Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Oilers at Habs, G24 '10-'11

























This is a terrific photo. Michael posted it 5 days ago in a GDT and I've been looking at it on and off since then. Toe Blake (wearing hat) is in the background and the original caption tells us this game was played March 5, 1968 in LA.

Kings would have worn their colorful jerseys, Habs wearing their classics. Claude Provost, an outstanding 2-way winger is at the foreground. He looks a lot like James Arness, who played "Marshall" Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke. I mean if Marshall Dillon had broken his nose a lot. Next to him is the great Jacques Laperriere, whose skating style--while effective--looked like he was slipping on a banana peal. That was a helluva club, they won a lot.
--

Here's the game summary for the contest:

First Period

1 - MON : Backstrom 15 (Provost) (EV) 0:41
2 - MON : Beliveau 26 (Laperriere) (EV) 1:14
3 - MON : Rousseau 13 (Lemaire, Duff) (EV) 6:41

Penalties - LAK - Flett ( (maj)) 3:43 ; MON - Ferguson ( (maj)) 3:43 ; LAK - Irvine ( (maj)) 5:42 ; MON - Harper ( (maj)) 5:42 ; MON - Tremblay G 11:11 ; LAK - Rolfe 14:43 ; LAK - Amadio 15:30 ;

Second Period

4 - LAK : Joyal 19 (Flett, Lemieux R) (PP) 1:33
5 - MON : Ferguson 11 (Harper, Provost) (EV) 4:19
6 - LAK : Joyal 20 (Flett, Lemieux R) (EV) 12:03
7 - MON : Tremblay G 20 (Cournoyer, Rousseau) (PP) 14:05
8 - MON : Cournoyer 24 (EV) 17:48

Penalties - MON - Beliveau 1:54 ; LAK - Murray 2:15 ; MON - Ferguson 5:17 ; LAK - Flett 13:33 ; MON - Rousseau 15:47 ;

Third Period

No Scoring

Penalties - LAK - Hughes B 1:00 ; LAK - Menard 10:24 ; LAK - Menard 10:24 ; MON - Rousseau 11:24 ; MON - Rousseau 11:24 ;

Shots On Goal

1 2 3 T
Montreal Canadiens 15 11 4 30
Los Angeles Kings 7 7 12 26

Powerplay Conversions
Montreal Canadiens : 0 of 0
Los Angeles Kings : 0 of 0

Goaltenders
Worsley (MON) (W) 24 saves on 26 shots - 60:00 mins
Rutledge (LAK) (L) 20 saves on 26 shots - 40:00 mins
Sawchuk (LAK) 4 saves on 4 shots - 20:00 mins

Officials
Referee: John Ashley
Linesman: Dave Newell
Linesman: Pat Shetler
Attendance - 14,450

This and many more games are scored here. I hope they have the internet in heaven or hell (hopefully Al Gore beats me there and invents it again) because that site is so full of NHL history it'll take at least a lifetime to see it all.
--

Nice article here on the game, and an item on JF Jacques is here. Habs have a real nice team this season, good to see they gave Price a few regular season games before turning on him.
--

Steve Tambellini is holding the line on the Swedish kid. Pääjärvi is not going to the World Junior's. Says Steady Steve: "I keep getting calls from them, asking about Paajarvi, but he's not going."

Pääjärvi has the worst relCorsi on the team (-17.8) married to a PDO of 1010. So we're not talking about 40 miles of bad road here, this young fellow really is having a tough time keeping it between the lines. I'd like to see him play some games with Gagner and a real winger, that might improve things. Maybe some PP time. There are things to like--the speed, the positioning (it looks to my eye as though he thinks like a center) and he does draw a lot of penalties.

Either way, he's here.
--

Habs should win this one in the first period.

254 comments:

  1. Ah good old Jack Martin, never change you dull son of a bitch.

    Nice run for the Habs, I figured so much of what they did last spring was with mirrors. At least I wasn't the only one. Seems like Price has grown up a bit. And the addition of Subban has helped.

    Here's hoping the Oilers play a good one tonight.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'd like to see him play some games with Gagner and a real winger, that might improve things.

    Might get your wish tonight.

    The Sun has 83 as "probable" and lists 91-89-83 as a line.

    They also list 22-16-46 as a line, so I guess 28 goes from penthouse to outhouse.

    Not sure as to the accuracy, the morning skate will be a better indicator.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I haven't been watching many games (no cable, internet connection generally too choppy) and I haven't looked at any statistical splits, but the Oilogosphere's resistence to Gagner and Hemsky playing together seems to have evaporated. Have they learned to complement each other rather than cancel each other out?

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  4. I don't know, I see this one as being close to the end. Montreal has not been a big scoring team this season and can almost entirely attribute their success to Carey Price's play so far. Hell, they've scored 60 goals and the Oilers 59. The difference is that they've only allowed a meager 47 against (Boston 46).

    I have Carey Price in a good keeper league so I hope he keeps it up, but it's far more likely that the bubble bursts eventually. For tonight I think the Canadiens win this one, but not by more than one or two.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dear Steve Tambellini,

    We are 23 Games into the season.

    The Oilers have the worst PK in human history and could use a PK specialist on the roster.

    Macintyre takes up a roster spot. He's played 6 games, less than 4 minutes a night, has got in only 3 fights, all of which were nonevents. He has no shots, and no points. He has a -19.66 Corsi, which is near the bottom of the team. His RelCorsi is also bad and would be the worst on the team if he played more games.

    I submit he is the worst, most useless player in the history of the Edmonton Oilers.

    Please drop him and get a PK'er. Or drop him and Jacques and Strudwick and get a PK'er, a crazy goon, and a hockey player.

    I can't take it anymore.

    Signed,
    The Whole Fucking Universe

    ReplyDelete
  6. Kris, if that were an actual petition, I'd sign it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dear kris:

    Tell me how you really feel?

    Signed,

    Steve Tambellini

    PS - I'm not done assessing

    ReplyDelete
  8. Gerber sent to OKC as per Matheson. Dubnyk to start tonight.

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  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  10. Also,

    Picking up Lee off waivers and punting Strudwick with his extra packs of chewing gum for all is a no brainer.

    V3.0 will therefore not even consider it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I haven't been watching many games (no cable, internet connection generally too choppy) and I haven't looked at any statistical splits, but the Oilogosphere's resistence to Gagner and Hemsky playing together seems to have evaporated. Have they learned to complement each other rather than cancel each other out?

    I'm still not a fan of having 89 and 83 play together but with our current line-up, I don't see a better fit.

    I would run

    91-89-83
    4-10-14
    27-13-67
    22/28-16-46

    Both Gagner and Hemsky are at their most best when they are carrying the puck so that it seems to neutralize whichever guy doesn't have it. IMO, one of the reasons the PP is so ineffective at times is that when Gagner and Hemmer are both on the ice, the guy without the puck just stays at the halfboards and isn't threatening so it's more like a 4 on 4.

