GDB 46: Hello, Robert Nilsson!
Jason Gregor
January 20 2009 01:02PM
For the second straight game, the Oilers offence will get a boost; the fog has lifted and Robert Nilsson will play tonight with Gagner and Cole. Nilsson skated hard yesterday, and was cautious about a return tonight, but after the morning skate he was smiling and excited to play with his father in the rink tonight.
Nilsson’s return means a shuffle: Reddox is off the second line, and based on practice he might be in the pressbox tonight. Reddox and Strudwick were the last two off the ice at the morning skate, normally a sign that they won’t play tonight. The problem with that theory is that Strudwick has been the last player off on game day many times, yet still laced them up that night.
Reddox, Brule, Strudwick and MacIntyre are the options to flank Brodziak, and none of the players were saying who was playing. I would lean towards MacIntyre and Brule being in tonight.
Hall & Oates
Many of you were stunned watching the Oilers, specifically Ethan Moreau, clapping in unison to Private Eyes, after their win against Phoenix. Veteran Strudwick explains the reasoning behind this song:
Strudwick: First off, I really liked the '80s. There was lots of good music produced, synthesizers and bad hair were a good combination. As far as Hall and Oates, we're searching for a song and right now that seems to be the go-to after the game. I like the song a lot and I think we should stick with it.
Gregor: Is it because of the clapping sequence, the unison factor?
Strudwick: We had tried harder clapping sequence, but not everyone could get it, but now this song there is only three claps every two minutes so we can keep the pace.
Gregor: You’ve been around the league a long time -- are there any other songs that were this team-building-ish.
Strudwick: Most teams after a win play the same song. Last year in New York we had a song by Eminem -- Shake Your Ass -- not sure if you are familiar with it, but it is quite a good number. The other year we had Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond, which was Jagr’s song. We’ve had quite the potpourri of music.
Moreau kicking out Pouliot
Many of you thought Moreau was a horrible leader for waving Pouliot out of the dot a few games ago, so I asked him why?
“I take it because then Cogs can stay on the left side, where he is more comfortable, and not go on the right. Really, Poulie and I laugh about it when we look at one another to see who will take it. It isn’t a big deal at all, but the main reason is so that Cogs can stay on the left where he is more comfortable.”
I asked Pouliot his thoughts on it, and if he felt being a centre he should take the draw.
“Cogs hates the right side, so it is easier for Chop (Moreau) to take the draw. If he loses it I bug him hard that I should take it next time, but we laugh about it. When he waved me out it was because Cogs yelled at him to take it so he could stay on the left. I don’t think it is a big deal, other than I can bug him if he loses it.”
Garon and contract
To clarify whether Garon got a contract offer from the team this summer, I made a phone call. Garon said he had never spoken to the Oilers about an extension, while I was told a few months back there was an offer.
The truth is that Garon’s camp called the Oilers about an extension in the summer, and the Oilers said they would look at it during the season. So Garon never turned down an extension, but they did have contact with the Oilers about it. This according to Kevin Prendergast.
My original source was correct that talks had occurred, but it was, in fact, the Garon camp that started them not the Oilers.
mother...
Fudge
I was hoping Torres scored that one - you've got to think he gets one tonight.
I'm a rational man, but Torres always killed the Canucks, and you'd think he'd do it to the Oilers too.
@ Jonathan Willis: Oh it was so magical. I rememeber to. I am not going to lie, I shed a tear... or many.
The Columbus broadcast had Jim Matheson on during the intermission; he suggested the Ducks could be looking at moving one or both of Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger.
Couldn't happen to a nicer team.
Cory Dakin wrote:
Anyone else hungry when they read this.....ya I thought I was alone
greenlightning86 wrote:
Dustin Penner? I kid, I kid.
Jonathan Willis wrote:
So Burke leaves and they want to implode the team?
I like to say SMID! Smid.
greenlightning86 wrote:
You are not alone, I am here with you, Though you're far away, I am here to stay...
Jonathan Willis wrote:
I don't seem to hear as much about CFP now. Is fading away?
This game blows.
Friggin' coyotes....
Travis Dakin wrote:
I haven't followed him that closely; superficially it looks like he's been a lesser player since the Anaheim cup run.
@ Jonathan Willis: Yeah I read somewhere that he way less aggressive now.
OH MY GOD!!!!!
WOW
OH MY GOD!!!!!
Travis Dakin wrote:
I think the last time I paid much attention to him, he was getting an 8-game suspension for stomping on Ryan Kesler.
Chris Simon should seriously consider changing his last name to Pronger.
Cory Dakin wrote:
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I SAID.
Hemmer!!! WOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Incidentally, I stand by my "I wouldn't trade Hemsky for Lecavalier" comments.
Jonathan Willis wrote:
Sounds good the last two games
@ Travis Dakin:
Exact same number of exclamation points too... That's just creepy
Jonathan Willis wrote:
I'd love to have both...time to con T Bay
Roli's glove sucks
well dammit
OUCH
Well, that didn't last long.
Cory Dakin wrote:
I don't even believe it myself.
greenlightning86 wrote:
Remember when that used to be his best part?
Talent wise CBJ looks weaker but that probably why the game is close.
Jonathan Willis wrote:
I agree. He IS this team.
Travis Dakin wrote:
Yes but a long time ago before old age slowed it down
Manny Malhotra, with the wicked cross-ice pass there, played most of Columbus' last game on their first line.
He'd be a great fit between Moreau and Pisani, if he were available.
Travis Dakin wrote:
I know!
Travis Dakin wrote:
I know!
@ greenlightning86: I hate to sound like an old goalie from way back but when you have to move from side to side it's hard to get your glove or blocker up due to balance...but I agree it used to be better...dammit Oilers!!!
BAH!
That Williams trade is paying some immediate dividends for Columbus.
What is with this team, COME ON!
alright, time for the oil to show some confidence and perseverance.
Maybe a little "Private Eyes" in the background might get the Oil playing together...yeesh!
Good grief Horcoff. Don't do that.
Put everything on net, this team looks for the perfect play too much. They gotta start shootin' like f*ckin crazy.
R-DAWG wrote:
Clap. Clap!
good shift
Is Penner invisable again...I haven't seen him!
Roli has been brutal in the second. I hope keeping him over Garon doesn't come back to haunt this team.
Oh there he is the little devil!!