Patience

Confidence, determination, defiance - haven't seen much of that yet

I was one of those who fully expected Paajarvi and Eberle to make bigger overall impacts than Taylor Hall this year.  Paajarvi, especially, I thought would have a better all-around game.

He is defensively responsible, but seems somewhat confused and lost on the offensive end of the ice.  Shy?  Afraid of making a mistake?  Deferring to veterans?  Trouble understanding the coach (after all, English is not his first language)?  I don't know.

What I do know is that he's 19 years old and shows a lot of talent on the ice.  It's not as obvious or flashy as Hall, because Hall is utterly fearless and even when he does things that won't work, he plays like he expects them to work.  The only hesitation in Hall's game is when he's deliberately hesitating.

Perhaps he needs a little more one on one time, a talk inspiring confidence, telling him he won't be sent down.  Perhaps he needs 20 minutes of ice time in Oklahoma.  At this point, it's hard to argue that Magnus is a better option than Omark.  20 minutes in Oklahoma may be worth a lot more to him than 10 minutes in Edmonton.

The Oilers have shown miraculous levels of patience with Jean-Francois Jacques.  I'd like to see that with Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson.

More than that, I'd like to see the Oilers show that kind of patience with their lines.  Injuries haven't helped, and Tom Renney isn't Craig MacTavish, but the blender is in full effect so far and for the sake of the players, it would be nice if it stopped.  Paajarvi deserves a chance with Omark, and they deserve a better centre.  Trade for a Swedish centre.  Let them relax and build some chemistry, maybe use it as practice for working with Lander in the future.

I want to see the same look Magnus has in the picture, but in an Oilers uniform.  I know it will come in time.  More consistent lines and a legitimate centre will speed the process and cement it.