Thursday, September 22, 2011

PS G3: Canucks at Oilers

Tonight's game between the Oilers and Vancouver will be the first real showcase for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in front of the fanbase. Although the lineups haven't been published yet, season ticket holders didn't get to see his first preseason game and it seems reasonable they'd get their chance in game 2.

Shawn Horcoff and Sam Gagner should also play tonight and based on Taylor Hall's comments about being rusty there's a chance he plays too.

One extremely disappointing item from the Oilers came yesterday in a blog from Bob Stauffer at their site. In the article, Stauffer says:
  • Despite Hemsky’s injury woes the last couple of years, the minimum the Oilers would likely get for the right winger if they went the trade route would be a “Dustin Penner-like return”, according to one NHL Senior Executive.
Stauffer is certainly connected and knows which way the wind blows. Is this Stauffer blue-skying or is there something in the wind? I wrote on this very subject just two days ago and believe the conclusions drawn in that post are right on track.

I'll post the lines as soon as I can, please post them in comments when you see them.

178 comments:

  1. cue management apologists cutting Hemsky up and saying its best for the team

    plus he would never sign with the Oilers anyhow

    can't wait for that return to the playoffs in 2020, led by the first round selection they get when they trade Taylor Hall

    blech

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  2. Oh well, at least we can stop this nonsense about "three scoring lines" and a strong PP. :-)

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  3. You see, the problem with signing Hemsky would mean that the Oilers could actually manage their salary structure and plan 3, 5, 7 years out.

    They have no clue what kind of $$ to give Hemsky, they are just scared to give him too much and feel it is less risky to deal him for draft picks.

    Another fine example of scared management or is it mismanagement ?

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  4. LMAO if Hemsky in any way wants to leave, the only decent thing is to let him walk.

    If "management" so much as disses him in any fucking way, shape or form, I'm almost certain to be through with them forever.

    As for the "team", well, fuck them too. I'll merely go back to watching the Rangers, who in any case will end up with half of the current Oilers future stars anyway.

    The Messier for Bernie Nicholls "trade" gave my adolescent life more understanding re cynicism than anything, besides the 15 year old groupie whore who taught me never, ever to lick any chick's arse, no matter what I thought I might receive lol.

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  5. Hemsky may yet be traded but let's avoid reading our biases and speculation into the available evidence. It makes sense for Stauffer (or anyone in the media) to consider trading Hemsky because he's a UFA after this year. This provides no additional information regarding whether they'd actually trade him than what we already have.

    I get scepticism, but sometimes Oilers fans seem to be pessimists verging on nihilists.

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  6. I believe 'masochist' might have been the word you were looking for,

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  7. Yes, the eDMONTON oILERS starting with the Paul Coffey trade helped me down the path of pure unabashed nihilism.

    Watching the potentially greatest NHL ice hockey team of all time being systematically dismantled, all while reaching those crazy development years of life can do it to anyone.

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  8. Alice: both could work. It probably is closer to both! :)

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  9. Don't forget trade value can change as the season goes on. If Hemsky manages to stay healthy, he might fetch more.

    Based on his current market value, I can't really see him being traded. A Penner like return would not be stomached by many...except Vish ("we need more assets 3.1, we need more assets").

    Hope I'm wrong and he will stay on a value contract.

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  10. He's a beauty,

    If he can be signed reasonably Before he pots 40 with the kids, that would be great. Because he'll be pretty dear afterward.

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  11. Before he pots 40 with the kids

    Hemsky is going to score 40 Goals?

    Allways thought his max would be 25!

    Remember:
    1. one play maker
    2. one high % goals scorer
    3. one above avg dual skill
    per line.

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  12. Oilers fans seem to be pessimists verging on nihilists

    I read this morning that the Ducks are playing Cogliano on the wing.
    The wing.
    Can you imagine?

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  13. I get scepticism, but sometimes Oilers fans seem to be pessimists verging on nihilists.

    Have you been an Oilers fan for long, my friend?

    Hemsky wants to ride on the back of the Phoenix. I doubt he is greedy. Sign a fair deal, no problems. He can be let go for diddly down the road as well if need be.

    While I am confident we'll see another lottery pick next summer, I also don't know if I can stoamch anything but well made deals from here on out. No more mulligans. Everything done has to be at the very least neutral, preferably forward moving. I hope they understand how little value draft picks hold.

    I like being passionate about the Oilers, and I've never liked the circus. Clowns running Oilers, passion no fun. Could be a cold winter for veteran fans.

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  14. Now I am not an english grammar guru by any stretch, and I may be just experiencing a brain cramp of sorts, ..but the way that quote reads is confusing for me

    ".... despite the injuriess....the minimum...."

    So what is the maximum #83 could garner "depite his injury woes".

    ?

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  15. Regarding Hemsky...

    I think most would agree that Martin Havlat is a very close comparable to Hemsky. Career numbers:

    Hemsky .81PPG, 61.25 games played per season.

    Havlat .82PPG, 62.1 games played per season.

    Havlat was just traded straight-up for Dany Heatley.

