2011 ENTRY DRAFT: OILERSNATION LIVE BLOG
12 years ago
St. PAUL, Minnesota — Ryan Smyth hasn’t been big news on Entry Draft day since the Edmonton Oilers took him sixth overall way back in 1994, but that could change today.
While the Oilers will kick-off Day 2 of the 2011 draft today by making the first pick of the second round (31st overall), the big story is the pending deal that will see the Los Angeles Kings send Smyth to Edmonton for an encore with the Oilers for Gilbert Brule and a draft pick — at least, that’s the package we’re led to believe is on the table.
Still no official word from either team if Smyth, selected between Jeff O’Neill (Hartford) and Jamie Storr (Los Angeles) back in 1994 after the Oilers took the immortal Jason Bonsignore fourth overall, will change uniforms today, but we’ll be all over it. Details, details.
Anyway, I’ll be updating this page throughout the morning and afternoon as we await the 31st pick and clarity on Smyth, so check back often and you’ll know when we know.
Stay tuned.
HERE WE GO . . .
10:02: A bunch of us worked chief scout Stu MacGregor hard on the fence this morning to see what the Oilers are thinking with the 31st, but he gave us nothing . . . defenseman David Musil? Not sure, although Stu did say last night father Frank, an Oilers scout, wouldn’t be a part of scouting meetings if David is in the mix because of the obvious conflict it might cause . . . how about Boone Jenner, Tomas Jurco or Brandon Saad?
–10:04: For the record, I’d be taking Jenner, Ty Rattie or Musil.
–10:12: Tambellini pacing, walking circles around Edmonton’s table. Something on his mind, or just can’t wait to take Musil?
–10:13: Robyn Reghr trade to Buffalo announced . . .
–10:14: It’s DAVID MUSIL . . . will go grab the kid and post his thoughts ASAP.
–10:49 MUSIL SAYS:
— "It’s really exciting. I remember growing up a little bit in Edmonton when my dad played there. I have good memories from there. I remember my dad playing games, going in the dressing room."
"I’m just going to try the best I can. I know what I can do. I’ll my best to make the team as soon as possible."
Heres the bio on MUSIL, courtesy of NHL.com:
–In his second Western Hockey League season, Musil recorded six goals and 25 points (6-19–25) in 62 games helping the Giants to 35 wins and a first round playoff appearance.
— He was selected to participate in the 2011 World Junior tournament for the Czech Republic, but an injury ended his chance to compete for a medal. He did compete at the 2011 Under-18 World Championships and despite a disappointing eighth place finish, was voted one of best players on the Czech Republic team.
— His father, Frantisek (38th overall by Minnesota in 1983), had 34 goals and 1,241 penalty minutes in 14 NHL seasons as a defenseman with the North Stars, Flames, Senators and Oilers. His uncle is two-time Stanley Cup champion, Bobby Holik (10th overall by Hartford in 1989), and his grandfather, Jaroslav Holik, was a long-time player and coach in the Czech Republic. His mother, Andrea, was a top tennis player, winning the girls singles title at Wimbledon in 1985 and helping then-Czechoslovakia win the Federation Cup that same year.
— Musil was born in Calgary when his dad was playing for the Flames, and also lived in Ottawa and Edmonton. He moved to the Czech Republic with his family when he was seven and played his youth hockey there until leaving to play in the Western Hockey League.
— He was selected to participate in the 2011 World Junior tournament for the Czech Republic, but an injury ended his chance to compete for a medal. He did compete at the 2011 Under-18 World Championships and despite a disappointing eighth place finish, was voted one of best players on the Czech Republic team.
— His father, Frantisek (38th overall by Minnesota in 1983), had 34 goals and 1,241 penalty minutes in 14 NHL seasons as a defenseman with the North Stars, Flames, Senators and Oilers. His uncle is two-time Stanley Cup champion, Bobby Holik (10th overall by Hartford in 1989), and his grandfather, Jaroslav Holik, was a long-time player and coach in the Czech Republic. His mother, Andrea, was a top tennis player, winning the girls singles title at Wimbledon in 1985 and helping then-Czechoslovakia win the Federation Cup that same year.
— Musil was born in Calgary when his dad was playing for the Flames, and also lived in Ottawa and Edmonton. He moved to the Czech Republic with his family when he was seven and played his youth hockey there until leaving to play in the Western Hockey League.
— 10:52: Oilers use the 62nd pick on Finnish goaltender Samu Perhonen.
— 10:57: Frank Musil is obviously very proud of David, and we was very emotional talking about him after the pick by the Oilers. I’m going to to do a separate piece on that later today.
— 11:02: Keegan Lowe at 74th? That wouldn’t be the least bit uncomfortable for the parties involved, now would it? Son of a scout is one thing. Son of the president of hockey operations? What could possibly go wrong there? Blues on the clock, then Carolina and then the Oilers . . .
— 11:04 Canes take Keegan Lowe.
— 11:05: WIth that bullet dodged, the Oilers take Travis Ewanyk, a teammate of Lowe with the Oil Kings
— 11:13: The low-down on PERHONEN from NHL.com: Perhonen finished the 2010-11 season with a 2.71 GAA and .922 save percentage in 29 games for Junior A SM-liiga. He led his team to the league championship with a 2.14 GAA and .930 save percentage in seven games and also posted a 2.80 GAA and .918 save percentage in five international contests.
— In four appearances for fifth-place Finland at the Under-18 World Championship, he was 2-2-0 with a 3.52 GAA and .875 save percentage. He made 27 saves in a 5-3 victory over the Czech Republic.
— He grew up in a small town and walking to the rink with his friends was a common activity; he was drawn to the goaltending position because “it’s an individual pursuit where you can kind of be your own individual and still be in a team atmosphere. I really liked that and have played goalie ever since."
— Perhonen means ‘butterfly’ in Finnish.
— In four appearances for fifth-place Finland at the Under-18 World Championship, he was 2-2-0 with a 3.52 GAA and .875 save percentage. He made 27 saves in a 5-3 victory over the Czech Republic.
— He grew up in a small town and walking to the rink with his friends was a common activity; he was drawn to the goaltending position because “it’s an individual pursuit where you can kind of be your own individual and still be in a team atmosphere. I really liked that and have played goalie ever since."
— Perhonen means ‘butterfly’ in Finnish.
— 11:31: The Oilers make it family affair again with defenseman Dillon Simpson, son of Craig Simpson, at 92nd . . . nice hair on the kid . . . this an an off-the-board pick if you look at CSS ranking for Simpson (152th). Hmm. Seems a reach, no?
— 11:41: Anybody else in the organization with a son who is draft eligible? Tom Renney? Kelly Buchberger? A big-boned daughter, even? Just asking . . .
— 11:52: Oilers take RW Edna Kulchisky with the 114th pick . . . I keed, I keed . .
— 11:54: Oilers take C Tobias Rieder from Kitchener.
— 12:01: Chatting with Darren Dreger a few minutes ago. There’s a growing sense that any deal for Smyth might have to include a player other than Brule because of his "health" concerns.
— 12:04: No deal. Oilers used the 122nd pick on Martin Gernat, big D-man from Slovakia.
— 12:30: Oilers don’t have a pick in the sixth round. Time to get on the sniff and see what’s up with the Smyth deal. if the Oilers make a move and do take somebody in this round, please have "Cheesenaka" post it for me.
— 12:59: Oilers open the seventh round with the 182nd and take Finnish goaltender Franz Tuohimaa.
Listen to Robin Brownlee Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the Jason Gregor Show on TEAM 1260.
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