Oil... On The Rocks.

Saying Goodbye to the D-Train

2011-03-01T08:34:00.001-07:00

There are not many players in the NHL that can pull off a black eye like big Dustin Penner can.

Yesterday the Oilers did something that was expected: they traded one of our two most important current pieces to our team. I'm happy that Ales Hemsky is going to to stay (at least for the remainder of the season), but I'm not happy that Dustin is out in LA now (though it affords him a chance at another cup).

This is how my reaction went (all times are approximations):
12:30 PM: TSN announces trade.
12:31 PM: A colourful string of vocabulary exits my mouth.
12:32 PM: TSN announces the return.
12:33 PM: Another string of colourful vocabulary.
12:34 PM: I consider it, remember Teubert vaguely from a past World Juniors team and decide to look into it thinking, 'maybe this will be okay'.
12:38 PM: Yet another string of colourful vocabulary.

Why it Makes Sense:

In return the Oilers received Colton Teubert, a first round draft pick this year and a conditional third round draft pick next year. The Oilers are rebuilding, and have been for the past year and a half. The years prior to that can be chalked up to management being in denial about just how bad we were and what needed to be done. The trades for Visnovsky and the Khabibulin signing are good arguments for just how far into denial management was.

Now it's 2011 and management has fully embraced a rebuild. We sold and cut out our older players (if only for excess baggage from around the league) and drafted youngsters. It seems like we've been playing forever with an average age of the team that's below 25. This is a step in the right direction, and it certainly beats being in denial.

It makes sense if we weren't going to be able to sign him here in Edmonton at the end of his contract. Yes, he recently married an LA actress, but does that mean that he would've refused to play here? I doubt it, but it is possible. If management was getting a different signal from Dustin (mainly that he wasn't interested in signing here, or that he was looking for similar money or more money) than we were, then good one them for getting something in return for him, rather than waiting to lose him to free agency at the end of next season.

Why it Doesn't Make Sense:

Behold the Oilers! Come and watch us as we magically get younger year... After year.... After year...

Yes, we are rebuilding. Yes, this means we have to sell off our older players. Yes, it means we need to get some high draft picks for a couple-few years.

What it doesn't mean, however, is that we have to be perpetually awful. We've been out of the playoffs now for five years running. Because of Management's reluctance to face facts and embrace a rebuild we are only just now into our second year of rebuilding: that is three years of wasted time (especially when you consider the returns we were getting for the players we did trade - ghastly; and what we traded for players that we received - equally awful).

Dustin Penner was not at the end of his contract. He had another year tacked on. This is what is one of the most confusing parts of this deal: the Oilers had time. It's hard to say whether his value would've dropped by this time next year, but it's a chance I would've taken (as a non-GM-qualified observer).

Dustin Penner had a wide variety of skills: he was putting up 30 goal seasons and consistently in and around the top of the team for scoring; he played on the penalty kill and the power play, he was willing to go into tough areas, he had skill for playing in front of the net, he was a big body with soft hands, and when he decided that he was going to the net just about no one could prevent him from doing so. Did I mention he is still in his twenties?

Dustin Penner was not an older player. He was not a guy who was going to be nearing the end of his career when we, finally, were at the peak of our cycle. Dustin Penner is a guy that was, as I saw it, part of the nucleus of this team. From what I understand he had leadership qualities, was good in the room, and his sense of humour was the best I've seen in a hockey player since, well, I don't know when.

Hearing Dustin Penner say that he would have been willing to stay in Edmonton during the press conference was the least comforting part. You mean we could have signed him to an extension, had an extra year on the contract to do so, and yet we still only got Teubert (projected to be a career 4-5 guy), a first rounder in a weak draft year, and a conditional third rounder next year? My confidence (whatever was left) in Tambellini has left the building. We couldn't even get a roster player out of LA? One could say that we likely never even asked for one, or we weren't looking for one... That's almost worse in my mind, because it says that we're going to be stuck in this bottomfeeder rut for at least another year or two, and that's as long as we don't end up trading any more of our valuable players for picks.

Someone should probably let Tambo know that eventually you have to stop rebuilding. Eventually you have to have built a team that is capable of winning games consistently. Eventually we have to bloody well stand up and deliver. For most teams that year would've likely been next year. But our flight to the land of contenders has thusly been delayed... For at least a year.

And so I say goodbye to Dustin Penner. You're a good player, and I enjoyed watching you play (your interviews were also gold). There were a lot of people here in Edmonton who didn't appreciate you, and I'm sure that your value will become painfully obvious with you gone to LA. Enjoy the warm weather, and say hello to Smytty for us.

The LA Kings have got themselves at least one more temporary fan this offseason.

A Monumental Eff-Up

2011-01-06T17:23:00.000-07:00

I don't want to say much about last night's game. It didn't feel as bad to lose last night as it did a year ago. Thanks to the Oilers I am more than well-versed in ways to deal with losses, and I felt bad last night for a total of maybe an hour.

Of course that could have something to do with the consumption of a certain mind-altering beverage, but either way my night was not ruined by the loss (although it was definitely tarnished).

On the bright side though, I found my new favourite hockey watching venue. The Canadian Brewhouse on Ellerslie is beyond awesome. More television screens than you could hope for, they play the audio of the game, and they have their own air-horn for goals scored by the home team. My girlfriends and I had an awesome time last night.

Also, congratulations to the Russians on their win last night. Let this be a warning to future Canadian teams: don't take your opponent lightly. Just because they didn't have the best first couple periods doesn't mean they won't come out flying in the third. Every team has to potential to come back at any point in the game. Never let your pedal off the gas, and always give your opponent the respect they deserve.

Russia deserved that win more than we did last night.

Congratulations Russia, we'll see you next year.

My Favourite Time of Year

2011-01-02T23:54:00.001-07:00

This post is a bit late, but I've been incredibly busy for a long time.

Lately, though, I've just been lazy.

In any event, I haven't even posted to commemorate my favourite time of the year yet: World Junior season.

Every year around Christmas the World Junior tournament gets started. This year Canada was in the group some called the 'Group of Death'. Unlike most years Canada, Russia, Sweden, and the USA - what I would consider the 'power nations' in hockey - were not distributed evenly between the two groups. Canada, Russia and Sweden were in the same group this year with the Czech Republic and Norway, while the USA was in a group with Finland, Germany, Switzerland and Slovakia. This meant that for Canada, Sweden and Russia there was little room for error.

On top of this, Canada was icing a team that was different than the teams from the 5 or 6 years previous: light on skill; heavy on grit, determination and size. Of course, when I say 'light' on skill I don't mean 'low' on skill; however, most were expecting a low scoring Team Canada with, in all likelihood, high penalty minutes due to the hard-hitting style that they would likely play.

So, here we are. Eight days into the tournament, and there are a few things to discuss:

First, Team Canada has absolutely no trouble scoring. Moreover, the scoring is balanced among the lines in a way that previous teams couldn't have dreamed of.

Second, the Kassian suspension. I don't want to say too much on this, so I'll leave it at the following: I humbly disagree with the suspension, and the fact that it was extended over the mandatory 1-game was a joke.

Third, the goaltending. Last year goaltending was a weak spot. One could argue that it lost us the tournament (if you consider silver losing). This tournament it seems that our goaltending is, once again, the weak point of the team. Everyone thought that goal scoring would be the weakness, but tending has been the issue thus far.

Today Team Canada beat Switzerland. It was a close game early, due, in part (a large part), to their phenomenal goaltending, but Canada came out with the 4-1 win. Visentin played this game, and I thought he looked shaky in the net. He wasn't tested past the first period, and many of the shots that he did face were never far from being behind him. He wasn't strong in his start against Norway either. Roy was very shaky in the game against Sweden, the SO loss that ended in Canada having to play a Quarterfinal game against the Swiss, and hasn't had a strong game since his debut in the pre-tournament games. I don't know which goaltender is the 'right' choice. I don't know if there is one. Tomorrow we play the United States: a team that has yet to be tested by one of the 'power nations'. This makes them a wildcard. The USA won the tournament last year, and they will be looking to repeat this year. They have several returning members, their goaltending is stronger than ours, and they have several high-level offensive players.

Tomorrow, Team Canada will be in deep against an American squad that just might be better than ours. There is a reason that they were labeled as the favourites this year.

A win tomorrow and we play for gold.

A loss, and we play for bronze.

Go Canada Go.

Okay, So I Missed It...

2010-10-10T16:00:00.000-06:00

Okay, so stop criticizing me. What I meant was, I didn't post to commemorate the first game of the year. I didn't talk about the excitement of a new season, or the hope that the Oilers Organization has been slipping into every mention of the team since the draft; I didn't talk about how Hall, Eberle, or Paajarvi were making their NHL debuts, or how I was looking forward to watching Hemsky in a regular season game again.

I'm sorry, I figured that much was obvious.

Regardless, it was a phenomenal game, and I can't help but feel that I don't really care how the rest of the season goes. On Thursday I watched potential. I watched what the Oilers could be. I watched what the Oilers will be in a few years. I watched as Rexall Place exploded with ecstasy, with roars of appreciation, with euphoric relief. Relief that we weren't going to be both the worst team in the league and the most boring to watch. Relief that the kids were fitting in alright with an NHL pace. Relief that Hemsky seemed his old self out there. Relief that we shot the puck while on the powerplay. Relief that the Oilers weren't going to suffer another series sweep at the hands of our neighbours to the south. Relief that we scored more than one or two goals.

Relief that there really was light at the end of this tunnel.

That's right Oilers Faithful, after all these years of drastically less than repetitive mediocrity, we have something to look forward to. It's been awfully dark in Edmonton these last few seasons, and to see the light of day coming on the horizon is a most welcome change.

The Oilers are at home once again tonight. The Florida Panthers are in town. Good luck boys, and I look forward to watching you in a couple hours.

Last Pre-Season Game of the 2010-2011 Season

2010-10-03T15:31:00.001-06:00

It's the last game before the regular season starts, and the Oilers overall have been better than I expected. Magnus Paajarvi and Jordan Eberle have performed at a level that I wasn't expecting them to reach. Hall, while a little less impressive, is also the youngest of the three and has the least playing experience, so I think he'll come along with age. Paajarvi has some nice size to him, and so does Hall, and that will work to their advantage. Eberle, while smaller, has insane hockey sense, and some pretty decent chemistry with Horcoff. I'm excited to see if Paajarvi can click with Hemsky the way that some people have suggested.

Some of the smaller name guys have been rather impressive as well. I like Ondrus, and Vande Velde; also Jones and Giroux have their moments. On the back end things get a little murkier. It's obvious that Whitney, Gilbert, Smid, and Foster will likely make up the top four. The bottom two are a little less obvious. Peckham, while a favourite heading into camp, has not been all that impressive, and some guys that are lower on the depth chart, like Petiot and Belle, have out-performed him come game-time. Vandermeer is also in the mix, though he has his moments of lackluster play to consider, and a penchant for taking penalties at terrible times, which Peckham has been guilty of as well.

The goaltending situation is something that needs to be dealt with. To be honest I though Khabibulin looked terrible against Calgary on Friday. Granted, his team didn't give him a whole lot of help, but he wasn't stealing

the show either, and some of those saves that a team needs a goaltender to make? He missed them. He looked good against Vancouver though, and anyone who bets money that he doesn't make the team is probably a fool. The JDD-DD debate is one that a lot of people have weighed in on, and I don't know where I stand. Personally I think that Dubnyk is a more composed goaltender, and I think he would be my choice over Deslauriers, though he has his share of upside as well. I won't even pretend I know the answer, and I'll try to do my best to stand behind whatever management's decision is on the netminders.

I haven't been able to dedicate as much time as I would've liked to watching the Oilers this preseason (University is tough sometimes), but I thought they would be much worse than they are. That said, most of their success came from games against lackluster lineups (with the exception of the first game vs. Vancouver), but we haven't iced a full NHL lineup yet either, and by the looks of tonight's lineup we're not planning on icing an NHL lineup until the season opener.

The Oilers are playing a half-NHL, half-Minors squad against what is pretty darn close to the Flames' starting lineup tonight. I'm not expecting much out of them, but then again, I wasn't expecting much out of the squad in the first Vancouver game either.

Surprise me?

The team lineups are as follows:

Edmonton:

Dustin Penner (27) - Andrew Cogliano (13) - Jordan Eberle (14)
Alexandre Giroux (12) - Sam Gagner (89) - Gilbert Brule (67)
Linus Omark (23) - Colin Fraser (16) - Ryan Jones (28)
Steve MacIntyre (33) - Ryan O'Marra (42) - Ben Ondrus (25)

Ladislav Smid (5) - Theo Peckham (49)
Jason Strudwick (43) - Tom Gilbert (77)
Richard Petiot (37) - Shawn Belle (45)

Jeff Deslauriers (38)
Devan Dubnyk (40)

Calgary:

Tanguay - Jokinen - Iginla
Hagman - Backlund - Bourque
Glencross - Meyer - Jackman
Ivanans - Sutter - Conroy

Regehr - White
Bouwmeester - Giordano
Brodie - Pardy

Kiprusoff
Karlsson

What a joke.

2010-03-03T13:58:00.001-07:00

Goodbye Lubo. I'm a lot angrier than I realize right now, but you were a fantastic player, and I'd take you over Souray any day.

Please forgive me if I seem irrational, but this trade is one of those trades that we'll look at next year, and probably the year after and ask ourselves how Tambellini ever got the job, or maybe be a little less harsh and ask ourselves what they spiked Tambellini's coffee with that morning that made him think this was a good idea. Need cap room? Fair enough, but Lubo's contract wasn't one of the contracts that was a problem in my eyes.

Probably spiked the coffee with whatever was in Lowe's coffee the day he offered Horcoff that damned contract that has us handcuffed to mediocrity for a long time.

Here's a question I have: Where's our backend offense now? We certainly don't have much going up front, so what exactly are we planning on doing? Hall? Eberle? MPS?

I suppose we'll wait and see.

Panic? Not yet.

2010-02-19T12:20:00.000-07:00

Canada won last night's game against Switzerland, but that's not the part that has Canadians worried. Canada jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the second period; a lead that was abolished by the end of the middle frame as the Swiss scored two even strength goals: one a perfect shot a little under 9 minutes in, and the other a lucky bounce with less than 10 seconds to go in the second period. This tie held up through the third period and the OT period, and the game went to a shootout where Sidney Crosby scored on his second attempt as the fourth Canadian shooter. Brodeur stopped the subsequent Swiss skater, and Canada won the game 3-2.

Because we won the game in extra time we only get 2 points for a win. This is due to the three point system that international hockey utilizes; a system that makes complete sense and which I'd like to see the same system put to use in the NHL. We now sit in second position in our group with 5 points; the USA in first with 6 points. We'll definitely qualify for the finals, but if we want the best shot at a good seed we'll need to beat the US on Sunday.

I feel like last night was an 'I'm in your head' game. Canada was doing well while we were ahead, but once the Swiss tied the game it caused the Canadians to think, 'Oh god, not again.' These men were under a lot of pressure: playing the team that knocked them out of competition four years ago in front of a home crowd that simply would not have tolerated another loss to the Swiss. Canada did not play terrible last night, and I don't think we can complain about the result when the Russians lost to Slovakia last night in the shoot out. Slovakia has some really nice pieces. While I know that it wouldn't happen, if Czechoslovakia ever reunited we'd have to make room for them in the top nations of hockey, and even without that I can see both Slovakia and the Czech republic becoming contenders in due time.

And to the Americans that felt the need to dig in our wounds last night: no one who is actually confident about their team's abilities talks that much. We'll see you on Sunday, and may the best team win.

Oilers @ Sharks; How is the Organization Going to Do This?

2010-01-16T15:51:00.000-07:00

The Oilers are in San Jose tonight, and I've long since gotten over our odds of winning this game. The Oilers, while spending to the cap, are one of the worst teams in the league this season, which puts us into a lottery pick where we stand right now. There have been some fantastic posts over at Lowetide about the organizations situation, as well as possible moves that the organization could be looking to make. Today, however, Lowetide discusses the fact that trades just don't happen as often in today's NHL, and makes the point that the upcoming 'rebuild' is likely to be facilitated more through the draft than trade.

This has some sobering truth to it. Every year we, as Oiler fans, tend to get caught up in discussions about possible trades, and the sad part is that with the amount of trades that go down each year, even at the trade deadline, the trades we theorize are incredibly unlikely. Not just because we often overvalue our players, especially those the organization wants to get rid of, but because trades just aren't common anymore.

Does that mean that we should stop thinking of trades? Absolutely not. Theorizing trades is one of the few things that keep us sane throughout a season like this one, and the last couple seasons as well.

According to NHLNumbers.Com the Oilers have about 0.952 M in cap space. You'd think that we have the worst situation in terms of cap spendage relating to performance, but actually Carolina is worse: 0.262 in cap space and they're in last place in the league.

This puts us in a situation where we need to unload contracts and bring back cheap players, prospects, and/or draft picks. There are a few roster decisions that need to be made about the Oilers. The current roster looks like this:

Shawn Horcoff: 30 yrs old, cap hit of 5.5 for 5 more years after this season.
Dustin Penner: 26 years old, cap hit of 4.250 for 2 more years after this season.
Ales Hemsky: 25 years old, cap hit of 4.100 for 2 more years after this season.
Patrick O'Sullivan: 24 years old, cap hit of 2.925 for one more year after this season.
Fernando Pisani: 32 years old, cap hit of 2.500; last year of his contract. UFA
Robert Nilsson: 24 years old, cap hit of 2.000 for one more year after this season.
Ethan Moreau: 33 years old, cap hit of 2.000 for one more year after this season.
Sam Gagner: 19 years old, cap hit of 1.625; last year of his contract. RFA
Mike Comrie: 28 years old, cap hit of 1.250; last year of his contract. UFA
Andrew Cogliano: 22 years old, cap hit of 1.133; last year of his contract. RFA
Marc Pouliot: 24 years old, cap hit of 0.825; last year of his contract. RFA
Gilbert Brule: 22 years old, cap hit of 0.800; last year of his contract. RFA
Zach Stortini: 23 years old, cap hit of 0.700 for one more year after this season.
Ryan Stone: 24 years old, cap hit of 0.600; last year of his contract. RFA
Jean-Francois Jacques: 24 years old, cap hit of 0.525; last year of his contract. RFA
Ryan Potulny: 24 years old, cap hit of 0.595; last year of his contract. RFA

Lubomir Visnovsky: 32 years old, cap hit of 5.600 for 3 more years after this season.
Sheldon Souray: 32 years old, cap hit of 5.400 for 2 more years after this season.
Tom Gilbert: 26 years old, cap hit of 4.000 for 4 more years after this season.
Denis Grebeshkov: 25 years old, cap hit of 3.150; last year of his contract. RFA
Steve Staios: 35 years old, cap hit of 2.700 for one more year after this season.
Ladislav Smid: 23 years old, cap hit of 1.300 for one more year after this season.
Jason Strucwick: 33 years old, cap hit of 0.700; last year of his contract. UFA

Nikolai Khabibulin: 36 years old, cap hit of 3.750 for 3 more years after this season.
Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers: 25 years old, cap hit of 0.625; last year in his contract. RFA
Devan Dubnyk: 23 years old, cap hit of 0.700; last year of his contract. RFA

Total Cap hit: 59.830
Average Age: 27.1 years

Here's what I'd do with our current roster:

Keep:
Dustin Penner (4.250)
Ales Hemsky (4.100)
Zach Stortini (0.700)
Lubomir Visnovsky (5.600)
Ladislav Smid (1.300)
Khabibulin IF healthy (3.750)

Offer a New Contract:

Sam Gagner
Patrick O'Sullivan
Mike Comrie
Gilbert Brule
JFJ
Ryan Potulny
Ryan Stone
One of JDD or DD

10 FW
2 D

Possible additions via prospects:

Peckham
Chorney

Penner Gagner Hemsky
Brule Comrie O'Sullivan
JFJ Putulny Stone
New New Zach Stortini

Smid Visnovsky
New New
Peckham Chorney

Khabibulin
JDD or DD

Average Age: 25.3
Average Height: ~6'0"
Average Weight: ~203 lbs
Average Height of FW: ~6'0"
Average Weight of FW: ~202 lbs
Average Height of D: ~6'0"
Average Weight of D: ~204 lbs

I'm terrible with figuring potential contracts for players, so I'll leave that alone. I'll also leave the 'New' spots open for later speculation.

This picture I've painted isn't one of drastic rebuild. What I've done is eliminated some of the big contracts. That said, this is all easier said than done. Several of the undesirable contracts will need to be traded or bought out if we're wanting to get rid of them. This also gets rid of some of the log jam in the forwards. Makes our average size a little higher as well. The top six are still a pretty small group (under 6' on average, and ~197 lbs on average, and that's including a 6'4" 245 lb Dustin Penner skewing the numbers), but the quantity of small forwards is decreased. MPS and Eberle are possibilities that should also be mentioned. Eberle is small, though MPS isn't, and with the skill available there it is somewhat likely that one or both of these young men will be on the roster next season, especially if they have strong training camps. The difference in their sizes negates any real effect on the team average, but their contracts, as they'll be entry level, would be good for the team's cap issues.

Back to the Matter At Hand:

The Oilers are in San Jose tonight, playing a team that they have little to no chance of beating. A good effort and low turnover numbers is all I'm asking. Oh, and please don't leave the starting Goaltender out to dry... That too.

Go Oilers Go!

I'm Tired of Negativity...

2010-01-06T14:12:00.003-07:00

Do not mistake this for me calling out the Oiler Faithful for their adamant disapproval of the Oilers' effort and performance, or lack there of; that is not what this is.

What this is, is a confession: I'm tired.

This team takes so much out of me, and it's not even their fault truly. The fact is that I invest so much energy into cheering for this team, and hoping they are going to win, break a losing streak, manage to get a winning streak, or even put in a solid effort for a change.

I have a few New Years Resolutions. One of them pertains to the Oilers:

I resolve to stop investing so much energy into being frustrated and/or angry with my team, the Oilers.

Does this mean that the organization and the team is off the hook? No, definitely not. And it certainly doesn't mean that I'm going to stop caring about the team, because that is all but impossible for me to do. What it does mean is that I am going to stop getting so angry with the team; in essence I'm inviting a little bit of apathy into our relationship. In the relationship that I share with the Oilers I don't think a little bit of apathy will hurt; in fact, I'm almost positive that it will help.

I've heard a lot of people talking about how the organization really takes their fan base for granted. While true, this goes both ways, which is something that I like to remind myself whenever I'm feeling particularly shortchanged in my Oilers-Me relationship.

I'm sure if I asked citizens from Winnipeg or Quebec City - or even Hamilton, who kind of almost received an NHL team this off-season - what they thought of our situation they would be mildly sympathetic. But they would also mention the fact that, while it sucks that our team isn't that great, it would suck far more if we didn't have a team at all.

This is not me letting the team off the hook.

This is me introducing some apathy into my relationship with the team in hopes of improving my overall mood.

Anyone else looking to add some apathy to their Oilers-fan relationship?

P.S.:

Dear Mr. Jordan Eberle,

While you weren't given a gold medal for your neck last night, you were absolutely fantastic in last nights game, as well as the rest of the World Juniors tournament. I haven't seen a kid with your kind of gift for big plays before, being a rather "young" hockey fan myself, and it was an absolute treat to watch you go to work these past couple weeks. I look forward to seeing you in Oilers Silks, and wish you luck with the rest of the season and your hockey career.

Smid Scores! And Other Important Things, Like The Game Tonight...

2009-12-07T16:18:00.003-07:00

If I put my physical attraction to him aside, I still love this guy in the context of a purely unromantic fan-player relationship, and when he scored on Saturday I wanted to leap for joy and screech in happiness. As only life would have it I was at work at the time, and was unable to do either of the aforementioned behaviours as they are not appropriate for a place of work. I did, however, kind of yell 'YES' in a rather high pitched voice that I was not aware could be produced by my vocal cords; all in all it was a triumph for my self-control.

Ladislav Smid is my all-time favourite player, and I would wager that this is because I pick players that I like on some other scale than high-scoring offensive talent. I've liked him ever since we got him in the Pronger trade, and the Oilers are lucky that they didn't trade him this past summer. Combined with the underwhelming performance of the team, the absence of Smid would have meant I would be even less invested in this team than I have been of late. I still love them, don't get me wrong, but last week I just about went to the movies in place of watching the game, something that wouldn't have even entered my mind in previous years.

To the matter at hand: The Oilers are in Florida tonight to take on the Panthers, where they have a chance to put together a three game winning streak. It will be important not to take the Panthers lightly, as even the worst teams in the NHL are still good hockey teams by other standards, and when the Oilers are at their worst they don't look like an NHL-caliber team either. Hell, we were in last place in the West just a few short games ago. Also, I'm kind of hoping Smid will score once or twice more. I know, it's a tall order, but in his first season I seem to remember him scoring a couple more before the season was out.

If the Oilers can keep it together and show up as the same team that was in Detroit this should be a win. If it's the team that showed up in Vancouver we're in trouble.

Go Oilers Go!

This Just In: I'm Lazy.

2009-11-24T09:28:00.002-07:00

And University is fricken hard.

I had this whole post planned out last night before the game, thinking I'd post it talking about how the team wasn't playing well enough for me to write anything nice about them anyway.

While that's still the case, despite their success last night, I'm going to try and find some positives, and though we haven't been winning, the positives for this team aren't hard to find.

Positive Improvements:
Dustin Penner: Does this need some explanation? I don't think so. The funny thing is that he was never really that bad. was he worth his contract? No, but near-top of the team scoring every season since he's been here is nothing to sneeze at. He's been a Jack-of-all-Trades this season: winning faceoffs, PKing, PPing, Even Strength Scoring...

Ladislav Smid: YES. I am so freaking happy that he's doing so well this season, it's unbelievable. I love this guy, and he's now playing the way that I knew he could.

The Goaltending Duo: While the team has some issues; I think we've established that goaltending isn't one of them. Say what you want about the two games prior to last night of JDD's, he was awesome last night, and he has been dependable in other games as well. Besides; he just wasn't as bad in the Chicago game as some were saying. I don't think I need to say much about Khabbi... He's a monster. That is all... Rest that back... Now that is all.

Return of Lubomir Visnovsky: Incredibly impressed with his play this year. He has his odd off game, but overall he's easily the best overall defender on the team. I am shocked when people suggest we trade Lubo over Souray. I completely disagree.

