Sabourin's family moved to Blind River ("Long May You Run") at age 14 (1958) and less than a decade later was getting beaten about the face and hands by legends like John Ferguson. He hung in there for the expansion Blues and earned a solid NHL career. He played in the first three expansion Stanley's.
Gary Sabourin was once traded for Stan Weir.
--
Alex Giroux has been reassigned to OKC and has a chance to win the goal scoring championship (as does Colin McDonald). I was happy for Giroux, as he got his opportunity to show what he can do, and by eye he looks a little slow for the NHL game.
--
Stu "Magnificent Bastard" MacGregor is getting recognized! Pretty cool. Here's one major difference between MBS and previous scouting director's: he lives in Kamloops, pure junior hockey territory. Mexico is for vacations when you're a hockey man.
--
Liam Reddox has enjoyed an extended period of NHL time and has delivered as expected: lots of energy, a motor that won't quit and shy on the offensive side. The Oilers will eventually replace him, but I think it's pretty clear the coach likes speed (Reddox) over muscle (Stortini) on the 4line at this time. I believe the Oilers will address the size issue during the summer, having made their decision on the current group that includes Stortini and Jacques.
--
Edmonton has lost seven straight games and they've lost by a combined 30-7 score. Here are the injury lists for the two teams:
- Blues — C Patrik Berglund (lower body), D Carlo Colaiacovo (illness), questionable; D Barret Jackman (finger), LW Alex Steen (ankle), C Vladimir Sobotka (foot) and LW David Perron (concussion), out.
- Oilers — LW JF Jacques (foot), questionable; D Ryan Whitney (ankle), LW Taylor Hall (ankle), RW Ales Hemsky (shoulder), C Sam Gagner (hand), C Shawn Horcoff (ankle), RW Gilbert Brule (concussion), C Colin Fraser (foot) and D Kurtis Foster (neck), out.
Good Morning LT,
ReplyDeleteDoes Jacques fit in the long term plans of this team? I am not 100% sure which direction the team is going with Jacques.
JFJ is back! Plan the parade!!
ReplyDeleteSeems to me that the ship should have sailed on him a while back but first OTC and now (possibly) management has stuck by him.
Would be very dissapointed if we have to see him playing in EDM again next season.
Will watch to see the kids play as that's all that's left.
OKC has signed Brandon Davidson to an ATO contract for rest of the season. Will be nice for him to get his feet wet.
ReplyDeleteGuys like JFJ skating in the league are probably what pisses guys like Giroux off.
ReplyDeleteSure Giroux isn't built for the NHL (too slow, cheats too much, useless defensively) but he's a helluva lot better than a guy like JFJ who's only abilities right now are skating and being big. Too bad he can't do anything else like take/make a pass, contribute offensively/defensively.
I really appreciate Reddox, because he brings exactly what you expect him to bring, and that's more than can be said of most of the Oilers' role-players.
ReplyDeleteColin Fraser - 3rd or 4th line centreman brought in to win a few faceoffs and kill penalties, but can do neither.
Steve MacIntyer - "Nuclear Deterent" who rarely fights, and intimidates even less.
JFJ - big, fast, player with some skill, who uses his speed to get to the wrong place consistently, hits and fights no one, and scores once every two months.
Stortini - light heavyweight agitator who couldn't fight his way out of a paper bag, and who is more likely to amuse the opposition than agitate them.
The fourth line role-player type is supposedly the easiest to find on the free agent market. Too bad management fails in that area too.
Why does everyone think that when the team gets better, there won't be room for a guy like Reddox on the fourth line? Chicago had one of the deepest forward groups in recent memory, and still had room for Colin Fraser on their fourth line. The idea of a championship calibre fourth liner is an oxymoron. They might as well keep Reddox around; one less warm body to try to fill a hole with.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteInteresting from the Terry Jones article is that it sounded like they would still do BPA for the first pick. Thats a good sign.
ReplyDeleteWe should be hearing some positive press about Larsson soon after MBS just scouted him for the last week. The trickle down of information that is.
I've got a surefire way to get Giroux to skate better/faster. Make him practice with a stick that isn't three metres long. He won't be able to shoot the puck but he'll have to skate a lot more to get to it.
