- RichardHertz

and.......thats maturity for you...Somebody is missing from kindergarten class...

His numbers don't tell that same story.

he plays 4th spot at best, but mostly 5/6 and a bit of PK.

I do agree that he most likely gets paired with Petry on the bottom pair if Whitney is unable to regain his Top2 form.
- OilHorse

Petry is no bottom guy... I think on paper is our most proven offensive dman currently - which may not say much but... Whitney is questionable, as is Schultz until he gets a few games in.

Munger, best word ever!
- holygoat

Its too bad not many ppl know what it means.

and.......thats maturity for you...Somebody is missing from kindergarten class...
- oil90

Did you get kicked out for licking windows again?

One quick thing before getting into my actual reply.

I love ur blogs Richard, but you contradicted yourself in this one.

You started it by saying signs everywhere that Oilers will make a move before the season starts and then went into what you thought it might be. Then you ended it by saying you'd be "totally surprised" if they made another move before the first puck drops. Which is it? Haha.

Anyways, my main point in replying was that Vancouver has an abundance of d men this year with the Barker/Vandemeer signings. Edmonton could still use a serviceable body who is still young and could come up with the kids.

What would you have to say about a Luongo/Tanev or Connaughton combo coming to the Oil and what would you send back. IMO Dubnyk would have to come back so Schneider has a legit backup at the least.
- Nostra-daVus

The new CBA makes Luongos contract less desirable than ever. You guys need to accept that nobody will give you any appreciable assets for him.

I agree, just saying LUongo gets a bad rap compared to most goalies.
- Jack-artist

Lu is a good goalie, but his contract is just too crippling.

I am surprised that no one is posting Kate Upton bathing suit GIFs- what is up with that??? is no one allowed to post boobs on this site anymore???

I love Bobby Lu, but with his age and contract term he doesn't fit into the Oilers timeline. And really discussing this is a moot point, there is no way Gillis trades Bobby Lu within the division, and turns a rival into a contenteder.

Frankly I also doubt he would waive his NTC to play in Edmonton. I don't think he'll be traded regardless. Vancouver should keep him and run the tandem for the short season. Split the games and see who earns the right to start in the playoffs. Personally I think Schneider is overrated. Too often do goaltenders look great one season and fall of the map the next. If they trade Lu and Schneider faulters it would be a disaster. Sometimes you don't know what you got till it's gone.

Lu is a good goalie, but his contract is just too crippling.
- sanfordnson

thats why there's very few teams, if any, that are a good fit for him.

when u let go of a guy who is 26 and just emerging(like your blogger just blogged about) u gave up on him. He led your team in almost every defensive category and was top 5 in the league in hits.He doesnt have to score to be productive. The reason he was let go was his 1.5 million cap hit and the stars are looking to trim. Its a reality of the stars organization and ownership that they wont be spending top dollars anymore.
- oil90

Joe nieuwendyk spoke about it. Hes got a few kids in oleksiak etc. that he feels can step in and do fistrics job. Either way, im happy with the acquisition, but i think this says alot about him....

Joe nieuwendyk spoke about it. Hes got a few kids in oleksiak etc. that he feels can step in and do fistrics job. Either way, im happy with the acquisition, but i think this says alot about him....
- hugefemale dog77

The Fistrics of the world are replaceable commodities. We already have a Fistric+ with Laddy but Fistric will fill a valuable depth role in the bottom 6. He can really lay people out.

like I said yesterday, its a meh trade, but we gave up essentially nothing so Im happy.

Petry is no bottom guy... I think on paper is our most proven offensive dman currently - which may not say much but... Whitney is questionable, as is Schultz until he gets a few games in.
- saskoil21

A big part of my statement is based around Whitney rersuming Top2 form...and I said that.

The double Schultz pair will be middle pair because JS needs the best cover Dman on the team with him for a while...and he get lots of icetime.

Leaves Petry to the bottom pair...which is good, because with him and Fister they can handle a higher than avg time load for bottom pair guys to help take some of the load off of Schultz sq...finally coming around to a stable and deep D core...not exactly there but getting better

A big part of my statement is based around Whitney rersuming Top2 form...and I said that.

The double Schultz pair will be middle pair because JS needs the best cover Dman on the team with him for a while...and he get lots of icetime.

Leaves Petry to the bottom pair...which is good, because with him and Fister they can handle a higher than avg time load for bottom pair guys to help take some of the load off of Schultz sq...finally coming around to a stable and deep D core...not exactly there but getting better
- OilHorse

im assumng you mean that Smid will slot in with Whitney. I had heard that they intended to keep tbe Smid-Petry tandem together.

im assumng you mean that Smid will slot in with Whitney. I had heard that they intended to keep tbe Smid-Petry tandem together.
- sanfordnson

Definitely agree. However a healthy Whitney with Smid could be likely as well. I see for now them keeping Petry-Smid, the Schulz duo, and then Whitney-Fistric. Whitney will see time on the second PP unit. The sharper he looks, move him up accordingly.

Definitely agree. However a healthy Whitney with Smid could be likely as well. I see for now them keeping Petry-Smid, the Schulz duo, and then Whitney-Fistric. Whitney will see time on the second PP unit. The sharper he looks, move him up accordingly.
- freelancer

I dont mind it. With the Oilers forwards its a pretty good idea to have a guy on each pairing that can move the puck effectively and make a good first pass. I just dont want Petry getting lost in the shuffle because theres a shiny new toy around. He made tremendous strides last year and really started turning into a three zone threat.

Ryan Rishaug ‏@TSNRyanRishaug
Petry Smid, Schultz and Schultz, Whitney Potter, Fistric Tuebert, fedun the d pairings.

Ryan Rishaug ‏@TSNRyanRishaug
Petry Smid, Schultz and Schultz, Whitney Potter, Fistric Tuebert, fedun the d pairings.
- Lahey

I hope the Fistric or Tuebert will supplant Potter.

im assumng you mean that Smid will slot in with Whitney. I had heard that they intended to keep tbe Smid-Petry tandem together.
- sanfordnson

Smid is Top2...no doubt

Whitney will also if he regains form.

Jason Gregor ‏@JasonGregor
Oilers first PP unit at practice is J.Schultz, Hall, Eberle, RNH and Horcoff...2nd unti is Whitney, Yakupov, Hemsky, Gagner and Smyth

TIME FOR A CLOUTIER BLOG TO DISSECT DRESSING ROOM MORALE

edit: oh ya forgot: Eberle is named full time alternate, Hall and Nick Schultz home-and-away alternates.

THE KIDZ ARE READY TO LEAD THIS TEAM WHY HAVENT U WROTE BLOG ABOUT THIS YET RICARDO

Smid is Top2...no doubt

Whitney will also if he regains form.
- OilHorse

Ur hoping for alot... I feel Petry is better than Whitney...

Jason Gregor ‏@JasonGregor
Oilers first PP unit at practice is J.Schultz, Hall, Eberle, RNH and Horcoff...2nd unti is Whitney, Yakupov, Hemsky, Gagner and Smyth
- Lahey

All i can say is interesting...

I dont mind it. With the Oilers forwards its a pretty good idea to have a guy on each pairing that can move the puck effectively and make a good first pass. I just dont want Petry getting lost in the shuffle because theres a shiny new toy around. He made tremendous strides last year and really started turning into a three zone threat.
- sanfordnson

This!