As far as Duchie wanting out rumor I'd love to see the source. Sounds bogus to me. The kid had an injury and is signed to an amazing contract, he will be fine.

As far as the oilers getting "deeper", your team never fixed any of its problems. Still sub par D and same goalie. You have great and skilled kids, but they just make your good offense even better. You can only expect so much from rookies, especially when it comes to D

As far as Duchie wanting out rumor I'd love to see the source. Sounds bogus to me. The kid had an injury and is signed to an amazing contract, he will be fine.

As far as the oilers getting "deeper", your team never fixed any of its problems. Still sub par D and same goalie. You have great and skilled kids, but they just make your good offense even better. You can only expect so much from rookies, especially when it comes to D
- Meeqsb

dubnyk was never the problem. needs to be more consistent, and stop letting in the 'softie', but he played very well down the stretch. (zero pressure games, but nonetheless)
hes also never had the shot to be a true #1. he'll get that this year.

other than that, i can agree with alot of the stuff u said

You said Oilers will finish ahead of the Avs last season as well. The Avs almost made the playoffs last season. Landeskog was the main reason why. I would take one Landeskog, over 3 RNH's any day. It doesn't matter if RNH is a better scorer. Landeskog is a winner. He is worthy of being their captain. Oilers will be last again, while you hate on teams that do something in the off-season like Minny, Carolina and even the Avs added Parentaue. I think they will make the playoffs. I was waiting for when you would troll on the Avs naming Landeskog their captain lol
- Allstarzz

People seem to forget that we only had Downie and McGinn from the deadline on, a full season with those guys in the lineup will payoff, adding Parenteau to the top 6, a decent 4th liner in Mitchell, and a 5th/6th pairing in Zanon. All in all we added some grit, scoring, and depth.

As far as Duchie wanting out rumor I'd love to see the source. Sounds bogus to me. The kid had an injury and is signed to an amazing contract, he will be fine.

As far as the oilers getting "deeper", your team never fixed any of its problems. Still sub par D and same goalie. You have great and skilled kids, but they just make your good offense even better. You can only expect so much from rookies, especially when it comes to D
- Meeqsb

Well we'll have two rookies and one 2nd year player on the team. Everyone else is older.

In terms of our actual defensemen, Edmonton has more experience than Colorado, so I'm not sure what your point is there. Not a great d core by any means, but certainly not inexperienced. Two things about the defense though: 1) I wouldn't discount the importance of adding Schultz, having a full season of Nick Schultz and a healthy Whitney. 2) Team defense has got to get better. One of the problems was having a few forwards do a lot of the defensive brunt work, but even by the end of the year you could see some of the younger players being successfully worked in to expanded defensive roles.

People seem to forget that we only had Downie and McGinn from the deadline on, a full season with those guys in the lineup will payoff, adding Parenteau to the top 6, a decent 4th liner in Mitchell, and a 5th/6th pairing in Zanon. All in all we added some grit, scoring, and depth.
- DDM-Coga

It may POTENTIALLY payoff. Remember Brad Boyes in Buffalo? He got off to a good start with the Sabres after his trade, too. Then the 2011-12 season happened. Conversely, James Neal struggled when he first arrived in Pittsburgh, he struggled mightily. Now he's a top scorer in the league and an All Star. Downie has always had good stretches, but they were typically followed by bad stretches. Sacco is gonna need to control Downie's reins quite stiffly if he wants to see his continued success.

McGinn, on the other hand, has always had an element of above-average natural skill in his game and plays his tougher game because he's learned to use his body in a bottom-6 role back in San Jose. I can definitely see his success continuing!

I'll say it now (if it wasn't already obvious); I disagree with Clouts' stance on the Avs' situation. I'm sure Landeskog will make a great captain and will- in conjunction with the rest of the team's fairly impressive young corps- continue to grow. They'll likely be fighting for a playoff spot in the closing months of the season. That being said, we've seen another recent Avs teams with high hopes nose-dive into the basement of the NHL. Keep your expectations tempered.

It may POTENTIALLY payoff. Remember Brad Boyes in Buffalo? He got off to a good start with the Sabres after his trade, too. Then the 2011-12 season happened. Conversely, James Neal struggled when he first arrived in Pittsburgh, he struggled mightily. Now he's a top scorer in the league and an All Star. Downie has always had good stretches, but they were typically followed by bad stretches. Sacco is gonna need to control Downie's reins quite stiffly if he wants to see his continued success.

