What's The Point? I Don't Get It

Tonight's preseason game versus the Winnipeg Jets is an interesting one. The 4th line consists of Moroz-Martindale-Abney. 

Sure, that line is a "tough" line, but none of the three players will make the Oilers. Ever. So why waste a good roster spot giving those three another chance to impress the Oilers brass? It makes zero sense to me. 

Both Abney and Martindale spent considerable amount of time in the ECHL. They couldn't even stay in the AHL, so why give them extra looks in the NHL?

Why not take another look at Mike Brown and Ben Eager? Or anyone else for that matter. 

I'm confused. 

What do you think?

-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY BURNT-

Opening Night For The Stockton Thunder and 3 Oilers Prospects

LINEUPS: The Puzzle Completed
Friday, 10.14.11 / 1:27 PM

By Mike Benton

Welcome to Opening Night!

The night that Thunder fans have waited for is finally here and for many, it couldn’t be sweeter. The offseason was filled with anticipation. There was heavy changeover on the roster.

When the pieces were finally laid into place, the finished puzzle presented your way features a collection of promising rookies (see: Ryan Martindale, Colten Hayes, Gabriel Levesque, Olivier Roy, etc) and established veterans (Jason Morgan, Kevin Baker and Matt Foy).

You’ll see many of them tonight, who will face a Colorado team that carries in plenty of Central Hockey League crossovers – and plenty of motivation. Tonight is their first game in the ECHL after spending eight seasons in the Central Hockey League.

We’ve still yet to find out about who Colorado is putting out. Here’s who the Thunder have slated to go in uniform:

THUNDER LINE COMBINATIONS
Cameron – Morgan – Baker
Fulton – Martindale – Foy
Hunt – Levesque – Shelast
Abney

THUNDER DEFENSIVE PAIRS
Ringwald – Hayes
Pederson – Little
Deck – Brodie

GOALTENDER:
Roy

Get your questions in tonight for us to respond to during the second intermission. As a heads up, San Jose Sharks assistant GM Wayne Thomas is expected to join us in the booth for the first intermission. We’ll see you on the radio!

Oh, and be sure to wish Garet Hunt a happy birthday today.

-WRITTEN BY MIKE BENTON OF THE STOCKTON THUNDER-

The Day(s) That Was

Well the Oilers did pick up a pretty good player in Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson with the 10th pick overall of last night's 1st round selections. I'm sure we will all be happy by 2010 with this kid. He has the size that people were wanting and he seems confidant in his skills. The fingers are crossed and I hope this works out for the Oilers and MPS.

Who did the Oilers take in the other rounds? These people:

2nd round, 40th overall - Anton Lander, C, Timra (Swe)
3rd round, 71st overall - Troy Hesketh, D, Minnetonka (USHS)
3rd round, 82nd overall - Cameron Abney, RW, Everett (WHL)
4th round, 99th overall - Kyle Bigos, D, Vernon (BCHL)
4th round, 101st overall - Toni Rajala, RW, Ilves Jr (Fin)
5th round, 133rd overall - Olivier Roy, G, Cape Breton

Who are they you ask? No idea. Great reporting here huh? Ahh... I will do some intense research to find out some info.

Until then... keep you fingers crossed that this pans out for the Oilers.