Dwayne Roloson is having a solid WHC's, outplaying Cam Ward (.9107 to .8974) and is clearly the #1 man for Canada as they get ready to do the heavy lifting in this year's tournament. Roloson is among the six or so Oilers (Hemsky, Horcoff, Staios, Smith, Pisani, Raffi, maybe a couple of others like Stoll if they're healthy) fans can point to for 07-08.Other Oilers in this year's WHC include Patrick Thoresen (6gp, 1-4-5), Ladislav Smid (6gp, 0-0-0, minus 1 with an exceptional 31pims already), Denis Grebeshkov (7gp, 1-2-3, +3) and Matt Greene (7gp, 0-2-2, +4).
I've seen Roloson in a couple of games and he looks like he could help a team on a Cup run again, and Grebeshkov is getting some very good reviews. Perhaps most surprising is that Matt Greene had a good tournament (don't know who he was paired with), but Ladislav Smid continues to be a puck moving defenseman who doesn't put up points.
I cannot recall a year when the WHC's mattered less, probably because Ryan Smyth isn't playing this season. Just one more reason to miss the guy.
Nobody's impressing me more than Thoresen at this years WHC. He's putting up solid numbers on a weak Norway team and was the most noticable player when Norway lost to Canada.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear Grebeskov's playing well, i don't think he'll be ready for top-4 minutes next year, but he should contribute nicely on the third pairing and PP. Also the fact that Greene's playing great hockey against some of the world's finest. He'd make a nice pairing with Grebeskov on a sheltered third pairing, not unlike him and MAB this year, it was actually a pretty good pairing. Smid's top-4 pretty much by default because i don't think the Oilers can lure two free agents/trade for two top-4 defensemen. IMO, Preissing's the guy to target. He's not quite Timonen, but he knows the NHL West and can QB a powerplay. Best of all, he'll fit in the Oilers budget.
Roli's playing like Roli, what else is there to say? He doesn't get run in Game 1 by MAB, things might have been different...but dreams are just that.
He doesn't get run in Game 1 by MAB, things might have been different...but dreams are just that.
ReplyDeleteWe don't blow a 3-0 lead, things could've been different.
Grebs sounds like he is really having a good tournament. He only trails Sergei Gonchar and Andrei Markov in Russian D man scoring. Not bad company and he is only 1 point behind Gonchar and has consecutive games point streak going against tough teams like the Czech's and Sweden.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing what the kid can do next season.
Matt Greene was paired with Ryan Suter and Greene ended up tied for the team lead at +4.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what kind of oppostion they were facing regularly but the only two EV goals against I noticed for Greene was against the Nash-Doan-Lombardi line and the Peltonen-Lehtinen line.
The team USA coach didn't seem concerned about putting Greene-Suter out against Canada's threats in the one USA game I watched.
I always like the WHCs. I recorded a couple of games and speed-watched them. I've really been impressed with the McClement/Chimera/Mayers line for Canada, especially the first guy, a much better player than I'd realized (younger too). Murray seems to be running them hard at the other team's top line and then throwing out the Doan/Nash/Lombardi line right after.
ReplyDeleteI've been impressed with Chimera too, or surprised maybe. Sometimes these guys leave the Oilers and a guy doesn't realize that they've grown up while we haven't been watching. He's a useful player now.
Brewer and Commodore have been terrific in the action I've seen as well. Brewer just looks great on the big ice, always has. If it wasn't for the occasional 'blonde moment' you could make a case for the guy as the team's MVP in the action Ive seen. I suspect that will always be a part of his game though.
BTW: There are a lot of good articles on the IIHF website, Lowetide. Check them out if you get a chance.
Oil Stain is correct with the D pairings, and if you watched the Canada/USA game, you'd know Matt Greene far outplayed Suter (in that game anyway). Suter looked absolutely amateur out there.
ReplyDeleteI would disagree though that Roloson is far out playing Ward and is the sure #1. I would say that neither goalie has really taken the bull by the horns. Roloson looked pretty solid against Switzerland today though when tested (named Canada's player of the game).
His rebound control is looking a bit shakey at times though.
I'm with Loxy: our true crime was blowing a 3-0 lead. goaltending was strong all series except for that blip in game 1, and perhaps, game 2.
ReplyDeleteI've probably seen 10 min tops of the tourney. Usually I'm all over it but there's not a lot of guys to root for this time around so I've sorta tuned it out. For instance, I watched every game the year Carter scored the golden goal so I was really invested in that team. This time, not so much but I will try and watch the semi and I won't miss the final if we're matching up against Grebs and a loaded Rus squad.
