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By Racki, February 17, 2010 @ 7:39 pm Racki(Quote)
So in other words, water down the Canadian/USA teams (but add one more team each) in order to help other teams compete? I think its a little different than other events that have multiple participants – for one, if the USA has 2 skiers in an event, they aren’t dropping their skill level represented by the competitors. As you said though it probably would just allow the USA and Canada to sweep the podium too, which doesn’t really help things, to me.
Radical idea. Not sure if it would fly, but I suppose it would be worth a chance. There is a possibility that Team Canada couldn’t ice two teams as good as their current team, so that would possibly help. I don’t know.. tough call.
I do agree though (and thought the same) that dropping the sport altogether from the Olympics doesn’t help much either. It’s pretty difficult to promote a sport in a completely different country though. Maybe they need a pro women’s league for players around the globe to compete in, or something.
I’m sure it will take off eventually though. There weren’t always 7 competitive men’s hockey nations. I think its a pretty tough sell on women though, especially in other countries where Hockey isn’t everything.
By Trogdor, February 17, 2010 @ 7:45 pm Trogdor(Quote)
I’m not suggesting watering down the top teams, but there are plenty of skilled players that likely don’t make the cut. Let them form a second team.
By Racki, February 17, 2010 @ 7:54 pm Racki(Quote)
From the Oilers on Rekhabibulin:
General Manager Steve Tambellini of the Edmonton Oilers issued the following statement regarding Oilers Goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin. “We are aware of the reports from Phoenix. Nikolai has been fully cooperative with the authorities. Until the continuing legal process is completed we will have no further comment
By Racki, February 17, 2010 @ 7:56 pm Racki(Quote)
So then one super team, one left overs team? Not shooting down the idea, just getting a better grasp of what you’re suggesting. I don’t think either would encourage more countries to get better systems in place for improving their teams.. but as I said, no matter what you do, it’ll probably be a pretty tough sell anyways. I’m just hoping that one day we’ll see a few more countries in there with strong hockey teams.
By neufab, February 17, 2010 @ 9:48 pm neufab(Quote)
Would a second team look anything like this?
Up front: St Louis, Stamkos, B. Richards, Doan, Lecavier, Carter, Smyth, Camallari, J. Staal, Stasty, Savard, Fisher, Spezza, Penner.
On D:Green, Campbell, Bouwmeester, Jovonosky, Robidas, Souray, M. Staal
In net: Ward, Price, Osgood #3
The current team is pretty damn good, but I would love to see these guys play the current team. Canada has the depth to ice 2 power houses. Assemble 2 teams and have a televised 3 game tournament with the winner to represent Canada, and with proceeds going to Canadian sporting programs.
By Racki, February 17, 2010 @ 9:54 pm Racki(Quote)
Just as an FYI, not sure if you’re referring to the convo that Trogdor and I had, but we were talking about the women’s team (I brought up the point that the Women’s Olympic hockey is being scrutinized for the lack of competition).
Also, I presume “Stasty” above is Paul Stastny. He’s actually an American (and playing for them in the Oly’s, btw). But for sure we could throw together a really good 2nd team, I’m sure of it. We’d be the only country that could do that and still be able to compete for the gold right now.
By Haboiler, February 17, 2010 @ 10:20 pm Haboiler(Quote)
Heard a conversation on Team 1260 today about hypothetical teams if Quebec ever separated from Canada… Quebec would be really strong in net but would struggle other wise, where as Canada would be strong everywhere but very young in net.
By neufab, February 18, 2010 @ 12:22 am neufab(Quote)
It was more an aside of Trogdor, only partially related to your discussion. Clearly the women have yet to find a competitor. My point on the men is that I would like to see 2 Canadian teams play each other. I think it would make for great hockey. It could be good for Canadian sport because people would watch and come to the games.
Hockey players wouldn’t “need” the money, and as such, the revenues generated could be used to promote amateur sports. The “Own the Podium” campaign has been great, but some are saying that funding will be drastically cut to the Olympic program after 2010. I look at some of the Americans and think that there’s no reason why our athletes shouldn’t be on the podium more regularly. The other sports simply aren’t as important to many Canadians. I love hockey, but would like to see Canadians excel in other areas as well. Lets face it, money is a good incentive.
As for Stastny, I did mean Paul because he was born in Quebec. My bad on overlooking that he chooses to be American.
By neufab, February 18, 2010 @ 12:42 am neufab(Quote)
I suppose your discussion more so got me to thinking of how Canada could use it’s strength in hockey to make athletics in general more prominent in our country. We have some great athletes that aren’t supported enough. I think that there is a realm of potential that we aren’t tapping into.
By Racki, February 18, 2010 @ 7:43 am Racki(Quote)
I wouldn’t mind seeing two men’s teams either. But at the same time, if they ever faced each other, who do you cheer for? The one with the least amount of Flamers?
I didn’t notice Stastny was born in Canada. I guess he goes the same route as Brett Hull did – pledge allegiance to the country who’s Olympic team you are guaranteed to make. 
By Racki, February 18, 2010 @ 4:19 pm Racki(Quote)
I’m not a big fan of signing Jagr (in the off-season) unless its for dirt cheap (he would be brought in to mentor the kids), but I figure I’ll bounce an idea of you folks. Oilers swap picks or do some other GM sexual favors or return the naked wife photos we’ve been holding hostage, and in exchange that team attempts to sign Jagr. In order for Jagr to come play in the NHL, he’d have to clear waivers first. If we keep our awesome spot in the basement, we’d have first crack at him… we then claim him on waivers.
It pretty much requires a perfect storm to occur… 1) Jagr actually wanting to play for the 30th best team in the NHL, 2) Jagr wanting to do it for paltry cash, and 3) a team willing to help us out.
Thoughts? Again, not a huge fan of Jagr during our rebuild unless he’s cheap and here to help the kids out… but there isn’t much to talk about during the Oly break!
By neufab, February 18, 2010 @ 9:19 pm neufab(Quote)
Isn’t Jagr known for being one of the great left handed right wingers? = Conflict with Hemsky. The Oilers have brought in enough players and forced them to play out of their natural position. He has a reputation as being hard to coach.
Having said that, add to your perfect storm, he’d have to be willing to be a second line player. His size and skill could be a good compliment to some of our smaller guys. At this point though, I’m not sold. I first want to see the results of the trade deadline and the finish to the season.
Right now for all we know Tambi could trade Gagner, Cogliano, Brule, Hemsky and keep Horcoff, Moreau, Pisani, O’Sullivan, or he could keep everyone. Okay, maybe a slight exaggeration but I for one haven’t got a clue what this team might look like in 6 months.
My vote: Jagr as a backup plan. Why not look at what’s available outside of the NHL.
By chucker, February 18, 2010 @ 9:55 pm chucker(Quote)
I thought he was UFA after this season. I’m sure you did your research but I thought that after he completed this season, he’d be able to come in without waivers if he was completed with his KHL contract.
Interesting stuff. We need a bloody transfer agreement in place already. Get off your ass and get it done Gary.
By Racki, February 18, 2010 @ 11:32 pm Racki(Quote)
I was just going off what I had heard over on Oilers Nation, but I remember looking this up a while back anyways… and I’m pretty sure anyone coming over who left to play in Europe has to clear waivers to play here. I’ve definitely been wrong before though!
But I think that’s how it works.
By NorwegianOiler, February 19, 2010 @ 5:09 am NorwegianOiler(Quote)
I believe waivers only applies for non-North American based players during the season itself. When regular season waivers does not apply, anyone can sign players based outside of NA without them having to pass through waivers.
By Bostonoiler, February 22, 2010 @ 11:04 pm Bostonoiler(Quote)
So I read an Oiler trade rumor on OilersJambayla that made no sense to me. Its a 3-way with MTL and DAL. The Oilers would get Richards, Price and a 2nd rounder while trading away Horcoff, Smid, Cogliano and Grebeskov.
Penner-Richards-Eberle
Hall(for the sake of argument)-Gagner-Hemsky(I feel dirty writing this)
Svensson-Brule-Omark
UFA(lets say Armstrong cause I like him)-Potulny-Storts
Reddox
Vishnovsky-Gilbert(sigh….)
UFA(Lets say Boynton)-TBA(the guy we get for Souray)
Peckham-Chorney
Strudwick
Price/ Khabi
Outside of Vish we have no solid defenders. Peckham and Chorney will be but they won’t be that next season. I hate trading Smid away too. I think however that Price is almost too good to pass on and the Richards would be the 1st line center we need. We would also dump Horcoff’s contract and Grebs pending asking price. Richards has a big deal too, but he puts up points. Who knows we get a Johnny Boychuck for Souray or a Matt Hunwick,
The deal also had the Oilers sending a prospect to Dallas (Lander, Petry, Plante, O’Mara, Omark which I doubt) and the Oilers getting the Stars 2011 2nd round pick back.
It makes our offense better and would give Eberle a great center to play with in Richards (They mean Brad)
This rumor just happened to be thrown on hockeybuzz later in the day lmao
Thoughts?
