... who do you place him with, espeacilly assuming he plays center? I think he's having the type of camp (from all reports) that may just force managements hand into putting him in the NHL this year.
Pro's:
Powerplay improves.
4 Lines that can (Theoretically) outscore.
Depth
Horcoff is a better winger than C.
Con's/Question Marks:
Is it to our advantage to pair two of our best 3 ES forwards with Schremp, who would most likely need softer minutes anyway?
Our LW gets extremely deep, and icetime may become an issue.
We have a young guy on every line.. no "go-to" line.
I'm not saying Schremp is a #1 C by any means at this time in his career, but paired with two ES monsters like Smyth and Dvorak could (hopefully) make up for his defensive game (which isn't bad by any means, but I'd be grinding my teeth if he was out there against Modano.)
As long as he sees the PP with Smyth, Hemsky, Pronger, and Bergeron, I'm happy. What line he's on I think Robbie will determine more than anything, I could see him in a lot of places depending on situation. I'm not sure we have quite the right assortment of wingers to give him a set spot, doing so might require a deal for another top-six winger, which we theoretically have the parts to obtain.
I think Schremp is a given on this Oiler squad. A team that scores by commitee cannot send this guy packing. His touch around the net and his work along the sideboards on the powerplay has given him a spot on this team. # 88 rocks!
The only game against pros Shremp has ever played is the Joey Moss Cup - so you would maybe like to see him in a FEW pre-season games before putting him on our top line.
Shremp would also never play center if he stayed up with the Oilers this year - he would be a RW. Maybe Shremp plays 35-40 games on the 4th line against weak sisters like Columbus and BG plays the tough inter-division games???? I want to see what the PP looks like with Smyth, Hemsky, Dvorak, Pronger and MAB first before giving an unproven kid like Shremp any of that gravy.
They should send Schremp back to junior instead of wasting one of the years they own his rights. Remember a team only controls a players rights for seven years now.
The Hunters are still in London. He'll be facing more adversity with many of the Knights stars having moved on. Plus, he'll get a chance to play for the US World Junior Team which is the favorite for the title.
They should send Schremp back to junior instead of wasting one of the years they own his rights. Remember a team only controls a players rights for seven years now.
The Hunters are still in London. He'll be facing more adversity with many of the Knights stars having moved on. Plus, he'll get a chance to play for the US World Junior Team which is the favorite for the title.
You don't send players back to junior if he's good enough to make the team. I'm really getting sick of this sending him back so he won't become an UFA early. Another problem of sending him back to junior is there will be a lot of pressure on Schremp without anyone else there. Facing adversity like than in London could actually do more harm to Schremp that it would help. It doesn't matter if Schremp plays in Edmonton as the Oilers could still release him to play in the WJC.
__________________ "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 think it would be a terrible decision to keep him, but if he scores a bunch in pre-season it'll be extremely hard to send him out. I would be very interested to know MacT's thinking. I remember Davey Johnson in 1984 (I think it was '84) walking into the Mets GM office and begging for Dwight Gooden to stay up. Other managers go the other way.
As for who he'd replace, imo it would probably be a LW (Rita? Winchester?) on the 4line, the Chimera job from 03-04.
If they elevate him to the 2line it'll be at the expense of either Torres or Hemsky.
On my way home from work today, I was listening to the Bryan Hall show (so sue me, it was either that or that Sports Bash junk), and he played back an audio clip from a MacT interview from earlier today.
When the topic of Schremp came up, MacT talked a lot about how Schremp can do things that very few people can do, but that he did have some things to work on...not so much positional play, but overall conditioning, speed and strength. Nothing earth shattering, but what he said next caught my attention - to paraphrase:
"The best place for Robbie to work on those things, in my opinion, is in the NHL, with NHLers."
I dunno guys/girls...I'm thinking if Lowe/MacT think Schremp only has to work on conditioning, and think his skillset is exactly what the team needs in this current iteration of the NHL, I would call it a mistake to think that the Oilers would give a damn about making him a potential UFA one year earlier if it means he could help the Oilers this year.
