The yearbooks are out! The yearkbooks are out!

Yahoo! After a very long off-season for the Oilers and us Oilers fans, you know the start of training camp is right around the corner when the yearbooks are out on newsstands! On a recent trip to the nearby Shoppers Drug Mart, I happened upon the magazine rack and found to my delight that the NHL yearbooks/pool guides are finally out! I browse thru all of them, buy a few (at $8-10 bucks a pop, and with most predictions across them all being similar, I only buy about 3-4 different ones). My favorite is still the time-honoured "The Hockey News" yearbook. They so graciously put out a cover for every different NHL team, and they did a stellar job with the Oilers one this season, with a smokin' photo of Sheldon Souray. Better than all those Ryan Smyth covers of seasons past.

Dustin Penner?

Not really excited about this signing. Way over paid him, 21.5 mil over 5 years, Lowe did. Guess he had to go after the RFA's after the UFA's (outside of Sheldon) didn't want to play in Edmonton.
Going back to the Ducks are a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round picks in the 2008 draft. Considered by some scouts at a deeper draft than the past 2007 one.
If Penner turns into another Joffrey "dreamy-eyes-can-score-with-the-ladies-but-can't-score-on-the-ice" Lupul then I'ma going to be some PISSED off. (Not that Dustin has the same 'dreamy eyes' look at Joffrey does.)
Especially since Penner will be the highest paid forward on the Oilers roster for the 2007/08 season (more than Hemsky!) and the 2nd highest paid player overall (only Souray will be making more than Penner.) Now, it is sometimes unfair to place expectations on a player based on their salary, but if Penner does not at least match his 29 regular season goals from last season, then it will be fair to say Lowe over-paid for him. Not only in the salary aspect, but also in the draft picks he had to give up to sign him to that contract in the 1st place. Oilers have a crappy draft record anyways, so they best be praying that Penner is the next Ryan Smyth and not the next Josh Green.

Sheldon loves Edmonton!

Long time, no posts. Kinda got bored of the whole blogging thing for awhile.
Haven't been online as much lately either. Just been bored of the internet altogether I guess.
Back at it today though.
Sheldon Souray was in Edmonton today and had a press conference with V.P. of Hockey Operations Kevin Prendergast for the Edmonton media.









He does look pretty good in that Oilers jersey, even though his pants are kinda fugly. Vertical stripes? Come on Sheldon, those are so 80's.

No Nylander, and Lowe is livid. Raffi is back tho!

The Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club is compelled to clarify the unfortunate and unprecedented circumstances surrounding the Edmonton Oilers and Michael Nylander. On Sunday, July 1, 2007, Kevin Lowe, Oilers General Manager, and Mr. Mike Gillis, Certified Agent for Michael Nylander, negotiated and agreed to a multi-year NHL Standard Players Contract, starting in 2007/08. Mr. Gillis confirmed same to the Oilers in writing. The Oilers then proceeded with preparations to announce Mr. Nylander’s contract agreement on July 2, and concurrently continued with the process of negotiating with other free agents based upon Mr. Nylander being an important roster ingredient for the future. However, while the Oilers were expecting the returned, signed agreements from Mr. Nylander and Mr. Gillis, the Oilers discovered through public announcements made mid-afternoon on July 2, that Mr. Nylander had subsequently entered into a long-term contract with the Capitals. The Oilers can find no precedent for such conduct in our history. The Oilers are examining and pursuing every course of action available in the best interest of the team and our fans. For legal reasons, the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club will not be discussing the details any further at this time.

Would have been nice to have him setting up Hemsky, that's for damn sure. Fuck you Capitals.

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Raffi Torres re-signed with the Oilers for 3 years with a deal worth 6.75 million. “We are pleased to have Raffi back in the fold,” said Edmonton Oilers General Manager, Kevin Lowe. “Raffi is a dynamic player, who brings a physical style of play to our team.”

At least Lowe did something right today.

Praise the Lord I still have my Raffi!!!!!!





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In other news, Lowe also signed goaltender Mathieu Garon to a 2 year deal, ending the chance of Jussi Markkanen being re-signed. My money is on the Juice going back to Finland.

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Changed my profile photo for fun, still have to find a replacement photo for my Sykora photo. :(

Happy fucking free agent day!

HOLY SHIT.

What a crazy day. Sad day, frustrating day, interesting day.

Captain Jason Smith (GATOR!) and Joffrey "Dreamy eyes" Lupul traded to the Flyers for Joni Pitkanen, Geoff Sanderson, and a 3rd round draft pick in 2009.
I don't know if I like this trade or not yet. Gator was our captain, Lupul was a bust in his 1st year with the Oilers, along with half the team, but Lowe has been rumored to be after Pitkanen for awhile, and hopefully he turns out to the great puck rushing, offensive defenseman the Oilers have been lacking since CFP bailed. Let's just pray that Lupul doesn't score 48 goals with the Flyers this season hey?

The question out of this trade is, who will be the next Oilers captain? One Ethan Moreau perhaps? Ethan's injury this past season no doubtfully hurt the Oilers, and he's been an alternate captain for quite a few seasons. Steve Staios? He was a captain in Atlanta one season, and wore an A while Moreau was out. Horcoff? He acquired Smyth's A after he was traded. Horcoff may not be the right candidate to be a captain of this team though. Possibly Jarret Stoll? He was a captain in junior with the Kootenay Ice and during his time at World Junior tourneys. He may very well be a future captain of this team (provided he doesn't get traded or sign elsewhere when he has UFA status) but he may still be al bit young for the captain role. My money is on Moreau, with Horcoff and Staios wearing the A's. Providing none of them get traded before the 2007/08 season starts.

Ryan Smyth signed a 5 year deal with one of the Oilers Northwest Division foes, the once mighty Colorado Avalanche. Great, now we're going to see a tonne of "OILERS FANS" buying Smyth Avalanche jerseys. The thought it making me sick to my stomach. Or maybe the sick feeling is coming from working a 15 hr day after working a 12 hr day and not eating properly either day.
I bet all your suckers that bought Smyth Islanders jerseys are feeling a little foolish. But I own an Oilers Lupul jersey (it was on sale for Christ's sake) so I know quite a bit about looking foolish.
I feel bad for Roloson, all Smyth's whacking and hacking he's going to have to put up with for in EIGHT GAMES next season.

My beloved Petr Sykora signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins. I'm so depressed at this news. One year in the copper'n'blue was not nearly long enough for Petr and all his hotness; I mean talent. Hemsky's probably crying himself to sleep as we speak. I know I will be soon, clutching my Petr Sykora game used autographed stick to relive the magic he created with Ales.
But Hemsky may have a new line mate to send sweet passes to; Michael Nylander is reported to have signed with the Oilers. After the Rangers landed Gomez and Drury, Nylander is the odd man out. This report is not 100% confirmed yet.

The Oilers defense keeps on getting interesting; ole Dicky Transtrom is coming back, after one season in Sweden. Pretty much seals Shaggy's fate, as I doubt he will be resigned by the Oil.

Denis Grebeshkov (who?!!?!? The guy from the Bergeron trade, that's who) also signed a one year deal with the Oilers. It is yet to be determined if he will play with the Oilers next season though. If not, he'll probably go back to Russia, since he doesn't see himself as a AHL player.

Day one is in the books. Lowe was pretty active, along with many other GM's. Let's see what day two brings! More surprises and head shaking "WUT?!" moments to be had I'm sure; not just on the Oilers part.

With the departure of Lupul, maybe my beloved Raffi won't be traded after all. (Knock on wood.)


I'm too lazy to post all the links to the stories, but TSN.ca and the Oilers website have all the details you need. Or whichever major sports website you prefer.

Sam Gagner: the next great Oilers draft pick, or the next great 1st round flop?

After the draft, I've been doing some reading about Sam Gagner, the Oilers 1st 1st round draft pick from this past Friday. He sounds like a decent Canadian kid, hopefully turns out to be a great player, and he seems genuinely pleased to be picked by a Canadian team.
He seems like a bit of a momma's boy, but he's not 18 until mid-August, so maybe we'll cut him some slack in the that department. Maybe.
He's not half bad looking either, he's actually sorta cute (for a 17 yr old), so he won't hurt the Oilers' "hotness" factor.




He won't be NHL ready for at least 2-3, possibly 4 seasons; but by then Joffrey-can't-buy-a-goal-Lupul will be traded to the Islanders where he'll score 468 goals in one season and the be on his way to winning the Stanley Cup, so there will be a roster spot on the Oilers open for young Sammy.

