NHL Equivalence Numbers

I enjoy stats, so I figured I'd take Behind the Net's Gabriel Desjardins' NHLE on my day off and come up with what we could expect to see next year if they were to play the full season in one league.  I highly doubt that will happen, but it gives a good idea. Keep in mind that I just used the regular seasons for these numbers. Math isn't exactly my strong suit, so if I messed up, please call me out on it.

Linus Omark
2009-10 KHL: 36 points in 56 games = .643 Points per game
2010-11 AHL Projected: 97 points in 80 games = 1.21 PPG
2010-11 NHL Projected: 44 points in 82 games = .533 PPG

Magnus Pääjärvi-Svenson
2009-10 Elitserien: 29 points in 49 games = .591 PPG
2010-11 AHL Projected: 83 points in 80 games = 1.04 PPG
2010-11 NHL Projected: 38 points in 82 games = .461 PPG

Teemu Hartikainen
2009-10 SM-Liiga: 33 points in 53 games = .623 PPG
2010-11 AHL Projected: 61 points in 80 games = .764 PPG
2010-11 NHL Projected: 28 points in 82 games = .337 PPG

Jordan Eberle
2009-10 WHL: 106 points in 57 games = 1.86 PPG
2010-11 AHL Projected: 64 points in 80 games = .800 PPG*
2010-11 NHL Projected: 46 points in 82 games = .558 PPG*
(*Question you probably have right here is, why does Eberle have a lower projection in the AHL but a higher in the NHL than MPS and Omark have. The NHLE numbers have a specific conversion rate for the CHL leagues that skewed the numbers a little bit.)

Toni Rajala
2009-10 WHL: 63 points in 60 games = 1.05 PPG
2010-11 AHL Projected: 36 points in 80 games = .452 PPG
2010-11 NHL Projected: 26 points in 82 games = .315 PPG

Like I said, let me know if I messed something up please.

-Written by Eric Rodgers-

Jason Spezza Isn't The Answer, Maybe Nathan Horton Is

With all the talk about the Edmonton Oilers acquiring Jason Spezza, I tend to sit here and shudder at the thought of Spezza being an Oiler. I don't think he's a great guy to have around for a rebuild and I think he's not the right guy for the Oilers.

The only reason I would even want him here... well, watch the video's below. He would be a funny interview. But for hockey reasons (soft), I don't want him.






Well who, if any player(s), should the Oilers try and acquire?

The only reasonable player in my mind is Nathan Horton. He's a great choice if I'm Steve Tambellini. 

Horton has put up decent numbers on a mediocre Panthers team and is still young enough so he can be part of the Oilers rebuild for the future. He can play Center or Right Wing and has decent size (which the Oilers need). He's definitely a guy that I would look at trading for, if I was making a trade.



-Written by Smokin' Ray-

Paajarvi-Svensson coming to America

From the Oilers Website: General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have signed Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson to a three-year NHL entry level contract.

Paajarvi-Svensson, the Oilers 1st round choice, 10th overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, recently completed his third season with Timra IK of the Swedish Elite League. The 6’2”, 201-pound left-winger from Norrkoping, Sweden, finished third in team scoring with 29 points (12G, 17A) in 49 games.

"This is an exciting day for the Oilers organization,” said Tambellini. “In signing his first NHL contract, Magnus has demonstrated through his junior and pro career with Team Sweden that he is an explosive player who exhibits great determination going to the net. We look forward to seeing him at his first NHL training camp this fall.”

The 19-year-old has also seen considerable action internationally, most recently winning the bronze medal at the 2010 World Championship in Germany with Team Sweden. He led the team in scoring with nine points (5G, 4A) in nine games, was third in tournament scoring and was selected to the tournament all-star team, all at just 19-years-old. Paajarvi-Svensson also has won two silver medals at the 2008 and 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship. In 2008, Paajarvi-Svensson became the youngest player ever to play with Sweden when he was just 16 years and 8 months old.


Update:Paajarvi could play in Oklahoma City, if he doesn't make it with the Oilers this season.

Last Chance for Mascot Submission

Today is the last day for submissions to Prodigal Hockey for the "Name the Mascot" contest. You have until 11:59pm to make your submission. If you are the winner of the "Name the Mascot" contest. You will receive a trip for 2, down to watch the Edmonton Oilers take on the Dallas Stars in 2010-11 season.

Adios My Friends, I'm On Holidays

I'm finally going to take a holiday. That's right, Smokin' Ray is taking a break. I'm taking the wife and kids and we are heading to the big town of Williams Lake, BC for my cousin Dan's wedding. We are a very large Ukrainian family (over 300 in Canada and another 150 or so in Ukraine) and that means we eat, drink, sing and we drink some more. So as always, we will have a good time. ; )

So you won't see me around here for a few days and I'll trust the other two stooges, I mean good guys (Eric Rodgers and Scott from OilFieldHockey.com), to take care of this joint. Let me know if they mess things up while I'm gone. *wink*

I will tweet all weekend so follow me and my drunken shenanigans at www.twitter.com/OilersJambalaya

See you all back here on Wednesday. GODRUNKGUY! WooOOooOOooOOo!!!

-Written by Smokin' Ray-