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Ben, the Two of Us Need Look No More

March 14, 2013, 12:07 PM ET [112 Comments]
Richard Cloutier
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Did I read this right? Ben Eager cleared waivers?

Why did the Oilers waive him, some of you might be asking. Well, Mike Brown is part of the answer. Perhaps Magnus Paajarvi is the other. When the Oilers signed Eager as a UFA a little under two years ago, they wanted functional toughness with a side of crazy. Instead they got someone who was sometimes injured, and mostly disinterested. Watching Brown play only a few games as an Oilers quickly demonstrated the style of play they wanted, but never received, from Eager.

My only question in all of this is, the Oilers couldn't deal him? Not even for a 7th round pick? I didn't realize the guy had so little value. I'm not sure I'm understanding why they wanted to give him away, but I can't say I'll lose sleep over it either way. Eager hurts more than helps. If this Oilers team is ever going to move forth, they need a room full of guys who are motivated on a nightly basis. I assume Eager will be sent to the AHL for the rest of the year.

The Oilers are becoming healthy...or at least, healthy enough to have a roster full of players. Yann Danis has been sent down, meaning, Nikolai Khabibulin is back. Teemu Hartikainen and Ales Hemsky should be over their sniffles by now. Anton Lander's foot is getting closer every day, and Horcoff's right hand has never worked better. Eric Belanger is still hurt, but Ryan Smyth has filled in well as the 4th line center. Perhaps much to his own frustration. Perhaps most importantly, the Oilers seem to have figured out their lines: Hall/Horcoff/Hemsky, Paajarvi/Gagner/Yakupov, either Hartikainen or Jones/Nugent-Hopkins/Eberle, and Brown/Smyth/Petrell. When Hartikainen is back for sure, you could see Jones and Belanger be the extra forwards...Two guys who could easily be moved at the trade deadline because other teams would show interest.

Oilers with a healthy roster need to go 14-7-1 over the next 22. Not impossible, but still, pretty darn difficult. According to my math, I see the Oilers...best case scenario...winning 12 considering whom their opposition will be. 12-10 for the last 22 would make the Oilers finish around 18-20th in the entire league, just good enough to screw up their 1st round draft pick. Maybe this is the year to trade it at the deadline for some help?

Come on, Oilers...go 7-3 up until the deadline. Get in the playoff race. Give us fans something to hound Tambellini over.
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