Some Negatives:

Faceoffs: This was a problem last year, and it's a problem again this year. What ever happened to Reasoner? Oh yeah... We let him walk.

Tom Gilbert: What the hell is up with you? Granted, you're not a favourite of mine and you never have been, but come on. You're better than this.

Secondary Scoring: Our first line is out-producing other lines on the team by a long shot, which wouldn't be a problem if the other lines were actually producing on a semi-regular basis... But they're not... This needs to change.

The Occasional Return of Last Year's Team: Some games the team looks like they simply don't want to be there. They'll have no energy, they'll turn the puck over every 30 seconds, they'll have trouble scoring and no problem letting the other team score etc. The effort level isn't there sometimes, and it's confusing because unlike last year it's not all the time. Perhaps it's just a case of old habits die hard... I hope so, because otherwise this could be a much more serious issue.

This team is not where I wanted them to be come this point in the season. However, injuries and illness have been factors, not to say that they're to blame, because the negatives I chose to talk about here are not a result of injury or illness.

Team Meeting:

2009-10-26T17:01:00.004-06:00

I'm not saying that there was a team meeting following last game's poor effort, because there probably wasn't. Mostly because this is still early in the season, and way too early to be either sulking or gloating about standings and win/loss records. Here is my issue: In all of the games we played prior to this past weekend we made an effort. We stayed in the game and we didn't give up, even when down 4-1 to Columbus. The team that I saw, and I'm sure you did too this past weekend, was last year's team. Last night's game was the worst we've played thus far, and the weekend combined had me looking for MacT behind the bench.

That was the excuse, was it not?

Alright, listen, I'm not saying that I don't think that was a major contributor to the problem last year. MacTavish was a grudge holder, from what I could tell, and in sports that can't happen. As a coach you cannot favor a player simply because of who he is, and you certainly can't hate on one. These are the methods of second rate coaches who are too comfortable with their positions, and are likely on their way out the door, or so that has been my experience in my meager time as a hockey and football fan. By holding grudges against a player on a team you're running you could very well be overlooking things that said player does particularly well, and possibly better than the person you've got doing that job. In favoring players you can be blinded to shortfalls and bad habits that need to be dealt with, and that's detrimental to the player itself as well as the team.

What I'm saying is that I was running the streets chanting for MacT's head too, but what the hell happened this past weekend? I understand, the flu has been ripping through the dressing room kicking ass and taking names, and we seemingly have been unable to stop it. But seriously? Some of these guys who had terrible games this past weekend aren't those rumoured to have flu symptoms.

Guys I've heard have the flu and/or symptoms: Gilbert Brule, Dustin Penner, Ales Hemsky, Ladislav Smid, Tom Gilbert, and Mike Comrie.

Guys who were brutal this past weekend: Practically the whole freaking team. Exceptions: Dustin Penner, Ales Hemsky, Khabilulin, Deslauriers, Ladislav Smid, Lubomir Visnovsky. There might be others, but the good performances in losses are rarely those that stand out.

I don't think that flu symptoms can explain away the quality of Gilbert's game, as he has been playing poorly from season's beginning. In fact, though I've never been a fan of his, I don't think I've ever been so frustrated with him. Grebeshkov has been okay, but it seems like the first 10-20 minutes of any given game he forgets how to play hockey. Nilsson, not that I want to beat a dead horse, but Nilsson just is not cut out to play the game. I'm not saying that he can't, because he wouldn't be playing the the NHL right now if that were the case, but he has no drive. A player who is unable to motivate himself when he needs it will not succeed in this league. Plus, if he gave the puck away any more I'd think he was conspiring against us. And I won't even comment on Ethan Moreau, because at this point I'm just too damned biased to discuss his play through a lens that even remotely resembles an objective one.

Please tell me that this was a weekend that sucked because of the flu bug, and not because of some underlying issue...

I still love you guys, but please stay at two meter's length until you're all healthy again, okay? I'm almost at the point where I'm thinking of watching the games in one of those 'SARS' masks...

Dallas @ Edmonton

2009-10-06T12:33:00.002-06:00

So, now that we've got the first loss of the season dealt with, should we not also get the first win of the season? I mean, that's the way it goes right?

In all seriousness I was pretty happy with the Oilers' game on Saturday. For the first period we were less than perfect, but the rest of the game we battled hard and did a lot of things right that I liked. The one thing that we managed to do in the first that we slowly stopped doing as the game went on was be physical. If the Oilers want to win games against teams that are faster and/or more skilled than they are, they're going to have to make a commitment to burying as many guys into the boards as they can manage without getting too many penalties. I haven't seen Dallas play yet this year, in preseason or regular season, so I don't have much of an idea as to what kind of game they want to play, but a physical game is never a bad idea.

Cogliano moves to play with Gagner tonight, and Nilsson is in and Moreau is out. This means that my normal goat isn't playing... I'll find a new one to sub in I'm sure.

Khabibulin will also be looking for a chance to redeem himself after a brutal play to end Saturday night's game. I really hope he can bring it together because if he can't we may be a tad bit screwed here guys...

Go Oilers Go!

Finally!!

2009-10-03T12:40:00.003-06:00

Today it all begins. The season is fresh and new, and it's time that the Oilers get into the action.

The Calgary Flames will be entering Rexall Place tonight with a 1-0 record, thanks to the Vancouver Canucks, and I'm hoping to see that same record from the Oilers come about 10:30-11:00 tonight, which of course means that the Flames will then be 1-1.

Lines aren't posted yet, but I'm looking forward to seeing a few guys play:

The Comrie-O'Sullivan pairing - These guys seemed like they were dynamite in the preseason, and I hope to watch them continue dominating in the regular season.

Penner: I love this guy, and it sounds like a coaching change might have been just what this guy needed, because in the preseason games he played in he was easily one of the best guys on the ice.

The Kid line (or parts of it): While Nilsson for the most part was entirely disappointing in the preseason, he seemed to get a fire under him once the Kid line was reunited. While these guys are a legitimate option for a line, it's difficult to say whether they'll play due to lines that are already existing, and fitting other players in. Considering that we already have lines (presumably) of Horcoff centering Jacques and Hemsky, and Comrie centering O'Sullivan and Penner, where does the Kid line fit? The don't check, and they're not terrible good defensively. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

Ladislav Smid: His preseason wasn't the best, but I'm holding out hope that he's improved. I'm almost positive that this will be a good year for him, just like the last. However, I think that pairing him with Staios is a mistake of monumental proportions. Stop it Oilers, now.

I'm so excited!

Go Oilers Go!

I Can Taste It...

2009-09-11T23:04:00.002-06:00

The hockey season is so close I can practically taste it. I'm unbearably excited for a new season despite the lack of change on the roster from last season. Here are a few things that I think will be interesting to see play out over the season:

The Return of Lubomir Visnovsky: I was really impressed with Lubo last season before his injury. I'm hoping that he can come back and continue to dominate like he was last season. I missed his breakout passes at the end of last season, and I'm pretty sure Ales Hemsky missed them too. Looking forward to seeing #71 back on the ice.

Is Penner The Player I Think He Is?: I have a lot of faith in Penner. It's a bit strange because there isn't much to go on as far as fuel for my belief, but I've always had a feeling that this guy was something more than what most seem to think he is. I've seen glimpses, and I'm hoping that Quinn will be a good motivator to get the player I think Penner is out of the player that Penner has been.

Will Ales Hemsky Step Up?: For several seasons past the question has always been, 'will Hemsky break out this year?' I don't think that's the question to ask this season. Phrase it a little different and I think the question that more accurately portrays what we're looking for from Hemsky is whether or not he will step up. This team is his for the taking, but if he doesn't grab it soon; Gagner isn't too far behind.

Will the Kids Start Out Right?: It seems like the kids; Gagner in particular, have an issue with starting the season off on the same foot that they left the last one on. Now, granted, the sample size for such an assumption is a small one, but if the Oilers are hoping to be successful with the same roster they had last year then the kids need to start the season right.

Will the Powerplay be Resurrected?: New personnel behind the bench will hopefully take the ugly system that we iced last year on the man advantage. Lack of diversity on our attack was almost sad to watch last year, and hopefully we won't be watching what will seem like reruns of last season.

There are others to think about, and I'll post my thoughts more as the season nears. One thing is for sure: I can hardly wait until the first preseason game this coming Tuesday.

P.S.: Nice job Esks. Way to blow your lead in the last minute of play.

It Seems Like Every Season...

2009-08-04T15:17:00.002-06:00

Or should I say off-season?

Either way, there is this threshold that I have. It details just how long I can go without Oiler Hockey before I bloody well go crazy. Every season that we miss the playoffs this 'threshold' of mine seems to become shorter and shorter. This off-season is no different.

I've been running around the Oilers' blogging community brushing up on everyone's opinions, options, ideas, and general nattering about the team, and I've got to say that it isn't helping a whole lot. In fact, I'd say it's making it worse. I'va already begun watching old youtube highlites, checking out next season's schedule, and taking preliminary scrutinizing looks at our division rivals.

This is bad.

Why is this bad? Because this is exactly the kind of hype that lets me down more often than not. The Oilers haven't been a great team out of the gate for some time now, but year after year I get myself so worked up that I can hardly stand myself.

You know why that is? Because in actual reality my love for the game over-rides the Oilers' game when they're playing poorly. When they're playing well it's irrelevant, but boy does it help when the boys are dragging their butts in the mud.

I mean, let's be honest here: this offseason has not been exciting. Free Agency was a let down, and the only change we've made is swapping Roli for another aging goaltender in Khabibulin. The changes behind the bench? Yeah, it will be interesting to see how that plays out, but it wasn't exactly shocking, was it? We all had a feeling that MacT was on the out, and though Quinn and Renney were a bit of a surprise, they were both on the fan base's radar for a new coach.

Oh, and the Heatley thing. Kill me now.

There are rumblings about other possibilities, in say Kessel for example, but as this goes on it looks like we're going into TC with essentially the same team we left the season; minus a 35 and plus a 39.

I'm dying here. I need hockey. Two months? Hope I make it that far....

Okay, so that was a little over-dramatic, but you get the point.

Loose Ends...

2009-06-30T10:10:00.003-06:00

There are some players that were here last year that may not be here this coming year, and it won't be because they're traded.

UFAs: Ales Kotalik, Dwayne Roloson, and Jason Strudwick.

There are some players here that were key pieces of last year's puzzle. And unsuccessful puzzle, but a puzzle nonetheless. Ales Kotalik had some pretty decent chemistry with Hemsky last season, especially heading towards the very end; once they seemed to get the hang of each other. A lot of people like to point out the fact that Kotalik apparently had a lot of goals and assists that 'meant nothing' because they were late in a game where we had barely any chance of coming back. Since when is a goal meaningless? If the whole team itself was better than it is possible that perhaps that goal wouldn't have been meaningless. Goals are goals, and on a team that had trouble scoring last year I don't see how the Oilers think it's alright to not even send an offer his way. If we end up letting another guy go because we're chasing a 'big fish' and then coming out with nothing I will not be impressed.

Dwayne Roloson... What to say about Roli... Here's my issue: He will probably want a contract at around the same value as his last contract. I just don't know that he's worth it at his age. Say what you want about the 'lack of miles' on his engine, he's getting up there in age. I don't know that I'm comfortable with Roli as our starter next year, though it seems that the organization has a different idea because rumour is that they've already offered him a contract. I think the money could be better spent elsewhere; there are other options on the market.

About Strudwick: If we sign him as an occasional player I'm fine with it, but god damnit if he takes a starting spot out of camp I'm going to kill someone. End of story.

RFAs: Liam Reddox, Ladislav Smid, and Denis Grebeshkov.

As far as Liam Reddox is concerned I'm not sure if there's a place for him on this team. He is a hard worker, so that's a major plus that he's got going for him, but if we're going to retain him then he has to be comfortable with the role that he fits into: and that most certainly is not a top 6 spot, no matter what MacT thought.

It seems like we don't have much to worry about with Grebeshkov, although the fact that this is going a bit late is a little strange. There was a rumour a while back that we had already signed him to a contract, but clearly this isn't the case, as there weren't any official releases on the matter. It would seem that he's a top priority, but I suppose we'll have to see how it plays out.

If Ladislav Smid is not on the Oilers roster next year I will be splitting my loyalties between the Oilers and whatever team he signs with. That is all.

Bye, Bye, Brodziak.

2009-06-29T23:35:00.004-06:00

During the Draft we did a few interesting things: We somehow managed to draft Paajarvi, also drafted his linemate, and then we traded Brodziak and a late pick for two other late picks.

Now, Pajaarvi is a great choice. Great choice. I've heard nothing but good things about him, and he's got some size on his side, which is something that the Oiler organization has stayed away from in past years. Particularly in the first round it seems. Lowetide has a good quick glance at Paajarvi here.

In the second round we drafted his team mate and friend Anton Lander. This creates a bit of concern for Oiler fans. These Euros occasionally decide to make certain requests if they are to come to play in North America. One of those requests can, and has been to come across and play with a friend/desired team mate. I'm not too concerned at the moment, as the organization has stated that their team mate and/or friendship status is a coincidence. We shall see, Oilers, we shall see.

Then, out of the blue, we trade Brodziak for a couple of late picks...

From what I've read around it seems like people are expecting Gilbert Brule to come into Brodziak's empty slot next season. Our PK was brutal enough last year with a PKer as skilled as Brodziak, and I can't recall Gilbert ever taking a major role as a penalty killer. He's also yet another small young forward with little to no NHL experience. In exchanging Brodziak for Brule we lose 4 inches in height and about 30 lbs of weight. Personally I was under the impression that we were attempting to head in a new direction: one that involved a team that could compete physically and didn't need to rely on it's speed and it's production off the rush. A team that could cycle down low and crash the net.

Also we've got how many guys with contracts that just aren't being met production and/or performance wise, and we decide to toss away one of our value contracts? Unless Brodziak was expecting too much money I don't see how this makes sense. If they wanted to make room for the up and coming, then there were more viable options out there in my opinion. Pouliot anyone?

Now, clearly there's more to this. There has to be someone else coming to town, or at the very least a player that management is chasing after.

And if the player booking a flight to Edmonton this coming season is Dany Heatley then this club is in trouble defensively.

Part 2... Following Major Delays With No Known Cause.

2009-06-16T16:32:00.004-06:00

Man... This would be so much easier if the Oilers had just made the playoffs... Inspiration! I've got very little.

Anyway, so here's installment 1 of the forwards. Feel free to comment on your own take; really, I don't know everything after all.

The Top Six-ers

Ales Hemsky (Cap hit of 4.1M for the next three seasons)

In my eyes there's no way Edmonton trades Hemsky. He's one of the few talents we've managed to develop, and I personally would really like to see how he does under a new coach. He had more than his usual flashes of brilliance last season, and then his production dropped off completely. Sure, his comments in the paper weren't the greatest, but under all of the sore spots that people seemed to take out of it was a message we've all been wanting to hear: Hemsky wants to be that guy. He wants to be Edmonton's top gun; our go-to star player. Granted, he didn't do that last year, and there was a considerable dropoff in his production leading up to and following the statements, but I'd still like to see what Quinn can do with him. The best part about Hemsky is that he's a finesse player with a toughness that isn't often matched with his skillset.

Shawn Horcoff (Cap hit of 5.5M for the next four seasons)

Despite his brutal extension Shawn Horcoff is a player that you want on your team... Just not at his cap number. However, that fact is not one that we can change. The contract has been signed, and the only way out is to trade him somewhere else, which is not an option that most other teams will like, and it leaves us with a lot of holes that need filling. Shawn Horcoff is a complete player, and he's a type that's not easy to come by. If he can get his scoring touch back from two seasons past he'll be a force, and he'll be worth the money, but for now he's on the books as an awful contract that will most likely be underperformed. Unfortunately we have too many of those.

Dustin Penner (Cap hit of 4.25M for the next three seasons)

A lot of people would like to see Penner in another jersey next year. I am not a member of that school of thought. Yeah, he makes a lot of money, but he's got incredible potential. And don't say that he never delivers, because then you're just a liar. I think Penner could be an incredible force, and I also think he *will* be one eventually. I just think the problem was that we expected him to be and do too much too fast. Look at Ladislav Smid for an example, he's in his fourth season this upcoming year, and he's just now beginning to be the player we all wanted him to be. Quinn is known to be an excellent motivator, and I want to see Dustin Penner under Quinn before we give up on him completely. One more year, please; or at least half a season.

Robert Nilsson (Cap hit of 2.0M for the next 2 seasons)

Oh dear... Yeah, I think this guy's on his last legs here in Edmonton. He's not consistent enough to make a real case for staying, and his salary is money that is definitely better spent elsewhere. I don't see Nilsson back here next season, and if he is I would think he'll be taking frequent trips down to Springfield or the pressbox. Unless Quinn can find a fire in Nilsson that no one else has been able to I see Nilsson in another city early in the season if not before season start.

Andrew Cogliano (Cap hit of 1.133M for another season)

When reading trade possibilities around the Oilers Blog and Message board communities it seems that Cogliano is a popular player for people to involve in big name trades. It's not hard to see why: He's young, he's got some serious skill, he's one of the fastest players in the league, and his cap number isn't bad. In Edmonton he's not going to hold a place higher than one on the third line. It's just the way we're built right now. If he's switched over to wing they might have him side Gagner, which would be a good situation I think. Personally I'd rather keep them both, but then again I'm not completely sold on the idea of a star player anyway.

Sam Gagner (Cap hit of 1.625M for another season)

If the Oilers trade Sam Gagner they're flat stupid. That's the end of the story in my eyes. This kid's gonna be good, and it would be in our club's best interest to keep him at all costs. There's not much else for me to say.

Ales Kotalik (UFA)

Personally I liked the look of Kotalik with Hemsky. Especially once they seemed to warm up to eachother's styles. I don't think another year of Kotalik is out of the question. Let's see if this chemistry with Hemsky was a fluke or something that could last. We made a mistake with Sykora; a huge freaking mistake, I want to see how this plays out. Don't give up on this too fast; if Hemsky stays then Edmonton should look into keeping Kotalik.

Patrick O'Sullivan (Cap hit of 2.925M for another three seasons)

Here's another name frequently mentioned in possible trade options. Mostly as a 'one of Cogs/O'Sullivan' piece. If I'm choosing between the two, and I don't want to, then I'm choosing O'Sullivan. He's got more experience, and he's got a scoring touch. Granted, that was a scoring touch that disappeared completely when he came to Edmonton, but he's young, and I would imagine that kind of thing happens sometimes. O'Sullivan is further along on the road to 'complete player' or something like it. If we decide that we are in need of another 'complete player' then we should look at O'Sullivan, because his skill sets are pretty diverse. He's a player I keep for next year.

Yeah... Top sixers and I've got 8 players listed... That doesn't even include some of the guys that got occasional shots in the top six, like Reddox or Pouliot. We've got too many guys for too little jobs with too many holes. Changes have to be made, but I thin we've got more problems with the bottom six than the top six. That said, the bottom six weren't responsible for out lack of scoring last year. I'm glad I'm not the GM, because I don't want to make these choices.

Edmontonians should be glad I'm not the GM too, because I seem to have an attachment to some players... That's not good when you're running a business.

I'm just sayin'...

Been a While Since I've Talked 'Bout You...

2009-06-10T16:11:00.005-06:00

Yes indeed, it has been a while. In fact, I haven't talked about you here since the playoffs started... Well, unless I was making a snide remark about your three year absence.

Many things have happened since our season was cut off in... Well, not it's 'prime', but you get the idea. My point is that the season once again ended too soon, and once again Calgary continued on, and unfortunately so did Vancouver. Now, yes, Calgary choked as per usual, and Vancouver lost to the very same team in the next round, but still. I've almost forgotten what it feels like in this city when the team's playing really well; let alone when we win a playoff series. Hell, I'd settle for a win streak beyond four games at this point. Oh, and a couple less blowouts where we come up on the wrong end; especially the kind where our goaltenders let in 4 or 5 goals a piece.

Any way, like I said there have been a lot of things that have happened. MacT was fired, Pat Quinn and Tom Renney were hired, several free agents have been topics of hot discussion, and big name players have been rumoured to be available. My, my, but aren't we a regular gossip train?

First I'd like to go through a superficial analysis of the players we *do* have. I'll start with the defensemen today, and move to the forwards next. After which I'll browse through our goaltending situation.

Let's get this train moving, shall we?

The Boys on the Blue (and sometimes the other team's red line, but that's beside the point...)

The way I see the defense situation is this: We've got three proven offensive defensmen, two defensive defensemen and one guy who's not entirely sure what he is. This is excluding Peckham, Chorney and Strudwick, who are all guys that I don't see in a full time position on our current roster. The three offensive guys are Vishnovsky, Gilbert, and Grebeshkov; two defensive guys are Staios and Smid; and the guy who's confused is Souray. I'll explain a little more in each of their respective sections.

Sheldon Souray (5.4M cap hit for 2 more years*)

There's one thing that complicates the issue of discussing the idea of trading Souray, and that's his No Movement Clause. What a b---- that thing could potentially be. Regardless, if I had my choice of which defensemen to ship out in hopes of either landing a top 6 forward in trade (i.e.: Heatley) or shedding salary in hopes of signing a valuable UFA (i.e.:Bouwmeester) Sheldon would be my choice. What's he got going for him? Let's see: He's got one hell of a slapshot from the point, and when he gets angry you best not be the pest who's angered him because you'll be going down; and you'll be staying down. He's also, from what I can tell, a good leader and a possible future captain of a club. But when I think about it, I think we've got players who can cover his upsides without having to add another player to fill the hole he'd leave.

Lubomir Visnovsky (5.6M cap hit for 3 more years*)

If I'm choosing between getting rid of Visnovsky and getting rid of Souray there's no way I'm choosing Lubo. First of all, his nickname is Lubo. Come on, now that's just plain awesome. But seriously, they're the same age, so I can't argue anything regarding age, but Lubomir is a character guy, and he's also got a bullet of his own from the point. He makes breakout passes like a champ, and if I had to choose one of our Dman to go one on one against Zetterberg it would be Lubo. Yes, he is more expensive (but a whole 0.2M), but we've got him for another year, and he seems to like Edmonton, and if I recall correctly there haven't been any reports of him requesting a trade. But really, I don't know that many players coming from L.A., where they would have issues selling out playoff games, would complain about our city. Unless they can't handle the cold. Poor babies.

Tom Gilbert (4M cap hit for 3 more years*)

If told that we had to trade a defender, and it couldn't be Souray, then I would take a serious look at the market for Tommy. Now, I wasn't the biggest fan of Gilbert this season, but there are some decisions he makes sometimes that just aren't NHL calibre decisions. Granted, he is still young in terms of NHL experience, but he is not young age wise. He has a very good understanding of the offensive side of the game, and he's one of the best breakout passers on our backend, but his defensive skills are lacking, and when we're icing a lineup that doesn't consist of a lot of defensively responsible forwards his lack of defensive prowess is a liability.

Denis Grebeshkov (RFA)

Here's the issue I have: We have a defensive core that seems to be too good for any one new to penetrate it. And 3/4 of these guys are offense first-defense second type of players. In my mind Grebeshkov and Gilbert are virtually the same. Grebeshkov traditionally starts out slow and gets better through the season, and I think he's a bit more defensively responsible than Gilbert is, but they're both third-year offensive defensemen who make their share of mistakes. If I had to choose between the two of them I'd likely see what the market is for both of them first. I tend to lean towards keeping Grebeshkov though.

Ladislav Smid (RFA)

Now, granted, I tend to be rather biased towards Smid, but with a lineup full of offensive guys I think we can stand to all have a little bias for Laddi. The issue here is that he's getting to the point where he's ready for some big responsibility; top four kind of responsibility. I'd also like to see him on the penalty kill. For that to happen though, we have to lose one of our top four and we have to leave that spot open. If we're looking at Bouwmeester, then we'd have to trade two of our top four defensemen to fit Laddi into the top four. Smid has grown a lot since his detrimental sophmore year, which followed a brilliant rookie year. He makes more smart plays, he's calm under pressure, he sticks up for his team mates, and he protects the goaltender's crease like no one else on our team. He's also got size *and* weight to his advantage; he's a big guy, and that's something you can't teach.

Steve Staios (2.7M cap hit for one more year*)

I'm traditionally very hard on Steve. He's a guy that I could see the team getting rid of in the near future; his prime has long gone, and he's not really benefiting any one any more. Despite the fact that Smid really likes playing with him. I think his 2.7M could be better spent elsewhere.

Theo Peckham

From what I saw of him last season he looked like he might be ready to take a spot on the big club; should the opportunity arise. I'm not one to keep up with the farm generally, but I've heard a lot about this kid, and he's another player with size, which is always a plus. He's not one to put up points, but most of the defensive guys, and I'm willing to sacrifice a bit of goal scoring for some goal prevention.

Taylor Chorney

Speaking of kids I know nothing about... Well, maybe not nothing, but very little. I tend to feel that if I don't hear a lot about a kid, he's probably not worth looking at that much. And when most of what you hear is all: potential, potential, potential; and no: performance, performance, performance, then you have to wonder if he's worth clearing a roster spot for. In my eyes the answer is no.

Jason Strudwick (UFA)

When MacT benched Ladislav in favor of this guy I wanted to kill someone. Who benches a youngster with promise for an old guy who isn't the kind of guy who holds a regular spot on a team? Of course, eventually Laddi was playing again, and it seems to be that everytime Ladislav is benched he plays better directly following; more fire I think. Regardless, is it worth it to have a guy signed to play occasionally to spark another player? I mean, sure, when Ladislav got injured it was kind of nice to have him there. At the same time it became plainly evident as to why it is that he shouldn't hold a regular spot on the team. He is; however, one heck of a fighter.

Summary:

So, how does this all play out? Guys I'd prefer to keep: Visnovsky, Smid, Grebeshkov. Bubble guys: Gilbert. Guys I wouldn't mind see get on a plane: Staios and Souray. I think that if the team finds itself in a position where they need to shed salary they shouldn't be afraid to get a bit lighter salary-wise on the back-end. Peckham can come up, and Laddi's been rumoured to have already expressed a want for more responsibility. I think we're in a really comfortable position regarding our defense, and providing we don't gut what we've already got completely I don't think we'll screw this up going into next season.

* All contract information taken from nhlnumbers.com

What a Game Tonight, Eh?

2009-06-06T20:49:00.004-06:00

Following the game tonight I wrote the following email to the Pittsburgh Penguins:*

Dear Pittsburgh:

Osgood sucks. How the f*** did you get shutout by him?

