MC is a (frank)ing tool that looks at stats and stats alone.
- Lahey

He makes some good points and does have rationale that warrant a look or listen IMO...

I like that line. I'd also like Hall-Horcoff-Yaks as well. I think there was a glaring lack toughness on the much lauded PJ-Gagner-Yaks line and a bit of a lack of autonomy from the Hall-Nuge-Ebs line and that hopefully will be solved this off-season.
- Morris

I just want to see Hall and Yak together. I think they could really be a line that gives the other team headaches. Hall by himself does this. Now add Yak who is probably a good 5x more aggressive then Eberle and I think you have a skilled line with energy.

I agree Horc would work, but then you have RNH or Gagner playing with plugs which I'm not a fan of at this point.

He makes some good points and does have rationale that warrant a look or listen IMO...
- saskoil21

He lost my look when he whined like a female dog on twitter everyday for two years.

Tough call, but that's why MacT is getting paid the big bucks.
- Lahey

Indeed. And on Mac-T, I've always liked him and I'm excited to see what he can get done.

Christ, talk about a full 180 just in his ability to communicate.

Admittedly, I was a little surprised they didn't give Tambellini the chance to get things done at the draft and free agency. Very telling that they may have lost any faith in those abilities----aside for the old fall guy adage.

Now reflecting, fukk am I glad they didn't give him the reins this summer. This organization needs something more heading into the off-season.

I don't get how it's a good PR move to play him. There isn't exactly a lot of fans that think he's any good. Even so what the (frank) do they care about PR?

Smithson was ST's guy so who knows. I don't mind seeing Lander/Harti because truthfully if they aren't good enough we need to make damn sure we have better players next year. That and both could be on the chopping block. If we are to make a big move, say for a top pairing d-man, one or both could be wanted by other teams.
- Lahey

I think you care about PR insofar as you're chasing veteran UFAs to come be the field generals in the oilers organization.Warranted or not, I think it could be seen as 'another slight to a veteran guy, par for the course on an oilers squad that's enamoured with prospects, for all the good its brought them'. All this with the hope that Smyth is done after these 7 games...

That's a good point about Smithson, and upping Lander and Harti's profile. I think Lander and Hartikainen in our new look bottom 6 next year would indicate that the bottom 6 isn't 'new look' enough . And I think the whole point of prospect depth is to allow guys like Lander and Harti the time to develop until they're ready to be super-dependable NHLers.

He lost my look when he whined like a female dog on twitter everyday for two years.
- Lahey

Everyone whines on twitter thats what its for- to whine and look at boobies

Indeed. And on Mac-T, I've always liked him and I'm excited to see what he can get done.

Christ, talk about a full 180 just in his ability to communicate.

Admittedly, I was a little surprised they didn't give Tambellini the chance to get things done at the draft and free agency. Very telling that they may have lost any faith in those abilities----aside for the old fall guy adage.

Now reflecting, fukk am I glad they didn't give him the reins this summer. This organization needs something more heading into the off-season.
- Salvo

Yeah no poop- talk about pissing away your draw good luck charm... odds definitely out of favor to win anything now...

I just want to see Hall and Yak together. I think they could really be a line that gives the other team headaches. Hall by himself does this. Now add Yak who is probably a good 5x more aggressive then Eberle and I think you have a skilled line with energy.

I agree Horc would work, but then you have RNH or Gagner playing with plugs which I'm not a fan of at this point.
- Lahey

Well de-plug-ifying the other options I hope will open up the possibilities to roll a couple of decent lines. Certainly can't do it as it stands...

Indeed. And on Mac-T, I've always liked him and I'm excited to see what he can get done.

Christ, talk about a full 180 just in his ability to communicate.

Admittedly, I was a little surprised they didn't give Tambellini the chance to get things done at the draft and free agency. Very telling that they may have lost any faith in those abilities----aside for the old fall guy adage.

Now reflecting, fukk am I glad they didn't give him the reins this summer. This organization needs something more heading into the off-season.
- Salvo

Its a (frank) of a lot easier to pick a couple assets here and there when you have a near full cupboard to work with...

I think you care about PR insofar as you're chasing veteran UFAs to come be the field generals in the oilers organization.Warranted or not, I think it could be seen as 'another slight to a veteran guy, par for the course on an oilers squad that's enamoured with prospects, for all the good its brought them'. All this with the hope that Smyth is done after these 7 games...

