100% agree. Omark has some nifty youtube clips, but he's also a much better player than Schremp. Especially deep in the corners and along the wall in the offensive zone.
This the key point right here. Omark can put up decent offensive numbers (0.5 ppg so far, and could likely improve on that), but the fact that he is effective on the cycle and surprisingly hard on the puck is a massive improvement over Schremp. Those skills are critical in shaping an effective ES player, as maintaining possession in the opposition zones invariably leads to chances for and prevents chances against. A forward doesn't need to make great defensive plays to prevent goals against--they just need to cycle effectively and be hard on the puck.
The TS should be embarrassed. First, the thread itself is just a flaming attempt towards Omark fans. Second, the conclusion (Schremp=Omark) is hilariously bad for the reasons I just stated. Third, the other conclusion (Omark=Czerkowski) isn't even the dis that the author intends it to be, and actually preforms the opposite, as Czerkowski was an offensive talent we allowed to get away. It's hard to embarrass yourself three different ways in one three word thread title, but props to RustE for achieving the near impossible.
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Still undecided if he fits in with the team though long term given the smallish skill guys we already have. He's not pushing Eberle or Gagner off the depth chart.
Fair enough, but why not keep him on that Smyth/Horcoff line, let those guys do their cycle thing, until a better option comes along.
Fair enough, but why not keep him on that Smyth/Horcoff line, let those guys do their cycle thing, until a better option comes along.
That's the line i wanted to see starting the year, and it looked real solid last night. Horcoff was fightin it a bit early and they still managed to have a solid night. Omark likes playing with a guy who will go to the net(Smyth=Harju), it opens up space for him to attack by shooting, deking, or passing. There is no denying this player has a knack around the net and the ability to create space for himself. If he has a defensively responsible center who can help out down low and create havoc at the net too, i think his strengths are maximized and his weaknesses minimized. Horcoff's defense allows him to be more protected out there, and there's no reason Omark can't do the basic job necessary for a winger. Smyth's net presence opens up his game and gives him a target he likes to use. I think it should be a good combo, lots of cycling.
Omark showed a few nice defensive plays to go with his offensive display last night, the one back check was a very inspired effort. I think he has real potential as a pick pocket, he is a player who i believe plays with a lot of effort and passion. I think putting him with two defensive aces in Smyth and Horcoff could see his game grow. A productive RW of Eberle, Hemsky, Omark is an unbelievable advantage. It's a rebuild, why wouldn't you want a talented player to grow with the team? I think Omark has more game than he gets credit for. He can be a solid top 9 guy for this team, it isn't worth it to trade him for peanuts IMO.
The thing is Omark is an honest guy, he says what he thinks. I personally like it, i understand people that dont. But then the game of hockey need players (just not Omark) not just throwing cliches out there.
The problem with honesty is it reveals your flaws, flaws which the hockey world wants to hide from fans. We're lead to believe that all AHL & NHL players are great guys, humble, hard working, good teammates, etc... when really that's just not true. A couple of the guys in the Oilers locker room might actually be ****** bags, but that façade they keep up (with the willing participation of the media most of the times) insulates us from that, and them from us. Realistically, it's better for everyone that way. I might like the insight of knowing that a guy like so-and-so is really selfish and that's why he never passes, but in the grand scheme of things it'll make him easier to get rid of (via trade) if it's not public knowledge. Or, it'll make it easier for him to change if his reputation isn't stained on him, like an Avery.
Anyway, in Omark's case the problem with honesty is simple: it has revealed that he has, at least in the past, over valued himself. Now he's stained with that reputation and it will be hard to shake. He brought that on himself, and it his consequences for himself; it'll make him harder to trade and slightly less likely to be picked up on waivers.
Also Ray Whitney played 8 games for the oilers, then they ditched him.
Nice job Sather. Weight, Satan, Whitney. That would have been awesome for a while.
The Whitney thing is crazy because we had a second chance to sign him after the lockout because he wanted to come here. Instead he played for Carolina and, well, we all saw how that turned out. It's insane to think that Whitney played the prime oh his carer in the dead puck era and is still approaching 1000 points, more than anyone drafted his year, which was a bumper crop including Lindros, Foresberg, Kovalev, Naslund and others.
