What game where you watching Rich?? Gagner was fantastic. His defense definatly needs some work but he currently has the most hustle on the team. Whitney was good. He gets stuck looking like a goat simply because he is constantly having to move out of position to cover up for either Potter or Fistric who are both trash. That goal was RNH's fault and not Whitney's, Whitney picked up his guy and RNH played it lazy.

Yak/Gags/Hemmer look pretty good for only playing 5 games together. Leave them be, and they'll continue to improve. I love the line. Aside from Potter/Fistric, Petry has to be the worst Dman on the team. He is constantly out of position and is making Smid look bad because of it.

Smyth, Horcoff, and Petrell are absolutly brutal. They are supposed to be a shutdown line but they are far too slow. Belanger and Hartikanen should be moved up in the depth chart. We need a Brent Seabrook / Dan Hamhuis type of Dman to really shore up the back end.
- Oilersforlife

Petrell on the 3rd line was a bad idea. He does nice things on the 4th line, but he doesn't really add any energy to that Horc-Smyth line. Even Hemsky floating around centre ice would give those two someone to launch the puck to. I think we ought to start looking at Belanger as a 3rd line winger and 4th line centre until Jones comes back.

Gagner I agree. It's not that he's not trying, it's simply that he is not physically mature yet. His positioning has improved.

Inbreeding and smoking wayyyy to much weed.
- ruttager17

Smoking weed doesn't make you stupid, recent studies show it helps stimulate brain cell growth.... Drinking alcohol makes you stupid

Petrell on the 3rd line was a bad idea. He does nice things on the 4th line, but he doesn't really add any energy to that Horc-Smyth line. Even Hemsky floating around centre ice would give those two someone to launch the puck to. I think we ought to start looking at Belanger as a 3rd line winger and 4th line centre until Jones comes back.

Gagner I agree. It's not that he's not trying, it's simply that he is not physically mature yet. His positioning has improved.
- Morris

I'd like to see Hartikainen / Belanger / Jones as the 3rd line. Horcoff is just a play killer. I can't believe is on playing on the top line PP. Smyth is done. Plain and simple, he looks too old. Maybe he hasn't knocked the rust from the lock out off yet, but as of now he doesn't even deserve a roster spot. Petrell just runs around like a chicken with his head cut off and makes bad plays everytime he touches the puck. They have been the worst part of the team thus far.

Smoking weed doesn't make you stupid, recent studies show it helps stimulate brain cell growth.... Drinking alcohol makes you stupid
- SpoiledByOil

Smoking weed doesn't make you stupid, recent studies show it helps stimulate brain cell growth.... Drinking alcohol makes you stupid
- SpoiledByOil

Whatever you need to tell yourself to make you feel batter about being a pothead. I suppose I should have clarified excessive marijuana use in teens and adolescents before the brain has fully developed causes impairment in brain development. Takes till about 22ish before the brain fully develops. But if ya wanna think that getting high somehow makes ya smarter then good luck with that.

Do you mean cut through our weak defense? I agree.

I think this will be a big year for maturing as a defensive unit (forwards and D alike). I just hope to be in the running by the TDL to add a stalwart or two. This could be the year that the likes of Reider, Hamilton, Lander, Pitlick, and picks 2nd round onward go to bring in an impact depth player or two.
- Morris

Yeah the Oilers or most other teams in the West with meh defense.

It would be nice to be one of those teams again that could actually acquire NHL players for magic beans as opposed to the other way around.

Petrell on the 3rd line was a bad idea. He does nice things on the 4th line, but he doesn't really add any energy to that Horc-Smyth line. Even Hemsky floating around centre ice would give those two someone to launch the puck to. I think we ought to start looking at Belanger as a 3rd line winger and 4th line centre until Jones comes back.

Gagner I agree. It's not that he's not trying, it's simply that he is not physically mature yet. His positioning has improved.
- Morris

I've always thought of Gagner as a man in a boy's body, and vice versa for someone like Paajarvi.

How can you call the first line 'one of the best in hockey' when they didn't even score an EV goal?


- Cansucks

Everytime the top line was on the ice they puck was in the offensive zone. That is what you want from a #1 line. It's only a matter of time until they score even strength and then your lame argument is gone.

Everytime the top line was on the ice they puck was in the offensive zone. That is what you want from a #1 line. It's only a matter of time until they score even strength and then your lame argument is gone.
- Ben37

I don't care what everyone else says about you, Ben10 Alien Force, you are a good egg .........most of the time.

...? Rnh/hall/ebs best line in hockey?

So by oilers cant score 5v5 you mean all but them right?

Just asking. I dont want to assume anything like they're the best but can only score on the powerplay. That would just be silly
- Blindfatkid

Re read, I don't think he said THE best but they are one of them.

Please explain how it is not as good as the results show??? Because they couldn't get set up on two PP's??? Typically when a team does not get set up on a PP, they either A-just shat the bed or B- the other teams PK was particularly good. The results speak for themselves on the PP. Don't be hating cause they are brilliant on the PP
- ruttager17

I didn't say it, the other poster did. But sometimes results always don't show the whole story, so we'll see.

