- Boxcars: 60gp, 11-16-27
- Shots: 104
- Plus Minus: -17
- Corsi (Rel): 6.9 (4th among F's)
- GF/GA ON: 26-40
- 5x5/60: 1.49 (5th among F's)
- 5x4/60: 3.15 (7th among F's)
- Quality of Competition: 13th toughest among F's
- Quality of Teammates: 2nd best among F's
- FO %: 33.3% in 3 FO's
- Offensive Zone Start FO %: 48.0% (6th easiest among F's)
- Cap Hit: $2,000,000
- What do these numbers tell us? His season mirrors Gagner's quite closely at even strength. Both men played in butter (softer opponents, good linemates, average zone start) and delivered about the same offensively (Gagner with the slight edge). Both had nice Corsi numbers and both probably struggled somewhat due to flu and injuries to their linemates, so their offensive output is less than you'd expect from a player having this kind of season.
- How Could these numbers be better? There are times when Nilsson looks like he could be an impact player in the offensize zone, elusive and thrilling. His problem is inconsistency and defensive indifference which is a distinct difference between Gagner and Nilsson. Nilsson still cherry picks for crying out loud, in an era where even the skilled men have learned to pick up a shovel and carry some weight (Robert's Dad Kenta wasn't alone in the 80's playing this style). We talked about some of these things in the O'Sullivan discussion, but Patrick actually played in tougher situations than Nilsson last season and I honestly don't know which player represents the nadir of the forward group (hint: it's a trick question, the winner is Jacques).
- What about a new kid line? Seguin-Cogliano-Nilsson? We covered this in the Cogliano post, but Robert Nilsson is 25 years old and I caught him cherry picking a few times this season (and I'm a fan). I don't think you want him helping the "franchise."
- Will they trade him? I think they will. The Oilers have so bloody many of these guys that it is probably impossible to properly grade them out. Is Nilsson a better player than O'Sullivan? What about Cogliano? Are any of them going to be better than Comrie next season? Cull the herd for crying out loud, let another team have a try.
- What's the biggest surprise about the Oiler career of Robert Nilsson? That he's still here.
- How important is Nilsson to the organization? He has negative value. They're going to buy him out and then they have to tell his Dad they did it. Beauty.
By The Numbers
- 07-08 5x5 per 60m: 2.37
- 08-09 5x5 per 60m: 1.22
- 09-10 5x5 per 60m: 1.49
By The Numbers
- 07-08 5x4 per 60m: 2.66
- 08-09 5x4 per 60m: 4.59
- 09-10 5x4 per 60m: 3.15
Performance in 2009-10: 60gp, 11-16-27 (.450)
Projected Role in 2010-11: After Oilers buyout, TC invite by the Rangers
This summer, it may come down to not that Nilsson or O'Sullivan being better than the other, but who is cheaper. I would focus on dealing O'Sullivan.
ReplyDeleteLooks like the cap hit survived the copy-paste from O'Sullivan ;)
ReplyDeleteNilsson is useless, like O'Sullivan.
ReplyDeleteHow players this garbage manage to stay in the NHL is beyond my imagination, unless the league is now so soft that pansies feel welcome.
Nilsson's not soft, he's just lazy. When he's motivated he's an excellent player who quite adeptly strips pucks on the backcheck, makes a hit when it's available, and fights through traffic to make a play.
ReplyDeleteWhen he's not motivated he's useless and doesn't do any of those things. He's actually an interesting player in that he serves almost as a case study for how effort and competitiveness are still requisites for playing effectively in the league, regardless of excellent technical skills.
It's too bad he's not a more motivated fellow. I think MacTavish was right to say that he had the skills to be a leading scorer on this team. Probably many teams. On the upside, there might be teams out there that are willing to bet on that and take a chance on the player.
Clearly they have to rid themselves of Nilsson in order to make room for Omark - the 'new and improved' Nilsson... maybe.
ReplyDeleteTo elaborate further: are the Oilers not forced to rid themselves of their underachieving 'soft' players, in order to replace them with the new 'small guys' that hopefully aren't so soft/indifferent/dumb.
ReplyDeleteOut: Sully, Nilsson, Cogs
In: Omark, Eberle and Comrie (one more time).
If the relative size doesn't get any better, at least desire and on-ice intelligence go up... hopefully WAY up.
I still wonder how many of the guys who are on the bubble should we bring back.
ReplyDeleteHere are the guys who, in my mind, are sure things:
Penner-Horcoff-Hemsky
X-Gagner-X
X-X-Brule
X-X-X
Stortini
That leaves 4 spots in the top 9 and 3 spots on the 4th line.
Is that about right? Or are more of these guys sure things?
---
Top 9 options, pick:
Cogliano, Nilsson, POS, Comrie, Moreau, Pisani, Eberle, Hall/Seguin, MPS (doubtful, IMO)
This is a huge mess. Just huge. I really don't know how to solve it.
The more people we add free agnets from outside of this gruesome group, the more likely we are to win. But then again, since we're rebuilding, it seems to make sense to keep some of the aging prospects who still might show something.