ReplyDeleteVic, Chimera was one of the stupidest guys I ever saw when it come to d zone coverage. It was laughable really. Given his size and speed and penchant for rough and gutsy play, I always hoped he'd be a good bottom sixer who could use his speed and tenacity to turn into a really great PKer. That never happened here though and does he kill penalties for CBJ?
From what I've seen of the highlights, I thought that Roli had given up a couple of softies but I'll take LT's word. I really can't hang much of the Oilers poor '07 season on DR. He started out great, lulled in the middle but was damn good down the stretch when everything else went to shit. I don't think he should play more than 60 games, though, and I hope the brass feels the same way. Regarding G1 last year, I think a lot of people forget that DR wasn't exactly having the best game before he got taken out. I remember thinking that we were about to see the first blip in his postseason and I was already wondering how he'd bounce back in G2. More than anything though, I remember that dummy Jason Smith pinching to turn a 2 on 1 into a 3 on 1 before the end of the second period and we know what happened. I taped that entire playoff run but I erased all the SCF games. I just can't bear to watch them. Even now I can remember the feelings I had in G1 after the pronger PS goal and then when Moreau got a total fluke goal to make it 3-0. I just sat back with a big grin and I said to the GF, "I'll be fucked if the Oilers aren't going to win the Cup." I mean I was super confident heading into the Finals but seeing how it was all coming together in the first 40 min of G1, the Oilers were about to win their 9th game in their last 12 playoff tries and they were owning the Canes in chances for/against and they were getting fluke goals to boot. I allowed myself for that second to really believe that Smyth would get to hoise the mug and it still hurts.
Regarding the rest of LT's musings, I'm not surprised that Thor's playing well and some people believe that Greene turned a corner in our last 15 games or so. I didn't see it per se, only thing I remember positive is that he seemed to be jumping into the play more and it looked like his skating had really improved. The latter seems odd and I'm pretty sure I was wrong.
I am surprised that Smid isn't putting up points though. The guy's got a hammer for a shot and he's scored goals at every level he's ever played at. It's surprising that he was so offensively impressive for the Oilers yet he'd go to the WHC and not continue to pile up the points.
At least Smid is over there, he must have something worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteBeing part of a D corps that has Zidlicky, Michalek etc... is not so awful IMO. By the way only one D on that team has put up any meaningful point totals and that is Zidlicky. 2 other D have the exact same totals as Smid and the others range from 1 to 3 points.
Your dislike of the Pronger trade translating into such intense hate for the young kid who was in no part at fault for the return is just silly the levels you take it to.
Why you rag on Smid so much and not near as much on Lupul is just beyond me. Lupul is a vet and is stinking it up with no end in sight. Smid was an extremely green rook thrown in waaay over his head and surprise, surprise he struggled but showed a lot of positive signs for a 20 year old in the best league in the world.
LT is right when he said he makes guys miss with absolute ease and can skate the puck right out and into the opposition zone with seeming coolness.
I imagine one of those thriller movies where Dennis has articles pasted to the wall everywhere and pictures of Lowe, Smid and Lupul with their eyes cut out and X's across them. It is reaching creepy stalker heights at this point.
And I imagine a movie where you only read what you want to read. Because if you think I haven't hammered on Lupul, then you're out to lunch with Darrly Katz's mastercard.
ReplyDeleteI've said many times that the Lupul piece was way worst because he'd had three years of pro hockey and anyone with a clue knew he needed soft min and that he didn't exactly exploit them when he got them. Yet, Lowe picked him up and paid him to boot. Man, I've been writing about that over on IOF since about December.
My whole thing with Smid, he's just not that good. Whereas some guys think I hate him and undervalue him because he was brought back from Pronger, I think some guys overvalue him because he was brought back for Pronger. Look, the numbers just aren't there to scream all-star and if he's a can't miss, then he's a can't miss in terms of being an NHLer. But a difference-maker? I just don't see it.
Dennis I think you are being overly critical of Smid. His season reminds me a lot of a young Brewer in his Islanders day but better. I think he will eventually match Brewer's offensive output (modest) but will probably also avoid Brewer's regular "blond" moments. That DOES make him a difference maker - just not on the PP and offensively which you seem to be dwelling upon in discussing Smid.
ReplyDeleteThat said I would still trade the kid in a second for a more mature top pair dman.
