Wednesday, November 30, 2011

G 25 Wild at Oilers

Sometimes my kids will ask me what it was like to grow up in the 60s. I'll say things like "well we road bikes a lot and drank cokes and sometimes for fun we'd push a tire down the road." This is followed by much laughter.

Since my children sometimes frequent this blog, I offer as proof this photo of Robert Zimmerman Bob Dylan* pushing a tire down the road. The photo also offers proof that "littering" isn't a modern invention.


The Oilers are once again in need of a win to keep pace with the very competitive NW division. It's funny, the Canucks are the king of the hill but long time contender Calgary is off the pace. You'd think Minnesota would be the likely candidate to slide up the division, with Edmonton and Colorado waiting for a better tomorrow.

This season, Minnesota is the strongest team in the division so far. Their GF-GA numbers suggest some mirage (despite being 57-53 GF/GA overall, they are 10 goals better than league average in GA) but the wins and points keep on coming.

Minnesota is in 1st in the conference this morning, the Oilers are tied with Nashville way back in 10th. However, the difference is 5 points and should EDM win tonight it is down to 3. Oilers staying within 7 to 9 points of the top all season (should they do it) would be a clear indicator this team has made progress.

However, a long losing streak would effectively snap the chord on the season and put coach Tom Renney's future in doubt. At least a little. The organization has stated in many ways that improvement in a real way is the goal. Using last year as a line in the sand (they were 8-12-4 after 24 by my count a year ago) their current 12-10-2 is real progress. Gotta keep the train rolling.
--

Lines in practice yesterday had Gagner on the 2line and Paajarvi back down on the 3line. If he doesn't shave those sideburns I don't know what'll happen. Coach Renney will probably go with NK tonight, Dubnyk's sideburns have been getting a little long too.
--

In the last 10 games, Jordan Eberle's shooting percentage is 26.3 and he's scoring from Mike Bossy places. I know he will come back to earth sometime, but he sure looks like a 30+ goal scorer right now. Is 25 a reasonable number based on his first quarter? The kid hasn't disappointed one time, not even close.
--

The new blog is up, I'm working on a few things. If you get a chance, have a quick look at things, any input is welcome.

*My daughter has informed me Bob Dylan only allows the President of the United States to call him that other name. Apologies to Mr. Zimmerman.

187 comments:

  1. C'mon Oil!

    Just don't give us a snoozer.

    So is this new blog something you are transitioning this one into?

    Going to have a peek.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yay LT!

    I looked at the new website. Very nice.

    Can I suggest adding a splash of color? Colour?

    ReplyDelete
  3. New blog looks good.

    What do you think of B Dubinsky LT?

    Curious what others think as well. He is having a hard time finding the ice in the Big Apple and I think he could be had?

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  4. The dreaded Wild.

    Although after the snoozer against NSH I doubt this one is worse.

    Once Whitney rounds into game shape (Christmas?) it will help a ton, he's looked like a liability out there.

    With the Bobby Ryan rumors you see 234,322,234 proposed trades for him, and when a player like that is available, GM's have to kick the tires or else they're are not doing their job.

    Including Eberle in any proposed trade for Ryan is ludicrously wrong.

    Ryan has 3 years after this one at 5.1MM then UFA.

    Eberle has 1 year after this at 1.1, then the Oilers still own his soul for another 4 years, and he may sign for longer.

    He'll get a raise, but 5.1 is a stretch.

    Eberle has a big head, ice water in his veins and very accurate shot.

    He may score more goals than Ryan over their careers.

    I'm all for getting Ryan, large bodied scorers are rare, but not at the expense of Eberle.

    The top two lines better get some goals tonight because with 89 moving up with 94-10 the desert of the bottom 2 lines just got drier.

    I wouldn't mind O'Marra having a good showing tonight. A big body who can play a little, PK a little, and fight a little, is ok as a 4C. Lander's been drowning as many rookies do and its not a knock on him to spend some time in OKC or the press box.

    Hemsky with a 3 point night.

    4-2 Oilers

    Book it!

    Go Oilers!

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  5. Yay new site!!

    The grey on grey is tough on 40 year old eyes. A slightly lighter script color would help.

    Optimizes well on the crackberry and is much easier to read there as well.

    Are comments editable?

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  6. Does it seem to anyone else that all we ever play is Nashville or Minnesota? Its time for the Oilers to make a statement without Hall. Looked lost last game without him...

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  7. slopitch: perhaps the Oilers will make the statement "we suck without Hall".

