Oilers Development Rookie Camp Update (Thanks @_gelsomino )

Today was the first day of the Oilers rookie development camp. The skaters were doing mostly skating drills today (but no parachute). Players included today are Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Magnus Paajarvi, Temmu Hartkinen, Anton Lander and many others.

These were the tweets that @_gelsomino sent out so we could follow along.

1. Eberle is a better skater then Hall.
2. Some pretty decent skaters and some not so good skaters.
3. Petpeeve; When people start dissing on player and the team when they have NO idea what they are talking about.

4. First half of the camp, all power skating. Second half, 3 on 0's, 3 on 1's, etc. And finished up with a quick game of rebound.
5. Overall Eberle looked stronger then Hall today. Hall looked kind of tired actually.
6. Ones to watch for: Hall (19), Eberle (25), MPS (28), Petry (5), and Pitlick (21).
7. They didn't do a whole ton of puck work today. Lots of skating.
8. No parachutes today either.

9. I'm guessing it (edit* the players numbers) means nothing, there was a bunch of forwards with goalie numbers. I think they were randomly assigned.

So there you have it. Thanks to Jasmine for the updates and she will be tweeting all week so follow her on Twitter. She loves her Oilers and so do we. Come back tomorrow for more updates.

-Written by Smokin' Ray-

Gilbert Brule, Jeff Deslauriers & JF Jacques File For Arbitration

As per Pierre LeBrun's tweet today, the following players have filed for arbitration. Three of these players are Edmonton Oilers. Gilbert Brule, Jeff Deslauriers & JF Jacques have all filed for arbitration.

Here is the tweet;

On Monday 5th July 2010, @Real_ESPNLeBrun said:

NHLPA announces 31 players filed for salary arbitration today: James Wisniewski, Ben Eager, Andrew Ladd, Clarke MacArthur, Greg Campbell,Blake Wheeler, Tim Kennedy, Ian WhiteAntti Niemi, Jared Boll, Anton StralmanFabian Brunnstrom, Derek Meech, Gilbert Brule, Jeff Drouin-DesLauriers,Jean-Francois Jacques, Brad Richardson, Mark Fraser, Matt Moulson, Daniel Girardi,Chris Campoli, Peter Regin, Daniel Carcillo, Cam Janssen, Nate Thompson, Tanner Glass, Jannik Hansen, Mason Raymond, Eric Fehr, Tomas Fleischmann, Jeff Schultz

That's quite the list. Anyone else shocked that those three Oilers have chosen arbitration?

Gilbert Brule may have a case but even so, he wasn't THAT good last season. Take what you get and play better for a year or two. The money will come with production. He made $800,000 last season.

Then we have JF Jacques. Can someone explain what JF Jacques is going to say in his defence? "Uhhhh... me play hockey." I don't know why he's trying to fight anything? Last season he made $550,000. Not bad for not really playing all season. And he wants more?

Lastly we have Jeff Deslauriers. Deslauriers chose arbitration and Dubnyk didn't. I'd say another edge for DD. Jeff made $625,000 last season and I think that's pretty fair. If he is awarded more than $1 million, that's highway robbery. I'd expect him traded by the start of the season (depending on Khabi's condition).

These three should have elected to negotiate with the team privately as feelings will get hurt. I really hope that these guys settle before arbitration starts because it never ends on great terms.

Arbitration runs from July 20th and goes till August 5.

-Written by Smokin' Ray-

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
Listen Live on the following feeds:
630 AM CHED
Team 1260

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.