We shall see. I'd love to be wrong about Smid, I was elated to be wrong about the Carter/Dvorak deal for instance. But in this case I just don't see it. The kid has no shot, doesn't know what to do with the puck on those glorious times when he makes people miss and doesn't exactly relish the tough stuff. Is he an NHLer? Sure. I just think that Lowe gets way too much fucking credit and that's the only reason why more people weren't and aren't disgusted by that deal.
ReplyDeleteDoes your feelings towards Lowe Dennis, affect your feelings towards Smid?
ReplyDeleteI too was not that happy with the Carter/Dvo trade - but was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
I doubt we'd find many "impact" defensemen in NHL history who had a debut similar to Smid. I still think Albelin is an excellent comp, with the understanding he was a helluva hockey player. imo people have a tendency to overlook guys who are just really good players, and that's Smid's upside (if he gets there).
ReplyDeleteI do believe it's cause for concern that he isn't putting up some points though. His 19-year old AHL season wasn't awful, but last season in the NHL doesn't exactly imply a 4-40-44 season anytime soon.
Tommy Albelin.
The offensive game is a bit of a concern, considering he has never really put up points. Then again, he has been a boy playing against men
ReplyDeleteCan a shot be improved? Can it be taught?
If you can't roll him on the PP in say 3 years, will he strictly be a ES/PK guy?
He can carry the puck well though.
I like the Toni Lydman comparison.
I know some posters on the boards think he will be an offensive dynamo. That is not unique to Smid that happens to a lot of prospects.
ReplyDeleteBut I do not really recall him being billed by the Oil brass as a offensive monster.
In fact I recall Lowe in a radio interview not long after the trade basically saying he should put up some points but he does not project to be a big offensive D man. Then Lowe said after this season the kid really needs to work on his shot if he is going to bring along the offensive side of his game much. Seems like pretty honest comments from Lowe.
I am not sure where all the vitriol that he is not putting up big points came from? Maybe I missed somewhere where it was promised he would put up Rafalski or Lidstrom numbers?
I hope he can develop into a 40 point guy but expect him to be in the 30+ point range regularly in the not too distant future.
Well that's the assumption isn't it - that the kid will do nothing to work on his shot and experience will do nothing to improve his playmaking. If this is indeed true then sure he's unimpressive - doesn't sound like Smid though - seem pretty smart and coachable.
ReplyDeleteIn that draft, his offensive abilities were never billed as one of his selling points. It was always his intelligence and hockey sense on the ice. I think that's still relatively evident today. I seriously think that anyone expecting him to approach 40 pts is setting themselves up for disappointment.
ReplyDeleteToni Lydman is a guy that doesn't score much and barely puts up pt totals above 20 but I think we can all agree that he's money on the blueline. If Smid can eventually reach that kind of level, I'll take it. It's just a matter of how long that will take and how much we suffer in the meantime.
Smid doesn't bother me at all. The trade sucked because they got nothing for two years. Lupul and the draft picks were the disappointments in that trade. I can't say Smid has been a disappointment yet.
ReplyDeleteThe Oilers' defense was just far too young. Does anyone have a good reason why the Oilers didn't send Smid to the AHL for the year and then sign a veteran? I really can't think of a good one.
Riv - I agree with pretty much everything in your post - only thing I can think of was that Lowe knew he was going to blow up the team after Pronger left and it was worthwhile getting Smid some ABs. Still can't see the point in that since as you said the AHL would have been almost as good and we would have been at least repectable with a couple of vet dmen that were not that hard to come by.
ReplyDeleteKinda like mgmt woke up after the G7 party-wake with a hangover and had to go to work - only thing was the hangover lasted all year.
Well, I think LT is from the school of thought that Lowe prefers to develop dmen in the NHL. That might explain it, but it's still crazy. Why on Earth did they think Smid, Greene, and MAB on the same blueline was going to be a good idea?
ReplyDeleteIt bears pointing out that Smid has three minors, then five and a game. International stats record game misconducts as 20 minutes, rather than 10 as the NHL and its feeder leagues do. So really, think of it as 21 PIM.
ReplyDeleteIt's not like I have anything against Smid, I mean if he was our 1st or 2nd round pick then I'd say he looks like a good investment. But it's just not good enough to have receive him and Lupul for Pronger. You can spin that any way you want but Lowe fucked up large. Anyone with a clue shouldn've known that Lupul was gonna be a large gamble so that means you really had to come up big with the other asset and Lowe didn't.
ReplyDelete