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.

Defence Pairings...Minus # 6

No single player's health is as important to this team success as Ryan Whitney. Unfortunately, the Edmonton Oilers are facing the likely scenario of starting the 2011-2012 campaign with Whitney on the sideline. They have no one on their current roster that can step in and take on Whitney's role but they are hoping they have enough depth to share the load, until he returns. When I think about the Oilers defence, depth is not a word I think of.

***Updated*** Game Day: Wild vs Oilers

Minnesota vs Edmonton

Time:     6:00pm
Where:  Xcel Energy Center
Watch:   edmontonoilers.com
Listen:   630 Ched

Line Combinations...Minus # 89

When the Oilers revealed that Sam Gagner suffered a high ankle sprain, after going hard into the end boards against the Calgary Flames last Saturday, they pegged his time out of the lineup as "week to week". When you consider that most players that suffer this type of injury seem to need at least a few weeks to recover before they could even consider getting back on the ice, one would think it would be unlikely to see Gagner on the ice before November 1st. The injury will obviously make the decision of which fourteen forwards they decide to break camp with a lot more challenging.

Exhibition: Oilers 3 Coyotes 2

 

Edmonton Oilers fans were treated to what many are hoping will end up being one of the leagues best lines in the not to distant future. Rookie Ryan Nugent - Hopkins and Taylor Hall led the way with three point nights, while linemate Jordan Eberle chipped in an assist as the Oilers held on to a 3-2 against the Phoenix Coyotes.

***Updated*** Game Day: Coyotes vs Oilers

Phoenix vs Edmonton


Time:     7:00pm
Where:  Rexall Place
Watch:   edmontonoilers.com
Listen:   630 Ched

Goalie Tandem

As opening night draws closer, you are starting to hear more and more about the Edmonton Oilers goaltending situation.The majority feel Devan Dubnyk has earned the right to start the season as the clear cut number one between the pipes for the Oilers. While a small minority, which includes myself, think Nikolai Khabibulin has some gas left in the tank and will rebound from his dreadful 2010 - 2011 campaign.What should Tom Renney and his staff do? Who should be the starter and who should be the backup? In my mind, the decision is simple...

Exhibition: Oilers 3 Flames 0

The Edmonton Oilers rode the hot hand of goaltender Devan Dubnyk in defeating their provincial rivals for the second striaght night. Dubynk made 30 saves to earn the shutout and lead the Oilers to a 3-0 victory over the Calgary Flames. Linus Omark led the charge with a goal and an assist while Jordan Eberle scored his third goal of the pre-season.

**Updated** Game Day: Flames vs Oilers (Round Two)

 

Calgary vs Edmonton

Time:      6:00pm
Where:  Scotiabank Saddledome
Watch:   Sportsnet West
Listen:    630 Ched

Exhibition: Oilers 2 Flames 1

After getting off to another slow start on home ice, the Edmonton Oilers managed to pull out a 2-1 victory over their arch rivals the Calgary Flames. The top line of Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Teemu Hatikainen lead the way for the Oilers, who also received a strong performance from goaltender Nikoali Khabibulin. Hall's first goal of the pre-season, with just over a minute remaining, sent the Rexall place faithful home satisfied.