Oilers 2012 NHL Draft Watch "Olli Maatta"

REVS 2012 Prospects List (Oct 3rd/11)

1.Nail Yakupov

2.Mikhail Grigorenko

3.Ryan Murray

4.Alex Galchenyuk

5.Morgan Rielly

6.Mathew Dumba

7.Nick Ebert

8.Filip Forsberg

9.Griffin Reinhart

10.Martin Frk

11.Derrick Pouliot

12.Cody Ceci

13.Olli Maatta

14.Zemgus Girgensons

15.Jacob Trouba

Today we examine the #13 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.

Olli Matta

Pos: D

HT:6'2 ft
WT:198

Born: Jyvaskyla, Finland

2011/2012 Games 33 G 1 A 16 PTS 17 Plus/Minus 14

Olli is a physical d-man who has good positioning and a good first pass. Usually plays with calmness and makes smart plays. Likes to skate the puck to the offensive zone. Olli also has a good shot and accurate too. His biggest asset is how consistent he is. Can play at all situations but his skating will need some work, lacks immediate acceleration and is a bit lacking in his pivots and turns

 

 

He was also the youngest player ever to make the Finland WJC team (same age as Reijo Ruotsalainen, Janne Niniimaa and Mikael Granlund, but with an August birthdate, younger than any of them) he played only sparingly (in last preliminary round game against Slovakia), but showed off why he was on the team in the first place. One NHL scout said: "He's two-way, all around defenseman. He does a little bit of everything and has a lot of enthusiasm. His first shift was full of excitement; he had courage to show up and play and he wasn't panicking with his feet."


Olli is London's top scoring defencemen along with Scott harrington (Penquins draft pick). Some who watch and observe his game say he is more of a quiet kind of guy but his teammates consider him more of a talkative young man inside the dressing room and off the ice.

For Oiler and Baron news and 2012/13 NHL draft watch www.twitter.com/revingev

Tom Renney Is Very Unhappy With Ales Hemsky?

No doubt in my mind the Oilers coaching staff has had enough of Ales "Too Soft" Hemsky. Today's comments by Tom Renney rings out loud and clear.

With only 11 seconds left to play in the game, Ales Hemsky couldn't beat out the icing call setting up a faceoff in the Oilers end. In other words, he eased up.

"I've gotta play him. Manpower situation being what it is, his skill level, his ability to turn a game around.", says Renney. "I'll keep playing him till someone tells me not to, or I get to the point where we need to change the scenery. I'm not to that point yet."
Yet...

-Written by Smokin' Ray Burnt-

**Quotes from Marc Spector**

Game Day "Oilers VS Sabres"

"Will the Oilers apply the SWORD or take the SWORD?"

The Oilers tonight are in Buffalo taking on the Buffalo Sabres and are pretty banged up on the injury front once again. RNH has now gone done with a self inflicted shoulder injury from most reports and Tom Gilbert is out with a knee problem. No word officially on Gilbert but should be out some time I am thinking, based on how much of a ironman he is. Tom plays through pain often but to miss a game makes this pretty legit.

As has been reported already here at Oilersjambalaya and several other sites, Josh Green and Colten Teubert have been recalled from OKC. A great opportunity for these guys to prove their solid worth to the organization.

Colten has now been recalled 4x, so this is becoming a positive sign for him this season. I hear some people look at him as a 7th defencemen and while he may not quite be ready for the big show in the NHL on a regular basis yet, I would still have him as my 6th ahead of any other player on this team this year. The way he plays the body can really wear and tear down the opponent. If he could work more on his foot speed over the summer, Colten has a good chance to stick with this club full time next year for sure as the rotating 6th-7th defencemen. Colten is probably a career 4-5th defencemen at best, but remember how many real jobs in the NHL is there for that position? It's a hard job and since he is not flashy people don't give him enough credit for the small plays he contributes, plus I really like his shot from the point.

I was not impressed once again with Renney's icetime and how he handed it out for Hartikanen. He played 8 plus minutes only, yet played at a level he is expected to play and created havoc in the opponents end. I have to admit, he looked good with Eager out there. There is talk, Eager may get that 3rd line playing time rather then Hartikanen tonight. If it is true, if Eager does not follow up last games effort in the first period against the Sabres, I say move Hartikanen up there and let him bang bodies and create havoc in the offensive zone again.

I will give Renney props as some others have, for playing Dubynk and Eager after a poor showing in Long Island. They were pleasant surprises, even though I was real worried about Devan after that first goal. Gagner played a strong game with Hall and Hemsky and Sutton had a strong game I thought on the backend.

I have no idea how this game will play out tonight, but I will say, I am looking forward to how they will respond on yet another back to back game. If past is a indicator, it won't be good. Let's hope they bang out a win for the Edmonton Oiler faithful tonight!

Gametime 5:00pm, CHED630am/Sportsnet-Edm

For Oiler and Baron news and 2012/13 NHL draft watch www.twitter.com/revingev

Former Oilers Player Josh Green Recalled With Colten Teubert

I was going to suggest this the other day before the injuries happened but figured I'd be ripped for saying it. Josh Green has been recalled.

If you remember, Green was an Oiler not that long ago. He was a utility type player while he was here and I'd expect him to fit right into what ever plans Tom Renney will have for him.The last time we seen Green on Rexall ice as an Oiler was 2003.

On this current club, he'd fit in a 4th or 3rd line role nicely. He's been playing well in OKC and I believe the Oilers made the right call.

In 19 games, Green has 7 goals, 10 assists for 17 points. It seems that the old dogg still has some bark.

I'm interested in seeing him play with the Oil.

It's just too bad he's not going to play in Edmonton. I'm sure the fans would have given him a welcome back salute.

Colten Teubert was also recalled to replace the injured Tom Gilbert.

GOILERS!!!

-Written by Smokin' Ray Burnt-

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Injured Shoulder vs Blackhawks

Edmonton Oilers superstar rookie sensation Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was injured in the 1st period of the Oilers vs Blackhawks game tonight. It appears to be a shoulder injury after he caught an edge and banged into the boards on his own.

No word yet on the severity of his injury or how long he will be out.

We will update this as we hear more.

**EDIT** (9:21pm MT) RNH left the arena wearing a sling. Tom Renney was asked about his condition and all he said is that RNH and Gilbert will not play tomorrow. If he's in a sling, that sounds like it could be long term. I'd guess he's out for a week at least.

-Written by Smokin' Ray Burnt-