The Pages Of Oilers Jambalaya
Monday, April 15, 2013
Tambellini Fired, MacTavish Hired
Tambellini has done a poor job at assessing and move forward with a progressive plan to make the current Oilers better. The fans sigh a collective sigh of relief.
Craig MacTavish is rumored to be the new GM. I believe that MacT will do a better job. Time will tell.
-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY BURNT-
Monday, June 11, 2012
MacT Is Back!!!
Congrats to Craig MacTavish!!! He's now Steve Tambellini's boss as he's been hired as Oilers Senior VP of Hockey Operations.
The writing is on the wall. It's not if he takes over, but when?
MacT is back!!! Once an Oiler... Always an Oiler.
-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY BURNT-
Monday, August 1, 2011
Craig MacTavish Joins The Canucks Organization
Officially today, MacT was hired to coach the Vancouver Canucks AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. This isn't new news, because if you have been following the tweets on my twitter page, it was retweeted when Nick Kypreos announced it -- unofficially -- on July 16th.
I have mixed feeling about this. I liked MacT and still do. I have great respect for him and I'll always consider him an Oiler. But now, he's a Canuck? That's hard to swallow.
My feelings aside, I'm happy to see him back behind the bench where he belongs. I thought for sure he was going to be the coach of the Jets or different NHL team. Never figured he'd end up in the American Hockey League. I would assume he will have the best shot to replace Alain Vigneault if he's ever fired from the Canucks.
Good luck MacT!
-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY-
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
No More BS. Gagner's on the 4th Line.
Here is the projected lineup for the 1st game of the year against the fLames on Saturday.
Jacques — Horcoff — Hemsky
O’Sullivan — Comrie — Stone
Penner — Brule — Cogliano
Moreau — Gagner — Stortini
Gagner had two years to do whatever he wants and now it's Quinn's time. He's in charge around here and he's letting everyone know it.
He's made it known that Pisani and Moreau were on the bubble in training camp. He's expressed his displeasure of the way the vets "handle" this team. And now he's making sure guys like Gagner take this year seriously.
Way to go Quinn. I'm liking the cut of your jib. You might just be a Jib Cutter after all.
Oh yeah... Rob Schremp is an Islander. Like you didn't know already. #idontknowhowimsupposedtofeel
Sunday, April 5, 2009
The Fire MacT Rally Flops.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Beers and Jeers # 55 (Apr 4/09 vs. Vancouver Canucks)
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
*Breaking News* MacT Steps Down and Apologizes to the Fans
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Dear Mr. Belvedere... #2
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Beers and Jeers #31 (Feb 11/09 vs. Montreal Canadiens)
Sunday, February 8, 2009
The Blame Game #2
To me I have the most problem with the guys up top. Tambellini and Lowe. I don't know who really has the authority to make a trade. And let's be honest... I don't care. But when Garon was traded for Stone and Sabourin, Tambo said that Sabourin was only temporary. He said that he will be moved. Where is this deal? Where is any deal? Is there no one to "dance" with? The Oilers have been linked to Bouwmeester and Spezza and Lecavalier and nothing has been done. Why? Jason Gregor made a great list over at OilersNation.com. These are good candidates for Tambo or Lowe to act on. What's the deal with Cole? Is he the next Sykora? Likes it here but the team is moving in a different direction? Why not pick up Doug Weight? What's the hold up?
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Beers and Jeers #27 (Feb 3/09 vs. Chicago Blackhawks)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Beers and Jeers #20 (Jan 15/09 vs. Minnesota Wild)
Friday, December 19, 2008
The Blame Game.
So who ends up being canned? Me (the player) I can blame management all I want. But I suck. So I deserve to be fired. Unfortunately that can't really happen in the NHL. Buy outs are costly. And it's hard to trade nothing for something.
So what am I getting at here? Blame the players for being crappy. It's not always the coach. I'm not saying that Mact hasn't screwed up. He has a few times. I'm just saying it not his fault. Just ask Tampa Bay. or the Islanders.
Horcoff/Moreau/Staios
- These three are supposed to be the leaders. The amount of "power" these three have in the locker room is enormous. These three have not been living up to their leadership position. The last couple of games, Chopper has been good. But before then.... c-r-a-p-p-y. And he's the Captain. Sure I am sure he is good at organizing player functions and all the other crap he does, but we need an on ice leader. Any "A" can do what he does. But the "C" needs to be a game changer. He needs to be able to throw a huge hit or score a goal when you need it. And Moreau hasn't done that for the team.
Staios has not been very good this year. It kinda sucks that his spot is pretty golden. He takes bad penalties at bad times. Almost borderline over aggressive. That is not what a leader is supposed to do. Not one that I would want to play with anyways. I believe that he needs to be moved.
Now Mr. Horcoff. Mr. Money Pants. I liked the 3rd line $2 million dollar Horcoff better. That guy played like he wanted to be 1st line guy. I just see no real effort from him this year. He was a good pk guy. Now he's an ok pk guy. On the PP he is a one trick pony. And other teams now know what he does. That is why last game he wasn't effective. I wonder why people that get big contracts always suck for the first couple of years? The last year is always their best year. So that means we have the next three to four years of the crappy Horcoff. Yay! I always said that he was a great 3rd line guy. He was a good 2nd line guy. But he is an average 1st line guy. We need a awesome guy to be 1st line guy and that isn't Horcoff. So now what? Not sure. A trade? A demotion? That falls into Kevin Lowe's department, the other 50 %.
