That's Dave Keon with a scoring chance against former Leaf Gary Smith. Leafs fans have been heading west to beat up on expansion teams forever. Also in photo (I believe) are #2 Doug Roberts and #10 Ted Hampson. So this would be maybe 1969.
--
The Leafs come into town below .500 (11-14-4) and are 4-5-1 in their last 10. Their problem once again appears to be goaltending. J-S Giguere has a randy .894SP and the Great Big Monster is sitting at .902.
Hammerhead Phaneuf is back, giving the defense both a neanderthal look and feel. Phaneuf is having a time in Toronto, as he doesn't appear to be as reckless physically while also not managing to be maturing in the decision making process. Luke Schenn on the other hand appears to be the real deal.
I do like some of their forwards, specifically that Kulemin fellow and rugged Colby Armstrong. The Leafs are better than their record and should win tonight going away. If you're a Ron Wilson fan, have a good long look at him tonight because odds are the raven will be rat-tat-tatting on his chamber door to relieve him of his coaching duties any day now.
--
Speaking of coaches, ex-Roger Neilson pupil Craig Ramsay has his Atlanta Thrashers in a tie for 5th in the eastern conference. Rick Dudley has done a nice job of putting some pieces in place and no one is mourning the loss of Ilya Kovalchuk in the land of Chipper Jones. I think the Leafs should hire someone like Ramsay, he seems to be able to motivate and be respectful at the same time.
--
Your Edmonton Oilers are bleeding shots against since the injuries to Horcoff and Hemsky. This should continue although Tom Renney could help his cause by line matching a little better when at home. Bob Stauffer mentioned yesterday that he thought MacIntyre and Stortini would draw into the lineup so there will probably be a few fights (more trips to the beer fridge!).
Renney moved Sam Gagner off the gifted kids line and placed Cogliano in the middle of Hall and Eberle the other night. At first blush it seems like a terrible idea, but that top line hasn't been performing since Horcoff went down and the alternative is Colin Fraser so it's a case of rock meet hard place.
--
Jim Vandermeer is injured (ankle? really? poor bugger) so Jason Strudwick draws in.
--
The kids have a tendency to come back strong after a disappointing effort. It'll be interesting to see how they react to a road crowd at Rexall tonight.
I am going to the game with two Leafs fan - one my Dad who's too old know anything else (at least his second team is the Oilers) and my buddy.
ReplyDeleteA win would make my night or another trip to the shootout !
1- You have a beer fridge? As in, nothing but beer goes in it?
ReplyDelete2- Why not put Hall in at centre?
Strudwick is drawing in, that could clearly be a 'tell' for the draft lottery drive.
ReplyDeleteSomeone did some splits (maybe Derek Zona, or Bruce McCurdy), I can't recall, with the Oilers record +/- Strudwick and it was pretty definitive. Note to Woodguy when he's placing his bets today--not that he needs my advice.
The piss cutters and the nucks provided a reality check for the Oilers playoff hopes. I would imagine the game must have been demoralizing for the players.
I just caught a glimpse of the quote, but Renney was quoted yesterday saying something about Brule having the 3rd line as his ceiling or something to that effect. Anyone have the specific quote?
Renney had these lines at practice yesterday
ReplyDelete4-89-14
23-13-27
91-67-28
33-16-46
Be interesting to see what Linus (does not rhyme with penis, or orange for that matter) can do with Penner. There's a cycle that might work. Problem on that line is tunnel vision Cogliano.
There were some interesting quotes from one of the pisscutters after last game. He said lots of nice things about the future of the Oilers which is nice, but he also said one thing that stuck out:
"You can see some parts of their game, with so many young guys in their lineup, there are going to be mistakes," Henrik said. "They are a young team, so they tend to overplay a lot. They tend to go two or three guys on one of us when we’ve got the puck, and they look at the puck more than other teams do maybe."
"They look at the puck more than other teams do maybe"
Describes Cogliano to a T, except Cogliano has 275 NHL games and is 23 years old. Not an old dog who can't learn new tricks, but for crying-in-the-sink you'd think there would be some progress on the Dzone coverage from his rookie year.
As LT has said many times, this guy is playing in his 1st year for the 4th time.
I expect the Oilers to be outshot (out on a limb eh?)
I expect a low scoring game as TO has trouble scoring and a much healthier D than when the Oilers were in the Big Smoke a couple weeks ago.
TO needs another C, maybe they can take 13 with them and leave Gunnarsson behind.
Go Oilers!
*clap,clap*
Strudwick is drawing in, that could clearly be a 'tell' for the draft lottery drive.
ReplyDeleteOr it could be an indication that he's one of six healthy defensemen they have right now.
Cliff Lee to the phillies...holy...going to be hard to beat that rotation...
ReplyDeleteJay,
ReplyDeleteAs much as it pains me, I bet on TO at +105 this morning.
Line has already dropped to -105.
The Oilers with 83 and 10 simply are not good, and I like money.
I cheer for the Oil, they've been my team since McDonald, Callighen and Gretzky were the GMC line, and I'm a season ticket holder.
I cheer with my heart. I bet with my head.
Was listening to the radio this morning and the Leafs are really in a difficult spot, mostly of their own making. I would expect them to win tonight but the future is grim. They have a ton of money tied up in their D and most of them are underperforming. Phaneuf still does not get it. Up front they are small and soft and while they have a few nice pieces they make the Oilers look absolutely fantastic up the middle.