ReplyDeleteNice writeup on Stu there. Interesting to read how many viewings that they actually get of these guys. It's going to get interesting come draft time!
Interesting to look at some of the guys that might be available with the LA pick.
ReplyDeleteI really like Nathan Beaulieu. ISS has him at 23. A 6'3" D that plays with St John in the Q. 65 GP 45 pts +44 52 PIM. I saw him good at the Prospects game.
At C there are two Swedes - Victor Rask and Joachim Nermark (ranked 28 and 29 by ISS). Rask has really slid but has size and can win a faceoff. With two scouts in Sweden the Oilers might grab one of these guys.
ISS has Colin Jacobs at 26. He is 6'2" and plays C but only has 44pts in 68 games. He had over 100PIM last year but only has 69 this year. He must be a projection pick based on size and grit.
There are a bunch of smaller players. Sven Bartschi is 5'10" is 15th in WHL scoring with 85 pts and has 74 PIM. Dan Catonacci is ranked 20th but is 5'9" with 71pts and 117 PIM. Ty Rattie is 5'11" with 79 pts +20 and 55 PIM.
Is it June yet?
Ducey: I wonder if any of those players slide to the 2nd round?
ReplyDeleteJF Jacques is a very exciting player, brought in by the Kevin Lowe braintrust to shore up some of the issues brought on by some of the undersized players on the Edmonton Oilers.
ReplyDelete"Crazy Train" was known and loved by the AHL Hamilton Bulldog crowd where he first honed his skills before joining up with the big club, where he's managed to shine to this day.
No Oiler game is complete without a patented Jacques pasting into the boards - often to a member of his own team!
Ducey: I wonder if any of those players slide to the 2nd round?
ReplyDeleteOh sure. There are still playoffs and interviews etc. The small guys likely will slide.
The teams will have guys they like more or less than ISS does.
Ducey: I agree. I think, assuming the Oil keep their picks, they'll walk away from the first 2 rounds with 3 quality prospects.
ReplyDelete"Finally 30th place is in sight. Let's not blow this!"
ReplyDeleteKevin Lowe
"Sure Giroux isn't built for the NHL (too slow, cheats too much, useless defensively) but he's a helluva lot better than a guy like JFJ who's only abilities right now are skating and being big. Too bad he can't do anything else like take/make a pass, contribute offensively/defensively."
ReplyDeleteDon Cherry's lapdog was making a similar point on HNIT last Saturday while trying to sound smarter than Kelly Hrudey. Except his example of a defensively deficient and slow - but talented - FW was Jason Allison vs a My New NHL full of guys who could skate really well but not accomplish much else.
eiver hope for this team's success next year, then someone needs to throw cold water in my face.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that there is a space for Reddox on a regular basis on this team speaks to how poorly constructed the team is (depthwise). I would love to see him back next year as an alternate 4th liner, but not as a day-in-day out guy.
Ribs you and I were thinking the same thing. He doesn't flex his knees enough when he skates and therefore ultimately has a shorter range of motion in transferring power to the ice and resulting in slower speeds.
ReplyDeleteIt's why you tell kids to keep both hands on their stick when you teach them to skate as it puts them into a good skating position.
In reading Jones' piece on Christ I was once again flummoxed by how many references there are to a guy in Lowe who is supposedly no longer the GM;)
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad one of the bloggers and/or freer thinkers doesn't have a radio show or something like that because you might able to get the bottom of this;)
BTW, I don't know what the SC's say about him but at first blush I don't mind 85 sticking around as a 4th line winger and PKer. It seems like he's done a fine job in that role and that's not something to throw away.
Now, if it's say 56 vs 85 for a fourth line job then I''m certainly with the Finn but I don't think you sit 85 just for the fuck of it either.
Gene's lines...
ReplyDeleteJones-Cogliano-Eberle
Paajarvi-Reddox-Omark
Jacques-Fraser-Hartikainen
MacIntyre-VandeVelde-O'Marra
Foster out. Strudwick to D.Khabby starts.
CrazyCoach - Do you think it's fixable? I imagine he's been doing it for his entire life with pretty good results. Just not good enough for the NHL. You'd think it would be a very hard thing to get away from.
ReplyDeleteWIth that lineup in mind:
ReplyDeleteSt. Louis -130 to win in regulation.
