Music: {allcanada} Omark no shoo-in for Oilers

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

{allcanada} Omark no shoo-in for Oilers

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EDMONTON — Does Linus Omark (notes) rhyme with check mark when Tom Renney contemplates his name on his Edmonton Oilers' lineup card or will Omark, who has plenty of game, lose the numbers game?

It's probably the No. 1 question right now, apart from whether Jeff Deslauriers (notes) or Devan Dubnyk (notes) backs up Nikolai Khabibulin (notes) in net and whether either would be in Minnesota's sights after the Wild lost Josh Harding (notes) to a wrecked knee.

"He's got to make their team. He's had four years of pro hockey already—three in what I consider the best league in Europe, the Elitserien in Sweden, and the one in Russia. That has to count," one NHL scout said as he watched Omark wheel and deal against the visiting Vancouver Canucks on Sunday. "I've seen Omark in a lot in tournaments in Europe and while he's small, he's a strong little sucker. And positionally he's sound. How can he not make it?"

How? Because Omark may be in the right place at the wrong time.

Fellow Swedish winger Magnus Paajarvi had four points in one exhibition game and could be on a line with Sam Gagner (notes) and Ales Hemsky (notes). Jordan Eberle (notes) knows how to finish, burying two goals against Vancouver, and he looks comfortable with Shawn Horcoff (notes). There's no way the Oilers are sending the first pick in the draft, Taylor Hall (notes), back to junior. Hall may play left side with Eberle and Horcoff. That's six forwards. Dustin Penner (notes) and Gilbert Brule (notes) play well together and there's Andrew Cogliano (notes) in the middle. That's nine offensive types, leaving Colin Fraser (notes) and Zack Stortini (notes) on the fourth line, for sure, with Liam Reddox (notes), Ryan Jones (notes), night watchman Steve MacIntyre (notes) and Omark scuffling for a spot.

Do they want the left-shooting right-winger Omark on a checking line? Or do the Oilers want him on a powerhouse first line in Oklahoma City, for now, with left-winger Alexandre Giroux (notes) and centre Brad Moran (notes), so he gets his feet wet in the North American game? Tough call.

Omark could play on a dozen other offensively-challenged NHL teams in a heartbeat. This isn't an 18-year-old like Hall or a 20-year-old like Eberle. Omark is 23.

He feels that he has NHL tools. He doesn't want to be in the AHL, but has no out in his two-year contract to return to Europe if he doesn't make it. He does in Year 2, but not this season.

The problem is NHL lineup cards are populated with some skill guys, some abrasive players and some checkers, also the odd slugger to make sure the creativity isn't stifled. In any other year, Omark would be a lock for the Oilers, but now? He's overshadowed by Paajarvi and Co.

"It's not always bad to go unnoticed or sneak under the radar … I can relate to that and I'm sure Omark can, too," said Penner. "You can see the raw skill to his game. The goal he scored (dangling past the Canucks as if they were orange traffic cones before tucking it past Cory Schneider (notes)) was fun to watch."

But Omark knows there are only so many forward spots. Where does he fit?

"I know it is difficult, but all I can do is my thing and hope I make the team," said Omark, who had three points and five shots against the Canucks.

"I'll work out there and let them (coaches) do what they have to do."

He's well aware that his countryman Paajarvi, who is four years younger, along with Eberle, the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League player of the year, and Hall, have had lots of ink, while everybody else has fought for notice with head coach Tom Renney and GM Steve Tambellini.

Omark feels he's paid his dues in Europe.

"I think I'm ready (for the NHL)," Omark said. "It's only been two (pre-season) games, though. I can get better, much better."