i dont think it was that intelligent... like i said above... franson himself is only asking for 4... why would the leafs go above and beyond that... hell get 3-3.5
- DarcyTucker16

Oh I agree with that but I mean, we're talking Clouts here.. dont raise the bar too high. He usually trolls the Leafs big time. And quite successfully I might add

Have we decided yet if Aleksander Barkov needs to spend a year in the Finnish military first before he can come to the NHL?

Athletes can serve either 6 or 12 months in Finnish army. Usually it's 6 moths for top athletes. And I think they can serve it basically during the summer time (like M. Koivu and Granlund did a few years ago). Officially it should start in January or June but for athletes it's not that fixed.

So, no, he doesn't need a full year to do it. But at some point, yes, for six months.

No! you have to add Jeff Schultz for jersey humour purposes
- Sabresfan-365

That'd be terrible.

N Schultz, Ju. Schultz, Je. Schultz

Name another team in major professional sports in recent memory to be given that many first round picks consecutively? If you look back, 4/5 years, the Oilers were in pretty serious financial trouble, and the team was going up for sale. I can't prove it, but I will bet a significant amount of money that the NHL helped the city of Edmonton and the Oilers in hopes that the picks would re-fuel the franchise back to glory and profitability. How does Columbus get absolutely (frank)ed when they had the worst season in the league and still not get the 1st overall pick. Twice, sure, you lucked-out. 3 times, I'm sorry, but I smell intervention all over that. I could quite obviously be wrong, but I'm willing I'm to bet I'm right.
- Flyers_V88

Was 9/11 an inside job too?

Not quite true. You need to check the standing back then. Pittsburgh sucked for about 5 years and received first round draft picks in the top 5 spots. (2 firsts, 2 seconds and one 5th) and Chicago missed the playoffs for at least 6 seasons in a row from '03-'08 and had 4 picks in the top ten 4 years straight. (1 first, 2 thirds and a seventh) So your couple of season theory isn't true at all. They are pretty much in the same spot. If they don't do something within the next two season, I do agree that high management positions need to be changed. (Kevin Lowe!!)
- grovegrizzlies

didnt the nordiques asctually have 3 firsts as well in the early 90s? cant remember... something like sundin lindros (traded) and nolan?

The Oil will come around. Drafing smart with Nurse is a sign of that. They're commited to building a better team, not just a sexy one. Next step is a goalie, Dubnyk is... just meh at best.

Was 9/11 an inside job too?
- braidonh

Was 9/11 an inside job too?
- braidonh

nice haha

1989 Quebec Nordiques Mats Sundin * Sweden Forward Nacka HK Swe-2
1990 Quebec Nordiques Owen Nolan Canada Forward Cornwall Royals OHL
1991 Quebec Nordiques Eric Lindros Canada Forward Oshawa Generals OHL

The Oil will come around. Drafing smart with Nurse is a sign of that. They're commited to building a better team, not just a sexy one. Next step is a goalie, Dubnyk is... just meh at best.
- TheJerseyDevil1

EDM's SV% was 7th in the league. Tied with DET, VAN(led by your new starter), and TO.

Goaltending and the top 6, should be the last things on the minds of EDM mgmt.

A top pairing is what EDM needs. I (homerishly) think EDM's a #1D and a cleaned up bottom 6 away from making the playoffs

That'd be terrible.

N Schultz, Ju. Schultz, Je. Schultz
- TheNugeIsHuge

They should leave the initials off just to screw with the officials/scorekeepers.

I wonder how many points nick schultz could leach off Justin

Pittsburg went 1,2,1

2003 Pittsburgh Penguins Marc-Andre Fleury Canada Goaltender Cape Breton Screaming Eagles QMJHL
2004 Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin ^ Russia Forward Dynamo Moscow RSL
2005 Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby Canada Forward Rimouski Oceanic QMJHL

Alzner, Carlson, and green faced the tougher competition, and Hillen had more sheltered minutes. But still, a pretty high relative corsi Qoc. Oleksy is a kid I never heard of until last year, and he supplanted Kundratek for that 6th spot. His advanced stats are funny to look at, and it would seem he should have the inside track for that 6th d spot, but Kundratek is on a one-way contract. Orlov has top-4 potential, but needs to work on his positioning and decision-making. (like all dmen)
Hillen is a depth d-man, and came from the Islanders I think.
- Blackstrom2

I was really impressed with Hillen and Oleksy last season. I watched a decent amount of games and they looked really solid for guys I had never heard of.

