I have no idea who "Jeropotato" is, but I found a post of his in my comments section rather entertaining. I'm bored, so I'm going to make a blog out of it.
He posted 12 Bold Predictions. Here they are, and here's my reaction to each:
1. Edmonton can't find a suitor for Ales Hemsky, therefore he remains an Oiler for at least the start of the season.
Answer: You might be right. Sadly. I don't think it's that the Oilers can't deal him; I just think he might have a negative value at this point. Meaning, in order to deal him, the Oilers will need to take back a big, ugly salary. Maybe you see Hemsky go to someone like the Habs for Rene Bourque, who's a talented guy but has had a couple of rough seasons recently. Bourque's contract has him locked in for three more seasons, at less money per than Hemsky will get next season. Bourque has size and can play physical, which is good news. But unfortunately, he gets injured often, and has gone through serious scoring droughts. A risky deal if I've ever seen one, but that's the type of offer the Oilers will get for Hemsky.
2. Klefbom is overwhelmed and/or outperformed by Belov and another rookie D, and goes down to OKC at about the 12 game mark.
Answer: Possible, but not likely. Well, Belov is likely. Two things about Klefbom suggest he could have a rough rookie season. First being, he didn't play most of this season due to injury. Defensemen are notorious for taking a long time to come back from serious surgery. The other element that suggests Klefbom could stumble is his lack of experience. But make no mistake, this is a blue-chip prospect, and if anyone can pull off a huge rookie season, it's him.
3. Horcoff is not bought out and remains an Oiler for at least 2013-14.
Answer: Actually, I need to answer this with a question: Would the Oilers need to buy him out before or after the draft? Because that would make all the difference. If the Oilers take a center named Monahan or Barkov, Horcoff is as good as gone. If they deal Gagner for some reason, or if they end up taking a defenseman, they may need to keep Horcoff around, just because there's no other immediate person to fill the roster hole he'll leave.
4. Ryan Smyth gets off to a pretty good start, but is scratched by Christmas...sometime in February he announces his retirement and finishes the season in another capacity.
Answer: No. Smyth is the most stubborn guy on earth. If he has one year left on his contract, he'll stick around the entire season, whether he plays or not. I wouldn't hold my breath about the Oilers hiring him, either. Word is he came back from LA not exactly the same lovable and respected guy as when he left in 2007.
5. Oilers use the 7th pick to take the BPA at the draft. Whomever that is, he gets sent down before 9 pro games.
Answer: No. Well, sorta. How do I explain this? The Oilers are going to have a ratings list, and they'll take the highest rated player available when it comes time to choose. But don't expect their list to contain players that are either small or soft. The agenda this draft is to take physical players with a high level of compete. As much as I think they won't take Darnell Nurse, he's big, he can be physical, and he competes. So for those reasons he might be the BPA when MacT steps up to the mic.
One thing I can promise you is, if the Oilers take a D man at #7, he won't play a game in the NHL this season. Forwards can make the jump much sooner, and word is both Monahan and Nichushkin are NHL-ready now.
6. Mac T overpays, slightly, for 2 free agents (top 6 fwd, top 4 D).
Answer: You better hope he unloads Hemsky and Horcoff first, or this isn't going to happen. If I had to suggest two guys, I'll go with Nathan Horton and Mark Streit.
7. Oilers sign a career back up for a case of beer and 2 packs of smokes.
Answer: Agreed. Oilers management know the team is still a year away, unless they make about four drastic additions this off-season. With the team needing one more season, management has time to assess Devan Dubnyk. If the Oilers make a move for a name-brand goalie, it will come next summer.
8. Oilers sign a couple has been bottom 6 forwards...who have huge bounce back seasons.
Answer: Yes, sorta. They'll re-sign Ryan Jones and Lennart Petrell, and both will play better with an improved supporting cast around them.
9. Oilers make the playoff's on the last day of the season.
Answer: Not a chance. This team requires too many upgrades in one year for it to happen. Patience, young padwan.
10. Oilers get swept in the 1st round, and some player from the other team makes a bold prediction that praises the Oilers and where they are headed, using some standard hockeyspeak cliches.
Answer: Running out of predictions to make, I think.
11. Cloutier will say he predicted all of the above at some point or another.
Answer: No, most of these predictions aren't very good.
12. Cloutier will threaten to quit hockey buzz....but of course, like herpes, will keep coming back.
Answer: Speaking from experience, I assume.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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