GDB 40: Groundhog Day at RX1
Jason Gregor
January 09 2009 12:56PM
Let me apologize for the lameness of this post. Like Jason Arnott, “I just wasn’t into it tonight.” That is how I am today. I rarely complain about the weather, but I’m sure sick of this -57 crap every morning, and going to the Oiler locker room feels like Groundhog Day.
Same story over and over, except Phil Connors was able to save the kid from falling from the tree, stopped a guy from choking, learned to play the piano and ended up with sexy Rita.
Today I got none of it. I won’t be helping Dustin Penner learn to show up even 60 per cent of the time, Ales Hemsky is still hurt, the music will still be sub par at the game tonight and I’ll be sitting by Rishaug not some hottie in the pressbox.
There was one difference today. It was an optional practice, on a game day no less, and Robert Nilsson showed up with all of his teammates except Shawn Horcoff. Horcoff will dress, and while MacTavish didn’t want to reveal who will be his right winger, I discovered it will be Liam Reddox. MacTavish likes to play Horcoff against the other team’s top line, so Reddox gets the call. YIPPIE.
MacTavish did admit that this team is still in a state of flux when it comes to their system.
“There is a bit of transitional period where you go from a team two years ago that was going to be physically reliable and had a certain amount of power to our game and we could rely on that. Now we are transitioning more to offensive puck moving team, and it has been a slower transition than what we would have anticipated based on what we saw last year. I still feel we are making good progress in that regard, and I look forward to a healthy team to see what we have.”
FYI Craig, you will be at the halfway point of the season on Sunday. Outside of Hemsky, and Horcoff’s wonky back your team has been healthy. Of course, Hemsky makes a world of difference. This team isn’t good enough to absorb his absence, and because no one else can score changing up the lines makes little sense.
But I’m kind of torn with his statement. I can go ballistic and say, “What you talking about Craig,” or I could applaud the coach for being patient with young guys and sticking to their strengths. Because it is clear the Oilers don’t have the horses to play anything resembling a power game. Well, the former is where I stand.
I said at the start of the year, 40 games is where I would evaluate this team, and here we are hours away from game 40 and this team is still as inconsistent as ever. Jekyll and Hyde have nothing on the Oilers. They didn’t take advantage of an extended stay at home and now they are in chase mode again. Win five or lose five in a row, at least do something unexpected. How about a line brawl? Or score eight goals. Do something, anything that would be outside of the same old same old routine of the past three seasons.
But just like the Groundhog Day, a win or a loss tonight won’t change a thing. The coach isn’t going anywhere, the players have yet to learn to be consistent, the music will still be sucky tonight, and I will spend a Friday night at the rink with Rishaug. How depressing. (Let’s hope the camera guy at least puts a few of Edmonton’s finest on the big screen tonight).
And yes, Dwayne Roloson will start tonight.
Screw you deep oil! I just went to the website for that bar and listened to "party like a rockstar" and stared at the chicks in their photo gallery for like 30 mins.
It's so pretty there......
GAME DAY!!!!
Barcelona - Damnnnnnn!
Let's DOOOOO this!!!®
GAME DAY
3-1 Oilers tonite...Cole with 2 goals,Horcoff with empty netter. Setaguchi with the lone Sharks goal. Roli will be spectacular!! Go Oil!!!
Greetings JLers
Did I hear Mac is in...Woooooooooooo!!
Principe hasn't said anything stupid yet so thats a good start:)
Here's the drinking game - take a shot every San Jose shot on net. Yeah, maybe not unless they're having a sale on livers at the U of A hospital.
BAHA BROKE YOUR STICK
David S wrote:
LOL
That is a heck of a blooper
Cole/Horcoff/Penner.
Maybe. Maybe.
Seriously let's vote here. Picking with your brains nation not your hearts what is the score tonight?
Lets hope for anything resembling life tonight ...
Oilers 3 Sharks 2 Cole, Reddox and Gilbert
5-3 San Jose. And that's being optimistic.
Sharks 5 Oilers 1 Cogliano
Sorry Oil
I'll go risky move here and say 3-2 Oilers as Roli will be on fire.
I can't bring myself to bet against the Oil during a game I have stayed at home to watch.
Oilers 3 Sharks 2 Cole, Cogliano, Moreau
Man, I'm a homer
Mike Grier. You are still in the league. How about that
What up Nation?
Stortini you are here to fight. Don't back down
Write that down
Xavier wrote:
What up X?
That's gangsta
baggedmilk is in the building
Nice move scuba steve
I would trade Staios for this kid I saw playing street hockey down the street. He seemed to have all sorts of skills and endless street cred.
baggedmilk wrote:
Do you often glare out your window at the kids playing hockey and curse them under your breath old man baggedmilk?
So far a-ok on the Setaguchi goal...now time for Cole to score his first *laughs and hopes Oilers get into the Sharks zone*.
Boom there goes the dynamite.
Nice shot Souray
Grebs you baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-youteee
Nice work Grebs!!
GOAT BOY! With the Eric Brewer wrister...
Your wrong Wayne. He is worth $3 mil
Baaaaaaaaahhh! I tuned in just in time to see the Oilers tie er up.
baggedmilk wrote:
That's what she said?
That was sheepishly a good goal.
both js AND bm. It's haaaaaaaappening Nation!
Damn,I thought those mind reading classes were paying off there for a minute. hehe
Smokin' Ray wrote:
ROFL Best Grebeshkov quote to date
Great Article about the sky fall down in PHX http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090109.wsptcoyotes8/BNStory/GlobeSports/?query=
Further radio dialogue on Prime Time Sports Move the dial to the 37 minute mark http://www.fan590.com/onair/primetimesports/media.jsp?content=20090109_182755_5276
As a conspiracy theorist that Katz (edited by WG) a supporter of Jim Basilie, and a detractor of MLSE - iron fist control of southern ontario - I find it amusing that PHX is done, Tampa cant make payroll, Atlanta has no culture for hockey, and Nashville's owner is going to jail - and Anaheim's Frank Samueli is going to the crowbar hotel - while Gary Bettman states that everything is fine.
If and when the Oil faithful stop buying tickets for boring losses - then the pressure of making payments to CIT group will be on Katz and the cash flow of corporate rexall.
Montreal Owner George Gillette is in trouble (big time) as well - no one out there is willing to pay 850 million US for a soccer team - translation - no one can get financing. He did well in the past buying the team and the building for $180 million - WOW.
The NHL is under extreme pressure to run away from PHX today - shut down in mid season - that means the OIL would have one less competitor for the playoffs.
By the way - I call Barcelona in PHX - disneyland for adults......
Deep Oil is loving this play - Bettman deserves this for turning down $238 million USD from RIM founder JIM B and sold Nashville for less than $161M later.
The pyramid scheme is over and Bettman has to face the governors at the All Star game - it will be a trailer park sh** storm.
zing!
Was Cole playing with wolf eyes and Penner last game too? Or is the blender out already?
Wanye Gretz wrote:
I do what I can to please the masses.
Sharks don't look near as dangerous as they did last game.
What are the shots at this time? 873-1?
RBK wrote:
Don't even get me started about that nonsense.
Grebs at $3 mil. What's next JDD signs a 14 year contract?
I can't believe that we are rollin' with 3 fighters. Or do I??????
David S wrote:
Don't sleep through your dreams.
Barcelona was ground zero - private party for the Superbowl last year..... head to Los Angeles for Valentines day OIL - KINGS at Staples - then take southwest for $69 to PHX at 7:25pm be at Barcelona Saturday night by 10:30 - golf all week - eat like Kings as the city is hurting for cash...... cheers.
Deep Oil Rolls
jeanshorts wrote:
I can confirm the Oil have at least one shot.
@ Smokin' Ray:
3 fighters 11 goalies 15 GMS
Katz must be rich. Such redundancies!
what the hell?