Aside from the colorado tilt, I've been dropping sizeable bets on guaranteed losers and it's really paying off.
Figure maybe they could get 2 wins in their last 11. Aside from that they should lose in regulation. Thanks woodguy! This is easy money.
PD,
ReplyDeleteCF was the fifth center and rarely played in the cup run, ie. played no significant minutes.. i thought this was common knowledge by now?!..
wrt reddox.. I was sour on him pre-season, but he has earned a spot at tryouts.. and good on him if he continues to make it.. when the day comes that he isnt good enough I will not be upset..
ReplyDeleteRIBS they say that John Ferguson had such atrocious skating when he got to the bigs that the Habs made him work every day with a skating coach because they knew he could be a good player with a little skating work.
ReplyDeleteIn Giroux's case, it is possible to change his habits, but it would require pretty much the entire offseason working with a skating coach every day to see some improvements. When I started coaching I had the privilege of working with a skating coach, whose background was in figure skating and she taught me stuff and exercises to do that totally improved my stride.
Anything is possible
Maudite: you should also do a little sprinkle on the Oilers opponents on the puckline.
ReplyDeleteI figure the Oilers might win when Minny visits but I can't see another real chance at a win outside of that game.
Is Gary Sabourin of any relation to former Oilers farmhand Dany Sabourin?
ReplyDeleteCrazyCoach: Either you have a player who understands the history of the game and has a deep desire to improve(Orr, Hall), or else an organisation adept at identifying player development(like the habs with Ferguson).
ReplyDeleteWhat we have seen from Kevin Lowe is the drunk at the blackjack table - starting out neither winning and losing, followed by a run of luck(2006 playoffs), then when the odds inevitably start shifting towards the house wilder and wilder bets, in a bid to recover the losses.
The Lowe era has shown little if any ability to develop players, or identifying anything from prospects other than their past draft pedigree.
Hunter aside from Lowe's ineptitude, I was merely asked my opinion on re-training skaters.
ReplyDeleteI'm far beyond Lowe's idiocy and have resolved myself to knowing that as long as he is with the team, there will be no sustained improvements.
CrazyCoach - Well, let's just hope that it's in the plans then. I think he could be pretty useful with some speed and agility added to his game.
ReplyDeleteNice pass there from the blue and some giddyup from the Finn. Would have been a real nice first NHL goal.
ReplyDeleteFeed:
ReplyDeletehttp://comoblueswebsite.yolasite.com/
well, if you are in last, you might as well charlestown chief it up.
ReplyDeleteAre the Hanson brothers making an appearance tonite?
ReplyDelete"they give you one call, see they give you one call and then they book you".
Call the pizza man!"
Thanks Marc.
ReplyDeletenot many people watching i guess. Montreal vs Boston, march madness, lots to watch tonight.
ReplyDeleteOn the Oil, a few things I see. Hartikanen has a non stop motor. Fans will love him next year. He may not have Penner's hands, but he brings a lot of physical play with actual NHL skill and knowhow. If they don't move Cogs or Gagner, I would go with this lineup next year
Hall-Horcoff-Eberle
Hartikanen-Gagner-Hemsky
MPS-Lander-Omark
Jones/Hamilton-Cogliano-Reddox
2 tough minutes line, the all swede line and the 4th line would be a solid checking line and could play against anyone. allows us to roll 4 lines, and all of them are penalty killers, which is what you need from your bottom lines.
Gilbert's all over the place. Looks like a junior guy playing beer league out there.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see that Smid is getting some veteran respect with the refs these days.
The 50's kids look pretty good.
Interesting article on the Magnificent Bastard. Does Lowe get any credit for hiring him or does that fall under the heading of "too little, too late?"
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to note that Lowe gets criticism both for poor trades AND poor contracts while Tambi seems to only get it on the contract side so far (ReKhab's deal as witness for the prosecution). Wonder if that's just a case of not enough time passing to properly evaluate Tambi's trade returns OR a reflection of the fact that he simply isn't active enough on the trade market to make himself a target for criticism?
The Penner deal seems to be the first one where the blogosphere expressed any real disappointment with a Tambo trade with Whitney for Visnosvky a lesser criticism at the time. It IS hard to point to a deal that he's made that has made the club markedly better.
