Wonderful memory, the kid will probably remember it forever.
Sheldon Souray's frustration came from a lack of communication. Oiler fans this morning were robbed of a feel good story about how coach Renney, Kevin Lowe and Steve Tambellini sat him down and confirmed he was staying. Maybe they brought Hallsy in with a Rebels sweater as a joke, who knows? Hey, maybe they did something incredible and taped it for Oil Change.
No matter, as we wake up this morning the Oilers face another opportunity missed and it reflects poorly on management. It's one thing to say that "it's all about the fans" but if that's true why couldn't they allow some kind of leak? Perhaps a release? Or maybe they could have announced it after last night's game?
You know, I have a son just a little younger than RNH and even an old guy like me enjoys hearing a good story. I absolutely know there are young people involved in the Edmonton Oilers organization who would have had grand ideas about how to celebrate this little milestone and those ideas would have connected young people to RNH.
Opportunity missed. We'll all find out when he starts against Colorado.
Let them eat cake.
LT, I love your work, but isn't this a bit of a stretch? We all know he's going to stay and maybe they have something planned for the announcement today. With so much uncertainty, it's probably a little premature to call this a missed opportunity. Let's check back in a day or two.
ReplyDeleteI feel pretty much the same as Cactus. It seems like an uncalled for skepticism. Of course he's staying. I think the Oilers have made the player the clear priority over the fans on this and there's nothing wrong with that at all. RNH does not appear to want to live his life through the media. Just let him be himself.
ReplyDeleteSorry Cactus, I am with LT on this one. They had the chance to make a big splash about and didn't.
ReplyDeleteSilly arrogance.
Hall tweets a pick of the new equipment guy for the year.
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/#!/hallsy04/status/129797162765787136/photo/1
RNH is on the plane to Denver and is staying with the team, if there was any doubt.
Third place in the Western Conference is infinitely better than cheesy PR opportunities.
ReplyDeleteEven if the wheels fall off tonight in Denver, it's been a great October.
While no doubt there's some merit in exploiting the RNH to Red Deer/stays with the Oilers 'story', who in the world believes there's a chance he goes back?
PS: Anyone notice Barker last night? Is he improving, or is it just the fanboy in me pulling for hillbilly Cam?
Regwald: my argument is simply that we don't have enough information or evidence to heap praise or cast aspersions on the strategies of management in this situation. I said a couple times during the offseason that certain off-ice issues act as something of a Rohrschach test for fans. Fans with some predisposition topessimism or negative views towards management and coaching are more likely to see unclear developments as mistakes or problems. On the other hand, those fans with an optimistic outlook are more likely to conclude that such situations are, in fact, moves in the right direction (maybe a bit like delooper here).
ReplyDeleteMy argument here? Both positions are simply assertions as there's not nearly enough evidence to build a reliable argument for either side.
I was wondering the same thing and agree with you LT.
ReplyDeleteI bet they did something special already but haven't leaked the story out to the public.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you s0undwave! Hunter you're right Barker is playing well as is Sutton, a far cry from Sutton in Ana.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTerry Jones was talking about this on the radio this morning.
ReplyDeleteHis quotes were:
"The Oilers are being dorks"
"Its the Oilers being The Oilers"
This is a big milestone in a franchise player's career and they act like its a State Secret.
I hope they did something nice for him.
Its The Oilers being The Oilers.
It sounds to me more like Terry Jones wants to *be* the news. Manufacture bogus controversy -- works great for FOX News and other lucrative media sites.
ReplyDeleteCorrect me if I'm wrong, but I don't remember anything special about Hall making the team and he was arguably a bigger news item than RNH.
ReplyDeleteThe Gudbranson story was a neat idea, but it's not a necessity that these kids need to find out by some creative means that they should look for an apartment.
The management of this team is as conservative and stubborn as any in the league, but not making a huge deal out of RNH making the team does not reflect badly on them IMHO.
Maybe they realize the kid is a quiet personality that wouldn't enjoy the extra attention anyway?
Should Lander get a party thrown for him as well?
Love your work as well LT;)
"I bet they did something special already but haven't leaked the story out to the public."
ReplyDeleteYou're probably right. What LT is saying is this is about the fans, not the team first. Who is paying the bills? Katz or Oiler fans? Will Katz pay the bills if we don't watch? Not for long.
There is something that seems wrong about how the brass does things. It disturbs those that notice. This is another sign of them seeming out of touch and it doesn't breed confidence that they know what they are doing, and there is more to be done with this team than just letting the 3-4 really talented players we have get older.
Completely agree with Cactus and delooper.
ReplyDeleteThere's no "missed opportunity" here except for the media. They just want another huge story and as much as an Oiler fan as I am, we don't absolutely need it. Sure I'll smile when the news breaks on Twitter, but I'm not going to phone up all my friends and celebrate. It wouldn't be the feel good story of the year so what's with all the negativity from the writers? He was the first overall pick and he's putting up a point a game and playing damn well defensively.
Dustin Nielson acted like an idiot on the radio this morning about this subject and it was embarrassing. The Oiler's care about developing RNH; not fulfilling the media's wet dreams.
It's just like when Renney didn't play the kids much in the 3rd period of the Minny game. Media went crazy and wanted to crucify the coach - for the story - and didn't think that maybe, just maybe, the coach knows a thing or two about his job.
"Oiler fans this morning were robbed of a feel good story"
ReplyDeleteI got my Oiler feel-good story the other day when it was announced the Katz' Kommandos will be plying their trade at the new Rexall Palais du Glace in 2015.
Only one hundred million more to go
shire - nasty place, we hates it
Not wanting to carp, but, the Oilers are one of the most conservative teams in the NHL. It's their style to let their on ice play do the talking(great when they're good, pathetic when they aren't any good).
ReplyDeleteOf course ever since that early-90s-trade-only Lowetide-and-I seem-to-fully-understand, it's pretty well all been the latter.
I submit(heh heh with all the lawyers in here), that the Oilers possess enough of their dynasty DNA to know what to do with themselves, now that the team finally has some real talent.
Fair enough to those who believe they're not hyping the RNH thing, but let's look at this from the other side of the equation: Suppose they did make a big stink, then RNH suddenly goes ice cold?
