Notorious BLOG

Tough Day for United

2011-03-06T20:19:00.001-05:00

3-1 for Liverpool is about as bad a day as possible for a regular fixture.

There's nothing regular about a Liverpool v United match. This is an old time rivalry and today's trip to Anfield is a special date on any fixture schedule.

Nonetheless I was forced to watch today's match online. It's a bit tougher to get a feel for things, but at least I can follow along. My review is short. We look lost with both Rio and Vidic on the bench. I'm holding out hope for a summer of purchase of a creative midfielder. Something just didn't seem to sync up and a few time this year I have felt the same.

Time is now to recover. Two big losses and now is the time to lock it down for the year.

Penner a King

2011-02-28T14:35:00.001-05:00

The oilers makethe first big move of the day.

Dustin Penner is off the join a variety of former oilmen in LA

The return; former #13 overall picked defenseman Colten Teubert. Teubert gets good press as a legitamate future top 4 defender. The 1st round pick doesn't hurt either.

I don't love or hate this trade. We loose a decent amount of size from an already small team. That being said; we get essentially 2 first rounders for Penner.

Time wil tell, but it is a shame to see the pride of Winkler AB heading south

Oil involved

2011-02-28T13:33:00.001-05:00

Alright.... We are about 2 hours until the deadline and the oil are involved

Minor deal - Shawn belle to Colorado for Kevin Montgomery.

I have no opinion.... To minor to effect the team

Trade deadline 2011

2011-02-28T10:13:00.004-05:00

Ok... I took a couple of years off blogging

Back at it for the deadline:

*** Nothing happening early. Florida and Atlanta made a small move, but it did not include anyone worth talking about

*** I can't say what I want to see from the Oilers today. I'm hoping for some help on D, but I don't really want to see Penner or Hemsky go... time will tell.

***

Trade Deadling Day

2009-03-04T08:42:00.003-05:00

It's a big day for hockey fans. And a big day for me.

I have never had a blog on deadline day before. Today I shall blog throughout the day about various trades and other bullshit that happens.

I am excited. Are you?

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First trade that I care about. Pascal Leclaire to Ottawa from Vermette. Good move by Ottawa. Hard to imagine the Sens with a real goalie. Emery was close but a head case. Leclaire is just coming into his own and should be a solid addition.

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Stupid job. Stoping me from blogging...

Flames pick up Olli Jokinen. Good move on the part of the Flames. They have not had a real centre in a long time.

When the F@*k will the Oil make a move?

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Recchi to the Bruins. Decent move. Recchi is a bit of a suit case, but he brings some good veteran leadership to an impressive young team.

Bruins also pick up Steve Montador from the Ducks for someone. I don't know who the player is, but the analysts think he will be good in a few years.

Montado makes a good Bruin. He's a bit small, but tough and a solid 5-6 Dman. Good move by the bears.

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Flyers get Dan Carcilo for Scottie Upshal. Interesting. Good move on both sides I think. Scottie Upshal will be something down the road.

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Calgary gets Jordan Leopold for pick and prospect (Ryan Wilson) and some nobody they picked up off waivers the other day.

This is nothing but a win for Calgary.

The Oil

2009-01-20T10:51:00.000-05:00

I am a huge hockey fan. I watch, read and generally obsess about the sport. I have played since I was four years old (not very well, mind you) and look forward to any chance I get to strap on the blades.

Today, I'm writing about my favourite team, the Edmonton Oilers. Though I have lived the bulk of my life in Ontario, in the heart of Leaf's Nation, I cannot stand the Toronto Maple Leafs (Leafs is not a word!!!). I don't like to throw the word hate around much... and I hate to think that I actually 'hate' something.... but the Leafs are close. Back to the Oil.

I don't remember when I started watching hockey, but I can remember that it was amidst the Oiler's dynasty of the early 80's. Wayne Gretzky was in his prime, Mark Messier was fear around the league, Paul Coffey was scoring like no other defenseman had since Bobby Orr, and no D man has since. They had toughness (Semenko, Brown, McSorley), rock-solid defense (Coffey, Lowe, Huddy... Dr. Randy Gregg) and more offense than the league had ever seen. Times were sweet.

Then Gretzky was sold. The financial landscape of the league changed significantly and the Oil became essentially a major league team on a minor league budget. It was tough to endure. Watching the team's best players routinely bounce and head to American teams that could offer significantly larger contracts than the cash strapped Oilers could dream of. In a time with no salary cap, the Oilers worked on a budget. A budget that simply could not compete.

This is not mean to be a history lesson. Through all of this I have loved Oiler hockey. Offense first, timely goal tending and above all else a commitment to team! Players in Edmonton were always known as a tight knit group. Players loved the atmosphere and it showed on the ice. Once and Oiler always an Oiler (just look at the head office). I have always admired the commitment this team showed on the ice. It has always lead to dramatic moments that make me proud to be an Oiler Fan. I could go on... but again, why I love the Oil isn't really important to anyone.

I am both excited and disappointed by this year's incarnation of the team. Like most of the hockey world, I had high expectations for Edmonton this season. Their strong finish last year, combined with the abundance of talent... some key players back from injury and shrewd off season moves made this look the year the Oilers would make a statement and not simply battle for the bottom playoff position. So far that is not the case.

It's tough to say what is missing. I don't think the team is physical enough and I think they have a bad habit of drafting the players who are essentially in the same mold (cogliano, shremp, ganger, eberle... these guys are almost interchangeable). I'm not saying they don't have specific strengths in their games, but in my eyes these guys all fit the play maker mold. None of them 'Star' quality, but certainly NHL caliber. I think it is time to turn some of these guys into ingredients that are missing from the NHL squad. I hear rumours of the Oilers making a blockbuster trade. Looking up and down the line-up, I can't say there is anyone player that I would classify as off limits. Hemsky would have to draw a large return, but nonetheless he could be packaged for the right deal.

Anyway, at the risk of getting completely off base, this blog is just about the Oilers. Setting the table for future rants.