Oilers announce new GM!

EDMONTON JOURNAL (June 5th 2010)

"Edmonton Oilers announce Morgan Kowalski as their new General Manager!"

After the recent years of decline the doomsday prophets of Edmonton have had no shortage of fuel for their fire, yet no news could likely equal the inflammatory nature of the announcement of relatively unknown Morgan Kowalski as new General Manager. Forty-two year old Kowalski's playing career includes brief periods with less-than-illustrious teams in minor leagues throughout North America and Europe. His coaching experience extends to holding coaching roles with various European sides, chiefly in Russia and the Czech Republic. "We are looking for a completely new approach. We acknowledge that our organisation has gone stale over the past few years and that things weren't working out at all" commented owner Daryl Katz of the hiring of Kowalski.

Kowalski's former colleagues from a brief stay with the management group of the Providence Bruins testament to his qualities as a staff member, highlighting him as a direct, hard working and demanding coach. Most outsiders regard the move as a blatant disregard for the reputation and ambition of such an illustrious team as the Edmonton Oilers. Daryl Katz left the press conference quoting Julius Caesar with the words "Alea Iacta Est". Whether the gamble will work out for Katz remains to be seen.

Morgan Kowalski was rather laconic throughout the press conference, claiming to be ready to help the team rebuild and re-emerge as a top NHL team - though he emphasised the need for patience during such a process.

NHL NEWS (June 10th 2010)

A marvellous Stanley Cup Final ended with a game 7 win for the Florida Panthers, having edged out the St. Louis Blues with a 2-0 shutout in the last matchup. The two cinderella teams mirrored each other through to their respective Conference Finals, ultimately facing each other. Favourites like the Capitals, Penguins, Red Wings and Flames could not stop two of the biggest outsiders from reaching the final in what proved to be one of the most unlikely matchups of all time.

Next up is the NHL Entry Draft, with (W) Taylor Hall, (C) Joey Hishon and (D) Cam Fowler ranked as the top three skaters. Other notables in the top 10 rankings are (C) Tyler Seguin, (W) Maxim Kitsyn and (W) Kirill Kabanov.