menu_open Columnists
Michael Menzies

Michael Menzies

Oilers Nation

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

How the Edmonton Oilers can clinch a playoff spot this weekend

How the Edmonton Oilers can clinch a playoff spot this weekend

The Edmonton Oilers have the opportunity to get the ‘x’ beside their name in the NHL standings and clinch a playoff berth on Saturday.  All...

yesterday 1

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Former Oilers defenceman Chris Pronger says new book will discuss what went wrong in Edmonton

Former Oilers defenceman Chris Pronger says new book will discuss what went wrong in Edmonton

One of the most beloved, then hated, Edmonton Oilers will talk about what went wrong during his brief, but busy, tenure with the team twenty years...

previous day 4

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Oilers chomped lineup looks for bite against Sharks

Pre-Scout: Oilers chomped lineup looks for bite against Sharks

On the one hand, the Edmonton Oilers got a point, showing some resilience despite being outshot and outchanced by the Utah Mammoth. On the other...

wednesday 5

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Oilers control their fate in Mammoth matchup

Pre-Scout: Oilers control their fate in Mammoth matchup

This spot seems eerily similar for the Edmonton Oilers. Exactly two weeks ago, the Oilers visited the Utah Mammoth fresh off a home Saturday night...

07.04.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Sunday Scramble: Pacific Division tightens up as Oilers fumble chance against Golden Knights

Sunday Scramble: Pacific Division tightens up as Oilers fumble chance against Golden Knights

During their five-game win streak, the Edmonton Oilers broke out of their zone cleanly and weren’t leaking chances off the rush. Those issues...

05.04.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Oilers hope to lead Golden Knights on Easter goose-egg hunt

Pre-Scout: Oilers hope to lead Golden Knights on Easter goose-egg hunt

Adam Henrique had skated far enough to reach Mannville, Alberta since his last goal.  That’s if you combine all the kilometres Henrique skated...

04.04.2026 5

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Top 100 Oilers: No. 39 — Todd Marchant

Top 100 Oilers: No. 39 — Todd Marchant

Oilersnation is reviving the Top 100 Edmonton Oilers of All Time list, a project originally created by the late Robin Brownlee in 2015. Todd...

04.04.2026 6

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Top 100 Oilers: No. 40 — Mike Krushelnyski

Top 100 Oilers: No. 40 — Mike Krushelnyski

Oilersnation is reviving the Top 100 Edmonton Oilers of All Time list, a project originally created by the late Robin Brownlee in 2015. Mike...

03.04.2026 3

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Oilers winning formula faces lineup decision against Blackhawks

Pre-Scout: Oilers winning formula faces lineup decision against Blackhawks

The magic number the Edmonton Oilers are focused on isn’t the one used in nuclear physics. It’s the number of points the Oilers need to clinch...

02.04.2026 3

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Oilers look to keep stacking performances against McMann-led Kraken

Pre-Scout: Oilers look to keep stacking performances against McMann-led Kraken

With chaos brewing in the Pacific Division, the Edmonton Oilers seem relatively drama-free in comparison after three solid wins in a row. The Vegas...

31.03.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Friedman: Cassidy’s ‘frayed relationship’ with Golden Knights players began in Oilers’ playoff series

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman says the fracture between Vegas Golden Knights players and former head coach Bruce Cassidy started during last...

30.03.2026 9

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Sunday Scramble: Oilers building successful formula, how the NHL looks in a 3-2-1 standings format

“Look at us. Who would’ve thought? Not me,” said Paul Rudd, said Connor Ingram. The Edmonton Oilers netminder smiled ear to ear when he was...

29.03.2026 4

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Can the Oilers avoid the mousetrap and hunt the Ducks?

I want to believe the Edmonton Oilers this time. I really do.  But there is a California-sized steel trap hovering above this afternoon’s...

28.03.2026 20

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Oilers home performances need to improve for legitimate playoff push

Keeping in mind the quality of opponent, quality of play, and the context of the game, what do you think is the best Edmonton Oilers home win of...

27.03.2026 2

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Two sleeping giants in Oilers and Golden Knights prepare to throw pillows

Fans of both the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights can commiserate about a season that has fallen well below expectations so far. Despite...

