2009-2010 Season Opener vs Celine's Calgary Lames

2009-2010 season finally starts for our Oilers tonight against the Calgary Flames. After a few off-season moves which include a new goalie (Nikolai Khabibulin - left), a new coaching staff, and the return of Mike Comrie, the Oilers are looking to rebound after underachieving last year.

The big issue is a 36 year old goalie coming off a very good year for Chicago but can he dublicate that performance? If the Bulin Wall can, this team should make the playoffs. Of course, you need the forwards to score some goals. Quinn has already put his stamp on this team with JF Jacques starting on the top line, Ryan Stone on the second line with Comrie and O'Sullivan and Gagner starting on the fourth line with Moreau and Stortini. Quinn has brought the crust, but is there any jam?

Many predictions out there are calling for the Oilers to miss the playoffs here, here and here. They're not getting any respect. Most are predicting them to finish 11th in the West (a couple bloggers at Oilersnation pick them 8th). That is wrong. I still think this is a playoff team: defense is strong, forwards are pretty good and as long as the goalie continues his strong play from last year, this should be a playoff team.

Let's take a look back at one of my favorite moments from last year, when Souray moved Moreau out of his way in a fight. Souray is important, the defense is not very physical so his body is needed.

The Duff Man Returns to Edmonton

After not being able to find a team willing to sign him, little Comrie ends up signing in Edmonton. What?? After the big bust up in 2003, did anyone ever think this would happen? No.

I won't get into a lot of heavy details about why little Comrie demanded a trade but he couldn't handle the pressure of playing in his hometown, couldn't handle any criticism from his coach/GM and yes, he was dicking around with Tommy Salo's wife and yes, Jason Smith kicked his ass. Other media refute this strongly, but it's true. My insider is legit and this is a true story. If not, Jason Smith should not go around telling the story!

Back to the signing, rumor is that it's for 1-1.3 mill and it's a one year deal. The amount is fine, the term is great but the player being signed is not. Although, one could look at his stats and make a case in favor of this signing. Is he better than Pouliot, Nilsson, Brule, and so on? Stats say yes. But the problem is he's a tiny little fella and this team has many of those already. So much for Tambellini's indict of getting bigger and stronger in the off-season.

Pat Quinn, you'd better coach your ass off this year......

So little 89 is an Oiler once again....oh wait, he is not 89 anymore. Our little Sammy Gagner wears number 89. I wonder which one Comrie will take? 666?

Not quite the end to the off-season we all expected, non?

Devil Speaks....

Well today Dany Heatley (aka The Douchebag or The Devil) will finally speak out. The funniest part of the whole thing is that he will not tell us anything we want to know.

His agent said, "However, out of respect to the Ottawa Senators and all involved, Dany is not getting into specifics...that will remain confidential."

So his part in all this gets to remain confidential, but not the names of those involved? Poor Penner, Smid and Cogliano didn't get confidentiality, did they? No, their names happened to get released. Why? It was leverage. Trade leverage to get him to New York.

So what's the point of this presser? Oh yes, he's working on his image. He has to appear contrite, sorry and spit out all the hockey cliches.

He's still a douchebag. He used Edmonton to drum up more trade talk. I despise hockey players like this. Man up!!

Anyways, just a few weeks until Oilers training camp. I am excited, especially since Heatley will not be an Oiler.

The sun is shining......

THE INMATES ARE NO LONGER RUNNING THE ASYLUM. Maybe.

The Oilers officially declared themselves out of the Heatley trade mess via a late Friday conference call. Nice timing Tambellini. An announcement late on Friday before a long weekend.

In any event, they can now focus on improving the team. Wait a minute? You are happy with the team and might not make any other moves? You think this is a playoff team? Oh my, it wasn't last year and the team is almost identical (switch a goalie, minus a couple nobodies).

You need at least one more centre......someone who can win a freakin' draw. Without Brodziak, you only have Horcoff. Gags and Cogs can't win many draws yet.

I am happy that Cogliano will be staying, and maybe new coaching will improve the team but there are changes to be made. How about that all elusive shooter you're looking for to play with Hemmer? Yeah you forgot? I'm not surprised.

In any event, good riddance Dany boy.

Give it up? They rarely do!

One bit of good news for Oiler fans this week: Denis Grebeshkov signs a one year deal worth $3.15 million and avoids arbitration. I don't mind this deal, but would have preferred a 2-3 deal deal instead. A one year deal is good news for Grebs as if he has another good year, he'll get a raise next year (again). Not so good for the Oilers. So far, he has progressed significantly each year and could get a big contract next year.

But let's enjoy the return of our favorite Russian. Sorry Bulin Wall, Grebs is the fave!!!

Well, I almost don't want to talk about this because it's freakin' embarrassing. The Oilers sent some videos to Heatley showcasing the benefits of being an Oiler. Aside from some Hemsky and Gagner magical plays, maybe some shower shots of Souray? That'd entice anyone, straight or not. Right?

Anyways, this whole fiasco is getting out of control. We're now over three weeks and it is apparent he's using the Oilers. He's a cock tease. All you guys know what I'm talking about, right? You've all dated someone like this: she keeps going out with you but won't give it up. She throws a few kisses your way and maybe a little over-the-sweater action, but the clothes stay on and the knees stay closed. She won't give it up.

