2009-10 Oilers Goats and Stars
bingofuel
September 30 2009 12:30PM
It's become a tradition: every year at OilersNation (and at our sister sites FlamesNation and CanucksArmy), our writers and commenters pick their stars — that one player who they will praise without end no matter what — and their goats — their yearly whipping-boy; he who can do no good for the season.
And this season is no exception.
Your stalwart writers running the ship this year, Robin Brownlee, Jason Gregor, Jonathan Willis, Amber McCormick, bingofuel, and Wanye Gretz (who has already picked his star and his goat), have submitted their goats and stars for the 2009-10 Oilers hockey season. Who will you pick?
Jonathan Willis' Star and Goat
Star: Lubomir Visnovsky.
Visnovsky was Edmonton's best defenseman last year whn healthy, and he's the kind of player Pat Quinn loves. If the powerplay turns around, Visnovsky will be a big part of it; if the team manages to score more goals five-on-five, Visnovsky will be a part of that too. He was a star last season, and with good health should be more than that.
Goat: Nikolai Khabibulin.
I hope this prediction doesn't come true. I really, really do. There's just too many danger signs to pick someone else, though. He's 36 years old. He's been consistently injured pretty much every season since the lockout. Last time he signed a four-year contract, he stunk up the joint for the first two years, was mediocre in the third year, and came on strong in the fourth year - after management had gone out and spent money on a replacement.
Maybe things will be different this time. For the team to have success, they'll need to be.
Jason Gregor's Star and Goat
Star: JF Jacques
Sure, I could have picked one of the smurf-like forwards, who will undoubtedly outscore Jacques, but they are supposed to do that. Jacques will play in 71 games this year, and that will guarantee the Oilers will dress four forwards who are six feet or taller every game. Regardless of what system they play, they aren’t big enough upfront and having Jacques contribute every night will make a difference. He will be one of the few Oiler forwards to set career highs in goals, assists and points this year. I can’t see many guys matching that, so how can Jacques not be a star.
Goat: Marc Pouliot
If he is on the team, then I can’t see the Oilers improving. He doesn’t hit, he doesn’t check, he doesn’t score and I don’t think he thinks the game well enough to help the Oilers. Sure, he might go to another organization and score nine goals, which will have some Poulioholics whining that the Oilers gave up on another young prospect, but I will say good riddance if it happens. If Pouliot is on this team, they aren’t good enough.
Robin Brownlee's Star and Goat
Star: Mike Comrie
While it's a toss-up for me between Comrie and Patrick O'Sullivan, I'm going with MC because he's got a way of shoving it up the backsides of people who doubt him.
With all the bittnerness that accompanied Comrie's departure in 2003, he's got something to prove this time around. While I'm guessing he'll face a smattering of boos when he returns, fans being what they are, it won't be long until they're saluting him again -- with more than one finger.
Goat: Nikolai Khabibulin
Just a hunch, but The Bulin Wall had more bad seasons than good during his last contract before signing on with the Oilers for the next 17 years. Khabibulin, 36, is on the downside of his career and if he slips and a breaks a hip, it could get ugly in a hurry. With JDD as the back-up plan, what could possibly go wrong?
Amber McCormick's Star and Goat
Star: Ales Hemsky
Ales Hemsky. Over the past couple seasons he has surprised me. In 2006-07 I was always worried he was going to vomit going in circles around the net. Every season he takes more chances. Some work and some don’t but the hunger is there. I really think this is the season that will make him a star.
Goat: Dustin Penner
Without a doubt, Dustin Penner will reside in my dog house (and no, that’s no a euphemism for anything). There was a time when I forgave him for everything due to his purdy eyes but those days are far behind me. It will take a miracle and him giving up donairs cold-turkey to make me care about him again.
*Sidebar* I hate to admit this but I have a feeling Mike Comrie is hell-bent on making Edmonton eat its words. A lot of time has passed since he left in his huff and now he’s back with the Duff. Hometown pride is a powerful thing no matter how much you’re booed.
bingofuel's Star and Goat
Star: Nikolai Khabibulin
Knowing what little I do about hockey, and the scant few things I know about the Oilers, I'm going with the Bulin Wall for my star. The Oilers are well known for relying on very little other than their goaltender to scrape through games. I don't expect this year will be any different. Also, I just want to see how many boos and hisses I get for this one.
Goat: Steve Staios
I like Steve Staios. I have nothing against the man personally. He has lots of heart. But old, old balls. Staios will be inconsistent at best this year. At worst, the poor man will bust a hip. Hopefully he'll take a few opposing players out in the process.
The competition
You can also read about the competition's goats and stars:
blu wrote:
Bobby's pretty high up there for me actually, but I would say Poo comes first. Even if it is few and far between when Nilsson shows up, he's better than Poo on any given day.
freeze wrote:
That sounds like me after a few cocktails.
@ Robin Brownlee: So did Stauffer ever pay up on that Brodziak bet? What was it again - for every game brodziak played Bob owed you...
Star - Horcoff, earns every penny of his contract. Leads NHL in faceoff win percentage. Goat - Pouliot, doesnt make the 20 game mark, Reddox replaces him by then.
Star: Comrie - shoots the lights out and signs somewhere else for $4 million a season next year.
Goat: Staios - proves older and slower than the was last year (which was pretty damn old and slow).
Goat is Hemsky and the star will be whoever he trade for him in December when Quinn realizes that Hemsky is more concerned about how he is utilized then how the team is doing.
blu wrote:
I get the feeling Nilsson won't be around for long enough to earn any type of goat status. He's already starting the season on the outside looking in. Hard to be the goat when you're on the bench.
@ Morghasm: Unless he gets a bad case of the slivers and gets put on the IR. lmao
blu wrote:
Nilsson still plays here... I mean... I didn't pick Nilsson because I figure his stay is short. Lets just assume everyone has Nilsson for GOAT if he's still here.
@ RossCreek: What is with everyone having the exact same thoughts as me at the same time today? Creepy!
@ Picture for Today's Blog Post:
The goat in this picture doesn't seem to be at all concerned that the sun is exploding.
Stars: Penner, Hemsky Goats: Grebeshkov, Moreau
@ Harlie: Don't equivocate. Pick one. Be a man.
Star = Cogliano Goat = Penner
Star = O'Sullivan
Goat = I'd like to say Tambellini for not addressing the needs of the team but if I have to pick a player I will say JFJ. You can say there are low expectations and we just want him to add some size but if he's being given primo icetime (as it looks like he will) he better produce a bit too.
Start: JDD (helping the crumbling wall) Goat: Hemsky (will hate Quinn's 'fix-your-damn-mistakes' approach and finally gets traded)
bingofuel wrote:
And it has an edit button, right?
[crickets]
Right?
dragon wrote:
While I don't think I'd support a Hemsky trade, it's fun to think about who might be on the table if we start shopping him.
I'm just trying to think back to all of the comments that fit this format:
"The only way ______ (team) is trading _______ (player) is if Hemsky's on the table"
Trade Hemsky and the team is officially AHL material. If that's what management wants then go ahead. I'd rather fire the coach... Too soon??
@ Ender the Dragon: Ender the Dragon wrote:
As long as the comment section doesn't make us sign in through blogger, or facebook, or google, or twitter or some other stupid "keep track of every keystroke" kind of program, I'll be happy.
Tommy wrote:
You mean like... the internet?
@ Reileycat: If you want warm and fuzzy, try typing in "warm and fuzzy feeling" between www. and .com. I won't post the link because it's sort of adult, in a way, kinda. Make sure you have the sound on, it makes it soo much better.
Tommy wrote:
@ bingofuel: The point I would like to add here is that when a site has this type of sign-up, I am not able to add comments through my Blackberry (looking at you JSMB). If ON 3.0 were to go this route, please ensure us crackberry users can still contribute. Thanks.
As posted in Wanye's goat blog: Star: Horcoff. He's just the man, all around talent. Goat: Gagner. There's a reason he's starting on the 4th line
ronaldo wrote:
fixed
oh, and an edit button would be great.
Anyone read about Conroy making cracks about Horcoff's contract?? If I were Horc, Conroy would get a slash to the teeth in the first game.
Star: Vishnovsky - Moves like a Gazelle on Skates Goat: Gilbert - Softer than Dairy Queen soft serve, almost as soft as DP but not quite
While I wish I had of picked Comrie, but it seemed to easy, damn me anyway, I will stick with SAM I AM.
And sorry steve for the goat......
@ scorecoff hemmercules: Really, no, where did u read them? Ever notice how he dosn't ever quit talking?