Better luck next time,
Becca Jane

I received the following response:**

Dear Becca Jane:

Quack Quack Quack Quack *middle flipper*

Quack,
Sidney

To which I responded:*

Dear Sidney,

You're a whiner. Perhaps you should've focused on scoring instead of slashing Zetterberg; maybe you would've gotten something done offensively that way.

P.S.: Clever with the middle flipper bit. Real clever.
Becca Jane

I'll keep you updated.

Disclaimer:
* I wrote no such emails.
** I received no such response; fictional response provided by Ontario Oilfan. I'm pretty sure Penguins don't quack, but it's funny nonetheless.
*** uck

Sigh... Boredom.

2009-05-31T12:21:00.003-06:00

Why did this have to end up this way? The exact same SCF as last year?

"Yawn."

Okay, so who will win?

I don't like either team. Crosby and his golden-child routine are old news; Pittsburgh and it's, 'we sucked for a long time, and now we're back with avengence and some somewhat-newly-come-of-age first rounders.' Detroit and it's, 'yeah we've just been good for so long that we've forgotten how to be bad. It's just not something we can do anymore.'

Blech.

Give me a break. Wake me in time for the Entry Draft, will ya?

Thanks.

Oh, and I'm gonna take Pittsburgh. They took away some valuable lessons from the SCF last year, and they'll use them this year. It'll be close though, as most SCFs are.

*Gag*

A Plea to Someone... Anyone...

2009-05-22T11:51:00.002-06:00

I don't want to see a rematch of last year's playoffs. I just don't. There's no Cinderella story, no real adversity for either team. Pittsburgh's been a powerhouse for the past couple years, yeah they had a bad patch this season for a bit, but I hardly count that as adversity when you have a team that boasts Crosby and Malkin, not to mention other quality players that, though they're not quite at superstar stature, they're pretty freakin' good. Detroit's been good for as long as I can remember. I mean come on. They're in the conference finals with Osgood in net. That says something.

I personally think that's boring.

So this is a plea to Carolina, and to Chicago. To the fans, and the players. Let's make this interesting shall we? I'd like nothing more than to watch a Carolina/Chicago final. I think that'd be great.

But Pittsburgh has been pushing you around Carolina, and that needs to change. Hey Erik? Yeah, let's get some stuff done, kay? I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'...

And Chicago? Yeah, you're getting better, but if you want to come back you've got to win those OT games.

I know, it's harder than I'm making it seem right? But you're both down 2 games to none, and this is definitely gonna be an uphill climb. Neither of you have home team advantage, and if you want it you'll have to win a game in the opponent's rink.

Round 3; Fight!

2009-05-17T10:13:00.005-06:00

... Okay, so that was what I remember being the intro to Round 3 in Mortal Kombat (Thanks OntarioOilfan... :P ) for SNES. It was a pretty sweet game, but I wasn't all that good at it. I'd win sometimes though, and usually by hitting my opponent with repetitive flying high kicks... Or whatever that move was called... I think it was the Y button.

So here we are, one round away from the Stanley Cup Finals. I only got one prediction right last round, but most of the teams that won were in fact the teams I *wanted* to win. Chicago, Detroit and Carolina; Pittsburgh being the team that I wanted to lose... Damn you Crosby. So, let's get into it shall we?

Eastern Conference Final:

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Okay, so here's the way that I see it. Ward is a better goaltender than Fleury, and some of you may disagree, but this is the way that I see it, not the way you see it. Ward has a cup, in his rookie year no less, and Fleury doesn't, and Ward was amazing in the finals against the Oilers. So Carolina has the advantage in goaltending in my eyes. Pittsburgh relies quite heavily on their offense to get things done, because their defense isn't that skilled. That said, their defense didn't seem to have to hard of a time dealing with AO... I haven't had the chance to watch much of the second round because I work evenings and weekends, and the games are usually played at a time when I'm at work. If I'm lucky, sometimes I'll catch the last five minutes of the third or some of an overtime period. Every time that I've predicted against Carolina they've won (yeah, all of two times...), but the question is whether or not I think they have a chance against a Penguins team that has a high-powered offense that will give *any* team's defense a headache. I think they've got a shot, but it'll be a long one...

Pittsburgh takes it in 7.

Western Conference:

Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks

Oh what an entertaining conference final this is going to be! Chicago has surprised many people with how far they've come. Myself included, not that I didn't want them to do well, that's not what I'm saying here. I like Chicago's team, they're young and they're exactly what the Oilers *wanted* to be, but we just couldn't seem to get it to click into place. I'm not bitter about it, though I am a little jealous I think I can look past it, because these kids are fun to watch. I'm not a fan of Detroit, and I want Chicago to kick them around the block a few times. And then maybe a few times more. Detroit is going to be a tough opponent for Chicago, though. I look at Detroit and I see a team with few weaknesses, which could definitely be a problem for the young Blackhawks. Detroit's defense doesn't just come from their defensemen; we are all well educated in the defensive prowess of Datsyuk and Zetterberg. That said, their first two playoff opponents were not easy ones, and I think they've learned some valuable information on how to persevere. I also think Chicago is faster, and if they can kick their speed into gear they'll be able to take this series.

Chicago wins in 6.

Oh dear that second one is a risk... But hey, I only got one right last round, so if I go 0 for 2 here I won't be too upset.

Should be some exciting and entertaining hockey coming up, that's for sure.

Second Round: Better Late Than Never...

2009-05-02T14:17:00.002-06:00

Alright, I'm blogging from my phone today. As this goes on I find that
my lack of emotional dedication to any teams is seriously affecting my
will to post on a regular basis. I'd say I'm sorry, but well... I
guess I'm really not ;)

Here are the short versions of my predictions, if I feel so inclined
I'll elaborate later...

Western Conference:
Van vs Chi:
I want Chicago to win it, but Vancouver is the more physical team in
this series. I think Van takes it in 6 or 7, but Chicago could easily
change that; they're way more skilled.

Det vs Ana
I hope Detroit can take this one, and while I recognize that Anaheim
is much better than first thought, I think Detroit will take it in 6.

Eastern Conference:

Wsh vs Pit:
What do you think Bettman did when he saw this coming? Yeah, you're
right, let's not think about that.... I think Washington takes it in
7, but Pittsburgh won't go quietly.

Bos vs Car:
Ugh! This is a sucky matchup for Carolina, really sucky. I'd like
Carolina to win it, but I think Boston comes away with the series in 5
or 6.

Maybe I'll talk to you later.... Maybe...

It's Been a While

2009-04-27T10:15:00.002-06:00

I've not been posting all this time because of two reasons:

1. The Oilers are not in the playoffs, and as such I don't feel the need to post daily about other teams' success, or lack thereof.

2. My exams were all in three days of hell, so I had no time in between studying and wasting as little time as possible eating and sleeping, and if I don't have time to eat, then I guarantee you I don't have time to blog. Twitter is a different story ;)

So I thought we'd check up on my predictions, see which ones are still good, which ones are failing and which ones failed miserably; I know there's at least one.

SJS in 6 or 7

The latter half of this is still possible, but the Sharks are going to have to pick it up if they want to take this series, which at this point seems unlikely. Series stands at 3-2 Ducks.

DET in 6

Detroit won this one easily in 4. Columbus didn't put up much fight, and Rick Nash hardly even showed up, save for the last game. That said, it was their first ever playoff run, so at least their fans got to see some playoff hockey, and the team earned some valuable experience that will do nothing but help the club moving forward.

STL in 6

*sigh* Van swept STL. I hate Vancouver, but St Louis clearly did not have the tools to match Vancouver's goaltending or their scoring prowess; despite the fact that Matts Sundin cannot seem to help the team offensively for some reason. If I was a Leafs fan I'd say it was because he left his heart in Toronto, but I'm not so I won't ;)

CHI in 5

Won't be CHI in 5, but it may be in 6. I hope it is, because truth be told Chicago is the better team, even with all prejudices aside. Calgary just doesn't have the pieces to take on the well-balanced and well-planned roster of the Chicago Blackhawks.

BOS in 4 or 5

Was Boston in 4. Montreal never had a chance in this series, and I think every one, save for Habs fans, knew that going into the match-up. Better luck next season Montreal.

WSH in 6

This has been an interesting series. NYR was up 3-1 on the Caps, and they've managed to battle back to tie the series at 3. Game 7 will be in Washington's building, and with the kind of momentum they've got going their way at the moment I can't see New York pulling this one out. Could happen though.

NJ in 7

Game 7 goes tomorrow. Has been the closest and most interesting first round series bar none. Save for the first and sixth games (4-1 NJ and 4-0 CAR respectively) the series has been incredibly tight, all of the games in between having been won by a single goal. In one case the game ended up at 1-0 for NJ. Ridiculous. I hope CAR pulls this out, but it will likely be close.

PIT in 6

Was Pittsburgh in 6. Wooo! I got one right! What do I win? Oh, the chance to predict the second round? Awesome! Good times!

Last possible games go Wednesday, so I'll see you Thursday to talk Round 2. It should be a good time!

Playoffs! Let's Get The Run Down!

2009-04-15T11:37:00.005-06:00

Wait. Do you smell that? Ah, yes; the playoffs are here! Sans-Oil, but I’ve already dwelt on that for long enough.

There are several teams that I’m cheering against, and a couple that I am cheering for. But let’s go over the matchups and my initial reactions, because that’s fun... Well, at least for me!

The Western Conference:

1. San Jose Sharks vs 8. Anaheim Ducks
This should be interesting. With San Jose’s injuries and Anaheim’s physical style of play this could actually be close. If San Jose can pull their offense from the beginning of the season out of a hat then Anaheim’s in some serious trouble, which is good for me because I’ll be rooting for San Jose this round; I want the Ducks to lose.
Prediction: San Jose in 6 or 7. Long series, but San Jose was picking it back up at the end of the season, and I think they’ll overpower Anaheim.
2. Detroit Red Wings vs 7. Columbus Blue Jackets
This matchup should be tons o’ fun. Columbus is a team that I’m cheering for, but they’re in tough against a well-built Detroit team that hasn’t deteriorated in my history of watching hockey, which I’ll admit is not that long. That said, Detroit hasn’t always had the best success in the playoffs, and Columbus is making the playoffs for the first time in their history this year, so that should add some pretty good fire to their game. The first time we all get to see Rick Nash in the playoffs? Should be great fun!

Prediction: Unfortunately I’m going to have to say Detroit in 6. I really want Columbus to prove me wrong. Really bad.

3. Vancouver Canucks vs 6. St Louis Blues
I hate the Vancouver Canucks. So I’ll be cheering for St Louis here. I think it should be an interesting series, though I’m not sure what to expect from it. I’m hoping that St Louis’ momentum from the last couple months carries them through this series, but Vancouver has been playing well of late as well. That said; Vancouver has never had any kind of playoff success, so that’s a plus for St Louis.
Prediction: St Louis in 6. This is a shaky prediction, but I think that Matts Sundin’s lack of production comes back to haunt Vancouver, and their lack of playoff success plants doubt in their minds when they don’t have success early.
4. Chicago Black Hawks vs 5. Calgary Flames

As with most Oiler fans I have a serious hatred for the Flames. That said it is a respectful hate, unlike my hate for Vancouver. I do think that Calgary’s lack of success down the stretch is going to be a problem come tonight, especially with Chicago’s speed and offensive prowess. Chicago is a team that I think has a decent shot at the cup this year if they can pull it all together. Khabibulin is going to have to be unbelievable.

Prediction: Chicago in 5. I think the Flames are outmatched here. Chicago will make short work of the Flames and their Regehr-less defensive corps.

Eastern Conference

I don’t have a lot of ties to the eastern conference, so I don’t have a lot of teams to cheer for or against.

1. Boston Bruins vs 8. Montreal Canadiens

I'm pretty sure the Habs haven't got an ice cube's chance in hell of beating Boston. This is going to be short and one-sided, the closest series to a sweep as far as I'm concerned.

Prediction: Boston in 4 or 5.

2. Washington Capitals vs 7. New York Rangers

I love watching Ovechkin play, so I'm hoping the Capitals can pull it out for a couple rounds so we can watch him more often. Green is also a treat to watch on the back-end. Lundqvist can be a beast in net though, so this could be interesting.

Prediction: Caps in 6.

3. New Jersey Devils vs Carolina Hurricanes

I want to see Erik Cole do well, so I'll be cheering on Carolina for this series. That said, New Jersey and Brodeur will be a diffucult hurdle to jump.

Prediction: Unfortunately, I'm gonna have to say Jersey in 7. I want Erik to prove me wrong though. Prove me wrong!

4. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers

I'll be cheering for Pittsburgh here, because I'm in love with Sykora, and I like Garon, though he probably won't get playing time unless Fleury goes down. *knock on wood* Philadelphia won't take this lying down, and I'll be looking for some solid physical hits. That said, we've seen in the past that this kind of play tend to ger Flyer players suspended.

Prediction: Pittsburgh in 6. Should be a good match-up, I hope Sykora scores a lot!

Alrighty, all set for tonight.

Unrelated Note: Tambellini meets with the press in three minutes, watch it live here.

Oilers @ Flames; Frustration

2009-04-11T10:05:00.003-06:00

Alright, so.... The Oilers won last night. 5-1 actually, in a most decisive way might I add. Yes, the Flames were majorly short-handed, but we're a non-playoff team, and they're on their way to a post-season. This implies that they're much better than us, and, while perhaps winning wasn't as easy as it could have been, keeping it close should have been relatively simple to do. It wasn't, and that's not because the Flames were worse than they should have been, it's because the Oilers played much better than they have in the majority of the season. I'd say the exceptions being just before the all-star break and a few games here and there, like the last Vancouver game.

I'm glad I'm not one who pulls their hair out when they're frustrated, because I'd be balder than Messier right now.

If that's possible.

Why? Why is this the way it goes? We were in a playoff spot, then we dropped out; managed our way back in, then tanked until it was virtually impossible for the team to make it. Now, I remember saying yesterday that if Anaheim or St. Louis gets a point in any of their last two games that it doesn't matter any way; and both did and have since clinched a playoff spot. But I lied, it does matter.

I'm tired of having the Oilers be the butt-end of jokes for the past three seasons. I'm tired waking up and wondering which Oiler team is going to be on the ice that night. I'm tired of reading articles entitled something like, "What Went Wrong in Edmonton This Season." I'm SICK and TIRED of listening to cynical fans who consistently want to believe the worst, and will broadcast it to any one with ears.

I'm glad I love hockey as a game and not just the Oilers, because that at least means that I'll watch the playoffs any way, and I'll watch the World Championships, and I'll join in speculation about who will make the Olympic team, both Canada and USA.

There was one comment, said in passing, by one Sheldon Souray yesterday on Sportsnet that really bothered me. It went something like this:

-Broadcaster asks question regarding the difference between home and away performance this season-

Sheldon Souray answers some of the regular jargon and then throws in something along the lines of, "I guess we just don't feel like we have to put on a show [when we're on the road]."

Here's the thing, Sheldon. You do have to put on a show. Because you're a professional athlete, and once you're an athlete at this level, and people pay hundreds of dollars per game to see you play you better be damn certain you're putting on an effing show. I don't think I hear professional musicians complain about how when they go on stage the people in the audience expect a show; I've never heard a theater actor complain about it either. We pay to see all of you play. So, yes, Sheldon; we do expect a show, and that's true of any NHL arena or fan base. Why don't people go to see the L.A. kings play in their home barn? Because they don't think it's entertaining. It's not a show to them.

Of course, that's before people get an emotional attachment to the team. At which point we can't stop watching even when you've stopped performing for us.

There are rumors today that the Edmonton Oilers are close to signing Denis Grebeshkov to a two-year deal that is a considerable raise over his current contract. Alright, so this means we've got to be shipping someone out the door on the back-end, but who is it? Personally I'd like to see Gilbert AND Staios find new homes. I'd then bring up Chorney and Peckham full time and move Smid up to either first or second pairing duties. I've stated before that I think Ladislav and Sheldon together would be a monster pairing, but I don't think the coaching staff would want to move Ladislav up so quickly. That said, he did play on the top pairing in his rookie season if I remember correctly. I do believe that Ladislav is ready for some serious responsibility, and this gives us room to think about moving some other, perhaps more expensive, pieces to someone who needs them. Gilbert is a nice bargaining chip, and no one can deny that fact, so I'd package him with someone who would be a little harder to move, say a Staios or a Moreau.

It'll be an interesting off-season. That's for sure.

As Always: Go Oilers Go.

Author's Note: I should make mention that I only used L.A. in the above example because of the value of hockey as entertainment, this was not an attack on the team.

Flames @ Oilers; Playing for Spite

2009-04-10T14:32:00.003-06:00

Tonight we have an opportunity to put wrenches in the plans of Calgary. The Flames are looking to be first in the North West division, thereby insuring themselves home-ice advantage in the playoffs.

There are a few problems with those plans:

First, the Flames have not been playing well. They've also had some late season injury issues that no one wants to deal with.

Second, the Canucks won last night. This puts them in first in the NW and 2 pts ahead of CGY.

Thus, if we win these next couple games we can screw Calgary out of home ice advantage.

Hoo. Freaking. Rah.

This would also be a kick in an undesirable area for Oil fans, because that would mean that had we not lost against LA, we might've had a chance. But we won't know that until the standings are set in place, and if STL or ANA win either of their final two games it won't matter anyway.

As Yukon Jack reminded us all: club ABC. A.B.C.

As Always: Go Oilers Go!

Oilers Vs Kings.

2009-04-07T10:44:00.003-06:00

I think Dan Tencer said it best this morning on Twitter:

"#Oilers could be mathematically eliminated tonight if they don't get the job done. They get what they deserve if they lose to LA."

Will we be put out of our misery tonight? We'll see.

I'll likely be missing some, if not all, of the first period.

I hope that I can receive some good news on the Oilers front when I get home for the second and third.

As Always: Go Oilers Go!

Ales Hemsky: A Defense

2009-04-06T17:06:00.005-06:00

I don't particularly want to drag this on or anything, but I can't help it.

I wrote a post on March 25th entitled: Hemsky Frustrated; Gets Berated By Fans For Being Vocal. The general purpose of said post was essentially to get people to realize how ridiculous they were being about the whole Journal article thing. Turns out that a lot of Oiler fans have taken the issue personally, and not with me but with Ales Hemsky himself.

Now, these people have not explicitly stated that they now have an issue with Hemmer, but from the kinds of things that they say and/or write one can certainly draw this conclusion, and with relative ease.

I'm not going to single people out. I don't want to pull people out of the pack for a number of reasons:

First: I don't want this to become a personal thing against me, and if I were to pick on a few individual people then feelings could be hurt, tempers fanned etc.
Second: Taking a few people's quotes out of a body of people who have said the same thing or agreed with the speakers would be unfair.
Third: I don't have permission to use people's quotes, nor do I want to seek out permission. People are less than inclined to allow quotes when the writer wants to criticize them.

Alright, deep breath, and let's get started.

I'm sick and tired of hearing people call Ales Hemsky selfish. Until the article came out I was under the impression that every one thought that Hemmer was clearly one of, if not the most unselfish player on the team. The fact is that Hemsky was frustrated, and riddle me this, "What do you do when you're frustrated?" Well, if you're healthy in the head you probably talk about it. It's not selfish, it's not immature, it's healthy. That said, was the Edmonton Journal the best outlet for that frustrated energy? I think we can all agree it wasn't. This makes the outburst ill-advised, not selfish.

I read a post on the OMB that talked about how many times the article said me, my, we, or the team etc. Okay, first let me help you off that horse because you aren't a very good rider. Second, the article was about him, what pronouns would you use when you're talking about yourself? Not to mention that that analysis strategy is incredibly superficial. If you want to analyze based on pronoun usage you are also required to analyse the context within which each pronoun is used. And of the I/me/my pronouns this is what I got out of the context:

In regards to his own play: 14

In terms of the team's success: 3

Talking about his own benefit: 18

Speaking about coaching strategy: 7

So that makes it 18/42 uses that are only about Hemsky, which is not even half. That said, this kind of analysis can be subjective, and I support any one else's efforts towards analyzing the article themselves with their own categories if necessary.

Another thing that bugs me is when people seem to place some sort of blame on Hemsky for lack of powerplay production. Here's the thing, Hemsky is not the only guy on the ice, and when a goal is scored on the PP it is rare that Hemsky didn't have a hand in it. Hemsky is responsible for the majority of PP production, but this doesn't mean that he is responsible for the lack there-of. How so you ask? I shall answer this with more questions: Does Hemsky coach the powerplay? When the Oilers practice does the coaching staff leave the ice? "See ya later Ales, be back in a few hours for the game." Yeah, I'm sure that's exactly what happens. If anything is the issue it is the focus on the point-shot, and that is a coaching strategy not Hemsky's decision.

Anything related to the following schemas drives me insane: "Hemsky should've had that if he wants to be our go-to guy" "That's the kind of play Hemsky should have if he wants to be our star player" "Hemsky should've done _____ if he wants to be our go-to guy". Yeah, because all go-to guys make alll plays perfectly. It seems like any time Hemsky makes a single mistake some of the fans are on him like a pride of lions stalking a gazelle on the Serengeti.

I get it, they think that the article was a bad idea, they think it makes Hemsky look selfish, or that his real colours are starting to show. Bad timing or not when was a good time to bring it up? After the season ends when you're damn near ready to kill someone? Hemsky is a quiet person from what I've heard, and quiet people don't speak up about things unless they're already unbearable for said person. But I digress . . .

Call me a fan, call me biased, call me whatever you want but there's one thing you won't get to call me, and that's disloyal.

Vancouver@Edmonton; Paper vs Ice

2009-04-04T10:03:00.005-06:00

I don't have that much to say about this game. The fact is that all I can think about regarding the team these days is that one more loss can just put us all out of our brutal misery. The Oilers sit at 81 points and we only have four games left, meaning that at the most we end up with 89 points which would require the team to run the table. The team's longest win streak this season was a four game streak to start the season, and that was almost pure fluke.

I really don't want to say too much about the alleged 'Katz Text', however I will say this: After a season like the one we just experienced, and by we I mean both the organization and the fans, changes have to be made. The problem with this team is not small, if it had been we would've seen a solution put forth by now. The majority of people that I've spoken to think that the change needs to be MacTavish, and I am inclined to agree with them; not because I think he's a bad coach, because he's not, but because this team has clearly been slowly drifting away from the kind of team that MacTavish has the arsenal to coach. We're a small team that uses skill, speed, and finesse to win games. MacTavish has shown that he shines best when he's got a gritty team with size that's willing to work its ass off every second of every shift of every period of every game. The team we iced this year either did not have the drive or did not have the parts to be cup contenders. Neither of which do I place solely on MacT or Lowe's shoulders.

The fact is that when I look at this team we sound good:

Souray, a defensemen with an insane point shot that works incredibly well in powerplay situations. He's also got one hell of a mean streak, and who doesn't like players with a mean streak?

Lubomir Visnovsky, who before his injury was proving all of the people in LA wrong with his defensive responsibility. He had 31 points and was a +6 before he got injured.

Sam Gagner, Patrick O'Sullivan, and Andrew Cogliano who are all filled with skill and have a great head for the game. I haven't seen enough from O'Sullivan to be able to confidently classify him in a certain role or player type, but I like what I've seen thus far, despite the lack of production. Gagner, though he struggled earlier in the season, has been working hard all season and that's paying off now. Cogliano, who has struggled a little, and I stress the little, over the past week or so; but he's been solid for us this season, and he was the only one of the kids not to have to deal with the offensive slump of the dreaded sophmore season.

Ladislav Smid, who has come into his own this season as a solid stay-at-home D-man with some offensive flair that has been showing up more often as he feels more comfortable with his own place on the team.

Denis Grebeshkov, who has come a long way from a couple of seasons ago, when we thought we had basically exchanged one MAB for another.

Zach Stortini, who has been gradually improving to a point where I don't cringe when I see him engage in a fight, in fact he's had a couple good ones this season.

Kyle Brodziak, who I feel doesn't get near enough recognition on the team, he kills penalties effectively, hardly ever takes penalties, plays a physical type of game, and if last season was any indication he can also become a legitimate scoring threat with the proper linemates.

Shawn Horcoff, who despite his oversized extension that kicks in next season and his lack of production this season, has worked his ass off for this team and never looks like he's coasting or being lazy.

Ales Kotalik, who's been unbelieveably good for us of late. He's got chemistry with Hemmer and I'd like to keep him if possible. He's a forward that plays the point on the powerplay, kind of like Stoll used to, and he's got one hell of a one-timer.

I think I'm forgetting somebody... Oh yeah:

Ales Hemsky, who has been unbelievable at times this season. Say what you want about his comments in the Journal earlier this season, but the fact is that he's our best player, and his contract is one of the best in the league. No way I'd trade him and I've been appalled at the ammount of people who have suggested it. Hemsky seems to get better as his career wears on, and I think he likes the city. He's now scored 20 goals in back to back seasons, and he's become the face of the franchise, and while he may not score as many goals as Ovechkin or Crosby he has just as many highlight reel-ers.

So then the question is: What the hell happened?

I don't know, but after reading Lowetide's Ch-ch-ch-Changes article I'm kind of frightened of what may actually occur this offseason.

From the article:

What we now have is an old fashioned dog-and-pony show, with everyone but Ziggy Stardust and Iggy Pop getting involved. Ethan Moreau told us today there will be changes and the kids are different now and the special teams weren't helped and if you read between the lines he's saying don't trust anyone under 26.

A fine mess we have here. A little while ago I suggested that if MacT stayed we could predict a few of the players heading out (Penner, Pouliot, Nilsson). After today I think we might be looking at something deeper here, something resembling a really big mistake.

Really big.

Yikes.

As Always: Go Oilers Go!

San Jose @ Edmonton; Probabilities.

2009-04-02T12:00:00.004-06:00

So, here's the situation.

The Oilers are sitting at 81 points with 5 games left.

The last two playoff spots are held by Nashville and Anaheim, each with 84 points.

That is 3 points ahead of Edmonton.

