The Edmonton Oilers: On the Way Up

[Gauntsghost]

So, I decided that this dynasty would be a good idea a bit too late, so I can't remember the first season (I simulated, so that the league would get shaken up a bit. When you've started so many dynasties, the first year sucks when it's almost always the same). I'll post down the trades that I can actually recall, and some of the players I let go.

Trades:


TB trades:
[G]Mike Smith

EDM trades:
[G] Mathieu Garon
3rd round pick
-------------------
PIT trades:
[D]Sergei Gonchar

EDM trades:
[LW]Dustin Penner
----------------------
LA trades:
[LW]Alexander Frolov

EDM trades:
[LW]Erik Cole
--------------------
NYI trades:
1st round pick (8th overall)

EDM trades:
1st round pick (17th overall)
2nd round pick (47th overall)

Free Agency Losses

[G]Dwayne Roloson
[D]Denis Grebeshkov
[C]Gilbert Brule
[C]Rob Schremp
[C]Kyle Brodziak
Some other guys of less importance

Prospect to Watch:

Patrick Marczak [G]

Upside:
Marczak is the cream of the crop in the draft this year. Exceptional play with low shots, as well as an above average glove hand make this goalie NHL ready right out of the gates. Phenomenal speed, great reflexes, fantastic breakaway play, and good puck control.
Downside:
Sometimes takes bad angles to the shot. Usually compensates with speed, but can give up unfortunate rebounds due to poor positioning.


Key Signings:

[C] Paul Stastny
[LW] David Booth
[RW] Enver Lisin
[D] Boris Valabik
[RW] Simon Crabb (Undrafted)

The Starting Lineups:

Alexander Frolov (83) - Paul Stastny (87) - Ales Hemsky (88)
Ethan Moreau (82) - Andrew Cogliano (84) - Fernando Pisani (82)
David Booth (77) - Sam Gagner (83) - Zach Stortini (76)
Marc-Antoine Pouliot (76) - Shawn Horcoff (85) - Enver Lisin (76)

Steve Staios (84) - Sergei Gonchar (86)
Lubomir Visnovsky (83) - Sheldon Souray (84)
Tom Gilbert (80) - Ladislav Smid (80)

Patrick Marczak (85)
Mike Smith (83)

GM's Take:

This year is going to be big, there's no question about that. Players will move for certain (here's looking at you, Horcoff). We'd like to keep him, but with Frolov, Gagner and Cogliano on contract years, we need all the room we can get. We're pushing a cap limit already, and these guys are key. Horcoff ise being underutilized, but there's nowhere else for him to go, so he'll have to get to another team at some point. We'll hold on as long as possible, but he'll be gone by the deadline.

The future is looking up. Marczak is our star in the making in the goaltending area. Already a starter (though Mike Smith will certainly get playing time), and he's still got an upside to him. This kid could be Nabokov good. Meanwhile, we're so deep on the defensive end that we couldn't even fit Boris Valabik into the lineup. Theo Peckham is our healthy scratch for replacement right now, but Valabik is a guy we hope we can keep around for the long haul.

As for this year, the playoffs are well within reach right now. Rookie goaltender and all, guys like Paul Stastny, Ales Hemsky, and Sergei Gonchar are certainly able to propel us forward. We'll get deep into the playoffs this year, you can quote me on it later.



That's all the writing I plan on doing now, but I played the first game, which resulted in a 4-1 trouncing of the Stastny-less Avalanche. The stats can be seen below. That Marczak kid was a miracle. The draft that year was so remarkably deep, I saw the goalie projected to go top ten and remembered Roloson would be gone that year. When the first three picks were 83, 85, and 82 overall, I knew I'd be able to snag a good one, but I didn't think he'd be that good.

• Andrew Cogliano: 1G, 0A
• Alexander Frolov: 1G, 1A
• Sergei Gonchar: 1G, 0A
• Ales Hemsky: 0G, 2A
• Enver Lisin: 0G, 1A
• Steve Staios: 0G, 3A
• Paul Stastny: 1G(EN), 0A
• Lubomir Visnovsky: 0G, 1A

• Patrick Marczak: 1.03 GAA, 87.5% Sv.

[Pink Mist]

Re: The Edmonton Oilers: On the Way Up

Its always risky to play a rookie goaltender as your starter, but he seems to be working out.

[Gauntsghost]

Re: The Edmonton Oilers: On the Way Up

Its always risky to play a rookie goaltender as your starter, but he seems to be working out.

It's amazing. He's so good in some aspects. 97 speed, high 80's in the glove/stick/5hole categories, but then a 51 in angles and a low 70 rating in rebound control. I'll have to look at the consistency rating, which could be a big factor in him staying a starter for me. But I get kind of attached to prospects for no good reason, so he might start based on bias alone (not really, I like Mike Smith).

