Making sense of it all

I know we have no playoff hockey going on here in Edmonton. I know people are getting tired of the rebuild and want to see a winning team. But c'mon folks, let's take this one step at a time.

The conversations I hear happening on the sports radio stations from callers, the comments and suggestions I am seeing on blog sites are 'out of this world' insane.  I mean no disrespect to any of the callers or even comments on sites but "Oiler fan needs to take more time to think through the bigger picture'. Most of what I am reading and hearing is all along the same lines and commented on by many a fan of the Edmonton Oilers, so I will generalize the statements and comment on them here at OilersJambalya.

Now before I comment on the following statements being said by Oiler Fans, I do understand the frustration. However, it is important to remember it takes TIME to develop great players and it takes WORK. Maybe some of the statements that are being made seem like a better idea right now, but if Tamby made one of the decisions that some are saying he should do, you and I know, we would then be hearing everyone beating on him for making such a dumb decision in the first place.

I am not one to compliment Tamby but the more I hear from other GM's , Coaches and former great players (not associated with Edmonton) the more I am starting to be convinced taking it 1 draft at a time, 1 year of development at a time is the best way to build toward LONG TERM success. Maybe trading players immediately and signing free agents could work for the short term but it could cost you in the long haul. I know , I as a fan, don't want to be working on another rebuild after only 3-4 years of a good run or 2.

STATEMENTS BEING HEARD AROUND THE OILERS:

* We need to trade down in this years draft and take the defencemen. Our greatest need is defence so we can trade for a good assets and a team in the top 5 for their pick.

Name the last time a team did this and it worked. The best idea of a offer would be with Toronto maybe. Yakupov for Schenn and Reinhart? I guess if you don't believe Yakupov is elite level like Hall then you might. Truth is, Yakupov is right in and around the type of player Hall is by most scouts,  just plays different but could mean the same to any team he plays for. I have followed Yakupov for 2 full years now and see no reason for him to disappoint.

 I know lots of people like to comment on draft eligible players based on a couple comments from others, but the only way you really know the player is to follow over a good chunk of time and listen to all reports good and bad on a player. IMO the whole Russian factor is the silliest argument people have for not drafting Nail. I know some of you won't like it, but as Kevin Lowe said "we will be taking the first pick overall unless some team blows our socks off with a trade offer." And for the Oilers to take someone else at #1 besides Nail? That would be potential suicide. Stu likes to play it safe with his first round selections.

* Yakupov is another small winger. We don't need small players anymore, we have enough and we have lots of wingers.

Another SMALL winger? Yakupov is not a tall player but he weighs as much as Hall does this year and is a solid muscle machine. He is strong even against the likes of big Dougie Hamilton in Niagra. As far as another WINGER? Well Besides Eberle and Hall, who are the Oilers top 6 wingers? Hemsky? People always complain about his ability to stay healthy or even if he still has it. Hartikainen is still a project and with Paajarvi , some are not even sure he is a top 6 winger. Tobias Rieder is looking good in the OHL this year, but nothing is a sure thing. On the farm Pitlick is starting to develop well but a top 6 winger? Nope, to me that argument doesn't hold water at all.

* We need to blow up the whole team other then RNH, Eberle and Hall (maybe a few others can stay as well, but only a few)

Blow it up? This was probably the craziest comment or idea I have heard yet. We may not be where we want to be, but blowing this thing up with the exception of the young stars would just mean MORE REBUILDING and more years to wait for a contender.

* We need to sink Khabby in the minors next year or trade him and get a legitimate top goalie.

Why waste money on Khabby in the minors? It makes no sense. If a trade is available, I am sure they will explore it, but if we don't want him right now, why would someone else? We need to stay away from the idea, that people want players we think are BAD hockey players. You would have to GIVE away something in that trade and take back something you don't want as well.