By Racki, February 23, 2010 @ 7:19 am Racki(Quote)
I’ll be honest, I don’t have interest in Price at all. I’ve been saying it for a while, Halak is the one I want out of there. This statement may come back to haunt me however
But I just don’t like Price.
By gr8one, February 23, 2010 @ 7:58 am gr8one(Quote)
Yeah, I saw that rumor as well, and I gotta say it is ridiculously far fetched as it seems Mtl gets way too much and Dallas really gets overly shafted. BTW it’s an
EklundTwatwaffle rumor(Jambalaya now actually has an apology up on his site for having it posted)But purely from an Oilers standpoint I still am not sure how I feel about, on one hand getting rid of Horcoff’s contract is huge, Richards is having a great season, but still not nearly worth a $7.8m cap hit, but it only has one remaining year on it, so I suppose it’s not too bad, especially since we’re going for a youth movement likely anyways, and cap issues shouldn’t be a problem in the next few seasons.
the other thing about this trade that makes me apprehensive is the D we give up, Smid is really good and only going to get better, and although not having a stellar year, Grebs is being very underrated as well, those spots will be very hard to fill, especially Smid.
And as far as the roster you speculated on, I think that actually makes us smaller and softer, definitely not the direction this team needs to go.
and lastly, I’m not sold on Price either, especially if it takes big dollars to re-sign him, and with our managments history I have no doubt they’d throw something retarded at him like 7m for the next 10 seasons.
By gr8one, February 23, 2010 @ 8:07 am gr8one(Quote)
btw, for anyone that cares, this is the actual breakdown of snapperheads “rumor”
it looks pretty bad even by his standards…
To Montreal: Cogliano, Brunnstrom, Smid and Dallas #2 2010, #1 2011.
To Dallas: Grebeshkov, Horcoff, another prospect player from Edmonton and Montreal’s 3 in 2010.
To Edmonton: Price. Richards, a Habs Prospect, a Stars #2 next season.
By Racki, February 23, 2010 @ 9:32 am Racki(Quote)
Agreed with gr8one. That deal really doesn’t make sense. Unless the habs prospect is a d-man, like O’Byrne or someone that can jump right in. Even so, I see no reason to move Smid.
By Bostonoiler, February 24, 2010 @ 1:33 pm Bostonoiler(Quote)
I don’t want Smid to go. I would love to get rid of hocs though and Richards is pretty sick. I mentioned above our defense would suck and I just think there will be better trades for this team. We need to focus on dealing Moreau, Pisani, Staios, O’Sullivan, Nilsson, Souray and Horcoff. Pluse re-signing Gagner and Cogliano and trying to get the youth movement rolling.
Racki, unlike you I do like Carey Price, in fact I think he will be a fine NHL goalie in his prime, but just like you I want Halak out of Montreal lol
By Racki, February 24, 2010 @ 1:41 pm Racki(Quote)
He might be a good goaltender, but right now he isn’t and Montreal is hanging the weight of their franchise on his shoulders and might end up ruining him like they have with another goaltender that is no longer there. That’s not to say he won’t turn out to be a really good goaltender. Goaltenders can take a long time to develop and its way too early to give up on him, but I just don’t see any reason to hand the reigns over to him like they did in Montreal. They’re going to end up destroying his confidence, I feel. And well, I’d rather not take a risk on him yet. I like Halak because he’s already shown signs of being able to survive in a fishbowl market.
By NorwegianOiler, February 24, 2010 @ 2:35 pm NorwegianOiler(Quote)
Bool crap trade rumour, typical Twatty. Not a fan of Price even, right now I see a tendency of breaking down on his part that is not reassuring by any means (his age considered). He seems to run sour too fast, frustrate himself and does not appear to handle pressure well at all.
And Brad Richards, would have been nice 7 years and 3M less ago. For what we give up, nah nah.
The Swiss are holding on for dear life right now, even escaped a massive Hiller blunder right on the death of the second period. They are all giving up blood, sweat and balls to keep it close. Loving the tension of the game.
By Racki, February 24, 2010 @ 3:19 pm Racki(Quote)
Glad to hear it from someone else, N.O., that’s exactly my feeling about Price. He’s in a fishbowl market in Montreal and doesn’t handle the pressure well from what I see. He’d come to another place where hockey is everything and would fare no better, I would guess.
Halak seems to handle the pressure very well though from what I’ve seen. Which, granted, is only about 15-20 games or so.
