RANDOM END OF YEAR THOUGHTS

Paul Lorieau Retires...


Mr. Lorieau sings his final National Anthems tonight when the Oilers play Minnesota at home. I will always remember the game in the '06 cup run when he put the microphone up and let the fans sing Oh Canada. He wasn't the first and to this day, the Canucks Anthem singer still does this, but it doesn't seem to carry the same emotion as when Paul did it in '06!


Thanks for the memories Paul, it's not the same when other sing the anthems for this Oiler Fan. Good luck in your future endeavors.


The Remaining Kids...


Linus Omark and Magnus Paajarvi have been very good with the opportunities they have gotten due to injuries. 


It's funny how Omark has opened the eyes of all the MSM types in this town. I have been saying all year that kid can play, and he should've been here from the start of the year. But others have called him a "selfish player" or a "hot dog" etc... it just makes me laugh how opinions flip based on some points being scored doing the same "hot dog" stuff.


Magnus for me has been a solid contributor. I was hoping for more from him this year, rightly or wrongly, but after the hat trick he scored in pre-season, I thought that was a prelude to an awesome season. I had called a Calder opportunity for him, unfortunately that didn't happen, but next year i think will be better for him than this year.


Jordan Eberle should've been in the Calder discussion if not for the injury he had. I truly believe he will be a 65-70 point guy next year. If he stays healthy that is.


Ryan Jones has said that he wants to sign here next year. I want to know what you think that contract should look like. I think you give him a raise and a one-way deal for next year to keep him here. I'm thinking $1.3M - $1.5M. Then, if he proves that he can produce like he did again, then throw a three year $2m+ deal at him to keep him. Let's face it...he was bound for the farm before we got him (kudos to the Oilers for the pick up) and with the ice time he's received this year based injuries etc...he's had a better opportunity than he was destined for if we had of stayed healthy.


I like Jones, I want him here. What I don't want to see is another contract that doesn't work. I will say this about Jones, when he's on the ice, you get all he's got to give. You see the compete and drive in him. And the fact that he'll play any roll given to him without complaint, makes him a keeper. Not to mention he's one of my favorite in twitterverse.


City Council...


Council voted to extend negations with the Katz group on the proposed arena district on Wednesday. The City wants to clear up 17 items it deems necessary to get a deal done.


Since Wednesday's vote, on Oilers Lunch on the Team1260 yesterday, it was reported that the Province of Alberta wants to spend $300M+ on a museum for downtown. I had not heard of studies, votes or any other type of public opinion requested from the citizens that this is something they want or need. Yet, the arena district that will re-vitalize down town, bring new tax dollars to the economy, and drive more tourism and investment here, has had nothing but stumbling blocks to get past. The Mayor needs to get his request for funds to the Premiere's office ASAP. My question is...will a new museum drive investment, tourism, and hundreds of millions of tax revenue for the City & Province?


Who I would Pick If I Could...


Jason Gregor and Mark Spector had an interesting debate yesterday on who should we pick if we draft first this summer. Gregor want Nugent-Hopkins and Spector wants Larrson. I agree with Spector personally. 


But...depending on where guys like Anton Lander and Jeff Petry, and Colton Tuebert fit into the plans for next year...it's hard to argue with either choice as we need both the center and the d-man.


Tonight...


It's always a sad day for me at the last game of the year. Knowing that I will not be back in the rink for anything hockey related other than the locker room sale, draft lottery party (if they do that again this year) and the season seat holder upgrade event. 


GO Oilers GO! 


(lets play Dubnyk in net to ensure a win on home ice)