The Edmonton Oilers are on something of a roll. While it is always enjoyable to see these young players find their way, the long term goal of the franchise is best served by an immediate step into the elevator shaft.
OTC recently put Horcoff on a line with Penner and Pisani and has two "lightning in a bottle" minute men units going (Cogs with O'Sullivan and Brule, along with Gagner and Nilsson playing with Pouliot) and the pistons are working. The blue makes short, precision passes that avoid danger areas and clears the abundant rebounds from the "garbage goal" area that has been such a problem this season. Even Jeff Deslauriers seems to be in a zone. The timing is awful. What is the cure? A good hockey team. If Ottawa is over the flu, that Edmonton winning streak should be cured by 10 PM tonight.
One final item. Since the season has been lost since the first snow, I haven't been paying much attention to the 5x5/60 numbers for Oilers forwards in 09-10. Here they are, courtesy Desjardins.
- Hemsky 2.85
- Brule 2.33
- Penner 2.22
- Pouliot 2.15
- Gagner 1.67
- Potulny 1.58
- Stone 1.54
- Nilsson 1.44
- Comrie 1.39
- O'Sullivan 1.31
- Jacques 1.26
- Horcoff 1.14
- Stortini 1.14
- Cogliano 0.93
- Moreau 0.83
- Pisani 0.42
Some of these guys played in bad luck, some of these guys played through injury. Some of these guys can't play. Pat Quinn's opening night roster decisions and choice of lines have been talked about throughout the season; looking at these numbers and reflecting on the prominent roles given to some of the underachievers it might be time to discuss OTC's role as it pertains to the Oilers future.
If development is the watch word moving forward, is it wise to cast Mr. Wilson in the role of coach?
Quinn's inability, or unwillingness, to match lines and make in game decisions does scare me going forward. Maybe this off season he'll be so tired and old he'll step away and Renney will step easily into the headman role.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading all over the Oilogosphere (dear) for many a year, and at the risk of sounding stupid... What is OTC?
ReplyDeleteLike DBO said.
ReplyDeleteHave to line match in todays game. Quinn is a smart man, but maybe stuck in his ways?
OTC = Old Timey Coach
ReplyDeleteahhhh, gotcha. I knew it had something to do with Quinn, just couldn't figure out what the letters stood for.
ReplyDeleteI still enjoy that Quinn won't match lines per se. I'd rather match players or defensive units. I'm not sure he's doing that either.
ReplyDeleteIf we decide to give it a run next year, he's perfect. If we're "developing" I don't know, he's had some good experiences with the young guys.
Then it's also quite possible a group of 4 posters from here could run the U-18 or U-20's to a title some years.
I still prefer 'Onion Toting Coach'
ReplyDeleteI am pretty sure that Bruce coined the phrase OTC or at least was one of the first to use it here.
Its funny, but there wasn't really all that much I was concerned about with OTC until the last month or so. Then with the trades that were made and the apparent preference for JFJ types over Lubo types, there have been some real red flags raised.
ReplyDeleteAt this point IMO Quinn should not be behind the bench next season (nor for that matter do I think Renney should be their either). Someone who could 'coach' the young players along would be worth looking at. Daum would be a much better choice, or even some of the options that were mulled over last year at this time (AHL coaches with strong track records).
And I still cheer every win. My heart rules my head to that extent when it comes to this calamitous club.
there not their - geez
ReplyDeleteAnd if I remember correctly it was Woodguy who nailed OTC down by his repeated use of it in one thread.
I think Quinn gets at least one more year, and if it goes south either Renney takes over, or they look for a new coach.
ReplyDeleteAs for the coke machine thoughts, it seems like Tambellini mentioned it at the end of last year before OTC was hired, so i think he was planning on making moves to clear out the "soft" players. Mind you that would be half our roster, and Quinn only made the point stronger with his preferences. the off season will really tell the direction of the team. If we overpay for coke machines and move out small skill then you know we are moving toward the Leafs of the 90's. Quinn seems like he can get that kind of team to the playoffs, but unfortuantely those teams don't win the cup without some high end skill players. And in today's game, the skill wins more then the grit it seems. A blend is needed, but with teams having 3 or 4 solid scoring lines you can't have trogglodytes knuckle dragging around the ice and taking holding penalties since they can't keep up. I expect to see one or two more "Ryan Jones" types brought in via trade (for our skill guys) or UFA. Seems like Quinn really liked Jones, and wants a few more of them. Makes me wonder if they make a run at Colby Armstrong.
Quinn is outdated but I have no problem with Renney staying on...
ReplyDeleteThe suggestion of brining on an up and comer from the AHL is a good idea but giving him the reins instead of a more experienced guy like Renney would be a problem.
If anything is certain, Quinn has got to go.
Honestly, I'm surprised at how the waters have calmed lately and everyone is just happy to look forward to next year but should we not be angry?
ReplyDeleteThis Lowe, Tambellini, Quinn and co. group has run the franchise into the ground. They should all be gone and we should be starting anew. But instead, we are content with letting Lowe draft Hall or Seguin and claim that he is starting a hopeful new future of Oiler Hockey.
They all have to go, we need a new era in Edmonton. With new people in every spot.
M.
ReplyDeleteDrafting is not the problem with the Oilers right now. Team balance and cap management are the problems, but we have heard from the voice behind the curtain that Tambellini is safe. So no sense calling for the heads of the guy(s) who are safe.
But I totally agree that it is mainly Tambellini's fault that the year has turned out the way it has.
Woodguy gets the OTC credit as far as I can remember.
