Hockey Trade Rumors

With all of the great moments from the 2005-2006 Stanley Cup run, none was bigger than the 3-1 comeback that almost led the Oiler’s to the promise land. Unfortunately, the Oilers fell to the Carolina Hurricanes, a team that is much deserved of the Stanley Cup. The Oil spent most of the regular season in distress, going through streaks of greatness, and other stretches of mediocrity. Their hopes and dreams came down to the final few games of the season, where they barely edged out the Vancouver Canucks for eighth place in the Western Conference, for a first round meeting with the Western Conference leaders, the Detroit Red Wings.

The Oilers went into round one with a number of question marks in their lineup. How would goaltender Dwayne Roloson hold up as a number one goaltender, in the Oil’s quest for the Stanley Cup? Well, I think it’s safe to say that everyone was surprised with ‘Rollie The Goalie’s’ fantastic play and dependability. No question, without Rollie, the Oilers would have made a first round exit. Through hard-work and determination, the Oilers were able to succeed in beating the top-dogs in the West 4-2, landing them a date in the Shark-tank.

The second round started off pourly for the Oilers, going down 2-0 to the favoured San Jose Sharks. But the heart the Oiler’s have beats with Oiler pride. On the back of their defenseman Chris Pronger, and the gritty determination of players like Ryan Smyth and Ales Hemsky, the Oiler’s make a run of four straight victories to deep-fry the Sharks in six games. The Oiler’s are now off to meet the newly named Anaheim Ducks………Again the underdogs!!!

Off to the Western Conference Finals, a place where the Edmonton Oilers haven’t been in many years, and strange to all young Oil Fans………This was a hard-fought series, where it was (in my opinion), a showdown of two of the greatest defensemen in the NHL today, Chris Pronger and Scott Neidermayer. Luckily, the Oiler’s have found their stride, and although this was a close series, the Oiler’s managed to take 4 out-of 5 games, on their way to meet the up-start Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Hopes were extremely high in “The City Of Champions” for the Oiler’s to take their 6th Stanley Cup in seven Stanley Cup Final Appearances, but would the Oiler’s fall as other recent teams have by having too much time between the Western Conference Final game 5 and the Stanley Cup Final game 1?

Once again, the Oilers are down 2-0 to start a series, but this time it’s the most important series in many years for the franchise. Most people would expect the Oiler’s to just fold, and many predicted that the Oiler’s would lose in four straight games. But true Edmontonian’s and Oiler fans knew that this series was far from over. We needed someone to step up, and boy did they…………..Who would have thought that a guy like ( Edmonton ‘s own) Fernando Pisani would step up and lead the Oiler’s in goals??? With the play of Ryan Smyth, Chris Pronger, Ales Hemsky, Jason Smith, Shawn Horcoff, Mike Peca, etc……the Oiler’s showed that they were up for the challenge……………….But there’s more to the story. Goaltender Dwayne Roloson, who led the Oiler’s to the Stanley Cup Finals, goes down with an injury that leaves him out for the series………….After a mulligan from Ty Conklin (the hopefully soon ex-Oiler), the Oilers turn to Jussi “The Juice” Markkanen to tend the pipes and lead the Oilers to glory. And boy did he!!! He played absolutely outstanding, and showed that he is an absolutely talented goaltender who is underrated…………The Oilers make a comeback by winning 3 out of the next 4 games on the back of ‘The Juice’, to take this series to a game 7………………After all that we’ve seen in this series, the first-ever successful penalty shot by Chris Pronger, a 2-0 and 3-1 series comeback by the Mighty Oil, a player evolving to greatness in Fernando Pisani, and great goaltending from our backup in “The Juice”, Oiler fans were rocking. Maybe a little to over-confident and cocky, thinking that we have the upper-hand……………………….Come game 7, the Mighty Oil have fallen, unable to find their scoring touch, and looking out of sync.

The Oiler’s Lose!!! The Oiler’s Lose!!! Perhaps the most heart-breaking thing I’ve ever felt!!! But congratulations to the Carolina Hurricanes. They truly deserve Lord Stanley’s Cup!!! And congratulations to Cam Ward for winning the Conn Smythe as a rookie goaltender, simply amazing.

And to the Mighty Oiler’s Of Edmonton , thanks for the run. It was great times. Can’t wait for next year.

Thanks again to the Edmonton Oiler’s for the ‘ride of a lifetime’. See you next year boys. And thanks to all of the Oiler’s who sweat and bleed copper and blue. I know we’ll likely be seeing the last of Sergei Samsonov, Mike Peca, Ty Conklin, Radek Dvorak, and Georges Laraque in an Edmonton Oiler’s uniform, but I for one would like to thank each and every one of you for your efforts. Forever Oilers.

And to Gretzkin, Muckies, and all of the other’s who supported the Oiler’s through their run. You guys made the ride extra special, and it’s truly appreciated. Thanks.


JannettyTheRocker