The Good The Bad and the Ugly

I don't even know what to say about all of this... So I'll start with something pretty to distract you all from the events of today. This is Scarlett-She represents the good. One day soon, we Oiler fans will have something like Scarlett to hope for, perhaps even covet a little. Something with class and skill, grace and charm, something that perhaps entire nations would consider fighting to protect and defend. That day is not today, so please gaze with lustful eyes, hoping and wishing for our future to be as beautiful as she.
Why is it that the GMs like Sutter, Burke, Chiarelli and Lombardi always seem to find ways to get deals done that make their teams better while Nixon and Mr. Dithers just sit on the crapper waiting for something to happen? It is driving me absolutely insane. These kinds of trades, whether they happen off-season, mid-season or at the deadline do things that address both present and future. Peter Chiarelli was able to gain high 1st round draft picks for the next two years, allowing him to stockpile great prospects while still icing a very competitive Bruins squad in the present and helping to keep a strong franchise in Boston for several years to come. On the other side of this deal, Burkie mortgaged the farm on Kessel, yet still managed 2 mid-season deals to gain a franchise defenseman, a good prospect, a great goalie and dump Toskala, Hagman and Jason Blake and their horrible contracts as well as move UFA/RFA types in exchange for a longer term commitment to youth. And he did it on the same day!!!! Regardless of the short term outcome of the Phaneuf, Giguere and Kessel deals, Burke is winning. Lombardi clearly stole Smyth from Col, yet the pieces sent the other way are helping to contribute to the Avs miracle season. This is another form of good, though it is not exactly good for us. They are examples of what good GMs can do in this league to make sure their organizations are able to stay (reasonably) competitive in the short term while providing potential long term stability.
Sutter is the Bad. Down the QE2, Sutter gets a new, solid two-way center for Iggy to play with, some secondary scoring in Hagman, and he rids himself of major salary headache on the D, so he, sadly, is also winning. What did Calgary need? Scoring depth, a lower cap hit, and quality younger vets to help Iggy carry the load. Stajan and Hagman certainly fit the bill-both 20 goal scorers with solid track records of two way play. To be honest, this is now a team that, barring injury to Iggy or Kipper, looks ready for a deep post season run. Sutter was also smart enough to recognize that getting this done well prior to the deadline will allow for the time needed for the newly constructed team to gel, while having the confidence boost of both new blood in the room and their embarrassing win against the Oilers on home ice. In theory, this may actually prevent the standard Calgary first round meltdown. Smart. Sutter is still the bad, however, by virtue of the team he represents.

And now for the Ugly: What have Tambo's trades and any Lowe trade post 2006 done? We're looking at the results of the train wreck. Last. Dead last. The Look on Tambo's face says it all. It would be laughable if it weren't so heartbreaking that half of the guys who write Oilers blogs seem to have a firmer grip on reality then the management group. Willis, of course, had an excellent take on this very issue the other day on one of his billion blogs, while Tyler Dellow gets love from the CBC and could totally be hired by the team to help them not suck. Our management hasn't got a bloody clue, while other franchises in our division, conference and country all seem to find ways to get things done in a market that is supposedly impossible to make non-deadline deals done because of the cap, and yet the Oilers can't do a thing to address glaring needs for the present let alone develop a core for the future that consists of players bigger then 5"10 that can't win faceoffs.

Back to Dean Lombardi for a moment. The pieces he acquired from Edmonton in the Vis trade are also becoming valuable contributions to the Kings success. Matt Greene wears an A on his jersey now and is +4 on the year. Stoll is 15th in the league in FO win%, is stellar on the PK and looks like he'll score 20 goals and 50 points, while sitting at a nice healthy +12, good for 4th best on his team.. Vis has not been completely healthy in either of his two seasons here, and although he is world class, I would still much rather have the other 2 players on this team. These are the kinds of players needed to succeed in a quick rebuild, while the uber-talented but aging Vis, in my humble opinion, is not. LA is proof of that. They look like they have a very good team that could at least make the second round of the second season. Their turnaround from basement to mid-range contender took a total of 3 years. Not bad. Not bad at all. Good management, good drafting and a solid farm system for player development helps a lot. So does acquiring mid priced, mid range vets to address team needs. LA, Chicago, Boston, Anaheim and San Jose will all attest to these points. It seems like Toronto and Calgary are learning a few things from these teams too. However, K-Lowe and Tambo couldn't manage themselves out of a paper bag-like the one I may consider wearing over my head the next time I go to watch the Oilers play.

