Meeting The Hockey Canada Criteria

So what gives? While it has yet to be made official it appears as though Hockey Canada has decided to leave Montreal Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban off their list of 16 players they will announce as locks to represent Team Canada at this summer’s much-anticipated World Cup of Hockey. Sorry but with all due respect to general manager Doug Armstrong and the rest of Canada’s brain trust, not including the flamboyant and absurdly talented rearguard on that list would be an absolute farce. 

Stop The Subban Madness

It is no secret that playing hockey in a Canadian market can be a rather difficult task and as tough as a place like Edmonton can be on members of the Oilers, nothing is quite comparable to playing with the Montreal Canadiens. Not surprisingly, the Habs continued spiral down the NHL standings has led to numerous rumours and speculation but nothing has come close to the silliness surrounding one P.K. Subban over the last couple of days. 

The NHL and Star Power

For a league that has lacked that so-called “sellable star attraction” for what feels like an eternity, one would think the NHL would be falling all over itself to try to push Montreal Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban into the spotlight.  Instead of using the talented blueliner’s infectious personality to help further grow the game and expand its worldwide reach, this league seems perfectly satisfied with keeping the status quo and ignoring “the gift” they have been handed. 

Could Phaneuf be the Oilers man?

There is no questioning what is currently the biggest issue with the Edmonton Oilers. Above all else, their lack of a legitimate top pairing NHL defenceman is painfully obvious. They have some very nice pieces already in place, see Jeff Petry, Justin Schultz and Anton Belov, with the likes of Oscar Klefbom and Darnell Nurse waiting in the wings.

Oilers drop another two points on home ice

Over the last three seasons, the Edmonton Oilers have put together the worst home-ice record in the entire National Hockey League. This was supposed to be the year they were going to start putting up wins at home. If the first their first three outings on Rexall Place ice are any indication, they still have a long way to go.

Oilers get their man for 8 more years

It wasn't that long ago that some were suggesting the Edmonton Oilers were actually taking a "huge risk" in signing a player like Taylor Hall to seven year extension. The non-believers argued the club were crazy to give out that sort of money and term to a supposed "injury prone" guy like Hall. Just over a calendar year later, how do you think the masses view Mr. Hall's 7 year/ $42 million extension?

2013 World Juniors: Team USA destroy Canada in semi-final

An all out blitz from Team USA proved to be far too much for a flat Team Canada, that simply forgot to show up for the opening forty minutes of their semi-final matchup at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship. The Americans 5-1 victory leaves Canada the opportunity to bring home nothing more than a bronze medal, from Ufa, Russia.

2013 World Juniors: Subban will play a key role in Canada's run for Gold

Heading into the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship many had their doubts about Canada's netminding, with most of the uncertainty lingering around the play of projected starter Malcolm Subban. While the Belleville Bulls standout has silenced all of those critics with his two most recent performances against Team USA and Team Russia, all anyone will remember, will be his performance at crunch time.

2013 World Juniors: Canada overpowers Russia, Nugent-Hopkins outstanding

On the strength of another three points from Edmonton Oilers centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and some solid team play, Team Canada had little trouble dismissing Nail Yakupov and Team Russia, by a score of 4-1 in the final game of the preliminary round at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship.

2013 World Juniors: Subban brilliant, as Canada slide past Team USA

After hearing nothing but criticism about his play heading into the 2013 World Junior Championship, Malcolm Subban silenced his critics on Sunday afternoon, with a brilliant thirty-six save performance. The Team Canada netminder took his game to the next level, leading his side to a crucial 2-1 victory over Team USA. 

2013 World Junior Championships: Team Canada Preview

With the start of 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship mere hours away for Team Canada and head coach Steve Spott, we thought we would take a quick look at what to expect from the boys wearing the Maple Leaf.

2013 World Juniors - Subban or bust for Team Canada

Today is Malcolm Subban's nineteenth birthday and while many seem to be focusing on his performance in Canada's 3-2 pre-tournament loss to Finland on Thursday morning, make no mistake, the birthday boy remains a key figure in just how far Team Canada will go at the 2013 World Junior Championships.

Oilers should target Malcolm Subban

The Edmonton Oilers recent draft history has started to make up for what had been over two decades of poor talent assessment by their scouting staff. While they have restocked their cupboards with a ton of highly rated prospects, the one position they have not been able to find an elite NHL talent in, is in goal. The last time this franchise selected a quality goaltender was back in1981...when they took Grant Fuhr with the eighth overall pick. While 2004 first rounder Devan Dubnyk, has started to show signs of possibly becoming a number one netminder and 2010 selection Tyler Bunz looks to have a bright future in front of him, neither one seem to be a "sure thing". Fuhr was just that but that was over thirty years ago. With the 2012 NHL Entry Draft only a couple of months away and the Oilers already holding the first overall pick, one has to wonder if they would consider swinging a deal to acquire a mid to late first rounder and take a shot at Belleville Bulls goalie Malcolm Subban.