Not sure what you're expecting to come from free agency RC. Mac T and Scott Howson have both said numerous times that they feel building a hockey team through free agency is the wrong route because more often than not you highly over pay. Their "big fish" was Clarkson and they missed out (might be a blessing in disguise as it sounds like they offered him upwards of 6 mill per). Look for Mac T to improve this club in different ways now, Much like he said in his presser yesterday. You've been writing the same thing over and over just changing the wording. Relax! it's July 6th.
- YakCity

And according to Pierre Lebrun, Clarkson was offered more money by the Oilers but turned it down to play in his hometown.

Of course it isn't but like most Oilers fan you wouldn't have a clue about real hockey players if they kicked you in the groin.

Jones is a serviceable 3rd 4th line guy. Good attitude. Had a rough year last year but otherwise has been one of the best bottom six guy on this team for a few years. Keeping him is not a failure.

Of course since I don't live in Edmonton I'm not all the eager to run out serviceable NHL players like the rest of the masses.
- Oilnutz

Straight to the personal shots, huh? I'm just of the mind that we can find better for the price he's likely asking for.

Saying been one of our best bottom 6ers really means nothing when our bottom has featured household names like Belanger, Eager, Stortini, and MacIntyre. At this stage in our rebuild, we need to be looking beyond "servicable" and be trying to find and sign legitimate bottom 6ers. In fact, we SHOULD be looking for as many top-9 F as possible in anticipation of injuries.

On the note of injuries, theres also a good deal of risk in resigning a guy who likely wants 15G scorer money. Historically, eye-injuries are some of the more difficult injuries to come back from as full recovery is quite rare.

Youre free to have your opinion, just know that others arent idiots for not thinking the same way!

What was your take on the Chicago series? The crowns seemed...tired...I recall one third period, perhaps game 4, where CHI came out, took over and won. It just seemed like at that point LA was playing like it was double OT.
- Salvo

Two very long, very physical rounds.

The blues beat us up pretty bad.

Had we been healthy against the Hawks it would have gone to a game seven.

Two very long, very physical rounds.

The blues beat us up pretty bad.

Had we been healthy against the Hawks it would have gone to a game seven.
- Deadmau55

That blues series was epic. I doubt either team could go all the way playing that physical

Lander is one of the best centers in the world.
- laughs2907

His potential alone is the best.

Raymond should sign cheap woth the pens....
- Killbot460

I don't know where he would fit. Maybe on the third line. Interchangeable with Bennett if Bennett struggles with Malkin and Neal.

And according to Pierre Lebrun, Clarkson was offered more money by the Oilers but turned it down to play in his hometown.
- newmy

We didnt offer the ridiculous 7 year term though...and im glad we didnt.
Whether toronto was his first choice or not, those extra years were most likely the clincher

We didnt offer the ridiculous 7 year term though...and im glad we didnt.
Whether toronto was his first choice or not, those extra years were most likely the clincher
- hugefemale dog77

Meh, not that big of a loss anyways, at 6'1", 200lbs, he isn't massive, has averaged 0.399ppg over his career, and 1.80 pim's per game. Would have been an upgrade over hemsky size and grit wise, but exactly, 7 years for a 29 year old. No thanks.

My armchair deal of the day.
Pick up Grabovski.
To St Louis: Sam Gagner, 2014 1st and Ladislav Smid
To Edmonton: Chris Stewart Keven Shattenkirk

Hall-Nuge- Yakupov
Stewart-Grabovski-Eberle
Paajarvi-Gordon- Jones
Jonesu-Lander- Smyth

Petry-Shattenkirk
Schultz-Ference
Belov-Schulz
Larsen, Potter

My armchair deal of the day.
Pick up Grabovski.
To St Louis: Sam Gagner, 2014 1st and Ladislav Smid
To Edmonton: Chris Stewart Keven Shattenkirk

Hall-Nuge- Yakupov
Stewart-Grabovski-Eberle
Paajarvi-Gordon- Jones
Jonesu-Lander- Smyth

Petry-Shattenkirk
Schultz-Ference
Belov-Schulz
Larsen, Potter
- freelancer

Shattenkirk just signed to a good deal for st.loo.
Plus not sure his size and style should be our first target on the backend. More a bigger two way guy.

And the more i think about it, the more i think mact's done improving our defence.
Not to say it's right, but i think he got belov to compete with potter for the 6 spot. and with all 3 including n. schultz only having 1 year left, im guessing he waits till next off season to sign a quality dman from a wayyy deeper fa crop. This moves ference or smid down to the third pairing and still has an open spot for one of klefbom/marincin.

Just a guess

I don't know where he would fit. Maybe on the third line. Interchangeable with Bennett if Bennett struggles with Malkin and Neal.
- Ben37

He'd be a great fit there. Brings a lot of speed. But he's not really physical. Morrow maybe a better option.

He'd be a great fit there. Brings a lot of speed. But he's not really physical. Morrow maybe a better option.
- Killbot460

His speed is what makes him an option. But the Penguins like to have a physical third line. Cooke and Kennedy were both physical and grinding wingers especially down low in the offensive zone. Morrow would be a better fit on that type of line, but it is hard to turn away Raymonds speed.