Something has to give.
Soon.
Please.

Go Oilers

SWS

Are the Oilers becoming America?

About a week ago, BCB and I wandered over to the Copper and Blue to join their round-table discussions. I didn't quite know what to think about the team at this point in the season. Let's be honest, there is just so much trade talk, bitterness and conjecture involving free agency, player movement and unrealizable dreams that actually participating was a challenge. BCB and I took a slightly different approach-politics and a call for revolution. The following post is the extended version of what I wrote at the Copper and Blue:

I have 3 words to describe the ultimate solution to all of this team’s woes.

Shit. The. Bed.

I’m serious. If the Oilers continue to crap out, it is the only real way to send a message to the owner and the management that something really drastic needs to happen to make changes. While Derek (coach Pb) and I have been saying all year that our current GM is effectively Mr. Dithers, also known as Paul Martin, I think it’s time for a different comparison; Gerald Ford. He is simple man put into a position that seems to be a bit over his head. He was ill prepared to deal with the economic crisis, OPEC, or the disengagement from Saigon, yet he did it anyway. Let’s be honest, that portrayal of Ford on the Simpsons said it all. If I remember correctly, it went a little something like this…

Ford-“Say Homer, do you like Football?"

Homer-“Do I ever!!!"

Ford-"Do you like Nachos?"

Homer-"Yes Mr. Ford.”

Ford-"Why don't you come over to my house and watch the game. And we'll have nachos. And later some beer."

Homer-"Wooooo. Jerry, I think you and I are going to get along just fi-"

Both- “D’Oh!!!”

While Tambo looks a bit like a moron, or at the very least a caretaker GM, K-Lowe looks like Nixon to Tambo’s Ford. This may seem a touch far-fetched, but please hear me out. Like Nixon, K-Lowe created an economic disaster in the wake of promises of victory, and like Nixon, K-Lowe retired to the comforts of being a “former president” with all the benefits of having the secret service at his disposal, not to mention a really fat pension paid for by the people without having to take responsibility for the disgrace of the inevitable collapse in the aftermath. Like Nixon, K-Lowe won everything there was to win, and had the reputation for being something of a fierce competitor, incredibly knowledgeable about a great many things, and knew how to really piss off his enemies (USSR=Brian Burke). He tried for peace with honor, and although it netted us one Dustin Penner, it lost the heart and soul of the people.

Nobody looks at Vietnam as a great American triumph, but rather the first war America lost in the defense of an indefensible set of ideals. K-Lowe built a team with little skill, little heart, little grit, and rewarded his people (as has been mentioned in great detail around these parts as of late) on the decline of their careers prime-time contracts for twilight players. 2006 was the Oilers Vietnam, and 2007 was the fallout beginning. Now I know what you're going to say... Shepso, really, 2006 as Vietnam? You better justify this claim or we're going to come to Kingston and kill you... OK, so 2006, the team invades enemy territory and storms in for a series of unlikely victories, much like the Tet offensive in the late 1960s. The rally for glory polarized the people, creating riots and mass violence on the home front regardless of what went down. I was even the victim of brutality during those riots, an innocent designated driver who was viciously clubbed by cops on Whyte ave, much like the innocent students who protested at Kent State. The "good guys" were on the verge of victory, and then tragedy struck. Like the U.S. forces at Danang, when we lost Roli, we lost our heart. Forcing a 7th game and still losing was no better than being swept away in the aftermath. If anything, it just dragged out the agony of defeat even longer, but it gave the people an unrealistic hope for the future and legitimized Lowe's mandate of long term contracts to his people. Then, the wheels began to fall off, first in the form of the treachery of Pronger, (like Vice President Spiro Agnew being forced out due to a corruption scandal), which inevitably led to the greatest catastrophe of them all-Mulletgate! K-Lowe resigned from his presidency to avoid the disgrace of his own personal Watergate (Mulletgate), ushering in a new era of leadership and a salary cap team filled with uncertainty in dangerous economic times.

