The sounds of silence
Robin Brownlee
February 02 2009 03:08PM
If Dustin Penner has decided he'd rather walk the walk instead of talk the talk, then his silence after the Edmonton Oilers skated at Millennium Place today is a good thing.
Then again, if Penner's decision not to talk to assembled reporters waiting on his every word for the better part of 30 minutes -- only to discover they'd get not one grunt or syllable from him after camping out -- was orchestrated by the team, then not so much.
Either way, Penner didn't speak to reporters after practice today in the wake of being pulled off the first line for the second game in a row in Sunday's 2-1 loss to Nashville. The reasoning is that Penner will let his actions against the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday speak for him.
Penner, along with Marc Pouliot and Kyle Brodziak, instead put in some extra work after most of the rest of the team had left the ice as coaches extracted the sweat from the trio they didn't get against Nashville.
In Penner's place, coach Craig MacTavish faced the notepads and gave his take on the slump the big winger is mired in and his reasons for clipping his minutes alongside Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky.
MacT says...
"The message to the players is the time for dialogue is over and they can let their game do the talking tomorrow and they can answer the questions after the game," MacTavish said of Penner, Pouliot and Brodziak. "It's time to see it on the ice -- a more committed, consistent level."
With just two goals in his last 19 games, it doesn't take a vast intellect to see that Penner is struggling mightily after playing a decent stretch of hockey -- after MacTavish called him out and put him in the press box.
MacTavish wasn't nearly as pointed in his criticism of Penner today as he was the first time around. Reasoned and even was the coach, at least for public consumption, after spending more than a few minutes having a heart-to-heart chat with No. 27 out on the ice.
"We haven't had an answer on that left side for awhile," MacTavish said. "We've tried a lot of players there on the left side. Over the course of the year, virtually everybody has had an opportunity there.
"The bottom line for Dustin is that he's the best fit there when he's playing. It might not be an ideal fit for him or those other two guys long-term, but, when he's playing, he really adds an element to that line and we've seen it before."
Not the answer
Penner got yanked away from Horcoff and Hemsky in Friday's 3-1 win over Minnesota and ended up playing just 10:25. He finished with 13:26 in ice time against Nashville.
"Given his skill-set, it might be a stretch long-term," reiterated MacTavish, talking about playing Penner with Horcoff and Hemsky. "But we need him to play better.
"At times, it's an issue for him that he lacks the focus. He needs to be more focused on a consistent level. I know that'll have a benefit to his overall game. I don't have unrealistic expectations for them to go out there and be offensive contributors every night, but you have to find a way to help the overall product, find a way to be a contributor.
"You can always display intensity and physical play. There are a lot of things you can't control. Your confidence level comes and goes. That's tough to control. But, it's the intensity..."
With just 11-12-23, it's blatantly obvious Penner's numbers aren't nearly good enough for a player being paid $4.25 million and getting first-line minutes. And he hasn't done enough to find those other ways to contribute, at least in MacTavish's estimation.
Find a way
"It's also the recognition and the personal responsibility to do everything to do everything away from the game itself to get yourself into a position where you're more productive and playing up to your level of capability," MacTavish said.
"A lot of players, they have trouble critiquing their own play. It's a sense where you have to know you're not playing at the top of your level. It's got to be reflected in the way you conduct yourself between games -- what you're working on, how hard you're working, how early you’re at the rink.
"I've been around the game long enough to know, that games fluctuate. Your confidence level fluctuates. If you're recognizing that, whether you're not as productive, and it's exhibited and reflected in the way you conduct yourself, you have an ally in the coaching staff... I'll work with a player as longer as he'll work to help himself. That's just the way it's always been. If that's not the case at the level we need him to be at, then it's going to be uncomfortable."
Penner gets his say tomorrow.
And...
Sam Gagner skated with the Oilers today and his ankle has improved to the point where you can expect to see him in the line-up against Chicago Tuesday.
-- Listen to Robin Brownlee every Thursday from 4 to 6pm on Just A Game with Jason Gregor on TEAM 1260.
Whats the deal with Ryan Stone, do you think we will see him up anytime, to replace the lack of intesity by our depth players?
I dont think Penner is the worst move hes ever made. Penner looked to have an upside, and hindsight is 20/20 in this case. You didnt know at the time he would be a lazy good for nothing overpaid bum.
In my opinion not resigning Glencross was the stupidest thing hes done to date. All it would have taken was a measley 1.25 mil a year and look at his impact with us last year, and the Flames this year. Glencross gave guys like Brodziak and Stortini and identity and gave the Oilers another weapon to work with.
B-rad wrote:
I would like to see this as well from the way he was scouted he soundss alot like Glencross, can't hurt
The only player in the top 6 playing up to potential is Ales Hemsky but that doesn't stop Brownlee from taking the easy route after the obvious.
If I was a lazy journalist that's probably the avenue I would take as well.
No doubt, he is a center and is more physical then Kyle is....so why not?
let the Mac B,ender Blend!
Jack "slacking off at work" Bauer wrote:
Agreed but what I was saying was that after Penner didn't work why go after a RW when you need a LW, that was stupid, the Hossa offer was great BUT another RW and as for Glencross it's true but if we are relying on a player like that to make this team go we have bigger problems.
I think the criticism regarding Brodziak is unwarranted. Brodziak kills penalties and takes draws. That's it. If the puck gets out of the oilers end, he skates to the bench and Horcoff jumps over.
As well, Brodziak hasn't had any consistency with line-mates. Last year the line with Stortini and Glencross was one of the best on the oilers. It would be interesting to see some analysis of time on ice for that line last year and see if it was truly a "fourth line".
with the oilers shift from team-toughness to carrying a gladiator, much of the intensity from last year's playoff drive did not carry into this season. Some players play as if that part of the game is MacIntyre's role. And of course, he is in the lineup to fight Boogard. So my idea is have a fourth line similar to last year's Stortini, Glencross and Brodziak and put the SMac on the third line, play him when he has to fight Boogard, then sit his ass and juggle the first 3 lines to make up for him.
As far as the oilers not having a player up to Glencross' abilities, perhaps Brule would be a good replacement if he was here longer than 30 seconds. Another idea: trade Penner to the Flames.
Frankly, I think the only tweaks the Oilers are going to be able to make is to trade for some of those energy-supplying role players to help add some jam to the team. Oiler forward come in 2 types by and large - small, soft and skilled (Gagner, Cogs, Nilsson) or the "safe" types that don't offer much of anything (Horcoff, Brodziak, Pisani, Pouliot). The only forwards with defined talents are Hemsky, Moreau (3rd-4th line guy) and Penner(um... scratch that). I wish Brule would get recalled; small dude sure, but at least he finishes his checks and plays with jam. If Penner played with half Brule's grit he'd finish with 35 goals a year.
God please no! Not Chicago! another slaughter awaits us.
I think Tambelli will surprise and pull off a big trade, there are some teams with mega money invested in there top line that suck ie the Sens,TBL and the Canadiens need alot of help now that Lang is done, Tangue(sp) is still out and they need major help at D there are somethings he can do, I still think the Sens are the team to target Heatly with Horc and Hemmer would be great maybe get Niel as well I don't know what it would take but they will have to do something.And Klowe has stated "we have the assests" remember those words.
what the hell is his problem with Brodz? I thought he played well over the weekend. He couldn't bury his chances but at least he was generating something.
Traktor wrote:
Before you get to make a jackass of yourself on a new topic, Section IV in Chapter XXI of ON guidelines regarding "Responses to dummies trying to piss Brownlee off" require that you first re-visit the allegation I never criticize MacTavish, based on the examples I provided.
Please do so, and then I'll consider taking time out of my day to verbally kick your teeth down your throat again on a new topic.
swany wrote:
Im not saying that Glencross would have been the saviour, but he would provide a bit of depth for secondary scoring that this team lacks 5 out of 6 days. You look at Calgary and they have players whose name doesnt rhyme with bitchla scoring. If Glencross scores 20, his presence helps brodziak score 15, and stortini score 5-7 then isnt that worth the measley wage he was being offered.
If your going to have a team of pluggers, at least get pluggers that can change the course of the game, or even win you a game from time to time. Glencross, and the people he made better, did that last year down the stretch.
I have no desire to discuss anything with you, so don't flatter yourself. I did however want to let you know what I think of you as a journalist and having done that I'll be moving on.
I have publicly defended Mr. Penner on a number of occasions, but I'll tell you what, it's getting damn hard. I just don't get it. All the arguements have been said, he is a big guy, and often it looks like he isn't trying when he actually is. Well, you know what, that is proving to be a boat load of crap! He has demonstrated that he has no work ethic, he is not and probably will never be an 82 game player. He'll continuously be marred with slumps and stretchs where it appears he just doesn't care, this is because he doesn't care; scratch that, he cares, but not enough to grind it out EVERY shift. Sorry Dustin, I vowed to always defend you, but I'm done with that. More Penner reaction at: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=bYUvdrpVgWY
@ Traktor: I knew you would.
Malc wrote:
just got home. I know the assists are way off and I am not saying Nilsson will turn out to be as good as Hemsky but I also think it is too early to give up on him. In fact, it would be interesting to see Nilsson and Hemsky together more. The little bit that I saw, I think they have some chemistry.
@ Traktor: Dude, I don't know you but I'm telling you politely that your posts are a tad off.
Traktor wrote:
Pussy
Traktor wrote:
Brownlee is one of the most critical writers I have read. This is a fact that often irritates me since I really like the KoolAid, so hearing him being bashed for the opposite is positively laughable.
You should really quit trying to make a run at him as you just sound silly and sad, and Wanye is going to backhand you one. Did you read his post a few days ago?
@ jeanshorts:
I said why didnt the whole team do it after being embarassed? Why did only 3 of them do it in a 1 goal game?
Win as a team lose as a team.
Remember the disconnect between vets and kids? It resulted in the closed door meeting without Mact.
This is the kinda stuff that starts the disconnect.
Did anyone read this today?
http://communities.canada.com/edmontonjournal/blogs/hockey/archive/2009/01/29/why-the-edmonton-oilers-miss-jarret-stoll.aspx
GIVE IT A REST TRAKTOR....
It's not what you do - it's when you do it.
MacTavish was ripe for the pickings but sure enough when it mattered most not one reporter could be counted on.
Traktor wrote:
You still here?
Deep Oil wrote:
That was my post not Deep Oil. While I have the whole curse like a sailor thing down apparently my computor literacy leaves something to be desired
Traktor getting run out of the comments of this article--as he should be.
You know what I dont get?
Why is a piece of scum, like Denis Gauthier, this piece of human shît, allowed to continue to play in this league? Hes a typical Marc Crawford protoge scumbag player who should be driven off a cliff in a van piloted by Matt Cooke.
In fact, to hell with this MacT nonsense. How is it, that a lot of these dirt bag, scum sucking, wastes of oxygen hockey players have played for Marc Crawford at some point? How does CBC hire a piece of shît like this? He has a fricken lawsuit against him?!!!??!!!
Jesus this league is gutless.
RobinB wrote:
Nice job Robin!! I am sick and tired of saying "Im sick and tired"...But thats the only way that I could explain the frustration of having to read bo#er breaths make comments when they dont even know their pinky from their manhood. I guess thats why he nicknames himself after farming equipment..Actually a traktor is a compliement!!!
Obviously, at this point, Robin's confirmed that he has aired some public grievances with MacT so let's move on from that one.
Now, I'd like to see him prove the same thing regarding Kevin Lowe because any discussion about Penner will go back to his contract and that should always trace back to who pulled that monetary trigger.
I see parallels between the reactions towards both Smid and Penner.
Smid was vaulted into the top four months after the Oilers traded Pronger for magic beans and for a long time the optics prevented MacT from shooting straight on him. Now it's his third season and he's being benched in favour of Strudwick and while Jason seems like a good guy, if you can't play ahead of him in your third year in the league then you're either not progressing, the brass isn't that high on your or it's some combo of the two. So, it seems like enough time's passed that now the head coach can call it the way he's always wanted to.
And the same goes for Penner.
The big cat was brought in during a summer when Lowe was throwing money at people like he was Pacman Jones. When Buf matched the Vanek offer, the Oilers escaped the kind of salary cap hand-tying that people here are already warning against and when Nylander's wife cried her eyes out over the thought of wintering in Edm, Lowe received his biggest save.
So, now, enough time has passed where MAcT feels confidence enough to express in both word and deed how he really feels about Mr. Group 2.
Regarding today's developments,I can list three great scoring chances that Brodz had in yesterday's game so I think it's quite silly that today was the day to bag skate the fellow. It might seem like a minor move to pick out what is essentially the team's 10th forward but to do it the day after the guy came close to scoring a goal or three says that MacT's either at his wits end OR he's just doing it for effect.
@ mwhite.dking@nd.sympatico.ca:
Always happy to oblige . . . PART OF MY COLUMN FROM JAN. 11th:
BILL OF GOODS? "The focus on the Oilers shortcomings has been on the players and the way MacTavish has used them, but let's not forget the bigger picture. While Kevin Lowe has stepped back from day-to-day dealings since being named president of hockey operations, leaving Steve Tambellini to take over as GM, this is the team he built. Every player on the roster, with the exception of Ethan Moreau, arrived after Lowe took over as GM June 9, 2000. The collection of players here has been drafted on Lowe's watch, traded for or acquired by Lowe and signed to contracts with him calling the shots. With optimism abounding in pre-season, we were led to believe Tambellini was being handed the keys to a shiny new sports car and that fans were in for quite a ride. Instead, it looks like Tambellini's got a clunker in need of a full-scale rebuild. That falls on Lowe."
That's a good start:)
But I believe it needs to be mentioned every time MacT calls out Penner because I believe that if the big guy was making even say Nilsson money, he'd be getting the whip a heckuva lot less.
swany wrote:
I have said this before - salaires must match - what $8MM are you going to send their way ? Penner and someone else - Heatley is in a drought but is his contract a bigger albatross than Penner's... Smyth was guaranteed - but over 5 years would his body stand up in front of the net.....
Jack "slacking off at work" Bauer wrote:
Your tax dollars at work - CBC is also denying free speech to Milbury - I am ticked off at HINC Radio - I am a Sirius Subcriber and have to record the show in open air - this taxpayer funded show is not podcasted nor is it posted on the sirius website for streaming, finally CBC has a radio product that I want to listen to and the only way to access it - is via SAT - this means the Stiletto has to be on and in view of the sky to record the show...... wouldn't it be easier for Sirius and HNIC to post this on ALA CARTE Sirius or podcast for all Canadians to listen to....
Jack "slacking off at work" Bauer wrote:
Signing Glencross would not give Lowe the media coverage that Penner and Horcoff and even Pisani created.. when the flanes acquired Cammileri without notice from the Kings, I wondered how we missed the boat on him, when I was at Staples for an oiler two years ago, you could feel in the air the fan favorite for CAM.... Glen X is another example of the Oil not continuing on the path of success as management knows the way, according to Lowe he has more rings than Burke - I would take 3 Glen X for Penner last summer - burn oil burn - flamesnation.ca has the last laigh on this on.
Deep Oil wrote:
If youve listened to 10 minutes of Hockey Night in Canada radio, you would have quickly realized Millbury doesnt have a filter nor have CBC denied him free speech. That goes for anybody on that show for that matter. I find them very liberating.