1. Gilbert.

I am not a hockey guru. I watch a lot of it, that's all. Not much for credentials but I still like to think I know when a player is doing well and when he isn't.

In his contract year you could not find a bigger Gilbert fan than myself. Through out his career he has had some very strong games. Before he got injured, trade year, he was looking great for about 20 games I think it was.

But the vast, and I mean vast, majority of Tom Gilberts time in Edmonton, he has played poorly. Give aways, missed coverage, weak on the boards, puck dying on his stick etc... Simply put, he is very easy to play against. Something no NHL defenseman should be.

He is not a top 4 defenseman in the NHL. Not even close. I honestly don't know if he will be able to get a job in the NHL because he will want top 4 money.

I think people who like Gilbert either have not watched his play closely enough or have a very poor hockey IQ. And since this is coming from someone with no credentials to critic NHL players don't bother getting offended. It's just my opinion.

2. Penner.

Penner strengths and weaknesses are very obvious. When motivated he is a great player.

However, even when he is playing decent he is not physical. He plays very small. Shy's away from contact and can get dominated by very small players. I always think of Zidlicky at 5 10 schooling him along the boards like he was a child when I think of how soft Penner can be.

For a young team I can think of few other's who would be a worse influence than someone with Penner's size and talent, yet barely shows up to play many nights.

It would be a mistake to bring him back at any price even on the fourth line.

3. Ryan Smyth.

I have traditionally never been a Ryan Smyth fan. I prefer skilled players and that is something no one has ever accused Ryan of ever being. I had a bud who actually played floor hockey regularly with him back when I was in high school. Couldn't believe someone with that little offensive talent could make the NHL.

But this last year I actually find myself rooting for him a bit and I am glad the Oil brought him back.

He should be used in a very limited manner. Maybe every second game, on 4th line duty, but I think by Edmonton bringing him back they are showing a lot of class.

He has great heart and obviously loves being an Oiler. Having him in the dressing room is fantastic. He has a lot he can teach.

Its great to see the organization support Smyth in his final year. It is the right thing to do.

a 2nd and a conditional 2nd

that guy isn't NHL quality
- TheNugeIsHuge

he's meaner mark fistric... a decent 6-7 guy

And here I thought he was born with a silver spoon up his ass.

Wait, who are you talking about again?
- nayefj

That sounds uncomfortable...

What do they use to whip in Saudi Arabia... Other then, you know, hundred doller bills.

1. Gilbert.

I am not a hockey guru. I watch a lot of it, that's all. Not much for credentials but I still like to think I know when a player is doing well and when he isn't.

In his contract year you could not find a bigger Gilbert fan than myself. Through out his career he has had some very strong games. Before he got injured, trade year, he was looking great for about 20 games I think it was.

But the vast, and I mean vast, majority of Tom Gilberts time in Edmonton, he has played poorly. Give aways, missed coverage, weak on the boards, puck dying on his stick etc... Simply put, he is very easy to play against. Something no NHL defenseman should be.

He is not a top 4 defenseman in the NHL. Not even close. I honestly don't know if he will be able to get a job in the NHL because he will want top 4 money.

I think people who like Gilbert either have not watched his play closely enough or have a very poor hockey IQ. And since this is coming from someone with no credentials to critic NHL players don't bother getting offended. It's just my opinion.

2. Penner.

Penner strengths and weaknesses are very obvious. When motivated he is a great player.

However, even when he is playing decent he is not physical. He plays very small. Shy's away from contact and can get dominated by very small players. I always think of Zidlicky at 5 10 schooling him along the boards like he was a child when I think of how soft Penner can be.

For a young team I can think of few other's who would be a worse influence than someone with Penner's size and talent, yet barely shows up to play many nights.

It would be a mistake to bring him back at any price even on the fourth line.

3. Ryan Smyth.

I have traditionally never been a Ryan Smyth fan. I prefer skilled players and that is something no one has ever accused Ryan of ever being. I had a bud who actually played floor hockey regularly with him back when I was in high school. Couldn't believe someone with that little offensive talent could make the NHL.

But this last year I actually find myself rooting for him a bit and I am glad the Oil brought him back.

He should be used in a very limited manner. Maybe every second game, on 4th line duty, but I think by Edmonton bringing him back they are showing a lot of class.

He has great heart and obviously loves being an Oiler. Having him in the dressing room is fantastic. He has a lot he can teach.