26.03.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Frustrated Oilers search for their game against Utah Mammoth

Pressure continues to mount for the Edmonton Oilers and their Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde way of playing. In their search through the past to find their...

24.03.2026 20

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Sunday Scramble: Connor McDavid’s frustration, the ‘pillow fight’ Pacific Division, and the NHL’s playoff format delusion

Connor McDavid looked especially crestfallen post-game after the loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night. The Tampa Bay Lightning are...

22.03.2026 20

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-scout: Oilers look to simplify in battle against Lightning

The Edmonton Oilers lost no ground amongst their closest divisional rivals after a disappointing 4-0 shutout loss to the Florida Panthers — that’s...

21.03.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

This wasn’t a Stanley Cup rematch. For the Oilers, it was just Game 70 of 82

I’ll defer to Paul Maurice, who’s approaching 2,000 games coached in the National Hockey League.  He said this after his Florida...

20.03.2026 9

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Oilers depth looks to prevail in Stanley Cup rematch against tanking Panthers

Sure, there are injuries to key players from the recent Stanley Cup Finals, forcing them out of tonight’s game. But as long as the Edmonton Oilers...

19.03.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

If and when do the Oilers re-sign Connor Ingram?

Connor Ingram is 4-0-1 in his last six starts, with a .898 save percentage and a 2.50 goals-against average for the Edmonton Oilers. In the last five...

18.03.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Leon Draisaitl injury underlines season of bizarre injury luck for Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers medical staff is earning their paycheque this season. I wrote on December 21 that this Edmonton Oilers season feels like a...

17.03.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Oilers’ Draisaitl ruled out vs. Sharks, injury timeline expected soon

Leon Draisaitl has officially been ruled out for tonight’s game against the San Jose Sharks. The Edmonton Oilers’ second-leading scorer, and the...

17.03.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: The new ‘low event’ Oilers face Macklin Celebrini’s teenage brilliance

The defensively responsible Edmonton Oilers? Is that who we’re seeing? As the Oilers host the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night with two valuable...

17.03.2026 20

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Sunday Scramble: The Oilers better hurry, the Sharks are circling, and Gudas’ ban not enough

In the week that was Edmonton Oilers hockey, we saw the highs and lows that are a microcosm of the 2025-26 season.  The wins over the Vegas...

15.03.2026 20

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Oilers begin four-game homestand vs Nashville Predators

In the immortal words of Dr. Evil to Austin Powers, “We’re not so different, you and I…” The Edmonton Oilers only get 48 hours to chew on...

15.03.2026 20

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Oilers lineup update: Nugent-Hopkins out for personal reasons, Jones recalled to play vs. Blues

The Edmonton Oilers have made a call-up from the minors on Friday, as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will not play against the St. Louis Blues.  The Oilers...

13.03.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Oilers look to finish trip on high note against hot Blues team

If the Edmonton Oilers beat the St. Louis Blues tonight, then the roadtrip is a wild success and last night’s 7-2 loss is all but forgotten. If...

13.03.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Oilers enter Dallas on a heat-check road trip

The Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars helped each other out on Tuesday night. Now, they’re at odds again. Despite losing a forward, defenceman, and...

12.03.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: McDavid vs. MacKinnon take centre stage in Oilers-Avalanche hotly anticipated rematch

The Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche will have the league’s two leading scorers go head-to-head on Tuesday night in a late US-audience...

10.03.2026 20

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Friedman: ‘Lots of talk’ of Oilers’ Jarry and teammates ‘getting into it’ at practice last week

There is growing talk about a spat between Tristan Jarry and his Edmonton Oilers teammates from practice last week. On Monday morning’s edition of...

09.03.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pagnotta: Oilers discussed ‘possibility’ of moving Darnell Nurse at trade deadline

The Edmonton Oilers made two trades the week of the trade deadline, but there was another big piece to their core that general manager Stan Bowman...

09.03.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Sunday Scramble: Analysts describe concerning trend with Tristan Jarry, brutal week ahead for the Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers aren’t helping Tristan Jarry, and Tristan Jarry isn’t helping the Edmonton Oilers. Both things are true. The Oilers are a...

