Location: del's basement chilling with S, AB Joined: 03.07.2011
Aug 29 @ 4:41 PM ET
There is no word on whether the Oilers plan to retire Omark's #23 jersey at some point during the 2012/2013 season, but I'm guessing plans for an Omark Bobblehead Night will be announced shortly.
I heard they are putting it up with a rattle and few chew toys.
The Oilers have been trying for some time to deal Omark, who couldn't find a regular spot on the team for a number of reasons (not a great skater, management didn't like his attitude, he is too small to scare anyone, and he isn't impressive defensively).
I guess if you are hoping for a trade, pointing out all of his faults isn't going help much. Maybe there is a GM out there who has only seen his spinOramma shootout goal and doesn't realize he is useless otherwise, and would trade you a 4th rounder for him.
Location: Josi is the most overrated player in the nhl. He isnt even close to a top ten. - James_Tanner, NJ Joined: 02.28.2009
Aug 29 @ 5:17 PM ET
It doesn't sound like there were many opportunities for Omark in the KHL or the SEL...so for Linus, it was either EV Zug, or the Little League World Series.
It doesn't sound like he had opportunities? As in you didn't hear of any KHL or SEL teams being interested in him? As in you were expecting to hear of every offer he received, especially from teams overseas?
Ok.
Omark picked the Swiss league because its an excellent leauge. The travel isn't very demanding, the pay is exceptional for overseas, Switzlerland is an absolutely fantastic place to live, and Omark has already made stops in the KHL and SEL. The Swiss leauge, which he in all honesty will probably lead in scoring, is still a fairly competitive leauge for Omark to hone his game.
He is an NHL player. He just needs a better NHL oppurtunity. Say what you want about his tenure in EDM, the kid was never really given a fair shake and at no point did his on ice play warrant how he was used.
Not only did the video I post screw up the page, but it isn't the one where Eberle hip checks the guy in a suit through the side of a cab. I like that ad better.
Location: del's basement chilling with S, AB Joined: 03.07.2011
Aug 29 @ 5:19 PM ET
It doesn't sound like he had opportunities? As in you didn't hear of any KHL or SEL teams being interested in him? As in you were expecting to hear of every offer he received, especially from teams overseas?
Ok.
Omark picked the Swiss league because its an excellent leauge. The travel isn't very demanding, the pay is exceptional for overseas, Switzlerland is an absolutely fantastic place to live, and Omark has already made stops in the KHL and SEL. The Swiss leauge, which he in all honesty will probably lead in scoring, is still a fairly competitive leauge for Omark to hone his game.
He is an NHL player. He just need a better NHL oppurtunity. Say what you want about his tenure in EDM, the kid was never really given a fair shake and at no point did his on ice play warrant how he was used. - mochoson
Ah so not only are you an expert on every NHL team you are also an expert on Countries to live in.
It doesn't sound like he had opportunities? As in you didn't hear of any KHL or SEL teams being interested in him? As in you were expecting to hear of every offer he received, especially from teams overseas?
Ok.
Omark picked the Swiss league because its an excellent leauge. The travel isn't very demanding, the pay is exceptional for overseas, Switzlerland is an absolutely fantastic place to live, and Omark has already made stops in the KHL and SEL. The Swiss leauge, which he in all honesty will probably lead in scoring, is still a fairly competitive leauge for Omark to hone his game.
He is an NHL player. He just need a better NHL oppurtunity. Say what you want about his tenure in EDM, the kid was never really given a fair shake and at no point did his on ice play warrant how he was used. - mochoson
Every team in the AHL would beat the crap out of every team in the Swiss league on a nightly basis.
The order of pro leagues is something like #1 NHL, #2 KHL, #3 SEL, #4 AHL, #5 Finnish Elite...where Swiss A is might be below the league in Germany. Obviously, if Omark's goal is to make a living in the NHL, he's not helping himself playing in an inferior league...unless that's the only real opportunity he had.
Location: Hall looks disengaged, NS Joined: 07.18.2007
Aug 29 @ 5:20 PM ET
He's not a bad player, and not even a bad player in terms of where he fits here (there are players on our roster that are just as underwhelming physically and defensively).
He's not a great fit in terms of where our team is going. I hope he finds an NHL home elsewhere.
Location: Josi is the most overrated player in the nhl. He isnt even close to a top ten. - James_Tanner, NJ Joined: 02.28.2009
Aug 29 @ 5:21 PM ET
Every team in the AHL would beat the crap out of every team in the Swiss league on a nightly basis.
The order of pro leagues is something like #1 NHL, #2 KHL, #3 SEL, #4 AHL, #5 Finnish Elite...where Swiss A is might be below the league in Germany. Obviously, if Omark's goal is to make a living in the NHL, he's not helping himself playing in an inferior league...unless that's the only real opportunity he had. - Maxbone
Every team in the AHL would beat the crap out of every team in the Swiss league on a nightly basis.
The order of pro leagues is something like #1 NHL, #2 KHL, #3 SEL, #4 AHL, #5 Finnish Elite...where Swiss A is might be below the league in Germany. Obviously, if Omark's goal is to make a living in the NHL, he's not helping himself playing in an inferior league...unless that's the only real opportunity he had. - Maxbone
The Swiss National League is roughly on par with SM-liiga (although the Finnish national teams, of course, are better than their Swiss counterparts). Maybe a half-notch behind, but not THAT much. The best teams in the league could absolutely hold their own against many AHL clubs, especially if the games were played on the European rink.
Omark had plenty of interest from Elitserien clubs -- LuleƄ would have loved to have him back, for one -- and there was likely KHL interest as well. He chose the Swiss league because the pay is often better than in Elitserien and the travel is much, much easier than in the KHL.
Whether Omark is helping his career by going to Switzerland is certainly an open question. Personally, I think it increases the chance that NHL clubs will simply write him off as a player who lacks the genuine heart to do what it takes to stick in the NHL. But as far the Swiss NLA itself goes, it's a quality league.
Location: Josi is the most overrated player in the nhl. He isnt even close to a top ten. - James_Tanner, NJ Joined: 02.28.2009
Aug 29 @ 5:44 PM ET
The Swiss National League is roughly on par with SM-liiga (although the Finnish national teams, of course, are better than their Swiss counterparts), and the best teams in the league could absolutely hold their own against many AHL clubs.
Omark had plenty of interest from Elitserien clubs -- LuleƄ would have loved to have him back, for one -- and there was likely KHL interest as well. He chose the Swiss league because the pay is often better than in Elitserien and the travel is much, much easier than in the KHL.
Whether Omark is helping his career by going to Switzerland is certainly an open question. Personally, I think it increases the chance that NHL clubs will simply write him off as a player who lacks the genuine heart to do what it takes to stick in the NHL. But as far the Swiss NLA itself goes, it's a quality league. - bmeltzer
What was that being a know it all again? And not being an "expert"?
The best blogger on this site just told you what it is. Suck it (frank) boys