Tonight the Oilers take on the LA Kings, this will not be an easy match for this young team but it will be fun to see how they do.
Oilers Start
So much has been written about the Oilers not being able to match their start, and how the advanced stats show it. Poppycock! Does anyone really need to look at an advanced stats sheet to figure out that Khabibulin won't have a .969 save percentage at the end of the year and the Oilers will not be first overall in the West. I am not going to insult anyone's intelligence. No the Oilers won't finish first in the Western Conference. Wow, I am a genius. That being said, those 16 points won't be taken away, enjoy it while it lasts! We were looking for improvement this year, and it has been a fun stretch. It does not take a rocket scientist to see that this team is vastly improved though!
Omark
Again so much has been written with many advanced stats to try to tell you it was a mistake to sent Omark down. If you look back at my blogs I told you that my stats were not showing the same thing and I thought he might be in trouble. Still not sure if he fits on this team long term. More on that later.
Though do I need any advanced stats to realize that there is no room in the Inn for Omark. Simple question. Who sits out to take Omark's place? Does he play over the any of the Kids on the Hall? Not a chance. Does he play over the steady Smyth, Horcoff, Jones line? Does anyone out there really think he is defensively responsible enough to play all their tough minutes? Not a chance. Does he play over Belanger and Petrell who have defined roles that they excel at? Not a chance. A few games ago I mentioned the possibility existed that Renney may play him over Paajarvi, but he picked up his game and is more reliable defensively.
Now it could obviously be argued that he could play on the 4th line, but why would you want a player that does not have to clear waivers and can play 18 to 20 minutes a night on the farm to play 5 to 6 minutes on the 4th line?
See it really doesn't matter what my stats show, what the advanced stats show. It was the obvious and right choice to be sent to Oklohoma.
Hemsky
Complicating the matter even more for Omark is the imminent return of Alex Hemsky. The Oilers start really has given them the luxury of not rushing any moves but it is obvious that something has to give.
Omark is not going to have a huge return, Gagner might but do you want to give him up if Hemsky is not signing. Tough decisions ahead for Mr. Tambellini, but I do not expect any of those decisions happening quickly unless Omark decides that he either wants to be moved or returned to Europe. For anyone that may not know, Omark has an out clause in his contract that he can be returned to Europe instead of reporting to the AHL.
Does Omark force Tambellini's hand? We'll see.
Enjoy the game!
