Finally... a couple of people are starting to figure it out! Edmonton has needed a pest for a while and he seems to be evolving in that role.
- Smytty

Now they just need an actual fighter so Stortini doesn't have to keep getting beats after "aggitating"

With regards to Stortini:

I think he's been very effective: He hasn't taken bad penalties; He's drawn a lot of attention from other players (which means they're not getting in the face of other guys after the whistle); He's not been burned in his role supporting the shutdown line with Stoll and Torres (which MacT has played against the oppositions top line a LOT since these three have been playing together). I'm surprised to have this opinion considering what I thought of Stortini previously but I think he is BEST case in a 3rd line role where he's not stapled to the bench after 4 shifts in the first. Its indicative of MacT's 'evolution' as a coach where he's spent the past few weeks, if not the majority of the season, giving line combinations more time to work than in the past and not benching the 4th line less Reasoner after the first period. Perhaps that is a product of special care in developing the youngsters. Stortini hasn't exactly scared off the league's tough guys, but who has? Many come on this board and say Stortini is not a legitimate enforcer. While I concede that he is not a top enforcer, I ask those to name me 30 other guys who can bring more to a team (total package) while fulfilling a tough guy role? Short of 30 others and Stortini is a legit presence in his role in the NHL. Is it fair to suggest that the better play by Stoll and Torres might be a product of being able to play a more simple game that suits them (cycle, bang, crash) rather than trying to adjust to include a 'finesse' player? Has either of the two above ever had a great success with a finesse or skill player? I think Stortini's game compliments those two and vise versa.

With regards to Stortini:

I think he's been very effective: He hasn't taken bad penalties; He's drawn a lot of attention from other players (which means they're not getting in the face of other guys after the whistle); He's not been burned in his role supporting the shutdown line with Stoll and Torres (which MacT has played against the oppositions top line a LOT since these three have been playing together). I'm surprised to have this opinion considering what I thought of Stortini previously but I think he is BEST case in a 3rd line role where he's not stapled to the bench after 4 shifts in the first. Its indicative of MacT's 'evolution' as a coach where he's spent the past few weeks, if not the majority of the season, giving line combinations more time to work than in the past and not benching the 4th line less Reasoner after the first period. Perhaps that is a product of special care in developing the youngsters. Stortini hasn't exactly scared off the league's tough guys, but who has? Many come on this board and say Stortini is not a legitimate enforcer. While I concede that he is not a top enforcer, I ask those to name me 30 other guys who can bring more to a team (total package) while fulfilling a tough guy role? Short of 30 others and Stortini is a legit presence in his role in the NHL. Is it fair to suggest that the better play by Stoll and Torres might be a product of being able to play a more simple game that suits them (cycle, bang, crash) rather than trying to adjust to include a 'finesse' player? Has either of the two above ever had a great success with a finesse or skill player? I think Stortini's game compliments those two and vise versa.
- mmatras

Bingo

Guy Flaming at Hockeysfuture says he's asked Oilers management, and they flat-out said "no". He's not going to the WJC. It would be stupid to loan him, if only because of his shootout prowess.

I don't agree with Garon playing the kings. Goalies always seem to have a very tough night playing former teams. Roloson is our guy, so let's start to show it, Garon is the backup...I don't care if he got a shut out against a dismal game against the Ducks. The Oilers up front played outstanding and the Ducks penalty woes continues.

I don't agree with Garon playing the kings. Goalies always seem to have a very tough night playing former teams. Roloson is our guy, so let's start to show it, Garon is the backup...I don't care if he got a shut out against a dismal game against the Ducks. The Oilers up front played outstanding and the Ducks penalty woes continues.
- oilnucks

Kind of disagree, I think that Garon although did not earn the hardest shutout of his career was solid a couple of times and made the key couple saves in the second to propel the Oil to get their 3rd and 4th goals. I think that he will play well tonight and seems to be very dialed in as of late whenever given the chance. I don't think he has had one bad game since he got pulled at the beginning of the year, so why take him out now. Roli will probably play against the Pens in a national tv game and will play great but there is no need to move away from the hot hand just cuz.

So you just want him to not play anywhere?
- DJOilman

No, i'm saying he might be better served not crossing time zones and playing in the few oilers games they have in that time span as opposed to the 13 or however many games he would play in the 2 weeks or however long it is.

i agree, he is getting points but is invisible most times, hopefully a good tournament will build his confidence.
- moe99

Invisible? Hmmmmm. Nice to see they have the players smiling this year on the Oilers site.

Oilers beat the lowly Kings in a Shootout.
Gagner scored the shootout winner...again! for those of you thinking he is going to some 'junior' championship, think again.
Garon played great, good thing they started him tonight. Garon is undefeated in shootouts this year

Now they just need an actual fighter so Stortini doesn't have to keep getting beats after "aggitating"
- Zombie

the stortini bear hug fighting style hasnt caught on yet

No, i'm saying he might be better served not crossing time zones and playing in the few oilers games they have in that time span as opposed to the 13 or however many games he would play in the 2 weeks or however long it is.
- OilerzFuknRule

At the start of the season I thought the tournament could've helped if Gagner was having troubles at the NHL level. The tournament is the only place that Gagner could go if he was struggling. But because of how well he does in the shootout he will not be going. As stated on the Team this morning, what does Edmonotn have to gain by doing this, currently the team is starting to play well and with injuries they need him around.