ReplyDeletePlus they have no first round pick, again.
And while they have a ton of money the feeling is that once again there will be nobody worthwhile to spend it on in July.
Spinning their wheels for another year.
Schenn has turned the corner. If the Oilers could somehow pry him away. Could not see that happening but stranger things ....
And while they have a ton of money the feeling is that once again there will be nobody worthwhile to spend it on in July.
ReplyDeleteBrad Richards.
7th in the league in scoring last year. Currently 9th.
First legitimate 1st line center to hit FA in a long time.
Will be 31 by the summer, but this rare a FA will get a truckload of dough thrown at him by someone.
I actually expect v3.0 to throw a bunch too and say "After EVALUATING our team, we are closer than we thought to contending and needed Brad to push us over the edge"
I wouldn't mind that actually, give him a retirement contract that averages 6.5M. Would fill a desperate need on this team and if they managed to add 2 men, this is a playoff team.
Anyone know exactly how it's going to have to work for someone to sign Nabokov?
ReplyDeleteI've read that he'll have to clear waivers, but isn't he UFA?
2005 CBA
ReplyDelete13.23 In the event a professional or former professional Player plays in a league outside North America after the start of the NHL Regular Season, other than on Loan from his Club, he may thereafter play in the NHL during that Playing Season (including Playoffs) only if he has first either cleared or been obtained via Waivers. For the balance of the Playing Season, any such Player who has been obtained via Waivers may be Traded or Loaned only after again clearing Waivers or through Waiver claim.
This is also known as the Rexi Ruotsalainen rule.
Woodguy - Yep but they have already resigned themselves to the fact that Richards apparently has no interest in playing here. In Toronto that is.
ReplyDeleteApparently he would like to stay in Dallas with his next choices being Tampa, LA and the Rangers.
Personally I can't see Richards in NY or here for that matter. jmo but he doesn't strike me as a guy who would be interested in a big media market.
Of course whether any of those clubs can afford him or the cap hit is another thing.
But as I said the feeling here is he will not be a Leaf. Has come from multiple sources and was mentioned this morning again.
I wouldn't mind that actually, give him a retirement contract that averages 6.5M. Would fill a desperate need on this team and if they managed to add 2 men, this is a playoff team.
ReplyDeleteI think I just shivered a little bit when you said that last part.
BD,
ReplyDeleteI must have missed that about Richards. I thought he said nice things about TO when he went through there a couple weeks ago.
LT,
That picture looks a lot like a painting of a picture. Kinda eerie. Where is the crowd?
The Oilers with 83 and 10 simply are not good, and I like money.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, the Leafs are terrible as well. Goaltending could well be the difference.
On Cogliano, I was listening to HNIC radio on Sirius last week and Principe was on and they asked him about Cogliano and he gave the same reinvent himself talk but wasnt overly enthusiastic anyways he asks Hrudy his opinion and Kelly says "Well how honest do you want me to be, I dont like him. I think he has some natural skills but he doesnt understand how to use them and i dont think he ever will. To me hes a guy who can will play 15 mins a night and not get anything done. At some point you have to stop looking for things you hope a player will do and accept there are things the player just wont do” not exact quote but as closely as i can remember it.
ReplyDeletePretty spot on, that being said I hope he scores 3 tonight with Burke watching and is a Leaf by deadline.
Lee to Phillies is outragous, Its like braves of the 90's on steroids.
With regards to Richards, its interesting looking at Capgeek and evaluating what teams would have to do to fit Richards into the lineup next year at ~7MM/yr.
ReplyDeleteNYR are a cap team right now but could make room by not bringing back upcoming UFA's Prospal, White (waived and soon to be off the books), Fedotenko, and/or maybe Frolov (underperforming).
Tampa Bay has loads of cap room despite having LeCavalier and many others signed to some pretty big contracts. They could even resign Gagne and have room for Richards. Richards has a history there and it would fit into their recent strategy of signing a few big players and surrounding them with cheap tweeners.
LA has just a little bit of space but with Doughty and Johnson coming up on RFA status, they may need to come up with some bucks for those guys. Handzus, Williams, Ponikarovsky and Sturm are all UFA's coming up. I think Handzus and Williams fit into their long term picture but Pon and Sturm likely not. LA would certainly have to make some significant money choices in order to fit Richards and they'd really have to believe he was the missing piece of the puzzle if they come up short this year. Reminds me of the choice San Jose made in making room for Heatley. And Heatley was arguably not the missing piece they were looking for. (They didn't need goal scoring. They needed heart and leadership. Quite obviously got the wrong guy....)
Richards is exactly the type of piece that the Oilers need in our big puzzle. As much as I like Hossa, and as little as I like Heatley, neither were the right piece of the puzzle. Not then and not now. A quality center like Richards could make the difference. We have no centers in the pipeline that fit that bill so my vote is that we make a play for Richards while we still have some cap room. We could less painfully fit him into the roster than LA or NYR. But it would be tough to beat an offer from TB. They have just as much flexibility as we do.
Stortini and McIntyre in tonight. Expect some truculence?
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of hoping for the Leafs (although I hate them) as we need some bottom feeders to start winning.
ReplyDeleteThis matchup does set up well for the Oilers. Their strength is getting on the rush in the neutral zone. The Leafs won't do much to slow them down.
