A Trio Of Oilers Playing Nice With The Red Wings?

Shawn Horcoff and Corey Potter are in Detroit right now and while there, they are participating in an informal skate with the Detroit Red Wings to get their skating legs under them.

While this isn't big news or anything, cause its happening all over the league, I can only imagine the rumors that could start because of it. Eklund could eat this up.

"Horcoff and Potter are being scouted by the Wings! Trade imminent."

Haha! Oiler fans could only be so lucky.

The third Oiler is Nail Yakupov and is also skating with that crew but isn't in the picture below. I wonder how they are treating the 1st overall pick? Is he recognizable in Motor City? When is he coming back to Edmonton?

We all have our fingers crossed that the NHL season gets underway soon. Well it better! I don't know how much longer I can look at Potter with a Wings jersey on. Seriously... Horcoff didn't have an extra in his bag?

-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY BURNT-

*Photo courtesy of Bill Roose follow @Bill_Roose on twitter*

PROSPECT OR SUSPECT? "Tyler Pitlick"

Tyler Pitlick

6'2

195 lbs

Season         GP   G   A   PTS   TEAM
2007/2008    21    23  23  46       Centennial High
2008/2009    25    31  33  64       Centennial High
2009/2010    38    11  8    19       Minnesota State University
2010/2011    56    27  35  62       Medicine Hat Tigers
2011/2012    62    7   16   23       OKC Barons

Some people already have considered Tyler to be a flop for a player that was not even expected to drop out of the 1st round of the NHL entry draft. Others looked at his injuries and adjustment to the pro game as a 'wait and see'. Then on the other hand, there are others that feel now that he is healthy and seemingly catching onto the pro game and he is poised for a big season in OKC with the Barons.

Last season Tyler was really starting to come on strong in his game. Coach Nelson has commented several times he likes his work ethic and his ability to play a two way game. At one point the Oilers were looking at him as a Center but that appears all behind now and they are working on grooming him more into a power forward. While not a overly big guy, Tyler is strong and should he come into camp this year beefed up some while not losing a step speed wise, this could be his year. In fact , let me go further and even say, this HAS too be his year if he plans to crack the Edmonton Oilers NHL Squad anytime soon.

Providing Tyler can stay healthy and with his work ethic, one would think this could be a very nice year for this 31st Overall pick.

Last August 2011 I wrote the following at Oilers Jamabalya......

Pitlick is eligible to play in the AHL this year if the club decides to go in that direction, however there’s a decent chance he heads back to the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers, especially if they are willing to use him at center (he played on the right side for much of last season). He is a hard-working 
forward who is listed as a center and right winger, but played wing for most of the season. A incredible tough player to get off the puck. Very confident (some could say cocky) but has ability and mad skills to back it up. He's a solid skater with a good first step who can get to a decent top speed, plays a grinder-style game. Pitlick has good size, isn’t afraid of getting physical and has a tremendous shot.

He also has a clue defensively, which will bode well if he needs to break into the league as a checking forward. Pitlick does well cycling the puck , shielding the puck effectively and has solid vision to be able to move the puck well when a hole opens up in the defensive coverage. Can definitely be a pure goal scorer in this league as future potential.

Tyler will need to be more selective in his offensive attempts so as not to get caught out of position to often. Wants to play in the AHL this year but if opportunity is there with his WHL team this year to play center , the Oilers may just do that, as the AHL team is loaded with alot of good players. Pitlick is coming off a serious ankle injury, and still adjusting to a longer schedule. He will need to endure a lengthy campaign, and stay healthy in order to further his development in the organization.

 REVS TAKE: Tyler is a determined player and does have the hockey sense and the skills to back it up. Biggest question for me remains can he stay healthy. A healthy season and I say he is definitely PROSPECT

For Oiler prospect news and the 2013 or 2014 NHL draft watch, go to

 www.twitter.com/revingev

Oilers and Flames Players Might Not Be Locked Out?

I came across this story by Sportsnet and I thought I'd share the link with you. Very interesting read. Something similar is happening in Montreal as well.

There is hope that the lockout may not happen. At least in Canada anyways.

Or... an Oilers/Flames Stanley Cup final. (just kidding)

http://www.sportsnet.ca/iphone/hockey/nhl-lockout/2012/t09/08/oilers_flames_legal_snag_lockoutr/?regiony=WEST

If link doesn't work, here is the entire article below;

"Flames, Oilers could hit lockout legal snag

Saturday, September 8, 2012

The Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames could hit a legal snag if the National Hockey League locks out its players on Sept. 15, according to the Edmonton Journal.

A lockout vote is required in the province of Alberta by the NHL owners in order for Daryl Katz, owner of the Oilers, and the group of businessmen who own the Flames, to legally lock out their players if there is no new collective bargaining agreement in place by the deadline.

The NHL has to request Alberta to appoint a mediator, under the provincial law, who theoretically could work to have an agreement in place between the warring sides before the NHL owners can hold a lockout vote. A mediator was appointed on Aug. 21.

However, the Players' Association has filed a challenge to this -- arguing that the NHL's lockout vote would be defective because the league failed to take certain steps when it asked for a mediator for the dispute.

The law requires the mediator to wait 14 days but the NHLPA contends the league has shown no interest in using the mediator to try to get a resolution. It says the league insisted the mediator leave his task after three days with no meetings convened between the two sides.