What would everyone say then?
LT,
ReplyDeleteLike Matt N said, pretty sure that Hall's tweet last night gave all the info that you could possible ask for in a confirmation. I think that the reason no big announcement has been made is what you were refering to in the end of your post. With the cameras around them all the time and Oil Change in full production, they are probably waiting to show the way they announced it in the show. Sure it robs the media of breaking the story but it will probably be a good behind the scene look at how the team dealt with it.
Tubes: I think you're misconstruing me a bit. I'm not saying LT is necessarily wrong, I'm just saying he's definitely premature. This could absolutely be a bungling in progress but that's the important part, it's "in progress" and too early to say. It's like saying Khabibulin will lead the league in SV% and GAA. All we can say with certainty is that he's leading now (and as Jonathan Willis' recent article on ON showed, a collapse could easily come).
ReplyDeleteWith that said, SK Oiler Fan makes a couple good observations:
1) What did they do with Hall, Eberle, Paajarvi last year? Seems like a good place to begin a comparison.
2) The Nuge isn't the only rookie (although he is the only one for which a permanent decision must be made) - Lander's still sticking around.
Any analysis should probably account for these considerations.
One last thing:
Woodguy, did Terry Jones offer any further evidence to his condemnation or is he simply unhappy? A competing narrative might be that he and other members saved column space for some kind of story and when it wasn't forthcoming, they were unhappy.
We still need more information for a reliable conclusion.
Maybe Oil Change will go all Hoosiers on us and have a scene like this:
ReplyDeleteRenney, Lowe, Tambo and the rest of the front office staff are having a meeting on whether or not to keep RNH and decide to take a vote by secret ballot.
Just as Tambo is about to read the votes, Hemsky makes a dramatic entrance and says, "I got something to say. I don't know if it'll make any change, but I figure it's time for me to start playing hockey. One other thing ... I play, kid stays, he goes, I go."
Cut to Tambo, who rips up the votes, smiles and says, "Kid stays."
Far be it for me to defend the Oilers - and I'm really not going to - but on the list of head-scratching things this org has done, this one is so far down the list that you'd need a day to find it.
ReplyDeleteIf your goal is an eventual Cup, you don't get excited about what in the big scheme of things is an insignificant moment for the franchise (every NHL player has played 9 games - big deal)
ReplyDeleteIts about setting expectations. The Nuge has done well so far but you want to make it clear to him he has just met the minimum criteria.
I am sure his team mates and the coaches have given him all the love he needs.
You think he is feeling bad that there is no news conference?
Tambellini is still worried about...
ReplyDelete...
...
premature evaluation.
Just as Tambo is about to read the votes, Hemsky makes a dramatic entrance and says, "I got something to say. I don't know if it'll make any change, but I figure it's time for me to start playing hockey. One other thing ... I play, kid stays, he goes, I go."
ReplyDeleteThats not realistic. Hemsky would have injured himself on making that entrance and would then be ushered away by the training staff before he could say anything.
I'll be here again for the 10:00 show. Warning, it gets a little blue.
ReplyDeleteIf your goal is an eventual Cup, you don't get excited about what in the big scheme of things is an insignificant moment for the franchise (every NHL player has played 9 games - big deal)
ReplyDeleteExactly. It's a team game and RNH's specialness is proven on the ice - not in fawning superstar press conferences. I think making a big deal out of this is focusing on the wrong aspects of the game and missing the true nature of 'team'.
This only seems like a big milestone because there was some question before the season began, and because the media has chosen it as a story to run with. I'm sure even if you were to ask the Nuge to rate his draft, his first game, his first goal, his first playoff game, his first hat trick etc, passing an arbitrary criteria under the CBA is pretty damn minor.
And as an Oilers fan, I'm more than happy to see Renney let the 'feel good' story being the team beating the Caps last night than turning the spotlight onto a single player and away from everyone else. Let the press whine and moan all they want. After the last four years of blind fawning cushy journalism, choosing this as their controversy says a lot more about the Edmonton sports media than it does about the Oilers management.
This angle is a stretch IMO. We're trying to create a story and I imagine we'll find out on the next oil change they handled it in a reasonable manner.
ReplyDeleteOilers are 5-2-2 despite throwing away a couple points learning how to defend leads. This team is young and improving. We gotta quit looking for ways to be negative.
Dustin Penner and his one assist was demoted to the third line last night:
ReplyDeletehttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/27/dustin-penner-back-in-doghouse-though-nobodys-sure-he-ever-left/
Part of me still would like to see him back with the Oilers, but maybe thats just the drunk part.
Lt, you are starting to sound more and more like all of the other MSM types. Concentrate on the actual hockey that's played on the ice and forget about the rest of the hubris. If we win tonite we will be in first place in our division, that is the story. So sad that your desire to write so many blogs everyday is moving your opinions into the realm of Chicken Little.
ReplyDelete"No matter, as we wake up this morning the Oilers face another opportunity missed and it reflects poorly on management."
ReplyDeleteWhen you write stuff like this you become the boy who cried wolf.
Save your gripes for something legit.
Meanwhile, apparently this saga is still going on.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree LT .... big opportunity missed to attach a young audience to your "brand" ... winning is always the best option ... and after their start they had an opportunity to take advantage of both. The town bleeds Oil but it's important to attach these young players to the community in a Smyth/Pisani/Gretz way .... for a lot of these guys are our "sons' ... for the rest these guys are heroes. So play it up!!
ReplyDeleteIronic that it took a 19 year old player using Twitter to basically make the "announcement".
(OT LT - VFS has become my new fulltime home .... if it's still in the cards for your family he'll be sick of me by term 2 ...)
nanaimo oil,
ReplyDeletePull your head out of your ass.
You don't have to agree with LT, but you need to respect him for all the effort he puts into making this the best Blog in hockey.
We gotta quit looking for ways to be negative.
ReplyDeleteRumour has it the Spaniards were hell bent in the quest to reverse negativity a few hundred years ago in every bright and unblighted corner of the New World.
This is typical of TJ these days:
But the most unlikely of assists came this day from Dr. No. The infamous Tony Catarina, the against-everything councillor who improved the deal with some non-deal killing amendments, including a guarantee from Katz to put $30 million of the $100 million he's promised into the downtown development prior to construction of the arena.
