It appears as though the Oilers have snookered themselves again, and once again it's the blue. With the team already subpar at the position, news came just before camp that Ryan Whitney was hurting. Whitney still hasn't played, and after last night (Minnesota is a black hole for the Oilers) the list of walking wounded is massive. Whitney has been joined by Taylor Fedun (in photo. It's his right leg, it's bad), Ladislav Smid (right shoulder) and Taylor Chorney (right knee). The Oilers are now staring at a top 6D of Tom Gilbert, Cam Barker, Andy Sutton, Theo Peckham, Jeff Petry and Corey Potter. Their minor league team was waiting for the final cuts (two D who would have been in their top rotations) and they aren't coming at this point in time. If only we'd had some clues.
Five days ago, the Oilers depth chart on defense looked like this (NHLers in bold):
- D Ryan Whitney (injured)
- D Tom Gilbert
- D Cam Barker
- D Ladislav Smid
- D Theo Peckham
- D Andy Sutton
- D Taylor Chorney
- D Jeff Petry
- D Corey Potter
- D Colten Teubert
- D Taylor Fedun
- D Ryan Whitney (injured)
- D Tom Gilbert
- D Cam Barker
- D Ladislav Smid (injured)
- D Theo Peckham
- D Andy Sutton
- D Taylor Chorney (injured)
- D Jeff Petry
- D Corey Potter
- D Colten Teubert (OKC)
- D Taylor Fedun (injured)
We've been hammering about depth on the blue forever on this blog, and it isn't really fair to blame an organization for losing three players in one game at the position. However, the lack of quality before the game makes the disaster in Minny even more painful. Another summer spent without adequately addressing defense means that there is nowhere to hide anyone.
Again. The worry now is that the GM overpays for immediate help by sending away a top flight forward prospect like Anton Lander or Teemu Hartikainen. I also think there's a real chance Linus Omark is dealt, and that could be a massive mistake (depending on return). Making a panic trade and getting it right rarely works in any sport, and hasn't worked in this town since Sather.
--
Nation Radio hits the airwaves today at noon on the Team 1260. Among the scheduled guests:
- Ian Walker from the Vancouver Sun will join us to talk about the health of Vancouver's NHL team, naked Canucks and how the NW will look this season. Predicting what Ian Walker will say is not possible, so tune in for the fun.
- Kent Wilson from the Nations Network. I'll ask Kent about the NW, about the Doughty signing and we'll discuss the new Flames whipping boy (Matt Stajan).
- Terry Jones from the Edmonton Sun. Jones has seen a lot of training camps and a lot of phenoms, so should be able to give the best available estimate about this year's team. I'll also try to find out why he's so damn interesting on twitter, although I think it might have something to do with short attention span.
- Helene Elliott from the Los Angeles Times. We'll talk about the Doughty signing, the Fraser-Smyth ongoing saga and discuss the Brendan Shanahan's suspensions and their impact.
I have a couple of other lines in the water but can't confirm. Please tune in at noon and your calls and emails are always welcome at nationradio@theteam1260.com
LT: What has Tambellini done over the past two years that makes you think NOW is the time he would overpay for immediate help before the team has even played a game? Trading Lander or Hartikainen? Not a chance in hell that happens.
ReplyDeleteFirst we're talking about "Mr. Dithers" and mocking his penchant for wanting to "assess," but now we're worrying about him panicking?
I know it makes for good discussion, and it's easy to work this fan base into a lather, but the edict from the top hasn't changed that dramatically to warrant something like that.
I just hope Tambo doesnt go and trade for another 5-7 defenseman. Just because he can crack the roster wouldnt mean we get any better.
ReplyDeletejohn: Good points all, but I think the general idea is to try and win hockey games this season. The defense is an extreme weakness right now (depending on the health of Whitney and Smid).
ReplyDeleteI fear he makes a move.
It's not just depth on D that is needed, but more specifically it's right shooting D who can play even strength minutes and just aren't any of those on the free agent market.
ReplyDeleteBlum or Girardi would fit the bill, but I don't see how you can get one of those guys without giving up a Omark or Lander or MPS.
One guy that could probably be got cheaply is Komisarek, but it isn't clear if he fits the 'can play even strenght minutes' (or even the 'can play') part of the bill and has an ugly contract.
Well at this point ST is going to have to add to either the Oiler defense or the OKC defense. Otherwise, the Barons are going to ice a couple of ECHL guys to start the season.
ReplyDeleteThere are FOUR guys from the top 11 five days ago who are hurt. FOUR.
I'd like to see him go after Hjalmarsson. Chicago overpaid a wee bit to keep him, and they're always looking for a bit of cap relief. He'd be an upgrade on Smid and fall under Gilbert in the depth chart. Wouldnt take that much to get him either I suspect. No more than a blue chipper like Pitlick and Anaheims second.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear Renney was upset by the play. I'm furious. There's no discipline that can restore this kid's next year of pain and recovery, but it would sure be nice to send a strong message about how unacceptable that kind of play is. And even though it is too late to add no-touch icing to the league this year, it should be an automatic no-brainer for next year.
ReplyDeleteThe lack of depth on D. Really, when has any team in the NHL suffered for that?
And who's against flipping draft picks for some bonafides? We already did the slow accumulating,now lets do some quick turnaround. What could we get for our first? I'm sure there is a few teams who would part with a mid twenty 2-3 defenseman for a chance at a lottery pick. We should take advantage of all this hype from the upcoming draft, and the fact that everyone just assumes we'll be picking first again.
ReplyDeleteLT,
ReplyDeleteI agree, and I'd like to him to make a move too, but it's far more likely that he plucks Ryan Parent off waivers today than trading Hartikainen for a stop-gap (IMO).
Watching Omark turn Schultz (668 NHL games) into a pretzel behind the net before feeding Lander in front, and resulted in Jones' goal, makes me very apprehensive about what v3.1 might do.