2008 brought us Gerald Ford Tambellini. He was brought in unsuspectingly to the people to watch over a once proud and mighty people as they fell victim to their own hubris. Under Ford, America lapsed into a period of severe economic recession, not to mention hopelessness and despair. So confused and broken were they that in Ford’s wake they actually elected a peanut farmer (and nuclear physicist) from Georgia named Jimmy Carter who was endorsed by Hunter S. Thompson! Now I love the good Doctor, but really, would any of you vote for anyone backed by HST? I would, but I am also a left leaning academic type, so I clearly shouldn’t be listened to either.

My point is this: desperate times call for desperate measures. The people that have placed the team on this path need to be held accountable for their actions. MacT fell on his sword/got the ax at the right time. The same sort of thing must happen to management if there is any hope for the future of this organization. I could leave a long list of players who need to go, of trades that should be made, of players that need to be acquired in the off season, but I don’t see a point to that. Until a new leader is elected to run the show for a while, none of those speculative things matter.

Now to be fair, I am not suggesting we bring in a simple peanut farmer who is unfit to lead, forcing the eventual rise of the Oilers version of Reagan. No, that would be a seriously bad idea, and as far as I can tell, Slats was a bit like Reagan anyway. The organization is broken and somebody new has to try and fix it. My vote is for Quinn to move upstairs in a move similar to Cliff Fletcher’s role a few years ago with the (ugh) Leafs. Let Quinn finish out his three-year contract building the team he wants to have here. The man is a winner at every level. Give Renney the reigns behind the bench and let OTC have control over the player management. While the rebuild is underway, let the prospects like MPS, Eberle, Omark, Hartikainen and Lander develop in the AHL so that the intense pressure and scrutiny doesn’t kill them. As far as current roster players are concerned, make sure Gagner is re-signed and that Hemsky doesn’t want to leave. All other players can be eliminated. Kill the head and the body will die. It’s time to cut off the head of this organization, French revolution style. We want new leadership. The people have spoken. Lowe and Tambo, it’s time to go. Quinn can nurse the team back to health, restore the honor to our once proud land, and find a real successor to lead us back to glory by 2014. It will take some time, some patience, and some real harsh taxes paid by the fans (in the form of watching truly shitty hockey), but if we are to ever return to our once great heights, we must all suffer together before we can all rise to the top.

Vive L’Oilers! Vive la Revolution!

SWS

Post Game Analysis: The Dynasties First Clash

I watched the single best game all year last night . . . it was a Islanders and Oilers match up.  No, not the current version of these two once proud franchises, but the pivotal game in the changing of the guard, the shift between the last two dynasties the NHL has seen.  It was the first game in the 1984 Stanely Cup Champions Series, and I game that played when I was still technically 2 years old (oh, that is embarrassing).  Needless to say, I don't remember the game per se, but I have been told many things about this series by my father over my life (but I'll include these stories in a latter post about game five).

First, the most recurring thought while I watched this game was not 'will the current Oilers ever be one tenth this good again?', but 'when did they make the head lock illegal in the NHL?'.  I have to say that I really do like the obstruction stick penalties in the post-lockout NHL, but I would be for bringing back some good ol'fashion head locking in the corner or in front of the net.  

Actually the highlight of the entire game, came in the second period, when Bryan Trottier ended up standing alone in the slot.  He had three outstanding chances on Fuhr, including the third in a Randy Gregg head lock (even though I knew the outcome of the game, I still thought the man was going to score, fuck was he good).  That was magic, watching a talent of a generation play through a World Wrestling Federation power move.  More Head Locks = More Excitement.

I never really appreciated the play of Denis Potvin, till last night.  Man, did he have an active stick: a little too active in the first with two stick minors, but between get it in passing lanes and his one hand slashes, it was a terrifyingly beautiful thing to see.  His skating ability really impressed me, as only Coffey was a better skating dman in that game.  But he could carry the puck out of his zone with equal brilliance to his outlet passes.  He skated over the whole surface of the ice, from end to end, and never seemed out of position.  I would rather skate towards the net facing Huddy or Lowe then Potvin (since I am sure I would fear less for my life, against any of the oil drops then big number 5).  If only the current Oilers had a defense men like Potvin . . . oh wait we did, his name was Chris Pronger!

Another Note for the History Buffs:  when did the NHL coaches start matching dmen against forwards?  Al Arbor seemed to have Trottier out against Gretz all night, but the dmen where rotating.  I wonder if the game was played today, if 99 would have seen a minute without Potvin glaring at him and trying to spear him to death.

