The oilers powerplay is gonna be scary good. Can't wait to see that

The problem with the Oilers is they got too much talent. Weird but true.

They need more grit. The first line could be only offensive talent but second and thrid line have to show some aggression. The way they are built, Paajarvi will play on the third line, which is a great waste of talent. For exemple, i'd trade Paajarvi for a guy like Ott or something like that.

The problem with the Oilers is they got too much talent. Weird but true.

They need more grit. The first line could be only offensive talent but second and thrid line have to show some aggression. The way they are built, Paajarvi will play on the third line, which is a great waste of talent. For exemple, i'd trade Paajarvi for a guy like Ott or something like that.
- soad_live

At least this wasn't one of those "Won't be able to afford all the 1st overall picks..lolz" post.

MPS won't get us an Ott. All teams want a guy like that. Edm is willing to wait and develop MPS.

His biggest problem is he hasn't been able to play well when the games actually mean anything. The past two years he gets hot when the #1 pick is in the bag.

With that being said, I have no problem with giving him the shot. If he becomes the weak link the next year or two, then you look to improve.
- Lahey

Each of the past 2 years he was told he will get a chance to prove himself...year one he had to beat out JDD for the back up job and even though Khabby was playing like crap DD was not given a chance for the starter position even though he out played Khabby. Year 2 he was told he would have a chance to get the starter role, but the team went with the incumbent in Khabby. They let DD sit for too long and it took him a while to get back into the swing of it. This year he is the starter. Khabby is back up at best. I think with the comfort of knowing that he will get the ability to play through rough spots he will be much better.

The problem with the Oilers is they got too much talent. Weird but true.

They need more grit. The first line could be only offensive talent but second and thrid line have to show some aggression. The way they are built, Paajarvi will play on the third line, which is a great waste of talent. For exemple, i'd trade Paajarvi for a guy like Ott or something like that.
- soad_live

hartakainen. not the end all, but certainly a step in the direction u speak of. some of it i agree with.

prv's skill set is best suited for a 2nd line role. one he'll eventually grow into imo.
if both him and hartakainen can prove they belong in that top 6, i can see hemmer getting moved at some point, and those two battlin it out for 2nd/3rd duties

Each of the past 2 years he was told he will get a chance to prove himself...year one he had to beat out JDD for the back up job and even though Khabby was playing like crap DD was not given a chance for the starter position even though he out played Khabby. Year 2 he was told he would have a chance to get the starter role, but the team went with the incumbent in Khabby. They let DD sit for too long and it took him a while to get back into the swing of it. This year he is the starter. Khabby is back up at best. I think with the comfort of knowing that he will get the ability to play through rough spots he will be much better.
- OilHorse

Renney was quite clear that Bulin would be starting every year, not sure where you are getting your info from.

The problem with the Oilers is they got too much talent. Weird but true.

They need more grit. The first line could be only offensive talent but second and thrid line have to show some aggression. The way they are built, Paajarvi will play on the third line, which is a great waste of talent. For exemple, i'd trade Paajarvi for a guy like Ott or something like that.
- soad_live

Sure, but we can make trades when grit becomes the reason a team with 3 or 4 all-stars can't make the playoffs.

Prv doesn't get you Ott either. Prv is qutie unproven at this point. Also Prv is being wasted yet he can't score at the AHL level?

Renney was quite clear that Bulin would be starting every year, not sure where you are getting your info from.
- Lahey

i was under this impression as well. imo he wasnt ready to be a starter until now.
i think his progression and development has been done quite well by oil coaching

hartakainen. not the end all, but certainly a step in the direction u speak of. some of it i agree with.

prv's skill set is best suited for a 2nd line role. one he'll eventually grow into imo.
if both him and hartakainen can prove they belong in that top 6, i can see hemmer getting moved at some point, and those two battlin it out for 2nd/3rd duties
- hugefemale dog77

People seem to be in a panic with Prv, yet you look at other guys drafted around him and they aren't written off.

i was under this impression as well. imo he wasnt ready to be a starter until now.
i think his progression and development has been done quite well by oil coaching
- hugefemale dog77

I don't know if he was ready or what last year, but Bulin was lights out last year to start.

You have to remember Calgary slow starts and Detroit's age vans goalie Delma San Jose age Colorado Dallas not there yet with a short season and a good start we could sneak into the playoffs as long as we can split with minny

People seem to be in a panic with Prv, yet you look at other guys drafted around him and they aren't written off.
- Lahey

abit to do with the hype and the unfair expectations placed on him.
but most of all i think it has to do with the success of the other kids. they forget that's generally not the norm (even ebs struggled in his rookie year)
development isnt linear. his development is coming along at a reasonable pace

Top 6 forwards are something special(if healthy), but that D group is likely the least experienced D-corps in the league, and like you say, goaltending is no guarantee. I want to say this will be the year they take a big leap forward, but alot of things will have to go right for that to happen.

abit to do with the hype and the unfair expectations placed on him.
but most of all i think it has to do with the success of the other kids. they forget that's generally not the norm (even ebs struggled in his rookie year)
development isnt linear. his development is coming along at a reasonable pace
- hugefemale dog77

I'm a little disappointed to be honest. I've expected more out of him this year in the AHL, although once the NHLers are gone maybe he'll get a bigger role.

I suspect he ends up like Dvorak, looks like a guy that can get 30-30 and be a solid two way player, but end up more of a 35 point guy that doesn't hurt you when on the ice.

Oddly enough they are of similar size and drafted at the same spot.

