I actually don't think the 2nd line is as bad as it's made out to be. Yak just needs to learn a bit.

You really are reaching if you think guys that play the 7th and 10th most ES time for forwars and the guy that is 3rd for d-man is the issue. Although that does seem odd for Whitney to play more than Smid at ES.
- Lahey

I saw that too... But you really think Whitney is that effective... He may be the 4th or 5th best dman on this team now... behind my order of Smid, JSchultz, Petry, N Schultz with the small sample size of 5 games... I am not sure its that reaching... Smyth and Horcoff were given too much ice time as it was last night... I just dont see any value to the play of Horcoff on the PP and smyth on this team at all-yes they are doing the job but barely and I think they are replaceable for better options that have grit, and some hands- its not like these guys ever led by example...the kids learned on the ice by themselves for the most part over the last 2 seasons and in OKC... maybe they learned something off the ice from the vets and in the locker room... If we dont have tough players to play against on our 3rd and 4th lines forget 'w's against the better teams...

Hypothetically we have no more injuries who does sit?

Petrell is doing real well in his limited role, one of the better PK guys.

Harti, plays a hard working physical role that we have lacked for so long.

Prv- Getting some drawn penalties, goes in deep like only a few others on the team. No points yet, but shows as a vaulable bottom 6 player.
- Lahey

That is the question... Can you sit Smyth in the pressbox- does it end up creating resentment and another media topic that ends up in bad publicity for the team- this all could be reality in a short matter of time with no injuries... or trades...

I saw that too... But you really think Whitney is that effective... He may be the 4th or 5th best dman on this team now... behind my order of Smid, JSchultz, Petry, N Schultz with the small sample size of 5 games... I am not sure its that reaching... Smyth and Horcoff were given too much ice time as it was last night... I just dont see any value to the play of Horcoff on the PP and smyth on this team at all-yes they are doing the job but barely and I think they are replaceable for better options that have grit, and some hands- its not like these guys ever led by example...the kids learned on the ice by themselves for the most part over the last 2 seasons and in OKC... maybe they learned something off the ice from the vets and in the locker room... If we dont have tough players to play against on our 3rd and 4th lines forget 'w's against the better teams...
- saskoil21

I really don't think Whitney is that effective. Just saying he gets those passes to a Hall, Eberle, Yak or Hemsky and we could see some magic. Was really the only positive I saw from the guy.

Horc 9:23
Smyth 10:36

Not exactly a lot of ES minutes. And don't kid yourself they are trying hard to cut Smyth's time they just can't find someone yet to take all his PK time.

So you see no value to Horcoff standing in front of the net taking cross-checks,screening the goalie and winning draws on the PP? Not as easy as you think. He's a part of the reason weak shots end up in the back of the net on the PP.

I don't see Laich as a problem or solution. Their problem has always been that they couldn't get their 4 offensive stars to click at the same time. Ovi, Semin, Backstrom, and Green have all been elite talents at one time or another, but they never could all click.

I don't know what the answer is there now, although it does appear they are (frank)ed in goal. Tighter system might be what they need. Laich could help with that I'd think.
- Lahey

Theyve been trying to play tighter for a couple years now. It hasnt worked and guys like OV, Green and Backstrom appear to have forgotten how to score.

I liked Hartkinen but I thought he really breathed some life into Belanger and Paajarvi. I don't think he is ready for the PP yet. I think he could be by the end of this year but he looked out of place. However that 4th line really became a power house for the team and made the third line obsolete.

I do think that we need to put this size thing with Gagner to rest though. He is the same size as Callahan and Ott who are two of the top five hitters (Yahoo stats) both this year and last. He is just shy of 6 feet and just over 190 lbs. He can build some bulk and crash the net more but right now he is the only one consistently getting points. I know it was an empty net goal but it was a goal because of the physical battle he won for the puck to pass it. I think at some point you need to move him to a positive since he has had a point in every contest and has been instrumental in our games. Not bad for a guy that was fourth line just a couple years ago.

I do agree that Hemsky and Whitney need to go. We need to make them look pretty for a couple games and ship them to someone stupid. I am thinking NYI. They like to trade off all their good players (historically anyways). NYI has no real D other than Streit and he is a UFA at the end of the year. I would love to trade those two and resign him. If you have see him play live he is AMAZING behind the play and positionally. IMO the most underrated Dman in the game, even to have him as a rental instead of whitney for the rest of the season would be fun to watch.

