FRESH MEAT: TEUBERT DEBUT IN TINSELTOWN
Robin Brownlee
November 02 2011 02:07PM
While the obvious storyline is that Colten Teubert will have some extra motivation in his NHL debut at the Staples Center Thursday against the team that drafted him but traded him away before giving him a shot, I'm guessing he'll be far too busy trying to survive to follow that script.
Recalled from Oklahoma City by the Edmonton Oilers, Teubert will take his first shifts in The Show against the Los Angeles Kings, who selected the big blueliner 13th overall from the Regina Pats in 2008, but shipped him to Edmonton with a draft pick for Dustin Penner last February.
Unfortunately for Teubert, 21, his first opportunity to show Los Angeles GM Dean Lombardi he made a mistake -- Lombardi might have figured that out already with as bad as Penner has been in the City of Angels -- comes under trying circumstances.
The Oilers kick-off a six-game road swing on a five-game winning streak but with a defensive corps that's thinner than a cocaine-fuelled runway model. Suspended Andy Sutton is out of the mix, as are injured Ryan Whitney (knee sprain) and Cam Barker (shoulder).
It seems likely Teubert will take his first NHL shifts alongside Theo Peckham in Tom Renney's third defensive pairing behind the tandems of Tom Gilbert and Laddy Smid and Corey Potter and Jeff Petry.
Mercy.
TOUGH CURTAIN CALL
I'm intrigued by Teubert because he came over in the Penner trade billed as big, tough and nasty, but raw and with a long way to go to become a bona fide NHL defenseman. He strikes me as old-school. Might be the bent nose and missing teeth. First impression? I like him.
Unfortunately for Teubert and those hoping to see how and if he'd fit into the mix at training camp and pre-season, he didn't get much of a chance to show anything after getting starched in a scrap at that tournament in Penticton.
So now he'll get tossed into the deep end alongside Peckham, who is just finding his way back into the line-up, against the Kings. This is not going to be about proving Lombardi wrong.
If I'm Los Angeles coach Terry Murray, I'm using the last shift Thursday to throw Simon Gagne, Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams out against Peckham and Teubert every chance I get. Failing that, it's Scott Parse, Mike Richards and Dustin Brown.
Renney is going to have to play the wheels off Gilbert and Smid, and likely will, to avoid that match-up. It's not like the duo of Petry and Potter are ready to take much of the load against Murray's top six.
You're in, kid. Go get 'em.
DOG BITES MAN
Hands up everybody -- that means you, David Staples, and all the math guys in the front row of the class -- who is surprised that Penner is off to a brutal start with the Kings. Shocker.
Through nine games with Los Angeles, Penner has managed one assist and been a non-factor. For Lombardi, that would mean more of the same of the next-to-nothing he got from Penner after acquiring him from the Oilers last season -- 2-4-6 in 19 games.
While I'm sure there are some underlying numbers that show Penner has actually been very good and isn't playing like an unmotivated, under-performing dog instead of busting his ass to earn a fat new deal, I'll go with what meets the eye.
-- With Gagne out, Penner got a shot on the top line alongside Kopitar for two games, but did squat. He was the only Kings forward who didn't get a shot on goal in a loss to Colorado. Penner will likely see duty on the third line with former Oiler Jarret Stoll and Brad Richardson.
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@godot10
Ryan Smyth was traded while Jason Smith was the captain. So nobody ever made Ethan Moreau captain instead of Smyth, unless you expected MacT to name a player on another team within the division his captain.
Oh.... well then....
Bait away :D
@Archaeologuy
edit: didnt' mean to reply to Arch! F@tf!nger$
I thought that Teubert was considered to be a year or so away, and he's getting one of the first callups?
Well, I'm not the one looking at scouting reports and watching practices/games, so I hope he has a quiet time, which for an NHL defenseman can be a good thing.
I think the Oilers will be lucky to get out of this game without losing someone to injury - many good hitters on the Kings.
@ John Chambers. I really see no reason why the Oil would even START to think extension before he's played 50 or 60 games.
@ColeRoll
When you sign Ethan Moreau and Steve Staios new generous long contracts, and don't sign Jason Smyth and Ryan Smyth new contracts, MacT and Lowe were making it crystal clear who they wanted to lead their team.
It's not an ideal way to start the road trip. If we can find survive this road trip, the goaltenders will need to continue their unbelievable play. Good luck Teubs!
Ever notice he and Eager are never seen together? It's a big ruse, one guy with two contracts, one is always "hurt".
Penner only has one point? It may not mean much. Lander and Pjaarvii have played great without lighting up the stats.
how long is Barker expected to be out?
I hope Teubert shows well tonight. Oilers 4 Kings 3...... book it!
Watched him in Regina a lot. I'm not sure dud is the right term, but I'm definitely not sold he's ever going to be more than a #5/6 dman. Which is fine if that's all we need him for.
So if he puts up 25 - 30 points in that time he can see his value rise and realize other teams might already be convinced to take a risk on him?
I agree, it's still too early, but stellar play through 20 games can't be a fluke.
A Kings' blogger's take on Penner. It's too funny!
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=38939
"but stellar play through 20 games can't be a fluke"
Oh but it can.
The one linked on that page about Smyth is a good read too. I expect to hear some boo's at tonight's game!
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=39378&blogger_id=125
Just want to point out, without using any math* at all, the logical fallacy of Penner's playing poorly in LA somehow proving that he sucked in Edmonton. His play in LA proves absolutely nothing about his time here, where for all the math and seen him bad debates, he lead the Oilers in scoring in 09-10 and was leading them in goals when he was traded away.
*I suppose counting is math...
Oh... Hockeybuzz... Seriously? If this is a civilized conversation of various teams, hockeybuzz is... well... hockeybuzz. Only worth reading Eklund.
For EKLUND IS ALWAYS RIGHT
Yes, I agree dud was the wrong term. I am basing this opinion on when I have seen in Teubert play Red Deer and what my friend, a Pats season ticket holder, has told me. The only point I was making was he's a big guy whose size benefited him in junior but, doesn't mean NHL success. Being in Red Deer, I've seen my share of junior players hyped and drafted high and turn out to be not much. Draft position in brackets: Doug Lynch (43), Jeff Woywitka (27), Lance Ward (10/63 re-entered), Ross Lupsachuk (34), Jesse Wallin (26), Kyle Kos (33). These are all 1st and 2nd round guys that never made it. Even reading those names today, I can't believe none of them didn't really have much success. The only two that had success are Jim Vandemeer (undrafted) and Phaneuf (9th). Point is I've seen this movie, read this book, and just am not too excited about a 5/6 D-Man. Although there is nothing wrong with a solid 5/6 guy, I just think some comments on here have too high expectations.
@Oilcruzer
First of all BEEF! Second, he's busy writing a book right now and is also going around the world doing some social work and trying to help and save kids in third world countries. Third, when he gets back he's going to punch eager in the face then eager will suffer a concussion then he gets his spot back, capiche?
Negative Props.
Eklund will rot in Hockey Hell (Florida) for all eternity after the sh*t he pulled on Sportsnet those many years ago.
Nothing wrong with "math."
But always looking for a silver lining with a player like Penner in the form of underlying numbers while ignoring the obvious fact he isn't the least bit interested in competing every night to earn his pay cheque -- "but he's still pretty good" -- gets tired, too.
Penner is a very good hockey player when he wants to be, but he has the tools and size to be a lot more than he's been in his career. Penner just, to borrow a famous line from around here, "isn't into it" as much or as often as he should be. That's a shame.
Teubert playing?
ENTER SANDMAN
@Sean17
Woywitka is currently playing for the Rangers, so thats another player that has made the show. 3/8 players you named made it thats almost 40% of dmen drafted from Red Deer making it. I think that is probably a high percentage of Dmen making the NHL from one team.
I will never, ever be able to look at Penner, or even hear his name, and not picture him cramming hot dogs down his throat! That picture is GOLD!!! On another note, I am so glad we traded him, those shifts that he dominated, and even a few games, we're so frustrating because then he would take a week or 2 off.
I agree that Penner certainly leaves you wanting more.
But at the same time, I'd rather have a guy that gives you decent results without 100% effort.
Over a guy that gives you sub par results with 100% effort.
I think we focused too much on what he didn't do, rather then on what he did.
The Friendly giant will awake this evening. Dustin will chip in with 2 goals and an assist in a 6-4 Oiler victory.
Hope its Dunbnyk in goal tonight, hate to see Khabbys save% and GAA tarnished by those 4 goals.
Hey, the Kings should be grateful they got such a perfect Goat! That's is particular kind of gift that often goes under-appreciated. Fans need someone to isolate their frustrations, disappointments and anger on... Penner is a perfect vehicle.
Just look at the gift Omark has given Arch... where would Arch be without Omark?
I wonder if that is how Smyth is actually thought of in King land. I honestly don't know. He was only there two years and played decent. I'm not sure he ever figured in over there as a key part of their future. The deal was acrimonious but not really because of Smyth.
My sense is that players of former teams and their respective former teams enjoy a friendly sense of heightened competition... but to get to real animosity I think you need to get into Lebron James territory. I could be wrong, but I would guess Smyth won't get treated the way, say, Oil fans rightly treat Heatley.
Also, that article rightly reminds us that two sides didn't budge in that negotiation... but simply misunderstands the relationship a team, fanbase, town can have with a player... Look at Trevor Linden... the guy was absolutely adored in Van. bringing him back late in his career was as smart as signing someone late in their career to a team they have no relationship with can be stupid.
The Oilers will thrash the Kings tonight.
Getting rid of Penner was the best move Tambo has made, short of the impressive tank-job last season to win the lottery by about 25 points in the standings. There is no way we could be this successful with DP eating up valuable ice time.
It's fascinating to imagine who comes out for Hemsky's arrival. I'm guessing Jonesy. We seem to need the sandpaper guys like Petrell and Eager most, while Belanger and Lander are very strong defensively. That being said, Jonesy will strike for a trick tonight to make Renney's job even harder!
Anyone catch Renney's speech on the Oil Change premiere? I like this guy's style!
Renne got a 7 year deal
so they are supposedly committing to two of the three available...so who doesnt stay in NSH? Sutter? Weber? If there was ever a better time to get a legitimate D, its this year. I'd be calling NSH sometime soon about it
I though about Jones' role too over at the "Interesting Questions" thread... But Gregor put me in my place, saying,
"I don't see why Jones is in that category at this point. His game has been consistent all season long. He is solid on the PK and EV. No way he goes from playing 16 min a night to the pressbox."
But the problem is real. For me, not because he has played worse than the other forwards, but because if he gets removed from the 2nd line in favor of Hemsky... where does he go? the fourth line makes the most sense in that case, but that's a completely different role to suddenly ask of him (he'd no longer get prime minutes, his scoring chances would drop considerably and thus maybe from there he doesn't look as good)
perhaps it won't matter anyway, many around here suspect Renney will keep him on his current line and put Hemsky with some other combo.
I often read the fan sites of the team we're playing that night, and so i've cruised on some of the kings boards. That article is definitely not the first i've heard of people being pissed at Smyth for 'lying' to them about the trade reasoning.
There are always internet nerd ragers though, so the people who speak out the loudest against Smyth may not even be the type of people to attend a game. Perhaps we wont hear booing, but boy would it be nice to have Smytty score 2 goals against a booing LA kings crowd!
Speaking of former Oilers... what is going on with Lupul? where was that scoring on the Oil?
Rinne signs a fat deal (7 per) you have to think one of Sutter/Webber will shake loose now.
Ok. thanks for the info. I guess watching it unfold as an Oiler fan, I was frustrated but never really pissed at anyone. I guess I figured the same reaction from King's fans (also, I assumed they would view Lombardi as the goat of the situation, not Smyth).
Either way... I can't imagine the Kings caring about Smyth next year... this year probably a few boos, but I don't think he scarred the organization enough to become a permanent thorn in their side...
now... if he scores a hat trick every time he's in the building... then, expect to see some angryworks from King fans and expect it to feel awesome!!
Rinne at 7 years 7 mil per. Ouch. I love the guy, but that's a lot coin.
@Smokey
yea... but, if they can lock up a #1 for 7 years and he plays like he has been. that's huge.
whenever I think of big goalie contracts I think of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdqJsOXrIzU
maybe the silliest hockey decision ever, but... there are a lot of contenders.
Any player can suck with a big contract, but when you see the Luongo's, Bulin's, Bryzgalov suck you gotta wonder why GM's dish out big dough. You see the value contracts of Neimi, Crawford, Price and I would figure that's the way to go. The supposedly have Rinne 2.0 in the wings to boot. I doubt Weber stays and they know it, and that is why they have overpayed for Rinne.
The best part I pulled out of the article was this: "P.S. - I'm REALLY looking forward to Thursday night and seeing the future live - this Edmonton team is exciting and I find myself turning Center Ice on to watch these guys."
It is nice to see other markets excited to have the Oilers come to town (other than to end their home team's losing streak as was the case the last 2 seasons.) Tuning into Centre Ice just to see... Edmonton? It's not just ON drinking the koolaid!
Have to think the Wings will land either Weber or Suter when the opportunity arises. If the Preds weren't on life support (counting heavily on revenue sharing) the could've easily kept all three.
I have enjoyed following this site for the past while. It has sSome great contributors and generally is a good source of current information. This is my first post and I have a question I hope someone can answer. Whatever happened with Lombardi's complaint against the Oilers about Fraser's health? Has the NHL ruled on it yet?
@Team EHH
according to this post:
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=39378&blogger_id=125
here's an answer (not sure how reliable)
"Mulletgate Update Dean Lombardi said a hearing about the grievance the Kings filed is scheduled to take place after the next general managers’ meetings in Toronto in two weeks. I can’t wait until the league rules the Oilers have to give us Smyth back."
The hearing is in a couple weeks. November 15th I think.
@Romulus' Apotheosis
I highly doubt Smyth goes back to LA in fact I wouldn't be surprised if the NHL does nothing about this since Lombardi is a whiny little b....
If the kings win the case the most they will get is a 4-7 round pick as compensation.