This is Rod Phillips with Al McCann. When I arrived in the CFRN television/radio building in 1986, McCann was the dean of sports reporters in the city and regarded (correctly) as a kind, gentle soul. You couldn't find a discouraging word about Al McCann if you packed a lunch and took all day.
Rod Phillips was more of the same. Phillips was such a part of the Edmonton Oilers we didn't see him a lot during the season (Phillips served a dual role--he was travelling secretary for the club, booking hotel rooms and making sure everyone was accounted for) but when he'd drop by the radio station there would be much hilarity.
Rod Phillips is an exceptional joke teller. I mean he could have made a living at it. He'd rip off a punchline (" m r ducks" or "you ruined my life" remain my favorites) and we'd laugh until we cried. Rod is a good man, a wonderful play by play announcer and proof nice guys don't always finish last.
Sail On, Devon's most famous son. We'll remember you.
Ralph Backstrom was a terrific center. He played for those wonderful Habs teams of the 60's, was traded to Los Angeles and still had enough steam to be a charter member of the WHA. Los Angeles used to deal their draft picks and young players for old vets all the time, and had some good runs because of it (made the semifinals in year two, had some deep runs with 99).
It's been a long dry spell for the Kings, and it came during a time when the crosstown Ducks were bringing the Stanley to California. The Dustin Penner deal looks even more important with the Kopitar and Williams injuries, and we'll get to see the big man tonight in Edmonton.
Excellent post LT. Oilers broadcasts this year have not been the same without Rod and tonite I will mute the TV and listen to Rod on the internet. Just hope we can score at least once so I can hear his goal call one more time.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I put Rod in a category with some exceptional broadcasters who made the game so much better. Regardless of the sport, the best radio play by play men are those who just bring you into the game and help you use your imagination. Growing up in NY, I listened to Bill Mazur do NYI games and would turn the radio on laying in bed just to hear his call (long after my parents thought I was asleep).
As an adult, sitting up late at nite listening to Rod's calls on the internet has been a privelege that took me back to my youth. Grown ups don't always get a second chance to relive those days and Rod took me back.
Am looking forward to a final curtain call. Bravo Rod.
Not to pick nits LT but Rod is from Calmar.
ReplyDeleteClassic Rod broadcasts were great, but his last few years have been pretty brutal. Last year was particularly difficult to listen to Oilers games as he would routinely bring back Oilers players from yesteryear that were apparently skating up the ice with the puck. Time passes for us all, and I'm glad he gets to go out on his terms. Jack has potential, and I like what he's done so far. Bright future ahead for everything Oilers!
ReplyDeleteAl McCann,now there's a guy whose picture takes me back to my youth.Doing the sports out of the old TV station in the westend.
ReplyDeleteI played hockey with his son when we were kids growing up in Lynnwood.
Thanks for this LT. I didn't have a TV as a kid, so my earliest memories of the Oilers will remain indelibly Rod Phillips memories. He made the game come alive.
ReplyDeleteScroader = my guess for the basis of Brule's injury
Thanks to Rod Phillips, I had no idea how depressed I should have been following the team during the mid-nineties.
ReplyDeleteThe first season CFRN airwaved the Oiler games, McCann had the home games, Phillips the road matches. I can’t remember how long before they handed the whole thing to Rod.
ReplyDeleteBut long before Christmas, home games were just painful to listen to after a road trip.
Backstrom was terrific for Team Canada 74 against the Russkies. He, at age 37, centered Gordie and Mark most nights and had 7 points in 8 games.
suring - agreeing with someone who asserts Penner's cap space will benefit the Oilers next season. Must be accompanied by an eye roll.
Hey all,
ReplyDeleteToo bad for LA with Kopitar out I dont see them making much noise in the playoffs. Bad break for Penner and moreso for Smyth. Guy deserves a chance to make a run.
Was at the Oil Kings game last night. Very interesting to see, sat in the scouts section. Everyone was there. RNH looked like a player but wasnt nearly the dominant player Hall was. He's a different player though and his hockey IQ is off the charts. I was hoping for more but the Oil Kings were quite defensive and RNH set up the best chances of the game. Im still pro-Larsson.
Keegan Lowe actually looks like a player as does Reinhart.
I am surprised to see Rod make it to this point. Back in the day it was like he was going to have Heart Attack when the boys did something amazing. Back in those days it happened one or twice a game. Him and the late Ed Whalen really did make the BOA special.
ReplyDeleteJones on RNH.
ReplyDeleteHe WANTS to be drafted by the Oil... Youth can be so foolish.
Reminding us of the soul that lingers in the shell of professional sports.. thank you LT..
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you Rod Philips - for the countless memories I have of listening to the radio play by play, as my imagination ran wild in conjunction with the call of the game.. As a kid, I could have never followed the 1990 cup run (and heart breaking setbacks of 91 & 92 - damn north stars & blackhawks) as closely without my bedroom radio..
If there's not some kind of extended standing ovation for Rod tonight, Katz needs to fire everyone in the organization.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I wonder if the Kings would be open to dealing another one of their D prospects for Hamilton now that he's established such good chemistry with Schenn.
Some of my earliest childhood memories are of drifting to sleep listening to Rod's call, only to be jerked awake when his voice went up 2 octaves and 50 decibles on some random scoring chance.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite sign that I ever brought to a hockey game was the "Rod Phillips for PM" sign I made in junior high school.
His passion for the game and for the team are probably the biggest reasons why I'm still a fan today. He might have lost a step in the last couple years, but being a fan of this team is going to be a little less fun without him. Here's hoping he manages to pop in from time to time, maybe on Nation Radio for example.
From that Jones link...
ReplyDeleteThe Red Deer Rebels centre created the two goals to bring his team back from a 1-0 deficit to the Edmonton Oil Kings late to score a 3-1 win before a disappointing crowd of 4,964.
LT might have been a little off with the "Beatlemania".
If the Oilers draft Keegan Lowe and he flops big time, would that fucking finally be enough?
This might be old news, but going through the boxscores of our prospects for the March edition of my prospect statistics, I've noticed something curious.
