The Oilers sent down Jujhar Khaira today, after a very successful run in the NHL. I didn’t think he would be as successful at this level, and that was based on his previous AHL/junior/college numbers. This season, he seemed to turn a corner (or he got more playing time) and showed very well in Bakersfield (16gp, 3-4-7) compared to his rookie AHL season (51gp, 4-6-10).
Khaira’s NHL debut (12gp, 0-2-2) included some pretty damn impressive shifts, especially early. I remain somewhat reserved about how much offense he will bring, and compared him to Chris VandeVelde here—suspect that is a reasonable comparable, although Khaira is in the NHL at 21 and that counts. I hope he makes it, everything available about him suggests he is a fine young man. As for the reasoning, suspect Iiro Pakarinen will be back in action tomorrow night.
Congratulations to former Barons Laurent Brossoit, Brad Hunt, and Yann Danis on being named to the #AHLAllStar Game.
— Eric Rodgers (@ericrsports) January 7, 2016
Laurent Brossoit and Brad Hunt were named AHL All-Stars today and the news is an opportunity for us to look at the Bakersfield Condors this season. It will be an important period for culling and procurement, and I think it likely Edmonton’s AHL team for 2016-17 will be bigger, faster and pack more attitude. Let’s have a look at the RFA and UFA players.
UFA
- D Nikita Nikitin: I don’t think he showed much at all in the NHL look, no idea if he has impressed during AHL time. Suspect he heads back to Russia for next year, a much richer man. One thing I do know? Dellow could have saved them $9 million if the Oilers had hired him one year earlier.
- C Andrew Miller: I think he may return as insurance, but McLellan zipped him out after a brief cup of coffee so it is not certain. If Edmonton decides to run Joey Laleggia at forward, it might impact the number of smaller F’s being retained on new deals.
- L Ryan Hamilton: The big winger does not possess NHL speed but he has leadership qualities and is a useful AHL player. I could see the organization bringing him back, although they do have a plethora of LWs and Josh Winquist may earn an NHL (two-way) deal.
RFA
- R Zack Kassian: Complete wildcard, you can project him onto the NHL roster or never see him after April. My bet, based on opportunity, skill and verbal, is we will be talking about him as a member of the NHL team in the fall.
- R Tyler Pitlick: I think McLellan would like him if he saw Pitlick, but that apparently wasn’t to be. It must be wildly frustrating to be unable to stay healthy playing the game you love. I don’t think they bring him back, unless we see something in the second half of the year.
- G Laurent Brossoit: I think he has a chance for an NHL career, and suspect Edmonton gives him a game or two in the second half of the season. We could be within a year of LB dressing every night (starter or backup) as an NHL player. Great trade by MacT.
- D Martin Gernat: Started slowly but is coming on in terms of offense, the injury and the history may mean he will need a second opinion from another organization. I thought he progressed very well in junior but fall 2015 really sent him in a bad direction with the club. I don’t know if he has recovered from it.
- D Jordan Oesterle: Speedster is going to have a tough time getting ahead of these other kids, but I like him a lot. Great speed and he can move the puck, lots of chaos and I don’t know if the offense justifies the risk. Still, would like to see him back in the fall.
- D David Musil: Big, strong defender with speed issues, I think he is blocked six ways to Sunday by the Griffin Reinhart trade. Could see him sent elsewhere in a fashion similar to the Travis Ewanyk trade last summer. I can’t see a route for him as an Oiler. Seriously. Unless they trade GR.
- L Kale Kessy: Rugged winger has shown some offense this season (5-4-9 in 27GP), suspect he will return in the fall—this is the kind of player the Oilers are likely to procure over the summer, so keeping Kessy may be part of that plan.
On the right-shot, left shot debate, I am an agent plying my trade mostly in the US. In meeting some kids from non-traditional markets, a common refrain is that when they decided to play hockey and went to a sporting goods store to get outfitted, the salesman would often ask what hand they were and would promptly hand right-handers a Right stick, and vice-versa. Must have heard this same story a half-dozen times.
I would imagine baseball or golf does also factor in with many of the US locales…
Interesting article.
It says BC players tend to shoot right, and I believe it being a LH shot. The availability of LH sticks in this province is sad. I shoot left in hockey, throw right handed, and can switch hit in baseball.
The article also touched on the Soviet use of LH shooters. I remember that because as the only LH shot in a family of RH shots, my grandpa used to remark that I would be the only one who could play for the Soviets.
Well, he actually called them godless commie bastards, but that’s another story.
It’s really hard to be say why people choose to shoot the way they do. In my case, my non-hockey father, bought me a LH curved stick for Christmas when I was 7. I just figured that was the way all hockey players played, until I saw Guy Lafleur of course.
Is there some explanation as to why I do everything left except throw [shoot, golf, bat, shoot pool, ect] and putt? I feel like an alien.
That’s why the baseball theory (Americans play baseball so they are more likely to shoot right) makes no sense.
