I noticed you had Joensuu on the third line while RNH out and then Jones when he is back, why the switch?

Joensuu hasn't done anything at the NHL level to indicate he is more than a 4th liner at this point. Smyth or Jones would be better on the third line.

Good read! Points out how pathetic the Oil scouting has been the last few years with such a lack of depth after the gimme's with the top picks.

Rushing guys like RNH into the line up before they are physically ready is already hurting them and could very well in the years ahead too.
- Muskwa

I just think teams, when in a rebuild, need to consider the larger picture, not just their top 6 to top 9 guys. Drafting all-stars and elite players is obviously a bonus, but you need glue and grit players, and it's evident Edmonton hasn't addressed that to the depth needed. I like the Gordon signing, but you paid WAY too much for him. Edmonton will be fine in the long-run, there is wayyyyy too much natural talent on this team.

I noticed you had Joensuu on the third line while RNH out and then Jones when he is back, why the switch?

Joensuu hasn't done anything at the NHL level to indicate he is more than a 4th liner at this point. Smyth or Jones would be better on the third line.
- rathagor

Have to go with Jones IMO, Smyth plays any sort of time on the 3rd line and he is going to be completely useless after x-mas, especially with yet another compressed schedule.

No offence to previous Guest Blogger #1 but this blog killed it...

Well written, informative, in-depth.

Reminds me of a certain Flames blogger


VERY well done.

Better read, interesting article. A little early in the blogging career to start with line-ups and still could use some apostrophe's here and there, but a solid first effort. I think we have a front-runner...

Good blog, informative, well written, accurate, well thought out... I had to check my browser to make sure I was really at hockeybuzz.

I just think teams, when in a rebuild, need to consider the larger picture, not just their top 6 to top 9 guys. Drafting all-stars and elite players is obviously a bonus, but you need glue and grit players, and it's evident Edmonton hasn't addressed that to the depth needed. I like the Gordon signing, but you paid WAY too much for him. Edmonton will be fine in the long-run, there is wayyyyy too much natural talent on this team.
- Flyers_V88

Horcoff > Gordon

Horcoff @ $5.5m < Gordon @$3m

Maybe an overpay, but still worth it to lock up a solid 3C for a few years.

Good blog, informative, well written, accurate, well thought out... I had to check my browser to make sure I was really at hockeybuzz.
- kingbrehm

We are doomed without RNH. Starting to think Hall/Eberle at center has to happen. Arcobello unless he has taken a huge step isn't ready for top 6 minutes. Still would try add a proven vet like Boyes or Wellwood, but I think MacT wants to see what he has in these unknowns first.
- Lahey

I believe Hall was already told to be ready to start the season at center.

Good blog, informative, well written, accurate, well thought out... I had to check my browser to make sure I was really at hockeybuzz.
- kingbrehm

Eklund really dropped the ball by keeping RC around for four years.

Eklund really dropped the ball by keeping RC around for four years.
- Reveen

Ya, two blogs and two very well written blogs on subjects that matter.

Ya, two blogs and two very well written blogs on subjects that matter.
- Lahey

I love it...

Feels strange not having these threads full of pissed off fans from other teams.

I believe Hall was already told to be ready to start the season at center.
- Reveen

Agree, Arcobello playing 2C isn't really ideal. Having Hall at center means Hemsky slots into that top 6 which is certainly not a bad thing. Nice to have 7 pretty clear top 6 guys.

Agree, Arcobello playing 2C isn't really ideal. Having Hall at center means Hemsky slots into that top 6 which is certainly not a bad thing. Nice to have 7 pretty clear top 6 guys.
- kingbrehm

Exactly... I think we might see

Hemsky / Hall / Ebs
Perron/ Gagner / Yak

I noticed you had Joensuu on the third line while RNH out and then Jones when he is back, why the switch?

Joensuu hasn't done anything at the NHL level to indicate he is more than a 4th liner at this point. Smyth or Jones would be better on the third line.
- rathagor

Smyth? Ur kidding right, I'm gonna pull a Smytty and cry like a baby when I have to watch him play game 1. Then ball my eyes out when he's (frank)ing the dog game 42. Hoping Eakins has the nards to let him grab a hot dog for most of the season.

