The Dilemma in Edmonton

So to the enjoyment of all who hate on the Edmonton Oilers and put them under the microscope night in night out, it is finally time to hit the emergency button. With 30 games to go and just 12 games til the trade deadline, the Oilers are in serious need of a kick start to their offense, and a swift kick in the ass, as far as effort goes. So far through the season the Oilers have been playing .500 hockey, which for a team of their talent level, is unacceptable. Maybe its the fact they overrated their talent, or that many players are just having off years/not performing. Either way the Oilers have not been the team they were expected to be. As far as living up to expectations is concerned, many of their players have let down, and big time.






Dustin Penner, is this guy for real? Can a guy come into a brand new city and make 4.25 million, and do diddly squat?! He is overrated, and over payed, there I said it. Dustin Penner has been one of the biggest letdowns for the Oilers over the last 10 years. He is the big white elephant in the NHL. $8.5 million later, one wonders what would have happened had the Oilers not given up all those draft picks, and all that cash for such a big bust. One cant blame the Oilers for trying to make wine from water, but this looks horrible for the organization. What will happen to big Dustin? He has to be traded, weather someone takes him or not is a whole other story. What team in their right mind would want a highly overpaid third line wannabe power-forward? Anyways, the Oilers need to get rid of this baggage as soon as a team will take him, or his contract I mean.




Sam Gagner is like watching the little kid who rode his bike just yesterday, fall all over the place and mash himself up the next day, and no matter how hard he tries, he cant ride that stupid ass bike again. Yup, that's what watching Gagner is like this season. What a year last year was, sadly, that was last year. What have you done for me lately Sam? Nothing. It definitely hasn't been the same sort of "stars aligned" sort of season as last year was, struggling through injuries hasn't helped either, but at some point id just like to end the season and start all over again for this guy. What will happen to Gagner? Well the Oilers aren't necessarily ready to give up on young Sam considering he is still only 19, but seeing him leave for a big time, big name forward wouldn't be a surprise considering the huge letdown this year was, and truly as an Oilers fan, if he needs to go, for the Oilers to get a Hossa, or a Kovalchuk, then may it be so.





Robert Nilsson. Where did the Oilers get all these under performing, crappy effort kind of players. Nilsson is the epitomy of play one day, take the next off. One game he scores a highlight reel goal and shows great tenacity all game. The next day, he is invisible and gives the puck up left and right. What happens to Bobby Nilsson? Who cares. The guy has zero effort and is a waste of skill and a roster spot. Id much rather see Gilbert Brule or Ryan Potulny in that spot as both have proven to be impact players who give a ton of effort. Bobby Nilsson, you are an insult to Ryan Smyth as you cam the other way. Its a shame.






Marc Pouliot. One has to feel a little sorry for the guy, considering how great he was playing before having a concussion. Since the concussion however, he has gone back to his normal, invisible self. Pouliot has never really given anyone a reason to believe in him minus the 10 or so games earlier this season when he was playing arguably his best NHL hockey. What does the future hold for Marc? He is still signed until 09-10 so the Oilers will probably keep him in the system for at least another year, however I wouldn't rule him out being involved in a trade. The performance just isn't there, maybe he needs a change of scenery, either way, his Oiler tenure shouldn't last much longer.






Erik Cole. Ugh, what to say about this guy. For periods of time, he shows just how good he is. He gives 110% every night no question, the problem being the fact that it just isnt coming for him, and the Oilers might be tired of waiting for it to come. His pending UFA status doesnt help his case either. Just 12 goals and 10 assists hasnt nearly justified the hype behind this guy, nor his $4million dollar price tag. This guy better buck up fast, or wearing the Oil drop will not last much longer. What will happen to Erik? I dont think the Oilers want to trade him, they love his effort, and truly, so do I. The guy has to start scoring soon, he gives 'er all night long and just has hit a wall. Sooner or later, Cole has to start potting them.






Kyle Brodziak just hasn't been the same player he was last year. I don't know if it was the jump start he got when Glencross got on his line, or if it was fluke. Brodziak is in a rut, much like many of the other players, and he needs to just keep on plugging and remember his role. I find with Kyle this is his biggest problem, knowing his role. Like, dude, you start as being drafted in the 7th round. You toil in the minors for 3 or 4 years, before finally getting your call-up to play on the 4th line. You are not a goal scoring, talent ridden, star forward! You are looked to, to grind and to fight and to battle. To be the teams energy! Yet somehow, his brain has been switched around, and he thinks the opposite. If Brodziak wants to stick around he needs to get things straight, and fast. When Brodziak knows, and plays, his role, he is super effective and a great player.





The Oilers ave a few players riding along as well, players like Steve Staios, Jason Strudwick, Zach Stortini, and Liam Reddox. Players who dont belong there, and shouldn't be there. Reddox needs to get sent all the way back down to the ECHL to wake him the hell up, cus he sucks anyways. Stortini is a waste of a roster spot, Id much rather see Macintyre get his playing time. Staios is aging and has seen his best days leave, the Oilers need to trade his ass as soon as possible. Jason Strudwick was a waste of a contract, even if he is making just .600 million, doesn't matter, he is a waste of time, money, and a roster spot.





The Oilers are in trouble, something needs to happen, and soon. They can no longer toil around the .500 mark. They need to be winning, and winning lots. They still hold onto 8th spot, but it cannot last much longer if they keep losing these close games that they have been. Yes they have to move on from a loss as soon as possible, but when they just keep happening, and you cant get onto a substantial winning streak, it just isn't enough. The Oilers need to do something drastic, which means they have to acquire a player to power their offense. Hemsky is playing possibly the best hockey he has ever played, however, as much as he may be making the players beside him better, he just so badly needs that player of his calibre beside him. Weather its Kieth Tkachuk, Nik Antropov, Doug Weight, or Billy Guerin, the Oilers need to find someone, and quick. Maybe they need to come up with an insane overpay kind of package to lure a Kovalchuk or Gaborik, but they need these players, and bad.

-Sporer