His favorite NHL player is Peter Forsberg; he patterns his game after Forsberg because "he makes all the players around him better". The Oilers could use a Forsberg type player. Like RIGHT NOW. As it always is with the Oilers, they are building for 4-5 years down the road. Every year, they are aiming for 4-5 years to be great. EVERY YEAR. Well, that team in 4-5 years isn't ever coming, because I've been an Oilers fan for 10 years, and I'm still waiting for the kick-ass team that's 4-5 years away. But that's a rant for another day. Back to Sammy.

He gives away his shoot-out move. Not the smartest thing to reveal.
He's more of a passer than a scorer, so he won't be on Hemsky's line anytime soon. Given the coaching staff's track record, he would end up on Hemsky's line and they'll just pass it back and forth to each other 5 bazillion times without taking a shot. Maybe Hemsky will have learnt to shoot by then. Or Andrew Cogliano will centre them and score 469 goals, beating Lupul by one goal to win the Rocket Richard trophy.


Is it just me, or does he look like a fortune teller without his crystal ball in this photo?





One thing is for sure, that number has got to go. 89 holds to many bitter, angry memories in the minds of Oilers fans.

Draft day part 1.

The Oilers used all 3 of their 1st round picks. Lowe was unable to swing a trade of dramatic proportions today, but he hopes to have something in the works for Saturday (draft rounds 2 thru 7.) I'm excited and nervous at the same time. He di, however, trade up to the 21st pick from the 30th pick, trading with his old buddy Gretzky and the Phoenix Coyotes. Neither player the Oilers picked at 15 and 21 where thought to be 1st round picks, and I hadn't heard anything about them, except from TSN's mock draft saying that Alex Plante was a sure thing to the drafted by the Oilers, but they had him listed at the 30th postion.

Since I don't know too much about the crop of kids that where available for this year's draft, and I had't heard much about Plante or Nash until the Oilers drafted them, I'm going to be lazy and just use TSN's story. It's better than anything I could of wrote anyways. :P



Oilers get Gagner, Plante and Nash

COLUMBUS, Ohio (CP) - The Edmonton Oilers came to the NHL entry draft armed with three first-round draft picks, and GM Kevin Lowe had hoped at least one of them would be trade bait.

In the end, failing to make a deal for the defenceman he craves, Lowe went ahead and drafted three times Friday night. But he did report some progress in trade talks.

"I want to say there's a couple deals pending," said Lowe. "A little bit frustrating because in both cases they're tied to teams doing other things and maybe that has to do with the cap world.

"But I remain optimistic that that'll happen. You spend a long time in the days leading up, 72 hours of non-stop effort and if it doesn't happen it can be a little disappointing, no question.

"But I'm still very optimistic."

In the meantime, the Oilers drafted a nifty playmaking centre, a big defenceman and a solid two-way forward. They were the first Canadian team to the mic and they used the sixth drafting position to select centre Sam Gagner of the OHL's London Knights.

Gagner, the son of former NHL forward Dave Gagner, scored 35 goals and assisted on 83 in 53 regular-season games. The 5-11, 190-pounder from Oakville, Ont., reads plays well, which makes him an exceptional set-up man. He also was a member of Canada's world junior championship team.

"To hear my name called was a great feeling, especially the Edmonton Oilers, a Canadian city," said Gagner. "I couldn't be more thrilled."

Scouts have compared him to NHL forward Marc Savard.

"I'm happy to be picked but I realize this is just the beginning, there's a long way to go," said Gagner. "There's a lot of work to be done."

Another year with the Knights will more than likely be in the cards for Gagner.

"I'm going to continue to work hard and try and get as NHL-ready as possible but if I were to spend another year in junior I think it would be great for my development," he said. "I thought I developed a lot this year in London. The Hunters (Dale and Mark) really know their hockey and they're able to teach me a lot about the game. I don't think that would be bad for me at all."

Edmonton was up again in the 15th slot and took six-foot-four, 225-pound defenceman Alex Plante of the Calgary Hitmen. Plante scored eight goals, assisted on 30 and was assessed 81 penalty minutes last season. His improvement in agility and overall play led to a jump up in the rankings in the second half of his season. Scouts have compared him to NHL defenceman Kyle McLaren.

