What's The Problem?

I don't get what the big deal is. Why not send Magnus Paajarvi down right now?

He's clearly struggling and the Oklahoma City Barons could use a talent like Paajarvi right now.

I say send him down now and it will work out best for both parties. MPS needs to find his groove.

-Smokin' Ray Burnt-

Oilers 2012 Draft Watch "Griffin Reinhart"

REVS 2012 Prospects List (Oct 3rd/11)

1.Nail Yakupov

2.Mikhail Grigorenko

3.Ryan Murray

4.Alex Galchenyuk

5.Morgan Rielly

6.Mathew Dumba

7.Nick Ebert

8.Filip Forsberg

9.Griffin Reinhart

10.Martin Frk

11.Derrick Pouliot

12.Cody Ceci

13.Olli Maatta

14.Zemgus Girgensons

15.Jacob Trouba

Today we examine the #9 ranked player from REVS 2012 Prospects List . Each player is unique in their own right and full of talent. The ranking does not reflect a mock draft of who a team may actually pick but rather who I would place as the best player available in that spot.

Pos: D

HT:6'3 ft
WT:200

Born: Vancouver, B.C.

 

2010/11 Oil Kings  WHL  Games 45 G 6 A 19  PTS 25

2011/12 Oil Kings  WHL  Games 24  G 6 A 10 PTS 16

This six-foot four, two hundred pound blueliner from the Edmonton Oil Kings has all the tools needed to have a successful pro career. A strong point is his shot, which isn't too surprising given his size. But scouts also tell say his mobility is another strength.  Reinhart says he likes to think that he could be the next Shea Weber. A high expectation but even half as good as Shea Weber would be a blessing in disguise for the team who selects him.

Sad news for Oilers fans is that Griffin is also a big Vancouver Canucks fan. But since Calgary was Hall's favourite team he can be excused for that, growing up in BC. RNH also was a Canuck fan as well. Griffin is expected to go fairly early in the first round in 2012, and the team that drafts him will certainly be glad to get him.

 Something limiting Griffin from being ranked higher in draft rankings is that, he’s not great at using his size to play a physical game. It’s not like he avoids all contact but scouts would like to see him be more aggressive to take pucks away from opponents. Griffin’s still a very raw prospect, and he will likely need a few more years of development before he can step into the pro game. Current Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson is being used as an example of what not to do with Reinhart, as Johnson was brought into St. Louis too early, and some say that as a result his career has already been ruined.

(both are fight videos but show Griffin is a strong customer)

For Oiler and Baron news and 2012/13 NHL draft watch www.twitter.com/revingev

Game Day "Flames"

As the Oilers take to the ice at the Saddledome in Calgary tonight, I can not but help remember back to those vicious battles that took place between these two teams in the 80's. As a fan of hockey back then, we never really realized until it was too late, how we should have soaked up that bitter rivalry with every ounce of hockey passion we could muster.

I wonder who today's Glen Anderson is on the Oilers? Is it possible maybe a player like Hartikanen will turn into that player? Nope, not likely he has the scoring touch or the speed. Maybe we will never see a player who closely resembles Glen Anderson. All I do know, is our current team that we call our 'Oilers' is as Bi-Polar as they come. Granted, last night's game was against a struggling club. But the previous few games to that one, were against struggling clubs. Sometimes this team has its 'wheels flying' and is 'hell bent' but other times this team has a 'flat' and their play becomes 'childlike' on the ice.

At this moment, the Oilers are trying their best to resemble a playoff competitive team and good on them. To change the mind of the critics though will require a winning percentage of 60% or better. Their has been some struggles with our defence but in whole, if they are to play a simpler game (like last night) and limit the mistakes, they have a chance each night to win a hockey game.

Yes,  Teubert last night made a bad line change and was out of position on a couple shifts that almost cost him but at least he is a rookie making mistakes. No raw rookie will come in to a NHL club and be flawless, even the best defencemen will make mistakes. What I do like about Colten, is his rugged play and how he takes his man out of the play. He is strong on the wall and covers his man well. On one shift last night, he must have made 3 big hits then eventually caused the puck to be turned back over to the Oilers, and all because of his strong body work on the boards. Maybe this is not his year were we see Teubert become a full-time NHL player, but we are getting closer, and that means another player of his sort will become expendable next year or the next. Who do you think it could be, who should be looking over his shoulder? Or do you think Teubert is bound to be a 7th defencemen in this organization?

