OMARK
Linus Omark has made a return to the NHL by way of a callup to the Oilers from the Oklahoma City Barons. The diminutive but tenacious forward has been the Barons’ most dynamic player thus far this season with 12 points in 12 games, 8 of which being goals. Edmonton has been down their entire LW group for some time already so the choice to recall him now after they’ve needed a left winger for as long as they have strikes me as odd.
With all the injuries Omark still only represents the 13th forward so it’s not as if having the extra body up is putting undue pressure on the roster by any means at all, but where he slots in may prove interesting if they choose to dress him against the Lightning. Could Omark’s presence mean another stay in the Press Box for Nail Yakupov or will the Oilers opt to take one of Gazdic/Eager out? There are plenty of players who may be nicked up right now that we aren’t aware of either. Players who may have normally been given some time to heal but given the circumstances have not had that luxury. Linus Omark was skating with the injured players but Eakins had some words for Yak in a 1-on-1 and it appears as though Omark may take the young Russian’s spot tomorrow.
It’s no secret that the Oil and Omark had fallen out of love but neither had any other choice but to make up and play nice. Edmonton could get nothing for Omark and Omark had no other option if he wanted to play in the NHL. Unfortunately for the Swede he’s too good for the AHL but is behind a great number of wingers on the Oilers depth chart. If he wants an NHL career it will have to be with another team, in my opinion. With the callup he will get an opportunity to showcase his skills, not for Edmonton, but for the 29 other clubs who may need his services.
Some are already speculating that his arrival spells a trade on the horizon, but perhaps this is a little premature. That said, Lowe and MacTavish have again been spotted scouting, this time a Carolina/Philadelphia game. This is the 2nd Hurricanes game they have been seen at and we are well aware of Edmonton’s relationship with the Flyers.
OTHER THOUGHTS
This 3rd goal by the Panthers is unbearably bad. I don’t know how a 9 foot giant like Dubnyk can make himself smaller than Darren Pang when the opposition takes a shot, but there it is. Is this something that modern medicine can fix? Or is this really about the trend in goaltending that sees netminders stay further back in their crease than we have become used to? On that shot the Oilers keep Florida to a shot from above the circle with no traffic in front. Dubnyk saw it all the way, no surprises. An NHL goaltender HAS to stop that.
I liked the Smyth/Gagner/Yak line enough to give them another chance to gel together even if the coach may see fit to change it up. I particularly like how Smyth’s North-South game helps guide the East-West Yakupov. It almost paid off for a goal as Smyth got a grade A chance from Yak who drew some defenders up high before planting a pass tape-to-tape on Smyth’s stick as he drove to the net.
Thank the hockey gods that Nuge’s knee isn’t made of glass because that’s 3 or 4 games in a row where someone has targeted him with a knee-on-knee hit.
UPDATE
"All these reports in the media about him being traded are absolutely 100% not true." - Coach Eakins on practice chat with Yakupov
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) November 6, 2013
Will this be enough to end the Yak trade rumours or did the Oilers just give Nail the Kiss of Death?
MOVEMBER UPDATE
I think I’m going with the straight up gross stache, no handlebars, nothing fancy. Check out my progress, chirp me, or donate here.
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