In the rich (though not yet long) history of the Edmonton Oilers, the Calder trophy has eluded all of their young men. The original one available to the team (Gretzky's, 79-80) was held back because the NHL old men needed to punish the new kids and 99 paid the price. The NHL was full of dolts and fuddy-duddy's then, but they've cleaned it up and all of the men in suits are happening and forward thinking in all areas.
Not.
IF Chipper Jones wins the Calder trophy in the summer, I believe the point where the rubber hit the road will be the SJS game this week. Whereas Mike Comrie was handed the best wingers early on, young Hall has been a "mix and match" player until this past week. The results against the Sharks were impressive and one imagines the gifted kid will move up this chart as time rolls along:
- Jeff Skinner 43pg, 15-19-34
- Logan Couture 44gp, 19-9-28
- Taylor Hall 42gp, 14-12-26
- Derek Stepan 45gp, 12-12-24
- Bryan Bickell 42gp, 11-13-24
- Jordan Eberle 37gp, 9-14-23
--
The 2line of Sam Gagner, Magnus Pääjärvi and Linus (it is Leenus by the way) Omark did some nice things. I see a lot of people mention Pääjärvi as being soft, but to my eye he has a lot of try in puck battles and I don't see any fear. I know he's from Europe and there is a long tradition in Canada of questioning the heart of men from Europe (hi Don Cherry), for me it seems miscast when describing 91. Confidence is more of an issue imo and he seems to be at a high ebb based on performance last game.
Omark is quickly turning Gilbert Brule into an Edsel. Although he's making rookie mistakes by the dozen, he can win battles and is like a dog with a bone along the boards. Gagner is in a bit of a slump and appears to be forcing things a little, but history tells us he'll right the ship and make the smart play. One thing I like a lot about Samwise this season is he's getting chances no matter the linemates. A good sign.
--
I think it's about time we admitted that Andrew Cogliano has a friend in Tom Renney. He's getting between 16 and 20 minutes a night these days. Here are the C minutes by situation for the Oilers since Hall moved to C:
EVEN STRENGTH
- Hall 16:08
- Gagner 14:17
- Cogliano 13:27
- Fraser 4:45
SHORT HANDED
- Fraser 3:06
- Cogliano 3:00
POWERPLAY
- Hall 3:19
- Gagner 2:19
5x5/60
- Hall 1.82
- Gagner 1.74
- Cogliano 1.32
- Fraser 0.58
--
It's a long season of losing and looking strictly at the standings this is one ugly baby. However, with each passing game we're reminded of just how much fun it'll be playing Calgary in the next few seasons. Can't wait.
I think it's about time we admitted that Andrew Cogliano has a friend in Tom Renney.
ReplyDeleteThat's so subtle - nice wording.
No disagreement on Cogs having a friend in Renney, but I think it's a worthy effort on the coach's part. We can't always expect instant results, and I think it's fair to say that Andrew has made progress.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Hall has a shot at 60 points. Unlikely, since statistically he'd have to score 34 in 40 games, but there's a fair chance he can pick up the pace. I'd be thrilled if he could turn in a Stamkos-like second-half tear.
If John MacKinnon had been writing for the Journal back in Clarence Campbell's day,
ReplyDeletehe would've written a column agreeing with the NHL president's statement that the 67 expansion would dilute NHL talent for a generation.
MacKinnon would then had written a follow-up column agreeing with Campbell when he walked back his previous assertion.
In the meantime, hobbyboys, the rebuild is going terrifically well - so put your calculators away.
No doubt, there's no potential deal in the works, but the Kings have a widely-publicized need for a top six winger.
ReplyDeleteI've seen Penner and Hemsky's name all over Kings fan boards as players of interest which is of no surprise either.
Hall's been getting his fair share and then some of cross checks, so playing with the D train might help tone that down a bit.
Hall at C has done a nice job of giving the fans some exciting last place hockey.
Bad Wojo, I wouldn't bet against it. The thing about these high picks is that the lightbulb seems to go on at some point and they find another gear, and it's usually within the first year or two. Tavares seems to have found that this season. Stamkos found it twice in his first two seasons. It's going to happen. And we just might have witnessed the start of it in the game against San Jose.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, LT.
ReplyDelete...he can win battles and is like a dog with a bone along the boards.
That is the perfect description for it. He looks like my chihuaha when you try to get one of those Greenie things away from him. It ain't happening (Those things are like crack to him).
As far as Pervy being soft, I don't see it either. I think his biggest problem is that he plays too defensively, and that is an okay problem to have with me. MacT would love this guy because he never really gives up more than he gives. I think if he concentrated a bit more on going to opportune scoring areas and getting some shots on goal for a while it would do wonders for him. It's pretty funny to watch him float around the blueline waiting for Hemsky (or whoever) to turn over the puck so that he's prepared to go the other way. Join the rush! Its okay every once in a while! It's also funny because it's not really hs job to be the first guy back every time but he usually is.
The Couture injury sure does make things interesting for the Calder race. I haven't seen or heard many great things about Skinner all year long even though he's been ahead of the curve for most of it. Does he deserve more love? I haven't watched too much of him but from what I did see I wasn't overly impressed.
I'd love if Hall continues his tear and takes the trophy stage by storm but I think the real guy I'm rooting for is Eberle. I hope he's back soon!
MPS is gonna be a player. Book it. Also have no doubt that Eberle will score 60 pts a season for the next decade. The questions out of this group then becomes can Hall play center? And what is his ceiling?
ReplyDeleteNot sure on the first and I think he can produce at a Rick Nash level. Who is a very very good player in my view.
Now to maximize the development of the balance of the "kids" using that phrase loosely? Dubnyk should get 25 starts from here to the end. Belle notwithstanding his gaffe should be given 20 games to see if he can be a #7 D man. Plante should get 10 games no matter how he's playing in OKC. If we think the big Finn can challenge for 3rd line minutes get him 10 games up here.
This is not about tanking, this is about early auditions for next years roster
We also could have a pretty good club for AHL playoffs with addition of Hall, Eberle, MPS
Sorry,
ReplyDeletemy suggested plan forgot, Renney thinks we are making the NHL playoffs
Beautiful Game Day Post! The Chipper reference is classic. Baby Moose!
ReplyDeleteEver since the Canuck debacle the light appears to have finally switched on.
I love 23s game. He's one of those 'real nhlers' we talk about so much.
ReplyDeleteThis tells you all you really need to know about the sports section of the Toronto Star:
ReplyDelete"Sports correction for January 15
Andy Moog, Ron Low and Grant Fuhr played for the Edmonton Oilers in the early 1980s. A Jan. 14 column about the Toronto Maple Leafs young goaltender James Reimer incorrectly stated that Moog, Low and Fuhr played for the Calgary Flames."
I think I'm one of the few that look at Belle and go - size, skate, LH shot - big winger, tough, combo winger/Defense, 6'2 230 - Bowling Ball. Someone taking shots at our small forwards? Go wreck em Belle, just skate through the puck carrier. Yeehah, JFJ be damned. Penner with plus speed and mean, I start to salivate. Seems so obvious.
ReplyDeleteOne of the very few, I'm thinking.
