I could go on, but you get the point.
Not surprisingly, the Oilers lost again last night. However, it was not a regulation loss but an overtime loss. A step up, yes, but not enough. They took St. Louis to overtime (and before you scoff, St. Louis has been playing some damn fine hockey of late. I never thought I'd say that) and just came up short.
BUT, good news folks: According to TSN, Petr Nedved's second stint with the Oilers has ended. Nedved, knocked out of the lineup earlier this month with a knee injury, has left town in a move agreed upon by both himself and the team. The 35-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Now only if we could get Lupul out of town? Any thoughts??
So Horcoff returned last night and played fantastic. He should be out with the flu more often. Horcoff deserves some kudos for his play BUT also for infecting Joffrey "I won't go into the corners" Lupul, who did not play last night. Hallelujah!! Apparently, it was the "flu" but Dan Barnes makes a good point, what the hell was he doing in the press box "infecting" others if he truly had the flu? So maybe he was finally scratched for the first time this year?? Too fucking late. Nicely said Dan....here is the bit about Lupul.
Joffrey Lupul has been wasting ice time all year long and they finally scratched him Saturday, allegedly with the flu. If he was truly sick, he shouldn't have been breathing on his teammates in the press box, lest they catch whatever it is that has affected his play this season.
The rookies? Brodziak got his first NHL goal, Nilsson played quite good and Jacques had a decent fight. Smid got injuried in the second period (puck hit him in the side/stomach, he has bruised ribs according the Edm Journal and this could results in calling up Sebastien Bisallion), so they boys were down to 4 d-men. Considering that, the defense held up damn good. There weren't a lot of breakdowns or giveaways (that was reserved for TORRES....did he ever play a shitty game).
The crowd was actually into the game last night. The only cheering I've heard in Rexall in the past month had nothing to do with the Oilers. Megadeth played on March 13th, finally giving the crowd something to cheer about and did they ever!!
So we're heading towards the end of the season: four more home games in the next week (Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat), then the boys head out on the season-ending six game road trip. As horrible as they have played the past month, I'm still sad to see the season end.
Even better news: NYI lost last night and the Rangers jumped into the 8th playoff spot. Is it horrible that I do not want Smyth's Isles to make the playoffs? I don't think so. So please keep winning Rangers and Habs. I never thought I'd actually cheer for the Habs. What is becoming of me? Shocking days around here!!
25 comments:
I'm wondering how did Roli play? I keep hearing extreme sides..Dan Tencer said he played "phenomenal", some fans said he played like shit and should be benched in OT (?!)
By the way, I love reading your blog. Keep it up!
Played like shit??? No way. He carried the team. He made over 40 saves and was on his game.
Even in overtime, it was a lucky bounce.
Dougie Weight, "That team showed a lot of heart and obviously took us to overtime and we were fortunate to get a good bounce in overtime there."
I'm really in shock some fans thought Roli played like shit. It was one of his better games in a month.
Thanks for that. I just needed some confirmation as I didn't see the game, but I did catch it on radio. You know Rod Phillips, could be deceiving some times. And yeah, regarding those people saying Roli played like shit, I really wouldn't call them fans.
It would be so sweet if the losing skid ended tomorrow with the Canucks, but the pessimist in me says that is wishful dreaming.
I also agree: I hope NYI don't make it. Oh, and if they do by some great miracle make it into the playoffs and win the cup, Smyth, leave the cup in New York. Don't bring it back here - we have enough problems without you bringing your "bling" with you!
I'm also sad that it's the end of the season. My last game is Wednesday night, and I'm really going to miss it. Oh well, it sounds like Calgary might not make it either ...
Shannon
Scarlett, if you really want to feel sick, Mcguire is saying Smyth could end up in Calgary next season in the latest SI.
Kyle, do you have a link for that??
Smytty as a Flamer? My booing will be louder than all of Edm. Really, though, that would take the cake. Ooooooo......can you imagine???
No, I cannot. I cannot imagine it. I will stroke out.
If that happened, we'd be going after Iginla or Kipper big time next year when they're both free agents.
What!? A Flamer!? We need sources! Well, I gues if Laraque was thinking about "sticking" it to Edmonton by almost accepting the Calgary offer during the trade deadline, then why not Smyth?
What is going on in hockey land?
Shannon
Oddly I think Smytty will want to be close to "home" and will return to a small market Canadian, likely western team...but find it impossible to believe he'll be in Calgary. I have lost hope that he'll be here though so where does that leave us?
Vancouver? That's better than Calgary... but not much.
I'd be very surprised if he ended up in Calgary, aka: end of the earth. No way. I refuse to believe it.
No, I don't, actually I read it either on an Oilogosphere site (maybe BoA) or in the comments on an Oilogosphere site, but it was a credible poster. He said it was in the 'In the Crease' section or something like that.
I think it'll be a cold day in hell before he plays for the Flames though.
And sorry to say Scarlett, I doubt we'll be able to find a better player for 5.5. I think in the end that was still a hometown discount.
