Alex Plante Recalled To The Oilers

Plante is on his way to join the Oilers in Edmonton after being recalled earlier today. Sounds like Andy Sutton will be suspended for a few games (5?) and that's why there has been a recall.

I'm a little surprised that he's the choice. Is this his last kick at the can? Is he doing more for the Barons than I know? I just don't get this call up.

Me personally, I would have recalled Colten Teubert.

-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY-

Game Day "Blues"

Here we go again. Only question for me, 'when will we see a outburst of goals?' This team is learning to win by keeping with the systems play, working hard and relying tough on the goalies. Let's hope the young guns find that early chemistry that was not as evident against Colorado. (In all fairness, I am sure they were dog tired against the Avalance)

Hearing Petry should be back in the lineup, which will help in moving the puck up, but Peckham will need to play better and more reliable if this is not going to become another scramblefest on defence. If anything, this game is going to be a good indicator of exactly where it looks like this team is going. They will be on the road trip from hell real soon, thanks to the rodeo coming to town, so every win at home becomes vitally important. Seeing the team even winning more at home is a great sign of development, not to mention great for fans who pay to see the team live.

My predictions for tonight's game at Rexall Place. Gametime 6:00pm CHED630am/Sportsnet-West

REV'S Edmonton Oiler

Gameday Predictions Oct 30th/11

1. Someone from the line of Hall/RNH/Eberle will net another goal tonight. You know the saying "Can't keep a good man down!"
2. The Oilers will be walking away from this game with another W in their stats.
3. After a tough last game on FO, I fully expect Belanger and Horcoff to recover from their poor FO % and both post a min of 50%
4. With Smyth on the prowl looking to have a career year, I expect to see him gain yet another point in what is fast becoming a NORMAL thing to see each game.
5. Potter will be at 20 mins or more playing time again tonight with the changes on the blueline happening.

(EV'S PREDICTIONS TO DATE: 15 FOR 30)
two games in a row Belanger failed to produce in the FO dot. All I am asking is for 50%, is that really bad? Had the amount of penalties right but predicted winning goal on PP and was wrong. Also could not believe the little amount of time Paajarvi was played. Looking at my batting average of 50% now, I seem to be about as good lately at predictions as the Oilers are at FO's.

As the great Ed Whalen used to say "In the meantime and in between time, that's it, for another edition of...REV'S PREDICTION" (bolded words are not Whalen's words)

For continued information on Oiler and Baron news and 2012/13 NHL draft watch, you can follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/revingev

OILERS 'Rant & Rave" Oct 29th/11

Ok, normally I am a very positive, see the glass half full kind of person. However as each game passes and I see different things taking place, I have come to the conclusion, I should probably balance that out, not only with rave reviews but also some rants. Why? Because I am probably not alone on some of these things I want to rant on about or rave about. So I thought to myself , 'Self, why not write a blog on your Rant and your Rave?' So that is how this blog of mine has transpired. Granted I will have some of your disagreeing with me on either, but I am fine with that. That's what makes sports so exciting. We don't have to agree to have a opinion.

Because I like to have a feel good ending to most my posts I blog on, I am going to start with my 'Rants' and then end with my 'Raves'

RANT

Granted the Oilers are winning games but in doing so, there are some trends that I am seeing that has me cautious about long term success. Being outshot and still winning games when you have little puck possession time is not a good thing to be excited about. Yes, to win a game here or there is a great example of teamwork, dedication and heart. What it is not though, is sustainable. No team in the history of the NHL has ever had a winning season by winning games like the Oilers have won a few this year. Win a couple here or there like this, great. Eventually it will come to catch you and nip you in the backside.

Let's say for those who are ok with how ice time and zone starts are managed right now, we break this down a little. The young stars are being protected is what I am hearing and what I am seeing. We don't want to lose important faceoff draws at crucial moments of the game. We don't want to line match with the young guys like Nugent-Hopkins, Hall and Eberle so as not to expose them to failure. We want to bring them along slowly. I get all those reasons and understand the reasoning behind it all. At points I even agree with it. Heck, I am even excited about winning and being in 1st place in the Western Conference after 10 games, even if it will only be for one night.