Maybe Catarina was being a typical politician, or maybe he was trying all along to get a better deal for the city and unlikely assist is how TJ paints refusal to show belly in the preamble to extracting a valuable concession. TJ is clearly willing to paint people black then pat them on the head for coming around. If I were Tambi I would be saying to myself "why deprive the man of the only thing in life he truly enjoys?" I don't like being rag-dolled by a black tongue. There's an undertone in how this was worded that a man is what the media makes him.
To be fair, it's pretty hard to write about our white knuckle voyage right now. Trusty negatives are on hiatus, supplanted by a sugary asterisk crumble.
If I were Tambi, I would be thinking a lot more (in the darkest privacy of my own mind) about the Calder than about the Colorado glad hand. What RNH has that Hall lacked in the 82 game race is an established wonderkind confrere.
Why pat him on the arse for the first down reception when he's burst out of the starting blocks like a child possessed? A lot can still go wrong, but one of them doesn't need to be adjusting your sights downward with hasty congratulations.
Does this team need a little PR bonbon right now? They've been sending shock waves through the evening sportscasts as one of the great sadsack meteors of all time. A win tonight and that old sadsack will turn to soot replaced by a barrel of boiling under, though I suspect flying a mile high is more likely to carmelize our crisp.
Tencer on Twitter:
ReplyDeleteThere you go. That's official confirmation, courtesy of the agency that represents Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. He's staying.
I didn't expect for the team to hold a parade or anything, just would have been nice if, you know, the GM or the Coach could have said it first.
....Yay!
ReplyDeleteLooks like Landeskog is staying up as well. It will be nice to see what he looks like at the NHL level tonight.
ReplyDeleteOilers lines ( I hope):
ReplyDeletekid line
horc line
Petrell-Belanger-Gagner
MPS-Lander-Omark
Let the kids run wild!!! When Renney goes to 3 lines trying to protec/blow a lead he moves Lander up for Gagner and you go from there
So all this hot air was for nothing.
ReplyDeletePetry has been recalled, per Oilers Twitter.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that he goes in for Peckham, maybe not tonight, but next game for sure.
+1 this
ReplyDeleteDBO said
"Oilers lines ( I hope):
kid line
horc line
Petrell-Belanger-Gagner
MPS-Lander-Omark
Let the kids run wild!!! When Renney goes to 3 lines trying to protec/blow a lead he moves Lander up for Gagner and you go from there"
Lt, you are starting to sound more and more like all of the other MSM types.
ReplyDeleteSorry, he's had less time to come up with insightful posts since learning that he was required, as a real fan, to watch every nanosecond of every game, often multiple times using the TiVo.
(Tell me, as a true aficionado of moronic internet commentary, do you read every single comment on every single YouTube video?)
Here's a good question (given the recall of Petry): if the Oilers stay moderately competitive for the next month, what do you do with Peckham? The guy is still young so ideally you'd want him to be playing and developing. However, he's getting killed in the NHL right now and he'd have to clear waivers to go down to the AHL.
ReplyDeleteThis seems to be a real test of management's decision-making right now.
However, he's getting killed in the NHL right now and he'd have to clear waivers to go down to the AHL.
ReplyDeleteIf a guy has reached the point of waiver eligibility and is still getting killed in the NHL, as a general rule I think you should risk waivers.
Peckham's sort of a special case, in that he was at least half-way competent, by the standards of a young defenceman, last year. He was never as good as he was reputed to be, but he certainly wasn't the disaster we've seen this year. I think you rotate him and Barker in and out of the schedule (unless you acquire another Actual NHL Defenceman, whereupon you see if you can get anything for Peckham on the trade market).
You keep Peckham on the roster. He'd get snatched up in a second I think.
ReplyDeleteHis fitness looks off imo, just looks heavier around his face. Maybe that contributed to his slow start, maybe the fact that he had to play on the right side.
A few bad games, then he sits, his confidence is probably shaken a bit.
He's still the only real ruffian we have back there who is young until we see what we have in Teubert.
Also as someone who has been in these parts since the beginning let me say that some of you folks had better show a bit of respect here. LT doesn't post for page hits or to stir up controversy or to try and make mountains of molehills. He says what he believes first and foremost and it comes from a good heart and a good mind. Its one thing to disagree with him, that's totally cool but all of you guys coming in here and sniping at him better take a step back and think about apologizing. Your man is a gentleman and deserves only respect, nothing less.
Betting we find out tonight that as the team sat on the tarmac readying to taxi out for takeoff, Lowe, Tambellini and Renney walked slowly down the aisle towards the Nooge, stopped at his row and said, "you need to head to the front young man...you're flying this plane."
ReplyDeleteEither that or they lined an equipment bag with straw at the front of the plane, where The Nooge slept peacefully while whacks of frankincense and myrrh were laid near his little pink feet.
Cabbiesmacker: I don't like you, but that was funny.
ReplyDeleteIn the midst of all the hullabaloo, Joanne Ireland has tagged her game report with a footer proclaiming Whitney out 3 more weeks while recovering from a sprained knee.
ReplyDeleteI'm really starting to feel for the guy.
I'm leaning towards LT on this one.
ReplyDeleteYes, while the Oilers are engaged in a team sport and the team is more important than any one individual, their primary function is providing entertainment. For a team criticized of PR issues, this is yet another to tack to the list.
However, I agree with Dennis too, that as far as egregious errors go, this one is pretty far down the list.
But it was nearly worth it, to witness the petulance of the MSM in their replies. I wonder if the decades-long romance between the Oilers and their Local Media is finally on the rocks.
Physical, Scrapping D-men like Peckham are overvalued by NHL GMs. See Komisarek, Mike. His value might be more than you think.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I'd give him a couple more weeks before considering demotion or trade. Dithers will surely give him the rest of the season to get his game back. He was a slow starter / strong finsher last year was he not?
Keep a rotation going for the bottom pairing. It's nice to have the luxury of a little internal competition for playing time.