Wow...serious Gord juts picked the Star and Goat as I did on Stauffers show.
STAR:COMRIE...shows to the younger , small players.. goals can be scored more consisently through out the season...!!!
GOAT: ... JFJacques...time will tell...!! I think its just a flash in a pan, and will drop quicker than a Mike tyson left hook to Mayor Mandel!!!
just on Oilers main Page and this is the team Roster why is Fernando listed and Gagner not??? Can anyone shed some light on this . . . Fowards 67 Gilbert Brule 13 Andrew Cogliano 91 Mike Comrie 83 Ales Hemsky "A" 10 Shawn Horcoff "A" 22 Jean-Francois Jacques 33 Steve MacIntyre 18 Ethan Moreau "C" 12 Robert Nilsson 19 Patrick O'Sullivan 27 Dustin Penner 34 Fernando Pisani 78 Marc Pouliot 32 Ryan Stone 46 Zack Stortini Defencemen# 77 Tom Gilbert 37 Denis Grebeshkov 5 Ladislav Smid 44 Sheldon Souray "A" 24 Steve Staios "A" 43 Jason Strudwick 71 Lubomir Visnovsky Goalies# 38 Jeff Deslauriers 35 Nikolai Khabibulin
@ ronaldo:
Ronaldo got what I was talking about here.
Oh and btw - the guys over at lowetide are saying Reddox cleared waivers.
Ender the Dragon wrote:
I've sired two kids and I keep them and my wife well fed and happy. That's man enough in my books.
@ Milli:
Lowetide brought up the Conroy comments. I didn't see the article where he said it though. Horcoff is a bit overpayed but guys like Conroy have no business making wise cracks about it. Gee Graig, Iginla is better than Horc?? Big news to the world. Douche.
@ imissedmonton:
The Oilers site is never perfect. Just a mistake I'm sure.
Star: Souray Goat: Tambellini
Star: Comrie - I'm a sucker for happy endings and we haven't had too many of those around here lately.
Goat: The Delorean - And its scaring me for saying that.
separated at birth?
WHO Judge Redfield T. Baum CLAIM TO FAME Judge presiding over the ownership of the Phoenix Coyotes
WHO Sheriff Buford T. Justice CLAIM TO FAME Sheriff chasing down the Bandit in the Smokey & the Bandit movies
Star Katz for putting so much effort into buying the Oilers and spending the cash on Quinn/Renney and working on a new arena
Goat T-Lo for signing Khabi to that atrocious contract to follow up the other brutal ones that Lowe signed before him... ugh
@ Milli: "Nothing against (Edmonton Oilers centre Shawn) Horcoff -- but $7 million for Horcoff, $7 million for Jarome?" starts Conroy, referring to the identical salaries of the two veteran forwards. http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/hockey/calgary-flames/There+nothing+wrong+with+Flames+star/2049322/story.html
Star: Mike Comrie - prime icetime, good linemates, and a chip on his shoulder. Goat: Jason Gregor - for chosing JF Jacques as his star. Brandon Bochenski says hello.
I should get a star for my message board bolding skills
Dan the Man wrote:
Wow, well I guess even NHL players don't understand dollar hits and cap hits. And neither do reporters in Calgary apparently. No wonder these guys are going to run the NHLPA into the ground.
I'm going off the board here.
Star- O'Sullivan
Goat- Kovalchuk (we trade away our future in draft picks to aquire him at the deadline, yet still miss the playoffs. He promptly signs with someone else.)
I am sticking with my choices from pre-preseason.
Star - Penner
Goat - Horcoff
Star: Mike Comrie
Goat: Robbie Schremp
OOPs: Bobby Nillson, what notgonna make the team.
HHHM: Steve Staios
Off topic but tsn has reported that Sergei Kostitsyn has requested a trade from Montreal. Oiler trade Nilson or Pouliot for him? His contract is cheap and he is the same type of player as Nilson and alot more grittier than both Nil and MAP.
@ Tayranchula:
~Yeah, we need to get more players that won't report to the minors, and request a trade because they got sent down. That's how you build a winner. Good idea.~
@ Harlie:
"Listen up you little tit turd."
"There's no way, no way you came from my loins. The first thing I do when I get home, is punch yo mama in the face."
@ bingofuel:
I've read the blogger roundtables at the two sister sites, and they were by far the best articles those sites have seen to date, any plans to get the ON writers together for the same type of session?