Comments on: Oilers 2011/12 Quarter 2 Review

By: Racki

Racki — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:40:51 +0000

Just for the record, I really like Hartikainen. I think he’ll be a fine 2-way player some day.. I just personally think that the NHL should not be our development league, so much.

If I were in charge, Hartikainen, Lander AND Paajarvi would all be developing in OKC.

I don’t mind the occasional call ups. They’re not being brought up with expectations that they should be ungodly and sent down when we shockingly discover they aren’t. They’re being brought up due to injury and lack of choice (as far as I’m concerned, anyways) and to give a quick look to see where things are at.

I totally agree that it’s unfair to judge Hartikainen on a handful of games in a short span, but at the same time, I don’t think anyone is really judging him in this short span. Logic dictates that he hasn’t really played enough anyways to know too much. I think his skillset is a good one though, and he’s always been a player I’ve been excited about.

By: dawgtoy

dawgtoy — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:15:41 +0000

Alan-NottsUK: noticed the knock on Hartikainen not being quick enough, he had played 5 games in 6 days by the end of his call up this time, might explain the sluggishness a little compared to what we saw last year. Especially since his previous call up ended up with him playing 4 games in 4 days.

Totally and completely agree!

By: dawgtoy

dawgtoy — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:15:04 +0000

Steve-o, I think you and I essentially see this team in the same light. Completely agree with most comments. I will specifically speak on Hartikainen. If you want to see what he will bring to the table, he must be allowed to have a fair audition. Playing four games in four nights is simply not fair. A player who is being given a proper audition should be given a timeframe. sit him down and tell him what the expectations are, and give him a timeline that you’d like to see him achieve it. That is exactly what happened last year through injury and necessity. This BS of calling a guy up, sending him down, calling another up, sending another down is horse shit. Lander needs a stint in OKC, leave Hartikainen here for a while. Amen

By: Alan-NottsUK

Alan-NottsUK — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:00:13 +0000

noticed the knock on Hartikainen not being quick enough, he had played 5 games in 6 days by the end of his call up this time, might explain the sluggishness a little compared to what we saw last year. Especially since his previous call up ended up with him playing 4 games in 4 days.

By: Racki

Racki — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:28:12 +0000

I think that while this team has been atrocious as of late, I still think it’s a better team by a fair bit than last year. Their PP is one of the best in the league (3rd). Their PK is a fair bit better. It still needs to improve though. But I think the Oilers managed to get some players that are good at certain roles (ex. the PK). But I still think though that they have too many players that just serve to exist out there and don’t generate much.

Our top players are going to be among the top in the league, however, one day. Really, I think it’s just our 3rd and 4th lines need to be overhauled. And then, of course, there is still the issue with our defense, although it looks better with Gilbert playing like a champ, Smid playing phenomenally, and Potter playing pretty well. If Peckham would come back on board and Whitney would overcome his health issues, things might be a lot different.

But that’s the thing.. those things might happen… we might be better because of it. I’d rather go for a more sure bet… move some assets and consider our D outside of Gilbert, Potter and Smid expendable and get a rock-solid d-man. AND fix our goaltending situation already.. it’s been 3 bloody years. Good goaltenders are much easier to acquire than good forwards or defense.