400+ hits who'd you attack this time?
- Lahey

Canucks? He hasn't riled them up much recently.

Let me start by saying I love Smid and if he doesn't sign long term this summer I'll be pretty upset. I like Petry but I don't see much offense in his game. Makes a decent breakout pass, but not great. Solid defensively and will be a rock on our 2nd pairing. I personally think Potter is a glorified minor-leaguer. They need somebody else back their who can move the puck up the ice to the forwards and play PP.
- SteveTambellini

Petry led the team last year in points on defense. He is not given the chance this year with Schultz taking all the PP ice time he can handle but if I am not mistaken Petry had 25 points last year which is pretty decent considering the team. He was amazing for the american's in the worlds. He has the ability, he is just not given the chance... and maybe he is not fully there yet either. I agree with the commentators last night, he will be a great offensive dman in a year or two.

Potter is really just holding a spot for Klefbom. He is not amazing but for the minutes he plays, he doesn't have to be. They absolutely can improve him if they want to make a run but in terms of 6 dmen, almost every team has a player worse than potter on their last pairing. If they pick up another 1-2 dman it will be at the expense of Nick or Smid. Fistric and Klefbom will almost certainly be the last pairing next year and there is no need to trade petry at his age. Nick is the obvious, just because he has good trade value because no one knows the true value of Smid like us Oiler fans.

Petry led the team last year in points on defense. He is not given the chance this year with Schultz taking all the PP ice time he can handle but if I am not mistaken Petry had 25 points last year which is pretty decent considering the team. He was amazing for the american's in the worlds. He has the ability, he is just not given the chance... and maybe he is not fully there yet either. I agree with the commentators last night, he will be a great offensive dman in a year or two.

Potter is really just holding a spot for Klefbom. He is not amazing but for the minutes he plays, he doesn't have to be. They absolutely can improve him if they want to make a run but in terms of 6 dmen, almost every team has a player worse than potter on their last pairing. If they pick up another 1-2 dman it will be at the expense of Nick or Smid. Fistric and Klefbom will almost certainly be the last pairing next year and there is no need to trade petry at his age. Nick is the obvious, just because he has good trade value because no one knows the true value of Smid like us Oiler fans.
- bsteinley

I don't actually understand the lack of oppurtunity for Petry offensively. Even last year he didn't really get it until late in the year.

I don't actually understand the lack of oppurtunity for Petry offensively. Even last year he didn't really get it until late in the year.
- Lahey

He certainly seemed to have a step last night. Looked good. He keeps that up and then it fully opens the scoring threat from the back end to 2 pairings...

I expect the Flames to beat the Stars soundly tonight just to add to the indignity.

Yup keep kicking me out
- hallwillcrushu

Hopefully you get kicked out for an extended period...

I expect the Flames to beat the Stars soundly tonight just to add to the indignity.
- sanfordnson

Well odds are in the favour of the Flames based on it being back to back for Dallas on the road.

So Mr Shytney is nearly pulling a Souray... Piss poor play basically stating he would have been a help in the 40-14 shot differential in CBJ the other night

To be honest from what I saw of the game last night - 2 periods- the team had a hellofalot of jump, hits- it was an exciting game... I did not miss Shytney or Smytty at all... Eager was doing some good things... just the brain gaffes for stupid penalities but overall we are seeing a better team IMO...

I sure hope these junks can start to string some wins together. I can't take another year of not even contending for a playoff spot. I thought they played well last night, Lehtonen was just a freaking beast and our top line is just snake bitten.

I sure hope these junks can start to string some wins together. I can't take another year of not even contending for a playoff spot. I thought they played well last night, Lehtonen was just a freaking beast and our top line is just snake bitten.
- Oilersforlife

No poop... The last few games I just shut the (frank)ing tv off mid way in the 3rd as I cant stand the ending esp when you have to stay up to watch a loss... (frank) I am getting so sick and tired of loserville... If Tambo does not do anything I can see him getting chopped if we are a bottom 5 team...
As for coaching last night there were tonnes of opportunities... they played a bit different than usual... and I liked what I saw... maybe results will come soon

I sure hope these junks can start to string some wins together. I can't take another year of not even contending for a playoff spot. I thought they played well last night, Lehtonen was just a freaking beast and our top line is just snake bitten.
- Oilersforlife

No no no, it's all the defenses fault... Eberle and Hall said so.

I sure hope these junks can start to string some wins together. I can't take another year of not even contending for a playoff spot. I thought they played well last night, Lehtonen was just a freaking beast and our top line is just snake bitten.
- Oilersforlife

At least yesterday it looked like we would've deserved the Win. I didn't mind that loss, came unfocused in the 3rd though. But period 1 and 2 were good hockey for this club.

At least yesterday it looked like we would've deserved the Win. I didn't mind that loss, came unfocused in the 3rd though. But period 1 and 2 were good hockey for this club.
- Lahey

I agree...

No poop... The last few games I just shut the (frank)ing tv off mid way in the 3rd as I cant stand the ending esp when you have to stay up to watch a loss... (frank) I am getting so sick and tired of loserville... If Tambo does not do anything I can see him getting chopped if we are a bottom 5 team...
As for coaching last night there were tonnes of opportunities... they played a bit different than usual... and I liked what I saw... maybe results will come soon
- saskoil21

From what I've seen so far, this is the first season since 07 that I truly believe we should make the playoffs. They have played good hockey for the most part and had a lot of chances, we just haven't got the bounces. I am hoping as the season progresses we'll start winning the tight games instead of losing them. Either way if they aren't in the playoff hunt in a month or 2 I will be severly pissed. Now is the time for Tambo to start trying to fill the holes in our club at the sacrfice of some draft pics. We have enough prospects to carry us through the next few years. We need to shore up the D end and aquire a really gritty third/fourth line player. A Colton Orr type or as someone suggested earlier Brian Boyle. Buy out Horcoff and play Smyth on the 4th line. I still think we should give Whitney a little more time before we give up on him.