"We just like his potential," said Oilers scouting director Kevin Pendergrest. "He's 6-4, for a big guy he uses his reach really well. Lots of upside there."

Phoenix traded the 21st pick to Edmonton for the No. 30 and 36 spots, and the Oilers selected six-foot-one, 175-pound centre Riley Nash, who scored 38 goals for the B.C. Jr. A league's Salmon Arm team.

"I was mostly Canucks growing up but the Oilers are a good fit," said Nash.

Nash will play college hockey at Cornell in the autumn and has some areas he wants to improve in his game.

"I've got to get a better stride," he said. "I'm not quick enough. And I need a better shot, all NHL players have great shots."

At least one Canadian team won something!

Oilers prospect Zack Stortini helped lead the Bulldogs to a 4-1 series victory over the Hershey Bears on Thursday night. Stortini scored three goals in the playoffs, including one in the finals, to help Hamilton capture the AHL Calder Cup.

Well FUCK.

Ahem.

Now that I got that out of my system, (see previous post), Lowe says he is not bitter.
He is also impressed with the Oilers prospects that are/were in Edmonton this week.
Dick Tarnstrom may be coming back (is our defense really that sad and pathetic? I guess so, if old Dicky boy is returning. I suppose he isn't any worse than Tjarnqvist.)
Petr Sykora is still on the Oilers radar, but only after Lowe fails in UFA signings and/or a monster trade at the draft.
Raffi, as I have figured, may be a goner too.

Karma is not real, all backwards, or she hates Oilers fans.

Me bitter? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Pronger suspended AGAIN

For one game, for a blow to the head of Dean McAmmond that went unpenialized at the time of the hit. Much like his hit on Holstrom in the Western Conference final.
Man, this guy gets hated everywhere he goes.
Prior to the hit, he actually had a hand in scoring the GWG for the Senators in the 2nd period. Funny enough it was Dean McAmmond that was credited with that goal. According to Pronger he was just trying to finish his check, but it was a late hit, and a hit to the head.
The Ducks did win game 4 of the Western Conference series without Pronger, but the Sens are back up to form and they better take advantage of his absence unlike the Wings.

Some Oil-y gossip

Keep an eye on the Oilers

In the days leading up to the NHL Entry Draft, be sure to keep an eye on the Edmonton Oilers. They have three first round picks, including the sixth pick overall. But there is another reason and it's that Oilers' General Manger Kevin Lowe is big game hunting.

Between now and the July 1 free agency period, Lowe would love to add a pair of top-six forwards and a quality defenceman.

Lots of people think there's a better chance of doing that via the trade market than by free agency and Lowe has a lot of currency from which to deal.

He has the three first round picks and an entire roster of players that are not untouchable especially after the way the team finished the season after the Ryan Smyth trade.

The Oilers would love to get a guy like Brad Richards from the Lightning. With Tampa's expanding budget, Richards isn't likely available but that's the type of splashy and bold move that Lowe would like to pull off.

There's no guarantee that a big Oiler trade will happen, and if one doesn't, it won't be for a lack of trying.

For TSN.ca, I'm Bob McKenzie.

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From Eklund on HockeyBuzz.com:

I couldn't agree more with Bob's opinion here...I've been writing a lot about the Oilers lately. They are very much active right now. And it makes sense they would be. Losing Ryan Smyth the Oilers are in desperate need of an identifiable star.

A rumor I was about to post today was that one source told me, "The Edmonton Oilers are the Canadian team most likely to grab Kariya. It is the kind of city and situation that Paul feels comfortable in."

Along with Kariya, who was added today, on our THE RUMOR CHART the Oilers are currently listed to be possibly linked with Timonen, Stuart, Sopel, LeCavalier, and of course Ryan Smyth.

Other players via trade, included Joni Pitkanen, Marleau, Brisebois, and even a longshot rumor (that was discussed recently in a press box during the playoffs) that would send Jagr to Edmonton. Bizarre to even mention this, but have we learned nothing?

The Oilers are definitely being discussed at length in the rumour mill, and for good reason..

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HELL YES!

How FUCKING sweet would it be to be sportin' either one of those two jerseys in October?!?!
They would out-sell the Lupul jerseys, that for damn sure.