ReplyDeleteThe Oilers need D, but dammit, they can truly have 3 good offensive lines.
This is a quandry.
It didn't have to be. There were lots of NHL vets to be had on one year deals.
I understand that if they want the true 1st pairing RH Dman, that it has to come through trade and it will cost, but lordy I'd like to see the forward group together for a year.
Overpay McCabe for a year and I think he's done as an NHLer, but he's better than Struddy.
3 real offensive lines means you can have 3 Actual NHL Players on your 4th line.
ReplyDeleteHeresy I know, but I really don't want one single "energy guy" on the Oilers.
Its NHL hockey, which should be played by NHL players.
Just of note, there were a few marginal NHL/quality AHL guys put on waivers a couple of days ago, and I am sure they have gone through now, but that's the kind of pick-up that would've been helpful if this game had been 24 hours earlier.
ReplyDeletelessized - the oilers D
I don't think Campoli's a great dman but he was out there and McCabe's still out there.
ReplyDeleteanyone else off-hand?
Not so sure I agree that the Oilers were trying to win games because if they were then they would have Already traded some forward depth for a D instead of wishing on a star that 6 could play a full season or that guys like 5 and Sutton where more useful than they look at first blush.
I think the Puppet's so indecisive and the Oilers are so cool with losing that I don't believe we'll see a rash trade decision in the next couple of days. The only thing that could get things spinning would be if the Oilers get embarrassed in the first 5-10 games.
Right now we should all know/hope that the forward corps gets thinned for a real Dman but it would be nice if that trade was made with no real gun to the head.
a bunch of three or four goal losses would constitute a gun.
Theres a lot of D in Ontario. Lots of crappy forwards too.
ReplyDeleteBuffalo seems like a logical trade partner.
ReplyDeleteSekaras would be nice and I think Buffalo would do it for a prospect and a pick. They don't want salary coming back....
Oh great.....Eklund just posted we're talking trade. Guess that means nothing is going to happen for sure now.
ReplyDeleteIt'll be interesting to see what Winnipeg will do with it's stacked D-core. There's a place where we can find a likely match to hold the fort until we recover from injuries. Depending on what they do we can either trade for Postma (2nd or 3rd rounder) or pluck Meech of waivers. One of the two isn't going to make the grade and will be an upgrade.
ReplyDeleteI'd say this gets the crazy Russian his NHL contract, if only because of lack of AHL defenders.
dorito:
ReplyDeleteMaybe, my guess is, if the Oilers do anything here, they'll look to pick up a guy on a two way from waivers before teams have to cut to 23, and have that guy fill in until one or both of Smid/Whitney are back. And, at that point, put him back on waivers. If he clears, he takes one of Chorney/Fedun's AHL spot, if not, that's fine too.
The other thing to consider here is that the Oilers only have two regular season games in the next two weeks, and they have medical information on Smid and Whitney that we don't. If they think it pretty likely that both guys are healthy in two weeks (I haven't read anything about Smid, is it considered a serious, longer term injury?), can they ride that D, along with maybe a waiver wire pickup, for 2 games? Sure, why not?
ReplyDeleteI needed to buy a new pair of jeans two weeks ago. Instead, I just kept going over to my Moms house and had the holes in them resewn. My town only has one jean store and in that store there is only 4 or 5 pairs of jeans that fit me and a couple of those are already on layaway to other customers. I think you see where I'm going with this...... Substitute the word jeans with hookers and its plain to see that im lonely and my ass hangs out the back of my pants.
ReplyDeleteSpeeds:
ReplyDeleteYou're the CBA guy aren't you? If we waive someone we put a previous waiver claim on, does the initial team not get first right of refusal?
Rumor has it Philly is looking to move Carle.
ReplyDeleteThey only have $175K left in salary cap and only 22 players on the roster (as per cap geek)
They wouldn't want salary back.
I wonder if a 3rd rounder would do it?
He's UFA after this year.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of the original club, that club has to put in a request when the player hits waivers the 2nd time.
ReplyDeleteIf the original club is the successful waiver applicant, that club can then loan the player to another organization (i.e. AHL), but only the original club has that option.
I have heard KL, ST, and Renney "talk" about winning, but the only move made to improve the team was Belanger, and while good, is far from enough. It will be somewhat better by default, talented youth maturing another year.
ReplyDeleteI can't buy into the Oiler spin that this year was about winning. The team hasn't changed much, how can it be? I understand they need to put that mask on for the league's sake - can't have teams bottom feeding gleefully.Steve's everpresent beaming smile on draft day tells you all you need to know, sheer joy.
Depending on Smid, they'll perhaps pick up a lower end D. The tragic and senseless loss of Fedun, and then Chorney have little bearing on the Oilers D. For OKC definitely, that is an easier fix.
Struds will be re-upped or they'll bring in the PP ace hard minutes vet legend McCabe (as he'll be spun I'm sure) or the like.
Just relax and enjoy the ride, everything is going according to plan. I am on board this year anyway, after this much suffering, why waste a good pick to finish out of the playoffs anyway? The hockey will be more fun to watch than last year at least. It is becoming entertaining again.
Next year my friends, then it begins.
Here's the section of the CBA that pertains to the question:
ReplyDelete13.20 (a) The Club acquiring a Player by Waiver claim shall take an Assignment of
the Player's SPC. Nevertheless, if the Commissioner determines that a Player acquired
by Waiver claim is not physically fit at the time the claim is made, the Club making the
claim may refuse to take an Assignment of such Player's SPC and the request for Waivers
shall be canceled.
(b) A Player who has been acquired by Waiver claim shall not be Traded to
another Club until the termination of Playoffs of the season in which he was acquired
unless he is first offered on the same terms to the Club(s) that entered a claim when
Waivers were requested originally and the offer has been refused.