The real question is who are the Oilers 18- 20th prospects as determined by LT. I am going with Blain, Davidson, and Bigos.
I wonder how high a pick would be needed to tempt the Leafs into giving up Schenn? A 2nd and Omark? There's a kid who would be loved in that town.
ReplyDeleteOmark and Grabovski would sure be an interesting combo.
ReplyDeleteBut it would be tough to beat an offer from TB. They have just as much flexibility as we do.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how much $$$ Vinik is going to let Yz spend. Vinik is a smart business man, but the hockey team is a toy, so I'd bet that if Yz says "we need to do this" Vinik would listen.
Also interesting to see if Vinik allows Yz to sign Nabakov and bury of of Ellis (1.5MM 2 years) or Smith (2MM 1 year)
If Vinik allows Yz to bury salary to make the team better, chances are the check book will be open for Richards as well.
A battle of the bottom dwellers. If you look at goal differential, this really is a lottery pick contest tonight:
ReplyDelete1. NYI -1.39/game (-39)
2. NJD -1.21/game (-35)
3. EDM -0.83/game (-24)
4. OTT -0.78/game (-25)
5. TOR -0.73/game (-21)
---
6. MIN -0.52/game (-15)
Not sure how anyone can "catch" the Islanders at this point, but EDM and TOR are still favorites to be in the bottom five by season's end. Still can't imagine cheering for Toronto tonight. goilers
Actually, I'm not sure we'd have to shoot as high as Richards.
ReplyDeleteWhat if we were to sign Olli Jokinen, Chris Phillips and Vern Fiddler as UFAs this off-season?
HALL HORC EBER
PENN GAGN HEMS
PAAJ JOKI JONE
OMAR FIDD STOR
PHIL WHIT
PECK GILB
SMID FOST
Maybe add a solid large body UFA like Paul Mara on the backend. Re-sign Vandy for cheap.
Jokinen is an absolute beast on FOs and can still pot a few points. Phillips might be tough to entice here, but I doubt other teams will be throwing a boatload at him. Fiddler can PK and FO for cheap.
These aren't big changes, but they should have a fairly big effect.
Either that or we do our damnedest to get Weber, and by damnedest I mean hookers, blow and blackmail photos.
spOILer, I totally agree about Fiddler. The last time he was a UFA, I was hoping we'd sign him. Seems like a good fit. Makes me wonder if we were in the mix last time.
ReplyDeleteI too would also sell the farm for Weber. Would also illegally sell your farm.
Jim Vandermeer is injured (ankle? really? poor bugger) so Jason Strudwick draws in.
ReplyDeleteNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how high a pick would be needed to tempt the Leafs into giving up Schenn? A 2nd and Omark
ReplyDeleteC'mon, Burke's not that dumb.
Problem with trying to get Schenn is that he's FA at 25 years old and will just be entering his prime.
If you sign him past 25 you are going to pay for those years.
Loophole Lou puts Brian Rolston on waivers
ReplyDeleteHe has NTC, but not NMC so he can hit waivers.
5.062 this year and next.
No whale hunting. Its a waste of time.
ReplyDeleteHow many premier free agents would want to be part of a rebuild, in Edmonton?
Zero.
Maybe in a few years with Hall et al. coming on and new arena, but they are not coming here to try to make the playoffs when they can go on a team that is trying to win the Cup.
Maybe if you give them multiple years and big money, but that is just stupidity.
Sun Article on Vandermeer and Strudwick.
ReplyDeletePoor Flames. They could use Rolston's scoring, but they have no cap space, 'coz Uncle Darryl painted himself into a corner. BWAHAHAHAHA! Lol Flames.
ReplyDeleteDucey said...
ReplyDeleteHow many premier free agents would want to be part of a rebuild, in Edmonton?
Zero.
Considering most of the contenders have already blown their cap space, and the rest are under a budget, some UFAs might have to pick from the second tier of teams.
I'd like to see Penner on a line with 4-14, at least for one period or so. He made the Brule-Cogliano line respectable.
ReplyDeleteMaybe have him take the draws, but play wing and Eberle skate at C, or some such. There's not much chance that Eberle (or Hall for that matter) are worse at C than Cogs is.
Put 89 between 91 and 23 and see what the Swedes can do together.
Put Jones with 13 and 67 and call it the Over-Under-Under achievers line.
Might as well try some different things.
The Rolston signing was crazy at the time and it has officially come back to haunt the Devils. Rolston had a few good years in Minnesota before he became a UFA. But he was 34 years old when the devils signed him for god sake.
ReplyDeleteThat signing was during the free agency heyday a few years back. Would be interesting to look back and see how many contracts really worked out. Anecdotally, I can't think of many.
C'mon, Burke's not that dumb.
ReplyDelete1st and 2nd in 2010 and a 1st in 2011 for Phil Kessel.
But I take your point.
My thinking is more along the lines that if we didn't have a GM dumb enough to make that kind of trade, what move could be made with some of the picks available to the Oil to acquire the upgrades necessary to improve for next year?
I am less in favor of the dive for a lottery pick because I am unconvinced of the strength of this draft class after the top few guys. There may actually be a lot of value in picking up spare parts at the deadline to improve the last couple months of the season over relying on the draft. Then with some astute shopping on July 1 the Oilers could be much more of a team in fall.