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  8. Site looks great LT. Some small suggestions:

    - I think grey on black is hard as well to read. Maybe add a 3rd color too? Could add a little more oiler branding (if your allowed)
    - Use your menu for links to popular content like top 20, reasonable expectactions, advertize/contact links
    - Add a fav icon
    - seeing how the site is primarily a blog, I'd host it at lowetide.ca (or at least have something that directs to the blog at lowetide.ca)

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  9. Don't see the archive at the new site.

    Last thing to move over?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Went to the new site on my phone. Looks good,easy to navigate.Agree with the could use a little more color crowd.

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  11. I don't like change.

    *Waves cane at teenagers. Shits self.*

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  12. Like the new site LT. Had the same comment as Woodguy re: the archive.

    Can't stand watching MIN but the only thing worse is listening to their announcers - the pbp man is a dreadful homer the way he roots on the air (makes Debrusk almost seem objective).

    Going to be hard w/out Hall but this is one we need to find a way to win.

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  13. BDHS - I think DSF got ahold of your Blogger Password and is using it to post.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Random New Blog Ideas

    - a place for guest posts
    - a place for community section with buy and sell etc
    - a paypal button for donations to you. This is a must IMO. I know you are not that type, but for the amount of enjoyment I have gotten from this blog I would most certainly like to at least buy you and the wife dinner
    - IP Ban on Traktor
    - An old photos that you love section

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  15. BTW - There is zero chance that Bobby Ryan is an Oiler as long as Kevin Lowe is in the org chart.

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  16. Nice look on the blog but add one more for a little hard on the eyes.

    Your write-ups are the main attraction, so I think they should be emphasized more on the homepage. Both with a more visible color and with the layout. I always like reading the intro before diving into the rest of the post. With the new layout, only the top spot has reasonable room and the other intros are squished into tiny squares.

    Great to see you get your own advertising and I'll second that idea for a donations button.

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  17. May I just say that the "Lowe would never get Ryan because he called him a questionable second pick" talk is silly?

    Saying he shouldn't have gone second overall is hardly the same as saying he's a bad player you'd never want. And beyond that, moving Lowe further upstairs comes with the advantage of distancing yourself from things he's said that are silly.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I don't mind the archive being hosted at the ol' blogspot if it's still being a problem. Just link back to it.

    Site looks nice. I'd suggest...

    - a larger font size

    - Get away from tiered comments if possible. They always look like a big mess to me.

    - Remove the bar and orange glob at the top of the page.

    Boy, it will be hard to not see the ol' familiar white and tan comments section. It might take a bit to get used to.

    Thanks, Danny!

    ReplyDelete
  19. The Wild....Again?? And twice again next month?? Really getting tired of these guys.

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  20. Flames just put one of their thugs on waivers. It's probably good news for Saturday.

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  21. Does it seem to anyone else that all we ever play is Nashville or Minnesota?

    Never fear, we got Columbus coming in next to break the monotony.

    I do think this is a statement game for the Oilers. If they come home from a trip with big wins in Nashville and Minnesota only to roll over to the same teams at home, we're not really making much progress, now are we?

    Like Dennis I could see that first loss coming on Monday, but the boys need to steel themselves right now to the reality that Hall's not around for awhile and find other ways to make things happen. A fucking goal out of one of Gagner, Paajarvi or Belanger would be a great place to start. Hard to believe all three of those guys were in the mid-teens a year ago, when a third of the way into this season not one of them has a single snipe.

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  22. Nice new site LT.

    Agree with Matt N. about a donations link. Your blog has been my daily first stop since '06. Since then, I've probably wasted an entire calendar year of my employer's time due to you. I'd love to repay you in some way for that level of service!

    Disagree with Matt N. about blocking Tracktor. He's a disgruntled Oilers fan, but at least, deep down, he's a fan. Some sort of filter for trolling Dys fans would be nice though.

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  23. Sometimes the Wild, Predators, and Columbus all just merge together as though they were the same team - not sure why...

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  24. I blame the central time zone, bookie.

    I look forward to another snoozefest tonight too. But another goal from Eberle, and a halftime callout of his team too.

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  25. Strike that. I meant, between period callout.

    That's as bad as calling it the 7th inning stretch.

    nomment - what I sometimes tell myself when I feel like commenting

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  26. BDHS: is that you in your 20's at a bar like the Cecil(CGY) or you in your old age.

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  27. Hey guys, send the comments etc. Its a work in progress, so feedback will help get it where it needs to be.

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  28. I don't like change.

    *Waves cane at teenagers. Shits self.*


    Were those damn kids on your lawn again Pat? Stupid whipper-snappers...

    ReplyDelete
  29. The new site definitely works and has Danny's fingerprints all over it: I posted a comment about not wanting veteran players and $10 was automatically sent to my email!!!:)

    Oilers still have CBJ-Cgy-Car-Col left on the homestand docket after the Wild so a loss to Min wouldn't necessarily be a death knell But I think another poor effort would be the start of something decidedly mediocre.

