Question for Oilers fans - What happens to Omark when Hemsky returns?

[Brett]

I think it's fairly likely that O'Marra get sent back down to OKC once Horcoff returns. Maybe not though - who knows.

My question is about Hemsky. His injury seems to be much less severe and could return in a few weeks or so. Gotta remember though - groin injuries are notorious for taking forever to heal. Just look at Marion Gaborik a few years ago (or basically his whole career with Minnesota).

What happens to Omark then? I don't see the Oilers having a problem sending him back down if he doesn't perform well in the coming weeks. But what if he lights it up? What are the other realistic options? Trade someone? Who else could they send down to OKC?

Thoughts guys?

[HF4L]

Omark gets reassigned to the Barons.

[The Reasoner]

I would also assume he gets sent back down. But of course it will depend on how he plays. But if there are no other injuries to any top 9 forwards it's hard to see him staying. The oilers would have to totally shake up their lines to open up a spot for him. They could move O'Marra down and go with something like:

Hall-Gagner-Eberle
Pajaarvi-Brule-Hemsky
Penner-Cogliano-Omark

This is of course just random placing of names, but to keep Omark it would involve pulling a centre off one of the wings from the Penner-Brule-Cogliano line which has been a pretty consistantly decent line. All three of those guys have played centre before but I wouldn't want to split up the line. I think Omark would have to do a lot to stay. And it doesn't help that he seemed pretty immature (not really in a bad way, just maybe language/culture ackwardness or something) after his first game. Although it's hard to judge how to react to the press after you score a ridiculous goal like that.

So I guess it's too early to know for sure, but my guess is that he gets sent back unless there is another injury.

[Brett]

So I guess it's too early to know for sure, but my guess is that he gets sent back unless there is another injury.

Agree - I think this is most likely.

What are your thoughts on this? From a twitter friend

@OKC_Hockey but don't be surprised if o'marra sticks in that 4th line center spot when horcoff comes back #oilers

@OKC_Hockey it would have to be Fraser, I think o'marra is better. Whether its this year or not, that's o'marras spot long term

[Racki]

From a die-hard Oilers fan, my opinion pretty much echoes what others are saying...

When Hemsky is back, Omark will be sent back down to the Barons.

As for O'Marra.. I haven't had enough time to judge him. He's barely played for us. He hasn't done anything to really stand out, but that isn't always a bad thing. Fraser has been a disappointment for us though, in my opinion. So maybe O'Marra stays, but I kind of think he'll get sent down just because the Oilers don't tend to give up on NHL players very easily. They'll tough it out with Fraser in hopes of him getting it together. I'll tell you though, we have a few players that are passengers on most nights though. There's some good hockey being played in Oklahoma City, and it's hard not for us fans in Edmonton to say throughout the season "Jesus, I wish they'd just demote xxx player and bring up Reddox/Omark/O'Marra/Belle/Petry/Plante/etc..".

Our GM and coach for the Oilers are treating the AHL organization A LOT more seriously than previous Oilers brass have in the past. We want that team to have a winning culture too, and unfortunately if we're picking apart the farm team (i.e. the Barons), then we're also diminishing the chance of their being a winning culture down there. So I think they'd like to do everything they can to work with the players they have at the NHL level and leave the AHL players developing and helping down there for at least a year.. whenever possible.

[The Reasoner]

What are your thoughts on this? From a twitter friend

@OKC_Hockey but don't be surprised if o'marra sticks in that 4th line center spot when horcoff comes back #oilers

@OKC_Hockey it would have to be Fraser, I think o'marra is better. Whether its this year or not, that's o'marras spot long term

I would agree it wouldn't take too much to outplay Fraser at this point. And certainly the 4C spot is totally up for grabs. would agree that O'Marra probably has a better chance to stick around longer than Omark.

[Brett]

So Omark scores his first goal....

Kind of a lucky goal. His assist was pretty awesome though.

I didn't get to see any of the game. How did O'Marra look? Of course with a 6-2 win everyone probably looked good.

[Racki]

O'Marra is the type that you just don't notice half the time. But most players were really overshadowed by the awesomeness of Omark, Hall, Eberle and Gagner last night however. O'Marra is definitely the meat-and-potatoes, lunch pail player on that line though. Paajarvi and Omark had great chemistry together, and O'Marra is obviously there to balance things out and provide strength/battle.

While Omark's goal was "lucky" I thought it was pretty nice, myself. He busted his ass to get that rebound, so good on him for that. And nice move to kick it to his stick quickly and put it in. That was definitely intentional.

[Brett]

O'Marra is the type that you just don't notice half the time. But most players were really overshadowed by the awesomeness of Omark, Hall, Eberle and Gagner last night however. O'Marra is definitely the meat-and-potatoes, lunch pail player on that line though. Paajarvi and Omark had great chemistry together, and O'Marra is obviously there to balance things out and provide strength/battle.

While Omark's goal was "lucky" I thought it was pretty nice, myself. He busted his ass to get that rebound, so good on him for that. And nice move to kick it to his stick quickly and put it in. That was definitely intentional.

Good to hear on O'Marra. That's how he was here too. Didn't get noticed much but then you look at the stats and he's the +/- team leader.

Oh yes, don't get me wrong - that kick to his stick was sweet. And a nice wrist shot also. Meant lucky that he got the rebound in the first place - Seems like he just tried to dump it in.

Guys got skill. No doubt about it.

[Racki]

Oh yes, that makes sense. I thought the same too, it was a miracle he got to the puck that quickly. Really, Mason played a pretty suspect game. Horrible rebound on that one, and also one of Eberle's goals (a sloppy backhand) was just brutal. But that isn't taking anything from Omark when I say that.. he earned that goal. I honestly can't remember what his second assist was like though.