Will he stay?

It's been a few days since Edmonton signed Giroux to a one way contract for next season. Giroux still has to show off his talent to earn a spot with the Oilers. But what happens if he doesn't get one of open spots? Will Giroux accept a veteran spot in Oklahoma City, or will he bolt for the KHL? Giroux has been a back to back champion with the Bears. He has the numbers to back up his AHL game, but was really never given a shot with the Caps. But will his success in Hershey be able to translate into success for Edmonton?  There are just too many questions about this signing, that need to be answered. If Giroux wants to be a team player in the Oilers organization. He might want to be open to the idea of playing at least part of next season in Oklahoma City.

Can This Version Of The Edmonton Oilers Become The 1983/84 Oilers?

I have been debating for a while now if the Oilers should have more than two rookies in the lineup next season. Most of you know that --before the changes by Tamby to make the team tough-- I have thought that only Hall and Paajarvi would start the year in the NHL and Eberle and Omark would go to the Oklahoma City Barons.  But the more I talk to people about it, there is just so many questions that need to be answered and scenarios to think of.

Would the rookies be better off spending a year in Oklahoma City instead of playing in the NHL? Probably. It's only logical and makes sense.

Would it be a great way to fill the Cox Convention Center and build a fan base by adding players like Eberle and Paajarvi to the opening day roster? You bet it would and that's what the OKC Barons are going to need. You can't just open the doors and expect people to just come watch a game. Names sell.

But you also need to think that since players like Eberle and Paajarvi are signed to a contract, it would essentially burn up a year on their respective deals. Not exactly a good thing right? Hmmmm....

Then you look at the way that Tambellini is building the current Oilers roster. He's added some big boys with the likes of Vandermeer, MacIntyre and Foster to go with a talented and skilled small team. It seems like he's preparing to ice a young rookie squad with large muscle to surround them. The writings on the wall one would think.

But is it the right thing to do? Is it too soon?

So now I have myself thinking about another young Oilers team. The first cup winning team from the 1983/84 season. That team is a fairly young team much like the current one we may possibly have now.

How did that team from the 80's get so good so quick? Well I have a theory.

Gretzky, Coffey, Messier and Anderson were all just a mere 22 years old when they won the first cup. Jari Kurri and Andy Moog were 23, Kevin Lowe and Charlie Huddy were 24. Grant Fuhr was just 20.

The oldest guys on the team were Willy Lidstrom at 32 years old and Jaroslav Pouzar was 31. The only two guys over 30. Wow!

So here we have a team with no real veteran leadership yet, the won the Stanley Cup. How is that possible?

The kids grew together. They played together as rookies. They became friends and won for each other like winners need to do. Isn't this what this current team should do? Should the opening roster include Hall, Eberle, Paajarvi and Omark? You add those four plus the youth of Gagner, Brule, Cogliano, Smid, Chorney, Peckham, & Dubnyk equals the same youthfulness as the Oilers of old. Maybe this squad can grow and learn together like that team did? Maybe this squad is just like that 83/84 team? Take a look, we even have our Pouzar's and Lidstrom's in Horcoff, Strudwick and Khabibulin. The two teams are building to be sort of the same.

But isn't the smart decision to just let the kids develop slowly? In Oklahoma City?

-Written by Smokin' Ray-

Oilers get Giroux

The Edmonton Oilers have signed AHL Veteran Alexandre Giroux to a one way contract. Giroux was part of the Hershey Bears last season lead by former Thunder coach Mark French. The Bears won the AHL's Calder Cup by beating the Texas Stars. Giroux had 103 pts(50G, 53A)with the Bears , and played 9 games with the Washington Capitals last season. Where he had 3 pts(1G,2A)during his stint up in the nation's capital. Giroux turned down several offers, including a 1.3 mil dollar contract in the KHL.Giroux is known for being a career AHL player, with a call-up here and there. So there is a really good chance that Giroux could end up playing for OKC next season. If he doesn't make the Oilers squad, and it gives the Oilers a player. That can replace a player who gets banged up at anytime. Also former Falcon Chris Minard has signed with the Red Wings to play for their affiliate in Grand Rapids.

Edmonton Oilers Gain Big, Bad & Ugly (Wasn't That A Party?)

THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS

Well this has been one heck of a two days event. The Edmonton Oilers were pretty active in the way they have changed the team. First they put Moreau, O'Sullivan and Nilsson on waivers for the purpose of a buyout. About time! Just as we are planning the see you later captainethanmoreau parade, the Columbus Blue Jackets claimed him off of waivers. That was the first WTF moment of what would become a common occurrence.

