There’s an advantage to focusing on European goaltenders
Jonathan Willis
May 19 2013 11:30AM
It’s no secret that an ever-increasing percentage of NHL goaltenders come from Europe. Less known is the fact that the new collective bargaining agreement gives teams substantially more flexibility when it comes to drafting goaltenders developed in Europe than in North America.
Is the Oilers farm team properly developing players?
Jonathan Willis
May 18 2013 09:19AM
Under head coach Todd Nelson, the Oklahoma City Barons have been a consistently competitive club in the American Hockey League. However, many of the Edmonton Oilers’ young prospects have struggled to make the jump to the professional level. Is Nelson finding the right balance between winning and developing players?
Is Karl Alzner the answer to the Oilers' problems?
Jonathan Willis
May 17 2013 10:19AM
Photo by Michael Miller/Wikimedia
If the Oilers are going to make a heavy pitch for a defenceman they probably aren’t going to get, that defenceman shouldn’t be Shea Weber. It should be the Washington Capitals’ Karl Alzner.
Ten Points: This draft and the last draft
Jonathan Willis
May 16 2013 09:36AM
Last year, the question was whether the Oilers would choose the best available talent or draft for need (Ryan Murray). It's early, but I thought they made the right decision at the time and I've seen nothing to sway that belief. What will they do this year, and what about some of the other players they picked in 2012? That and more after the jump.
Magnus Paajarvi should start 2013-14 on the third line
Jonathan Willis
May 15 2013 07:27AM
When it comes to building hockey teams, I’m a firm believer that (to the extent possible in a salary cap world) every general manager should be a pessimist. If it’s a 50/50 bet that a player can recover from an injury, or return to his offensive form, or stay healthy, the G.M. should bet against his player. That way, if things go badly, he’s covered; if things go well, he has a pleasant surprise that can either help his team win or can be used to address an area of weakness.
That proclivity for pessimism is why I think the Oilers would be well-advised not to start Magnus Paajarvi in a scoring role next season.