Its great to see the organization support Smyth in his final year. It is the right thing to do.
- Aerchon

Whether Gilbert's top 4 or not, he's an upgrade on Potter, N Schultz n Belov(unless he's really good)

Penner is an upgrade on Jones/Joensuu/Eager/Smyth. Whether people think it's upgrading crap with shiny crap, Penner makes EDM a better team no matter how slightly.

Smyth needs to retire.

All good bro, I enjoy your posts so it's easy to forgive
- massa_3

I can't take all the credit, the leafs pretty much write this some of this poop for me.

Whether Gilbert's top 4 or not, he's an upgrade on Potter, N Schultz n Belov(unless he's really good)

Penner is an upgrade on Jones/Joensuu/Eager/Smyth. Whether people think it's upgrading crap with shiny crap, Penner makes EDM a better team no matter how slightly.

Smyth needs to retire.
- TheNugeIsHuge

Agree
Agree
Agree

he's meaner mark fistric... a decent 6-7 guy
- Killbot460

He was a 5 in PIT for a stint and an 8 in SJ til the deadline. I wouldn't take him. Can't skate. Fistric's better and no bias there since he ain't comin back

That sounds uncomfortable...

What do they use to whip in Saudi Arabia... Other then, you know, hundred doller bills.
- HouseArrest187

Our massive 10-inch oily penises.

he had 64 hits which is more than "premier power forward" Max pacioretty, parros, mclaren, n JVR
- TheNugeIsHuge

Parros and McLaren are plugs and JVR is a finesse player, none are premier "power forwards.
On a related note i think the Oil are missing only an experienced top 6 playoff tested pushback or power type player. Sorry maybe not only but i think that type of player is needed in the top 6 before another major step is taken. Someone who is respected, proven and leads by example. I suspect that obtaining someone like this will cost one of the kids though. And it will be worth it.

Our massive 10-inch oily penises.
- nayefj

Is that why you sister says your d!ck tastes like sh!t? Cause that would explain all the female doging.

Clouts i take yoour hippe shot personaly i've got longer hair then both jones and gilbert. Shut up about it you're just jellous taht you can't grow a fine flow and have the ladies alll over it. As for the rest aside from your smyth bashing with is uncalled for, a decent read.

Whether Gilbert's top 4 or not, he's an upgrade on Potter, N Schultz n Belov(unless he's really good)

Penner is an upgrade on Jones/Joensuu/Eager/Smyth. Whether people think it's upgrading crap with shiny crap, Penner makes EDM a better team no matter how slightly.

Smyth needs to retire.
- TheNugeIsHuge

For the role of a bottom pairing D-man, and especially for the money he would want, Potter is a far superior depth defenseman. Plays a lot tougher than Gilbert and is tougher to play against. And Shultz is better every way over Gilbert except as a puck mover.

Same thing for a bottom 6 forward role. I think Jones pre last year is better than Penner as a bottom 6 forward.

Penner does make the team slightly better skill wise but take a look around the league... having the right pieces is much more important than just grabbing whoever you can get who can put up points.

Gilbert makes the team worse. Period.

Is that why you sister says your d!ck tastes like sh!t? Cause that would explain all the female doging.
- HouseArrest187

No that's because it went through the back door first.

For the role of a bottom pairing D-man, and especially for the money he would want, Potter is a far superior depth defenseman. Plays a lot tougher than Gilbert and is tougher to play against. And Shultz is better every way over Gilbert except as a puck mover.

Same thing for a bottom 6 forward role. I think Jones pre last year is better than Penner as a bottom 6 forward.

Penner does make the team slightly better skill wise but take a look around the league... having the right pieces is much more important than just grabbing whoever you can get who can put up points.

Gilbert makes the team worse. Period.
- Aerchon

I'll agree that Potter is more physical.

I agree with you nowhere else

No that's because it went through the back door first.
- nayefj

Ahhh. Nice.
Good old ATM.Only had one slut that actually did that. Must say it was descusting and awesome at the same time.

Wounder what she's doing tonight.

The name of that Trag song you're thinking of is Bobcaygeon

Ahhh. Nice.
Good old ATM.Only had one slut that actually did that. Must say it was descusting and awesome at the same time.

Wounder what she's doing tonight.
- HouseArrest187

Use the power of the booty call, my friend.

Kessel>any Oiler forward.
- Flats

For the role of a bottom pairing D-man, and especially for the money he would want, Potter is a far superior depth defenseman. Plays a lot tougher than Gilbert and is tougher to play against. And Shultz is better every way over Gilbert except as a puck mover.

