Where is this team heading?

As the title suggests I want to look at the direction this team is heading in. Other than the apparent downward spiral of injuries... what is the excuse for the way they have been playing? I have looked at as many factors as I can imagine, and the only thing that sticks out for me is that the team has lost something. Confidence is one thing for sure. ALL the players seem to be honestly lacking in any confidence. Another that I want to touch on is the "head for the game"

A little tricky to define, but a factor non the less. One incindent that caught my eye recently was Hemsky getting creamed into the boards and losing the rest of the year. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!! Lets be completely clear, it WAS Hemsky's fault. Dont they teach you from midget up, that it is up to you to protect yourself? Screw this idea that you can take advantage of the rules and make yourself vulnerable to draw the penalty. And not only is this Hemsky's fault, but Quinns aswell. Oh I'm well aware he wasnt out there making the hit, but he sure the hell hasnt been teaching his boys about protecting themselves either. How many injuries have there been this year? How many man games lost to injury? Thanks to James Mirtle we have THAT answer. Now I ask....how many of those injuries could have been prevented if they were taught a system that allowed them to protect themselves better? Speed and puck pressure is a great way to play the game, I am well aware. I have been openly glowing about the new system put in place. BUT there has to be a balance. There are too many peewee players on this team to be reckless in the way they approach the game.
Quinn is getting no help from Tambellini in regards to bigger stronger players. So it is up to him to create a system that reflects the players he has to work with. That "speed and puck pressure" style suits them, but it can also be a detriment if those same players are putting themselves in a position that makes them vulnerable. I think instead of "team meetings" Quinn should be working on the aspect of "head games" And dont just tell them "keep your head up" Start showing them HOW to protect themselves against the bigger stronger players of todays game.

Stauffer made a comment a season or two ago, in regards to Smid getting run by Boogard. He said that "the next time the "boogyman" comes a runnin, you put your stick out and hit him right in the teeth." Yup, there would be a penalty, probably a suspension and everyone would think there may be a bit of a "dirty" streak in you. But by god they would think twice about making a run at you.

This team needs an edge, NOT another enforcer. It needs a way to protect itself from being run,and they need to develope a strategy for playing the puck while being safe. Now I dont suggest they go out and start running others or being flat out dirty. But I AM saying that they need to find that balance. They need to send a message that they arent going to be pushed around, and they HAVE to play with that swagger. Penner is a prime example. This year he has shown that his big frame isnt going to be pushed off the puck easy. The change from last year (since he didnt exactly put MORE weight on) was attitude. There is an air of entitlement when he is out there. The rest of the team needs to take notice and start stepping it up. No more backing off whenever they are touched, and start playing with the mind to protecting themselves.

The skill is strong, but the mind is weak. Time to change that Quinn....it's all on you!

Tambellini Tambellini.....where art thou Tambellini?

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?

Boston Bruins

So this should be an interesting game. Against Colorado the Oil played like they were scared to make a play. And against Detroit they looked like they had gotten over that fear for the first half, yet like when the lights go out for a child they forgot that there was nothing to be afraid of and started playing sketchy hockey for the second half. (Small miracles for the shootout, a part of the game the Oilers have no problem with)

I am looking to see the Oilers play this afternoon like they NEED a win. Not desperate hockey, but good solid playmaking. The record isnt doing too bad. (Although I would like to see more than 1-2 games over .500) But I would like to see progress more than anything. They seemed to be making strides at the start of the season, and they were winning games they didnt nessesarily deserve to win, so everyone was happy. Lately on the other hand, they havent made any more progress and a couple players have even looked like they were regressing back into the defensive/scared to make a play hockey.

If the Oil can bring a solid effort, and make some plays they can come out of this with 2 points and maybe some confidence.

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Injury thoughts.

Shelden Souray is expected to be out considerably longer than anyone had hoped. With no personal experience with post concussion syndrome I cant say what I think the timeline would be like. All we can hope for is for him to wake up one morning and feel better. Concussions can work that way. It is evident that missing Souray has been hurting the Oil very badly.

I think it can be said now that Staios has been replaced. If Souray and Visnovsky make it back, there is very little reason to reinstate Staios. I like the old dog, dont get me wrong. And the veteran presence is always a good thing....But with Chorney and Peckham playing as well as they have been, with cheaper contracts I see no reason to keep him around. This is a very mobile defence core, and Staios is just getting older and slower. I'm sure there will be a trade if there is one to make. I have a hard time believing that they will send him on waivers. He has been a warrior for this team for a long time, and if there is one thing the Oil are good at, is showing loyalty to their players.

Visnovsky. Come on man. Get some ColdFX in you and get back in there. We NEED you to play like you were last season for this team to be confident in making plays. Visnovsky, although quiet lately has the ability to be a second PP quarterback, a solid shutdown D and he can move the puck 5v5 as good as anyone out there. With all the discredit Lowe has taken over his team, he DID build a very respectible D-core with Vissy as a large piece of it. I think I speak for everyone when I say: WE MISS YOU VIS, COME HOME!!

Well, games about to start. Sadly I'm going to miss at least a period of it (halloween and all, there is still costumes to finish for the kiddies) Here's to hoping they arent afraid of the goblins and ghouls today, and put in a solid effort.

Cheers.