ReplyDeleteVandeVelde was out on the PP in overtime in the Calgary game over some more high-power offensive players. Shows the coach might actually place a premium on faceoff wins if, you know, he had someone capable of winning one.
Doesn't the empirical evidence suggest that the importance of faceoffs is vastly overstated?
ReplyDeleteCvDV is having a most interesting call-up. He didn't do much in the A, but since being here he is playing a very useful lower 6 role. And DG is right to note that Renney is throwing him out there for those big face-offs and he seems to be making hay.
ReplyDeletebrubmi
DG
ReplyDeleteVV took a lot of important face-offs in OT and the 3rd of that Flames game.
"If the Oilers draft Keegan Lowe and he flops big time, would that fucking finally be enough?"
ReplyDeleteOnly if they pick him in the 2nd round, bring him up say 25 games into next season and then play him on the top powerplay unit, with Kevin Lowe sitting in a seat right behind the bench screaming at everyone including Renney for misusing him.
So many Rod-O-Vision memories!
ReplyDeleteGrowing up in Northern Alberta, I remember hearing a radio broadcast of a 'Nucks game once while on a family trip to the coast. I would've been around 5 or 6 years old. I remember wondering why the "normal guy" wasn't doing it, and that whoever was doing it instead sucked. Of course, I assumed that Rod called all games everywhere.
Years later, working in Northern BC and the Yukon, I could pick up CHED during the winter at night. It was the late '90s, during the Edmonton v. Dallas years. Some nights, the signal was so scratchy that I couldn't make out much of the play-by-play, but I'd drive and listen, because the one thing that would make it through the static was Rod calling "SCOOOOORRRRRESSSS".
No mistaking when the Oilers scored during Rod's tenure. Something I wish Mr. Michaels would improve on.
I love radio playcallers. Long-time Blades caller Les Lazaruk has been my ears for the Blades.
ReplyDeleteHe has a different goal call depending on how many goals the Blades have so I can tell you how many the good guys got without knowing the score.
Another Rod memory: to celebrate his induction into the HHOF, the Journal had him do his dream call (it involved the recently acquired Chris Phillips scoring the Cup winning goal for the Oilers, I believe). You had to call in on the phone to hear it, because that used to be how the Journal would share multimedia content.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, Rod did the call, and it was flat. Really flat. Because he couldn't just turn it on and off on command: what you heard during the games was genuine and brought on by the experience of watching the game.
I grew up thinking the Oilers never lost a fight thanks to Rod. Also loved his brutal honesty of the officiating, you don’t get that these days anymore. So long Rod, you are the best!
ReplyDeleteI remember going to bed early as a kid just so that i could plop my radio under my pillow and listen to Rod. My greatest memory is probably the Game 5 of the 2006 run. I was working in southern Alberta and I was on the Greyhound listening to a little AM Radio I bought (cost me $30 bucks lol) just so I could hear the game. The tension was so evident in Rod's voice. You could sense he was just as nervous as all the fans. The love he had for the Oilers was so evident.
ReplyDeleteI loved Rod because he was such a homer. He loved the Oilers more than anyone I knew and it definitely rubbed off on me. Michaels is ok, but until he bleeds copper and blue like Rod, he'll never measure up.
when his voice went up 2 octaves and 50 decibles on some random scoring chance.
ReplyDeleteThat is known as an Oilgasm.
Penner on facing the Oilers
ReplyDelete"They have a lot of new guys by the looks of it, but Cogs will probably be out and hopefully I’ll get a couple of draws so I can get my percentage up."
I miss him.
A few ex-Oilers in town, which means Stoll pots his 20th. Any other predictions on ex-Oiler performances tonight?
ReplyDeleteWoulda loved to hear Rod calling that chintzy penalty on Hartikainen that turned Saturday's game around.
ReplyDeletePenner's comments are absolutely hilarious and, worse, spot on!!! Love a guy with that sense of humour. Bet he already
ReplyDeletetexted or tweeted Cogs with his slam
Seriously is anyone here certain we could beat an elite AHL team with this roster. Simply a dreadful team
Seriously is anyone here certain we could beat an elite AHL team with this roster. Simply a dreadful team
ReplyDeleteReally? It took the help of the officials for the Flames to beat the Oilers last game. I don't discount the young 'uns skillsets so readily.
Dan
ReplyDeleteThey've been 30th twice! You think the current lineup would dominate a very good AHL team. Why would you think that?
28th GF
29th GA
30th PPG
29th PK
The question was whether the current roster could beat a very good AHL team. At the very worse it is arguable
Question:
ReplyDeleteWith the strides Dougie Hamilton has taken in the last year, and his current performance in the playoffs (not to mention his academic smarts and pedegree with both parents being sucessful olympians) how upset would anyone here be if the Oilers selected him first overall?
forater: What Pendergast's became whenever he was asked about an Oilers prospect.
Jordan: very upset. If for some reason, he's the guy, we should be able to trade down and still get him. Even an extra 5th rounder is better than taking him 1st overall.
ReplyDeleteWhy do we need to pick Dougie Hamilton when there's going to be another D-man available whose parental pedigree includes two Olympic medals and 6 Cups?
ReplyDeleteI just wonder if the oilers draft Keegan Lowe, would they force hall to give up #4 to him :-)
ReplyDeleteNice burn by old 27 on Cogs.
ReplyDeleteDon't know who they are scouting/watching (Willy Wonka?) but for those keeping track the "Magnificent Bastard" is taking in the Warriors/Ice game tonight and the Vancouver series tomorrow. He was on my flight from Calgary to Regina this morning.
ReplyDeleteHell of a travel schedule...
Maybe Penner can be the one guy that we completely shut down pointswise every time we play him. That would be nice.
ReplyDeleteWhat ex-Oiler do we ever shut down?
ReplyDeleteSean Brown never scored on us much, as I recall.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Penner can be the one guy that we completely shut down pointswise every time we play him. That would be nice.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, Penner does a pretty good job of shutting himself down at times.
