Showing posts with label Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
CONTRACTS, TRAINING CAMP, AND A SEASON THAT MAY NOT HAPPEN
JORDAN EBERLE SIGNS...
You all know by now that Jordan Eberle has signed an extension with the Oilers for six years at $6M per season. He joined teammate Taylor Hall who signed a seven year extension back in August.
Friday, October 14, 2011
THE SEASON THUS FAR: TWO GAMES IN
Game One: Sunday October 9th Vs. Pittsburgh...
There are few things that were notable in this game that I would like to comment on.
It's been said that there is some symbolism, to which goalie gets the start in game one of a new season, this year Devan Dubnyk got that start. I am not sure what this is supposed to mean, but I am guessing it is some sort of nod to the Goalie, that they are the guy between the pipes going forward through the season?? Or at least that's the sense I get when I hear media types refer to this symbolism. I could be way off here, that's just the impression that I have.
Dubnyk played well against one of the premiere teams in the NHL, and got us the victory 2-1 in the shoot-out. Good call to put him in! I was hoping that he would get the start after Nikolai Khabibulin's brutal season last year. I think Dubnyk should get at least half the starts this year if not more, and I would like to see him start to move into the number one role in Edmonton.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins gets to play his first game in the NHL and scores his first goal! if you haven't seen it...
A great second effort by Hopkins to put it past Brent Johnson who was in goal for the Penguins! All in all, I thought RNH had a solid game and didn't look out of place at all in this league. We will have to wait and see how the next 7 games go to judge if he should stay up or go back to his Junior team in Red Deer.
Four years after the above picture was taken at Ryan Smyth's press conference when he was traded, Smyth played his first game as an Oiler again. As usual, we got a blue collar hard work effort from Smytty. He even through an old-school elbow on Chris Kunitz in the dying minutes of the third period and got a 5 min game mis-conduct for it. Fortunately our PK looked good all night and saved the game with Duby's help to get the game to OT and bail Ryan out.
In the shoot-out Jordan Eberle & Ales Hemsky both scored and Omark tried his YouTube sensation move, to lob the puck over the back of the Goalie when he goes down. Unfortunately missed the net and Dubnyk stopped Steve Sullivan's next shot to win the game.
A lot of people on twitter and radio, criticized Omark for trying that shot. Here's how it looks when successful... (sorry for the Swedish!)
Had he made that work in the game on Sunday, he'd be a hero and people would have been praising him as they did last year with that wicked spin move he scored against Tampa Bay.
Great and exciting game that had some momentous occasions to it, and an awesome game to be at if you are a fan of the Oilers!
Game Two: Thursday October 13th vs. Minnesota...
Going into this game there were some line-up changes made by Tom Renney. Omark was out as a healthy scratch for Lennart Petrell. This was touted as a move made due to the turn-over that Omark had in game one. There were quite a few. Not Omark's best game. I was upset about this as I feel that Omark gives ou PP a much fresher and creative look than when Hemsky is running it.
Omark aside, there was a bigger story unfolding with Khabibulin getting the start in goal, and the fact that we hadn't won a game in Minnesota sine 2006, the media was all over this in the pre-game interviews.
The game was going really well in the first period! it looked like the Oilers were going to dominate. Ryan Smyth scored his signature goal from two feet in front of goal, his first as an Oiler since his return.
Then the inevitable happened. Ales Hemsky was injured (again) and would not return to the game. Should we be surprised? Or should we start talking about how the injury bug continues to plague this team? After Hemsky's injury, the team seemed to revert to their playing style of the lat couple of years. No offence (one shot in the third period), lack of effort, etc...
I will say this, in two games our PK has looked outstanding! A total difference from last year. Hopefully this is a sign of improvement for the rest of the year.
We hung on to take the game to OT again, and another shoot-out. we lost the game but got a point.
Oilers fans should be happy that we have 3 points in two games! Think about it...Vancouver has played four games for a possible 8 points and are tied with us! I've said it before and I'll say it again, Vancouver Sucks
Go Oilers GO!
There are few things that were notable in this game that I would like to comment on.
