10-11 5x5/60
- Eberle 1.79
- Hall 1.78
- Paajarvi 1.36
11-12 5x5 60
- Eberle 3.29
- Hall 1.99
- Paajarvi 0.67
The Oilers would do well to keep him in OKC until he's ripping it up, and it's very important that he plays solid minutes upon his return. The Oilers have too many wingers, and something has to give. Should they end up signing Ales Hemsky, getting special teams minutes is going to be difficult for a player with the talent of Magnus Paajarvi.
It might be time for him to re-invent himself as a two-way player. The ability is there in terms of foot speed and defensive awareness, but his perimeter play will be an issue.
What do you think the odds are on the Oilers retaining Hemsky?
ReplyDeleteDefensively Paajarvi's speed is a huge asset, but offensively it almost seems counter effective. Instead of creating open space, it removes all the time he has when approaching a defender. Not because speed is bad, but because he never really challenges a defender.
ReplyDeleteHe's a helluva player already, but if he had more confidence to challenge the D or hold the puck to make a play then it would really open up some offense for him.
God I hope Dithers trades his broken down sportscar at the deadline for some help on the blue.
ReplyDeleteThe PRV decision should have been made weeks ago.
The rest of December is going secure another top 5 pick IMO maybe even a top 3. Hopefully, Dithers can find a way to trade the pick for a signed Weber.
We may have to wait until January 17 for a W.
ReplyDeleteBut we all know how this team plays against teams they should beat.
Massive separation between the good and the bad in the NHL this year, eh? I mean, not by points cause the NHL are morons and feel tricking their fans with closely packed standings will provide some "hope" but if you look at the goal differentials it becomes clear.
ReplyDelete5 teams with massive positive GD and 9 teams with double digit positive GD and I'd add Chicago (+8) who'd be there if it wasn't for a meltdown against the Oil. On the flip side there are 5 teams with huge negative GD and 8 teams with double digit negative GD's. The B's (+41) have scored 52% more goals than the Isles (-29) and let in 55% less goals a combined difference of 107%..
If I had one wish it would be for the NHL to adopt the 3 point system...Christ I hate what they do now.
Is Nikolai Khabibulin tradable?
ReplyDeleteI hope and pray that MP gets some quality coaching down in OKC. He hasn't had a fair go ever since he got to Edmonton. A good coach should be able to look at a player's skills - enhance the strengths and improve the weaknesses. Sometimes it's as easy as adjusting the mindset. Get someone to teach him the "Gainey" board rubout. MP has the speed and size.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't long ago we were all talking about what a steal MPS was at 10-OV in 2009. What a difference a year and a half makes. I think we are miles from deciding whether he is going to cover his draft bet, but this demotion starts to bring out the second guessing back in June 2009. Some fine defensemen were on the board when we took MPS including Kulikov, Rundblad, and the huge power forward Kassian. All very nice players just coming into their own, especially the Russian. He looks really good. You wouldn't get any one of them in a trade straight up for MPS...at this point anyway, but dammit we could sure use on of those young blueliners in this organization right now. Hindsight of course.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping Magnus turns things around with this AHL stint.
Tambellini commenting on PRV.
ReplyDeleteComments from PRV as well on the Oilers site.
Agree with a couple of commenters mentioning they should have sent Lander down as well(they still could I guess)and called up Omarra.The 2 swedes together could/would make the transition easier for everybody concerned-tell them if they work hard and find their games again they'll both be up in short order(and they will).
They still have Omark to consider as well-I haven't heard any updates on his injury but I recall a late Dec date being mentioned.
I fear an early January phone call from his agent telling the Oilers he's been offered a contract in the SEL and he's exercising his out clause.
Having a couple of buddies in OKC may or may not affect his decision,but it wouldn't hurt.
In looking at all the kids numbers from last year to this I once again thought of how 14 knows how to pull the puck to the middle to better his shooting angle.