I'd pick Cogliano and Nilsson, and add FA's to keep Eberle in the AHL for as long as possible.
Penner-Horcoff-Hemsky
Nilsson-Gagner-Veteran
Cogliano-Seguin-Brule (butter soft)
4th Line Options:
Potulny, Pouliot, JFJ (crap), Ryan Jones, Stone
I'd pick Stone-Potulny-Pouliot, but expect the Oilers to pick JFJ.
That's not a winning lineup, but you could try to add another veteran or two to either send Seguin/Hall back to junior or to replace Cogliano after trading him.
I think it's more and more likely that we see MPS come over to North America this year. There's still no word that he's even begun contract negotiations with Timra and there are suggestions that he is waiting for more information from the Oilers through his agent.
ReplyDeleteCould negotiations for his ELC be underway as we speak? I'd believe it.
I'm not a MPS booster by any means, but I'd be excited as hell to see him in training camp as early as next season.
jon k: I probably put too much importance on Desjardins NHLE's but imo there's no way MPS should be kept off the roster.
ReplyDeleteMath suggests he is most certainly one of the 4 best LW options on the roster.
Rangers, yeah seem like a typical destination. I would see him well florish there, playing with Gaborik and getting something in the 60 points range.
ReplyDeletefpb: Yeah, and you'd think they'd learn what with Rita going to Pittsburgh and scoring 50 a year alongside Crosby.
ReplyDeleteCrazy asses.
Top 6
ReplyDeleteGagner, Penner, Hemsky, Hall, Eberle and Player X.
Player X needs to be a reclamation project of sorts. Veteran player that had a down year.
Bottom 6
Horcoff, Brule, Stortini, Pisani, MPS, and Player Y.
Player Y need be a Konopka or Scott nichol type player.
Have Comrie, Pouliot, Potulny, Jones and Jacques fight it out for the extra spots. Some of those players can be helpful in OKC.
Whenever I see Konopka or Scott's name listed this team dies a little for me. I think we're entering the stone age, folks.
ReplyDeleteI guess there's a difference between Robert Nilsson and Jani Rita in the production department.
ReplyDeleteJust saying playing alongside a star, Nilsson could have a Kristan Huselius type of breakout.
Danger: Yeah we can all agree we need a guy who scored 5 points last season on our top 6.
ReplyDeleteWe've been here for awhile LT, the Oilers just haven't caught up yet. Instead of being an innocent bystander in the tong war, its time they became a part of it.
ReplyDeleteCrosby working on a 4-point night. 11 points in 4 playoff games so far. What an overrated hack, that kid.
ReplyDeleteNilsson is another sack of crap that can take his show on the road. (Back to Sweden)
ReplyDeleteThere's still no word that he's even begun contract negotiations with Timra and there are suggestions that he is waiting for more information from the Oilers through his agent.
ReplyDelete"There are suggestions"?
It's much more clear than you make it seem.
I'm not sure that the article presents anything as you clearly as you suggest it is, at least in MPS' case.
ReplyDeleteWhat I think is presented is listed below. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong:
1) MPS doesn't know where he'll play next year when asked in mid-April. He defers the question to his agent.
2) His agent, an understandably biased source, has stated that "Tambellini does not speak clearly". I find the comment somewhat ironic because it's an equivocal remark.
I fail to see how this is much of an indictment of Tambellini. College free agents are typically the concern at this time of year, and subject to the workings of the organization we don't even know if the team still needs to have any internal discussions about whether MPS is ready for the NHL or AHL even ("We want to bring them over as soon as possible but we want them to be ready").
If MPS and his agent make similar comments in July I'll be concerned.
I wish Tambo would shit or get off the pot when it comes to MPS. He's not a prospect I want them leading around by the nostrils. Give the kid some direction. But something tells me Tambo is waiting for the Hall show to end before making a decison on MPS.
ReplyDeleteSitting at the Preds game and they absolutely look like they could do some damage later into the playoffs.
ReplyDeleteJon nailed it. Row-bear is lazy.
ReplyDeleteDrips talent and probably has never really had to try hard at anything his whole life.
He's another guy who I don't think plays for the love of the game. He plays because, well, that's what he's always done, and it pays pretty good.
I'd wager in his future that he'll have to work to get a contract, rip the cover off of it, then slide back into his comfortable bubble.
Word has it that he'd show up to practice on a semi regular basis wearing the same clothes he had on the day before.
Good looking guy, pro hockey player...I bet that hockey skill isn't the only talent that drips off the guy.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIf Nashville takes out Chicago, maybe the Oilers should follow the Nashville model?
ReplyDeleteNah, that'd require smart people in senior positions, a great development system, planning, setting short term and long term goals, and direction.
The Oilers have none of that except Stu's promising 2 year track record.
The west is a lot more wide open than people want to believe. San Jose, Chicago and Vancouver all have holes in their teams and are battling that dreaded confidence. Its a goofy type of year where Phoenix or Los Angelas could represent the west in the SCF.
