Do you know that feeling where you adore something more than you can even explain? When you can't get your mind off of it. Everywhere you look, there are little things that remind you of it. Just the smallest thought about it can bring the biggest smile to your face. Then you get your hopes up and think maybe luck will be in your favor this time.... and then...Your hopes go crashing down to the ground. You feel sad and broken. It doesn't feel like there is any hope of it changing anytime soon. You try to escape that feeling but everywhere you look, there are those little things that remind you of it. It's inescapable. It's in your mind. You love it. But you hate it. You keep going back for more and only end up sad. You know that feeling?
Yup, hockey season is back in Edmonton.
The Oilers are now just under two weeks into their season and sitting at a record of 1-3-1. Yes, it's only five games in, so it's implausible to make any valid conclusions from their record, but there have been other telling signs about how this season is going to play out. Starting all the way back to their first game against the Winnipeg Jets.
So, read on.
That Familiar Pain
Yes, it has only been five games in the season so we shouldn't all be jumping to conclusions or bailing off the bandwagon just yet, but anyone who has watched this team for the last 8 years can see the signs now. It doesn't make them a fickle fan by losing hope four games in, it makes them realistic.Opening night for the league and the Oilers get the honor of playing one of three games. For the majority of the game, they were amazingly underwhelming. There were of course some bright spots, like Luke Gazdic's first NHL goal. But overall, the team felt very much like their old selves and it was extremely underwhelming. That feeling has continued through the other three games. The slaughter in Vancouver looked so much like the Oilers from the last two years. The New Jersey win, up until the end of the game when it finally started to get exciting and they started scoring, looked very much like the team from a couple years ago. And same goes for Montreal game. The Toronto game was just painful, on both sides, but mostly painful to watch the Oilers blow the leads. Seeing a pattern here? If not, it's that they are playing the same as they have been for the last couple season. So far it's not looking like anything has changed. So get ready for some serious heartbreak again, Oilers diehards.
Eakins
Dallas Eakins was by far the Oilers best move of the off-season, no question about it. Seeing what Eakins did with the Marlies in the AHL, there was an oddly low amount of concern about this being his first NHL Head Coaching position. Eakins has been wonderful though. He's made changes that will change the long term dynamic of the team, and hopefully eliminate all ties to the dynasty years. He has higher expectations in regards to player health and fitness - and even imposed these expectations on the media, which is absolutely hilarious and awesome. He's good for the team. That being said, Eakins definitely takes a new approach to things. This has created quite the learning curve for the players, obviously, but also to the media and the fans. One of my favorite things that Eakins did happened in an interview. There was a media scrum prior to the pre-season starting, and Dan Tencer asked Eakins this long winded questions. Eakin's response... "Yes." And stared Dan down. Despite the hilarity of the moment, it showed what Eakins expects of the media and that he won't put up with their usual bullshit. It was this moment that I decided Eakins was the best move they could have made. The same can be said about the players, Eakins isn't exactly shy about scratching "superstars" if he feels they haven't been playing all that well, I mean Yakupov sat against the Leafs, for example. Eakins also lets his players take more of a leadership role. During game day skates, Eakins can be sen sitting with the media in the stands or elsewhere in the building, but not on the ice. Dallas Eakins is also extremely in tune with social media and using it to his advantage. Hell, he announced the new captaincy via twitter at 8 am on a Sunday. Eakins knows how to connect to fans and that's impressive.
It's been quite interesting to watch some of the changes evolve under Eakins, but the fans (and I shamefully admit that I'm included in this group) who expected the changes to be noticeable and effective within a few games are going to have to keep waiting. The Oilers have had 4 coaches in 5 years, that's a hell of a lot of change. And especially with bringing in Eakins who expects such different things than the last three did, it's a learning curve. And it's going to take time, but it should be worth it. Eakins is going to be good for this team.
The Goalie Question
Oh my. Just thinking about the goal-tenders in Edmonton is cringe worthy.
I actually got into a major discussion about this with one of the guys in one of my classes, and he was a completely disillusioned dumbass with some of his opinions, but that's not the point. He made a comment along the lines of "Well when I play hockey, I play goalie because I don't know how to play hockey" to this other person, trying to be funny. The funny part is, that statement basically explains the goalie situation in Edmonton: Labarbera doesn't know how to play the starting role, and Dubnyk doesn't know how to play hockey, period.