13.21 (a) When a Club desires to terminate a Player's SPC for any reason, such
action may not be taken until Unconditional Waivers have been requested and cleared in
conformity with this Article. Notwithstanding this provision, a Player with a no-move
clause shall have the rights set forth in Section 11.8.
(b) Subsection (a) hereof is not applicable to a Player whose name is being
placed on the Voluntarily Retired List.
13.22 When a Club claims a Player on Regular, Re-Entry or Unconditional Waivers,
and, subsequently, in the same season it requestsWaivers on the same Player and the
original owning Club is the successful and only Club making a Waiver claim, then the
original owning Club shall be entitled to Loan such Player to a club in another league
within thirty days without further Waivers being asked; provided that such Player has not
participated in ten or more NHL Games (cumulative) and remained on an NHL roster
more than thirty days (cumulative) following such successful claim.
@ WG
ReplyDeleteI would take Carle in a hearbeat.
Also will be willing to give up a 2nd rounder for him.
If he is willing to sign and trade or vice versa, giving up a mid level prospect shouldnt be out of the question.
Carle was among the leaders in ESP for D men last season and will be a good addition to our D
...Alexandre Giroux on waivers, per Bob.
ReplyDeleteUgh, I certainly hope Tambi doesn't trade away a Lander , Hartikainen or Omark...unless of course its as some sort of blockbuster to bring in a truly high end D man.
ReplyDeleteShort of that, no matter what, our D wasnt going to be a strong point this season anyways, I say stay the course, bring In a McCabe and or Mara/Lebda, there are some other options as well like Shaone Morrison was just waived by Buffalo, all band aids for now, but should make the D servicable so as not to have to make a stupid panic move. Who Knows, if Mccabe or Mara were to be brought in a and have a surprise strong showing we might even be able to flip em at the deadline as rentals for some more bullets for magnificent bastard.
Oilers tweet...
ReplyDeleteOilers defenceman Taylor Fedun had successful surgery on his right leg (femur) last night and will remain in Minnesota for observation.
Oh yea, Pouliot on waivers too.
ReplyDeleteTSN on Fedun injury
ReplyDeleteDon't know about Tambi panicking but sure sounds like there's some panic in the. Oilogosphere.
Such a heartbreaking injury (no pun intended) for Fedun. In terms of someone coming out of obscurity to make an impression out of camp, I think he had as good a camp as anyone.
ReplyDeleteYou have to feel for the kid.
Bikini Girl tweets...McCabe is looking for a 2 yr deal Oilers have offered 1 yr
ReplyDeleteTreenasOil Tracy Lane
ReplyDeleteMcCabe is looking for a 2 yr deal Oilers have offered 1 yr
14 minutes ago
TreenasOil Tracy Lane
Oilers also looking at waivers Tambi is hesitant to trade any young talent
12 minutes ago
TreenasOil Tracy Lane
Brûlée was going to be waived APG
10 minutes ago
The Red Wings will be moving East.
ReplyDeleteTough people here would like this.
Good news on Tambellini checking the waiver wire. WAY better than dealing a young forward.
ReplyDeleteAs for DET in the east, great! Leafs may never make the playoffs.
This is Bobs full list of waivers...
ReplyDeleteMancari, Duco, Parent, (VAN); Pouliot, Tikhonov (PHX); Mitchell, Newbury, Kris (NYR); Stapleton (WPG); St Pierre, Giroux, Holden, (CBJ).
Not much there for defensemen.
I take it "APG" means "As Per Garfield". So what do they mean when they say Brule "was" going to be waived?
ReplyDeleteBrule for Jeff Finger would add a veteran D for OKC. I'm sure the Leafs would do that. Cost of $1.6 million.
ReplyDeleteUFA defensemen from Capgeek...
ReplyDeleteMcCabe, Bryan
Rivet, Craig
Stralman, Anton
Lebda, Brett
Finley, Joe
Wild, Cody
Ratchuk, Michael
Williams, Nigel
Mara, Paul
Strudwick, Jason
Hale, David
Fast, T.J.
Quick, Kevin
Hendry, Jordan
Schaus, Nick
Montgomery, Kevin
Meyers, Josh
DeLory, James
Palin, Brett
Macias, Raymond
Loprieno, Joe
Dowzak, Tysen
Bendfeld, Jordan
Ludwig, Trevor
May, Jeff
Callahan, Joe
DeGray, John
Monast, Guillaume
Fahey, Brian
Baldwin, Gord
Magnan, Olivier
Boynton, Nick
@ LT.
ReplyDeletePierre Lebrun was talking yesterday about one proposal that would see the Leafs move back to the west.
Overall, he expects there to be a massive realignment.
Mike Komisarek may also be available from Toronto although he has three seasons left at $4.5 million.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the reason they couldn't trade Brule would make him unable to be waived as well?
ReplyDeleteThe Canadiens have one too many defensemen.
ReplyDeleteOne of Weber,or Emelin will be available soon.
Smid's shoulder is kind of a "chronic thing", says Renney. Well, that explains why I've seen him wincing after hits. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteBikini Girl...
ReplyDeleteOilers are in talks with Leafs, Jets and Predators about a d-man.
Preds need help scoring goals and have a lot of d-men in their system. However, not many who have established themselves in the NHL behind Webber, Suter, Klein, Boulion and w/their two best questionable for committing long-term, that might now be an option.
ReplyDeleteKomisarek would be a disaster given his cap hit. Stay far, far away.
Well if Smid's shoulder was "chronic" enough to keep him out of a game when two other defenders are down and out, that's pretty "chronic".
ReplyDeleteMeant to say the term more than the cap hit on Komisarek. Bad editing.
ReplyDeleteAlso for the Preds, they might make a deal for prospects/picks given the situation with their 3 best players.
Glad to see that 3.1 is looking at all his options, trade and waiver.
As much as I like many of our glass players, I really hope when they hit the gas pedal they start moving some of these guys.
ReplyDeleteWe're all used to it, but it would really be hard to ride the repeatedly injured rollercoaster when playoffs are to be had.