    ReplyDelete
  12. WG:

    I don't think you have thought that out all the way. If Struds isn't around, who's going to explain the birds and bee's to the rookies or tuck them in at night? Bedtime stories just don't read themselves, you know?

    ReplyDelete
  13. There goes our replacement level goaltending...

    Speaking of PRV, it's still early and hindsight is 20-20, but who did we maybe miss out on from the 2009 draft?

    Ryan O'Reilly's been a surprise. Kulikov...

    ReplyDelete
  14. 91-89-83 together at morning skate.

    4-10-14
    27-13-67

    22-16-28 4th line, 46 looks like a designated sitter.

    Cue post from Bruce about 46.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Speaking of PRV, it's still early and hindsight is 20-20, but who did we maybe miss out on from the 2009 draft?

    PVR was a steal at 9, most had him in top 5.

    He'll be fine.

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  16. No, I'm not worried about PRV and I agree that he'll be fine. I just haven't followed the outcome of the 2009 draft very closely. Was just curious if any hidden gems have emerged really.

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  17. I'm with Bruce on Stortini. Its ridiculous. He's the best of the bunch yet he sits.

    Egads.

    With Penner actually turning 13/67 into a viable line I don't think Renney has another option but to use 83 with 89. Good news for Magnus though.

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  18. Habs should win this one in the first period.

    I wouldn't count on it being over so quick. The Habs are the better team, for sure, but this year they've been stymied by some pretty weak teams and have a bad habit of taking their foot completely off the gas when they have the lead. I attribute it somewhat to Martin's "system", but it's cost them a few games this year, most recently vs. Philly where they turned a 2-0 lead into a 3-2 loss. If the Oilers decide to play their customary 20 minutes of hockey in the 3rd, they might have a shot.

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  19. Ooops.

    Oil got PVR at 10.

    Kadri, Glennie and Cowen all went before him.

    Glennie was terrible pick there, Kadri and Cowen might turn out ok.

    Glennie is barely ppg as a 19 year old in WHL, not a good sign.

    ReplyDelete
  20. LT,

    I assume you copied over the summary. Did you notice each team had a PP goal in the box score, but the box score summary should teach team 0 for 0 on the PP ?

    ReplyDelete
  21. Cue post from Bruce about 46.

    I called it. Again. Renney just doesn't value him.

    Stats from the Ottawa game:

    Stortini
    ----------

    4:53 TOI

    3 shots

    2 hits (counted, out of about 10)

    EV Shots on goal ON: EDM 6, OTT 0

    Fenwick ON: EDM 8, OTT 0

    Corsi: +8, best on Oilers

    EV Scoring chances ON (Dennis) EDM 2, OTT 0 (46 credited as the triggerman on both)

    Individual scoring chances (Staples): +2 / -0

    Scrums (counted by Bruce) 3: One off of opening faceoff to set tone early, two caused by crashing opponent's crease and taking on all comers.

    Video reviews: 1 ("not reviewable")
    -----

    Jones
    --------

    12:29 TOI

    1 shot

    2 hits

    EV shots on goal ON: EDM 1 OTT 8

    Fenwick: EDM 6 OTT 13

    Corsi: -5, worst on Oilers

    EV Scoring chances ON (Dennis): EDM 2 OTT 6

    EV individual scoring chances (Staples): +1 / -1

    Scrums: 0 memorable

    Video reviews: 0
    -----

    I know! Let's bench that useless mofo Stortini. Send that message to the troops that if you go out, work your fucking ass off, battle the opponents physically at every turn, and make good things happen on every shift, you may be next.

    FFS

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  22. On the one hand, Stortini should certainly be playing. On the other hand, that this team is dressing the wrong players for 4th line ES minutes is about four hundred and eleventh on the list of its problems.

    ReplyDelete
  23. "Gerber sent to OKC as per Matheson. Dubnyk to start tonight."

    UUUGGGHHHHHH.....watching a team hellbent on doing what is not successful is very frustrating.

    Steve - No, Hemsky and Gagner still don't work together.

    And all this "moving to Quebec City" crap today too?

    Hell of a start to the day...

    ReplyDelete
  24. Has Gerber been sent down?
    This is what today's Journal said:

    When goalie Nikolai Khabibulin returns, Martin Gerber will be on the next plane to Oklahoma City.

    "As soon as Khabby comes off IR (injured reserve), Martin has to go back. That's the rules of the (NHL) land. It's a straight-up deal (one guy on the roster, one guy off)," said Renney. Gerber is up on emergency recall, only, and doesn't have to clear waivers to go back to the AHL.


    I can't find an update
    [that doesn't mean there isn't one]

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  25. This ---> When goalie Nikolai Khabibulin returns, Martin Gerber will be on the next plane to Oklahoma City.

    "As soon as Khabby comes off IR (injured reserve), Martin has to go back. That's the rules of the (NHL) land. It's a straight-up deal (one guy on the roster, one guy off)," said Renney. Gerber is up on emergency recall, only, and doesn't have to clear waivers to go back to the AHL.

    Doesn't make any sense. there is no reason we couldn't ship out other dead weight and keep Gerber here. There are reasons we wouldn't, but to act like we couldn't seems very misleading.

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  26. Reddox has 3 SHG and 11 ES goals in 23 games. He's leading the team with a +10 and a 100 SOG.

    He's got more points than AHL destroyer Giroux, almost as many as offensive phenom Omark, and is getting more of his points at ES. (Presumably due to less PP time.)

    The guy looks as NHL ready as it gets and may be a PK'er. Fuck, he might be the new Pisani.

    Please, please, please try him on the 4th line. He is better than Jacques and Macyntire, and very likely better than Stortini, Jones, and Fraser.

    And he might be able to PK. Which is sort of, you know, important for the worst PK in history. More important than having someone who can fight but doesn't.

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  27. LMHF: Emergency recall rule.

    Is waiver-exempt for 30 days but must go down when a guy returns.

    We should all vote in Strudwick to the All-Star game.

    ReplyDelete
  28. On the other hand, that this team is dressing the wrong players for 4th line ES minutes is about four hundred and eleventh on the list of its problems.

    Yes, but at the risk of repeating myself like an ass: a fourth line PK'er would be nice. And another defenseman on the roster who could PK and play second pairing minutes and score on the PP... hmmmm... would be ideal. We could even overpay him. It would be really cool if he could fight.

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  29. Recall: Belle, Omark, Reddox, Gerber

    Out: Fraser, Jacques, MacIntyre, Strudwick, and/or Khabibulin

    We're a better team with those recalls.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Oilers rattle sabre about moving team to Quebec if they can't get their rink here.

    I noticed the Sun didn't credit the story to a particular writer.

    I'd say LaForge wrote it.

    Assholes.

