Yes and no on the young guy thing. Who are the other options? Off the top of my head it's pretty much unproven talent from the AHL/Europe or guys like Brown and Eager.


It's not that I want him here, but for now he is here so like Horcoff I just deal with it and try find a way that it will work for us.
- Lahey

Pitlick, Martindale, Hamilton, even Acton (since his dad is the new Assistant Coach) should get a chance in a limited role. Don't get me wrong, I would love for Ryan Smyth to play one more good year, maybe even as captain and retire on his own terms but sooner or later these young guys need to get some NHL games in.

Pitlick, Martindale, Hamilton, even Acton (since his dad is the new Assistant Coach) should get a chance in a limited role. Don't get me wrong, I would love for Ryan Smyth to play one more good year, maybe even as captain and retire on his own terms but sooner or later these young guys need to get some NHL games in.
- nated81

Pitlick has had lots of struggles in the AHL as has Martindale, I really hope neither of those guys are on the Oil this year.

Hamilton and Acton I don't know what to make of. One is 28 and the other is 26, I do think that they would be the reason Smyth's career gets finished early next year. I'd add Josenuu and Eager to that group as well, but like I'm mentioned in the past they really are nothing more than new shiny toys at the moment. Well not Eager.

I think ek should hire this guy and Zillman
- Oilers42

This guy should have a good shot at getting hired but Zillman was, let's say, not up to par. (no offense to Zillman)

Pitlick has had lots of struggles in the AHL as has Martindale, I really hope neither of those guys are on the Oil this year.

Hamilton and Acton I don't know what to make of. One is 28 and the other is 26, I do think that they would be the reason Smyth's career gets finished early next year. I'd add Josenuu and Eager to that group as well, but like I'm mentioned in the past they really are nothing more than new shiny toys at the moment. Well not Eager.
- Lahey

Shiny toys are always tried out before going to the good old toys though.
Hopefully, Eager has a better year than last year if he sticks around. He was quite the disappointment.

I really hope he goes out in a classy way, like retiring and taking a role somewhere in the organization, rather than getting injured halfway through the season and just not coming back.
- nuckout

joey moss could use an understudy

Good blog!


I think no matter who gets the job we will finally be able to read some legit info on the Oilers.

I like to keep my enemies close.....

This guy should have a good shot at getting hired but Zillman was, let's say, not up to par. (no offense to Zillman)
- oilersrule66

His blog IMO was the best

Call me crazy, but I would love to see the C on smitty as a going away gift for all the hard work .... Hall can have it forever after that

Call me crazy, but I would love to see the C on smitty as a going away gift for all the hard work .... Hall can have it forever after that
- Bonzi

CRAZY!!!

First off, tip the hat to Ek these guest writers are the best thing to happen this site. Although he countered that by hiring Yoda as ref.

As for the article I think there are a few keys that fans miss.

1 - Smyth has had bad finishes before coming to Edmonton, so it's not something new.

2 - Last year the guy really did nothing during the lockout. Not exactly something that is good for a guy his age. Does a real off-season help him?

3 - Why do they play Smyth so much? Sure it's going to suck paying him more than he is worth, but what the hell is with overplaying guys? Smyth shouldn't have hovered around 20 minutes a night in 11-12 and probably shouldn't have played more than 10 minutes last year. Why not try put this guy into a position where he can succeed? It's obvious he is retiring after next year so why not make it a year where he looks decent not horrible?


Who know maybe Smyth comes into camp in good shape and isn't used that much and still sucks, but I for one do think there is a chance he could be a valuable asset. Even if it is for the 1st half of the year having him could pay dividends.

There is also that chance that he comes into camp looks to be the 16th forward and retires.
- Lahey

No wonder my car wouldnt start today!!

WTF? Where is everybody???

WTF? Where is everybody???
- HouseArrest187

I'm here Mofo

WTF? Where is everybody???
- HouseArrest187

Your moms house. But seriously Smytty needs to hang em up. He is the slowest guy on the ice every time he steps on it. He's embarrassing himself.

Your moms house. But seriously Smytty needs to hang em up. He is the slowest guy on the ice every time he steps on it. He's embarrassing himself.
- Ihatebrianburke

He needs the money. Have you seen gas prices lately?

Your moms house. But seriously Smytty needs to hang em up. He is the slowest guy on the ice every time he steps on it. He's embarrassing himself.
- Ihatebrianburke

Hmmmm, I don't agree. There are definitely lots of better options out there, but I think Smyth can still contribute to this team for the year. If he were retiring now I wouldn't want him to come back, but since he is here he should be able to play fourth line minutes and some pk effectively. He has leadership qualities like few others and can still show the kids what it means to leave it all out there.

Hmmmm, I don't agree. There are definitely lots of better options out there, but I think Smyth can still contribute to this team for the year. If he were retiring now I wouldn't want him to come back, but since he is here he should be able to play fourth line minutes and some pk effectively. He has leadership qualities like few others and can still show the kids what it means to leave it all out there.
- abware

He should take a dump in the middle of the ice and tell them all that he literally leaves it all out there.

Talyor Hall for the new Captain? If you'd have drafted Logan Couture instead of little Sammy Gagner he'd be getting it...but I digress.
- LeftCoaster

Theres nothing wrong with Sam Gagner, he's a solid player and has excellent leadership qualities in his own right.

He should take a dump in the middle of the ice and tell them all that he literally leaves it all out there.
- laughs2907

I didn't say literally.

Theres nothing wrong with Sam Gagner, he's a solid player and has excellent leadership qualities in his own right.
- gunner2233

I'm here Mofo
- abware

There we go.

He needs the money. Have you seen gas prices lately?
- laughs2907

Smytty or my mom?

Smytty or my mom?
- HouseArrest187

Everyone

Everyone
- laughs2907

this is true.

this is true.
- HouseArrest187

It's like a 1.40 a litre now for (frank)s sake... It's cheaper to put Pepsi in my (frank)ing car

It's like a 1.40 a litre now for (frank)s sake... It's cheaper to put Pepsi in my (frank)ing car
- laughs2907

Runs a little rough though