The Edmonton Oilers are less wildly unpredictable than they were awhile ago. Whereas early in the year we had no idea which team was going to show up, these days we can wander through our afternoons thinking the club has a legit chance to win every night. The Oilers are one of the feel good stories in the entire NHL 11-12
In 00-01, he went 82, 31-39-70 +10 on a team that fnished +15 overall. That was the year he was with Weight and Guerin to start the year and then when Carter came over they ran with that trio (sans Guerin who had been traded) before Comrie came up at New Year's. Anyway, Smyth was golden that year.
It doesn't matter, Smyth is Smyth and all the memories are good ones (save July 2006 through Feb 2007 and that wasn't his fault). I don't know that he's ever played this well, but my memory isn't what it used to be back in the day. Perhaps the younger set will have an idea.
--
Colorado is 2-7-1 in their last 10 and the Oilers aren't much better (4-6-0) but have been making steady progress after a losing streak early in the month. Avs are in dangerous territory, just 2 points clear of Calgary (heh heh) but I kind of feel Colorado is a sleeping giant. Duchene, Stastny, Landeskog--these two teams are going to be battling forward sets for a decade. It'll be fun, unless you're Calgary.
I thought Jonathan Willis did a splendid job grading the game yesterday. His report is here.
--
Nation Radio hits the air today at noon on Team 1260. Among the scheduled guests:
- Corey Pronman, NHL Draft Expert for Hockey Prospectus.
- Scott Taylor from Jets Nation. Taylor has been bringing it since joining the Nations Network and will back up his words with more words.
- Kent Simpson from the Edmonton Oil Kings (color commentator). Kent will give us some insight into an interesting Oil King team and how they look this season and we'll get updates on the usual suspects (Gernat, Pelss, Reinhart, bonus Bunz).
- Tom Benjamin from Canucks Corner. Tom is a wise observer of the game, so we'll cast our questions a little wider than just Canucks, but there will be plenty of time for discusiion about the suddenly surging Vancouver squad.
- Kent Wilson from the Nations Network. Kent will discuss the Flames pickup of Blake Comeau (a wise move) and we'll have another look under the hood of this year's Flames.
Twitter: @itsnationradio or lowetide_
I read comments and questions posted here and at ON.
Hope you can tune in.
Do not remember Smytty having a better run than he has this year. Just a consummate pro. Wonder if we would anywhere near we are without him? Would kids be where they are?
ReplyDeleteDoubly lucky: he wanted to come home and after what clearly looked like initial disinterest (week-10 days) and fits and starts we finally got trade done
TOJ: There are some insane stories making the rounds about how that trade got done. I'm NOT connected in any way, but Edmonton is a small town.
ReplyDeletePut it this way: phonecalls were made but unanswered, so other phonecalls were made and answered.
According to legend.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny you mention 06-07 as bad times LT, because that's exactly what I think of as the best stretch to Smyth's career. 53 points and 31 goals in 53 games at the time of the trade. I just remember watching him at a game around December and talking to a buddy about how he was on pace for Datsyuk numbers and what that might mean considering he was in a contract year.
ReplyDeleteIt meant he got very rich - and mostly on the strength of his pre-trade play and playoff drive with the Isles that year.
Jonathan Willis makes a great post there, but I beg to differ with his opinion on RNH's goal yesterday.
ReplyDeleteWhat separates the genius scoring players from the dross is the great player's ability to go for the simplest tap ins, right in front of the goalie(or goalkeeper if it's soccer).
RNH standing there poking around with his stick until he got that brilliant tap in goal imo is precisely what separates him from the rest of the NHL. The other members of the Kid Line have it, as does Smyth, lol.
Smyth yeah, he's playing genius level hockey too.
LT
ReplyDeleteI am astounded with what he has done that he isn't the story of first 1/4 of the season. Offensive #'s, tough opposition and leadership (with Horcov) or we could have Colin Fraser.....heh, heh, heh
TOJ: Yeah, agreed. As good as these kids are--and they're outstanding--this run has been beyond exceptional.
ReplyDeleteLT
ReplyDeleteThink guys who didn't take calls initially feeling a wit bit sheepish (and lucky) that they ultimately took call
......Or we could have Colin Fraser
TOJ: There are some insane stories making the rounds about how that trade got done. I'm NOT connected in any way, but Edmonton is a small town.
ReplyDeletePut it this way: phonecalls were made but unanswered, so other phonecalls were made and answered.
According to legend.
More please.
Smyth basically had to trade himself here, no?
"According to legend."
ReplyDeleteEww, is there anywhere/anyone where one could read this legend account? Sounds fun.
www. _______________ ?
I am ambivalent about tonight's game...
ReplyDeleteOn one hand, the Avalanche were shut out by Cory Schneider in their 3-0 loss to the Canucks last night.
On the other hand, Varlamov stopped 26/28 shots and posted a save percentage of .929 in last night's lost. Giguere is also on a hot streak as per TSN posting a save percentage of .932 and a goals against average of 1.35. Giguere's GAA is on par with Khabibulin's this year. Matt Duchene has 10 points in his last 10 games too.
But back on the other hand, Hall, Horcoff, Eberle, RNH, and Smyth each picked up 2 points against the Wild last night; RNH has 10 points in 4 games as per oilers.nhl.com; Ryan Smyth is tied with Jonathan Toews in the Western Conference scoring race.
