For anyone who has ever played a sport, had a lot of down time or done a lot of travelling, what you use to fill that time is of the utmost importance. For the Oilers, we’ve received word, that in the past a good game of cards; was among the tops on the list as enjoyable bonding and time filling exercises. So too, playing cards had been used as a player distraction from the pressures of a big game or to help relax a bit while travelling.

Unfortunately, a new set of rules hit the Oilers dressing room this past week that made it difficult for the Oilers to hold onto this tradition. In fact, the changing rules are so drastic, it may affect the ability of the team to perform on the ice. Our hidden insider was able to provide some in depth information about the new rules and regulations as it pertains to recreational card games and the Oilers locker room.

Below list the new set of rules as we’ve heard them passed to the players and coaching staff:

Rule # 1: At all times, card games should be played for fun and not money. Games are not to be taken seriously as hands and cards dealt can not be considered random. A number of instances where players are playing the same cards over and over have occurred, since the only member of our team able to shuffle; Craig MacTavish has left the organization.

Rule # 2: Go Fish, while not technically outlawed as a game option, is asked to be kept to a minimum. Management would like all players and staff to know; that should you attempt to go fishing, the likelihood that you’ll catch anything is slim to none.

Rule #3: Players cannot dispute the rules of the card game “War” with any staff member employed by the organization longer than 10 years. We hold that only those players know the true rules of the game, since the Oilers haven’t been to war with an opponent in nearly a decade.

Rule #4: 5 card stud is to be played over the alternative 5 card draw format when playing poker. We’d like all players to understand a consistent set of poker rules and we find the stud format easier for players to pick up since Oilers coaching and management have had trouble explaining how to win a draw since the 2006 playoffs.

Rule #5: If playing 21 (black jack), a player beats the dealer when any combination of cards reaches a higher total than the dealer but does not exceed 21. Should you exceed 21, that hand is considered a bust on the part of the player. For more information on the definition on a bust, see the terms Rob Schremp, Jason Bonsignore, Jesse Niinimaki and Alexei Mikhnov.

Rule #6: Solitaire is permitted to all players except Ales Hemsky. We ask that players assist the coaching staff in teaching Hemsky games that involve more than just himself as a player.

Rule #7: The game A$$hole is completely outlawed from being played in or near an Oilers dressing room. In the event that Dany Heatley were to join the Oilers organization, we ask that players refrain from games in which any attention might be brought to his presence in the dressing room.

Rule #8: In any game where pairs and combinations of cards are to be counted as a factor for determining a winner, a pair of 9’s will always beat out any other combination of cards followed by a pair of 1’s. A pair of 4’s is considered by management and staff the low hand in any game and to be immediately traded for any other combination of cards available. In fact, should you be sitting beside the player who is dealt a pair of 4’s, you are to immediately slap that person across the face.

Rule #9: Should any players require further explanation or video instruction on any and all card games, please see Kevin Lowe and Steve Tambellini who can point you in the direction of Dany Heatley's summer home in Kelowna. There should be no need to rewind said tape as the likelihood Dany Heatley has watched the tape is quite slim.

We thank you for your understanding and hope that you continue to enjoy your card playing experience…

In a very interesting interview conducted by Dan Tencer of the Edmonton Oilers and 630CHED, Rob Schremp had the chance to let off a little steam. Smartly, Schremp stayed within the boundries of what would be considered whiny and pity-seeking, using only the openings given to him by Mr. Tencer to relay a somewhat universal belief amongst Edmonton fans -- that we've yet to really see what Rob Schremp can do. After all, some would argue that he has a right to be a little sour.

In December and as Tencer states, about a month before Craig MacTavish ripped him in the media, Schremp earned a call-up to the big club and got a brief chance thanks to an injury to Robert Nilsson. To his credit, and undoubtedly a reason many Oiler fans still yearn for the day Schremp is a fixture for the Oilers, he didn't disappoint. He put up three assists and a +2 rating in his first two games. "It was fun," smiles Schremp. "I knew the situation. I was there to replace Robert Nilsson while he was injured; I knew I only had two weeks to do something". Many argue, Schremp should have been given a bit longer to see if he could have continued the streak.

We all know Schremp has skill, we've seen his dazzling shootout moves. If you haven't check out the video below:



That said, Schremp has been knocked for his lack of speed and ability to play a physical game, both of which he denies are a problem. But who are we to believe? The player who gets 3 points in two games or the one who struggles mightily in the minors after his brief stint with the big boys?

When Craig MacTavish at the time comes out with quotes like, "We all know what he can do, he's got decent hands, he can work a power play okay, but he's slow, he's not a physical player, he's soft at this level.", your future may not be looking bright as an Oiler if your Rob Schremp.

Perhaps there is something to what MacTavish said. The rest of the teams around the league apparently feel the same way as trade offers for Schremp to this point haven't amounted to anything higher than a mid or late round draft pick.

But this is a new day and perhaps we should reserve judgement until we've seen how Schremp responds under the newly appointed Pat Quinn and Tom Renney. Maybe this change is exactly what Robbie Schremp needs.

Will we as fans finally get to see the Rob Schremp everyone seems to have talked about for the last three years? That Rob Schremp has amazing skill and ability to be both shifty and elusive. Or will we see the player a number of the decision-makers within the Oilers organization wonder whether or not can play at the NHL level? That Rob Schremp talks a big game with words like "The season I had last year is not OK with me. I expect more out of myself and I have a lot higher expectations.", but doesn't seem to follow through.

I might ask, for a player that likes to let us all know he's lacked a fair chance and that each and every summer he works harder and harder, should we be concerned this interview took place during a workout with Sam Gagner? Obviously Gagner was working out, but what was Schremp doing on the phone with Tencer, when Sam could have used a hard working, motivated and set to prove us all wrong exercise wing-man?