Chorney is in exactly the same spot as Theo Peckham a year ago. In a dogfight for an NHL job in the coming training camp, with an ace up his sleeve.
Chorney can't clear waivers. It's been an ongoing battle for the Oilers over the years to let go the coat on their kids. Deslauriers, Jacques, you name it, these kids hung around for a few paydays because the Oilers couldn't make the decision on them. In the Oiler decision making process, "tweener" looks like silver and gold.
Looking back over the 01-07 draft picks who have been sent away, none of the kids who washed out in Edmonton (except for Rob Schremp, this generation's Phil Esposito) have gone on to stardom, we can hope the Oilers are gaining some nerve with these fellows.
Peckham won a job last fall despite not being a clear winner in the race. Chorney is going to have to come from a ways back too, what with the Oilers adding a similar talent (Cam Barker) to the skilled blue already in the system. A reasonable guess at the NHL depth chart might go like this:
- Ryan Whitney
- Tom Gilbert
- Ladislav Smid
- Cam Barker
- Andy Sutton
- Theo Peckham
- Taylor Chorney
- Jeff Petry
- Colten Teubert
- Alex Plante
- Age 21: 68gp, 5-16-21 -29
- Age 22: 32gp, 4-9-13 -20
- Age 23: 46gp, 3-13-16 -1
Like every kid who has arrived here since 2006 spring, Chorney would have been helped immeasurably by a veteran presence at his side.
As it stands right now, Petry (if he doesn't totally shit the bed) will make the team because he is one of two right handed Dman, Gilbert being the other.
ReplyDeleteChorney is driving a Pinto in a Nascar race. He's getting passed by. OKC could use whatever vet experience he brings. They'll have a lot of young 'uns down there as it is.
Unless he wins a job at TC outright and clearly - you put him on waivers and send him down. If he's picked up - no loss - it opens up a contract slot and without a doubt there will be better players available than Taylor Chorney since we pick first.
ReplyDeleteWay OT.
ReplyDeleteBut...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0xxIdPAE9E
... far more interesting than Taylor Chorney.
Whitney, Gilbert, Barker & Petry do what Chorney does but better & with size! Peckham, Sutton & Smid add the toughness with size, I think there's been inquiries about Chorney & the Oilers know they can move him in the fall if need be & I think he'll be moved then. Otherwise he would be useful piece of the puzzle at OKC.
ReplyDeleteIs that an Israeli kid? Wow. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteIs this the new hockey Jesus?
ReplyDeletelol. I think he's faster than Schremp.
ReplyDeleteHockey Moses might be more appropriate.
ReplyDeleteMoses was fast on the straightaways but turned like Mike Grier.
ReplyDeleteLT
ReplyDeleteYou are faster than Robbie Schremp and are 25+ years older
Moses was fast on the straightaways but turned like Mike Grier.
ReplyDeleteCogliano's nickname was Moses?
Petry's already passed Chorney on my chart.
ReplyDeleteChorney seems like a really nice guy and I wish the best for him but I just have no use for him on this team.
That was my first time watching that Schrembatov goal with the sound up. Maybe that guy could replace Loubardias on the Flames games.
I've got Petry ahead of a number of players on my depth chart, and I'm in shock at how often he gets left off of projected Oiler lineups. Not only is he one of two right shot defensemen in the system who are NHL ready (unless Teubert has a superb camp), but he's probably among the top 4-5 defensemen on ability as well.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I think you are 100% right that this team has made a habit of keeping undeserving players on the roster out of camp on account of their waiver eligibility. Chorney could very well start the year on the Oilers with Petry in OKC, but I have little doubt that Petry cements himself as a permanent NHL defenseman as the season goes on.