    Lets move the Preds or Panthers here is Katz moves the Oilers.

    ReplyDelete
  31. "LMHF: Emergency recall rule.

    Is waiver-exempt for 30 days but must go down when a guy returns."

    Why did we use that precisely?

    Also, that wouldn't stop us from recalling him immediately; would it?

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  32. Yes, but at the risk of repeating myself like an ass: a fourth line PK'er would be nice.

    Absolutely - it's why I referred specifically to ES minutes. And Stortini does fine at ES against fourth line competition, and should be playing, but I don't think he has any record of success on the PK, does he?

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  33. Meh, sending down Gerber is less of an issue than sending down Belle, imo. Yeah NK is going to lose you games right now that Gerber would win, but I am happy to have that millstone out in full view and not hidden in the hospital. More evidence to lead to Toonces' dismissal.

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  34. I'm thinking Renney likes Jones more because he skates better. That's the only reason that makes any sense to me. He runs around like a maniac and I guess that is what you want out of an energy guy.

    I don't know if running around or just being a solid banger is more effective, myself. I'll vote for Storts.

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  35. Last post. Is this is a team that would be likely to make the playoffs?

    Hall-Horcoff-Eberle
    Penner-Gagner-Hemsky
    Cogliano-Marty Reasoner-Brule
    Reddox-Fraser-Jones
    Stortini
    Omark, MPS

    Whitney-Souray
    Gilbert-Smid
    Foster-Peckham
    Vandermeer

    Dubnyk
    Gerber

    I say yes, if the PK was coached right with Reasoner, Souray, and Reddox. Top 6F are very good. Bottom 6 would be competitive with Reasoner anchoring a third line. The D are all average-ish for their position. Goaltending might be decent. That's a chance at the playoffs.

    But ST says no 3C. Fuck Souray and his loud mouth. And what's a PK?

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  36. Woodguy, completely agree on Brian Lee.

    Brian Lee, 23 years old, 6'2"-6'3", 208lbs.

    Drafted 1st round, 9th overall 2005.

    Known for good mobility, calm demeanor, and physical play.

    Signed at 875K through next season.

    Yeah, he's a bum, why bother picking him up on waivers when he's better than Strudwick at present, is young and at the age where defencemen start becoming useful, has pedigree, size, and physicality, room for improvement, and the same cap hit. Why would you want this on a young rebuilding team over an aged marginal AHL/NHL veteran.

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  37. @"Steve Smith": I would argue that roster balance is pretty close to #1 of this club's list of problems and has been since about June 20, 2006

    The fourth line is the one aspect of the team that is consistently providing physical play and turning the flow of the game in the right direction and DOES provide balance to a top 9 that has precious little in terms of big and/or hardnosed players.

    So why fuck with the one thing that is demonstrably working well? It may only be 5-10 minutes a game, but that's 10-20% of even strength ice time, which is a hell of a lot higher than #411 on my personal priority list. In the three games since the fourth line was reconstituted in its current form (i.e. when Hemsky went down), the Oilers have gone 2-1-0 with 10 GF, 7 GA, and they've done their part and then some.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Bob tweets...

    NYI puts Jeremy Colliton on waivers. OTT's Brian Lee clears waivers

    LT has thrown Lee out there in trade proposals a few times now. Has it been injuries that have slowed him down?

    ReplyDelete
  39. The fourth line is the one aspect of the team that is consistently providing physical play and turning the flow of the game in the right direction...

    I don't think that's what the numbers indicate at all, is it? Even without factoring in QUALCOMP, this post shows that all of the Oilers' fourth line regulars are getting outchanced at ES. Of course, so are all the other Oilers forwards not named Dustin Penner, but all the fourth liners are below even the Oilers' modest average in this regard (Jones actually has the best numbers among them).

    As I say, Stortini deserves to be playing, but I don't think there's an argument that the fourth line has "consistently...[turned] the flow of the game in the right direction."

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  41. Lee clears waivers.

    Re: Gerber sent down and Khabby activated, it was a tweet this morning. Forgot from who.

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  42. Ribs: He just seems to have not progressed at all numbers wise.

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  43. Sorry, meant it was a Matheson tweet, not article.

    Tencer tweeting that Sun story unfairly characterizes the meeting about relocation as opposed to working together for 2 new rinks.

    Obviously Tencer doesn't realize that LaForge couldn't have penned a better article himself.

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  44. Re: Oilers talking reloc in Quebec city...

    That's interesting. The QMI-fed Medias are relaying this same info but are downplaying it in french; I had to forage on canoe to find it. RDS isn't even relaying it at this point, Cyberpresse is simply framing Lowe's visit as an exchange of infos for an eventual alliance between cities to pry money from the feds.

    So it begins: Quebec city is the next Kansas City, the place where owners have alunch to blackmail their cities into ponying up a new arena.

    One last thing: Sun and QMI are Quebecor properties and Quebecor is mightily interested in moving a franchise in Quebec city. So, of course they'll drum up every single story they can find about it. Doesn't mean there is any truth to it.

    Greasy bastards.

    ReplyDelete
  45. At this point I'd send a message to Khabibulin and put him through waivers.

    If you're gonna stop .860 of the shots, you get to play minor league hockey.

    I know it won't happen. V3.0 will NEVER admit he's made a mistake.

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  46. Bruce nobody cares about the fourth line. None of those guys will be with the team when it gets good... in Quebec.

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  47. Well, that Sun article is one of the more ridiculous things I've ever heard. How blatantly can you chase public funding instead of becoming competitive via free market principles?

    Woodguy said...
    Oilers rattle sabre about moving team to Quebec if they can't get their rink here.


    If this doesn't get Lowetide to write something about the issue, what will?

    ReplyDelete
  48. Notwithstanding Bruce's hyperbole, there's no reason Stortini doesn't play on this club.

    I still think Stortini's a marginal player on a decent NHL team, but this is far from a decent team. Heck, right now he could make a case that he deserves 3rd line minutes at ES. How scary is that?

    I agree with Steve Smith that it doesn't matter that much, but it's still another player personnel decision by the Oilers that is basically indefensible.

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  49. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  50. There have been a lot of little things which have made me no fan of Renney as coach. PK and the handling of Stortini are the two most prominent ones. Maybe there is a lot more going on behind the scenes that justify his style and his areas of blinker'edness, I dunno. Imo, he should be fighting harder to get stronger personnel up from the AHL too. Reddox being a good example.

    At any rate, I won't be sorry when the new GM comes in and gets his own coach. (and we go to games with free beer fountains and full buffet tables filled with Ukrainian delicacies, etc etc)

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  51. Bar Qu, this talk of Ukrainian delicacies intrigues me, please elaborate.

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  52. @"Steve Smith": Sorry I should have been more clear, or ordered my sentences differently. I was referring specifically to the last three games, and the job that the fourth line has done in that time.

    However, I checked Dennis's scoring chance metric and it turns out I'm wrong:

    Fraser: +2/-4
    JFJ: +2/-2
    Stortini: +4/-2

    So breakeven is more like it, although looking at that list one is left wondering WTF Zorg has done to be the one holding the short straw.

    Or look at this list, forwards Corsi for the last 3 games.

    Stortini +11
    Jacques +8
    Horcoff +8
    Hall +6
    Fraser +3
    Eberle -1
    Paajarvi -2
    Gagner -3
    Jones -5
    Penner -7
    Cogliano -8
    Brule -12

    I know! Let's bench that useless mofo Stortini!

    FFS

    And yes I know small sample size, just the last three games, but aren't day-to-day roster changes supposed to be based on who is playing well (or not) right now?

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  53. How could it possibly be indefensible? It is a subjective decision after all. I would be willing to bet money Renney could defend his decision.

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  54. @RiversQ: Since when are advanced stats "hyperbole"? Or am I simply not supposed to draw any conclusions from them?

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  55. Specifically Canadian-Ukrainian favorites like Kubasa (sausage) Perohy (Perogies - potato, cheese and dessert), Cabbage rolls, Borscht, Pyrzkiy (potato buns), Blyntsi and potato pancakes.

    Man, am I looking forward to Christmas with the in-laws (and to a lesser extent, lunch today).

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  56. As Ned Braden said to Johnny, "I don't believe that Quebec City crap for one minute!"

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  57. The whole Quebec thing is solely posturing to get what they want.

    Nothing more, nothing less.

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  58. Speaking of advanced stats, here's an interesting one. Penalties drawn per 60, league wide.

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  59. The Quebec press article I read specifically mentioned that Oilers management was in QC to discuss getting an arena built with public funds, as QC had more experience at the process.

    Only in the Edmonton press would someone start chanting that the Oilers are exploring relocating to Quebec. So silly.

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  60. Dreger says....

    Relocation is not being discussed in Edmonton. Todays meeting with Q.City is simply an exchanging of strategies for similar arena projects.

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  61. The whole Quebec thing is solely posturing to get what they want.

    Nothing more, nothing less.


    They wouldn't actually do that, would they? (bookie thingy)

    ReplyDelete
  62. He's also surprised no one grabbed Lee off of waivers.

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  63. Thanks for posting that penalties drawn, Bruce. Pääjärvi DOES look good there, thanks for pointing it out.

    As for Stortini, the die was cast opening night when he was a HS. That's now what you do with someone you plan to be part of the future. Doubt he's going to last in Edmonton. He's certainly better than a few guys playing, but we're probably look at a max. 6 forwards from this group who will be here at the deadline 2012.

    As for the Quebec thing, I'm a cynical prick on this stuff. Suspect the Oilers heard about the story before they ran with it (after all, this isn't some fucking blog, this is a newspaper!) but chose not to respond in time to deny.

    Today we'll hear about the meeting as being a "information and dialogue" session designed to help both cities maximize funding.

    But if the reporter who wrote this (apparently shy, there's no name I can see) didn't call and ask the Oilers for a response then we're dealing with a true charlatan. The first one in the entire piece, I'm sure.

    So we're left with a trail of misinformation, a strong denial and yet the feeling that there's movement in the bushes.

    The Oilers WON'T threaten to move the team. Why? It doesn't benefit them. A few items like this do have an impact, though.

    If ONLY that reporter (you know, the one with no name) had a phone number to call the Oilers.

    Oh well.

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  64. I think the whole stortini thing is a little too clear.

    Its really clear that Stortini helps the team win hockey games. He's low-event, pushes the puck the right way, and limits chances against.

    This is the kind of player we need.

    And he's not playing.
    Possible reasons include:

    1 - Renney is dumb (not bloody likely).
    2 - Stortini is being punished for something we don't know about (possible, but also unlikely - has been good on the ice, and to my knowledge is a great guy off of it too).
    3 - The fix is in, and they are trying to lose hockey games, and this was not Renneys decision (gasp! - not our Oilers Management!)

    What would really help would be if someone were to ask the MSM why, and let them run with it, and see what happens.

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  65. Kind of off topic, but hard to believe that a guy like Lander, who'll probably captain Sweden at this year's WJHC, will be 9th (probably, I guess LT might have him ahead of Omark, assuming Omark still counts as a prospect) in LT's prospect ranking. I guess his offensive upside does seem a bit limited, but he's a pretty good quality prospect to be in that range on a team's prospect depth chart. Good sign.

    Any guesses at figuring out the rest of the top 10?

    I'll go:

    8) Omark
    9) Lander
    10) Plante

    and I'm assuming Dubnyk is too old for LT's list.

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  66. Hard to understand why Stortini is being put on ice?

    The stats certainly show that he has been effective in the limited ice time he has seen, but yet that doesn't seem to be good enough.

    I don't know is its off ice behaviour or what?

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  67. speeds: Why don't you do a list? I'd love to see it.

    CC: Renney doesn't like him. It might be he turns too slow, skates too slow or doesn't fight at the appointed time.

    But I think the bottom line is that he isn't in the plans.

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  68. For everyone saying tempest in a teapot, and we are reading into things.

    This is the money quote in the article:

    A source close to the Oilers says team officials decided to explore relocation options amid opposition in Edmonton to a $1-billion arena that would be partially funded by taxpayers

    I suggest that the "source" is LaForge.

    Throw it out there and it gets everyone talking without any official from the team actually say the word "relocation".

    LaForge's fingerprints are all over this.

    LT,

    If ONLY that reporter (you know, the one with no name) had a phone number to call the Oilers.

    These MSM reporters should be controlled. They are printing irresponsible articles and hiding behind pseudonyms (like EDMONTON SUN) without repercussions, and its not like you can sue them. You think they could have phoned for a comment from the Oilers before printing the story? /damiencox

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  69. LT: Sounds like a decent project over Christmas, I think I might well give that a go.

    BTW, not sure if it read that way, but I certainly didn't mean it as a criticism that Lander hasn't been listed yet (I'm not sure he'd crack my top 7 either), was only noting it as a good sign regarding EDM's prospect depth.

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  70. speeds: No, I didn't take it that way. In all honesty, this is a really tough ranking. Usually I'm all out of the good prospects by #10 and then we're dealing with guys who have some real down arrows.

    This season there are probably 25 guys in the system who should be taken into account. Now, that's including guys like Colin McDonald but man he's having a nice season.

    I don't have Reddox on the list (too many GP) but Dubnyk did make it barely.

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  71. Speaking of Renney and the PK one of the reasons I liked his hiring was that he was part of a great PK effort with NYR but then today we read that was all Perry Pearn's doing.

    And by the looks of this year's Oilers PK plan that sounds just about fucking right.

    so, how bad have Gord and Pierre been this year with the TSN broadcasts, BTW?

    they haven't called an Oilers game yet and I haven't paid any attention to any games they have called so I'm at the sister's place for the night and I can watch TSN SD or the RDS HD feed.

    I'm leaning towards the resolution adv and if I do you guys must promise to tell me all the silly things that come from Pierre.

    As for tonight's game, the Oilers should lose for sure just because of their PK and the CTL PP; plus, Les scabitants are a prety good team and Price has been playing lights-out by the sounds of it.

    Nice to see 91 getting a nice duo to play with and LT's right that 46's dye was cast from opening night. There's no real reason for it but that's the way it goes sometimes.

    The story from today in Quebec and potential of the Oilers moving is not something I'd take lightly off the hop except for the fact Mario and Co held everyone's feet to the fire in Pit to in order to get what they wanted as well and I don't think there's a chance that the Govt and people of of Edmonton don't eventually cave in to whatever Katz wants.

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  72. 1-Quebec has already managed to elicit promises of taxpayer funding for a new arena.

    2-Edmonton has run into serious opposition in seeking any kind of taxpayer support for a new arena.

    3-Katz & company would be remiss if they didn't try to use the Quebec situation to their advantage when making the play for government support.

    4-Moving the Oilers to Quebec is a fantasy, and most people know it. Now the Coyotes, on the other hand...

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  73. I am looking forward to watching Taylor Hall play hockey in Montreal.

    He is an Edmonton Oiler.

    I am a fan.

    Go Oilers!

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  74. Sometimes the coach just doesn't like a guy and that's the way it goes. I have heard only good things about Stortini (he is from my neck of the woods and played his junior there too) and certainly one cannot fault his work ethic. Buddy has built a career on it.

    Speeds - don't forget Petry (or did I miss him again like I did a couple of years back? ;) ) and as LT said there is also Dubnyk. Plus Hartkinen and Roy and on and on.

    I was listing prospects in a post I did and I forgot Pitlick. Its a nice list.

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  75. Now, that's including guys like Colin McDonald but man he's having a nice season.

    Is there any sense in which Colin McDonald is Oilers' property? He has a minor league contract with our AHL affiliate, but does that give the Oilers any kind of privileged position with regards to signing him to an NHL contract?

    I ask because I don't know the answer, not because I'm trying to make a point.

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  76. Its really clear that Stortini helps the team win hockey games. He's low-event, pushes the puck the right way, and limits chances against.

    This is the kind of player we need.


    Now we're just being silly.

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  77. "SS": He isn't on the Oilers 50-man roster, so the team would need to "purchase" his contract from OKC and then add him.

    Which happens all the time. The Oilers did it with Charles Linglet last season:

    March 31, 2010: Oilers sign forward Charles Linglet to a one-year contract, and recall him from the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League. Linglet, who signed an AHL deal with Springfield last summer, leads the Falcons in scoring with 19-55-74 in 75 games. His NHL contract is for the final six games of the Oilers season.

    Courtesy Steve's Oilers website:

    http://www.stevesoilerssite.com/stevesoilerssitearchives/archives_2009-2010transactionsFebToMay.html

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  78. And to think, Stortini accomplished all of that while playing over half a minute head to head against Alfredsson.

    It's outrageous! All 20 minutes of it!

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  79. In the Ott game Stortini was on for 1/11 defensive draes while Jones was inexplicably on for 5/11. Browsing Vic's shift chart reader it appears as though 46 was being thrown over the boards at the tail end of the Ottawa forward's shifts. Easy sledding...

    This is a big problem with the micro statistical analysis that goes on around the blogs these days: it's easy for guys to be made to look good for small windows of time.

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  80. My guesses:

    8. Omark
    9. Lander
    10. Petry
    11. Dubnyk
    12. Plante
    13. Hartikainen
    14. Martindale
    15. Roy
    16. Vande Velde
    17. Chorney
    18. Motin
    19. O'marra
    20. Rajala

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  81. you're a treasure Lowetide.

    we're lucky to have you.

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  82. Its true. Last Wednesday I looked terrific from about 6:15 to 6:35 in the evening.

    The rest of the time I looked old and haggard. I have to stop burning the candle at both ends.

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  83. I can't see a Canadian city taking another Canadian city's team. Even if that city is located in the Republique du Quebec. I wonder what Bettman would have to say/stutter?

    However, considering that we are being put through the pains of this rebilled(we're just getting billed for those 5 stanleys now), it would be fitting(ie. horrible) that the quebec noilers win their cup in their inaugural year, just like the colorado navalanche.

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  84. I've said this elsewhere: the city should immediately begin talks with the Phoenix Coyotes and any other interested clubs in the U.S. south about moving here. I doubt the prospect of instant profits and full houses will escape those teams' notice.
    In an over-expanded league, it's the Edmonton fans who have bargaining power, not anybody else.

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  85. Thanks for posting that penalties drawn, Bruce. Pääjärvi DOES look good there, thanks for pointing it out.

    Yes he does. He looks even better here: Oilers penalties drawn which is sorted by raw numbers rather than per 60. MP's the top guy on the club in this respect, just ahead of Stortini, Hemsky and Brule, with just the last of these giving those powerplays back by taking too many penalties himself.

    In theory it's great to have guys that are drawing a bunch of powerplays. The next step is to develop a powerplay unit that can convert once in a friggin while.

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  86. "SS": He isn't on the Oilers 50-man roster, so the team would need to "purchase" his contract from OKC and then add him.

    Yeah, I know that. The question is what if two NHL teams want to sign him? Do the Oilers have priority by virtue of his current contract being with their AHL affiliate? Intuitively, it seems to me that that wouldn't be the case, but I don't really know.

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  87. And here's an advanced stat for Slipper: Oilers ZoneStarts YTD for forwards, min 10 GP.

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  88. These MSM reporters should be controlled. They are printing irresponsible articles and hiding behind pseudonyms (like EDMONTON SUN) without repercussions, and its not like you can sue them. You think they could have phoned for a comment from the Oilers before printing the story? /damiencox

    @Woodguy: Nice.

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  89. Woodguy-re:Phoenix

    I'm usually the guy that books hotels/tee times on golf trips but this time buddy is doing it,so he is working out where we are staying.It sounds like everything is within 20 minutes of Phoenix anyway.Thanks for the offer.

    Can't wait-golf,sun,strippers,and steaks the size of hubcaps.

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  90. Does anyone know how to get Vic's faceoff app to generate for the whole season?

    http://timeonice.com/faceoffs1011.php?team=EDM&first=20005&last=20350

    The above didn't work. And how about zone shift,etc? Is that shit even available anymore?

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  91. BD:

    Yeah, there's a good wealth of prospects,seemingly, in the system.

    I have Plante ahead of Petry in my guess since LT had Plante ahead of Petry last time. I'm sure the usage is different in OKC, but there's a big plus/minus gap between the two and Plante is about a year and a half younger.

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  92. @BD: That's middle-age for you. You should really be grateful that there is still 15 minutes in your day that your very appearance doesn't make you want to hang yourself. I'm guessing your last redeemable quality will be that shag carpet God gifted your scalp with.

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  93. A city councilor should get a quote from the Thrasher owners that says if the Oilers leave they'll move in the next day. Not only that, they won't ask for a new arena and they'll pay the city to play here.

    Probably lose less money then they are in Atlanta.

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  94. Wow that's weird. Bruce, do you think after all this time we could develop a gift to respond to each other's arguments before they're even made?

    How much time exactly did you end up spending in close proximity to that space rock, McCurdy?

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  95. @Slipper: yeah, those are Gabe's stats, not Vic's but the principle is the same.

    In answer to your other question, we C&B writers were just talking about this. All of Vic's tools are available on a game-to-game basis this year, but as of now it doesn't seem like he has activated the also-invaluable "year-to-date" stats for shots, faceoffs, or anything else. Hopefully soon, cuz the sample size is starting to build.

    And yes, of course I see your point about small sample sizes. Thing is, while I agree to a large extent about "easy sledding" the fact is you want somebody to KILL that "easy sledding", which all of the microstats seem to confirm, he did. Only to get benched the Very Next game. It just doesn't seem right to me, sends a very bad message, and not just to the one player most affected.

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  96. PS @Slipper: Cosmic radiation. Definitely.

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  97. Black Dog that could be true. Maybe Renney has a past with Stortinin that we don't know about.

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  98. Those face-off stats are damning. By my eye the Oilers are winning roughly a little over one offensive zone draw for every two they lose, but in their own end they're winning less than 1 for every opponent win.

    Does Ryan Jones even take draws? He's one unlucky bastard if he doesn't. He has started 60 times in his own end with 2/3 of those being designated as lost face-offs.

    Gagner's looking horrible in the nice side of the rink. 27W 52L on the attack zone. Yikes.

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  99. "Alderman Tony Caterina and Northlands President announce they are just finishing a 5 day road trip meeting with current NHL partners seeking tenants ready, able and willing to be tenants at Rexall starting in August 2014"

    Caterina expressed surprise that all 5 teams he met with were interested in moving to Edmonton if the Oilers vacate the city. Phoenix, Atlanta, Nashville, St Louis and the Islanders are all ready to move and questioned why any one would vacate a market that generates $95 million dollars in revenue.

    Lowe, Laforge and Marcaccio's attendance in Quebec City is in no way intended to be a threat to Edmonton City council that they may move the team if their demands are not met!!Seriously they are all in Quebec City to see if they can get the Oilers in the Quebec peewee tournament. Hopefully if they get an at large invite they can assemble some wins and get on a bit of a winning streak.

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  100. Katz wants an arena that doesn't suck... Fans want a hockey team that doesn't suck... Quid pro quo?

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  101. Katz wants to be in the sports venue management business, that has been made clear. I think that we are going to get awfully stressed if we start to worry every time K.Lowe visits a place with a new stadium or arena being built.

    First Hamilton, next Quebec City, next - I predict Oklahoma City.

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  102. I think it's a case that taxpayers shouldn't give up 100's of millions of dollars to build a new toy for a billionaire to make more money on even though his product is crap.

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  103. I'd say things are so bad for the Panthers that they would actually lose considerably less money moving to Saskatoon.

    I'm not suggesting they should or would but that's how bad some teams are doing.

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  104. Smarmy: Went to a game there, bought cheap tickets, received lower bowl seats because ''no one's buying them anyway''.

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  105. The authorship of the Lowe-Quebec article wasn't unidentified.

    The source definitely was though, and that does stink.

    The original posting of the article, which is still on the Sun site, is under the byline Karine Gagnon. Never heard of her, probably writes out of Quebec. I suspect they had to modify the byline because an Edmonton reporter got involved.

    Which indicates that the original rumour of it being about relocation might have been generated from the Quebec end (which wouldn't surprise me).

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  106. Smarmy: Went to a game there, bought cheap tickets, received lower bowl seats because ''no one's buying them anyway''.

    No kidding. I probably pay three times as much to see a junior game...

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  107. @Slipper: Good eye. It's actually quite astonishing how bad the Oilers generally are at both ends of the ice compared to how superficially decent they are in the neutral zone. All three rookies are below the water line in each end zone and (well) above it in the neutral zone. Same goes for Horcoff. Your man Jones has an even wider spread, about one in three faceoffs won in either end zone, better than one in two outside the blueline. Fraser's not much different. In fact, 10 of 12 Oiler Fs listed have a better FOW% in the neutral zone than in Either end zone, and the other two have a better NZ FOW% than in one but not both of the end zones.

    It's a pretty astronishing split which I wrote about on Cult of Hockey a while back. I was focussing specifically on the centres FO% but of course it's a team wide effect. The inescapable conclusion is that Oilers' faceoff woes are even greater than they appear.

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  108. spOILer,

    The Sun didn't attribute the story to a reporter, they simpled used "by EDMONTON SUN" as the byline.

    Also,

    Oiler's press release:

    REXALL SPORTS CORPORATION STATEMENT REGARDING QUEBEC CITY VISIT

    “Edmonton Oilers’ President and CEO Patrick LaForge, President of Hockey Operations Kevin Lowe and Katz Group CFO Paul Marcaccio met today with Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume and others. Our representatives are on a fact finding mission to gather information on the Quebec arena project, the contemplated funding model and that City’s discussions with other orders of government. Patrick, Kevin and Paul hope to learn from the Quebec City experience and bring back insights that will help move the process forward here in Edmonton. We remain focused on our efforts to develop the funding structure required to enable the Edmonton Arena District project to proceed. Today was a convenient date for the meeting in Quebec City since the Oilers are already in nearby Montreal to play the Canadiens and our group is with the team.”

    - Bob Black, Executive Vice President
    Sports & Entertainment
    Katz Group


    In other words, mission accomplished by LaForge.

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  109. Woodguy,

    Sorry, but, this says you're wrong. That's clearly a person's name under the byline of the article as originally posted. I have no idea if she works out of QUE or EDM though.

    It appears Jones agrees with the relocation threat coming from the Edmonton end though.

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  110. Spoiler,

    I saw the original post this morning and it was posted as "by Edmonton Sun".

    It is obviously changed. Either it was an error that it was omitted to begin with and is now fixed, or due to the ruckus of the article they posted the author.

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  111. Regwald,

    No, there were two versions of the article up this morning.

    The one at the top of the sports page and directly linked on their front page Flash thingamajiggy had "By QMI Agency" as the byline.

    Here it is, however it has been updated with the Black news release so does not have its original time signature.

    The Gagnon bylined article, which at the time was identical in every word was much further down the Sports page.

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  112. I read both articles at approximately 10:15am MST today.

