Why Oilers Forward Ales Hemsky Is About To Make the Next Step to Star Status

Ales Hemsky is one of the best-kept secrets in the NHL. The Edmonton Oilers right winger has been recognized as a player with talent since his debut in 2002. 

Whether it is taking a puck into the zone, dancing around a few players and making some unbelievable pass or raising a shot to the roof of the net over some goalie expecting a soft shot from the soft spoken Czech has the talent.

Often during previous seasons Hemsky would constantly be looking for people to pass to, often to the detriment of the team. Because of this he has only once 20-goal mark in his career in 2007-08.

Hemsky has however been a clutch player for the Oilers, he has proven that he can be a player who the Oilers need producing to win.

One thing Hemsky has not been able to do, probably because of his lack of goal production is to be a point per game player. The closest he came to accomplishing that feat was in 2005-06 when he got 77 points in 82 games.

This year he has scored 18 goals and has 50 points in 46 games. This could be the first year he could reach that plateau of 82 points. 

If Hemsky can reach that marker he will be finally the type of player the Oilers so desperately need him to be. Often when he is on his game he can take control and lift the team from the brink.

In 2006 he scored the game winning goal against Anaheim which gave the Oilers their playoff spot. He also helped defeat the Detroit Red Wings with a game winning goal and had 17 points in 24 playoff games.

The only real concern with the player is his reckless play can leave him open to dangerous hits. On more than one occasion he has missed games because a player has caught him in open ice. 

If the Oilers make the playoffs this year Hemsky will be part of the reason and he will once again be depended on to carry the team, as most superstars are meant to do. Oilers fans certainly appreciate the player, soon no doubt the rest of the league will as well.