Anaheim:
Home Win%: 48.7%
Away Win%: 52.6%
Home games left:2
Away games left:3
Proportional home wins: 1
Proportional away wins: 1-2
Probable point total come end of season: 88-90

Nashville:
Home Win%: 59%
Away Win%: 39%
Home games left:2
Away games left:3
Proportional home wins: 1
Proportional away wins: 1
Probable point total come end of season: 88

St Louis:
Home win%: 55%
Away win%: 40.5%
Home games left: 1
Away games left: 4
Proportional home wins: 0-1
Proportional away wins: 1-2
Probable point total come end of season: 85-89

Minnesota:
Home win%: 52.3%
Away win%: 41%
Home games left: 3
Away games left: 2
Proportional home wins: 1-2
Proportional away wins: 1
Probable point total come end of season: 85-89

The Oilers:
Home win%: 43.2%
Away win%: 50%
Home games left: 4
Away games left: 1
Proportional home wins: 1-2
Proportional away wins: 0-1
Probable point total come end of season: 85-89

Take away from that what you will; but what I take away is this:

If the Oilers want to make the playoffs they better start breaking some of their patterns that they've established.

No more excuses boys.

As Always: Go Oilers Go!

Sad Puppy Dog Face

2009-04-01T10:37:00.002-06:00

See, this is what I mean when I say that the Oilers are like a dog to me. Because my dogs can do nothing that will make me hate them forever and ever.

I already feel bad for saying the team didn't try.

Like really bad.

In The End: They're My Team.

2009-04-01T08:53:00.006-06:00

Last night I was choked. Probably the most angry I've been at the team in my history as a fan. In the playoffs we tried hard despite the end result, in 06/07 we traded Smyth and had a multitude of injuries, in 07/08 we had a bit of a miracle run that just couldn't be sustained for as long as the team needed it. But, what's our excuse this season?

The fact is that there isn't an excuse that the team can come up with that will be sufficient to cover the disappointment of this season. Not when we were told that we were going to ice a cup contender in October, not when we were supposed to challenge for the NW division title. Not when the team that took the ice every night looked like they were half-asleep and coming off a night of binge-drinking and cocaine. I thought we got rid of those guys?

The Oilers, as an organization, not the team, should really learn a lesson here. You see, if they hadn't have gotten all of our hopes up in October - if they hadn't hyped the team til we were all buzzing in anticipation - the disappointment that we are feeling now as fans would be much less. No doubt it would still be there, but it would be severely minimized, and we wouldn't be feeling this other strange emotion: betrayal.

The game last night was a joke. A slap in the face for fans, that until this morning was a monumental p--- off. This morning, it's just comedic. The Oilers come out and score first, and then they take their foot off the gas, as per usual, and allow the opposing team to tie it up, then we start taking stupid penalties. Cue up the second period where the visitors score early on the PP and then add a couple more for good measure throughout the period. The third period comes up and the Oilers go down further, allowing another goal. Less than five minutes to go in the game and someone makes a point of mentioning to the team that they are, in fact, playing a hockey game here, and they may want to pick it up if they want to win. So the Oilers turn it on and score a few times, only to come up short by at least one goal.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

And all of this after asking us for our support, because it really mattered to them. Yeah, looks like we made a huge difference last night. I have news for you: we've been here all season supporting you and making excuses for your butt. Where have you been?

As much as I am frustrated with this team this year, I still love them. I guess they're like a dog who didn't do what I wanted it to do; as a dog lover, I'll still love it tomorrow. I was just angry at it for not doing what I asked of it.

What we all asked the team to do.

Try.

Ducks @ Oilers; Fan Support

2009-03-31T08:47:00.004-06:00

What else is there to say here except that if the Oilers don't win tonight I don't expect to see them playing come the 15th of April?

Nothing.

It's strange. Hearing the Oilers come out and ask for fan support. Part of me agrees, Rexall has not been hospitable to the Oilers this season, and the crowd has been no better than a funeral gathering in the noise department for the most part. But the other part of me wants to bear my teeth and yell at the players: How dare you come to us for support? Where have you been all season? Playing your best hockey at some other Ho-City's rink, and you come crawling back to us?

I sound like a wife who's been cheated on.

I hope the Oil can pull it through tonight, because this could be the last time they play with any hope for a post-season.

And for a team that was toted as a team that would vie for the division lead this season this is beyond disappointing.

As Always: Go Oilers Go!

Looking For A Silver Lining

2009-03-30T17:25:00.008-06:00

Team	GP	W	L	OT	PTS	Opponents Remaining
Columbus	76	39	29	8	86	Predators (X2), Blackhawks (X2), Blues, Wild.
Nashville	76	38	30	8	84	Blue Jackets (X2), Blackhawks (X2), Red Wings, Wild.
St Louis	76	37	30	9	83	Blackhawks, Red Wings, Stars, Coyotes, Blue Jackets, Avalanche.
Anaheim	76	38	32	6	82	Oilers, Canucks, Sharks (X2), Stars, Coyotes.
Edmonton	76	36	31	9	81	Ducks, Sharks, Canucks, Kings, Flames (X2).
Minnesota	76	36	32	8	80	Canucks, Flames, Red Wings, Stars, Predators, Blue Jackets.

Looking at every one’s games remaining I am not convinced that the Oilers are completely out of it just yet. While our own schedule doesn’t look like something we would’ve designed if given the chance, the only team competing against us that does have an easier, and I stress the ‘er’ part because it’s still not easy, is the St Louis Blues, and I only say this because they play the Coyotes and the Avalanche; not that these teams should be taken lightly.

Everyone has a tough schedule coming into these last six games. Nashville should be a little worried: their team seems to be falling apart at the seams; there are two ways this could go:
-Realize that the team just couldn’t bear the burden of the injuries, and that next year will likely be very impressive.
-Find out that the team is a lot ‘deeper’ than first thought, and become very proud of the team for stepping up.
And let’s face it, while the first of the two is more likely, the team is actually on the track heading towards the latter.

I want the Oilers to step it up, but I’m not going to cry about it if they don’t. It will be interesting to see what the off season excuses are this go around if we don’t make the playoffs.

As Always: Go Oilers Go!

Wild @ Oilers : The Apocalypse

2009-03-29T11:58:00.003-06:00

I was watching 'Independence Day' earlier and I was thinking, do we have a pilot that would go into an alien ship's tractor beam to save the world? In context of the Oilers the question is actually 'do we have a player who would sacrifice himself in order to save the team?'

I think the easy answer is yes, obviously the team blocks shots and we have a few guys that are willing to step in when our skill guys are getting pushed around. But then there have also been a few incidents this season that simply weren't taken care of, and I'm sure you can think of a few yourself.

It's no secret that the Oilers have lacked a certain motivation that up until this season had always been found in the Oilers game. Even at the tail-end of the 06/07 season I still watched all of the games, and I have been this season too, but I've been watching them for a different reason; in 06/07 we were playing with heart and the team showed up to every game. Now I'm watching because we may actually win, and the team is in the mix for the playoffs, and I'm noticing, as I'm sure most of you are, that the heart that has always been beating relentlessly on the Oilers' jersey sleaves has seemingly taken a vacation.

The team has shown flashes of their brilliance at multiple points throughout the season, but rarely has it been consistent. Most times it only lasts for a single period, let alone a whole game or a few games together.

The Oilers take on the Minnesota Wild tonight at Rexall Place, and that building has been terrible this season. I've attended six games within the last few months, and the only one that was enjoyable was fan appreciation night against the Thrashers. Yes, the team has to show us that they want to play and that they want to be in the playoffs, but we as fans have to show that we want them to play for us, and we want them to be in the playoffs, and that we support them. Quit with the 'boo'-ing at Rexall, unless it is at the referees or the opposing team. I'm tired of hearing Rexall punish the Oilers. Cheer and chant with wild abandon, because we're lucky we have a team. We are lucky we get to cheer on the Oilers every second or third night, and if we don't come to appreciate that then I don't think we deserve an NHL team.

Perhaps we can return that 'heart' that's been on missing for about 90% of the season thus far.

As Always: Go Oilers Go!

Sunshine and Rainbows! - Edmonton @ Anaheim

2009-03-27T10:02:00.002-06:00

Okay, so rather than get all hot and bothered and complain ruthlessly about the Oilers' loss last night; I have decided to be positive. Because the game is more enjoyable this way, and because I don't want to be in a bad mood.

I found a couple positives last game and I thought I'd share them with you:

1. Dustin Penner. Penner, despite criticism that he receives on a daily basis, was doing a lot of things last night that we've wanted him to do for the entire season. He was backchecking, he was hitting, he was battling for the puck and winning, and most importantly he was using his size to his advantage. No one could get Penner off of the puck last night, and that's awesome.

2. Our PK was abnormally good. I don't want to hear about how the Coyotes' powerplay is already bad, because bad PP or not our PK looked good. And that is something that we'll need to have working going forward. Can you imagine where we'd be if our special teams were in the top quarter of the league? Top 5 teams in the West I guarantee you.

3. Hemsky had a good game. He had less turnovers, chipped in with a goal and an assist, and he was hitting people (he was tied for third in the team last night with 2, Laddy and Brodz also with 2). I am already sick and tired of people and their comments regarding Hemsky since the article that came out, and I've reserved to not posting on the OMB because I'd likely get banned for some of the things that I'd want to say in reaction to some of the posters. All I'm gonna say is that people need to learn a little empathy and step down from their high horse before they fall off and break their backs.

I could discuss negative things but, like I said, I'm deciding to focus on the positives. Sunshine and Rainbows all around!

I just hope there aren't any clouds in the forecast for, say, 7:30 PM tonight.

As Always: Go Oilers Go!

Oilers @ Coyotes

2009-03-26T13:01:00.002-06:00

Long story short the Phoenix Coyotes are a team that the Oilers need to, and should, defeat this evening.

Hemsky's frustrated and I'm glad he spoke up, but now may be the time to show us what he means. The team hasn't been scoring in the last two games, and if we want to win the game tonight scoring is essential.

If I was ten I'd follow this up with, "DUH!"

I want to see Hemsky have a good game, and it's not because I think he needs to prove anything, but it is because I love seeing him happy and excited to play; and he hasn't shown either of these in the past 7 or 8 games, maybe more. MacTavish pretty much stated in the article that he wasn't going to change anything, so I think it may be up to Hemsky to take his enjoyment into his own hands. If the coach won't let you play the way you want to maybe you should just ignore him. When you were producing really well, after the concussion, you were focusing on offense, and I seem to remember us winning those games, so perhaps try pushing the envelope a little.

But that's just what I'd do.

Love ya either way Hemmer.

As Always: Go Oilers Go!

Hemsky Frustrated; Gets Berated By Fans For Being Vocal

2009-03-25T10:03:00.003-06:00

First let me say this as a bit of a disclaimer: I love Hemsky. I think he's an excellent player, and I don't think that these comments reflect badly on him at all. I have read a lot of comments from people who think it does, and I'll be addressing some of those comments here, not by name of course, but they're all found on the OMB and other blog posts. I won't paraphrase, I'll take quotes directly.

If you haven't already read the article it's located here.

Let's get into it then shall we?

First: Posts from the thread "Hemsky Wants a Bigger Role" from the OMB.

"Another reaction I have here is to say to Hemsky, hey, let's see the brilliance that you're telling us about. I'm not as geeked-out on Hemsky as most on this board, and I don't think we see the brilliance as much as we should. Put a couple pucks in the net, set up a few great goals, and it seems like everything should work itself out. We all know the skill is there."

Here's the thing: Hemsky stated in the interview that he performs better and produces more when he feels like he's needed. This is completely understandable, and it also explains his lack of production lately, not to mention his burst of offensive genius coming back from injury. While Hemsky was out with a concussion everyone was pretty worried, for how would the team get by without its leading point scorer? The focus was on him to get back, because the team needed him. And they did need him, they came out at about .500 in that ten game span, but the team was not scoring goals. I would assume that during this time span people were looking for Hemsky, focusing on Hemsky; Everything was about Hemsky. Now; however, it isn't. And All Hemsky is trying to say here is that he needs the attention. Who doesn't perform better when they feel like the project/company/team needs them? Who doesn't do well when everyone is talking about how important they are? Right now Hemsky is not the focus, and yes he hasn't been producing but he has been making plays; his line just can't seem to put them in the net. But don't take that as me blaming his line, because there's enough of that blame going around already.

So he liked it better when he was the only guy putting the puck in the net and the team was losing...so now that the team is playing better with more balanced scoring and he's upset because he's not the man.

It appears that his real personality is starting to "shine".

Not what he said; come back and try again when you've learned to read.

Not what happened either when he was producing - talk to me when you've watched those games.

"no Hemsky, we don't want you to check, when you give away the puck we just want you to cruise around at the blueline and wait for your defencemen to bail you out

geez "

Again, not what Hemsky was saying. He doesn't have a problem with the defensive responsibility: it's the fact that the defensive responsibility comes in place of offensive production. That is his objection as I understand it.

"How does wanting someone to be reliable in their zone mean they should be checker. He's on the top line and the top powerplay. He's playing with Horcoff for a reason, and that is so that the can have the freedom to make mistakes and not have it backfire. If any other player on this team made as many turnovers as Hemmer they'd be benched in a second. To be honest I think this is only about 1 thing and that is the shootout. He is not in the shootout order anymore and I don't think he likes that very much."

See comments 2 and 3.

"Personally, what i think, i think Hemsky doesn't like winning when he didn't have a big part in it "

Can I kill you now? Because now you're just trying to be hateful. Nowhere in that article does Hemsky even allude to this, in fact he states the polar opposite at least twice by my count.

----------------------------

This all said and done I have not brought up the posts defending Hemsky, and they are there, but from what I can tell the majority of the posts/comments are against Hemsky, and against what he's complaining about. This is something I find completely ridiculous because for a lot of that article Hemsky is just confirming what we, as fans, already suspected:

"I'm just trying to do exactly what they want. I'm becoming a checker," he said with obvious displeasure after Monday's practice. "We're just doing what we have to do to win games. I'm not complaining. It's important to win the games. I just don't feel as important as I did before when they were riding me. I don't feel they use me as much as they did before. If they don't give me the confidence or trust me, I will never be playing the way I was before, the way they want.

We already blame MacT for turning scorers into checkers, and trying futilely to turn checkers into scorers; so Hemsky talks about it publicly, agreeing with what we say and we get angry about it.

"It was exciting to be back. They were riding me. Now I just don't feel it's the same. I want to do more. Ask me to do more. I have to feel good. I have to feel I am in the game and I am going.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this exactly what we wanted Hemsky to say? Isn't the bolded part exactly what we want from him?

Here are a few other Blog posts and forum threads on the topic:

MotherPucker at MotherPucker.ca

OilFans MB

HFBoards

I get it, I'm a tad bit biased, but Hemsky doesn't deserve half of the SH-- he's been getting from our fan base.

Red Wings Fly In.

2009-03-24T12:43:00.006-06:00

Everyone loves a good piggy-back ride.

The Oilers will be back in Rexall Place tonight, if only for a few hours, against a more-than-worthy opponent in the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings are coming off of a loss in Calgary last night, who has already begun the task of creating playoff jingles, 5-3, the Wings made it close in the third but in the end the Wings' goaltending was an issue.

And I think we all know what that's like, but not as of late because Roloson has been on fire lately and we need that to continue if we want to win games. Which of course we do--who doesn't?

We need our special teams to step it up, because they got nothing done last game, though they did look good in the previous two games. We also need some production from the top line, which I heard did not play all that badly, and actually had a really good first period. But when the Oilers don't score after a period of complete domination the Oilers usually don't win the game. They sometimes even get shut-out, like the Minny game.

This game will be a tough one for the boys, but I think they're capable of winning it. And if they do? Well, only good things can come of that.

As Always: Go Oilers GO!

Oilers @ Wild

2009-03-22T08:30:00.004-06:00

This is an excellent picture. It looks like James Sheppard is trying to choke Ladislav Smid to death, but I'm pretty sure the fight was a pretty good draw.

You can see that fight again here.

The Oilers are currently in 7th place in the Western Conference, and the standings look like this.

Detroit Red Wings - 105 pts 72 GP*
San Jose Sharks - 104 pts 71 GP*
Calgary Flames - 88 pts 71 GP
Chicago Blackhawks - 85 pts 70 GP
Vancouver Canucks - 85 pts 71 GP
Columbus Blue Jackets - 82 pts 72 GP
Edmonton Oilers - 79 pts 71 GP
Nashville Predators - 77 pts 72 GP
St Louis Blues - 75 pts 72 GP
Anaheim Ducks - 74 pts 71 GP
Minnesota Wild - 74 pts 71 GP
Dallas Stars - 74 pts 72 GP
Los Angeles Kings - 70 pts 71 GP
Phoenix Coyotes - 67 pts 72 GP**
Colorado Avalanche - 64 pts 72 GP**

* - Clinched Playoff Spot.
** - Likely Out of Playoff Picture.
Bolded - In Action Tonight.
Bolded and Italicized - In Action Tonight and Could Move Up in the Standings.

The Oilers will be in 7th place no matter what happens in the games tonight, but a win could cement us further into the playoff picture. If the team reverts back to its old snake-bitten self then there's no telling whether we make the playoffs or not. At this point we'd be matched up against San Jose, which could or couldn't be a good thing depending on which team of the Oilers shows up. If my memory of the Oilers in playoffs, which is not much, is the norm then I'd say the Oilers and this emotional city of ours would give them a run for their money.

Gagner continued his hot hand last game, which was a gooder I must say, netting his fourth goal in two games and his fifth in his last 6. He's also on a point scoring streak of 6 games with 9 pts in that span. The second line as a whole is showing up to games with fire in their pants, and this helps take the pressure off of the first line, which just isn't getting it done.

I'm cautious to put too much blame or emphasis on Hemsky's dry-spell here, because he has been making plays that should've been goals had the player on the receiving end been paying attention or been able to get a quick shot off. Horcoff seems to be off of his groove as far as quick shots go, he misses more than he hits, and the one's he hits miss more often than not. O'Sullivan and Hemsky look like they might be perfect for each other, or as perfect as we can hope for at this point, and I think once one of their plays nets one we won't need to worry about that first line any longer; we all saw Hemmer break out in that Philadelphia game, and then again after his concussion. Some bounces just need to go their way I think.

Any way, if we win tonight it means great celebrations in Edmonton, and a tie of our season-high win streak. If we lose we still remain in 7th place but it could rekindle doubts about this team's ability to be consistent.

As Always: Go Oilers Go!

The Oilers Are in The Windy City Tonight

2009-03-20T10:05:00.002-06:00

Boy, was Sammy ever doing a lot of that last night. What a game by Sam Gagner and Ales Kotalik against the Colorado Avalanche; the chemistry between these two looks like it deserves another look, or maybe 12. The second line, these guys plus Nilsson, showed up sometime around the middle of the second period and took the game by storm. In fact, the three stars were comprised of: 3) Robert Nilsson (3 assists); 2) Ales Kotalik (1 goal, 3 assists); 1) Sam Gagner (3 goals, 1 assist). Gagner with his first career hat-trick, and perhaps his first four-point game as well, though I'm not sure about that.

I am still a little worried about Hemsky, he had a few plays that would've been highlight real goals had they been just that--goals. It sounded as if the first line was not very good 5 on 5, and they didn't get as much time as they usually do--in light of the game the second line had though it is not hard to see why that is. I still think that Hemsky and O'Sullivan have some pretty sweet chemistry, the play last night where Hemsky pinched along the right-side boards to keep the puck in and got it over to O'Sullivan who was all alone in the slot was beautiful, and there's no other way to describe it; had O'Sullivan's back-hand went in it would have been pure magic.

The Oilers come into Chicago hoping to continue the momentum from last game to tonight; a game against a team that the Oilers have been owned by all-season. I was at that 9-2 loss; it was not pretty; especially considering I had an English midterm the following morning at 9:00. I got an A- so all is forgiven in that regard. The Blackhawks have been struggling as of late, and are currently on a 4 game losing streak. This, of course is cause for concern, because the Oilers have had trouble beating teams when they're down.

Stop being so noble you guys! Kick them while they're down!

One thing is for sure: the Oilers will have to come with their A game tonight if they wish to come out with a W. Also, if JDD is going to get a start any time soon it will likely be tonight, so this is where we decide if we run with a single goaltender or a tandem on our drive for the playoffs. 2 is healthier, but 1 may be smarter.

Oh, and Sam? I don't blame you for celebrating your hat-trick goal. In any other circumstance that would have been inappropriate, but I don't think that this was.

As Always: Go Oilers Go!

Edmonton @ Colorado

2009-03-19T11:34:00.003-06:00

Okay, so the Oilers are on the road in Colorado this evening for a game start at 7:00 PM MST. I am rather excited for tonight because on Tuesday night the first line of 19-10-83 was running around the ice like they'd played together since forever, and I think it will only get better tonight.

Hemsky has seemed a little 'head-in-the-clouds' of late, and I'm not sure if it's just me who notices it or if this is a legitimate concern. He's been passing to phantom players in our zone and turning the puck over more than usual; and I'm not sure if he's just in a bit of a funk that he needs to get out of or if there is something going on behind closed doors here, and I don't just mean in the dressing room; perhaps its in an exam room? That said though, Hemsky and Patrick O'Sullivan had some pretty sweet chemistry going on Tuesday, and perhaps O'Sullivan is just the player Hemsky needs to play with.

Gagner, Nilsson and Cogliano have continued their good play--three ecstatic cheers for that--and it looks like the team is running on all cylinders and rotating four lines comfortably and confidently, so this is good news.

It may be a little early to tell for sure, but I think the team is getting 'it'.

What's 'it'?

You know... 'IT'.

As Always: Go Oilers Go!

Games of Interest in the NHL tonight:

STL @ VAN - 8PM MST

ANA @ PHX - 8PM MST

NSH @ SJS - 8:30PM MST

I'll update these games on a regular basis on Twitter, the feed is on the right, the link to my Twitter page is also located in the right column.

St Louis @ Edmonton

2009-03-16T23:38:00.003-06:00

The Oilers are playing St Louis tonight, which happens to be my birthday, and they desperately need a win. It seems like earlier in the season, or even about a week or two ago, they were winning games that they maybe shouldn't have, but now, when we should be winning games we're losing them. We're getting a point because most of them are in OT, but we're losing games we should win. Even playing wise, we should be winning these games, we outplay the opposition, have one or two big mistakes, and if we're in OT one of them occurs in OT or the SO, and we lose the game, because, unlike the Oilers, it seems like every other team in the bloody NHL can capitalize on the other team's mistakes. Or maybe it's just the Oilers' mistakes that teams capitalize on.

When is JDD going to get some playing time? Because I think it is pretty clear that Roloson, despite how good he's played for us this year, is getting a little tired. The rebound that resulted in the OT goal last game would not usually have happened; give him a rest. The question is when? The next five games for the Oilers are against the Blues, Avalanche, Blackhawks, Wild and Red Wings. Tonight is an important game, not that every game isn't important, but the fact is that we aren't going to catch Detroit or Chicago this season. The Blues and the Wild are teams that we are battling with for a playoff spot, so these are '4 point games'. The only odd one out is Colorado; do we play JDD then? If not then when can we afford to play him? I'm sure the coaching staff would like to wait and see some separation in the West, but I think it is pretty clear that that has not happened this season, and there is a good chance that it will be tight until the end.

Looks like Ladislav Smid wasn't at practice yesterday, and I'm wondering if his head is a little less 'okay' than we thought it was? I know he's had concussions in the past, are we taking a precaution here or is this something to worry about? Smid has played really well this season, and I personally would like to see him play some more. Like, a lot more.

I look forward to seeing Patrick O'Sullivan on the first line tonight, it'll be interesting to see him play with Hemsky.

As Always: Go Oilers Go!

Colorado @ Edmonton

2009-03-14T12:25:00.003-06:00

Dear Mr. Penner,

I watched the game on Thursday, in fact I was at the game, and I wanted to say thank you for standing up for Ales Hemsky following the late hit that Exelby threw. I realize that you ended up getting 17 minutes in penalties, which was more like 20-25 by the time they let you out of the box, but this was what we wanted from you and we'll take the penalties. That said, it was an absolutely brutal call on the play in a game that I personally thought was not well officiated; but no one listens to fans of the accosted team because they just assume that we're all baised. Sorry for the rant. Like I said, thank you for sticking up for Hemsky, you were having a great game before the refs decided to make an example of you.

I like 'Angry Dustin'. That is all.

Becca Jane.

The Oilers are back in action tonight versus the Colorado Avalanche, a team that has not met expectations this season, but is still incredibly dangerous. Last game I thought the Oilers played pretty well, closest to a full 60 minutes they've had all season I think; but maybe the crowd atmosphere was brianwashing me. If the Oilers can build on the play of last game then they should come away with a win tonight. Should.

Ladislav Smid may be sitting this one out, he has had concussion problems before and I think they want to let him rest because he's taken a few jarring hits in the past week. In any case, if he does it will be Peckham suiting up in his place.

It seems to me that Gagner, Nilsson, and Cogliano are playing really well right now, perhaps we could try them together again for a period or so? Just a suggestion, to see if they can rekindle some of the magic of last season - high hopes, I know.

Apparently Kotalik will be getting a few shots on the RW tonight, which is his natural position, and I think this is probably a good idea. Which line do you want to see him on?

I think maybe run a 13-89-21 line, or a 19-89-21 line. Yes, as you can see I think Gagner fits in a lot of places.

And I'd just like to point out that I did see a couple of combinations that I wanted to see on Thursday, I can't remember them for the life of me though. But I think the 21-89-83 line got a few shots at it as well as the 19-10-83, but that one might have been in the midst of a change.

As Always: Go Oilers Go!

Mistakes Were Made.

2009-03-13T10:01:00.007-06:00

If there is one thing my first-year English prof taught me, it was to never use the passive voice unless I was trying to avoid responsibility for something.

In other words: passive voice was for politicians.

Now, while I don't remember specific instances of Oiler management using the passive voice, I'm positive that they have used it at some point in time. Probably the after the Smyth trade, but I'm not positive.

Something along the lines of, "in the end there were different perspectives and a decision was made."

Translation: "We didn't want to pay him, so we aren't going to."

While I realize that there are some things that Management of any NHL team cannot possibly know will happen, I do believe that there are some cases, particularly cases pertaining to players that are let go, that it seems Management just wasn't thinking straight. I don't know a whole lot about the rest of the league and players that they've let go, but I do know a fair bit about the past 3 or 4 years of the Oilers, and players that they've let go. Some moves, like I stated earlier, were impossible to know whether it was a good idea or not; others, in my opinion, were glaring errors made on the part of management, and most of them come back to haunt us.

Part I: Mistakes that Were Impossible to Predict.

Jan Hejda:
This man didn't perform particularly well under the Oilers' system, in fact he was a minus six come the end of 06/07, and seeing as he is now known as a tower of defense on the back-end it is clear that management is not at fault there. Who would have predicted that in two seasons he's be sitting at an impressive +19, he's also making 2.00 M a year. Yeah, I'd take that contract.