I didn't say it, the other poster did. But sometimes results always don't show the whole story, so we'll see.
- The-O-G

Ok fair enough dawg, my bad. However I have watched every game this season and aside from the LA game they have been great on the PP. Of course the jury still won't be out on it till after 20 or so games, but they were great on the PP last season and the addition of Schultz doesn't exactly hurt them.

What game where you watching Rich?? Gagner was fantastic. His defense definatly needs some work but he currently has the most hustle on the team. Whitney was good. He gets stuck looking like a goat simply because he is constantly having to move out of position to cover up for either Potter or Fistric who are both trash. That goal was RNH's fault and not Whitney's, Whitney picked up his guy and RNH played it lazy.

Yak/Gags/Hemmer look pretty good for only playing 5 games together. Leave them be, and they'll continue to improve. I love the line. Aside from Potter/Fistric, Petry has to be the worst Dman on the team. He is constantly out of position and is making Smid look bad because of it.

Smyth, Horcoff, and Petrell are absolutly brutal. They are supposed to be a shutdown line but they are far too slow. Belanger and Hartikanen should be moved up in the depth chart. We need a Brent Seabrook / Dan Hamhuis type of Dman to really shore up the back end.
- Oilersforlife

What games are you watching...

Petry and RNH sucking. Fistric trash... Whitney and Gagner looking great... Are you being sarcastic or just trying to get a rise out of people? Or is it opposite day and no one told me?

Whitney is the only one looking like trash on the d-corps. But even he has had decent puck movement. Nothing to panic over yet.

Gagner is looking very bad defensively but also looking solid on the score sheet.

Petry has had a couple bad turns but overall has been strong.

RNH has been rediculasly strong. His defensive awareness/positioning has been practicaly flawless. And the only one to blame for the one goal againt the Oil last night was Dub. Patheticaly weak goal.

Fistric has looked great and if anything has been covering for Whitney who seems to be floating out of position most games. Potter has been covering for Whitney as well.

You obviously missed the highlight reel goal by Yaks last night or you would not be talking trash like that...
- saskoil21

His open-netter? That is highlight reel stuff?

Oh, and it wasn't trash talk, it is an observation and opinion.

Not worth much discussion. He'll savour that win and point at it even as the Flames embark further down the drain.
- sanfordnson

Oh yes, I certainly did savour it, and will continue to. If we lose every other game this year but beat the Oil & 'Nucks every game I will be happy. Shortened season, aging core, strong draft.... I'm hoping for a perfect storm that brings us a few very strong picks and prospects via trade that sets up a quick rebuild a la Philly Flyers.

Please don't wste time by saying that the Flyers have't won anything, they have been competitive since they traded Forsberg and signed Briere to that atrocious contract.... atrocious but it worked.

Oh, and I know that loss REALLY bugs you. Don't pretend it doesn't.

What games are you watching...

Petry and RNH sucking. Fistric trash... Whitney and Gagner looking great... Are you being sarcastic or just trying to get a rise out of people? Or is it opposite day and no one told me?

Whitney is the only one looking like trash on the d-corps. But even he has had decent puck movement. Nothing to panic over yet.

Gagner is looking very bad defensively but also looking solid on the score sheet.

Petry has had a couple bad turns but overall has been strong.

RNH has been rediculasly strong. His defensive awareness/positioning has been practicaly flawless. And the only one to blame for the one goal againt the Oil last night was Dub. Patheticaly weak goal.

Fistric has looked great and if anything has been covering for Whitney who seems to be floating out of position most games. Potter has been covering for Whitney as well.
- Aerchon

I have come to the conclusion that no matter what Whitney and Gagner do this year, Some fans won't be happy until they are gone. And they call me an unintelligent homer??????
Since when does being the defensively responsible one on a line(usually falls on the centers sholders) mean that they are all of a sudden weak? Being the first one back or ussually covering for a pinching defenseman means you are going to get caught out of position occasionally.
I always thought a second line center had to be about .5 points per game and good on face-offs and ussually have to be omre defensively responsible than the #1 center.
But of course that isn't the only thing here in Edmonton, He has to be what the fans want or he isn't ant good. Tough call on that one. I heard someone say the Oilers should have offered Arnott the second line center, interesting considering it was the fans who basically ran him out of town. Same goes for a few other players like Satan, Chercawski, ........etc.

Oh yes, I certainly did savour it, and will continue to. If we lose every other game this year but beat the Oil & 'Nucks every game I will be happy. Shortened season, aging core, strong draft.... I'm hoping for a perfect storm that brings us a few very strong picks and prospects via trade that sets up a quick rebuild a la Philly Flyers.

Please don't wste time by saying that the Flyers have't won anything, they have been competitive since they traded Forsberg and signed Briere to that atrocious contract.... atrocious but it worked.

