Every player will go through times when they struggle, but if it were up to many in Oilers nation every player that struggles would be dealt for a bag of pucks and a used jockstrap.
The reasons given are always, "trade him quick before the rest of the NHL notices." That reasoning doesn't hold water. Do we really believe that the NHL GM's are oblivious to Tom Gilbert's struggles right now? Not a chance. Do we really believe that an NHL GM would love for Steve Tambellini to panic and unload Tom Gilbert for a song? You bet your bottom dollar!
This is not to say Tom Gilbert may not be traded. The Oilers will need to make some moves sometime this year as they are right against the cap and despite Gilbert's early struggles he has value around the NHL.
If I was a betting girl, I would bet on Gilbert as the guy to go unless the Oilers feel Grebeskhov will be hard to sign. Let's not be fooled though, Gilbert will not be traded because of his early struggles.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Flu ridden or harbinger of things to come?
It wasn't pretty to watch and it certainly did not build confidence in our team.
They looked like last years team for most of the 120 minutes of hockey this weekend and they were still a train wreck in their own zone.
There were few highlights and positives and when the going got tough they looked like the Mactavish coached Oilers and showed nothing of the new regime under Pat Quinn.
I will give them a pass as most of the team were in various stages of sickness and will hope that was the reason and not a sad excuse that proves hollow in the end.
They looked like last years team for most of the 120 minutes of hockey this weekend and they were still a train wreck in their own zone.
There were few highlights and positives and when the going got tough they looked like the Mactavish coached Oilers and showed nothing of the new regime under Pat Quinn.
I will give them a pass as most of the team were in various stages of sickness and will hope that was the reason and not a sad excuse that proves hollow in the end.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
When will this team get it?
The Oilers are off to a good start this year but Quinn keeps making the same comments.
The Oilers get some adversity and they abandon the game plan and you start seeing the solo efforts, one guy trying to beat 4 opponents. It ends in a turnover every time.
The same guys keep making the same mistakes. Tom Gilbert and Denis Grebeskhov look like a fire drill when handling the puck in their own zone and the latter made a silly "fancy Dan" (I love that Quinn-ism) play on the PP that cost them a short handed goal and I thought that was the momentum shifter, the goal that sealed the Oilers fate.
Despite the Oilers record this year I have yet to see a complete game on both ends of the ice. A game that would truly convince me that the Oilers are headed in the right direction, a game that would convince me that this team is anymore than a bubble team.
Yes you can give them some slack, they are learning a new system and that takes time, hard habits are hard to break. Nada, nada, nada.
But this team needs to start showing that they are not a fire-drill in their own zone, won't abandon their system at the first sign of trouble and won't stop playing as a team when things aren't going well.
Then I will be convinced they get it and can truly believe that this team has what it takes to make the playoffs.
The Oilers get some adversity and they abandon the game plan and you start seeing the solo efforts, one guy trying to beat 4 opponents. It ends in a turnover every time.
The same guys keep making the same mistakes. Tom Gilbert and Denis Grebeskhov look like a fire drill when handling the puck in their own zone and the latter made a silly "fancy Dan" (I love that Quinn-ism) play on the PP that cost them a short handed goal and I thought that was the momentum shifter, the goal that sealed the Oilers fate.
Despite the Oilers record this year I have yet to see a complete game on both ends of the ice. A game that would truly convince me that the Oilers are headed in the right direction, a game that would convince me that this team is anymore than a bubble team.
Yes you can give them some slack, they are learning a new system and that takes time, hard habits are hard to break. Nada, nada, nada.
But this team needs to start showing that they are not a fire-drill in their own zone, won't abandon their system at the first sign of trouble and won't stop playing as a team when things aren't going well.
Then I will be convinced they get it and can truly believe that this team has what it takes to make the playoffs.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Passion, Hockey...What drives us?
My niece asked me an innocent question last week.
Why do you like hockey so much? I tried to answer her but I was unable to come up with an answer, she might as well have asked me why I like to breathe so much?