08.03.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Oilers and Golden Knights renew hostilities with both teams scuffling

Lately, the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights have been mirror images of each other. Mainly, losing. On Friday night, both teams faced two of...

08.03.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Deadline prices plummet at the buzzer, leaving some frustration to a reasonable Oilers deadline

Booooooring. The meat of the NHL trade deadline from a pure entertainment standpoint was an unmitigated yawn-fest. As a broadcaster, these are the...

06.03.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Oilers begin meat grinder stretch against East-leading Hurricanes

As I write this, Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman has said the team is unlikely to make any more moves. But the team could still change...

06.03.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

‘Do they look at doing something with Darnell Nurse?’: Marek says Oilers could be the team to watch at NHL trade deadline

Daily Faceoff’s Jeff Marek believes the Edmonton Oilers could be the team to watch at the trade deadline and openly wondered about Darnell Nurse’s...

04.03.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Oilers host Sens team with rejuvenated Ullmark and Tkachuk under siege

With as boisterous a personality as Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk has, the grand irony of his Team USA gold medal at the Olympics turning into...

03.03.2026 9

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Sunday Scramble: The Oilers must limit Darnell Nurse, Mangiapane on waivers, approaching the Trade Deadline with fear

Distance did not make the heart go stronger for Edmonton Oilers hockey. While noticeable improvements were made for players like Matt Savoie and Trent...

03.03.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Oilers get big trade win with responsible addition in Connor Murphy

General manager Stan Bowman really sat in front of the media with a straight face for a 20-minute State of the Edmonton Oilers press conference,...

03.03.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Sunday Scramble: Where is your panic meter on the Edmonton Oilers?

Where is your panic meter on the Edmonton Oilers? I joined Oilersnation Everyday with Liam Horrobin on Friday. Tyler was away, hence this...

10.02.2026 30

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Top 100 Oilers: No. 48 — Jason Arnott

Oilersnation is reviving the Top 100 Edmonton Oilers of All  Time list, a project originally created by the late Robin Brownlee in 2015. Jason...

09.02.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Top 100 Oilers: No. 49 — Janne Niinimaa

Oilersnation is reviving the Top 100 Edmonton Oilers of All Time list, a project originally created by the late Robin Brownlee in 2015. Janne...

08.02.2026 20

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Why this year’s annual mid-season crisis feels different for the Oilers

Let’s call this the annual Edmonton Oilers mid-season crisis.  They aren’t defending well. They can’t get a save. The coach is out to...

08.02.2026 20

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Oilers limp into Battle of Alberta with long-term questions brewing

Welp…that sucks. Don’t fret, though, Edmonton Oilers fans. Soon, you too will get a break from this team, a much-needed and much-deserved...

06.02.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Connor McDavid and Bobby McMann the focus in Oilers-Leafs McMatchup

This Connor McDavid vs. Auston Matthews matchup tonight doesn’t feel like others. It’s been usurped by trade speculation surrounding Bobby...

04.02.2026 20

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Sunday Scramble: The zig-zag Oilers get blown-out and Jarry vs. Skinner debate

As soon as some of my colleagues and fellow fans uttered the phrase, “ Is this the best Edmonton Oilers goaltending since… ” Tristan Jarry has...

03.02.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Can the Oilers enact revenge on the Minnesota Wild?

Maybe Edmonton Oilers fans can resonate with this quote from Minnesota Wild coach Jon Hynes.  “The one thing I will say is that when you go...

01.02.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Pre-Scout: Is Macklin vs. McDavid the next great player rivalry?

It’s another first of the season for the Edmonton Oilers.  After dispatching the rising Anaheim Ducks on Monday in a record-setting 7-4 scoring...

30.01.2026 8

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies

Top 100 Oilers: No. 52 – Blair MacDonald

Oilersnation is reviving the Top 100 Edmonton Oilers of All Time list, a project originally created by the late Robin Brownlee in 2015. Blair...

30.01.2026 10

Oilers Nation

Michael Menzies