Anton has "LANDED"

How SWEDE it is..."Anton has landed" in Oil Country. Not sure exactly if he is in town (Hall did say on twitter he was giving him the lowdown on baseball). Fans have been waiting patiently for Anton Lander to arrive and find his place within the Edmonton Oilers organization for a couple years now. We have heard the rave reviews on his leadership abilities, we listen to all the speculation where he starts the season. We have been informed by coach's of his on ice improvements, not to mention the fan support and peer support we hear about back in Sweden.

What we don't know is, "will he play for the Oilers this year"? I know there are alot of fans cheering for him, and he has the support of many of the coach's should he show well coming out of training camp. Obviously none of us can say what is going to happen exactly, come opening night roster. What we can do, is speculate though. That's right, we love to do that in the blogosphere and in mainstream sports media. We hear speculation from some of the best insiders to the Oilers hockey team and around the NHL almost every day. So let's just do a small breakdown of Lander's game, and the circumstances surrounding his arrival at this point in the Oilers organization.

Circumstances:
There are several centerman Lander is fighting for a position against. Let's look at the locks in the Center position. Gagner, Horcoff and Belanger. These three centerman are going no where. Or are they? (we'll come back to that in a week or so) That would leave one last position to fight for. In all likelihood that leaves Lander, Nugent-Hopkins and VandeVelde as the three most likely to fill that last center position role (In no particular #). As far as Nugent-Hopkins goes, I will cover that in another post later in the week. But VandeVelde? Truth is, Chris is a big boy, can hit and did show well in the face-off department in his, end of the year NHL run. True enough, he was a little slower on the play on occasion but did seem to be improving as the year was coming to a end. Needs more foot speed is what most reports are saying.

So Lander has a good chance in this group to grab that last center position. He will have to earn it though. It is very likely should he perform and show well coming out of the rookie tourney, and main training camp he gets his fair shot during pre-season. What will the Oilers be looking for from him on the ice? My guess? Good face-off %, strong defensive play (on puck and away from puck), good forecheck and backcheck and strong on the puck. IMO, I think they would like to slot him into the 4th Center position.

Skills:
Anton has been close to 50% in the dot playing against men in Sweden (and tougher competition). Should he play against other team's 3rd and 4th line centerman, he stands a chance to do well in that regard. A year or two may just prepare him well enough to become a face-off specialist (Maybe he can learn some from Belanger. We can hope, can't we?). Anton has also increased his first step acceleration, which was a main concern for coach's in the 2010 development camp. He went back to Sweden and worked on it. This last 2011 development camp, it was noted by over three coach's and several media members that he has vastly improved this area of his game. From watching him at both camps first hand, I can honestly say it was as different as night and day. Lander also appears to be much more agile when seen at this last development camp then the previous year.

As I have mentioned in other postings I have done, I personally was able to see his leadership on the ice. He looks comfortable, he jokes with many different players (both younger and older prospects) and is very vocal on the ice during the play. This last camp , you often would know he was on the ice, as he was either shouting out directions to his teammates or slapping his stick on the ice to get the attention of his line mates. Positionally Lander has a great grasp of the game and is seldom caught out of position. With that better first step he has worked on, that should suit him well in competing for that last center position.

Forecast:
Should Anton Lander perform well in camp and pre-season, I think we are still looking at him going down to OKC. However, it really depends on the final decision with Nugent-Hopkins. If Nugent-Hopkins gets sent back to Jr after his first 9 games, Lander will most likely get his shot early in the season. Should Nugent-Hopkins stay for the year, Lander would more then likely be the first call up for the center position.

All, I can say is  "How Swede it is, to have Lander here"

you can follow me on twitter @revingev

Hockey's Back!

With around a week til the kick off  of the Rookie Tourney in Penticton B.C, the excitement begins to heat up.  Jr teams have already begun their training camps and can be found in pre-season action while many NHL players can be found getting on the ice in their local area's to get the rust off before training camp. (ie: Perry Pearn's 3on3)


It's going to be a busy and exciting next few weeks here in Edmonton. There is lots to be excited about! Who is going to crack the opening night Oilers roster? Will RNH last that long? Will he play beyond the max 9 games or be sent back to Jr hockey to play with the Red Deer Rebels and a shot at Gold with Team Canada in the new year? What about Lander? Does he crack the roster out of training camp? Or does he end up playing some in OKC and is the first center call up?  Hartikanen anyone? As hard and as good as he can play out of training camp, is there even a remote chance they sit someone in favour of him, come opening night? Is this the year Colten Teubert proves his critics wrong? Could this be his year to bust into the NHL?  What about Jeff Petry? If he truly has a outstanding training camp, looks better out of the gates then Chorney , is he really going to,  have to start in OKC just because he is free to roam back and forth between the AHL and NHL?


