#gooilersgo

[magpiedminx]

It's NHL playoff season.. I saw "Dark Gritty" and my brain went..

(*"Mythoi" is the plural of "Mythos"; I'm trying not to use the word "franchise" because I hate the fact that our modern mythology is corporate IP)

[highbuttonsports]

Is Leon Legit?

What makes a player elite? Point production? Shooting percentage? Individual trophy nominations? Whether you like him or not, Leon Draisaitl can do it all. But where does he rank among the League’s best?

The team of NHL writers at High Button Sports each ranked their top 5 forwards in the league here.

(Top 5 forwards in the NHL as ranked individually by the NHL writers at High Button Sports)

According to the team of writers at High Button Sports, Connor McDavid is the undisputed number one. Hard to argue with that logic. Auston Matthews received 3 out of 5 possible votes for the second spot and Nathan MacKinnon took the majority of votes for third place. After 3, Sidney Crosby manages to hold his own at spot number 4, just barely edging out Draisaitl, but after that, Leon receives zero votes for spot #5. That spot is claimed by Patrick Kane over Marchand and Pastrnak. In fact, The reigning Hart Trophy winner is completely left off 3 out of the 5 lists.

In order to form a concise ranking of who the most elite forwards are, you would first have to determine exactly what makes a player Elite in today’s game. Is it goal-scoring? Point production? Defensive responsibility? What makes a player elite is completely opinionated.

So if your definition of what makes a player great is their ability to confidently sport a pencil moustache, then Auston Matthews has to be ranked #1.

Normally in an 82 game season, a player that scores 80+ points is usually considered elite because he is producing more than a point per game. That definition of elite comes from a standpoint that values points over goals.

But a player can still score under 80 points and be considered elite because of their goal scoring ability

For Example, in 2015-16 Alex Ovechkin Scored 50 goals and 21 assists amounting to 71 points in a season. He was scoring at less than a point per game pace at 0.898 but managed to put up 50 goals in 79 games and win the Rocket Richard. So although he never hit that magical 80 point mark, he was still considered one of the league’s top 3 players despite ranking 15th in overall points. By that logic, goals must be worth more than points to a certain degree.

For argument’s sake, let’s say there are two rookies. In both of their first 10 games in the NHL, one scores 10 points. 0 goals and 10 assists. The other scores 10 goals and zero assists. They both have the same amount of points, but who is more valuable?

Below is a table listing all the players that have scored over 80 points per season and all the players that have scored over 45 goals in a season since 2015-16.

As shown in the table above, in the 2015-16 season, 5 different players scored over 80 points while only two players scored more than 45 goals. In 2017-18 a total of 21 players scored more than 80 points while only one player scored more than 45 goals. From 15-16 to 19-20, a grand total of 70 players have scored more than 80 points in a season while in that same time, only 10 players scored over 45 goals in a season.

So by looking at the stats from the last 5 seasons, it is easy to see that goals are much harder to come by than points, and therefore the rookie who scores 10 goals is more valuable than the rookie that puts up 10 assists

What makes a forward elite? For this ranking, we’ll have to say scoring both goals and points at a rate high above their peers while also being able to effectively dominate a game and help their team win qualifies a player as elite. We’ll rank goals slightly above overall points when considering the actual rankings.

McDavid, MacKinnon, and Draisaitl over their Careers are quite similar when it comes to point production.

Through full careers

McDavid; 379gp, 517pts, 1.35 ppg.

Draisaitl; 450gp, 462pts, 1.026 ppg.

MacKinnon; 545pg, 517pts, 0.95 ppg

Since 2017-2018.

McDavid; 252gp, 132g, 237ast, 369pts, 1.46ppg

MacKinnon; 245gp, 120g, 191ast, 311pts, 1.27ppg

Draisaitl; 258gp, 132g, 195ast, 327pts, 1.26ppg

As shown in the stats above, Mcdavid is far and away the best point producer in the league. But Draisaitl and Mackinnon have been almost identical in point production since 2017-18.

