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

Welcome to Oil Acumen. What follows is NHL and Edmonton Oilers information that goes beyond the newspaper.

Oil Acumen doesn't break the story; it breaks the story down.

Thursday, 9 May 2013

05/09/13 Hired Help: David Clarkson


Perhaps the most talked about free agent forward in the upcoming NHL off season is David Clarkson. The 6'1", 200 pound right winger is coming off a 15 goal season in 48 games, and has scored 45 in his last 128 outings. The Oilers will make a pitch for him, but how hard should they go?

Thursday, 2 May 2013

05/02/13 The Summer of Sam


Back on draft day in 2007, the Oilers picked a 5'11", 191 pound center named Sam Gagner. He's seen dizzying highs and disappointing lows, and all of that has led him to this summer of 2013. The biggest decision of Gagner's career - and the biggest decision for the organization regarding him - is coming.

Wednesday, 17 April 2013

04/17/13 Rushing Klefbom

Just before midnight on Tuesday night, The Journal's Jim Matheson tweeted that the "Oilers see Klefbom being partner for Justin Schultz. Hoping Klefbom can be as good off hop as buddy Jonas Brodin." Yikes.

Thursday, 11 April 2013

04/11/13 Asset Management Version 2013


One of the people pictured above is an NHL defenseman, the other could be runner-up in a pie eating contest. Mindbender moment: they're the same person! Yes, it's clear Theo Peckham came into camp out of shape this season, but that doesn't mean he deserves an entire year on the bench.

Friday, 5 April 2013

04/05/13 Shea Weber: What Would It Take?


The limitation that prevents the Nashville Predators from trading Shea Weber ends on July 19th. It seems completely crazy to trade one of the league's top defenseman, but stranger things have happened under lower pressure circumstances.

Monday, 25 March 2013

03/25/13 The Mess On Defense


The trade deadline is looming and it appears that Ryan Whitney could be headed out the door. In his place the Oilers are attempting to add collegiate UFA Danny DeKeyser. Unless something else happens between now and next season, the defense will still be a mess.

Thursday, 21 March 2013

03/21/13 Trade Targets: Marcus Foligno


So there's a fire sale going on in Buffalo and some savvy teams might just be able to snag some talent off their underachieving roster. Oilers fans have long had their sights set on defenseman Tyler Myers, but there's another name in Buffalo that could be of interest: Marcus Foligno.