GAGNER
Oilers aren't eager to retain salary in Gagner trade and are believed to be receiving interest from other teams based on the buzz...
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 7, 2014LA-Edmtn deal could still go down, but, what's the rush? Gagner is playing well and could fetch more at deadline or at the Draft.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 7, 2014Finally, someone out East is making some sense. The Oilers have options when it comes to Gagner. He is much more likely to bounce back over the last quarter of the season and into next year and even by the proper deadline it will be more likely that he garners interest from additional teams.
So the Olympic Roster Freeze is in effect and Sam Gagner is still an Oiler. The fans who really wanted to see Kyle Clifford take Gazdic’s spot and fix all of Edmonton’s problems are going to have to wait until after the Olympics to realize their fantasy. But for Edmonton, waiting is probably the best option when it comes to moving 89. Beyond the deadline, the Cap is rising and will continue to rise year after year. I don’t believe his NTC kicks in until after the Draft so the next obvious time to move him is then. If there’s anything to the suggestion that other teams are beginning to compete for Gagner then the longer this takes the better for the Oilers.
If I’m moving Gagner I want a Defenseman and a prospect and I don’t care if that seems like a high asking price. The Oilers cant afford to take the first low offer that comes. They aren’t exactly loaded with talent down the middle organizationally. If someone WANTS Gagner then they better pay to get him.
The reality is that the team in the NHL that could really use Gagner the most is the Edmonton Oilers. Their only other option for 2C is a 5’9… 165lb player that the coach made a healthy scratch on many occasions before sending him down to OKC. I like Arcobello, he’s grown on me, but he isn’t an established NHL player.
LINEUPS
Bryzgalov is playing tonight and the club was vague about there possibly being another change up front. Outside of that it should be the same units.
New Jersey netminder Cory Schneider is expected to start
Hall RNH Yak Perron Gagner Eberle Hendricks Gordon Hemsky Gazdic Smyth Jones
N. Schultz J. Schultz Marincin Petry Ference Fraser
Bryzgalov
OILERS KEYS TO THE GAME
1) Attack With Speed. The Devils play a style of game that squeezes the life out of the opposition. If that sounds like a stereotype then it’s because it is, but it also happens to be true. NJ is 3rd in Corsi% for teams in the NHL with 53%. They aren’t doing it by pushing their offense, they do it with stifling Defense. They have only allowed 1900 shot attempts all year, that’s 350 fewer than Chicago. The Oilers have allowed 2711 shot attempts this year. If speed kills the trap then the Oilers need a Bullet Train.
2) Confidence. The Oilers have started to find ways to win games. Some games they deserved the win, others they didn’t really but found a way to get it done anyway. Maybe it’s my mind trying to fit what I’m seeing into a neat little narrative but I’m seeing some confidence from players out there. Petry stood up for his goalie against Callahan, Marincin was jumping up in the play, and players were going to the net. Keep that going.
3) Go Out On A Good Note. There’s a long layoff between now and when the next Oiler game takes place. Laying an egg tonight means almost 3 weeks of stewing on it. There will be plenty of time to rest up, just lay your guts on the line tonight.
Puck drops at 5:08PM Mountain Time on Sportsnet. Game On!
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