Location: Hall looks disengaged, NS Joined: 07.18.2007
Feb 11 @ 3:10 PM ET
A couple of comments. First, see my earlier comment on "sources". A person develops a few actual ones over time if people read their junk. But that being said, I freely admit the vast majority of my blogs are opinion pieces.
Other comment: I absolutely go out of my way to be manic and be all over the map with my blogs as a way to stirring up chaos. I could come on here and write "sports reporting" and those blogs would suck because everyone is doing them and they completely lack controversy. A "blogger" is so not a reporter. My role here is to entertain, and chaos is entertaining. - Maxbone
Well keep it up, I guess! There's a reason why only a couple of bloggers get widely read here.
As I say, most of your opinions are pretty well-formed. And when they're controversial, it's definitely fun to hash out just who's being a homer/optimist/pessimist/cynic/traitor/troll.
Sidebar: what would it take to convince you that we could run a "Detroit model" (small-skilled centres) with Nuge and Gagner in the top 6 and be successful? Is that all on Gags in your opinion, or does it also depend on whether Harti/Pajaarvi/Hall could become a Franzen/Holmstrom?
Well keep it up, I guess! There's a reason why only a couple of bloggers get widely read here.
As I say, most of your opinions are pretty well-formed. And when they're controversial, it's definitely fun to hash out just who's being a homer/optimist/pessimist/cynic/traitor/troll.
Sidebar: what would it take to convince you that we could run a "Detroit model" (small-skilled centres) with Nuge and Gagner in the top 6 and be successful? Is that all on Gags in your opinion, or does it also depend on whether Harti/Pajaarvi/Hall could become a Franzen/Holmstrom? - Morris
I said before the season that one of Gagner or Hemsky would need to go eventually so the Oilers could add size to their Top 6. I think it's Gagner who stays because of his age more than anything else. Problem is, Hemsky doesn't have as much trade value.
If the Oilers finish out of the playoffs this year, and if they draft in the Top 8 picks or so, the answer is to move Gagner and to take one of MacKinnon, Barkov, Monahan, Lindholm or Shinkaruk. Considering the Oilers needs physically, Barkov is the best choice...Monahan a close second. Gagner could then be dealt for a Top 4 defenseman or a 3rd line, two-way center with size.
But I don't think the Oilers will draft that high...More likely they will pick somewhere between 12th and 18th...so finding an immediate center isn't in the cards. The organization adores Curtis Lazar, and I suspect he's the guy they'll end up taking. This means Hemsky is more likely to be moved.
All of this being said, Hemsky AND Gagner are two of the players doing really well for the Oilers this season. The top priority really isn't moving either. There's bigger fish to fry.
Location: Rooming with Richard in his Mo, AB Joined: 02.19.2007
Feb 11 @ 3:18 PM ET
You're partially right on this. You're right when you say that anyone can write a hockey blog, sources or not. The part you can't seem to accept is that over time, especially if your work is popular, people start coming to you with information.
Obviously the Oilers are not a contender yet. This is not to say the goal is to ignore trying to win this season. But make no mistake; there's a plan and Oilers management are following it. This year is all about preparing to be a contender. Anyone who suggests otherwise doesn't understand how much time and work goes into developing a winning team. - Maxbone
The way I thought it came across in your blog was that the Oilers aren't serious about winning this season. If ST is really okay with not winning this year in preparation for next year he should be fired. We all know what the Oilers are doing in terms of their plan. But if they are openly willing to sacrifice wins to execute the plan, they are in the wrong business. This team and its fans needs to stop accepting losing, for any reason. As on Oiler blogger and a fan you should not be okay with this meesage and yet it seems you are. If say 10,000 people read your blog and are influenced by it, they too are then okay with another year of failure. Let's say the players themselves read this blog and they get it in the back of their heads.What will next years excuse be? I don't doubt you have some sources but this one I hope you got some bad info. The Oilers need a culture change that losing is unacceptable and really it starts with the fans. And seeing as how you are a fan with a voice it should start with you. They are good enough to challenge for a playoff spot and right now that should be everyones main focus. Not worrying about next year or the year after. We've been doing that for 6 years already it's time to move on.
