Ryan Garner: Jones a Victim of Oilers’ Toughness Push, Nepotism

Squirts!

Good blog, but if Ben Eager is a middlewight at 235-240...

I think Jones's injury has held hin back a little bit too though. Maybe his time off has affected his skill level to a greater extent then we thought possible.

Good blog, but if Ben Eager is a middlewight at 235-240...
- Nucker101

apparently he is 225lbs, but yeah I get your point. Big mac is 250 + lbs

Jonesy didn't have good camp at all. He was given opportunity but didn't make the most out of it. Its a good sign that Eakins is taking the players that are performing the best.

A few thoughts:

1. I don't understand many folks' hate-on for Brown. He skates hard, forechecks fairly effectively (especially when he has support alongside him), throws hits and does the dirty work of fighting to protect/stand up for his teammates. Plus, his nose-neighbour is epic. He's a 4th liner, what else do you want from the guy?

2. All Jones had to do was outplay, outhit, and outfight Eager. He didn't, which is pretty bad cause Eager let up on a lot of his chances to put a guy through the boards. In fact, Jones only looked about 1,000 times better than I would out there, and I expect NHLers to look at least 1 million times better than I would. Eager had a good 10 games like 2 years to start that season. Other than that, he's a plug who won't get resigned unless he starts playing like a guy his size can bring what the Oilers need and can keep that up for a whole season.

3. Hamilton hasn't looked great to me at all. I don't know why he's still here, but he won't be after Friday (unless we need a 1C... why not eh? we're just giving NHL jobs to AHLers anyways?)

4. Man the Flames suck

Maybe Eakins is just trying to light a fire under Jones and get him back to the level he was at before the injury. A stint in the AHL to start the season to help Jones get back to the crash and bang player he was might do him some good. The injury he took has seemed to cause him to play with caution and the Oilers don't need guys like that in the bottom 6.

A few thoughts:

1. I don't understand many folks' hate-on for Brown. He skates hard, forechecks fairly effectively (especially when he has support alongside him), throws hits and does the dirty work of fighting to protect/stand up for his teammates. Plus, his nose-neighbour is epic. He's a 4th liner, what else do you want from the guy?

2. All Jones had to do was outplay, outhit, and outfight Eager. He didn't, which is pretty bad cause Eager let up on a lot of his chances to put a guy through the boards. In fact, Jones only looked about 1,000 times better than I would out there, and I expect NHLers to look at least 1 million times better than I would. Eager had a good 10 games like 2 years to start that season. Other than that, he's a plug who won't get resigned unless he starts playing like a guy his size can bring what the Oilers need and can keep that up for a whole season.

3. Hamilton hasn't looked great to me at all. I don't know why he's still here, but he won't be after Friday (unless we need a 1C... why not eh? we're just giving NHL jobs to AHLers anyways?)

4. Man the Flames suck
- BigDre

1) I think Brown is great and I loved it when we got him via trade.

2) Jones just didn't give it like he needed to. That's his problem, not ours.

3) I think Hamilton is doing great for what he brings and his role on the third and fourth lines. He is a big leader as well which our team needed.

4) The flames always suck, it's just extra sucky this year

Maybe Eakins is just trying to light a fire under Jones and get him back to the level he was at before the injury. A stint in the AHL to start the season to help Jones get back to the crash and bang player he was might do him some good. The injury he took has seemed to cause him to play with caution and the Oilers don't need guys like that in the bottom 6.
- nated81

nail, meet hammer.

A few thoughts:

1. I don't understand many folks' hate-on for Brown. He skates hard, forechecks fairly effectively (especially when he has support alongside him), throws hits and does the dirty work of fighting to protect/stand up for his teammates. Plus, his nose-neighbour is epic. He's a 4th liner, what else do you want from the guy?

2. All Jones had to do was outplay, outhit, and outfight Eager. He didn't, which is pretty bad cause Eager let up on a lot of his chances to put a guy through the boards. In fact, Jones only looked about 1,000 times better than I would out there, and I expect NHLers to look at least 1 million times better than I would. Eager had a good 10 games like 2 years to start that season. Other than that, he's a plug who won't get resigned unless he starts playing like a guy his size can bring what the Oilers need and can keep that up for a whole season.