Here comes another WTF moment from Tamby as he pulls off a trade with the Coyotes. We get Jim Vandermeer in exchange for Patrick O'Sullivan and the Coyotes proceed to buyout Patty O'. The Oilers however decide to keep Vandermeer and he adds some balls and grit to the blue line. Vandy is a guy who will sacrifice his entire body to win a game. He's a warrior who comes ready to fight every night. Even though he will be in the bottom four, he's going to provide a lot of comfort for the kids. Good trade Tambellini!

So after all this happens it turns out that Bobby Nilsson doesn't have a dance partner. You know, he's the nerd in the corner with his hand in his pocket that nobody wants. The Oilers did proceed to buy him out and he's now a UFA. Now my personal feelings about this player is if I was Tamby, I would have put him and his $2.5 million dollar ass in Oklahoma City. If I'm Katz, I wouldn't care about the cash as much as Nilsson would put much needed fans into the Cox Convention Center. This is a brand new team and they need a player who can help fill the rink. Nilsson could have done that. Tamby said these next few days that he will be active in making the OKC Barons a competitive team. I'm starting to believe he can.

Tamby then out of the blue resigned newly acquired Colin Fraser to a 2 year deal for $825,000 a year. Good trade to get him a few days ago and a good signing today. I can't wait to get a good look at Fraser, he intrigues me.

So just as things are getting quiet, there is news about the Oilers all over Twitter. Minutes later, Kurtis Foster is the newest Oiler. He's big and plays a hard game. He also packs quite a mean shot. Very heavy and it always gets to the net. It looks like we have our new bomb from the point. See ya Souray!

Speaking of Souray, Tamby decided that since no team wanted him in a trade, Souray was placed on waivers today. Another WTF moment. Talk about a kick in the balls to big sexy. Haha! I guess we will see if any team actually claim him. If not, then who knows what will happen. All I know is that the Oilers WILL NOT BUYOUT SOURAY. Stay tuned for more developments.

It was clear that the Oilers were bulking up. All big draft picks and all big free agent signings. The smurf era is gone. At one point we were told the Oilers were going hard for the big bad John Scott. But they lost out on him and they even pushed hard for Derek Boogaard at one point. The Bogeyman priced himself out of the Oilers reach. So by this point I'm thinking, what about Steve MacIntyre? I loved him when he was here and I was sad when he was lost on waivers. A while later... WELCOME BACK BIG MAC! WTF? #33 is roaming Rexall once again.

I can honestly say, this is the best I have felt about the team in a long time. While this team isn't a good team yet, they sure did get better. Yay us!!!

OFF SEASON PLAYER TRACKER

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DAN TENCER TIDBITS (Hall/Eberle/Paajarvi)

Dan Tencer announced that Hall, Eberle and Paajarvi will be at the development camp next week in Edmonton. (CLICK HERE FOR DEV ROSTER) He also said that Taylor Hall will wear #20 and he said it's just a number they gave him. So does this mean Hall won't be #4? Hmmm... come on KLowe. Let the kid wear it.

On a side note, if I'm Taylor Hall and I can't get #4, I would choose the #84. Cool number.

Tambellini took the time to talk to Tencer today and here is the link of the podcast CLICK HERE

-Written by Smokin' Ray-

NHL Free Agent Frenzy Day 2 LIVE TweetCast

Welcome to another fine LIVE TweetCast by Oilers Jambalaya and OilFieldHockey.com. We thank you for stopping by.

Today is one of the 2nd best days in Hockey. This is the 2nd day of the NHL Free Agent Signing period. WOoOOOoOOO! Many of teams have won or lost at this time and almost always the players win big (big $$$ contracts).

Today we focus on the Edmonton Oilers. Not only is Steve Tambellini trying to unload guys like Sheldon Souray, he's also trying to acquire more depth for the Oilers. Bigger players seems to be the mandate this year and so far that's happened. What large players will the Oilers pick up today?

Our TweetCast box is going to pick up the tweets of a few people to keep track of the entire day.

Included today will be the "HOME TEAM" @OilersJambalaya, @OilFieldHockey, @AHLBarons, @MarshaBoyd, @PaqTwinn, @Nick_OilersFan

We will also see tweets from the "TRUSTED TEAM" @TSNBobMcKenzie, @DarrenDreger, @NHL_Oilers, @NHL, @DanTencer, @CapGeek, @Real_ESPNLeBrun, @TSNRyanRishaug, @RealKyper, @walsha, @kausatoday

And just for fun today we will have the "OILERS RUMOR TEAM" @InsideTheRink & @OilersReport,

Sit back and enjoy all the crazy action. The 2nd day of the free agent frenzy starts now!