That’s the recent assessment of Stan (The Maven) Fischler of MSG Network:

Jussi Markkanen starred for Edmonton in the 2006 Finals, not Dwayne (The Media Must Love Me) Roloson. Yet, Rollie is steering the Oilers to oblivion while cruising on a three-year, $11 million deal. We dare him to complain about the new CBA! …

There’s no question the Oilers have struggled this season, and have been in a tailspin since management dealt away heart-and-souler Ryan Smyth at the trade deadline.

Much of the Oilers problems this season are attributed to a weak blueline corps, which never recovered from the off-season loss of Chris Pronger and Jaroslav Spacek.

But is Roloson “steering the Oilers to oblivion” as Fischler claims?

In 63 games played this season, Roloson has a 25-31-6 record, a 2.71 GAA and a .909 SP, with 4 shutouts.

Good, but not great figures at first glance, until one remembers the state of the Oilers defensive game this season, and the club’s overall collapse since the trade deadline.

It should also be remembered that, when Roloson notched his 25th win back on February 23rd, his loss record was at 23 and OT loss at 5.

During Roloson’s last 8 games since the Smyth trade, he’s gone 0-7-1, yet his save percentage was under .900 in only three of those 8 games, and in his last four outings, never dropped below .920.

Also, of all goaltenders this season Roloson has thus far faced the sixth-most shots. Only Luongo, Brodeur, Kiprusoff, Lehtonen and Thomas have faced more.

That’s clearly indicative that the team in front of “Rollie” is the problem, as he’s been earning his salary this season.

As for Markkanen, his stats have been less stellar. In 17 games, he’s gone 5-5-1, with a 3.05 GAA and an .885 SP. In short, he’s been decent, but hasn’t played well enough to dethrone Roloson as the Oilers clear starter.

The stats simply don’t back up Fischler’s assertion that Roloson is “steering the Oilers to oblivion”. Perhaps there's something else – as evidenced by the remarks about Roloson’s salary, relationship with the media, and the CBA – behind “the Maven’s” critique.

Oh, and lest I forget, the reason Markkanen starred in last spring's finals was because Roloson, who was arguably the main reason the Oilers made it to the Finals in the first place, was injured in Game One of the Finals.

Fischler almost makes it sound as though the reason Markkanen played in the Finals was that Roloson wasn't good enough, which obviously wasn't the case.

Oilers fans, please feel free to offer up your thoughts and comments on this.