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Random Thoughts v. 166

April 14, 2013, 8:56 PM ET [390 Comments]
Richard Cloutier
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
There isn't much I can say after the Oilers were humiliated by the Flames in their own building on Saturday. Losing 4 - 1 to an AHL team? How did that happen?

Obviously the Oilers players have checked out for the season. I'm not saying their intentionally losing...they just aren't going too try to hard the rest of the way. If it wasn't for the fact that people pay $100's of dollars to attend games, I'd say I understand why they've completely checked out. For thoroughbreds like Hall and Yakupov, losing just does not compute.

Here's some random thoughts for you to enjoy this evening:

- Show of hands: How many of you are pissed off about how Nail Yakupov has been used this season? If Oilers coaches would have used him in the Top 6 from the start, he'd be leading the rookie scoring race by a mile. He absolutely is the best rookie in the NHL, but he won't win the Calder because Edmonton doesn't exist according to the people who vote on awards.

- Ales Hemsky didn't play in the Flames game, this we know. Another show of hands: How many people missed him? The Oilers really should have dealt him at the deadline.

- Have people seen enough of Shawn Horcoff yet to realize he still needs to be bought out at the end of the season? He came back from his knuckle injury and played great for almost a minute. He's gone back to being Snorecoff again.

- As of this moment, if the draft was held, the Oilers would be picking eighth. I'd feel happier about it if they went to sixth or so. Barkov just got a shoulder injury that will have him out the next five months. With luck, this means his ranking at the draft will drop to sixth so the Oilers can take him. With a shoulder injury he'd fit right in.

- All of a sudden, Anton Lander has found his scoring touch in the AHL. Maybe there's hope for this guy yet to become the Oilers 3rd line center. He's still a project, though.

- If you're wondering why the Oilers aren't trying to sign any NCAA players, there really isn't much out there to sign. I'm thinking the Oilers are at their contract limit, anyway. Someone was telling me Danny DeKeyser is playing well so far for Detroit. Five games so far, no points, -1. That sounds more different than good.

- It's almost the end of the season and I feel no better about the Oilers future than I did at the beginning of the season. It's frustrating. But why is it occurring? Mostly because management has, once again, done nothing of significance. They brought in Mark Fistric and Jerred Smithson. Fistric can't skate and Smithson is a depth guy who becomes a UFA in July. Hey, Fistric does too. So basically, Tambellini gave away draft picks for nothing. Good work.

- To be honest with you, I'd rather watch Peckham play than Fistric, Potter or Whitney at this point. Potter might be here next season because he's an affordable option, but Fistric and Whitney have no future in Edmonton. Peckham...you never know. Since we don't care if we win or lose anymore, maybe it's time to see where Peckham is and if there's a chance he can turn into a 5/6 guy.

- I don't want to see Ben Eager, Darcy Hordichuk or Eric Belanger in Oilers colors ever again. I have a feeling Belanger isn't even injured; they just are telling him he's hurt so Oil fans don't get a chance to boo him off the ice.

- I have some asshat who keeps messaging me on Twitter that me suggesting the Oilers signing UFA Mark Streit is a terrible idea based on his +/- rating. Streit is a puck-mover, offensive weapon the same level of a Justin Schultz. Maybe the Oilers wouldn't lose so often if they had four guys who could move the puck. I would be thrilled if the Oilers defense next season was Streit, Schultz, Schultz, Petry, Smid and Klefbom.

- Someone suggested to me that the Oilers sign UFA Mike Smith in the off-season? Hmmm. I'm not sure if I'm ready to give up on Dubnyk yet. He's inconsistent but he has the talent. Plus, there's no big rush next season...This team needs to blow up most of the vets, which most-likely means another lame season.

- Think about the cap clearing that could/should go on. Horcoff - Compliance buyout. Hemsky - Dealt. Khabibulin, Fistric, Smithson, Sutton, Jones, Whitney - Not re-signed. The Sheldon Souray buyout off the books. Belanger and Eager - Sent to Siberia. That's 11 contracts gone, thank God.

- My plan for the Oilers roster next season? Keep in mind I'm suggesting this team needs one more year of rebuild, where we dump the vets, make some deals, and sign a useful UFA or two:

L1: Hall - Nugent-Hopkins - Eberle
L2: Paajarvi - Gagner - Yakupov
L3: Hartikainen - Barkov or Monahan - Two-way winger with size acquired via UFA or trade
L4: Brown - Lander - Petrell

D1: Streit - Petry
D2: Smid - J. Schultz
D3: Klefbom - N. Schultz

G1: Dubnyk
G2: Danis
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