The 2013 Oilers Preview (Season Starts In Van on Jan. 20th)

[Soundwave]

So uh, this is kinda like getting to open your Christmas gifts in March, but better late than never I guess ...

Hall RNH Eberle
Hemsky Gagner Yakupov
Smyth Horcoff (?) Jones
Hartikanen Belanger Eager
Petrell/Hordichuk

Whitney Smid
Schultz Schultz
Petry Potter (?)

Dubnyk
Khabibulin (?)


If we buy out Horcoff I guess Yakupov could have the no.10. Lets hope Ryan Whitney has 48-52 healthy games left in the tank.

Out of all this buy out fall out we really badly could use one more solid second or third pairing veteran d-man.

Click to read more...

 

[PigeonCamera]

I don't think the buyouts come into play until the summer. I do think we'll see some player movement though.

I can't believe I'm making an actual hockey post. Thank Jebus.

 

[Philly85*]

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?

Hall-RNH-Eberle
Hemsky-Gagner-Yakupov
Smyth-Horcoff-Jones
Eager-Belanger-Hordichuk

First call up: Hartikainen

Smid-Petry
Shultz-Schultz
Whitney-Potter/Sutton
Peckham

Dubnyk
Khabibulin

Slap these **** hawks on the ice and let's get Rollin!

 

[Ragss]

I never thought for a second we'd have hockey this year. I mean I watched most of Russia's games at the Juniors just to get a peak at Yak and now he will (at least I friggen hope so) be with the Oilers in a week or so playing alongside Nuge...

 

[The Nuge]

I don't think the buyouts come into play until the summer. I do think we'll see some player movement though.

I can't believe I'm making an actual hockey post. Thank Jebus.

This! It's been way too long

 

[Mowzie]

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?

Hall-RNH-Eberle
Hemsky-Gagner-Yakupov
Smyth-Horcoff-Jones
Eager-Belanger-Hordichuk

First call up: Hartikainen

Smid-Petry
Shultz-Schultz
Whitney-Potter/Sutton
Peckham

Dubnyk
Khabibulin

Slap these **** hawks on the ice and let's get Rollin!

Not to be a wet blanket, but I look at that bottom 6, and can't think of many teams that could out-suck them. Maybe Krueger's new attack system will be beneficial, but on paper, and given their performances last year, I see that bottom six undoing alot of what the top six accomplishes throughout any particular game.

 

[MCMIL OIL]

Hall-NUG-Eberle
Hemsky-Gagner-Yakupov
Smyth-Horcoff-Jones
Petrell-Belanger-Eager
Alternative:Hartikainen/Paajarvi/Lander/Hordichuck

Whitney-J.Schultz
Smid-Petry
N.Schultz-Sutton
Alternatesotter/Peckham/Tuebert

Dubnyk
Kabby
Roy

Let the good times roll. hope the short season works to are advantage. so we can finally keep a healthy team.

 

[Matt Ryan]

I hope the coaches and krueger have been busy creating new schemes and creative plays

 

[Turrican*]

hahaha Nug

 

[Baggie]

I think this will be an excellent season for the oilers to perform well, because if they do so (team, or individual efforts) the haters can always play it off with "it's not even a real season".

 

[T-Funk]

Not to be a wet blanket, but I look at that bottom 6, and can't think of many teams that could out-suck them. Maybe Krueger's new attack system will be beneficial, but on paper, and given their performances last year, I see that bottom six undoing alot of what the top six accomplishes throughout any particular game.

I see no problem with the third line to be honest.

That 4th is useless unless Belanger and Eager get their **** together fast

 

[McDNicks17]

What's the word with Sutton?

Wasn't there something about him getting injured and considering retirement not too long ago?

 

[Oan]

Hasn't Hartikainen already deserved to at least start in 3rd line?

 

[Muscles Glasses]

What's the word with Sutton?

Wasn't there something about him getting injured and considering retirement not too long ago?

Yeah, I heard that he was done. I also hurt that Khabibulin was hurt, but not too sure about that.

 

[McDNicks17]

Hasn't Hartikainen already deserved to at least start in 3rd line?

If it's the same Smyth from the latter part of last year, I'd like to see Harski on the 3rd line with Smyth on the 4th.

 

[knockoutpanda]

If it's the same Smyth from the latter part of last year, I'd like to see Harski on the 3rd line with Smyth on the 4th.

Smyth wasn't that bad playing in the spengler.

 

[Baggie]

If it's the same Smyth from the latter part of last year, I'd like to see Harski on the 3rd line with Smyth on the 4th.

Hartikainen has always been good when given opportunity in the NHL. He's more useful than Smyth when they are not scoring. However I would still give Smyth a chance as he can still score goals and provide leadership.

What's Harti's waiver eligibility status?

 

[Took a pill in Sbisa]

I hope the coaches and krueger have been busy creating new schemes and creative plays

Nah I expect theyve just been sitting around at home watching TV the past 4 months.

 

[Took a pill in Sbisa]

Am I the only one that thinks that 2nd line needs Harski's grit and that it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if one of Yak or Hemsky start on the 3rd line? Hemsky's most productive year has been with Horcoff or having Yak on the 3rd line takes the rookie pressure off of needing elite offensive production from Day 1

 

[Fourier]

If it's the same Smyth from the latter part of last year, I'd like to see Harski on the 3rd line with Smyth on the 4th.

You might actually get a pretty decent year out of Smyth. A short season has to be to his advantage. That and the fact that he and Horcoff should not be leading the forward group in ice time this year means he stays a lot fresher.

That said, his time as a significant factor in Edmonton is almost done. Let's see how he adjusts to being a bit player.

 

[Jumptheshark]

Smyth to the second line is my guess

 

[Everlasting]

Hall-NUG-Eberle
Hemsky-Gagner-Yakupov
Smyth-Lander-Jones
Hartikanen-Horcoff-Eager

 

[windjackass]

PP1: Eberle-RNH-Hall-Yak-Schultz
PP2: Hemsky-Gagner-Smyth-Whitney-Petry

 

[knockoutpanda]

PP1: Eberle-RNH-Hall-Yak-Schultz
PP2: Hemsky-Gagner-Smyth-Whitney-Petry

That first unit should make for a dirty power play.

 

[Lay Z Boy GM]

Hall-RNH-Eberle
Smyth-Gagner-Yakupov
Hartikainen-Horcoff-Hemsky
Petrell/Eager-Belanger-Jones

I think Smyth is going to surprise a lot of Oilers fans. He was great in the first 45 games or so last season. He's an older guy now and Renney played him way too much and wore him out. On the 2nd or 3rd line I think he's going to be golden. Just limit his TOI a bit.

Hopefully Schultz gets to play with Smid. Smid is our best option for Schultz and I think it's really important to give Schultz a rock solid partner. Schultz could transition relatively seamlessly this way.