The Oilers had a six-game home stand which had teams ready to hand
their two points over to the them like the sad San Jose Sharks, the
laughable Vancouver Canucks, the pathetic Montreal Canadiens and
the not- so-royal Los Angeles Kings. These sub-.500 teams should
have been pure fodder for the Oilers.
Unfortunately they weren't.
Out of those four games, they only came out with two points. Of
course against the bigger and better teams, the Oilers showed a
little more spunk. They whupped the Phoenix Coyotes, and stormed
back to steal a point away from the Philadelphia Flyers.
Sure the Coyotes had good `ol Jimmy Waite in net, but anytime you
score seven goals in game, you can't complain.
And it was a real nice comeback for the Oil against the Flyers. Ten
minutes left in the game, and the Oilers behind 3-1, Roman Hamrlik
buried a nice shot from the point. Just over a minute later, Boyd
Devereux sniped one past John Vanbiesbrouck to tie the game.
The Flyers were without both Eric Lindros and Mikail Renberg, so the
Oilers weren't really over their heads. They just played crappy
during the first two periods and had to play catch-up during the
third.
An example was Eric Desjardins' goal, which he scored when Dean
McAmmond literally gave him the puck. McAmmond made coach Ron Low's
doghouse for that, but the whole team was playing poorly.
At this point the Oilers are sorely missing Doug Weight, who is the
Oilers' offensive catalyst. A team can only survive without their
top scorer for so long.
Losses to San Jose and Montreal were inexcusable. Especially
against the Sharks, where the Oilers just didn't seem in it, maybe
they were too distracted and were thinking about what Santa may
have brought them.
But Christmas is over and the Oilers are fresh off a 6-4 loss to the
Anaheim Mighty Ducks. The worst part is that the Oilers had a 3-1
lead during the first period. They gave three 5-on-3 power-play
chances to the Ducks, the top power-play team at home.
When you do that you're asking for a loss. They've got to get their
heads together and play smarter and harder.
Pleasant Surprise
The pleasant surprise lately has been the call-up of man-monster
Georges Laraque. He has shown us that he can play with the big
boys. And fight with them too, which is a problem the Oilers have
had since about '92.
Too often it's captain Kelly Buchberger, who to jumpstart the team
got his ass kicked by Donald Brashear. No more. In the past it's
been fighters who either can't fight, or can't play.
Remember Louie Debrusk? Couldn't, or, more accurately, wouldn't
fight. Actually he couldn't really play either. How about Dennis
Bonvie, small, feisty guy and very ready to fight. But couldn't
play or skate worth a lick.
You have the bridge number one
With Buchy out with a broken arm, the Oilers needed someone to
assume the captaincy. Without a doubt, were Doug Weight not
injured, he would have been presented with the honor. But since
he's down until the all-star break, Bill Guerin got the big "C."
Sure he'll be without any letter once Buchy and Weight return, but
it's still not a bad gig. The only other option would have been
alternate captain Boris Mironov. And getting the open position of
assistant captain was Mike Grier, who has played well this season.
Rumours
Now that hell has frozen over and the Toronto Maple Leafs have
finally traded Felix Potvin, the Oilers might be in the race for
another goalie. With Felix Potvin, Tommy Salo and Robert Luongo on
the Island, look for New York Islanders GM Mike Milbury to be
pitching the now-expendable Salo.
Rumour has that Salo and Milbury aren't the best of pals, Salo would
love to get out of the Island. Apparently Milbury is asking for Ryan
Smyth in return.
This deal isn't out of the question. The only thing other than
pride that kept GM Glen Sather from seriously bidding on Potvin was
the fact that the Cat makes $2.7 million clams a year.
Salo is more in Sather's price range at just over $1 million. And
with Shtalenkov and Essensa playing less than spectacular, look for
Sather to do something to improve the Oilers' weakest position.
Say goodbye
Look for Boris Mironov to be getting a huge raise this summer when
he's a restricted free agent. Mironov, who's been a little
inconsistent, but overall the Oilers best defenceman can ask for
around $3 million a year. Right now he makes a measly $1.2 million
(yeah, I know I'd kill for that kind of cash too) which is under
the league average.
Vladimir Malakov makes $2.5 million a year in Montreal and Bo is way
better than that. He usually plays around 27 minutes a game and is
top 10 in scoring among defenceman and has a respectable plus-minus
of +13.
Other players who can flee for greener pa$ture$ include Bill Guerin
and Roman Hamrlik. Doug Weight is also an unrestricted free agent,
but his long injury may be the best thing to happen to the Oilers
since it hurts him on the bargaining table. Look for Weight to
file for arbitration.
Ok, here it is, I know you've been waiting for it.the first half
report card for the Oilers!
Player Grade The Deal
Boris Mironov B+ He's tied for 3rd in scoring for d-men,
plays 27 minutes a game
Tom Poti B Started off weak, but has shown a lot of
poise for a rookie
Frank Musil C Reliable 6th d-man and doesn't complain
when he has to watch
Bill Guerin A 18 goals and wearing the C, if anything,
he tries too hard
Pat Falloon B- On pace to score 20 goals. Not a bad free
agent pick-up
Mats Lindgren D+ 2 goals? I remember when they called him
the next Sundin
Kelly Buchberger B- Plays hard but has no hands, the captain
must give more
Rem Murray B Can give us 20 goals, plays almost any
position.
Boyd Devereux C Playing ok, but has to start producing
points soon.
Joe Beranek A Exceeded expectations, he's second in team
scoring.
Roman Hamrlik B- Oilers' steadiest d-man and tutoring
partner Tom Poti.
Sean Brown C+ He delivers tough, solid defence. He's
part of the future.
Mike Grier B He's playing tough and scoring a bit. Has
joined PK unit.
Todd Marchant C With the chances he gets, he should be a
35-goal man.
Georges Laraque B+ Can't knock him off the puck, or he'll kick
your ass!
Bill Huard D Can't get into lineup, and when he does, he
gets injured.
Bob Essensa C- Less than steady presence between the pipes.
Marty McSorley D- Bad pickup; makes mistakes veterans
shouldn't.
Mikail Shtalenkov C+ Not much better than Essensa. A little
steadier.
Dean McAmmond D So many giveaways. Stop the bonehead plays,
start scoring.
Doug Weight A When he played, he did no wrong. Hasn't
played in months.
Janne Niinimaa D Too mistake prone. What's Dan McGillis'
phone number?
Andrei Kovalenko B+ Like the Russian tank of old. He's playing
like he care$.
Ryan Smyth D- Always poor defensively. Now poor
offensively too.
Todd Reirden B- Has only played a few games, but looks
decent.
Fred Lindquist D Can't score at NHL level yet, he needs time.
Craig Millar C Played solid when he was here.
Kevin Brown B- Pleasant surprise (4 goals, 12 games), `til
he got injured.
