Perron-Gordon-Hemsky

Not sure, numbers game.

Hall is back to LW tonight.
- Lahey

How far gagner away from his return? Fairly soon right?

You really have a hate on for Eakins and Hamilton, don't you? Think of this as an extended try-out for Hammy, if he can improve the roster with the few minutes he puts in, wouldn't that be better than Smyth floating around and coughing up the puck to the opposition?
- Detention_Hall

No hate at all, just questioning some of the decision-making. Preseason was the time to work out some of these kinks and experiment with the roster. I just want Eakins to make moves that give the team the best chance to win, and if Hamilton over Smyth is the move I'm all for it. I'm just a little skeptical, as everyone should be based on Eakins through two games.

No hate at all, just questioning some of the decision-making. Preseason was the time to work out some of these kinks and experiment with the roster. I just want Eakins to make moves that give the team the best chance to win, and if Hamilton over Smyth is the move I'm all for it. I'm just a little skeptical, as everyone should be based on Eakins through two games.
- Ryan Garner

I ll def have to agree with you that his decisions have been highly questionable thus far. I ll give him the benefit of the doubt hes trying different things to get results.

(frank) you then
- Yeti1181

Ryan Smyth is being benched right when he should be.

I think Smyth can come and help this team as well, but more from the locker room and 4th line every couple games rather than the top line.

Great move by the coach. It was an experiment that looked good in preseason but bad in real NHL terms. He tried it and is moving on.

As for his comments... Come on. Make up your mind. Do you want him to lie to you or not.

As you mentioned he is clearly trying to save some face for Ryan Smyths terrible performance. You don't come out and publicly rip someone as proud as Smyth.

Eakins did the right thing. Smyth is obviously delusion on what he is capable of in the NHL right now. Eakins is trying to help him out and not crush the old mans spirit.
- Aerchon

I totally agreed with everything up until Smyth. Why the rush to sit him? Why not give him a game or two on the third line with limited minutes, in a role that he could perform well in? Just seems a little premature to me, especially since so many Oilers have looked terrible two games in.

And I agree that the experiment failed and it's a great idea to scrap it before it hurts the team any further. If Eakins honestly believes that Smyth should sit because he won't pout then I would prefer that he lie to me. That version of the truth sucks.

How far gagner away from his return? Fairly soon right?
- Yeti1181

Smyth and Hall -5
Obviously Eakins had to make a change. That's why smyth is in the press box. I bet he sits out around 30 games this season.

Gazdic/Acton/Brown are more effective then people think. They agitate and hit with out be liabilities on the ice.

Yak has been bad, but not as bad as smyth. I think Eakins want size. So Hamilton draws in if Joensuu isn't good to go.

How far gagner away from his return? Fairly soon right?
- Yeti1181

few weeks I heard maybe as soon as two

I ll def have to agree with you that his decisions have been highly questionable thus far. I ll give him the benefit of the doubt hes trying different things to get results.
- Yeti1181

I think the gm made the wrong decision here. Seems to me that MacT should have used a buyout on smyth.

I ll def have to agree with you that his decisions have been highly questionable thus far. I ll give him the benefit of the doubt hes trying different things to get results.
- Yeti1181

I think you need to be more specific about how his moves to date have been very questionable.

Acton to date has played very well.

Hamilton was better than Smyth, Jones, and Eager in preseason. The kid deserves a chance. If he sucks like Smyth did and gets more than 2 games to improve than you could start complaining.

If Joensuu is healthy Hamilton doesn't get called up.

How far gagner away from his return? Fairly soon right?
- Yeti1181

Haven't heard much since last week

I think you need to be more specific about how his moves to date have been very questionable.

Acton to date has played very well.

Hamilton was better than Smyth, Jones, and Eager in preseason. The kid deserves a chance. If he sucks like Smyth did and gets more than 2 games to improve than you could start complaining.

If Joensuu is healthy Hamilton doesn't get called up.
- Aerchon

No hate at all, just questioning some of the decision-making. Preseason was the time to work out some of these kinks and experiment with the roster. I just want Eakins to make moves that give the team the best chance to win, and if Hamilton over Smyth is the move I'm all for it. I'm just a little skeptical, as everyone should be based on Eakins through two games.
- Ryan Garner

In his defence, the experiment with Hall at center hasn't panned out. Smyth was alright against AHL and JR players in pre season. But not against top liners in the NHL. So he liked the way Joensuu and Hamilton have played so they will play over Smyth.

I totally agreed with everything up until Smyth. Why the rush to sit him? Why not give him a game or two on the third line with limited minutes, in a role that he could perform well in? Just seems a little premature to me, especially since so many Oilers have looked terrible two games in.

And I agree that the experiment failed and it's a great idea to scrap it before it hurts the team any further. If Eakins honestly believes that Smyth should sit because he won't pout then I would prefer that he lie to me. That version of the truth sucks.
- Ryan Garner

Not sure I follow.

Even in preseason Smyth looked slow and out of position. Why give him more opportunities to sink this team. Smyth will be even more exposed on a 3rd or 4th line role where everyone else doesn't have the skill to make up for Smyth's weaknesses.