    Despite Renney floating the old "team looks tired" balloon in the press I think the Oilers win tonight and that, yes, 83 has something to do with it. One thing no one else has mentioned was just how entertaining the Oilers win at Minny was last Friday, ie a few scoring chances created and some up-and-down play. Will that be replicated a scant five days later? or will Jacques Lemaire have been a special guest of Mike Yeo and brought in pictures of the players mothers with threats of torture should the game get a little too pacey.

    You know who scares me on the Wild? that goddamned Matt Cullen. Always seems to be in the mix.

    Finally, heard this song a few seasons ago on Sons Of Anarchy and it's a cover of the one LT posted.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRYZss_9SqE

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  30. Sometimes the Wild, Predators, and Columbus all just merge together as though they were the same team - not sure why...

    I've got the same issue - they're all just so ... generic. They're all from the last round of expansion, and they're all in the west so we see them 4-6 times a year. None of them is what you'd call a dynamic team to watch, whatever successes they've had is through solid application of what I would call expansion strategies. Kitty bar the door, and trap 'em to sleep. I personally preferred the 26-team league, and the 21-team loop was better still. (I won't go any further back than that, cuz that would exclude my Oilers!)

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  31. With Regards to the new blog - Make the most Recent story bigger - 4x the size of other stories as opposed to 2x. That will allow more of the story to show and will also prevent the need for 'stretched' photos.

    I think one of the real strengths of LTs existing blog is that sense of temporal flow - frequently, you will see threads end with - 'LT has posted a new blog post' at which point the ongoing (multiyear) soap opera style conversation continues.

    This soap opera conversation is really a valuable component of the blog (I like how some actors come back after being away for years without ever explaining what happened to them). LT acts as the conductor who guides the discussion in certain directions, but there is an organic element to the discussion which creates a 'cult like' atmosphere that sucks people in. From Onion Toting Coach to Book it, the site is unique because of the culture.

    So, don't mess that up by making it be too much like news site - keep the vertical flow and don't add things like Game Day Chats - the Game Day Chats take place in the Blog comment section - as it should.

    So, yes, I have called this both a cult and a soap opera. I look forward to the time when LT leads us all to an island in the South Pacific where we all drink the purple cool-aid in an overly dramatic fashion.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Any large lettering, esp. the white on grey, on new site looks blurry to my middle-aged eyes, Mitchell!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Nice, new site looks good..

    Not sure if it is possible to mod this, but i would suggest giving that first article box (the one currently filled w marincin) more vertical.. more like 4:3 aspect ratio, imo.. just seems a little too squished..

    Other than that.. hope the advertising goes well (assuming thats the freedom this transition w provide).. you work hard and we all appreciate it..

    Cheers,

    ReplyDelete
  34. Posted this on the other site, but it would be lovely to have a link that would automatically take you to new posts in the comment thread after you've opened it. Most message boards have this feature and it makes coming back and checking over and over and over again (like we all do) so much easier.

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  35. Okay, so the comments can be modified. I'll check on some of this other stuff and God love Danny I hope he'll still return my emails after today. :-)

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  36. I would agree that light grey text on darker grey background does not make for fantastic readability. Makes what is actually a very nice crisp font look otherwise blurry.

    Other than that I'm very impressed, and like it a lot. Can't wait to see it.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Thanks Danny for all of the assistance you provided LT on new site.

    So long as great articles/comments continue I will be most content with whatever the format.

    Dennis suspect that everyone believes Oil further along in competing this year than we expected including Ducey and Danny

    We still need a real NHL defence

    Beauty of Bobby Ryan is he would provide something we do not have: a genuine big body in the top 6. Under no circumstance would I trade Eberle to get Ryan. But after Hall, RNH and Eberle everyone else would be in play

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  38. A friend today used the term "poor-man's Zenon Konopka" to describe Ryan O'Marra.

    Seems fitting.

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  39. rickibear - what's this Cecil place? the type of place where you go blind by night's end?

    I actually knew a guy who shat his own bed he got so drunk. Now I like to drink and I've had some where I couldn't see walk or talk by night's end. How you could end up in that state is beyond me though.

    His wife was impressed.

    HBomb - the teenagers don't come near my place, they know better

    ecrow - the money an NHLer with no teeth has to put up to protect the moron owners from themselves

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  40. I agree with Bookie. There should be one current thread (like this one) where you can find out what is going on thru the comments or keep up with/ start the latest fight.

    It gets to be a pain trying to find the latest comments if there are 3 or 4 active threads.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Principes lineup...