ReplyDeleteGreat post LT.
ReplyDeleteI agree that 13 is becoming a Renney fave, and to be honest he's played better than I expected (not that my expectations were hard to beat).
I wonder though: what gives once 10 is back and ready for action?
- serum114
Dubnyk starting tonight. That has to be a good sign.
ReplyDeleteThis is copied and pasted from Ty's site but it's something I came up with the other night while watching the win at SJ.
ReplyDeleteI decided to paste it here because the threads have a life of their own so I can see a theme of how and if 23 fits in on this team going forward. I would put him on a soft min line.
Anyway, here's what I came up with:
Also, watching the game last night and marveling at how well 91 already thinks the game in his own end, I started thinking of what next year could look like; and this is if 4 can win close to 50% of his draws.
27-4-83 - PVP
91-10-Dvorak or another tough min addition - 2nd PVP
23-89-14 - soft parade
28-Reasoner-85 - 4th line.
LH and RH faceoff combo in 10-Reasoner.
Reasoner-Dvorak, 10-27 and 85-28 as our six PK guys.
This would allow all of Lander, Hamilton and Pitlick to cut their teeth in the A unless one of them comes in and plays so well that you jettison 23, 28 or 85.
Also, Hartkinen might be able to come up and carve out a place as well next year because he’s having a nice little rookie AHL season.
On the backend you have 5-58 as the third pairing because young 58 looks like he’s gonna be worth the time and 5 would be fine on the third pairing as long as he doesn’t get paid real money. Then you need a really, really good dman to round out 6-49-77. It would be great to get that guy on the FA market but I wonder if there’s anyone about to shake loose? Last summer we saw Hamhuis and Michalek signed and those are exactly the type of guys we need.
Yeah, it's only sensible that DD play tonight but it's agreeably a good sign going forward as well.
ReplyDeleteWe haven't had our own goalie prospect to be this excited about since Fuhr.
Dennis: I like that idea. It gives the team a chance to win most nights and you know these kids are going to get better.
ReplyDeleteI guess we'll see how serious they are about 11-12 this summer, but the deadline should give us some clues too.
Either Hall develops the elbows ala Messier or he and Hemsky will be eating lumber. Penner is not the mean one that is called for. That is where Belle would come in. Playing with Hall, Hemsky he could kick in 20 goals. Penner is great in creating open ice in the offensive zone, the question is can he enforce?
ReplyDeleteGood day.
ReplyDeleteThere is one flaw I see in your plan, Dennis. I love me some Marty Sakic, but he's a lefty.
Dennis,
ReplyDeletethis is if 4 can win close to 50% of his draws.
C'mon man. If 4 can get to 45%, he'll be an all-world Faceoff option for the Oilers outside of #10. :)
23-89-14 should be able to kill the soft parade.
Hmm Belle as winger... he did not impress as a D. Maybe he could do that. Does Hall get a bonus for the Calder? He has been playing the big line minutes the others are tossed in with some pretty good players. Magnus P and Leenus both are welcome surprise they both go where most Europeans don't maybe seeing Hemmer go there rubs off on them. We have some real nice pieces we need a D man that can carry the mail and lead the younger D we could do something next year. I have to say I was not expecting much but there has been some pretty good moments this year.
ReplyDeleteAs side note today is the Masterton died.. so hopefully the players have some respect today but in the last 2 weeks it has been ugly. Go Oil
Next season, I have to admit, I'm kind of hoping to see a Paajarvi-Lander-Omark line, just because. On paper, it doesn't even seem too bad; Paajarvi and Lander to cover the defensive aspects, Omark and Paajarvi to carry the offensive. Just a pipe dream, though; I'm not sure Lander will be NHL ready next year.
ReplyDeleteThe Hall experiment at center is one, like many of you, I'm hoping works out, especially if he and Hemsky work out together -- that could be a frightening duo if they do.
How do you get Eberle enough icetime playing on that line? He needs to be a big minute guy. If we're effectively running 3 lines I get it.
ReplyDeleteStill early LT - but it's kind of nice watching Dubnyk emerge this year after all the time we spend evaluating this kid since his draft year. Even elite goalies require the patience of Solomon while they mature - and guys like DD who are below that level develop by sundial. I'm still not sure about his ultimate upside - Sean Burke has always been my comp - but he has all the size and tools to have a good long career. As long as he's technically solid (and I think you can see the result of finally getting some decent goalie coaching in the org) then he'll be tough to play against because he's so big. So enjoy another good individual story in a season where the team is terrible - but be ready for the inevitable slump that WILL occur at some point. I'm not worried about DD pulling out of it though - he's soldiered on through some absolutely awful situations in the past and kept improving.
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty early to be getting into next year country already, but if Hall can play C here's a combination of what I'd like to see and what we might see:
ReplyDeletePenner-Hall-Hemsky
Paajarvi-Horcoff-Eberle
UFA-Couturier/Strome/RNH/Hubardeau/Gagner-Gagner/Landeskog
Omark-Cogliano-Brule
I don't think EDM would run that kind of 4th line - they seem to prefer some crash and bang, and I'd probably prefer to send the 2011 1st back to junior - player and team projection dependent, but as a rough guideline.
I'm assuming EDM will draft a F because I think that's the most likely given that EDM could finish anywhere in the bottom 7 or so and it seems like there's a 5:2 or 6:1 ratio of F:D likely to go in the top 7.
People keep badmouthing our Defense but again I don't see it as a horror show. Whitney, Gilbert are very nice offensively. Smid and Petry are developing well as a unit. Peckham is coming along and if Plante is anywhere near ready then there is a very good defensive core next year. I see very positive signs as the season progresses. Having two rookies like Peckham and Petry playing as well as they are is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteLousie: Yeah, jesus, how did I forget that? I'll blame the drinking;)
ReplyDelete14 will get enough TOI to do damage because he wouldn't see more than say 2:30 min less just because he was on a soft min line.
@ Bos8
ReplyDeletethat d is not a playoff D
With Gilbert Whitney Petry and Peckman we are still 2 quality D men short. I would love to get someone like Seabrook in here or Weber. They are both RFAs on teams who wouldnt have the space(or have the money) to pay those guys.
Upcoming summmer will be interesting. We will have a realistic shot at the playoffs and lets see how Tambo does in the off season. He did make some good trades at the trade deadline and a couple of decent moves in the off season. However we still need one tough minute forward the same at D
@ Speeds
I agree. We might end up picking anywhere and it is more than we pick up a forward. The top 5 forwards in this draft look to be similar in their projection, good but not great, so looks like it wouldnt matter much if we are 5th or 7th. But if we somehow do end up picking near 5-7 slot, I wont be surprised if we end up picking doug hamilton. Another thing is that I really doubt that our 1st round selection ends up playing in the Nhl next season. So we might have to fill the 3rd line with actual nhl forwards.
However that is still a stretch that we get out of the lottery. Even after 10 and 14 come back, its not like we are going to be winning a lot. As of right now a top 5 finish seems to be the most likely.
commodore on re-entry waivers. anyone interested? he'd be decent, i guess are we ok with the cap hit for two yrs of $1.895 mill.