Let's start with Jason Labarbera just because he's a little easier to discuss. Labarbera is a great goalie, don't miss that point, it's just that he's not a guy that can assume a starting goalie position. Labarbera has not been the number 1 guy ever, and starting now would not really do anyone any good. He's great when he's needed, but relying on him for 60+ games, if he was the starter, could possibly lead to some less that desirable results. If you want to go into stats and look at the save percentage on the two goalies, well Labarbera has played one full game - and overtime - against the Devils and just over a period against Vancouver. In those approximately 90 minutes of play, he is sitting with a save percentage of 0.892 which really isn't too shabby. Labarbera is great, but he is not the answer to the Oilers goalie question.
Now for Devan Dubnyk. Oh, Duby... I like Dubnyk, always have, always will a bit. He looked so promising when he was playing back up, but now that Khabibulin is gone, he's blowing it. Four games in for him, and it's around two goals a game that he lets in that are extremely questionable. Dubnyk has played in three and a half games, and is sitting with a save percent of 0.829, with a goals against average of 5.43. Ouch. Dubnyk has made some horrible plays that have resulted in way too many goals that shouldn't have been goals. Dubnyk is letting down his team. I briefly heard someone try to defend Dubnyk talking about how the goalie pads are smaller and it's tough for a guy of his size. He's a goalie, deal with it. And why is it only difficult for him? What about the other 59 goalies in the league? Dubnyk does not look like he is ready to hold down a starting role at all.
Considering the way the 5 games have gone, and the stats, it very well may just be in the best interest of the team to split the 82 games 50-50. Really, it can`t be any worse.
I actually got into a major discussion about this with one of the guys in one of my classes, and he was a completely disillusioned dumbass with some of his opinions, but that's not the point. He made a comment along the lines of "Well when I play hockey, I play goalie because I don't know how to play hockey" to this other person, trying to be funny. The funny part is, that statement basically explains the goalie situation in Edmonton: Labarbera doesn't know how to play the starting role, and Dubnyk doesn't know how to play hockey, period.
Let's start with Jason Labarbera just because he's a little easier to discuss. Labarbera is a great goalie, don't miss that point, it's just that he's not a guy that can assume a starting goalie position. Labarbera has not been the number 1 guy ever, and starting now would not really do anyone any good. He's great when he's needed, but relying on him for 60+ games, if he was the starter, could possibly lead to some less that desirable results. If you want to go into stats and look at the save percentage on the two goalies, well Labarbera has played one full game - and overtime - against the Devils and just over a period against Vancouver. In those approximately 90 minutes of play, he is sitting with a save percentage of 0.892 which really isn't too shabby. Labarbera is great, but he is not the answer to the Oilers goalie question.
Now for Devan Dubnyk. Oh, Duby... I like Dubnyk, always have, always will a bit. He looked so promising when he was playing back up, but now that Khabibulin is gone, he's blowing it. Four games in for him, and it's around two goals a game that he lets in that are extremely questionable. Dubnyk has played in three and a half games, and is sitting with a save percent of 0.829, with a goals against average of 5.43. Ouch. Dubnyk has made some horrible plays that have resulted in way too many goals that shouldn't have been goals. Dubnyk is letting down his team. I briefly heard someone try to defend Dubnyk talking about how the goalie pads are smaller and it's tough for a guy of his size. He's a goalie, deal with it. And why is it only difficult for him? What about the other 59 goalies in the league? Dubnyk does not look like he is ready to hold down a starting role at all. Considering the way the 5 games have gone, and the stats, it very well may just be in the best interest of the team to split the 82 games 50-50. Really, it can`t be any worse.
The Blue Line Question
The Oilers have a lousy defense system. No doubt about it. Sadly, this has been the case for a few seasons now, but that still doesn`t make it okay. The defencemen are slowly getting better, and there are definitely better players on the Oilers blue line (I`m looking at you, Andrew Ference), but having better players is useless unless there is a system to it all. The blueline is starting to look much better indiviudally, but as a group, they are as questionable as ever. A system really needs to be developed here, and stuck with, until there is some consistent and useful play on the defencemen`s part. Until the Oilers fix this, they don`t have a chance of being a solid contender for anything, except failure maybe.
OKC Barons assignments
There`s a whole lot to say about who is in OKC right now, but there were two assignments that the Oilers did that really bothered me, and I'm going to just focus on those ones. Ben Eager. Now Eager is certainly no Hall or Eberle or Nugent-Hopkins, but Eager is GOOD. He's a tough little bugger that was great at defending his teammates and getting that spark going. And Eager can play the game! He's not one of those tough guys that just goes out there and fights and makes dirty plays, Eager can score. In fact, Eager has some pretty sweet moves that he's pulled off in his career. With a team that still seems to be lacking grit in favor of talent, it's a damn shame to see a perfectly capable of scoring tough guy sitting down in the AHL. Enjoy him down there though, OKC, he's a great asset so be happy that you get to enjoy him.
