However, teams gather then guard the rights of good defensemen and never let them go until they have to; so, at 27 years old, Corey Potter found a nice spot with an NHL team in need of players just like him. Plus, Tom Renney is familiar with his play.
Corey Potter may or may not be a smart guy, but he made an extremely wise move when signing in Edmonton.
NHL Prediction for 11-12: 25, 0-5-5 (.200)
- You really think he'll play 25 games? I think he'll play more but can't figure a way to get Andy Sutton off the roster. I think he has a chance to have a career in Edmonton.
- What makes him better than someone like Alex Plante? Foot speed, mobility, experience. Even if he's just Plante at 27 that's a better plan. He had a strong training camp last fall with the Penguins and was in the mix for a roster spot deep into September.
- Is he a great skater? Reports have him being a good not great skater. That's usually the case with AHL defenders. Remember Richard Petiot? I think he's a little better than Petiot in terms of footpseed, but the reports I've read say "good skater."
- What are the clues you see in regard to him finding a home with the Oilers. He's 27 and has been learning on the job for years. He has been close to making a couple of better clubs (Rangers, Pens) and Renney knows him. As well, his two-way contract ($225k in the AHL, $525k in the NHL) means they can save money by keeping Potter and sending down one of the kids. He still has to play well and there are people in front of him, but this is a real chance to make a team that needs solid defenders with size, experience and the ability to play a 2-way game.
- Plus he's right-handed. I honestly don't know how big a deal it is, the team has Gilbert and Petry who are right handed and Barker can apparently play that side. However, if Potter can form an effective pairing with someone like Peckham or Sutton on the third pairing it could mean he cashes NHL paychecks all winter long.
- Who is he in competition with? Petry and Chorney and that's certain. If the Oilers make a decision to send down Chorney no matter the waiver worry AND want Petry to start in OKC then I think Potter has a job nailed down. The top 6D might be Whitney-Barker, Smid-Gilbert, Sutton-Peckham with Potter waiting for an injury. Potter wouldn't mind, buddy's cashing in big time.
- What is the outer marker for him as an Oiler? A mini-Staios. He doesn't have the resume of Staios, but brings some size, shot blocking, a good range of skills and a desire to have an NHL career. The coach knows him and the opportunity is there in a huge way. Massive opportunity.
I don't think there's any way Petry gets sent down. I'd like to say the same about Chorney but this management team fears the waiver wire like priests fear Linda Blair's bedroom. Unholy fear.
ReplyDeleteOne would hope a contract spot is more important than Chorney right now, but once again it's the waiver wire we're talking about.
Potter is going to have to display some serious competence to push out the older vet and a kid representing the future. I'm not all that certain they would send Potter up for injuries ahead of Teubert. Probably depends what kind of season the team is having.
Pretty disappointed that you've gone to a very strict posting policy, LT. Twice one of my comments has been deleted by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI hope that there is another, more benign, explanation rather than the deletion of any comment counter to the prevailing winds.
Ironically, the word verification is "mathelas".
No, it was deleted because of the tone of the post. In the next few months I'll be going to a different format and the restrictions will be even more severe.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to post respectful thoughts, all are welcome. When you begin to take shots then posts will be deleted.
I would hope they keep Petry up as well - but in doing so he needs to play and not be the 7th d-man in the pressbox.
ReplyDeleteGiven the injury history the last few years on the blue, having a Potter available in OKC is a good thing.
One thing I'm anxious to see though is what happens with a team like Nashville that's lost some defensive depth (Franson traded, Bouillion looking like his career could be over due to concussion).
They may be one of those teams scouring the waiver wire come late September, early October.
Fair enough. It's your sandbox, to do with what you will. It was fun to read - thanks!
ReplyDeleteAs an aside, might I suggest that you have some sort of blog rules page that could spell out what sorts of posts you will no longer accept. Perhaps a focus on what kinds of disagreements are permitted on your blog would be helpful, and what to do when someone disagrees with one of your premises. It will cut down on confusion. But these are merely suggestions.