    Smyth-RNH-Eberle
    Gagner-Horcoff-Hemsky
    Paajarvi-Belanger-Jones
    Hordichuk-O'Marra-Petrell

    Smid-Gilbert
    Whitney-Petry
    Sutton-Peckham

    Khabby

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  42. "Girl From North Country" is in a three-way-tie for my favourite song of all time, bar nothing.

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  43. Been waiting for a suitable segue to ask this as it's a bit OT, but LT's mention of 14's high SP has brought it to my mind again so here goes.

    Smyth's numbers this year are incredible, as is the percentage of his shots that are finding their way into the net. So math tells us that at some point, that has to come back to earth. But of course our ability to interpret statistics and make predictions from them is limited by the quality of information we are starting with. So here's the dilemma I'm seeing with regard to shooting percentage as a predictor/indicator of Smytty's performance.

    Garbage goals are his bread and butter (I was disappointed when I found out "GARBAGE GOALS" wouldn't fit above the 94 on my jersey) and as usual, a lot of his goals are being scored that way. Whacking away at lose pucks in front of the net is a key to this, and it often takes quite a few whacks to pop the puck free and get it under a pad or past a skate. Most of the time, these whacks aren't counted as a shot on goal. If they were, it's not unreasonable to think a given players shots per game, depending on his style, could be double the official number for some games.

    If the whack goes in, it clearly gets counted as a shot. And in a messy pile-up in front of the net, it may be the only of five or six pokes that get officially counted as a SOG. From this perspective, it seems that Smyth's shooting percentage, while high, may not be as unsustainable as it first appears.

    All that said, I'm generally completely out of my depth talking about stats, so I'll leave it to the wiser minds to consider or ignore. Thoughts?

    BTW: Love the new look, LT. Just hope the high density of ad spaces in the top right doesn't overwhelm the clean aesthetic once it's filled with multicoloured blinking dancing clickmes.

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  44. New Blog looks good LT. First Dylan song I ever heard was Lay Lady Lay. I thought, "Who is the man with the golden voice?" The next song... Subterranean Homesick Blues. Like night and day, but I was hooked!

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  45. The new site is nice. I agree with above comments about needing some colour. For some reason the grayscale causes me to see the logo of "The Punisher" in the background. Otherwise looking forward to the transition.

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  46. I love the acronyms for our lines tonight

    S.NH.E. (This is the one I like the least because I don't know what it means, but they've been awseome, so who cares!)
    G.H.H. - Pronounced Guhh, because its not pretty
    P.B.J. - Gotta love Peanutbutter Jelly
    H.O.P. - Any line with hop has got to be good. Right? ... RIGHT?!?

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  47. I actually prefer tiered comments, myself. Makes it easier to follow a single conversation at a time.

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  48. Are there enough roster spots for the Oilers to have *all* the Ryans in the league? One of you problably knows the answer to that question.

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  49. ... and how good a team would that be anyways?

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  50. Looking forward to seeing the Oil in person tonight. First time since the preseason, so my first chance to see RNH in a real NHL game. Too bad Lander is out, I'd'a liked to see him too. And Hall, obviously, although I did see him a few times last year. The sooner the better, though, and that's for sure.

    Going to keep an eye on Ryan Whitney's mobility if I can. I've seen-him-bad recently and I know from many of the comments sections that others have as well. I think that's the sort of thing one gets a much better sense of in three dimensions. Oilers other LD are Peckham and Sutton, so Whitney needs to look faster than them or we're in trouble.

    After 24 televised games in a row, this will be a real treat. Even if it's the Wild. And (ahem) the Oilers. ELPH!

    ReplyDelete
  51. I echo Ribs' comment about avoiding tiered comments (if I correctly understand what tiered comments are). I do most of my random (i.e. not post-specific) commenting here instead of at Copper and Blue for precisely that reason.

    Unless of course the objective is to get rid of me. But in that case, it would be more efficient just to ask me to leave.*

    *N.B. I would not leave if asked, and would create alternate accounts and post from different IPs to avoid detection if I was actually banned.

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  52. Upon further consideration, my asterisk and my "N.B." were essentially redundant. Unfortunately, comments here are not editable.

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  53. The site looks great LT - I like the monotone.

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  54. Our lack of physical presence up front is going to hurt us long term. if you look back at the games we lost handily we were physically outmatched. Our D has been more physical, but the biggest strength a physical team can bring is to scare opposing dmen, forcing turnovers. no one fears our forecheck, and when the physical play is ramped up we get our show run.

