Who Will Be Accountable Steve?

Remember when Steve Tambellini held his State of the Union address at the end of last season? When he said we needed to "restore the depth chart of prospects that are pushing the people here for jobs" (The video is on page 19 of the "Oilers Today" video channel on the team website). Given the fact that this team has allowed 25 goals during this 4 game losing streak, something would have to change, no? Given that roughly 99.99% of the fan base can see that our defense is atrocious, you would think that these prospects we have down on the farm are ready to take a job or two from some of the players up here. I mean, one can look at the boxcars and see that a player like Chorney, who is a plus player so far this season, after the disaster that was last. Alex Plante seems he is close to ready for the big leagues, he didn't look too out of place last year during his call up. Belle could be an option, but if it was me, I would call him up if we are decimated by injuries again.


For the forwards I would bring up Reddox and O'Marra. We need to inject some life into our lineup and the best way to do that is to have someone watch a game or three from the press box. If we send the type of message that no job is safe, do you think our players will start playing better? I mean losing games 4-3 in overtime like we did in New Jersey is all fine and dandy, but the 8-2's, 7-1's, 6-2's are unacceptable. Don't get me wrong, I'm fine if the Oilers gain another lottery pick this year, but to have a team that plays this bad, and have a Coach/GM who refuse to do anything, is just not right. Something needs to be done, for the sake of the kids at least, because what are the chances they are just flowing with confidence after an 8-2 loss? Chances are they aren't, so please Steve, tell us, WHO WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR BAD PLAY?

Game 14: Edmonton at Detroit

I would like to start off this post by thanking our fallen soldiers for all they have done to protect the freedoms that you and I enjoy on days like this. I would also like to apologize to the loyal readers of this blog for the lack of posts, the "fun" of being an accounting student has briefly caught up to me. Now on to today's game....


Today/night the Oilers are in Detroit to face the Red Wings. The first time these two teams met this season the Wings left Rexall Place with a 3-1 victory despite a valiant effort from the Oil. The Oilers then started on their annual November road with a win against the defending Stanley Cup Champions, again, then decided to roll over so to speak against Carolina. I have no idea what happened in that game, all I know is that I get home, check my mail and boom 1-0. Walk up to my lush 3rd floor apartment turn on the television, get confused that the game isn't on Sportsnet One tune in to the Sportsnet West channel and boom, 2-0. At that point I go "YOU HAVE GOT TO BE F**KING KIDDING ME!!!" it baffled me at just how different that game was to the Chicago game. The inconsistency the team shows, albeit they can't really help it, will ultimately lead to another lottery pick, not that another high pick is a bad thing either.

Our main problem does not seem to be the kids, it is our defense and goaltending. Khabibulin should not be playing the amount he has been, especially with how good Dubnyk has played(2.56 GAA and a .933 SV% is not that bad, is it?). Our D though, well we have no long term solution for that, unless Marincin(2nd in WHL D scoring) or Petry pan out.

Speaking of a high pick, I had the opportunity to view Top Prospect for the 2011 NHL Draft, Ryan Nugent Hopkins last night courtesy of a WHL game being broadcast on SHAW TV. Just by watching that one game, he showed flashes but didn't seem to do much. His lack of production can either be attributed to the fact Red Deer played the night before, or that fellow Top Prospect David Musil is just that good of a shutdown D man. Either way he looked flat and unimpressive last night.