Playing Second Fiddle

From the moment he made his NHL debut against Vancouver Canucks in April of 2011, Edmonton Oilers centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has more or less been riding solo. While Shawn Horcoff helped with some of the heavy-lifting during the former Red Deer Rebels’ rookie campaign, it has essentially been a one-man show when comes to generating offence from the centre position in Edmonton. 

Time for Pitlick to sink or swim

It wasn’t supposed to go like this for Tyler Pitlick and the Edmonton Oilers. 

Get these kids some help already!!!

On the heels of the Dallas Eakins – Taylor Hall incident and a pair of disappointing losses to the Buffalo Sabres and Calgary Flames, the time has come for Craig MacTavish and the rest of the Edmonton Oilers management team to take a long hard look in the mirror and figure out exactly what it is they are trying to accomplish.

Yakupov could use a visit from his former captain

Yesterday afternoon was not a good one for the Edmonton Oilers organization nor was it an especially pleasant one Nail Yakupov. After putting together a fairly effective rookie season during what was an abbreviated 2013 schedule, the youngster has struggled mightily during his sophomore campaign.

Ference named 14th captain in Oilers history

One of the biggest reasons Andrew Ference was brought on board by the Edmonton Oilers was his overall experience and leadership abilities. While the thirty-four year old is no longer the player he once was his winning pedigree is something the Oilers dressing room has been missing for ages.

2013-14 Preview: Gordon should be a nice fit

It was arguably the worst kept secret in hockey. Everyone knew Edmonton Oilers GM Craig MacTavish had his eye on Boyd Gordon. The hope was the twenty-nine year old would opt for unrestricted free agency, in search of a big pay day, rather than return to Phoenix and remain a member of the Coyotes.

2013-14 Preview: No reason for Smyth not to see regular PP duty

Barring some sort of turning back of the clock, Ryan Smyth is headed for his final days as a member of the Edmonton Oilers. After suffering through what was easily the worst 90 or so game stretch of his career, it appears as though Father Time has finally caught up with the veteran winger. That being said, with the Oilers lack of depth on their bottom two lines and special teams, Smyth should be given the opportunity to show if he can still contribute on the power play in 2013-14.

Hemsky for Ward swap, would benefit both the Oilers and Capitals

With the month of August quickly approaching and many NHL teams having already filled out the vast majority of their rosters via trade and/or unrestricted free agency, Edmonton Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish has been unable to find Ales Hemsky a new home. While no one would ever question the veteran winger's talent, finding someone willing to take on his $5 million cap hit, has proved to be rather challenging for the rookie GM.

Oilers should be in no rush to hand over captaincy to Taylor Hall

The moment the Edmonton Oilers decided to ship Shawn Horcoff to the Dallas Stars, the rumours started to swirl on who would become the fourteenth captain in franchise history. While almost everyone would agree the answer to that question is Taylor Hall, there is absolutely no need for this organization to rush into handing over the leadership reigns to their soon-to-be twenty-two year old budding superstar.

MacTavish starts reconstruction of Oilers roster

 

It started with the trading of captain Shawn Horcoff on Thursday evening and continued early Friday morning. Everyone was expecting Craig MacTavish to be busy on the opening day of unrestricted free agency and the Edmonton Oilers GM did not disappoint. The organization wasted little time in announcing a trio of the signings, veteran defenceman Andrew Ference, centre Boyd Gordon and goaltender Jason Labarbera.

Horcoff leaves town with head held high

Edmonton Oilers captain Shawn Horcoff will have a new home at some point on Friday morning. Word is the veteran centre has been traded to the Dallas Stars, in exchange for a 2016 seventh round pick and defenceman Philip Larsen. Not exactly a king's ransom but a return which should have been expected, considering the Stars agreed to taken on his entire $5.5 million cap hit, for the next two seasons.

MacTavish played it safe and smart at the NHL Entry Draft

When Craig MacTavish took over as general manager of the Edmonton Oilers, he promised fans he would make the necessary "bold moves" to improve the hockey club. In the minds of many, those moves needed to start happening at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Unfortunately for them, the fireworks they were hoping to see never materialized and not a single "bold move" took place.

Oilers could build a decent bottom six, with or without Horcoff

You can count me in the group of those who were rather surprised to hear Edmonton Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish, hint at the likely departure of Shawn Horcoff in the coming months. In my mind, he had one more year left in Oilers silks, before being moved or bought out of the final year of his deal.

Oilers look at turning the page, possibly moving Horcoff and Hemsky

In the world of professional sports, losing should never be viewed as an acceptable outcome. No matter the sport or situation, a loss should always have a lasting sting. Plain and simple. Having said that, when you are a part of as many losing seasons as Ales Hemsky and Shawn Horcoff have been as members of the Edmonton Oilers, sometimes that result can almost become an afterthought.

Malhotra could be good short-term fit for the Oilers

When the Vancouver Canucks decided to shutdown Manny Malhotra after watching him play just nine games during the abbreviated 2013 season, it seemed as though his thirteen year NHL career was all but over. That being said, Malhotra does not appear to be quite ready to call it quits.

Scott Hartnell would look pretty darn good in Oilers silks

It is no secret the Edmonton Oilers have always had interest in Philadelphia Flyers winger Scott Hartnell. Apparently he was nearly an Oiler a few years back but former GM Steve Tambellini decided to not pull the trigger on a potential deal involving defenceman Sheldon Souray. With new general manager Craig MacTavish looking to infuse some energy and a different dimension into his club's current makeup, perhaps the time has come to re-visit the possibility of acquiring the Regina native.

Shawn Horcoff, the Edmonton Oilers and compliance buyouts

When Craig MacTavish decided to take on the role of General Manager for the Edmonton Oilers, the four time Stanley Cup winner knew he would have some difficult decisions ahead of him. With the NHL Entry Draft and Unrestricted Free Agency quickly approaching, many of those tough choices will be made over the next few weeks.

Game 45: Anaheim 3 Edmonton 0

With the losses continuing to pile up, this season could not end soon enough for the Edmonton Oilers. After delivering another half-hearted performance on home ice, Edmonton proceeded to drop their second in as many nights to the visiting Anaheim Ducks. The 3-0 victory clinched the Pacific Division crown for the Ducks and leaves the Oilers with a horrendous 1-8 record since the NHL Trade Deadline.

MacTavish will have options to improve the Oilers mix upfront

The moment Craig MacTavish was named General Manager of the Edmonton Oilers, you knew the time for patience was over. To go out and bring back the former head coach who left the club following an absolutely dreadful 2009-2010 campaign, as the next face of this franchise's management team, Kevin Lowe and company were opening themselves up to a whole lot of questions.

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.