The Vancouver Sun has an article on RNH staying, as of 40 seconds ago...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Ryan+Nugent+Hopkins+sticking+with+Edmonton+Oilers/5623951/story.html
spOILer: If it is, then (a) what fabulous irony that the MSM finally learns to be critical once the team starts doing the important things right, and (b) Perhaps this will mean less kowtowing and more legitimate questioning when poor decisions are made. The media does have a role to play in holding management accountable and I suppose it has to start somewhere, even if it's over an issue as petty as this.
ReplyDeleteI do see the point about this being a bungle from a PR perspective. I suspect the reason for delaying the decision/announcement so long was that Renney didn't want any of his players taking their positions or their success for granted, but surely these people know the basic lesson of PR that if you don't control the story, someone else is going to do it and the spin won't always be what you want it to be. Mgmt definitely still has some way to go in learning to handle the press/relate to their fans.
One thing I love about seeing hockey in a failing market such as Phoenix, is they don't take their fans for granted and they work their asses off to create a connection. The Canadian teams, Oilers and others, seem to have decided that their fans will be behind them no matter what and as such feel little obligation to consider the fan perspective. Which is a problem.
Cactus said...
ReplyDeleteHere's a good question (given the recall of Petry): if the Oilers stay moderately competitive for the next month, what do you do with Peckham?
You appoint him the new manservant for the Huge line. Carrying their equipment bags, fetching pizza and slurpees at all hours of the day, and changing out NHL 11 for Call of Duty.
"Steve Smith" said...
ReplyDeleteCabbiesmacker: I don't like you, but that was funny
Although I can't imagine why Steve...thanks.
govednar owns the convenience store down the street from me
In the midst of all the hullabaloo, Joanne Ireland has tagged her game report with a footer proclaiming Whitney out 3 more weeks while recovering from a sprained knee.
ReplyDeleteHeard a radio ad for a Ford dealership stating that their trucks were "as tough as Ryan Whitney".
There's a broken down and unreliable joke in there, for anyone who gives a shit about Ford.
Icecastles... Yup I pretty much agree. Hopefully we'll see the changes you describe. But I'm not puttin any money on it, lol.
ReplyDeleteRyan Whitney took to Twitter soon after it was made official: “The Nuge is staying in NHL huh? What a shocker. In other news, sky is blue, grass is green and it's going to be cold in Edmonton in January.”
ReplyDeleteYeah. And Ryan Whitney is injured again. Sky is blue, grass is green and it's going to be cold in Edmonton in January.
Of course the Oilers blew a potentially nice PR move for their paying customers.
ReplyDeleteFire Allan Watt!!!
Oh wait....
I like the Oilers did not make this PR photo op. These are times that it should just be the team. I am glad the Nuge is staying and was not surprised he did. What happens nest year when the number 1 Oiler pick gets returned ... these are times where you don't want to have the drama. If I recall correctly there was this player named Robbie... Bobbie... no it was Robbie the fans and great unwashed were screaming for him to have his shot... see how that panned out.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if Teddy has lost confidence or if he has too much of it. A season in the bigs may have him too sure of himself.
ReplyDeleteThere was a play last night where the surprising Potter was calmly treading water in his own zone with the puck as the Capitals buzzed the neutral zone in front of him. Peckham was banging his stick on the ice like crazy to get the cross ice pass, which he got from Potter.
Peckham didn't seem lacking any confidence in demanding the puck from someone who had put him in the press box. Peckham may find himself with the right puck moving partner, but only if he knows his role and accepts it.
I think photo op day with RNH was draft day. It really seems like a non story to me. Maybe they should have had a half hour show and called it 'The Decision'.
ReplyDeleteWe have heard a lot of good stories about how the team is communication with its minor league players. As fans, we are getting probably the most invasive look at the team through Oil Change that any NHL fan has ever had.
However RNH found ot - it was a special moment even if there were no whistles and bells or glitter.
A somewhat unsettling story regarding Seguin for Bruins fans.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember that coming up before the draft.
butshell - summary of that leaked Scarlett photo
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I think it was the right thing to do not to make a big deal about Nugent-Hopkins staying.
ReplyDeleteIn this case, the 23 players in the room and team are more important than PR.
Plus, the "team" just beat the last undefeated team in the NHL. That was the story that should be celebrated yesterday and today.
The individual should be publicly celebrated at the draft, first goal, first hat trick, first all-star selection, and a post-season award, not for playing 10 games.
Nugent-Hopkins is going to get attention for all sorts of things. Making up silly things like celebrating his 10th game, which is meaningless, since he still can be sent down, IMHO, is silly.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhat to do with Peckham. One doesn't have to do anything with Peckham.
ReplyDeleteHe is the 7th D.
If he can be used in a trade to get a better D, that's fine.
If Whitney, or somebody else is hurt, Petry comes up from OKC and plays ahead of Peckham. Petry is not going to be the press box defenseman for any length of time this year. When he's up he's playing, or else he's playing in OKC.
Sutton and Barker may not (will likely not) be back next year, so Teubert and Peckham will sort of be competing for the 6th and 7th spots next year.
Don't you hate it when you can't open your Christmas presents before the 25th of December.
ReplyDeleteIf that holiday had any sense at all we could open our presents on the 1st or 2nd.
At least let us peek, re-wrap the gifts, and act surprised when the 25th finally rolls around.
It's just Christmas being Christmas.
Jeez.
Agreed Godot10,
ReplyDeleteTeddy is just turning 24, has good speed and toughness and will eventually evolve into a useful 5/6. It doesn't cost much to keep him around.
PNX traded a 4th for center Cal O'Reilly from NAS. Your move, Mr Turris.
The way I've seen it, theNuge made the announcement himself. By the time the first Canucks game was over, anyone with a hockey clue could see this kid was staying all year. There was no lost PR here. There was no move to make. Are Jones, Ireland and all the rest of the Oilers beat writers that stunned that they need Tambo, Lowe or Renney to tell them that theNuge is playing in game #10? I sure didn't. I just had to watch him play against real NHL competition.
ReplyDeleteOn top of that, didn't we all just find out that last year, Hall knew after his fourth game that he was staying. Yet, he kept the media guessing right up until game #10.
This is not a story. It was only a story if they sent him down.
I'm pleased Petry got the call today, and this should be the last he sees of the minors. Oilers have had a good start and with Whitney's injuries we can start to think about life without him.