Khabby continues to play well and showed some early season form last night. Here is hoping he can keep this up and help this team gain some respectability once again. Dubynk has started to fade some and looked shaky in his last few starts, but confidence is a big factor in success. If it were me (and I am sure many of you are glad it is not me), I would run the goalie rotation based on stellar and hot goaltending. If Khabby has a hot hand, run with him. If Dubynk excels, let him play the next game. There is pros and cons to this, but it does have some merit.

time to do battle with the hated Flames of Cowville!

Go Oilers!!!

My predictions for today's game

Gametime 8:00pm CHED630am/CBC

REV'S Edmonton Oiler

Gameday Predictions Dec 10th/11

1. Now that we have the Nuge playing more time on the PP and Belanger finding his rightful place off the PP, I see the PP putting up another goal or two tonight.

2. How can I not pick the Oilers to win this game? Exactly, as a Oilers fan, it would be against my better judgement even if I thought Calgary was the better team. Oilers win!

 

3. Gagner has been flying as of late and while he is, I am still banking on him putting up more points as well. Gagner will collect a point or better on the PP tonight.

4. Belanger has not been his usual high facoff % self as of late. However he has been putting points up. Last nights game he fared ok and against a better FO% team he will be in tough but should still finish 52% or better in the dot tonight.

5. Nuge continues to prove he belongs in the NHL. 30 Games and 33 points or more? Bank on it!

(EV'S PREDICTIONS TO DATE: 65 for 119=54.6%)

Was shocked Teubert was given so many mins in last nights game, but good on Renney who used this opportunity to rest some vets and give ice time to some rookies. What's up with Smyth's lack of scoring prowess? Thought he was a lock every game to score?..lol As a famous actor once said "I'll be back!"

As the great Ed Whalen used to say "In the meantime and in between time, that's it, for another edition of...REV'S PREDICTION" (bolded words are not Whalen's words)

For Oiler and Baron news and 2012/13 NHL draft watch www.twitter.com/revingev

Game Day "Avalanche"

Can anyone say 'Wowsers'? That is the only way to express how crazy this team played last game. Ok, I can swear and all, but let's face it, it won't make any of us feel better. Ok, it will for some of you. On a serious note though, the Oilers need to make some changes and make them quick before this season goes down the toilet. Yes they started the season on a tear and maybe took teams by surprise early on, but how can you change to be this bad , this quick? Injuries? We have had them all year, so that is no excuse. No Hall? Well, there is enough speed and finesse that this team should be better. If you ask me, it's more about the break out passes we are not getting from the defencemen and the stellar goaltending that no longer exists all game long.

Yes, the Goaltending has been ok and some awesome saves are being made at timely moments in the game, but not ALL game like early season. The defencemen are not all shot blocking now and seem slower and more sluggish. Not to mention the defence are more often either trying to take the puck up the ice on their own and dumping it in, or they are attempting passes up the middle of the ice. Neither is working. If this team is going to dump and chase, they better be winning the battle to the puck, otherwise it is a waste of time.

Renney no longer seems to line match yet still plays the crap out of Horcoff and Smyth in minutes and refuses to take Belanger off the 2nd unit PP and Horcoff onto the 2nd PP instead of the 1st. It has been a embarrassment and a nightmare all in the same wrapped gift the Oilers present these past 10 games or so. Somewhere this insanity has to even out some. Ok, we can handle a few bad games here and there, but this long? Your not a great team on the rise, if you keep falling down and getting up only to fall down again. Insanity? Definition? Doing the same thing over and over, getting the same results.

Time to rev up the engine Oilers! Time to face the music! Time to stand up, and fight, fight, fight!

Go Oil!

 

 

My predictions for today's game at Rexall Place

Gametime 7:30pm CHED630am/TSN

REV'S Edmonton Oiler

Gameday Predictions Dec 9th/11

1. What about that PP? C'mon they have got to score finally on that dreaded PP. 

2. Oilers don't win this one and I say we are in for a long run. Granted Hall may be out right now, but who is next? Tonight they will show some fight, huge win for the oilers!

3. Teubert is back in so I expect him to still be limited in mins. Still should be within a max of 14 min night.

4. Smyth has been held pointless long enough. Ryan Smyth gets back on the scoresheet tonight.

5. Oilers Gagner has been coming on as of late. Time to hit that scoresheet again tonight. If he doesn't get a point with Nuge and Eberle when will he? Gagner will gain a assist or goal tonight

(EV'S PREDICTIONS TO DATE: 62 for 114=54.3%)

What a awful game that last one. Belanger comes up one faceoff to short in my predictions, Whitney plays 50 secs to little in another and I got greedy saying Nuge would have more then a point. 0-5 last game, bad on me.

As the great Ed Whalen used to say "In the meantime and in between time, that's it, for another edition of...REV'S PREDICTION" (bolded words are not Whalen's words)

For Oiler and Baron news and 2012/13 NHL draft watch www.twitter.com/revingev

Game Day "Hurricanes"

The "Canes" are in town! The "Canes" are in town?

Why is that such exciting news? Mostly because unlike some of the other teams we have been losing to with winning records the Hurricanes are struggling much like the Edmonton Oilers. Finally tonight we have a chance to pick up a win and turn this thing back around.

It's amazing how fast a season can turn around for you, but even more amazing how fast a team can fall back to reality after such a sizzling start. That is our beloved team , the Edmonton Oilers. Before training camp, I picked Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to make this team for the year, and score 50 points or more. I predicted Smyth to chip in 25 goals for the Oilers in a exciting return to Oil Country. I even picked Hall and Eberle to put up between 60-70 points. But in the end, I picked the Oilers to place somewhere between 20th best at seasons end to 27th worst. When the Oilers stormed out of the gate, I was taken by surprise at our goaltending and the stellar defensive play the defence core had bought into. But like many of you, I bought the kool-aid! I started raving how there is no way we finish worse then 20th and could even compete for a playoff spot.

At this stage of the progress I am going to say the playoffs are a distant possibility still but bottom 5 is out of the question. In fact I am going to go on a limb (one I feel comfortable doing) and say should the Oilers not grab more then 2 points out of the next possible 6, this team will be falling out of the playoff run. Why you ask? (or maybe you don't) This team is not learning to be consistent enough soon enough in the season. We are 27% of the way into the season and as Ken Holland has stated in a interview, that is a good indicator as to your team placement for year end. Yes, we have a developing young team, yes we will correct some mistakes and learn as the season goes on. But in all honesty, if we continue to lose to NorthWestern teams in our division and come up short against teams we should beat? I say it's a sign this will not be the season we were hoping it might be after our team shot out of the gate so well.

After such a awful loss as was experienced against the Flames, this team can not afford another poor loss like that at home. It was embarrassing as a fan. (however I do know what that kind of game feels like as a player in my own recreation hockey league) Should we lose tonight to the Hurricanes (after rest and no back to back games) that would be a poor sign that this team is figuring it out.

Time to sharpen the sticks Oilers! Time to play the music, cause it's Hockey Tonight!

My predictions for today's game at Rexall Place

Gametime 7:30pm CHED630am/TSN

REV'S Edmonton Oiler

Gameday Predictions Dec 7th/11

1. PP goal tonight for the Oilers. Can't see them going 3 games with no goal.

2. Oilers need this win badly and don't want to be embarrassed again on home ice. Big win for the Oil!

3. Whitney is struggling still to get out of that pre-season mode but expect to see his game change somewhat tonight. Expect 19+ mins out of him and a factor tonight.

4. Big night for RNH as he is rested and will be flying tonight. (my guess) Multi-point game for RNH

5. Belanger has been failing as of late in the FO dot. That needs to change and I think he see's the urgency as well. 55% or better tonight for Eric in the dot.

(EV'S PREDICTIONS TO DATE: 62 for 109=56.8%)

No fights in BOA? Weird. Belanger 2nd game in a row below 50% in the dot? Weird. Was a weird and whacky game, lets hope for my predictions things start looking up.

As the great Ed Whalen used to say "In the meantime and in between time, that's it, for another edition of...REV'S PREDICTION" (bolded words are not Whalen's words)

For Oiler and Baron news and 2012/13 NHL draft watch www.twitter.com/revingev