    The asterix here is that Havlat is signed to a 6 year deal at a $5M cap hit.

    So, the real question here is if the established market value of 6 years worth of Martin Havlat is Dany Heatley (over-priced one-dimensional scorer), then what is 1 season of Hemsky worth?

    Not a whole helluva lot.

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  16. CHED has the lines up thusly:

    Ryan Smyth - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Jordan Eberle
    Taylor Hall - Sam Gagner - Tyler Pitlick
    Magnus Paajarvi - Shawn Horcoff - Linus Omark
    Darcy Hordichuk - Tanner House - Lennart Petrell

    Pitlick RW eh?
    Ladislav Smid - Tom Gilbert
    Theo Peckham - Jeff Petry
    Taylor Chorney - Alex Plante

    Devan Dubnyk
    Yann Danis

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  17. Oilers lines as per twitter:

    Smyth-NugentHopkins-Eberle, Hall-Gagner-Pitlick, Paajarvi-Horcoff-Omark, Hordichuk-House-Petrell.

    Smid-Gilbert, Peckham-Petry, Chorney-Plante,

    tonight's goalies: Dubnyk & Danis

    Looks almost like an NHL team. Could be an interesting night.

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  18. FastOil: I've been an Oilers fan for many years - enough to remmeber the tail end of the glory years as a young boy.

    My issue is that it's one thing to criticize the poor decisions and failed strategies of Oilers' management and another to pre-criticize potential future decisions. The former is based on existing (and some would argue, copious) evidence and is worth considering. The latter is baseless speculation, especially in this circumstance where no new evidence is available. It's one thing to hypothesize (as LT has) that Hemsky may be moved because he's a UFA, he's older than the kids and he doesn't have an extension yet. It's quite another to point to a trade musing in a Stauffer article and claim "it's a smoking gun!" like some around here are wont to do.

    Finally, I'd be cautious about being too certain about a player's intentions in negotiations. Hemsky may want to stay in Edmonton - so did Ryan Smyth. However, there's a reason players hire agents and one of them is so their representatives can be jackasses in negotiations even though the player themself could never do the same. If Hemsky's agent asks for $6.2M over 4 years (for example), would you pay it given the inherent injury risk? I wouldn't and I'd trade him to get some value back.

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  19. I take it Pitlick is in Hemsky's spot?

    Tonight likely won't be near as interesting in terms of watching young players. Being that we're playing the Canucks, playing Tulupov and telling him to run around all night was a no-brainer. I'm annoyed.

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  20. That Chorney - Plante pairing should be good for some chaos.

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  21. Is Havlat our best case scenario?

    There cant be many players who spent the prime of their careers (age 23-28) as injury prone players who became more durable into their 30s.

    I know he's quality and you should keep your top players but I get the concerns and can see why you'd at least see whats out there. ie if you could move Gagner wing and get Blum and Lindback and a pick for Hemsky, would you? I know Nashville doesn't need any more UFAs so the trade doesn't really make sense. But adding a quality young D man and goaltender is exactly what this team needs.

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  22. I agree with Slopitch.

    I am a big Hemsky fan, but we need balance so desparately and I tend to think he is the best one to move out for a quality D-man and/or goalie.

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  23. if you could move Gagner wing and get Blum and Lindback and a pick for Hemsky, would you?

    Look at that question from David Poile's point of view.

    You have a chance to get 1 year's worth of service from a player who, although very skilled, has an injury history as long as your arm, and all you have to do is give up your best goalie prospect, one of your best dman prospects, AND a pick.

    Would you consider Bunz, Petry, and next years 4th round pick good value for Havlat?

    I'm not trying to be a prick, I just think that Hemsky's value to the rest of the league, as it stands right now, is very much less than his value to the Oilers (and Oiler fans).

    Trust me, if Hemsky makes it to free agency next summer, teams will be lining up to sign him. But I just don't see how any GM who likes his job will be willing to part with anything significant for him, seeing as he's a one year rental.

    Whether or not Hemsky figures into his long term plans, Tambo should be trying like hell to extend his deal. Signing him to another year or two at a reasonable cap hit is a win - win. If he plays for you, great. If the idea is to trade him for assets that help the kids win, then Hemsky signed to a few years at a reasonable cap will garner a better return than Hemsky as a rental.

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  24. (don't mind me - just finished my third cup o' joe, and don't much feel like working today...)

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  25. cue management apologists cutting Hemsky up and saying its best for the team

    Or cue managment critics over reacting to the muses of big Bob?

    I doubt any decision has been made on Hemsky. He has been injured but he now also has a lot of competition.

    The consenus around here among crtitics seems to be that Tambo is an idiot because he will trade one of Omark, Gagner, or Hemsky.

    If your C's next year are RNH, Horcoff, Lander and Belanger and the wingers are MPs, Hall, Eberle, Smyth, then there is not room for all of Hemsky, Omark, or Gagner.
    This is not even including the fact that the Oilers will eventually be trying to find room for a few of Hamilton, Hartikanen, Pitlick, a nasty Finn or two, etc - in the top 9.

    So if you don't want to trade Hemsky, who would you trade?

