Richard Cloutier: Canucks v. Oilers II: The Cycle of Death

I think the team without Horcoff and Belanger will do just fine, especially Horcoff. It really takes the wind out of the other players' sails when they watch every play die on his stick. Him being the captain compounds the problem. I wouldn't be surprised if the call-ups perform very well.

I hope so anyway.

Richard Cloutier: Canucks v. Oilers II: The Cycle of Death
- Maxbone

What no Sam Gagner sucks?
Come-on Richard other than your dislike for Horcoff's over-inflated contract, he will not be bought out this summer(remember they can use these buy outs for two years) since Lander isn't ready and expierenced enough to take over for Horcoff.
Whitney is your new whipping boy now that Gagner has made you eat crow.
Please remember that Ryan Whitney before his injury wasn't what you would call fleet of foot. Now he has some mobility issues because of his ankles and he is dealing with them with no pain. Yes his passing is still out in left field sometimes a timing thing since he has not played regularly for what 8 months. Remember look around the league there are a lot of players having the same timing problems.
Whitney on your third pairing means you have an actual decent defense. Not great but decent.

I think the team without Horcoff and Belanger will do just fine, especially Horcoff. It really takes the wind out of the other players' sails when they watch every play die on his stick. Him being the captain compounds the problem. I wouldn't be surprised if the call-ups perform very well.

I hope so anyway.
- JLO961

I agree although I have liked belangers play this year those to out does quite a lot to our faceoff percent as well as our pk belanger was a machine against the avs with how he managed to stay in the gane after getting pretty beat up any timeline yet clouts on the injuries day to day? Week to week?

I think the team without Horcoff and Belanger will do just fine, especially Horcoff. It really takes the wind out of the other players' sails when they watch every play die on his stick. Him being the captain compounds the problem. I wouldn't be surprised if the call-ups perform very well.

I hope so anyway.
- JLO961

Considering he is playing defensive minded hockey now that plays dieing on his stick is a good thing. It has been said by Hall, Eberle, RNH, Smyth, Yaks, ....etc by just about every player on the team how much they respect Horcoffs work ethic(look it up), the fact he is in the best shape on the team, the fact he goes out of his way to help all the new players behind the scenes. Sounds like what a captain is supposed to do.

On a side note I am also glad that Gregor (from the team 1260) is now also taking umbridge with fans over Horcoff. How did he put it "everyone has an opinion but when it comes to Horcoff and his contract some people are just idiots because they cannot see he is a good third line center. They see a contract that you me and everyone else would have signed when it was offered."

Listen people according to cap geek his contract runs for 2 more seasons after this one and is set at 5.5 cap hit but actual salary 4m then 3m. Do you realise how valuable that will be to teams trying to make the floor???

Will he be here after next season? Who knows but a salary of 3m and a cap hit of 5.5m would be looking very nice on say the Coyotes who are struggling to make the floor as a 3rd line center.

What no Sam Gagner sucks?
Come-on Richard other than your dislike for Horcoff's over-inflated contract, he will not be bought out this summer(remember they can use these buy outs for two years) since Lander isn't ready and expierenced enough to take over for Horcoff.
Whitney is your new whipping boy now that Gagner has made you eat crow.
Please remember that Ryan Whitney before his injury wasn't what you would call fleet of foot. Now he has some mobility issues because of his ankles and he is dealing with them with no pain. Yes his passing is still out in left field sometimes a timing thing since he has not played regularly for what 8 months. Remember look around the league there are a lot of players having the same timing problems.
Whitney on your third pairing means you have an actual decent defense. Not great but decent.
- longbottom

Oh Hans, Hans, Hans...I don't have any weapons of mass destruction, okay Hans.

I love blog comments like these.

1. Sam Gagner didn't exactly make me eat crow. For one thing, more people have had questions about him over the years than have fully supported him suggesting he's a true #2 center. I am thrilled Gagner is playing great, but he's streaky as hell. If he can play like this the entire season, I'll be sold on him as our #2 guy.

