3. It seems like the Oilers organization does a terrible job of developing talent, because they constantly give them confused messages. Is Paajarvi being turned into a Top 6 winger or a checker? Is Yakupov a sniper or an extra? Did Ryan Smyth finally find his legs in such a significant way that he should be taking ice time away from the kids we're trying to develop? (Coaching + Management Issues)
Sounds like you guys have the same problems we are having though you certainly have more/better talent IMO. Developing prospects is not our strong suit. You can have all the good to B prospects you wantbut if not developed proerly it's a waste. the elite talents supercede the BS like Eberle, RNH, Tavares, etc. The other ones fall to shat when not developed properly.
- Cptmjl

Yeah there have definitely been some prospects that stagnated under the Oilers' tutelage. Although it's tough to tell whether some of those guys were bad prospects to begin with. It certainly seems like that was the case for Marc-Antoine Pouliot and Alex Plante, Rob Schremp, Riley Nash and Taylor Chorney. None of them have done anything elsewhere. Even a guy like Cogliano gets great opportunities in Anaheim, probably better than he was ever going to get here and he hasn't shown a lot.

The other factor here is that in this instance, I think Clouts is dead wrong. Smyth has 4 points in 4 games, plays simple (like we've been trying to get everyone to do) and has had his motor going since being a healthy scratch, keeping his mouth shut the whole way. You play your hot hand in this situation. I also don't get how Clouts can say we're talented but not trying very hard defensively or playing smart, and then decry the fact that Krueger went with the guy who's trying hard defensively and playing smart (Pajaarvi) over the guy who's still got a lot to learn (Yakupov). I think it all comes down to injecting a little leadership back in the lineup, and praising accountability.

Should have went after Jagr in the offseason imo
- bradliss

It's probably not an exaggeration to say that right now Jagr-Gagner-Hemsky could have been one of the best 2nd lines in the league.

It's probably not an exaggeration to say that right now Jagr-Gagner-Hemsky could have been one of the best 2nd lines in the league.
- Morris

I could just imagine all the people complaining about how Jagr is taking away time from a ready Yakupov.

I could just imagine all the people complaining about how Jagr is taking away time from a ready Yakupov.
- Lahey

Richard Cloutier: "What was the point of drafting a rookie that was going to challenge Selanne's goal record when you're going to stick him behind an over the hill Czech with a mullet? Way to go, Lowebelini, I thought we were building towards the future"

Richard Cloutier: "What was the point of drafting a rookie that was going to challenge Selanne's goal record when you're going to stick him behind an over the hill Czech with a mullet? Way to go, Lowebelini, I thought we were building towards the future"
- Morris

Jagr really didn't make too much sense after Smyth signed. Might be a different story this off-season though.

Any you homos watch Californication?

Just grand, one guy telling a girl he'll give her all his 5.9 inches and don't believe what you read because that's on the higher end of the average.

The guys daughter is turning into a whore.

Some widow snorts her husbands ashes and also tells a guy his Richard is too small for the front, but perfect for the back.

Jagr really didn't make too much sense after Smyth signed. Might be a different story this off-season though.
- Lahey

True. Tough to spend 6.5 million combined on those two guys

Any you homos watch Californication?

Just grand, one guy telling a girl he'll give her all his 5.9 inches and don't believe what you read because that's on the higher end of the average.

The guys daughter is turning into a whore.

Some widow snorts her husbands ashes and also tells a guy his Richard is too small for the front, but perfect for the back.
- Lahey

Great Eppy last night. Love Runks. Absolutly hate the "muse" Ever just be a groupie coke whore and act like you're responsible for all of the bands success. Don't get me wrong, I would still ef her in the a and c all over her t's. I'm hoping Atticus is right about the cock measurements though. I am taking them as fact and I am currently strutting around my office like I'm Mandingo.

Any you homos watch Californication?

Just grand, one guy telling a girl he'll give her all his 5.9 inches and don't believe what you read because that's on the higher end of the average.

The guys daughter is turning into a whore.

