Something like

Abdelkader-Nuge-Eberle
Hall-Gagner-Downie
Perron-Gordon-Yakupov
Smyth-Arcobello-Joensuu



The compete level of that second line would just be insane.
- Morris

the first thing I noticed was that second line....

We should be looking at fixing that defense. we have that top 12 there won't be any money to upgrade the defense.
- Lahey

That's a good point. It's fun to dreeeeaaaamm thoughhhh

EDIT: although actually that's sub Gazidc/Jones and Hemksy out, sub Abdelkader and Downie in. I'm not sure if there's much difference between that and our cap situation now.

We should be looking at fixing that defense. we have that top 12 there won't be any money to upgrade the defense.
- Lahey

it seems to me that unless mact does something sooner rather than later, they might be riding out n Schultz contract and hoping one of the kids marincin/nurse/klefbom can step in by next year.

gotta think we got ference and smid locked up. petry and Schultz most likely will get reupped (I hope anyway). belov probably too.

so...one of the kids and maybe one signing.

not a lot of quality guys up front in the pool, but 3 fairly solid ones on the backend.

that's next level stuff.
I remember someone trying to pump fosters tires cause he had a big shot...

that guy was so fuking bad. bugs me to even hear his name.
- hugefemale dog77

(softly whispers Kurtis Foster)

Just throwing this out there, Yakupov has only played 57 games

Just throwing this out there, Yakupov has only played 57 games
- ystoil

Its the fact he became so hot at the end of the season that is (frank)ing with people.

And until someone in the organization wakes up & realizes the Oilers need players like Simmonds, Clarkson, D.Brown, Callahan, they are going nowhere because too much skill doesn't win either.

But god forbid the Oilers give up their first round pick this past draft or next year for a player like Simmonds, who only scores 20 to 25 goals a year, hits, fights & creates space for the skilled players. Heaven forbid to trade Yakapov for a player who has everything & don't come on here & say he doesn't because 10 Wayne Simmonds will beat 10 Eberle's in a game - any day!!

But the Oilers like small, skilled forwards & so is the reason they continue to sit in the basement.
- newmy

Is that what Dregger said?

3. Not every first overall NHL draft pick pans out

LOL, from your own blogger and Yak fits the bill to a tee.

it seems to me that unless mact does something sooner rather than later, they might be riding out n Schultz contract and hoping one of the kids marincin/nurse/klefbom can step in by next year.

gotta think we got ference and smid locked up. petry and Schultz most likely will get reupped (I hope anyway). belov probably too.

so...one of the kids and maybe one signing.

not a lot of quality guys up front in the pool, but 3 fairly solid ones on the backend.
- hugefemale dog77

Waiting for those kids does nothing. How many rookies come in and are able to play a major role on defense?

I see Smid being dealt at some point. He's playing a bottom pairing role being paid to play top 4.

I'm beginning to think that Yaks might be a lot like Omark in that he will dominate every league except the NHL

I'm beginning to think that Yaks might be a lot like Omark in that he will dominate every league except the NHL
- andymaury

Are you kidding me??? He led the team in goals last year... Maybe coaching has a bit to do with it, trade proposals and rumors etc... Keep in mind how Eakins took a good PP system and completely fuct it... I say keep the 5v5 system but lets get Kruger's system going via Bucky and Acton- those 2 should recall the system- further the team should be comfortable with it... Why change or fix something if its not broken... Further once Yak gets a goal or 2 you will see a completely different player...

Are you kidding me??? He led the team in goals last year... Maybe coaching has a bit to do with it, trade proposals and rumors etc... Keep in mind how Eakins took a good PP system and completely fuct it... I say keep the 5v5 system but lets get Kruger's system going via Bucky and Acton- those 2 should recall the system- further the team should be comfortable with it... Why change or fix something if its not broken... Further once Yak gets a goal or 2 you will see a completely different player...
- saskoil21

Exactly. A goal or two and the flood gates open.

He is 19, has played in 2 systems in 57 games. He is playing the other side of the wing than what he is used to. Just like Ovie, he's going to need just as much time, likely more to adjust.

I will admit he needs to simplify his game, stickhandle less. Let Nuge take it in or Eberle and let them find Yakupov in the sweet spot. His defensive game will come eventually where he is hopefully adequate.

(softly whispers Kurtis Foster)
- ChetManly

No thanks

What would you guys think of trying Pitlick on a line with Yak and Nuge?

Maybe his simple game of dump and chase can help the top line out. I understand his 2 game sample size and lack of offensive flare isn't intriguing but maybe that line needs some size, speed and simple play. He does have a hard shot too.

3. Not every first overall NHL draft pick pans out

LOL, from your own blogger and Yak fits the bill to a tee.
- blk4x499

Yup, bust after 57 games.

PK 100% last night

Fffffffuuuuuuuucccccccckkkkkkkkk. ... the more I work, the more I realise I'm still pretty drunk.

