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Swede Trek 23: The Wrath of Gone

March 23, 2012, 1:02 AM ET [192 Comments]
Richard Cloutier
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
I'll talk about the Oilers/Bolts game, and the upcoming Oilers/Panthers game in a bit, but first I need to address some Twitter fun that occurred on Thursday.

Lots of chatter on Twitter about comments made by Linus Omark. Omark, apparently, doesn't want to go back to OKC to play in the AHL playoffs. He'd rather be in Europe playing in the World Championships. The wrath of disgruntled Oilers fans was swift: Thoughts expressed that Omark was selfish, not a team guy, was arrogant and ignorant...blah blah blah.

K, here's the deal:

- People in Sweden think Omark is the cat's pyjamas. NHL fans have no idea how well regarded Omark is in his native Sweden. That sort of praise definitely goes to someone's head. Linus is a confident...perhaps smug...little guy, and he truly believes he's an NHL talent that deserves a serious chance in North America. If he can't be a star here, he would rather go play in a place where he's appreciated. It's understandable.

- On the flip side of things, consider the Oilers perspective. Omark doesn't fit. He's not center, and the Oilers have enough small wingers. He isn't a better talent than Ales Hemsky, Jordan Eberle, or Taylor Hall (Top 6 wingers), and he doesn't have the size needed for the Bottom 6 either. The Oil are confident in Hall, Eberle and Hemsky as three of their Top 6 wingers, but believe the 4th guy needs to be a rugged winger with size. Omark is not that guy. Right now, Teemu Hartikainen is getting a 4th job audition, and he fails, Paajarvi will get a shot. Perhaps in the future a player the Oilers draft in June could get the job, or maybe in time Tyler Pitlick is "that guy". Point is, it won't be Omark. And Omark isn't a Bottom 6 forward, so he really has no future with the Oilers.

- Some people think the Oilers haven't given Omark a fair chance. Perhaps. I don't completely understand why he hasn't received more of a look, but I'm guessing it not only has something to do with his size, but it also has to do with his attitude. The Oilers are trying to avoid having players who possess a sense of entitlement. Omark believes he belongs in the NHL, but Oilers management want him to prove it at the AHL level, without whining in the process. While Omark's stats in OKC are okay, they aren't lights-out amazing. He's not a great skater, nor is he a banger or defensive specialist. When the Oil sent Magnus Paajarvi down, he acted like he understood and welcomed the opportunity to grow and develop. Because of it, the Oilers like Paajarvi...think he's a swell guy. Omark, on the other hand, acts entitled, and that's annoying. One Robert Nilsson is enough for one organization's lifetime.

Anyway, Omark might play out the season in Edmonton, but he's gone this summer. He's gonna be an RFA, and the Oilers will qualify him, so it's not like Omark will/can just sign with any other team. Well, he could sign an offer sheet, but the Oil would just match it to prove a point. The options? Omark pulls a Radulov and goes to Europe to play, or the Oilers deal him. My guess is he'll be dealt, likely at the NHL Draft, and likely for a 4th or 5th rounder. Goals or no goals the rest of this season, his value is in free-fall mode. And even if Omark is dealt, he likely will just sign in the KHL, where he was a rock star.

I didn't really have a problem with Omark's comments, because in a way he has a right to be frustrated. He thinks he is a Top 6 talent and he wants a real chance in the NHL. The Oilers should have moved him at the Trade Deadline, but didn't because Steve Tambellini moves at the speed of a curling stone.

With Regards to the Tampa Game...

- Oilers deserved the win, but didn't get it. Hot goaltender syndrome. Rollie has had a bad season, but he stole a game from Edmonton on Thursday. Wouldn't it be nice if the Oilers had a goalie who could steal wins? When is the last time we had that? Joseph? Salo...sometimes...Those were the days.

- Omark got a goal. Nice for you.

- Hemsky has been a different man since Tom Renney's tirade. It's nice to see the Ol' Hemmer back, and he's making me feel very excited for next season. Could he return to 70 point form with the right linemates? Perhaps. Key for Hemsky is, he needs a big winger to play with.

- Nuge got a point, making him pull into a tie for second in rookie scoring, one back of leader Gabriel Landeskog. Landeskog has played 21 games more, so that says something about the quality and the future of Mr. Nugent-Hopkins. Amazing thing about Nuge is, it's the stuff he does when he doesn't have the puck that is most impressive. Give this kid 15lbs of muscle, and he'll be the next Toews.

- Defensive-defenseman Ladislav Smid scored, and pulled ahead of Eric Belanger in the goal scoring department (4 to 3). Feel free to discuss.

- Hard to say anything bad about the Oilers, who significantly outplayed the Lightning. I'll try to find a negative for you. Ryan Smyth looks so tired, even his shootout attempt was labored. Poor Smyth...I don't think he's use to being knocked about by Oilers fans. I'd say half the fan base aren't too excited about the Oilers re-signing Smyth this summer. Talk about a huge difference in attitude from six months ago, when the fans were ready to rename Edmonton "Smythville".

With Regards to the Friday Florida Game...

- Dubnyk will be back in net. Nikolai Khabibulin is to shootouts what kryptonite is to Superman. Khabby wasn't bad against Tampa, but Dubey is the best Oiler goalie right now. Saying that scares me for some reason.

- Taylor Hall will be out. Actually, Hall is starting to show signs of actually having a real concussion injury. Don't be surprised if the Oilers shut him down for the season, because he's their top asset, and the need to protect him should be large. Hall won't like it if they do it, but what is he gonna do? Threaten to play in the World Championships? Who does that?

- Look for Flordia to play a motivated game. They are in a position where they can begin to lock-up 1st place in the SouthEast, as Washington and Winnipeg have stalled. It could be a high scoring game, which is always fun. Isn't it time Jordan Eberle got his hat-trick this season? Do it. We'll give you a new ATB commercial if you do.
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