I'm honestly pulling hard for the Oilers as an 8th seed so they can play Chicago in the first round.
- Nucker101

I wouldn't mind seeing that matchup at all.

I wish Ballard had a longer leash. I like Alberts physicality but can't stand how many times he fails to clear the zone and ends up running around in his own end. Barker fell off so badly. Don't know what happened after that first year (maybe 2) in Chicago
- FearTheeGinger

Guys like Barker and Eric Johnson are the very reason I have issues with using high draft picks on D men. Seth Jones is in the conversation for #1 overall. I'd pick a FW myself.

Luongo on Edmonton still scares me, he would help that team big time. On and off the ice, plus mentally knowing that they have a guy with his pedigree playing in net could do a ton for a young team but of course... his "contract sucks".


He's also a goalie who plays much better when he's playing 60+ games per season and facing 30+ shots.
- Nucker101

It's true. I want Lu to have success when he leaves the Nucks, I'd rather that be as far out east as possible...I think the Oil need to add some size in the worst way. When we are in this new division next season it's gonna be tough to compete with ANA and L.A without size... we'll be fine with Kassian

I wouldn't mind seeing that matchup at all.
- golfingsince

Oilers just seem to get the best of the Hawks. Similar to the Flyers with the Pens, except these two teams aren't even in the same divisonal which it makes it very bizarre and weird.

Kassian's play could very well determine how far this team goes. He was a beast tonight. However, it's only one game and we all know the knock on Kass. Hopefully the demotion was the kick in the ass he needs.

I wouldn't mind seeing that matchup at all.
- golfingsince

Playoff hockey...no understating how big that would be for the Oilers. Even a four and out would be incredibly valuable. Guys like Hall and Ebs love winning. They need a taste at the NHL level.

I'm honestly pulling hard for the Oilers as an 8th seed so they can play Chicago in the first round.
- Nucker101

I'd love to see the Oilers make the playoffs. (frank) the Pacific and Central divisions. The playoffs belong in Canada.

It's true. I want Lu to have success when he leaves the Nucks, I'd rather that be as far out east as possible...I think the Oil need to add some size in the worst way. When we are in this new division next season it's gonna be tough to compete with ANA and L.A without size... we'll be fine with Kassian
- FearTheeGinger

They could have really benefited in getting a Ryan Clowe and/or Brandon Prust.

Playoff hockey...no understating how big that would be for the Oilers. Even a four and out would be incredibly valuable. Guys like Hall and Ebs love winning. They need a taste at the NHL level.
- sanfordnson

I think they'd learn so much playing against champs. That has to be a scary matchup for the Hawks.

I'd love to see the Oilers make the playoffs. (frank) the Pacific and Central divisions. The playoffs belong in Canada.
- micah555

Would be great if we could actually have a Canada Stanley Cup matchup, like Vancouver-Toronto which would give CBC the ultimate rating and moneygasms.

Would be great if we could actually have a Canada Stanley Cup matchup, like Vancouver-Toronto which would give CBC the ultimate rating and moneygasms.
- DariusKnight

Could you imagine these boards though....

Guys like Barker and Eric Johnson are the very reason I have issues with using high draft picks on D men. Seth Jones is in the conversation for #1 overall. I'd pick a FW myself.
- AlexF

I'd never give up proven players still in their primes for draft picks if I had a solid enough roster, it's just too damn risky. A few people here have suggested packaging players for a top pick but I wouldn't do that unless it was great value(which I doubt since you'd have to be the one overpaying for the #1 or a top 3 pick). Oilers fans and Cloutier were laughing at the thought of trading the #1 pick for Subban and some of them thought that the #1 was worth Subban plus a first. I doubt that the Habs would trade Subban for Yakupov straight up right now.

It's obviously way too soon to judge Yakupov and I'm t suggesting that he's a bust or not worth Subban, but you just don't know what kind of player he'll end up developing into, he could be an annual 60-80 point first line player or just a solid 2nd line winger.

I'd love to see the Oilers make the playoffs. (frank) the Pacific and Central divisions. The playoffs belong in Canada.
- micah555

Could you imagine these boards though....
- FearTheeGinger

This site would be shut down by the government.

Would be great if we could actually have a Canada Stanley Cup matchup, like Vancouver-Toronto which would give CBC the ultimate rating and moneygasms.
- DariusKnight

4 conference final teams?

It's been 20 years since a canadian team has won the cup, getting up to 6 teams in would be huge.

Playoff hockey...no understating how big that would be for the Oilers. Even a four and out would be incredibly valuable. Guys like Hall and Ebs love winning. They need a taste at the NHL level.
- sanfordnson

Agreed 100%. This is something so many HB fans seem to overlook - the importance (and the joy) of playoff hockey to a team. Even if you lose, it makes you hungry for more. And don't even get me started on how the city transforms when the playoffs are underway and your team is in the mix. The last SC run had some of my best memories mixed in.

back to Kassian being unprofessional off the ice... ALEX F said yes, he was drinking... is this collaborated or just a internet rumour?

Agreed 100%. This is something so many HB fans seem to overlook - the importance (and the joy) of playoff hockey to a team. Even if you lose, it makes you hungry for more. And don't even get me started on how the city transforms when the playoffs are underway and your team is in the mix. The last SC run had some of my best memories mixed in.
- AlexF

Well said! (frank) rebuilding and tanking. The playoff atmosphere in the city is exactly why it's so amazing to be a fan.

back to Kassian being unprofessional off the ice... ALEX F said yes, he was drinking... is this collaborated or just a internet rumour?
- Beatle_john

I would also like to know more on this.. this kid is going to be a major part of this team for (hopefully) a long time.

back to Kassian being unprofessional off the ice... ALEX F said yes, he was drinking... is this collaborated or just a internet rumour?
- Beatle_john

Gillis mentioned today on radio that he had to be more professional off of the ice. That probably tells you all you need to know. He played well today though and I hope AV rewards him for it.

Guys like Barker and Eric Johnson are the very reason I have issues with using high draft picks on D men. Seth Jones is in the conversation for #1 overall. I'd pick a FW myself.
- AlexF

Pronger went 2nd, right? To Daigle. There are great D-men out there. It just a matter of figuring out which ones will be good.

Toews went 3rd to to Johnson.

Gillis mentioned today on radio that he had to be more professional off of the ice. That probably tells you all you need to know. He played well today though and I hope AV rewards him for it.
- Nucker101

He's young. Maybe another summer training with the twins could help him on and off the ice.

Agreed 100%. This is something so many HB fans seem to overlook - the importance (and the joy) of playoff hockey to a team. Even if you lose, it makes you hungry for more. And don't even get me started on how the city transforms when the playoffs are underway and your team is in the mix. The last SC run had some of my best memories mixed in.
- AlexF

Gotta say, last year was an understandable letdown.

back to Kassian being unprofessional off the ice... ALEX F said yes, he was drinking... is this collaborated or just a internet rumour?
- Beatle_john

It's more than a rumour but not corroborated officially (nor would it be). I did see something written that indicated the organization told him he needed to be more "professional" off the ice. My reading is he was just hitting the town and showed up to practice hungover more than once.

Agreed 100%. This is something so many HB fans seem to overlook - the importance (and the joy) of playoff hockey to a team. Even if you lose, it makes you hungry for more. And don't even get me started on how the city transforms when the playoffs are underway and your team is in the mix. The last SC run had some of my best memories mixed in.
- AlexF

I watched Edmonton own an entire decade and 2006 was probably my fondest Oilers memories. You love it a lot more when its gone for a while.

..they paved paradise, put up a parking lot...