Smyth not a certainty

With a few weeks left in the season it is no longer a certainty the Oilers and Smyth sign a deal to keep Captain Canada in Edmonton. Up until a few weeks ago I would have thought the deal was a sure thing, comparing recent deals to Holmstrom and Bertuzzi in Detroit. But, the trade deadline has passed and there is still no deal.

Random Thoughts

Random Oilers related thoughts of the day, week...

Adding Picks: 2012 has lots to offer

An organization short on talent at all positions shouldn't turn up its nose at adding an extra 1st or 2nd round pick to help round out the organizations depth chart.  Transitional veterans can fill the void until the prospect arrives.  With this thought, the Oilers should consider these players when add a pick or picks.

GDB - vs Columbus, March 14th 2012

For a change, our beloved team played a full sixty minutes.  Were they a great sixty? In all, probably not.  But there was an effort out there for the full game and we came out with the win.  Had we managed more games such as this over the past forty... strong chance we would be in the thick of a playoff race.

Oilers blue line needs immediate help

There has been a lot of talk about a player in the Anaheim ducks system, a defenseman from the U of Wisconsin, Justin Schultz.  Justin Schultz was taken in the 2nd Round, 43rd overall in the 2008 Entry Draft.  The Kelowna native is receiving high praise for his play and may be NHL ready.  He's been dominating the NCAA, now he is soon to either sign with the Ducks or become an UFA for the bidding.

Lottery Picking: More options

Looking past Yakupov as an obvious #1 choice, I don't foresee the Oilers finish the season in 30th or winning the lottery to draft #1, but the other possibilities exist to stock the Oilers shelves, both at center and on defense.  As much as the defensemen have seen a lot of press this season, I think the Oilers would be wise to add a forward with their high pick and address the defense with a later pick, trade, or signing.

Blue Jackets to trade 1st pick?

This is a surprising revelation if true.  The BJ's are a badly built team with a lot of holes that that #1 pick could help fill.  I do not read this as a swap of picks per say, but an outright trade for immediate help.  What would the Blue Jackets look to gain from a deal?  Would the Oilers be able to fill the need to draft potentially #1 and #2?  It would be a strong and bold move if the assets are there to make the deal.

OKC Clear Day Roster

The Barons clear day roster was announced last week...

Belanger avoids being part of the deadline dealing

According to the 4th Period a trade deadline deal involving Eric Belanger fell apart and could not be completed.

Calder Race 2012 Player feature - Gabriel Landeskog

With the season is getting close to the end for our crop of 2012 rookies,let’s continue our look at the Calder race. Things have moved along quickly since posting my first featured player, Adam Henrique who continues to hold the lead in rookie scoring with 45 points. Matt Read, my second feature in the race for the Calder is currently in fourth with 39 points and Cody Hodgson cooling off a little after the trade to Buffalo sits fifth in scoring with 33 points was feature number three.

So this brings us to feature player number 4... Gabriel Landeskog!!!

Topping up the defense, some targets to consider

{EAV:f0c7a56b5945259e}

While dipping into the UFA pool can be expensive and sometimes risky, the Oilers can't rule it out in trying to improve their defense corps.  It doesn't have enough top end depth moving forward for the Oilers to be successful.  With the Oilers short on the three headed monster of puck moving, offensive, and minute eating defenseman they must look at every possibility.

Down to the finish

Is 22nd overall too far to reach with 16 games remaining?

I didn't expect to see the Oilers as a playoff team this year.  I had my thoughts and opinions where the Oilers could finish, just too many holes and too many missing pieces for the Oilers to make it in.  The Oilers play game #67 tonight versus the Habs, the Oilers could sit in 27th place after a win tonight.  At 60 points the Oilers would be 8 points back of 22nd overall.

A Season in Review...

until now that is....

Lame ducks?

Tambellini and Renney remain lame duck fixtures in Edmonton.  With the season nearing the end, neither has officially locked up a contract extension.  Renney's future rest with Tambellini's.  An extension for Tambellini doesn't mean an extension for Renney, but a new GM will almost assuredly bring in his own people.  Meaning Renney won't have a job under a new management team.

GDB - vs Dallas Stars, March 2nd 2012

Ladies and Gentlemen I am back... as some of you may know (more likely most of you don't), my computer died - with assistance from my son - and it wasn't  until recently - today - that I was able to purchase a new computer.  Its been a long month of missing games, and not being able to share my views. *sigh*  But its all over now.