Following the win over Colorado, I realized something. I wasn't excited and happy I watched that whole game. In fact, I felt somewhat ripped off, of the time I invested into my evening. Why, I started asking myself. Yes, parts of the game were exciting, but all in all, I was not that impressed and in no way feel like the Oilers are as good as a team as some are starting to think they are. I will say this one thing though. Renney is showing he is a good coach in the decisions he is making to win games for the Edmonton Oilers. If the whole goal of this season is to win games and get into the playoffs, then I believe what we are seeing could very possibly get us there. BUT if this season is about continued development, then it is starting to look like they might be going off the rails.

Looking at the ice time of the young stars of this team you can see, they were protected by the veterans like Horcoff and Smyth. I am fine for the most part, but not every single time there is pressure should we be playing the veterans on the ice. How else do these young players grow and learn? Maybe by watching you say? Granted that can help, but there is nothing like actually maybe playing the kids under pressure? RNH loses important faceoffs? Have you seen Horcoff on those IMPORTANT faceoffs? In fact on the PP he seems to lose the draw more often then not and then is on the ice for the remainder of the PP time with the young stars. The play is usually dying with him, not the kids. Belanger brought in to help with those all important faceoffs in the defensive zone right? Well when I watch and see, he loses more crucial draws then he wins. Like I said, I am fine with using them sometimes out there, but let the kids learn by experience. If RNH loses draws, he will have to work harder to win more. All great stars are that way. If a player is making mistakes I am fine with sitting them some of the game and playing the more responsible veteran but that is not what is happening. Our veterans make mistakes, yet dont have to sit?

Right now it is very noticeable the team is learning the systems play well. What does have to happen however, is allow them to be equally as creative on their own in the offensive zone as well. Development means giving the kids opportunities to succeed and fail. When they fail, sometimes it may mean a game in the press box or some time on the bench. They will learn, but being babied is not how these great young players will learn.

 

RAVE

Having said how frustrated I am with how much time the veterans are being put on the ice by Tom Renney, I want to state that I am pleasantly surprised how well our veterans players are doing. Props to Horcoff and Smyth as they truly are showing they are the veterans on this team. Smyth especially has impressed me not only with his relentless forechecking and backchecking but with ability to still put up some points.

Nice to see when Hall/RNH/Eberledefenceman were pushing up on the play. Also nice to see Smid continuing to show how valuable he is as a shot blocker on this team. The guy bleeds Oiler colours for sure. Would be a shame to see him leave should he ever be considered in a trade someday.

Goaltending has been superb! To be honest, I was not expecting Devan to have a game like the one we saw last night against the Avalance. He is showing such good promise and with Khabby pushing him even more this year, it has to be a boost to the rest of the team to feel confident in their goaltender should a mistake happen.

JORDON EBERLE

This guy has got to be one of the biggest steals the Oilers have found in the NHL draft in a long time. Not enough credit is given to the scouting on him. Remember he was drafted before his FAME with the world Jrs. Eberle is always mentioned in the untouchables yet few and far between find a gem this far in the draft. There are some, but don't forget the teams that passed him by, thinking he was too slow, maybe to small. I like what I am seeing from his game this year and how patient he is with the puck and without the puck.

That's all for today, but look to post a few more of these posts every once in awhile. Should be a good game tomorrow again. How do I know? They are playing at home, we get the benefit of line matching. Imagine, last year some of you thought Renney did not know the meaning of line matching. Cheers everybody!

For continued information on Oiler and Baron news and 2012/13 NHL draft watch, you can follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/revingev

Game Day "Avalance"

7 Days before the 2011 NHL Draft, I photo shopped this picture of RNH into a picture inside Rexall Place and added the Oiler emblem. Once that was completed I had this picture put onto the front of my white NHL draft shirt with Nugent-Hopkins name on the back and his number 93. Turned out I was right and the rest for me was history. It was no secret that I was a believer in this young hockey player's success this year and that he would not be returning to Jr. I had predicted he would get anywhere between 8-10 points in his first 9 games. No word on the official call from the Oilers brass, but who are we fooling? Nobody, that's right.

 Taylor Hall tweeted on the plane trip to Colorado

@hallsy04Taylor Hall

New equipment guy for the year

.

My guess? While there was no announcement made to us the fans, he has been told and Hall was teasing him about his new job for the YEAR. Like I said last blog, this team makes things so much nicer to follow, cause they are just being real. Living life as it should be, playing in the greatest sport to you and I in the world.

