Off The Post

Colin Fraser & The Cup

One of the newest Oilers, Colin Fraser was just down the street from my apartment today with the Stanley Cup. I had to leave work early just to get a glimpse of the Cup with our new center fresh off his big win with the Blackhawks last month. Living out here in the Vancouver area, I certainly don’t get to go to events with Oilers, well ever. I mean I know he was here because he won with the Hawks and it’s his hometown and it has nothing to do with the Oilers, but it was still cool to see the cup. I had a chance to see it for the first time just a few months ago during the Olympics, so this time it was just a bonus. I’m hoping this was just Colin’s first cup and he’ll be bringing it back again soon as a member of the Oilers.

The Fall for Hall

So now that I’ve got this fancy new iPhone I guess there’s no excuse to neglect my blog anymore?

So it’s been official for a few weeks now, Taylor Hall went first overall and has now signed his first NHL contract. A 3 year deal worth up to 3.75 million dollars with the bonuses worked in. Not bad for an 18 year old who has yet to play 1 game as a pro. I have to say, I am stoked! I feel as though this is the start of something big for the Oilers. I am always excited about an upcoming season, but this one is different. We are doing what we should have done 10 years ago, if not at least 3 or 4 years ago. Rebuild it through the draft and stop chasing over priced UFA’s.

For the first time since Doug Weight, do I really feel like putting a name and number on the back of a new Oilers jersey. Of course we need to know what digits he decides to wear.

On behalf Off the Post, welcome to the Oilers Taylor. I look forward to many years of writing about you!

Jordan Eberle: The Man for Canada

Canada destroyed Norway at the IIHF Tournament 12-1 today in Germany. But the big story is young Jordan Eberle, who in his first game of the tourny since getting the nod following Ryan Smyth’s injury, stole the show with 1 goal and 4 assists. He was named Team Canada player of the game, and continues his brilliance in international play. The Oilers prospect played along side top prospect Taylor Hall in this past years World Junior Championship, and could very well be NHL team mates with him if the Oilers do in fact select him #1 on draft day.

Jordan is also looking to pick up some of the offensive slack for team Canada, as young star Steven Stamkos has also gone down with injury. Along with Eberle, the likes of John Taveres, and Matt Duchene are two other young NHL’ers trying to bring yet another Gold back to Canada in Ice Hockey.

Eberle steals the show

MANNHEIM – Canada scored an easy 12-1 victory over Norway this afternoon at SAP Arena. Jordan Eberle, the 19-year-old, activated to the roster because of injuries, had a goal and three assists. Evander Kane had two goals and an assist, and the third member of the line, Rich Peverley, chipped in with a goal and two assists. It was Eberle’s international debut at the senior level. He had played at the 2010 and 2009 World U20 Championships.

The Numbers

All the debate surrounding who the Oilers should take #1 at the draft finally got me thinking about it from a different angle. Who can they pick? I mean, both of their jersey numbers are off limits. Perhaps this should be the criteria used for deciding on the #1 pick this year:

Hall – Jersey #4
#4 is unofficially retired, only having been worn by Kevin Lowe. Does hall get to wear it as a symbol of turning the organizational page? Or would that be far to much pressure to put on the youngster? #14, I believe has already been put on Eberle’s back (he wore it in training camp, and I even saw somebody wearing an Eberle 14 jersey once, not that, that makes it official). #44 is cursed, and would ensure Hall demands a trade out of E-Town within a couple seasons. #24??? Most recently vacated by one Steady Steve? Historically not the most “impact player” worthy number, but who knows. How about 8? Who is the most notable #8 in Oilers history? Joe Murphy perhaps? What about Kelly B and Jaret Stoll’s old number 16? 4 is the square root of 16. I like that one.

Seguin – #9
Well, I thought #4 was tough, but #9 is impossible. First of all it’s retired and therefore not an option. 99…? anyway. 19? boring, 29? boring. 39…. I still can only think of Doug Weight being the star #39. I say 9 x 2 for 18 and trade/buy-out/sell/con someone into taking off waivers, the current #18.

Just my 2 cents on the first evening without any hockey on t.v. in over a month. zzzzzzz…

THE pick…

Alright, it’s been long enough and the playoffs are deep enough that I figure I better chime in on the upcoming NHL entry draft. So, for the first time in franchise history the Oilers have the #1 pick. I don’t want to get into the Oilers historic ineptitude at first round drafting, but aside from a handful they’ve been mostly duds. In recent years it seems they have been better with picks like, Sam Gagner (2007 #6), and potentially Jordan Eberle (2008 #22) or Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson (2009 #10). Many feel that last 2 were steals at their respective draft position. I suppose time will only tell. However if they do turn out to be great picks, the future is looking very bright for the Oil.

