaheim against the Ducks) and where they rebounded from a poor first two periods against the last-place Colorado Avalanche to win. Cam Talbot was pulled in both games and spelled off by a steady Laurent Brossoit in goal, and Connor McDavid put more distance between himself and those ch

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Cue excitement as NHL playoffs really come into view

Tue, 14 Mar 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey Hall of Fame columnist Terry Jones joins Edmonton Sun and Journal sports editor Craig Ellingson to talk about the Edmonton Oilers' recent dominant offensive performances, how the prospect of the team making the NHL playoffs is becoming a very real thing and how changes to the Alberta clock could have a negative effect on the Oilers and the provincial rival Calgary Flames.

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All-Canadiens affair

Mon, 06 Mar 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey Hall of Fame writer Jim Matheson and Montreal Gazette sports columnist Stu Cowan join Edmonton Journal and Sun sports editor Craig Ellingson to talk about the Edmonton Oilers, the Montreal Canadiens, the NHL playoff picture in both the Western and Eastern Conferences, the recent trade between the two teams that saw centre David Desharnais come to Edmonton and defenceman Brandon Davidson head to Montreal, the on-going and forever present phenomenon of Canadiens fans (and their Toronto Maple Leafs coun

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Navigating March to the NHL playoffs

Wed, 01 Mar 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Postmedia hockey writers Robert Tychkowski and Derek Van Diest talk to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the Edmonton Oilers' heavy home schedule through the remainder of the 2016-17 NHL season.

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Targets at the NHL trade deadline

Tue, 21 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey writer Jim Matheson talks to sports editor Craig Ellingson about who the Edmonton Oilers might and might not target by the NHL trade deadline on March 1, 2017.

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What to add at 2017 NHL trade deadline

Mon, 13 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal and Edmonton Sun sports editor Craig Ellingson talks to hockey writers Jim Matheson and Derek Van Diest about what the Edmonton Oilers might be looking at doing come the NHL trade deadline, which comes March 1, 2017.

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Division tile fight

Mon, 23 Jan 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey writer Jim Matheson talks to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the Edmonton Oilers' clashes with fellow Pacific Division top dogs the Anaheim Ducks and the San Jose Sharks just before the 2017 NHL all-star break.

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The back-up question

Wed, 18 Jan 2017 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey writer Jim Matheson talks to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the Edmonton Oilers goaltending situation, specifically the workload of starter Cam Talbot and the question-mark that is the team's back-up position as the NHL all-star break nears.

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Edmonton Oilers string together wins

Tue, 20 Dec 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal and Edmonton Sun hockey writer Robert Tychkowski talks to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the Edmonton Oilers' road trip and recent run of success heading into their game Friday, Dec. 23, against the host San Jose Sharks just prior to a five-day Christmastime break.

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Offence propels streaky Edmonton Oilers

Wed, 23 Nov 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal and Edmonton Sun hockey writer Jim Matheson talks to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the play of the Edmonton Oilers following a 6-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche and heading into a game against the host Arizona Coyotes.

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Edmonton Oilers skidding through November

Mon, 14 Nov 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey writers Robert Tychkowski and Derek Van Diest and sports columnist Dan Barnes talk about the slumping Edmonton Oilers, who sport a record of 2-5-1 in their last eight NHL contests heading into what could be a gruelling three-game road trip.

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Oilers Podcast Nov. 4 2016

Thu, 03 Nov 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Sports columnist Dan Barnes and hockey writer Jim Matheson talk to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the adjustments the Edmonton Oilers need to make to end their three-game losing streak before back-to-back road games on the weekend of Nov. 5-6, 2016.

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Oilers Podcast Oct. 27, 2016

Wed, 26 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Sports columnist Dan Barnes, and hockey writers Jim Matheson and Derek Van Diest talk to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the strong start to the 2016-17 NHL season by the Edmonton Oilers.

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Oilers Podcast June 30 2016

Thu, 30 Jun 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Hockey writers Jim Matheson and Robert Tychkowski talk about the Edmonton Oilers' Taylor Hall trade and what the team might do to addresses its many roster needs as NHL free agency opens.