Now, with RNH receiving so much attention due to being a rookie this year, how about say we talk some about Hall and Eberle? Umm..nope! Going to save that for next game day post on Sunday. Exciting year in Oil Country, hold onto your hats! Or should I say 'get ready to throw some more hats this year?' Personally I am expecting a game real soon where not only our new 'Pipeline' is scoring but also the rest of the crew not named Ryan.

My predictions for tonight's game in Denver. Gametime 7:00pm CHED630am/Sportsnet-Edm

REV'S Edmonton Oiler

Gameday Predictions Oct 28th/11

1. RNH will once again post at least 1 more point to make it a point a game through now 10 games and officially kick off a incredible season. (unless he gets sat out, since they have not officially said he is staying up for the season..lol)
2. Dubynk will post the win fighting hard to keep pace with Habby his mentor.
3. Belanger should not have been schooled by the Capitals in the faceoff dot so will yet again predict him with yet another 57% or better % when the game is done.(don't let me down Eric, or that's two in a row)
4. A minimum of  8 penalty calls will come into play as the winning goal will be on a PP.
5. Paarjarvi See's at least 13 minutes of ice time this game. (here is hoping he gets a point as well).

(EV'S PREDICTIONS TO DATE: 14 FOR 25)
Can't believe Belanger only got 50% in faceoffs last game and Potter played less. Could have really brought up my %. I am  now batting 56% on my predictions but to be a true predictions guru I need to see that around the 75% mark.

As the great Ed Whalen used to say "In the meantime and in between time, that's it, for another edition of...REV'S PREDICTION" (bolded words are not Whalen's words)

For continued information on Oiler and Baron news and 2012/13 NHL draft watch, you can follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/revingev

Game Day "Capitals"

Tonight is a BIG night for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. According to this pic taken by Jordon Eberle, it looks like the 'Nuge' has put on some weight. What do you all expect? Everyone wanted him to weigh more, did they not? Well, looks like he did his best in the buffet line to do his part and make sure the other team's couldn't just push him around. (haha!) Ok, enough with the silly talk, we all know this pic was just another example of what we are loving about this team.

It's so fresh to see this youthfulness in display. There is nothing worse then that feeling that everything has to appear as perfect. I love to see the guys relaxing, enjoying their job of playing hockey and just being 'good ol boys playing hockey'.

(ie: Ryan Whitney ribbing Eberle on spelling)

ryanwhitney6Ryan Whitney

by ebs_14 Everyone give a warm welcome to the gap toothed Canadien world junior legend Jordan Eberle who finally gave in to twitter

followed by a response from Jordon Eberle

ebs_14Jordan Eberle

@ryanwhitney6 dude u chirp me and @hallsy04 about our hangman game and u can't even spell Canadian

Anyway, I love the fact we get to see the authenticity of this team. Real people who are hockey players with great skill playing the game in front of millions of viewers worldwide. So let's continue to enjoy this ride for all it's worth. These guys WILL have some bad nights but they also will have nights that will have you on the edge of your seat throughout most of the game. And if were lucky? Maybe standing in our seats come playoff time in a year or two?

 

My predictions for tonight's game at Rexall Place. Gametime 7:30pm CHED630am/TSN

REV'S Edmonton Oiler

Gameday Predictions Oct 27th/11

1. RNH will make the most of his 9 games and finish this game with at least 1 more point.
2. Hall will be a beast out there and be driving the puck so hard we should definitely look at a point from him as well.
3. Belanger will school the Capitals in the faceoff dot with yet another 57% or better % when the game is done.
4. The Oilers will slow the Capitals down tonight on offense to no more then a max of 3 goals allowed in regulation time. (Let's hope even less)
5. Potter will continue to play higher minutes and be above 23 minutes ice time tonight yet again.

(EV'S PREDICTIONS TO DATE: 11 FOR 20)
not bad. I am batting 55% on my predictions but to be a true predictions guru I need to see that around the 75% mark.

As the great Ed Whalen used to say "In the meantime and in between time, that's it, for another edition of...REV'S PREDICTION" (bolded words are not Whalen's words)

For continued information on Oiler and Baron news and 2012/13 NHL draft watch, you can follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/revingev