I guess they did have the balls. Now who is new GM?

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 1m
Hearing Craig MacTavish is new EDM GM and Scott Howson will be taking over MacTavish's role. As per @TSNRyanRishaug, EDM fires Tambellini.

I can't believe Cloutier got Tambellini fired.

I can't believe Cloutier got Tambellini fired.
- Aetherial

Cloutier should run this country, the man is awesome

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.
- nellie04

I am cool with Ralph staying... as assistant coach of special teams as long as he doesn't interfere with the new coach. There is no doubt he has done wonders with that part of our teams game.

I think it is a series of problems. We need a GM that does his job to get a new coach. I mean this is our third new coach in 4th coach in 4 years and none are impressing anyone. We can't expect that to be the only change. A new GM has to be on the table for this year. For that to happen we need a President that does his job. It is one big chain of stupid and I don't know where you cut it. I think you put a new Coach and GM this year and hope Krueger will go back to being assistant (if not show him the door with a swift kick). Once the GM is established, you show Lowe his retirement options.

I don't think you can honestly change all 3 unless Katz Junior is taking over, in which case we are saved. I would trade with him just to look at that hair. I think the GM is really the largest problem and I think Krueger might be the worst coach in the league, so that shows you what I think of Steve.

As for drafting. There are tons of great gambles in the 20s and even in the 30-60 range. However the top 6 or 7 seem to be sure things.

Cloutier should run this country, the man is awesome
- all mighty oil

Not happening... ever.

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

Rangers took Gaborik for 7 mil and he hadn't been healthy ever before playing with them. I missed when Jokinen was injured and when teams didn't want him. I see he missed 6 games once? Olli right? I am lost. I do know Gaborik is a lot like Hemsky in play and history and he was a wanted quantity.

Rangers took Gaborik for 7 mil and he hadn't been healthy ever before playing with them. I missed when Jokinen was injured and when teams didn't want him. I see he missed 6 games once? Olli right? I am lost. I do know Gaborik is a lot like Hemsky in play and history and he was a wanted quantity.
- bsteinley

Rangers took Gaborik, great example. When there were loopholes to hide salary and the salary cap was on the rise every year.

I was also talking about Jussi.

I can't believe Cloutier got Tambellini fired.
- Aetherial

I knew MacT was brought in to replace Steve but I was really hoping it was Howson that was going to get the job. MacT can't be worse but we just put a rookie GM in who was a terrible coach. I am going to go optimistic and hope Howson has his ear. I think this is a great thing and perfect timing.

I say we sign Whitney and Habby right now. Then trade them both at the draft. Something we should have done at the deadline. Heck, we could probably get something for fistric too.

I hope MacT doesn't talk in that cryptic crap language that Steve did where he said he knew about things and you thought he was going to address them and never did. "There are a lot of offers on the table we are entertaining and of course if we find something that will help our team improve now we will go ahead..." and two days later "we didn't want to mess with the dynamic of the team that has worked so hard to get where they are today..." PS we gave up a fourth round draft pick for a guy who makes laraque look like a speed skater.

Rangers took Gaborik, great example. When there were loopholes to hide salary and the salary cap was on the rise every year.

I was also talking about Jussi.
- Lahey

OHHHHH Jussi, I thought that was salary why no one touched him. I was looking at Olli. I never new Olli sucked as bad as he did until I just looked at his stats. That guy use to be good.

I knew MacT was brought in to replace Steve but I was really hoping it was Howson that was going to get the job. MacT can't be worse but we just put a rookie GM in who was a terrible coach. I am going to go optimistic and hope Howson has his ear. I think this is a great thing and perfect timing.

I say we sign Whitney and Habby right now. Then trade them both at the draft. Something we should have done at the deadline. Heck, we could probably get something for fistric too.

I hope MacT doesn't talk in that cryptic crap language that Steve did where he said he knew about things and you thought he was going to address them and never did. "There are a lot of offers on the table we are entertaining and of course if we find something that will help our team improve now we will go ahead..." and two days later "we didn't want to mess with the dynamic of the team that has worked so hard to get where they are today..." PS we gave up a fourth round draft pick for a guy who makes laraque look like a speed skater.
- bsteinley

MacT wasn't a terrible coach. He had a crap team.

OHHHHH Jussi, I thought that was salary why no one touched him. I was looking at Olli. I never new Olli sucked as bad as he did until I just looked at his stats. That guy use to be good.
- bsteinley

That's the thing Jussi is making 2mil less then Hemsky and teams didn't want him unless Carolina took salary on.

That's the thing Jussi is making 2mil less then Hemsky and teams didn't want him unless Carolina took salary on.
- Lahey

That's a possibility for us. Rather than retaining some of Hemmer's salary, if we were taking a longer bad contract, we could send Hemmer the other way so that at least one year was a wash (in a Brian Campbell trade for example).

That's a possibility for us. Rather than retaining some of Hemmer's salary, if we were taking a longer bad contract, we could send Hemmer the other way so that at least one year was a wash (in a Brian Campbell trade for example).
- Morris

Yeah but Hemmer is a top 6 player. Top line for many teams. Jussi is never going to be a top line player. Not a top 6 on most if any. He is a solid third line center. If you look at guys scoring almost a point a game like hemsky traditionally does when healthy, his salary is quite reasonable. Plus he actually played a ton of games this year if you factor in the europe games.

I think, as well as other teams might, that the oilers have been over precautious when making him a healthy scratch over the past 4 years as they had no need to play him injured. Why risk hurting a star more when they are in last place. Same with RNH and other players that sat long periods over the last couple years. I think, if they were making playoff pushes, like they were at the start of this year, they would have played hurt like our first line did. I think if our first line had the same injuries now that they did at the start of the year they would be benched. I don't think he is as injury prone as he looks and after his surgery I think he is capable of playing full seasons.

He is much more comparable to guys like Briere, Pronger, Horton, Backstrom, Green, Mikko Koivu, Vinny, Datsyuk... not all in skill but in the sense that when you are an elite player, being injury prone for a few years like Datsyuk or a ton like Green, doesn't really change people's desire for you. Green hasn't been healthy for more than a day in a row since the 70s and I am sure there is a team out there that would still give a first rounder for him.

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.
- bsteinley

Colorado's captain was a BORN leader. Landeskog exudes leadership and I'm sure 7yr old kids were following him when he was 5yrs old. I agree it's not based on talent that you select a captain, it's respect, work ethic, and honestly...a little bit of fear and intimidation. When the team captain sits at your poker table on the bus, you should feel a little bit nervous...not a lot, just a little.

Horcoff may as well be a rookie, he doesn't impress, motivate, or intimidate anyone. Possibly the worst team captain in modern pro sports history. I'm not trying to be mean when I say that, but tell me who is worse?

Colorado's captain was a BORN leader. Landeskog exudes leadership and I'm sure 7yr old kids were following him when he was 5yrs old. I agree it's not based on talent that you select a captain, it's respect, work ethic, and honestly...a little bit of fear and intimidation. When the team captain sits at your poker table on the bus, you should feel a little bit nervous...not a lot, just a little.

Horcoff may as well be a rookie, he doesn't impress, motivate, or intimidate anyone. Possibly the worst team captain in modern pro sports history. I'm not trying to be mean when I say that, but tell me who is worse?
- JLO961

I think I will go with the opinions of other players on the team that actaully say Horcoff is a fine captain. Unless you are in the Oilers dressing room, you really know nothing about Horcoff's abilities as a captain. He is a very hard worker, in exceptional condition, and like it or not the Oilers are better when he is in the lineup than when he isn't.