GDB/GDFD82: The grande finale
Wanye
April 11 2009 06:32PM
Yesterday, Lord Wayne von Gretz IV and TLP talked about all the reasons that they're very unfortunate to be foolish enough to support our favorite teams. The lists were kept brief — five for both teams plus a Bonus Five (!) for the Oilers, who will miss the playoffs once again, much to TLP's delight — but could have been longer. Much, much longer.
However, that's not what tonight is about. Tonight, since this is the last GDB for OilersNation and last GDFD before the playoffs start for FlamesNation, they're going to talk about everything that makes us happy about our respective teams.
Due to a lack of listable items with two bitterly disappointing seasons coming to a close, these lists will be kept brief.
With the season closing down, or crumbling down in Edmonton's case, Wayne-o Complain-o and Tee El Pee figured this was a good a time as any to remind everyone why you're going to scour the stupid sports section every day over the summer to read articles by writers you hate whose opinions, you know for a fact, are ridiculous. It's the same reason you sat through these two messes of seasons for your respective favorite teams. It's also the reason you come to our websites with alarming regularity despite the fact you could be using using this time for woodworking classes or something equally constructive.
You love your NHL hockey and, more specifically, you love these two teams.
TLP: If you love the Calgary Flames like I do, you might be a little disappointed that they failed to win the division today (thanks for nothing, Colorado), and you might also disappointed that they're going to get knocked out of the first round so quickly that it will seem as though they didn't participate at all, but you've always got these five things to fall back on:
5 things to love about the Calgary Flames by TLP
1. Jarome Iginla. He is one of the most fearsome competitors in the league, one of the best players of the past decade, and the best Flames of all time. He is also apparently the nicest guy in the world and a wonderful ambassador for the sport. Plus, look at this smile!
2. Robyn Regehr. Sure he's hurt right now, but he's also the best defenseman in the Northwest division and there's not even a close second. He hits like a runaway gravel truck and he, too, is a great face for the game thanks to the countless hours he puts into his charity work every year.
3. It's never boring being a Flames fan. Let's face it, being an Oiler fan must be as boring as watching dog piss evaporate on the sidewalk on a sweltering summer afternoon - and incidentally that's the highlight of every August day in the average Edmontonian's life.
But the Flames? Hoo boy. They're bad/they're unbeatable, they can't score/they can't keep the puck out of the net. Keenan's a genius/Keenan's a moron. Trade Kiprusoff/re-sign Kiprusoff. "Sloppy seconds" was funny/no, really, it was. In Edmonton? It's "Dammit, MacTavish..." every day. Who wouldn't tire of that besides Edmonton fans?
4. Dion Phaneuf. Insofar as he cannot possibly be as bad next season as he was this year.
5. Mike Cammalleri's coming back. This is what I keep telling myself anyway.
Wanye Gretz: It's a rare and terrible day that we agree with TLP on much of anything but it is starting to feel like Groundhog Day around the OilersNation. FMNF, trade everyone, deport Lowe, burn RX1 to the ground and throw all your Oilers merchandise off your balcony in protest. It has all been suggested this season ad nauseum and yet for the most part it has been what the Oilers have been unable or unwilling to do that has kept the OilersNation in a near hysterical state of rage all season. Win the division, come in second in the division, come in top 8, play with any sort of consistently, fire something and finally just end it already. Expectations fell faster than the economy - which is pretty much the only bigger collapse Alberta this year. But it ain't all bleak, as we shall show you below.
5 things to love about the Edmonton Oilers by Wanye Gretz
1. Things are bound to improve. Hockey Teams are like the economy. They run in cycles and unless your name is the Toronto Maple Leafs you can't suck forever. As Boston and Chicago have shown this year things can turn around in a hurry if you keep your eyes open and don't load up on overpriced veterans. Plus you know Daryl "Kay-Z" Katz didn't get this rich buying underperforming companies. You know he's gonna make his new investment do something cool sooner or later.
2. Changes will be made at the top. MacTavish seems to be on his way out and speculation seems to indicate Lowe is stepping more into his role as President and away from his role as "still the GM." Ideally this will mean the good parts of legacy players will remain while much needed new life shall blow into town as a new Coach reports for duty and the Sophmore GM settles in to his role.
3. Souray shook off an injury and mad crticism and delivered the mail BIG TIME. Remember how everyone used to cry about how overpriced he was? Well 23 goals later where are the Souray haters now you ask? Inflicted with uncurable STDs and living in a shed we hope. Souray is a phenomenal offensive defenseman and a snap show to boot. We hope he retires an Oiler.
4 and 5. Gagner and Cogliano. Ok so only two of the three vaunted kid line made it through their sophmore slumps and remain hot. But after this season settles into a bad memory we all now know the Oilers have two bonafide stars in the making. These two players are eventually going to be big parts of a kickass Oilers team, it just won't be this year.
Let's hope that this offseason proves as busy as everyone claims it is going to be.
Thanks for reading all year, or in FN's case, the last two and a half months. As we have mentioned a few days ago the writing, the traffic and the commentary don't seem to lose much over the offseason so expect the Nation staff back here tomorrow ready to watch the playoffs.
In the meantime, enjoy this completely meaningless game.
Oh and enter the draft if you haven't already.
For the last time this year... GAME DAY!!!
moose jaw has internet?
If they trade away Cogliano in the summer I'm going to lock myself in my room ALL WINTER!
2. Robyn Regehr. Sure he’s hurt right now, but he’s also the best defenseman in the Northwest division and there’s not even a close second. He hits like a runaway gravel truck and he, too, is a great face for the game thanks to the countless hours he puts into his charity work every year.
Agreed somewhat. Souray would be a very close second.
4. Dion Phaneuf. Insofar as he cannot possibly be as bad next season as he was this year.
He's going down hill faster than the Jamacian bobsled team. That sloppy seconds comment sent him on an uncontrollable downward spiral. How would you feel if you could see Averys face every time you nailed your old lady?
Kipper's got the night off, the OIl didn't have an am skate, and there's 3 comments on the Nation. I know no one cares about this game, but it's the last 3 periods of Oilers hockey we get 'til October. Go Oilers.
I'm watching. I'll miss not having us in the playoffs. That really does suck. I hope like last year that the Oilers dominate the airwaves be it trade or signing rumours or new rink talk coach talk etc either way I'm hoping for news all summer long as it willmbe nice to hear on the radio. Also, I'm enjoying watching some of the masters this weekend and am hoping JG has some Golf Pro's on his show this year. I specifically stopped into Nevada Bob's after hearing about them on the radio (I'd forgotted Nevada's was still around!) and I ended up getting a good deal on some PING drivers and some new shoes. Tis the season. Bring on the golf talk! (and all things Oil too!) :)
G.O.G!
Why do I love the Oilers? I've been alive for every single Oiler NHL season (and a couple WHL), born and bred just outside Etown, and even though I live in a different country now, I'm on the season ticket waiting list. So... yeah...no really GOOD answer, but - god help me - I love 'em!!
*gets all misty-eyed and melancholy*
Souray wants to dance tonight. I can see it.
This is going to be a boring game. Calgary already has Chicago in the playoffs and Edmonton caint wait till this season is over. My money is on Edmonton. Their players have more on the line
I feel like it's the last day of summer camp*. Everyone says they're going to stay in touch but they never do. Mostly you're given fake number after fake number and baskets of empty promises.
*and by summer camp I mean rehab
@ Amber McCormick:
HAHA!! Rehab = Summer Camp!
uhh..ohh!! I think I'm starting to feel some PMS coming on!?!
Please MacTavish Stay
What a shot by Cammalleri. That quick release on his opposite side was impressive
How's the game I missed first 2 periods? Is Desjarlais doing ok?
Desajariais is doing just fine. LOL. Stay tuned for the lat 20 mins. I think the Oilers are coming back to win this one
what are the shots?
Mark Crawford sounds like Cindy Crawford doesn't know nothing and he wants to coach again
the second period meltdown is happening in the third.
Anyone else don't like the Flame content?
Give away Gilbert
JD lookin shakey..
@ SickofFlames: Agreed, why is Oilersnation forced to align with flamesnation. That's like Superman working for Luthorcorp, Batman making the rounds at Arkam, Jesus hanging out with Lucifer, or Spy not trying to kill Spy. As an Oilers fan(atic) and proud member of Oilersnation, merely discussing my proud Edmonton Oilers (like it or not the finest dynasty in NHL history) in the same breath as the one-hit wonders Calgary Flames is an insult to our storied franchise. And I swear, if I ever see a Flames flag in my city (like the abomination that was 2004), I will burn your car to the ground (or cut the flag off, then burn it)!