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  26. shau_co - Hemsky is bringing in futures if he's moved. No contending team is going to move a legit top four Dman or starting goaltender for a pending UFA unless they are lacking offence, have five top four Dmen or two starting goalies and are willing to let Hemsky walk because they are facing a cap crunch next season.

    Or they could hold onto what they have and trade picks and prospects at the deadline for Hemsky or someone else.

    I don't doubt that a healthy Hemsky could bring back a nice bounty and obviously the contract has to be reasonable but this idea that he is expendable is mental. For the first time in years this club actually has a lot of nice things up front. And there looks to be more on the way.

    Move Hemsky and Smyth and you go from what looks like nine top nine forwards to seven. Likely RHN brings you back to eight but only four of those are wingers now and you need Hartikainen and one of Hamilton or Pitlick to turn out as a top nine guy to get some balance again.

    Sign both of those older guys and you have some breathing room. If the kids turn out then you have enviable depth up front and you can turn it into what you need on the back end or in goal.

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  27. Ducey - I wouldn't trade anyone just yet. The year is a wash with this blue and goaltending. We don't knwo what we have in Hartikainen or Lander or for that matter Omark or Paajarvi. Personally I think all four are going to be players but this idea that we HAVE to trade someone this fall or that Hemsky HAS to be moved to make room for the kids is absurd.

    What would be nice would be for the club to actually have a lot of quality players. We know guys are going to get hurt this season, lets see what Lander and Omark and Hartikainen do with some quality icetime. If they perform then next summer you can make your moves from a position of strength.

    lol too you know when I mentioned apologists I almost mentioned you by name. Five years out of the playoffs, soon to be six, two last place finishes and the franchise a laughing stock and you're still shining Tambellini's shoes. Good stuff.

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  28. Would you consider Bunz, Petry, and next years 4th round pick good value for Havlat?

    In our position no. If we were the GM a playoff team with a stacked D but our best forward scored 50 points and a mediocre PP - and my procurement system has produced numerous quality D and goaltenders over the past 5 years but no quality forwards, I'd look.

    The trade was hypothetical and you maybe right that its too much. Can a team give another team a week to negotiate extension?

    Either way, I'm most concerned about our lack of balance and given Hemsky's injury concerns, he's a guy Id consider seeing what the return would be. It would still be a sad day if he were traded but if we finally achieved balance, Id get it.

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  29. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  30. There is a team that would probably give up a top 4-dman for Hemsky. Winnipeg. Bogosian for Hemsky. That is about it. Most teams are ham strung by the cap, already have adequate right wingers, or have no goal tending depth or not enough D.

    I guess you could propose a hypothetical where to escape from cap hell Washington gave us Semin and Braden Holtby. Semin we trade at the deadline and at least we end up with a top goaltending prospect. On the other hand we do have some of those.

    The pickings are slim and I am amazed Oilers management would even be considering it. Maybe Stauffer is just blowing smoke.

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  31. Regwald makes the best point I've seen thus far and I will use it shortly.

    I'll use Stauffer's frothing "5 of top 7 forwards in place" as a kick off for something I was gonna post the other day but then the thread got cold and I didn't bother. I had a busy summer but it's winding down now and I'm getting to the threads a little earlier but usually by the time I do they have died. In fact sometimes I get to them so late that LT doesn't even get a chance to get mad at me:)

    In any case, I think Lander, Hopkins and one of Belanger-Horcoff will be down the middle by the time we make the playoffs and not sure who the 4th pivot will be. Would Martindale be broken in like that? Who knows. Is Pitlick gonna play centre? There's no need of going fully homegrown eithere and maybe one of the above is in play.

    I think 83's gone because they are in love with youth and as Reg said don't have a clue how to structure the salaries. And maybe that might not be a bad thing if they get a real dman back for him.

    Note: not fucking Colton Teubert, either.

    So, on the left side you'll have 4-94-Hamilton and on the right side it's 14-91 and either Pitlick or Omark.

    Hartkainen is your 7th winger but is a guy who could easily slip into the top six winger slot and might play there anyway because pieces will have to be dealt to improve the D and maybe the netminding.

    6 and 77 are top four guys but two more need to join them - and 5 and 24 can't help in that regard - and 6 as to stay healthy. How long before Musil, Marincin or oscar Sexbomb are ready to to be top 4?'s. Probably a long time. So those guys will eventually take the place of 5-24. Throw Tomato Can Teubert in there as well as a bottom two option. By that time young Plante will be telling glory days cgy hitmen stories to women in germany

    And of course we need someone to help DD.

    So, while I can see the forwards taking shape, there's still a lot of work to do.

    Now, pieces like 23-83-89 and 1st and 2nd round picks could all be in play to help to round out. Still, the bottom line is that the D is probably the biggest mess on the team right now, IMO.

    I can imagine a possibility where the kids mature and stay healthy and we're a force up front by the 2013 season.

    I can imagine one where we find a goalie to play 35 games with DD and we form a good tandem.

    But I don't see how the D rounds into form strictly in-house.