Location: PC is a genius for drafting mcdavid Joined: 02.20.2007
Feb 11 @ 3:23 PM ET
The way I thought it came across in your blog was that the Oilers aren't serious about winning this season. If ST is really okay with not winning this year in preparation for next year he should be fired. We all know what the Oilers are doing in terms of their plan. But if they are openly willing to sacrifice wins to execute the plan, they are in the wrong business. This team and its fans needs to stop accepting losing, for any reason. As on Oiler blogger and a fan you should not be okay with this meesage and yet it seems you are. If say 10,000 people read your blog and are influenced by it, they too are then okay with another year of failure. Let's say the players themselves read this blog and they get it in the back of their heads.What will next years excuse be? I don't doubt you have some sources but this one I hope you got some bad info. The Oilers need a culture change that losing is unacceptable and really it starts with the fans. And seeing as how you are a fan with a voice it should start with you. They are good enough to challenge for a playoff spot and right now that should be everyones main focus. Not worrying about next year or the year after. We've been doing that for 6 years already it's time to move on. - Oilersforlife
But I don't think the Oilers will draft that high...More likely they will pick somewhere between 12th and 18th...so finding an immediate center isn't in the cards. The organization adores Curtis Lazar, and I suspect he's the guy they'll end up taking. This means Hemsky is more likely to be moved.
- Maxbone
We have enough skilled, small forwards, why would we draft an unskilled small forward. The guy is currently ranked 29th or so, I have said it once and I am willing to put good money on it, if the Oilers pick, as you say, in the 12 - 18 they will draft Frederik Gauthier
The way I thought it came across in your blog was that the Oilers aren't serious about winning this season. If ST is really okay with not winning this year in preparation for next year he should be fired. We all know what the Oilers are doing in terms of their plan. But if they are openly willing to sacrifice wins to execute the plan, they are in the wrong business. This team and its fans needs to stop accepting losing, for any reason. As on Oiler blogger and a fan you should not be okay with this meesage and yet it seems you are. If say 10,000 people read your blog and are influenced by it, they too are then okay with another year of failure. Let's say the players themselves read this blog and they get it in the back of their heads.What will next years excuse be? I don't doubt you have some sources but this one I hope you got some bad info. The Oilers need a culture change that losing is unacceptable and really it starts with the fans. And seeing as how you are a fan with a voice it should start with you. They are good enough to challenge for a playoff spot and right now that should be everyones main focus. Not worrying about next year or the year after. We've been doing that for 6 years already it's time to move on. - Oilersforlife
I don't think the Oilers don't care if they win or not. That's not what I meant. Obviously, everyone wants to win every game.
The Oilers have a plan. A strategy. A very intentional one. First bit was to clear out the junk...players with bad attitudes, people who don't want to be here...management intentionally let the team tank so they could draft high for a few seasons. So far so good.
Next part of the plan is to assemble a core. This is where we are now. I believe the Oilers have 9 of the required 12 core pieces. The Oilers need 1 big guy in their Top 6, because everyone else is too small. This likely means one of Gagner, Hemsky or Yakupov will need to be dealt. There's pros and cons to all three. 2nd missing piece is a 3rd line two-way center with size, grit, and some offensive skill. This could be Anton Lander, but likely isn't. The Oilers need to find someone. The third missing piece is a Top 4 defenseman...with JSchultz and Petry, the Oilers are set on the right side. Ladislav Smid stays, and maybe Oscar Klefbom is the 4th piece. As much as I like Nick Schultz, he's probably more of a 5/6 guy.
It's not that winning this season doesn't matter...It's nice if it happens, sure. But there's a plan here. A schedule. There were questions going into the season, and they're all being answered one way or the other. It's all good.
The way I thought it came across in your blog was that the Oilers aren't serious about winning this season. If ST is really okay with not winning this year in preparation for next year he should be fired. We all know what the Oilers are doing in terms of their plan. But if they are openly willing to sacrifice wins to execute the plan, they are in the wrong business. This team and its fans needs to stop accepting losing, for any reason. As on Oiler blogger and a fan you should not be okay with this meesage and yet it seems you are. If say 10,000 people read your blog and are influenced by it, they too are then okay with another year of failure. Let's say the players themselves read this blog and they get it in the back of their heads.What will next years excuse be? I don't doubt you have some sources but this one I hope you got some bad info. The Oilers need a culture change that losing is unacceptable and really it starts with the fans. And seeing as how you are a fan with a voice it should start with you. They are good enough to challenge for a playoff spot and right now that should be everyones main focus. Not worrying about next year or the year after. We've been doing that for 6 years already it's time to move on. - Oilersforlife
The way I thought it came across in your blog was that the Oilers aren't serious about winning this season. If ST is really okay with not winning this year in preparation for next year he should be fired. We all know what the Oilers are doing in terms of their plan. But if they are openly willing to sacrifice wins to execute the plan, they are in the wrong business. This team and its fans needs to stop accepting losing, for any reason. As on Oiler blogger and a fan you should not be okay with this meesage and yet it seems you are. If say 10,000 people read your blog and are influenced by it, they too are then okay with another year of failure. Let's say the players themselves read this blog and they get it in the back of their heads.What will next years excuse be? I don't doubt you have some sources but this one I hope you got some bad info. The Oilers need a culture change that losing is unacceptable and really it starts with the fans. And seeing as how you are a fan with a voice it should start with you. They are good enough to challenge for a playoff spot and right now that should be everyones main focus. Not worrying about next year or the year after. We've been doing that for 6 years already it's time to move on. - Oilersforlife
(frank)ing right. And if the Oilers coaches are too lazy to implement a system that properly uses our talent, I'll gladly take the job. For (frank)s sakes...