[Gauntsghost]

Re: The Edmonton Oilers: On the Way Up

I'm going to be doing a lot of experimenting when it comes to game formats, so bear with me for a while.

Today's Game:

Anaheim Ducks @ Edmonton Oilers

Starting Goaltenders:

Patrick Marczak

Jonas Hiller

1st Period

(No Scoring)

The Edmonton Oilers dominated the physical game early on, though at some points they allowed Anaheim to escape the zone without being troubled. The Ducks were out worked to the puck, and didn't manage more than a few shots on net. Though the game is still up for grabs, the Oilers had a clear edge.

2nd Period

Edmonton goal: Ales Hemsky (A. Frolov, S. Gonchar)[2:04]

Penalty (ANA): Francois Beauchemin (Tripping)[4:35]

With the second period coming to a close, the Oilers are starting to lose their grip on the game. Anaheim, while getting off very few shots, has made them count. Getting the puck in deep and pushing the defense in allowed them to cycle at will, and only the masterful shot blocking of Steve Staios and the Oilers defense kept Marczak from being overwhelmed. The Oilers still hold a decent command over the game, outshooting the Ducks 12-2, but the gap should be wider.

3rd Period

Penalty (ANA) Woitek Wolski (Tripping)

Edmonton Goal (PP): Andrew Cogliano (T. Gilbert)[9:26]

Fight: Sheldon Souray/Francois Beauchemin (Matching Majors)[16:10]

Edmonton Goal (EN): Paul Stastny (A. Hemsky, S. Gonchar)[19:30]

Fight: Ladislav Smid/Trevor Daley (Matching Minors)[19:39]

The Oilers defense stepped up again huge in the third period, allowing a total of just 6 shots. Though the Ducks cycled, gaining 7+ minutes in the offensive zone, the Oilers kept them deep in the corners and allowed no looks at a scoring chance. Patrick Marczak made two phenomenal saves off deflected passes that found open Duck sticks, and earned his first career shutout. With the fighting outbreak in the third, it's reasonable to believe that the Ducks and the Oilers could forge a real rivalry in the months to come.

Final: 3-0 Edmonton

Three Stars

3 - Paul Stastny (1G, 0A)

2 - Sergei Gonchar (0G, 2A)

1....

Ales Hemsky (1G, 1A)

That's all I've got for you now, because I'm sleepy as hell. Maybe a piece later, but probably not.

[SabresKings3623]

Re: The Edmonton Oilers: On the Way Up

Nice. Post the final score, fool.

[pf8363]

Re: The Edmonton Oilers: On the Way Up

I'm going to be doing a lot of experimenting when it comes to game formats, so bear with me for a while.

Today's Game:

Anaheim Ducks @ Edmonton Oilers

Starting Goaltenders:

Patrick Marczak

Jonas Hiller

1st Period

(No Scoring)

The Edmonton Oilers dominated the physical game early on, though at some points they allowed Anaheim to escape the zone without being troubled. The Ducks were out worked to the puck, and didn't manage more than a few shots on net. Though the game is still up for grabs, the Oilers had a clear edge.

2nd Period

Edmonton goal: Ales Hemsky (A. Frolov, S. Gonchar)[2:04]

Penalty (ANA): Francois Beauchemin (Tripping)[4:35]

With the second period coming to a close, the Oilers are starting to lose their grip on the game. Anaheim, while getting off very few shots, has made them count. Getting the puck in deep and pushing the defense in allowed them to cycle at will, and only the masterful shot blocking of Steve Staios and the Oilers defense kept Marczak from being overwhelmed. The Oilers still hold a decent command over the game, outshooting the Ducks 12-2, but the gap should be wider.

3rd Period

Penalty (ANA) Woitek Wolski (Tripping)

Edmonton Goal (PP): Andrew Cogliano (T. Gilbert)[9:26]

Fight: Sheldon Souray/Francois Beauchemin (Matching Majors)[16:10]

Edmonton Goal (EN): Paul Stastny (A. Hemsky, S. Gonchar)[19:30]

Fight: Ladislav Smid/Trevor Daley (Matching Minors)[19:39]

The Oilers defense stepped up again huge in the third period, allowing a total of just 6 shots. Though the Ducks cycled, gaining 7+ minutes in the offensive zone, the Oilers kept them deep in the corners and allowed no looks at a scoring chance. Patrick Marczak made two phenomenal saves off deflected passes that found open Duck sticks, and earned his first career shutout. With the fighting outbreak in the third, it's reasonable to believe that the Ducks and the Oilers could forge a real rivalry in the months to come.