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Oilers Podcast June 21, 2016

Mon, 20 Jun 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal and Edmonton Sun hockey writers Jim Matheson and Robert Tychkowski talk to sports editor Craig Ellingson about what moves the Edmonton Oilers might or might not make at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

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Oilers Podcast April 28, 2016

Thu, 28 Apr 2016 00:00:00 -0000

Sports columnist Dan Barnes and sports writers Derek Van Diest and Jim Matheson join sports editor Craig Ellingson on the Edmonton Journal and Edmonton Sun's Oilers podcast to talk about the upcoming NHL draft lottery and what the Edmonton Oilers should do if they earn the right to pick No. 1 overall.

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Oilers Podcast, January 15, 2016

Sat, 16 Jan 2016 00:21:16 -0000

EJ Sports Oilers Podcast: The Back in Action edition The Oilers are back in Edmonton on Saturday to play the Calgary Flames, on the heels of a disappointing road trip that ended with a 2-1 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks. Just past the halfway point in the National Hockey League season, Journal sports editor Sarah O’Donnell sat down with hockey writer Jim Matheson and sports columnist John MacKinnon to talk about the ups and downs of the season that has the Oilers in a familiar spot. The trio discu

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Oilers Podcast, October 22, 2015

Sat, 24 Oct 2015 00:06:22 -0000

The Oilers go into Friday's game against the Washington Capitals as the league leaders in penalty killing with three wins on their resume. Journal hockey writer Jim Matheson and columnist John MacKinnon joined sports editor Sarah O'Donnell on Oct. 22nd to talk about the first seven games of the Oilers season, Connor McDavid's evolution as an NHL player and the performance of players such as Taylor Hall and Nail Yakupov. They also look ahead to upcoming games against the L.A. Kings and Montreal Canadiens.

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Oilers Podcast: The Puck Drop Edition

Thu, 08 Oct 2015 21:43:54 -0000

The Edmonton Oilers roster is set. The questions about team captain are settled (for now). Oilers rookie Connor McDavid is about to make his regular season NHL debut when the puck drops Thursday night in St. Louis against the Blues. In this edition of the Edmonton Journal's Oilers podcast, sports editor Sarah O’Donnell talks with hockey writer Jim Matheson and columnist John MacKinnon about the final phases of the team’s pre-season revamp and looks ahead at what’s to come. The trio also share their

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Oilers podcast, September 24, 2015

Fri, 25 Sep 2015 23:32:45 -0000

Edmonton Journal's Oilers podcast: The Training Camp edition The Edmonton Oilers are a more than a week into full-fledged training camp mode, with three exhibition games under their belts. That makes it a perfect time for some pre-season analysis by the Edmonton Journal’s hockey writers Joanne Ireland, Jim Matheson and columnist John MacKinnon. The trio joined sports editor Sarah O’Donnell on Thursday, Sept. 24, to talk about the new look of the 2015-16 Oilers squad and training camp developments. L

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Oilers Podcast September 9, 2015

Thu, 10 Sep 2015 16:37:39 -0000

Oilers rookies report to Rexall Place Thursday morning for the kick-off of rookie training camp — Connor McDavid included. The highly anticipated 2015-16 NHL season is here. That means it’s time for the Edmonton Journal’s sports department to launch a new season of its Oilers podcast. Tune in to hear hockey reporters Joanne Ireland and Jim Matheson discuss the rookie camp roster with sports editor Sarah O’Donnell. They look at what’s on the line for prospects in this weekend’s Young Stars tour

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Oilers Podcast May 26, 2015

Wed, 27 May 2015 05:39:21 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writers Jim Matheson and Joanne Ireland, and sports columnist John MacKinnon talk to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the massive changes in the Edmonton Oilers organization, including the addition of general manager Peter Chiarelli and head coach Todd McLellan, and the impending arrival of No. 1 draft pick Connor McDavid.

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Oilers Podcast April 18, 2015

Sat, 18 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writers Jim Matheson and Joanne Ireland and sports columnist John MacKinnon talk to sports editor Craig Ellingson about what changes for the Edmonton Oilers if they win the NHL draft lottery and use the No. 1 pick in June to take so-called generational superstar Connor McDavid.

