I burped up my baconator when I saw this pic.
- Jeropotato

Looks like the Nuge is putting on some weight.

Im actually a big fan of Acton, he's good on the pk and faceoff. He also seems like a pest out there.

Gazdic is the functional toughness that the fans and media have cried for. He's young so there will be a few growing pains but he can be a great enforcer soon.

Eager and Pitlick will control the play most of the time on that line... add jonesy to that mix as well. Am I on crack or did Pitlick ever play Center?
- Killbot460

My issue with Gazdic is that he hasn't proven that "functional" aspect. If you're looking at the best teams that in the league, their 4th lines can play a number of roles: Chicago has a mix of Bollig, Kruger, Shaw, Nordstrom, Smith, and Bickell, Boston has Thornton, Campbell, Palile, and Soderberg, and LA has Clifford, King, Nolan, Fraser, and Carcillo. Most if not all of those guys can either play up the line-up, chip in some goals, or PK well. Some of them can do more!

"Functional toughness" implies an ability to bring something beyond the toughness. Gazdic doesn't have that. He's a great fighter and is certainly worth keeping around for rough and tumble affairs (Calgary, San Jose, and Vancouver perhaps), but the Oilers SHOULD have better options to dress on a regular basis. Did having Gazdic in the line-up stop Hall from getting injured or Eberle from being run into the boards time and time again? No.

Let me be clear: I'm ALL for adding size, but it better damn well be meaningful and functional. MacT needs to be looking for guys like David Moss, Gregory Campbell, Kyle Clifford, and Antoine Roussel (you see his fight against San Jose? (frank)ing crazy!). Acquirable bottom 6 talent that can add to this team.

EDIT: And yes, he did, but he hasn't since a short time in junior.

best game ive ever been too

Jordon Eberle WOW!!! Please play like this now on oilers


- Killbot460

Ebs is my man! Tough as nails when it comes to taking hits, too! If he could only play a little more gritty (like Giroux when he's pissed off) he'd be a dream!

What's this I'm reading about Fedun being recalled as well?

My issue with Gazdic is that he hasn't proven that "functional" aspect. If you're looking at the best teams that in the league, their 4th lines can play a number of roles: Chicago has a mix of Bollig, Kruger, Shaw, Nordstrom, Smith, and Bickell, Boston has Thornton, Campbell, Palile, and Soderberg, and LA has Clifford, King, Nolan, Fraser, and Carcillo. Most if not all of those guys can either play up the line-up, chip in some goals, or PK well. Some of them can do more!

"Functional toughness" implies an ability to bring something beyond the toughness. Gazdic doesn't have that. He's a great fighter and is certainly worth keeping around for rough and tumble affairs (Calgary, San Jose, and Vancouver perhaps), but the Oilers SHOULD have better options to dress on a regular basis. Did having Gazdic in the line-up stop Hall from getting injured or Eberle from being run into the boards time and time again? No.

Let me be clear: I'm ALL for adding size, but it better damn well be meaningful and functional. MacT needs to be looking for guys like David Moss, Gregory Campbell, Kyle Clifford, and Antoine Roussel (you see his fight against San Jose? (frank)ing crazy!). Acquirable bottom 6 talent that can add to this team.

EDIT: And yes, he did, but he hasn't since a short time in junior.
- MaximumBone

Shaw and Bickel aren't 4th liners. I know what your saying. But Gaz is young like all the others and is growing. IMO I'd rather dress him than MacIntyre. I don't really believe that anyone would stop running the oilers players.... But Gaz is fast enough to get in on the forcheck and lay some punishing hits on the oppositions top d players

Roussel I'm a huge fan. Hopefully Chase and Moroz turn out to be like the players you mention.

PS lets see Roussel fight a guy that knows how

What's this I'm reading about Fedun being recalled as well?
- MaximumBone

Halls career must be over

I burped up my baconator when I saw this pic.
- Jeropotato

Ebs is my man! Tough as nails when it comes to taking hits, too! If he could only play a little more gritty (like Giroux when he's pissed off) he'd be a dream!
- MaximumBone

I wish the oil had Giroux

blowin it up already eh?
- rangerdanger94

Not at all. The Yak rumours are 100% malarkey. The thing is though, the team as a whole is not playing well. People say we need a true top pairing D-Man yet there were a few teams without one that made the playoffs (Anaheim is the first to come to mind, maybe San Jose and the Islanders), we need a goalie that doesn't suck (sorry Dubs, good game against the Sens but you licked balls otherwise) and some solid bottom 6 guys that can score as well as keep the puck out of the D Zone.
Personally, I think the biggest problem is coaching. The team made huge gains under Kruger. Sure he looked like a pederass but what does that have to do with anything? I trust Mac T's judgement because he truly is a smart hockey man ( anyone who doesn't give him credit for the run to the finals didnt watch every series or is retarded), but I sure am questioning that decision, or at least the timing as far as the umpteenth coaching change. I don't think a big trade is the answer. I think we need some consistency to let the po layers learn this gay new system and how to execute it with each other.