ReplyDeleteAs to defense I agree that one top end D would be great.
ReplyDeleteMaybe what I'm seeing is that this team is breaking in six rookies if you count Linus. And post horror show when the players were past the introduction and learning each other's skills, Khabi breakdown, things are progressing nicely.
The bad news was the Whitney, Vandermeer went down, the good news is the kids had to step up and did so. Looking to next year if Lander, Hamilton can come in,at worst Christmas I'm optimistic for a playoff battle. Bad as it sounds wins at this point are secondary.
I can't see the draft pick making the team, too much high end talent
I see that the win in SJ has all of the bipolars 'up' today. :)
ReplyDeletewhitney-commodore
ReplyDeletepeckham-gilbert
petry-smid
foster
i'm ok with that d lineup for the next two years. commodore fills a missing need of a tough, mean stay at home dman. he'd improve the pk, and give us a vet for two yrs which allows us to either bring Plante along slowly or to deal Smid.
Deano,
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone here is bipolar about the team in the sense that people aren't changing their opionions.
Rather, there seems to be persistent consensus on some of the following claims:
1. The Oilers have a very good core of players at -in sum total- a good cap hit. That list includes, roughly: Hall, Hemsky, Penner, Eberle, Gagner, Horcoff, Gilbert, Whitney.
2. The rest of the Oilers lineup is a mixture of the worst players in the league and some rookies, struggling projects, and bit players who are playing way above what they can handle. That includes Foster, Strudwick, Jacques, Smid, Peckham, Smac, Omark, MPS, Cogliano, Brule, Jones, etc. Some show flashes, others not, but as a group, they're not up to snuff not at all. (It's especially problematic that we don't have D who can PK and PP.)
3. Khabi is killing this team. Near as I can tell, if the Oilers had gotten slightly above average or average goaltending, instead of Khabi's shit, they'd be about 15 goals better on the goal differential. That, injuries, and the lack of PK'ing D, or maybe PK coaching, are what is really keeping the team down.
What this leads me to believe is that when healthy, and when Khabi sees less time, the Oilers probably aren't bad enough for a lottery pick.
Moreover, if the Oilers had played Souray, who helps on the PK and PP and can play tough--ish minutes reasonably well, and added say two one-year-overpay free agents, they would've had a very good chance at the playoffs.
Instead, the lineup is full of holes and when injuries hit, the holes expand, and Khabi and special teams ensure losses.
So we all get excited and optimistic about wins when the core plays well. This team really has a lot to be excited about and the additions that need to be made are not that hard to make. But with Tambi fucking the dog by not bringing in the right extra pieces -stuff we all would've known to do this offseason- we're guaranteed to suck.
So we all get pessimistic about the balance of the team, the bottom 6, goaltending. That's the "bipolar" condition you're seeing.
Deano, best comment yet. The blogosphere has a way of producing the most radical statements. V3.0 is preferable to even the most intelligent of the blogosphere who would blow the team up after every two-game losing streak.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that we need a very, very good D-man. Has anybody noticed that we are top-heavy on good young forwards? I don't care how good our young D look - virtually no defenseman in this league has REALLY learned the game before about 22 (Doughty is the exception that proves the rule).
I'd hate to trade one of the young guns (Hall/Eberle) but if we could get Weber out of the deal, I might do it. Guys who can play defense at the very top level are far more valuable than people realize. I hate to end on this note, but anybody notice that CFP has been to 3 of the last 5 Cup finals?
Ahem. The official word is "bipOILers" thank you very much. :-)
ReplyDeleteProblem with Dennis's lineup is that this coaching staff/management team have a hard-on for fourth lines that can't actually play.
ReplyDeleteNo thanks to Commodore. He is a #7 D man on a mediocre Columbus team. Not sure we want a marginal NHL player here for 2 to 3 years. Nor are Chi or Nsh going to let Seabrook or Weber walk. Ain't gonna happen.
ReplyDeleteWe could get Boumeester out of Calgary if we were willing to take on that big $$$ contract. Expect Calgary would take
Smid, a prospect and a pick to take that contract off their hands. Overpaid YUP but he would be a #2 or 3 D on a very good team. He would have to waive his no movement though
Horcoff would love it because then his contract would not piss off fans so much
LT,
ReplyDeleteRenney might also be looking into the abyss that is the C depth of the organization and think that he better work on making 13 a player because that's his only option.
We'll find out when 10 gets back.
Dennis,
I was ruminating about lines for next year at the end of the Dallas GDT and came up with this:
27-10-83
4-89-14
91-Lander-23
Glencross-Marty Sakic-Dvorak
Its funny that we both picked Marty and Dvorak to fill out the roster.
My line up has the 4th line playing 1st/2nd toughs, so not a contemporary 4th line of thugs who can't play hockey.
I am assuming that Terry Jones has the goods and that Lander has a spot to lose next year.
Alas, Lander is also a lefty.
It really all depends on if they keep 4 at C. If they do and he succeeds then it fixes a huge organizational problem, the mythical 1C.
I don't have a lot of crash and bang on my lines either, but they should win more than they lose by outscoring the opposition. Not many of those players are they type to lose heart after getting checked.
You can always have your goonish type in the PB is you need/want one.
I agree that 58 has been much better than could have been hoped. He's been a real help to 5 and they have been on the positive side of your SC in the last 4 games (58 was 8-3 +5 vs. Van when the team was -6!!)
That allows the D next year to be
6-X
49-77
5-58
Shea Weber would look amazing on the top pair (he's RH). Poile will move heaven and earth to sign him, but they are a Dman factory that lacks good wingers, I wonder what it would take to get him? Probably more than you want to give up.
Adam Larsson shoots right as well.
Bieksa is FA and shoots right.
Not that many good 1D who shoot right on the FA market next year.
Would you take Larsson and run the D like:
6-77
49-58
5-Larsson
I don't like the idea of putting a 18 year old on the D, but its the Oilers, if they take him, he plays in Edmonton next year.
@ OtherJohn
ReplyDeleteThe reason I would like to take Commodore is because he is decent bottom pairing D man and at 1.9 mil is just about ok. He costs less than Vandermeer and will be as good if not better. money comes off when its time to pay the kids!
The Kings are such an easy team to like for me. Smyth is a big part of that but Doughty is a special player and Kopitar/Brown/etc are fun to watch. I'm not yet at the point where I'd condone a trade of 83 or 27 but if it had to happen I'd hope the exiled Oiler found his home in LA - it would make Spring hockey more watchable.
ReplyDeleteMy question for all those citing the Shark game as a turning point for Hall - are any of you open to the idea that you might not be saying this sort of thing if #4's stat line that night read 0G, 1A? He's a great young talent and he's been getting his chances but in SJ Hall was two inches and an empty net goal away from a secondary assist and nothing else remarkable.
I think the important thing to be happy about is that he gets his chances almost every night - the process of Taylor Hall becoming an excellent NHL player is on the right track. It's just funny how perception works - a big 2G 1A night becomes a new plateau whereas the same effort, had it resulted in just the 1 assist would have been status quo.