We  have 2 very interesting AND developing goalies in Bunz and Roy in our minor system this year. DD has shown he is still getting better and is a capable goalie. We don't need a goalie doing anything other then giving the Oilers a chance each night. If we keep the soft goals out of our net, we have a chance every night. That is where Khabby showed his greatest weakness since his arrival.

* Hall is better off being on the wing and should not be moved to center position. He would not play as dynamic if in the middle.

No one can really say if Hall would be better in the middle or left on the wing unless they read fortunes. The only reason people say they want him on LW is because the speed he crosses over the blue line backs up defenders and they can't see him performing as well if he is more defensively cautious at center position. When he was drafted, they wanted to make sure he was still comfortable with that position, there was a reason and having RNH does not mean it can not happen now. If coaching believes he is better off eventually playing center cause of drafting Yakupov then I am fine. It is possible it could turn out to be a much better role for him. Only time will tell on this one. All I do know, if Hall was to play with Eberle, it would set up a great RNH, and Yakupov duo as well. 

* Look at how well Sequin has played compared to Taylor Hall, we should have taken the center as we need that 2nd centermen.

It is true Sequin has done quite well since entering the league, but until last year in the playoffs, no one was talking about this. He really grew this past year and is showing to be a big part of the Bruins future. However let's remember, Sequin is NOT playing CENTER position, he is playing RW. This is a very big mistake some are mentioning when saying we should have taken Sequin to be our centerman. No one knows yet, if Tyler Sequin will be a great centermen or not, as with only question marks, only time will tell.

* We need to start drafting defencemen who are high skilled, we have nothing really top 4 in our system.

Start drafting top defencemen? Folks, Gernat, Marincin, Musil, Klefbom, these boys are all potential candidates for some high end talent. Sure not all will work out, but I am willing to bet that 1 of the 4 will be a top 2 defencemen in the future. 25% success rate for high end defencemen is a pretty good rate of success. To draft a defencemen #1 overall or give up the chance on a potential draft Superstar player for a maybe good defencemen is not in my vocabulary. We had this same discussion last year between RNH and Adam Larson. Who still thinks the Oilers should not have drafted RNH? 

* We need goalies, DD will not cut it, he is taking too long to develop.

Too long to develop? Look at how much some goalies look to be top 10 in the league and then fall apart. Fleury anyone? Luongo? The list changes each year. Goalies are a different breed of player. To have a steady and reliable goalie who can occasionally steal a game is good for me. To me a goalie over 4 million becomes scary!

* Get rid of Belanger and Horcoff , they are just taking the places of players who can develop at the NHL level.

We must have revisited this story at least 50 times on Belanger this year alone and 200 times on Horcoff the last 3. Belanger is possible to move this off-season, Horcoff not so much. Salary Cap is not a problem YET for the Oilers so Horcoff contract does not affect a thing this year or next. Horcoff as 3rd or 4th line Centre is all ok by me. When they can unload that contract and deal, they will. Sometimes it REALLY is about timing.

* Paajarvi showed this last year he is not a top 6 forward and will only be a perimeter player. We should trade him off for whatever we can get.

While I do agree Paajarvi took a step backwards this year, he does not get the same special treatment a Gagner or others get. Maybe 8 games on the top 2 lines. 2 of those games he played real well. He has a ways to go, has some things to learn, someone had to have a bad season of the 3 and I am sure most are happy Hall and Eberle did not falter. Paajarvi will be back challenging this year.

For Oiler ,Baron and Thunder news and the 2012 or 2013 NHL draft watch go to www.twitter.com/revingev

2012 SC Playoff Predictions Rd 2

I would recap my first round predictions, but to say they sucked will save a lot of time. At least I got the most important one right with the Kings upset over Vancouver. *snickers*

Okay, lets get down to business, hopefully with better sucess then a 3-5 first round record.

Eastern Conference

New York Rangers vs Washington Capitals
- I'm going with the Rangers in 6, though I really like the way Dale Hunter has the Capitals dialed in defensively.

Philidelphia Flyers vs New Jersey Devils
- The Flyers are scary good and scary mean. Flyers in five.

