Where will Hemsky land February 27th?

The rumour mill has been spitting out Hemsky trade rumours all season long; it would seem that it is just a matter of time before Ales Hemsky is no longer a member of the Edmonton Oilers.  Despite the uninspired play of Hemsky for much of the season there still seems to be a market for the enigmatic right winger.

GDB - February 8, 2012 - @ Detroit

So, it would stand to reason that when the Oilers get hot and I would have something else to write about, my computer dies (and is at this moment being held together with electrical tape until pay day...) so I cannot write about it.  On the up side, the Oiler's upsides continue to be decent enough that I can still write about them.

Trade Deadline Target: Lubomir Visnovsky

Lubomir played great in Edmonton, but did he like it here or not? That will have to be the first question to be answered. With his familiarity with the Oilers and they with him, could this be a good fit and would this be a positive move for the Oilers blue line? I would say if Visnovsky would like to come here then the Oilers should upgrade with him.

Love Eager

I was ecstatic when the Oilers went out and signed Ben Eager.  I love his gritty and the feisty game style he brings to the table.  Unfortunately things started badly here after a concussion and it took a while for Eager to get back on track.  But, he's a solid player who doesn't mind going out to get a hit of mixing it up.  

Trade Deadlne Target: Clarke MacArthur

Let me first say that when the Thrashers walked away from MacArthur after his salary arbitration ruling I wanted the Oilers to go after him.  His style of play and attitude were in high demand in Edmonton.  His added skill was just as important.  The Oilers need power forwards, no different today than when he became a free agent.

Revisiting the Oilers dominated 1986 NHL All Star game in Hartford

Revisiting the 1986 Edmonton Oilers all stars, AKA the Campbell Conference all star team.  It isn't a stretch to say that the 1985-86 Oilers may have been the most talented of the 5 Stanley Cup winners.  The 38th NHL All Star Game was proof of that.  No fewer than 9 Edmonton Oilers were on the roster for the Campbell Conference and Glen Sather was the head coach of the team.

Goals for the remainder of the season

Any regrets?

Even though the Oilers are losing the team and management must have goals to meet through the end of this season. Some will have to be team goals and more will have to be goals for players to achieve. There shouldn't be too many players that are safe on this roster.

The Hemsky Decision

Where will Hemsky go? It will not be if but when and where Hemmer will go. The argument that Hemsky is a top six forward is misguided. He hasn't been a top six player here this season. He has been obviously disconnected to a degree, a poor attitude has shown in games. With the often injured soon to be UFA playing better the time is now to move him.

Oilers are in a position to trade a defenseman

Currently the Oilers have 8 healthy defensemen on the roster; you could assume that there is a deal coming. But not so fast. There isn't a need to make a trade yet, certainly no jumping the gun. Having eight healthy blue liners can now put the defensemen into their roles to start the season. The coaches and management can now evaluate the players in the roles they expected them to play in.

Keeping the trolley on the tracks

The Oilers had to start a full out rebuild in 2007, the team lacked NHL players and NHL prospects.  Trying to drag out a mediocre record with little talent and a lot of bad hockey games wasn't going to be progressive or good for the team, owner, or especially the fan base.  With the stocking of the shelves portions of the rebuild well under way the Oilers management will have to focus on the holes remaining.

Calder Race 2012 Player feature - Matt Read

In my continuing look at the Calder Race for this years Rookie of the year and to follow up my first candidate Adam Henrique my second feature player in the hunt for the coveted trophy is Matt Read! Please continue to look for the upcoming posts featuring the remaining players who I have pegged as the Top 5 candidates for the Calder Trophy in 2012.

Trade Deadline Target: Jeff Carter

While a lot of people will turn up their nose at Jeff Carter's contract term, I'm not one of them.  A 10 year term at 5.27 million on Jeff Carter is a deal compared to the 3 more years of Shawn Horcoff at 5.5 million.  For starters Jeff Carter is capable of being a second line center where Shawn Horcoff never has been able to fill that role.  Successful teams need to be strong down the middle and have players filling roles they are capable of.  By adding Jeff Carter the Oilers will finally have the being of a second line.

GDB - January 24, 2012 - @Vancouver

This is another game that many had penned us not being in... and for large portions we really were because of those dastardly twins.  But thank heavy big DD finally decided that at this point was a good time to show up and say I am ready to be starter.  Good kid, gave Khabbi a chance to be number one for probably the last time in his career (I will assume that thats the logic) and gives us two back to back games reminding us that very likely he will be our number going into the next season.

PGB - January 24, 2012 - @Vancouver

God I hate this city at times... fans here really have no idea what they have, and buy into the media spin hook line and sinker.  Add on to that delusions of their supremacy and market value (Ive been told that Doan will come here for cheap because its his best bet for a cup... They argued he would force their hands much like Smyth did... seriously)

GDB - January 23, 2012 - vs San Jose

Winning is for chumps... who needs points when your goal is another high draft pick... Wait a second, sorry about that, it appears I have grown to comfortable with the Oilers run as of late.  We did win, and I would like to say it was hard fought and well deserved... but really only one of those things is true, and only in the loosest sense of the term.