By NorwegianOiler, February 24, 2010 @ 3:27 pm NorwegianOiler(Quote)
Hehe. Worried about Halak’s size. How many, apart from the obvious, small goalies have sustained good numbers in the NHL over time? But right now he looks better than Price. Given, netminders are slow developers (yada yada), but Price just has that element to him that makes me wonder if he can be calm enough, appropriately hard/easy on himself to make it big.
By Racki, February 24, 2010 @ 4:09 pm Racki(Quote)
Yah his size is nothing spectacular, but as far as I’m concerned if he’s already utilizing it well, he’ll be doing just fine in a few years.
As for Price, yah I just have seen him throw his hands up in frustration or give the Roy salute to the crowd (when it mocked cheers him) a couple too many times.. including live, once. I think goaltending is a position where you need to be very strong mentally. He’s definitely not close to that yet, and not showing signs he will be, so I’d rather not take the chance on him. On the flip side, I just feel Halak has crazy athleticism that helps him overcome his size. Really, 6’4″ goaltenders can be useless as tits on a nun, as we’ve seen here. Height/weight isn’t the first thing I look for in a goaltender.. certainly doesn’t hurt though, yes.
By Racki, February 24, 2010 @ 5:51 pm Racki(Quote)
Read on the Fourth Period’s twitter:
“Per @FriedmanHNIC …. Bob Gainey considered Slava Bykov for Montreal Canadiens coaching job. Apparently, he speaks fluent French”
Pretty interesting.. I wonder if any Euro ever coached here (head coached) before?? He has been credited with completely salvaging Russian hockey though, so he could be a good addition to Montreal.
By Racki, February 25, 2010 @ 10:41 pm Racki(Quote)
Jason Gregor just shot down a rumor between Boston and Edmonton – Cogliano and Gilbert for Mark Stuart and Boston’s first… wow, how awesome would that have been? I like Mark Stuart, as he’s a physical d-man with defensive upside (something we lack now). Oh well, too bad it isn’t happening.
By Haboiler, February 25, 2010 @ 11:06 pm Haboiler(Quote)
Didn’t the Winnipeg Jets have a Finnish Guy Alpo Suhnanon or something that Don Cherry made fun ofor something coach in the 80′s and then he coached the Blackhawks I think in the early 2000s?
By chucker, February 25, 2010 @ 11:38 pm chucker(Quote)
He did. Not sure if he was a head coach though. I think he was an assistant. It’ll be on hockey DB.
EDIT: Yup, you were right. He was an assistant in Winnipeg and a head coach in Chicago, also with the wolves.
http://www.eurohockey.net/players/show_player.cgi?serial=55022
By Racki, February 25, 2010 @ 11:45 pm Racki(Quote)
Google also tells me Ivan Hlinka coached the Penguins around the same time.
I wonder who else there was.
By Racki, February 25, 2010 @ 11:51 pm Racki(Quote)
Oh here we go, looks like Alpo and Ivan were the only 2 Euro coaches so far in the NHL:
Click Me
By Racki, February 27, 2010 @ 7:36 pm Racki(Quote)
Not sure if it was mentioned anywhere, but Jacques is done for the year… back surgery needed. I guess he’s going in for it next week.
Also, Jason Gregor talked to Moreau about trade possibilities. I won’t say he wants a trade, but he definitely isn’t opposed to it.
http://oilersnation.com/2010/2/27/trade-possibilities-and-jacques-out-for-year
By Bostonoiler, February 27, 2010 @ 11:04 pm Bostonoiler(Quote)
Things are heating up. Souray is going to Boston I think. I’m hearing a lot of that out here. I think the Oil are gonna be very active. Should be very fun to see how we shape up. As long as H?emsky, Gagner, Penner, Eberle, Svennson and our first aren;t traded, even smid.
By Racki, February 28, 2010 @ 12:37 am Racki(Quote)
There was apparently a false rumor that involved Mark Stuart coming to E-town… I think it was Cogs+Gilbert for Mark Stuart and Boston’s 1st. I’d like to see that happen. I’m a fan of Stuart’s brand of d.
By gr8one, February 28, 2010 @ 11:21 am gr8one(Quote)
Racki, and that would have been Boston’s own first, not the one they have from Toronto, correct?
By Racki, February 28, 2010 @ 11:31 am Racki(Quote)
Correct. Boston’s real first.
This rumor was shot down as false by Jason Gregor before I even heard it was a rumor, so it’s not something that was being considered… just fyi. I thought it could have been a good move for both sides, even though we’re giving up Cogliano. Moves salary, gives us a d-man we need… and another pick. Too bad.