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  113. And as you can see from the Gagnon article, it was posted at 9:15am.

    The key here is not the authorship, but who leaked the story.

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  114. SB said "I think it's a case that taxpayers shouldn't give up 100's of millions of dollars to build a new toy for a billionaire to make more money on even though his product is crap."

    On the one hand, I applaud your comment because it is a very clear and succinct description of the situation at hand, and the this needs to be acknowledged when city council reviews the arena issue next year.

    However, the lawyer in me has to ask - Why not? Governments around the globe have been subsidizing Bill Gates the same way for 20 years, except for more money with a worse product. He's in a position to try to leverage money out of the government using emotional ties to a team that has been terrible for 15 of twenty years. Why wouldn't you try to make extra moeny off of them? Isn't that what consumer capitalism is all about?

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  115. Well I don't want to type a bunch of words on economics but I believe we're in an era where capitalism is dead and we're in an age of tax payer subsidized corporate welfare.

    When it comes to things like shiny new stadiums for our beloved sports teams we start rationalizing that we need these things and justify it by believing that government already wastes our money so why not something we can use.

    Katz could find investors to privately fund this whole thing if people believe they could make money.

    But why pay for something if you can make the taxpayers foot the bill and reap the profits.

    Most stadiums in the United States were built like that but then again their economy is in the sewer and they're closer to civil war then they are any sort of recovery.

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  116. I'd say things are so bad for the Panthers that they would actually lose considerably less money moving to Saskatoon.

    I'm not suggesting they should or would but that's how bad some teams are doing.


    It's almost happened before. Bill Hunter almost moved the Blues to the Paris of the Prairies.

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  117. I live in Quebec City. There was a short story on the Lowe-Labeaume meeting on CBC (english) radio here this afternoon. Laforge personally denied that the meeting was about prospects for moving the Oilers here (the local media seems to like that idea, though Quebec is clearly a smaller and poorer city than Edmonton and so would seem an inferior market). He asserted that the meeting was about discussing the two parties' plans for new buildings and their financing. Laforge did make a cryptic remark about Edmonton having a team and Québec noting having one "at this time", or something similar.

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  118. However, the lawyer in me has to ask - Why not? Governments around the globe have been subsidizing Bill Gates the same way for 20 years, except for more money with a worse product. He's in a position to try to leverage money out of the government using emotional ties to a team that has been terrible for 15 of twenty years. Why wouldn't you try to make extra moeny off of them? Isn't that what consumer capitalism is all about?

    No, this is called crony capitalism. Perhaps even fascism--socilaized losses and privatized profits (which is a big reaso why the world is in the mess its in, ask Irish taxpayers and pensioners)

    There is no harm in Katz asking or lobbying. There are, however, issues with the government capitulating.

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  119. spOILer,

    Had the original page up from my link on a tab at work and there was no QMI or mention of Gagnon. There is now.

    My comment was a parrot of Damien Cox going off on Tyler when he broke the Campbell thing. Nothing more.

    Got the Oilers at +180, hopeless optimist.

    So with 2 playing with 6 and 5 playing with 26, was 2 promoted or 5 demoted? Or is Renney doing it to help 26 from getting killed.

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  120. I have no doubt the meetings are what they claim they are.

    However, I also wouldn't put it past them to float a story like the Sun reported to get mouth breathers all huffy and puffy and make Edmonton City Council look indecisive and weak.

    That's pretty much the sort of slime Patrick Laforge conjures up every day.

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  121. crazycoach - might not even be a past - he might just not like something about his game, may be a clash of personalities, who knows? I know when I coached there were kids that bugged my ass for whatever reason, they'd still get their icetime because it was rec but unless Bruce speaks up at the next parents' meeting Zach is out of luck ;)

    Speeds - yeah I'd probably ran Plante ahead of Petry right now but i like both of them as prospects

    slipper - middle aged, what? you bastard! 42 is the new 25.

    Aw crap, I just shit myself a little. Again. Damnit.

    True on the lid though. I have buddies who are balding like crazy, I couldn't even imagine.

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  122. There he is, at the wrong damn game. OMG. 60 minutes of whammo!

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  123. I normally can deal with whoever is doing the commentary except Macguire and Lobardias.

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  124. Smarmy I doubt we will ever see growth in the sports industry like we did in the 90's. That was the golden age of sports marketing and when you see sports (and I use that term loosely here) like Nascar laying off people, its hard to justify paying for a new stadium. I'm with you in that regard.

    However, sports teams like to throw around terms like economic impact studies, etc. to justify their position.

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  125. Woodguy, you seem to know a fair amount about sports betting, but you've also bet on the Oil quite often lately.

    Price gets another shutout. book it. lol ;)

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  126. Maybe Ebs will have a good game to avenge his Roughriders. :)

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  127. Well, wouldn't having another team paying hockey players 50M$ per year actually make a tax revenu?

    They're taxed at almost 50% over here. 25M$ each year going into Gov. Piggy Bank, not to mention tax on the team's revenu.

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  128. It looks like the Canadiens know Cogliano won't hit them the way he keeps skating by guys. I don't imagine them playing that way against a player like Dustin Brown or Cal Clutterbuck.

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  129. I wonder how many PP goals are directly because of the diamond, specifically the fact there is only 1 man in front of the goalie...

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  130. Anon: Kings have lost 10 of theyr last 11 vs the Habs.

    They've been doing pretty well.

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  131. @Dennis: When Cogliano got walked Pierre expressed surprise, calling Cogs "a very responsible defensive player".

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  132. Holy Christ, it's Strudwick's wife now!?

    Funniest, greatest guy of all-time and his wife is just the sweetest goddamn puck princess you ever did meet.

    It never fucking ends.

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  133. I'm surprised the net could contain that Foster bomb.

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  134. I'm beginning to think Strudwick is the next Pope. Mercy.

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  135. @Dennis: And Chris Cuthbert says the reason Strudwick is still here is actually Mrs. Strudwick.

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  136. Quebecor owns Sun Media. Quebecor is the prospective owner of the Quebec hockey team.

    This Sun story is more Quebecor using Katz/Rexall than vice versa. The quote from Lowe was taken out of context, and the story planted to serve Quebecor's interests.

    Rexall's interest is in tag-teaming with Quebec to get federal dollars for both arenas, which reduces the amount Edmonton taxpayers would have to put at risk in Edmonton That is what they were doing there.

    That plus Rexall sports might be able to get the management contract for the arena, providing some private money up front for Quebec's arena, which could then be used to put pressure on the Feds to provide dollars for both projects.

    Remember folks, federal dollars reduces the amount the city of Edmonton has to put up.

    Remember Rexall and AEG want to gain leverage in the arena concert and show business in Canada. If they can control Edmonton, Hamilton, and Quebec, they have leverage to use against MLSE in the Toronto market, and Molson's in the Quebec market.

