Hemsky's not playing bad at all!!! i don't get why you think every god damn game he's a bad player.. line 3 has been terrible with horcoff and smyth throughout the season, Hemsky's been brilliant at times, that line will click in time, gagner and hemsky seem to have some decent chemistry as they are able to land passes on each other's sticks. yakupov is still getting used to that, he missed gagner and hemsky on a lead pass like 10 times tonight! hemsky is an assist man, give it time when yakupov settles in, hemsky will look brilliant most nights!
- lovin

Edmonton has 3 wins and 2 loses, which makes them a .600 team. While the Hall/Nuge/Ebs line is a combined +5, the Yakupov/Gagner/Hemksy line is a combined -10. Defensively 5-on-5 there is something very wrong with this line.

It could be Yakupov, but he's a hugely talented kid who has all of five NHL games in experience. He'll get better over time.

Statistics suggest Sam Gagner has gotten better. 6pts in 5 games, and he's above 50% in the face-off circle. If you watch the games you'll know Gagner is usually the only guy who looks like he's in position on this line.

Hemsky is 3pts in 5 games. The goal he scored tonight was something a 5 year old or Darcy Hordichuk could have scored. The big brute that is Teemu Hartikainen did all of the work and deserved all of the credit.

Hemsky's MO is to skate around, and around, and around with the puck until he loses it. It's not that he's a bad player or he lacks talent...He doesn't use his wingers, he doesn't shoot enough, and he's not scary physically or good defensively. While Yakupov and Gagner get better, Hemsky is not...and with his age being what it is, and his contract paying him what it does, I can think of a number of different options that would make more sense for the Oilers as they move forward.

Edmonton has 3 wins and 2 loses, which makes them a .600 team. While the Hall/Nuge/Ebs line is a combined +5, the Yakupov/Gagner/Hemksy line is a combined -10. Defensively 5-on-5 there is something very wrong with this line.

It could be Yakupov, but he's a hugely talented kid who has all of five NHL games in experience. He'll get better over time.

Statistics suggest Sam Gagner has gotten better. 6pts in 5 games, and he's above 50% in the face-off circle. If you watch the games you'll know Gagner is usually the only guy who looks like he's in position on this line.

Hemsky is 3pts in 5 games. The goal he scored tonight was something a 5 year old or Darcy Hordichuk could have scored. The big brute that is Teemu Hartikainen did all of the work and deserved all of the credit.

Hemsky's MO is to skate around, and around, and around with the puck until he loses it. It's not that he's a bad player or he lacks talent...He doesn't use his wingers, he doesn't shoot enough, and he's not scary physically or good defensively. While Yakupov and Gagner get better, Hemsky is not...and with his age being what it is, and his contract paying him what it does, I can think of a number of different options that would make more sense for the Oilers as they move forward.
- Maxbone

Way to up his trade value, Richard.

Way to up his trade value, Richard.
- NEEDSMORHORCOFF

Don't pay him no attention, it wouldn't be clouts if he didn't gripe and female dog about something/someone on the Oilers. A week ago Hemsky was a god and Whitney n Potter sucked. 4 games later Hemsky is awful and terrible and his goal doesn't count because it was garbage. If yaks or gags scores it then it would have been the greatest goal since yaks tying goal last week. Next good game Hemsky has, he will be a god again in Clout's books.

Don't pay him no attention, it wouldn't be clouts if he didn't gripe and female dog about something/someone on the Oilers. A week ago Hemsky was a god and Whitney n Potter sucked. 4 games later Hemsky is awful and terrible and his goal doesn't count because it was garbage. If yaks or gags scores it then it would have been the greatest goal since yaks tying goal last week. Next good game Hemsky has, he will be a god again in Clout's books.
- ruttager17

The irony in this statement is, ruttager complains about what I write, no matter what it is. Worded another way, pot meet kettle.

