Monday, June 04, 2012

If it's not Yakupov, the Oilers have to draft Griffin Reinhart


In my mind, unless the Edmonton Oilers find a character flaw with Nail Yakupov or are floored  by an offer they get for the first overall pick, they would be foolish to not select the talented Russian forward. Having said that, if they decide to add a talented young blueliner to their stable of youngsters, that player should not be highly touted prospect Ryan Murray. Instead, the organization needs to be looking "in house" and seriously consider taking Edmonton Oil Kings defenceman Griffin Reinhart.

Friday, June 01, 2012

Oilers need to make room for Hartikainen and Paajarvi



Saying Edmonton Oilers winger Magnus Paajarvi suffered through a sophomore jinx in his second NHL season would be putting it nicely. The young Swede managed all of two goals in forty one games and spent much of the second half of the season in Oklahoma City. While no player likes to be sent to the minors, he played a big part in helping the Barons reach the Western Conference Finals, before bowing out to the Toronto Marlies. He clearly lost his confidence with the big club but to his credit, found his game with OKC. That being said, Paajarvi's AHL totals of twenty-five points in thirty-four regular season games and another eleven in fourteen post season outings, shows he may not be the scoring threat that many had hoped he would be...at least not yet.