Dubnyk played well against one of the premiere teams in the NHL, and got us the victory 2-1 in the shoot-out. Good call to put him in! I was hoping that he would get the start after Nikolai Khabibulin's brutal season last year. I think Dubnyk should get at least half the starts this year if not more, and I would like to see him start to move into the number one role in Edmonton.
A great second effort by Hopkins to put it past Brent Johnson who was in goal for the Penguins! All in all, I thought RNH had a solid game and didn't look out of place at all in this league. We will have to wait and see how the next 7 games go to judge if he should stay up or go back to his Junior team in Red Deer.
Four years after the above picture was taken at Ryan Smyth's press conference when he was traded, Smyth played his first game as an Oiler again. As usual, we got a blue collar hard work effort from Smytty. He even through an old-school elbow on Chris Kunitz in the dying minutes of the third period and got a 5 min game mis-conduct for it. Fortunately our PK looked good all night and saved the game with Duby's help to get the game to OT and bail Ryan out.
In the shoot-out Jordan Eberle & Ales Hemsky both scored and Omark tried his YouTube sensation move, to lob the puck over the back of the Goalie when he goes down. Unfortunately missed the net and Dubnyk stopped Steve Sullivan's next shot to win the game.
A lot of people on twitter and radio, criticized Omark for trying that shot. Here's how it looks when successful... (sorry for the Swedish!)
Had he made that work in the game on Sunday, he'd be a hero and people would have been praising him as they did last year with that wicked spin move he scored against Tampa Bay.
Great and exciting game that had some momentous occasions to it, and an awesome game to be at if you are a fan of the Oilers!
Game Two: Thursday October 13th vs. Minnesota...
Going into this game there were some line-up changes made by Tom Renney. Omark was out as a healthy scratch for Lennart Petrell. This was touted as a move made due to the turn-over that Omark had in game one. There were quite a few. Not Omark's best game. I was upset about this as I feel that Omark gives ou PP a much fresher and creative look than when Hemsky is running it.
Omark aside, there was a bigger story unfolding with Khabibulin getting the start in goal, and the fact that we hadn't won a game in Minnesota sine 2006, the media was all over this in the pre-game interviews.
The game was going really well in the first period! it looked like the Oilers were going to dominate. Ryan Smyth scored his signature goal from two feet in front of goal, his first as an Oiler since his return.
Then the inevitable happened. Ales Hemsky was injured (again) and would not return to the game. Should we be surprised? Or should we start talking about how the injury bug continues to plague this team? After Hemsky's injury, the team seemed to revert to their playing style of the lat couple of years. No offence (one shot in the third period), lack of effort, etc...
I will say this, in two games our PK has looked outstanding! A total difference from last year. Hopefully this is a sign of improvement for the rest of the year.
We hung on to take the game to OT again, and another shoot-out. we lost the game but got a point.
Oilers fans should be happy that we have 3 points in two games! Think about it...Vancouver has played four games for a possible 8 points and are tied with us! I've said it before and I'll say it again, Vancouver Sucks
Go Oilers GO!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
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!
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!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
SPLIT SCREEN PRE-SEASON MANIA!!
First Pre-Season Games Tonight in a Split Squad Frenzy...
As a Die Hard fan of the Edmonton Oilers, tonight was pretty much a dream come true, even though I couldn't be at the game myself.
To see two Oilers games at the same time, split screen on my PC was a first for me. I found my self torn between the two tilts as there was a ton of intrigue in both games!
Edmonton Vs. Minnesota...
In this game I was most interested in the all Swede kid line that was Omark-Lander-Paajarvi. I was not disappointed! Lander scored a goal that was assisted by Omark, and all night Paajarvi was dangerous and fast!
There was another element to this game that I was intrigued to see, I wanted to see Khabibulin's first game back after a tumultuous summer to say the least. I was surprised to learn that it was 3-0 Wild after the first period when I finally got back to my computer and turned on the game! Unfortunately I did not see the those goals and therefore can't comment until I see the highlights when they get posted later on the Oilers site, but I will say this...I was disappointed that we were down by 3 goals and was blaming Khabibulin even though it might not have been his fault.
When Tyler Bunz was brought into the game, I thought he looked outstanding. His glove is unbelievable! I shouldn't be surprised though as he did post the shut-out in Penticton last week.
