Friday, January 2, 2009

Crapped On One Too Many Times?


That's the feeling that I got from watching Rob Schremp tonight for the Falcons. It's as if no matter what he does it isn't enough. Looking for the coaches acceptance, Rob Schremp has worked diligently on his defensive game, limiting turnovers, getting faster and stronger, all while trying to be a game breaker for the Springfield Falcons.

It looks as if those days maybe past tense. I don't recall watching a game where he was less of a factor at ES, a game where he just wasn't "Rob". He wasn't looking to carry the puck up ice, his passes weren't as crisp as usual, his compete level was in the dumps, he looked like a player that doesn't want to be where he is right now.

I doubt that it has anything to do with the city of Springfield, however I have little doubt that it has to do with his standing with head coach Craig MacTavish and the Oilers organization. He has done what has been asked of him, played very well in his 4 game call-up, then he was tossed out with the bathwater.

If the Oilers had any kind of a clue, they would've kept Rob up and sent down Reddox. Right now we might be seeing him in Hemsky's spot, instead it's the later and I couldn't be more frustrated. The Oilers couldn't have 3 scoring lines (until Nilsson and Gagner returned) and Schremp just can't play in the bottom 6 according to the one with the most secure job in all of sports.

What I'd like to know, is why can't a top 6 player play in a bottom 6 role but I've had to sit through the horror of Marty Reasoner, Jarret Stoll, and Liam Reddox playing on our TOP LINE in the last 2 seasons alone?

This coach has all but driven Schremp out of the organization. It's a shame when someone that seems to hate your guts holds the short term fate of your professional career in the palm of their hands.

Next stop? That'll depend on if MacT is here or not, at this point it may not even matter to young #88. He's just supposed to work hard and get passed over time and time again for players that he couldn't replace in the bottom 6, but they conveniently replaced him in the top 6.

Something is seriously wrong with this picture.

And what in the hell happened to go from this to where we are today?

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I thought you were done defending Schremp?

Oh, wait. He must've crapped the bed in a few games in Springfield. Must be someone else's fault, it always is...stick with MacT, it's gotta be MacT. Poor Schremp.

How come Potulny's still putting up points? He's been the leading goal scorer for the entire year and hasn't even got a cursory call up.

Also, I'm tired of the revisionist history...Schremp played very well in 1/4 games, well in 1/4, and was a complete non-factor in the remaining 2.

Bryanbryoil said...

A non factor like Nilsson has been in most of his games? He was still every bit as good as the guy that he was sent down for and Gagner at that time (at least Sam has picked up his game of late). IMO Schremp had 2 good games (his first 2) an o.k. game (SJ), and a pretty good game against Florida. He still "created more than he gave up" since that is MacT's rule to live life by, then why in the hell isn't he back up now that an offensive player is needed?

I'm not wasting my time defensing him on HF, this is my house, and I'll say what I please.

Potulny hasn't exactly been great either, nor has Lerg, nor has ____. Until Potulny's goal last night he wasn't doing much at all.

There really is no Falcons forward playing up to snuff at the moment not named Guillaume Lefebvre.

Anonymous said...

Well, I'll agree with you on Schremp's first two games, agree to disagree on the last two. You also noted that Schremp was every bit as good as Gagner, but Gagner has since raised his play. IMO, that's the difference...Nilsson and Gags can raise their play to a level Schremp can't.

Anyway, Schremp may well be traded for a new chance this year...Matheson hinted as much earlier in the year, saying Schremp had been a good soldier and deserved a shot somewhere else. I don't think he'll get that great of a chance in Edmonton. Not because of MacT, but because IMO he is not good enough to take a position from Nilsson, Cogs, Gags, or any other Top 6ers. If some of the Top 6 is moved in a trade he will get his shot. As I've said before, I'm just not convinced he skates well enough to be an offensive force in the NHL...I've never seen him back off a defender in the NHL. I think Potulny and Brule have better shots at being NHL regulars.