I had actually thought he would be doing much better in LA than he did here, but it sounds a bit like he is getting the MacT treatment there.
Also Tommy Salo. He never scored on us either.
ReplyDeleteticearst: Say it to any woman on the planet and get a slap in the face.
Also Tommy Salo. He never scored on us either.
ReplyDeleteOnly because he never played us (did he?); if he had, he'd have gotten a hat trick.
Penner will want to poke a twig in Lowe's eye tonight.
ReplyDeleteSalo would've scored on us on a shot from centre, wouldn't he?
as bad as Salo was, those were the days when the Oilers made the playoffs every second year.
ReplyDeletemy game day prediction ... Penner rocks Rexall and waves to Tambo and Klowe with a big game. Goal and 3 assists. He has the tools and desire to make it happen.
ReplyDeleteGo Rod Go !!!
Penner and Teemu with a hat trick each, Vande Velde gets the winner in overtime - 4-3.
ReplyDeleteBook it.
I don't think anyone else calls Cuntreal the habbies other than that dolt Dutchyshen.
ReplyDeleteI've disliked that dummy since he was on ITV.
I am, without question, in favour of the this banner. Rod Phillips has done more for my Oilers' fandom than any single player.
ReplyDeleteI would totally expect Penner to get 3 goals tonight, but I also expected him to be a point per game player in LA. He might be once he settles in.
ReplyDeleteI can almost swear that Sean Brown had a game winner or a 2 goal game or something against the Oil.
ReplyDeleteA two goal game would have accounted for 100% of his total post-Oilers NHL goal-scoring. And those two were in different seasons, so I don't think that happened.
ReplyDeleteTrade Edmonton's #1 pick and #20th pick(?) for Drew Doughty
ReplyDeleteAnyone know why Jack Michaels is calling this game?
ReplyDeleteWTF?
Anyone know why Jack Michaels is calling this game?
ReplyDeleteRod has to get up to the booth; Morley Scott started the game that was preceded by Rod's HHOF ceremony (the one the Oilers put on), too.
It is a little odd that they'd bring in Jack Michaels just to do a few minutes of the game.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I expect we'll hear Rod after the first commercial break.
I'm thinking you're most likely correct on that front.
ReplyDeleteBeing an Oilers fan since 82 has jaded me in regard to ex players becoming Oiler killers to the extent that Sean Brown became a goal scorer.
My backup memory says Sean Brown scored two goals and the game winner FOR the oilers. Maybe the bruins or Rangers being the victims.
PRV looks like he's wearing a fanny-pack
ReplyDeleteAaaahhh....Rod.
ReplyDeleteThey should have been able to manage it so he called the whole game.
Tambellini must have been in charge.
Coprolag...a shitty delay.
A PVR and a deft thumb can work out the lag in the audio/video-pain in the arse however.
ReplyDelete@steve smith,
ReplyDeletehigh five for the teemu hat trick ! go Teemu go !
It is a little odd that they'd bring in Jack Michaels just to do a few minutes of the game.
ReplyDeleteI think its odd to think that its odd. Seems to me that they needed time for Rod to make his way up to the booth - its a long trip and I suspect that 15 minutes of dead air or crowd noise would be 'odd'
Some nice work there by Peckham.
ReplyDeleteWatching this game for some reason brings back memories of watching the game when Gretzky was chasing 800 goals during a visit to Edmonton.
ReplyDeleteThat was on ITV, and I liked Dutchy ;)
Or was it Howes record when Gretzky scored the late goal vs the Oil?
ReplyDeleteYeah it was Howes. If my awful memory doesnt fail me Edmonton lost the game in OT
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDU56qeJBNE&feature
Who was the host on Oilers ITV games, wasnt it Dave Lumley?
ReplyDeleteDanny: you Would like that dummy;)
ReplyDeleteLumley used to work on the wednesday night show called This week in the NHL and they'd have highlights of all the Oilers games from the previous week.
that was gold back then.
I remember Brown scoring a game-winner in Philly during a Sportsnet game of the week and I'm guessing that was the '00 season and I think it was maybe in November or December. I was shocked to see that he had a combined 12 goals from the 00 to 02 seasons.
as for this game? it's weapons-grade soul-crushing.
ReplyDeletethe Kings had all kinds of shots but I still only had them with six chances.
I didn't think they could win more than a round but I was looking forward to watching them in the playoffs pre injuries to Williams and Kopitar.
but right now they are the walking dead. I wouldn't say there's a player among them that thinks they can win a series vs van, det or sj.
They certainly aren't givin Phillips any material to work with.
ReplyDeleteAnizesse... sleep on Sambuca.
Danny, can't remember... was it Tim Spelliscy?
ReplyDeleteI think it was somewhat symbolic that the Kings' representative for the ceremonial faceoff was Ryan Smyth, while the Oilers' was...Jason Strudwick.
ReplyDeleteOne of these teams will make the playoffs.
Congrats to the organziation and 630CHED for a job well done. I haven't been able to say that lately, so it's a nice change!
ReplyDeleteDennis said...
ReplyDelete" as for this game? it's weapons-grade soul-crushing.
the Kings had all kinds of shots but I still only had them with six chances.
I didn't think they could win more than a round but I was looking forward to watching them in the playoffs pre injuries to Williams and Kopitar.
but right now they are the walking dead. I wouldn't say there's a player among them that thinks they can win a series vs van, det or sj."
Dennis, they will most likely be playing Phoenix.
They can beat them
For those not listening, Rod is losing is mind because of a constant clicking, sounds like a CD skipping. Every break asking "can't we fix this!" Can't blame him.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe this is the one game where CHED is having technical difficulties.
ReplyDeleteI think the importance of face-offs is way overstated, but it does make a big difference when your team is seemingly incapable of getting the puck back for long stretches. The Oilers get butchered down low.
ReplyDeleteThere are usually only 1-2 potential 40 goal scorers in the draft. they usually go in the first three picks.