Final: 3-0 Edmonton

Three Stars

3 - Paul Stastny (1G, 0A)

2 - Sergei Gonchar (0G, 2A)

1....

Ales Hemsky (1G, 1A)

That's all I've got for you now, because I'm sleepy as hell. Maybe a piece later, but probably not.

Nice. Post the final score, fool.

do you see it now?

[GoldenJet]

Re: The Edmonton Oilers: On the Way Up

I can't

[Gauntsghost]

Re: The Edmonton Oilers: On the Way Up

I left and am currently without an Xbox, so no update today.

[PaddyOReilly]

Re: The Edmonton Oilers: On the Way Up

I'll follow. I can understand you thinking on tweaking the format, I didn't get around to posting mine till I had a good idea of what I wanted (even then it changed).

If you don't mind the one thing I would suggest is that you stick the score up at the top as the first thing you see, and maybe a bigger font too. The reason is that the pictures are much bigger and they distract away from your writing. Other than that I really like it.

[Gauntsghost]

Re: The Edmonton Oilers: On the Way Up

Right. Well, I don't really like typing up game by game updates, so for the next few I'll just play the game, and then post the score, stats, 3 stars, and call it good. It has to be manageable, or I'll lose my interest.

[Gauntsghost]

Re: The Edmonton Oilers: On the Way Up

Chicago 0 @ Edmonton 3

• Ales Hemsky (1G, 1A)
• Alexander Frolov (1G, 1A)
• Paul Stastny (0G, 1A)
• Marc Pouliot (1G, 0A)

• Patrick Marczak (12 Saves, 100% Sv.)

3 Stars:

3. Patrick Marczak

2. Alexander Frolov

1. Ales Hemsky

I know it's barebones, but I'm just going to run a few short and consistent updates for a while. My classes are all starting up again, and I need to work around a busy schedule.

TRADE UPDATE:

The Edmonton Oilers have traded away D Steve Staios and C Shawn Horcoff to the Chicago Blackhawks, in return for two prospects and scoring winger Patrick Sharp.

The prospects in question, Ruslan Svitov and Jeff Griffith, are both defensive minded defensemen, though they play very different styles. Svitov is a positionally sound defenseman with the ability to blast shots from the point, while Jeff Griffith relies on bone crushing hits and power to keep the game in check. Griffith is expected to be a top four defenseman and could find his way into the NHL within the next two years.

Patrick Sharp will be playing on the second line's right wing, and providing a secondary scoring touch. Sharp, who is sound on both sides of the ice, will be a valuable addition to an already improved Oilers team. With Boris Valabik moving up to the NHL to fill Steve Staios' spot, the Oilers have put another developing young star on the fast track. With Sergei Gonchar, Sheldon Souray, and Lubomir Visnovsky all starting and being mixed around, any young prospect who comes into contact with the Oilers is poised to get some of the best instruction around.

[Gauntsghost]

Re: The Edmonton Oilers: On the Way Up

Dallas 3 @ Edmonton 2

Edmonton

• Boris Valabik (0G, 1A)
• Paul Stastny (1G, 0A)
• David Booth (0G, 1A)
• Sam Gagner (1G, 0A)
• Alexander Frolov (0G, 1A)
• Ales Hemsky (0G, 1A)

• Mike Smith (2 Goals Allowed, 2 Shots against)
• Patrick Marczak (80% Sv., 1.42 GAA)

Dallas

• Jere Lehtinen (0G, 2A)
• Brenden Morrow (1G, 1A)
• Fabian Brunnstrom (1G, 0A)
• Mark Fistric (0G, 1A)
• Matt Niskanen (1G, 0A)
• Sergej Kuleshov (0G, 1A)
• Brad Richards (0G, 1A)

• Marty Turco (90% Sv., 2.00 GAA)

3 Stars

3. Sam Gagner

2. Jere Lehtinen

1. Brenden Morrow

Trade Update:

The Oilers have made another prospect move recently, trading up and coming winger Simon Crabb to the New York Rangers for Ryan Zajac, no relation to Travis. Crabb is the more defensive minded of the two players, who most draft experts expect to be equal in value (development pending). With the Oilers adding defensive prospects left and right, the addition of Zajac to the team is a clear move to balance the team for later years.

