Living The Dream... Mark Arcobello

Tonight, marks the first night that undrafted Oilers forward Mark Arcobello, will start in an NHL game.

His story runs deeper than this. Arcobello has proved that if you work hard and have goals, anything is possible.

His draft year (2006) came and went. He was undrafted to the NHL for reasons unknown to me. But nonetheless, he went and attended Yale University and had a good time playing with that team.

In 2008-09 he lead the Bulldogs in scoring with 35 points in 34 games. He also helped the Bulldogs win the ECAC Hockey League Regular Season and Tournament Championships. Arcobello was also named to the NCAA East Second All American Team and the ECAC First All-Star Team that year. Impressive stuff for a guy who didn't get drafted.

In the last game he ever played for Yale University, he scored a whopping 3 goals and 3 assists. He went out with a bang.

He eventually made his professional debut with the Edmonton Oilers ECHL farm team, the Stockton Thunder. In the short time he was there, he impressed the Oilers/OKCBarons management and was offered a two year entry level deal with the Oilers in 2011. With this new contract he was awarded a full time shot with the AHL Oklahoma City Barons.

Again he made the best of his situation.

He worked his butt off and kept learning how to be a better hockey player and it paid off when Ryan Nugent Hopkins went to play in the WJHC and Arcobello filled in for him and was center to Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle. He finally earned his chance to be a first line center. He shined playing with those two and it showed the coaches he can play with the big boys.

Which leads us to today. He was called up after both Horcoff and Belanger fell due to injury. Now it turns out, RNH isn't able to play tonight and why not fill the void with a familiar face?

Mark Arcobello, an undrafted player, who worked his ass off, earns every inch of respect he has, gets to play in his first NHL game, starting on the Edmonton Oilers first line! That has a ring to it.

If I'm a betting man... Mark Arcobello will score tonight. And to make it even better, it's vs the Stars. (Psst! There is history between the two farm clubs)

I can't wait to read the next chapter in this exciting book Arcobello is writing.

Wow! Just Wow!

-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY BURNT-

REVS 2013 NHL DRAFT PROSPECTS #8.Ryan Pulock

#8. Ryan Pulock

At 6'1 and 211 lbs Ryan is raising eyebrows among some of the best scouts in the business. It's always a question if a defencemen is worth the risk as a early 1st round pick but with todays salary cap era, finding a defencemen on your own and developing early can pay a high reward. A marquee defenseman for the Wheat Kings, Ryan is projected to be an early first round selection in this year's 2013 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Considered an elite two way defenseman, he is gifted on both ends of the ice. 

Ryan has a NHL caliber shot that has been already recognized by the scouts. His hockey sense is through the roof. Some even have said they see Ryan  as the "smartest" defenseman in his draft class. His passing is quick and accurate. All aspects of Pulock's game have made him a can't-miss prospect. for any team in the first round this year of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Only question remains is how early he gets selected. 

Ryan tells how the speed and the size of the players, when he entered the league was difficult in the WHL as he wasn’t as big as he is now. He says  it was a bit of a struggle to move guys out of the front of the net, but after putting on a few pounds it’s helped him in that area of the game. Ryan also was named captain, a honour few hockey players receive at a young age let alone defencemen.

Scouts and Ryan himself all agree the strongest part of his game is his shot, and offensive ability to carry the puck. A strong worker on his physical body as well, Ryan knows it takes a strong core and strong legs to compete at the highest levels of hockey. A avid follower of hockey, Pulock like to follow Keith Yandle because of his puck moving ability and being consistent in the defensive zone. Sounds like another player the Oilers may have interest in on defence should he be available when it comes their turn to make a selection at this summers entry draft.

  

Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	TP	PIM	+/-		Postseas.	GP	G	A	TP	PIM	+/-
2009-10	Parkland Rangers	MMHL	39	9	9	18	8		|	Playoffs	3	0	1	1	0
2010-11	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL	63	8	34	42	4	2	|	Playoffs	6	2	4	6	2	-2
	Canada Western U17	WHC-17	5	1	0	1	2		|
2011-12	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL	71	19	41	60	20	33	|	Playoffs	9	3	2	5	0	1
	Canada U18	WJC-18	6	1	1	2	0	-3	|
2012-13	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL	39	10	21	31	18	2	|

Season Awards by season 2011-2012 U18 WJC Bronze Medal   WHL (East) First All-Star Team

Awards by league - U18 WJC Bronze Medal 11/12 - WHL (East) First All-Star Team 11/12

For Oiler prospect news and the 2013 or 2014 NHL draft watch, go to www.twitter.com/revingev

'Random OILER thoughts'

Hockey is a game of momentum and a game of transition. I would like to tell people of Edmonton to 'Have no fear' but it's not Oiler fans that are actually worried. For the most part fans of the Oilers and in Edmonton understand the sport and know hockey has it's ebs and flows (it that a joke about Eberle and Jones?..lol)

It's actually fans and bloggers and posters on message boards that DON'T like the Oilers. They seem furious, outraged and love to find every fault they can to speak badly of the Edmonton Oilers. Has our team let us down? Yup! Do they deserve criticism? Yup! To the extreme that it is? I say no! However, with becoming the new darling of the NHL, the Oilers will face incredible scrutiny night after night, so get ready Oil Country cause it will not be stopping anytime soon.