Ahem. The official word is "bipOILers" thank you very much. :-)
ReplyDelete--------------------------
That's why we're all here, sipping at the Well of Wisdom.
BipOiler Oy.
That's such a groaner, that it's an instant classic.
//It would be great to get that guy on the FA market but I wonder if there’s anyone about to shake loose? Last summer we saw Hamhuis and Michalek signed and those are exactly the type of guys we need.//
ReplyDeleteChris Phillips will be a UFA in the summer (having an off year.) He currently has a NMC, but if the Senators decide to blow it up he will be traded at the deadline to Detroit or San Jose.
He is a player who really doesn't want to leave Ottawa (married to a local Ottawa girl with 3 kids, some in school, strong ties to the community), but if they blow it up, he might not have much choice.
FWIW
I like Horcoff-Eberle and Paajarvi-Gagner as pairs.
Paajarvi has looked his best this year playing with Gagner. Find a solid two-way winger for Horcoff and Ebertle.
Penner-Hall-Hemsky
Landeskog-Horcoff-Eberle (A guy can dream).
Paajarvi-Gagner-Omark
Sumoil
ReplyDeleteCommodre is a cap hit for this yr and 2 more of $3.75m. Way too expensive
WG
Re Weber ........... I'd like to be a porn star but that ain't gonna happen either. Bieksa love to have him. Love to. Particularly if we can resign him to a Whitney/Gilbert type contract. Would Gillis take Smid for Bieksa?
We need a top 2 pairing guy and hence my comment re Boumeester. I think??? If I the stats right he has good advanced stats Rel corsi and Q of competition. If I am wrong on that let me know. He does have a HUGE flaw....?Ahem ...bad contract
Aside from moving in with each of Doughty and Bogosian before the draft, I wish we were run by a guy like Lombardi.
ReplyDeleteSum,
ReplyDeleteGiven v3.0's aversion to having "disruptive" players near the kids, I think he'll pass.
2 big red flags on Commodore.
1) Highest paid Dman on a budget team gets HS
2) Highest paid Dman on a budget team is put through re-callable waivers to get rid of him
I wonder what would happen if someone took him on recall, didn't like him and put him on recallable again?
I guess that CBJ would still be on the hook for their original half, the 2nd team would pay for 25% and the new team would pay 25%. Is that correct?
The reason I would like to take Commodore is because he is decent bottom pairing D man and at 1.9 mil is just about ok. He costs less than Vandermeer and will be as good if not better. money comes off when its time to pay the kids!
ReplyDeleteWhen it's time to pay the kids, our bottom-pairing defensemen need to either be on ELCs or cheap veterans (a Strudwickian contract without the play to match). I don't think I don't see a role for Commodore as long as our kids the kids we currently have playing D aren't getting slaughtered (Commodore would have made sense last year when we were running out Chorney-Strudwick).
Our current defense is terrible. We've got one definite top-pairing guy in Whitney, one arguable top-pairing or really solid second pairing guy in Gilbert, and then a bunch of guys who should be on the third pairing (Smid could arguably be a low-end second pairing guy, maybe). Fixing that requires more first and second pairing guys, not more Vandermeers and Commodores.
My dream is that next year we go into opening night with zero rookies - ease the rookies who have shown well this year into their sophomore seasons, and fill the gaps with RFAs. No Lander, no Vande Velde, no Hartekainin, no 2011 first rounder. If Hall, Eberle, MPS, Omark, Petry, Peckman, and Dubnyk are all with this team opening night next year (and I don't see any reason that any of them shouldn't be, at this point), that's already a stupidly inexperienced squad.
I don't think past experience suggests that management's on my wavelength, though.
Re Weber ........... I'd like to be a porn star but that ain't gonna happen either.
ReplyDeleteNAS is a budget team. Wayne Gretzky was traded due to $. Never say never.
Would Gillis take Smid for Bieksa?
Bieksa is FA in the summer. No reason to trade for him.
Commodre is a cap hit for this yr and 2 more of $3.75m. Way too expensive
ReplyDeleteRe-entry waivers halves that, for both years.
@ WG
ReplyDeleteYeah you are right. Steve T stays away from that.
@ WG
I would love Weber here
We will have to part up with 91 at least and another #1.
Larsson would be great here and that he has already played 2 seasons of Pro in a top league and his transition should be good. As long as he is asked to handle bottom pairing minutes, Larsson on this team makes alot of sense
Well there were two Hemsky posts and SJ has no defense.
ReplyDeleteI just don't have the heart to piddle on the Ray of Sunshine during the endless game gloom.
Positives - The Oilers have one, functional honest to God offensive Line.
Dubnyk stood tall (bad pun)
Sharks have great offense and the defense didn't implode.
The rest is a ball of snakes.
Just once I'd like to see a winger cut off his man allowing a defenceman to smoke someone at the Blueline. Just once Lord.
@ Woodguy
ReplyDeleteNever really was sold on Bieksa. Wouldnt be great fit here either. Its not that he is exactly tough or that good defensively either
@ Woodguy
ReplyDeleteNever really was sold on Bieksa. Wouldnt be great fit here either. Its not that he is exactly tough or that good defensively either
I'll defer to you, I don't know him well.
Here's some numbers for him this year on a good VAN team:
5v5
2/7 TOI/60
4/7 RelCor +3.14
2/7 RelCor QC
3/7 RelCor QT
45.1% OZ start
48.3% OZ finish
4v5 (min 1.5M/60)
2/5 TOI/60
5/5 GAON/60 5.84
Reasonable at 5v5, not great at 4v5.
Might not be a great fit, but still probably one of the better RH FA Dmen on the market in the summer (which almost guarantees an overpay)
The UFA D-men available next season who will be good enough to step into #4, #5 and probably still have some potential in them:
ReplyDeleteMark Stuart
Andy Green
Jan Hejda
Its a small pool and I would love to have #1 and #3 from that list.
@ Steve Smith
We definitely need a top pairing D or two, I know that.
As RFA there are Weber and Seabrook.
Drew Doughty(lol)
Yandle
Chicago is having cap troubles, but they might make sure they do everything to sign him.
NSH and Phx both have money issues. However again with PHX Jovonaski contract is coming off which might help them sign Yandle.
Top UFA d-men
Markov- injury tourbles
Pitkanen - doubt that
Lidstrom, Jovonaski....again we know what is wrong with that.
it's funny to hear everyone wanting to get dvorak back. i think MPS is going to have a dvorak type career. for me they're comps.
ReplyDeletei'd much rather we bring in a tootoo, hartnell or clowe than a dvorak. you know someone who can actually do what the mgt is hoping to get from jfj and brule
@ WG
ReplyDeleteThose are actually pretty decent numbers. I will look into him again. I am pretty sure that he was not doing this good till this year. I will look again
i'd much rather we bring in a tootoo, hartnell or clowe
ReplyDeleteArmstrong may be available from the Make Beleaves
From Dreger...
ReplyDeleteSounds like Logan Couture is ready to return to the Sharks lineup.
Curses.
Kris,
ReplyDeleteYour response to Deano at 3:43pm was an excellent summation.
My most sincere hope is that v3.0 and Vish see things the same way and will add NHL players and not flotsam this summer.
