Nurse has looked excellent the last few games. That being said the people scoffing at Nichushkin need to give their heads a shake. Dallas' best forward other than Seguin thus far this preseason. Yes, better than Benn.
No, it's his attitude too. I don't see Hemsky eager to backcheck or finish his checks for anyone else.
I think Ryan Jones and Ryan Hamilton should be cut. Just nothing happening there at all. They had as much impact on this game as Omark had last night.
Eager has barely done a thing all pre-season, but he still edges these two out.
Pitlick has actually played better than all of them, although he looked a bit out of gas tonight, and could get nothing going without Joensuu.
Thought Arco looked okay, and Will Acton also edges out Lander, although he isn't much of a player either.
Overall, I'd have to say I'm totally unimpressed with out bottom 6 forwards, with the exception of Joensuu and Pitlick, who have had good (at times great) camps.
Hemsky's injury was a cut finger for anyone who's wondering.
This guys has really been disappointing. It's like he didn't realize there was a spot to be had on this team. No zeal, no motivation - just playing his safe-man's game.
I was hoping for a Pitlick-like performance from him, but he's not bringing it. The dude needs to realize he needs to engage more physically and go to the tougher areas to produce.
At this point he's a "nothing" player. Hopefully he figures it out soon because IIRC it's a contract year for him.
i hesitant to say it but it appears this system is quite effective and has me very optimistic about this season
I know that he is better than this. It's like he's not even trying out there almost as if it's mental. He's getting outplayed (barely but still...) by Acton, he should take a long look in the mirror and be ashamed of himself for letting that happen.
I'm starting to question whether or not he will ever be a full time NHLer and I've always been a fan of his. Another season or two of minimal improvement and he'll be the next Will Acton.
Pre-Season Record
2013: 7-1-1 (1)
2011: 5-3-0 (5)
2010: 4-2-0 (4)
2009: 4-3-1 (4)
2008: 2-2-3 (11)
Note: (League Ranking)
I was actually expecting the team to have worse records in previous years.
Eakins says he'd put his money on having a captain before the start of the season, but not all of his money.. 1$
Pre-season hockey sucks.
Bring on the real season.
This x1000
I'm sure that most of the players in the league are thinking the same thing. Most of the Oilers have mentally checked out of preseason already, so have I to be honest.
I am placing 0% value on our preseason record - there is zero crossover effect into the regular season
I think Ryan Jones and Ryan Hamilton should be cut. Just nothing happening there at all. They had as much impact on this game as Omark had last night.
Eager has barely done a thing all pre-season, but he still edges these two out.
Pitlick has actually played better than all of them, although he looked a bit out of gas tonight, and could get nothing going without Joensuu.
Thought Arco looked okay, and Will Acton also edges out Lander, although he isn't much of a player either.
Overall, I'd have to say I'm totally unimpressed with out bottom 6 forwards, with the exception of Joensuu and Pitlick, who have had good (at times great) camps.
Pumped for the season to start already. Nurse is a stud, thought the behind the back pass was a fluke lol, he was just throwing it out front. Still, great mobility and vision. I mean I just love that he had the ability to pull of two fakes and get behind the net.
No Oilers winger other than MPS did this better than Hemsky in the last 2-3 years.
But I guess when you say "I don't see" - you aren't watching the games?
Haaaaaaaaall.