{I know Reasoner wears 19, so either Richards would have to change his number, or since Richards would be the new 'superstar' in town maybe Marty would go back to 15 (the number he wore in his 1st season with the Oilers.) }
Oh, for either player to become an Oiler; can you say it with me Oilers fans?! "I have died and gone to hockey heaven! "

Oilers forward Joffrey Lupul can't bear to watch as his former team sits just two wins away from a Stanley Cup championship

By TERRY JONES June 1, 2007

NEWPORT BEACH, California -- Joffrey Lupul sat in the stands in Anaheim for Game 2. The baseball stands. Four blocks away.

Where the Angels play.

"I haven't gone to a game. It hurts a little bit to watch it," he said of Anaheim Ducks games on their march to the Stanley Cup.

"I don't have any interest in going to a game and putting myself through that. I've watched a few on TV. Mostly I tape them and decide whether or not to watch them later.

"It's human nature to be jealous, a little bit," he said.

It's bad enough that Lupul was traded from the two-wins-away from the Stanley Cup Ducks. He's also been kicked out of house and home.

Dustin Penner not only moved up to take over his right wing spot in the lineup, but the native of Winkler, Man., also moved into his house here two blocks from the beach made famous by the Beach Boys song Surf City.

"Dustin said he'd pay me at the end of the season," he said, thinking maybe sometime in May, not June. "I hope he doesn't skip out."

The two played together in the AHL during the lockout.

"I have a good friendship with him," said Penner. "I'm sure right now he wishes he was still with the Ducks.

"He's been a good landlord. And I've been a good tenant."

OFF-SEASON IN L.A.

Lupul, who spends his off-season here, is back in his half of a duplex for the next few days while Penner and the Ducks are in Ottawa for Game 3-4 with Anaheim leading the series two games to none.

Lupul, the Fort Saskatchewan product, has tried to keep out of Penner's way, staying in his place only a couple of times between rounds.

"I work out every day in Los Angeles doing weight training with Ethan Moreau's brother Chad and guys like Jarret Stoll," he said of his Edmonton Oilers teammate.

He's stayed with them when the Ducks are at home.

"I haven't been around that much," he said.

"But I've been out for dinner with Dustin a few times. Having gone to the third round of the playoffs last year, I know you talk hockey the whole day and it's the last thing you want to talk about when you go out for dinner, so we haven't talked about hockey much."

TALK IS TOUGH

Besides, what do you say?

"When I was traded, it created more opportunity for Dustin and Corey Perry. Those two, along with Ryan Getzlaf, have done really well with it. They've had such a good playoffs. Any time you're on a team and know the guys, you have to be really happy for them. I'm especially happy for the young guys. They've really responded."

You could make the case, of course, that the Ducks wouldn't be two wins away from the Stanley Cup if it wasn't for them getting Chris Pronger.

"Absolutely," said Lupul, who came to Edmonton with Ladislav Smid in the deal which provided the Oilers with a first round draft choice this year and both a first and second round pick next year.

"I'm mature enough to look at it and say he's a big reason they're here."

Lupul, who had a terrible time of it in his first season with the Oilers, scoring 16 goals with 12 assists for 28 points and a minus 29, says he's not in any stage of denial.

"It doesn't look very good for me personally, but I hope it might look a little better four or five years from now when he's out of the league and I'm in the prime of my career."

Lupul, who other than going back to Edmonton for a week in late June to move into a new house he's purchased, plans to spend his entire summer in L.A.

"It's a great place to be for young single guys like myself."

And he wouldn't say no if some of the Ducks asked him to join them in celebration if they win the Stanley Cup.

"That could be a lot of fun."


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Poor "Dreamy eyes" Lupul; I guess we OILERS FANS should feel sorry for him. * Rolling of the eyes and a mock snort/laugh inserted here*.

Oh, to be able to live the NHL dream when your summers involve working out in the morning, hanging out at the beach in the afternoon, trolling for the hotties at night. But no Stanley Cup. Boo-fuckin-hoo.

Let's hope he cuts back on his rumored cocaine habit though and doesn't get a STD (or two) hey?
Or a sunburn. Sunburns hurt like a mofo.

The kids are coming to E-town!

