When I used to play NHL 94, the trading system used to be incredibly rudimentary. You could trade players with a value rating +/- 3 away from the target player. For example, if a guy was a 71, and with him you could acquire a 68 or a 74 rated player and so on.

What I'd often do was this: start with a poopty player, and continue to trade up as I could. 61 gets a 64, 64 gets a 67, on and on and on until I turned my 61 rated asset into Steve Yzerman (97 or so). Good strategy when you're bored and have an insane amount of time on your hands, but you can see how it's totally impractical.

That's kind of how I feel with the Oilers defense. We're not going to improve our D by trading Smid for the next rung above, and Petry for the next rung above, constantly looking for replacements. We need to add to what we've assembled.

If you recall:
Jason Smith became Pitkanen, Pitkanen became Cole, Cole became POS.
Stoll and Greene became Lubo, Lubo became Whitney.

These sorts of "upgrade" trades don't often work imo.
- Morris

I use to do the same thing

Oilers broadcast team LOVES David Clarkson

Guys who can score and are perceived as tough give Stauffer a major woodie.
I remember him saying years ago"If I was starting a team from scratch I'd build it around Dion Phaneuf"
BOOMing slapashots, THUNderous body checks, WET dreams

Let's put Dane Cook in it then. Just in case.
- nayefj

Amanda Bynes, and Lindsay Lohan also plllllllllllleeeeeeeeaaasssssseeeee

I don't think he'll ever add the physicality to his game that people expect. He wasn't overly physical in Junior where he was the same size as a lot of guys and now he's expected to learn how to phyiscally dominate against men and not 5'8 17yr olds that weigh 161lbs? Same problem Hedman had.

The best thing for Jones would be to go back to Junior. Hell, that'd be the best thing for basically every kid drafted most years. Just because a player has the skill level doesn't mean they're physically able to play.
- DTF69

Hedman I think is a better skater, that's what had scouts excited about him. So big and skates so smoothly. As for Jones, you're probably right. But he will be beside weber so its moot.

Both were good picks for their draft years.....Phillips is one of the best from his poop year, Berard....well.......would've been if not for Hossa's stick.
- mykokes

The feedback on top 5 drafted dmen is not great.

Reasonable posts and conversation happen here a lot. Dont judge us by out blogger. Hes a tool.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

He's out to make friends tonight, I often wonder what motivates people.....

Hedman I think is a better skater, that's what had scouts excited about him. So big and skates so smoothly. As for Jones, you're probably right. But he will be beside weber so its moot.
- mykokes

Weber can't be everywhere in the defensive zone. Jones will probably end up like Bouwmeester if Bouwmeester could shoot.

Hedman I think is a better skater, that's what had scouts excited about him. So big and skates so smoothly. As for Jones, you're probably right. But he will be beside weber so its moot.
- mykokes

Hedmans development curve has been quietly tremendous.

The feedback on top 5 drafted dmen is not great.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

True, 1993 being the exception.

The feedback on top 5 drafted dmen is not great.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

People's views are skewed by Drew Doughty and Pietrangelo, who took like 3-4 years but people forget that part of his development.

For every Doughty there is like 2 Roman Hamrlik's and a Erik Johnson.

Hedmans development curve has been quietly tremendous.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

I like him. His instincts are catching up to his talent level....and I agree with you.

Hedmans development curve has been quietly tremendous.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

He's been moving slowly towards occupying a very good #3/good #2 which is good to see after that horrendous sophomore year.

So was Bogosian, so was Slater Koekoek.
- mykokes

The last couple of years, Bogosian has been pretty good... And he's only 22.

Koekkoek turned 19 five months ago.

the scouting report on jones is extremely similar to e johnsons.
think he might have a better head for the game, but johnsons skating skillz are stronger.

nothing is for sure
- hugefemale dog77

Mackenzie tried putting that to rest on draft day by saying jones has been on the radar fo a few years. Johnson was a man child that gained traction in his draft year.

True, 1993 being the exception.
- mykokes

Pronger? Pffft. We got da Daigle female dogez!

The last couple of years, Bogosian has been pretty good... And he's only 22.

Koekkoek turned 19 five months ago.
- laughs2907

Bogosian's decision making can be pretty awful but he's a reliable 2nd pairing defender. He's had a bit of a rough time finding a partner that fits him well in Winnipeg so far.

He looks like he "thinks" too much sometimes instead of just doing so a guy like Regehr/Mitchell/Scuderi/Allen or even someone like Hal Gill could be a good partner for him. Hainsey isn't that guy, Oduya was a trainwreck, that kid from Saskatoon is a trainwreck.

The last couple of years, Bogosian has been pretty good... And he's only 22.

Koekkoek turned 19 five months ago.
- laughs2907

Not writing either off, both are the type of d-men I like on my blueline, but neither are Pronger. Pronger was something special. I'm sure despite the poop he put your city and team through, you guys recognize that.

I'd consider Bogo more like Jovo cop.

Good thing we drafted nurse out of the top 5! Success!

Bogosian's decision making can be pretty awful but he's a reliable 2nd pairing defender. He's had a bit of a rough time finding a partner that fits him well in Winnipeg so far.

He looks like he "thinks" too much sometimes instead of just doing so a guy like Regehr/Mitchell/Scuderi/Allen or even someone like Hal Gill could be a good partner for him. Hainsey isn't that guy, Oduya was a trainwreck, that kid from Saskatoon is a trainwreck.
- DTF69

D-GENERATION X!!!!

Not writing either off, both are the type of d-men I like on my blueline, but neither are Pronger. Pronger was something special. I'm sure despite the poop he put your city and team through, you guys recognize that.

I'd consider Bogo more like Jovo cop.
- mykokes

Bogosian will never have the offensive instincts that Jovo had in his prime. Never. At that time there were few Dmen in the league that were as good with the puck as Jovo was. His defense left a little to be desired but god damn was he good with the puck. I see a lot of the same offensive instincts in J. Schultz

D-GENERATION X!!!!
- laughs2907

BREAK THE WALLS DOWN

Nothing is for sure. Johnson, Phillips, Berrard.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

Well in most people's mind, Jones is a step above all those guys as far as talent goes.

I hear what you're saying but regardless of the nit-pickin going on with certain parts of his game, Jones is going to be a stud & Nashville just replaced Suter with a young, impressive specimen.

Not writing either off, both are the type of d-men I like on my blueline, but neither are Pronger. Pronger was something special. I'm sure despite the poop he put your city and team through, you guys recognize that.

I'd consider Bogo more like Jovo cop.
- mykokes

Pronger was sh1t during his first few years in the league.

Couturier > MPS
Smid = Coburn

Why would the Flyers do that?
- trolleytracks

coburn's definitely better than smid

Pronger was sh1t during his first few years in the league.
- laughs2907

#DMENPROBLEMS