Western Conference

St. Louis Blues vs Los Angeles Kings
- This is the toughest series for me. Both teams play very similar styles. If LA can get their offense going, Im not sure they can, they will win. I reluctantly take the Kings in seven.

Nashville Predators vs Phoenix Coyotes
- Once again, both teams play very similar styles. The Preds have the ability to score more then the Coyotes though. Nashville in 6.

-WRITTEN BY PAQ TWINN-

TOBIAS the 'Silent RIEDER"

While all the talk in this city sits around the Draft lottery win and the possibility of a potential Superstar pick like Nail Yakupov there is also excitement in the city about another good prospect on defence playing the the WHL Oil Kings by the name of Martin Gernat. There is lots to be excited about.

But playing in Kitchner Ontario for the OHL Rangers is a player forgotten by many, who is becoming a "Silent RIEDER" on the long list of potential Edmonton Oiler prospects.

Not knowing much about Tobias, I had my first chance of seeing him play here in Edmonton during last summer's' Oilers Development Camp'. Was not impressive by any means but also was a very astute learner. He had OK speed, made fairly safe plays and executed most the drills well. Nothing stood out, in a good way or a bad way. Is that so bad? I would say no, it's not bad. Most these young players take awhile to grow into their bodies and adjust to the game. The biggest question is always, 'are they still growing and learning and improving their overall game'?

In the case of Tobias, he has, and it has been a huge year in terms of his growth. Tobias had a record year in Kitchener for points and really became a go to guy who was dependable and used at the clutch moments. He is not flashy, not a wildman on the ice by any means. What Tobias has done this year is nothing short of awesome. A good test of a player's growth is how well he performs when under pressure. These OHL playoffs, Rieder is the one creating the offence consistently. In fact he ranks on the top of the stats ladder in the CHL playoffs let alone the OHL.

STATS:

60 Regular Season Games

42 Goals 43 Assists 85 Points

13 Playoff games (and counting)

11 Goals 14 Assists 25 Points

While he has gone about his role quietly and effectively, don't be surprised to be hearing lots more about this young man in the very near future. He may not be a big man by any means, he is strong on the puck and plays the game like a pro.

LONG LIVE THE RIEDER!

For Oiler ,Baron and Thunder news and the 2012 or 2013 NHL draft watch go to www.twitter.com/revingev

Krueger on way out?

Well, can't say I didn't already post this. Just a few weeks back I made a blog and posted this very possibility. I also tweeted it in late January I believe.......I had written to respond to some questions. Here was what I had written;

What do you think with happen with our GM and coaching situation with next year?

I know there is lots of speculation everywhere with many different rumours floating. Tamby will get his GM extension (2 years?) and then it is anybodies guess. If someone good becomes available maybe they make a move but I think they try and convince Renney to sign a one year, explaining they need to see greater improvement to move beyond and challenge for a playoff spot to give anything longer. I really believe they want to eventually bring in Todd Nelson but are another year or two away from that. It's a trend more now then ever to do just that and it seems to work 50% of the time. On the other hand I am hearing rumours still that Krueger may not be back next year and returning to Europe. Myself, I really believe he is a vital reason for some of the development we are seeing , more then Renney.

That being said, I am really starting to wonder if now Sutter is next in line here in Edmonton. It's been said, without being said, Sutter was not a fan of Feaster and his way of building a contender. Like him or hate him, Sutter has always done well with top end talent and young skill. Both NJ and Calgary were not great teams to work with and very seldom Sutter makes a bad tactical error in game situations. Going to be a interesting off-season huh?

For Oiler ,Baron and Thunder news and the 2012 or 2013 NHL draft watch go to www.twitter.com/revingev

NHL Entry Draft "Here we go again"

The Oilers now sit in the fortunate position of selecting the #1 pick yet once again in this year's 2012 NHL Entry Draft. The question this year? Should we take a defencemen because it is our biggest need? Did we not just go through this whole conversation last year at this time? Was not the big question last year,  if we should take Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Adam Larson? 