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Oilers Podcast March 27, 2015

Fri, 27 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writers Jim Matheson and Joanne ireland, and sports columnist John MacKinnon, talk to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the change in timing of the NHL draft lottery, the race to the bottom of the NHL standings by a handful of teams in anticipation of drafting a player labelled as the next superstar in Connor McDavid; about watching two key Oilers prospects, Darnell Nurse and Leon Draisaitl, take part in the major junior playoffs on teams expected to make a run for the memorial Cup

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Oilers Podcast March 20, 2015

Fri, 20 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writers Jim Matheson and Joanne Ireland, and sports columnist John MacKinnon, talk to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the impending return of Taylor Hall from injury to the Edmonton Oilers lineup; about the improvement of the Oilers' power play to the point where it's been the NHL's best since the all-star break; and about the deficiencies facing the Oilers on defence.

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Oilers Podcast March 13, 2015

Fri, 13 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writer Jim Matheson talks to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the Edmonton Oilers' fruitless road trip through the eastern U.S., the shoddy defensive play by the team in stops at Carolina and Pittsburgh, the landscape for bringing in one or two veteran defenceman next season, the 'race' to the bottom of the NHL standings -- which include the 29th-place Oilers -- with touted generational stars Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel available to be taken at the beginning of June's NHL draft

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Oilers Podcast March 6, 2015

Fri, 06 Mar 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writer Jim Matheson talks to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the play of the Edmonton Oilers' call-ups from the American Hockey League farm and how the remainder of the 2014-15 NHL season is mostly an audition for them, and about the team's need to secure a future No. 1 goaltender.

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Oilers Podcast Feb. 27, 2015

Thu, 26 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writers Jim Matheson and Joanne Ireland, and sports columnist John MacKinnon, talk with sports editor Craig Ellingson about the upcoming NHL trade deadline; what sorts of moves the Oilers might make in the near future on defence with Jeff Petry likely to be traded; the play of goalie Ben Scrivens, who is 'the man' in net for the Oilers down the stretch with Viktor Fasth out of the lineup due to a knee injury; and on the performance of interim head coach Todd Nelson and where he stand

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Oilers Podcast Feb. 20, 2015

Fri, 20 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writers Jim Matheson and Joanne Ireland, and sports columnist John MacKinnon, join sports editor Craig Ellingson to talk about how the Edmonton Oilers are dealing with a rash of injuries, about the sale-ability of soon-to-be unrestricted free agent defenceman Jeff Petry, the better play of forward Nail Yakupov and the labelling of Edmonton as the least-favourite NHL free agent destination.

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Oilers Podcast Feb. 13, 2015

Thu, 12 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writers Jim Matheson and Joanne Ireland, sports columnist John MacKinnon and sports editor Craig Ellingson talk about a change in the Edmonton Oilers' work ethic over the past few weeks as interim head coach Todd Nelson tries to instill a teamwork mindset in his players. They also touch on the improved play of players such as Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Anton Lander and Oscar Klefbom, and the rising trade-market value of defenceman Jeff Petry in the wake of the recent blockbu

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Oilers Podcast Feb. 6, 2015

Fri, 06 Feb 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writer Joanne Ireland and sports columnist John MacKinnon join sports editor Craig Ellingson to talk about the NHL Edmonton Oilers' six-game Eastern road trip, the future of the team's blueline corps and the trade deadline, for which Jeff Petry factors large in the Oilers' plans.

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Oilers Road Report Jan. 14, 2015

Wed, 14 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writer Jim Matheson talks about the difficulty the Edmonton Oilers, the National Hockey League's last-place team, have playing away from their home arena. The team hasn't won on the road since Nov. 9, 2014, in New York against the rangers -- more than two months.

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Oilers Podcast 9 Jan. 8, 2015

Thu, 08 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writers Jim Matheson and Joanne Ireland, sports columnist John MacKinnon and sports editor Craig Ellingson talk about: the impact coaching changes and newly acquired players have had on the last-place NHL team; the deterioration of forward Nail Yakupov's ability to score and whether or not he should be traded; rumoured shuffling in the scouting department; probable future trading moves that would involve the departures of defenceman Jeff Petry and goalie Viktor Fasth; and the long-te

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Oilers Road Report Dec. 17, 2014

Tue, 16 Dec 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writer Joanne Ireland talks about the coaching changes for the Edmonton Oilers in the wake of the firing of Dallas Eakins and about the team's continuing offensive woes.

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Oilers Road Report Dec. 10, 2014

Tue, 09 Dec 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Edmontonn Journal hockey writer Jim Matheson talks about the inconsistent play of Edmonton Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens, a lack of scoring by the team, and a possible winning forward line combo in Jordan Eberle, Leon Draisaitl and Nail Yakupov.

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Oilers Podcast 8 Dec. 2, 2014

Mon, 01 Dec 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writers Jim Matheson and Joanne Ireland, and sports columnist John MacKinnon, talk about the Edmonton Oilers' 10-game losing skid, comments about 'moping' teammates made by captain Andrew Ference following that 10th loss, and about what the struggling team should do now and in the near future.

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Oilers Road Report Nov. 28, 2014

Thu, 27 Nov 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writer Jim Matheson talks about the Edmonton Oilers' improved play in an overtime loss to the Nashville Predators as the team prepares to face the host St. Louis Blues.

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Oilers Road Report Nov. 26, 2014

Mon, 24 Nov 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writer Jim Matheson talks to sports editor Craig Ellingson from Nashville as the Oilers, losers of seven in a row, prepare to face the Predators in the midst of trade rumours surrounding the team.

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Oilers Podcast 7 Nov. 18, 2014

Mon, 17 Nov 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writers Jim Matheson and Joanne Ireland, and sports columnist John MacKinnon, talk to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the recent losing ways of the Edmonton Oilers heading into a string of three home games in four nights, starting with a match against the Vancouver Canucks on Nov. 19, 2014.

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Oilers Road Report Nov. 10, 2014

Sun, 09 Nov 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writer Joanne Ireland talks to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the Edmonton Oilers' upcoming game on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014, against the Nashville Predators, the final game of a five-game road trip.

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Oilers Road Report Nov. 7, 2014

Thu, 06 Nov 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writer Joanne Ireland talks to sports editor Craig Ellingson from Buffalo, N.Y., where the Edmonton Oilers play the host Buffalo Sabres Nov. 7, 2014. The Oilers are coming off a 5-2 loss the night before to the Boston Bruins.

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Oilers Podcast 6 Nov. 3, 2014

Sat, 01 Nov 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writers Jim matheson and Joanne Ireland, sports columnist John MacKinnon and sports editor Craig Ellingson talk about the impact of the injury to star forward Taylor Hall on the Edmonton Oilers' lineup as the NHL team hits the road for a five-game trip through the eastern U.S.

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Oilers Podcast 5 - Oct. 28, 2014

Mon, 27 Oct 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writers Jim Matheson, Joanne Ireland and John MacKinnon join sports editor Craig Ellingson to talk about the Edmonton Oilers' early season win streak and the stories that surround it.

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Oilers podcast 4 - Oct. 21, 2014

Sat, 18 Oct 2014 00:00:00 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writers Jim Matheson and Joanne Ireland, and sports columnist John MacKinnon join sports editor Craig Ellingson to talk about the Edmonton Oilers' first half-dozen games of the 2014-15 NHL season on Oct. 21, 2014.

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Oil Spills Road Report Oct. 16, 2014

Thu, 16 Oct 2014 16:20:18 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writer talks to sports editor Craig Ellingson in the wake of the Edmonton Oilers' 7-4 loss on Oct. 15, 2014, to the host Arizona Coyotes. The Oilers are in a defensive shambles following the shelling in the desert and the previous night's 6-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

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Oil Spills Road Report - Oilers at Coyotes, Oct. 15, 2014

Wed, 15 Oct 2014 16:02:40 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writer Jim Matheson talks to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the Edmonton Oilers' 6-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings Oct. 14, ahead of their game Oct. 15 against the Arizona Coyotes.

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Oil Spills Road Report - Oilers At Kings Oct. 14, 2014

Tue, 14 Oct 2014 20:41:49 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writer Jim Matheson talks to sports editor Craig Ellingson about the Edmonton Oilers' road game Oct. 14, 2014, against the Los Angeles Kings.

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Oil Spills 3 - Oct. 7, 2014

Tue, 07 Oct 2014 20:36:31 -0000

Edmonton Journal hockey writers Jim Matheson and Joanne Ireland and sports columnist John MacKinnon join sports editor Craig Ellingson for the first Oil Spills podcast on the 2014-15 NHL season, as the Edmonton Oilers prepare to face the Calgary Flames in their season-opening game Oct. 9, 2014.

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