Connor McDavid's Rexall Place Edmonton Debut Takes Place; Oilers to 0-4-0

[Event Summary]

[Cult of Hockey]

The orange jerseys were on. The barn was dark. It was a late start from Edmonton. Everything could have been perefect. But the Oilers were flat, and they lost the game 4-2. Once again, Vladimir Tarsenko probably had the goal of the game. 

Taylor Hall played his ass off, like a man possessed. He scored all by himself coming out of a faceoff to cut the lead to 3-2.



Hall took six shots and was +1 on the night, but the Oilers are just playing a flat game right now of mostly dumping the puck down the ice and then skating in circles. Todd Mclellan has not shaped these guys yet.

In five minutes of power play time, Connor Mcdavid failed to record a shot. I was underwhelmed by his game.

Once again, the next game is the big one. Saturday night in Calgary is the Battle of Alberta. It's time to get it going.

Connor McDavid's First Career NHL Goal comes in Dallas

[Event Summary]

Jason Spezza's hat trick for the Dallas Stars couldn't spoil what was an absolutely special moment in hockey history, especially for Edmonton Oilers fans.

Connor McDavid recorded the first goal of his career, a deflection that you would see from a ten year veteran that tied the game at 2-2. The Oilers would surrender two goals late including an empty netter to fall to 0-3 on the season, failing to get at least a point before returning home to the Rexall Place barn on Thursday evening for their home opener against the St. Louis Blues.

Anders Nilsson was the other story, stopping 48 shots and peppered all night long in a back-up role. Tyler Seguin logged ten shots by himself.

Taylor Hall was listed as questionable to play with an illness but gutted it out as a non-factor. He had two shots on the night.

The story of the game from an Edmonton standpoint was the play of the Connor McDavid, Nail Yakupov, and Benoit Pouliot line. I think having McDavid on that line will increase the effectiveness of Yakupov. He had a breakaway opportunity in the third period and looked involved all night long; Kari Lehtonen made the save on Yakupov's attempt and things swung quickly in favor of Dallas not long after that.

Yakupov had three shots and an assist on the night, while Pouliot added the same. Each player had two penalty minutes.

Sure, it was another loss. But it was a special moment to be watching when McDavid netted that first one.

The smile says it all. Connor McDavid with the re-direct and his first NHL goal. Hands of gold.

— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) October 14, 2015

#NHLFirsts: 🚨 - Connor McDavid #NHLFaceOff

— NHL (@NHL) October 14, 2015

Yep, that one's a keeper! 👌 pic.twitter.com/7Hyc67SoFV

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 14, 2015

Jack Eichel has two goals now

Things have gotten off to a better start for Buffalo Sabres superstar rookie Jack Eichel than for Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers. That shouldn't be a surprise. This afternoon up in Buffalo, Eichel netted his second goal of the season in a 4-2 Sabres win over the Blue Jackets.



And on another point, the Blue Jackets are totally overrated and the same moribund, Cleveland Browns-like franchise they have always been! They're 0-3 at the bottom of the standings as per usual. Sergei Bobrovsky is terrible. He's given up goals in excess now three straight games. Hard to decide if him or Jonathan Quick have been the most disappointing, supposed to be good goaltender yet.

Todd Richards and the Blue Jackets are in for a long year, you heard it here first. This is going to be a year similar to 2011-2012.

A Great Listen about building a winning DFS lineup

Really good listen from @fuzzychris91.

*Check Vegas lines
*Build around elite goaltender first
*Start with forwards next
*Look for a center and a winger that play on the powerplay together - this doesn't always happen.

NHL Sunday is Quiet...

The NFL and MLB were on center stage today, so it's to be expected that there would be a short slate in NHL. We still have the goal to make some type of contribution here at the blog every day of the NHL season.

There was just one game, and it was the opener at the Canadien Tire Centre in Ottawa. The Canadiens took down the Senators 3-1. Tomas Plekanic was the first star with that big horse P.K. Subban being named the third star of the game with an assist and a +1. The Habs once again have the look of an awesome team this season.