As for Americans being taught to play a position of need in the current NHL landscape, well, that’s just smart and everyone should be doing that.
Yes on stickhandling. Johnny’s comment made it seem like to me he also meant shooting.
But this seems more plausible to me than the baseball theory.
Hockey requires a range of skills beyond shooting. Baseball is all about swinging the bat.
jp,
Bingo It is all due to stick handling.
Shooting no, but stickhandling yes.
Think when Leon is in the corner trying to fend off a defenseman with his body and one arm. He’s controlling the puck with one hand, and it’s better if that’s his dominant hand.
Perhaps americans are nurtured to throw right and bat left to buck the odds and make the big leagues.
Perhaps americans are nurtured to shoot right and play defence to buck the odds and make the NHL.
Montoya will likely play against Edmonton according to George Richards of the Miami Herald.
Luongo will play the next night against Vancouver.
Baseball is a different animal.
Roughly 12 percent of the population is left-handed.
In major league baseball 137 pitchers are lefty. 354 are righty. 27 percent lefty. Of course these numbers are approximate.
3 positions in baseball are practically guaranteed to be played by righties: 2nd base, shortstop, and 3rd base. Catchers are also usually righties. This is driven by fielding concerns.
If you believe in the platoon advantage or that opposit-handedness in the batter’s box helps hitting (and the batting averages support this theory) then it makes sense to nurture as many left-handed hitters as you can in the other 4 or 5 fielding positions available.
Hence more lefties in baseball than other sports and more bats left/throws right combination players that excel than you would expect.
Nothing here in baseball nurture to me explains this theory that American hockey players are taught to shoot right because baseball.
Johnny Larue,
You have one hand on the stick when you shoot?
None of this is making sense to me.
The reason that most right handers shoot left is that you want your dominate hand on the top of the stick . That way you can control the puck with one hand on the stick. Baseball and golf are the opposite where as you never swing or hit with one hand but in hockey it is common to just have one hand on the stick . So Golf right, bat right ,throw with right hand and shoot left because right hand is dominate.
Hockey left but goalie trapper right. (So the blocker hand is bottom and not the glove hand)
Throw with right so back catch with the left.
Bat left and right. Golf mostly right but keep a lefthanded 8 iron in the bag at all times.
Rifle sighting and hunt with my right. It just occurred to me that I am left eye dominant.
I feel stick handedness has to do with your skating. As in which direction is most comfortable to turn will be your handedness.
Goof, in the wrong crowd is not just an insult it is an outright challenge. It must be answered in force or submitted to.
Americans also have a waaaaaaaay higher percentage of RH golfers.
Damn hockey.
The All Star break is still 3 weeks away however.
But I don’t think he would be travelling with team unless he was close.
Hmm. The baseball theory for Americans does not make sense.
The primary reason so many bat LEFT in baseball despite being right-handed is because most pitchers are right-handed and the advantage in hitting is to be on the opposite side.
Just a few examples of righties who bat left include Ichiro and Larry Walker.
So I have yet to hear any reasonable argument above as to why baseball would be responsible for making American rightie hockey players shoot right.
It does not make sense.
Good news! Thanks.
Why google the news when you can get it from Pouz?….ar
http://oilonwhyte.com/2016/01/07/edmonton-oilers-nail-yakupov-returning-next-week/
McLellan told the media after today’s practice that Yakupov, who suffered an ankle injury, will be back in the lineup prior to the All-Star break. He will travel with the team next week on their road trip.
Ha ha…I think Me, Bruce and Soup are the freaks by the sound of things 🙂
Good morning gang. To all those lurking here before the fresh post, do any of you have a recent update on Yak’s return or status? Poor guy is in the dark of 97s shadow when it comes to injury news.
I’m right handed all the way.
Except at shooting pool. No explanation available on that one.
It should be noted my pool skills are marginal at best despite a fair amount of time hanging out in pool halls while skipping class in high school.
Ha.that’s me.. shoots left.. bats and golf right..
Always knew I was messed up in the head..lol.
That’s a great book idea.
In 2016 some canny publisher is going to cash in big with a criminal series – one that essentially glamorizes these people.
jp,
A lot of my first hockey was shinny played at school recess.
We didn’t have enough time to put on skates.
Played with what we called a shinny ring.
It was much like a puck but soft and a hole in center.
Lots of poke checks with one hand on stick.
Growing up playing baseball, we would all make attempts swinging from the other side of the plate. It only takes one hit to claim your a switch hitter was the theory. I don’t remember anybody ever getting one. I think being a switch hitter in the MLB is one of the most impressive things in sports.
Tim Raines was a switch hitter.
All this left/right talk going on here but nary a mention of which hand does the dirty work in the bathroom. True test of ambidexterity.
