Gagner struggles with life in the first 20-25 games of every season. What else is new?
To add: He's the only NHL player I know of whose head bobs up and down every time he's doing cross-overs. Oh and he has the arm out there for balance.
He did absolutely nothing playing with Belanger though. I even remember one game they put Hall and Eberle with Belanger (not at the same time) for a few shifts and they looked lost out there.
No yeah I hear you. RNH goes down and they try and hammer Hemmer into his spot. That's not how he operates the PP. If you have Hemmer play his LH side you have the natural plays we're all accustomed to. To Hall in his office for a one timer or to the point. Potter isn't the RH option for Hemsky obviously. I'd rather Barker there.
14 - 94 - 4
83 - 13
Then pull the numbers out of the hat for the 2nd unit.
I have no problem with him sitting although I wouldn't expect him to be sitting 2 in a row especially after a 6-3 loss. Really think he could be dealt.
I have no problem with him sitting although I wouldn't expect him to be sitting 2 in a row especially after a 6-3 loss. Really think he could be dealt.
Thats what I was thinking as well. But after Barkers solid effort I thought he might be tired and Andy could come in and crush the next ******* that wants whip around the net untouched.
Last edited by Njoy Oilers: 02-08-2012 at 04:45 PM.
There's no way PRV gets second line ahead of Smyth. If Renney has made anything clear, if there's a question between vets and kids, he'll go with the vets. Every. Time.
Jones and Petrell haven't played with Belanger and produced. Jones was producing when he was not playing with Belanger. Is it just a coincidence that no one has produced with Belanger? Paajarvi hasn't gotten a consistent chance to play with good players and he has been playing with Belanger almost every game. Don't give me this crap about it being an excuse. You name one player who is producing with Belanger? You can't because there isn't one! I agree that he should be left in OKC but when he is up here he should get the chance to play in the top 6....WITHOUT BELANGER.
You need to do your research. Jones has 3 even strength goals where Belanger was the primary assist. He has produced with Belanger.
I'm not saying Belanger is a great offensive linemate. But you can't blame Pajaarvi's struggles on Belanger. I agree with others... Pajaarvi needs some time to boost his confidence in the AHL. I was disappointed that he was called up at the same moment that Omark becomes healthy... why not give them a few games together to rekindle their success from last year?
You need to do your research. Jones has 3 even strength goals where Belanger was the primary assist. He has produced with Belanger.
I'm not saying Belanger is a great offensive linemate. But you can't blame Pajaarvi's struggles on Belanger. I agree with others... Pajaarvi needs some time to boost his confidence in the AHL. I was disappointed that he was called up at the same moment that Omark becomes healthy... why not give them a few games together to rekindle their success from last year?
Wow 3 goals with Belanger, that is amazing! I'll get right on that research, thanks for the input.
At this point i would be willing to give up being a little bit better in the faceoff stats for the oilers just to get rid of Belanger, make him a healthy scratch. Yes he has been that bad, he kills the momentum of that third line.
Its a shame, they thought they were going to get a 30 or 40 point player, but you never want to keep someone around just because they win faceoffs, that centre should contribute somewhat. What is the point in winning the faceoffs if you are not going to score on that line anyways? At this point i would rather take a horrible face off man who scores at least 10 goals.
Wow i just made Horcoff look good, that is pretty sad. 3 more years people, 3 more years.
How quick people forget just how bad we were in the face off circle before Belanger got here. He may not be scoring goals but don;t you remember how much harder it is to start without the puck 90% of the time? Have we learned nothing from when we let a good face off guy like Reasoner go for nothing?
Face offs matter period.
There's no way PRV gets second line ahead of Smyth. If Renney has made anything clear, if there's a question between vets and kids, he'll go with the vets. Every. Time.