Ryan Jones. Now this one absolutely shocked me. Jones was not making much of a good impression with his play this year, and I'm sure his comment about flipping the bird to the people who didn't believe in him, did not help his case at all. Jonesy seemed off from what we saw of him before being sent down. Jones is capable of being a very talented player that is off huge benefit to the team. Jones had respect from his teammates, the media and the fans. Jonesy is such a sweet and funny guy, it's tough to hate him. Seeing that he was assigned was absolutely heartbreaking. Hopefully he has a great season down there, and then next year gets picked up by a team that can truly appreciate him as a player! Unlike the Oilers, who are dumbasses, apparently.
Yakupov
Nail, Nail, Nail. Yakupov definitely has some tendencies that either make people love him or hate him. On top of that, this season, he has been playing slightly subpar compared to what he is capable of, and it`s concerning. He`s been averaging under 20 minutes TOI in each game, and is a -3. (I hate those plus-minus stats, especially right now with the goalie situation, but in this case, it does illustrate the bigger picture) Yakupov has played in 4 games, and has 10 shots, and does not have a single point. He should be better than that. His game definitely has looked off so far this season. And apparently Eakins noticed it too. Yakupov was a healthy scratch for the game against Toronto. Hopefully that painful experience of sitting up in the pressbox will be a good reality check to Nail, and he will come back flying. He`s just been a very non-assuming presence so far, and that is very unlike him.
Nail, Nail, Nail. Yakupov definitely has some tendencies that either make people love him or hate him. On top of that, this season, he has been playing slightly subpar compared to what he is capable of, and it`s concerning. He`s been averaging under 20 minutes TOI in each game, and is a -3. (I hate those plus-minus stats, especially right now with the goalie situation, but in this case, it does illustrate the bigger picture) Yakupov has played in 4 games, and has 10 shots, and does not have a single point. He should be better than that. His game definitely has looked off so far this season. And apparently Eakins noticed it too. Yakupov was a healthy scratch for the game against Toronto. Hopefully that painful experience of sitting up in the pressbox will be a good reality check to Nail, and he will come back flying. He`s just been a very non-assuming presence so far, and that is very unlike him.
Nugent-Hopkins (a.k.a Bobblehead)
Bobblehead. Yeah. That`s what Dallas Eakins was quoted as referring to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as. Thankfully it wasn`t meant in a mean way implying that Nuge was ditzy, but rather was said meaning that whenever Nuge is told to do something, he just nods his head and then does it. This sounds exactly like Nuge. He`s definitely not a `shitdisturber` (to quote my dad on that one) by any means. He just does what he`s told and doesn`t have a problem with that. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Nugent-Hopkins missed the first two games of the season, and the Oilers definitely felt it. In his first game back against the Devils, Nuge started with 28 minutes of play, scored a goal and went 50% in the faceoff circle. Not bad. Not bad at all. The next game against Montreal, TOI of approximately 25, one assist and 55% on the draw. Against Toronto? Same kinda thing. TOI of approximately 25, 1 goal, and 47% on the draw. Nuge is back and in full force. It`s beautiful to watch. And assuming he can keep this up for most of the season, he`s going to have a hell of a year.
Bobblehead. Yeah. That`s what Dallas Eakins was quoted as referring to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as. Thankfully it wasn`t meant in a mean way implying that Nuge was ditzy, but rather was said meaning that whenever Nuge is told to do something, he just nods his head and then does it. This sounds exactly like Nuge. He`s definitely not a `shitdisturber` (to quote my dad on that one) by any means. He just does what he`s told and doesn`t have a problem with that. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Nugent-Hopkins missed the first two games of the season, and the Oilers definitely felt it. In his first game back against the Devils, Nuge started with 28 minutes of play, scored a goal and went 50% in the faceoff circle. Not bad. Not bad at all. The next game against Montreal, TOI of approximately 25, one assist and 55% on the draw. Against Toronto? Same kinda thing. TOI of approximately 25, 1 goal, and 47% on the draw. Nuge is back and in full force. It`s beautiful to watch. And assuming he can keep this up for most of the season, he`s going to have a hell of a year.
