Showing posts with label oilers rumors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label oilers rumors. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

What to make of the 2014 NHL Draft Top 4 Prospects?

The city of Edmonton and Oiler fans everywhere are buzzing about this years NHL Entry Draft coming up at the end of June. Granted there is not much else to be focusing in on with the exception of the hiring of Craig Ramsey yesterday as a assistant coach.

The difference this year is the unpredictability of who the Florida Panthers and Buffalo Sabres will be picking and what will be left for the Edmonton Oilers. From the best information I can gather the Oilers so far have the players ranked in this order if they could select their Top 4 rankings. They will select the highest ranking player they have listed and be happy doing so.

#1. Aaron Ekblad
#2. Sam Reinhart
#3. Leon Draisaitl
#4. Sam Bennett

The only thing that may stand out different for the Oilers from most of the NHL is where they rank Draisaitl. Very few teams rank him in their top 3 and would much sooner have Bennett in that slot. Until recently I was pretty sure needing offence the Panthers would for sure select Reinhart or Bennett but a recently posted article here may tell us different. Ekblad may be a risk but Florida even last year did not go with the high offensive output of Drouin instead selected the big man-child from Finland. It is very likely this could be the situation this year and a franchise defensemen is not such a bad prize to grab.

Buffalo is up next. On their website they specially linked this video to their site evaluating players at the draft. Reading too much into this? I don't think so. There is lots of other opinions and this video could be a tell they want Sam Reinhart. Should he be off the board then it's highly likely a low scoring team like Buffalo will go with Bennett. 

So if the Oilers do have their rankings as listed above by me, it's almost a certainty that Reinhart will be gone in the top 2 picks regardless. That leaves their list as they pick up Ekblad at the #3 spot if Florida takes Reinhart but if Ekblad goes to Florida and Buffalo takes Reinhart, then the Oilers will select Aaron Ekblad.

I am pretty sure when the Oilers walk to the podium June 27th they will be selecting a large, skilled and smart franchise Defensemen in EKBLAD or a potential #2 large bodied, strong, skilled Center in DRAISAITL. Either way, the Oilers will be getting bigger and more skilled in one of their most desperate needs moving forward. It's a good year and Oiler fans have something to be excited about.

NEXT UP? My Year End 'REVS 2014 Top 15 NHL Prospect Rankings'

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Any Changes upcoming in Oilers Management?

First up in our look into what changes can or will happen with the Edmonton Oilers next season in regards to Management.


We know their is a Lynch mob waiting to crucify Lowe in the City of Edmonton. Even the fans at the arena are calling for his head. The only constant left through all these years is Kevin Lowe. The argument we hear from Katz (the owner) and other members of the MSM is Lowe does not affect what happens on the ice. Do you believe that? Does not leadership start from the top down. Did he not move himself into presidency and hire Tamby to run this once storied franchise into the basement cellar of the NHL? Yup, same guy. 


Personally I like Lowe and everything he did as a player. I like him as a person but as management, not so sure he brings what this team needs. Still doubt that changing management (who is not a GM) matters? Lets take a look at 1 man who has proven that theory wrong on 2 occasions. His name is John Davidson! The following articles were written either after being in St.Louis or after and moving to Columbus. All we have to do is look at the difference in attitude that team adopted. It's the LEADERSHIP culture that he changes and what he expects out of all his staff , not to mention his selection of hockey minds to run that part of the business has a proven track record. 


Here are the articles written on Davidson;

"Since his arrival, Davidson has been involved in the acquisitions of Andy McDonald, Alex Steen, Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk while continuing to develop a solid young team." by NHL.com


"Davidson will find a number of opportunities in the NHL to do what he did in St. Louis: Build a winner on the ice through the draft and smart spending, and be the voice of the organization in keeping fans enthusiastic about the direction of the franchise….Davidson's a rock star executive, and an asset to any team that manages to add him to the brain trust."

"The problems that Davidson will face in Columbus are not unlike what he encountered when he first arrived in St. Louis. The Blues were last in the NHL in 2005-06 with 56 points but have gradually become one of the league's top teams". by The Associated press


"Davidson was brought into the organization in December of 2005 when the Blues were in the basement of the NHL. Davidson wasted no time in improving the front office. Al MacInnis was promoted to vice president, Dave Taylor became involved with player personnel and when GM Larry Pleau had to step down to senior adviser, Davidson made his best hiring in Doug Armstrong for the GM position.  If any one person should be credited with the rise of the Blues, it is Davidson. Davidson knew exactly who he needed in the GM positions to make the team homegrown and into contenders, even if it would take a few years."

"There are currently only three players, David Backes, Roman Polak and Barrett Jackman who were drafted before Davidson became president. Since then, there are six players that receive regular playing time (T.J. Oshie, Ryan Reaves, Patrik Berglund, Ian Cole, David Perron and Alex Pietrangelo) and many others currently in the NHL or ready to come up now. Because of these drafted players the Blues rose from the basement of the NHL in 2005 to Central Division Champs and only two points away from the President's Trophy.  The team has gone from looking as bare as a youth hockey rink to having standing room only crowds. When Davidson was hired the Blues were last in the hearts of the city. Now, they rival the Cardinals for passionate fans. Davidson has taken the team from the ashes of the lockout and turned them into a Cup contending team.By ,


Not bad recommendations by several writers and if you examined the ownership of NHL teams many would love to have this man running their ship. I realize he is only 1 man but that 1 man is also only a PRESIDENT of an NHL team, just like Kevin Lowe. Nobody can convince me that the position of President has no impact on the ice.