McGinn, on the other hand, has always had an element of above-average natural skill in his game and plays his tougher game because he's learned to use his body in a bottom-6 role back in San Jose. I can definitely see his success continuing!

I'll say it now (if it wasn't already obvious); I disagree with Clouts' stance on the Avs' situation. I'm sure Landeskog will make a great captain and will- in conjunction with the rest of the team's fairly impressive young corps- continue to grow. They'll likely be fighting for a playoff spot in the closing months of the season. That being said, we've seen another recent Avs teams with high hopes nose-dive into the basement of the NHL. Keep your expectations tempered.
- MaximumBone

When it boils down to it, would you rather have Parenteau, McGinn, Downie in your top 9, or would you rather have Porter, Winnik, and Galiardi. Thats whats in and out when you compare the start to last season and this season.

When it boils down to it, would you rather have Parenteau, McGinn, Downie in your top 9, or would you rather have Porter, Winnik, and Galiardi. Thats whats in and out when you compare the start to last season and this season.
- DDM-Coga

Fair point and clearly I'd pick the former, but do you know who I'd rather have over the aforementioned trio? Ryan Whitney and two possible game-changing rookies.

Fair point and clearly I'd pick the former, but do you know who I'd rather have over the aforementioned trio? Ryan Whitney and two possible game-changing rookies.


- MaximumBone

I honestly dont know much about Shultz, just that he was anointed the next Paul Coffey depending on what comment or article you read. Im sure he will productive, but its hard to say if hes a lock as a game changer, in my mind hes a NHL ready top 4 dman. He just played NCAA right? No AHL or Junior experience?

I honestly dont know much about Shultz, just that he was anointed the next Paul Coffey depending on what comment or article you read. Im sure he will productive, but its hard to say if hes a lock as a game changer, in my mind hes a NHL ready top 4 dman. He just played NCAA right? No AHL or Junior experience?
- DDM-Coga

Now potentially he is a top 4 defenseman with the fact he was voted or named top defensive defenseman in the NCAA. Now will he make rookie mistakes? No doubt, but if you measure the potential upside like Colorado did with it's rookies then it will, should work out as long as there is a decent defensive defenseman with him ala a Nick Schultz or a Ryan Whitney.
I for one do not have a problem with Landeskog being captain, as long as it was done with the blessing of every member of the team then it should work out. A lot of if's that we will see during the next season whenever that will be.

I honestly dont know much about Shultz, just that he was anointed the next Paul Coffey depending on what comment or article you read. Im sure he will productive, but its hard to say if hes a lock as a game changer, in my mind hes a NHL ready top 4 dman. He just played NCAA right? No AHL or Junior experience?
- DDM-Coga

Correct. I wouldn't go as far as to compare the guy to Coffey, though. I'd shoot for closer comparisons to guys like Dan Boyle, Kevin Shattenkirk, and a Marek Zidlicky (albeit taller). I'm realisitcally hoping for a season similar to those of Justin Faulk and Jamie McBain. That is, if he can make the team.

Now potentially he is a top 4 defenseman with the fact he was voted or named top defensive defenseman in the NCAA. Now will he make rookie mistakes? No doubt, but if you measure the potential upside like Colorado did with it's rookies then it will, should work out as long as there is a decent defensive defenseman with him ala a Nick Schultz or a Ryan Whitney.
I for one do not have a problem with Landeskog being captain, as long as it was done with the blessing of every member of the team then it should work out. A lot of if's that we will see during the next season whenever that will be.
- longbottom

Ryan Whitney? How about Smid.

Ryan Whitney? How about Smid.
- doon

Petry-Smid pairing seems all but assured. Personally, I'd rather see Schultz pair-up with an Andy Sutton or Theo Peckham to fall back on. If Peckham can pick up his play to that of two years ago, why not give that a go?

Petry-Smid pairing seems all but assured. Personally, I'd rather see Schultz pair-up with an Andy Sutton or Theo Peckham to fall back on. If Peckham can pick up his play to that of two years ago, why not give that a go?
- MaximumBone

That is also a great idea.

