We're reaching a point where predicting these kids is at least somewhat possible. If they're quiet for a game or two, one can expect something special. If they're in a slump, well set your PVR and prepare to die. Jordan Eberle alone is worth the price of admission. It's like someone implanted a coach's brain inside a 20-year old rookie's body and the result is intelligent decisions all over the ice.
Taylor Hall makes the price for beer and pretzels a non-issue. I keep saying after almost every game "he's faster than they gave him credit for" and the truth is if you told me he could add a foot to the slapshot he's using or play right-handed I'd believe you.
The new kids made the older kids and veterans look slow and plodding when they arrived (this happened to the entire NHL about 1980. Howe, Hull, Phil Esposito, Jean Ratelle--an entire generation of HOF forwards retired between spring 1980 and summer 1981). Some appear to be catching up and others are going to be passed like a house on the side of the road.
It isn't just speed. It's speed combined with control, having a plan and then the ability to ad-lib what happens in front of you. These junior kids must be drinking different water or perhaps the drone of NHL coaching hasn't impacted their brains yet (I don't really believe this, MacT would have loved Eberle from the get-go, Hall too). All I know is that there's a different feel about a rush with Hall/Eberle in it that a rush that features some of the other young forwards.
Either way, I'm thrilled to be along for the ride. I've enjoyed the 5 Stanley's and the late 90's and the guilty pleasure that was the love affair of 2006 spring, so really have no right as a fan to expect anything more than entertainment from this group.
These kids make it impossible to ignore the dream of another Stanley in our town before 2020. I've decided to embrace the dream. How can a reasonable person draw a different conclusion?
--
I think maybe Stu (Magnificent Bastard) MacGregor must have done a Robert Johnson "Crossroads" trip somewhere back there before the 2008 Entry Draft. Or maybe MBS and the Oilers scouting staff really are that good; either way, the Christmas season keeps delivering presents under the tree for the Oilers and their fans. Olivier Roy starts again for Canada today, Anton Lander had 2 assists in his first game, Toni Rajala had one for Finland and Martin Marincin was +1 and from all reports played a helluva game. Oh, and Curtis Hamilton scored a goal and played well for Canada too.
--
Jeff Petry may play in his first NHL game this evening. I wonder if his Dad (Dan Petry) will be there. The last time a Petry had his name in lights Dan was wrapping up a solid MLB pitching career with the BoSox, October 5 of 1991. I'll never know the feeling of playing in an NHL game; it must be something to step onto that ice and know in your heart you've made it to the highest league on the planet. I suspect ol' Dan Petry is uniquely qualified to understand what his boy will be going through, here's hoping he gets to see it live.
--
Ales Hemsky may return to the lineup tonight. As much as I rave about the kids, Hemsky is bona fide. A veteran skill winger who can create magic every night, this team gets better the instant he takes a shift.
Regarding Hemmer, I'm fully expecting him to come out flying tonight - he always seems to put on a show every time he comes back from injury, and I bet he's p***ed at having missed so much game time over the last 2 years... watch out Buffalo!
ReplyDeleteVery excited about Petry, whether he plays tonight or not. Being the last of the once wildly hyped "college trio" (Petry, Chorney, Wild) to truly being considered in the future of the team (Wild obviously being traded - how dumb was that move - and Chorney only just hanging on, although looking solid this season) I hope he pans out. A D-corps of Whitney, Gilbert, Smid, Peckham, Plante and Petry, whilst by no means league-beating, looks alright to me, and add Marincin to that down the line. We'll be alright.
Part of me hopes Hemsky comes out flying, and he probably will, but then Mr. Reality reminds me that he's coming off a groin injury, and the probability that he re-injures it is rather high (relatively speaking).
ReplyDeleteLet's hope the Oil aren't Mike Yorking this and bringing him back too soon (I hope someone other than Dennis gets this reference).
Apologies for the slight threadjack, but E has a beauty post up just in time for the WJ's (Theory of Ice). A welcome diversion if you find yourself back in the office today, trying to conjure 2011 out of thin air ~
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHbomb how could I forget a cast wearing Mike York playing the point on the pp? Magical moment.
ReplyDeleteSabres suck something awful. Hopefully, Hemsky is enough to spark the team to victory.
5 on 3, York's at the point with a wide open shot!!!! EXCEPT HE CAN'T SHOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteyahoo says in my fantasy league that Hemmer is coming back. If that is the case, its really good news. We really need him. That last minute goal by Kesler was a bummer. First of all it was a last minute goals and then it was Kesler!!! Now if only Horc was healthy!
ReplyDeleteI was damn happy with the way Hamilton played. Him and his line were always in the midst of action.His PK work was beautiful (Of course that one shift from Cizikas was exceptional). But above it all, he showed that he can be complementary scoring forward too. Olivier Roy did not look very good, but I dont think either of the goalies will.
Above all Landeskog played very well for the Swedes. I really want to watch him play. cant wait for the NYE game!
LT, Lander actually had 3A, +3, and 4 SOG.
ReplyDeleteRajala: 1A, 6 SOG
Marincin: +1, 4 SOG
Hamilton: 1G, +2, 2 SOG
Roy: 1W, .889 SV%
Good stories all over the place.
Twenty says Gene uses a Petry "dish" of the puck pun tonight in the first intermission...Any takers?
ReplyDeleteDo I have to give odds?
SK Oiler fan: I think they must have changed it, the IIHF site has him with 2 assists.
ReplyDeletehttp://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/236/IHM236000_85B_2_0.pdf
Thanks LT,
ReplyDeleteTSN has him at 3A, but I'd go with IIHF site.
If Hemsky re-injures his groin do they fire the trainers again?
Wild obviously being traded - how dumb was that move
ReplyDeleteObviously they did not see him as an NHL regular. In 7 AHL games this year, he has 1 A & -3 as a 23 year old. Not sure he would be able to find regular employment on the OKL blueline these days.
Getting Marquart back was hardly a bonus, but maybe he wasn't worth anything more?
Pelss apparently had a good game last night for the Oilkings - 2A. He is a super sleeper.
@ Ducey. I doubt you call him a sleeper yet let alone a super sleeper. Though Davidson sure fits the former bill.
ReplyDeleteWorse trade was with the wild when we got rid of Brodziak. That was really stupid and Fraser experiment seems like a fail
Oilers will win tonight. BUF is not good, Roy is out and they played (and lost) in Calgary last night.
ReplyDeleteThe thing about 4 is that he's always skating. He rarely glides, he's always skating and that's really tough to defend. 91 is getting there in this regards. (He also glides faster than many can skate)
14 is just a freak. Doesn't look fast, doesn't shoot hard, but finds every seam and knows exactly how much time he has with the puck. He also comes out the corners with the puck against much larger men way more often than what is fair.
These kids (and 89) are showing the "grit" that gets talked about ad nauseum by management. Grit doesn't mean banging and crashing and ignoring the puck. Girt means going into the areas that get you a stick in the teeth to get the puck and make plays, and these kids have that in spades. 91 is coming around and 23 already has it.
The biggest surprise is how well 4 and 14 generally keep their head above water against toughs. They don't always come out on top in terms of scoring chances, but they come out on top often and they're 30 freaking games into their careers!!
Good times coming.
I expect the lines to be:
27-13-83
4-89-14
91-67/ROM-23
22-16-46
No idea who will play with who on D.
Go Oilers!!
McKenzie reports Devils to bring Rolston through re-entry waivers shortly. Obviously a different kind of player than Souray, but It'll still be interesting to watch the process
ReplyDeleteunfold.
Woodguy: I agree, and great point you make on Omark. The Edmonton Oilers added Hall, Eberle, MP and Omark up front his season.
ReplyDeleteThat's a helluva lot of talent and they have a wide varities of skills.
It makes the horror of losing Schremp to waivers less painful.
:-)
@ Ducey. I doubt you call him a sleeper yet let alone a super sleeper
ReplyDeleteSorry, by calling Pelss a super sleeper I meant he was quite a longshot - butyouneverknow
LT,
ReplyDeleteThe beauty of those 4 is that not one of them is "soft"
No wall flowers there, and so far no Rowbears.
Rowbear was the worst because he was the most talented of the the 89,13,12 trio, but just didn't give a shit enough to play the game hard and in the tough areas every game.
He moved the puck the right way, but not often enough to stick in the top 6.
Doesn't seem to be a problem with 4,14,23, and 91 is figuring out he's a pretty big boy and shouldn't have too much fear.
The play 91 made behind the net on Penner's PP goal against CLB on the 16th is a good indicator. He was getting worked over pretty good and still made the pass to 23 on his knees.
23's insta-pass backwards between his legs to 27 out front was the highlight of the goal, but 91 took a beating to make that play, and we wouldn't have in Oct or even Nov.
As per NHL_Oilers tweet:
ReplyDelete49-77
6-Petry
27-13-83
Mentioned that 2 and 67 skated, but can't find any other line combos.
As per Tencer tweet 67 placed on IR retro-active to Dec 20.
ReplyDeleteROM gets a stay of execution and I think 23 is an Oiler.
I'd take a 2nd or even a 3rd for 67. Former 1st rounders always have more value than they should on the trade market.
Woodguy,
ReplyDeletePrior to last season's mess, Rowbear was one player that the advanced math liked from what I recall. I can't remember the game itself, but he has one highlight real goal featured on TSN--undressed 2 players and scored. Looked like Ovechkin for about 10 seconds. Too bad he didn't get it.
From Tencer's blog, it looks like Petry is getting the Strudwick/Vandermeer treatment:
ReplyDeleteHall - Gagner - Eberle
Penner - Cogliano - Hemsky
Omark - O'Marra - Paajarvi
Jacques - Fraser - Jones
Whitney -Petry
Peckham - Gilbert
Smid - Foster
Khabibulin
From Tencer's blog, it looks like Petry is getting the Strudwick/Vandermeer treatment:
ReplyDeleteIf Renney's going to go all rawhide, then I like those pairings. The alternative would be putting Whitney with Smid or Gilbert, and giving them the toughs, to shelter Petry.
Cogliano gets two high-end wings in 27 and 83. If he gets an extended run with them and falters, it's time to cut bait.
