Four Sent Packing (Nurse, Fedun, Pitlick & Lander)

The Edmonton Oilers just announced that four players have been cut from the team just now. 

Taylor Fedun is off to the Oklahoma City Barons 

Darnell Nurse will go back to juniors. 

Tyler Pitlick is going to the OKC Barons. 

Anton Lander also to the OKC Barons

I Just Don't Feel Bad, It's Just That Time Of Year

Watching tonight's game had me thinking about players being cut. I remember being cut from teams. It sucks. It hurts. 

But you move on to whatever lies next and hopefully you realize that it was you that failed to make the team, not the coaches. Some players have to clear waivers, while some don't, and sometimes that makes decisions complicated. 

Hockey is a production based sport and if you're not standing out and contributing, you don't survive. Simple as that. Coach Eakins really seems to be attracted to the stand out players that push their own limits. He really doesn't care about the past or veteran status or the name on the jersey. He cares about the now. 

Linus Omark was the latest victim of not being a standout for the right reasons. Eakins hated the fact Omark tried to do everything himself and he didn't rely on his line mates like he should. The kid has skill, but he just can't seem to follow a game plan. His style hasn't really changed since joining the Oilers, and either has his yearly exit from training camp to anywhere but Edmonton. I had high hopes for him. Those hopes are long gone. 

The next on the waiver wire you would think to be is Ryan Jones. He just seems like he's always a step behind. We have all seen Ryan flying on his A game. We've seen him be his best. Where did he go?

Did Jones not prepare himself enough this summer? Did he do enough on ice work? Did his second surgery hinder his training?

At the end of the day, if he's cut and put on waivers, who will he blame? He clearly has the tools to do the job.

So as camp is winding down and the kids that don't require waivers like Nurse, Pitlick and Fedun go to their respected teams, they must remember what it took to get them this far and to apply that next training camp. They still have more chances. It's not the end of the world. 

The vet players however. Well... you might have blown your last chance. 

-WRITTEN BY A NOT SAD SMOKIN' RAY BURNT- 

Tyler Pitlick Earns One More Shot, As Do Others

Coach Dallas Eakins had high praise when talking about Tyler Pitlick after tonight's 2-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. 

Pitlick had a team high 6 hits and he played a very sound and solid game. He really stood out tonight and added a beautiful assist to the mix. With 15:13 of playing time, he made every minute count. Good on him considering he's pretty much has been a wash so far in his short Oilers career. I don't know where this version came from, but I like it. 

Jesse Joensuu also had a good game. He scored his third goal of the preseason because he drove to the net and really played a hard fought game. He's also earning the coaches praise.

Anton Belov makes good choices. He just seems really smart with the puck and I'm really starting to like him. I really liked his quick release with the puck and he picked up an assist due to that. I'd imagine he looks even better in another game or two. Good signing so far. 

After the blunder by Dubnyk, he was solid. No reason to knock him. Accidents happen and that goal against was just that. A mistake. No big deal. He was great for the rest of the game, just not that 2 seconds of it. 

Will Acton and Taylor Fedun both had decent games as well. Acton scored the game winner and Fedun played a real calm and cool defensive game. Both will get another chance to impress. 

Mark Arcobello had a team high 5 shots and played well enough. I'm not convinced he's done enough for a roster spot, but he sure is putting in a effort to do so. 

Boyd Gordon was 67% on faceoffs. That in my opinion, was all he really did tonight. I expected him to be better. 

Phil Larsen had a good game. He had 5 blocked shots and picked up an assist. He's making a very strong case to make the team too. Tough decisions for coach Eakins. 

Maybe Yakupov needs a night off? He's played in every game and tonight he looked like he could use a rest. Mind you, he was playing with Omark (bad tonight) and Gordon (so-so). 

The one guy who did blow it? Linus Omark. In a game where he needed to be a factor, he wasn't. Not even playing with Yakupov. I fear he may have blown his last chance and once again he will be with the Barons. 

In a game where guys needed to step up, some did, and some didn't. 

-WRITTEN A HAPPY SMOKIN' RAY BURNT-

The Only Way This Can Work (Steve MacIntyre)

As you read here at OilersJambalaya.com this morning, the Oilers have claimed tough guy Steve MacIntyre from the Pittsburgh Penguins. This marks the 4th time that we have seen big #33 wear the Oilers blue and orange. 

Every other stint that he's been here it hasn't worked as well as the Oilers management has hoped. Sure, he can punch anybody's light out. Not many guys in the league can stand toe to toe with him. But not many are also willing to go toe to toe with the big man at all. So why is he back?

Good question. I don't know. 

He's known for his slow foot speed and gigantic corner taking. There isn't a whole lot he can do besides punching people. 

So how does he work this time around you ask? 

Straight up, he's going to have to be a killer. A guy who will punch you out even if your not willing. He's going to have to take liberties at every scrum he's in. He's going to have to step out of his character and smash skulls of the opposing teams skill players without notice. 

Can he do that? I hope so. Or this really isn't going to work... again. 

-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY BURNT-

Edmonton Oilers Claim Steve MacIntyre... Again

MacT and his bold moves... Pfft!

This morning the Oilers claimed tough guy Steve MacIntyre. Yes it's just like any other year. The big man is back. 

Oh boy. I thought we figured this out already. The guy can fight, but that's about it. Wrong type of player. 

-WRITTEN BY A CONFUSED SMOKING' RAY BURNT-