Oilers Development Camp Opens June 4th

Staff Writer Edmonton Oilers

May 30, 2007, 3:00 PM EDT

The Edmonton Oilers will hold a Development Camp for some of the team’s top prospects beginning on Monday, June 4, 2007. The week long camp will feature both on-ice and off-ice sessions over a six-day period from June 4th to June 9th.

Steve Serdachny, the Oilers Skating and Skills Coach, will run the on-ice sessions at Millennium Place in Sherwood Park, Alberta, while off-ice training sessions will be held at both Foote Field on the campus of the University of Alberta and at the Oilers fitness centre at Rexall Place, under the guidance of Oilers Strength and Conditioning Coach, Chad Moreau.

Among the thirteen players who will be attending the camp are three recently signed draft picks. Forward Andrew Cogliano (University of Michigan; 1st round, 25th overall, 2005 NHL Entry Draft) will be joined by defenceman Theo Peckham (Owen Sound; 2nd choice, 3rd round, 75th overall, 2006 NHL Entry Draft) and goaltender Glenn Fisher (U of Denver; 9th choice, 5th round, 148th overall; 2002 NHL Entry Draft). The trio of players was signed to contracts earlier this month.

Defenceman Sebastien Bisaillon, who made his NHL debut with the Oilers this past season, will also be in attendance as will Taylor Chorney. Chorney, Edmonton’s second choice, 36th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, completed his second season of collegiate hockey with the University of North Dakota in 2006-07.

Four of Edmonton’s five selections from the 2006 NHL Entry Draft will be at the camp. Joining Peckham are defencemen Jeff Petry (Des Moines (USHL); 1st choice, 2nd round, 45th overall) and Cody Wild (Providence University; 4th choice, 5th round, 140th overall) and goaltender Bryan Pitton (Brampton; 3rd choice, 5th round, 133rd overall).

2007 Edmonton Oilers development camp schedule

Monday, June 4, 2007
9:00 am to 11:00 am – On-Ice Testing (Millennium Place; Sherwood Park)
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm – Off-Ice Workout (Foote Field; University of Alberta)

Tuesday, June 5, 2007
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm – Off-Ice Workout (Rexall Place)

Wednesday, June 6, 2007
9:00 am to 11:00 am - On-Ice Workout (Millennium Place; Sherwood Park)

Thursday, June 7, 2007
9:00 am to 11:00 am – On-Ice Workout (Millennium Place; Sherwood Park)
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm – Off-Ice Workout (Foote Field; University of Alberta)

Friday, June 8, 2007
9:00 am to 11:00 am – On-Ice Workout (Millennium Place; Sherwood Park)
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm – Off-Ice Workout (Rexall Place)

Saturday, June 9, 2007
9:00 am to 11:00 am – Off-Ice Workout (Rexall Place)

Petr Sykora carries a hot stick.

Hockey stick that is, you pervs.
I don't know about his other 'stick'; we'll leave that up to his wife.



Anyhoo, I bought this game-used auto'd stick on May 5th at the Oilers locker room sale.
Half price it was. $149.99 instead of 299.99. Deal and a half cuz Petr is an UFA in July and may (not) be coming back to the Oilers. The Hemsky stick was only discounted $50, $249.99 down from $299.99, so Sykora it was! I was actually going for a Jarret Stoll stick, but season ticket holders were allowed in before the 10 am start time, and I arrived at about 10:30, so most of the sticks were gone by then. Interesting that Stoll and Sykora both use blue Easton Stealth sticks though.




The first thing I noticed about Sykora's stick is that he cuts the toe off the blade, making it flat instead of rounded. Not being a hockey player myself, ( I can't skate backwards to save my life) I don't know if this is common practice or not. Sykora does like to spend a lot of time working on his sticks though.



It has a nice hand-crafted curve to it as well.



Maybe he used my stick to score a goal, who knows?
If not, at least his autograph is pretty.


Just in case you are an amateur and wanted to use this stick. Think again.