ReplyDeleteI'm still confused as to what Shawn Belle needs to do to find a roster spot. He was a solid, though simple, presence during his callup in one of the worst team runs of the season. He's a better defender than Strudwick by a country mile. If the Oilers gas him without finding out what he's made up and pass on yet another serviceable bottom-end, NHL minimum defender...well, nothing. It all stays the same.
LT - you've voiced concern about Rajala's offense in the Liiga. He's completing his service and he's battled a nagging injury thus far.
WG - I'd take a 7th for Brule, especially on that contract.
Jay,
ReplyDeleteMath still liked 12 last year as well.
With 4,14 and 91 coming in, there was no room at the inn for a part time player with no taste for traffic.
Dripping in skill. If he ever wants to play in the NHL again he will.
Coach: Rajala certainly looked fine in G1 for the Finns. What type of injury was it?
ReplyDelete@ coach
ReplyDeleteI dont think it is Belle as much as it Oilers wanting to play the prospects they feel fit in the long term plans. Had Peckham faltered in the show, then I believe that Belle would have been there somewhere on the call up list. I dont think any of the FA defensemen signed in the offseason rank above Petry and Plante on the call up list. Only after those two have made the show and then there are further injuries, then we should look forward to a Belle call up.
@ WG
ReplyDelete23 has definitely siezed his chance and replaced Brule on the depth chart. Good for 23
A shakeup in Calgary is underway as the Flames announced Tuesday that Executive Vice-President and general manager Darryl Sutter is stepping down effective immediately.
ReplyDeleteJay Feaster has been appointed Acting General Manager and will assume full and complete responsibilities for day-to-day hockey operations.
As per TSN.
Damn, Calgary will get better now (long term)
Darryl Sutter out in Calgary as per TSN. Didn't see it mentioned anywhere else on the thread. TSN has it that he "stepped down". Feaster is interim GM until the end of the year. Certainly hope they don't bring in anyone who has a clue.
ReplyDeleteI'll be interested to see if they flush the veterans at the deadline.
ReplyDelete@LT: Let's go with "an upper body injury".
ReplyDeleteRajala with an assist on the first FIN goal today. Currently 4-0 over the Swiss.
ReplyDeleteNow over.
http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/236/gameaction_2898.html
LT - Were you tuned in to a live feed of Fin/Swi or just camped on the webpage?
ReplyDeleteHow's this for similarities:
ReplyDeleteSkilled, hard-nosed NHLer joins western conference team as coach, has some success and is promoted to the GM position. Hires someone very close to him as his coach. Using existing building blocks and with a couple of very nice trades and signings, puts together a team that manages a miraculous Stanley Cup run.
The wheels fall off the squad after the Stanley Cup run. Playoff disappointments continue in the subsequent years. The GM makes bold moves but they backfire. Increasingly desperate to do something with his team, to regain that Stanley Cup success, he makes even riskier moves that come back to embarrass him.
With the team in the doldrums - as far from success in the present as possible, but with no future in sight - the GM steps down.
Who's the GM?
Deano: Just zipped by to be honest. I had some shopping to do and tried to pay a speeding ticket this morning.
ReplyDeleteThe wheels fall off the squad after the Stanley Cup run. Playoff disappointments continue in the subsequent years. The GM makes bold moves but they backfire. Increasingly desperate to do something with his team, to regain that Stanley Cup success, he makes even riskier moves that come back to embarrass him.
ReplyDeletePretty good parallel, but it breaks down in the bolded bit.
It's not exact, but the Flames were perennial playoff disappointments - never got past the 1st round after 2004, IIRC.
ReplyDeleteWojo - Darryl Sutter.
ReplyDeleteIt's not exact, but the Flames were perennial playoff disappointments - never got past the 1st round after 2004, IIRC.
ReplyDeleteNo, I meant that the bolded bit applies only to the Flames, and not to the Oilers.
Ah, fair enough. I have to admit though, in '07 I was pretty disappointed we didn't make the playoffs :)
ReplyDeleteKen King should have taken a promotion and made Darryl the team president.
ReplyDeleteDon't know if anyone is watching the Spengler Cup but Davos just managed to get three consecutive delay of game penalties for shooting the puck out of play - in less than a minute.
ReplyDeleteNever seen that before.
Marc, that's tragicomic.
ReplyDeleteI listened to the Flames press conference.
Jay Feaster should be a politician. The man is a master of double-speak. You can hear exactly what you want in what he says.
About the team as it is:
"I think when this team buys into the system, listen to their coaches, when they give 60 minutes of real effort, they can beat and compete with the top teams in the league."
So is he saying there are passengers to sack? Or that the players are OK, but the coach has lost their attention? Maybe that the status quo is fine and they just need time to put things together?
You can read that however you want.
I'm telling you guys, the man has real talent for talking a lot and not saying a damn thing. Great life skill.
Czech's score on first shot against Roy.
ReplyDeleteTwo games straight beaten high glove on shot 1.
Only officials I hate more than Marc Joanette are any Euro refs at international tournaments.
ReplyDeleteRoy looks like a smaller Deslauriers.
ReplyDeleteI'm assuming Darryl is retiring so he can finally film the sequel to Goonies.
ReplyDeleteHEY YOU GUYS!!!!!!
coach pb said: - I'd take a 7th for Brule, especially on that contract.
