I've heard several comments from trustworthy sources (last night, Ray Ferraro) in regard to Tom Renney's belief that Andrew Cogliano can fill that 3rd line role we've been discussing since 2006 summer. Cogliano's faceoff percentage is 43.2, which ranks him 3rd on the roster among regulars. He ranks 3rd among forwards in SH TOI (1:57 per game) and the coach likes him.
I don't believe Andrew Cogliano is currently on a list of players Edmonton plans to shop at the deadline.
Who is?
Zack Stortini. Coach Renney: "I love his ability to get in on the body, go hard to the net, be a real physical presence," said Renney. "He has a little bit of a limitation when it comes to skating. No limitations with his ability to think the game or his desire to play the game. I'd love to see him get the ugly goal, but he is a very hard scratch because of the heart he brings to this organization every single day." The article for that quote is here. In it, Joanne Ireland talks of Renney saying that if Stortini could skate like Cogliano he'd be in the lineup everyday. If wishes were horses.
Kurtis Foster. I think they'll shop him a little because defensemen always have such high value at the deadline. A team looking for some help on the PP might be willing to give up a solid draft pick or prospect for Foster. He is signed for another year, but at $1.8M the contract shouldn't be a major hurdle.
Jim Vandermeer. He is a free agent at the end of the season and was playing well when injured. Guys like Vandermeer have value because their contracts won't be a burden moving forward and because teams always need defensemen. Do you remember the reason Buffalo lost to Carolina in 2006 spring? Do you remember the payback for Steve Staios? Defensemen have value.
Ladislav Smid. The big man is still struggling to get into a weak top 4 and it might be time to cut bait with him. I know that many believe this blog has a personal vendetta against Smid, but the truth is he hasn't been able to make the next step. I do think that NHL general managers would find him an attractive addiiton because of the toolkit. Sometimes the light doesn't turn on until a player reaches his mid-20's. Jason Smith was such a player, Smid could be one too. I think the Oilers would deal him at the deadline if the price was right.
Dustin Penner. The Oilers under MacT were quite vocal about his shortcomings. The microphones have been put away, but I suspect Kevin Lowe and company still think the big man should return some of the loot. I disagree, for me Penner is the one big forward who can lean on people and he's certainly skilled enough to play on a 1line in the NHL. Still, my bet is he's shopped and if the value is strong enough he'll be a Penguin (or King) at the deadline.
Gilbert Brule. Brule has faded after a nice start and (unlike Cogliano) there doesn't seem to be much push back from the player. He's kind of a lost soul on the ice, and the things that get him noticed (goals, hits) aren't plentiful or effective enough for him to keep up with the other high draft picks. I think an NHL team could get him for a good price, so I'll say Phoenix makes a bid.
Ryan Jones. Oilers got a nice contract with Jones and there will be some pressure to cash it for futures. If they don't trade him, look for Jones to sign a 2-year deal with the club. They should make a decision on him either way before the deadline, meaning if he isn't signed then we should expect he'll be dealt.
There are other possibles (Khabibulin, Jacques, Hemsky) but I don't think they'll move based on value, contract or asking price. The big ticket is Penner, but those blue would bring back something nice in trade.
NOTE: We've had fun over the years discussing the trade deadline over the last few years:
I suspect Kevin Lowe and company still think the big man should return some of the loot.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if that's necessarily true. I seem to recall the company line at the time being that it was an overpay in the first few years, but he'd be well worth the money later on.
Which is pretty accurate, as it turns out.
I know that many believe this blog has a personal vendetta against Smid, but the truth is he hasn't been able to make the next step.
ReplyDeleteI thought you hated Petry? You hate so many people its hard to keep up :-)
If Calgary and NJ are having yard sales, it might be hard for Tambo and other sellers to get a decent return.
And, it will be a couple of weeks yet before Burke starts spouting off about all the deals he has for Kaberle. Enjoy it while you can.
I disagree about 13.
ReplyDeleteV3.0 has tried to trade him twice (Heatlry deal and actively looked for a 1st at the draft for him last year.
I think all the nice talk is designed to keep him engaged and working hard.
I don't see any new reason why they would stop trying to try trade him again.
He made a very nice play to break up a SC on a rebound with a wide open net late in the COL game, but if you watch the play again you'll see that he has no clue that an Avs player is right behind him. 13 is totally fixated on the puck and (to his credit) had position to be the first to make a play on the puck.
He has too much tunnel vision, puck fixation and lack some tools to be a good 3C today.
As injury luck would have it, he's in the perfect position for a pump and dump playing with 83 and 27.