You have to remember Calgary slow starts and Detroit's age vans goalie Delma San Jose age Colorado Dallas not there yet with a short season and a good start we could sneak into the playoffs as long as we can split with minny
- rigger2.0

a short season certainly doesnt hurt the cause, and its not impossible, but i still think we end up on the outside looking in.
being in the hunt till the end and playing meaningfull games in feb and march is what's most important imo

Top 6 forwards are something special(if healthy), but that D group is likely the least experienced D-corps in the league, and like you say, goaltending is no guarantee. I want to say this will be the year they take a big leap forward, but alot of things will have to go right for that to happen.
- BestRapperAlive

I think fans need to be realistic as well. Lets not forget this team drafted first 3 years in a row. All I really wanted this year was to be in the hunt for a playoff spot up until the TDD. Making the playoffs wasn't a must for me.

And hey this will be the first time in a long time that we don't have a lotto spot locked up by x-mas

a short season certainly doesnt hurt the cause, and its not impossible, but i still think we end up on the outside looking in.
being in the hunt till the end and playing meaningfull games in feb and march is what's most important imo
- hugefemale dog77

I'm a little disappointed to be honest. I've expected more out of him this year in the AHL, although once the NHLers are gone maybe he'll get a bigger role.

I suspect he ends up like Dvorak, looks like a guy that can get 30-30 and be a solid two way player, but end up more of a 35 point guy that doesn't hurt you when on the ice.

Oddly enough they are of similar size and drafted at the same spot.
- Lahey

as did i. but i had huge expectations right from the beginning. from what i saw in juniors/preseason rookie, i might have actually been more excited about him than ebs or even hall.
maybe that's a little far, but either way, ive learned to temper my expectations. he shows flashes of speed and skill then i dont notice him for another period.

i think hes got way more in him than dvorak. although there certainly are some similarities. id be very dissapointed if that's how he turned out

- Lahey

beat ya by 2 mins

The oilers powerplay is gonna be scary good. Can't wait to see that
- Snagglepuss

watch an oklahoma game. just imagine better opposition

as did i. but i had huge expectations right from the beginning. from what i saw in juniors/preseason rookie, i might have actually been more excited about him than ebs or even hall.
maybe that's a little far, but either way, ive learned to temper my expectations. he shows flashes of speed and skill then i dont notice him for another period.

i think hes got way more in him than dvorak. although there certainly are some similarities. id be very dissapointed if that's how he turned out
- hugefemale dog77

Dvorak did have close to 600 points in close to 1200 games, and did touch 67 points. Going back to his draft year, he'd be considered quite the success.

At least people are tempering their expectations. You don't know how happen makes me.

I still think there are two glaring holes in PRV's game. One which he can work on and one which he can't.

1. His wrist shot. The kid has speed to burn when coming down the wing, and yes he is cutting to the net more often this year than the past. The problem is he has a floater of a shot and needs to get a harder shot off. Even when not coming down the wing, having a harder shot is going to be needed from everywhere at the NHL level. If it's not hard enough at the AHL level, it definitely isn't hard enough at the NHL level.

2. Grit/strength. He isn't exactly small, but even for a 200lb+ player he just doesn't have that strength that you'd want from a guy like him. It's not that he is unwilling to workout or doesn't try to play physical. The problem is he doesn't have that man strength in him yet. It's going to come though and when it does he'll be a more effective player. He's already going to the net more than the past, but how much better is he going to be when he's stronger and has the option of chipping the puck in the corners and being able to crash and dig to get the puck out?

Dvorak did have close to 600 points in close to 1200 games, and did touch 67 points. Going back to his draft year, he'd be considered quite the success.

At least people are tempering their expectations. You don't know how happen makes me.

I still think there are two glaring holes in PRV's game. One which he can work on and one which he can't.

1. His wrist shot. The kid has speed to burn when coming down the wing, and yes he is cutting to the net more often this year than the past. The problem is he has a floater of a shot and needs to get a harder shot off. Even when not coming down the wing, having a harder shot is going to be needed from everywhere at the NHL level. If it's not hard enough at the AHL level, it definitely isn't hard enough at the NHL level.

2. Grit/strength. He isn't exactly small, but even for a 200lb+ player he just doesn't have that strength that you'd want from a guy like him. It's not that he is unwilling to workout or doesn't try to play physical. The problem is he doesn't have that man strength in him yet. It's going to come though and when it does he'll be a more effective player. He's already going to the net more than the past, but how much better is he going to be when he's stronger and has the option of chipping the puck in the corners and being able to crash and dig to get the puck out?
- Lahey

dvoraks just never really been a huge difference maker. just kind of a decently skilled minute eater. u said it well when u said. "wont hurt you when on the ice"

prv's wrist shot is a muffin and he'll never be a snipe.
but he's using that speed to get outside the defenders and go to the net instead of those 30 ft floaters into the goalies chest he used to pull.
if he can improve positioning and strength for those close in goals when hes first to the net, as well as the loose puck bang ins, he'll be fine/ not to mention the digging and puck possesion down low u spoke of which will create more chances.

maybe its just me, but he seems to be a bit snakebitten at times too. a hot streak and a subsequent confidence boost could go along way to turning those near misses into goals.

hes a tough one to guage

would you guys trade Gagner for Franson?
- bobbyflex

Not in a million years. In a package that gives us your next 2 first rounders yeah

Not in a million years. In a package that gives us your next 2 first rounders yeah
- hockeylegend488

this is sarcasm right?

this is sarcasm right?
- hugefemale dog77

Yeah the odds of the oilers doing any buisness with the leafs until burke is gone or fired wont happen