Looks like our firecracker offense is up against some hot goalies tonight.
Also looks like we have 2 solid D-men pairs in Gilbert-Smid and Whitney-Petry (pending Petry can avoid another defensive miscue like he did on that change that led to goal against last night) but Peckham-Teubert sounds like a week pair as well as two top scoring lines in Hall-Horcoff-Hemsky and Smyth-RNH-Eberle but our bottom 6 is lacking offensive. Hmmm...
I want to say Oilers win 3-2 tonight but I am reluctant to say it.
Anyone know if Paajarvi draws back in tonight. I saw comparisons between Lander and Horcoff in Lowetide's top rookies yesterday. If we're reluctant to break up the top two lines, maybe it's time to try a Paajarvi-Lander-Gagner line and let Belanger center the toughs. Any thoughts?
How not wanting Smyth didn't get Tambellini fired is beyond me. That said, Smyth's production had fallen off somewhat and no one could predict he would produce like he has. Tambellini had cleared a LW slot for a kid when he traded Penner and here it was all filled up by a vet again. So Smyth came at the cost of a spot for Omark or perhaps Hartikainen or maybe a younger FA come July 1.
ReplyDeleteBut to not realize this man is the perfect mentor for what it means to be an Oiler... and when he and the qualities be brings is offered for practically nothing... while also publicly demonstrating the much-lamented desire to play in the hinterlands of Edmonton...
That GM shoulda been fired.
The way I'm looking at the Oil right now, I figure we should be beating the Calgary's of this world, at least sawing off the Colorado's and Minny's and well, the Canucks are for a later date, maybe next year.
ReplyDeleteI think the addition of Smyth and the surprises of RNH, Potter, & Khabby have meant that we can accelerate the timeline slightly. I don't think the Braintrust had any intention of being in the playoffs this year, but wanted to be close.
Now, I'd say the playoffs are a must.
I have no idea why I apostrophed all those plurals. At least I didn't do something real stupid like verb a noun.
ReplyDeletespOILer: lol. It's Saturday morning, puncuation is punch drunk.
ReplyDeleteAnyone have questions for our draft guy Pronman? He's a pretty smart cookie.
$6.25 MM is "practically nothing" now?
ReplyDeleteLT
ReplyDeleteI'd like to know how deep the top end of the draft is this year. Last year Redline pegged it at 8 deep, then much the same after that. I'd be interested to know where the dividing line between potentially elite and potentially a functional NHL player is thought to fall this year.
LT: I'm interested in a couple of 2013s that I saw last night - Hunter Shinkaruk and Curtis Lazar. Also the kid who is Three years away, Kootenay's Sam Reinhart. (An obvious follow-up to the Griffin Reinhart question.) All three Reinhart kids look terrific; which one does Corey think projects the best?
ReplyDeleteI wonder what his contract will look like?
ReplyDeleteRE: Smyth trade.
ReplyDeleteIt is a pretty small town.
My name is not Treena, but I heard in February or March of last year that he was interested in coming back. What would be interesting to know is why it took so long. Was Tambellini negociating hard or did he not want Smyth back?
fulashi, is that what happens to the toilet?
Now I have heard everything. Fire Tambo for not making a trade fast enough?
ReplyDeleteVirtually everything Tambo does (or doesn't do) gets torched around here, yet the team is humming along, seemingly well coached, the farm team is doing well, and the future looks very bright.
You'd think it was despite Tambo.
This team was -78 last year and is now + 9. That is remarkable. Maybe the GM should get to keep his job for a few more weeks ?
When receiving phone calls, sometimes one has to be careful answering them. It matters who is calling who. One could get accused of tampering.
ReplyDeleteConsidering how loud throughout this Lombardi has been, i don't think he was/is happy with at least some of the phone calls and conversations he at least imagined happened.
Over at mynhldraft.com, they have the Oilers picking Martin Frk 14th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Who is this Martin Frk character?
ReplyDeletehedindoe: a Swedish deer?
Smyth is 35 now, which really complicates the next contract because the cap hit will stay on the books no matter what happens to his body and level of play.
ReplyDeleteI could see a series of 1 year deals with no movement clauses.
Or maybe two years at $8-9M?
Now I have heard everything. Fire Tambo for not making a trade fast enough?
ReplyDeleteNo.
The subject is firing Tambellini for not wanting to make the Smyth trade at all.
Symth's next contract is 4.0/1yr or 3.5x2yr -bookie it!
$6.25 MM is "practically nothing" now?
His actual salary is 4.5MM this year.
Its not nothing, but it matches Souary's actual salary that Katz paid him to play in Hershey, so while its not nothing, its close. :)
First, some mad props to Bruce for this quote:
ReplyDelete(RNH) But rather than force a particular play, he will use all of his options - perimeter plays, far post, far point, whatever opens up, and will deliver the puck on time and under budget. A joy to watch.
I enjoy reading Bruce at COH since he's probably one of the more objective and level-headed Oilers blogger/writer.
That being said, I have to admit the COH player grades (11-20) make about as much sense as a screen door on a submarine.
Another gem from LT himself yesterday:
Ryan Whitney is like a hockey version of Halley's comet in that he appears every 75 games.