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to gauge Quinn's usefulness this year. He's clearly given up/doesn't worry about winning anymore and I can't decide if I'm angry with him for that or not. MacT never gave up but I also think it was his hapless determination that got him fired.
I'd hate to give OTC another season if he's not the right guy. Is next season offically a throwaway season like this one? Or will they somehow become competitive? If it's a slider I guess I don't mind if he sticks around. He hasn't broken any of our toys yet.
I can't say Renney has impressed me much either.
The Predators will be without defenceman Denis Grebeshkov for at least one to two weeks because of a lower-body injury he suffered in Sunday's loss to Vancouver. He apparently was hurt early in the game and tried to play through it. - Nashville Tennessean
ReplyDeleteI think the roster decisions were not made by Quinn, but by Lowe with some "Yaaas Boss" from Rochester (Tambellini). Quinn didn't sign Khabibulin nor trade for Stone. The balance of the roster was essentially a done deal.
ReplyDeleteThe line matching thing is way over rated. It's not like Quinn has had Claude Provost, Doug Jarvis, Guy Charbonneau and Jacques Laperriere to work with.
I also think management misrepresented the ability of the players to Quinn. He's often said so.
If anything Quinn's coaching has exposed the roster for what it really is. MacT may have been able to squeak out a 20th place finish, but isn't drafting 1st or 2nd better?
I also hope that Quinn and Renney get some input into future rosters. However Lowe never gave any to MacT so that may continue to be a problem. And yeah I know Tambellini is the GM.
Start Dubnyk.
ReplyDeleteThey all have to go, we need a new era in Edmonton. With new people in every spot.
ReplyDeleteExcept us fans.
We can stay.
If anything Quinn's coaching has exposed the roster for what it really is. MacT may have been able to squeak out a 20th place finish, but isn't drafting 1st or 2nd better?
ReplyDeleteOnly if that was the plan, otherwise it strongly suggest that MacT>Quinn. Which means that we have seen a coaching downgrade. This is not a good thing for the team.
The Journal had more on the Grebs injury today:
ReplyDeleteThe former Oilers defenceman got hit in the groin with a shot during the Predators' 4-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday. The blue-liner reportedly needed emergency surgery on one of his testicles after the game.
He got Norway'd.
doritogrande,
ReplyDeleteIf there’s anything that sucks about being a die hard, it’s that I can’t be like, “If this doesn’t happen I’ll stop watching…”
Fuck you Schitzo. People are staring at me awkwardly now.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my life >=(
Jean-Francois Jacques: First Line LW.
ReplyDelete78 with a bullet?
ReplyDeleteAs I said the other day I believe he's an NHLer but I have no idea where you slot him.
I'm not overly confident with him as a third line pivot unless he's helped by two 34-in-his-prime types. He's only played 18 games but BTN has him facing the third toughest opp amongst forwards trailing only 34 and 10.
He's shown some early chem with 89 so is he the RW to flesh out the 27-89 combo while 68 finishes the 10-83 duo?
I have no idea where this club is going so I have no idea where to slot 78 or anyone else for that matter. If we run with the above ideas than Eberle plays a year in the A - or at least starts there - and MPS stays in the SEL.
As I said I have no idea where 78 goes but I'm pretty sure he's better than Rick Rypien:)
Finally, Reg Fleming is the first hockey player where the dots were connected between a career pockmarked by concussions and an old age beset with dementia. So why are the players loathe to support a rule change that makes the head off-limits?
Old NFL players are being diagnosed with early onset dementia hand-over-fucking-fist and while that sport does lead to more head injuries the same realities exist for NHL players.
I know you don't have a great concentration of athletes who are also above average intelligence but this is infuriating.
AFFORDABLE UFAs to target:
ReplyDeleteD: Zbynek Michalek, Randy Jones, Shaone Morrisonn
F: Colby Armstrong, Adam Burish
G: Dan Ellis or Martin Biron (to share with Deslauriers - not to be the clear cut starter)
If we're going the trade route and want younger players, RFAs are most likely to get traded. Chicago can't afford to keep their team together - maybe we can pry away Andrew Ladd?
If we could come away with Ladd, Armstrong, Michalek, and Ellis, this team would be very near playoffs. With the (hopefully likely) emergence of Eberle, Paajarvi-Svensson, and Seguin/Hall
in the next 2 years, this team could get good pretty fast.
We really need to start building that defence though.
I seem to remember Brad Winchester getting some time at 1LW at one point as well...
ReplyDeleteI don't think you can damn Quinn for giving the guy a shot there. Also consider that he's trusted others evaluation of the player and his potential, and that he now likely disagrees with that evaluation.
In any event, I believe Quinn was smart enough to get a 3 year contract at fairly big money.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they should look at bringing up Daum next season. He had a lot of success with the youngsters 2 seasons ago. Or maybe better to have him in OK City.
Much depends on the "Master Plan". Do the Oilers want to be 30th next year or shoot for 16th?
Much depends on the "Master Plan". Do the Oilers want to be 30th next year or shoot for 16th?
ReplyDeleteMaster plan, that's funny.
Going tonight. First game since the trade deadline where I've used my tickets. Therefore guaranteed loss night.
ReplyDelete*clap, clap*
Khabby is the only really glaring error on the current roster that can be attributed to Tambellini. (errors off the roster re: deadline 2010 trades are different issue)
The rest of the imbalance is Lowe's fault.
I don't mind clearing out the massive overstock on small skilled players with little clue on defensive coverage, there are way too many. More than any sane GM would have at one time.
Adding the odd coke machine isn't bad either as long as they don't go too far the other way, and look for "well rounded" coke machines.
