The Cult of Hockey's David Staples & Edmonton Oil Kings GM/President of Hockey Operations Kirt Hill (11/14/25)
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Hey, it's Bob Stoffer. I just wanted to let you know that you can listen to Oilers Now ad-free on Amazon Music, included with Prime. Sixth guest Friday, we go to guest number five. He's our headliner today at 536 in Oil Country. Bob Stoffer with the Oilers in Raleigh, North Carolina. Uh the Hurricane Center plan Vancouver, it's tied at two in the first. Oilers and hurricanes tomorrow. And David Staples is our Oilers now headliner brought to you by Will Hawk Beef Jerky. Others can try to imitate, but nobody can duplicate the grape flavor of Wilhawk Beef Jerky. Only available in LA. LeDuque, Alberta. I know he's a fan of the nihilists out there that despise our country. I know that. I know that about David.
He's probably gonna start suckling right away. Why do I have the It's seeking suspicion some days that we just have a lot of people that hate Canada. I don't get it, 'cause I actually love Canada and uh, you know, I'd like to see Canada do better. David, how you doing? Fantastic, Bob. Good to talk to you. Yes. You're not gonna touch that one with a ten foot pole?
You know what I'm saying. Uh people are resentful and uh sometimes they let it get the best of 'em and it when it's a little bit. It's unbelievable.
All right. Let's do this. Let's focus on you letters. Here we go.
What is David Staples’ perspective on the Oilers’ current defensive performance?
Um how much how much of the start uh you know, they're sitting at eight, seven and four? And I certainly am not pinning this solely on the goaltending. I want you to know that. I I think the biggest surprise for me is that the defense hasn't been better. They needed the defense to be at the top of their game because of some of the injuries at forward. They knew they weren't gonna have Hyman for a while. He comes back, but we'll start in goal. How much of it th uh is this on goaltending in your opinion?
Um somewhat. Uh obviously I don't know what Calvin Pickard's save percentage is, around eight thirty right now. Eight thirty. That's obviously not good enough. Stuart Skinner has been kind of okay ish, you know, not great. But Bob, I just and I do think they need to figure out how to bring in another goalie t to challenge Stu Skinner for the number one job. And I've been I thought that at the trade deadline last year and I still think it now. Pickard played really well in the playoffs though, so I see why they went with him again. And uh I I s see why they took the approach that they But we're g starting to get twenty games in, things aren't changing, and I think they do uh need to have a plan about um how to get a another goal to back up Skinner now and maybe challenge him down the road.
I'd like to see uh this young Samuel Jonson promoted to the AHL team. to see how he does at the HL level 'cause he's killing it in the E C H L. He killed it in the Osvensk in the s the Swedish second division. He's twenty one years old, he's not eighteen or nineteen. Get him at the A GL level for the good of the Oilers organization and see what he does there. 'Cause maybe he's the backup. Um stranger things have happened.
Uh absolutely. Uh I you know the only problem is you've got S you know, two guys there including uh Connor Ingram is getting the start tonight. Um You know. I guess we'll see. Uh, you know, they want to get Ingram up and running too, and he to had a bit of a reset last weekend. I for me the biggest surprise is that the defense hasn't been better, David. Like I I just thought, you know what, uh you y Buchar got a four year extension, Atholmes got a three year extension kicks in next year, Walmart seven year extension kicks in next year. Um you know, Kulak's been a pretty good number five defense, but uh we like Regula. But it doesn't seem like You know, other than maybe the second game of the year against Vancouver.
It may be against Philadelphia. I think they played pretty well in stretches against Philadelphia. It seems to me like there's been th I can't think of too many games where all six D are sort of going, you know what I'm saying?
How does the coaching staff’s strategy affect goaltending decisions for the Oilers?
Yeah. So what's wrong with the orders, Bob? The defense has fallen off a cliff this year.
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Chapters
7 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–1:18
2
What is David Staples’ perspective on the Oilers’ current defensive performance?
1:18–3:57
3
How does the coaching staff’s strategy affect goaltending decisions for the Oilers?
3:57–6:56
4
Why do the Oilers need a true number‑one goalie and what options are being discussed?
6:56–9:17
5
What impact could Zach Hyman’s return have on the Oilers’ playoff chances?
9:17–12:15
6
How is Matt Savoy’s development influencing the Oilers’ top‑six depth?
12:15–15:34
7
What are Kurt Hill’s insights on the Oil Kings’ goal‑scoring surge this season?
15:34–16:57