a·cu·men [ak-yuh-muhn] noun: keen insight; shrewdness

Welcome to Oil Acumen. All Oilers, all the time... Occasionally other stuff.

Thursday 31 January 2013

01/31/13 Are The Oilers Better?


We're seven games into the 2013 NHL season, and the Edmonton Oilers are coming off of a gutsy comeback and shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks. They're now 4-2-1, but are they better?

Tuesday 29 January 2013

01/29/12 Justin Schultz A Number One Defender?


Back in July I wrote that "unless a trade materializes out of left field, it appears that the Oilers will have to develop a number one defenseman in-house." Justin Schultz looks like he could be their man.

Friday 25 January 2013

01/24/13 Why We Watch + Rulebook Breakdown


Remember Thursday, January 24th. Sometimes there are games that remind sports fans why they bother watching, and this was one. I'll be damned if that didn't feel as close to winning a playoff game as the Oilers have had in a long time.

Wednesday 23 January 2013

01/23/13 Odds and Ends: Subban, Paajarvi, Arena Deal


The TSN Quiz was an interesting one on Wednesday night. When asked their opinions about PK Subban's fate, two of the three panelists leaned toward a trade, including Bob McKenzie.

Tuesday 22 January 2013

01/22/13 Time To Panic?


Allowing six goals in the first period is a good reminder how the Oilers amassed all this talent they've got. Now, if only they could stop doing that. Here's what the underlying numbers say:

Sunday 20 January 2013

01/21/13 Postgame Analysis from Opening Night


It has been 286 days since Oilers fans have seen their team win. April 1st of 2012 to January 20th of 2013. Thanks, lockout. Here are some quick thoughts from the game.

Tuesday 15 January 2013

01/15/13 Odds and Ends: Redden, Horcoff, Powerplay, Road Trip


Lots in the news today, highlighted by the new compliance buyout rules. Now that teams can buy out players this off season without it counting against the cap, some are wondering if the Oilers would be interested in the soon-to-be-bought-out services of Wade Redden.

01/14/12 How Fistric Helps


It was opposite day in Edmonton on Monday as the Oilers traded a draft pick for some immediate blueline help. Sometimes it's good to be wrong. Here's how Fistric helps upgrade the defense.

Sunday 13 January 2013

01/13/12 McKenzie: Oilers Have "Great Motivation to Upgrade the Blueline"


This tweet went out on Sunday morning, and Bob McKenzie is one of those guys whose word can be taken seriously. Now that the trade market is back open, could the Oilers get something done?

Saturday 12 January 2013

01/12/12 It Takes More Than A Good Powerplay


The powerplay is likely to be the bread and butter of the Edmonton Oilers for the foreseeable future; at least until the youngsters find their way at even strength. So does that  typically translate into a playoff spot?

Thursday 10 January 2013

01/10/13 Playoffs Or Bust: The Magic Number


So Adrian Dater at Sports Illustrated has the Oilers ranked as the 3rd best team in the NHL. But how many points will it take to make the playoffs in this shortened season? How many wins?

Monday 7 January 2013

01/07/13 Mulligan: Shawn Horcoff


The NHL is back and so am I. Finally, there is enough actual news to go around. Starting off the year on a bitter/sweet note, however, with the news that compliance buyouts will be available to NHL teams. The captain should be a candidate.