Oilers 2012 NHL Draft Watch "Morgan Reilly"

Today we examine the #5 ranked player from REVS 2012 Prospects List .Each player is unique in their own right and full of talent. The ranking does not reflect a mock draft of who a team may actually pick but rather who I would place as the best player available in that spot.

5. Morgan Reilly

Pos: D

HT:6'0 ft
WT:190 lbs

Born: Vancouver BC

2010-11 WHL Warriors Games 65 G 6 A 22 PTS 28

2011-12 WHL Warriors Games 17 G 3 A 15 PTS 18

Morgan Reilly will be a highly sought after player at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Being a mobile defenseman, with slick offensive capabilities is considered a rare commodity these days. Before being drafted into the WHL  he put up 55 points  in 43 games for the Notre Dame Hounds, and  had  9 points in the playoffs, while leading them to a Saskatchewan Midget AAA Provincial and Telus Cup Championship. As a 15-year-old Morgan was drafted 1st round pick (2nd overall) in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft.

Morgan is considered in the same mold as Duncan Keith. He is an exceptional skater,  unreal hockey sense and vision, not to mention  a great shot. Does not panic , and makes those around him better with his ability to create offense off the rush.  He brings a fearless sense of playmaking ability. Tyler Boldt has stated ‘At such a young age, he’s a pretty dynamic and fearless defenseman on the offensive side of the game”

Reilly represented Canada at the under 18’s and the Ivan Hlinka tournament as well took part in the NHL’s Research and Development Camp. He really has done all the elite things that elite level players do up to their draft time.

Morgan is #5

'Dreaming'

-- Whitney/Reilly

-- Gilbert/Smid

-- Teubert/Petry

-- Potter

While I know Morgan could not step into that role immediately as first line pairing, he is definitely looking good to be a player in that potential should he continue to grow as he has shown each year to date. A date with the World Jr team this New year would go a long ways to gaining more attention from scouts come draft time.

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 "Canadians"

 As the Oilers take to the ice tonight against the most storied franchise in the history of the NHL, they will do so with a chip on their shoulders. As much as can be said that Edmonton has been lucky to win the numbers of games they have, you can also say, they had to be that good. They are not to happy with the latest outcome recently against the Coyotes, and will look to get back in the win column tonight. While Montreal is no powerhouse anymore, they also are very hard to play in their own barn.

Look to see the Veterans with a bounce back game, as they attempt to really take the game of dump and chase to the Canadians. The '106' Line of Hall/RNH/Eberle will no doubt be trying to get on the board early and fast. Speaking of this line, I surely hope Hall dumps a few more pucks in rather then getting crushed when taking the puck in from the outside. After last game, I was sure to hear how he was nursing some kind of injury. He definitely is feisty and determined but I can't see him taking that kind of physical punishment game after game and still be healthy enough to play all the games this season.

Sounds like Paajarvi spent some time in length in conversation with Coach Renney yesterday at practice, let's hope we see his play move up in a positive arrow. Also would be nice to see Gagner create less turnovers with the puck in a game. He is a smart player and maybe he is still getting his legs under him and struggling to gel as a RW player. Time will tell.(Edited..Paajarvi will be in the press box now as Hemsky comes in to play with Horcoff and Smyth and Jones replaces Magnus. I have a feeling the pressbox will now be used on a rotation for players not performing to peak levels. Could Gagner be next? Not sure how I feel about this, but the players need to know they either perform at the top of their game or they will be sat a game or two. Good incentive)

Unfortunately, sounds like Teubert will be sitting in favour of Barker coming back into the lineup but life is as it is and Teubert will likely be headed back to OKC real soon. Not because his play has been poor but because of contracts and numbers. I expect him to be 1st call up next time a defender goes down, that is, unless Petry gets sent back to OKC upon the return of Andy Sutton.

Cheers to all Oiler Fans in hopes of another win on this long and nasty road trip.

My predictions for tonight's game in Montreal 

Gametime 5:30pm CHED630am/Sportsnet-West

REV'S Edmonton Oiler

Gameday Predictions Nov 8th/11

1.  The scoring will continue from RNH. With a smaller team his main focus will have to be speed but being elusive and adaptive, I am sure he will find a way to make it happen.
2. The Oilers will be on the PK a minimum of 2x or more facing a much faster team as they will be trying to slow them down.
3. Belanger came through last game but Horcoff has seemed to drop off quite abit from early season in FO%. The Oilers as a team will win the higher % of FO wins tonight.
4. Having scored only two goals last game, I expect to see that up to 3 or more this game. This team has to break out one game, why not the Canadians?
5. Khabby will play tonight and keep the goals against, no more then 2. Lets hope he can keep riding this lucky horseshoe.

(EV'S PREDICTIONS TO DATE: 24 for 45)
A loss and a bad FO% by Horcoff really disapointed me but have to leave that behind and jump back behind the wheel. (53% and counting)

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 "COYOTES"

Today's game should be a interesting tilt between these two clubs. As Eberle has even noted, their is some swagger the team is showing and displaying right now. Confidence is building with each win this team has and each game that goes by that our Goals Against is kept to within 2. This team really believes each time they hit the ice, they can defend against any top notch line in the NHL. That can only be a good thing.

I was actually glad to see the '106' Line (can't decide on that name or PIPE Line) get knocked around some, out there against LA. The tougher it is to play for them, the more they will grow, learn and adapt. By the end of this road trip, I don't think you will see as much protection for these young stars because they simply will not need it as much as they did early on.

Some people have mentioned how the Horcoff line has been really coming on as of late. One factor that can be forgotten when playing on the road? The '106' Line will garner the top checkers from the other team, thus freeing up Horcoff, Smyth and Jones some. When they play at home, with line matching Renney is able to then use Horcoff/Smyth/Jones as the checking line primarily and let the '106' Line show there stuff. I can easily see the kids doing the bulk of the scoring at home while Horcoff and Smyth doing the bulk when on the road.

What does cause some concern long term for me, is the lack of production from our third line. They face weaker opposition yet still fail to produce much offence. I like Belanger a lot, but not really sure I see him as a point producer or playmaker. I know history has shown he can put up some points but to this point he looks like a player who is filling in on a third line but perfectly suited for fourth line, PK and key defensive draws. Time will tell, and as long as the Oilers continue to win, Renney probably will not mess with what is happening. Personally I would like to Have Lander sit out a couple games and experiment with Belanger moved to fourth line for two games, while placing Gagner back in the middle but with Paajarvi and Hemsky playing the RW. I would rather tinker with Hemsky a couple games on third line while he slowly works back into the lineup. (besides the competition would be weaker) Hemsky can always be moved after those couple games and a decision made on Lander. Let's face it, a trade can happen, a injury can happen and those lines could all be messed up soon enough.

Having said all that, I am fine with the lineup as it looks and not tinkering with anything for at least this game. Gonna enjoy sitting back tonight and seeing the Oilers back on the ice. Go Oilers!

My predictions for tonight's game at Jobing.com Arena

Gametime 8:00pm CHED630am/CBC

REV'S Edmonton Oiler

Gameday Predictions Nov 5th/11

1.  RNH played a good game in LA with big opponents, against a top shutdown line and the top two defenders on the Kings. It won't be the same physical game it was on Thursday night but RNH will be prepared for it regardless. This kid adapts like EVOLUTION. Should be able to find himself back on the scorecard tonight.
2. The Oilers will continue to surprise fans and media with yet another win to make it 7 games in a row.
3. Belanger was awful on the official FO % according to the stats. I was sure I saw him and Horcoff win more then was recorded. Bottom line, it was not good enough. Belanger and Horcoff both rebound with over 50% in FO %..
4. The Oilers are looking more relaxed and poised as each game passes, I suspect they will also continue to score. Looking at min 3 goals for Oilers tonight.
5. Teubert played well in his first NHL game, so I look to see him continue doing so. I expect some more ice time tonight will come his way as long as he continues to manage well with the ice time he does have. Over 12 minutes tonight. Let's hope he puts some caution into those forwards to enter his zone.

