The dive for five is now a full blown collapse!
Perhaps I should view it as a good thing, but frankly I can not. Basically the team did not pick a direction and stick with it and thus they were in limbo and now everything has crashed down and put them in this position.
There is nothing to celebrate, nothing to get excited about. Yeah the Oilers have completely failed and now in all likliehood will get a top 5 draft pick! Oh goody! It makes me angry, upset and sick to my stomach.
I don't need to starve to death to appreciate a good meal, but there really is no alternative. The Oilers need to dump contracts, dump anyone not considered core and let youth take over. No chasing rainbows (Heatley, Jagr etc), no expensive free agents.
It is now the only course of action that makes sense and that makes it a sad time to be an Oiler fan!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Its the worst of times...
Really not much to say about this team. They are bad.
I have never been one to comment on Captains etc, because we just don't see what goes on in the dressing room but I think we have to start questioning Ethan Moreau.
The Oilers had the momentum were playing well and he takes a stupid penalty. Knocks over Luongo, did he really think he was going to get into Luongo's head? Poor Potulny then clears it over the board and the Oilers are two-man short and the game is virtually over as the Canucks score twice.
After the game, he questions the penalty killing? Perhaps Mr. Moreau needs to look at the mirror, why not question taking the penalty in the first place? Instead of calling out your teammates perhaps look in the mirror and acknowledge you are one of the problems. I wonder if Moreau will still be here by the end of the year?
I have truly enjoyed watching the Oilers prospects in the World Junior Tournament. Eberle gets it already, no he isn't as flashy as a Paajarvi-Svensson but he also doesn't make the mistakes or takes the chances that will result in turnovers that result in digging the puck out of his own net. The puck just follows him as it does for all great players and he finds the open man in a flash.
I also have enjoyed watching Hartikainen. He is most likely not going to put up big numbers at the NHL level but he is hard to play against, has a nose for the net and is not afraid to shoot the puck. The Oilers don't have enough of players like him, so I am rooting for him.
The Oilers play Calgary tonight, will the Oilers be the panacea for what ails the Flames? I hope not.
Go Oilers Go!
I have never been one to comment on Captains etc, because we just don't see what goes on in the dressing room but I think we have to start questioning Ethan Moreau.
The Oilers had the momentum were playing well and he takes a stupid penalty. Knocks over Luongo, did he really think he was going to get into Luongo's head? Poor Potulny then clears it over the board and the Oilers are two-man short and the game is virtually over as the Canucks score twice.
After the game, he questions the penalty killing? Perhaps Mr. Moreau needs to look at the mirror, why not question taking the penalty in the first place? Instead of calling out your teammates perhaps look in the mirror and acknowledge you are one of the problems. I wonder if Moreau will still be here by the end of the year?
I have truly enjoyed watching the Oilers prospects in the World Junior Tournament. Eberle gets it already, no he isn't as flashy as a Paajarvi-Svensson but he also doesn't make the mistakes or takes the chances that will result in turnovers that result in digging the puck out of his own net. The puck just follows him as it does for all great players and he finds the open man in a flash.
I also have enjoyed watching Hartikainen. He is most likely not going to put up big numbers at the NHL level but he is hard to play against, has a nose for the net and is not afraid to shoot the puck. The Oilers don't have enough of players like him, so I am rooting for him.
The Oilers play Calgary tonight, will the Oilers be the panacea for what ails the Flames? I hope not.
Go Oilers Go!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Caps at Oilers, keep it simple stupid edition
This game looks like it has all the components of a nightmare for the Oilers, a team which looks completely lost defensively and against a goaltender that really doesn't make the big save at the right time.
But this team has shown it is completely bi-polar, it has played games where they play well defensively and we know they can create offence. The key for this team is how they move the puck, it all starts in their own zone.
When the defence isn't panicking and makes that first good pass out of their zone, you know the Oilers will have a good game. Conversely when they panic and just wrap it around the boards at full speed or hesitate on the boards you know it is going to be a long night.
In the offensive zone, do they try to get too fancy and make that extra pretty pass that invaribly gets intercepted, or do they shoot the puck and go for the rebound. The Oilers have been far more successful when they just shoot the puck and go for the rebound, but far too often think that those impossible passes that lead to highlight goals is the way to go. There is a reason those highlight reel goals make the sportscast! They are rare, most goals are scored on rebounds and by hard work, they are not pretty!
The key to both of these points is to keep it simple, move the puck, shoot the puck when you have the opportunity and the game will take care of itself. The Oilers try to make it a much more complicated game than it is!
