Gagner has tons of heart. I just think he will be overshadowed by what is the lottery pick kids. No matter how much he puts in. I just think it will be overlooked.
- poisondhearts37

Its nuts that he's like 24. If Hopkins had a frame bigger than Natalie Portman, then Gagner'd be an excellent #2 centre. But Hopkins is their guy, and I'm sure he'll be fine but it leaves Gagner in a tough spot with Richard for size on the wings. But they've basically got 6 of their top 7, talent wise, forwards all in the same general mold.

Eberle, Hopkins, Gagner, Hemsky, Yakupov, and Perron. Relatively all the same player and all like 180 lbs. How the (frank) is that supposed to compete with LA, St. Louis, San Jose and even Analheim, Phoenix and Vancouver?

They're going to lose any trade on pure talent but if they can bring in a dude whos feet touch the ground in the kiddy pool and has arms bigger than pipe cleaners its probably not that bad of a deal.

O'Rielly could get an offer sheet that puts him into bigger money though.
- nated81

I know but he will definitely not take less than 6.5 when he already has they

Is that not less money? Even if it was the same. You get more out of the Av's kids.
- poisondhearts37

Plus Colorado's got better depth player around their kids, which make a huge difference. They don't force their kids to play out of their element.

He isnt gonna get offer sheeted. The Av's wanted a bridge deal. They got it with the Calg offer sheet. They now know what theyre getting. He was supposed to be a 3rd C who had a stellar year. Now he has shown he can be more. They will lock him up. Unless he doesnt want to be there.
- poisondhearts37

I said he could, not is. How can you say that he won't when one team already tried and he has only improved since?

I know but he will definitely not take less than 6.5 when he already has they
- Oilers42

He makes 5 million not 6.5

That's a matter of opinion... You're also grasping at straws with that 1.5 million difference in salary.
- Reveen

How is that opinion though. Does Hall, Nuge and Eb's play well in all aspects of the game. Not counting getting ice time just because theyre golden children? Your top 3 might score more points at some point than each of the Av's kids. But that isnt whats wins you a championship. 1.5 mil in salary could be that one last piece added to a team to get them that championship.

O'Rielly could get an offer sheet that puts him into bigger money though.
- nated81

I have a tough time seeing a team give a dude who is probably a 4.7-5.2 million dollar player 6.5 when he isn't an elite offensive talent. He's like Mike Richards with a big hockey ass.

Yeah that add's up. But that isnt what they make.
- poisondhearts37

http://www.capgeek.com/player/1576
http://www.mynhltraderumors.com/tag/matt-duchene/
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=680299

Its nuts that he's like 24. If Hopkins had a frame bigger than Natalie Portman, then Gagner'd be an excellent #2 centre. But Hopkins is their guy, and I'm sure he'll be fine but it leaves Gagner in a tough spot with Richard for size on the wings. But they've basically got 6 of their top 7, talent wise, forwards all in the same general mold.

Eberle, Hopkins, Gagner, Hemsky, Yakupov, and Perron. Relatively all the same player and all like 180 lbs. How the (frank) is that supposed to compete with LA, St. Louis, San Jose and even Analheim, Phoenix and Vancouver?

They're going to lose any trade on pure talent but if they can bring in a dude whos feet touch the ground in the kiddy pool and has arms bigger than pipe cleaners its probably not that bad of a deal.
- DTF69

Outside of perron, 100% agreed. great post

He makes 5 million not 6.5
- Reveen

His cap hit is 5 but he makes 6.5
3.5 last year 6.5 this year

How is that opinion though. Does Hall, Nuge and Eb's play well in all aspects of the game. Not counting getting ice time just because theyre golden children? Your top 3 might score more points at some point than each of the Av's kids. But that isnt whats wins you a championship. 1.5 mil in salary could be that one last piece added to a team to get them that championship.
- poisondhearts37

RNH and Eberle are pretty descent two way players. Hall is one dimensional but he's pretty damn good at scoring goals.