I tried to remember where and why my love of hockey started, but it was love at first sight. My father was watching a game and I sat down to watch it with him. I must have been 2 or 3 and I was instantly transfixed. Then I got the hockey stick and the skates and instant love affair turned into a passion. My story is similar to many other Canadian children, perhaps the only difference is that I am female...though that part is not as unusual anymore either.
The passion for the Oilers is almost as old except that the Edmonton Oilers did not exist so I started my NHL fanhood as being a Montreal fan because I thought Montreal was closer to Edmonton. Oops I was or three....what can I say? Geography wasn't my strong point. But as soon as the Oilers entered the NHL, that was it I was hooked. Oiler fan for Life!
As I examined my fanhood, I thought of the passion of Oilersnation. Most of us live and breathe hockey and the Oilers. We don't always agree on what ails the Oilers, why they are playing well, who they should trade, who they should keep, who they should draft. In fact we are one huge disfunctional family, but we stand together because we do have one thing in common. We love our hockey and our Oilers and perhaps for many of us, that order would be reversed.
We come to Oilersnation because we have a found a place (whether it be a blog we enjoy, a message board, a sports talk show) that we can discuss the Oilers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It feeds our insatiable thirst and hunger for anything Oiler.
During Hockey season, There are game days and waiting for game days. Tonight is game day and we hope our team can douse the team to the South of us.. Man we hate them (oh oh that would be a whole other blog)
Its game day Oilersnation!! Enjoy
Why do you like hockey so much? I tried to answer her but I was unable to come up with an answer, she might as well have asked me why I like to breathe so much?
I tried to remember where and why my love of hockey started, but it was love at first sight. My father was watching a game and I sat down to watch it with him. I must have been 2 or 3 and I was instantly transfixed. Then I got the hockey stick and the skates and instant love affair turned into a passion. My story is similar to many other Canadian children, perhaps the only difference is that I am female...though that part is not as unusual anymore either.
The passion for the Oilers is almost as old except that the Edmonton Oilers did not exist so I started my NHL fanhood as being a Montreal fan because I thought Montreal was closer to Edmonton. Oops I was or three....what can I say? Geography wasn't my strong point. But as soon as the Oilers entered the NHL, that was it I was hooked. Oiler fan for Life!
As I examined my fanhood, I thought of the passion of Oilersnation. Most of us live and breathe hockey and the Oilers. We don't always agree on what ails the Oilers, why they are playing well, who they should trade, who they should keep, who they should draft. In fact we are one huge disfunctional family, but we stand together because we do have one thing in common. We love our hockey and our Oilers and perhaps for many of us, that order would be reversed.
We come to Oilersnation because we have a found a place (whether it be a blog we enjoy, a message board, a sports talk show) that we can discuss the Oilers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It feeds our insatiable thirst and hunger for anything Oiler.
During Hockey season, There are game days and waiting for game days. Tonight is game day and we hope our team can douse the team to the South of us.. Man we hate them (oh oh that would be a whole other blog)
Its game day Oilersnation!! Enjoy
Friday, October 23, 2009
Horcoff demoted!
This move had most fans in Oilersnation in glee yesterday as they saw Shawn Horcoff demoted.
I am not sure about the demotion angle, he will will play log a boatload and take almost every important faceoff but I hope it works.
Horcoff was put in a position that he was not suited for and it was not his fault. He really is not a first line forward. The Oilers simply had no one better for that role. His paycheque numbers get yelled from the stands after every botched effort and that cry will grow louder and louder if he continues to struggle putting points on the board, but looking past that cap hit (and yes that is almost impossible to do) is what is best for the Edmonton Oilers.
Last nights little experiment bore fruit, ok it exploded into a fireworks display which we have not seen in these parts since I did not have to look for grey hairs.
If Gagner can turn into a first line centre and Hemsky and Penner can produce this puts the Oilers in a better position than they were before. It will allow Horcoff to be where he should be and cap hit be damned that is the most important thing.
