Principe on Nugent-Hopkins: Shoulder woes

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has all of 40 NHL games under his belt and it's worrisome when he has already injured his left shoulder twice this year.

Principe on Eberle: All-star snubbed

With Jamie Benn possibly out and Mikko Koivu injured, the NHL should give Jordan Eberle a spot in the all-star game.

Principe on Oilers: Not a good look

With the loss to the Sabres Tuesday, the Oilers are pitted 10 points from eighth place and 10 points from last place.

Principe: Sutton ready for return

Edmonton Oilers defenceman Andy Sutton is set to return to the lineup after serving an eight-game suspension.

Principe on Hemsky: Offering More or Ales

With an infusion of young talent in Edmonton, Alex Hemsky's play this season isn't exactly what he and his coaching staff were expecting.

Principe on NHL: Sutton's hits draw attention

Andy Sutton: Is he too reckless, dangerous and getting involved in unnecessary hits?

Shoulder check

Taylor Hall is the latest in a long list of Oilers to have his season stalled by a shoulder injury.

Principe on NHL: Wild times for Oilers

Minnesota has won five straight and is the No. 1 team in the NHL, so why does our columnist guarantee an Edmonton victory?

Principe on Oilers: Birthday wish for Taylor

Birthday boy Taylor Hall has gone eight games without a goal. He needs to unwrap one soon.

Rivalry renewed

Super sophomores Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin will add another chapter to their budding rivalry when the Oilers and Bruins clash Thursday.

Principe on Oilers: Oil can play defence

The numbers the Oilers have put together from the blue line through the first month of the season have been astounding.

RNH on the bench?

With Sam Gagner back, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins may be heading back to Red Deer.

Principe on Oilers: No 'D' in Omark

At some point, Linus Omark was going to be out of the Oilers' lineup because of his defence. But after only one game?

Principe on NHL: Oilers lay building blocks

The Edmonton Oilers have always felt like they have a close room, but getting a little closer can't hurt.

RNH = NHL

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has shown more than enough in the pre-season to ensure he is an Oiler this year.

Lander showing maturity

Anton Lander missed last year's Oilers camp, but the more mature edition at the 2011 camp has a chance to make the club.

Principe on Oilers: A weight is lifted

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins answered a key question on Tuesday but larger ones lie ahead.

Cogs wheeled out

Cogliano was becoming more and more of a spare part with the Oilers. I don't think it was his fault but it was becoming his problem.

Canada Day in Italy

However they would say 'Questo ragazzo a fatto molto bene' (this man did really well) if they were assessing the way Canada Day went for the Oilers.

Principe on NHL: The anti-Lindros

My wife says I'm addicted to work and my Blackberry and up until now I've been in denial, but it may be time for an official intervention.

Principe on draft: Perfect match for Oilers

Even across the pond in Italy, it was obvious the Oilers needed to draft Ryan Nugent-Hopkins at No. 1.

Principe on Canucks: Canada's what?

Ryan Kesler may have spoke too soon when he said he had the support of a nation.

Raffi the wrecking ball

Raffi Torres continues to play on the edge, and the Canucks are now reaping the rewards of his aggressiveness.

Principe on NHL: Best Katz scenario

It won't be cheap, but a new downtown arena for the Oilers is in the best interests of all Edmontonians.

Principe on Oilers: Role reversal

It was only one night, but what a night it was for Edmonton.

D-Train is coming

Dustin Penner will make his return to Oil Country as a King on Tuesday night.

Oilers' Hemsky goes under the knife

Edmonton Oilers winger Ales Hemsky had successful shoulder surgery on Tuesday.

Principe on Oilers: Hall of a fall

It's one of those stats that sometimes means something and other times means nothing.

Special teams project

If the Oilers plan on competing next season, they need to overhaul their dreadful special teams units.

Going going Gagner

Sam Gagner's season is over. The Edmonton Oilers forward will mist the rest of the season after undergoing hand surgery Thursday

Principe on Oilers: Playing for pride

After losing some key players to trade and injuries, the Oilers could have easily packed it in -- but they haven't.

Dealing with the deadline

It's anyone's guess at this point whether or not the Oilers will be buyers or sellers at the deadline.

Principe blog: World's longest season?

In a nice gesture on Feb. 14, a handful of Edmonton Oilers and their head coach Tom Renney spent part of the afternoon watching hockey.