My armchair deal of the day.
Pick up Grabovski.
To St Louis: Sam Gagner, 2014 1st and Ladislav Smid
To Edmonton: Chris Stewart Keven Shattenkirk

Hall-Nuge- Yakupov
Stewart-Grabovski-Eberle
Paajarvi-Gordon- Jones
Jonesu-Lander- Smyth

Petry-Shattenkirk
Schultz-Ference
Belov-Schulz
Larsen, Potter
- freelancer

Take smid and shattenkirk out and it'll be more fair. Dont wanna give up and gagner but Stewart is what thit team needs. Anthony his bro, could be brought in for depth incase of injuries as well.

Take shattenkirk and smid out and it'll be a deal. I really like gagner though!

Stewart is what this team needs. His brother Anthony could be brought in for depth as well incase for injuries.

His speed is what makes him an option. But the Penguins like to have a physical third line. Cooke and Kennedy were both physical and grinding wingers especially down low in the offensive zone. Morrow would be a better fit on that type of line, but it is hard to turn away Raymonds speed.
- Ben37

Thosr two are a big loss. I wonder if they will try to bring back Talbot?

Shattenkirk just signed to a good deal for st.loo.
Plus not sure his size and style should be our first target on the backend. More a bigger two way guy.

And the more i think about it, the more i think mact's done improving our defence.
Not to say it's right, but i think he got belov to compete with potter for the 6 spot. and with all 3 including n. schultz only having 1 year left, im guessing he waits till next off season to sign a quality dman from a wayyy deeper fa crop. This moves ference or smid down to the third pairing and still has an open spot for one of klefbom/marincin.

Just a guess
- hugefemale dog77

Very true, just making more conversation. Our defense has definitely improved. No reall;y clear 1/2 but essentially three solid 3/4 pairings that can move up or down accordingly. Really think that Belov is going to surprise some people.

Take smid and shattenkirk out and it'll be more fair. Dont wanna give up and gagner but Stewart is what thit team needs. Anthony his bro, could be brought in for depth incase of injuries as well.

Take shattenkirk and smid out and it'll be a deal. I really like gagner though!

Stewart is what this team needs. His brother Anthony could be brought in for depth as well incase for injuries.
- Killbot460

Love Gagner too but if negotiations are going south I think Grabovski would be a good replacement. Stewart is 100% what this team needs for a skilled big forward. I think Gagner + 1st is an overpayment for Stewart though, Would rather add a Marincin, Gernat, etc as a second item to that deal. Put in Smid and Shattenkirk as a way to balance things out.

Very true, just making more conversation. Our defense has definitely improved. No reall;y clear 1/2 but essentially three solid 3/4 pairings that can move up or down accordingly. Really think that Belov is going to surprise some people.
- freelancer

For sure. And not to say at all shattenkirk couldnt help us. Just think hes prob staying put.

And like i said, its all guesswork. I certainly wouldnt mind if mact made a big move now and bumped n schultz to the 6 spot.

As far as belov, i really dont know anything about him. But i cant say it hurts to have another body to maybe push potter out of our starting rotation. He struggles in any situation where he's not on the offence.
Worst case belov is a depth guy. best case he improves our starting 6 and is a solid skater, puck mover

Love Gagner too but if negotiations are going south I think Grabovski would be a good replacement. Stewart is 100% what this team needs for a skilled big forward. I think Gagner + 1st is an overpayment for Stewart though, Would rather add a Marincin, Gernat, etc as a second item to that deal. Put in Smid and Shattenkirk as a way to balance things out.
- freelancer

I think Gagner + a mid level prospect for Stewart would be a good deal for both teams. You call MacT and I'll call Army and lets get this done!

Jones tweets... in the words of eminem, it feels so good to be back.

Guess he got resigned.

Jones tweets... in the words of eminem, it feels so good to be back.

Guess he got resigned.
- HouseArrest187

I hope!!!

I think Gagner + a mid level prospect for Stewart would be a good deal for both teams. You call MacT and I'll call Army and lets get this done!
- bluenatic411

Done deal haha. Think he would be an improvement for you guys offense wise as far as Begland goes. Not sure exactly how that effects your depth chart. Know if Stewart has had much experience playing on his off wing?

I think Gagner + a mid level prospect for Stewart would be a good deal for both teams. You call MacT and I'll call Army and lets get this done!
- bluenatic411

Do it up. But we need grabo or roy first!!!!

Done deal haha. Think he would be an improvement for you guys offense wise as far as Begland goes. Not sure exactly how that effects your depth chart. Know if Stewart has had much experience playing on his off wing?
- freelancer

He has played both. As a avavalanche and a blue. I went to a game and Stewart- Berg-Backes wasthere top line... talk about beast mode

I think Gagner + a mid level prospect for Stewart would be a good deal for both teams. You call MacT and I'll call Army and lets get this done!
- bluenatic411

Player for player; i like what a motivated stewart brings more than gags.
But we're kinda cornered as far as centers go. Not only are we already lacking depth there, but we'd be totally effed moving gags with nuge out for the first month or however long it is.

Gordon and lander our only 2 centers!?


At present i dont think we can make that deal

Player for player; i like what a motivated stewart brings more than gags.
But we're kinda cornered as far as centers go. Not only are we already lacking depth there, but we'd be totally effed moving gags with nuge out for the first month or however long it is.

Gordon and lander our only 2 centers!?


At present i dont think we can make that deal
- hugefemale dog77

Grabo or Roy are out there