Time to "promote" Penner

Penner the Winkler, Manitoba native is currently the only Oiler that has a Stanely Cup ring. I'm not saying his experience is better than the vets on the Oilers but as it stands right now, Hemsky's and Horcoffs's best production in the last 2 years came when the one tough customer Penner was on that line.

When the trade deadline came around the Oilers tried the Kotalik experiment which failed immediately and as of right now, the Oilers are trying Patrick O' Sullivan on the 1st line. Personally, I see the potential for the line, but in my opinion teams shouldn't play with the dynamics of a team this late into the season. A problem I see on the first line is their inability to be effective down low. None of the players on the line right now have the ability to protect the puck for prolonged periods on the boards like Penner can. Also none of them have the ability to play in the crease as effectively as Penner. Last night against Phoenix several plays resulted in a loose puck in front of the net, but the 1st line wasn't able to get to it because they were being boxed out. Penner being 250lbs has a much better chance to retreive those pucks.

Tonight the Oilers are up against Penner's old team the Ducks. Should be a physical one. Hopefully the Oilers can grab the 2 points.