I'd make an even money bet he's gone by TC next Oct.
I have mixed emotions about unloading Penner at the deadline. The Oilers would seriously jeopardize 11/12 with such a move and they could make a real run next year. At the same time, they need to be proactive here - the Smyth situation was terribly managed and the franchise can't afford to lose another real hockey player for a bag of junk.
ReplyDeleteSo what should the return look like? Personally, I'd prefer to see one true legit prospect or ELC player along with a 3rd rounder. Something that approaches quality this time rather than quantity. I don't think they should be locked in on a Dman though.
Woodguy: I think the Cogliano situation as you described has changed since Renney arrived. He sees a player there, I'm pretty confident that he's going to argue for him based on what we read.
ReplyDeleteOh, by "real run" I mean a run at 8th in the WC with all of 10, 27 and 83 in the lineup. 12/13 should probably be the target for true legitimacy.
ReplyDeleteRQ: Agreed. If they deal Penner it is important to get true value, not 6 possibles. And although position doesn't matter, and a center or defenseman would be nice, as you said bpa is the key.
ReplyDeleteIs that Jacqueline Bisset, LT? Whoever she is, she's 'Bait' alright, in the formal sense. Nice.
ReplyDeleteI think you're spot on as to who the Oil might be shopping. My question is, who do you think they SHOULD trade? Further, assuming they can target BPA for any position (I know, a massive assumption that), what positional players would you like to see coming back?
WG had a good point yesterday about how fruitless trade speculation is (given the Sharks got Heatley for Michalek and a salary dump), but I've always enjoyed a good trade rumour. If nothing else, it's a pleasant diversion to check the thread every now and then as I plow through the drudgery of budgeting for the new year.
Brule and Cogliano are both too effing small for the NHL. Aside from this, they're both fine players...in a smaller sized league.
ReplyDeleteDustin Penner is a wonderful sort of hockey player perfect for this club going forward. He takes pressure off the kids, scores and cycles, and looks like one of the few quality players on the roster not new to the team this season.
I'm torn over Hemsky. If he wants to stay let him or do whatever to accomodate, but it's a business and if you get the right return you go for it. Just no more dodgy futures for established NHL players, Mr. Lowe.
Smid the poor bugger doesn't seem to get it. Avery suckering him proves it. Sorry folks, but I don't want special needs players on the team - give me winners. Smid might turn out great, but so far he isn't.
BTW, Pierre Maguire showing a real man crush for Anton Lander at the WJC this year. Not sure if that's a good thing or the kiss of death for our next phenom.
ReplyDeleteSorry folks, but I don't want special needs players on the team
ReplyDeleteLove the political incorrectness Hunter ;) Takes me back to a simpler time. I've got a staff of young lovelies and can't pat a single one on the bottom. The tragedy.
Actually it's Catherine Ross and she was something in her day.
ReplyDeleteAny trade involving Penner (or) Hemsky would be a mistake as it relates to the next 2 seasons. But we know it's not about this season or next for this organization.
The thing that comes back into the equation with either of these two is whether they can be re-signed. It bears watching. Hemsky says all the right things in the press but we'll see what happens in the next 6 months to either confirm or change this.
As much as last summer was huge for this club, the decisions management has to make about the future don't get any easier.
LT, you didn't mention Souray in any of this. You don't think there's a market at the trade deadline for him?
Lee: Katherine Ross. She was in The Graduate and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid as a young woman. Very fetching.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see the Oilers trade Khabibulin, Smid and Vandermeer from G and D. Possibly Foster.
I'd also like to see them trade Brule and Cogliano. Not because I don't like them, but because there's no room.
As for return, well any young player who is building an NHL career and isn't too pricey. Prospects are fine, but the Oilers need guys who can play.
Especially on D.
Lee,
ReplyDeleteThat's Katherine Ross. The Graduate, Butch Cassidy and a Stepford Wife. A real looker who has graced this blog before.
Oops. Too slow a typist yet again.
ReplyDeleteLT, I don't think we can trade both RH Dmen. I think it will have to be Foster OR Vandermeer.
ReplyDeleteAs we don't have a RH shutdown style other than Vandermeer, he'd be the one I would keep. And likely we can retain him for cheap.
RQ: Agreed. If they deal Penner it is important to get true value, not 6 possibles
ReplyDeleteWait - with 6 possibles at least one of them is going to turn out golden, maybe even two or three. They should target enigmatic players who have perhaps not gotten a fair chance elsewhere or who just need some Edmonton mentorship and hockey spirit to rediscover what made them a first rounder in the first place. We could end up with 6 Ray Whitneys!
