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Michael Menzies

Michael Menzies

Oilers Nation

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Pre-Scout: After recent run, Flames sniffing playoff picture ahead of Christmas BoA

Since Calgary Flames president Don Maloney declared to the world that rebuilds are for losers in late November (I’m paraphrasing here), the team on...

previous day 5

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Mr. Ingram taught a young Kris Knoblauch, now Knoblauch coaches his son Connor

While Kris Knoblauch acts as the teacher for this Edmonton Oilers team, it’s Connor Ingram’s dad who taught the coach a thing or two back in the...

previous day 5

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Sunday Scramble: A year from hell for the Oilers? World Junior excitement, and a case for a new playoff format

There is part of me that wonders whether this is a “year from hell” season for the Edmonton Oilers.  I’ve lifted the term from longtime...

tuesday 20

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Vegas looks for bounceback in Pacific showdown, but without Jack Eichel and Shea Theodore

Wrapping up Hockey Night in Canada, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said the Vegas Golden Knights will be an “ornery” mood for the Edmonton Oilers...

22.12.2025 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: The dominance of Morgan Geekie and the Boston Bruins resurgence

Seeing the Boston Bruins logo near the top of the Atlantic Division is a familiar sight – we just didn’t think we’d see it there this season.  ...

19.12.2025 4

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

German hockey fans celebrate Leon Draisaitl’s tremendous milestone

Leon Draisaitl’s 1,000th point isn’t just a massive milestone for one of the game’s best players – it’s a capstone that cements his status...

19.12.2025 7

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

WWYDW: Would you elevate Quinn Hutson in the Oilers’ lineup?

Many in Oilersnation were excited to see Quinn Hutson earn a call-up to the Edmonton Oilers after his stellar showing so far this season with the...

19.12.2025 3

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Penguins add former Oilers as blown leads and home losses mount

Rarely do we as fans get the next chapter to a huge story so quickly.  Just four days after Tristan Jarry became an Edmonton Oiler, he gets to...

17.12.2025 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Sunday Scramble: Goaltending relief, Kulak’s departure bigger than believed, Hughes trade sends shockwaves

The first feeling I had when I heard Stuart Skinner was traded? Relief. I’ve said this before, but part of the reason I wanted a new Oilers...

16.12.2025 20

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Canadiens blunder leads in OT loss, quick flip back home to face Oilers

Ouch.  The Montreal Canadiens looked like they were taking the dog for a walk early on against the New York Rangers. Ahead 3-0 and cruising…and...

15.12.2025 4

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Maple Leafs surprise goaltender steps up amidst injuries

The Toronto Maple Leafs have steadied themselves a bit, but do they have another gear to get in the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference?  ...

15.12.2025 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Under pressure to make playoffs, Red Wings first in the Atlantic arriving in Edmonton

For the second game in a row, the Edmonton Oilers’ opponents are coming off a game in Calgary the night before.   The Detroit Red Wings roll...

13.12.2025 3

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

WWYDW: How do the Oilers jumpstart Frederic and Mangiapane?

The Edmonton Oilers’ two big free agent signings of the offseason are struggling mightily, as Trent Frederic and Andrew Mangiapane can’t seem to...

12.12.2025 4

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Sabres arrive in Edmonton seared after getting burnt by Flames

The Buffalo Sabres had two days off on their road trip after Friday’s loss to the Winnipeg Jets 4-1, allowing them to catch some of the cold western...

10.12.2025 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Sunday Scramble: Oilers process continues to build 5-on-5 offence, the Tristan Jarry rumours and more

It’s amazing what practice will do for a hockey team.  You’d be tempted to say that practice may be overrated for a team that went to the...

09.12.2025 9

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Jets bounce back but have quick turnaround to face Oilers

November was not so kind to the Winnipeg Jets.  The Jets were 31st in points percentage in November at .385 per cent a far cry from being 6th in...

08.12.2025 3

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Sunday Scramble: Don’t expect Oilers to make goalie trade, media scrum drama, Bettman quiet on expansion, and more

What did we learn about the Edmonton Oilers this week?  Not much.  The Oilers have long been fans of the zig-zag. Think they’re turning the...

01.12.2025 20

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

The Oilers are taking on the personality of their head coach

Let me start this by saying I’m not calling for Kris Knoblauch’s head.  I have a gripe with the head coach that’s been gnawing at me for a...