Smyth
Ryan Smyth is quite the case, only five games in. He had a less than impressive pre-season this year, and other than the fact that he is Smyth, he might have been a better assignment to OKC than the other Ryan. Smyth continued to prove that his first two games. He played about 13 minutes against Winnipeg and notched an assist, but overall, not that impressive. Then with Vancouver, he played about 11 minutes and was a whopping -4. By the time the Devils were in town, Eakins decided it was time to scratch Smyth. His return against the Canadiens gave him approximately 12 minutes of play and he grabbed a goal. Then against Toronto, he played about thirteen minutes and he slotted 2 goals. If Smyth can play the game like he has since getting scratched, relatively consistently for a decent chunk of the season, he is also in for a great year. If and only if though. If he reverts back to the way he was playing prior to being a healthy scratch, he will be seeing that press box more and more.
Hemsky
Stats wise, Hemsky is pretty much on par with every single other year of his career. And style wise, he is playing the exact same game - which unfortunately is not cutting it. Hemsky continues to play in a borderline selfish manner where he is more concerned about him maintaining the puck to shoot - which he does not even do most of the time - and dancing around and making it look pretty, than he is about actually possibly scoring and helping out his team. Hemsky plays like he thinks he is bigger than he is, he thinks he is invincible, and he is seriously injury prone. Five games in, with less than 20 minutes TOI in most games and one goal and three assists, Hemsky looks like he is about on par for the same type of season as always. To fit in with the Oilers though, Hemsky has to adapt his game to be more accommodating of his teammates, and to actually help his team out. He desperately needs to be more aware of what role he actually plays on the team. The one thing that he does deserve to be applauded for is that he knows the writing is on the wall for his future in Edmonton, I mean, MacT came right out and said that he was going to trade him, but Hemsky is not letting that get to him at all, he is still the same Hemsky as always.
Stats wise, Hemsky is pretty much on par with every single other year of his career. And style wise, he is playing the exact same game - which unfortunately is not cutting it. Hemsky continues to play in a borderline selfish manner where he is more concerned about him maintaining the puck to shoot - which he does not even do most of the time - and dancing around and making it look pretty, than he is about actually possibly scoring and helping out his team. Hemsky plays like he thinks he is bigger than he is, he thinks he is invincible, and he is seriously injury prone. Five games in, with less than 20 minutes TOI in most games and one goal and three assists, Hemsky looks like he is about on par for the same type of season as always. To fit in with the Oilers though, Hemsky has to adapt his game to be more accommodating of his teammates, and to actually help his team out. He desperately needs to be more aware of what role he actually plays on the team. The one thing that he does deserve to be applauded for is that he knows the writing is on the wall for his future in Edmonton, I mean, MacT came right out and said that he was going to trade him, but Hemsky is not letting that get to him at all, he is still the same Hemsky as always.
Perron
David Perron has taken these five games as a way for him to prove that he was a great choice for the Oilers. Despite Perron not necessarily having the best stats on the team, he has been playing a quality game that has been contributing to the team as a whole. He has been nothing short of impressive. He has been logging between 18 and 25 minutes on the ice in each game, and has so far registered 1 goal and 3 assists. Perron has been a serious force out there though, and it has been quite something to watch. It is wonderful to see Perron fitting in so well with the Oilers. He WILL have a good season, and will be an integral part of any success that the Oilers will have over at least the next couple years!
Gazdic
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| How can you hate a guy with hair and a beard like that?! |
Injuries
It would not be hockey season in Edmonton without injury woes, right? Right.
As of right now...
Steve MacIntyre is out with a knee injury. Same goes for Ryan Hamilton.
Corey Potter and Jesse Joensuu have missed games due to back injuries. Joensuu made his return against Toronto though.
Denis Grebeshkov is out with a groin injury.
And Sam Gagner will continue to be out with a broken jaw, however he is skating again, but is not expected to return just yet.
This is five games in, and the injuries are already looking pretty gloomy.
Steve MacIntyre is out with a knee injury. Same goes for Ryan Hamilton.
Corey Potter and Jesse Joensuu have missed games due to back injuries. Joensuu made his return against Toronto though.
Denis Grebeshkov is out with a groin injury.
And Sam Gagner will continue to be out with a broken jaw, however he is skating again, but is not expected to return just yet.
This is five games in, and the injuries are already looking pretty gloomy.
So Any Change?
No. Not right now at least. It is only five games in on the season so there are still 77 games left. Plenty of time to fix the bugs there are in the new system and kill off those old habits that they maintain. That being said, it is not realistic to expect the Oilers to do amazing this season, really even making playoffs could be a stretch. Anything can happen so it is not fair to totally write them off either, but if you are one of those people that want, and thinks it is possible, for them to win the Cup this year, remove your head from your ass and realize that hockey is not magic. If the Oilers can stick to the changes that they are working on, within a couple years as the players mature, the Oilers have the potential to be a solid contender, but until then, us Edmonton fans just have to get used to the heartbreak that we now associate with hockey.
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