MacTavish will have himself one busy off-season

It was the same old same old on Monday morning at Rexall Place. Another end of season address from the Edmonton Oilers General Manager...with one difference. Craig MacTavish did not pull any punches. He made it very clear, that this organization needs to make some major changes, if they are to take that next step and become a perennial playoff team. The job is obvious but finding those necessary answers, may not be so easy to acquire.

Theo Peckham and the Edmonton Oilers

To be completely fair, Theo Peckham has no one to blame but himself for the situation he currently finds himself in. Once the NHL and NHLPA decided to finally come to their senses and put an end to what was ultimately a pointless lockout, Peckham showed up to the Oilers abbreviated training camp overweight and out of shape. Simply unacceptable for any player in today's NHL...unless your first name is Dustin and your surname is either Byfuglien or Penner. 

Upgrading Oilers D will be priority number one for MacT

A couple of days back, this very space focused on some of the possible options General Manager Craig MacTavish might have at his disposal, in looking towards improving the mix within the Edmonton Oilers forward group. While some feel that there are few legitimate targets among the so-called available forward group, the possible targets on defencemen  are far fewer in number.

Oilers need to grab a pair and take care of their star players

Watching Chicago Blackhawks pest Dan Carcillo run the the Edmonton Oilers show on Monday night should have been the final straw. Taylor Hall had reached his boiling point last Thursday against the Minnesota Wild and Cal Clutterbuck. At what point is someone outside of their best player, going to stand up to the likes of Carcillo, for taking runs at their best players?

Oilers Whitney continues to struggle to find his game

To be fair, Edmonton Oilers defenceman Ryan Whitney is in an almost no-win situation. The veteran blueliner has not only been robbed of much, if not all, of his mobility due to continual ankle problems but also had the misfortune of giving Oilers fans a glimpse of the player he could have been. Unfortunately for everyone involved...he will never be that player again.

Oil Notes: Oilers acquire Fistric from Dallas and debut Yakupov on left wing

The Edmonton Oilers first day of practice had few surprises but did feature the anticipated debut of  Nail Yakupov at left wing, playing alongside Sam Gagner and Ales Hemsky. Whereas off the ice, General Manager Steve Tambellini was able to make a bit of a splash on the trade market, acquiring rugged blueliner Mark Fistric from the Dallas Stars, in exchange for Edmonton's third round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Oil Notes: RNH will return with full cage, Sutton debates calling it quits

Friday was not a great day for the Edmonton Oilers organization. Not only did the Oklahoma City Barons drop their third game of the young AHL season but they also lost the services of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, after he was clipped by a high stick during first period action. Which came on the heels of Jordan Eberle leaving practice earlier in the day and being a game-time decision because of a sore ribs.

Peckham re-signing makes Potter a long shot to stick with the Oilers

Make no mistake, Theo Peckham wants to remain a member of the Edmonton Oilers and the organization would love nothing more than for the bruising defenceman to relocate his game from the 2010-2011 campaign. By agreeing to a one year contract, that will see him earn $1.075 million, it seems likely that he will get the opportunity to do just that. However, the signing of Peckham means the chances of fellow defenceman Corey Potter making the squad come 2012-2013, are highly unlikely. 

Game 67: Montreal 5 Edmonton 3

In what was a battle between two of the leagues cellar dwellers, the Montreal Canadiens came into Rexall Place and out hustled the Edmonton Oilers in earning a much deserved 5-3 victory. Defenecman P.K. Subban was dominant in all facets of the game and led the way with a three point night, while forward Max Pacioretty reached the thirty goal plateau with a two goal effort. Oilers forward Linus Omark picked up his first of the year in the losing effort.

Oil Notes: Barker and Peckham Could Be Moved Out of Edmonton

As much as Cam Barker has struggled since returning from an ankle injury, I would be extremely surprised if the Edmonton Oilers don't have teams inquiring about the former third overall selection. When one looks at Barker's stat line this season, nothing stands out and of late, the only one that jumps out is the ugly -8 over his last five games.

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.

Some Possible Targets

                                CARLE              FRANSON           GLEASON

With Edmonton Oilers GM Steve Tambellini most likely making calls around the league to see what defencemen might be available via trade, I decided to look over the other twenty-nine rosters and see what players could possibly be had in a deal. My search uncovered three names, that I feel fit the bill as the type of defenceman the Oilers would be interested in acquiring. Those players being Matt Carle, Cody Franson and Tim Gleason.

Ryan Whitney Likely Too Miss 3 - 4 Weeks

During coach Tom Renney's post game press conference, he gave a quick update on defenceman Ryan Whitney's injury situation. Initially said to be "no big deal", the right knee sprain has gone from a week or so to "three weeks or a little longer". Anyone who witnessed the bad luck collision between Whitney and Corey Potter, knew that the news would not be good. With the team heading into one of the toughest parts of their schedule, it is clear that Steve Tambellini will need to get on his phone and look at bringing in some help on the blueline.

What To Do With Ladislav Smid

 

Not many would debate the fact that Ladislav Smid has the ability to become a quality top four NHL defenceman. Unfortunately for the Czech defender, he seems incapable of staying healthy long enough for him to take that next step in his development. Still only 25 years old, he is entering his sixth season but is about to find himself back on the IR list with a shoulder injury..Edmonton signed Smid to a two year extension during the off season but the time has come for the organization to take a serious look at where the defenceman fits into their long term plans.

Player Profile - Theo Peckham

There was doubt as to whether or not Theo Peckham was deserving of a full time role with the Edmonton Oilers last season. Heading into last year’s training camp, most people were expecting him to take that next step and earn a shot at becoming a regular. Problem being, Peckham ended up having a very ordinary camp and did himself no favours with his performance on the ice. The club will never admit it but the reason he was allowed to start 2010-2011 in Edmonton was because of his contract status. In order for Theo to be sent down, he would have had to clear waivers and many in the organization feared they could not sneak him by the other 29 teams. That was a sound decision on the Oilers part. I have little doubt that nearly every club would have willingly taken a shot at the 6’3”, 230lb defenceman.

Team Toughness

The phrase "Team Toughness" is one that has been used by the Edmonton Oilers organization for some time now. Ever since the departure of Georges Larques following the 2005-2006 season, the idea of team toughness by committee has been the clubs mantra. The problem being, that not only did they not have a true enforcer most seasons but they compounded the issue by not having players who were willing to punish opponents night in and night out. Have a look at the 2005-2006 roster and you would see the following names:

Georges Laraque, Todd Harvey, Ethan Moreau, Raffi Torres, Brad Winchester, Chris Pronger, Matt Greene, Jason Smith & Steve Staios

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