They will probably get someone really good in the draft this year, but with Feaster in charge I wouldn't get my hopes too high, since he has a reputation for fielding very poor teams.

Two words for you..... "Shawn Horcoff"
- Reveen

Those are two Dirty Words, surprised they got past the filters.

Two words for you..... "Shawn Horcoff"
- Reveen

It's actually "The Captain Shawn Horcoff"

since when was cervenka considered an "asset". he's no more of an asset than shawn horcoff is
- lkeh73

I'd consider Shawn Horcoff an asset. Albeit not a big one, but it would be foolish to lose his right now for nothing, for example.

Division Standings next year.

1. Anaheim
2. Los Angeles
3. San Jose
4. Vancouver
5. Phoenix (if they remain in Arizona)
6. Edmonton
7. Calgary
- LeftCoaster

Seems like the standings for this year, except in a new division.

I don't like Anaheim's depth, but they proved me wrong this year, so I'd say they're up there. 3-6 seem like they could plausibly be in many different orders, depending on what moves are made this summer. These are all teams in major flux.

It also wouldn't surprise me for Calgary not to finish last if Feaster insists on trying to stay competitive while trying to completely overhaul the team.

I'd consider Shawn Horcoff an asset. Albeit not a big one, but it would be foolish to lose his right now for nothing, for example.
- Morris

Well if someone took him for nothing I wouldn't be opposed.

Well if someone took him for nothing I wouldn't be opposed.
- Lahey

If someone took him for nothing and MacT could line up a replacement I wouldn't be opposed.

I don't understand why the Flames would be looking at a bunch of 30+ year olds, at this point. I think it's a terrible idea. Bozak may make more sense, but even he will be into his 30s by the time the Flames are ready to contend. Not even he is ideal. Unless they can get a couple of these guys on one year deals, and deal them at the deadline.
- Dirte

An experienced, supporting cast who can still play hockey is important to a club trying to develop their players. That is the only reason I can see them showing interset....by not bringing in guys who can handle the work load while the youth learn, sends a sign to the league/team that theyre just going to ride things out and hope for the best. Not the greatest way to accomplish goals imo...hasnt been working for Edmonton...

An experienced, supporting cast who can still play hockey is important to a club trying to develop their players. That is the only reason I can see them showing interset....by not bringing in guys who can handle the work load while the youth learn, sends a sign to the league/team that theyre just going to ride things out and hope for the best. Not the greatest way to accomplish goals imo...hasnt been working for Edmonton...
- Colin Dambrauskas

While I agree veteran support is a good thing to have, and maybe something Edmonton needed. What goals have the Oilers been whiffing on? Did they realistically have a Taylor Hall - To - Cup timeline of 3 and a half years?

If someone took him for nothing and MacT could line up a replacement I wouldn't be opposed.
- Morris

Scott Gomez!

There was no room on the flames for another soft player like Cervenka. His own zone play was also horrible.

As for signing one of those big names on the list, who sits for them? Horak, Sven and maybe Reinhart all showed they could play in the bigs next year. Rather have some youth. Don't see other teams wanting players like Tanguay, Cammi ect. this summer. Maybe at the deadline.

While I agree veteran support is a good thing to have, and maybe something Edmonton needed. What goals have the Oilers been whiffing on? Did they realistically have a Taylor Hall - To - Cup timeline of 3 and a half years?
- Morris

No, Im sure they didnt....but conversely could you not argue that a steady level of improvement year by year should be your ultimate goal?

There was no room on the flames for another soft player like Cervenka. His own zone play was also horrible.

As for signing one of those big names on the list, who sits for them? Horak, Sven and maybe Reinhart all showed they could play in the bigs next year. Rather have some youth. Don't see other teams wanting players like Tanguay, Cammi ect. this summer. Maybe at the deadline.
- nigelwright275

Frankly, I could see either or both of those guys moved come deadline day..

While I agree veteran support is a good thing to have, and maybe something Edmonton needed. What goals have the Oilers been whiffing on? Did they realistically have a Taylor Hall - To - Cup timeline of 3 and a half years?
- Morris

They've missed the playoffs 6 years and counting. 7 of the last 8 years. Why do you say 3 and a half years?

Very strange standings.

1. Anaheim
2. Los Angeles
3. San Jose
4. Vancouver
5. Phoenix (if they remain in Arizona)
6. Edmonton
7. Calgary

Personaly I think this more likely but I am a bit biased.

