Have you ever noticed that I always seem to write my random comments blogs on Wednesdays? Interesting.
How dull is the NHL right now that I'd say me writing a random comments blog is interesting? It's not. But read it anyway.
- So the Colorado Avalanche name Gabriel Landeskog their new captain, and questions immediately begin to fly as to when Taylor Hall (or Jordan Eberle) will be named captain of the Oilers. Be patient, friends. That announcement is three seasons away.
It could be sooner if the CBA discussion leads to an Amnesty clause and Shawn Horcoff's contract gets bought out. Hey, how many angry people would there be if Horcoff gets bought out, and Nail Yakupov immediately takes up his #10 jersey? The #64 Yakupovs have been selling like hot cakes. He could be the first player to retire a number before ever wearing it.
Back to Hall as captain. Let's assume Shawn Horcoff will remain an Oiler for the next three seasons. It's not impossible to strip a guy of the "C" but you might as well punch him in the back of the head if you do it. Horcs as it is has been suffering with an identity crisis since Hall came on board. The only thing he has going for him is the "C". I say, let him wear it until he gives it up voluntarily, he gets dealt, or he signs elsewhere when he becomes a UFA in a few seasons. Horcoff has no hands, but he isn't such a bad guy.
- Why rush Hall, Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and/or Nail Yakupov when it comes to the letters on the sweater, anyway? We all know it's their team and will continue to be for the next 15 seasons. Right now, all we want from them is to play well and not go all Patrick Kane on us when they do succeed. Why do I get the feeling Kane is going to walk into a hair dresser someday while holding his toy poodle, demanding all his hair be shaved off? "Leave Britney alone!"
- Oilers players are starting to arrive in Edmonton, and they're getting ready for the season. Hmmm...Is it just me, or do both sides in the NHL CBA debate seem to be half-assing it? It's like this: The 2004/2005 lockout-lost season was about something. The league was in serious financial hot water and radical changes were needed. Even the players knew the league was in financial difficulty last time around. This time, it's like watching two half-awake dogs flick a ball back and forth. The players are rich. The owners are rich. Both sides want the best deal possible, and will negotiate until the very last minute in order to get the "best deal"...but there is no urgency. No reason for real concern. It's a situation where a solution will come overnight and both sides will declare victory. The longer this goes, the less I want to pay any attention to it.
- Oh, and btw, that video Janne Makkonen made; the NHL - Together We Can #NoLockout thing is a huge piece of manipulation that makes me more and more angry every time I consider it. Everyone is going crazy over the video, posting and reposting it on Twitter...It's absolutely shameless and borders on embarrassing for the players. Yes, it's dramatic. An interesting thing to watch. Heck, it's well produced too. Very entertaining. But under the sparkle is a sickly twisting of reality. Perhaps the players want to retain all the money they currently earn. Fine. Perhaps certain teams make bucketfuls of money. Fine. But for teams like Phoenix, Nashville, Dallas and St. Louis, changing the financial order in the NHL is imperative to survival. Perhaps the players haven't created the financial issues for teams, but as employees, they should have every motivation to help all teams to be profitable. What's good for the business is good for them too. Everyone needs to work together. Earning 57% of league revenues is a little ridiculous when you think about it, especially considering how other major league sports in North America divide up the bucks.
- If Colorado needs to name a 19 year-old the captain, you know there's problems with the roster. Some people suggest the Avs will take a big step forward in 2012/2013. I see them finishing last in the North West. Oilers are deeper and have more talent. Flames have been busy this off-season, as have the Wild. And, of course, the Canucks are the top team in the regular season. From what I hear, Matt Duchene wants out...setback city in Denver.
- Oilers continue to work on a Smid extension. I still can't improve on my suggestion of four seasons, $4mil per. Last season, he was a warrior on a D full of limp. The Oilers need Smid.
- For those of you wondering about Ryan Whitney, his foot/ankle issue is much improved. If he returns to form this season, the Oilers could sneak into the playoff hunt.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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