The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
It could be another long season for hockey fans in the Alberta capital. As of Friday morning, the Edmonton Oilers had mustered just two wins in their first eight games, ranking them dead last in the Western Conference. On the bright side, right-winger Jordan Eberle Ð pegged by many as a Calder Trophy candidate Ð is off to an impressive start with three goals, three assists and a plus-2 rating. Taylor Hall, this year's number one draft pick, has shown flashes of brilliance but had just one goal and three helpers to show for it. Hall was also a minus-4, tying him for the team-worst. Also showing promise is another rookie, Magnus Paarjarvi, among the team leaders in shots. He will get plenty of chances to prove himself on a rebuilding roster. On the blueline, Ryan Whitney has been a workhorse, gobbling up minutes and moving the puck with the best of them. Between the pipes, aging Nikolai Khabibulin has been putting up disappointing numbers and risks losing ice time to back-up Devan Dubnyk, who was stellar in his lone appearance. The Oil still need to move disgruntled D-man Sheldon Souray, now in the minors, to bolster their lineup. Of course it's still early in the season. Very early, in fact. Many believe that if the Oilers can play up to their potential, they will be a solid contender for a playoff spot.