Look, I posted above because I think you sometimes need a bit of objectivity with regards to Schremp. He hasn't been treated that poorly, and he hasn't earned an NHL position more than Nilsson, etc. I'm an Oiler fan first and foremost, so while I don't think Schremp will ever be a regular with the Oil, I would love to be wrong! (Because the only way he'll ever stick is if he's putting up points, regardless of who's coaching).

I do agree about Lefebvre...I'd love to see him and Stortini on the 4th line together. MacT has also lost me this year with a lot of his bizarre moves (and I wouldn't have objected to switching Reddox and Schremp once Hemmer went down), but if Schremp is sulking that is no one's problem but Schremp's.

oilerdiehard said...

If he is mailing it in there is no excuse for it period in my books. None.

One thing I find interesting with those that are so up in arms that Brule got the call over Schremp. Look at how much NHL experience Brule already has and look at how he was scoring.

He has only played 19 games and if he kept scoring on a similar pace when he hits the 27 game mark where Schremp is at right now. He would be scoring on a similar or even slightly better pace than Robbie. So I have very little problem with this call up.

Now if Sestito or someone like that had gotten called up with Hemmer going down. Then I would see more of a snub.

IMO in year 3 Robbie should really be over a PPG in the AHL. Instead at the moment he has 23 points in 27 games. Not exactly blowing off the doors with his talent level, his age and pro experience. Just my opinion.

I love your blog though bro keep up the great work with it.

Bryanbryoil said...

Dubya-"IMO, that's the difference...Nilsson and Gags can raise their play to a level Schremp can't.

I think Potulny and Brule have better shots at being NHL regulars."

That is debatable, IMO we never got to see close to the best of Schremp at the NHL level. He didn't have enough time to get comfortable enough to strutt his stuff.

Potulny is the second coming of Thoresen. If that floats your boat so be it. Brule has the speed and shot, but he's still got a lot of holes in his game.


ODH-"One thing I find interesting with those that are so up in arms that Brule got the call over Schremp. Look at how much NHL experience Brule already has and look at how he was scoring.

He has only played 19 games and if he kept scoring on a similar pace when he hits the 27 game mark where Schremp is at right now. He would be scoring on a similar or even slightly better pace than Robbie. So I have very little problem with this call up.

IMO in year 3 Robbie should really be over a PPG in the AHL. Instead at the moment he has 23 points in 27 games. Not exactly blowing off the doors with his talent level, his age and pro experience. Just my opinion."

It's about watching the games ODH. Schremp creates a heck of a lot more, and if he wasn't snakebitten or the team had a respectable PP it'd be a wide difference.

Brule has scored a lot because he's in the AHL, if he did most of what h did at the AHL level at the NHL level he wouldn't cut it. We have seen Schremp's passing ability translate in a small sample to the NHL, has Brule's shot??? His physical play??? I don't think that you need to answer that question ;)

Bryanbryoil said...

Oh yeah, ODH, I agree that he should be 1+ PPG. However the Falcons have been a sad sack this year so far.

oilerdiehard said...

I would say there is as much and possibly more offensive talent on the Falcons this year over last. Add in Robbie's age, skill level, pro experience etc... and he should have enough surrounding him to make that happen IMO.

He should be at the point now he can create his own offense with regards to scoring goals at that level. If he had something like 12 and a couple more assists at this at this juncture then his point totals would be right about where they should be.

I feel blaming it all on the rest of the Falcons team is a cop out.

I see unfortunately he went pointless again today. I was hoping that goal last game was going to be the start of a big run here. Plenty of time left though. Hopefully he can get hot and pick it up.

oilerdiehard said...

Sorry I forgot to add.

I think Brule's shot has looked okay at the NHL level. His physical play has been good so far IMO. For his size he really gets a lot out of his physical play IMO and is a pretty solid kid. That is one area with his game at the NHL level I have been quite pleased with.

When he engages and hits or takes a hit. It is not like watching other small guys like Nilsson or Gagner bounce off or fall down and either lose the puck or effectively just take themselves right out of the puck battle as the guy skates off unimpeded with the puck. He is a solid little guy for sure.