I wish the oil had Giroux
- Killbot460

He sucks this year

Not at all. The Yak rumours are 100% malarkey. The thing is though, the team as a whole is not playing well. People say we need a true top pairing D-Man yet there were a few teams without one that made the playoffs (Anaheim is the first to come to mind, maybe San Jose and the Islanders), we need a goalie that doesn't suck (sorry Dubs, good game against the Sens but you licked balls otherwise) and some solid bottom 6 guys that can score as well as keep the puck out of the D Zone.
Personally, I think the biggest problem is coaching. The team made huge gains under Kruger. Sure he looked like a pederass but what does that have to do with anything? I trust Mac T's judgement because he truly is a smart hockey man ( anyone who doesn't give him credit for the run to the finals didnt watch every series or is retarded), but I sure am questioning that decision, or at least the timing as far as the umpteenth coaching change. I don't think a big trade is the answer. I think we need some consistency to let the po layers learn this gay new system and how to execute it with each other.
- Jeropotato

GILBERT BRUTALE SCOREESSSSSSSS

He sucks this year
- Yeti1181

Doesn't matter. He's a (frank)ing beauty

Shaw and Bickel aren't 4th liners. I know what your saying. But Gaz is young like all the others and is growing. IMO I'd rather dress him than MacIntyre. I don't really believe that anyone would stop running the oilers players.... But Gaz is fast enough to get in on the forcheck and lay some punishing hits on the oppositions top d players

Roussel I'm a huge fan. Hopefully Chase and Moroz turn out to be like the players you mention.

PS lets see Roussel fight a guy that knows how
- Killbot460

Bickell actually has been taking some shifts on the 4th line due to ineffective play of late. Hilarious after they signed him to that Horcoff-ian contract!

Chase looks like he has Bolland-lite potential at least! If he can keep it up, he'll quickly climb up the organizational depth chart!

this guy is a BEAST

- AlEx_OiL

Looks like RNH has finally put on some weight!

Bickell actually has been taking some shifts on the 4th line due to ineffective play of late. Hilarious after they signed him to that Horcoff-ian contract!

Chase looks like he has Bolland-lite potential at least! If he can keep it up, he'll quickly climb up the organizational depth chart!
- MaximumBone

yes I watched a few hawks games. Kinda funny though

Don't wanna start poop here but Chase and Moroz their numbers might be inflated cause they are men amongst 16 year olds.... Ive seen this before asham and ott both ripped it in the dub.

Anyway my point is I doubt Moroz will be lucic but I don see them turning out to be decent types of bottom 6 forwards in 2 years maybe less

Bolland is a decent comparison maybe Zack Smith as well
Moroz could be a Clifford, Neil or even Kassian type

yes I watched a few hawks games. Kinda funny though

Don't wanna start poop here but Chase and Moroz their numbers might be inflated cause they are men amongst 16 year olds.... Ive seen this before asham and ott both ripped it in the dub.

Anyway my point is I doubt Moroz will be lucic but I don see them turning out to be decent types of bottom 6 forwards in 2 years maybe less

Bolland is a decent comparison maybe Zack Smith as well
Moroz could be a Clifford, Neil or even Kassian type
- Killbot460

Oh yeah! When I say Mitch "Lucic" Moroz, I mean it totally jokingly. In fact, I'd be pleased with Mitch becoming any of those above players! That'd be a (frank)ing great success! Chase is only in his post-draft year so it's not like he's THAT old, but your point still kinda stands. On the flip side of that coin, however, is their minutes were both limited due to excessive depth ahead of them in season's prior.

Oh yeah! When I say Mitch "Lucic" Moroz, I mean it totally jokingly. In fact, I'd be pleased with Mitch becoming any of those above players! That'd be a (frank)ing great success! Chase is only in his post-draft year so it's not like he's THAT old, but your point still kinda stands. On the flip side of that coin, however, is their minutes were both limited due to excessive depth ahead of them in season's prior.
- MaximumBone

yes I just mean its easier for physical players to dominate because they push the younger kids around and drive to the net. Chase could be diamond in the ruff.

Shaw and Bickel aren't 4th liners. I know what your saying. But Gaz is young like all the others and is growing. IMO I'd rather dress him than MacIntyre. I don't really believe that anyone would stop running the oilers players.... But Gaz is fast enough to get in on the forcheck and lay some punishing hits on the oppositions top d players

Roussel I'm a huge fan. Hopefully Chase and Moroz turn out to be like the players you mention.

PS lets see Roussel fight a guy that knows how
- Killbot460

Roussel handled CarBomb the other night. Not that hes much of a fighter. Kids got spunk. Dont see Dallas moving him.

I doubt Yak would be moved soon especially since Gagner, Hall, Smyth and possible Eberle all out of the line up tomorrow

If the oil absolutely had to make a trade I would rather trade Hall at the deadline, especially if yak gets his poop together. I just think Hall is going to get injured a lot and I believe Nail Yakupov will be a pure sniper. Plus I like the way he gets pissed and takes runs and players
- Killbot460

dude....

