Hi folks. I'm half-awake, so instead of writing a real blog (that requires thought), I offer to you some random thoughts. Enjoy these while you eat your morning bowl of Fruit Loops.
- Nice signing by the Oilers yesterday. Corey Potter is a quality third pairing defenseman, and his $800k (or so) per season contract for the next two is completely reasonable. Potter is happy in Edmonton, and the Oilers like what he brings, especially to the power play.
- I am hearing really contradictory things regarding Ryan Whitney's health. One person told me he could be back playing as soon as Friday, a few others told me Whitney's done for the season. So, I have no idea what his status is. All I know for sure is, he didn't skate on Monday.
- So today's question is, will Gilbert Brule be picked off of the re-entry waiver wire? I am guessing he does. A few reasons why? On re-entry, he's half price for whatever team gets him. Also, a few years ago, Brule was a pretty good Bottom 6 forward. A number of teams are experiencing either injury or depth issues. I heard one theory yesterday that suggested the Carolina Hurricanes could take him. A different theory had Pittsburgh involved.
- It's a win/win situation for the Oilers when it comes to what happens with Brule. If a team takes him, the Oilers go down to 48 contracts, and they lose a contract they didn't know what to do with. If no one takes him, they can call him up and play him. If he does poorly, they can send him down again. If he does well, perhaps the Oilers can deal him before the trade deadline. I don't see a downside to this no matter what happens today.
- I heard on Monday that injured forward Linus Omark is back skating again. Poor Omark; he had an out in his contract that he could return to the SEL before the end of January if he wanted. He's likely not going to be playing games until the end of the month, so he's pretty much stuck in North America. If you're Omark, are you hoping the Oilers deal you at the trade deadline, or are you hoping the Oilers make room for you by moving, oh, I don't know...Ales Hemsky? Would you want to be in Edmonton if you're Omark, considering how the Oilers have treated him?
- Oilers Skills Competition goes on Saturday, January 14th. My question is, will there be any players healthy enough to participate in it? Fastest skater this year will be Paajarvi, I'm thinking. Hardest Shot is Smid. Shooting accuracy won't be Horcoff or Belanger.
- OMG the whining online from Bruins fans about the Brad Marchand suspension is giving me a rash. He gets five games, big deal. Doesn't make up for the other 100 or so games Bruins players should have been suspended for past atrocities.
- The Dustin Penner injured while eating pancakes thing is hilarious. It's a joke, people. Obviously Penner and the Kings training staff cooked this one up. Penner has a wicked sense of humor. I can't believe how seriously some people take things. No sense of ha-ha.
- You'll be happy to know future Oiler Nail Yakupov does not require surgery to fix the knee he injured during the WJHC. You'll also be happy to know that 2013 Oilers draft pick Nathan MacKinnon is having a solid season in the QMJHL. 2014 Oilers draft selection Aaron Ekblad played great at the U17 tournament. Finishing last every year could get addicting.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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