Heatley is that girl who won't give it up. He needs to sleep on it, he won't reject the Oilers out-right, his agent says he's misunderstood, NHLPA chief says he would seriously consider the Oilers, and so on. He has the Oilers all hot and bothered, and they hope they can get to the promised land if they just stay persistent. If they keep on him, he's going to finally give it up and let them see him naked.

Really, does the cock tease ever give in? Rare.

Walk away Edmonton before you end up with blue balls. Heatley is just a tease.

It's clobbering time!

The NHL released it's 2009-2010 schedule and it's not bad for our Oilers. No two months on the road to start the season, few back to backs, no huge road trips (6 is the longest) and home and home series with all the Canadian teams. I'm quite okay with the schedule. One problem: only 4 home games on a Saturday and none after December. That's odd. Lots of Tues/Thurs again which is okay but I'd like to know why the Oilers never seem to get a ton of weekend home games. As a season ticket holder, I'd love to have some more weekend games.

I'll make due with another year of Sheldon Souray (got that Tamby?)!!

A douche to rival the douchery of Pronger? Thy name is Heatley

Dany Heatley demands a trade, then vetoes it. Make a decision. You've spent two days on the decision. You wanted more options. You think Ottawa didn't try hard enough to get a trade. You're blindsided that a deal with Edmonton is in front of you even though the Oilers have stated for a month they are interested and you claimed you would be interested in coming here. You think Ottawa should try harder. You you you you!!!

Walk away Edmonton. Two days ago, I was giddy as a schoolgirl about the prospect of bringing Heatley to Edmonton, but now his true colors are showing. He's a selfish, arrogant prick who thinks of no one but himself. He doesn't get why people are angry with him. He thinks he's being portrayed inaccurately, he's being crucified in the media....blah shut up!

Make a decision!

Say no to the douche!!

Draft Day 2009 - Rock on Oilers!

This is the Oilers first round draft pick from last year, World Junior Championship hero Jordan Eberle. This year the Oilers will pick 10th barring any trades up or down. The scoop is they are trying to trade up into the top 8. There are also rumors they are trying to trade for Ottawa's Dany Heatley (or Jason Spezza) and they are having discussions with Minnesota over goalie Josh Harding.

They still need to either sign or cut loose Roloson and Kotalik. If Roloson won't take a one year deal, he's outta here. Even a one year deal is not that appealing to me. He played well but Roli is old and is going to break down sooner rather than later. I would prefer the Oilers to find a nice young goalie of the future (JDD is not that guy yet). That's why I liked hearing discussions had started over Harding. I like him a lot.

Anyways, there could be a couple big blockbuster trades today or in the upcoming days. Heatley, Lecavilier, Kessel, Kaberle, etc.

Hockeybuzz is staying the Oilers are closing in on moving up to #4 pick. They're usually full of shit, but you never know.

Another rumor of Souray to LA for pick 5 and others. I love rumors!

Anyways, check out some of the draft day blogs and mock drafts out there. Some interesting stuff. Big story: who goes number 1? Tavares or Hedman? If New York is smart, they take Tavares. He's a bona fide scoring machine. Don't be dumb!!!

GOILERS!

Game Seven - Let's get ready to rumbleeeeeeeeeee!!

Puck in net.

Pens win.

Wings can suck it.

One more night of hockey.

Good.

Bring on the Oilers.

I'm tired of the crap playoffs

Finals have been boring.

Oilers go all the way in 2010!!

Butch and Sundance!

Please welcome your new Edmonton Oilers head coach, Pat Quinn, and his associate coach, Tom Renney.

I have to admit all of us in the Oilogosphere were taken a bit by surprise with this announcement yesterday. The Oilers kept this signing under wraps big time. They are very good secret-keepers (KGB-like). I believe most of us expected the announcement to come after the playoffs had finished; interview a few more people maybe?

This is a fairly safe hire. He went with experience. What makes this more interesting is he went with two experienced head coaches. That is going outside the box a bit, but staying safe. The more I think about it, the more I like it. Quinn is the motivator while Renney is the technician. Taking the safe path does not mean it's wrong.

What I do not like about this is the retention of Kelly Buchburger over Billy Moores and Charlie Huddy. In particular, I'm upset about the loss of Huddy. He has worked wonders with the defence and I think he's got a lot of skill. Keeping Kelly may work out though. He's a young coach; always been a hard worker and willing to learn. He's being mentored here!

Along with two new coaches, there will be some player changes as well this off-season. It shall be an interesting couple of months. The draft and free agency is about a month off. Get to work boys!

And did anyone see the Flames presser yesterday? Daryl Sutter sure thinks highly of himself. It was hilarious. Apparently, he's the fourth best coach in the league.

"All the best coaches in the league are under contract and I think there are three guys that are excellent... and then I'm fourth."

Wow what an ego. And he's sooooooo wrong, it's sad! But hilarious! Thanks Shames for being so damn funny!

Oh and someone told me the playoffs are still going. Whatever......hockey sucks without the Oilers!!!