Arena Rant



I have been quietly sitting back and listening to the public debate over the construction of a new arena / entertainment facility in Edmonton, but I can't sit by quietly any longer. If I have to listen to one more mouth breathing HYPOCRITE on the tv and radio broadcasts I'm going to PUKE !!!!!!!

The next time I hear someone say "I don't want my tax dollars paying for a new arena" I swear I'm going to explode. They are obviously very narrow minded, misinformed and don’t use the current facility. This is not simply an arena, it’s an “Entertainment Complex”.

These concerned citizens are the same ones that were fine with spending $100 million on a new Art Gallery. Did you hear all of us that won’t be using that facility denouncing the use of public funds in it’s construction.



We finally have an owner that is willing to sink some serious money into a new arena and entertainment facility that will put this city back on the map. Not to mention generate a crap load of revenue and thousands of jobs for the city.

We all love Rexall Place and have many fantastic memories, but the old girl is 35 years old, has no windows, is built in one of the worst parts of town and does very little for generating revenue and jobs in the surrounding area.



Northlands has reported that they could have Rexall retrofitted (a fancy way of saying renovated, lol) for around $190 million. They say 190, I say it will end up costing 250-300 when all is said and done. We have to remember where this information is coming from, Northlands, the group which stands to lose the most should the new project go ahead. Does it make a shred of sense to possibly spend over $250 million for a short term fix ? I think not.

You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still just a pig.




Let's move into the new age and take some pride in our city.

I am ecstatic to hear that this project should be getting the go ahead very soon. If you belly achers don't like it, don't come down, cause chances are you don’t support the current facility anyways. You are not welcome to enjoy the fruits of our sports and entertainment culture that we have worked so hard and spent our hard earned money to build. You will all be eating CROW with EGG on your faces very soon, mark my words !



To all the supporters, we'll see you down there in 2014, YEE HAW !!! This will be a successful, state of the art venture that we can all be very proud of.

That's my rant for now, what do you guys think ? Agree or Disagree ? I'd like to hear from you !!!
Posted on 9:24 PM by Oil Freak and filed under , | 1 Comments »

Assistant Coaches Named

The Oilers have named Kelly Buchberger and Steve Smith as the teams Assistant Bench Bosses for the upcoming 2010-11 season.




Buchy spent the last two seasons as an Assistant Coach with the Oilers and Smith spent the last two seasons as a Pro Scout with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Everyone knows about Buchy and what he brings to this team, with his 18 year NHL career (including 13 seasons with the Oil), as well as some head coaching in the minors.



Smith was a surprise announcement as there was no indication that he was being considered for the position. It has been reported that Don Hay was the Oilers first choice for this position, but when he declined the offer the Oil went with Smith. Smith was a great Oiler, helping them in winning 3 of their 5 Stanley Cups.

However, Smith will always been known for his clearing attempt that ended up bouncing off Grant Fuhr and into his own net in game 7 of the 1986 playoffs vs the Calgary Flames.


The conversation on the air waves following this announcement was very mixed, some people are staying positive and willing to give this new staff some time to turn things around, while other people are not impressed that the Oil have once again maintained the Old Boy`s Club in making this decision.

Once again, as the details came out and radio and tv interviews were conducted it was clear that once again nothing is clear. We were lead to believe by Oiler Management that Steve Tambellini was putting this staff together, based on people that he trusts and is confortable with, with no interference from Lowe. Hmmmmmm, so how exactly does Smith fit into this theory you ask, well when Smith was interviewed on The Team 1260 he explained how he had a conversation with Lowe at this years NHL Entry Draft about coaching opportunities with the Oilers.

This is exactly the type of garbage that is creating an environment of mistrust for Oiler management within the legion of Oiler fans. I for one don`t trust a word that comes out of any of their mouths.

Bottom line . . . . just get your crap together and turn this sinking ship around. If this happens, then the make up of the staff is irrelevant, if this doesn`t happen and the team continues to show little to no sign of getting back to a level of respectability then I will personally take up the leadership of a linch mob that will not be happy with anything less than Lowes head.
Posted on 10:05 AM by Oil Freak and filed under | 0 Comments »

With the no.1 overall draft pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft . .

The Edmonton Oilers are proud to select . . . . from the Windsor Spitfires . . . . Taylor Hall !








OHL Stats . . . .

http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/stats/player.php?id=4895


2008-09 Memorial Cup Champion

2008-09 Memorial Cup MVP

2009-10 Memorial Cup Champion

2009-10 Memorial Cup MVP

Posted on 9:20 AM by Oil Freak and filed under | 0 Comments »

2010 NHL Entry Draft

Lets give a huge Oil Country welcome to the newest members of the Oiler Family, here's how the 2010 draft unfolded . . .