Some linkage from around the NHL:

• It's going to take some time for Connor McDavid to adjust to the NHL game. [Sportsnet CA]
• They're breaking down Sidney Crosby's slow start already. [NBC Sports]
• In case you missed it, ESPN experts picks for the 2015 season. [ESPN]
• And NHL.com's expert picks. [NHL.com]
• Sports Illustrated's crystal ball for 2015-2016. [Sports Illustrated]
• More predictions from The Hockey News. [The Hockey News]
• People are liking the new 3 on 3 format in overtime. [Deadspin]
• Sabres goalie Robin Lehner is out 6-10 weeks. [Puck Daddy]
• Really good HNIC upcoming this Saturday night, here's the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast schedule for 2015-2016. [Sportsnet]

That's all for today. While you start your work week, there are three afternoon contests and just a short two game slate at night. We'll be back tomorrow to recap whatever happens around the NHL. 

This Alex Ovechkin goal from Saturday night may have been the best of the young season so far

Now this, is what you call a dangle.

Connor McDavid's first Hockey Night is a rough one

[Game Summary]

Well, that sucked balls. 

It was said that Connor McDavid's first game on Thursday night was about more than points, and that's good because two games in there still haven't been any. Tonight there weren't any from any Oilers.

The Predators got goals from Craig Smith and Filip Forsberg. The Oilers took 31 shots and were shut out by Pekka Rinne. It was all too predictable.

It's Hockey Night

This is Alexander Mogilny. I got to thinking about him because of this thread on HF Boards about why he is not in the Hall of Fame. Also, he was a fucking legend on the old NHL games I played on Sega as a kid. Clint Malarchuk went into great detail about what a primadonna Mogilny was to play with; flying in luxury jets, and generally just not being a team-oriented guy. 

Tonight marks the first official "Hockey Night" of the season. There are 13 games on the slate. It always makes it tough to follow hockey like I want to this time of year with NCAA football being on and the baseball playoffs. 

The Oilers are in Nashville to do battle with Pekka Rinne and the Predators. It's game number two for Connor McDavid.

Here's a shot of my best DFS NHL lineup from last night. It still ceased to be a profitable night, ending up a couple dollars in the red. Maybe tonight will be better. 

Game 1, 2015-2016: The Connor McDavid Debut Night is Spoiled

[Event Summary]
[Cult of Hockey]

The good news is the Connor McDavid era is officially underway. The bad news is it ended with a loss, a -1 in the +/- column, only two shots, and being stonewalled on a great scoring opportunity by Blues goaltender Brian Elliot.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was credited with the opening goal of the night to put the Oilers up 1-0. It was really a fluke goal that was tipped in by a St. Louis Blues player. From there, it was all downhill. 

Vladimir Tarasenko tied the game at 1-1 with this:

I thought Cam Talbot played alright - he stopped 28 of 31 shots and played in a lot of traffic. Taylor Hall had a quiet night, logging just three shots and I can't remember any of them as significant chances.

Rookie Robby Fabbri who was noted as being close friends of McDavid scored the first goal of his career in his first NHL game.

Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night in Canada says "it's crazy to think the Oilers are a playoff team". For right now, I must beg to differ. They seemed to me like the same old Oilers without any backbone. I think McDavid's scoreless streak could go on a little while as well. He just seemed to be out-muscled out there. 

Connor McDavid's Debut (and Opening NHL Night)

It's the big night of NHL hockey with many teams opening up action. I'm home from surgery, in a shitload of pain, and have on NHL Network getting ready for all the action in a few hours.

Tonight marks the beginning of Connor McDavid's hockey career. I've had this game circled and ready to go since they were granted the golden ticket in the NHL lottery. It begins tonight in St. Louis.

I've read the NHL Grind Down on Rotogrinders. I have no fewer than about ten lineups locked and loaded for Fanduel.