Ty Conklin:
This one, in my opinion, is a bit of a question mark. Yes, he has done well after a few years away from the NHL, but he has been on powerhouse teams (Pittsburgh and Detroit). Detroit in particular is a huge factor when looking at his .911 %SV and 2.45 GAA. He's only making 750K and he's tied for second in the league in shut-outs with 6. But Detroit is a team with a defensive prowess all teams drool at, so that is something that should be mentioned.

Joffrey Lupul:
Another instance that management just can't shoulder any blame for. When he played here in 06/07 he had 28 points, 16 of those being goals. Not terrible, but not great. Yeah, but here's the kicker: the guy was a -29. I remember watching him play, and wanting him to do well, but if there was such a thing as a 'defensive-gaff-tree' then Lupul was the orchard owner. This season he has 42 points, with 20 goals, and he's even in the +/-, I'm sure that Philly's fans could still come up with some complaints but name me a city that doesn't do that. Did I mention that he's making 2.9 this season? That said: his extension is for 4.25 a year; the same amount Penner makes for another three years.

Part II: Mistakes That Were Glaring:

Petr Sykora:
I shake my head every time I think about the fact that we let this guy go. I will write the disclaimer now: I don't know exactly what happened during contract negotiations for any of these players, all I know is that I think it was stupid of management to let them go, but hind-sight is 20/20. Petr Sykora is making 2.5 M for this season and he's a UFA next season; he has 44 Pts, 23 of those are goals, and eight of those goals are game winners. Perhaps the worst part for me, as a fan, is that it seemed to me that Petr Sykora liked it in Edmonton; he also had some pretty sweet chemistry with Hemsky if I recall correctly, and we all know how we've been looking for a trigger-man for Hemsky. I still keep tabs on Sykora, I am particularly fond of his personality and he seems like a stand-up guy; I'd love for him to play in Edmonton again.

Marty Reasoner:
I'm not going to pretend that I was ignorant to the irony of Reasoner winning the game in OT for Atlanta last night. The girl sitting behind me was practically in orgasmic convulsions following the goal, despite the fact that she was wearing an Oiler jersey. Personally, while I have favourite players on other teams, I don't cheer them on when they are playing against the Oilers. But maybe that's just me. Back to the matter at hand. Here are the facts: The Oilers are not good PKers this season and the Oilers are not good in the face off dot this season either. Long story short: Marty Reasoner goes a long way towards solving those problems. Oh yeah, and did I mention he's only making 1 M this season?

Ryan Smyth:
First let me say that I am not dwelling on the Smyth trade, I'd just like to mention that this was perhaps a bad decision; especially if the rumored issues with the contract were true. A 100-300K difference is not something that we should be worrying about when we're willing to sign Shawn Horcoff to a 4 year extension with a cap hit of 6.5 M. The contract that Colorado signed Ryan Smyth to has a cap hit of 6.25 M; he has 56 points, 24 goals and 32 assists (for comparison Horcoff has 45 points, 30 assists and 15 goals).

Curtis Glencross:
I'm not going to say that Curtis Glencross would've been the solution to all of our problems this season, because he wouldn't be. That said, it was sure useful at the end of last season to have a fourth line that was scoring at the rate of a second or third line. He was signed as a UFA by Calgary for 1.2 M a year for three years, he has 36 pts, 11 of those goals; plus he and Brodziak along with Zach Stortini had some awesome chemistry going on.

Part III: Good Moves:

Bergeron for Grebeshkov:
We traded Bergeron for a player that had the same upside but next to none of the defensive liability. Good job on this one, especially if we can resign him for good value.

Stoll and Greene for Visnovsky:
We traded a stay-at-home d-man and a struggling two-way centerman who won alot of draws for an offensive defensmen who skates like a dream and plays point on the powerplay, he is also the guy I would chose to put out to defend a break-away or a two-on-one. We struggle in the face-off dot, but Visnovsky makes our defense one of the top offensive units in the league.

Part IV: Neutral Moves:

Pitkanen for Cole:
Pitkanen didn't fit really well in Edmonton, and it was rumored that he stayed in a hotel for the entirety of the season when he was here. He seemed a bit lazy defensively and was incredibly soft. We traded him for Erik Cole, a hard-working gritty RW with size, but again he didn't really fit well either. Out of this we end up getting O'Sullivan and Kotalik. Too early for judgment here.

Torres for Brule:
Again, too early to decide whether this was a good idea or not. That said, from what I heard Torres was a bit of a problem in the dressing-room; and trading him for a young kid with some grit and a scoring touch that can't seem to be translated to the big show seems like a good plan; but we'll see.

These are just my opinions, and I'm sure you have some of your own. I don't mean to dwell in the past like this, but I suppose this probably comes off like that...

I still love the team.

Go Oilers Go! ;)

Thrashers in Town.

2009-03-12T11:21:00.003-06:00

The Oilers will lace up their skates tonight against the Atlanta Thrashers at Rexall Place. I'll be at the game tonight for Fan Appreciation Night, so I'm really excited about that. Word is that Moreau will be playing in the game tonight, so that's good news; Penner is also back in the line-up and will play on a line with Moreau. Souray, according to Twitter is a game-time decision.

I hope that we can pull out a win tonight, I also hope that Souray ends up playing; I'd also like O'Sullivan and Kotalik to have good games, perhaps even score some goals or assist in the scoring of some goals. I also know that these are kind of high expectations.

Last game we lost while leading going into the third period, I think that puts us at something like 19-0-2 when leading after 2, and that is pretty impressive.

MacT announced that we should expect varying lines over the next few games, apparently we have a number of 'inter-changeable' parts.

Here are some lines that I'd like to see tried:
Some of these lines include the same players, that is because these are not lines for a game, just single line's I'd like to see tried for an entire game.

21-89-83

13-89-83

19-10-83

19-89-83

19-13-12

27-89-13

I think those are the only ones I've thought of.

Perhaps you have some you'd like to see?

As Always: Go Oilers Go!

Edmonton @ Montreal

2009-03-10T12:04:00.002-06:00

The Edmonton Oilers are in Montreal to face a Canadiens team that is newly Carbonneau-less. Personally, I liked Carbonneau, but perhaps he just wasn’t the right fit for Montreal. That said, I’m not going to make inferences as to which team (s) would perhaps be interested in Carbo come off-season or perhaps an early playoff exit.

Not that others haven’t done that already.

Smid is in tonight, despite taking an in-advertant elbow to the face in the Toronto game that gave him a mild concussion. Nilsson draws into the line-up tonight with Penner taking a seat on the bench. Personally, I like Penner, and I know that there are a lot of people who don’t, but he has been one of our best defensive players on the team, his Corsi number leads the team and his boxcar numbers aren’t bad either. All of this points to some sort of personal vendetta between MacT and Penner; and it looks as if most of Oil Country is buying into that.

Some of us still like you Dustin.

The lines in practice on Monday were as follows:
21-10-83
12-89-78
19-13-34
85-51-46
24-44
77-37
5-43

Personally I'd like to see Ladislav move up and Staios move down, but alas, the coach I am not.

Gainey has taken over as an interim coach in Montreal, and EclecticBlogs suggested to me yesterday on Twitter that perhaps this may be the last desperate move by Gainey; and if the Habs don’t win now then he’s likely out come the end of the season.

It’ll be interesting to see how this all pans out.

As Always: Go Oilers Go!

Oilers @ Leafs

2009-03-07T10:39:00.003-07:00

I did not watch the last game on Thursday; instead I listened to it on CHED, and Rod and I were not impressed.

One thing that I did hear him criticize that I think was a bit unwarranted was the fact that Sam Gagner pumped his arm when he scored the second time, after he had already had a goal disallowed. Here's how I see it: Sam Gagner has not had a good year, and he is starting to come into his stride - so I think his excitement was more at his turn of fortune than the fact that the game was now 4-2 with about a minute and half to go. I see no fault in getting excited about the fact that your game is now coming around.

The Oilers are in Toronto tonight, game is at 5:00 PM Mountain time, a team that, like the Senators, should be a game that we win. Unfortunately we are all too aware of how Thursday's game (and the one in December) ended.

Unlike Thursday's game I will be able to watch this one, which is a plus for me, although I'll likely miss the first period driving home from work and have to listen to that much on the radio.

I look forward to getting my first look at the new guys.

As Always: Go Oilers Go!

Oilers @ Senators

2009-03-05T13:22:00.003-07:00

I'm really quite excited to see what O'Sullivan and Kotalik can do. More excited than I probably should be, but this kind of feels like at the beginning of the season when you want to see the newly signed UFAs play their first game with your team.

Yes, it feels just like that.

I'm a little sad that I have to work tonight, I'll try to find some way to watch the game, otherwise I'll have to be happy with Rod Philips' embellishments and maybe some decent post-game from Tencer.

We shall see.

No Vermette for Ottawa as he moves to Columbus, and no Gerber either, because Toronto picked him up on waivers; and as much as people are criticizing them for it, I think it is a decent move. It will be interesting to see how all of the moves yesterday play out, and who benefits the most in practice by the moves rather than on paper; because as Oiler fans I think we've all learned to stop thinking a good team on paper will always translate to a good team on ice.

As Always: Go Oilers Go!

Welcome To Edmonton Boys

2009-03-04T17:32:00.002-07:00

I look forward to seeing both of these guys in Oiler silks, I haven't kept up with either of them, but I do know that when I saw O'Sullivan as the first shooter in the shootout we had against the L.A. Kings this season I cursed his name a few times.

Sorry Patrick.

I'm sure a lot of people who don't usually watch Oiler games will likely be tuning in to check out what the both of you can do, and I hope that it goes well. For both Management's sake and the fans' sanity, I suppose for your sake as well ;) (I don't want to have the locals scaring you out of town before you've played a few games).

I am sad to see Cole go, and when I was listening to him on TSN (the short phone call that was cut off by almost an hour of Brian Burke) he sounded surprised at the trade, and perhaps even a little upset/disappointed. I thought he was really beginning to fit in here, the only consolation I suppose is that it shouldn't take him too long to fit in with Carolina - again.

All-in-all however, I think that Tambellini/Lowe did a pretty good job today. I'm assuming that there were some contract issues or fears of contract issues with Cole, and that may be the reason that he was sent to Carolina. In any event, I look forward to tomorrow's game, and I hope Patrick O'Sullivan and Ales Kotalik fit in well. The line combos should be interesting.

The West: On The Eve Of The Deadline

2009-03-03T21:07:00.004-07:00

And so the Oilers go into Trade Deadline Day still holding strong, or not-so-strong, at 7th place in the West. I didn't think the Oil looked that bad tonight, I did think that our defense clearly did not know how to cover all of Nashville's men on the rush, and that led to a few more goals than we'd like. Goaltending wasn't particularly spectacular for either team, but there were a few positives for Edmonton: Ladislav Smid played one of the best games he has ever played at the NHL level, and of course I love it when he plays well; Sam Gagner had an excellent game, simply put if he wasn't playing last night we wouldn't have even managed a single point; and last, Erik Cole continues on his recent tirade of goal-scoring and making good plays.

But this post is a look at the Western Conference so let's get on with it.

As I write this there are still two games yet to finish that effect the Western standings, so the standings are not final at this point, but they will be in a couple of hours.

Right now the standings look like this:

San Jose
Detroit
Calgary
Chicago
Vancouver
Columbus
Edmonton
Nashville
---------
Anaheim
Minnesota**
Dallas**
St Louis
Los Angeles
Phoenix
Colorado

** Position could change.
-- Playoff Cut-off

Colorado is now 10 points out of the playoffs and may be looking to sell some assets, free agents include: Joe Sakic, Tyler Arnason, Ian Laperriere, Ben Guite, Brian Willsie, Jordan Leopold, and Daniel Tjarnqvist.

Phoenix is also a team that is almost 10 points out of the race and may also be looking to free up some cap space for the off-season and maybe get some picks and prospects for their future. Free agents include: Steve Reinprecht, Derek Morris, Ken Klee and Mikael Tellqvist.

Every one else is still in the hunt and will be looking for additions, preferably without subtractions, to help push them into the playoffs. There is a rather large log-jam happening around the final three or four playoff spots that involves Dallas, Minnesota, Anaheim, Nashville, Edmonton, Columbus and Vancouver and that is what is going to limit most of the movement of players around the West, because there are so many teams that are still in the race.

There are some teams in the East that are likely looking to drop some players and salary as well.

Ottawa: Free agents: Mike Comrie, Chris Neil, Filip Kuba, and Martin Gerber.

Tampa: Free agents: Gary Roberts, Mark Recchi, Matt Pettinger, David Koci, Marek Malik, Josef Melichar, Cory Murphy and Olaf Kolzig.

Atlanta: Free agents: Marty Reasoner and Eric Perrin.

NYI: Bill Guerin, Doug Weight, Mike Sillinger, Andy Hilbert, Tim Jackman, Dean McAmmond, Thomas Pock, Joey MacDonald and Yann Danis.

Toronto: Free agents: Nik Antropov, Domonic Moore, Brad May, Boyd Devereaux and Curtis Joseph.

In terms of names being thrown around that aren't necessarily on the FA listings here are a few of the big names being discussed around the league: Ilya Kovalchuk, Colby Armstrong, Chris Pronger, Olli Jokinen, Robert Nilsson, Jay Bouwmeester, Alexander Frolov. I am sure there are more, but I can't think of them.

There are a lot of options for Edmonton, and other teams in a similar position, to look into, and some will be more open and helpful than others. I don't want the team to sell future for current production, so I think I'll be okay if it turns out that we couldn't find anything that really suited our team and its future.

Tomorrow will be most interesting.

Hoorah for TSN instant alerts.

Edmonton @ Nashville

2009-03-03T13:16:00.003-07:00

On the eve of trade deadline day the Oilers are on the ice in Nashville tonight. A win could possibly put the Oilers in 6th spot if Columbus loses tonight, a loss by the Oil and they could possibly be on the outside looking in.

Hasn't that been the story of our season post-08.

I don't have much to say about this, I am really quite nervous for the deadline, I think I'll be disappointed with the Oilers if they don't do anything, and I'll likely participate in discussions of what they did do if anything does happen. It will be a stressful day tomorrow, having a near heart-attack every time my phone vibrates.

Every time.

As Always: Go Oilers Go!

A Coaching Comparison I'm Tired Of: Nilsson vs. Gagner

2009-03-02T21:11:00.002-07:00

Dan Barnes at the Edmonton Journal wrote this article earlier today, and I have to say that I'm sick and tired of hearing people gripe about the difference between the treatment of Gagner and Nilsson. But before I get all riled up-because I will, just wait-I want to make mention of the fact that the Journal's article provides a decently fair look at the situation, and is a good read if anyone wants to find out just what the issue is; of course, this would mean that you are either not an Oiler fan, you don't watch a lot of games or you don't watch many sports shows (A.K.A.: Sportcenter, Sportsnet, Afterhours etc.).

Dan Barnes is not the only one to bring this to discussion, not by any stretch, in fact there have probably been at least three stand-alone threads over at the OMB on the topic and three or four more that were transformed into these threads by off-topic posters. Regardless of how many times it has been discussed I have yet to weigh in on the issue, so here it goes.

See, the way I see it is that Nilsson is 24, Gagner is 19; this is Gagner's first club, this is Nilsson's second (and he didn't really break the Isles while he was there); Gagner works hard, Nilsson comes off as lazy (whether that is actually the case or not is not for me to say, but watching him play this is how it seems); Sam back-checks, Nilsson stands at the Canucks' blue line waiting for a hopeful break-away pass.

Please, do not make this out to be a fair look at the issue, this is not that kind of post. The fact is that I like Gagner, have since I watched the super-series, and so I will give him the benefit of the doubt (much like I do with Hemsky and Smid). And the fact that Nilsson is a player that I have a slight dislike for doesn't help.

I find that there are a lot of reasons that I can come up with for why Gagner is the golden-child and Nilsson is the red-headed step-son, but not a lot of reasons for why it shouldn't be that way.

But perhaps that's because I'm biased.

Well Wishes

2009-02-28T23:13:00.004-07:00

I have been really hard on you this season, and I mean everything I've said, but I would never wish anything even remotely similar to what may have occurred tonight on you or any player in the league.

I will be waking early tomorrow in hopes of hearing some good news, something like this: "It was a very close call, but it ended up being a shallow cut on the upper eyelid and there will be no long-lasting damage or effects."

My best wishes are with you.

Wild @ Oilers

2009-02-28T12:19:00.002-07:00

I never thought I'd be saying this but I cannot wait for Grebeshkov to get back on the ice tonight. Mostly because we clearly need someone who can make a solid break-out pass, and apparently he and Visnovsky are the only two D-men we had who could make one.

And for the love of Hemsky could we please get some pucks on net? We can't blame Hemmer here because he is clearly not the only forward on the team, and that PP needs some work. I'm not even going to pretend to know what needs to be done, I don't coach a hockey team at the NHL level, nor do I think I ever will, but our powerplay needs to be a lot less predictable. Or at least that is what I think.

Pisani played in his first game back last game, and I don't think he looked that bad, and he'll only get better as he gets more NHL action so this is good news.

One thing though: why is it that hockey teams that are losing look infinitely better in the last two minutes of a game? Couldn't they play like that all the time? Wouldn't that be ideal? I'm sure there is a reason for it, but not being a hockey player myself I can't think of one.

As Always: Go Oilers Go!

A Look at the West : One Week Pre-Deadline

2009-02-26T12:53:00.002-07:00

San Jose:
I said: 6-2-0
Thus far: 4-1-0

Pretty much on par with what I expected. I don't see them dropping off in production any time soon. Opponents remaining: Stars, Canadiens and the Senators, will win at least two of these games.

Detroit:
I said: 5-1-1
Thus far: 3-1-0

Again, the prediction here is looking pretty good. Will probably keep up their production. Opponents remaining: Kings, Blues and Predators, will win at least two of these games.

Calgary:
I said: 5-2-0
Thus far: 3-0-1

Predition is looking pretty good thus far. Opponents remaining: Wild, Lightning and Senators, will likely win at least one of these games.

Chicago:
I said: 5-2-0
Thus far: 3-2-0

Predicction is good providing they win their remaining games, that said I won't be upset if the prediction fails because they lost too many games. Opponents remaining: Penguins, Ducks and Kings, will likely win at least one of these games.

Dallas:
I said: 4-3-0
Thus far: 1-2-0

This prediction will likely be incorrect, in order for it to be good they would have to win 3 of their next four. Opponents remaining: Blues, Ducks, Penguins, Sharks, will likely win one or two of these games.

Edmonton:
I said: 4-3-0
Thus far: 1-2-1

This prediction could go either way. Opponents remaining: Blue Jackets, Wild and Predators, will hopefully win 2 of these games.

Columbus:
I said: 3-4-0
Thus far: 2-2-0

This predition looks pretty good thus far. Opponents remaining: Oilers, Canucks and Kings, will hopefully lose against us and only win one of the remaining two.

Vancouver:
I said: 3-4-0
Thus far: 3-1-0

This is clearly an underestimation of the strength of the Vancouver team. I wish I was right in the first prediction. Opponents remaining: Lightning, Blue Jackets and Wild, will likely win at least one of these games.

Anaheim:
I said: 2-5-0
Thus far: 2-2-0

Another underestimation on my part, I hope they tank their last three games before the deadline. Opponents remaining: Bruins, Stars and Blackhawks, could very well come away with an 0-3 record.

Minnesota:
I said: 2-5-0
Thus far: 2-0-2

Yet another underestimation. Minnesota has shown resilience this season, I wish they'd stop doing that. Opponents remaining: Flames, Oilers and Canucks, could definitely go 0-3.

LA:
I said: 2-6-0
Thus far: 2-3-0

Looks pretty good, but there will likely be more in the W column come March 4th. Opponents remaining: Red Wings, Blue Jackets and Blackhawks, very likely that they come away 0-3.

Nashville:
I said: 3-4-0
Thus far: 2-1-1

This prediction looks pretty good, will likely end up with more points that I originally thought they would. Opponents remaining: Coyotes, Red Wings and Oilers, will likely win 1 of these games.

St Louis:
I said: 2-5-0
Thus far: 2-1-1

This prediction could be incorrect, they've already reached my 'win' volume I gave them. Opponents remaining: Stars, Coyotes and Red Wings, could go 0-3, if they win one it will be against Phoenix.

Phoenix:
I said: 1-4-0
Thus far: 2-1-0

Already surpassed the win quotient, I still don't think they make the playoffs. Opponents remaining: Predators and Blues, could go 0-2.

Colorado:
I said: 3-3-0
Thus far: 2-2-0

This prediction looks pretty good, I don't know what happened to Colorado this season, but I do know that they are much better than they have been this season. Opponents remaining: Blackhawks and Blue Jackets, could definitely go 0-2 here.

Should be an interesting week, I sure hope the Oilers can pick up the production and win a few leading up to the deadline. We're in a better position right now this season then we were at the same point last season, so that is good news, but last season were only even considered for playoff contention was because of the awesome run we took through March.

I'd like another one of those please, Saint Christopher.

Columbus @ Edmonton

2009-02-26T12:14:00.002-07:00

The Oilers play the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight in hopes of starting a winning streak. Columbus is a team that the Oilers are battling with for a playoff spot, and a win tonight would go a long way to helping the Oilers get a step on their competition.

I'm going to stop posting pictures of Hemsky for a while, I still love him, but it seems that my putting pictures up of him in my posts is some sort of jinx or something.

The Pittsburgh Penguins traded Ryan Whitney today to Anaheim for Chris Kunitz and a prospect I've never heard of. Overall I think this trade looks good from both teams' perspective, and that's good for them I suppose, but I don't know that I really want to be dealing with Ryan Whitney on Anaheim's already hard-to-penetrate defense. That said, weren't there rumors that Chris Pronger wanted out of Anaheim? What does this say about that rumor?

I'd like to see some moves from Edmonton, and I know that there will be some coming by 3 PM on the 4th of March, but who do we give up? Who do we go after? I've never been one to speculate on trades, but I do have a few players that I'd love to see in Oilers silks at some point in my life. Included in that list are: Antoine Vermette, Petr Sykora (again), Rick Nash (highly unlikely), and Chris Drury (also unlikely).

It will be most interesting to see what the organization decides to do come March 4th, there are a lot of questions that will be answered: What happens with Cole? Schremp? What do we do about our first line LW? How about a defensive centerman who can win faceoffs? Are we comfortable with our current Defense situation when Grebeshkov comes back into the picture? When is Pisani coming back? Are we going to try and place him into the lineup when he is healthy? Who is then pushed out? Reddox? So then what? Reddox goes back to the AHL? What do we do with J.F. Jaques?

A lot of questions indeed.

As Always: Go Oilers Go!

Lightning @ Oilers

2009-02-24T11:16:00.004-07:00

The Oilers are in action tonight trying to right their path against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

There's just one problem: The Oilers are gradually acquiring a bunch of iron-made fashions and there is a gigantic magnetic field radiating from 13th place in the West.

Tampa is coming off of a win against Boston, which is a win that was probably hard-earned and made all of their fans feel great about their team. Kind of like the San Jose game, except Tampa didn't give their game away.

On the bright side it looks like Grebeshkov is healing faster than expected, and this can only be good news considering our Defense situation.

That said, Ladislav Smid has been playing some of the best hockey of his career these past few games and I like it. I like it a lot.

This is a game that the Oilers should technically win, but history tells us that this does not mean that the Oilers will win.

As always: Go Oilers Go!

Edmonton Vs. Calgary

2009-02-20T22:30:00.004-07:00

The Edmonton Oilers are looking to get themselves back on track tonight in the BOA. Coming off of a two game losing streak the Oil will be hoping to pull out the two points tonight so that they can hold on to their current spot of eighth in the West, a loss tonight could mean falling out of a playoff position. But if the playoffs were to start tomorrow, and we were in eighth (or even seventh for that matter), we would have to face either San Jose or Detroit; our records this season are not good against either of these teams (1-2-0 against San Jose, 0-3-0 against Detroit).

Realistically the Oilers should probably try for a position higher than 7th if they want to get past the first round this season, unless the boys want to pull off another Cinderella run; which is okay with me.

Tonight they're up against the Calgary Flames, a team which is first in the division and third in the conference. Calgary has been playing some good hockey this season, as much as I don't want to say it, and the Oilers will have to show up good tonight if they want to come out of this with the two points.

I think that the next five or six games will give us a more clear idea of where the Oilers are going to be come April. The standings in the West are just beginning to show some seperation, and should the Oilers have their results take a turn for the worst they could find themselves out of the running for the post-season awfully fast.

But, the team isn't getting ahead of themselves, and I don't want to either. Thus, I will focus on tonight's game instead of those ahead, that is, until my "Week Pre-Deadline" Western Conference check-up.

As always: Go Oilers Go!

Oilers @ Stars

2009-02-19T11:17:00.002-07:00

The Oilers are hoping to wake themselves up after falling asleep at the wheel Tuesday night against the top team in the Western Conference. A win tonight launches the Oilers, if only temporarily, into fifth place in the West if everything goes right. At the very least we move up to 7th.

I'm running out of interesting things to discuss in these things. I mean, the fact is that the Oilers really need to stop being such a tease. As a woman I don't have to deal with teases that often, in fact, hardly ever; but I know one when I see one and the Oilers are a tease. The worst part is that they've already drawn us all into some sort of one-sided long-term relationship.

If I was Dane Cook I'd say that this relationship is bordering on a 'relationshit'.

As always: Go Oilers Go!

A Look at the West : Two Weeks Pre-Deadline

2009-02-17T18:24:00.003-07:00

I like to do this every once in a while to check up on the Western Conference and see what is going on and what I think will eventually be happening throughout a given period of time: in this case it will be the last two weeks before the trade deadline.

So let's get started.

In order of their placement in the West:

San Jose: 83 Pts, last ten: 4-2-4, Current Streak: Lost 3.
Games remaining before the deadline: 8
Opponents: Oilers, Kings, Thrashers, Stars, Red Wings, Senators, Canadiens, Stars

At this point with San Jose there is almost no chance that they don't make the playoffs, and I think that the whole league has pretty much come to terms with this fact. All I'll say about this is that I hope they can win against the Kings and the Stars, that would really help the Oilers out.
Ideal record for their next two weeks: at least 3-6-0, with the wins against the Stars (2X) and the Kings.
Likely record for the next two weeks: 6-2-1 or something similar. Hopefully one of those wins is not against us.
will be buyers or stand-pat at the deadline (if they need anything to begin with).