The trade is a good one. Brown was made useless this off season. No team needs 3 fighters. There are NHL Caliber guys out there to sign. I think this was a move to free up a contract spot. I am wondering if it is not for a more solid backup. Trying Bryzgalov instead of Labarebera? Small risk if you do a 1 year 1 million dollar offer. Has to be better for Bryz than playing in the ECHL.

At some point this is going to open the door for Omark or Jones. Arguably NHL caliber players. They play a different game than Brown but in theory they should be better offensive players.

As for Yak. It would be sad to trade a guy that hasn't really had much of a shot this year or last. When he did get a shot last year he capitalized. Now he is playing on a dismal team with a new coach who has put all sorts of pressure on the 19 year old to perform. Pressure that is not put on any other player with maybe the exception of Acrobello. We would not get the value he is worth right now. We don't have the cap room for any better player and with the exception of Mackinnon I can't think of a rookie I would rather have.

Now if we can make that happen

Yak
Duby
A strong D prospect
Belov

Mackinnon
Gigure

I would be happy with that. COL has tons of Centers. They need wingers. Varlamov is their goalie of choice but Giguere has 2 SO already this year. Belov is good but he just takes slap shots with no accuracy. I don't know that he is better than the guys we have in the AHL. I do know that we can replace him with a guy almost as good if not better from our numerous off season signings. Edmonton needs a center in a bad way, Giguere allows us an experienced tender and this gives us salary room to sign Bryz as a back up. Allowing for two improvements to our goalie spots.

Now if we can make that happen

Yak
Duby
A strong D prospect
Belov

Mackinnon
Gigure

I would be happy with that. COL has tons of Centers. They need wingers. Varlamov is their goalie of choice but Giguere has 2 SO already this year. Belov is good but he just takes slap shots with no accuracy. I don't know that he is better than the guys we have in the AHL. I do know that we can replace him with a guy almost as good if not better from our numerous off season signings. Edmonton needs a center in a bad way, Giguere allows us an experienced tender and this gives us salary room to sign Bryz as a back up. Allowing for two improvements to our goalie spots.
- Hall Fan

No. Just... no.

Firstly, I don't think the Avs have any interest in trading MacKinnon away at all. Secondly, I don't see the Oilers that keen on giving up Yak, especially in a lopsided package such as that. You want MacT to trade a 1st overall pick that's struggling of late, a mid-range starter that has struggled up until lately, a grade-A D prospect, and one of our top-4 Dmen for this year's 1st overall pick (who'll likely have VERY similar struggles to the ones Yak is dealing with now next season) and an arguably 1B goaltender that's 36? And for what? Help at a position that we don't really need help at anymore (Nuge, Gagner, Arco, and Gordon will suffice for top-9 C depth)?

Suffice to say I don't understand you.

The trade is a good one. Brown was made useless this off season. No team needs 3 fighters. There are NHL Caliber guys out there to sign. I think this was a move to free up a contract spot. I am wondering if it is not for a more solid backup. Trying Bryzgalov instead of Labarebera? Small risk if you do a 1 year 1 million dollar offer. Has to be better for Bryz than playing in the ECHL.

At some point this is going to open the door for Omark or Jones. Arguably NHL caliber players. They play a different game than Brown but in theory they should be better offensive players.

As for Yak. It would be sad to trade a guy that hasn't really had much of a shot this year or last. When he did get a shot last year he capitalized. Now he is playing on a dismal team with a new coach who has put all sorts of pressure on the 19 year old to perform. Pressure that is not put on any other player with maybe the exception of Acrobello. We would not get the value he is worth right now. We don't have the cap room for any better player and with the exception of Mackinnon I can't think of a rookie I would rather have.

Now if we can make that happen

Yak
Duby
A strong D prospect
Belov

Mackinnon
Gigure

I would be happy with that. COL has tons of Centers. They need wingers. Varlamov is their goalie of choice but Giguere has 2 SO already this year. Belov is good but he just takes slap shots with no accuracy. I don't know that he is better than the guys we have in the AHL. I do know that we can replace him with a guy almost as good if not better from our numerous off season signings. Edmonton needs a center in a bad way, Giguere allows us an experienced tender and this gives us salary room to sign Bryz as a back up. Allowing for two improvements to our goalie spots.
- Hall Fan

No way either team does this deal. FFS I am getting tired of Yak trade rumors. Lets just trade every player who ever starts to struggle while they are at all time low trade value and guarantee us the worst possible return. Sounds like a good way to get us plenty of the only thing we have been good at and collecting first overalls. And with the new drafting system could end up in a lot of 2nd overalls.

Ebs is my man! Tough as nails when it comes to taking hits, too! If he could only play a little more gritty (like Giroux when he's pissed off) he'd be a dream!
- MaximumBone

he isn't your dream already!?

Should get them into the playoffs!!