FunsTuff,
I think much of the problem is that “being right handed” is a bit of a misnomer. We develop skills with both hands. It’s probably rare for someone to only develop any kind of dexterity in only one hand. I’m ambidextrous but for a few things (like writing)I’m a little biased to my right. I can throw a Frisbee with either hand, no problem. The main disadvantage to being a purely handed person is you always have an inactive hand. I tend to use my left for more menial tasks (controlling a computer mouse). And the right for things that take more.focus.
Street hockey?
I seem to remember doing the one hand thing a lot more when playing ball hockey for whatever reason (tougher to be bent over while running vs gliding?).
Soup Fascist,
I played with a flat bladed stick in micro-mites and mini-mites, I would switch left to right depending on the play. I’d bet that if many kids played with a flat stick now, you would see the same thing.
I remember writing with my left hand, and being encouraged to write with my right. I could, with few issues, so went the path of least resistance. Might be common?
Most of throwing is twisting your body, which imo means you should be shooting the same direction you throw. Course most NHLers are lefty, so I am probably wrong.
I also want my left hand on the top of the stick so I can throw a better punch.
Gordie Howe was reportedly ambidextrous and allegedly stayed with a straightish stick after the curve was en vogue so he could occasionally switch from his usual right hand stance to left, when required.
Fact or myth?
I am old – but not that old. Any old timers able to weigh in?
I vaguely remember a natural affinity to shoot left, but my dad told me to shoot right since I’m not a freak. I always had a harder shot, and I am pretty sure that had something to do with it. I think Idealy you should be figuring out your kid’s dominant eye as it helps you follow through on target. There is also a more natural way people tend to pivot.
I know that seems like overkill, but goddamit my boys gonna play in the big league. He’ll be drinking protein shakes in the womb.
I am ambidextrous in this one, usually double fisting when it comes to drinking.
Write from the right, shoot left, golf left, can play both directions in tennis, hit from either side in baseball, and kick from either foot about as well (stronger from the left, better accuracy from the right.)
Drink from the right, though. Better focus on what’s important… 😉
Write right. Throw right.
Shoot left. Bat left. Golf left.
How any of you weirdos can bat one way and golf or shoot another is beyond me. If you have a stick, bat or club in your hand – pick a top hand pick a bottom hand and stick with it for Chrissake.
You ambidextrous freaks – I am actually pretty jealous.
Curious fact. I use a hammer with my left hand. Pretty sure it comes from watching Gramps – a lefty – pound nails on the farm, as a kid.
BTW. I am a shitty carpenter.
As Gramps used to say, “Two wrongs don’t make a right. But three rights make a left”.
Well, what the hell…I’ll weigh in on this. I’m left handed all the way. Shoot right, golf right, lefty in tennis and kick with my left foot. My brother is a tad confused…throws left, writes with his right, golfs left, bats left, tennis right and kicks with his right foot. He blames my dad for trying to make him right handed by always taking his spoon out of his left hand and moving it to his right. And Really? is right, being a lefty is a definite advantage in a scrap…
I may have voted for you!
I am fully ambidextrous and am able to use both hands and/or both feet equally well. My right hand and arm are somewhat stronger but not noticeably. Helped a lot in playing soccer, rugby, and basketball. Also helped in some scraps.
I played baseball first, and am a right-handed player that shoots right.
I remember Schultz being the goat on a goal with a pathetic display of apathy while watching the play unfold.
I golf right and play hockey left, and I credit playing baseball first for that
Dammit! I am as slow as Woodguy!
I don’t think we’ll ever find out why or how certain people shoot right or left.
I am right handed, shoot right handed, golf right handed, and bat right handed(although I can switch hit which I attribute to my tennis playing youth and having a great two handed backhander)
I have read many theories and articles but have yet to come across anything substantial as to why I do.
When I was growing up playing hockey I never noticed, nor was it ever pointed out to me how rare it was being a right handed shot. It wasn’t until much later I realized or noticed it.
is a strange thing I suspect
I’m pretty much the same.
Also, when does Nilsson get another start in everyones opinion? I would give him tomorrow, Talbot can duel Bobby Lou and the Jagr Line on Sunday.
Also, I’m still wondering about Nilsson at practice. Rishaug reported some sort of frustration on Nilssons part and a quick exit. I always wish I could be a fly on the wall behind closed doors.
It could also be nothing but I hate when there is unhappy goalies around. Bad voodoo.
“Steve Smith”,
It’s rather unbelievable really that the word “goof” can make a criminal so angry. Such a simple little word, but be ready to fight if you use it on a con.
Weird.
I’m right handed and shoot right but when it came to one hand on the stick it was usually in my left hand.
Just watched the Flames lose in regulation. I have some left over bubbly in the fridge that I think I might have to re-open.
Not sure about arguing, but my experience in student politics taught me that geers made the best legislative draftsfolk.
Regardless of what people will say about lawyers, I have never met one who could out-argue an engineer.
And by the way, I will now always associate reading “Steve Smith” with the image of a lawyer turning towards the witness box, with one eyebrow raised, saying “if that IS your real name!”
Water Fire,
How did you know?