OKC Barons Stopping After This Season... One Step Closer To AHL Western Division...???

((HT: KFOR-TV))

In the American Hockey League, anyway...

The AHL, which the HQ has been saying for a few months, is looking at some location swapping with franchises in the ECHL to create a truer representation for affiliate agreements announced the Oklahoma City Barons are not going to be a part of the league plans next season.

Here are the prepared statements:

Statement from Prodigal

"The decision to cease operations of the OKC Barons at the end of the current season was business-driven. This was a very difficult decision to make because we love the team, love the city and love our fans," said Bob Funk Jr., CEO of Prodigal, the OKC Barons' management company. "Without a more equitable financial agreement with economic terms to provide the best opportunity for sustained success, we can no longer justify additional investments in the operations without higher returns. We have the highest regard for the Edmonton Oilers organization and it has been a privilege serving as its primary development club. Even though we were not successful at completing an agreement, we have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with the Edmonton Oilers' management and coaching staff over the past five years. We are also grateful for the committed partner we have had in the City of Oklahoma City. They shared our passion for bringing hockey to Oklahoma City. Most of all, we want to thank our fans in Oklahoma City for five years of unconditional enthusiastic support. We appreciate your dedication to the OKC Barons and the sport of the hockey. The management team at the OKC Barons is unequaled. They are simply the best. We will never say never to bringing professional hockey back to Oklahoma City in the future. We will always leave the door open."

Statement from Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett

"I love hockey and I've been a fan since the time of the Oklahoma City Blazers. I am appreciative to Prodigal for bringing professional hockey back to Oklahoma City five years ago with the Barons. Throughout their tenure in Oklahoma City, Prodigal, through the Barons, Energy and other events, has enhanced the quality and variety of entertainment offerings available in our growing city," Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett said. "I want to personally thank Bob Funk Jr. and his team at Prodigal for bringing the Barons to Oklahoma City and running a first class operation. The recent overwhelming success of the OKC Energy during its inaugural season points to good things ahead for the company and Oklahoma City."

Statement from Edmonton Oilers

"The players, coaches and fans of the OKC Barons have been outstanding partners to our organization as our development team affiliate. We have enjoyed a solid working relationship with the City of Oklahoma City as well as with Prodigal, the Barons' management company, throughout the team's five years," said Oilers Entertainment Group President & COO Patrick LaForge. "The decision to move on from Oklahoma City, although not easy, will open new opportunities for the Oilers organization and our AHL business. We want to thank Bob Funk Jr. and his team at Prodigal for their partnership in bringing professional hockey to Oklahoma City."

This isn't to say that the Barons, or hockey in general, couldn't return to Oklahoma City for 2015 and beyond. It will just take some work figuring out what the city thinks can proceed.

If they should even make the effort...

Here's Bob Funk discussing the decision


So, taking our previous posts into account, Anaheim or Edmonton would make their play for an expansion franchise next season (or taking the Barons assets) and what Gerry Cantlon talking about back then may be coming into play after all.

Phoenix Downs Edmonton on OT Buzzer Beating Goal

((ht: cbssports.com))

It's tough being an Edmonton Oiler these days. Losers of 19 of the last 24 games, the Oilers fired their coach less than a week ago.

And Tuesday night, they found a new way to lose. Though they did technically get a point for it.

Tied with the Arizona Coyotes 3-3 in overtime and the clock running down, it looked for sure like the game would be heading to a shootout.

Only it didn't.

With 0.3 seconds left on the clock, Oliver Ekman-Larsson rifled a shot from just left of the goalie while heading up the ice at full speed.

The shot of course went right past the goalie and in the net. Game over, Oilers find yet another way to lose.

It's The End Of Movember, So The Stache Goes On Air...

((HT: Sportenet/Awful Announcing))

Sportsnet West's Gene Principe knew the calendar had turned to December 1st, so the recognition associated with the causes was at a head. Which meant that Gene had to get rid of the evidence...

David Amber has the toss... Gene has the razor...

That's the way to use the razor...

Live on camera...

