Monday, November 26, 2007
Uh-oh. Sounds like somebody's got a case of the Mondays.
• Thanks to Rod for this TSN report on Saint Fernando. The report says he could be ready to play as early as next Sunday. I'm a bit doubtful of that, if only because I saw a SportsNet story on this last week, and both Saint Fernando and MacT said he was still weeks away. The Oilers page still says 2-3 weeks. That would put it closer to Christmas, or early in the New Year. I'd be happy to be wrong, though.
• What is going on with Ethan Moreau? He is still out indefinitely with a fractured left foot. He's played 12 games in two years. I'm starting to get this terrible feeling that we are going to see another return, another injury, and an early retirement. I'd be really happy to be wrong on this one, too.
• BDHS has his thoughts up on the Saturday night game against the Hawks.
• The Oilers have won three games in regulation time this year. Three. They are averaging 2.3 goals a game, and the powerplay is clicking at an 11.2% rate. It's a good thing Kevin Lowe doesn't work in Toronto.
• Speaking of overtime and the shootout, there has been lots of good discussion about whether or not the Oilers should keep Gagner West around. After watching him undress Khabibulin in person on Saturday night, I have to ask: does it matter that he really adds to the Oilers chances of winning during the shootout?
• The Blue Jackets are in town tonight, following wins over both the Wild and the Red Wings. The matchups should be...interesting. That's all I want to commit to, because frankly I'm terrified of seeing The L Column on the ice against Rick Nash.
• Dennis has some thoughts up on tonight's game as well. I forgot Mike Peca was still playing, so it was exciting to see his name in the post. I'll be able to look back fondly at his 23 regular season points with the Oilers. Good times. I'm also surprised that Robert Nilsson is still around. He played for about two seconds Saturday night before having his ass stapled to the bench, so why he draws in is beyond me. This would have been an ideal time to call up Patrick Thoresen, no?
• What is going on with Ethan Moreau? He is still out indefinitely with a fractured left foot. He's played 12 games in two years. I'm starting to get this terrible feeling that we are going to see another return, another injury, and an early retirement. I'd be really happy to be wrong on this one, too.
• BDHS has his thoughts up on the Saturday night game against the Hawks.
• The Oilers have won three games in regulation time this year. Three. They are averaging 2.3 goals a game, and the powerplay is clicking at an 11.2% rate. It's a good thing Kevin Lowe doesn't work in Toronto.
• Speaking of overtime and the shootout, there has been lots of good discussion about whether or not the Oilers should keep Gagner West around. After watching him undress Khabibulin in person on Saturday night, I have to ask: does it matter that he really adds to the Oilers chances of winning during the shootout?
• The Blue Jackets are in town tonight, following wins over both the Wild and the Red Wings. The matchups should be...interesting. That's all I want to commit to, because frankly I'm terrified of seeing The L Column on the ice against Rick Nash.
• Dennis has some thoughts up on tonight's game as well. I forgot Mike Peca was still playing, so it was exciting to see his name in the post. I'll be able to look back fondly at his 23 regular season points with the Oilers. Good times. I'm also surprised that Robert Nilsson is still around. He played for about two seconds Saturday night before having his ass stapled to the bench, so why he draws in is beyond me. This would have been an ideal time to call up Patrick Thoresen, no?
# posted by andy grabia @ 3:09 pm 
Comments:
re: Pisani
- yeah, I probably shouldn't put too much stake in the TSN report. Still, whether Pisani is one week, or three weeks away, we're on the brink of an astounding recovery. Excellent news on that front for sure.
Then there's Ethan...
re: Gagner West
- shoot-outs lead directly to points, so his talent there is most definitely relevant
- for tonight's game, he's apparently skating with 10 & 83. Should be fun to watch.
You should be honored by my lateness
That I would even show up to this fake shit
So go ahead go nuts go ape shit
Especially on my best stand on my bape shit
Gagner West...nice.
re: Gagner West
- shoot-outs lead directly to points, so his talent there is most definitely relevant
I would agree, but is it relevant enough to keep him around? Having him and Hemsky take up two of the three spots makes me feel much more comfortable about our chances in the shootout, but there's only going to be so many of those.