I can't work tomorrow, so just a big night of watching hockey.

I'll be back to recap what I can tonight.

Sportsnet: 5 Must Watch Oilers Games for 2015-2016

Sportsnet has a nice little article if you don't have time to pick through the Oilers schedule and decide for yourself which games you must see as an Oilers fan. A few of them were ones that I had already decided I had to see.

Edmonton Oilers vs. St. Louis Blues, Thursday, Oct. 8 (National – Sportsnet 360)

McDavid's debut will likely be the most anticipated game of the NHL's opening week. Head coach Todd McLellan will also make his debut behind the Oilers' bench as the club travels to St. Louis to kick off the season.

The Blues' $7.5 million man, Vladimir Tarasenko, is certainly worth the price of admission, too.

Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames, Saturday, Oct. 17 (National – Hockey Night in Canada)

The Battle of Alberta has life again.

The Flames were one of the league's most surprising teams last season. They added defenceman Dougie Hamilton via trade in the off-season and signed analytics darling Michael Frolik to a five-year, $21.5-million contract.

The Oilers hope to mimic the Flames' ascension up the standings following a decent off-season of their own. One of the game's greatest rivalries may involve meaningful hockey for the first time in a while.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Edmonton Oilers, Friday, Nov. 6 (National – Sportsnet)

It was just over a decade ago when the Pittsburgh Penguins emerged from a run of losing seasons and financial uncertainty to become a perennial contender behind young superstars like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Crosby will meet McDavid on NHL ice for the first time in November when the Penguins arrive in Edmonton for the first of two meetings in 2015-16.

Edmonton Oilers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, Monday, Nov. 30 (National – Sportsnet)

Despite the Oilers and Maple Leafs playing for little more than the title of "who loses harder?" over the past few seasons, their fanbases' distaste for each other is certainly palpable.

Now, there's a new catalyst for the hatred.

Connor McDavid grew up a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs narrowly missed out on landing the first overall pick at the draft lottery in April.

McDavid will play before an Air Canada Centre crowd in the clubs' first meeting in November.

Buffalo Sabres vs. Edmonton Oilers, Sunday, Dec. 6 (National – Sportsnet)

McDavid versus Eichel is the NHL's next great manufactured rivalry. McDavid will face off against Jack Eichel, the No. 2 overall pick, for the first time when the Buffalo Sabres head to Edmonton in December.

Eichel is confident that he can be every bit the player McDavid will be. Even better. Get your popcorn ready.

Definitely pencil me in for the opener (McDavid's debut in St. Louis) and the Hockey Night in Canada telecast nine days later against the Flames.

As a whole I plan on picking up the NHL Centre Ice package so I can see as much of this season as possible.

Connor McDavid signs his Oilers Contract

The #Oilers have agreed to terms with 2015 first-overall pick @cmcdavid97 on a three-year entry-level contract! pic.twitter.com/D6wBFRcrrU

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) July 3, 2015

Everything is all roses on these days for an organization.

McDavid's First Rexall Skate

Today was Connor McDavid's first skate on his home ice. I found one quote in a quick glance at the article that I really liked:

"Today was a lot of fun," McDavid said. "The fitness test wasn't a whole lot of fun, but it was cool to throw on the Oilers gear, the gear that I want to play the rest of my life in. It was very special put it on and to step onto Rexall with all that history. It was a lot of fun."

Obviously, when you're 18 it's hard to speculate on where you want to play or be for the rest of your life. But it's nice to hear that the kid wants to be an Oiler for life and it is one sport where that kind of stuff really seems to happen. Teams seem to keep their own.

The Oilers signed a blue liner today named Andrej Sekera to a long contract. I don't know much about his playing style, but the numbers indicate the guy can play.

The Oilers have some serious talent. This is going to be the most exciting and high-upside team the Oilers have had since I've been following them (2010 was when I started). Talbot and Sekera if healthy should make them more competitive.