As for Smytty, I have to admit that I wasn't opposed of the acquisition, but I wasn't that concerned one way or the other if it happened.
Obviously, his impact this year is incalculable. Kills pks, outscores the toughs with the ice tilted the wrong way... even teaching that dirty russian how to score greasy goals. :)
Smytty aside, has this team ever collectively score so many greasy goals over 22 games? It's rubbing off on everyone but Hemsky.
I don't think he's every played this well, but I would agree with Commonfan.
Right now, it's hard not to find things to like about the Oil's top six forwards.
Ducey,
ReplyDeleteI've actually been a Tambellini supporter on most other issues. This one is bewildering though.
Bruce,
If you're gonna take that tact, where is your subtraction of Fraser's salary? Cmon, play fair, Larry, lol.
Question for Pronman:
ReplyDeleteHow much do they nick for size and skating?
For eg, I would have thought a guy like Cornet would've ranked higher with his boxcars, but looks like the scouts nailed it.
Woodguy: That is fair comment, and a clear case where actual salary trumps cap hit (which I default to). Oilers don't have cap issues, and the hit expires at season's end, so actual $$$ is what matters more from an org perspective.
ReplyDeleteThat said, bringing on the biggest cap hit on the team is not a decision that gets taken lightly I wouldn't imagine. In fact I'm pretty sure it's the biggest cap hit in the history of the Oilers (tied with CFP 2006-07).
That said, Smyth has been playing like a $6.25 MM player to this point. He's been wonderful.
When did he ever play better? I dunno, he looks like the "old Smytty" (or is that the "young Smytty", that saying confuses me) at the top of his game. Always has been great along the boards, and a master at moving the puck in the right direction. And his nose for the net remains as acute as ever.
Now, I'd say the playoffs are a must.
ReplyDeleteSo if it's February and the Oilers are 6-10 points back, should Tambellini role the dice on a couple rentals by giving up picks/prospects?
@Ryan from the Oilers: Thanks for your comments. I've been enjoying the heck out of young RNH about 93% of the time.
ReplyDeleteAs for game grades, we don't pretend they are exact science (how can they be?), they just are a single-digit way of expressing an opinion on a player's game. A talking point, backed by a somewhat more substantial commentary on what each player contributed. The grade is just the gimmick to ensure that we discuss each and every player and do our best (honest!) to give an assessment of his worth in the context of that game. But ultimately, it's an opinion, backed by observation and stats.
Taking an average over an arbitrary 10-game segment can yield interesting results. But I'm thinking a screen door on a submarine probably could have filtered out the fact that Smyth was the best forward in the segment, Gilbert the best defenceman, Khabibulin the better goalie. Is the order after them a little scrambled? No doubt.
LT, can you ask Pronman about the disparity as to where Derrick Pouliot is ranked? I have seen him in the top 10 and in the late 20's. He is a (nearly) hometown kid from Weyburn, SK and I am just curious about the different opinions.
ReplyDeleteSince we're talking value for salary paid (sort of), what about Smid? After wanting him traded for 3 years on this blog, then lambasting Tambellini for the 2@2.25M contract he signed Smid to in the offseason as an overpay, I'd say we were wrong on both accounts. That looks very much like a good value contract to my eye. In fact, I wish Tambellini could have made it 3 or 4@2.25M for the speedy big man. We almost gave up on him just when he became quite valuable to us. Score one for Tambellini in the 2011 Lowetide blog commenters vs Tambellini battle.
ReplyDeleteThat he turned his back on Smyth is tragic or nearly tragic. On the other hand, maybe that is why Smyth has such a bur in his saddle setting him off on this tear. He's got something to prove to the GM upstairs.
Before we all get our panties in a bunck because Lowetide heard a legend around town from somebody's brother about Tambellini being too busy sleeping with Tommy Salo's wife to answer the phone on the Smyth trade, I think there are a few things to consider.
ReplyDeleteFirst, maybe its all just BS.
Second, if true, Tambellini had Lombardi over a barrel and wasn't going to give him anything meaningful for Smyth, knowing full well that he would win this one in the long run (which he did).
Third, if you put yourself in Tambellini's place, there is a logic in not wanting Smyth that badly. The REAL goal this year is development - some progress in the standings was required to appease the fans and players, but really, the number one goal is development to have a team that can start to compete for the cup in 2-3 years. Getting Smyth probably moves you up a couple of spots in the standings and gets you a worse draft pick in a deep draft. So, perhaps its not so attractive for a GM with a specific timeline and plan in place. With that said, he also probably considered the development aspects (Smyth taking a leadership role and helping other players). Also, nobody thought Smyth would be this good so even for this year, overpaying would not have been wise.
I do think we need to watch criticizing a guy for what turned out to be a good trade - otherwise we start to lose credibility.
Melancholy,
ReplyDeleteI'd say 10 points back in Feb is way way too far back to be blowing assets on the hope of a playoff run.
I should note that I am not denying that there are rumours or people saying that Tambellini didn't want Smyth, I am just saying that we are in Edmonton where these things do get a little out of hand at times.
ReplyDeleteAlso - panties in a bunch - I don't know what a bunck is, nor do I know how we get our panties in one.
