Were in a better position then you at present time
- pker2theend

no theyre not actually

Richard Cloutier: What's Worse: The Coaching, the Players or the Management?
- Maxbone

What has given you the indication that Dubnyk isn't being played as the starter? Because he doesn't get started two games in a row? Ridiculous! He's started 14 games to Khabi's 4. You can't run goalies (Besides Kipper and Ward) ragged or they'll experience severe exhaustion by the end of the year. You know this. I know this. Hell! Even "hallwillcrushu" knows this (just joshin')! Khabi has played well this year and played well that game despite a shaky start to the game.

Edmonton has a short window of time to show the young guns how to win.

If they wait too long they will end up with a skilled team that is used to losing.

Pittsburgh and Chicago are the best examples of what they want to do.

Management is the problem.

To be more specific, scouting.

Apart from Eberle, any moron could have drafted what the oilers have.
- aeberg

scouting WAS the problem. macgregors been solid since prendergast got fired.

we cant fault him for having good picks in the last few years.
but hes also made some picks since hes taken over that were LATER that also look pretty decent at present. klefbom!, marincin, gernat, musil, lander etc.
not even using ebs, rnh, yaks and hall, hes restocked a completely empty cupboard admirably.

i get embarrassed for the trolls when they come here and make some blanket statement they think comes off as clever...but ends up doing the exact opposite.

do ur homework first bro.......

Richard Cloutier: What's Worse: The Coaching, the Players or the Management?
- Maxbone

On another note, Eager played a good game as well. Why, you ask, is he out there if he isn't hitting? Because he forces the play. He's got a similar balls out style to Hall (with 1/8th the skill). He was credited with 5 hits, but played a solid game all around. Had he just knocked that rebound in, we'd have likely won and then you'd be singing him praise. The same goes for Belanger. He was better than Gagner that game and yet you still pick him out as a "problem".

Richard Cloutier: What's Worse: The Coaching, the Players or the Management?
- Maxbone

On Yakupov, I agree with what Kreuger has done. While 9 minutes is a tad low, Yakupov hasn't been playing consistently and has lacked defensive awareness in his game. He shouldn't be getting the same minutes as a 2nd liner would because he hasn't earned it. His passing has also been uncharacteristically bad so far. I say keep playing him on the third line with top PP time. When he's ready, he'll get good minutes, but until then, he shouldn't get them. Once Horcoff gets back, playing Yakupov with he and Jones will be a solid 3rd line combo that can produce offense and hopefully present Yakupov the opportunity to work on his passing.

Richard Cloutier: What's Worse: The Coaching, the Players or the Management?
- Maxbone

Finally, Paajarvi actually surprised me while playing on the 2nd line. He played a simple game that didn't attract much attention. He dumped the puck into the zone a number of times that Gagner or Hemsky would've have tried a forced zone entry (only to fail as they often do) and he was active on the forecheck. I'd hope that he'd get a longer look there, but Hall's return will spell the end for him there.

As a whole, it was an OK game, but Chicago really outplayed the Oil for the majority of the game and rightfully got their 2 points out of the contest. Onto Dallas where we'll likely lose at the hands of Jagr once more!

Management is the problem.

To be more specific, scouting.

Apart from Eberle, any moron could have drafted what the oilers have.
- aeberg

I hate to say this but there is truth in this post.

My biggest issue is with the management of the Oilers. How did they not make a move to improve us a center when Horcs went down?? It's been almost a month now with a shortened season.

And why the HE[double hockeysticks] is Whitney still with the team??

On Yakupov, I agree with what Kreuger has done. While 9 minutes is a tad low, Yakupov hasn't been playing consistently and has lacked defensive awareness in his game. He shouldn't be getting the same minutes as a 2nd liner would because he hasn't earned it. His passing has also been uncharacteristically bad so far. I say keep playing him on the third line with top PP time. When he's ready, he'll get good minutes, but until then, he shouldn't get them. Once Horcoff gets back, playing Yakupov with he and Jones will be a solid 3rd line combo that can produce offense and hopefully present Yakupov the opportunity to work on his passing.
- MaximumBone

If Yakupov doesn't do those rookie no look passes, his passing is second to only RNH on the team.

I hate to say this but there is truth in this post.

My biggest issue is with the management of the Oilers. How did they not make a move to improve us a center when Horcs went down?? It's been almost a month now with a shortened season.

And why the HE
- cdninatl[double hockeysticks] is Whitney still with the team??

management yes!!
scouting 90-07 YES!!!!

scouting now? no

Finally, Paajarvi actually surprised me while playing on the 2nd line. He played a simple game that didn't attract much attention. He dumped the puck into the zone a number of times that Gagner or Hemsky would've have tried a forced zone entry (only to fail as they often do) and he was active on the forecheck. I'd hope that he'd get a longer look there, but Hall's return will spell the end for him there.

As a whole, it was an OK game, but Chicago really outplayed the Oil for the majority of the game and rightfully got their 2 points out of the contest. Onto Dallas where we'll likely lose at the hands of Jagr once more!
- MaximumBone

dallas one of the teams we chasin. big 2 points

If Yakupov doesn't do those rookie no look passes, his passing is second to only RNH on the team.
- yaktalksback

How about his two straight defensive zone giveaways where he threw the puck to the middle of the ice? Yes he's CAPABLE of great passes, but he really lacks consistency in that facet of his game.

no theyre not actually
- hugefemale dog77

One more game played

management yes!!
scouting 90-07 YES!!!!

scouting now? no
- hugefemale dog77

I tend to agree about scouting being bad.

All those early round picks and look at our prospects. Look at what a team like Pitt has found with late round picks. How does Pitt have one of the best prospect pools while drafting way after us, and our prospects look suspect?

Is that not bad scouting?

I tend to agree about scouting being bad.

All those early round picks and look at our prospects. Look at what a team like Pitt has found with late round picks. How does Pitt have one of the best prospect pools while drafting way after us, and our prospects look suspect?

Is that not bad scouting?
- yaktalksback

I guess we'll have a better idea in a couple years because only then can we REALLY start to count out prospects drafted during Stu's tenure.

yakupov got drafted as a right winger, and then you go and place him on the left? you have so many more opportunities when you're a left handed shot on the right side. why is kreuger being an idiot

How about his two straight defensive zone giveaways where he threw the puck to the middle of the ice? Yes he's CAPABLE of great passes, but he really lacks consistency in that facet of his game.
- MaximumBone

He can pass great, his decision making is raw still. I think we are just saying the same meaning in a different way.

He can pass great, his decision making is raw still. I think we are just saying the same meaning in a different way.
- yaktalksback

Clearly

I tend to agree about scouting being bad.

All those early round picks and look at our prospects. Look at what a team like Pitt has found with late round picks. How does Pitt have one of the best prospect pools while drafting way after us, and our prospects look suspect?

Is that not bad scouting?
- yaktalksback

??cause our first rounders are the core of our team in the NHL.

pouliot, despres, morrow, maata were all first rounders.

theyve picked well and im taking nothing away from them, but i dont know what u mean

If Yakupov doesn't do those rookie no look passes, his passing is second to only RNH on the team.
- yaktalksback

If Gagner didnt do stupid no look spinorama passes...

scouting WAS the problem. macgregors been solid since prendegast got fired. we cant fault him for having good picks.
but hes also made some picks since hes taken over that were later that also look pretty ok at present. klefbom!, marincin, gernat, musil, lander etc.
not even using ebs, rnh, yaks and hall, hes restocked a completely empty cupboard admirably.

i get embarrassed for the trolls when they come here and make some blanket statement they think comes off as clever...but ends up doing the exact opposite.

do ur homework first bro.......
- hugefemale dog77

Really wasn't trying to troll

I said any moron could have drafted what the oilers have (presently)

And you actually backed me up with your response.

If Gagner didnt do stupid no look spinorama passes...
- BigDre

That actually was a solid play in that situation, albeit a tad too fancy. He barely missed making that play. Not the best decision, but I've seen far worse.

Really wasn't trying to troll

I said any moron could have drafted what the oilers have (presently)

And you actually backed me up with your response.
- aeberg

no. u said scouting is the problem.. and i corrected u

i just assumed it was a troll. my apologies

I think the Oilers need to work on the lower lines, which I wanted (AND FINALLY HAPPENED) with the Leafs. Having guys like Komarov, Frattin, and Kadri are surely an upgrade over Connolly and Lombardi.

Cut the dead weight, go into free agency and sign players that will are cheap but will provide energy every night.

Nystrom? Gordon? Crombeen? Players like that might work.

That actually was a solid play in that situation, albeit a tad too fancy. He barely missed making that play. Not the best decision, but I've seen far worse.
- MaximumBone

he racks disciprin

that was dumb