ReplyDeleteTaking a 20 goal scorer with the first pick is idiocy. RNH will be a .9 point per game player but Goals win games. we already have 2 of the 15 worst goal to assist guys taken in the top 15. Hemsky and Gagner.
It is great to get potential 70 point guys below the top 5 picks.
Getting goals or preventing them should be the priority in the top5. You take the 4 (0.9 NHLE) guys by goal production All things being equal.
RNH is not the BEST
1. goal to Assist ratio.
2. Even to PP points Ratio
3. does not have the highest NHLE
4. Is not the Tallest
5. Is not the heaviest 160 LBS???????????????????
6. not the youngest in the top 5
7. Has the worst G to Assist ratio. That historically indicates a draft bust of epic proportion.
How the XXXX does this say first overall pick.
Take the WHL bias out of your veiws and use your brains.
Tim Spellisy(sp?) yeah he was def there. ITV was awesome, getting to watch EDM hammer Vancouver on random mondays was great. Wednesday nights were the reg Oilers game night right?
ReplyDeleteI hated the A Channel, until satellite tv came along.
Rod is really struggling with player names.
ReplyDeleteTrade Edmonton's #1 pick and #20th pick(?) for Drew Doughty
ReplyDeleteI did that in NHL'11. I also traded Souray for Myers straight up, and Hemsky for Ray Emery who I then flipped for Alex Pietrangelo.
Wow, Pocklington's going to be on. That's madness.
ReplyDeleteRod is really struggling with player names.
ReplyDeleteIf I were him, I would just be screwing with everyone. Doing things like "Reddox blasts down the wing, passes it to Weight, Weight to Gretzky - SCOOOOOoooorreeesss!"
I would be doing shit like that and totally ignoring what was happening on the ice. It would be 14 - 0 for the Oilers right now for radio listeners and Fuhr would have the shutout.
Ricki there isn't a RNH ref for like 40 comments before yours. Are you urging anyone in particular?
ReplyDeleteBeardist... the old lady
when TSN had the chances at 12-4 for the Kings I had them at 12-3 so that's pretty close.
ReplyDeleteas a gambling tip I'd say take the under on Kings games listed at -5.5 for the rest of the season.
this team's gonna have a hard time scoring goals and they'll stick to their system in their own zone in an even more diligent fashion than usual.
Spelicy was the host and I remember Monday night games vs the Flames more than anything else. I used to love the Friday night games.
also, because there's nothing else to talk about, I remember seeing Igor Viyazmikin's only NHL goal on a wed night ITV game vs the Kings.
ReplyDeleteI remember the game from LA that went nights with all the fights - I think the Kings had a nine minute PP one night - and also a shootout one friday night in Buf.
Tim Dancy was in there too doing something for ITV during those years.
ReplyDeleteif bill walton had a baby with bill walton it would look like matt greene.
ReplyDeletealso, paul mara has purchased dave lowry's playoff beard.
I'm not as plugged in as a guy like stauffer or LT but I'm hearing that the Oilers have traded rod phillips for a 12 year old boy who can pronounce words clearly and the rights to his five year old sister who's just learning how to spell.
ReplyDeletethe Oilers also get the rights to any future offspring for said family.
Hey now, Dennis - be nice. Or I will fight you. Probably.
ReplyDeleteDornhoefer was the guy I remember... had a voice only Howie Meeker could love.
ReplyDeleteSeemed to me too that we played every Wednesday night for like 5 years straight--before the double-headers on HNIC and we'd only get the Oilers once every couple of months (or so) on Saturdays.
Logon... geektalk
Dornhoefer used to say "jolly on the spot." It isn't "jolly on the spot" it's "JOHNNY ON THE SPOT!" and everyone knows this.
ReplyDeleteJolly on the spot? Seriously? No one ever mentioned it to Dornhoefer that it was Johnny on the spot.
He said it 20 times a game. Dammit.
SS: I didn't know you were such a Greene fan;)
ReplyDeletedoes anyone remember the couple of years that steve schutt did colour work with the cbc?
ReplyDeletehe made greg millen look like vin scully.
SS: I didn't know you were such a Greene fan;)
ReplyDeleteActually, insofar as Greene was eating Igor Ulanov's lunch, I can't be a Greene fan or my sister would kill me.
As far as physical appearance, though, you have to think it's a wash between the two.
I remember back in probably 96 maybe, Marc Savard was a part of the Flames future, and watching HNIC Doug Weight scored that sick sideways deke goal against the Flamers. It was some journeyman goaltender for the flames that's on the tip of my tongue. It probably wasn't barasso, but someone in the same breath of that guy.
ReplyDeletedanny: that was actually in '97 but carry on;)
ReplyDeletethat was back in the days when the late HNIC game started at 12am NST.
SS: I'm still not over the Matt Greene penalty festival of '96.
as for ulanov, no matter how old he got there were still certain mistakes he couldn't erase from his game.
tough as nails, though.
Lowetide said...
ReplyDeleteDornhoefer used to say "jolly on the spot." It isn't "jolly on the spot" it's "JOHNNY ON THE SPOT!" and everyone knows this.
Jolly on the spot? Seriously? No one ever mentioned it to Dornhoefer that it was Johnny on the spot.
He said it 20 times a game. Dammit.
Sorry LT ...Jolly on the Spot was Howie Meeker.
another example of why we can be sure that God doesn't exist.
ReplyDeletehe wouldn't have allowed so many others to be injured but people like 13 and 77 to have to play all the Oilers games.
nothing against DSF but people who use the word "sorry" when disproving another's point really seem to be all that sorry for having done so:)
ReplyDeleteRNH 4 TMFW!
ReplyDelete*sessests* me.
& some people paid to scout for a living, & they aint' bears.
Definitely Dornhoefer.
ReplyDeleteNobody should be required to pay to watch this.
ReplyDeleteCuthbert said it very politely - This is a game of shinny
byron dafoe?
ReplyDeleteC'mon boys... at least let him call a goal!
ReplyDeleteha, trolling with my kid's account ftw...
ReplyDeleteBarrasso was about 10 miles better than Dafoe. Just saying.