"Hopefully we can compete a lot harder (than on Sunday). Because (Toronto) is a team that, if we do, it's there for the taking," Hall reportedly said at practice on Monday. Afterward, he burned a Bible, drew a stick figure Mohammed, and rang pucks off of Gretzky's statue until Edmonton taxpayers were forced to pony up $400M for a new arena and $100M for repairs. - TSN
ReplyDeleteWhat if we were to sign Olli Jokinen, Chris Phillips and Vern Fiddler as UFAs this off-season?
ReplyDeleteHave you watched a Flaimes game in the past two years? Jokinen is an empty uniform.
Besides, Mr. Sutter, in his old timey wisdom, has that beauty locked up through 11-12.
What if we were to sign Olli Jokinen, Chris Phillips and Vern Fiddler as UFAs this off-season?
ReplyDeleteWell, we would be a lottery team again.
Rel Corsi:
Fiddler -14.4
Phillips -4.6
Jokinen -12.1
Yech.
It's like Braves of the 90s on steroids.
ReplyDeleteThat's a little redundant, no?
From the Sun article: "[Strudwick] can play 12 to 14 minutes very effectively.”
I don't know that Struddy's played 12 to 14 minutes of effective hockey since signing here... But, he's busy in his workshop building toys for all the good little boys and girls. So, I guess I understand.
Anyone else see the Cheer Team preview video on the Oilers site? I must say, the uniforms have the certain-- How do you say?-- Ah yes: humina-humina-huminaaa. Here's hoping they're in knee-highs.
Oh! And go Oilers, of course.
Richards would complement the other Leaves FA signings (Sedins, Cammalleri, Nash, Thornton) though I imagine Burke will have issues fitting them under both salary caps.
ReplyDeleteThe good news for the Oilers is its becoming clear what they have and what they don't have.
ReplyDeleteThat description of Cogliano is spot on and Brule has done little as well. They will be gone. So you need two guys who can play in your top nine (maybe more depending on 27 and 83 but lets not worry about that).
I'd keep Jones around as he is an interesting player. I like Stortini but Renney does not apparently so he is gone and I'd get rid of the rest of the scrubs. So you need two thirds of a fourth line and obviously they should be guys who can PK and the centre has to be able to win draws.
And then you need two defencemen and really they should be guys who can play in the top four. I love Peckham but not sure if he can do that regularly. If we say he can we still need two Dmen and again we're looking for size and probably some ability on the PK here.
Fill those holes, let the kids grow and you have a club.
My bet is that they let it cook one more year, working in more kids (this year's lottery pick, Lander, Plante, Petry) and then they start looking to add by trade and FA.
We're all eager for a winner but if you go about it helter skelter then you are the Leafs. They are fucked for a while yet. And while they are young their youth is pretty meh. No first round pick this year again.
It could be worse for the Oilers.
Ducey...
ReplyDeleteDo you have any context for those stats?
And you realize we wouldn't be employing Jokinen in the same role to which he has been accustomed?
I think with guys like Hall, Eberle, and MPS in the fold the Edmonton Oilers already look like a more attractive option for perspective UFAs.
ReplyDeleteIf there is a player on the market that can help this club then you do that.
If the Oilers ended up drafting a guy like Larsson then a guy like Brad Richards might be an okay signing depending on the numbers. (I wouldn't break the bank for him)
Any chance the Oilers pick up Rolston on waivers/re-entry waivers?
ReplyDeleteI'd be okay with re-entry pickup. He's an older player now but it would take some of the pressure off Horcoff when he gets back to have a Devils' trained defensive center in the fold.
Plus he's got a good point shot so him and Foster can tee it up all day long.
Also, if the Oilers really wanted to have a chance at the Crash for Couturier, Arson for Larson... they could let Hall go to the WJC and call up McDonald or someone.
ReplyDeleteHaha
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=329013
ReplyDeleteWhoops.
Forgot that Hall opted out.
RT40...
ReplyDeleteHow would that play on the room, do you think?
Sorry, I'm not sure which of my two funky comments you may be referring to.
ReplyDeleteAny chance the Oilers pick up Rolston on waivers/re-entry waivers?
ReplyDeleteMy feeling on this is that there is a 0% chance it would happen.
@Swarmy Boss:
ReplyDeleteI thought so too.
I was checking NHLNumbers though and at least it wouldn't have any impact since his contract expires when Hemsky and Penner expire as well.
However, I don't see any benefit other than marginal improvements on the PP and PK. I think Rolston might be hurting at EVs.
0.96 GFON/60 2.87 GAON/60
-1.91 +/-/60
That's a pretty wide gap.
Wow is he ever a defensive liability.
Let's forget I ever brought this up.
(By comparison, Kovalchuk is -2.34 +/-/60 and)
Rolston is a risky venture because if he's crap you're stuck with him for another year (When he'll be 38 frickin' years old).
ReplyDeleteOlli Jokinen Time:
ReplyDeletehttp://sports.failblog.org/2010/12/13/funny-sports-pictures-waffles-are-delicious/
you think burkie would match a 4.6M per year offersheet to schenn?
ReplyDeleteonly requires a 1st and a 3rd from 2012.
I would do it just to see the irishman turn red.
I mentioned Rolston several times over the summer but it was always in a swap for Souray.