Taylor Hall looks like a different guy this year. He looks stronger, faster and harder on the puck than at the end of last year. I noticed this too at the Joey Moss Cup game on Sunday. The only way I can truly describe it is...he looks really hungry. Like he's not going to take no for an answer in any situation, and that he's going to be better this year if it kills him. This is awesome to see!! I can't wait to watch him get 40 goals this year. (that's right I said 40)
It's hard to comment here on the intangible stuff as I was paying attention to both games and missed alot of that kind of thing.
It sucked that we lost this game 4-3, but we came back to tie 3-3 and lost in the dying minutes of the third. Unfortunately, I am not a bandwagon jumper like I used to be, and I do not have unrealistic expectations for this team to make the play-offs. But, if we can compete in games and lose the way we did tonight, this season ticket holder will be a happy camper.
Edmonton Vs. Chicago...
There was a ton of intrigue for me in this game as well. the obvious stuff like, RNH playing his first pro game, Ryan Smyth in his first game back for the Oil, Jordan Eberle etc...
But to be honest, I was really looking forward to watching the boys play in those new white retro uni's. When I saw the team take the ice on Sunday for the Moss Cup...I was blown away by the look. It was like watching the 80's Oilers take the ice. I wanted to see what they looked like on TV and I wasn't disappointed.
But, as far as the game goes, Ryan Smith was up to his old tricks in front of the net picking up the rebound from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins who shot from the point. Smyth scores of course!
Jordan Eberle, who has been so clutch in his short career...scores on a 2-1 break with 1:30 left in the game for the winner to make it 3-2. It was a beautiful snipe! I would post the video here, but it has not been uploaded to the Oilers site yet.
All in all a very good night to be an Oilers Fan. I can't wait for my first in-person game on Saturday against the Flames. Unfortunately...I am travelling for business (to help pay for my seats) and can't be there Thursday either, but if you are going to be at the game Saturday...I will be telling Kiprusoff just exactly what I think of him all night long!!
Stream Was More Like a Trickle...
In this day and age of high speed internet, the stream tonight on the Oilers website was pretty choppy! I am not sure if it was my connection from here in Fort St. John, BC or what...but there was a hell of a lot of buffering going on.
There was a lot of complaints on twitter tonight from viewers as well, so I tend to believe that there wasn't enough bandwidth from the broadcast to go around. I hope the Oilers fix this for Thursday night as it was pretty frustrating tonight for sure.
GO Oilers GO!!
As a Die Hard fan of the Edmonton Oilers, tonight was pretty much a dream come true, even though I couldn't be at the game myself.
To see two Oilers games at the same time, split screen on my PC was a first for me. I found my self torn between the two tilts as there was a ton of intrigue in both games!
Edmonton Vs. Minnesota...
In this game I was most interested in the all Swede kid line that was Omark-Lander-Paajarvi. I was not disappointed! Lander scored a goal that was assisted by Omark, and all night Paajarvi was dangerous and fast!
There was another element to this game that I was intrigued to see, I wanted to see Khabibulin's first game back after a tumultuous summer to say the least. I was surprised to learn that it was 3-0 Wild after the first period when I finally got back to my computer and turned on the game! Unfortunately I did not see the those goals and therefore can't comment until I see the highlights when they get posted later on the Oilers site, but I will say this...I was disappointed that we were down by 3 goals and was blaming Khabibulin even though it might not have been his fault.
When Tyler Bunz was brought into the game, I thought he looked outstanding. His glove is unbelievable! I shouldn't be surprised though as he did post the shut-out in Penticton last week.
Taylor Hall looks like a different guy this year. He looks stronger, faster and harder on the puck than at the end of last year. I noticed this too at the Joey Moss Cup game on Sunday. The only way I can truly describe it is...he looks really hungry. Like he's not going to take no for an answer in any situation, and that he's going to be better this year if it kills him. This is awesome to see!! I can't wait to watch him get 40 goals this year. (that's right I said 40)
It's hard to comment here on the intangible stuff as I was paying attention to both games and missed alot of that kind of thing.
