"He Can't Even Help Springfield"

While most people could really give a rats ass about Rob Schremp or Ryan Potulny at the moment as the Oilers have put together a nice little run. Winning can really change things, it has quieted the angry mob that wanted to see the coach out of town not so long ago, and it has dulled the disgusted roar of fans who had to watch Liam Reddox line up next to Shawn Horcoff and Dustin Penner in Ales Hemsky's absence.

However it is my stance that every team goes on runs and every team has slumps. So unlike those that have forgiven what has transpired, I don't. When Craig MacTavish lashed out at Rob Schremp and threw out the quote that I used as the title to this post it was a low blow and one that will undoubtedly be used by me to paint the man as a hypocrite in this very post.

The entire Falcons team was horrible after Schremp was sent down, while Schremp surely should've done better, he was hardly the only guy that was struggling. Hell, even the Oilers most recent call-up Ryan Potulny had dreadful stats in that dark stretch.

Now to the present, coach's pet Liam Reddox did Jack squat this weekend to show that HE was good enough to help the Falcons. 0-0-0 -1 and 1 shot on goal in 2 games for the guy that deserves to be in the NHL over Schremp, Potulny, and Brule? Color me unimpressed and away we go.

Why is it that I don't see him being left in Springfield because HE isn't helping them win despite the fact that Brule and Potulny were there and newly acquired Stone and Willis were also there to help out? Will Potulny get the call instead? I mean he DID score 2 goals in 2 games for the Falcons after all.

Doubtful, if there's a spot on the big club, it will be filled by #85 no matter what he does or doesn't do at the AHL or NHL level, he is one of the coaches chosen ones.

It reminds me of how MacT earlier in the season after Garon had a good game said "I don't like to play goalies in back to back games" I guess Roloson is exempt to that statement. Favoritism does nothing but spawn resentment and a lack of respect. When the team does start to slip again, this post will be here to show all of those that have put their pitchforks and torches away for the time being what they missed.

Time to Let Bygones be Bygones

With the Oilers struggling, coach Craig Mactavish could use a helping hand. With Rob Schremp's first pro contract running out at the end of this season, he could use some help for his career as well. While I have absolutely no factual information to back up my claim, it is my belief that the current coach does not want to see #88 on the ice for his team.

Many minute details have led me to the belief that Rob Schremp has some uphill skating to do to get the coach in his corner enough to be considered for a full time NHL spot under MacT's "reign". The way that I look at it, is that if this is indeed the case, and these 2 men aren't very fond of each other, they need to squash it right now. MacT needs guys that will play hard and listen to him and of course produce.

If Penner can get a second "leash on life" then why not Schremp? Schremp's journey to the NHL has been very unorthodox, but nonetheless he is here. It's time for these 2 guys to bury the hatchet. If they don't, this could be both of their death throws in the Oilers organization.

Rob Schremp has not sulked or pouted when sent down to the AHL. Quite the contrary, he's worked harder, played better, and he has learned to play respectable defense while also keeping his offensive flair. Rob Schremp was drafted as a skilled forward, and he is exactly that. The cocky young kid is now a hard working young man.

The coach and the entire organization should see that. It's time to reward him, there is little doubt that he will in turn reward the coach, the team, and the fans. Move forward together for the betterment of the team, not individual agenda's.

To pull MacT's job out of the fire, the team will need to establish consistent offensive production from its forwards. A 3 scoring line approach is probably the teams best bet to achieve just that. Turning the reigns over to an 18, 20, and 22 year old last year seemed to do a whole lot of good, maybe MacT can catch lightning in a bottle twice with Schremp and maybe Brule?