Good blog, kinda too vanilla. You CAN say Smyth has no business in the NHL but we are all going to have to suffer through watching him realize this fact. And Arcobello playing top 6 minutes? No. Never. Career AHLer. At least, that's what my sources indicate (tsc3)

Unless guys like Smyth and Jones can have better seasons than last year and guys like Lander and Joensuu can come in and make an impact on the remaining spots, the Oilers bottom 6 is not looking to be much improved. I am sure Eakins felt guys like Acton and Hamilton would be good additions, he is familiar with both players, so maybe they can surprise. They do look to have more depth. I do not see much potential in a guy like Arcobello.

As others have mentioned, it is very refreshing to have a well thought out and well written Oilers blog.

However, it is kinda funny. This blog also shows how less interactive it is to be completely accurate with no controversy what so ever.

To spice it up you could of added in that Pitlick probably has the inside track to the final roster spot because he is training with Gary Roberts. Not true of course but it would get you some hits and feed the trolls :-P

This blog is absolutely great. Pretty much perfect. So great the only real comment I can make is... I agree 100%. I don't think I have ever agreed with a blog more than this one. Very well thought out.

As others have mentioned, it is very refreshing to have a well thought out and well written Oilers blog.

However, it is kinda funny. This blog also shows how less interactive it is to be completely accurate with no controversy what so ever.

To spice it up you could of added in that Pitlick probably has the inside track to the final roster spot because he is training with Gary Roberts. Not true of course but it would get you some hits and feed the trolls :-P

This blog is absolutely great. Pretty much perfect. So great the only real comment I can make is... I agree 100%. I don't think I have ever agreed with a blog more than this one. Very well thought out.
- Aerchon

90% of the comments in RC threads were garbage, rather have less quantity but all quality.

90% of the comments in RC threads were garbage, rather have less quantity but all quality.
- Lahey

Lahey wants quality??? Ohhhh the irony

Lahey wants quality??? Ohhhh the irony
- The-O-G

Of course. I want to get back to the days where there was good talk on a daily basis in the oiler threads.

90% of the comments in RC threads were garbage, rather have less quantity but all quality.
- Lahey

I would say 50% of RC blog material was garbage. Obviously too much. Even tho I am sure it got him posts.

Blog #1 Wasn't as well written but had a better entertainment feel. He added in Yak to his blog, I think, primarily to add some interest. Kinda 90+% relevant and 10% speculation/opinion. A much better mix.

Where this one is seriously 100% accurate. I don't disagree with anything this blooger says. Its almost scary.

Huge props for his accuracy but I think he needs to somehow make it a little more entertaining.

Of course. I want to get back to the days where there was good talk on a daily basis in the oiler threads.
- Lahey

Agreed... As long as the next blogger doesn't turn into RC we should be fine.

Agreed... As long as the next blogger doesn't turn into RC we should be fine.
- Reveen

2 points I put in Yost's new thread.

1. Don't try be something that isn't already out there. Being a bi-polar insider/non-insider lead to loyal guys leaving. Put an honest opinion out there on the topics at hand on a regular basis and you'll be fine. Even after Milhouse left, one issues with Scott Pattitson was he wasn't consistent in his blogging. Now Clouts was consistent, but he didn't have consistent relevant topics.

2. Gamedays must be posted as early as possible. No point in having gameday threads an hour before the game.

I think jones will have a great year under eakins and might go back to scoring15-20 goals a year again sk I see him sticking on the third line over joensuu. I also see one of those guys beating out smyth for a spot he's just to slow now. Nice article though its nice to see a different perspective on the oilers now.

I think jones will have a great year under eakins and might go back to scoring15-20 goals a year again sk I see him sticking on the third line over joensuu. I also see one of those guys beating out smyth for a spot he's just to slow now. Nice article though its nice to see a different perspective on the oilers now.
- BleedOil06

I think the biggest issue with Jones was he was almost blinded last year. I look forward to seeing some greasy goals from him this year on the third line.