Evan’s NHL Daily: Oilers Complain, Elite Prospect Likely Turning Pro

It’s never great when a lot of your success in the NHL hinges on special teams, because as the playoffs go on, refs tend to put the whistle away a little bit more. The Edmonton Oilers had an incredible powerplay in the regular season, and that’s carried over to the playoffs, but against the Dallas Stars, they’re not getting many opportunities and they don’t seem too happy about that.

Out in San Jose, the Sharks are about to add Macklin Celebrini to their prospect pool, adding him to their top pick from last year’s NHL Draft, Will Smith. It now sounds like the Sharks might be adding some significant talent to their NHL lineup next season if everything goes according to plan.

All that and more in this Monday edition of Evan’s Daily.

Colorado Hockey Now

With Valeri Nichushkin likely having played his last game in an Avalanche uniform, and three of Colorado’s top wingers coming off major surgery, the idea of trading Mikko Rantanen sounds a little insane to me. I’ll have my thoughts on that in the next 24 hours.

Unhappy Oilers

It’s not a surprise that the Edmonton Oilers would want more chances on the powerplay. Their powerplay can win them games, especially at this time of the year, and they might be working the media to see if they can get their way.

"We would like the same standard."

Kris Knoblauch discusses the lack of penalties called on the Oilers so far. pic.twitter.com/1IZjXpXeAE

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 26, 2024

Connor McDavid and Mattias Ekholm were both asked why they felt it’s been so difficult for the Oilers to draw more Stars penalties. They both started their answers the same way: “That’s a good question.”

— Daniel Nugent-Bowman (@DNBsports) May 26, 2024

I don’t think Knoblauch is wrong. The NHL and the refs absolutely change the standard in the playoffs when it comes to what is a penalty and what isn’t, and that can be frustrating. Here’s the thing, though. Edmonton is playing a team that just doesn’t take penalties.

During the regular season, the Dallas Stars were very disciplined. Only one NHL team finished with less penalties than them. They also drew the least amount of penalties, so it kind of goes both ways. Edmonton had to have expected this going into this series. If they didn’t, that’s on them.

I think they’ve done just fine through two games without powerplays, though. If not for Jake Oettinger, they might be up 2-0 in that series, and even then, heading home with a split is a good thing. We’ll see if working the media changes how the refs call the games now.

Sharks Likely Signing Prospect

There had been some question as to whether or not Will Smith was going to turn pro this summer, but it looks like the Sharks will be adding some real talent to their lineup next season.

They definitely need it.

Sheng at SJHN is reporting that Smith is now expected to turn pro and play for the Sharks in the NHL next season. That’s huge for a team that really lacks talent. Now they’ll be adding both Celebrini and Smith to their lineup next season.

SOURCES: Will Smith Expected To Sign With Sharks This Summer

Smith put up a ridiculous 71 points in 41 games at Boston College last season and just turned 19 in March.

The People’s Elbow

Igor Shesterkin helped the Rangers take down the Florida Panthers in Game Three, and is clearly their most important player. All anyone wants to talk about is another questionable hit by Jacob Trouba, though.

Slo-mo of Jacob Trouba's elbow on Evan Rodrigues 😬 pic.twitter.com/2OZVW3FQf4

— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) May 26, 2024

Trouba makes zero attempt to contact Evan Rodrigues with anything other than his elbow. I’m not quite sure how this got reviewed and lowered to a two, but that’s the NHL. Rodrigues certainly sold it a fair bit, as he stayed down on the ice for a while and turned out to be just fine, but Trouba somehow manages to find himself in these situations a lot. He was suspended earlier this season, so he’s a repeat offender, but I think he got away with one here by only getting a minor.

National Hockey Now

What can the Pittsburgh Penguins learn from the Conference Finals?

They tried to get him prior to the NHL Trade Deadline, but it sure would make sense for the Bruins to target Elias Lindholm this summer.

On the Chicago Blackhawks and their GM moving trading draft picks.