The end of the line for the 2006-07 Oilers
So who do I cheer for now that the regular season is over?
My second favourite team, Montreal, is out too.
I did live in Calgary for a year…. but, no, still can’t do that.
Ottawa? Hmmmm….
Vancouver?! Uhhhhh…. no.
I think it’s down to the Penguins or the Islanders….
As Roy MacGregor points out today, you might even be able to argue that the Penguins are as close to being “Canada’s team” as anyone else out there.
But no “American” team is quite so star-struck “Canadian,” however, as the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The main roster has 15 Canadian-born players and four legitimate stars: the league’s 19-year-old scoring king, Sidney Crosby, Mark Recchi, Gary Roberts and another teenage sensation, Jordan Staal. They also have several young comers, including goaltender Marc-André Fleury of Sorel, Que.
They’re also coached by a Canadian (Michel Therrien) and owned by a Canadian (Mario Lemieux).
They’ve been insolvent, saved from bankruptcy, been on the verge of moving and, currently, with a new rink on the horizon, have fingers and sticks crossed that it all somehow works out.
I mean, what could be more Canadian?
Then again, it’s hard not to cheer for any team that has Ryan Smyth. It would be hard not to argue that Edmonton that trading Smyth was the fatal blow to the Oilers this season. One also can’t ignore the incredible injury problems that gutted the team, especially over the last half of the season.
Caught this tribute to Smyth on YouTube today. This really says it all….