From what I've seen so far, this is the first season since 07 that I truly believe we should make the playoffs. They have played good hockey for the most part and had a lot of chances, we just haven't got the bounces. I am hoping as the season progresses we'll start winning the tight games instead of losing them. Either way if they aren't in the playoff hunt in a month or 2 I will be severly pissed. Now is the time for Tambo to start trying to fill the holes in our club at the sacrfice of some draft pics. We have enough prospects to carry us through the next few years. We need to shore up the D end and aquire a really gritty third/fourth line player. A Colton Orr type or as someone suggested earlier Brian Boyle. Buy out Horcoff and play Smyth on the 4th line. I still think we should give Whitney a little more time before we give up on him.
- Oilersforlife

See I am opposite... I do agree we need to strike now and move assets to get our needs addressed properly... I do think that Eager is a better 4th line option than smyth... I dont have the patience for Shytney anymore- he has been a flop of since he came... I know its injuries but waiting on him is the exact problem -we have been waiting on him since he (frank)ing came here... its time to move fwd... Last night was a great indicator of how he is missed... same goes for smyth... smyth should be coaching... horcoff bought out... acquire that 3rd line center and buh bye shytney - trade him for a 3-4 dman if that is possible... or a bag of pucks... but we do not need the negative attention again like we had with souray with players that are not cutting it... we have had poop vets on this team for way too (frank)ing long which is why we are where we are...

See I am opposite... I do agree we need to strike now and move assets to get our needs addressed properly... I do think that Eager is a better 4th line option than smyth... I dont have the patience for Shytney anymore- he has been a flop of since he came... I know its injuries but waiting on him is the exact problem -we have been waiting on him since he (frank)ing came here... its time to move fwd... Last night was a great indicator of how he is missed... same goes for smyth... smyth should be coaching... horcoff bought out... acquire that 3rd line center and buh bye shytney - trade him for a 3-4 dman if that is possible... or a bag of pucks... but we do not need the negative attention again like we had with souray with players that are not cutting it... we have had poop vets on this team for way too (frank)ing long which is why we are where we are...
- saskoil21

If Eager plays the way he did yesterday he'll be a good option on the 4th. Exactly what we wanted when we signed him.

I honestly don't see us buying Horc out. He looks real good this year, if anything next summer. Going to be tough to replace Horc. He's embracing his role.

I agree on Whitney, only a matter of time.

If Eager plays the way he did yesterday he'll be a good option on the 4th. Exactly what we wanted when we signed him.

I honestly don't see us buying Horc out. He looks real good this year, if anything next summer. Going to be tough to replace Horc. He's embracing his role.

I agree on Whitney, only a matter of time.
- Lahey

Whats your stance with Smyth and his play this year? If we got a Boyle type in for 3C what are your thoughts on Horcoff then? I thought VV had a good game... He was out there flying and trying... won a few draws too -below 50% but I think there was potential to improve in time

Don't worry guys, you still have a 'winning record'......you're at '500' !

Don't worry guys, you still have a 'winning record'......you're at '500' !
- BestRapperAlive

Thanks for the confidence buddy

I have no issue with Smyth sitting last night, very bold move by the coach to show that he means business and everyone is accountable no matter what name is on the back of your jersey.

But for all you asa clowns that are hacking on smytty . . .

First of all with the lockout there are lots of 30 something players around the league that are struggling to get there legs going in these first 15 games.

Smytty is one of the greatest OILERS to ever play and I've been here for all 33 years. Not in his skill set but his dedication to this team, this city and you the fans is unquestionable. The guy has bled for you and still will to his last breath so for all of you throwing him under the bus after 12 bad games . . . Show some franking respect!!!!!!

He can still have an important role on this team, and he has earned that.

Whats your stance with Smyth and his play this year? If we got a Boyle type in for 3C what are your thoughts on Horcoff then? I thought VV had a good game... He was out there flying and trying... won a few draws too -below 50% but I think there was potential to improve in time
- saskoil21

I question if he retires. He shows glimpses some games of being not bad, but then he makes bad judgement too.

My thoughts even if all our centers are healthy is to get another one. Lander and VV should be in Okc. I'd like this team to start having more than 4 centers in the lineup like Boston or LA. Gives you lots of options and generally it's not that bad to go from Center to wing.

I have no issue with Smyth sitting last night, very bold move by the coach to show that he means business and everyone is accountable no matter what name is on the back of your jersey.

But for all you asa clowns that are hacking on smytty . . .

First of all with the lockout there are lots of 30 something players around the league that are struggling to get there legs going in these first 15 games.

Smytty is one of the greatest OILERS to ever play and I've been here for all 33 years. Not in his skill set but his dedication to this team, this city and you the fans is unquestionable. The guy has bled for you and still will to his last breath so for all of you throwing him under the bus after 12 bad games . . . Show some franking respect!!!!!!

He can still have an important role on this team, and he has earned that.
- GWnorth

Smyth was struggling with his legs last year, it's not going to get much better. If anything the lockout could've been used for him to increase his skating ability.

You aren't going to find many that disagree about Smyth being a great Oiler with heart, but that doesn't mean he gets a free pass the rest of his career. As it is we did him a favour with a 2 year deal.

The pre-game report said that Smyth had been told by management coming in to the year that he'd be scratched here and there to save his legs.

I wonder if Clouts is embellishing how 'furious' Smyth is and how little he understands his role.

mixed reports of the possibility of Malhotra going on waivers

Manny Maholtra apparently to go on wavers, thoughts?

Edit, beat me to it.