Principe on Oilers: Canada Day in Italy

Among Canadian sports broadcasters I can’t guarantee it but I believe I was up and at it first. It was 1 a.m. MT when I woke up to get things going on a holiday for most except for those in hockey. Speaking of holidays it was 9 a.m. in Italy when I was awake. I’m here for a family wedding but it’s hard to let a day like July 1 slide by without writing something after the kind of day it was for Edmonton.

Now where I’m staying, the word ‘hockey’ was never mentioned. Instead, as the free agent action was getting underway, people who were tuned into sports were focused on Wimbledon. No Nick Kypreos but bet you he’d be big in Greece…Opa…however as the day progressed it was hard not to sneak a look at the blackberry to see what was happening.

A lot was happening on the team I normally cover which is the Oilers. Now people from the ‘old country’ could probably name the 16th player on every ‘Serie A’ team or the trainer for the Italian National side when it comes to calcio (soccer) but I’m sure they wouldn’t even know one NHL GM; Even if he’s Italian like Steve Tambellini. However they would say ‘Questo ragazzo a fatto molto bene’ (this man did really well) if they were assessing the way Canada Day went for the Oilers.

Edmonton needed to get tougher and they did. With the departure of Jim Vandermeer to San Jose, Zack Stortini and JF Jacques dispatched to freedom, and no re-signing of Steve MacIntyre, who would take care of Taylor Hall? I know Taylor wants to defend himself but it’s not in his job description. One fight a year maybe but we know how one fight cost him nearly a quarter of the season. He’s too good, too valuable to do that even if willing. Same goes for Jordan Eberle, Magnus Paajarvi, Linus Omark, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins etc.

So in comes Ben Eager and Darcy Hordichuk. That’s quite a combination. Eager’s a Cup champ and he’s willing to hit anyone. Just ask Daniel Sedin… or was that Henrik? It’s been a knock against the Oilers that while star players on their team have been targeted, it was never the same from Edmonton’s side of things. You can check that off the list. Eager can also play a little higher in the lineup, at least temporarily, instead of trying to be an enforcer from the bench. As for Hordichuk, he’s kind of what Zack Stortini was aiming to be – a guy who talks tough and is tough. Stortini was on track to be a version of that before he was derailed from that happening with Edmonton. Hordichuk has been at it a long time and scores points when it comes to gamesmanship. Knowing when to or when not to do something.

As if that wasn’t enough the Oilers went out and traded Kurtis Foster to Anaheim and in return got the human ‘Sasquatch’ in Ken Sutton. Foster’s one year stay to the day was a disappointment for the players and team so good luck to him. You won’t meet a nicer guy. I can’t say the same for Sutton though. I remember the game he gave Fernando Pisani a concussion or the time Shawn Horcoff suffered a shoulder injury due to Sutton. At 6’6-245 pounds, he’s another player the opposition will have to go through. This guy is a monster. Sleep easy talented young forwards, your back is firmly covered. As for Derek Dorsett, he might toss and turn and have a sleepless night or two after finding out who Edmonton has signed or acquired.

Another UFA signing in Eric Belanger gives Edmonton a face off man. If that’s all he does and does it well then that’s worth it for the Oilers. It’s been an issue for Edmonton since the departure of Jarret Stoll and Marty Reasoner. Belanger also gives the Oilers a penalty killer that can be used to help out a bottom rated PK unit. Not to mention he’s coming off a career high in points and can provide some leadership. At 33 he’s older but not too old.

With Sheldon Souray being bought out, the saga is over…at least until Edmonton faces Souray’s new team in Dallas. The Oilers could use a puck moving defenceman with a hard shot who has size. In steps Cam Barker who wouldn’t be as physical as Souray but could be as useful. Barker is an interesting study. Traded from Chicago, a healthy scratch in Minnesota before being let go by the Wild. Something doesn’t make sense in all this for the former 3rd overall pick in the 2004 draft behind Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin. He’s 25 which sounds way too early to be giving up on him. The Oilers must agree and a one year deal gives the defenceman a chance and Edmonton a small leap of faith in case this doesn’t work out.

Anyways back to bathing caps (check it out on twitter.com @GenePrincipe) and continuing with my holidays. Ciao for now.