Goals for the Oilers, Now and the Offseason

Well the Edmonton Oilers will not make the playoffs this year unless 5 teams break down and lose everyone of their games and the Oilers win most/all of their games. This is just a mere possibility that will not happen. In this blog post, I will give 4 goals for the Oilers to finish the season, and 3 goals for the off season.

1. Get Hall and Ebs to focus more on defence, so when next season comes around, they hopefully have some good habits. This will just help their overall game.

2. If RNH's shoulder need's shoulder surgery, then let him go with 5 games left and get a head start on the road to recovery.

3. Give guys that wouldn't get time on the PP some playing time. It's not a reward because no one really deserves one. It more for puck confidence.

4 Give Yakupov more ice time. This kid is a great sniper that doesn't get as much time as he probably should get.
                                                                                  Three off season goals.


1 sign a player like Horton or Clarkson (if available.) If the Oilers sign one of these two, it really fills a gap. A top 4 defenceman and a backup goalie should also be on the want list as a priority as well.


2 Trade to get a 20 something pick to get Max Domi or Curtis Lazar (if available) Prospects are always nice to have and those two could help this team down the road. At this point, who knows, maybe the Oil have a top 5 pick?


3. Get better depth through trades. The Oilers need more depth than they have right now. Trading for some is an option. But let's be real, the Oil have limited amount of talent to trade. Especially if the want an upgrade.

This article has been published by NHL Rumors Guy A.K.A, Noah Fuchs

Oilers fever?

Well, looks like it is happening again. This city just begins to gain some hope for their favourite sports franchise and BOOM! Right in the face of our confidence. It's like when there is no pressure this Oiler team seems to thrive. Put the pressure on and everything is pulled out from under them.

To be fair, it was a 2nd game of back to back and they just finished riding a pretty emotional high. Also how long can we expect a winning streak to continue with a team still trying to learn to win? It's difficult to see the trends but on the other should this team win their next 2? Feels like these same questions have been pondered and or discussed before and we keep circling the tree does it not? 

Regardless of what we may see game to game, this team is growing up right before our eyes and maturing. IMO , the Oilers NEED to win the next 2 to even have a fighting chance for a playoff spot. Personally a playoff spot takes us out of a top draft pick realm this June 2013 and more then likely means a 1st round exit. On the other hand, a 1st round experience gives us some ground in preparation for next year. I believe the Oilers need 1 more final good draft selection to move to the next level. They need that skill and size player up front even if it may mean 1 year extra of waiting while still developing the core they had.

Next game prediction? I hope I am wrong, but I have this uneasy feeling the Oilers will be lucky to sneak out with a single point and if they could squeeze out a win it will more then likely mean it comes in overtime and they give up that single point that does not separate them really from anyone.


Here is hoping this Canuck game was just a small error on the way to great success. 

Let's keep our stick on the ice!!!!!

REVS 2013 NHL DRAFT PROSPECTS #10.Valeri Nichushkin

REVS 2013 NHL DRAFT PROSPECTS:

1. Nathan Mackinnon

2. Seth Jones

3. Sean Monahan

4. Aleksander Barkov

5. Hunter Shinkaruk

6. Curtis Lazar

7.  Jonathan Drouin

8.  Ryan Pulock

9.  Elias Lindholm

10.  Valeri Nichushkin

11.  Anthony Duclair

12.  Max Domi

13.  J.T Compher

14.  Josh Morrissey,

15.   Adam Erne

At 6'4 and 204 lbs, Valeri could be a prospect that could very enticing to a team like the Edmonton Oilers. Why? Size for #1 and #2, for skill. At the World Jr's he showed the world his power like he was a man among boys. Oh yeah, that was the best boys of the nation of Canada, considered a hockey powerhouse in the world. While his stats do not stand out as strong as some of Edmonton's elite talent, his Overall game could be exactly what the Edmonton Oilers need going forward. While my rankings have changed slightly, Valeri will remain pretty close to his current ranking I started the year with, so no surprises from me on this player.

  Use/Embed statistics 

Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	TP	PIM	+/-		Postseas.	GP	G	A	TP	PIM	+/-
2011-12	Belie Medvedi Chelyabinsk	MHL	38	4	6	10	6	-10	|
	Russia U17	WHC-17	5	3	3	6	0		|
	Russia U18	WJC-18	6	2	0	2	0	1	|
	Russia U18/19	WJAC-19	4	0	0	0	2		|
2012-13	Traktor Chelyabinsk	KHL	18	4	2	6	0	6	|	Playoffs	12	5	1	6	0	5
	Chelmet Chelyabinsk	VHL	15	8	2	10	4	8	|
	Belie Medvedi Chelyabinsk	MHL	9	4	4	8	0	4	|
	Russia U20	WJC-20	6	1	1	2	25	5	|

I know Edmonton would prefer to have a Big Centremen rather then a LW but hey, maybe you can keep Gagner as your 2nd line Centre if you got a big LW like Valeri playing for you on that 2nd line eventually.

What would the top 3 lines look like, one more season down the road?