That being said if they offer JFJ a contract I might tear up my season tickets.
Looking at the players in LT's post of 5x5/60 #'s, you can get rid of any guy below 6 without skipping a beat except Horcoff, who you need to play toughs.
You can keep Stone around if he wins a job out of camp too.
The rest are really chaff. Some of the chaff like Cogliano has some cache, so sign him cheap and turn him into something at the draft.
Comrie has some value as depth and mentoring if signed reasonably.
Also,
LT was the one who coined the term "Ole Timey Coach" to describe Quinn, I liked it enough to overuse it, then contract it to OTC.
Here's what that team would look like:
ReplyDeleteLadd-Horcoff-Hemsky
Penner-Gagner-Brule
Jones-Potulny-Armstrong
Comrie-Pouliot-Stortini
Pisani (if healthy - re-signed to small deal)
Gilbert-Whitney
Michalek-Smid
Souray-Peckham
Johnson
Ellis-Deslauriers
I guess POS can be blamed on Tambellini too, but everyone at the time thought it was a good trade.
ReplyDeleteEveryone was asking "Why would Lombardi let 2 years of POS go for Justin Williams on an expiring contract?"
Now we know.
Lombardi knew exactly what he had in POS and was cutting bait instead of keeping him around for 2 more years hoping he would wake up.
Could use that kind of thinking around the Oilers.
Bar Qu: Surely everyone knows there is a "Master Plan". It would be foolish not to have one, no?
ReplyDeleteCould use that kind of thinking around the Oilers.
ReplyDeleteGrebs?
I think the roster decisions were not made by Quinn, but by Lowe with some "Yaaas Boss" from Rochester (Tambellini). Quinn didn't sign Khabibulin
ReplyDeleteNo, but by all accounts the signing was for him... he wanted a big time goalie. At least that was the rationale for signing him, although Marty Biron had a pretty stellar record against Pat Quinn's Leafs.
I don't know whats worse. That I know x equals 5 or that I didn't have to do the calculation to figure it out.
ReplyDeleteLombardi knew exactly what he had in POS and was cutting bait instead of keeping him around for 2 more years hoping he would wake up.
ReplyDeleteCould use that kind of thinking around the Oilers.
>>>
Cogs.
Looks Really Busy out there, but so does Ethan. I don't know why we need to wait until everyone else figures it out too.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI don't know. I remember thinking at the time that if Rutherford was willing to trade Williams and a 2nd for Erik Cole, then why didn't we just trade Cole for Williams and a 2nd? I didn't see the point of including LA and O'Sullivan in the deal then, just as I still don't.
ReplyDelete@Dennis
ReplyDeleteI've been howling over this same thing the last couple of days with the knuckle-draggers who don't have a problem with the Matt Cooke-Marc Savard hit. In fact, I went right to the sources, a pair of Neurosurgery articles from 2005 and 2007 (okay, their abstracts -- I have enough reading to do today already, I couldn't be bothered with the rest). The headline-grabbers:
--Three times the incidence of clinical depression
--Three times the incidence of significant memory deficits
--Five times the incidence of early-onset Alzheimer's
...among NFLers with a history of three or more concussions.
And thank you for reminding me of poor Reg Fleming. The name wasn't coming to me this morning.
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ReplyDeleteSchitzo:
ReplyDeleteGrebs lead the Oilers in +/- last year, he was already awake.
On the NFL brain thing:
ReplyDeletehttp://tinyurl.com/yhu2h2b
The dogfighting-parallel theme is just an awkward stretch, but for the most part he wisely leaves that alone. The medecine bits are very interesting, and there's a college that had helmet sensors and video tracking an entire season, practices, games, everything. Nobody knows what to do with the information though, because you can't just Stop football. It's not a cheap-shot, or equipment issue there, it's the sport itself, there's no dialing it out with little rule changes.
Whoops,
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell is Medecine?
And should I take some?
Since I assume he must have had at least some value as a cheap UFA whose been deep in the playoffs before, are we just assuming that Comrie and his Dad had a gentleman's agreement with Katz that he wouldn't be dealt this year?
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to believe that GMs would be that scared off by his missed games when they were due to an illness he's now over and not a nagging injury.
Dealing him for a pick would have been a great move on so many levels, especially because he's been playing entirely too well lately. Getting the goal and the SO winner against Minny was something we just can't have more of.
"Three times the incidence of clinical depression"
ReplyDeleteKind of like being an Oilers fan.
We should start booing him again if he keeps palying like that.
ReplyDeleteMisfit:
ReplyDeleteMust be that the Oilers wanted 2 years of POS and not an expiring contract.
They dragged out the line of "we've been high on this player (POS) for a long time.
99% of what was said at the time was that trade was a win for the Oilers (myself included), Lombardi pumped and dumped like a master. Then gave POS's $$$ to an oft injured Williams at 3.25 per for 4 years. Weird.
well said, rider guy
ReplyDeleteKhabby is the only really glaring error on the current roster that can be attributed to Tambellini. (errors off the roster re: deadline 2010 trades are different issue)
ReplyDeleteThe rest of the imbalance is Lowe's fault.
Buyouts were possible for contracts too rich for the players signed. I also attribute the Heatley fiasco and the lack of any other significant action to Tambellini. But the Khabi signing was enough to warrant firing by my eye (due to cost and term, looking back from now).
Ya that Cole - O'Sullivan - Williams deal really didn't work out well for anyone. We know O'Sullivan has been poor, but the others haven't faired much better.