ReplyDeleteI think Petry is better than a few guys who are hanging around on blue.
@Ducey
ReplyDeletePeckham has good speed? I must have missed something along the way.
Peckham has good speed? I must have missed something along the way.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe I did. I thought it was generally accepted he had good straight away speed. He just turns like an ocean liner at times.
I think Petry is better than a few guys who are hanging around on blue.
ReplyDeleteSo with the emergence of 44 the RH depth chart looks like:
Gilbert
Potter
Petry
The LH looks like:
Whitney
Smid
Sutton
Barker
Peckham
We always talked about adding a RH D, but looking at that talent list, is adding a LH a better idea?
We know from Dreger and McKenzie that v3.2 has feelers out.
Which flavor should he pick?
I like all three of those RHers, and Sutton certainly has played well in 10 games. Whitney is a guy you want to count on but he's been hurt a lot.
ReplyDeleteSo LH is Whitney, Smid and Sutton. That's fine save for the injuries. And I think Peckham can recover but he's off the rails.
@ Woodguy
ReplyDeleteFunny, we were all screaming for RH D and said the left was ok, now the tables of turned.
I still think the team needs 2 D man. Either 2 LH or 1 RH and 1 LH
It's my feeling that LT has sounded a few uncharacteristic off notes recently. There is this one, and the hand-wringing about our scoring statistic while Omark sits. Not that sounding off notes hasn't been with us for a long time (we're all human), but previously it was All About Smid, rather than a monorail of stray cats traversing the garden fence.
ReplyDeleteThe feeling caused me to go back and review reasonable expectations for the 2011 forwards. A careful weighing of individual elements has gone to hell in a fine hand-crafted basket in just nine games.
LT loves lists and lists are the premium tool of breakdown analysis. It adds a dose of maturity to the cookie batter (rhymes with kookie blather). More often than not, it's a fine way to proceed. Where it breaks down is dynamic factors. This is the domain where you're sometimes better off to employ scenario analysis.
My squeeze took a graduate course in scenario analysis, and I dipped into most of her texts. One of the main ones centered around Adam Kahane (based in Montreal) and his involvement in the The Mont Fleur Scenario Exercise.
The text might have been Conspiracy of Heretics describe it this way:
"Membership" is a tricky word at GBN; there is no initiation ritual. One simply gets more and more tangled in its swirling mists.
A pinnacle above the clouds of affiliative obfuscation was the scenario planning conducted around the post-Apartheid transition in South Africa. The author of the above link is one of those people with great determination to rub the legends off his key caps without completing a sentence, so I'll excerpt slightly larger chunks of the Woolf-man than I would normally.
(cut and paste pre-game stretch)
(and the whistle blows)
ReplyDeleteThe Ostrich Scenario
If the white power structure just stuck its head in the sand - did not face the world economic and political isolation, did not deal with internal black unrest except by repression, and did not conduct negotiations with the majority - the result would be massive internal resistance, international condemnation, violence, flight of capital and skills, and economic deterioration. Then things would get really ugly.
The Lame Duck Scenario
If negotiations did occur, but the result was a grudging transition to the new, in tiny steps and dragged out indefinitely, the country would be marked by indecision, lack of confidence, lowest-common-denominator waffling, uncertainty, and a resultant lack of outside capital infusions to either turn the economy around or solve social problems. Nobody would be truly satisfied.
The Icarus Scenario (fly now, crash later)
Suppose negotiations occurred, and the transition to the new was rapid and decisive, but the result was a populist government that went on a huge spending spree to try to cure all the problems of generations overnight ...
The Flight of the Flamingos Scenario
Flamingos take off slowly, but fly high and together. In this scenario, negotiations and a quick transition lead to effective, sustainable, clean, inclusive government, generating the economic growth that allows social problems to be addressed. Everyone lives happily ever after.
I've read accounts that these scenarios were discussed with various leadership groups in South Africa, and that they got to thinking "some of those ugly scenarios sound exactly like how the guy in the mirror is playing his part".
Kahane tweeted from such a conference (this was before the TL;DR concision limit):
We're in Flamingos now. Icarus is still a danger -- but one that is present in everyone's mind, and is therefore less likely to occur. Lame Duck is also less likely for the same reason. Ostrich is past now.
Ostrich Scenario: EIG in Northlands.
Lame Duck: Is it just me?
Icarus: Welcome to Kamloops.
Flight of the Flamingos: Potter, Petrell, Petry. Tambi discovers the letter P.
Here's Tambi wanting to teach defense first all along and finally he has some credibility in the W/L column, he's not going to start painting his Zeros with Red Circles of Suicide.
When the Flamingo stumbles, as surely it will, there will be plenty of season remaining to fly those sorties.
Yeah, it's hell on reasonable expectations, but nobody wanted what reason procured so the lack of normative recourse is hardly surprising while the party lasts.
I'm as surprised as anyone by the introductory skit Khabi Gets His Groove Back. Sure makes the team look different. What doesn't surprise me (from the dynamic perspective) is the collateral damage to our wardrobe of hair shirts.
Gregor tweets...
ReplyDeleteFor those wondering about Hemsky...He will go on road trip next week...long trip and expects to play sometime on trip. Likely in 2nd week.
DMW
ReplyDeleteCan you change your handle to A pinnacle above the clouds of affiliative obfuscation as it seems to describe your style very well (or at least take it up as a motto).
BTW people. 10 games in. Let's talk more about personnel and where they are moving at the 30 game mark.
(I'll go back to radio silence now)
Transcription error, something went missing, bench minor for a bad metacharacter.
ReplyDeleteThe text might have been Solving Tough Problems: An Open Way of Talking, Listening, and Creating New Realities.
Conspiracy of Heretics describes it this way ...
Go-Go FlaminGos!
ReplyDeleteIcarus, Icarus, wherefore are thou?
ReplyDeleteDeadman - you made the 'fatal' mistake of mentioning monorails early on in your post. If you ever watched the Simpsons you would understand how impossible it is for humans to stop thinking 'monorail, monorail' once you mention it. The rest of your post becomes wholly irrelevant because of it.