Also - panties in a bunch - I don't know what a bunck is, nor do I know how we get our panties in one.
ReplyDeleteUse tongs.
I don't know why we should lay off Tambellini when he's clearly the worst GM since at least Mike Milbury. Tear him limb from limb, I say.
ReplyDelete/~
Use tongs.
ReplyDeleteIs that legal advice?
Who is this Martin Frk character?
ReplyDeleteA very impressive prospect, from my limited viewings anyway. Stood out in last years WJC like a sore thumb.
...Why did the Oilers recall Plante? Please don't say Whitney is out for another month.
ReplyDeleteRe:Smyth - I'm just glad he didn't end up going to the Flames. Yech.
ReplyDeleteAs for the playoffs - the Oilers playing the entire year with a PDO of 1000 would not be enough to get them into the playoffs. The Oilers playing the last three quarters of the year with a PDO of 1000 might be. So they might get there, but we'll have to recognize that it was in large part thanks to some flukey early season performances.
ReplyDeleteThat said, this team is legitimately better than I thought it would be (though not as much better as it seems when Khabibulin is playing so far above his established level).
The key is the blue: Smid and Potter are dramatically exceeding expectations. Sutton is exceeding a lot of people's expectations (though they were unreasonably low). Peckham falling short, but given that his expectations were "replacement level third pairing", that's not hurting us too badly.
Hey LT,
ReplyDeleteHere are some questions for your guests;
- Grigorenko appears to be a top candidate for next years draft, is their a serious concern he will pul a Radulov and go to the KHL?
- Lots of defensemen in next years draft, with all the emphasis on passing by defensemen in today's game have any established themselves as the best offensive option?
- With Kesler and Hank Sedin firmly set as the top 2 pivots for the Canucks is Cody Hodgson's future on the wing? Or on another team?
- With the Flames slow motion rebud rolling on with the aquisition of Blake Comeau, what are the chances they go 'whale hunting' like they did this off-season with the Richards courtship?
Whitney might not be ready for back-to-back games yet.
ReplyDelete@Ribs: Petry fighting a bug. Plante recall "precautionary".
ReplyDeleteIt's not like Alex got sent down for nothing, either. He played last night and went +1 in a 5-4 OKC win.
Ah, good news. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI wish Tambellini could have made it 3 or 4@2.25M for the speedy big man. We almost gave up on him just when he became quite valuable to us. Score one for Tambellini in the 2011 Lowetide blog commenters vs Tambellini battle.
ReplyDeleteOne astute poster said "Wish the contract were a little longer, but its not a bad one." in the Smid signs thread.
*pulls muscle patting self on back*
Re: Plante - its only common sense to have 7 D on the roster. Plante got sent down when it was determined that everyone was healthy and would play (no game day skate yesterday with the early game time)
Plante played last night, then flies to Denver to be 7th man tonight.
Good work getting him a game.
I'm finding this discussion about tonging panties a bit--errr--distracting.
ReplyDeleteTambellini merely tells Smyth that unless he wins a cup as an Oiler, his number never gets retired in a million years.
ReplyDeleteTambellini then offers a 5,4,3,2,1 million a year 5 year contract.
Smyth signs.
Problem solved.
ALTERNATE REALITY: Smyth leaves town, the Kid Line plus additions wins 2-3 cups anyway, and Smyth can cry watching them raise the 6th, 7th and probably 8th banner.
PS: Weber signs this summer on a ridiculous front loaded deal.
Tambellini then offers a 5,4,3,2,1 million a year 5 year contract.
ReplyDeleteSmyth signs.
Problem solved.
Given where the cap's likely to be, it wouldn't be the end of the world, but are we sure we want Ryan Smyth with a $3 million cap hit at age 40?
77's play has been terrific; yet 5 has been a great contributor to 77's performance. Too bad many can't get over their jaded views of 5.
ReplyDeleteSo they might get there, but we'll have to recognize that it was in large part thanks to some flukey early season performances.
ReplyDeleteWith regards to flukey good performances, I believe there are a bunch of things going on. One is of course straight out luck--puck bounces and that sort of thing. Secondly though, I believe an individual's performance will show a (relatively) wide range of quality. There are days when you are just on, mojo strumming in perfect harmony to the grand ukele of the universe. And other days you are playing mosquito against the windshield of God's Peterbilt. For a lot of these players, health and how good they feel plays a big role (for eg Khabi's comment about his back) in the quality of their play. For many of us, how things are going at home and in our families can affect our focus. Not every play we make can be inspired, but some will be blessed, and sometimes these miracles happen in bunches. Or any combination of the issues above. We all seem to get a scatter diagram of results for our efforts, consistency dictating the narrowness of the bell curve.
Will we see an equally bad Khabi (et al) in the future to balance out the good Khabi right now" Or is this year's Khabi going to be the balance to past years' below the norm performances? He's played enough games that an above average set of 80 doesn't move where we think the centre of the curve is very much. And even 1 or 2 sigma events can happen; the curve does exist there.
There's a greater likelihood of reversion to norm, but it's not the only possibility. This could just be one of Khabi's good seasons.* Puck luck wise or otherwise.
*Crosses fingers, and recites 3 Hail Mary's while burning sagebrush in a Himalayan monastery on the Sabat. (I would have sacrificed a chicken but I'm already having steak for supper)
I agree with your explicitly stated premises, Wuthering, but I'm not sure 5's the member of that pairing about whom more fans are unfairly jaded.
