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.
BEST COLLAPSES IN SPORTS
Jason Gregor
May 15 2013 02:12PM
Don't worry Leafs' fans, you aren't the only ones who've felt the pain of a tough loss.
Ask a fan of the Oilers, Canucks or Flames about their recent heartache. The Canucks lost game seven of the Stanley Cup final in 2011, the Oilers did the same in 2006 as did the Flames in 2004. Sure, none of them had a 4-1 lead with 10 minutes to play, but your collapse came in the first round, not the 4th so it likely evens out.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JORDAN EBERLE
Wanye
May 15 2013 11:58AM
Every 365 days Jordan Leslie Eberle celebrates another birthday. Every 365 days we write him a nice little article celebrating his perpetual greatness. This year King Jordan turns 23 years young and we can't help but think this article is going to be immediately added to a special file the police are preparing.
Let's get to it.
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.
TRUE BLUE VOL 1
Lowetide
May 14 2013 08:59PM
This past NHL season, there were 60 defensemen who averaged more TOI per game than the top Oilers blueliner (Jeff Petry). The club has no top pairing, but rather five men who alternate between 18:30 and 21:54 a night. There is no "go to" guy--no top flight, complete defender--and that's a major job for Craig MacTavish.
