Live Video of the Press Conference

Tambellini and Hall Press Conference

The Edmonton Oilers will be hosting a Press Conference today, with Oilers GM Steve Tambellini and NHL #1 Draft Pick Taylor Hall today at Noon(1pm CDT). Video of the Press Conference(if available) will be posted on here and Oilfieldhockey.com
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Will he stay?

It's been a few days since Edmonton signed Giroux to a one way contract for next season. Giroux still has to show off his talent to earn a spot with the Oilers. But what happens if he doesn't get one of open spots? Will Giroux accept a veteran spot in Oklahoma City, or will he bolt for the KHL? Giroux has been a back to back champion with the Bears. He has the numbers to back up his AHL game, but was really never given a shot with the Caps. But will his success in Hershey be able to translate into success for Edmonton?  There are just too many questions about this signing, that need to be answered. If Giroux wants to be a team player in the Oilers organization. He might want to be open to the idea of playing at least part of next season in Oklahoma City.

Can This Version Of The Edmonton Oilers Become The 1983/84 Oilers?

I have been debating for a while now if the Oilers should have more than two rookies in the lineup next season. Most of you know that --before the changes by Tamby to make the team tough-- I have thought that only Hall and Paajarvi would start the year in the NHL and Eberle and Omark would go to the Oklahoma City Barons.  But the more I talk to people about it, there is just so many questions that need to be answered and scenarios to think of.

Would the rookies be better off spending a year in Oklahoma City instead of playing in the NHL? Probably. It's only logical and makes sense.

Would it be a great way to fill the Cox Convention Center and build a fan base by adding players like Eberle and Paajarvi to the opening day roster? You bet it would and that's what the OKC Barons are going to need. You can't just open the doors and expect people to just come watch a game. Names sell.

But you also need to think that since players like Eberle and Paajarvi are signed to a contract, it would essentially burn up a year on their respective deals. Not exactly a good thing right? Hmmmm....

Then you look at the way that Tambellini is building the current Oilers roster. He's added some big boys with the likes of Vandermeer, MacIntyre and Foster to go with a talented and skilled small team. It seems like he's preparing to ice a young rookie squad with large muscle to surround them. The writings on the wall one would think.

But is it the right thing to do? Is it too soon?

So now I have myself thinking about another young Oilers team. The first cup winning team from the 1983/84 season. That team is a fairly young team much like the current one we may possibly have now.

How did that team from the 80's get so good so quick? Well I have a theory.

Gretzky, Coffey, Messier and Anderson were all just a mere 22 years old when they won the first cup. Jari Kurri and Andy Moog were 23, Kevin Lowe and Charlie Huddy were 24. Grant Fuhr was just 20.

The oldest guys on the team were Willy Lidstrom at 32 years old and Jaroslav Pouzar was 31. The only two guys over 30. Wow!

So here we have a team with no real veteran leadership yet, the won the Stanley Cup. How is that possible?

The kids grew together. They played together as rookies. They became friends and won for each other like winners need to do. Isn't this what this current team should do? Should the opening roster include Hall, Eberle, Paajarvi and Omark? You add those four plus the youth of Gagner, Brule, Cogliano, Smid, Chorney, Peckham, & Dubnyk equals the same youthfulness as the Oilers of old. Maybe this squad can grow and learn together like that team did? Maybe this squad is just like that 83/84 team? Take a look, we even have our Pouzar's and Lidstrom's in Horcoff, Strudwick and Khabibulin. The two teams are building to be sort of the same.

But isn't the smart decision to just let the kids develop slowly? In Oklahoma City?

-Written by Smokin' Ray-

Oilers get Giroux

The Edmonton Oilers have signed AHL Veteran Alexandre Giroux to a one way contract. Giroux was part of the Hershey Bears last season lead by former Thunder coach Mark French. The Bears won the AHL's Calder Cup by beating the Texas Stars. Giroux had 103 pts(50G, 53A)with the Bears , and played 9 games with the Washington Capitals last season. Where he had 3 pts(1G,2A)during his stint up in the nation's capital. Giroux turned down several offers, including a 1.3 mil dollar contract in the KHL.Giroux is known for being a career AHL player, with a call-up here and there. So there is a really good chance that Giroux could end up playing for OKC next season. If he doesn't make the Oilers squad, and it gives the Oilers a player. That can replace a player who gets banged up at anytime. Also former Falcon Chris Minard has signed with the Red Wings to play for their affiliate in Grand Rapids.