As for the game. With the subtraction of Smyth from our lineup you would think garbage goals would be down, but Penner has got lucky two nights in a row Not sure if the team ran out of gas in the third or if they just wanted to sit back, but if it wasn't for hot goaltending we could've lost. Sure like how Torres is playing he his him old self out there, although I was quite suprised that he never did anything when Pitkanen got laid out in the third.

At the start of the season I thought the tournament could've helped if Gagner was having troubles at the NHL level. The tournament is the only place that Gagner could go if he was struggling. But because of how well he does in the shootout he will not be going. As stated on the Team this morning, what does Edmonotn have to gain by doing this, currently the team is starting to play well and with injuries they need him around.

As for the game. With the subtraction of Smyth from our lineup you would think garbage goals would be down, but Penner has got lucky two nights in a row Not sure if the team ran out of gas in the third or if they just wanted to sit back, but if it wasn't for hot goaltending we could've lost. Sure like how Torres is playing he his him old self out there, although I was quite suprised that he never did anything when Pitkanen got laid out in the third.
- ryan78

Did you watch the game and if so how was Pisani?
From the hilites I saw on the website, Garon looked ridiculous!!

Stoked!

Did you watch the game and if so how was Pisani?
From the hilites I saw on the website. Garon looked ridiculous!!

Stoked!
- breakestra

Pie was solid, Garon played great. That Dustin Brown from the Kings is a beast, he's what Torres is supposed to be.

Did you watch the game and if so how was Pisani?
From the hilites I saw on the website. Garon looked ridiculous!!

Stoked!
- breakestra

Pisani was average, nothing great nothing poor. He got hit a few times.

Pisani was average, nothing great nothing poor. He got hit a few times.
- ryan78

MacT did something I actually liked last night. he moved Pisani up ot the third line occasionally in the third. The Stoll - torres - Stortini line did alright in the offensive zone, but defensively they were dominated by the kopitar line. When Pisani was out on that line they did better in their own zone. Makes me think that with the way Torres is playing now that when Chopper comes back he'll be on the 4th line with Reasoner. based on play it's gonna be hard to decide who sits. How have the boys played lately who are on the bubble:
Stortini - huggy bear has done everything asked of him, and deserves a spot on the 4th line when the team is full (hurts me to say it). probably going to be on the 4th line, and occasionally pressbox depending on the matchup.
Nilsson - inconsistent games, but every game he makes a play or two that helps you win. Has to battle more every shift. prob in the press box or the minors by January.
Sanderson - been great in his own zone and his speed is awesome, but has no hands anymore. Might get a shot on the first line since he has the hockey IQ to play with hemsky. prob on the 4th when healthy.
Brodziak - pisani light, with a bit more offense. Deserves to play, although who knows with MacT.
Gagner - I put him on the bubble only because I wonder if MacT would like to sit him occasionally so he doesn't wear out. He still needs to battle harder, but always makes plays and gives us a chance to win.
lines come jan:
Horcoff - Hemsky - Torres
Cogliano - Penner - Gagner
Stoll - Pisani - Moreau
Reasoner - Brodziak - Sanderson/Stortini

Gagner - ....He still needs to battle harder, but always makes plays and gives us a chance to win.

- DBO

I think if he could put on about 10-15 lbs of muscle his game will improve dramatically. I see a very intense offseason for him.

I think if he could put on about 10-15 lbs of muscle his game will improve dramatically. I see a very intense offseason for him.
- Ratinator

Agreed, he looks like a little kid out there sometimes....but man he's got some nice moves.

Agreed, he looks like a little kid out there sometimes....but man he's got some nice moves.
- Zombie

I noticed in the last 5-10 minutes that he was pretty useless in his own end last night. I thought he could've been more agressive, but its all apart of the learning curve.

I noticed in the last 5-10 minutes that he was pretty useless in his own end last night. I thought he could've been more agressive, but its all apart of the learning curve.
- ryan78

Ya, and in OT I believe he and Nilsson got hemmend in there own end pretty bad for about a minute.

Ya, and in OT I believe he and Nilsson got hemmend in there own end pretty bad for about a minute.
- Zombie

But he did get back to make a pretty important shot block in at the end of the third (he did ice teh puck after though). It says something about him if Mact of all people is willing to put an 18 year old scorer on the ice in the last minute.

I noticed in the last 5-10 minutes that he was pretty useless in his own end last night. I thought he could've been more agressive, but its all apart of the learning curve.
- ryan78

I think one of those shot blocks hurt him though. He was pretty slow after one of them. Even in the shootout, after he scored he looked a little gimped.

I noticed in the last 5-10 minutes that he was pretty useless in his own end last night. I thought he could've been more agressive, but its all apart of the learning curve.
- ryan78

I think he was completely bagged. 19 minutes, 7 in the third. Plays a pretty intense, high tempo game as well. And I think he got stung by the blocks. I'm really impressed with how the team managed to play with the pounding they were getting both in Anaheim and LA.

And I agree - Brown's a beast we'd love to have...

Someone has to sit when Moreau gets back, and it isn't like someone in the A couldn't fill in for a few weeks either. Getting a chance to dominate and get some confidence wouldn't hurt Gagner at all IMO....he isn't tearing up the NHL.
- DJOilman

I liked this guy

I liked this guy
- Lahey

He was a beauty

He was a beauty
- Zombie

Was coglianoisgod the crazy guy?