That's a good point about Smithson, and upping Lander and Harti's profile. I think Lander and Hartikainen in our new look bottom 6 next year would indicate that the bottom 6 isn't 'new look' enough . And I think the whole point of prospect depth is to allow guys like Lander and Harti the time to develop until they're ready to be super-dependable NHLers.
- Morris

I really don't think it matters. MacT is a new GM and none of these players are his players. If UFA's hold it against him so be it, but I sooner think the good ones would question why you play players that make your team worse. Not "oh geez, a guy they overpaid by 1.5mil for 2 years gets the unfortunate sit in the pressbox because he couldn't play anymore".

Ever since the Brian Burke episode, where he bragged about his Cups as a player and took shots at Burke about Bobby Ryan being a bust, I lost all respect for Lowe because he was just being an @sshole. Burke was just being honest, Lowe was a whining baby making up sh!t. This Lowe has to be the biggest pr!ck exec in the league. Such a fu&king joke how he brings Howsen and Mac T back, are you Fu&king kidding me. He defends his record because of 1 season as a Cinderella 8th seed. The rest of his record proves that was only a fluke. Penner, Souray, Smyth, trading Stoll and Greene, this guy is a total fu&king joke.
- gunner2233

I dont disagree about lowe being a douche, but u have the burke incident backwards.
This is revisionist history.

Lowe made a completely legal and within the rulz move when he offer sheeted penner.
Which was also prudent as it was well timed with anaheim's cap trouble after winning a cup.
Burke knew he was fuked and that hed lose him. so he turned what was a purely business move into something personal and started a media circus.
He Started attacking lowes desperation, gm skills and even went so far as to personally attack his character.
All in front of the media.

Only then did kevin lowe go on the offensive.
Burke even talked about fighting him for eff sakes.

If anyone whined and cried, it was burke. The guy talks wayyy too much amd is a giant media whore

I really don't think it matters. MacT is a new GM and none of these players are his players. If UFA's hold it against him so be it, but I sooner think the good ones would question why you play players that make your team worse. Not "oh geez, a guy they overpaid by 1.5mil for 2 years gets the unfortunate sit in the pressbox because he couldn't play anymore".
- Lahey

For tonight its not a big deal - for the remainder of the season- then I agree its a big deal... and sends the message we want to continue to be losers losing...

I watched the press conference again today. Wow did low look like a douche. He sounded defensive, angry, arrogant... What was this "we chased the dream for a while" but that wasn't right for our fan base. How is going for the cup not right?

If I remember correctly we went to rebuild mode the year after. That was his claim to fame for his whole career with the oil and one reporter "that was 7 years ago." I laughed out loud. Then he claims we have only been rebuilding for 3 years.

In the end we get rid of a terrible GM to find ourselves back to the same people that got us into this mess for so many years and a coach that can't.

I think there will be good money betting against the Oil next year.
- bsteinley

Oh yeah - his barks are a little embarrassing.

The full rebuild has only been three years. But yes, I think they were in denial a couple years prior to that by going after big fish like Heatley/ Hossa.

Not sure what you mean by a "coach that can't"

And the sweeping pronouncement regarding the return of the people that got us into this mess. Well, Mac-T has also brought us some good players and positives.

I dont disagree about lowe being a douche, but u have the burke incident backwards.
This is revisionist history.

Lowe made a completely legal and within the rulz move and offer sheeted penner.
Which was also well timed as anaheim was in cap trouble after winning a cup.
Burke knew he was fuked and that hed lose him and made a business move into something personal and started a media circus.
He Started attacking lowes desperation, gm skills along with personal digs.
All in front of the media.

Only then did kevin lowe go on the offensive.
Burke even talked about fighting him for eff sakes.

If anyone whined and cried, it was burke. The guy talks wayyy too much
- hugefemale dog77

But the team he left is winning... which may be what will happen with Lowe- he may get canned and the team may start winning!

Oh yeah - his barks are a little embarrassing.

The full rebuild has only been three years. But yes, I think they were in denial a couple years prior to that by going after big fish like Heatley/ Hossa.

Not sure what you mean by a "coach that can't"

And the sweeping pronouncement regarding the return of the people that got us into this mess. Well, Mac-T has also brought us some good players and positives.
- Salvo

And whom would these players be that MacT was responsibile for bringing in? JSchultz- that was all admin and further influenced by buddy influence - Coffey and Gretzky... Fact is they did not even consider hiring outside the boys club- they narrowed their search and could very well have narrowed their results..

Its a (frank) of a lot easier to pick a couple assets here and there when you have a near full cupboard to work with...
- saskoil21

True....so you're saying Mac-T has is it easy?

Actually, he did say his job is less challenging now that there are main pieces in place.

did you trust Tambo going into this off-season?

True....so you're saying Mac-T has is it easy?