It sucked that we lost this game 4-3, but we came back to tie 3-3 and lost in the dying minutes of the third. Unfortunately, I am not a bandwagon jumper like I used to be, and I do not have unrealistic expectations for this team to make the play-offs. But, if we can compete in games and lose the way we did tonight, this season ticket holder will be a happy camper.
Edmonton Vs. Chicago...
There was a ton of intrigue for me in this game as well. the obvious stuff like, RNH playing his first pro game, Ryan Smyth in his first game back for the Oil, Jordan Eberle etc...
But to be honest, I was really looking forward to watching the boys play in those new white retro uni's. When I saw the team take the ice on Sunday for the Moss Cup...I was blown away by the look. It was like watching the 80's Oilers take the ice. I wanted to see what they looked like on TV and I wasn't disappointed.
But, as far as the game goes, Ryan Smith was up to his old tricks in front of the net picking up the rebound from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins who shot from the point. Smyth scores of course!
Jordan Eberle, who has been so clutch in his short career...scores on a 2-1 break with 1:30 left in the game for the winner to make it 3-2. It was a beautiful snipe! I would post the video here, but it has not been uploaded to the Oilers site yet.
All in all a very good night to be an Oilers Fan. I can't wait for my first in-person game on Saturday against the Flames. Unfortunately...I am travelling for business (to help pay for my seats) and can't be there Thursday either, but if you are going to be at the game Saturday...I will be telling Kiprusoff just exactly what I think of him all night long!!
Stream Was More Like a Trickle...
In this day and age of high speed internet, the stream tonight on the Oilers website was pretty choppy! I am not sure if it was my connection from here in Fort St. John, BC or what...but there was a hell of a lot of buffering going on.
There was a lot of complaints on twitter tonight from viewers as well, so I tend to believe that there wasn't enough bandwidth from the broadcast to go around. I hope the Oilers fix this for Thursday night as it was pretty frustrating tonight for sure.
GO Oilers GO!!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
THE OMARK FACTOR
Call me a Fan...
Anyone that has read this blog knows that I am a HUGE Linus Omark fan. the one thing that is stressing me out a little this summer is all the non-talk about his up-coming sophomore year this year.
What The Pundits Say...
Most of the MSM guys in town are touting the return of Ryan Smyth (and rightly so!) or the drafting of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or the how many points the Hall's, Eberle's and Paajarvi's are going to get in their second years as Oilers.
No one is talikng about the season Omark had last year or where he might start & finish this year. Last year Omark scored 5-22-27 in 51 games played.
Personally I feel that if he gets top nine minutes and some first or second PP time, he will be a 50 point man. Call me crazy, but he has an unbieleable ability to protect the puck down low and vision to make great plays as the following video shows...
The Big Questions...
Where and who are they going to play Omark with? The fact is that Tom Renney has so many options now for line combinations, it's truly a mystery as to where any one player will slot into this line up. Renney can go with all veteran & all young gun lines, or he can mix experience with youth, or he can go skilled lines and grinders.
Personally I would like to see Omark Play with Paajarvi more this year, or if Nugent-Hopkins makes the team, I would like to see them get a few shifts together and see if there is any chemistry there.
I guess like you...I am just going to have to wait and see what happens.
Go Oilers Go!
Anyone that has read this blog knows that I am a HUGE Linus Omark fan. the one thing that is stressing me out a little this summer is all the non-talk about his up-coming sophomore year this year.
What The Pundits Say...
Most of the MSM guys in town are touting the return of Ryan Smyth (and rightly so!) or the drafting of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or the how many points the Hall's, Eberle's and Paajarvi's are going to get in their second years as Oilers.
No one is talikng about the season Omark had last year or where he might start & finish this year. Last year Omark scored 5-22-27 in 51 games played.
Personally I feel that if he gets top nine minutes and some first or second PP time, he will be a 50 point man. Call me crazy, but he has an unbieleable ability to protect the puck down low and vision to make great plays as the following video shows...
The Big Questions...
Where and who are they going to play Omark with? The fact is that Tom Renney has so many options now for line combinations, it's truly a mystery as to where any one player will slot into this line up. Renney can go with all veteran & all young gun lines, or he can mix experience with youth, or he can go skilled lines and grinders.
