Putting on the Foil

Oilers 1, Devils 2 (OT) – Game 42 – 2012-01-11 @ 7:00 PM MST – TSN

-={ Puttin’ On The Foil Presents… }=- vs. 16-22-3 Record 23-17-2 Location: Rexall Place Date: January 11th, 2012 @ 7:00PM MST TV: TSN

PRE-GAME RANT

So, the Oilers are quite a broken bunch. So broken, that even one of their new callups is questionable for tonight. How’s that happen? That person in question is Ryan O’Marra, who is feeling under the weather. Milan Kytnar has been recalled from the ECHL. That statement alone is crazy, and I never thought I’d hear that. I figured Kytnar would disappear into the system never to be found again.. washing up in Europe at some point. But I’m glad he’s getting a shot, and hopefully he makes the best of it.

The Devils are coming off a 6-3 loss versus the Flamers yesterday. Yes, back-to-back games for the Devils. If history serves, that will mean that they will be angry against the Oilers tonight and thump us. Exciting times! Johan Hedberg will get the start tonight.

Things are getting bleaker and bleaker for the Oilers, with the key injuries again, and us already sitting in a familiar spot in the standings. Oi. Sorry for the doom and gloom, folks, but I don’t see it getting any better any time soon.
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Marincin traded to Regina Pats, Brule claimed off recall waivers by Phoenix.

The Phoenix Coyotes have claimed forward Gilbert Brule off recall waivers. This means that the Oilers will have a $925K cap hit (well, to simplify) on the year rather than $1.85M. When a player is claimed on recall waivers such as this, the original team is “on the hook” for half of the cap hit, while the new team is on the hook for half (the same goes for salary). I think this is a good thing. Gilbert Brule’s oft injured/sick/whatever situation wasn’t doing the Oilers any favors. Great guy, and I wish him well in Phoenix. I hope he can become a better NHLer there. My prediction though is the Coyotes eventually cut him loose too, and the Oilers take him back for Oklahoma City. Just a guess.

Martin Marincin was also traded today to the Regina Pats (from Prince George Cougars). This is great news for Marincin, as the Cougars are an AWFUL team, while the Pats are quite good. As a reminder, the Pats are Jordan Eberle’s old team. They have a shot at the playoffs, whereas the Cougars are definitely mailing the season in.

Corey Potter signs 2-year extension with the Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers have re-signed defenseman Corey Potter to a 2-year, one-way deal.

Potter is currently earning $525,000 and is on a 2-way deal with the Oilers. The new contract will kick in for next year, in which Potter will earn $750k the first year and $800k the second year, for a cap hit of $775k.

O’Marra, Paajarvi called up, Brule on re-entry waivers…

The Oilers have recalled Ryan O’Marra and Magnus Paajarvi from the Oklahoma City Barons. It looks like they are also attempting to recall Gilbert Brule as well, as he has been placed on recall waivers.

Ryan O’Marra has 7 goals and 9 assists in 34 games with the Barons, and 1 assist in 3 games with the Oilers. Magnus Paajarvi has 1 goal and 8 assists in 10 games with the Barons. He struggled as an Oiler though, earning just 3 assists in 25 games. The Oilers sent him down with hopes that he could gain more ice time to work on his game a bit. With key injuries to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and now possibly Jordan Eberle, he might even get that opportunity at the NHL level.

Gilbert Brule hasn’t played at all for the Oilers this year. He has 8 goals and 10 assists in 27 games with the Barons. Should a team claim Brule off waivers, the Oilers will be on the hook for half of his salary and cap-hit (half of $1.85M, or $925k… expiring at the end of this year).

Sam Gagner quietly having a much improved season..??

So I’ve returned from Mexico… survived the trip. Was a blast… time to get back to business here with a new post…

Not sure if others have noticed, but since he potted the first goal on the season.. actually, the game before it… Sam Gagner has had 5 goals and 9 assists for 14 points in 16 games (maybe you even go back 5 more games – 5 goals, 13 assists for 18 points in 21 games) . Not too bad at all.

I think it’s no secret to people here that I’ve always been in his corner and thought he was at the bare minimum a 2nd line center, although admittedly I was getting worried and my opinion on him dropped a bit this year. But it’s good to see that since December, he’s picked things up.