2013-14 Preview: Is Petry still part of the solution?

The 2013 season was not kind to Jeff Petry. After taking a major step forward in his overall development during the second half of the 2011-12 campaign, the Edmonton Oilers blueliner had his fair share of struggles during an abbreviated 48 game schedule. Be it because too much was being asked of the former second round pick and partner Ladislav Smid or simply chalking it up to just being one of those seasons, the final result wasn't pretty. 

2012-13 Player Profile - Ladislav Smid

To suggest that Ladislav Smid had a breakout season with the Edmonton Oilers in 2011-2012, is like saying that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins kid wasn't bad during his rookie campaign. Without question, Smid was the Oilers best blueliner last season, as he finally started to look comfortable in his NHL skin.

Schultz Is Exactly What The Oilers Needed

When the Edmonton Oilers decided to move Tom Gilbert to the Minnesota Wild for defenceman Nick Schultz at this year's Trade Deadline, many fans were not overly thrilled with the deal. Some felt that the former Oiler blueliner was worth far more then a veteran stay at home defenceman, that while solid in his own end, appeared to bring little else to the table. Well, after nineteen games into his Edmonton Oilers career, it seems pretty clear that the ten year NHL vet, has far more to offer then many felt he did back on February 27th.

Gilbert Goes Home As Oilers Acquire Nick Schultz At Trade Deadline

The Edmonton Oilers and Minnesota Wild managed to pull off a rarity on Trade Deadline day, an actual hockey trade. On a day that lacked its usual amount of wheeling and dealing, the two clubs decided to exchange veteran defencemen. The Wild acquired a puck mover in Tom Gilbert in exchange for stay at home defenceman Nick Schultz. While Schultz has an ugly -10 rating and all of three points on the season, Edmonton is banking on the twenty-nine year old becoming the calming presence this club's backend desperately needs.

Game 53: Toronto 6 Edmonton 3

While last night's Oilers vs Leafs game was far from a masterpiece, it sure was fun too watch. Neither Edmonton or Toronto paid much attention to their own zones and hence fans were treated to wide open and mistake filled contest. In the end, the Leafs took full advantage of some brutal giveaways on route to a 6-3 victory and are now 5-0-1 in their past six games. The loss leaves Edmonton with a 1-15-1 mark in their past seventeen road games, as they continue to struggle mightily away from Rexall Place. To make matters worse, rookie sensation Ryan Nugent-Hopkins left the game early in the third period after re-aggravating a left shoulder injury. 

Make The Move, Acquire Tim Gleason

Edmonton sits with a 4-8-1 mark in their last thirteen games and certain deficiencies have become very apparent in their game. In their four victories, the team has scored a minimum of five goals a game but they have averaged 4.50 goals against in the eight regulation time losses. The Oilers seemed like they could do no wrong, early in the season, and it was almost impossible for the opposition to find a way to score on the Oilers netminders. Clearly, that is no longer the case and the lack of quality NHL defencemen, is starting to rear its ugly head. Edmonton has shown the ability to put the puck in the net, with regularity, but this team badly needs an upgrade on the back end. The time has come for Steve Tambellini to go out and acquire the defenceman that this team desperately needs. That is, if they still want to compete for a playoff spot.

Game 19: Edmonton 9 Chicago 2

It's funny how things sometime work out. When you combine the injuries the Edmonton Oilers have suffered of late with their poor play and the fact that their opponents on Saturday night are currently the best team in the Western Conference, all things were pointing towards a very long night for the Rexall Place faithful. That's the great thing about sports, you just don't know what is going to happen. Instead, many in attendance were throwing their caps out on the sheet of ice before it was all over.

For the third time this season, the young Oilers put on a stellar performance on Hockey Night In Canada and for the third time, it was the kids who led the way. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins picked up five assists and Taylor Hall scored three times, as Edmonton destroyed the visiting Blackhawks by the score of 9-2. 

Game 10: Edmonton 3 Colorado 1

With Nikolai Khabibulin carrying the load the past ten days, goaltender Devan Dubnyk had been forced to sit and patiently await his next opportunity. That chance came Friday night against the Colorado Avalanche and the big netminder did not disappoint. Dubnyk stopped 40 of 41 shots, in leading the Edmonton Oilers to their fourth consecutive victory, this time by a score of 4 - 1. Ryan Smyth led the way up front with a goal and two assists and defenceman Cam Barker chipped in with his first goal in an Oilers uniform.

Game 5 : Calgary 2 Edmonton 1

A badly undermanned Edmonton Oilers squad gave up two third period goals, in under 90 seconds, which allowed their provincial rivals to take round one of the Battle of Alberta by a score of 2-1. Tom Gilbert opened the scoring on the power play, with his first of the season, before the game was seven minutes old. It was a lead that the Oilers held until Jay Bouwmeester tied it up with under six minutes to play.

