Weekend Update: Filling In The Holes

With every weekend update I write, I dread that there will be no stories for me to write about the next week. Believe it or not the pressure for coming up with ideas grows through August. Thankfully, it was Eric Rodgers and the Oklahoma City Barons to the rescue. On Thursday morning, Eric wrote that the Barons had signed goaltender David LeNeveu. This story was not only a relief to my writing worries, but also to most Barons fans who knew the team needed to address the lack of netminders on the roster.

Speaking of the Barons roster, Scott pulled together an excellent look at how much and where the Oilers and Barons are spending their money. Of course it is just speculation at this point, training camp is still upcoming and there may still be more contracts signed.

The Team Canada U20 camp just wrapped up in Edmonton and Fort McMurray last weekend. Bruce McCurdy and I were able to take in some practises and the Red and White game at Rexall Place. Team White took the Saturday night game complete with some oohs and ahs thanks to Ryan Nugent-Hopkin's heroics. Oilers fans were elated. Team White also featured Oilers' prospect Tyler Bunz, whom the home crowd warmly welcomed. Sunday night in Fort McMurray, Dillon Simpson and Oil King captain Mark Pysyk and the rest of team Red convincingly took the game. Don Hay and the rest of the Team Canada coaching staff will watch and wait as the 2011-12 hockey season begins to decide who will get the invite to the final camp in December.

Ex-Oiler prospect Rob Schremp has moved on from the NHL, at least for now. This week, the man that many felt wasn't being given a fair chance by Oilers' coaching and management staff seems to have proven that not all first round draft picks pan out and has signed with Modo Hockey of the Elitserien (Swedish Elite League). It seems interesting that some Oilers prospects are moving from Sweden while others are moving to Sweden. 

Speaking of Sweden, the U18 Team Canada team will take on Sweden in the Finals. This team features Edmonton Oil King Griffin Renhart, and the Oil Kings couldn't be more proud of his accomplishments. The final game will take place today, Saturday August 13th. 

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The Top 25 Under 25 - Apples to Apples - Copper & Blue Reynolds

Barons Season Recap: Alex Plante - Copper & Blue Rodgers

ROB SCHREMP: GLUE FOR ONE-TRICK PONY - Oilers Nation Brownlee

Where Were You - Oilers Nation Gregor

What if Pocklington had sold the Oilers, and not Gretzky, in 1988? - Cult of Hockey Staples

Like father, like son? Dillon Simpson interviews with Cult of Hockey - Cult of Hockey McCurdy

Busy Summer for Bunz - Kukla's Korner McRitchie

Ryan Smyth Honoured By Standing Ovation - Kukla's Korner McRitchie

Sam Gagner Does NOT = Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - BBO

RE 11-12: Sam Gagner -Lowetide

RE 11-12: Forwards - Lowetide

RE 11-12: Jordan Eberle - Lowetide

RE 11-12: Ales Hemsky - Lowetide

RE 11-12: Taylor Hall - Lowetide

Sail On, Syracuse Crunch - Lowetide

Canadian team preview: The Edmonton Oilers - Globe and Mail Mirtle