Maybe this "news" will inspire the boys tonight. Maybe this possible betrayal by Smitty will unite the team. Unite them in hatred for him.
"Betrayal"? In case you haven't noticed, Smyth's obligations to this team ended when they traded him. And if you think anyone in the locker room gives a shit where any of their former collegues ply their trade, you've got another shock coming.
Didn't someone say the Oilers actually met his demands, then he reneged and turned it down.
Yeah: Pat Laforge said that. And of course, he would have no reason to lie.../sarcasm
Fuck Smitty. We'll get a better player for 5.5 mill this summer.
Thanks for the laugh.
Truth be told, I kinda hope Smyth does come back and play for Calgary (he won't: Calgary has enough big salaries to worry about now. Only way he come in is if one of Kipper or Jarome is on the way out of town). Just to watch the haters choke.
It is a betrayal if he signs with Calgary. Edmonton ponied up the dough for him and he basically walked away.
I think 5.5 mill could be spent on someone better or at least put toward someone better even if it ends up being closer to 6 mill. Sure he got some goals but his point total was never that impressive. Put anyone in front of the net, they'll score 30 goals too. He's only scored 4 goals since he was traded, not exactly lighting it up.
And why should you assume that Laforge is lying? What if it's true?? It's possible. Smyth isn't Mr. Innocent in all this. He comes out just as dirty as Lowe.
You don't think anyone in the locker room cares? For some of those players who played years with him, it fucking does matter. Pull your head out of your ass.
Kyle, I really don't think 5.5 was a hometown discount. That's more than enough for someone of his skill and production. Yeah I'm sure someone will offer him more. When there are Charlie Wang's in the league handing out ten year contracts, stupid things happen.
It is a betrayal if he signs with Calgary.
No. No it's not. It's a business decision. Kinda like the one the Oilers made when they decided that they didn't want to pay him.
Edmonton ponied up the dough for him and he basically walked away.
The difference didn't necessarily come down to money. It could have been the length of the deal or the no movement clause that scuttled it.
I think 5.5 mill could be spent on someone better or at least put toward someone better even if it ends up being closer to 6 mill.
Okay: who? I want names.
Sure he got some goals but his point total was never that impressive.
That's not all he was getting paid for. Smyth was a guy who played against the other team's best players at even strength (and usually came out ahead), worked the PP and killed penalties. He wasn't a gamebreaker, but he was the kind of player that 29 other teams would kill to have. Oh yeah: and did I mention that, unlike most players in the league, Smyth liked it here?
Put anyone in front of the net, they'll score 30 goals too.
Bull. Shit.
He's only scored 4 goals since he was traded, not exactly lighting it up.
11 points in 9 games is solid output.
And why should you assume that Laforge is lying?
Because its Pat LaForge. Lying is his job.
You don't think anyone in the locker room cares? For some of those players who played years with him, it fucking does matter. Pull your head out of your ass.
Hockey players =/ hockey fans
I doubt anyone would give a shit if Smyth opted to play in Calgary. If they did, that would be really pathetic. It's not like most of these guys have much attachment to the city or teams they play for. Well, some do, but we traded ours to Long Island.
Kyle, I really don't think 5.5 was a hometown discount. That's more than enough for someone of his skill and production.
I respectfully disagree. I think Smytty, maybe more than any other current player in the league right now, brings a lot of intagibles to the game. He's not a guy you give money to simply for his output (which is pretty top end) but also for the little things he does that make such a difference.
We shall see I guess.
And little fury: The speculation was that the Flames would unload Tanguay. I would take Smyth for Tanguay any day.
Hells yeah, I'd take Smyth over Tanguay too.
Little fury, your arguments are little indeed.
Someone worth 5.5-6 million: St. Louis is averaging 5.25. That's one. Gagne is 5.25. Alfredsson is at 4.3. Heatley and Spezza are at 4.5. Gomez is at 5. Sakic is at 5.75. Nash at 5.4. Staal at 4.5. Briere at 5.
Obviously, some of these boys will be getting raises and others are not either free agents/available. But that's just a quick look at their average salary right now. I'd take any one of those over Smitty.
Little fury, your arguments are little indeed.
Well certainluy compared to oh-so-convincing arguments like "Ryan Smyth is big traitor if he even thinks about playing for Calgary and all the other kids would hate him and screw him anyway cause he sux LOL!!!11!!"
Obviously, some of these boys will be getting raises and others are not either free agents/available. But that's just a quick look at their average salary right now. I'd take any one of those over Smitty.
Ah, but you said "that money (read Smyth's money) could be spent on someone better or at least put toward someone better..." which indicates we should probably be talking about guys that are, like, actually available as UFAs, or likely trade candidates. Fact is, None of these guys are potential Smyth replacements.
Well certainluy compared to oh-so-convincing arguments like "Ryan Smyth is big traitor if he even thinks about playing for Calgary and all the other kids would hate him and screw him anyway cause he sux LOL!!!11!!"
Yeah cause those are my exact words. Good job.
