I am a huge hockey fan. I watch, read and generally obsess about the sport. I have played since I was four years old (not very well, mind you) and look forward to any chance I get to strap on the blades.
Today, I'm writing about my favourite team, the Edmonton Oilers. Though I have lived the bulk of my life in Ontario, in the heart of Leaf's Nation, I cannot stand the Toronto Maple Leafs (Leafs is not a word!!!). I don't like to throw the word hate around much... and I hate to think that I actually 'hate' something.... but the Leafs are close. Back to the Oil.
I don't remember when I started watching hockey, but I can remember that it was amidst the Oiler's dynasty of the early 80's. Wayne Gretzky was in his prime, Mark Messier was fear around the league, Paul Coffey was scoring like no other defenseman had since Bobby Orr, and no D man has since. They had toughness (Semenko, Brown, McSorley), rock-solid defense (Coffey, Lowe, Huddy... Dr. Randy Gregg) and more offense than the league had ever seen. Times were sweet.
Then Gretzky was sold. The financial landscape of the league changed significantly and the Oil became essentially a major league team on a minor league budget. It was tough to endure. Watching the team's best players routinely bounce and head to American teams that could offer significantly larger contracts than the cash strapped Oilers could dream of. In a time with no salary cap, the Oilers worked on a budget. A budget that simply could not compete.
This is not mean to be a history lesson. Through all of this I have loved Oiler hockey. Offense first, timely goal tending and above all else a commitment to team! Players in Edmonton were always known as a tight knit group. Players loved the atmosphere and it showed on the ice. Once and Oiler always an Oiler (just look at the head office). I have always admired the commitment this team showed on the ice. It has always lead to dramatic moments that make me proud to be an Oiler Fan. I could go on... but again, why I love the Oil isn't really important to anyone.
I am both excited and disappointed by this year's incarnation of the team. Like most of the hockey world, I had high expectations for Edmonton this season. Their strong finish last year, combined with the abundance of talent... some key players back from injury and shrewd off season moves made this look the year the Oilers would make a statement and not simply battle for the bottom playoff position. So far that is not the case.
It's tough to say what is missing. I don't think the team is physical enough and I think they have a bad habit of drafting the players who are essentially in the same mold (cogliano, shremp, ganger, eberle... these guys are almost interchangeable). I'm not saying they don't have specific strengths in their games, but in my eyes these guys all fit the play maker mold. None of them 'Star' quality, but certainly NHL caliber. I think it is time to turn some of these guys into ingredients that are missing from the NHL squad. I hear rumours of the Oilers making a blockbuster trade. Looking up and down the line-up, I can't say there is anyone player that I would classify as off limits. Hemsky would have to draw a large return, but nonetheless he could be packaged for the right deal.
Anyway, at the risk of getting completely off base, this blog is just about the Oilers. Setting the table for future rants.
