Prospecting

Some prospect notes for you appetite:

• The Good:
  
• Robbie Schremp is 7th in AHL scoring with 39 pts in 37 gp. I debate with myself: do we call him up or leave him to build confidence and start fresh at next years TC?
• JDD continues to hold his own in his 4th pro season. 16-11-3 2.61 GAA .920 SV%
• Liam Reddox has been intriguing. Had a brutal year as a rookie pro in the ECHL last year but this year has jumped up to the AHL and has 23 pts in 29 gp, is tied for team lead in +/- (+7) and has developed notoriety as an agitator.
  
• The Bad:
• JF Jacques is absolutely brutal...20 pts in 32 gp and the second worst +/- at -12 (Worst? Defensive Defenceman Bryan Young at -13 who looked good in limited time in Edmonton)
• As far as goaltenders goal, Dubnyk is having a poor season statistically, 2-7-0 3.23 GAA .906 SV%
• Alex Plante has only played 11 games the first half of the season for the Calgary Hitmen. First he was out with a nerve issue then suffered a concussion. He is expected back in about a week so it would be nice to see him play out the season so we can better gauge our 15th overall pick.
• O'Marra has been decent at the ECHL level but very unproductive at the AHL level. 0 pts in 9 games coming from a guy who last year put up 5 pts in 8 gp after finishing his junior season. Though he has been credited with two way play and hitting.
  
• The Ugly:
• Basillion was having a good first pro year with the Falcons (10 pts in 21 gp, impressive shot) until he got the back of his leg sliced. Word from Dan Hickling at HF is they can't even fully close the wound yet and he could be gone 8 to 12 MONTHS. Big question marks about his career

I have shoelace in my teeth

• A team leading 16 goals
• A team leading 19 assists for 35 pts
• Tied for a team leading +3
• Tied for second in powerplay points
• Leads all forwards in time on ice (4 min/game ahead of the next guy)
• Tied for first in game winning goals

Horcoff scored his first point in 7 games against St. Louis on Jan. 2, correlatively it was Edmonton's first win in 7 games. He has been our leader in every imaginable category this season, offensively, defensively, and clutch in shoot outs. This is a very different player than I saw last year. He's got the same hustle, same determination, but has found a way to apply some skill and hockey sense to his work ethic.

What stands out? His shot and ability to get open to use it. He already has 16 goals which equals his total from last year and is 6 off his career high set in the magical season. He has clearly improved his shot, a quality he has credited to new sticks from Mexico. This is something that has allowed him to respect his shot more and use it.

This season it seems as Horcoff goes so do the Oilers, 15 goals in his first 32 games but only 1 in his last 10. In those 10 games the Oilers are 3-6-1. Penner is finding his game, if we can get Horcoff back on track and Hemsky healthy we might be able to string together some wins on the backs of our first line.

Lets start tonight.