Hall/Nugent-Hopkins/Eberle

Nichushkin/Gagner/Yakupov

Paajarvi/Horcoff/Hartikainen

Definitely would answer the size with speed and power and clutch play. Some rankings have him soaring up the standings for this 2013 draft but actually since he is signed in the KHL, it is possible like Malkin before , his game will be 1 or 2 years down the road. That may be enough to have some other teams shy away. Maybe with the elite talent the Oilers are compiling and fellow Russian Yakupov on the team, the Oilers could make a pitch to come earlier. Who knows, but if opportunity was there, I am sure the Oilers would be very interested in exploring this option. If the Oilers pick later then Top 15, Valeri will not be available anyway but it's always nice to dream about it. Again I state that the Oilers want a Centre and their preference in order will be MacKinnon/Barkov/Monahan/Lazar. If none of those players are available at Centre when the Oilers stand up to pick in the 1st round and Valeri is available? They will pick him.

Nichushkin has great size, and excellent speed and knows how to drive to the net hard. With a arsenal of offensive talent, Valeri can likely look much better dominating on a smaller ice surface. Has deceptive speed as well for a man as big as he is. Think of The Great Mario kind of deception. No comparison as players but just the deceptive speed.  His ability to use his body to protect the puck is outstanding, in fact he has drawn some comparisons to Jordon Staal.

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

 www.twitter.com/revingev

Oilers Aqcuire Jared Smithson

The Edmonton Oilers trade for Jared Smithson for a 4th round pick. He is a big body and will be a presence on the 4th and 3rd line.

More news to come...
   


Here are some stats from Smithson

Oiler 'Trade Deadline' looming

With only about 23 hours or less remaining, the Oilers made a small trade today, moving out Dane Byers for Stafford. No fans, not Drew but some career minor leaguer. This is not a trade the typical Oiler fan has to even be thinking about. 

So who could be moved? Is anyone possible? Who do you think could go? What could we look for in return? All these questions will be answered quickly and swiftly. With the Oilers in a position to actually make the playoffs, I put the possibility of anything other then a 4th line forward or a 3rd line D  pairing at best as a 30% Chance. If they were to do something, here is my thoughts on the following possibilities....

A) Ryan Whitney;
This player was really a sure thing to go if we were missing the playoffs but now, Tamby has to show the dressing room he is wanting to win. With Ryan moving the puck much better as of late and the Oilers winning 75% of their games lately, how can you trade him now? To move him out now would mean you need another puck-moving d-man and nobody other then Streit is even a consideration. If Edmonton has a trading partner to do something with the Islanders then Whitney could be moved out. If not, he stays and provided he gives them a good playoff run, maybe then he can be resigned for 2 years at 3Million/per? 

B) Ales Hemsky;
Is a player that could possibly give you a 1st round draft pick but only to the right team that can work with his 5M for next year and may want to re-sign him for some more years. Likely Hemsky only goes out for a bigger more rugged winger? Unlike other people, I do not think Clowe should even be a option. His production has fallen and fallen big for a reason. Buyer beware is reading all over him! They will want something back now. Possibility of trade with BlueJackets? Maybe, but unlikely. Hemsky and a 2nd round pick plus prospect like Musil or Marincin for Ryan Johanson, the BlueJackets 3rd round pick? Possible, but unlikely something Columbus does. They like big Ryan but I have to say, I am not a big fan of his potential big league wise. Numbers have never been outstanding. His best upside to me is a Horcoff player in the future. Should they get him, they could play him on the wing in place of Hemsky? Or they Move Ryan Johanson onto Nail's spot on 3rd line and move Yakupov with Gagner and Paajarvi? 10% Chance?

C) Ryan Jones;
10% chance he even moves at all. Oilers lack his gritty style of play and is more valuable in his role then many others they have found in the past. If the Oilers feel he does not fit the team mold for next year then they may consider moving him for a prospect and a 3rd round pick? Can't see it happening

D) Khabby;
Glad to see his play has improved once again and could prove to be a great backup for a long playoff run. Who could want him? Bruins? Would be a great alternative. Chicago? I doubt they need a third. I could see St.Louis if their concerned about a unproven Jake Allen in playoffs and they have plenty the Oilers could use. Not likely trade partner but could work. I say 30% Chance Khabby can be moved out.

E) Magnus Paajarvi;
He is not going anywhere. They have been patient with him and he could be invaluable as a bigger forward who is really starting to mold into the player they expected. Even if he plays down a line eventually on the third line, Magnus won't be traded. Who do you replace his size, power and speed with?

F) Teemu Hartikainen;
10% Chance if the right deal comes along. Nino in NY could be a potential trade partner if the Oilers are concerned about Teemu eventually coming into his own in next year or so. Believe it or not, I could see a Teemu plus a 4th round pick for Nino straight across. Not sure , how I feel about it but as much as I like Teemu, I am not sure he can play aggressively and consistent enough to be in the Oilers top 9 and still become a championship team.

G) Mark Fistric;
5% Chance he goes the other way in a trade. We got him for his toughness and who would replace that when you need that kind of player? Exactly! Not going unless it was a high 2nd rounder and that is not very likely.

H) Theo Peckham;
30% Chance if someone is looking for a depth d-man these playoffs. Maybe a prospect or a 4th round pick? Seems to be odd man out but could work well on a team like Boston or Chcago.

Well Oiler fans, let's sit back and see what happens. If it's per normal for Tamby, he will make no moves and fans will rip him apart for being so passive. On the other hand, if he makes a bold move he will be very closely scrutinized. My guess? He makes no moves that could risk his job for next year.

And so we wait!!! tick, tick, tick, tick!