Omarks a good player, i've said all season i bet he has a solid career as a top 9 forward for at least a few years. The fact is on his good games he is very very dangerous and can push the puck up the ice. His defensive game is heavily underrated (people act like he just gives up on plays), in fact at times he looks like a legitimate threat to be a takeaway machine. Players need opportunities, they need time, and they need confidence. The only time i recall Omark having all 3 he ended last season on a tear. I don't think he is likely to be a 1st line guy, but i don't believe for a second he couldn't produce as a 2nd liner. I don't understand how a guy like Omark is so hated, he's clearly a talented hockey player with potential. I don't think he is a sure thing, but he competes hard, has talent, is young enough to get better, and genuinly wants to win/do well. I hope he's here next season in a 3rd line/PB role. Having an extra scoring forward isn't going to hurt this team.
I have seen Omark as a sort of Sergei Samsonov type player; maybe I over value his talent.
The Whitney thing is crazy because we had a second chance to sign him after the lockout because he wanted to come here. Instead he played for Carolina and, well, we all saw how that turned out. It's insane to think that Whitney played the prime oh his carer in the dead puck era and is still approaching 1000 points, more than anyone drafted his year, which was a bumper crop including Lindros, Foresberg, Kovalev, Naslund and others.
Its hard to be a revisionist but Whitney (considering how he played in the cup finals) and drafting a local boy (Cam Ward) instead of another guy in that year (can anyone remember his name) could have been something so different then what the team ended up with.
for such a small guy, Omark is pretty frickin strong on the puck, and his work ethic is admirable. I'd be frustrated too if I were him. I honestly think he's going to be a wicked player, but I also said that about Schremp, so you can all laugh at me right about...now
I think he looks weaker on the puck after the injury and slower. I'm not impressed tbh. Also, his creativity seems to be dead and that was combined with his puck skills what made him special. Hope it will change but ... its disappointing.
I think he looks weaker on the puck after the injury and slower. I'm not impressed tbh. Also, his creativity seems to be dead and that was combined with his puck skills what made him special. Hope it will change but ... its disappointing.
honestly, it's confidence. He's a young player with a ton of talent and skill but you can tell he's trying to overdo it. I think MPS has the same problem. But who knows what MPS's problem really is...I had such high hopes for him.
honestly, it's confidence. He's a young player with a ton of talent and skill but you can tell he's trying to overdo it. I think MPS has the same problem. But who knows what MPS's problem really is...I had such high hopes for him.
I wasn't all that impressed with MPS, he never could finish confidently and that's his roll. He should have stayed in SEL one more year or AHL to get that scoring touch. Omark cant separate from players which makes him a perimeter player, when he was at his best he could. He got a few games to go with Oilers and then we will see what happens with him. The injury was probably the worse thing that could have happend to him.
Also Ray Whitney played 8 games for the oilers, then they ditched him.
Nice job Sather. Weight, Satan, Whitney. That would have been awesome for a while.
I remeber being in utter and sheer disbelief at both of those moves. We had a team with some offensive struggles yet we can give away two guys who would go onto lead their teams in scoring for years, all for nothing. Insane. Both looked good IMO at the time, and both were even producing well enough for their role iirc.
Omark cant separate from players which makes him a perimeter player, when he was at his best he could. He got a few games to go with Oilers and then we will see what happens with him. The injury was probably the worse thing that could have happend to him.
I think Omark has to utilize the cycle more to find some room at the top of the half board and behind the net. If he has room to go down and attack a defense he can be very dangerous, and if he's behind the net with his hands he could make things happen. This is a player who needs to focus on moving the puck quicker on the cycle in order to find room, he can't expect guys to be over aggressive as often as they are at lower levels. Omark is kind of a counter puncher, and it is a method that won't present itself as often at the NHL level. Defenseman up here are harder to shake off, and are less easily exposed. However he has the attacking game to survive IMO,he just needs to find a way to utilize it more. As much as he is able to use his hands and ability to counter defensive aggresivness for space, i agree it is too hard for him to play that was and consistently find open space. I think that's a big part of the reason consistency has alluded him at this level thus far. If he can't/isn't given a chance to figure it out it will be a shame because the flashes of talent have been brilliant at times.