They added crap last summer.
I hope that they, like me, had no clue that 4 and 14 could play quality NHL opposition and come out ahead in their rookie year, and therefore no clue how close they were to competing for a playoff spot with the right additions. (my guess 11th with good additions in the summer, 9th with very good additions and more 40 than 35)
4 and 14 are pretty rare rookies, and the Oilers have 2 of em. Wow.
Hopefully they were thinking that with no playoffs in sight, might as well suck enough to get in the lottery again, sure worked out last year. But make sure that there are no bitter vets surrounding the young'uns (Hi 43, bye 44)
So, I'm hanging on that as my hope when I renew my tickets.
In MBS we trust, Amen.
Bieksa not tough? His defensive game isn't the greatest, and he's prone to trying too much sometimes (big hit, or big sortie), but he's got decent offensive instincts and he'd instantly be our toughest and most ornery D (with Ted Peckman coming along closely). I've always disliked him on the other team, but we could do a lot worse than having him as a 2/3/4 D man if he was available on a reasonable contract.
ReplyDeleteKevin Bieksa is having a pretty good season in his contract year. His numbers in the season before are middling at best.
ReplyDeleteJust because someone can step in and become a top 4 in our D squad, doesnt mean that he should. Are we better with him? Yes of course. But he is not someone who can shore up our D and make it above average.
Plus he is not going to be cheap.
Not particularly relevant to this conversation but Tom Gilbert is this team's MVP. He's so damn...effective. Terrific stick skills. Good size. Amazing mobility. Minute hog. And he's actually shooting the puck a little this year. He reminds me of Pronger in the way that he never really hurries to do anything. Lots of little hesitations and delays and the head is always way up. Shocked to see him with only 14 points. Book him for 25 in the second half if he's healthy.
ReplyDeleteI'd be looking to add another unheralded or under appreciated guy from the Whitney/Gilbert age cohort rather than a kid defenseman. I really like Keith Yandle from Phoenix...wonder what the cost is? Are Tyutin or Klesla that type of player?
Also if you are looking for a guy of the ilk of Bieksa. I like Wisniewski more
ReplyDeleteRel Corsi 12.9
Zone start 47.5
Yes he is playing middling comp with prolly better line mates.
About 16.5 mins of EV TOI
gritty and offensive
kt,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement counting the games since 6 went down.
6 was having a career year, something I hope he can replicate, before he went down. He was the MVP, with 10 not that far behind with what he's done with 4 and 14.
77 had a miserable start, but since just before 6 went down, started playing like his historical numbers would suggest.
77 is very good.
When the Oilers beat the SJS, it was barely mentioned that 77 played 29:56.
He also played 31:56 against DAL.
Half the freaking game.
Aren't you supposed to build statues for hockey players that play 1/2 the bloody game?
Sum,
ReplyDeleteMost of Wis' numbers were generated with NYI.
He is going to be cheaper than Bieksa.
WG
ReplyDeleteTrue...and his massive minus is a result of a .844 Sv% which might have increased in MTL.
So you like him or no?
Question:
ReplyDeleteWould you put our 1st rounder in a package for Weber?
I would.
chartleys
Sum,
ReplyDeleteDon't know him well enough to have an opinion.
commodore for two years seems worth the gamble @ 1.9 ish million. Really aside from core that is the length I want on all our contracts. Fill around these guys more or less all on two year deals.
ReplyDeleteRekhab, souray and secondary contracts all off books when it comes time to re up the kids on their RFA deals.
chartleys
WG
ReplyDeleteI like your reply. I sometimes generate opinions too soon.
You are a wiser man than I!
chartleys - I really like Larsson but Weber already is what we would hope Larsson becomes.
ReplyDeleteIn a heartbeat.
Would you put our 1st rounder in a package for Weber?
ReplyDeleteIff he was either signed long-term or we had pretty ironclad reason to believe that we'd be able to sign him long-term. We don't need to trade for him only to have him hold out for $8M/season, or something.
Gawd awful hockey game in Toronto and now another 5 minutes of overtime.
ReplyDeleteffs
Sum,
ReplyDeleteA wise man knows what he does not know.
Purple King's unis rock.
ReplyDeleteBieksa as a second pairing D on your team is pretty good - it all comes down to the value of his contract. I'm not advocating we sign him if he doesn't come at value. Just saying having seen him some, he brings things to the table that most teams would want at the right price.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm guessing he doesn't come cheap, with the shallower pool of D this summer. And with Wisniewski's year so far, I don't think he comes cheap either. I don't see us signing a quality D without overpaying, so are we better off going home-grown until we're closer and ready to overpay the next CFP for a playoff run?
I like Weber, but I'm with Steve Smith in that I for sure wouldn't move the 2011 1st for him without a signed extension at reasonable terms.
ReplyDeleteEven then I kinda want to think about it, as the 2011 1st, if it's top 3, might well be the 2nd most valuable "asset" in the organization after Hall.
There's nothing wrong with paying great players big money, you need to have big money players worth their salary, but there's a lot of expected surplus value with a top 3 pick - potentially more than a signed Weber depending on terms.
Any org that gives Rogie Vachon a nice watch is ok by me.
ReplyDeleteGod I hate these pre-game things... even for a deserving guy.
ReplyDeleteKevin Weekes :(
Have there been any "deals" once a good D man gets to free agency?
ReplyDeleteSo why not see if we can trade for someone and then convince them that the future is very very bight with this team moving forward and we will get them 20 minutes night forever
those were interesting renditions of the anthems.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the likelihood that any of this year's top 3 picks turn into as good of a player as Weber already is @ 25 y.o.? (25!!!)
ReplyDeleteBird in the hand. Weber instantly becomes the second most valuable asset in the organization.
What is 'expected surplus value'? Is that what Hall is delivering over and above his $3.75MM cap hit? Contracts that have the trophy bonuses (I forget which schedule it is) are not value contracts in any way shape or form.
Again, hope is not a strategy. I'll take certainty if its available.
Only slow, fat men hit the top of the net behind the net.
ReplyDelete83 is a peg.
Hemsky is a bad man -- he touches me in a naughty place whenever he goes offside!
ReplyDeleteFantastic hands by Hemsky and Penner on the goal.
Baba Ganoush just went top cheese.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, and Hemsky is sick.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI wonder where Terry Murray buys his salad shufflers.. I have always wanted one of those
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDon't see a 4 on 2 too often.
ReplyDeleteKM, I often find my salads under shuffled as well. I would also like to know where he buys his salad shufflers.
ReplyDeleteDeano:
ReplyDeleteI think the likelyhood of the average potential top 3 pick in 2011 turning into a better player than Weber is probably less than 50% - though I say that knowing I'm making the number up and haven't really looked into it. That said, none of the players necessarily have to turn into as good a player as Weber to be more valuable.
There is no way to know how valuable Weber might be without seeing the terms of an extension. If he signs a 10 year deal at 3 mil per year, he's the most valuable player to the org. If he signs a 10 year deal at 11.5 mil per year, he's probably a boat anchor.