If we could enlarge Omark and clone him, we'd have a reasonable facsimile of the piss cutters.
ReplyDeletewow. 7-0 bruins beating down the habs.
ReplyDeleteThat Teemu has no fear. I love it. Goodbye JFJ!
ReplyDeletewarcist: A person that hates wars...duh
As an Oiler fan, one trade that I found particularly aggravating this year was the Neal and Niskanen deal for Gologoski. To quote Nieuwendyk.
ReplyDelete"It's definitely a risk, but I think it moves an asset from an area of strength (left wing) to get an asset in an area of weakness (defense)."
Oh I can only imagine what it must be like to have a GM that actually sees areas of need and addresses them (Shero, Yzerman, Niewy, and yes, even Slats).
Would the Penguins have considered Penner and either Smid or Peckham for Gologoski? Seems a pretty similar package but we'll never know because A) Dallas beat us to the punch & B) Oil mgmt. is all about creating holes in the lineup not filling them.
damn. i changed channel. was there a fight to end period?
ReplyDeleteweak goal
ReplyDeleteWell...They kind of gave up there.
ReplyDeleteNo support anywhere on the ice. Hard to get shots when it's one on five every time. Eberle and Paajarvi shut right down.
Why did VandeVelde disappear? I was liking his moxie.
Khabibulin appeared to be one of those beer league players I was talking about earlier.
I wish we had someone who knew what the heck Omark is doing out there. He's on another level with his play making.
Paajarvi needs to settle down on the point if he wishes to stay there on the power play. Dump it into a corner if you're feeling rushed. There's no shame in that (until that becomes your only play, anyway).
danny said...
ReplyDeleteIf we could enlarge Omark and clone him, we'd have a reasonable facsimile of the piss cutters.
Except for the actually putting the puck in the net part.
Wow, it's getting bad. Oilers had more shots that third period (2) than this thread had comments (1).
ReplyDeleteNot much to say, is there?
Ribs: In defense of Paajarvi, I think he's trying to do too much (force the play) from the point on the PP. Nice that he try's, but it's happened several times and you're right - he needs to dump it deep.
ReplyDeleteBut this is what happens when you have a team who's best offensive weapons are injured.
Realistically, 6 or 7 of the forwards in tonite's lineup should not even be there opening nite 2011-12. This is worse than the end of the 06-07 season now.
Bruce, the minute Hall went down, I ran out of things to say.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I get half way through a comment and then think "Why Bother"
DSF, ignoring the fact that I stated two impossible qualifiers, namely enlarging, and cloning Omark, your half assed attempt at a quip is still pretty brutal. Daniel Sedin scored a blistering 0.11 goals per game his rookie season. Omark is at 0.7...
ReplyDeleteSo now your turn, get your hands on an enlarger and cloning device, so that you can really make me look foolish 10 years from now when the Omarks don't win back to back Hart trophies. Boy will my face be red!!
that's .07 above of course.
ReplyDeleteRibs, I know what you mean. Giroux has some nice skills, but unfortunately, skating is one of the base skills you need to play this game. He is almost there, but so far away. He's probably heard that his whole career going back to pee wee so it's not like he hasn't been told.
ReplyDeleteThat big Finn has impressed me so far. Sixth round you don't say.
ReplyDeleteNext year country lives on in Oiler land
Dennis:
ReplyDeleteYeah it's pretty nuts. I'm not an avid sports better or anything but they just aren't handicapping them near enough to not put cash down.
I stayed away from that colorado game, thought they should win but they do suck almost as bad as us. I loaded up really heavy on that phoenix game and after that, just been looking at it like even if the odds get to 2:1 I couldn't see that team win anything more than two games (I would be considering an OT loss about as likely as a win).
Odds aren't yet that bad and even there, figure I could be up pretty solid even with 4 wins in the last 11. Hoping to be up around 2G by seasons end.
Betting
ReplyDeleteMedium on Calgary
Heavy on LA
Low on Minne
See what the odds are on the Canucks (might not be worth the bother, except go with some long balls on first to score and what not)
Hope Calgary is still in the hunt...bet heavy on that one
Hopefully I'll be at my target prior to those last two meaningless games.