ReplyDeleteNordism: A philosophy that advocates sucking for years, then moving to Colorado to win the Cup.
I like the idea of a declining annual-value contract to Smyth to keep the cap hit down, but I'd hope they get the cap hit to 2-2.5 million.
ReplyDeleteSmyth wants to be here. I'm hoping like heck for the "hometown discount" getting given this time around and 94 retires where he started, going out a winner when he does it (hopefuly).
Because who wouldn't want to see, in 3-4 years, the captain of the Oilers, whomever that might be come then (be it Horcoff, Hall, Eberle, RNH, or someone else) raise the Stanley Cup and then pass it to Smyth first?
Admit it, you got chills thinking about it.
spOILer: Were you channelling DeadManWalking when you wrote that last post? Or did you just "borrow" a bag of "oregano" from some teenagers?
ReplyDeleteGood stuff either way.
Ok, so starting tonight, we're getting into an interesting 8-game segment (i.e. 10% of the season).
ReplyDelete@ Colorado
Nasville
Minnesota
Columbus
Calgary *spits*
Carolina *spits*
Colorado
@ Calgary *spits again*
Five divisional games, and not particularly a "Murderer's Row" of opposition either.
If the Oilers can "make hay while the sun shines" here...they're going to position themselves rather well after 30 games total. And, as we know, once a team gets to that 10-games over .500 region, they only have to effectively go .500 the rest of the way in order to get to that 92-point neighborhood which is the historical playoff cutline.
I'll be clear that my personal hope was 80-85 points going into this season, which admittedly seemed optimistic at the time. But I'm not about to deny I'm flat out hopeful about the idea of somehow sneaking into the playoffs - getting the kids experience in April would be enormous.
Regardless of where they finish, it's clear already that they are improved over next year.
Oh, and they're better than Calgary. Kick-ass...
yeah, "playing mosquito against the windshield of God's Peterbilt" was inspired stuff. I had to scroll (!) up to see if it was another DMW soliloquy. But it seems we have other budding novelists in our midst.
ReplyDeleteI personally have tied Khabibulin's performance to the 11-year solar cycle, which is currently recovering from a deep, historic in some ways, two-year-long minimum, and is ramping up towards the next solar max, expected in 2013. After that, though, I'd drop the guy like a white-hot potato.
Yeah I heard that Ryan Smyth story, too.
ReplyDeleteThe way I heard it, Tambellini is at a restaurant in LA on a road trip, and Lombardi is there, too. So they start discussing different things. Eventually the Smyth trade possibility comes up, but Tambellini isn't that interested.
Then Tambellini starts to head back to his hotel but he feels woozy. So Lombardi gives him a ride back to his hotel. Tambellini passes out. Then, Tambellini wakes up in his bath tub, covered in blood, with bags of ice. And he's missing a kidney! And Lombardi was gone.
That's how I heard it from a friend, anyway.
Personally, I've never understood how people could dislike Smid.
ReplyDeleteI'm serious; he's like the one-eyed, three-legged puppy feel good story on a news program that bumps into everything but is okay and happy go lucky about life just doing what he does.
Totally Smid, and how can you not like that!?
Gilbert, is of course, the one who took his eye out and Hemsky sawed off the fourth leg -- both under orders from the dirty Russian Bond Villain Horcov. They're bad peoples!
Just to continue the metaphor and fan opinion.
As per Matty:
ReplyDeleteSounds like 91 in and 37 out.
16 will play again. 55 was supposed to play against MIN, but tweaked his back in warm-up and its still bothering him.
DD starts.
Hbomb,
It was 97 pts to make the playoffs in the WC last year and looking at the points now it looks like it will be again.
"SS"
ReplyDeleteI agree that Gilbert has been the general fans' whipping-boy for the past couple of years (including mine, to some extent). It appears there has been a mass conversion owed greatly to MSMs' adoration of his play thus far--and rightly so. Pertaining to this site, Gilbert has been largely exonerated by both LT and JW, largely due to his metrics offsetting his poorer moments. On the other hand, 5 has not been a favorite on this site; maybe there exists less jadedness than I think.
Whatever the case, 5 has been nothing short of a revelation thus far. For an apt summary of the peculiarities of how defenders track, I refer to WG's lava-lamp metaphor--freaking brilliant, btw.
mityr: a very complicated miter.
On the other hand, 5 has not been a favorite on this site; maybe there exists less jadedness than I think.
ReplyDeleteLT long ago stopped irrationally hating Smid and just tried to trade him all the time.
LT long ago stopped irrationally hating Smid and just tried to trade him all the time.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, in due course, it will have shifted to irrationally trading.
I was one of those guys that was trading Smid at every opportunity but it wasn't because I hated him-I just wanted better defenders in our top 4.
ReplyDeleteI always based my opinion on this premise:
Whitney-x
x-Gilbert
and the rest of our D would fill the 3rd pairing/press box/AHL callup slots.
Peckham looked to have filled that spot with Gilbert last year but neither he or Smid had really taken that next step-both defenders play a similar
game(stay at home,a little grit,not much offense) but chaos was part of their toolbox.