Tom Gilbert Has Started To Turn The Corner

It seems as though no matter what Tom Gilbert does out on the ice, in most fans minds, he simply isn't good enough. There is little doubt that he has become a whipping boy for all things wrong with the Oilers defence. Much like Shawn Horcoff and Nikolai Khabibulin, who take the fans venom when it comes to struggles upfront or between the pipes. Not surprisingly, the three have some of the largest salaries on the team and hence much is expected from them by the Edmonton faithful. That being said, if you were to look at Gilbert's body of work since the mid-point of last season, there is very little to complain about. In fact, it would be far more worrisome to see where this team would be without him.

Player Profile - Ladislav Smid

While Ladislav Smid has not lived up to the huge expectations placed upon him after being acquired from the Anaheim Ducks in the Chris Pronger trade, he certainly has started to itch himself out a nice NHL career. Many people forget that Smid is only 25 years old and most NHL defencemen do not start hitting their stride until they reach their mid to late 20’s. Do you think it was just a coincidence that both the Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators inquired at the deadline about his availability? Teams see what he brings to the table and realize he is entering that make it or break it time for a defenceman. There is no question that he is an NHL caliber blueliner but he has yet to show if he will end up being a top four guy or bottom pairing material.

Player Profile - Tom Gilbert

When the Edmonton Oilers acquired Tom Gilbert from the Colorado Avalanche in 2004 for a sixth round pick and Tommy Salo, it was thought to perhaps be a steal of a deal. Gilbert was an unknown commodity and still playing university hockey in the USA. He arrived in Edmonton fulltime for the 2007-2008 season and when his successful rookie campaign was followed up with an even better season, that steal of a deal back on March 8^th, 2004 was looking like it could turn out to be highway robbery!!!

Player Profile - Ryan Whitney

If you were to ask both organizations about the trade made between the Anaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers back on the 3rd of March in 2010, that saw Lubomir Visnovsky and Ryan Whitney switch clubs, you would be hard pressed to find anyone second guessing their decision to go ahead with the blockbuster move. 

In Visnovsky, the Ducks received the power play quarterback they were searching for to replace recently departed Chris Pronger and the soon to be retired Scott Niedermayer. The fact that Visnovsky has scored 81 pts in 97 games since going to Anaheim clearly demonstrates that the Ducks aquired exactly the type of player they were looking for.

Oilers NHL Depth Chart: Defence

Heading into the 2011-2012 season the Edmonton Oilers need to start making some strides on the back end. Some of the changes the club have made could see the club heading in that direction. One move in particular could be a steal for the Oilers long term.

Ryan Whitney - Last season it became very evident on how important Ryan Whitney has become to the Oilers. Whitney is the horse that this team can simply not compete without.

Whitney not only eats minutes in all situations for the Oilers but he has shown the ability to raise the overall play of whomever his partner on the backend will be.
For that reason, I see Whitney pairing up with newly acquired Cam Barker. Whitney should be able to let Barker simplify his game and thrive in an Oilers uniform.

Look for Whitney to pick up where he left off last season...as arguably the most important skater on the team.

2011-2012 Prediction:   8 G - 37 A - 45 Pts




Cam Barker - The Oilers made a low risk - high reward move this off season by signing Cam Barker as a UFA. The Minnesota Wild decided to buy Barker out and because of that move, the Oilers may have found their power play quarterback moving forward.

Barker should fit in very nicely with the young core group in Edmonton and playing with Ryan Whitney should allow him to have a bounce back season. Barker will be given every opportunity to be successful in the coming season..unlike Minnesota.

He'll be given the reigns of what has been a very lack luster power play in Edmonton. Barker's big shot and experience of playing with an elite puck moving power play in Chicago should be a big addition to the club.

2011-2012 Prediction:   8 G - 26 A - 34 Pts




Tom Gilbert - While Gilbert struggled at times last season, after Ryan Whitney went down with injury Gilbert did raise his level of play. He is not a top pairing defencmen but he is clearly a second pairing guy. He's a very good puck mover and makes a great outlet pass out of his zone.

Gilbert should be paired up with Ladislav Smid heading into the 2011-12 campaign. The two showed signs at the end of last season of forming chemistry and with Whitney back in the lineup they won't be asked to log way to many minutes.

One area Gilbert needs to improve on is using his shot more often...especially on the power play. Gilbert has a good shot but at times he almost seems unwilling to use it.

2011-2012 Prediction:    5 G - 27 A - 32 Pts