These are great questions and a month from now, we will have all the answers (or so we H.O.P.E). I am going to take time and discuss each one of these five players between now and rookie tourney. No one, not even the Oilers organization knows exactly what is going to happen with each of these five players. If they play to their potential, they will make the decision real hard on the coaching staff, but isn't good competition what we all want for this team? The cupboards are stocked, and I am Stoked! This is going to be a heck of a RiDe folks.

Hoping to get out to see the Oil Kings pre-season tournament in St.Albert. Going to be getting a closer look at  some of the Oiler prospects and possible 2012 and 2013 NHL eligible draft prospects.

Grab your Oiler jersey's, get your game face on, grab a drink, call a buddy, set your PVR's, cause it's Hockey Night tonight , and it's here for the Year!  (well, almost...lol)

Passion for the ROOKIE

When Wayne Gretzky made his famous statement about "Sidney Crosby" in regards to breaking some of his records, it put the world on notice. Ears were listening everywhere, especially in the media. That same year Crosby made a "Lacrosse" move behind the net scoring a highlight goal that had the hockey world stand on notice. It even brought out comments on HNIC from Don Cherry on 'Coachs Corner' calling him a HOT DOG.

While some did feel like that,  Crosby was never  known to be a prideful player, even as a Jr Star. In a interview Crosby was asked about his expectations , to which he replied  "I’m just a 16-year old who played only 17 games at junior level. I have a long way to go. I love to play hockey, I want to enjoy it and I don’t want to put pressure on me about points. " He goes on to say his greatest challenge is to stay consistent, every game, every shift. His main goal for the season? "Every night, I want to be a better player, If I improve, I can keep going."

Not only would Crosby go on to becoming a great player, but he would become the face of the league. A Rookie who was able to score over 100 points as a 18 year old. All signs in his Jr career pointed in this direction. The excitement I  had over a ROOKIE card, had been changing and I didn't even notice. The excitement of following a prospect ( a potential NHL player in the making) became more of a passion then actually the ROOKIE card itself.

While following the latest prospects in the Oilers organization , I became rather frustrated like many of you. With more misses then hits, you can imagine the joy that was felt when we finally drafted Sam Gagner. While there was some glimmer of hope in a few of our prospects it was when Jordon Eberle arrived that things began to take shape.

With Jordon's last second goal in the World Jr game vs Russia , the hysteria at Rexall Place that night was nothing short of crazy. I was at that game. The Oilers game that is. I can't recall who they were playing, only the fans response when the crowd at Rexall went crazy while watching Eberle (oiler draft pick) score the tying goal with only seconds in the game. Hope was there....Passion was there! Not for a card anymore, but a prospect, who maybe one day, could do the same for the Edmonton Oilers.

The following year, we were able to steal Magnus Paajarvi who fell a couple draft picks right into the Oilers hands. While few knew much of him, I had been following many potential prospects for the draft and was ecstatic at the opportunity to draft him.

With Eberle continuing to play Jr hockey, Magnus in Sweden still, Gagner was left alone to find his way through the stormy waters with little support. A 30th place finish assured us the best player (or at least we hoped). Following the prospects all year again allowed me more opportunity as to the potential possibilities between Hall and Seguin in the 2010 draft. I wanted Taylor Hall all along. Attended the draft party that year at Rexall and jumped with joy at the announcement he was our pick.

 

This past year, after all the excitement of drafting a #1 overall, I was secretly hoping for one more #1 overall. Having followed the 2010 Draft prospects closer then any other draft year, I felt I had a pretty good idea as to who the Oilers would once again draft with their 2011 #1 overall. I followed the draft class closer then any previous year. To me, it was a no brainer. With Stauffer's coverage of the top prospects and interviews with Oilers brass, as well as incredible coverage by Lowetide in his blogging and his show NationRadio, I felt more excited then ever. Not only as a fan of hockey but especially as a Oiler addict. Draft day 2011 came and so did "The Nuge", Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

 

Life has changed since that Vancouver Canucks playoff run in 1982. Life has changed since trading and playing hockey trading cards in the school yard. Life has changed since buying and selling ROOKIE cards in hockey. It's changed alright, but for me in a good way. I now follow so many prospects I can barely keep up. But that's OK, because I love it! I love seeing these young players develop over the years, I love guessing and trying to figure out who will be drafted where. I love hearing from their families and friends and from the players themselves. It's the gleam in their eye, the thirst to succeed. It's the dream of one day, playing in the NHL, playing for

Lord Stanley's Cup. We all had our own dreams of doing that ourselves one day, only difference is? For us it's a Fantasy, for these young players, it could become a Reality!