The Oilers are now in the midst of going the wrong way, they need to turn this around and now!
Go Oilers Go!
But this team has shown it is completely bi-polar, it has played games where they play well defensively and we know they can create offence. The key for this team is how they move the puck, it all starts in their own zone.
When the defence isn't panicking and makes that first good pass out of their zone, you know the Oilers will have a good game. Conversely when they panic and just wrap it around the boards at full speed or hesitate on the boards you know it is going to be a long night.
In the offensive zone, do they try to get too fancy and make that extra pretty pass that invaribly gets intercepted, or do they shoot the puck and go for the rebound. The Oilers have been far more successful when they just shoot the puck and go for the rebound, but far too often think that those impossible passes that lead to highlight goals is the way to go. There is a reason those highlight reel goals make the sportscast! They are rare, most goals are scored on rebounds and by hard work, they are not pretty!
The key to both of these points is to keep it simple, move the puck, shoot the puck when you have the opportunity and the game will take care of itself. The Oilers try to make it a much more complicated game than it is!
The Oilers are now in the midst of going the wrong way, they need to turn this around and now!
Go Oilers Go!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Now what? Oilers get blasted 6-3
The Oilers defensive zone coverage was simply awful last night and Deslauriers wasn't up to the task and the Oilers got demolished 6-3. They simply had no answer for Nashville's forechecking, they didn't decide they need to cover the point until it was far to late. There is no one person to pin this loss on, it was a total team collapse.
Quinn blasted them for a 3-2 loss on Tuesday and Thursday's effort was much worse. Now what? What is he going to do, yell some more?
This team has continued it's 2 steps forward and 3 steps back philosophy.
I like Quinn and I really still think it was time for Mactavish to go, but it really is very obvious the coaching was the least of this teams problems.
The unbalance we talked about before the season is still a huge problem and no amount of great coaching is going to make up for that.
It was great to have a 5 game winning streak, but this team quickly turned it into a mirage. It's back to square one. I thought this game was very important as I wanted to see how the team reacted to being held accountable, we got our answer in spades. The team folded like a cheap tent!
It's back to the drawing board but I think this coaching staff is running out of answers! It was management that got this team into this mess and it won't be easy to correct!
Quinn blasted them for a 3-2 loss on Tuesday and Thursday's effort was much worse. Now what? What is he going to do, yell some more?
This team has continued it's 2 steps forward and 3 steps back philosophy.
I like Quinn and I really still think it was time for Mactavish to go, but it really is very obvious the coaching was the least of this teams problems.
The unbalance we talked about before the season is still a huge problem and no amount of great coaching is going to make up for that.
It was great to have a 5 game winning streak, but this team quickly turned it into a mirage. It's back to square one. I thought this game was very important as I wanted to see how the team reacted to being held accountable, we got our answer in spades. The team folded like a cheap tent!
It's back to the drawing board but I think this coaching staff is running out of answers! It was management that got this team into this mess and it won't be easy to correct!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Predators vs. Oilers - St. Patrick's day Spat
The Predators come in as one of the hottest teams in the NHL so this will test the Oilers squad tonight.
Yesterday was like a soap opera in Oilersnation. Patrick O'Sullivan had his say and Pat Quinn had his, and it wasn't even St. Patrick's day. I am not going to put O'Sullivan under the bus, he hasn't had a great season and it would have been better for him to keep his mouth shut yesterday but it seems like he is an emotional guy and sometimes you have to let people be human.
I am more interested in his response and how he plays in the future than his comments. I will leave it at that.
Quinn admitted in making a coaching mistake by switching his lines yesterday, he admitted in a round-about way that he took some suggestions from his player and that might have been a mistake. Quinn is not afraid to be brutally honest but, he doesn't give himself any quarter either.
It will be interesting to see how the team responds, in the past they would have rested on their laurels after having a good road trip, been happy that they played a fairly good game against LA. It promptly led to complaincy and a two to three game losing streak. Which led to a constant two step-three steps back result.
I am anxious to see how the team responds tonight. It is easy to say all the right things to the press (as all the leadership group did) it is another thing to prove it on the ice.
Go Oilers Go!
Yesterday was like a soap opera in Oilersnation. Patrick O'Sullivan had his say and Pat Quinn had his, and it wasn't even St. Patrick's day. I am not going to put O'Sullivan under the bus, he hasn't had a great season and it would have been better for him to keep his mouth shut yesterday but it seems like he is an emotional guy and sometimes you have to let people be human.