    This seems to scream for an Oilers/preds trade but our kids aren't quite ready like Nsh would need them to be. Otherwise you match a team with hitting with one for pitching and you could pretty well figure out the transaction.

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  32. I'm not opposed to extending Hemsky and keeping him as an Oiler long-term. However, I think this team could benefit a lot by having another legitimate defenseman.

    Maybe that deal is not available, as some of you have suggested. But if it is, how do you not consider it?

    Black Dog - you said in your post that we could look to trade a F for a D next off-season. Fine, we are essentially on the same page then. I just wouldn't close the door to potential deals that could happen throughout this season or at the deadline. Especially if the deal helps this team win more games in 2012-2013, I'm all for it.

    Let's face it, the Oilers should be alright with respect to GF this year. What about GA? How uncomfortable does that make you?

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  33. if you could...get Blum and Lindback and a pick for Hemsky, would you?

    Seriously, are they giving glue away in Edmonton? Doesn't AM Radio take calls from listeners? Does John Short still have a show?

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  34. By that time young Plante will be telling glory days cgy hitmen stories to women in germany

    Gold.

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  35. I see many people ignoring Jake's point that, from the perspective of potential return for Hemsky (though arguably not from the perspective of whether he's likely to be traded), the Stauffer quote is good news for the Oilers, since it says that any Hemsky return would be at least as good as the Penner return and arguably better.

    I'm agnostic on trading Hemsky because I have no idea what his willingness to re-sign in Edmonton is, and at what dollars. My first choice would be to sign him for four or five years in the $5-6 million range (i.e. I don't want to see him traded), but if there's no possibility of anything like that, then better to get something for him than nothing.

    I also have a hunch - nothing more - that players' past injury records have less predictive value than is widely assumed.

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  36. I've been bullish on Hemsky leaving since it became obvious that the team was shooting for first overall in 2009-2010.

    The main reasons for my thinking are pretty simple.

    1. Hemsky is no fool.
    2. Hemsky wants to win hockey games
    3. The Oiler's haven't won many hockey games since 2005-2006.
    4. In that time Oiler management has reapeatedly demonstrated their ineptitude.
    5. Hemsky won't want to commit to this management during the twilight of his prime years (27-30).

    I wish he'd stick with the team, for my own personal selfish reasons. However, because of how much I love the player, I hope he goes somewhere else and gets a taste of real success.

    Although I wish it wasn't the case, the recent trends illustrate very strongly (not extended, tried to trade last deadline, Stauffer's musings) that he won't be an Oiler in 2012-2013.

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  37. Apparently Lowetide isn't the only one that sees some Doug Gilmour in Sam Gagner. Tom Renney just mentioned him when talking about what Gagner could become.

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  38. @Traktor

    That is refreshing to hear! I am a big supporter of Gagner being our 2nd line centre for many years to come.

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  39. It's interesting that the Oilers are going with such a veteran-heavy lineup while the Canucks are icing mainly tryouts and scrubs. They're not even playing one of their top 2 goalies.

    I wonder if Renney, Tambellini and co. are looking at this game as an opportunity to show well on national TV while the Canucks don't care becaeuse it's preseason.

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  40. Is Havlat our best case scenario?

    Not likely! he may have the same PPG rate but goals win games.

    His .34G/GM rate rakes 38th for active players. upper fist line.

    Hemsky's .23G/gm ranks 144th for active players. lower 2nd line ability.

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  41. O'Sullivan got 4 points last night.
    Cogliano got 1 goal - on WING - how did they get him to play there?

    Somehow, I think we will regret the Cogs dumping in the future. I don't think we will miss Patty O'Sullivan

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  42. Not likely! he may have the same PPG rate but goals win games.

    What do assists do?

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  43. @Rickibear

    Where does H. Sedin's .19G/GM rank him?

    What about Getzlaf's .29G/GM?

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  44. lol the trade was just an idea..

    All I'm saying is that Id rather the Oilers achieve balance sooner then later. I think that failing to do so will slow down the development of the kids. Given his contract and health concerns, Hemsky is a guy Id consider moving. You have to give something to get something and Nashville seems like a nice match (pitching for hitting). Yes I'd like to sign him to reasonable contract/term but if he blows his should again and gets 40pts in 40 games then what.

    back to my glue sniffin ;)

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  45. Somehow, I think we will regret the Cogs dumping in the future.


    Not if Hall, Paajarvi and Hartikainen are the top 3 LW for the Oilers.

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  46. Gambling Alert:

    Oilers with mostly NHL line up against Vancouver with mostly AHL line up are only -120 on bet 365 right now.

    It was -115 but I mortgaged my house on hammered it and helped it move to -120.

    All you punters out there gogogogogogogogogogo!!!!!!!!

    That's like free money.

    I never put more than 5 units on a game and I have 28 units on this one.

    Plus I parlayed the Oilers with each of the NFL picks I made this week too.

    Many thanks to PDO for the heads up on this.

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  47. Visit the Lowetide comments section get a dissertation on regrettable analingus - awesome!

    Isn't Pittsburgh at least as good a fit for a Hemsky deal as Nashville?