Two minutes of MacIntyre

Steve MacIntyre knows his job in Edmonton is to protect the young guys; something he can't do from the bench.

Principe on Oilers: The bigger picture

Despite being in last place, the Oilers have something to play for.

The goal is more goals

The Edmonton Oilers continue to leave dozens of points on the table simply by losing too many one-goal games.

Principe on NHL: Power outage in Edmonton

Imagine doing something 38 times in a row and failing at it every single time.

Principe on Oilers: Mid-season report

Don't worry Oilers fans: despite a challenging first 40 games, things are looking up.

Principe on Oilers: To lose or not to lose

Oilers coach Tom Renney may be wondering if his team's rash of injuries is actually a good thing.

Principe on Oilers: Double H factor

Where would the Oilers be if Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky were in the line-up?

Principe on Oilers: Post-season expectations?

Tom Renney drops the 'P' word when talking about his expectations for his young Oilers team this season.

Something to cheer about

It's time to see what the Oilers cheerleaders will bring to the table.

What's Hall the fuss?

It could take a court ordered document to end Principe’s obsession with Taylor Hall, but hopefully it doesn’t come to that.

The big three

The 1970's ballad by Meatloaf 'Two Out of Three Ain't Bad' applies to the success being found by the Edmonton Oilers top three rookies.

Principe on Oilers: Stranger than fiction

It was truly a wild and wacky night on Sunday night in Anaheim.

Not worth it

At some point the NHL will need to decide if keeping Sean Avery employed is worth it.

Boys on the bench

It wasn't close and it wasn't pretty tonight, between Edmonton and Carolina. The Hurricanes scored 4 in the first and finished with a 7-1 victory against the Oilers.

Khabby to have him

The Oilers were stuck keeping Nikolai Khabibulin but since they have him they may as well use him.

No longer a crowd

Oilers backup goalie Jeff Deslauriers did nothing wrong yet found himself out of a job.

Special bond

Taylor Hall and his former CHL coach now face each other in the NHL.

Painful penalty kill

Three goals against Edmonton's penalty killing unit against San Jose on Saturday, is the single biggest issue that is hurting Edmonton this season.

Question Period

For all the excitement entering the Edmonton Oilers’ season, there were just as many questions.

Weight a minute

A plane carrying too much cargo is a little like the way the Oilers felt against the Panthers on Sunday night.

Principe on Oilers: Smiling Steve

Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini has three good reasons to smile these days.

Centre of attention

The Oilers make some changes to give their young guns a different look.

Pass the Cup to …

Who should a team captain hand the Stanley Cup to after hoisting the trophy?

Pronger stealing the show

Chris Pronger has been a dominating force on-and-off the ice during this year's Cup.

Oilers leaning against trading No. 1 pick

Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini was in Philadelphia Wednesday for the general managers’ meetings but he didn't stick around for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final.

Taylor or Tyler?

It's an enviable position for Oilers GM Steve Tambellini to be in but not an easy one.

A new breed of Sharks

Much like Jennifer Aniston's lovelife, the Sharks recent playoff history is full of disappointment.

Staying alive in Game 5

If there is one thing Detroit proved by winning one game is that the Red Wings were too good a team to be swept.

Principe: Do or die

The Red Wings are in unfamiliar territory. Their backs are against the wall against the Sharks.

From zero to hero

Joe Thornton is taking the playoff monkey off his back as his Sharks are taking care of business.

Where's that Pavelski from?

It is not only Mike Babcock's wife who wants to know the origin of the Sharks top scorer.

Oil changes

Any doubts surrounding who's actually running the Edmonton Oilers have been answered this week.

Principe: The trade that wasn't

It has been a dismal season in Edmonton but if the Oilers traded for Heatley it may have been worse.

Principe on Oilers: Penner has eye on return

After being hit by a puck, Dustin Penner expects to play Friday, but with a niece piece of gear.

Last, but not least, for Oilers

Oilers fans can officially begin dreaming of the No. 1 pick

Oilers eye sweep of Wings on Sportsnet

There are some things in life that just cannot be explained and one of those mysteries is the fact that the last-place Edmonton Oilers have beaten the Detroit Red Wings in their first three meetings this season.

Hemsky back on ice

If you were at Edmonton Oilers practice Monday morning, you may have wrenched your neck for a second look on the ice to see if that indeed was Ales Hemsky skating with the Oilers.