As for hope being a strategy, I think it's a mistake to lump a top 3 pick in with hope as a general strategy. Yes, a top 3 pick could bust, but I don't know that it's particularly likely.
Exciting last place hockey if I ever saw it.
ReplyDeleteAlso I don't see how in the hell they send Omark down. Also considering SMac and JFJ, I don't see how Reddox gets sent down either.
There we go again with the salad shuffling, maybe i need to google it...
ReplyDelete85 and 28 are exactly (on this roster) who 13 can play with and be the best player on a line. A line that can skate faster than most.
ReplyDeleteRenney is 13's best friend.
He's finally in a spot to succeed.
The above assumes 13 doesn't have to back check against good players.
ReplyDeleteThat is his achilles heel.
I have no difficulty in going big game hunting. I think that Weber is a true talent and would love to sign him.
ReplyDeleteQuestion is if Detroit says we want you to join our club and replace Nik Lidstrom and play for Babcock with Datsyuk and Zetterburg? I am also sure there are other real SC contenders that could use a #1 D man, can compete today, that is in a good location and has cap space. Those type of teams do not have to say...... We will be good in 2 to 3 years sign with us
Hey now Woodguy, Cogs knocked Justin Williams down after only allowing him two cracks at Dubnyk. It used to be three, or however many it took.
ReplyDeleteCogs+Gags 2/9=22% on the dot that period.
I'm glad I wasn't the only person to catch the "shuffle like a salad" comment.
ReplyDeleteThat kind of call can define a career.
I'd like to see Scott Oake ask him about it on camera.
Heart... being attacked... please tell me he can still skate.
ReplyDeletejust tuning in...What the heck is going on...Macintyre has played 2:42 already? And he hasn't been scored on?
ReplyDeleteGagner and Cogliano being outclassed on faceoffs by Hall early and he's the guy taking on Stoll.
I have nightmares where an assclown like Downie takes the head off of Hall. Yikes.
ReplyDeleteAlso I'm sure SMac or JFJ would have stopped a hit like that someone....
Talk about Penner...... Hemsky skated 30 ft to get into the melée. Hall did a decent job of protecting himself
ReplyDeleteEven though that looked like a clean hit to me, I like the reaction by the Oilers. Even Hemsky flew into the pile.
ReplyDeleteI think that may just light a bigger fire in Hall.
Gilbert.. ugh.
ReplyDeleteThat was a smart pinch and a high percentage play by Gilbert.
ReplyDeleteHe just missed. Bad luck, but a good play.
Oilers are experiencing the shitty part of variance.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Gilbert's was just a pure "ugh" moment. Foster needed to do more, though. He was so busy directing traffic on the rush against that he didn't take the pass away, which is his job on a 2v1.
ReplyDeleteI forgot, how are you supposed to play defense on a two on one?
ReplyDeletePlay the puck carrier tight and expect a back checker to eliminate the second guy or take away the pass and let the goalie see the shot?
Foster is good human interst story.
ReplyDeleteLike Strudwick is good in the dressing room.
Foster was close enough to the guy that he wouldn't have got a good shot off. It's a decent play. He had to skate to the other side of the ice to get to him. A backchecker should have been able to get the trailer. Probably not Leenus' strong suit.
ReplyDeleteMy dad is purely from the "need a goon" school of thought. Called him immediately after the Hall hit, asked him where the fuck SMac was or what he would do to prevent the hit.
ReplyDeleteWords were had.
Stoll and Smyth out there brings mixed feelings. Still a bit wierd seeing them in anything but Oilers silks.
ReplyDeleteOne day when I have time I'm going to go back through Kevin Weekes playing career. based on how he handles the commentary during Oiler games there HAS to be a 10-1 game in there somewhere.
ReplyDeleteSmytty sneaky as he'll!! Maybe the slowest slapper ever though....love him
ReplyDeleteLA has a very big team and are winning most of the puck battles.
our entire team is afraid to pass the puck to macintyre when we're trying to break out. it's embarassing.
ReplyDeletewhat did zorg do to deserve this?
If Foster had to skate to the other side of the ice to make his play, he could have taken a few less strides and been in a better position to make the play.
ReplyDeleteTough play to defend, and it could have been a goal for Gilbert just as easily. For that matter, should Gilbert be pinching in the last seconds of the PP? I guess only if he scores...
Anyone else like Weekes as color guy? Or should I use the word commentary guy? I think he sucks.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why the oilers don't send Smac out there to instigate a fight with Downie. It is useless to have him if they are unwilling to actually use him.
ReplyDeleteOn another note - This Oiler team is very likable!
Foster doesn't need to be out there for the whole 2 minutes of PP's. I f you ask me he shouldn't be out there at all.
ReplyDeleteHe has 3 goals in 41 games, is really that important on the pp?
I should clarify. This team has lots of problems, but I can like them. Even guys like Smac and JFJ, I don't dislike them as I did Moreau and so many other Oilers over the last few years.
ReplyDeleteLA must buy better sticks than Edmonton, Stoll would have broken his for sure when he played here doing that one timer.
ReplyDelete...and then Reddox breaks his stick for the second time that I can recall in this game.
If Foster had to skate to the other side of the ice to make his play, he could have taken a few less strides and been in a better position to make the play.
ReplyDelete...And let the guy go on a breakaway?
Hoil, you're smokin the drapes. :P
ReplyDeleteThe only reason it looked like a 'clean hit' to you is because Hall managed to react fast enough to avoid getting killed. Doughty would've taken his head off. I'd have to watch the reply but I'd bet even money both doughty's skates left the ice.
Weekes keeps talking but there's something about him that makes me not believe a word he's saying.
ReplyDeleteKevin Weekes agreed with three completely different opinions on the hit to Hall. "what a great hit by Doughty" That was a Head shot? "That was a head shot" It looks like the hit was to his collor bone. " That was a great hit by Doughty to Hall".
ReplyDeleteHe is horible and hard to listen to.
"Every player is have a great season and every player does the little things right".
The worst colour guy in TV. No pun intended.
I read the research on Cold - it basically shortens the length of your cold by about 5 minutes.
ReplyDeleteRibs: It was a breakaway the way Foster played it anyway, just for Stoll instead of Brown.
ReplyDeleteJay: I was smokin' the same good shit Hall was, because he said exactly what I did.
One day when I have time I'm going to go back through Kevin Weekes playing career. based on how he handles the commentary during Oiler games there HAS to be a 10-1 game in there somewhere.
ReplyDeleteI got so fed up with Lee, Weeks and Oake I am watching the game with no sound and just registered a complaint with CBC! Lee drives me nuts.
Omark may be the dog after the bone, but if he keeps shitting in the livingroom, he might find himself in the garage.
Listening to Weekes makes me pine for the days of Marc Crawford.
ReplyDeleteA Tale of Two Teams:
ReplyDeleteThey had the best of lines (Penhallsky)
They had the worst of lines (everyone else)
It was the year of tanking
It was the year of making the playoffs
It was the spring of hope
It was the winter of despair
We had a good team before us
We had nothing before us
We we all going to win the cup
We were all going to move the franchise
Lay off SMac; he's having a good game. A couple of good hits, shot on net, some pressure in L.A.'s zone. Whatever Renney did to him is working.