I hope this isn't the last game/season that Rod Phillips calls. It would be a unglamorous end to a fantastic career and timeless voice.
I agree w/ Andrew W. When you dont know who has the puck your game has dropped. Rod can still bring the drama to the big games but when it comes to calling the action he is average at best
Desajariais didn't look quite as solid today. It must be because he found out his name is being spelt so friggin' badly.
Man, MacT looks totally deflated, I kind of feel for him.
Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out, Craig.
I don't feel sorry for Mac T at all. He did not field a team that could win tonight; quite the opposite. He did not honour the team that played all year long. Penner, Broziak, Stortini -- players that contributed all year long were not included in the last game. Instead we get a Springfield influx. Totally selfish move and no consideration to player's feelings at all, players who probably would have liked to win the last game and could have easily done so with the regular players. Great last (I hope) statement MacT.
Maybe the Oilers should take a page from the Flames Book and put a huge Viagra ad right in front of the players bench...
Maybe then, the Oilers won't have so much trouble "getting up" for the games.
Tonight's game was emblematic of the season. Another game with a lackluster performance on the part of the players. Couldn't get out of their own end far too long. Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers. 9 losses and 3 wins in the last 12 games. The franchise is locked into toxic long-term contracts at big bucks for players we thought to be under performing; truth of the matter is they are very mediocre players performing as best they can. The team is very close to the salary cap ceiling. I think Craig MacTavish has had his full opportunity to make something out of this team and it is time for a change. He made uncharacteristic mistakes all year. Tambelinni has to be the real GM and realign this team. Get some cap space, move some high value assets for bigger, stronger, tougher forwards that don't turn the puck over and over and over again. Time to move Ethan Moreau and Steve Staois, they have become a liability. Resolve the goaltending situation. It is doubtful that many free agents once again will want to play for this sorry franchise so the Oil will be limited to trades.
@ GoGo: Your not serious right? Right?
Harlie wrote:
Pretty much the only thing that made me smile lately. Thanks!
I too am feeling like PMS.
Smokin' Ray - NNC wrote:
Yeah, I am. Not saying that the players I mention all played great all year but I think they deserved to play the last game, as opposed to Redoxx JFJ and Mac or Poo. Putting a bunch of guys in that haven't had regular time (rightly or wrongly) does not say We Want to Win this Game.
This has been the WORST year EVER to be an Oilers fan. Even when Messier finally left and the team struggled to get 26 wins; even when The Oilers were bumped again and again by Dallas; or when Pronger left; or when Smyth was dumped and the team set a franchise record for consecutive losses.... This was worse. I don't know why: It just was.
Seems to me no one cares right now. I wonder if Rod Hall of Famer is being pushed out the door to make way for Fred and his text machine. I hope not, Rod is one of the best
AlBundy wrote:
Well Hopefully they will bring back Morley Scott, Maybe he brought the Oilers Luck.
Victoria wrote:
It was probably because Pouliot was in the line up. Desjarlais is our goalie next year along with Garon, Hopefully when MacT resigns( He is a classy man) Pete (redlite) Peters will be gone too.
Sandra wrote:
*facepalm*
Sandra - give your head a shake. "Desjarlais" NEVER played for our team. EVER. Please zip over to the Oilers site to see how to pronounce our relief goaltender's name. Your constant butchering of his last name is giving us an aneurysm. It was funny the first 100 times or so, now it's just painful.
Garon sucked for the few games he was here, and replicated his suckage elsewhere. He's NOT coming back.
Felt bad for Sam tonight. Pouliot was so bad it hurt. Why saddle one of the few guys on the team that actually gives a crap with such a huge boat anchor. Nilsson out for Poo? Yeah, that worked out well.
Sandra, you are right on. Desjarlais is in, Zo is out.
Hall of Famer Rod hopefully will come back next year along with Morley Scott. Fred will get promoted to Assistant GM and make trades using text format.
MacT becomes Assistant President and he and Klowe go over how to make an outdoor rink for their kids.
Now, that's game day