Was it before or after New Year's Eve 2009 that the Hall vs. Seguin arguments started?
ReplyDeleteI hope they keep Foster. The guy looks like he's turning around his game, and he actually wants to be here. Love what he did to that Avalanche player last night. We need more S.O.B. plays from our d-men.
ReplyDeleteToo bad about Brule; he probably won't fetch much coming back, but he's a spare part now.
I knew I recognized her from some 70's flick. If I recall, she was the beauty that Redford essentially raped at gunpoint and they spun that as romance? As per my post to Hunter, those were different times!
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more on trading Khabibulin. If Tambi can unload that contract at the deadline, he will have demonstrated the ability to un-shit the bed.
I think that there is a potential deal with the NJ Lamoriello's.
ReplyDeleteI am not very good at this and I know that this is not a trade proposal board but my question to the group think is would you be willing to take Rolston if it meant something shiny in return.
NJ needs: cap space, youth, draft picks
Edm wants: would like to get rid of souray, more size, high pick
so for example:
To EDM : Rolston, Clarkson
To NJ: Souray, Brule
Now the something shiny could be a conditonal draft pick like:
Edm get's the oppourtunity this year to swap draft picks with NJ or there choice of 2nd rounder in the subsequent three years.
Would the oilers be willing to take on that kind of cap hit if it guaranteed them a chance of drafting top 2.
Does NJ do that trade?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWait - with 6 possibles at least one of them is going to turn out golden, maybe even two or three. They should target enigmatic players who have perhaps not gotten a fair chance elsewhere or who just need some Edmonton mentorship and hockey spirit to rediscover what made them a first rounder in the first place. We could end up with 6 Ray Whitneys!
ReplyDeleteSurely you're joking... Lowetide has posted before about the numbers game that you describe and it's hard to get three decent NHL hockey players out of an entire DRAFT, let alone a sample size of six.
Penner ought to remain an Oiler. He fits in perfectly here, loves the town and the team, has a good spirit and a great game, and I can't imagine exchanging him for something better. Penner is the kind of player we need to trade FOR not AWAY.
I seem to recall the company line at the time being that it was an overpay in the first few years, but he'd be well worth the money later on.
ReplyDeleteI dunno about "company line" but way back in Penner's first year as an Oiler when he was absorbing all kinds of slings and arrows about being overpaid, I made a couple of comments about he was an an NHL sophomore and how my expectations of him were to perform as (roughly speaking) a $2-, $3-, $4-, $5- and $6-million player over the life of the contract rather than anticipate a $4 MM player right off the hop.
Which is pretty accurate, as it turns out.
Indeed.
Re Penner: If he's so tradeable(as in trading away) then why do fans of other NHL teams always seem to include Penner in their trade offers?
ReplyDeleteOilers dreamed of Penner for years, until Lowe finally woke up(came to more like it) and picked up the phone from Burke.
Cogliano is gone as will be Brule. I have faith that even Tambellini can understand the non-effect these two are having on the team overall.
I'd say the only deal they should make with Penner (well.. unless it's an absolute steal) is for a big centerman. I think Penner is a key component to success here. Trading him would hurt this team a lot, as he's our one big body. It might not look like he gives a shit some nights, but I think when he's on his game everything seems to click. He's our best 2-way forward too (and that includes Horcoff).
ReplyDeleteI think that is the X-Factor with Penner as well. How personally did he take those slings and arrows? If he attributes it primarily to MacT alone and likes the direction of the youth movement, we've got a shot at keeping him. My guess is the grudge extends to Lowe and we're better off dealing him before the contract talks stall next season and his agent makes a trade demand public. Shame as I do like the thought of 2 prairie boys on the top line of a Cup winner for the Oil.
ReplyDelete@Lee: I was actually referring to the slings and arrows around here. There were lots o' folks really hating on the guy in his first two years here when he was "only" scoring 20 a year and absolutely killing the underlying stats.
ReplyDeleteBruce, fair to say that Penner felt it from the MSM & fans as well? He certainly alluded to it when he went on a tear last year and became the media darling for a time. Seemed like the big guy was enjoying the redemption. Really boils down to whether he's the kind to hold a grudge or not. Maybe this is a case where his being a gentle giant works in our favour?
ReplyDeleteBruce,
ReplyDeleteI think the issue with many (including myself) wasn't that he was producing but that he was capable of doing more than he was. And I think last year proved that out--by both his peformance and the added knowledge that previously he had been coming to camps with less than optimal conditioning.