Actually, he did say his job is less challenging now that there are main pieces in place.

did you trust Tambo going into this off-season?
- Salvo

I dont know- I think Tambo had a plan and stuck to it which likely was his achilles heel... I think he ran out of time- and someone had to pay a price- .. I think Tambo had some ties and plans that may have worked... I am not sure if he shared it with everyone - or not - its hard to not think MacT has it alot easier- and further I (frank)ing hate it when someone does all the heavy lifting and some other (frank)er gets the rewards and credit...I would have rather Lowe resign but he is a POS

And whom would these players be that MacT was responsibile for bringing in? JSchultz- that was all admin and further influenced by buddy influence - Coffey and Gretzky... Fact is they did not even consider hiring outside the boys club- they narrowed their search and could very well have narrowed their results..
- saskoil21

Hey man, fair enough.

I'll add that Mac-T has a good hockey mind, a good resume and he's a damn good communicator. If he is credited with the J. Shultz signing I'll give him that and I sense he can be an inspirational, eloquent guy. Good quality.

Yeah...they returned the old boys club. Fukk. These boards are gonna be filled old boys club poop for the summer.

They ALL have they're old boys clubs at times. Burke played hockey with Lizard face Wilson at Providence College in the 70's. I don;t think this is that uncommon. Would I have liked a fresher face, ya probably but in the meantime, I give Mac-T the summer.

I really don't think it matters. MacT is a new GM and none of these players are his players. If UFA's hold it against him so be it, but I sooner think the good ones would question why you play players that make your team worse. Not "oh geez, a guy they overpaid by 1.5mil for 2 years gets the unfortunate sit in the pressbox because he couldn't play anymore".
- Lahey

yeah fair enough. If I had my way we'd either have Smithson at 4C or since Lander is up here, play him at his natural position.

I dont know- I think Tambo had a plan and stuck to it which likely was his achilles heel... I think he ran out of time- and someone had to pay a price- .. I think Tambo had some ties and plans that may have worked... I am not sure if he shared it with everyone - or not - its hard to not think MacT has it alot easier- and further I (frank)ing hate it when someone does all the heavy lifting and some other (frank)er gets the rewards and credit...I would have rather Lowe resign but he is a POS
- saskoil21

Yep good point. I was thinking on the same lines, wondering now if Mac-T knows of some of these relationships, ties and perhaps proposals.

I guess it's clear they felt Tambo didn't want to be that bold or expose himself to risk as Mac-T made it clear that's what he feels this team needs.
As even Mac-T himself said though: It's all talk right now.

Yep, once they hit the slide after the 4-2 loss - change was a comin' and that achilles heel you mentioned seems right to me. He ran out of time.

Well fine. Be "impatient" Mac. Lets go get it now. Fukk I hope the dance partners are there. Free agency is weak this year.

EIDT: I meant 8-2 win. Hopefully not a Fruedian slip for tonight.

Hey man, fair enough.

I'll add that Mac-T has a good hockey mind, a good resume and he's a damn good communicator. If he is credited with the J. Shultz signing I'll give him that and I sense he can be an inspirational, eloquent guy. Good quality.

Yeah...they returned the old boys club. Fukk. These boards are gonna be filled old boys club poop for the summer.

They ALL have they're old boys clubs at times. Burke played hockey with Lizard face Wilson at Providence College in the 70's. I don;t think this is that uncommon. Would I have liked a fresher face, ya probably but in the meantime, I give Mac-T the summer.
- Salvo

I know... I give the summer as well... I just hope they dont piss the cupboards away in doing so...

Yep good point. I was thinking on the same lines, wondering now if Mac-T knows of some of these relationships, ties and perhaps proposals.

I guess it's clear they felt Tambo didn't want to be that bold or expose himself to risk as Mac-T made it clear that's what he feels this team needs.
As even Mac-T himself said though: It's all talk right now.

Yep, once they hit the slide after the 4-2 loss - change was a comin' and that achilles heel you mentioned seems right to me. He ran out of time.

Well fine. Be "impatient" Mac. Lets go get it now. Fukk I hope the dance partners are there. Free agency is weak this year.
- Salvo

Completely agree- although I am not sure timid Tambo was given a chance to be bold- I think he had a thorough plan in place and for our benefit but just as stated needed more time as there were no reasons to start selling things of substance... This summer however- we do desperately need a top 2 dman... once we have that the other pieces will not come that expensive... which is a far cry different that what Tambo was left with.... and to think that conceded Lowe contested in the conference yesterday that maybe he should have stayed and sought things through - the oilers might be at a different point today... (frank) its good to be cocky when someone did all the grunt work...

yeah fair enough. If I had my way we'd either have Smithson at 4C or since Lander is up here, play him at his natural position.
- Morris

As would I. Smithson if you are trying to ice the best team possible or Lander if you are playing for the future. Where Smyth fits in there I have no idea.