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.
- bsteinley

I was actually referencing Cloutier's blog.We don't need another young player that needs to develop unless your dropping in the draft and taking Horvat.This kid will be a cornerstone for years to come.Whoever gets him at 15th or higher has the steal of the draft.He has learned to play both ends of the ice from the Hunter's.There will be some teams that pick players ahead of him and 5 years down the road will wonder why.He is that good.As far as a top 4-dman other than Streit.There will be lots available with teams getting down to the cap.And yes it might cost a so called asset.Tambo has a lot of playing chips nonetheless.....does he have the balls to push the chips around.I would say history is not kind to him in that sense.Very nice to keep drafting top end prospects but they need to be complimented with veteran players.And please show Ralphie the door.He is not the man to lead this team.

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

just wait for schremps return

just wait for schremps return
- all mighty oil

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

They should be on the team if they deserve to be there, doesn't mean they have to have huge roles.

Useful vets needed, big time.

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.
- Morris

I do. Especially being injured again. Teams didn't want Jokinen who makes 2mil less, Hemsky isn't exactly that much better then Jokinen.

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

So you still feeling that we are at the same odds of falling in the standings as moving up??? Told you this team is playing pathetic Top 5 pick or better...

DeCloutser still managed to bring DeKeyser up... fore-shame.

I think fans need to send a message to the franchise. No one should attend the last game of the season.

So you still feeling that we are at the same odds of falling in the standings as moving up??? Told you this team is playing pathetic Top 5 pick or better...
- saskoil21

Pretty much. We have little chance of moving up, and a slightly bigger chance of being in the absolute basement. If you're hoping for top 5, I think you'll be disappointed.

I do. Especially being injured again. Teams didn't want Jokinen who makes 2mil less, Hemsky isn't exactly that much better then Jokinen.
- Lahey

Teams didn't want Jokinen in their current cap situations. Things change, by July there will be a market for guys like Jokinen and Hemsky. I don't think the return will be big for Hemsky, but I don't doubt that we'd be able to get him off the books if we wanted.

Teams didn't want Jokinen in their current cap situations. Things change, by July there will be a market for guys like Jokinen and Hemsky. I don't think the return will be big for Hemsky, but I don't doubt that we'd be able to get him off the books if we wanted.
- Morris

Incorrect. They didn't want Jokinen because he had one year left.

With the cap going down, Hemsky isn't going to be easy to move.

They should be on the team if they deserve to be there, doesn't mean they have to have huge roles.

Useful vets needed, big time.
- mochoson

Yeah sure, I'm not saying don't let them compete for a spot, but penciling them in to those slots is stupid.

Those are four players in positions that we could use upgrades and counting on them to all step in and make the team better is what keeps us going around in circles.

A few tidbits:
1) Dubey is not a game changing goaltender- he never steals games for this team- albeit he keeps them in it- but the gaffes are consistent and it is the difference between 2 pts and no pts
2) The wins with Horcoff on the ice is simple- its faceoff wins- this team cant win enough faceoffs to save its life... further the man is a complete liability in the offensive zone-
3) Smithson is a fail- would have been better off keeping the 4th and icing Belanger- is he really injured or does he want out or??
4) Smyth and Hemsky can go- they make no difference on this team- further the more I see Petrell the more I agree he and Jones can go as well... Further the entire bottow 6 can get blown up- with the exception of MPS and Brown
5) Buh Bye poopney, Fistric, Potter and Peckham- I liked Fistric at first- due to those big sexy hits he threw when he first came- now he is always out of position or turning the puck over...
6) Our biggest need by far is a top2 DMAN- if we do anything this offseason we need to fill that need
7) Fire the boys club- Lowe, MacT, Tambo, Kreuger, Howson- blow it the (frank) up completely.
8) Finally- boycott the oilers final games- send Katz a message that the fans are fed up with this poop...

Why do you just assume that your first round pick this year is going to make the team?


Again? Really? Keep him in junior for a year or two and develop him properly for (frank) sakes. I think the "Here's another saviour" card has been played too many times on this team. Sign an actual pro to play in your bottom 6.

Like another 18 year old on your 3rd line is going to improve your team next year.

(frank)in joke lol

Incorrect. They didn't want Jokinen because he had one year left.

With the cap going down, Hemsky isn't going to be easy to move.
- Lahey

Remember, my argument isn't that we'll have a buyers market for Hemsky, nor that we'll get a choice return. My hypothesis is merely that we will neither need to waive nor buy out Hemsky. I don't think that it's that outlandish.

Pretty much. We have little chance of moving up, and a slightly bigger chance of being in the absolute basement. If you're hoping for top 5, I think you'll be disappointed.
- Morris

http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=92324

Latest rankings.

Anyway, I don't think it's going to matter. I see this year being another year where you can have the top 10's of all the teams and those lists will be all over. Even 1-4 isn't exactly set in stone.

Someone will have a Swede or Fin a lot higher then other teams. Some teams will love Zadorov more then others, someone will have Gauthier ranked really high.

Either way this year's draft will be one that has some excitement, if we do draft.

Remember, my argument isn't that we'll have a buyers market for Hemsky, nor that we'll get a choice return. My hypothesis is merely that we will neither need to waive nor buy out Hemsky. I don't think that it's that outlandish.
- Morris

He'll be on this team more then likely. So I guess you aren't wrong.

A few tidbits:
1) Dubey is not a game changing goaltender- he never steals games for this team- albeit he keeps them in it- but the gaffes are consistent and it is the difference between 2 pts and no pts
2) The wins with Horcoff on the ice is simple- its faceoff wins- this team cant win enough faceoffs to save its life... further the man is a complete liability in the offensive zone-
3) Smithson is a fail- would have been better off keeping the 4th and icing Belanger- is he really injured or does he want out or??
4) Smyth and Hemsky can go- they make no difference on this team- further the more I see Petrell the more I agree he and Jones can go as well... Further the entire bottow 6 can get blown up- with the exception of MPS and Brown
5) Buh Bye poopney, Fistric, Potter and Peckham- I liked Fistric at first- due to those big sexy hits he threw when he first came- now he is always out of position or turning the puck over...
6) Our biggest need by far is a top2 DMAN- if we do anything this offseason we need to fill that need
7) Fire the boys club- Lowe, MacT, Tambo, Kreuger, Howson- blow it the (frank) up completely.
8) Finally- boycott the oilers final games- send Katz a message that the fans are fed up with this poop...
- saskoil21

1. I don't know, his team sure doesn't help him out.

3. How is Smithson a fail after 4 games? Not sure what is expected out of him. 20-11 on draws.

4. Smyth better reitre.

5. Fistric is what he is. Good #7 to have.

6. yep

7. doubt it happens. Still think Lowe is setting up to be the knight in shinny armour.

8. that will never happen.

http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=92324

Latest rankings.

Anyway, I don't think it's going to matter. I see this year being another year where you can have the top 10's of all the teams and those lists will be all over. Even 1-4 isn't exactly set in stone.

Someone will have a Swede or Fin a lot higher then other teams. Some teams will love Zadorov more then others, someone will have Gauthier ranked really high.

Either way this year's draft will be one that has some excitement, if we do draft.
- Lahey

Zadorov is 230lbs??? and 6'5"- damn some of these kids are huge- hate to see what he will fill out at...

He'll be on this team more then likely. So I guess you aren't wrong.
- Lahey

If he is on the team, I wouldn't be convinced it was only because they couldn't move him. It could just as likely be because Lowe/Tambs want him here. They seem to like him.

Why do you just assume that your first round pick this year is going to make the team?


Again? Really? Keep him in junior for a year or two and develop him properly for (frank) sakes. I think the "Here's another saviour" card has been played too many times on this team. Sign an actual pro to play in your bottom 6.

Like another 18 year old on your 3rd line is going to improve your team next year.

(frank)in joke lol
- t_leafs21

I don't even know that we draft in the 1st round this year. Have a feeling they'll wait to see who is on the board and if there isn't someone that feel to them then we package it up for some proven help.

I agree with you though.

1. I don't know, his team sure doesn't help him out.

3. How is Smithson a fail after 4 games? Not sure what is expected out of him. 20-11 on draws.

4. Smyth better reitre.

5. Fistric is what he is. Good #7 to have.

6. yep

7. doubt it happens. Still think Lowe is setting up to be the knight in shinny armour.

8. that will never happen.
- Lahey

Smithson is a fail as in unless he resigns- we are not in the playoffs- the pick is gone along with the player... similar to holding on to SHytney, Fistric et al... that will likely be gone for nothing

1. I don't know, his team sure doesn't help him out.

3. How is Smithson a fail after 4 games? Not sure what is expected out of him. 20-11 on draws.

4. Smyth better reitre.

5. Fistric is what he is. Good #7 to have.

6. yep

7. doubt it happens. Still think Lowe is setting up to be the knight in shinny armour.

8. that will never happen.
- Lahey

See I think Smyth will be back next year. Not that I'm happy about it.

Smithson is a fail as in unless he resigns- we are not in the playoffs- the pick is gone along with the player... similar to holding on to SHytney, Fistric et al... that will likely be gone for nothing
- saskoil21

We'd have as good a shot as anyone to re-sign him. For a 36 year old guy for only commands 800k a year, the fact that the oilers went out and got him probably means something. If we offered 1-2 years at 800-900k I don't think we'll have any problems re-upping him.

See I think Smyth will be back next year. Not that I'm happy about it.
- Morris

If Smyth is on this team next year- with the same PP time he and Horcoff get- may as well mail it in again...

See I think Smyth will be back next year. Not that I'm happy about it.
- Morris

I hope that your so wrong about Smyth coming back next season