It's a good thing Kevin Lowe doesn't work in Toronto.
Good for whom?
Having him and Hemsky take up two of the three spots makes me feel much more comfortable about our chances in the shootout, but there's only going to be so many of those.
But the Oilers have been in a lot of them so far, and have a 6-1 record. Maybe the team will have a lot more?
I remember a number of seasons ago (pre-lockout), the Wild had something like two fewer ties than wins, and despite the grinding and gnashing of teeth, they had an excellent points total by the end of the year.
Have you noticed a lot of young Oilers coming out of the minors totally renewed by their AHL/ECHL experience lately? Let's just let Gagner learn the real game and be happy for what he does in the shootout.
Have you noticed a lot of young Oilers coming out of the minors totally renewed by their AHL/ECHL experience lately? Let's just let Gagner learn the real game and be happy for what he does in the shootout.
Sure, but at the cost of a year of eligibility? That's really the question, isn't it? Whether it's better to have 18 year old Sam Gagner on the ice or 26 year old Sam Gagner on the ice?
Sure, but at the cost of a year of eligibility? That's really the question, isn't it? Whether it's better to have 18 year old Sam Gagner on the ice or 26 year old Sam Gagner on the ice?
Now you've lost me. RFAs aren't exactly cheap anymore, so I don't see where the year of eligibility before UFA really makes that much of a difference for someone like Gagner.
Second, when did it become an "either or" thing? (Gagner @18 "or" Gagner @26) Why not both? And won't Gagner @26 be better for the time here @18 (vs. another year in junior)?
re: number of shootout games
Last season, there was an average of 10.93 shootouts per team, with a high water mark of 18 (NJ) and a minimum of 4 (SJ). The Oil had third least, at 6.
While it's a little tough to forecast how many games will go to a shootout, it's also a little tough to say it doesn't happen enough to justify Gagner West when the Oil have already racked up 7. Maybe the Oil are on their way to 18 this season. Or more. Nobody had more shootouts in 05-06 than the Oil with 16. They're off to a running start at leading the league again.
Has Columbus ever been favoured on the road before? Ever?
The Yahoo NHL page has a headline that reads:
"After beating Detroit and Minnesota, the Blue Jackets aim to avoid a letdown on Monday in Edmonton."
And I felt great shame.
Apparently, Moreau kept rebreaking that bone in his foot so that's why it's taking so long to heal. He's Mr. Fragile.
Apparently, Moreau kept rebreaking that bone in his foot so that's why it's taking so long to heal. He's Mr. Fragile.
Like Mr. Glass in "Unbreakable"? Sweet. Does he roll around town in a wheelchair and a purple trench coat?
Every time I see Rollie get all geeky about his mask it makes me smile.
And for you guys that see the games lots, what is up with the ice?
It's been awful for a few weeks. They speculated that it might be because of the CFR, but the CFR is here every year and the ice isn't usually this bad. My own guess is that the mild climate has affected things. Today is the first real day of winter we've had. Dan Craig also now works for the league, not the team, so that might make a difference. But, again, it's been that way for a while. My guess is that it's the weather. Who knows? Maybe a local reporter will ask someone in the organization about it? It's certainly been an issue.
Dennis over at Lowetide's comments has a different theory, and I think he may be right. It's Chris Pronger's fault.
At the game tonight we were discussing Penner's weight loss plan and I said somehting about how his face looks leaner - he's lost his kilke (pronounced "chil-chuh" for those not well versed in Ukranian dough with gravy dishes that are Penner's fave) cheeks. Kilke cheeks!! That's almost as good as "overpaid wheezing fatwad" dontcha think?
Sure, but at the cost of a year of eligibility? That's really the question, isn't it? Whether it's better to have 18 year old Sam Gagner on the ice or 26 year old Sam Gagner on the ice?
By that time Tavares will be lifting the Cup for the third time at the Rexall-Enbridge SportPlex/Shop-o-rama on 101st Street and it WON'T MATTER.
