Hear Me Out #1

In this segment of Hear Me Out, I am going to talk trade talk. I am not one for this kinda thing but I have nothing else to do until Thursday. So here we go...

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Well there seems to be some really good players available right now. (according to sites like hockeybuzz, spectors, and the 4th period which most of the time they are wrong or full of it.) How can we not think about the possibilities out there? I don't think that any of the players listed here are really all that attainable by the Oilers but let's take a look anyways.

Marian Gaborik

- I would like to have this guy. Very fast and has a pretty wicked shot. His defensive is lacking but makes up for it with his offensive production. However he hasn't played 82 games since ... well never. He played 81 once in 2002/03. Is he worth the gamble? Not sure. He is also listed as a RW. Would he play left wing and not look out of place? Would he still be a floater?

Ilya Kovalchuk

- I would also like to have this guy. He does play left wing and shoots right. He's fast and agile. I think he could have magnificent chemistry with Hemsky. Again he isn't a very defensive minded person, but you know what? Most highly offensive people suck at coming back and helping out. So would I take a chance on this guy? Yes I would. Today.

Jay Bouwmeester

- I have already heard of talks that linked Mr. Bouwmeester to the Oilers. But do we really need to add another 4.8 million to the payroll? Imagine for a moment.. Souray, Visnovsky, Gilbert, Bouwmeester, Grebeshkov, Staios with Smid/Strudwick on reserve. I have to admit. Pretty nice defence corps. But can he survive in his hometown or crack like many others before him?

Jason Spezza

- Another injury prone guy. When he is on his game he is awesome. When he slumps he slumps. He is quick on his feet and has a pretty deadly shot. His face offs are not that bad either. All he could do is help this team. As long as he doesn't slack off for MacT.

Dany Heatley

- When the Heat is on, he's flying. At one point he was one of the best in the game. He is a natural left wing and could compliment Hemsky nicely. I am not sure I would take a chance on him. I don't think that he fully recovered mentally from the crash.

Maxim Afinogenov

- I used to think this guy was the cat's meow. But times change. I'd maybe give up Nilsson for him. But even then I think that is to steep. He still is fast which is Oiler style, but is his work ethics really all that good? And again he is a right winger who shoots left. Not really a fit for the Oilers top line.

Michael Nylander

- All I have to say is HAHAHAHAHA! That is karma for you. I am sure you all know the story behind him with the Oil. Don't want him, don't need him.

Mattias Ohlund

- While he is a quality defenceman, we really don't need him either. Pass.

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Now after all that. who would I take 1st?

Ilya Kovalchuk. He is what we need. Can we get him? Doubt it. (please prove me wrong)

So now I guess the real question is who do we give up?

Brodziak? Schremp? Garon? Roli? Nilsson? Moreau? Cole? Penner? Horcoff? Pouliot? Grebeshkov? Staios? Smid? Cogliano? Gagner? Hemsky? Souray? Visnovsky? Gilbert? Strudwick? Stortini? Brule? MacIntyre? Pisani? Deslauriers? Reddox? Some Kid in the Minors? Or #1 pick this year and next?

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What do you do?

The Oiler's Jambalaya #1 (Random Thoughts)

Even though we won last night....

That was a stinker for sure. Where is the effort? Does the team know that they were on HNIC? You realise that the whole nation watches you right? And that's how you want to play with your Mom watching? I think that would be embarrassing. One shot after the 1st. Very impressive. Ending the game at 43-17. Yeah! Whooo Hoooo! I swear someone better give Roli huge high five. And maybe some kissing on the feet. Ok. I feel better. But you have to bet that MacT is going to skate you guys hard this week. To top it off, it sucks no Oilers till Thursday. Now what?

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When I first was learning how to play hockey we were taught to play the man and not the puck. Right? This is a fairly easy concept, and it works when executed. So why does the team always go for the puck instead of laying the guy out? Most likely a 50/50 chance of getting burnt. But if you hit the guy then no one is burning anyone right? Like I said Easy concept and it works. Try it sometime.

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Since when are we playing rugby? Or football for that matter. There is such a thing as a forward pass. What you say? Really? We can do that? Generally the good teams pass in the forward direction. I mean really. Why give the other team any help by passing back to your own zone? Move it forward and go and get it. Look... I panic too in hockey sometimes. I get that. But dump it forward and go get it. Don't freak out and pass back to your defence. Then they freak out and next thing you know the other team has possession. Get it? Got It? Good!

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When is Shawn Horcoff going to get some more moves? His only arsenal is by going to the right side waiting for the one timer. Good play... but it can't be the only gun in the pocket. You need more. In the last few games I have seen changes to Penner's game and Hemmer's game. They have adjusted to look like 1st line stars. Sorry Horcoff. You have not. In fact, I prefer the 2 Million Horcoff. At least he tried his butt off. I want a refund on this guy.

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The emergence of Hemsky has been very exciting to a fan like me who has been waiting to see the real Hemsky. I think ladies and gentlemen, he is finally here. He seems really confidant this year and I think he really is trying to be a leader on the ice. He always said it but never really maintained any consistency for a whole season. I say so far, so good.

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I personally can not wait for Big Mac to come back. I hear he is learning to fight better from Rocky Thompson. How scary is that going to be? A better skater, better shape and a better fighter. You better run...