There are teams like Detroit and even Colorado that might be interested in Hemsky. I don't know what the return is, but teams looking to excel now. I know Colorado is looking for someone to bring their rookie of the year out of his 1 point year and was expecting bigger things. Detroit is doing nothing and might just enjoy Whitney and Hemsky on their line since their top line has Brunner playing on it. Despite the hype and his 2 points, he is not good. I think Hemsky could be the Burrows to the duo. There are teams that are not looking to wait to the deadline in this short season to make moves.
- bsteinley

I think Hemsky has made a good case for himself in his ability to take hits- he is showing that maybe he is healed and that may generate interest... I just wish he as not all over the place and more predictable for Yaks... then we could have a solid 2nd line... Even though people say its a soft line - Gags was hitting everything last night and Yaks is more solid than Hall with just as much if not more speed... he is just learning... come the 20 game mark I think many will change the negativity towards Yak...

I really don't think Whitney is that effective. Just saying he gets those passes to a Hall, Eberle, Yak or Hemsky and we could see some magic. Was really the only positive I saw from the guy.

Horc 9:23
Smyth 10:36

Not exactly a lot of ES minutes. And don't kid yourself they are trying hard to cut Smyth's time they just can't find someone yet to take all his PK time.

So you see no value to Horcoff standing in front of the net taking cross-checks,screening the goalie and winning draws on the PP? Not as easy as you think. He's a part of the reason weak shots end up in the back of the net on the PP.
- Lahey

I guess your right... to a degree... just as long as he does not touch the (frank)ing puck you make your point

That is the question... Can you sit Smyth in the pressbox- does it end up creating resentment and another media topic that ends up in bad publicity for the team- this all could be reality in a short matter of time with no injuries... or trades...
- saskoil21

I'm more worried about tambo not wanting a guy he just gave a two year deal sitting. Not sure if Tambo steps in and makes sure Smyth is used or not.

The media will have a fun time with it that's for sure, but I could careless. Nothing we do is good in the eyes of the media.

I just hope at some point Smyth steps up tells them to sit him.

That is the question... Can you sit Smyth in the pressbox- does it end up creating resentment and another media topic that ends up in bad publicity for the team- this all could be reality in a short matter of time with no injuries... or trades...
- saskoil21

I dont think it creates a huge issue really. Anyone watching can see what Smyth is like this year. Its painfully obvious, emphasis on the pain.

I guess your right... to a degree... just as long as he does not touch the (frank)ing puck you make your point
- saskoil21

So don't hit his skate?

Horc, Smyth, Harti or whoever for that matter don't have to be skilled to play that role. They just have to have the guts to take punishment. Horc didn't always play that role, but he saw an oppurtunity last year and took it.

I don't want to look for the post you quoted, but you really think Willis is going to do that Ben? Did you notice how when talking about Eberle they forgot to mention Jones? A player who they ripped for the same thing. Nope instead he chooses (frank)ing Brule who had mental issues and injury issues.
- Lahey

I kind of stopped reading Willis after that. I just thought that everything he was spewing was bullpoop.

That is the question... Can you sit Smyth in the pressbox- does it end up creating resentment and another media topic that ends up in bad publicity for the team- this all could be reality in a short matter of time with no injuries... or trades...
- saskoil21

I want to preface this by saying I am a huge Smyth fan. However he has no place on the ice this season. He came out of the lockout not in game shape. Whether he would have with a full training camp, who knows but the point is, we have better players now. Same thing happened to Mogiliny last lockout and NJ buried him in the minors for the remainder of his career. I am not suggesting that.

Other teams have sat their BEST players for under performing. I think a night off might give him the chance to think about his play. He either comes back stronger and more motivated or we know for sure that he is done. I think the team should retire his number as one of the most hard working and longest serving Oilers of all time. I also think with his international play and his time around the NHL, that he could offer the team something as an employee off the ice. Unfortunately that time came sooner than anyone wanted or expected it to.

I think you give him a good job after hockey and he is happy, there will be no press backlash as Smyth himself will retire. He is not stupid. I have his wife on my facebook and he has other things going on. The Oilers are his life but he will understand because he is one of the few standup guys in hockey. Like the Yzermans, Sakics... not the same skill but the same love for the game.

I checked out for about 6 or 7 pages there... but I gotta say: that hemmer goal was a garbage goal that anyone could have scored, but the fact is it's a bit rich(ard cloutier) to call him too soft for the team on a night when he actually crashes the net and gets his feet wet.

I want to preface this by saying I am a huge Smyth fan. However he has no place on the ice this season. He came out of the lockout not in game shape. Whether he would have with a full training camp, who knows but the point is, we have better players now. Same thing happened to Mogiliny last lockout and NJ buried him in the minors for the remainder of his career. I am not suggesting that.