I'm sure I may have made some people mad at me because of this. But so be it. It's my opinion. And my opinion only. This is not written without thought. It just has been driving me nuts that people want MacT fired. It comes down to the core players. The veterans. Then it falls on Lowe. (how much authority does Tambellini really have here?) Bottom line... I support MacT. There. I said it.
Monday, December 15, 2008
"What Would _______ Do?"
Now I have one more thing on the list and so far no luck. Oh wait. Is that the new IgglePiggle doll/figurine? It is. Hmmmm.... My girl is going to love that.
What Would Visnovsky Do? I know. He's good at getting in and getting out quick. So I kick it into high gear and do a run by. Successful! I have all three presents that I wanted to get for my princess. Living large and in charge.
So I go heading off to the check out till. Long lines of course. It's Christmas.
As I am waiting in line that jack ass Mr. No Tie guy from the Uniqua episode is giving me the eye. "Screw him", I say. I'm leaving. What could be the harm now right?
So What Would Souray Do? So I gave him that look. You know the look. The "I'm gonna rip some poop up on you" look. Yeah that's right. I'm bad ass. (I'm actually scared but you can't show him that) I finish paying and get my cash back and I start getting ready for the full on winter blast that I am sooooo lucky to receive at this time of year. And here is that hole of a butt, Mr. Suit with no tie guy again.
"Hey", he yells at me. "I needed that toy for my kid."
"So did I" I say back.
"Are you getting smart with me?" he growls.
"Yes I am", I reply.
He keeps getting closer to me. Sure enough he's parked beside me. What dumb luck huh? He looks really angry the closer he gets. Crap once again. What now?
Ahhhh... then it came to me. What Would MacIntyre Do?
What could I do? So I shirted him and started feeding him rights to the side of the noggin'. It shocked him a little. You could see it in his eyes. He starts to cover his head. So I did what Big Mac would do. I started feeding him in the ribs. (I learned from Big Mac that no matter what, you need to hit the opponent somewhere that's vulnerable or otherwise it's a waste of a punch) So I kept swinging until I was satisfied that he was going to be stunned. He fell to the ground and I found my opening to make a run for it. I snatched up all my gifts and jumped into my old crown victoria and sped off quickly.
Next stop... Tim Hortons.
Mmmmmm... Double Double.
Geez... what an afternoon. Next time I am going to send the wife. She's more like Chopper. She just goes in swinging her purse like she's big #18 and her life depends on it. Until next year...
Happy Holidays Everybody!!!
Smokin' Ray Burnt
***TRUE STORY: Based on true events that may or may not have happened in real life***
MacT just try these...
Sunday, December 7, 2008
The Oiler's Jambalaya #1 (Random Thoughts)
Monday, December 1, 2008
Knock, Knock. Who's there? Your Last Chance.
Beers and Jeers #1 (Nov 30/08 vs. Dallas Stars)
This is a segment that I like to call "Beers and Jeers". It's basically my 3 stars of the game we all just watched. (But not 3 stars) Due to problems with the puter last night I couldn't get this posted.
BEERS
Lubo Visnovsky
- This man came back from a crazy hard hit during the St Louis game to play in this game against the Stars. I thought he was gone for a week at least. I would still be there in the fetal position sucking my thumb. Good on him for playing today. Plus I heard from SN that he wanted to come back during the St. Louis game. Are you sure this guy isn't canadian? He went up in my books this weekend. Thank god he isn't another Pitkanen. And his actual game play today was great. Very fast and had his head up quite a bit. Wonder why? Anyways. Here is a beer for Lubo. Cheers.
Ales Hemsky
- I wish I had the talent that he has. He played another good game. I am finally relieved that he is starting to look like that point per game player that we drafted. He just looks comfortable out there. Beer Hemmer? Cheers
Sheldon Souray
- How is this guy not our current captain? He probably poops leadership in the morning while eating a big bowl of nasty flakes. He can't skate worth a crap but everything else he does turns to gold. He played a solid hard fought game tonight. Again. How about a case of beer for Shelly? Cheers great leader.
Kyle Brodziak
- Not much to say but nice goals. Lucky. But nice. Did you and MacT have this planned to make him look good? It worked.
JEERS
Shawn Horcoff
- Not much to jeer here other than he needs to go back to getting the puck out of your own end school. How many times in a row does he shoot it right at the guy coming down on him? I don't get it. Not just this game, but for at least 2 weeks. It drives me MAD. And my wife goes mad because she can't stand to hear me yell at the TV "Damn Horcoff!!!! Get IT OUT man..." A jeer for you Horc's. Boooooooo
Mac T
- Now I am the biggest MacT supporter there is. I like him. I think he's a good coach. The team plays well when they play by the system. But what the hell man? Where was Roli? I thought that if you won you kept playing? You made yourself look at little dumb yesterday. No wonder the goalies are confused. I would be to. But whatever? I'm not the coach. So here's your jeer. Boooooo.
The Whole team
- For the whole team that blew that game. Booooooooo
Smokin' Ray Burnt