This photo was taken almost 40 years ago. From left to right are Ernie Hicke (payment for Guy Lafleur), Bobby Sheehan (bullet fast, he was quick) and Reggie Leach (the Riverton rifle).The Seals were my second favorite team growing up. Why? Well, the Bruins used to trade with them a lot and Boston was my #1 team as a kid so it was sort of like cheering for the farm team. Plus, they were epic losers and I've always had a soft spot for the underdog in any race.
The Seals ripped through talent like it was an endless resource, but money (or lack thereof) and geography (San Fransiscans didn't like driving to Oakland to watch the team play) doomed the franchise.
Gordon Gund bought the Seals and put some money into them, but the crowds didn't come. Then he moved the team to Cleveland, but that didn't work either, so John Ziegler killed two birds with one stone and decided Gund could fold his team into the troubled Minnesota North Stars franchise.
By 1990, Minnesota didn't feel like home and Gund (who was pretty damn good at moving franchises) decided to move the club back to the left coast. Ziegler said no, but allowed the sale of Minnesota to Dallas interests so Gund was involved in another franchise shift.
As part of the payoff, Gund was given an expansion franchise in the Bay area. The San Jose Sharks played their first games out of the Cow Palace, an arena the Seals original owner (Barry Van Gerbig) rejected in favor of the Oakland Jewel Box. Gund built a strong franchise through the 1990's and by the time he sold it (about 8 years ago) the Sharks were a model franchise, with merchandise sales through the roof and a solid fanbase.
--
The Sharks remind me of the Montreal Expos 1979-1984. Lots of Hall of Fame talent and a seemingly solid supporting cast but no track record of post-season success and a lot of pressure every spring. The problem is that you develop a past, and the Sharks past is very close to disaster. They don't look any better this season than they did a year or two years ago. All hat and no cattle. I cheer for them because in a way the Hicke's and Sheehan's are their orphans and a Stanley might somehow be shared by the long lost souls that were the Seals.
But it doesn't look like it is coming any time soon.
--
There's not much to say about the Oilers. The club is running out the string with a few players trying to salvage something (Cogliano as an example) and a few others trying to make an impression (Peckham, Dubnyk in the last game) in hopes of more regular employment next season.
There are interesting stories surrounding the Oilers. Jordan Eberle is ripping the cover off the ball in AAA, Seguin and Hall are posting points in the playoffs (3 points each, Hall in 1 game and Seguin in 2) and college kids Riley Nash (29gp, 12-22-34) and Chris Vande Velde (41gp, 16-24-40) are having strong finishes and their teams are still alive in the race of the final 4.
Plus the Euro kids are performing well and there are some juniors (Rajala, Kytnar among them) in the CHL playoffs. The future looks brighter than the present.
Is anyone else haunted by a fear that next years team will be a classroom full of students, but short on teachers? For much this reason I hope guys like Pisani and Comrie can be cheaply retained.
ReplyDeletethe Oakland Jewel Box
ReplyDeleteThat was a nice arena.
About the same size as Northlands, but only 12,500ish seats.
Lots of space,
Glass outer walls meant lots of light.
The first time I had Jalapeños
was at an
Edmonton Drillers-San Jose Earthquakes
NASL Indoor soccer game at the Oakland Coliseum.
Hotter than Holopchi I tell ya.
Jordan Eberle is ripping the cover off the ball in AAA
ReplyDeleteHistory is full of guys who got off to a hot start hitting fastballs only to have the pitchers find a weakness and exploit it. Plus I think J.Eb needs to show he can flash some leather on D.
For much this reason I hope guys like Pisani and Comrie can be cheaply retained.
I think they need someone who can play some tough minutes, stand up for the youngsters, and take control of the room from Moreau. I don't think these guys are the ones to do it.
Adam Oates.
ReplyDelete@ Ducey
ReplyDeleteI think you're spot on here about our vets. Comrie and Pisani are guys who can play a role on a contending team, probably fill out the bottom half of the roster and bring something to the table.
On the 10-11 Oilers, unless they decide to go out and bring in another 6 decent vets on the front and back ends who can play, it's not worth it to bring them back. Sure they can play, but they don't match what this team needs. Ideally, they are on your forth line, and killing the soft parade. Considering all the young-uns we are likely bringing in, there wont be any soft minutes for them, and as a result either they or the kids face tougher comp, and don't do as well.
Recent history therefore tells us they will be signed. Porridge. Sigh.
I think the Oilers (Tambellini) are being truthful in regard to Eberle. I think he'll get the Logan Couture treatment.
ReplyDeleteAll hat and no cattle is a great way to describe the Sharks.
ReplyDeleteAnother way is long on talent, short on desire.
The playoffs differ than the regular season for many reasons, most of the "intangible", that is tough to quantify and next to impossible to predict.
The one thing that you can predict is that the team that has more players who "want to win" will usually beat the team with less of these players if talent is equal.
When there is a talent disparity superior desire can beat superior talent often, which makes watching the playoffs so much fun.
I really don't think "Minus in the Olympics" Joe and the rest of the Sharks have the will to exceed their potential.
Go Oilers!
*clap,clap*
It seems to be common knowledge that thecaptainethanmoreau is poison, so I doubt he is back next year.
ReplyDeleteTambellini will add a mentor or two, its just a matter of who (for the record I an in the Jager=si camp if the dollars are ok)
Given that Tambellini actually got an above average grade for his deadline moves (would have been an A- if he got decent return for Grebs), I have more hope that he will make the right moves this summer.
