I drive all day for my job and love hockey, Bob Stopher is the man. I respect him on many levels for insight, he's respectful and has honor and integrity unlike the above mentioned, would love to have a beer with the guy. 90000 people migrated from BC to Alberta in the late 90's due to the collapse of the Forest industry in BC, i'm one of them.
- gunner2233

Bob has a great show. Listen to him all the time

By no means should we underestimate Rajala, though. I'm merely saying that I'd rather maintain an insurance policy with veteran experience as a scorer in this league as opposed to thrusting a rookie into the spotlight. With how Rajala plays, don't be surprised if he's a top-6 forward someday. If anyone in our pipeline can make one of the big-4 even somewhat expendable, it's him.
- MaximumBone

Neither am I. It's not Rajala..it's just that it's Rajala,Lander and nobody else. Even still,in a few years we might have better prospect depth if a couple of the picks develope. I dont have high hopes for Pitlick or Moroz, but that Khairi guy might be the real deal. I heard hes looking good at camp.
In the mean time, I like the strategy Mac T employed, grabbing those no name grinders...you nebver know where we might find a Gem. Remember that "throw in", Mike Grier?

Why "no to Boyes"? Who else would you suggest we get to upgrade our team?
- MaximumBone

Exactly! And considering we don't want to trade any of our key pieces in order to acquire this winger for our 2nd line and with the theory that PRV can't play on the 2nd line yet, I think this is one of the only sensible things left to do.

Well apparently he isn't a centreman at all, even though hockeydb said he was. If we can't get Simmonds, just realized he has a NTC, then would Boyes work on the 2nd line playing RW with Yak and Gagner? I think he's still got it. He put up a good 35 points last season in like 40 some games.
- mbxiphos1527

yak is right wing and i prefer to see him stay in the right wing position.

for depth purposes, i agree with you. and yes...(frank) no to jones being top 6 minutes. before rajala steps into the top 6, i see prv, joensuu, and...you know it....mac-t did say he would like to speak to his camp....omark!!!!
- deks1

Am I the only one who DOESN'T have a problem with Omark?

He produced at a top-6 level in his rookie season here and played a strong possession game while being paired with sub-par linemates (Horcoff in particular). His second season and the way he left were by no means endearing, but management didn't exactly treat him "right" either from what little I heard. All signs indicate that he'd bring an even stronger game than that of his rookie season were he to return (on or outside of the Oilers). I don't know about you guys, but I wouldn't mind adding him, too!

Neither am I. It's not Rajala..it's just that it's Rajala,Lander and nobody else. Even still,in a few years we might have better prospect depth if a couple of the picks develope. I dont have high hopes for Pitlick or Moroz, but that Khairi guy might be the real deal. I heard hes looking good at camp.
In the mean time, I like the strategy Mac T employed, grabbing those no name grinders...you nebver know where we might find a Gem. Remember that "throw in", Mike Grier?
- Jeropotato

Hopefully Martindale can turn it around as well.

Well apparently he isn't a centreman at all, even though hockeydb said he was. If we can't get Simmonds, just realized he has a NTC, then would Boyes work on the 2nd line playing RW with Yak and Gagner? I think he's still got it. He put up a good 35 points last season in like 40 some games.
- mbxiphos1527

Sure. Who says we need a PPG player up there? All I want is a bigger,defensively responsable guy that can keep up, make room,retrieve the puck on a forcheck and help his line mates score goals while supporting the defence. Sounds like a lot, but I think it can be had cheaper than Stewart or Kane or whatever "beast" is in vogue right now....and more effective.

Got to love Peg staying East and Anaheim joining them from California. This takes the cake, Richard.
- trolleytracks

Ahhhhh yes, it seems like it was just last week when clout's thought Valtteri Filppula was a LW with size.

Sure. Who says we need a PPG player up there? All I want is a bigger,defensively responsable guy that can keep up, make room,retrieve the puck on a forcheck and help his line mates score goals while supporting the defence. Sounds like a lot, but I think it can be had cheaper than Stewart or Kane or whatever "beast" is in vogue right now....and more effective.
- Jeropotato

Exactly. I'm not certain of how physical Boyes is, but i think he could fill that position. He's not too small either. I think he's something like 6'0 and 190lbs?

Am I the only one who DOESN'T have a problem with Omark?

He produced at a top-6 level in his rookie season here and played a strong possession game while being paired with sub-par linemates (Horcoff in particular). His second season and the way he left were by no means endearing, but management didn't exactly treat him "right" either from what little I heard. All signs indicate that he'd bring an even stronger game than that of his rookie season were he to return (on or outside of the Oilers). I don't know about you guys, but I wouldn't mind adding him, too!
- MaximumBone

I dont have a problem with him, at all, it's just that he's another small winger with a poopy defensive game, that also happens to play behind Yak and Ebs on the right side. Hey, listen, if by some miracle we landed a Pietrangelo(MsDonough, Subban,etc) and a big Lw and it cost us either one of those guys, I would have no problem giving Omark another shot. But then, thats just a dream.

Am I the only one who DOESN'T have a problem with Omark?

He produced at a top-6 level in his rookie season here and played a strong possession game while being paired with sub-par linemates (Horcoff in particular). His second season and the way he left were by no means endearing, but management didn't exactly treat him "right" either from what little I heard. All signs indicate that he'd bring an even stronger game than that of his rookie season were he to return (on or outside of the Oilers). I don't know about you guys, but I wouldn't mind adding him, too!
- MaximumBone

neither do i. he is just selfish, but are we going to say the same for teemu now? people quit suggesting brunner. omark played with brunner for team zug in the swiss league and both had similar numbers before brunner bailed for nhl. why pay brunner $3m when edm should just sign omark for cheaper and prob has potential to produce the same.