ReplyDeleteWilliams played 12 games last year and then got hurt, then had a nice start to this season (was a point/game through the first 12 or 15 games) then got hurt after only 33 games (24 points). $3.5M cap hit this year and next.
Cole had a nice start after the trade last year, with 15 points in 17 games (only 2 goals) but then struggled in playoffs with 5 assists and NO GOALS in 18 games. He's missed most of this year and has only 8 points in 24 games. $2.9M cap hit this year and next.
It still was a pretty decent trade based on 'potential' and the 2nd round pick that was included - unfortunately we dealt that pick for Kotalik. I still think O'Sullivan, though very one dimensional, could earn his $2.9M by potting 25-30 goals in the right situation. He's quick, has good hands, and a wicked release. If he made $1M less I'm sure Pittsburgh would have taken a chance on him and paired him with Crosby.
The O'Sullivan-Horcoff-Hemsky troika had solid underlying numbers and just nothing to show for it shooting percentage-wise (well below the mark, even taking into account O'Sullivan's weak shooting). If they start next season Sully-Horcoff-Hemsky and Penner-Gagner-Whomever, I think we could see some decent returns. I've not been impressed with the kid as a bus driver, but I really think he has more oomph as a support guy for a good line than any of the other 6's on the team.
ReplyDeleteIf he can bring anything resembling decent ES play to his game to add to his pretty nice special teams play (last I checked he had the best chance differential on the PP, and was just behind Souray/Horcoff on the PK) then he could actually be a decent use of $3MM, despite all the other warts to his game.
Crosby.
ReplyDelete"If development is the watchword going forward..."
ReplyDeleteMy schtick these days is to go to what I believe the root of the problem is and question whether the "management team" is good enough to assemble a team worth developing. I continue to fear that we have Matt Millen/Mike Milbury types on the management team.
If the management team isn't good, then the hockey team won't be very good either.
Willis talks about this today and cites Atlanta, Columbus and the Islanders as poorly managed teams.
Grebs lead the Oilers in +/- last year, he was already awake.
ReplyDeleteWell, the kind of thinking (cut bait) is the same. We're just not good at it.
Since we're already explaining insider jokes/comments this thread, can someone please explain what it means when someone uses "Crosby." as a sentence ending a post?
ReplyDeleteBeen reading for years and have never understood that.
It means Pat has had a few too many and you need to keep him away from the breakables and Joffrey Lupul.
ReplyDeleteOr not.
Been reading for years and have never understood that.
ReplyDeleteImagine Pierre McGuire in a dark basement, his pants around his ankles and his little monster in his hand. As he climaxes, a single word escapes his moist lips.
Crosby.
The one I feel stupid for not knowing is "Dys" when referring to the Canucks. Huh?
ReplyDeleteGoogle tells me...
ReplyDeleteHibernia or Dennis came up with it years ago. Maybe 10. Refered to Canuck fans trumpeting their teams chances to win multiple championship during the Morrison / Bertuz / Naslund days, despite their obvious lack of success. The Dynasties. from Oilfans.
Is this right?
Short for Dynasty, Ribs. You remember that Canucks team that won all of those Cups back around 2001-2006?
ReplyDeleteOh, you neither?
Crosby.
Strong. Muscular. Thighs.
Crosby.
Thanks, BD.
ReplyDeleteOh schitzo.
ReplyDeleteJesus.
Now here's a question and we already know the answer but I will put it out there anyhow because that's just the type of guy I am.
Say you're getting some work done on your house and you bring in a contractor and he fucks it up. Just entirely. Your perfectly good house is now fit to be condemned.
Luckily insurance covers it. Or something. Who cares, its not relevant for this amazing metaphor.
Do you turn around and hire the same guys who fucked it up in the first place to fix the problem?
Yet here we are with Lowe and his monkey and LaForge and Pendergast still in charge.
That, my friends, is not very smart.
Mike Holmes for GM!
ReplyDeleteBut technically in that metaphor Tambellini is the guy standing in the corner drinking coffee and watching everything get done wrong.
ReplyDeleteFer sure I want that guy doing the work.
"and his little monster in his hand."
ReplyDeleteHAhahahaha.. tee hee hee...
Hmm, the way I had it pictured in my head Tambellini was fetching the coffee.
ReplyDeleteOh and Kate Winslet was sitting in my lap.
BD,
ReplyDeletedon't you know I'm teaching here? I can't explain why I'm laughing at that.
ReplyDeleteWell, the kind of thinking (cut bait) is the same. We're just not good at it.
True enough.
Klowe: "We need cap space now!"
Tambellini: "Poile has always liked Grebs"
Klowe: "Didn't he lead our team in plus minus last year"
Tambellini: "If you want cap space I have to move someone people want, I bet we can get a 4th rounder"
Klowe: "You aim too low, try for a 3rd"
Tambellini: "I'll start a 2nd and let him talk me down"
(Tambellini dials a phone) : "David, Tamby here. You've asked about Grebs in the past, you can have him today for a 2nd"
Poile: "okdonefaxhasgonethroughnhlsignedoffokbye"
Tambellini: "Kev, I got a 2nd!!"
Both: "High Five" (they miss)
Tambellini: "Kev, what about O'Sullivan, dump him and we say almost 3 Million next year"
KLowe: "No way, I got a feeling about him. His career 7.2% Shooting percentage and career -52 is bound to turn around"
Tambellini: "Awesome! Can you get the phones for the next 10 minutes, my wife asked me 2 days ago if I liked dinner and I'm almost finished evaluating it"
I love how you guys bash on everything management does except for Lowe's biggest blunder (Horcoff contract).