Personally I would like to see Omark Play with Paajarvi more this year, or if Nugent-Hopkins makes the team, I would like to see them get a few shifts together and see if there is any chemistry there.
I guess like you...I am just going to have to wait and see what happens.
Go Oilers Go!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
MY THOUGHTS ON THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS
The Draft...
If you have read this blog in the last couple of weeks, you know that I was hoping the Oilers would draft Larsson and not Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The only downside to my opinion here was that I was agreeing with Pierre McGuire at TSN. I hate that guy, but I believe he was right.
But...since we did draft RNH, we now have the center we need. Hopefully he can make the team this year and develop with the kids we have here now. A line with Hall-Hopkins-Eberle would be a really skilled albeit small line.
I do like the other kids that were drafted in Klefbom at 19th and David Musil at 31st. I hope these kids will fill the needs moving forward.
Smitty Returns Home...
To be perfectly honest, I was more excited that Ryan Smyth was coming back to the Oilers than I was for the first overall selection at the draft.
Smitty is exactly what this team needs to mentor the young guns we now have here in Oil Country! Not only on the ice, but off the ice and in the dressing room too. I don't know how many times I have said in the last four years, that we need Smitty in front of the net pissing off Goalies in the only way Smitty knows how to. If Smyth gets us 20 goals this year, it'll be a great move for Tambellini.
Smyth is a consummate pro, a blood & guts / heart & soul guy, and works uber-hard on & off the ice. Smyth will teach these kids how to be better professionals, players, and people.
Souray Sent Packing...
Sheldon Souray today, has been placed on unconditional waivers with several MSM outlets reporting that the purpose is so that the Oilers will buy out his contract.
Unfortunately, I will not be happy about this move. There are two things that I will criticize Tambellini for...1) signing Khabibulin to a 4 year deal at his age and letting Roloson slip away. 2) Not being able to patch things up with Souray over this issue of Sheldon speaking his mind and putting the teams nose out of joint.
If the Oilers were to sign a decent D-Man (that they desperately need) during free agency, they are looking at a 3.5 - 5 million dollar man. with the buy-out for Souray added to that, they could be pending 7- 8.5 millon in real money. regardless of the cap space that is freed up by buying Souray out. Does this make sense?? Souray is exactly what this team needs! PP specialist, big & tough, veteran, and most of all...that big-ass shot. I don't get this at all and I really wish the children could've shook hands and agred to disagree.
Obviously there is some truth to Souray's comments regarding his staph infection when he spoke out a couple of years ago. It sounds to me like the research that is (or isn't) done on the health of players here in Edmonton, is not as thorough as it should or could be. The deal for Smyth recently, was reported as a bit of a swindling. As it was reported by Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal and others, that the L.A. Kings were not aware of the injury to Colin Fraser at the time the trade was made. Not to mention that we all know what happened with Khabibulin, and his back issues and exhaustion problems. there has to be a better job done by the medical staff / trainers to ensure we know what the status of our players are at all times.
Maybe there's more to the story that I am not aware of....but in my opinion, where there's smoke there's fire.
GO Oilers GO!
If you have read this blog in the last couple of weeks, you know that I was hoping the Oilers would draft Larsson and not Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The only downside to my opinion here was that I was agreeing with Pierre McGuire at TSN. I hate that guy, but I believe he was right.
But...since we did draft RNH, we now have the center we need. Hopefully he can make the team this year and develop with the kids we have here now. A line with Hall-Hopkins-Eberle would be a really skilled albeit small line.
I do like the other kids that were drafted in Klefbom at 19th and David Musil at 31st. I hope these kids will fill the needs moving forward.
Smitty Returns Home...
Smitty is exactly what this team needs to mentor the young guns we now have here in Oil Country! Not only on the ice, but off the ice and in the dressing room too. I don't know how many times I have said in the last four years, that we need Smitty in front of the net pissing off Goalies in the only way Smitty knows how to. If Smyth gets us 20 goals this year, it'll be a great move for Tambellini.
Smyth is a consummate pro, a blood & guts / heart & soul guy, and works uber-hard on & off the ice. Smyth will teach these kids how to be better professionals, players, and people.