Certainly more hope than I did before the trade deadline.
So after last night's Leaf win, we are now a solid 13 points behind Toronto for 29th overall. I am inclined to think that the 30th place standing is secure (and, as such, the Oil guaranteed one of Hall or Seguin, barring Prendergast and Lowe getting control of the table and doing something stupid a la 2003).
ReplyDeleteNow the questions regarding who we will get can start. Two scenarios:
1) Oilers retain the 30th overall pick: will they go Hall or Seguin? Lowetide thinks they go for Hall, Dreger suggested this week that perhaps they're leaning towards Seguin. If the two are really close, I think (hope?) they'll go for the center, but they need to pick the BPA one way or another.
2) One of teams 26-29 win the lottery and drop to 2nd overall. Effectively, it would be 95% certain the Oilers would get the "leftover" after Hall or Seguin is chosen by another team (barring them picking Cam Fowler, which wouldn't make me happy other than watching the comedy when PJO's head explodes out of sheer rage). Assuming who that 1st overall selecting team goes for, if Hall and Seguin are as close as we are lead to believe, may depend on that organization's specific needs and strengths:
Boston (Toronto pick): They've got Savard and Bergeron, so my guess is they use the Kessel return to pick his sniping winger replacement, Taylor Hall.
Florida: I'd suspect they could go either way here, but perhaps they pick Hall and move a guy like Horton for value? They're a coin flip IMO.
NYI: I think they've settled on Tavares and Bailey as their 1/2C punch, so Hall would make sense here. If Pierre Maguire makes a Taylor Hall/Mike Bossy comparison and Charles Wang hears it, it becomes a slam dunk.
Tampa: They've got Stamkos and Lecavalier. They'd go for Hall.
Carolina: They've got a long term 1C in Staal, so they'd go for Hall. I also think they could be the team out of this group most likely to move their first rounder (if they don't win the lottery) for more immediate help. Just a gut feel, but the Oilers have done business with the Canes before...
Columbus: for years the talk has been about finding a 1C to play with Nash. They'd pick Seguin given the opportunity.
NYR and Atlanta: both these teams could conceivably finish in the bottom five with an extended slump, but are longshots. I'd think either team would lean slightly towards Seguin over Hall, but that's a wild guess more than anything else.
So, if the Oilers end up drafting second overall, I think it's more likely they end up with Seguin than Hall. If they have first overall, it's tough to say, but I'd like to hope they're competent enough to recognize the value of a center over a winger (Dennis mentioned the worry about the allure of the "one shot scorer" - I counter that by saying is that I think they're pinning Eberle to be the next Great White Hope in this department....)
LT: yet another reason why I enjoy reading your work - you have a soft spot for the underdogs.
ReplyDeleteThat's how I came to be an Oilers fan 15 years ago (after tiring of Milbury's act w/my beloved Islanders) and it's why I also enjoy the Nashville Predators now.
Here's hoping the Oil eventually turn it around. I could not help but feel very happy for DD finally getting a win the other night. Kid deserved it.
Am hoping Eberle continues to hit well against AAA pitching in Springfield. If he shows he can master that, then there's reason to bring him up next season. But first things first.
That Expos comparison was bang fucking on.
ReplyDeleteI thought the Sharks did well by changing up their bottom six and bringing in Nichol and Ortymeyer but obviously the stars make the difference and if Joe T and the rest can't step it up then they're dead in the water.
Maybe they'll slump down the stretch and that will be a wake up call but it looks like they could be ready to have the Wings take them out in Round One.
Plus, they were epic losers and I've always had a soft spot for the underdog in any race.
ReplyDeleteYou and me both LT - Maybe this is actually the best time to be an Oilers fan.
I became a fan of the NJDs the day Gretzky called them a Mickey Mouse Organization. A few years later after NJ squeeked into the playoffs, rookie Sean Burke(after only 11 NHL games) pretended he was Vladimir Tretiak and the team almost made the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Oilers (they lost in game 7 against Boston).
In the conference finals, Jim Schoenfeld (Devil's coach) called the ref (Koharski) a fat pig and was suspended for the next game. He won a court case allowing him to be in the game. The game was actually ready to start, but the refs refused to ref it, so the league found some local officials who could ref the game. It started about an hour late.
I had grown up as an Oiler fan, and that was my first time really cheering for the underdog. The team that had no hope of winning was stealing every series. They were killing themselves out there to win, blocking shots with their face, etc. It may have been that playoff run where I really fell in love with hockey. It probably was good prep for the next couple of decades of being an Oilers' fan - always cheering the little engine that could!
@HBomb. Gregor had an interview with Bob Boughner, coach for Windsor and he said that Hall is actually a center that they moved over to the wing for a couple of different reasons:
ReplyDelete1) It is easier to break into the NHL on wing without the tougher responsibilities of being a center (i.e. faceoffs, defensive responsibility requires more, etc.)
2) Moved Hall away from matchups.
In short, he said he is a very capable center.
So, the fine slice and dice between the top two prospects can exclude the fact one is a center and the other is not.
Regwald: well, if that's the case, maybe it makes their decision easier. Or more difficult. I'm not sure.
ReplyDeleteJust as long as they don't end up with the Leaf to someone else's Manning (using a football anaolgy that's been floated here before), I'll be OK with it.