ReplyDeletemini magic always makes me think daigle light.
ReplyDeletenice point prediction on this guy LT.
Have to admit I am torn. I give Horcoff grief over his contract but he would give up his left nut to win a game. Compete is a talent. Rowbear he ain't got any. He would simply rather not break a sweat
ReplyDeleteThat said..... if we draft Hall do we try him on a 2nd unit with Gagner and Rowbear?? Yes, yes..... buy him out, whatever...but with a true trigger man...... wonder how many assists against softer opposition Nilsson could get
Hall and the Spitfires avoid elimination tonight with a 7-5 win over Kitchener. The next Oiler goes 1-1-2 on the night.
ReplyDeleteHe's one point shy of 2 points per game in the playoffs.
Jon:
ReplyDeleteYou said "There are suggestions" that Paajarvi is waiting on some direction from the team, as if these were rumors. The player himself is saying he has no idea what Tambellini wants.
2 more goals for Skinner. Now has 18 in 17 playoff games. 68 goals in 81 games including the regular season.
ReplyDeleteCentral Scouting has him as the 34th best NA.
Central Scouting's final list is about as far from reality as possible. Gare Joyce mentioned in his excellent book that teams pay attention to the first and then mid-season list but the final one isn't important at all.
ReplyDeleteI bet he's on McKenzie's final list.
Traktor:
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think? still there in the 3rd round because of his size?
He's worth taking for a draft and follow.
coach: If you want to use the word "rumors" that's your prerogative. I think my description is accurate.
ReplyDeleteYou seem intent to impute some negative connotation to the lack of communication between MPS and the Oilers. I just don't think that's a necessary inference to make at this point in time. That's all.
Apparently we're in the running for the Finnish goalie, as per the latest update.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2010/04/20/13656771-qmi.html
One minor point on Nilsson.
ReplyDeleteRel. Corsi/PDO by season:
2007-08: +6.1/102.6
2008-09: +3.4/101.5
2009-10: +6.9/96.5
I don't think he's a guy for the Oilers, but I wouldn't be surprised - even a little bit - to see him succeed in the East.
Then again, I also think Konopka's a player, so I find myself in the rare position of disagreeing with LT.
Ditto the effort being the issue with Nilsson.
ReplyDeleteAnyone remember that 20 game stretch drive and the kid line? Nilsson was back checking, lowering his head and shoulders heading into the sideboards to clear the puck etc., saying things like stopping a big goal in the dying minutes was as fun as scoring a goal. There was one game where he did a flying dive across the ice in the neutral zone to just barely break up a jailbreak pass.
That's the Nilsson I thought he would be when he got drafted. He's unmotivated now, but if anyone can ever light a fire under his lazy ass he's a hell of a player. Makes me sad cause I've followed the kid since his draft and always rooted for him. Sadly O'Sullivan is the other guy I followed from that draft...and I don't know what elevator shaft he dropped into as well.
The Edmonton Oilers, crushing young players since 2007?
Trak, Skinner is definitely interesting but I don't know that much about him. What's the low down on his scouting report, and what are his perceived negatives?
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind Nilsson being the guy that has the shortest leash on the team. The guy who gets more air miles between the big and small clubs than anyone. Make him work for his spot until he truly earns it. He just seems like a guy who needs to grow up a bit and take the game a bit more seriously.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, with a $2M cap hit, he's not that guy. So long, Rowbert.
I don't know if there is any true reflection on how players performed this year. Anyone (players) seemed to take a few steps back for the organization trend (first round pick overall). It was either injury or "being lazy" aka Penner, Nilsson, etc. Only the Oilers' coaches and Management know exact how good of the players in term of fitting in the long term goal for the team.
ReplyDeleteI for one, still have high hope for Nilsson (not much for POS), since I will never forget the trades of Whitney or Mario Satan.
The next time Robert Nilsson crashes the net or screens the goalie will be his first time. That's what separates Cogliano from him.
ReplyDeleteNilsson will be bought out rather than traded, just sayin...
ReplyDeleteNilsson will be bought out rather than traded, just sayin...
ReplyDeleteSource? Link? or just devine insight?
It's too bad that Fuhr isn't a rookie - or that you aren't going back over the vets - because his Stones song could be "Moonlight Mile" ie the head full of snow reference:)
ReplyDeleteWG: I have it on good authority that around 10pm NST time on Sat night the Oilers were following the Cuntreal model but then around 1am last night they'd shifted to the Nsh model.
And if the Orlando Magic win their first quarter tonight versus the Bobcats then they'll probably be talking about Dwight Howard.
I'm a Robert Nilsson fan. He's one we should keep. When the team is 'healthy', and you know what I mean by that- a few good additions and deletions and Nilsson will be solid gold. He'll be the guy that gets the 'extra' goal...the game winner.
ReplyDelete@Rob
ReplyDeleteHe'll be the guy that gets the 'extra' goal...the game winner.
You mean if he's not sitting in the pressbox for dogging it for 20 games.