Jordan Tootoo is one annoying little hockey player. He dominated the Oilers/Predators game on Monday, making some of us Oiler fans wondering where we get ourselves one of those. I thought Darcy Hordichuk was brought in to be a jerk like Tootoo? Tootoo seemed like he was on the ice for 40 minutes of the game, and he did everything: Pass, shot, instigated, sang, danced, moved like Jagger...
The Predators absolutely deserved to win the game. They out-shot, out-hit and out-chanced the Oilers. The defensively pairing of Shea Weber and Ryan Suter shut-down the Oilers every time they had a sniff of the puck. I'd like to say the Oilers beat themselves, but Nashville played the perfect road game and deserved the win. The Oilers inability to establish any momentum certainly didn't help.
Every Night Should Be Mini-Stick Night
The Oilers looked good out there for the first period, thanks in part to inspired play by Jordan Eberle. The line of Eberle, Nugent-Hopkins and Smyth played great for half a game, or roughly until the Preds turned up the physical play. Eberle almost scored a second goal in the first, thanks to his ridiculously sweet hands and a seeing-eye bullet pass from Ryan Smyth. Still, this line can be stopped if the opposition starts using the body on them. Sooner or later, the Oilers are going to need to get bigger up front if they want to run with the big dogs in the NHL.
Halls Balls
On the first day of Christmas the Oilers gave to me, Taylor Hall. Why I say this is because it will be right around Christmas by the time he's back in the line-up. The team revealed after tonight's game that Hall is gone for two-to-four weeks with a shoulder injury. Judging from their lack of jump tonight, they'll miss Hall's enthusiastic play something plenty. Hall truly is the emotional leader of the team, and he dictates the tempo of a game.
Injuries Up; Injuries Down
The line-up at the Oilers free clinic appears to be getting long. With the big club, Hall is out, as is Corey Potter, Andy Sutton, and Cam Barker. I'd say Ben Eager is playing injured, judging by the amount of non-physical play he contributes when he's in the line-up. Down on the farm, three of the Oilers best offensive weapons, Josh Green, Linus Omark and Teemu Hartikainen, are all hurt. It's a good thing the Oilers have depth this season, or they'd be losing constantly.
Okay, Where's the "Real" Tom Gilbert
Did you see Tom Gilbert absolutely thunder a Nashville player as he attempted to skate out of his own zone with the puck? Since when does Gilbert throw hits? I heard he trained like a demon in the off-season and built upper body strength. It appears he's had an attitude adjustment as well. Not use to seeing angry hockey from #77. He might be the Oilers MVP so far this season.
Just Shoot the Puck Already
The Oilers would have won the game if they shot the puck more. How many times did I swear at Ales Hemsky while watching the game? Just shoot it. Seriously. Yes, you can skate really well, and yes, you know how to paint a masterpiece. Too bad this is hockey and not Skate Canada. Shoot the puck, drive the net, score on rebounds. Why is that so hard to do? And getting the puck to Shawn Horcoff is usually not the best answer to a question. Love Horcoff's work ethic and two-way play; don't love Horcoff's hands. Did you see his breakaway attempt. 'Nuff said.
Jones of Arcadia
Oilers forward Ryan Jones received a bogus 5 minute penalty for a clean hit, and Twitter immediately lit up with fans flaming the refs. Le sigh. NHL officials are in a terrible position nowdays. The player Jones steamrolled had his neck snap back like he received an elbow to his head. Jones, of course, didn't throw an elbow, but at full speed, it's almost impossible to know. All the ref saw was a dead Pred on the ice, and Jones standing next to him. Unfortunately, the penalty helped decide the game a bit, but the refs aren't perfect. In the "New NHL" bad calls like this are going to happen constantly because players, coaches, fans and owners are going to whine constantly if actual on-ice incidents aren't called. This is a no-win situation for the men in black and white.
One More Ryan?
A stack of NHL Insiders have confirmed that the Anaheim Ducks are attempting to deal Bobby Ryan for depth, and as a way to shake up their failing team. Could the Oilers make a deal to bring him in? Likely not. Anaheim and Edmonton deal fairly often, so it's not impossible a deal could occur. It's just not very likely because of Ryan's sticker price. Sorry to disappoint.
The problem is, the Ducks would want one of Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for Ryan. They might be the three untouchable players on the Oilers roster. Would Paajarvi, or Gagner, or Hemsky, or combinations get it done? Can't see it. Ryan is young and he's an elite goal scorer. He also a power-forward, and almost every team is crying for one of Ryan's quality and potential. If the Ducks are serious about moving Ryan, 29 teams are going make offers. I'm thinking a team under immediate pressure to win like the New York Islanders or Columbus Blue Jackets will be more willing to move a young star than the Edmonton Oilers.
Speaking of Trades that Didn't or Won't Happen...
I was listening to Oilers Now, and Bob Stauffer was talking about how the Oilers were offered a "legitimate Top 4 defenseman" for the #31 pick at the 2011 Entry Draft. Ummm, okay. I like the player the Oilers took, David Musil, very much, but seriously, the Oilers didn't deal for a legit Top 4 guy when they had the chance? Dumb.
I still am not a huge fan of the current play being demonstrated by Jeff Petry, Colten Teubert and Theo Peckham. I'm not saying they lack potential and won't turn into solid defensemen someday. I'd rather the Oilers D this year be Gilbert, Whitney, Smid, Potter, Sutton, and the legit Top 4 guy they could have acquired for the #31 pick. The Oilers current D is having a terrible time trying to move the puck out of their own zone, and potential wins aren't occurring because of it.
And the Biggest Waste of Money Awards Goes To...
Anyone who bought tickets to the Minnesota/Tampa Bay game on Monday. Can you imagine having to watch the Lightning's 1-3-1 versus the Wild's trap and suck? I would rather watch highlights of the Oliver North trial than watch a Wild/Lightning game. Talk about the two most inaccurately named teams in hockey.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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