I am pretty sure many wouldn’t like that deal initially though.
By MetalOil, March 2, 2010 @ 7:16 pm MetalOil(Quote)
As bad as some of our contracts look it can always be worse.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=4959480
By NorwegianOiler, March 3, 2010 @ 2:50 am NorwegianOiler(Quote)
DiPietro? No worries, cap hit does not apply when on long term injury reserve, which is where Ricky is and seemingly will be throughout the 13 years he has left on his deal (or what it was again)
Not surprising that Grebeshkov looked good with the Predators…unfortunately.
By gr8one, March 7, 2010 @ 1:14 pm gr8one(Quote)
Looks like the Oilers are mulling over the idea of bringing Eberle up for the remainder of the season…I think it’s great idea, give him some valuable experience with very little pressure.
It’s just past midway in the following story.
http://www.edmontonsun.com/sports/myoilers/2010/03/07/13141176.html
By Racki, March 7, 2010 @ 1:52 pm Racki(Quote)
What I’ve been hearing is the opposite… they apparently now intend for him to go straight to Springfield once the Pats season is over. That doesn’t mean he won’t see a call-up though.
I think he’ll basically get close to 9 games here. Just enough so that he doesn’t shed a year towards his free agent status.
By Oilersman, March 7, 2010 @ 4:21 pm Oilersman(Quote)
Last year after the Pats season he went straight to the AHL and put up 9 points in 9 games (3-6-9) respectively, It makes sense for him to go to the AHL again, and if need be call him up, at the same time no need for him to get hurt in the big leagues from some goon or what not..
By gr8one, March 7, 2010 @ 6:12 pm gr8one(Quote)
oh yeah…that makes total sense, I didn’t even think about the free agent/9 game thing.
By Oilersman, March 8, 2010 @ 10:07 am Oilersman(Quote)
So not sure if this is old news or not, but Jones is out for 4 weeks with a torn MCL according to Snet… Pretty sad the league only gives Boogey 2 games when we lose Jones for pretty much the remainder of the season…
By Racki, March 8, 2010 @ 10:41 am Racki(Quote)
Yah that sucks. I am still not so sure it was Boogaard’s intent to knee him. Yah, Boogaard is the big bad bully, but it didn’t look as blatant as some of the other knee hits I’ve seen. In fact, it didn’t look intentional at all to me. But I’m relying on youtube video which can’t be put in slow mo at all. (boooo)
By Bostonoiler, March 8, 2010 @ 1:06 pm Bostonoiler(Quote)
I really hope Eberle is with the Falcons march 26th. I got tickets to see them.
By Racki, March 8, 2010 @ 2:02 pm Racki(Quote)
He will be, I’m sure.
By Bostonoiler, March 8, 2010 @ 5:26 pm Bostonoiler(Quote)
Yeah I got tix for March 26 against the Lowell Devils. The tix are right behind the falcons bench. I’m hoping to get an autograph from him too!
Side note a few rumor websites (ek inclided sadly) believe that the Oilers will sign Jagr giving them a new an improved lineup
Jagr-Hall-Hemsky
Penner-Gagner-Eberle
Svensson-Brule-Cogliano
Jones-Potluny-Stortini
Reddox
Whitney-Smid
Gilbert/Souray-Johnson
Peckham-Chorney
Thats what some places are saying.
By zackman35, March 8, 2010 @ 6:47 pm zackman35(Quote)
Bostonoiler: I really hope that the Oilers draft Seguin over Hall and respectably see Svensson/Eberle/Draft Pick all play a season or 20+ games in the AHL next year before they even think about playing them in the big league. Not a big fan of signing Jagr either unless he impresses us in camp and he signs for 2.00 Mil or under.
To Everyone: What are we going to do about our goalie situation for next season? Dubnyk/JDD would have to clear waviers if they get sent down and I could see someone possibly claiming Dubnyk (since JDD has been climbing the goalie depth chart. What’s your take on Khabibuilin?
Personally I wish we could skid him and ride JDD and Dubnyk next year to help with our “building/reconstruction”.
By Racki, March 8, 2010 @ 7:12 pm Racki(Quote)
Ultimately we lose 2 of 3 goaltenders and pick up someone far more reliable.. but that won’t happen. As for who we go with, oi… tough call. Both JDD and Dubnyk have their good and bad sides. They may try the 3 goalie monster for a bit. Really they should be making that decision right fucking now, because they won’t get much opportunity to decide next year.
Also, just a reminder that Hall/Seguin won’t be eligible to play in Springfield next year. It’s the CHL or NHL for them.