ReplyDeleteYeah but you also said you would trade Eberle + Lander for Steve Weiss "in a heartbeat".
Islanders just dealt their best defenseman for more draft picks.
ReplyDeleteAt some point don't they have to ice a team that is at least pretending to be competitive?
Wiz is on pace to be -40 this year.
ReplyDeleteIslanders could call MAB tomorrow and basically picked up a 2nd rounder for free.
Smart move by Snow.
If Edmonton's record was as bad as the Islanders would anyone be bitching about moving Foster for a 2nd?
Hope that kid is okay, but he's gotta keep his head up.
ReplyDeleteThat Wiesniewski trade is a head scratcher.
ReplyDeleteAnd speaking from the town of cows, there is a collective sigh of relief on the Sutter 'resignation'. I was listening to the FAN960 and Peter Maher seems to feel the Feaster thing will go from interim to long-term by the spring. Feaster may be a smooth talker but he is not a fool for a GM either. I suspect that sooner rather than later he may be asking some NTC players to waive those to acquire picks and some of the more reluctant may find their way to the waiver wire.
I actually think that it is a good thing that a team tries to improve, as the NHL would be a much more attractive entertainment option with 30 strong teams.
Kassian is a cold-hearted fellow.
What a fucking load of shit.
ReplyDeleteEuropean officials are pathetic.
PDO, respectfully, I disagree with you.
ReplyDeleteDidn't hear Feaster's comments, but I can imagine he didn't say much. Probably don't want to start the public autopsy until the corpse is cold.
ReplyDeleteWas surprised by Ken King's comments though. I figured that he'd give the standard "Darryl wanted to spend more time with his family" excuse, but instead started the presser by saying that he asked Darryl to resign and he did.
Oh, and I think that goal is what you call a back breaker.
Bar Qu:
ReplyDeleteWhat was wrong with it?
He kept his elbows in. It wasn't blindside. It may have been a shade late...
... but it wasn't a penalty until they realized the guy was hurt. They always pull that shit, unless it's a Canadian hurt. See: Dehaan, Calvin.
I don't like seeing shoulders go into faces. I probably don't know enough to make a comment, but at least at the junior level I would want guys to have a little more awareness of other player's vulnerabilities (late, crossing the middle, etc) when they are making their hits.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with you that the officiating is tilted away from the Canucks, but what do you expect when you bring the biggest, best team to the tournament every year? The refs are only human after all. (I generally don't see the point in complaining about officiating since it is poor everywhere, especially when the calls go against my team)
Quite excited about Petry. Not as eager for Hemsky to re-injure his yanked groin. The Rebuild (aka Shh Don't Tell Renney) should warrant longer IR stints for these guys. Vandermeer has tweaked his ankle what-- three times? Hemmer hurried back the first time. What's the rush?
ReplyDeleteRoy had another softie, but dude's a gamer. Kinda reminds me of Ronnie Tugnutt, but with more fire.
Bar Qu:
ReplyDeleteThere wasn't any contact to his head though.
I don't see how Pierre can keep chirping that there was no contact to the head - not only was there shoulder to chin, but he left his feet a little bit.
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell, now Bobby Mac claims the same thing? Are we watching the same tape?
"That Wiesniewski trade is a head scratcher."
ReplyDeleteYeah it would be much better to finish last with Wiz in the lineup and receive no compensation.
Makes total sense for Wang to pay an extra couple million as well.
Schitzo:
ReplyDeleteI see nothing either? It's all chest.
Bobby Mac has a history of taking pretty far leans on hits too... there's been more than a few I've had no problem with that he's attacked.
Trak:
There's nothing wrong with the Wiz trade by the rules (though I think he could have got a bit more at the deadline), but when NYI is not putting guys on LTIR so they're above the cap floor and then deal a guy making $3,000,000+ for no salary back... it doesn't smell right, and really shouldn't' be allowed.
I don't think there's anything wrong with that hit, either. As Bob McKenzie said it might have been a little late but the evidence of evil-doing isn't on the tape.
ReplyDeleteThat's the first thing tonight that deserved a suspension.
ReplyDeleteLooking at that hit and letting it digest. It really does look like he got a 5 minute major and a game for playing hockey.
ReplyDeleteBut that's hockey these days.
Contact was shoulder to chin.
ReplyDeleteGood call, not sure what replay TSN is watching but slow mo on the PVR is pretty clear.
Fierce, Hemsky was ready for the Vancouver game, but management decided to keep him out just to be on the safe side.
ReplyDeleteNice to see Gudbranson bounce back so nicely after showing early indications of having being gutted like a fish.
ReplyDeleteI don't like the Frk'n stickwork, but didn't it look like Gudbranson sold that one way too hard?
Yeah but you also said you would trade Eberle + Lander for Steve Weiss "in a heartbeat".
ReplyDeleteUp until about midway through last season that would've been, based on the evidence available- a very reasonable trade to make. (Of course, it's only a good trade if the goal is to win now or in the medium term. If you're goal is to win 3 years out, then holding prospects is almost always better.)
Since about midway through last season, Eberle has started to look far better (and better and better).
And Weiss is a beast of a player on a hell of a deal.
