Looking at the roster (65 players) for this years training camp and there are a few players that seem to have some toughness (or stupidity?) about them based on their P.I.M. stats.
I never heard much about anyone from that list except Dan Baum dn Rocky Thompson, who I beleive signed over the summer. I heard that Thompson can barely skate and the only thing he does is fight, what good does that do for the Oilers? We are a skating team full of speed.
With a guy named "Rocky" he has to be tough. They won't last training camp, I guarantee. Oilers are one of the fastest teams I've seen, especially on home ice. They don't want big slow players lagging around on the ice.
These guys are invited to camp because the Oilers need to ice 3 teams to compete for the Joey Moss Cup, which is what they play for during the inter-squad games.
Thompson has improved on his skating by taking power skating lessons and is now a defenseman. It's expected that he'll earn a spot with the Roadrunners.
The thing I hate is having beer league guys, like the ones mentioned, playing against and potentially hurting star players like Smyth and Hemsky.
What's the point? We all know Smyth, Hemsky, York etc will be on the team come opening night. So why risk it?
Just to correct myself, it's actually 4 inter-squad teams. Team Copper, Team Blue, Team Red and Team White.
Having some goon players around just increases the intensity of the games I suppose which gives them a more realistic feel to them.
Still, I'm reading about Hemsky getting run at in camp and I don't like it.
If players like Hemsky and other more gifted offensive players are being run at why the hell is MacT allowing it?or better yet wheres big George when this is going on?Weather he's wearing the same jersey as a player running Hemsky or any other player big George should get it straightend out.
The Oilers do have some size comming in, Rita is a pretty big talented forward. If he makes the team this season, he'll add some size to the line up, he had 4 goals on day two and weighs in at 216 lbs. It wouldn't hurt the Oilers if they had a few heavier players on the team, but I think they should first expect more from the "tuf" guys they have now. Laraque needs to step up, and start taking the body like we're use to seeing him do. Jason Smith also needs to get back to form, last season it looked like his confidence was shaken... Smith like Laraque needs to get back to laying his hits that are able to chance the momentum of the game. Moreau had a great season last season, showed alot of leadership in the way he played the game... He's a bigger forward, and if he able to play like he did last season he'll be a great example for this team. The Oilers have enough big players on their team, but they need to start making their presence felt when they are on the ice.
__________________
"You see things and you say "Why?"; but I dream things that never were and I say "Why not?""- George Bernard Shaw
"Education is the power to think clearly, the power to act well in the world's work, and the power to appreciate life." - Brigham Young
I think that George and Ales are playing on different inter-squad teams. Laraque did have a few words with a tough guy who roughed up one of the goalies on the weekend. It would be nice to see big Georges and Rocky go at it but George strained a groin on Sunday.
These preseason games with Calgary are going to get ugly!
I think that George and Ales are playing on different inter-squad teams. Laraque did have a few words with a tough guy who roughed up one of the goalies on the weekend. It would be nice to see big Georges and Rocky go at it but George strained a groin on Sunday.
These preseason games with Calgary are going to get ugly!
Yea, but i'm pretty sure the players won't go head-hunting out there. For it is the pre-season. Worst thing that could happen would be for a player to sustain an injury.
Training camp toughness
Training camp toughness
Linear Mode