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I truly feel bad for Erik Cole. I do. I think what we have here is another Mike Peca situation. I don't think that MacT really knows how to use him yet. Or maybe he isn't listening to Cole. Either way, I don't think that the fans should be getting impatient with him. It took 60 or so games for Peca to be used accordingly. I expect the same with Cole. Then the Oiler fans will see why we got him in the first place. Mike Peca felt like the fans hated him by the middle of the season and his mind was made up to leave. I don't want the same with Cole. If you can remember... Peca was one of the best players for us in the playoff's. When... Not if, we make the playoff's. Erik Cole is going to be one of our best players too. Us as fans need to be patient. This is going to be a special year. Mark my words.

Until next time.

Smokin' Ray Burnt

Beers And Jeers #4 (Dec 6/08 vs. San Jose Sharks)

BEERS

Ales Hemsky

- The guy is a warrior. He plays like his contract is up this year. As the season goes on I feel like he is turning that corner to a real successful career. Finally he is what we all thought he was going to be. If it wasn't for Hemmer we would look really bad tonight. Beer for Hemmer. Cheers!

Dustin Penner

- Once again the big man doesn't disappoint. He is providing the screen that we have so desperately needed since Smyth left. Good job tonight big guy. 1 goal, 1 assist. Beer? Cheers!

Dwayne Roloson
- Another solid night between the pipes for Roli. Nice to have a goalie that we can rely on. A nice 41 save night. The ONLY reason why we made it to overtime. Have a nice cold beer Roli, you deserve it. Cheers!




JEERS



The Entire Team
- One shot after the 1st period. Are you kidding me? Good thing for Hemmer scoring. The second period was not that much better. We need that consistency that MacT has been talking about. 31 - 10 after the 2nd period. Terrible guys. Terrible. We were lucky to get that win. So for the piss poor effort once again. (43 - 17 shots) Pfffttt... Boooooooo...

The Third Line
- What is the point of having a third line if you don't notice them during the game? Clearly need a change with the 3rd and 4th lines. Brutal. Boooooooo...

The Fourth Line
- What a waste of a line. Booooooo...

Beers and Jeers #3 (Dec 5/08 vs. LA Kings)

BEERS

Robbie Schremp

- Not a bad game for Mr. 88. 3 points in 2 games. He was fore checking, back checking and laying out some hits. (They weren't huge but hits nonetheless) This was the only guy to get me excited tonight. It looks like he is making a case to stay with the big club. I am very happy for him. Oh yeah... Nice move in the shoot out. I still say that was over the line. Two beers in a row Schrempy. Cheers!

Erik Cole

- Really not a bad game. Still not the guy we traded for but he is getting better. I will give him one thing. He DOES try hid butt off. Half a beer Cole? Cheers!

Marc Pouliot

- Pretty decent game from the Pou. Nice shootout move. Still not sold on his play. But I do remember him and Schremp playing very well together last year in the minors. I bet they stay together for awhile even after the other guys comeback. Have a beer Pouliot. Cheers.

JEERS

Liam Reddox
- Why are you still here again? 1 point in 9 games and a -1. Seriously. Demotion. Booooooooo.




The Entire Team


- You guys blew a 3 goal lead. No effort, No hard work. Pretty sad guys. No sugar coating here. YOU GUYS F**KING SUCKED tonight. Overtime win or not. You sucked. Try that crap against San Jose and the score will be 8 to 3. Boooooooooo...





Be better tomorrow Oilers. or else....

I Like The Cut Of Your Jib! #1

In this instalment of "I like the cut of your jib", I will be talking about Sheldon Souray. The big man #44 from Elk Point, Alberta.

This guy is a Jib Cutter 100%. The man ooze's class like he's sweating on a hot day. He is as mean as Rita McNeil waiting in line for the buffet and you budge in front of her and she kicks you ass sooooo bad that she eats you as an appetizer. His shot is so scary that even I have nightmares about blocking them and I don't even play in the NHL. And his style of dress makes even Versace look like a homeless guy. He's smooth and violent all at the same time. The man is awesome plain and simple.

Two games ago against Dallas, the kid line was out and the period just ended. Someone (can't remember who) started to beat on Gagner a little. While everyone else was heading off to go back to the dressing room, there stood Souray on the bench. Waiting... Watching... Then after the scrum was over and the opposing player skates by.... Souray unloads a verbal assault on the guy and you could tell that he meant it and that it couldn't be repeated around small children. He sticks up for his own guys and that alone is classy.

When he came here from Montreal, I didn't really know what to expect. (except for his shot) Last year I was quite upset that we are paying this guy a boatload of $$$ and he only plays 26 games. 10 points and was -7. Wow. 6.25 Million and that is what we got. Bogus. Joni #2.

However...

This is the Souray people expected. He's on pace to beat his own personal best of 64 points. Finally. Finally Edmonton gets a winner. And finally a true leader. I personally would give him the C right now but I can't. He's great. He hits, shoots, fights and brings a certain level of excellence that few can provide. When he's on he makes others around him play better. He has been pretty solid with Gilbert. He was even willing to play the left side so Visnovsky could be on the right. What a team player. Teams can't find enough of these guys.

I think our D corps is finally coming together. We have Souray under contract until 2011/12. Visnovsky until 2012/13. And Gilbert until 2013/14. I say the future looks pretty darn good.

So for all your hard work... Sheldon Souray, I like the cut of your jib. You jib cutter you.

Until next time,

SRB