Principe on Oilers: Re-Khab continues

As Edmonton gets set to take on Ottawa Tuesday night, Nikolai Khabibulin will miss his 44th game of the season.

Times have changed

When did hockey go from being physical and aggressive, to being downright violent for no good reason?

One down, more to go

It's going to be an interesting couple of days to see what Oilers GM Steve Tambellini is in fact able to do.

Downward Dustin

Since his quick start to the season, Dustin Penner's scoring has gone the way of the Oilers' winning - south.

Souray to submit list of teams for trade talk

Sheldon Souray's days in Edmonton could be numbered with the veteran defenceman giving the Oilers a list of teams he would consider being traded to.

Quinn says Stone needs some rest

Ryan Stone's heart was willing but his knee was not.

Horcoff boost may help

The Oilers hope the return of Shawn Horcoff will help the team finds its first win of the new decade.

Camping out

The Oilers traded away a golf weekend for a mini-camp workout.

Happy belated: Pisani practises with Oilers

Back on the ice with the Edmonton Oilers for the first time in a month at Tuesday morning's skate was Fernando Pisani, who turned 33 on Sunday.

Principe: Pat vs. Pat

It looks like a family feud is brewing in Edmonton after Patrick O'Sullivan was benched in Los Angeles.

Hemsky shoulder surgery a success

Ales Hemsky has undergone successful surgery on his left shoulder. Hemsky had been waiting for the swelling to go down before the surgery could take place. He was injured November 25 against the Los Angeles Kings.

Principe: Turn up the 'Heat'ley

There's no doubt Dan will be the Man with a bullseye on jersey Friday when San Jose visits Edmonton.

Hemsky undergoes MRI, won't play Friday

Edmonton forward Ales Hemsky underwent an MRI Thursday on his shoulder following the injury he sustained in Wednesday's 3-1 loss against the L.A. Kings. Hemsky, who was hit from behind by Michal Handzus in the second period, will not play Friday night vs. San Jose.

Principe: Young Tambellini impresses dad

Steve Tambellini was watching the N.Y. Islanders take on the Buffalo Sabres Saturday night. The Edmonton Oilers general manager might have been there to pre-scout the Islanders, but it's more likely he was there to watch No. 15, his son Jeff.

Pipe dream

Oilers goalie Jeff Deslauriers knows what it's like to have some time on his hands.

Battle time

Their are some new faces in place as we get ready for the first installment of this year's Battle of Alberta.

Captain the cause

When the Edmonton Oilers take to the ice to open their season on Saturday night they will have Ethan Moreau in the lineup.

Fourth and Gagner

Oilers coach Pat Quinn is giving Sam Gagner a first-hand explanation of the expression 'what have you done for me lately?'

Pisani suffers another setback

It does not look like Edmonton's Fernando Pisani has any chance of being ready for the Oilers' season opener on Oct. 3 against the Calgary Flames because of a back problem.

Unhappy campers

Pat Quinn and Sheldon Souray had something in common on Wednesday and it wasn't just that they are employed by the Edmonton Oilers. Neither was in much of a good mood.

Tough-talking Tambellini

Steve Tambellini has been relatively quiet throughout Edmonton Oilers camp. No longer.

Quinn faces difficult task with Oilers roster

The first cuts might be the deepest, but now is when the trimming gets tough as Edmonton Oilers coach Pat Quinn and his staff pare down the roster in preparation for the start of the season.

Net worth

The Oilers are getting comfortable with Cup-winner Nikolai Khabibulin in goal.

Quinn era begins

The first day of Edmonton Oilers camp had one significant change to it. Craig MacTavish was nowhere to be found.

Comrie Comeback

You can thank a bunch of people for turning around one of the messiest break-ups in Edmonton sports history.

All Cogged up

Andrew Cogliano appears to be ready to turn a negative into a positive for the Oilers.

Oilers give up on Heatley

The Edmonton Oilers want it known that they no longer have any interest in acquiring Dany Heatley. GM Steve Tambellini said Friday afternoon that he's going to stop pursuing a trade with the Ottawa Senators for the former 50-goal scorer.

Numbers game

The Oilers draft history is full of hits and misses but with the No. 10 pick in Friday's draft, they are entering unchartered waters.

Let the games begin

As the Stanley Cup final opens, the Wings are still trying to get healthier.

Grass is greener

Marion Hossa has been here before but this time he is on the other side of the fence.

Trading places

It has not been a good off season to be an NHL coach in Alberta.