Detroit: 82 Pts, Last ten: 6-3-1, Current streak: Lost 2
Games remaining before the dealdline: 7 (8 including the deadline)
Opponents: Predators, Ducks, Wild, Sharks, Kings, Predators, Blues, (Avalanche)

This is another team that will not be missing out on the post-season this season. The Red Wings are also in a position to really help out the Oilers. All of their opponents in these next two weeks are teams that are teams that are fighting for the playoffs this season.
Ideal record for the following weeks: 7-0-0/8-0-0
Likely record for the nest weeks: 5-1-1/5-2-1 or something similar.
Will be buyers or stand pat at the deadline.

Calgary: 71 Pts, Last ten: 5-4-1. Current streak: won 2
Games remaining before the deadline: 7
Opponents: Canucks, Wild, Oilers, Blue Jackets, Wild, Lightning, Senators

The Flamers, as much as I don't want to admit it, will likely not be golfing early this summer. At the same time the Flames could really end up helping the Oilers out in the standings.
Ideal record: 6-1-0 with the loss coming to the Oilers.
Likely record: 5-2-0/5-1-1
Will be buyers at the deadline

Chicago: 70 Pts, Last ten: 6-4-0, Current streak: won 1
Games remaining before the deadline: 7
Opponents: Panthers, Stars, Wild, Predators, Penguins, Kings, Ducks

Will be making the playoffs this season. We can finally stop seeing that effing commercial with Kane 'crying' about how he was thirteen, or something like that, the last time the Blackhawks made the playoffs.
Ideal record: 4-3-0
likely record: 5-2-0
Will likely be buyers at the deadline

Dallas: 63 Pts, Last ten: 7-3-0, Current streak: won 1
Games remaining before the deadline: 7
Opponents: Oilers, Blackhawks, Sharks, Blues, Ducks, Penguins, Sharks

Are in the mix with about 6 or 7 other teams that all could drop out of the race at any time. Don't want them to do too well but there are a couple games I'd like them to win.
Ideal record: 2-5-0
Likely record: 4-3-0
The Stars will likely be buyers at the deadline

Edmonton: 62 Pts, Last ten: 5-4-1, Current streak: won 3
Games remaining before the deadline: 7
Opponents: Sharks, Stars, Flames, Lightning, Blue Jackets, Wild, Predators

In the interest of keeping this short I'm not going to say anything here.
Ideal record: 7-0-0
Likely record: 4-3-0/5-2-0
The Oilers will likely be buyers at the deadline

Vancouver: 62 Pts, Last ten: 5-2-3, Current streak: won 1
Games remaining before the deadline: 7
Opponents: Flames, Senators, Leafs, Canadiens, Lightning, Blue Jackets, Wild

This one of the many teams that the Oilers do not want to win games. Period.
Ideal record: 0-7-0
Likely record: 3-4-0
The Canucks will likely be buyers at the deadline

Columbus: 62 Pts, Last ten: 6-3-1, Current streak: lost 1
Games remaining before the deadline: 7
Opponents: Blues, Leafs, Ducks, Flames, Oilers, Canucks, Kings

Another team that the Oilers want to lose as much as possible.
Ideal record: 0-7-0
Likely record: 2-5-0/3-4-0
The Blue Jackets will likely be buyers at the deadline

Anaheim: 61 Pts, Last ten: 5-5, Current streak: lost 1
Games remaining before the deadline: 7
Opponents: Kings, Red Wings, Blue Jackets, Sabres, Bruins, Stars, Blackhawks

Barely on the outside looking in right now are the Ducks. The Oilers want them to fail, and they've got a hard couple of weeks coming up.
Ideal record: 0-7-0
Likely record: 2-5-0
The Ducks will likely be buyers at the deadline

Minnesota: 59 Pts, Last ten: 5-5-0, Current streak: lost 2
Games remaining before the deadline: 7
Opponents: Flames, Red Wings, Blackhawks, Kings, Flames, Oilers, Canucks

A bit out of character for Minnesota to be in this position at this point in the game. The Oilers want them to lose as much as possible, and their weeks ahead are quite tough.
Ideal record: 0-7-0
Likely record: 2-5-0
At this point the Minnesota Wild are likely buyers

LA: 57 Pts, Last ten: 6-2-2, Current streak: lost 3
Games remaining before the deadline: 8
Opponents: Ducks, Sharks, Coyotes, Wild, Flyers, Red Wings, Blackhawks, Blue Jackets

One of the hottest teams in the league right now, ideally the Kings will begin to choke, and by the look of their current streak that may be what's happening.
Ideal record: 0-8-0
Likely record: 2-6-0
Right now the Kings are likely buyers but I think that will change.

Nashville: 57 Pts, Last ten: 6-4-0, Current streak:lost 1
Games remaining before the deadline: 7
Opponents: Red Wings, Blues, Blues, Blackhawks, Coyotes, Red Wings, Oilers

LOSE LOSE LOSE!!
Ideal record: 0-7-0
Likely record: 3-4-0
At this point the Predators are reserving judgement on whether to be buyers or sellers I think, at this point I think they're buyers.

St Louis: 55 Pts, Last ten: 5-2-3, Current streak: won 2
Games remaining before the deadline: 7
Opponents: Blue Jackets, Predators, Predators, Coyotes, Stars, Coyotes, Red WIngs

LOSE!!!!!
Ideal record: 0-7-0
Likely record: 1-6-0/2-5-0
The Blues are likely standing pat right now, I think they'll stay that way.

Phoenix: 55 Pts, Last ten: 1-9-0, Current streak: lost 3
Games remaining before the deadline: 5
Opponents: Thrashers, Kings, Blues, Predators, Blues

Fail.
Ideal record: 0-5-0
Likely record: 1-4-0
At this point Phoenix is standing pat.

Colorado: 53 Pts, Last ten: 3-7-0, Current streak: won 1
Games remaining before the deadline: 7 (8 including the deadline)
Opponents: Senators, Capitals, Hurricanes, Thrashers, Devils, Rangers, Islanders, Red Wings

Ideal record: 0-7-0/0-8-0
Likely record: 3-4-0/3-5-0
Colorado will likely be standing pat come the deadline.

If all of this occurs the standings don't change that much and would be as follows:

San Jose: 96 Pts
Detroit: 93 Pts
Calgary: 82 Pts
Chicago: 80 Pts
Dallas: 71 Pts
Edmonton: 70 Pts
Vancouver: 68 Pts
Columbus: 68 Pts
Anaheim: 65 Pts
Minnesota: 63 Pts
Nashville: 63 Pts
LA: 61 Pts
St Louis: 59 Pts
Colorado: 59 Pts
Phoenix: 57 Pts

I guess we'll have to wait and see what actually happens.

Oilers @ Sharks

2009-02-17T11:52:00.002-07:00

The Oilers finish off their back-to-back set in San Jose this evening. The game is on PPV, and I will likely be making that purchase, despite the odds being in San Jose's favor tonight. The boys looked real fired up following last night's game, and I have a feeling that we'll at least give an admirable effort in against the Sharks.

Ladislav Smid was a beast last game. He's really doing well with the extra time and responsibilities given to him in Grebeshkov's and Lubomir's collective absence. I really appreciate his aggressive flair.

I also want to mention, albeit really late, that although Sammy may have lost the fight against Johnson I thought he did really well relative to the size difference.

P.S.: I really like the hopping huddle following the game. Do that more.

Oilers @ Coyotes

2009-02-16T12:54:00.003-07:00

FYI: The picture today is of Hemsky because I love him. Plus he does well versus Phoenix: in 2 games played this year: 2-2-4, with a 40% SH%. Lifetime: 21 games played: 6-19-25 with a 17.1% SH%.

The Oilers are in action tonight in the first half of a back to back. Seeing as tomorrow night's game is versus the Sharks we better win this one, our chances of winning tomorrow are less than respectable.

Here's a crazy stat: according to Oilers.NHL.com the Oilers are 1-8-1-0 all-time on February 16th.

Yeah, I thought it was a weird stat to bring up too.

The Coyotes are coming off of a 7-5 loss to the Calgary Flames on Saturday, the same day that the Oilers managed to squeak out a win in the SO with Sam Gagner scoring the winner and Nilsson finishing it off with some type of almost-messed-up-Forsberg move. If the Oilers want to win tonight they're going to have to eliminate that brutal second period from their game schedule - seriously, can't this team do anything the easy way?

We also need to continue to find that first-period motivation. I'm tired of watching the team come out with no fire in the first and then trying to catch up all ending with a last minute scramble for a goal where Gilbert or Souray misses the open net after Horcoff/Penner/Moreau crashes the net moving the 'tender out of position and ultimately we lose the game.

Why can't we put on our 'rally' hats and mount our 'comeback horses' while it's still 0-0? Maybe we need to rename the horses... How about the 'three-goal-lead- horses? Yeah, that sounds good, I think we should maybe wear our 'plaster-everything-that-moves-to-the-boards' hats while we ride the 'three-goal-lead' horses too.

As always: Go Oilers Go!

Oilers @ Kings

2009-02-14T11:35:00.004-07:00

The Oilers are lacing up this afternoon against the Los Angeles Kings. Following a decisive 7-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday Oil Country was notified that we would be out yet another defensemen for at least two weeks. Grebeshkov took a slew foot from Plekanec and has gone out with a high-ankle sprain.

Just what the team needs.

Peckham has been recalled and it should be rather interesting to see the D combinations that MacT and Huddy put together. Here's hoping every one can gel on the back end and the team can pull out another win, preferably like the one on Wednesday.

I won't be able to watch the majority of the game, my choral group has a performance that starts at 2:30 or something so I'll be checking updates whenever possible on my phone, and then listening to the radio as I frantically try to make it back to catch the last few minutes of the third period.

As always: Go Oilers Go!

Jagr, Bald Heads, and the Habs.

2009-02-11T08:42:00.004-07:00

Oh no... Not this again.

Rumors are circulating around Oil Country that there are deals in the works to somehow bring Jarmir Jagr back to the NHL... On the Oilers.

Yesterday David Staples wrote this article about Jagr not only possibly signing with the Oilers but being close to doing so. Most people have brought up the idea that Jagr has to pass through waivers, which of course is true, while I don't remember this happening this has occurred before with Wade Dubielewicz and the Islanders; Columbus picked him up.

The Oilers' Organization has repeatedly denied the claims, Lowe came back with this reply basically stating that if Jagr is to play for the Oilers then it won't be this season.

One more piece in what I'm going to call 'The Jagr Series,' (because it's more dramatic this way) was written this morning entitled So Should The Oilers Even Want Jagr... What a stupid question.

Enough about this.

Ales Hemsky and Ethan Moreau are now bald after participating in the Valentine's Hair Massacure. Good on the boys for showing support for an excellent cause. Pictures are available on the Oilers Website and a short video available here (Under Health Matters - Hockey Hair).

The Montreal Canadiens are in town tonight, and if you want to see the game legally you'll have to pay for it on PPV.

Things of note for this game:
-Lubomir Visnovsky is out for the rest of the season and thusly will not play tonight.
-Peckham has been returned to Springfield and that means that Strudwick will likely be playing back on D.
-Despite the last two games being losses Nilsson and Gagner have been playing pretty well, I will look to see a continuation of that trend tonight.
-The Oilers are on a two game losing streak. They're in tough tonight against a great team to get back on track.
-Both Horcoff and Gilbert suit up tonight, it will be nice to have the luxury of Horcoff's defensive reliability. I think we really missed that in our games without him.

As always: Go Oilers Go!

Lubo: Out for the Season.

2009-02-10T10:59:00.003-07:00

First: let me mention how close I am to crying this morning.

About half an hour ago I received a TSN Breaking-News Alert telling me that Visnovsky will be out for the remainder of the season because of his needing and intending-to-have shoulder surgery following a dislocation that he suffered in a loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.

This, I suppose, will mean that Peckham will be remaining up with the club for the rest of the season. That is, unless MacT decides that he's not impressed with Peckham's performance, in which case Strudwick will be moved back on D and either Reddox will play a whole lot more often and/or someone like Brule or Schremp gets the call. Of course if Gilbert has a remission on his back-spasms this would mean that both Strudwick and Peckham would play on D.

I'll have to watch Peckham a bit more before I decide what I would like to see done; not that it truly matters what I think is best anyway.

Edit: Looks like they've already sent Peckham down. This shall be interesting.

New Layout!

2009-02-09T21:58:00.003-07:00

So I'm kind of proud of it, drew it myself the old fashioned way.

By hand.

I have yet to purchase a graphics tablet, I'm not sure if I'd even use it if I bought one, for now this is the way I shall do things.

Boredom has its fruits.

Edmonton @ Minnesota

2009-02-08T12:54:00.004-07:00

The Oilers play the second half of a back-to-back that has started off with another rout-type loss. Hopefully the Oilers can come out with a better effort this afternoon, I didn't watch the game yesterday but I did listen to it, and if the team was half as bad as the radio was making it seem the Oilers are not in good shape. Our PK is inept, our PP is inert and our even-strength scoring is non-existant.

In short: we need to be better. 5 goals allowed in one period is not okay for any team, let alone one that was talking about the possibility of a division title before the season started.

The Oilers are in tough tonight as they're in Minnesota, a building where the Oilers perpetually play badly, to try and get back on track. Someone needs to find a way to get this team to show up in the first period, enough of this 'come-back' sh--. I want a decisive win.

Ales... Please?

Oilers @ Red Wings

2009-02-07T09:21:00.002-07:00

The Oilers are back in action this afternoon in the first half of their back-to-back set. There is speculation as to who is starting in net this afternoon, I fully expect Roloson to be between the pipes and JDD to be put in net tomorrow night. I just don't see them throwing JDD to the wolves, I don't think he has the experience to handle that at this point in his career.

Horcoff is likely out and so is Gilbert. To be honest I have been less-than impressed with Gilbert's game lately, he has just seemed less reliable than usual but perhaps that's just me. Horcoff, on the other hand, is a player I am almost positive that the Oilers are going to feel the pain of losing this afternoon. He's the team leader in face-offs taken and FO%, and having him out will likely be a less-than pleasant experience.

In Gilbert's absence Pekham has been called up and word is that he's been slated into the second D pairing. I really hope that in light of this Smid gets a chance on a pairing higher than the third, I think it's time to see if he can handle a higher pairing; I think he can.

The Red Wings ended a five game losing streak with a 5-4 win over the Phoenix Coyotes this past Wednesday, they'll be looking to build a win streak with a win tonight.

The Oilers won their last game 2-1 in a SO over St. Louis, they will also be looking to start a win streak to get back into the mix of the playoffs.

Edmonton @ St. Louis

2009-02-05T13:05:00.005-07:00

The Oilers start their road-trip tonight in St. Louis, and this all starts off with some rather grave news.

Lubomir Visnovsky had an MRI and now he's not playing in tonight's game. This means that Jason Strudwick gets moved back on the defense... Okay, this is okay... This will be alright. Right? RIGHT?!

Calm it down... Calm it down...

Alright, well this means that there will be some shuffling on the back end, here's my suggestion:

Souray - Smid
Grebeshkov - Gilbert
Staois - Strudwick

I know. Smid on the first D pairing? Yes, I think that Souray is the kind of player that Ladislav could become within the next year or two; and if we want this to happen, which I clearly do, he needs to play with him and learn from him.

Penner apparently has been moved back up to the first line, which is completely fine with me. Nilsson is practically useless any way, and Penner at least makes some room for Hemsky when he's playing well; Nilsson is a turnover machine and he's weak on the back-check. Hemsky may turn over the puck a lot but his offensive upside far outweighs his defensive liability. Speaking of which I've seen a lot more defensive responsibility from Hemsky lately, and so long as it doesn't interfere with his offense I have no objections. Potulny is down on to the fourth line, which I personally think is kind of ridiculous because I think he plays with a lot of effort night in and night out, and this is something we could use. Reddox plays on the third line, which I suppose is okay; I want him to run around and check everything that moves. Everything.

I think the Oilers will win tonight. Provided they put in a full effort I think they come away with this one; we need to stay out of the penalty box, because their powerplay is not something we want to play with.

Chicago @ Edmonton

2009-02-03T11:49:00.003-07:00

I didn't make one of these for last game. Probably because I was working and didn't have time because my new supervisor doesn't allow for a lot of free time for things like this. Any way, the Chicago Blackhawks are in town and the Oilers need to get back on track, a win tonight would help them to do just that.

Personally I feel like the atmosphere change around the club is palpable; even through the television. There is something incredibly wrong going on behind closed doors, and I think that the consequences we're beginning to see are just the beginning; the frostbite before gangrene if you will.

Penner seems to be a sore spot for our current coach, and personally I think MacT needs to stop trying to place the blame on the players. When one player is under-performing perhaps it is the player; when an entire team is playing sub-par the coaching staff has to be called into question. Things need to be dealt with, preferably before limbs start rotting.

Gagner is supposed to play tonight where he will be reunited with Cole. Meanwhile Nilsson is bumped up to the first line to play with Hemsky and Horcoff. I am not a fan of Nilsson, I think he is lazy; yet one good play on his part seems to be good enough reason to play on the first line. Last game I thought that he was brutal to watch, save for the play that lead to the goal, and I think this is a line-up change that the coach will probably regret.

In the end I hope the Oilers win, of course. I'd also like to see Hemsky get things going again, I love it when he's on his game: which lately seems to be more often than not.

WIld @ Oilers

2009-01-30T10:06:00.003-07:00

The Oilers return to Rexall tonight in hopes of erasing their last loss from the minds of their fan-base. There's just one problem: this game is against Minnesota.

I'm not saying that I don't think the Oilers can win this one, the team will just have to strategize against the trap a little better. I think tonight is do-able, and I hope that Tuesday's result has a fire under the team.

I'm sure it does.

While I've heard a lot of, "well as long as they sell the arena out they don't care," and, "as long as they're being paid they don't need to try," I doubt that this is the case. These men have a competitive spirit, and I can say this with confidence that I'm right. One does not make it into professional sports without a competitive drive to get there. If someone doesn't feel the need to compete they don't need to win, and if they don't need to win then they don't need to develop their skills. If you don't develop your skills then you don't make it into the NHL, NBA, MLB, NFL/CFL etc. It's as simple as that.

I don't think I'll be paying for the game tonight, but I'll see how I feel at about 6:30, I almost always change my mind when I have to opportunity to watch the whole game... Yes, I'm weak. "Clear the area, there's nothing to see here. Hey you! With the Flames jersey! I said there's nothing to see here, clear the area!"

Get Over It.

2009-01-29T18:40:00.001-07:00

I am not ready to accept defeat just yet. And the fact that it seems that some of the fans I’ve run into since Tuesday night have already thrown in their proverbial towel is ridiculous.

Period.

So, the Oilers came back after a five-day break and played badly? I’m pretty sure they have a history of having terrible games following an in-season break. 10 goals scored by the Sabres, the last being a short-handed tally for Stafford’s hat-trick; I’m over it. Broken offence from our team for the entirety of the game? Big deal. Absent goaltending and even worse defensive play? Dry your tears and calm yourself. Worst home loss in Oiler history? That may be the case, but there are worse losses in NHL history I’m sure. Yeah, Calgary Flames fans think it’s hilarious—I don’t know that I count ‘Oilers Suck’ chants at a game the Oilers aren’t even playing in as part of the rivalry, but then I’m an Oiler fan and as such come with a built-in bias—But if you’re going to cry about their chants and songs I ask you the following: did you, or did you not, laugh at the ‘Red Mile’ song that The Bear did during the playoffs?

Exactly.

I will still be wearing my Oiler jersey around Edmonton tomorrow, and if I see a fellow fan in Oiler gear there will be high-fives exchanged. If on the off chance I happen to run into an Oiler player I will wish them luck in the game—Joyfully. I am sick and tired of Rexall being one of the quietest buildings in the NHL, especially when the other buildings that are this quiet are merely having trouble putting people in the seats. Rexall is sold out and you can hear a pin-drop! Every time I attend a game I am sitting by some effing cynic who thinks it appropriate to criticize everything the Oilers do at every turn.

You are not an NHL player, nor are you an NHL-level coach. You are supposed to be a fan.

If you’re going to be this way fine, but stop acting like you’re a fan when you aren’t.

If you were a company I could sue you for false advertisement.

Well then.... Uhm, What?!

2009-01-28T10:06:00.004-07:00

At least I didn't pay to see this one.

It is too early to start saying that we shouldn't have traded Garon. However, it is not too early to start worrying about the possibility that the organization made the wrong decision here. While the team didn't help the goaltenders out at all throughout the game there were more than a few goals that simply shouldn't have happened. Period. The first goal was the one that started it all; only now am I able to put the incident into words.

It was about seven o'clock, maybe ten after. The players took their positions on the ice. Horcoff was all concentration, knowing that faceoffs have not been a strong point of the team's game thus far, at the very least he had to tie this up so Hemsky or Penner could come in and grab the puck. The puck was dropped, Horcoff was the faster of the two, the puck came back to Grebeshkov, who makes a two-foot pass to Visnovsky. Skating backwards Visor decides to pass the puck with some-sort-of fancy spin-o-rama move (that's right, in the opening seconds of the game) up to Hemsky, who has to come back into his zone to pick up a puck that would've been turned over.

And then... Things went terribly wrong.

Instead of picking up the puck the puck bounces right of Hemsky's stick directly to the tape of a Sabres player. The worst part was that the play was still on-side, so the Buffalo Sabres continued the play in our zone. Caught off guard the Oilers' players never picked up their men. Stafford looked, Roloson was barely even out-of-position, Stafford shot.

Stafford scored. The time was 10 seconds in.

And it was all down-hill from there folks. I turned it off at 6-1, turned it back on at the beginning of the third to see it was 7-1 and then turned it off for good at 9-1.

I hear there was some-sort of "We want 10" chant going on. FYI for those who don't know: the fans got their wish, and to add some Staphylococcus aureus to the already bleeding jab: it was a short-handed tally by Stafford for the hat-trick.

So. After picking my jaw up off the floor, calming my insane laughter and finishing my Music paper I went to sleep; fully knowing that I was in too much of a ridiculous mood to write about the whole thing.

Now I am writing about it, and I'm still in a ridiculous mood. I can hardly believe what happened last night, I wish I had one of those Men in Black memory erasers.

So... What do you think? Time for some sort of change definitely, but will it come this year? Will it come ever? Do you think there will be any consequences for this loss? What about the fact that there have been two thus far in the season? If there is change what change do you want to see? What change do you think there will be (if this is different from what you want)?

Sabres @ Oilers

2009-01-27T13:08:00.002-07:00

Oilers are finally returning to the ice tonight following the five day All-Star break. They're playing the Buffalo Sabres and there are a few things I'd like to make note of:

1. It appears as though Sam Gagner will not be donning the Copper and Blue tonight following an MRI that was performed on his ankle. There is speculation that this injury could have been a nagging one that he has been dealing with all year.

2. Zach Stortini is expected to make his return tonight following a should-have-been-horrific leg injury that he had obtained during the 'take-down' portion of a fight. Apparently Zach either (A) has a mutant-esque healing factor that the organization is keeping under wraps or (B) is incredibly lucky and maybe has bones that have been reconstructed with a rubber-calcium hybrid that are sturdy yet bendable.

3. Reddox has been recalled while all of Potulny, Brule and Schremp stay in Springfield. There are most likely logical reasons behind why Reddox is the one with the call-up but none of us want to consider the logical arguments. MacT is dumb! Every one hates Schremp! Reddox is the new Petersen!

4. If Gagner is indeed out of the game tonight Cogliano moves into the center position on the second line. And in the words of SemenkoSmash from the Oiler Message Boards, "Cole and Cogliano together? Hope the Sabres D has Acme rocket skates on tonight, that lines gonna fly!"

I just hope we get an entertaining game tonight, after that AS game I could use some entertaining hockey.

If you guys could win that would be even better ;)

Five Oilers I've Loved Thus Far : #1 Ales Hemsky

2009-01-26T10:17:00.003-07:00

Any one who didn't see this one coming hasn't watched the Oilers this season. Ales Hemsky has been playing some of his best hockey this year and is on pace for a career high production count.

In past seasons Ales has shown us skill, determination and courage but none of these things were qualities he expressed with any sort of consistency. This season he has changed that; night in and night out I am impressed with Hemmer, even when he has a pointless night he manages to wow me with at least two or three plays. He goes into the corners and grinds out the puck, he finesses his way past defenders and he dekes out any goaltender who happens to be in his way. Hemsky is Edmonton's star player, and if he continues to play like he has thus far the entire League will take notice.

For now he's our little secret, and I'm okay with that.

I'm not saying that Hemsky isn't known by the players around the league, because that would be false. He is on the mind of every defender who has the task of attempting to stop him, just ask them (I believe it was Raffi Torres that was commenting after the Blue Jackets game about how one just wants to throw a blanket over him for the duration of the game, I'm not convinced that even a 30 lb itchy wool blanket would stop him). It seems to be the fans that are caught unawares by Hemsky. It's like every time I talk to fans of the opposite team that we were playing they ask me, "Where in the h--- did this Hemsky guy come from?" They even forget about him until the next game we play against them, "Oh man, I forgot about that Hemsky guy."

I think that trend is starting to change.

His performance in the Blue Jackets game was quite possibly the best individual effort I've seen in my brief history as an Oiler fan. His effort all year has been incredible, and I can't wait to watch him for the remainder of the season and just maybe *crosses fingers* the playoffs.

Fighting In Hockey

2009-01-25T13:44:00.006-07:00

I am sure we are all well aware of the current discussions and arguments occuring in Sports Bars and Living Rooms every where about the role the fighting fills in hockey, if it has a true role at all.

Any one who read about me dancing around my workplace when Ladislav Smid fought already knows what my standpoint on the issue is, but my standpoint probably has a different reasoning behind it than you think it does. Do I recognize the entertainment value of fighting? Absolutely. The recent UFC craze illustrates just how entertaining the general population finds fighting. However, I also realize that this is a very dangerous activity; that said, I think the players involved, for the most part, are also aware of the possible outcomes of a fight.

However, those who say that we need to take fighting out of hockey need to realize that this is not as easy as most of you are proposing.

The regulation of fighting has already started, is it as sophisticated and well-developed as it needs to be? No. I do think it is possible to take fighting out of hockey, there are just some things that need to be dealt with at the same time.