2. EVERYONE knows Ryan Whitney is playing terrible. Even he knows it. There could be a million reasons why he is, but I don't really care what they are. He needs to either find his game or prepare to be dealt.

3. Why are so many people in denial about Shawn Horcoff being bought-out this summer? Look at the cap ceiling...$64mil for 2013/2014...and then look at the Oilers contracts. They can't keep Horcoff, Whitney and Hemsky. KLowe loves Hemsky, so he's staying. If the Oilers want to add any UFA's this summer (or make a big deal) they MUST buyout Horcoff to make cap space. This is not all about what I think of the player. Buying out Horcoff is a smart business move. He's an $11mil cap hit over the next two seasons the Oilers can eliminate for $4.7mil, with none of it counting against the cap. It would be one thing if Horcoff was a 60pts per season guy, but he isn't. He's our Scott Gomez. A decent player, but a horrible contract that will limit the teams options this summer.

Third and fourth lines need to step up and score some goals. We need a more balanced attack 5 on 5. Power plays are very important but you can't rely on it for wins. Still needs guys to score goals 5 on 5. I think the faceoffs will be bigger factor for tonights game, unless we light up Luongo early. Even on the PP how many times have we lost the draw only to waste 30 second going back down to our end to start our PP again.

I agree although I have liked belangers play this year those to out does quite a lot to our faceoff percent as well as our pk belanger was a machine against the avs with how he managed to stay in the gane after getting pretty beat up any timeline yet clouts on the injuries day to day? Week to week?
- oil_country1404

According to Oiler.com it's a foot problem and out-indefinatly. Maybe a cracked bone or a slight break?

Considering he is playing defensive minded hockey now that plays dieing on his stick is a good thing. It has been said by Hall, Eberle, RNH, Smyth, Yaks, ....etc by just about every player on the team how much they respect Horcoffs work ethic(look it up), the fact he is in the best shape on the team, the fact he goes out of his way to help all the new players behind the scenes. Sounds like what a captain is supposed to do.

On a side note I am also glad that Gregor (from the team 1260) is now also taking umbridge with fans over Horcoff. How did he put it "everyone has an opinion but when it comes to Horcoff and his contract some people are just idiots because they cannot see he is a good third line center. They see a contract that you me and everyone else would have signed when it was offered."

Listen people according to cap geek his contract runs for 2 more seasons after this one and is set at 5.5 cap hit but actual salary 4m then 3m. Do you realise how valuable that will be to teams trying to make the floor???

Will he be here after next season? Who knows but a salary of 3m and a cap hit of 5.5m would be looking very nice on say the Coyotes who are struggling to make the floor as a 3rd line center.
- longbottom

Shawn Horcoff has ZERO trade value. The Oilers would have moved him 100 times by now if he had a trade value.

The numbers for the Sedin Sedin Burrows line might be slightly skewed. Burrows hasn't played on that line for most of the season.

According to Oiler.com it's a foot problem and out-indefinatly. Maybe a cracked bone or a slight break?
- longbottom

Thanks for the info kind of bummed if he's out for a while I was liking his game this season

I agree..swedish players are one of the best attitude wise..just look at the red wings of the past 15 yrs..

Richard Cloutier: Canucks v. Oilers II: The Cycle of Death
- Maxbone

Heads it is. We know who is in goal.

Oh Hans, Hans, Hans...I don't have any weapons of mass destruction, okay Hans.

I love blog comments like these.

1. Sam Gagner didn't exactly make me eat crow. For one thing, more people have had questions about him over the years than have fully supported him suggesting he's a true #2 center. I am thrilled Gagner is playing great, but he's streaky as hell. If he can play like this the entire season, I'll be sold on him as our #2 guy.

2. EVERYONE knows Ryan Whitney is playing terrible. Even he knows it. There could be a million reasons why he is, but I don't really care what they are. He needs to either find his game or prepare to be dealt.