ReplyDeleteGod bless 4 but he still doesn't know how To or at least he doesn't do it; hat-trick goal vs Chi being the lone exception.
All ponies have a limited number of tricks but some have been practised to the point where they can be repeated successfully enough even if the other team knows what's coming.
In this regard 14 gameplans and executes miles ahead of anyone else on this team.
And it's not even close,
91 had the move where he'd rush wide but he'd never cut to the net and take the punishment. He did draw a lot of penalties early on last year but even that didn't surface this season.
I think the Oil did him wrong by not giving him a long look on a line with actual talent. I also think he was worth bringing back as a third pairing PKer just to round out his resume. It's flattering overall to the Oilers brass to do nothing more than state how odd it is that 91 gets the demotion while 57 gets to hang around.
Looking ahead you know that only two of 83-89-91 will remain that and 91 might be better served on the right wing when you look at the depth.
Also, he might be a good piece to bring in a D. On the backend the Oilers have 5-77 and then 44-58 as good 5th and 6th guys. I think 6's career is in serious trouble and all other pieces - flotsam and jetsam like 13-25 and young junk like 24-33 - are nothing more than afterthoughts.
The Oilers need Real dmen and they also need a coach who can gameplan and/or motivate.
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ReplyDeleteWhile listening to the GM talk about PRV being sent to the AHL I am reminded of what I dislike so much about the guy. The thing I don't like about Tamballini is that he's always so dang optimistic.
ReplyDeleteThey are so slow to act on any line-up moves, and then when they do he talks about how all the pieces are there; that there a numerous "game changers" in the top 9, that they have the grit to stay in games, that the players just need to "buy in" to the system.
Well, what is it then, man?! He sounds like everything is peachy while the reporters keep asking why this team sucks so much every single night of December. Why does he keep talking like his job is finished when anyone can see that this team needs something else, whether it's a coaching change or a trade or whatever.
Otherwise, when he talks about trying to actually win games, I just won't believe him because he's not doing anything to try to win games.
Whitney is a nice player and I think he's one of the leaders on this team and has the respect of
ReplyDeletethe players and management.I just wonder with his foot/physical problems if he's the pony you bet on long term.He may turn it around--he may not--but I would hate to find out 12 months from now
that he's pulled up lame.
If he is still standing upright at this year's deadline that's a question the Oilers have to ask themselves especially if the season is flushed by then.
dosesses-stay thirsty my friends
Sounds like a lot of peoples opinions are that the players Tambellini brought in this summer are substandard. Working out similar to the moves he made last summer. Potter good, Belanger`s one dimensional but needed and Ryan Smith traded himself here.
ReplyDeleteSo does this make Tambellini again lacking in peoples support for him to be the man to effectively make the smart, wiley, long-term moves this team needs?
I'm officially on Team Fire-Renney's-A@#.
ReplyDeleteBiggest shame might be that Hartikainen isn't available to replace MPS right now. I've got a feeling it'd be a long time until MP saw NHl ice again if so.
ReplyDeleteOne day this management team will figure out their need for "real" NHL centres. Outside of the kid we're relying on one guy who's a little long in the tooth to get the job done, and he has almost zero for offensive aptitude.
Agreed that Lander should have been sitting in the MP's aisle seat on the flight down. RO can do everything he can and more right now.
I spelled Smyth wrong. Unf#&@#g believable. Should have wiped the tears away before I hit "publish comment".
ReplyDeleteI like it, and I like what Tambo had to say. To me, it sounds like there was a little bit of a disconnect between what him and Renney wanted to do. He thought Magnus could and should play more, Renney thought Eager fits the line up better.
ReplyDeleteHo hum. Better to send him to OKC in that case.
Also reassuring to hear what he said about how MPS took it. Hopefully he goes down there and plays a premier role. By all accounts, it's the perfect situation as the team has been lights out with every roster it's been forced to ice.
Reinvent himself as a two way player? At this stage? What a ridiculous suggestion.
ReplyDelete