LMHF,
ReplyDeleteThat might be a message more than anything else. And it's a message he needs to hear. We haven't seen the last of Linus (I hope).
And if the plan is to trade Brule, then keeping Omark up gives no help to negotiations.
Oilers assign Omark to Oklahoma City
ReplyDeleteSwedish winger tallied one goal & four assists in eight NHL games
Friday, 31.12.2010 / 2:02 PM / Transactions
By Edmonton Oilers Press Release
Linus Omark was recalled by the Oilers on December 8, 2010. (Photo by Andy Devlin / Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club)
General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have assigned left-winger Linus Omark to Oklahoma City of the American Hockey League.
Omark, 23, was recalled to the Oilers on December 8 and played in eight games collecting a goal and four assists.
The 5’10”, 174-pound Overtornea, Sweden native has appeared in 26 games with Oklahoma City scoring 13 goals and adding 13 assists.
Bleh.
Gee.. didn't see that one coming or anything.
ReplyDeleteThe Linus Omark show will return when he starts playing with teammates. I am all for flashiness and flair, don't get me wrong... Hall and Eberle and Paajarvi overplay the puck too.. but Omark is playing "Rob Schremp" hockey right now. And really, that gaffe a couple of games ago was pretty glaring. I figured that would be the nail in the coffin.
Anyways... I hope this means Horcoff is closer. But I don't think he'll be in for a bit yet if he's still skating on his own. Maybe freeing a roster spot for Vandy?
If not, I hope there is a follow up call up of The Red Ox.
"If Stortini could skate like Cogliano" is the same sort of foolish statement like "if Omark was as big as Penner". Or "Maciver can't handle the Proberts of the league", like there was more than one Probert, or like anybody else could "handle" the guy either. When they start making comparisons of a guy's weakness to the very best they are greasing the skids. Sure Zorg doesn't skate like Cogliano ... not many do.
ReplyDeleteHow does the guy compare to the average player, not the poster boy for a particular attribute? would be a much fairer comp. In Stortini's case he has improved his skating every year he's been here, his straight ahead speed is now reasonably effective (i.e. the play last night where he dumped the puck into his own corner and blasted by the defender to win possession), and the issue is more lateral mobility. But compare his skating to Jones, JFJ, Fraser, Gagner, Penner ... not Cogliano ffs.
Bruce: It's the "Mattingly shave those sideburns" thing at this point. Renney doesn't see him.
ReplyDeleteI agree on all points except Penner. I think that management has always viewed him differently thank MacTavish and, more recently, he's still the only forward capable of maintaining a cycle in the offensive zone. I think they keep him out of need and quite frankly, demonstrated effectiveness.
ReplyDeleteI agree with other people here saying that Tambellini's ability to get value at the deadline will depend upon Feaster's position at the deadline. If Calgary is offering pieces like Glencross, Kiprusoff and Regehr, we are not going to have many takers for our players.
I think we can reasonably agree that Tambellini is a cautious, thoughtful, and patient GM for the most part. If he believes that the value of his assets is diminished I think he sits pat and does nothing.
Fuck Tom Renney.
ReplyDeleteThat's just plain idiocy.
You old fool, continue on just playing whoever you like more.
Damn straight he's an NHL player dickweed. And there's no one there to disproove him when you're dressing JFJ, Macintyre and playing Cogliano like he's Bob Gainey.
I don't expect there will be any more call ups - the Oilers need to get Oklahoma to the dance this year, and if that means the Oilers suffer as a result.. so be it.
ReplyDeleteOmark being sent back down has as much to do with the Barons losing streak as it does with Omark's play.
Two questions for the elite of the Oilogosphere:
1 - Do we still have the 4th rounder from Pittsburg we got for Garon?
2 - If the Barons make the playoffs, can Hall, eberle, et all be sent down to try and win a cup in the AHL?
Also, OKC has been in freefall since Omark was called up.
ReplyDeleteTwo things accomplished here:
Send Omark the message that you can't play like that in the NHL and keep your job (unless you score tons of goals)
Give OKC a better team moving forward to help develop all the kids.
Omark essentially replaced Hemsky on the depth chart. 83 is back, so we're back to having a surfeit of skill wingers again.
ReplyDeleteCentres capable of checking their coats remain in short supply.
Penner and Hemsky - we'd better get top return to move them. Likc a young player and a high pick.
ReplyDeleteEveryone else not named Gagner or Whitney and not a rookie (or Dubnyk) is on the block.