Why are people so angry that the Oilers are getting 1st OV draft picks? Those same people will tell you those #1 OV players are not that good. Then why complain, cause obviously Edmonton picked wrong or they were weak drafts. If Edmonton picked not great players, that means another team got them right? Makes sense. The real reason people are furious about our last place finishes and so many in a row IS because we are STOCKED with Elite skill now. It's called jealousy, that's all. Actually Oil Country should be honoured to have people trash talking us, it's about time we got some attention. Those same people complaining are most likely the same people who kept saying no one wanted to play in Edmonton. My how times have changed. It happens, it's called rebuilding.

Now back to my reason for this blog. Do the Oilers deserve to be highly critiqued? Absolutely! We have enough elite talent minus a #1 consistent Goalie and a legit #1 or #2 Defencemen. It will take chemistry, hard work, good coaching and excellent managing to take this team to another level. Can it happen? I believe it can but it is a work in progress. As much as my stomach was sick watching that 1st period in Game 2 against the Sharks, I know it is still only the second game of the year and home opener with lots of young talent still learning and growing. You don't build a great team overnight.

Edmonton showed us in the 2nd and 3rd periods, they can play better. I know people are saying the only reason it was closer was because for 2 periods the Sharks let go of the gas? Really? How about the only reason this game was out of reach early was because the Oilers didn't put their foot on the gas for 20 minutes? You can't have one criticism without the other. They go hand and foot together. Last time I looked it takes 60 minutes to complete a game. So, you can't sell me on the only reason they were reasonably closer was because the Sharks couldn't keep playing hard because they were so far ahead in the score. I have seen Edmonton dominate a team for 50 minutes and fall by 3 goals to actually lose a game. Fans and media alike go on how awesome they played but fell short by 10 minutes. My take is, maybe the other team played well?

Enough of my random thoughts on the Oilers to date. Let's grab that drink, get behind the ol' TV (Or Rexall for some) and watch some more Oiler hockey. I have a feeling we will see a far different team today after being embarrassed on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Oilers win 4-2

For Oiler prospect news and the 2013 or 2014 NHL draft watch, go to For Oiler prospect news and the 2013 or 2014 NHL draft watch, go to www.twitter.com/revingev

"8 Questions in Oil Country" January 16th/13

Today we continue with our "8 Questions in Oil Country" series. Listening to questions that I get from various followers here at Oilers Jambalaya, the following are today's 8 Questions and my best response to them;(even though their is a Yakupov theme to most questions)

1) What has been your impressions of Kruger's Training Camp this year?

I have been extremely impressed with the work of Ralph's practices that I witnessed during the three practice days. The fast paced and prepared work the players knew beforehand seems to have been well executed at most times. Of course it will be a work in progress as the season carries on. In years past the players would appear sometimes confused with some of the drills required but Ralph appears to be keeping it simple. I like what I have seen and what I am hearing from the players but only time will tell. 

2) Do you think Whitney should have lost the A to Nick Schultz or do you think it is a mistake that the Oilers made?

In defence of Ryan, it can be a hard pill to swallow and it could even be a way of showing Ryan that the club expects more focus on his health and his game then on responsibility. Also picking a letter to go on a player who is actually playing and not injured most times can be helpful. Nick is underrated with how mature he is in the locker room and outside of it. A veteran of the game, I think he is a good pick for a letter but do find it curious to give it to him so early in his Oiler tenure. When trade deadline comes about, does this have a affect on which defencemen is dealt , should one be dealt? It is anyone's guess and I really am only thinking out loud.

3) Do you feel Hemsky should be on LW and not Yakupov?
I know some of you are up in arms and think Ralph is out to lunch putting Yakupov on the LW and keeping Hemmmer on the RW. Many have called for Yakupov to start on the RW to gain the greatest benefit coming out of the gates. Problem is, Yakupov is more adaptive then a more aged mature veteran in switching roles. Not to mention with Yakupov been a LH player it allows him better ability in the defensive zone to move the puck out then on his back hand. With both Hemsky and Yakupov, being two players who move east/west across the ice at top end speeds they just have to develop the chemistry in such a way that they can read off each other in the offensive zone. When back behind their blue, Yakupov will be placed on his strong side to transition that puck out easier though. I like the move and in practice Yakupov looked to be moving with no concerns. They look good, just need to have some time to build good chemistry.