Ryan Garner: Examining Yakupov's Month-Long Audition
- Ryan Garner

Oops...double post.

Ryan Garner: Examining Yakupov's Month-Long Audition
- Ryan Garner

Unless the return is just sick you don't trade Yak. He's going to be Ovechkin 2.0

One thing to note about last year is that Gagner was great at finding Yakupov in a shooting position, and we haven't seen Sam playing with the Oil yet this season.

I think Yakupov is probably one of the more talented one of the bunch however his hockey IQ is no where near Nuge. Yak comes from the Russian system where their strategy was to pass it to him and let him try and skate through everyone on his own. That obviously doesn't work in the NHL however with some coaching he has skills and a shot that any other team would never dream of trading.

Yakupov needs some solid coaching and needs to be put into better situations where he'll be useful. Stick him on the faceoff dot to the left of the other teams net on a power play and tell him to stay put, ala Brett Hull.

If the Oilers trade him he will haunt us forever as he will flourish in some other system, like Washington or Detroit where he`s allowed to play offence. My biggest concern with MacT is his distain for some highly talented offensive players. (See; Lupul, Shrimp, O`Mark)

Yak has the work ethic and certainly has the talent, skating ability and an amazing shot! If he`s not playing well or not scoring I`d look to coaching first rather than blame it on the player. He can be taught to play defence and to back check, but you can`t teach that shot!

One thing to note about last year is that Gagner was great at finding Yakupov in a shooting position, and we haven't seen Sam playing with the Oil yet this season.

I think Yakupov is probably one of the more talented one of the bunch however his hockey IQ is no where near Nuge. Yak comes from the Russian system where their strategy was to pass it to him and let him try and skate through everyone on his own. That obviously doesn't work in the NHL however with some coaching he has skills and a shot that any other team would never dream of trading.

Yakupov needs some solid coaching and needs to be put into better situations where he'll be useful. Stick him on the faceoff dot to the left of the other teams net on a power play and tell him to stay put, ala Brett Hull.

If the Oilers trade him he will haunt us forever as he will flourish in some other system, like Washington or Detroit where he`s allowed to play offence. My biggest concern with MacT is his distain for some highly talented offensive players. (See; Lupul, Shrimp, O`Mark)

Yak has the work ethic and certainly has the talent, skating ability and an amazing shot! If he`s not playing well or not scoring I`d look to coaching first rather than blame it on the player. He can be taught to play defence and to back check, but you can`t teach that shot!
- thebignewf

This!

No thanks
- saskoil21

No thanks
- saskoil21

One thing to note about last year is that Gagner was great at finding Yakupov in a shooting position, and we haven't seen Sam playing with the Oil yet this season.

I think Yakupov is probably one of the more talented one of the bunch however his hockey IQ is no where near Nuge. Yak comes from the Russian system where their strategy was to pass it to him and let him try and skate through everyone on his own. That obviously doesn't work in the NHL however with some coaching he has skills and a shot that any other team would never dream of trading.

Yakupov needs some solid coaching and needs to be put into better situations where he'll be useful. Stick him on the faceoff dot to the left of the other teams net on a power play and tell him to stay put, ala Brett Hull.

If the Oilers trade him he will haunt us forever as he will flourish in some other system, like Washington or Detroit where he`s allowed to play offence. My biggest concern with MacT is his distain for some highly talented offensive players. (See; Lupul, Shrimp, O`Mark)

Yak has the work ethic and certainly has the talent, skating ability and an amazing shot! If he`s not playing well or not scoring I`d look to coaching first rather than blame it on the player. He can be taught to play defence and to back check, but you can`t teach that shot!
- thebignewf

Double this!

One thing to note about last year is that Gagner was great at finding Yakupov in a shooting position, and we haven't seen Sam playing with the Oil yet this season.

I think Yakupov is probably one of the more talented one of the bunch however his hockey IQ is no where near Nuge. Yak comes from the Russian system where their strategy was to pass it to him and let him try and skate through everyone on his own. That obviously doesn't work in the NHL however with some coaching he has skills and a shot that any other team would never dream of trading.

Yakupov needs some solid coaching and needs to be put into better situations where he'll be useful. Stick him on the faceoff dot to the left of the other teams net on a power play and tell him to stay put, ala Brett Hull.

If the Oilers trade him he will haunt us forever as he will flourish in some other system, like Washington or Detroit where he`s allowed to play offence. My biggest concern with MacT is his distain for some highly talented offensive players. (See; Lupul, Shrimp, O`Mark)

Yak has the work ethic and certainly has the talent, skating ability and an amazing shot! If he`s not playing well or not scoring I`d look to coaching first rather than blame it on the player. He can be taught to play defence and to back check, but you can`t teach that shot!
- thebignewf

Nicely put. Also laughs can no longer pretend to be the big newf