I've always liked Smid and I'm thrilled he's taken that next step-the Oilers have needed some of those tweener players to make
the leap to actual NHL players and Smid has done that.
Now I think they need to fill that pairing with Whitney and Peckham is the guy I would move(package with a forward)
Okay so Eberle and Smid for Pronger today; does anyone wants to bite?
ReplyDeleteEberle is payback from the hockey gods, haha.
LT: At the end of your show you were talking about Oilers prospects at the WJHC.
ReplyDeleteSounds like Marincin and Gernat are going, other prospects that (I would imagine) will likely make their clubs are Rieder, Klefbom, Pelss (he's Latvian, right?) and Musil.
I don't think Bunz is a lock, but he's probably got a better chance than guys like Simpson (he wasa invited to summer camp, so he's on the radar to some extent), Perhonen, and Blain. I actually haven't heard anything about Blain having a chance, but his stats are very good.
Step back from the ledge Hunter.
ReplyDeleteHow's that Electrahome working out?Have you got the TV running through the hi-fi with your 8 track player?
If they can keep this up that would mean they would be maintaining something that they are already doing¡
ReplyDeleteWe could get some serious talent (my guess would be some good hosers) at the trade deadline.
A little off-topic, but has anyone heard how Taylor Fedun is doing?
ReplyDeleteI don't think the Oilers will approach it this way, but I would at least consider selling at the deadline regardless of whether the Oilers are in 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th. I would also consider buying, depending on the prices. I would even consider doing both at the same time.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on a variety of things, the Oilers position, how the standings are tiered, the potential returns on the players they might trade/acquire, the development/performance of players like Petry, Peckham, Paajarvi, Lander, etc. from now until the deadline.
OT:
ReplyDeleteI have shaw cable, and I can't seem to see the MTL/PIT game on anywhere, is there a shaw channel that carries the alternate CBC games that I don't know about?
I don't see it either speeds,and I pay for the Center ice package.
ReplyDelete@ speeds.
ReplyDeleteIt will be streamed on cbc.ca
Gerta: I see now that it's on CBC-O, ch.79, so not in HD.
ReplyDeleteNo Refunds: Yeah, I figured that's what I'll end up doing, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing it on TV.
And I lied-it's on at 4pm on CBC Ottawa(ch 79) and RDS(ch 905) neither of which I pay for.
ReplyDeleteWell there you go..:)
ReplyDeleteA little off-topic, but has anyone heard how Taylor Fedun is doing?
ReplyDeleteI heard that he broke his leg.
You're welcome.
Smyth has been great. Coming back home and playing with the kids seems to have had him find the fountain of youth.
ReplyDeleteThat said, That Olympic year where he and Iginla had the league on fire until Smytty snapped his ankle is probably some of the best hockey he played in this uniform.
Tencer tweets that Petry should be good to go.
ReplyDeleteBookie has been drinking the angry whiskey.
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how weird it is to be seeing Oilers:
ReplyDelete1. on the early HNIC broadcast
2. coming off a win with another chance to win.
I think I'll watch Eraserhead later.
What does RNH have in store for us on HNIC this evening?
ReplyDeleteShutout perhaps?
Eraserhead I've yet to see, although I do like a lot of the Lynch stuff I've seen. Of the ones I've seen, I like Mulholland Drive the most
ReplyDeleteA post-game Lynchian luncheon works for me.
ReplyDeleteWistoxy: that whiskey WG mentions.
Weekes is in Boston!
ReplyDelete*fistpump*
Derek: RNH is going to score 5 goals, then defeat Chuck Norris and Mr. T in a Handicap Death Cage Match.
ReplyDeleteWord Verification: palin. I'm not even going to touch this one...
From the point I first watched Eraserhead until I became a father I was never comfortable when a baby was crying.
ReplyDeleteWeekes in BOS, Reagh in COL.
Good start already.
The two-step O Canada?
ReplyDeleteSmid with the winner tonight.
ReplyDeleteI'll be right eventually.
Okay, given its Smid, maybe not.
Paajarvi with a goal and assist tonight, as well, as the Oilers win 4-2.
Anthem singer got into MVP's water bottle for a little courage.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as if the stellar tandem of Lee and Weekes have been split up so that we could have the pleasure of listening to atleast one of them.
Can't win em all.
This is the end. This is it folks.
ReplyDeleteSMIDDDDDD!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSMID!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think the world is ending.
Smid??!!
ReplyDeleteGreat takeaway from Jones to set up the rarest of events: a Smid goal.
ReplyDeleteSMMMMMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteTHE END IS NIGH!!
ReplyDeleteLT,
Please irrationally hate and want trade Gagner now please.
t
DATA!
ReplyDeleteAnd look, there goes Halley's comet.
ReplyDeleteDislocated shoulder for 4?
ReplyDeleteThat wasn't secondary scoring that was tertiary scoring from Smid! And damn...Gumby is hurt?
ReplyDeleteWhat a load of utter crap.
ReplyDeleteThat's a penalty in this league. That's a damn suspension in this league. When in hell are our guys going to get those calls.
Amazing save by Dubnyk initially btw.
That looked terrible.
ReplyDeletePeckham keeps finding ways not to help.
ReplyDeletemotherless
ReplyDeleteDislocatd shoulder or broken arm. That's not good.