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading your article all I could think about was how hanging (suspended) monorails are easier to build and cheaper to operate because their is no need to use the rail to keep the monorail cars vertical - gravity does it for you. Then I thought about the fact that the longest suspended monorail in the world is in Germany and is about 13km long. Then I thought about how one of the key shortcomings of monorails is the lack of emergency walking paths in cases of system failure. Then I was done your article and had not comprehended a word because I was thinking 'monorail...'
Well there goes my Friday
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF_yLodI1CQ
Kind of annoying how the hockey games keep getting shunted off to some channel that you have to specifically ask to be added to your cable package and you know you'll never watch for anything else.
ReplyDeleteChris - you get these games with the basic sports pack (I think)
ReplyDeleteSpector tweets that Omark sits again. Nice reflection of depth but he's better than some of these guys who'll play. Suspect he'll have to wait until an L.
ReplyDeletePetry scratched too.
ReplyDeleteWait that's the HD version of the channel...the normal one is just stuck so far out beyond anything else that works...
ReplyDeleteI believe it's 302.
ReplyDeletebaralach: I got nothing.
Belanger-Paajarvi-Gagner has a little jump tonight, 89 appears to be picking things up.
ReplyDeleteWatching the Colorado feed. These guys are kinda annoying, but no more so than the SN guys so far.
ReplyDeleteSomething that nobody's mentioned that may have some bearing on why the RNH decision wasn't made public until the last moment, is contractual obligations?
ReplyDeleteIf a team made a verbal aannouncement that RNH was staying, and he was injured before the 9 game limit, it would probably be a legal risk that could have significant cap , payroll and entry level ramifications.
RNH, and more specifically his agent would likely have legal grounds to expect a major league salary based on the verbal assurances of the Oilers.
Without that verbal confirmation, EDM are able to return RNH until he starts game 10.
For a #1 pick that's serious dollars and serious free agency consequences to consider.
Lander just took a shift for RNH.
ReplyDeleteNicely done by Dubnyk there, but the Av winger didn't make too much of that chance.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shift by Eager. Goodness.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Eager must be playing with blinders on. Terrible play by 55.
ReplyDeleteBelanger line with some pep.
I may be jaded via working as an adman, but the most annoying thing about the NHL Gamecenter online, is broadcasts don't show commercials, just dead air during breaks.
ReplyDeleteLT, did you get my email yesterday?
ReplyDeleteDanny: Yeah, I sent a message to blogger. Based on previous experience, I think we're screwed. :-)
ReplyDeleteGagner is having a nice period.
ReplyDeleteI'll keep trying in the meantime. I had a full XML from early October,but it's completely disappeared.
ReplyDeleteWe'll get it. Somehow.
Man Eager can skate.
Hejduk the graybeard.
ReplyDeleteI remember when COL were breaking in a couple young guns, Hejduk and Forsberg. I was happy though, as EDM had a couple guys with strong NHL beginnings in David Oliver and Rem Murray. Heh.
Nice reaction save, Dubber.
ReplyDeleteDanny
ReplyDeleteYou give lawyers way too much credit. RNH has been one of our 5 best players
Do not remember who got the stick up on Lowetide earlier today but my wife will punch your lights out. If for any reason (including your insulting LT ) Lowetide quits blogging, I will end up spending 1 - 1 1/2 more hours a day with my wife.
It could get ugly as she goes Rambo on you!
Quick non-Oilers question:
ReplyDeleteAs a Chicago-based Oilers fan, do you guys really refer to Edmonton as "Yeg"?
I've been seeing this around a lot more lately...
Rick: I think it's a twitter thing. YEG is to Edmonton as ORD is to Chicago, but it's become a big deal lately because of twitter.
ReplyDeleteI think.
YEG is the airport code for Edmonton.
ReplyDeleteTOJ, not sure how I'm giving Lawyers credit, seems like a pretty standard thing, and I'm not sure how RNHs play matters to that scenario either.
ReplyDeleteAh, Twitter. "Edmonton" certainly would take up more characters. :)
ReplyDeleteI doubt "ORD" would catch on here, since it's probably more famous for a shopping mall than O'Hare airport.
Uh? I don't like complaining about officiating but WTF was that? I thought that was a nice defensive play by the much maligned Cam Barker. No?
ReplyDeleteDid anyone notice that on that last offensive zone faceoff, Gagner was taking it originally and only when he was waved off did Belanger come in? That's an interesting decision.
ReplyDeleteSmid may have impaled himself.
ReplyDeleteWeak call against Barker there.
ReplyDeleteRemember David Aebischer?
He was here in St Johns as an AHL backup last week.
Derek: it's a borderline call, but given some of the hooking and grabbing that they haven't been calling, that shouldn't be a penalty.
ReplyDeleteHoly shit.
ReplyDeleteCactus, I wonded about that as well, but think its a situation where Gagner can cheat until he's tossed or wins, and Belanger is the safety.
ReplyDeleteLT: Smid was definately the kid who got his stick stuck in the boards and ran into it every other game.
ReplyDeleteNice little play by Mr. Barker there again.
Barker actually shows a flash of brilliance there. Maybe that will go a ways towards building the guys confidence back up.
ReplyDeleteThat Barker goal was a beauty. really nice hands there.
ReplyDeleteNice play Barker. Maybe there's hope for this guy yet.
ReplyDeleteWe'll be right back after this commercial break.
ReplyDeleteArgh.
Danny
ReplyDeleteRNH's contract will say whatever his contract says. Fully expect it has a whole contract clause. If so, oral representations that he will stay are irrelevant if they contradict the terms of the contract.
That does not prevent the argument, it just prevents a successful argument
The heavy lifting line has looked tired most of the night. Shutting down the best offensive team in the league the night previous will do that to ya.
ReplyDeleteTOJ, I don't think that's entirely accurate because theres legalities about demoting injured players etc.
ReplyDeleteIf RNH broke his femur in game 8, edmonton are probably within their contractual rights to return him to junior. If they made verbal agreements publicly to te contrary, they most likely would at least be exposed to litigation, and on the hook for a 3.5 million contract.
Well, there's our secondary scoring I guess. Weird sources.
ReplyDeleteThe Steve Tambellini is a genius rock and roll tour playing in Denver tonight.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure Khabbibulan is the lead singer whom has just wandered back out of Rehab, leading the Steve Tambellini is a Genius Rock and Roll Tour.