I am more interested in his response and how he plays in the future than his comments. I will leave it at that.
Quinn admitted in making a coaching mistake by switching his lines yesterday, he admitted in a round-about way that he took some suggestions from his player and that might have been a mistake. Quinn is not afraid to be brutally honest but, he doesn't give himself any quarter either.
It will be interesting to see how the team responds, in the past they would have rested on their laurels after having a good road trip, been happy that they played a fairly good game against LA. It promptly led to complaincy and a two to three game losing streak. Which led to a constant two step-three steps back result.
I am anxious to see how the team responds tonight. It is easy to say all the right things to the press (as all the leadership group did) it is another thing to prove it on the ice.
Go Oilers Go!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Oilers win streak over, they lose 3-2
Quinn went ballistic after the game but it really wasn't that bad of an effort. For Quinn it comes down to changing the culture. He is trying to turn this team into a winner and playing Ok isn't good enough. I have no problem with that.
That being said, the Oilers dominated most of the game, Penner must have had 5 grade A chances. If he lights the lamp we are most likely having a different conversation. On the other side of the equation, they passed up prime scoring chances by not shooting the puck, the powerplay was simply awful and they were not sharp for a lot of the night. So I could see why he was upset.
It looks like O'Sullivan has run out of chances, before the game he was demoted on the fourth line and in the third period I don't think he saw a shift. He is a player that has completely lost his confidence but I don't see the work ethic or determination to try to change things. His body language gives me the impression that he has given up! Does he feel he needs a change of scenery? Or is he just completely frustrated with himself?
In an earlier blog, we talked about determining which players we need to keep to build around and players that we need to dump. Nilsson and O'Sullivan were my prime candidates to be traded. Nilsson has slowly climbed out of the doghouse (though I am still not convinced that he will stay out) and O'Sullivan looks like he will be a casuality.
It should be interesting to see how the team responds to Quinn's bashing on Thursday. Will they feel that Quinn was too hard on them? Are will they respond with a great effort? Will they see that Quinn is trying to change the culture and giving them some tough love? Or will they feel sorry for themselves?
As I said yesterday, this team is very much a work in progress and how they respond will tell us a lot about which direction this team is heading.
Go Oilers go!
That being said, the Oilers dominated most of the game, Penner must have had 5 grade A chances. If he lights the lamp we are most likely having a different conversation. On the other side of the equation, they passed up prime scoring chances by not shooting the puck, the powerplay was simply awful and they were not sharp for a lot of the night. So I could see why he was upset.
It looks like O'Sullivan has run out of chances, before the game he was demoted on the fourth line and in the third period I don't think he saw a shift. He is a player that has completely lost his confidence but I don't see the work ethic or determination to try to change things. His body language gives me the impression that he has given up! Does he feel he needs a change of scenery? Or is he just completely frustrated with himself?
In an earlier blog, we talked about determining which players we need to keep to build around and players that we need to dump. Nilsson and O'Sullivan were my prime candidates to be traded. Nilsson has slowly climbed out of the doghouse (though I am still not convinced that he will stay out) and O'Sullivan looks like he will be a casuality.
It should be interesting to see how the team responds to Quinn's bashing on Thursday. Will they feel that Quinn was too hard on them? Are will they respond with a great effort? Will they see that Quinn is trying to change the culture and giving them some tough love? Or will they feel sorry for themselves?
As I said yesterday, this team is very much a work in progress and how they respond will tell us a lot about which direction this team is heading.
Go Oilers go!
Kings at Oilers - going for six in a row
I have read a lot of blogs about the five game winning streak and how it didn't mean anything because the Oilers beat bad teams. Huh?
Lets be realistic, the Oilers are not a good team, even after winning five in a row they sit 11th. The win streak basically gave them a chance to compete for a playoff spot, but to say it didn't mean anything because they beat bottom dwellers? Get a clue and look at the standings before each of those games. Hello, Mcfly! What do you think we were? We really aren't that far from that now. There is still a lot of work to do, but for the dive for five sanction, it ain't happening. No matter what happens, no matter where the Oilers sit. They are not going to tear the team apart and start again!
I have read all about the dive for five and how it wonderful it will be because we might have the chance to draft Taylor Hall. A couple things ignored by this faction. What do you think the constant losing would teach Sam Gagner, Andrew Cogliano, Gilbert Brule, etc, etc. This team needs to learn how to win, needs to learn how to become a team. Tanking a season most likely will not get us Taylor Hall (as we simply won't be bad enough) and it will teach our kids how to be perennial losers.
Secondly, lets just ignore the poor hard-working people who pay the freight. The season ticket holder. No, I am not going to gently sit by and watch a team purposely lose and buck up next year when they ask! I can not imagine many season ticket holders feel differently! If they are trying their best and lose we can handle that, we can handle the many injuries this team had that put a bubble team over the brink. But tanking on purpose, not a chance!
Thirdly, do you really think that Darryl Katz hired argubly the most expensive coaching staff in the NHL to tank the season? He hired them to teach the kids to win, he wanted them to change the "culture" of this team. A fancy way of saying that he was sick of losing! Anyone dreaming of a giant sell job are dreaming in technicolor. As I have said previously, if the Oilers are out of the race they may dump a couple of contracts but they won't tear the team apart and start again. It is not going to happen.
Changing a culture and teaching this team to win is not a overnight proposition and the Oilers may end up falling short and getting a high pick anyway but it won't be because they "tanked" the season.
Now back to the game. I worry about tonight's game, the Oilers are coming back from a long road-trip, teams generally do not play well in this scenario and the Kings lost last night so will be hungry. The Oilers need to make sure that they don't get "fat and satisfied" (you have to love Quinnisms)
Go Oilers go!
Lets be realistic, the Oilers are not a good team, even after winning five in a row they sit 11th. The win streak basically gave them a chance to compete for a playoff spot, but to say it didn't mean anything because they beat bottom dwellers? Get a clue and look at the standings before each of those games. Hello, Mcfly! What do you think we were? We really aren't that far from that now. There is still a lot of work to do, but for the dive for five sanction, it ain't happening. No matter what happens, no matter where the Oilers sit. They are not going to tear the team apart and start again!
I have read all about the dive for five and how it wonderful it will be because we might have the chance to draft Taylor Hall. A couple things ignored by this faction. What do you think the constant losing would teach Sam Gagner, Andrew Cogliano, Gilbert Brule, etc, etc. This team needs to learn how to win, needs to learn how to become a team. Tanking a season most likely will not get us Taylor Hall (as we simply won't be bad enough) and it will teach our kids how to be perennial losers.
Secondly, lets just ignore the poor hard-working people who pay the freight. The season ticket holder. No, I am not going to gently sit by and watch a team purposely lose and buck up next year when they ask! I can not imagine many season ticket holders feel differently! If they are trying their best and lose we can handle that, we can handle the many injuries this team had that put a bubble team over the brink. But tanking on purpose, not a chance!
Thirdly, do you really think that Darryl Katz hired argubly the most expensive coaching staff in the NHL to tank the season? He hired them to teach the kids to win, he wanted them to change the "culture" of this team. A fancy way of saying that he was sick of losing! Anyone dreaming of a giant sell job are dreaming in technicolor. As I have said previously, if the Oilers are out of the race they may dump a couple of contracts but they won't tear the team apart and start again. It is not going to happen.
Changing a culture and teaching this team to win is not a overnight proposition and the Oilers may end up falling short and getting a high pick anyway but it won't be because they "tanked" the season.
Now back to the game. I worry about tonight's game, the Oilers are coming back from a long road-trip, teams generally do not play well in this scenario and the Kings lost last night so will be hungry. The Oilers need to make sure that they don't get "fat and satisfied" (you have to love Quinnisms)
Go Oilers go!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Oilers win, 5 in a row
For the first two periods it seemed that Oilers streak would die a painful death but with 10.9 seconds left the Oilers made it 3-1 and the third period was completely dominated by the Oilers first line.
Penner looked unstoppable and gave Kevin Lowe and Steve Yzerman something to think about. I still think it is a longshot for Penner to be selected but he is making it difficult to leave him off the team. The only way to stop him when he moves his feet and skates like he can is to take a penalty. Really fun to watch him dominate every team's best dman.
Gagner really has not looked like he deserved to be on that line, he has looked uncomfortable and not very confident but last night he had one of his best games of the season as he was helping cycle, making very good passes, including a perfect pass to Brule on the second goal. A goal scorers goal, one timer, howitzer in the top part of the net, just under the crossbar.
I want to add a new feature after wins, it is the unsung hero. The guy that didn't get the star but probably should have been or just had a great game.
The winner this game. Shawn Horcoff. Completely dominated the faceoff dot, was on for almost the whole last few minutes, scored the winning goal and really dominated the shift by stealing the puck making a nice pass and beating the defender to get the shot into the net.
Now, it is back to Edmonton. This team has to guard against complacency. All Pat Quinn has to do is show them the standings. The five wins has been great but the Oilers are still in 12th place, 3 points out of a playoff spot. Lots of work still to do!
Go Oilers Go!
Penner looked unstoppable and gave Kevin Lowe and Steve Yzerman something to think about. I still think it is a longshot for Penner to be selected but he is making it difficult to leave him off the team. The only way to stop him when he moves his feet and skates like he can is to take a penalty. Really fun to watch him dominate every team's best dman.
Gagner really has not looked like he deserved to be on that line, he has looked uncomfortable and not very confident but last night he had one of his best games of the season as he was helping cycle, making very good passes, including a perfect pass to Brule on the second goal. A goal scorers goal, one timer, howitzer in the top part of the net, just under the crossbar.
I want to add a new feature after wins, it is the unsung hero. The guy that didn't get the star but probably should have been or just had a great game.
The winner this game. Shawn Horcoff. Completely dominated the faceoff dot, was on for almost the whole last few minutes, scored the winning goal and really dominated the shift by stealing the puck making a nice pass and beating the defender to get the shot into the net.
Now, it is back to Edmonton. This team has to guard against complacency. All Pat Quinn has to do is show them the standings. The five wins has been great but the Oilers are still in 12th place, 3 points out of a playoff spot. Lots of work still to do!
Go Oilers Go!
Friday, December 11, 2009
5 in a row?
According to the Sports Bureau, Edmonton has never swept a 5 game road trip. If they win tonight it would be the first time in history. Now I hate to nitpick (ok maybe I don't) but in reality this is a six game road trip, though the Oilers came home after losing to the Canuckleheads 7-3 but I digress.
This should be a good game, both teams have identical records in the last 10 games,
(6-3-0-1) they are only a point apart in the standings, albeit the Blues have two games in hand. Interestingly the Blues have not been that great at home 5-9-1-1.
St. Louis doesn't score a lot of goals, in fact no team has scored less (71) but they excellent defensively with only 77 goals allowed.
This is a winnable game, but I have some worries after a third period where the Oilers looked very lackadadaisical against Tampa Bay. Lets hope they bend and don't break.
It would be great for the Oil to come home on a 5 game winning streak!
Go Oilers Go!
This should be a good game, both teams have identical records in the last 10 games,
(6-3-0-1) they are only a point apart in the standings, albeit the Blues have two games in hand. Interestingly the Blues have not been that great at home 5-9-1-1.
St. Louis doesn't score a lot of goals, in fact no team has scored less (71) but they excellent defensively with only 77 goals allowed.
This is a winnable game, but I have some worries after a third period where the Oilers looked very lackadadaisical against Tampa Bay. Lets hope they bend and don't break.
It would be great for the Oil to come home on a 5 game winning streak!
Go Oilers Go!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Total negativity a byproduct of a bad team.
It is interesing to note fans reactions in Oilers nation to a four game winning streak. The majority are happy that the Oilers have at least given them a chance to compete for the playoffs, many are just happy that they are more entertaining.
But.... there is a very vocal minority that will find things to complain about no matter what the result.
Why? I find that an interesting question. My conclusion.
Those fans are not less of an Oiler fan, or fake fans for the most part. They are as passionate as anyone but I submit they are sick of being dissapointed and want to be right. Better not to get your hopes up and then have them dashed, better to complain and be able to say I told you!
It is the byproduct of at team that has missed the playoffs for three years in a row. That attitude for those fans won't change until the Oilers consistently start winning and then they will gladly just say we were glad to be wrong!
It is impossible for that vocal minority, to be dissapointed, hurt or wrong. It is like having a relative that constantly dissapoints you, you have no expectations and when they do something that looks positive you are automatically suspicious and look for the negatives in anything positive as you just know that is the way it will turn out.
I do not think it the funnest way to enjoy the sport and always looking for the negative has got to be taxing! What I hate is that the Oilers make that type of fan look right more than wrong.
But those fans aren't silent in their attitude, they make sure all of us know how they feel and it makes it hard to be an Oiler fan in Oilers Nation! All we can hope is the Oilers can finally shut them up and make them say "I was glad to be proven wrong"
That would be beautiful!
Go Oilers Go!
But.... there is a very vocal minority that will find things to complain about no matter what the result.
Why? I find that an interesting question. My conclusion.
Those fans are not less of an Oiler fan, or fake fans for the most part. They are as passionate as anyone but I submit they are sick of being dissapointed and want to be right. Better not to get your hopes up and then have them dashed, better to complain and be able to say I told you!
It is the byproduct of at team that has missed the playoffs for three years in a row. That attitude for those fans won't change until the Oilers consistently start winning and then they will gladly just say we were glad to be wrong!
It is impossible for that vocal minority, to be dissapointed, hurt or wrong. It is like having a relative that constantly dissapoints you, you have no expectations and when they do something that looks positive you are automatically suspicious and look for the negatives in anything positive as you just know that is the way it will turn out.
I do not think it the funnest way to enjoy the sport and always looking for the negative has got to be taxing! What I hate is that the Oilers make that type of fan look right more than wrong.
But those fans aren't silent in their attitude, they make sure all of us know how they feel and it makes it hard to be an Oiler fan in Oilers Nation! All we can hope is the Oilers can finally shut them up and make them say "I was glad to be proven wrong"
That would be beautiful!
Go Oilers Go!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
4 wins in a row!
This is surely much more fun that hoping for a lottery pick!
Is there any player that gives more and works harder than Zack Stortini. Tonight he earns first star with the Gordie Howe had trick? Looked like a sniper on the wrap around, finding the far corner.
Every time he scores you cheer just a little louder! I am sure his goals have the same effect on his teammates.
Word comes out tonight that Dustin Penner is under consideration for the Canadian Olympic team. I still think he is a long shot but it is a compliment to even be mentioned in the same breath as the players that will make roster. Canada could field two medal contenders.
Deslauriers is now looking more comfortable, still too easy to score on him high (not considering the Hedman goal tonight as that was just a great shot) but he is looking confident.
Everybody seems to now be buying into Quinn's system, a much more simpler game. Bend but don't break, it's ok to dump the puck out or lose it but you better work hard to get it back.
Still a lot of work to do to fight themselves back into playoff contention but this team is battling, competing and working hard every night. Great to see.
Go Oilers go!
Is there any player that gives more and works harder than Zack Stortini. Tonight he earns first star with the Gordie Howe had trick? Looked like a sniper on the wrap around, finding the far corner.
Every time he scores you cheer just a little louder! I am sure his goals have the same effect on his teammates.
Word comes out tonight that Dustin Penner is under consideration for the Canadian Olympic team. I still think he is a long shot but it is a compliment to even be mentioned in the same breath as the players that will make roster. Canada could field two medal contenders.
Deslauriers is now looking more comfortable, still too easy to score on him high (not considering the Hedman goal tonight as that was just a great shot) but he is looking confident.
Everybody seems to now be buying into Quinn's system, a much more simpler game. Bend but don't break, it's ok to dump the puck out or lose it but you better work hard to get it back.
Still a lot of work to do to fight themselves back into playoff contention but this team is battling, competing and working hard every night. Great to see.
Go Oilers go!
Oilers at lightning.
Good news for Oiler fans as both Bell and Shaw are having free previews of Centre Ice and the NHL and the Oilers have lifted the blackout for tonight's game. The game is also available on the Oilers website.
Quinn has warned this team not to let complacency set it. You would think a warning like that would not be necessary for a team that is in 12th place but this team seems to settle in and get comfortable when they have a little bit of success.
I will be watching Robert Nilsson closely tonight, he has come back with a renewed sense of try and compete but if past history is any indication it won't last.
Tampa Bay has struggled, had team meetings, spirited practices. They will be ready tonight and the Oilers may have to weather an early storm. If they can get past the first 10 to 15 minutes without too much damage they will most likely win this one.
Go Oilers Go!
Quinn has warned this team not to let complacency set it. You would think a warning like that would not be necessary for a team that is in 12th place but this team seems to settle in and get comfortable when they have a little bit of success.
I will be watching Robert Nilsson closely tonight, he has come back with a renewed sense of try and compete but if past history is any indication it won't last.
Tampa Bay has struggled, had team meetings, spirited practices. They will be ready tonight and the Oilers may have to weather an early storm. If they can get past the first 10 to 15 minutes without too much damage they will most likely win this one.
Go Oilers Go!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The Oilers better without Hemsky?
I don't like to pick on Oilersnation, we are a passionate bunch but sometimes misguided.
The Oilers have won three in a row without Hemsky in the lineup so some in Oilers nation have concluded that the Oilers should trade Hemsky as they are better without him.
I think they have forgotten that injuries to Jacques and Stone left holes in their lineup that left the team completely unbalanced. This team plays much better when Quinn is able to insert some grit and sandpaper.
The Oilers are not better without Hemsky, in reality they are just better with some players that can provide some grit and hitting. Without them the Oilers are too easy to play against.
Can you hear it? Yes it is the sound of Nilsson slowly climbing out of the doghouse. He has been very good since being inserted back in the lineup and Quinn even singled him out for his defensive play. He even got inserted on the second line on occasion last night.
I loved to see him in the defensive zone stripping a forward off the back, and on another occasion deep on the zone helping Smid dig out the puck.
He also quarterbacked the powerplay on the goal and did an excellent job and I was surprised to see him on the bench as the first powerplay unit came on the ice for the next ones. I am not yet convinced that he has turned the corner as Nilsson has been known to play good in stretches and then completely dissapear but when he is on his game he is a delight to watch.
Visnovsky is out of this world right now! What a delight! Watching him completely control the puck in the d-zone, he rarely makes an error. Offensively see him rush up the ice with complete confidence and shoot the puck at will and on target. As soon as he gets the puck and starts rushing up the ice, you know he is going to create something. A perfect pass, a perfectly timed rush, a great shot. Is there a more underrated defenceman around the league than Lubo?
The Oilers have won three in a row without Hemsky in the lineup so some in Oilers nation have concluded that the Oilers should trade Hemsky as they are better without him.
I think they have forgotten that injuries to Jacques and Stone left holes in their lineup that left the team completely unbalanced. This team plays much better when Quinn is able to insert some grit and sandpaper.
The Oilers are not better without Hemsky, in reality they are just better with some players that can provide some grit and hitting. Without them the Oilers are too easy to play against.
Can you hear it? Yes it is the sound of Nilsson slowly climbing out of the doghouse. He has been very good since being inserted back in the lineup and Quinn even singled him out for his defensive play. He even got inserted on the second line on occasion last night.
I loved to see him in the defensive zone stripping a forward off the back, and on another occasion deep on the zone helping Smid dig out the puck.
He also quarterbacked the powerplay on the goal and did an excellent job and I was surprised to see him on the bench as the first powerplay unit came on the ice for the next ones. I am not yet convinced that he has turned the corner as Nilsson has been known to play good in stretches and then completely dissapear but when he is on his game he is a delight to watch.
Visnovsky is out of this world right now! What a delight! Watching him completely control the puck in the d-zone, he rarely makes an error. Offensively see him rush up the ice with complete confidence and shoot the puck at will and on target. As soon as he gets the puck and starts rushing up the ice, you know he is going to create something. A perfect pass, a perfectly timed rush, a great shot. Is there a more underrated defenceman around the league than Lubo?
Monday, December 7, 2009
trade rumours...
Since the summer and off and on we have heard the rumours about Sheldon Souray.
Is it possible? First we have to preface any trade of Souray with the qualification that he has a no trade clause and he would have to approve any trade.
Do I think it is possible that the Oilers are shopping Sheldon Souray? I don't know if they are actively shopping him but it would make sense that the Oilers may be having discussions about trading a defenceman due to the contracts and depth at that position.
I am not sure any trade will happen right now, more likely at the trade deadline but I would think that the Oilers are starting to have discussions about a trade of a defenceman.
Who they trade and what they get may be more determined by where they are or close to the deadline.
Is it possible? First we have to preface any trade of Souray with the qualification that he has a no trade clause and he would have to approve any trade.
Do I think it is possible that the Oilers are shopping Sheldon Souray? I don't know if they are actively shopping him but it would make sense that the Oilers may be having discussions about trading a defenceman due to the contracts and depth at that position.
I am not sure any trade will happen right now, more likely at the trade deadline but I would think that the Oilers are starting to have discussions about a trade of a defenceman.
Who they trade and what they get may be more determined by where they are or close to the deadline.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Smid the hero! 3-2 Win
It was heartwarming to see Smid the warrior score the game tying goal. 151 games without a goal and he pops one with just over 3 minutes left in the third period.
He has went from Oiler fan whipping boy to our most valuable defensive dman and it has been fun to watch.
Meanwhile, Visnovsky continues to show why he is our best dman period. He always makes simple plays that sometimes go unnoticed. My favourite play was actually last game when Smid was being chased by a charging forward and Visnovsky just skated in his way and held his position. Subtle but very effective and Smid gets out of the zone.
Right now he is piling on the points and Quinn is rewarding him with more minutes. This team has a long way to go and still look like a fire drill in their own zone on numerous occasions but not as often.