The irony in this statement is, ruttager complains about what I write, no matter what it is. Worded another way, pot meet kettle.
- Maxbone

I in no way complain about what you write, I think you are a talented writer doing what one should be, entertaining readers and creating discussion/getting blog hits. I just complain about your negativity. Kettle meet Kettle.

I in no way complain about what you write, I think you are a talented writer doing what one should be, entertaining readers and creating discussion/getting blog hits. I just complain about your negativity. Kettle meet Kettle.
- ruttager17

I'm not sure what I'm doing is called negativity. I'd like to see the Oilers become a decent team sooner or later. You may have noticed they've sucked for the last five or six years. Going from losing to winning requires analysis of what's currently happening.

Hemsky - Was great in the 1st game; has been poor since. Is he part of the long-term solution here? He could be, but he also gets paid $5mil per season. I can think of players out there I'd rather have and would help the Oilers more than Hemsky at $5mil per season.

Aren't you sick of the Oilers being terrible? We know guys like Nuge, Hall, Eberle, and J. Schultz are great players. Don't you want to help them? See them surrounded by a quality supporting cast of players who show up most of the time and give a damn about winning or losing?

Because if you ask me, if I had to choose between a 2nd line with brute Hartikainen and a 3rd line with Ryan Jones at $1.75mil per season, or a 2nd line with Ales Hemsky at $5mil per season and a 3rd line with Hartikainen but no Jones because we can't afford him...I'm taking Hartikainen + Jones.

You need to start thinking BIG picture and start asking yourself who can stay and who needs to go.

I in no way complain about what you write, I think you are a talented writer doing what one should be, entertaining readers and creating discussion/getting blog hits. I just complain about your negativity. Kettle meet Kettle.
- ruttager17

I like his negativity. But calling out the player to break the scoring slump when it comes to a lead? week. No matter how hard he is for harti. Facts don't lie. Fortunately for Clouts and his hit counter, facts don't matter. Just trade scraps for Shea Weber and all is well in troll country.

I like his negativity. But calling out the player to break the scoring slump when it comes to a lead? week. No matter how hard he is for harti. Facts don't lie. Fortunately for Clouts and his hit counter, facts don't matter. Just trade scraps for Shea Weber and all is well in troll country.
- NEEDSMORHORCOFF

LOL...and people call me negative.

I'm not sure what I'm doing is called negativity. I'd like to see the Oilers become a decent team sooner or later. You may have noticed they've sucked for the last five or six years. Going from losing to winning requires analysis of what's currently happening.

Hemsky - Was great in the 1st game; has been poor since. Is he part of the long-term solution here? He could be, but he also gets paid $5mil per season. I can think of players out there I'd rather have and would help the Oilers more than Hemsky at $5mil per season.

Aren't you sick of the Oilers being terrible? We know guys like Nuge, Hall, Eberle, and J. Schultz are great players. Don't you want to help them? See them surrounded by a quality supporting cast of players who show up most of the time and give a damn about winning or losing?

Because if you ask me, if I had to choose between a 2nd line with brute Hartikainen and a 3rd line with Ryan Jones at $1.75mil per season, or a 2nd line with Ales Hemsky at $5mil per season and a 3rd line with Hartikainen but no Jones because we can't afford him...I'm taking Hartikainen + Jones.

You need to start thinking BIG picture and start asking yourself who can stay and who needs to go.
- Maxbone

All valid points but hey, it's 5 games in. Hemsky yes one good game 4 crap ones. Is it not a possibility that the line he is with may not be the best fit? Yak's is gonna take time, his linemates are bound to suffer because of it.

You say Harti was a beast and belanger and MPS had decent games? They all played well together and were all over the avs tonight, may not have been scoring 5 on 5 but were causing the avs trouble in the first 2 periods, keeping them hemmed in their zone and drawing penalties. Seems only fair to note maybe they played well together. I know ya hate belanger but hey, his role on the fourth line and winning key faceoffs cant be overlooked.

I am only gonna be sick of losing if they don't improve this season. Like someone pointed out earlier, look at how many top picks/losing seasons it took PIT and CHI before they broke out. Sure holes will need to be filled, but to make moves to improve this team, it will take more then 5 games to figure out these moves.