ReplyDeleteReally glad 24 went to stick up for 4 and just forgot to play hockey.
ReplyDeleteFFS.
...and yes, I think that was dirty and Wilson should answer for it.
ReplyDeleteBut Peckham totally vacated his position there to try and do it right away. That cannot happen.
Taylor this isn't kids hockey anymore son. For your sake not to mention the sake of the organization stop leaving yourself in vulnerable positions. Not too sure about his intelligence level after watching him for approx. 75 games or whatever. Has zero sense of self preservation.
ReplyDeleteBeauty play by Lander to create an offside there.
ReplyDeleteThough that play should actually be interference every time. Cut the BS hooking calls and call the lame interference instead.
HE RISES!
ReplyDeleteHall back out. Good news...I think.
ReplyDeleteHOW THE FUCK!? HALL?
ReplyDeletehow is Hall on the ice....
ReplyDeleteimpossible.
Hall must be Gumby. How he's not hurt worse is beyond me.
ReplyDeletehe's gumby, dammit.
ReplyDeleteGumby!
ReplyDeleteThe legend of Gumby continues to grow.
ReplyDeleteHe better not be playing hurt.
ReplyDeleteHall truly is Gumby.
ReplyDeleteHow the fuck is he back in this game?
He's not made of tendon, and bone.
Under his skin is just vulvanized rubber stamped "Made in Czech Republic"
Hopefully Hall learns from that hit.
ReplyDeleteThinking he just hit his arm in a funny spot and it went numb briefly. It does happen and sometimes it looks like that. Lucky us.
ReplyDeleteHopefully Hall learns from that hit.
ReplyDeleteThat he's invincible?
Running Gagner from behind face first into the boards when 89 never touched the puck is not a penalty when Van Massenhoven refs.
ReplyDeleteHall is Chumbawumba
ReplyDeleteIce looks horrendous.
ReplyDeleteNot sure what's more miraculous; Smid scoring or Smid looking over shit shoulder before playing the puck near the boards.
Hall going down like that was scary.
I got vulvanized, once, back in college.
ReplyDelete"Van Massenhoven" is slang for "penis" in my high school circle of friends - it went from "You suck, Van Massenhoven!" to "You suck Van Massenhoven!" to "Suck my Van Massenhoven!" and other variants.
ReplyDeleteDoes that happen in the backseat of a Volvo?
ReplyDeleteSS:
ReplyDeleteHopefully not that!!
COL should have been called on 6+ interference penalties already.
ReplyDeleteHopefully Renney is ripping VanH a new one during the TV time out.
93's been mugged twice on the way to a puck with no call.
COL's D backing up past the dot.
ReplyDeleteIf the Oilers pick it up they should score 5+.
How are the players supposed to play within 'the rules' when the referees seem to be making it up as they go?
ReplyDeleteEverybody is confused.
Garbage ice and a pile of non-calls for interference.
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell is this, Reunion Arena circa 1997? Was that Derian Hatcher who tried to hurt Hall?
Dear Darcy,
ReplyDeleteRyan Wilson #44
"VarLAmov" Mark Lee, say it with me, "VarLAmov"
ReplyDeleteDubes is lookin good tonight
ReplyDeleteNice ice.
ReplyDeleteLike an outdoor rink 2 days into a chinook.
"Varmlov...Varlamonov..Vamrilov..Vrmmmm... the goalie from Russia"
ReplyDeleteHa!
ReplyDeleteOn crackberry, which doesn't give me spell check on blogger.
I think I prefer vulvanized anyhow.
I feel cheated that we're not going to feast tonight on choice nuggets like "Irony is sometimes a funny thing".
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, Doobie has "sassy" glove work. So maybe it's a wash.
There goes Gumby.
ReplyDeleteHmm, there goes Hall favoring the same shoulder. Good thing they got him back out on that ice to face the Colorado fucking Avalanche in November.
ReplyDeleteShoulder in, shoulder out?
ReplyDeleteNew least favorite player
ReplyDeleteHall out for a month.
ReplyDeleteWhere the hell is Eager when we need him? A crosscheck to Hall's hurt arm? That calls for a headshot in retaliation.
ReplyDeleteGlad Hordichuck is in the lineup to keep the Avs from "taking liberties" with the kids.
ReplyDeleteWhat a dirty play by Quincey. Someone go elbow Duchene in the mouth.
ReplyDeleteWhere is Ben Eager to go all Hulk SMASH when we need him?
ReplyDeleteThat was dirtier than the first play. Assassin like.
ReplyDeleteWe either need some deterrent goals on the PP or some filthy filthy play. Or both.
And Qunicey goes and targets Hall's injured arm.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of those situations where I advocate a super-cheap response, such as running the Avalanche goaltender.
And with Hall gone to the room, you'd think this might be a good opportunity to sneak Paajarvi out into some offensive minutes? Nope...Ryan Jones on PP unit #1. FFS.
Immediately followed by the continued inexplicable deployment of Belanger on PP unit #2 and a Hemsky button-hook to kill the clock with 3 seconds left (throw it on net Ales, just ONCE).
iratersi: how mad Renney should be after the way this first period has been officiated.
At least we get the Avs at home again in 13 days.