If Schremp can keep scoring goals (admittedly a much tougher chore than what he's accomplished so far), the Oilers will make room one way or another. Bank on it.
I have to keep repeating myself about this 7 year UFA rule. Who says that Rob won't sign an extension in year 5 that keeps him here until year 10 or 11 or 12?
I have to keep repeating myself about this 7 year UFA rule. Who says that Rob won't sign an extension in year 5 that keeps him here until year 10 or 11 or 12?
Remember, all teams now follow the same rules.
I'm confused... are you for keeping him in Junior an extra year to prolong his RFA status? If so, I think that's a bad idea. Better to be fair with players and allow them to turn pro when they are ready. I think you don't get anywhere by becoming a franchise that exploits it's players, and by keeping someone back in Junior when they're ready for pro will be remembered by the player IMO.
EDIT: AH - I see what you mean... I'm on your side. Better to try to get him to sign long term when he's nearing UFA status, and the key to that is to treat him fairly.
I have to keep repeating myself about this 7 year UFA rule. Who says that Rob won't sign an extension in year 5 that keeps him here until year 10 or 11 or 12?
Remember, all teams now follow the same rules.
My thoughts exactly, Serb. If a guy's gonna go, he's gonna go... WOrrying about seven years down the road makes no sense. If he fits now, play him now.. The future will take care of itself.
ive said it once, and ill say it again.... keep him up for 9 games in the NHL to let him see what a regular season NHL games feels like.... let him see how far he still has to go to really fit in with the average NHLer, then send him back to junior with a fire lit under his *** to improve, improve, improve.... if we send him straight back to junior from the training camp, robbie might not work as hard in london, because he truly wont know what the level of play is like in the NHL and thusly wont know how far he is away from that level
the only way he should be kept up for the season is if hes lighting the lamp once every 4 games or so, because he isnt going to be STOPPING many goals lol
Besides, the guys already 19. Regardless of the 7 year rule, he's UFA at 27. Thats a one year difference, big freakin deal.
thats a very good point, we all have to remember he wasnt drafted a few months ago, he was drafted last year.... its not THAT rare for players to make the big club 1 year removed from their draft..... i was a big proponent of sending him back to junior to save on his UFA status, but if its only to save one year, then im not so sure anymore
They should send Schremp back to junior instead of wasting one of the years they own his rights. Remember a team only controls a players rights for seven years now.
The Hunters are still in London. He'll be facing more adversity with many of the Knights stars having moved on. Plus, he'll get a chance to play for the US World Junior Team which is the favorite for the title.
I agree, I think sending him to london is the safe bet, if he makes the team at best he will add a few goals. It isn't like he is going to rack up the points (I mean he is no crosby), in London he will get a great chance to tear it up and play for the states. THen next year he won't have already used up a year.
Sorry I don't agree with this at all. The games I remember him playing on the wing he looked horrible. Face it, Horc is the only player getting more hype from the brass than Robbie S. If RS plays it comes at the expense of another center not named Horc or Mike.
I can him making the team if he's earned it, getting very little 5 on 5 time and when he does on a 4th line. He will however get all the chance in the world to play top PP minutes. Also important to remember that in the first 10 games teams will probably average 10-15 PP's a game. That could be HUGE for Robbie. Anyhow, don't be shocked if they give him a taste and then ship him back to junior.
I thought MacT was falling for Rob.
Thanx for that Digger.
Throwing him out on the PK to see if he implodes.
(GB & JMC games and practice)
Lining him up with Dicaz and Peterson.
And then, having him go thru some drills with Smyth and Horcoff.
Looks like he's throwing curveballs at the kid.
Near the end of practice today, I imagined MacT having a conversation with KLo.
It went something like...
"Kev, I keep setting Schremp up to fail, so I can tell him what he needs to work on to make the team next year. But, when I tell him what to work on, he does so in front of my eyes. You're going to have to move .!.!.!.!. to make room, 'cause he's mine and I'm keeping him."
Near the end of practice today, I imagined MacT having a conversation with KLo.
It went something like...