I like Potter, I think he's had a better camp then Peckham and Smid in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteIf Whitney is skating and Smid just tweeked his shoulder I don't see a problem using Potter and Petry. I think Potter will surprise this season.
Sure it's time to look at trades or waivers - not like you could project the lack of the depth on the blue this summer, nor could you reasonably foresee injuries. Lowe's chai wallah could not be expected to see any of these freak events happening. Plus who needs "Real NHL Players" like White on expiring contracts for nothing when WE HAVE A PLAN. Get our GM a big floppy pair of shoes and a red ball for his nose and he's really for his next career (insert bookie thingee here).
ReplyDeletewhen they hit the gas pedal they start moving some of these guys.
ReplyDeleteBecause the pro-scouting staff has historically paid attention to injury history?
@spoiler - not much panic here. Frustration, resignation, anger over crystal clear likelihoods coming to roost before the season even started - yes.
Let's see what "Lightning Steve" can do without harming the strength of the team. #nothopeful
However, not many who have established themselves in the NHL behind Webber, Suter, Klein, Boulion and w/their two best questionable for committing long-term, that might now be an option.
ReplyDeleteYou missed Blum. Not quite "established", but had a very good year last year, is RH and still on his ELC.
He'd cost 89 or 23, but is probably worth it given you have him for 5+ years, but like you said, with Suter and Webber not confirmed long term, they may not want to part with Blum.
Mind you, without improving their forwards they have no hope of keeping Webber or Suter.
Woodguy: Had not thought of it that way (Blum as a bargaining chip to get the forward).
ReplyDeleteI'd hate to see Omark or Gagner go. Was wondering if any fombo of Pitlick-Martindale-Hamilton might get it done?
Not all 3 - but 2 of them?
Just watched the highlights from last night. I am surprised not a single comment here on LT's blog about the goaltending. All three goals were saves you expect a starting goaltender to make. I'm not saying that we need to highlight every goalie mistake all year, but if we are going to hound Khabby every time he lets one in on a 2 on zero rush, surely we should be providing some criticism for nonscreened shots from the point that go over Dubnyk's shoulder. Or maybe it is as sensitive area since it would be too depressing to think we may have zero starting goaltenders on the roster.
ReplyDeleteUp until last night, I always thought LT's blog comments provided an impartial critique of Oiler players and management. ;-)
Rich,
ReplyDeleteNAS needs players who can help today, not tomorrow.
Also,
I don't think a lot of people saw the game to critique DD, including myself.
Jason Strudwick, come on down.
ReplyDeletelol Traktor, unfortunately it msy be true
ReplyDeleteI doubt Tambellini makes a panic trade. They are building a nice stable of forwards but with 83 and 94 possibly gone I can't see him moving any of the kids unless its for quality. We would all be fine with that I think but while Omark and Hartikainen may be players (I believe they will be) you're not getting what the Oilers need straight up for one of them.
Fedun and Chorney were most likely going down anyhow. We knew the depth on D was a joke anyhow. I say they look at Smid and Whitney and if they're out longterm they go to the waiver wire or trade a pick for a vet from a team looking to get cap space.
Stopgap measures only.
Tencer tweeted the top six yesterday after the carnage and said 'yikes' which made me laugh. Other than Smid its the same top six as the day before.
In my worst nightmare, I didn't see Oilers calling on Strudwick until, say, late October. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteWhat I really love is how the injury gods seem to look at our team and find the weakness. What, you guys have 23 forwards and 4 defencemen? Well, then ... zing ... zing ... zing ...
FFS.
"Tencer tweeted the top six yesterday after the carnage and said 'yikes' which made me laugh. Other than Smid its the same top six as the day before."
ReplyDeleteYeah no kidding. Although imo Fedun was easily one of the best 4 D in camp. He probably would've been cut because of contracts ect but he likely would've only stayed on the farm as long as Gilbert did and then make a similar impact at the NHL level.
//I wonder if the reason they couldn't trade Brule would make him unable to be waived as well?//
ReplyDeleteBrule can be trade and waived, because with both he still gets paid his entire contract.
The problem with Brule in the LA deal is that LA wanted to buy him out (1/3rd of his salary for 25 or under), and one cannot buy out an "injured" player, and Brule might have been deemed injured by an arbitrator.
Thanksm godot. I couldn't remember how that worked.
ReplyDeleteBet the Oilers wished they had claimed Colin White when they had the chance.
ReplyDelete- 2 Stanley Cups
- Plus 79 for his career
- 848 career PIMS
Sure, one could argue that 3M was too much for him but Jesus.. Shawn Horcoff is making 5 point fucking 5 million and he isn't half the player Colin White is.
Plus you would've only had to pay White 2/3 of his salery and then ship him at the trade deadline for the standard 2nd round round pick.
Zersio - Sergio Garcia on Halloween dressed as Zorro
No kidding eh Traktor, he was that good in your opinion? Can't say myself, haven't seen much of preseason but certainly the consensus is that he might have a career. Poor fucker.
ReplyDeleteI'm one who has criticized this management team quite a bit (I think they've earned that) but with that said they certainly deserve some credit for some of their work lately. Petrell, Fedun, the way the draftees are tracking and developing.
As for Komisarek. If he had one year left on his deal I probably wouldn't bother. I watch a lot of Leafs hockey and he's awful. Its moot because he has ten teams he can be moved to and I presume Edmonton is not one of them but the Oilers would have to insist on a quality prospect to come with, much like Burke got Gardiner in the Blake deal.
He's so bad with that contract the Oilers could send a sixth rounder and still insist on quality sweetener.
It really is too bad Tambellini pooched his relationship with Lombardi.
ReplyDeleteWith Doughty back in the fold, there is no room on the Kings for Slava Voynov (21 yrs, 5'11", 200lbs, 51 pts +21 in 76 games in Manchester last season.)