(EV'S PREDICTIONS TO DATE: 22 for 40)
Belanger really disapointed me last game with a poor FO% and I was sure RNH would pick up a point.55% and climbing

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

Can This Be For Real? Is This A Dream?

After 12 games to start the NHL season, the Edmonton Oilers are tied for 1st in the west and are tied for 2nd in the league.

Holy sh*t!

With a record of 8 wins, 2 losses and 2 overtime losses, the Oilers have exceeded expectations by a long shot. Sure is a far jump from dead last two years in a row.

I know this won't last, but I'm enjoying every minute if it.

GOILERS!!!

-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY-

Game Day "KINGS"

Let's get ready to RUMBLE!!!!!!!!!!

How many days since the Penner trade last season? How many days since the Smyth trade? Los Angeles must be sick of dealing with the Edmonton Oilers by now. Every time they make a trade with the Oilers, something goes wrong. Wait, I think that trade with the Oilers in 1988 looks pretty good on them. They only traded for undoubtedly the best player to ever play the game right? Yeah, they paid a KINGS Ransom, but that King known as Gretzky also reestablished the presence of the Kings with the elite in the NHL.

Who knows, maybe Penner has a stellar season yet. Possibly he is fighting a injury that is being kept quiet. Maybe Fraser will be their depth Center they need come the playoff run. He should be back by then should he not?

In the end, all those trades, debate of future prospects, the squabble with the NHL head office, does not matter. What truly does matter is this game tonight. Both teams have gotten off to a tremendous start to the season. The Kings are looking to start putting some space between them and the rest of the western conference while the Oilers are looking to ride the streak that has made them the talk of the NHL. Surely Edmonton is wanting to gain as many points as they can early on in this rodeo trip, so as to take the pressure off future games. Not to mention, the more points the Oilers can gain on their western conference rivals early on, the better. Should reality start kicking in soon and the Oilers not be fortunate enough to be playing .500 hockey, these early season points could be the difference between a playoff spot or not.

Tonight will also be a big difference for our young line of 'Hot shots' when they have to face tougher opposition due to the Kings getting the line matching they are wanting with having last change. It will be a good test as to just how sheltered they have been, or how far they have come in 11 games. Win or Lose, it's good to just see this team working hard and loving the game on the ice and off the ice. GO OILERS!

My predictions for tonight's game at Staples Center Los Angeles

Gametime 8:30pm CHED630am/Sportsnet-West

REV'S Edmonton Oiler

Gameday Predictions Nov 3rd/11

1. I know with the line matching sure to take place tonight, it will be difficult for our PIPELINE (that's the name I like) to play the softer minutes but I expect with RNH rested for this trip to be all over the ice tonight and to pick up his 1st road point and 1st point in Los Angeles.
2. The total amount of goals scored combined will be no more then 5 as two of the best Goals against teams will play one another.
3. Belanger will give Stoll a run for his money on FO% tonight but at nights end he will still come in over 50% which is all the Oilers need. Let's hope he wins the crucial draws in his defensive zone when it counts.
4. With Smyth returning to Los Angeles tonight, I am sure the Boo birds will be out in full force. I could predict Smyth will be booed, however that is too obvious. King Muck as Renney has called him will pick up another point as he will be highly motivated tonight in his return.
5. Teubert playing his first NHL game against the team that traded him will get his minutes but not as many as 13. He will be in tough against a team who will try hard to take advantage of his TOI with their last minute changes at home.

(EV'S PREDICTIONS TO DATE: 19 for 35)
If not for Potter falling 1 minute short in ice time last game, my predictions would have been 5 for 5. Regardless, I hope to continue to climb up in my prediction winning % tonight once again. Hitting 50% 2 games ago really hurt my ego.(54% and climbing)

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