We have enough skilled, small forwards, why would we draft an unskilled small forward. The guy is currently ranked 29th or so, I have said it once and I am willing to put good money on it, if the Oilers pick, as you say, in the 12 - 18 they will draft Frederik Gauthier - ALEDDO
I agree. Gauthier seems to be the kid I draft. I don't know would I even consider drafting Lazar if EDM does draft around his spot. Regardless, the chances of someone making an immediate impact from this draft is slim to none, unless that person is Jones for EDM. Maybe Barkov. If EDM really wants a big C, trade up.
I don't think the Oilers don't care if they win or not. That's not what I meant. Obviously, everyone wants to win every game.
The Oilers have a plan. A strategy. A very intentional one. First bit was to clear out the junk...players with bad attitudes, people who don't want to be here...management intentionally let the team tank so they could draft high for a few seasons. So far so good.
Next part of the plan is to assemble a core. This is where we are now. I believe the Oilers have 9 of the required 12 core pieces. The Oilers need 1 big guy in their Top 6, because everyone else is too small. This likely means one of Gagner, Hemsky or Yakupov will need to be dealt. There's pros and cons to all three. 2nd missing piece is a 3rd line two-way center with size, grit, and some offensive skill. This could be Anton Lander, but likely isn't. The Oilers need to find someone. The third missing piece is a Top 4 defenseman...with JSchultz and Petry, the Oilers are set on the right side. Ladislav Smid stays, and maybe Oscar Klefbom is the 4th piece. As much as I like Nick Schultz, he's probably more of a 5/6 guy.
It's not that winning this season doesn't matter...It's nice if it happens, sure. But there's a plan here. A schedule. There were questions going into the season, and they're all being answered one way or the other. It's all good. - Maxbone
Besides learning the game WTF gives you any reason to believe Yaks is a piece that may need to be dealt... I will say this now he already is better than any rookie we have had in the last 3 yrs.... Yaks should not be dealt as he is the purest sniper rookie we have ever had... Far superior to Hall... He has better passing abilities, speed, can hit harder and has a more pure onetimer than hall... And NO I do not have Russian goggles on!
Location: Oil Tycoon is actually a Flame, AB Joined: 01.29.2007
Feb 11 @ 3:41 PM ET
That is pretty impressive for a team with so many injuries to be where they are right now, Gagner is getting a lot of points this season. - Thehabsfan93
I agree, they are only team with injury issues, really they league should step in and award injury points for the Oil... its just not fair
I don't think the Oilers don't care if they win or not. That's not what I meant. Obviously, everyone wants to win every game.
The Oilers have a plan. A strategy. A very intentional one. First bit was to clear out the junk...players with bad attitudes, people who don't want to be here...management intentionally let the team tank so they could draft high for a few seasons. So far so good.
Next part of the plan is to assemble a core. This is where we are now. I believe the Oilers have 9 of the required 12 core pieces. The Oilers need 1 big guy in their Top 6, because everyone else is too small. This likely means one of Gagner, Hemsky or Yakupov will need to be dealt. There's pros and cons to all three. 2nd missing piece is a 3rd line two-way center with size, grit, and some offensive skill. This could be Anton Lander, but likely isn't. The Oilers need to find someone. The third missing piece is a Top 4 defenseman...with JSchultz and Petry, the Oilers are set on the right side. Ladislav Smid stays, and maybe Oscar Klefbom is the 4th piece. As much as I like Nick Schultz, he's probably more of a 5/6 guy.
It's not that winning this season doesn't matter...It's nice if it happens, sure. But there's a plan here. A schedule. There were questions going into the season, and they're all being answered one way or the other. It's all good. - Maxbone
Klefbom has proved that he can be injured...that is about all...
