1. The Surgeon - Jordan Eberle...There's nothing I dislike about him on or off the ice, nor does anything he does concern me. Elite hands and hockey IQ.

2. The Phantom - Justin Schultz...He'll be the 1st D man in years to record a 100pts season during his career. Will win a Norris trophy at one point. A rare, rare find, and so important to an Oilers team who lacked a superstar on D.

3. The Bullet - Taylor Hall...Hall is so Messier-like. When he's on the ice, the entire mood of the game revolves around what Hall is doing. The pace changes; the effort from both sides increases. Hall is the type of guy who carries his team on his back during playoff series. Just so, so focused and dedicated to winning.

4. The Ninja - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins...He has Eberle-level skills, but I still have a persisting concern: His lack of size. Obviously Nuge is an elite skater and he sees the ice brilliantly. He's perhaps more defensively aware than any other Oilers forward. I just wonder if Nuge can will a team to victory the way Eberle and Hall can.

5. The Closer - Nail Yakupov...As much as skating is the strength of Yakupov (his burst speed and explosive starts especially impressive), the Oilers have spoken mostly about Nail's reputation as a finisher. His linemates are being selected on purpose to place Yakupov on a line with guys who will get him the puck in zones when he can one-time the puck.

If it does I change my avatar immediately.
- Pen15

...maybe I should clarify as it goes back to an earlier discussion, but by future pieces I mean real building blocks like gardiner and rielly NOT scrubs like d'amigo and colborne

Im just going by the reports from some fairly credible sources. I also dont think its beyong him to do it either. He has to save his job and pride.
- systemtool

Burke's job over a 48 game schedule is not in jeopardy...no matter how much Kyper & McLean say it is.

Kulemin >>>>>>>>>> Gagner

Stop this before it gets out of hand.
- Pen15

but but but kuli didnt get 8 points in a game

I disagree. If his decline happens when he's still earning big dollars ...of course he sticks it out and collects his pay. That'll suck but that assumes he turns to poop in the next 5 years. By age 39 that becomes debatable ....If he faulters and becomes a back up I believe he hangs them up. That transition may take a year at most.

His contract ...and all others like it ....was negotiated with the idea of retirement at age 39 or 40 in mind. They negotiate a real salary to age whatever ...then tack on 3 or 4 extra years knowing he'd retire and to circumvent/lower the annual cap hit. Hence the new provisions.

IMHO, Lou will walk by 40 ....Kovy will walk with 5 years left on his deal ....take it to the bank.
- The Law

Which, I think you'll agree, will SUCK. That is my point.

The very best realistic scenario involving Luongo involves some degree of SUCK.

...maybe I should clarify as it goes back to an earlier discussion, but by future pieces I mean real building blocks like gardiner and rielly NOT scrubs like d'amigo and colborne
- Barx

Absolutely. If we give up fringe NHL prospects...or current 3rd/4th liners, I wouldn't mind the deal as much....anything more serious would make me a habs fan.

1. The Surgeon - Jordan Eberle...There's nothing I dislike about him on or off the ice, nor does anything he does concern me. Elite hands and hockey IQ.

2. The Phantom - Justin Schultz...He'll be the 1st D man in years to record a 100pts season during his career. Will win a Norris trophy at one point. A rare, rare find, and so important to an Oilers team who lacked a superstar on D.

3. The Bullet - Taylor Hall...Hall is so Messier-like. When he's on the ice, the entire mood of the game revolves around what Hall is doing. The pace changes; the effort from both sides increases. Hall is the type of guy who carries his team on his back during playoff series. Just so, so focused and dedicated to winning.

4. The Ninja - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins...He has Eberle-level skills, but I still have a persisting concern: His lack of size. Obviously Nuge is an elite skater and he sees the ice brilliantly. He's perhaps more defensively aware than any other Oilers forward. I just wonder if Nuge can will a team to victory the way Eberle and Hall can.

5. The Closer - Nail Yakupov...As much as skating is the strength of Yakupov (his burst speed and explosive starts especially impressive), the Oilers have spoken mostly about Nail's reputation as a finisher. His linemates are being selected on purpose to place Yakupov on a line with guys who will get him the puck in zones when he can one-time the puck.


- Aetherial

I'm very scared of a Surgeon who can phantomly enter areas like a ninja and use a bullet to close the lives of his enemies.