    A healthy Eager will help, and I think that is the main reason O'Marra was called up. Hartikainen would have been nice with Hemsky and horcoff but not an option due to injury. If we are to compete next year there are spots that need to be decided

    Hall-RNH-Eberle
    Smyth- ? - ?
    ? - Horcoff - ?
    (Gagner, Lander, MPS, Hartikainen, Hemsky, Omark options)
    Eager-Belanger-Jones
    (If we are to be competitive for a cup, this is a solid 4th line, not 2/3rds of our 3rd line)

    ReplyDelete
  55. I just realized that if we have an edit button, "Steve Smith" will be able to edit instead of posting and then addressing errors in the previous post.

    I fear he will spend more time editing than posting.

    NB *

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  56. CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR 2012/13 season

    FORWARDS
    Ryan Smyth ($3.500m) / Ryan Nugent-Hopkins ($3.775m) / Jordan Eberle ($1.158m)
    Taylor Hall ($3.750m) / Shawn Horcoff ($5.500m) / Ales Hemsky ($5.100m)
    Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson ($1.525m) / Sam Gagner ($2.500m) / Teemu Hartikainen ($0.875m)
    Ben Eager ($1.100m) / Eric Belanger ($1.750m) / Ryan Jones ($1.500m)
    Curtis Hamilton ($0.900m) / Anton Lander ($0.900m)

    DEFENSEMEN
    Josh Gorges ($4.000m) / Ryan Whitney ($4.000m)
    Tom Gilbert ($4.000m) / Ladislav Smid ($2.250m)
    Corey Potter ($1.250m) / Jeff Petry ($1.000m)
    Colten Teubert ($0.916m)

    GOALTENDERS
    Nikolai Khabibulin ($3.750m) / Devyn Dubnyk ($2.125m)

    BUYOUTS: Sheldon Souray ($1.500m)

    CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
    (these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
    SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $58,624,999; BONUSES: $6,822,500
    CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $5,675,001

    Leaves us almost $6 mill in 2013/14 to resign Hall and Eberle and MPS (which is plenty since the capgeek uses bonuses, so Hall is already almost $4 mill), as well Bulin's deal falls off, giving us $3.75 mill for goalies. And this takes into account signing Hemsky for $5.1 mill (or getting a Bobby Ryan) and signing a $4 mill dman (Josh Gorges in this example).

    I this a playoff team? cup contender? not sure, but i'm excited about where we sit cap wise and potential.

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  57. There appear to be actual rumblings about this Ryan trade (not to EDM, but other cities). Man, that makes no sense. Bobby Ryan is the guy you draft and never let go.

    Right?

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  58. Exactly. Why they would trade that kid is beyond me. He's a great mix of size and skill and he's barely out of his teens. Not only that but he's already produced in the NHL, he's just not a "potential" player.

    New site looks great btw.

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  59. LT,

    Re: Ryan trade.

    Winters said the other day that a NHL GM knows its time to fire a coach when too many core players demand a trade.

    Perhaps Ryan is the first to ask and Murray is shopping him.

    Won't fix what is wrong there, but every GM should be kicking those tires.

    ReplyDelete
  60. If you have Getzlaf, Potter, Ryan, and Fowler, all the team needs is better "filler", which can be obtained by careful and shrewd free agent signings. Hiller is a decent enough goaltender.

    Trading Ryan for "filler" would be kinda stupid.

    Carlyle doesn't have role players anymore. Getzlaf isn't a true hard minutes guy.

    Carlyle may have lost some of his veterans, like MacT did in the end.

    Hold tight. Take the high draft pick. And sign better filler next off season. Though that is a lot harder to do in Anaheim than in Edmonton.

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  61. Bob McKenzie saying between periods of the Leaf/Bruin game that he thinks Bobby Ryan ends up in Vancouver.

    Hmmmm.

    Schneider and Hodgson plus a pick?

    (BTW, if you want to get your heart rate up before the Oiler/Minny game, The Leafs and Bruins tilt is a great one on TSN)

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  62. I think ANA would be smarter to ask after Schneider and a solid defender.

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  63. I think ANA would be smarter to ask after Schneider and a solid defender.

    Agreed.

    When Vis goes down and Francios Beachemin is your top Dman, you have issues.

    Leave it to Gillis to convince Murray to take Ballard back as the key.

    Taking Scheneider instead of LOLongo is a plus though no?

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  64. @ WG.

    The Canucks have Eddie Lack warming up the bullpen.

    He's the real deal.

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  65. Lack very well may be, but after years of hearing you pump any prospect the Dys have ever had, it's kinda like the boy who cried wolf. Meh.

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  66. So, would Schneider and Edler get it done? Not enough? DSF?

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  67. Don't think they would move Edler.

    The kid will be a Norris candidate soon (he just turned 25).

    Maybe Bieksa if Anaheim won't take Ballard.