There were 3 healthy scratches last night - Smac, JFJ & Omark. I was kind of wondering who the Oilers would take out to get Omark back in.
ReplyDeleteI guess Omark could replace Brule, but Omark has a Rel Corsi of -15.3 (Brule's is a touch better at -9.9) and Brule has last year, and a one way deal.
Other than that, Omark doesn't really have a place on this team - He is not ahead of Hall, Hemsky, Eberle, Penner, MPS on the wings. He doesn't profile as a checker.
Tambo ought to look at trading him.
@Jordan: heard MBS on the radio yesterday mention Oilers had an extra 3rd and 4th this year. The 3rd is from the Staios trade. The 4th I couldn' remember, but I think you've got it.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile we don't have a 6th in the upcoming draft.
Wait a sec ... I've found this to be reliable information in the past. And yes it confirms Oilers got a 3rd in the Staios deal, a 4th for Garon, and gave up a 6th to get the Kellen Jones pick this past draft.
Good stuff LT.
ReplyDeleteDuhatschek's weekly column opines that it may not be much of a seller's market this year. Lots of also rans by the looks of it.
I'm still of the mind that they need to push to keep both Penner and Hemsky. Yes Hemsky is a little injury prone and yes Penner would be more effective if he played a little more angry but both are really good hockey players and on a club that has very few of them I think its best to hang onto them.
Its a rebuild but a couple of good players in their prime aren't going to hurt as the kids mature - Chicago had both Hossa and Campbell play big roles in their Cup last year.
Of course they need both to have interest in signing to reasonable amounts but if they are then they should hang onto them unless they get an absolutely phenomenal offer.
Interesting points on Cogliano LT. If Renney sees a player there then maybe they figure on another year for him to work it out before Lander is (hopefully) ready
Omark to OKC wouldn't be a Renney decision.
ReplyDeleteIt belongs to V3.0.
Remember Quinn? Management this and management that.
Blackdog: I agree with you on keeping Hemsky and Penner. As long as those two are around, there will be a lot less pressure on Hall and Eberle to perform as well. And quite frankly, the names pairings in that sentence are interchangeable too. We don't want these guys taking nights off, but it does afford us more ability for them to be hot and cold. It is good to be able to have secondary scoring and to be able to draw from at least 4 guys when looking for that clutch, come-from-behind goal.
ReplyDelete"Rocky" is another '70s movie with a rape scene presented as romance.
ReplyDeleteGives good context for a show like "Mad Men" where the busty secretary still married her fiancee after he raped her. Not sure either one of them would have thought much of it at the time.
hunter1909,
ReplyDeleteBrule and Cogliano are not Too Small. That doesn't mean anything. If you're going to tell me you need to be a certain size to make it in the league, go sit with all the idiots who passed on Marty St Louis before he started putting up MVP seasons at (generously) 5'9.
PENNER is tradable only because look at all the LW we have in the system. Eventually we want Hall and Paajarvi to be in the top 6, not to mention Omark, Curtis Hamilton, and some of our other prospects that with be joining the team in the next couple years. Penner could fetch a huge return from the Kings. With Cogs or Brule/ some other parts included it could be anything from Jack Johnson to Brayden Schenn. The Kings are pretty desperate for a first line LW to put up there with Kopitar and Brown, and Penner has shown the ability to gel with just about anyone. His value is almost too high not to trade him at this point. Especially if we Do want to keep Hemsky, and every single time I see him play I realize he needs to be with the team for the rebuild.
L.T,
ReplyDeleteI think Renney's comments 13 can be filed with his comments on expecting to make the playoffs.
Saying the right thing so the right message gets sent to the player(s).
MBS was on Stauffer's show and he said "holes at center" more than once.
I think the org knows what they have in 13 and Renney is doing his job trying to coach him to the best of his ability.
What better way to kick off New Year's Eve than undefeated Canada v Sweden? Closing the work laptop and firing up the cold lager and hot natcho's. It's good to be Canadian!
ReplyDeleteCouterier with a quick goal. Canada with an iffy penalty.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to watching Larsson and Lander
Hockey, cold lager and nachos? I'll be over in a bit, Lee, lol!
ReplyDeleteBrayden Schenn would have been more affordable a week ago.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the post above that Omark would have to be considered trade bait.
RDS reporting Max Lapierre dealt to the Ducks.
ReplyDeleteThe Ducks have really corned the market on Douchebags.
--
Welcome to North America Adam Larsson. KA-BOOM.
RDS reporting Max Lapierre dealt to the Ducks.
