It's November and Oilers Still Contending

Like forever, and I've been predicting the Oilers to finish in 6th place.

And like forever, the Oilers have iced a rotten, patched up, horrible team in one way or another.

This season, I honestly think there is every chance for once I'll turn out to be correct, and here are some of the reasons:

1 - Oilers now have two bona fide scoring lines. Sorry, but since the dynasty I honestly don't remember any other time that this was true.

2 - Oilers have a coach that doesn't constantly annoy me. What I mean is, the MacT era was about entitlement - not only for veterans(who MacT loved), but for MacT and his ilk themselves; that is, clearly second rate former Oilers who rode the coat tails of the greats...then made a lifetime living off of their good luck.

3 - Everyone on the team has bought into Renney's system. Can there be anything cooler than watching mediocre players elevate their game? Compare this with the POS era - where POS(just one example) would prefer to skate 500 feet away from anything remotely painful. Now I see everyone blocking shots with glee.


I suppose these 'reasons' aren't very well thought out. So fucking what?

Welcome To The Former: thecaptainethanmoreau

Should be a barnburner Thurday November 3 when our beloved Oilers take on the LAKings, who tonight will ice not only our very former thecaptainethanmoreau, but Jarret Stoll, Matt Greene, and Dustin Penner.

7-2 Oilers.

A New Day Dawns

Amazing Oilers first in the Western Conference.

Random thoughts on tonight's game:

Cam Barker scored a world class goal.

Avalanche PP: Tonight Forced to play against relentlessness of young organised opponent, every zone on the ice.
Pretty Good Powerplay. B+

Tom Gilbert Blocked a Shot.

Gagner- Pajaarvi- Belanger Line are good. B+.

5:32 left in the Game: 3-1 Oilers totally in control of the game.

Devan Dubnyk: 1.00 GAA A+ Performance.


Points after 10 games:

RNH 10
Eberle 9
Hall 9
Smyth 8

Potter 6
Horcoff 6
Jones 3
Gilbert 2
Barker! 1 Goal! 1 Penalty!
Sutton 1 Goal.


Predictions:

1- Oilers will have 24+ Points at the 20 Game Mark.
2- all but guaranteed 1-2 blowout games in the next 10.
3- Kid Line guaranteed to score 7-9 games out of 10.
4- predict 6th place at the end of the year;
5- 1 playoff round win

odds: 6 to 1 against any of 1-5. 5 dollar bet.

October 28, 2011 Oilers Lead The Western Conference

Karma is A Bitch

As a hockey player, Chris Pronger was easily the best Oiler I saw since Mark Messier. Remove Pronger from the 2006 playoffs, and the Oilers don't even get into them.

As a human being, Pronger has allowed his considerable talent to overshadow his character, or lack of it. He's allowed himself to become something I'm sure he never was as a 4 year old - that is, an arrogant prick.

So. now he's hurt. I'm supposed to care? Why? Because all human life is sacred? If so, then why does the press bleat about the death of certain politicians(Libya comes to mind) being a good thing?

Not wanting to be a hypocrite, I prefer to let Pronger suffer. As a player he's always been a prick. So, why should anyone care, when for a change he's the one suffering?

Hunter's Fearless Predictions for West NHL 2011-2012

1- San Jose. Please don't think I have any good reason for this pick.
2- Chicago. Hawks storm back, perennial contender and recent Cup champs.
3- Vancouver. Nucks will be their whiny selves again.
4- Los Angeles. Kings can make Conference Finals, or 1st round exit lol.
5- Nashville. Great defence forever it seems.
6- Edmonton. Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, MPS, Omark + R N H = French Connection.
7- Detroit. They might get as high as 5th. Probable 2nd round exit.
8- Anaheim. Like the symmetry if this happens for 1st round.
9- Colorado. Improved team.
10- Gaylords of Hockey Calgary Flames. Maybe 12th, but I want them to pick here.
11- Phoenix. Loser franchise. California Golden Seals 2.0
12- Columbus. Slim playoff hopes, 1st round bounce if get there.
13- St Louis. Slight chance for playoffs, 10-1 shot-ville at the bookies.
14- Minnesota. I think a 8 to 1 shot says these guys make playoffs.
15- Dallas. Souray doesn't help. Losing Richards kills - and Modano is history.

The Concept of Retirement

Because it's September(and because Vic Ferrari says I'm a fool), last night I spent an hour watching the jersey retirement ceremonies of Messier, Kurri, Gretzky, and Coffey on YOUTUBE.

It's got to be a hard thing to do, watching your number go up into the rafters, with everyone cheering the man that you no longer are, or ever will be again.


I also gave a moment or two to notice the various current Oilers teams, watching these super players, knowing that they're all inferior. You can see it in their faces. No wonder they always lose the nights of these events. It's like getting a slap in the face.


Random thought: Why does Tom Gilbert get an "A"? The dude simply isn't any kind of a leader.