Before I continue, I provide a bit of background information. This is optional reading:
I live in Edmonton,
Here's the big surprise: Everybody loves the EDMONTON, "AIWYLERS" (or OIlers).
When I was younger I never understood the fanfare for a team that played clutch and grab, gritty* hockey. I'd argue that my passion and love for this city is unparalleled by any Edmonton AIWYLER fan. I also thought Craig MacTavish was a pedo the first time I saw him on the bench as a headcoach. I think this was because of his long eyelashes. Whatever, it's worse that when I googled him 5 years later, I found out he killed someone driving hammered behind the wheel. Goon. I'm sure he's apologetic and all, but I'm just adding an "after the fact" thought.
*this word is probably the most used word in the Coliseum when the hockey game is on. I bet if you polled all AIWYLER fans about their favorite "intangible" in a player, they'd say "gritty". Newsflash guys, RYAN SMYTH or BELANGER-type gritty are not the same as David Backes gritty. *shakes head*
That being said, nothing irritates me more than this city's selectively informative behavior, meaning that they read one one thing and they're talking about it at the game. But I understand that not everyone has the time to get into sports like me; I only do so because the statistics that are produced by sport fascinate me.
Now that I've expressed my unrequited love for my city and disdain for the AIWYLER fans, I am here to criticize *drumroll* you guessed it...
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The EDMONTON AIWYLERS!!
More specifically, the joke of a GM that sits at the helm named Steve Tambellini.
Who is Steve Tambellini? Steve Tambellini was an NHL player who served as Vice President of Player Personnel with the Vancouver Canucks from 1998 to 2008. In 2008 he was hired by, YOU GUESSED IT, The Edmonton AIWYLERS.
The rumor was that Steve Tambellini was quite upset being named as the Assistant GM to Mike Gillis. Apparently he felt he had done enough as the Assistant GM to previous GM in Vancouver, Dave Nonis (who was fired in 08), to be a legitimate GM in Vancouver.
Now I understand this is pure speculation, but understand this: When it comes to rumors like this, they're often true but never verified. A classic example is the fight Iginla and Phaneuf had in the locker room which lead to the Phaneuf to Toronto trade. Don't believe this? Google it, there are many places that can heard this story.
I'm of the belief that Tambellini was actually mad and upset. Considering it took Dave Tallon 2 years to get a new GM job, this should serve as proof that even the best GMs have a hard time finding work. I'd argue that Rick Dudley should have been kept as the GM of Winnipeg, too.
BTW, about Tallon: The Hossa/Campbell deals were forced upon him by team president McDonaugh, google this if you want. The big signings were all about increasing the buzz in Chicago.
Ok back to Tambellini: What has he done to earn the GM job in Edmonton? Nothing. Instead, there's a circus going around this city now. The Edmonton Oilers reality show "Oil Change" gives air time to the likes of "head scout" Stu MacGregor and now there are little AIWYLER cronies out there dropping this guys' name like he's Jim Nill.
Excuse me? Who's Stu MacGregor? He's Steve Tambellini's guy. The guy Tambellini so proudly defers to when it comes to making draft selections.
I'm here to call out Steve Tambellini. What has he done to earn his job? Where is his body of work to show that he's capable of making competent managerial decisions that may involve risk? I don't see it.
In fact I'd argue the biggest problem I have with Tambellini is the lack of risk in his draft picks.
This city needed a true bonafide number 1 center. Tyler Seguin was a player that carried himself like Steve Yzerman, and had so many similarities in style of play.
Taylor Hall was the guy who hogged the puck with Nazim Kadri in the 2009 WJC and lost gold for Team Canada.
Tyler Seguin is a leader on and off the ice, and he plays like a MAN. He doesn't whine, he just plays the game. Credit to Julien (although I think Renney would do as good of a job if he had Seguin) for handling Seguin the way he did last year. Many people would argue that pulling a player in and out of lineups is detrimental to their development, yet Seguin is showing that he's a true #1 center in his second season.
Taylor Hall showed a very uncanny similarity Marian Hossa on the offensive side of the puck before he was injured last year. Now I know that's "not bad" for a first overall pick. But Edmonton had a HUGE need for a CENTERMAN when Hall was drafted, yet Hall was taken. Does that make any sense?
Only to make matters worse this year is that defenders have figured out Hall will come off the boards and execute his "power move" to get to the net. I'd say his play has REGRESSED from the last bit of last season compared to this year.
Time will tell what Taylor Hall's legacy will be. My opinion on hall is this: 2 weeks ago on HNIC he generated a good rush but held on the puck too long with three defenders on him, turned the puck over and gave up an odd man rush for which he took a penalty when he tried defending. That's what I think Taylor Hall is. Good offensive player but no commitment to the other side of the ice. He also strikes me as a selfish player.
This year, good old Tambellini thought Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as their first overall. The city rejoiced, as the idiot AIWYLER fans' faith in Tambellini's decisions remains untainted. What the hell was Tambellini thinking? Is a true #1 stud defenseman named Adam Larsson "not worth it"? To make matters worse, who would you rather have: Tyler Seguin or Ryan Nugent Hopkins?
I don't care if people say RNH is a "datsyuk", because I'm a Red Wings fan and I know a Datsyuk-type player when I see one. RNH is not Datsyuk. He will be a Patrice Bergeron-type player; note that PB is one of my favorite Canadian players for his commitment on both ends of the ice.
That's not bad for a first overall draft pick either, but this begs the question: If you had two first overalls who would you pick?
Hall/RNH
Seguin/Larsson
How can people in this city be happy with the lack of promise this "young core" is showing? Kane and Toews are best friends off the ice, and it doesn't seem like that this group of players does not have the camaraderie that the young Blackhawks showed 3-4 years ago.
Seguin is a true leader, Hall is nothing of the sort. It's easy to see the lack of leadership in any of the young Oilers. I think Magnus has the qualities, but I don't think he'll embrace them until he can lead by example.
Omark, Gilbert, Petry, Eberle were moves by Lowe.
Hall, RNH, Magnus, Lander, and some other pluggers are moves by Tambellini.
I think someone needs to start putting heat on Tambellini, because this team doesn't look as promising as this city wants to believe. He's made the safe pick by following the ISS's pre-draft rankings two years in a row.
Seguin is a fucking star.
Larsson is going to be a fucking star.
I feel like Steve Tambellini is making decisions that will allow him to keep his job, not allow his team to win the Stanley cup. Ultimately I think it's the duty of the GM to make decisions that have some risk, but a huge upside of these risks pay off. Steve Tambellini doesn't seem like the guy who can make those decisions. In fact, I think he will make the safe decision to ensure he can keep his job and defend his decisions, but making the safe choice is hardly a good reason for why you should keep your job.