"Kev, I keep setting Schremp up to fail, so I can tell him what he needs to work on to make the team next year. But, when I tell him what to work on, he does so in front of my eyes. You're going to have to move .!.!.!.!. to make room, 'cause he's mine and I'm keeping him."
decisions... decisions...
One thing I do agree with is that if he keeps scoring goals you can't send him out. I know he has only played UofA and JM games, but this guy's ability to score goals on a team that can't hit the ocean is going to be hard to send away.
I honestly feel that Peca is a MUCH BETTER 3rd line center than a 2nd line center. He does not have enough skill to really be a great 2nd line center...and his defensive play is best suited to shut down other team's top centers,which he'll do on the 3rd line.
Let Schremp center 2nd line, less pressure than 1st line...and put the kid on the 1st or 2nd PP unit,let Pronger give him passes and let the kid ONE-TIME IT!
I agree, I think sending him to london is the safe bet, if he makes the team at best he will add a few goals. It isn't like he is going to rack up the points (I mean he is no crosby), in London he will get a great chance to tear it up and play for the states. THen next year he won't have already used up a year.
We might be selling Robbie short by assuming that he won't rack up the points. As Oiler fans we have become accustomed to mediocre prospects and low expectations. Schremp is by no means a mediocre prospect. On talent alone, he was among the top three players of his draft year, and that is something we forget in light of his actual draft position. If he continues performing well throughout the preseason and makes the team, I think he'll surprise alot of people with his production.
I think if Shremp makes the team, you have to start him off lower in the lineup and work him up if he plays well ES. There's absolutely no question he gets major power play time if he's on the squad, but even strength this is how I'd see the opening lineups under said situation...
Then on the powerplay he'd figure into the top unit. If he plays well enough to work his way up to the second line and Reasoner doesn't deliver than you could switch them and go from there.
I honestly feel that Peca is a MUCH BETTER 3rd line center than a 2nd line center. He does not have enough skill to really be a great 2nd line center...and his defensive play is best suited to shut down other team's top centers,which he'll do on the 3rd line.
I disagree Peca as a third line centre is a waste of his talents. The great thing about Peca is that he has the ability to put up 40 or so points while playing the tough minutes against the opposing teams top players. The great thing with putting him with good offensively skilled players is that his numbers go up. We have 3 good defensive centres on this team (Stoll, Reasoner, Horcoff) who should play with Moreau and Pisani to form a checking line. The benefit of playing Peca with say Hemsky and Smyth is that, Peca scores more becasue of the skilled players and can offset some of Hemsky's defensive lapses. Same goes with Dvorak and Torres. He a Dvo help each other score more while sheltering some of Torres's defensive lapses. What some fail to realize is that Peca is a phenomenal player. Who can score 50 or so points with playing with players wiht crappy offensive skills all the while playing against the opposing teams best players. Playing him with Hemsky, Dvo, Smyth and the like allows Peca to show is offensive game. 50 points with crap possibly 70 points with Hemsky and Smyth. It is too bad that Peca has never been able to show his offensive skills because he so phenomenal defensively.
Or maybe underrating Peca. The man has scored 20 goals several times throughout his career. He's had seasons where he would've lead the 03-04 Oilers in scoring (not in that same year, but other seasons) and he deserves the chance to explore his ability to contribute in that way.
I have to keep repeating myself about this 7 year UFA rule. Who says that Rob won't sign an extension in year 5 that keeps him here until year 10 or 11 or 12?
Remember, all teams now follow the same rules.
Yep.
Anyone else remember Schremp, after they took him at #25, saying he wanted to be drafted by either the Oilers or Rangers? It's not like Schremp is gonna leave because he doesn't want to be here.
We might be selling Robbie short by assuming that he won't rack up the points. As Oiler fans we have become accustomed to mediocre prospects and low expectations. Schremp is by no means a mediocre prospect. On talent alone, he was among the top three players of his draft year, and that is something we forget in light of his actual draft position. If he continues performing well throughout the preseason and makes the team, I think he'll surprise alot of people with his production.
I would love to think that, but I am not sure. however if you are right, amen
