The thing about him saying we need a puck moving left defenseman means that you give up the one guy who on some nights blocks more shots than the goalies make saves, and is one of the few d-men on the team that plays a gritty tough game, and they are gonna trade him for a puck mover? Yeah great idea, lets give up a guy who actually prevents goals for a guy who will provide more scoring, but give up more goals. Great logic - ruttager17
Well said...you don't trade a guy who gets hurt mid-game and returns to finish said game AND is our shot-blocking leader!
Richard, you continually write in your blogs that the Oilers need to acquire a power forward who can immediately step into the Top 6. The need for a winger who has size and physicality but can also bring goal scoring, these guys are hard to come by and they rarely come cheap. You always start by saying player X,Y,Z are untouchable and proceed to throw out mediocre deals trying to acquire top talent. I understand improving your team without giving up talent, but in certain cases it is necessary.
As for the lack of depth on the bottom 6, I think a lot of it has to do with a coaches system. Loading up with bottom 6 wingers is going to do a team no good unless they have a system in place for those players to thrive in. I do not see that system in place in Edm. In the case of the Bruins, Claude Julien has a defensive minded system that allows for his top 6 to play a more offensive role because the emphasis is put on the bottom 6 to play a more shut down role. Not only do the Top 6 forwards play an offensive role but they are also held accountable for their defensive responsibilities, and I think that breeds success within a team. I could be wrong but it seems like in Edm the top 2 lines are just put out their to score which then puts the pressure on the bottom 6 to pick up the slack defensively. Again I could be wrong and correct me if I am. - fudd1689
Well sure. Our top two lines have ranged in age from 18 to 22 playing sheltered minutes. That's slowly slowly changing, but very obvious. So what's the point ?
Location: Peter Chiarelli is a fking moron, Calgary, AB Joined: 07.12.2012
Mar 2 @ 11:21 AM ET
Trade anyone on your top 6. Your team is not balanced. You need a number one goaltender. You need a true number one defenseman and you need more grit on the top 6.
You need good veterans to teach young guns how to become veterans.
You won't adress your needs with Paajarvi or other prospects.
Get use to it or suck for 5 years. Oilers need to be good now because they will not afford to sign all your top six in 2-3 years. - soad_live
Comparing the UFAs with RFA isnt accurate. Smid has all theleverge in this. Look at the deals Wiz, Garriso, komi got. Smid is better then all these guys. I'd be shockd if he didn't get between 4.5 nd 5 - Bieksa#3
I realize the argument between RFA and UFA is an important one to note, but the fact remains that as one of the first wave of contracts getting signed in the new CBA, the Oilers need to work on setting a benchmark for the rest of the league. I'm not saying he won't get $4 million on his contract, but I won't agree that he should. Wiz and Garrison were given their contracts after significant offensive breakouts and Komi was signed by a desperate Maple Leafs squad to provide the D that they sorely lacked. Currently, he hasn't had an offensive breakout AND we have two other middle-aged players that play a very similar game to him, so to say that he has all the leverage is a tad off. The way I see it, we shouldn't be paying him more than $3.5/year.
Well sure. Our top two lines have ranged in age from 18 to 22 playing sheltered minutes. That's slowly slowly changing, but very obvious. So what's the point ? - Thesource
My point was Richard seems to just say lets add this guy and that guy for our bottom 6 and assumes that everything will work out. I was just stating that a system or team structure needs to be built in order for the role guys to thrive. I don't think by just adding the players it's going to work out, which I get the impression Richard does.
Trade anyone on your top 6. Your team is not balanced. You need a number one goaltender. You need a true number one defenseman and you need more grit on the top 6.
You need good veterans to teach young guns how to become veterans.
You won't adress your needs with Paajarvi or other prospects.
Get use to it or suck for 5 years. Oilers need to be good now because they will not afford to sign all your top six in 2-3 years. - soad_live
I can't wait because in 2-3 years time when these kids are in their early to mid 20's instead of barely out of junior we can look back on comments like this and laugh.
My point was Richard seems to just say lets add this guy and that guy for our bottom 6 and assumes that everything will work out. I was just stating that a system or team structure needs to be built in order for the role guys to thrive. I don't think by just adding the players it's going to work out, which I get the impression Richard does. - fudd1689
You guys overused the Holy principle: Build by draft.
Trade anyone on your top 6. Your team is not balanced. You need a number one goaltender. You need a true number one defenseman and you need more grit on the top 6.
You need good veterans to teach young guns how to become veterans.
You won't adress your needs with Paajarvi or other prospects.
Get use to it or suck for 5 years. Oilers need to be good now because they will not afford to sign all your top six in 2-3 years. - soad_live
Strange. 5 guys (maybe) at 6 million=30M. MON pays Gionta, Pacio, Plek 5M. Price 6.5. Markov 5.75. Gomez 6.5M.=33.75 on 5 guys playing yet MON can afford.
Check the facts before you make ignorant comments. EDM'll easily afford'em all
My point was Richard seems to just say lets add this guy and that guy for our bottom 6 and assumes that everything will work out. I was just stating that a system or team structure needs to be built in order for the role guys to thrive. I don't think by just adding the players it's going to work out, which I get the impression Richard does. - fudd1689
Oh ok yeah sure agreed. Over the years and even now I'm not sure what system the oilers have in mind. But it seems to be the place where players sign a contract to go to die. With the exception of maybe jones and petrel.
lol 20 games in. MON's off to a hot start, so was MIN and EDM last year. Even if MON makes the playoffs, don't expect Desharnais & Gallagher to stay live after Lucic hits'em once .
9 point difference between MON and EDM yet all of the sudden MON's gonna win the cup with their new hot dynasty-worthy roster??
Wow. You guys are stubborn as hell. I suppose Edm has a well balanced team and will win the cup.
Well. Have a good season and don't come here and cry when you can't sign two of your girls before even making second round of playoffs.
GL - soad_live
Montreal fan ? Montreal has had a successful 15 games or so and you come to chirp ? Montreal still has way too much to prove before you can call edmonton imbalanced. Galchenyuk is there for a reason remember.
I guess we'll have to see how long that holds up, but you shouldn't be rolling on in here telling another team how to build. Your team is the Montreal Canadiens. They have never and will never have troubles attracting free agents so they've always had been readily able to fill any roster holes with the right players when it came to time for free agency. The Oilers, on the other hand, have always have struggles in attracting FAs and will continue to do so even after we develop a winning culture. Not the same situation, so please stop talking.
Montreal fan ? Montreal has had a successful 15 games or so and you come to chirp ? Montreal still has way too much to prove before you can call edmonton imbalanced. Galchenyuk is there for a reason remember. - Thesource
Yeah and Galchenyuk will be better than any of your top 6. Most balanced player.
You know BALANCE??
Oilers suck right now and will for at least 3 years if the dont change mentality.
I guess we'll have to see how long that holds up, but you shouldn't be rolling on in here telling another team how to build. Your team is the Montreal Canadiens. They have never and will never have troubles attracting free agents so they've always had been readily able to fill any roster holes with the right players when it came to time for free agency. The Oilers, on the other hand, have always have struggles in attracting FAs and will continue to do so even after we develop a winning culture. Not the same situation, so please stop talking. - MaximumBone
False. We never get UFA we want, and ending up with overpaid plan B. Thats the reality.