Sure, good suggestions. As an aside, I spent the day in Vancouver with my son checking out old timey games. He bought an NES and some games, wants to know how "retro" feels.
ReplyDeleteSuspect you're one of the few who could relate to a teenager wanting to see the past. :-)
Tell your son to check out this game. It was my brother's system, but I loved playing this (as it was the only strategy game available and it took 13 hours to play). I don't know that I will ever forget that little grey box.
ReplyDeleteAnd good on ya for setting the bar high for this season. There are other places to carry out less cerebral discussions readily accessible.
subli - almost sublime
Wait, are we going to have to be constructive from now on? Bummer.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of a civil place. IMO since LT started posting at Oilers Nation, there has been a difference group come to this blog as well. Changed it and not for the better IMO.
ReplyDeleteDisagreements are fine, disrespect is not again IMO..
LT: I still got my Genesis and my old grey box too.
ReplyDeleteHope he's a tough gamer.
There's the term NES hard for a reason.
(Some games have less than 100 world wide completions, and one less than 10)
IMO it would be a shame to lose Chorney, who is still developing, in order to keep Sutton around. I know his math isn't great, but one has to consider that the goalies and overall team performance have greatly contributed to numbers which may be somewhat jaded. Obviously he knows it's his to lose or gain come TC, just hope it isn't because Sutton is in the way.
ReplyDeleteAside: since some blog clean-up is in the works, it'd be considerate if some of us used less 'f' bombs as there is a younger readership following LT's solid work . . .
I'm thinking that Nobunaga's Ambition is not one of those 100 games fpv. Since I think I finished it once or twice.
ReplyDeleteSutton is the new Smid. ;-)
expyossi - the word that wasn't considered 'vowelly' enough for a Mary Poppins song.
Glorious LT, Glorious fellow commentators. It is with great respect for all that I offer the following thought.
ReplyDeleteI am pretty happy to see that we have some options in defence. I know that we are talking moderate depth and are focusing on the 5th, 6th, and 7th positions, but its better than we have seen over the last couple of years (I think).
More obsequiousness bookie, or I shall report you to the Grand Inquisitor. Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition, after all!
ReplyDeleteOrthis really
ReplyDeleteWait, are we going to have to be constructive from now on? Bummer.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're hooped Steve. Yes, that does mean what I think it means.
I am glad you are going to be changing some of the ground rules around her LT.
ReplyDeleteI have often marvelled at your self control in tolerating some of the posting that has happened here in the past and wondered why you let it pass.
Looking forward to LT 2.0
Bar Qu:
ReplyDeleteNeither do they expect this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb0sjPwaekc
Comments from Cam Barker are a couple days old but I hadn't seem them posted.
ReplyDeleteNice post LT-I had overlooked Mr.Potter thinking he was just an AHL depth player.
Also the nation radio broadcast is up over at ON-an allstar lineup with Stu Mac and comments from Ryan Whitney and his health.
edit-it appears there is some techincal difficulties with the ON broadcast-currently just the Stu Mac interview is posted. I'm sure that Wanye fellow will get it sorted out-we know he has a lot on his plate.
ReplyDeleteChorney I hope stays on the team, because he looks a lot like Jack Torrance.
ReplyDeleteI'd be careful anytime the team goes to the mountains, however.
Keep Chorney up and make him look good (give him PP until he seems like the next MAB), and trade him. Then use Petry or Potter in the bigs, the other on call up.
ReplyDeleteHe is not going to outpace Petry, and there shouldn't be Chorney, Petry and Gilbert on any team that has pretenses.
Chorney still has a shot, and likely still has value to a degree. If they trifle he will lose value and others will be hampered in development as they juggle around trying to keep players they really don't even want.
Get active ST, make some choices and maximize your assets.
Bar Qu-Amongst our weapons are fear (of the OK), Surpise (Teddy Peckham) and a fanatical devotion to Tambo.....
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome Coach
ReplyDeleteMore severe?
ReplyDeletewhat does that even mean?
Outside of the fact that you'll have about 15-20 posters left unless the Oilers are actually good this year. I mean.