Oct. 13, 2010 - Issue #782 : Future Edmonton
In the Box
So far, so good
New-look Oilers showing jam so far
There's really not much to gripe about after the initial week of Oiler action. The first two games were spectacular (with a 4-0 shutout win over Calgary!) and less-than-spectacular-but-victorious-nonetheless (with a 3-2 win over Florida). More please.
Eberle's antics
I would be remiss if I didn't mention this guy's absolutely amazing skills—if you saw the acting job that Eberle and the rest of the Oilers pulled off on the TSN segment that examined the "hurt feelings" surrounding Eberle's play in the season opener, you would have noticed that this guy shouldn't only be considered an early contender for the Calder, but perhaps an Emmy. Oh yeah, the guy can score goals too. Go to bit.ly/hurtfeelings to see the video. BB
Early Stats
Starting the season with two straight wins is obviously better than the alternative. The Oilers have won the first two (or more) games 10 times in franchise history. Only two of those (in '83 – '84 and '89 – '90) were Stanley Cup years. The best start was in '83 – '84 when the Oilers opened the season with seven straight wins. That streak included two wins over the (ick) Flames and a 10-7 goalfest against Vancouver. DY
Bulin wall
The biggest surprise of the first two games has been none other than Nikolai Khabibulin. Some thought he was past his prime. Others thought he wouldn't be able to focus due to his recent legal troubles. Still others thought he'd never come back to top form from back surgery, but so far—knock wood—Khabi has silenced all critics with his stellar play, keeping the Oilers in it through a brutal second period versus Calgary and a similarly-brutal three periods versus Florida. Huzzah! BB
Alien
Last week I observed on the radio that Oiler rookie Magnus Paajarvi "looks like an alien." Afterward, I reflected on it and decided that comment should be better defined. The last thing I want to do is hurt the feelings of a dynamic and talented young player. So here goes: no insult was intended. But I can't shake it. He does look like an alien. But not an ugly or creepy ET. He looks more like one of those humanoid aliens that resembles us but is eerily different in a way you can't really identify. He looks like he is somehow smarter or better than humans (he has this look that suggests he knows something we don't). He reminds me of a Vulcan but without the giveaway physical traits (pointy ears or eyebrows). However, Magnus would make a much better Klingon name than Vulcan. DY
Keep your pants on
It's hard not to get excited about the last two games the Oilers have played. Maybe you're even beginning to think that the Oil are a playoff contender this year—after all, the team is on pace to go 82-0. Everyone needs to keep their pants on, however. I don't mean to be the bearer of bad news, but the Panthers and the Flames were two of the lowest scoring teams in the NHL last year, finishing behind even the last-place Oilers at numbers 28 and 29 respectively. Plus, admit it: we looked horrible against Florida, saved only by Khabibulin. We gotta temper our enthusiasm, water down the Kool-Aid, or we're in for heartbreak. BB
Agreeing with the new guy
I'll happily take two straight wins to start the season, but I agree with the new guy. I've always been a "so, when's that other shoe going to drop?" guy. And how can the proverbial shoe drop? Let's see: one or more of the rookies turns out to be the next Michel Riesen or Patrick Stefan. Injuries pile up yet again. We see more performances like the Florida game and less like the Calgary game. Shawn Horcoff is more of an Ethan Moreau circa 2009-type Captain and less of a Jason Smith-type Captain. Ales Hemsky doesn't get fired up. But, worries aside, any season that starts with a shutout win over the (blech) Flames starts correctly. DY
Unsung Oiler of the Week:
Sheldon Souray: the Souray saga has been, if nothing else, entertaining. BB
Theo Peckham: playing well enough to frustrate Belle and Strudwick. DY
More stories in front »
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