Back in the Peg

So after a good week at home with family and friends, its back to the grind and the books back here in the Peg. A long week of no blogs too. It has been a long week of NHL thoughts as well. So here are a few things that have been burning through my skull...

1) Erik Cole....will he stay? or will he go? with just 13 goals so far through the season, for a guy who was looked to score 30, he is completely expendable. However, he brings it every night, he is a veteran presence and a character player. I do think that for the right price, he will go. I'm not Steve Tambelini, but my gut does tell me the Oilers wouldn't mind signing Cole, but he would have to take a big pay cut for it to make sense.

2) What the hell happened to the Habs?! Seriously?! They come into Edmonton and we destroy them 7-2?! Since when?! Alex Kovalev is now on the trading block?! Carey Price has been BRUTAL!!! What is going on in Montreal....someone please explain.

3) Same with the Rangers.

4) The Dallas Stars have made an enormous comeback, they have played their way through the Sean Avery debacle, and back into playoff contention. Brad Richards goes down with a broken wrist. Joining Sergei Zubov, and Brendan Morrow on the IR. To me, its the straw that finally breaks the camel's back. Unless the Stars bring in a difference maker, and fast, they will fall out of playoff contention.

5) A second Canadian Olympic team? Ya that sounds appropriate. In all truth, that second Canadian team wouldn't do too bad either. Lets just imagine for a moment what that team would look like. I'm gonna say that Marc Savard misses team Canada once again, thus he would be the first to be name to the second team. So here we go:

Cammalleri--Savard--St Louis
Ryan Smyth--Derek Roy--Devin Steoguchi
Ryan Clowe--Jonathan Toews--Jason Pominville
Ryan Whitney--Eric Staal--Scott Hartnell

So yes the Ryan's own the left side, and the yes Jon Toews is on the team, based sole on the fact I don't think he makes the "1st" team. This second team is just chalk full of hard working, blue collar type players. This would be a coaches dream as far as work ethic goes. So with the forwards done lets move on to the defense.

Dennis Wideman--Sheldon Souray
Rob Blake--Duncan Keith
Ed Jovanovski--Brent Burns

I personally think Souray makes the "1st" team, however, many people do not have him on the team, so ill put him on the "2nd" team. Again, just like the forwards, the "D" is a very hardworking bunch who bring it every night. A punishing group as well, as with every one of those players would scare me to go into the corner with. Moving on to the goaltending...

Marty Turco
Cam Ward
Marc-Andre Fleury

Its true, this team would make a serious case for itself. Starting with the goaltending. An all-star cast of goaltenders means that this team will be well equipped in net.
So with all the players named, I must say that this team would make a huge case for itself, competitive wise. They don't have the names that most of the other national teams would, but they definitely have quality players who would have that "we wanna win" attitude. Id be scared to face a team like this in international play, mostly because they are all professionals, who are all quality hard working players.

6) The Oilers will make the playoffs. You officially have MY guarantee! Ha. Seriously the way this team has been playing as of late, and with Dwayne Roloson's goaltending the Oilers are starting to look a little dangerous. If I were one of those top 4 teams, id be a little scared. A few small deadline deals (or a big one), would give the Oilers that extra little push they need. Not only that, but I feel like playoffs, is the medicine the doctor ordered for some of the Oilers youth. For guys like Gagner, Nilsson, Cogliano, and Gilbert, the playoffs could possibly push them to show their true talent. Lets Go Oilers!!!