Oh, and I know that loss REALLY bugs you. Don't pretend it doesn't.
- TandA4Flames

What loss are you talking about there have been so many, Oh wait the one where the flames beat us. That game I forgot about that one.

Oh yes, I certainly did savour it, and will continue to. If we lose every other game this year but beat the Oil & 'Nucks every game I will be happy. Shortened season, aging core, strong draft.... I'm hoping for a perfect storm that brings us a few very strong picks and prospects via trade that sets up a quick rebuild a la Philly Flyers.

Please don't wste time by saying that the Flyers have't won anything, they have been competitive since they traded Forsberg and signed Briere to that atrocious contract.... atrocious but it worked.

Oh, and I know that loss REALLY bugs you. Don't pretend it doesn't.
- TandA4Flames

Not really. In the end its a game played by millionaires.

The province having to go into deficit and (frank)ing stupid Redford talking PST? THAT bugs me. Good job voting that stupid female dog in sheep. The Conservatives are anything but these days.

But if it makes you feel better....." Oh DAMN that stupid hockey game! I'll never be over it. Their millionaires put the rubber disc in the net more time than our millionaires. DAMN IT ALL TO HELL!!"

See? Sounds stupid doesnt it. Get a grip fool.

Oh yes, I certainly did savour it, and will continue to. If we lose every other game this year but beat the Oil & 'Nucks every game I will be happy. Shortened season, aging core, strong draft.... I'm hoping for a perfect storm that brings us a few very strong picks and prospects via trade that sets up a quick rebuild a la Philly Flyers.

Please don't wste time by saying that the Flyers have't won anything, they have been competitive since they traded Forsberg and signed Briere to that atrocious contract.... atrocious but it worked.

Oh, and I know that loss REALLY bugs you. Don't pretend it doesn't.
- TandA4Flames

I would not get too excited about Flames getting a lotto pick. When you guys do get it, Feaster will be sure to trade it away for a couple late picks so he can get a couple more high school kids with potential.

Serious question: Is anyone here concerned about the Oilers lack of ability to score 5 on 5? Seem to me it might suggest they are too small to penetrate the offensive zone and generate legit scoring chances. This could especially be a problem if they were to make the playoffs.

Thoughts?
- The-O-G

Yes. Right now our PP rank plus our PK rank is 10, which all but guarantees us a playoff spot (assuming it stays that way of course) provided we are a league average 5v5 team, which we are not.

I want to see Paajarvi and Hartkainen on the same line. There were a couple of times both Harti and PRV were on the ice at once and a light bulb went of over my head. Doesn't matter too much who their center is... say give 'em Belanger and see what happens over a few games.

I have come to the conclusion that no matter what Whitney and Gagner do this year, Some fans won't be happy until they are gone. And they call me an unintelligent homer??????
Since when does being the defensively responsible one on a line(usually falls on the centers sholders) mean that they are all of a sudden weak? Being the first one back or ussually covering for a pinching defenseman means you are going to get caught out of position occasionally.
I always thought a second line center had to be about .5 points per game and good on face-offs and ussually have to be omre defensively responsible than the #1 center.
But of course that isn't the only thing here in Edmonton, He has to be what the fans want or he isn't ant good. Tough call on that one. I heard someone say the Oilers should have offered Arnott the second line center, interesting considering it was the fans who basically ran him out of town. Same goes for a few other players like Satan, Chercawski, ........etc.
- longbottom

I was a fan of Whitney till he got injured. Now he looks like his career will never be even close to what he was. Nothing to do with running him out of town. He looks like he can't move his ankles... at all.

Gagner is the #2 C on a very offensively minded line. He will have to be the reliable one. It is funny that most people want to see him get more points but Ive always thought his points are fine for a #2 C just his Defenense needs to improve. So far this year he has been worse than last year.

As far as I remember Satan and Arnott were fan favorites. I know I, and most my friends, loved them and were upset that the Oilers got rid of them. They were part of the time when the Oilers were not being able to afford thier talent. Nothing to do with the fans as far as I remember.

I would not get too excited about Flames getting a lotto pick. When you guys do get it, Feaster will be sure to trade it away for a couple late picks so he can get a couple more high school kids with potential.
- heh49314

Smoking weed doesn't make you stupid, recent studies show it helps stimulate brain cell growth.... Drinking alcohol makes you stupid
- SpoiledByOil

I don't suppose you could provide a link to that study, could you?

Yeah the Oilers or most other teams in the West with meh defense.

It would be nice to be one of those teams again that could actually acquire NHL players for magic beans as opposed to the other way around.
- Jack-artist

Wait a year. Our time is coming!

I don't suppose you could provide a link to that study, could you?
- thefullnelson

Probably could, and it will be a webpage filled with ads, not exactly unbiased peer reviewed sources. Nothing wrong with smoking weed, each to their own, just the people that think it cures cancer, and has no detrimental health affects need to wake up and stop lying to themselves.