Would be a perfect fit.
I think White would have had to clear waivers again before being traded,but your point is well taken. Really disappointed they didn't claim White when they had the chance.Bra and panties said the Oilers made him an offer when he became a UFA but he chose San Jose...go figure.
ReplyDeleteBD-how bad is Jeff Finger..? I know he's the punchline for every internet poster the last couple years but is he really that bad..? Big body,right handed shot,1 year left on this deal...
ReplyDeleteYou really think Edmonton should have paid triple for Colin White what Calgary paid?
ReplyDeleteI can just imagine all the screaming across the 'sphere if Oilers made that claim: "Tambellini is Lamoriello's stooge, taking an unwanted contract off his hands, bailing Lou out of cap hell, etc."
But if he doesn't claim him "Tambellini is an idiot for not picking up a useful defenceman who's less than 10 years past his prime and only paid three times what he's actually worth etc."
I feel horrible for Fedun. He was turning into a real Cinderella story. His skating was his glass slipper, so here's hoping he doesn't lose a single step and next year maybe he can make the big dance.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day, it's two AHL defensemen we lost, so while this game affected our depth, it has lesser impact on our starting 6. And it sounds like Smid should be ready in two weeks, but could possibly be in and out of the line up all year. I'm okay with that if it means Petry gets more time and we find out more about Potter. And fortunately it doesn't sound like Chorney is too badly off either.
We're not winning anything this year, so there's no reason for Tambi to be pushing any red buttons.
I would have claimed Colin White because he's an actual NHL defenceman.
ReplyDelete"I can just imagine all the screaming across the 'sphere if Oilers made that claim: "Tambellini is Lamoriello's stooge, taking an unwanted contract off his hands, bailing Lou out of cap hell, etc."
ReplyDeleteSome would say bailing Lou out of cap hell. Others would say taking advantage of a team pressed for cap space.
Either way, White is better value then a half dozen players on the roster, many who are highly regarded by oiler bloggers.
tranc - a transvestite with a ketamine addiction
Tikhonov on waivers today. His numbers in the AHL don't scream "claim me" but he's a skilled 6'2 RH C/RW that has some defensive game.
ReplyDeleteIF and that's a gigantic IF the Oilers were trying to piece together wins trading Omark for a defender and then giving Tikhonov that roster spot might make sense.
bumsfo - another word for Edmonton's faceoff percentage
I would love to see us take Gragnani off BUF and have him run the PP point with Petry.
ReplyDeleteGerta, he's terrible, they may as will pick anyone up off of waivers, it would be cheaper.
ReplyDeleteHis signing ranks as one of the greatest stories ever.
I would love to see us nab Gragnani off BUF. He would look nice running the PP point with Petry.
ReplyDeleteClue?
ReplyDeleteOiler fan in the bathroom with a shower rod.
From About:
ReplyDeleteAs stated previously, the femur is a tremendously strong bone--in order for a femur fracture to occur, either a large force must be applied or something is wrong with the bone. In patients with normal bone strength, the most common causes of femur fractures include:
* Car accidents
* Falls from a height
* Dapper old men with fat purses
Severity ranges from bad, to worse, to ghastly shudder.
In my mind's ear I hear Bettman watching the game tape wailing "Why, why, why?" in his best imitation of Nancy Kerrigan (he's half a sack shy of baritone to begin with).
Some hazy figures in the background are snapping back "It's only a small bruise, Gary, so suck it up."
Are they his comrades in league office referencing the NHL's reputation, or burly men in an out-building handy with baling twine, rickety chairs, and portable projection screens chagrined at his squeamishness?
In one ghost of the double image there is a dim outline of Agent Monk smoking languidly outside. "Shall we call him in?" "Nah, wait 'till commish yells himself hoarse."
What does it take?
Not sure what's gonna happen today or tomorrow but given all the buzz around 93 and Lander plus Pitlick and Martindale in OKC, you know it's a matter of time before 89's out the door.
ReplyDeleteWhat we get for 89 will determine how our D looks for the next little while.
@Traktor:
ReplyDeleteIF Oilers trade Omark at this stage then Tambellini might as well jump off the High level bridge with Kevin Lowe resuming his duties as Oilers GM.
@all of you:
IF Tambellini has shown anything, it's that he's not rushed into making hasty, desperate decisions. Sure, that means he's no Brian Burke/Punch Imlach, but this experienced hockey fan has seen the makings of a future championship winning team this season with the Hall/RNH/Eberle line, in full knowledge that there are more forward prospects arriving and coming than I've seen in the last 15 years COMBINED.
The players I'm suspicious of are the injury prone ones: Horcoff(lol), Hemsky, Whitney come immediately to mind. I'm sure there are others.
I'm not crying over the injuries from last night, because that's the way she blows from time to time. It's a rough sport, and these guys stand to make a killing, and I'm just not going to waste a second of my time worrying over any of them personally.
They have a 50 player list of players, and when one goes down I simply wait and see who comes up next. And Tambellini most of us might loathe, lol, but he's the GM who drafted Hall/RNH, not Niinnimaki and all the other dross from the past generation(20 years).
We all want the Oilers to win now. That's natural. That's expected. We also know that the rest of the league is already starting to look at the Oilers with green eyed jealousy. Why? Because barring stupidity from the GM, eventually the Oilers are going to win at leat 1 and possibly more cups.
As for the team having a terrible defence, maybe it's going to have to be like what happened to the Flyers before they won anything. They were pushed around, beaten and whipped in the old Western Conference, before finally getting fed up then as any fan of history knows they went on to terrorize the NHL. Perhaps this is what's going to happen to the Oilers re their defence - that eventually they're going to address the issue in the best possible way.
We wait.
I still don't get this Detroit-east thing. The most sensible geographic arrangement is still Nashville to the Southeast, Winnipeg to the Northwest, Colorado to the Pacific (Southwest?), and Dallas to the Central. Everything adds up, unless the Coyotes become the Nordiques or Scouts redux.
