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Omark set to play in Europe 2012/13

Linus Omark have officially found a new home in the Swiss team EV Zug. He signed a 1 year deal which will see Omark return to Europe for 2012/13. The reason for signing a short-term deal is due to the imminent lockout and the fact he’s still determined to make it to the big league.

I’ve decided to return to Europe due to the lockout. It’s an especially bad timed lockout for me (personally), seeing I was injured for the majority of last season. Had this been one year ago, I might have been traded earlier - before I got hurt. Basically all I want is to play hockey but if this lockout turns out to be for just 2 months my situation will be even worse.

I want to play in the NHL and that’s it. But at this moment, all I can do is to have one heck of a season (in Switzerland) and hopefully that could open up for a return (to the NHL). (In Zug) I will be handed a good role that should suit me and that was important to me. If things turn out as I hope they will I’ll get a lot of ice-time and I’m really looking forward to that.

The Oilers will still hold his rights for another two seasons. I personally want to wish Omark all the best with his new team and hopefully he’ll be able to impress and make a return to the NHL for 2013/14.

08.29.12 ♥ 0
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Omark and another misquote

In this beloved time of the Internet and news travelling across Twitter faster than anyone could ever had imagined just a couple of years ago another interesting item to Oiler (and Barons + Luleå-fans) saw the light today.

Obviously I looked it up and the item and unsurprisingly it was another Omark misquote.

What it said was in fact that he was looking to find a home “hopefully within the near future, but you never know” (how things go). If a lockout should occur, something Omark says he “haven’t been thinking about that much, as I just want to find a home (i.e, a team to play for)”. Another funny thing with the misquote is that it clearly stated that “he will play for Luleå HF of the SEL” when in fact the item reads that if a lockout occurs playing for Luleå is far from a guarantee, but “obviously Luleå comes first in mind, but that’s nothing I’m thinking about at this moment”.

So there it is.. don’t believe in every tweet you read.

07.11.12 ♥ 0
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Oilers trying to convince Klefbom to stay with guaranteed ice-time

When I (via Mr. Eriksson) broke the news to Canada that Klefbom was about to sign his ELC with the Edmonton Oilers it was also said that Klefbom would remain with his Swedish team, Färjestad (not Färjestads with an “s”) BK, for another season. This might be changing.

The reason for this is that the Oilers brass are now trying to convince the young Swede to remain with (and in) Edmonton come 2013/14. And while the signing of Schultz (the younger) led you (well: me) to believe they wouldn’t go with Klefbom this year (two rookie defensemen might not be the best way to go about things) a tremendous rookie camp along with the new coach Kreuger in charge things seem to have changed. According to sources who’ve talked to Klefbom the Oilers have tried to persuade Klefbom, offering him a spot on the Oilers roster with guaranteed ice-time, a guarantee that the highly thought of Schultz didn’t receive (or so they say). Klefbom have yet to make up his mind, saying “it’s obviously a lucrative offer” that “makes you think” but “nothing is decided yet and I’ve asked them for more time to make a final decision”.

It’s a bit surprising but then again, maybe it isn’t. Stauffer did hint about Klefbom being miles ahead of the rest of the D-prospects (and that’s usually a good tell) and the Oilers web team seem to want to make Klefbom possibly coming over a bigger story than it perhaps should’ve been (seeing Klefbom earlier had said he would remain in Sweden). Personally I believe that Klefbom would be able to make the jump, in a lesser role, but he’s a very mature young guy indeed. I’d say he’s more “NHL-ready” than say Murray, I’d also say Klefbom would have gone higher than Murray had he been 2 months younger (and perhaps that says something?) - told you when we drafted him and I’m saying it again - Klefbom at #19 was a steal.

The Färjestad “GM” (well, sort of) didn’t know anything about the Oilers trying to lure Klefbom to cross the pond earlier than said and he remains confident that Klefbom did do well during the rookie camp but would stay in Sweden, get a bigger role with his team and seize the opportunity to represent Tre Kronor (Team Sweden), with that said - Färjestad did sign a Finnish defenseman, pretty much out of the blue, just the other day but maybe that’s reading too much into things..

It’s still up in the air and I suppose it’s all about what’s best for the development of the player and the organization as whole. I’m guessing most would say another year in the SEL (or even in the AHL) would be best and they might very well be right. But I believe that Klefbom wouldn’t make Kreuger (or even Tambo) look dumb for playing his as soon as this coming season. Then again - guaranteed ice-time is never, at least in my book, a good thing. Earn it.

“Update”..

Yeah, wouldn’t really call it an update but HockeySverige made a brief addition to the Klefbom story where Klefbom have told ‘em today that he’s “leaning towards staying with Färjestad” as he feels that staying in Sweden for another year would probably benefit his development more than risking to take a leap over the pond too early. Which basically means that the Oilers still want him to come over, Klefbom is still undecided but the ball is very likely with him.

07.04.12 ♥ 0
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This is it.

I’ve been quiet here for a while (I’m more active on Twitter). Either way.. today is draft day, which is (sadly) a little bit like Christmas and playoffs all at once for us Oilers fans and I thought I’d give my opinion before it all goes down.

But this being both Christmas and our playoffs, you can also feel let down by what you receive. You know what feeling you got when you were a kid (well, some might be getting the same feeling even when older) when you received a soft present containing a couple of socks when you in fact were expecting the latest Nintendo game station. That very same thing might happen today, we might be getting something we didn’t expect or even want.

To start things of Robin Brownlee of the OilersNation and Alan Hull of the Copper & Blue pretty much summed up my own personal feelings.

Robin Brownlee:

While I’m impressed with Yakupov’s Sarnia teammate Alex Galchenyuk and think he better fits the organization’s needs in terms of position, nothing trumps the need for a team that’s missed the playoffs six straight years than taking the BPA. Here and now, Yakupov is that player. It doesn’t hurt, in my estimation, he also has a swagger to him. This team could use some of that.

Alan Hull:

MO, they certainly can’t pick at #1 and take anyone else. I’m not partial to trading down, but I’m very intrigued by Galchenyuk. I think they take Yakupov, which I’m good with. Picking Murray or Reinhart @ #1 is a huge mistake. If (they are) going to trade down, only scenario I like is swapping for #2 or #3 and taking Galchenyuk, but only if they feel (he) is the top guy.

I personally hope they won’t go after Murray. He’s good, but very comparable to Klefbom. Had Klefbom been two months younger than he is, he would’ve been ranked where Murray is today. If the Oilers are looking to add a D-man I really hope they would go after someone who has more upside to him. On my personal wishlist, I have all of Rielly, Dumba, Ceci and Reinhart ranked ahead of Murray.

Another player I really don’t want the Oilers to pick is my fellow Swede Forsberg (something people know by now if they have read my comments spread out over the Oilogosphere). He’s a poor man’s Landeskog. I love Landeskog, but Forsberg is nowhere near him. That and the fact Forsberg won’t be able to do much good in the NHL for another 3-4 years (why on earth would we waste our #1 pick on him!?). I wouldn’t even take him with the 10th (if we had it) OV pick.

Last but not least I hope we somehow manage to get Henrik Samuelsson of the Edmonton Oil Kings. He’s a guy that I know for a fact wants to remain in the city of Edmonton, he brings a lot to the table the Oilers could use. Please be there for our #32 Henrik!

Speaking of players who wants to be an Oiler, there’s also the darkhorse scoring-machine Faksa, wouldn’t be surprised to see him go early.

Let’s hope we won’t feel let down when this day is over. Please do the right thing - #justtakeYakupov

06.22.12 ♥ 0
Klefbom set to sign a three-year entry-level contract with the Oilers

Klefbom - WINNERFor those of you who follow me on Twitter (@dohfOs) you’ll know by now that the Swedish prospect Oscar Klefbom did receive a phone call from the Tre Kronor head coach Pär Mårts (who calls Klefbom the next big thing in Swedish hockey) to finally make his debut this week with the Swedish national team. It was meant to be sort of a tryout ahead of Worlds after a excellent ending to the season by Klefbom whom throughout the playoffs was matched against the other teams top-scorers, but by the look of things - it just wasn’t meant to be. Klefbom is once again out, this time a Charley horse got in the way, nothing serious but he won’t be playing with the grown-ups this time around.