I was extremely worried about how Deslauriers would respond to the first goal, it was high, he should have had it and he has shown that goals like that bother him. Tonight, nothing changed, he played very well even after the goal. Nice progression.
Quinn's comments recently show that he knows his team is making progress, the progress has been glacial but nevertheless it is coming.
Go Oilers Go!
He has went from Oiler fan whipping boy to our most valuable defensive dman and it has been fun to watch.
Meanwhile, Visnovsky continues to show why he is our best dman period. He always makes simple plays that sometimes go unnoticed. My favourite play was actually last game when Smid was being chased by a charging forward and Visnovsky just skated in his way and held his position. Subtle but very effective and Smid gets out of the zone.
Right now he is piling on the points and Quinn is rewarding him with more minutes. This team has a long way to go and still look like a fire drill in their own zone on numerous occasions but not as often.
I was extremely worried about how Deslauriers would respond to the first goal, it was high, he should have had it and he has shown that goals like that bother him. Tonight, nothing changed, he played very well even after the goal. Nice progression.
Quinn's comments recently show that he knows his team is making progress, the progress has been glacial but nevertheless it is coming.
Go Oilers Go!
Game day - Oilers at Stars
The Oilers still are not completely out of the playoff hunt but I am still watching this season with a view of watching who bails, who surprises and who develops.
The player that remains an inigma to me is Patrick O'Sullivan. Some games he doesn't seem to want to compete and shies away from contact, other games he is forcing turnovers, skating like the wind, jumping into the holes.
If he can be more consistent in the latter than we may have a player here.
He has the tools but it could be that he loses confidence quickly or just hasn't learned what it takes to be consistent at this level.
I will continue to watch him so I can decide for myself if this is a player that should be here over the long term. For me the jury is still out.
Go Oilers Go!
The player that remains an inigma to me is Patrick O'Sullivan. Some games he doesn't seem to want to compete and shies away from contact, other games he is forcing turnovers, skating like the wind, jumping into the holes.
If he can be more consistent in the latter than we may have a player here.
He has the tools but it could be that he loses confidence quickly or just hasn't learned what it takes to be consistent at this level.
I will continue to watch him so I can decide for myself if this is a player that should be here over the long term. For me the jury is still out.
Go Oilers Go!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Tank the season....
Oilernation is full of lets tank the season and lets vote for the Oilers to lose. Let me say first that I understand the sentiment but I won't vote for them to lose and frankly they don't need any help to tank the season.
They are last in the Western Conference and in the bottom 5 in the standings, they can't do much worse and I do not see the Oilers doing a thing to improve their standing.
What I don't understand is the mixed signals in Oilersnation, on one breath they are hoping and cheering for them to lose, but you have the same fans getting upset when they don't in a claim for every reject that gets put on the waiver wire, and are upset that Tambellini won't make a trade to improve the roster?
I haven't seen a player on the waiver wire that was going to help the Oilers get a playoff spot or turn their fortunes around, it was just add cap space that the Oilers can not afford.
There is no trade that is going to turn this season around and make this team a playoff team. At the trade deadline it will make sense to try to trade a contract or two but it isn't going to happen now. They are sellers and no one is buying right now.
Really the best option as boring and as frustrating as it may be to some Oiler fans is do nothing. Doing nothing is doing exactly what Oilers nation is hoping for, the Oilers are a lottery team. I won't vote for them to lose, but the reality seems to be inevitable.
Oh by the way, the Oilers play tonight!
They are last in the Western Conference and in the bottom 5 in the standings, they can't do much worse and I do not see the Oilers doing a thing to improve their standing.
What I don't understand is the mixed signals in Oilersnation, on one breath they are hoping and cheering for them to lose, but you have the same fans getting upset when they don't in a claim for every reject that gets put on the waiver wire, and are upset that Tambellini won't make a trade to improve the roster?
I haven't seen a player on the waiver wire that was going to help the Oilers get a playoff spot or turn their fortunes around, it was just add cap space that the Oilers can not afford.
There is no trade that is going to turn this season around and make this team a playoff team. At the trade deadline it will make sense to try to trade a contract or two but it isn't going to happen now. They are sellers and no one is buying right now.
Really the best option as boring and as frustrating as it may be to some Oiler fans is do nothing. Doing nothing is doing exactly what Oilers nation is hoping for, the Oilers are a lottery team. I won't vote for them to lose, but the reality seems to be inevitable.
Oh by the way, the Oilers play tonight!
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