ReplyDeleteThe Ducks have really corned the market on Douchebags.
--
Welcome to North America Adam Larsson. KA-BOOM.
Wow... what was that... no harm no foul on everyone?
ReplyDeleteLarrson got hammered, BUT he made the play and looks pretty fluid.
ReplyDeleteLander is getting killed on faceoffs, but it's against Schenn. He seems to win EVERY faceoff
No disagreements with your assessments.
ReplyDeleteI don't want Smid to go, however. He's a good 3rd pairing player, he's not getting paid big money, and he still shows flashes of potential. Heck, last night he pinched in nicely, carried the puck deep into the Colorado zone (around the net a la Ales Hemsky) and didn't lose it.
His weakness seems to be positioning and decision-making, but you bring up Jason Smith and I think that's a valid example.
I don't see us getting anyone better for the third pairing, certainly nobody with top 4 potential.
Dear lord,
ReplyDeleteI trust your instincts LT, but I hope you're wrong.
Keep 13 and lose 27... That's just backwards...
Big men with skill are a very rare commodity in this league and nonexistent on our roster outside of 27.
Little dudes who can't win draws, are lost in their zone, and have the play die on their stick... Well, I hope Woodguy's right. Perfect setup for a P&D.
Roy's looking good against an able team in Sweden. Good signs so far. Couturier made a terrific play on the goal.
ReplyDeleteI'm very impressed with Sweden so far. Their board work is excellent
ReplyDeleteLee,
ReplyDeleteMaguire loved Paajarvi last yea.
Probably has a thing for swedes, or maybe they both has muscular thighs, but its not the kiss of death.
Florida has a helluva player in Gudbranson. Big, skilled with a nice dash of mean. Exactly what the Oil need.
ReplyDeleteWhiff-o-matic
ReplyDeleteRoy hasn't impressed me one bit. He can get in the way of the puck, but that's about it. And god does he play deep.
ReplyDeleteRoy didn't have a hope in hell on either goal.... one was an all world play, the second one went off Frodo...
ReplyDeleteIt ain't the goals that are bugging me but the body of work.
ReplyDeleteLehner however is looking more foolish.
ReplyDeleteThat might be the weirdest bounce I have ever seen.
ReplyDeleteHamilton's goal is a classic Saskatoon Blades goal. Lorne's philosophy of good things happening when you go to the net rings true.
ReplyDeleteCanada is lucky to have 3 goals.
ReplyDeleteSweden has completely carried the play. They are one smart hockey team. Composed.
If they only had a goalie....
Something interesting happening every 20 seconds in that period. Why hockey isn't the number one spectator sport in North America is beyond me. Yanks don't know what they're missing.
ReplyDeleteFlorida has a helluva player in Gudbranson. Big, skilled with a nice dash of mean. Exactly what the Oil need.
ReplyDeleteInteresting as I see him as a bad pick at three. I think Siemens is a better dman and he'll probably go 8-10 in the draft this year.
Pitlik, Marincin and Hamilton.
ReplyDeleteMBS might have had one of the best 2nd rounds in recent memory.
I really like big wingers who go to the net.
Hamilton rewarded for being in a scoring area. Very nice.
Lee
ReplyDeletesome of us "yanks" do get it.
Roy seemed to settle down a bit towards the end of the period.
You have to be impressed with the Oilers prospects.
MBS I love you.
Can't speak to where Gudbranson should've went in the draft but he's looked good throughout this tournament.
ReplyDeleteRoy is still playing better then either Jones or Allen last year or even Tokarski the year before.
ReplyDeleteBeen awhile since Canada has had good goaltending in this tournament.
itsaleaf: totally realize and acknowledge that and not looking to stereotype. Just a shame the game doesn't have more traction on tv south of the border.
ReplyDeleteRoy's been fine to my eye. Mcguire's comment about freezing the puck is the ultimate in back seat driving. Roy didn't float the puck in front of the net, he sent it to the corner.
ReplyDeleteSeconds later, a fluke goal goes in. Meh. You can second guess getting up in the morning.
That was an exciting opening 20 minutes.
ReplyDeleteRoy with no chance on the baseball goal and on the second, I have no idea what Pierre was going on about. He tossed it comfortably to the corner - textbook. I don't see how he can be blamed for a puck bouncing in off Ryan Ellis like it did. I'll grant that I didn't like a goal or two earlier in the tournament but this is definitely a case where the commentators are more committed to a story than the truth.
Absolutely love the hitting - when Ryan Johansen is tossing around Adam Larsson like he did and Canadians are crushing players all over the ice the caveman and eggnog in me take over. Only hit I didn't like was Eakin's hipcheck on the halfwall in Canada's defensive zone. Looked like blatant interference to me - the puck was already in the corner behind him. Foligno looked to jump once or twice so I guess nonlethal contact is all good while little hooks and stick checks are penalties. Works for me!
Lastly, hockey gods gifted that 3-2 goal to CAN. Everybody knock on wood or do whatever rituals you believe in to keep it coming.
That's a steal by Anaheim.
ReplyDeleteBigger more responsible Matt Cooke for a 5th rounder.
23 had some flash but only the counting stats liked him so he was probably getting off lucky and/or he was a guy that needed to be helped along by better linemates and I'm not sure that was gonna happen right now.
ReplyDeletePlus, they've still got waiver rights on him so he was an easy choice in that regard.
SB: You rant more about Siemens than I ranted about Pacio. Too bad I agree with you. Diamond for the production/projection of selection
ReplyDeleteThat 3rd Swedish goal is the one we can lay blame on Roy. 4th goal he needed to have.
ReplyDeleteHe's our prospect and all, but Roy needs to be pulled.
ReplyDeleteRoy back to looking shakey.
ReplyDeleteCanada is getting worked along the boards.
ReplyDeleteSweden, outside of the bad stretch pass that led to goal # 1, seems to always make the smart play.
Trak: I looked up Lapierre's numbers when I heard of the trade and he's a combined -21 over his last 114 games.
ReplyDeleteHe had a great '09 and he hasn't done fuckall every since.
Now, all that would have to be tempered by his qual comp and PK abilities but at first blush that doesn't scream responsibility.
Larsson needed to me more aggressive there; he could have gotten to that puck before Schenn and killed the 2v1 before it started; but he backed off. Seen that a lot from him this tournament -- he's a bit too cautious, especially on the powerplay, which has led to Sweden being burned or nearly so on the PP several times.
ReplyDeleteHamilton scores again. Someone show the tape to the Oilers forwards. Apparently if you go to the front of the net, the puck can find the back of the net with greater frequency. Who knew?
ReplyDeleteStu MacGregor must giggle all fucking day. Does anyone else remember years who NO OILER prospect would make team Canada?
ReplyDeleteLander shaken up there.
Lander reminds me of another very underrated Oiler - Mats Lindgren. Very positionally sound and defensively aware.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to add that Shawn Belle was called up as OMark was sent down..I disn't see that mentioned.
ReplyDeleteBelle, Petry, and Strudwick.
Where's my parachute?
Where's my parachute?
ReplyDeleteI may have seen it - what colour is it?
After my rant in defense of Roy, he goes and gets beat like that. Canada really hasn't had much for goaltending in recent years. I think we got a bit spoiled over the years with Garon, Luongo, Price, etc but the well has been dry of late.
ReplyDeleteAnyone else catch Pierre's description of the Hamilton-led 3-on-2? On a play where Hamilton passed it over to Johansen for a one-timer, the only name worth recapping was Schenn's as Brayden went to the net and blocked the shot.
Anyhow, I think the real story today is Sweden's dominance at 5-on-5. To a man, it seems they have more speed and skill and haven't been deterred by the physical play.
Okay New Year's Eve 2010:
ReplyDeletePick the next season Oilers win the Cup.
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
HUNTER1909 PICKS 2015
The swedes are definitely more Finn like when it comes to physical play these days.
ReplyDeleteJust got the email from the Oilers on Belle, wasn't in the 23 email.
2 must not be as close as they thought or (shudder) 77 is more dinged than thought.
It took them 5 years with Gretz & Mess. Let's give 'em 1 more with Hall and Ebs. 2016
ReplyDeletePDO just mentioned that 77 didn't finish the game last night. I didn't notice that, is it true?
ReplyDeleteIf 77 and 6 are out is 49 the 1D?
Lordy.
Pick the next season Oilers win the Cup.
ReplyDeleteI'll say none of the above. I think they'll be a good team in a few of those years but, just playing the odds, a maximum of seven out of thirty teams are going to win the Cup in one of those years, and very likely less. I don't think the Oilers have the management chops to be one of them.
I've been real impressed with that Johansen kid this game.
ReplyDelete@ "Steve Smith": one of my all time Oilers faves, I used to think Kevin Lowe and Steve Smith were the same player...
ReplyDeleteTaylor Hall/Eberle are 2/3's of the team Canada's Olympic first line for the next decade, beginning with the next Olympics. They're both that good.