    A stud blueline prospect like Depres or Morrow, a pick and probably a roster player for salary ballast would seem to benefit both teams. Hemsky is the perfect shotgun for Malkin and the Pens get him without touching their core.

    The Oil would land a building block blue chip, and add more age appropriate talent to their pool.

    Thoughts?

    Thumples: what enforcers in junior call it when they get bruises over acne

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  48. Oilers with mostly NHL line up against Vancouver with mostly AHL line up are only -120 on bet 365 right now.


    Does that include NHL MVP calibre goaltending? If so, I know some good movers that might come in handy (unless you included your furniture in your mortgaging of your house).

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  49. What do assists do?

    Die on shitty goal scorers sticks.

    The game is about pocession and shots. how many pocessions are lost from passes that do not get to the other players stick etc. etc.

    By the very nature a goal scorers pocession to goal ratio is superior to player who like to set up.

    Pay the goal scorers. Shoot the puck. more shots more wins. Skating around and trying to set up another helps. Not as much as shooting. simple as that.

    I said to myself as i typed that who would be the first loser to Bring up Mr. henrik.

    Answer to that is. Does ales have a twin brother who loves to score?

    Getzlaf
    .29 X 82 24G ranks top 70
    .23 X 82 19G
    Assists/GM
    .67 ranks 4th
    .57 ranks 15th
    Gagner ranks 81
    Horcoff ranks 89

    Mr. getzlaf is a first line goal scorer and the only set-up centers better Crosby, Backstrom and Thorton.

    Fine example.

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  50. So what you're saying is that Gretzky's 2,000+ major-league assists were worthless.

    Gotcha.

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  51. So therefore Heatley is a better player (helps a team more) than Hemsky? Hmmm, there might a be a potential flaw in this unqualified assertion.

    braliker - yes, yes I am

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  52. Doogie's is better

    hydra - Cap's relentless enemy

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  53. And furthermore, what you're telling us is that Kronwall gets all the credit for this play, and Datsyuk didn't do anything important.

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  54. What is the difference between an optimist and a pessimist?

    A pessimist is an optimist

    with experience.

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  55. ricki - I'm as much of a "goals are what counts" guy as anyone, but you're diggin a hole here. Time to put the shovel down.

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  56. Rickibear,

    Spell after me:

    "possession"

    I always thought having more goals than the other team "won games".

    But then again I see value in the guy creating a first rate scoring opportunity for a teammate, who then taps it in for an easy goal.

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  57. Does that include NHL MVP calibre goaltending?

    DD and Denis tonight.

    Woot!

    Seriously thinking about putting another 25 units on this.

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  58. ricki - I'm as much of a "goals are what counts" guy as anyone, but you're diggin a hole here. Time to put the shovel down.

    Or dig up.

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  59. I'm with "Steve" that injuries are probably less predictive than most people assume. Some injuries are a permanent downgrade, and others are mostly just time away from the rink. No real GM worth his salt would average those together.

    4a. In that time Oiler management has reapeatedly demonstrated their ineptitude.

    Exhibit Hall.

    4b. In that time Oiler management has reapeatedly demonstrated their ineptitude.

    Exhibit Nuge.

    4c. Hall + Nuge + Hemsky would be a huge distraction from doing it all alone.

    Run away little boy, run away.

    Why does mentioning incompetence so often serve as a hat check for skull contents?

    He just might look around the locker room before energizing on a litany of spite.

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  60. What do assists do?

    Die on shitty goal scorers sticks


    So Hull and Oates would have equaled Hull and Horcoff?

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  61. @Doogie2k
    And furthermore, what you're telling us is that Kronwall gets all the credit for this play, and Datsyuk didn't do anything important.

    Obviously. Look at how long Kronwall was driving the possession. Obviously a player who is shooting is usually turning over the puck, so will be driving the possession.

    I think we can distill this into a homeopathy principle for hockey: guys who only fire one-timers are the best at driving posession.

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  62. .29 X 82 24G ranks top 70

    You don't get to adjust him for 82 games but not the rest of the league.

    ...but you couldn't do that without admitting he is outside the top 90, so I see your dilemma.

    I must admit I've really grown to love your wonky math.

    I should also mention that.29 was a typo - it should have read .28

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  63. David Krejci:

    75 GP, 13 G, 49 A, 62 Pts, 0.21 G/Pts

    Stanley Cup Champ #1 C & leading scorer.

    Yah, those playermakers...such losers.

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  64. Jon,

    Bet365.com

    I hit it again for 25 units at -125

    I'm such a degan.

    Half my bankroll on one game. Breaking every rule in the intelligent gambler handbook, but opportunities like this are uber rare.

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  65. Apparently the oilers didn't want a meeting with Shannie tomorrow - no Tulupov in the line-up. Good job by the new commish on a gimme offense.

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  66. WG,

    Aren't you worried that the veteran players often play like shit with no effort in games like this where the opposition is AHL'ers? Preseason is messy.

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  67. Kris,

    Yes, but talent wins.

    I pray to various gods that it wins tonight.

    1st game in front of the home crowd for many of these guys and its the fucking Dys.

    Given the line ups I figure the line should be -220 or so.

    I like my bet.

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  68. WG:

    More like -300.

    Keep in mind too, that a lot of these "vets" are sophomores...

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  69. Shanahan with the 10 game pressure drop on Shelley. That's about 6 more than Soupy would have given back before we know smoking was bad for you.

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  70. Woodguy is officially my favourite gambler this side of Norm MacDonald.

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  71. When the inevitable D injuries and overwhelming workload finally sink the Oil's season, the draft possibilities will be cold comfort, according to Mackenzie. Interesting list.

    And once again, Shannie knocks it outta the park with the right decision (on a fairly obvious play). Keep it up young man.

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  72. Shanahan with the 10 game pressure drop on Shelley. That's about 6 more than Soupy would have given back before we know smoking was bad for you.

    That reads both like poetry and a dime store novel from the 40's.

    Excellent.

    PDO,

    Thanks for the tip, and you are probably right about -300.

    Ignoring a +180ish overlay would get you banished from any respectable punting circle.

    I get excited when I see a line that I figure is a +60 overlay.

    +180

    Lordy.

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  73. @WG

    You might want to bear in mind that the Canucks are dressing Mancari, Pinizzotto, Duco, Orescovitch, Volpatti, Begin, Fedoruk and Baumgartner.

    Any similarities between this and an actual hockey game would be purely coincidental.

    I wonder how Hordichuk is feeling about his threat to run the Canucks?

    Yoweeee

    Hopers: Oiler fans

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  74. WG: I just put a pile on the Oil tonight too at bet365. Will cheers later if victorious.

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  75. Does anyone know of a web-feed for tonight's game for those of us Stateside? Thanks in advance!

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  76. DSF,

    Glad I bet on the hockey game and not the fights.

    This one could get ugly.

    Slopitch,

    What's the line at?

    Cf14,

    I find degenercy amusing too. :)

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  77. The 1st of many useless fights.

    I hope no Oiler get injured.

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  78. It's such a novel experience to watch the Oilers win so many faceoffs. I wish it could last.

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  79. That's the 2nd useless fight.

    I hope no Oiler gets injured.

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  80. There's two feeds listed here: http://www.lshunter.tv/hockey-live-streaming-video.html but they're both currently playing the Penguins match. Likely they'll switch over in the next couple of minutes, when that game is over.

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  81. Gagner does look a step quicker, but it could just be the opposition.

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  82. Man I hate this new PK system...

    You mean we're not a man down?

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  83. Those feeds are live with the Oilers match now.

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  84. For Woodguy's sake I really hope this 2-man advantage goes well.

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  85. Or disadvantage, depending on your perspective.

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  86. Michelle Obama just told me how great hockey is. Neat.

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  87. Did Horcoff just pass on a breakaway?

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  88. re: Hemsky:

    I'm not one who believes in drafting to fill current holes, but I guess there would be a certain symmetry to trading Hemsky for a prospect and an early 20's 1st (potentially to be used on a D), and picking RW Yakupov at the top of the draft?

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  89. I thought I saw a broken stick on the ice but I'm too lazy to rewind the pvr

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  90. It'll be interesting to see more of RNH on the PP, he made an interesting pass there with very quick hands.

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  91. Renney should have immediately changed his lineup when he saw who was in Vancouver's.

    You dont send these guys out against scrubs. You've already got a chippy game with the canucks having NO RISK.

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  92. Omark, RNH, Smyth, Eberle, Gagner, give that unit a rip here on the 5 on 3?

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  93. I hope that part of the conversation that the refs were having with the Vancouver bench was a warning to the effect of "I know you've got guys fighting for spots, but we're going to start handing you guys extra penalties if you don't rein it in".

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  94. There's an opportunity for some good coaching at this first intermission.

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  95. Are we really gonna trade Hemsky? That will be a sad day.

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  96. Darren:

    There's a lot of variables in play here, I don't find it at all hard to imagine EDM looking at all of them and deciding it makes more sense to get what they can for him now.

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  97. Wolves 1 Oilers 0

    Best player on the ice: Cody Hodgson.

    Honorable mention; Owen Nolan.

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  98. With respect here, Vignaeult's a goof... icing that lineup.

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  99. Renney should have immediately changed his lineup when he saw who was in Vancouver's.

    very good point.

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  100. I don't know, the Canucks have a bunch of guys applying for the same job (F's 8-14). Seems to me this is a pretty good way to find out who can do what: road game, against a team that has more NHL players.

    I don't think this is Vancouver's problem.

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  101. Gagner does look quicker.

    Decent size in those new guys Pitlick, Petrell etc.

    First game on my high def projector, even on a grayish wall the picture is smokin. Sweet.

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  102. Sometimes I think I can grasp the depth of insecurity I'd have to feel in order to post on Canuck blogs, but I can never quite get there. It's incredible, in it's own way.

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  103. This team is going nowhere fast until the defense is addressed.

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  104. @LT

    my company does Moxie's advertising...everytime i try to leave work behind and watch hockey, all i'm reminding about is what i did during the day...

    who advised that media buy again? gah.

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  105. Or you can probably do it with just a Google account,

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  106. Jake, Don't know why more people don't go the route of a projector. Nothing else compares to 120" of HD.

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  107. I'd like a measurement on the sheets of plywood strapped to Lack's legs. They're taller than Omark.

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  108. Of course the cat is taller than Omark too.

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  109. Plante might not even be bottom third in the A. Petrell is a pleasant surprise.

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  110. Looks like I picked the wrong day to quit sniffing glue.

    Ebs!!

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  111. Great, Looks like Van has a good group of depth forwards to choose from. Quick, physical, and annoying as usual.

    Eberle - hands
    nice play by RNH as well

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  112. I don't know how anyone could think that Plante could play in the NHL with the way he skates. It's not even close.

    It's nice seeing Eberle have the puck on the wing with space. It's as close to a "sure thing" feeling with the Oilers since having Pronger on the backend.

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  113. was starting to worry about your bet, Woodguy.. thankfully eberle has kept it in reach..

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  114. @WG

    just remember it's preseason...once the regular season starts, you'll remember that van vs oil is "easy money" in the bank, but not the way you bet today ;)

    blerph - the feeling you get after you bet on the oil to win

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  115. Its more than a littlew disconcerting when 4 of 6 Dmen are penciled in to start the year and they can't make a 1st pass.

    Every Oiler break out looks like a hail mary.

    When they actually break out clean they are getting chances, but there is nothing clean about the way they are trying to break out.

    Could use more support from the forward in the mid d-zone, but as soon as an Oiler has the puck its a jail break with a muffed 1st pass and 3 on 2 the other way.

    I still like my bet.

    Like Pitlick's game a lot.

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  116. Pitlick is like JFJ with hands + better awareness/poise.

    Looks like he's got the goods to be at least a quality bottom sixer.

    Maybe even someone who can complement 2 skilled guys on the top six. That's still a big maybe. But at least the signs are not non-existent.

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  117. WG: Yeah, I think you're good. These kids found their wheels in that period. Suspect Hall is going supernova.

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  118. is pitlick, jfj before the injury? different games, but board game vs skater, but can we compare their REs at draft time?

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  119. Hall just single handedly doubled the Oilers scoring chances in one shift.

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  120. pretty cool to see an "enforcer" that you only notice when he fights! the last few years i've been asking myself who the guy out there was with the chair?

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  121. Cripes, Peckham just lost out there. If he plays like this he might be the odd man out.

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  122. I never thought I would say this, but sure could have used Barker out there tonight.

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  123. He can sure hit, but the puck is a grenade to him tonight.

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  124. Just classic Smid. Stickhandle into the corner - turn puck over. some things never change.

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  125. if i were 365bet.com i'm have a bot egg on WG, letting him double down on the -125

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  126. Well the goaltending wasn't the problem tonight and there's plenty of skill up front.

    Better work ethic and some blue with the ability to pass or move the puck up.

    Agreed?

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  127. The moral of the story here is, never put money on the Oilers

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  128. Bah.

    I make that bet again.

    Not a good harbringer of things to come if 75% of the Oiler's opening night line up can't beat the Chicago Wolves.

    A bunch of D who can't make the first pass.

    Ozone penetration looking like everyone wants to do it all themselves.

    Not good.

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  129. agreed.

    the defense was absolute garbage and crumbled over and over again under the weight of vancouver's AHL forecheck.

    pathetic.

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  130. Lowetide said...

    WG: Yeah, I think you're good. These kids found their wheels in that period. Suspect Hall is going supernova.

    Oops

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  131. Yeah the forecheck needs some work and puck movement by the D was abysmal.

    Also, RNH looked a little nervous out there tonight. Caught flat-footed and bobbled the puck a few times.

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  132. Agreed. The play ended with Plante, and sadly Teddy too many times.

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  133. Damn. AV even has his scrubs playing Canuck hockey. Forecheck like mad, physical D getting away with alot of interference.

    I'd like to see more of Pettrel.

    The D... oh my I miss Whitney. Does Tambo really want to waste another season? Address the D already.

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  134. @WG

    I would make that bet again, lay the same game tomorrow and Oilers would probably come out on top.

    ReplyDelete
  135. General observations:

    - defense is and will continue to be a Chinese firedrill.

    - we should probably stop wasting time and money on trying to develop Chorney and Plante.

    - If Whitney misses any substantial time this team will likely finish bottom of the league again.

    - these points are all just slight modifications of each other.

    Condolences to Woodguy. You'll get it back. Better luck next time.

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  136. i tell you, the vet-laden teams never do as well as you think in preseason.

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  137. Any smart bettor never bets on the 15-1 longshot.

    Ever.

    The house loves those guys.

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  138. Also, would it kill Shanahan to wear a tie? Jesus.

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  139. Dear Lowetide Blog Patrons,

    The preseason means nothing more than seeing who is fat and who is not. Teams of scrap AHL players frequently beat teams of NHL players. Guys like O'Sullivan light it up and guys like Hemsky look hopeless. Reading into the preseason is almost as silly as placing serious bets on it.

    Regards,
    Reality

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  140. DSF:

    A lot of Van-fans lost heaps against the Oilers A-squad the last two games of the year . . .

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  141. so we keep saying "do something to address D" ..

    and i agree but what is ST supposed to do?

    it is a valuable commodity. you can't get quality complete D-men at will, even if you're willing to trade significant offense.

    grrrr .. no Ian White this summer .. heck, not even COLIN White this summer.

    yuck. pitooie.

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  142. Any smart bettor never bets on the 15-1 longshot.

    15-1 longshot Gracie?

    What color is the sky in your wolrd?

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  143. @wuthering

    And, if the Canucks had anything to play for, they would have lost their money.

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  144. Yeah, the Canucks have never lost a game that meant something.

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  145. Are there fans destroying downtown Edmonton right now?

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  146. it is a valuable commodity. you can't get quality complete D-men at will, even if you're willing to trade significant offense.

    I'm not expecting a complete D-man. The guys I'm waiting for are the Jason Smiths and Steve Staioses (at the times the Oilers acquired them, not divested themselves of them). Smith cost, what, a third rounder? And Staios signed as a UFA for pretty cheap. A couple of those guys, and the Oilers have an outside chance at the playoffs (assuming Dubnyk is i. the real deal, and ii. starting sixty games).

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  147. Interesting look at the EV for the blue

    Petry 17:06
    Chorney 16:01
    Plante 15:21
    Gilbert 13:47
    Smid 12:31
    Peckham 11:09

    And that's what it looked like.

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  148. Man, after seeing the TOI allotment, I really feel for WG. That's like winning a free test drive in a Ferrari only to find there's a 50/50 on the front.

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  149. the issue with Smiths and Staioses is succesfully identifying them.

    i thought Petry looked good at evens but that could be bias talking.

    Chorney was poor, and Plante worse.

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  150. They're not real Oiler fans Kris.


    This post wins the thread

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  151. Even with that TOI allotment they should win 4 of 5 of that game.

    I still like my bet.

    Sometimes you lose.

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  152. WG:

    I agree that it'd be on the safe side. However, it was plainly obvious how much the forwards were stifled by the D tonight in terms of breakout and first-passes.

    ReplyDelete
  153. SK Oiler Fan said:

    "Damn. AV even has his scrubs playing Canuck hockey. Forecheck like mad, physical D getting away with alot of interference."

    Yeah, funny you say that. I felt like I was in a time machine watching a game from the dead puck or sweater tugging era. :p

    ReplyDelete
  154. Sorry about the outcome for WG though I am relieved that the Oilers got through this without an injury.

    With the Nucks lineup, I had an ominous feeling heading into this, that things would end badly for the Oilers (injury, not score).

    Bernard Hopkins and Eberle look like they have some good chemistry--pretty sick passing displays tonight.

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  155. LT:

    This is when you give those defensemen icetime, to see what they can do.

    Petry's got a shot, but Chorney and Plante will surely go back to the A.

    Also, for those Oilers fans who think our D should be better - this is what happens when you ignore defense at the top of the draft for the last 10 years.

    At some point Stu needs to pass on the flashy forward and draft a franchise defenseman.

    Klefbom, Musil and Marincin are nice picks, but probably not top pairing defensemen at this point. Maybe one of them will surprise.

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  156. (continuing as cynical Oilers fan) but I'm sure that the Oilers will pick Yakupov first next year to replace Hemsky who they traded for a quick fix defenseman who won't figure on the top pairing in 3 years either...

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  157. I am with Steve here.

    You don't need a Dought or Weber to make the playoffs, but you do need a bunch of reliable NHL quality vets to help on the backend. There are those guys available, but waiting for FA or a draft working out is too slow.

    Trade an asset, even one that might sting a little, to ensure you have the right pieces in place. v4.0 is not going to do that. Thus, it doesn't hurt to watch Bobby Mac's draft list before this game started, just to see who is available.

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  158. Also, for those Oilers fans who think our D should be better - this is what happens when you ignore defense at the top of the draft for the last 10 years.

    Last time the Oilers were any good was Spring 2006. Guess how many of their top seven were Oilers drafts?

    (Hint: "Matt Greene")

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  159. @Cactus

    Good points. I do think baseless speculation, in terms of discussing the future, is a part of the fun for many commenting on a sports site. A lot is bunk, but it's harmless. For the pros, it's a piss weak way to spurt content and keep a job.

    About Hemsky, agreed that only he knows his intentions. I do think he'd like to stay put, but a lot can happen.

    As for criticizing management, in the Hemsky situation I agree with the poster somewhere who said that the fact the season has started and Hemsky isn't extended IS the mistake, already commited. They have already lost their leverage and are taking an enormous risk with his health. Any other problems only heap on the damage done.

    Perhaps they tried, who knows. Hemsky was injured so he couldn't be moved then. Being unable to handle these situations effectively and in the best timeline is also a problem in itself. Getting backed into a corner repeatedly is not a good sign.

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