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Isles/Oilers in a Familiar Search for Veteran Help. +some VERY Good News |
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Both of these teams have been here before and both times it wasn't until the Islanders and Oilers accentuated the impressive young stars they had assembled with a group of veterans. Veterans who were the glue and helped to guide these teams to become the dynasties they were in the 80s.
The Oilers have more pieces than the Islanders and maybe that is why Edmonton is being as aggressive as they have been here. Nugent-Hopkins has been very impressive and from all accounts has amazing playmaking vision and is as shifty as any player to enter the league in years, Taylor Hall has fired 11 shots in three games to put him among the NHL preseason shot leaders, Jordan Eberle has 2 goals in 2 games to continue his solid young career... looking at these stars, including Paajarvi, Brule, and Gagne the Oilers are as stacked as any team has been with youth since...well the Oilers of the early 80s.
The addition of Ryan Smyth is huge in many ways, but from all accounts Edmonton may be willing to move some youth to add further to the side of experience. The Oilers are looking for a solid two way guy to fill in top 6 duty and they have the chips to pull off a major deal.
As for the Islanders...they are in a bit of the same boat. Tavares, Moulson, Grabner, Parenteau, Bailey...the Isles also are stacked with young players and can put the puck in the net...no question.
But do the Isles have the experience needed to take them to the next level and compete for a playoff spot?
In other news...
The NHL has three stars battling concussions and all appear to be getting better faster than was thought.
*Crosby skated today in a controlled scrimmage. GREAT to hear.
*All reports are positive regarding Dave Perron as well.
*Marc Staal won't go to Europe with the Rangers, but has seen signs of improvement.
More to come...
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