ReplyDelete"spoiler,
ReplyDeleteRod alluded to the fact that there`s been lots of free bevvies being handed to him ... blame that on all the name changes and challenges with pronunciations tonight ... lol
Lowetide said...
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Dornhoefer.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011 9:51:00 PM MDT
Nope.
And fuck off Dennis.
Ken Wregget, Freddy Brathwaite and a young J.S. Giguere played most of the games in 98-99, according to Wikipedia. I always loved that goal by Weight.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely definitely Dornhoefer. However I just assumed he was saying "Johnny" just sounded like "Jolly" coz of where he was from. ;o)
ReplyDeleteWell we've have to agree to disagree. Unless you can offer me proof.
ReplyDeleteSounds like something Meeker would have said.
ReplyDeleteReg, not doing 40 games any more is enough. Tough job.
ReplyDeleteBarrasso was about 10 miles better than Dafoe. Just saying.
ReplyDeleteI once argued on a call-in show that Byron Dafoe was one of the NHL's best goaltenders (callers were asked to name the fourth, besides - I think - Brodeur, Belfour, and Roy). Not my finest hour.
He did have a hell of SV% that year, though, as I recall.
Was that Teemu Selanne or Hatikianen?
ReplyDeleteI haven't watched a lot of games lately because.. well really who wants too?
ReplyDeleteHas Harski been playing like this on the regular?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYeah it was totally 97 because I can remember my roommate and I having epic games of NHL98.
ReplyDeleteTwo funny related stories.
When we bought the game, it was across the road at the now defunct KMart. As we were walking down the aisle, a lady with the largest boobs and most revealing wardrobe walked past us, I turned to stare, and subsequently walked into a pole which knocked me directly on my ass. A KMart employee that saw the boobs, and heard my collision, politely asked me, that never really just happened did it?
Next story, same room mate, needed a job and did an interview at Sobeys. A few days later he got a phone call saying he got the job and needed to come in Wednesday ten to six.
The whole day I razzed him about being a cashier, and he left twenty to six to walk across the street to his new job.
Ten minutes later he comes home, his shift was over.
His first day at his new job, he showed up 10 minutes before his shift was over. It was 10am to 6pm, and not starting 5:50pm as we assumed
Just to defend Dennis (something I am not inclined to do), I think he was not neccesarily slamming Rod, but rather making a joke about trading for youth and 'magic beans'.
ReplyDeleteDSF: I guess that proved my point:)
ReplyDeleteBTW, that weight goal was scored in the '98 season, pboy.
when brownlee isn't focusing on the chip on his shoulder he can make a lot of sense and early on he said that 56's stride reminded him of when stoll came in the leg and I'll be damned if he's not right.
and for a guy that supposedly had some skating issues it doesn't seem like an overly big issue at all.
LT: maybe I'm guilty of it too because we both loved the guy but I think you're easily open to a Pisani comparison when a two way kid makes his debut. 56's heavy shot and work down low makes him a most viable candidate for said comparison.
derek: he looks very good in the O zone.
bookie: yeah, I thought that was pretty clear as well.
ReplyDeleteDennis: The thing about Hartikainen is how quickly he's adjusted. I mean it could be a mirage but man he looks ready to play in the NHL.
ReplyDeleteEspecially on this team. Hell he could play some top 6 minutes next season.
Christ they're bad.
So long Rod. Fairways and greens. nice touch by tsn.
I wonder how Rod keeps his breath at this point - surprised he isn't melting down.
ReplyDeleteSo long Hot Rod. You will be missed.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mc79hockey.com/?p=3618#comment-317526
ReplyDeleteI want a copy of this audio tribute. Is that creepy?
ReplyDeletePenner - 0 0 0 0 in 16:24
ReplyDeleteoursh (thats the word verification word - not my comment)
Agreed. That was a nice package Stauffer put on. Better than the one the Oil had up on their site.
ReplyDeleteRick Tabaraci
ReplyDeleteHa! the Penner shutdown! Love it.
ReplyDeleteNow Danny has me nostalgic for the days when the flames missed the playoffs seven straight
ReplyDeleteDid the Oil know what they had in Hartikainen when they traded Penner?
ReplyDeleteDid the Oil know what they had in Hartikainen when they traded Penner?
ReplyDeleteThey couldn't have, with any level of certainty. They still don't, with any level of certainty. But he's looking pretty good right now.
Testament to how into this Rod Phillips retirement thing: I'm actually listening to Overtime Open Line.
ReplyDeleteMurray hinted at Penner's consistancy issues with the Kings in the pre-game. This game won't help that cause.
ReplyDeleteDid he even play?
Funny - MacT mentioned it for the 21st time tonight as well.
KLowe and Tambo secretly high fived each other after this one.
Sorry Spoiler: The delay was putting my 6 month old daughter to bed and getting off the phone after hearing the fanily matriarc passed today at 95.
ReplyDeletethe reason I posted this was your reference to the future NHL bust RNH. Sick of all the local RNH love. His trend says stay away.
The oilers have a chance to take a potential 40 goal scorer. how often will that haappen in the next ten years.
We already have RNH in Gagner and Hemsky. If Omark becomes only an assist machine there will be no room. I hope he trends to elite goal scoring like he did in SEL and KHL.
Skid:
Remeber Paid scouts in the Copper and Blue selected. Bonsignore, Kelly, and Niinimaki. All low goal to assist guys.
Every time you Think RNH say Daigle, Bonsignore, Kelly. Niinimaki, Stefen. at the same time.
At some point you will start to shiver.
Results for the 3 night prospect watch:
ReplyDeleteSean Couturier 2 G 1 A 3 PTS +3
Dougie Hamilton 0 G 2 A 2 PTS +3
Ryan Murphy 1 G 1 A 2 PTS +1
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 0 G 2 A 2 PTS +1
Jonathan Huberdeau 1 G 1 A 2 PTS +0
Gabriel Landeskog 1 G 0 G 1 PTS +1
Ryan Strome 0 G 1 A 1 PTS +1
Zack Phillips 0 G 1 A 1 PTS +0
David Musil 0 G 0 A 0 PTS +0
Sean Couturier wins the day with 3 even strenght points. Hamilton, Murphy, RNH and Huberdeau all sharing 2nd position.