ReplyDeleteOr unless you go to four divisions, in which case, everything goes haywire.
eventually the Oilers are going to win at leat 1 and possibly more cups
ReplyDeleteI certainly hope you're right, hunter, but the evidence shows a team needs to build complementary pieces onto their great drafts to make a cup happen. And the mgt here hasn't done a lot of strong complementary building. Either before or after the teardown.
doogie, that totally ignores the revenue streaming thing, which buggers up all common sense, as usual. Different teams need to have certain teams show up in their towns to make their gate that much better. Detroit pulls in great crowds in the West, while Winnipeg will not. Teams in the Pacific division are all too aware of that to let Detroit go where they geographically belong.
ReplyDeleteI don't think he'll do a thing.
ReplyDeleteAnother lottery year. Watch the really good prospects develop. Watch guys get injured. Watch NK sweat it out. Watch the arena crap. Watch no money spent. Repeat.
Bar Qu: Eventually some of these complimentary pieces you speak of have to emerge at TC, and from the AHL.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, the fact is Oilers have brilliant talents emerging. Hockey is a game where talent usually trumps effort(see Oilers v Stars for proof), and as a witness to the dynasty, I can happily state there is no better feeling than watching your team slaughter the opposition.
No way would Oilers do that this season, so, I might as well enjoy what these kids get up to on ice, with a minimum of worry on my part.
What I love about this years team is, not the fact they're still going to suck quite a bit, but, the fact that the rest of the NHL is going to start seeing this team developing in the same way as the Penguins/Capitals did a few seasons ago.
And as Canadian franchises aren't supposed to allow their teams to blow, lol, it makes me even more proud that once more the Oilers will lead the other Canadian teams into the brave new world of tank/get great players.
Gerta, he's terrible, they may as will pick anyone up off of waivers, it would be cheaper.
ReplyDeleteHis signing ranks as one of the greatest stories ever.
That's all I needed to hear.
Didn't Cliff Fletcher think he was Kurt Sauer or something..?...maybe he thought he was signing Jeff Bridges...
Doogie/BarQu: it's entirely a time zone thing. Detroit doesn't want to be playing games +3 hours when they travel to places like SJ or LA. Hard to get your fans to watch games that start at 10pm local time. Obviously, with others like Columbus in the West, someone is going to get screwed by this, but Detroit is prominent and they'd rather it not be them.
ReplyDeleteAshley (from way earlier): you're exactly right. Dubnyk did not look good last night. I guess the difference is that with DD's recent track record, that's an aberration whereas with Khabibulin, it's a confirmation.
On trades: I don't think Tambellini is going to trade someone like 23 or 89 unless there's a Blum coming back. They've shown the willingness to throw a season rather than make a bold correction so there's no reason to believe that they'll dangle a good prospect for peanuts.
Gerta: Yep.
ReplyDeleteThe most sensible geographic arrangement is still Nashville to the Southeast, Winnipeg to the Northwest, Colorado to the Pacific (Southwest?), and Dallas to the Central.
ReplyDeleteYes, except Vancouver to the Pacific, Colorado stays with us in the Northern Plains Division.
Is there an easy way to compare the Jets' travel miles to the Wilds' for this coming season?
I bet the Jets travel less.
Ashley (from way earlier): you're exactly right. Dubnyk did not look good last night. I guess the difference is that with DD's recent track record, that's an aberration whereas with Khabibulin, it's a confirmation.
ReplyDeleteYeah I know the score. I just like to shake the tree around here every now and then. :)
Dennis: you're likely right because they've been mum on hemsky for a long time now, but on the other hand he hasn't given much to talk about yet (and never does in pre-season).
ReplyDeleteIn case anyone is wondering if Fedun will at least get his NHL salary to soften the blow on a possible career ending injury.
ReplyDeleteThe answer is no - he will get his AHL salary.
Here is the relevant quote from the CBA (I just posted this at ON and thought someone here might be interested).
15.6 Any Player who is injured during Training Camp and who has qualified during
the preceding season, including Playoffs, for at least fifty (50) games credit for the
purposes of the Pension Plan or is on a one-way SPC, shall receive his Paragraph 1 NHL
Salary and Signing Bonus until he receives appropriate medical clearance. All other
Players will be paid a daily rate until they receive appropriate medical clearance, such
rate to be determined as follows:
(a) For the immediately preceding season, determine the number of Regular
Season days the Player spent on the Club Active Roster, Injured Reserve and/or NonRosterandonaminorleagueclub’sroster.
(b) The number of days the Player was on an NHL Club's Active Roster,
Injured Reserve and/or Non-Roster or minor league roster is then divided by the total
number of days in the immediately preceding Regular Season to obtain a fraction.
(c) Thefractionobtainedin(b)isthenmultipliedbythePlayer’sParagraph1
NHL Salary and Paragraph 1 Minor League Salary for the current season, as appropriate
finally, the line combinations:
ReplyDeleteRyan Smyth - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Jordan Eberle
Taylor Hall - Shawn Horcoff - Magnus Paajarvi
Teemu Hartikainen - Anton Lander - Josh Green
Lennart Petrell - Ryan O'Marra - Ryan Jones
Cam Barker - Tom Gilbert
Theo Peckham - Jeff Petry
Andy Sutton - Corey Potter
Nikolai Khabibulin
That defence will probably be the starters when the games start to count. That looks......scary.
I'll be interested to see Paajarvi on RW, I wonder if that's something we might see more of as time goes by.
ReplyDeleteI am interested in seeing nine of those 12 forwards play.
ReplyDeleteBut the defense is still shit.
Still, I hope the puppet holds and we don't get beat too bad; in that case potentially forcing his hand.
speeds: Omark and Hemsky are possible trade bullets, so MP and or Hartikainen on RW makes sense.