 

All I can really say is "Thanks for the ROOKIE Card". It changed my life. It took me from the boy who watched hockey to one crazy fan who can't wait to discover the next greatest players in hockey. Who am I? What could I possibly know? I don't know, maybe not much, but I have to say....I am right far more times then I am wrong....spend enough time following...and you stand a better chance at least having a educated guess.....(just dreaming...lol)

revingev

the DAWN of the ROOKIE Card

The "DAWN" of the ROOKIE Card

The "Dawn" of the ROOKIE card was upon us. It was 1988, Wayne Gretzky was just traded to the Los Angeles Kings and hockey was to be changed forever.The landscape of hockey had taken a different turn from what was previously seen as a lesser of the main sports in regards to dollar figures. With the new contract signed by Gretzky, salaries were about to escalate, so too were the value of cards, especially ROOKIE cards in hockey. There was no Internet to locate prices so off to the local market you would go, praying to find hockey card books stating the value of cards.

Trading cards and tossing them in the school yards were a thing of the past. It was different now, no longer was there a stick of gum in the package instead there were several companies jumping on board with the sales of hockey cards. In fact it was at this time, I set up shop with my corner table at flea markets and in second hand stores with my personal collection of ROOKIE cards that I purchased from friends, or bought at flea markets. My list of ROOKIE cards included some quality players...Paul Coffey , Mario Lemeiux , Pelle Lindberg , Ray Bourque , Theo Fleury ,
Mike Modano, Steve Yzerman , Eric Lindros , Peter Forsberg and many other notables.

Because the value of ROOKIE cards were at a all-time high, it was then that I decided it was time to start following these young prospects before they were drafted. If anything I was looking for the potential of future players , to guess what card could make me some money down the road. The first player I began to follow?  Eric Lindros, the possible
Next One?

As I began to follow his Jr career, I also came to notice in that years prospects game, another offensive player named Yanic Perreault. Both of there cards were a 'have to have' for me. Little did I know that Yanic would really only amount to being a face-off specialist and Eric would later have his career cut short by concussions. I purchased several of Eric Lindros' ROOKIE cards, but at the early starting point of his career , it was not decisive which card was his true rookie card. I collected all of them, just in case. I even put one away for my oldest daughter in hopes he truly would become the NEXT ONE!

I started to purchase other rookie cards in hopes of the value going up, but found this to be a highly expensive venture. Something happened during this point of time though...My excitement for the game of hockey was not only about following my favourite player and or team, but my love and passion for the game of hockey grew as well. It took me past playing street hockey to playing Ball Hockey in Edmonton's old "Capital City Ball Hockey Association" right through to local "Beer League" hockey on ice.

 

Life had changed not only in the hockey world of professionals, but also in my own life. With hockey at its highest peak, it took me to following the world of Jr Hockey. It was not only with the World Jr's but also the CHL. Hockey in the NHL basically started taking a new look. It was the time where clutching and grabbing was common site, games were becoming even lower scoring and my interest for hockey was fading. On top of all this, hockey ROOKIE cards were becoming extremely expensive to collect. With expenses of playing hockey and watching hockey a higher priority, I sold off all my rookie cards except the one Eric Lindros Card, which I had  given to my daughter.


While following the CHL, there was a young player who really was catching my eye. I was hearing rave reviews of him and started trying to find as much information as I could muster up. While my interest was fading in the NHL it was just beginning to gear up for Jr hockey. All I was hearing was how this young prospect was scoring at will, and in timely fashion in most games. It was 2002 and the mainstream media was beginning to report of comments from the "Great One" Wayne Gretzky , of a recent prospect who Wayne was saying "could be the one to break some of his NHL records"....who was this future Star?

(to be continued)

you follow me on twitter @revingev

The Edmonton Oilers Announce Young Stars Roster

The Edmonton Oilers Young Stars tournament roster has been released.  This looks to be a pretty good team once again this year.  While I don't think it's as good, talent wise as last year, this current squad has a chance to be the best team at the tournament.

Not only are the Oilers bringing guys like Nugent-Hopkins, Tyler Bunz, and Colten Teubert, they will also bring some camp try outs to the tourny as well.  6 of them will get a chance to impress the Oilers brass. 

Will any of them land jobs? Will RNH impress all those who watch? Will one of the lesser know players step up and shine?

Stick around to OilersJambalaya.com, as we will once again follow the Young Stars tournament closely.

The tournament begins September 11th in Penticton, British Columbia.

FORWARDS

73 Cameron Abney
51 Philippe Cornet
71 Drew Czerwonka
69 Travis Ewanyk
79 Brett Ferguson *
70 Curtis Hamilton
64 Milan Kytnar
57 Anton Lander
66 Ryan Martindale
72 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
63 Kristians Pelss
68 Tyler Pitlick
92 Toni Rajala
61 Tobias Rieder
76 Chase Schaber *
59 Colin Smith *
75 Antti Tyrvainen

DEFENCEMEN

82 Jeremie Blain
88 Brandon Davidson
81 Taylor Fedun
78 Martin Gernat
45 Ryan Lowery *
80 Martin Marincin
87 David Musil
85 Tyler Schmidt
84 Colten Teubert
90 Wes Vannieuwenhuizen *

GOALTENDERS

50 Adam Brown *
1 Tyler Bunz
30 Olivier Roy

-* means the player is on a camp try out-