Things Worth Keeping Track Of

by Jonathan Willis on Jul 6, 2008 9:00 AM MDT

Here's a fun exercise for Oilers fans, especially if you're already in a good mood based on Kevin Lowe's moves this summer, or alternately, his attack on Brian Burke on the Team 1260 the other night: check out the official Flames depth chart. Here's what the forwards look like:

Cammalleri - Langkow - Iginla
Bourque - Lombardi - Moss
Nystrom - Conroy - Boyd
Glencross - Primeau - Prust
Greentree/Nilson

Now, here are the lines in terms of NHL goals last season:

19 - 30 - 50: 99
10 - 14 - 4: 28
3 - 12 - 7: 22
15 - 3 - 0: 18
0/3

That's 170 total goals (a respectable number) from the top-12, with 58% of them belonging to the top line, and 29% belonging to Iginla. By comparison, here's the Oilers forwards, agains from the official team website:

Cole (22) - Horcoff (21) - Hemsky (20): 63
Nilsson (10) - Gagner (13) - Cogliano (18): 41
Penner (23) - Brodziak (14) - Pisani (13): 50
Moreau (5) - Pouliot (1) - Stortini (3): 9
Potulny/Schremp/Brule (0/0/1)

That's 163 total goals from the top-12, but here is the kicker: only 39% of them belong to the top line, and only 14% were from the leader (Penner). The Oilers, very much unlike the Flames, can run out three lines that are offensive threats. IT is so bad over there in Calgary that one website has Curtis Glencross listed as the 2nd-line LW. Let us know how that works for you.

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Comments

The 2nd line is the biggest issue facing Sutter at the moment. None of the players currently slotted there were "2nd liners" last season and it's long odds that the top 6 can be effectively populated with 3 unproven skaters.

I expect the Flames to acquire at least one more capable forward before the off-season is through. If not, the team is in some trouble.

by Kent W. on Jul 6, 2008 11:23 AM MDT reply actions

Calgary should have a lot better team than they do. Their top-end talent is great.

Can Grebs/Gilbert shutdown Iginla? I dont know..

by Sean on Jul 6, 2008 2:54 PM MDT reply actions

Nolan's off to the Wild, which makes me happy. He played great for the Flames last year.

by pennersmom on Jul 6, 2008 7:21 PM MDT reply actions

Things aren't looking bright in Calgary.

by Kyle on Jul 6, 2008 8:33 PM MDT reply actions

When the depth on LW is bourque, Nystrom, and Glencross, it doesn't seem too far fetched that Curtis could be a 2nd liner there - which might explain his choice of team as well.

by Oilman on Jul 7, 2008 8:45 AM MDT reply actions

I'd be interested to see how many goals that Oilers lineup would have if you statistically adjusted over an 82 game schedule. It would significantly boost Horc, Moreau, and Pisani. (I know there's high odds that at least one of these guys gets injured, but they'd still have replacements and the team looks pretty solid on the depth front atm)

by tcho on Jul 7, 2008 9:59 AM MDT reply actions

looks like Glencross will have to battle Bertuzzi for icetime now:o)

by Oilman on Jul 7, 2008 1:25 PM MDT reply actions

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Northwest Standings

	GP	W	L	OTL	PT
Vancouver Nucks Misconduct	54	34	15	5	73
Colorado Mile High Hockey	56	28	25	3	59
Minnesota Hockey Wilderness	54	25	21	8	58
Calgary Matchsticks and Gasoline	55	25	22	8	58
Edmonton The Copper & Blue	54	21	28	5	47

(updated 2.11.2012 at 6:02 AM MST)

22 - 28 - 5

Streak: Won 1

Oilers Schedule

Next 5 Games

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
@ Calgary Matchsticks and Gasoline	Tue 02/21	7:00 PM MST
Philadelphia Broad Street Hockey	Thu 02/23	7:30 PM MST

Last 5 Games

@ Ottawa Silver Seven	Sat 02/11	OT - W 4 - 3
@ Detroit Winging It In Motown	Wed 02/08	L 2 - 4
@ 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