Other teams have sat their BEST players for under performing. I think a night off might give him the chance to think about his play. He either comes back stronger and more motivated or we know for sure that he is done. I think the team should retire his number as one of the most hard working and longest serving Oilers of all time. I also think with his international play and his time around the NHL, that he could offer the team something as an employee off the ice. Unfortunately that time came sooner than anyone wanted or expected it to.

I think you give him a good job after hockey and he is happy, there will be no press backlash as Smyth himself will retire. He is not stupid. I have his wife on my facebook and he has other things going on. The Oilers are his life but he will understand because he is one of the few standup guys in hockey. Like the Yzermans, Sakics... not the same skill but the same love for the game.
- bsteinley

I completely agree... He was a great soldier for this organization... I just wish he would have known or announced something earlier as it really has fan fallout- myself included- I watched and cheered for him forever- but I just dont see us not playing the best players... not with so much opportunity to make the playoffs... Its early but even with the ups and downs if we stay .550 or better we might be in the top 8 and yes he would be in that same school as Yzerman or Sakic just not top of that class...

I kind of stopped reading Willis after that. I just thought that everything he was spewing was bullpoop.
- Ben37

I kinda said no to him after he admitted to not watching games. Then apparently he started, but who knows.

I liked Hartkinen but I thought he really breathed some life into Belanger and Paajarvi. I don't think he is ready for the PP yet. I think he could be by the end of this year but he looked out of place. However that 4th line really became a power house for the team and made the third line obsolete...
- bsteinley

The one deal I can see Hemsky being dealt for is Horton from bos. Both have a case of old injury. Both are trying to redeem themselves. Even though Horton has bad concussion issues, he's a bigger body with skill. He could also go to det, I wonder would det trade Quincey or Ericsson for him.

Whitney to nyi does intrigue me.

- abware

Absolute trash but...funny.

'Merica....(frank) YEAH!

The one deal I can see Hemsky being dealt for is Horton from bos. Both have a case of old injury. Both are trying to redeem themselves. Even though Horton has bad concussion issues, he's a bigger body with skill. He could also go to det, I wonder would det trade Quincey or Ericsson for him.

Whitney to nyi does intrigue me.
- deks1

I wonder if Visnovsky would come back to play in edmonton?

I wonder if Visnovsky would come back to play in edmonton?
- saskoil21

I think he could. I guess it depends what the hell the situation is in Long Island.

- Because Hall/Eberle/Nuge is one of the best lines in hockey. They completely control the game when they're on the ice.

Not from what I saw during the Flames game. Hall lost the puck every time he touched it & "the Nuge" was just plain invisible. Eberle IS the best player you have; heads and tails above Hall, RNH & Yakaflop.

- Because Hall/Eberle/Nuge is one of the best lines in hockey. They completely control the game when they're on the ice.

Not from what I saw during the Flames game. Hall lost the puck every time he touched it & "the Nuge" was just plain invisible. Eberle IS the best player you have; heads and tails above Hall, RNH & Yakaflop.
- TandA4Flames

Keep celebrating your one victory. I dont blame you. Its really all youve got.

I wonder if Visnovsky would come back to play in edmonton?
- saskoil21

Whitney for Lubo or streit? Did Lubo leave on bad terms with edm? He doesn't have a Ntc anymore after the Ana-nyi mess. All three players are ufa.

Whitney for Lubo or streit? Did Lubo leave on bad terms with edm? He doesn't have a Ntc anymore after the Ana-nyi mess. All three players are ufa.
- deks1

Lubo asked for a trade out, but kept things on the down low. It did however sound like Quinn was part of the issue.

I don't think you get Streit as Lubo is obviously the question mark for them and moving Streit when Lubo may or may not show up before Feb 11th is a big mistake.

- Because Hall/Eberle/Nuge is one of the best lines in hockey. They completely control the game when they're on the ice.

Not from what I saw during the Flames game. Hall lost the puck every time he touched it & "the Nuge" was just plain invisible. Eberle IS the best player you have; heads and tails above Hall, RNH & Yakaflop.
- TandA4Flames

Hall needs to learn to dump the puck.

Whitney for Lubo or streit? Did Lubo leave on bad terms with edm? He doesn't have a Ntc anymore after the Ana-nyi mess. All three players are ufa.
- deks1

I thought it was cause if the weather... but if it were a 1 year team which I believe he is on with NYI and WHitney has a 1 year = both on last years... it could work to our favor like Spacek... and basically it evens out we might get the better player but Lubo does not want to play with NYI...

- Because Hall/Eberle/Nuge is one of the best lines in hockey. They completely control the game when they're on the ice.

Not from what I saw during the Flames game. Hall lost the puck every time he touched it & "the Nuge" was just plain invisible. Eberle IS the best player you have; heads and tails above Hall, RNH & Yakaflop.
- TandA4Flames

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