Does he stay or does he go? What to do with Ladislav Smid

The fact the Edmonton Oilers have yet to sign defenceman Ladislav Smid to an extension seems rather curious. For a team that is already thin on the backend and lacking anyone that brings what the hard-nosed blueliner brings on a nightly basis, one would think General Manager Steve Tambellini would have had the veteran signed to an extension some time ago.

Dustin Penner and the Oilers are a perfect short term fit

Dustin Penner was arguably one of the most polarizing figures in the history of the Edmonton Oilers. There are those that will argue that he is as lazy player as you will find in the National Hockey League and could care less about anything other than his next pay cheque. While on the other hand, you have those that will go to their grave defending the value he brings to any team, fortunate enough, to have in their lineup.

Game 29: San Jose 4 Edmonton 3 (SO)

On a night in which Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was forced to call in sick, the Edmonton Oilers were still staring at a possible two points which would have moved them into a tie for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Unfortunately, a third period rally from the San Jose Sharks and a couple of costly blunders from the Oiler, led to another disappointing shootout loss, this time by a score of 4-3.

Yakupov shows signs of improvement during rookie campaign

Twenty-eight games into his rookie season, Edmonton Oilers winger Nail Yakupov looks to be the real deal. Some may have been expecting more from the nineteen year old Russian but from where I'm sitting, the youngster has been fantastic in his role during his first NHL campaign.

Game 28: Edmonton 3 Nashville 2

It was by no means a masterpiece but the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 victory over the slumping Nashville Predators, was exactly what the doctor ordered. Jordan Eberle's third period snipe proved to be the difference, in a game that featured just a dreadful line change from Predators forward Sergei Kostitsyn, leading directly to the Oilers second goal of the night.

Time for the Oilers to reunite the kids on the power play

Ralph Krueger's decision to separate what was formerly his top line of Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has proved to be an effective tool in kick starting the Edmonton Oilers offence at even strength. Some had wondered, myself included, why the move had not been made earlier but in hindsight, that answer is obvious, no Shawn Horcoff.