ReplyDeleteIt's like talking about what joke the Bush administration is and not mentioning Iraq.
GDT Alert: Horcoff, Is he a first-line center? Sub-thread starts now.
ReplyDeleteNow the party has started!
ReplyDeleteTractor,
ReplyDeleteWe tend to bash over stuff that can be fixed.
Like him or not, that contract is going nowhere until the start of 13/14 season when his actual $$$ starts being lower than his cap hit.
Also, there is a chance in the future that he won't be as gross an overpay as he is this year based on past performance.
Alex Delvecchio was #10.
ReplyDeleteWhen you're in grade 3 and somebody else on the playground has already picked he's Dave Keon, and somebody else picks Ellis, and so on, you find the guy who's going to be you, and you stick with him. I was Delvecchio and liked it just fine. Goes for Shawn, too. He's a 10!
I thought this was a 'numbers' blog, no?
ReplyDelete"GDT Alert: Horcoff, Is he a first-line center?"
ReplyDeleteHe's the 3rd highest scoring center on the worst team in the NHL.
Not sure if it has been mentioned yet but we could possibly see a milestone tonight:
Horcoff is only 1 assist away from passing Ales Hemsky's 15 assist landmark.
Ribs: Yeah I coined the Dynastys phrase a long time ago when I only posted at Oilfans and there was this knob there called VanFan who was one of the biggest nuisances that I have ever come across online.
ReplyDeleteAnyway the guy would just go on about the West Coast Express line and Brian Burke and he polluted the site. The Dys fans had their own place to hang out so one day I went over there with the name Velcro Sheep Gloves and I just about blew the place up.
Note: I was much younger then:)
Trak: You just compared hockey to a declaration of war.
ReplyDeleteEpic Fail.
Nice, Dennis.
ReplyDeleteDennis:
ReplyDeleteIn both cases the Oil got robbed.
In both cases the Oil got robbed.
ReplyDeleteHiyo!
The trashing of Horcov is getting old. It's not his fault that Lowe was stupid enough to overpay him that much.
ReplyDeleteBut then again, what do you expect from Lowe - he who overpayed Pisani, Moreau, Staios...etc.
I don't like his numbers this year but the guy still plays hard all the time and plays hurt. And he's been saddled w/boat anchors (22, 18, 19) a good part of the way. It's like he's trying to nail jello to tree out there with all the help he's been given.
Maybe he's at best a true #2 center, I'll buy that. But picking on him for Klowe's bad business sense is unfair (not that fairness has anything to do with some of the arguments from some).
To be fair, Trak was dumping on Lowe wrt the contract too, not particularly the player. But it is old news, and he Ain't goin Nowhere, as Dylan said, so you might as well enjoy what he does bring and that he's not Matt F Cooke.
ReplyDeleteTrak: not a bad attempt at a save.
ReplyDeleteBefore I forget could someone score the first period for me tonight? Just write down the time remaining in the period when a scoring chance is registered - please note if it's a PP or SH chance - and if it's an Oilers chance note the number of the player involved.
I'll be able to take the second and third periods; I just want to be able to watch Lost live as it were.
In terms of numbers, what would the percentage chances be of the following:
ReplyDelete1)Khabbi coming back healthy next year and leading the team into playoff contention
2)Gagner making the 2014 Olympic team
Ribs: Yeah I coined the Dynastys phrase a long time ago when I only posted at Oilfans and there was this knob there called VanFan who was one of the biggest nuisances that I have ever come across online.
ReplyDeleteI remember those days. I recall saying that Bertuzzi was a meathead that took horrible penalties that hurt his team and I got an email from him laced with profanities.
He was a very angry individual.
commonfan. I'd have both of those at less then 5% odds.
ReplyDeleteFire Pat Quinn, Hire Guy Boucher.
ReplyDeleteHe did wonders to take some unoticed QJMHL kids to the promised land (Drafted or good contract) and now doing a great job developing the kids in Hamilton. The difference in callups is very noticeable as all the players now have a greatly improved 2 way play over the previous year's rooks.
He did wonders with Sergei Kostitsyn. Usually an offensive player he's now team leader on relative +- on the PK. At -3,05 i believe. (MTL's PK is 2nd i believe). Also he's facing toughest competition on the team at age 22, and isn't bleeding a bit.
He was a very angry individual.
ReplyDeleteFortunately we have no one here who is angry ;)
Bar Qu: Being pissed at instants and being pissed at life is very different lol =P. Let's not play that game shall we.
ReplyDeleteThus the implied joke (which might have been only apparent to me - I tend to do that).
ReplyDeleteOf the 13 forwards from the 2010 team, is anyone a 100% lock to make it again in 2014 other than Crosby and Toews?
ReplyDeleteIginla, Morrow, Thornton, Marleau and Heatley will all be too old in their mid-30s (Iginla was the oldest forward on this team at 32) to make it in 2014.
Getzlaf, Nash, Perry, Staal, Richards and Carter* will all be 28-29 and you've gotta think some of them will have dropped off a bit due to injury or loss of explosiveness that they're not likely to all make it again.
Bergeron shouldn't have made it this time and won't again, but Stamkos would certainly seem to be a lock for next time.
Considering there will be, I'm guessing, 6 or so forward spots to fill with younger guys and Gagner is only 6 months older than Stamkos, I think he'll have a shot.
And if we can't picture him being worthy of at least a camp invite by then, all hope is lost for the Oil.
commonfan - problem is both Toews and Crosby are centres and Stamkos is too, is he not?
ReplyDeletePlus Getzlaf, Richards, Carter, Staal and who knows who else.
We can produce centres, always have.
Gagner is growing into a fine player but even if he didn't get an invite I wouldn't fret. Check out the Team Canada rosters in the 80s and early 90s. Yzerman, amongst other notables, was always absent.
We're deep in talent.
Just for arguments sake,
ReplyDelete"Getzlaf, Nash, Perry, Staal, Richards and Carter* will all be 28-29 and you've gotta think some of them will have dropped off a bit due to injury or loss of explosiveness that they're not likely to all make it again."
I doubt that any of Getzlaf, Nash, Staal, and Richards will not on the next olympic team.. superstars have a way of sustaining.. With those three C's, nevermind crosby, gagner is in tough.. so 'no', imo...
"And if we can't picture him being worthy of at least a camp invite by then, all hope is lost for the Oil."
Get over the melodrama.. then pray that hall or seguin is the real deal..
I guess POS can be blamed on Tambellini too, but everyone at the time thought it was a good trade.
ReplyDeleteI looked at his shooting % on trade day and Threw up in my mouth!
Cogs.
ReplyDeleteLooks Really Busy out there, but so does Ethan. I don't know why we need to wait until everyone else figures it out too.
POS 2.9M
Moreau 2.0M
Cogliano 1.15M
Figure out what! OH! keep cogs for fourth line at that price.
Off topic, but this is interesting.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/mar/09/rubin-kazan-russia-football-finances
The KHL runs along similar lines to the Russian soccer league ie. not generally sustainable business ventures, but rather the toys of rich men.
Financial problems over there could make some guys think twice about playing there, or could send some of their stars back to the NHL for a bit more security.
Had totally forgot about VanFan. Some of the Oilfans at Oilfans were tough enough to take without that Yahoo spouting his smack.
ReplyDeleteMarc, I keep thinking one day I'm going to hear that Dynamo's plane to Omsk has gone down in a Siberian blizzard, and the owrld has lost Norway's One Mighty Testicle.
ReplyDeleteSurely the travel in the K has got to be worse than the WC. Anyone know for sure?
Spoiler: Yes it is. I think the longest travel possible is 22 hours. That's hell of a ride. And quite possibly why they have so few games.
ReplyDeleteWe should all chip in and buy Dennis a PVR. I'd donate a 20.
ReplyDeleteSpoiler: Well i was cable guy, and that thing cost like 2 bucks in reality. So just bribe your cable guy. Most probable is that he will say yes.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but we'd have to bribe Dennis' cable guy, and I'm not sure what to offer a Newf that would be enough for him to lie and cheat, not to mention screw over his employer.
ReplyDeleteIt's what's sublime about this blog...nowhere else can you see algebra lol relating to this appalling hockey club.
ReplyDeleteSpoiler: that was a good one:)
ReplyDeleteFor anyone wondering about the travel in the KHL or anything for that matter they should read Dave King's memoirs as told to Eric Duhatschek.
The story of the cold McDonalds never fails to blow me away.
fpb: I can't wait until you begin life in the workforce.
ReplyDeleteha ha
ReplyDeletecrosby.
Lowetide: Well i did as mentionned. For a summer. Well almost all the cable guy either rip off the employer or just do cheap job. (I didn't, i worked for my uncle directly)
ReplyDeleteSpoiler: No one tracks the PVR. There just standing there stacked in boxes.
not sure how the PVRs work in Quebec... but I did spend a few years working in cable in BC, and all PVRs are tied to the accounts via serial numbers, and are activated digitally. The cost of the PVR to the customer is all loaded into a database, and is actually pretty tough to change, so unless there was some magical promotion it would be tough to get a free or even heavily discounted PVR. At least without it being flagged as stolen and remotely disabled.
ReplyDeleteso really it wouldn't be the cable company you'd want to bribe, it would be one of the resellers.
ReplyDeleteIf my children (who read this blog) end up being criminals, you all are going to see more hell than a little bit.
ReplyDelete//2)Gagner making the 2014 Olympic team//
ReplyDeleteThe probability that Gagner makes the 2014 Olympic team is zero. No chance.
Crosby, Toews, Richards or a Richards-type, and two big guys (Getzlaf and Stamkos, probably). And Eric Staal shifting to wing again.
Gagner would have to be better than Crosby or Toews to make the team.
C'mon boys it's just the first period;)
ReplyDeleteNoah: Well there's always alternate ways to activate them.
ReplyDeleteYeah might just buy a regular one. They usually rent it for like... 4$ a year... (or month i don't remember)
Ok folks, while working on another issue I discovered the solution to our on-line sarcasm problem. Here it is straight from wikipedia.
ReplyDelete"In certain Ethiopic languages, sarcasm and unreal phrases are indicated at the end of a sentence with a sarcasm mark called temherte slaq, a character that looks like the inverted exclamation point ¡"
This is much better than that other copywrited symbol.
This is the best thing I have ever done¡
MPS is +15, which is tied for 10th in the SEL. He's second on the Timra team behind Daniel Corso (+17).
ReplyDeleteI think Tambellini is doing a kick ass job¡
ReplyDeleteI love this thing - outside of coffee, this might be the best invention that came out of Ethiopia!
booki.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you make that character, I just copied and pasted it.
ReplyDeleteOk, back to hockey now...
book¡
ReplyDeletecrosby¡
ReplyDeletemonster¡
ReplyDelete¡ ATL+173 (Hold it while typing on the Numpad.
