Top Left Header
Header
Go Home
Sports
Arrow
NHL
Arrow
Follow OurHometown.ca on... Follow Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Follow us on RSS Follow Us with E-Mail Updates!
Young Oilers start their season in OKC but do we really care?
By Rob Soria
OurHometown.ca

Young Oilers start their season in OKC but do we really care?
Maybe it's just me but seeing Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in anything other than an Edmonton Oilers jersey, just seems wrong. Unfortunately, with the NHL and NHLPA decision to shutdown the National Hockey League for the foreseeable future, Oiler fans are going to have to settle for just that.
PHOTO CREDIT - EdmontonOilers.com

Edmonton - October 15, 2012 - Maybe it's just me but seeing Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in anything other than an Edmonton Oilers jersey, just seems wrong. Unfortunately, with the NHL and NHLPA decision to shutdown the National Hockey League for the foreseeable future, Oiler fans are going to have to settle for just that.

With the Oklahoma City Barons opening up their 2012-2013 campaign this past weekend, fans have had to not only watch Eberle and RNH skate around in a Barons jersey but also get their first look at highly touted prospect Justin Schultz. Can you say disappointing? I know I can.

It was a forgone conclusion that NHL was going to have some sort of work stoppage but now that we are well into October and there appears to be no end in sight, my interest has started to fade in what should be a pretty entertaining team in Oklahoma City.

Schultz has impressed in Oklahoma's opening two games, picking up a goal and an assist, but the rest of the "so-called" star attractions have been quiet. The Nuge and Eberle were held pointless, as were Magnus Paajarvi and Anton Lander. While I'm guessing some Oiler supporters are surprised that the Oilers dynamic duo are not already making a "mockery" of the AHL, they really shouldn't be.

The American Hockey League, more often than not, is an entertaining brand of hockey to watch. Having said that, the likelihood of Nugent-Hopkins and Eberle being fully engaged, in my mind, is very slim. They are both professionals and obviously have certain aspects of their games, that they want to work on but this isn't where they want to be. They want to be play hockey in the best league in the world...not puttering around in the minors, making a fraction of their regular salary.

Don't get me wrong, I fully believe and expect the likes of Paajarvi and Schultz to become better players because of the time they will ultimately spend in OKC but as far as the "Big Three" go, don't count on it. They'll have their games in which they dominate but it will not be a nightly occurrence.

Hell, as someone who has followed the game extensively over the past 30 plus years, I find myself far more interested in putting my time elsewhere. Be it covering and watching the Major League Baseball post season, tennis, soccer and both the Canadian and National Football Leagues. Without question, this lockout has hit a nerve for me personally.

For that reason, my interest in the Barons, at least for the time being, will be lukewarm...which is something I would have never thought possible.

Follow Me on TwitterRob Soria is the Edmonton Oilers' correspondent for OurHometown.ca. Rob was born and raised in Edmonton and is the author of the Edmonton Oilers blog - OilDrop.ca. He has been a dedicated follower of the game and its history for years but his focus remains on his hometown Edmonton Oilers. If you have questions or wish to contact Rob, you can email him at rsoria@ourhometown.ca


Follow OurHometown.ca on... Follow Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Follow us on RSS Follow Us with E-Mail Updates!
Send Us Your Thoughts


Title - Story Count
8,402 Stories & Growing Daily...

To date OurHometown.ca has posted a total of 8,402 stories! News, sports, hockey, lifestyle, opinion and more!

Be sure to check out our Contributors and Columnists archives!


Title - More OH Headlines
Click on Photo or Story Title for more info
Detroit Grand Prix Canceled for 2020
Team Canada will not send athletes to Games in summer 2020 due to COVID-19 risks
NBA to suspend season following Wednesday
Lyn St. James to Race in Historic Trans-Am Series at the 2020 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix
2019 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear Fast Facts
OurHometown.ca News Database Last Updated:
Jan. 28, 2024 @ 1:06 PM EST





Footer
Free Sitemap Generator