Friday, October 07, 2011

Let The Kid Play With The Big Boys!!!


The Edmonton Oilers can not be accused of easing rookie Ryan Nugent-Hopkins into his first NHL season. Pegged to start the season as the teams second line centre, the first overall selection of this summers entry draft, has been propelled to first line duty because of a high ankle sprain to one Sam Gagner. Unless something changes leading up to opening night, it appears he will kickoff his NHL career, playing on a line with Taylor Hall and Ales Hemsky.

Anton Lander - Player Profile


With the young Swede making the club out of camp, you could say that Anton Lander has exceeded expectations that the Edmoonton Oillers had for him heading into the 2011-2012 season. The organization will never admit it publicly but the plan was to have Lander head to Oklahoma City to start the season and have him get used to the "North American" style of game. While that still may happen once Sam Gagner returns from injury, I have a feeling the talented centre will do his best to ensure the Oilers simply can't send him down to the AHL.

Wednesday, October 05, 2011

What To Do With Ladislav Smid


Not many would debate the fact that Ladislav Smid has the ability to become a quality top four NHL defenceman. Unfortunately for the Czech defender, he seems incapable of staying healthy long enough for him to take that next step in his development. Still only 25 years old, he is entering his sixth season but is about to find himself back on the IR list with a shoulder injury..Edmonton signed Smid to a two year extension during the off season but the time has come for the organization to take a serious look at where the defenceman fits into their long term plans.

Penalty Killing Options Upfront


With the season just around the corner, I would say it is time to take a look at the Edmonton Oilers special teams and see if we can determine who will be placed in what role and what is fair as far as expectations go for each player. Lets start off looking at the penalty kill and what potential forward pairings the Oilers may plan on using when shorthanded.

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

Eastern Conference Preview and Predictions



Today I take a look at the Eastern Conference and make my  predictions for the season. It's not looking good for Canada's team out East!!!

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - So What's The Big Deal?


The Edmonton Oilers made it official yesterday afternoon, stating the obvious, that young Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had indeed made the cut and would start the season with the big club. Unless you live under a rock or do not follow the Oilers, the "news of the day" was not news at all. Anyone with two eyes in their head could see the kid belongs in the NHL and to not allow him to play, after clearly earning a spot, would have been the biggest mistake this organization could have made.

Sunday, October 02, 2011

Western Conference Preview and Predictions



With the start of the NHL season just days away, only four more sleeps, I wanted to take a look at each conference and make my "bold" predictions for the coming season.

The Oilers Send Five More Out


The Edmonton Oilers trimmed their roster down to 27 players today, sending out the following players:

Teemu Hartikainen, Josh Green, Ryan Keller, Ryan O'Marra and Gilbert Brule

Saturday, October 01, 2011

Could Tim Gleason Be Available In Carolina?


The Edmonton Oilers badly need a top four defenceman and with the club having three blueliners go down with injuries on Friday night, the lack of NHL ready help within the organization is very apparent. Even if the Oilers had a healthy Ryan Whitney to start the season, they would  have their challenges on the backend. With the sudden rash of injures it may be time for the organization to look at what might be available via trade. Some would say this would be a panic move but I am proposing they look at making a move for the long term betterment of the club, not a short term fix.

Exhibition: Canucks 4 Oilers 1


The Edmonton Oilers held their own against a Vancouver lineup that will look very much like the roster that the Canucks will open their 2011-2012 campaign with. In a game that featured great goaltending performances from both Nikolai Khabibulin and Roberto Luongo, Vancouver were able to pull out a hard fought 4 -1 victory over the Oilers. The score was 2-1 until the last minute of play, when Vancouver potted two, one in an empty net, to seal the deal.


Game Day: Canucks vs Oilers



Vancouver vs Edmonton

Time:     8:00pm
Where:  Rogers Arena
Watch:   CBC
Listen:   630 Ched


Exhibition: Oilers 4 Wild 3 (SO)


After just posting a piece on how the Edmonton Oilers should give Gilbert Brule one more shot to see what he can do while Sam Gagner is out, Anton Lander continues to make it almost impossible for this coaching staff to keep him out of the starting lineup against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The young Swede and Linus Omark led the way with a goal and a helper each but it was Lander who put the game away with the shootout winner and gave the Oilers a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Wild.