3. Why are so many people in denial about Shawn Horcoff being bought-out this summer? Look at the cap ceiling...$64mil for 2013/2014...and then look at the Oilers contracts. They can't keep Horcoff, Whitney and Hemsky. KLowe loves Hemsky, so he's staying. If the Oilers want to add any UFA's this summer (or make a big deal) they MUST buyout Horcoff to make cap space. This is not all about what I think of the player. Buying out Horcoff is a smart business move. He's an $11mil cap hit over the next two seasons the Oilers can eliminate for $4.7mil, with none of it counting against the cap. It would be one thing if Horcoff was a 60pts per season guy, but he isn't. He's our Scott Gomez. A decent player, but a horrible contract that will limit the teams options this summer.
- Maxbone

Denial Richard??? The only person saying it is you. Not Tenser, Not Gregor, Not Brownlee nor Stauffer nor Richaug nor Matheson. You. Right now he leads the team with a 50.6 fo% and pulls all the tough checking jobs. He has 2 more years left at 5.5m with actual salary of 4m and 3m.
Coming off the books this summer as per cap-geek:
Sour-ray-1.5m
Khabi-3.75m
Whitney-5.5m
Hordichuk-.850m
Peckham 1.075m
Seeing that is a savings of just over 12m right there.
Going into next season they have 19m in which to sign what 10 guys.
That is not including trades.
Could they find another Peckham or already have his replacement in Fistric. OR find another offensive defenseman for the third pairing in the UFA market for cheaper than what they paid Whitney? All of this w/o buying out Horcoff. Hmmmmmm I know I am an extreme homer but I also know we have no replacement for horcoff yet either. Lander isn't going to be here full time yet hell he wouldn't be here now unless Horcoff wasn't injured.

Shawn Horcoff has ZERO trade value. The Oilers would have moved him 100 times by now if he had a trade value.
- Maxbone

Oh hell I get it now. Damn How stupid of me. it's just like the kid that likes my niece. He calls her names, hit her in the shoulder, pulls her hair. But he is just showing his true feelings.

Also the fact you have said on one or more occasions that you purposely say thing opposite the way you feel to get a reaction/hits.

I see it now you really do have a Bromance with Horcoff and Whitney, and Gagner.

I get ya buddy, I am a little slow on the up take sometimes. Sorry brudder Our little secret.

Thanks for the info kind of bummed if he's out for a while I was liking his game this season
- oil_country1404

Ya as was I, he was actually looking good between Harti and PRV.

Shawn Horcoff has ZERO trade value. The Oilers would have moved him 100 times by now if he had a trade value.
- Maxbone

He's not gonna get bought out you are clueless on this one.

Oh Hans, Hans, Hans...I don't have any weapons of mass destruction, okay Hans.

I love blog comments like these.

1. Sam Gagner didn't exactly make me eat crow. For one thing, more people have had questions about him over the years than have fully supported him suggesting he's a true #2 center. I am thrilled Gagner is playing great, but he's streaky as hell. If he can play like this the entire season, I'll be sold on him as our #2 guy.

2. EVERYONE knows Ryan Whitney is playing terrible. Even he knows it. There could be a million reasons why he is, but I don't really care what they are. He needs to either find his game or prepare to be dealt.

3. Why are so many people in denial about Shawn Horcoff being bought-out this summer? Look at the cap ceiling...$64mil for 2013/2014...and then look at the Oilers contracts. They can't keep Horcoff, Whitney and Hemsky. KLowe loves Hemsky, so he's staying. If the Oilers want to add any UFA's this summer (or make a big deal) they MUST buyout Horcoff to make cap space. This is not all about what I think of the player. Buying out Horcoff is a smart business move. He's an $11mil cap hit over the next two seasons the Oilers can eliminate for $4.7mil, with none of it counting against the cap. It would be one thing if Horcoff was a 60pts per season guy, but he isn't. He's our Scott Gomez. A decent player, but a horrible contract that will limit the teams options this summer.
- Maxbone

How can you suggest on one hand that Horcoff has zero trade value and then turn around and talk about dealing Whitney? If he doesn't find his game, he probably has less value than Horc. Horcoff will not be getting bought out. Not this summer anyways.