ReplyDeleteI don't see the point of picking him up now--or anybody for that matter--unless we fill the hole(s) at D and PK and faceoffs at the same time.Picking up 1 player doesn't really make us a whole lot better in the short term.
I think we should just play hockey for now with who we've got and then make some decisions at the trade deadline.
Any chance the Oilers pick up Rolston on waivers/re-entry waivers?
ReplyDeleteThere is a trend in his points the last few years:
05/06 79 in 82 G
06/07 64 in 78
07/08 59 in 81
80/09 32 in 64
09/10 37 in 80
10/11 4 in 15
Given that he counts against the cap next year as well, I don't see anyone even touching him on re-entry for $2.5 per for two years.
Once he clears re-entry, Tambo should approach Lou (who must be getting desperate now) and trade for him. Rolston and a first for Strudwick might work.
Rolston can take on the child care duties and the extra room should give Lou the room he needs to have his team finish ahead of the Oilers.
The Oilers get another first and a higher lottery pick!
Lou should just put Kovolchuk on waivers now. So far its Yashin Pt II
@CM
ReplyDeleteThat would be AWESOME.
I can see the press conference now - Ol' Grumpy McFatfat up there trying to run down Tambo, but no one can hear what he's saying over the whistle of the steam shooting out his ears...
RT40
ReplyDeleteSorry bud, I was referring to sending the two kids to the WJC to continue the tank for the lottery pick... how would that play in a room when they themselves are trying for the playoffs and their two best players are out for the interim?
I think it would send the message that management has given up on the season and they would then lose the room.
Yeah you send those kids away and guys like Sam Gagner play their fourth season of "We don't give a shit what you do" hockey
ReplyDeleteI don't know if he'd come here but I think we could afford Richards for a couple of seasons until all the kids have to be re-upped but it would be better for us if he was an older guy who was just looking for short-term and huge dollars.
ReplyDeleteHandzus would be a dandy fucking signing though. I haven't looked at his real stats lately but are him and Simmonds still doing a really great job for LA? I know they had a great PK stretch to start the year and I imagine he was a big part of it.
27-Handzus would be a real great start for a third line with the three kids plus 10-89 and maybe even 83 making up the top six.
As for tonight? TO has the revenge factor working plus the fact they'
re probably a better club than we are with 10-83 being on the shelf.
So Strudwick draws in, but where? Do they plug him in on the top pair with Whitney like they did with Vandermeer, or do they change it up completely?
ReplyDeleteI ask because, after Vandermeer went down, they put Smid and Whitney together a fair bit, and I felt that was a very bad idea. Smid can't play the right side, and moving Whitney to the right all but took away his main asset (the breakout pass) by forcing him to his backhand.
As much as I don't like the idea of Strudwick playing in any sort of meaningful role (4th line LW is the only place I don't mind him being use, and even then...), I think they should plug him in with #6. Of course, Peckham has started to look more like the rookie he is in his last few, so even the 2nd pairing isn't a strong suit.
@misfit
ReplyDeleteStrudwich (new spelling) is drawing in on limited minutes top-pairing role with Whitney from what I've heard.
@Steve_Smith
It sounds like Wander is out for a week or two, but either no time for a callup or they're not going to maybe.
Last season, it all worked out in terms of the lotto, but Strudwich getting pyloned and his inability to protect the crease ranked about as high for me personally (in terms of making me face palm) about as high as Moreau's litany of offensive zone penalties, Greb's acid trips, or Cogliano losing faceoffs.
Besides if Strudwich is playing, who's going to be busy making toys for all the kids?
Dennis:
ReplyDelete#1C isn't a small-money position, so even if it's not Richards, the Oilers are going to have to deal with it at some point even after the wunderkid trio get new deals. Unless we're not going to be needing a #1C at that point, that is.
Of course, I think the cost is probably a bigger concern with Richards than most because he's already had one maximum allowable deal under the CBA, but if you have an opportunity to fill as important a hole as #1C, then I think you have to look at it.
@spOiler:
ReplyDeleteIt was a joke anyway hence the "haha." And I was referring just to Hall since Eberle is no longer eligible. But Hall also opted out. So joke over.
:-P
I hope the Oilers win tonight. If I'm lucky, Versteeg scores a hatty tonight en route to an Oilers 4-3 win (Kris is in my fantasy pool...).
The UFA C market definitely thins out quite a bit after Richards.
ReplyDeleteBut hey, Toddy Marchant is available....
Is there some magical mystical reason they can't try Hall at centre?
ReplyDeleteBecause I'd love to hear the arguments against.
hunter- He probably doesn't hold his stick correctly or somesuch thing.
ReplyDeleteI think we should all request an appearance by the Octane girls to LT's house for his next birthday. Who's with me.
I have no idea where Strudwick will be play but I'm positive wherever it is he will play terribly.
ReplyDelete@hunter:
ReplyDeleteRenney wants to put people in a position to succeed.
Trying Hall at center is an experiment better saved for teams with depth, not teams like the Oilers who have Hemsky and Horcoff out and the kids ARE the cavalry.
I had a good laugh today at Renney talking about 43 has the ability to settle down his partner's game.
ReplyDelete43 has the ability to settle down his partner's game.
ReplyDeleteI think he meant weigh down his partner's game.
There can be nothing good come of Strudwick playing tonight. Or to put it another way, There will be blood tonight.