Can one Canadian team really be "Canada's team"? Interesting SCF facts

Are the Ottawa Senators really "Canada's team" as CBC tries to spin them to be? Were the Flames and Oilers also "Canada's team" back in 2004 and 2006? Can fans across the country really cheer for another team that isn't their own; sometimes their team's bitter rival; just because they are Canadian based? Yes and no. I honestly half-heartedly cheered for the Flames back in 2004 since my Oilers missed the playoffs that season, but come 2006 when the Oilers were back in the playoffs and going to game 7 of the SCF, not too many of those Flames fans returned the Oilers fans favor. Fuck you Calgary. Not that I expected much from Flames fans anyways.
Now it's the Ottawa Senators turn. I doubt any Leafs fans are cheering for the Senators; but if it was the Leafs in the final, I doubt ANY of the other Canadian teams fans would be cheering for the Leafs. As much as the Leafs are loved by their fans, they are HATED by most, if not all, of their non-fans. But this isn't about the Leafs or their annoying disillusioned fans; its about the Senators and them being "Canada's team" in 2007. It's hard to really call them "Canada's team" when you know the Leafs fans are cheering for the Ducks in spite, and when the Ducks have more Canadian born players or their roster.

Like I previously blogged, it's hard for Oilers fans to pick which team to cheer for; as a Canadian born hockey fan you just can't not watch the SCF even if your team isn't going for it all; do you go with the "Canada's team" angle and cheer for the Senators with that little punk-bitch Comrie, or do you go with the "team that has the most Canadian born players" angle and cheer on the Ducks, even with the whipped (soon to be divorced as rumored) gap-tooth giant Pronger?
Both former Oilers that left in a less than desirable way? Both former Oilers referred to as Oilers fans "Public enemy number 1 and public enemy number 2"? The 'joke' (holy quotation marks Batman!) that went around when Pronger asked for a trade from the Oilers last season; "about the only person happy about this is Mike Comrie, as he will be Oilers fans public enemy number 2 now".
Pick your poison, pick your reasons to cheer for a team or against a team, choose to not cheer for either team if that's what suits you, but as game one showed, its going to be a helluva a series.

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Mike Comrie is maturing into a two-way player.
Wut?!
Are you fucking serious?
For serious. No lie.
Who whadda thunk it?
He also doesn't forget the whole fiasco that ended in him traded from the Oilers to Philadelphia instead of Anaheim.
So he's still a little bitch. :P

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A Canadian team or the Detroit Red Wings have won the Stanley Cup in every year ending in the number 7 since the NHL took full control of Lord Stanley's Cup as their official trophy.
Since it's Ottawa vs Anaheim and not Ottawa vs Detroit, Ottawa has to win to keep the trend going, correct?

Also, the last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup was back in 1993 when the Montreal Canadiens beat the Los Angeles Kings. No California team has won the Cup.
So Ottawa REALLY has to win to keep both trends going.

The team that has won game one of the best-of-seven final has gone on to win the series 52 of 67 times or 77.6%, improving to 93% when winning the 1st two games.
Since Ottawa lost game one (FUCK) they better be praying to win game two and be praying even harder that they are in the 22.4% that wins Lord Stanley's Cup after losing game one.
No need to panic. Yet.

PLEASE DON'T BE LIKE THE OILERS AND SHIT THE BED IN GAME TWO.

Thanks Senators. I know you will do us proud.
If not, you'll be added to the list of past Canadian teams that failed to get it done. (Vancouver - 7 games in 1994, Calgary - 7 games in 2004, Edmonton - 7 games in 2006.)
Plus, you will also feel the wrath from Oilers fans for being the team that let Pronger win the Cup. You don't want THAT on your head now do you? DO YOU?!?!?!
Go Senators! Fuck the Leafs.

Wee-haw! We're going to the Northwest Territories kids!

Edmonton Oilers Rookie Camp Breaks New Ice In Yellowknife

The Edmonton Oilers will break new ice this season by becoming the first NHL team in history to stage their Rookie Camp in the Northwest Territories.

The Edmonton Oilers Rookie Camp, presented by Canadian North, is scheduled for September 6-9, 2007, and will see the Oilers travel to within 512 kilometers of the Arctic Circle. Fans in Yellowknife will have the opportunity to watch Oilers top prospects, including Andrew Cogliano, Theo Peckham and Vyacheslav Trukhno, in action as the team prepares for the 2007/08 NHL season.

As well as holding a number of on-ice sessions at the Yellowknife Multiplex Arena, the Oilers rookies will also take part in the Champions For Children fundraising dinner on Saturday, September 8th. Tickets for each of the three on-ice sessions will be sold for $5 each, and are available at Top of The World Travel & Tours in Yellowknife starting Monday, May 28th. Proceeds from the Champions for Children Dinner will benefit Facilities For Kids and KidSport.

