Ah, I see. Well, who's to say either of those teams have staying power?

But, Sean Bergenheim is a rough analogue to Justin Abdelkader, and - I dunno - Eric Nystrom is kinda like Daniel Winnik.

I like Abdelkader and Winnik, but there's no shortage of those types to be had from teams in all situations.
- Morris

I know, but they play a certain role on their team, both of whom are in heavy playoff contention. If you could find those guys and have no shortage of them, you guys wouldn't be so desperate for them. Surprised the Oilers weren't in on a Talbot or Downie.

Nooooooo reallly
- Oilers42

Must be a big trade coming up!

Nooooooo reallly
- Oilers42

yes really.

Must be a big trade coming up!
- Jeropotato

right winger to take the spot of another right winger.

I know, but they play a certain role on their team, both of whom are in heavy playoff contention. If you could find those guys and have no shortage of them, you guys wouldn't be so desperate for them. Surprised the Oilers weren't in on a Talbot or Downie.
- AdamFrench

We've never gone looking for them!

Defensive centres? Yeah tons. Tough guys? But I can't think of the last time the oilers endeavoured to bring in a winger who was known for defense.

As someone said when the trade went down, it's easy to be frustrated at missing out on Downie and Talbot, but we don't really have a Downie out Talbot to trade in the first place.

Why should the experiment be over? he is one of the few actually doing anything out there.
The sad part of this is that Arco at least plays a physical game despite his size! 34 hits in 16 games, over 52% on the button and a far better defensive awareness to his game over Gagner.
At this point I wold rather see Arco on the ice busting his ass vs watching Gag's floating in a fog!
- Tapdog

Do we watch the same Gagner? He's become one of the harder workers on the ice

No I meant why are contenders trading parts of their team for longshots?
- AdamFrench

Precisely. None of these are available and especially not at those prices.

Must be a big trade coming up!
- Jeropotato

I doubt it ill bet it's a show case or its just a safety net

We've never gone looking for them!

Defensive centres? Yeah tons. Tough guys? But I can't think of the last time the oilers endeavoured to bring in a winger who was known for defense.

As someone said when the trade went down, it's easy to be frustrated at missing out on Downie and Talbot, but we don't really have a Downie out Talbot to trade in the first place.
- Morris

This is where you are incorrect Morris.

If you really believe the Oilers have never gone looking for these types then you must believe Mact and the rest of management are drooling morons. Of course they've looked. They've scoured the depths of this league and others for guys to fit the roles we need. Other teams are not just going to give away those types.

Do we watch the same Gagner? He's become one of the harder workers on the ice
- Morris

Just the way I see him I suppose. He seems to be off so far in his return and I get it but I would rather see him adjust back to the game on the wing vs running up the middle.
He can bust his ass playing the wing on the third line. Busting his ass and doing F/A offensively down the middle of line two is not helping this team.
With Arco there at least we were scoring goals, yes losing but defense and goaltending had a bit to do with it too. Since Gags has returned and replaced Arco, the scoring has slowed down. Gag's is -6 and 40% on the button, is he working harder becuse he is trying to get the puck back he gave up on the draw?

This is where you are incorrect Morris.

If you really believe the Oilers have never gone looking for these types then you must believe Mact and the rest of management are drooling morons. Of course they've looked. They've scoured the depths of this league and others for guys to fit the roles we need. Other teams are not just going to give away those types.
- Iggysbff

You get your Shanaban lifted? Or was it a shortie?

Just the way I see him I suppose. He seems to be off so far in his return and I get it but I would rather see him adjust back to the game on the wing vs running up the middle.
He can bust his ass playing the wing on the third line. Busting his ass and doing F/A offensively down the middle of line two is not helping this team.
With Arco there at least we were scoring goals, yes losing but defense and goaltending had a bit to do with it too. Since Gags has returned and replaced Arco, the scoring has slowed down. Gag's is -6 and 40% on the button, is he working harder becuse he is trying to get the puck back he gave up on the draw?
- Tapdog

It pains people to say it because he's a college player and without bug draft pedigree....but he's a good player!

It pains people to say it because he's a college player and without bug draft pedigree....but he's a good player!
- Jeropotato

Yeah he is doing alright, at this point the guy is at least doing what is being asked of him or making the most of this opportunity.

We've never gone looking for them!

Defensive centres? Yeah tons. Tough guys? But I can't think of the last time the oilers endeavoured to bring in a winger who was known for defense.

