Ales Hemsky Re-Signs

It has been confirmed, Ales Hemsky has committed to the Edmonton Oilers for the next two seasons at five million per. The deal does not consist of a no movement or no trade clause.

I am somewhat surprised by this signing. I was certain that Hemsky would want to test the market come July 1st and why not, he has earned that right?

A collection of my previous statements regarding  Ales Hemsky's contract situation: 

Ales Hemsky's camp are going to want to capitalize on Hemsky's UFA status. There will no home-town discount and why should there be? Hemsky's camp feels as though their player will get top-dollar on the open market. Why do does Hemsky's camp feel that this is a possibility? Because there are bound to be at least a dozen teams who will open the vault and take a chance on a proven top six forward. There will be desperate GMs who will feel the pressure to vastly improve their team and will pay a hefty amount for that improvement.

Edmonton Oilers vs Philadelphia Flyers

Power-plays, whether successful or not, sure can be momentum killers. I felt as though the Edmonton Oilers controlled most of the play, that was until the Philadelphia Flyers went on the first of two power-plays in the first period. A power-play for what I consider to be a lazy hooking penalty taken by a veteran player who should know better, Shawn Horcoff. Shortly after the killing off of the Horcoff penalty, another Oilers' veteran took another needless penalty. This time the culprit was Darcy Hordichuk. I applaud Hordichuk for doing well against a bigger and better fighter, I just do not care for the method in which he engaged Jody Shelley. In any regard, as a result of the two Flyers power-plays, the Edmonton Oilers were never really able to get back into the swings of things in the first period. There are good and necessary penalties and then there are the two penalties that two veteran players know they should not have taken.

Oilers vs Flames Post Game Rant

Too often we have witnessed the Calgary Flames man-handle the Edmonton Oilers during the first twenty minutes when playing in the Saddledome. On the score-board and in the trenches, the Oilers are beaten after the first period and the outcome is inevitably a loss. Not tonight! The Edmonton Oilers out-played, out-muscled and out-hit the Flames in the first period.

As strong as the Edmonton Oilers were in the first period, they were even stronger in the second period. Another dominating twenty minutes had the Oilers out-shooting the Flames 17 to 4 (34 to 11 after two periods) and take a commanding 5-1 lead into the third period.

So much went right for the Edmonton Oilers, so many players played great games. Statistically, here are the highlights:

• Oilers dominate the shots (42-22) and lead in hits (17-15).
• All but three players had a plus rating. Sam Gagner, Ryan Smyth and Jordan Eberle lead the team with a plus/minus rating of plus three.
• Jordan Eberle and Sam Gagner lead the offensive charge with a goal and two assists each.
• He didn't have to be spectacular, but nonetheless, Devan Dubnyk stopped 21 of 22 shots.
• Ladislav Smid had a game-leading, four blocked shots.
• Eric Belanger was 88% in the face-off circle.