ReplyDeleteN00b¡
Strong¡ Muscular¡ Thighs¡
ReplyDelete▲ Triforce
ReplyDelete▲ ▲
I love how the big Hedman kid just got shoved away by 5''6 Brian Gionta
▲
ReplyDelete▲ ▲
I meant *
Bookie:
ReplyDeletePlus, in other African languages, it's acually to pronounce a click.
For proof, see a Russell Peters sketch.
"He had a click in his name!"
ReplyDeletePlus, in other African languages, it's acually to pronounce a click.
That is just a regular exclamation mark I think. Its the ǃKung people of Southern Africa.
Russel Peters is awesome however, and I think they should have bumped all of their 'Canadian' comedians at the Olympic closing ceremony and just had Russel Peters.
bookie:
ReplyDeleteYeah. You've got me there actually.
My ticket says 7:00pm, but it doesn't start until 7:30.
ReplyDeleteI hate that.
I blame Laforge.
Cold in the building when its mostly empty.
Apparently Pat told everyone but me about the game time.
With the cooler temperature maybe the ice won't frost as heavy.
You can buy beer easy, though. Plus women are nice to look at.
ReplyDeleteLeaves are tied with Boston with 7 min left. Go Leaves!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the Oilers will add Rick Ley next season
ReplyDeleteQuinn needs him - seriously
It's like batman without robin
Making of the SI swimsuit edition on CNBC right now...ch 509 on Bell Expresvu...if you're killing time.
ReplyDeleteStrong,muscular,thighs.
the music was really good at the closing ceremonies¡
ReplyDeleteon Rick Ley: Anyone who thinks he'll help should read Al Strachan's (yes I know he's annoying) book "Why the Leafs Suck".Very enlightening in reference to OTC and his buddy Rick Ley. Basically no one respected Ley, he had no idea about anything and just ran basic drills when OTC wasn't around. the players basically laughed at him, so trust me that he is not any answer for our team.
ReplyDeleteTrue. Walked right up to the concession counter, no line.
ReplyDeleteHad the privilege of paying $4 each for two waters.
The girl takes the cap off of both bottles and I ask if she has to do that. She says "yes, NHL regulation so the bottle can't be a dangerous projectile."
Cap on my extra water? No!
Suspension or penalty for cheap blindside hit causing a grade 2 concussion? Si!
Thanks Gary!!
Actually I blame Laforge.
Lotta Sens fans in the building.
ReplyDeleteUsually only see this many cheering for the opposition for Habs, Leaves, Flames, and Dys games.
Leafs win in OT.
ReplyDeleteLeafs fan. Fist pump
ReplyDeleteUh I meant Win not fans.
ReplyDeleteDammit, meant to say no suspension......Si!
ReplyDeleteI blame Laforge.
Poob¡t¡s.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes wish a giant pun would eat Gene Principe.
ReplyDeleteEdmonton trying to cope with rolling blackouts?
ReplyDelete¡
ReplyDeleteLowetide said...
MPS is +15, which is tied for 10th in the SEL. He's second on the Timra team behind Daniel Corso (+17).
Is his Corsi > Corso? ¡
I'd kill for Principe right now...I've got the Ottawa clowns in BC.
ReplyDelete-the glass is your friend
-it would be 3-0 already if not for JDD
Woodguy:
ReplyDeleteDid you get a pair of those fancy clapping devices?
Would you say you have "the clap"?
Luckily the concession had penicillin so it cleared right up.
ReplyDelete$5 a pill.
Mmmmm.
ReplyDeleteSweet chin music.
Put Dubnyk in right now dammit.
ReplyDeleteThat might be the best sequence I've seen from Deslauriers so far in his NHL career.
ReplyDeleteIf Kovalev can't get stick on puck when he's that open, I'm sorry Louie he's no longer one of "the most dangerous forwards in hockey".
ReplyDeleteHe's old.
So, I haven't really been watching much any more. I sometimes have the games on in the background while working at the computer, but have missed a lot.
ReplyDeleteHow is JDD really doing? Lucky? Better? Impressive?
I do think that it is time to start evaluating Dubnyk a bit more. What about that ECHL guy they keep bringing up. He could use a game or two in the big leagues, just think how happy that would make him.
ReplyDeleteBookie:
ReplyDeleteA good mix of columns A and B.
His size, however, is all C.
Sorry Mike Duff.
ReplyDeleteThat doesn't deserve a penalty shot.
That should have been 5 for boarding.
ReplyDeleteChorney on the PK really is something.
ReplyDeleteNot something good mind you, but it's certainly something.
Deslauriers channeling a Hoover tonight.
ReplyDeleteJDD back to shoving it up all of our backsides. Cue the article from Brownlee.
ReplyDeleteLooks like OTC has been on board with the Fall for Hall all year. How else to explain no 13 on the PK all year? His speed is causing all kinds of problems for the Sens.
That's the second time in the last two games I've seen Whitney absolutely fly to break up a 2-on-1 and it looks just effortless.
ReplyDeleteHe's easily as good a skater as Visnovsky was, but in a 6'4" frame and can apparently take a sucker punch to the head to boot.
Whitney has also been a bit tenacious tonight. I was led to believe he was a soft as warm butter.
ReplyDeleteThe Ref knew all eyes were on him....left his penalty arm up...let it linger....PENALTY SHOT
ReplyDeleteMcGeough would be ashamed of that showmanship.
JDD making his case.
I just saw the last eight min but yes to the guy from BC that also has to listen to Brown and Galley: it's a real fucking clown show.
ReplyDelete13 has actually been a bad PKer in the past and I thought his speed would make him a good one but he's not tenacious or smart enough to be able to use that speed.