ReplyDeleteI keep waiting for the Monty Python foot to come out of the clouds and squash the whole season.This is unreal.
ReplyDeleteLink to a stream?
ReplyDeleteNot yet, I think that's the encore.
ReplyDeleteLLLLLENNNNAAARRRRTTT is having a dandy game.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.firstrowsports.tv/watch/88679/1/watch-colorado-avalanche-vs-edmonton-oilers.html
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gerta.
ReplyDeletePeckham has conditioninjg issues. It couldn't be more obvious.
ReplyDeleteturns out Renney isn't telling the media what the lines will be next game.
ReplyDeleteTotal bullshit!
I understand he has some time but I demand to know ahead of time.
This looks bad on management.
Missed opportunity to link the fans who really matter, right?
Damn this team!
I will never trust the braintrust and old boys club.
Peckham is taking this whole Teddy Peckman thing a bit too seriously. He's trying to play himself into shape like in the 70s.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they are going to call that a head hit.
ReplyDeleteEh. That looks like the second headshot candidate in as many games for Sutton.
ReplyDeleteI know Sutton's tall and it's hard, but that's a headshot. He's got to watch that.
ReplyDelete@Derek
ReplyDeleteAre you an expert?
Max: an expert in what? Watching one player's arms and shoulders impact the head of another?
ReplyDeleteWell no one here is an expert, but that did look like a head hit.
ReplyDeleteOilers are getting into penalty trouble.
@Lowetide
ReplyDeleteI was referring to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmVdVJ1sRJI
I'm saying I saw it, I'm an expert.
ReplyDeleteWatching on pvr and am way behind, but Barker just scored and it was crazy - the look of his face after the goal said 'monorail' - it was like he could care less about it. I think his hockey soul is dead. He has been looking better , but he. Might just need a heart transplant.
ReplyDeleteHaha, I knew what you were getting at Max.
ReplyDeleteFFS
Back to the doghouse Cam Barker, do not pass go, do not collect 100 dollars.
Max: Oh, lol. Classic. I hadn't seen that. Terrific video.
ReplyDeleteHorcoff puts them up 2 again. Man this team has some balls.
Damn Theo...what's wrong with you this year?
ReplyDeleteThankful for the vets tonight.
Dubnyk was on a wild safari adventure there.
ReplyDeleteMax: that's hilarious. A+
ReplyDeleteHorcoff is earning every penny of his contract this year, and then some.
ReplyDeleteCrazy the They Might Be Giants lines is fizzling tonight but the depth players are winning the game for us. Although this game we seem to be running on goaltending, fumes and momentum.
ReplyDeleteOh boy, that could change everything.
ReplyDeletePRV needs to dump it down low to 94 and head to the net there. Bad shot.
ReplyDeleteSmyth. The best and worst of Ethan Moreau ten games at a time.
ReplyDeleteThis team really needs some practice in scoring on the empty net. That should be on the docket for the next practice.
ReplyDeleteOuch. 1 strike away from a world series, twice in 2 innings, and lose the whole thing in convincing fashion.
ReplyDelete2006 anyone
Well, this is much more fun than that crap we've been doing for 2 years.
ReplyDeleteWTF sportsnet... Third Star is Landeskog, he with 12:00+ of ice time on the night. And they write it on there like it's an accomplishment for him.
ReplyDeleteI almost feel guilty for scoring a goal immediately after they score. It's something that should happen to us. Not FOR us. Right? Bizarre.
ReplyDeleteOh I see, 12min ES, 18:00 total. That sounds more accurate. Sportsnet only put his ES time up on there.
ReplyDeleteWell the Oilers have had some nice runs over these last seasons, but the PK, SP, and Dennis' scoring chances have been very good over this period (save for the last two games).
ReplyDeleteI suspect there will be a market correction, but man this is a fun business.
EDM are currently #2 in the Weston goal differential. One behind LA.
ReplyDeleteYeah it's not like the superficial quick starts from the past couple seasons. We saw the cards stacking against us and cringed at what lay ahead.
ReplyDeleteThis year they're off to a huge start, and they are full marks for every point.
Only question is can the defense and goaltending sustain.
Are you an expert?
ReplyDeleteWell, pretty much everyone over 2 years of age is an expert at identifying an elbow as a body part and as such, I am an expert!
Danny
ReplyDeleteIf there is a whole contract clause you could promise him the world. Nada. The terms of the contract would govern. You can thank Peter Pocklingon for fleshing out that area of the law
Everybody is doing their job but we are getting damn fine goaltending
Take a look at this: Oilers are #1 in the Western Conference!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?type=con#&navid=nav-stn-conf
@ Danny
ReplyDeleteThe SOG were 41-19.
Are you really thinking that is sustainable?
Oh. Also.
ReplyDeleteEDM are tied for 1st I the west, and 2nd in the NHL.
Hockey gods can be cruel.
LOL! Oilers 2nd in the conference, and Flames 2nd from last.
ReplyDeleteIf even for one night, this ray of sunshine after 2+ years of darkness is pretty sweet.
Dubnyk was fabulous tonight and amazingly calm. Had this locked down from the start.
ReplyDeletePotter owns. Goalies are mvps. I see know way this doesn't continue all season...
ReplyDeleteAnyways, the way Renney has the team playing it kind of feels like the way Mac-T had the team playing in the 06 run. (although the team isn't near as good as that one was)
They seem to play hard, play for eachother, score timely goals, and have goalies stand on their heads.
Been a fun run for a fanbase that hasn't had much to cheer about.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteNice to see Ryan Smyth, chasing the kids.
ReplyDeleteSwarmy Boss - I agree, there are some things that are unsustainable - like record breaking goaltending. However, some other things like zero 3rd and 4th line scoring are also unsustainble. Maybe it balances out to a team that makes the playoffs.
ReplyDeleteThe 06 team not great during the regular season and rode some amazing goaltending and effort in the playoffs.
I think this team is pretty much as good as that team was, butI don't suspect that they will have everything come together perfectly as that team did.
This team is nowhere near as good as the 2006 squad.
ReplyDeleteBarker with the goal of the season so far - world class.
