Ahhh dude....FACK!


- Iggysbff

* SHUTS DOWN SITE *

Is it draft day yet?

I hope keeps piling up the points and trending upwards.

team to me isn't the same without hemsky especially if the top line isn't producing. he is the most confident with the puck on his stick and can bring the puck up the ice like no other oiler. Against the ducks last game and the flames yesterday, there was nothing happening when the top line wasn't dominating except for Yak who is still a work in progress. Id keep hemmer over gagner.

Can we convince Smyth to retire early. oh god what a shame our oiler hero playing like that.

I say make a big run for Mike Smith or Lou, i gave up on Dub long ago. He makes the saves but can't make the big save when needed and those poopty goals he lets in just devastate our kids.

IF I LIVED IN EDMONTON AND HAD TICKETS I WOULD BOYCOTT THE TEAM FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR TO SEND MGMT A HINT THAT THE FANS HAVE HAD ENOUGH.

I don't like how Nail was used. He started strong. Got that big goal with the controversial celebration and then 4th line. I also don't like the use of Smyth and Belanger on the PP units. Nail should have been there. As well when we pull our goalie we put smyth out which makes no sense. Normally you put someone with offensive ability. Not a guy whose best move is a wrap around.

Horcoff played terrible against Calgary and I don't know if Hemsky was missed but something was.

I say pass on Barkov, even before the injury but especially now. Monahan same size, better offensive skill. Canadian boy but he will go before Barkov now with the injury so we need to pick early to get him.

I think we can all agree Smithson was probably the worst trade at the draft. A non playoff team grabbing an extra center, sending a better one to the minors for a 4th round pick. Smithson is the worst player on the team. At least with Lander he could be getting experience.

The Oilers need to sign a goalie. A 1B is not a bad idea. We need someone but I think Smith might be out of our price range but I also thought Vokoun would have signed for tons more than he did so who knows. Dannis is not an option. The oilers need a backup or a new starter. I am guessing habby will ante up for another year but I say Backstrom, Thomas or Lou would be better.

I don't like how Nail was used. He started strong. Got that big goal with the controversial celebration and then 4th line. I also don't like the use of Smyth and Belanger on the PP units. Nail should have been there. As well when we pull our goalie we put smyth out which makes no sense. Normally you put someone with offensive ability. Not a guy whose best move is a wrap around.

Horcoff played terrible against Calgary and I don't know if Hemsky was missed but something was.

I say pass on Barkov, even before the injury but especially now. Monahan same size, better offensive skill. Canadian boy but he will go before Barkov now with the injury so we need to pick early to get him.

I think we can all agree Smithson was probably the worst trade at the draft. A non playoff team grabbing an extra center, sending a better one to the minors for a 4th round pick. Smithson is the worst player on the team. At least with Lander he could be getting experience.

The Oilers need to sign a goalie. A 1B is not a bad idea. We need someone but I think Smith might be out of our price range but I also thought Vokoun would have signed for tons more than he did so who knows. Dannis is not an option. The oilers need a backup or a new starter. I am guessing habby will ante up for another year but I say Backstrom, Thomas or Lou would be better.
- bsteinley

Those guys will be each north of 4 million.Thats almost 8 million in goaltending. One full of Dubnyk is worth the risk, just to avoid a knee jerk reaction.

Those guys will be each north of 4 million.Thats almost 8 million in goaltending. One full of Dubnyk is worth the risk, just to avoid a knee jerk reaction.
- Jeropotato

Sorry, I never liked dubnyk. People keep getting me optimistic but I am just not sold. These guys would be instead of duby. I am thinking he would look good with the Isle or Yotes. They don't have goalies after this year. I don't think anyone is going to be able to sell me on Duby again. He is Conklin and we are drinking the Kool aid.

Clouts,

Hindsight is 20/20 (unless you're Mr. Magoo) but if youi had it to do over again, would you have dealt the #1 pick for a stud Dman and a drop down in the draft?

Would a young veteran D-man have been the difference?

Tambellini? really?

Do you have the right coach? Terry Murray was great in getting the Kings kids to play. Look waht he's doing in Adirondak (or wherever the hell he's coaching)

Seems like the Oilers have too many Prima Donna's and not enough "team" players.

Love me some T. Hall and even Schultz but the rest....?

Disappointing season

Clouts,

Hindsight is 20/20 (unless you're Mr. Magoo) but if youi had it to do over again, would you have dealt the #1 pick for a stud Dman and a drop down in the draft?