Round Player Name Position

*(1) Taylor Hall (F)
(31) Tyler Pitlick (C)
(46) Martin Marincin (D)
(48) Curtis Hamilton (LW)
(61) Ryan Martindale (C)
(91) Jermie Blain (D)
(121) Tyler Bunz (G)
(162) Brandon Davidson (D)
(166) Drew Czerwonka (LW)
(181) Kristians Pels (F)
(202) Kellen Jones (F)

* 1st overall draft pick, first in Edmonton Oiler team history
Posted on 9:05 AM by Oil Freak and filed under | 0 Comments »

Something is rotten in Oil Country !

I have always tried to be an objective, educated, passionate Oiler super fan and have always tried to give the team and it's management my support in any and all team decisions regardless of positive or negative public perception.

After todays events involving Pat Quinn and the contradicting reports from management and Quinn, I have decided that the gloves are off, no more mister nice guy.

I for one am getting really tired of this dog and pony show that I used to be proud to call myself a super fan of.

Everytime we turn around players don't want to come here, players ask to be traded out of here, coaches, assistant coaches, trainers, equipment managers are all sent packing, all with the explanation that "It's in the best interest of the team moving forward". People want to keep telling themselves that players don't want to come or stay here because of the weather, the travel, the Canadian Dollar, the this, the that . . . please, I for one am not an idiot.

Here is a scenerio for you . . . you get offered a new position at work, it's a major promotion, but it is to a company that you have heard absolute horror stories about their upper management, the way that they treat their people, the way that they throw their people under the buss in order to save their own jobs, a complete lack of communication, and just an environment of utter disrespect. So, do you take the job ? Come on, we are rebuilding our culture and we want you to be a part of it. Well, what's your answer . . . .

I, as most other die hard Oiler fans agree that a rebuild has to take place in order to clean up this freaking mess. However, when we keep hearing contradicting reports from Oiler management and exiting players, coaches etc, I say that no matter how much rebuilding we do it won't amount to a hill of beans if the people pulling the strings don't change.

Today's firing, er, promoting, er, blindsiding, er, whatever the hell you want to call what happened to Pat Quinn, is just the latest in questionable decisions and practices carried out by this three ring management circus. The Oilers paint it as Quinn was stepping down and had been "promoted" to an office position, yet Quinn says he knew nothing of this plan, was looking forward to coaching this year and didn't believe it to be a "promotion". You can not seriously hold Quinn responsible for the mess that was the 2009/10 season.

The most disturbing fact in all of this is the distraction and drama around a team that is in utter turmoil, coming off of it's worst season in team history and just three days from it's most important NHL entry draft in team history, in which they will make the #1 overall selection, barring any further stupidity by it's upper management. Management should be concentrating on the upcoming draft and making any deals that they can to strengthen their draft options and to move any unwanted contracts cause it is "In the teams best interest moving forward", lol.

Through all of this there is one single individual that has escaped unscathed even though he is personally responsible for this entire mess. Everytime the linch mob is at his door he fires or trades someone or moves himself into another position within the organization, always in an upwards motion I might add. The entire time, regardless of what he tells us idiots, he has always been pulling the strings and that is precisely why nothing is ever going to change with the "Culture" of this organization. I hate to say it, as I have always debated the existance of it, but there is one remaining member of "The old boys club" and he HAS TO GO in order for this franchise to truely rebuild and start to move in the right direction.
I have absolutely had it with Kevin Lowe and now his new puppet Steve Tambelini and their lies and deceit. They lie to their employees, their players, their fans and obviously themselves.

I found it a perfect tribute to Pat Quinn, a picture posted by Oilers Nation on Twitter today following the news of the "promotion" . . . .



Posted on 6:52 PM by Oil Freak and filed under | 0 Comments »

Prognostication

Prognostication - noun - to forecast or predict.

Sports fans all over the world love to predict (prognosticate) how their beloved team is going to perform. However, most die hard fans have great difficulty in being objective, this is also know as "wearing rose colored glasses" or "drinking the cool-aid".

I personally feel that the changes in net and behind the bench should be enough to push the Oil into the post season, having said that, the oiler brass knows that they still have glaring weaknesses that MUST be addressed if they want to punch their post season ticket and to have any chance at all in making any noise should they make it in. I still feel that they need to make a trade for a high profile 1st line center or winger and some help in the face-off circle.

I will go on record as saying that the Oilers will finish in 7th or 8th place in the Western Conference if they make the changes that are badly needed during the course of the season, if they make no changes they will finish in no better than 10th.

I would love to hear the predictions of my fellow Oil Freaks for the upcoming Oiler season, please comment on this post and tell us how you feel the Oil will fare.
Posted on 10:19 AM by Oil Freak and filed under | 0 Comments »

Pre-Season Recap


The 09/10 Oiler pre-season has been one of, if not the most anticipated and most watched pre-season in recent years.

There were a few great story lines to keep us all glued to our computers and televisions . . .

#1 - Mike Comrie signs back on with the Oilers to some mixed reviews and immediately silenced all his critics by playing very well while putting up a total of 10 points in 5 games. The fans are solidly behind Mike and it looks as though this could be the comeback story of the year.

#2 - JF Jacques . . . where did this guy come from ? Jacques came to camp and blew everyone off their feet with his solid play while racking up 3 goals and 4 points in 5 games. At the point of this post JF is on the wing of the first line with Horcoff and Hemsky. Oil fans are waiting to see if he still fits into that role when the games start for real.

#3 - A completely re-vamped coaching staff including Quinn, Renney and Fleming which has given a new face, attitude and aura to this squad, which is exactly what the doctor ordered. Time will tell if these changes result in a better finish or not, but things look very promising.

#4 - Rob Schremp was a bust at yet another training camp, but this time with a new coaching staff and no one left to blame but himself. The Oilers placed Schremp on waivers where he was picked up by the New York Islanders.

#5 - Tom Gilbert was very solid on the back end while tallying 7 points in 5 games. Tom continues to increase his stock value on this team.

#6 - Ryan Stone was a complete surprise to almost everyone with 3 points in 5 games and a +4 rating. Quinn and the coaching staff were so pleased with his camp that he has survived all the cuts and will start the year with the big club, how long he will stay up is still to be seen but he has done what he had to to give himself a shot.

#7 - Robert Nilsson is once again in the coaching staff doghouse after a very sub par training camp, leaving his Oiler future very much up in the air.

It is going to be very interesting to see how everything unfolds this year, but with all the changes and exciting story lines I for one am very excited to see the results or lack there of.
Posted on 5:31 PM by Oil Freak and filed under , , , , , , , , , , | 0 Comments »

October Calendar



The October calendar at a glance obtained from the Edmonton Oilers Multimedia page at . . . http://oilers.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=33780
Posted on 5:07 PM by Oil Freak and filed under | 0 Comments »

Schremp done


Robbie Schremp has been picked off the waiver wire by the New York Islanders.

This move has come as a huge surprise to those who felt that he had absolutely no NHL value and as absolutely no surprise to those who still feel that Rob was not given a fair shot as a member of the Edmonton Oilers and will now prove everyone wrong.

It is going to be very interesting to watch how things unfold for Rob in NY. He now has yet another shot at proving all his critics wrong and earning himself an NHL job or by failing yet again and putting the final nail in his NHL casket.
Image by Jeff Gross/Getty Images
Posted on 4:53 PM by Oil Freak and filed under | 0 Comments »

Latest roster cuts

The latest round of roster cuts were announced following the final pre-season game on Sunday vs the Vancouver Canucks.

The following players were sent back to the minor league system or will be placed on waivers . . .

Rob Schremp (Springfield AHL - Waivers)
Jordan Eberle (Regina WHL)
Kip Brennan (Springfield AHL)
Taylor Chorney (Springfield AHL)
Devan Dubnyk (Springfield AHL)

None of these assignments come as any surprise, just due to the sheer number game.

Eberle is still very young and will benefit from atleast one more year in junior, this kid has a very bright NHL future ahead of him.

Schremp's placement on waivers comes as absolutely no surprise to anyone who has been watching his career (objectively) tailspin out of control for the past few years. For Rob's sake I for one hope that he gets picked up off of the waiver wire so that the Oil can rid themselves of the Schremp sideshow and Oil fans can get over the loss of another high draft pick.
Posted on 4:24 PM by Oil Freak and filed under , , , , | 0 Comments »

Oil win a barn burner to end the pre-season

The Oil played well to skate away with a 5-4 OT victory in a barn burner in their final pre-season game of the year.

Comrie, Horcoff, Hemsky & Jacques all hit the score sheet for 2 points each, with Comrie leading the way with 2 beautiful goals.

Jacques continued his torid pre-season pace with yet another excellent effort in earning the first star selection which included scoring a dirty, Smytty like effort at the side of the net during a power play in the second frame.

Another notable Oiler was Penner, who has had a very good camp in his own right and finished the pre-season with another solid effort as well, finishing with one helper.

Gilbert scored the OT winner on a Souray like blast from the point.

This was a fun and entertaining game which the Oilers were somewhat fortunate to win. The Oil were badly outclassed in the face off circle, as they have been on many nights in recent years. The Canucks have a very strong power play and thanks in part to Staios's three minors they were able to strike for 3 goals on the PP. Khabibulin was less than stellar, allowing 4 goals on 27 shots.
Posted on 8:36 PM by Oil Freak and filed under , , , , , , , | 0 Comments »

Final pre-season game of the 09-10 campaign

The reported line-up for tonights game vs the Canucks is as follows . . .

Jacques / Horcoff / Hemsky
Penner / Comrie / O'Sullivan
Gagner / Cogliano / Macintyre
Reddox / Brule / Stortini

If this line-up stays true to form then the writing is on the wall for Schremp and a few others. Monday and Tuesday could prove to be very interesting days in Oil Country.
Posted on 6:03 PM by Oil Freak and filed under , | 0 Comments »
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