ReplyDeleteThat night, regardless of Hall's status or the result tonight, I hope Renney plays both Eager and Hordichuk and tells the 4th line, "Ok, you're only getting 5 minutes ice-time - unleash hell."
That cheap shot on Hall reminds me why I always liked Marty McSorely.
ReplyDeleteWell this game should get interesting... I am curious to see if we can both win the game and respond to the 'liberties' appropriately.
ReplyDeletePeckham response - poor.
You can tell Edmonton is becoming a more competitive hockey team as the comments become more hostile towards the opposing team.
ReplyDeleteCome to think of it, Mark Messier was no shrinking violet either.
ReplyDeleteDon Cherry will pay CASH for your gold.
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell is this, Reunion Arena circa 1997? Was that Derian Hatcher who tried to hurt Hall?
ReplyDeleteJesus, like I wasn't pissed off enough watching this game, now that you've reminded me of those dark days I want to set someone on fire.
Fucking Hatcher was the epitome of the clutch and grab horrid hockey era.
*spits*
*looks for lighter fluid*
Geez Woodguy, now you have me dreaming of watching those Stars trying to play the 1980's Oilers.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have seen Hatcher try half his crap against those dudes.
Yes, I'm on the piss.
Sooner or later Taylor Hall is going to realise he's got a stark choice:
ReplyDeleteEither he starts redistributing sticks and elbows, or he's going to get himself run out of the NHL.
Don Cherry will pay CASH for your gold.
ReplyDeleteSo he can melt it into thread and sew it into that suit.
Hunter: he should go get some points from Smyth. 94 always seem to have an elbow or stick ready when he's about to get run.
ReplyDeleteCherry was glowing in that segment...literally.
ReplyDeleteThe right play for Hall on the initial hit, sadly, is to turn into the boards and create a penalty or force the guy to miss.
ReplyDeleteAt least 91 is playing in 4's spot.
ReplyDeleteCall up Harski!!!
Ryan Jones doing Ryan Jones things.
ReplyDeleteBelanger doesn't cause the play to end!
ReplyDeleteOkay, 2 things. Don Cherry will pay cash for your gold is the best thing I've read in 5 years.
ReplyDeleteSecond: The more I try to ruin Ryan Jones seson with my mind tricks the more he scores. Dammit!
Sam Gagner doing Sam Gagner things?
ReplyDeleteI like Hordichuck
ReplyDeleteThe amount of steaming that happens in NHL games these days in mind boggling.
ReplyDeleteActually did Hall get tripped right before that hit?
ReplyDeletespOILer: could be. This officiating crew seem to have a rulebook that doesn't call for tripping penalties. There have been a couple of no-calls on what should be the most obvious of penalties.
ReplyDeleteGet the effin puck deep!
ReplyDeleteYep, convinced Belanger signed only if he got PP minutes.
ReplyDeleteThe key to PP success is to give the opposing PK so many odd man rushes they begin to falter.
ReplyDeleteAnyone notice how disappointed Belenger looked after the goal - the guy could use a goal!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteCactus, I originally thought he had time to turn/avoid but didn't have a look. From the back angle though, it looks like he saw Wilson, but someone else was taking his skates out. Now I wanna see the other angle again.
ReplyDeleteI think Smid is going to get a Hattrick tonight.
ReplyDeleteEberle and Hopkins look tired. Hopefully they have enough for a strong third.
ReplyDeleteMagnus.
ReplyDeleteCheering for Paajarvi is like cheering for Pouliot. A long time between "I told ya" 's.
ReplyDeleteThey should be playing 91 a lot tonight; far more than they actually are. He's rested and Hall is hurt; double shift him!
ReplyDeleteI'd have Hordichuk hurt whomever hurt Hall. He's expendable.
Please don't say things like that.
ReplyDeleteLT has given Magnus the "Pouliot" kiss of death.
ReplyDeleteLT is trying to ruin 91 like MacT ruined Rob Schremp.
ReplyDeleteCeryse
ReplyDeleteHe's been extra shifted at least once this period.
Wow.
ReplyDeleteCOL commits felonies all over the ice and 28 gets called for a horizontal stick?
Ndbdfnedjkuirfhrenbdf!!!edsbw
MacT is ruining MPS' development.
ReplyDeleteLOVE LANDER on Elliot there
ReplyDeleteEdmonton fading a bit towards the end of the second there. I wonder how much is left in the tank for the third period.
ReplyDeleteI'm watching the CBC live feed of this game.
ReplyDeleteIts a great way to watch a totally random series of live hockey vignettes.
I like how Reaugh said "pick the player" for the penalty. He's been around long enough to know if Penis is on the take.
ReplyDeleteJones lets the ref know he missed an OBVIOUS call on Varlamov and is off for hooking 30 seconds later.
ReplyDeleteI'd be interested in converting 91 to D. He used to play D in his young years I think. It worked for Burns in Minnesota.
ReplyDelete91 would likely be a Pitkanen/ JBo style guy. He shies away from contact a bit too much though, so who knows. I don't see him becoming an impact player as a forward.
Quick LT, mention that the Oilers will probably trade 91!
ReplyDeleteThen the LT irrational hate - player improvement circle will be complete.
Paajarvi is 20. The Sedins didn't do much till they were 24.
ReplyDelete