So what is the point of having all these incredibly valuable players if the team still can't seem to win after almost 6 years of rebuilding via high draft picks? Please explain it to me because yeah it's great to have 3 first overalls and a couple of high firsts on your starting roster so that you can brag and so that other fans and teams can covet them, but when it's all said and done, where has it gotten the Edmonton organization? I think Oiler fans are hanging on to hard to that dream of being the next Edmonton dynasty.

Change is a good thing sometimes.
- MnGump

There goes all your credibility, it's been 2.5 years since our first high draft pick

Good post.

These are first overall guys. I know Hall, Nuge and Yakupov are flash, but they're not idiots, nor are any of them likely to be one-dimensional. I'd rather see these guys stay and round out their game than assume they'll have to stay permanent, pure-offense top 6ers and replace them with goons.

I already feel like you could Hall out in most scenarios and not only would he try his best, but he'd also be darn good.

This notion of trading young guys out presupposes that lines are static, and that we can't work new guys into the existing framework.

Big Winger - Nuge - Ebs
Hall - Big 2/3 Centre - Yakupov
Hartikainen- Gagner - Pajaarvi

Doesn't disrupt our core and provides good balance. The only things that change there are Hemmer is out.
- Morris

I like what you have done here except not sure Gagner is a third line center, but two smaller guys as the top 6 centers may not work so what do ya do???
As sad as it is, facts don't lie and the team is better with horcs in the linup so ya really need his veteran presence in that 3rd line center role I believe, meaning one of either gags or rnh needs to go to make room for a big top 6 center while hemsky goes to make room for the winger. Decisions, decisions.

Don't know if it was posted earlier or not, but here's a 3 minute clip of Keenan talking with Tencer about the current state of the Oilers...

http://soundcloud.com/630ched/keenan-with-tencer

There goes all your credibility, it's been 2.5 years since our first high draft pick
- SpoiledByOil

Yeah why is it people think the Oil have been drafting 1st overall since pronger left town in 06??? Why do they also assume that 25 games into a lockout shortened season spells the be all, end all of every team in the NHL? Some people either have no clue, or just the inability to actually think before opening their mouths, and consider all information, and not just their narrow minded, subjective view of things.

There goes all your credibility, it's been 2.5 years since our first high draft pick
- SpoiledByOil

From lockout to lockout, our first round draft spot was 25th, 17th, 12th, 10th, 1st, 1st, 1st

pretty severe drop off, no?

From lockout to lockout, our first round draft spot was 25th, 17th, 12th, 10th, 1st, 1st, 1st

pretty severe drop off, no?
- Morris

yea but obviously we've been rebuilding since 07 or at least some flame fan would like us to believe that... don't remember his name, but he said the Oilers started rebuilding the year right after our cup run

Don't know if it was posted earlier or not, but here's a 3 minute clip of Keenan talking with Tencer about the current state of the Oilers...

http://soundcloud.com/630ched/keenan-with-tencer
- laughs2907

Keenan talking about the flyers he coached in the late 80's is kinda hilarious seeing as he doesn't seem to realize the game has changed in the last 25 years since he coached that team. Other than that, I think what you are getting at Laughs is that Kreugers system sucks and he needs a new one? First time I have heard you say this but I like it, keep it up.

So what is the point of having all these incredibly valuable players if the team still can't seem to win after almost 6 years of rebuilding via high draft picks? Please explain it to me because yeah it's great to have 3 first overalls and a couple of high firsts on your starting roster so that you can brag and so that other fans and teams can covet them, but when it's all said and done, where has it gotten the Edmonton organization? I think Oiler fans are hanging on to hard to that dream of being the next Edmonton dynasty.

Change is a good thing sometimes.
- MnGump

nigga please

I like what you have done here except not sure Gagner is a third line center, but two smaller guys as the top 6 centers may not work so what do ya do???
As sad as it is, facts don't lie and the team is better with horcs in the linup so ya really need his veteran presence in that 3rd line center role I believe, meaning one of either gags or rnh needs to go to make room for a big top 6 center while hemsky goes to make room for the winger. Decisions, decisions.
- ruttager17

Well lots of teams run two small or less physical centres in the top 6 (Detroit as a prime example, Florida last year as another).

The big thing for me is the Nuge and Eberle line. Hall and Gagner can fend for themselves (and I truly believe they can create room for Yakupov). After that, I'd love to see Harti and Pajaarvi develop their physicality to be able to play them up and down the lineup. Jones is another guy who could either be on the third line, or if they struck some chemistry, on the first line with Nuge and Eberle.

Don't know if it was posted earlier or not, but here's a 3 minute clip of Keenan talking with Tencer about the current state of the Oilers...

http://soundcloud.com/630ched/keenan-with-tencer
- laughs2907

Interesting clip, although even Keenan gives the oilers more credit for their potential to fix things than some of these posters.

It's tough to worry about Gagner and Hall right now. They're each going to end up as strong as their 200 lb. frames will allow.

Don't know if it was posted earlier or not, but here's a 3 minute clip of Keenan talking with Tencer about the current state of the Oilers...

http://soundcloud.com/630ched/keenan-with-tencer
- laughs2907

Can they learn to play that type of high compete level grind it out game?