1) It is easier to break into the NHL on wing without the tougher responsibilities of being a center (i.e. faceoffs, defensive responsibility requires more, etc.)
ReplyDelete2) Moved Hall away from matchups.
That makes me anxious. It's good coaching to try to avoid matchups on Hall, but I'd rather know he put up those points playing against other team's best players than the coach actively trying to shelter him.
And what kind of pussy switches positions in junior because they think it might be easier in the NHL? That's a decision for the NHL coaches to make, nobody else.
Schitzo: I'm feeling some of what you're feeling as well.
ReplyDeleteIf Hall's putting up numbers because he's killing the soft in junior, that'a huge red flag IMO.
Maybe they'll slump down the stretch and that will be a wake up call but it looks like they could be ready to have the Wings take them out in Round One.
ReplyDeleteShit, at this rate, they might lose their spot altogether to Phoenix -- the Seals are now one point up on the Jets with a game in hand. You think a fourth-place finish and a date with Colorado or LA might be a kick in the junk to finally wake them up?
(As an aside, I find it hilarious that the NHL's "current streak" thingy in the conference standings can't handle OTLs; for five teams, it's just blank.)
HBomb. No idea if it makes it easier or not. Do you think K-Lowe has a left over lucky loonie in his best suit he wears to the draft ?
ReplyDeleteLOL
Schitzo. I am not sure Hall switched positions as much as his coach decided to move him to the wing.
ReplyDeleteI don't have the same thought as you about the negative impact as such on his development.
http://www.justagame.ca/audio/Bob%20Boughner%20Mar%2008.mp3.
ReplyDeleteHere's the actual clip. Give it a listen and see what he has to say.
Nice to see my tax dollars at work so Leafs fans can see their AHL team on CBC.
ReplyDeletePlus, they were epic losers and I've always had a soft spot for the underdog in any race.
ReplyDeleteFunny, that's what made the Oilers become my #2 team. I cheered for them during the 2006 cup run but I wouldn't call myself a fan back then, it was only during the second half of last season that I really started to care about them and they kind of stank. Now they're even worse and I'm absolutely riveted. Hopefully they don't suck for as long as the Seals did though. My gods.
Also, I just listened to the full Stu MacGregor interview that Gregor had. He mentioned that they have seen both Seguin and Hall play both center and wing a number of games. He also said they had discussions with Hall and he has said he played center previously.
ReplyDelete//1) It is easier to break into the NHL on wing without the tougher responsibilities of being a center (i.e. faceoffs, defensive responsibility requires more, etc.)
ReplyDelete2) Moved Hall away from matchups. //
What a bunch of effing horsebleep!
If Hall can't handle junior hockey checking centres, there is no blankety-blank-blank way, he will ever be an NHL centre.
No NHL team is going to project him as a centre.
If he were a centre, Boughner would be playing him at centre.
godot: I think it is probably a little simpler than that. Hall moved down the defensive spectrum because that's where he belongs.
ReplyDeleteHowever, you've got a coach who is stumping for his guy. No big deal.
Hall moved down the defensive spectrum because that's where he belongs.
ReplyDeleteRight, but is that acceptable for a first overall pick, or is that ominous?
Naw. He's just a winger is all. Seguin might end up playing wing when he turns pro (unlikely) and lots of players come in as centermen and move to wing.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there's an obviously poor choice between the two.
Fun Statistical question of the day:
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know what the Oilers record is with and without Taylor Chorney in the lineup? From where I sit, he looks like a giant liability out there, but what is the Oilers actual record with and without him?
Does anyone know what the Oilers record is with and without Taylor Chorney in the lineup? From where I sit, he looks like a giant liability out there, but what is the Oilers actual record with and without him?
ReplyDeleteIs there any easy way to get this stat? I have wondered this (mostly for fun) about a number of players.
The beating up on a rookie defenseman trying to make his way has reached overkill.
ReplyDeleteWith all the injuries and the epic collapse, the Oilers are blessed with the opportunity to throw Taylor Chorney in the deep end, so he can learn first hand how far he has to go.
Next year in Oklahoma, we get to see whether the shock therapy worked or not, or whether they can safely cut bait.
Now can we stop beating up on a rookie defenseman as if a rookie defenseman floundering in the NHL is a topic worthy of the obsessive attention it seems to be drawing.
I think it's interesting to note that Eberle has played centre both games in the A by my eye. I think if that continues it may be a tell as to why Tambellini wants him there the rest of the season. Seeing if he can play centre as a pro perhaps?
ReplyDeleteIt's just stupid enough it has to be true.
Also, some people are talking out of their ass about Hall today. Boughner has himself said that Hall takes the toughest checking from every team, which is why he rolls four lines mostly and allows the other guys not on his line to score. Secondly, he's also stated that he plays Hall on wing because his speed creates a lot against junior defenders. That being said he thinks Hall might be better suited to centre in the NHL where the difference in skating ability will be less. Boughner's concern is winning with his team so that's why he plays him on the wing. He doesn't give half a crap about developing Hall's ability at centre.
ReplyDelete"I would never hold back a player that is ready for the NHL."
ReplyDelete- Steve Tambellini
Are you sure, Steve?
The best part about that statement is Tambellini is currently holding on to 3 or 4 players that don't belong in the NHL, including our "captain".
