Ryan Smyth's Last Game?

Tonight very well could be Ryan Smyth's last game wearing the Edmonton Oilers colors as a player in the NHL. Even with one more year left on his deal, the growing consensus is Smyth will/should be pushed into retirement at some point this summer.

If this does happen, I have no doubt #94 will be given a job within the Oilers organization. He's been a true blue Oiler and I can't see him going anywhere else.

I hope you, much like I'm going to, enjoy this very last look at the heart and soul of the old Edmonton Oilers.

Goodbye Ryan Smyth. It's been an awesome ride...

-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY BURNT-

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Done For Season

Word just came out that Edmonton Oilers forward, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is on his way to Cleveland to have his should checked out. Sounds like he could have surgery done on Tuesday for a torn labrum. Possibly a 6 month recovery.

I'd say, he's officially out for the rest of the season.

The big question is, why did the Oilers wait this long to have this procedure done? The timeline right now suggests that RNH will miss training camp. I've seen too many players have a bad season because they missed training camp for one reason or another. I'm hoping this isn't the case for RNH.

Regardless of a playoff push or not, I'd like to know why this wasn't done two months ago? Or even two weeks ago?

Oilers do say the expect him to make a full 100% recovery.

-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY BURNT-

Tambellini Fired, MacTavish Hired

Every fans dream came true this morning. Kevin Lowe is about to announce that Steve Tambellini has been fired as GM of the Edmonton Oilers.

Tambellini has done a poor job at assessing and move forward with a progressive plan to make the current Oilers better. The fans sigh a collective sigh of relief.

Craig MacTavish is rumored to be the new GM. I believe that MacT will do a better job. Time will tell.

-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY BURNT-

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!!!!!