Helluva beating the Oilers put on the Canucks last night eh? It’s been really fun watching the kids on the right-wing emerge in front of our eyes too. Kailer Yamamoto, Ty Rattie, and Jesse Puljujarvi have been on fire this preseason and I’M LOVING IT!
It’s really hard not to be absolutely jacked for the season to start but we shouldn’t go all-in right now as it is only preseason and none of the teams that the Oilers have shellacked so far have been proper NHL squads. Last night was probably the closest we’ve seen to date and I noticed Yamamoto’s game wasn’t where it previously was but then again that line he was on with Draisaitl and Lucic wasn’t really firing as a whole.
Lucky we had Ty and Jesse tearing up the ice.
I will say this though, the team is playing infinitely faster this season than last and if they can continue that through the first month of the season (baby steps people), given it might be the hardest of the year for them, and come out better than .500, they’ll be in a much better position to see the playoffs this year.
That’s enough of my rambling, now it’s time for part 1 of the main feature, BLH’s 2018/19 Edmonton Oilers Pump-Up Video! Check it out below and please subscribe to our channel!
Part 2 of our main feature is a guest post from friend of the blog Mike Toy. If you frequent Twitter during games or on game days, you’ll be familiar with Mike as he’s a very active member of the Oilers Twittersphere.
As the Oilers continue their way through the 2018/2019 training camp, I’m reminded of how many I’ve witnessed, and how the game has changed. Back in the early 80’s I fondly remember the boys getting into camp, talking about how they had three weeks to get into game shape. Some jogged, did a few weights in the offseason, but mainly spent their time with family and friends. Golf and water sports seemed to be the most taxing athletic endeavors.
As time went on, I witnessed a huge transition in how players prepared for the season. Look at the attention to detail in today’s group of professional athletes. Personal trainers who are in sync with the team’s training group. Specific training to improve a specific area of need, i.e. strength, quickness, balance, and stamina etc. Skills coaches who provide very specific attention to areas of a player’s game that needs the most improvement i.e. puck handling, shot, backhand passing, receiving a pass etc. Sports Psychologists who work on visualization, positive reinforcement, repetition, memory, and brain stimulation etc.
Hockey, even at the professional level was always a game to me. It’s a game where you tie up your skates, and just go play. Yes, there was always some sort of structure, and style the management and coaches wanted or demanded you to play. But the players with skill, the scorers and passers, they just seemed to play on instinct. The checkers, grinders, and enforcers thrived on hard work. Today, most players thrive on hard work. It’s not about getting prepared, it’s about being prepared.
What fascinates me in today’s game, is that it’s the elite players that are driving the commitment to improvement. Or, should I say continuous improvement. You see Connor McDavid, arguably the best hockey player on the planet, in the best shape of his career. Reports and stories of how he worked on specific aspects of his game where he knew he needed to improve. From skills (primarily shooting) to a workout regimen that focused on endurance and adding muscle.
As a fan, I feel like I’ve let the team down. I’m not in the best shape of my fan life heading into the season. I’ve done a poor job at improving areas of weakness, or areas of needed improvement. I wanted to work on the senseless highs and lows that a shift, a period or a game provides. I wanted to improve how I judged a players’ performance. Improve how I view the coaches’ performance.
I think I’ll revert back to the days of the elite players, but instead, I’ll watch and fan this “game”, as if it is a “game”.
Attitude, determines altitude.
#LetsgoOilers
That was a guest post from one of the very few people to meet BLH in real life, His name is Toyboy 48 and he’s a real gent! You can follow him on Twitter here.