All valid points but hey, it's 5 games in. Hemsky yes one good game 4 crap ones. Is it not a possibility that the line he is with may not be the best fit? Yak's is gonna take time, his linemates are bound to suffer because of it.

You say Harti was a beast and belanger and MPS had decent games? They all played well together and were all over the avs tonight, may not have been scoring 5 on 5 but were causing the avs trouble in the first 2 periods, keeping them hemmed in their zone and drawing penalties. Seems only fair to note maybe they played well together. I know ya hate belanger but hey, his role on the fourth line and winning key faceoffs cant be overlooked.

I am only gonna be sick of losing if they don't improve this season. Like someone pointed out earlier, look at how many top picks/losing seasons it took PIT and CHI before they broke out. Sure holes will need to be filled, but to make moves to improve this team, it will take more then 5 games to figure out these moves.
- ruttager17

I'll clarify a bit about my feelings on Belanger...

The Oilers can't have two Belangers. Right now, we do. One is named Horcoff, the other is named Belanger. Ideally, the Oilers would have a Belanger-type player on their third line (provided he could chip in 20-30pts per season), and a big, mean freak at the 4th line center. The Oilers lack toughness and require a very violent 4th line to stick out there to keep people from touching our superkids.

If our 1st and 2nd line centers are 50% at face-offs, I am okay with keeping Belanger next season and dumping Horcoff to bring in the right 4th line guy.

I'll clarify a bit about my feelings on Belanger...

The Oilers can't have two Belangers. Right now, we do. One is named Horcoff, the other is named Belanger. Ideally, the Oilers would have a Belanger-type player on their third line (provided he could chip in 20-30pts per season), and a big, mean freak at the 4th line center. The Oilers lack toughness and require a very violent 4th line to stick out there to keep people from touching our superkids.

If our 1st and 2nd line centers are 50% at face-offs, I am okay with keeping Belanger next season and dumping Horcoff to bring in the right 4th line guy.
- Maxbone

Well of course if we had the luxury of creating a super team and it was a perfect world this would be done. Smyth is looking like an aging bull that needs to be taken out to pasture and was brought in as a PR move. Don't need both horcs and belanger right now but can't argue with the success the PK has had this season with guys like this. No you are right this isn't the team that is gonna win the cup this year, but with how well hall/nuge/ebs are clicking, the PP is just sick, and Schultz, well what can ya say about this guy, some tweaking that is feasible for both the Oil and the team involved in any trade, and ya have a team that should make the playoffs. Jones will be back soon enough as well. Can't hurt having him on the third line.

separating the boys from the older boys??? not cool.

sooo slick 4 pp goals!! that being said 23 shots in the 3rd against edm. col isnt that bad richy, duby was just that good tonight.

hemsky is an assist man, give it time when yakupov settles in, hemsky will look brilliant most nights!
- lovin

Except hemsky hasn't noticed Yakupov is on the ice yet.

We all hate horcoff and the only reason he got a goal tonight is because someone bounced a puck off his skate.
- NEEDSMORHORCOFF

I don't hate Horc.

He may be HorcHands inventor but he is solid on the dot and solid as a defensive forward.

Just telling it like it is.
- ruttager17

The unfortunate part is that he never actually adds anything to a hockey discussion himself.

Richard Cloutier: Separating the Boys from the Older Boys
- Maxbone

...? Rnh/hall/ebs best line in hockey?

So by oilers cant score 5v5 you mean all but them right?

Just asking. I dont want to assume anything like they're the best but can only score on the powerplay. That would just be silly

Maybe, he needs to continue to play and possibly build his value. I like to see two big bodies in the top 6. Out of the top 6 players at the moment, those probably gone are Gagner and Hemsky.

Horton, Morrow, and Clowe are UFA. Stewart is RFA. O'Rielly is RFA now. I don't think EDM will land Getzlaf or Perry. Brouwer can maybe be pry from WSH with the right price. Let's pay up for Backes out of STL.
- deks1

Stewart? Chris Stewart? Fack Off...