Some widow snorts her husbands ashes and also tells a guy his Richard is too small for the front, but perfect for the back.
- Lahey

lol. Slept on it lately but was just told a couple of these highlights last week. I'm gonna check in again.

Great Eppy last night. Love Runks. Absolutly hate the "muse" Ever just be a groupie coke whore and act like you're responsible for all of the bands success. Don't get me wrong, I would still ef her in the a and c all over her t's. I'm hoping Atticus is right about the cock measurements though. I am taking them as fact and I am currently strutting around my office like I'm Mandingo.
- Oilersforlife

Fukin Runkle,

"oh you're quick, good for you"

lol. Slept on it lately but was just told a couple of these highlights last week. I'm gonna check in again.
- Salvo

I don't even know if the show makes sense or if it's a good storyline, but the constant one liners and variety of tits makes me not care.

Yeah there have definitely been some prospects that stagnated under the Oilers' tutelage. Although it's tough to tell whether some of those guys were bad prospects to begin with. It certainly seems like that was the case for Marc-Antoine Pouliot and Alex Plante, Rob Schremp, Riley Nash and Taylor Chorney. None of them have done anything elsewhere. Even a guy like Cogliano gets great opportunities in Anaheim, probably better than he was ever going to get here and he hasn't shown a lot.

The other factor here is that in this instance, I think Clouts is dead wrong. Smyth has 4 points in 4 games, plays simple (like we've been trying to get everyone to do) and has had his motor going since being a healthy scratch, keeping his mouth shut the whole way. You play your hot hand in this situation. I also don't get how Clouts can say we're talented but not trying very hard defensively or playing smart, and then decry the fact that Krueger went with the guy who's trying hard defensively and playing smart (Pajaarvi) over the guy who's still got a lot to learn (Yakupov). I think it all comes down to injecting a little leadership back in the lineup, and praising accountability.
- Morris

MAP did get hurt and lost pretty much a whole year of development. I don't think he was a bad prospect, he just just didn't live up to his draft position, and it was made a lot worse because of that stupid good 2003 draft class. He didn't look that out of place in the NHL, didn't score a lot either, but he was more or less stapled to the fourth line in EDm, and still put up decent numbers for a fourth liner. A really odd career, he's gotten a couple other chances with other teams but it seems he's not the type of player teams want on their fourth lines (agitators, goons, character guys, novelty homegrown players etc.).

Based on the loose "90 points rule" for making the playoffs, we need 52 in a 48 game season. That means 34 in our next 30. To be on pace for that come April 3rd (so that we can be buyers at the deadline) we need 19 in our next 17. 10 of 17 are on the road. 6 of these 10 are against playoff teams. 4 of 7 home are against playoff teams.
- Morris

It is certainly within the realm of possibility if the team continues to improve. If our top line can start producing to it's potential and Kruger can get some consistancy back in the line up, we'll be at least in the hunt.

Yeah there have definitely been some prospects that stagnated under the Oilers' tutelage. Although it's tough to tell whether some of those guys were bad prospects to begin with. It certainly seems like that was the case for Marc-Antoine Pouliot and Alex Plante, Rob Schremp, Riley Nash and Taylor Chorney. None of them have done anything elsewhere. Even a guy like Cogliano gets great opportunities in Anaheim, probably better than he was ever going to get here and he hasn't shown a lot.

The other factor here is that in this instance, I think Clouts is dead wrong. Smyth has 4 points in 4 games, plays simple (like we've been trying to get everyone to do) and has had his motor going since being a healthy scratch, keeping his mouth shut the whole way. You play your hot hand in this situation. I also don't get how Clouts can say we're talented but not trying very hard defensively or playing smart, and then decry the fact that Krueger went with the guy who's trying hard defensively and playing smart (Pajaarvi) over the guy who's still got a lot to learn (Yakupov). I think it all comes down to injecting a little leadership back in the lineup, and praising accountability.
- Morris

Major problem and you see it a lot, is that we sucked as a whole. When you suck and have no organizational depth players don't have the chance to develop properly. Isles have had issues, Panthers had issues, Columbus is having similar issues.

MAP did get hurt and lost pretty much a whole year of development. I don't think he was a bad prospect, he just just didn't live up to his draft position, and it was made a lot worse because of that stupid good 2003 draft class. He didn't look that out of place in the NHL, didn't score a lot either, but he was more or less stapled to the fourth line in EDm, and still put up decent numbers for a fourth liner. A really odd career, he's gotten a couple other chances with other teams but it seems he's not the type of player teams want on their fourth lines (agitators, goons, character guys, novelty homegrown players etc.).
- Jack-artist

MAP was drafted way too high. His Jr numbers were inflated because he played on a line with Sid. He got 100 plus points in his last season in the Q which boosted his draft value way too high. Oiler scouting was tretch.

MAP was drafted way too high. His Jr numbers were inflated because he played on a line with Sid. He got 100 plus points in his last season in the Q which boosted his draft value way too high. Oiler scouting was tretch.
- Oilersforlife

Do I smack you now or later? MAP was drafted before he played with Crosby.

I'm very disappointed with you

Gagner, Voracek and JVR(in terms of goals) all breaking out.

Drafted 2007. by all accounts that should give PRV two more years before people really should be discounting PRV.

Do I smack you now or later? MAP was drafted before he played with Crosby.

I'm very disappointed with you
- Lahey

Damnit I just checked and you are right. For some reason I thought he was drafted a year after Sidney was. I am complete failure at life and I will shut down my hockeybuzz account immediatly. I am so ashamed.

Gagner, Voracek and JVR(in terms of goals) all breaking out.

Drafted 2007. by all accounts that should give PRV two more years before people really should be discounting PRV.
- Lahey

5 years after being drafted is when people should start judging players

Damnit I just checked and you are right. For some reason I thought he was drafted a year after Sidney was. I am complete failure at life and I will shut down my hockeybuzz account immediatly. I am so ashamed.
- Oilersforlife

Thank you, wish we could've known you longer.

if richard thinks and lower tier team is going to trade their first for Hemsky then he really is delusional. maybe you get a first for him from a team like Van or the Pens if they strike out on other big names... but even thats a stretch. also, MPS has to ear the right to play top minutes... he was a high pick. He needs to play well enough as a 3rd/4th liner to earn the right to move up.

if richard thinks and lower tier team is going to trade their first for Hemsky then he really is delusional. maybe you get a first for him from a team like Van or the Pens if they strike out on other big names... but even thats a stretch. also, MPS has to ear the right to play top minutes... he was a high pick. He needs to play well enough as a 3rd/4th liner to earn the right to move up.
- ChrisMS

Penner got us a first and a prospect. Hemsky would net the same. I just don't see the point, unless it's done at the draft. Moving quality players for futures is pointless at this point.

Damnit I just checked and you are right. For some reason I thought he was drafted a year after Sidney was. I am complete failure at life and I will shut down my hockeybuzz account immediatly. I am so ashamed.
- Oilersforlife

He's 6'2", 203 pounds and put up 73 and 58 point seasons prior to being drafted. There was certainly a lot to like. He was touted as a wrecking ball guy but as I recall didn't have all that much of an edge.

if richard thinks and lower tier team is going to trade their first for Hemsky then he really is delusional. maybe you get a first for him from a team like Van or the Pens if they strike out on other big names... but even thats a stretch. also, MPS has to ear the right to play top minutes... he was a high pick. He needs to play well enough as a 3rd/4th liner to earn the right to move up.
- ChrisMS

Hemsky would actually be a good fit for Kesler, Kesler really needs a skilled playmaking winger to set him up and create offence for the second line.

Hemsky would actually be a good fit for Kesler, Kesler really needs a skilled playmaking winger to set him up and create offence for the second line.
- Nucker101

I don't think he goes to a division rival after all this time...especially because you guys aren't looking to trade toughness for skillzzz, but yeah I'd like that Kesler-Hemsky connection...especially if it was on the oilers!