4 goals in 3 games. How many points did Hall or Eberle have in 9 games?
Not saying this to insult Hall or Eberle at all, just to point out that he would have to completely fall apart to be sent back now.
Pretty amazing considering RNH has always been billed as a play-maker. I think playing on a weak team in the WHL dragged down his point totals and likely caused many observers to under-rate the kid. Stunning that even some GMs (e.g. Burke) described RNH as a good, but not marquee talent. Good to see he's proving them wrong.
Pretty amazing considering RNH has always been billed as a play-maker. I think playing on a weak team in the WHL dragged down his point totals and likely caused many observers to under-rate the kid. Stunning that even some GMs (e.g. Burke) described RNH as a good, but not marquee talent. Good to see he's proving them wrong.
I thought he had a pretty good shot in Junior, but predicted he would get 0 goals and 9 assists (or something like that). I thought it would take him awhile to get the goals but he would get the assists. I was way off.
Pretty amazing considering RNH has always been billed as a play-maker. I think playing on a weak team in the WHL dragged down his point totals and likely caused many observers to under-rate the kid. Stunning that even some GMs (e.g. Burke) described RNH as a good, but not marquee talent. Good to see he's proving them wrong.
Further proving how big of a mouth Burke has. The guy doesn't think before he speaks.
I voted 'NO' but thats not to say I am 100% convinced RNH will stay in the NHL after 9 games.
I still have some reservations about how he will hold up to the rigors of a full NHL season. Its going to get tough on him...but...he looks like he can handle it... Kinda'
And as far as letting him play in the WJT even if he's an Oiler for the season...NO CHANCE.
First of all...Hockey Canada has implimented such a demanding and time consuming process for putting together our team...they essentially shoot themselves in the foot as far as keeping the door open for any eligible NHLers' to be loaned to the JR team.
And even if they made an exception to permit RNH to jump onto the JR roster later than the rest of the team...the tournament itself is still a full 2 weeks. Its too much time away, too much risk and not enough tangible reward from an Oiler POV.
He has been our best player not center best PLAYER through 3 games. I know that it's only 3 games but unless he hits a rookie wall within the next couple of games (highly unlikely) then he's here for keeps.
If he gets sent down, that automatically weakens the team and this is about what is best for the team in addition to what's best for him.
Are we going to play Horcoff or Belanger on the 2nd line all year with Gagner being the main guy to be counted on for high end offense? I don't think so.
He has been our best player not center best PLAYER through 3 games. I know that it's only 3 games but unless he hits a rookie wall within the next couple of games (highly unlikely) then he's here for keeps.
If he gets sent down, that automatically weakens the team and this is about what is best for the team in addition to what's best for him.
Are we going to play Horcoff or Belanger on the 2nd line all year with Gagner being the main guy to be counted on for high end offense? I don't think so.
If he gets sent down, the player that has scored 80% of the Oilers goal will no longer be on the team lol
I personally think they should. The World Juniors are such a special event to the players, especially Canada (no homer). Any player that says they wouldn't like to get to take those few weeks to play in the tournament is probably lying.
Not to mention it is in Edmonton, so travel is non-existant for him and it would be a great experience for both him and the fans.
I personally think they should. The World Juniors are such a special event to the players, especially Canada (no homer). Any player that says they wouldn't like to get to take those few weeks to play in the tournament is probably lying.
Not to mention it is in Edmonton, so travel is non-existant for him and it would be a great experience for both him and the fans.
I bet any player on Team Canada would rather be playing in the NHL if given the choice.
It would be insulting to send RNH back to juniors at this point, no matter the delusions of some posters here...
Team Canada Jr should have included him last season, their loss, really. You usually only get 1 chance to include upcoming top picks on Canada's roster, yet they never seem to learn and only include 1 of the draftees time and time again.
I don't see him going back to juniors, but I would really like to see at the WJC. He could learn more from that than the few regular season Oiler games he would miss.
I don't see him going back to juniors, but I would really like to see at the WJC. He could learn more from that than the few regular season Oiler games he would miss.
A few games? He'd be missing at least 10 games. He shouldn't go to the WJC. It's that simple.
__________________ "He just ate up Robyn Regehr for dinner, a spectacular play by Hemsky, and Robyn Regehr has got doo doo all over his face" - Rod Phillips call on Hemsky's goal vs the Flames
I could understand if RNH was playing 4th line minutes with us, but he's not going to gain much playing #1C for Team Canada when he's already playing #1C in the NHL.
I wouldn't be against sending him if he is having trouble in the NHL and not playing much by that time. But from what we have seen so far he will be a big part of the team this season. He's been a part of all but 2 of our goals so far this season.