Ryan Whitney? How about Smid.
- doon

yep.

whitney can be a fairly solid 2 way guy, but hes definetely offence first.
whereas smid is a much more dependable defence first guy that hardly ever attempts to put his partner in 'trouble'.
and thats even assuming whitneys foot is ok. otherwise we've seen how much of a pylon he can be.

Petry-Smid pairing seems all but assured. Personally, I'd rather see Schultz pair-up with an Andy Sutton or Theo Peckham to fall back on. If Peckham can pick up his play to that of two years ago, why not give that a go?
- MaximumBone

think id rather sutton than peckham. he seems to be a little more dependable. or at least not quite as bad when both are at their worst.

as u mentioned, alot was made of theo the year before last from some oiler fans.
but i think that had as much to do with expecting absolutely nothing from him due to his brutal play previous to that.
He then exceeded expectations by playing with some competence more than actually playing WELL.
he brought some much needed toughness and was able to fill in.

but its not like he regressed last year.
he just was never very good. along with having a little more competiton for a spot last season which exposed him even furthur.(potter, sutton, teubert etc.)

think id rather sutton than peckham. he seems to be a little more dependable. or at least not quite as bad when both are at their worst.

as u mentioned, alot was made of theo the year before last from some oiler fans.
but i think that had as much to do with expecting absolutely nothing from him from his brutal play previous to that season. he then exceeded expectations by playing with some competence more than actually playing WELL.
he brought some much needed toughness and was able to fill in.

but its not like he regressed last year. he just was never very good and had a little more competiton for a spot last season which exposed him even more.(potter, sutton, teubert etc.)
- hugefemale dog77

He also showed up to camp out of shape.

He also showed up to camp out of shape.
- MaximumBone

this still doesnt explain why coaching continued to only play him sparingly towards the end.
and thats even with; penalty prone sutton, absolutely horrific at everything not PP corey potter, and 3rd pairing fa life colton teubert, in the lineup.

Can not agree any louder!!!! Great time killer at work!
- bradjc

reddit, my favorite way to kill time or ignore people at work. the picture app is great.

What/who did she do?
- laughs2907

http://arts.nationalpost....-phaneuf-engaged-reports/

As far as Duchie wanting out rumor I'd love to see the source. Sounds bogus to me. The kid had an injury and is signed to an amazing contract, he will be fine.

As far as the oilers getting "deeper", your team never fixed any of its problems. Still sub par D and same goalie. You have great and skilled kids, but they just make your good offense even better. You can only expect so much from rookies, especially when it comes to D
- Meeqsb

Your avatar is very homoerotic...

It's funny how some hockeybuzz commenters are such Know it all's, in my blog I call them the Internet hockey genious's. Some are full of them selfs by saying the Colorado Avalanch are making a mistake by naming Gabriel Landeskog captian. Some are so intelligent that they can watch a couple games on T.V. (never inperson, as they could tell how players play just by watching TV) tell how far player's development curve is going to go. Like the genious that would never take 3 RNH's over one Landeskog, or the genious who figures a player playing their sophmore season or basically his rookie seasonhas reached their peak of development. Their is a reason we are just fans discussing players and or teams, arguing over whether we are homer's or not, or hiding behind the computer keyboard trying to be tough or kool or at least knowledgable about hockey.
My personal favorites are the ones who play NHL11-12-13 building teams willy/nilly making unrealistic trades to build their teams believing they have a clue on what it takes to build a hockey team.
The point is that is the beauty of our favorite game "Hockey". It's the great equalizer, If any of us knew anything about hockey we would be hired as scouts, coaches, general managers and not working in our desired fields or whatever rut we are stuck in.
We are all different and some are well educated, some are not. We all have differnt opinions as varied as can be. Some old some young, some have intelligent ideas some have none, yet here we all are and no-one believing any one with an opposing opinions are correct.
think about it.

Your avatar is very homoerotic...
- Reveen

Is it turning you on?

This



and this



are all that matter right now.

This



and this



are all that matter right now.
- GuyLaDouche

How I wish Walking Dead was on HBO. Tits, swears and more gore would make it even better.

http://arts.nationalpost....-phaneuf-engaged-reports/
- abware

Maybe she did it to save on her GEICO car insurance?