Monday Mailbag – May 5th

It’s that time of the week when I’ve taken your questions and passed them off to our writers for their opinion and wisdoms. If you want your question answered – email me – baggedmilk@oilersnation.com or hit me up on Twitter – @jsbmbaggedmilk. Everyone that asks a question gets Nation Stickers as a thank you and a shout out on the website when their question is posted.

Without further delay, it’s time to learn something…

That’s a tough question, and I tried to think about why I don’t write about it. I guess the answer for me is that it takes specific incidents – for instance, the jersey-tossing this year got covered extensively – to garner attention; a low level pattern of behavior just generally doesn’t get talked about.

Jason Strudwick 

I don’t talk about it because I don’t care about it. I am a hockey analyst, I don’t run a security guard company and I am not a social trend expert.

Lowetide 

I’m honestly not aware of it as being a major issue. Do the Oilers have a policy that forces fans to surrender their seats and leave the arena? Or do they take away the signage? Either way, unless it’s vulgar or vicious, I think signs and fan expression should be encouraged.

A bigger deal? As in  . . . ? I’ve contributed countless words criticizing the Oilers for being heavy-handed with fans for years. I did it at The Journal. I did it at The Sun. I’ve done it in items I’ve written and in the comments section here. You can look it up. I don’t like, and never have, the amount of control the Oilers exercise on game nights. The bottom line, though, is they have that right.  So, what is the bigger deal you’re looking for? Lead a rally? As for other reporters, I can’t speak for them.

Have fans been told to stop Fire Lowe chants? Has someone been told to take off their paper bag? If so, I never heard about it. If it happens they need to tell someone. I recall Rexall being way too sensitive with signs for Chris Pronger’s return and we discussed it at the time. It was a joke. Recently, I had the guy who was allegedly kicked out for having his shirt on backwards on my radio show. He gave his side of the story. Then I spoke to Rexall security about it and they said he was intoxicated. It becomes a he said/she said type of scenario. If someone deals with censorship they need to let us know, but also have some sort of concrete proof, otherwise it is their word against Rexall. Hard to say accurately which side is telling the truth.

Brian Sutherby 

Fans can chant whatever they want, how can they be stopped? I’m pretty sure signs are screened in most buildings. As for everything else I don’t know, and don’t really care.

I’m more offended that the Oilers are raising ticket prices again than I am about some dude being thrown out.

Jonathan Willis 

The bigger question is whether there are top pairing defencemen out there to attract; there’s almost nothing on the free agent market this year.

Depends if you mean through trade or free agency? Weaker teams do have trouble attracting top players unless they send over a blank cheque. Trade is an open world unless the player in question has a no trade clause. What are you willing to give up to get a top d man? That is the question you should be asking

Lowetide 

They acquired Pronger via trade and Souray as a free agent. I expect we’ll see a top pairing D here in Edmonton by fall, although he may not qualify in some circles. Suspect MacT is going to be very aggressive.

Sure they are, if you’re talking about UFAs. Start showing some actual progress in the standings. Success and money talk the loudest when it comes to attracting the best players.

Jason Gregor 

There are no top D-men available in free agency. Pronger left because of off-ice issues, I don’t see why that would be a negative. Until the Oilers are a winning team I don’t see top-end free agents coming here. You need to build the foundation of your team via the draft nowadays. Very few teams let their elite players get to free agency.

Brian Sutherby 

If the organization wins, they can attract anyone. Most players have short memories and most just want the chance to win. If this team was on the brink of a championship or a regular in the playoffs, players would be lined up to play here. The Oilers current state isn’t all that attractive.

A reenactment for you…

MacT – “Hello there, top pairing defenceman, we’d love to have you on the Oilers.”

Top Pairing D-man (TPD) – “The Oilers are a great organization and I appreciate the thought. Any closer to being in the playoffs? I really want to win something other than the draft lottery.”

MacT – “We have potential and we’re building something special!”

TPD – “So that’s a ‘yes’ then?”

MacT – “We have a new arena coming and a stable of fantastic young prospects”

TPD – “Yes, there is certainly a lot of potential. But what about making the playoffs, it’s been a while ya know?”

MacT – “Soon we’ll have a new arena! And did I mention the great young talent”

MacT – “Hello?” 

Jonathan Willis 

I guess trying to avoid sounding like a broken record. The fact is it’s a pretty cool way to make a living; I can’t really complain about too much. I think anybody who lives off a job covering hockey (in whatever capacity) has to just remember how lucky they are to be in that position whenever there’s a temptation to feel self-pity.

Jason Strudwick 

Talking about the same issues that take time to change. Building through the draft requires patience, something Oilers fan have seem to run out of.

Lowetide 

Getting an idea onto the internet before Willis. The guy doesn’t sleep.

There is nothing tough about it. Blogging about the Oilers is a walk in the park. Covering the team on a daily basis is way more difficult because of deadlines, travel and the grind of churning out volumes of copy for months on end.

Jason Gregor 

Nothing. I’ve had real jobs, and my job on radio, print and Oilersnation is fun. Everyone has small challenges in their job, but there are none that stick out to me when it comes to writing at Oilersnation.

Brian Sutherby 

Trying to find positives and not forgetting what it was like to be a player on a bad team. It’s easy to say guys don’t care, but I highly doubt that even when it looks like it some nights.

It’s definitely the flock of babes that swarm Nation HQ on the daily. You ever see video of Led Zeppelin driving through crowds of screaming girls? That’s what it’s like… every. single. day. Either that or writing about a team that sucks more than the Hoover factory.

Jonathan Willis 

Spezza would be good. Ideally, I think the big thing is to get a guy who can take some of the pressure of Nugent-Hopkins. If that’s a bigger guy (Patrik Berglund, Aretm Anisimov, Spezza too for that matter etc.) great, and if it’s just somebody who can provide more in the role defensively than Gagner has that’s good too. 

Jason Strudwick 

If the Oilers trade 89 they are doing so after a tough year because of an idiot slashing him in the face. 89 has much better in him with a healthy start.

Lowetide 

I’d like to see Mikhail Grabovski as the 2line C next season. Put him between Perron and Yakupov and watch the good times roll.

I expect the Oilers will trade Gagner, although his value is at an all-time low right now. They need to replace him with a player who plays bigger and is more adept in the face-off circle. Who, exactly, has “mentioned” Spezza? Anybody who actually has a role in the decision-making process? He’s a what-if?

Jason Gregor 

Spezza has 1 year left on his contract. You could trade for him, but then lose him in one season. That is risky, but he’d be a major upgrade on Gagner.

Brian Sutherby 

All depends what the asking price for him is. He’d be an upgrade over Gagner no question in the offence and size department. He wouldn’t do much for the two-way or sandpaper type player lacking in the top 6.

The Oilers need a centreman in the top 6 that doesn’t have to stand by the height meter for rollercoasters.  They also need a guy that realizes that defence isn’t like taking Home-Ec in high school – it’s not optional and just being there won’t help you score.

Jonathan Willis 

I know you’re asking a lighthearted question, but I just can’t help myself here. I don’t talk about the Octane because I see cheerleaders in hockey as something owners came up with to a) help fans who don’t really care about the game or b) distract from the poor product on the ice. It’s embarrassing for the Oilers franchise that they’ve chosen to emulate the sunbelt teams in this regard.

Jason Strudwick 

There is no writer I would want to see dance, including myself. Singing would be another thing though….

Lowetide 

Jesus Mary and Joseph do NOT make me think about this!! LALALALALALLALALALALLALA

Robin Brownlee 

If men in women’s clothing interests you and you want to join Octane, go ahead. We won’t judge.

Jason Gregor 

I don’t want to picture any of the Nation writers in knee-high white boots. I’d say no one, especially not Struds. People would think he was riding a chicken if he strolled out on to the carpet wearing a skirt and boots.

Brian Sutherby 

Wanye – I’ve never seen a man that heavy move as well as he does.

I will challenge any and all writers to a dance off right now! Not only do I have moves for days, I also look fantastic in tights. Ask anyone, it’s true…