1. Los Angeles
2. Vancouver
3. San Jose
4. Edmonton
5. Anaheim
6. Phoenix
7. Calgary

LA should be first np... but they dont bring it in the reg season like they do in the playoffs. Best team on paper tho. Van is still a good hockey club but getting weaker. San Jose same as Van. Edmonton should squeek into the playoffs if they can take a decent step forward. Ana will not have Koivu or Seleane and have a few people who can go into big slumps. Phoe even if they manage to keep Smith will not make the playoffs. Calgary is shooting for dead last next year.

Losing Cervenka does hurt. I thought he was one of Calgary's better players when I watched. Lots of effort, good scoring chances developed just didnt finish as much as Cal would have hoped. I really think he could have had a long career in the NHL if he wanted.

though I agree, its more of a supporting cast that they will need as they continue to introduce younger players. Cant fill up a team of young guys without a few legitimate experienced guys to show them the ropes.
- Colin Dambrauskas

People don't seem to understand the concept of not icing a team full of rookies . I have no problem signing 1 centerman as long as it means moving guys who typically don't play center to the wing and not sitting one of the kids or dropping them to 4th line

While I agree veteran support is a good thing to have, and maybe something Edmonton needed. What goals have the Oilers been whiffing on? Did they realistically have a Taylor Hall - To - Cup timeline of 3 and a half years?
- Morris

No, but I'm sure they planned to be in the playoffs by now... This year was clearly a disappointment, hence the change of GM.

Guys like Ribeiro and Roy won't be part of the core, but they could help to fill in the gaps while the new core develops.

No, Im sure they didnt....but conversely could you not argue that a steady level of improvement year by year should be your ultimate goal?
- Colin Dambrauskas

Well, a stanley cup every year should be the "ultimate" goal. But yeah, and I think we've seen a slight level of improvement but not as much as we could have seen.

I'm not positive you can just "speed up the rebuild" by adding wily vets while completely overhauling the roster and bringing in high end young talent. You want to foster development, but re-tooling so aggressively and so vet-oriented leaves you essentially where you've been in the conference: 9th or 10th, right?

There are pros and cons to each strategy.

They've missed the playoffs 6 years and counting. 7 of the last 8 years. Why do you say 3 and a half years?
- Dirte

Because the deadline leading to the Hall draft was the true "blow it up and start over" point.

No, but I'm sure they planned to be in the playoffs by now... This year was clearly a disappointment, hence the change of GM.

Guys like Ribeiro and Roy won't be part of the core, but they could help to fill in the gaps while the new core develops.
- jtommyt

Maybe they should hire me as an analyst, I could have told them this roster was not a lock for the playoffs. I'd say the GM change was in part focused on his day to day stagnancy as opposed to the big picutre. Not bringing in a centre while we had Smyth and Petrell centering the 2nd and 3rd lines is crazy. Tambs wasn't mature enough to pull the trigger on deals, and was replaced. I'm not sure if that was an indication that the roster has underachieved from where they were in 2010.

They've missed the playoffs 6 years and counting. 7 of the last 8 years. Why do you say 3 and a half years?
- Dirte

because that's how long it's been since we drafted Taylor Hall???

I sense you're trying to pick a fight, but "Taylor Hall - To - Cup in 3 and a half years" is not really a debateable notion.

Guys like Ribeiro and Roy won't be part of the core, but they could help to fill in the gaps while the new core develops.
- jtommyt

It'll be a fine balance. I'm not going to recommend the scorched earth style that Edmonton underwent as "the only way to do things", but equally I think it's pretty hard to simply take the positives from Edmonton's models and eliminate the negatives.

No reason not to bring in specific bridge veterans, but you don't want to wake up being duped into being in the same place you've been the past 5 or so years.

Because the deadline leading to the Hall draft was the true "blow it up and start over" point.
- jtommyt

They'd been drafting pretty high for many years prior to that.

No, but I'm sure they planned to be in the playoffs by now... This year was clearly a disappointment, hence the change of GM.

Guys like Ribeiro and Roy won't be part of the core, but they could help to fill in the gaps while the new core develops.
- jtommyt

ST was a puppet. Lowe found a way to deflect a team on the downside from him and now will get praise will the team is on the upswing.

I never thought playoffs were needed. I thought meaningful hockey post TDD, and that happened.

because that's how long it's been since we drafted Taylor Hall???

I sense you're trying to pick a fight, but "Taylor Hall - To - Cup in 3 and a half years" is not really a debateable notion.
- Morris

Sure, but that strikes me as similar to saying "did you really expect Jordan Staal to cup in 2 years"?