Hopefully Martindale can turn it around as well.
- Killbot460

Hopefully...but he is a long way off....just like Hamilton.

trade picks n prospects for hartnell. No 1st, no klef, no nurse. He had 11P last year n is signed til he's 56

trade picks n prospects for hartnell. No 1st, no klef, no nurse. He had 11P last year n is signed til he's 56
- TheNugeIsHuge

I would have no problem with that actually.

trade picks n prospects for hartnell. No 1st, no klef, no nurse. He had 11P last year n is signed til he's 56
- TheNugeIsHuge

Dont the long term contracts scare you?

Hopefully...but he is a long way off....just like Hamilton.
- Jeropotato

Ya. It seems we had a couple decent prospects that did well in jr. But struggled in there first year or 2 of pro.

RC used to spin tunes at the La Biche Inn, possibly the toughest bar in the province of Alberta. that doesn't make RC tough, but it means he has some very tough friends. LLB is one of the toughest towns you'll ever visit. and if u are white, i wouldn't advise walking with a swagger and popping off. many a tough rig pig has left LLb with his confidence forever weakened (and a few less teeth).

just saying.
- seanjohn667

STFU

just saying

neither do i. he is just selfish, but are we going to say the same for teemu now? people quit suggesting brunner. omark played with brunner for team zug in the swiss league and both had similar numbers before brunner bailed for nhl. why pay brunner $3m when edm should just sign omark for cheaper and prob has potential to produce the same.
- deks1

Could you point me to something proving this? I`m just curious as to where so many people got this idea. He felt that he had earned better minutes and that his coaches weren't using him right. I happen to agree. He maybe overreacted a tad, but I certainly don't classify that as selfish.

The thing about Swedes (and I know this cause I am one) is that we grew up learning to play this game a certain way. We play a MUCH more posession oriented style. It's VERY different from the simpler game that is drilled into kids here at a young age. You can see examples of such in many elite-Swedes here in the NHL (Sedins, Backstrom, Edler, Hedman, Zetterberg, Eriksson, etc) who have all had struggles finding chemistry with linemates at one point or another. It's very cerebral when compared to the NA game. They can be hard to play with, but once a match is found, the teams will often pursue every avenue to keep that player around (Burrows for example). On second thought, this isn't limited to Swedes. This kinda applies to a lot of European players (see Datsyuk, Koivu, Selanne, Jagr, etc).

My point is, Omark never got the opportunity to develop any chemistry with suitable linemates while here in Edmonton so damn right he's a tad peeved with the organization.

RC used to spin tunes at the La Biche Inn, possibly the toughest bar in the province of Alberta. that doesn't make RC tough, but it means he has some very tough friends. LLB is one of the toughest towns you'll ever visit. and if u are white, i wouldn't advise walking with a swagger and popping off. many a tough rig pig has left LLb with his confidence forever weakened (and a few less teeth).

just saying.
- seanjohn667

I can't stop laughing.....

The Lac La Biche Inn.... sounds like a place where Sheldon Souray's sisters turn tricks.

Am I the only one who DOESN'T have a problem with Omark?

He produced at a top-6 level in his rookie season here and played a strong possession game while being paired with sub-par linemates (Horcoff in particular). His second season and the way he left were by no means endearing, but management didn't exactly treat him "right" either from what little I heard. All signs indicate that he'd bring an even stronger game than that of his rookie season were he to return (on or outside of the Oilers). I don't know about you guys, but I wouldn't mind adding him, too!
- MaximumBone

I agree with you... Very talented player, but given his size, probably not the best match for the Oilers. Very underrated by Oil fans.

Could you point me to something proving this? I`m just curious as to where so many people got this idea. He felt that he had earned better minutes and that his coaches weren't using him right. I happen to agree. He maybe overreacted a tad, but I certainly don't classify that as selfish.

The thing about Swedes (and I know this cause I am one) is that we grew up learning to play this game a certain way. We play a MUCH more posession oriented style. It's VERY different from the simpler game that is drilled into kids here at a young age. You can see examples of such in many elite-Swedes here in the NHL (Sedins, Backstrom, Edler, Hedman, Zetterberg, Eriksson, etc) who have all had struggles finding chemistry with linemates at one point or another. It's very cerebral when compared to the NA game. They can be hard to play with, but once a match is found, the teams will often pursue every avenue to keep that player around (Burrows for example). On second thought, this isn't limited to Swedes. This kinda applies to a lot of European players (see Datsyuk, Koivu, Selanne, Jagr, etc).

My point is, Omark never got the opportunity to develop any chemistry with suitable linemates while here in Edmonton so damn right he's a tad peeved with the organization.
- MaximumBone

hence i did say are we going to say teemu is selfish, which i differ. i like to hear some news about mac-t speaking to him and see what they can come up with. deal him or figure out something. it's just poor asset management. who knows what kind of player he can become under eakins.

except columbus is in the east now... thanks for playing

Clouts you proved you know nothing with that conference. Right the wings and jackets are in the west, where the hell are the ducks. Go dump your head in some cold water that was horrible. You also forgot that the top three teams in A and B will make the playoffs no matter what. So with that in mind

1 chi
2 van
3 la
4 stl
5 sj
6 wild
7 ana
8 edm
9 wpg
10 dal
11 nsh
12 phx
13 col
14 cgy

the oilers will squeak in as a wild card. Granted the stars and jets are also possible and the ducks may fall a bit without ryan and if salenne hangs em up.

Come on clouts if you're gonna blog don't make stupid mistakes like that.

The Lac La Biche Inn.... sounds like a place where Sheldon Souray's sisters turn tricks.
- Reveen