'Tis Just a Flesh Wound!

by Jonathan Willis on May 22, 2008 3:03 PM MDT

Jim Matheson, in today's Edmonton Journal, compares former Oiler Jason Smith to the Black Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Great movie, incidentally.

Why does Matheson make this comparison? Because it turns out that Jason Smith played 17 playoff games with not one, but two separated shoulders. I'll repeat that, for those of you who missed it: two separated shoulders.

Matheson than links the soon to be UFA with the Minnesota Wild- Doug Riseborough worked in the Oilers organization while Smith was here, and Jacques Lemaire was familiar with Smith from his days in New Jersey.

Tim Panaccio, on the other hand, suggests New Jersey as a possible destination, especially given that the Devils inquired about Smith's availability at the trade deadline.

What about the Oilers, you ask? I certainly think there's a need for a veteran defenceman, and Smith could fit the bill. I'm concerned that with the sheer number of injuries that a guy like Smith takes, and given his age it may not be long before he hits the steep part of the downhill curve. But, that said, I hope he winds up closer to New Jersey than Minnesota; I don't want to see him in opposition colours for 8 games a season.

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i'm sorry, i just can't see how smith can fit the bill. I was actually glad (gasp!) when the oil moved smith.

no question; tough as the come, leader, physical presenece...but on the nhl bell curve, he would get a F- for stickhandling (I continue to assign nearly equal blame for that smith/conks/brind'amour goal in G1 '06) and a F for passing.

I would hope katz would fire klowe immediately if he ever came up with, "DK, i wanna sign an old dman with a limited skill set and two recent serious injuries for mostly sentimental reasons. oh, and I just traded him away less than a year ago."

by Kish on May 22, 2008 9:15 PM MDT reply actions

I continue to assign nearly equal blame for that smith/conks/brind'amour goal

Really- I blame Smith entirely ;) (and, in actual fact, I have always been a big fan of Conklin- even then)

It probably was not clear enough above, but I do not actually advocate a Smith signing, I just would prefer if he went somewhere other than the Northwest.

by Jonathan Willis on May 22, 2008 10:51 PM MDT reply actions

Grammar police: in this post and in your Marty Reasoner post you wrote "than" when it should have been "then". Just keeping you on your toes. ;)

by Jamie on May 23, 2008 6:20 AM MDT reply actions

you wrote "than" when it should have been "then".

"Than" and "then" have always been my bane as a writer of anything. ;)

by Jonathan Willis on May 23, 2008 8:16 AM MDT reply actions

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Northwest Standings

	GP	W	L	OTL	PT
Vancouver Nucks Misconduct	53	33	15	5	71
Minnesota Hockey Wilderness	53	25	20	8	58
Colorado Mile High Hockey	55	27	25	3	57
Calgary Matchsticks and Gasoline	53	24	22	7	55
Edmonton The Copper & Blue	53	21	27	5	47

(updated 2.8.2012 at 7:10 AM MST)

21 - 27 - 5

Streak: Lost 1

Oilers Schedule

Next 5 Games

@ Detroit Winging It In Motown	Wed 02/08	5:30 PM MST
@ Ottawa Silver Seven	Sat 02/11	12:00 PM MST
Toronto Pension Plan Puppets	Wed 02/15	8:00 PM MST
Colorado Mile High Hockey	Fri 02/17	7:30 PM MST
Vancouver Nucks Misconduct	Sun 02/19	7:00 PM MST

Last 5 Games

@ Toronto Pension Plan Puppets	Mon 02/06	L 3 - 6
Detroit Winging It In Motown	Sat 02/04	SO - W 5 - 4
Chicago Second City Hockey	Thu 02/02	W 8 - 4
Colorado Mile High Hockey	Tue 01/31	W 3 - 2
@ Vancouver Nucks Misconduct	Tue 01/24	SO - L 2 - 3