Ales Hemsky Out Indefinitely With Concussion
For a team already at the bottom of the NHL standings, the Edmonton Oilers have sure had a lot of insult added to their injury. Or should that be injury to their insult? Regardless, the 14-24-7 Oilers have been dealt yet another blow, this time to forward Ales Hemsky who has already once this season missed considerable time with an injury. Though he’s played just 32 of his teams 13 games so far, Hemsky will be out of action for the foreseeable future as well as he nurses the effects of a concussion sustained originally on Tuesday night. In the limited action that Hemsky has played for the club, the 27-year-old Czech has managed an impressive 29 points, earning a spot on the 2011 NHL All-Star Game for his efforts. Unfortunately it doesn’t appear as though he’ll be able to cash in on the honor. After getting the first overall pick in the 2010 NHL Draft, Edmonton fans knew that they would be in for a treat watching the development of super rookie Taylor Hall. The fact that he was soon grouped with Jordan Eberle and Magnus Paajarvi as the future of the franchise only made the 2010-11 season more intriguing. Unfortunately the year of player progression, trial by fire and ongoing instruction from team veterans Hemsky, (team captain) Shawn Horcoff and Sheldon Souray hasn’t gone as planned. If it hasn’t been one thing, it’s been another, first Souray’s demotion to the AHL following a team relationship turned sour, and then injuries to Hemsky and Horcoff. Even Eberle has missed significant time with an injured ankle. Will things get better for the Oilers? Undoubtedly. Will they get better this year? Probably not. Though the club has 400/1 odds of winning the Stanley Cup this year, the only realistic Oilers play options will be in individual NHL betting games. Get all your NHL odds at Bodog Sportsbook. Always know your odds.