ReplyDeleteThis team is nowhere near as good as the 2006 squad.
ReplyDeleteThe 2006 squad barely made the playoffs - are you suggesting that this team has no chance to make the playoffs?
Have you looked at who was on the 2006 squad? It is not an impressive lineup. They added some key players at the deadline and they got incredibly hot (with lots of players playing the best hockey of their career in the playoffs), but it was not really an outstanding team.
That 2006 team was quality save for the goaltending. The Oilers finished 8th because Kevin Lowe waited until deep into the season in order to address goaltending.
ReplyDeleteTHAT team was splendid. THIS team is building.
They are not similar.
Most impressive 2006 playoff game in 2006 - Game 6 in the finals.
ReplyDeleteMost impressive thing about the 2011-12 Oilers - They're outworking, out checking, and out positioning every opponent.
They're similar, take Cam Barker - 3rd or 4th overall pick, washed up, joins the team on a flyer and delivers a dynamite goal.
Everyone too stunned to comment first about how incredible this team is.
Renney - Jack Adams trophy.
ReplyDeleteHorcoff - Masterson trophy.
RNH - Calder trophy.
Hall - All Star.
Eberle - All Star.
2006 Oilers sorted by TOI in the playoffs.
ReplyDeleteRemember this is almost 6 years ago, a lot of these guys were in the prime of their careers.
Chris Pronger 30:57:00
Jaroslav Spacek 25:52:00
Jason Smith 22:28:00
Shawn Horcoff 21:37:00
Steve Staios 21:31:00
Ryan Smyth 21:27:00
Michael Peca 19:05:00
Fernando Pisani 17:11:00
Jarret Stoll 17:05:00
Ales Hemsky 16:05:00
Marc-Andre Bergeron 14:55:00
Ethan Moreau 14:35:00
Sergei Samsonov 14:30:00
Dick Tarnstrom 13:59:00
Radek Dvorak 13:28:00
Raffi Torres 13:14:00
Matt Greene 10:03:00
Brad Winchester 09:13:00
Rem Murray 08:37:00
Todd Harvey 07:56:00
Toby Petersen 06:22:00
Georges Laraque 05:31:00
A collection of good hockey players there.
Here's all 30 NHL teams with shot differential per game.
ReplyDeleteThis stat isn't the end all be all due to scoring effects (teams that are behind, especially by 1 goal, tend to get more shots), but it is telling about certain aspects of a team.
The Oilers have had a lead often, so its skewed, but it is eye opening to some extent:
SAN JOSE 11.9 (this is ridiculous)
DETROIT 8
MONTREAL 6.9
VANCOUVER 6.5
PHILADELPHIA 6.3
ST LOUIS 5.6
CHICAGO 4.5
BOSTON 4
PITTSBURGH 3.3
COLORADO 1.2
PHOENIX 1.1
WINNIPEG -0.4
WASHINGTON -0.5
OTTAWA -0.8
BUFFALO -1.6
LOS ANGELES -1.8
ANAHEIM -1.8
CAROLINA -2.4
TAMPA BAY -2.4
COLUMBUS 2.6
MINNESOTA -3.1
CALGARY -3.2
TORONTO -3.7
NEW JERSEY -4
FLORIDA -4.2
NY ISLANDERS -4.2
EDMONTON -4.3
DALLAS -5.7
NY RANGERS -9
NASHVILLE -11.5
For comparison sake, here is the 30 NHL teams from last year, listed by points in the total regular season.
ReplyDeleteNext to their name is shot differential per game.
VANCOUVER 1.9
WASHINGTON 2.3
PITTSBURGH 2.8
PHILADELPHIA 1.7
SAN JOSE 5.6
DETROIT 2.9
TAMPA BAY 3.1
BOSTON 0.2
ANAHEIM -3.8
NASHVILLE -1.8
PHOENIX -2.3
LOS ANGELES 0.9
CHICAGO 3.5
MONTREAL 0.7
BUFFALO 2.1
DALLAS -2.8
CALGARY 2
NY RANGERS 0.5
CAROLINA -2.5
ST LOUIS 2.5
MINNESOTA -5.8
TORONTO -2.2
NEW JERSEY 2.4
COLUMBUS 0.8
ATLANTA -0.7
OTTAWA -2.2
NY ISLANDERS -2.6
FLORIDA -1.4
COLORADO -2.6
EDMONTON -5
WG: I would like to see the splits and see the shot differential per period.
ReplyDeleteThe Oilers have led at one point in all of their games this year have they not?
I think the last 3 games have probably really hurt that number as well.
WG: I would like to see the splits and see the shot differential per period.
ReplyDeleteGood thought.
Dennis has them winning SC battle in the first two periods in most games so far, but getting hammered in the 3rd.
Can't do it right now, but will try later.
also, the 41-19 from last night is qute damning on that result. that averages out to -2.2 per game just from one effort. if you look after game 9 for edmonton it is much different
ReplyDeletesan jose 13.9
Detroit 8,9
montreal 6.9
Vancouver 6.5
philadelphia 6.3
Chicago 5.5
st louis 5.0
Boston 4.0
pittsburgh 3.3
Columbus 2.6
phoenix 1.1
Winnipeg -.3
Washington -.5
Ottawa -.8
Colorado-1.1
Buffalo -1.7
Los Angelos -1.8
Anaheim -1.8
Calgary -2.1
Edmonton -2.3
Tampa Bay -2.4
Carolina -3
Minnesota -3.1
toronto -3.7
New Jersey -4
Florida -4.1
NYI -4.3
Dallas -5.7
NYR -9
Nashville -11.4
The last game really skews the oilers in the negative. Truth is after a few more games they will likely end up somewhere between woodguy's list and this list. 5-7 worst in the league.
seems fair
defur: what i ususually do to the stats now rather than saw him good
eidy,
ReplyDeleteThe fun of small sample sizes eh?
Oilers aren't only beating teams, they're making them look silly.
ReplyDeleteSooner or later an opposition team is going to come out hitting like crazy. That figures to be a big test for the under 25's.
Also it figures they're going to score a lot more goals. Does this mean they get even better?
This is really very nice post, i like your work. thanks for sharing your wonderful memory.
ReplyDelete----------
Franchise Litigation