Monday Mailbag – August 25th

Here comes your weekly chance to skip out on doing anything work related on Monday mornings – it’s the mailbag. As always, you guys drive this segment, and I need your questions to make it work.  If you’ve got a question you can email it to me at baggedmilk@oilersnation.com.  Sit back, grab a coffee, and put off any actual work items that you have to do – it’s time to learn something.

Enjoy.

Robin Brownlee: 

More? I guess that depends what eras you are comparing. There’s more NHL teams and jobs now than there was 20 and 30 years ago. U.S. colleges are a good option and they have turned out a number of very good players. Having the Plan B you mention — be it through the U.S. route or by taking advantage of education programs in the CHL — makes sense because the vast majority of players never get near the NHL.

Jason Gregor: 

Unlikely, in fact fewer Canadians are getting NCAA scholarships every year because many schools will take a US-born player if they are equal caliber. The WHL scholarship program is good for the majority of players. They get one year of schooling for every year they play in the WHL. I would like to see those years guaranteed, not required to start 18 months after you finish your WHL career, but it is still good. Also, the University will offer a scholarship as well so players are able to have money for books, tuition and room and board.

Lowetide: 

The CHL offers a program that allows juniors, and many kids take advantage after their junior career ends. The Canadian junior leagues are the best junior hockey leagues in the world, and therefore young men who want to play in the NHL will continue to play there. I think the NCAA is the league struggling in this situation.

Jonathan Willis: 

Not really; that’s the way it’s always been. I think the majority of players will optimistically want to ensure they best prepare themselves for a pro career (which junior does) rather than taking advantage of a college scholarship (which best prepares them for a career not working out). 

Jason Strudwick: 

This decision is a personal one. There is not one way that is better then another. It is case by case.

Brian Sutherby: 

For as long as I dreamed about playing in the WHL (Mid 90’s), the rules have always been that if you play Major Junior hockey, you lose your college eligibility. If it hasn’t stopped more people before, I don’t see why it would change now. I don’t know, but I wouldn’t be surprised with the dollars being thrown around these days, if MORE kids/parents actually believe Junior is the way to go now versus 10 years ago.

I don’t think it really matters which way a kid goes.  If they’re good enough to make the NHL, they will get picked up regardless of where they play.  And who says you can’t go to college if your NHL dream doesn’t work out from the CHL route? 

Robin Brownlee: 

I’m not aware of any official team program established by the Oilers.

Jason Gregor: 

Not that I know of. Struds and Suds would know if they offer some sort of “transition” training on how to deal with life after hockey.

Lowetide: 

Great question, and I have no idea. Struds had 10 jobs before his career was over, maybe he could help.

That’s a really good question. I’ve never heard of a formal program, though as a practical matter a lot of teams hire alumni for one role or another.

Jason Strudwick: 

No.

Brian Sutherby: 

There is a little education from the league/PA to think post hockey while playing, but no actual assistance from a team when finished, no. If you want to pursue a coaching or media career and have a good relationship with that organization then maybe, but other than that in my experience I haven’t seen it.

After reading Struds and Suds talk about how there is no NHL program in place, I can’t help but wonder why not?  For a lot of guys hockey is the only job they’ve ever had, and they could probably use some education on managing money and life after hockey. Have you ever seen the 30 for 30 documentary called ‘Broke?’ That’s what can happen without any education on handling money.  Missed opportunity by the NHL, in my opinion.

Robin Brownlee: 

Potential? Sure. Why, though, would you draft a player based on his performance on the wing and then try to make him a centre? Draft centres and develop them.

Jason Gregor: 

Moving from wing to centre is extremely difficult, much harder than going from centre to wing. I don’t see any wingers ready to move to centre. They have some some centres in the system, and should focus on developing them.

Lowetide: 

Craig MacTavish liked his forwards to have some ability to play center, I’m sure it’ll be recurring theme in Edmonton as long as MacT is around the club.

Benoit Pouliot’s name has been mentioned, but I really haven’t seen it work out all that often and I don’t think there’s an obvious candidate on the roster. It’s much easier to move from centre to wing than vice versa.

Jason Strudwick: 

The idea that a winger that has rarely played center in the past can move to the middle in the AHL or NHL is crazy to me. It is a very hard position to play compared to the wing. So much to look after compared to the wing. Let this idea die.

Brian Sutherby: 

I don’t see anyone other than deep on the 4th line. Hendricks could play the middle if needed when Gordon finds himself in the 3 hole. It doesn’t sound like any of the new guys fit that mold either.

I would rather they have guys that actually play the position rather than try to fit a square peg in a round hole.  Just because Mark Messier pulled off the move, from wing to centre, 30 years ago doesn’t mean the Oilers have anyone that can do it now.  If Taylor Hall couldn’t do it, chances are Luke Gazdic won’t be able to either.

Robin Brownlee: 

At Pouliot’s age, what you see is what you get. Where he plays in the line-up depends on the depth of the team he’s playing on. He could very well see top 6 minutes with the Oilers.

Jason Gregor: 

He has had 15, 16 and 17 goal seasons. Many top-6 wingers come in around 18-22, so it is possible he could become that, but I don’t see him being a dominant offensive player, and historically he has played softer minutes in his career. I don’t see him becoming a player who can play tough minutes and produce offensively. I don’t see the Oilers having a clear cut 2nd and 3rd line this season. He likely floats between the two.

Lowetide: 

I think Pouliot has been a very productive player for years, so even if he remains at this level he’ll help a lot. In my opinion, he might spike offensively if he’s given better linemates, and that may happen in Edmonton. Can’t wait for the season!

Jonathan Willis: 

I don’t know. It’s a rarity for a player in his late 20’s to suddenly blossom, but Pouliot’s underlying numbers have been good for a while and suggest he might be able to do more at evens.

Jason Strudwick: 

There isn’t an answer to this yet. Lets see if he can put consistent years together as an Oiler.

Brian Sutherby: 

That is hard to say because I haven’t seen the player enough night in and night out. I look forward to it this year. Six teams since 2009 is concerning for me, though. Whatever it is with this guy, he hasn’t been able to find a true home yet. I think it may suggest teams feel he has peaked, or that he has more potential and teams become frustrated that he doesn’t put the work in to elevate his game. He’s still young enough, if given the opportunity (you’d think with the $ he got, he will be given every opportunity) to play a more offensive role, there might be more there. Until I see him however, it’s hard to know.

I’m thinking what you see is what you get with Pouliot at 27 years old.  I hope I’m wrong. I hope that he can find another gear and crank it up, but at this stage of his career, I’m thinking he’s on the plateau.

Too heavy a question for me, but if I never saw or heard another reference to Miley Cyrus and other people who are famous for being famous and very little else, I’d be fine with it.

Jason Gregor: 

Obesity. In Canada it is a huge issue, and it will only get worse unless we take a strong stance to encourage better eating habits. On a lighter note, rid the planet of TV shows like The Kardashians and other programs that lower our intelligence level.

Lowetide: 

Trend? Hula hoops! Damn things are all over my lawn! And music! It’s all too loud! Also, big screen televisions! If a 12 inch black and white was good enough for Jesus, it’s good enough for me!

Jonathan Willis: 

So many choices. Obviously, a responsible person would do something practical – say ending the trend of sectarian violence in the Middle East. Failing that, I’d be cool if people stopped making such a fuss over vampires.

Jason Strudwick: 

The 5th question of the mailbag.

Brian Sutherby: 

Skin tight male jeans rolled up at the bottom.

Bronies. Dude…