Been a little while since I have had the time to write anything, real life and all.......
But I cannot stay silent on this any longer. Where the heck has good 'ol Tambi been hiding? There is a real need for some change on this team, and is it not his job to make the changes needed to get the team going again?
I can count several players that need replacing on this team, and the talk is silent in regards to making a deal.
First on the list is Pisani: One of my long time favorite Oilers, but it is really time for this team to cut its losses and move on. Loyalty is one thing, and I have no problem with Pisani getting some sort of office job or something along those lines. Yet we hear nothing about a move, or any other way to get him and his paycheck off the roster. Ever injured and with recurring colitis, this is a situation that seems to only hurt the oilers.
Next....Ethan Moreau: I've had enough. At what point does the brass realize that this guy cannot give you any more than what they are getting right now? Leadership skills? Well maybe, but I havent seen it. This team needs an offensive leader, at this very moment in time, DUSTIN FREAKIN PENNER deserves that "C" more than moreau does. Sorry Ethan, you gave everything you had, body and soul. But it is time to either hang up the skates or redefine your game into something a little less bullish. 4th line at best, or possibly a guy that can help out the Falcons.
And then Robert Nilsson: I really wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt, you claimed to be working your ass off in the offseason......but it didnt pay off. The moments of laziness still pop up, the ineffectivness of your game is still apparent and honestly your skills AND size are redundant on this team. Now there IS some value to Nilsson, there are at least a few teams that could use the creativness and can live with his size and giveaways but this team no longer can.
Decision Time...Gagner/Cogliano: Now this is going to be a sore spot with alot of fans, and heck I would have been upset at the start of the year. But this is the time to make a decision on these two. Who do you keep? They both have the tools needed to be a hell of a player. But neither of them seem to be making a step forward this year. I cant say if this is Quinn being unable to get through to them, or if it is simply a slump that they both have gotten into. But this team needs gamers, and neither of these two seem to have the game needed to help the Oilers out. Make a decision Tambi, and move forward.
And Another, Steve Staios: Like Moreau Staios has given alot of good years, but realisticly there is nothing left in the tank. The money is much better spent on Strudwick, who is not only younger but offers the veteran presence and just as much reliability. There isnt alot of negitive to say against Staios except that he is simply showing his age. He is slower year by year, and cannot really copmpete against the bigger guys in the league anymore. He doesnt have the head for the game, and he can no longer compensate by being a warrior. I think he is another that would really help out Springfield as there is very little value among the rest of the league.
There are other moves. Like getting Horcoff outta here (but it is completely unfair to think that Tambellini could move that contract. And he has value to the Oilers. He could very well be the top 3rd line center in the NHL.) For now though, I would be satisfied with seeing most or all of the above mentioned players, moved or put on the waiver wire. This team needs a change.....so again I ask, Where The Hell Is Tambellini?
