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Here's 10 random thoughts for you on this Thursday:
1. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a huge game vs Germany, which made me look stupid (well, more stupid than usual) because I just finished writing in a blog how he's not the same type of game changer as Taylor Hall or Jordan Eberle are. He's subtle. Nuge's game is a stick-check here; a great pass there. With Hall, it's incredible power skating and determination. You always know when he's on the ice. With Eberle, it's those sick, sick hands of his. In Nerdspeak, Hall is a Sith, Eberle is a Jedi, and Nugent-Hopkins is a ninja. Nuge is slick to the point of being almost invisible. All three can quickly kill you if given the chance.
Nuge was brilliant against Germany, but that wasn't much of a test. Considering the job Slovakia did on Team Russia, I'm thinking the Canadians will face their first real test early Friday morning against the Slovaks.
2. On the subject of the Russia/Slovakia game, Nail Yakupov didn't exactly inspire me. I heard something about Yaks once I was hoping was false, but perhaps it's true: He's one of those guys who needs a reason to try. In a game against a tournament favorite like Canada, for example, Yakupov would play brilliantly. But against a team like Slovakia, he disappears. That's the type of attitude that can cost a team wins in November, and as we know, wins in November are worth the same number of points as wins in March. It's not the loses against the Penguins that keep you out of the playoffs; it's the loses against the Leafs that kill you.
3. A few notes on that Russia/Slovakia game while I'm here: Did you all read Garth's blog about Mikhail Grigorenko being one of the best players in the world? I almost choked to death on an Egg McMuffin when I saw that. Garth's got a Grigorenko comedy bit on-going, yes? I hope. Seriously though, Grigs played a solid game against Slovakia, and I think he'll turn into a decent NHL center someday. He has 1st line talent, but the Grigs mystery has never been about skill; it's about attitude. Hmmm...common theme with Russian players.
Is the Russian defense at the WJHC a no-name group, or do North American scouts just avoid drafting Russian defensemen? I wasn't impressed at all by the entire Team Russia performance. Nerves more than anything else, I think. They stunk. Sloppy play at both ends of the ice. They'll get better once they calm down.
4. The Oilers have five prospects at the World Juniors. Nugent-Hopkins, as you know, was the star of Day 1. Yakupov wasn't great, but he did register a point. Tobias Rieder for Team Germany had a goal, and should of added another (but was absolutely robbed by Malcolm Subban), so he's solid. Rieder, by far, the best player for the Germans. David Musil spent the entire Czech/Sweden game in the penalty box; what was the deal with that? And Daniil Zharkov did zero in the Russia game. Oh wait, he did pull a Kesler, and rolled around the ice like he was shot after he received a tap to the helmet. Sad to say, but I think the Oilers threw away a draft pick there. The scouting staff took that Saturday off last June...Some absolutely brutal picks considering some of the names available in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
5. The Oilers are tied with around four or five other teams for having the most prospects playing in the WJHC (five players). If it wasn't for injuries, the Oilers would have two other prospects playing: Oscar Klefbom (Team Sweden) and Travis Ewanyk (Team Canada). Ewanyk is an interesting player I hardly ever mention. If he could stay healthy, he'd have a long career with the Oilers as a gritty Bottom 6 forward. A forward who checks? On the Oilers? Say it ain't so.
If Klefbom was healthy, the Oilers would likely have the best three players in the entire tournament. If we ever have another NHL season, I can't wait to see this team play. Nugent-Hopkins, Hall, Eberle, Yakupov, Schultz and Klefbom all on the same team? Shut the front door.
6. Speaking of the league formerly known as the NHL, the league and the NHLPA are speaking each day, but they aren't negotiating. What's happening, you ask? The NHL...likely Bill Daly...is calling the NHLPA...likely Steve Fehr...each morning. "Hi Steve, it's me. Are you guys ready to agree to our final offer yet? No. Okay, I was just checking. Speak to you tomorrow." The 2012/2013 season is so over.
7. What was the most important thing I learned on Wednesday? That Russian cheerleaders dance the entire way through a hockey game. Weird. They must be in better shape than the players. Three hours straight of cardio? Redonk. I bet you some of them are bendy, too.
8. I think Finland will win the tournament, in case you wondered. I thought Russia would be very tough to beat on home ice, but they looked terrible against Slovakia. I have no confidence in Team Canada's defense and goaltending, so that's why I'm not going that direction. I'd look closer at Sweden, but they're missing their best four defensemen due to injuries. Team USA has a chance, but I'm not sure they have the roster depth require to win this. Finland seems like the most complete and prepared team to me.
9. I LOL'ed when Team Canada lost to...wait, let me get this right...Adler Mannheim...At the Spengler Cup. The Canadian team has some serious roster talent (Spezza, Tavares, Smyth, Gagner, Duchene, etc), but there's a lesson to be learned from games like this: Hockey teams, perhaps more than in any other team sport, requires roster depth to win. Team Canada's defense is absolutely dreadful, and goaltender Jonathan Bernier is just not that good. Who would start Bernier over Dubnyk, anyway? Stupid call, coach. Dubey is a much better goalie.
Cam Barker is on the roster. Team Canada is doomed because of it.
10. Edmonton's farm club the Oklahoma City Barons are back in action on the 27th, and they'll be facing the Texas Stars...again. For the third straight game. Who makes the schedule for the AHL, and do they use darts and a blindfold? A child with a red sucker and markers would make less of a mess.
The AHL season is not even half complete yet, and Justin Schultz is only four goals away from breaking the scoring record for defensemen in the AHL. If both Schultz and Jordan Eberle continue scoring at their current pace, and can stay healthy and play in all scheduled 76 games this season, they'll finish with 109pts each. Eberle is on track to score 52 goals.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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