Same thing for a bottom 6 forward role. I think Jones pre last year is better than Penner as a bottom 6 forward.

Penner does make the team slightly better skill wise but take a look around the league... having the right pieces is much more important than just grabbing whoever you can get who can put up points.

Gilbert makes the team worse. Period.
- Aerchon

agreed

Whether Gilbert's top 4 or not, he's an upgrade on Potter, N Schultz n Belov(unless he's really good)

Penner is an upgrade on Jones/Joensuu/Eager/Smyth. Whether people think it's upgrading crap with shiny crap, Penner makes EDM a better team no matter how slightly.

Smyth needs to retire.
- TheNugeIsHuge

The thing with Gilbert is that he would be a 5-6 guy for us. We have 4 of those in Potter, Nick, Belov and Klefbom. Bringing in Gilbert might make him our last guy but for the amount of minutes and the type of minutes he would play, its just not worth it. Oilers management brought Belov in thinking he might be able to do the job and Klef looks to be ready for this year. We might have our bottom pairing in those two regardless.

As for Penner, I agree that he is soft but I think he does make us a better team. He has potential and with a new coach and a core group of guys set out to win, I think they might just wake Penner up. Plus I think this off season could be a wake up call for him. He is almost without a team at all. The guy is going to have to start using his size to win or he will be playing in Europe.

- St. Louis newspapers and media absolutely slamming David Perron over the last couple of days. Whatever. Hey, maybe they're right. He wouldn't be the first or the last guy to get into arguments with their employer over philosophy. How many times have I been fired in my lifetime, and look at what a great guy I am. Completely stable.

Seriously? I have seen nothing that qualifies as "absolutely slamming David Perron". That is such a massive distortion that I can't believe you wrote it. In fact, check Twitter.........almost every columnist or blogger covering the Blues went out of his way to publicly wish Perron well and talk about how good he was with the press and with fans. You had a couple of articles discuss why the deal makes sense for the Blues, but that's a far cry from how you characterize it.

Not sure why your comment pisses me off so much, other than the fact that it is complete bullcrap. Oiler fans don't seem to care, based on the lack of comments to this point, but if writing it makes you feel better, knock yourself out, Richard.

Whether Gilbert's top 4 or not, he's an upgrade on Potter, N Schultz n Belov(unless he's really good)
- TheNugeIsHuge

No. He is not.

Potter's money makes him a #7 with no issue, but Gilbert will want too much.

NS and Gibby are, as they were at the time of the trade, equals but different.

You do not know enough of Belov to know your words are true.

Penner is an upgrade on Jones/Joensuu/Eager/Smyth. Whether people think it's upgrading crap with shiny crap, Penner makes EDM a better team no matter how slightly.
- TheNugeIsHuge

Awesome, Penner is better than Smyth and Eager, a couple of 4th liners, and Joensuu who is basically a reclamation project.

Is he better than Jones? Skillwise, maybe...too bad he is too lazy to show up.

Smyth needs to retire.
- TheNugeIsHuge

Agreed.

The thing with Gilbert is that he would be a 5-6 guy for us. We have 4 of those in Potter, Nick, Belov and Klefbom. Bringing in Gilbert might make him our last guy but for the amount of minutes and the type of minutes he would play, its just not worth it. Oilers management brought Belov in thinking he might be able to do the job and Klef looks to be ready for this year. We might have our bottom pairing in those two regardless.

As for Penner, I agree that he is soft but I think he does make us a better team. He has potential and with a new coach and a core group of guys set out to win, I think they might just wake Penner up. Plus I think this off season could be a wake up call for him. He is almost without a team at all. The guy is going to have to start using his size to win or he will be playing in Europe.
- Hall Fan

No one is waking Penner up.

He is 30 and has been a floater all his career. Everyone thinks they can make a difference and get him to put in the effort regularly. Not gonna happen

Sometimes a player needs a new start. Look at Bobby Ryan in Ottawa. I never would have dealt a player as good as Ryan, but obviously, there was some sort of issue there. Rumors existed for about a year that Ryan was going to be moved, and the Ducks lost the deal...perhaps in a big, big way. I have no confidence in the two players they got back

Why would you? You probably had no idea Silvferberg played in the NHL this year and knowing you, you probably think Stefan Noesen is a goalie.

Our massive 10-inch oily penises.
- nayefj

Sounds like a typical Friday night at the Lac La Biche Inn