ReplyDeleteKhabibulin in a contract year, don't you know.
ReplyDeletePeckham doing the Mr. Magoo. I think he's a coach.
ReplyDeleteIs it me, or is Mark Lee prouncing Lander's name "Lauder"?
ReplyDeleteMan the Lauder guy can play
ReplyDeleteMark Lee used to date Estee Lauder, that could be it.
ReplyDeleteYep, he's definitely saying "Lauder"
ReplyDeleteHave I mentioned recently how much I love the CBC?
That's oen of those BS hooking calls. the Vancouver player was holding Sutton's stick there.
ReplyDeleteDiamonds, I fear, are forever.
ReplyDeletewunderbar:
ReplyDeleteagreed. It's really hard to hook a guy with one hand on your stick. who cares if it's parallel
They've done a good job denying zone entry on this PP. Hopefully we'll see more of that.
ReplyDeleteOh how I've missed the Lee and Weekes combo
ReplyDeleteunderwear girl:
ReplyDeleteOilers have a claim on a waiver player.(Leafs Insider)
Fussy britches says the Oilers have claimed a player.
ReplyDeleteAnother BS hook
ReplyDeleteThat was even gayer than the first call.
ReplyDeleteHow mad might some fans be if the Oilers claimed a forward?
ReplyDeleteEstee freaking Lauder is impressive.
ReplyDeleteThat's just a bad call. What's the guy supposed to do let him walk right through?
ReplyDeleteCanucks are masters at drawing that one.
Where's the call on Jones?
Not mvp's fault. tipped by Hodgson.
ReplyDeleteIf that's true, There wasn't one defenseman worth a damn on waiver to claim.
ReplyDeleteDon't see why they'd waste another contract on another forward
Loved seeing Burrows literally bounce off of Harski. Didnt even budge him.
ReplyDeleteRyan Parent? Must be.
ReplyDeletePetry with a few good escape moves when retrieving pucks.
ReplyDeletePotter not so much - and the canucks know it. Every puck is ending up in his corner now.
Hartikainen is solid. (figuratively and literally) and really hard on the puck. I like it.
ReplyDeletethree organizations has given up on Parent.. whats the point of claiming him. wait til the last cuts..
ReplyDeleteNo, I'm just saying that's the guy on waivers today.
ReplyDeleteWas thinking the same thing LT. And that sly fellow Tambo saved some coin - he can just hop on the return flight!
ReplyDeleteMight be Tikhonov-Traktor might be on to something.
ReplyDeletejust hand the canucks the game refs
ReplyDeletepushing is now a penalty
I'd wait until the Red Wings make their cuts. Gotta be a good D in there somewhere.
ReplyDeleteIt seems Barker has the brain and hands to play but just doesn't have the wheels. Made a nice play in the first to start an odd man rush then couldn't keep up to make it really dangerous. That and Jones had the puck.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the Oil plucked Pouliot off the waiver wire. Lol.
ReplyDeletespoiler: i'd be thrilled!
ReplyDeleteYou haven't been able to rent out the basement since he left?
ReplyDelete;o)
No! Plus he apparently knows how to play the DIAMOND!
ReplyDeletewho is on the waiver wire right now anyway?
ReplyDeleteMcKenzie had the list on his twitter today, not much really. I can't imagine it's Parent.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's a goalie? :-)
Estee is NHL ready. Brule is AHL ready.
ReplyDeleteWaivers, part way down Bob.
ReplyDeleteThats a mobile link, sorry.
The dirty Russian center seems to have a little more speed this fall.
ReplyDeleteIs Khabibulin still in his contract year? Mark Lee breaks so many news stories I have a time keeping up.
ReplyDeletePer Bob:
ReplyDeleteMancari, Duco, Parent, (VAN); Pouliot, Tikhonov (PHX); Mitchell, Newbury, Kris (NYR); Stapleton (WPG); St Pierre, Giroux, Holden, (CBJ).
LT - well I have it on good authority he was training in Crimea, working like capitalist dog during day, enjoying love of husky Ukranian peasant women at night.
ReplyDeleteThose peasant women and their enormous sweaty nipples.
So I've heard
Well Potter's one ahead of Smid, he moved the puck up AND got a shot away.
ReplyDeleteThat's two plays for Smid.
Cups guaranteed have the following fresh ground coffee aroma:
ReplyDeleteLapointe-Robinson-Savard
Lidstrom-Murphy-Konstantinov
Bourque-Blake-Foote
Stevens-Niedermayer-Rafalski
Pretty good Robusta, if blended with HOF flavour notes (and brewed before expiry):
MacInnis-Suter-McCrimmon
Redden-Chara-Phillips
Coffey-Huddy-Lowe
Chelios-Suter-"Smith"
Hatcher-Sydor-Zubov
Roasted chicory root (popular during the Slave Lake civil war):
Whitney-Gilbert-Smid
Ilex vomitoria (Northern Albertan ceremonial coffee substitute):
Peckham-Petry-Potter
No offense to Souray-Sanipass-Sasakamoose, but when they offered you the peace pipe instead, there was serious incentive to bury the hatchet. But maybe it grows on you.
Post CBA, you're never more than a skate blade away from going to war with chicory root outriders.
If we had
Whitney-Gilbert-Smid-Whitney-Teubert-Smid-Whitney-Klefbom
we'd be getting somewhere. Our infirmary would need its own jet.
Horc should go back to Mexico for a new stick pattern - man he can't handle the puck or make a pass tonight.
ReplyDeleteWell that was entertaining
What the hell was that?
ReplyDeletewell that was a cluster, but I'll take it.
ReplyDeleteGo Oilers?!?!
Holy chances! Paarjarvi got it!!
ReplyDeleteLander has been the best player on the ice.
ReplyDeleteI don't see how they're gonna send him down with Gagner out..
I'll take a PP goal any how they get it
ReplyDeleteNot that he probably wasn't going back to the AHL anyways, but I doubt if Renney liked that Hartikainen giveaway.