1. The Surgeon - Jordan Eberle...There's nothing I dislike about him on or off the ice, nor does anything he does concern me. Elite hands and hockey IQ.

2. The Phantom - Justin Schultz...He'll be the 1st D man in years to record a 100pts season during his career. Will win a Norris trophy at one point. A rare, rare find, and so important to an Oilers team who lacked a superstar on D.

3. The Bullet - Taylor Hall...Hall is so Messier-like. When he's on the ice, the entire mood of the game revolves around what Hall is doing. The pace changes; the effort from both sides increases. Hall is the type of guy who carries his team on his back during playoff series. Just so, so focused and dedicated to winning.

4. The Ninja - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins...He has Eberle-level skills, but I still have a persisting concern: His lack of size. Obviously Nuge is an elite skater and he sees the ice brilliantly. He's perhaps more defensively aware than any other Oilers forward. I just wonder if Nuge can will a team to victory the way Eberle and Hall can.

5. The Closer - Nail Yakupov...As much as skating is the strength of Yakupov (his burst speed and explosive starts especially impressive), the Oilers have spoken mostly about Nail's reputation as a finisher. His linemates are being selected on purpose to place Yakupov on a line with guys who will get him the puck in zones when he can one-time the puck.


- Aetherial

6. The Salary Cap - The thing that will keep any of this from happening simultaneously in Edmonton.

7. The City of Edmonton - The place star players leave at the earliest chance.

I agree that that would be the logical way to do it. Have you read the rule or are assuming that the NHL did things the logical way?
- Canada Cup

That is what the rule says as per Lebrun and Friedmann.

Im just going by the reports from some fairly credible sources. I also dont think its beyong him to do it either. He has to save his job and pride.
- systemtool

I doubt his job is in jeopardy....and after the past 4 years of utter disgrace I'm not too sure he has any pride left.

but but but kuli didnt get 8 points in a game
- peddy-93

That is LITERALLY the only argument anyone can have...

Gotta love these threads....

I'm very scared of a Surgeon who can phantomly enter areas like a ninja and use a bullet to close the lives of his enemies.
- AdamFrench

2 of the guys have never played an NHL game and the guy that can carry the team on his back for a playoff seeries... has never played an NHL playoff game or managed to make it through an NHL season healthy.

Not saying they won't be good... but this is Garth-ish.

Burke's job over a 48 game schedule is not in jeopardy...no matter how much Kyper & McLean say it is.
- Pen15

He is in the final year of his contract. The team has new owners. It might impact his wage and term. You dont need sportsnet to break down common sense for you.

6. The Salary Cap - The thing that will keep any of this from happening simultaneously in Edmonton.
- Leeman4Gilmour

... I tried mentioning this last year when they were PE'ing in their trousers. It didn't go so well.

I doubt his job is in jeopardy....and after the past 4 years of utter disgrace I'm not too sure he has any pride left.
- Barx

Its not in jeopardy now, but it can be in a year or two if nothing improves. Especially with new owners. As for you last point, thats exactly why he would do a Luongo deal and give up what he needs to make it happen. Unfortunately.

Which, I think you'll agree, will SUCK. That is my point.

The very best realistic scenario involving Luongo involves some degree of SUCK.
- Leeman4Gilmour

Absolutely ...my only point is the decision should come down to how long you believe LUongo can be "very good". If my scouts tell me he's still a top 10/15 guy and can be for the next 5.5 years ...well, then this is something I consider at the right price.

2 of the guys have never played an NHL game and the guy that carry the team on his back... has never played an NHL playoff game or managed to make it through an NHL season.

Not saying they won't be good... but this is Garth-ish.
- Aetherial

It's an easy way to get hits.

but but but kuli didnt get 8 points in a game
- peddy-93

Kulemin >>>>>>>>>> Gagner

Stop this before it gets out of hand.
- Pen15

Define "winning". Go ahead. Give it a try.

Surely by "winning" you don't mean winning a Stanley Cup because you couldn't possibly be that stupid right? If Luongo couldn't get the job done with Vancouver, he has no hope of winning a Cup in Toronto.

So that leaves one other definition of "winning" which is making the playoffs and getting their ass kicked in the 1st or 2nd round for a few years. If that's your definition of winning, the idea that winning now is absolutely imperative is a fantasy that you created in your mind because you don't have the patience to see things done properly.



