MY THOUGHTS ON TRAINING CAMP SO FAR

Anton Lander...


As I wrote two weeks ago, I was firmly on the band-wagon for Anton Lander to make the  Oilers team this year. At the time, I was convinced based on they way he was playing that this the right decision. 


Since then I have tempered my enthusiasm somewhat on Lander, and now feel like he might benefit more from a short stint in OKC for the Barons. Part of my reasoning for this, is due to the lack of production he's shown when not playing with really skilled guys. Maybe that's more of a knock on the coaching staff than the player as the coaches decided he should play a 3rd & mostly 4th line role in the game on this past Tuesday againt the Phoenix Coyotes. I am not sure this is the right role for him. On the flip side, he should be able to adapt as he may have to play this role if he makes the team.


To be honest, I didn't notice he was even dressed in the game until nearly the end of the first period. The rest of the game was no better, I was aware he was on the ice, but he was not "noticeable" all game long. Personally I think Lander getting more accustomed to the smaller ice in North America and the game style that is played here, is more important for him than getting limited minutes as 4th line centre in the NHL. He will likely get 20+ minutes in OKC and will be used in all aspects of specialty team play as well. This experience will be invaluable for him when he inevitably gets the call when the injury bug hits us this year.


Goal Tending...


I heard Jason Gregor on the Team1260 in conversation with Mark Spector of Spotrstnet, a "train wreck" when reffering to Khabibulins season last year. I tend to agree with this sentiment. Not to mention, in my opinion, this has been the one glaring error the GM Steve Tambellini has made since taking over this team.


Nikolai Khabibulin has been surprisingly better thus far in camp. He's won 2 of the 3 games he's played in. The one night that was rough for him, he let 3 goals in on 7 shots in the first game he played in first pre-season in the split squad game at home.


Since that game he's been much improved and is likely to get at least one more start in the two remaining games this weekend.


Dubnyk on the other hand...has looked like he's ready to take the next step and be the starting Goalie for the Oilers moving forward. 


In edmotn the MSM is all a a-buzz with who should start the home opener on October the 9th vs. Pittsburgh. I say start Dubnyk and boost the kid's confidence, and give him 45 games this year and see if he can handle the load.


I guess there's some sort of un-spoken tradition / meaning to being the starting Goalie for the home opening game. If Khabibulin is a team player and a professional, hopefully he will not be offended or upset if Dubnyk gets the start. Having said that, I hope that Khabibulin is listening to media here in Edmonton and will push for the start and make it a more healthy competition for the start.


The Kids...


One word...Unfreakinbeleivable! In the game against Phoenix this past Tuesday, Tom Renney let Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle play on the same line for the first time in exhibition competition. And good thing he did. We all have been dreaming about it and drooling over it since July 1st. But we saw it come to fruition on Tuesday.




Nuff Said!


I am curious to see if this will be the same line in the game against Vancouver on Saturday on CBC's HNIC, but until then...I am just going to watch this video over and over


GO Oilers GO!