Wednesday, March 30, 2011

For 2011/12, Remove Jacques and Fraser, Insert VandeVelde and Hartikainen

Just watching VandeVelde and Hartikainen these last few games, they have been really making Fraser and Jacques look like stumps. Holy hell those two stink!

Fraser has been pitiful this season and he never really did improve at all. I waited for it, but it never happened. In 67 games played he only has 5 freaking points?!?

Jacques... well... he's just not very good. At all. And to think that Stortini was shafted by being placed on waivers for this slug. Good grief!

Enter VandeVelde and Hartikainen. Both guys have made strong cases for themselves to be here next season. They play with hustle, heart and grit. They back down for nothing. They are beyond hungry for an NHL job and they are proving themselves to us with each passing game.

VandeVelde has been playing tough and he's been great in the faceoff dot. The last 5 games he went, 52.9%, 68.2%, 85.7%, 44.4% and 50%. That's damn good compared to the other Oilers players who played most of the year. Sure O'Marra has some wicked games on the dot too, but VV has been pretty consistent so far. Either way, O'Marra or VV is a huge upgrade over a disappointing Colin Fraser. I'm OK with either.

Teemu Hartikainen had a little hype when he was called up and so far he's impressed. He uses his big frame to pound guys and he even scored a nice goal the other night. As each game is played he's far more comfortable with the puck. I hope he plays out the year with the Oilers. Sorry OKC. I want to see more of Hartikainen.

Maybe it's just me, but that's how I feel.

-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY-

Viktor Fasth Future Oilers Goalie?

Bob Stauffer said today on Oilers Lunch that there is a good possibility that the Oilers send Nik Khabibulin down to the minors (OKC Barons) next season. Who will replace him with the big club? Viktor Fasth is the name he said.

Who in the hell is Viktor Fasth? No idea...



Apparently he won goalie of the year (Honken Trophy) in the Elitserien league this season. In the this years playoffs he has a 1.78 GAA and a .945 SVS. Not bad numbers at all. What did he do in the regular season? In 42 Games Played he's earned a 2.26 GAA and a .925 SVS. Again, really decent numbers.

He's 28 years old and was born in Kalix Sweden. He's listed as 6'0" and 198lbs.

Tambellini was there watching him not long ago and maybe Stauffer is right. Maybe this will happen? But you never know as Fasth is signed to play one more season with AIK. Read it here.

Stay tuned...

-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY-

A Hair Love Affair / The Two Ryan's

If you follow Ryan Jones on twitter, it's no secret the guy loves his "flow". Since the first day of tweeting, he's been talking non stop about his and other peoples hair. Last night versus the LA Kings, he had a short conversation with former Oilers player Ryan Smyth during a faceoff.

This is what Jones said today on twitter, "Ryan Smyth told me I had to sick hair at a faceoff yesterday. I told him I was trying to copy him from the old days. He said "Its better!"".

Haha! How awesome! Two dudes lovin'the flow during a game.

While I think it's cool that Jones has that wicked long flocks hanging out of his lid, nothing compares to the rockin' mullet that Ryan Smyth used to sport with the Oil. The mullet is classic.

I miss the mullet.

-WRITTEN BY SMOKIN' RAY-

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