I think Fans and Oiler management are willing to part with anything for guys that would make a difference. The problem is no one will part with those guys. The only teams that might contemplate it are going to be non playoff teams. Who on the bottom 1/3 of the league is going to give up a key guy that they probably want for their own rebuild. Add to that the fact that many teams are looking for the exact same thing as the Oilers. As much as I'd like a quick fix; I'm highly doubtful that it exists.

Keep working their bags off and hope they come around.
- Iggysbff

I agree, time to tank for Ekblad then tank again for McDavid then?

nyr continues to struggle to score? they have to consider trading offence for defence.

Holmgren sees a former first overall available while his team cant score, he'd have to consider making a move

buffalo has a shot at 2 lottery picks? theyd have to consider a deal.

fasth gets healthy and Anaheim wants to add pieces to make a run? ""
- hugefemale dog77

NY is the only one that has a couple guys that would truly be worth it.

Don't want anyone from Buffalo. Anyone they have is a question mark.
Same as Philly. If we make a move for a guy they have to be top 2 material. We have a glut of 5-6 guys. Making a trade "hoping" a Coburn or Myers come around and start playing better would not be worth the high price. Just my opinion.

(frank) Philly... We need defense and they have none.
- Reveen

...Agreed...

I agree, time to tank for Ekblad then tank again for McDavid then?
- redwolf

Tank again???

Yip

I know most people are saying not to trade our 1st overall pick in 2014 because it's obviously going to be a high pick because we're so bad. But what does that pick get us? Another D-man (more likely than a forward given our issues) that will take a few years to develop and not give us anything for the 2014-15 season. And assuming we don't trade any of the super kids, we'll be right back where we started next season, aside from any minor changes that won't suddenly make us a playoff team.

If I could trade the 1st overall (becuse it will be 1st overall) for a true top pairing D-man or some big 6'3 power forward that puts up 35 goals a season, I'd make that trade at this point.
- OilersFan1985

Agreed, but I don't think the 1st pick alone gets that player. The 1st pick is an asset however that could be put into play for the right return. How about that & Yak for the winger plus a D?

I agree, time to tank for Ekblad then tank again for McDavid then?
- redwolf

No. Play their asses of and push as hard as you can. If we come close but miss we'd all be happier.

NY is the only one that has a couple guys that would truly be worth it.

Don't want anyone from Buffalo. Anyone they have is a question mark.
Same as Philly. If we make a move for a guy they have to be top 2 material. We have a glut of 5-6 guys. Making a trade "hoping" a Coburn or Myers come around and start playing better would not be worth the high price. Just my opinion.
- Iggysbff

Not sure Rangers will be selling anytime soon...Expect them to be on the market for help rather than selling...

Tough year to be looking to buy unless willing to overpay.....

I don't think you would get a lot for Dub at the moment...not with the season he is having.

Also, I have been saying for a few years, as many of you have been, that they didn't have enough to protect themselves from other teams. As for saying that people are running the skilled players, I'm not sure about that. They are playing them like they would play any other skilled forward. They shouldn't pull up on a hit(I mean clean ones) just because the guy is a highly skilled forward. This is hockey these guys are playing.

I think looking at trading to bring in some size as well as some good D would do you guys well.
- rune_74

The Oil now have some size on the bottom 2 lines who can step up to protect the little guys, but we need bigger wingers on the top 2 lines--1 big guy on each line. Trade 1 or more of the young guns, prospects and picks to get the right mix.

No. Play their asses of and push as hard as you can. If we come close but miss we'd all be happier.
- Iggysbff

Agree again but skeptical. Gone next year are Hemsky, Smyth, Jones, Eager, N Schultz, Lababera and Grebeshkov. Lots of players to replace. Wonder who comes in?

I guess I am in the crazy optimism bunch. I've always felt that the game isn't over until the last buzzer goes and there is always a chance for the playoffs until they are mathematically eliminated. I don't want to watch a team just go through the motions and not play to the best of their abilities each and every game.
- nated81

The Team as a whole have to play tougher AND for 60 minutes---that's not happening. Recently our 3rd line has out-played our top 2 lines, which is unacceptable.