Back to this year… So following arguably the worst season in franchise history the Oilers are faced with a tough, but welcomed decision. As summarized by “flashshooter” in a previous post Tyler Seguin, and Taylor Hall are pretty much neck and neck according to various scouting ranking reports. Seguin’s stock was perhaps boosted most recently as he was crowned the winner of the Red Tilson Trophy awarded to the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player of the Year. He beat out Taylor hall in votes 224 to 197. The 2 players finished tied for the OHL’s scoring title with 106 points. Seguin with 48 goals, and Hall with 40, but Hall did play in 5 fewer games.

Who do the Oilers pick? Both are looking like future NHL stars. Neither are the obvious #1 pick, unlike past years where the first pick has been pretty much a dead lock. I can’t say that I’ve watched the 2 play more than a handful of times, mostly their recent OHL playoff series and Hall in the last WJC tournament. I am definitely not an expert as to what scouts should be looking at. So as a fan, and someone who has been following this team since the early 80’s, I have to rely heavily on my gut instinct.

For years now Oilers fans have been screaming for a legit #1 center. If this is the biggest need, then Seguin should be the man. My argument to this logic is that the Oilers are currently loaded with players at the center slot. Sam Gagner is probably as untouchable as anyone on the roster. Is he a ligit 1st line NHL center? Perhaps, perhaps not. Size is his biggest hurdle. Shawn Horcoff? I think this has been beaten to death, but regardless, the Oilers are stuck with him and his inflated contract for at least the majority of the 5 years remaining on his 6 year deal. “Horcoff isn’t going anywhere.” Gilbert Brule. This guy is what this team needs more of. A player who plays with intensity and can score. He’s not big, but he plays big. I see him as a very versatile #3 center, with #2 abilities. This begs the question, where would Tyler Seguin fit in? Would I be willing to move Horcoff or Brule to make room for him? Definitely. But as I said, Horcoff is unmovable, and Brule has potential. Seguin could potentially be assigned to OKC for a season to continue to develop, making the immediate situation a mute point. Brule could be moved, and Horcoff could be put at #3 Center, with Seguin slotting in at #2. I suppose my point is that if the Oilers truly covet Seguin as their future #1 Center, room can easily be made. It has been documented that Seguin is a center that you can build your team around. He is a leader and a work horse.

Taylor Hall. Many feel he is the more “safe” or “high-end” pick in this draft class. He is more likely to sell jerseys and seats to the casual hockey fan. He is the poster boy for 2010 draft. He is listed as a LW for the Windsor spitfires, but from what I have read about him, he is a natural center. This creates an interesting dynamic, and perhaps an easier choice for the Oilers. Yes they have lacked that true #1 center since perhaps the departure of Doug Weight. But they have also had some depth issues on the wings as well. Since Dustin Penner had his breakout season last year, Ryan Smyth had been the most notable LW the Oilers have had in recent years. On the right side Ales Hemsky is without a doubt our star. Taylor Hall could easily be our star on LW or Center. With Penner on LW and on fire, we could potentially have some high end talent at all 3 positions as early as next year. Now, I don’t see Hall being put at the #1 Center, or LW position next season, but my point is simply trying to look at balance throughout the line-up and the top 6 in particular. Many believe that Hall possesses more “raw ability” than Seguin. That Taylor Hall is the more “flashy”, the more “sexy” of the 2. Some say that Seguin is center that you can build a team around, but Hall is the type of player that will make everyone around him better. Their stats are basically a wash, and their accomplishments in Junior practically identical. They are roughly the same size, though Hall is said to be a bit more rugged, and willing to go to the hard areas of the rink to make things happen offensively. Hall also does everything with top end speed and determination.

If I had to make the pick based on my limited knowledge, I pick Taylor Hall. This franchise needs someone like him. This is not to say we don’t need a guy like Seguin, but I believe that in a rebuilding process, and when trying to restore a teams tarnished image, the Oilers need to go with the flash and dazzle. I think that both of these prospects will be stars, but if for some reason Seguin turns out to be a bust, there will be a lot of people questioning why we didn’t go with the sure thing in Hall. If Hall turns out to be a bust I think the nay-sayers will have less of a case, as Hall is  as solid a pick as exists. Rumors have been circulating that Boston covets Taylor Hall over Tyler Seguin and are hopeful to land him with their #2 pick. This begs the question, if Edmonton would prefer Seguin, why not trade down to #2 and take Seguin plus whatever Boston is offering up to move up? Perhaps this scenario is for another post, but it does make things interesting. My personal belief is that the Oilers should take Taylor Hall. Make him the face of the franchise over the next couple seasons, continue to develop our other prospects and draft smart in the future. This is the best recipe for success.