The conversation became so large that, bloggers and MSM were breaking down the validity of drafting a defencemen #1 overall. People were saying RNH was at least another year away and Larson could play NHL immediately. The stats guru's were going on about how RNH was not producing enough 5on5 and how he was still too small to play in the NHL.

What I find very interesting is RNH too many was considered too small. Why? Cause at season end he was maybe 165lbs. By training camp he was sitting at 174 and some still doubted his size. He is 6'1 and coming into camp and the complaints were there about his size. So his height was fine but his weight was too light? What size should he be, was my curious question to those in doubt. 190+lbs is the argument I heard.

Enter, 2012, Nail Yakupov. The question I hear yet once again is...'he is too small'. Too small? How's that? He is 5'11 and 190lbs when the season started. He is the 190 that everyone wanted RNH to be but now because he is 5'11, he is too small? Can't have it both ways. Very few STAR players are at least 6'1 and 200+lbs. Usually those players are drafted in later rounds and molded. The hope is, players like Hartikainen will fill those molds.

Back to the original question. Draft a potential 1-3 defencemen or a potential 40+Goal scorer? % of success is with the forward and not the defencemen. Why change course this year? People say we have 2 RW's already in Eberle and Hemsky. Do we really? People now are believing in Hemsky for next year? Sorry folks, as much as I like Hemsky, I believe his style of play is exactly what the Oilers do not need. This team is being molded different then in year's past. We have 3 top players, that's all! Everything else is a maybe or hopeful. I am glad we signed Hemsky. Why? Because it gives us a asset. It's another player we can trade. 

Some are saying that Yakupov could bolt to the KHL. True, but the Oilers could also finish in 30th place again next year as well. Nothing is guaranteed. But let's look at some strong facts and reasoning before we start anointing Murray as our best pick at #1.

1.Yakupov came to Canada to play in the CHL at 16 years old. He said he wanted to adapt early and play in the best jr development league in the world, so he would be the most ready to go straight to the NHL. This should be a strong sign, that the KHL is not his goal or a temptation. 

2. Yakupov's agent is Igor Larionov. Igor represents what is great about Russian hockey players. He is their greatest ambassador IMO. 

3. Mark Glavin, Sarnia Sting Assistant GM raves about his work ethic and dream to play in the NHL and his dynamic abilities on the ice. This is the same guy who saw Stamkos grow up on his team as well and go on to carve a awesome career to date in Tampa Bay.

4.Yakupov strives to be the best, not only does he want to be the best, he works hard on being the best. Don't read too much into his cocky attitude as speaking his thoughts and feelings into english, things can be misunderstood quite easily.

5. Should the Oilers feel Yakupov is not the right fit, they can always trade that asset.

Yes, Murray would have been a very good pick at #2, but with #1 pick locked up, to pick anyone other then Yakupov would open this team up to scrutiny beyond imagination. I can't see a team being able to give the oilers a 1st round pick and top 2 d-man for that 1st overall , cause no one wants to give up that good of a proven defencemen. 

As has been mentioned by the Oilers, this is a rebuild. Adding one more potential superstar player to the forward mix can be nothing but good. They are not looking at a quick fix and I see no reason why they will buck their trend. Could a trade happen? Absolutely! But the % is low someone will step up and offer something incredible on a potential. 

I think instead of lines, we should be looking at pairs to play together. In whatever combination you want but to have 2 top lines with a pair that excels and you move different guys in and out on those pairings. Both Hall and Yakupov play a hard, fast, in your face style of play. To me, they need to be split up, to best utilize the shutdown tandems that play against them. To have say Hall with Eberle and Nugent-Hopkins with Yakupov could be a deadly combo. Any way you look at it, it will be a interesting couple months leading up to the draft.

For Oiler ,Baron and Thunder news and the 2012 or 2013 NHL draft watch go to www.twitter.com/revingev