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The nominations keep rolling in and now a second Oiler will be making the trip to Las Vegas for the awards show. Jordan Eberle has now been named as a finalist for the Lady Byng Memorial award and now all of your fears of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins running around Vegas on his own have been erased. Have no fear, Eberle will watch out for him. Then, there is also the very good chance that Nugent-Hopkins will be whisked away following the awards show to the 2012 NHL entry draft in Pittsburgh to welcome the next Oilers' first overall draft pick that in it's second year can be considered a new and hopefully soon to end tradition.
Just being nominated is indeed an honour, and unfortunately for both Oilers, they will likely go home empty handed. The members of the Professional Hockey Writers have the vote and all indications are that it will be Gabriel Landeskog taking home the Calder Trophy and Brian Campbell the Lady Byng, but hey, stranger things have happened. And remember, Steve Tambellini will be stepping up to the draft day podium first this year.
The preliminary photos for the new Edmonton arena leaked this week, much earlier than the projected mid-May day. But for an announcement like this, the leak has worked out just fine. The images show a sleek design, many windows and a covered walkway across 104th ave; exactly what has been described from the beginning. While some may say that the current design looks like a tape dispenser and others a mullet, Oilers' owner Daryl Katz says the design is supposed to resemble an oil drop.
The next step is for the plans to be shared with Edmonton City Council and discussed at length. This will then be followed by an "extensive public consultation process."
The Edmonton Oil Kings have continued to roll through the WHL playoffs winning the Eastern Conference with a game 5 4-1win over the Moose Jaw Warriors in front of an ever growing home town crowd. Edmonton Oiler prospects Martin Gernat scored 2 power play goals, Kristians Pelss potted an assist and Travis Ewanyk was kept off of the score sheet.
This win means that the Oil Kings will open the WHL finals against the equally powerful and successful Portland Winterhawks Thursday May 3rd.
The Oklahoma City Barons have also been relishing their playoff success as they eliminated the Minnesota Wild's AHL affiliate team the Houston Aeros. The Barons will have nearly a week to prepare for their Thursday night home game against the San Antonio Rampage.
Oilers' GM Steve Tambellini has been busy globe trotting and one of his stops has been Sweden to meet with Oscar Klefbom. Martin Lundén reported that Klefbom is planning to sign with the Oilers, but is sticking to his guns and will play out his remaining year of his contract in the Swedish Elite League with Färjestad.
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How Bad Are The Barons' Attendance Numbers? - Copper & Blue Zona
Rieder's on Fire; Eberle's a Sportsman; Yakupov Won't Go - Copper & Blue Zona
Concept designs of Edmonton’s new arena: "This is what it could look like" Pt. 1 - Cult of Hockey Staples
Mandel on the new arena: "I think it’s an incredible project for downtown." Pt. 2 - Cult of Hockey Staples
DEVAN DUBNYK: MORE, PLEASE - Oilers Nation Brownlee
Here and There - Oilers Nation Strudwick
LOWE: ON LEADERSHIP, HIERARCHY AND THE LOTTERY - Oilers Nation Gregor
A False Spring? - Lowetide