ReplyDeletePeckham will be captain by the time this fight is over. Damn.
ReplyDeleteGood for Peckham. Lapierre's cheap shoting a tied up guy along the boards
ReplyDeleteBD: Horcov got married a few years back. Wife's name? Olga.
ReplyDeleteFirst guy to go after Oreskovich? Tom Gilbert.
ReplyDeleteBoy is he a pussy.
Whatever Weekes, Lapiere pulled his visor down like a full face shield. Looked like robocop. Man it's hard not to dispise the Canucks
ReplyDeleteVery high hit IMO
i guess it was peckham getting cheap shotted
ReplyDeleteLapierre hurt his cock holder.
ReplyDeleteLT!
ReplyDeleteLove it!
who is this thug "nugent hopkins", putting Sedin into the boards?
ReplyDeleteTheir PK has looked OK this game...weird.
ReplyDeleteI like RNH more everytime I see him. He's slight but he doesn't back down.
Another great forecheck from the Nuge. That really is an underrated part of his game.
ReplyDeleteWho was that Canuck that he knocked over?
Now Bieksa needs to get fed his lunch - went for Hall's knee.
ReplyDeleteSutton - time to show why you're here.
These are the games you need Eagers and Hordichuks.
Too Tall Sedin.
ReplyDeleteNuge sure looks like he belongs at this level.
ReplyDeleteSmytty still has the muffin of a shot, lol.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen much preseason but the special teams look better, am I right?
LT - everyone thinks I just made up those letters, he's a dirty fucking Red and its time the world knew!
Tom Gilbert has looked a bit ornery this pre-season. I hope he doesn't end up injuring himself trying to play more physical trying to please the unwashed masses. That's the last thing this blueline needs.
ReplyDeleteKhabibulin with the special SUPER BALL pads. Working well, until someone loses an eye.
ReplyDeleteNice outlet from Harski there.
ReplyDeleteRidiculous.
ReplyDeleteIs it "let's injure an Oiler" night?
WHy isn't Hordichuk dressed anyway?Wasn't he ready to show the Canucks what for?
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your suspension Edler
We might not survive the pre-season.
ReplyDeleteMeh. These kids are going to take their knocks.
ReplyDeleteCheapest team in the league!
ReplyDeleteRE: taking their knocks
ReplyDeleteI don't mind them getting bumped around a little but wasn't it a game like this when Hall got frustrated and had the fight where he ended up injured. *That* can't happen again.
If Edler catches him how he wants him, that's not meh. That's Marc Savard.
ReplyDeleteWell one of the reasons the Canucks are doing it is exactly because of last season. It's part of Hall's maturing process. I love his compete but he has to do what he did tonight. Keep playing, head up and then make them pay when the PP chances come.
ReplyDeleteTHAT hasn't happened yet, but it wil.
I was actually happy to see the hit on Ted, see how he took it.
ReplyDeleteAnd there's another great shift from him. He's playing with plenty of confidence.
that third camera angle reply really showed elder's intent.
ReplyDeletebetween grabbing the stick to draw holding penalties, Lapierre's riot cop visor fight and the headshot on hall, the Canucks are looking dirty as ever.
[captcha = anises]
I hope we don't see the fourth line taking the last shift of the period against the Sedins in the regular season.
ReplyDeleteWell I don't think anyone will remember it (including me) but the kids are surviving against NHL competition. I expect Corsi is going to take a dim view but it's a nice group of kids up front.
ReplyDeleteTheir compete level seems so much higher than in the past.
ReplyDeleteIf they get improved Goaltending and add an actual NHL defenseman or two, they could, if injuries stay away (yeah right), make a run at a playoff spot
Hall skates so low that I think he's going to draw a lot of hit to the head penalties this year.
ReplyDeleteI like Hall, he looks like a meathead but he's pretty bright I think.
ReplyDeleteFirst good interview I've ever seen with Taylor Hall. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteJust watching this interview with Hall, he's seems much more mature. Very composed with his answers.
ReplyDeleteHe's going to be an absolute stud.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI've gotten the impression from several people that Hall's maturity level has noticeably improved in every way over the (long) summer. His interviews have reflected that.
ReplyDeleteWow Lander has passion. Between him and Hall I'm not sure I can tell who wants to win more. Throw Smyth in there and Harski, and suddenly this team has character.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind this Sutton guy at all tonight. Maybe he came advertised worse than he actually is.
RNH not showing any rookie nerves at all. Hall had more nerves if I recall. His play in his first 9 games may make it impossible to send him back to junior.
This is good hockey. We have skill, and not just a little of it. We're light in the back end, but this is going to be a fun year.
Teddy was definitely trying to break Yappy-er's ribs with those early body blows.
ReplyDeleteHiggins beat Wilbur from me to you there.
ReplyDeleteHow exactly do you fire it in heavily?
ReplyDeletepotter's gotten markedly better as the games gone on.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard not to be optimistic watching this. In the past the Sedins would have 3 or 4 PPG by now
Well shit.
ReplyDeletegoogle word: hymen
Looked a little stinky there for about 30 seconds before the goal.
ReplyDeleteNot one player on the ice for that goal against with more than a season worth of experience. Tsk
ReplyDeleteNow there some push back on the next shift. Nice. Pretty girl behind Canucks coach too. Good job, CBC. Now get Oake up there to interview her. :-)
ReplyDeleteBy my eye, the Kids have been facing Malhotra and the Bionic Eye line all night.
ReplyDeleteelite athletes or not - playing 30 minutes last night and then again tonight has got to be exhausting.
ReplyDeleteDid the Nuge just crush Tanev on the forecheck?
ReplyDeleteYou know, besides some big rebounds NK has been pretty good tonight. Got to give him that.
ReplyDeleteT.
ReplyDeleteGilberts definitely getting tired. He's got a week to rest so that's good.