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The New Oiler Season 2011-12

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    The New Oiler Season 2011-12

    Last year there were very few posts regarding Oiler hockey but I think I will start a thread anyway and just keep answering myself even if it does come off as a bit odd.

    Comment #1--Watch out for Eberle this season. He was head and shoulders above everybody else on the ice in the Flames game tonight (Sept. 25th) and he looks like he is playing with Gretzky-like anticipation. That goal of his in the 2nd period was a directional rocket that no goalie would have stopped. What a wrist shot this lad has.

    Comment #2-- all of the sudden Dubnyk is looking like a calm and poised number one goalie. He wasn't spectacular but he has definitely progressed.

    Comment #3-- Fedun is looking like a pleasant surprise on the blueline. When was the last time that a guy who played in the Ivy league made it to the Oilers final roster as a rookie?

    Well, that's all for now, I will answer myself tomorrow.

    #2
    Re: The New Oiler Season 2011-12

    I question how the hockey news puts us in projected last place, with a team like Phoenix out there with much, much worse talent and more questionable goaltending (IMO) than us...

    Comment


      #3
      Re: The New Oiler Season 2011-12

      If they stay healthy they contend for the playoffs. Maybe even make it as high as 6th.

      But since we never do I think we finish around 11-12.

      I do agree M2S about Eberle. He is going to have himself a breakout season. His hockey IQ combined with his shot will get him plenty of grade A chances. I think his ceiling could be about 35 goals with 25 being a bottom.
      Quote from Inquiring Mind:

      Of course stamphater is sacred... we all worship the ground he walks on.

      #PizStrong

      Comment


        #4
        Re: The New Oiler Season 2011-12

        I understand the passion for hockey and the Oilers - I'm one to check some clips and highlights out of interest in the new talent the past couple years. But as a football fan first and foremost, the NHL season is far too long and I really don't start watching until after Grey Cup (nothing really matters until then anyway)
        Having said that, I hope RNH sticks, I thing Paajarvi & Eberle are going to have a good second year, and it's great to have Ryan Smyth back in copper and blue!!! Oilers should make the top 16 this year.
        Hope, at the end of the day connects us all, no matter how different we are

        Comment


          #5
          Re: The New Oiler Season 2011-12

          The hockey season IS too long. That said, the regular season won't matter to the Oilers much after Christmas anyway. They have a nucleus of great young stars....that have been put in the NHL too soon to appease fans. They have lousy goaltending and terrible defense. But on the flipside, they can draft another great young star to rush in next year.

          Comment


            #6
            Re: The New Oiler Season 2011-12

            Time for a changing of the guard in goal. Give Dubnyk 60 games and see what he does with it.
            "No one entertains the thought that maybe God does not believe in you." - Bo Burnham

            Comment


              #7
              Re: The New Oiler Season 2011-12

              Originally posted by Angelus View Post
              Time for a changing of the guard in goal. Give Dubnyk 60 games and see what he does with it.
              Agreed.

              Comment


                #8
                Re: The New Oiler Season 2011-12

                Originally posted by Muley69 View Post
                I question how the hockey news puts us in projected last place, with a team like Phoenix out there with much, much worse talent and more questionable goaltending (IMO) than us...
                Any team that has finished 30th out of 30, two consecutive years, will have to prove they can win occasionally in the regular season before they can be projected to finish anywhere other than their familiar spot in the cellar.
                Out of my mind; back in five minutes.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: The New Oiler Season 2011-12

                  I think the changing of the guard has already taken place.

                  Renney has basically signalled that Dubnyk is #1 unless he really falls off the radar screen thru poor play.

                  The Oilers have been diplomatic about things but you can bet that behind the scenes they are fuming at Khabibulin's play and his immature attitudes towards his personal conduct. He has brought real embarassment to the Oiler organization and I wish he was leaving tomorrow.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: The New Oiler Season 2011-12

                    I tend to not get too excited until the Tuesday after Grey Cup Sunday. The first few games are great for me to watch but after that I lose a little interest until December.

                    My thoughts on this year are:
                    Great to see Smyth back! Even though he is on the back side of his career I don't think there's a better character out there to put in the dressing room. It was also great to see him parking his butt in front of the net in the game against Vancouver!