[Gauntsghost]

Re: The Edmonton Oilers: On the Way Up

Simulated Game Updates:

Before: 3-1-0

After: 6-3-6

Oct 16th: 5-4 Loss (COL)
Oct 18th: 5-4 Loss (MIN)
Oct 20th: 3-2 Win (CHI)
Oct 22nd: 4-3 Loss (NSH)
Oct 23rd: 4-3 Loss (VAN)
Oct 26th: 7-6 Loss (CBJ)
Oct 28th: 4-3 Loss (NSH)
Oct 30th: 3-1 Win (VAN)
Nov 1st: 5-4 Loss (NSH)
Nov 3rd: 5-4 Win (PHX)
Nov 5th: 5-4 Loss (PHX)

Points Update
1. Columbus (25 pts)
2. Vancouver (23 pts)
3. Dallas (20 pts)
4. Nashville (21 pts)
5. St. Louis (20 pts)
6. Colorado (18 pts)
7. Detroit (18 pts)
8. Edmonton (18 pts)
9. Chicago (17 pts)
10. Anaheim (17 pts)
11. San Jose (16 pts)
12. Phoenix (15 pts)
13. Minnesota (15 pts)
14. Los Angeles (15 pts)
15. Calgary (14 pts)

Team Leaders:

Points:
Alexander Frolov (21 pts)
Ales Hemsky (18 pts)
Paul Stastny (15 pts)
Sheldon Souray (14 pts)
Lubomir Visnovsky (11 pts)

Goals:
Alexander Frolov (9)
Paul Stastny (8)
Ales Hemsky (8)
Sam Gagner (5)
Patrick Sharp (4)

+/-
Ales Hemsky (+12)
Paul Stastny (+12)
Alexander Frolov (+11)
Sheldon Souray (+6)
Lubomir Visnovsky (+5)

[Gauntsghost]

Re: The Edmonton Oilers: On the Way Up

September 2012:

I'd love to say I totally forgot about this, but it was really eating away at me. A lot has changed since the last post I made, players have left, and players have been replaced. Without further ado, the 2012 Edmonton Oilers:

Alexander Semin (88) - Paul Stastny (91) - Yury Butsayev (86)
Ryan Zajac (84) - Sam Gagner (88) - Patrick Sharp (84)
Rick Byrne (80) - David Krejci (84) - Enver Lisin (80)
Marty King (80) - Jamie McGinn (79) - Neil Cassels (76)

Karl Alzner (88) - Eric Johnson (89)
Lubomir Visnovsky (82) - Ryan Suter (86)
Igor Malakhov (74) - Ruslan Svitov (81)

Steve Mason (87)
Sergej Suglobov (82)

Players in italics are all CPU generated players from the 2009 draft and up.

Last Year's Key Players:

Yury Butsayev:

Last year was by far Butsayev's worst in the league. After entering the league as the first overall pick of 2009, Butsayev didn't disappoint. His 80 goals and 151 points total locked him for the Hart, Art Ross, Richard, Pearson, and Calder trophy. The next year he repeated the trophy acquisition with 83 goals and 147 points. Last year, however, he fell off in production with just 66 goals and 123 points, not even in the top 5 for Art Ross contention. The only remaining Oiler to post over 100 points in the year, Butsayev will have to find his groove again to lead the team to the cup.

Karl Alzner:

Easily the best defensive Oiler last season, Alzner stays at home consistently and allows his partner Johnson to pitch in on offense. Posting 42 points last year, Alzner's production is up from the years before. His PIMs took a hit, but with the addition of Ryan Suter to the team this year, Alzner will be allowed to take longer rests against some of the more powerful offensive teams.

Steve Mason:

Mason's trade for then starting goaltender Patrick Marczak shocked most of the NHL. Both were stars where they played, and since Mason has played in Edmonton, he came close to breaking the 50 win mark with 49. Though his GAA (3.44) and Save Percentage (89.9%) were less than satisfactory, the defensive strength of the Oilers should keep him a league leader.

Rookie Watch:

Ruslan Svitov [D]:

Despite being scratched the last few months of last season, the opener against the Avalanche will be Svitov's first NHL game. Possessing extraordinary natural durability, endurance, and strength, Svitov is a bruising defenseman with a puck moving upside. Though he'll never be a franchise defenseman like Alzner or Johnson, Svitov has the ability to play in the top 4 if Visnovsky's contract falls through next free agency.

Neil Cassels [C]:

A true rookie, having no AHL or NHL expereince, Neil Cassels stole the show with a surprise first overall pick in the 2012 draft. With the potential to find himself a top 6 forward, Cassels has been compared to Pavel Datsyuk in play style. Unwilling to take or give the body, Cassels has great speed, accuracy, and an exceptional sense of positioning in his own zone.

Sergej Suglobov [G]:

Though he'll likely be a backup to Mason for the next few years, Suglobov has some of the best reflexes in the NHL. His positioning can use some work, but this speedy goaltender has a glove-hand dominance often compared to Martin Brodeur.



That's all, just wanted to keep you all posted (riiiiiight).

[Gauntsghost]

Re: The Edmonton Oilers: On the Way Up

Colorado 0 @ Edmonton 6:

Goals:
Gagner
Stastny
Stastny
Butsayev
Cassels
Butsayev