Thursday, November 13, 2008

How the bloody hell does THIS make things better?


ANOTHER ENFORCER?

The Oilers announced yesterday that they have claimed goon Jesse Boulerice off waivers from the Avalanche. The same guy who wasn't allowed back in the OHL for this, and who was suspended for 25 games last year for this. Boulerice is a brutal hockey player (see stats), and not even a very good fighter. This is terrible news if the Oilers plan to keep him, and I don't stand alone on this opinion (viewing comments made on other blogs here, here, etc). I would really prefer if this guy doesn't put on an Oiler jersey.
I really hope that this is more of a stratigic play than a hockey move - as the Oil play the Avs Saturday night, and perhaps they weren't looking forward to playing AGAINST stick-weilding Jesse. One can hope he stays in the PB and is waived on Sunday.

THE THIRD HEAD SAYS, "LOOK AT ME!"
Jeff Droulin-Deslauriers (of the Oilers Three-headed goalie monster) has played the previous 2.5 games for the Oil, and he has looked good. Scary good. Confident with a big calm presence, he has most fans excited about his future. He is outplaying his past numbers (AHL, ECHL) by a long shot, so don't expect this to continue for much longer. But I'll revel in it while it lasts.
His play also muddies the goalie picture, with the two vets on the last year of their respective contracts, and Garon likely looking to resign. What should the Oil do? Trade a vet goalie? Send down JDD and risk waivers? I say stand pat. The goalie situation will "play" itself out in time, and we can trade months from now when the playoff picture is closer and the value is (hopefully) higher.

WITH THE REVOLVING DOOR OF LINEMATES, HEMSKY GETS CONFUSED AND CONTINUES SCORING INSTEAD OF PASSING
Thank god the Fernando experiment is over. Pisani at center was not the best idea MacT has ever tried (I seem to remember Smyth was involved in a similar failed experiment). I'm also glad to see the kid line split, and the distribution of talent over four lines. With Stortini in and the enforcer-of-the-day out, we can roll 4 solid lines and gain momentum.
Also, I am a big fan of the Horcoff-Pisani-Cole line. Beauty "second" line who can play against anyone. Love it.

No comments: