Oilers History: The Dave Brown Years

When the Edmonton Oilers decided to trade away an aging Dave Semenko during the 1986-87 season they parted ways with one of the most popular players in club history and best enforcers to ever play the game. For those who didn’t get the chance to watch him play, No. 27 could strike the fear of god into opponents without the use his fists. More often than not, all it took was one glare to keep opposing players in check.

MacTavish starts reshuffling the deck

It has been a fairly busy couple of days for the Edmonton Oilers organization. From the moment Taylor Hall left the ice during the second period of Saturday afternoon's 3-1 victory against the Ottawa Senators, general manager Craig MacTavish and head coach Dallas Eakins have been working hard at restructuring the Oilers current lineup.

Oilers betting on Big Mac having a positive impact

There is little doubt that the vast majority of Edmonton Oilers fans were thrilled with Monday morning's announcement of Steve MacIntyre being picked up off of waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguiins. In the minds of others, mine included, the move came across as nothing more then an overreaction to what occurred at Rexall Place during Saturday night's matchup against the Vancouver Canucks.

Oilers don't need a goon but they need to do something

Watching opponents continually take runs at the Edmonton Oilers skilled forwards has become par for the course. Hockey is physical game and unfortunately, teams are going to try and slow down the likes of a Sam Gagner or Taylor Hall by whatever means necessary.

2013-14 Preview: Jones will get his opportunity to rebound

After putting together a pair of very productive campaigns during his first two years in Edmonton Oilers silks, the 2012-13 season was one Ryan Jones would love to forget. It started with the NHL Lockout, was followed by a freak eye injury that ultimately required surgery and nearly cost him his career. Upon returning to the Oilers lineup in late February, Jones struggled with his confidence and never found his game.

Brown should see regular duty in '13-'14

Fans of the Edmonton Oilers are pretty much split down the middle when it comes to forward Mike Brown. There are those who are all for his inclusion in the lineup on a nightly basis and those who feel he is nothing more than a "face-puncher" that can't really play the game. While you could easily make an argument on behalf of either side, Brown is the sort of player that far too many get unnecessarily worked up over.

Oilers add Jones to a suddenly overcrowded forward group

2013 was a tough year for Edmonton Oilers winger Ryan Jones. Thanks to the NHL Lockout, Jones was unable to start what would have been his third full season in Orange and Blue and final year of his contract, on time. To make matters worse, he suffered a freak eye injury in late December, delaying the start of his year even further and ultimately cost him the first month of the season.

Time for Teemu Hartikainen to prove his worth

Teemu Hartikainen is on the verge of completing his third year of professional hockey in North America. He has steadily improved his all around game but has yet to leave any sort of mark, when given the chance to suit up for the Edmonton Oilers.

Game 42: Minnesota 5 Edmonton 3

In their first opportunity to make an impression on new GM Craig MacTavish, the Edmonton Oilers proceeded to come out as flat as board on Tuesday night, falling by a score of 5-3 to the Minnesota Wild at Rexall Place. The loss was their sixth straight, which is a feat that has not been achieved in this neck of the woods since December 2009.

Game 25: Edmonton 6 Chicago 5

The day after calling a  players only meeting with his struggling teammates, Edmonton Oilers captain Shawn Horcoff made his long awaited return to lineup on Sunday night in Chicago. Apparently those words did not fall on deaf ears, as the Oilers pulled out a thrilling 6-5 victory over the first place Blackhawks.

Oilers would be foolish to not shakeup roster until the off-season

With the Edmonton Oilers in the midst of what has now become a yearly tradition of plummeting down the Western Conference standings. The vast majority of those in Oil Country are calling for the dismissal of one or all three of head coach Ralph Krueger, General Manager Steve Tambellini and President of Hockey Operations Kevin Lowe.

Overcrowded forward group grows larger with the addition of Brown

With the Edmonton Oilers acquisition of former Toronto Maple Leafs pest Mike Brown on Monday morning, General Manager Steve Tambellini helped address his club's lack of toughness and willingness to engage physically. On the other hand, he has added another body to a roster that already has far too many players on it.