Brouwer is not a Top 6 guy.

Horton is a solid smack from needing a bib full time.

Maple leafs suck that is all, have a great day everyone

Maple leafs suck that is all, have a great day everyone
- Snagglepuss

yes they do, they learned from your mother





Oooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh




that just happened

LOL...and people call me negative.
- Maxbone

You are negative...and a Troll.

there is always someone to gripe about and your target goes from goat to showboat in a games time.

You just had a even-keel dissection of Hemsky...but ignore that it is game 5. So why does some players get a pass due to the early nature of the season but not Hemsky? You pick apart the 2nd line but ignore that Yak is a rookie and Hemsky has never been known as a defensive guru.

Things are not perfect but the 2nd line is not that bad off. I wouldn't mind a change and see Yak to the right and put Harti on the LW, or try PRV if he keeps playing better.

Subban? $4M/per? What?

Why don't you wait until he at least cracks the 40pt mark and cleans-up his defensive zone coverage before giving him $4M per.

Ryan O'Reilly is twice the player Subban is at this point.

It would seem that Kruger is still tinkering and putting pieces together and I like it. I couldn't agree more with Clouts in that Hartikainnen was one of the most effective players in the game, he was absolutely relentless on the boards and behind the net. At one point he was tripped, tried to move the puck with his stick, then his feet, then his hands...I thought he might start biting people he was so intense on the boards! haha I just think that he is a very important piece to the future of this team...I hope so anyway.

Paajarvi played well too I thought. He has the hands and skill I think, but there seems to be a confidence issue there. His level of compete has improved tremendously however and as long as that's there, he is very useful.

Horcoff sucks beyond reason. He is completely out of his league out there. I am not kidding whatsoever when I say that I personally think I could lace em up again and go out and do the same things Horcoff does. Up the ice, down the ice, goal-side of your man, get to the slot, chip it in chip it out...OMG I'm tired...make a smart line change. That's all he ever does...he's useless and I would buy him out if he got paid $700,000. SMytty isn't much better though, and the nostalgia thing still has some legs I guess. I have a soft spot for Smytty, but yeah, repeat the Horcoff rant and add his name.

Whitney just needs to step it up for 5games and then please package that donkey outta town. It's one thing to be slow with your feet as a Dman, but he is also playing "slow in the head". Bad decisions are happening more than good ones and he seems to be avoiding body contact...when an effective Dman should crave it.

The rest of the team is clicking and I'm generally very happy with it. We're never going to love all 20 players, but all in all this squad is doing well.

Dubnyk scares the life outta me, but his positives outweigh the negatives so far.

and is it me, or does Belanger just not "fit" on this team? I can't picture him at the table with the others when they go out for beers. If your 10-12th player doesn't gel with the rest of the team, you get rid of him.

You are negative...and a Troll.

there is always someone to gripe about and your target goes from goat to showboat in a games time.

You just had a even-keel dissection of Hemsky...but ignore that it is game 5. So why does some players get a pass due to the early nature of the season but not Hemsky? You pick apart the 2nd line but ignore that Yak is a rookie and Hemsky has never been known as a defensive guru.

Things are not perfect but the 2nd line is not that bad off. I wouldn't mind a change and see Yak to the right and put Harti on the LW, or try PRV if he keeps playing better.
- OilHorse

This is a great passionate defense of three players I like very much but are slow to find their groove as a 3man unit. Our top 6 is solid, but yeah, we could use more grit.

Just one of many issues here. Clearly trolling for hits, clouts. Hemsky scored a garbage goal. Let me repeat that for you in case you didn't hear me while you were chewing on 8 dollar (frank)ing hotdogs. HEMSKY SCORED A GARBAGE GOAL. The first goal, at that.

Jesus christ. I loved your blogs during the lockout. Now I understand why you get trolled.
- NEEDSMORHORCOFF