As someone said when the trade went down, it's easy to be frustrated at missing out on Downie and Talbot, but we don't really have a Downie out Talbot to trade in the first place.
- Morris

Are you sure? Maybe their teams do t want to move them for spare parts and late picks.
Still, thought we might go after Brad Richardson ...actually, maybe we did , who the (frank) knows?

This is where you are incorrect Morris.

If you really believe the Oilers have never gone looking for these types then you must believe Mact and the rest of management are drooling morons. Of course they've looked. They've scoured the depths of this league and others for guys to fit the roles we need. Other teams are not just going to give away those types.
- Iggysbff

Being that they've brought in a TON of defensive centres (Fraser, Smithson, Belanger, Gordon to name a few), I am forced to believe one of two possibilites: 1) They've looked just as hard for defensive wingers, but struck out in trying to make each and every one of these acquisitions or 2) They didn't put as much stock in acquiring defensive wingers.

I find the first possibility incredibly unlikely. Especially because it's well documented that they've spent a ton of time courting scoring wingers (Vanek, Nylander, Healtey, Jagr) and Power forwards (Penner, Cole, Clarkson, even re-acquiring Smyth). It seems evident to me they've prioritized offensive prowess on the wings and grit in the centre.

Also, the notion that defensive wingers are harder to acquire than defensive centres doesn't hold water for me. I'm not saying they've been twiddling their thumbs, I'm saying they prioritized many different kinds of acquisitions.

Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC 1m

BTW, Kevin Lowe and Craig MacTavish attended PHI/CAR last night. Now, we can start some new rumours.

killbot would love this.

Are you sure? Maybe their teams do t want to move them for spare parts and late picks.
Still, thought we might go after Brad Richardson ...actually, maybe we did , who the (frank) knows?
- Jeropotato

The idea that Anton Lander + 2nd for Abdelkader constitutes "spare parts and late picks" is silly.

I'm not talking about bona fide power forwards. I'm talking about Abdelkader, who's scored 66 points in four years. I'm talking about Winnik, who's a former 9th round pick that Anaheim got for free.

I'm talking about defensive specialists, and yes they often go for very reasonable prices.

Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC 1m

BTW, Kevin Lowe and Craig MacTavish attended PHI/CAR last night. Now, we can start some new rumours.

killbot would love this.
- deks1

Maybe MacT is showing Kevin Lowe where he could look for employment once he is fired?

The idea that Anton Lander + 2nd for Abdelkader constitutes "spare parts and late picks" is silly.

I'm not talking about bona fide power forwards. I'm talking about Abdelkader, who's scored 66 points in four years. I'm talking about Winnik, who's a former 9th round pick that Anaheim got for free.

I'm talking about defensive specialists, and yes they often go for very reasonable prices.
- Morris

Abdelkader would be an excellent pick up for this team! Hits everything and can be somewhat of a net presence on the PP.

The idea that Anton Lander + 2nd for Abdelkader constitutes "spare parts and late picks" is silly.

I'm not talking about bona fide power forwards. I'm talking about Abdelkader, who's scored 66 points in four years. I'm talking about Winnik, who's a former 9th round pick that Anaheim got for free.

I'm talking about defensive specialists, and yes they often go for very reasonable prices.
- Morris

Yes but it's value to your team vs actual value. A guy like say, McClement is worth what? Maximum a 2nd if your lucky, but his value to the team is such that they would never make that trade. Like Boyd Gordon, he is what he is and if you got offered a 2nd and a medium prospect it is well worth him, but not at the cost to what he brings to the team.

Maybe MacT is showing Kevin Lowe where he could look for employment once he is fired?
- ChetManly

both should be fired.

Must be a big trade coming up!
- Jeropotato

I hope it's for a Hemsky trade because if it's a Yak trade right now then the Oil are going to get rape,unless MacT got the magical touch in trades.

Gordon has three points last night.

Yes but it's value to your team vs actual value. A guy like say, McClement is worth what? Maximum a 2nd if your lucky, but his value to the team is such that they would never make that trade. Like Boyd Gordon, he is what he is and if you got offered a 2nd and a medium prospect it is well worth him, but not at the cost to what he brings to the team.
- AdamFrench

you like men

Maybe MacT is showing Kevin Lowe where he could look for employment once he is fired?
- ChetManly

Never a bad move to roll down the road to scout another team with possible interest in Yak. The Ranger and Flyers are two teams that could have serious interest and could get into a bidding war...
Best for MacT and KLowe to expose that.