Really top line of Sedin Sedin Burrows? If your lazy fingers clicked on links outside of the Edmonton bubble and you did some blogger journalism you'd find that they have played exactly one game together and Kassian has been their linemate for the majority of the season. C'mon just a little extra work to make you sound a little more credible.

How can you suggest on one hand that Horcoff has zero trade value and then turn around and talk about dealing Whitney? If he doesn't find his game, he probably has less value than Horc. Horcoff will not be getting bought out. Not this summer anyways.
- sanfordnson

Whitney's a rental. He has trade value...as small as it may be...because if he doesn't work out, a team isn't stuck with a big, ugly contract to deal with.

Are people just in denial that the cap ceiling is going down next season, not up? Half the teams in the league will be scrambling to clear cap.

Really top line of Sedin Sedin Burrows? If your lazy fingers clicked on links outside of the Edmonton bubble and you did some blogger journalism you'd find that they have played exactly one game together and Kassian has been their linemate for the majority of the season. C'mon just a little extra work to make you sound a little more credible.
- LloydXmas

No.

Denial Richard??? The only person saying it is you. Not Tenser, Not Gregor, Not Brownlee nor Stauffer nor Richaug nor Matheson. You. Right now he leads the team with a 50.6 fo% and pulls all the tough checking jobs. He has 2 more years left at 5.5m with actual salary of 4m and 3m.
Coming off the books this summer as per cap-geek:
Sour-ray-1.5m
Khabi-3.75m
Whitney-5.5m
Hordichuk-.850m
Peckham 1.075m
Seeing that is a savings of just over 12m right there.
Going into next season they have 19m in which to sign what 10 guys.
That is not including trades.
Could they find another Peckham or already have his replacement in Fistric. OR find another offensive defenseman for the third pairing in the UFA market for cheaper than what they paid Whitney? All of this w/o buying out Horcoff. Hmmmmmm I know I am an extreme homer but I also know we have no replacement for horcoff yet either. Lander isn't going to be here full time yet hell he wouldn't be here now unless Horcoff wasn't injured.
- longbottom

You can quote me on this: The Oilers want to make two major moves this summer. I was told this by an excellent source whom I completely trust. The same source told me Horcoff will be bought out, unless he plays out of his mind this season. The Oilers want to bring in a Top 4 D and a 3rd line center with size. One will likely be acquired via trade; the other via free agency. The Oilers will need cap room to make this happen. If you reference some of my earlier blogs, you will see how things break down financially.

As far as Tencer hasn't said it, Stauffer hasn't said it, others, blah blah blah...I know some have said it because I've heard them say it.

Whitney's a rental. He has trade value...as small as it may be...because if he doesn't work out, a team isn't stuck with a big, ugly contract to deal with.

Are people just in denial that the cap ceiling is going down next season, not up? Half the teams in the league will be scrambling to clear cap.
- Maxbone

Rentals are meant to help push teams over the hump, not be projects. Look at the numbers. Khabi being done alone makes the cap ceiling not much of an issue. They're not buying out Horc.

I think the team without Horcoff and Belanger will do just fine, especially Horcoff. It really takes the wind out of the other players' sails when they watch every play die on his stick. Him being the captain compounds the problem. I wouldn't be surprised if the call-ups perform very well.

I hope so anyway.
- JLO961

Team is going to miss those two. They are the two of the better defensive players on this team and both were doing quite well at their jobs this year. Only people that think otherwise are still haters because of contracts.

Team is going to miss those two. They are the two of the better defensive players on this team and both were doing quite well at their jobs this year. Only people that think otherwise are still haters because of contracts.
- Lahey

Agreed. If the team continues to take penalties like they have been I dont like where it is heading. Hopefully Lander and Petrell/Paajarvi(?) can fill in adequately.