But as bad news as that might have been for the young Swede, as good is the other. My friend over at Värmlands Folkblad (“VF”, local paper of Karlstad), Johan Eriksson, revealed that Oilers GM, Steve Tambellini, had gone over to Stockholm, Sweden, to meet up with Oscar and finalize his first deal that will make him an Oiler-lock, a three-year entry-level contract with the Oilers. 

Oscar Klefbom will however remain in Sweden for one more season but is looking to come over to Edmonton for at least one camp this coming season.

Eriksson of VF had a chat with Klefbom about the meeting with Oilers GM (freely translated by myself).

Klefbom on the meeting with Steve Tambellini..

- I was a little nervous at first (when meeting up with Tambellini), a bit afraid that he would only put up a plan for my future should look like. But he asked rather a lot of questions about how the season has been, how it looks in Färjestad next year and how I felt about myself, the whole situation, both personally and in terms of hockey. (Signing a contract with the Oilers) is a major thing. NHL has always been the biggest dream for me and the fact they want to sign to a contract now is a proof that they are satisfied with me.


On the next season..

- I explained to him (Tambellini) that I really enjoy working here and what the situation looks like in Färjestad, when Frögren, Sevc and Berglund disappears, it favours me. I’m going up a few notches. We agreed that I would stay another year here (in Sweden, with Färjestad), it will do me good, there’s no stress. Edmonton want me to go over to a camp so I that I will feel more like a part of the team and get to meet all the big stars like Taylor Hall and the others. We’ll see when it gets, it also depends on what Färjestad allows me to do. The club has some real big stars emerging at once and also got a new first choice in the draft this summer. I feel like the timing signing with them and going over there will be perfect, Klefbom smiles.

Klefbom have earlier on stated that he’s no stranger to spending time in the AHL but believes he’s better of playing big minutes and getting even more responsibility with Färjestad, which is more than likely to happen coming into 2012/13. Next year he will be eligible to play in the WJC again, he will play a big part, not only with Färjestad but also in national tournaments with Tre Kronor. All in all this seems to be a very wise decision from both parties. Klefbom is now set to be an Oiler but his contract won’t start ticking until next year. From what I’ve seen of Klefbom this season he could very well have made Oilers straight out of training camp this fall but one more year will, just as he put it himself, do him good. Looking at his success during WJC translating his game to the smaller rink doesn’t seem like a big issue (although the quality of competition is obviously harder in the NHL, duh).

Something tells me I was right last summer, shortly after Klefbom was picked, when I wrote..

Both Brodin and Klefbom comes from the ultimate Swedish winning culture and with Klefbom being the bigger one (size-wise) it’s more or less the ultimate pick for the Oilers. Klefbom is an ace. Not only am I happy we didn’t pick Larsson, I’m also thrilled we ended up with Klefbom, not only is Stu a magnificent bastard, the pick itself is equally magnificent and I for one wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up being a future fan-favorite among Oil-fans.

..I still stand by those words.

04.20.12 ♥ 1
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Road to Recovery: Taylor Fedun’s Story

Nearly 6 months ago, Taylor Fedun suffered a fractured femur on an icing play. We follow his journey on the road to recovery.

A great video produced by the Edmonton Oilers web and media-crew. Can I secretly wish for a Fedun NHL-debut in the last game of the season to top things of?

03.21.12 ♥ 3
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Goalie prospect Olivier Roy shows his first ever Oilers-mask, which he’s currently wearing with the Stockton Thunder and OKC Barons.  Jump to the 02:18-mark if you only wish to see his part.

Roy, ranked 19th by C&B among Oilers under 25, is having a great rookie-season in the ECHL was recently called up to the AHL the OKC Barons. 

Props to Neal and Patricia for finding the video..