EDM's SV% was 7th in the league. Tied with DET, VAN(led by your new starter), and TO.

Goaltending and the top 6, should be the last things on the minds of EDM mgmt.

A top pairing is what EDM needs. I (homerishly) think EDM's a #1D and a cleaned up bottom 6 away from making the playoffs
- TheNugeIsHuge

Wasn't tryna talk smack. I don't watch too many games because of the time difference but a lot of my oiler freinds always female dog about Dubnyk not being starter caliber. Weren't they in on Schneidre and Bernier too?

Should Luongo request to be shipped out of Vancity. It may not be the end of the world. Provided Lack is healthy he could be a pleasant surprise. Guys got some real potential.

Pittsburg went 1,2,1

2003 Pittsburgh Penguins Marc-Andre Fleury Canada Goaltender Cape Breton Screaming Eagles QMJHL
2004 Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin ^ Russia Forward Dynamo Moscow RSL
2005 Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby Canada Forward Rimouski Oceanic QMJHL
- DarcyTucker16

Pittsburgh went 5,1,2,1,2

EDM's SV% was 7th in the league. Tied with DET, VAN(led by your new starter), and TO.

Goaltending and the top 6, should be the last things on the minds of EDM mgmt.

A top pairing is what EDM needs. I (homerishly) think EDM's a #1D and a cleaned up bottom 6 away from making the playoffs
- TheNugeIsHuge

agree... although IMO the bottom 6 needs a lot of work... I was saying the bottom 6 part about TO for the last few years but last year they started to fix it... i like this years one... no spare parts being designated to the e3rd line

Should Luongo request to be shipped out of Vancity. It may not be the end of the world. Provided Lack is healthy he could be a pleasant surprise. Guys got some real potential.
- vancity787

Didn' he already request one a year ago? Don't know how much good it'll do.

Pittsburgh went 5,1,2,1,2
- TheNugeIsHuge

touche

Wasn't tryna talk smack. I don't watch too many games because of the time difference but a lot of my oiler freinds always female dog about Dubnyk not being starter caliber. Weren't they in on Schneidre and Bernier too?
- TheJerseyDevil1

Just trying to help people understand Dubnyk is a capable starter. EDM's goaltending was so bad for years but has been average-above average the last 2.

Apparently. Bernier because they wanted a young goalie to push Dubey. Schneider probably because he was available and is an elite goalie

Shawn Horcoff. The end.
- Maxbone

That makes sense. A fourth line center is confusing things so badly for the top 9 that they won't be able skate or shoot.

Was 9/11 an inside job too?
- braidonh

Laugh all you want, but the NHL gave you those picks. Look how many other teams have struggled for so long and have received nothing in the form of compensation or draft picks... But, it's Wayne's old team, the face of hockey in the 80s and early 90s, can't let them re-locate or go under.


On another note as well, I won't get into 9/11 because that's a whole other topic, and your comment was clearly meant as a sarcastic chirpy comment, but do some research on that if you're curious. You'll be shockingly surprised...

didnt the nordiques asctually have 3 firsts as well in the early 90s? cant remember... something like sundin lindros (traded) and nolan?
- DarcyTucker16

Ya your right. They had a the 3rd pick, 3 firsts in a row and a 4th pick the following year. Then basically left Quebec and went on to with the cup in Colorado.

agree... although IMO the bottom 6 needs a lot of work... I was saying the bottom 6 part about TO for the last few years but last year they started to fix it... i like this years one... no spare parts being designated to the e3rd line
- DarcyTucker16

If I were EDM I'd just buyout Hemsky and look for anyone available with size and grit. Morrow, Prospal, Antropov, anyone who can bulk up their forwards so they don't get beat up all season. Hemsky is just taking up space on the roster and its clear no one is happy with the situation.

Cloutier, the Rangers have played 32 playoff games the last two years, the Oilers should have that much trouble "figuring it out"