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:
Gunner wrote:
It was time for change, but I really hope we get the chance to applaud MacT on Rexall (1 or 2) ice one more time.
@ The Menace: i can get my dose of 4chan at the source, i dont need it here.
Dan Tencer wrote:
dun a nun a nun a LETS GO nunanunana dumba duma LETS GO LLLLETS GO
^everyone who has watched an oil PPV knows that this little ditty needs to be locked in the vault. (unfortunately its proliferated and i saw it in a commercial for atvs/sleds)
@ RossCreek: its funny how they claim there are no ads on PPV - this is totally misleading, instead of sponsors all the ads are for the oilers.
Gunner wrote:
poor Rosscreek.
he is probably weeping at the mention of TSN2..
Gunner wrote:
Does anybody have any idea why McGuire continually rips into the Oilers? I mean it seems it's personal with him... I'd love to know what the Oilers ever did to him; it must be a real doozy of a story...
BingBong wrote:
I don't know, can you give an example. I'm guessing that it's because the Oilers have missed the playoffs for 3 years and likely deserved the rippings he gave them even though we didn't want to hear them.
@BingBong Steamy affair with Phaneuf may have something to do with it.
Petr's Jofa wrote:
Believe me, I rip on them as well when they deserve it, but it really seems like he has something personal against us... I have no concrete examples, although I do remember last year when he gave his MONSTER to Luongo when Garon beat him 1-0 and was the better goalie that night. I also remember when he wanted to suck Rick Nash's d**k last year on the bench but that has nothing to do with us. :-) I think ronaldo's reply above seems accurate...
cableguy wrote:
*Why I oughtta...* Actually I watched the preview show at midnite from the website. BUT... I did think there was a game on at 10 this morning, and when I realized it wasn't on the TSN schedule, I panicked and cursed TSN2 to hell. And that is when I figured out I was a day early and the games tomorrow from Europe are indeed on TSN. Wheeewww! *thinks out loud - I wonder if I should call Shaw for the digi-box or consider Telus' new digital TV*
On another note, I recently picked Nilsson as my "hero". Let it be known that I totally meant "hero of the pressbox". Although BigMac will probably be a better pressbox guy than Nilsson with my luck...
JDD as my "goat" still stands however.
@RossCreek Yes
WTF! www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdX_OBUeHb4&feature=player_embedded
Would anyone else rather have Roli on a 2 year deal than Khabi on a 4 year?
@ Sam:
Me
On another note Jordan Eberle - 2 goals, 2 helpers as the Pats thrash the PA Raiders last night. The kid's got game! Will he be a man amongst boys in The Dub...I think so.
@ RossCreek:
How do you find this stuff!!! Creeeeeepppppyyy. That video = nightmares for the rest of my life.
BingBong wrote:
Its been months since he's been able to give gummers to Nash, Crosby, Phaneuf or Ovie. He's proabaly a little cranky. MacT will set him straight.
RossCreek wrote:
i would go satellite.
Good article on Faceoff.com yesterday about Gillis being P.O'd at Burke for spreading false rumours at the draft...I love any story that makes Burke look like a douche. Vancouver Canucks general manager Mike Gillis blasted a trade rumour which was featured prominently in a behind-the-scenes documentary on the Toronto Maple Leafs 2009 draft. Burke is seen addressing his war room at the draft when he suggests the Canucks offered a huge package to Tampa Bay - Kevin Bieksa, Alex Burrows and their No. 1 pick - in an effort to get the second pick overall to draft Victor Hedman.
"There is absolutely no truth to it whatsoever," Gillis Wednesday from Calgary. "It's an absolutely preposterous idea. http://www.faceoff.com/story.html?id=8e5766da-92ae-4db5-8613-3ec48da33e67
@ RossCreek: I can't get inside the head of the person who one day thinks to themselves "You know what would be really cool? If I did an aerobics video and all the participants were dogs that looked like humans. And if I were a human that looked like a dog, that would really tie the whole thing together. Yes, I should get started right away."
That person, my friend, is seriously in need of therapy.
Leave it to cableguy to suggest satellite. Sheeesh! Seriously... no shaw V. telus arguments. C'mon!
Ya think!?
@ Ender. Ya think!?
@ RossCreek:
Cable guys is right, get a dish. I love being able to watch my shows at 3 different times rather than just at a certain time like on cable.
@ RossCreek: Seriously though, go with shaw or satalitte. Telus boxes take too long to load channels, and their Internet service sucks balls compared to shaw.
Telus now offers satellite, which I have, and it's awesome and their high speed Turbo blows Shaw internet away.
scorecoff hemmercules wrote:
@ RossCreek: Get a dish with a PVR receiver (or DVR or whatever they call it). Totally worth it.
@ scorecoff hemmercules:
I have a shaw digital cable box and I can watch shows at 3 different times too. It comes with the digital cable package (I have HD channels too, so some may be duplicates). I get Atlanta, Detroit, Seattle and LA channels which cover any time you want.
Last winter my buddy who had satellite had to come over to my house to watch a game because his reception sucked in one of those huge snowstorms...
Dish isn't really an option at this time. Easiest thing would just be to upgrade with Shaw, but I just wanted some Telus feedback.
@ Tommy:
I didn't know Shaw had all the time zones. My buddy obviously has a shitty package or something. I guess with a PVR it doesn't matter when a show is on.
I have problems with my dish about 2 times a year due to weather, yet to happen during a game.
Dan the Man wrote:
Also you have to like the fact that Telus has invested so much in the Oilers.
RossCreek wrote:
i have telus tv at home. PVR works pretty good.
there are limitations right now though. only 2 boxes if you want HD, PVR only has 1 stream right now etc etc..
What's goin on with Shanahan in New Jersey... ?
Whoo, moving into my new place today.
~It's a damn shame. I'm going to miss the Flames/Nucks game tonight.~
...taking couple weeks to decide future...
Someone should photoshop klowe and his comb over onto that goat
@RossCreek
I have Telus TV, it is not bad, certainly cheaper than Shaw but limited in some aspects. (For phone, internet and tv - with the sports and other HD packages, I pay about $92). It all depends on what you want to pay for. You can get the time shifting too (I chose not to). A draw back is that the PVR box you get with Telus is a single tuner (can only record one show at a time and watch something else) while with Shaw it is a dual tuner where you can record two different shows on different channels and watch something else. As per reception/channel clarity there doesn't seem to be any difference, At least I don't notice any when I'm at my buddies place who has Shaw.
The other thing is, Telus can only support two tv's. This is due to the signal coming over the telephone wire. The bandwidth is not enough, it is something like 15 mbs and when you have two tv's watching HD (7mbs each) that leaves 1mbs for the internet, a third tv and phone. Since regular tv takes about 3mbs on their system they only allow two tvs. They only offer two boxes with their packages for this reason. I have a digital box and a digtal PVR and they work great.
Supposedly in the near future (1+ year?)they are going to try and upgrade their lines to 40mbs so people can have three tvs but who knows if that will really happen. Also, this is only what I have been told by the tech that set up my system so take it for what it is worth.
@ Oil Kings 'n' Pretty Things: That is a damn shame! Calgary's wearing the ol' throwbacks tonite! You know... the one that Fleury went sliding across the ice in. What? Oh. That's right... 5 Cups to 1... *sigh*
@ jayoilfan: Thx
BIGG Oil Country preview in today's Edmonton Journal
Statement from Brendan Shanahan...
“I have decided not to continue with the New Jersey Devils for my 22nd NHL season. When I signed this past summer, Lou Lamoriello, Jacques Lemaire, and I agreed that if we were unable to find a suitable fit in which I would be able to compete and contribute at the level I expect from myself, then I would simply step aside. I am planning to spend the next couple of weeks with my family to reflect on and evaluate my plans for the future." In 1,524 NHL games, Shanahan has 656 goals.
When's the last time this league lost this many class acts over 1 summer - Sakic, Sundin, Shanahan?, who else...
@ RossCreek: Linkage?
@ bingofuel: Sorry... www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2009/10/01/shanahan_steps_away_from_devils/
RossCreek wrote:
~Fleury?~
Hooray! I've been invited to the first ON Erotic Party, thanks bingofuel! :P
DK0:
You're welcome... but it's not the first, and it sure won't be the last. ;)
Blair Betts STILL HASN'T signed in Philadelphia www.csnphilly.com/pages/landing?Flyers-Finalize-Roster-Jones-to-Phantoms=1&blockID=78157&feedID=695
www.spectorshockey.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=599:nhl-rumors-october-1-2009&catid=5:trade-rumors&Itemid=4 on Betts...
PHILLY.COM: Sam Carchidi reports Flyers GM Paul Holmgren is still trying to negotiate a contract with forward Blair Betts, who attended Flyers camp on a tryout basis but thus far it appears the two sides are in a stalemate. Holmgren suggested if a deal wasn't done today it's unlikely to happen.
SPECTOR'S NOTE: I'm wondering if perhaps Betts might've gotten an offer from another team which might explain the stalemate with the Flyers. A week ago it appeared a foregone conclusion Betts would be signed by the Flyers.
Anyone think its possible Betts has an offer from the Oil? Rueben? J-Greg?
RossCreek wrote:
He wants to much cash. Which means there's no chance he fits here.