---
This is more of the same BS from you. You simply can't honestly and fairly discuss someone else's position. You have to cherry pick facts and distort others' positions. This isn't a fight with winners and losers Traktor.
It's a discussion with us all learning something, as a group, as the goal.
Grow up.
That's one for flinching.
ReplyDeleteWojo: Yes, "ready" according to a player and franchise noted for poor injury management. Regardless, my point was that we should allow extra time for our players to heal. It literally can't hurt.
ReplyDeleteGod I hate Pierre Gauthier.
ReplyDeleteIt's been 2 seasons in a row he dealt for a guy the team previously aquired in the off-season for less.
What an idiot. 2 times he catches pumps and dumps.
kris:
ReplyDeleteIf someone cannot grasp where the team is today then they sure as hell shouldn't be suggesting where we should be going in the future.
Call veteran RH C syndrome.
Gotta disagree with you PDO, I don't think that was a clean hit.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it's not the actual contact that bothers me there, it's that the puck is long gone and that is not a hockey play. Kassian never even looks to see where the puck is.
Fierce, I'm normally the first to agree about injury management with the Oilers - I still wonder how much of a point Souray had, despite his dickish behaviour in the media.
ReplyDeleteBut not in this situation:
1. Hemsky knows he's due for a pay raise (and likely his last big contract) if he stays healthy and productive.
2. It's Hemsky himself being quoted as saying he was ready and wanting to get back, that he's a quick healer, etc.
3. Everyone from Patrick Laforge down to the cheerleaders knows that this team has absolutely 0 pressure on it this season. There's no rush whatsoever and winning is, in one sense, counterproductive.
The Isle have to be real close to the cap floor.
ReplyDeleteI understand they are looking to the future, but they are getting painfully close to alienating their dwindling fanbase.
Will there be the Winnipeg Islanders? That doesn't even make sense...
I don't believe there is any future with Wang as the owner. That franchise is going no where.
ReplyDeleteTraktor,
ReplyDeleteMy whole point is that where the team is at and whether they should aim at winning now or later has been changing.
The fact that you ignored this obvious point and it's relevance to evaluating trading prospects for Weiss is just further evidence that you're incapable of having a real discussion.
kris:
ReplyDeleteThe organizations intentions might be a moving target but what has needed to be done to turn things around has always been the same.
Some could see it. Others talk about bringing in Jim Dowd.
As for not being able to have a discussion - I don't believe I have even once initiated contact with you yet every single time I post here you're giving me some piece of advice.
Take your own advice troll and piss off.
Wojo:
ReplyDelete1. True. This clearly clouds his judgment. Would you not push yourself to maximize every penny you could possibly receive? Maybe even risking re-injury?
2. Hemsky has a history of rushing back. Most athletes are stubborn in the face of injury & the threat of further injury. Sure, the athlete know his body best, but he doesn't always know what's best for his body.
3. Okay, what? Are you saying here that Hemsky out means we have a higher chance of winning? Or are you saying it's good for him to re-injure himself so we have a harder time winning? I'm confused.
Nice goal by Lander; pure work and a nice backhander.
ReplyDeleteAnother Canada game.. and another "meh" reaction. I just don't like a lot of the players for Canada. Already enjoying the Sweden-Russia game more.
Oh, and Lander just had a wonderful sequence against the Ruskies that led to a nifty goal. Bullied his way into the slot and fired backhand cheese. Nice to see.
ReplyDeleteCeryse: Beat me to it!
ReplyDeleteI, for one, super dig this year's team. Reminds me of those Oilers teams that were capable of delivering from from all over the depth chart.
Eakin might be my favourite guy so far. A mug only a mother could love, but he's my kind of player.
*...delivering offensively from all over the depth chart.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the post overload.
Fierce,
ReplyDeleteYou make good points. Hemsky does probably rush back, he's had a couple of serious re-injuries, but ultimately you have to trust the player on his ability to play again. The Oilers gave him a couple of extra days to rest, and he's facing a much less intimidating team in his first game back.
I disagree that his judgment is clouded, however. He's proven himself many times over. I imagine even his agent might have mentioned to him that he should try to focus on his health now.
At this point however, I'm veering into speculation and not sure I can offer more than that, so I'll leave the Hemsky return debate to yourself and others.
People getting along? I knew this day would come and I for one, welcome our new insect overlords.
ReplyDeleteUSA vs. Slovakia (and Marincin) link:
ReplyDeletehttp://rags2richestv.webs.com/livestream1.htm
Hahahaha well said LT
ReplyDeleteThanks for that link Deano. Any idea what number Marincin is? I'm tryin to pick him out
ReplyDeleteI heard #21but was making dinner.
ReplyDeleteYeah it would be much better to finish last with Wiz in the lineup and receive no compensation.
ReplyDeleteMakes total sense for Wang to pay an extra couple million as well.
OK, I'll bite.
Theoretically teams are supposed to ice a team that demonstrates some purpose, ostensibly to make the playoffs, but there can be other purposes like entertainment, development or building to future levels of competitiveness. As far as the NYI of this year goes, there appears to be no purpose other than to cheat as low as possible to at or below the salary floor. Trading off Wiesniewski for nothing(picks) seems another move to get rid of cash.