The NHLPA is arguing the league is trying to rush the clearance for a lockout without following the necessary steps in Alberta and if the Alberta Labour Relations Board agrees, the league couldn't legally lock out Oilers winger Ryan Smyth or Flames captain Jarome Iginla or any other Edmonton or Calgary players."

-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY BURNT-

We Want You! Oilers Jambalaya On A Mission

It's that time of year where we try and think of what we can do to OilersJambalaya.com for the upcoming season to make it a better site and to continue to be a voice for Oilers fans. We strive to be one of the best Oilers blogs out there, and we will continue to try and stay with the top guns of the Oilogosphere.

It's time for a new look and new ideas. This site has always been based on the fact it's for the readers and not for our own egos. We've always tried to accommodate everyone's wants and needs and this year isn't going to be any different.

Back again this year leading the charge is Brent Huska, better known as Smokin' Ray Burnt. He's providing a unique look on all things Oilers since the creation of OilersJambalaya.com in 2008. The blog creator has a few tricks up his sleeve once again this year. You'll have to come back to find out.

The ever popular prospect guru Evan Renaerts also known as Revinev will also be back providing us tons of news on Oilers prospects and the upcoming 2013 NHL Entry draft. Evan has become a staple at OilersJambalaya.com and we are proud to say he's ours.

We've found a new recruit for this season. Noah Fuchs (also known as NHL Rumors Guy) is fairly new to the blogging scene and with some hard work, he will emerge as a must read blogger. We look forward to seeing him grow as a writer.

Lastly, I'd like to introduce... You!

If your interested in having your voice heard on a blog like ours, send me shout out via email or twitter. We are always looking for writers that love the Oilers as much as we do to help contribute here. The only qualification you need is a passion for Oil Country and a serious drive to write. Too many times we've had people wanting to write, but after only a couple posts, they seem to give up. Not everyone is cut out to be a blogger. So if your really interested, let us know and we will sign you up and help guide you along. There has been a few good people get their start here like Eric Rodgers and Todd Cordell.

We are also looking for your opinion from the readers on what kind of content we should have here at OilersJambalaya.com. We want to suit our readers needs, and if you have any ideas or suggestions, let us know. We are always willing to try new things.

Back on November 29th, 2008 this blog started with a dream and a hope. Thanks to you the readers, this dream continues today...

GOILERS!!!

'Hockey Depression'

I have been in hockey limbo for some time and my gravest apologies to all my readers and followers on twitter. After a year of blogging, sometimes depression can claim even the fanatical follower of hockey. My original plan was to do a small write up on key Oiler prospects in the organization in the month of August and while it started ok, I tuckered out with the depression blues of potential lock out of NHL hockey.

Last time around, the lock out I felt was needed to change for the survival of the franchises that existed. Since then the NHL owners have made a lot of money as have the players. Idea......what about 50/50 of Hockey related revenue to figure your salary cap each year? Anyway, the whole business side of hockey is really ticking me off and there seems to be no consideration for the fan who pays the bills. I say 'screw them all!' Boycott purchasing merchandise and tickets and watching games I say, except for one thing......."I am so addicted to the game of hockey"!!!!

Instead of anticipating another awesome year of Oiler hockey, I have been walking around all sad face. It's like a daze each day I am wandering around in. I have seemingly been a step behind in gathering information that most often I have been two or three steps ahead of others on. What can I attribute that to? CBA between the NHL and NHLPA!

This whole CBA has does nothing but dominate the hockey blog boards, the newspaper articles, local sports radio and has diminished what should have been 'incredible excitement' over Justin Schultz and Nail Yakupov coming to Rookie Training Camp for the Edmonton Oilers this year. Instead? We sit here, hearing of players preparing other options around the world so they can still play for a pay cheque. Who am I angry at for causing this hockey depression I am going through? I will answer that and some more thoughts and opinions in some future blogs as I gear back up for more hockey excitement here at Oilers Jambalaya.com

So will we be waving goodbye to part of a season or a whole season? Or will we see a last minute deal and only eliminate a few pre-season games and jump quickly into the regular season of NHL hockey? There is arguments for all the sides. Possibly another question we can discuss here at Oilers Jambalaya.com?

Instead of already watching and evaluating players growth from the off-season , I have been catching up on local roller hockey at Millennium Place in Sherwood Park, or local recreation league hockey around the city. Just recently joined the a new hockey team and played first pre-season game so hockey juices have started flowing once again.

I have been gathering all my information on this years 2013 NHL Draft Prospects and while some were a shoe in to be in the top 10, not all were as easy to rank. So my blogs this month will not only be the unveiling of my "REVS TOP 15 2013 NHL DRAFT PROSPECTS" but also a write up on each player over the next while.

In addition, I am planning on continuing some more with updates of  'Oiler prospect or Suspect'? In addition I will be adding by popular demand from last year my Q&A of topics of hockey interest, including line combinations, coaching decisions, possible trades and thoughts on prospects in the system or just all around questions about hockey in general including the 2013 NHL Draft prospects.

With the mind cleared, cob-webs out of the way, I feel I am back and raring to go. After all, I am a follower of prospects and no lock-out looms on that front. The season has gotten underway with pre-season games across the CHL and elsewhere. Time to pick up the pen....I mean laptop and start typing away.

For Oiler prospect news and the 2013 or 2014 NHL draft watch, follow me on twitter

 www.twitter.com/revingev