Wow, it's getting bad. Oilers had more shots that third period (2) than this thread had comments (1).
ReplyDeleteIt's quite sad, actually.
They expect anyone to want to watch this crap?
ReplyDeleteSo if LA wins the cup with Penner, why can't we trade Vish and 3.0 and maybe we'll finally get back to the playoffs at least.
ReplyDeleteThis trading of our better players over the last few years is getting old.
Probably the lowest number we've seen comments-wise and I usually chip in anywhere from 5 to 10 but I didn't even watch last night's game.
ReplyDeleteI'll watch tomorrow night's game because even though I can't see this team beating anyone it would be nice to put another nail in the Flames playoff chances.
On Tues they play the Kings and I like watching LA play so I'll check out that one as well.
But there's no way I can watch next Thurs versus the Wild.
This is Oakland Seals hockey, or Washington Capitals when they were new. I remember one year the Caps were on HNIC against the Leafs.
ReplyDeleteOpening faceoff, Dave Keon pushes it behind the Caps center and the Washington blue (Greg Joly and someone) were too far apart to catch the speedy Keon.
1-0 Leafs. This current Oilers group is an extreme nadir. I keep wondering how season ticket sales are going.
Being a seasong ticket holder right now is a lot like spending time with that obnoxiously rude and terribly bitter older relative that everyone hates. You know that there could be a great payoff for it after a while, but you don't know if paying for it now is worth it and you cant trust the relative not to f*** you in the end anyways.
ReplyDeleteI don't know. Being a season ticket holder of this team seems awfully similar to paying someone to punch you in the face.
ReplyDeleteAnd then charge you 8 bucks for a 1 dollar drink.
I am a season ticket holder (don't laugh...just call me a lemming) and called the Oilers office yesterday. The first deadline to renew was March 19th (to get things like Oiler bucks...final deadline is the end of April I believe). Anyway, they are presently between 80-90% renewals and they are higher than they were at the same time last year (and I believe they told me last year rewnewals were in the 95-97% range after the final deadline).
ReplyDeleteThey also said they had a staff meeting a few days ago and got to see renditions of the new arena from the inside.
I've figured out the secret to being a season ticket holder:
ReplyDeleteBuy the cheapest seats possible (nosebleeds, $2600 per pair).
Split these four ways - my cost, $650.
Find a buddy to take the other seat for my 11 games. My cost is down to $325.
2% discount for paying in a lump sum saves me $50. My cost is $275.
Keep the $200 in oilers bucks all to myself. My cost is $75.
That sounds about right for 11 games of Oilers hockey.
I had this thought the other night and I think it holds a lot of water.
ReplyDeleteRight now the Oilers and the org resemble Saturday Night Live in a couple of instances.
First off, I still watch SNL because I have ever since I was old enough to be able to stay awake until the end of the program. It's part of what I used to do and something that was really important and even though there's maybe 15 funny min tops out of the 50 odd of content, it's a tradition that I keep.
The same can be said of watching the Oilers because it's not really enjoyable no matter how you cut it. Yeah, the three kids are fun to watch and 23 can be entertaining now 56 looks like someone to follow but is really worth your time? After five straight years of being out of the playoffs and numerous suspect trades and signings I don't think anyone could answer that with a resounding yes.
yet, it's still tradition and I can't pull away.
The more bang-on comparison is how both institutions live in the past and are extremely self-referential.
Have you never noticed how many specials NBC run about SNL? There must be five or six a year and if they aren't producing new ones then they're running old ones. My thought is if that the new players and writers were better then they wouldn't need to try and come up with reasons why you should still stick with the program.
Both institutions are quick to remind you of how great they Used to be but tense is what's important.
And, who knows, Lorne Micheals might be just as big of a problem at SNL as is Lowe with the Oilers.
Note: this would be much better if Pat Laforge was GM because then I could go old school and say, "it's time for mediocrity, that's Pat.":)
just like tambs at the deadline... much to your chagrin, I COULNDT FREAKIN STAND PAT.
ReplyDeleteIt's spring, the Oilers are no longer a springtime hockey team, life is too short and all the other platitudes.
ReplyDeleteI think I enjoyed this season until last year sometime, lol.