They also signed center Mark Letestu.

VIDEO: Full Connor McDavid Pick

I felt this deserved to be forever in the archives:

Connor McDavid Selected #1 by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2015 NHL Draft

Connor McDavid was selected #1 overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2015 NHL Draft tonight. I have the draft coverage from NBC Sports on my television and I'm trying to take in as much of this draft as I can. 

The Edmonton Journal Cult of Hockey Blog is already asking if McDavid can save them:

It was a transformative moment for the franchise, easily the single-most important move the team has made in more than a decade. It trumps the acquisition of Chris Pronger, a move which brought the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final in 2006. Likely it even trumps the flurry of exits by Pronger and others immediately following that playoff run, the associated moves which launched the current epoch of darkness in Edmonton.

Ah. I cannot wait to watch this kid start to pile up the stats.

Taylor Hall with the Funny

Welcome to Edmonton, Connor. Don't mess up everything we've built the last 5 years! #FutureIsBright

— Taylor Hall (@hallsy04) June 26, 2015

Connor McJesus Day

It's a little much, but it's funny.

Book Review: A Matter of Inches (by Clint Malarchuk)

A lot of people know Clint Malarchuk for one reason and one reason only (if you're my age anyways and haven't watched the game dating back to the 80's):

My buddy at work Darryl played hockey in the minors for a long time. He always used to call me Clint Malarchuk.

When I was looking for a book to read this summer, I wanted a baseball book. Instead, I picked up Malarchuk's book and found a story more about life than hockey; with some great hockey tales mixed in.

I have a lot in common with Malarchuk unfortunately. The man struggles with OCD, and I think I do as well. I'm more convinced with reading this book that I have a form of it.

The book made me miss hockey season, and had me feeling excited for the start of next season as the 2014-2015 season ends. I crushed this book in about a week.

I found it to be a great story of perseverance, toughness, struggle, and real-life. Malarchuk is a good honest man that trouble found, and he is like me; he seems to fail time and again but he simply will not quit. He fights sobriety and illness with the same tenacity he used to carve out a great hockey career.

This is a powerful story of bravery with some nice hockey tales mixed in. All-in-all, one of my favorite hockey reads ever (probably top five all-time). I have such respect for Mr. Malarchuk as a person.

BRASS BONANZA!

I finally figured out what the song was that I loved in NHL '94. It's a tune that I just took to as a kid, and it turns out it has some history and tradition to it besides just being a catchy tune. I decided today was going to be the day that I went searching for it on the interwebs.

The song or tune is called 'Brass Bonanza' and apparently what I was hearing those 20+ years ago in my friends basement next door was occurring when the now defunct Hartford Whalers were in play.

I had no idea that back in those days, EA Sports actually hired professional organist Dieter Ruehle to do unique organ songs for each arena. For that era; in a video game, well that's back when EA Sports really did put it in the game if it was in the game. Those days are now sadly gone. Here's a really cool blog post with an interview with Ruehle that helped me track this down on YouTube.

Here's an NHL.com article about The legacy of Brass Bonanza, where it's called the most famous song in the sport.

And finally, here it is. Starting at 1:26 in the below video. As it was said in one of the descriptions I saw on YouTube: 'The Classics never die'.

Connor McDavid energizes HNTB

 

Connor McDavid is going to be a generational talent in hockey's heartland up in Edmonton. He's going to save the franchise we love up in Canada, and therefore we're going to start writing about hockey again.

The kid from Richmond Hill, Ontario is going to be fun to watch. With it, we'll pick up his Imports Dragon NHL Figure, NHL 16 for Playstation 4, and probably NHL Gamecenter next season. We will also do some nightly NHL on Fanduel. McDavid is "going to spark a lot of interest in the collectability of hockey cards" according to one hobby shop owner.

It's going to be a fun run, none of which would have been possible if McDavid had not ended up in Edmonton.