Its nuts that he's like 24. If Hopkins had a frame bigger than Natalie Portman, then Gagner'd be an excellent #2 centre. But Hopkins is their guy, and I'm sure he'll be fine but it leaves Gagner in a tough spot with Richard for size on the wings. But they've basically got 6 of their top 7, talent wise, forwards all in the same general mold.

Eberle, Hopkins, Gagner, Hemsky, Yakupov, and Perron. Relatively all the same player and all like 180 lbs. How the (frank) is that supposed to compete with LA, St. Louis, San Jose and even Analheim, Phoenix and Vancouver?

They're going to lose any trade on pure talent but if they can bring in a dude whos feet touch the ground in the kiddy pool and has arms bigger than pipe cleaners its probably not that bad of a deal.
- DTF69

Yeah its crazy to think about how young Gagner is. Being in the league from such a young age make him seems like hes 28 or something.

Outside of perron, 100% agreed. great post
- hugefemale dog77

He's the closest to breaking that mould but he's still close enough that when you've got 5 others it creates an issue.

There just isn't enough meat and potatoes in the line-up.

Its actually depressing looking at the Oilers draft record outside the first round since they've been terrible. You'd think one of those later round picks would've turned into something but instead you got Cam Abney.

The swarm defense is a (frank)ing joke. It looks like 5 chickens with their heads cut off.

It reminds me of Homer trying to decide which play to run when he was coaching Barts football team.

"Okay, you three fall over and Nelson you grab the ball and spin in circles."

RNH and Eberle are pretty descent two way players. Hall is one dimensional but he's pretty damn good at scoring goals.
- Reveen

Eberle's been cheating a lot this year and RNH has been exceedingly soft on his stick in his own end since whoever they played after New Jersey. I don't know if it is an effort thing or his shoulder isn't totally healthy and they wanted him back early but he has been soft.

I'm not expecting him to be Getzlaf or anything but he's been getting stripped of the puck easily and hasn't been able to tie up anyone worth a damn.

He's the closest to breaking that mould but he's still close enough that when you've got 5 others it creates an issue.

There just isn't enough meat and potatoes in the line-up.

Its actually depressing looking at the Oilers draft record outside the first round since they've been terrible. You'd think one of those later round picks would've turned into something but instead you got Cam Abney.
- DTF69

Hartikainen was one of those guys. But mismanaging him made him flee to the big bad KHL.

Hookers and blow.
- nayefj

Go on...........

Go on...........
- ruttager17

I'm so tempted to write a story about Ebs and Nuge double-teaming a high-priced escort and sniffing coke off her ass.

The swarm defense is a (frank)ing joke. It looks like 5 chickens with their heads cut off.

It reminds me of Homer trying to decide which play to run when he was coaching Barts football team.

"Okay, you three fall over and Nelson you grab the ball and spin in circles."
- Ben37

Its such a minor league defensive system when you don't have to account for the skill of elite passers like Hank, Thornton and Getzlaf let alone even 2nd and 3rd liners on good teams being able to make impressive plays.

I feel its a system that'd be better suited for a more defensively mature team. But even those teams like to play a lot of zone coverage.

Hartikainen was one of those guys. But mismanaging him made him flee to the big bad KHL.
- poisondhearts37

But Smyth needed his spot for leadership.

Holy (frank) don't let me get started on the "leadership" of the Oilers.

Might be a tumour....
- Iggysbff

- nated81

Rob Ford.

He probably did blow off every hooker in Canada, including laughs' mom.

Rob Ford.

He probably dude blow off every hooker in Canada, including laughs' mom.
- nayefj

Allegedly.

I'm so tempted to write a story about Ebs and Nuge double-teaming a high-priced escort and sniffing coke off her ass.
- nayefj

Seems like an interesting article....but it would be more realistic after the Nuge hits puberty.