The Mark Graham Sports Blog's posts tagged Edmonton Oilers

See all posts tagged with Edmonton Oilers »

• Nicklas Backstrom Has the Nerve to Wear #99 in KHL Debut

  October 22, 2012

  

  Since the NHL is locked out, many players are flocking to the KHL and Nicklas Backstrom is no different. However, Backstrom kind of broke an unwritten rule in the hockey world.

   

  In this photo from Russian hockey writer Pavel Lysenkov's Twitter, @plysenkov, Backstrom is seen wearing the hallowed No. 99 that has been retired by the NHL since Wayne Gretzky's retirement in 1999.

   

  Now, I know that the No. 99 isn't retired in the KHL, but, as an NHL player, Backstrom should know that the number is sacred within the hockey world and really shouldn't be worn by any other player. In fact, only one other player in KHL history has worn 99 and that player has no North American hockey experience, so, I guess you can let that one slide.

   

  Backstrom has a total of 367 career NHL points so far in his first five seasons in the NHL, all with the Washington Capitals. Compare that to Gretzky's totals in his first five years, 914, I'd say Backstrom has a LONG way to go to catch The Great One.

  5 Comments
• Oilers Sign Defenseman Justin Schultz

  June 30, 2012

  

  This summer's prized rookie free agent has finally picked a team. A surprising team at that.

  Former University of Wisconsin defenseman Justin Schultz made the surprising choice of signing with the lowly Edmonton Oilers. Schultz, 21, was a former draft pick of the Anaheim Ducks, but never signed making him a free agent.

  The New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Minnesota Wild all took a shot at him but failed. It was the recruiting efforts of Wayne Gretzky and Taylor Hall that made Schultz sign with the Oilers.

  Schultz will sign a two year deal worth $925,000 per year with a $92,500 signing bonus, according to Rogers Sportsnet's Mark Spector.

  The signing of Schultz will add to what is becoming a solid foundation for the future of the Edmonton Oilers. Schultz could step right in and pay dividends for the Oilers due to lack of defenseman on their roster.

  0 Comments
• Former Caps Captain Adam Oates Named New Capitals Coach

  June 26, 2012

  

  Its been quite a day for former Boston Bruin and Washington Capitals captain Adam Oates. First he was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame and now he was named the newest head coach was the Washington Capitals.

  Oates has been an assistant coach for the past three seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning and more recently, the Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Devils.

  "We are very pleased to name Adam Oates as the new head coach of the Washington Capitals," said Capitals vice president and general manager George McPhee, "Adam was a highly intelligent player in the NHL for 19 seasons. He has been an assistant coach in our conference for the past three seasons and is prepared to lead our club as head coach."

  Oates spent his 19 year career with the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers, Anaheim Ducks, and Edmonton Oilers. He scored 341 goals and 1079 assists and only Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, and Mario Lemieux recorded more assists than Oates.

  0 Comments
• Former NHL Player: Steroid Use Common

  November 06, 2011

  Former NHL player and enforcer Georges Laraque claims in a new book that steroid use in the NHL was commonplace.

  According to Laraque's new book, "The Story of the NHL's Unlikeliest Tough Guy", enforcers in the NHL routinely took steroids to help them gain weight before reaching the pros and took different substances, such as Ephedrine, so they would be desenstized before a fight. Laraque did not name any players in his book.

  The NHL and NHL Player's Association have not yet responded to Laraque's claims.

  Laraque started his career in 1997 with the Edmonton Oilers and later played for the Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Montreal Canadiens. He has amassed 1,126 penalty minutes and has 153 career points.

  Laraque is now a deputy leader for Canada's Green Party, a position he has held since July 2010.

  0 Comments