“The Oilers don’t want to lose [Davidson] for nothing. I think there’s some interest in him,” Friedman said Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada. “And especially since they have to sign the likes of McDavid, Draisaitl and Russell in the next little while.
“I think there’s going to be some talk around Davidson’s name.” – Elliotte Friedman (source)
This shouldn’t be news to anybody but I’m not convinced that Davidson would be lost to Vegas in the expansion draft and with today’s recall of Griffin Reinhart, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was actually the former 4th overall pick that was selected instead of Davidson who’s been having a very difficult time since having Dustin Byfuglien take out his knee last March.
Look, we loved him last season because he was a great hockey story and he was playing out of this world for a team that desperately needed a defender like him at that time. He’s not that player this year so far. I’m guessing he gets the push to the 2nd pairing alongside Sekera for the game against Montreal and his performance will tell me what I need to know with regards to his future if that is indeed where he gets deployed. #SmallSampleSize
We know that Colorado and Arizona have been scouting the Oilers quite a bit recently and it’s possible that both teams have pieces that would interest Edmonton. Radim Vrbata, Martin Hanzal, Mark Stone, Jarome Iginla, Joe Colborne, etc. have been mentioned in rumor mills and media spots over the last month or so.
The Oilers are looking for a right-handed centre, a back-up goalie, and possibly a right-handed dman for the PP.
I hope he does VERY well so that he brings the team a bit more at the deadline but the fact is, if Chiarelli can find a buyer, Davidson will be plying his trade with another team come March 2nd, 2017.
MARK FAYNE
Somebody who won’t be playing for another NHL team, nevermind his own, is Mark Fayne. He was overlooked when the swift-skating Jordan Oesterle and the possibly emerging Griffin Reinhart were recalled to Edmonton instead of him. Some folks are just flabbergasted by this and I am not one of them.
Just don't think he has the boots or head-manning skills for today's NHL.
— Kurt Leavins (@KurtLeavins) February 4, 2017
Mr.Leavins has it right and my argument is IF Mark Fayne was really THAT good, he’d be in the NHL but he’s not and no amount of numbers from the time he spent in New Jersey will untie the piano from his ass and make him an NHL-level dman in 2017. Just because he shoots right-handed doesn’t make him the right man for the job.
You might argue that Eric Gryba is no better a defenseman and you may be partially right from a mobility viewpoint but here are some stats from stats.hockeyanalysis.com. These are the 5×5 numbers from the 2015/16 season.
As you can see, there is very little difference in the numbers of the fancy variety to make an educated judgment. Mark Fayne make nearly $4M dollars annually (Thanks, previous regime!!) and Gryba brings home a paltry 950k per year. So that’s another strike against Fayne. There is one more thing that puts Gryba over the top and I believe it’s his ability to fit into Chiarelli’s team profile.
There is one more thing that puts Gryba over the top and I believe it’s his ability to fit into Chiarelli’s team profile.
It’s a funny thing when the Oilers starting adding all these “Glue Guys” to the dressing room what has happened. The team has actually started to come together. Respect amongst your teammates is so important when going into battle night in and night out. Russell, Gryba, Maroon, Kassian, Hendricks, Nurse, Larsson, and Lucic are all players that do that and I’m a happier Oilers fan that they’re on my team and not another. How are those players doing that were moved this summer anyhow? Stanley Cup Finals-bound, I’m sure.
I’ve had a pretty interesting weekend, to say the least on Twitter. Former Oilogosphere icon Dennis King decided that he’d come out of nowhere and have a go at me and was tossing out his usual smart-ass comments but didn’t like it when I threw them back at him resulting in him blocking me. Matt Henderson decided to go the same route after I called him out for being a hate monger.
For those that do know me or have followed me online for some time, you’d know that I’m not the type to go this far on a consistent basis, but I felt compelled in this instance due to Henderson’s mightier than thou attitude. He let the mob get to him and you can’t do that when you’re in a position such as his. I could’ve just let him stew in his own juices, which in hindsight might’ve been a better and more mature option but the “I hate bad players and the people who like them.” comment really irked me and I feel justified in letting Matt know how I felt in a public forum. Hate has no place within the Oilogosphere that I participate in let alone in the world.
If you think "this" hasn't graduated from u being anti-Russell to u being a hate monger and frankly, a fucking arrogant prick, ur clueless. https://t.co/wuCSXmBmhJ
— BLH (Edmonton Oilers Enthusiast} (@BeerLeagueHeroe) February 1, 2017
Now I’m not showing these to you because I want you to feel sorry or because I want you to go and give Henderson and King a piece of your mind. But there is a tone that one can use whilst participating on the socials that will get you in a lot of shit and you’ll lose the respect of your peers if you decide to utilize it. Of course, this only matters if you actually value and respect those around you.
I implore you to ignore your ego when it comes to pushing on closed doors. There’s a reason those doors are closed and shackled with the locks of arrogance and ignorance. I don’t claim to be any better than the boys below but I do hope that by seeing this you might not go down the same route as myself or Henderson/King.
We all have our opinions and hills to die on but being an asshole online rarely gets you where you want to go in life or otherwise. If you ever feel like I’m being a dick with my posts or tweets, let me know!
What do you think about the Davidson availability and Mark Fayne debate? Let us know in the comments below.