I might be wrong, but I thought I read somewhere that if Thoresen is called up, then he's on re-entry waivers which means someone can pick him up for half his salary. If that's the case, the Oil won't be calling him up this year.
I might be wrong, but I thought I read somewhere that if Thoresen is called up, then he's on re-entry waivers which means someone can pick him up for half his salary. If that's the case, the Oil won't be calling him up this year.
That is so not the case, but I think the Oilers believe it is the case.
By that time Tavares will be lifting the Cup for the third time at the Rexall-Enbridge SportPlex/Shop-o-rama on 101st Street and it WON'T MATTER.
Too bad he might be doing it for the Ducks.
Who knows? Maybe a local reporter will ask someone in the organization about it? It's certainly been an issue.
Come on, Andy. You know better than anyone that the reason the ice is so bad is because the building is so damn OLD! How can you make good ice when the roof leaks and the floor is all warped? I'll bet those nice new downtown buildings in Columbus and Kansas City surrounded by revitalized cultural entertainment districts have kick ass ice too.
Checked the Oiler injury page for an update on Moreau (apparently his cast was removed today). Moreau still indefinite (page last updated on the 26th. so no surprise). OK, check again tomorrow. Glance over at Saint Fernando...what's this? 1-2 weeks! On the Oiler page. Gotta like the sounds of that.
Believe it yet Grabia?
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re: Pisani
- yeah, I probably shouldn't put too much stake in the TSN report. Still, whether Pisani is one week, or three weeks away, we're on the brink of an astounding recovery. Excellent news on that front for sure.
Then there's Ethan...
re: Gagner West
- shoot-outs lead directly to points, so his talent there is most definitely relevant
- for tonight's game, he's apparently skating with 10 & 83. Should be fun to watch.
# posted by 
: November 26, 2007 4:01 pm
: November 26, 2007 4:01 pm You should be honored by my lateness
That I would even show up to this fake shit
So go ahead go nuts go ape shit
Especially on my best stand on my bape shit
Gagner West...nice.
re: Gagner West
- shoot-outs lead directly to points, so his talent there is most definitely relevant
I would agree, but is it relevant enough to keep him around? Having him and Hemsky take up two of the three spots makes me feel much more comfortable about our chances in the shootout, but there's only going to be so many of those.
It's a good thing Kevin Lowe doesn't work in Toronto.
Good for whom?
# posted by : November 26, 2007 4:44 pm
: November 26, 2007 4:44 pm Having him and Hemsky take up two of the three spots makes me feel much more comfortable about our chances in the shootout, but there's only going to be so many of those.
But the Oilers have been in a lot of them so far, and have a 6-1 record. Maybe the team will have a lot more?
I remember a number of seasons ago (pre-lockout), the Wild had something like two fewer ties than wins, and despite the grinding and gnashing of teeth, they had an excellent points total by the end of the year.
# posted by : November 26, 2007 5:05 pm
: November 26, 2007 5:05 pm Have you noticed a lot of young Oilers coming out of the minors totally renewed by their AHL/ECHL experience lately? Let's just let Gagner learn the real game and be happy for what he does in the shootout.
Have you noticed a lot of young Oilers coming out of the minors totally renewed by their AHL/ECHL experience lately? Let's just let Gagner learn the real game and be happy for what he does in the shootout.
Sure, but at the cost of a year of eligibility? That's really the question, isn't it? Whether it's better to have 18 year old Sam Gagner on the ice or 26 year old Sam Gagner on the ice?
Sure, but at the cost of a year of eligibility? That's really the question, isn't it? Whether it's better to have 18 year old Sam Gagner on the ice or 26 year old Sam Gagner on the ice?
Now you've lost me. RFAs aren't exactly cheap anymore, so I don't see where the year of eligibility before UFA really makes that much of a difference for someone like Gagner.
Second, when did it become an "either or" thing? (Gagner @18 "or" Gagner @26) Why not both? And won't Gagner @26 be better for the time here @18 (vs. another year in junior)?