Not a strong performance for Landeskog, Musil and Strome (Especially him) so far. Blades did not play yet, so no Duncan Siemens.
Other Notables:
,933 save % for the 16 years old Belleville goalie, Malcom Subban. His team was shutout all series long.
Fave Rod comment came during a game of golf some years ago. After hitting a screaming, but only ankle high drive down a hard, dry fairway: "It's running like a sick dick!"
ReplyDeleteRicki, I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. I'm also very surprised that I am giving RNH love. Not sure what I said that you're referencing. My position thus far is that they all have warts.
ReplyDeleteGraph... wait a minute, boggler isn't allowed to use real words, is it?
Rickibear: Out of curiosity, what trend of RNH's suggests bust?
ReplyDeleteJon K: Lots of assists over goals.
ReplyDeleteAnd a lot of PP points.
I wouldn't nick Musil too much, he's a defenseman, and a defensive one at that (there were hopes he would have a more offensive streak...but it hasn't shown yet if it is there).
ReplyDeleteFor those not following the SEL playoffs, I believe Larsson is now:
10GP 3A 3P E
Leading his team in ice-time, north of 22 minutes a night, playing shutdown EV and PK mainly. I believe his points are all EV and he's not on the #1 PP. All this as an 18 year old.
Rickibear: Out of curiosity, what trend of RNH's suggests bust?
ReplyDeleteOh, now you've done it. He's going to post three pages of advanced stats again and make our eyes bleed.
I kid, of course. rickibear's stats may be intense but they are interesting once you figure out what you're looking at.
Imagine for a moment the plight for the Rodeo Queens:
ReplyDelete3 points out the the playoffs...
lose every tie break...
have to win 5 straight to even hope to get in...
set to draft in the middle of the batting order(mediocre 1st round prospect)...
hahahahahahahaha
MacT was dissing Penner last night?
ReplyDeleteAstonishingly, I find myself all for it now that he's left town for LA.
Jon K: Lots of assists over goals.
ReplyDeleteAnd a lot of PP points.
And he's, well I don't want to say streaky because that's not the right word, but he had 14 zero point games in Red Deer's first 38, vs only 7 in the final 34. Strikes me as a guy who might be riding a percentage or two to a hot second half.
the reason I posted this was your reference to the future NHL bust RNH. Sick of all the local RNH love. His trend says stay away.
ReplyDeleteI saw something you posted at ON about this.
Can't find it.
Can you post your stats.
I remember it being interesting to look at.
Thanks.
Is there any empirical evidence to suggest that either of those factors are indicative of a player who will bust?
ReplyDeleteI mean, a greater proportion of assists or powerplay points seems to equivocally support a number of conclusions aside from him being a bust.
I mean, a greater proportion of assists or powerplay points seems to equivocally support a number of conclusions aside from him being a bust.
ReplyDeleteBut in practise it has been an indicator of inflated stats relative to the quality of player. Especially when you take into account that young players simply will not be playing on the PP early in their career.
I agree with WG, lets see the numbers around this assertion, because I too am leery of RNH as a #1 option.
That might be true about inflation where players are playing with superior powerplay linemates. Otherwise high powerplay totals are equally indicative of a superior powerplay player.
ReplyDeleteQuite frankly I think that some context is required before we proclaim that a player might bust due to high powerplay totals.
judgings
Let's say we end up picking 2nd and Larsson goes first.
ReplyDeleteIs it still Couturier over RNH?
gismsme - That's what she said.
CF13: Statistically, I'd say yeah.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what the flaw in Couturier's game is that's causing him to tumble down the rankings. Anyone care to enlighten me?
before we proclaim that a player might bust due to high powerplay totals
ReplyDeleteThe only other comparable I have knowledge of is R. W. Schremp. He was a killer in junior, but a lot of his totals were inflated by big PP numbers and he couldn't bring that offense to the pro leagues.
I am not in any way suggesting RNH is the second coming of Schremp (though there are some weight commonalities), but what I am suggesting is that the context a person needs is RNH's two-way game. Things like Corsi might help, but lacking that, perhaps +/- normalised to the team totals. I would do this, but I have at least three sick people in my house, and I suck at numbers.
shboa - that is her boa to wear, not yours
Bar Qu:
ReplyDeleteAs a former bigtime Schremp supporter, let me point out a few differences between him and RNH.
- One is an American headcase, the other a good old Canadian boy. I don't really feel like writing in length abut this, but suffice to say the local types show far less propensity for say, coasting on innate ability. RNH is probably the type who spends all summer perfecting his shot, not hanging around on the beach.
- The first point is good enough.
rickibear,
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't the old Oiler paid scouts referred to, it was a general consensus of NHL scouting:
Bob McKenzie has RNH, Larsson & Landeskog as the top three consensus of people he is in contact with.
Redline:
1)Landeskog
2)RNH
3)Larsson
ISS:
1)RNH
2)Larsson
3)Landeskog
Central Scouting:
1)Landeskog
2)Couturier
3)RNH
(North American - so slot Larsson in the mix there)
BTW, CS measured RNH at 6'1" - 170.
Throwing out a bunch of names of draft busts hardly makes a logical argument against RNH.
How about this terrible Goals to Assist ratio:
39 GAMES 25 G 75 A
With a line like that the guy was picked three picks after noteworth #1 bust Daigle (as well he should, his Goals to Assists were worse)...and he did OK in the NHL.
Pointing out a Paul Kariya doesn't prove anything the other way either. The chances of any of the three or four guys in the conversation being busts are pretty low. Larsson and Couturier are probably the safe bets, but I think RNH is the one that will make fans regret their team not having chosen him instead of the other way around.