ReplyDeleteI'm just glad Hall has better vision for defenders with the puck than Smid.
ReplyDeleteUnusual game with Edmonton giving up all goals against on odd man rushes.
I agree with Bookie that at least this team doesn't have players that drive you crazy like Moreau--except maybe Strudwick when he plays.
Omark really fighting it tonight.
ReplyDeleteHall sitting at 50% so far....With some help from Penner.
What happened to the poni boy? He's a sixty point guy the last three or four seasons playing on the King's fourth line now?
ReplyDeleteDucey said: I got so fed up with Lee, Weeks and Oake I am watching the game with no sound and just registered a complaint with CBC! Lee drives me nuts.
ReplyDeleteSecond that. Can Oake stop interviewing people? It's embarrassing.
Schitzo: I love the idea of you calling your father to razz him about one of his opinions:) Reminds me of when my father was still alive and we'd watch Leafs/Oilers games and I remember one Sat night in particular Clark scored a hat-trick and it got a bit hairy there for a second:) I wish I still had the chance to rib him so make sure you needle your father every chance you get because I'm sure he secretly loves it:)
ReplyDeleteOilers fell off the rails in the second period being outchanced 4-10 and they registered one EV chance in the period's last 19 minutes. I was optimistic going into the game but I'm not now heading into the third because they don't have much happening.
Some thoughts:
- for as much as the PK's improved there still seems to be too many shots getting towards goal. The Oilers just don't block shots anymore.
- 58 just keeps making smart and patience plays and I'm looking forward to see how much he's progressed by the end of the year. There's not a chance he ever plays in the minors again.
- Great to see 27 dropping the mitts for 4 and I thought that by now 49 would have pounded someone.
- Credit where credit's due and young 41 is playing very well to my eye.
-the 89 line is getting absolutely drilled so far: I have them at a collective 3/18.
- Renney is doing a great fucking job of letting the other coach get his first line out against our 4th.
- Best Lee-ism of the night? When 33 apparently "swallowed Smyth" behind his own net.
Petry impresses me more with every shift.Interesting decisions for the org coming up when Horc and Ebs return and Vandy is healthy...it'll say a lot about how they view the rest of the season.I'd like to see them make tough decisions on Strudwick/JFJ and --gasp--actually make a trade or 2...and run with the kids the rest of the way.
ReplyDeleteDennis, even with my beer goggles, 89's line looks like it's getting killed. I agree with you about 58 for sure... another pleasant surprise for the Oilers.
ReplyDelete"the 89 line is getting absolutely drilled so far: I have them at a collective 3/18."
ReplyDeleteYeah. Is it the Smyth line in particular that's killing them, Dennis?
I think it's Omark that's killing them. Seriously. He's having a horrible game.
ReplyDeleteOkay, can someone more sober than me help me out. I just saw the quick game recap with the hit on Hall. True Hall avoided the head shot by his own reaction, but I swear Doughty was flying through the air with both feet off the ground? have I had too many or is that what everyone else is seeing?
ReplyDeletere: SMac - I've counted at least one panic icing off his stick, 2 weak give aways in the O zone, and 2 extra long shifts trapped in our own zone. If this is one of his "good games", I can't say I'm "seeing him good". And can you imagine it? Someone still taking a run at Hall despite his being in the lineup. He's a great story, but the guy makes JFJ look good.
ReplyDeletePetry, on the other hand, I'm seeing him good tonight. Lots of nice stick plays, and pretty strong on his check.
Jay, I hear you on Hall's rubber man abilities compared to poor Smid.
ReplyDeleteI still flash back to Smid getting pounded after turning around with the puck out of the corner as if he was out collecting pucks after practice.
Weeke's record shows very few Oiler games I'm afraid: http://www.hockeygoalies.org/bio/weekes.html
Just a journeyman career.
"Look for Gilbert to get even more ice-time with that news" referring to Whitney's impending ankle surgery.
ReplyDeleteI think Weekes meant continue to get large amounts of ice-time, Gibby is up to 30 minutes a game as is.
Also Petry has looked like he's going to be a gooder.
And the Gagner line gets burned again.
ReplyDeleteNot hating Chorney's game, he looks a lot more comfortable out there this year.
ReplyDeleteGilbert and Peckham have been worked over this game
ReplyDeleteCan Penner play for the rest of the game? He has been a force.
ReplyDeleteIf this is one of his "good games", I can't say I'm "seeing him good".
He's played almost 6 minutes so far and hasn't been scored on. It may be a record for him.
Peckham definitely fighting it this game. Lots of little chips onto the other team's sticks. Chorney a lot more physical than I remember him.
ReplyDeleteYou could get any junior team's radio commentator and color guys and it would be more enjoyable and accurate to listen to than Lee and Weekes. So why are they still employed by CBC?
ReplyDeleteWorst game by 49 that we've seen in a long time. Hung 91 out to dry on the Doughty goal and had a bunch of consecutive shifts where he handled the puck like a grenade.
ReplyDelete58 is good in all zones in all situations.
ReplyDeleteThat's a huge bonus on an already historical development season for the Oilers.
Petry standing up a King at centre ice. I'm really starting to like this kid.
ReplyDeletemake sure you needle your father every chance you get because I'm sure he secretly loves it:)
ReplyDeleteDon't you worry, he's also a Cogliano fan. I've got ammo for years.
I'm still not convinced 49 is a top 4D. Looks like a bottom pairing guy a lot of the time. We'll see.
ReplyDeleteDennis: I don't have a PVR and I do have an empty case of beer, but wasn't it 77 that hung 91 out to dry on the last goal?
ReplyDeleteDustin Brown is from the Ethan Moreau school of captaincy.
ReplyDeleteFoster is the best.
ReplyDeleteShut up Weekes
Oh Foster.
ReplyDeleteAdd to the list of not seeing good: Foster.
ReplyDeleteKurtis Foster is awful. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteAnd Handzus with more sneaky cheap shit on Hall. Now I'm remembering why I used to hate the Kings with such a passion - cheap assholes back in 1990, not much different now (Williams, Handzus, pretty much everyone running at Hall...)
Derek-I do have a PVR but I'm far too lazy to check...but I thought it was Gilbert as well.
ReplyDeleteIt was Gilbert who made the sloppy, unecessary pass to 91 skates.
ReplyDeletePeckman did deflect the shot upwards.
I'd love Brown on this team. That's what Jfj's is supposed to do. I still don't get why he's on this team.
ReplyDeleteLT,
ReplyDeleteSurvey says you should move Petry up in your Prospect list from 12th?!
~Why do you hate him so much?~
And Handzus with more sneaky cheap shit on Hall.
ReplyDeleteIt was pretty greasy but I know I've done the same thing before and it's just a reaction thing sometimes. You want to hit the guy or get in his way and there's just no time and it happens.
Would someone with a PVR please get a still shot of the Penner Facepalm on Brown? Awesome.
ReplyDeleteDid Weekes use the term "teamsmanship"? Is that even a word???
ReplyDeleteNot a great game by the Oil.
ReplyDeleteGames like this make some players look pretty mediocre.