I absolutely loved the speed that 6 showed after he took at shot while SH and then managed to be the second guy back to break up the odd man rush; that was fucking impressive.
Cue the article from Brownlee.
ReplyDeleteHe wrote it 2 days ago.
Woodguy: Actually after going to many games, i determined the biggest solid object you can throw at the players is a milk carton. Because they let you have the carton =D. My step-brother once threw beer at Mike Richards in the playoffs, when he knee'd Kovalev. 30 seconds to go and Kovalev scores to tie it. He never saw Kostopoulos win with 40 seconds into OT because he was ejected. LoL.
ReplyDeleteJDD reminds me of Fleury over in the original tank town.
ReplyDeleteBig, lanky....french. Both guys are capable of making the big, spectacular stop with their fast legs. Both are also capable of letting in the semi-regular stinker or two, by being over active.
I assume no one scored the first so I'm not gonna bother to log the second and third.
ReplyDeleteOTC stops the puck drop, he cannot see in these low light conditions.
ReplyDeleteAlso the music is too damn loud.
Does anyone think that Duchene will ultimately be the best player to come out of last year's draft or will Tavares turn it on next year, similar to Stamkos.
ReplyDeleteI think Hedman will end up being the best.
ReplyDeleteAttaboy Fernando.
ReplyDeleteThat was a great cycle by 10-34-27.
Johnson gets his first (hopefully of many) Oiler point.
And, just for Traktor...SCORECOFF!
If I was Detroit, I would have traded for Pisani. Of course, I'd also have crime in the streets and a shitty ballclub, but I'd trade for Pisani.
ReplyDeleteOTC stops the puck drop, he cannot see in these low light conditions.
ReplyDeleteAlso the music is too damn loud.
Also, there are kids on his lawn.
@ Dennis - Agree with you on 13 on the PK. To this point in his career he's been terrible. All the tools, but doesn't have the toolbox to put them in. Generated 2 good SH chances in the period with his speed and generally caused the Sens all kinds of problems.
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of partial to the 6'6 swedish defenseman that skates like the wind, but I would also take Duchesne over Tavares.
ReplyDeleteThe two forwards will probably put up similar offensive numbers throughout their careers, but Duchesne has the speed and the smarts to make a difference at both ends of the rink.
IMO.
[I]If I was Detroit, I would have traded for Pisani. Of course, I'd also have crime in the streets and a shitty ballclub, but I'd trade for Pisani.[/i]
ReplyDeleteHolland is in a bit of cap hell otherwise he probably would have went for some goaltending.
There's the landmark assist.
ReplyDeleteI think the Oilers will sign Johnson. He seems to be an Oiler type (grit, effort, missing some teeth) and arrived at a time when the team badly needed someone like him.
ReplyDeleteMatt Duchene***
ReplyDeleteWho's the girl with the bum?
ReplyDeleteLT: 2 goals -14 in 25 games with 2M$ and injury prone?
ReplyDeleteLoL, talking about red flags everywhere
fpb: Shouldn't you be working on that resume?
ReplyDeleteWow, the Oilers have really started to come together now that the season is lost. They are looking pretty impressive. JDD looks to be a star.
ReplyDeleteNext year, watch out, they are probably going to contend for first place in the division or conference¡
When they picked up Johnson I thought he was going to be Strudwick's replacement next year,but apparently Strudwick's wearing a letter tonight,so who knows...maybe they'll sign both.
ReplyDeleteI really like the look of Whitney so far...3 games,yes,but he's looked good.
He's easily as good a skater as Visnovsky was, but in a 6'4" frame and can apparently take a sucker punch to the head to boot.
ReplyDelete... and land one, apparently.
I'm kind of partial to the 6'6 swedish defenseman that skates like the wind,
You talking about the 6'6 Swedish defenceman that got muscled off the puck by 5'7 Brian Gionta tonight?
God.
ReplyDeleteAfter a long period of being one of my least favorite prospects Chorney has cemented his status of being one of my least favorite Oilers.
Who the hell is minding twine for us tonight?
ReplyDeleteIt's Hasek mixed with Gumby mixed with Dryden.
My daughter's midget team lost to Tillsonburg tonight. I recognize that last shift...
ReplyDeleteIf I was JDD I'd be giving the ol' separator to both Chorney and Strudwick after that sequence. Great goaltending, B.R.U.T.A.L. defence.
ReplyDeleteI'm no goalie expert, but I don't think JDD's problem will ever be lack of effort or lack of athletism.
ReplyDeleteAlice: I hear that Tillsonburg is pretty tough. Think the Oilers could take 'em?
ReplyDeleteIf I was JDD I'd be giving the ol' separator to both Chorney and Strudwick after that sequence. Great goaltending, B.R.U.T.A.L. defence.
ReplyDeleteOnly problem with this statement is that Chorney's American, Strudwick from the Rockies, and Deslauriers has trouble even with garbled english.
"Tabarnak, geet ze puuk oot!"
Sorry, Dennis, I tuned in late or I owuld have been happy to score the first.
ReplyDeleteD.G. Never fear, "the ol' separator" crosses language barriers with ease.
ReplyDeleteWoomp there it is!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy Lord, we'd be winning another hockey game.
ReplyDeleteWould be nice to see OTC throw some more minutes Strudwick's way, maybe fix this strange imbalance of goal scoring for the wrong team.
Maybe it's time to get Khabibulin back in the net in the 3rd period...after about 7 beer.
ReplyDeleterider guy:
ReplyDeleteZing.
POS with 2:28 of Icetime
ReplyDeleteDid he commit to any very stupid play (Not watching)?