Ryan Garner: Rajala Swallowed Up By The Perfect Storm

Fist

And welcome

Been following some Finns on another site and it sounds like he was quite pissed with going to Stockton last year. I really don't blame the kid and wonder if the team should've just let him go to Europe last year during the lockout.

I really don't know that there was a NHL player in Rajala, but it sucks to lose him right around the point where he might be sniffing at a cup of tea in the NHL. Really think he should've stayed til x-mas seen how things were going and then left, but then again maybe he wouldn't be able to get a contract at x-mas in Europe.

As for Niinimaki I noticed him a few years ago. Something tells me someone told him that he was 25 or 26 and if he wanted to continue playing a game for a living that he'd have to give an effort.

Ryan Garner: Rajala Swallowed Up By The Perfect Storm
- Ryan Garner

Good Luck Ryan.

Fist

And welcome
- Lahey

Great to have an Oiler Bloger back as I have really missed Clouts ramblings. Try find out why Hemsky has not found a home yet and how we are going to beef up our third line.

Ryan Garner?!?! Deja vu.

Congrats Oilers fans, you finally have a real blogger.


Now if only we could replace GARTH....

Great to have an Oiler Bloger back as I have really missed Clouts ramblings. Try find out why Hemsky has not found a home yet and how we are going to beef up our third line.
- aaglass

No market for him and they probably don't boost the third line until they see how the current guys play. Outside of picking up a goon I think our roster is set.

Been following some Finns on another site and it sounds like he was quite pissed with going to Stockton last year. I really don't blame the kid and wonder if the team should've just let him go to Europe last year during the lockout.

I really don't know that there was a NHL player in Rajala, but it sucks to lose him right around the point where he might be sniffing at a cup of tea in the NHL. Really think he should've stayed til x-mas seen how things were going and then left, but then again maybe he wouldn't be able to get a contract at x-mas in Europe.

As for Niinimaki I noticed him a few years ago. Something tells me someone told him that he was 25 or 26 and if he wanted to continue playing a game for a living that he'd have to give an effort.
- Lahey

I always wondered about Niinimaki. I wonder if Lander is next to go? Personally, if Lander hasn't landed a spot on the big club by seasons end and cemented himself in a player, then he might as well go as well. People might complain about letting them walk for nothing but 21-22 year old AHL players never get anyone much more than 4th or 5th round picks anyway.

Great to have an Oiler Bloger back as I have really missed Clouts ramblings. Try find out why Hemsky has not found a home yet and how we are going to beef up our third line.
- aaglass

Really? This was a good blog. Haven't said that about a Clouts blog in ages. Very much a much needed and welcomed change.

Ryan Garner: Rajala Swallowed Up By The Perfect Storm
- Ryan Garner

Welcome, enjoyed your blog.

I always wondered about Niinimaki. I wonder if Lander is next to go? Personally, if Lander hasn't landed a spot on the big club by seasons end and cemented himself in a player, then he might as well go as well. People might complain about letting them walk for nothing but 21-22 year old AHL players never get anyone much more than 4th or 5th round picks anyway.
- Jeropotato

Losing PRV sure doesn't help the case with Lander that's for sure.

I don't know to be honest, I think the big difference is Lander is getting a shot at the NHL and not being placed in the ECHL. The other big difference is Rajala was a guy that needed to be a top 6 player, he had no real shot at that going forward on this roster where as Lander can see the lack of C throughout this organization.

To be honest I sooner see Arcobello going to Europe than Lander at this point.

Losing PRV sure doesn't help the case with Lander that's for sure.

I don't know to be honest, I think the big difference is Lander is getting a shot at the NHL and not being placed in the ECHL. The other big difference is Rajala was a guy that needed to be a top 6 player, he had no real shot at that going forward on this roster where as Lander can see the lack of C throughout this organization.

To be honest I sooner see Arcobello going to Europe than Lander at this point.
- Lahey

Don't see Arcobello ever making the show, full time,anyway. Lander has a shot, but he either makes it or doesn't. Sooner or later he has to prove it, my guess is this is going to be a very telling season for Mr.Lander.

