Well it's been a great while since I blogged anything so I figured I'd better get to it. I started sending a Facebook message to one of friends and figured this would be a cool thing for me to blog about. This way people learn a bit more about me and something I dearly love...the Edmonton Oilers. Oh yes I am a fan!!!
Let's begin with the return of #Ryan Smyth. Outside of #Wayne Gretzky I am not sure their is another player that more represents the spirit of the Oil than Smyth. His exit from the city was unceremonious but I blame that entirely on Kevin Lowe. How do you give
up arguably your top player and heart and soul over $250K a year...it is a lot of cash but not in the pros. That is almost pocket change. Regardless of Lowe's mistake, #Steve Tambellini has been able to right that wrong and he's home. Ryan will bring strong leadership to a young team. He is a grounded and mature guy who also brings faith to the locker room. Welcome home Ryan.I like what Tambellini has done so far this off season. He drafted well. #Ryan Nugent-Hopkins first overall was a no brainer but the whole draft will help us restock the farm and give us so strength in the next 2-3 years. With Kefbom, and Musil we should have some good D in a couple of years. Perhonen may be our goaltender of the future.
Tambellini did well in free agency too. Picking up #Ben Eager gives them some good toughness and he can play a little. #Darcy Hordichuk more grit and he is a big upgrade from Steve McIntyre. #Eric Belanger gives them more speed and some more scoring up front. #Cam Barker is a risk but a low cost one. He is just 25 and former 1st rounder who really hasn't worked out. He'll now be with a young team and a coach who works great with young players. Time will tell but not a bad gamble. #Andy Sutton was a big pick up too. He is past his best-before date but a good solid stay at home guy who can get the puck out of our end.
I'd still like to see them sign a mid-range D man if they can afford it. Although Colten Teubert may be ready to play this year. When they sign RFA's #Taylor Chorney and #Theo Peckham, the Teubert would be competing with #Alex Plante and #Jeff Petry for the 8th spot. If any of those three are ready to step up full time then signing another D man wouldn't be necessary, just preferred.
I think that Andrew Cogliano (RFA) is done. He wants too much money (#Sam Gagner type money) and they have 14 signed NHL forwards now, assuming Gilbert Brule is healthy enough to go. This doesn't include Nugent-Hopkins either. I don't think he'll play in the bigs this year.
I still wish we had another option to the Bulin Wall. #Nikolai Khabibulin is a good tender, just not great anymore. He had a good year last year and maybe he can keep it up this year knowing he'll face fewer shots with our improved defense. # Deven Dubnyk I think has proven he can play so maybe he can take the #1 role away this year. We do also have Olivier Roy down on the farm so goaltending shouldn't be our down fall. If it is, I did let Tambellini know that even though I am older than #Dwayne Roloson, I am good to slap the pads back on and to take it for the team.
We still lack some depth on the farm. If we face injuries, it'll be tough. No NHL experience sitting down there at the moment. #Tyler Pitlick, #Chris Vande Velde and #Ryan O'Marra (RFA) are good and might be able to fill in but not sure any of those there are ready to make a jump.
I am glad to see the Souray debacle behind us for good. We can stop talking about it now. I just hope that he doesn't come back to haunt us in Dallas.
All-in-all we are in a good place. We do have a shot at playoffs this season but I am not thinking we are going to take the cup...just yet!
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