30.11.2025 4

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Sunday Scramble: Rantanen’s bizarre mean streak, Maloney’s mystifying mindset, and the Avs’ dominance

When did Mikko Rantanen become such a goon? Ugly week for the well-paid Finn, who incurred the wrath of Islanders coach Patrick Roy after he crashed...

25.11.2025 4

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Monotony of Success – Part 2: How do the Oilers compare to others who reached back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals?

In Part 1, I talked about why I decided to compare the 2025-26 Edmonton Oilers to the nine teams post-1990 that attempted to make the Stanley Cup...

18.11.2025 50

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Monotony of Success – Part 1: Why can’t the Oilers start their season on the right foot?

Typically, in the Sunday Scramble, I take a ripped-from-the-headlines approach to the hot topics across the hockey world. But this week I’ve been...

18.11.2025 4

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Sunday Scramble: A Canadian miscue, New York’s historic run, and soundbites from the week

Here I was on Saturday night, the Edmonton Oilers game set to PVR as I travelled to do the Bonnyville Pontiacs game in Drayton Valley. I was riding...

10.11.2025 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

First-place Edmonton Oil Kings scoring at torrent pace: ‘We’ve got skill’

The Edmonton Oil Kings knew they could have a good season, and so far, the offence is showing it can be one of the most dynamic in the CHL. Oil...

08.11.2025 3

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Sunday Scramble: Nečas collects the bag, Zegras gets his mojo back, and Dobeš is stealing the crease

The further we get from the Mikko Rantanen shenanigans for last year, the less I understand it.  This week, the Colorado Avalanche extended...

04.11.2025 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Oilers need to ease up on playing time for McDavid and Draisaitl during heavy November schedule

While I was engaging in some online banter on who deserves the most blame for the game-winning JT Miller goal during Edmonton’s OT collapse against...

01.11.2025 4

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Sunday Scramble: The theft of the Nordiques, Flames keep losing, and more NHL notes

Since we’re so close to Halloween, do you remember the internet phrase going around a few years ago? My culture is not your costume.  Looking...

28.10.2025 2

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Sunday Scramble: Flames finally confronted, the shaky Senators, and a Carter Hart thought

19.10.2025 9

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Puck management, inconsistent line combos key reasons why Oilers struggling to score

19.10.2025 4

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Stuart Skinner polling up after Rangers victory. Where will the polls go next?

16.10.2025 5

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Sunday Scramble: Todd McLellan isn’t happy, 2026 free agent class now boring, and the NHL scheduling debacle

13.10.2025 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Praise to Connor McDavid ‘The Charitable One’ for signing team-friendly contract

07.10.2025 10

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Michael Menzies

Sunday Scramble: Don’t sign yet Lane Hutson, hate still exists in Florida, Gavin McKenna is box-office

06.10.2025 9

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Michael Menzies

Extension of Knoblauch’s contract an important sign of stability for Oilers

04.10.2025 8

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Alec Regula makes strong case to avoid waivers and stay with Oilers

03.10.2025 3

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Michael Menzies

Sunday Scramble: Florida Panthers suffer major blow, a legend says goodbye, Cam Fowler got how much?

28.09.2025 3

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Buying Atro Leppänen stock because of his elite puck skills

24.09.2025 8

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Sunday Scramble: NHL Player Poll, Ducks Playing Hardball, and more

22.09.2025 5

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

‘All the pieces are here for 25-26’: Connor McDavid in no rush to make long-term commitment to Oilers

17.09.2025 2

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Sunday Scramble: Kirill Kaprizov’s bold gamble, Quinn Hughes puts pressure on Canucks’ season, CHL’s petty scout passes

14.09.2025 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

All eyes on Isaac Howard as newly acquired top prospect makes debut with Oilers

13.09.2025 8

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Matt Savoie was a ‘great student’ in Bakersfield, now it’s time for his versatility to shine with Oilers

12.09.2025 4

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Fans Rejoice! Oilers will not be punished by inconsistent NHL

10.09.2025 9

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Sunday Scramble: The McDavid Panic Meter, a Much-Needed Playoff Salary Cap, and more

08.09.2025 7

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Mattias Ekholm recognizes dual ambition of Stanley Cup and Olympics presents a tremendous grind

06.09.2025 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Fresh off a max extension with the Oilers, pressure is on Trent Frederic to showcase his brand of hockey

04.09.2025 3

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies