ODDS AND SODS

The NHL is back today, with action for most clubs. The Oilers are on the outside looking in, due to playing in a smaller television market and not possessing a ‘marquee’ team. I expect it’ll be the last time this happens for several years.

As entertainers, the current Oilers have some outstanding talent. However, it is somewhat a new development and the club is easily cast aside on opening night for Vancouver and their Cup contender. I get that, hell Canuck fans had to endure Oiler games all the damn time during the glory years (although the networks were doing everyone a favor by keeping those vomit V uniforms off the national networks).

However, these kids are a blast to watch and a thrill a minute. If the NHL wants to max out on their product, the talents that are Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov will have the opportunity to play on the biggest stage the NHL has to offer: Saturday night, outdoor games, playoffs.

Its only a matter of time.

Plenty of chatter about the Ottawa Senators having useful goalies three, and the fact there are some callers from the West. The 403 area code is apparently interested, along with the 780. I think the Oilers have the more pressing need, what with Nikolai Khabibulin celebrating his 40th birthday with a trip to the IR.

The Flames have two AHL goalies shooting the lights out (Danny Taylor and Barry Brust) along with Miika Kiprusoff who was born when Gerald Ford was US President and may outlast Obama at the top. That’s a helluva run.

The Oilers have no such goalie heritage in their recent past. Since Roloson left its been a combination of Nikolai Khabibulin stories involving injury, Jeff Deslauriers and finally Devan Dubnyk. Since depth is a word other teams consider important, why can’t the Oilers have two good goalies in their 20s? Why can’t we have nice things, too?

I’d love to see a Ben Bishop trade.

It’s a lesson we learn each generation: it doesn’t matter where (or if) you’re drafted, once you hit pro hockey its the results that matter. Last night, the OKC Barons dominated long stretches of the game and much of it came from ECHLers Toni Rajala and Kristians Pelss.Rajala had a two point night, including a wonderful passing display between himself, Tyler Pitlick and Ryan Martindale.

 

There are so many stories to follow, top to bottom. The NHL takes center stage beginning today, but there are so many interesting stories bubbling under. Stay tuned! And GO OILERS!