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  68. @ Danny.

    So how has that turned out for you?

    Game 7 of the cup final beats missing the playoffs for 6 years in a row, right?

    Or is that just me?

    ReplyDelete

  69. Maybe Bieksa if Anaheim won't take Ballard.


    Bieksa has full NTC as does Hamhuis.

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  70. Oh, DSF. Your Canucks have won so many Stanley's surely you could be a little charitable. :-)

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  71. Edler Norris?

    Van are against the cap. Flush. Any Ryan trade would likely be incumbent on Gillis flipping Ballard to a floor team with picks.

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  72. Oilers have had some chances tonight, but haven't cashed yet. I am starting to worry about their compete level in third periods, so here's hoping they are up by 4 or so by then.

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  73. I'm scratching my head but that hardly seems enough. W. T. H.

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  74. When did Sutton become such a threat that he can draw three defenders on a PP?

    Sick goal.

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  75. Hopkins is playing well, but Sutton is the true passer. Really.

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  76. Brodziak seems to have found his vocal chords since being shipped to Minny.

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  77. Hopkins is spinning away from checks like nobody's business. Hall swoops around the ice. Eberle is shifty. Swoopy, shifty, and spinny.

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  78. Horcoff should just pass it back to RNH and let him dish.

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  79. Laddy. If you're going to get 2 make it worthwhile.

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  80. I don't understand how Belanger is still on the pp unit. For the faceoff? There's no point in winning the faceoff if you don't do anything with it. Petry is on the team let him have a go at it.

    Gagner used to play center i think.

    Does Gagner and Hemsky plus a pick get us B Ryan?

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  81. Whitney's knee hurt someone else?

    That's like a hammer getting hit by a nail.

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  82. On Oilchange ep2, Clutterbuck hit Whitney and Ryan let go a profanity laced comeback.

    I'd like to see a replay on that knee-knee.

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  83. A knee on knee and an Oiler isn't out for 6-8 weeks?

    I could get used to that.

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  84. Re: Swoopy, Spinny, Shifty

    I just watched Oil Change and I think they're the HAF line.

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  85. it's too bad 24's such a dummy because he's fun to watch when he's playing bully-boy.

    Before 25 made that pass I saw a couple of nice little plays and thought to myself, "this is why vets matter."

    Chances 5-8; 5-3 EV; 0-5 ST

    Two thoughts to close:

    - teams don't win trades when they move the best player. Ducks won't win this

    - there's no way that - wait for it - at this point Seguin isn't a more polished offensive player than Hall.

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  86. 93's ability to shift his weight and direction, and his vision is just sick at times even if it is on the powerplay. Some comments a few days ago on his edgework were spot on. Joy to watch.

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  87. When do we get to legally say that RNH is a beauty? That he's one of the best??

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  88. That 14 kid plays pretty good with that 93 kid.

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  89. Now we just have to wait for Eberle to call out the team at half time.

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  90. My god. These two guys aren't even Taylor Hall.

    If only we had Shirokov.

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  91. Why are the Oilers such defensive juggernauts at home? There has got to be a ruler to measure that.

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  92. When do we start talking about Eberle > Hall?

    What's the sample size before we can make that call?

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  93. Bloggy: I think it's legal now.

    RNH is gold. And Eberle, on a freaking backhand. The kids are alright [sick].

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  94. I'm wondering if Katz pharmacies have developed their own brand of HGH. Is this an Olympic year?

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  95. Now that it's 0-2, Woodguy is secretly hoping that the Wild get 4 to make his 4-2 prediction correct :(

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  96. The kids are alright [sick]

    I see what you've done there!

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  97. Even if the Oilers dont sign Weber, he'll still be able to play with the kids...at the Olympics. Legit, Legit, Legit.

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  98. If EDM can make the playoffs, and have that atmosphere that happened on HNIC '06, it's a lock they're in the running for the Weber/Suter sweeps. Guys are looking to EDM with rings in their sights.

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  99. I love the RNH-Eberle duo, and Smyth is just adding to the fun.

    I'm officially changing Eric Belanger's name to Mark Belanger.

    After the maiming!

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  100. Edmonton is becoming the number one destination for RFAs right now.

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  101. BRODZIAK!????? oh god, we're done for, I jinxed us

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  102. That looks like he hit it in with his arm.

    Hopefully.

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  103. That's the 2nd penalty that PRV has drawn tonight.

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  104. Well at least Woodguy comes up on top with his stupid prediction.

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  105. And Bouchard hasn't scored yet, so we're basically down 3-2.

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  106. Jones and Horc w the almost clears.
    FFS, let the thing sit and send it somewhere.

