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GDB 64.0: HOME ICE ADVANTAGE – WHEN WE WERE YOUNG

By Lowetide

Feb 28, 2016, 13:18 ESTUpdated:

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The first time I saw Rexall in hockey season, I got goose bumps. I sat down and seconds later Paul Coffey flew by, looking like he was shot out of a cannon, Wayne Gretzky passed to the only open ice and timed it so Jari Kurri could skate in and grab it—it was music. Today, on the same ice that housed Allan Hamilton, Jim Harrison, Jacques Plante, Norm Ullman, 99, Messier, Kurri, Coffey, Fuhr, Anderson, Lowe, Smyth, Weight, Guerin, Pronger, Hall and the others, we also say goodbye to the grandest opponent we have ever known—the New York Islanders. Those were times we had, ladies and men.

I am not terribly fond of Sunday night games (I barbeque later in the evening, take the dog for a walk and then watch John Oliver), and tonight would ordinarily be doubly difficult because it is trade deadline. However, for me the memories of two great teams (Islanders and Oilers) and Robin Brownlee’s series on great Oilers have me melancholy today. It was the best of times.

There is rolled gold in those clips, whether you were there or not it is time well wasted on a Sunday. The great thing about moments in life that are important to you is this: They have sustain. My goodness what a run.

FAST FORWARD

Today, the two organizations are heading in very different directions. Although the Islanders and Oilers have been linked by trades (Reinhart) and rumors (Hamonic) they do not skate in the same area of the standings. I would argue the Islanders are poised for a possible playoff run that could see them win a round or two. Edmonton? Trying to finish ahead of last year’s blistering (in a bad way) pace. Fun times in Brooklyn (unless you got one of those crappy seats), another spring of ‘wait until next year’ for the faithful in our town.

Tonight, despite the rich history between the two teams, Edmonton fans will be there to see McDavid score, Hall jive, and Eberle go shelf. A win, even if it happens, has no real value beyond ending a ghastly losing streak. A decade of lemonade means there are no real words necessary. We wait for that shining tomorrow, high on the hill, and a brand new day.

TRADES?

Edmonton has been shipping out players at a rapid clip this week, two more yesterday and Peter Chiarelli’s avail last night suggests to me he may not be done. Here is the trade ticker so far:

R Teddy Purcell. Acquired a third-round pick in 2016.
D Justin Schultz. Acquired a third-round pick in 2016.
G Anders Nilsson. Acquired a fifth-round pick in 2016.
D Phil Larsen. Acquired a fifth-round pick in 2017.

By my estimate, Edmonton has 10 selections for 2016 and they are slotted (today) as follows:

No. 1 overall
No. 31 overall
No. 61 overall
No. 76 overall (Pittsburgh pick)
No. 85 overall (Florida pick)
No. 91 overall
No. 121 overall
No. 147 overall (St. Louis pick)
No. 151 overall
No. 181 overall

Peter Chiarelli on the picks: “A lot of picks. It doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll use them for drafting. We
look at the landscape, the cap landscape going forward, where the cap
is going to be and we think we’re going to have decent opportunities to
use these picks to get some players. On a smaller scale, we used a
fourth-round pick to get Eric Gryba. There will be little deals like
that and there may be some bigger deals, but we’ll see where the
draft lies, we’ll see what activity is at the draft and what players are
available. But it gives you flexibility.” Source

Looks like there is still work to do, and a test drive defenseman may be included in the weekend events. I wonder if the Oilers might consider taking on a contract that will be bought out, in exchange for considerations. Seems a clever idea. I also think there is a chance Chiarelli has a list of players (perhaps some who Todd McLellan would be willing to part with for next season) that he is shopping. Suspect we are not done with the transactions at this point in time.

PROJECTED LINEUPS

Oilers lineup courtesy of DailyFaceoff.com

Islanders lineup courtesy of DailyFaceoff.com

QUICK HITS (WHO COULD GO?)

R Nail Yakupov—Habs following the Oilers closely and it
feels like something could happen (now or at the draft).
F Matt Hendricks—Doubt they want to trade him, but the offer may be too dear.
D Mark Fayne—No one is mentioning his name, suggesting to
me that either the Oilers have no interest in dealing him, or the term
is too dear for contending teams. Either way, he is the best defensemen
the Oilers have who is potentially available.
D Eric Gryba—If they trade him, he should fetch a fourth-round selection, about what he cost the Oilers. I expect they will sign him.
L Lauri Korpikoski—There seems to be some rumbling about
Korpikoski.
C Anton Lander—He has played quite a bit recently. Could be interest.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

Jeff Mezydlo, Yahoo Sports: Paced by the play of Jaroslav Halak, the Islanders couldn’t ask for a better start to their longest road trip of the season.Halak and the
Islanders can improve to 4-0-0 on the trek and end their struggles at
Edmonton by handing the Oilers an eighth consecutive defeat Sunday night. Source

GAME DAY PREDICTION

GAME DAY PREDICTION: The Oilers start well, and cash on a fantastic Connor McDavid play. The Islanders grind and grind, tying it up late in the first frame.

OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: Edmonton gets into penalty trouble in the second period, and the penalty kill continues to be an issue. Islanders score once and hit the post twice. 2-1 Islanders after two.

NOT-SO-OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION:

The
Oilers cash twice at even strength and the Islanders get a power-play marker during a wild third period, and we go to overtime and then a shootout. Matt Hendricks wins the day with that crazy move of his, and Oilers fans go home happy on a Sunday evening.