Omark's had a rough game and missed on Gagner's nice pass on the pp. Reddox who's looked good in other games looks like nothing more than a place holder this game--defensive minded small forward with limited upside.
Foster's been brutal while Petry and even Chorney have looked decent.
It will be interesting to see the scoring chances from Dennis, but other than the top line, I can't think of much that's happened.
The team is obviously better without Horcoff. I'm sure they don't need Hemsky or Penner either.
ReplyDeleteAlso we sure don't need a centreman like Stoll on this team, nosireebob.
why does Renney feel the need to use Foster? I don't get it. Jfj's, Foster? Why does Renney like these gguys?
ReplyDeleteCould use a guy like Stoll on this team. Has he improved his EV scoring since he's been traded? At the very least, he'd be just as good on the point on the PP as Foster.
ReplyDeleteWow, is it just me or is that singing of that ditty in a hockey game just a douchey sort of thing? Always disliked it in Montreal, didn't know the L.A. citizenry were fans of it as well.
ReplyDeleteYou'd think the Oilers would be an attractive trade partner with their determination to continue buffing the coin after the player is traded.
ReplyDeleteIs there any team better than the Oilers at tossing their discards a slump-buster? I wouldn't especially include Stoll in this group, but it brings back sour memories.
http://www.mc79hockey.com/?p=3557#comment-307477
ReplyDeleteFoster had a few good games a while back, but it looks to me on the average Petry could take Foster's spot with little to no drop off in effectiveness. Especially on the PP: 8PP pts in 4:04 /gm (2nd only to Whitney).
ReplyDeleteDidn't mind the signing at the time, but Foster is not who I thought he was.
If you're behind in a game and you need some shots on net...You play the guy that shoots (Foster). We'll just nevermind that he only registered one shot this game.
ReplyDeleteJust not enough guys trying tonight. It's kind of a shame because I think it was winnable. Oh well.
Shots on net with Chorney on the ice at EV: +10/-2
ReplyDeleteWith Peckham, +1/-8
I think the reality check on this season is that winning is not important to this coach (and GM) and it should not be important to the fans. The playoff are not even attainable.
ReplyDeleteSo, when guys like JFJ play, you have to think that someone sees a 'spark' there and is hoping to light a fire. Foster - he is a recovery project. Play him now in the hopes he will be better next year. Omark, MPS, and others are all about 'letting them figure the NHL out'. Reddox - lets just see if he is actually a 3rd line NHLer.
If they want to try some 'long bomb' type efforts on guys like JFJ, its fine. It would be hard to get more rookies in the lineup anyway and perhaps they can make a 4th line banger out of him (if they fix whatever has gone wrong in his head).
I would rotate some guys like MPS, Omark, and perhaps even MacDonald between the AHL and the NHL. Tell them its not punishment - its development.
Basically, I think whatever critisism aimed at this team about 'who is playing' and so on has to be centred on issues of 'development'. Don't worry about what player/goalie/strategy will help you win. Worry about which will best develop your players.
Bruce - that's ugly - any added thoughts to go along with it? Just a good night for Chorney and a bad night for Peckham?
ReplyDelete43 games in and it's the first time Hall gets "S'ploded". That's pretty good.
ReplyDeleteI apologize if it was 77 who made that bad pass to 91 on Doughty's goal.
ReplyDeleteRibs: a winnable game for sure. Oilers won the chance battle 7-6 in the first and then registered the second period's first two chances but then it was pretty much over.
Not a great game by DD, either. Or at least IMP. He got caught deep in his net on the first goal and the CBC showed a behind Doughty's back angle on the fourth goal that showed DD could have had that one as well.
So you had that going against us, the 89 line getting drilled and a piss-poor PP that looks just as broken as the PK did so many games ago. Also 49 had the yips and 26 was 26;)
But, what I'll take from this was the first game I saw 58 make pretty good decisions on almost every shift. His patience and poise was so evident that even Weekes and Lee couldn't miss it;)
The whole thing with Weekes and Lee drives me nuts, BTW. This used to be a cause celeb for me but what all the announces in the industry what the CBC has to do is raid a couple of crews and bump up the quality. TSN kicks their ass now with the Miller-Cutberth duo and it isn't only Lee who's an embarrassment either because Cole needs to step down too.
Daryl Reaugh needs to be lifted out of Dallas to solve one of the colour spots and off the top of my head I can't think of one or two PBP guys that can raided but I'm sure they're out there.
Holy awkward! Oake asking about Brown's lisp?
ReplyDeleteHey Dennis,
ReplyDeleteDo you have the total chances for and against on the season for individual Oilers?
Wondering how guys on the team stack up against each other.
If Foster is considered a shooter, he's not very good at it:
ReplyDelete108 shots, 45 missed shots, 3 Goals, 2.8% SH%
Did I miss Scott Oake's son doing a magic trick or did he skip it this week? I was holding out for Oake to jam it in somewhere
ReplyDeleteBottom 5 in NHL by pts%
ReplyDeleteTOR .466
OTT .444
NYI .407
EDM .407
NDJ .307
I would put the Oiler's chance of picking first at about 31.3%
@Bookie: That pretty much sums it up. A big factor was that Pecks was going against Smyth-Kopitar-Williams while Chorney was seeing pretty even amounts of everybody, but to my eye Peckham just had a tough night while Chorney was pretty effective. Both he and Petry have been just fine ever since they got called up, and they're gonna have to continue to be with the bad news about Whitney. What a bummer That is.
ReplyDeleteIf Foster is considered a shooter, he's not very good at it:
ReplyDelete108 shots, 45 missed shots, 3 Goals, 2.8% SH%
Would it make you feel any better if I told you he had a 4.8% shooting percentage last season? Or that he's topped out at 10% in 08-09? You get what you pay for. I'm only defending the guy because I liked the signing but he is not playing in a role that suits his skillset and I think he deserves a bit of slack.
58 and 23 continue to impress. 23 was crap tonight, but so was the rest of his line, and he's been solid overall.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited.
Let's not go too far hinting at what a bad move it was to get rid of Stoll. At the time he was traded, it wasn't at all clear that his career would survive another hard hit.
ReplyDelete...but [Foster] is not playing in a role that suits his skillset...
ReplyDeleteInsofar as he's playing the role of NHL defenseman, you're absolutely right.
The 4th goal by LA, the backbreaker was a result of Gagner not engaging in the offensive left corner about 12 seconds before 77 gave it to Doughty on a platter. 89 had the guy lined right up, perfect angle to hit and maybe even come up with puck....nope, let up and decided to skate backward and defend. O'Sullivan flashed in my mind on that play. The small things...
ReplyDelete@uni
ReplyDeleteThe team is obviously better without Horcoff. I'm sure they don't need Hemsky or Penner either.
They're at rock bottom with them. May as well be New Jersey 2.0 (sans Kovy) without them.
Towards the end of last season a lot of people thought we could pretty much give Doughty this year's Norris trophy.
ReplyDeleteI know it's one game but I only saw a very good defenseman, not a dominant one.
Insofar as he's playing the role of NHL defenseman, you're absolutely right.
ReplyDeletehehe..Good one.