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  107. "If EDM can make the playoffs, and have that atmosphere that happened on HNIC '06, it's a lock they're in the running for the Weber/Suter sweeps. Guys are looking to EDM with rings in their sights."

    That's pretty funny right there.

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  108. "Edmonton is becoming the number one destination for RFAs right now."

    Topped only by that one.

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  109. Yeah, I was making fun of the last one you quoted... Guess you didn't get it..

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  110. Well, if I wasn't an Oiler fan this would be a great time to bet real money on this third period with a sucker in copper and orange.

    Oilers haven't been too good lately in the back half of hockey games.

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  111. Oil don't come close to winning enough battles. Petry is this year's Pussy on D. Slow to think, slower to react. Doesn't react to anything as quick as he should. Trip to OKC is what he needs. Rather have Teubert clearing out the net.
    I'm sick of the Bobby Ryan crap... who gives a shit?

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  112. Now that it's 0-2, Woodguy is secretly hoping that the Wild get 4 to make his 4-2 prediction correct :(

    Well at least Woodguy comes up on top with his stupid prediction.

    Early in the thread I said:

    4-2 Oilers

    Your grade 3 teacher should have taught you reading comprehension.

    Perhaps next year you'll get the hang of it.

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  113. Nine chances allowed on the PP thus far.

    jesus, this would be a bad loss.

    also, the idea of 6's return has been much better than the reality

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  114. Just read all of Bloggy's comments in this thread.

    Has to be someone's comedy account.

    Sentence structure and grammar far exceeds content.

    SS perhaps?

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  115. Think slipper claimed it as his, though I don't recall if he was joking at the time.

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  116. Obviously 25 some games is too early to be seriously worried or concerned with post ELC contracts, BUT a wrinkle we haven't talked about much is that not only will Hall and Eberle be up for new contracts with those cap "problems", but the way RNH is going the team will have to look to get the first two in a decent number, because RNH may well be coming in north if the first 25 games is a reasonable indication of where things are going over the next couple of years.

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  117. Early in the thread I said:

    4-2 Oilers


    Haha, I guess I read that wrong; I was totally focused on it.

    4-2 DUDE!!! FOR THE OILERS!

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  118. the idea of 6's return has been much better than the reality

    Yeah, that is a big part of the season so far.

    Khabi and RNH unexcpectedly good.

    Whitney, MIA and now unexpectedly bad. That's a killer for a thin D-corps.

    That's the story of the season. We need Ryan Suter. (Not Bobby Ryan)

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  119. I don't see how that's the only penalty you get out of such a rough sequence (for either team).

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  120. Peckham has to be nearing the end of the line here. A HS at least. Man he's playing poorly.

    Except for the PK.

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  121. Peckham showing he has no self discipline and very little brains.

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  122. Some good play by O'Marra on that PK. I'm curious how his underlying numbers will match up with Lander's after a few games (assuming he plays that many).

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  123. You've got it backwards, WoodGuy - this is the joke account. Bloggy is my true self.

    Ingste: A crushing fear that you'll never live up to being traded for Grant Fuhr.

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  124. The problem is our young forwards make some mistakes. They need guys who can cover those mistakes, not amplify them.

    Petry looks solid to my eye. Not a "pussy."

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  125. Pecks needs to go back to #49.

    24 has to much crappy staios karma in it.

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  126. Would PM Bouchard play this well in Oiler games if he played for the Oilers?

    If so, trade Hall and RNH for him.

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  127. The Wild announcer just said that Whitney knocked Clutterbuck out of the game with what appeared to be a dirty hit.

    In the latest episode of Oil Change, Clutterbuck finishes a check a bit late and rubs Whitney out in front of the Oilers bench. Whitney is mic'd up, and what follows is a string of expletives including a "you little".

    I just thought that was hilarious, sounds like Whitney got his revenge.

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  128. Yeah, Theo has zero sense of the atate of the game.

    You've got it backwards, WoodGuy - this is the joke account. Bloggy is my true self

    MY BRAIN IS MELTING!

    Nah, I wrong, its not your style.

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  129. getting tired of watching gagner and Horcov plays die on Hemsky's stick.

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  130. Frack. Horcoff on a breakaway, Gagner point blank and Belanger..Belanger, Belanger.

    Belanger.

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  131. Oilers get a Bettman point, but so does the Wild. They could sure use that extra point.

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  132. Bloggy is a prank account!

    Nothing gets by me.

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  133. Smyth owes us all corn dogs if the Oilers lose. Corn dogs.

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  134. I don't think that Wild defender got a stick on it.

    I think Belanger just shot the puck 50 feet in the air and backwards.

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  135. Peckham on the Pk has been a good thing

    Heatley. Good God.

