Deep Thoughts by Dave Gordon

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjfSGPJo-cg&w=560&h=315]

This blog isn’t going to be so much about one subject but about a few random thoughts I have about the Oilers team from the past week and a few more things going forward. I’ll get started

The Alex Pietrangelo Effect

For a long time I’ve talked about how the St. Louis Blues handled the development of star defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, a lot can be said about how keeping AP away from full time NHL action for 2 seasons helped his development, I think it made a big difference to him becoming a top defenseman in the league.

The first year after his draft he made the Blues opening night roster but then got hurt early and ended up getting 8 games with the Blues mustering 1 assist. The following season he again made the opening night roster, this time playing nine games before being sent to the Canada National Junior team.

The significant thing of note during his second season is that he stuck around until December before getting sent to the national team. Part of me wonders if the Oilers might plan on doing the same with Darnell Nurse.

Think about it, Nurse can play up to 9 games but they don’t have to be all consecutive, would sitting in the press box watching NHL hockey and practicing with the big boys be more beneficial. I think it might be, I also think it would all but guarantee his spot on the national teams roster. There is a chance that the Oilers think that Nurse has learned enough from Major Junior and the benefit from being around the team outweigh the benefits of more ice time in the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds. Food for thought for sure.

The Martin Marincin Debacle

I only call it a debacle because I’m such a huge Marincin fan, the fact he didn’t make the team chaps my ass a bit. He played well enough during camp. Saying that Hunt and Klefbom outperformed him is beyond me, even if one of them was close I think Marincin’s play in his 44 NHL games last year should have been the trump card.

Brad Hunt played well at camp but I still only think he’s a call up option. Maybe someone is getting showcased for a trade. Now it’s not really that big of a deal because MM will be back soon. If I’m wrong about Nurse (Above) then he’ll be back here by game 9 or 10.

Will Acton

Ok maybe just maybe I should have titled this the Will Acton Debacle. But Acton made the team because he is a center and it looks like the team may have given up on Anton Lander. Lander does a few things well but none of them markedly better than Will Acton, who is bigger and can play a more physical game then the younger Swede. Acton isn’t going to see many games unless one of two things happen, and injury to a center or Joensuu doesn’t continue his strong play, the latter being the more likely scenario as Acton can slide in on the wing and bring a similar style of play to the fourth line.

The Trade Winds are Blowing

I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that Craig MacTavish is working the phones looking to improve the Oilers center depth and this might be the time to do it. The oft mentioned Josh Bailey would be a good fit, Nashville also has a glut of centers that may be available. There are also a few teams that are still looking to free up cap space, Tampa and the Rangers being two of them. It is very possible that MacT may trade one of the young blue chip defensemen (MM or Klefbom) or Petry to try and make said trade. One thing the Oilers are full of is young highly touted defense.

I’m not sure if there is a bold trade out there though that would drastically improve their depth problems. But I suggestion a fun version of a bold trade the other day on the Oilers Rig Podcast (note it’s all sorts of fun to do these things but they are very VERY unlikely). Anyhow my suggestion was trying to pry Patty Marleau out of San Jose, could you imagine what the Oilers would look like with RNH – Marleau – Draisaitl as their top three centers? Oh My!!

There are two things that won’t allow this deal to happen, one – the Sharks would have to retain some of Marleau’s salary depending on what goes back to San Jose. Two – Marleau has a no move clause and you would have to think there isn’t a chance in H – E double hockey sticks that he’d waive that to the come to the bitter cold that is Edmonton.

Either way, like I said above, something is gonna give in the next few days be it a waiver pick up or a trade. My guess is the line-up today won’t be the same as the line up opening night, but like most of my guesses I’m probably wrong.

Thanks for Reading