But if what makes a player individually great is their on Ice ability, i.e speed, puck handling skill, shot power, shot accuracy, etc, then MacKinnon would definitely hold the edge over Leon.

Taking into account the specific merit of goals, assists, and points in regards to a player’s overall value and determining approximately what makes a forward great, where exactly does Leon Draisaitl rank among the league’s top forwards?

As all the writers agree, Connor McDavid keeps sole possession of the top spot.

The speed, skill and puck control of Nathan MacKinnon are unmatched by anyone outside of Mcdavid. Although Leon and Mackinnon are nearly the same in point production, Mackinnon’s speed and puck handling ability is what puts him over the top. Being able to control the game and score on the rush cements him as my number 2.

As good as he is with the puck, Leon simply can’t compete with the raw goal scoring ability of Auston Matthews. Nobody can. Even though he is undoubtedly a better point producer, goals are what win hockey games, and there’s currently no one better at goal scoring than Auston Matthews.

And that’s where he ranks for me, right at spot number 4 in the league. The reigning Hart trophy winner with 46 points in 31 games this season and 327 points in his last 258 games played. There’s no denying he’s an elite talent and always an offensive threat with his lethally accurate shot and precise passing ability.

So after taking into account the opinions of my fellow writer’s, closely examining points per game, the value of goals versus points, we can say that Leon is indeed legit.

In my opinion, of course.

-Dave

[jenniferjensen]

Had fun at the oilers game tonight! #gooilersgo thanks for taking me @kaylakresic https://www.instagram.com/p/Cluy-6rLLJv/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[xistarkiller]

My son Drayden just happy to get his jersey yesterday 👏🏽😃 #TheGoodGuys #GoOilersGo https://www.instagram.com/p/ClJckVoLuBJ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[iampaigeb]

#WesternConferenceFinals #yo. The #EdmontonOilers put out the #CalgaryFlames #Fire and are moving on. #LetsGoOilers #GoOilersGo #letscelebrate. #todaywecelebrate #NHLPlayoffs #NHLPlayoffs2022 #NHL2022 https://www.instagram.com/p/CeDHEDaOlif/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[westcoastcastro78]

Tough loss for my @edmontonoilers! But the Jets were the better team this series. 3 of the 4 games went to OT... its tough learning how to win in the playoffs! Big offseason, can’t wait for next year! #goOilersgo #OilerPride (at Port Moody, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPSSvtjjEZJrfZVD39sHQSEk-pWKcEdWHuYH5k0/?utm_medium=tumblr

[yegfoodie]

REPOST • @deluxcrestwood 🏒 Yes, the rumours are true! 2 can dine for $29.99! Your #Oilers game day special is available all day for dine-in and takeout, and includes 2 bacon supreme burgers and 2 sides of fries for just $29.99 💙 Dine-in: Noon to 8pm Takeout: 780-420-0101 Delivery: @skipthedishes Links in bio ⬆️ #LetsGoOilers * * #yegrestaurants #yegfood #edmonton #yeg #yeglocal #yegeats #supportlocalyeg #crestwood #yegburgers #edmontonfood #edmontoneats #yegbusiness #yegdelivery #yeglife #yegtakeout #gooilersgo https://www.instagram.com/p/CLx61Itg6B2/?igshid=1w6d81i5aqb00

[oilersgirl13]

35 of us in Studio 99 and 70 of us at the game. We don’t joke around! #Diehards #Takingover #GoOilersGo #LetsGoOilers @edmontonoilers https://www.instagram.com/p/B9LF4T2A2sr/?igshid=1flpu2lfqy7cn

[tawshadawn]

Proud mamma wearing her favourite goalies jersey to the game last night. #one ⠀ #goaliemom #livingmybest #proudmom #cannotstopmefromliving #mybestlife #chemonumber26today #nhl #armourcup #gooilersgo (at Rogers Place) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8A5XYsgabb/?igshid=opnmyqvpo65s

[gsuvanto]

#gooilersgo #happynewyear https://www.instagram.com/p/B6w0cRSnR6Q/?igshid=1ray4h9ubitsd

[highbuttonsports]

What is Tyson Barrie Worth?