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  136. Would like to see

    Horcoff
    Eberle
    Nuge or Hemsky

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  137. There was a season when we won these damn things.

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  138. watching a feed where you can here them talking during the commercial breaks. :)

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  139. I wonder if Gagner goes back to that same move he first scored on that made everyone think he is good at shootouts that stopped working.

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  140. hmmmph... my first comment in weeks, and I get to eat crow.

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  141. I need to clarify... I AM pleased that Gagner scored.

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  142. What is Khabibulin's career shootout save percentage? He doesn't seem to save many. Jesus.

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  143. Khabibulin basically got beat on everything. Terrible.

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  144. I am really getting to dislike Brodziak, must mean he is effective vs. Oil, or he is getting lippy as he gets older.

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  145. Man. One day down the line, coach Renney is going to be in a room talking contract. Or not.

    His team has not been getting W's that should be W's lately. He's running his vet goalie, his young goalie is rust and there's no secondary scoring plus he doesn't trust sideburns.

    If he's following the MacT playbook, Toby Petersen is on his way to the city tonight.

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  146. Eberle was money, as usual.
    RNH was unlucky, had him beat

    But seriously, three fucking times?

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  147. We almost might as well put Dubynk in if it goes to a shootout.

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  148. Not a bad game. Great start, lousy finish, and time to glue Peckham to the chair in the press box.

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  149. Khabby's ass is behind the goal line by the time the shooter makes his move almost every time.

    A little too deep no?

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  150. Maybe I was a bit harsh on Petry. He had a better last 10 mins in all fairness. But he just doesn't seem interested some nights. His first 2 periods were lacklustre. Just not sold on him. Probably be a solid NHL D man someday but frustrating as hell right now!!

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  151. PM Freakin' Bouchard. I knew he wouldn't get out of this without finding some twine.

    The last few minutes in the third were encouraging. The Oilers were definitely not playing for the tie like they have in the past.

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  152. Will likely see

    Belanger
    O'marra
    Peckham


    Hahaha! So true!

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  153. Hemsky - He always, always, always leaves you wanting more. Nine years in, and he's still carrying the puck from behind the opposition net out to the blue line and turning it over. That play was old in 2004.

    One of the coaches (I vote for Steve Smith) should grab him by the ears, shake the living shit out of him, while yelling "IF THERE'S NO *GOSHDARN PLAY, AT LEAST DUMP IT IN THE *FREAKING CORNER INSTEAD OF HANDING TO *PIERRE-MARC-EFFING-BOUCHARD EVERY *FREAKING SHIFT!".

    And I get a chuckle out of people who get upset over Horcoff in the shootout, but naturally expect Hemsky to be a shooter. I think it would be physically impossible for him to try any less on his attempts.

    All the talent you could ask for, but just no apparent effort to go with it.

    *censored for LT's kids.

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  154. It is kind of weird that Hemsky is so bad and looks so useless in shootouts... That's not new for him..

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  155. You know what I realt can't understand about Hemsky is how people support him even though he is a God forsaken communist!

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  156. All I'll say about Hemsky is his shootout "effort" was by far the lamest of the twelve. Maybe he was trying to finesse Backstrom five-hole? Whatever, it looked terribly weak from the club seats.

    Sigh. Three losses in a row to Colorado, Nashville and Minnesota, scoring first and blowing the lead each time, blowing three one-goal leads and now a two-goal lead. Putrid.

    Oh well, at least we got a Bettman point tonight! Where's the party?

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  157. bookie-Are you now,or have you ever been,a member of the Edmonton Oilers fan club?


    Renney

    Disappointing loss tonight-they need to be winning these games.

    The team is a burning a little blue the last 10 games-sure seems primed for a trade if they are so inclined.We'll see.

    The site looks great LT.Agree with the general sentiment that the current post should be front and center and older posts should be smaller in
    font size.

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  158. Carlyle out in Anaheim. Bruce Boudreau lands on his feet not 72 hours after getting the axe in Washington. Wow.

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  159. @ Bruce... if a person didn't know better you'd almost say that Hemsky was playing like a person that was wanting a trade. But I don't think he's smart enough to figure that out in all honesty.

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  160. It looked like Hemsky came in on the goalie looking for the same movement that Eberle got. He got it, but tried to go five hole instead of a second option. He doesn't have the wicked backhander Eberle possesses. He probably should have thought about that beforehand.

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  161. There's not point in playing 91-20-28 together anymore so why would you continue to do that?

    That's one of the issues where Renney's really losing me.

    I know we're missing 4 but all the capital of the 9-2-3 start is pretty much lost and that's two games in a row where the Oilers have been home out-chanced by less than stellar opp so there's really nothing left to hang onto.

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