Ference is a great choice for captain. Claiming Gazdic... Not so much
- Ihatebrianburke

Didn't He score last game against the Oilers?And Oilers had the NUMBER ONE goalie playing that game.

Wow, really?
I'm pretty sure Eakins has a decent idea of who is a leader on and off the ice already. For all we know the players had a vote, or Smid said he didn't want it, hell, they could have had a ping pong tournament for captaincy.
- abware

No I meant as they play a similar game and that Smid played here for years

Didn't He score last game against the Oilers?And Oilers had the NUMBER ONE goalie playing that game.
- AlEx_OiL

now your creating a goalie controversy.

now your creating a goalie controversy.
- deks1

Pavelec is the best goalie in the world.

now your creating a goalie controversy.
- deks1

Labarbera is horrible. If Dubby gets injured we're battling Calgary for the #1 pick

No I meant as they play a similar game and that Smid played here for years
- Oilers42

The type of game played means little to nothing. It's about who is a leader on and off the ice. Who the team will respond to, who they respect, who will step up, and in this case who has the experience to lead a group of kids to the playoffs(hopefully)
Im sure Smid fits all the categories a bit, but he doesn't seem like the kind of guy who wants the added pressure, and really he is in the same place as all the kids.

Labarbera is horrible. If Dubby gets injured we're battling Calgary for the #1 pick
- Ihatebrianburke

Well depends how many SOFT goals he allows to let in

Pavelec is the best goalie in the world.
- laughs2907

what!!!!!!it's Khabibulin,get it right please

It should have been
1.Gags
2.Hall
3.Ebs
4.Smid
5.Ference but maybe the decision will grow on me I doubt it though
- Oilers42

What makes you think you know better than Eakins? I thought it would be Hall, but who really cares? Not something to get your panties in a bunch over...

The type of game played means little to nothing. It's about who is a leader on and off the ice. Who the team will respond to, who they respect, who will step up, and in this case who has the experience to lead a group of kids to the playoffs(hopefully)
Im sure Smid fits all the categories a bit, but he doesn't seem like the kind of guy who wants the added pressure, and really he is in the same place as all the kids.
- abware

You shouldn't just give the C to a new comer

You shouldn't just give the C to a new comer
- Oilers42

Why not? If in such a short time he was able to establish himself so well both in the community and- more importantly- amongst his teammates, I think that really speaks well of Ference's ability to lead.

Cory Emmerton, Colby Robak, Brandon Mashinter (killbot ), and Patrice Cormier among interesting names on waivers. Emmerton and Robak SHOULD both be claimed if this wasn't such a bush league about "tradition" and "respecting other teams".

One big thing in my mind is that Eakins was new as well. Because of that he had no loyalty to the players who have been in Edmonton for a long time. I like the move even though I wanted Hall to get captain. With this choice the you g guys get a different leader to learn from. No offense to horcoff but he was never a winner. Ferrence is and the young guns will learn a lot. See it almost as a stop gap for the young guys. Andrew leads the team to the next level and when the right man of the oilers super kids reveals the self as the captain its theirs for the taking assuming ferrence retires after his 4 years at 38

Cory Emmerton, Colby Robak, Brandon Mashinter (killbot ), and Patrice Cormier among interesting names on waivers. Emmerton and Robak SHOULD both be claimed if this wasn't such a bush league about "tradition" and "respecting other teams".
- MaximumBone

I think MacT should have given up a 4th rounder for Joe Colburne before Calgary did.

So when our two top centres get hurt we don't try to replace them temporarily but when Steve MacIntyre gets hurt, replacing him is a priority?

I know guys at the bottom of the roster are more interchangeable + easier to discard but still.

I don't know much about Gadzic admittedly but it doesn't look like he's much more than a fighter who can maybe sort of play.

I think MacT should have given up a 4th rounder for Joe Colburne before Calgary did.
- Ihatebrianburke

The deal likely wasn't available to them. The Nonis-Burke connection shouldn't be underestimated so the Oilers likely would've had to outbid the Flames. As such, they'd be giving up a third rounder (in a year without 2nd or 4th round picks) for a guy who is essentially a younger Ryan Hamilton who plays C. He's a guy who has produced reasonably well in the AHL, but has yet to prove anything at the NHL despite playing on a team that was fairly weak at C (before this past season).

The deal likely wasn't available to them. The Nonis-Burke connection shouldn't be underestimated so the Oilers likely would've had to outbid the Flames. As such, they'd be giving up a third rounder (in a year without 2nd or 4th round picks) for a guy who is essentially a younger Ryan Hamilton who plays C. He's a guy who has produced reasonably well in the AHL, but has yet to prove anything at the NHL despite playing on a team that was fairly weak at C (before this past season).
- MaximumBone

I look forward to grimacing when Burke gets Reimer in a few months for a couple of 5th rd picks.

I look forward to grimacing when Burke gets Reimer in a few months for a couple of 5th rd picks.
- Jack-artist

And then signing Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf?

That's Eberle's job.
- laughs2907

Nuge???

The deal likely wasn't available to them. The Nonis-Burke connection shouldn't be underestimated so the Oilers likely would've had to outbid the Flames. As such, they'd be giving up a third rounder (in a year without 2nd or 4th round picks) for a guy who is essentially a younger Ryan Hamilton who plays C. He's a guy who has produced reasonably well in the AHL, but has yet to prove anything at the NHL despite playing on a team that was fairly weak at C (before this past season).
- MaximumBone

He played well under Eakins. I would prefer him to Arcobello in our lineup. He's nothing more than a career AHLer

This gives the youngin's the chance to play without the pressure of being a young captain. The day Fernuckle was signed I called him as captain. It's the no brainer obvious choice.

And then signing Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf?
- MaximumBone

I wouldn't be surprised at all if that went down. He's got a lot of cap room to work with there

He played well under Eakins. I would prefer him to Arcobello in our lineup. He's nothing more than a career AHLer
- Ihatebrianburke

Same with Colbourne.....ARCO at least has some speed and chemistry with our guys. Colbourne is a bust. Will never be an nhler.

Same with Colbourne.....ARCO at least has some speed and chemistry with our guys. Colbourne is a bust. Will never be an nhler.
- Iggysbff

I wouldn't say never. He looked pretty good in his limited time in the playoffs for the Leafs last year

He hasent even played a game yet just a slap across Smid's face
(frank) I'm pissed right know that is just stupid
- Oilers42

You can't he serious? How people actually have a problem with this perfect bridge captaincy is beyond me. I've been saying they would make him captain since the day we signed him