Hey, I agree Wang has a right to retain as much of his money as he can, but other owners have a right to ask why he gets away with running such a slipshod organisation. This is in some ways as much a circumvention of the cap as Lamoriello's icing an incomplete team to stay under the ceiling.
So, the Wiesniewski thing, yeah, a head scratcher.
I believe he is # 21.
ReplyDeleteJust look for the tall guy on defense :)
Lotsa opportunity to see how good Marincin is in his own end. USA dominating. Slovaks down to 5 D and their #5 is not getting much ice time.
ReplyDeleteLander just dominating in the face off circle, to the point of 'calling' them -- telling his d-men where to stand because its where he's putting it.
ReplyDeleteGilbert okay to go tonight. Myers missing 2nd straight with the flu.
ReplyDeleteI can't explain this with reason so I don't expect 33 even being in the discussion to be moved out once 67 comes back.
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't think the Oilers will make any decisions with 67 that They might deem to be rash.
I'd expect 42 gets sent back because if they don't think enough of him to really ask a lot of him FO or PK wise then they likely don't think enough of him to keep him up.
Dennis,
ReplyDeleteI don't get them having OKC's 1PK C in town and not giving him any PK minutes.
Not even 3PK minutes.
Bizarre.
I'm so glad Gino got that out of his system right from the get-go.
ReplyDeleteI'm not too sure if it's fair to call a guy like Traktor a troll. Usually someone who is 'trolling' on the internet puts forth some ridiculous/ignorant statements in hopes of stirring up the masses. However, I think an important distinction is that the 'troll' puts forth these opinions solely to incite a reaction; they are fully aware of the fact that they are being disingenuous.
ReplyDeleteTraktor, though, I think the he actually believes the stupid things he says.
Troll? No. Fool? Yes.
Think this team missed Hemsky?
ReplyDeleteNice work by Hemmer.
ReplyDeleteHemsky's first shift back, he causes a turnover that leads directly to penner scoring
ReplyDelete23 will make his NHL career with his board work.
ReplyDeleteGino jumped the gun on the Petry dish pun, I had called that for the first intermission.
ReplyDeleteIf he can't let the tension build up properly, he will never get to play the big rooms.
Nice to see Hemsky back. As good as the kids have been, he takes some of the pressure off and opens things up for them.
Whitney should probably be a 20 goal guy this year. He has little to show for all the 5 bell chances he gets.
ReplyDeleteAnyone have a good feed of tonight's game?
ReplyDeleteThey have let this period slip away.
ReplyDelete58 looks and sounds like that pimply-faced kid from The Simpsons.
ReplyDeleteI blame Petry's dad for the goal against.
ReplyDeleteHow could a former pro athelete make the classic mistake of speaking of a shut-out while the game is still on? The kid's stat line suffered for it.
I think Petry has has cup strap one notch too tight... and when did Gene start thinking we were tuning in to watch him? He's like the kid that gets one laugh among a group of adults and spends the rest of the night trying to elicit another.
ReplyDeleteThe Oilers had one SC in the period's last 14 min and I had the totals at 5-9.
ReplyDeletethe 13 line got absolutely drilled and it looked like the Oilers were gonna gun Buf out of the building but then they got lazy and the Oilers are now in trouble for this game because the Sabres have figured out how easy it is to work the Oil down low.
Without Whitney this becomes a tough D for a coach to shuffle. Gilbert-Peckham and then Smid-Foster for the rest of the night with the kid getting spot duty.
ReplyDeleteMacIntyre HAS played defense before. Just saying. :-)
Just had a chance to watch
ReplyDeleteGene, Spec and Tencer
tell us whats really happening.
Once again, the level of misinformation those paid guys spew out is incredible.
Whitney is "cheaper"
Not cheaper, more expensive with a lower Cap hit.
Whitney is "better" because he makes Strudwick & Vandemere better.
Of course they don't notice that Smid is once again a third pairing guy without Visnovsky.
Oi
Omark with a real bad sequence there.
ReplyDeleteThe fans should boo that powerplay right there. Absolutely atrocious. No speed and trying to be too cute.
ReplyDeleteJust settling in. Whitney start the game? Ugly PP, no shots.
ReplyDeleteDecline it!
ReplyDeleteAs I type this the Oilers are about to go on their second PP and and they haven't had an SC in 23 goddamn min.
ReplyDeleteOilers look like they played last night. They didn't.
ReplyDeleteAnother PP...maybe shoot the puck on this one.
In my usual spot for tonight's game, a couple things:
ReplyDeleteMagnus and not Linus on the first PP was just stupid. Evidence: the second PP.
35 has to have both of those.
No Whitney kills puck movement.
Petry shaky as hell. Just made a nice recovery play though.
Entire team looks like they went out boozing except 83.
I figured the Oilers would win this one until I heard it's milestone night for Miller if he wins so scratch that.
ReplyDeleteAnother crappy loss.
Yuck...effort seems to be real low.
ReplyDeletePetry looks Ok on the PP, not so much 5 on 5
Without Whitney out there this team is pretty much pooched.
ReplyDeleteOilers with ONE EV chance in the game's last 33 min.
ReplyDeleteChances 8-15 after 40; 7-14 EV and 2-1 ST.