I see TSN is reporting that Brian Rafalski has sent an e-mail to all 30 NHLPA team reps requesting that they make Donald Fehr the new head of the PA. Donald Fehr makes Bob Goodenough look like Santa Claus by comparisson. Fehr and Selig damn near killed baseball. I shudder to think what impact he might have on the NHL.
ReplyDeleteTrak:
ReplyDeleteTheCaptainEthanMoreau and ADD are the obvious ones... who else?
I don't think much else could have been done with O'Sullivan and Nilsson, who both look way over their heads now... and the only other guy I can really think of now is JFJ, but he's been IR'd forever...
Oh, and just for fun, here's Souray's season prorated to 82 games (since the idea of him playing 82 games in most seasons is a joke anyway):
82GP: 9G 28P and -42.
He's also benefited from missing much of the time this team has been real shit.
That's 2 out of 3 years of his signing sucking for those counting.
Staios scores a PP goal. Good for him.
ReplyDeleteAnd the Wild tie it up... even better.
ReplyDeleteIf Hall's putting up numbers because he's killing the soft in junior, that'a huge red flag IMO.
ReplyDeleteI read on a post on HFboards that explained how Tyler Seguin managed to surpass Hall in the scoring race on the last game of the season.
Apparently his coach played him for the entire last 5 minutes of the final game, including pulling the goalie despite Seguin's team being down 4-0. It worked. Seguin picked up a goal in the final minute and passed Hall for the OHL Art Ross.
I don't know which kid is better. Hall has some things which could be flaws. Perhaps Seguin does as well, but they just don't get the same kind of scrutiny because he's the underdog.
Jersey has made a very successful history of picking kids with the most impressive body of work-- not necessarily the best draft year season. I do not know if that favors Sequin or Hall but may be worth looking at if there is little or nothing to tell them apart
ReplyDeleteBank Shot: They must have taken a point away from Seguin, as both of them finished with 106 points.
ReplyDeleteWhether Hall can play C as well as wing may be a moot point if the teams that might be drafting him are looking for a winger. Which as I recall was HBomb's initial point.
ReplyDeleteHe's also benefited from missing much of the time this team has been real shit.
The team has sucked while he was out? I'm not sure that that's so much a point against Souray as one in his favour.
Does anyone know what the Oilers record is with and without Taylor Chorney in the lineup?
Jordan: Their raw W-L record (Bettman points excluded) with Chorney in the line-up is 11-20. So he's been in the line-up for half the wins (11 of 22), slightly less than half the losses (20 of 49).
Probably the guy with the worst record in this repsect is Dubnyk, who had played in 13 consecutive losses before finally breaking into the W column on Friday.
LT/BS: You may both be right. If the OHL decides its scoring title the same way the NHL does, Seguin would have won the title by tying on points but with more goals.
ReplyDeleteThe team has sucked while he was out? I'm not sure that that's so much a point against Souray as one in his favour.
ReplyDeleteThe team has sucked since November or so... but he's missed a lot of the time playing in front of ADD, and is now completely missing the mess that has a bottom 4 of Johnson, Peckham, Strudwick and Chorney.
Whether Hall can play C as well as wing may be a moot point if the teams that might be drafting him are looking for a winger. Which as I recall was HBomb's initial point.
ReplyDeleteIdeal scenario:
Boston wins the lottery via the Toronto pick and drafts Hall and he turns into their Patrick Kane, making the Leafs look like morons for the next 15 years.
Edmonton steps up 2nd overall and picks Seguin, who blossoms into the second coming of Jonathan Toews. Oilers top seven forwards going forward are as follows:
RW: Hemsky, Eberle
LW: Penner, Paajarvi-Svenson
C: Seguin, Gagner, Horcoff
I'd be pretty happy with that. I see a better fit here for Seguin than Hall, but if we happened to end up with Taylor instead of Tyler, it wouldn't be like landing Ryan Leaf instead of Peyton Manning....I hope.
It's early but Eberle looks dominant even in the AHL. Every shift he creates at least one chance, sometimes two or three. He just scored a beauty.
ReplyDeleteHe's also playing RW this game on a different line. Wiseman and Minard are his linemates.
ReplyDelete6 points in 3 games for Ebs now....
ReplyDeleteI know it's a small sample size, but I don't really care at this point, even if he's got lady luck on his side, there aren't many 19 year olds who could walk into the AHL and put up those numbers.
anyone have a feed for the springfiled game?
ReplyDeleteThe best part is that he's +3 so far. I imagine they'll call him up when there's no worry about losing a season of eligibility.
ReplyDeleteDBO: The link at http://www.atdhe.net/index.html works fine.
ReplyDeleteFriday, March 26 against the Ducks is the first game he can play.
ReplyDeleteI was listening to the MacGregor interview on the Oilers Lunch (Feb. 16 show)and he said that he see's Hall as a winger - even though he's played both wing and center.
ReplyDeleteThe team has sucked since November or so... but he's missed a lot of the time playing in front of ADD,
ReplyDeleteHe played 2.5 games in front of Khabibulin, and the other 34 in front of the rookies.
Look, I'm not disagreeing that he had a miserable season, I just don't see the point in piling on. Lots of shit has happened to the Oil this year, with Souray's injuries being part of that.
as for future players and their positions. i would add a few I think are solid pros
ReplyDeleteC: Seguin, Gagner, Horcoff, Lander/Nash
LW:Penner, MPS
RW: Hemsky, Eberle, Brule
We add a solid physical two way LW and our top 9 looks solid for the next few years.
??-Seguin-Hemsky (top offensie line)
MPS-Gagner-Eberle (soft parade)
Penner-Horcoff-Brule (tough minutes line)
Not that he would necesarily want to come back, but would Torres fit on that top line? Or maybe switch Penner to the top line and have Torres with Horcoff and Brule?
Oops, I lied. Khabi went down 2 games after Souray got back, so the two of them were both in the line-up for all of 5 games this season.
ReplyDeleteFrom the three games so far, I would actually agree that there are aspects of Eberle's game that need improvement before he goes to the NHL... He tries some silly junior moves sometimes, especially the OTC pet peeve of drop passes. I've seen a few failed ones in the neutral zone.
ReplyDeleteHe seems a little weak still as well. He's slippery but if a defender catches him against the boards he doesn't win many battles.
Jon:
ReplyDeleteHopefully OTC doesn't get much of a chance to ruin Eberle.
Having said that, I'm sure another full summer of weight training will help a lot of things...
Man, Jordan Bendfeld sucks.
ReplyDeleteBoth Hall and Seguin are going to be fine players. There is no Manning/Leaf problem.
ReplyDeleteHall has been in the spotlight a lot longer and he has performed under it. I'm guessing when draft day comes it will be Hall's name they call.
Don't tell my in-laws, but hooray Minnesota Wild. Thanks for beating the Flames in regulation.
ReplyDeleteThat was one of the few games the Flames had left against teams out of the playoffs and they blew it.
ReplyDeleteStick a fork in them.
Best of luck to the Calgary Flames the remainder of the stretch run.
ReplyDelete(Misery loves company).
Bruce: Souray has been a garbage signing; one of the worst in the franchise's history.
ReplyDeleteSo speaking of Bruce;) does anyone want to log tonight's game chances-wise?
Dennis: That's an entirely different statement from saying he's lucky that he missed games in which the team sucked.
ReplyDeleteI would love to log chances, except I'm actually going to the game. With the Oil now 13 points back of Toronto, I can even root for them with a clear conscience. I may even go buy myself one of those foam fingers ... although to do it right, I'd have to pick up 30 of the fucking things, which might be outside of my budget.
Enjoy the game, everyone!
Bruce:
ReplyDeleteExcept I made that statement as well.
Just pointed out that his numbers would likely be even worse (especially since he's played horribly when he has played) if he was playing in this current mess.
I don't think that's that asinine to point out.
Hopefully we can deal him at the draft...
Simmonds and Jack Johnson would sure look great right about now though.
If we could trade Souray for Simmonds that alone would make the signing worthwhile. Not gonna happen, though.
ReplyDeleteOne last comment about Souray, who is not my favourite player btw: after playing well enough to be Oilers' All-Star rep last year, he suffered a Major concussion in Game 3 of 2009-10. All subsequent performance was likely affected by it. His whole season was ruined on October 8.
ReplyDeleteFair enough point on the concussion and who knows how much that has messed with him.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm sure I'm not the only one who remembers the JJ/Simmonds rumor going around last Summer around the draft?
Yeah, Souray hasn't even been able to hit the net this year. That's got to be concussion, I can't see how his shot has deserted him that thoroughly otherwise.
ReplyDeleteUnless he has some other nagging injury we don't know about, the poor bugger.
Not sure where everyone went. But Nilsson!
ReplyDeleteNilsson strikes me as a guy that a team like Pittsburgh would take a chance on at the draft.
ReplyDelete... nice goal by Penner.
Awful rebound control by Nabokov. I know it was brought up during the Olympics, but he has to be at least as blameworthy as Thorton for San Jose's playoff woes.
ReplyDeleteThat was a Hemsky-esque pass by Comrie to Sam... wow.
ReplyDeletePotulny is built like a tank. I thought that Blake hit would be the end of him.
ReplyDeleteOk, why is it that Ethan Moreau continues to play and look like an idiot, yet Pisani is getting healthy scratched (I am assuming that's the case, at least)?
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of Quinn's overall body of work here....
I remain convinced Moreau can't see. It would explain so much.
ReplyDeleteHbomb: He's dressed, but very little ice time.
ReplyDeletePisani is in the line-up tonight. Regardless of that though, Quinn has stated that he is going to play the young guys for the rest of the string and the vets would take turns in the PB. Comrie is just finishing a two game stretch out of the line-up. When exactly is theCaptain going to sit his ass out?
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on Quinn. It seems like the game has passed him by and I wouldn't be surprised if he was handed his walking papers after the season. I wonder if Renney would be the heir apparent?
Quinn needs to go.
ReplyDeleteI just don't want to see the Oiler's become one of those organizations with a revolving door at head coach. The franchises that operate that way are usually very unsuccessful (the Flyers are the lone exception I can think of). Quinn does appear to be a bad hire but the roster he was given has been extremely unhealthy and terrible at the best of times. Unfortunately, his in-game coaching is so outdated that I think that Tambo would be doing his players a disservice by bringing him back.
ReplyDeleteIn this article:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100321/GW03/3210594/1023/GW
MSU's coach says he believes Petry will sign with the Oilers:
Comley expects to lose standout junior defenseman Jeff Petry (4-25-29) to the NHL's Edmonton Oilers. He said he's hopeful top scorer Corey Tropp (20-22-42) will return for his senior season but admits it's possible the Buffalo Sabres may attempt to sign Tropp.
Someone explain me why Moreau played more than: Nilsson, Pouliot, Potulny, Comrie, Horcoff, Gagner and Brulé.
ReplyDeleteMoreau should have a big flat 2 minutes. (Not in the PB, meant the ice)
Pouliot seems like a great candidate for to overplay his contract.
ReplyDeleteLikely won't command more money. Probably won't interest much teams due to injury history. And seems to have turned a corner.
Possible 35-40 point guy. Or just a useful 3rd liner.
Nice find LT.
ReplyDeletefpb - agree on Moreau
ReplyDeleteas for Pouliot, if they'd just stick him somewhere and leave him alone, as in put him at centre and give him reasonable linemates, I think you may be right there as well; he is one of few Oilers who actually has not had a bad year, at least once he got over the pubitis
It's be nice if they lose 2-3 games in a row and provide a guarantee for the top 2 pick
ReplyDeleteThey close out the season with Colorado, Minnesota at home, and Anaheim, LA on the road.
We need to guarantee ourselves that pick before those games are played. Until such guarantee, I will continue biting my fingernails.
what the hell, the world is upside down
ReplyDeleteBDHS: Yeah, but that's like saying Hitler had a good war except for the syphilis. :-)
ReplyDeleteGene Principe must be stopped on principe alone.
A really, really nice play by Cogliano there. Really good NHL play.
ReplyDeleteGagner is a tough mofo. I saw him take a hit at the WJ's and get right up too. He's a pleasure to watch, wish he was getting better results.
ReplyDeleteGo, Dubnyk! :)
ReplyDeleteGene Principe must be stopped on principe alone.
ReplyDeleteWow.
It's bad enough when Gene does it.
Please stop.
HBomb said...
ReplyDeleteOk, why is it that Ethan Moreau continues to play and look like an idiot, yet Pisani is getting healthy scratched (I am assuming that's the case, at least)?
I'm assuming for the same reason Cogliano is seeing PP time.
Really, Pisani hasn't looked like much this year, and we have no idea how he's feeling today. It's pretty safe to assume that on any given day, Moreau could be the better player.
Haha nice one LT. I'm probably just as cheesy as Principe but I like the puns, I appreciate the sheer volume of them.
ReplyDeleteAs much as it displeases us, if the Oilers dont have the cajones or desire to strip elcapitan of the C then I cant see them scratching him either.
3-0 Oil in the 3rd? What the hell? Am I watching the correct live feed?
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't know about all of you, but I think its time to declare this team as 'ready to break through'. Look at how these guys are playing. First Detroit, now the Sharks. Its clear that our youth are coming together at the end of a tough season. Dubnyk has emerged as not only the goalie of the future, but maybe as the goalie of today!
ReplyDeleteI say we target one key superstar player who can just put us over the edge. We can afford to give up some draft picks. I bet we challenge for the conference lead next year!
Too early?
Bookie,
ReplyDeleteAwesome.
A part of me can't help but imagine Tambellini saying that to himself watching the game.
ReplyDeletePlease stop putting ideas like that in my head (sarcastic) Bookie...the season is difficult enough as is.
bookie: Exactly where are you right now? Please be specific. :-)
ReplyDeleteBookie, don't say a damn word or the "this team is better without Hemsky' geniuses will start coming out of the woodwork again
ReplyDeletelol LT, oh well, if they hold on then good for the big kid in net and some of these other poor bastards, its probably been an awfully tough year on them. Losing again and again is murder.
Good for Fernando potting one, I think this is his swan song. With his health issues nobody will be offering him a contract this summer and while I love the guy he's a shadow of what he once was. Still a better player than Moreau though. ;)
Wow. I score those goals all the time on NHL10.
ReplyDeleteDid 18 just pass??!? I just tuned into the game.
ReplyDeleteBDHS: This is two games in a row where I felt like cheering and the team did some things to make me care.
ReplyDeleteFun times.
So do we start calling the Moreau-Horcoff-Pisani line the MPH line?
ReplyDeleteOop. There goes Theo Peckham's season.
ReplyDeletewell that was right on cue
ReplyDeleteShoulder. Right? Dink Murray with the payback for Sam Gagner's bruising hit on SJ winger who embellished and appeared to hurt himself (think it was Mitchell).
ReplyDeleteHow many erection commercials are you guys getting? Are they targeting me?
Pop that shoulder back in and send him back out.
ReplyDeleteEvgeni Nabokov has become Tommy Salo. His confidance is completely shot following the Olympic massacre.
ReplyDeleteSo, anyone thing they're going to get Johnson signed to a nice 1.1 mil per for 3 years or so done?
ReplyDeleteThink he'll want to resign here next year?
Are you doing a lot of decorating or walking L.T.?
ReplyDeleteMan I feel bad for Dubnyk, would have been nice for him to have a shutout under his belt. So close.
ReplyDeleteBookie, you are hilarious.
ReplyDeleteLove,
The Internet
Man I'd love to be the team playing San Jose in the first round. They can't do anything right.
ReplyDeleteUni, he's making 580K now, so 1.1 is an overpay.
ReplyDeleteYou can probably get him for 3 years for a total of 2.5 or so.
Woodguy: Walking. Oh God, they ARE targeting me. :-)
ReplyDeleteWell, Dubnyk deserves another start. Right?
COMRIE!!!
ReplyDeleteSo, this has been entertaining. It seems that every time Comrie fights this year, it's been a good one.
ReplyDelete7 points in 6 games for Cogs? It would be nice if he finishes the year strong.
ReplyDeleteMike Comrie, Enforcer.
ReplyDeletecould someone explain why he's been a healthy scratch? just a lack of performance?
OTC is rotating the veterans for the pressbox, except for Ethan Magoo who gets a free pass. ROAD HOG!
ReplyDeleteApparently Quinn wants to see what the young guys have so the vets are taking turns in the PB.
ReplyDeleteBuh?
ReplyDeleteI get home from my permaculture meeting and hear the score is 5-1 and I'm thinking, yup that was expected. Then they start listing the players who have scored...
How many virgins did we have to sacrifice to get this alternate universe version of the Edmonton Oilers here for this game?
Unreal.
I don't dislike how Johnson's looked, but it would be wise of the Oilers to not put too much into a small sample size. A 2 year, 1.2 mil deal might be nice security to Johnson.
ReplyDeleteYou overpay everyone by 200K and there goes 4.6 mil in cap room that could be used for another quality player.
Has Dubnyk been this calm in all of his starts?
ReplyDeleteAlso what's the record for fights in a season for Comrie? Wouldn't mind seeing him resign at his current contract next year.
Woodguy: You think Johnson would want to resign here next year? I can see him leaving to sign a minimum contract somewhere else.
Watching the team now, and with an impending healthy Hemsky next season, what are the odds they'll tank like this again? I'm not saying they'll be much of a threat but they won't be last overall quality. I would dearly love to have Larsson in Edmonton...just don't think the Oilers have 1 more year of sucking unless injuries crop up again.
ok. i was wondering what was going on since it seems like he's had an adequate year compared to a number of other players on this team.
ReplyDeletei was wondering if he was trying to fight his way back into the lineup or something : ]
not the case, apparently, but entertaining none the less.
Ethan had missed a few due to being a pain in the neck, so he's getting some playing time back.
ReplyDeleteBesides Tambellini is evaluating... and unlike Pisani, Moreau is actually signed for another year. Find out if he still has it, or hope he showcases himself to an off-season sucker.
comrie is going to be a married man next year, and as such i fully expect him to ask for a raise - he needs to pay for that damn ring ; ]
ReplyDeletei'd like to see him re-sign at his current contract too. maybe with a little bump. certainly nothing over 2 million.
uni: I'd like to see Dubnyk in 6 or 7 games here down the stretch. Just let him run and see what he can do.
ReplyDeleteStriatic,
ReplyDelete...if there's a limit on smurfs, would you sign Comrie ahead of Brule, Potulny and Cogs?
battle of the smurfs?
ReplyDeleteComrie over Potulny, hell yes.
over Cogliano, yes. i like Cogliano but i think his trade value might be higher than his player value at this point.
over Brule, no.
agreed LT. bye bye jdd me thinks.
ReplyDeleteWho's the favorites in the playoffs?
ReplyDeleteI hate to say it, but I think Vancouver might be the team to beat.
You want a good goaltender in Oklahoma next year, first year and all.
ReplyDeleteThey will sign both, and one will play in the AHL. Until this weekend, Dubnyk was likely to clear waivers. They will now probably have to risk JDD on waivers, but that is no big deal.
I think the Oilers may try to get Khabibulin and his contract off the cap (injury). He'll still get his money but they'll run with the kids.
ReplyDeleteA good way to get another lottery pick.
I might be wrong but I just can't see the Oilers being a lottery team next season if they're fairly healthy.
ReplyDeleteIt pains me to want it, but I would rather see them tank 1 more season and get Larsson. If he's everything he's cracked up to be, think Lidstrom with more jam, and it sure would be nice to have a Liddy type to anchor the D for 18 seasons or so =).
the Khabibulin issue is such a mystery. it makes thinking about the team's future very difficult.
ReplyDeletehe's an extremely capable goaltender but he's not part of this team's future. then he's got chronic health issues and an outsized contract that's probably impossible to move.
i'd like to see Khabibulin buried as LT suggests, the oilers pick up an very inexpensive Martin Biron type veteran UFA over the summer, and then move one of JDD or Dubnyk to OK.
Even if the Oilers can't get Khabby off the cap, maybe they should bury him. If you're truly tanking, spending a whopping $7million on two goalies and your 4D-7D is one way to do it, and it's cap-friendly.
ReplyDeletehow many years do the oilers have to *really* dive for dead last worst in the league? we should be bad enough next year to get a crack at a possible Eberle / MPS type. at some point the team needs to get good enough to be able to attract and deal for quality players.
ReplyDeleteIf DD maintains on the stretch: Sign them both, and sign an AHL veteran goalie (Like Curtis Sanford).
ReplyDeleteIf he does not: Sign them both, send whoever seems lesser in TC down, and sign a cheap veteran (Biron, Dubielewicz whatever)
uni - well here's the deal for next year
ReplyDeleteThey have the same problems up front they've had forever - not enough guys w/ experience who can play - right now I count Penner, Hemsky, Horcoff, Gagner
And lets say they keep Cogliano and Brule out of the smurf brigade.
They're still three guys short of a top nine imo. Unless we think MPS Eberle and Seguin can all step in and be NHL players right away. Unlikely.
And on D you have Souray and Smid as your second pair and no third pair right now.
And its Khabi in net.
