It’s a four point improvement, but in terms of wins and losses the Oilers are actually in the exact same position as they were one season ago; the difference is entirely the result of four losses taking place after regulation rather than in 60 minutes. The Oilers slumped in the last half of 2011-12, while in 2013 there is no last half of the season to slump in. Ultimately, though, they’re at a pretty comparable place to where they were a year ago.

Henrik Sedin’s +24 is the most registered against the Oilers this year — he was on the ice for 34 shots for, and 10 against. The rest of the roster could have been playing dungeons and dragons, considering how effective that line was.

After scoring the tying goal, Yakupov refused to embrace any of his four teammates, instead soaking up the limelight himself while showboating and sliding down the ice like the second coming of Theo Fleury. He's a heck of a talent, but not much of a teammate.

What's with the lack of content? C&B seems to be dead. No new posts since Oct 3 (1 week). What's going on here?

With it looking like there is no hockey for the foreseeable future how about Copper N Blue does a top 25 Oilers of all time list? To make it more interesting, do this list as if it was 2027, so that Hall/Eberle/Yak/RNH have all finished their careers(meaning you have to predict what kind of career they will have). Do it in the format of the top 25 under 25, that should keep us busy for the next month.

Under Alberta law, a mediator must be appointed before an employer can legally lock out its employees. The NHLPA contends the league showed no willingness to work with the mediator it was assigned by the province on Aug. 21.

It's pretty cool to be noticed and have the fans come up and talk to you about the game and tell you how much they appreciate what your doing. It's a fun fun place to play hockey, and yeah its kind of cliché but I think Edmonton is the best place in the league to play.

My proposal is to send Cameron Guance + a 4th to Edmonton for Omark. Edmonton gets organizational depth with a legitimate defenseman in Guance who can play now (especially if Justin Shultz gets thrown under the bus early and often). He's not as far off as Oscar Klefbom and could pair well with Jeff Petry going forward.

The evidence is that nothing happens. So the economic activity is identical in periods when there was a strike or lockout compared to periods where there was not.... They're not going to see [hockey] anymore but that doesn't mean they're not going to spend their money. They spent their money on some sort of substitute entertainment.

Sometimes when I went into the boards I would have to lose the battle because I knew if I put my shoulder a certain way it would kind of pop out.