So, THAT'S What It Sounds Like At Go-Time

((HT: 700 Level))

Zac Rinaldo went at it with Matt Hendricks last night in the Philadelphia-Edmonton game...

And, Rinaldo was mic'ed up for the whole night. Kudos to the truck for letting this happen...


Now, we know...
And now we also know how to answer a question if Rinaldo asks...

Ryan Smyth: A Classy Ending

((HT: NHL.com))

Let's face it...

The Edmonton Oilers had a bad year on the ice...

But one of the guys on the roster has always been a good one. When Oilers GM Craig MacTavish said that there wouldn't be a contract offer for Smyth after this season was over, he did the only thing he thought was right...

Call it quits as an Oiler...

Remember, Smyth cried at his press conference when he was traded. He was always part of the fabric of the team in recent years- spending 15 of his 19 seasons with a team that struggled on the ice. Smyth was out on the ice for over 23 minutes- including a 5-plus minute stretch on consecutive power plays. Head coach Dallas Eakins even called time out in the middle of that advantage to give him a bit if a blow to recover...

Here's the end... where the Canucks did a very classy thing...

Ryan Smyth Whacks Network Guy On Live TV

((HT: Sportsnet))

The Edmonton Oilers Ryan Smyth has a tradition during pre-game warm-ups...

As he comes off the ice, he makes a point to give a tap to either Sportsnet's Gene Principe, Mark Spector, or both...

For the last home game of the year, they wore hockey pants as an homage...

Here's the edited version of the very loud lumberjacking

Another Night Of Edmonton Sweater Toss And Exploding Water Bottles

((HT: Hockey Night In Canada/CBC/NHL))

There is no breaking news here...

The Edmonton Oilers are a bad hockey club...

And one of the ways the rabid, loyal fans have been protesting is this way...


And it didn't get any better for the Oil as Curtis Glencross got a hat trick and Matt Stajan had a four-point night on his own (considering everything he and his family have gone through... Good on you, Matt) as the Flames won 8-1

The night got even more interesting as Taylor Hall had issues with his water bottle and, then, his head coach Dallas Eakins...


But Eakins, really, should be Coach of the Year for having to put up with all this crap...
Here's the highlights...
((HT: Sportsnet))

Rogers Arena A "Go" In Edmonton

((HT: 630CHED))

After holding the city of Edmonton hostage in front of his Seattle teaser a few years ago, Oilers owner Daryl Katz got his wish- C$480-million in public funding to make Rogers Place a go by the 2016 season.

Katz, Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson, City Manager Simon Farbrother and other muckety mucks went public (highlights below) came forward to say how happy they all were that nothing stands in the way of building a new barn for the hockey team.

In an interesting side-bar, the price tag includes a C$2-million contribution from MacEwan University. Their contribution helps increase the number of seats in the adjoining "community rink." They'll get a new home out of the deal, too, and won't have to travel the 20 miles to West Edmonton- where they currently play.

Here's a short look at the presser


And here's where they came from with the Seattle dance...
((HT: TSN))

Welcome To Edmonton, Ben Scrivens

((HT: NHL/CSNCalifornia))

Let's face it...
Edmonton is not a good hockey team, and may not be for another few years...

But the trade with the LA Kings for goalie Ben Scrivens paid off last night. Scrivens set a record for most saves in a shutout with 59 in a win over the San Jose Sharks. He breaks the old record of 54 by Coyotes goalie Mike Smith from the 2011-2012 season.

Here's most of them... feel free to count off...
((HT: SomeHockeyVideos))


“I was seeing the puck well,” he said postgame. “We got extremely lucky with a couple of posts in the second.

“I had an awful, awful warm-up, it was an inauspicious start to it. It’s one of those things where you try not to look at the forest while you’re in the trees. You try to focus on the process and give yourself a chance to make that save and when the puck drops again, you try to focus on the next one and don’t try to get too far ahead of yourself.”

The Oilers better now think of locking up Scrivens for quite a while...

Another Oilers Sweater Makes Ice Fall

((HT: Sportsnet))

Things are really bad in Edmonton right now when you look at their on-ice product...

Dallas Eakins has that look on his face that alternates from bemusement to amusement to general pissdom on a daily basis...

And the fans are tossing gear on the ice to express their general displeasure
Last night was another example of it...

The HQ sees the irony in that the sweater was handed to Eakins as he left the ice surface...
The Oilers have now lost 6 in a row and are 7 points adrift from Calgary at the bottom of the Western Conference

Patrick Kane Scores Goal On Himself

((HT: Sportsnet))

Sometimes, pulling the goalie works for you...
Sometimes, it doesn't...

But this is the first time the HQ can remember it works against you by your own hand...

Thanks to Patrick Kane...
Chicago would win 5-3, so Kane escaped a loss- even if he didn't escape grief from his teammates...

Oilers Name New Arena, Shocking No One With Sponsor...

((HT: Sportsnet))

Edmonton’s new hockey arena is getting a new name, and keeping in line with everything going on with the hockey universe these days in Canada, it will be called Rogers Place.

The Katz Group gets all revenue from the naming rights since they negotiated the deal in the first place...

Just in time for the 2016 NHL season...

"This is a great day for Edmonton's downtown and our city," said Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson. "Rogers Place will become a beacon in our downtown, one that will foster a new sense of energy that will further attract development and investment in the heart of our city."

Here's a fly through that the powers that are put together on how it might look...
((HT: CTV News Edmonton))


And here's the interview with President and COO Pat LaForge on "Prime Time Sports" talking about the deal and other Oilers stuff...

ClubberSpeak: The Tour Around The NHL

((HT: Jim Lang Blog))

Understandably, it is time to talk hockey AND football here at the HQ...

But, for now, anyway... we leave the puck to the pros...

After a busy Thursday night in the NHL I thought it was time some of the good and bad trends taking place around the league.

Leafs – There are not many positives to take away from the Leafs loss to the Predators Thursday night. Jonathan Bernier had an awful night as the Leafs lost 4-2. Bernier’s performance all but guarantees that James Reimer will get the start Saturday night when the Leafs host the Capitals. With the loss to Nashville the Leafs are now 3-4 and 1 in November. The more troubling trend is the Leafs issues when it comes to scoring goals this month. The Leafs are currently ranked 29th in the NHL in November, averaging 1,88 goals per game this month. In Riemer’s last three starts the Leafs have scored a total of five goals. Phil Kessel has three goals in November with two of those coming in Tuesday’s win over the Islanders. This sparking debate as to whether or not Kessel is playing hurt. With the Leafs dealing with more serious injuries at other positions Kessel has little choice but to play through whatever is ailing him the best he can.

Oilers – I wonder if local Edmonton kids have stopped telling Dallas Eakins that he sucks when drops his kids off at school? Thursday night the Oilers beat the Panthers 4-1 to extend their winning streak to three games. In those three games they have defeated the Flames, Blue Jackets and Panthers by a combined scored of 15-3. Now three games doesn’t make a season but any kind of winning streak is a welcome sight for Oilers’ fans who have suffered through the pain of this season.

Canucks – Memo to NHL reporters, this is not the week to crack jokes with John Tortorella. The Canucks are riding a five game losing streak (One in OT and in a shoot-out) as they host Columbus tonight at Rogers Arena. Much like the Leafs, goal scoring has been an issue for the Canucks in November. In November the Canucks are tied with the Sabres for 28th, averaging two goals per game. Concern among Canucks fans will turn into downright panic if they lose to Columbus tonight.

Flyers – The team that puts the word “fun” into dysfunctional, the Flyers are beginning to turn it around. The Flyers beat the Sabres Thursday night to win their second straight and they are now a respectable 6-2 and 2 in their past 10 games. The Flyers have played 10 games in November and they are ranked sixth in the NHL this month, allowing an average of 2.00 goals per game. The Flyers are also benefiting from the fact that Claude Giroux has six points in his last six games.

Blackhawks – This is now news to anyone, but the Blackhawks are still the class of the NHL. After Thursday night’s win over the Jets the Blackhawks took over first place over-all in the NHL with a 15-4 and 4 record. The Hawks are almost unbeatable on home ice, sporting a 9-1 and 3 record at the United Center. The Hawks are a deep, talented and well coached machine that show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Tuukka Rask – I love how Rask responds to letting in a goal he thinks he should have stopped. A perfect example took place last night after Derek Roy beat Rask in the shoot-out for the GWG in the Blues 3-2 victory over the Bruins.

I am sure none of his teammates had much to say about after the game. But you can be sure that Rask’s Bruins teammates will be giving him the business bout his failed attempt to break his stick at practice today.

Taylor Hall Breaks Gretzky's Record

((HT: Sportsnet))

The Edmonton Oilers star broke something by the total of one second... but that's all you need...

The Great One scored two goals in nine seconds in an Oilers sweater, and Hall did it in one less last night...

The HQ finds this act somewhat impossible, but it was done...
What does that say about the Islanders defense after goals are scored...???

Dunno, but it may not be much since the Isles won 3-2...

Mike Green's Swing And A Miss

((HT: Sportsnet))

Thankfully, the Washington Capitals didn't need Mike Green's attempted hit on the Oilers Jesse Joensuu to preserve their win to keep Edmonton as the worst team in the Western Conference...
The Capitals scored three goals in a 3:55 stretch in the second period for a 4-2 win to snap their three game losing streak...

Joel Ward, Alex Ovechkin and Troy Brouwer scored - two of those being power-play goals — and the Oilers are now off to a 1-4-1 start in the '13-'14 season...

Is Zack Kassian Dirty...???

((HT: Sportsnet))

Vancouver Canucks right wing Zack Kassian faces a phone hearing with the NHL’s department of player safety after breaking the jaw of Oilers winger Sam Gagner Saturday night.

The league offered Kassian an in-person hearing which means he could face a suspension of more than five games.

The Oilers announced Sunday that Gagner is out indefinitely with a broken jaw and that he will miss the start of the regular season.

Here's the hit...
Craig MacTavish was quite vocal about his displeasure... "I don’t know that he wouldn’t have done it had we had...a Colton Orr in the lineup. But we could use that element."
And whaddya wanna bet they're going shopping...???

Gretzky Goes To Tinseltown Plus 25

((HT: Sportsnet))

It will be 25 years this week that Wayne Gretzky was either traded or sold- depending on your perspective from the Edmonton Oilers to the silver-and-black Los Angeles Kings...

Christine Simpson traveled 9,000 miles to put together this must-see story on the principles in the deal...
Who still have their own opinions...

Now, if she could only tell the lunchtime stories that are off the record...

Nail Yakupov Has Some Tricks

((HT: Sportsnet West))

When the Edmonton Oilers drafted Nail Yakupov to go along with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall, the fans at Northlands were hoping that a very young team would score a lot of goals...

They're getting there... in this shortened season, they're only five points out of the 8-spot...

And this is a lesson for all television broadcasters...
Always roll tape when there's a player near your on-air talent...

Yakupov was having a little fun before the game the other night...
And got real fancy...

Always roll tape, always have fun...

Was Yakupov's Celebration Too Much...???

((HT: Sportsnet.ca))

Here's the question of the day...???

Was the goal celebration of Edmonton Oilers rookie Nail Yakupov not enough, just enough, or too much...??? Considering it was a game-tying goal and not a game-winner... considering he's a rookie fresh off the Draft...

Considering all of that stuff...

The "Hockey Central" folks discuss...
The HQ is somewhat torn on the decision... While we dig the celebration, and it reminds us of a young Ilya Kovalchuk ((HT: RDS/NHL))
It's prolly a little too soon for the slide and glide...

Be Careful Who You Share Names With...

((HT: Sportsnet.ca))

Because you could share the same name as a wanted man north of the border...

It happened with Edmonton Oilers winger Ryan Jones...
But Jones is actually having to rehab from an eye injury and is out of action until, probably, February... he took a shot to the eye from a puck during a pre-camp conditioning gig... “Somebody took a shot, it deflected off a skate and caught me on the side of the left eye. I was kind of skating off to the side, it was super-flukey,” he told Robert Tychowski of the Edmonton Sun.
So, is Jones an early-two-for-two...???
Prolly...