And since this is my blog, MY OPINION is and has always been that money earmarked for Smitty is better spent elsewhere. If it were between Smyth or a top pairing defenseman, I'd take the defenseman. And it looks like that's the plan. Smyth was a great player, no doubt about it, but time to move on.
AND some of the players I listed are going to be available during free agency and no player is safe for trades. We all saw that with Pronger in 2005.
And since this is my blog, MY OPINION is and has always been that money earmarked for Smitty is better spent elsewhere.
Ah, rank pulling: a sure sign of someone with confidence in their arguments. Hell, you're entitled to your opinion, I just think you're wrong. Don't like people taking issue with the opinions you put forward? It's easy enough to disable comments.
If it were between Smyth or a top pairing defenseman, I'd take the defenseman. And it looks like that's the plan.
I guess we'll see come training camp. I still think we'll be looking back at this in a couple of years and wondering why we let a bargain like Smyth slip through our fingers.
AND some of the players I listed are going to be available during free agency and no player is safe for trades. We all saw that with Pronger in 2005.
St. Louis wias the only one of that group I could see being trade bait in the short-term. He'll cost more than Smyth at some point, and I question whether he's going to be an impact player without some of the supporting cast he has in TB (Horcoff/=Vinny). As for the Pronger deal being precedent setting: again, we'll see. I maintain it was a post-CBA aberration.
It's an argument neither of us can win, because it boils down to our own opinions.
I think Smitty's best days are behind him. He also has a history of injury problems. On a five year deal, those last two years would hurt the team and trying to unload him would have been a problem. This is coming from someone who absolutely loved him. But is signing him best for the team? I said yes several months ago, but when you sign him, you probably can't get a top 2 defenseman and this team needs it badly as we have seen during the course of the year. It's a trade-off.
I can debate all day, but it comes down to my opinion. Not everyone will agree and I'm okay with that (well mostly, lol).
As for the Pronger trade (number one), I wouldn't be surprised to see another one. Maybe not quite as huge and shocking as that.
St. Louis is probably the best bet and I agree he needs the supporting players. If Horcoff can get back to form from last year, they could fit together nicely. Hard to predict the future.
I'm waiting for the summer. I'm willing to give the team the benefit of the doubt and wait for some big action this summer. I can't condemn the management/ownership yet. I don't agree with all their decisions (trading Pronger within their division was stupid as was letting the Smyth deal go down to the wire).
I renewed my season ticket. I still believe this team will have a great season next year. I truly think they can and they can even do it without Smitty. I would have loved if he had resigned (for a reasonable amount), and maybe that is still in the cards? Probably not but a gal can dream. lol
The good news: the Oilers can only get better next year.
I think Smitty's best days are behind him. He also has a history of injury problems.
I don't think either is fair. Smyth's averaged 74 GP per season since becoming a full time NHLer. That's not bad. From a production standpoint, he's been a model of consistency while playing on some spectacularly mediocre teams.
The good news: the Oilers can only get better next year.
My concern is this: too much has to fall into place for this team to be worth a damn next season. We're no longer at the point where simply adding a decent top pairing d-man is going to turn things around. I think Lowe will have to be Christ Almighty to patch all the holes and turn this team into a contender with the budget he has to work with. The question largely boils down to which K-Lowe shows up this summer: the on ewho traded for Pronger or the one who, well, traded Pronger...
He's put up decent numbers, but never going more than 70 (he might this year). Plus players don't normally get better after a certain age. He might have another good year or two in him, and when I say good, I'm thinking his normal 60-65 pt range. He'll be 33 by then and a player with his type of game will falter due to injury and just slowing down.
I might be foolishly optimistic, but I think Lowe will pull it off this summer. Not only because this team needs several key players, but his job is on the line.
He's put up decent numbers, but never going more than 70 (he might this year). Plus players don't normally get better after a certain age. He might have another good year or two in him, and when I say good, I'm thinking his normal 60-65 pt range. He'll be 33 by then and a player with his type of game will falter due to injury and just slowing down.
Thing is, by the time Smyth hits 33 and, even if his production drops, he'll still be a bargain: a 60 point a year veteran leader? Yes please! Incidentally, Martin St. Louis is the same age as Smyth and has only a marginally better PP/G average over his career (0.79 to Ryan's 0.71). And his best years have been spent playing with a kid named Vinnie, who, let's face it, is rather better than Horcs on his best day. Food for thought.
I might be foolishly optimistic, but I think Lowe will pull it off this summer. Not only because this team needs several key players, but his job is on the line.
First: saying he has to pull it off is not the same as saying he will, at leats to the pointg of turning the team into a Cup contender. Nor do I think it's close to make or break time for Lowe. This organization has a different standard of success than most and as long as Lowe keeps the team in the black, it won't matter whether they miss the playoffs, bow out oput in the first round opr win the Cup.
Anyway, no point going around the mulberry bush any more here. We'll just have to revisit this in 6 months.
I think because 'he has to' means something. Last summer, they were riding the playoff success. He didn't have to.
Another year like this, I'd be surprised if he can hang on.
I'll see you in six months.
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