He has been playing okay for a guy eating up a lot of valuable ice time. He is not a top 6 forward like Eakins thinks he is. He has to be gone for Yak to get his chance. If we are going to lose, we might as well give Yak the ice time. I am going to go out on a limb and predict we don't resign Smyth in the off season. Its time to give our young stars a chance. Tonights lines look decent for who we have left.
- Hall Fan

Smyth is playing 3rd line around 14-15 minutes

Dubnyk has been one of the main reasons we have been losing games this season... He had 1 good game, 1 average game, and 4 crappy ones... If Dubnyk was average all year, we's probably have 9 or 10 points now instead of 5.
- laughs2907

You are probably right. But you can't put the entire blame on the goalie. It takes and entire team to win or lose.

You are probably right. But you can't put the entire blame on the goalie. It takes and entire team to win or lose.
- pj50

4 goals on 20 shots. 6 goals on 26 shots. That's all on the goalie.

thanks?
- HouseArrest187

You know, with all the terrible things happening in the world out there, it's good to laugh once in a while. We some times take hockey too seriously, I'm as guilty as any one else out there.

4 goals on 20 shots. 6 goals on 26 shots. That's all on the goalie.
- Lahey

Well, he's what we have so I guess we have no choice to live with him.

We will agree to disagree. I think Nurse got better before he was cut but in no way do I think he is going to be better than Klefbom or Marincin. I think these dmen appeared as ready for the NHL as Acrobello and Acton were before the season started. Acrobello has been a nice surprise. I think Marincin and Fedun could surprise some people.

Definitely all our dmen would best be served by another year in the minors. Maybe 1 will surprise us and be ready next year. However when Marincin is, he is HUGE and has talent. It is hard not to think of Chara when you look at him. I know he won't be the same caliber but even a a 3-4 pairing version of Chara is a good player.

I think I am not alone by thinking that the Oilers did poor at the draft this year. Doesn't make me less of an Oilers fan. The obvious pick for the team was Nichuskin, that is why I mention him. A large Russian winger when the team is worried about having a small top 6 and no Russian's to play with Yak (the last part is more comments from media and on this forum, I don't know how the team feels). The team is LOW on forward prospects and someone who could have added to the roster this year would have made sense. There is no way you can deny that a defense man was a little surprising considering the team makeup.
- Hall Fan

Have you actually watched Marincin play besides in the pre-season? He is a twig. HUGE is not the word to describe Marincin, Chara has about 60 pounds of mass on him.

You know, with all the terrible things happening in the world out there, it's good to laugh once in a while. We some times take hockey too seriously, I'm as guilty as any one else out there.
- pj50

Totally. People need too relax. Got to learn to be chill like me.

You are probably right. But you can't put the entire blame on the goalie. It takes and entire team to win or lose.
- pj50

Weak goals are 100% on the goalie. Dubnyk gives 1 or 2 up a game. Minus the last game when he was very impressive, he has been the reason the team has not tallied more points.

It takes an entire team to win or lose, yes, just the same can be said that a team is only as strong as its weakest link. We give up 4 goals a game... weakest link is between the pipes.

Well, he's what we have so I guess we have no choice to live with him.
- pj50

Ehhhh he'll come around... Hopefully.

Weak goals are 100% on the goalie. Dubnyk gives 1 or 2 up a game. Minus the last game when he was very impressive, he has been the reason the team has not tallied more points.

It takes an entire team to win or lose, yes, just the same can be said that a team is only as strong as its weakest link. We give up 4 goals a game... weakest link is between the pipes.
- kingbrehm

Tonight will be a good test but I think Dubnyk may have come around... or here is hoping...

Well, he's what we have so I guess we have no choice to live with him.
- pj50

A couple of years ago we had a complete garbage team but Khabby stood on his (frank)ing head and we started 6-2. Bad team + good goalie = success. Decent team + poop goale = 1st overall pick.

Tonight will be a good test but I think Dubnyk may have come around... or here is hoping...
- saskoil21

I believe he will come around, he's nothing special but i don't think anyone ever thought he was ... just can't be the reason we lose.

Ehhhh he'll come around... Hopefully.
- laughs2907

Didn't take too long for you to lose faith

A couple of years ago we had a complete garbage team but Khabby stood on his (frank)ing head and we started 6-2. Bad team + good goalie = success. Decent team + poop goale = 1st overall pick.
- kingbrehm

From 2010-11 to 2012-13 Dubnyk >>> Khabibulin

Didn't take too long for you to lose faith
- abware

He wasn't putting in the effort out there... I wasn't going to put in the effort to defend him.