Guest Writer: Oilers guest blogger #2- Who Wins The Final Spots Up Front?

First... Yes!

Very very good blog. Great read!

I really like Rajala and think that he's got an outside shot of cracking the lineup this season, would love to see him in a few exhibition games at least.

The fact that he left finland to play in the WHL, then went back to finland for a year only to come back once again and play in the ECHL, then AHL shows the commitment this 22 year old kid has to becoming a full time NHLer..he deserves a real shot, I don't care about his size..Oilers need players with Passion, Mike Peca was something like 5 foot 9, 180 lbs and nobody ever considered him undersized because he played the game big and ruthless.

Rajala ain't Mike Peca..but he doesn't shy away from physical contact..he's got speed and skill to burn, great attitude..perfect guy to replace Hemsky on this team one day. 3rd liner with PP, maybe one day top sixer with powerplay.

More of the same line combinations....Didn't expect that

First... Yes!
- HouseArrest187

Good blog
Appreciate the info on the bottom 6.
If nuge is out for the beginning of the season I would prefer to move Hall or Ebs to center and get Hemsky in the top 6. Try to get him going and build up some value.

I miss Hamilton you guys have a solid player in him.

More of the same line combinations....Didn't expect that
- Heavyd17

Haha I know it gets redundant seeing depth charts over and over again, but in this case it was a useful visual for me to demonstrate how the bottom six could come together. Thanks for reading!

Very very good blog. Great read!
- HouseArrest187

Thank you, much appreciated!

Ek give it up I am the Oilers blogger... LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE.

- Yeti1181

Jealous much?

Didn't realize Rajala had such a good season for OKC. Nice blog.

Good read, looking forward to more of these as the season comes around the corner.

Who cares what the line up is. Edmonton is going to dismantle their young core before they are "better" than the Sabres. The Sabres, the Oilers of the East, only better.

Refreshing Oilers blog.

Who cares what the line up is. Edmonton is going to dismantle their young core before they are "better" than the Sabres. The Sabres, the Oilers of the East, only better.
- systemtool

lol. I'd say go with a forward who can provide some grit and two-way play. My money would be on Mike Brown or Anton Lander.

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.

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.

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

Yep put Hall at center while the NUGE is out, looks way better to me.
I like Arcobello but the kid needs a good treatment of roids to crack the top 6, way too small for my liking..

Yep put Hall at center while the NUGE is out, looks way better to me.
I like Arcobello but the kid needs a good treatment of roids to crack the top 6, way too small for my liking..
- The_Hinter

Another guy I wonder about is Morrow. I really don't think he's all that great, but might be a not bad option to have especially because him on the 3rd line makes a lot more sense than a guy like Hemsky. Could also be used in top 6 in the short term to create space for some of the skilled guys.

Good blog! Nice to hear a bit about the bottom 6 candidates.

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

Well to be honest, I don't know what to make of our scouting. We drafted a lot of guys in rounds 2 and 3 that weren't exactly guys we expected to make the team early.

Good writing. This blog was easier to read than the last one. Very well done IMO.

-Mike Brown ftw, he should play every game, amazing skater, and his energy and team-first attitude is contagious
-I hope the top 6 stays healthy...if so...it's an electric group, they should be scoring piles of goals every game
-this was refreshing, to talk about the Oilers instead of taking troll bait, good blog