Why? Hemsky has played with the kids as well for a time and sucked there too. He's sucked on the PP. He's in a contract year and sucked when the motivation should be for a big year, even selfishly. He's healthy now. There are no more excuses. The guy has lost it.
Hey I agree...I'm tired of his lazy, pouting ways too. He needs to create and compete on his own. That being said, I can somewhat understand his frustration. Last night in particular, Horcoff was an absolute anchor and the breakout passes were abysmal.
My 6 year old can play better hockey than our mighty Captain Horcoff. He was so awful last night and still somehow managed to get freakin 22 minutes of ice time and even worse.. more even strength ice time than Hall and Eberle. Same goes for Belanger. Its so pathetic.
Corey Potter has sucked big time since signing his new contract. Can we put in Sutton instead of Potter please. Cam Barker also needs to go after this season.
Gagner is a man on fire right now. I also liked Paajarvi's game last night.
Obviously the Oilers are a young team, one of the downfalls of that is nerves. They have a knack for over committing on several parts of the game. When they can start to improve on these they can really make the next step towards success more permenant:
skating past rebounds (both zones)
skating forward past oppostion in the defensive zone (while trying to defend)
not in control of the puck, but still moving in offensive zone
defensemen caught up ice
trying to skate too fast when your teammate is not close to being somewhat in the vicinity
There are many others, but with the potential and some work this group will be dynamite to witness. I am very proud of this team, I just think a glaring weakness right now is the over committment, when smooth and steady will do. That will come, other areas seem to be improvng quite well. Go Oilers!!
Detroit has an amazing talent at collapsing very quickly. It is pure genius from a coaches standpoint on how they choke the puck mover out. This is a veteran mental state, which comes with being calm.
Obviously the Oilers are a young team, one of the downfalls of that is nerves. They have a knack for over committing on several parts of the game. When they can start to improve on these they can really make the next step towards success more permenant:
skating past rebounds (both zones)
skating forward past oppostion in the defensive zone (while trying to defend)
not in control of the puck, but still moving in offensive zone
defensemen caught up ice
trying to skate too fast when your teammate is not close to being somewhat in the vicinity
There are many others, but with the potential and some work this group will be dynamite to witness. I am very proud of this team, I just think a glaring weakness right now is the over committment, when smooth and steady will do. That will come, other areas seem to be improvng quite well. Go Oilers!!
Detroit has an amazing talent at collapsing very quickly. It is pure genius from a coaches standpoint on how they choke the puck mover out. This is a veteran mental state, which comes with being calm.
Would be all fine and dandy, but it wasn't just the kids. And to be honest Hall and Eberle were the only kids that I noticed struggling. I'm not sure about Lander as I didn't notice him which is generally a good thing for a guy in his role.
Would be all fine and dandy, but it wasn't just the kids. And to be honest Hall and Eberle were the only kids that I noticed struggling. I'm not sure about Lander as I didn't notice him which is generally a good thing for a guy in his role.
You are right, it wasn't just the kids. But, Hall and Eberle are on the first line (key match-ups)
I am really starting to hate Eager. He plays really selfish, doesn't work for anyone but his own opportunities. That 3 year contract is going to hurt.
I'm sick of defending every Oiler player all the time, but don't you think that Eager was the main reason the Oilers got their first goal? The Oilers only had 4 shots on net b4 that hit, the Oilers would never even have gotten out of first gear last night if not for that hit and the goal that Gagner scored while everyone was gawking at Eager and Cleary.
Eager's speed is noticeable, he's hungry for the puck, throws the body, I don't expect a whole lot from a guy that was signed to play the 4th line and don't forget he started the season with a concussion.
I haven't mind Eager's play of late. He's playing harder, got into a fight the other night, and has been providing good energy.
My beef is with our second line, especially without RNH. Hemsky can't seem to click with anybody. And Horcoff/Belanger are horrible. Even a second line of Paajarvi, RNH, and Omark would be better than what we've seen lately.
I'm sick of defending every Oiler player all the time, but don't you think that Eager was the main reason the Oilers got their first goal? The Oilers only had 4 shots on net b4 that hit, the Oilers would never even have gotten out of first gear last night if not for that hit and the goal that Gagner scored while everyone was gawking at Eager and Cleary.
Eager's speed is noticeable, he's hungry for the puck, throws the body, I don't expect a whole lot from a guy that was signed to play the 4th line and don't forget he started the season with a concussion.
?
No, the Oilers got the goal because DET screwed up the line change, Gagner saw it, screamed for the puck and got it.
Not to take anything away from Eager's hit, I loved it, but let's not credit it with too much...
