The Edmonton Oilers have clinched 30th place. This means the club will pick 1st or 2nd in round one at the Entry Draft (barring a trade). It also means Hall or Seguin will be the new face of the franchise in the fall.
This might sound a little too "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows" for an Oilers blog, but there doesn't seem to be any way to screw this up. I'm confident! Nothing can go wrong. It's all going to work out fine.
"if you're going through hell, keep going".....i wanted to reference ashes, and phoenix but this quote seemed more appropriate. Good days are coming!
ReplyDeleteI felt relief in todays loss, like we hit the bottom...only one direction from here.
ReplyDeleteRegrettably, the phrase "Nothing can go wrong" belongs nowhere near the Edmonton Oilers in their current incarnation.
ReplyDeleteJust think how much Lowe and Tambellini have learned from the past few seasons...all of that will be applied going forwards!
ReplyDeleteDestroyko: I know. It's hanging there in that post like a ticking bomb. :-)
ReplyDeleteGuy Flaming talked to Vande Velde and Nash on his show tonight. Looks like Vande Velde's contract should be announced soon and Nash is mulling things over.
ReplyDeleteNash must be the photo posted on the Oilers dartboard in the war/recreation room.
After listening to Nash, he sounds like he'd be quite happy to get started on his pro career now that his brother's done the same after signing with Montreal...and he'll get right on that as soon as the Oilers no longer own his rights.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, he couldn't come across more lukewarm about being an Oiler if he tried.
Maybe he still wants to play with his brother in Montreal :P
ReplyDeleteCan anyone explain to me why going to college allows you to be ufa in only 4 years?
ReplyDeleteConsidering this franchise's inability to get anywhere or build something resembling a contender (with the exception of a season in which we get given a #1D in the spring, and then add some good peices at the deadline and a guy who turns out to be a #1 Goalie at the deadline) in the last 20 years... If I were a guy who wanted money and success (and a climate whose mean temperature is above 0 C for more than half the year) I wouldn't want to be an Oiler either.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I was born here, so I'm biased...
Can anyone explain to me why going to college allows you to be ufa in only 4 years?
ReplyDeleteYou don't really become a UFA, you go back in the draft for one year I think, I may be wrong.
Its because the NHL considers the player "not signed after drafted", not a "UFA", the player has never been professional.
I think the current CBA state that you must sign a NCAA player within 30 days of that player leaving school, or else you do not retain that player's rights.
You get a compensatory pick in a later draft, and I think the player goes back in the draft, ala Stoll....just a guess there.
It might be instructive LT to plumb the depths of this hole..
ReplyDeleteA veteran, right handed centre and a resurgence by Hockey Jesus don;t make up the 25 point gap between 15th and 14th.
Oh boy, the Oilers better move Nash at the draft or before training camp. That boy will never lace em up for the Oilers organization. Losing two high picks for a guy to pull a Wheeler on us would be tough. First round of the Gagner draft might end up with two black marks on Stu's record.
ReplyDeletejon k: 2007 was the final Prendergast draft.
ReplyDeleteI must have missed part of the Nash interview. It sounded like he was exploring all of his options and that he was going to be careful. What did I miss?
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ReplyDeleteAt the end of the season, four years after he was drafted, Wheeler had yet to come to a contract agreement with the Coyotes. Given the option, Wheeler elected to become an unrestricted free agent despite a maximum entry-level contract offer from the club. From Wikipedia
ReplyDeleteI realize that wikipedia is wrong sometimes but I think this is pretty close to right.
has anybody noticed the oilers goal announcer is really odd?
ReplyDeleteThat's odd, I thought that was the first Stu draft but I'll certainly take your word on it.
ReplyDeleteI read into the fact that the guy should have only two options at this point: sign with the organization or finish the final year of his degree. His continuing ambiguity suggests to me that he's just as sour on the organization as they are on him. If he wants to finish his degree there should be some suggestion that he'd be looking to sign with the organization after.
