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Edmonton Oilers Blogger •
The Oilers are done like dinner, and Jeff Deslauriers is finally invited to pick up the scraps under the table.
If you're starving for a nibble of hope Oil fans, you'll find little here, I'm afraid.
In a somewhat confusing scene earlier today, current Oilers' bench boss Craig MacTavish, looking rather dumbfounded, announced back-up netminder Jeff Deslauriers will get the call for the team's two final remaining games against the Calgary Flames.
For some reason, MacT seemingly awoke this morning, picked up the local rag, scratched his head, and finally realized his dysfunctional squad led by his fine coaching self, had again failed to qualify for the NHL playoffs.
Amazing really, especially the glazed-over stare eminating from a veteran head coach whose team has qualified for the post-season but three out of eight campaigns. Surely, he didn't just have an epiphany that he maybe, perhaps just a little, rode the hell out of his starter, Dwayne Roloson over the coarse of an 82-game regular season?
Let's be clear – regardless of the starts Roli received this season (63) – Dwayne was money down the stretch. The beginning of the season, however, was another story.
Somewhere lost in the mix, however, was JD – supposedly the Oilers "future" – who saw such limited rubber this year, that his ass print will forever be forged in the home team's bench at Rexall. Deslauriers saw action in parts of only eight games this season, compiling a 3-2-0 record with a GAA of 3.57 and a Sv% of .889.
So, MacT demonstrates one last piece of coaching genius, and inserts the organization's "future" between the pipes Friday and Saturday, in a meaningless home-and-home with Calgary. Timing is impeccable. Maybe he'll insert some grit, while he's at it!
JD's story is one of incredible patience. This kid sits in the minors for much of three years, is injured for another, then rides the bench throughout the 2008-09 season, long enough to earn himself a two-game audition in the Battle of Alberta – days after his team's disconcerting elimination from playoff contention.
Nonetheless, another spring has sprung and hockey is done in the heartland. Edmonton will miss the playoffs yet again, fans only have ticket price increases to look forward to, and their team's owner has given his blessing to a head coach whose shelf life has expired.
This, my friends, has "conspiracy" written all over it. In a cruel twist of fate, Oiler fans will now flock to owner Darryl Katz's Rexall pharmacies to fill their prescriptions for depressants in the wake of their team's latest on-ice implosion.
Can't say much has changed round these parts though – mediocrity breeds disappointment in what has become the annual demise of a team assembled by a front office that's been given too long of a leash.
But hey, look on the bright side Oilers Nation – the future is now – with two insignificant games remaining!
Shame!
If you're starving for a nibble of hope Oil fans, you'll find little here, I'm afraid.
In a somewhat confusing scene earlier today, current Oilers' bench boss Craig MacTavish, looking rather dumbfounded, announced back-up netminder Jeff Deslauriers will get the call for the team's two final remaining games against the Calgary Flames.
For some reason, MacT seemingly awoke this morning, picked up the local rag, scratched his head, and finally realized his dysfunctional squad led by his fine coaching self, had again failed to qualify for the NHL playoffs.
Amazing really, especially the glazed-over stare eminating from a veteran head coach whose team has qualified for the post-season but three out of eight campaigns. Surely, he didn't just have an epiphany that he maybe, perhaps just a little, rode the hell out of his starter, Dwayne Roloson over the coarse of an 82-game regular season?
Let's be clear – regardless of the starts Roli received this season (63) – Dwayne was money down the stretch. The beginning of the season, however, was another story.
Somewhere lost in the mix, however, was JD – supposedly the Oilers "future" – who saw such limited rubber this year, that his ass print will forever be forged in the home team's bench at Rexall. Deslauriers saw action in parts of only eight games this season, compiling a 3-2-0 record with a GAA of 3.57 and a Sv% of .889.
So, MacT demonstrates one last piece of coaching genius, and inserts the organization's "future" between the pipes Friday and Saturday, in a meaningless home-and-home with Calgary. Timing is impeccable. Maybe he'll insert some grit, while he's at it!
JD's story is one of incredible patience. This kid sits in the minors for much of three years, is injured for another, then rides the bench throughout the 2008-09 season, long enough to earn himself a two-game audition in the Battle of Alberta – days after his team's disconcerting elimination from playoff contention.
Nonetheless, another spring has sprung and hockey is done in the heartland. Edmonton will miss the playoffs yet again, fans only have ticket price increases to look forward to, and their team's owner has given his blessing to a head coach whose shelf life has expired.
This, my friends, has "conspiracy" written all over it. In a cruel twist of fate, Oiler fans will now flock to owner Darryl Katz's Rexall pharmacies to fill their prescriptions for depressants in the wake of their team's latest on-ice implosion.
Can't say much has changed round these parts though – mediocrity breeds disappointment in what has become the annual demise of a team assembled by a front office that's been given too long of a leash.
But hey, look on the bright side Oilers Nation – the future is now – with two insignificant games remaining!
Shame!
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