4) What is your opinion on what the Oilers have done to say 'sorry' to the fans this far?
I liked the outdoor shinny game, I like the open practice and I like the free popcorn and pop. What I did not like? Only a couple hours notice for shinny game to go see. How does that benefit most fans if they don't even know. The Oilers staged this in advance and most fans think it was Hall and Eberle planning a last minute shinny game. Sorry folks, it was well planned and organized. Good on the players and organization but more planning was needing to let fans know or at least video the game for streaming or something simple. 

The Open Practice? Well I have attended training camp practice for years and for the Oilers to make it a big deal that they opened it up, like it was special? Well that to me is misleading. In the end it ended up being free popcorn and pop and because it was offered i saw how many kids actually showed up at the practice and took advantage of that. I liked that part cause it brought the players and game closer to the younger generation but in the end, I hope that is not it, and there is more to come. To me, it is not about how much they give away free, it's about how close fans can feel to their team. Only time will tell, cause we know the Oilers do not have to do anything and in the big picture it really would not matter much.

5) With the NHL Draft Entry players rankings having changed some since September and if the Oilers finish just outside the playoffs , who do you think is likely for the Oilers to pick?

Well, for starters I am estimating the Oilers could at maximum surprise and make the playoffs in a 7th-8th place finish but likely the 8th place eastern team will have more overall points. That would mean the Oilers would at worst pick at #15 or better. On the bad side, let's say they have injuries and the rookies struggle and RNH does as well, your looking at a 12th place finish in the west. So the highest the Oilers would likely pick would be #5. Having placed the high end and the low end, it would mean the Oilers would be selecting anywhere between 5th-15th Overall. Picking at a draft is always difficult further down because you never know which players you like get picked up early. According to my 'REVS Top 15 NHL Entry Draft Prospect Rankings', I will place in order from most likely if they picked early.Should they place further up in the standings obviously the higher players may be gone.

MY LIST OF PRIORITY SELECTIONS:
1) Sean Monohan 6'2 , 193 lbs ,CENTER 
2)Aleksander Barkov 6'2 , 194 lbs CENTER 
3)Ryan Pulock 6'1 , 211 lbs ,DEFENCE 
4)Curtis Lazar 6'0 , 192 lbs ,CENTER 
5)Valeri Nichushkin 6'4 , 196 lbs ,CENTER 
6)Josh Morrissey 6'0 , 175 lbs ,DEFENCE 
7)Elias Lindholm 6'0 , 185 lbs ,CENTER 
8) Darnel Nurse 6'5, 192 lbs ,DEFENCE 
9)Nikita Zadorov 6'5 , 228 lbs ,DEFENCE

You may notice their seems to be a method to the madness and maybe a organizational need? Center and Defence? Also no one under 6'0 tall.

6) Is #64 more likely to eventually take #10 in the future when Horcoff retires or when he leaves the organization?
Only a guess, however I know Bure made the change from #10 to #96 but then returned to the #10 once again. Believe he also wore one other number for a short period in New York but did not look that up. I can easily see Yakupov making that change even if it means next year or in 3 years. (maybe that is why I am hesitant to purchase a #64 Jersey?)

7) What are your Realistic Expectations for Yakupov this year in goals?
I believe Yakupov has the potential to be a 1.25 PPG player in his future but coming out of the gates he will not produce like that. I am going to estimate him at a .65 PPG player on this Young Oiler team as he has lots of possibilities to rack up points with second unit PP and second line playing time. Let's say he plays 45 of the 48 games, that would give him approx 29 points in a shortened season. 

8) Before the season begins on January 20/13, could you give us your predictions in what place the Oilers will finish?
As mentioned in a earlier question above, I expect the best and the worst the Oilers could do is finish anywhere from 7th to 12th in the Western Conference. I am going to actually go on a limb and say the Oilers grab 8th place for the last playoff spot.I know, drinking the kool-aid. Call it a hunch, call it being a fanatical follower but too many things could be working for the Oilers this year to not make it real close.


For Oiler prospect news and the 2013 or 2014 NHL draft watch, go to For Oiler prospect news and the 2013 or 2014 NHL draft watch, go to www.twitter.com/revingev

The Oilers Hockey Battle at Hawrelak Park

On twitter right now, Oilers hotshots Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall are talking trash about setting up a shinny game for 4pm today at Hawrelak park. I can only Imagine this will draw a fairly large crowd. They have mentioned names like Nail Yakupov, Ryan Whitney, Nugent-Hopkins and newcomer Justin Schultz participating. We can only imagine most of the team showing up to play in this "unorganized" pick up game.

So if your not busy today around 4pm, head down to Hawrelak park and snap some photos. Your going to experience what hockey is all about. Just pure, fun hockey. Wish I could be there.

-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY BURNT-