Fighting has already been controlled a little by way of the 'Instigator Penalty': one of the stupidest ideas I've ever heard of. So when a player gets run by another player ala this, the Oilers cannot have another player step up against Regher without taking an extra 2-min minor penalty. What about this? Now all this only matters if the Instegator Penalty is policed with regulatiry, which all of us know it isn't, but things like this illustrate my point perfectly. Until the NHL as a league has a disciplinary system that actually works fighting cannot be taken out of the NHL. If the league won't police then players have to take it into their own hands.

Here are some of my suggestions of things to do so fighting can be eliminated safely:

1. Exactly what is with the $2000-$20,000 fines? What is that worth to a player who makes upwards of $1,000,000 a year? Coaches who question referees publicly are fined more than a player who runs another player from behind! The fines need to be revamped as far as penalized agression goes (intention to injure has to be there). The fines should be a percentage of that players earnings for the year. I think 10-15% should do it. For repeat offenders there should be a climbing scale.

2. Forget these puny 2-5 game suspensions, they need to be longer; maybe even without pay. The suspensions should range depending on the extent of injury the player in question caused. Start the suspensions at 5 games no questions asked, depending on the time the player they charged/boarded/kneed etc. is to be out of their respective line-up, the nature of the incident along with some other minor things (like whether the play was near the end of the game, whether the play is in pre-season/regular season/post-season, etc.). There also needs to be a sort of 'strike' system, if a player does these things say 4 or 5 times then he is finished in the NHL.

Again, intent to injure is IMPERATIVE to these changes.

There are other ways to solve the problem, and I'm sure you have a few ideas of your own so feel free to add them in the comments. I just don't want to see an increase in player injury because fighting is taken out of the NHL, there are other steps to follow in that process.

Other interesting Blogs/Articles on Fighting in Hockey:

SteveDangle from LFR in getting nifty in the clutch

Georges Laraque in his Sportsnet blog incase you haven't already read it.

Scott Morrison; CBCsports

Chris Selley @ Full Comment

Five Oilers I've Loved Thus Far : #2 Sheldon Souray

2009-01-25T12:54:00.002-07:00

The player in second place for me thus far in the year is a player that I cannot confess to being very patient with his injuries last season. We brought him in for some immediate improvement, and he barely ever played.

Of course I realize that he was injured, it's hockey; it happens. I was just tired of seeing our team with it's relatively weak back-end on the ice. That said, once the team went on that tear in March I forgot all about Souray.

Now that Souray is healthy and is playing the kind of minutes that we had originally hoped he would I can appreciate him for what he is.

And he is Awesome.

His defensive strategies are solid and his slapshot from the point is everything thay said it was and more. He is a tower back on our blue-line and I cringe everytime he takes a penalty (which by all accounts is not often) because I don't like the look of our PK when he's in the box.

He seems to have leadership qualities as well, which are always pleasent things to have. And when Sheldon gets angry the objects of his agression better watch out: Angry Sheldon is straight-up menacing.

Suspending All-Stars

2009-01-24T10:34:00.002-07:00

It has recently come to light that Commissioner Gary Bettman has threatened to suspend players for either one game before or one game following the All-Star Break. In fact Detroit's Lidstrom and Datsyuk have already been suspended for missing this glorious opportunity.

Lidstrom has been to the All-Star game how many times now? I'm sure he's well tired of it.

I think it's bull. If these players don't want to play in this game, which in my opinion is a bit of a joke anyway, then they shouldn't have to. Perhaps after a player has attended twice or three times they are exempt from having to play in the game if they don't want to. Most of the fans I talk to here in Edmonton don't watch the game any way, and if they do it's so they can complain about how terrible it was.

Besides: it's not like the NHL doesn't have enough 'All-Stars' to substitute in for those who choose not to attend.

Five Oilers I've Loved Thus Far : #3 Ladislav Smid

2009-01-23T10:12:00.003-07:00

Of all the Oilers on the team right now, this guy is my #1 favourite player. I have other favourites, sure, some come closer than others, but if Ladislav got traded I would follow his team religiously. Essentially Ladislav is the reason I began to watch hockey with such regularity. I had watched the play-off run, sure, but I still wasn't quite hooked on it. Instead for the majority of the off-season I listened to how terrible the Pronger trade was, and how the only good thing to come out of it was this kid Ladislav Smid. He was a highly-touted prospect: taken 5th overall by the Ducks in his draft year; word was that at that time the deal almost didn't go through because the Oilers wanted Ladislav Smid. Any way, he had all of these expectations to live up to, and on a team that was deflated with injury and missing pieces he was the one bright spot. I'd probably buy Center Ice just to watch his team play if he was traded and they weren't in our division/conference; but I don't want to talk about him being traded, I want him to stay.

Last season Ladislav didn't make the team out of training camp, he went back down to Springfield instead to work on his game a little bit. When he came back he had this mean streak that appeared; and I liked it. Sure, in the beginning it was a little unpolished: taking penalties for aggression following the whistle etc. But eventually he calmed it down a little, and now he has this wonderful controlled agression that benefits this team nicely.

This season Ladislav also lost his starter position to new-comer Jason Strudwick, a decision I did not support, he didn't play hardly any games, instead Strudwick got to play on the back-end with Staios; and it was not pretty. I'm not entirely sure why it took injuries that required Strudwick up front to bring Ladislav back into the line-up, but it did. I really wanted Ladislav to come back into the game and impress, show every one that his potential had not gone to waste; and that is exactly what has happened.

Ladislav came back into the line-up with vigor. He clears the front of the net, he protects the goaltender, he fights, and he's not afraid to take a hit to make a play; and on a team that has a lot of offensive defensemen, his defensive tone is something the team needs right now. I would like to see him take a bit of training from Lubo Visnovsky on how to handle a one-on-one rush without taking a penalty though. That would be nice.

Five Oilers I've Loved Thus Far : #4 Lubomir Visnovsky

2009-01-22T13:03:00.003-07:00

I was incredibly psyched for Lubomir Visnovsky to come over to Edmonton in the off-season after we traded Matt Greene and Jarret Stoll for him. This guy has easily become one of my favourite hockey players, he's definitely the Oiler that I have the most different nicknames for, and I just love it when this guy smiles.

And he smiles a lot.

The main complaint about Lubo when he came over was that, while he was clearly offensively gifted and was an excellent power-play quarterback, he was said to be lacking in defensive responsibility. I can honestly say that I don't know what they were talking about. Perhaps something about the fact that the L.A. Kings aren't exactly defensively gifted made Lubomir appear less talented defensively. Either way, if I had to choose one Oiler D-man to defend on a one-on-one rush it would be Vish. Hands down.

At the beginning of the season MacT had Visor playing with Souray, which was good, but when you have both of your best point-men playing on the same unit (especially on the powerplay) the opposing team just plays really high and covers the point-men. Obviously this didn't work too well, so lately Visnovsky has been playing with Grebeshkov and this works very well. Grebeshkov and Lubo work well together, and I'm looking forward to watching them together for the rest of the season.

Five Oilers I've Loved Thus Far : #5 Erik Cole

2009-01-21T22:45:00.010-07:00

With the All-Star Break ahead I figured I'd write something that isn't complaining about the All-Star Game or speculating whether Chara or Souray is going to win the Hardest Shot Competition. Ta-Da! Five Oilers I've Loved Thus Far.

Todays installment: #5 Erik Cole.

Granted: early this season Erik would have been near the very bottom of a list of my favourite Oilers; however, the entire team was playing sub-par type hockey. Through his last 13 games or so Erik Cole has really turned it up in the production department, and his great play started long before then. I've really enjoyed his play for at least the last 20-25 games, even though for a lot of those games he was pointless. He was working hard and one knew that eventually pucks would start hitting the twine off of Cole's stick.

We were right.

For the past couple games he and Gagner have had their chemistry cool down a bit, but prior to then the two of them had some pretty awesome plays going. From watching Cole with the kids it also appears that he gets along with them very well and is mentoring them a bit, and seeing as Cole is a power-forward there will be no complaining from me; the kids can use ever bit of toughness they can get their hands on.

The other thing that has really impressed me with Cole is his heart. The way he plays just screams classic Oiler grit and determination, and as an Oiler fan, I always appreciate players like that.

Looking forward to watching Erik Cole for the rest of the season.

Oh My Sweet Lord.

2009-01-20T21:29:00.004-07:00

I'm glad this guy is not my neighbor's wife because I am coveting.

Don't give me that look.

You know you're coveting too.

*covet* *covet*

...

*covet*

Blue Jackets @ Oilers

2009-01-20T11:04:00.004-07:00

Okay, so like I said last night: the Oilers need to win this one or they will fall out of the top 8 tonight. In fact, if Anaheim, Phoenix, Minnesota and Vancouver lose tonight and we win (unlikely, but possible), we would move into a three-way tie for 5th; the Oilers would have the edge on 5th with 2 games in hand.

Wouldn't that be nice?

Over at Lowetide a battle of epic proportions is unfolding tonight. Arguably the best Game-Day writer of the Oilers Blog Community is on the verge of jumping ship in favor of the Columbus Blue Jackets should the Oilers lose to them at Rexall this evening. Personally I really hope they win, because I don't want to read about the Blue Jackets for the rest of the season. End of story. Scott, over at Gospel of Hockey criticizes LT in his most recent post, an adaptation of Biblical passage Exodus 20:1-6. In fact the entirety of that blog is adaptations of bible passages; definitely worth a read. I don't criticize Lowetide for his recent behaviour and threats, in fact, I kind of admire him for his strength. If I threatened to abandon the team I definitely wouldn't actually have the strength to do so.

I don't know if I want the strength to do so.

Back to the Game:

Tonight Raffi Torres returns to Edmonton for the first time since his being traded in the off-season. This feels strange to me because I don't think I've watched him play in almost two years because of his injury in his last season with the Oil. It feels like he's been gone a lot longer than he has. Regardless, I don't miss him in Oiler silks by any means.

Hemsky returned to the line-up Sunday night against the Phoenix Coyotes, he had two goals, and while I didn't actually have the opportunity to watch the game (I had choir rehersal) but I did hear from those that did watch the game that Hemsky was on fire all night. I love Hemsky, he is one of my absolute favourite players, and definitely the most exciting of them all. I'd really like him to have another great night, if for nothing else than to entertain me.

Moreau had a hat-trick in that game versus Phoenix, and the Oilers will be in good shape if he can produce consistently (I'm not counting on it). I have been rough on the Oiler captain, mostly because of the penalties that he seems to take at inopportune times. As a captain it is important not to make the game more difficult for your team, taking stupid penalties does not show leadership. That said, the penalties are really the only thing that I have against 'Chopper,' otherwise I think he is fairly effective.

Listening to the Off-Day comments of Sam Gagner and Dustin Penner gives me the feel that the dressing room of the Oilers has become a more pleasant place to be. The team is playing with more heart and determination, even in that 5-1 loss against Minnesota the team didn't look bad, and the game was a lot closer than the score indicated.

I think the Oilers have a good chance of winning tonight, and of course I hope they do: because I always want the Oilers to win and because I don't want to have to ignore Lowetide for the rest of the season.

Bring this one home boys, let's go into the All-Star break on a great note.

On The Sched For Tomorrow

2009-01-19T22:16:00.002-07:00

So, here we go with tomorrow's schedule. Minnesota, unfortunately, won tonight. That said, they play tomorrow so hopefully we can win tomorrow and they lose.

Any way, without further adieu here are the games on tap for tomorrow night that are of interest to the Oilers and their success:

Anaheim @ New York Rangers
L.A. @ Minnesota
Detroit @ Phoenix
Vancouver @ San Jose

Ideally New York, L.A., Detroit and San Jose win tomorrow. If that happens and we win then that will put us in a great position. That said, Minnesota is playing L.A. and that will be a difficult game for L.A. to win.

We play Columbus tomorrow, which will be another tough game. However, if Hemsky can dominate like he did against Phoenix and we can continue to get a balanced scoring attack I think we will have the edge in that game.

See you tomorrow for the Game Day post.

Welcome Back 83

2009-01-18T22:42:00.004-07:00

And may I say: Wow. Just WOW.

I missed you.

Please don't go away ever again.

Ever.

Phoenix @ Edmonton

2009-01-18T13:06:00.004-07:00

Okay, so this is what the NHL standings look like right now.
5. Phoenix – 51 Pts
6. Anaheim – 51 Pts
7. Vancouver – 49 Pts
8. Minnesota – 47 Pts
9. Edmonton – 47 Pts
10. Columbus – 46 Pts

And this is where I want the standings to be by the end of January:

5. Anaheim – 59 Pts
6. Columbus – 56 Pts
7. Edmonton – 55 Pts
8. Vancouver/Minnesota/Phoenix – 55 Pts
9. Minnesota /Vancouver/Phoenix– 53 Pts
10. Phoenix /Minnesota/Vancouver– 53 Pts

This is what the NHL schedule looks like tonight:

Phoenix @ Edmonton
New York Rangers @ Pittsburgh
Calgary @ Colorado
Columbus @ Vancouver

Ideally, Edmonton, Calgary and Columbus win tonight. That said: if the Oilers lose tonight it would be in our best interest for Columbus to lose as well; that would preserve our 9th place ranking. As much as I don’t want to admit that I want Calgary to win we need to keep Colorado out of the playoff hunt for as long as possible, because if they start to get into a groove that just adds one more team for the Oilers to compete with; and lets be honest: the Calgary Flames are not a team that we should be hoping to catch in the next couple weeks. If Columbus pulls out a win in Vancouver (where the home woes are under an even larger microscope than ours) and we win tonight then we pull into a tie for 7th in the West with Vancouver where technically we’d be in 7th because we have less games played. This would also move Minnie out of the top 8 and replace them with Columbus.

The Oilers managed to pull out 2 wins on the mini 3-game road-trip, which is a good start; however, if the Oilers want to be in a playoff spot by the end of the month they need at least 2 more wins inside of January, which means they can only lose 1 or 2 of their next four games. I think they can do it, whether they will or not is a different story.

I’ll only mention it once, because any one who has ever read any of my posts on the goaltending issue already knows how I feel about the trade despite the fact that I haven’t actually stated it. I am incredibly angry with the Oilers organization and their treatment of Garon this season. Not only did you not give him an honest shot at #1 this season but you traded him to a team where he is, once again, going to be a back-up goaltender. I realize that, yes, it is not necessarily the organization’s responsibility or job to worry about the position a player will play on their new team when they are traded, but the whole Roloson over Garon thing is a joke in my eyes. Roloson has ten years on Garon, you think Roloson has another cup run in him? Because I sure don’t. He’s at least as inconsistent as Garon, personally I think he’s much worse, and I think this will come to light pretty soon. The Oilers may just have screwed themselves over for any kind of playoff run this season; and if they didn’t screw themselves this season, they certainly did for next season unless they can coax a UFA goaltender here in the off-season. There are many situations that can come to fruition that will have the Oilers regretting their decision to trade Garon, and not many that won’t.

About tonight’s game:

Tonight is Glen Anderson’s jersey retirement ceremony, which will be nice, that said the Oilers have a terrible history of playing sub-par following any kind of ceremony. The Oilers really need to win this one, the only team that is left to play in January that we could stand to lose to would be the Sabres, the other three games (tonight included) are all against teams we are battling with for a playoff spot.

Oilers @ Avalanche

2009-01-16T12:20:00.002-07:00

The Oilers are on the ice tonight playing the second half of their back-to-back set, a couple of games that, admittedly, have not gotten off to a great start. The Only up-side to tonight's game is that the Avalanche are also coming off of a disappointing loss last night, theirs a 5-2 effort versus the St. Louis Blues.

I didn't have to opportunity to watch the game last night, so I turned to 630 CHED and listened to it, almost all of it any way. After we were down 3-1 I knew we weren't coming back, and yet I didn't turn the radio off until we were down 5-1. The last 5 minutes or so of the game sounded incredibly demoralizing, although Souray absolutely wasted Weller (I wonder if Souray pushing Moreau out of the way could be seen as more than just a, "no I want him," move. If this were a novel that I was studying in English I know it would be some sort of metaphor or foreshadowing event).

And can I say that I wanted to get up and dance around my workplace when Ladislav Smid got into a fight? I'm serious, I love it when Ladi fights: I cheer him on from my living room. Loudly. Also a note to Ladislav: my mom called me last night just before the fight broke out, she was watching the game, and then proceeded to tell me that you are much more attractive without your helmet. In other words: she really likes your hair, even when it has been stuck under a sweaty helmet for a while; that's good, right?

Enough about last night's game and Ladislav's hair: onto the task at hand.

If the Oilers want to squeak in to a playoff spot by the end of the month this game is as close to a must-win as it gets without actually being a must-win. In order for the Oilers to be in a playoff spot by the end of this month the team needs to start playing much better, unless every one else tanks: which, unfortunately is unlikely. It is also something to note that had the Oilers won last night they would've been in 8th place this morning: not that I think the Wild will hold that place for too long, they'll either shoot up or trip and fall down for good, 8th is not likely to be their destiny. The Avalanche is a team that I did not include in my calculations the other day, I completely overlooked them They've played one more game than we have and have the same point total as we do, we need to start winning divisional games and tonight would be a good time to get that going.

Edmonton @ Minnesota

2009-01-15T12:42:00.004-07:00

The Oilers are on the ice tonight against the Minnesota Wild in the first half of a back to back set, the second game tomorrow night in Colorado. If the Oil can pull out both of these games it would put them in a great position for the rest of January, but I'd be okay with one win: preferably tonight as the Wild are one of the teams we're battling with for the top 8 and we're tied with them currently in 10th place in the West.

The PK has been doing abnormally well lately, and I like the offensive upside that our PK units have had as of late. Cole has been playing amazing lately and I hope it continues, I'd like to see Sam Gagner producing some more with Cole as well. Brule has been unbelievable in the last two wins, it seems this kid has some hands that have been hiding from every one since his rushed development as a part of the Blue Jackets' organization, that said the limit of how many games he's allowed to play before he has to clear waivers is drawing near and it will be interesting to see how this all plays out as the limit is also coming up for Potulny, who I think has not looked out of place in the NHL, which is a good sign.

The Wild have won 5 of their last 10 and are coming off a 6-3 win over the Phoenix Coyotes, which is good for both the Wild and the Oilers, as the Phoenix Coyotes are one of the teams that are most likely to drop out of the top 8, and we need them to do so in order for us to get in.

Minnesota tends to play this really boring game, you know, the kind where those 1-0 wins/losses actually happen. Minnesota games tend to make people incredibly tired and should probably be used as a non-narcotic sleep-aid.

Seriously.

Regardless, the Oilers always seem to play a sub-par game versus the Wild, probably because their playing style is so suffocating that eventually everything stops moving. This wouldn't be too big of a deal if the Oilers didn't get most of their stuff done by rushing the net, point-shots and rush plays. A slow game really kills all of those things, although rushing the net is still possible.

You just have to rush through half-hour-old Cream of Wheat. And no, there hasn't been any brown sugar added.

Where I think the Oilers should be come the end of January

2009-01-14T19:25:00.002-07:00

Okay, so everyone who lived in Edmonton during the last 20 or so games of last season knows that every where you turned people were discussing the chances of the Oilers making the playoffs, who had to beat who, who had to lose that night, how many games the Oilers could afford to lose at that point etc.
Well, while I realize that it is a little early to be thinking about clinching a playoff spot, the rest of January will give us a pretty good idea of where the Oilers will be at the end of the season, or at the very least exactly how fried our nerves will be going down the stretch. I’ve looked at all of the teams in the Western Conference that I think are catchable math-wise within the next couple weeks, especially considering that some of the teams in the top 8 aren’t playing their best hockey of the season right now. This post will be quite long, so if you would rather see the short-version scroll down to the summary near the end. For those of you who are a little more robust please read on at your leisure.
Okay so the teams that I think the Oilers are in a position to possibly catch are: Anaheim, Vancouver, Phoenix, Columbus and Minnesota (who we’re already tied with). I’ve copied down each team’s Current Record, GF/GA, Average Goals per Game, Average Goals Against per Game, Last 10 Games Record, Home Record, Away Record, Games left in January and which of those games are Home games and which are Away games and which teams they’re playing each game against (I’ve also obtained the same some of the same stats for the teams each of Anaheim, Vancouver, Phoenix, Columbus, Minnesota and Edmonton are playing, these stats are located at the end of the post).
For the purpose of this post I will only count wins, because OT losses complicate things mathematically. Also, the win totals for each team are merely gut feeling and hunches on my part, there are no real stats that are telling me which games the team will win/lose.
We’ll start with Anaheim, currently in 5th place in the West.
Anaheim:
Current Record: GP:44 W: 22 L:17 OT:5 Pts:49
GF/GA: 126/124
Avg Goals/Game: 126/44 = 2.864
Avg GA/Game: 124/44 = 2.818
Last 10 Games:4-4-2 = 40%
Home Record:13-9-3 = 52%
Away Record:9-8-2 = 47.4%
Games Left in January: 8 Games
Home: Red Wings, Black Hawks
Away: Penguins, Wild, Rangers, Islanders, Coyotes, Avalanche

Okay, so in their last 10 games they’ve went 4-4-2. 6 of their last 8 games in January are on the road where their record is 9-8-2, essentially they’ve won about ½ of the games they’ve played on the road this season. They’re playing against the Penguins, who’ve won about 45% of their games at home, the Wild, with a 54.5 win percentage at home, the Rangers, with a 58.3 win percentage at home, the Islanders, with only a 33.3% win percentage at home, the Coyotes, with a 65.2% win percentage at home, and lastly the Avalanche, who’ve won 61.9% of their games at home. 2 of their games are at home, the Ducks have won 52% of their home games. They play against the Red Wings, with an away win percentage of 61.9%, and the Blackhawks, who have a road win percentage of 47.6%. Likely the Ducks will win 3-5 of their next 8 if the current trends continue.

Vancouver:
Current Record: GP:45 W:22 L:18 OT:5 Pts:49
GF/GA: 130/125
Avg Goals/Game:130/45 = 2.889
Avg GA/Game: 125/45 = 2.778
Last 10 Games: 3-5-2 = 30%
Home Record: 11-9-2 = 50%
Away Record: 11-9-3 = 47.8%
Games left in January:5
Home: Coyotes, Blue Jackets, Predators, Wild
Away: Sharks

The Vancouver Canucks’ performance has dropped notably as of late, they’ve only won 30% of their last 10 games. They’ve only got 5 games left in the month of January, four of which are at home. That said the one that they’ve got on the road is a near definite loss to the Sharks who haven’t lost a single game in regulation at home this season, they’ve only lost two in OT. The rest of the games for the Ducks are at home versus the Coyotes, 28.6% win% on the road, the Blue Jackets, 34.8% win% on the road, the Predators, 40$ win% on the road, and the Wild, 45% win% on the road. That said, the Canucks have only won 50% of their home games this season. Canucks win 2-3 of their games remaining in January if current trends continue.

Phoenix:
Current Record: GP:44 W:21 L:18 OT:5 Pts:47
GF/GA: 109/126
Avg Goals/Game:109/44 = 2.477
Avg GA/Game: 126/44 = 2.864
Last 10 Games:5-4-1 = 50%
Home Record:15-6-2 = 65.2%
Away Record:6-12-3 = 28.6%
Games left in January: 7
Home: Red Wings, Ducks, Sabres
Away:Canucks, Flames, Oilers, Sharks

The Phoenix Coyotes have gotten the majority of their wins this season at home, however some of their remaining games in January at home will be tough ones. The Red Wings (61.9% road win%) in particular are a great hockey team, the Ducks (47.4% road win%) won’t go down easy, and the Sabres (47.4% road win%) won’t be pushovers either. On the road the Coyotes have been comparatively terrible: 6-12-3. They play the Canucks (50% home win%), the Flames (69.6% win% at home), the Oilers (45% home win% [blech]), and the Sharks (90.9% win% at home). Looking at everything I say that the ‘Yotes win 1-3 of their next 7.

Columbus:
Current Record: GP:43 W:21 L:18 OT:4 Pts:46
GF/GA: 115/117
Avg Goals/Game:115/43 = 2.674
Avg GA/Game: 117/43 = 2.721
Last 10 Games:7-3-0 = 70%
Home Record:13-6-1 = 65%
Away Record:8-12-3 = 34.8%
Games left in January: 7
Home:Devils, Red Wings, Senators, Stars
Away: Canucks, Oilers, Flames

Columbus is 7-3-0 in their last ten, but they have a clear difficulties winning on the road. At home the Blue-Jackets play: Devils (57.1% win% on the road), Red Wings (61.9% win percentage on the road), Senators (19% road win%), and the Stars (36.4% win percentage on the road). The Blue-Jackets themselves have a home win percentage of 65%, their road win percentage is not near as impressive at 34.8%. On the road they play: The Canucks (50% at home), The Oilers (45% home win% [again, BLECH]), and the Flames (69.6% win% at home [MAJOR BLECH]). When all is done I think the Blue-Jackets will win 3-5 of their next 7.

Minnesota:
Current Record: GP:42 W:21 L:18 OT:3 Pts:45
GF/GA: 106/97
Avg Goals/Game:106/42 = 2.524
Avg GA/Game: 97/42 = 2.310
Last 10 Games:5-4-1
Home Record:12-7-3 = 54.5%
Away Record:9-11-0 = 45%
Games left in January: 7
Home:Oilers, Ducks, Kings, Maple Leafs
Away:Black Hawks, Oilers, Canucks

The Minnesota Wild are currently tied with Edmonton in 9th/10th place in the West. They’ve won 50% of their last ten games and have an incredible GA average of just 2.31 per game. They have four games at home and three games on the road to finish January. At home they play: The Oilers (54.5% win percentage on the road), The Ducks (47.4% road win%), The Kings (35.6% win% on the road), and the Maple Leafs (36.4% road win%). On the road they play: The Blackhawks (68.4% home win%), the Oilers (45% win% at home), and the Canucks (50% win% at home). When all is said and done I think the Wild will probably win 3, maybe 4 of their next 7.