I agree. Gauthier seems to be the kid I draft. I don't know would I even consider drafting Lazar if EDM does draft around his spot. Regardless, the chances of someone making an immediate impact from this draft is slim to none, unless that person is Jones for EDM. Maybe Barkov. If EDM really wants a big C, trade up. - deks1
You never know, I mean the kid has some serious size, youd have to think the Oilers if they did pick him up wouldn't mind trying him as a 4th line center at the very least, depends on how good he is on draws.
We have plenty of emerging stars on the NHL roster but we don't have depth at all levels of our prospect pool and we are too shallow at C and at G. We are in a shortened season with a very, very deep draft. The draft includes several big centers. We have 3 picks in the top 60. If we draft in the top 10 it is very likely we will get two roster players from those three picks; and the top 10 pick will be exactly the C we need but would have to pay our 1st rounder+ to trade for. Once we start winning we will be drafting in the bottom 10 every year. This is our last chance to get "Messier-lite" for the measly price of one 1st round draft pick.
I'm not saying it's OK to tank. I am saying it is too soon to start spending future assets (picks/prospects) because doing so will diminish our window to win Cups, both in terms of how wide the window gets, and how long the window stays open.
Win or lose, we're watching exciting hockey every night. My only concern with not making the playoffs is the potential effect on the wunderkids' morale. I'm betting they are smart enough to understand everything I just said. I'm uncertain whether they are patient enough to accept it...
Besides learning the game WTF gives you any reason to believe Yaks is a piece that may need to be dealt... I will say this now he already is better than any rookie we have had in the last 3 yrs.... Yaks should not be dealt as he is the purest sniper rookie we have ever had... Far superior to Hall... He has better passing abilities, speed, can hit harder and has a more pure onetimer than hall... And NO I do not have Russian goggles on! - saskoil21
You never know, I mean the kid has some serious size, youd have to think the Oilers if they did pick him up wouldn't mind trying him as a 4th line center at the very least, depends on how good he is on draws. - ALEDDO
He is improving his game very well from what I am reading. Has defensive awareness compared to Couturier.
Location: PC is a genius for drafting mcdavid Joined: 02.20.2007
Feb 11 @ 3:53 PM ET
RE:Tambellini doing nothing
We have plenty of emerging stars on the NHL roster but we don't have depth at all levels of our prospect pool and we are too shallow at C and at G. We are in a shortened season with a very, very deep draft. The draft includes several big centers. We have 3 picks in the top 60. If we draft in the top 10 it is very likely we will get two roster players from those three picks; and the top 10 pick will be exactly the C we need but would have to pay our 1st rounder+ to trade for. Once we start winning we will be drafting in the bottom 10 every year. This is our last chance to get "Messier-lite" for the measly price of one 1st round draft pick.
I'm not saying it's OK to tank. I am saying it is too soon to start spending future assets (picks/prospects) because doing so will diminish our window to win Cups, both in terms of how wide the window gets, and how long the window stays open.
Win or lose, we're watching exciting hockey every night. My only concern with not making the playoffs is the potential effect on the wunderkids' morale. I'm betting they are smart enough to understand everything I just said. I'm uncertain whether they are patient enough to accept it... - thefullnelson
not interested in another top ten pick. losing isnt helping these kids at all.
that would be 3 years for eberle and hall being bottom feeders.
im all for dealing our first this year if the right deal came along
Obviously I understand that losing a season to injury is a huge setback for Klefbom, but it is worth noting that before this season, people who get paid to evaluate young talent basically figured that Klefbom = Schultz.
You know what - fukk it. If you're suffocating me with your sweaty disgusting forearm for anything more then 3 seconds I'll probably bite you too, Packy.
Yawn... No system in place. We play to accommodate other teams' styles, without having one ourselves. This is why we suck when both teams are playing at even strength... The only systems we have in place is during our special teams. The rest of the game, we're spending too much time worrying about what the other team is doing, and not enough time worrying about what we're going to do. - laughs2907
It could be that Kreuger is still attempting to develop a system. I can't imagine it's easy to develop a system for team on the crux of competing, but still in a stage where growth needs to be accommodated. We can't say our roster is exactly easily balanced for offense and defense either.Also keep in mind that, having only been a head coach in European style leagues, there may be an adjustment time for him as well. I'm not saying to excuse him as he's had the past two seasons to be learning, but give a bit more time before proclaiming failure.
You know what - fukk it. If you're suffocating me with your sweaty disgusting forearm for anything more then 3 seconds I'll probably bite you too, Packy.
Isn't that what you want?
ma-dawgz - Salvo
I hear ya, it is such a double edged sword. YES biting shouldn't be allowed but if you are gonna stick an arm or hand right in my mouth I probably would also bite.
