The Edmonton Oilers added to their managerial “murderer’s row” this week by adding former Columbus GM Scott Howson. He has plenty of experience–including a run with the Oilers as asst GM–and is considered a pretty smart guy in the capology room.
Moving on
- Former Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson has joined the Edmonton Oilers organization, working as a pro and American college scout. Howson spent 13 years in the Oilers’ organization, including six as the team’s assistant general manager, before he was hired by the Blue Jackets in 2007. Howson, fired on Feb. 12, is expected to scout the Blackhawks-Blue Jackets game at Nationwide Arena on Thursday.
This has possibly major implications for the Oilers, as the Blue Jackets have done business with them in the past and have a plethora of defensemen. I’ll be posting an article by Darcy (Woodguy) McLeod at 5pm today that shines some light on this situation, but the Howson hiring is an interesting item in regard to trade talks–deadline and summer.
–
Yann Danis is going back to OKC, meaning Nikolai Khabibulin is healthy enough for backup duty. I wonder if they give him some starts as a showcase? I wouldn’t, Dubnyk is having a fine season (despite what the fanbase thinks, apparently) and Khabibulin is one awkward moment from being hurt again.
Dubnyk is having a good season.
–
We’ve talked about Brett Clark recently and his strong showing with OKC. Jonathan Willis had an article yesterday on the player and interest from Minnesota and Dallas. It makes sense if you’re looking for defensive depth, but the Oilers have plenty of rearguards who can fill the 5-6-7 role.
It’s up the depth chart where they have issues.
–
We’ve talked recently about getting something out of a lost season. I call it the “one ugly baby” scenario because of the Bill James article 25 years ago about the Minnesota Twins. Basically, the idea is that a team losing a lot of games has a watershed season in terms of young players emerging. This season:
- Gagner has taken a step forward as a quality offensive player
- Taylor Hall has reached the point where he is a point-per-game player.
- Justin Schultz has been a revelation.
- Magnus Paajarvi has arrived.
- Nail Yakupov is on pace for an 19-goal season (if the season were 82 games).
- Teemu Hartikainen has shown an ability to win battles along the wall and create offensive opportunities.
Those young men added to Nuge, Eberle, Petry, etc give the Oilers so much promise. This is a breakout group at some point, it is only a matter of time (and making damn good and sure they have the right support).
–
Remember when Shawn Horcoff went down with that injury? Remember when we were impatient for the organization to find a veteran hand to replace him? I wonder how many points were squandered on that one lack of management?
–
Edmonton has been connected to this gentleman.
–
Welcome home, you Oilers.