Absolutely terrible game to watch and terrible effort by Oilers.
Also, I know he's not playing with gems but the SC's haven't liked 23 so far and he needs to create a lot more than he does if he's going to fuck around in his own end on the 2-1 goal.
That's a very dumb play to break out at a time when the roster's just about to need trimming.
Dennis - not a dumb play. Puck got stuck in the water. Ice is junk tonight.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I know he's not playing with gems but the SC's haven't liked 23 so far and he needs to create a lot more than he does if he's going to fuck around in his own end on the 2-1 goal.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking Omark is a big reason why his line gets pinned in the Oilers end often when he's out there. He doesn't have a clue when it comes to his own end of the ice.
Doesn't help I imagine that he is playing with two other borderline NHLers.
6 goes down for any period of time and you can ring up that lottery pick.
ReplyDeleteRe: the Kassian hit...
If you have to go down to frame-by-frame to decide it was dirty... it wasn't dirty. Watch it in real time and figure it out. Any hit looks dirty if you watch it slowly enough.
It was dumb to go back that far in your end without passing it off; unless you're a dman.
ReplyDeleteLMHF: Ice in Edmonton is junk every night.
ReplyDeleteKnow what would help the Oilers?
ReplyDeleteIf #5 was actually a top 4 D by now.
What a junk goal by #35.
I never said it was a dirty hit. What I objected to was McGuire's insistence that there was no contact to the head. There was plenty of contact to the head, and correct me if I'm wrong, that's the criteria for whether or not it's a penalty in international hockey ('dirty' or not is unimportant).
ReplyDeleteDisagree Dennis, he was in position.
ReplyDelete35 cant stop a beach ball tonight...ugh
Kinger... outside of the deceptive camera angle that the Euro's are pulling out, I've yet to see any evidence of any contact to the head.
ReplyDeletePDO:
ReplyDeleteI watched all three TSN angles slow-mo on the PVR and the contact was shoulder to head.
If this continues, I fully expect Renney to lay into them post-game.
ReplyDeleteTerrible effort all around..
as I say that, they score. Jones?
Jones is cashing in on percentages.
ReplyDeleteSell high, please...
Kinger:
ReplyDeleteSo did I.
Pause it the second contact is made.
It's 100% shoulder to chest.
I have my fingers crossed that one of the losers of the Kiprusoff sweepstakes between Philly, Washington, and Tampa Bay might have some interest in Khabibulin.
ReplyDeletePDO
ReplyDeleteJones can be an effective 4th line player. He comes cheap too. There are many more players before him to move (if they can)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePetry gets his first NHL point with the second assist.
ReplyDeleteWashington isn't going to go after a goalie. If they do they're stupid.
ReplyDeleteItsaleaf:
ReplyDeleteNo issue with him being paid near league minimum on the 4th line.
I think he's going to want more than that after he scores 15+ this year though... and I think our management group is dumb enough to think he can be a legitimate 3rd liner on a very good hockey team.
I hope they aren't THAT dumb
ReplyDeleteMe too... but my faith is low.
ReplyDeleteIt's December 28 so it has no hope of making the plays of the year, but that's a fucking save of the year candidate by Ryan Miller.
ReplyDeletePDO:
ReplyDeletehttp://img259.imageshack.us/img259/7629/senkerik.jpg
See his shoulder hitting Senkerik in the Jaw? His head is turning from the impact.
Nobody cares about this hit. You're both right. Feel better?
ReplyDeleteOr:
ReplyDeletehttp://watch.tsn.ca/international-hockey/clip394325#clip394325
"We took it to the TSN television lab and clearly there is contact to the chin and neck area of Peter Senkerik by Zach Kassian's shoulder"
O'marra and Omark appear to have been benched. I Haven't seen them once this period
ReplyDeleteHow did Eberle get that shot off?!
ReplyDeletePuck's tangled in the Sabres D's feet, he's being checked, somehow gets his stick on the puck and wires a solid wrister that would have gone through on a lesser goalie.
I actually think it would be a defensible strategy to trade anyone who has an unusually high shooting percentage (individual or team) in their RFA year, and trade them only for players coming off unusually low shooting percentages. It wouldn't lead to the correct decision all the time (and would probably sometimes lead to outright goofy ones), but as blanket rules go it wouldn't be too bad.
ReplyDeleteIt would have spared us Gilbert Brule for $1.85M, anyway.
Having Fraser and Cogliano play so much over O'Marra and Omark is an insult to trying to win.
ReplyDeleteI don't even know why they bothered pulling the goalie.
ReplyDeleteIf you can't stay in the opposing zone on a 5-on-4, why bother 6-on-5?
The good thing about the Oilers bad contracts(minus Horcoff i.e. Foster, fraser, Brule, Souray,) is they are only short term 2 year deals.
ReplyDeleteAround that time is when they will be getting real competitive (we hope) and they can rid themselves of those fringe players and bring in real NHLers.
If Whitney's out, it's time to root for NYI and NJ to start winning a bit more, because the Oilers will be awful without him.
"The glass half full answer is..."
ReplyDeleteWe're in great shape for the draft lotto.
Brutal game to watch though...
The Oilers didn't bring their best tonight, but their goalie was swinging on a star out there. Jeebus.