I am absolutely, completely (frank)ing sick and tired of watching the Oil poop the bed for high draft picks. I say play your asses off and see what comes of it. If we sink then so be it, and if we finish mid-pack and get a crappy draft pick then so be it. Its time the team and management took to the ice with some pride and gave us the fans something to cheer for.
- Wildschwein

Bang on

I understand the sentiment, but you are selling pretty low at this point.
- Aetherial

I still think Yak is a highly desired asset for some teams.

Only coach worse in the NHL than Eakins is Torterella.
- Pikey Fan

Ask Ranger fans if they can name any other coaches....

Ask Ranger fans if they can name any other coaches....
- Nucker101

Claude Noel isn't far out of consideration

Ask Ranger fans if they can name any other coaches....
- Nucker101

Just wait until things go bad in Vancouver. Torts will start blaming the players he always does.

Taking jabs at a team, when the team you support is like a hockey version of desperate housewives?

As a fan, I'd rather be looking forward to McDavid, as opposed to talking about trading Lou for the world, then facepalming when Schnieder gets traded, only to say how awesome Lou was...
- IRON.MAIDEN

I love this! I think I read it 4 times already.

Why do the Oilers continue to be one of the worst teams in Junior hockey when they have so many top picks playing for them?
- Pikey Fan

I would say this is the first year the Oilers actually have pressure to have some form of success. Every year since Hall was drafted in 2010 fans have been willing to accept a consolation prize of a high draft pick for a bad season. Im glad to see that is no longer the case.

Difference is....

I've watched a team destined to fail....fail

You've watched a team destined to win...fail


Same result, different path.
- IRON.MAIDEN

Seriously! I love this guy! I would by your drinks all night bud. Keep 'em coming.

(How many ways can this Canucklehead kid get slapped???)

Taking jabs at a team, when the team you support is like a hockey version of desperate housewives?

As a fan, I'd rather be looking forward to McDavid, as opposed to talking about trading Lou for the world, then facepalming when Schnieder gets traded, only to say how awesome Lou was...
- IRON.MAIDEN

Just wait until things go bad in Vancouver. Torts will start blaming the players he always does.
- Pikey Fan

I think everyone realizes he has a pretty short shelf life, but it was the right hire considering the average of the core of the team. He's a great coach for the short-term similar to a guy like Laviolette IMO.

Vigneault/Arniel, two of the worst coaches IMO are both on the Ranger staff now. AV had some great teams here, I used to defend him as being a decent/okay coach but it's getting clear now that the team made him look better than he really was.

I love this! I think I read it 4 times already.
- JLO961

I envy your life.

By the way, great call a few months ago on Garrison being a horrible contract. Your hockey IQ must be off the charts.

Not sure Rangers will be selling anytime soon...Expect them to be on the market for help rather than selling...

Tough year to be looking to buy unless willing to overpay.....
- Fruitcakenipple

not really sellers per se. at least that's not what we meant.

trading a quality defender for a quality forward.

just throwing sh1t against the wall

I still think Yak is a highly desired asset for some teams.
- haymac

KHL?

I would say this is the first year the Oilers actually have pressure to have some form of success. Every year since Hall was drafted in 2010 fans have been willing to accept a consolation prize of a high draft pick for a bad season. Im glad to see that is no longer the case.
- Leafs43

agreed.

they had no realistic shot at success any year before this one.

I think everyone realizes he has a pretty short shelf life, but it was the right hire considering the average of the core of the team. He's a great coach for the short-term similar to a guy like Laviolette IMO.

Vigneault/Arniel, two of the worst coaches IMO are both on the Ranger staff now. AV had some great teams here, I used to defend him as being a decent/okay coach but it's getting clear now that the team made him look better than he really was.
- Nucker101

im watching the rags and habs and it is a horribly boring hockey game