Don't see Arcobello ever making the show, full time,anyway. Lander has a shot, but he either makes it or doesn't. Sooner or later he has to prove it, my guess is this is going to be a very telling season for Mr.Lander.
- Jeropotato

MacT really likes Arcobello, be interesting to see what happens in camp with him. Talked about how he's a real smart player.

Coaches really like Lander's defensive play, so really all he has to do is win draws or get more physical and he should be able to become a #4

One of the problems with Rajala is that he isn't going to work in the Oilers bottom six, and h isn't better than the wingers in the top 6.

Maybe the Oilers did him a favor, let him go play a couple of seasons in Finland and work on his game and perhaps an NHL that will needs some skill in their top 6 will come calling someday.

Ryan Garner: Rajala Swallowed Up By The Perfect Storm
- Ryan Garner

Good first blog. I think you're going to be the perfect replacement for Clouts.

One of the problems with Rajala is that he isn't going to work in the Oilers bottom six, and h isn't better than the wingers in the top 6.

Maybe the Oilers did him a favor, let him go play a couple of seasons in Finland and work on his game and perhaps an NHL that will needs some skill in their top 6 will come calling someday.
- Ben37

Personally if I were Feaster, Poille, Yzerman etc.. I'd be claiming the kid. What do you have to lose? Claim him and tell him that there is some room, but you might need to go down to the AHL for a month.

Ryan Garner: Rajala Swallowed Up By The Perfect Storm
- Ryan Garner

Good read, Keep it going.

With Rajala swallowed up, they should look at guys like Cleary or Morrow for 1-2 year deals.

Good read, Keep it going.

With Rajala swallowed up, they should look at guys like Cleary or Morrow for 1-2 year deals.
- Byfuglien Ate Me

They don't have 3 mil cap space.

One of the problems with Rajala is that he isn't going to work in the Oilers bottom six, and h isn't better than the wingers in the top 6.

Maybe the Oilers did him a favor, let him go play a couple of seasons in Finland and work on his game and perhaps an NHL that will needs some skill in their top 6 will come calling someday.
- Ben37

Have to agree, maybe a few years ago he would have had a chance but as of now, no room for his size in respect to what the Oil need and where.

There is room for players his size in the NHL, how many cups does Kane have? How much of a role does he play for the Hawks?

Martin St. Louis...well, you get the point.

I will gladly watch the skill of some of the smaller guys in the NHL over big oafs who just skate around head hunting.


Welcome back Ryan, keep up the good work.

Good article I didn't know rajala had cut ties with the oil!!! Crazy in my opinion but in all seriousness was he ever going to out play hall, eberle, yaks or perron who all are better and bigger then him? No. I wish we could have traded his rights first though.

Good read, Keep it going.

With Rajala swallowed up, they should look at guys like Cleary or Morrow for 1-2 year deals.
- Byfuglien Ate Me

Van is right, they need cap space, but if they can free it up, hell yes, either of those 2 would be huge for what the Oil need.

That and they both come from winter climates so they are no stranger to the cold winters in the great white north...no whining from those 2 guys.

Of the 3 guest bloggers posts and Ryan here... Ryan is the only one that I enjoyed, kept me interested and kept me reading. Good job Ryan, good to have you. Hope we find a great #2 as well.

Van is right, they need cap space, but if they can free it up, hell yes, either of those 2 would be huge for what the Oil need.

That and they both come from winter climates so they are no stranger to the cold winters in the great white north...no whining from those 2 guys.
- PeterThePuck

Get Old Man Smyth to retire and help Eakins behind the bench.

Was a great leader for the Oil, all heart, but he looks done IMO.

Get Old Man Smyth to retire and help Eakins behind the bench.

Was a great leader for the Oil, all heart, but he looks done IMO.
- Byfuglien Ate Me

Not going to matter his cap hit stays regardless.

Ryan, with one blog in the books, you've already shown your talents & wisdom compared to that dud Cloutier.

Keep it up!!