# posted by : November 26, 2007 5:35 pm
: November 26, 2007 5:35 pm re: number of shootout games
Last season, there was an average of 10.93 shootouts per team, with a high water mark of 18 (NJ) and a minimum of 4 (SJ). The Oil had third least, at 6.
While it's a little tough to forecast how many games will go to a shootout, it's also a little tough to say it doesn't happen enough to justify Gagner West when the Oil have already racked up 7. Maybe the Oil are on their way to 18 this season. Or more. Nobody had more shootouts in 05-06 than the Oil with 16. They're off to a running start at leading the league again.
# posted by : November 26, 2007 5:47 pm
: November 26, 2007 5:47 pm Has Columbus ever been favoured on the road before? Ever?
The Yahoo NHL page has a headline that reads:
"After beating Detroit and Minnesota, the Blue Jackets aim to avoid a letdown on Monday in Edmonton."
And I felt great shame.
Apparently, Moreau kept rebreaking that bone in his foot so that's why it's taking so long to heal. He's Mr. Fragile.
Apparently, Moreau kept rebreaking that bone in his foot so that's why it's taking so long to heal. He's Mr. Fragile.
Like Mr. Glass in "Unbreakable"? Sweet. Does he roll around town in a wheelchair and a purple trench coat?
Every time I see Rollie get all geeky about his mask it makes me smile.
And for you guys that see the games lots, what is up with the ice?
It's been awful for a few weeks. They speculated that it might be because of the CFR, but the CFR is here every year and the ice isn't usually this bad. My own guess is that the mild climate has affected things. Today is the first real day of winter we've had. Dan Craig also now works for the league, not the team, so that might make a difference. But, again, it's been that way for a while. My guess is that it's the weather. Who knows? Maybe a local reporter will ask someone in the organization about it? It's certainly been an issue.
Dennis over at Lowetide's comments has a different theory, and I think he may be right. It's Chris Pronger's fault.
At the game tonight we were discussing Penner's weight loss plan and I said somehting about how his face looks leaner - he's lost his kilke (pronounced "chil-chuh" for those not well versed in Ukranian dough with gravy dishes that are Penner's fave) cheeks. Kilke cheeks!! That's almost as good as "overpaid wheezing fatwad" dontcha think?
Sure, but at the cost of a year of eligibility? That's really the question, isn't it? Whether it's better to have 18 year old Sam Gagner on the ice or 26 year old Sam Gagner on the ice?
By that time Tavares will be lifting the Cup for the third time at the Rexall-Enbridge SportPlex/Shop-o-rama on 101st Street and it WON'T MATTER.
I might be wrong, but I thought I read somewhere that if Thoresen is called up, then he's on re-entry waivers which means someone can pick him up for half his salary. If that's the case, the Oil won't be calling him up this year.
I might be wrong, but I thought I read somewhere that if Thoresen is called up, then he's on re-entry waivers which means someone can pick him up for half his salary. If that's the case, the Oil won't be calling him up this year.
That is so not the case, but I think the Oilers believe it is the case.
By that time Tavares will be lifting the Cup for the third time at the Rexall-Enbridge SportPlex/Shop-o-rama on 101st Street and it WON'T MATTER.
Too bad he might be doing it for the Ducks.
Who knows? Maybe a local reporter will ask someone in the organization about it? It's certainly been an issue.
Come on, Andy. You know better than anyone that the reason the ice is so bad is because the building is so damn OLD! How can you make good ice when the roof leaks and the floor is all warped? I'll bet those nice new downtown buildings in Columbus and Kansas City surrounded by revitalized cultural entertainment districts have kick ass ice too.
Checked the Oiler injury page for an update on Moreau (apparently his cast was removed today). Moreau still indefinite (page last updated on the 26th. so no surprise). OK, check again tomorrow. Glance over at Saint Fernando...what's this? 1-2 weeks! On the Oiler page. Gotta like the sounds of that.
Believe it yet Grabia?
# posted by : November 27, 2007 12:59 pm
: November 27, 2007 12:59 pm Post a Comment
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