Edmonton:
Current Record: GP:42 W:21 L:18 OT:3 Pts:45
GF/GA: 118/125
Avg Goals/Game:118/42 = 2.810
Avg GA/Game: 125/42 = 2.976
Last 10 Games:6-4-0 = 60%
Home Record:9-8-3 = 45%
Away Record:12-10-0 = 54.5%
Games left in January: 6
Home: Coyotes, Blue Jackets, Sabres, Wild
Away: Wild, Avalanche

Edmonton, as we all know very well, has an issue with consistency. That said, the Oilers are playing relatively well lately and are on a 2 game winning streak. Their win% at home isn’t that great, but it is getting better, and their road record is one of the best in the league. Unfortunately only 2 of their games are on the road in their last 7 in January. They play the Wild (54.5% win% at home), and the Avalanche (61.9% win% at home) on the road. At home they play the Coyotes (28.6% win% on the road), the Blue Jackets (34.8% win% on the road), the Sabres (47.4% win% on the road), and the Wild (45% win% on the road). Truth be told the Oilers have some winnable games coming up, I think if the Oilers continue to play like they have in the past couple games and Roloson continues his great play the Oilers can win 4-5 of their last 6 in January. That said if Roli doesn’t play well and the scoring dries up we could win just 2 or 3 of the games.
~~
SUMMARY

If everything plays out the way I think it will the standings (from #5 - #10) should look like this (including the highest number of wins in the range I stated):
5. Anaheim – 59 Pts
6. Columbus – 56 Pts
7. Edmonton – 55 Pts
8. Vancouver – 55 Pts
9. Minnesota – 53 Pts
10. Phoenix – 53 Pts
~~

Stats for the teams that #5-#10 are concerned with play:

Red Wings
Current Record: GP:42 W:29 L:7 OT:6 Pts:64
GF/GA: 157/118
Avg Goals/Game: 157/42 = 3.738
Avg GA/Game: 118/42 = 2.810
Last 10 Games: 7-1-2 = 70%
Home Record: 16-3-2 = 76.2%
Away Record: 13-4-4 = 61.9%

Blackhawks:
Current Record: GP:40 W:23 L:10 OT:7 Pts:53
GF/GA: 143/103
Avg Goals/Game: 143/40 = 3.575
Avg GA/Game: 103/40 = 2.575
Last 10 Games: 6-4-0 = 60%
Home Record: 13-2-4 = 68.4%
Away Record: 10-8-3 = 47.6%

Penguins:
Current Record: GP:44 W:21 L:19 OT:4 Pts:46
GF/GA: 134/137
Avg Goals/Game: 134/44 = 3.045
Avg GA/Game: 137/44 = 3.114
Last 10 Games: 3-7-0 = 30%
Home Record:9-9-2 = 45%
Away Record:12-10-2 = 50%

Rangers:
Current Record: GP:45 W:26 L:15 OT:4 Pts:56
GF/GA: 120/118
Avg Goals/Game: 120/45 = 2.667
Avg GA/Game: 118/45 = 2.622
Last 10 Games: 4-4-2 = 40%
Home Record: 14-8-2 = 58.3%
Away Record:12-7-2 = 57.1%

Islanders:
Current Record: GP:43 W:12 L:27 OT:4 Pts:28
GF/GA: 110/156
Avg Goals/Game: 110/43 = 2.558
Avg GA/Game: 156/43 = 3.628
Last 10 Games: 2-7-1 = 20%
Home Record: 7-10-2 = 33.3%
Away Record:5-17-2 = 20%

Avalanche:
Current Record: GP:43 W:22 L:20 OT:1 Pts:45
GF/GA: 116/124
Avg Goals/Game: 116/43 = 2.697
Avg GA/Game: 124/43 = 2.884
Last 10 Games: 6-4-0 = 60%
Home Record: 13-8-0 = 61.9%
Away Record: 9-12-1 = 40.9%

Predators:
Current Record: GP:43 W:20 L:20 OT:3 Pts:43
GF/GA: 106/121
Avg Goals/Game: 106/43 = 2.465
Avg GA/Game: 121/43 = 2.814
Last 10 Games: 4-6-0 = 40%
Home Record: 12-7-1 = 60%
Away Record: 8-13-2 = 34.8%

Sharks:
Current Record: GP:42 W:32 L:5 OT:5 Pts:69
GF/GA: 150/99
Avg Goals/Game: 150/42 = 3.571
Avg GA/Game: 99/42 = 2.357
Last 10 Games: 7-1-2 = 70%
Home Record: 20-0-2 = 90.9%
Away Record: 12-5-3 = 60%

Sabres:
Current Record: GP:42 W:21 L:16 OT:5 Pts:47
GF/GA: 120/117
Avg Goals/Game: 120/42 = 2.857
Avg GA/Game: 117/42 = 2.786
Last 10 Games: 5-3-2 = 50%
Home Record: 12-9-2 = 52.2%
Away Record: 9-7-3 = 47.4%

Flames:
Current Record: GP:42 W:26 L:12 OT:4 Pts:56
GF/GA: 157/118
Avg Goals/Game: 157/42 = 3.738
Avg GA/Game: 118/42 = 2.810
Last 10 Games: 8-1-1 = 80%
Home Record:16-4-3 = 69.6%
Away Record: 13-4-4 = 61.9%

Devils:
Current Record: GP:43 W:25 L:15 OT:3 Pts:53
GF/GA: 132/113
Avg Goals/Game: 132/43 = 3.070
Avg GA/Game: 113/43 = 2.630
Last 10 Games: 6-4-0 = 60%
Home Record: 13-8-1 = 59.1%
Away Record: 12-7-2 = 57.1%

Senators:
Current Record: GP:41 W:14 L:21 OT:6 Pts:34
GF/GA: 98/120
Avg Goals/Game: 98/41 = 2.390
Avg GA/Game: 120/41 = 2.927
Last 10 Games: 2-7-1 = 20%
Home Record: 10-7-3 = 50%
Away Record: 4-14-3 = 19.0%

Stars:
Current Record: GP:41 W:18 L:17 OT:6 Pts:42
GF/GA: 117/140
Avg Goals/Game: 117/41 = 2.854
Avg GA/Game: 140/41 = 3.415
Last 10 Games: 5-3-2 = 50%
Home Record: 10-6-3 = 52.6%
Away Record: 8-11-3 = 36.4%

Kings:
Current Record: GP:42 W:17 L:19 OT:6 Pts:40
GF/GA: 104/117
Avg Goals/Game: 104/42 = 2.476
Avg GA/Game: 117/42 = 2.786
Last 10 Games: 4-6-0 = 40%
Home Record: 12-10-6 = 42.9%
Away Record: 5-9-0 = 35.7%

Maple Leafs:
Current Record: GP:43 W:16 L:21 OT:6 Pts:38
GF/GA: 124/154
Avg Goals/Game: 124/43 = 2.884
Avg GA/Game: 154/43 = 3.581
Last 10 Games: 2-8-0 = 20%
Home Record: 8-9-4 = 38.1%
Away Record: 8-12-2 = 36.4%

St. Louis Blues In Town

2009-01-11T14:35:00.001-07:00

Chalk this one up as the seventh straight game Edmonton will be playing without the offensively-gifted services of Ales Hemsky. Scoring just one goal against the Sharks on Friday night the Oilers cruised to a 4-1 loss at the hands of, at the time, the West’s best team (the Sharks did not reclaim their top spot in the NHL until they completed Friday’s game, Boston is only a point behind them). And I hate to place more emphasis on the Hemsky injury than what has already been placed but Ales was placed on the IR on Friday and word is that he won’t be back until after the All-Star break. That makes it at least another 6 games until Hemsky is back in our line-up; by that time, and I don’t want to be a negative-Nelly here, but we could be well out of the race of the Playoffs by that time. I don’t mean to say that if we tank these games that we haven’t a chance of making the Playoffs.

I do mean to say that if that happens it will not make things easy.

The loss on Friday is not the only negative thing coming out of that game: our injury list has gotten considerably larger. Added to the list of Ales Hemsky (mild-concussion) and Fernando Pisani (ankle) is Zach Stortini (knee), Robert Nilsson (un-listed, probably concussion-related judging by his run-in with the boards on Friday), Sam Gagner (ankle, will likely still play) and Sheldon Souray (Shoulder, will also likely still play).

Can I throw up yet?

Despite the injuries that came out of that game the major story is not that of the injuries; it’s who is being called up to fill in for the injured players. First let me say this: I am not a subscriber to the Schremp fan club. However, it is hard to deny the fact that he seems to get the shaft with the team more often than not. Instead of Scremp (30GP, 3G, 20A, 23Pts), Ryan Potulny (36GP, 17G, 14A, 31Pts) will be suiting up in his first game as an Oiler, and I don’t think it’s that hard to understand why he’s the one called up. Potulny, from what the stats say (I don’t watch the AHL), is more of a goal-scorer rather than a play-maker, and I think it is pretty clear which player-type this team is in need of right now.

Also of note: Roloson gets the start in this game despite having a terrible first period versus San Jose, so terrible in fact that MacT pulled him after the first period: something one does not see often from MacT. I don’t get it, and let me remind you that I am a fan of Garon’s. Roloson plays like crap, Garon comes in, in relief and plays well, yet Roloson gets the start again the next game. All I’ll say is this: Garon has yet to be given the luxury of playing a few games in a row when he’s lost the last couple and was pulled in the last. In fact the only time he got a second shot in a game following a loss was in October versus Colorado and Vancouver, since then he’s only played one set of games one-after-another: 2 wins versus L.A. and Dallas.

The Oilers play tonight against a team that is on a two game winning-streak; their last win coming in Vancouver on Friday night. By all standards this is a game we should win, but I’m not counting on anything with the Oilers any more.

The wish-list from last game (with a few minor changes) still stands boys:

1. Sam Gagner and Erik Cole continue to generate chemistry on the second line if they play together (if they play together, and they should).
2. Ladislav Smid fights some one. Seriously, from what fans have seen thus far he's good at it.
3. The PP at least manages to get set-up, a goal or two would be nice.
4. We score at least 3 goals.
5. The PK continues on it's new track in the right direction.
6. The fourth line continues to be a source of energy for the rest of the team.
7. We have at least 2 centermen or players above 50% in the face-off dot.
8. Brule (or whoever is filling for Hemsky) gets some production going with Horcoff and Penner, seriously, this is supposed to be the first line. If they can't get it done they need to be demoted: move the (substitute player here, oooh, maybe Cogs? Does Cogs play LW?), Gagner, Cole (if they play together) line up.
9. Ethan Moreau manages to stop giving away the puck and actually produce something positive in the way of offense instead of taking stupid penalties.
10. The team puts in a full 60 minutes. Not 20, not 40, but 60... Wait, no I've changed my mind, I want 80 minutes of effort just in-case this goes into extra-time.

Final Eval

2009-01-09T21:45:00.004-07:00

1. Sam Gagner and Erik Cole continue to generate chemistry on the second line.
N/A
2. Ladislav Smid fights some one. Seriously, from what fans have seen thus far he's good at it.
Didn't Happen. 0
3. The PP at least manages to get set-up, a goal or two would be nice.
One goal, that's okay. It was the only goal scored though. 1
4. We score at least 3 goals.
Didn't happen. 0
5. The PK continues on it's new track in the right direction.
Kinda/sorta but not really. 1/2
6. The fourth line continues to be a source of energy for the rest of the team.
I never want to have to see that video of Zach's injury ever again. 1
7. We have at least 2 centermen or players above 50% in the face-off dot.
Brodz was at 77%, Zach finished with 100%. Horc was close at 44%. 1
8. Brule gets some production going with Horcoff and Penner, seriously, this is supposed to be the first line. If they can't get it done they need to be demoted: move the Nilsson, Gagner, Cole line up.
N/A
9. Ethan Moreau manages to stop giving away the puck and actually produce something positive in the way of offense instead of taking stupid penalties.
Passed. 1
10. The team puts in a full 60 minutes. Not 20, not 40, but 60... Wait, no I've changed my mind, I want 80 minutes of effort just in-case this goes into extra-time.
If I was grading the performance tonight I'd probably give it a 60%, but I said I wanted 60-80 minutes of effort. This did not happen. 0

That's 4.5/8. It's a marginal pass that resulted in a loss on the score-sheet. Better luck next time boys.

Also: I hope Zach's' injury isn't as serious as it looked, but I think that's a stretch. I also hope Souray isn't out for too long, and I hope that Hemsky feels better. We better not rush him, because from what I've heard concussions can become a serious problem for players. Take M. Roy for example: it seemed that every time we called him up from juniors he left with a concussion. Let's not make Hemsky like that okay?

Second Period Eval

2009-01-09T20:50:00.002-07:00

1. Sam Gagner and Erik Cole continue to generate chemistry on the second line.
See Previous
2. Ladislav Smid fights some one. Seriously, from what fans have seen thus far he's good at it.
Still hoping.
3. The PP at least manages to get set-up, a goal or two would be nice.
Still, one goal. That's okay, better than I expected.
4. We score at least 3 goals.
Still have only scored once. Here's hoping for another 2. At this point that won't even tie the game.
5. The PK continues on it's new track in the right direction.
The last PK looked pretty good, the SJS are still something like 2/3 on the night though.
6. The fourth line continues to be a source of energy for the rest of the team.
Fourth line is still looking decent out there. Strudwick's fight was pretty lack-luster, we need to absolutely obliterate someone.
7. We have at least 2 centermen or players above 50% in the face-off dot.
Stortini is 3 and 0 in the dot and Brodz is 4 and 1. Horc and Cogs are below 50.
8. Brule gets some production going with Horcoff and Penner, seriously, this is supposed to be the first line. If they can't get it done they need to be demoted: move the Nilsson, Gagner, Cole line up.
Again, see previous.
9. Ethan Moreau manages to stop giving away the puck and actually produce something positive in the way of offense instead of taking stupid penalties.
I said I would pay attention more this period and I did. I think from what I've seen Ethan has had a decent game, even had a few offensive chances, one of which almost resulted in a SH goal. He also has been staying out of the box.
10. The team puts in a full 60 minutes. Not 20, not 40, but 60... Wait, no I've changed my mind, I want 80 minutes of effort just in-case this goes into extra-time.
I don't think there was as much effort in the second period. Edmonton could have come out of that period with a much better result than they did.

News: Souray does not return tonight, calling it an upper-body injury. This is grave news indeed, I sure hope we don't get any more penalties because without Souray we're pretty much hopeless.

Review

2009-01-09T19:48:00.004-07:00

These are the 10 hopes I had for this game, just in case you're too lazy to go and check them yourself:

1. Sam Gagner and Erik Cole continue to generate chemistry on the second line.
This one won't happen because they aren't playing together tonight. The kids look okay together again, but I would've rather seen Erik and Sam together.
2. Ladislav Smid fights some one. Seriously, from what fans have seen thus far he's good at it.
Haven't seen this thus far, but I'm hopeful.
3. The PP at least manages to get set-up, a goal or two would be nice.
The first PP didn't get much done but we scored on the second. Thus far this hope has been well represented on the ice.
4. We score at least 3 goals.
We've scored 1. We need 2 more to unlock this achievement.
5. The PK continues on it's new track in the right direction.
Well... It's hard to say whether the PK was brutal or not because they didn't get much of a chance to find out. How long was that PK? 10 seconds?
6. The fourth line continues to be a source of energy for the rest of the team.
Again, the lines have been changed around, but the fourth line does look to be generating some energy, and so has the third line: it looks like we've dressed two energy/checking lines.
7. We have at least 2 centermen or players above 50% in the face-off dot.
Thus far Cogliano and Horcoff are at 50% and Brodziak is at 100%, but this is far from over.
8. Brule gets some production going with Horcoff and Penner, seriously, this is supposed to be the first line. If they can't get it done they need to be demoted: move the Nilsson, Gagner, Cole line up.
Brule isn't even dressed tonight. Instead Cole is on the RW with Horc and Pens, they look alright... I still miss Hemsky.
9. Ethan Moreau manages to stop giving away the puck and actually produce something positive in the way of offense instead of taking stupid penalties.
To tell you the truth I haven't been paying much attention to his play thus far, I'll pay more attention next period and have an update.
10. The team puts in a full 60 minutes. Not 20, not 40, but 60... Wait, no I've changed my mind, I want 80 minutes of effort just in-case this goes into extra-time.
I thought all in all the first 20 minutes, save for the last 35 seconds or so following the third goal by the Sharks, was a pretty good effort. I'd like for Roloson to have a better last 40 minutes than his first 20. The first goal was a little weak, the second brutal; that said the third was a really good passing sequence by San Jose. Regardless I don't think there was much of a screen on that play either, but I could be wrong.

More updates after the second period. See you then

QUICK EDIT: Roloson will not be trying for a better last 40. Garon will instead be taking over. Here's your chance Matty, let's do this thing.

Sharks @ Oilers

2009-01-09T10:15:00.003-07:00

The Oilers are set tonight to start their sixth straight game without their first line RW and leading point-getter Ales Hemsky. The Oilers are 2-3-0 without Hemsky in the line-up, and they're clearly lacking some creativity up front; not to mention the lack of production on the powerplay (The Oilers are only 3/23 on the powerplay during Hemsky's absence, that adds up to about 13% efficiency. Ouch.)

The San Jose Sharks are 29-5-5 this season, absolutely insane if you ask me, but with skill like they have, and this is at all positions, it's not hard to believe.

The Oilers have only played the Sharks once this season and the Oilers won that game 3-2 in OT. Ales Hemsky scored the first goal in that game at 8:50 at ES with what I remember being a wicked wrist-shot from the slot; the first shot of the game for the Oilers I believe. What is concerning is that both of the other goals were scored on the powerplay, and judging from who scored/assisted on the goals I can deduce that Hemsky was likely on the ice for at least one of those goals.

I noted earlier this week that I was beginning to worry about Hemsky. I really am worrying, it is comforting to see him on the ice during the game. I think I'd probably feel better if they would do another injury update, or an interview of some sorts. Heck, even a shot of him in the press-box would suffice.

I feel like some worried mother; and I am too young to be a mother Mr. Hemsky.

At any rate I hope the Oilers pull it out tonight, at least one point in this game would be a definite step in the right direction. Not that you needed me to tell you that. These are my hopes for the game:

1. Sam Gagner and Erik Cole continue to generate chemistry on the second line.
2. Ladislav Smid fights some one. Seriously, from what fans have seen thus far he's good at it.
3. The PP at least manages to get set-up, a goal or two would be nice.
4. We score at least 3 goals.
5. The PK continues on it's new track in the right direction.
6. The fourth line continues to be a source of energy for the rest of the team.
7. We have at least 2 centermen or players above 50% in the face-off dot.
8. Brule gets some production going with Horcoff and Penner, seriously, this is supposed to be the first line. If they can't get it done they need to be demoted: move the Nilsson, Gagner, Cole line up.
9. Ethan Moreau manages to stop giving away the puck and actually produce something positive in the way of offense instead of taking stupid penalties.
10. The team puts in a full 60 minutes. Not 20, not 40, but 60... Wait, no I've changed my mind, I want 80 minutes of effort just in-case this goes into extra-time.

SLACKER!!

2009-01-07T20:58:00.007-07:00

Please accept the following apology, I've been slacking a lot lately on my blogging efforts. University tends to do this every once and again.

This, if you have been living under a rock located in a cave beneath the Pacific Ocean, is Mats Sundin. Mats plays his very first game in a Canucks jersey tonight. The game is currently underway and Mats has played something ridiculous like 3 minutes thus far through the first period.

I really wanted Mats to just make up his mind and sign somewhere, but I wasn't about to suggest that he sign anywhere. Unfortunately for the Oilers Sundin decided to sign within our division; and yes, I think this was to spite the Oilers.

No, I do not have sufficient reasons to believe this.

Thus far in the game the Oilers have been rather flat. That said: so have the Canucks. Other than the physical play there hasn't been much to write home about, although that punch by Souray would warrant a standing ovation in my opinion. Well done Sheldon, well done.

For some reason our PP has been absolute trash tonight, we've had three and haven't scored once, which on its own is not bad. But when you can't seem to even set up in the offensive zone there's a problem.

For some positive: I really like that line with Cole, Nilsson and Gagner. I like it a lot.

For some more negative: I'm starting to worry about Hemsky. Either the Oilers are being really careful with their star player and current face of the franchise, or they're playing down an injury that is worse than first-thought.

Also, I just wanted to mention that the refs have apparently just decided that they're going to call rough hits. Hey Dwyer and McCreary? Maybe you should've decided that about 20 minutes ago eh?

Okay So I Lied...

2008-12-31T00:29:00.003-07:00

I am angry coming away from this game and it is not because of an injury, nor is it for the reason most would think it is.

First let me say that it appeared to me that the game was poorly called, I'm not usually one to bring the refs into things but tonight it seemed that they turned a blind eye to some things that were blatant-take into consideration though that I am an Oiler fan and as such come with a built-in bias. This is not what made me angry, and this is not what ruined the game for me.

What ruined the game for me was the people that were sitting around me, on either side of me and behind me to be exact.

The man on the left of me: I don't think he could possibly have been any more negative if he tried. He criticized everything the Oiler players did, and I mean everything, they lost the game by one goal guys; one goal-calm yourselves. What's worse is that most of the time the criticism was unwarranted or over-exaggerated: yes, the Oilers were not at the top of their game tonight, but if we're dissecting the Oilers' game tonight then we have to also acknowledge that the Sens didn't have a real great game either-and I didn't hear their fans cutting their team down at every opportunity. Both he and to woman next to me kept saying that Garon should've had that second goal, and it wasn't the best goal to let in no doubt, but I'm pretty sure that Souray deflected and/or screened that goal himself. Garon had a solid game I thought, he made a few stops that kept the team in the game and that is all I ask of my goaltender: that he keep the game within reach. Garon did that.

The woman on the right of me: also criticized the Oilers' every decision, except she clearly did not know what she was talking about. Other times she would act like her advice was the best thing ever and that the Oilers should have just taken her advice and they wouldn't be in the trouble they're in. The problem was that her advice was not as comprehensive as she would've liked to think. For example when Souray took the penalty that lead to the third goal she said, "I hope they don't score." Promptly following the goal she stated, "See? I said I hope they don't score." Like that wasn't something the Oilers knew already. I think when I really lost it on her (in my head, not literally), was after she insulted Ladislav Smid. Now, we all remember who my favourite player is right? That's right it's Smid, so when she starts talking about him like he's the worst player to ever suit-up for the Oilers I am bound to hate her guts. Especially when this is after he merely couldn't hold the point and still ended up retrieving the puck from the Sens player (I think it was Vermette). "Ugh, Smid is terrible!" She yells--I just about killed her, she is lucky that I have good temper control.

The guy behind me: This actually had nothing to do with the Oiler game. This guy's buddies were discussing the Canada VS Kazakhstan game and he decides to throw in, "Man, I could've suited up for that Kazak team!" His buddies all agreed that they could've as well. All I have to say is this: have some f***ing respect. This is a nation that clearly wants to learn to play hockey and wants to be able to compete against the best in the sport. Yes, perhaps thus far they have been unsuccessful, but they are still submitting for the tournament every year and that shows great perseverance on their part. The first goaltender, Yankov, was actually pretty good I thought, especially for his being 5'8" and only 120-some-odd lbs. Sometimes I think that Canadians take their success in Hockey for granted, I think they forget that there was definitely a time where we weren't very good at hockey either, there just wasn't a nation around that was great at hockey so we didn't get our faces shoved in it year after year. Kazakhstan wants to play hockey, and I hope I see the day when they submit a team that competes against the best and has a shot at winning, a good shot.

Any way other than that the game was alright, the Oilers didn't have a horrible game, but it wasn't great either. I think had Hemsky been playing that game would have been a little more entertaining, or maybe it's just me who thinks he brings the majority of the entertainment value to the team. We would have had a better shot at winning as well.

On the Senators side I thought Spezza had a pretty good game, the save that Garon made on him in the first was complete fluke on his part and probably should have gone in. Regardless he still had a strong game, as did Alfredsson. I didn't really notice any of their defensemen for good or bad, except when, I think it was Phillips, ran into Alfredsson: turning the puck over and directly resulting in an Oiler goal.

I still don't think Vermette is gelling with the Sens any more, and I'd really like to see him in some Oiler gear sometime soon.

Oil... On The Rocks.

Saying Goodbye to the D-Train

A Monumental Eff-Up

My Favourite Time of Year

Okay, So I Missed It...

Last Pre-Season Game of the 2010-2011 Season

What a joke.

Panic? Not yet.

Oilers @ Sharks; How is the Organization Going to Do This?

I'm Tired of Negativity...

Smid Scores! And Other Important Things, Like The Game Tonight...

This Just In: I'm Lazy.

Team Meeting:

Dallas @ Edmonton

Finally!!

I Can Taste It...

It Seems Like Every Season...

Loose Ends...

Bye, Bye, Brodziak.

Part 2... Following Major Delays With No Known Cause.

Been a While Since I've Talked 'Bout You...

What a Game Tonight, Eh?

*Sigh*... Boredom.

A Plea to Someone... Anyone...

Round 3; Fight!

Second Round: Better Late Than Never...

It's Been a While

Playoffs! Let's Get The Run Down!

Oilers @ Flames; Frustration

Flames @ Oilers; Playing for Spite

Oilers Vs Kings.

Ales Hemsky: A Defense

Vancouver@Edmonton; Paper vs Ice

San Jose @ Edmonton; Probabilities.

Sad Puppy Dog Face

In The End: They're My Team.

Ducks @ Oilers; Fan Support

Looking For A Silver Lining

Wild @ Oilers : The Apocalypse

Sunshine and Rainbows! - Edmonton @ Anaheim

Oilers @ Coyotes

Hemsky Frustrated; Gets Berated By Fans For Being Vocal

Red Wings Fly In.

Oilers @ Wild

The Oilers Are in The Windy City Tonight

Edmonton @ Colorado

St Louis @ Edmonton

Colorado @ Edmonton

Mistakes Were Made.

Thrashers in Town.

Edmonton @ Montreal

Oilers @ Leafs

Oilers @ Senators

Welcome To Edmonton Boys

The West: On The Eve Of The Deadline

Edmonton @ Nashville

A Coaching Comparison I'm Tired Of: Nilsson vs. Gagner

Well Wishes

Wild @ Oilers

A Look at the West : One Week Pre-Deadline

Columbus @ Edmonton

Lightning @ Oilers

Edmonton Vs. Calgary

Oilers @ Stars

A Look at the West : Two Weeks Pre-Deadline

Oilers @ Sharks

Oilers @ Coyotes

Oilers @ Kings

Jagr, Bald Heads, and the Habs.

Lubo: Out for the Season.

New Layout!

Edmonton @ Minnesota

Oilers @ Red Wings

Edmonton @ St. Louis

Chicago @ Edmonton

WIld @ Oilers

Get Over It.

Well then.... Uhm, What?!

Sabres @ Oilers

Five Oilers I've Loved Thus Far : #1 Ales Hemsky

Sigh... Boredom.