Having a ball

After spending a week on a different beat, Gene Principe has a renewed appreciation for America's national pastime.

Shark bait

Remember when you were 18 and you'd see this girl across the bar and as you went to the washroom to get a closer look, you realized she was good from far but far from good?

Frustrated coach

All those late-season television bench shots of Craig MacTavish showed a man who was beat up as badly as some of his players.

What, me worry?

It may be April Fool's but Craig MacTavish wasn't joking Wednesday when he discussed his job as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers.

Clock ticking

Edmonton has nearly reached the top of the desperation ladder.

Sakic closer to returning to Avs

Colorado centre Joe Sakic skated on his own before the team practised Thursday and appears closer to returning to the Avalanche lineup.

Penner back in MacT doghouse

Edmonton Oilers forward Dustin Penner and head coach Craig MacTavish are at it again. Only this time, neither side is saying much to one another.

Oilers' Smid should face Habs

Edmonton Oilers defenceman Ladislav Smid was feeling much better Sunday morning than he did after a nasty collision with Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nikolai Kulemin on Saturday night.

Moreau's eye expected to be OK

Antti Miettinen didn't mean it but nonetheless his careless use of the stick in the final seconds of Minnesota's game against Edmonton has cost Ethan Moreau a lot.

Peckham pops Pepe

Old or young, Theo Peckham is ready to take on all comers for the Oilers.

Dustin dilemma

Oilers coach Craig MacTavish is getting tired of dealing with mounting questions about Dustin Penner.

Gagner questionable Tuesday

Sam Gagner, out with an ankle injury, did not practice Monday with the rest of the Oilers and he is questionable for Tuesday's game in Buffalo.

Oilers activate Nilsson from IR

Oilers left wing Robert Nilsson was activated from the NHL's injured reserve list Tuesday and is likely to make his return to the lineup as Edmonton hosts the Columbus Blue Jackets Tuesday night.

Getting Rob-bed?

Craig MacTavish is tired of explaining why Robbie Schremp is skipped over for call up ... and it shows.

The wrong option?

Can a player like Robert Nilsson really afford to skip an optional skate for the Oilers?

Gimme A Break!

Christmas came early for Ethan Moreau and the Oilers on Tuesday.

Jumbo Schremp

Robbie Schremp gets another chance to prove he can star with the Oilers in the NHL.

Top scorer Schremp recalled

General Manager Steve Tambellini announced the Edmonton Oilers have recalled centre Rob Schremp from the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League.

Players back MacT

It was the first day of training camp and Edmonton Oilers head coach Craig MacTavish said he expected his team to challenge for the Northwest Division crown.

MacT, Penner still a hot topic

With a 2 am arrival after their 7-2 win over Columbus on Tuesday, the Oilers didn't skate on Wednesday. Instead they had a team meeting and then met with the media where the hot topic continued to be Dustin Penner and the comments made about him by head coach Craig MacTavish.

Three-goalie system

Thanks to the impressive play of Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers, the Oilers now have a three-man battle in the crease.

Holy Hemsky

If you didn't see Ales Hemsky's two goals on Sunday when Edmonton beat Philadelphia 5-4 then you should.

MacTeed off

Want to know why the Oilers can't win? Just ask the coach.

Gagner back on ice

One injured Oiler was on the ice Monday morning and another wasn't.

Big Mac attack

It is necessary to make up words when trying to describe the meteoric rise of Oilers' tough guy Steve MacIntyre.

Rekindle the Burke-Lowe battle

Here's hoping the feud between Brian Burke and Kevin Lowe heats up again when the Oilers and Ducks meet up Wednesday night.

At home in Halifax

Mean Gene's happy in Halifax and believes he will be fitting in perfectly by the end of May.

What if?

With their season over, (or at least their playoff hopes dashed), the Edmonton Oilers may be asking themselves a lot of 'what if' questions over the weeks to come.

Glamour-less

Plenty to play for

Math suggests that the Edmonton Oilers won't make the playoffs. Their hearts and heads may tell a different story. A story about bringing a team together and making a push, if not for the post season, then for the future.

Deadline decisions

"Don't expect us to do much." That's what Edmonton Oilers head coach Craig MacTavish said on Monday.

Close quarters

There are times when it feels like the province of Alberta isn't big enough maybe even the country isn't large enough for the both of them. Them being the province's two NHL's teams, the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers.