The State Of The Oilers: 2007-2008

NHL Digest would like to take this opportunity to introduce a great new segment of the site called TheNeilShow. Today, TheNeilShow checks in on the Edmonton Oilers with Jason Gregor of the TEAM 1260 in Edmonton, Alberta.

Theneilshow -With the Darryl Katz verdict coming in last week that he will NOT get the team. Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Do you like the owner situation right now? or would a single owner fit this team better?

Jason Gregor -I don’t think it matters either way at the end of the day. The current owners are really entrenched in the community, which is a benefit. Both groups would have spent the same money, and both understand that a new arena is necessary in Edmonton.

Katz did say he would put up 100 million towards the rink, and that will be the one issue that could hurt the EIG. They will need to come up with a reasonable amount, or come up with a plan to help subsidize the new rink. I think either way, the Oilers are very financially stable right now and I don’t see that changing any time soon.

Theneilshow -Have you heard any candidates on the vacant Oilers assistant coach position after Simpson left for Hockey Night In Canada?

Jason Gregor-Rob Daum will be the man. The official announcement will come on Monday.

Theneilshow-Did the Oilers do the right thing by signing Penner to that (in my opinion) ridiculous contract?

Jason Gregor-I think they did. They clearly needed to improve offensively, and they needed some size in their top-six forwards. Sure, they overpaid for what he has done to date, but they are paying him based on what they think his potential will become.
UFAs get paid on what they used to do. This isn’t the first time this has happened and it won’t be the last. Many forget that in 1990 the Blues offered Scott Stevens a big contract and Washington ended up with five first round picks as compensation. Out of those picks only Brendan Witt and Sergei Gonchar panned out. So it was a good move for the Blues. Time will only tell if the Oilers made the right decision.

Theneilshow -With teams switching to the RBK style jersey. A few teams “new” jersey have drastic new looks. Will the Oilers jersey be a big change?

Jason Gregor-No they won’t. Like every team they will only be using two jerseys this season. You won’t see their “third” jersey at all this year. I’ve been told the Oilers jersey won’t be much different than what they wore last year.

Theneilshow -With just having a lockout a few years ago because of a escalading salaries getting out of hand. Kevin Lowe goes out and throws a ton of money at Thomas Vanek and Dustin Penner. Is this really a good thing for the NHL?

Jason Gregor-The difference this time is that you can only spend to the cap. Was Kevin Lowe’s contract any worse than the one the Flyers offered Briere or Hartnell? I don’t think so, the only difference is the way he went about it, signing an RFA instead of a UFA. Teams whine about what Lowe did, but at least the Ducks get some compensation.(1st, 2nd, 3rd round picks in 2008).

What did the Sabres get for Briere or Drury; nothing!! Every one is worried because Lowe colored outside the lines, and most people don’t react well to new ideas.

Theneilshow -Who do you see Dustin Penner playing with on a line this year?

Jason Gregor-Guaranteed that he will start the season on the left wing, along side Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky.

Theneilshow -With the Oilers having defence issues last season. Souray and Pitkanen have a reputation on having defensive issues in the past, how will these two guys fit in?

Jason Gregor-People forget that Souray was a decent defensive D-man inNew Jersey before going to Montreal. Clearly, he needs to be better defensively, and I can’t see him scoring 26 goals this year, but he is a big upgrade on Jason Smith. Pitkanen is a wild card. He can move that puck, which is an area the Oilers really struggled with last season. He will be paired with Steve Staios, so he won’t be asked to be a defensive stalwart.

Theneilshow -Who is the leader on the Oilers now that Gator (Jason Smith) is gone to Philly?

Jason Gregor-Ethan Moreau, Steve Staios and Jarret Stoll are the three that come to mind. Expect Moreau to get the “C”, with a slight chance the Oilers give it to Stoll, who might be the best leader they have.

Theneilshow -Did Joffery Lupul suffer from the Comrie syndrome (not being able to perform in his home town)?

Jason Gregor-I don’t think so. I think he was more a product of being in the wrong system. Coach MacTavish wants players who can win battles and play well without the puck. Those are not Lupul’s strengths. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Lupul score close to 30 goals in Philly. Some times players just don’t fit it on a certain team. Lupul actually loved playing in Edmonton, he just never seemed able to get on a roll. If he dedicates himself to becoming better away from the puck, the Flyers will be very happy with his offence.

Theneilshow -Kevin Lowe said he couldn’t afford Ryan Smyth. But then he goes out and and throws money around? What is your opinion and why Ryan Smyth is not here?

Jason Gregor-Smyth walked away from a $5.4 million five-year deal, when the cap was $44million. He then signed with Colorado for $6.1 with a $50 million cap. The numbers aren’t much different. Smyth didn’t want to take the “home town” discount, thus he stood his ground.

I get tired of hearing players talk about needed to get paid fairly. Last time I checked, getting a guaranteed $27 million over five years is a pretty fair deal. Smyth is a very unique player, and I really respect how he competes every night, but he will never be a player you can build a team around. In my mind, a player making $6 million a season has to be a player that makes others better.

Theneilshow -What date and where does Oilers training camp start?

Jason Gregor-Main camp starts on September 11th in Edmonton. The Oilers will have their rookie camp in Whitehorse, North West Territories on September 6-9th.

Theneilshow -What prospect do you see making the biggest impact this training camp?

Jason Gregor-It has to be either Robert Nilsson, Rob Schremp or Andrew Cogliano. The Oilers are in need of a second-line right winger. Nilsson and Cogliano will get every chance to win
the job. Schremp is coming off knee surgery so I don’t expect him to make much of an impact, since he only started working out at the end of July.

Theneilshow -The Oilers finished last season with 71pts.How many points do you see them getting this year with their new look?

Jason Gregor-They will be around 90 points. They were decimated by injuries last season, thus only one win in their final 20 games. They aren’t that bad of a team, yet I don’t see them finishing any higher than 7th at best. I think they will finish anywhere from 7th to 10th in the West.

Theneilshow-If the Oilers don’t make the playoffs this year, will MacT or KLowe lose their job?

Jason Gregor- MacT has three years left on his contract, so I think he is safe until at least the midway part of next year. Lowe is in no danger of losing his job. The EIG has complete faith in him, and he has three years to turn this team around.
(EIG is The Edmonton Investors Group who own the Oilers)

We at NHL Digest.com would like to thank Jason for spending some time with us.

Jason Gregor hosts “just a game” on the TEAM1260AM in Edmonton, Alberta Monday to Friday 9pm-12am MT

http://www.justagame.ca/
http://www.cfrn.com

Look for more from TheNeilShow as he interviews various sports media members as well as coaches and players from around the NHL.

If you has any questions or comments please feel free to share a comment on the site or email Neil at theneilshow@nhldigest.com.