Just past the halfway point of the shortened 2021 NHL season, Tyson Barrie has performed well in an Oilers uniform.

He’s slotted in nicely on the first powerplay unit and has put up 4 goals and 30 points in 34 games played this season., on pace for 50 points in 56 games which would roughly translate to 72 points in a regular 82 game season.

He signed a one year, $3.75 million dollar deal with the Oilers on October 10th, 2020

Once his contract is up after this season, will the Oilers resign him?

The most important question to ask is what does Barrie bring to the team, and what are those contributions worth compared to his peers?

Barrie this season is a 50 point defenseman, which in a regular-season translates to 70+ in a regular season. A 70 point defenseman is incredibly hard to come by.

Since 2016-17, there have been a total of 8 defensemen who have hit the 70 point mark. 3 in 16-17, 0 in 17-18, 4 in 18-19, and only 1 in 19-20. (Although if the season weren’t paused, Roman Josi most likely would’ve hit 70, raising the total to 9).

Among these elite offensive defensemen were Brent Burns, Erik Karlsson, Victor Hedman, Morgan Reilly, Mark Giordano, and John Carlson. All of whom were considered some of the best D-men on the planet at the time.

So production-wise, Tyson Barrie is currently one of the best defensemen in the world, defensively though, he falls short of guys like Hedman and Reilly.

So what do you pay a guy who can put up 70 points but lacks defensively? Surely the answer has to be more than his current $3.75 million cap hit.

Barrie is a crucial piece of the Oilers powerplay. He’s also spent the better part of this season on the first defensive pairing with Darnell Nurse, playing on average almost 22 minutes per night with a plus 8 rating. But on top of his on-ice performance, the Oilers have 22.559 million in cap space opening up in free agency on July 28th, with notable pieces such as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Kailer Yammamoto, Alex Chiasson, Adam Larsson, and Jujhar Khaira looking for new deals.

Looking at all his stats compiled and taking into account the amount of contract maneuvering the Oilers will have to do under a flat salary cap, expect Barrie to re-sign for around 5 to 5.5 million.

-Dave

[iampaigeb]

#GoOilersGo let's make it 3 today. #EdmontonOilers #NHLPlayoffs #playoffseason https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd9kOzDpHBZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[westcoastcastro78]

#hometimehockey #gooilersgo #throwback2017 (at Port Moody, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B51fO0TgPKXDA6jOY-CLIX4c-lk_n6DC2OjyNg0/?igshid=xbpq8s4jnah0

[yegfoodie]

REPOST • @deluxcrestwood 🏒 Available all day, today’s #Oilers game day special is perfect for sharing and includes: •3 buffalo chicken sliders •3 beef sliders •1 order of wings: your choice of hot, salt & pepper, or cajun •2 shakes: salted caramel or Oreo All for just $49.99 💙 Loads of other options available for dine-in, takeout, and delivery (via SkipTheDishes). Links in bio ⬆️ #GoOilersGo! * * #yegrestaurants #yegfood #edmonton #yeg #yeglocal #yegeats #supportlocalyeg #crestwood #yegburgers #edmontonfood #edmontoneats #yegbusiness #yegdelivery #yeglife #yegtakeout #letsgooilers https://www.instagram.com/p/CLas0mGALvU/?igshid=8dhkz25qokfj

[chadlemcghie]

Alberta Represent. #gooilersgo #hiphop #rap #music #chadlemcghie #edmontonoilers #canadian #author #rapper #producer #authorsofinstagram #life #man #browneyes #work #mode (at Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/BriqC-ABmJ9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16r2of5jzr36i

[oilersgirl13]

Lost my hat!!! 🧢🧢🧢 #Oilers #GoOilersGo #LetsGoOilers https://www.instagram.com/p/B6wxy04goVP/?igshid=1bta13oqes0fz