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Injury Situation Becomes Ridiculous

February 7, 2013, 1:11 AM ET [256 Comments]
Richard Cloutier
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Oilers lost to the Stars in OT. It was a decent loss. Oilers battled back. Taylor Hall and Ales Hemsky were playing out of their minds. Sam Gagner kept his points streak alive, now at 10 games. Justin Schultz looks like an NHL all-star already. Nail Yakupov is adorable when he celebrates a goal. Ryan Smyth need to retire because he can't skate anymore...

Now that we've recapped the Oilers game, we'll get on to a more important topic: Why are the Oilers so injury prone?

Six starters out going into the game: Shawn Horcoff (hand), Eric Belanger (foot), Ryan Jones (eye), Ben Eager (brain), Mark Fistric (hip), and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (shoulder). Throw in a bionic ear and you'd have the Six Million Dollar Man.

By the end of the first period against the Stars, Anton Lander was out with what could be a broken foot. Best case scenario there is, a bad bruise. Darcy Hordichuk, who was only inserted into the line-up as filler, was hurt before he as a minute of ice time. Hall attempted to decapitate himself with a brutal decision that had him on the receiving end of a massive hit from a Stars defenseman. Lennart Petrell, who has been playing while nicked-up, blocked a shot and hobbled to the bench. Hemsky got a puck in the mouth for his troubles right as the third period was ending.

Are the Oilers a hockey team, or are they an episode of The Walking Dead?

Obviously the Oilers are a decent team this year. Despite all the injuries and even though they were playing with only one center, they battled back and dominated the third period. The difference between winning and losing on Wednesday was Jordan Eberle putting a shot about six inches to the right. They deserved to win the game.

But the situation is becoming critical. Belanger will be back on the weekend, apparently, but something tells me he won't be 100%. Ditto Nuge, whenever he comes back. I believe he was injured when he went to play for Canada at the World Juniors...the injury goes back to a game in the AHL, actually. He's been playing hurt most of the year. Horcoff is definitely out...no getting around a shattered knuckle. Things for Lander really didn't look very good. A break could mean six weeks.

The Oilers called up Mark Acrobello for the game, and he clearly isn't a NHL-level player. He looked lost, and eventually, he was benched. Perhaps the Oilers could send him down and bring up Chris Vandevelde, who is offensively-challenged, but at least he can win a face-off. Speaking of face-offs, Oilers Head Coach Ralph Krueger starting using Hall on the dot by the 3rd period, and he was winning every draw. 1st Overall picks: Is there anything they can't do?

There are some UFA options out there. Jason Arnott, even though he failed a physical in New York...well, according to his agent, that was bogus and he could pass one now. Not sure if he's the guy I'd go get though. Another injured guy? No thanks.

Dominic Moore maybe? Brendan Morrison? Tim Connolly? Something is better than nothing. Actually, Connolly wouldn't suck if he'd be $2mil per or less per. As long as it's a short-term, one season thing, bringing him in wouldn't hurt. The Oilers didn't have much depth at center to begin with, so management has to do something.

Is it time to make a big move, and deal for Ryan O'Reilly? Obviously, he and the Avs aren't going to work out a contract. Would Tambellini offer up, let's say, the Oilers 1st round pick in 2013 plus a second asset, like Magnus Paajarvi? I'd completely hate that, as Paajarvi is really starting to find his NHL game now. He's suddenly realized he's a big body who can run over people. If he ever finds his hands, he'll be amazing. But O'Reilly is definitely a quality asset that would make the Oilers a better team immediately. It's hard to ignore that.

Here's a completely ridiculous idea: The Los Angeles Kings hate Dustin Penner again. So move Hall to center and deal for Penner. I've heard worse suggestions. The Kings would likely deal him for 5th round pick at this point.

I just think it would be death to the Oilers season for management to do nothing. This is a really good team now...it's funny how much difference Justin Schultz has made. I'd like to give credit to Hemsky rediscovering his game, or the addition of Yakupov, or the newly-consistent Gagner, but let's be honest here: The difference between this team and last-season's team is Schultz, who's already playing 25min per night, in all situations, looking like a 10 year pro the entire time. He's the most tremendously good rookie I've seen since Crosby. The worst thing the Oilers can do is nothing.

But sadly, doing nothing is often a strategy in Edmonton, and the fans have grown use to their team losing. Find could lose their minds if management doesn't immediately support the players who are truly doing great so far.

Steve Tambellini, you're on the clock.
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