GDB 46: Hello, Robert Nilsson!
Jason Gregor
January 20 2009 01:02PM
For the second straight game, the Oilers offence will get a boost; the fog has lifted and Robert Nilsson will play tonight with Gagner and Cole. Nilsson skated hard yesterday, and was cautious about a return tonight, but after the morning skate he was smiling and excited to play with his father in the rink tonight.
Nilsson’s return means a shuffle: Reddox is off the second line, and based on practice he might be in the pressbox tonight. Reddox and Strudwick were the last two off the ice at the morning skate, normally a sign that they won’t play tonight. The problem with that theory is that Strudwick has been the last player off on game day many times, yet still laced them up that night.
Reddox, Brule, Strudwick and MacIntyre are the options to flank Brodziak, and none of the players were saying who was playing. I would lean towards MacIntyre and Brule being in tonight.
Hall & Oates
Many of you were stunned watching the Oilers, specifically Ethan Moreau, clapping in unison to Private Eyes, after their win against Phoenix. Veteran Strudwick explains the reasoning behind this song:
Strudwick: First off, I really liked the '80s. There was lots of good music produced, synthesizers and bad hair were a good combination. As far as Hall and Oates, we're searching for a song and right now that seems to be the go-to after the game. I like the song a lot and I think we should stick with it.
Gregor: Is it because of the clapping sequence, the unison factor?
Strudwick: We had tried harder clapping sequence, but not everyone could get it, but now this song there is only three claps every two minutes so we can keep the pace.
Gregor: You’ve been around the league a long time -- are there any other songs that were this team-building-ish.
Strudwick: Most teams after a win play the same song. Last year in New York we had a song by Eminem -- Shake Your Ass -- not sure if you are familiar with it, but it is quite a good number. The other year we had Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond, which was Jagr’s song. We’ve had quite the potpourri of music.
Moreau kicking out Pouliot
Many of you thought Moreau was a horrible leader for waving Pouliot out of the dot a few games ago, so I asked him why?
“I take it because then Cogs can stay on the left side, where he is more comfortable, and not go on the right. Really, Poulie and I laugh about it when we look at one another to see who will take it. It isn’t a big deal at all, but the main reason is so that Cogs can stay on the left where he is more comfortable.”
I asked Pouliot his thoughts on it, and if he felt being a centre he should take the draw.
“Cogs hates the right side, so it is easier for Chop (Moreau) to take the draw. If he loses it I bug him hard that I should take it next time, but we laugh about it. When he waved me out it was because Cogs yelled at him to take it so he could stay on the left. I don’t think it is a big deal, other than I can bug him if he loses it.”
Garon and contract
To clarify whether Garon got a contract offer from the team this summer, I made a phone call. Garon said he had never spoken to the Oilers about an extension, while I was told a few months back there was an offer.
The truth is that Garon’s camp called the Oilers about an extension in the summer, and the Oilers said they would look at it during the season. So Garon never turned down an extension, but they did have contact with the Oilers about it. This according to Kevin Prendergast.
My original source was correct that talks had occurred, but it was, in fact, the Garon camp that started them not the Oilers.
Hemsky made that shot look like he was in the f-in warmup and not even trying
R-DAWG wrote:
You should see what he did to me without even trying.
Hemsky doesn't need to try, he just needs to put skates on
I hope Saborin clears waivers so he can be the "just in case guy"
Travis Dakin wrote:
Nice!!
This has been such a weird season. Wasn't it just a couple weeks ago when everyone had written the team off? wtf?
freeze wrote:
Hemsky. That is all.
freeze wrote:
I know but this is typical Oilers...nice to see the push is starting sooner than later.
The difference in this team with and without Hemsky cannot be overstated.
Terry Jones was whining about Hemsky a few weeks back - specifically how he should be more media-friendly.
Frankly, I don't care if Hemsky starts spitting on reporters after the game. He's an elite talent, and if he keeps this up, it won't be long before everyone realizes it.
lol, Gretz got some Red Wings fans thrown out of the game.
And just like that they go from 9th, up to 5th, and down to 6th..
Phoenix 6 Detroit 3
Only Gretzky can get 5 fans kicked out of a game!!
Jonathan Willis wrote:
Terry Jones should shut up. He talks to Gene all the time...Maybe it's just him...what a dumbass
Hemsky's probably just afraid Jones will eat him.
Everybody talks to Gene, just to see if the guy is for real
@ Cory Dakin: It's all good, fact is this team is playing well the last while and Hemsky has arrived. It's going to be ok.
It'll definitely be a nail biter right to the end, they just need to dominate the division after the all-star break and they'll move up in a hurry
Cory Dakin wrote:
I have those tickets to the home and home with the flames at the end of the season and I am not going to lie, a week or two ago I was starting to wonder if they were even going to be that good. Now I know they will be HUGE games.
@ Travis Dakin: could be a first round playoff match-up. should be intense!
Cory Dakin wrote:
I think you mean that they will stay up... since they are higher in the standings than I have seen them in years (besides Oct).
They play Calgary enough in the second half to me masters of their own destiny.
I have one request for Wanye if he posts tomorrow and that is can we ghost ride the whip? pretty pretty please I feel that the Oil's effort as of late is deserving of a paranormal vehicle waltz
Clap Clap
OilersNinja wrote:
Oh man I was going to wait until the stretch drive to bring that up! It's been so long. Make it so Wanye! Clap Clap!
Ok gents. I'm out. Time to go work out and then go to bed with visions of hemsky dangling in my head. And then Souray and Penner can simultaniously one punch me out. Moustaches and all....
Travis Dakin wrote:
Uh... just to clarify.... I have a lovely girlfriend.
APE wrote:
Imagine my joy after watching the game tonite...
Muaha...hahaha...hahahahahahaha (creepy voice)
MacT is giving nice props to Smid in the PC.
the team needs to maintain the 'stashes for the year.
MacT - laughing in the PC for pretty much the first time this year. That's a telling tale.
Colin wrote: @3:21pm
Very impressive prediction man, very impressive.
Jonathan Willis wrote:
I'd buy the next PPV game if he spit on Tencer.
I think the turning point was when Moreau took that penalty preventing a goal down in the Blue Jackets end. It was the kind of penalty that's easy to kill off and the Oilers picked up some momentum from it.
Jonathan Willis wrote:
laura pronger would have to approve this
deep oil wrote:
Is Laura any relation to Lauren Pronger wife of Chris?
ZING
Get the whip ready. There are ghosts about looking for a ride
@ Wanye Gretz: sorry about the typo i am listwning to corey on the team and typing in the dark on a beach chair next to the ocean thinking about the ocean sands casino in caberete - home of ex oiler doug hicks
deep oil wrote:
I'm sure that part is right.