It won't happen before the season starts but another bad start next season for the Oilers and Kevin Lowe's position WILL no longer be secure, after all you can only live on your 5 Stanley Cup rings for so long and you can only give the same excuses for so long. The only way Lowe will continue in management is if the Oilers make a strong push for the playoffs right up to the bitter end. Anything less and IMO he will be let go. Love the guy but winning franchises have to know how to let go of not only players but management and coaches that have expired dates on their resume when it comes to winning.

Next article, we will discuss the area of coaching and examine how safe the Coaches are within the Oilers organization. 

In the meantime, and in between time, that's it for another edition of Oilers hockey!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Shane Doan... A Possible Edmonton Oiler in 2012?

I was lucky enough to not be working last night and was able to make it to my beer league slo pitch game. Well surprise to me, Brook brought his family that was in town to fill in for the players missing. Brook brought his sister Leighann and her husband Chad. Both great people and pretty good ball players too.

Shane Doan
Brook also brought out his brother Shane. What a thrill for me that was. Last time I was this close to a guy from the NHL, former Canucks player Zenith Komarniski was rabbit punching me in the face during a ball hockey game in Edmonton. I had to laugh a little as Shane's wife was giving him the gears about playing before the game started. "You be careful!" "Your not that young anymore!" "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Haha! Loved it. My wife gives me the same guff and I'm not a pro athlete.

All three of them played great. All good hitters and I think they had fun playing with us. I know I enjoyed myself.

I'm not a fanboy and I made an effort to not be a hockey nerd. It was clear anyways, as I'm rocking my Oilers shirt and hat. Even my bat is blue and orange. It's funny to know how many people didn't know who he was. It took most everyone, half the game to figure it out.

Leighann Doan (Reimer)
So did I get a picture or an autograph? No. The guy was trying to be a normal guy playing ball and I wanted to treat him as so and not pester him with hockey stuff. He's as normal as you and me.

You can tell he's a captain of a team. He went up to every single person on the team after the game was over and shaked their hands and thanked us for allowing him to play. He made sure to get everyone and he remembered everyone's names. Classy stuff that was.

To the interesting part...

So as the game is pretty much over, the topic of him being in Phoenix came up. He said that it was good and he has one more year there. Then what? He replied with a smile. Of course, he can't really say much about his situation. But you know me. I mention the Oilers as an option and he starts to go on about how great of a place Calgary is. I just about Luongo'd on my beer. CALGARY?!?!

Then he looks at me and says "Why would I ever go to Edmonton?".

While I'm standing there trying to think of my best thing to say (I'm losing my mind right at that moment and I'm sputtering something out about Hall, Eberle and RNH), he ends up standing there laughing at me. He was completely kidding around. He told me that the Oilers are his favorite team. Always have been.

"Will you come to Edmonton then and finish off your career at home?", I asked.

No answer... just a big smile.

That gives me hope. BRING DOAN HOME!!!

-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY-

Friday, January 29, 2010

Daily Dose (Rumors and Oilers talk)

 

Quick question Oiler nation, who is your favourite Oiler? Please comment your answer.

Oilers notes: Oilers fans, guess what? Your next game is against the Calgary Flames, so someone will pick up 2 points. Just imagine what the Flames would feel like if they continued their losing streak with a loss against the Oilers. You know, the team that hasn't won a game in 2010? Maybe Lubomir will pull off something like this again Goal against the Flames.

Lubomir Visnovsky - According to Graig Woodburn of Weei.com sports radio network the Boston Bruins are not willing to give the Thrashers what they want for Kovalchuk so they will pursue players like Alexei Ponikarovsky, Ray Whitney, Matt Cullen, and Lubomir Visnovsky instead.

Ilya Kovalchuk - According to Bob Mckenzie of TSN, he stated the the LA Kings are the front runners for Ilya Kovalchuk. Also, NHL Analyst Steve Kouleas was having a chat with Puck Daddy on the score television network and Steve suggested that if the Kings were to acquire Kovalchuk they would have to give up something like Alex Frolov, Jack Johnson, a young roster player/prospect and a 1st round draft choice like I suggested yesterday.

Ray Whitney - According to Darren Dreger of TSN, Ray Whitney may be the most sought after player in the NHL. If what Darren said is true, up to 10 teams have interest. He suggested the LA Kings, Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators all have interest just to name a few.

Ethan Moreau - Whoever stated that 5 to 10 teams are interested in Ethan Moreau is full of crap.  Maybe a team or 2, but based on how he has played as of late, I can see why not many teams are interested.

Update on Moreau - I have seen rumors on various sites that the Ducks like Souray...well now it seems they are one of the few teams that like Moreau as well. We will have to wait and see how this all pans out. Moreau is currently a team worse -29 on beers and jeers points done by Smokin' Ray.

As always all comments are welcome!

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