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.

Lidstrom retires as one of the best to have ever played

When most people talk about the career of Detroit Red Wings defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom, more often then not, he is mentioned along the absolute elite blueliners to have ever graced a National Hockey League sheet of ice. The names you hear most often mentioned with the talented Swedish defenceman are those of Bobby Orr, Doug Harvey and Eddie Shore. Those three are widely considered to be the best three men to ever play the position in the history of the game...impressive indeed.

Stanley Cup Preview - Will Quick or Brodeur steal the show?

In what will be a Stanley Cup Final in which few, if any, thought might eventually materialize, it appears as though it will come down to what it often comes down to at this time of year...goaltending. New Jersey brings three time Cup winner and all time wins leader Martin Brodeur to the table, while the Los Angeles Kings counter with arguably the best netminder on the league this year, in Jonathan Quick. Both men have been stellar though the post season but which one will carry their team to the ultimate prize? While the experience and intangibles are clearly on the side of Brodeur, look for Quick to be the difference maker  at the end of the day.

Yakupov could give the Oilers a pretty special frontline

As electric as the trio of Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins looked during stretches of the 2011-2012 campaign, the Edmonton Oilers would be wise to keep away from playing the three youngsters together at even strength. While they could potentially put together some impressive numbers playing as a unit, the goal is for this club to push for the playoffs, not pad the kids stats. They need to spread the wealth and the addition of certain member of the Sarnia Sting should make that a whole lot easier to accomplish