You of course are entitled to your opinion, but in hockey the top end talent INVARIABLY finds a way to win.
Taylor Hall/Eberle are 2/3's of the team Canada's Olympic first line for the next decade, beginning with the next Olympics. They're both that good.
ReplyDeleteOh, Hunter - don't ever change.
Even as a child I knew that players like Kevin Lowe/Steve Smith...Craig MacTavish type of players, although all really good, were merely supporting players in a great drama called namely: Messier/Kurri/Coffey/Anderson/Fuhr, GRETZKY lol,
ReplyDeleteBut when i was a little kid the Gretzky line were too good to be considered human, they were like angels.
The Messier line were the team's second line, they were my real interest: on any other team they would have been the top line hands down, but with Gretzky/Kurri/ it was simply beyond understanding for this idiot.
Hall/Eberle are future superstars, as soon as next season and probably then.
ReplyDeleteFeel free to quote me.
I may have seen it - what colour is it?
ReplyDeleteIt's copper and blue and has EBERLE on it with a big number 14. I got it from Shoppers Drug Mart. Crap, maybe that was just a backpack.
Roy needs a new goalie coach.
ReplyDeleteHis old one thinks he's 6'4" based on all the kneeling in blue paint that he does.
(No, never read the book, if that was where you were going with that.)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great game. Too bad it's just a group game. This looks like a medal round match.
ReplyDeleteCanada's played better the last 20 minutes.
Roy hasn't played well. Bad positioning and he drops down way too early
Sweden get called for everything and Canada is tripping at will without a call.
ReplyDeleteIs Canada the Red Wings/Canadiens of this tourney in regards to the refs?
Schenn's too good a player to dive like that.
ReplyDeleteUnless these two teams meet again, this is likely going to be the best game of the tourney, imo.
ReplyDeleteFitting that it's going to OT. Two good young teams battling hard. I call Johansen for Canada, Klingberg if it's Tre Kronor.
ReplyDeleteStill like Iceman Roy's game, but he's got JDD/DD-itis. A terrible infliction as it appears to weaken the knees. Especially harmful to shorter tenders.
ReplyDeleteFun game without too much consequence, though the Swedes (Lander in particular) look pretty determined. Perfect game to get psyched up for tonight's debauchery. You should see the punch the better half is brewing up. I count 5 big bottles of booze in it already. Go Canada!
Worrying about Roy and his future as an Oiler is pointless.(Although his immediate ability is kind of important).
ReplyDeleteIn baseball analysis the performance/stats based guys have a saying: "There is no such thing as a pitching prospect". "TINSTAAPP". Its a result of the fact that so many young pitchers injure their arms or lose effectiveness, so its kind of a crapshoot.
Seems to me that projecting goaltenders involves the same kind of probabilities. TINSTAAGP.
Thats why you just use late round picks on them or just grab one of the ones that somehow worked about by age 23 or so.
Sweden seems like such a cohesive unit. Their work on the boards dominated the first 30 minutes.
ReplyDeleteCanada was resilient and pushed back in the third.
I hope they meet again. Truly a treat of a game to watch.
Sweden with the win. Lander has some nice things.
ReplyDeleteIs is weird that I'm happy Sweden won?
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see Lander next year.
Bet he plays exactly 37 games in AHL then will be up to stay.
And Lander with the clutch shoot out goal (clutch, I say!).
ReplyDeleteGreat game by the Swedes, and even the Canadian team even grew on me a bit this time. Shoddy goal tending at time is what really made this game.
Lander might need some seasoning, but he's already one of the Oilers top five forwards defensively.
ReplyDeleteAnd he's never played a game.
Haha a win-win finish for fans of Oilers prospects, but too bad Canada didn't squeak out with the bye.
ReplyDeleteMixed feelings on that goal! Deserved win by Sweden. Halfway through the game, I was reminded of a link a Swedish pal sent me a couple years back.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.scribd.com/doc/4007060/Sweden-vs-GB
If you haven't seen it before, enjoy the scroll!
Oliver Rawful.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU LEE!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what in Dylan Olsen's play convinced Chicago to sign him right away. He's a terrible skater with little agility and gets beat wide on a consistent basis. I'm terrified whenever I see him on the ice with the opposing team having possession.
ReplyDeleteShowerhead: The key to that Hamilton-Johansen play--it actually was a pretty nice feed by Hamilton--was Schenn driving to the net!
ReplyDeleteI almost put it on mute after that play. Some day technology will/should give us the option to mute the color commentary and/or the play-by-play.