I am not sure about the demotion angle, he will will play log a boatload and take almost every important faceoff but I hope it works.
Horcoff was put in a position that he was not suited for and it was not his fault. He really is not a first line forward. The Oilers simply had no one better for that role. His paycheque numbers get yelled from the stands after every botched effort and that cry will grow louder and louder if he continues to struggle putting points on the board, but looking past that cap hit (and yes that is almost impossible to do) is what is best for the Edmonton Oilers.
Last nights little experiment bore fruit, ok it exploded into a fireworks display which we have not seen in these parts since I did not have to look for grey hairs.
If Gagner can turn into a first line centre and Hemsky and Penner can produce this puts the Oilers in a better position than they were before. It will allow Horcoff to be where he should be and cap hit be damned that is the most important thing.
The thriller in Edmonton!
There were a lot of reasons for the Oilers to lose last night's game. Injuries, reposts of up to 12 players suffering from flu symptons and then they got down 4-1. Safe to say last years team would have packed it up and called it a night.
Not this team....they rode incredible performances from Dustin Penner (did I say I need convincing whether this guy was for real, ok, ok, he has won me over) and an example of what Hemsky can do when he has some talent playing with him. 5 point nights all around. A standing ovation for The Penner as he has now been affectionally dubbed in Oilersnation.
Really, I have been wanting convince myself that this team might be for real but today I am not even going to think about that.
Watching Oilers hockey is fun again! The atmosphere at the rink last night was electric!
Go Oil Go!!
Not this team....they rode incredible performances from Dustin Penner (did I say I need convincing whether this guy was for real, ok, ok, he has won me over) and an example of what Hemsky can do when he has some talent playing with him. 5 point nights all around. A standing ovation for The Penner as he has now been affectionally dubbed in Oilersnation.
Really, I have been wanting convince myself that this team might be for real but today I am not even going to think about that.
Watching Oilers hockey is fun again! The atmosphere at the rink last night was electric!
Go Oil Go!!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Establishing an identity
An identity.....
It's something that the Oilers of old established early. They were talented, young, cocky and fast. Glen Sather also made them work hard albeit not always on both ends of the ice, he gave his young stallions plenty of room to operate and run and gun was allowed. He would supplement his stable with some hard working clysedales along the way. Some examples, Lee Fogolin, Dave Lumley, Dave Hunter, Craig Mactavish, Pat Hughes just to name a few.
The talent slowly get sold off for spare parts but you could always count on the Oilers to work hard, though they didn't have the talent to compete. We really never had a chance to beat the Stars on a regular basis but you would never accuse the Oilers of taking a night off or not earning their keep. They skated hard and were a physical team.
The Oilers of the last few years were long on potential talent but short on grit and even shorter on doing the work necessary to compete on a nightly basis. They tried to get by on talent alone, but no team can get away with that if they want to be in the playoffs. They skated but with no seeming purpose on any given night, they played as a bunch of individuals wearing the same jerseys but you couldn't call them a team.
Quinn quickly realized the problem and asked this team what identity they wanted. The answer was a return to Oilers Hockey! This team is a work in progress but early on this season I really haven't noted any passengers.
The Oilers have not changed their roster significantly but do have some young talent, but that was never going to be enough. Quinn recognized quickly the biggest weakness on the Oilers last year. It was lack of identity, lack of team and fixing that problem will go a long way into turn this team into a playoff contender.
The Oilers may not have the clysedales and the sandpiper to be as gritty and hard hitting as the playoff teams that lined up against the Dallas Stars, but they do have more offensive weapons to throw at the opposition.
Yes it is a work in progress and I look forward to this team completely establishing that identity that has been missing for the last three years!
.
It's something that the Oilers of old established early. They were talented, young, cocky and fast. Glen Sather also made them work hard albeit not always on both ends of the ice, he gave his young stallions plenty of room to operate and run and gun was allowed. He would supplement his stable with some hard working clysedales along the way. Some examples, Lee Fogolin, Dave Lumley, Dave Hunter, Craig Mactavish, Pat Hughes just to name a few.
The talent slowly get sold off for spare parts but you could always count on the Oilers to work hard, though they didn't have the talent to compete. We really never had a chance to beat the Stars on a regular basis but you would never accuse the Oilers of taking a night off or not earning their keep. They skated hard and were a physical team.
The Oilers of the last few years were long on potential talent but short on grit and even shorter on doing the work necessary to compete on a nightly basis. They tried to get by on talent alone, but no team can get away with that if they want to be in the playoffs. They skated but with no seeming purpose on any given night, they played as a bunch of individuals wearing the same jerseys but you couldn't call them a team.
Quinn quickly realized the problem and asked this team what identity they wanted. The answer was a return to Oilers Hockey! This team is a work in progress but early on this season I really haven't noted any passengers.
The Oilers have not changed their roster significantly but do have some young talent, but that was never going to be enough. Quinn recognized quickly the biggest weakness on the Oilers last year. It was lack of identity, lack of team and fixing that problem will go a long way into turn this team into a playoff contender.
The Oilers may not have the clysedales and the sandpiper to be as gritty and hard hitting as the playoff teams that lined up against the Dallas Stars, but they do have more offensive weapons to throw at the opposition.
Yes it is a work in progress and I look forward to this team completely establishing that identity that has been missing for the last three years!
.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Dustin Penner - is he the real deal or a mirage?
Mention the name Dustin Penner to an Oiler fan last year and you were most likely going to get an ear full or a quick joke about donairs.
This year he is a revelation, but is his progress that much of a surprise? I am not sure if he will continue to score at this pace and would most likely argue against it but his start to the season isn't as surprising to me as some others in Oilers nation. He was in Mactavish's dog house and while his conditioning was obviously an issue he really didn't deserve to stay there.
Power forwards take longer to develop. Just a few examples, Todd Bertuzzi, Billy Guerin, John Leclair who all had their breakthrough years between the ages of 23 and 25.
Really it could be argued that Penner had his breakthrough year in his first year when he scored 29 goals, but as he admits he is just starting to get it. He talks about a maturation process and confidence. He now feels he has the confidence to rush up the ice and is not scared to make a mistake.
Obviously coaching has made a difference for Penner as he and Mactavish were not on the same page. I would argue that his rise was part of the inevitable rise of a talented power forward and it will up to him if that rise continues.
That last sentence is what concerns me....
So far he has had a clean slate and has certainly painted a beautiful picture but I sense that sometimes he lacks the drive and personality to continually compete at a high level. I believe it was that part of his personality that Mactavish was trying to unleash,he was trying to stroke that competitive fire. It backfired but that doesn't necessarily mean that Mactavish was wrong.
Perhaps that drive and ambition that has been lacking is part of that maturation process that he talks about but until I truly embrace Penner as a revelation I need to see it for a longer period of time.
I want to believe but I need a litle more convincing.
This year he is a revelation, but is his progress that much of a surprise? I am not sure if he will continue to score at this pace and would most likely argue against it but his start to the season isn't as surprising to me as some others in Oilers nation. He was in Mactavish's dog house and while his conditioning was obviously an issue he really didn't deserve to stay there.
Power forwards take longer to develop. Just a few examples, Todd Bertuzzi, Billy Guerin, John Leclair who all had their breakthrough years between the ages of 23 and 25.
Really it could be argued that Penner had his breakthrough year in his first year when he scored 29 goals, but as he admits he is just starting to get it. He talks about a maturation process and confidence. He now feels he has the confidence to rush up the ice and is not scared to make a mistake.
Obviously coaching has made a difference for Penner as he and Mactavish were not on the same page. I would argue that his rise was part of the inevitable rise of a talented power forward and it will up to him if that rise continues.
That last sentence is what concerns me....
So far he has had a clean slate and has certainly painted a beautiful picture but I sense that sometimes he lacks the drive and personality to continually compete at a high level. I believe it was that part of his personality that Mactavish was trying to unleash,he was trying to stroke that competitive fire. It backfired but that doesn't necessarily mean that Mactavish was wrong.
Perhaps that drive and ambition that has been lacking is part of that maturation process that he talks about but until I truly embrace Penner as a revelation I need to see it for a longer period of time.
I want to believe but I need a litle more convincing.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Coaching - what a difference a year makes!
To be clear, it was obvious to almost anyone with a pulse last year that the Oilers had completely tuned out Mactavish and perhaps were playing to get rid of him but, I would be lying if I thought there would be such a huge difference.
Accountability...Quinn demands it and without singling out players by name in his comments to the press he is not scared to make it clear on any given night where the problems lie.
Honesty....He tells it as he sees it and you can't argue with his conclusions.
His quotes can be quite funny...."I think we just backed up and prayed", referring to the almost goal by Wellwood in the last second.
We all note the problems after every game and Quinn...right on cue comments on them as well.
This team is winning but certainly has not completely grasped his (and Renney's) system and still revert to bad habits when pressured but I am starting to believe that they will get it, they will buy in and perhaps will make the playoffs.
Accountability...Quinn demands it and without singling out players by name in his comments to the press he is not scared to make it clear on any given night where the problems lie.
Honesty....He tells it as he sees it and you can't argue with his conclusions.
His quotes can be quite funny...."I think we just backed up and prayed", referring to the almost goal by Wellwood in the last second.
We all note the problems after every game and Quinn...right on cue comments on them as well.
This team is winning but certainly has not completely grasped his (and Renney's) system and still revert to bad habits when pressured but I am starting to believe that they will get it, they will buy in and perhaps will make the playoffs.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Game day - Canucks at Oilers - Will youth be served this year?
So far it has been a rather interesting season and one wonders if this is the season of the breakout.
The Oilers have produced without any real impact from Horcoff and Hemsky due to balanced scoring. Hemsky will miss a second straight game due to illness. The balanced scoring has been great but lets get real, this team will need Ales Hemsky going at all cylinders if it wants to be a playoff team this season.
Tonight O'Sullivan gets added responsibility by playing the point on the PP in Souray's absence. Patty has been excellent this season, albeit a little snake bit around the net. I became an instant fan of Patty when after being knocked on his can by the devil himself - Boogard, he dusted himself up skated up the ice, stole the puck and made a great pass for an Oilers goal. He shows all sorts of hustle and knows how to play defensively as well. He is 24.
My eyes will also be in Smid. Ladi has started the season getting more responsibility, more ice time and so far has thrived. At the tender age of 23, this could be the start of a long, dependable career as a solid defensive dman.
I am still not convinced that the Oilers are a playoff team this season but the difference between last year and this year could be the kids turning into players. If that can continue and we get consistent performances from the veterans this team goes from a bubble team to a playoff team.
The Oilers have produced without any real impact from Horcoff and Hemsky due to balanced scoring. Hemsky will miss a second straight game due to illness. The balanced scoring has been great but lets get real, this team will need Ales Hemsky going at all cylinders if it wants to be a playoff team this season.
Tonight O'Sullivan gets added responsibility by playing the point on the PP in Souray's absence. Patty has been excellent this season, albeit a little snake bit around the net. I became an instant fan of Patty when after being knocked on his can by the devil himself - Boogard, he dusted himself up skated up the ice, stole the puck and made a great pass for an Oilers goal. He shows all sorts of hustle and knows how to play defensively as well. He is 24.
My eyes will also be in Smid. Ladi has started the season getting more responsibility, more ice time and so far has thrived. At the tender age of 23, this could be the start of a long, dependable career as a solid defensive dman.
I am still not convinced that the Oilers are a playoff team this season but the difference between last year and this year could be the kids turning into players. If that can continue and we get consistent performances from the veterans this team goes from a bubble team to a playoff team.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Expectations or just plain scared?
A blog....
I have always thought of starting an Oilers blog but I really do not consider myself a great writer... nor funny... and don't tell great stories...but what the hell. I am not a great follower of advanced stats but have loved the game since as early I can remember.
My blog will just give opinions on some of the issues that Oiler fans are talking about and other things that might hit my fancy. I will leave the advanced stats for the other Bloggers who truly do a masterful job of covering them. I want to give a thank you to Lowetide, who a long time ago said that I could write a blog and would when I was ready. Lowetide, I am not sure if I am ready but here it goes -
My first topic: Expectations.
Perhaps, expectations is not really the right word; let me first give credit to a really good news article this morning.
Terry Jones has this in the Edmonton Sun - http://www.edmontonsun.com/sports/columnists/terry_jones/2009/10/18/11440881-sun.html
I think this article is a good basis for what has been in the back of my mind since the season started.
Do we truly get excited about the Oilers start? I believe the answer for myself and the majority of Oiler fans is NO!
Even if their were not warning signs, Shot discrepancies, a lot of time in our own zone, injury concerns, Hemsky and Horcoff seemingly off to slow starts we would still be apprehensive and for good reason....
Oilers nation has had so many bad things happen since that magical carpet ride thriller playoff ride. The Pronger baby bed burning fiasco, The Heatley just let me wait to make decision - but it won't be Edmonton Saga, The Nylander wife cold shoulder (ok perhaps that one didn't turn out so bad but I digress) and of course, we haven't seen a playoff performance since that magical ride, so I think the general pall of negativity can be forgiven and understood.
But alas there have been positive signs, Penners fast rise from the crypt, Comrie getting his career back on track, Brule showing the promise of his draft year, balanced scoring, winning despite not completely playing to Quinn's system - but will those last?
Oops.....I guess I am a true Oiler fan after all. For better or worse this season I will wait to see what we can expect from my team (our team) and will hope that this start will not be a mirage but a harbinger of things to come.
So Oiler fans grab a beverage and hang on for the ride!
I have always thought of starting an Oilers blog but I really do not consider myself a great writer... nor funny... and don't tell great stories...but what the hell. I am not a great follower of advanced stats but have loved the game since as early I can remember.
My blog will just give opinions on some of the issues that Oiler fans are talking about and other things that might hit my fancy. I will leave the advanced stats for the other Bloggers who truly do a masterful job of covering them. I want to give a thank you to Lowetide, who a long time ago said that I could write a blog and would when I was ready. Lowetide, I am not sure if I am ready but here it goes -
My first topic: Expectations.
Perhaps, expectations is not really the right word; let me first give credit to a really good news article this morning.
Terry Jones has this in the Edmonton Sun - http://www.edmontonsun.com/sports/columnists/terry_jones/2009/10/18/11440881-sun.html
I think this article is a good basis for what has been in the back of my mind since the season started.
Do we truly get excited about the Oilers start? I believe the answer for myself and the majority of Oiler fans is NO!
Even if their were not warning signs, Shot discrepancies, a lot of time in our own zone, injury concerns, Hemsky and Horcoff seemingly off to slow starts we would still be apprehensive and for good reason....
Oilers nation has had so many bad things happen since that magical carpet ride thriller playoff ride. The Pronger baby bed burning fiasco, The Heatley just let me wait to make decision - but it won't be Edmonton Saga, The Nylander wife cold shoulder (ok perhaps that one didn't turn out so bad but I digress) and of course, we haven't seen a playoff performance since that magical ride, so I think the general pall of negativity can be forgiven and understood.
But alas there have been positive signs, Penners fast rise from the crypt, Comrie getting his career back on track, Brule showing the promise of his draft year, balanced scoring, winning despite not completely playing to Quinn's system - but will those last?
Oops.....I guess I am a true Oiler fan after all. For better or worse this season I will wait to see what we can expect from my team (our team) and will hope that this start will not be a mirage but a harbinger of things to come.
So Oiler fans grab a beverage and hang on for the ride!
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