Souray Sent Packing...
Sheldon Souray today, has been placed on unconditional waivers with several MSM outlets reporting that the purpose is so that the Oilers will buy out his contract.
Unfortunately, I will not be happy about this move. There are two things that I will criticize Tambellini for...1) signing Khabibulin to a 4 year deal at his age and letting Roloson slip away. 2) Not being able to patch things up with Souray over this issue of Sheldon speaking his mind and putting the teams nose out of joint.
If the Oilers were to sign a decent D-Man (that they desperately need) during free agency, they are looking at a 3.5 - 5 million dollar man. with the buy-out for Souray added to that, they could be pending 7- 8.5 millon in real money. regardless of the cap space that is freed up by buying Souray out. Does this make sense?? Souray is exactly what this team needs! PP specialist, big & tough, veteran, and most of all...that big-ass shot. I don't get this at all and I really wish the children could've shook hands and agred to disagree.
Obviously there is some truth to Souray's comments regarding his staph infection when he spoke out a couple of years ago. It sounds to me like the research that is (or isn't) done on the health of players here in Edmonton, is not as thorough as it should or could be. The deal for Smyth recently, was reported as a bit of a swindling. As it was reported by Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal and others, that the L.A. Kings were not aware of the injury to Colin Fraser at the time the trade was made. Not to mention that we all know what happened with Khabibulin, and his back issues and exhaustion problems. there has to be a better job done by the medical staff / trainers to ensure we know what the status of our players are at all times.
Maybe there's more to the story that I am not aware of....but in my opinion, where there's smoke there's fire.
GO Oilers GO!
Monday, June 13, 2011
STANLEY CUP & UPCOMING DRAFT THOUGHTS
To be honest I haven't watched a lot of the finals as I have been moving homes, and very busy at work. I did have an opportunity to watch part of game 3 and all of game 4.
If Tim Thomas doesn't win the Con-Smythe trophy, then that will be a crime in my my mind! The guy has been lights out all year, and especially in the play-offs. Check out his stats here.
As per usual the Vancouver Canucks have been less than sportsman like in the finals. This shouldn't Surprise me as there are a lot of reasons to hate this team from years gone by...Todd Bertuzzi, Brian Burke, Matt Cooke, Alex Burrows, Ryan Kessler, etc... these names are all prime examples of players and managers to hate. And more recently Roberto Luongo's comments about Tim Thomas. I mean seriously...is Luongo's ego so fragile that he needs to have his opponent talk nicely about his play in the series thus far?? Give me a break!
I pray that Boston gets it done tonight to take it to game seven and can then destroy the hopes and dreams of Canuck fans on home ice. Just like mine were destroyed back in '06 by Marc-Andre Bergeron. Hopefully the riots that will undoubtedly occur (if the Canucks win or lose) will prove what I have been saying all along...Vancouver Sucks!
I have been listening more and more to the talk in town about the upcoming draft. I did take a break from hockey for a while for reasons mentioned above, but I heard recently that Steve Tambellini will entertain serious offers on the first over-all pick. I am curious to see if he can make a deal with Ottawa who have six picks in the first two rounds this year and are openly letting everyone know they want to move up in the draft.
Personally...I still want the Oilers to pick Larsson with their first selection. I know Nugent-Hopkins is the pundits favorite to go first, and rightly so. But, The Oilers are weaker at defense than they are at forward right now, and I feel they will win more games if they can shore that up first. The trick is to get Larsson in any deal that is made. In my opinion he is ready to play now vs. Nugent-Hopkins who would likely spend at least one season in the minors or back in junior.
Either way, no matter what happens, we are in another win/win situation, and I can't wait to find out will happen on Friday the 24th!
I am ecstatic to know that Winnipeg finally got the team that had been rumored to come back for sooooo very long! Canada finally has another team, that great news for the league and for this Country!
In my opinion, the name has to be the Winnipeg Jets. I get that all the old franchise records will still belong to the Phoenix Coyotes, but...it just doesn't feel right if it's anything else. I can't wait to go see the Oilers play in Winnipeg. That will be outstanding!
GO Oilers GO!
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