Would a young veteran D-man have been the difference?

Tambellini? really?

Do you have the right coach? Terry Murray was great in getting the Kings kids to play. Look waht he's doing in Adirondak (or wherever the hell he's coaching)

Seems like the Oilers have too many Prima Donna's and not enough "team" players.

Love me some T. Hall and even Schultz but the rest....?

Disappointing season
- matthew barry

I don't know what the prima donna's comment is about. None of our guys are taking dives or whining. Even our small guy, gagner, is picking fights with guys a half foot taller with 30 lbs on him. We have lots of guys with talent but they aren't asking for special treatment or complaining. They have so far signed affordable long term contracts and play good hockey.

Our bottom 6 give it what they can but they just aren't what we need. They don't whine, they just aren't the right mix of players.

In fact, I don't think I hear any press about any of the team whining. The fans are but with reason.

You are right about our coach. He is an amazing assistant coach and he had great ideas for leading the team. He just didn't implement them. He is the reason the Oilers special teams has been top 3-5 the last 2 years despite their poor finishing. However he does need replacing. Not as much as our GM.

As for our pick last year? Nail was the right choice. No fan would disagree with that. A dman would take 2 or 3 years to get on the team. Nail is an amazing player and utilized properly he could have had a real shot at the calder trophy this year. The guy has amazing talent and will be a top forward in the next few years. Next year he will be a great top 6 guy on our team. Any dman picked wouldn't make our team next year.

Murray was ranked the highest dman and I don't see him being anything more than a 3-4 man. If he plays at all and if he does he is 3 or 4 years from getting there. Other d in the draft will turn out better but the Oil would have picked him.

Sure lets draft Barkov or Monahan and throw them right into the fire.Give your head a shake.Streit is not the answer on the blueline so quit lobbying for that.Before we trade or draft another player Ralphie needs to be issued his pink slip.Go get Ruff while he is still available.

Meh... whatever... who cares about them? I find it amusing that folks get their jollies from making fun of a struggling hockey team. Life must be grand.



- robin_steele264

You get to observe this phenomenon all the time on the Leafs boards.

This team does not have a true team captain. Horcoff is the problem. Nice guy, bad captain.

Dubnyk isn't a #1.

Now that management has missed their opportunities to fix those two problems, it is very difficult to tell if they need to breakup the kids or not. With the proper motivational, win-at-all costs, respected team captain, and a proper #1 'tender, we could have seen how good (or bad) the team gelled. Now, due to inaction, we won't know that.

I'm not trying to be mean, but Horcoff is the problem. It's like making Travis Moen the captain of the Habs.

I like how when someone insults you, you go all derp. Im fairly certain English is your 2nd language.
- sanfordnson

I'm also fairly sure the Oilers suck & so does the city!!

Hemsky hold more value at next seasons trade deadline.
- Reveen

agreed he if you can keep him in the lineup and not on IR........made of glass

L1: Hall - Nugent-Hopkins - Eberle
L2: Paajarvi - Gagner - Yakupov
L3: Hartikainen - Barkov or Monahan - Two-way winger with size acquired via UFA or trade
L4: Brown - Lander - Petrell

D1: Streit - Petry
D2: Smid - J. Schultz
D3: Klefbom - N. Schultz

G1: Dubnyk
G2: Danis

aka, not enough development.

Sure lets draft Barkov or Monahan and throw them right into the fire.Give your head a shake.Streit is not the answer on the blueline so quit lobbying for that.Before we trade or draft another player Ralphie needs to be issued his pink slip.Go get Ruff while he is still available.
- nellie04

I never said anything about playing Monahan next year. If we do draft and not trade the pick for an immediate player (which is my prefferance) then I do suggest he go to the minors for next season at least. There is a chance he amazes us like current rookies around the league have done from last years class but I doubt it. Plus we don't need him to. Let him develop, our need is players that are veterans.

As for Streit, I shook my head a lot. Still sounds like a good idea. Unless you know of another top 4 dman that is a UFA and we can sign without giving up a major asset? Feel free to shout out ideas. Now I am not against trading Nick for an upgrade. I am thinking Nick and extras for assets. Sign Boyes or Horton as a UFA. Trade Hemsky to a team like Van for one of their 5 dmen that are being paid over 4 mill. With 10 mill in goalies and almost 25 in d. Plus another 20 mill in 4 forward players. I am thinking they might be motivated sellers and with the surplus d and their lack of a second, third and fourth line, they might take a top 6 and maybe a first round for a Hamhuis or Bieksa type guy. Unless they buyout Booth, Ballard and trade Lou. Even then they could still use a top 6.

L1: Hall - Nugent-Hopkins - Eberle
L2: Paajarvi - Gagner - Yakupov
L3: Hartikainen - Barkov or Monahan - Two-way winger with size acquired via UFA or trade
L4: Brown - Lander - Petrell

D1: Streit - Petry
D2: Smid - J. Schultz
D3: Klefbom - N. Schultz

G1: Dubnyk
G2: Danis

aka, not enough development.
- Oilers4Life14

If all four of Pajaarvi, Lander, Hartikainen and Klefbom are in the bigs next year, I will have officially become convinced that Tambelinni is a saboteur.

You get to observe this phenomenon all the time on the Leafs boards.
- Aetherial

No one reads the leaf boards other than leaf fans.

PS change your avatar, I have troubles reading with it on the page.

L1: Hall - Nugent-Hopkins - Eberle
L2: Paajarvi - Gagner - Yakupov
L3: Hartikainen - Barkov or Monahan - Two-way winger with size acquired via UFA or trade
L4: Brown - Lander - Petrell

D1: Streit - Petry
D2: Smid - J. Schultz
D3: Klefbom - N. Schultz

G1: Dubnyk
G2: Danis

aka, not enough development.
- Oilers4Life14

I think Paarjarvi should be on the 3rd line, they need some skilled size in the top 6 not top 9.....but both would be better. I also think Dubnyk should be given a chance with some real defence in front of him.

This team does not have a true team captain. Horcoff is the problem. Nice guy, bad captain.

Dubnyk isn't a #1.

Now that management has missed their opportunities to fix those two problems, it is very difficult to tell if they need to breakup the kids or not. With the proper motivational, win-at-all costs, respected team captain, and a proper #1 'tender, we could have seen how good (or bad) the team gelled. Now, due to inaction, we won't know that.

I'm not trying to be mean, but Horcoff is the problem. It's like making Travis Moen the captain of the Habs.
- JLO961

I am not saying I disagree, I am only saying I don't think we can know. He was picked for a reason and it is not because he has been there the longest. Nick got it when it was gone so they aren't giving it to the oldest or the most talented.

What we do know is the Oilers were losing a lot more when Horcoff was gone and did a huge surge when he came back. One might suggest that he is a leader off the ice and that is why he is picked. Someone that is liked by both the young guys and the old guys. A captain shouldn't be your most elite player. A captain should be the best leader on the team. Sure, sometimes a guy has to do that by example but some people can do that by the respect they command.

That is what we don't know. I disagree with teams like Colorado that give it to their newest rookie or Dallas that strip it from Modano as part of a contract negotiation with Morrow. I think the Captain will often not be identifiable by the fans.

I'm also fairly sure the Oilers suck & so does the city!!
- newmy

and your mom.

I can give you the website address if you want to see the picks of it.

If all four of Pajaarvi, Lander, Hartikainen and Klefbom are in the bigs next year, I will have officially become convinced that Tambelinni is a saboteur.


- Morris

I am less worried about Paajarvi and more worried about Danis. Thats 20ish games he starts and Duby finishes. Also, in this scenario does Hemsky die?

I think Paarjarvi should be on the 3rd line, they need some skilled size in the top 6 not top 9.....but both would be better. I also think Dubnyk should be given a chance with some real defence in front of him.
- Rhino

Still throwing Boyes or Horton out there for size on the top 6. Might be affordable UFAs. Give Paajarvi more time on line 3 with Hartkinen to develop. Then we trade Hemsky for assets we use to bolster our defense, or for a defenseman directly.

But I am still for trading duby for a bag of shiny new pucks.

I am less worried about Paajarvi and more worried about Danis. Thats 20ish games he starts and Duby finishes. Also, in this scenario does Hemsky die?
- bsteinley

Danis should never play in the NHL. Khabbi is a better option than Danis. Dubnyk playing 76 games is a better option than Danis.

Remember when we acquired Smyth and it was a win-win? Many teams can afford to take on a year of Hemsky. I don't think it'll be a problem to get rid of him.

Still throwing Boyes or Horton out there for size on the top 6. Might be affordable UFAs. Give Paajarvi more time on line 3 with Hartkinen to develop. Then we trade Hemsky for assets we use to bolster our defense, or for a defenseman directly.

But I am still for trading duby for a bag of shiny new pucks.
- bsteinley