Misfit,
ReplyDeleteGood eye, I agree. 5 and 6 are a disaster together and a turning point when the Oilers started to win is when 2 played with 6 and 5 went to 3rd pairing minutes with 26.
Maybe you put 77 back with 6 and play them 30 minutes then 5 & 49 (have 49 play right) can play 20 minutes and 46 & 26 can play 10 minutes.
Good for one game until the call up gets here.
re: Hall at center
ReplyDeleteRight now he's a weapon because the micro-second an Oiler has the puck in the Dzone he's off like a shot dragging the opp D with him and stretching the zone, opening up ice even if he doesn't get the puck on the first pass.
If he's Center, he's gotta be the first one back and last one out and very responsible, which isn't dovetailing into why he's driving the bus right now.
I think it would drag him down and frustrate him, given his tools and what he can do unfettered.
I think he meant weigh down his partner's game.
ReplyDeleteI don't know - I'd think the realization that you're playing defense for two would make you less inclined to take risks.
"If you're a Ron Wilson fan, have a good long look at him tonight..."
ReplyDeleteRon Wilson fans. That's a good one.
Oilers look to have a lot of jump thus far..
ReplyDeleteFollow the bouncing puck, it looks like another night of interesting ice.
ReplyDeleteEntertaining last place hockey at it's finest.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure The Dion should be beaking the opposition bench after his 1st goal of the season. What a putz.
ReplyDeleteThis is virtually the 7th game of the Calder Cup finals.
ReplyDeleteNever has a player skated so much and accomplished so little as Andrew Cogliano.
ReplyDeleteHe nver stopped moving his legs when his line was hemmed in their zone, he was all over the ice and not once did he actually find his check or break up a play.
Its amazing.
Someone care to tell me what the fuck Brule was doing on the 2 on 1? Missing the net with a slapshot from the top of the circle...
ReplyDeleteF Me these kids are fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteWhat touch by 14. Whitney with another A!
Wow! Helluva sequence by Hall to keep the puck in and then backhand nearly blind pass to Eberle, then nothing but roof.
ReplyDeleteEberle should do commercial for scotties softies...
ReplyDeleteCan't say the team isn't entertaining tonight.. The Gagner pass was great, even better hands by Eberle.
ReplyDeleteHell, even Smac has looked faster than normal out there tonight.
Cogliano needs a big game tonight so the Leafs will be desperate to trade for him.
ReplyDeleteTonight, it's his big chance.
Maybe Hall could wear 13 for the next two periods?
ReplyDeleteLOL Alice, that's an inspired idea.
ReplyDeleteI thought Omark had lost the puck behind the net there, no way he could win that battle, but somehow the little blighter got it back to the point.
the best part of omark's arrival? that penner seems to love the kid and he's playing like shaq out there...it's awesome
ReplyDeleteThe blight,
ReplyDeleteHe looks like he's here to stay, no?
Maybe Hall could wear 13 for the next two periods?
ReplyDeleteYou could be on to something. Hall's finish tonight seems to be what we're used to seeing from Cogs.
@Woodguy, David Staples seems to be relatively bullish about Cogliano's defensive abilities. I don't see it either.
ReplyDeleteDammit Dion might not come back. Peckham should have just punched him when he had the chance.
ReplyDeleteBurke-Wilson-Phaneuf. Is there a better triumvirate of douches in pro sports?
ReplyDeleteHall could have had a hat-trick in the 1st period. Good lord that kid creates opportunities to score. He's going to be a special, special player someday.
Pboy:
ReplyDeleteCarcillo-Richards-Pronger?
Whoa the ice already looks like shit. I know the Oilers want a new barn and all but at least make an effort.
ReplyDeleteat this point, i trade brule for 2 struds. ok, 1 strud.
ReplyDeleteI'd trade Brule for a bag of pucks and a team bus.
ReplyDeletenice work Sloppy 3!
ReplyDeleteStupid Penalty by Stortini.
ReplyDeleteHe's not gonna get on the coaches good side with dumb plays like that.
MacIntye-Fraser-Sortini .... if they subbed in JFJ for Sortini I'm pretty sure that would be the worst line the Oilers have ever iced.
ReplyDeleteBrian Burke flying out to a CFB to visit with the troops?
ReplyDeleteSome lucky buggers get Shania Twain or something, those poor bastards tomorrow get Brian Burke?
That one's on Gagner. Waaay out by the blueline short-handed
ReplyDeleteI hate the Oilers PK. They bring their defencemen out way too high.
itsaleaf, I think the other 29 teams love the Oilers PK though.
ReplyDeleteBrule's 'shots on net' are getting ridiculous. if i wouldn't in street hockey...
ReplyDeleteStrudwick is brutal again.
ReplyDeleteAny one of the AHL guys would be better.
itsaleaf: Gagner is struggling on the PK. Last two powerplay goals against the Oil have both come when he lost his man and the skater went right by.
ReplyDeleteJeezus...Stortini just got his ass beat down
ReplyDeleteStortini loses big.
ReplyDeleteStortini you're a fucking embarassment to the organization.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'd pick Stortini too if I was Orr, MacIntyre shouldn't have given him an option though, just jumped in.
ReplyDeleteStortini, Strudwick, Brule, Cogliano... how do these crack a major league lineup... or is this a major league lineup?
ReplyDeleteHoly hell. NHL officiating is baffling at times.
ReplyDeleteGod their 4th line is terrible. Mac serves no purpose...NONE
ReplyDeleteIs Macintyre deterred after seeing Stortini beat up? I don't understand this deterence stuff, so let me know.
ReplyDeleteIn all fairness to Storts, Colton Orr is top five if not top 3 best fighters in the league.
ReplyDeleteStortini would be way down the list.
How does Detroit handle Colton Orr?
ReplyDeleteJust askin.
I don't see how Storts is an embarrassment, he's a solid 4th line player when on his game, he's definitely not in the same class as Orr in fisticuffs.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree on MacIntyre though, that man serves absolutely no purposes. He's completely ineffective even on the 4th line, and he did jack didly but get a stupid penalty tonight so far.
Maybe I'm missing something, but the Oilers PK looks lke it has ZERO structure.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if it's personnel related or something more.
It's like Steve Smith designed it to let the opponent score.
Haven't had a too many men call in a while. They were due.
ReplyDeleteStortini, Strudwick, Brule, Cogliano... how do these crack a major league lineup... or is this a major league lineup?
ReplyDeleteThat you list Stortini but not MacIntyre makes me suspect that you're forgetting that this is hockey, not UFC.
It's like Steve Smith designed it to let the opponent score.
ReplyDeletePreposterous.
So, how about that Orr-Stortini tilt?
I might try Hall on the PK at some point.
ReplyDeleteSortini with poor play, a dumb penalty and getting beat down isn't really doing anything to get himself out of Renney's dog house.
ReplyDeleteso, 2 shots this period.
ReplyDeleteDear god that was an embarassing goal.
ReplyDeleteStrudwick's great in the room.
ReplyDeletewhere is the whistle? if that's us, it's blown dead.
ReplyDeleteThe Leafs are awesome now that they have Phaneuf back. I recommend they trade their next 1st round pick for help now.
ReplyDeleteStrudwick doing his best to get that lottery pick. He's the ultimate team player.
ReplyDeleteJason Strudwick searching for the puck like a pee-wee player.
ReplyDelete43's Goals on own net / 60 is tops all time.
ReplyDeleteIs a D-man on the way up yet?
Why does 89 pull up on Dion there?
ReplyDeleteA little truculence would have been nice to see.
I'm pretty sure Brule and Cogs will both be gone soon.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame that they just don't get it...
who the hell is that linesman? ever since the league has been unearthed as corrupt...
ReplyDeleteI didn't mention Smac because it's a given he's the worst player in a 30 team league. Stortini a solid fourth liner? Yeah right!! We've been sitting in the garbage so long that we're eating some of it now and convincing ourselves it doesn't taste that bad.
ReplyDeleteStortini a solid fourth liner? Yeah right!!
ReplyDeleteThat'll learn those nerds and their statistics. See that, Bruce? Two exclamation points!(!)
Incidentally, Clarkenstein, are you prepared to admit yet that you were talking out of your ass when you complained about Renney putting Horcoff in the shootout? My vigil and I are running low on supplies.
That was well played by 43. The pucks under Bhulin, the play isn't stopped, so instead of protecting Bhulin, he just moves to the side to stand there in the crease for the redirect off the skate.
ReplyDeleteHe seems to like standing in that spot when there's activity in front of Bhulin.
Given we're playing at home and against a shitty team I nominate that period as the Oilers worst one of the season.
ReplyDeleteI had the chances at 4-11; 12-19 through two periods.
This is second last place hockey but there's nothing exciting about it:)
Aw, Oilers are just softening them up for the third.
ReplyDeleteRight now the PK, Strudwick, The Drunk Mound of Rebound, and the lack of depth are stronger in their drive for a lottery pick than Hall and Penner are in their drive for a playoff spot.
ReplyDeleteSteve Smith: The stats don't really pump up Stortini.
ReplyDeleteGod I hate it when it's like ''Well you don't have stats, you must be wrong''.
Sometimes it DOES concord.
"Steve Smith"
ReplyDeleteWow.
Remind me to minimize talking out my ass when you're in the discussion.
Steve Smith: The stats don't really pump up Stortini.
ReplyDeleteLast season he outscored at ES on a lousy team while playing with the dregs against the dregs. Ergo, effective fourth liner.
I'm sure Clarkenstein has factored that into his analysis, though.
Remind me to minimize talking out my ass when you're in the discussion.
ReplyDeleteSorry, it's probably my nap time. But you're fine - you have to build up a pretty lengthy history of it before you start to piss me off.
(I will concede that Stortini has a >1000 PDO this year and last.)
ReplyDeleteThat's great Truculance shown by The Dion. What leadership!
ReplyDeleteI wonder what Taylor said to that d-bag Phaneuf. Drew a penalty...Good job!
ReplyDeleteI have the SNOntario feed, who the hell are their announcers? Annoying.
ReplyDeleteI'd say non-terrible fourth liner, i.e. better than Jacques, but not better than a bunch of guys in the AHL, league minimum guys, etc.
ReplyDeleteLast year he had a -17 Corsi and a -6.7 Rel Corsi playing the easiest comp. possible.
He's benefitted from lucky PDO's often.
Fuck it would be nice to win a pp faceoff
ReplyDeleteSteve: Well now he's playing softies (8th QC) with good teamates (4th QT) and goes out with a poor CorsiREL -7,3 (8th)
ReplyDeleteHe's 2,34 GFON and GAON but with 11 SH% on ice and ,923 save %.
