Brian Burke Pulls Trigger on 7 Player Trade

With the news already breaking today about Brian Burke's extreme makeover,Toronto Maple Leafs edition, let's take a closer look at who's in and who's out.  First, the big news for the Toronto Maple Leafs in terms of marque names are the additions of Dion Phaneuf from the Calgary Flames and Jean-Sebastien from the Anaheim Might Ducks.

With recent news that Jonas Hiller signed a four-year, $18 million contract with Anaheim, it was already speculated that Jean-Sebastien Giguere would be on the trading block.  For the Toronto Maple Leafs who've lacked success with Vesa Toskala and Jonas Gustavsson, they were a perfect trading partner.

A look at both trades in terms of salaries and players in/out for the Toronto Maple Leafs after the jump...

Oilers lose to Flames 6-1

The Calgary Flames defeated the Edmonton Oilers by a score of six to one at the Pengrowth Saddledome tonight.  With this win, the Flames snap a nine-game losing streak while sweeping the season series against the Oilers with six-consecutive wins.  For the Oilers they've now have a baker's dozen (13) consecutive losses which approaches their franchise record set in 1993-4 in which they lost 14 games (13 losses, 1 tie).

It was a four point night for Jarome Iginla with 2 goals and 2 assists while Dustin Boyd also had two goals, but only a single helper.  Jarome Iginla also had a Gordie Howe hat trick which included his third period figtht against Sheldon Souray.  Dan Tencer's just reported via twitter that Sheldon Souray fractured his wrist presumably in the fight with Ignila.

If losing every game in this season series against the Flames wasn't embarrassing enough or losing by a score of 6-1, then the icing on the cake is that the Oilers have now won just a single game in their past 20.  What's worse is that Sheldon Souray's name was circulated in NHL trade rumors.  With this injury, the slight chance that he might get traded prior to the March 3rd NHL trade deadline is over.  By the way, Google image search is great for finding pictures.  However, try using it to find one of an Oilers fan...  It's pretty funny since you probably won't find one.

Game 53:  Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames - Pengrowth Saddledome - January 30, 2010 - CBC 8pm

Tonight, the Calgary Flames (26-20-8) host the Edmonton Oilers (16-30-6) at the Pengrowth Saddledome.  Oddly enough, the Battle of Alberta was starting to lose its relevancy with the Oilers unable to make the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.  However, with the Calgary Flames struggling with a record of 1-9-2 over their past 12 games, it looks like misery has company.  The Oilers themselves are 0-10-2 as they head for a possible baker's dozen in terms of losses in Calgary.  The Oilers will be besieged by Flames fans in Calgary as they were the last time these two teams played on New Year's eve (Game 41 Oilers vs. Flames).

The Oilers lost the recent match by a score of 2-1, then went on to celebrate New Year's at the Osteria de Medici restaurant racking up an $18 thousand dollar bill in the process.  Prior to that, the Oilers lost game 39 against the Flames by a score of 4-1.  In short, they managed just one Bettman point in the other three games earlier this season against the Flames.  That's a 0-4-1 record against the Flames who've subjugated them this entire season thus far.

With word of the Fall 4 Hall hitting the mainstream media already, Oilers fans who were once ambivalent about their team winning or losing, have now jumped on board the top 2 draft pick bandwagon.  True?  For many...  But hell, this is the Calgary Flames and the Oilers can still win this one and draft Taylor Hall.  Better yet, the Oilers can take 2 points away from the Flames who're currently one point out of a playoff spot in 9th.  Follow the jump for some Oilers/Flames life away from hockey photos...

St. Louis Blues edge the Oilers with goal from Alex Steen

The Edmonton Oilers were dealt their 12th consecutive loss by the St. Louis Blues at Rexall Place.  As such, the Oilers remain five points behind the Carolina Hurricanes in last place in the NHL.  The Oilers are yet to win a game in the month of January or in the year 2010.  At this point, regular fans have probably turned off the Oilers in favor of other pursuits.

It may not feel like it, but tonight was a record-setting night for the Edmonton Oilers.  With this loss, they now edge closer to the franchise's longest losing streak of 13 losses dating back to 1993-94.  If the Oilers lose  to Calgary on Saturday, they will break the record with a baker's dozen (13)  in terms of consecutive losses.  Watching the Oilers break their record of futility this season is somewhat depressing for many fans.  What's more dismaying is that so far, there's been no response whatsoever.

Waiting for Oilers management to get fired, vets to get traded, the onset of a rebuild, or pretty much anything to happen within this organization is one hell of a waiting game for many Oilers fans with myself included.  Well, at least a top-3 draft pick is looking nearly certain, so they're doing something right.

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Game 52:  St. Louis Blues vs. Edmonton Oilers - January 28, 2010 - Rexall Place - 7:30 PM MT, SNET

Tonight, the Edmonton Oilers (16-29-6) will host the St. Louis Blues (23-22-8) at Rexall Place.  The Oilers are in the midst of an 11-game losing streak without a single win for the month of January.  They are not three points behind the Carolina Hurricanes who won last night against the New York Rangers.  In fact, the Carolina Hurricanes are 6-4-0 over their past ten games while the Oilers are 0-8-2.

For the Oilers, this will be the third out of four times that they play the St. Louis Blues this season.  In the first match-up this season, the Oilers bounced back from a three-goal deficit in the third period with five unanswered goals to win by a final score of 5-3 (game 32:  Oilers vs Blues).  However, in the second match-up, the St. Louis Blues lit up Devan Dubnyk with seven goals to win by a score of 7-2 (game 36:  Oilers vs Blues).  It's anticipated that both Patrick O'Sullivan and Zack Stortini will be healthy scratches for the Oilers tonight.