Regardless of whatever Nash's views are, I would be very interested to have the transcript of Nash's interview with the Oilers' scouts. Did they ask him in a straightforward manner what his motives were for choosing Cornell over other college offers? Did they ask him if he was serious about completing all four years of his degree? Did they ask him how he would feel about being drafted by the Oilers?
In the end I suppose my bias is that the problems accompanying Nash could have probably been avoided and that should fall back to scouting. Prendergast being involved would make sense.
Does everyone like the new positing system thingy?
ReplyDeleteNothing good from the Riley Nash interview.
ReplyDeleteDoes everyone like the new positing system thingy?
ReplyDeleteI prefer the white, but I'm happy as long as the content is there and nobody's comments are getting lost on the al gore.
Keep up the great work, LT. :)
LT: I hate change!
ReplyDeleteMark: I don't know if we can extrapolate from Wheeler's situation. He was drafted under the old CBA, that alone may change things - I remember reading in a HF thread about Wheeler that his situation had something to do with transition rules to the new CBA.
My eyes hurt.
ReplyDeleteI guess we're down to flipping a coin time now. I got Seguin (Tails).
Wow, if Wheeler's case is standard, I am way off. I could swear I read that somewhere. Lombardi and Stoll were both from the CHL and had to re-enter the draft, I though NCAA were the same if the didn't sign.
ReplyDeleteAlso,
White is better, but content is more important.
That's odd, a large post of mine disappeared. In any case, I found the old comments system a little easier on the eyes.
ReplyDeleteI'm not overly concerned about Riley Nash other then the fact it could be potentially a burned up 1st rounder. But at least with Anton Lander coming up the pipe and Horcoff here for the foreseeable future, this isn't overly crippling.
ReplyDeleteIf this was Petry pulling this, than this would hurt. Even Vandevelde would hurt more as there isn't a lot of size that can play rolling through the system.
Cheers to the new posting template. :)
And now it's there. Maybe a few glitches in the changeover.
ReplyDeleteI must have missed part of the Nash interview. It sounded like he was exploring all of his options and that he was going to be careful. What did I miss?
ReplyDeleteSo you didn't find it the least bit odd that we have a former 1st round pick, after finishing off what amounts to be his first college year for the 3rd year running, and seeing the #1 reason he signed with Cornell in the first place (his brother, which he has readily admitted numerous times) start his pro career with Montreal, talk about options and being deliberate?
There's nothing wrong with being careful, but at this point what's with the hesitation? At least, unless the hesitation is with being Oilers property.
If Nash doesn't sign, we get a 45th overall pick in 2012.
ReplyDeleteSo effectively we have wasted 5 years in development time, and bear a strong risk the 45th overall pick does not turn into an NHLer (Nash has better odds).
Very discouraging news. Hopefully a nice signing bonus is all that's needed to sign him Nash did come to the Oilers development camp in the summer several times. That said, the day he was drafted he was sporting s forced smile, and remarked, ''I've grew up as a Canucks fan, a BC Boy, but Edmonton is okay too.''
Maybe he didn't like the offer the Oilers made? Maybe Matheson's note in recent days that ''Nash's development has stalled'' is foreshadowing a trade?
Here's a recent article though that may indicate Nash in undecided:
http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20100329/SPORTS03/3290346/Cornell+hockey+season+ends+with+helpless+feeling
Well, I guess the question right now is whether any other team in the league would trade Nash straight up for a mid-second rounder. If the answer is no, we might be better off hoping that he refuses his qualifying offer and taking the compensatory pick.
ReplyDeleteWoodguy:
ReplyDeleteI'm not entirely sure what would happen with Nash. If he leaves school this summer, but doesn't sign with Edmonton, my understanding is that he would go back into the draft for 2011. That said, it may be that there would be a signing window between June 1st, 2011 (when EDM's rights to Nash expire in the event Nash leaves school this summer) and the 2011 draft. I don't think so, I think June 1st might be a deadline of sorts and Nash might be forced to go into the draft at that point, but I could well be wrong.
If he stays in school through his senior year, EDM holds his rights until August 15, 2011. In this case, I believe he's a UFA for some time frame, but if he weren't to sign by some date he would be eligible for the 2012 draft. I'll have to read up on that part again when I get time, I'm not too sure on that last sentence.
PJO:
ReplyDeleteIf EDM is unable to sign Nash the pick will be 51 OV, not 45.
http://punjabsoil.blogspot.com/2008/12/getting-message-across-via-media.html
ReplyDeletePost from the past regarding Nash.
There must be a disconnect here. Vande Velde just spent 4 years in college, correct? I don't recall this kind of reaction a year ago.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Nash is going to choose a different route, but it seems to me that one could just as easily "frame the issue" in a way that made Prendergast the goat of the story with his comments about development, etc in Cornell.
The actual interview (imo) was vague, but the conclusions drawn from posters here seem extremely decisive.
Why is that?
Screw first overall and Riley Nash..
ReplyDeleteI'm just happy the Oilers got Gimby under contract.
Atta boy Gimmmmmbbbbyyyy!!!!
I'm a Riley Nash fan - his upside is as a very good 3rd line centre...
ReplyDeleteAnton Lander & Vande Velde are in the system; it is not a major loss if Riley Nash never plays for us..
As far as print goes, white letters on a "background" jump out - some colors are more effective than others.
A blue background is best (i.e. telephone booths); a black background is second best. The white jumps out at you - almost glowing...
Which is why words in a paragraph are harder on the eyes when the letters are white on a grey background...
Going back to the original reason of the post...Oilers will draft 1st or 2nd...
ReplyDeleteSomething to consider:
If we draft Seguin, Cogliano will most likely be traded. Thoughts?
Small sample size says Cogliano has had a terrific couple weeks. I'm not convinced he's part of the problem. but in my little world, there's room for all of 13, 10, 89, 78 and Seguin.
ReplyDeleteI'd keep him ahead of most other munchkins Nilsson, Potulny, POS, etc. And others who aren't there to battle.
LT,
ReplyDeleteI think it comes down to this, people have already made up their minds about Nash. He is, according to a lot of people who have never met him and never seen him play hockey, selfish, immature, too bright, not a team player, and going to screw us by doing a Wheeler. Pick a negative quality and Nash is the personification of it. Whether he can play hockey matters not a wit. The possibility he might be one of those people who hesitates to commit but gives his whole heart and soul once he has made a decision seems impossible for local fans to contemplate. Why, because it would be yet more proof that the Oilers management aren't complete dunces and we all know that's impossible as well.
I'd like to keep Cogliano but have no idea how you'd do it.
ReplyDeleteThe conclusions drawn from posters here seem extremely decisive.
ReplyDeleteWhy is that?
I think a year at the bottom of the league turns everyone into a pessimist. Regardless of the probability, the chance is there that he takes a chance at being a UFA. If you had a chance to play for your favorite team at 22, wouldn't you?
i don't like to suggest trades, but perhaps the stars are aligning to actually get one of those young montreal puck stoppers.
ReplyDeleteNash sounds like he doesn't want to battle against VV, Lander, Seguin, Gagner, Cogliano ect for a roster spot.
ReplyDeleteProbably a wise decision. Of course if he didn't go to Cornell he wouldn't have slipped so far down the depth chart.
I'm still hoping we lose the lottery, pick 2nd and settle for Seguin. The two are so close the fact the kid plays centre tips the scales in his favour for me. That and the disturbing coments from Woodlief about Taylor Hall temper tantrums in front of a barn full of scouts.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I really like the new black background for comments. Easier on the eyes and looks way more modern - up to date. Keep it LT!
I'd take Seguin hands down right now, just from Hall's demeanor/attitude seems like he has a sense of entitlement. I dunno Hall just rubs me the wrong way...
ReplyDeleteI'd take Seguin hands down right now, just from Hall's demeanor/attitude seems like he has a sense of entitlement. I dunno Hall just rubs me the wrong way...
ReplyDeleteHey did you guys know the flames can't make the playoffs now HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
ReplyDeleteTrade idea:
ReplyDeleteNash to Montreal for D David Fischer. 22, just finished his fourth year at the University of Minnesota. 6'4, skates like a dream, but has never potted more than 2 goals and 14 points in a season. I personally think his hockey sense is non-existent but the Gophers are loaded on the blue with Cade Fairchild, Aaron Ness and Nick Leddy hogging powerplay time.
In Fischer's case, there's no question he's done with college hockey, so he'd be an immediate boon to Springfield. I think he might thrive under Daum, who ,might be able to instill some sort of structure into his game.
From Wikipedia: "Cornell is affiliated with 41 Nobel laureates". You get a Nobel prize for inventing penicillin, or something like that. Not even Einstein managed a two-peat, though some claim he was jobbed by the zebras. Compared to, for example, Alexander the Great, Mark Messier is so much Paris Hilton: famous for being famous.
ReplyDeleteAgain from Wikipedia: "[Alexander the Great] became the measure against which generals, even to this day, compare themselves, and military academies throughout the world still teach his tactical exploits".
The real Alexander studied under Aristotle, though many complaints were registered about the impact of this decision on his draft status.
It helps when your father is King Philip of Macedon, one of the most brilliant leaders in history in his own right, and had passed on his knowledge to his son, and saw to it that he was trained and tutored along the best available development path.
ReplyDeleteIt also helped that Philip established a highly trained, motivated, and professional army to form the military core of all of Alexander's exploits, and had equally valuable generals in place.
Keep in mind Alexander's tutorship with Aristotle was initiated by Philip, and he was tutored with his 'companions' who would become his future generals. Also his tutorship only lasted from 13-16, at which point he left the temple and started campaigning with his father.
I appreciate the analogy, but I think it's misplaced and ill suited in the context of hockey.
I'm having trouble with the new interface, specifically with quoting comments. The paste function doesn't like this white box for some reason.
ReplyDeletePut me down as one who preferred the black font on white background. I always chose that over the black screen option, and would now if I could.
Anyway, Bank Shot said (approximately):
Atta boy, Gimmmmmmmmbbbbyyyy!!!!!
Seconded.
If the trade works out to be a 30th and a 36th for a 51st (5 years later, no less), it won't go down as Kevin Lowe's finest hour.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping at the time that the trade up for Nash was based on some sort of insider knowledge, that they had the real goods on this kid. Maybe not.
White text on dark background is always harder on the eyes than dark text on white background. Don't know why; it's just typographical fact.
ReplyDeleteNot anything to do with Nash since I see he's got his own thread now, but back to the first overall discussion.
ReplyDeleteReally, just got into this blog recently, so I don't know if this topics been covered... Has anyone talked about the Malcolm Gladwell 'Matthew Effect' as covered in Outliers? Considering the evidence he puts forth and with an eye on Seguin and Halls birthdates, I think Seguin is definitely a more attractive pick. (Of course, I've liked him for most the season anyways).
If you haven't read the book, I highly recommend it, and anything by Gladwell really, but here's the point summarized...
http://scienceblogs.com/pontiff/2008/12/a_curmudgeons_and_improvs_guid_1.php
Not sure about that Art. I think someone else here nailed it, the problem is White text on a Grey background, too similar, white on black would be fine.
ReplyDeleteMost people who work in IT and stare at screens all the time will tell you that White on Black is way easier on the eyes and prefer it. I tend to set up all my consoles and apps to White on Black. A White background is much harsher than a black one.