Roli-ing With It (The Saga of Dwayne Roloson)

Just three and a half seasons ago, Dwayne Roloson was toiling as part of a goalie tandem in St Paul, Minnesota. He had already developed a good reputation within the NHL as he had carried the Wild to a western conference final just 2 seasons previous. Roloson was a Unrestricted free agent at seasons end and the future was uncertain. However as of March 7, 2006 that was all about to change. The Wild's GM traded Roloson to the Edmonton Oilers for their first round pick in the upcoming draft. This all happening just 6 days before the NHL trade deadline. Roloson joined up with the Oilers, who had begun a new chapter in their organization, acquiring both Chris Pronger and Michael Peca in the off season. Little did Roloson know that in the next 6 days, his fortunes were about to change, along with the Oilers. GM Kevin Lowe went on a spending spree that trade deadline, acquiring the likes of Sergei Samsonov, and plugging the nagging holes on defense with both Dick Tarnstrom, and Jaroslav Spacek. The Oilers made the eighth and final spot into the playoffs. They then began their epic playoff journey, led by Dwayne Roloson himself. They made it all the way to the Stanley Cup final. To the dismay of Roloson and the Oilers Roloson went down in game one of the Stanley Cup finals in a crash of players into the net. The Oilers lost the series in seven games, and Roloson watched the rest from a pair of crutches.

That off-season the Oilers decided to give Roloson what he deserved for what he had done for them handing him a 3 year 11 million dollar deal. The catch to the contract for the Oilers was the fact that by the last year of the contract Roloson would be 39 years old.

Fast forward to the beginning of the 2008-2009 season. The previous season had seen Roloson lose the number one starting job to newcomer free agent Mathieu Garon. Garon was now looked on to be the Oilers starter this season. Near the end of the 07-08 season Roloson had been part of a small stretch run that almost landed the Oilers and their outstanding rookies in the playoffs. However they fell just short. Roloson knew he had to fight to get that number one job back and his destiny was in his own hands. Roloson proved to be not such a pushover in training camp and the Oilers began to question if maybe they needed to go with a goaltending duo. Well that duo soon turned into a trio as youngster Jeff-Druin Deslauriers played his way onto the team. All the while trade rumors had Roloson traded before training camp even finished. Well training camp finished and Roloson was still around. The season wained on and so did Mathieu Garon, and as he struggled, Roloson toiled, working his way back into HIS number one job. I have to say, i think the game that solidified it for Roloson was the December
6th game in San Jose. The Sharks were unbeaten at home, and sat on top of the league. That night Roloson stopped 41 shots to help the Oilers slay the leagues giant.

Yesterday Mathieu Garon was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. This epitomized Roloson's work in net. Roloson never gave up and kept working, and he regained his starting job. Ill admit to being a huge Garon fan, and counting Roli out, possibly even calling for him to be traded for a bag of pucks. However he has come back with force. Once again I feel confident with Roli patrolling the Oilers crease. Once again I feel that if the Oilers were to make a playoff run, Roloson will play a heavy part. Props go to Dwayne Roloson here, that at the ripe old age of 39, he worked, and regained his starting job. Here's hoping there is one more solid playoff run still left in him.

Go Oilers

-Sporer