ODDS AND SODS
Lowetide
January 19 2013 12:26PM
The NHL is back today, with action for most clubs. The Oilers are on the outside looking in, due to playing in a smaller television market and not possessing a 'marquee' team. I expect it'll be the last time this happens for several years.
As entertainers, the current Oilers have some outstanding talent. However, it is somewhat a new development and the club is easily cast aside on opening night for Vancouver and their Cup contender. I get that, hell Canuck fans had to endure Oiler games all the damn time during the glory years (although the networks were doing everyone a favor by keeping those vomit V uniforms off the national networks).
However, these kids are a blast to watch and a thrill a minute. If the NHL wants to max out on their product, the talents that are Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov will have the opportunity to play on the biggest stage the NHL has to offer: Saturday night, outdoor games, playoffs.
Its only a matter of time.
BISHOP!
Plenty of chatter about the Ottawa Senators having useful goalies three, and the fact there are some callers from the West. The 403 area code is apparently interested, along with the 780. I think the Oilers have the more pressing need, what with Nikolai Khabibulin celebrating his 40th birthday with a trip to the IR.
The Flames have two AHL goalies shooting the lights out (Danny Taylor and Barry Brust) along with Miika Kiprusoff who was born when Gerald Ford was US President and may outlast Obama at the top. That's a helluva run.
The Oilers have no such goalie heritage in their recent past. Since Roloson left its been a combination of Nikolai Khabibulin stories involving injury, Jeff Deslauriers and finally Devan Dubnyk. Since depth is a word other teams consider important, why can't the Oilers have two good goalies in their 20s? Why can't we have nice things, too?
I'd love to see a Ben Bishop trade.
OKC!
It's a lesson we learn each generation: it doesn't matter where (or if) you're drafted, once you hit pro hockey its the results that matter. Last night, the OKC Barons dominated long stretches of the game and much of it came from ECHLers Toni Rajala and Kristians Pelss.Rajala had a two point night, including a wonderful passing display between himself, Tyler Pitlick and Ryan Martindale.
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
There are so many stories to follow, top to bottom. The NHL takes center stage beginning today, but there are so many interesting stories bubbling under. Stay tuned! And GO OILERS!
Fistric - 250+ NHL games played Potter - 70
If Fistric is a 'sometimes' player Potter is a "rarely" player.
And so it begins...
Fistric a healthy scratch; we're probably too big and too slow anyways.
Paaravi in the press-box; wasting away, its not like he can still learn anything in OKC
A lot of what hinges on a good or bad season comes from our rookie Head Coach. These two roster moves are ones that I would have expected from previous regimes.
Maybe R.K. needs a motivational speech from R.K.
{to Ralph} "You're so wise. You're like a miniature Buddha, covered in hair."
Potter in instead of Fistric against van......not that I'm against RK, cause I like him, but c'man!!! Potter is a black hole of uselessness. I was really looking forward to seeing Fistric destroy one or both of the Sedin sisters.
On a brighter note, the NHL is back!!!
GO OILERS!!!
Harry stinkin Potter instead of Fistric ??? It better be because he needs more time or is injured. Bad Call already Ralph, but the first one is free and you are the coach... but a healthy scratch ? gimme a break.
Better sit YAK as well, we have 82 games...ohh wait..its 48
wtf Ralph, explain this move to the fans.
MAC962: I know man...I thought what this team needed was a big, strong, defensive d man that could clear the net and play on the PK...Potter can't do ANY of that, and he's terrible 5 on 5...and he doesn't even play on the PP anymore...so all in all, he's useless.
again on another note: Does anybody else wish that Pierre McDouche would just get hit by a puck and have a concussion that ends his season?
Let's not fire the coach yet. Fisterik is a 'sometimes' player. He got to camp late and may be behind the curve right now.
As for MPS, he shouldn't be sitting the whole season, but one game sitting in the NHL won't hurt him.
I like RK, and I think that he will be a great coach, and I do agree that Fistric is a 'sometimes' player...but Potter is a 'never' player in my mind.
Playing Potter contradicts the theory of having a puck mover and a gritty D-man on each pairing. IMO Potter's skill set has become redundant on this team. Good 7 or 8 option, but starting 6?? Brutal. I was also looking forward to Fistric roughing up a few greasy Canucks.
Oilers 7D play a lot, Potter or Fistric. Injuries to Oiler defensemen are like death and taxes.
Wasn't Potter playing in Europe as well? Maybe hes more "game" ready right now then Fistric is and thats why Chucky went with him eh.
Schneider. Hehe.
So who starts tomorrow?
Gotta love the goaltending tonight in Vancity.
"Fans" there go from tar and feathers for Lou after the SCF last year, then after Schnieder craps the bed tonight, they're back to the "Loooo" chant for every save he makes.
Hilarious.
Just want to say this is the first read of the day for me.
Yeah, we got hosed for now. I am sure the country from coast to coast Can't wait to watch the Ducklings play on HNIC. Gimme a break. It should have been Oil-Nucks in a back to back or even the Flames. Wait a minute...what did i just say ? I think i just threw up in my mouth.
GO OILERS !! 28 MINUTES...SENS-JETS. Canadian Hockey !!
Go Jets. You have one more season of me saying that, then i will hate everything about your team, your town and your girlfriends...ok, maybe not them.
Hey you guys! There's some decent hockey on my TV right now. HD TOO!
Anybody know what league this is? They're pretty good.
Ayone watching the Jets and Sens. That Scheifle kid looks slow and soft. The kid got smarts, but for the love of Pete a guz that big should not fall so much. They should of take Sean C. from Philly.
Are you kidding?
You read my mind dude, i was watching and hoping Mcwierdo took one off the lips for 1 dozen zipper marks... ha ha
There must be something with Fist...Potter over him makes no sense.
LT:
Kiprusoff's play has tailed off over the past few seasons, I'm not sure what CAL thinks of their other goalies for the future, but Bishop would be a nice add for them as well.
I like Bishop, and he could make a fool of me for saying this, but I'd be hesitant to move a 2nd for him and I think it would probably take at least that to get him who knows where they'll finish but both 2nd rounders could well be in the 31-45 range, pretty good picks in a deep draft.
speeds: Agreed its a steep price and also agree it is what it'll take to get him. Still, with Dubnyk and really no one else, I like adding Bishop because it cuts off Tambellini from signing another big contract with a famous goalie like NK.
As for Kipper, he's Rasputin to me. I'll believe it when he's absolutely done.
@Lowetide
LT wrote:"As for Kipper, he's Rasputin to me. I'll believe it when he's absolutely done."
There was a Finnish Goalie, in Calgary long ago. He was big and strong,and his eyes a flaming glow... Most shooters looked at him, with terror and with fear...etc.
I'm stunned and pissed that Penguins vs Flyers isn't on tv right now! wtf!! someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
It's on NBC
It's on NBC east, but only if your provider switches the feed. I have shaw direct, so I'm stuck with two feeds of kings-hawks. Apparently Bell has made the switch or so says a bragging buddy.
It's not even listed in NHL center ice, which is weird, you'd think every game would be on that package today, especially if they want us to coff up 50 bucks for the rest of the season- after the preview period!
I too would rather see Fistric play against the canucks. A little more uph to put the lean on the smaller 3/4 lines of the Canucks. watching the Sens play has put this thought into my head. How long till Theo Peckham is a Senator. They need a little of what he brings. Bishop? Also Potter would be a showcase kind of guy for me early in the season. Play him a few games to pique the interest in him a little. BTW.LA losing 4-0 at home in the second period. Does that not surprise any of us with brains. The Kings were a marginal team scoring goals last season. what makes the pundits think the'll be better this year. My belief is that the KIngs Stanley CUP hang over lasts the season. They finish 11th in the conference. They were the right team at the right time last season. This season it won't be so easy to slide under the radar. Oilers win in Van City 4-3.
@michael
Kings look like they could use Kopitar right about now...
Kippers play has been steller . Last year Calgary was a Cosrsi nightmare, outshot almost on nightly basis. His play tailed off as Calgary of course could not make a final push. The year before the Flames started horrible, Kipper got hot as hell and that team almost made the playoffs. Kippers been great, hes delayed Calgary's inevitable rebuild.
Feels nice to be pissed off at lineups again instead of being pissed off at the rich Delta Bravo's who ripped half the season.
I'm still pissed that they ripped half the season.
@michael
Phhhhtttt...
After acquiring Carter, the Kings G/G went up by 1 GPG.
Jumping on the results of ONE game as support for your theory is ridiculous.
Hockey is awesomeness!! Superawesomefantastic!
LT
I would not do a second for Bishop, but would the Oilers?
I completely agree that Bishop would be a huge score, but a what cost?
Peckham + Omark?
http://tinyurl.com/atl444b
Best thing for the Oilers is to lose maybe they will fire Tambellini and Lowe. And then start putting a team together.
Added bonus high draft pick, maybe they will pick a Dman or Center first.
@DSF And that is pretty much got that goal today did'nt they DSF? They went from scoring a 1.6 goals a game to 2.6. That is is not going to win a lot of games this year I suspect.
I know the games are over, but just in case some of the fans were wondering about broadcasting, I have a Bell dish... Pitts/Philly game was on NBC, as well as on Center Ice. The Chicago/L.A. game was also on another NBC, channel...[ not sure if it was on Cent. Ice.]
I don't know. However, adding Bishop takes the big free agent signing/acquiring a big fish goalie option away from Tambellini.
I'm pretty sick of losing already, we have more than enough high draft picks in the lineup already...how about instead of that, we try and trade somebody or sign somebody in the offseason to fill the gaps we need (big body with some talent up front, another top 4 D man)...it's time for this team to go forward, not back.
I agree, might the Oilers use one of the two second round picks go after Comrie or Fucale if he make's it to the second round?
A lot of holes to fill.
Wes: I do think that Comrie and Jarry from the OK are probably targets. It depends a little on what the Oilers think of the two Euro kids they drafted a couple of years ago.
I think Bishop is woth a B grade prospect or late first or early second pick. His value hasn't gone up I don't think. Hes proven nothing.at an NHL level to warrant much more.
Agreed. I think that's the pricetag.
@ Joel
You need a 2 way center and a puck moving Dman that can play D.
It seems to be a formula. All these Centers will win or be nominees for the Selke trophy.
This formula has not been part of the Oiler philosophy.
Lowe and Tambo philosophy is draft small forwards in the first round.
And Oiler fans don't wonder why Gagner cannot be the #2 center with RNH.
Keep Gagner the #2 center and Oilers will never win the Cup
Backes Pietrangelo
Toews Keith
Datsyuk Lidstrom
Crosby Letang
Bergeron Chara
Anze Kopitar Doughty
@jefff
It's strange you mention the need of a 2-way centre align that with Gagner, then provide a list of all the 1st line centres....
Hrmmm, interesting.
Are we really going to start the debate of what the difference between a 2nd line centre and 3rd line centre is?
FIRST thing your 2nd liner needs to do is PRODUCE, why? Because, they eat up softer minutes and provide that SECONDARY scoring teams always need.
If your 2nd line centre can do other things, thats great! But the number of 2nd line centres that can even produce at Gagner's current level is a lot smaller than Oiler fans generally understand.
Let alone the number of 2nd liner centres that have grit AND can produce like he does...
Le sigh..
Heres a crazy Idea
With Getzlaf and Perry being UFAs this offseason could you see one or both of them traded at the deadline if ANA struggles? If oilers in playoff postion come deadline,deal for Getzlaf? Ganer, Omark, 1st pick? To much to little?
This is more of an offseason deal but I dont see the oilers winning the getzlaf lotto.
Everyone quit your bitching! We have the lineups for the first game and already we're picking in the lottery?
On another note, watching the Pitt, Philly game and the Rangers, Boston game and I realized how right Struds was in the previous article. We need more grit in our top 9 or we are sceeeeeeerewed!!!.
There's plenty of time for being pessimistic later. Right now, we are undefeated! Hope springs eternal.
Ok then, what deal would you make? Using what we have and what OTT would need.
Way to much for a guy that will be a UFA. Maybe Omark and a pic. Does that deal get done? No probably not. Then walk away from it.
sweet baby jesus , watching this Vancouver game makes me sooooo happy :)
I'm cheering for Vancouver tonight . Since I'm an Oiler fan