The one place where I would disagree with Eakins is for playing Smyth opening night at all. Hamilton IMO clearly played better than Smyth in preseason.

I personally believe Eakins has been lying about how much he liked Smyth from day one. I think having Smyth on the first line was an attempt to find a place where Smyth's sloth like speed wouldn't cause too much damage. Eakins actually mentions exactly that in one interview.

The Truth is Smyth is pretty much done as a hockey player. He will probably join the organization in some capacity next year and embarrassing him in his final year is something they are trying avoid at all costs.

Before preseason I had Smyth penciled in as the third/fourth liner, under 10 minutes a game with PP & PK more so than regular strength, max 41 games.

After preseason and these first 2 games I have Smyth on the Fourth line no more than 5 minutes a game, almost all PP and PK time. Hall can double shift his 4th line duties... If he can find his game. Max 32 games for Smyth as well.

Even the above is probably too generous.

No hate at all, just questioning some of the decision-making. Preseason was the time to work out some of these kinks and experiment with the roster. I just want Eakins to make moves that give the team the best chance to win, and if Hamilton over Smyth is the move I'm all for it. I'm just a little skeptical, as everyone should be based on Eakins through two games.
- Ryan Garner

I seem to recall a blog a couple weeks ago about Eakins and "Nepotism", pretty much stating that Hamilton didn't even belong in the pre-season.

I think you're wrong about him, he had a great try-out and the Marlies were a strong squad last season, Hamilton played a huge role on that team.There is a reason Eakins brought these Guys over from Toronto.

Smyth is too slow, and ruins everything, every time he is on the ice. Retire already, you greedy (frank).

I seem to recall a blog a couple weeks ago about Eakins and "Nepotism", pretty much stating that Hamilton didn't even belong in the pre-season.

I think you're wrong about him, he had a great try-out and the Marlies were a strong squad last season, Hamilton played a huge role on that team.There is a reason Eakins brought these Guys over from Toronto.
- Detention_Hall

Trust me, I hope I'm wrong about Hamilton and he comes out tonight looking like Joensuu did on Tuesday. I just can't give Eakins the benefit of the doubt, based on everything I've seen so far. Hamilton was nothing special in the preseason, and his performance in the AHL last season doesn't mean a thing to me. This is a whole different level.

Not sure I follow.

Even in preseason Smyth looked slow and out of position. Why give him more opportunities to sink this team. Smyth will be even more exposed on a 3rd or 4th line role where everyone else doesn't have the skill to make up for Smyth's weaknesses.

The one place where I would disagree with Eakins is for playing Smyth opening night at all. Hamilton IMO clearly played better than Smyth in preseason.

I personally believe Eakins has been lying about how much he liked Smyth from day one. I think having Smyth on the first line was an attempt to find a place where Smyth's sloth like speed wouldn't cause too much damage. Eakins actually mentions exactly that in one interview.

The Truth is Smyth is pretty much done as a hockey player. He will probably join the organization in some capacity next year and embarrassing him in his final year is something they are trying avoid at all costs.

Before preseason I had Smyth penciled in as the third/fourth liner, under 10 minutes a game with PP & PK more so than regular strength, max 41 games.

After preseason and these first 2 games I have Smyth on the Fourth line no more than 5 minutes a game, almost all PP and PK time. Hall can double shift his 4th line duties... If he can find his game. Max 32 games for Smyth as well.

Even the above is probably too generous.
- Aerchon

Smyth on the 3/4 lines is a great place for him. Limited minutes and used in certain situations. I believe he was only with Hall to provide comfort while he adjusts to playing at center. But that has failed, and we have better bottom 6 guys than Smyth (maybe?).

Nuge returning is a great thing. Perhaps havnig Hall at center was a bad time, too much pressure to produce perhaps? I'd like to see the experiment happen again when we get Samwise back from IR, which then gives Hall the comfort of having two solid centers with him.

It's all perspective. Smyth's time is done. Everyone just needs to accept it.

Yeah, he's hung around too long IMO. But who can blame him as long he's basically guaranteed an NHL roster spot and payday.
- Nucker101

Agreed. Hopefully he accepts his made up BS position within the Oilers organization once his contract is up. Jerking off in the office to pics of the dynasty years should be worth what? Three or four hundred thousand a year I suppose.

Smyth is too slow, and ruins everything, every time he is on the ice. Retire already, you greedy (frank).
- laughs2907

THIS!!!!

Hey fellas, what's your 2nd line?How come Yakupov is on the 3rd line?

Btw, leave Hall on his natural position. Don't mess it up.
- Orpik44

Because our coach is a (frank)ing moron.

That one was a head scratcher. Metaphor fail.
- Detention_Hall

Read the blog and you'll understand.

Smyth is too slow, and ruins everything, every time he is on the ice. Retire already, you greedy (frank).
- laughs2907

It'll either take a career-ending injury or a blowjob. Not sure which one he'd prefer...

Because our coach is a (frank)ing moron.
- laughs2907

I think you need a snickers.

It'll either take a career-ending injury or a blowjob. Not sure which one he'd prefer...
- nayefj

Maybe his career-ending injury will be a result of a blowjob?

I think you need a snickers.
- Yeti1181

I think our coach needs a Snickers...


UP HIS ASS!