To the really stars of this game:  Grant Fuhr and Billy Smith.  I was kind of disappointed that the first classic game I choose to watch only had one goal, and none by Bossy, Trottier, the Moose, Kuri, or the Great One.  But to watch that goaltending battle was a sight to see, all by itself.  I don't have a modern day comparison for it, it was really out of this world.  I kinda wish, goaltending hadn't advance so much since them.  The way Fuhr would jump to save the puck with his shoulder, or the kicking splits and glove save (by both goalies), truly mesmerized me all night long.  I don't care if JDD would have 15-0 loses this season (with 14 of those going through his five hole), I'd rather watch this old style of 'tending then the butterfly.

Little other tidbits that deserve mentioning is the excellent penalty killing from Brent Sutter and the checking presence from Dave Hunter.  I will most likely never like Brent Sutter, but other then the give away that cost the Islanders the game, I was really impressed with his nose for the puck all night long.  I know he was only 21 at the time, but this is the prototype veteran centre that Mr. Dithers needs to go and find for the current Oilers.  Also, I always assumed that Dave Hunter was just a goon (especially based on his play that I could actually remember), but I was impressed by his skating ability (I mean he is still a better skater then big Georges Larague or Derek Boogaard and they play in 2010) and his overall positioning and checking was impressive.  If I had an onion on my belt, I would be making Zorg watch some tape of Dave Hunter while standing over his shoulder screaming did you see that.

Well I can't wait to start watching a few of the games where the Boys on the Bus demonstrate their offensive talent, but this games is one truly for the ages.  Actually, I am going to re-watch the second period before I go back to reading Adorno . . . 

BCB and Shepso are moving on up

Hello faithful readers. Just thought I should let y'all know that BCB and I were given the honor and pleasure of being a part of the Copper and Blue's latest round-table. It seemed like the right thing to do at the time and since some of you don't read everything we like, I figured maybe you should pop by there and see what we've been doing lately. It's been an ongoing series of questions posed to some of the best writers on the 'sphere (and me for what ever reason) and makes for a very good read. BCB and I are featured in part II of this series, while part I has some other great writers we like. The link above will take you to both parts.

Our regularly scheduled blog will resume later this week, provided the depression from the continual ineptitude of Oilers does not drive me to suicide.

Go Oilers

SWS

the emperor's new clothes or something else entirely

A fine moment in Canadian Hockey History: Jordan Eberle scores the tying goal in the dying seconds against Russia in the semi-final last year.

I was actually cheering for Russia in that game just cause there is little lamer than beating our chests over a tournament that nobody else in the world really cares about.

But last night, it was versus the USA and there was no such treason.

Nonetheless, after scoring two goals late in the third and being named Tournament MVP, I might be the only one in the city worried about this kid. Now, I'm not worried so much about whether or not his talent is legit, but rather if the Oilers are going to ruin him.

In a city with such love and passion for a game and a team which often only disappoints, I worry that young Jordan here is going to be sacrificed to the eager hockey fans sick of watching another stinker of a performance by our beloved Oilers. Think about it: with the Oilers showing no signs of improvement, and a somewhat impatient fanbase, isn't it quite possible that Oilers management will rush this kid just to get some excitement for a team that isn't exciting at all right now?

Following the loss of Smyth and the slide of '07 that should have taken us into the record books, the drafting of Gagner and the arrival of Cogliano heralded in a new era of rebuilding. With a few slick shootout moves and a record three consecutive OT goals, things were indeed looking up for us. But look at us now. Cogliano is having a terrible year and Gagner is stagnant at best.

Sometimes (even though it's easily understood) I get so mad about the blinders Team Management and some fans have on. Even though it is difficult, we seem to have great trouble trying to look at the organization from the outside and maintain some ounce of objectivity. It should be clear to all by now that in many ways, the Oilers organization is a joke. With over-priced veterans and up against the cap, we languish in last place in the conference. No established star wants to come and play here unless we overpay. We rush our kids into NHL action, play our number one goalies until exhaustion and shrug our shoulders when our team "just doesn't get the bounces."

And while it might possibly be ending, this denial of where our hockey team actually is and how it is to improve (see Detroit, please) is both tragic and pathetic. Let's not mortgage our future just to sell a few extra boxes or tickets. Send Eberle to the minors. Let him develop in time. We're not going to go on a cup run next year anyways, so why hurry? Besides, holding him back would mean he'd be one year further away from Restricted Free Agency and the possibility that he would try and play elsewhere. Let's hope Tambo comes out this summer with dramatically lowered expectations and a stalinesque 5-year plan of sorts.

Merry Christmas: my gift to all the Oiler fans in the Darkness

Hello my fellow Oiler Diaspora,

I have just found a way for us to get through the season of Darkness.  What you say, just focus on the drive for five?  Not quite for me, as much as would love to get Hall (and think it is well within the realm of possibility).  I just cannot watch my beloved Oilers shit themselves each night, and then precede to eat some of it and smear it on their jerseys.  Really that is what happens.

So my solution:  Well my big brother gave me a copy of the Edmonton Oilers 10 Greatest Games for christmas.  What I am going to do is watch one a week, skipping the Olympics, until the season is over.  With fourteen weeks of the season left, and minus the two for the Olympics that is almost one for each week.  I'll continue to read the blogs (and maybe watch the occasional game) just to keep the masochistic addiction know as being an Oiler fan to a weak grumble.  I'll even try and get some more philosophy posts done.  But the main goal is to watch each of the games and give you my thoughts on them.  I can only clearly remember 4 of the games (1990 onward), so it might be a fulfilling experience for all of us.

Go Oilers Go! (please take that anyway you want: either for them to win or lose, but I am not going to cheer for another team.  I maybe masochist but not a fucking turncoat.) 

My Lunch with Bobby: A Gameday Thread

This is Robert Nilsson, a suddenly useful NHL player. Entirely by accident, I was able to have a conversation with him while he was waiting to get his takeout lunch in an Edmonton area restaurant. For the sake of his privacy, as well as my own, I will keep this location a secret. I don't normally key in on single players in my rants, but this was sort of a special and unique situation, much like the drinks I had with Roli 3 years ago.

It was not a very long conversation but he seemed totally happy to chat with a fan. Not much insight was actually revealed in this conversation, but he said he felt far more engaged recently, and that coming off the IR he has more energy, more jump and more focus. It is about having fun playing the game again, and it has shown on the ice since his return. I for one and thankful about this shift in both his game and the boxcar numbers that were making him appear to be a far worse player then he truly is. The most interesting thing about this conversation was the praise he had for a favorite of ours on this site as well as our friends over at The Copper & Blue. Nilsson said he really enjoys playing with Zack "Zorg/Huggybear" Stortini, his big frame and larger then life presence on the ice opening up the space for mini-magic to work with. Although Nilsson has been playing extremely well on the PP as of late, playing at even strength with Zorg has made a huge impact in Bobby's overall numbers as well as helping his defensive game. As a part of what Pat Quinn has dubbed the "Hack/Smack/Whack" line with Zorg and the Blarney Stone, Nilsson has helped to create a situation where the Oilers have a legitimate 4th line energy line again, along the lines of the Zorg/Brodz/Sellout (GlenX) line from a few years back. As much as I would love to see Nilsson getting minutes with Horcoff, as Nilsson is easily in the top 6 most talented forwards on this team, having him play 4th line minutes and PP2 time is truly an ideal situation. Allowing him to get soft parade minutes at even strength where someone with his skill set can really flourish is probably the best strategy Quinn could use to build up the confidence of a player who has been on the bubble all year. I for one hope that Nilsson continues his improved play. Few players have the pure skill he possesses, and he has scored easily three of the most beautiful goals I have ever seen this year alone.

The Hack/Smack/Whack line was broken up for the first couple games of this homestand but has been reunited for tonight's contest against the incredibly talented Washington Capitals. The Caps are a dangerous team with perhaps the most talented player in the league today. They score goals in bunches and have been improving defensively over the last few years. The Oilers have managed to beat the Caps the last few times they have played, including a 5-2 victory last season in Washington. Both teams play a similar game, fast paced, with the D active in the offensive zone, but the Caps have a significant edge in skill. Provided the Oilers don't fall behind early, it should be a fun game to watch-the Oilers will be hungry after two really bad losses, while hopefully the Capitals will be tired after playing last night in Vancouver. Maybe we can catch the giant while it's sleeping.

Go Oilers

SWS