Sorry, that should be 6 foot, 1/2 inch, not 6' 1" for RNH.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing about the G to A ratio for RNH - He isn't blessed with the highest scoring linemates. The top goal scorer on the Rebels with 43, Byron Froese, generally only plays with RNH on the PP. Linemate Andrej Kudrna finally broke into the top 20 WHL scoring on the last game of the season. I could be wrong, and often am, but weren't there some skilled players in London with Mr. Schremp when he was drafted?
ReplyDeleteAnd Schremp wishes he had RNH wheels...
One is an American headcase, the other a good old Canadian boy.
ReplyDeleteIs this anecdotal non-fact to make your case? Or an another example of why Americans are better at business than Canadians? ;-)
As I said, I would need some better context on RNH's overall game, and not simply boxcars, to feel less squeamish on him as a #1 pick
awkini -that bikini on the beach that gets you smacked in the head by your better half
Great. Looking forward to the upcoming draft and posters trying to be smarter then they are/need to be when it comes to who should they pick.
ReplyDeleteWell if I'm not mistaken, RNH does play two ways while Schremp did not in juniors.
ReplyDeleteBut (as many here have posted), the shear # of points that have come on the PP, the overall lack of goal scoring make me leary of RNH.
You look at the Oilers and there are issues with scoring (and PK and PP and goal - so come to think of it, their are issues all over the roster).
But if Larsson were gone and we were going next I'd be more inclined to go Landeskog. Couturier may be fine (he's been getting dinged lately as someone who won't use his size - check LT's posts on ON) but we also need someone who can stand up to the rigors of the game and not get broken in half.
And we need someone who can fill the net (imo).
But if we get the first pick, it would surprise me (mildly) if we didn't take Larsson. Fits with the "thinking 4-6 years" versus the next year or 2.
Bar Qu:
ReplyDeleteHow about Schremp refusing to work hard enough on his skating? This clearly suggests a player with a built in sense of belief that has nothing to do with reality.
Everyone knew guys like this growing up - the local hot shot that when finally put against real honest to goodness talent, wilts.
My favorite Rod Phillips memory is CFRN cutting into its soap broadcast to go live to Molson House, where he sat sad-faced with Lisa Miller, and set up the press conference with Gretzky and the Bandits.
ReplyDeleteI half-expected him to wipe his bitter tears with the white linen table cloth.
Everyone knew guys like this growing up - the local hot shot that when finally put against real honest to goodness talent, wilts.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet, he still got drafted first round, as a boom/bust prospect.
BTW, this volume of posting in no way constitutes informed or useful opinion.
"I'm not as plugged in as a guy like stauffer or LT but I'm hearing that the Oilers have traded rod phillips for a 12 year old boy who can pronounce words clearly and the rights to his five year old sister who's just learning how to spell."
ReplyDeleteHoly sh!t, that's funny.
I don't know were this rumor that Sean Couturier doesn't use his size came from, but the stats would say otherwise. He had a +55 rating at the end of the year, +50% FO rating and was amongst the team leaders in hits per game. You don't get those stats by playing soft. He was also battling mono at the beginning of the year, and that knocks the crap out of you.
ReplyDeleteRNH is all offense with little else to offer, were Couturier is the complete player.
Oilers tweet...
ReplyDeletehave agreed to terms with goaltender Olivier Roy on a three-year contract.
Rob Schremp is an excellent example of how context is important in analyzing statistics.
ReplyDeleteRob Schremp scored a lot of points on the powerplay throughout his junior career. However, the cnotext of how he scored all those points are important. Schremp scored a great deal of those points while being completely stationary sitting to the right of the slot. He was playing the entire two minutes of powerplayer frequently. He was playing on that powerplay with many players who became legitimate NHLers (i.e. Dave Bolland, Sergei Kostitsyn). And lastly, Schremp's truly gaudy offensive totals were racked up in his post-draft seasons. The predictive ability of CHL scoring boxcar totals decreases as CHL players pass their 18 year old season (in my humble opinion).
If we are going to express concern about how much RNH is scoring in specific situations (proportionally), we should also take a look at how he is scoring those points. If he is scoring with means that are unlikely to translate to the NHL, by all means pass on him at the draft.
Rod Phillips Ceremony
ReplyDeleteTSN had other priorities last night but for those of you who have not seen it...
However, the cnotext of how he scored all those points are important.
ReplyDeleteShould read, "However, the context of how he scored all those points is important."
Fail.
Couturier is a heck of a prospect, and will very likely be a good, well rounded NHL player. But he isn't going to wow anybody with his physical presence (36 PIM?) If you want that physical power forward you want Landeskog.
ReplyDeleteI get it that some people prefer one player over another, but it's a mistake to write off the competition as "all offense", especially when there is nothing to support that claim. RNH was far from a one-dimensional player.
RNH:
- (+30) over the regular season
- 3rd on the Rebels in +/-
- Rebels had the losest GA in the Dub and it wasn't even close
- 51 PIM or 0.74 PIMPG
The WHL doesn't track face offs, but I would expect Couturier to be better than RNH in this department given the edge in size, strength and physical maturity.
I am glad I don't have the responsibility of making this pick...there are some good cases to be made for and against pretty much all of the lottery favourites.
lowest not losest GA - my typing is fubared
ReplyDeleteIf Malhotra never plays again (and I certainly hope he does), I wonder if it would make guys think twice before signing those "taking a little less to play a couple seasons with a contender" type contracts in the future.
ReplyDeleteHopkins is a noted 2 way player Archie. The concern is the low EV scoring & goal differential.
ReplyDeleteCouturier I think is being unfairly panned though; he's a 2 way player as well who uses his size effectively but suffers the curse of the big man since he doesn't go out there looking to crunch anyone.
I still think it's Larsson at #1 with a bullet, after that though I'm not so sure, but Couturier is who I'd lean towards most likely.
If Couturier slides the someone may luck out at #5-7 avg laugh all the way to the podium.
Posting from a mobile device is proving more conversations than I originally anticipated.
ReplyDeleteuni RNH's +/- doesn't say that and this is on a defensive minded team. Also RNH's wingers have a lot to do with how he plays.