02.22.12 ♥ 2

Video: Oilers prospect and Medicine Hat Tigers goalie, Tyler Bunz, shoots commercial for Reebok with the big boys.

Getting ready for the big show now are we Bunz?

02.13.12 ♥ 0

Highlights: OKC Barons Sweeps Abbotsford Heat

Omark scores 2 goals, 1 assist for 3 points. Tulupov with his first goal wearing the OKC jersey (I’d still sign a 2-way if I were Oilers, perfect 3rd pairing guy). Danis sets a Barons record for minutes without letting a goal past him (173 minutes). Baby Oilers win twice in three nights in Calgary, 4-0, 2-1.

Good times!

Recommended reads:
Barons Blank Heat (Oil Patch)
Barons stifle Heat 4-0 in Battle of AHLberta (Cult of Hockey)
Danis makes 24 saves, Barons shut out division rival Heat (TSN)
Tulupov’s first lifts Barons to win over Heat (TSN)
Final Edition Of The 2011-12 Battle Of AHL-Berta (Copper & Blue) 

02.13.12 ♥ 0
Zoom Close your eyes, imagine Cam Barker in a Flyers jersey.. ..now, what do you see? On a (at the very least tad more) serious note. Why on earth is Cam Barker in the lineup tonight? Fine, we should have learned by now, the words of Coach Renney when he preached “ice time is my only currency” these were nothing but empty. We’ve seen it numerous of times. Some players get away with everything, even 1, 2 or 3 horrible plays that led to a goal while others get to take a seat for something that could’ve been a goal. Why is this? I sure as hell don’t get it. Omark cried out politics, I’m starting to think he nailed it. Since this isn’t really a remarkable read, I thought I might hook you up with some better ones. Edmonton Oilers Media Invades, Points & Ponders - Neal Livingston Paajarvi recalled to Oilers. Is it wise for him to be the Yo-Yo Kid? - David Staples Oilers prospect Tyler Bunz, Tigers All Time Wins Leader (Video) - Martin Lundén (in case you’ve missed it) Love Eager - Jay Parr-Pearson Playing Linus Omark - Neal Livingston Say goodbye to Hemsky Oil fans - JS&BM AHL Battle of Alberta Comes the Calgary This Thursday - Lisa McRitchie Replace Tambellini? There Are Plenty Of Options For The Oilers - Derek Zona Que Sera Sera - Jeff Chapman Yeah, I’m not really a Photoshop-hero, but feel free to add me to Twitter [@dohfOs] for real-time rants from a Swede. Hugs ‘n kisses.

Close your eyes, imagine Cam Barker in a Flyers jersey.. ..now, what do you see?

On a (at the very least tad more) serious note. Why on earth is Cam Barker in the lineup tonight? Fine, we should have learned by now, the words of Coach Renney when he preached “ice time is my only currency” these were nothing but empty. We’ve seen it numerous of times. Some players get away with everything, even 1, 2 or 3 horrible plays that led to a goal while others get to take a seat for something that could’ve been a goal. Why is this? I sure as hell don’t get it. Omark cried out politics, I’m starting to think he nailed it.

Since this isn’t really a remarkable read, I thought I might hook you up with some better ones.

Yeah, I’m not really a Photoshop-hero, but feel free to add me to Twitter [@dohfOs] for real-time rants from a Swede. Hugs ‘n kisses.

02.09.12 ♥ 5

Dubnyk talks his current mask and the “Fred Braithwaite” inspiration behind his newest version.

As Dubnyk mention, he hasn’t been sporting his new mask yet (well, he did for a couple of games) as it didn’t have the right fit (for his head). More on his Braithwaite-mask can be found here.

Dubnyk is also wearing his other mask from last year (which was new by then) whenever the Oil play in the alternate jerseys. Thought I’d look back in the archive and I found the video (see below).

And if that one doesn’t work for whatever embed-error, the link is right here. Ehrm, yeah.. I got a soft spot for both goalies (WTF!?) and Dubnyk, but you knew that already.. Shame on me.

02.08.12 ♥ 0
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