HATER TALK AND OOOOOOWHEE
Wanye
August 27 2010 11:59AM
Oh these arena haters over in Willis article today. They are just a special breed aren't they? If we weren't in a heavenly state of post Lady Gaga watching bliss, we would load up the typewriter with responses and let fly.
But instead we will just say that if we owned the Oilers and would looking to build an arena, we would be making special note of all the people that are bringing out the most ridiculous objections to light. Over the next year we would have a team of Navy Seals taking detailed notes on the worst offenders and tracking them to their places of residence.
Then when we built the arena despite their hating, we would have the Seals descend on their homes and bring them all to an undisclosed location on the edge of town. Then, we would grind their bones into a fine powder and use it as an additive to the binding agent of the solid gold floor tiles in our owners box.
Then we would laugh heartily for the 40 year life span of the arena, clinking glasses of champagne with other billionaire types, laughing at the little people that tried to get in the way.
OOOOOWHEEE
Yesterday we were chatting away quietly in the comment section and the concept came up that Comrie should be kept around for an additional year to provide mentorship to the Super Kids.
Yes, we know that Tambo has already gone on record that he doesn't want anymore forwards, but we can't help but think that the statement has an implicit second part "unless one comes along we can make good use of."
Our main man the GunnShow had an excellent point about providing temporary leadership to the kids:
"(Comrie is the) best we have at the moment, for sure. (And he) would come at a much lower cost than bringing someone in, who isn't already accustomed to Edmonton and the way things are going."
If the Sky is the Limit with these kids on the come up, veteran leadership is going to be paramount going forward. And wouldn't you know it, a former Oiler leader has come on the market as of today.
A fellow that may be 166 years old at the low end, but one who has won a Stanley Cup in recent memory and has previously stated that he tremendously enjoyed his time in Edmonton.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
If Bill Guerin hopes lace em up for a 19th NHL season, he will be plying his trade for a team other than the Pittsburgh Penguins. Or so says TSN today:
"Pens' general manager Ray Shero informed the veteran winger that he would not be brought back to the Penguins this season.
The 39-year old Guerin had 21 goals and 24 assists in 78 games with the Penguins last season. He added four goals and five assists in nine playoff games. Guerin was also an integral part of the Penguins Stanley Cup Championship team in the 2008-09 season.
In 1,263 career NHL games split between the Devils, Oilers, Bruins, Stars, Sharks, Blues, Islanders and Penguins, the Worcester, Massachusetts native has 429 goals and 427 assists."
You like mentoring the kids Bill? You think you have a few more years in the tank before you retire? Why not swing up here for a final tour of duty? Heavens knows your "I've-been-to-a-team-of-super-kids-and-helped-mentor-them-to-a-Stanley-Cup" would be welcome as all heck up here.
And he fits the bill of what we are looking for as GunnShow pointed out - someone who is a leader (check) someone who has played in Edmonton before and liked it (check) and you can even add in "someone who has won the Stanley Cup in a year starting with a 2."
Bill Guerin to a one year deal? We'd do it in a heart beat*
*That's what she said.
@Archaeologuy
His problems started long before that... Gary Suter, anyone?
From John Shannon...
The Khabibulin guilty verdict is one thing...NHL source confirms a suspension from the league is possible.
Unless the NHL is now deciding to take a stand on players behavior outside the game (NFL style) then I can see them suspending him. Otherwise I'm not so sure. They did not suspend Don't look at my eye Heatley after all.I know the circumstances are slightly different. (Jail time being the main one)
Definitely a lot different.. Heatley wasn't drunk. He was speeding though, dangerously.. so that was obviously bad. But I think the fact that he killed his friend and teammate was enough not to add insult to injury (er.. death). It was a pretty tragic incident, and I think it wasn't necessary for the league to kick Heatley while he was down.
As for Khabi, I can see them giving him a suspension.. probably nothing too major. I wonder though if that takes some pressure off the Oilers when it comes to one reason why they wouldn't risk trying to break that contract with Khabi (which I'm not even sure is possible) - NHLPA backlash. If they can deflect some of it towards the NHL, it might not look so bad on the team, and players might not shun the Oil for tearing up Khabi's contract if the league shows support in some form. SO hey, maybe it'll give Tambi or Lowe or Katz some balls to tear that contract up (although I do doubt that!).
You make some very valid points, the more I think about it, and the more articles I read it does seem likely the NHL will suspend him. I hope that makes it easier for the team to VOID the contract.
He's going to become an expert with all the wrap-arounds and guys going 5-hole.
Hahaa nice...
Also, @DC: thanks! And yah, I think the suspension is quite possible. I wonder if there has been a precedent set for this in the NHL or if a suspension would be new. (Had Kordic or others ever been suspended by the NHL for their drinking problems? not sure..)
Glad to hear that the league isn't afraid to step in though, anyways. Takes some blame and responsibility off Tambellini's shoulders.
Dan Tencer Reports via twitter that Tambellini has released a statement:
"Both Nikolai and the Oilers organization recognize the severity of what has transpired. We plan on meeting with Nikolai, his agent and the NHL in the near future."
Edited: http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=536497&navid=DL|EDM|home
Laforge was decisive, severe and fast-acting in the Edmonton Capitals' Brent Bowers situation. I don't expect the Oilers to ask for Khabi's resignation, but could see them supporting the league in a suspension.
there hasnt really been precedent the league can go on, and even if there is, the league has a horrible history of ignoring precedent and picking radom numbers out of gary bettmans ass....
jail time, IMO, is the thing that will get the league involved. others have got DUIs (j-bow etc) and, while still a stupid and in-excusable crime, didnt result in punishment from the NHL.
there are some instances that are close. mark bell a few years ago got 15 games for his DUI (and other charges). bettman said Playing in the National Hockey League is a privilege, and with that privilege comes a corresponding responsibility for exemplary conduct off the ice as well as on it," his involved hit and run, and different states do have different punishments etc..
i would assume mr.bettman will hand out something similar to 'bulin....
If the shoe fits.....
Beyond a statement by league condemming his behavior , i doubt supplimental action by league will be necessary or adviseable . The justice systems punishment should be enough in other words .
Via Lady Gaga's twitter... LOLZ...
http://twitpic.com/2ixeqy
@Menacer
Ouch !!!it gets hot in Pheonix