ReplyDeleteThis was the first night in awhile that Hall didn't seem to have his usual zip. If I'm Renney a change at C for that line might be in order.
What about Penner?
Chorney with a goal and an assist tonight in a SO loss for OKC.
ReplyDeleteAnd btw, Pitlick scored 2 tonight and is 4-9-13 in his last 9 games.
Marincin was +1 in a 6-1 loss (!?)
ReplyDeleteLander's goal was the play of the day for me.
They pissed away a very winnable game.
ReplyDeleteNo flow through the neutral zone once 6 went down.
I hope 6 is out for a month.
That way two things will happen:
1) Oilers will lose even more than they would with him, therefore better pick in the summer
2) The Oiler management can see how putrid their D is at moving the puck outside of 6. 77 is usually decent, but that's it.
I liked 58's game. Big boy, wasn't stationary on the PP, used his stick well. Good future there.
5 and 26 should be trade bait at the deadline too. Neither brings too much.
Would like to see 91 and 23 play with an NHL center. 42 just doesn't bring a lot, although I think he brings more than 16.
Oilers now tied with the Leafs for 28th overall.
BUF .459
TOR .429
EDM .429 (1 less win than TO)
NYI .353
NYD .286
*clap,clap*
With the way the NHL has gone back to a lot of the holding and grabbing that we saw pre-lockout, the Oilers really need to beef up their forward lines.
ReplyDeleteThey have about 8 forwards that are undersized or lacking in strength, or both. The other four in the line up on any given night have size but are complete slugs....Jones actually has some hockey skills, but he shouldn't be playing above the fourth line.
I wonder if New Jersey would accept Gagner and the third overall for Couturier.
Oh, they need to fix the d-core as well.
How do you give up a two on zero breakaway? Wtf?
That's right Bank Shot, the problem with the team is the forwards. By all means lets trade Gagner and fix the problem we have centres too.
ReplyDeleteAnd Smarmy, I believe that I started the fight on the Kassian hit, so I am right. (bookie thingy)
*have at centre*
ReplyDeleteIt is getting to the point where the lottery pick teams are starting to establish themselves, and this was a key 4-point match in that regard. A few nice moments (that Eberle shot while tied up was fantastic) but a pretty forgettable performance by Khabi and most of the team.
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time imagining the Oil not finishing 15th in the West--we'll have to see how things shake out with the Sutter "resignation"--which almost surely puts them in the bottom five. Still a fun team to watch on most nights.
They have about 8 forwards that are undersized or lacking in strength, or both.
ReplyDeleteI know! Let's put Zack Stortini in the press box! That'll fix things!
FFS
PHILLY got a powerplay? Say what??
ReplyDeleteThat better be a long suspension for Shelley. That was gross.
ReplyDeleteWG - You wreck a year of positive progress by going into the tank as bad as we might be headed for. Also (and perhaps more importantly) why do 83 and 6, who will be just as important (if not more) to any near-future playoff run think of staying on with this bunch?
ReplyDeleteThis is not in any way a good turn of events. They were starting to look every-night-competitive, which is at least a start.
Stinker from 4-89-14 tonight. Worst I've seen at home from them.
Traktor,
ReplyDeleteI've always known I'm a bit of a bull-headed c*nt when it comes to positions I'm fairly certain are not defendable. Jebus man,you take the cake.
Facts:
Horcoff makes 5.5 million. It is argueable whether coming off injury and his first prime time season whether such a long high contract was defendable. But the hell bent grudge you have on it is getting pretty funny.
Follow that with the wild haymakers thrown adnaseum, and I am actually getting embarassed for you. There was a period of time where you, while not agreeing, where somewhat at least trying to legitimately argue your points. Where did that guy go?
In summary:
Stop being so hell bent on digging a hole and surrounding it with people, that by the thread, become more and more united in the idea of kicking the dirt back in over top of you.
Chartleys
Renney post game
ReplyDeleteChippy in here today-I guess the holiday spirit has passed us by for another year.
No word on Whitney til tomorrow..an "ankle thing"
Sweet Jesus.............if Whitney is out for 2weeks the NJD and NYI had better shit themselves because Whitney is truly the straw that stirs the 10/11 Oilers drink......pending any fist fight between Thurman Munson and Reggie Jackson over that 1977 copyright
ReplyDeleteHe has truly been a Stud for this Oiler team. Likely the second best Oiler D man of this decade and if he is out for much time, we are totally screwed. 18 minutes of Jeff Petry with Struds may lead to the Cory Cross lynch mob
LMHF#1,
ReplyDeleteYou wreck a year of positive progress by going into the tank as bad as we might be headed for.
They are currently tied for 28th overall and have 3pts in the last 7 games.
Not sure what you are scared of wrecking.
More clarity from management is what I'm looking for.
If last year gave them clarity of the clusterfuck that Lowe assembled, maybe this year will give some clarity about how bad most of the players that v3.0 added.
I'm just hoping for more real NHLers next summer instead of the flotsam that Tambellini signed this past summer.
More kids are coming of course so some Management by Bastard will be in play as well.
Some real nice pieces here, and if drafting well is step 1, then they have it down pat, not sure this management team can pull of step 2 which is add non-white whale players that help win.