So I can see them really sucking bad again, oh yeah, and thats before any injury trouble - I mean I just assume that Khabi and Souray get hurt. I think thats reasonable.
Whatever, it was a fun weekend to be an Oilers' fan and when was the last time we could say that. Too bad for Peckham though. Still I think he's made a pretty good impression this spring.
Uni,
ReplyDeleteHe makes 580K now, 2.5 over 3, is just over 800K.
I think its a good situation where you may be able to get a 3 year contract arounf 750K, in which there is almost no downside to the contact, except you might have an overpaid player in the AHL. If he manages to be a regular in the NHL you have an outperform contract.
If he will sign that term that low, but he did say he was auditioning for a NHL job after he got traded, so that bodes well.
Speeds,
I am a huge proponent of watching the dimes so you have extra dollars.
In this case at 800K you are at most overpaying by 100K and if you get term and he sticks its for sure an underpay.
Dorito - MacT was on the TSN broadcast the other night of the Sharks and the Dys and mentioned that Nabokov reminds him of Salo when he came back from Salt Lake City after giving up the goal to Belarus. I've seen 3 Sharks games since then and I can't disagree. Nabokov has been brutal. Thought MacT was being pretty generous with Salo though. His long road downhill started before SLC, it's just that most people that don't follow the Oilers didn't realize it until he imploded on the big state
ReplyDeleteAlso, just looking at the game report on NHL.com and noticed that Manny Malhotra got stuck with perhaps the toughest minus in history tonight. Thornton makes about the most blatant turnover you'll ever see right before 12's goal and coasts over to the bench and manages to get off the ice before Nilsson actually scores. Malhotra jumps on just as the puck goes in the net and he gets a stuck with a minus. Nice.
Thornton makes about the most blatant turnover you'll ever see right before 12's goal and coasts over to the bench and manages to get off the ice before Nilsson actually scores.
ReplyDeleteA hockey player would have turned around and tried to chase 12 down.
Woodguy - If Thornton skated half as hard in the playoffs as he did trying to get off the ice after that giveaway, the Sharks would win the cup every year.
ReplyDelete3 year contracts for players like Johnson make no sense. Sign him 1 year and then deal him for a pick at the deadline.
ReplyDeleteRebuilding clubs should be cycling through vets while developing kids and acquiring extra picks, not locking up bottom pairing D in hopes of saving 200k on the cap.
Johnson could play the next 3 seasons for a penny and it wouldn't impact the club as much as picking up an extra 2nd-3rd rounder for 3 consecutive years.
I hate to say it, but I think Vancouver might be the team to beat.
ReplyDeleteNo way. Their biggest regular season strength (along with the Sedins) is also their biggest postseason weakness: Luongo.
I still have yet to see any sign that the guy can handle pressure. If he lets in a few softies, or his team goes down 2 games in a series, mark my words, he'll fold.
Olympic Gold Medal Game overtime?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSpoiler - He made a big save late in the third, but he wasn't all that hot in that game. At all.
ReplyDeleteLike Damien Cox (hockey columnist for the Toronto Star) later said: "It's the same situation as in 2002. Marty Brodeur didn't need to win the Gold for Canada and likewise, Roberto Luongo didn't need to win it for them either."
IC...
ReplyDeleteThe important question when it comes to pressure is did the guy lose it for you?
Luongo answered the pressure question more than once.
I hate his friggin guts.
I agree with Traktor on the role vet cycling; I would add that I prefer to see younger guys like Johnson ahead of Strudwick as a 6 or 7 D, because at defense the forgotten 27 yo is like a draft pick--you never know when you might strike a late bloomer.
ReplyDeleteErhoff is the kind of dice I'd like to roll this off-season, if he's healthy. Too much size and skating ability for cheap to pass up as a 5/6 guy. A rotation with Erhoff, Johnson and Peckham would do me fine, developmentally for Peckham. And I think Chorney has been given enough of a look.
But really it is difficult to comment intelligently on any Oiler moves, without knowing the plan for Souray and Khabibulin.
The important question when it comes to pressure is did the guy lose it for you?
ReplyDeleteNearly, if I recall the last 30 seconds of regulation correctly. Thankfully we were up by a goal at that point. Otherwise, it would have been game over. Especially since the earlier goal was a muffin that he should have had.
Luongo answered the pressure question more than once.
See above. If you let in a muffin in the gold medal game, I'd say that answers the pressure question somewhat as well. So does being pulled seven times in 61 games and the fact that he's not a top-5 goalie in any of the major categories (GAA, SV%, # of shutouts, though he is #5 in total wins) this year.
Ultimately, time will tell and like anyone, even if he's not exactly 'clutch' yet, perhaps it's something that will evolve as he matures. But until I see him dig out a big game win singlehandedly, as many of the greats do, I'm still out on Vancouver's ability to go the distance post-season.
I hate his friggin guts.
In that, we are in total agreement.
Traktor: I agree with you completely, except I think you need a 6/7 D that can step up after all the trade deadline deals. Someone besides Gilbert and Whitney needs to be able to shield the younger D a bit after all.
ReplyDeleteFlorida has excelled at the veteran signing and trading this season, with Dominic Moore for a 2nd as an example.
The evidence is out there for anyone - including MacT - to check out but Tommy Salo did not implode right after the Olys.
ReplyDeleteHe did give up an awful goal to Yachmenev and the Preds in his first game back but then he played some excellent hockey down the stretch and the problem with the '02 team was that they couldn't score.