ReplyDeleteThe predictive ability of CHL scoring boxcar totals decreases as CHL players pass their 18 year old season (in my humble opinion).
ReplyDeleteNot saying that you're right or wrong, but that really isn't a matter of opinion.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletehoil,
ReplyDeletethanks for providing a little context on RNH. I am not yet convinced he is a better choice at #1 than Larsson or Landeskog (in that order) but at least I can see he is not a truly one-dimensional player.
fitriz - really athletic rice
RNH is probably the type.... Since we are pulling trite crap out of the Air.
ReplyDeleteMaybe RNH is like D. Gilmore. We will have to trade him for magic beans to get him out of town to avoid the public embarrasment. Good WHL boy and all.
SS: Okay it's my submission without support. :)
ReplyDeleteI know jack about any of this, but here's my two Canadian cents:
ReplyDelete1. The knock on Couturier is skating, no? He's big, skilled, and smart. But if he can't skate, he's more likely to be a decent offensive guy, a la Jason Allison, but not a great player.
And the problem with skating is that it's bloody brutally hard to fix it. So, his stock has fallen.
2. The knocks on the Nuge are goals and general scrawniness. His skating is pretty good and his skills are all world. And he's tall enough, just scrawny. The good thing about scrawniness is that it's fixable. (Though, not in all cases.) My guess is the reason the scouts are so high on the Nuge is that they think his lack of goals is partly explained by his scrawniness. If he can't outmuscle guys, it will cost goals, even in the CHL.
So, if it's true that the Nuge is more likely to get bigger than it is likely that Couturieh will get faster, then the Nuge is the better bet.
Landesdog is the safe bet to be a solid, excellent player, but the offense is questionable. (Not unlike MPS, no?)
So, I'd go:
1. Larsson
2. Nuge
3. Couturierierier
4. Landeskog
But I'm just spitting BS. I don't know anything.
To me SC just seems like the safer bet. He's got no glaring red flags, outside of the mumbling of a bunch of guys who seem to be wrong half the time.
ReplyDeleteRNH could be Drew Bledsoe, or Ryan Leaf.
Kris: Even if RNH ''Filled'' his body he wouldn't be that big in the NHL.
ReplyDeleteIf he's not having that much trouble now I don't know what his physical ''Ceiling'' would change.
As for the skating type, some guys have fixed it. Other guys just blowed it out of the water.
Apparently Brett Hull and Luc Robitaille couldn't skate.
God damit.
I don't think there is much chance of the oilers taking Couturier. Everyone from the president to the cleaning staff including the fans have never been able to tolerate heavy feet on this team. Indeed, we have had some very good, yet slow players over the years, but they always get run out of town. The organization and its fans seem to prefer speed even if skill is lacking. Couturier will likely be a decent NHL'er (sort of like a Spezza I think), but he won't last here. If Philly or NJ was picking first overall, perhaps those organizations would give him a little more love.
ReplyDeleteI think RNH will be a very good NHL'er too with first line potential. Landeskog may have a lower ceiling, but will definitely have a decent career. The biggest wildcard I see is Larsson. He could be that elusive 1D, or he could top out as a second or even third pairing guy which would be a difficult way to spend the prize for an entire year of futility. That is the nature of young blueliners. On the other hand, a true 1D is virtually unattainable except by draft. It is a risky bet if the Oilers decide to go that route. The safest pick is Landeskog, but I think you sacrifice a lot of potential that lies in a pick like RNH.
Regarding RNH size, toughness etc. In Hemsky's draft year, he suffered the same criticisms. "Undersized, skilled winger. Needs size and toughness" was the byline even after we drafted him. Hemsky always played tough before the draft in the Q, but his size seemed to attract that "needs toughness" criticism. I think we see some of that with RNH. "Needs toughness" is not something I think of when I watch RNH play. He's got plenty of size to be successful. There are other fair RNH criticisms though which have been hashed out above.
To me Couturier would make the more boring bet.
ReplyDelete*Then I make dumb comparisons to dudes from other sports*
Then lean back in my chair and have a sip of juice.
Now I will post some things that my quebec friend fpb does not like.
ReplyDelete"Sean Couturier will be a poor man's Chris Gratton." - Oilersnation
"This is awful hockey and I hate it and don't want to scout whatever it was I was sent to check on here." - every scout sent to watch the Q ever.
Now I will post some things that our western friend here SB won't like.
ReplyDelete''RNH will be a poor man's Robie Schremp''
-RDS.ca
''WHL, the number one source of pluggers''
-Bill Daly
''Every person in the western provinces has in average 1,2 tractors at home''.
-Stats Canada
If RNH does become a good NHL player. Taking a player who will get 20 or less goals in the top two is terrible Draft and team mgmt.
ReplyDeleteThere were 110 - 20 Goal scorers last year.
There were 24 30 goal scorers.
There were 58 - 25 Goal scorers.
There were 11 - 35 goal scorers.
I like the fact that we Have a potential 30 goal scorer in Eberle and potential 40 goal scorer in hall. Another Potential 40 Goal scorer would really help.
''Every person in the western provinces has in average 1,2 tractors at home''.
ReplyDelete-Stats Canada
I think you want to work the word "average" in there somewhere, even if it would make it less hilarious.
Archie, +/- isn't everything, and there's evidence (one of the concerns actually) that RNH plays mostly on the PP and PK.
ReplyDeleteFrom all the scouting reports he plays a smart 2 way game, and is committed defensively. Clearly not a one dimensional player.
FPB, Smarmy beat me to all the silly comparisons =).
I'm going with Larsson as the one with the no glaring red flags. A player that puts up the numbers he did as a 17 year old, then 'regressed' due to being recast as the go to shutdown defenseman (with Rundblad being force fed the premium offensive minutes and doing well with them) as a 18 year old, and putting up the season he did while coming back from a non-career impacting but nagging injury in the SEL is just awesome.
Add to the fact that he's now leading his team in ice-time in the SEL playoffs as an 18 year old and that puts him over the top. At the rate he's developing I'd say he a pretty good bet at #1 overall.