So now he's bleeding with good conditions.
On the other side...
Cogliano:
0.114 QC (3rd)
-0,221 QT (12th)
Corsi REL: 2,3 (7th)
He's awfully bleeding with GFON 1,84 and GA 3,85
But he has a shitty SV% on of ,885 and SH% of 8%.
So Cogliano victim of circumstances?
I'd like to see 5 D-men on the next PP please. With 43 at center of course.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I don't think anybody but Bruce is advocating moving him up the first line. But he's a competent plugger, and nowhere close to being the problem with this team (among forwards currently on the roster, he's not even top five).
ReplyDelete@Jake70: Foster Hewitt's great-grandson.
ReplyDeleteThe race to the bottom 3 looks like it's back on.
ReplyDeleteThey look awful.
Cogliano's moving the faceoffs in the right direction too - yeah, he doesn't look half bad by the numbers (given the company he's keeping, I mean).
ReplyDeletefpb,
ReplyDeleteIf only.
This game probably wasn't a helluva lot different than the one in Toronto but the Oil scored on their chances. Tonight it could be about 6-4 for Hall but he can't buy one.
ReplyDeleteBut he's a competent plugger
ReplyDeleteI'd say even that's a little strong. Jones or Brule are competent pluggers.
Stortini is a pest/lightweight goon who is somewhat incompetent, but he could be part of a decent 4th line if the other two guys were competent pluggers who could cover for him.
This game probably wasn't a helluva lot different than the one in Toronto but the Oil scored on their chances. Tonight it could be about 6-4 for Hall but he can't buy one.
ReplyDeleteSo that's a "no" on the Horcoff shootout question?
Now would be an excellent time for Cogliano to score a natural hattrick.
ReplyDeleteCogs for Gunnarsson and the 2012 1st round pick =D. Ah, that's a lovely fantasy.
Could Penner possibly fuck the dog more than he has the past 6 periods? I don't know what makes this guy tick.
ReplyDeleteSee how much Eberle got on that backhander.
ReplyDeleteSo when does Renney give up on the diamond?
ReplyDeleteHow many 2 on 1's down low do you need to see before thinking, "this might not be working"
He has jack shit to work with in terms of PK talent, so why keep trying to pound a system into them which requires all 4 players to think?
Could Penner possibly fuck the dog more than he has the past 6 periods? I don't know what makes this guy tick.
ReplyDeleteNow you're just trolling.
Souray for the PK and PP!
ReplyDeletePenner's been good this game, he's had some flashes, like that PK when he single handedly killed about 20 seconds in the leafs end.
ReplyDeleteThat Penner comment was a joke, yeah?
ReplyDeleteThat's a diamond??
ReplyDeletelooks more like an uncoordinated snake
Penner's been good this game, he's had some flashes, like that PK when he single handedly killed about 20 seconds in the leafs end.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but looked really lazy doing it. And he never comes through on the big PKs.
Team is flat and choppy tonight.
ReplyDeleteAre the leaf fan noises in my head bothering you too?
ReplyDeleteI have a standing $100 wager with my son. Whoever wins the cup next.
Should both of us live that long.
Taylor got the call that time. That's a clean hit
ReplyDeleteBy my eye, the bottom 9 are the flat ones. The BlackJack line has been most of the night.
ReplyDeleteThat's not a penalty on Versteeg either. Are Refs like UFAs? Does nobody competant want to come and officiate a game in the great white north?
ReplyDeleteMissed a hold/hook on Gags in the slot sa well.
It's conceivable the Oilers finish last on the PK and the PP.
ReplyDeleteHas that happened??
How many broadcasts do I have to hear "special teams was the difference" before they do something about it?
Well, the Oilers have been outscored 2-1 at EVs, so in this game special teams hasn't been the difference. That's no excuse, though.
ReplyDeleteI thought Renney was going to be the PK savior.
ReplyDeleteAt least for a week or so.
In August.
Zero shots on net in 3 PP's.
ReplyDeleteThe specials teams on the Oiler are like short bus special.
ooooohh Gene, nice job. Asking Dion the tough questions!
ReplyDeleteHow many sports casters do I have to hear say "the puck has been bouncing a lot tonight" before they do something about it?
ReplyDeleteAlice: it was written in one of the papers that Perry Pearn is the guy who made renney's PK look good in NYR and now he's doing the same in Mtl.
ReplyDeleteWG: not saying who asked to put in the diamond but Steve Smith is the Oilers PK guy.
WG: not saying who asked to put in the diamond but Steve Smith is the Oilers PK guy.
ReplyDeleteRenney is head coach.
If he sees his assistants failing he has to jump in.
Head Coach.
He has to own it.
Alice: True, our PK is simply insane. Tough it's a box not a diamond.
ReplyDeleteWell it's a hybrid.
They do a box when the puck is at the point and they do a man chasing + a triangle when the puck owner is against the boards.
89,3 is just ridiculous. They only allow a goal each 19 minutes.
Guys we want to pick in the top three. It was an ok game. Just when you think....damn we may draft 10th this year the Oil dress Strudwick.
ReplyDeleteI expect Lou Lamoriello and Garth Snow actually check the lineups to see if Struds dresses...... "shit boys, Struds is in the oiler lineup...lot less effort tonight"
Probably Hall's best game of the year.
ReplyDelete