                    Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is a player that I hope goes back for a few reasons. Against Vancouver he looked very creative but at the same time looked VERY small. Another year in Red Deer to build his size wouldn't be a bad thing. Another thing is how much is left for him to accomplish in junior. The world juniors would be excellent experience for his devolopement, and if he goes back to Red Deer I think he has an excellent chance to win the WHL championship and go on to the memorial cup. I am really looking forward to seeing him as an Oiler for years to come starting next year.

                    I'm looking forward to seeing how many of the second year guys are able to progress, but I won't be surprised to see 1 or 2 sophmore slumps.

                    I hope that Dubnyk shows that he's ready to take the reigns as our number 1 goalie of the future. If not it may become time to look in yet another direction for long term goaltending.

                    I also think they will need to package up some prospects for a top 2 defenseman. I'm not going to throw any names out there because I'm no good playing trade guessing games.

                    Overall I'm expecting The Oilers to be improved and probably finish in the 18th-22nd range.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: The New Oiler Season 2011-12

                      I'd also like to add that I really like the additions of Ben Eager, Darcy Hordichuk and Cam Barker. I think these guys provide some team toughness and it will be harder to push The Oilers around.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: The New Oiler Season 2011-12

                        Originally posted by eskfan152 View Post
                        I tend to not get too excited until the Tuesday after Grey Cup Sunday. The first few games are great for me to watch but after that I lose a little interest until December.

                        My thoughts on this year are:
                        Great to see Smyth back! Even though he is on the back side of his career I don't think there's a better character out there to put in the dressing room. It was also great to see him parking his butt in front of the net in the game against Vancouver!

                        Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is a player that I hope goes back for a few reasons. Against Vancouver he looked very creative but at the same time looked VERY small. Another year in Red Deer to build his size wouldn't be a bad thing. Another thing is how much is left for him to accomplish in junior. The world juniors would be excellent experience for his devolopement, and if he goes back to Red Deer I think he has an excellent chance to win the WHL championship and go on to the memorial cup. I am really looking forward to seeing him as an Oiler for years to come starting next year.

                        I'm looking forward to seeing how many of the second year guys are able to progress, but I won't be surprised to see 1 or 2 sophmore slumps.

                        I hope that Dubnyk shows that he's ready to take the reigns as our number 1 goalie of the future. If not it may become time to look in yet another direction for long term goaltending.

                        I also think they will need to package up some prospects for a top 2 defenseman. I'm not going to throw any names out there because I'm no good playing trade guessing games.

                        Overall I'm expecting The Oilers to be improved and probably finish in the 18th-22nd range.
                        I disagree on Hopkin's size. I was at the Canucks game and I don't think he looks much smaller than Gagner, Omark, Eberle. Are their sizes a concern?
                        Blindly accept whatever they do and if it doesn't work out, I guess there's always next year.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: The New Oiler Season 2011-12

                          Originally posted by Sectionq View Post
                          I disagree on Hopkin's size. I was at the Canucks game and I don't think he looks much smaller than Gagner, Omark, Eberle. Are their sizes a concern?
                          Yes.
                          "No one entertains the thought that maybe God does not believe in you." - Bo Burnham

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: The New Oiler Season 2011-12

                            Would be a lot more excited if the Oilers dumped Bulin and brought in a goalie who can actually stop a beachball.

                            I like Dubnyk, but with how bad the goaltending was last year.... blech.

                            Beyond that, the defense is a cluster****. Oilers are at least one more top pairing D (along with a healthy Whitney) away from the playoffs.

                            Shame, because the forwards are above average.

                            Looking forward to watching the kids grow, seeing Smyth back where he belongs, and hoping that Hemsky isn't dealt for more magic beans.

                            Beyond that, it'll be the 6th straight forgettable season in Edmonton.
                            "This year, we did what we were supposed to do. We fought as a team. We fought as a team. And the fact is, we gotta go back and go to work, to make sure we finish this next time. That's all we gotta do. This right here makes us stronger. Let's understand who we are as a team. Let's understand this right here makes us stronger." - Ray Lewis, January, 2012.

                            Superbowl Champs 2013.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: The New Oiler Season 2011-12

                              Managed to score a ticket to tonights game, love the top 2 lines! Smyth, Horcoff and Hemsky, and Hall Nugent-Hopkins and Eberle! Vets that once had magic and a kid line that could excite!

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