“This is a first for the Edmonton Oilers, a first for the NHL, and a first for hockey fans in the Northwest Territories,” said Patrick LaForge, President & CEO of the Edmonton Oilers. “The spirit and excitement of Oilers hockey is set to take over Yellowknife, as we initiate our northern friends as the host city for Oilers Rookie Camp.”

“I've been excited about the thought of having Oilers Rookie Camp in Yellowknife for some time now,” said Kevin Lowe, General Manager of the Edmonton Oilers. “Every time I meet an NHL fan from Northern Canada, I feel their passion and the strong connection they have to hockey. We now have a chance to actually participate with them in their own part of Canada¾the most unique part of Canada.”

Tom Ruth, President of Canadian North, adds, “Bringing the Edmonton Oilers Rookie Camp to the residents of the Northwest Territories, especially our youth, is an amazing opportunity for all parties involved.” Canadian North is a 100% Aboriginally owned company committed to the North and the communities in which they serve.

Further details on Rookie Camp Schedules will be released closer to the event.

2007 SCF edition; ex-Oilers Pronger vs Comrie

Oh joy.

I can't hardly wait.

Yukon Jack did a rant (his daily 'my big yap' rant on 100.3 fm the Bear radio station in Edmonton) on this subject; as Oilers fans who do we cheer for? Oilers public enemy number 1, or public enemy number 2? (He left it up to the listeners to decide who is 1 and who is 2.)
Basically he's boycotting the SCF this season. He has a good point, butttttttttttt even with Comrie, I gotta go with the Senators on this one. Like Yukon Jack I hold a grudge, but the grudge against Pronger's wife is fresher than the grudge against Comrie.

I have mostly forgiven Pronger, but for the way he fucked over the Oilers due to his wife, I hope he never ever gets to pump Stanley around. He may be forgiven, but that doesn't mean I want to see him happy. Comrie was very much hated (and is still hated) by many Oilers fans for the way he left the Oilers, but his departure did not have the same impact as Pronger's departure did. Comrie did not lead the Oilers to within one game of the Stanley Cup and then bitch out for 'family reasons'. No, Comrie bitched out for more money, for a rumored dispute within the Oilers dressing room. Comrie was basically a little bitch, and we all hated him at the time, but time eases pain. The pain of Pronger dumping us has not subsided yet.
Good luck to you Comrie. Fuck you Pronger.

Thanks for the 1st round draft pick in 2008, but you can go to hell now Anaheim.




With my 10-4 prediction rate heading into the final, I fearlessly go with the Senators.
Todd Marchant doesn't deserve a Cup either.

SENATORS IN 6.

"Look at that break, it comes to Peca..........SCORES!"

On with the playoff memories.
With the Ducks off to the Western Final for the 2nd straight year, it brings to my mind the fun the Oilers had last season beating them in 5 games to advance to the SCF.
The Oilers were all the playoff "cliches" in 2006; a well-oiled machine, hitting on all cylinders, playing as a 5 man unit, etc.
What were the Oilers doing last year at approximately this time? Beating the Ducks 3-1 (en) in game 1 in Anaheim and making enemies with Teemu Selanne, that's what.
The best moment was Peca's shorthanded goal courtesy of a sweet long and high pass from Roli.
The video speaks for itself.

"There was nothing but air, and then there was Cujo"

I have posted this video on my blog already, but it's worth another look.
10 years ago, April 29,1997. 1st round of the playoffs, the Oilers return to the playoffs after a 5 year absence. Game 7 in Dallas. By all means, the Oilers shouldn't even of been in a game 7 in this series, but they kept at it and got it there. The greatest moment in playoff hockey is a game 7 in overtime. Cujo made save after save after save. Phenomenal saves at that. A relatively young team bound by determination and hard work. I had been watching playoff hockey since 1994, but not until the home town Oilers were back in it in 1997 did I start to become an Oilers fan. A die-hard one at that, within a year. I fell completely and hopelessly in love with the game of hockey and with the Oilers at this moment, and haven't looked back. Oh Cujo, you were the man back in the day. Purely unbelievable save.