3. Hamilton hasn't looked great to me at all. I don't know why he's still here, but he won't be after Friday (unless we need a 1C... why not eh? we're just giving NHL jobs to AHLers anyways?)

4. Man the Flames suck
- BigDre

1. I agree. Brown is a solid 4th line light weight. Most nights He'll be dressed. A few games Mac will be in for toughness.

2. I think Eager will make the most out of the this situation. Jones is going to get a call up and that could be a chance to get back with the nhl team.

3. Hamilton and Eakins are BFF's

4. Nuff said

Ryan Garner: Jones a Victim of Oilers’ Toughness Push, Nepotism
- Ryan Garner

I actually like Jones. He's a poor-mans Glencross. I'd take him over Weise.

1) I think Brown is great and I loved it when we got him via trade.

2) Jones just didn't give it like he needed to. That's his problem, not ours.

3) I think Hamilton is doing great for what he brings and his role on the third and fourth lines. He is a big leader as well which our team needed.

4) The flames always suck, it's just extra sucky this year

- ChetManly

I just wish Hamilton went after kassian.... even if he got pounded it would have been a great way to get a lot of fans and team mates behind him this year. Plus he's like 220lbs. He seems like he is a decent 4th line guy. but if he could bring the element of a couple fights it and physical play he would be more effective.

I actually like Jones. He's a poor-mans Glencross. I'd take him over Weise.
- therealagent

I'd make that trade. Weise for Jones

I'd make that trade. Weise for Jones
- Killbot460

the sad thing is that it would be gillis best trade ever.

the sad thing is that it would be gillis best trade ever.
- therealagent

Gillis is such a dink

Gillis is such a dink
- ChetManly

Sharp as a sack of bricks.

Sharp as a sack of bricks.
- HouseArrest187

Perhaps the new Mike Milbury?

Nepotism happens all the time in the NHL. Coaches across the league have players they like more and use more than another coach might. Hamilton is coming in as a 13-14 forward, not a big deal

I just wish Hamilton went after kassian.... even if he got pounded it would have been a great way to get a lot of fans and team mates behind him this year. Plus he's like 220lbs. He seems like he is a decent 4th line guy. but if he could bring the element of a couple fights it and physical play he would be more effective.
- Killbot460

You mean like after the fact. Because when it happened im sure just about no one knew what happened. Play was already going the other way. After the fact it would of been nice if someone tried to get something going with him.

Maybe Eakins is just trying to light a fire under Jones and get him back to the level he was at before the injury. A stint in the AHL to start the season to help Jones get back to the crash and bang player he was might do him some good. The injury he took has seemed to cause him to play with caution and the Oilers don't need guys like that in the bottom 6.
- nated81

Waving a guy is quite a risky way of trying to lit a fire. Jones should've had a fire when Joesnuu and Hamilton were signed before him this summer.

Waving a guy is quite a risky way of trying to lit a fire. Jones should've had a fire when Joesnuu and Hamilton were signed before him this summer.
- Lahey

Bingo.

Someone's word of the week is Nepotism.

Bingo.
- ChetManly

I wanted the Pens to trade for this guy 2 years ago. Wish they would snag him and put Glass on waivers. Cap is a little tight so it won't happen.

1) I think Brown is great and I loved it when we got him via trade.

2) Jones just didn't give it like he needed to. That's his problem, not ours.

3) I think Hamilton is doing great for what he brings and his role on the third and fourth lines. He is a big leader as well which our team needed.

4) The flames always suck, it's just extra sucky this year

- ChetManly

Jones is a guy we've all liked (at one time or another) with his lunch-pail in hand. But he hasn't been that guy for quite a while. He's had a terrible camp, the toughness is missing, he's been constantly out of position, his skating has been poor at best, and his compete level just wasn't there...so he just doesn't deserve ice time. Simple, duh.

So I don't know what you're talking about Ryan...as much as we've all appreciated that lunch-pail effort he used to give, no other team was willing to give him a shot either (off waivers). Both Acton & Hamilton have shown the compete level that DallasE talked about right from the start of camp; so now it's their turn to perform or they will go away.