ReplyDeleteLT - a distraction is needed.
ReplyDeleteHow about the Oilers team of the decade for the Zeros?
You are lyrical in describing the 2006 team, why don't we see if there is a good NHL team by cherry picking the best Oilers from that decade?
Something to talk about. My friend and I managed to pull together a Top 100 NHL list by the second period of the Colorado game last Saturday, and we were sitting in the Coliseum.
Have a great weekend!
Right now the Oilers and the org resemble Saturday Night Live in a couple of instances.
ReplyDeleteThe games need more cowbell.
I think I'll purchase the 10 greates Oiler games and watch one every 12 or 14 days until training camp.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I am a fan, I also admit to being a freeloader. I could never comprehend people shelling out $100+ for a night of NHL hockey more than once a year. There are just so many other ways of spending money that are much more enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteI would suspect that if everyone were like me, the average NHL salary would be about $200,000 or so.
Note, I am not being critical of those who do shell out the cash - I presume that you are just more dedicated fans than I am. I waste my money on stupid things elsewhere...
LT:
ReplyDeleteI've notice you drop the name Greg Joly on more than one occasion on your blog and I've always been tempted to share a quick story with you...
Greg Joly is a first cousin to my father-in-law. I have been in the family for over a decade and have been to many family functions where Greg was in attendance but it was only recently that I even became aware that he was once a hockey player. His complete failure as a first overall pick and unceremonious departure from the game has had an almost gag-order-like effect on how the family talks about him and his former life. It just is not talked about. At all.
Several other boys from that family were drafted and seemed destined to play in Regina and then onto La Belle Province, none got quite as far as Greg though. When stories of days gone by and old time hockey get told around the barbeque plenty of good stuff can be heard. Weird though, none of the stories involve Greg. As a relative newcomer to the family I still find it odd that Greg gets no headlines, no fanfare whatsoever.
-Woody in the 403
The last couple of years I find myself watching the Pens almost as much as the Oil and like Dennis, wonder how much longer this SNL habit of watching the Oil can last if they don't start delivering some competitiveness and entertainment value in return?
ReplyDeleteI'm onboard with restocking the org with quality picks and by the end of the coming draft, I think it's fair to expect the bulk of that ground work to be laid. If next season is more Oil Change PR / Promise of Youth revisited(i.e. another season of suckage), this team gets relegated to a cursory past-time for me. And that's a fan since 78 talking.
There is too much value in the coming free agent crop of d-men for Tambi to not fill the gaping holes on the blue. If they break camp with another turnstile D next year, I can't watch it. There's being a fan and then there's being a glutton for punishment.
Courtesy of DZ here's last night's chances summary.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mc79hockey.com/?p=3614#comment-317115
As much as I'd like to be wrong, I don't think we can view recent developments with any kind of eye towards the Oilers trying to compete next year.
ReplyDelete6-77-49-58 should be constants on the D as should 5 and most likely Larsson.
So, there won't be a lot of improvement there unless Larsson's outstanding and 49-58 make huge jumps.
Up front you have 10-89 down the middle plus the three kids on the wing and most likely 23 as well. So that's six forwards and add 28 and 56 and that makes eight. Do you think the Oilers have spent all this time on 13 only to let him go? Me neither so that makes nine forwards.
Hamilton or Lander probably also make the club so there's 10 guys.
So, exactly how much better will we be next year?
somewhere between 20-22nd in the league?
Things are looking dark again standings-wise for next year and one huge injury or a stagnation in development from 4 or 14 and it's dark for years to come.
You take a chance when you deal off real players for hopes and wishes along with the fact that the org is viewed so negatively league-wide that you can't add to the team in the UFA market unless you're passing out massive overpays.
Dennis,
ReplyDeleteDo you think V.03 would overpay UFA's on short term contracts in order to bring the unwilling to Edmonton?
If the roster breaks down like you think, we are fucked for at least 1if not 2 more years. I wonder if the sheep will stop buying tickets and merchandise in that case.
As a dude that has watched Curtis Hamilton play 70+ live over the past few years.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking he would really benefit from playing in the AHL for at least half a season.
I'd love to see him get an NHL shot next year but I'd rather see him succeed for the long term then get pasted in the NHL for the chuckle fucks.
Too bad they can't farm out the good young players to real NHL teams, to help the tank and not fuck up development.
ReplyDeletePS: To whoever wrote "a distraction is needed": Following professional hockey/sports isn't already that?
Harper's gov't fell today on a non-confidence vote over that Contempt of Parliament thingy.
ReplyDeleteSo the taxpayers get to pony up more money for another election which will resolve absolutely nothing in a choice between a Wet Blanket (Ignatieff) who wants to spend a lot more of our money and Dead Fish (Harper) who doesn't necessarily want to spend more of our money, but doesn't think he owes it to us to tell us on what he is spending presently.
Yay us.
Watch the Quebec arena become an issue in this election, unbelievably.
And in other news the Oilers continue to suck.
Calgary is in a dire situation right now, but four of their six remaining games are against the Oilers and two other Elvis impersonators. Assuming Calgary wins those four games (7 points might be par on that line card), their W-L moves to +13 which is right around the cut line. If Anaheim fails to do the dirty deed, there's a good chance they finish the season playing Vancouver for the right to play Vancouver.
ReplyDeleteMy brother says that Calgary is not his preferred first round matchup, so Vancouver might take a look at seedings and decide not to fold the tent with one foot on Calgary's neck.
I think I could watch a Calgary season-ending elimination game. Haven't seen one yet in 2011.
Just to clarify, my brother thinks Vancouver would be happiest to match up against a small, skilled, disciplined team lacking in elite power forwards. They're a little short of size on D.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to predict the Oiler's success next season. Management might surprise us by doing the obvious. Then where would we be?
I still say Rexall Place will never see another playoff game. That's the equal and opposite obvious.
DMW
ReplyDeleteI think you meant 2 more against the Oil and 2 against bottom feeders Col and STL.
But the Canucks and Ducks games effectively seal their fate.
hubalitt - so much written about nothing important at all
Rodeo Queens have almost no hope of making the playoffs.
ReplyDeleteSo the taxpayers get to pony up more money for another election which will resolve absolutely nothing in a choice between a Wet Blanket (Ignatieff) who wants to spend a lot more of our money and Dead Fish (Harper) who doesn't necessarily want to spend more of our money, but doesn't think he owes it to us to tell us on what he is spending presently.
ReplyDeleteWell if the election changes nothing then Canadians are dumb pieces of shit.
And the tired CPC line that the liberals will be even worse doesn't excuse their total shittiness.
Personally, I'd rather see a bunch of politicians and their bankster friends hanging from trees but people don't seem ready for that sort of change.
SB: Well i'd prefer changing. Stephen Harper is a new kind of moron, making us look like absolute idiots internationally, while having feodal views like creationism and being against abortion for religous reasons.
ReplyDeletesomewhere between 20-22nd in the league?
ReplyDeleteThings are looking dark again standings-wise for next year and one huge injury or a stagnation in development from 4 or 14 and it's dark for years to come.
Dennis,
I think you are looking at 83 until the deadline as well. No one will pay much for him at the draft given his recent surgery.
Getting rid of or minimizing Struds, 2, and Foster should help the D. More games from DD might result in better goaltending. Actual size and talent on the third and 4th line should be nice to watch too. Some health for 6 will help a lot.
Having said all of that, I think your estimate of a finish in the 20-22 range is too optimistic.
They will likely finish this year giving up 80 more goals than they score. There will be improvement from the younger players, but this will be offset by the loss of Penner for a full year. The loss of Hemsky post trade deadline next year is a wash. The guy never plays a full season anyway.
With a healthy Hemsky and keeping Penner they might have made it to 20th next year. It might make the games a little more watchable, but it actually hurts the rebuild. Look at COL and STL.
This will be a lottery pick team again next year.
pboy,
Which FA's are going to come on this overpay scheme? Last year they were turned down by the likes Neil, Boogaard and Maholtra. Those are just the ones we know of.
The time is right for a new millionare, presented with the challenge of wasting a mass fortune in order to recieve an even larger fortune, enters the fray on a platform of "None of the Above"
ReplyDeleteI think he would win.
bologne or yoga flyers would also be acceptable ballot stuffers.
*monis* White trashified ebonics for: sufficiently prepared to accomplish a requested task.