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  137. It looks like the Canadiens know Cogliano won't hit them the way he keeps skating by guys. I don't imagine them playing that way against a player like Dustin Brown or Cal Clutterbuck.

    Or Zack Stortini.

    OK, I'll shut up now.

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  138. McQuire mentioned that Foster talked about Strudwick's wife really helping the new players/families settle in Edmonton.

    That's the kinda stuff I've been waiting to hear from the MSM about the value of Strudwick.

    All we hear is "good in the room", but no examples.

    I don't discount how Mrs. Strudwick helps in the least.

    When Peca moved here he ended up on an acreage in Ardrosson and Mrs. Peca felt very isolated.

    The need for "local help" with new players and their families are real and need to be addressed, and its great that Mrs. Strudwick is playing a key role.

    Why can't we read a feature about that instead of hear "good in the room" a million times.

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  139. How come I never heard that Foster's bay died? This year, too. Man that is horrible.

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  140. Brownlee or someone like him wrote a nice story about Foster and the losing of his baby.

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  141. Brownlee article on Foster:

    http://oilersnation.com/2010/10/13/kurtis-foster-courage-in-the-game-of-life

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  142. Hamrlik with 2 points on his old team. Bet nobody saw that coming.

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  143. I'm so glad they traded for Pouliot. Kids producing at 0,5 PPG on the third/fourth line, there's no price to that.

    Still waiting for Martin to wake up and realise Moen's shit on a top 6 and put him back.

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  144. anyone else see 91 score in their brains? would have enjoyed a pass TO THE REBUILD there.

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  145. Nah Vandy needed to put that one square in Price's chest.

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  146. I've been hesitant to post this because I've only caught limited action but at this point I am absolutely convinced MPS is terrified of physical contact in the NHL. There are so many times per game he could get the puck, retain the puck, or do something dangerous with the puck but his first instinct is to steer away from traffic or pull up instead of being first into the corner. Lots of things to like about him and he's only 19 but I worry about that fear going forward.

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  147. MPS takes it hard to the net twice after my comment. If he did that in the corners he'd already be dominant.

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  148. Can't really complain about the game thus far. Montreal has gotten very lucky with its bounces (everything likes to go off of something right onto their sticks), and Price has been stellar. Could easily be a very different score.

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  149. @Slipper: Derek Zona wrote this superb piece on Kurtis Foster back on Father's Day. Highly rec'd.

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  150. JFJ's penalty behind Montreal's net led directly to the go-ahead goal. Ouch.

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  151. Those replays of Montreal's PP goals were pretty embarrassing. To have two Oilers at the hashmarks both times with Canadiens behind them is kind of weak. Kind of really weak!

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  152. Be nice if somebody had some finish in their sticks.

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  153. I really hope they leave one of or both of 13 & 67 in TO.

    They will never get more than they give up.

    To be clear about 43's wife. That role is needed dearly by any team. It should be an organizational position if not the wife of a leader. Still don't think 43 should be on the roster, but its good to know some of the stuff that gets done away from the ice.

    Mcquire just noticed 91 was playing with 89 & 83. Welcome to the game Pierre.

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  154. That Gagner line with a little zip. I'm not sure, but the Swede may have gotten an assist.

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  155. Wow. Wonder if that eases Lowetide's feelings about past generations of Canadiens-related refereeing.

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  156. "Habs should win this one in the first period", eh?

    I can't believe how much better Gagner has looked this year. Though I suppose this is what LT and all you other Smart People have been saying for the last couple years with him tweaking so many details in his game to become a really complete player. Sure hope he sticks around for the good years.

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  157. Gagner is having a hell of a game. This has been a fun one for sure.

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  158. Hall has played a monster game for a lack of a better description.

    My only gripe about Gagner is he can still be weak as hell on the boards. If he could take some time to see how Eberle goes about it he would be fine.

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  159. You'd think Gilbert was glued to Kostitsyn there.

    God the referees.

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  160. Charity point! Also enjoyable: Overtime means the roomful of women clamoring to watch Glee have to deal with me and my hockey a little longer :)

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  161. A point. Yeah!*



    *conditional upon the Flames not getting a better draft pick than us.

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  162. Watching the game on RDS... I know the Montreal crown is loud, but the broadcasters *have* to be intentionally boosting the crowd noise in the mix... the din has been so loud all game that you can barely hear the play-by-play. Dirty, sneaky Frenchmen.

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  163. Did Maguire just say Souray set up a team outing?

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  164. Goddamnit Penner. Too lazy to risk having to play in the shootout.

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  165. Penner is so fat that he wasn't even moving his feet when he scored there. He was gliding from he circles in.

    Awful.

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  166. Yes an awful goal. You should always go full speed on a breakaway. That's how you beat the goalie.

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  167. Yes an awful goal. You should always go full speed on a breakaway. That's how you beat the goalie.

    I'm pretty sure Rider Guy was kidding, and mocking Robin Brownlee: two activities of which I heartily approve.

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  168. Penner. Wasn't even looking to pass. Selfish, selfish player.

    Gagner's terrible too.

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  169. Awesome ending. Love the fat man. Good night by the Gagner, Hemsky, Paajarvi line. Hall had a great night, even though he didn't get a point, and made a couple errors.

    Liked to see the refs somewhat screw Montreal for once, especially given how the refs normally screw the Oilers.

    Price should have had the Penner goal, but otherwise I just have to give him praise, even as someone who doesn't like him much.

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  170. Penner finally makes a play that Cogs or Bru couldn't screw up. Score it 7 EDM Penner (unassisted)

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  171. Steve,

    If he was than I whole heartedly endorse his ¡.

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  172. Bruce,

    That should be he name of that line:

    Fat Man and the Little Boys.

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  173. There's still time for Penner to pan out. Patience people.

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  174. Ceryse, it was nice to see the Oilers not get the short end of the stick on officiating... Not used to seeing that much.

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  175. LT - thanks for photo credit on the post. Quite the night to show it off. Great win against the Habs, who I think we matchup with pretty well. Provost probably would have cracked a few more bodies into the boards, but a gutty win he'd be proud of.

    BTW - research alert. Ales Hemsky has the highest assist to goal ratio of any winger in NHL history with > career 200 assists. think about that one...!

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  176. Penner was totally due considering he's been absolutely carried by Cogliano and Brule for the past stretch of games.

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  177. But Pierre just said he wasn't working out for us.....

    Except for leading the team in points last seasons and being the team leader in goals so far this season. As always, the lesson here is that Regis McGuire is a tit.

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  178. 1st star - DD - To bad he won't get the start tomorrow.

    I thought all three Montreal goals involved forunate bounces, but they had 6 or 7 other grade A chances from the slot that DD stopped with little to no rebound.

    Hall was great. He really wants the puck.

    Entertaining game. Oilers can play with other teams who skate as well as them and aren't that physical.

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