Jason Strudwick

by Jonathan Willis on Jul 10, 2008 6:33 AM MDT

The Team 1260 reported a rumour last night (relayed to me via HFBoards) that the Oilers have signed unrestricted free agent Jason Strudwick, a man who last hit double digits in the points column in 1996-97 for the Kentucky Thoroughblades (I wish I was making that up). The signing has been confirmed by Sportsnet.

He's alternately listed as a LW or a defender, depending on where you look, and his spot in the Oilers lineup would seem to be the same one that Mathieu Roy, Taylor Chorney and Theo Peckham are fighting for; the seventh defenseman slot.

According to Behind the Net, Strudwick played easy minutes with poor linemates. His team didn't score (0.10 PTS/60, 1.47 GFON/60) but on the other hand didn't get scored on either (1.67 GAON/60).

Strudwick is from Edmonton originally, and brings size (6'4", 225lbs) and pugilistic ability to the table (10 majors, only 4 minors last season). He hits and blocks shots and brings no offense whatsoever.

Right now, I'd peg this signing as a Matt Greene replacement, and Strudwick should have no difficulty whatsoever filling in against the 4th line filler of the league. By all accounts he's a character guy. Still, there's some upside to this trade. The Oilers have acquired this sort of player in the past, the utility forward/defender with little offense, and it usually goes one of two ways: Scott Ferguson, or Steve Staios. It seems much more probable that Strudwick's performance as an Oiler mirrors the first, but it isn't impossible that it mirrors the latter.

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for how much money? does anybody know? i am hoping for $500k

by oilersfan on Jul 10, 2008 2:26 PM MDT reply actions

Whoever said that we can't attract marquee UFAs.

Seriously though, I'll take this. We won't need him 82 nights a year but when we do it'll help keep people off Hemsky and Gagner.

by ryanbatty on Jul 10, 2008 3:07 PM MDT reply actions

Yeah I think this qualifies as a role that one can't definitively argue a younger player should be in the spot instead. We need some grit.

by budorduke on Jul 10, 2008 3:36 PM MDT reply actions

Yeah I think this qualifies as a role that one can't definitively argue a younger player should be in the spot instead.

Well, Mathieu Roy would beg to differ, but I don't suppose that matters ;) Dennis over at Lowetide's site comented that this essentially means the end of Roy's career as an Oiler, I can't help but agree.

The big thing that Strudwick does, aside from provide physicality, is shut down lower-tier players. And at this stage in his career he's better at it than Matt Greene.

by Jonathan Willis on Jul 10, 2008 4:03 PM MDT reply actions

Ah someone over at Lowetide beat me to the Todd Harvey reference.

So
Lubo > Pitkanen
Cole > Torres
Strudwick >= Green (or costs less?)

Who is our upgrade on Stoll? Do you think we need one?

I'd still like a true enforcer on the team. Gagner, Hemsky, Cogliano and Nilsson will need a bit of protection over 82 games. Not that Penner is an enforcer but I'd sure love to see him fight 5-10 times a year.

by Sean on Jul 10, 2008 4:37 PM MDT reply actions

Sean,

one problem that is hard to manage with an enforcer in a F position is that he is rarely on the ice at the time a star is.

when it is a D-man, you can easily get the 3rd pair out when the 1st line is.

check out "Jason Strudwick" on YouTube. He did just fine against some fairly tough hombres.

He's not a nuclear deterrent -- but a fairly big gun anyway.

by NormanMendoza on Jul 10, 2008 4:54 PM MDT reply actions

"Who is our upgrade on Stoll? Do you think we need one?"

Good point, I worry somewhat about faceoffs on this team. Last year, I remember expecting Stoll or Reasoner to be taking faceoffs in the final minute when Horc was out. Who takes that kind of responsibility this year?

by budorduke on Jul 10, 2008 6:19 PM MDT reply actions

Who takes that kind of responsibility this year?

Pouliot/Brodziak? Outside of Horcoff, there really isn't anyone I'd trust on a critical draw.

by Jonathan Willis on Jul 10, 2008 6:28 PM MDT reply actions

Face offs in key situations?

Why does my "twilight zone" radar point to Penner???

by Gord on Jul 10, 2008 11:57 PM MDT reply actions

Face offs in key situations?

Why does my "twilight zone" radar point to Penner???

Excellent point. Especially in the offensive zone, but we may see MacTavish ratchet up his defensive responsibilities as well- at least if he reports to camp in decent shape.

by Jonathan Willis on Jul 11, 2008 12:14 AM MDT reply actions

Who's the next local guy to get inked?

Has Rob Tallas officially retired from the league?

Could he take over as backup for Roli????

by Dennis on Jul 11, 2008 12:16 AM MDT reply actions

Namflashback: point well made. I dont care about an enforcer that plays every game or one that plays more than 6 per game. I just want a guy to play against teams like Anaheim, Minnesota and Calgary. Especially Anaheim. I have a feeling Burke is gonna send out the goon squad. Over an 82 game schedule players appreciate having a guy like that around. Its not necessary but a nice luxury to have, especially for our team.

by Sean on Jul 11, 2008 12:38 AM MDT reply actions

Has Rob Tallas officially retired from the league?

Thanks for that ;) My EA Sports NHL 99 memories had just begun to fade, and you go and bring up Tallas.

by Jonathan Willis on Jul 11, 2008 6:15 AM MDT reply actions

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Northwest Standings

	GP	W	L	OTL	PT
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Minnesota Hockey Wilderness	54	25	21	8	58
Calgary Matchsticks and Gasoline	55	25	22	8	58
Colorado Mile High Hockey	55	27	25	3	57
Edmonton The Copper & Blue	54	21	28	5	47

(updated 2.10.2012 at 1:26 AM MST)

21 - 28 - 5

Streak: Lost 2

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Last 5 Games

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Chicago Second City Hockey	Thu 02/02	W 8 - 4
Colorado Mile High Hockey	Tue 01/31	W 3 - 2