Absolutely they can.

This moment by Keenan pulled me back from the cliff.

Maybe old President Lowe should go down to the locker room and rip some of these guys.

nigga please
- Reveen

hey

Keenan talking about the flyers he coached in the late 80's is kinda hilarious seeing as he doesn't seem to realize the game has changed in the last 25 years since he coached that team. Other than that, I think what you are getting at Laughs is that Kreugers system sucks and he needs a new one? First time I have heard you say this but I like it, keep it up.
- ruttager17

Interesting clip, although even Keenan gives the oilers more credit for their potential to fix things than some of these posters.

It's tough to worry about Gagner and Hall right now. They're each going to end up as strong as their 200 lb. frames will allow.
- Morris

pretty amazing that he did get that Philly team to play extremely tough at those respective ages.

And I think we're younger then the guys he had to work with but it's true - you just wonder and frankly roll the dice that these guys are going to have that high compete level.

pretty amazing that he did get that Philly team to play extremely tough at those respective ages.

And I think we're younger then the guys he had to work with but it's true - you just wonder and frankly roll the dice that these guys are going to have that high compete level.
- Salvo

Tough to look at Eberle's late game heroics, or Yakupov being so jacked to have beaten Canada, or Nuge dumping guys like Brendan Morrow and Shea Weber and not see that kind of compete level.

That's really been lost in all the criticism of the team.

- laughs2907

Ya I immediately wondered if Kreuger is the guy to do this.

Interesting clip, although even Keenan gives the oilers more credit for their potential to fix things than some of these posters.

It's tough to worry about Gagner and Hall right now. They're each going to end up as strong as their 200 lb. frames will allow.
- Morris

Yeah, I think Gags and Hall will be fine. I think Yakupov will be fine as well... Hartikainen is another guy with top 6 potential that I think will be fine when it comes to grit... Pow... There's 4. Draft someone like Barkov/Mackinnon this year and DIGGITY WIGGITY SHIGGITY That's 5. I don't see RNH and Ebs having much grit, but whatever... Every playah doesn't need itttt.

Can they learn to play that type of high compete level grind it out game?

Absolutely they can.

This moment by Keenan pulled me back from the cliff.

Maybe old President Lowe should go down to the locker room and rip some of these guys.
- Salvo

I don't think Lowe knows what the (frank) is on the go to be honest.

Tough to look at Eberle's late game heroics, or Yakupov being so jacked to have beaten Canada, or Nuge dumping guys like Brendan Morrow and Shea Weber and not see that kind of compete level.

That's really been lost in all the criticism of the team.
- Morris

Thanks for that, I'm a Jekyll/ Hyde of optimism/ pessimism.
Even just hearing Gregor (I think) say that RNH has the drive to be better. He was saying it like it was a part of his molecular make up.

Great.

Another reason that patience with this top-four is needed.

What will suck is if the deals AREN'T THERE for Hemsky + or Oilers 1st + or some combination of both.

I know a couple guys on here that really hate on Brendan Morrow's douche factor but I'm starting to they should make a big push to land him come July 1.

Yeah, I think Gags and Hall will be fine. I think Yakupov will be fine as well... Hartikainen is another guy with top 6 potential that I think will be fine when it comes to grit... Pow... There's 4. Draft someone like Barkov/Mackinnon this year and DIGGITY WIGGITY SHIGGITY That's 5. I don't see RNH and Ebs having much grit, but whatever... Every playah doesn't need itttt.
- laughs2907

Yeah, I also won't count out a guy like Paajarvi. 6'3' 210 lbs. and just starting to shake the Sweden out of his game.

I don't think Lowe knows what the (frank) is on the go to be honest.
- laughs2907

I know, so I can only assume he left his high compete level on the ice. It's amazing how many people say that about him. And when I recall those years (I was pretty young for the first couple) he was truly MEAN.

Anyway, it's all Cuban cigars, hookers and hot-tubs at Katz's for Mr. Lowe now.

Yeah, I also won't count out a guy like Paajarvi. 6'3' 210 lbs. and just starting to shake the Sweden out of his game.
- Morris

True... It does appear that his balls have dropped recently.

I know, so I can only assume he left his high compete level on the ice. It's amazing how many people say that about him. And when I recall those years (I was pretty young for the first couple) he was truly MEAN.

Anyway, it's all Cuban cigars, hookers and hot-tubs at Katz's for Mr. Lowe now.
- Salvo

When I hear/see his name, all I can think of is Oil Change season 1, when Hall was visiting the Katz house, and Lowe was having sex with the food he was "eating"

Interesting clip, although even Keenan gives the oilers more credit for their potential to fix things than some of these posters.

It's tough to worry about Gagner and Hall right now. They're each going to end up as strong as their 200 lb. frames will allow.
- Morris

True dat about gags and hall, Eberle and RNH seem to be those that could benefit from someone helping them on their line. And how dare keenan suggest that, doesn't he know that trolls who sit on HB all day and watch hockey on TV know far more than he ever has or ever will about hockey??? What a zorch for speaking such nonsense.

hey
- Killbot460

You're only half black...