Call it luck but it worked. After 45 years, the Leafs need to stop thinking about what looks pretty and just do what works. Period.



Get this through your head. The Leafs need to do things properly. Short term fixes to make 8th place and get a 1st round ass kicking might be enough to keep you entertained but it's not remotely good enough.
- Two_For_Truth

Cry about your foolishness all you want...who cares what the past 45 years have brought or haven't brought....your opinion matters not. The fact is the Leafs wont be tanking on purpose....not with the new owners....so get over it.

Winning means, being an above .500 team, a team that makes the playoffs, a team that creates a winning environment for its players and youth, a team players want to play for because they believe they have a good shot at winning.

It's not a short term fix - 4 - 5 years is not term....they need playoff experience. They need a winning environment to A) attract players without overpaying and B) to develop their youth to want to stay.

Anyone who thinks its good to miss the playoffs for years, develop and than bam they are going to win the cup is stupid. Sure there's always that one in a million chance.

Its called progress....make the playoffs, see how you hold up, gain experience and get a few more pieces. Make the playoffs, go a little deeper or a lucky run, gain experience, fill the gaps. And so on and so on.

I know you are use to losing with the leafs and maybe in life, but you can build for the future and still win in the present. Its called scouting and drafting...something the leafs need to continue to improve on.

You dont need to tank to build a winning team....not sure why every fool thinks thats the case.

Define "winning". Go ahead. Give it a try.

Surely by "winning" you don't mean winning a Stanley Cup because you couldn't possibly be that stupid right? If Luongo couldn't get the job done with Vancouver, he has no hope of winning a Cup in Toronto.

So that leaves one other definition of "winning" which is making the playoffs and getting their ass kicked in the 1st or 2nd round for a few years. If that's your definition of winning, the idea that winning now is absolutely imperative is a fantasy that you created in your mind because you don't have the patience to see things done properly.



Call it luck but it worked. After 45 years, the Leafs need to stop thinking about what looks pretty and just do what works. Period.



Get this through your head. The Leafs need to do things properly. Short term fixes to make 8th place and get a 1st round ass kicking might be enough to keep you entertained but it's not remotely good enough.
- Two_For_Truth

I actually don't think he's disagreeing with anything you've said, I think what he's saying is that when have the Leafs ever done things the right way, and moreover, after missing the playoffs for 8 years, the likelihood of them admitting their mistake and doing things the right way is even more remote.....

though maybe not.

Kulemin >>>>>>>>>> Gagner

Stop this before it gets out of hand.
- Pen15

You probably should stop before it does get out of hand.

Gagner has had five straight 40+ point seasons. Kulemin has had one in his whole career. Might also be worth remembering that Gagner is three years younger. And plays center. And has been playing on one of the few teams even worse than the Leafs.

Pretty easy to see unless of course you're wearing a blue and white apparatus which is impeding your vision.

Cry about your foolishness all you want...who cares what the past 45 years have brought or haven't brought....your opinion matters not. The fact is the Leafs wont be tanking on purpose....not with the new owners....so get over it.

Winning means, being an above .500 team, a team that makes the playoffs, a team that creates a winning environment for its players and youth, a team players want to play for because they believe they have a good shot at winning.

It's not a short term fix - 4 - 5 years is not term....they need playoff experience. They need a winning environment to A) attract players without overpaying and B) to develop their youth to want to stay.

Anyone who thinks its good to miss the playoffs for years, develop and than bam they are going to win the cup is stupid. Sure there's always that one in a million chance.

Its called progress....make the playoffs, see how you hold up, gain experience and get a few more pieces. Make the playoffs, go a little deeper or a lucky run, gain experience, fill the gaps. And so on and so on.

I know you are use to losing with the leafs and maybe in life, but you can build for the future and still win in the present. Its called scouting and drafting...something the leafs need to continue to improve on.

You dont need to tank to build a winning team....not sure why every fool thinks thats the case.
- Fakepartofme

I actually don't think he's disagreeing with anything you've said, I think what he's saying is that when have the Leafs ever done things the right way, and moreover, after missing the playoffs for 8 years, the likelihood of them admitting their mistake and doing things the right way is even more remote.
- mykokes

I think you should read the response he gave

6. The Salary Cap - The thing that will keep any of this from happening simultaneously in Edmonton.

7. The City of Edmonton - The place star players leave at the earliest chance.
- Leeman4Gilmour

They are in a decent cap position.